Fun fact – the Star Wars cruiser shown during the battle for Corusant (III) is known as a Venator-class cruiser. Oh, and the fourth part is supposed to have been written like that, I promise, my writing isn't that bad.
1st September 1995, Dublin, it didn't rain, but I can take some liberties can I not?We also meet a new OC. Let's see, three main original characters to rival Artemis, Holly, Butler, Kelp,Opal, Minerva, Artemis I, etcetera etcetera. I'm not sure how many more main OCs I want to have. I think three is good enough though.
Mack
"I'll fuck your mind, over the spring time, degrading in your prime, a thought so asinine"
Ching Chime by Serj Tankian
"Is it too good to be true? That's our first thought. We have the option to become stronger, smarter, and faster. I suppose, there are the moral issues, and people have refused for religious reasons, but human nature tends to prevail. We want to be better. However, it's a massive shock.
"Well, there's the first transformation. It's an extremely hard feeling to describe. Your mind... it blanks... and, excuse my French, its like your first good fuck. Imagine that feeling in your lower abdomen but its spread through your entire body. All of your bones crack... its like a drug.
"Considering I was... what? Twelve during my first time? Its addictive... its feels... all of your problems are blown away. Like any drug, it takes control.
"One of the reasons that the arbitrary transformations were outlawed, was that immaturity would breed recklessness and blatant stupidity. Like teens at a house party, new bloods would overuse their gift... I suppose that's why the Venators are there..."
Excerpt from an interview with Keleus Reegan, The Complete Works of Wolfenkind by Dr. K. Kopple.
A blur of movement.
Holly span trying to track the movement to no avail.
A soft growl in the distance.
Holly looked towards the sound, but there is nothing but darkness.
A scream from the opposite direction.
Eyes wide, she looked towards the new sound, but there is nothing but darkness.
it hurts
The voice is soft and sound is surround.
make it stop
"Get out of my head!" Holly shouted, scratching at her temple.
please mother make it stop
Holly fell to knees.
mother please make it stop it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts
"Leave her."
Artemis watched his friend and love interest coldly. Butler and Levi stood either side of him.
Levi grimaced. Artemis turned to him. "Please... we need to know what happened..."
Butler hid his surprise. Artemis did not beg. Holly was his first friend, other that Butler, who he really cared about.
Levi shook his head. "She probably won't even remember what she saw when she wakes."
"Normally..." Artemis took a breath, "What did you do?" he growled, clenching his hands into fists. Butler put a hand on his charge's shoulder. No one wants to watch someone you love suffer.
Before Butler could speak, Holly screamed again.
In order to minimise the Fowl family's exposure to magic, they took the LEP captain to one of Butler's many safe houses near the manor. When Artemis found her, she was shivering and sweating worryingly high amounts. As Butler carried her to the safehouse, she had the first seizure.
That was two days ago. Artemis had not left her side, and the bags around his eyes were evident.
She had been trying to claw open her own head for the last few hours, which made Artemis call for Levi. The Lycan, however, was being extremely tight lipped.
"Butler, restrain her arms."
Butler did so without question. Ignoring her thrashing, Artemis sat next her, whispering softly. It sounded similar to what his mother would sing to the twins to get them to sleep. He got single verse before the young elf slipped an arm from under Butler.
"No! Stop it! Don't hurt him!" Her arm flew up, catching Artemis across his hazel eye. The genius stumbled, clutching his face, while Butler struggled to hold her down.
Leviticus watched the exchange with a smile. The young Fowl has crush on the elf, even Butler finds it adorable.
Artemis, however, took his smile the wrong way. "What did you do...?" His voice was soft, and portrayed much more malice than a Lycan growl.
Levi shook his head, not losing his smile. He walked over to the thrashing elf, and sat where Artemis did.
"Let her go." Butler glanced warily, but stood back.
In an instant, the elf began thrashing. Levi put a hand onto her chest and the movements ceased. "Puella quiete et Lunam habebit alium Angelum." He growled, his Lycan voice breaking through his human form.
Within seconds, the sparks flew from her body, as well as engulfing Levi's hand. Her sweats receded and the shivering stopped. Her breathing rate fell. Levi bowed towards the bed, and stepped back, approaching the gaping Artemis.
"What did... W-what did you do?!"
Levi smiled softly. "If I'm correct, her body was overflowing with magic, I simply absorbed some of the excess."
Artemis regained control of his jaw and frowned. "But why is that a problem?"
"When she wakes, ask her."
And he left.
Soft. Headache. Darkness.
No. Not darkness. Little light.
Warm. Hot? Comfortable. Breathing. Two? Three? Danger?
Shield. Two Mudmen. One small. One big. One danger. Second?
Roll out of soft. Air warm. Ground soft. Danger. Big Mudman turns. Hunting.
