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Chapter Text

Ibiza, Spain

2018 

  “C’est bon! Bon, bon, bon,” Minerva mumbled as she strutted across the cool, marble floor to the center of the hotel suite. She batted her thick lashes at the clean-cut Irishman seated at his laptop and held up two dresses before him as if she were a saleswoman. “Black: elegant, timeless, traditional? Or fuchsia: bold, courageous, flamboyant?” 

  “Black,” Artemis replied without looking.

  “You didn’t even look.”

  Artemis sighed. He glanced at his blonde girlfriend and looked between her two dresses. Both were equally short and glistening with Swarovski crystals. “Black,” he reaffirmed before switching back to his screen. 

  Minerva pondered it for a few seconds. “I’m going with fuchsia,” she confirmed and strolled back to the walk-in closet. 

  “Aaand this is why I don’t bother,” Artemis chuckled under his breath. 

  "Uh, hello? Get up and get dressed.”

  “Well, considering it'll take you at least 2 more hours, I think I'm making good time,” he said, not budging from his spot on the sofa. 

  Minerva stormed back out to raise a brow at him. “What?! I’m already done!” She analyzed him closely, recognizing his indifference as another issue. She squinted her glittery eyes at him. “Do you not want to go? Are you reconsidering?”

  “That’s not what I said-” 

  “But you’re reconsidering,” she groaned as she made her way back over to him. “Come on, you promised! 

  “Yes, and I intend to keep it,” Artemis replied, blue eyes glued to the screen. “There’s just some funds that need managing, Min. It’ll take me a second.”

  “Hmm, was yesterday one second too?” Minerva asked loftily. She slid her hand across the edge of his laptop and closed the case on him slowly, sitting on the edge of the table. Artemis let a small frown form on his lips as he leaned back in his seat, giving her his full attention. 

  “Artemis, we didn’t go on holiday for you to work,” Minerva continued, stroking his shoulder gently. “We’re in Spain! We’re supposed to have fun. Let go, loosen up a bit, rekindle that spark we haven’t had for a while. Oui?”

  “Oui.” 

  “Is something wrong?” 

  Artemis looked past her to the Mediterranean sunset outside their balcony, watching the palm fronds dance in the soft breeze. She was right. He’d been engrossed in his latest plan to travel to Mars and hadn’t dedicated the time he promised to Minerva as he should’ve. Of course, going out to a dance club was one of the lowest rated activities on his list, if it was even on his list at all. But, it wasn't fair to dampen her excitement, and he didn’t want criticism for it, either.

  “Come on, don’t be such a buzzkill!” 

  Too late. Artemis turned his attention back to her. “I’m not fond of loud electronic music. Perhaps we could go to a gastropub instead?” 

  “You promised!” Minerva groaned. “It’s just for one night. A few hours. You, me, champagne. Please?” She put her hands in a praying motion and pressed her nose to his. “Please? Please? Please?” 

  “Fine. Fine,” Artemis gave in. He stood and stretched to his full height of 5’9 feet, smoothing back his silky jet black hair. “Do we at least have a table?” 

  The bass at Club de Palmas was no less astounding as the patrons in it. People in tight dresses and button-downs crammed together as steady beats shook the black box like a vibrating cage. Plant tendrils hung from the glass ceiling, draping over the club like raining vines. Blinding strobe lights lit up the club like a neon painting, pulsating and rippling across the sea of endless dancing and feverish sweat. The club was swarmed by British tourists on holiday, and thankfully for Artemis, Minerva had rented them a private booth on the third floor of the establishment, their glass balcony looking out over the crowd. 

  Artemis poured himself another flute of Dom Perignon and leaned back on the leather sofa, crisscrossing his Armani-suited legs. He watched as Minerva danced to the beat of the blaring bass. Her long, blonde curls swayed with her hips as she threw her hands into the air. He admired her ability to be both carefree and industrious. He secretly wished he could be the same.

  Minerva noticed Artemis’ absence and swirled around. She winked as she swayed towards him, her fingers beckoning him closer. When he shook his head, she rolled her eyes and plopped beside him, pouring herself another flute of champagne too. “Why won’t you dance?” she had to yell into his ear over the bass. 

  “It’s not that I won’t dance. It’s that I can’t dance,” Artemis shouted back. 

  Minerva stood and tried to pull him towards her. “Absurde!” she exclaimed playfully, downing her champagne like juice. “Viens ici, mon amour (Come here, my love)."  She rested their flutes on the banister and threw his hands up with hers. It was apparent she was intoxicated with adrenaline and alcohol, and Artemis allowed the moment of levity, despite his being uncomfortable.

  I suppose I've gotten better at putting others' needs before mine. Hm. 

  Minerva eventually sizzled away from him to dance fervently in the center of their booth. As the millennial saying went, she was effectively “feeling herself”. Artemis chuckled to himself and leaned against the banister. He slipped the flute between his fingers and sipped as he watched over the crowd. The noise was so loud he could barely hear himself think and he made note of the way people moved to electronic sound. A sort of jumping motion- when one caught his eye. 

  A single person in the giant sea of clubbers stood still in the center of the crowd. Artemis’ grip on the metallic railing tightened as he peered closer. Flowing silver hair covered her face but she was deathly still, like a beacon of darkness amongst the neon lights when- Flash! A blinding white strobe light cut off his vision and he winced. But Artemis was captivated; he peered through the blinding white light when it all happened at once. 

  The bass reverberated through the ground like a missile or bomb explosion, a neon red light piercing the blinding glow. The crowd had stopped and Artemis released his flute, coating the floor with shattered glass and champagne. The crowd lay dead on the ground, bodies piled on one another like a massacre, and in the center of it all stood Vinyaya. Past her silver locks crept a broken smile, blood swarming from her mouth and drenched down her suit. She whispered something but Artemis couldn’t tell. He felt ill as he leaned against the banister, his knees weak. Sweat trickled down his temple, burning his wide eyes as he stared. No. No, this can’t be. 

   Artemis suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to vomit and leaned forward weakly, shutting his eyes closed. But despite it not being real, he felt as though he were back then and there. The image of the shuttle being pulverized by a blinding red and white probe penetrated his mind and shook his core, feeling the impact of the blast blow through his bones. He felt in danger, alert, terrified and guilty all at once. My fault. It's all my fault.  

   “Artemis?” a voice shouted behind him. Minerva’s touch to his shoulder jolted him back to reality and his eyes snapped open, brows furrowed together with panic. 

  “I need to use the restroom!” he declared as he pushed past her hurriedly. It took everything in him to freeze and add: “It’s fine! I’ll be right back!” 

  “Are you okay?!” 

  He didn’t answer as he sped towards and down the stairs to the second floor, basically flying through patrons towards the restroom. He barged through a crowd of people waiting, inviting a Spanish “¡OYE!” and a British “Wanker!” from the line. He locked himself in the nearest open stall and didn’t even care what or who was around. He pressed his forehead against the metal door, trying to breathe.

  Relax. You have done this before. Just breathe. 

  But breathing wasn’t working; instead he felt worse. His heart tightened in his chest and his breath became hitched, beating the logic and reason out of him. It hurt so much he couldn’t even formulate words to describe the feeling. Overwhelmed, he flipped his ring on his right hand over, sliding open the fairy communicator. 

Haven City

Lower Elements Police Headquarters 

  Commodore Holly Short shifted through report after report of the day’s flight records, the numbers and names becoming the same after eight hours of consistent documenting. The process would be draining to anyone, but especially for Holly Short, who had a knack for action and danger, and not the vast bulk of paperwork on her desk. Don’t get her wrong: she enjoyed the hours of her shifts at the loading bays and mentoring the newcomers to the police force, but a large chunk of being promoted to commodore was the time-consuming task of documenting it all. 

  She rubbed the bridge of her nose and hit the intercom button. “Foaly, I don’t think I can take much more of this. I think my brain is melting out of my skull.” 

  “You could always grab curry with me,” replied the centaur from his own intercom. “It’s great for stimulating the senses. Did you know that eating capsaicin releases adrenaline and dopamine? Great brain food, if you ask me.” 

  “You’re using too many big words,” said Holly. “My brain isn’t functioning at the moment.” 

  “Have you eaten?” 

  It was right then that Holly realized she hadn’t even had so much as a snack in the past several hours. “Actually, no. Are you going now?” 

  “Yup! Meet me over here,” neighed Foaly, excited for the lunch date ahead. “I need to ask you about a few things, anyway.” 

  Holly switched their conversation to her helmet visor as she locked up her office. “Like what?” 

  “Uhm… well, Caballine has been wanting more kids lately, and-” 

  “-Oh no.” 

  “Oh yes! But you two already talked about that, didn’t you?” Foaly said. 

  “No, no. I meant ‘oh no’ as in, I am not talking to you about this subject,” Holly shuddered. She shook her head as she strolled down the hallway towards Foaly’s office, trying to remove the image of Foaly and Caballine copulating from her mind. 

  “Okay, now you’re just making this awkward,” Foaly huffed as Holly came strolling from the glass doors, sliding apart with a hisss.  

  “You brought it up!” Holly laughed, placing her helmet on his desk and ruffling up her auburn crew cut. 

  “You didn’t even let me finish my sentence,” Foaly whinnied, shifting his hindquarters and refusing to meet his friend’s mismatched eyes by staring at one of the magma chute screens instead. 

  “Oh, sorry. You wanted to continue?” Holly grinned, a hand on one hip. 

  “Well, now I don’t.” 

  “Whatever,” she said, reaching for her wallet. “Let’s just go-” It was at that moment her fairy communicator began beeping. She blinked at it for a second, registering what was happening. “Oh. Uh, hold on, give me a second, Foaly.” She moved to a far corner of the glass-walled office, the large window panes stretched high to the cavernous ceilings, giving a fantastic view of Haven’s faux night-time skyline twinkling below. 

  “Oh, is that your human boyfriend? I wonder what Trouble will think about that!” Foaly teased as Holly rolled her eyes at him. 

  Holly answered the communicator with a flick. “Hey, Arty! What’s u-”

  “WHAT’S UP, MISTER I’M-TOO-COOL-TO-CALL-FOALY-NOW?!” Foaly hollered from across the room. He finished by muttering to himself, “I mean, honestly.” 

  “Foaly says hi,” Holly said playfully, but there was no response. Well, there was, just not the one Holly expected. She listened in but it took her a second to realize all she could hear was heavy breathing and a booming bass. “Artemis?” 

  “I-,” the other line croaked. “I- I can’t-” 

  “Artemis?” Holly repeated, her eyes wide on high alert. “What is it? Are you in danger?” No response. Just more breathing. “Are you okay?” 

  Before the Irishman could reply, an angry patron yelled in Spanish, “¡OYE! Hurry the fuck up, man!” 

  “Who was that? Where are you?” 

  “I-Ibiza.” 

  “What are you doing in Ibiza?” Holly asked with urgency. Again, no answer. “Send me your location. I’m on my way.” 

  She clicked the line and rushed back to her helmet, awaiting the coordinates from Artemis. “Change of plans. I have to head to the surface.” 

  “What?” Foaly asked. “What did he do now?” 

  “I have no idea, but he doesn’t seem right,” she said as she slipped on her helmet visor. She accepted the incoming request from Artemis’ phone and pulled up his location on her map. “He’s at a nightclub? Club de Palmas.”  

  “What in Frond's name is Artemis doing at a nightclub?! Let me look it up,” Foaly said, clacking over to his mainframe. 

  “I’ll listen on the way,” Holly said, pointing to her helmet as she headed out. “Cover for me.” 

  Being commodore and all, it took Holly less than an hour to gather a set of wings, coordinate and pilot a shuttle to the surface, and speed off in the European night towards the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. Per Foaly’s explanation, Club de Palmas was one of the more active and sophisticated establishments on the nightlife-ridden Spanish island complete with 3 floors, approximately 150 LED activated speakers and a greenhouse half-tipped rooftop deck with sea, mountain and island views. Why Artemis was there of all places in Europe was a mystery to her, but one she hoped to solve very soon. As long as he was still alive. 

  Holly was grateful for her newfound position of leadership, but as she zipped through the night sky, she couldn’t help but be calmed by the moonlight glowing on the sea tides, the salty air on her tongue and the wind refreshing her bronzen skin. But as much as she wanted to enjoy it and take it all in, she had more pressing matters on her mind. What is going on?  

  Less than twenty minutes from arriving on the surface, Holly arrived shielded and armed on a glass skylight on the roof of Club de Palmas. She’d already sent a ping to Artemis’ phone about his exact whereabouts but there was still no response. She could feel the booming bass reverberate the glass and foliage as she peered down through the skylight at the monstrous crowd below. Humans of all shapes and colors danced the night away, intoxicated without a care in the world. She rang Artemis’ fairy com as she did this, but a text appeared on her visor instead. 

   Restroom. 2. floor. 

   2. floor? Holly thought. He can’t even text properly? 

Club de Palmas

2nd Floor Restroom

  It took all of Artemis’ willpower to get through to Holly. He felt an additional pang of guilt in his chest as he realized he had just summoned her from the underworld to assist in his tantrum. It’s not a tantrum, one thought said. It’s a stress response to prolonged exposure to trauma. 

  Aka, a tantrum, another thought intruded. Do you honestly believe Butler has moments like this? Artemis tensed and sat down on the toilet seat cover, burying his head in his hands. What would Butler do in a moment like this? 

  He’d get up, brush it off, and attend to those around him. Like Minerva. You just left her there. What kind of boyfriend are you? 

   His thoughts were interrupted by a slight breeze rustling over his head, but he didn’t look up. Instead, he sank further down into a hunch. You’re not even a good friend. Making her come here. 

   “Artemis.” A soft, small hand rested gently on his shoulder. “Arty, I’m here.” 

  But he didn’t respond. He couldn’t. 

  Holly leaned forward, switching her shield off. She sat behind him, resting atop the toilet’s water tank. “What’s going on?” 

  And with every unwillingness he had in letting Holly see him like this, Artemis pretended he was Butler for a moment, taking a deep breath and straightening his back, but then realized he didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t even think of what to start. Everything just sounded wrong or boorish. “I think I’ve lost my mind.” 

  Holly gripped his shoulder harder, as if asking him to turn around. “No, you’ve already done that once before. If you were Orion, you’d have asked me to elope with you to Sweden by now,” she quipped. But when she saw Artemis’ tired eyes, the lifeless turmoil in them, it stopped her in her tracks. She’d never seen this sort of expression on him before, not since…

 “Woah, hey. Hey, what happened?” 

  “I told you,” Artemis shook his head to try to clear his thoughts. “Sorry. I shouldn't have called-”

  “No, stop it. Tell me what’s going on!” Holly hissed at him. But then it hit her. His panicked brow, the wild sorrow in his eyes and the heaviness on his shoulders. She’d seen it in her comrades, and even herself. She erased the intrusive image of Artemis’ death in the magic that trapped him all those years ago and focused. “Come here.” 

  She got off the lid and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. He didn’t hug back as his arms dangled by their sides. “Just breathe in. And out. In. And out. It’ll pass.” 

  He was silent as he did this, as concentrating on the task at hand was difficult enough. Eventually, his arms lifted, finding their way to return her embrace. And a few minutes later, he managed to get out, “I’m sorry for bothering you with this. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” 

  “Don’t worry about it,” Holly reassured. “You can talk about it when you’re ready.” 

  Before the Irishman could reply, the stall door pounded in place, a familiar voice on the other side. “Artemis?! Artemis, are you in there?!” 

  Holly released Artemis and raised an eyebrow quizzically. “Is that Minerva?” she asked as she went to unlock the stall door. As soon as the latch was free, Minerva pile drove in from the other side. Immediately she and Holly caught eyes and both remarked, “What are you doing here?” to then both look at Artemis and ask, “What is she doing here?” 

  Minerva locked the latch and looked between them confused. “What are you two doing?” 

  Holly, again, answered before Artemis could. “I came because he called me. I thought he was in danger,” she replied honestly. She stepped in closer to the French woman and whispered, “I think you need to get him home. He’s not well.” 

  But Minerva was beyond flustered. “So, what? He made you come all this way because he felt sick?” she blinked at Holly furiously. “Did you forget I am a genius too? Do you really expect me to believe that?” 

  “I had a panic attack,” Artemis blurted between the two, his brow creased with frustration and embarrassment. “Please stop talking as if I am not here.” 

  But Minerva wasn’t having it. “So, you called your fairy friend up from the underworld because you had a panic attack?” 

  “Keep your voice down,” Holly warned. 

  “They’re all drunk, anyway! You think they care?” Minerva retorted back. She turned back to Artemis. “Why did you need to call Holly? Why couldn’t you just tell me? And why are we talking about this in a dirty club restroom?!” 

  “That’s a great question, actually,” said Holly. 

  Artemis chewed over potential answers in his head, but decided he couldn’t answer now. Minerva was right. Not like this. “Holly, I’m sorry about calling you here. I can set you up with a hotel room for the night if you’d like. And Min,” he turned to Minerva. “I didn’t want to interfere with your night. You’ve been excited about this.”

  “So you thought it was better to leave me alone at a table, in a club, for an hour?” Minerva shot back. She stopped herself from becoming too upset by smoothing her curls and taking a step back. “Can we go back to the hotel so we don’t have to do this here?” 

  “Yes, please.” 

  “That would be preferable.” Artemis caught Minerva’s hand before she could leave. “But are you sure? I can deal with this later. This was your night.” 

  “No, it was supposed to be our night. Now, I don’t know what this is.” She looked past him over at Holly. “Holly, are you riding with us?” 

  “I thought you’d never ask.” 

  Artemis had called ahead and arranged a neighboring suite for Holly at the Nobu Hotel. Being neighbors meant easy access for both parties without alerting cameras or staff of a hotel door opening and closing on its own. The humans were already suspicious of fairies enough, and they didn’t need to give them any more reason to believe. 

  Once a shielded Holly was through the walkway, Minerva shut the hotel room door behind them. Holly switched off her shield and raised the visor on her helmet. She stood center of the awkward silence that wafted between Minerva and Artemis. She looked between the two. “So, what’s going on?” 

  “You tell me,” Minerva crossed her arms. “Holly Short back again to save the day.” 

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Holly replied, grimacing at the young woman. 

  “This isn't Holly's fault," Artemis said quickly. "I called her here. She didn’t know what was wrong.” Minerva softened a bit but didn’t release her arms. Artemis recognized her holding herself as a sign of comfort in times of anxiety. “I didn’t exactly explain the situation to her.” 

  Minerva’s gaze lost its fire when she sighed. “I’m sorry. Holly, I don’t normally mind you being here. I know you two are… close. But this was supposed to be our holiday and if he’s having panic attacks, I mean,” she turned her gaze to Artemis, softening even more. “You could’ve told me. I wouldn’t have been mad.” 

  “I didn’t want to be a 'buzzkill'.” He didn’t mean for it to sound facetious, but there was some salt in the statement. He struggled to hold Minerva’s gaze and looked out at the twinkling stars past the balcony. 

  “Holly, can you leave us alone for a second?” Minerva asked, which sounded more like a command. She pointed to a single wooden door beside the marble kitchen counter. “You can get to your suite through there.” 

  “Yeah,” Holly muttered awkwardly. “I’ll be here if you need me.” 

  Once Holly slipped past the door and her footsteps faded, Minerva turned back to Artemis, still keeping her distance. “What’s going on?” 

  “I told you,” Artemis sighed, growing impatient with the conversation. “I had a panic attack. I didn’t want to interfere with your fun.” 

  “Our fun.” 

  “No, your fun. And I was glad you were having a good time, but I didn’t want to go to a club to begin with."

  “So, yesterday: you think I wanted to go to the galleries and eat alone when you were here working on your stocks or Mars project or whatever?” 

  “The Mars Project needs to debut in one month,” Artemis said, taking a few steps closer to her. “We timed this holiday poorly. I thought I could balance the two, but it’s proving to be more difficult than I anticipated.”

  “Are you sure you should even go?” Minerva questioned, standing firm in her tracks. “I mean, what will you do when you have a panic attack in space? That’s not exactly the most friendly environment.” 

  “I have to go,” Artemis insisted, his determination about this subject strongly rooted in him. “Worrying about that will do nothing but hinder me.” 

  “I bring up a valid point, and you know it,” Minerva said. “Your progress will be hindered if you’re mentally unfit.” Artemis stopped in his tracks and Minerva had instant regret. She smacked her forehead. “I didn’t mean it like that.” 

  “Butler will be there to help if such an occasion arises,” Artemis said, his hands deep in his pockets. 

  “Hmm, so you won’t have Holly around to do it then?” 

  Artemis peered closer at her. “What is it with you and Holly?” 

  Minerva threw her hands in the air. “Oh, please! Don’t even start that,” she grumbled, slipping out of her silver heels and tossing them into the closet across the room. She strolled over to the kitchen counter towards a metal kettle. “It’s Holly this, Holly that. Do you think Holly would come? I wonder how Holly is doing.” 

  Artemis was silent as he digested this information for the first time. Did he really talk about Holly that much? He didn’t mean to. Wasn’t it natural to wonder about a friend? “This is the first I’m hearing about this. I didn’t realize it bothered you.”  

  “Yeah, well. Now you know,” she continued, placing the kettle onto the stove and resting her forehead into her hands, blonde locks falling around her onto the counter. "Look it's fine, ok? Go talk to your 'friend.'" 

  "Do you not trust me with her?" Artemis was puzzled. “I mean, she's Holly.”  

  Minerva looked up at him wearily. "I trust you. I just wish you trusted me." And with that, she disappeared into the restroom, the door closing the tension between them. 

  Artemis stood stunned as he heard a bath running. He didn’t realize Minerva was threatened by Holly’s presence. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? Instead of pondering it, he left the lavish hotel room and made his way to Holly’s instead, using the front door to enter. 

   Holly had her back turned to him, facing the starry night dazzling above the calm sea. Artemis ran a hand through his face before he walked over to her, his cheeks burning with frustration. He stopped at Holly’s side and she glanced at him. "I'm always so jealous of the view you humans get up here.” She gave a soft smile as she turned back to the sea, leaning against the railing in the warm breeze. “It's not fair.”

  Artemis gazed at the full moon’s bright glow in the navy sky. “Yeah.”  

  Holly watched him from the corner of her eye a few seconds before she asked. “So what happened?" 

  "I'm sorry I asked you to come here,” Artemis replied instead. “I wasn't in my right mind. I know how busy you are and I never meant to intrude." 

  "Arty, if you need my help, just say so,” she said, turning to face him. “I know that's why you called. I get it." She placed a caring hand on the forearm of his suit.

  "I understand, Holly. And thank you. It's…" He stopped himself, choosing his words carefully as he stepped back into the air-conditioned suite. "Well, I'm afraid it's selfish of me to expect you to always come to my aid." 

  "It's not selfish,” Holly said, following after him. “Like I said, and believe me, I get it. But Minerva does raise a good question. Why don't you trust talking to her?" 

  Artemis tensed at the question, turning to face Holly seriously. "I do." 

  "Ok, so why did you call me here if you trust her?" 

  "You are my dearest friend,” he replied quickly, over the conversation before it could really start. “I also knew you'd understand, so I thought that was something I could do. And you just agreed and confirmed this to me, but now it seems you're retracting it. So, which is it?" 

  "Artemis, look, I'm not against you contacting me. I mean it,” Holly answered, stiffening her brow. “But, also look at her perspective. I'd be mad too if my partner didn't come to me for problems and went to-" 

  "Their best friend instead?" 

  "Which is fine! But if you're not talking to her, don't you think there's a deeper issue there?

   "Honestly, Holly. I didn't call you for a lecture." 

  "That's ironic coming from you," Holly fumed at him, feeling her heart rate begin to rise in her chest. "Just look at her side, for just one second. You're her boyfriend. Doesn't she tell you private stuff all the time?" 

  "Yes, she does," Artemis exasperated, suddenly growing hot in his Armani suit.

  "So why aren't you doing the same?" 

  "Do not treat me like a child," Artemis stood his ground, his mouth firm as he glared at her. "You're making assumptions based off of one moment in time, and asking me why I'm not doing the same? As if you understand our relationship, or know our dynamic?" 

  "I'm not making assumptions! Just-" 

  "No, Holly. This isn’t your business. Stay out of my relationship and keep to yours." 

  "WOAH,” she boiled over, her blood running hot. “Stay out of your relationship?! I don't give three d'arvits about your relationship! Do whatever you want. I don't care. You asked me to come here, so I did-" 

  "Technically, I didn't ask anything-"

  "Let me finish, Fowl!" Holly interjected, throwing her hands up now. "You're infuriating when you do this." 

  Artemis sharpened his steely gaze at her. "Then leave." Instant regret flowed through him, but it was too late to take back the words now. 

  "Leave? LEAVE?!" Holly stormed up to him, her golden skin flushed red with anger. "You know, I left work to come here. I dropped everything because you needed help and gods forbid I ask you one question, and you tell me to leave?" She stormed over to her helmet, placing it over her head. "Fine. You want me to leave?"

  "I'd prefer if you got rest first. You look like you need it.” Again, instant regret. Why can’t I say the right thing? “ I- I didn’t mean it like that," he groaned, pinching his nose. I sound like Minerva now. 

  Holly was frozen with rage. "Wow,” she growled, jabbing a finger at him. “You know, the entitlement of you Fowls is really something. Having me fly up to the surface just to tell me to leave and then saying I look like shit."

  "I truly didn't mean it that way," Artemis replied quickly, setting his gaze on her mismatched eyes. He swore he could see steam rise from her pointed ears the way Julius’ used to. 

  Holly was silent as she turned away from him, crossing her arms and looking out at the island skyline beyond the balcony. An angry air drifted between them for a few moments as Holly mulled over her words carefully. "I don't care what you two do. I just don't want you to sabotage yourself. You have a good thing going here.”

  "I know."  He watched Holly's back, her emerald jumpsuit shimmering under the warm LED lights. 

  "Just talk to her." 

  "I do." 

  Holly turned to look at him closely. "Are you happy?" 

  "That's not relevant to this conversation." 

  "That's literally the whole reason I'm here." Holly sat on the statement for a bit before moving on. She sauntered towards the plant-ridden shower room. "Mkay, well… I'm staying for the view since I don't get surface time anymore. But I’m leaving in the morning." 

  "That’s fine," Artemis said, turning to head out of her suite.

  "What even happened?” Holly asked suddenly. “How did this even start up?" 

  "So, now you want me to talk to you?" Artemis snapped. "I thought you wanted me to talk to my girlfriend, Minerva?" 

  "Whatever, Artemis," Holly snapped back, storming past him toward the marble shower room. "Why even call me?" she growled under her breath as she ripped a white towel from the bed.  

  "Then I won't anymore." 

   "Fine!" 

   "Fine."

  Artemis shut the door behind him and threw himself back on it. He rested his head against the wooden door, gelled locks tickling his forehead. Their conversations didn’t normally go like this, and they hadn’t for years. He stared at the room across from him with a cool and vexed glare. Why had he called Holly and not turned to Minerva? At the end, no one was exactly wrong here, but it frustrated Artemis he didn’t know the answer himself. She’s my best friend. What other reason is there? 

  Well, Butler is also a best friend, he thought, and I didn’t call him. Is Minerva right? Am I too reliant on Holly?  

  He thought about flinging back open the door and apologizing, but knowing the feisty elf, that wouldn’t be in his best interest unless he wanted to get his head bitten off. Instead he sighed, thinking deeply as he moved back into his own suite. Why was that attack so sudden? Why now? Will it always be like this? 

  As he re-entered the dimly lit suite, the large white curtains blowing gently beside the king sized bed, he caught Minerva bathed and dried in red satin shorts and sleep tank. She was braiding her damp curls when she noticed Artemis and stopped mid-weave. “Hey.” 

 Minerva got up and strode over to him, her feet light against the floor. She wrapped him in a bear hug and pressed her chin to his shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she said genuinely.

 “I’m sorry too,” he replied. Artemis did not reject the embrace but his arms barely lifted, holding her weakly as the aroma of her violet conditioner tingled his skin. 

  Still wrapped in their embrace, Minerva pulled back and looked up at Artemis. “I think the alcohol made me a little intense. And I would never mean to bring you somewhere that would trigger you like that. I hadn’t even thought about it. And you had said you didn’t want to go, and I sort of forced you to come.” 

  “You didn’t force me,” he said, lifting a hand to her chin. “I haven’t really been present, have I?” At the shake of her head, he kissed her forehead. “I’ll come to you from now on. I won’t hide anymore.” 

  “That means a lot,” Minerva smiled. “Thank you.” She leaned in and took his lips in hers softly, lightly pressing herself into him. 

  As they closed their eyes, Artemis wondered back to what Holly said. Are you happy? 

  Minerva pulled back a bit. “You can trust me,” she said breathlessly, moving back in to kiss him again. 

  Yes, I think so.

  Am I happy?  

  And he didn’t know if it was to prove himself wrong or make a point, but Artemis suddenly deepened the kiss and wheeled Minerva roughly into the kitchen wall. He took her waist in closer, pressing himself into her limber body. She giggled and in response kissed him with fervent passion, melting under him as her fingers played with the buttons on his suit jacket, ripping it off of him. 

  They eventually found their way to the bed, falling over, completely enamored in each other. 

   At least the water is hot here, Holly thought, soaking in the water that drenched her from the waterfall shower head. Steam rose and clung to the glass panes and her flushed cheeks. Who does that mud whelp think he is? Talking to me like that? Inviting me here for this? I mean, what the hell, Artemis?  

  Her thoughts shifted, empathizing with him. How long has he been having panic attacks? How long has he kept this a secret? Or was this his first? Why did this happen? 

   Holly closely examined a green shampoo bottle, checking for animal products disguised as fancy names, when another thought penetrated her mind.

  You know why. You brought along a boy to your missions. You created that trauma inside him. You did this. Holly froze. Her fingers squeezed the bottle, tensing at the thought. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know this would happen. D’arvit. 

   She exited the shower onto a plush white rug, drying her auburn crew cut as she made her way back to her bed. As she threw the towel onto a nearby chaise, her sensitive elven ears twitched, picking up a noise from next door. Holly furrowed her brow and moved to the wall, listening. 

  Escalating moans caused a pit in her stomach to drop, and a few bangs on the wall cemented that. “Are you kidding me?” Holly gasped in disgust, actually offended that they would bother to do that with her next door. “Are you fucking kidding me?!”

  She marched over to her jumpsuit on the bed, throwing it on and fixing her wings and helmet. And like that, she was off into the midnight sky, the stars and skyline twinkling above and below her. 

  Suddenly Holly’s face felt wet, and she couldn’t pinpoint it until she pressed a finger to her cheek. Was she crying? Why was she crying?! Gross. Screw that stupid, smug Irish whelp. Without another thought, she dialed Trouble on her helmet’s com. It only took four rings until he answered. 

  “Yeeeeeellow?” the male elf answered playfully. 

  “Trouble, where are you?” 

  “There’s trouble everywhere- wait.” He cut off his joke, his voice getting serious. “Why does your helmet say you’re in the Mediterranean Sea?” 

  “It’s a long story. Where are you?” 

  Holly could hear him grow nervous from behind the fleshy speaker. “Uh, I’m actually getting off now. I’ll be home in about, say, 20? Why?” 

  “I’m coming over,” she proclaimed, hanging up the line and zooming off into the clouds. 

  Trouble remained on the line, confused. “Uh… okay. Hello? Holly?”

Haven City

2501 Amberwood Avenue 

  It had only taken Holly an hour to get back to Haven and have her marching down the cobblestone streets towards Trouble’s front gate, his industrial wood-metal townhome down a row of similar models. The sale price was high in this area of Haven, the homes loaded with the newest furniture and smart tech to give these successful citizens the most comfortable home life. 

  Holly stood at Trouble’s gate and placed her palm on the scanner. It glowed green in acceptance and the gate fizzled open, allowing her entry. By the time she was at his porch, Trouble had opened the door. “Hey,” he started before Holly pushed him back in, throwing herself into him, kissing him passionately. 

  Trouble raised a brow in confusion but enjoyed the experience, that was until his confusion got the better of him and he broke away from her. “Woah, woah. What’s this about?” 

  “I want you to have me,” Holly said with determination, the candlelight in his home causing her eyes to sparkle dangerously. 

  “Are you sure?” Trouble asked, smiling nervously as he moved closer. 

  Holly flattened herself against him once more, grabbing his collar and kissing him deeply before breaking away slightly. “Make me forget my name,” she challenged him, bearing her eyes into his. 

  And with her invite, Trouble kissed her back, wheeling her backwards until they reached another wall.

Haven City 

Lower Elements Police Headquarters 

5 Days Later

  Commodore Short found herself in the same position as five days prior, stuck between a metal desk and stacks of paperwork. What she wasn’t showing were the dozens of screens and radars she had lined around her office, and the hundreds of emails and documents still needed to be filed on her computer screen. She huffed as she fell forward in her seat, extending her fingers and running them gracefully through the stack. Her eyes rested on the fairy com on her right ring finger and pursed her lips in a line. 

  It had been five days since she'd heard from Artemis, and she didn't want to be the one to make the first move. But as everyday grew she became more and more anxious leaving things the way they’d been. It just didn't sit right with her. She leaned on an elbow as she flicked the fairy com’s carnelian stone to the side and waited anxiously. After a solid two minutes, there was no answer and she flicked it off. What is he up to? She put her visor on and tried his cell but the line was off. 

  A voicemail beeped. You’ve reached Artemis Fowl the Second. If you’ve reached this voicemail box, you’re in luck, as it has not reached its full capacity yet and I will be able to receive your mess- 

  Holly shut it off, annoyed. Why are you unreachable? What are you up to? She tried the line for Villa Éco this time, the glass tablet eventually being answered by a maid or nanny. 

  “Fowl Residence! How can I assist you?” the nanny answered strongly. 

  “May I speak with Artemis Fowl?" Holly replied casually. “The second, not the first. Tell him it’s H.S.” 

  “I'm afraid he is unavailable at the moment,” the nanny said, her voice strained. “Do you need me to relay a message?” 

  “No, that’s alright,” Holly said, her furrowed brow serious. “Is Angeline available?” 

  “Oh, yeah! Let me get her for you,” the nanny answered. “H.S. was it? One moment please.” 

  Holly blinked in confusion. Why does she kinda sound like me? Weird. 

  Angeline’s angelic voice filled the phone line. “Hello? H.S.?” 

  “Hi!” Holly said with a small, crooked smile on her face. “How are you, Mrs. Fowl?”

  “Oh, lovely, darling. Great to hear from you, just give me one second,” she said breathlessly, and Holly could hear her shuffling away through the phone for a few moments. “Sorry, had to give us some speaking room. Can you facetime, darling?” 

  “Sure, I can do that,” Holly chuckled, opening a video call on her visor. The holographic projector lens played Angeline a close up of Holly's face while Angeline’s beautiful features fell into Holly's frame, long brunette locks falling around her shoulders. She wore a teal velvet dress, the silhouette like something out of a medieval fantasy. She was in the center of a garden, the greenery around her like a backdrop.  

  Angeline clapped her hands together delightfully at the sight of Holly. “Hello, love! You’re just as stunning as ever.” 

  “Thank you! You’re too kind,” Holly said. “And you, I mean, my gods, are you sure you’re not part fairy? You’re absolutely glowing.” 

  “Ohhh. Thank you, love! You’re too sweet,” Angeline said, laying herself down on a garden bench between a bed of yellow roses. “So, what can I help you with, Commodore Short?” 

  Holly’s smile crumbled a bit and she leaned back in her chair. “I haven’t been able to get a hold of Artemis. I was wondering if you knew where he was?” 

  “You mean, he didn’t tell you?” Angeline remarked, genuinely astounded on the other side of the video call. 

  “Tell me what?" And the next words were so shocking and surreal that Holly did not process them at first. 

  “He’s in the cosmos, darling,” Angeline said as elegant fingers drew constellations in the air. “On his way to Mars.” 

  Holly shook her head, unsure if she actually heard that right. “Sorry, I think my brain just had a spasm. Could you repeat that?” 

  “He’s going to Mars. It’s a five year mission…" she trailed off when she noticed Holly’s expression. “You really mean to tell me that he didn’t tell you?” 

  “He mentioned something about space, but I thought that was months from now,” Holly stammered in total disbelief. 

  “It was supposed to be. But then three days ago he came back from Spain and insisted he needed to go now.” 

  A horrible thought struck Holly. “Is he alone?” 

  “No, Butler will be stuck with him for the next five years. Poor man, honestly. He has more patience than me, I’d say,” Angeline laughed, her warm voice like Yule bells. 

  This relieved Holly. Butler was a safe haven, and better than anyone, Butler always knew the right thing to do. She slumped back in her chair. “Five years… and none of us can contact him?” 

  “He didn’t say,” Angeline shrugged. “The whole thing was very sudden, to be honest. I bet his break up with Minerva had something to do with it.” 

  “They broke up?!” Holly cried out, leaning forward with interest. “What?! What did he tell you?” 

  “She broke up with him, apparently. Something about him not taking her seriously.” Angeline shrugged again. “Honestly, darling, I try not to get into Arty’s business too often, but I think it’s for the better.” 

  Holly nodded. “It would seem so.” Space. The final frontier. And not just the moon, but Mars? Not even the fairy folk had spatial access that far in the solar system. Had he just run away from all his problems here? Certainly space wasn’t the safest place to be. This is Artemis, another thought combated. If anyone can do it, it’s him. Holly’s lips grew into a fond smile. 5 years, mudman. 5 damn years. “I wanted to say sorry to him. I guess that apology will have to wait half a decade then.” 

  Angeline crossed her legs and leaned forward. “Holly, you know…,” she started, her long nails drumming her thigh. “I have a proposition for you, if you’d take it.” 

  Holly’s ears perked up. “A proposition?” And as Angeline revealed her plan, Holly’s intrigue grew with every detail. “I’m not sure, Angeline… Do you think that’s a good idea?” 

  “Absolutely.” 

Chapter Text

5 Years Later 

Villa Éco, Ireland

2023 

  When one thinks of journeying to outer space, The Great Unknown, The Final Frontier, they probably imagine the weightlessness and black abyss amongst the twinkling stars, and when that one is Artemis Fowl the Second, they most definitely imagine all of the endless discoveries and possibilities in things that could go right, and wrong. But when you are Artemis Fowl the Second, you also probably think nothing will ever go wrong as long as you've planned accordingly, and if things did go wrong, there was a plan for that too. 

  What Artemis didn't anticipate were the endless hours of nothingness, pondering how much time had truly gone by; how he left Earth behind so suddenly and how Minerva felt; if Holly would ever forgive him; if Butler secretly hated him for dragging him along on this ridiculous journey; if, and when, he had another triggered episode, would he be able to save them through it? To have these thoughts constantly on your mind for a little over five years without a break was not only draining on the mind, but the soul. And even when everything he did was right, and was according to plan, there is sometimes that chaotic, freak accident part of life that slingshots you around a karmic loop, as if the universe was restoring balance. And though Butler would be taking a two year break away from Artemis, not only to heal mentally, but physically, Artemis allowed guilt and shame to bubble inside him. 

  "This is why I'm here, Artemis," Butler had said back when the chaos around them erupted. "To protect you at all costs." 

  Regardless of Butler being his bodyguard, he was also Artemis' most loyal friend. A great friend; family. And though Butler had nearly died for Artemis many times over the years, it was not until they were truly alone in the vast empty space, amongst the moon and stars, that Artemis understood true fear and isolation. An odd thing for Artemis Fowl. 

  And now, it had been one week since they arrived back from the universe’s grasp. Apart from the twenty-four hour “nap” he allowed himself when he first arrived, this was the first time in six days Artemis actually dug his heels into the footholds of a bamboo stool, kicked back, and relaxed against the kitchen counter. We’re alive. We’ve done it, and we’re alive. Well done, old friend. 

  Artemis went through his phone, looking at international news when an article about his project appeared in The Wall Street Journal. He blew out a breath as his image rested on the cover, a pale Irishman looking very proud of the periwinkle crystal in his hands. Artemis frowned at the image and ran his fingers through his long, black hair, the tips of it past his shoulders. He had been meaning to get it taken care of, but he'd been completely obsessed with the post-phase of his project. He was determined to make this discovery worth it for Butler, and not let their trauma go to waste. He had, at least, allowed himself a few minutes to spare at the bathroom sink to shave his wild facial hair. 

  In the span of six days, Artemis had managed to host three seminars at Oxford and Yale University, as well as NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida; two video call demonstrations, one TEDTalk, communicate with investors and add to his stocks, create models for distribution, and most impressively, give a living demonstration of his discovery from the Martian planet. It was a more than impressive line up, to say the least, but none of it told the story of how the trip really went, and Artemis knew he was internalizing his guilt with the success of the project. But, he didn’t want to think of that now. Now, it was time to relax. 

   Beep beep. The espresso machine went off beside him and Artemis reached over, pouring the steaming liquid into a small white mug. It was a godsend to taste tangible things with temperature or texture, two things he hadn’t realized the privilege of having when he'd taken off to space. Of course he'd known freeze-dried rations would be the only sustainable option to consume in a zero-gravity environment for half a decade, but after the third year of it, you really start to miss that burning hot coffee bean on your tongue. 

  “Arty, darling,” Angeline Fowl smiled down at her son from the other side of the counter. The kitchen’s Victorian greenhouse ceiling caught the sun, its dome casting iridescent sun rays on her. “Make me a cup too, will you?” She strolled behind her son to the fridge, her peach silk robe rippling with her long legs. She opened the large steel door and asked, “So, where are you off to now?” 

  “Nowhere, mother. I believe I should take a break before I run myself dry,” Artemis responded lightly, sipping at his espresso. He looked down, checking his phone for notifications. “Tomorrow, however, may be a different story. I’ve had investors calling from-” 

  “Artemis, darling. Some time off sounds warranted, yes?” Angeline interjected, moving to her son’s side and cradling his face into her hands. “You’ve been away for the last five years, my love,” she continued gently. “You deserve a proper break.” 

  “Agreed,” Artemis nodded, slightly confused. “Today is that break.” 

  “No, darling. You need a real holiday. Somewhere away from phones and tablets and science things.” 

  “These aren’t toys I’ve discovered, mother,” Artemis replied, trying to explain himself to the worried woman. “These are elements that will benefit mankind and the planet herself. The sooner I can have them synthesized, recycled, and distributed, the sooner we can focus on other projects.” 

  “I know, love,” Angeline cut in quickly, before he could start again. “I know you’re passionate about this. But the planet can wait a few days, yes? I’m sure we’ll be okay.” She offered him a playful smile to lighten his mood, and for a second, Artemis thought about arguing back. 

We almost died for this discovery, mother. Can’t you see that? But it wasn’t her fault. She couldn’t know. No one could. So, he couldn't help but oblige and force a smile back.  “Sure, mother. I can do that,” Artemis sighed, resting his chin on his hand. He switched off his phone and placed it back into his trouser pocket. 

  “Mum, remember? I’m mum,” Angeline said, kissing his pale forehead and returning to the fridge. “None of this mother business.” 

  “Yes, mum," Artemis chuckled, getting off the stool to make more espresso. 

  “So, darling,” Angeline questioned him, moving four brown eggs to the sizzling pan on the stovetop to crack.  “Have you called Holly yet?”

  Artemis almost choked as he pressed the grounds into the filter. It took him a few moments, but he eventually answered honestly. “I haven’t.” 

  “Why not?” 

  Artemis squinted at his mother suspiciously. She knows something. What’s she getting at? 

    “Why do you ask, mother?” When she glared bright blue daggers at him, Artemis smiled lightly. “Mum."  

  “Don’t answer my question with another question, Arty,” she said, flipping the fried eggs. “Why haven’t you called her?” 

  Again, he had to think about the answer for a bit. “I wouldn’t know what to say.” 

  “She misses you, you know. We talk frequently, me and her. We’ve actually become quite good friends.” 

   Fantastic. He could only imagine the things they’d gossip about. “Is that so?” He stopped fiddling with the filter and his eyes drifted to a large kitchen window, the morning light warm on the Irish coast. He watched the white tides crash against the rocky cliffs in deep thought. “I suppose I could give her a call.” 

  Angeline plated the eggs and toast in front of Artemis before sitting next to him. The sound of the plate clinking on the counter snapped Artemis out of his daze. As he finished pouring Angeline’s coffee and slid it to her, her elegant hand patted the top of his. “You won't need to give her a call, love. She’s on holiday at the moment in the French countryside. I think she had a few days left? Regardless,” she stopped momentarily to sip her espresso. “I already told her you’d be visiting.” 

  Artemis stared at his mother dumbfounded. So this was it. "I'm appalled,” he thought aloud, shaking his head in amusement. “You've conspired against me. What are the chances of that?” He sat down, leaning back in his stool, feeling flushed as he continued. “And I assume you’re not giving me a choice?”

  “Nope.” 

  “When do I leave?” 

  “Today, love,” Angeline winked, taking a bite of her toast. 

Saint-Germain-de-Coulamer, France 

The Bellaziere Cottage

  It took under two hours for the private jet to arrive at the Alençon-Valframbert Airport, and another forty minutes to drive to the countryside commune of Saint-Germain-de-Coulamer. As Artemis drove the rental through the sunny hills and springtime lavender fields, he could see why Holly would pick this location. The population of the rustic rural commune was only 342 people, and with the latest COVID-19 pandemic, the world was still scared of venturing outside their doors. This meant Holly would have peace and privacy vacationing around humans. Smart. 

  And when five minutes were left on the gps, Artemis realized: after all his pondering for five years on the spaceship, planning on the jet, and contemplating on his drive here, he was still nervous, unsure on how to fully approach the situation. What should he say? Will things be different? Will she hate me forever? Artemis turned the car onto a beaten pebbled path along a field of freshly-bloomed tulips, and brought it to a halt at the top of a slight hill, a few hundred feet away from the stone and vine-covered cottage. This was it. Just breathe. It’s not a big deal. It’s just Holly. 

  Artemis exited the car, fixing his knitted designer sweatshirt anxiously as he stood. He glanced at the cottage once more, but this time from his advantage on the hill, he could see a petite, womanly figure beneath a bed of lavender, purple buds swaying in the breeze around her. But something was different. For a moment, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, before he realized the change. The small figure before him was clearly Holly in her rolled–up black sweats and grey sports bra, but long auburn hair cascaded around her arms as she plucked the lavender buds into a woven basket, elfin ears poking through wavy strands of hair. Interesting. 

    Artemis didn’t know how to approach her. Should he call her? Should he walk up? Should he just stand there and hope she noticed him? Thankfully, the third option was the winner after only a few seconds when Holly glanced up the hill, shielding her eyes in the sun. When she noticed Artemis, he could see her freeze, her mismatched eyes growing wide in surprise. They stared at each other for what felt like eternity, as if the other could not believe they were real. 

  Holly dropped the basket, dropping lavender bunches onto the stone path as she took a few steps forward. Artemis did the same, stepping carefully down the hill when Holly came sprinting towards him. He couldn’t help but smile as she came running at him, pulling him into a grateful embrace that almost knocked him to his feet. She held him tightly, hugging him as deeply as she could, a bright smile lighting up her flushed face. And after a few seconds of squeezing a new life into him, she pulled back to look up at him.

  “Hi!” she exclaimed happily, as if in disbelief he were real. 

  “Hi,” Artemis replied, a wave of relief washing over him. “You’re not angry?” 

  “Angry?!” Holly almost laughed. “No, my gods. I’m just glad you’re back in one piece.” She threw him into a hug again. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” 

  “Thank you,” Artemis replied quietly, unsure if she could feel his heart lurch through his shirt. 

  Holly pulled back again and looked him over. “You look, I mean-” a strange look washed over her but she seemed to shake it off. “You’ve grown. Like, you just seem older.” She reached up and tugged a piece of long, black hair off his neck. “You gave up on it, huh? 

 “After the fourth year,” he nodded. “Your hair, by the way-”

  “Oh, yeah,” Holly pulled back completely this time and rubbed her neck sheepishly. “I’m, uh, being forced to grow it out.” 

  “How does one force Holly Short to grow out her hair?” Artemis inquired in amusement.

  “I sorta lost a bet with Juliet,” she grinned goofily. “But anyway! Was space hard on you two? How’s Butler?” She reached for his hand and led him towards the cottage. “Come on. I want to hear all about your space ventures.” 

    The cottage was an older, rustic-style home with open windows, herb gardens, and baked clay tiles. The kitchen itself contained a pallet herb garden on the wall and was the first thing Holly darted towards. “I can make us some tea. I remember you like tea. What do you want?” 

  “Look at you,” Artemis chuckled as he observed the cottage. “Plants, tea, sunshine. You really are a fairy.” 

  “I mean,” Holly snorted. “This would be the natural state of fairies if it hadn’t been for the mud people forcing us underground.” 

  “Touché,” Artemis smirked. He leaned against the kitchen island and watched her reach for the rose and poppy flowers on the grassy wall. “Do you need help with that? Need me to make anything?” he asked casually, crossing his arms. 

  “Oh gods no,” Holly quipped. “I don’t trust you to make anything edible.”

  “Please. I am not that bad.” 

  Holly turned and raised a brow at him. “You put the mustard on top of the bun…” 

  The edges of Artemis’ lips frowned slightly and he got off the counter. “...That was one time.” 

  “That is more than enough times for me,” Holly laughed. She waved him away as she tossed flower buds into cloth tea bags. “No, seriously! Stay there. Relax, astroboy. I don’t mind.” 

  “I see I’ve been upgraded from mudboy to astroboy,” he commented. “Lovely.” 

  “Only the best for you, Arty,” Holly winked, turning her back to him to attend to the kettle on the gas stovetop. 

  Artemis smiled as he fell back against the counter, just watching her. Her hair was so long that it felt almost strange looking at her. Like she was a different person. What a silly thought.  Artemis focused on his nail beds as he tried to casually ask the question: “So…you and the Commander?” 

  “Mhm?” Holly replied quickly, back still turned to him. 

  “How’s that going?” Artemis asked, observing her body language through sly eyes. He could tell the question made her uncomfortable when her shoulder blades tensed. 

  “Oh. I mean, we’re not together, if that’s what you're asking. He even dated Frond for a while,” she said dryly, not wanting to expand on the topic. 

  “Ah…” 

  “Don’t make this awkward, Artemis,” Holly groaned, raising a brow at him from over her shoulder. 

  “That wasn’t my intention,” Artemis said with a small reassuring smile, looking away from her gaze as she set the tea and cups in front of both of them on the island counter. 

  “Speaking of exes,” Holly continued on, grinning mischievously at him. “Your mom told me you and Minerva broke up. Well… actually, Lazuli told me years later that-” Her eyes widened when she realized she’d said too much. “ANYWAY… what happened?” 

  “She broke up with me,” Artemis shrugged indifferently as he tested Holly’s tea concoction. But Holly knew Artemis well and could see his eyes grow cold in the memory. “I don’t blame her either. I wasn’t the most attentive partner.” His brows furrowed together and he glanced up at Holly curiously. “What did Lazuli say?”     

  “Uh… well, she heard it from Minerva. She said you were your own soulmate or something like that.” Holly paused. “Your brother Myles also told me you said, ‘Finally, she will have some intelligence.’” She smiled in tandem with such a fiery glare, it would make even Butler cry.

  Artemis actually laughed at the statement as he threw his head back. “Oh, that! I was waiting to hear your response to that,” his eyes soothed her as he smiled playfully. “It was a joke, Holls. I didn’t really mean it.” 

  “Mhm.” Holls? 

  “It’s true. You know I think you’re the smartest officer in the LEP.” 

  “That’s not saying much,” Holly said, tapping a foot impatiently. "But, sorry. Continue?"

  Artemis fixed his gaze on the wooden island top, thinking back to their conversation. “I really did care about Minerva. She’s not an awful person by any means, and I have no resentment towards her. But… it’s as if she’s fire and I’m sulfur.” 

