Chapter 2 The Meeting

Tara

The Tara shuttleport was among the most crowded, if not the most crowded, of the fairy shuttleports. Tara, Ireland was a popular destination for every elf, sprite, pixie, and their grandmothers due to its picturesque landscapes and the most potent magic that could fuel a fairy for months.

Unfortunately, it was also tourist season, so the already packed place was nearly overflowing. Extra officers had to be posted at stations every few yards, just to ensure that peace was maintained, putting a slight strain on the availability of LEP officers within Haven's center.

All of these were things that annoyed Trouble more than a swear toad bite to the rear. So actually being physically present in the shuttleport was almost past his breaking point. Thankfully he was able to secure a private meeting room for their Fowl acquaintances, sending instructions to Holly to lead the group there. He paced irritably, his ears angled back and occasionally twitching. Elf ears were sensitive and tended to express emotions more so than anything else. Man, he really needed a vacation.

The trip to Tara was long and cramped. This had been the longest time he had been away from his office. And who knew what his interns had been up too? He had called several times, but of course the bozos had decided not to answer. He groaned and rubbed his temples. "I better get a full carton of carrots and a jug of beet juice after this."

Foaly felt the shuttle come to a halt. Finally, they arrived. He got to his feet and patted James on the shoulder. "Welcome to Tara kid. You'll be in for one heck of a ride." With a simple press of a button the shuttle door opened and he made his way out. Across the way he spotted Trouble and gave him a simple wave of his hand.

James started to follow Foaly but stopped short and stared around in wonder. It was like he had walked into a Science Fiction movie.

Holly grinned as she slapped herself on the chest to release her harness. It was good to be back, as much as she loved being in the woods. Plus, of course, she'd get to see Artemis too. James seemed a bit surprised by the technology before him. Leaning against the shuttle doorframe beside him, Holly nodded at the bay outside, which was clangorous with noise. "Kind of cool, huh?"

"Well... I've never seen such advanced technology except in Science Fiction movies so it's kind of overwhelming to take all of this in." James said with a sheepish smile.

"It can be overwhelming at first," Holly said diplomatically, nodding. She was a city elf born and bred: being surrounded by this kind of thing was commonplace for her, and had been since she was no more than a baby. "You need a minute? We don't need to rush, really. I think it'll be a few more minutes before Butler and Artemis get here. Like, twenty or so."

"Yes please." James gave her a small smile and continued to look around and take it all in.

Foaly flicked his tail. "Well, don't take too long. I already spotted the Commander." He cleared his throat. "So we best look sharp."

Ah, of course trouble would come looking for them. Literally.

Holly waited, closing her eyes a moment. She'd deal with the commander when he came over. Not a second sooner. "Noted."

James looked around one last time and said "Is there somewhere in particular we will be meeting?"

The conference rooms were set into the wall opposite where they were standing. Holly leaned around the shuttle's doorframe to point, gesturing at the appropriate area. "Right there. Third on the left."

"Well what are we waiting for! Let's go!" He replied excitedly.

Foaly nodded. "Right, Holly you handle Artemis and James. I'll handle Trouble." He sighed and crossed Tara to meet the Commander.

Meanwhile, Juliet took James' hand and squeezed it gently. "Where would you like me James?" She asked.

"Stay with me... Please?" he said softly.

"Of course." Juliet smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm here for you James."

A man as tall as Butler walking up to a random bush and saying 'three blind mice in a small paper bag' would surely look odd to anyone, but thankfully the farm that housed the shuttleport rarely got many visitors, and the McGraney family kept themselves to themselves as a general rule of thumb. So Butler and Artemis were not spotted as they entered the shuttleport, at least not by any other human eyes.

Now where to go? Holly had sent them directions, but these maps could be a little confusing.

Just as James and was about to start heading towards the conference room he glanced back and saw his brother, or at least he thought it was his brother, and his bodyguard. "That's them isn't it Juliet?" He asked uneasily.

Juliet raised her head, noticing the hulking figure across the room. Beside him was the slender figure, Artemis. "Yes, that's him. Artemis and my older brother Domovoi." She smiled and raised her hand, waving warmly.

Holly grinned as she saw her friends, waving. The wave was returned when the two saw her, and she approached to give them both a brief hug before retreating to the sidelines. Best to let the twins handle this.

God, it was uncanny seeing Artemis's twin. Butler appreciated Holly's gesture, though, and he also appreciated her helping bring the two together after so long. It probably hadn't been easy, especially since she was still probably reeling from the revelations as well.

James smiled nervously "H-hi Artemis..."

"James, it's a pleasure to meet you." Artemis said with a smile that could only be described as warm.

Juliet approached her brother with a smile. "Hey there big brother. Funny seeing you here. Especially since I have my own Fowl." She crossed her arms and flipped her hair.

James blushed at Juliet's comment but said nothing

Artemis on the other hand stifled a laugh.

