A/N Hehehehe…..*dodges rotten tomatoes* Hey guys! *waves nervously* It's been a while hasn't it, my friends? *smiles innocently* OK, in my defense, my school finds it a PLEASURE to assign TONS of homework and make us take test after test! You know what I'm talking about, Cynthia Darling, don't you? XD So funny story about school on Friday. The electricity went out for an unknown reason, so we didn't have school! YAY! Thanksgiving Break started a day earlier! So, how are your Thanksgivings going to be? Are you hosting the feast or traveling to family? Have fun this Thanksgiving everybody! BTW, thanks goes out to you (Cynthia Darling) for helping me with this plotline. And the last part of the chapter. OK, here's Ch. 7! Have fun!XDXDXD

Ch. 7 Too Strong

Artemis slipped through the dining room door, followed by Butler, and was nearly to his seat before anyone noticed, until Juliet glanced up from carrying plates. "Hi Arty!" she grinned, raising the attention of the other people seated at the table. His mother, father, and the twins turned to see the boy slip into his chair and his hands flash below the safety of the table.

Angeline smiled, happy with the presence of her oldest son. "Artemis!" she smiled warmly at him. "Welcome to dinner!" Artemis ducked to hide a blush. His mother often said that phrase to remind him to be on time to the next meal. "Thank you Mother." He replied, quietly.

His father regarded him with something of an interested glance, but Artemis knew the look well. It meant that his father knew he was up to something. Artemis focused his gaze at the tabletop, hands restless under the ancient brown table.

To keep his mind off of being discovered, Artemis ran the history of the old table through his mind. His father had told him the story many times…

*Flashback*

5 year old Artemis stood next to his father, and listened intently to the rise and fall of the man's deep voice. "This, Arty, is a very old table. It was fashioned from an old oak tree that fell on this very estate nearly two centuries ago." Artemis looked up to the man who he loved so much.

His father continued. "Your ancestor took the tree and cut it into sections and fashioned it into this table. It was the first dining room table in the Fowl family." Artemis internalized this information into his large mind and remembered every word that his father had spoken, as well as the next ones that peaked young Artemis's remembrance of the conversation.

"One day, Artemis, you can tell this story to your children and your children's children." His father gazed down at his son and said "Remember this Arty." And Artemis had nodded and promised, "I will, Father."

*End Flashback*

Artemis snapped out of his memory as he heard his mother's voice. "Artemis. Artemis, can you hear me?" The boy glanced up to see a table of perplexed and worried faces gazing at him. He knew they were only curious, but he could feel the steel eyes of his father watching him.

Artemis nodded quickly and replied quietly, "I am fine." As he returned his eyes to the table, he noticed that there was a plate in front of him. On the plate was creamy mashed potatoes, chicken breast, green salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and a piece of sourdough bread spread with butter.

Artemis knew he should eat, but didn't have any appetite. His mother, however, had different plans. "Eat your dinner Arty!" she said, and then turned to scold to Juliet to stop serving and sit down and eat. The boy ate the dinner slowly, listening to the cheery conversation around him, hoping no one would notice his poor appetite and lack of concentration.

He really shouldn't have bothered. Although the boy genius was wonderful at hiding his shadier projects and schemes, he never could manage to hide his emotions or feelings from his faithful and trustworthy bodyguard.

Butler was watching Artemis with concern. The boy was hardly eating and was clearly being bothered by something. He watched with intent until Artemis happened to glance up and notice him. The boy frowned momentarily, then returned to his barely eaten food.

The bodyguard did the same but watched his charge from the corner of his eye. The boy was definitely irritated by something. Maybe it was his powers getting to him. Maybe it was the recent turn of events, having to hide the ice welding powers to save his family from the possible injuries.

Butler absently listened to the conversation around him, as Artemis sat silently next to him, picking at the plate before him. Angeline was cheerily describing to her husband about her day, as the twins laughed at Juliet's face she made at them. Artemis I ate listened to his wife, sometimes providing an answer every now and then, but kept his gaze and full attention on his oldest son.

Meanwhile, the tension started to get to Artemis as he felt the ice seeping into his veins and the very essence of him. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Artemis could feel his newfound powers building up inside of him slowly, but surely.

"Control it!" Artemis whispered harshly. "You have to control it!" Angeline turned to look at her son. "Arty dear? Did you say something?" "No. Mother," Artemis faltered. "I did not say…anything." As he said the last sentence, a bead of sweat appeared on his hairline and he looked conflicted. Butler took this as his cue and stood up.

"Madame and Mister Fowl," said Butler. "I believe Master Fowl and I must excuse ourselves." Butler touched Artemis's lightly and whispered, "Artemis. Your powers are starting to give you difficulty. It's as plain as day. We need to go and talk to Foaly." "No! Butler, I am fine. Please, do not interrupt the meal that Juliet and Mother so carefully prepared."

This time Butler grabbed Artemis's arm. He didn't care that Madame and Mister Fowl were watching, he had to get Artemis out of the room before he accidently hurt someone. "Don't touch me!" Artemis yelled and yanked his arm out of Butler's grasp, causing ice to shoot out of his hand, regardless of the glove, and hit the chandelier. The chain holding it to the ceiling broke and it started to fall, with Angeline directly under it.

"Angeline!" Artemis Senior dove across the table to push his wife of the way, very nearly not getting to her in time. Glass shattered and shards fell on Angeline and Artemis Senior. Artemis Junior looked at the damage he caused because of a simple gesture. He looked over to his father and Artemis couldn't think why he did so. Maybe for forgiveness? Reassurance, that it wasn't totally his fault? But this was not what the boy got when he looked into his father's eyes.

"Artemis!" Artemis I said sharply. Then his tone softened when he saw his son's expression of disbelief and terror. The boy was obviously in a state of fright and emotional unstableness. His father saw this and said his son's name more softly. "Artemis, I-" He started to say. But Artemis was too far gone to hear. What he did hear from his father made him feel something inside. Something he hadn't felt since is second confrontation with Holly Short, all those years ago.

He was a monster.

A/N *appears sobbing* *sniff*…The tears that were shed!DXDX);););); You can send your thanks to Cynthia Darling for the last part of the chapter (although I altered it a bit!). She broke me… I don't know about you guys, but that last part….AGHHHH! *starts sobbing again* Cut the camera, Mike!D'X