  Holly peered at him quizzically. “I have no idea what that means,” she blinked. 

  Artemis used his hands as if he were giving a demonstration. “They’re neutral elements on their own. They’re not inherently good or bad, but when combined together-” 

  “It’s toxic,” Holly chimed in, understanding now. 

  “Precisely,” Artemis agreed, thinking back. “I don’t think my heart was in it.” 

  Holly studied Artemis sympathetically. She completely got it, for she was the same with Trouble. He was a great guy, one of her best friends, but to try and be more than that? She never felt truly invested, no matter how great for her he was. Why? 

  You know why. 

  She hadn’t realized Artemis was studying her expression when he broke her train of thinking. 

“That’s why you left that night, correct?” he asked, watching her cherubic features closely. He felt a lump in his throat as he prepared himself to ask. “You heard us?” 

  Holly froze over her cup of tea, taken aback by his forwardness. Dammit, Arty. Jumping the gun already, huh?  She cradled her tea mug with both hands and gave a sad smile. “Uh, yeah. Honestly, I was pretty offended. That whole night was…” she trailed off. 

  “Very strange,” Artemis nodded, answering for her. 

  Holly nodded too. “It was a shit-show. I didn’t even listen or take your side. And I felt horrible afterwards. I really did want to apologize, but then I heard that and I felt really awkward. I didn’t want to deal with you anymore.” Holly looked up to see his eyes were sad as he observed her, his brow frowning with regret. “Sorry.” 

  Artemis shook his head. “No, don’t be. It’s perfectly understandable. I’m the one who’s sorry, Holly.” He broke their gaze and now he was the one looking down at the reddish liquid. “This is quite embarrassing.”

  Holly smiled, trying to lighten the room. “Nah. It was a long time ago and I’m over it. Besides, I’m pretty sure Minerva was overdoing it. I doubt you’re that good,” she smirked. 

  Artemis felt his face grow hot and he tugged at his knitted collar a tinge. “Ouch. Well, that’s one way to bruise a man’s ego.” 

  “Good!” Holly laughed, punching his arm playfully. “Mud men deserve it.” They looked at each other’s eyes once more, the gaze lingering until Holly sighed and placed her face into her hands, pouting at him. “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you.” 

  Artemis nodded. “Of course. I’ve missed you too.” More than you know.  

  A few hours later the sun had set, leaving the two in the dimly lit cottage with a fireplace and candlelight. They sat across from each other at the crackling hearth, her bundled up in a blanket and Artemis leaning forward on his elbows, ten minutes into his discoveries.  

  “These new substances are chemically similar to Martinite, which is part of the Fedorite group. So, in basic terms,” he tried to explain simply, “it is an isostructural, vitreous, and calcified-” 

 Holly held a hand up. “These are basic terms?” 

  Artemis grimaced playfully, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Okay. Imagine you take a mineral substance and change some of its formula from our elements to Martian elements, and then synthesize it-” he stopped again, thinking of how to explain it even simpler. “You break it down until you get the structure you want,” he said, watching Holly’s confusion alleviate slightly. It was cute watching her sort out what he said. “You can then run this new material through a recycler using the new elements, and can therefore create a reusable resource-”

 “Okay okay okay-”  she suddenly nodded, leaning forward, intrigued by the conversation.  

  “-by cloning the original source. You see now?” he smiled, delighted that she was understanding. 

  “Well, yeah. When you put it that way I get it,” Holly nodded. 

  “Basic terms?” Artemis grinned. 

  “Yeah, yeah. Basic terms,” she grinned back, sneering at him. “You satisfied with yourself?” 

  “Always. I am a genius, after all,” he said simply, downing his third cup of tea. “So, about you. Why France for holiday?”   

  Holly leaned back on the sofa, staring into the fireplace, watching the flames lick the logs. “I mean, didn’t you drive through here? Haven’t you seen this place?” she threw her hands up, showcasing the cozy cottage. “You know as commodore I don’t see the surface much anymore. Plus, the humans are still terrified of all these Covid variants and avoid each other like the plague. So, why not live out my cottage witchy dreams?” she shrugged. 

  Artemis raised a brow. “Cottage witchy dreams,” he repeated incredulously. “That is a cluster of words I never thought I’d hear you say.” 

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, astroboy,” Holly winked, taking their tea cups back to the kitchen sink, smiling to herself. This feels good. Like old times. Her stomach growled just then and she popped back into the living room at Artemis. “Hey, I’m pretty hungry. Want to eat something?” 

  Artemis crossed his legs and put his chin into a hand, as if thinking. “Is it awful that I’m craving ramen?” 

  Holly’s pointed ears perked up. “Ramen?! I love ramen,” she said, patting her toned stomach. “It’s a shame they don’t have good ramen here.” 

  Artemis casually waved a hand. “We could always go to Japan and get real, authentic ramen.” 

  “Mmm,” Holly moaned, leaning against the archway of the living room, twirling a strand of hair in her finger. “Can you imagine? In a quiet, mountain town, slurping some homemade tofu ramen.”

  “I happen to know a quiet, mountain town that specializes in noodle soups.” He side-glanced her, and Holly recognized he was mimicking casual conversation. 

  “What are you up to?” she asked, crossing her arms and placing her weight on one hip. 

  Artemis flashed a dangerous smile at her, his eyes glistening in the firelight. “I’m asking you to come to Japan with me.” 

  Holly blinked. “Wait… what? You mean, like, right now?” she stammered, looking around the tiny cottage panicked. 

  “How much longer are you here?” 

  “I’m supposed to leave tomorrow, actually. I was going to spend the rest of my vacation in Haven.” She sat beside him and rested her hand on his forearm, making him look at her seriously. “You mean it? You’d take me to Japan?”

  Artemis placed his hand on hers, offering her a soft, genuine smile. “I would take you anywhere you wanted. Just ask.” 

  Holly’s heart thumped in her chest as his hand slid over hers, and she was sure her cheeks were a bright shade of pink. A seed of doubt entered her mind but she pushed it away. “So, that’s it then? We’re going to Japan?” Holly asked once more, a smile of disbelief growing across her face. 

  “We’re going to Japan,” Artemis insisted, his eyes kind. 

  “We’re going to Japan!” Holly cheered, dancing around the living room in excitement. But that seed of doubt returned, and as much as she trusted him, a part of her wasn’t sure. It was too convenient. What are you up to, Artemis Fowl? 

Karuizawa, Japan 

Nagano Prefecture

  Within the next day, Artemis had flown a private aircraft into Matsumoto Regional Airport. The trip took a little under twelve hours, with Holly napping for most of it, and with their spring morning passing through into night, the cool mountain wind settled, allowing them smooth passage as the craft landed. It was another hour of trekking uphill before they reached the mountainside town of Karuizawa, their ecolodge rental home resting atop a rocky cliff, the snowcapped Mount Asama in the distance. 

  They went into town briefly to search for this mystical ramen Artemis spoke of, both bundled up in long coats and scarves. If it hadn’t been for their medical masks, the air they spoke would’ve frosted before them. In truth, Holly was glad for the cold weather on the mountain: it meant as an outsider, she could wear a beanie over her hair to cover her ears (finally something long hair was useful for), and a mask to hide the majority of her features to the humans around her. And finally, because of the pandemic, people didn’t get close enough to care to look. 

  Back at the rental, a concrete fireplace crackled as the two friends sat across from each other on tatami mats, legs folded in cozy pajama pants as their ramen sat steaming by their sides. The patio doors were left open on their sliders, allowing them to see white sakura blossoms blow like snow in the black night. 

  Holly slammed down a card onto the square board between them, a colorful +5 facing up at Artemis. “Uno,” she grinned, a vindictive sparkle in her eye as she glared at the man competitively. “Draw 5, whelp!”  

   “Sorry, Commodore,” Artemis smirked, throwing down his last card, the tiny rectangle mocking Holly with another +5 card. 

  “No way,” Holly breathed, fixing a glare at Artemis. 

  “Better luck next time.” 

  Holly rolled her eyes as she gathered the cards. “I really thought I had you that time,” she muttered, shuffling the cards through her nimble fingers. 

  “Just play better and you will,” he shrugged. 

  “PFFT. Okay!” Holly laughed, slightly offended. 

  He smiled, leaning back on an arm. He bent a knee and rested his elbow on it, the blossoms outside the doors catching his gaze. He watched the petals twirl in the icy mountain air, the wind at one point pushing them into a straight-line gust, blurring the white buds against the black mass of mountains on the horizon. Like being amongst the stars. 

   Holly leaned forward, watching Artemis silently, a gentle smile forming at her lips. “Where are you?” she asked softly, touching his forearm. 

  Artemis turned to her suddenly. “Let’s go to Tokyo tomorrow.” 

  “Why? What’s in Tokyo?” Holly sat back, her smile dropping into a frown. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” 

  “Why not?” Artemis shrugged. “Just stay concealed the way you did tonight. No one will notice.” 

  “I don’t know,” she bit her lip as she mulled it over. “It’s a high traffic area. That’s pretty risky, plus it’s against regulations.”

  Artemis raised a brow at her. “Holly, and I mean this with genuine care: you are the riskiest individual I have ever met,” he taunted. “Since when is Holly Short afraid of breaking a rule or two?” 

  “Since Holly Short got promoted to commodore,” Holly taunted back. “I like my job at the LEP, Artemis. I’m not trying to lose it. Besides,” she leaned forward, throwing an open palm between them. “We get into more trouble together than any other couple on this planet.” 

  “Like Bonnie and Clyde, eh?” Artemis sighed, sitting forward, his fingers tapping his ramen bowl. 

  “Sure,” Holly smiled, rolling her eyes. She shivered as she lifted her soup to her lips, sipping on the vegan broth. 

  “Well, it is a full moon tonight. You can recover your magic if you need to shield,” Artemis went on, plucking a piece of rare steak into his mouth with a chopstick. “But I understand if you don’t want to go. We can stay here and enjoy the mountainscape.” Though he said this genuinely, there was something about his tone of voice that pushed Holly into submission.

  “Fine. We can go to Tokyo,” she sighed, slurping on noodles. 

  “What? No, it’s fine, Holls,” Artemis said, raising his brows. “Really. I can always come back on my own time.” 

  “No, no,” Holly persisted, shaking her head. “It’s okay. We’ll just go. There’s bound to be something interesting if I’m stuck with you,” she joked, finishing her bowl in a few chugs. “Ahhhhh. That was soooo good.”

  “Are you sure you want to go?” Artemis asked as he finished his ramen as well, placing it on the woven mat. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.” 

  “Hah!” Holly shot a look at him. “You’re the one always getting me into trouble anyway.” 

  Artemis smiled, looking back at the petals outside as Holly sprung to her feet. She yawned, stretching her arms above her head. “I’m going to bed. It’s cold,” she shivered, wrapping a chunky throw blanket around her shoulders. “You coming?” 

  “I’m going to stay up a bit longer,” Artemis said, getting up as well. “I had some things I wanted to check on." He picked up both dishes, bringing them to the sink. 

  “Hmmkay. Well, thanks for the ramen. The real thing really is the best,” Holly said, roaming towards her room. 

  Artemis nodded to her from the kitchen. “Of course.” He turned his eyes downwards, watching the wooden bowls soak in the sink. 

  “Get some rest, okay?” Holly stopped at her door, one palm on it as she looked back at him. “Good night,” she smiled softly, a strange but soft expression on her face.

  Artemis looked up in time to catch it and flashed her a soft smile. “Good night,” he repeated, watching her disappear into her room.

Nishi-Shinjuku District, Tokyo

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower

 Tokyo’s metropolis was a bit warmer than the mountainous Karuizawa, but still cold enough that many of the trees had not bloomed besides the cherry blossoms, the rows of trees coating the city’s clean concrete streets with pink and white petals. 

  After exploring a few shops and Shinjuku Gyo-en, Artemis asked Holly to pick their next destination, and of course, she picked one of the tallest and most architecturally interesting skyscrapers in the country. The pair had traveled to the Mode Gakuen’s Cocoon Tower, just three minutes from Shinjuku Station. The white-patterned building shot 204 meters, or 669 feet, into the air, its elliptical shape allowing sunlight to distribute evenly throughout the glass-skinned structure. The building itself was especially designed for the environment, with cogenerative systems installed into the walls for better insulation, in addition to its aerodynamic shape redirecting the strong winds that may flow down from the mountains or in from the ocean, dangerous at massive heights. 

  Of course, Holly only knew this information as Artemis recited it to her in a perfect Tokyo dialect. They looked out over the observation deck of the IT college campus, one of three colleges within the skyscraper.  

  “The insulated structure reduces the building’s power usage, and therefore reduces potential greenhouse gas emissions,” Artemis remarked in fascination as he looked out over the city forty-two floors below. “It was even built with oil dampers to exploit distortions in the core typically associated with the high frequency of earthquakes in the region.” He looked over at Holly, surprised to see her still awake. “Impressive, isn’t it?” 

  “Yup,” she mumbled, watching the ant-sized humans traveling around below, leaning against the three-story window. She also replied in perfect Japanese: “It’s another big, steel building. Just like all the other big, steel buildings.”

  “Are you bored?” Artemis asked, turning his attention to her as he tugged on his black suede cuffs. 

  “A bit,” Holly avoided his gaze, turning to look back at the laminated white balcony above. “They just all look the same after a while.” 

  “We can leave,” Artemis shrugged, taking a step away from her, glancing at his phone screen. “What would you like to do instead?” 

  “There’s not really a lot of nature in Tokyo…”

  “Oh. Well, yes it’s a city center. Maybe we could see a movie?” Artemis rambled on, glancing at his phone again. “Or go back to Karuizawa? There should be enough daylight left for a hike or two.” 

  Holly glazed over him curiously. “You’re being weird. What’s up?”

  He looked up. “What do you mean?” 

  “You’re being especially talkative,” Holly said, crossing her arms. “That’s not really like you.” 

  Artemis smiled at her, lowering his gaze. “You’re right, dear friend. I feel guilty for dragging you here, I suppose. This was supposed to be your holiday, after all.” A slow smile graced Holly’s lips, and Artemis swore he could see her high cheekbones blush a subtle shade of coral. 

  “It’s okay, Arty,” she said. “You’re here too. We’ve both gotten to do things we enjoy. I like the food and nature, you like art museums and buildings that look like spaceships.” She smiled, punching his arm lightly. “I’ll live.”

  “Well, in that case...” Artemis began again as he led the way to a stairwell, now rambling on about the building’s extensive security system.  

  And by the next morning in Karuizawa, Holly had eaten her fill of even more ramen, vegetable tempura and taiyaki, happily sprawled out beneath the shade of the sakura tree on the cliffside backyard. A chunky, olive cardigan hung off her shoulders as she stared into the pine trees below, wondering what forest spirits lived in there. She drifted off, gazing into the mountains in the distance.

  Eventually, she turned back to the house. It was a beautiful blend of log cabin and ultramodern, with the traditional shoji doors giving a glimpse into the living area. She watched the Irishman pace back and forth on the deck, his back confident as he spoke into his phone. I wonder what that’s about. 

   Before long he was strolling down the lawn to her, a proud smile plastered on his vampiric face. “Sorry about that. I received a call from an investor in Tokyo. They’re interested in having a meeting today about the substances that I discovered, and reaching an agreement on reducing greenhouse emissions for the nation.” 

  Holly smiled strangely, mixed feelings bubbling through her. She didn’t know whether to say “Oh,” or “That sucks,” but neither really sat right with her. Instead, she stood quickly, taking Artemis into a hug. “That’s great, Arty,” Holly said pulling back, her eyes flecked with gold rings, the sign of a recently rejuvenated fairy. “Are you going to go?” 

   Artemis’ excitement dispersed slightly, his brows drawing together in confusion. “I’m unsure. I wouldn’t mind staying here, either. But,” he gazed at the grass and scratched at his lightly stubbled chin, “it is a good opportunity.” 

  “Go.” 

  Artemis looked up and caught her gaze. “Go?” 

  “Yeah,” Holly smiled sweetly, her locks blowing gently in the wind. “Just go. I’ll hunker down the fort,” she joked, walking past him towards the deck. “I started this vacation alone, anyway. I’ll be okay,” she smiled, walking with him back into the living room. And she meant it. He hadn’t spent the last five years of his life outside Earth to fool around, and she respected that. If he wanted to talk to investors in Tokyo, so be it.   

  “Okay,” Artemis smiled back, nodding his head in thought as he checked the time on his phone. “If I leave in forty minutes, I will be there by noon. That’s if traffic allows it.” He caught up to Holly, walking slightly ahead of her with his longer legs. “So, would you mind picking an outfit for me?” 

Mode Gakuen Tower, Tokyo

 41st Floor Meeting Room, 12:30 PM 

  Artemis stood before a dozen Japanese businessmen at a half-circle table, clad in similar plum tuxedos and high-necked dress shirts. Artemis himself was dressed nicely, freshly shaven with his hair tucked away into a low bun, sporting an all-black fit. Instead of his usual suit attire, however, Holly had opted for a long, knee-length coat and turtleneck (something she insisted was very on-trend at the moment). But the most important detail, she insisted, was his “spark of decency” necklace to be displayed front and center, so it could hopefully be of good influence to him, or perhaps bring him luck? He wasn’t sure. 

  But unlike Artemis, where he was dressed with simple class, his audience’s attire was gaudy with gold chains, designer sunglasses, and obnoxious cologne. Artemis was no fool; he knew who these men were. But a shady investor still equated business, and a business partner was a business partner all the same. 

 And so, Artemis stood before a fifteen-foot screen, bowing in thanks to his audience members. “Arigato (Thank you) for inviting me here today,” he began, speaking entirely in Japanese. “I am Artemis Fowl the Second, as you well know, and I am most pleased to be doing business with the most highly-esteemed organization in Japan.” Also one of the most disgusting organizations, but I digress. Focus.

  A bald man, maybe in his early forties, sat at the front and center of the circular table. He steepled his fingers as he sat forward in his chair, his bulging biceps straining his velvet suit. “Welcome to Tokyo, Artemis Fowl. We are thrilled to finally be doing business with you. Your father and I go back many years,” the man rasped, his voice like sandpaper. “How do you like Shinjuku so far?” 

  Artemis shifted his weight, anxious to carry on with the presentation. “Forgive my impertinence, Masaru-san, but I would prefer to skip the casualties. I know my father and you did not end on great terms. But, I hope today may fix that.”      

  Sano Masaru smiled at Artemis with the kind of smile that made you question the deviance behind it. “How old are you now, Artemis Fowl?” 

  “I am 28,” Artemis replied, his eyes keen on Masaru’s body language. 

  “Hmmm, a new generation of Fowl,” Masaru remarked. “Well, we are intrigued. Please, show us what you’ve discovered on your venture to space.” 

  Artemis nodded once, highlighting a formula on the projection behind him. It showed the formula combination and conversion: 

Martinite (Na,◻,Ca)12Ca4(Si,S,B)14B2O38(OH,Cl)2F2 · 4H2O →            

+                                                                                                             Artelite (Na,◻,Ca)12Ca5(Rd,B)14B2O28(OH,Cl)2F2 · 4Ae2 · 4H2O         

Martian Quadrastite (Na,◻,Ca)12Ca4(Rd,S,B)14B2O5(OH,Cl)2F2 · 4Ae2 →

  “What you see before you are three formulas: one, an Earth mineral called Martinite. The second: Quadrastite, a Martian mineral. And when you take these two formulas, you see they are nearly identical, apart from the new Martian elements deviating it. Rd, also known as Red Dust, and Ae, Aeron.” Artemis clicked his remote, flicking to the demonstration page. “When you combine these two formulas, and substitute silicon and sulfur for just red dust, as well as combine aeron and water together, we get this:” 

  Artemis flicked once more, a more elaborate model presented on the screen this time. “Don’t mind the fancy explanation,” he attempted to joke. “I usually give this speech at universities.” When the room went even colder than before, he cleared his throat, highlighting the neon, luminescent blue gel that appeared on screen. “Artelite, a brand new substance. It is then synthesized and recreated as a renewable resource to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, like your very building here. Essentially, I have discovered a clonable, renewable, clean source of fuel.” 

  “This is all very nice and professional, Fowl,” Masaru said, waving a hand. “But the world already has these things. Why should we bother investing into this specifically?” 

  Artemis was ready. He’d already answered this question several times before. “You should care because you could use this investment to not only better Tokyo, as you create more greenhouse gas emissions here than New York City, but it would also get you back onto the government’s side, so to speak,” Artemis insisted, his back straight and his demeanor cool. He looked at Masaru with an intense determination. “Imagine the good you could do for Japan with your influence, Masaru-san. And of course, there is the handsome profit from it too.” 

  Masaru watched Artemis closely. “How much of a profit are we talking about here?” 

  Artemis flashed his famous smug smile. “This is not just your average element or substance, Sano. These are Mars’ gifts to us, handpicked by yours truly. This sort of novelty, paired with the capability to be synthesized and recreated, unlike our planet’s fossil fuels, is clean, incredibly cheap, and easily distributable. With this in mind… I’d estimate 8.5 billion yen a year.” When Masaru blew out a breath, Artemis raised a brow. “I take it you are interested?” 

  “Yes, of course. Now we are doing business,” Masaru rubbed his hands together eagerly. “So where is this mineral? Where can we see it?” 

  “Unfortunately, both Artelite and Quadrastite are not with me in Japan at the moment,” Artemis said honestly, shutting off his presentation. When he rested the sleek remote back onto the glass tabletop, a man’s hand crashed down on Artemis’, trapping his palm between the man and the glass. 

  “Excuse my bodyguard’s behavior,” Masaru started, almost apologetically. “But I need to ask: Did you agree to this meeting without an example of your Martian discovery?” 

   Here we go. Artemis gazed at Masaru coolly. “I regret to inform you that I did. This trip was last minute for me, as it was personal and not business.” He lowered his head a bit, as if offering the elder man respect, despite the bodyguard’s crushing weight on his hand. He stared into Masaru’s eyes with serious determination. “However, I can be back in Tokyo with these materials as soon as I can leave this establishment. Holding me here would not be in your best interest.” 

  Masaru suddenly smiled and rose from his chair, circling over to Artemis with his arms behind his back. “Do you know why your father and I ended on bad terms?” When Artemis’ brow twitched, Masaru continued, passing his men one by one.  “Yes. I can see on your face that you do. Your father and I have different ways of doing business. I am straight-forward, to the point, direct. Fowls on the other hand…” He stopped in front of the two story window opposite Artemis, looking out at the Tokyo skyline below. And before Artemis could get a word out, in one fluid motion, the huge man smashed Artemis’ hand through the glass table and thrust an elbow into the base of the genius’ skull, knocking him out to the floor. 

  “...Fowls are snakes, and not to be trusted,” Masaru finished. He turned to leave the room with two men, not bothering to glance at the genius on the floor. “Search him,” he ordered as he exited through glossed-black double doors, disappearing into the hallway beyond.

   The sun had been set for over six hours now, meaning Artemis had been in Tokyo for nearly eleven hours. Holly sat up on the lounge chair she was using to stargaze and tapped the glass tablet streaming nordic music at her side. It read 23:11. She glanced at the fairy com ring on her finger anxiously. The little red carnelian sat innocently on the gold setting, gleaming in the moonlight at her. I should call him. 

  Holly paused the music with a touch and flipped the stone com open and called. She swung her legs over the chair and pressed them to the cold wood floor as she waited for Artemis to answer, but there was nothing but the crickets chirping in the night. Holly shut it off, then tried again. Maybe it was bugged, or something. But as it vibrated against her finger, no Irish voice answered. She shut it off, frustrated. 

  What are you up to, Artemis? Where are you? 

   Holly got off the lounge chair, lifting the glass tablet with her as she walked across the deck, dimly lit by the fireplace inside. Something was wrong. She knew something was wrong. She called his cell phone on the tablet, stopping in the doorway as it rang. And then her first clue: It didn’t ring until the line finished and triggered voicemail, and it didn’t cut her off as soon as she called. That meant his phone was neither out of battery nor left to ring, maybe lost. That meant her call had been ignored. Rejected. D’arvit. 

   Holly called Foaly on her own personal device, the centaur thankfully answering after the sixth ring. “Thank, gods!” Holly sighed with relief. 

  “Hey, Holly! How’s your vacation going?” Foaly asked. Holly was grateful his line was left on call and not video as she could hear a stampede of hooves in the background. 

  “Hi, um… it’s… I need a favor,” Holly said, getting to the point. “Can you track Artemis’ fairy com for me?” 

  “Why? Where’s your visor?” 

  “Uhhh…” 

  “You didn’t bring it.”

  “I didn’t think I’d need it.” 

  Holly could hear Foaly snort on the other line. “Holly Short, you are always involved in some type of drama. You should know better than this.” 

  “Thanks, Foaly. Love you too,” Holly winced, leaning against the back of the sofa. “So? Can you help me please?” 

  “Hmm…” he mused. “What’s in it for me?” 

  “...I’ll buy you curry for a week.”

  “Deal.” Foaly hummed the tune of Madonna’s Forbidden Love as his fingers tapped away at his screen. “Looks like he’s in Tokyo, Japan. Good enough?” 

  “Foaly, I need the specific location, please,” Holly persisted, almost begging. She leaned over the couch, tapping her fingers in anxiety as she waited. 

  “Fine, fine… Uh, he’s in the Shinjuku district. The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower,” Foaly said. “Is that where he’s supposed to be?” 

  Holly shook her head in confusion. “Yes, that’s exactly where he’s supposed to be, eleven hours ago. Do scientific presentations usually take up to twelve hours, Foaly?” 

  “Hmm, conventions might. But just a class or presentation is usually a few hours long. Why?” Suddenly Foaly neighed. “Holly… where are you?” 

  “Thanks, Foaly. You’re the best,” Holly said quickly, cutting off the line. And as if by some miracle, the second she hung up the little carnelian buzzed against her finger, letting her know there was life on the other line. Holly sprung up from her position on the sofa, nearly throwing the ring off of her. “Artemis! Where are you?” As she listened in, she could hear deep Japanese voices on the other line, but what they said was too low in volume for her to perfectly hear. “Artemis! Artemis, do you copy?” 

  “Your organization is in decline-” a familiar, self-satisfied voice said in Japanese on the com. “I have no interest in reporting you to the PSIA.” 

  “Listen, gaijin (foreigner),” an even deeper voice replied on the same line. “Yakuza have no tolerance for rich kids like you. Your time is running short.” 

   SMACK!

  “Artemis?” Holly almost whispered, frozen by what she was hearing. 

  “I have friends in the underworld, Tetsuya,” the familiar Irish voice choked. “I’d hate to see you get dragged to hell.”  

  Another blunt force smack, the impact clicking off the communicator with it. The line went silent. 

  Holly stood stunned, flicking off her communicator. Her first pair of thoughts immediately clicked in. He’s doing this now? Now, when I have nothing with me?! She didn’t have her wings, helmet, or newest matte black pistol, opting for this to be a quiet, peaceful trip instead. Her second wave of thoughts arrived, striking her with anxiety: How am I going to get him? Can you hold on a bit longer, Artemis? Just for another few hours? Please. 

  As she raced around to her suitcase, rummaging through what to wear, Holly shook her head to herself, her last thought settling in.

  Artemis. Fucking. Fowl.

Chapter Text

Click here to hear the tone for this chapter

Mode Gakuen Tower, Shinjuku

Undisclosed Location 

Two Minutes Before

23:09 

  Now, you’re probably wondering, How did Artemis get himself into this situation? If you were thinking, He’s too smart to get into this situation again! you’d be correct. So then your next thought might be, So why would he do this? Two reasons: He needed to, and he wanted to. Granted, it wasn’t the best situation to be in, but if you needed to access the Yakuza’s bank accounts, records, names, text messages, hideouts and just about any other information related in and around them, the best way would be from the inside out. 

  Artemis had a suspicion the Yakuza had a hiding point in the tower for a few reasons: the tower contained three educational institutions and was essentially ignored in terms of the government, outside of the clean funds that run separately from the tower itself; The top three floors of the Mode Gakuen Tower were quiet on every blueprint and map available online, but with a little hacking and black market information, the original blueprints showed a 360° floor plan of four flours beneath the helipad on the fiftieth; the tower was located in Nishi-Shinjuku, just eight minutes away from Kabukichō, the red light district well-known for its heavy Yakuza presence; and finally, the state of the art security system would be almost impenetrable for any hackers trying to break into the Yakuza’s laundering scheme. Almost. 

   And so, after several hours of being unconscious and finally awakening, Artemis had put himself in a less than optimal situation, now bound to a chair with thick sisal ropes carving sores into his cool skin. He technically wasn’t fully conscious at the moment either, the white-tiled floor below him like a blurred blizzard. Artemis blinked several times as he came to, realizing his body was drooped forward, only held upright by his tight bounds. 

  “Okiteru (He’s up),” a deep voice in front of Artemis boomed. 

  And as everything around him started to fall back to Earth, Artemis was greeted with a piercing ache that stabbed a dull pain into his shoulder blades, skull, and windpipe. His mouth felt dry and his eyes were heavy and hard to keep open. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t feel too injured, nothing seemed broken, but he didn’t want to stay too long and go through menu of torture methods. Artemis tried to touch his hands, but they were tied to the chair and not together. It’s fine. Just improvise. He reached his right thumb over his right ring finger, about to flip the com open on the large sapphire ring when his body was jolted forward, his fingers slipping over each other. 

  A large man held Artemis forward by his coat’s collar before thrusting him backwards, stopping the careening chair with a handful of Artemis’ hair. This behemoth of a man yanked his hair back, forcing the genius’ head to look up at the men before him. At least six Yakuza in plum tuxedos looked either bored or irritated with Artemis’ presence as they hung out in the dark hallway in front of him, an elevator shaft with blinking red lights at the end of the far wall. The number rested on 42.

  Look around. Take in everything you see. The room he was actually in was bright under fluorescent lights, and it took Artemis a few seconds to register the long desks and rolling chairs: a classroom set-up, with him front and center. Ironic. 

   “Can we be civil, gentlemen?” Artemis asked, almost baiting them as his dazed eyes focused on the man closest to him. “Or does there need to be a fight?” 

  The man closest to him glanced in Artemis' direction, his face stoic and uninterested. “Are you asking me to beat the shit out of you?” He looked at his men confused. “What a fucking weirdo.” Some men laughed, some weren’t amused. The man approached Artemis with an aloof air about him and refused to meet his gaze. “You speak good Japanese. Where did you learn it?” 

  “I taught myself mostly,” Artemis answered confidently, a light smirk on his lips. He glanced down and noticed the man was missing two fingers, gold rings adorning the others. “So, thank you.” 

  “You little shit,” the man laughed, glancing at Artemis now. “It’s always a treat to hear gaijin speak so well. Too bad we’ll be making you scream.”

  The man was closer now and Artemis knew he was testing his luck. But as the adrenaline surged through him, his heart racing in his chest, he knew the reason for this reaction. Impulsivity, recklessness, self-destructive behavior? Those were classic symptoms for conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, something that hadn't gotten better with time in space.

  Artemis understood the reasons for it, but that didn’t change how he felt or how he experienced it. And while he had some qualms with being beaten by a gangster with gold rings, like damage done to his bone structure and the pain that would ensue, there was a part of being in these dangerous situations that was exhilarating. It would be like his trip through the cosmos, except now that he was entirely in control, there would be no mistakes. It would be perfect. It needed to be, or he’d need to cheat death. Again. 

  “You won’t get a lot of information out of me if I’m incoherent.” Artemis forced a large smirk to form on his sore jaw. “I am loaded, you know. I have so much money, you would never need to work for Masaru again.” 

  The room went quiet and the man nodded to the behemoth holding Artemis by his hair. Artemis felt gravity return to him as he was dropped back into his chair, its legs clanging against the ground. 

   “Do you know the history of tattooing in Yakuza, gaijin?” The man stopped in front of Artemis, plucking a lighter and box of cigarettes from his suit. He slid a hand rolled cigarette into his mouth, lit it up and took off his jacket, handing all three to the man behind Artemis. He then puffed, blowing the foul smoke into Artemis’ face. 

  “The custom of tattooing started with the fishermen. Many fishermen would fall overboard in the rough seas and left to die. So, these tattoos-” another puff to the face, causing Artemis’ eyes to burn, “-told us who these men were when their dead bodies washed ashore. It was their identity. And then-” he rolled up his long-sleeved dress shirt, exposing hand-poked tattoos from his elbow and up “-in the Endo era, prisoners would get tattoos like this. When they went to prison, to honor their criminal achievements, a tattoo was added on top, and this became part of the Yakuza culture. To recognize a man for who he is. The tattoos tell our story.” 

  Artemis was in truth, a bit bored, having already known this information beforehand when the ring on his finger began buzzing. About time. Artemis reached his thumb over again, trying to flip the communicator when the gangster in front of him smacked him clean across the cheek with one swipe. 

  “Hey! Are you listening?” he growled when a loud, vibrating buzzing filled the smokey air. His dark eyes widened and shot to the man behind Artemis. “What is that?” 

  The behemoth listened in, holding Artemis roughly by the hair once more while the other hand searched his coat. At the nape of the collar there was a secret cell phone holder stitched in, vibrating in place. “Tetsuya, here.” The man ripped it and tossed it to the leader, Tetsuya, in front of Artemis. 

  “H.S?” Tetsuya raised a brow at the phone screen, puffing his cigarette. “You can tell him to call you later,” he chuckled, tossing it to a gangster behind him who promptly smashed it to the floor. “You working with someone?” Tetsuya asked, getting real close to Artemis’ face. 

  “If I was, do you think I’d be in this situation?” Artemis taunted, his fingers working behind him once more, finally flicking the sapphire comm open. 

  Tetsuya smacked the genius’ cheek again, the chop precise and effective. As the Irishman straightened his jaw out, the Japanese man replied: “I don’t know what to think, Fowl. I know your fancy dad went straight. For all I know, you could be ratting us out to the marubo.” 

  Artemis swallowed down the blood that filled his mouth and gave Tetsuya a hard glare. “Your organization is in decline,” he grumbled, his adrenaline running so high he couldn’t feel the throbbing anymore. “There isn’t much to gain from ratting you out. I have no interest in reporting you to the PSIA.” 

  Tetsuya grabbed Artemis by the turtleneck. “Listen, gaijin: Yakuza have no tolerance for rich kids like you. Your time is running short.” 

  And because Artemis knew, or at least hoped that Holly could hear him on the other line, he rasped, “I have friends in the underworld, Tetsuya. I’d hate to see you get dragged to hell.” 

  That was the final blow for Tetsuya. He pulled down Artemis’ turtleneck and seared the cigarette into Artemis’ snowy flesh. “Yakuza have tattoos to honor us. This is all you get.” And in one fluid motion, he reached into his buckle to pull out a knife and smashed the butt of it into Artemis’ temple.

  Artemis slumped to his side, the world going dark once again. Back in we go. 

 Shinjuku District, Tokyo

 01:23 

    Simply put? Holly Short was pissed, and the longer she drove Artemis’ rental car on the way to rescue him, the more pissed she got. Now, if Artemis was perhaps kidnapped against his will, that would be one thing; she couldn’t fault him for that. But from the second she threw on a black hoodie, an olive fitted t-shirt and black athletic pants and entered the foyer, she realized the pair of car keys was still left hanging, and of course, she found the 2012 Nissan Track Pack GT-R in the garage. That’s why he chose this cool car, she thought, running her hand over the hypershift copper to black paint, her fingers tracing the yellow trim. He wants me to drive it?! A fairy driving a sports car, because I’m faster than your average uber? Prick. 

   The next clue Holly was given was another cell phone in the car, sitting front and center on the dash for her to use. The screen was programmed to run Gnommish, asking her for a password. I don’t have a password. What would it be? Gold? Money? No. It couldn’t be. Her fingers slid in a circular motion, spelling ramen into the spiral keyboard. The phone clicked open and Holly nearly left the car right then. As she pressed the ignition button, a video on the screen appeared. And of course, it had been no one other than Artemis himself. 

  Holly replayed the instructions Artemis left her one more time, zooming past glittering skyscrapers and lit-up highways, neon streaks blurring by the windshield as she dared to take every yellow light.  

   Hello, Holly, he had filmed earlier that day, seated at the edge of his bed. It’s seven in the morning at the moment. I imagine you’ll be awake in the next hour, so I decided to record this for you now. Firstly, I am sorry to make you do this. But since I no longer have Butler at my side, I know I can count on you to help when the time arises. 

  Holly rolled her eyes. Typical. Does he think I’m his bodyguard now? 

  I’ve left this phone for you to bring to me in the cocoon tower, Artemis continued on the screen. We went there yesterday. Do you remember everything I told you about the tower? Probably not, right? He had smiled, Holly unsure if it was mocking or amusement. 

  “Gods,” she exasperated, tightening her grip on the stick. “Do you think I’m a goblin?” 

  It was as if he’d read her mind. I know you’re very intuitive and intelligent, Holly, so I’ll make this short… haha. Get the joke? Short? Because you’re… anyway- 

  Holly rolled her eyes again, groaning along a smile she couldn’t help.  

  The tower will likely be closed to the public, therefore reducing the amount of activity inside the building. This will be optimal for us if we need to make a racket and not get caught. With this phone, I have hacked a large majority of Yakuza’s organization's security measures. But to fully empty out their accounts, I’d need-

  “Keep it short, Artemis,” Holly grunted in response, her eyes set on the zipping streets. 

  -to be on the inside. The easiest way of doing this will be to get myself kidnapped, and that’s where you come in. I am expecting a call from one of them later today. After that, as you’ve probably guessed, you need to, essentially, rescue me. As you bend the members to your will, I can breach the Yakuza’s mainframe and plant a seed into their system. A parasite, if you will, that will empty their accounts over the course of a year.

  I actually cannot believe I am doing this, Holly raged to herself, furious that she was really going through with it. But Artemis knew as well as Holly did that she would never leave him hanging, and she hated that he was taking advantage of that. 

   I trust you. You are a commodore now. I trust you can get here quicker than any human on this side of the Earth. Hope you like the car, by the way.

   Holly admired the modded quilt interior as she soared forward as soon as the traffic light changed green, the engine revving to those left in her dust. Holly smirked. The car’s kinda sweet, I guess. 

  I trust you will know what to do. He leaned forward to turn off the video, muttering, Whatever you do, please do not lose this phone. If you lose this phone, this opportunity is lost. Thank you, Holly. 

  It amazed Holly how Artemis could sometimes be so caring and yet so viperous in the same sentence, like with every compliment given she also needed to expect an insult. She shook her head, her fierce eyes switching between the GPS and the high-speed streets ahead of her. She tapped the screen in front of her, resuming her music as she sped through a busy intersection, driving just carefully enough that she wouldn’t be pulled over. A traffic stop for a fairy wouldn’t be the best turn of luck, shielded or not. Her eyes flew back to the GPS. 3 Minutes. 

  You better be alive, Artemis. 

01:35 

   Beep beep. Holly clicked the lock button, leaving the Nissan in a parallel spot a few streets down. Her blood spiked red hot in the chill air as she marched her way to the neon cyan skyscraper looming overhead like a beacon. She gingerly parted her long hair apart in two sections behind her head, quickly creating french braids on both sides. It was at this point she realized how truly long her auburn waves were and she grimaced even more, throwing her hood up and storming down the sidewalk.

   Holly eventually stopped at the base of the skyscraper, gazing up at its towering length. She shook her head in disappointment as her mismatched eyes fell back down to examine the first floor and blew a breath. “D’arvit, Artemis.” Floor one we go. Holly marched towards the double doors, risking a quick peek inside. The lights were dim but not off, indicating there might still be people in there. She pulled at the front door only to find it locked. She stared at it in disbelief, as if it weren’t real. It’s locked. It’s locked! Does he think I’m Mulch Diggums?! 

   Holly fell back a few steps, thinking her options through. Had Artemis left anything in the car for her that she missed? Was there something in her pockets? She searched frantically, hoping for a dwarf hair, but nothing. By this time, however, the security from the front desk had noticed her outside the building and opened the door to peer at her. 

  “Hello, shoujo (little girl),” an older female security guard asked Holly. “Are you lost? Where is your okasa (mommy?)” 

  I trust you will know what to do, Artemis’ words rang in her head. Holly grit her teeth in irritation, cracking her neck as she approached the security guard. “Hi, oku-san,” she started in Japanese, her Gift of Tongues flawless. Holly raced to the woman, bearing her gold-tinged eyes into hers.

  “I am such a sad, lost, little girl. I lost my okasa in the building,” Holly bewitched, digging into the woman’s soul. “I need you to let me into the building and take me to the elevators so I can find her. You will not tell anyone else about this. When I am gone, you will erase the security footage, understand, okasa?” Holly pushed a strong mesmer into the poor woman until she could feel its energy taking effect. 

  “Of course,” the woman nodded robotically, her eyes blank. “Come in, little girl. The elevators are over here.” The security guard trudged along like a soulless corpse as she led Holly through the white laminated lobby. Holly made note of how many cameras were posted around the ceiling, making sure to keep her hood up. They reached the elevator hallway a few moments later, the security guard looking forward, deep in her enchantment. “What floor?” 

  Holly snapped her fingers at the human, getting her attention. She bore her magic into the security guard’s eyes, pushing once more. “Where are the Yakuza, okasa? Please tell me what floor they are on.” 

  The woman’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I don’t know what you mean. Yakuza? Here? That’s not possible.” 

  Shit. “Is there a secret floor in this building, okasa?” Holly asked, pushing just a little bit more. 

  “No. There are forty-two floors, baby girl. The rest are used for the helipad.” The woman seemed to enjoy the mesmer, even letting a euphoric smile take hold of her lips as she started to sway a bit. 

  “Give me your keys, okasa. I’m going to the top floor,” Holly said, holding out her hand. As soon as the keys were in her hand, Holly was off into the elevator. She turned back to the woman, her eye contact intense. “And remember, okasa: You’re. Going. To. Erase. All. Security Footage. Of. Our. Encounter. Understand? I was never here.” 

  “You were never here,” the security guard echoed as she dazed on ahead. 

  And as the doors slowly came together, Holly’s cute face was the last thing the human saw of her. Holly repeated once more: “I was never here,” the doors closing on her with a hefty click. 

  The security guard stumbled back to her desk, mumbling on, “Never here… never… ahaha.” 

  The forty-second floor was the furthest the public elevator would allow Holly to go, the same observation deck Artemis and her were on the day prior. The spacious hall was completely empty and dimly lit by the twinkling of Shinjuku’s neon skyline just outside the three-story window.  She stopped for a moment, pressing her arm onto the window and resting her forehead on it, staring at the blur of traffic below. What happens if Trouble finds out about this? What if Artemis isn’t even here? 

  Holly closed her eyes, her brow in a deep frown as more thoughts poured into her. You tricked me, again. The only reason you brought me here was to be your bodyguard. Your savior. But you lied. Why do you always lie?! Holly’s eyes snapped open and caught her reflection. Her eyebrows were furrowed together and tears almost welled in her eyes, especially looking at Artemis’ blue eye. She bit her lip as she tried to focus on the city outside instead. Why don’t you tell me anything, Arty? Why won’t you just talk to me? She blew out a breath, holding those tears back and putting them away for another time. Holly broke away from the glass, a hard look of determination plastered on her face as she strolled on ahead. You better be alive, Fowl.

   Holly searched around the floor, looking for anything that could be a door or entrance outside. She found a few closet doors so far, but it wasn’t until she rounded a corner on the tower’s east side that she noticed a metal door at the end of the white hallway, a slight booming noise coming from it. Holly’s heart thumped rapidly with adrenaline as she made for the door. She expected it to be locked, as it was when she tugged on the handle. She tried the security guard’s keys, fitting each one into the lock, but none of them would give, so Holly smashed her side into the metal door over and over, trying to make as much ruckus as possible. 

  The door swung open and Japanese hip-hop leaked into the empty hallway. The man who answered the door blinked a few times, confused at what had banged on the door when he noticed a pair of keys on the floor. Stunned as he pondered this, a vibrating shielded elf slipped right by him and into the room.  

  Okay, I have to do this fast. The “room” itself was more like a busy upscale lounge, with red LEDs lining the carpet walkway, and a 180° view of the night skyline. Older men and young women lined against a long, reflective bar set against the back wall beside an ominous hallway, chatting and drinking the night away without a care in the world.  

  Holly darted around the lounge, looking for any single, lonely man away from the others. She spotted one in a plum tuxedo drinking alone on the sofa by the window and made for him. She dodged behind a thick concrete column on her way, unshielding in the half second she appeared from the other side. 

  The man didn’t notice that, thankfully, but did look up in time to see a small figure coming towards him. He sat upright, a bit startled at first but then relaxed back when he realized how little the threat was. “Hah. Your eyes almost gave me a scare,” he grunted, sipping his dark liquor. He eyed her closely, a little befuddled by her appearance. She was very pretty, glaring at him with mesmerizing, mismatched eyes, but she wasn’t a little girl when you really looked at her. She had the proportions of a young woman. “Are you lost, shoujo?” 

  Holly smiled, blinking her lashes at him. “Hi, you’re going to help me now, understand?” she whispered as if into him, speaking her magick into his soul. “Are you Yakuza?” 

  The gangster stared at her, enchanted by the swirling, gold pools in her eyes. “Who’s asking?”

   Push harder. “If you don’t tell me where Artemis Fowl is in the next five seconds, I want you to know the PSIA is coming for you.” She bore her gaze even deeper into him, the stench of cologne invading her senses as she pressed her face inches from his own. “Where is he?” 

  “The 48th floor,” the gangster replied, the mesmer easily inviting him in with his intoxicated state. “They’re interrogating him now.” 

  Yes. Thank gods. “How many?” 

  “Six. Maybe seven now, I’m not sure.” 

  “Take me there now," Holly pressed further, prompting the man to set his drink down and stand. 

  “Yes. I’ll take you now.” The large human turned his back to her, leading her towards the back hallway. 

  Holly tried to use his large frame to mostly hide herself from the party at the bar. Hopefully they were too intoxicated to notice. They entered the ominous hallway behind the dark bar, the lime glow from the LED overheard causing a rippling of nausea in Holly’s gut as she searched for an exit of sorts. The gangster eventually led her down another corridor where there were a pair of mirrored elevators. One up. One down. 

   The Yakuza man clicked the right elevator numbly, a blank expression in his eyes as he stared at Holly. Suddenly, he said, “You’re going to die up there.” 

  Holly’s mouth tightened, unsettled by his thoughts breaking the mesmer. “Listen to me now, human,” she almost sang at him, giving him everything she had. “Cross me, and you’ll end up like your friends upstairs. And that’s a promise. Now, you will never remember this encounter, and when you get back to your pathetic little drink at your even sadder little table, I want you to drink yourself dry.” 

  The elevator dinged and Holly stepped inside without another word. The door closed moments later and she was on her way up, this service elevator being a bit slower than the public’s. 42. 43. 44. Holly felt a twist in her gut, accompanied by prickly bits of flighty anxiety in her chest as the elevator rose higher into the Tokyo sky. What’s going to happen? 45. 46. What if he’s already dead? 47. 48. Ding. 

01:45 

  The mirrored double doors spread apart like smooth butter, the Yakuza members on the other side of it left bewildered by the empty elevator. “Eh?!” one exclaimed, causing a chain reaction amongst the men. 

  Artemis, coated in blood, peered through swollen eyes into the elevator, a relieved smile washing over his bruised face. He didn’t say anything, but he knew what to expect. 

  Holly fumed at Artemis as she stepped outside the elevator, the doors slithering to a close behind her. A slight shimmer hung in the dark hallway where she stood.  She knew he couldn’t fully see her, but she hoped he could feel just how much deep shit he was in. Holly contemplated for a moment, deciding if she should unshield or not. It’s risky, but let’s show Artemis just how pissed I really am. 

  The men turned to Tetsuya. “Did you send for an elevator?” one asked, suspicious. 

  And before anyone could answer, Holly unshielded before the men, suddenly dropping from thin air. She glared at Artemis fiercely from under her hood, not even bothered by the several gangsters surrounding him. If eyes could kill, hers were flaming daggers.

  The men looked her up and down, most spooked, others amused. One even laughed. “Majokko (magic girl?)” he shook his head in amazement. 

  Holly smirked, turning her focus on them. She said nothing but dropped her hood, her braids running along the pointed tips of her ears. She showed them off gracefully. 

  “Yosei (Fairy),” several men breathed. Tetsuya came the closest to Holly, glaring her way. “Back off, girl. We don’t want to hurt you. Leave now, and this will be forgiven.” 

  Holly’s smirk became dangerous. She replied casually in Tokyo dialect. “Can’t. Sorry. That’s my human.” She nodded to Artemis, then turned back to Tetsuya. “Guess you’ll have to come and get me yourself.” 

  Tetsuya smiled, accepting the challenge. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He reached his hand at one of his men, motioning for a weapon. His associate handed him a katana, and Tetsuya released it from its sheath, its sharp edge sliding out gracefully to greet her.  

  Perfect. Holly focused her gaze on the man and readied her stance. She waited, still as stone. Tetsuya came charging, his blade tip soaring right for her. And at the last second, Holly dodged left in one fluid motion, dipping low and kicking him in the knees. She reached for his wrist and slammed him down, disarming the katana from him. Holly chuckled with relief as she kicked his blade up, catching it and slammed Tetsuya with the pommel, punching it into the center of his forehead. The leader's eyes rolled as he knocked out to the floor.  

  Holly smirked towards the other men, twirling the light katana blade between her fingers. She walked forward slowly, taking note of who was closest to Artemis. A giant behemoth of a man (she'd seen bigger) stood behind the Irish hostage, a small knife glistening in his hand. “Hmm,” she grunted, shielding suddenly. 

  The men circled in panic, shooting rounds off in the hallway as they were unsure of her next move. The giant bodyguard behind Artemis was thrown backwards and slammed into the ground on his back. As suddenly as he was down, he was knocked out with a swift fist between the eyes. The katana blade and knife were thrown behind them several feet away, distracting the men when Holly appeared underneath a much shorter man. 

  “Boo.” Before the tiny gangster could shoot her with his pistol Holly served a roundhouse kick straight into his gut, sending him flying into a desk. She raced forward and disarmed his pistol, unloading the mag and separating the two. But instead of throwing it away, she spun in a tight circle, using the momentum to slam the magazine into his head. The tips of her ears tingled as she felt a presence behind her. Holly waited two seconds before dipping down low, kicking the thug’s legs out from behind her. 

  Artemis watched her in absolute awe. Incredible, isn't she? He didn’t know if Holly’s training had increased tenfold during his five year absence or if she was truly that angry with him, but either way, she almost seemed like she was having fun taking out her anger on these criminals. She was absolutely marvelous at it. 

  And Holly was, in a way, enjoying herself. No one was getting too hurt, and it was the sort of thrill she loved about being a soldier. Something being a commodore didn't really offer anymore. She raced towards the guy she'd kicked and with her sneaker, gave a direct blow to his temple, knocking him out cold.  

  Holly couldn't help but smile impishly at the three thugs left. Was it bad that this was sort of fun? No. You're mad at Artemis. Don't forget that. She raced forward to the man closest to her, the thugs charging in to meet her. One man sliced his knife at her and she dashed right, sweeping into a lunge and punching the knife out of his hand. She grabbed hold of his shirt collar in one motion and swung him towards her, kicking in his shins so he fell to his knees before her. Holly bore her eyes into him and grinned. "Go to sleep, roach pest." And as his eyes desperately accepted sleep, Holly tossed him to the floor. 

  "Holly," Artemis hissed next to her. "Can you free me?" 