Really, why was he surprised? Butler didn't know. He just shook his head in silent amusement, allowing a smile to play across his lips. But for all that, the expression was genuine: he was glad Juliet had found someone who made her happy. Who made her life richer, and not by throwing money at things. He did approve, based on what he'd seen so far.

Juliet placed a hand on her brothers arm and pulled him away. Just enough so the two could keep an eye on their charges. But far enough away to speak in private, both everyone. She pulled her brother close. "How long were Angeline and Artemis Sr. going to keep James a secret brother?"

Trouble had stepped out of the conference room to help an officer sort out a small domestic dispute down the hall from the meeting rooms. He returned then, looking even more irritated than he had been before. He noticed Foaly waiting for him and came to a stop beside the centaur. "Foaly." He said shortly.(A/N: the pun was completely unintended on the person playing Trouble's part) "Holly is in there with the Fowls?"

Foaly nodded. "Yes, the two need a couple of responsible adults." He crossed his arms. "Besides, there's not much I can do to help over there. Technology is fine. People, not so much..."

Trouble sighed. "I've had enough of people for today, but there's nothing I can do about that." He shrugged. "The trip here wasn't too bad?"

"Could've been better, to be honest." Foaly stretched the kinks out of his body. "James certainly found it interesting. Finds the whole thing interesting. Want to meet him Trouble?"

"Mm. Is he anything like his brother?" Trouble asked, he wasn't sure if he had the patience at the moment to deal with two smug Fowls.

"Not really. James is a lot more shy compared to Artemis. Maybe being raised away from Fowl influence was a good thing." Foaly smirked and flicked his tail. "I think you would have an ulcer sir if you had to deal with two Artemis'"

Trouble grimaced. "As if I'm not in my way to getting one now after the day I've had." He sighed. "What the hell, I'll go in and meet the kid I suppose."

Foaly chuckled. "Well, it will certainly be an experience sir." He patted Trouble on the shoulder. "Good luck. And enjoy." He crossed his arms and followed the Commander closely.

"If you say so, Foaly." He said, stepping into the room with the others. "Major Short." He nodded at his friend and then turned to the Fowls.

"Evening Trouble." Juliet smiled. "Pleasure to see you again." She returned to James, who would be needing her presence at this point.

James and Artemis were quietly talking about their parents and younger siblings. James had been showering Artemis with questions about what their family was like.

Artemis was just finishing up a story about Myles and Beckett's latest escapade and James was barely able to contain his laughter.

Holly's ears perked up excitedly as she watched the pieces of her family begin to come together. James and Artemis were laughing, happy together for the first time in their lives, and Trouble would hopefully be able to see that James should be allowed to liaison with them as well, if need be. He seemed a bright enough young man, and if the fairy domain was the safest place to meet with his brother...

Butler's eyes swept the room constantly, on guard even among friends and allies. Meetings like this tended to attract attention, and humans were not a normal sight in a fairy shuttleport. You never knew who might be watching. He just wanted to make sure that nothing happened to his charge or his charge's twin when they'd only just met. Which was why the giant Eurasian was the first to notice something unusual beginning to happen. A lot of good that did, though, when he barely even had time to open his mouth before it was upon them.

Trouble nodded at the younger Butler. "Juliet. It's been a while." Trouble watched the Fowl siblings for a moment, quickly seeing the differences between them. Perhaps James would be more tolerable than Artemis. Finally, a Fowl he could get used to. Trouble also was quick to notice that something was awry. There was some sort of energy in the air and he wasn't fond of the negative feeling it gave him. His ears twitched and his first instinct was to reach for the Neutrino strapped to his hip.

James stopped talking when he noticed the tension in the air. Years of learning how to duck conflict had made it easy for him to tell when someone in the room was tense.

He turned to his girlfriend "Juliet-" he cut his sentence short when he noticed that his brother's bodyguard as well as Holly and Foaly's boss looked ready to fight.

Juliet squeezed James' hand gently as if to say that she would handle the situation. "Trouble, this is James Fowl. Artemis' twin." She took a step forward, protecting her charge. "He..." she paused, noticing Trouble's slight change in posture. What was he sensing that they couldn't?

?

The clouds darkened. A swirl of colour appeared in the sky: yellow, green and teal. The sound of thunder rumbled overhead. And yet, it did not rain. And there were no signs of lighting. Just the weird colours in the sky. Among the commotion an opening appeared in the sky. Small at first, but soon growing bigger and bigger. There was a loud clap as a beam of indigo light appeared through the portal, seeming to head towards the forest. A large ball, barely visible, sped through the air like a gunshot. It soon landed in the forest, making a large boom. The earth quaked, making some fall to their knees. As it quaked a purple hue flashed along the ground before disappearing. Everything soon calmed. But there was still a weird static in the air. Everyone was silent. Even the air was still.