After some practise, Ajay was able to control his extraordinary power. He was able to levitate things at will, although it gave Artemis splitting headaches.
Butler and Juliet had not forgotten the coffee incident and they were watching Artemis like hawks. Artemis tried to avoid his family as much as possible, because even though Ajay was reasonably good at asserting control over his magic, he still sometimes slipped up. Things would randomly start to move across the room of their own accord.
Ajay was able to give Artemis a small amount of control over his magic. Artemis used this to tackle the magic back inside him whenever Ajay slipped up.
_ _ _
Artemis balanced on top of one of the smooth wooden kitchen chairs; reaching into the medicine cupboard. Artemis' mother kept a tiny cupboard filled with bandaids, Panadol and all kinds of medical supplies in the kitchen, where most of the household accidents seemed to occur. The cupboard was set high in the wall so the twins couldn't reach it. Unfortunately the cupboard was also too high for Artemis and he had to stand on a chair to reach it.
What are you doing? asked Ajay. Artemis got such a fright he almost fell from the chair.
Would you stop doing that! I almost fell. If you have to know what I'm doing, I'm getting some Panadol because your magic is making me sick.
I'm sorry, Artemis. I don't know why it hurts you when I use my magic. It makes me feel great.
Yeah. It makes you feel great. Maybe that's because you naturally have magic and I don't. Lately this headaches are getting more serious and I have to take Panadol or the rest of my family will notice.
Later that afternoon, Artemis and Ajay practised magic again. They both watched through Artemis' eyes as a stack of folders floated slowly across the room. Ajay was having trouble with this trick. He was good at levitating a single object, but when it came to whole stacks of things, only part of the stack would make it across the room. Every now and then, another paper would come loose from the floating pile and flutter to the ground. By the time the folders made it across the room, there were only three left.
Artemis sighed, his hands massaging his temples. The headaches really were getting worse every time Ajay used his magic. Artemis' eyes followed the long line of papers strewn across the floor.
You really need to get this right, Ajay. I'm sick of having to clean up after you.
Fine! I'll stop practising! Ajay snapped, miffed.
I didn't mean that. I just want you too try harder. This time think of nothing else but the magic.
Alright. This time I am going to get this right!
Artemis re-stacked the folders and set them on the desk.
Let's try it again, shall we?
This time, Artemis felt Ajay do more than just think about the magic. He let it become a part of him. Ajay was no longer conscious of himself or anything else in the world. All that existed was the magic. Only the magic.
The stack of folders lifted off the desk, but this time they rose as one, not a single sheet of paper came loose. The air around the papers buzzed with electricity and sheer power. The edges of the papers turned brown and crinkled up as the magic singed them.
But Artemis didn't notice any of these things. All he was conscious of was the pain. As Ajay reached a whole new level of power, the pain became to much for Artemis. Lightning shots of agony pierced his brain as he fell to the ground in pain. The pain alone could have killed an ordinary person. But Artemis Fowl the Second was no ordinary teenager. Anyone else, except maybe Butler, would have given up and succumbed to the agony, but Artemis fought it. Semi-conscious, he dragged himself to his knees and screamed aloud. "Ajay Stop! Stop! I can't stand it! STOP!"
Some distant part of Ajay heard Artemis' cries and shut off the magic, sending the papers crashing to the floor. Ajay sensed Artemis' pain and immediately realised his mistake. Using that much power could have killed someone who didn't have magic naturally. In fact, it was a wonder Artemis had survived. Or had he?
Artemis?
No response.
Artemis!
Nothing.
_ _ _
Artemis lay on the floor gasping for breath. Everything was a blur before his eyes. He felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. Just before everything faded away Artemis had time to register one thing: Thundering footsteps coming up the stairs towards his study.
_ _ _
Butler was downstairs with Juliet when he heard the screaming. Instantly, he recognised it as Artemis'. "Artemis!" he yelled. By the sound of it, Artemis was in pain. Skipping steps, Butler hurtled up the stairs with Juliet right behind him.
The door was locked when when Butler arrived but Butler didn't often take any notice of locks, he just charged right through the door, regardless.
Artemis was lying sprawled on the floor, unconscious when Butler burst into the room. Butler scanned the room, searching for what had been hurting Artemis. But all he could see was a pile of folders scattered all over the floor.
Dropping to Artemis' side, Butler quickly checked his pulse. It was racing. Again, Butler scanned the room; but nothing caught his eye so he turned his attention to Artemis. Artemis looked paler than usual. His forehead felt clammy but otherwise he seemed fine. Butler picked Artemis up and laid him on the bed. Turning to Juliet, he said, "Juliet, go get Mr. and Mrs. Fowl and bring them up here. We need to find out what hurt Artemis. Although I'm quite sure it was the fairy who's been hanging around here. Don't mention any of that to Artemis' parents. When Artemis wakes up he's got some explaining to do."
_ _ _
When Artemis passed out, Ajay remained conscious but some of Artemis' feelings passed onto him and he had to fight to stop himself from falling asleep.
Although Artemis' eyes were closed, Ajay could still hear. He heard Butler and Juliet enter the room and he listened to their conversation with interest. Then he heard Butler say something that changed that interest to dread:
"...When Artemis wakes up he's got some explaining to do."
_ _ _
Ha! Bet you didn't expect that coming! Anyway, I just want to tell all you fairy-lovers that Holly will be in the next chapter along with Foaly and probably Trouble too.
Well, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please R&R!
-Spinnika