  Holly could feel Artemis' eyes on her as she stormed by him, refusing to make eye contact with him, afraid she might punch him too if she did. She looked between the two men left, breathing in with a deep sigh. Holly closed her eyes and cracked her neck left, then right, and rolled out her shoulders. When she opened her eyes again, they were hard and steely cold. When nothing happened, she grinned again. "Who's next?" 

  As she exhaled, Holly zipped towards the man on her left. He was picking up a katana when she shielded fast enough to slide in behind him and with a swift one-two-three! combo, dislocated his knees in their sockets. He tumbled to the floor and Holly whacked him in the eyes with her long braids, unleashing the move with a yell of frustration and release. Just one guy left. 

  "Holly!" Artemis chimed, his bloodied gaze pleading with her. "Please get me out first." 

  "ARGH!" Holly shouted, swiftly kicking up and throwing the katana right at Artemis. 

  The blade whizzed by the genius, lodging in the upper corner of the chair. And though it sliced right through his upper binds, he widened his eyes at her as if she tried to kill him. 

  Holly caught the glance and sneered. "Free yourself!" she yelled, moving on. But when her eyes turned back to fight, they widened into panicked saucers. The last thug was shakily adding ammo to a glock, pushing the mag in place. No! And with the most speed she's ever ran in her life, Holly darted for the thug as he aimed his pistol at her. 

   He shot one bullet off but Holly was too quick, soaring towards him and body slamming him into the wall. She grabbed the gun away from him, thrusting her foot into his gut. As she clicked the safety on and tossed the gun away, she slammed her head into his, sending him sinking to the cold floor. Holly huffed and puffed in place, exhausted as her blood soared in her veins from the fight. 

  "I see you've learned a few moves," Artemis commented casually, freeing himself from his binds. 

  Holly almost forgot Artemis' part in all of this. "I told you: Juliet. I lost the bet- WAIT!" she started until she remembered where she was. She rounded on Artemis, waving a finger at him like disciplining a child. "NO. NO. No-"

  "No?" 

  "-NO! We are NOT friends right now. You, youuuuuuuu," Holly seethed, her face red hot as she charged up to him. "You did this! You lied to me, and you used me-" 

  "By the looks of it, commodore, you seem to be enjoying yourself," Artemis remarked, rubbing his welted wrists.

  Holly broke out into a guilty smile, knowing Artemis was partially right, like always. But that wasn't the point, and that made her even angrier. "No," she shook her head at him. "Absolutely not. You do not get to talk to me like you've done nothing wrong. You did this. You planned this whole thing-" 

  "Thing?" Artemis asked, a bit delirious as he moved towards her slowly. 

  "THING, Artemis," Holly exasperated, throwing her hands in the air. "This whole Japan trip was just so I could be here to do this for you, wasn’t it?" 

  Artemis was quiet for a few moments. "Well, that wasn't the whole reason."

  "OH MY GODS. Shut up. Shut up! Just, stop talking. Close your mouth and just throw the key away," Holly boiled over, turning to walk away from him. 

  Artemis hobbled over, reaching out to stop her shoulder. "Holly, the phone." 

  Holly whipped around, waving the phone in their faces. "Oh, you mean this phone? Mm, it'd be a shame if something happened to it. Or if I broke it." 

  Artemis tried to grab it from her but she was too fast. "Holly, please. Let's not waste any more time." 

  "No!" Holly stood her ground, firmly glaring into his eyes. "What would you have done if I wasn't here? If I hadn't figured it out?" 

  Artemis frowned at her. "I would've formulated another plan. There is always another plan." 

  Holly fumed at him, thinking. What if she broke this phone right here and now? Then he couldn’t carry out this scheme. But, what if he never spoke to her again? Of course he would. He's Artemis. She rolled her eyes, slapping the phone into his hand. 

  As she marched towards the elevator, Artemis slowed his gait behind her, eyes glued to his phone. "Good. This is good," he mumbled, checking the tower's security system. "You haven't alerted any attention yet." He smiled and looked down at her. "This is why I like you. We're the best at what we do." 

  "Of course you had to throw yourself in there," Holly grumbled. She crossed her arms as she waited for him by the elevator, analyzing him like a book. "What if they had killed you, Artemis? What then?" 

  Artemis shrugged nonchalantly, still hacking the system. "Then I would've died." His eyes shot up, sensing a trap. "I didn't mean it that way.”   

  But Holly was quick. "So you don't care if you die?" she said, stomping over to him. "What is wrong with you? Do you hear yourself?" 

  Artemis furrowed his brow, still concentrating on getting back into the tower's systems. Authenticating file… Of course he heard what Holly was saying but those feelings were not important right now. They could come after in the safety of the getaway car. Logging you in. [Open file?]  Artemis smiled, opening up the network and seeing what he could twist around. 

  "Artemis, are you even listening?" Once Artemis was by her side, Holly waved a hand in his face. "Um, hello? What's the plan? What are we doing?" Holly asked impatiently, hitting the elevator button. 

  "Aaand done. We're successfully attached to the lower tower's security cameras. As for location, the blueprints show we need to head upstairs for the server room. I will be able to control everything else up there." 

  "And how are you doing this?" Holly asked as the elevator door dinged. 

  "Fairy technology, of course," Artemis smirked, side-glancing a steaming Holly. "You can blame Foaly for that. He makes it too easy." 

  The elevator doors slid open, revealing four more suited men inside, two armed with knives, one handgun, and another katana. So instead of retorting, she shoved Artemis' waist, pushing him out of the way. "MOVE!" 

They ran back down the hallway, hiding on the other side of the wall as bullets rained down on them from the shaft. 

  "Where’s your neutrino?" Artemis asked, a bead of sweat dripping down his bloody temple. 

  Holly glared at him. "Shhh. Be quiet." She pushed Artemis on the other side of her so she could peer over the corner of the wall. The swordsmen were marching down the hall while the gunman hung back. This isn't good. Gods dammit, Artemis. She patted Artemis' shoulder. "Butler taught you krav maga, right?" 

  "Uh, yes?" Artemis hesitated. Oh no. "Holly, don't." 

  Holly smirked at him, a savage twinkle in her eyes. "New plan, mudman. You fight these guys, I take him down," she explained, nodding to the gunman in the back.

  “You haven’t even healed me,” Artemis protested. 

  Holly shrugged, moving forward. “Should of thought of that before you got yourself into this mess.”  

  "Holly, I don't think this-" 

  But she was gone, shielding off into the hallway, past the men on their way to Artemis. Artemis gulped and pressed his back to the wall, trying to remember back to his dojo days with Butler. He remembered all the moves, but Artemis feared he didn't have the physical skill to accomplish them. As he tried to think, he could hear the gunman at the end of the hallway being thrown around with an "oof!" A gunshot rang off and Artemis widened his eyes. "Holly!"

  But when Artemis peered out from the corner, an unshielded Holly had the gun pointed at the three knifed men, the gunman out cold at her feet. Artemis smiled, nodding to her in thanks. Amazing. You really are something, aren't you?

   Holly kept her gaze on the men, making sure they were solely focused on her. They traded a stare off, silence drifting between them when Holly disarmed the gun, tossing it to the floor with a clang! She stepped forward, her eyes an intense swirl of magickal gold dust. "Do you see what I really am? Do you see it?" she whispered, just loud enough they could hear. Suddenly all three men dropped their arms at their sides, entranced by her spell. 

  Holly's steps were light as she approached the thug with the katana in the middle, hips swaying as she walked. She reached a finger out and curled it inward, beckoning him closer. He bent down, still completely enamored by her presence when she bore her eyes into his. "Do you see me now?" 

  The man suddenly broke out in a sweat, becoming panicked. "Ehhh?! Nani?!"  

   Holly seduced the man with her magick, really giving him the full hallucinatory experience. She leaned in close so their noses touched and hissed, "Shinigami (God of Death)." 

  From the thug's point of view, giant, skeletal wings ripped out of her back, cracking and breaking into shape to rise high into the air above them, powerful gusts ruffling his hair back. Her red eyes bore into him while razor-sharp teeth filled her smile. Holly, of course, didn't really do any of this, just smiling and blowing air at the man, but to him, it was the most terrifying experience of his life. He raced into the elevator and tapped the bottom floor urgently, desperate to get out and never turn back. 

  Holly turned and smiled at the other two, shaking their heads as they started to recover. I need to save magick. She cracked her neck side to side again, and took off towards them, completely on the offense this time. She punched one into a corner where he swung his knife at her. Holly swept back, swooping down and kicked her leg up, smashing into the man's family jewels. As he fell back wailing, Holly took a moment to glance over her shoulder at Artemis. 

  Artemis threw a punch at his single opponent, the gangster easily side-stepping him and throwing his fist into the genius’ cheek. Artemis stumbled back, wiping the blood from his mouth. His vision was doubled now, and he couldn’t tell if there was an earthquake but he was swaying. I feel faint.

  He shook his head, determined to at least put some of Butler’s training to use. Artemis trekked forward a few feet, panting at the thug. The thug brandished his knife and darted at the Irishman. But before he could reach Artemis, the knife was kicked out of his hand by Holly, the steel flying across the room. Before the thug could react, Artemis jumped in, throwing his fist to finally make a crack! into the man’s nose. 

  As the thug slumped to the floor, Artemis shook his wrist out, a dark smile on his face. “I finally got a hit in. It’s been years.” 

  Holly raised an annoyed brow at him as she strolled past. “I thought Butler was teaching you krav maga.” 

  “He did,” Artemis nodded out of breath, bending over his knees. 

  “What happened? You suck,” Holly started, but she couldn’t help but grow a fond smile. 

  “Yeah. I’ve noticed. Thank you.” 

  “Sure, I’m here ‘til Tuesday.” 

  Artemis stood up straight, glancing at his phone. “Can we go up now?” 

02:00 

  They took the elevator to the next floor, the mirror doors opening to let them into an expansive hallway. The entire 49th floor was covered in a 360° glass wall and three white doors lined an inner hallway. 

  Artemis walked ahead of Holly, using his phone as a map of the building. He made for the third door on the right, opening the handle but Holly cut in, shutting it back quietly. Artemis looked at her questioningly but she shook her head. 

  "Listen," Holly whispered, pressing her ear to the door. 

   Ah. I was hasty, Artemis thought to himself. How foolish of me. He did the same and listened in, hearing several male voices speak Japanese inside. 

  "What's the situation?" someone asked. Who, they were unsure of. 

  "Several guys are down. These people are weird, Yamato-san," another voice spoke. "There’s this girl who took down half our men. She does this martial art I don’t recognize."

  Holly looked at Artemis, and actually looked at his face this time. He didn't look well at all. His hair was slick with blood, and the red substance had coagulated around his nose and mouth. His left eyebrow sagged down, bruised purple and swollen. Holly knew she should heal him, but something in her felt he deserved it. She cleared her throat, guilt eating away at her. "Ready?" she asked Artemis. He nodded, standing back. Holly slowly nudged the door, letting it fall open. 

   "Eh?" The door remained propped open, but with nothing on the other side to hold it. The men inside stared at the hallway in fear. "Yokai (Spirit?)" one asked. 

  "Yosei," Holly whispered back from behind him. And as the man turned, she unshielded, spearheaded her foot straight up in between the man's legs, striking him from the crotch up. As he fell over in agony, Holly punched his cheek straight across, sending him careening across the floor. 

  When Holly whipped back around she noticed Artemis in the doorway, his blue eyes locked on the equally blue servers behind her. She glared at him as if saying Get out of sight, idiot! when he held up his phone in response and mouthed "busy". 

  Holly rolled her eyes and noticed two men coming for her, waiting on them to close in and then at the last second dropping low, causing the thugs to crash into each other on either side. Holly rolled out from underneath them, springing up. As the two bodies crumpled to the floor, she raced down, reaching for one man's collar. 

  "So," Artemis smirked, spooking Holly mid-punch as he leaned on the doorway, switching his focus between her and his phone. "Why did your bet involve you having long hair?" Artemis asked her, switching to Gnommish. 

  Holly groaned, lifting the collared thug. "I told Juliet that short hair is more efficient on the field and she said 'no way, fam.' So," she grunted, slamming her fist into the gangster's cheekbone. "If I won the bet, she'd have to cut off her hair. If I lost the bet, I had to grow mine out- AGH!" she yelled as she kicked the man off and sent him to his new bedtime. 

  The second man in the heap below Holly stirred awake, clutching his head as he sat up in a wrinkled brown suit.

  As Holly marched over to the man, Artemis watched, asking her, "And what was this bet?" 

  Fully irritated again, Holly grabbed the man's hair and smashed his face down on her knee. As she dropped him, Holly glared back up at Artemis. "I dunno, Artemis. What do you think?" She finished the brown-suited man off with a solid kick to the jaw. 

  "So you lost a fight," Artemis smirked, glancing back at his screen.

  "Wow," Holly rolled her eyes, moving towards the back server room. "You really are a genius." 

  "You know-" Artemis glanced back at her, until he noticed a hidden man sneaking up behind Holly, a large knife ready to strike behind her. Artemis dropped everything and darted forward. "Holly!" Not again! Not this time! 

   Holly whipped around at his urgency, catching the man behind her too late. She thrust her hands out to stop him but the blade was already piercing the air straight for her heart. She could feel Artemis' presence behind her and she reached out, trying to shield him from the blow, even if it meant dying from it.  

  Holly closed her eyes, expecting to feel that white hot stabbing pain in her flesh, when it never came. Her eyes snapped open and looked down. With every deep breath, her chest lightly tickled the sharp tip of the blade, a droplet of blood trickling down the impaled hand in front of her. She followed the pale hand upwards, suddenly realizing it was Artemis. He had wrapped his arms around her body, stopping the blade with his own flesh.

  And in a surreal and breakthrough moment, time seemed to stop as both Holly and Artemis caught each other's gaze. It was just like back then, back when she died on Limbo. He remembered, she remembered. They lived through it together, and now Artemis was going to do anything he could to prevent that from ever happening again. Holly blinked in amazement, seconds later breaking her daze, giving him a grateful nod.

  Thank you. 

   Refocused and now incredibly protective, Holly snatched the hilt of the knife, yanking it out in one clean motion from Artemis' palm and flung it back at the Japanese criminal in front of them. The hilt pommeled him between the eyes and he collapsed into the servers behind him. 

  Holly could see Artemis shivering in shock and slipped her hand into his quickly. "Heal," Holly said, offering a generous amount of magick to him, a grateful smile stretching across her face before zipping off into the row of servers behind them. 

  Artemis watched his hand's bleeding wound close up, blue sparks stitching the flesh back together like needle and thread. I think I’ve been forgiven. The pain still throbbed in his palm but the wound was stitched clean shut. 

  He stretched his neck, his face and upper body feeling immensely lighter. He picked up the phone off the floor, setting a refreshed gaze back at the program, using his good hand to craft a few more tweaks into the "parasite's" code. Artemis rounded the corner, looking up in time to catch Holly launching a double kick into one of three thugs’ backs. As she landed on her feet, Artemis watched her auburn braids fray behind her back with each movement, unsure if he was entranced by her skill or intoxicated with magic. Perhaps both. “So when do you cut it off?” he asked. 

 “Your hand?!” Holly stammered as she jumped back to avoid the man swiping at her.  

 “Your hair," Artemis smiled as he leaned against a server, looking at his screen for any updates. 

  "You're still on that?!" Holly scowled as she slid left, tackling the man's legs and throwing him down with all her weight. "Uh, 'til it reaches my backside.”

  Artemis glanced down at the actual curve of her back. “It is on your backside.” 

  Holly turned, giving him a deadpan stare over her shoulder. “My ass, Artemis.”

  Artemis' eyes dropped a little lower. “Oh. I see.” 

 “Move!” Holly yelled, knocking Artemis from the server and to the floor. A bullet rang off just as Holly grabbed the glock and thrusted the intruder's wrist up, twisting her forearms to break his wrist into two. 

  But this man was quicker than the others and tripped her legs beneath her, smashing Holly's jaw with the butt of his revolver, sending her to the floor. 

  Holly spit blood, an amused smile forming on her face as she pressed her hand to her jaw. "Heal," she declared, electric blue sparks repairing her jaw back into place. She sensed the thug behind her and rolled left, jumping to her feet beside him. "Nice shot," Holly grinned, circling him with a devious glint in her hazel eye. "Let's see if you can do it again." 

  And she was off, sprinting at him with all her speed, but as she slid to dodge and strike, the man was body slammed by another figure instead. Holly stopped in place, tense as she blinked sweat from her eyes. 

  Artemis smashed into the man, sending them both wheeling to the floor. He grabbed the thug's arms to restrain him, struggling against the Japanese man's strength. He turned to Holly seriously. "Get him!" 

  Holly rolled her eyes, stepping forward and knocking the man out with a simple roundhouse kick. As he dropped like a fly, she frowned at Artemis. "You enjoying yourself?" 

  Artemis stood, dusting his coat off. "Well, yes. I have to admit this is quite the experience.” When Holly’s frown deepened, he added, “Holly, he hit you. I couldn't just stand there." 

  Holly stepped forward, her expression changing from irked to concerned. He's protecting me. "Artemis," she started. "I’m a professional. This isn't a game. I almost died. We could die at the slightest mistake-" 

  "I know. Of course, you're right. But-" Artemis stepped forward, waving the phone in one hand. "I know this seems extreme. Perhaps it is, so I understand why you're upset. But this is truly for the greater good. We can remove corruption from the inside out, distribute it where it's needed instead." Holly was silent, and when he saw the disappointment in her eyes, he moved over the dropped bodies, heading to a server mainframe. "Anyway, this is where I'll be for the next three minutes. Maybe five if our luck runs out. I trust you'll keep watch?" 

  Holly crossed her arms, watching Artemis uncomfortably for a second. What's going on with you? She wanted to talk to him, maybe dissect him to figure him out, but that had to wait. They were in an active combat zone. 

  "Sure," Holly said instead, throwing on her hood and leaving his side at the glowing blue servers to scan the room next door. 

  Artemis took off his coat, resting it neatly on the floor. He wiped at the grime on his face with his sleeve as he inspected the large mainframe in front of him. Alright. Three minutes. In and out. 

  With a determined breath, he bent down, looking for a USB slot. He opened the phone's case, a secret compartment hiding a cable and USB inside. He set them together and fixed them into their slots, one into the frame and the other into his phone.The phone wasn't an average smart phone by any means: it was designed and developed with fairy technology that Artemis now liked to call 'FaeTek'. Completely coded in Gnommish, it functioned as an omnitool, a hologram projector screen, and especially important for this mission, a keylogger. 

  The server blinked green once, connecting to his FaeTek phone. The keylogging program popped up on his screen, the server asking to confirm the parasite's download. Accept program? Downloading… Download complete. Start? Artemis' eyes grew intense, his blood-stained finger hovering over the touch screen. This was it. The whole reason he was here. It needed to go perfectly. If his parasite was not as invisible as he hoped, he expected the tower's alert systems to trigger, along with the Yakuza’s. This had been a last-minute mission, but Artemis wiped sweat off his brow, determined it would work. He tapped Start. 

  Five seconds passed, and the entire Yakuza network blossomed on his phone: data, account numbers, records and logins were encrypted and stored away. The fairy keylogger sprung into action, tracking any key strokes on any device attached to the criminal organization. The FaeTek sent this information remotely to Artemis’ laptop back at Villa Éco, ensuring the data would not be lost. 

  Artemis nearly dropped to his knees, a satisfied smile growing on his tired face as he stared at his phone screen. He did it. If they could just slip out according to plan, it would be a success. A perfect success.

  "You done yet?" Holly asked impatiently behind him, peering at his phone from around his arm. 

  "Done as in, I've extracted the Yakuza’s data, then yes. It was successful," Artemis disconnected the cable and USB, switching to another server rack a few rows down. "Just give me a moment to access the tower's security network." He reconnected to the new server, gaining full access to Mode Gakuen’s security cameras, alarms, and recordings. He selected the footage from the same night, deleting everything in the last hour.

  As Artemis moved on, Holly leaned into his side to peep at his phone. "What now?" 

  "I've deleted the last hour of footage. Now…" he gazed up to the corner of the room. He focused on the bubble camera blinking red and not at the elf pressed into his hip. "It should be off in 3, 2, 1-" The red record light blinked off, leaving the camera defunct. Artemis looked down at Holly with a proud smile. "Their security is offline. Time for us to get out of here." 

02:19 

  After sneaking through a plethora of hallways, Artemis and Holly took the 42nd floor service elevator down to the lobby. As they exited, Holly waved a hand at Artemis. "Security lady is totally mesmerized. She won't even see us." 

  And she didn't as the pair simply passed the security booth, the guard zoned out at the blank security footage behind her desk. 

  As they stepped out of the glass doors of the skyscraper, onto the cement streets of the city outside, Holly and Artemis let out a deep sigh of relief. Holly instantly retreated into her jacket, shivering. "WOAH it got cold! It wasn't this cold when we got here! What the hell?!"

  Artemis tuned her out, resting his back against the building, looking up at the stars above. White petals danced in the neon night sky, or was it snow flurries now? A tiny snowflake sauntered in the soft breeze, dissolving as it landed on his forehead. He exhaled, frost coating his icy breath, his blue eyes becoming glassy with tears. Is this what I would've missed? Beautiful.  

  "Artemis," Holly pleaded, holding her arms together shaking as flurries coated her long lashes. 

  Artemis snapped out of his thoughts, looking down at her. Absolutely beautiful. And before Artemis could allow himself anymore tears, he brushed himself off, offering an embarrassed smile. "Sorry. Let's get going." 

  "Thank you!" Holly moaned, sprinting towards the next street. "It's freezing!" 

  Artemis smiled as he walked after her. "Why would you park so far then?" 

  These moments matter. I should remember these next time instead. 

Karuizawa, Nagano  

03:12 

 -10 min was the gps' ETA on their way back to Karuizawa, Holly having cut their 2-hour driving time into half that with the grace of the modified Nissan. She eyed Artemis next to her worriedly. He was uncharacteristically quiet for most of the ride, despite having been energized at the tower. Holly boiled it down to him being tired but something didn't feel right to her. It gnawed at her gut, telling her to speak up. So, she cleared her throat and rolled her eyes playfully.

  "A Nissan? Really, Artemis?" Holly joked. "I thought you'd at least get me a Bugatti." When he didn't seem to hear her, her smile faltered. She frowned, looking back at the road. She took a few more moments, her grip tight on the wheel. "Did something happen in space?" 

  This got Artemis' attention. His head lifted off the window and he looked at her with surprise. "What?" 

  "You told me all about your discovery but nothing about your trip, or Butler. You never called. You got back, like, a whole week ago and you're already doing suicide missions to bankrupt criminals." Holly turned to him, genuine concern wrinkled in her brow. "There's something up." 

  Artemis stared at his ruined shoes, not wanting to meet her gaze. Should he say the truth? Should he elaborate? She would understand. She wouldn't react like Butler did and leave too, right? 

  No. No one can know. Never again. Artemis lifted his gaze, doing his best to be as casual as possible. He knew Holly could see through him, so it was best to tell a version of the truth. "The trip was successful, Holly. It went as planned. I'm not sure what more you're looking for." 

  "Artemis, don't insult me. I've known you for sixteen years. Sixteen!" Holly offered a smile. "You can't hide from me. What about Butler? Why am I your bodyguard now?" 

  "Actually," Artemis said, deflecting the conversation off Butler. "I think there was some discussion about you being my official fairy liaison officer." 

  Holly nearly drove them off the road. "Sorry, WHAT?!" 

  "It's what mothe- Angeline wants to ask you, anyway." 

  "Artemis, I already have a job as a commodore," Holly exasperated. "If I'm gonna be your permanent babysitter I'd better be getting a payraise." She glanced at him. "A hefty payraise." 

  Artemis nearly laughed, but couldn't find enough energy to do so. "Of course, Holls. Anything you need." 

  "Ok, well then I need you to just talk to me, okay?" Holly's gaze became intense. "I'm serious. You keep going behind my back and forcing me into these situations I'm not going to talk to you at all anymore." 

  "Right," Artemis sighed half-witted, but inside his heart dropped. "What would the great Holly Short do without her human?" 

  "I'd be living without a headache, that's what." But Holly was tired of joking. She pulled up to their rental ecolodge, stopping the car in the garage. She turned to Artemis, her face serious. "Artemis. Look at me." He did, but his eyes were beaten. Like his mask was cracking.

  Holly reached out and touched his cheek, gently wiping at the dried blood stuck to his cold skin. "From now on, I need you to talk to me first. You need to tell me the truth; give me consent whether I wanted to do something like this-" 

  "You didn't have to come," Artemis replied quietly. "I could've made another plan." 

  "No. Sh. Listen. You know, you know I will always come for you. I will always save you. I will always come find you," Holly threw her hands up, a bit overwhelmed. "If you asked me to go to Mars with you, I would've gone! You know that about me, and it's unfair you're taking advantage of me for that." 

  "I know," Artemis replied, still avoiding her gaze. "I- ... I know sorry isn't enough, but unfortunately I don't know what else to say." 

  They were quiet for a few minutes before Holly shifted in her seat. "Thank you for saving me. Again." 

  "There are things you will always do for me, Holly," Artemis started, finally turning to meet her gaze. "Protecting your life is the very least I can ever do." 

  Holly nodded, not wanting to press the conversation any further. She shut off the car and opened her door. "Come on. It's late. We'll talk later, ok?" 

  "Yes, and our flight to Ireland is quite early tomorrow," Artemis nodded in agreement, trudging along. 

  "Our flight?!" 

Chapter Text

To add an auditory experience

5 Years Ago 

2018

Fowl Laboratories Launchpad, Villa Éco

The Artemis Interstellar Spaceship

  "System diagnostics clear." 

  "Main engine start." 

  "Go for launch. T-minus ten seconds. Nine," a giant Eurasian bodyguard recited next to Artemis Fowl the Second, the pair strapped into their restraints as their spacecraft pivoted upwards toward the ceiling. The roof hummed and broke apart in two, revealing a cloudy blue sky. "Eight-"

  Artemis flicked a yellow button on his dash. The rockets were blaring now, a thundering roar cocooning the ship as their force vibrated against the steel flight bay.

  "Seven, six, five," Butler continued in his helmet comm. "Four-" 

  Artemis pressed his gloved hand into the accelerators, sliding the bar up. He reached across, his fingers hovering over the red go button.They shook slightly with excitement as he kept his eyes focused straight ahead. 

  "Three, two, one." 

  "Booster ignition. Lift off." Artemis pressed the circular launch button and the Artemis Interstellar accelerated with sudden, disorienting violence, pinning both astronauts to their seats as the imminent approach toward super-sonic speed began. 

  Artemis glanced at his dashboard. "2.5 Gs, confirmed," he announced with effort through gritted teeth. But he was prepared for this. They both were. 

  "First stage separation complete. Telemetry nominal," Butler grunted after two minutes spent in the ever-darkening sky. Despite the force caving in on his skull, Butler expertly operated the dash. "Second stage separation complete." 

  The elliptical craft was thrown upwards through the atmosphere, reaching its max speed as supersonic booms erupted below them. Minutes later, it penetrated through Earth's orbit. Artemis and Butler had done it. They were in the confines of space; the legendary cosmos. As their arms lifted of their own accord, floating in their harnesses, they turned to each other.  

  "Zero-gravity, confirmed," Artemis smiled, relieved to have a familiar smug pride fill him. "We have done it, old friend." 

  Butler patted Artemis on the shoulder, the movement slow and rugged. "You did most of it. I'm just here for moral support," he joked, turning his dark eyes back to the dashboard. "How does it feel to be the youngest person to reach space?" 

  "Phenomenal," Artemis breathed, speechlessly enamored with the inky blackness that enveloped the windshield around them. 

  "Congratulations, Artemis. I hope this trip is everything you need it to be," Butler said as merrily as his bass tones would allow, turning back to the dash. "We are on course for the moon. T-minus 72 hours."  

  Artemis piloted the ship towards the round, rocky satellite as vigor swelled in his chest. This trip will be perfect. It has to be.  

2 Years Ago 

2021

Mars' Orbit 

The Artemis Interstellar Spaceship

  The first two years of exploring Mars and its lumpy moons were everything Artemis had hoped it would be.

  Since Mars had welcomed a comet in 2014, a fierce meteor storm had drenched the planet with comet dust abundant in rare elements and minerals. Among these, NASA's MAVEN orbiter had already collected several samples of metal ions; sodium, magnesium and iron. But, what the probe had failed to pick up were the fifteen novel elements and minerals spread throughout Mars' red crust. And, of course, Artemis himself would be the first human alive to discover these. 

  While Mars was teeming with dreamt-of discoveries, Artemis was coming into his third year exploring the Red Planet, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to challenge himself. Artemis knew that five years in space was a ridiculous amount of time for humans to spend so far away from their native planet, but that was the secondary objective of the mission. What was the point of being alone on one planet when you could be alone in the cosmos, drifting amongst the dust and stars? At least this way, he could bury himself in research and spare himself the judgement from everyone else.

  And then there was Butler. Butler had been a source of solace for Artemis, being there for him when no one else was. The loyal manservant listened, to a certain extent, to every rant and rave Artemis had about the new uses he found for his elements, as well as providing him with the encouragement to take up hobbies around the ship.

  Since this journey was an excessive amount of time in space and Artemis didn't want Butler to arrive back on Earth looking like a skeleton, he had installed an artificial gravity system into the ship to ensure as much comfort as possible. Butler had a small dojo on the top deck so his bones could stay strong and healthy while Artemis found other means to keep his mind stimulated.

  There was a routine: Artemis would paint with canvas and oils. At first he would paint from memories, recollections of art pieces he enjoyed. But eventually those memories became hazy. Were they even real? 

  He could paint a cluster of stars one night, and a few days later, he was back again, sitting at his artist's stool, blank-minded as he gently smeared white paint across an inky canvas. 

  Suddenly, Artemis stopped, his brush frozen on the canvas. White oil dribbled down the painting, a gorgeous ocean of stars. Stars. His eyes widened, almost panicked. How many times have I done this?  

  How many stars have I painted now?

  Artemis retreated to his art locker to put away his brush and oils, flicking open the metal latch. But when he lifted his hand to deposit his materials, his palm was empty. What? 

  He reached into the locker and looked around. It was an empty box, containing no more than a few dry brushes. Artemis shook his head, confused. Where had his oils gone? He raced over to the huge recycler in the corner of the atrium, digging through the waste. Several tubes of empty paint sat buried, dried and shriveled. 

  How had he run out when he had just painted with them? Where had the time gone? 

  And when he'd had enough of that, Artemis would broadcast Vivaldi's Symphony in G Minor on the ship's speakers while he meditated at the miniature observation deck. The atrium displayed the red planet below, Mars swollen and pregnant amongst the black abyss of glittering stars. 

  Sometimes, Butler convinced Artemis to join him in the dojo, despite there being a lack of progress made. Still, the physical activity was vital if they wanted to get back to Earth with a healthy bone and muscle mass. The two would chat over a healthy snack after a workout, that healthy snack unfortunately being space food. 

  "Butler," Artemis started one day as he sat across from the bodyguard, his gaze at the tube of freeze-dried food in his hand. "Do you ever feel lonely?" 

  "I think everyone feels lonely sometimes," Butler had replied thoughtfully, gazing out a window that broadcasted a chunk of Mars. "Why? Are you lonely?" 

  "I don't ask in regards to myself, old friend," Artemis said, fixing his gaze on Butler closely, intent on analyzing him. "I suppose I mean, do you ever think of starting a family?" 

  Butler was quiet a few moments and then sighed. He fixed a wrinkled gaze at Artemis gently. "You've never brought this up before. Why do you ask now?" 

  "Well, Butlers usually have children that can then become bodyguards to future Fowls. I've thought on it lately and realized that besides Juliet, who doesn't seem intent on having children anyway, there are no Butler heirs. And I don't think, if I can recall, that you've ever had a partner." Artemis scratched his scruffy beard with some embarrassment. "I don't mean to be intrusive. Just curious." 

  Artemis could tell Butler was gritting his teeth, but it wasn’t an angry expression. It was uncertainty. 

  "Well, Butlers do marry often, but sometimes they take partners and don't make them official. But you'd be right. I don't think I'd have time to father a child, be a husband to a wife and watch over you, Artemis," Butler joked, continuing to munch on his food. 

  He hesitated when Artemis was largely silent, and cleared his throat. "Artemis, don't feel bad for me. I'm a Butler. This is my job. This is what I'm meant to do."

  "That's not fair to you, is it?" Artemis asked, his eyes keen and his expression cool. "To alter your life to serve mine?" 

  Butler reached a huge hand across the table and placed it on Artemis' forearm firmly. "Hey, don't look so serious about it. Being a Butler and protecting you is what gives me the most pride. As long as we're not hurting anyone, that is… you know how I am." He offered Artemis a genuine smile, patting his forearm before returning to his food. "How are the comms going? Have you gotten them figured out yet?" 

  "The signal is always spotty," Artemis lied smoothly, shrugging as he leaned on the table top. "I suppose it could be the asteroid belt nearby, but the other satellites in orbit have not been functional either." Again, another lie, but Butler didn't need to know. 

  "That's a shame. I'm sure you'd like to call your parents at least. Maybe Holly?" Butler asked. 

  "I'm not sure either of them wants to talk to me," Artemis said honestly, clearing his throat. "Butler, back to the original subject: my concern is that I am depriving you of certain freedoms. Freedoms that humans are meant to experience." He sat back in his chair as he expertly deflected the conversation, his blue eyes fixed on his manservant. "I would hate to be the reason you cannot live your life fully. Please, if there is something I can do that doesn't require your full-time services, let me know." 

  Butler almost laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Artemis, it's fine. Fowls have a generational bond with Butlers for a reason. You're always going to get into trouble. It's in your blood," he smiled. Butler stood from the bench, tossing his tube into the nearby recycler bin. "Well, I'm off to shower. You're going to work on some experiment, I presume?" 

  Experiments with Mars dust, snow, rocks, and comet samples had been amongst Artemis' favorite pastimes on the ship. But as the years went on, there was less and less to work with. So, other activities for mental and physical stimulation included solving his own formulas, jotting down his discoveries into journals, and reading and memorizing both fiction and educational articles he had downloaded onto a tablet. 

  Lately, Artemis had even taken up poetry, and although space was his regular subject, he sometimes found himself getting lost in his words and creating pieces that were much too emotional to ever share. Besides that, Artemis found himself spacewalking more than anything. 

  The Artemis Interstellar communications had suffered after the second year, like many spacecraft that ventured this far into the solar system. Although Artemis worked on it tirelessly, he actually had no intention of fixing it at the moment. Sometimes, he'd tweak it just enough to get a radio signal from a nearby satellite to stream an Earth music channel, but aside from that, there was no point. The ship's GPS and trackers were still online, and so he figured the less contact with people, the less his anxiety stressed about success.

  Artemis caught his own blue gaze in the mirror a few times a day, usually catching a quick glimpse to make sure he was still tangible. But, there was one day he stood at the restroom sink, his disheveled reflection facing back at him in the round mirror. A lithe finger reached out and pressed to the pale limb on the other side. Is my current consciousness enough to call this body my own? What if the real you is trapped in a parallel reality? If I can touch me on this other side, who's to say I am not him on that side as well? Who am I? What am I? 

  "What are you?" Artemis pondered aloud. He dropped his finger along with his gaze, unsure of the answer. He moved on, continuing with the day. 

  And so, Artemis found himself floating out in the cosmos once more, switching out wires at the communication antenna, as if he intended to fix them, his lifeline tether hovering alongside him. 

  It's the same, he thought mindlessly as he removed a blue wire and cut it a tad shorter, fitting it back in its slot. Everything is the same. His eyes looked out at the luminaries around him, encasing him like an ocean of diamonds. The same- 

  -Stars. 

  Artemis' eyes widened once again, dropping the stylus in his fingers to the floor. He was staring at another digital painting in front of him. The same stars. Again. 

  He clicked on his wrist computer hurriedly. November? Two months later?  

  When- How did I get here? 

  He looked around the atrium sullenly, his bleak eyes falling back to the same star painting as always on his tablet. Long strands of jet black hair tickled his face as he scrolled through the gallery. It's the same. Everything's the same. 

  Your progress will be hindered if you’re mentally unfit, Minverva's words from years prior repeated in his mind.

  Artemis took a few moments to breathe deeply at his stool, closing his eyes as he felt panic rise in chest. Not again, not now. He doubled over on his knees and choked a breath. Was he a genius gone mad? Was he a glitched clone? Was this even real? 

  "Artemis." 

  He hadn't heard Butler enter the atrium behind him, and jumped when the giant placed a gentle hand on his charge's shoulder. Artemis kept his head down and closed his eyes, trying his best to disguise his illness to the bodyguard. 

  "Artemis, you've been in here for two days. Are you alright?" 

  Artemis directed a cool and collected smile to Butler from over his shoulder. The shaggy beard and red ringlets under his eyes caused him to appear slightly unhinged. "Yes, I'm fine. Though I do understand your concern for my well-being. I would also be worried if you were holed up in your dojo all day, good friend." 

  "Hmm," Butler mumbled to himself. "Okay. Why don't you get some rest? You look like hell." 

  "I'd believe it," Artemis nodded, swiveling off his stool to stand. "I feel as though I've been up for days." 

  Butler gave him a quizzing look that was so quick anyone else may have not noticed it, but Artemis did. Butler nodded to Artemis anyway and headed out the door, the glass sliding apart. "Well, you know where to find me if you need anything." 

  Artemis didn't watch his friend walk away but rather caught his own broken reflection in the atrium window. He knows. He knows I'm losing my mind. Artemis' heart pounded in his chest while the artificial gravity suddenly felt tight in his head, making him dizzy. 

  "Butler! Wait," he blurted, still facing the window. 

  Butler stopped midway and looked back over. "Yes?" 

  Artemis turned to face him, a gentle smile on his face. "I think I may work on the comms. As you know, they are not up and running quite yet, and the sooner we can contact our loved ones, the better." 

  Butler turned to fully face his young friend, his stormy eyes slightly suspicious. "Sudden change of heart?"  

  "What do you mean?" 

  "You barely contacted anyone when they were on." 

  The last time Artemis had called many years ago, his parents were busy with the twins and hadn't answered the call. The second time he called, his brother Myles had answered and completely discredited the older genius, followed by disinterest from Holly, and another dismissal from Foaly. So, the comms were off to allow peace. Or, that's what he told himself. 

  Artemis pressed his lips into a thin line. Hmm. "Correct. But, I think I have reached a breaking point," he lied. He approached Butler in the hallway, passing him casually. "Anyway, I will see you later, Butler. Where will you be?" 

  "I was going to hole up in the command center," Butler said, shifting to walk behind Artemis. "Maybe read Guns and Ammo at the dash for a bit." 

  "Of course you would, friend," Artemis chuckled, his eyes holding on Butler a bit longer than Butler liked. 

  "Are you sure you're okay, Artemis?" 

  Artemis smiled softly, patting his friend's muscular shoulders. Butler was significantly thinner than he was when he started the mission, but he was still a giant man all the same. You're a good man. Much too good for me, old friend. 

  Artemis nodded awkwardly and stepped away, venturing down a separate hall. "I'll see you soon," he said, before disappearing round a corner.

  Butler waved to his young charge, confused by the exchange. Nevertheless, he made his way to the control center, settling in with a plethora of magazines stored on his holo-tablet.  

  Artemis floated at the communications panel, staring intently at the little blue wire in his gloved hand. In fact, his and Butler's space suits were derived and developed from Foaly’s award-winning underwater pressure suits.

  The navy skintight suits were redesigned to stabilize pressure and reduce blunt force impacts, and damage, by equalizing the force and bouncing it back. The helmet was a scientific marvel, encased in a reinforced gel that softened potential impacts. The gel would generate between hexagonal cells that wrapped the entire helmet like a visor, giving it a glass-like iridescent sheen. 

  Artemis thought his suit and helmet were quite the impressive feat. He had even called Foaly once to fill him in on his modifications, but of course, the techie centaur was barely impressed. 

  Okay?  Foaly had said back then. I could've done that in my sleep, mudboy. 

  And this is why I don't call you anymore, Artemis had joked lightly, despite the dejection that sank in his chest. 

  Being criticized and demeaned by people he cared about was draining and disheartening. But Artemis couldn’t blame others for his own issues. Therapy was at least useful in that respect. He knew the real issue: simply put, he was unlikable. He was difficult; his genius was more of a hindrance than a help to those around him.

  Artemis stared at the blue wire, dazed as his mind overwhelmed itself with every issue he had ever created. Ever since he had come back from the dead, been reborn, resurrected, cloned, whatever everyone else had called it: He felt like everyone had moved on without him, and honestly? He felt entirely, and utterly alone.  

  Butler was only around because he'd been forced to spend his life with the young Irishman. Minerva deserved real love, and knew she was better off without Artemis. His parents didn't need him either. They were more in love than ever after his death. Maybe it was the grief and trauma that brought them closer together, or perhaps things were better without him around. His brothers were bonded by their twinhood and forever tied to each other. Even Foaly had managed to find love and family. 

  And then there was Holly. He'd actually gotten her killed once, and to make it worse, she remembered. He'd also lied to her. Used her. Manipulated her. Had an embarrassing alter ego confess his undying love to her. He'd even gotten her squadmates, including her mentor and friend Wing Commander Vinyáya, killed. And though he knew, logically, it couldn't have possibly been his fault because they were murdered by a sociopathic elf, that didn't change the fact that it had been Artemis himself who'd called them there, to their untimely deaths. Holly had to hate him for that, even if she didn't show it. It was for the best that Commander Kelp was in her life instead of him. It would be better if everyone just let him go.

  And now he was here. Alone. Floating. Alone. Thinking. Alone. Feeling. Alone. Lost and alone amongst the stars. 

  His fingers brushed the wire, running over the casing, down the box and across the ship’s smooth metal exterior. They kept traveling as his inner demons crept their way into his mind, their eldritch whispers like a sharp web of knives. 

  No one wants you around because you weren't meant to come back. They moved on. You're a glitch. You're a copy. You're not real. 

  Let go. 

  His thought was broken when his roaming hand grazed the yellow metal bar that hooked his lifeline tether, his fingers bumping the carabiner. He stared at it, tapping it thoughtfully. What if… Maybe. 

  And as he looked out at the stars, he was suddenly seated in the atrium all over again, showering the white paint across the screen. 

  Enough. 

  Artemis stood, gazing out at Mars down below, innocent and pure with the sun's illumination. 

  Minutes later, he found himself at his sleep capsule table, setting down his sapphire fairy com, something he'd never taken off since he'd crafted it. He reached into his shirt and took off his coin necklace. He stared at it as his thumb traced the hole in the center, remembering back to the day Holly gave it to him in the Arctic.

  I was lucky to know someone like you. Thank you.  

  Artemis' next destination was Butler's capsule room whilst the bodyguard was in the dojo like he was scheduled to be. Between the Irishman's fingers held a will of his life offerings, a portion of it meant for Butler, or Domovoi, in this case. Artemis had made sure Dom was fully trained on piloting the spaceship before they took off, and knew the bodyguard would be able to get himself back home, god forbid something happened to his precious charge. 

  But as Artemis reached out to place the will, his pale hand extending outwards toward the table, it was like he had suddenly entered into a different time. A rift tore through the space in front of him and his now empty hand reached out, entering the twinkling luminaries beyond. Artemis furrowed his brow in confusion and looked back. The comms panel was a messy array of copper foil and wires while he floated weightlessly along the ripples of space and time. His lifeline tether hovered alongside him as he skipped a breath. Why am I here? Artemis felt panic rise in his chest as his eyes scanned the glimmering void. 

   Artemis spun himself around to grab hold of the metal bar that ran along the ship, but as he whirled around to grip it, there was already a book in his hands instead. His head shot up and he saw double, disoriented as gravity overcame him. He could tell he was in the atrium's reading room, Mars looming just beyond their reach. His forehead fell into his hands, panic seeping into his brow as breathing became increasingly difficult. Why is this happening? 

  When he finally gathered himself enough to sit up, the book was now a tablet, tiny white stars gleaming up at him from his lap. Artemis' finger reached forward without thinking, and as if pulled through a wormhole in time once more, he was floating at the comms outside the ship, the little blue wire wrapped around his gloved finger. He rubbed his fingers against the wire, and as he turned it over, he was back in the atrium once more. 

  Artemis found himself cross-legged and meditating by the window. Mars peeked through the vacuum of space, its red glow looming overhead.  

  I'm tired. He closed his eyes. Just a little rest would make things okay. 

  "Artemis."

  Artemis' eyes snapped open. He was in the cafeteria, Domovoi Butler seated opposite him. Freeze-dried food had burst out of Artemis' tube, his grip so tight that the protein snack gushed over his bare fingers. 

  "Sorry," Artemis exasperated, jumping off the bench and racing towards the sink. 

  "What's wrong?" Dom's friendly voice asked.

   Where has time gone? "Nothing is wrong. I'm-" and as Artemis turned to inform his friend he was fine, Dom was no more. Instead, Artemis was looking out at the cosmos once again. He raised a hand in front of him, grabbing at the empty space.

  Floating. Drifting. Lost. Lost in the stars. 

  His lifeline tether hovered by his visor, ever the loyal cable. His fingers stroked the carabiner in deep thought when it all hit him. 

  I see now. It all makes sense. The universe keeps putting me into this very spot.

  I don't belong here. I have to return. I have to give myself back.

   Artemis calmly opened his wrist computer, deactivating his suit comms and functions. The suit visor popped up a message: 

   WARNING: CONTINUING WILL CAUSE DEATH. FUNCTION UNAVAILABLE.

   Artemis inserted a manual override, allowing the suit to fizzle out, the spotlights on his sides powering down one by one. His oxygen levels were the last thing to fade away, and with the duties and diagnostics erased from his visor, he expected his vision to clear. Instead, the universe was even more blurry and hazed than before. The copper panel grid squeezed in and out of Artemis' vision, focused and then unfocused. Don't think. 

  His arms grew weak on the metal bar and his hand slipped, his glove sliding down the bar until it bumped the carabiner clip for the last time. 

  Let go. 

  And so Artemis did. He unhooked the clip, and pushed himself away from the spacecraft.

  As he glided through the blackness, finally unclipped, finally free, his vision sharpened: the abyss was clear now, and for once in his life, Artemis Fowl's mind was quiet. He floated backwards into a swarm of stars that rippled beneath and above him like a twinkling sea. One gloved hand stretched out as if to strum the luminaries like keys on a piano, a small smile stretching across his worn features. 

  This is where I am supposed to be. A lost spirit wandering time, but at home, in the stars. 

  Artemis closed his eyes. A moment of dead silence passed, or perhaps it was an eternity now. Regardless, there was a soft, silent peace-  

  -Until a curtain of chaos tore through the ether around him. 

  Before Artemis could react, he was slammed into and sent somersaulting backwards into the universe. He didn't have time to formulate questions as he caught glimpses of the ship with each flip, his head light-headed and dizzy.  

  Sparks crackled alongside the platinum casing of the ship. Tiny pebbles drifted by his visor, larger rocks hurling by. The communications panel grid was engorged by a pink, neon fire, burning endlessly in the vacuum of space. The ship's security systems were flashing red, and had he not been in the abyss of the final frontier, he may have heard their blaring.

  As Artemis spun around for a fifth time, he spotted a suited gentle giant dangling lifelessly in the glittering inferno of stars.  

  Dom! 

  Artemis' eyes widened in a wild panic - Butler's iridescent visor was cracked. No!

  The oxygen was thin in his suit now, and Artemis knew that because of the direction he was somersaulting in, he had several seconds before he'd pass out and be gone for good. Dammit! Unable to move, Artemis fumbled for his belt, every spin a threat on his consciousness, and he prayed the emergency propulsion system would come on. As he smacked the tiny green buttons over and over, he grit his teeth, feeling his eyes roll into the back of his head as his vision started to fade out. 

   Not yet. For Butler. 

   Artemis' fist smashed the buttons one last time, and out of sheer, dumb luck, the thrusters powered on. He was jolted forward by the force and halted in place, suspended in the weightlessness of space like a spider in a web. His fingers fell limp from the buckle as his mind blacked out, his world going dark and cold.

  … Sulfur. Is that the smell of sulfur? 

   "Artemis."  

   Artemis' eyes snapped open. The Artemis Interstellar was tiny amongst the vast ink of space. Red sparks pulsed like an electric storm, chunks of foil and crushed metal hung off the ship like a kite in the wind. The spacecraft was damaged, but by what? Intuition pushed him to turn his head, fearful eyes widening at the rocketeering onslaught of behemoth space rocks wafting into their orbit.  

   A meteor shower. Where is Butler?! 

   His eyes darted around wildly until he noticed the manservant's lifeless body floating towards the wrecked communications grid, growing ever closer to the flames that nearly licked Butler's fingertips. The bodyguard's cracked visor displayed a red pulse, indicating there was major injury. But this also meant Butler was still alive. 

  Artemis pushed his thrusters forward without another thought, racing through the stars towards his loyal friend. He kept his left peripheral locked on the incoming shower, dodging the specks that flew over his helmet. 

  Butler was closer to the flames, only mere feet away now. Artemis pushed all the way forward, wincing as he smashed into Butler's frame, sending the Eurasian man and himself barrelling into the ship's reinforced plating. 

  Their pressurized suits worked as Artemis designed them to, lessening the impact by distributing and bouncing it back, but he felt dizzy as he panted. His suit was still powered off and his oxygen was running thin. It was a race against time, for if Artemis died now, Butler would too. 

  Artemis blew out a quick breath and held on tight to one of Butler’s massive biceps. He pushed his thrusters forward, propelling them quickly across the length of the Interstellar towards the exterior airlock. But as Artemis closed in their distance, a meteor on his left hurled right into the airlock, smashing into the entrance, caving in the sealed door. Artemis halted them in place, his heart thumping rapidly in his chest. Where is the force field?!

  Without much choice left, he flew them into the damaged airlock through a large hole in the cracked door. And though space had not relieved them of its weightlessness, the ship's alarms became deafening the further they flew into the dark tunnel.

  Artemis slowed his thrusters as they reached the end of the tunnel and choked with relief that the inner airlock was still functional, bright lights blinking on each of the several locks on the round vault door. With one grip still on Butler's arm, Artemis leaned forward, reaching for the keypad. 909, the underworld's fairy police number. 

  The vault door hissed as it heaved forward, the top lock flipping clockwise and unlocking, each of the several locks following one after another. As the last lock flipped and unlocked, releasing pneumatic pressure, a yellow alarm light activated above the door.

  "Caution! Airlock pressurizing. Warning! Microgravity detected. Stand clear."

  The giant vault rotated and reared forward, lifting open and granting them passage into the ship. 

 "Warning! Impact detected. Systems nominal. Auxiliary power diverted to life support." 

  The assault of the Interstellar's security sirens was excruciating as it trumpeted off the dark walls of the spaceship. The central power was off and the ship was left in drift. Artemis' only glimpse of light was the red alarm that throbbed in the darkness as he pulled himself and Butler forward along the metal bar on the walls.  

  He ground his teeth as he strained to see through the blinding red glare. It was like a horror film; not that Artemis had ever watched those, but he imagined this is what it was like. Butler was massive against him as he heaved his friend upwards, jumping up to catch hold of the ladder above them. 

  Artemis used his thrusters to gently propel them up the ladder and across the 2nd Deck Hall to the Med-Bay. He placed a gloved hand on the bar of the door, heaving it open manually. Artemis nearly threw Butler inside, suddenly grateful the microgravity was active, otherwise, moving the giant Eurasian bodyguard about would've been even more challenging. 

  He pressed both hands to Butler's suit, gripping the fabric handles in the shoulder plates. Artemis zipped him backward until they hit a med-wall, equipped with a seat and straps in case of times of impact, like now. Artemis lowered himself with the propulsion thrusters as he rigorously strapped Butler to the seat, lastly working on the buckles to the bodyguard’s hexagonal helmet. 