Drop to ground. Second Mudman turns. Speaks to big Mudman. Big Mudman distracted. Chance.
Run fast. Big Mudman fast. Hit legs. Pain. Fall. Roll. Run. Look back.
Mudman grab. Strong. Panic. Kick. Claw. Bite. Eyes. Mudman let go. Run.
Little Mudman. Speaks. Shield? Danger. Weak? Weak.
Punch. Miss. Punch. Miss. Fast danger? Weak?
Roar? Drop to knees. Look up. Behind weak Mudman. Friend?
Lycan. Roar. Lycan growl. No danger? Ask if friend. Lycan nods. Friend? Look at weak Mudman. Muscles contract.
Friend? Do not know. Growl at Lycan. Lycan nods. Growl at Mudman. Lycan speaks to Mudman. Mudman speaks back. Mudman looks. Bows. Steps back. No Danger.
Noise.
Turn. Big Mudman. Growl. Danger. Lycan speaks. Mudman bows. Steps back. No danger? Growl. Lycan Growls. Friends?
Lycan speaks. Lycan growls. Safe? Darkness.
"What was that Levi?!" Demanded Artemis, "Why was she so... barbaric...?"
Levi dropped next to the unconscious elf, his wolf form towering both the humans and Holly. "The transformation. She's strong, but she's becoming more animalistic."
"Transformation?" Butler paled. He was already feeling guilty about hitting the crazed elf with as much force as he did.
"Aye, she's now a Lycan." Levi grimaced, "but I assumed she wanted give you the news."
Artemis wiped his forehead. "Butler, can you take her back to her room?" Butler nodded, and picked her up. "Levi, come with me."
The young Fowl took the Lycan, still in wolf form, to his study.
"Tell me how does the process work."
Levi nodded.
Artemis watched the Lycan transform with interest. Reading stories about magical creatures always made him salivate at the thought of being around such monsters like Levi. Even fairies, dwarves and demons made him giddy, at least they did when he first captured Holly.
Levi's transformation was not as awesome as he expected. There was no sound or flash of light, he simply knelt, in a propsal position. His fur sunk back into his body, and his face distorted back into a human one.
"What do you want to know?" Levi stood, flexing his arms.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Not for someone as physically fit as Short, but there aren't many faerie Lycans." He sat into a chair opposite Artemis. The young genius leant forward.
"Is there a cure?"
Levi looked him in the eye. "Death is our cure."
Artemis closed his eyes and exhaled. "Even for magical beings?"
Levi shook his head. "We are magical conduits. I doubt she'll be able to use her magic at all, outside her body at least."
Artemis ran a hand through his hair. "Frond's bible mentioned a rite."
Levi nodded. "It's what gives a person the curse, as well making the curse stay for pure bloods."
Artemis frowned. "Holly completed the rite?"
The Lycan snorted, "She hasn't even fed, no, I believe that she has the curse because she killed the previous Alpha."
"During the Christmas Massacre?"
"Aye, she killed Rud, and so, she is bound by the laws of the Lycans, she is rightfully our leader." Levi looked blankly towards a spot on the wall. "Then his son, using his father's blood took her position."
"I assume you tried to stop him?"
The Lycan nodded, but did not look back to his host. "Aye, but we weren't strong enough. I suppose its ironic that our new Alpha saved me from the usurper."
Butler entered the room, "It seems our friend's brain functions are back, but she's confused."
"Granted, shall we, Mr Dunkeld?"
News of the ascension spread like wildfire across the Lycan world. Rudolph Gardner had earnt the respect of this community by being an overall good ruler. He would rule with an iron fist, but he would not place blame unfairly. His son, on the other hand, was known for the complete opposite.
He was known to punish wrongdoers on a personal whim, and some of the punishments were more so for the attractive female Lycans, opposed to the males. This was worrisome for certain groups.
Nick 'the Ravager' Gardner rubbed his bloody claw on his fur. Third challenger today, I must be worrying some important people.
Due to their athletic prowess, many none-clan wolves would turn to Army careers, or at least mercenary work. The contractors would higher some of the older wolves, or wolves that, if lived in the human sight for any longer would lead to suspicious questions. The modern day Varagian Guard, or the Venators were the biggest contractors, although they would object to such a title.
Nick snorted. The Venators happened to be the sect of Lycans who hunted down the rogues. Stories from his father told him they had challenged even the great Rud for control of the clan. Aegis even suggested that it happens during every succession.
The other group was the 'Daughters of Darkness'. This was an Amazonian style group, only accepting females in a protest against the patriarchal style of the Lycan hierarchy. This was a new group, being created during similar movements to the humans. Their leader, the bitch Kiara, was Nick's half sister, his mother's daughter.
Both the Venators and DoD had challenged him, the other being the lover of Knightwing.
Nick snarled. "The bitch, the bastard and the runt walk into a bar. They all died. Not funny, but this was definitely a joke."
