A/N: …. (Recoils form the computer screen in shock, horror, and disgust) I'm so sooooo soooooorrrrrryyyyy! I'm a terrible perrrrrsssssoooooonnnn! I haven't updated in 5 months! 5 MONTHS! Remorse, remorse! And everyone was so good to me with all of the reviews… Well, I'm going to respond to them regardless of how long they've been there, because some people had really good points.

To: mtzBEN

Yes, I knew I took a chance with Artemis' meltdown. It was a hit or miss kind of thing, and I guess it was a miss. Sorry.

As for Holly shielding: Just keep reading! I know exactly what I'm going to do with that situation.

I doubt Artemis could tell where she is in the dark with so many other distractions, but like I said, I'll address that, probably next chapter.

Thank you so much for your review!

To: Jasmine Wanderer

Yes, I'm sorry about the OOC-ness. I'll work on that.

As, for the "Can I bring my fairy friends?" thing, N*1 broke that curse (or whatever you want to call it). But, I have to admit, it would have been funny if I had done that. I may go back and add it in!

Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!

Hugs to everyone who's stuck with this story, even after an entire 5 months of dormancy. I'm so sorry…. (I'm such a hypocrite! "Oh, I'm never going to be one of those authors who won't finish their stories." Tch. Right.)

The story begins… NOW!

"Three… two… one… engage."

Artemis' thoughts were unusually jumbled. He had little idea of what he should do, for he preferred neatly structured pastimes where the person knew exactly what was to be done, at any given time. Formulas and rules were his best friends, and this game was seriously lacking both of these.

His palms were sweaty, heart beating fast, and mouth dry, as he stood rooted to the spot, completely at a loss.

Hmmm… it seems as though something primal has overridden all calm and rational thought. Perhaps this is the "fight or flight" instinct?

The stymied teenager would have liked to have taken a hot bath or meditated, but it was obvious that both of these activities would be impossible.

Instead, Artemis examined his weapon and his gear. The gun was made of cheap black plastic, with blue lights running along either side of it. The vast was a heavy material, maybe canvas?

Artemis could, of course, just cut the wires, effectively disabling the thing. After that was taken care of, he could simply hide in a corner until the session was finished. There was only one flaw to this devious and oh so complicated plan…

I doubt the laser tag arena would approve of me ruining their equipment. If only I had all my tools… then I would be able to fix it after taking it apart…

Artemis had only one option: Play the game.

As he stood their deliberating (and refusing to accept the grim truth), a dark shape flew out of the shadows and barreled straight into him.

Artemis staggered off balance, nearly thrown to the ground.

"D'arvit! The rules explicitly state that physical contact is strictly prohibited! I-"

The sock puppet kid stood in front of him, looking very menacing for a boy less than half Artemis' age. He stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry at the appalled genius.

"Rules are for sissys! Sissy! Sissy! Sockie don't like sissys!"

"Now why would I care what an inanimate piece of clothing-"

Before he knew it, "Sockie" had taken out his dislike for "sissys" on Artemis' nose.

"D'arvit! D'arvit! Why would you do that?"

Artemis gingerly fingered his injured nose. Due to his extensive knowledge in the medical field, he was able tell that it wasn't broken, only bruised.

"Nah, nah, nah nah, naaaaaah!"

And with that, Sock Puppet Kid ran cackling over to a tower, undoubtedly looking for his next unfortunate victim.

I believe I have just been socked by a sock…

Artemis once again admonished himself for his untimely sense of humor.

Despite his throbbing nose, it seemed the punch had "knocked" some sense into his noggin. Springing into action, Artemis jogged towards a ramp that led into a tower (not the same one Sock Puppet Kid had headed for). Several times he was shot and his suit powered down, but for now he was only trying to stay alive, never mind his score.

If I can venture a bit higher, perhaps I won't be such a sitting duck.

He careened around corners and slalomed through the numerous obstacles, wishing Butler could see his remarkable performance. After tripping over his own feet for the third time and running head on into a wall, that wish vanished as quickly as it came.

At last, he reached the highest room in the arena. Looking out a window, he surveyed his surroundings. A disco ball hung from the ceiling spun crazily, reflecting multicolored lights that shone upon it. Brightly color splashes of paint on the walls seemed to glow under the black lights. A fog machine had been turned on, and thick clouds of vapor hovered against the ceiling. He thought he glimpsed Beckett scampering across the floor, but it was difficult to tell.

Whoops and screams reverberated in the cavernous arena, sounding even more sinister and unearthly in the darkness. Artemis shivered, despite the fact that his expensive suit was probably ruined from his perspiration.

Finally, his genius brain had an idea (he was a little slow at the time).

Hmmm… I wonder…

Artemis leaned out the window, gripping his gun tightly with both hands, and waited. After a few seconds, two people ran out of a building and paused right underneath him. It was that Kay girl on his team and the arm chewing boy.

"Shut up! Shut up! I'm in Tron! I'm in Tron! Be quiet!" Kay squealed at the boy.

Vaguely, he wondered what the girl was shouting about as he took aim. The bright red beam of his laser hit the ground right next to Arm Chewer. He didn't seem to notice. Again and again, Artemis fired, but his efforts were futile. He stretched down even farther, standing on his tip toes to get a better shot.

If I don't hit him soon, they're going to leave.

Artemis heard footsteps behind him, and hoped whoever was coming was on his team. He had given up on aiming the blaster and was now just shooting rapidly in the general direction.

I have to get this kid soon! The laws of probability state that-

Wham!

The two teenage guys were behind him, horsing around. One had shoved the other, sending him crashing into Artemis. The guy's momentum caused the prodigy to…

…Fall out the window.

Artemis' last thought was:

If I ever see Holly again, I'm going to tell her "I told you so."

Then he prepared for impact.

A/N: Yeah, I know. Short chapter, and not very good to boot. I think Artemis was slightly more OOC on this chapter, but I couldn't have him look like a laser tag pro, now could I? I've also had a terrible case of writers block, and I was kind of floundering in this chapter. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions/requests please feel free to tell me! I know what's going to happen with the whole falling-Arty thing though. Next chapter will center on Holly!

Oh, and the sniper thing was for anonymous! Thanks for the idea, anonymous!