  "High arrhythmia levels detected," the cracked helmet alerted Artemis. He hesitated. 

  Artemis looked up, as if the ship's AI system was looking down at him. "NANNI, are you still online?"

  "Hello, Master Fowl. I am here." 

  "Is oxygen currently nominal?" Artemis gasped, stretched for time.

  A screen in the pitch-dark med-bay fizzled on, and an orange pulse came on, blurry against the red alarm strobes. "Oxygen levels are currently nominal, despite your current conditions," NANNI's artificial intelligence system replied, Holly's voice slightly soothing to him at a time like this. "Do you need ship diagnostics?" 

  "Not yet," Artemis answered as he fixed a sharp glance at Butler. "Are you sure oxygen levels are nominal?" 

  "Yes, Artemis," the robot almost exasperated. "I am sure." 

  Artemis bit his lip as he tore the cracked helmet off of Butler. Artemis considered for a microsecond that his most loyal friend could be dead, but was relieved to find the bodyguard peacefully unconscious. He detached the helmet from the neck snaps, tossing it elsewhere into the med-bay. 

  "Don't worry, old friend," Artemis whispered, unclicking his own helmet and locking it onto Butler's suit instead. He attached the life support tubes from the suit into the helmet’s valves, powering the helmet on. As the iridescence reflected back at Artemis, he pressed a hand to the visor as it pulsed a gentle red. "I will not let you die."

  Artemis squinted in the darkness as he fumbled to attach Butler's pulse oximeter to the med-bay network. Butler's visor reflected his pulse on the large screen before them, his heartbeat erratic and fast. Artemis knew there was little he could do for Butler in microgravity and propelled himself away from the unconscious manservant, exiting through the med-bay doors quickly. 

  Artemis soared down the 2nd deck hallway, careful to avoid the walls in the pitch dark. The red strobes around him were maddening, and he briefly noted to himself to change their design if he got out of this alive. 

  "NANNI," Artemis started as he lifted up a ladder to the third deck. "Activate the Interstellar's force field, please." 

  "The power grid attached to the force field is down," NANNI chimed in after several whirrs and buzzes. "You need to divert power in the cockpit." 

  "Already on it," Artemis grunted as he heaved the command center's doors open, shoving them aside. He sped towards the dash, grabbing a screwdriver off the tool table as he reached the power panel grid. He unscrewed each corner of the frame, allowing the little metal bolts to drift away when he lifted it off its hinges and tossed it aside. Inside the box, he would have to manually rewire the ship's power controls. "NANNI, what parts of the ship are still functional?" 

  "Seventy-two percent of the Artemis Interstellar is functional, Artemis. This includes the residential quarters and med-bay." 

  "What parts are not functional, NANNI?" Artemis sucked on his teeth, feeling impatient. "Which areas have taken damage?"

  "The laboratory and dojo have taken structural damage. Your success rate with common repairs is four percent." 

  "Four," Artemis almost laughed. "Of course it's four." He ripped the wires for the lab and dojo from the box, and transferred their power flow to the med-bay instead. Once that was done, he adjusted his body to be straight, and rested a glove onto the manual gravity pump. He pulled it, the shaft popping out, twisted it to its side, and then slammed it back in. 

  The machine hummed and buzzed for a few seconds before a whirring fan stirred elsewhere in the ship, the slight force slowly started to sink downwards. 

  "Gravity detected!" NANNI's robotic voice declared over the speakers.

  Suddenly Artemis was dropped to the floor. He tried to land on his feet but stumbled over. The sudden weight of gravity without being pressurized was great and Artemis grabbed his forehead in pain. He breathed hard, trying to escape the nausea overcoming him. He grit his teeth and sucked in the pain, holding onto the control panel to pull himself up. 

  Artemis wiped the sweat from his brow as he scanned the dash once more and raced to the ladder on the far side, climbing into the cockpit. From the cockpit's point of view he could see the meteor shower hurling by, smaller rocks pelting the hull. Artemis ran his hand over the controls, straining to see the force field command. He played with a few wires, switching them around and clicked it on. He gazed intently out the window at the force field projectors below, watching them pop up and deploy around the ship - when he spotted a problem. One wouldn't detonate. 

  "NANNI, can you send the repair bot to fix the projector on Hull E25?" Artemis asked aloud as he whipped around, basically sliding back down the ladder to the command center below. 

  "Repair bot deployed. Repairs are estimated at T-Minus five minutes." 

  "Five minutes is too long," Artemis stressed as he raced out of the center and into the hall. Still dizzy and heavy, he stumbled a few steps as he raced down the hall to head back to the ladder below when a golden glow caught his eye.

  He slowed to a stop, eyes falling down the dark and flickering hallway on his right. He suddenly realized what part of the ship he was in. The lab. 

  "The laboratory and dojo have taken structural damage," NANNI's voice repeated in his mind, suddenly realizing what this meant. Almost terrified, Artemis moved towards the glowing, golden beacon in the darkness, afraid of what he would find. 

  The laboratory windows at the far end of the wall gave a glimpse of sparks and fluorescent lights flickering in the demolished room, the entirety of outer space and its stars greeting him from the other side. The lab had not just taken damage: the entire wall of the ship was ripped off, allowing the lab and all its contents to float away into the inky cosmos of space. 

  Artemis stared wide-eyed from the safety of the hallway, pressing a palm to the glass. He couldn't believe it. Everything they had discovered, all of his experiments, his projects… he watched them float away before his very eyes. Lost to the stars. 

  Everything has been for nothing. This has to be a cosmic joke. 

  Artemis stiffened his brow, feeling his shoulders tense. Butler. He needs you.

  "Warning! Impact imminent! Report to safety belts now! Warning! Impact imminent! Report to safety belts now!" 

  The siren broke Artemis' thoughts and he felt his heart lurch as he sped back down the dark hallway, desperately searching for a safety belt as he passed tunnel walls. Of all the things I've done in my life, I'm the most scared now. Ironic. 

  He finally spotted one and dashed for it. But before he could reach it, there was a huge slam into the ship, sending Artemis flying into the air and slamming his skull into the wall. The ship groaned and croaked as he slid down the wall limply to the floor. 

  A huge searing pain rang in his head like a bell, suddenly confused and disoriented to where he was. Artemis breathed in place, trying to see if he could move. His legs responded, as did his fingers, and he pushed himself to his feet. He couldn't help but grab the side of his head, tipping over and falling into the wall as he lost his balance.

  The world was spinning and he couldn't stand straight. The ship's groans were like he was underwater, unfocused and unclear. He let go of his head to hold himself on the wall, pulling himself along, blood dripping from the hand that had been on him. And when Artemis took one more step, he collapsed forward onto the floor, eyes rolling back as he fell unconscious yet again. 

  "Artemis." 

  The young genius choked and gagged as he awoke, feeling like a limp fish on the floor. The alarm's screams were like a drill hammering his cranium as he forced himself to his knees. "Dammit," he spurted aloud, the taste of copper tickling his tongue. His nose felt wet and he slowly pressed a glove to it, blood dripping from the fabric to the floor. Fantastic. He groaned as he stood, looking around in confusion. The Interstellar. You're on the Interstellar and Butler needs you. 

   Butler! 

   Artemis' eyes widened in panic and he took a few steps forward, treading along the hallway like a corpse. A piercing ringing ached in his ears again, searing his head. He doubled over, feeling a rising pit in his stomach. It rose until it smacked him with intense nausea and he doubled over once more, vomiting onto the floor. He coughed, disgusted with himself and moved on. He eventually reached the ladder to the deck below, climbing down carefully. 

  Artemis slipped on the last 3 steps and slid down the ladder, falling weakly to his knees. He pulled himself up and panted, sweat blurring his vision as he looked up. The med-bay was only a few feet away now. He rushed forward as fast as he could, shimmying past the door to get inside. 

  Artemis' stomach dropped: an orange alarm pulsed on the screen: Emergency! Cardiac Arrest Detected! Butler's pulse was flat-lined beside it, one empty, still beat. 

  "No!" Artemis shouted, racing towards the manservant. The pulse screen flashed -30 seconds. If it reached -2 minutes, Butler was dead. He has time. 

  He ripped the straps off Butler to allow the giant to fall to the floor. Artemis tore off his helmet, tossing it away and grunted as he struggled to heave Butler onto his back. He opened Butler's mouth slightly and pressed his palms to the bodyguard's heart. One, two, three. Artemis did ten chest compressions before giving Butler as much air as he could muster. 

  "Sorry, friend," Artemis winced as he compressed, keeping his rhythm consistent. Artemis pushed and pushed, but panic and grief suddenly struck him. He doubled over on Butler's chest, breathing hard and closing his eyes. 

  This is my fault! And for the first time in his life, completely overwhelmed by panic, pain, and self-loathing, Artemis screamed as hard as he could, getting all of his frustrations and feelings out. He screamed until he couldn't breathe anymore, his gaze falling back on his dear friend, tears rolling down his cheeks. "No… no," he choked, quivering. Stay calm. You have to save him. 

   Artemis nodded to himself, agreeing with the sentiment, and blew out a quick breath. You are Artemis Fowl. Save him. 

   And so Artemis did. He started the compressions and breaths over, and when three more rounds didn't work, he glanced at the screen. 

  -1 minute.

  He had at least one more before Butler was officially dead. He stood quickly and raced to grab the defibrillators, charging them up and placing them beside him. He reached into Butler's suit, rolling down the top part to expose the bodyguard's bare chest beneath. Artemis grabbed a defibrillator in each hand and pressed them to Butler's chest. "Clear!" he yelled to no one in particular and shocked the bodyguard. 

  Butler arched his back as the shocks moved through him, flopping back to the floor. Artemis pushed once more, and the pulse on the screen beeped. Artemis stared at it anxiously, his eyes wide as his shoulders shook. The pulse flat-lined again but Artemis didn't give up. This is cardiac arrest, he reminded himself. His heart is still strong. Artemis shocked Butler once more, and when that didn't work, he knew what to do. 

  -1 minute 45 seconds

  He stood, racing over to the pharmaceutical cabinet. He fumbled as he looked for a tiny clear vial, glass and liquids shattering around him. He squinted, finally landing on epinephrine. His fingers gripped it tightly as he trembled to find a clean needle. He searched his cabinets, tearing one from a pouch. He put the needle and vial into the red alarm light so he could see as he carefully aspirated the correct dosage. A tiny drip of clear liquid dribbled from the needle tip and Artemis marched back to Butler, falling to his knees beside him. 

  He pressed a hand to Butler's heart, his limbs shaking as fear overtook him. If it didn't work, then Butler would die. And Artemis couldn't let Butler die. He couldn't. It would be a cosmic joke. 

  -1 minute 55 seconds

  He aimed the needle over Butler's lifeless heart, trying his best to keep his shivering hand still. And with a deep exhale, he brought his hand down, stabbing Butler in the heart. He pumped adrenaline into the manservant, disposing of the needle by rolling it away. Artemis cradled Butler's shoulders, panting anxiously. 

  And what felt like an eternity later, Butler rolled up suddenly, his eyes bulging out of his head as he surged in a huge gasp of air. He collapsed back into Artemis' arms, the younger man holding his friend close. 

  "Butler! Oh, Butler!" Artemis cried weakly. "You're alive!" 

  And with a second bout of good news, NANNI chipped in overhead. "Force-field repaired. Force-field now activated." 

  "Oh, thank god," Artemis sighed deeply, overwhelmed that he could finally breathe. 

  Butler took deep breaths as his eyes darted wildly around the med-bay. 

  "You're okay," Artemis reassured, looking him over for any other injuries. "How are you feeling?" 

  "Like I've come back from the dead too many times," Butler coughed, groaning as he leaned back. "You turned the force field on?" 

  "Yes. Though we've sustained major damage to the east wing of The Interstellar, including the lab. I suspect the majority of the work we've done is lost. Why wasn't the force field activated sooner?" 

  "I saw you floating away on the comms and I called you, but you didn't answer," Butler grunted, coughing into his elbow. He sighed before he continued, "You are my first priority, so I ran out to save you. This is why I'm here, Artemis. To protect you at all costs."

  Artemis shook his head, patting the tender gash on his cranium. "I'm afraid I'm either very concussed or very confused. Or both." 

  "Your sensors didn't detect the meteor shower until I was already on my way to you. If I hadn't reached you in time, you would've been blown away forever. What happened?" 

   Artemis froze, the pit in his stomach boiling as he remembered what he'd almost done. "I... I got separated from the tether," he eventually managed, resting his hand down, keeping his gaze away from Butler's. "My suit powered down and I was unable to reach you. But enough about me, old friend. You must be in agony." He prepared to stand when Butler grabbed his forearm suddenly, the grip tight and firm. 

  "Artemis. I saw you on the comms," Butler's nose wrinkled, his dark eyes deathly serious as he bore an intense gaze into the genius. "I saw you unclip yourself. Why would you do that?" 

  "I…" Artemis couldn't answer.  

  "Artemis."  

2023

Villa Éco, Ireland 

Now

  The sunrise was bright over the Irish sea, twinkling sunrays glittered over the orange tides. Artemis blinked. Where was he? 

 "Artemis?" 

  The Irishman looked back, expecting to see a Eurasian manservant but met the soft smile of a bronze elf instead. He blinked, glancing back out at the glittering pastel seas beside his home estate. 

  "Where are you?" Holly chuckled, patting a gentle hand on the shoulder of his coat. "Lost in the stars?"

  Artemis frowned, his eyes fixed on the car door handle. He didn't know how he felt. Reality felt surreal. He looked up again, catching the yellow clouds and pink waves. Reality was beautiful.

  "Yeah..." he replied mildly, turning back to her, forcing a smile. "Lost in the stars." 

  Holly rolled her eyes playfully. "You've been doing that a lot lately." She patted his shoulder once more and opened the car door, stepping out onto the pebbled path. She winked at him. "You coming?" 

  Artemis nodded, exiting the car with her. He watched her from a distance as she strolled jovially across the green lawn. 

  Bury it. Deal with it later. He sighed, ignoring the burning memory that swelled his heart, and joined Holly in her stroll across the lawn, back to Villa Éco they go. 

Chapter Text

Mood for this chapter here 

Dalkey Island, Ireland

Villa Éco 

  The peachy sun kissed the horizon by the time Artemis and Holly arrived at the villa's massive French doors. The spring Irish air was crisp and cool, the chilly, dawn breeze rolling in grey storm clouds from beyond the sea. 

  Holly huddled her arms into her hoodie as she waited for Artemis to unlock the doors. She curled down into her pockets, both cold and anxious about what was to come. She knew Angeline was expecting them, but what she expected the Fowl matriarch to ask of her put pits in her stomach. I guess now is as good as ever. 

   The doors clicked unlocked and Artemis walked in without a word, Holly following him silently. She gazed around the foyer and entrance as Artemis put his coat on a rack. The foyer was modeled after a greenhouse, like much of the villa, allowing heavy, grey light to stream in from the frosted windows as they passed into the main entrance. Glass stairs circled around a tall oak tree in the center of the clean, white room, green plant tendrils dangling off the glass balcony above. 

  Holly spun in a slow circle as she squinted at the skylight above. "I'm still in awe of the new place, by the way. I notice something new every time I stop by." 

  "And how often is that?" Artemis chuckled, strolling past her towards the kitchen. 

  "Well, 'cause of your brothers, quite a lot, actually," Holly rolled her eyes. "They're as bad as you." 

  "It can't be helped," Artemis said with a shrug. "I'm going to make some espresso. Care to join me?" 

  Holly nodded, following him into the spacious kitchen. And to make her anxiety peak, both Angeline and Artemis Senior were chatting quietly in the corner of the far window, their voices low and hushed. 

  Angeline noticed them, and tapped her husband's shoulder. The pair turned to Holly and Artemis with a pained smile on Angeline's face. 

  "Holly, darling! Welcome!" The beautiful woman strode towards the short elf with open arms, taking Holly into her velvet embrace. "How are you? Did your holiday go well?" 

  Holly noticed Artemis Senior still in the corner, glaring at them with a dark expression on his domineering features. She pursed her lips at his silence before turning her focus back on Angeline. "It was fine, I guess." 

  "Hello, Mum. Father. I hope you're well," Artemis said awkwardly as he ignored his father's expression. He moved past them towards the espresso machine on the counter. 

  Before Artemis could reach the jar of grounds however, Artemis Senior stepped forward, the movement smooth with his bio-leg. "Artemis. Come with me, son," he said gruffly, swiftly moving past Holly and Angeline. "We need to talk." 

  "Of course, father. Allow me to finish a cup and I'll be right over-" 

  "No, Artemis," the Fowl patriarch interjected, his eyes cold and firm. "My office. Now." 

  As his father moved sternly past him, the younger Irishman shrugged at Holly, following in his father's footsteps, leaving Holly alone with Angeline in the kitchen. 

  "What's going on?" Holly asked, an eyebrow raised. 

  "We have a bit of a situation," Angeline sighed, sitting at the counter wearily. "I think now may be the time for what we talked about. Do you remember all those years ago?" 

  And Holly did remember. It was something that she dreaded from the moment it was proposed to her. "Yes. I remember." Holly sighed, holding herself inside her hoodie. "Why now? Do you think this is wise?" 

  "I'm not sure there will be much of a choice," Angeline said with a sad smile. "I know my son. This is what's best for him right now."

  "I don't understand how you think I'm gonna get him to agree to it," Holly said, shaking her head in frustration. "He has no reason to come with me. He's going to say no." 

  Angeline's features fell, a beautifully bleak sort of sadness. "Again, I don't think he has much of a choice at the moment." 

  "Why?" Holly peered at her closely, and for the first time since meeting Artemis' kind-hearted mother, she was suspicious of Angeline’s motives. "What aren't you telling me?" 

  "Fowl and fairy, Holly," Angeline said, her mouth firm. "Remember that." 

  "That's not fair to use against me. Don't I get a choice in this?" Holly resisted, taking a few steps forward. "Moving Artemis to Haven will be a lot of work for me. I'm not sure now is the best time for either of us." 

  "You already agreed to this, Commodore," Angeline sighed. "I know fairies keep their promises. Please keep this one, Holly." 

  Before Holly could counter her, there was arguing from upstairs, and it seemed to be escalating as it echoed through glass walls. Holly shot a quizzing look at the brunette woman. "What’s that about?" 

  Angeline pursed her lips as if afraid to answer when Holly pushed past her to investigate. "Holly, wait-" 

  Artemis Junior followed the taller man into his father's study on the villa's 2nd floor. Artemis strolled to the center of the study, looking over his father's collections of armor while the Fowl patriarch stopped behind his desk, sorting out some documents.

  Artemis the younger took the time to clear his throat. "I am glad you pulled me away, father," he started genuinely, wishing to grow closer to the man. He turned to look at his father's similar blue eyes. "I have not seen much of you since I arrived back to the planet. There are matters I would like to discuss with you." 

  "I could say the same for you, Artemis," Artemis Senior began, those same piercing, blue eyes unwavering on his son. "Why do you think I've pulled you aside?" 

  "Is this a trick question?" Artemis replied lightly, moving towards his father freely. 

  "Sit down." The command was deep and assertive from Artemis Sr. The older man leaned against the desk top, motioning his palm to the white armchair across from him. "Now." 

  Artemis didn't question his father's words, but also didn't sit down. He stood behind the armchair, fingers tapping the acrylic edge as he eyed the older man carefully. "I'd prefer to stand, if you don't mind. Thank you." 

  "Do you think I am asking you to a Sunday picnic, son?" Artemis Sr. fumed, straightening his back. "Because I assure you, that is not what this is." 

  "I'm not sure I'm catching your drift, father." 

  Artemis Senior's deep, austere eyes were flaming now. "I know about your deal with the Yakuza. I know you met with Sano Masaru." 

  Artemis smiled guiltily, falling forward slightly in relief. "Ah. You had me worried, father. I was afraid I had lost my deductive capabilities for a moment there." 

  "Do you think this is a game, Artemis?"

  "Sorry?" Artemis wrinkled his brow, genuinely confused. 

  "Moving their funds into our accounts?" Artemis Senior moved from around his desk, slamming a stack of papers onto the white armchair between them. "What were you thinking? Touching dirty money like that?" 

  "It's untraceable," Artemis shrugged indifferently. "So, as you can imagine, I'm failing to see the issue. I merely moved funds between various accounts using fairy technology." 

  "You moved drug and trafficking money into our family accounts," Artemis Senior corrected, lifting a finger. "Whether or not your fairy tech cleans that money is not the issue." 

  "Then what's the issue, exactly?" Artemis asked calmly, crossing his arms behind his back. Losing his temper in general wasn't an easy task for Artemis, but especially not around his father, as the older Irishman was quite the intimidating figure to the young genius. So, despite his father's increasing agitation, the younger Artemis kept his cool.

  "The issue, son, is that it is criminal." 

  "Criminal?" Artemis nearly chuckled. "Transferring funds that gangsters don't deserve into the accounts of charities that genuinely need them makes me a criminal?" 

  "Yes," Artemis Senior insisted, standing his ground firmly. "It’s not our money, morally or legally." 

  "I apologize, father," Artemis interrupted, unable to keep a slick smile off his face. "But I don’t share your perspective. And besides, no harm will come from this. We are entirely protected. You see, I designed this parasite to sit and collec-" 

  "Enough!" Artemis Senior barked, jamming a finger onto the desk. "This is precisely why I’ve removed you from the family accounts, indefinitely. This includes your own personal accounts." 

  "What?" Artemis laughed, actually unsure if this was an elaborate trick. "Come now, father. I know you and Beck are close, but I never imagined you were one for pranks."

  "I am not joking, Artemis," Artemis Senior declared with such an icy glare that it stopped his son in his tracks. "Go on. Check."

  "What?" Artemis asked again in disbelief. "You didn't-?" He pulled out his phone and attempted to access his bank accounts. Each of them rejected his log in. Artemis blinked, nearly laughing again. "Even if you're entirely serious, you know I can simply hack into my own account, correct? This isn't a challenge for me, father." 

  "Exactly. And I am going to do something with you that I did with your brothers long ago." Artemis Senior walked over to a large bay window, gazing at the grey fog rolling in from the icy coast. "You most certainly can hack into any account, I can’t stop that. And you most certainly can hack into mine, or your brothers', or your own; the point is that you won't." 

  "I won't?" Artemis raised an inquisitive brow. "And why not?" 

  "Because I said you won't." Artemis Senior turned, peering at his son. "And you're going to obey that." 

  Artemis smiled, though it wasn't in good spirits. He was irritated now, his brow twitching. "That’s slightly amusing, coming from you." 

  Artemis Senior suddenly felt the tugging of nerves itching in his bio-leg. He patted it subconsciously as his stress increased. "This is amusing to you, is it? You get to act out and think you won’t face the consequences for it?"   

  "Yes, it is amusing. My father thinks he can suddenly start disciplining me as an adult, because he wasn't around to do it when I was a child." Artemis held his tongue, afraid to say anything further. He was already testing the few limits he had, as he knew his father's affections for him were not as deep as they were for the twins. 

  Artemis Senior moved in close to Artemis Jr., studying his son's familiar features intently. "What makes you think you can speak to me that way?" he growled, fingers curling tightly against the armchair’s edge for balance. 

  "Removing me from my own accounts and requesting that I do not access them is a boundary I can not allow you to cross," Artemis began before his father cut him off with a hand waving through the air. 

  "Be quiet!" Artemis Senior snapped. "You will show me respect, boy." 

  Artemis bit his lip and looked away, his fair face burning in frustration. 

  "Unlike your brothers, you are not a child. You are nearly 30 years old, and therefore, you will be dealt with accordingly," Artemis Senior leaned against the front of his desk, his eyes still fixated on the genius before him. "Getting yourself kidnapped to secure funds. Absolute nonsense." 

  "The plan was executed perfectly," Artemis argued. 

  "You could have died!" Artemis Senior thundered, standing straight. "Do you understand how easily they could've killed you?" 

  "It wouldn't have been the first time," Artemis muttered, crossing his arms. 

  It was at this moment that Holly and Angeline anxiously eased into the threshold of the room. The two men continued, despite this.

  "Do you even understand the pain you've caused this family? Butler?" The patriarch waved a palm over to the petite figure in the doorway. "Your friends? And then you leave for five years and come back like this?" 

  Artemis glanced over his shoulder at the feminine presence behind him and blushed with embarrassment. He didn't want Holly to see them like this. He turned back to his father coldly. "Can we talk about this later?" 

  "No. We are settling this now," insisted Artemis Senior, moving back around the desk. "I’ve already revoked your access to the family accounts, and your own funds have been stripped. In addition, I need you off the estate in the next twenty-four hours." 

  "This isn't even legal," Artemis protested calmly. "Evict me? From the home I designed myself? On what grounds? Every cent I've earned from my inventions and discoveries is credible and legitimate. You have no right to claim any of my income." 

  Artemis Senior reached into his documents and slammed one forward. "I have this," he said simply, glaring with hard eyes at his son. 

  It took Artemis a few moments to recognize the document. His calm exterior shattered, his blue eyes widened. "Where did you find that?" he asked quietly. 

  "Butler found it on your ship," Artemis Senior grunted. "What was the meaning of it?" 

  Artemis didn't dare turn to look at his mother or Holly. He locked eyes with his father's instead. "Space is an extremely dangerous place to venture. We nearly died several times. It made sense to write one." Artemis shook his head, moving towards his father. "Regardless, I am not dead, therefore it is not in effect."

  "Technically, you are dead," Artemis Senior retorted, sorting through other documents. He pulled out a death certificate and waved it in the air. "This right here proves that." 

  "I was dead," Artemis corrected, his heart beat racing in his chest. The room suddenly felt hot and he felt a bead of sweat form at his temple. "I am alive. I am speaking with you right now."  

  "No, Artemis. This is exactly the point I am trying to make." Artemis Senior kept his distance, his broad shoulders tense. "You have gotten yourself into this type of trouble over and over. You are out of control-"

  "Out of control?" Artemis grit his teeth; he'd finally had enough. He stepped closer to his father, trying to reason with him. "I have the highest tested IQ in Europe. I am the only human alive to successfully create a spacecraft I built myself, to venture to Mars and bring back hand-picked samples of the planet; I have several awards pending under my name, our family name; I have saved the world more than once, and yet, somehow, I am the one who is out of control?!" 

  "Yes," Artemis the First said simply as the younger Artemis flustered, worn down from the abrasive conversation. "When you’re happy to deal with terrible people for the sake of doing something right? When you have to steal to get what you want? When you have to die for those causes? Yes, damn it, you are out of control." 

  "I wonder who I learned it from," Artemis shot back, his gaze growing colder. "Do not forget if it had not been for me, or our dear friend, Holly," Artemis threw an open palm towards her, "You, Father, very well may not have been here right now. You left your only child alone so you could run deals with the Russian mafia, and you nearly died from it. But somehow, when I deal with criminals properly, I’m the one who is out of control?" 

  "You died, Artemis!" Artemis Senior shouted, having had enough. He threw his hands into the air, exasperated. "How else can I hammer this into your head? I know you’re a genius, so I know you have the capacity to understand. So, what’s not clicking?" 

  "What’s 'not clicking', is you asking me to put my entire life, my entire livelihood, on hold so that you can please your ego as my parental figure," Artemis said, nearly pleading with his father now. "My work is all I have. It's all I am. To claim I’m dead and strip me of all my work, all my credit… it's as barbaric as it is idiotic. I mean, father, what do you want? What do you want from me? When will I ever be enough?" 

  Artemis was desperate now, nearly forgetting the others in the room. "All I've ever wanted was to please you. To make you proud. To continue our family business like you've always wanted. And now you’re punishing me for carrying out that very principle?" 

  "We are not those people anymore, Artemis!" Artemis Senior interjected. "You know this!" 

  "Personally, I find it hard to believe that acting as a modern-day Robin Hood warrants this sort of reaction out of you-" 

  "You, boy," Artemis Senior cut in, "have zero discretion to tell me or any of our family how they should react. You are forbidden from accessing further funds, and you must move out of the villa at once. End of discussion." 

  "Father, please-" Artemis tried, taking a few steps forward but Artemis Senior waved his hand to stop him. He almost felt like a small boy again. A broken, small boy. 

  "End. Of. Discussion. Your mother will see you out," Artemis Senior moved back to his desk, stacking the papers on the glass top. 

  Artemis Jr. was stunned, unsure what to make of all of this. Eventually, he lifted his gaze. "And if I disobey your request?" 

  Artemis Senior cocked a brow. "It is not a request. You not touching the funds is a command. You are to obey. I am not asking." 

  "If I am dead to you and you're already removing me from my home, what reason do I have to obey you?" 

  Artemis Senior stopped his shuffling and looked at Angeline across the room. "Deal with your son, please." 

  "Oh? Her son?" Artemis snorted. "Not your son, right?" 

  "Arty. Timmy." Angeline snapped, stepping between them. "Stop this now. Arty, darling, just drop it please. Nothing good will come from your arguing." 

  Artemis stood bewildered at his mother. "Has nothing I've done in the last decade pleased either of you? Has nothing mattered?" He looked between his parents, dazed. "Please. Listen to me. I hate, honestly hate to argue with the both of you. But I cannot go on without my project. I simply cannot fathom not continuing it. I must deny your command. I am sorry-" 

  "Oh, stop the theatrics, Artemis," the Fowl patriarch groaned, pinching his nose. "Now, please see yourself out." 

  Holly desperately wanted to jump in and defend Artemis, but the exchange was so heated and tense she couldn't bring herself to say anything. She felt guilt eat away at her as she watched Artemis, disappointed in herself for being unable to help him. 

  Artemis, meanwhile, looked between his parents once more, completely defeated. He couldn't believe they were being so dismissive. His heart crackled in his chest. He felt alone, the beginnings of panic starting to intoxicate his ability to think. I wish I stayed dead.

  "I'll never be enough, will I?" he considered quietly. 

  "Arty, we love you, sweetheart. But your father is correct," Angeline said, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "You are spiraling out of control. Your space trip was risky enough. But now the Yakuza too? What if they come for us now, darling?" 

  "It's impossible," Artemis shook his head, flustered they weren't understanding. "They have no way to tie it to us. The fairy tech-"

  "The fairies are why you died in the first place, Artemis," Artemis Senior grunted from behind them. "You really need to stop relying on them for everything." 

  "Several times now, you have brought up my death, and yet not offered any sort of sympathy or grief towards me," Artemis quipped, glaring at his father from over his mother's shoulder. "Even when I came back, you refused to try and connect with me. So, what is the real issue you have with me, father? Are you upset that I came back?"

  "Arty, stop. That's enough-" his mother tried to start but Artemis side-stepped her to approach his father again. 

  "-Are you upset that I didn't stay dead? I know you and mother are happier with the twins, without me around. Is that the real reason you want me gone? Because you didn't want me back?" 

  Before Artemis could continue hammering his father, Artemis Senior snapped up, rage plastered over his dark Irish features. "Yes, Artemis. Yes! Is that what you want to hear?" he barked, throwing his hands up. "I am upset that I didn't get my real son back! I am upset that my firstborn son is dead! My son is now a clone, grown in some laboratory, possessed by a spirit that calls itself Artemis. I am upset that I couldn't do more to stop it, that there is nothing I can ever do to change that, and I refuse to ever allow you to make those kinds of decisions again." 

  The two men were left glowering at each other: one worn out, the other shattered. Angeline turned on Timmy, yelling something inaudible at him. 

  Artemis tuned everyone out, only able to hear his own thoughts. He gaped at his father, in disbelief over the patriarch's words. They smashed into him like a freight train. It's all true. I'm not real. This isn't real. 

   He fell back a few steps, struggling to find his balance in the spinning world. "You… you don't see me as the real Artemis, do you?" His voice trailed off, quiet and beaten. "I'm just a clone to you…" 

  Artemis Senior realized just then how this sounded and gripped his forehead in regret. "Artemis. Forgive me. I was upset. This has been hard on all of us." 

  "No. It's fine," Artemis replied, his voice floaty.

  Holly peered closer at him: she could tell he was spacing out. "Arty..." She reached out to him. 

  But he waved a hand at Holly, cutting her off while he kept his steel gaze on his father. "We are done here." He turned swiftly, leaving his parents and Holly in the study to themselves. 

  Holly looked at his parents as if expecting them to apologize, but they didn't. The elder Fowls avoided eye contact, awkward and silent. Holly shook her head, chasing Artemis out into the hallway. She passed a few glass walls until she caught him on his way to his bedroom. 

  She walked alongside him briskly, waiting to see if he'd speak to her. When he was silent, she cleared her throat. "What are you going to do?" 

  "I don't know," Artemis replied numbly, stopping at his door to type in a passcode. When it beeped, he wandered inside, a million thoughts taking grasp of his consciousness at once. He settled on an empty duffle bag, packing the most versatile clothing as quickly as he could muster. 

  He didn't need to be ordered out; he could make that decision himself. Besides, he didn't wish to intrude on those who had found their lives so much more pleasant without him there. So, where then? He didn't know. 

  Artemis stopped packing suddenly, staring at a dress shirt in his hands. "If I disobey my father, I may as well never speak to him again. I'm not sure that's worth living a normal life for. I'm not entirely sure what to do at the moment." 

  I think I'd rather die. He continued packing, finding the activity somewhat soothing. 

  Holly bit her lip as she stared out of a large French window, watching the icy grey waves hit the rocky shore below. A spectacular view; one he would be sure to miss. 

  Holly pondered for a bit as he packed. Did Angeline set this up somehow? Is that what she wanted? Was it to guilt Holly into keeping a distraught Artemis in Haven? This bothered the Commodore for several reasons, but mostly because it felt manipulative. Like she was forced into the situation. But she didn't want to deal with the wrath of turning Artemis away either, and a final thought cemented her final opinion. I do get lonely, and we're best friends. It couldn’t be that bad, right? 

  Fuck it. 

  "Why don't you come to Haven?"

  Artemis found the question so surreal, it nearly took him a quarter of a minute to register it. He finished gathering the last of his loafers, his face going through a multitude of emotions as he processed the question. He stepped forward, his dark brows pinched together in befuddlement, and then took a step back. "I'm…not sure that would work." 

  Holly shrugged, avoiding his face altogether. "Why wouldn't it work?" You suck for doing this. You suuuck. Ah, fuck. 

   "I am human, most obviously of all," Artemis started, listing off reasons on willowy fingers. "I do not have a visa or permit to stay in Haven, and I highly doubt your commander will provide me with one, and lastly, I don't have any money, Holly. Even if I moved some funds and my father didn't notice, if I lied to him, I promise he would know immediately. He'd read me like a book. So, that leaves me with very few options." 

  "Artemis," Holly cut in quickly before he could continue. "You could just stay with me. Ya know, until you figure something out." She stroked a nimble finger through a long, auburn wave unconsciously. "It's not a big deal." 

  Artemis turned to face her, and for a second Holly feared he may be seeing through her. She gulped, freezing in place at his calculating stare. 

  What are you up to? Artemis thought, gazing at her curiously. No. This is Holly. If she suggests it, she means it. He slowed himself down, really sorting out what she said. 

  "Stay with you…in Haven? How?" He shook his head again, bewildered. The world around him cleared, becoming more stable. "I don't think it's possible. Isn't there a code against this in your Book?" 

  "It's definitely possible," Holly countered gently, still avoiding his gaze and settling on the window. "I think you're the only human they'd let live in Haven City. You're kind of, like…a celebrity." 

  Artemis moved beside Holly so she was forced to look at him, otherwise she'd be the awkward one out. So, as her cherubic features turned to face him, Artemis' piercing eyes peered down at her. "You'd really let me stay in Haven, with you?" 

  Holly blushed, feeling her pout grow warm under his persistent eye contact. He's onto me. "Yeah, why not? It actually sounds sorta fun. I need some more action in my life, and, uh, you're bound to keep me on my toes, so…" She shrugged. "It's just an offer though. You don't need to take it." 

  Artemis glanced outside at the window and watched a hazy, thick fog roll in from the icy waves outside. Fitting. He pressed his palm to his forehead, unsure if he was hot or cold. Nothing, he decided and sighed, leaning against the window. I feel nothing.

   "Right then. Okay…I suppose this works short-term." It took him a second, but then he raised a fluffy brow at her. "...I'm a celebrity?" 

  "Oh. Yeaaah," Holly said, rubbing her neck sheepishly. "See, after Argon's book about you, they made a movie series about us. Like, our adventures. So, I'm kind of one too. You're more popular though." 

  Artemis finished heaving his necessities in the bag and zipped it up, tossing it over his shoulder. He absorbed the situation for a second. "Well, I am a genius. Let's go, then? I don't have anything to lose at this point." 

  Holly put a soft hand on his arm. "Arty, are you okay?" 

  "Why?" he froze, his shoulders tensing defensively. "Am I different to you too?" 

  "No," Holly said firmly, her eyes locked on him with confidence. "I know this is a shitty situation to be in. I'm asking if you're okay-" she finished with a light jab of her finger on his heart, "inside there."

  Artemis was sorrowful and beaten as he kept his gaze down; Holly knew he wasn't okay. He was obviously stressed with worry lines creased in the edges of his eyes, and his broad shoulders hung heavily in defeat, but she still felt obligated to ask.

  "I'm not really sure about how I feel," Artemis answered honestly. The inside of his body felt heavy but hollow, like a shell, and his heart crackled in a strange way, not like painful electricity, but more like a heaviness for existing. But he was afraid to dwell too much, for if he gave himself any leeway, he might be thrown into another panic attack. It was right then that he realized what the crackling in his chest was - he was holding in his panic attack. Was it wise to do that? Does it even matter? 

  Artemis took a deep inhale; breathing was suddenly harder now. "I'll be fine. Let's get going." 

  They turned to exit his suite when Angeline stopped them both in the doorway. She wore a sad smile on her face, her frown lines creased with worry. Her glowing presence was enough to stop Artemis in place. 

  "Hello, mother," Artemis greeted quietly, his mouth tight with dissatisfaction. 

  "Arty, darling," Angeline started, moving towards her son carefully, as if he were wild. "I just want you to know that your father loves you. This has been hard on us, but especially him. I think he feels like he failed you." 

  "Then why isn't he here to say this himself, instead of my mother making excuses for him?" Artemis retorted, picking up speed again to walk past his mother, Holly silently sprinting after him. 

  "Artemis, listen! This wasn't an easy decision-" 

  "Mother, please. I am done," Artemis said firmly as he rounded a hallway full of Fowl portraits. "I am leaving, as demanded." 

  Angeline followed after her son, stopping him with her hand on his arm. "Arty, we will always be here for you. You're always welcome to stay and come back. In fact, you don't even have to leave!" 

  "Mother," Artemis groaned, moving forward again. "You want me to leave, so I am gone. Let's not continue this." 

  "At least take this, then." His mother shoved something papery into his hand, and took him into a tight hug he didn't return. "I love you darling, please don't forget that."  

  Artemis gazed down at the purple banknotes in his hand, making out two 500 euro notes. He broke from his mother's embrace gently, handing it back to her. "I don't need this, but thank you." Artemis walked forward again but his mother tugged on his hand, forcing the banknotes into his palm again. 

  "Mother, I don't want your money, please." He handed it back out while avoiding her gaze, hoping she would take it. He felt pathetic enough, and being given a thousand euro was just plain embarrassing. 

  Holly snatched it before either one could react. She pocketed it as she walked past both humans. "What? If he won't take it, I will," she shrugged, jogging down the main, spiral staircase back towards the glass-paneled foyer. 

  "Well, that settles that," Angeline tried to joke, delicate fingers running through her locks. Artemis followed after Holly without another word and Angeline reached forward, stopping him once more. "Arty, I love you, darling. You know that, don't you?" 

  Artemis didn't know how to respond. He wanted to tell his mother he loved her, but something about saying it felt draining. Nothing he could think of sounded right, and he wished he could remain silent. But out of respect for his mother, he at least uttered, "I know." He leaned in and gave her a quick hug. "Goodbye, mother." 

  Artemis released her swiftly and took off for the stairs, making his exit towards the villa, leaving his forlorn mother behind on the balcony above. 

  Loafers crunched against wet grass as Artemis strode across the manicured lawn towards his black 2018 Mercedes S560. The late morning was characteristically gloomy, with an icy fog that clung to the dark, dead branches rustling gently in the sea breeze. 

  Holly stuck her palm out. "Want me to drive?" 

  Artemis pulled out his keys, twirling them in a finger. "I think I'll drive. It helps clear my head." He glanced at the red-headed elf at his side, studying her body language. She seemed relaxed and casual, but there was still something in him that made him feel guilty for always relying on her. He stopped walking, putting his hand on her shoulder slowly. 

  "Holly."

  Holly turned and looked up at him, her heart thumping rapidly in her chest. "Yeah?" she asked, crossing her arms insecurely. Did he know something was up? Had he caught onto her already?

  "Thank you, you know. For everything you've done," Artemis said sincerely, tightening his grip on her shoulder. "I can always rely on you, even though I don't deserve it."

  Holly rolled her eyes playfully. "Hey, relax. It's not that serious," she smiled, patting his hand on her shoulder. "We're friends. That's what friends are for." Her eyes traveled to the fresh scar on the back of his hand. He had protected her, and even moreso, saved her with that hand. She traced the scar thoughtfully. "Besides, I owe you." 

  "No, no. I definitely owe you, considering I tricked you into the situation to begin with," he said, shuddering under her fond touch. He broke away, eyes focusing on the glum fog rolling in beyond the coast. His chest was the heaviest it'd felt in a while. "Holly, I can figure something else out. I've decided I don't want to burden you." 

  "No, Astroboy, I've already decided. You're staying with me." Holly rolled her eyes again, shivering in the icy breeze as it blew by her. Her shiny waves lifted in the wind as she continued strolling to Artemis' sedan. "You only have a thousand euro. You know how much that is in America?" 

  "Exactly $1,132 dollars," Artemis replied blandly, slipping his hands into his grey coat's pockets, feeling very much like the fog around them. "Which is, essentially, nothing." 

  "I'll take your word for it. Besides, this might be fun, don't you think?" she chuckled, winking back at him. 

  "Sure," Artemis started, unlocking the car. "Off to Haven we go." 

  It took Artemis and Holly around an hour to get to the Hill of Tara shuttleport just south of Dublin. Holly had checked in with Nimbus, the elf/goblin shuttleport director and gotten them a shuttle within the next hour. Thankfully, the day wasn't very busy, and it only took Holly a few minutes to hop back into the car parked at McGraney Farm. She cozied up in her warm quilted seat, glancing over at the human on his phone.

  She studied his face as he scrolled, a sad frown glued to his tapered jaw. She sighed, nudging him with her elbow. "We've got about an hour to spare. Anything you want to do?" 

  Artemis glanced up, his brow wrinkled. "I am peckish, to be honest. And I could really use a coffee." He looked over at Holly. "Are you hungry?" 

  "I am," she nodded, but bit her lip as she tilted her head in thought. "But you're broke at the moment, so we should probably wait 'til we get to Haven." 

  "I really need an espresso, Holly," Artemis insisted, taking the car out of park and reversing on the farm mud. "I'm stressed, and coffee relieves my stress." 

  "Arty, it's just coffee," Holly grinned, poking his arm to annoy him. "Coffee is a luxury, not a necessity. Not that you know the difference." 

  "We haven't eaten, Holls," Artemis protested, pulling out onto the main road that ran alongside the gorgeous green cliffs of the Irish coast. "Besides, €10 for a cappuccino and lunch between us both isn't a bad deal." 

  "...You've really never been broke before, have you?" Holly asked in amusement. 

  "It's just €20." 

  "You have no money." 

  "I have a thousand euro," Artemis countered, but recanted with a slight smile. "Well, after our meal it'll be €980."

  "Careful, Arty," Holly warned playfully, playing his arm like a guitar. "Your privilege is showing." 

  "It's literally an entire €980 euro," Artemis murmured. "I am stressed, and all I want is an espresso. It will be fine." 

  "Oooh my gods. We're doomed." 

  The already stressed Artemis was even more irritable after it took them three separate tries to find an open coffee shop before Artemis found one that suited his tastes. He ended up over budget by an extra €5, and Holly started to doubt his ability to 'adult' on his own without a fortune to fall back on. 

  As they made their way into the E1 shuttleport, coffee and bags in hand, Artemis followed Holly anxiously to the front desk beside the line of people. Gnomes, gremlins, elves, sprites, and pixies of all colors and sizes fumbled around them, most taking several double takes at Artemis. He tapped his loafered foot anxiously in place as he watched the massive, rectangular shuttle line up on the loading bay, examining the assortment of fairies passing through. 

  Holly, meanwhile, slapped her LEP badge and ID down onto the counter. "I already saved our place on the next shuttle with Nimbus, if you could look into that."

  A tiny gnome from across the counter crossed his arms and popped a bubble from his gum, nodding to Artemis behind her. "You got clearance for him? I ain't nevah let a human pass through before." 

  Holly turned over her shoulder and tapped Artemis. "Give me your ID." He fumbled through his bag and Holly frowned at him. "Hurry up." 

  "I'm trying," Artemis groaned, handing over his Irish passport to her. 

  Holly slammed his passport on the counter beside her items. "There ya go. Happy?" 

  The gnome grunted as he looked over the passport until he noticed the name. His mauve eyes widened and he looked past Holly at Artemis, totally shell-shocked. "A-A-Artemis F-Fowl. Oh, Frond!" 

  This got even more attention from the already suspicious fairies around them, and suddenly they had a crowd surrounding them. "The Artemis Fowl?!" "You mean, the actual human?" "Is that really him?" "Quick, take a picture!" "Do you think he'd let me take a selfie with him?!" 

  Artemis was mid-sip of his steaming espresso when the fairies bombarded him. Wide eyes glanced at Holly, unsure how to react to the attention. He assumed that he would normally relish in it, but at the state he was currently in, he felt shy and surreal. Life had become one messy, vivid dream. 

  Holly threw off the crowd with a flash of her LEP badge. "Keep your distance, people! This is official police business." 

  "Can we just get one picture?" a sprite asked amongst her pixie friends. "We'll be fast, we promise!" The girls giggled as they inched closer and Holly stepped before them. 

  "Get any closer, and you'll be in a cell for a week," Holly warned, putting a hand on her hip. "Unless you like being charged with obstruction of justice, which I can make a felony for you, by the way." 

  The girls frowned and flicked Holly off as they wandered away. Holly heard a snicker over her shoulder, and she raised an annoyed brow at the man behind her.  "What?" 

  "I think Butler would be very pleased with you," Artemis chuckled, sipping on his warm drink. 

  "You: shhh. Shut it," Holly groaned as she pushed past him back towards the gnome at the counter. "Are we cleared- or?" 

  The gnome nodded furiously, a starstruck smile stuck on his face. "Of course! Everything is good here. Except, if you could-" The gnome reached down and pulled out a neo-noir sci-fi movie poster labeled Fowl and Fairy: The Great Escape. He slapped it on the desk and smiled at them. "Could I get an autograph real quick? For mah nephew, lil Jimmy? He's a big fan, ya know?" 

  Both Holly and Artemis nearly cringed out of their skins. Artemis recovered first, answering, "You do know I am the actual human, correct? A literal genius, not some movie star?" 

  Holly nearly facepalmed herself unconscious. "Oh my gods. Artemis. Shut up." 

   The gnome ignored her and continued on, dazzled by the finely dressed human before him. "Yes, I know who you are. Trust me, the real thing is always better." 

  Artemis shrugged and leaned forward, taking the gnome's ink pen. 

  "You're not," Holly breathed, wide-eyed.

  "Why not?" Artemis asked her quietly as he signed his name on the clerk's poster. "Uh, there. Hope that makes your day," he said kindly, setting the pen down and collecting their things. He passed Holly, shrugging at her. "What?" 

  "Look at you, being all nice," Holly smirked as she led them to the shuttle line. 

  "In truth, I'm a bit surprised by your people's reaction to me," Artemis smirked back at her. "I was expecting infamy. You know, the pitchforks and screaming kind." 

  Holly held in her laughter as she flashed their tickets to the line clerk and led them inside a nearly empty shuttle. She grinned deviously at Artemis as she picked a spot, chuckling to herself. 

  Artemis found her reaction amusing but also slightly annoying. "What?" he scoffed, squinting at her.  

  "You're funny. That's all," Holly said as she swayed her legs in her seat.  

  Artemis raised a brow as he lifted his duffle bag onto a rack. "You've always said the opposite about my humor, and my ability to construct the perfect joke." 

  "Don't ever say that again," Holly teased, leaning back in her seat. 

  "Fine," Artemis sighed, sitting across from her, his gaze still fixed on hers playfully. "But, I will construct the perfect joke for you so long as I'm here." 

  Holly grimaced and smiled at the same time, something she tended to do around Fowls. "The fact that you put construct and joke in the same sentence just shows there is no humor alive in there." 

  "One day, my dear fairy friend," Artemis sighed dramatically, giving her his famous vampiric smile. "One day, I shall make it happen." 

The Lower Elements

Haven City

  The shuttle wasn't the most entertaining of rides. Artemis and Holly napped in several different positions, from passed out on their bags to sprawled on the bench seat. By the time an hour had passed, Holly awoke to the slithering of the shuttle doors, and Lili Frond's smooth voice in the speakers overhead. Ding dong. 

  "You have arrived in Haven City. Enjoy your trip in Haven, and thank you for flying with the Lower Elements Shuttle Service. We hope to see you again soon." 

   Holly rolled her eyes at Frond's annoyingly perfect voice. She felt a weight on her and glanced down. Artemis had his head in her lap, snoozed beside her. Holly froze. She felt her face warm and she smiled fondly, brushing a lock of silky hair out of his face. Thick brows were relaxed against his porcelain forehead, his dark lashes flickered gently in his sleep. There were few times Artemis Fowl looked as peaceful as now. Holly ran a delicate touch over his cold cheek, tracing his stubble towards his slightly parted lips. She couldn't help but acknowledge her friend's good looks. He'd really grown into himself since she met him. Seeing him as a man, a fully-fledged human, just felt… different. 

  Holly took a mental picture of the languid genius when she had an idea. Actually, that'd be kinda funny. She reached into her pocket, careful not to disturb Artemis, and slipped out her small phone. She snapped a quick photo of his slumber and giggled as she placed the phone back in her pocket. 

  "Arty," Holly mused, shaking him softly. "Arty, wake up."

  Artemis stirred slowly, confusion washing over his snowy features. "Hm?" he mumbled incoherently. 

  "We're here," Holly sang lightly, tapping his head. "Come on. Wake up." 

  Artemis grumbled, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He then realized his proximity to Holly and groggily stared up at her, puzzled. "How did I end up like this?" 

  "Beats me," she answered, poking his forehead with the tip of her nail. 

  Artemis waved her away and sat up with a frown. He thought about his surroundings for a moment, remembering what transpired. Mother and Father hate me. I have no money. I'm on a shuttle to Haven. No. His eyes widened, taking notice of the holographic Gnommish text that floated above the metallic doorways. I'm in Haven. 

  A tiny squeal-yawn erupted from the elf beside him, breaking his train of thought.

  Holly wiped her eyes once more and caught Artemis gawking at her. "What?" she asked, raising a suspicious brow at him. 

  "Nothing," Artemis stared a bit longer. He eventually smiled to himself as he stood. "That was very endearing." 

  "What was endearing?!" 

  "Your yawn," Artemis replied, keeping his demeanor cool and confident. "It was cute." 

  Holly watched him reach for their bags, a deep wine coloring her golden cheeks. "Hmph. Whatever." She stood and stretched her arms over her head before walking a bit ahead of him. "Let's hurry up and get to my place before people start waking up." 

