AN: I hope you don't mind, but I've decided to sneak in one item from another book, so the ever faithful Guenhwyvar shall be making her appearance in this chapter. If you don't understand what I'm talking about, don't worry.
(PS: My long break is due to reading the new Artemis Fowl book and trying to decide whether to change to story to suit. However I have decided to continue on as planned since otherwise I would have to come up with a new story line. So my story is now AU. Enjoy!)

Artemis Fowl II was in China. It wasn't a very pleasant day, but despite gloomy clouds which were threatening rain, he was feeling rather pleased. He was on his way to a rather obscure antiques dealer who specialized in rare, one of a kind items.
Butler was driving the rented car, while Artemis was just enjoying the view and preparing to negotiate a good price.

They soon pull up in front of an ancient Chinese building which could very well be classified as an antique itself. A fitting setting for the sorts of treasures he sells…
Turning to Butler he says, "You should remain here to secure the vehicle. Besides, your presence would likely give the proprietor a heart attack or else cause him to raise his prices." Butler sighs, but nods.

Butler knows he wouldn't be of much use if things did go wrong. With the estimated 10 years added on, he was getting positively old. He watches as Artemis gets out, walking confidently down a flower-lined path. He opens the intricately decorated door, disappearing from his sight. A pang of regret hits Butler, as he realizes that his young charge is growing up. Perhaps this is what it feels like to be a parent, watching your child get ready to leave the nest… What am I thinking? He is not going anywhere anytime soon!

But a sense of foreboding fills him, contradicting his thoughts. And he gets the sinking feeling that soon Artemis will be going far away. He double-checks all his hidden weapons, and touches his Sig reassuringly. With Artemis, you never know what odd situation you will find yourself in next.
Space... He thinks. We haven't been to outer space yet. What do I remember about surviving in space? Hmm, or the Ocean. We haven't had a magical underwater adventure yet, he adds in sarcastically. Can Artemis swim?

D'Arvit!

As Artemis walks in, a small bell chimes from over the door and a small withered old man makes his way towards Artemis.

He bows gracefully and says with a heavy accent, "Greeting good sir, you wish look around?"
"No, my name is Artemis Fowl. I am here because you informed me that there was something that I would be interested in." He replies in fluent Mandarin.
"Ah, yes, yes. I did not expect you to be so... young. My name is Mejang Cadaver. I am very glad you speak Mandarin. Much easier to do business if we can both understand each other, no?"

As he says this, Mejang leads the way into a back room where all the truly valuable things are kept. Mysterious objects covered in canvas cloth and dust seems to be a common theme, but there seem to be no cobwebs or other signs of bugs. Artemis also notes that everything visible is in good condition with no rotting wood or rust on anything. All good signs that there is something here that is worthwhile to purchase.

Mejang goes to a corner of the room where there are a few smaller items covered by a cloth, resting upon an elegantly carved table that is likely worth a few thousand pounds itself. Mejang reaches over and pulls the white cloth off a small object, revealing it to be a small figurine.

It is 6 inches high, and made from the darkest obsidian possible. It is excellently carved into the likeness of a panther, and somehow looks almost lifelike. The details of the carving are supremely realistic, from the shape of the muscles underneath, to the placement of every fur on it. It has been polished to the extent that when Artemis reaches down and picks it up for a better look, he can see a reflection of himself. This must be one of the most intricate obsidian carvings I have ever seen. That level of detail has only ever been found on larger statues before. This could be what I was looking for…

As he examines it further, he finds a series of symbols inscribed around the base of the statuette. Aha! Gnommish! Hmm… it says, "Guenhwyvar." What does that mean? Perhaps the name of the carver, although its not a usual fairy name. Or it could be the title of the piece. Could it be the name of the recipient? So many possibilities…

All of that flashes through his mind in an instant, but while inwardly excited at the find, Artemis remains cool and uninterested on the outside. "Interesting piece, what information do you have on it?"

"Ah, good sir when I got a message saying a Irish businessman was looking for something with odd symbols on it, I knew right away this was meant for you. It comes from a long line of worthy possessors, although I regret to say that I have been unable to uncover its origins." He replied, eyes glinting as he sensed a potential sale. "It is said to have first been discovered in Cleopatra's rooms, and has been passed on from rulers, to nobles, to merchants, and it has now made its way to my own humble little shop. Its legend is that it provides protection from harm, and strength in battle. There are even tales of how when Cleopatra herself went into battle, the figures spirit protected her, and fought alongside her." He hastens to add, "Of course no other owners of this statuette has reported any spirits helpful or harmful, so I can assure you that it is spirit free!"

"Oh, I would not mind if it had a few spirits around it. It would simply make it more interesting." Artemis remarks idly, as he tries to decide whether the eyes have ruby chips somehow imbedded in them, or if it is the effect of a natural discoloration. I will have to scan it to find out, it is too small a sample to tell by looking.

A strange expression crosses Mejangs face, as he turns a bit pale. He manages to stammer out, "W-well p-perhaps there is a set of paintings you would be interested in a-also…?"

Curious at the reaction, Artemis sighs, puts the panther down and says with a skeptical tone, "I shall take a look at them, but I have had enough of paintings lately, and it would have to be by someone very famous for me to even consider it."

