Disclaimer: I don't own any Artemis Fowl characters. Sadly, they all belong to Eoin Colfer.

Key:

Italics: Entry in Artemis's diary

Regular font: the dream; third person narration

'Words': Thinking

"Words": Speaking

Check Mate (Part I)

I have been having very weird dreams lately. A week and a half ago I had a dream about a cat drinking water. A few days later I had a dream about an ant crawling out of a sugar bowl. But those dreams were nothing compared to the dreams I've been having these last few days. They are, oddly enough, about Minerva and Holly. Holly, of all people. This is bad. These dreams are cluttering my mind so much that… Oh goodness. I, Artemis Fowl the Second, have written an incomplete sentence. "Holly, of all people." This is not good.

Minerva Paradizo was visiting Artemis Fowl at Fowl Manor. It wouldn't be the first time she had come. Actually, she came as often as she could. She shouldn't have bothered. They usually didn't do much. Butler had to start up conversation most of the time.

Today was one of those days. They just sat there in awkward silence while Butler went to prepare lunch. When Butler checked up on them, Artemis was looking out the window and Minerva was inspecting her flawlessly manicured nails. He rolled his eyes. Then an idea struck him like lightning. 'This is what Artemis must feel like all the time,' he mused to himself. Out loud he suggested, "Why don't you two play a game of chess?"

His idea was greeted with less enthusiasm than he thought it would be, but there was still definitely more interest than there had been before. "Fine," came Artemis's usual succinct answer.

Artemis was enjoying the chess game. Minerva was an unusually worthy opponent, a challenge. Artemis liked challenges. Even more so, he liked challenging the challenge. And challenge he did, for he was the toughest opponent Minerva had ever faced.

"Check," said Minerva after ¾ of an hour. Artemis was in check. He couldn't believe it, but wasn't surprised, if that makes any sense.

Fifteen minutes later, someone's mate got checked, and it wasn't Artemis's. Minerva could NOT believe that she had lost. It was totally unthinkable. "There is no way you just beat me," she whispered.

Artemis smirked. "Yet, here I am, victorious," he said.

Minerva herself could not understand her rage. She jumped off her seat as if it had burned her and knocked the chessboard off of the table in between them. She screamed and stomped off out of the room.

I woke up after her little tantrum. It was very odd, to say in the least. Well, at least there wasn't anything sexual in the dream. I probably wouldn't be able to handle it. On second thought, I can handle anything, so… yeah.

Does anyone else think she is a spoiled brat? Part II coming up soon, featuring (who else?) Holly!!! Someone's mate got checked, hee hee… Please read and review!!!