He spat on the corpse of Knightwing's partner, kicking him for good measure.
I demand your presence.
Nick hid the wince of his unwanted intrusion. "Go, I have business to attend."
The assorted crowd of DoD, Venators and other Lycans left in silence while Nick looked for dissenters. He'd heard rumours of another pretender, but no one would confirm them. Unsurprisingly, many of the rumours came from his father's supporters.
Nick spat as he walked towards his time travelling partner. Of course they want me off my throne, I'm a god and they re jealous.
Slamming open the door, he snarled at the elf. "Do not do that again elf."
A rush of electricity hit his chest, sending him to the floor. He growled, but the only function he could control was his hands, which scratched against the stone floor.
The elf laughed. "Or what fluffy? You'll... eat me?" Laugh? Opal tittered, while Nick tried to snarl.
Another bolt of electricity flew into the wolf's chest. "Don't you just love the smell of cooked meat? Especially hotdogs!"
Nick could not focus on the words from his new leader. This mind was blank and his body was raging with uncontrollable spasms.
"Hah! I'm so funny." Opal rubbed tears from her eyes. "Okay pup, listen up."
Opal walked over to the wolf and moved his head with her foot. Resting it on his throat, she spoke, using her mesmer. "You are to travel to Tara and when I give the word you are to kill as many elves as possible. And while you distract the LEP I will steal a transport and travel to Atlantis and rescue myself. Deviously simple, is it not?"
"I will travel to Tara and when you give the word I am to kill as many elves as possible."
"Take some friends as well."
"Take some friends as well."
Opal snarled at the wolf, "At least talk back how you use to, at least then I could shock you some more."
"I will travel to Tara and when you give the word I am to kill as many elves as possible. Take some friends as well. Talk back how I used to."
"Ugh, perhaps I shouldn't have done that." She kicked the Alpha, "Get ready now, I will give the order at some point his weekend."
She hopped of the zombified wolf, "It's long journey wolfy, I suggest you get moving." She said with a wave of her hand.
As Artemis and Levi entered the room, Holly sat up. She looked at Artemis guiltily and then to Levi. He smiled softly while Artemis spoke.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
"Like there's been Dwarven frat party in my head." She chuckled, she looked back at the Lycan, "Is this normal?"
He simply nodded. Artemis spoke again, glaring at the seemed familiarity at the two Lycans, "Levi, what other effects can we expect?"
He frowned for a moment before he answered. "We go on heat, bloodlusting, nightmares and we tend to find that some emotions become more pronounced, anger, pride, confidence, while some loose meaning, fear, trust, worries, but it can be different for an individual."
He sat crossing his legs, earning the attention of both listeners. "For example, I rarely feel anger, but I also loose the need for interaction after I transform, Ravager," he spat at the name, "is the opposite I guess, he feels more pride and enjoys being in charge, but he still has worries..."
He ran a hand through his hair, turning to Holly, "Its generally down to your personality, you will probably go through changes." He stood, stretching his back, "Do you have a partner? Like I keep mentioning, mainly because it's probably only second to the bloodlust, when you go in heat, you don't understand..." He wandered over the only window in the room, and held his hands behind his back.
He did not see Artemis glance to Holly, and her returning glare.
"Strong emotions sometimes cause you transform... and you can no longer be prudent about sex."
"What are thinking about?" Holly asked softly.
"My lover..." Levi closed his eyes, "I haven't seen her since... a few years now..." He laughed, but without humour.
"Go and see her then!" Holly hopped down from the bed, ignoring a gasp from Artemis. "I have to go and report to Kelp anyway, not mention to try and think of a convincing lie..."
Levi turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "You need to learn-"
"Don't give me that, I still need to get used to idea of being a monster..." She started to raise hands defensively to Levi, "No... I didn't mean that..."
He waved his hands, "I agree... I will leave my number, call me when you are dressed," Holly looked down, to realise why Artemis gasped. She started to blush furiously, covering as much of herself as she could with her hands, but Levi seemed preoccupied with his thoughts, "If you go back underground, and you find yourself loosing control, get back to the surface immediately."
He pushed passed, the now bright red, Holly and turned to, the now bright red, Artemis, "Keep in contact with her, and tell your father I'm sorry, and I going to visit Ms. Capet, he'll remember her."
And he left, just like that.
Artemis turned to Holly, still wrapping herself in her blanket and she glared at him. "This was all a ploy to get me out of pants wasn't it, Mr Fowl."
Artemis spluttered, making Holly chuckle dryly. "I'm messing with you Mudboy, but please," she batted her eyelids and smiled salaciously, "Go and find me some clothes."
Dublin, 1st September 1995
Fighting the downpour of the rain of the British Isles, Levi walked into the restaurant, and shrugged off some of the water from his coat. He turned to his partner, and she did the same thing.
