A/N: I have been stuck on this chapter for days trying to figure out what to write, or rather how to write it... That is until 1:00 this morning when I woke up and had this idea. So, I got out ofmy lovely warm bed, fired up my computer, and started typing away. Try to enjoy it and thanks for reading this far.

Spirochick39: I hope your deductions proved accurate after reading this chapter.

­­Artemis Fowl's Girl: Thanks for the compliments. I tried to plan the whole story out ahead so I wouldn't forget anything important for the ending, yet I was still stuck on this chapter. I wanted it to be as realistic as possible (because all of us have the Russian Mafiya staying in our incredibly expensive Manors, holding our parents hostage while giving us a chance to use our "magic" on the expendable, unmarried, childless, orphaned Mafiya guards that no one will miss.).

Chapter 4

Magic Show

Artemis Fowl the Second was led out onto the grounds of Fowl Manor by two heavily-scarred guards. Neither looked pleased about having to witness a display by this pale adolescent. They may have been trained warriors, but no amount of training could overcome their superstitious upbringing. Not to mention, this boy was already rumored to have actual magic. Frankly, the guards didn't like their chances.

The score of guards outside the manor gathered around Artemis, who position himself next to a garden with a fat gnome garden piece. Yet, as chubby and cheerful as this plastic garden decoration appeared, it did not lack a dangerous side. For this particular gnome had a fairy sonix grenade disguised as one of its black boots. In other words, this chubby garden gnome really has a kick to it. Artemis almost smiled. Almost. He had just made a joke to himself. "Not the time," he silently reminded himself.

The guards waited around him anxiously. Artemis contented himself with casting a few mysterious glares around the those gathered. He then opened his mouth to talk and noticed all the guards take a half-step back from him, as though he were the plague and they were frightened of catching it. He closed his mouth again. The group seemed to let out one instantaneous sigh of relief.

Artemis let the silence drag on as long as possible. All the eyes in the vicinity were him. The Irish youth could see Britva standing in the doorway. "Darn," thought Artemis, "Out of range." He unconsciously shrugged his shoulders and felt a tremor of fear run around all those around him.

Looking around again, the boy said, "Richard," while holding out his hand and counting the coming words on his fingers. At every word, the guards cringed some more. He continued, drawing out ever word dramatically, "Of York gave battle in vain."

He had seven fingers up. Several guards had already fainted from apprehension. Artemis glanced around, his eyes resting on Britva in the doorway. The teenager gave his vampiric smile and then announced, "Rainbow!" Artemis unclenched his teeth, checked that his earplugs were secure, and ducked himself into a ball just in time to feel the compressed sound blast blow over his head.

The guards were not as lucky. They caught the blast right in their chests, blowing them off their feet. After eight words, Artemis had indeed incapacitated all of Britva's 20 men and had done so without harming himself. Artemis straightened himself up, fixed his tie, smoothed the new wrinkles from his suit, and strode boldly up to Britva, who was still standing by the doorway, a look of shock on his face.

Britva was aghast, "How..did you?...What?"

"It's magic." said the boy with a sneer.

"What type of magic can do that?" asked Britva, still awestruck and pointing towards his 20 men on the ground.

Artemis gave a knowing smile, "The only type of magic we humans can use: Science. To the simple-minded and ignorant of this world, any technological advancement would seem magical. Only the genii of the world can truly see the world as it is."

The teenager looked smug. Too smug, in fact, for Britva's tastes. The widely feared man regained his composure and decided to end a little of the boy's smugness by saying, "Science, eh? Well, just know that your science only works for me now. Or have you forgotten our deal? Let me refresh your memory. I believe it was that in the event that you managed to incapacitate my guards with your so-called 'magic,' then I shall spare your life and you should become my slave while your parents' lives are also spared as along as you cooperate. That was it, wasn't it?"

Britva grinned. That little reminder made the teenager's smugness vanish instantly, much like the boy's ransom cash had. "How fitting," thought the Mafiya leader.