  Thankfully, it was still early morning in Haven City, and the city's sky panels were set to a dark lilac twilight that kept the city in a cozy, warm slumber. Ultra-modern skyscrapers wrapped around the stalactites on the roof shot a thousand feet up, the rows of lights above them twinkling like stars. 

  Stars. 

  "Artemis!" 

  Artemis blinked, snapping out of his daze. He groaned, irked that this kept happening. Would he ever recover? He noticed the petite elf waving in front of him, a backpack slung over her hoodie as she stood in the center of a sidewalk. 

  He followed Holly slowly down the street, taking in the sights of the fairy metropolis. Emergency sirens, hover motors, and music radios echoed around the gargantuan cavern. The air was hot and muggy underground, tinged with the slightest hint of fuel and moss. The streets were mostly empty in the early morning Thoroughfare, only the occasional hover car zipped by. The aesthetic of the city was a breathtaking dystopia of cyberpunk grime. Giant holographic billboards hung over the futuristic skyline, fairies' blown up faces smiling down at them. Plastic shipping tubes spun around the cavern, weaving in and out of buildings and stalactites. Cleaning bots sucked up litter from the concrete streets around them, and Artemis spun in a tight circle to take it all in. 

  "I don't think I've seen Haven from this angle before. Do you live far?" Artemis inquired. 

  Holly pointed to a stalagmite-turned-highrise directly overhead. "Nope. That's my building there. Moved there about a year ago." 

  They took the public elevators for the Middleway, an elevated section in the vertical metropolis used as a street to access the higher buildings. A glass elevator service ran along the entrance, exposing the skyline around as it shot citizens sixty feet into the air. Artemis followed Holly into the elevator, watching the cityscape grow smaller below them as it lifted them to Holly’s building. 

  A few minutes later, they reached a massive stalactite entwined with LED screens and glass balconies; a holographic Gnommish sign read Mulberry Row Condominiums. They took another elevator inside, and eventually reached Holly's apartment on the 22nd floor. 

  As Holly pressed her finger into the scanner on her pinewood front door, the scanner beeped green and the door clicked. It slid aside automatically, and in the doorframe, Holly threw her arms open. "Welcome to la casa de Short!" 

  Artemis stepped into the apartment, firstly grateful the dimensions were mostly human-sized. The second thing he noticed was the scent of tea and freshly-cut wood wafting through the small space. The apartment was more bare than he initially expected, with almost no decor and a minimalistic color palette. The birch wood floors were clean alongside crisp, white walls, a concrete accent wall tucked away in the tiny kitchen to their right. A good-sized, acrylic tube ran along the length of the concrete wall, maybe serving as a delivery or mail chute. Directly before him sat a burnt orange L-shaped sofa, a large, fluffy silver rug, and an acrylic rolling coffee table. Artemis could see two white doors in the back, which he assumed were her bedroom and restroom. 

  "Sorry it's so plain," Holly said, walking past him. "I haven't decorated since I moved in." 

  "It's fine. So, how are we doing this?" Artemis wondered as he placed his duffle bag on her couch. 

  Holly strode towards her bedroom, slinging her backpack off her shoulder. "How are we doing what?" she asked as she tossed the bag onto the white, full-sized bed. 

  "Our sleeping arrangements," Artemis replied, looking around the apartment curiously. "I assume we're not sharing a bed, unless you're okay with that." 

  Holly rolled her eyes. "No, we're not sharing a bed, Arty," she smiled, twisting her hair up into a topknot. "You can have the bed, and I'll take the couch." 

  "No, you're doing me a favor," Artemis shook his head at her. "It's not fair to make you sleep out here." 

  "It's not a big deal," Holly assured, waving a hand at him. "I sleep on my futon all the time. This won't change anything. Plus, I'm sure your mudman proportions would prefer the bed." 

  "Well, I-" Artemis cut himself off, nodding. "Thank you. I appreciate that." The crackling in his chest was immense now, and he felt any moment the panic would crush him. He closed his eyes, placing a shaky hand to his forehead. "Where is your restroom?" 

  "Oh, okay, so, the bathroom might be kinda weird to you humans. It's through that door but the actual toilet will be on the door inside on your -" 

  "I'll be back in a bit," Artemis interrupted, rushing past her through the right door. 

  Holly blinked. What's his deal?  

  Artemis threw himself into Holly's tiny bathroom, falling forward onto her vanity. The granite sink was lower than he was used to but he rested both arms comfortably on either side, breathing deeply into the long mirror. 

  Something Artemis was learning about his disorder was that it was erratic and without fail. Despite feeling a bit enthralled by Haven, as well as coming to terms with his situation, he still felt… simply, like shit. He still felt shocked by his parents. He felt guilty for Holly dragging him here, and having to adjust her life for him. He was powerless. Like when he was a child. A stupid child. 

  "Stupid," Artemis muttered. He fell forward, head in hands. 28 years old and your life is in shambles. His breath hitched, the next not catching either. He sucked in a breath but it just seemed like it wouldn't stay. As the panic lifted and rose through his gut and spilled into his chest, his heart crackled once more. Another thing Artemis learned about his disorder: panic attacks were known to replicate heart attacks, and now, he was finally having one bad enough to understand what that was like.

  He choked on another breath. His skin felt hot and feverish against the cold, concrete wall. He wasn't sure if he couldn't breathe or if it just felt like he couldn't, but his wild eyes caught himself in the mirror and he nearly laughed. Ridiculous. Artemis Fowl: bested by a panic attack. 

  His gaze turned hateful on himself, his icy glare chilling and cruel. He imagined himself punching the mirror, shattering that stupid, smug face. He tried to utter something, but his throat croaked instead. He clawed at his chest for air, desperately wishing the feeling would pass. 

  But it didn't. It got worse. Artemis' ears rang off like a flashbang, his head searing in pain. His vision doubled and he felt a chill slither down his spine. He took a step forward off the wall, wide eyes still locked on his reflection. Something was off. 

  The concrete wall behind him seemed darker than before, and in that darkness, a voluptuous figure loomed behind his shoulder. She emerged from the abyss behind him, wispy silver strands of hair slicked to blood-soaked cheeks. Vinyáya whispered, but Artemis didn't catch it. 

  This has happened before, hasn't it? he realized in his panic. 

  "I- I'm sorry," Artemis muttered, eyes like saucers, frozen in fear at the hallucinatory elf hovering over him. 

  She leaned in slowly, her lips coming to rest at his ear. Blood trickled down her chin as she whispered: 

  "Pathetic." 

  Artemis' eyes rolled to the back of his head as he took a step forward and his mind gave out, allowing his body to crash to the floor. 

  Holly froze over her bed, a shirt limp in her hands. What was that?  "Arty?" she called out, her nose scrunched suspiciously. She waited a few moments before she tried again. "Artemis?" 

  Nothing. Concerned, she moved out of her room and pressed a palm to the bathroom door. "Arty? Are you okay?" Still, no answer. A bit worried now, Holly tried the door, finding it unlocked, and an unconscious Artemis on the other side. 

  "Artemis!" Holly dashed to his side, turning him over so his head rested in her lap. She pressed her fingers to his throat, finding his pulse rapid but steady. She sighed, grateful he was alive at least. Holly gave him a look over: he seemed fine with no bleeding or open wounds. So why did he pass out? She looked down at his distressed face, wrinkles creased under his eyes. For the second time in under an hour, she had his head in her lap again. She rolled her eyes at the thought when her hand bumped into something on his head. Her fingers stroked his scalp through his soft hair, feeling a scar. 

  Artemis had a head wound. She turned his head slightly, examining it. The 3-inch wound had healed and had a red, thick braid of tissue. Despite a head full of hair hiding it, it didn't look properly cared for. 

  Holly took another breath and leaned down, pressing her warm forehead against his. "Heal," she whispered, finishing it with a light kiss to his forehead. A blue corona of sparks formed on impact, swirling up and around his head, intertwining and electrifying his black locks. She poured her magick into him, hoping she could help in some way. It didn't take long for Artemis to stir awake, his piercing eyes fluttering open. 

  "Wha-what happened?" he murmured.

  "I don't know. I heard a thump and found you unconscious," Holly shrugged, mindlessly twirling some of his longer strands of hair. "Are you feeling okay?" 

  Artemis realized he was in Holly's lap again, and caught her worried gaze. "Hi."

  "Hi." 

  "We've got to stop meeting like this," he joked weakly, getting up to his elbows. "I think I'm okay… sorry." He sat up, pressing a hand to his clammy face. "I don't intend to be a nuisance." 

  "Hey, you're fine. A lot's happened in the past week for you," Holly said, standing and reaching her hand out to him. "I think outer space wore you out. You should just rest."

  Artemis took her hand, standing upright beside her. He felt melancholy as ever, yet he couldn't exactly remember why. Maybe being in Haven was more overwhelming than he expected? Maybe he had another episode? He allowed Holly to lead him to the sofa and rested on it, pondering at her plain white ceiling. 

  What was he going to do in Haven? What would be his source of income if not his work? It was absurd. It would only be a matter of time before he drove Holly insane, and got himself kicked out of here too. Then, he would truly be alone. He felt anxiety wash over him, suddenly feeling cold and claustrophobic. 

  "Hey," Holly appeared beside him, patting his shoulder. "I'm gonna run to Police Plaza real quick. I gotta get your visa so you can actually do something here. You gonna be okay if I go for a bit?" 

  "Yes, of course," Artemis replied, snapped out of his thoughts. "I'm sorry for making you do all of this for me." 

  "Again, it's fine, Astroboy. Besides, Police Plaza is five minutes downstairs, so I'll be quick!" Holly waved to him. "Help yourself to anything. Call me if you need me, okay?" 

  And with that, she left the only human in Haven in her living room contemplating how to pick up the pieces of his life. 

Lower Elements Police Headquarters

Commander's Quarters 

  It was still early morning in Haven, the majority of foot traffic at the Police Plaza mainly being officers or convicts they'd wrung in. 

  Holly found herself outside of the Commander's office, shielding herself away from his plexiglass walls behind the door. She tapped her leg restlessly, biting her lip as she mulled over how this would go. 

  The office doors slid apart, exposing Holly to Trouble on the other side. He smirked at her, his violet eyes gleaming at her from his desk. 

  "What're you doing here, Short?" 

  "Heeeey, Trouble…" Holly started like a deer in headlights. She moved into his office, the doors closing behind her, leaving the officers alone. She played with the fringe by her eyes nervously as she continued forward. "So, this is a long shot, but do you remember that thing I told you, like, 4 years ago?"

  Trouble raised a cocky brow. "Considering we were dating 4 years ago and I blocked most of that out, I'd say no."

  "Thanks for that," Holly frowned, stopping in front of him. "It's the visa, Commander, sir." 

  "…I can't tell if you're trying to mock me or flatter me, Commodore, ma'am," Trouble replied, focused on the email on his screen. "But, I don't know what visa you're talking about." 

  "The human one."

  Trouble froze, his eyes slowly craning towards her. "…You're telling me that you're bringing him here?" 

  "He's, uhhh, kinda already here." 

  "Holly, you're joking, right?" Trouble groaned, rubbing his temples. 

  "You agreed to this long ago," Holly whined, leaning against his desk. "Don’t act surprised now-"

  "You're admitting to me that you smuggled a human into Haven?"

  "I brought him in completely legally," Holly waved him off. She plopped herself onto his desk. "And unsurprisingly, people were thrilled."

  "Thrilled, Holly?" Trouble leaned back in his chair, trying to rub his headache away. "You think a human, much less this mudwhelp, being in Haven is acceptable or even a good idea?" 

  "Do you want me to go to the Council?" Holly crossed her arms, raising a singular brow at him. "Because I can. I can get their approval if you want." 

  Trouble scooted forward, pressing his palms together. He gave Holly his famous, dangerous amethyst glare. "Give me one, and just one, good, solid reason for his presence here?"

  Holly froze again. "...He could help promote tourism in Haven." 

  "How?"  

  "...The...movie industry?" Holly struggled, a guilty smile tugging the corners of her round lips. 

  "...Is this a joke to you, Commodore?" Trouble retorted, his demeanor ultra-serious now. "Should I continue to call you that?"

  Holly hopped off his desk and leaned forward on her hands. "This isn't a joke. You already have the visa. All you need to do is give it to me." 

  "Sorry, but I reject your request," Trouble said dryly, turning back to his emails. "Send him back." 

  Holly stood front and center, doing her best to appear as professional as possible for him. "Sir, I can't. The People are tied to the Fowl family, whether we like it or not, and this isn't about me wanting him here. This was planned in advance, and you know that. You know what implications this could have for the fairy people if we fail or reject the Fowl's requests, sir."

  "Sir, huh?" Trouble grunted with a lecherous smirk. 

  Holly rolled her eyes, facepalming. Males would be males. "For Frond's sake, Trouble."  

  "Don't say that," the Commander shivered. "That's weird." 

  "Not my fault you dated that airhead," Holly muttered with disdain, crossing her arms. 

  "Why do you have such a thing against her?" Trouble chuckled, eyeing Holly inquisitively. "I don't think Lili's ever done anything to you-" 

  For some reason, talking about Lili drove her over the edge. "I need the damn visa Trouble!" Holly snapped impatiently before realizing Trouble was still her commanding officer. "…Please." 

  "You haven't given me a good reason," Trouble shrugged, ignoring her, his violet eyes glowing from his holo-screen. "You're a Commodore, not a human babysitter. It's not our job to watch over him-" 

  "Gods. He's an adult human," Holly whined, leaning against the desk again. "I'm not babysitting him, and neither is Haven."  

  Trouble looked up to give her a dead-pan stare. He wasn't having it. 

  "Look, truthfully?" Holly continued, moving around his desk to slowly saunter towards the male elf. "It's hard to think of a legitimate reason to keep him here. But the People weren't afraid of him. They embraced him. I mean, I was shocked by it too. But I dont think he'd be much of an issue here. Plus he's kinda… Well, he's not doing great right now." 

  "Oooooh, great," Trouble quipped sarcastically. "Just what we need. Another mentally unstable Artemis Fowl." 

  "Still Artemis Fowl though," Holly shrugged. 

  Trouble was silent for a few moments as he mulled it over. Eventually, his chiseled features caught hers. "What's he going to do here?"

  "I don't know. He could help Foaly-"

  "No." 

  "Oooookay. Maybe he can be-"

  "He can't do anything but work for free or work under himself," Trouble lifted a finger, jabbing it on the desk. 

  "Why?" 

  "He's not a citizen. He can't make money here from our people."

  "Ugh. It's just for a few weeks," Holly groaned again, pulling closer to Trouble now. She could smell his favorite spicy cologne he loved to wear for 'good luck'. Holly was pretty sure 'good luck' was code for getting laid. "He won't be here forever, Trubs."  

  "Don't call me that," Trouble warned, swiveling his chair so he could give her his full attention now. 

  But Holly knew her ex too well. She swayed her hips as she pulled in close, resting each palm on the arm rests. She brought her nose inches from Trouble's, testing the Commander. She could see the no-nonsense attitude in his face but she could tell by his breathing that he was enjoying her presence. She smirked, amping up her tease by bringing her lips close to his, speaking against him. "Trubs." 

  Trouble's mouth was firm and Holly could tell he was biting his cheek. He gave her a look over once and rolled his eyes, leaning back. "Fine. One month, and that's it-"

  "Thank you, Commander, Sir." 

  "Holly," Trouble started again, trying to ignore her irresistible essence and thrusting out a single finger to create distance. "If he does one thing, even just one, he's out, do you understand? 

  Holly pulled back, saluting Trouble, but the dangerous lust that tugged the corner of her lips remained. "Yes, sir, Commander, sir." 

  "Stop that," Trouble shuddered, giving a flustered smile. 

  Holly saw her chance to pry again. "Why, sir?" 

  "Holly," Trouble sighed, trying to prevent getting hot and bothered.

  "Thank you, Trouble," Holly perked up, dropping the lusty act. "I'll keep him in line. Promise. Few weeks, tops." She saluted him, spinning around and exiting his office. 

  Trouble chuckled to himself as he turned back to his emails, waiting. He muttered amused, "3, 2, 1-" 

  And on cue, Holly returned into his office, a bit out of breath. She gave a large, embarrassed smile. "I, uh, need the visa… haha. Please." 

  Trouble just stared at her in response, and Holly stared back. "What?" 

  "I'm not kidding. One mess up. He's out." Trouble dipped his hand into a drawer, slipping the visa into her hand. "Dork." 

  "Aw, don't talk about yourself that way!"

  "Out. Now." 

  "Thank you, Trouble!" Holly nodded in thanks, leaning over and planting a firm kiss to the Commander's cheek. 

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now go finish your vacation. That's an order." 

  Holly waved to him as she exited his office, and once out of sight, Trouble fell back into his hands, rolling his eyes in amusement. What am I going to do with you, Holly? 

Mulberry Row Condominiums

Apt 224 

   No more than twenty minutes later did Holly come back, bursting through the front door proudly. "I'm baaack!" she called out. She kicked off her sneakers and tossed the visa onto the small kitchen table.The fresh aroma of cedar steamed the air and Holly darted around curiously at the foreign yet familiar scent. "Arty? You're alive, right?"

  "I'm here," Artemis replied, lifting a hand into the air for Holly to see. He chuckled, amused that she couldn't see him below the couch. 

  Holly furrowed her brows together, looking for him. She walked around the couch, her socks slippery on the wood flooring. He was on the rug with his back against the couch, changed into a plain white sweatshirt, an emerald blanket with a book in his lap. "Why're you on the floor?" she smiled, crossing her arms. 

  Artemis glanced up from the tan book at his knee towards her, tiny water droplets dripping from the tips of his damp hair. "The rug is nice. I also like the floor. It's grounding, and allows me to stretch out my legs," he explained lightly, patting his thigh.

  "I see," Holly chuckled. She plopped down beside him, the rug soft underneath her. She peered at what he was reading, and her youthful brows wrinkled in surprise. "Is that…?" 

  "Witchcraft and Magic In Ireland?" Artemis finished for her, tapping the book cover. "Indeed, it is." 

  "Why're you reading that?" she asked, cocking a brow at him. 

  Artemis turned back to the page he was on, skimming it. "You didn't have anything scientific, and this has a good deal of history in it. So, I went with this option."  

  "Oh." 

  "I also showered. I hope you don't mind." 

  It was then she noticed he smelled of cedar bunches. It was his scent, she was finally realizing. "That's what that is! It's you!" Holly jabbed him with raised brows. "You brought your own products?"

  "Would you prefer me to use up yours?" Artemis chuckled, side-glancing her. "Or use none at all?"

  "I prefer a clean mudman, thank you!" Holly teased, patting his shoulder as she got up. "I think I'm going to do the same, actually. Need anything?"

  "I'm fine, Holly," Artemis assured gently. "Thank you." 

  "Mhm," she nodded, removing her hoodie as she slid across to the bathroom. "I got your visa, by the way. It's on the table." 

  "That was… fast," Artemis pondered. He snuck a peek at Holly through the crack in her door. "How did you get one so quickly?" 

  "We, uhhh, kinda already had one made," Holly shrugged, kicking the door mostly closed so he couldn't see her. "You're always getting into trouble with the fairies, so they had one made for you in case something happened, I guess." 

  "Hm. Interesting." 

   Shit. He knows. 

  "That makes sense, I suppose," he continued. "In case you need to keep me down here for a catastrophe, or some other cause." 

  Holly froze mid-tug at her shirt and sports bra. Was she really doing it? Was she really fooling Artemis Fowl? Is this why Angeline picked her? Because he trusted her so much, he would never suspect her? 

  Holly set her arms back down, leaning against the concrete wall. She felt sick as her stomach churned itself over. She wasn't one to take advantage of people. This wasn't how she did things. She peered through the crack in her door, peeping at Artemis as he read her book intently. But if I told him the truth, he probably wouldn't stay, would he? she thought to herself. Then what would he do? Go create another scheme? Get himself really killed this time? 

  The Commodore emerged from her bathroom in a pair of sweatpants and tank top, her damp, copper mane swaying behind her. She plopped down beside the silent genius, leaning into his side to peep at the page he was on. "Enjoying yourself?" 

  Artemis nodded, still silent. 

  Holly sighed, staring back at her reflection in the clear holo-TV screen on the wall ahead. She decided to just say what was on her mind. What they were both thinking. 

  "Your dad's kind of a dick." 

  "Yeah…" Artemis answered mindlessly, his focus still on the book. 

"That's why you're reading, right?" Holly pried, leaning into his arm. "To distract yourself?" 

  His brow twitched once, and that was all Holly needed.

  "Wanna talk about it?" 

  "Not particularly," Artemis said impassively, but sighed after a few moments. He closed the book and placed it on her coffee table, resting his hand on his knee as he stared ahead, catching their reflections in the holo screen. 

  "They're not normally like that. They're good people. I don't want you to think any less of them." 

  "Kinda too late for that," Holly exasperated, letting her head fall back on the couch so she could dwell on the ceiling. "I've talked with your dad before, you know. We had to devise a plan for your brothers. I thought he was a kind man. But, fuck. What he said about you was horrible, Arty. That wasn't fair." 

  She could feel Artemis tense next to her and she lifted to look at him. His gaze was hard as he stared at her floor, unblinking and breath heavy. She didn't want to bring up painful feelings in him, but she didn't want him to feel unsupported either. She slowly let her hand slither onto his shoulder. 

  "I can change the subject. We can talk about science, or Gaudi, or Mars, or something?" 

  Artemis couldn't help but give her a small slip of a smile. "You worry about me too much, Holls."

  "I can't help it," she pouted playfully, a damp strand of hair falling over a pointed ear. "I can tell you're upset. I just don't want you to hold everything in." 

  Artemis nudged her with his elbow playfully. "Holly, I am fine," he assured very convincingly, despite the heavy burden of guilt on his heart. 

  "Why won't you tell me about your space trip?" 

  The question weighed on Artemis heavily. The more unstable part of him wanted to shout 'because I don't want to!' but he would never allow himself to be reduced to such outbursts. He also refused to put any more burdens on Holly. So, instead he sucked it up, put on a kind smile, and turned his warm face towards his dear friend. 

  "What would you like to know?" 

  Holly grabbed part of the chunky blanket and scooted underneath it with him. She leaned against the couch and his right arm, getting cozy. "Hmm...what did you and Butler talk about? Did you find any other moons? Anything crazy happen?" 

  "That's three questions," Artemis chuckled, leaning his head back. 

  "Oh, don't test me. I have more," Holly informed, wiggling her fingers in his face. "Why didn't you ever call anyone back? Foaly said you just hung up on him. Was that true?" 

  Artemis froze, absorbing the memory. He hadn't called Holly, or Foaly back. He hadn't called anyone. Should she know that? 

  "I, uh- well, it's quite embarrassing," he started, wondering if Haven was genuinely that much warmer than the surface or if he was burning up. "My comms stopped working. It's a common problem with satellites out that far, as well." 

  "Why do they stop working?" 

  "Uh, well-" He sat up, running his fingers through the wet hair slicked to his neck.  "There's a lot of issues with Mars. The asteroid belt is nearby and is known to cause chaotic meteor showers."  

  "Sounds scary." 

  "Yes. Yes, it is." 

  Holly leaned her damp head on his sweater, her eyelids feeling heavy. "Did you ever see any?" 

  "A few. We were mostly lucky," Artemis lied through his teeth. She wasn't normally easy to hide from, but her eyelids were fluttering and Artemis could tell she was sluggish. Now would be the perfect time to put her to sleep by driving pure science home to drop the conversation. 

  "Meteors are abundant with various, potent elements, so yes, though they are scary, they are extremely useful and essential to scientific experimentation." 

  "Don't we already have the same stuff here?" Holly squeal-yawned again, closing her eyes and smothering her cheek into Artemis' bicep. 

  "Well, if we can take samples from specific entities within the asteroid belt, we can ultimately understand more about our solar system's creation, and what in particular led to Earth being the only habitable planet for millions of miles," Artemis rambled purposefully, glancing at Holly's silence. 

  "Holly?" He waited a few moments, fondly watching her small, snoozing form against him. How can I be sure she's asleep? He chuckled quietly and craned his head over her. "Females don't belong in the LEP…" 

  No reaction. Artemis sighed, a sad smile gracing his lips. He was safe.

  He gazed at the holo-screen's reflection. Stormy, scornful eyes stared back at him. He didn't know how long he stared for, but it soothed the crackling pain that jolted like a dagger in his gut. It tore upwards, ripping through his organs, jerking its way through his throat. Choked. It kept rising until it grabbed hold of his head, enveloping his body in a dark, devil's embrace. 

  Artemis' eyes widened in fear as he stared at himself. A sudden inkling of a thought dripped from the darkness that loomed over him, one tiny drop of poison from the dark cloud into his brain. 

   If I blink; if I lose this stare, will I be back out there? Amongst the deep space? Amongst the stars? 

  His eyes were watering as he quickly glanced at the elf sleeping on him. I don't want to leave this moment. 

  His gaze fell back to the screen, back to those piercing eyes. Fake, piercing eyes. 

  I don't want to go back. Not now. 

  Moisture streamed his cheeks now, his eyes stinging in pain as his breath quickened, terrified to blink. 

  Please let me stay here. Please let me have this moment. 

   And Artemis blinked. He held on to the blink for an inordinate amount of time, sensing his surroundings for any change. He could hear emergency vehicle sirens echoing in the city outside. He didn't feel weightless. The elf beside him was fragrant of lemon sage, her sinewy figure warm against him. He could feel the velvet of the blanket draped over them, and the soft, faux fur rug beneath his toes. He risked it, snapping his eyes open, holding his breath. 

   I'm still here. This is real. 

  A wave of relief crashed into him and his head fell back onto the sofa, sweat and water droplets dampening his forehead. He glanced down at the sleeping Holly again, his heart racing as he observed her. He noted the way her glowing, bronze skin sparkled with flecks of gold; the adorable pout that never left her seraphic face, or the light dusting of freckles that coated her nose. He'd met many fairies in his lifetime thus far, and yet none were quite as pure as Holly. How he managed to befriend her, he'd never know. 

  He caught his reflection in the holo-screen again, transitioning into an austere frown as he rested both knees down. He just stared numbly. Didn't he have much to be grateful for? He was lucky. He was exceptional. Shouldn't he be happy? Why wasn't he happy? 

  He checked Holly again, making sure she was truly asleep. She breathed softly against his arm like a baby, her arms curled up under the blanket. 

  Artemis turned to look ahead, this time at the blank wall beside the screen. He stared for a bit, tired of talking inside his head. He mulled over what he wanted to say, but stopped himself. Don't think, Holly would say. Just say what you feel.

  So he did. Artemis blew out a sharp exhale, and began. But what the genius didn't notice was the elf's flittering eyes as she awoke gently from her slumber. Holly eventually left her eyes closed to rest. She smiled cozily to herself as she listened to Artemis' rapid breathing.  

  "I'm struggling, and you're asleep, so I'll just say it," he sighed, irritated with himself. 

   Hm? Holly's eyes didn't open, but the tips of her ears twitched as she listened in.

  "I know I can be a pompous ass. I know I'm dramatic, or theatrical, as Artemis the Elder put it. I know there are people in this world, especially your people, that are struggling - that are much less fortunate than I. And in a way, because of this, it's difficult for me to talk to anyone. The amount of wealth and family history, combined with my ridiculous intellect? I feel as though I do not deserve to complain. To suffer, or to speak of any hurt I feel. I don't deserve to be in pain at all. I have so much to be grateful for. Even now, in the face of nothing, I have the best friend in the world, providing me shelter and care. To have that sort of friendship goes beyond luck. But… I also cannot deny that I don't think anyone can truly understand how isolated I really am." 

  Artemis fell back on the couch, his head landing softly on the cushions as he stared at the ceiling. He felt weak. Vulnerable. He didn’t care. He didn't care anymore. 

  "Honestly… I haven't been sure this life is real. Everyone sees me differently. My own father doesn't think I'm real. Just a copy of the real Artemis. The Artemis everyone knew. I mean, is this transfer of consciousness even legitimate? A grown body, a lost soul. I'm empty, hollow, like a shell with no seed. Why am I even here?

  But every time I try to give myself back; when I try to let go, I'm still here. I always end up back here, in this shell, with no seed, alone. Hollow, and alone.

  I'm sure you don't mean to, but you look at me differently too. Sometimes, you look at my eyes, and you think I can't tell, but I know you’re disappointed that yours isn't there."

   Fuck. A straight sucker-punch to her heart. 

  "I'm sorry," Artemis said simply, but in the most genuine way he could express. A single tear rolled down his porcelain cheek as his breathing picked up. He just stared at the ceiling, painful memories probing his mind. 

  "I know you can't hear me, but it's not your fault. I hope you never blamed yourself. I failed. My plan failed. And I died because of it. There was nothing you could've done. I just need you to know that, even if you're asleep," he said weakly, feeling cowardly. 

  Her tears were flowing freely now, and Holly was suddenly grateful her long, damp locks hid her face.  

  "So, I suppose I struggle to find this all real, and I'm afraid if I'm not kept busy, I will lose myself again. I will lose my memory, lose my sense of time, who I am. So, I'm sorry if I stare for too long. I just don't want to forget everything. I don't want to forget you."

   Gods dammit, Arty. Holly had never heard the Irishman speak like this. In fact, she was sure he didn't even talk to his therapists like this. He wasn't one for long speeches or confessions. She didn't know what to make of it all, but she felt frozen, paralyzed in guilt. Artemis was alone in his thoughts, and she listened anyway. Was this wrong? 

  "Oh, and by the way? The Mars Project was a complete failure. And I don't say that lightly, or dramatically. It was. It really was a disaster. And it's all my fault. The meteor showers I mentioned?" 

  Artemis chuckled, but it wasn't in humor. He was mocking himself; loathing himself. "We didn't just see them. We were hit by them. Because I wasn't- I…" 

  Tears streamed his cheeks now, his jaw set with frustration but he was calm, lost in the sea of torrential thoughts. "I lost nearly everything. I had so many elements; so many minerals, both organic and synthetic. One rock ripped the lab apart. And I couldn't… all that was left was what I have now. Sure. Yay. Great. Good job, Artemis. You've done something. 

  "Pathetic. If they only knew what I had. What we found. What I created. It was all for nothing. But, there is no one to blame but myself. Not even the meteor shower can be blamed. It was my fault. It was all because I let go. I just let go."

   'I just let go.' 

        'I let go'

                'I let go.' 

  The words rang surreally in Holly's head. What? He… no. What? It hits her. 

  'I let go.'

  Artemis blew out a quick breath before he continued, covering his face with his cashmere sleeve. "Is that wrong? That I just wanted to let go of it all? Drift away? Become one with the stars? I lost my friends. Family. I completely lost myself. I lost my work, I nearly lost Butler..." 

  Holly couldn't take much more. His inner feelings struck her hard. It hurt so much. It felt like it seized hold of her heart and squeezed so hard that she couldn't breathe. A caving pit so deep in her chest it was like a screw was drilling into her heart. It hurt so much, all she could feel was the urge to scream at the top of her lungs. Wide eyes streamed tears that coated her red cheeks. 

   Fuck.  

  "You know what bothers me most of all?" Artemis choked, removing his wet sleeve, blurry vision fixed on the white panels above. "That I feel this way while our friends have died. That I was brought back, that I am still alive, while Julius, your comrades, Vinyáya, are dead. And they aren't coming back. So, why am I here, not even wanting to live, yet they will always be dead? Your comrades, Vinyáya: they died because of me. They died because of me, and I don't even want to live. How is that fair? 

  "You must hate me, Holly. I don't deserve this life you've given me. I don't." 

  My fault, Holly thought stunned. This is my fault. I did this I did this I did this-

  Because I didn't care about his trip. Because I brushed him off like he was nothing. You created this trauma inside of him. You failed to stop his sacrifice. It was your eye that killed him. It was because of you he died. That he is in pain. You are the villain here. 

                         It's all your fault.            

  "I'm sorry," Holly choked out beside him, her voice broken and frail. "I'm so sorry." 

  Artemis tensed against her, terrified to move. He was silent for a second and then lifted his head. His panicked eyes craned slowly towards Holly. Despite this, he asked calmly, "You heard me?" 

  Holly sat silently for a second as well, digesting. She avoided his intense gaze, and eventually nodded. 

  "How much did you hear?" 

  "...All of it." 

  Artemis sat up quickly, his eyes wild now. "You were supposed to be asleep. Why didn't you stop me?" he snapped. "Why would you let me continue?" 

  Artemis backed away from her, his cool demeanor smashed and his vulnerabilities exposed. No one's ever heard him speak that way before. Dammit. I will lose Holly too. 

  Artemis raised his palms to reassure her. "Holly, it's okay. It's not as dramatic as I make it soun-"

  "Shut. Up," she croaked, her throat tight. 

  "Absolutely not-" 

  "Shut. The. Fuck. Up!"

  "Don't yell at me-" 

  "You tried to kill yourself!" 

  Artemis was still as stone. Hearing her say those words, to put it that way, blew a fuse inside him. "No," he refused, shaking his head. 

  "Oh my gods," Holly cried, her hands on her face as she glared at him. "Oh my fucking gods. You really- you really did it. You really tried to kill yourself! " 

  "I- I didn't," Artemis stammered. Was he in denial? "I didn't." 

  She doubled over sobbing, her breath in quick, short bursts. "I knew it! I knew something would happen! I knew something was off!" 

  "No, you're wrong-" 

  "I knew you weren't okay. I knew, and I could've- I should've- Fuck!" Holly wept, clutching her chest close. "I can't, I can't-" 

  Artemis crawled a tad closer, lifting his arm slowly to caress her bare shoulder. "Holly, I'm just dramatic. It's all okay-" 

  But Holly wasn't having it. She rounded on him angrily. "You said let go. You said you let go! What does that mean then, Artemis?! What else could you mean?! " 

  "No! See, you're overthinking it-" 

  "Don't you DARE!" Holly jammed a finger at him, the fire in her eyes in fierce pain. "Don't you dare try to lie to me and gaslight me. How fucking dare you?" 

  Artemis felt his cheeks growing hot, his stubble itchy and his damp hair slick with sweat. He didn't know how to get out of this. He'd really dug himself a hole. 

  "Holly, please," he pleaded, his facade continuing to crack, his cheeks still sticky with tears. 

  Holly positioned herself inches from him, shoving her face in his. She would not let this go lightly. She couldn't. 

  "Say what you did." 

  Artemis shook his head, trying to back away until he hit the wall. Is that what letting go was? Is that what he'd done? "No? No-" 

  "Yes!" 

   "No. You are wrong-" 

  "You tried to kill yourself!" Holly hammered into him. "You tried to kill yourself. Say it, Artemis." 

  "That isn't-" 

  "SAY IT, ARTEMIS!" 

  "I can't," Artemis refused. He could feel his brow furrowed in shame. "I can't." 

  Intense eyes fixated on each other, either refusing to back down. But Holly was stronger, and she was seeing Artemis' walls breaking down one by one. She had no idea the right things to say. She knew, from her own experience as a trained hostage negotiator, what she should say, but her best friend in the world had just secretly confessed to attempting suicide. How could she handle that? She doubled over once more, her fists tight, knuckles white against the rug. "So, I'm wrong? You didn't attempt suicide?" 

  Her tearful face shot up, catching his shocked gaze. "You're telling me you didn't attempt suicide?" 

  Artemis tuned out her questions, focused on her teary hazel eye. It's green when she cries. She's beautiful. 

   Another thought smashed through the peaceful observation like a train. How morbid. She's upset with you, and all you can think about is her appearance. You’re vile. 

  Artemis shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "I did not attempt suicide, Holly. That's not what it was. Space was… I was lost. That's all." 

  "You literally said you don't want to live anymore. Like, more than once," Holly insisted, wiping her face frustratedly. "I heard you with my elfin ears. And then you get defensive when I ask if you attempted to kill yourself?" 

  She covered her face with a hand. "Like, are you kidding me?" she fumed under her breath. 

  "Because it's offensive and preposterous. Me? Attempting suicide? It's…" he suddenly stopped, his shoulders slumped. He didn't have the energy to lie anymore. He was going to lose Holly either way. Nothing mattered anymore. He stared past her glowering eyes, getting lost in the purple twilight that streamed through her windows.

  "So, it was during a meteor shower?" 

  "No, it was right before."

  Silence. 

  Artemis hadn't meant to admit to it, but in his dissociation and panic, Holly caught him. Not his proudest moment. 

  "So you did," Holly breathed raggedly. "You fucking did. Oh- oh my gods." She clutched her stomach, weeping in place. "Oh."  

  "Holly, you need to understand-" 

  "Say it. I need to hear you say it. You need to hear yourself say it." 

  "I-I can't-" 

  "Say you tried to kill yourself. Say it." 

  "Holly! Listen, please. You don't understand," Artemis pleaded quickly. "The trip was, it was… 

  "It was what, Artemis?!" Holly scowled, hopping to her feet so she could pace around the living room. "What would cause you- what, what would even make you do this, Artemis?! Why?!" 

  "The Mars Project was… it-" 

  "Please - PLEASE - don't tell me you attempted suicide over a fucking project?!" Holly sobbed. She couldn't help getting so emotional. This was insane. It was something she never actually expected, but also knew was possible all along. She didn't know how to take it. She was too overwhelmed to slow down now. 

   "It was not just a project, Holly," Artemis argued, stammering now, nervous eyes wandering the room as he remembered the last few years of his life. "The Interstellar was my greatest achievement, and it just… it seemed like everyone thought I was foolish for going to the moon, to Mars. I felt alone. And then, in space, I was actually alone. I didn't want to attempt anything. I just…I…need...give myself back, I- don't deserve-" 

  Artemis shook his head and took a deep breath. It felt like the weight of the universe rested on his chest now and he grabbed his forehead in irritation. "My ship, it was my pride, my joy. And it was like a- a horror film. It was... it's everything I built, everything I discovered with my bare hands, and it was just… slipping away through my fingers. Gone. All because I let g... I tri- I did commit- Attempt… 

   "I tried to kill myself."

  He stopped, sapphire eyes widening like saucers as reality finally sank in. 

  "Butler flat-lined because he saved me. He nearly died… because I tried to… I... I… you- " What have I become? 

  Artemis was struggling more than Holly had ever seen. Had she pushed him too far? "Arty, it's okay," she mused, sinking to her knees, reaching out to grab his shoulder.  

  "Is it?" Artemis doubted. "You almost died, again, for my scheme. You and Butler almost lost your lives again because of me. I…. I'm so selfish. I am so sorry."

  Holly wiped her tears, trying not to break. "Okay, but you saved me, right? Doesn't that count for something? 

  "No?" he snorted, keeping his gaze off her. "It was my fault to begin with. Everything I touch turns to dust. I don't know why I keep trying. I don't understand why I'm still here." 

   "Because you're obviously not meant to die yet, Artemis," Holly said sternly, her stare serious. "You're not meant to die right now." 

  "But I want to," he spoke honestly, finding comfort in the soft light entangled in the threads of her curtains. "And the only time I don't think about it is when I'm busy and occupied. And now, even that has been taken, and…" 

  Artemis ran a hand over his red face as he took a deep breath. "Sorry. Let's stop this. Victimizing myself is entirely abhorrent."

  "One, you're not acting like a victim," Holly replied, rolling her eyes. "And secondly, I just- I have to ask. You left to Mars way too quickly, and you come back five years later, on track, with a new fuel resource, and Butler alive, after you were pelted by meteors? I mean, Arty, what else could you want from your trip?"  

  "I was supposed to go to Mars to be great. And I came back with, what you would say, are a few rocks. That's it. I came back like this," he argued. "I don't think the original Artemis would've had this conundrum, to be honest." 

  "The original Artemis?" Holly finally pieced together why he actually attempted. He really didn't think he was real, did he? This shook her core, having been the one herself who held Artemis' dead body in her arms, and held his new body as his spirit took over him. She knew this was him. There was no doubt.

  "Why didn't you just tell me, Arty? Why did you keep this to yourself for so long?" 

  Artemis was quiet for several moments, the question weighing heavily on him. "Honestly, Butler found out. After I saved him. He found out, and now he's left. It's not permanent, of course, but… I think I broke him, Holly. And, well, I didn't want to break you, either. I didn't want to lose you too." 

  "Artemis," Holly started sternly. "You are not going to lose me, especially while you're like this. I mean, look at you - you're obviously not okay. You don't even think you're real. You think I'm disappointed that you don't have my eye anymore." 

  She came closer to him. "Your eyes, your body, isn't what makes you Artemis. This," she pressed her fingertips delicately to his chest. "This is what makes you Artemis. You are the exact same Artemis Fowl I've always known."

  Holly reached forward, cradling his face in her hands, his eyes broken. "Not a clone, or some copy. You're Artemis. The only Artemis." 

  He offered a sad smile. "It feels like you know him more than I do." 

  Holly felt her heart crack in two. She studied him a bit, then leaned in. "Come here," she sighed. She wrapped her arms around his collar, pulling him in close. 

  Artemis rested his chin on her shoulder, and returned her embrace, albeit blankly. His mind wandered elsewhere, pondering the last week of his life. 

  "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I never intended for you to hear me." 

   "Shh," Holly hushed kindly. She hugged him tighter. "I'm glad I heard you. You needed someone to hear you." 

  Artemis suddenly felt tiresome and heavy in her embrace, closing his eyes against her. "Mhm," he grumbled, the craving for sleep enveloping him like a blanket. He leaned back a bit against the couch, leaving her clinging to him as he drifted into sleep. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming yet or not, the world still fuzzy and dark in his mind, but the calming aroma of lemon sage subdued him. "Lemon sage, right?" he mumbled mindlessly into her hair. "That's your scent?"

  Holly blurted a sharp laugh but didn't pull away, instead glancing at him from the side. "My scent? What the hell are you talking about, Astroboy?!" All she got was light breathing, the occasional tiny snore coming through. 

  An overwhelmed but grateful grimace-smile stretched across her stressed cheeks. Holly lounged into his side and leaned her head against his shoulder. She cozied up, the smell of cedar and the rhythm of his soft breathing soothing her. 

  "I'm here for you, Arty," she whispered, pushing her face into his collar bone. "Always." 

  Haven's sim-sky projected sun rays that nestled in the cracks of Holly's curtains, lighting up her apartment like a soft disco ball. And with that, the human and elf friends drifted into sleep, exhausted bodies finally getting the rest they deserved in each other's arms. 

Chapter Text

Theme for the end of the chapter

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224

  It was around 9 AM Haven Standard Time when Artemis jolted awake from his slumber, bright eyes catching the ceiling first, streams of soft light dancing across the white panels. He blinked a few times, stirring from the daze of sleep quickly. Rather than drowsy, Artemis actually felt alert; on-guard, as if prepared for danger. This must be how Holly feels, given her training. 

  Holly. 

   He suddenly felt the weight of the elf curled on him, still nestled peacefully into his neck. Artemis' cheeks colored deeply. They were… very close, more than he'd realized before falling asleep. He'd been so delirious, he hadn't even noticed their embrace. He couldn't help a small, nervous smile tugging at his lips as he stole another glance at her. Bright, auburn strands of wavy hair blocked his view of her face, but he could feel her warm breath on his cool skin. 

   She heard you. 

   His smile crumbled. The sting of the conversation hours before seeped back into his mind, weighing down his shoulders. 

   Oh. Right. 

  Artemis sighed, resting his head against the sofa. He mindlessly ran his fingers through her soft locks, watching tiny flecks of dust float in the artificial rays of morning light in the air. He thought about what to do. Was staying in Haven wise? Beneficial? What could he realistically do here? It wasn't fair to put his burdens on Holly. No. He wouldn't allow it. 

  The problem was getting her off of him without waking her up. Knowing her "ninja training", as she jokingly called it, this would be more difficult than it sounded. Artemis took a quick exhale and slowly moved up, reaching his arms under hers to lift her up. 

  Okay. Good so far. He leaned her petite frame against the sofa so she curled into the cushion instead. She did so happily, making a small noise as she buried her face into the seat. 

  Artemis sighed with relief, and also out of a fondness he couldn't help. Why was she suddenly so charming when he was at his lowest low? Of all the times. He crawled back, preparing to tip-toe off into her bedroom for his things when his sweater was yanked back, halting him from behind. 

  "Where are you going?" 

  Artemis nearly broke out in anxious laughter. "Hellfire, Holly. You really are a ninja, aren't you?" 

  Holly raised a strong brow at him, her expression still sleepy. "You think my training is a joke, Astroboy?" she grinned, squeal-yawning halfway through. "Why're you being suspicious?" 

  "What?" Artemis nearly cracked, turning to face her. "I just didn't want to wake you."

  "Uh-huh," Holly let go of him, stretching her limbs out. "Likely story. Don't think you're going anywhere." 

  Artemis blinked. How did she know what he was up to? "You're more perceptive than I remember," he admitted blankly, sitting opposite her. 

  "I know you," Holly groaned, crossing her arms. "I know you probably feel bad about everything and want to leave, right?" 

  "Holls…" Artemis cleared his throat, keeping his gaze on the rug. "I… I appreciate you treating me normally after that conversation. I have many reservations about the way it happened, but I can't change that now." He met her gaze, her eyes a mix of determination and pity. "I don't want to be pitied. And I don't want to interfere in your life any further than I already have. Since I've gotten back, nearly our entire time together has been more about me than you, and I just can't allow that to continue." 

  He crawled to his feet, strolling towards her bedroom. "I will find my own arrangements-" 

  "Sit down." 

  Artemis ignored her, moving into her bedroom. The room was minimalistic like the rest of her flat, a white, full-sized bed in the center with two, wall-length windows adorning the parallel wall, a small balcony peeping the other side of the glass. He lifted his duffle bag when he heard Holly much closer now. 

  "Artemis," she warned from her doorway, leaning against it to block his path. "You're not going anywhere." 

  "You can't make those decisions for me," Artemis said, throwing the bag over his shoulder. 

  "Too bad. I'm going to," Holly insisted, shrugging casually. "I wouldn't suggest trying to get around me. Frond knows you can't dodge a punch to save your life-" 

  "You can't keep me here, Holly," Artemis sighed. He took a few steps towards her, his feet light on the birch flooring. "I'll stay in touch-" 

  "Artemis Fowl, I am officially placing you under suicide watch," Holly asserted, crossing her arms defiantly in his way. 

  "Eh?" 

  "You're not to leave this city unless there is a zombie apocalypse, an alien invasion, or the mudmen come raging," she shrugged, a playful subtlety on her lips. "But I don't see any of those three happening anytime soon, so I guess you're stuck here with me." 

  "Suicide watch?" Artemis snorted. "That was nearly a year ago, you know. And I haven't done anything similar since."

  Holly arched a dubious brow. "You literally got yourself kidnapped by Yakuza six days after coming back from space…" 

   Artemis grabbed his forehead, growing weary of the conversation. "How are those two even remotely related?" 

  "You clearly don't value your life the way you used to," Holly stated firmly. "Maybe being in a new place with a new culture is what you need. I mean, what do you have to lose at this point, other than your pride?" 

  Artemis thought about it for a few moments. He appreciated Holly's ability to be cut-throat, despite the bruise to said pride, but he also worried she didn't understand his perspective. Learning about the People could warrant some fascinating sociological studies into their culture and lifestyle as fairies, but what else could he realistically do? 

  "I assume that your Commander hasn’t granted me a work visa, correct?" Artemis asked, slinging his bag back down on her bed. "What would I do here? Other than being your full-time housekeeper." 

  "I could use a housekeeper," Holly joked, her serious expression breaking into a smile after a second. "Okay, okay. Sorry. Well, you're right. Trouble won't let you work under the People, but he did say you can work for yourself. I have a few ideas…" 

  Artemis wasn't sure whether to be curious or horrified. "I'm not sure I'm going to like your ideas, Holly." 

  He most definitely didn't. Within the next hour, they'd gotten dressed casually, Holly in athletic leggings, a shoulderless turtleneck and boots, and Artemis in a lightweight Zegna-brand button-down and trouser combo. After opening his Haven City bank account, she'd brought them to Haven's independent workforce center to find Artemis employment. There hadn't been many options for the overachiever genius, despite his skill set and intelligence. They'd concluded that working under an app as a personal grocery shopper would work best for the time being. 

  "You get to pick your own hours, pick your own orders, and you can cash out instantly!" Holly explained, reading off the description from her phone outside of a work booth at the center. "You can make up to 100 alums an order, plus you can see more of the city. Doesn't that sound great?" 

  "100 alums?" Artemis asked doubtfully. "I'm afraid I'm still unfamiliar with your currency." 

  "Uh…" Holly did a quick calculation on her fingers. "It's like, €60! Not bad, right?" 

  Artemis' eyes widened a bit fearfully. "€60… per order?" he gulped. "I don't think I can do this." 

  "Arty, shhh. You'll do just fine," she insisted, jogging over to the clerk waving her over. She picked up a small package from the tree elf clerk and strolled back to Artemis towards the entrance. "Besides, you're not great at working for people. This is easy and you can make some quick cash while you find something else."

  "Can't I just work with Foaly?" Artemis queried as he walked alongside her, ignoring the stares and gapes from fairies passing through. "I'll even take a position as an assistant at this rate." 

  "I won't tell him you said that. Besides, I already tried and Trouble said no," Holly snickered, patting his arm. "Everything's gonna be okay. Don't worry."

  "I am worried," he sighed. "Very worried." 

  "Absolutely not."  

  "OH MY GODS. YES." 

  Holly and Artemis were positioned on the other side of her 6-foot bedroom mirror. Unfortunately for Artemis, he was clad in his new shopper uniform: a cream-colored baseball cap sat atop his bed of raven hair, a similarly cream polo shirt with brown trim stretched tight across his broad shoulders, a brown apron fitted to his gangly hips. He especially frowned at the bear paw embroidery on the left corner of his shirt labeled in Gnommish "Cub's Deliveries." 

  "Am I a joke to you?" 

  "No! It fits you perfectly," Holly reassured him, trying to show him she was taking him seriously in his uniform. "Considering all they had in your size was a Centaur Large, I'd say the fit is… well, it's fit…" She blinked. She couldn't help but focus her attention over his shoulders for a moment. Space hadn't been exactly kind to him, as he was even leaner than before. But she couldn't deny his shoulders nicely filled out the polo stretched taut across his chest, though that might've been because the uniform was too small for him. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Get your shit together. 

  "So!" She clapped her hands together, looking at their reflections. "How do you feel?"

  "Depressed." Artemis turned to Holly seriously. "I will not go out like this. Especially given that your people know who I am." 

  "Honestly, this might make the girls like you even more," she offered with a smile, punching his arm playfully. 

  "I don't need help in that department," Artemis side-glanced her, a mixture of smugness and irritation smeared on his face. "I do, however, need a job that won't make me dress as a man-child."

   He doesn't need help getting girls? Just how many girls has he been with? Holly looked at his shoulders again and nearly slapped herself. He's in distress. Stop it. 

  "You're overthinking it," Holly insisted, covering her embarrassment with a bright smile. "You look fine." 

  "You're making a mockery of me," Artemis whined, vexed as he tore off the baseball cap and tossed it on her bed. "I'm an esteemed scientist. A doctor. An astronaut. This is disgraceful." 

  "Arty, 100 or 200 alums an hour is not a bad wage to make for yourself on your own time," Holly rolled her eyes, exasperated with his privileged thinking. She understood where he was coming from. Anyone who knew of the Fowl name knew the amount of wealth carried with it. Regardless, she wished he wouldn't be arrogant.  

  "At that rate, my salary would roughly equate €57,600. That's pitiful," he groaned, straightening his back and giving Holly a determined stare. "I'm not doing it." 

  "Artemis," Holly started, her brow twitching in irritation and her jaw set. "I only make €45,000 a year…" 

  "You can't be serious," Artemis objected, baffled. "That is entirely too low for everything you do, given your skill set." 

  "Welcome to the real world," Holly said, wandering through the living room into the bare kitchen. 

