Sana leaned against the side of the door as Artemis took out the dangerous looking gel from his pocket. In the night-time gloom, the amber gel looked even more toxic. It seemed to exude a faint glow.

"... the Indriidae family of primates, which, as you know, is a strictly vegetarian family," lectured Artemis.

Butler replied, "Who wouldn't know that?" He still held his dart pistol. Sana silently added, Who the hell cares about the diet of the lemur when you're about to kidnap the poor thing and sell it?

Artemis did not notice Sana's disapproval. Or, more realistically, Artemis noticed Sana's disapproval but ignored it. He continued his mini lecture. Sana sighed. She wished her parents were here. They would know what to do and how to dissuade Artemis from his plans. Then she remembered their deaths two months ago, and her heart twisted in pain. She would never get used to the fact that they were dead, and every time she thought about it, her feelings were the same as when she first heard about it one spring night.

Artemis was still speaking. "Sap concentrate, with a potpourri of African vegetation. No lemur could resist it. But if this particular primate's brain is stronger than his stomach, fire away. One shot, if you please…"

Sana tuned out. She was starting to regret coming on this trip. Even though, by coming, she could see what Artemis was doing and not be in the dark, Sana did not want to help them at all. In fact, she was seriously considering contacting the other, older Artemis and helping them instead. Actually, she was surprised that Butler and Artemis did not recognise the other Artemis, but that is just one of the major failings of the male population. Unobservant.

The lemur crept closer the gel, eventually laying a delicate paw on Artemis' wrist. Sana held her breath. Was the lemur going to sense the danger in time?

Suddenly, a wave of pure terror blasted through the compound. Shaking with terror, Sana turned towards the source of the sound. The girl from the cage next door was making the most fantastical sound ever. A sound of pure fear and pain. Butler said something, but Sana did not register it. Artemis gave an order. The girl collapsed, her orchestra squealing to a stop. Even though the unnatural choir had stopped, Sana continued shaking with fear. She could not control the overwhelming flood of dread sweeping through her body. Sana stood there, rooted to the spot, until a clump of soil hit Sana in the head, its force projecting it through the bars of the cage. She blinked, then shook her head and looked around. She spotted two figures, one big but graceful, one small but awkward, climbing up a ladder along a Rathdown pylons. She began to run. What? What just happened? All I remember is fear. And then they're there, up the ladder, and I'm here, still next to the cage. Oh man, I wish I could fly to where they are. It'll take me so much less time…

Too focused on reaching Artemis before he did anything drastic, like shooting the poor lemur, Sana did not notice a faint blue glow coating her skin and clothes lifting her several centimetres above the ground. Hey, I'm not getting tired. Maybe running around the Fowl estates every morning has improved my stamina and speed. Think about that later, Sana. Get to Arty.

Sana ran, blue sparkles trailing after her.

Butler flanked Artemis on the small platform. They could not advance any further, Artemis's teeth grinding with frustration. Even a Fowl could not extend the service ladder to reach the lemur, who was scampering nimbly on the wire, looking back every now and then at the couple on the platform. Out of the corner of his eye, Butler noticed a faint blue thing approaching the pylon.

"Artemis, there's something blue coming our way."

Artemis looked towards the ground. "Where?"

"Down near the –. Never mind." The blue glow had disappeared, and Butler, deciding that it was not a threat, promptly forgot about it. However, Butler's observations led to Artemis's own.

"Butler, if you were left in a gorilla's cage with two incapacitated companions, would you be able to run towards your original target safely?"

"No, Artemis. I would probably be battling the gorilla."

"Then who, or what, is that?" A pale, slender finger pointed towards the ground. Butler looked in that direction, rubbed his eyes, and looked again.

"Artemis, I think that's the boy from before."

"Hmm… This lemur's value is rising steadily. If that boy can escape an angry gorilla with two useless companions unharmed…" Artemis's voice trailed off, calculating the profit he would gain if he could capture the boy and his cohorts.

Faint sounds travelled up the ladder. Immediately, Butler grabbed Artemis into a bear hug, shielding Artemis from the ladder with his own body.