Britva had his confidence back. His little mental victory over the pale youth transformed him back into the cold, heartless leader that control every situation. He organized his remaining men, "You ten, cover the grounds and all exits. Watch for any signs that the boy really isn't alone. You four, try to wake up the guys outside. Pour water on them or smack them in the face. It doesn't really matter, just get them up. You, make sure we still have four guys guarding the two parents upstairs. We wouldn't want the Fowl patriarch and matriarch to have escaped during all the commotion. Tell the guards to be ready to stay here a good while. I have a feeling we'll be using this boy as a slave for a very long time. In fact, I'm nearly certain that death will be appealing to this kid after we're done with him. Oh, and you again. After you're done checking on the hostages and their guards, get the car running and wait for me in the front. We'll be leaving this Manor in about 10 minutes. And finally you," said Britva, turning towards the final guard gathered, "Tie the kid up. Don't let him out of your sight. In fact, gag him. We wouldn't want him showing us anymore of his magic, now would we?"

The leader had such an evil glint in his eye, Artemis nearly lost his cool composure. Nearly. But Artemis Fowl the Second didn't make many mistakes and none when it came to his plans. He kept his calm appearance and smothered the fire he knew must have been burning in his eyes at the man before him. Britva. Artemis knew that the man wouldn't just leave his parents here unscathed. The man was lying through his teeth.

For a moment, Britva caught the peculiar gleam in the youth's eyes. But he mistook it for a look of desperance. Britva chuckled, "Let me warn you now that if you try to escape or try to resist my commands, I will not hesitate to kill your parents. Is that understood?"

The boy nodded as the guard grabbed him and tied his arms behind his back. Then, a rough gag was forced into his mouth. It tasted foul, but there was nothing the boy could do to stop these restraining devices from being forced on him. All he could do was watch Britva stalk out of the room. The man had pulled out a cell phone and was most likely scheduling their flight for himself, his two body guards, and Artemis Junior. The rest of the guards would follow their leader back to Russia over the next two days in small traveling groups of fours or fives in order to avoid suspicion. It's hard to have forty burly Russians in black suits in the Dublin Airport and not attract attention, but if they spread out the times of their departures, they could most likely avoid the stares of the airport crowds and the questions of the curious airport policemen.

Five minutes later, an already jumpy guard was pulled into a room by strong hands and placed in a chair in front of Britva's piercing dark green eyes. Looking around, the poor fellow noticed a body guard by the door who must've grabbed him.

Britva's voice was like ice when he said, "Vannar, I have an important task for you. You now help guard the Fowl couple. Don't worry, you won't be really be here that long. I expect to have all my men back in three days, tops. After I leave, wait two hours. After that, you're free to kill the couple but only after you torture Mr. Fowl until he transfers all his funds into my bank account. After he does that, make sure he and his wife have a tragic accident. Wipe all evidence of our stay here away. Can you handle this? Good. Check you're watch and know that I will be leaving in five minutes. Don't fail me...or else. You may leave."

Vannar wasn't quite as jumpy anymore. That had practically been a promotion; a big one with rewards. Vannar not only got to have some cruel sport with the hostages, but he also just might be able to add a few zero's to his own bank account. It was turning out to be a successful day on his part.

Two hours and five minutes later, Artemis Fowl the Second had fallen asleep on his own private jet, now commandeered by the evil scum of a man who was now checking his watch and imagining Artemis Senior's torture in his mind's eye. He stole a glance at the sleeping boy genius, making sure he was really asleep, and then let a huge evil smile escape from his lips. The mafiya leader sometimes even scared himself with his cruel schemes. He would go on letting the boy believe he had to work to keep his parents alive. No need to tell him they were already dead!

A/N: Ever wonder if the real Russian Mafiya is reading this right now and is already tracking down my pen name and plotting my murder?

Oh...and yes...I had to leave the chapter hanging on that thread. Just call me evil.