  "Have you asked for a raise?" 

  "HAH! Have I asked for a raise," Holly sneered, shaking her head as she looked through her fridge. "You really think I haven't asked for a raise, Astroboy?" 

  "Well, I don't know, I suppose," he admitted, sauntering into the kitchen after her as he pondered. "I've always been fortunate enough to have access to greater opportunities. I figured you'd be the same with Kelp as your chief. Don't you get paid a bit more?" 

  "That assumption couldn't be more wrong," Holly scoffed, eyes scanning for anything edible left in the chilly box. "Besides, if you're really worried about salaries and want some hefty cash, you could always sell your Tesla." 

  "I burned it." 

  Holly peered from the fridge. "You what?" 

  "Technically, it caught on fire, but I have no objections." 

  "Whatever," Holly sighed, closing her fridge door defeatedly. "Anyway, I have no food. Wanna get something?" 

  "Not dressed like this," Artemis said, pedaling back into her bedroom to survey the walk-in closet of freshly-hung clothing. He'd only brought some of his favorites, as he'd rely on his portable printer to create new garments. He ripped the uniform shirt off his torso and placed it on a wood hanger, shooting another grimace at the bear paw stitch.

  He opted for a powder blue linen button-down, throwing a navy blazer over on top. He stepped out from the closet, ruffling his fingers through his inky locks to wrap his hair in a low bun before he stopped in the mirror again.  

  "Do you happen to know a barber, perchance?" 

Lower Levels, Haven City 

Crystal's Curries, Milk District 

  As it happened, Holly did know several barbers, but she did her best to convince Artemis she could cut his hair herself. 'Do you trust me?' was the line she liked to use against him to guilt him into submission, but she simply didn't think he understood necessities versus luxuries. Curry, however, was a food, and if you were a living being, food was most definitely a necessity. 

  So, the two friends sat across from each other outside an old-fashioned, corrugated camper-turned food truck on the outskirts of Haven. They were situated in the Milk District, a trendy and hip region for younger fairies in the lower end of the city. From their bench, Artemis could see the canal waterways bubble alongside the cobblestone streets, leading out to the giant freshwater spring that steamed below them. The cavern had a water system that was boiled by the magma flares a few times a day, with the waterways and pipe-installed stalactites transferring the city's main water source. 

  Spices clung to the air as the city's ceiling panels reflected a foggy, bleak sky with the eatery's string lights twinkling above them, Haven's massive skyscrapers circling them in the distance. Younger, more alternative fairies littered the eatery's benches, an assortment of dyed neon hair, holographic makeup and facial piercings sported by the youth as they slurped down their bowls. It didn't take long for people to start noticing the taller human amongst them though, inciting a few pointed fingers and whispers. 

  Artemis scratched his stubble nervously as he observed the fairies around them. "Fowl and Fairy is popular, I take it?" 

  "Mmm, sorta," Holly replied indifferently, her eyes fixed to the tiny holoscreen between them. She selected a vegan coconut green curry and sighed, resting her heart-shaped face in her palm. "But if people are staring, it's probably just because you're a human." 

  A few girls giggled in the corner, and Artemis glanced over his shoulder at them. A dark, curly-haired elf amongst the fairies winked a golden eye at him, waving at him with delicate, gold-wrapped fingers. 

  "It appears I won't need that dreadful uniform to 'make girls like me even more,' after all," he smirked at Holly, using air quotes a little too slyly for her taste. 

  "Can you just order already, ladykiller?" Holly scowled, playfully rolling her eyes. 

  "Contrary to the joke I made earlier, Holly," Artemis started, browsing the menu on the mini-screen between them. "I am nothing of the sort, unfortunately." 

  "Oh?! I thought you don't make jokes," she grinned, swinging her legs under the table. "And I don't know. You scored Minerva," Holly shrugged, leaning on her elbows. "That's a pretty big feat if you ask me." 

  "Right. Well, considering she also broke up with me, I'd consider that null and void." 

  "Can I ask you something kinda personal?" Holly asked before she could stop herself, scratching at her chin curiously. 

  Artemis hesitated. "That depends what it is, I suppose." 

  Holly squinted at him, analyzing him for a bit. She eventually sighed and cupped her chin again. "Nevermind. It's too awkward." 

  Artemis raised a fluffy brow, intrigued now. "No, no - now you've piqued my interest." He selected a potato yellow curry on the screen, hoping for the best. He turned his piercing eyes on Holly. "What is it?" 

  Holly's cheeks burned a little and she chewed her lip, causing her mouth to pout. The question was embarrassing, but she couldn’t admit she felt a little nosy. "Okay, I don't mean to pry… but… was Minerva your first?" 

  Artemis nearly choked on his water. His pale cheeks flushed a little as he fixed his gaze back at her. "Oh. That's…" 

  "See?! I told you," Holly chuckled, hiding behind her hand. "Awkward." 

   "You're making it awkward," he grinned, tapping manicured fingertips on the metal table. A bustling, chunky elf wobbled over to them just then, silencing the wide-eyed pair in place. 

  The waiter placed their curries before the two before doing a double take at Artemis. "Ay!" the male elf said in Gnommish, peering at the human closely. "Ain't you that guy? Artemis Fowl, right?" He jabbed his thumb in Holly's direction. "And you. You that offica', right? 'olly Short?" 

  He smiled between the two. "What the 'eck is a hooman doin' in 'aven?!" The elf patted Artemis' shoulder. "You speak Gnommish, Fowl?" 

  Artemis looked at Holly, almost for reaffirmation before he answered. "Uh-" Idiot, did you just utter 'uh?' 

   Artemis smiled, extending his hand. "Hello," he answered in Gnommish. "Yes, I speak Gnommish, as you can hear." 

  The elf looked astonished towards Holly as he shook his first human hand. "Wow! 'is Gnommish is good! Did you teach 'im?" 

  "He taught himself," Holly answered before Artemis could, winking at the Irishman. "He's good at that kind of thing." 

  "Ahh, a genius, right?" The chunky elf flashed them an innocent, large smile with crooked teeth. "T'ere's a strange accent t'ough! What's t'at?" 

  "Irish," Artemis replied quickly before Holly could answer for him again. "I haven't picked up a fairy dialect like yours just yet, unfortunately." He blew at his soup, trying to distance himself a little from the attention he was attracting. 

    The elf was empathetic, however, and seemed to notice this. He patted the table top, giving them another big smile. "Irish! Now, t'at's a good one. Well, I'll leave ya two be. I'm sure ya been bot'a'd enough today. Enjoy tha’ curry on the 'ouse!"

  "Thank you," Holly and Artemis said in unison, snapping to each other. 

  "Jinx," Holly shouted, pointing at him. "I jinx you." 

  As the jolly elf waddled away, Artemis chuckled, blowing on his broth. "No, by the way." 

  "No, what?" 

  Artemis raised a brow at Holly. It took her a few moments to register what he was answering to - then it hit her. 

  "OH!" she stumbled. Then she thought about it. "Oh? Wait… really?!" she gaped at him. 

  "Really," he admitted, and Holly could tell he was embarrassed. "I may be a genius, but I definitely don't make perfect decisions." 

  "Okay… I'm gonna need this story!" Holly chimed, her laugh light and airy. 

  Artemis gave an awkward smile. "I may as well share it with you, considering you already know everything else about me. I have nothing to lose now," he shrugged, sipping a bit more on the creamy, yellow broth. "This is actually quite nice." 

  "Right?! This place is pretty good. The area is a bit sketchier but the crowd is fun," Holly commented, swinging her legs up on the bench. "Ok! Storytime." 

  "Well," Artemis sighed, sinking a bit forward. "It was my 20th birthday. It was a pretty lonely day, to be honest. So I, well," he chuckled, embarrassingly rubbing his tapered jaw in the memory. "I stupidly went to Temple Bar that night." 

  "Oh no," Holly grinned, intrigued. 

  "Oh, yes. It wasn't really my, eh, 'scene', you could say," he mused, stirring his soup. "So, I had a few Jamesons - I am Irish, after all - and on my way out, a young woman from Derry stopped me, and, well…"

  "She came with you?" Holly asked, leaned forward with brows raised. 

  Artemis just nodded, his throat tight. "Not my proudest moment, I'll admit." 

  "Very interesting," Holly gawked at him with a teasing grin. "So? How was it?"

  "She never spoke to me again," Artemis winced, chuckling a little as he avoided her intense gaze. "I think that says enough." 

  "Oh, yikes!" Holly slapped her knee, her tease morphing into a shit-eating grin. "My heart's breaking for you, Astroboy." She shook her head in disbelief. "No offense, but this is kinda surprising. I never expected that sort of thing from you." 

  "Why not?" Artemis inquired, nibbling a potato. 

  "You're just so… reserved," Holly shrugged. "Like, you always think with your head and not your hormones." 

  "Well, the Jameson had me beat that night, I suppose," he joked. "Why do you ask anyway, Holls? What sparked your interest in my virginity?" His smile transformed vampiric at that moment, his electric gaze glowering into her. 

  "Uhhh…" Holly froze, curried coconut dripping from her spoon. What's that look? I haven't seen that look before. "I don't know. Just nosy, I guess…" she mumbled lazily, her cheeks turning that familiar shade of dark coral. 

  But after the uncharacteristic few days he'd had, he decided to just roll with it. Artemis leaned forward slightly, his height allowing him to reach Holly closer than a fairy could over the table. "Well, if we're going to brave this subject, how about you, Holly?" Artemis asked coolly, trying his best to appear controlled. "Was your first time with the Commander?" 

  Holly nearly snorted her soup out of her nose, coughing and swiftly hiding her face. "For Frond's sake, Artemis!" she laughed, refusing to meet his eyes. "I never imagined we'd be having this conversation." 

  "Don't play coy, Holly," Artemis sneered. "You started this conversation-"

  "I know!" she laughed nervously, still hiding her face goofily. "I know. I…well… no," she admitted behind her hand, eyeing Artemis through graceful fingers. "He wasn't. Shit," she giggled softly. "I, uhm- it was in the Academy." She giggled again uncomfortably, all the while maintaining her elfish charm. 

  "What was that, Commodore?" Artemis questioned, enjoying his banter with her. It was one of the many things he enjoyed about Holly. "Could you speak up? I'm afraid I can't understand you." 

  "No, Arty," Holly whispered, still giggling uncontrollably. "I-" she dropped hot curry onto her thigh just then, yelping in surprise. "Oh fuck! "

  "Well, yes. That's the subject-" 

   "Artemis fucking Fowl," Holly warned, still laughing. "I swear to Frond-" 

  "So, the Academy, was it?" Artemis mused, his eye contact on her beet red face. "And how did that go?" Artemis probed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. 

  Holly thought about it for a minute. "Awkward," she concluded, an embarrassed smile gracing her lips. "And painful." 

  "Awkward is one I am familiar with," Artemis agreed with a nod, tapping the water glass with lithe fingertips. "Painful, thankfully, not so much." 

  "Yeah, well, just be lucky you’ve got the pole and not the hole." 

  Artemis reddened, but mustered what confidence he could. "I must say, Holls: this is very bold of you, asking me this in public and all. I'm not sure what to think of this conversation." 

  "Good! Maybe I'll talk about sex more so you think less." 

  "I-" Artemis froze, his brows furrowing. "That wasn't-" He gripped his forehead. "Nevermind." 

  Holly threw her head back, pumping her fist. "I love stumping the great Artemis Fowl." 

  Artemis laughed, shaking his head to clear the embarrassment before leaning back in his seat. He set his full, devious gaze on Holly, delicate fingertips tapping the metal tabletop. “Consider me stumped if you’d like, but this conversation has been quite educational for me. It’s been very eye-opening.” 

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm sure it has," Holly chortled. She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Don't get any fancy ideas, Mudman." Even as she said it, though, she couldn't help where her mind wandered. She had to kick herself to snap out of it. Get a hold of yourself. He's Artemis.  

  Their exchange of jokes and insults eventually died down, their bowls of curry nearly emptied and their bellies filled. As they prepared to leave, Artemis dropped €40 on the metal table when Holly grasped his forearm. 

  "What're you doing?" she asked, puzzled. 

  Artemis was equally puzzled at her puzzlement. "I'm tipping him…?" he stated in a way that was also questioning her motives for stopping him. "Is that not-?" 

  Holly let go of him, her brows furrowed. "Oh. That's kinda weird, but nice of you, I guess." 

  "Do fairies not participate in a tipping culture?" he asked, fixing his blazer cuffs. 

  "That's not something I've seen before," she revealed. "But I won't stop you." 

  "He seemed like a good person, and, however questionable it may have been, I rather enjoyed the meal," Artemis stated, following her up a flight of stairs to climb the stacked streets. "You have currency conversion devices, don't you?"

  "Yeah," Holly replied ahead of him. "Alums are our digital currency. It's the most popular. Gold's sometimes used but it's kind of outdated." 

  "I figured as much. Gold isn't as easily attainable as it was once," Artemis sneered a little at her from behind, neon lights from signs overhead streaked across his pale face. "But fairies can't help chasing shiny things, I suppose." 

  Holly smirked at him from over her shoulder. "Apparently, some humans can't help it either," she retorted back, winking at him. 

   "Touché ," Artemis smiled, picking up his gait to walk alongside her. "Aurum potestas est." 

Upper Levels, Haven City

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apt 224

  "Is it too late to change my mind?" 

  "Oh, hush up and hold still," Holly insisted, grabbing the small ponytail at the nape of Artemis' neck. 

  It was nearly sunset in Haven now as orange light streamed into her room, the two positioned in front of her bedroom mirror. Artemis was seated in a kitchen chair that was much too small for him, while Holly leaned over him with a sharp pair of scissors and an equally sharp smile. He had agreed to let her cut his hair, but her sudden enthusiasm gave him doubts. 

  "Surely I can spend a few alums on a professional?" he suggested, trying to leave his seat but was swiftly shoved back down.

  "Artemis, I've had short hair longer than you've been alive," Holly declared, brow raised and hip shifted to one side. "I think I can cut your hair just fine." She grabbed his ponytail again, enjoying the look of fear on his face a little too much. 

  "I'm not sure that makes me feel better, to be perfectly honest," Artemis said with a cringe that slivered up his spine. 

  "Relax, Arty," Holly said, raising her scissors to his ponytail. "It's just hair. It's not like it won't grow back if anything happens." 

  He silenced, giving in and allowing her to continue. Holly held his ponytail taut and snipped, allowing his raven locks to float to the floor. A flock of hair floofed forward, sitting on top of his head. Holly ran her fingers through the soft mane. "You have a lot of hair for a Mudman. Good genes. Then again, your parents are really attractive people." 

  "I suppose," Artemis shrugged, more concerned over the haircut she was going to give him. "Just don't embarrass me anymore than I already am, please."

  Holly rolled her eyes. "Come on, Arty," she groaned, leaning against the seat. "You ought to have more faith in me." 

  "I do. Go on," he nodded, sitting up right. "I trust you… sort of."

  "Shhh." She ruffled his hair again. "What do you want? Or are you giving me free reign?" 

  "I don't care, Holls," Artemis exasperated, anxious and over it. "Do whatever you think works. Just, don't turn me into Butler, please." 

  "So, I can turn you into an e-boy?"

  "A what?" 

  "Nothing. Nevermind," she interjected quickly, deadpan as she began snipping at his longer locks. She didn't want to buzz him down exactly, as she had a certain vision in her mind's eye for him, but she did whip out her clippers. When Holly saw his eyes widen, she laughed a little. 

  "Relax, Arty. I've got this."  She placed a small, calloused hand over his eyes. "Do you trust me?" He nodded. "Keep them closed 'til I finish, okay?" 

   "Holly-" 

   "You trust me?!" she reiterated, gripping his hair playfully tight. She saw him gulp and nod again, and she formed an impish smile. "Good." She removed her hand, his eyes still shut.  

  He was still without complaint as he allowed her to create an undercut on his sides, and layer the back of his hair. She nibbled her lip in concentration as she finished by parting his middle, trimming off any excessively long strands. "Okay… I think I'm done. You can look." 

  Artemis dreaded what he may see, and slowly peeked one eye open. It wasn't… terrible. But it was… well… Both brilliant blue eyes snapped open and his dark brows furrowed together. "I… look like I'm in a boy band." 

  "No, you do not-" Holly looked again, snickering behind her hand. "Oh, well… yeah, maybe a bit." 

   "Holly-" Artemis whined, eyes widening at her. "I trusted you."

  "It doesn't look bad, Arty!" she reassured him, lifting her palms in her defense. "You make it work, honestly."

  "I'm finding a barber tomorrow," Artemis sighed, ruffling his curtained bangs back, looking in the mirror once more. "I can't make a complete fool of myself." 

  Holly stopped him with her palms to his chest, her laugh a joyous chime. "Arty, it really looks good! Look-" she pushed him back so he fell back into the chair and she swept his parted bangs back. The voluminous hair sat in place on his head, and Holly met his gloomy gaze in the mirror. "You can style it back like this if you want to. I know you used to be fond of this style." This incited a groan and eye roll from him but she continued. "Or, you can let it fall forward. I know you've been in space a few years, but this is pretty on-trend at the moment." 

  "I don't really care for trends, Holly," Artemis admitted sourly, blinking at the sleek locks in his eyes. He batted at the bangs, sweeping them back up on his head. "I prefer class, and efficiency." 

  "I'm sure long hair in space wasn't classy or efficient." 

  "Right. Well, that stemmed from laziness… and it's cut now, so." Artemis stood, shaking his head out so snippets of hair flew off his person. "Thank you. I will think about keeping it. For now, I won't guarantee anything, so, no promises." 

  "Fineee." Holly strolled by him, satisfied as she twirled the scissors between her fingers. Suddenly, she had an idea. She set the scissors down and strolled back over to him. She blocked Artemis' path to challenge her taller friend. "Promise me this, though," she started, lifting a finger with a look that was determined (and endearing) enough to catch his full attention. 

  "But I don't like making promises-" 

  "Shhh. Hear me out," she persisted. "Promise me, that for the amount of time you're in Haven, you will try something new every single day." She took a step back, raising her palms casually. "That's it. Sounds easy enough, right?" 

  "Something… new?" Artemis played with his bangs again, the prospect of a challenge exciting. "New, within what context?" 

  "A new food, a new movie, a new activity, a new experience," Holly shrugged, patting his forearm. "As long as it's something you've never done before, even if it's something you wouldn't normally do." 

  Artemis peered down at her, observing their height difference while the moment lasted. The top of her head only reached his abdomen, and as she batted her long lashes innocently at him, he felt his heart swell with affection. Why was she having this effect on him today? But he gave in, and smiled weakly under her spell. "Alright. I'll do it." 

  Holly blinked. "Wait, really?" She leaned into him on her tip-toes, squinting at him with a pointed finger. "That was too easy. What's the catch?" 

  "No catch," Artemis chuckled from amusement. "I'll try it out. Like you said earlier: I have nothing to lose." 

  "No secret schemes? Hacking government surveillance?" She leaned in as close as her height would allow. "No supercharged artelite world domination power grids?" 

  Artemis gave a deep, hearty laugh; the kind he only gave maybe once a year. "What're you on about now?" he asked as he took a few steps around her, strolling into her living room.  

  "I don't know!" she cried out, playfully throwing her hands in the air. "I never know what to expect with you anymore." 

  Holly shifted back slightly and leaned against the doorframe, watching the lean human saunter into her living room. She felt… relieved? She couldn't pinpoint the exact emotion but it was positive, and left her feeling hopeful. Artemis seemed happier since his confession. Lighter, easier to converse with. But was it a ruse? Was he actually hiding under the guise of happiness? She wasn't sure, but she couldn’t ask either. It was too soon. 

  So, instead, a small smirk tugged at the corner of Holly's round lips. "So! I'm back at work tomorrow, and it'll be your first day!" She raised her brows playfully at him. "You excited?" 

  No less than 12 hours later, Artemis stood freshly shaved in the mirror in his cream polo and brown apron, thinking back to their conversation the night before. No, in fact. He wasn't excited. He frowned at his reflection as he fitted the baseball cap over his head, his curtain bangs poking out underneath.

  Holly had already left for work for the day, leaving Artemis alone in her apartment. "This will be a great way for you to learn Haven's streets!" She had told him from behind the bathroom door, smushing herself into her emerald jumpsuit for the day’s shift. "Best way to learn the People is to be amongst 'em!" 

  The Cub app was easy enough to operate on Artemis' Faetek phone. He slid the green Go Online! option on his screen and several batches appeared, ready to be taken. Some were close by but only worth 30 alums, while others were in the outskirts of the cavern, boasting 200 alums. He thought to himself as he perused his options defeatedly. This will never work. Who does Holly think I am? 

   Suddenly, an appealing option appeared. The batch was a convenience store order, was only a 6 minute walk from Holly's building, and the fairy only ordered two snacks. Best of all, it was worth 100 alums. Artemis swiped on it quickly, letting the app's GPS direct him to the store. 

  Artemis strode out of Holly's building trying to find the will to succeed, and ignore the ludicrous polo on him. He was a genius, a prodigy. Out of all the rockets, new minerals, new security systems, eternity codes and AIs he'd built in his lifetime, this would certainly be easy… right?  

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Corner Convenience & Travel Stop

  The Cub app had taken Artemis to a small store on the corner of a busy intersection. It was strange being stared and pointed at, but Artemis was glad the fairies were embracing him, and not trying to kill him. After dodging a few autographs and selfies, he found himself in the fifth aisle, looking between the app's screen and the merchandise. Cheesy puffs and hydro-tea? Easy enough. Artemis scanned the puffs and tea before following the app’s  instructions to head to the checkout. Was it really this easy? Artemis stood in line behind a tiny gremlin that watched the human with fearful eyes. 

  Artemis ignored him, waiting patiently as he looked around when his phone blared a loud beep. And beeped again. And again. He raised a brow as he unlocked the screen, several messages from the app awaiting him: 

  Twenty-five (25) items to add. 

 Customer A: Can u get me regular crunchies pls? i made a mistake i dont want puffs. 

 Customer A: also i added taro juice for toddler but my kiddo is 45 so if you can make it diet and 3 jugs thats great thanks 

Customer A: also a pack of moss smokes. Green. I kno the app doesnt let u but just override it lul u can do that right? 

   Artemis furiously blinked at the screen. Surely, they couldn't be serious? 

  "Um… are you ready?" a pimply elf cashier with greasy hair asked Artemis with uncertainty, gaping at the famous human. 

  Artemis looked between the app and the items in his hands. "Yes," he decided, handing them to the cashier. "Just these two, please." 

  The teen elf nodded at the app on Artemis' screen. "You gonna add all those things?" 

  Artemis hesitated, then shrugged. "Let's just pretend they requested them too late." 

  The cashier shrugged and rang up the items. Surely it wouldn't go too badly, right?

Lower Levels, Haven City 

Rural Outskirts, Zone 6 

  Artemis' first delivery ever ended with a prompt slam of the door to his face when he showed up with only two items. A 1 star rating followed soon after. But the money was in his account, so who cared? This customer was a fluke. The rest would be more reasonable, right? 

    Artemis learned very quickly it was neither a fluke, nor was this easy. There always seemed to be an issue, even when things were out of his hands. Was it his fault the store was out of tofu, so when he contacted the customer, he suggested perhaps seitan instead? Oh, but, nooo! It was "his fault" the store was out of stock, as if he was the inventory manager. 

  And after dealing with a barrage of unhappy customers, Artemis found himself in the outskirts of the city, grunting in irritation as he tugged several bags of groceries uphill to an old, fenced shack. The area was so far out that he was sure this was suspicious, but as Artemis' star rating dropped, so did his batch options. So, he was making do, and sucking it up like the typical adult. 

  He struggled to view the screen on his phone through the bags as he trudged along, blinking sweat from his eyes. Wet drips echoed off the walls as streams of springwater steamed alongside his loafers on the dank floor, the muggy air causing his tight polo to stick to his sweaty skin. 

    The shack was only a few hundred feet away now, with Artemis wondering what kind of hermit would live out here. Would it be a dwarf? Maybe a gremlin? He would never get his answer though, because an animalistic howl broke his thoughts. Artemis froze, eyes searching for what had made the noise. Finally, his eyes settled on two reflective dots in a small cave system hidden along the cavern wall. Artemis took one more step, just out of curiosity, when a large, rabid tunnel-wolf came sprinting out of the cave, its powerful paws charging through the boiling streams right for him. 

  Artemis didn't even yelp. Rather than become a snack himself, he just dropped the bags right there on the cavern floor and sped back towards the city, the groceries fallen victim to the vicious animal. Not today, Haven. Not today. 

Upper Levels, Haven City

Malachite's Marketplace

  He was dirty. He was sweaty. His loafers were ruined. But Artemis was determined. He was six deliveries deep, and he was too far in to turn back now. 

   Artemis had mixed feelings about the delivery service. Holly hadn't been wrong about it being a great way for Artemis to learn and explore the city; before long, he'd be as knowledgeable as a native. The job itself was actually proving to be somewhat cathartic for him. The entire service was like a puzzle: find all the items within a certain amount of time, and deliver said items to the person's location. That said, as much as Artemis enjoyed the tactical part of the job, he despised the idiocy of the recipients. He had hoped that the fairies would be brighter than the worst of his own species, but they seemed no different.

   Customer B: can u get me caramel pops without the caramel? 

  Customer G: Can you please bag my 50 items individually per bag? So five items per bag individually so they each have their own bag with each of their own color zip-tie

  Customer K: If you don't get here less than three minutes after paying and my ice cream melts, I am personally writing a letter to King Frond.

  Customer Asshole 500: cAn I gEt OnE PoUnD oF wHiTE FiSh 

   It was infuriating. One pound of white fish? Just 'white fish'? "Imbecile," he muttered under his breath at the stall, glaring at the five different options of ethically-sourced white fish. "Do they not know how many species of 'white fish' exist? Not even a price for a reference." 

  Artemis glowered at icy displays in the bustling marketplace, mulling over what to do. If they have money to use this app, they obviously have money to spend. To simply state they just want 'white fish' obviously indicates they have little care for what I pick. Therefore, I must pick the most delectable option. 

   Of course, this meant that the hefty 64 alums-a-pound bluefin tuna was clearly the best choice, and, of course, the customer had not wanted a fish worth more than half a hundred alums, and promptly left Artemis his sixth 1 star of the day. 

  Sore, hot, and offended by his too-tiny polo shirt, Artemis took a break to huff and puff at a busy intersection across Haven's most bustling outdoor marketplace. Purple lights from the flashing billboard overhead pulsed across the city's 'Stick', the conveyor belt that transported thousands of pedestrians across the metropolis daily. Fairies stared at the Irishman as he leaned his shoulder against an acrylic light pole, scrolling through the app, annoyed with comments left by customers. Were these people both stupid and ungrateful? How was every delivery a disaster? 

  His right hand's fingers twiddled with themselves when they brushed over his sapphire ring. I should call Holly. She'll know what to do. Artemis flicked the jewel aside, allowing the comm to ring by his ear. 

  "Hey!" Holly answered on the second ring, her voice a soothing familiarity for him. "What's up?! How's the job going?" 

  "It's going terribly," Artemis admitted miserably, his head resting against the acrylic lamp post. "It's why I've called, actually." 

  "What happened? What's wrong?" 

 "I don't even know," he whined. "Some kind of cultural or language barrier would be my guess. According to your people, I'm the worst shopper they've ever seen." 

   They're probably not wrong. But Holly didn't say that. "I'm sure that's not true, Arty. What are they saying?" 

  Artemis frowned at the screen in his hand as he talked into the other. "They're complaining about my service, Holly, and their negative scores are affecting my pay rate. What else could it possibly be?" 

  "Okay, okay! Don't get cranky on me." 

  Artemis smiled a little, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sorry. I've just never dealt with this level of irrationality and I think I need some advice. For example, one elf wanted milk chocolate. Milk chocolate, Holly," Artemis shuddered. "That's not even real chocolate. It's all sugar. Of course, there was a small chance she knew this - but not everyone can be a cultured genius - so I got her 98% organic cacao instead. Can you believe she was angry with me for getting her real chocolate? I tried to explain to her that I was doing her a favor, but she didn't understand." 

  Holly sat agape at her desk, eyes squinted and brows furrowed in disbelief. He couldn't be serious, right? "Artemis… she wanted milk chocolate and you got her something else." 

  "I got her the best option."

  "Okay, but it wasn't her option…" 

  Artemis lifted off the post, observing the steamy, sleek streets around him. "Okay… I suppose I sort of see your point. But, oh, Holls, there was this one pixie," Artemis ranted, entranced by a rotating holo-sign for a movie theater above. "Listen to how idiotic this is-"

  "Uh-huh." 

  "So, he orders a pound of white fish. Just like that. No specifics, no mention of what kind of white fish. So, naturally, I selected the best option for him, and he had the audacity to leave me 1 star," Artemis huffed, lifting his baseball cap to re-adjust the curtain bangs in his face. 

  "Wow," Holly leaned forward, brows lifted in surprise. "That's actually kinda shitty. What kind of fish did you get him?" 

  "Bluefin Tuna, of course." 

  "It wasn't expensive by any chance, was it, Artemis?"

  Artemis hesitated. To Holly, and probably any other fairy, he assumed 64 alums was quite a lot. She had, again, another point. "Alright. I'm the issue, then," he sighed, frowning at the bear cub embroidery on his polo for the fiftieth time. "How do I remedy this?" 

  "Just get what people want, Arty," Holly shrugged, tracing her stack of shuttle logs in thought. "Stick to the order; nothing crazy expensive; suck up to them a bit. People like feeling special. Remember, it's not about you. It's about them. And don't get caught up in reviews. It's your first day. You're allowed to make mistakes, okay?" 

  "Thank you, Holly," Artemis said, looking back at his phone screen. Another batch finally appeared after an hour of nothing, and Artemis took it instantly without contemplation. "I feel better now. I'll do my best." 

  "See? That's the spirit!" Artemis could almost hear Holly's smile through the comm. "Call me back if you need anything, okay? You got this!" 

  And like that their phone call was over, leaving Artemis with his 7th delivery, anxious and determined to make it his best of the day.

Lower Levels, Haven City

Indigo's Tech and Supplies, Saw District 

  The 7th delivery led him to a sketchier part of the lower levels of the cyber metropolis. A rounded, deeper crevice stretched for miles amongst a plethora of grime-covered stalagmites, Haven's sim-sky a muted violet to beam a dim dusk onto the city. Cans and paper littered the humid onyx streets, steam rising from cave vents while half-naked fairy ladies advertised their dancing on holo-billboards, winking at sinful passerbys. 

   Beep beep. Artemis glanced at his phone, his heart swelling with excitement when a 5 star appeared on the app. "Finally, someone with sense," Artemis smiled, swiping to read the review. 

   Customer B: OOOMMGGGS MY DELIVERY BOY WAS ARTIMIS FOIL OMGS ARTEEMUS I LUV U MARRY ME!!! <3 #WORTHIT 

  Artemis blinked, his smile dropping into a pained grimace. He couldn't do this. He needed another job, and fast. 

  He focused forward, trekking down a large staircase carved from the black stone cavern floor, leading into a deeper section of the district. 

  The delivery had been simple so far, however random the items were. Duct tape, pliers, rope, two candles, a lighter, an acorn, and cashews rattled in the recycled plastic tote bag at Artemis' pale elbow. Artemis had no idea what this person needed these things for, but given the area, he had a handful of theories. The most likely swam around in his mind as he rounded a thin, brick alleyway, and he couldn't resist but sate the desire to plot up a few opportunities. That was if his theory was correct. 

  The Faetek phone blinked green as he came upon a plain storefront wedged into the rock wall. A small, white sign hung from the front door labeled 'Indigo's Tech and Supplies' .

  "You have arrived at your destination," the GPS alerted him.

  Artemis peeked into the store through the dirty glass pane in the door, curious if anyone was inside. This area of Haven was significantly shorter than the Upper Levels, and Artemis had to be careful not to hit his head on the sign inches from his brow. As his eyes squinted through the grimey glass, a voice like sucked-in helium startled him from behind. 

  "Uh, can I help you, bro?" 

  Artemis whipped around, sucking in a tight breath. A buff, green-skinned sprite hovered at his height, glaring at him with crossed arms as his wings flittered behind his vest. Artemis sighed with relief, feeling silly for being surprised. "Hi. Uh, as you can see-" He gripped the bear paw embroidery on his polo, "-I'm with Cub's Deliveries." He felt a cringe ripple through him, but he set his jaw, his eyes cool. "I have the items you ordered." 

  "Oh. Cool, great," the sprite shrugged, still stiff in front of Artemis. "Why the hell is there a human in Haven?" 

  Artemis smiled, excited to launch his plan into action. "Who wants to know?" 

  The sprite leaned into Artemis, his sharp teeth entangled in a smile confused between amused and intimidated. 

  "Me."

  "And who is me?" 

  "Palo," the sprite grunted, flexing his biceps and raising his height a little taller than Artemis. "Palo Winkle."

  "Palo Winkle," Artemis repeated incredulously, doing his best not to laugh. "Great to meet you. Fantastic name, by the way." 

  "So?" Palo probed impatiently. "Who are you, why do you speak Gnommish, and what the hell are you doing in Haven?" 

  "I have similar questions for you. Who do you work for, and what are you doing with these items?" Artemis asked with a raised brow, lifting the bag in the fairy's face. 

  "What about 'em?" Palo shrugged, and Artemis could tell he was being vigilant. "I'm going camping with my lady in a few days. That a problem with you?" 

  "Of course not. Every man- er- fairy should be allowed serenity in nature with their loved ones. However," Artemis couldn't help but shift his smile into a smug smirk. "I do not believe that is the reason you ordered a delivery today." 

  The sprite's green eyes expanded just then with realization. "Ah, shit. I know who you are. People have been talking about you," he grinned. "You're Artemis Fowl, right? Human criminal mastermind?" 

  "That would be me," Artemis sighed, his gaze catching the city cameras hidden high on the stalactites above. I can get to those. He turned back to Palo. "You're a criminal too, no? Honor among thieves." 

  The sprite's grin turned dark, excitement glittering in his eyes. "You know, I think I like you." 

  "Is that so?" 

  "Yeah," Palo nodded, hovering a few feet away from the genius. "But, I gotta ask-" The sprite's green eyes become gold pools, bearing an intense, hypnotic gaze into Artemis' eyes. "Who are you working with? You paired up with Holly Short and the LEP?" He pushed the mesmer into Artemis' mind, enthralled with the idea of manipulating the human. Unbeknownst to Palo, no such mind-control would take place.

  The mesmer was rendered useless against Artemis' newest design of reflective contact lenses. He had designed them years ago but had never gotten to fully test them out, so he couldn't resist the tinge of a cocky smile when they worked. He wouldn't just allow himself to be defenseless amongst the Fairy People as a human with no powers. Some measures needed to be taken. But Palo didn't need to know that. 

  "I am not working with the LEP nor Holly Short, despite what the Fowl and Fairy films suggest. I work independently. On my own," Artemis said smoothly, careful to keep his eye contact consistent with Palo's. 

  Palo snorted. "Alright then. Easy enough." Palo tapped a tiny finger against his green lips. "You know, if you're as smart as people say, I think the big man might wanna meet you. If not to talk, maybe just for an autograph or something. That sound cool with you, bro?"

  Palo glanced down, his bleached braids swinging with his jerky movements. "Oh, and I'll take that now." He reached out and Artemis handed him the grocery bag inside his tote. "You got cashews, right? Not peanuts?" He shot a look at Artemis. "I'm allergic to peanuts." 

  "No peanuts, Palo," Artemis confirmed. He observed the sprite's body language carefully to discern where the pair stood. 

  Palo rummaged through the bag and his wings' vibrations slowed, his shoulders relaxed. He lifted his head, nodding at Artemis. "Cool. Well, follow me, bro. And don't touch anything or talk to anyone, alright? Boss man's gonna wanna keep this on the down low." 

  Artemis nodded silently and followed Palo into the tech shop, forgetting to duck as he turned around, the dusty sign smacking into his face. Artemis groaned, rubbing his red-marked face as he ducked into the shop. This is how Butler must feel. 

  The shop itself had plain eggshell white walls and floors with outdated projectors, cameras and phones scattered across glass displays. A young, honey-haired elf nodded in greeting to Palo from behind a laminated counter when her features shifted, a puzzled gasp on her face at the human following behind the floating sprite. She remained silent, pursing her lips together nervously as she stared at them pass through a black curtain. 

  Palo whisped over to a tacky modern art canvas on the wall, unlatching it to pop off its side and placed his palm to the plain wall beneath. After five seconds, a green glow emanated from his hand, the false wall behind them shutting down it's hologram to grant the pair access to the metal door on the other side. 

  Palo jiggled his brows at Artemis proudly. "Cool stuff, huh? You gotta be the first human ever to step foot in here." Palo zipped over to the metal door, placing his palm to the scanner on the keylock. 

  The locks slithered and ticked, revealing an elevator on the other side. Artemis followed Palo inside without question, silently hoping he wasn't a fool and wasn't walking into a trap. The elevator only had one button and no numbers. And after a silent thirty second ride, the elevator doors slid apart slowly to expose its secrets beyond. 

  An entire underground marketplace thrived before Artemis' eyes, and Palo stepped out of the metal box, stretching his arms out before the human to showcase the hustle and bustle around them. "Welcome to The Black Alley, Haven's very own black market." 

The Underground, Lower Levels, Haven

The Black Alley 

  Palo led them through a restless shop street as incandescent neon advertisements glared down on fairies from high above, acting as the Alley's sim-sky in a nighttime, dystopian-fashion. Artemis' wide eyes took in the hidden region of the city. Did Holly even know about this? Getting here couldn't be this easy, right?  

  But Artemis shook off his doubts, excitement and contentment washing over him like a warm dip in a bath after a long day. This was right. This was where he was meant to be. 

  He couldn't help a smile as he turned in circles, eager eyes jumping from observation to observation as he avoided bumping into rugged fairies. The air was stale but fragrant of barbecue and burnt rubber. Cyber reports on daily stocks from various smuggling schemes lit up one screen while others advertised daily sales at their shops. Auctions blared from one corner of the street while controversial, anarchist news broadcasted from another. 

  Artemis felt a tap on his shoulder and he broke from his awe, following the impatient sprite down the main road towards a massive stalagmite looming overhead. Alternating colors blinked in the windows of the building, glittering over all the alley like a psychedelic skyscraper. 

  Palo pointed up high at the central structure before them. "That's where we're going, 'kay? Stick close." 

  Artemis nodded again, opting to stay silent and analyze this new world instead. He tinkered on his Faetek phone as they neared the flashing stalagmite, its purple, magenta and cyan lights streaked like a beacon in the dim cavity of the earth. There didn't appear to be any visible cameras here, though Artemis was sure there was a hidden security booth tucked away somewhere, streaming live footage from every sketchy crevice of the black market. He'd managed to break through Foaly's firewalls and hack Haven's security camera system by the time they reached the tower. The centaur ought to be ashamed, honestly.

  As his plan was manifesting and playing straight into his hands, Artemis smiled to himself, relieved to have that familiar cunning pride swell and swirl inside his chest once again.  

Phobos Tower, The Black Alley

15th Floor 

  The human and sprite exited the rickety and rusty elevator operated by an old chain pulley system, and transitioned into the sleek lobby. Black stilettos clacked against the taupe marble floor as the magenta-haired receptionist approached them quickly.

  "Welcome," she said calmly, despite her dark eyes drifting between the males alarmingly. She stared at Artemis, unsure if she was more bewildered by his humanity or his bear cub uniform. "Please come right this way." 

  "No need for the formalities, Keni," Palo droned, waving his hand as he hovered past her. "We'll just be in and out." 

  The three rounded a hallway when a tall, muscly pixie blocked their path in the doorframe. He wore an all-black tux and sported a silver ponytail with a buzzed side, flashing gold teeth at them in a smile, smoke billowing in the air from a packed cigar lit at his calloused fingertips. 

  "Hello, Artemis Fowl," the large pixie started, his voice deep and crackly from his smokes. "I have heard much of your recent arrival. Welcome to Haven. I believe we have much to discuss." 

  Artemis nodded, his own confident smile flashing a pearly fang at the pixie male, alert eyes darkening under his baseball cap. "Greetings. I am sure that we do." 

Chapter Text

Artist Credit: iesnoth (links below)

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Theme for this chapter 

The Black Alley, The Underground 

15th Floor, Phobos Tower 

  The elder pixie boss had led Artemis into a warm, dimly lit office while fairies Palo and Keni waited in the hallway. Purple cigar smoke wafted across the plexiglass-covered wall, exposing an overbearing view of the Black Alley below. The black, square frames in the window streaked olive light across the office floor from the medical signs looming overhead, casting an eerie glow amongst the violet smoke. 

 The Irishman removed his (stupid) baseball cap and sat across from the silver-haired pixie in a large antique armchair. Artemis elegantly crossed his legs, steepling his fingers as inquisitive eyes set on the large male. "So, what can I do for you…?" 

  The pixie threw a gold-filled smile at the genius, reaching a suited arm forward. "Goliath Knopp, at your service." 

  Artemis shook the male's hand. "Goliath Knopp. Quite a name you have there. Is it real?" 

  Goliath nodded, the gold chain around his black dress-shirt rattling against his chest. "It is. My mother said I nearly tore her apart coming out," he chuckled at the memory. "So, she named me Goliath." He leaned forward onto his desk, a silver brow raised curiously. "I must ask, what is a human doing in Haven? And, why are you working for a delivery service?" 

  Goliath nearly laughed, gold glinting underneath a curled lip. "Your skill set is rather impressive, no? Surely there is something else for you here." 

  "Much agreed," Artemis nodded, tugging at the embroidery on his shirt in disgust. "This is only my second day in Haven. And, the delivery service brought me to you. Despite it being a degrading ruse, the lower my ratings, the lower into the city it brought me. It worked as I intended." 

  "I see. So you used this service to locate us," the pixie boss nodded. "Very clever. But that doesn't answer my first question: what brings you to Haven?" 

  Artemis took a quick breath. Improvisation was one of his many skills, and he confidently leaned against the armchair, his back straight and blue eyes alert. "I am unsure of your intel on me, but I arrived from space a week ago. I spent the last five years exploring the moon and Mars. I've already started business ventures on the surface, but I would like to expand within the fairy world as well. Cover all my bases, so to speak," he winked through a half-truth. It wasn't a lie if it was mostly true, right? 

  "How are you allowed to stay here, if I may ask? You must be friends with the LEP," Goliath concluded, spidery nails tapping the desk. 

  "I wouldn't say friends is the right word. Allies is better." Artemis gave a tight-lipped smile, the edge of his eyes creasing. He needed to lead the conversation quickly or he would diminish the boss' trust. "Mr. Knopp, is there a particular reason you're meeting with me? I don't believe you're the type of fairy to request autographs." 

  Goliath stood from his desk and turned his back to the man, his arms crossed behind him as he looked out into the neon alley below. "Since you're aware of your celebrity status in Haven, it is not the fact that you are a celebrity that intrigues me. It is the reason why you are." He turned to face Artemis, lifting his cigar off the ashtray and taking a violet puff. "Do you know what we do here, Mr. Fowl? May I call you that?" 

  Artemis nodded. "Dr. Fowl is more accurate, but you may address me however you see fit." The sapphire ring on his finger vibrated just then, but Artemis ignored it. "Palo mentioned I was famous for my criminal past." 

  "Yes, as well as your superior intellect," Goliath nodded. "I think having you on our side would be most advantageous, don't you think? I know you passed Palo's mesmer . Would I be right in thinking we can trust each other?" 

  "I would like for us to trust each other," Artemis started. "However, we have only just met. As far as I am concerned, I am useless against your magick, so for me to trust you so quickly would be unwise. However, we can remedy this. I do something for you, and you do something for me?" 

  Goliath liked where this was going. He leaned in. "And what's that?" 

  "Take me into your organization, and I will clean any money you currently have, as well as reduce your debts." Artemis hid a smirk behind steepled fingers. "Sounds simple enough, yes?" 

  "It's that easy, is it?" 

  "As easily as you let me in here. Yes." 

  "And I can trust you?" 

  "Would you like to have me mesmerised?" Artemis tested, acting offended in jest. 

  Goliath smirked in response and nodded to himself, sitting back down as he mulled it over. After a few seconds and a few more violet cigar puffs, he called out, "Palo! Keni! Get in here." 

  As the sprite and pixie emerged through the doorway, Goliath motioned his cigar at the human. "Palo, introduce Dr. Fowl here to the Phobos Company, will you? Keni, will you set up his arrangements in the meantime? Give him a space to work, a computer, whatever he needs." Goliath turned back to Artemis, reaching his hand forward again. "How about you look around first, then tell me how you like it?" 

  "Of course," Artemis stood, shaking the pixie's hand. "I appreciate the hospitality."

  Palo the sprite led Artemis out of the office, patting the human's shoulder. "What did I tell ya? Told you he'd like ya." 

  "So, what do you do here, Palo?" Artemis asked as he walked alongside the winged fairy. "You seem like a people person." 

  Palo flew backwards as he faced Artemis, his emerald wings vibrating like a hummingbird. "You really are good, huh? That's right. I'm known as the talker. And this here-" 

  They reached the end of the carpeted hallway, Palo throwing open the wooden door at the end. "-is our breakroom! Lemme find him real quick." He zipped around the dim room, looking between different doors when he "aha'd!" at one. "Jewels! I knew I'd find you in here!" 

  Artemis walked up behind Palo, observing the dwarf in the small closet. The dwarf's bum-flap greeted them, his big head embedded in a nearly empty mini-fridge. 

  The dwarf, Jewels, was smaller than Mulch but equally as hairy and smelly.  He squinted two beady eyes at Artemis. "Tha' hell?" 

  Palo grinned and opened a palm at the human. "Say hello to our newest recruit! Jewels, meet Artemis Fowl. Artemis, meet our dwarf, Jewels." 

  Artemis kept his distance behind Palo, nodding a head in acknowledgement. "Nice to meet you, Jewels. With a name like that, I'm assuming you're a thief?" 

  Jewels jammed a thumb at Artemis but looked at Palo in bewilderment. "Wow," he gasped. "He really is a genius, huh?" 

  Artemis' brow twitched, irritated that he couldn't tell if the dwarf was serious or sarcastic. He opted for silence instead, nodding awkwardly to let Palo take the lead. Eventually, Palo had led Artemis around the floors of Phobos Tower, introducing him to the colorful cast of 'company' members. 

  So far, they'd met with hyperactive pixie "driver" Beebo Bumble fixing a motor in the basement garage; the "collector" sprite Pauly Sow in the lounge; the "gunsmith" pixie/gnome hybrid Bones tinkering on a laser rifle in the armory; and finally, Palo ended the tour in the gym on the 6th floor. 

  "I don't like you," were Meatball's first words when Palo introduced the human. Gnommish hip-hop boomed around the gym as the stocky pixie did one more rep. He dropped his barbell to the mat, mean-mugging the genius in the gym’s mirror.

  "Ahh, come on, Meatie!" Palo shrugged, patting a thick, muscled shoulder. "Why you gotta be like that?" 

  Meatball frowned up at Artemis. "He's a pretty boy." He turned back to Palo. "I don't trust pretty boys." 

  "If it's any consolation," Artemis shrugged. "I looked rather rugged a few days ago." 

  The pixie sneered at him. "...Still pretty." 

  "Oookay, Meatball," Palo let go of his shoulder, shrugging innocently as he lazed away. "Guess we gotta leave you outta the high-paying missions then." 

  "I don't gotta like him to work with him," Meatball grunted as he added more weight, lifting the barbell again. He strained as he heaved it to his chest, veins rippling across his beefy arms. He bit down on his jaw as he held it, sweat dripping from his forehead when he released the barbell with a gasp. Meatball panted as he pat his biceps. "You loyal, Mudman?" Meatball snorted at Artemis.

  "Loyal as you are to me. You receive what you give," Artemis took a slight step forward.

  "And why should we be loyal to you?" Meatball asked as he wiped his face down with a towel. 

  "Do I need to prove myself?" Artemis questioned, eyeing Palo. "Do I need to be mesmerised again?" 

  "No, no, of course not," Palo said, dipping forward to pull Artemis out of the gym. "Come on, let's just go. He'll warm up to ya eventually." 

  The pair made their way back up to the 15th floor, stepping back in Goliath's smokey office. Keni, the magenta-haired secretary, stood beside Goliath's desk with a black card and wooden box beneath her hand. Goliath sat at his desk as they had left him, an eager grin on his face. 

  "Can we get you anything, Dr. Fowl?" Goliath puffed, violet smoke circling his silvery head. "Would you like a drink? Perhaps a smoke?" 

  Keni pushed the wooden box forward on the desk, opening it to reveal an assortment of fae cigars rested on red velvet. 

  Artemis waved them aside. "I'm fine, thank you." 

  "Are you sure?" Goliath asked, shrugging. "I'd like you to be comfortable when we get started." 

  "I am sure," Artemis nodded, tugging at his collar a bit. "I'd prefer to keep my wits about me." 

  "That's fair," Goliath said, and Keni closed the box, placing it on another shelf. She returned and silently handed Artemis the black card through slim fingers.  

  "I'd like to offer you your own room," Goliath explained with a wave of his fingers. "Our company has residential quarters on the fourth floor. It might be a little small for you, but it's a nice hotel room. Ya know, for late nights and other shenanigans. That card will also get you into the tower, so don't lose it." 

  As Artemis took the card, Goliath stood from his swivel chair. "So, what do you think of my operation? Are we in business?" He reached his hand forward for Artemis to shake. 

  Artemis smiled as he took the pixie's smaller hand in his. "We are in business, Mr. Knopp." His phone beeped in his trouser pocket and his other hand wandered to it, checking the screen. 

  Holly: Hey! Call me when you're free 

   "Will you be staying with us tonight?" Keni asked suddenly, her voice smooth and monotone beside her boss. 

  Artemis looked up and between the fairies. "Not tonight. But I can stay for a while longer." He nodded to Goliath, a devious glint in his eyes. "I did say I would do my part. Shall we get started?" 

  Goliath rubbed his hands together ecstatically, moving around the desk to lead them through the door. "We shall. Please come this way." He glanced at the puzzled Palo buzzing beside them. "I want to see him in action for myself." 

  Palo nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, that makes sense. I guess I'd wanna see a famous mastermind doing mastermind shit too." When Goliath peered at him, Palo threw his hands up defensively. "I meant that, Sir G! I wasn't playin'." He sighed with relief as his boss moved past him, hovering after the human and pixies with dark green cheeks. 

  The fairies had led Artemis to the Operations room one floor below, a series of computers and holo-screens filling up the walls. Artemis walked up to one, examining each screen closely. "You manage each business in the Black Alley, correct?" 

  Goliath stepped beside him, hands behind his back. "Yes. I keep the alley running myself... with the occasional help of the company, of course. I have access to each account managed here, but even then, there are a few that run under my nose." He looked up at Artemis with a slight smirk. "I've heard there's a female fight club somewhere in the alley, but even we haven't managed to locate them yet. That may be something you'd like to look into." 

   A female fight club? 

   He suddenly remembered Holly's increased combat skill and explanation in Tokyo.

   "I lost a bet." 

  Interesting. Artemis shook himself out of his thoughts with a light smile, focusing back on the screens. "I'll certainly give it a peek. In the meantime-" his eyes focused on a few business accounts, narrowing at the numbers. "-this one is too clean, and this one is dirtier than a dwarf's backside." Artemis glanced at the fairies quickly. "No offense." 

  Goliath chuckled while Palo shrugged beside them. "None taken, bro." 