A muffled voice emerged from the depths of Butler's suit. "Butler, what is it? What's happening?" Butler did not answer, concentrating on the top rung of the ladder. Soon, a small graceful figure climbed onto the platform, brown hair swinging. The figure walked out into the moonlight and Butler relaxed, seeing Sana's familiar features and not some diminutive assassin's face. He let go of Artemis, whose eyes immediately began to search for the boy.

A metallic scrape made all three look up at the wire. Ten metres from the pylon opposite them, a small metallic platform moved laboriously towards them. The lemur turned and looked at the person on the platform.

Artemis spoke. Even though he spoke without raising his voice, it travelled far, reaching the platform easily. "I advise you to stay where you are, young man. If that suit has the tiniest rip, then one slip and those cables will liquefy your skin and melt your bones." Both Butler and Sana heard the patronizing tone Artemis had adopted. Sana winced. The older Artemis would not take to being patronized well. "It would take less than a second for you to die. But that's quite long enough to be in mortal agony, don't you think? And all for nothing, as the lemur will obviously return for this treat."

Artemis opened the bag with the gel. The tantalizing smell wove through the air, reaching the lemur for the second time that night. The lemur's nose twitched. It turned its head. All three looked in amazement. It had turned towards the person on the platform. Sana concentrated. She could hear a faint purring sound wafting towards them.

Evidently, Artemis heard it too. "Listen, Butler." Artemis mocked, "There's a cat on the wire. A big tom, I would say. Perhaps you should throw him a fish." Despite the lightness of his tone, Sana could feel the tension in Artemis's body. Butler looked down at his charge, sensing his anxiety.

The lemur took a few hesitant steps towards the platform.

Artemis closed his eyes, breathing deeply through his nose the way Butler had taught him. Sana watched, enthralled, as the lemur scampered onto the older Artemis's shoulder and sat there as he slowly moved back towards the service pylon. She smiled, relieved that the lemur was now in good hands. Butler looked on in trepidation, not knowing what Artemis wanted to do next. All he knew was that, knowing Artemis, it would be something drastic.

"Shoot the animal." Icicles dripped from every word. Artemis met the boy's stare coolly. Sana turned and gazed at Artemis in horror, then turned back around and looked back at the other Artemis. Both Artemises focused on each other, neither of them backing away.

Butler sounded surprised. "Shoot the monkey."

"It's a…never mind. Just shoot it. The man is protected by his suit, but the lemur is an easy target."

Sana could not believe the words she was hearing. Neither could Butler. "But the fall…"

"If it falls, it dies. I will not be thwarted here, Butler, If I cannot have that lemur, then no one will have it."

Butler hesitated.

"Whenever you're ready, Butler. The target is not getting any closer." Artemis broke away from the eye contact to look at Butler. Butler sighed and took his pistol out, climbing over the rails to get a better shot.

The person on the platform spoke. "Stay back. You don't know what you're dealing with."

"Ah, he speaks. How fortunate that we can understand each other." Artemis spoke loudly, his words ringing across the countryside. "Well, understand this, stranger. I will have that silky sifaka or it will die. Make no mistake."

"You must not do this. There's too much at stake."

"I must do it. I have no choice. Now sent the animal over, or Butler will shoot."

Butler shifted uncomfortably in front of them. Sana stood, as unnoticed as a statue, looking at the older boy. Once more, the two Artemises locked gazes. Sana could see the shock in the older Artemis's eyes as he registered his younger self's determination. Slowly, he reached up and plucked the lemur, who was playing with the hood of his suit, off his head and set it back on the wire. After whispering some words, the lemur tweaked his nose and trotted back to Artemis, who grinned triumphantly as it leaped towards him. Soon, Artemis cradled the lemur in the crook of his elbow, the lemur dipping its long fingers into the sap. Butler vaulted over the rail back onto the platform in one smooth motion.

Artemis could not resist a parting speech. "Now, I think it best that you stay exactly where you are until we leave. I think fifteen minutes should be fine. After that, I advise you to be on your way and count yourself fortunate that I did not have Butler sedate you. Remember the pain that you are feeling now. The ache of utter defeat and hopelessness. And, if you ever consider crossing swords with me again, review your memory of this pain, and perhaps you will think twice."