Mejang nods sadly, "I'm afraid they are not by anyone famous, but they are still quite remarkable, and extremely old. Over 1000 years, and I have solid proof of their age and history. The only problem I have had with selling it to others is that they think it has bad spirits in it, and thus it will bring bad luck. I admit, I'm a bit afraid of them myself, and would give you a greatly reduced price just to be rid of them. "

Artemis raises one eyebrow (He had to practice a lot in front of a mirror to get it right.) but says nothing as Mejang walks a short distance to a more dusty and cluttered part of the room. He reaches down to reveal another cloaked treasure. This one is obviously in the classic square shape of a painting. As the cloth is lifted, he notices that it is actually two paintings stacked next to each other and that the one he can see is a picture of a cherry tree in blossom, with a Chinese man sitting underneath. While kneeling down to examine it further Artemis remarks aloud, "It is clearly a very old painting judging by the mans clothing, the colors, and the style, quite realistic in every way, and in amazingly good condition for something possibly over 1000 years old, but I fail to see what… "

Artemis stands there speechless for several minuets, watching as cherry blossoms in the painting slowly drift down to cover the ground. Several minuets later, the man in the painting stands up, stretches, and then seems to notice Artemis. He seems to smile, nod, and then give a little wave.
Finally this snaps Artemis out of his reverie and he stands back up, jaw hanging about an inch lower than usual. "D'Arvit!"

After a few more seconds of wonder, his brain begins to work again and he has second thoughts about possible hidden cameras and blackmail. "Hold on one moment sir, not that I doubt your honour, but I must make sure this is real and not a fake before I take it off of your hands. I will return briefly." As he speaks, he is already moving towards the front door, trying not to give the impression of haste.

As soon as he is outside he quickly runs to the car and opens the back door, grabbing two things. A suitcase full of money, and his newly remade and improved C-cube. Butler looks at him in alarm as Artemis dashes back just as quickly, only slowing as he reaches the front door.

Mejang looks sadly at the strange boy as he gets away as quickly as possible. Such a pity they all seem to be too scared of the bad luck the haunted paintings would bring. He had thought perhaps a foreigner would be either stupid or brave enough to buy it, but it seemed as if he would forever be cursed. "It is your fault he is running away." He addresses the painting. "If only you had not waved to him."
"Well I was glad to see a face other than yours, I couldn't help myself." The man in the painting retorted. "It is your fault for not putting me somewhere that I could actually watch things from, Muggle."
Mejang gives the painting an icy stare and replies, "If I did that, you would soon have all of my customers running away, then I would be left with no money! Oh, a pox on you, you cursed thing! "

Mejang was so busy arguing with the painting, that he failed to notice the bell above the door ringing once more.

Artemis hears the bell ring behind him as he walks over to the back room, deciding that if it proved genuine, he would skip the haggling and simply give the man the entire suitcase. It would be well worth the cost since if he ever comes across another magical item, I would be the first one he would call.

As he enters the back room, he sees the old man Mejang glaring at the painting. Hearing Artemis enter, Mejang then spins around and a look of shock is etched on his face. It is almost comical in a way, but if he were to laugh, it would likely offend Mejangs honour enough for him to refuse to sell anything to Artemis, so with an effort, he holds back a chuckle. I take it he didn't expect me to return. It is probably a good thing for me that all the people he has dealt with so far have been superstitious fools. Else I would not have this fabulous opportunity.

Artemis then proceeds to ignore Mejang's attempts at gathering himself, and puts the C-cube on the floor. Speaking in Gnommish, he gives it instructions to scan the immediate area for any electronics, fairy or human. The search comes up negative except for the usual gadgets Artemis has on him, and Mejangs watch. Growing more excited, he then asks the cube to scan for any magic in the immediate area that is more powerful than the background magic. (Think of it like radiation, there is always a small bit floating around in the background wherever you go, and magic items are more like a chunk of plutonium.)

This time there are three hits, to Artemis's surprise. Both of the paintings and the panther statue are magical.
I think I'll be keeping the cat, and finding something else to go into the museum. He idly muses, as he double-checks that the readings are correct.

Before he stands up, he quickly checks to see what is on the other painting. He is briefly disappointed to see a pond and very primitive fishing rod lying next to it, but soon he sees the same man from the other painting step into this one, and start fishing. Looking at the first, it is now empty. I shall have fun trying to solve this mystery, I have never heard of the Peoples magic being able to do this…

Artemis bows to the shopkeeper and briefly opens the suitcase to show its insides. "I shall give you 15 000 000 Yuan for all three items, and for a promise that you will contact me in the future if you ever come across any item that is magical or possessed by spirits. Even if it is just to tell me of someone who may be interested in selling something, you will get a substantial finders fee if it is indeed magical, and I purchase it." As he says this, Artemis hands the suitcase to an amazed Mejang who can only stand there and nod, amazed at his good luck. "I must be leaving now, and I look forward to doing business with you in the future."

Artemis grabs the three treasures, and leaves at a more sedate pace. When he gets back into the car and relaxes, he looks up at Butlers curious face and says, "Home to the Manor please. I've just bought the most curious things, and I want to study these in a more secure environment. Although I'm afraid we are back at square one when it comes to finding a centerpiece for the museum."

Butler silently groans, as he realizes that this means he will still have to travel all over the world a second time, trying to find some work of art that meets Artemis's high standards.

AN: (Edit: Thanks to the reviewer Squint, I've now altered the story to have the total price of the statue and paintings equal just over 2 million. It might be a bit low for three items, but remember that Mejang wants to get rid of what he thinks are cursed or haunted paintings, so he will sell them for cheap. Edit 2: Thanks to a guest reviewer, the language is now specified as Mandarin, not Chinese.)

I hope its not too confusing that when speaking in another language, everything is in italic.

Thanks everyone, and as always, please point out any mistakes I might have made.