"C'est des conneries!" She cried. Levi just laughed.
"Calm down, this could be a big deal..." He looked around the sparsely filled room.
Lots of empty, yet well decorated tables suggested a high class and mostly expensive establishment.
"Big deal or no, I'm soaked. The girls are gonna love this, I need to freshen up, start without me." Levi watched her walk into the toilets, hair drenched. He did nothing but chuckle until a huge tank of a man came up to him.
"Come with me." He demanded. Levi chuckled at the manservant. Fowl must be one dangerous man if he needed this monster.
Levi was taken to a table, with walls either side to offer privacy, where a man sat. He was tall, and neither fat nor skinny. He sported a three-piece suit, complete with a crest that was the logo for the Fowl empire.
"Mr Fowl I presume?" The Magnate nodded. He waved his hand towards the seat opposite him, and Levi sat. "My name is Dunkeld, my partner, Capet, is drying herself, Mother Nature is fickle today, no?"
The man opposite him simply glowered. After a moment, the manservant placed a case in front of Levi. As he opened it, the sparkle of the various jewels made Levi frown.
"Who?"
Fowl crossed his arms and spoke in a gruff Irish accent, mirroring Levi's business voice, "Yitzhak Rabin."
Levi's frown grew, "The Union is a purely European organisation... And why is he your target?"
"I was told no questions were to be asked."
"Mr Fowl, I apologize..." All eyes turned the newcomer. Capet had put her hair into ponytail, and she had taken off her coat, leaving her in a black shirt.
"Miss Capet, do not worry, please, take a seat." Fowl's voice changed, and it alarmed Levi. His accent was more pronounced and less cold. He was dealing with someone who had plenty of experience with controlling people. He hasn't dealt with two Lycans though.
"Mr Fowl wants us to take care of business in Israel, and I was informing him of our regional limits." Levi spoke, using similar linguistic techniques as his counterpart.
"And what is the offer?"
Fowl spoke before Levi could, "Half a million pounds in jewellery, the target is Rabin."
"The Prime Minister?" She asked.
"Yes," Fowl turned to Levi, "His signing of the Oslo Accords has severely effected certain... Armament deals in the area..."
Capet looked at the case. Fowl expected to see a glint of greed, but he got nothing.
The Union of British Assassins, which included a french girl, had been recommended in terms of efficiency and cost. Fowl had expected a show of power, or at least greed, from his contacts, like every other lowlife. But no, this pair seemed to, at least act like they should, be professionals.
They way Capet spoke showed volumes, "We assume that Rabin may suffer quite publicly, and your second, identical, payment will be paid the day after the event."
Dunkeld followed her lead, and despite been curious, he also spoke professionally, "We will send a representative to your home, we feel that the consequences of unfulfilling this payment on time, can go unsaid."
Fowl allowed himself a small smile. "I hope to see you soon."
The two assassins nodded before leaving with their case. "Sir?" Fowl turn to Butler, "My nephew just informed me, your wife is in labour."
Fowl's smle grew and he clapped his hands together. "Marvellous, with an heir, perhaps we can get a little more dirty."
The assassins both turned to see the little show of emotion. Capet looked at Levi with a raised brow. "We need to be careful Levi..."
Levi smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Don't worry my love, what can he do? I'd eat him before he could hurt you."
She snorted. "His guard would eat us both."
Levi shook his head, but still smiled. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek, the action making her chuckle. "You need to shave you mongrel."
Levi gave her an indignant look. "Me a mongrel? Your beard puts mine to shame."
Following a playful punch, he pulled her into a hug. "We need to play the part of a loving couple, do we not?"
She gave him a faked bashful look, but Levi saw through it, kissing her. As he pulled away, she spoke, looking into his eyes. "You don't have the personality of an assassin... plus your eyes seem more green today..."
"That's because they've seen you..." He said kissing her again. "And you've said, but I'm good at it, am I not?"
"Pass me my coat you bastard."
"So ladylike." She snorted as she took her coat from him, but a wave of sadness overtook her.
"Don't you have to meet my stepfather tomorrow?" She bit her lip.
"Just because you don't like him, doesn't mean he doesn't care." Levi pulled her into another hug.
"All he cares about is his precious son." She snarled, tears of jealously threatening to fall.
"Come on, let me take you home, I'm sure your little group miss their queen bee."
A small smile came to her face. "Me sucer la bite, we have enough members to do damage you know..."
"What ever makes you happy Kiara." Levi grunted, "Don't come crying to me when your group of dykes runs out of men... oh wait..."
"Dykes?!" Kiara kicked Levi in the shin. "The Daughters of Darkness are a legitimate group of contractors who rival the Venators you fu-" A deep kiss cut off her rant. As he pulled away, a big grin on his face, she kicked him again. "Fuck you."
"Whatever you say."