Butler stuffed the lemur, not ungently, into a duffel bag. Artemis, checking that the lemur was secure, began the long, arduous climb back to Earth, slipping every now and then as he approached the ground. Butler followed his master down the ladder, hoisting the lemur's bag over his shoulder, steadying Artemis every time he slipped. After they left, Sana lingered at the top of the ladder, glancing back at the Artemis left stranded on the platform. His face was filled with anger and determination. One last look, and Sana leapt lightly down the ladder. Artemis and Butler, once she reached Earth, were already hurrying back towards the Bentley. Sana glanced back up at the solitary platform, silhouetted by the moon, and then ran swiftly after the pair.

Sana.

Sana spun around. All she saw was the moon shining down on an empty field. What had called to her? Was it just all in her head? She began to follow boy and master again.

Sana! Can you hear me?

What the hell? Sana stopped walking and looked around wildly. The people in the gorilla's cage had disappeared. All the animals, including said gorilla, were asleep. As far as she could see, there was no one near her, except for Artemis and Butler, and they were in front of her. Slowly, the horrifying truth dawned on her. I'm imagining voices! I'm turning schizophrenic!

Don't be stupid. You're not turning schizophrenic. You're perfectly sane. Now keep walking. Follow Artemis and Butler.

Oh. Okay.

Sana commenced her journey again, convinced that she was still schizophrenic. However, the voices inside her head seemed sensible, hence her following its instructions.

Stop thinking that you're going mental!

I'm not!

Liar. Anyway, so that you're convinced, I'm Holly, the girl who came with Artemis and got captured and locked up in the back of your car. I can't talk to you like this after the distance separating us gets too big, so try to dawdle as much as possible.

If you're not just some random voice in my head, how can you talk to me?

I'm an elf. That's a type of fairy. Fairies have magic, and so I can use my power to talk to other fairies with a fair bit of power. That's usually only elves and pixies though. Other types of fairies have n–

What? That means I have powers too! What the hell? OK. I'm definitely schizophrenic. Oh my God, I'm mental!

Sana! Calm down. You're half fairy!

Even though both my parents are definitely human?

Yes! I mean, no! Argh! I'll explain it after all this is over. Anyway, do you believe me?

Not really. If you really are a fairy, give me a sign. Like, now.

An explosion next to a collapsed wall showered Sana with dirt.

OK. I believe you. Are you guys trying to get the lemur too? You're not selling it, are you?

No! We need it to save Angeline's life!

You're killing it?!

No! Stop jumping to conclusions! We're going to extract a bit of its brain fluid. And with the technology we have in the future, it won't hurt or kill an ant, much less a lemur.

Angeline, as in Angeline Fowl?

Yeah.

Artemis was sitting in the Bentley, windows rolled down. Sana began to walk a little faster.

So you need the lemur to save her life?

Yeah.

I'll help you.

What about Artemis?

I don't like what he's doing. Even if the money's for finding dad, I still don't like what he's doing. So I'll help you. In any way possible.

We next meet, according to Artemis, in a few hours. You want to talk then?

Sana reached the Bentley. Opening the door, she slid into the car and closed the door. The minute the door closed, Butler sped off down the road. Sana hurriedly put on her seatbelt.

Sure. And if you don't appear, well, I'll know I'm schizophrenic then, right?

The contact broke. A chance, finally, to do something to save Artemis from himself! Sana smiled at the joke.

Artemis noticed her smile. The first smile since Sana learnt of what he was doing.

"What are you so happy about, Sana?"

Sana shook her head, still smiling. Artemis looked at her suspiciously, but decided not to say anything. And so the Bentley sped on towards the next chapter of this adventure.


After reading this chapter, could someone review it so that my number of reviews become 20? 19 is such as weird, odd number. I'd like it if it could be a nice, round number like 20. I don't care if you flame it or if you praise it or if it's constructive critism. (I would prefer it if it wasn't a flame, but seriously, just review. That's how desperate I am.) Thanks!

Funny fact: I was still logged on to Fanfiction when my sister was reading it, and posted two reviews as a joke, of which one was 'you told me to boost your reviews'. But she didn't realise I was logged on, and so now if you go to the reviews page it looks like I posted reviews about my own story to 'boost my reviews'! XD

Et-R