  Artemis turned back to the screens, pondering for a slight moment. It didn't take him long to start typing away, his azure eyes electric with the glow of holo-screen. He switched between typing on three screens, doing a few calculations in his head, then typing some more. Artemis didn't notice Palo's raised brows or agape jaw next to him, but wrinkled his nose at the sprite's overwhelming cologne. 

  "Can you back up, please?" Artemis asked quietly, his fluffy brow miffed. He focused back on the screen as Palo whizzed backwards, grumbling something under his breath. 

  Artemis pulled up the keylogger on his phone and held it before the holo-screen in front of him. They both beeped green and he smiled. "Ah, fairy technology is fantastic. Everything is wireless." 

  "Of course it is," Goliath chuckled, crossing his arms in amusement. "We've got the mud people beat by hundreds of years." 

  Artemis nodded. "No disagreements there." He turned back to his keylogger, storing all of their information on his phone. He'd need to come back later on his own time to install his program into their system, but he had what he needed to fix their issues. He turned back to the screens, browsing accounts. "I only see Alley accounts here." Artemis raised a brow at Goliath. "You're not layered with any of Haven's businesses?" 

  The giant pixie shook his silver-haired head. "No. It's too risky. Unlike your mud world, Haven is too small." 

  Artemis clicked his tongue in annoyance. "So, layer with Atlantis. Or another fairy city in a different continent." 

  "We don't want to spread too far out." 

  "When was your last raid?" 

  Goliath stroked his beard as he thought about it. "What do you think, Palo? Eight  months ago?" 

  "Sounds about right, Boss G," Palo nodded, bleached braids bouncing with his head as he hovered over them. 

  "How much did you lose?" Artemis asked.

  Goliath's brow wrinkled. "Ten million alums." 

  Artemis whistled. "You didn't serve time?" 

  Goliath's gold teeth gleamed as he deviously grinned at the Irishman. "No. That's what my goons are for. We lost three." 

  Palo crossed his arms and avoided their gazes. "One of 'em is my bro. I miss the 'lil guy!" He wiped a fake tear. "It's not the same without him." 

  Artemis nodded to himself and turned back to the screens. It took him about ten minutes to sort everything out, but he eventually stood straight, lowering the holo-screen at the pixie's height. "Alright. I've done what I can for now. Take a look." 

 Both Goliath and Palo smashed their noses to the screen, intrigued to see the genius' work in real life. Goliath went through the lists several times, each time causing his eyes to widen more and more. His taupe eyes snapped up to Artemis in shock. "You've reduced our debts from 300k to-" 

  "Twenty-thousand," Artemis affirmed with a cocky smirk. "Quite the reduction, don't you think?" He tapped the screen casually. "I could've taken them off completely, but that looks a little suspicious." He offered a light smile to Goliath. "Pleased?" 

  Goliath continued looking over his accounts, nodding. "Amazing. Where did they go?"

  Artemis shrugged with his palms. "A mastermind doesn't reveal his secrets." He turned back to the screen, pointing to present his work to Goliath. "If you look here, I went ahead and tagged some legal businesses to your network. Your goons will have to meet with them in person for you to clean this properly, though." 

  Palo raised a brow at one of the businesses. "Sheila's Strip Bar?" he snorted. "My ex works there. Why a strip club?" 

  Goliath clapped his hands together. "So we can clean our gold with another gold business." 

  Artemis blinked at the fairies. "Yes… this is pretty basic laundering. Have you not been cleaning your gold?" 

  Goliath rubbed his neck, a deep flush peeking through his silvery goatee. "It comes to us clean. We've been converting it into alums and using them as cryptocurrency." 

  "That's not enough. I know gold isn't common anymore, but if you're still collecting it, you need to wash it properly. Squeaky clean isn't good either." Artemis glanced at Goliath curiously. "What are your top three illegal trades?" 

  "Weapons," Goliath counted on stocky fingers. "Modified parts for weapons, including batteries, and unethically-sourced meat and animal products, believe it or not." 

  "I suspected as much," Artemis turned back to the screens. "I've noticed the meat available is rather expensive. Despite unethical sourcing, I'm at least glad the fairies aren't as bad as humans." 

  Palo snorted. "Yeah. Mud People's top three trades would probably be other mud people, drugs, and rockets right? Like those really massive scary kinds?" 

  Artemis raised a brow. "You mean missiles? I don't think missiles are quite top three, but you're on the right track." Artemis turned around completely and wiped some grime from his shirt. "Anyway, gentlemen, this has been fun and all, but it's getting rather late, and I do have somewhere to be. Shall we pick this back up tomorrow?" 

  Goliath and Palo nodded in unison, and in that moment Artemis was unsure if he or the older pixie were the boss now. The elderly male found his resolve quickly though and straightened up, dusting his suit. 

  "Of course. In case you decide to stay tomorrow night, your room number is 408," Goliath said, leading them out of the control room. He pulled another cigar from his lapel pocket and lit it, huffing a green puff this time. He nodded to Keni. "If you need anything or forget your room number, just ask Keni here. She may be our secretary but she's one hell of a pixie." 

  Keni bowed slightly forward in thanks before nodding to Artemis. "We'll see you tomorrow?" 

  Artemis nodded back, fixing his baseball cap back over his bangs. "Yes," he winked. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be." 

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224 

  …Besides Holly's apartment, of course. Despite feeling like a burden to her, it was comforting to know he had a good friend to come home to after a long day. 

  Artemis stepped through the door into the apartment, the aroma of fresh olives wafting through the condo. He sniffed in delight and his eyes scanned her open floor plan. "Holly? I'm home." 

  Holly poked her auburn head out from the fridge door with a large smile plastered to her face. "Hey!" She appeared with a white, chunky block in her hand and plopped it onto the olive platter on the counter. "I was just making a snack. Are you hungry? How was your day?! Did it get better? Did you-?" 

  She actually noticed him by this point, her bright smile wincing just a bit. "Oh. You look rough." 

  "I think I was a little too invested at one point," Artemis chuckled, chucking his hat at the couch and strolling over to her beside the counter. "What's this?" he asked, nodding to the white block.

  "Plant cheese," Holly replied, slipping a tiny block into her mouth with a little dance. She raised her brows. "It's good. You won't notice a difference." 

  "You haven't had real cheese, have you?" 

  "...No. But that's besides the point." 

  "I'll notice the difference." Artemis plucked a firm cube from the block, plopping it into his mouth curiously. A sharp blend of salty and tangy pleased his taste buds and he tilted his head in thought. "You know… this is actually nice." 

  "I told you," Holly sneered, taunting him with a smirk. "But you never believe me, so." 

  "It's meant to replicate feta?" Artemis observed, nibbling on half a kalamata olive this time. "You're going for a Mediterranean selection, so that's my guess." 

  "Yeah!" Holly nodded, snacking on some herself. "You're right. Of course. Like always." 

  He smiled. "It's good. Not as good, though."

   "Oookay," she whined, rolling her eyes and taking the platter away from him. "Guess it's all mine, then." She strolled over to the kitchen table and offered him a playful smile. "So? You got invested? That's good, right?" 

  Artemis shrugged, crossing his arms and leaning against the laminate counter in thought. He needed to steer the conversation in a way that wouldn't alert Holly's suspicions, as well as convince her. The truth wasn't so far off, was it? 

  "Yes, but it didn't seem to really matter, given I did horribly anyway. The last delivery went well, thankfully, though it was deeper within the city. I noticed the lower my ratings, the lower into Haven the deliveries took me." He untied his apron and rested it neatly on his arm. "I suppose I'll be in the lower levels quite a bit over the next few days."

  A sharp pang stabbed his heart just then, and Artemis felt a familiar wave of guilt wash over him. Lying to Holly was hurting more and more, but Artemis considered for a second why he kept doing it. Surely, she would trust him? No. She's LEP. You can't tell her. Don't be stupid. The image of the pain in her eyes when she'd heard him, when she'd found him out, crept into his mind and he didn't want to be the source of that pain ever again. Artemis didn't know what to do, so he kept his face light, and moved on. 

  "That sucks," Holly mumbled, munching on her olives. "You don't really need me to tell you, but just keep your wits about you. Fairies can be especially deceptive." 

  "I think I know a little thing or two about deception, Holly," Artemis countered slyly, exiting the conversation by disappearing into the bedroom. That you do. Pfft. 

  Holly fumed at the ajar threshold from her seat as she cooked up ways to roast him in her head. When he reappeared with a fresh set of clothes and towel in his arms, she shot at him, "Being proud of deception says a lot about one's character, by the way." She continued, raising a challenging brow at him. "Make your case, whelp." 

  "Holly," Artemis stopped in place. He stared as his lips turned upwards, gradually growing into a smile. "I can't take you seriously while you sit at that tiny table, plopping olives and cheese into your mouth." 

   "Plant cheese." 

   "Plant cheese," Artemis repeated, rolling his eyes playfully and continuing to the bathroom. "Are you trying to aid my case?" 

  "It's not my fault I can stump you with my elfish wiles," Holly shrugged indifferently, though it was obviously still part of her ruse. "You voided your case the moment you said you couldn't take me seriously." 

   "Okay, Holls," Artemis laughed lightly, slowly easing his way into her bathroom. "I have to remove myself now, or we will banter for days." 

  "Yeah, you stink, so I don't blame you," she called out with a wink and impish grin.

  "I stink of victory, thank you." 

  "Stinky mudman." 

  "I'll have you know I fought off a tunnel wolf to attain this fine scent. What did you do today?" Artemis declared before disappearing through the door.

  "Wait- you did WHAT?!" 

  An hour later, smooth, synthwave beats streamed from Holly's speakers as the late night rolled into Haven, the condo dimly warm as city lights twinkled beyond the sheer curtains. The two friends were groggily sprawled out on the umber couch, and though the dimensions were smaller, the couch's L-shape allowed Artemis to lounge on it while keeping personal space. As their conversation shifted, he tugged at his clean sweatshirt and changed the subject. 

  "So, today was your first day back?" Artemis asked, fingers tapping the top of the sofa like a piano. "How did that go?" 

  Holly criss-crossed in her sweatpants, resting her face in her hand. "It was okay, I guess." Her normally boisterous nature seemed more sullen than usual, and Artemis perked up a bit in interest. 

  "What's wrong?" 

  "Hm? Nothing's wrong." 

  "You're not the only one who can read people, Holls," Artemis insisted. "And I know you," he winked. She smiled a little at this but her eyes seemed far off. "What is it?" 

  Holly sighed before answering, her stare hard at the cushion beneath her. "There's a bunch of different things bothering me, I guess. Like, I'm obviously worried about you. And then at work, things have been kind of weird lately. That's why I decided to take off in the first place." 

  "And here I was thinking my arrival was why you'd taken off," Artemis attempted to joke, but it fell flatter than a fish's backside. When Holly groaned, he rubbed his forehead sheepishly. "Sorry. I thought it was worth a shot." He sat up entirely, socks on the soft rug, and fixed a serious gaze on her. "What's weird at work? Do you mean with the Commander?" 

  Holly shook her head. "You'd think, right? But, no. He's always professional with me. It's like…" She bit her lip, chewing over how to word things. "I guess… Well, I've had short hair for so long, it's like... I wasn't doing it for the right reasons. It was because I didn't want to be seen as a girl. And now, with this long ass hair-" she rolled her eyes, whipping her braid over her shoulder, "-I'm kinda forced to live with it." 

  Artemis tried to see her perspective; the tips of his brows furrowed slightly in confusion. "What does that mean, exactly?" 

  Holly sighed again, avoiding his gaze. "I get treated differently, I guess." She growled and shook her head, punching the couch lightly in frustration. "It's not a big deal. I'm not gonna complain." She turned to Artemis, her eyes gentle despite her burning cheeks. "Are you doing okay? Ya know… since everything?" 

  Artemis wagged a finger at her. "See, what we're not going to do is turn this back on me." He leaned forward, showing her he was invested. "I'm fine. Now, why do you get treated differently?" 

  Holly sank a little under his seriousness, insecurity hammering her thoughts. Did he really care? "It's dumb, Arty. It's okay-" 

  "Holly…" 

  Her cheeks burned darker. She rested her head against the cushion and pouted at him. "I," she gulped. "I… it's fine. Let's just drop it-" 

   "Holly." 

   The assertive way he said her name froze her in place but his eyes were soft and warm, as if inviting her issues in. She groaned loudly, digging her face into her hands with embarrassment. "Artemis," she whined, frowning impishly. "This kinda stuff is hard to talk about."

  "Why?"

  "'Cause you're a male, and, well… this feels like a conversation I should have with Juliet. It's the guys who treat me differently." 

  "They treat you differently with long hair?" 

  Holly gave another small smile, but her sad eyes didn't match. "I mean, they always have. Even with short hair. But today… It's like, the guys have been really persistent lately. Sometimes, they don't even see me as a Commodore, I'm just 'chick they could score number 5'. With my crew cut, I fit in more. I didn't really stand out in a way where they saw me as feminine. But now…" Holly tugged on her braid with disdain. "Even wrapped up, it's made the guys see me as this object to be won rather than as another fairy. I mean, it's just hair." She groaned into her hand again. "Does that even make sense? I'm just overthinking it, right?" 

  Artemis leaned back a little. As a white male in the peak of high society, he hadn't experienced sexism on that level before, but he could imagine how disheartening it was for Holly. He knew how hard she worked, how much she cared. If Artemis could have his pick of any LEP officer, it would be Holly a thousand times over. A small seed of adrenaline sprouted in his chest, pumping through his limbs like wildfire. Why did Holly have to fight to be an equal when she was even more than that? Artemis was livid, he realized. Livid for her. 

  "Have you told anyone else this? The Commander?" he asked urgently. Holly shook her head and his eyes darkened. "Holly… that's unacceptable. You need to tell Trouble." 

  "I can't believe you used his name," she chuckled, trying to lighten the air but Artemis wasn't having it. 

  "I'm serious, Holly. Listen to me," he urged, glaring at her. "That sort of harassment should be reported immediately-" 

  Holly interrupted him with yet another groan, smacking her forehead. "I know! I know. But- well, I just don't want to make a big deal out of something small. That kind of stuff spreads like wildfire, and if word gets out you're difficult, it'll just make it harder for me." 

  "But you haven't tried?" 

  "I want to, but they're just making pervy jokes. It's nothing to fire anyone over." 

  "But what if it escalates? If you report them now-"

  "Why is it my job to report it, Artemis?" Holly growled, rounding on him. "Why should it fall on me? Why don't any of the others around report it? Why don't the guys just not do it? Why doesn't Trouble just open his eyes more? I don't fucking know, Artemis. But not all of this can fall onto me. I don't even know if it's worth bitching about. You have no idea about what any of this is like anyway, so don't tell me how to fucking handle it!" 

  A thick air of silence drifted between them, eyes watching each other curiously. Holly panted in irritation when she broke their stare to throw her face into her hands. "Sorry! I didn't mean to- Oh, shit. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. I don't know where that came from." 

  "You've been holding this in for a long time, Holls," Artemis said gently, shifting in his seat so he was closer to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "If it bothers you, it's worth talking about. Especially if it's affecting you." He tightened his grip a little. "For what it's worth, I think you're the most spectacular officer the LEP has ever seen. You know it's true. They'd be fools to not address your concerns, especially something as serious as discrimination and harassment. If it's happened to you, I'm sure it's happening to others, so you're likely not alone." 

  Holly glanced up sheepishly. "You know, you're kinda good at this." 

  "Which part, exactly?" he asked, sweeping away the bangs tickling his eyes

  "Being nice," Holly snickered, leaning back into the couch. "Thank you. For the concern. And listening… it means a lot coming from you." 

  "You can talk to me anytime." He offered her a teasing grin. "I am a licensed psychiatrist, after all." 

  "I thought you shouldn't use psychiatrists as therapists." 

  "It's not what we're there for," Artemis shrugged. "But for you, I may permit an exception," he ribbed, patting her shoulder. 

  "Well, in that case," Holly started, getting onto her knees on the cushion and lifting her height to his chest. She put her hand on his shoulder too, each other's arms crossed against the other. "I may be a trained hostage negotiator, but that doesn't mean you need to be in danger to talk to me about your feelings, okay?" 

  Artemis chortled in response and Holly shoved her face in his. "Hey! I'm serious! Feelings are important." 

  "You're such an elf." 

  "Listen!" she barked, shaking his shoulders playfully. "Instead of doing crazy things, just talk to me, okay? I talk to you, you talk to me. Promise?" 

  Artemis rolled his eyes. "If I promise, will you end this madness?" 

  "If you promise, I will stop shaking you… I can't promise the madness will end." 

  "I promise." 

  "Thaaat…?" 

  "That I will talk to you if such an occasion arises," Artemis finished, watching the mood in Holly's face lighten as she stopped the shaking. And though making the promise annoyed and stung him with the guilt of knowing it was already broken, her grateful smile in response made everything worth it. 

  Holly lifted her pinky finger in front of him and when he lifted his, she grabbed his arm and swiftly entangled them, intertwining their dark and pale fingers. "This is our secret promise handshake, mmkay? Don't forget it!" 

  "Not very original," Artemis criticized under his breath when Holly yanked his pinky. "I yield! I yield." 

  The best friends chatted for the rest of the night until one could no longer stay awake for the other's stories. Artemis retreated into the bedroom with Holly fast asleep on the futon, leaving the two with another long work day ahead. 

The Black Alley, The Underground 

4th Floor, Phobos Tower 

Room 408

  It was around 9 AM HST when Artemis arrived at Phobos Tower in a fresh set of black dress shoes and clad in his delivery uniform; this time, with a portable printer stashed in his tote. He'd found his room on the 4th floor and changed out of that dreadful outfit, setting up his printer on the desk. He input a design for a sleek, black dress suit, searching his tote for the materials he brought along. 

  The room's furnishings themselves were a tiny bit small for Artemis' human dimensions, however slim he was. A full-sized bed and a small desk sat on parallel walls while a neon yellow lamp sparked in the corner beside a dark sofa. A tall, thin window on the far wall sat sandwiched between the Black Alley's neon auctions below and the sky of holo-billboards flashing above, lighting the room like a stained glass disco ball. 

  His printer beeped and expanded into a large mesh of metal legs and scanners. A small tray popped out and he put in what materials he could: cotton, spandex, and kevlar being the three he'd brought with him. After the printer accepted the materials, Artemis confirmed his measurements, and the machine began to spin to life a new suit before him, weaving threads together like a cross stitch. And it was done. 

  Artemis took a quick sip of his Earl Grey to-go and strolled over to the suit, smoothing out the creases and edges. He slipped it on, gazing at his ghostly reflection from afar in a small, rectangular mirror. As he fit his tie into place, he sighed with relief as he analyzed each section of the suit. It had printed perfectly tailored, per usual, and Artemis felt a warmth spread through him as he began to feel like himself again. 

   Feel like myself? What does that even mean? Do you even know who you are? 

  Artemis pursed his lips, his brow twitching in annoyance. He ignored his viperous insecurities and went over to the bathroom sink, twisting the marble faucet knob. He let his hand soak under the warm water before slicking back his curtained bangs. He sighed again, looking at his groomed appearance in the mirror. Better. 

   The Irish genius couldn't deny it felt good to have a semblance of control here, and looking at his reflection, he felt a glimmer of hope that things would be like they used to be. The old times, with the real Artemis. 

   The real Artemis. He gulped and leaned over the sink, his heart scratched and raw. Don't think like that. Not now. 

  Artemis straightened his back in defiance and dug for whatever confidence he could muster. Deep, sapphire eyes glowered back at his reflection, his jaw set with determination. You will persevere. 

  And it will be perfect. 

Phobos Tower

Data Room, 14th Floor 

  Artemis had met up with several company members, Palo and Pauly Sow front and center while the other fairies hung further back. Artemis scanned the holo-screens, reviewing their business progress. The company members had spent the last few hours scouring Haven's tagged businesses, having become investors using a variety of tactics from flattery to casual bribery.

  Artemis nodded to himself as he looked over the improved numbers, mumbling them under his breath as he scrolled. "You've done well so far. You've managed to partner with all but one business." A name tagged in red taunted him through the screen. "Sheila's Strip Bar." Artemis raised a brow at Palo. "I thought you had contacts there?" 

  "It's because I have contacts there that they wouldn't agree," Palo shrugged, his wispy wings shuddering in shame. "They don't trust us." 

  "What did you tell them?" 

  "Told 'em we wanted to invest in their business but Harley knew what was up," Palo explained. "They know better, and they want nothing to do with us." 

  "Which means they have dirt we can uncover. Harley, you said?" Artemis asked. "Male or female?" 

  Palo shrugged. "Couldn't tell ya. They don't identify." 

  "I see. And your contact? See if they can dig the dirt on Harley. If we can't blackmail them, we can buy out the business instead." 

  "No offense, Fowl, but why would you wanna buy out Sheila's?" Pauly said next to Palo with arms crossed, his own wings shimmering beside Palo's. "That place is a shit hole, and there are way hotter fairies at other clubs." 

  "A business that is failing is where you want to clean your money. And gradually, you can expand and improve said business. It'll make you look more credible," Artemis explained, stepping back from the screens. He placed both arms behind his back and turned to the company waiting behind him. "I do not mean to question your leader, but are you positive his methods are the best course of action for you all to follow? Not only have you been subjected to raids and arrests, but your funds weren't even laundered correctly. Perhaps you should start looking for new management." 

  "Pfft, hah!" Meatball grunted amongst the group. "Let me guess: you think that should be you?" 

  "No. I think you should make the choice in who you want to lead you," Artemis replied indifferently. "But if there was someone with expertise in crime who could get the Alley out of the gutter in less than a month, I believe you'd be wise to pick them." 

  It was Beebo Bumble's turn now. The pixie took a few steps forward, his navy curls bouncing with him. "I like where you're going with this. I really do," he started in a careful tone. "But I think I speak for us all when I say we are loyal to Goliath. We made an oath." 

  "An oath? To stay loyal to him? Or stay loyal under his pay?" Artemis challenged, back stiff and eyes cool. "What is your cut, anyhow?" 

  "We don't," Meatball cut in, biceps tensing as he took a step forward.

  Artemis blinked. "You don't, what?" 

  "We don't share no cut," Meatball snarled, his fists firm. "We get paid per day based on what we do. Always been that way, stays that way." 

  Artemis gripped the bridge of his nose in disbelief. Fairies couldn't be this bad at illegal trading, could they? Opal Koboi was a monster to society. Surely this couldn't be it, could it? He took a deep breath to compose himself and gazed down in a domineering fashion over the fairies. "How much do you get paid?" 

  "Like I said: it changes," Meatball grunted.

  "On average?" 

  "I make like, two thousand a month," Palo announced with a raised palm. "Didn't you make like, three-fifty last job?" he asked Bones, the pixie/gnome with greasy goggles strapped to his dark-haired head. 

  Bones shrugged, twirling a modified Neutrino 5000 on a lanky finger. "Keni took over for me last job. I just fixed her gun when she godsdamn broke it." 

  "Speaking of Keni," Palo turned to Artemis with wide eyes. "She's loyal to Goliath. I don't think you'll be able to bribe her with anything." 

  "Firstly, I am not bribing anyone. I merely made a suggestion," Artemis stated matter-of-factly as he adjusted his suit cuffs. "Secondly, I am not suggesting you betray your leader. I am simply suggesting you consider changing management. And, lastly, if you did decide to switch management and work under me, I would make sure each of you is paid handsomely." 

  "Prove it," Meatball countered from the corner of the room, leaned against the wall. "I'm not switching sides 'til I see the mulah." 

  "Meatie," Palo interrupted, mediating between Artemis and the company, his emerald wings flickering in flight. "You should've seen him yesterday. He took all our debts away like that!" He snapped lime green fingers to make a point. "Plus, if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be gettin' washed by all these businesses-" 

  "Cool. Good for you," Meatball scowled. "But if this guy is as rich as everyone makes him out to be, I wanna see the money if I'm saying yes. That's all I'm saying about that." 

  Artemis tapped delicate fingers against each other in thought before his solemn features grew a deviant smile. "How much do you want? And please. Select a reasonable amount." 

  "A hundred thousand," Meatball smirked. 

  "Alums?" Artemis blinked. "That's… not a reasonable amount." 

  "You said you've got it," Meatball challenged, stepping beside the hovering Palo and glaring up at the human. "So? Show it." 

  "Despite having it, what have you done to earn a hundred thousand alum…" Artemis raised a brow. "Meatball? Was it?" 

  "Yeah." 

  "Well, Meatball, I doubt you need that much money. However, I'll agree as long as you split that amount amongst the others." 

  "I thought we was gettin' our own?" Beebo Bumble asked behind Palo. 

  "You will. Think of this as a hiring bonus," Artemis shrugged. "I could walk away now, and you'd have nothing." 

  "Yo! That's how much between us?" Palo asked, failing to do the math on his fingers. 

  "Roughly seventeen thousand each. Hellfire. I'll give you twenty-thousand. Combined that's 120 thousand. That's even more than the original request." Artemis nodded to Meatball. "Do we have a deal?" 

  Meatball smirked and craned his head to look at the others. They nodded to him, mouthing something Artemis couldn't make out. Meatball chuckled and looked up at Palo. "Whadda ya think, Winkle? Think Fowl should be our leader?" 

  Palo's eyes glistened, his bleached braids whipping back and forth with his ecstatic nods. "Abso-fuckin-lutely!" 

  Jewels the dwarf stepped forward, breaking his silence. "I'm not sure how I feel about a human running us. Humans are our greatest enemy." He looked at the crew. "What makes him any different?" 

   Palo rolled his eyes. "He's Artemis Fowl , bro." 

  Bones broke his silence and leaned over to Jewels. "Jeez. Read the room, dude," he whispered. 

   "How can we trust him?" 

  It was a question that clung to the heavy air. It was a good question. How could a bunch of idiots trust a human genius and mastermind? 

  Meatball broke the silence. "Pay up or get mesmerised."  

  Artemis smirked. "So hostile," he joked. "I'll just be a moment," he assured them, and swiped open his Faetek phone. 

  The great thing about working with idiots, is that they were idiots. It was a bit of shame when you were a genius dealing with idiots because of the lack of a challenge presented, but at the end of the day, there wasn't anything wrong with the guarantee that things would go your way. 

  Artemis opened up the Phobos Company's accounts on his device, quickly checking that the keylogger was still active in their network. He waved his phone at Meatball. "Bring yours here." 

  Meatball made a noise between a cough and grunt in his throat as he trudged over to Artemis, tinkering on his apps before he stuck out his phone to tap the Faetek device.  

   [Send?] the device asked Artemis, and he swiped the bar right. 

  The notification alerted green, and a cash sound rang from Meatball's device. Meatball brought his phone down curiously, wide eyes staring at the device. As he slid it open and dug around, his brown eyes boggled out of their sockets. "Holy shit. He really did it," he smiled gruffly, dodging Bones' gaze from over his shoulder. "He gave me the full one-twenty," he whistled, his dark eyes bright now. "I'm in." 

  "Wait!" Bumble reached a hand forward in protest. "I thought we was gettin' twenty each?" 

  Artemis walked past them towards the exit. "That's why he has one-twenty. Now it's up to the lot of you to obtain it from him," he winked, moving past the chaos towards the exit as the fairies practically pounced on Meatball's phone. 

  Getting into The Black Alley? Check. Gaining access to money that can't be traced? Check. Buying out the Phobos Company with their own funds? Check. Replacing Goliath Knopp as the boss of The Black Alley? In progress. 

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Kona Prima Penthouses 

  And so, it was mid-morning when said pixie, Goliath Knopp, was leaving his luxurious flat in a fresh navy suit. He was excited to see what business prospects their new associate had brought in overnight when a hand suddenly stopped his elbow, freezing his determination in its tracks. Taupe eyes met an LEP officer beneath a visor. Click. 

   The business mogul's head shot up when a dozen LEP Rapid Response Team officers burst in through the double doors, spilling into the lobby, their guns and lasers aimed right on him. "What the hell is this about?" he snarled. 

  A Captain stepped forward amongst the squad, a Neutrino 5k aimed at the pixie in one hand, and a warrant in the other. The tall, burly elf raised his visor, grinning devilishly at the pixie's eye level. "Hello, Knopp. Sorry to meet you like this, sir," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're under arrest." 

  "Under arrest?!" Goliath stammered with wrinkled eyes. "For what?" 

"You got quite the list," the tall Captain said, reading off the warrant. "You're under arrest for income tax evasion, extortion, assault, among a few others. We've got orders to take you in." 

  "What?!" Goliath's eyes shot to the officer's name tag. "Captain Gronk Moss," he grimaced, getting into the officer's face despite the weapons aimed at him. "Pfft. I demand I speak to my lawyer," he growled angrily, inches from the cocky elf's broken nose. "Do you even know who I am, elf? Who do you think you are?"

  "I'm the LEP, Knopp," Gronk declared proudly, waving his hand forward, a Private rushing past him to handcuff the enraged pixie boss. "Who you are doesn't concern me." 

  "I'm innocent-" when Goliath realized what had happened. His arms shook with rage. "Artemis Fowl!" Goliath hollered as he was dragged out of the opulent lobby through the rotating double doors. "This was all Artemis Fowl!"  

  Several officers laughed as they filed out, including Gronk. "Artemis Fowl? The human?" he snickered under his visor. "The fuck is he talking about?" 

  "Maybe it's those cigars he smokes," Corporal Alder joked from behind Gronk. "I can smell those damn smokes from a mile away. They remind me of my gramma." 

  "Your gramma sounds fun to party with." 

  "Yeah," Corporal Alder sighed sadly. "Too bad she died. It's okay though. She went out with a bang." 

  Gronk shook his head in amusement and rounded up his squad. "Alright, team! RnR, move out!"  

The Black Alley 

15th Floor, Phobos Tower 

  The business mogul's arrest was broadcast on every major television network in the Lower Elements, and Artemis made sure to play the live report on the large holo-screen that projected off the wall in Goliath's office. Company members circled the screen with horrified eyes and tomato red cheeks. 

  "It seems your boss has taken a tumble," Artemis taunted with his hands behind his back. "Most unfortunate for him, but plenty of new opportunities will grow from his absence." 

  "You did this," Keni boiled from the doorway, her magenta mane wild around her youthful cheeks. "You set him up."

  The rest of the company members shot terrified eyes at Artemis. "Is it true, Artemis?" Palo whimpered. "You did this?" 

  Artemis paced back and forth as he prepared himself for his evil genius speech. Most dramatic, but maintaining fear was necessary until trust was regained. 

  "Yes," Artemis admitted blankly. "I set your boss up. Frankly, it was simple to orchestrate. Your boss was weak and naive. I'm sorry to say, but he'd lost his touch, for if he hadn't-" He shrugged at the fairies, "-then this wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have been welcomed to begin with. But, luckily for the company, and the Alley, his mistake will not befall you." 

  "So, what happens now?" Palo asked, fluttering forward in the air a little closer to Artemis. His thin brows wrung together sadly and he almost pouted at the human. 

  "Do you remember the one-twenty I gave Meatball?" Artemis glanced at the meaty pixie. "The one you zombied off to the others?" 

  "Zombie wha-?" 

  "That money was not mine, I'll admit," Artemis interrupted, smirking at the overkill from his power move. Poor fairies. 

  "It was taken from your own corporation," Artemis continued, his voice husky and eyes dark. "And if I, for some reason, decided I wanted to go entirely clean and turn you in-" He stopped pacing but didn't turn. He lifted his phone instead, exposing it to them. A red timer lit up on the screen, stuck on pause. 

  "You wouldn't-" Meatball breathed, his rippled features becoming furious. 

  "I very well could," Artemis warned. There was a vampiric coldness that claimed his demeanor, chilling the frightened fairies in place. Artemis nearly sighed in relief. At least I can still do that. 

  He pocketed the phone and took a step forward. "Anyone who split money from Meatball is safe, so long as you do not cross me. You are free to leave the company if you wish, or, you are welcome to stay and do nothing with your life if that's what pleases you. I don't care. But, if I sense any inkling of a betrayal to those working under me, you have been tagged, and like Mr. Knopp, you will not get away with your crimes." 

  "Imma kill him," Meatball howled, surging forward with his arms wrung out. "I'm gonna fuckin' kill him!" 

  "Meatie, no!" The rest of the company jumped in and held Meatball back (thankfully instead of joining), the other five males struggling against his beefy biceps. 

  While they were distracted, Keni used the moment to step forward. "And me?" she grimaced at Artemis, peering at him with uncertainty. Her magenta curls swayed behind her as she sauntered forward. "I didn't take any money." Click. Before Artemis could blink, she already had a modified, gold pistol aimed cooly at his forehead. "You have nothing on me. So, what's stopping me from shooting you?" 

  Artemis locked in place as he peered down at her. "You're the ringleader of the female fight club, aren't you?" 

 Keni's indigo eyes widened and her pointed nose twitched. She tightened her grip on the gun and took a step back. "How did you know that?" she gasped. 

  "I didn't," Artemis grinned. "But thank you for confirming my suspicions." She scowled at him but Artemis paid no mind, dusting off his lapel instead. "I wonder what Commodore Holly Short would think of your illegal trades here." 

  "Your elf girlfriend?" Keni laughed, leering at him. "Oh, please. You know absolutely nothing, Mud Man. You're totally in the dark here." Keni moved in until she was close to Artemis, using her aim to keep him still. Once in range, she bore her eyes into his, swirling indigo pools tinged with gold. "You will forget everything you saw here, and you will never return, Mud Shit." 

  Artemis broke her gaze, chuckling at her audible gasp. "Unfortunately for you, your mesmer is rendered useless against me." Artemis winked. "My body is a clone grown by fairies. I'm immune to your mesmer ," he lied smoothly, moving back towards the desk despite her aim on him. 

  Palo heard this and broke from the entangled males. "Hey, wait!" He hovered forward, cheeks dark green in embarrassment. "So you lied to me earlier, bro?! I didn't actually mesmerise you?" 

  "I regret to inform you, you did not, dear sprite." 

  "Ah, you dick!" Palo actually chuckled, smoothing his braids back. "I gotta admit, bro. I can't even be mad. You're clever as hell. I mean," he looked over his shoulder at his mates. "He's Artemis fucking Fowl. What did we realistically expect?" 

  Artemis nodded innocently as he leaned on the mahogany desktop. "Thank you for acknowledging that." 

  "C'mon, Kens. Put the gun down," Palo waved at her. "Let's all just, like, sit and process this shit, alright?" 

  The air was frozen with an angry stillness for a few minutes while Keni and the others shot each other looks whilst also forming their own thoughts. Eventually she set her gun down and curled her lip at Artemis. "Whatever." 

  Artemis risked taking a step back from the group. "Anyway, I've done what's needed here. Are we all in understanding?" 

  The group looked at each other, some solemn, some nervous while Pauly and Jewels were indifferent. Eventually, Palo spoke for the group. "Yeah, I think for now. So, what's the plan, Arte- uh… what do I call you now?" 

  Artemis shrugged. "Whatever you want." 

  "Alright then, Boss Man. Still need us to visit Sheila's?" 

  Artemis nodded, moving towards the exit door. "Yes. Give me an update tomorrow regarding your progress." 

  "Will do, chief!" 

  Artemis exited the office and strode towards the elevator, taking it down to the residential quarters. After neatly hanging his suit and changing back into his delivery uniform, he was stopped by a presence outside his room in the hall.

   "Hey." 

  Artemis turned and looked over the pretty pixie, her almond-shaped indigo eyes glaring up at him. "Hello, Keni," he greeted. 

  "You're gonna need my help if you're going to do this," Keni huffed, crossing her arms, magenta strands of hair framing her face. "You may be a genius, but you're still just a human in a place you don't belong." 

   Artemis let a small smile tug on his ample lips and turned to fully face her. "How would you be helping me?" he inquired gently, genuinely interested in her proposal. 

  "You really think it was Goliath who ran this Alley?" she smirked. "You're smarter than that." 

  Artemis smirked back. "I had a sneaking suspicion. So, it was you running the laundering scheme?" 

  Keni took another step closer, nodding. "I'm not an expert at this. I just know what my daddy taught me, and it's been a while. I loved Goliath like a father too, but you're right. He'd lost his touch, and it was only a matter of time before the Phobos Company was shut down." She glanced at something on his chest but Artemis couldn't tell what, as she lifted her eyes again almost instantly. "But with you in charge… I'd bet we have a fighting chance. As long as you run things by me first." 

  Artemis crossed his arms and leaned against the hallway wall, amused at the small, humanoid pixie. "Run things by you first?" he challenged. "Or, what, exactly?" 

  Keni's eyes gleamed dangerously. "Don't worry about it. Just know that I have more contacts in this Alley and the LEP than your achievements in your short life." 

  "Are you sure? I have quite the list." 

  "Exactly," she said triumphantly. She stuck her hand out with elegant red nails reaching forward. "Do we have a deal?" 

  Artemis sat on the thought, his hand rested on his chin. After some time, he stood straight and focused back on her. "You don't know what I actually intend to do here, do you?" 

  Keni's nose wrinkled in confusion as she retreated her hand. "What do you mean?" 

  "Why are you here, Keni?" Artemis replied. He hadn't intended to deflect but he found himself curious in her backstory. "Why are you involved in The Black Alley when you could have a credible career?" 

  Keni threw her head back, raising her brows at him. "Oh, please. That's rich coming from you. You're the worst criminal of us all and you're asking me why I'm a criminal?" She sauntered forward, her hips swaying with her. "Why are you a criminal, Fowl? The money? The infamy? No. Tsk tsk." She wagged a finger at him. "You like control, don't you? You think I didn't notice you relishing Goliath's arrest? Or the satisfaction on your face when you showed those idiots who's boss?" She finished when she was close to him, her pink head barely reaching his chest. "Those other idiots may not notice, but I do. I see through you, Fowl." 

  Artemis blinked at her for a moment, the dazed expression growing into a nervous smile. "I'm unsure of how your Fowl and Fairy films portray me, but I've not been a criminal for some time now." His phone beeped just then and he glanced at it. 

   Holly: hey! you up for some curry? 

   "Let's finish this conversation tomorrow," Artemis murmured. "I have somewhere to be." 

   Keni leaned into his side and glanced at his screen, a lecherous grin growing on her fine features. "Yeah, guess you better go. Don't want your girlfriend getting suspicious," she teased. "See you tomorrow?" 

  Artemis pocketed his phone and walked past the pixie. "We'll be seeing each other everyday from now on, so yes-" 

  Keni stopped him with another extension of her elegant hand. "You never agreed to the deal. Do we have a deal, Fowl?" 

  Artemis sighed, but grew a small smile from it. He placed his hand in hers, shaking it firmly. "We have a deal." As she allowed him to pass her and he was halfway down the hall, he remarked over his shoulder, "Oh. And Holly isn't my girlfriend." 

  And then he rounded the corner, gone from her sight, leaving the conflicted pixie stunned and satisfied in the residential hall. 

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Lower Elements Police Plaza 

  A week had passed since Artemis had become boss of the Phobos Company and overseer of The Black Alley, unbeknownst to Holly Short. 

  And Holly was feeling particularly good on this fine Friday, today being her last shift before her weekend off. She was especially looking forward to the time she would get to spend with Artemis. They hung out every chance they could get, which hadn't been much considering they were busy, but making time wasn't hard to achieve since they were constantly in each other's space. But Holly didn't mind as much as she originally thought. It was comforting to have him around, although his lectures and criticisms were occasionally irritating, but she was prepared for that. As for the weekend coming up, Holly was between taking him to the weather park, or the movies to see Fowl and Fairy, or both, or neither? She wasn't sure yet. 

  She strolled through the bustling morning Thoroughfare into the Plaza lobby, completely lost in her thoughts when she bumped into the person in front of her. The two elves smashed into each other, both falling back. Holly dropped her helmet with a plunk as she gripped her head. 

  "I'm so sorry!" Holly started as she bent down to pick up her helmet. "I wasn't payi-" She popped back up and met eyes with the person she ran into. Dazzling aqua eyes within a bed of thick lashes glared back at her. "Oh. It's you." 

   Captain Lili Frond grimaced at the red-headed elf, smoothing her blonde locks out of her face. "Are you blind? Can you not watch where you're going?" she asked cooly. 

  "It was an accident, Frond," Holly spat. "Something you're very familiar with." 

  Lili laughed at her, shaking her head as she moved past. "At least my parents had me on purpose. Can you say the same, Short?" 

 Holly almost chased after her, thinking of all the ways she could bury that stupid blonde head into the ground when a mysterious hand smoothed over her waist. She blinked, glancing at the gloved hand in confusion when she whipped around. 

  Captain Gronk and three of his squadmates stood directly behind her, his gaze shifting between her and Lili. "If you two are gonna have a cat fight, make sure you invite all of us next time, babe," he winked at Holly, his hand pressing firmer. 

   Holly completely forgot about Lili in that instance and pushed Gronk off of her, causing him to stumble back. "Don't you ever touch me again," she warned, fierce flames crackled dangerously in her eyes. 

  "Yeah yeah yeah," Gronk waved dismissively. "Whatever you say, sweetheart." 

  "Sweetheart?" Holly marched up to him, her limbs shaking with boiling anger. "Sweetheart?" 

  Gronk looked back at his guys with a mocking smile. "This is why LEP babes are the best. So full of fire." They snickered with him and he turned back to Holly. "It's a compliment, babe. Just take it and move on." 

  "Do you know who you're talking to?" Holly asked testily, shoving her nose inches from his own and shoving him back with both hands. "You're a disgrace to the LEP." She nodded to the snickering captains behind Gronk. "All of you."  

  "Oh come on, Holly," Gronk complained, throwing his hands up at her. "You're being a t'shog." 

   T'shog was Gnommish slang for a female fairy that's a 'bitch' because she's a "prude that thinks too highly of herself", and Holly was not going to have that. She was nearly at her breaking point. Artemis is right . I need to tell Trouble. 

  Holly broke her thoughts with a quick sigh, offering Gronk an innocent smile as she twirled an auburn braid. "Ya know," she started, her voice honeyed in sarcasm. "I am so glad that you're a Captain now, Gronk. Truly, so proud of you! But just because you got bumped up a few ranks doesn't mean your dick did."

  Gronk's grin crashed into a shocked gasp as his buddies howled in laughter behind him. Before he could figure out which one to address, Holly was already marching away. 

  "Bye, sweetheart!" she called to him from over her shoulder, throwing a wink. When she turned to continue on ahead, she rolled her eyes. "Prick." 

  Holly fumed silently as she stormed through the Plaza's detectors, irritated that her morning had gone from merry to sour so quickly. The fiery elf had every intention of storming into Commander Trouble's office and laying it down thick for him - so ready to just rant and rave about every issue the male officers had created - when her sensitive ears picked up a conversation between two officers chatting on break.

  "-oh yeah. Remember last week?" 

  "That gangster lost it, dude! Yelling about Artemis Fowl setting him up." 

  "I heard he's been spotted in Haven. Maybe the guy wasn't lying." 

  "Like they'd let a human into Haven!" When the gnome stopped cackling and opened his eyes, a red-hot Holly Short simmered in silent rage at them. "Frond, Commodore! You nearly gave me a heart attack." 

  "You said what about Artemis Fowl?" 

  "Knopp? That business gangster we brought in for tax evasion?" the gnome explained heartily. "You heard about that?" 

  "Yeah?" she answered. "It was on every network in the Lower Elements. Huge business tycoon." 

  "Yeah. Well, Knopp kept saying Artemis Fowl set him up. You know Fowl, sir. Why would that guy say that?" 

  The sprite corporal with him grunted. "I still think it's the media trying to get views again." 

  Holly was silent as she processed this information, her eyes dangerously wild. No. It couldn't be, right? Working like a normal person couldn't be so bad that Artemis would revert back to a criminal lifestyle… right? Right? 

  And then reality hit her like a wave crashing down on a city, flooding and overloading the networks and wires in her brain. She felt her blood boil in her veins, she could've sworn there was steam rising from her pores, sticking her to her suit. 

  "Yeah. It's just media," Holly tried to converse through gritted teeth. "He's totally not in Haven." She took a step closer. "Is Goliath in a cell, by the way?" 

  "Yeah? He's got a week left…" The officers opposite her leaned back, anxious eyes glancing at each other then her, as if terrified of her. "Uh… you okay, sir? You look kinda flustered." 

  Holly didn't even answer. She whirled around, fitting her helmet over her head as she slipped into the bustling crowd, pushing and dodging urgently towards the escalators, fists tight and steps fast.

  It couldn't be. Artemis wouldn't. But as much as she tried to convince herself he was different now, he was changed, he was good - she couldn't shake the heavy instinct pounding in her chest, her intuition guiding her suspicion. 

  And as the realization fermented in her mind, and she processed the position he had put her in, she could only think of one way to frame how she felt. 

   Artemis. Fucking. Fowl.

Chapter Text

Lower Elements Police Plaza

Holding Cell B, High-Risk Ward

  There were only three times that Holly Short could remember being this angry. 

  One was when she was a tiny tot playing in the preschool sandbox, when a chunky gremlin had pushed her face-first into the sand, burying her new toy. At this point, Holly had really thought her dolly was dead. Buried. Smothered. She dug that doll out as fast as her chubby little fingers could muster, and jammed its limbs up the nostrils of the kid gremlin. Little Holly was removed from that preschool, and never allowed back. 

  The second time was when she'd finally gotten a boyfriend in the Academy. Holly had been wildly insecure after her parents' deaths, desperately needing someone to latch onto and care for her. She considered that maybe she shouldn't be replacing her dead parents with a random male, but she didn't care anymore at this point. The 60s were meant to be wild anyway. And so, Holly had finally gotten her first boyfriend. He was a shy, booknerd elf who seemed nice enough. Holly remembered the pit in her stomach drop and catch ablaze after she went to class the next day, and caught Lili Frond making out with her boyfriend. She'd now lost her boyfriend, her dignity, and her virginity. Thus, this marked the second time Holly had been so angry, she'd just decked Lili Frond's face right then and there.

  And lastly, and probably most obviously of all, the last time Holly had ever felt this kind of rage was when she was kidnapped and held for ransom by the juvenile criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl the Second. She'd decked his smug, pasty face back then as well, and since then, more than once. Now, she was certain she'd get one more hit between those two stupid, perfect blue eyes. That was, if she didn't shoot him first. 

  There was indeed a fourth time - when Julius had been blown to pieces before her and there was zero she could do about it - but she refused to acknowledge that any time soon. As the guilt from burying it deep inside her kept trying to bubble to the surface, she took a deep breath and sighed, stuffing it back down. There were three times, then. Just three, until today. 

  So, Commodore Holly Short fumed under her visor as she marched through the jail's dark hallway, the electrifying, crackling current above her head the only source of light. The doors and ceiling were electrified to ensure prisoners stayed put, but also created a slightly strobing effect to stun the inmates. Holly could see through her visor's night vision just fine though, passing a few officers here and there until she was isolated at the end of the hall. 

  Holding Cell B-78. Right where she needed to be. She ripped off her name tag and stuffed it into her pocket, smoothing out her uniform. From her helmet, she requested access to Cell B-78, waiting for the system to accept her high-rank as authorization and disarm the door handle. The electrical buzzing fizzled out, leaving the metal blank and hot to the touch. Holly entered without another thought. 

  In the corner of a clean, spacious cell sat a jumbo pixie, comfortable in his red velvet armchair at a desk with a cigar between his lips. Green smoke circled his silver head and he flashed a gold-filled smile at the anonymous officer. "Well, hello there. I wasn't planning on getting any guests today. Who might you be?" 

  Holly looked around the room quickly, sticking close to the exit. "Nice little cell you got here. I'm guessing you have friends?" 

  "I have friends everywhere, darling," he grinned through a thick puff of emerald smoke. "Now, who are you?" 

  Holly wrinkled her nose in disgust, ignoring the cringe crawling up her spine. "What does the name Artemis Fowl mean to you?" she asked instead, deflecting the way Artemis would. Not that I'm giving him credit or anything. 

   "Artemis Fowl?" Goliath spat, his features twisting angrily. "You mean that conniving, pale, vampire of a human that set me up?" Goliath snorted. "What about him?" 

  "Where is he?" 

  Goliath leaned forward, peering close at Holly. "What's it to you?" 

  "Tell me." 

  "You have to give me more than that, sweetheart," Goliath grinned his gold-gilded teeth at her again. "What's in it for me?" 

  Holly clenched her fists at her sides. Sweetheart. What the hell. "What's in it for you?" She huffed in her helmet, restraining herself before she said something she'd regret. Maybe it was better to hustle him. "If you tell me his location and stay on your best behavior, I can see about getting you released. Sound like a deal?" 

  Goliath chewed it over before grunting, "The Black Alley. If I'm right, my guess is that he took over my company at Phobos Tower." He shook his head. "You know, I haven't heard from a single one of them. Traitors, they are."

  "Thanks," she nodded, turning to leave when Goliath surged forward, yanking her back with a tight grip on her forearm. 

  "I've told you what you want," he stated coldly. "Now, why don't you see about clearing my charges." 

  "Don't. Touch. Me." Holly broke his grip on her arm by twisting right, shoving Goliath away from her. He slammed back into the desk, his eyes angrily widening at her. 

  Holly felt another wave of anger burst through her and she screeched in frustration, ramming his cell door open with her shoulder and then slamming it closed as hard as she could. She couldn't dwell any longer. She knew where to go. 

Lower Levels, Haven City 

Dawn's Cosmetics, Milk District

  At first glance, Dawn's makeup store was exactly as one imagined it: a trendy little boutique suited for the fairy youth with rows and rows of hair products, cosmetics, and skin care; a shop you wouldn't dare catch a straight, cis-male fairy inside of. And that was exactly how the patrons and owner wanted it. 

  Beyond the aisles of iridescent eyeshadow and glittery lipstick was the secret door that led to the basement of the shop, and only those who'd been initiated knew the code to unlock the entry into the depths below. Since this was Holly's only preferred way of getting into the alley, she moved through the shop with ease, her fingers sliding a rosé lipstick up, flicking up a lavender blush at another aisle, and twisting a "Better Than XXX" mascara tube. She looked around casually, making sure no one was watching her before heading through the backroom door. A lock unclicked at the end of the storage room, and past the dozens of aisles of cosmetics, fizzled the unlocked hologram-door. She darted through it, taking the numberless elevator into the underground below. 

The Underground, Haven Caverns

K-Club

  There was only one place tucked away beneath the fairy metropolis and its black market - and only females and similarly-identifying fairies knew of its existence. It was a place to not only hang out and feel safe doing so, but the main event of the K-Club was its Ring Rush Event. In other words, were you someone who was recently pissed off? Maybe denied a promotion? Heartbroken? Lied to and used by your stupid genius best friend that you just want good things for? This was the place to beat the shit out of it - and Holly loved that.  

  Holly wouldn't admit that she could be considered a "violent" person… but she couldn't deny it felt good to punch your anger out on someone's pretty face from time to time. The guilt was avoided when she'd get socked back, and usually after most fights, the two competitors would heal and laugh it off. 

  The current Master Champion of Ring Rush was none other than the fabulous and deadly human, Ms. Juliet Butler herself. How Holly managed to sneak Juliet into Haven's underground was a mystery itself, and one she would never tell. In fact, where were we? 

  Holly frowned, stepping out from the rickety, rust-eaten elevator doors into the booming bass above the fighting ring. She took a deep breath as she approached the balcony, her armored gloves smooth against the onyx rock. 

  Massive pillars of pink tourmaline shards generated electrical currents above the ring, circling the arena with zaps and crackles as the crystals charged the cavern club as a generator, its pulse beaming down strobes of magenta light. Around the ring were dimly-lit lounges with couches and tables, made for comfortable viewing. Without an event going on, the space was used as the hangout spot. Several fairies littered the common room below - some chatting and drinking, others showing off their latest moves. 

  Holly spotted the elves she was hoping to find - Vera, an edgy, golden elf with a powder blue bob, was chatting alongside their friend Dalí, a slim Silver Fox elf with short, platinum blonde finger waves and dewy skin as dark as the night sky. Holly huffed as she trekked down the metal stairs to the lounge, marching to the girls quickly as she lifted her visor. They spotted the officer heading towards them, and Dalí's eyes squinted over at her. 

  "Is that Holly?" she asked loudly, a friendly chime in her voice. She waved a hand over. "Hey, girl! Long time no see!" 

  With Holly a few feet away, Vera asked over the booming electronic music, "How was the surface?!" 

  Holly frowned at both girls, stopping in front of them with arms crossed. "It was fun, I guess. I need your help," she switched topics, her tone urgent. "Where is Keni?" 

  "Dunno. I think she's at Phobos still," Vera shrugged.

  "Why?" Dalí pitched in, slurping on a canned energy drink. 

  "I need to arrest someone in Phobos Tower," Holly explained impatiently. "Can you call her? I don't have her number." 

  "Ooo," Dalí cooed, her tawny eyes sparkling. "An arrest?! Can we help?" 

  "Yeah. You can't go in there dressed like that," Vera sneered. "You'll get jumped immediately." 

  "Yeah, I know," Holly exasperated, tearing her helmet off. She shook her hair out, long braids falling to her waist. 

   Vera stepped forward and snatched one of her auburn braids, running her fingers through the silky ends. "It's getting so long!" she teased, tugging on it a little. "You learn to like it yet?" 

  "Better not cut it," Dalí added, slurping the last of her drink and tossing it across the room towards a recycler can. She landed a perfect shot. "Yes!" 

  "Nice," Holly raised a brow. "But no, I hate it, and yeah, I know. I can't cut it-" 

  "'Til it reaches the cheeks of your ass," Vera and Dalí interjected in unison, both with shit-eating grins. 

 "Yeah. I know," Holly grumbled walking briskly past her elfin friends. "Can you call Keni over while I change?" 

  "Damn," Dalí pouted. "Not even a please?" 

  Holly frowned at her deadpan. "Please." 

  "Of course, babe!" Dalí replied cheerily, winking at Holly as she dialed Keni on her projector watch. 

  "Can I put a wig on you?" Vera asked as she caught up to Holly's pace, the sinewy officer snorting beside her. 

  A quick trip to the locker room had Holly dressed in black, baggy overalls with a white long-sleeved, shoulderless top underneath. She made sure to stash her badge, cuffs, and Neutrino 5K into her many pockets. And, with Vera's insistence, she had settled on a short, silvery bob wig with fringed bangs, her braids tucked neatly underneath. 

  Holly played with her new 'do in the floor-length locker room mirror. "Ya know… I don't hate it." 

  "It totally suits you," Vera grinned, running her fingers through the wig behind her. "You could pass for a Silver Fox elf, honestly. You could be Dalí's sister!" 

  Holly rolled her eyes. "Dalí is much prettier than I could ever dream of being." She strolled for the exit, Vera running after her. 

  "The hell are you saying?" Vera groaned behind her. "You're hella hot." She raced by Holly, smacking her butt on the way past. "Own it!" she hollered, running back to the table before Holly could stop her. 

  "Ooh! Nice look," Dalí complimented as Holly caught up to them. 

  "Thanks. You hear from Keni?" Holly asked impatiently, scanning the club for the pixie. "What's her hair color this time?" 

  Dalí nudged her shoulder, nodding to their left. "Look for yourself." 

  Strolling towards them was a lean pixie with bouncy curls and space buns, her magenta hair having faded into a soft lilac. Her sweet, youthful face was the only saving grace behind her dangerously glaring eyes.

  Vera called out to the pixie, waving her over. "That was fast!" 

  "It's easy to stay under the boss' nose when you're basically running him," Keni smirked, tossing a lilac wave over her shoulder. She looked Holly over as she closed in their gap. "You changed your hair on vacation?" was the very first thing Keni asked her, brows squinted in confusion. 

  "It's a wig," Holly explained quickly. "I need to arrest someone at your tower." 

  The corner of Keni's lip curled slightly and she crossed her arms. "Yeah?" She took a step forward, her height matched with Holly. "Who?"

  Holly faced her friend head-on, her determination unwavered. "A human." 

  The curl in Keni's lip grew larger. "Oh? Is that so? Why him?" 

  Vera and Dalí were heavily invested in the background, both leaning their pointed ears in with concentrated eyes. Holly swore she saw Dalí munching on popcorn at one point. 

  Holly looked her friend over. "Why him? He's a goddamn criminal, Keni. What the hell do you mean? You don't know him. You don't know what he's capable of. What he's capable of doing." 

  Keni thrust her hands forward, trying to calm her elfin friend. "Hey, chill. I'm not a moron. I'm just trying to figure out what you have on him." 

  Holly paled. She suddenly realized she had nothing, and if Keni rejected her entry into the tower, she wouldn't be able to even attain a warrant without proof. She groaned. "Listen. I talked to Goliath, and he said he was in your tower. That he took over everything. He probably has your guys blackmailed, right?" 

  Keni nodded. "Yeah. But… Holly, he's my boss now. If he goes down… we don't have anyone. Plus, he's damn good at what he does. What if I go down with him? I can't risk that." 

  Holly was in a pickle. She had to convince Keni. There was no other way. She considered for a moment she could just put Artemis on the spot back home and demand answers, but when has that ever actually worked before? He. Wouldn't. Talk. To. Her. Did he not trust her at this point? After everything? Out of everyone, wasn't she the one person he could talk to? The more and more she dwelled on it, she felt herself regain the rage from earlier and reset her determination. She nearly growled at Keni. "I need to arrest that son of a bitch if it's the last thing I ever do, Kens. I swear to Frond." 

  Keni peered at her. "Isn't he your boyfriend?" she giggled.  

  "My boyfriend? Fuck no. I brought him here so he could be normal. So he could heal. So he could be safe. THIS is NOT what I signed up for. In fact, this wasn't even my idea!" Holly raved, jabbing a finger in the air. "He's taking advantage of my hospitality. Of my friendship. He's taking advantage of my city, and my people!" Holly pressed her face into Keni's, the pixie surprisingly calm. "So, no. No. He is not getting away with this. I refuse. Let me arrest him, Keni. I know he's done something. Let me do it. Please." 

  Keni stared at the flushed elf for a second, and instead of anger being the emotion that settled on her face, it was sympathy. She reached forward, taking Holly into a hug. "You need to punch someone, my dude. Need a punch? You can hit me, 'kay? One hit, that's it though." 

  "Keni, I don't want to punch you right now. I want to punch that foul Fowl." 

  "If you punch him, can I watch?" Vera pitched in with her hand raised.

  "That violates SOP, but I wish." Holly stepped back, escaping Keni's embrace. "So?" 

  Keni sighed and handed her a black card. "The guys and him are having a meeting on the 15th floor. No one should be around to stop you at the moment. This gets you in everywhere, 'kay?"  Holly nodded and reached for the card when Keni whisked it away quickly. "On one condition."

  "What?" Holly moaned. 

  "Don't touch my guys. Make this clean. Take Artemis, in and out." 

  Holly leaned in, whispering into Keni's long, pointed ear. "Do your guys have weapons, Kens? Be honest." 

  "Hah! Of course not," Keni scoffed. "We're not fools, Holly."

  Holly didn't believe her but didn't dwell on it. "Fine. Deal," she nodded, snatching the black card from the pixie's manicured fingers. She nodded to their elfin friends and took off, making for the exit of K-Club and into the Black Alley above.

Phobos Tower, The Black Alley

1st Floor 

  The Black Alley was situated above the cavern that K-Club was hidden in, and so it took Holly a little under five minutes to jog through the maze of tunnels into the Alley's chaos above. Holly, as an LEP officer, was obviously not a fan of the Alley's existence, and despite the issues it had brought upon Haven and its fairy people, the Council refused to do anything about it. She was sure corruption was at play here somewhere, and maybe Artemis could be the one to expose it. That was, after his befitting jail sentence for whatever Holly could snag him for. And as she passed through the iridescent doors of the psychedelic Phobos Tower, she mulled over all the things she could catch him for. Blackmail? Bribery? Laundering? Smuggling? Arms dealing? She almost didn't want to think about it. It made her stomach roll. 

  Keni was right, as expected. The tower was entirely empty, spare the receptionist desk at the front. But Keni had already warned the receptionists to leave, so Holly was in the clear. She wandered a few warmly-lit hallways until she reached the elevator. Holly took a quick breath as she stared at the industrial contraption. 

  This is it. She nodded to herself, using the black keycard to get into the elevator, selecting the round 15th floor button. It lit up and the elevator dinged, shooting her up the tower. The higher the floors, the more her stomach rolled, nausea mingling with her outrage. 

Phobos Tower

15th Floor 

  And by the time the grated door re-opened, Holly found herself infuriated. Her blood boiled hot as she marched through a beige marble lobby towards a set of mahogany double doors. She could hear several male voices from within and she halted, deep, shaky breaths filling her lungs. 

  Please, Holly thought, her eyes like lasers on the door. Please, do not be on the other side of that door, Artemis. Please. Don't let it be you. 

  She clenched a fist, the other on her matte Neutrino in its holster, and took one more deep, long breath. On her exhale, she kicked open the doors, slamming them into the wall. Lo and behold, past the olive lights that fanned the office and the desk that was too small for him, sat a well-groomed, pasty-faced, stupidly handsome human in an all-black suit and tie. His eyes snapped to her in wild shock, not recognizing her at first. 

 "What the fuck is up, Artemis?"  Holly shouted, her question more of an accusation, her limbs vibrating in fury. "What's up, huh?! Whatcha got goin' on here?!" 

  As the two shared an intense stare-off, the company members freaked out around him. 

  "Who the hell are you?!" Palo the sprite shouted. 

  Suddenly, Artemis realized who the fairy in question was. "Holly," he stated simply, a confused smile growing on his ever-reddening face. "Your hair…" 

  Holly tore the bob off her head, throwing the wig on the carpeted ground. She ripped her badge out, exposing it to the males in the room. "Artemis Fowl the Second, you’re under arrest. Put your hands up and turn around." 

  "Huh?!" Meatball grunted angrily next to Artemis. "Under arrest?!" 

  "Yeah, we're innocent!" Bumble chipped in. 

  Artemis shut them down with a dismissive wave of his hand, and all idle chatter silenced. Artemis kept his gaze firmly on Holly as he stood from his armchair, towering over the fairies. "Hello, Commodore. I wasn't expecting your presence here-" 

  "Turn around, Artemis! You're under arrest!" 

  Artemis raised both hands slightly to calm her. "Unfortunately, Commodore, you have no cause to arrest me, as well as no permission to be in this establishment. This is private property, and you are trespassing, which in turn, incriminates you being here." 

  Holly twirled a black card between her fingers. "Think again. I was let in here, fair and square," Holly hissed, pocketing the card. "I've had enough of this. Just come with me and this will all go smoothly." 

  Artemis' lips pursed. She knows Keni, then. But he could address that later.

  "I see. Well, Commodore, I can do no such action," Artemis announced, firm in place behind his desk as he gazed down at her. "As you see around you, there is nothing illegal for you to detain me for. So, unless you can find something in your line of sight, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave the premises at once." 

  "What makes you qualified to tell me to leave?" Holly challenged, stepping a few feet closer. "Do you have any documents saying you own this building? Is your name attached anywhere?" 

  "Of course not," Artemis smirked, his fingertips tapping the desk. "I'm not a moron, Holly. However, my associates here-" he threw an open palm in their direction, "-will be more than happy to tell you to leave, considering their names are on the building's records." 

  "Artemis Fowl," Holly seethed between her teeth. "You are absolutely, and irrevocably, the most despicable creature I have ever met."

  “I'm impressed," Artemis croaked, pleased with her. “That may be my favorite thing I've heard you say yet.”

  "ENOUGH!" Holly roared, lifting her Neutrino 5K out of its holster, both hands aimed at Artemis's head. "Put both hands up and turn around! Do not resist arrest, Fowl!" Your gun? Really? She hadn't expected to actually take it out, and she didn't intend to fry him with it, but she couldn't deny that her anger was getting the better of her, burying the rational part of her deep within the sea of wrath that she was having trouble controlling.

  With Holly's Neutrino out and aimed at the Irish genius, the Company members quickly reached into their own jackets, a flash of gunmetal glinting underneath one. Artemis was quicker and hurriedly waved them off, halting the fairies in place.

  "But, sir-!" 

  Artemis shot Bones the gunsmith a dark look, and the gnixie hybrid sighed, muttering under his breath.

  Holly caught onto the movement though, and her mouth fell into a pissed gasp as she glared at Bones. "What was that?" she asked calmly at first then turned her gaze to Artemis. "Your guys have weapons? Wha- Are you serious, Artemis?!" 

  Artemis shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about, Commodore." 

  "I WILL SHOOT YOU, ARTEMIS!" Holly roared, tightening her grip, her eyes burning through Artemis' soul. "I swear on my life, I will shoot you!" Would I? Would I really?

  Artemis raised a brow at her, his smug mouth chuckling. “You won’t.”

  “I swear to Frond, Artemis Fowl,” Holly warned, hoping it was her death glare that sent a bead of sweat down his temple. “If you don’t stand down right fucking now, I will blow you so far into the universe you’re going to wish you stayed on Mars.” Oops. Too harsh? 

  Artemis blinked. Her threat cut a little, but regardless, he tested her. He slowly moved around the desk. “I know you, Holly,” he smiled softly, taking a few steps towards her, his palms raised.

  "Stop right there, Artemis!" 

  "You don't trust me? After everything?" he continued, pushing onwards. "Let's be reasonable here."

  "I'm warning you!" 

  “You won’t shoot me-“

   He was almost right. Barely. A laser singed his left ear, blasting a tiny, circular beam into the panelled window behind him. Alert and stunned, Artemis' hand flew to his throbbing ear. He brought it back, watching a trickle of blood roll down a pale finger. She actually shot me. He fixed his bewildered gaze back at her. Perhaps I've miscalculated.

  Holly's shoulders rose with each quick breath, her own eyes widening at her work. Oh shit. “Do not test me, Artemis. Surrender and turn around,” she ordered, her weapon still perfectly aimed at the scorched spot in the window. Close enough. She could feel bad about it later. “You’re under arrest, do you understand? I’m taking you in.” 

  Artemis' jaw set firmly from grit teeth as he bore an icy stare into Holly's hazel eye, refusing to acknowledge the blue one beside it. He took a long stride towards her, challenging her with his domineering presence.

 Holly gasped as he pressed his torso against her barrel, her body frozen stiff like a gargoyle. Was he serious right now? Holly kept her disposition, but couldn't help uttering a small, "Wha-?" 

 Deep, austere eyes returned her vexed glare. Artemis' thick brow twitched in irritation, nodding to her pistol. "Do it," he taunted, pressing his vested abdomen further into her barrel. 

  Holly didn't know whether to back down or stay strong. She couldn't show weakness here, not with Artemis. If he sensed even the smallest ounce of softness from her, he would eat her alive. She blinked salty sweat from her eyes and for a split second, she wasn't looking at Arty, her best friend. She was looking at Artemis Fowl II, the ruthless human who had held her for ransom. She ignored the chill that crept down her spine. "Artemis Fowl, you have now resisted arrest. I'm forced to report to Commander Kelp if you do not-"

  “-Technically, officer, there is nothing present for you to arrest or even detain me for,” Artemis interrupted coldly, raising a brow at the matte Neutrino still buried in his blazer. “And unless you have a warrant to search this establishment, I'll have to ask you to lower your weapon and leave. Perhaps with a warrant next time.” 

  “As Commodore, I-“ 

  “You still need a warrant or cause for search, in which you have neither.” 

  Holly wheeled away from Artemis, side-stepping him with her gun still aimed. She nudged her head to the goons beside the desk. "Your guys have weapons! That's highly illegal-"

  "Where are these alleged weapons in your line of sight?" Artemis countered quickly. "There are none. Your suspicions are not sufficient, and you still need a warrant. I've brushed up on your laws, Holly."

  "If I go to Trouble, you'll be deported from Haven indefinitely. He will have you banned, Artemis." Holly was nearly pleading with him at this point. "Is that what you want? To be isolated? Because I won't allow it." 

  Artemis recognized the dilemma she was hinting at, but wouldn't say aloud. She was scared to leave him alone. She was afraid for him to be on his own, wasn't she? She doesn't trust me. Artemis's heart dropped. She has no reason to. But she shot me.

  He straightened, forcing himself to continue their power exchange. "You realize that you've just shot an unarmed man, correct?" Artemis sneered. "If you go to the Commander and he discovers his best officer is unhinged and has shot an innocent man, well… I'm not sure that would bode well for you." 

  Holly's mouth dropped a little. She was appalled with him, but even more so with herself. "You wouldn't dare." 

Artemis' lip lifted into a tight smirk, sapphire eyes glinting menacingly. "I wouldn't?" 

  Holly's shoulders slumped a little, realizing he was right. She was unhinged. I really shot him. Holy shit. I've ruined everything. "Fuck you." 

  "You as well," he snapped, his voice icy and frigid. "Detain me once you’ve obtained a warrant, and when the LEP finds I've done nothing wrong, your Commander will have no reason to-"

  Holly groaned and lowered her pistol, retreating out of the office. She practically flew through the hallway into the caramel-marble lobby, back into the rusty, industrial elevator. It was no good; she was arguing with a damn lawyer here. Despite his threat, he was leaving her with no choice. She had to report him to Trouble. She needed that warrant. If his goons had guns under their jackets, who knows what else was in this damn tower? 

   Artemis glanced at The Company, strolling back to his armchair. “I’d give you twenty. Maybe ten if she’s lucky.” 

  “Twenty, sir?” Pauly repeated. 

  “Minutes," Artemis said, hovering over his desk. "Twenty minutes for her to come back with an entire squad. Nineteen now, since you’re losing time.” 

 “That's not necessary, Boss Man!" Palo exclaimed, jamming his thumb on his chest proudly. "We are The Phobos Company. This is our fight!” 

  “Absolutely not," Artemis scoffed, moving back around the desk and casually taking his seat. "The fewer people involved means less time wasted. You will leave and remain hidden; she’ll have no cause to hold me, and will be forced to acknowledge my innocence.”

  "We got guns, sir," Bones panicked, throwing his palms out and hobbling forward. "We got a whole armory downstairs!" 

  "Then clear it out." Artemis straightened, his daunting demeanor chilling Bones' bones. "You have eighteen minutes now." 

  As Bones scrambled out of the office down the hall, Pauly hovered forward, his iridescent wings rippling in the air. "And our records?" Pauly frowned with a serious slash on his brow. "We're in the millions right now. We don't have time to hide those funds, Boss." 

  Artemis was silent as he scrolled on his phone for several seconds. "Done," he cleared his throat, lifting the Faetek phone to wave it in front of his accomplices. 

  "Done?" Pauly blinked

  Artemis set the device down and steepled his delicate fingers on the desktop in thought. "Yes. I control the Ops Center from this phone. I've just cleared it out. If they run any tests, all of our records are clean. There's no evidence we've done anything incriminating." This wasn't entirely true. He had several saved copies stored in Holly's apartment, somewhere he knew the LEP wouldn't look. What he intended to do with them, however, was only something he knew. It was a shame Holly had found him out so quickly, but his plan remained the same, albeit a little more rushed than before. 

  "So, um," Bumble shifted awkwardly towards Artemis, reaching his miniature hand out. "You want me to heal that for you, Boss?"

  "Leave it," Artemis grunted, waving him off. 

  "Are you really gonna snitch her out for shooting ya?" Jewels the hairy dwarf asked gruffly in the back. 

  "Of course not," Artemis chuckled, thinking of a future where he can tease her about it. "I have no animosity towards Commodore Short. It can be a souvenir of my time here."

  "Jeez," Palo sighed, smoothing his bleached braids back. "Your girlfriend's really something, ya know?" 

  "I can't believe she shot you," Jewels added, shaking his head. 

  "I can," pitched in Meatball gruffly. "Elf chicks are crazy as hell." 

  "Yeah, that's why they're my favorite," Palo drooled between the two. 

  "Holly is not my girlfriend," Artemis exasperated. "Why does everyone think we're dating?" he muttered under his breath. As if Holly would even consider that. 

  He hadn't intended to receive an answer but Bumble jabbed his finger in the air. "You guys date in the Fowl and Fairy movies. I thought it was based on real life." 

  "I regret to inform you, it is not. You have fourteen minutes now," Artemis warned from his desk, rubbing his forehead in annoyance. 

  “So, we just leave?" Palo asked, approaching the human. "What if you're arrested? What happens then?" 

  "I will be arrested dear, loyal sprite. However there is no reason to fret. I've planned for this," Artemis said nonchalantly, typing away a code on his Faetek screen. He shot another glance at the Company. "Thirteen." 

  Phobo's goons filed out, and Artemis checked the security cams on the office's holo-screens. The armory was cleared out and the company members were gone. With a quick security wipe, Artemis made it appear as though they'd never come into work in the first place. With everything set and in position, Artemis had one last step. Using an anonymous bot system over the fairy network, he typed a quick text, sending it off to Keni. 

   Artemis: You know what to do. Don't betray me this time.

  Artemis shut off his phone and fell back into his chair. He found himself staring at the black ceiling, his eyes playing tricks and casting shapes in the dark. 

  Was what he was doing so wrong? And he didn't mean legally, but morally. Was he blind to reality? No. Once he could explain himself, Holly would surely forgive him. 

  But what if she didn't? She shot me. His hand went back to his tender ear, the tip of it swollen and sticky with coagulated blood. 

  No. I've ruined our friendship, haven't I? 

  Artemis' eyes dropped, blankly staring at his deformed shadow sprawled across the glossy wood top. He already wished he'd never been here, that she never took him in, but now the guilt intensified threefold. She always does so much for me. All I can do is die for her. That's not friendship. That's toxic. I'm toxic. Fire and sulfur. 

  Why won't I just die? 

  Artemis' head fell into his hands as he awaited his fate. A numbness spread through him, turning his feelings into apathetic notes stored and locked away for later, or maybe never. He sat in silence. Waiting. Not feeling. Just waiting. Alone. 

Upper Levels, Lower Elements Police Plaza

Commander's Quarters

  "I need a warrant." 

  "Why are you dressed like that?" Commander Kelp asked instead, a charmed smile growing on his cheeks. "Not that it's bad. You look cute."

  Holly nearly shrieked, but stopped herself. "Did you hear anything I just said?" 

  "You want a warrant," Trouble shrugged, sitting back in his chair. "Where's your uniform, Short?" 

  "Not want, need," Holly shot back, ignoring his question about her clothes again. "I need a warrant, Commander." 

  "Mhm. And why do you need a warrant?" 

  Holly blew a quick breath. This was it. If she told Trouble, it was over. Artemis was done for. Was it worth it? Haven's safety and security was potentially on the line with Artemis acting as some sort of Black Market Overlord. Why was he reverting to crime anyway? Was it to rebel against his father? Wasn't the whole point to go clean? What the hell, Astroboy? Were they even friends anymore? What even were they? Friends were honest with each other. Trusted each other. They don't shoot each other, either. 

  She had to choose. Artemis? Or her people - Haven? 

  "Holly?" Trouble asked gently, his hand covering her clenched fist. She hadn't realized she was hunched over on his glass desk, the wrinkle of her nose and creased brow contorted in distress. "Are you alright?" 

  Holly's mismatched eyes snapped to him, meeting his violet gaze. "I need to arrest Artemis Fowl." 

  Trouble instantly paled. He already knew he wasn't going to like this. 

  And he didn't.

Phobos Tower, The Black Alley 

15th Floor 

  A dozen boots marched through the lobby of Phobos Tower, their stomps quieted by the grey carpet. But Artemis knew they were coming. This would be no ambush. 

  The office doors flew open and Artemis Fowl greeted the LEP officers on the other side with a slight wave and a fanged smile. "Hello, officers. Fancy seeing you here." 

  A strong and bronze-skinned elf stepped forward from the squad, long auburn braids flowing behind her. Artemis smirked at her despite his sinking heart. "Finally obtained that warrant, officer?" 

  Holly kept a slight distance, holding up the warrant for him to see. "You're under arrest by the LEP on suspicion of illegal currency transactions. We also have a warrant to search the premises. Put your hands up and turn around. You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so, but whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence."

  Artemis kept up his facade, wearing his sly smirk as a mask. A few fairies scooted by him, thrusting his arms behind him. One slapped smart-cuffs onto his wrists, the lock sealing and buzzing softly. "Arresting criminals out and about, Commodore?" Artemis questioned Holly, his smirk shifting into a devious grin. "That's a stoop below your pay grade, isn't it?" 

  Holly frowned. Of course he would. She ignored the comment, rounding up her officers. "Alright, take him in." As Artemis was escorted out of the office, she nodded to several officers clumped together beside her. "Spread out and search the building and servers. Mark anything of interest." 

  As her officers spread out and began tearing the building apart, Holly watched Artemis being taken away, only the back of his raven-haired head visible to her as he disappeared behind the elevator grate. He didn't turn to look at her as the grate closed on them, dropping them back into the Alley below. Holly stood in the center of the office, her heart heavy in her chest. 

  You better have an explanation for this, Artemis.

24 Hours Later

Lower Elements Police Plaza

Holding Cell F-1, Protective Custody 

  "Artemis, are you decent?" Holly's voice asked through the three slits in the metal cell door. 

  Thankfully the Irish genius was still clad in his suit and tie, albeit the latter was hanging loosely off his neck. Artemis had spent the last few minutes with his back against the concrete wall, casually micromanaging his surface business accounts in his mind when Holly's voice pleasantly broke his concentration. His head snapped towards the door, alert. "I am, Commodore. You may enter." 

  The cell door slid open, and a helmeted Holly Short stood in her moss-green uniform on the other side. She twirled a pair of handcuffs in her right hand and lifted her visor up. "Hey. Are you okay?" 

  "Spare your concern," Artemis stated with little effort. He inched towards her at a snail's pace, holding his wrists out. "You're taking me to have a chat, so let's not waste time." 

  "Artemis-"

  "-I don't think we're on a first name basis at the moment," he stopped her coldly, lifting his wrists to her face. "Shall we continue, Commodore?" 

  Holly was stunned at his anger. She'd obviously encountered it before, but this time it felt... complex. She deserved this anger in a way, didn't she?

  Shackles locked and magnetized on Artemis' wrists, and as Holly walked him out of his cell and down the hall, she contemplated their predictament.

  She had done a lot of investigating within the twenty-fours that Artemis was locked in protective custody, and at this point, she was left even more confused, and with more questions than answers. 

  Foaly the centaur, the LEP's technical wizard, had tinkered around with his security system, and it took him nearly sixteen hours into the search to discover it had been tampered with. Not only that, the real footage revealed something much more ominous. Deep within the lower levels of Haven's Saw District was a tiny, mostly empty tech shop. The looped footage had shown the shop with very little business, and definitely no delivery boy humans.

  But when Foaly recovered his trashed data, the high-rise camera revealed a certain scrawny delivery boy entering the shop in the wee morning hours, and leaving the tech shop by dinner time. Of course, it wasn't enough to incriminate Artemis with anything, and they couldn't prove he tampered with Foaly's system, but Holly didn't need to reveal that. 

  If Artemis wasn't willing to talk to her now, she wasn't going to force it. She didn't deserve to.

  What if she was wrong? What if he had some overly complicated plan that he wasn't telling her about? But why go through all of this? What for? She needed to find out - for Haven's sake, and hers. 

Lower Elements Police Plaza 

Detention Cell 4  

  Weak wrists were shackled to a plastic tabletop while slightly dirty fingernails tapped the surface impatiently, unable to do much else. The interrogation room was unremarkable and could've easily been found anywhere in the world. A white brick holo-wall fizzled opposite him, hiding the officers observing him from the other side. A dingy, bright bulb swung in front his face, making Artemis feel like he was in a silly 90s crime flick. 

  He actually recognized this particular interrogation room, it being the same one the late Commander Root and Captain Holly Short had grilled him and Butler in at least fifteen years ago. He couldn't help a small smile tug his lips. The nostalgia of the memory was nice, and even nicer he had a memory with a tangible location. This was real, then. 

  Finally, after about forty minutes of sitting in dead silence, a figure entered the dark room.

  Artemis peered over, wrinkles creased deeply around his eyes. He knew who the figure was. Time for some fun. "Hello? Has someone entered? I'm afraid you're too tiny for me to see." 

  Commander Kelp stepped into the bulb's light and sat opposite Artemis Fowl, the shorter male's amethyst gaze fixated on him. The elf officer was in his LEP emerald uniform adorned with medals, his chocolate-colored crew cut neat and clean without the presence of its helmet. He frowned silently at Artemis' mockery. 

  "Oh, it's you, Commander," Artemis greeted scornfully, straightening his back in his tiny seat. "I must say, I'm rather surprised they sent you in first." 

  Trouble snorted, a deep slash across his mouth. "Yeah, Fowl? And why's that?" 

  "I was hoping they'd send someone in with at least a scrap of intelligence, but it appears I was wrong." 

  Trouble's jaw tightened a little. He knew getting a confession without the mesmer would be difficult, but it wasn't his first rodeo with the arrogant Irishman. Trouble leaned forward onto his elbows. "I wouldn't talk about intelligence, Fowl, considering you're in here and shackled to this table." 

  "I'm sorry," Artemis jeered, his smirk deepening. He glanced over at the holo-wall where the others were. "Could we get him a platform, or perhaps a booster seat? It's hard to take him seriously when I can't make eye contact-" 

  "Listen, Fowl," Trouble snapped through gritted teeth, his fist clenching on the table. "I allowed you into this city. Holly allowed you to stay with her. She fed you. Gave you a place to sleep. She's your friend." His fist tightened, growing white against the white plastic top. "Why would you do this to her? Why would you betray her?" 

  Artemis was more than familiar with police interrogation tactics. He knew what Trouble was doing, but he hated that it was working. Artemis refused to admit it, but his mental state was ever-weakening, and if they wanted information out of him, all it might take would be an emotional push. One finger pressing him, and he'd dissolve into crumbs. He needed to be careful to keep his emotions in check, and Trouble was the perfect person to rile them up. So, Artemis sighed, covering up his internal struggle. 

  “Hmm, very good tactic there. Bringing up my relationship with Commodore Short. Very good as an emotional sore point. You could have Short interrogate me instead.” 

  "Can't," Trouble shrugged. "She's a conflict of interest." 

  "Ah. A shame," Artemis started, tapping his pointer finger against the table. "Using the Commodore would've been much more effective." 

  Trouble peered closer. "How so?"

  "Simply put, she can retain information, whereas you can't." 

  "Alright. You know what, Fowl-"

  "Trouble," Holly's soft voice cut into his ear-flesh speaker, one of Foaly's newer designs. "Don't let him get to you. Remember, this is Artemis. You need to keep your cool and he'll talk straight with you." 

  Trouble growled but regained his composure easily. He ruffled back what little he had of his crew cut. "How old are you again, Fowl? 18? 19?" 

  Artemis' eye twitched. "28…" 

  "Oh, could've fooled me. You still argue like a child," Trouble retorted, stony-faced. 

  Artemis laughed a little under his breath, his lips held in a tight-lined smile. "Oh, very good, Commander. Now you're getting the hang of it." 

  "Just talk to me. Man to elf," Trouble continued casually, crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair. "What would possess you to join the Black Alley? Despite your extensive criminal background, of course." 

  "Did the Commodore tell you she forced me to become a delivery boy?" 

  "Oof. For what place?" 

  "Cub's Deliveries." 

  Trouble threw his head back, unleashing a hearty laugh. "Yikes!" He crossed his arms and looked over at the shimmering holo-wall. "Seriously, Holly? Please tell me we have footage of him wearing that." 

  "We do," Holly spoke into Trouble's ear again. "Foaly recovered the footage of him entering and leaving the Alley repeatedly." 

  "Wonderful," Trouble nodded in amusement. He looked back at Artemis with pained joy creasing his brow. "Hmm. So, you had enough of being a delivery boy and then, what? Decided you'd rather return to the criminal life instead?" 

  "I've not done such a thing," Artemis said with a confident aloofness, shrugging. "I'm also certain you have no evidence that I have." 

  "So, you deny having any part in the Black Alley?" 

  "Illegal ventures, yes. I deny that accusation." 

  Trouble grinned, leaning in. "We have footage of you entering and leaving a shop known to contain an entrance into the Alley. Do you deny this?" 

  "Is entering the Alley itself illegal?" Artemis challenged, the tiniest corner of his lips pulling into a smirk. "From what I've read up on your laws, the Alley itself isn't illegal. Only the activities and crimes committed there. So? Do you have a real reason to detain me yet? Or are we still wasting each other's time?" 

  "You haven't taken any money from the Alley?"

  Artemis nearly rolled his eyes. "Obviously not. Would you like to check my Haven City bank account? Perhaps my off-shore accounts?" 

  "We will. And you're going to give us that access." Trouble glanced at the wall. "You hearing this, Foaly?

  "Sure thing, Commander," Foaly's nasally voice sang in his ear from the Ops booth. "I'm running his accounts for any suspicious transfers or deposits now." 

  Trouble turned back to Artemis. "So, you looped the security footage-" 

  "I deny any part in that," Artemis interjected adamantly. Of course, it had obviously been the Irish genius, but he knew Foaly had no way of tracing it to him. "You holding me here in this very room is proof that Foaly has no evidence against me, either." He shrugged again, his smirk growing larger. "You may want to write this down, Commander. I can repeat it again slowly for you." 

  Trouble leaned all the way forward and shoved his nose into Artemis'. His violet eyes began to swirl pools of molten gold and he bore his gaze into the Irishman's blue ones. "Listen to me, Mud Whelp," Trouble bewitched the human with the mesmer. "What illegal activities have you done in the Black Alley? Did you have any part in Goliath Knopp's arrest?" 

  Artemis tried to break the mesmer, regretting pushing the Commander to this point, but Trouble's push was too strong and his mental state too thin. It was too late. A veil of warmth washed over him and an invitation unfolded in his mind. The world was foggy and muted besides the imaginary words swirling around him. 

Take me in. 

              Can you stop it? 

                                 Can you stop me? 

   The words were never spoken, yet the mesmer enchanted his mind, subduing him with the sensation like written whispers. He gave into the warmth like a blanket, cautiously stroking it, inviting it in carefully. I can't. Artemis swayed gently in his seat, unable to break Trouble's eye contact, most resistance and inhibitions wiped clean. But Artemis Fowl II was not the average person, and despite his ill mind, he contained an overwhelming genius that would be hard to conquer. 

  Trouble noticed Artemis mindlessly tugging at his shackles, as if trying to break away from the mesmer's hold over him. Trouble sighed, waving his hand around casually. "Hate to mesmerise you Fowl, and puncture that precious IQ of yours, but my patience is thin and frankly, I don't trust Foaly's weird toilet plunger machine." 

  "Retimager!" Foaly whinnied over the line, stomping a hoove back at his booth. "Besides, I hate to see Artemis drop some IQ points." He looked into his palms defeatedly at the memory, fond of his work. "I lubed that brain myself." 

  "Foaly, please-" Holly facepalmed over the comm, trying to rid the image from her mind. "The last thing I want to think about right now is you lubing Artemis Fowl's brain." 

  "You just repeated it," Foaly neighed. "How does it help if you repeat it?" 

  Trouble nearly broke his concentration, unsure whether to burst into hysterical laughter or punch them both. Instead, he softly grunted, "Can you two please shut it? I have a human with an IQ of over 200, actively under my spell, and I can't afford to lose focus." He took a short breath and blinked quickly, bearing his mind into Artemis' again, imagining a curtain sweeping over the Irishman's will. "So. You're mesmerised right now?" 

  "Yes," Artemis replied instantly, his pupils growing larger, darkening his piercing irises. 

  "Hmm…" Trouble mumbled, leaning forward to examine Artemis' eyes closely. "Do you wear contacts, Fowl?" 

  "He doesn't," Holly replied into Trouble's ear. 

  "I do. Sometimes. Not always." 

  Trouble silently absorbed the information, nodding softly. "When do you wear contacts? Fashion? Medical?" 

  Artemis' jaw tightened a little, trying to rebel against replying. "P-protection." 

  "Protection?" Trouble leaned into one eye, examining closely. "Against what?" 

  "Fairies. The mesmer. I am defenseless as a human. I created measures to protect myself," Artemis answered honestly. There was nothing incriminating to hide there anyway.

  Trouble nodded again. "Interesting. Are you wearing them now?" 

  "No," Artemis replied emotionlessly. 

  "No? Why not?" 

  "Several reasons." Despite being mesmerised, Artemis couldn't resist showing off his intellect. "Firstly, I've been in a cell for over twenty-four hours. It's highly inadvisable to wear contacts for that long. I'm not going to damage my vision for absolutely no reason. And secondly, Holly was my arresting officer. She's undoubtedly hearing this now. I can fool many, but I can't fool Holly Short." 

  The very Holly Short in question felt her cheeks darken in the Ops Booth. Then why did you lie to me? 

  "Hmm…" Trouble pondered again. "But how can we be sure? Maybe…" He sprouted an idea (he was proud when he had those) and grinned, never breaking his focus from Artemis' loopy daze. "Let me ask him something he would normally never admit to." He shrugged a shoulder for Holly to see on the other side. 

  Holly hesitated. Knowing Trouble and his resentment towards Artemis, this could get personal, and quickly. She chewed her lip, mulling it over. "You're the Commander, sir. You call the shots. Just…don't be mean, Trouble. And make it quick please. I really don't want to touch his IQ." 

  "Perfect." Trouble's grin grew larger and he leaned back a bit, observing Artemis closely. "So, mud whelp. You're in my hands now." Trouble pushed the mesmer a little more, ensuring the human couldn't resist. "Is it true Holly Short kissed you?" 

  "Yes," Artemis nearly groaned, the sound more muted than he'd like. 

  Trouble clapped his hands together in raw entertainment, grinning ear to ear. "Oh. I'm going to enjoy this." 

  "Gods, Trouble," Holly muttered from the observation room, her tomato-red face in one hand. "Really? That was thirteen years ago." 

  "Still classic," he commented under his breath. He leaned into Artemis again, elbows fully on the plastic top, "Why do you have a hatred for me?" 

  "A hatred for you?" Artemis nearly sneered, again wishing he had a stronger will. He couldn't even form his own thoughts anymore. "Please. I think you're an idiot. I don't hate you." 

  "Nice. Thanks for clarifying," Trouble sighed, rubbing his hand through his face as he whipped up ideas to torture the mud whelp with. Suddenly, one struck him and before he could really think if it was wise to ask, his impulsivity got the better of him. "Do you see Holly Short as more than a friend?" 

  "Trouble! That's not appropriate!" Holly protested from the other line, her heart sinking into her stomach. 

  "I…" Artemis' brows furrowed together and his wrists subconsciously tugged back on the shackles, trying desperately to resist the warm swell that beguilled him. 

  Say it, the mesmer crashed into his mind, pulling him down into its grasp. "I- I don't-" Say it. "I can't!" he panicked, bucking to get away from Trouble. 

  "Answer me!" Trouble pushed, leaning into the cowering human. "Do you see Holly Short as more than a friend?" 

  "I-I don't know," Artemis answered, and he realized it was honest. He didn't actually know how he saw Holly, he realized. He cared about her more than anyone else in the world. She was his best friend, obviously. But, did he see her as more than that? Before he could dwell on it, the idea was lost to him, overtaken by the new wave of mesmer. 

  Despite the shouting commodore in his ear, Trouble persisted, lost in the moment and control. "Yes or no answers only." 

  Artemis chewed his lip over, the realization that he was no longer answering consciously slipping away. Whatever the mesmer drew out of him was buried so deeply, not even Artemis anticipated the answers he'd give. Still, he resisted with every fiber in his being. "Ah…I…" 

  "Answer me!" 

  "Yes!" Artemis blurted. A vein in his forehead pulsed in distress, the table groaning against his struggle. 

  "Yes, what?" Trouble pressed further, his grin almost as impressive as his pointed ears. 

  "Yes, I-I-" 

  "ENOUGH!" Holly burst in, charging straight to the table and cutting between the males. She glared at Trouble with seething rage, almost shielding Artemis from him. "I said stop. What the hell are you thinking?" 

  "Stow it, Short," Trouble declared, standing up to press his face into hers. "You told me I could." 

  "I said don't be mean," Holly started, jabbing a finger in his face. "That was a total invasion of privacy, and you threw my name in there. How could you?" 

  Trouble looked between Artemis and her for a few moments. "Even now, you're protecting him," he snarled. "When are you going to make him take responsibility, Holly? He's a criminal. Why don't we take what we know from him? Don't stop me now." 

  "Then be a professional and be my Commander. Not my jealous ex-boyfriend." When Trouble's gaze turned cold on her, Holly facepalmed again. "Dammit. Let's just stop for today? We can find other ways of investigating for evidence-"

  "Get back in the room, Short," Trouble commanded, his authoritative demeanor restored and his chest plucked out proudly. "I'm in charge here." He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry. You're right. That was uncalled for. I'll be better." He pulled back and nodded to her, his expression solemn and bold. 

  "Yes, sir," Holly frowned, risking a guilty glance at Artemis. "Just ask about the Alley and be done with it, please." He already hates me. She strode off, leaving the pair alone in the room once more.

  Trouble cleared his throat and sat back down, knuckles rapping the table. After thinking for a few minutes, he stopped, looking at Artemis' flushed and clammy cheeks. "Aw. Is the great Fowl embarrassed? I would be too if I were you. Crushing on your best friend? Yikes." 

  "I swear to the Gods," Holly warned. Trouble waved a hand at her as if to reassure her. She didn't feel reassured. "Stop posturing and be straight." 

  Trouble leaned forward on his knees, bearing a deep gaze into the human once more, linking their connection so the mesmer absorbed Artemis' mind again. "So, the Black Alley," he started, drawing the words out. "What illegal activities have you committed so far?" 

  "None," Artemis answered simply.

  "Huh?" Trouble blinked, leaning in a little closer. "What do you mean, none?"

  "I have not engaged in any illegal activity in the Black Alley." 

  "What?" Trouble stole a glance at the holo-wall and back at Artemis. "How's he doing this?" 

  "He's totally mesmerised," Holly insisted, shaking her head in shared disbelief. "There's no way he's lying." 

  "He might be a genius, sure," Foaly pitched in. "But he's still just a human. Hmm… ask him about Goliath Knopp." 

  Trouble nodded and rubbed his chin. "Hey. Fowl. You knew Goliath Knopp?" 

  "Yes." 

  "Did you send his debts to us for Foaly to flag?" 

  "Yes." 

  Trouble grinned. "What on earth possessed you to do that?" 

  "I wanted to take over the Company and the Alley."

  "So… you're the big boss of the Black Alley at the moment?" 

  "Yes." 

  Trouble shook his head in amazement. "Holly, you've brought a monster into Haven, ya know that?" 

  Holly groaned and rolled her eyes on the other side of the windowed holo-wall, keeping her thoughts to herself. She couldn't help but sink into curiosity though. What was Artemis' plan if it wasn't illegal? 

  Trouble had the same thought on the other side. He rapped the table top with his knuckles again. "What are you doing that's so different from Goliath?" 

  "I want to clean the Black Alley," Artemis answered immediately with no resistance. Somewhere deep inside his subconscious, stored far away, he almost cheered, grateful to finally reach the next phase of his plan. "I want to help your people, and clean Haven."

  There was a long, uncomfortable silence that stretched across each person listening in. No one knew what to think. Could it be true? If so, was it even possible? The two elves and centaur were frozen in awe and disbelief. What?!

   Foaly spoke first. "His accounts came back clean. In fact, he appears to be completely broke. You know, I hate to say it, but I think he's telling the truth. But we have to be sure." 

  "How can we be sure?" Trouble grumbled under his breath. "What more can I already do?"

  "Just keep going," Holly hissed into the mic as if Artemis could hear her. 

  "How would you clean Haven, Fowl?" Trouble spat, peering at the subdued human closely, the bulb's light casting an eerie shadow across his face. "Just how do you intend to do that?"

  A small smile graced Artemis' lips. "Artelite," he answered proudly, his body relaxing and hunching down a bit. 

  "Ar-what?" Trouble repeated incredulously, raising his brows at the human like he was crazy. 

  "Ar-te-lite," Artemis repeated slowly, his smile growing a little more cocky against flushed skin and blank eyes. "A substance I created out of Martian quadrastite, inspired by Earth's martinite. It can be synthesized and reduced to a gel. It can be used as a power source or as a source of fuel."

  "What the hell is he talking about?" Trouble asked, thick brows furrowed together in confusion. "Fuel? Power source? Martian?" 

  "He went to Mars and found this new source of fuel," Holly explained, thinking it all over herself. She tried to remember what he told her back at the cottage in the French countryside. It was only a little over a week ago, and yet it felt like ages. "He used it to power his space suits, I think. I think he said it was clean and ethical, too." 

  "Okay, so," Foaly started, and Holly could practically hear him rubbing his hands together in excitement. "Artemis sent me some data when he first reached Mars a few years ago, but what I got was limited and probably outdated. Though, if this is the same substance I'm thinking of…" Foaly trailed off, and when Foaly was left speechless, it left everyone else nervous. 

  "What?" Trouble and Holly asked in equally enthusiastic unison. 

  "I think we need to take this to the council if he's serious about cleaning the Black Alley, and Haven. He could either do some fantastic change, or some serious damage. And I like Artemis. I really do respect the guy. But, this just seems like a loaded missile ready to fire out of a dwarf's behind." 

  "Again - don't need the imagery, Foaly," Holly shuddered, annoyed. She leaned forward on the control panel, thinking for a bit. What would happen if they brought Artemis before the Council? How could they prove they didn't fake the mesmer?  Holly didn't want to risk mesmerising Artemis again. She was sure they'd already dropped an IQ point or two, and that would be enough to prevent Artemis from ever talking to her again. She then realized something. "So… is Artemis… innocent?"  She looked up in horror, guilt taking its grasp of her throat, choking her. 

  "I think he actually might be," Foaly tittered away on his keyboard, clacking through the keys for any more information. "Sure, he's running the Alley in his own weird, messed up way, but I can't find any crimes or illegal activity on his end. I think he's innocent." 

  Holly paled. Did I just… and he's innocent. He's- She felt tears well in her eyes with resentment and shame. She bit down on her lip to keep them from falling down. "So, I fucked up."

  "No," Trouble argued, leaning back, not quite breaking the mesmer's hold yet. "You didn't. You made the right move here. Yeah, he's your 'friend', but you have a backbone, Short. That's a good thing." Trouble stood and dropped the mesmer, releasing the human from his magickal hold. "Alright, let's set up a meeting with the Council. Put Fowl back in his cell for the time being."  

  Artemis' shoulders and head slumped forward. The warm blanket was slipping off him now, dropping him back into the reality of the dark, ominous concrete room and his tiny chair. His mind felt exhausted and his eyes heavy, the vein in his head throbbing painfully. He started to shake himself out of his daze when his forced confession slammed into him like a wrecking ball. 

  I said yes. I said yes? Why did I say yes? How could he feel that way about Holly and not be aware of it? There must've been a loophole somewhere. Maybe, more than a friend meant best friend? Yes, he did have to admit, he did crush on Holly quite a bit throughout his teen years. It couldn't be helped. But since then, those feelings had transitioned into those of respect. Admiration. Friendship. Platonic adoration, even. He remembered back to Ibiza, when Minerva accused him of being too codependent on Holly. Was it true? Did he still like her? 

  Holly stood in the doorway, watching silently. A corporal entered the dim interrogation room and removed Artemis from his shackles, shifting them behind his back instead. His eyes mistakenly caught hers but he shifted them instantly, keeping them to his sides instead. Holly felt her heart pound as he got up and was led closer to the exit. Why did Trouble have to expose Artemis like that? Now she felt awkward, like everything she said or did would lead him on. Maybe there was a misunderstanding? Maybe it was a tiny inconvenience? 

  They avoided each other's faces as Artemis passed by her, and Holly was glad he couldn't see her bright coral cheeks. This sucks. And it's all my fault. 

  After gathering herself and her things, Holly was ready to exit her office when a knock rapped at her door. She hesitated for a second before opening it, one Commander Trouble Kelp on the other side. She frowned and prepared to stroll by him when he caught her elbow, gently holding her back. 

  "Holly." 

  "What?" Holly wheeled on him, her temper flaring now. "Come to laugh in my face how I was wrong? How I messed up?" 

  Trouble's deep eyes flattened and his jaw softened, his whole expression relaxed. "Of course not. I wanted to apologize properly." He dropped his grip on her elbow, his eyes firm on hers. "I was unprofessional and I embarrassed you because it pleased my ego. You're a great officer, Short. You really are fantastic, even though you scare me most of the time. But I trust your instincts. Even the best are off-kilter sometimes." 

  He sighed and stepped away from her, preparing to let her go. "Anyway, I'll leave you to it-" when she cut him off with a kiss to his cheek. He stopped mid-sentence, his cheeks blushing as violet as his wide eyes. He mulled over whether to ask her or not. Was this the right time? He went for it anyway. "Holly. About us…" 

  Holly froze too, her eyes locked on his. Oh no. "Yeah?" 

  Trouble sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, this is hard for me, okay? But, you know how I feel about you. Do you… I mean…" He broke their gaze to look at the steel-paneled wall beside them. "Do you return Fowl's affections? Is there a chance we could ever… you know…" 

  Holly shook her head involuntarily, unsure how to react. Why did he have to do this now?! "I-I can't answer that right now. Sorry. I'm too- scrambled-"

  "Yeah! Of course-"

  "Ya know?"

  "No, yeah. Yeah, I do. Sorry," Trouble chuckled nervously, moving out of her way. "I'll leave you be, Short. Good work today." 

  Holly nodded awkwardly to him and silently walked past, leaving him in her office alone. She took a deep breath as she entered the hallway, overwhelmed with the last twenty-four hours. 

   And simultaneously, both the Commodore and Commander thought in unison: 

  I need a nap. 

48 Hours Later

Lower Elements Police Plaza

Holding Cell F-1, Protective Custody 

  "Artemis." 

  Artemis barely glanced over his shoulder, his eyes lazily lifting to the figure in his cell doorway. The last three days in his cell were nothing short of boring and a waste of time, but they weren't as difficult as he presumed Holly would assume. Artemis had developed an enormous amount of patience the older into his twenties he grew, and his time in space exemplified that. Still, he was bitter, lonely, and still embarrassed from having his deepest, innermost secrets exposed. Physically, he may have been fine, besides the tip of his ear, but inside he had to admit he felt a little worn down to the bone, like layers of meat had been stripped off his personality, leaving him bare. Raw, he decided the word for it was. It was raw. 

  "The council reviewed your case. You're due in court in a week, but until then you're free to go." She slid the cell door fully open, standing on the inner side of his cell. "So? Let's get you home, okay?" she asked gently, approaching him slowly, as if afraid he might make any sudden moves. 

  "Perfect," Artemis said lightly, getting off his cot and running his fingers through the rough stubble on his jaw. "I'm due for a hot shower and a proper nap." He walked by Holly without another word, never making eye contact with her. 

  "Are you okay? You know, having been in here alone for so long?" 

  "Fine," Artemis shrugged. "I spent five years in space. This was nothing." 

  "I'm sorry," Holly blurted, stopping him in his tracks, his back to her. "I'm sorry I shot you. I'm sorry I caused this whole thing." Her shoulders drooped, but she didn't cry. She refused. 

  "Let's go," Artemis said after a few awkward moments, continuing down the hall with or without her. 

  Holly watched him trudge off for a bit and then slowly followed behind, her mind astray with all the ways she could fix this, all the things she should've done instead. 

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apt 224 

  "I'm moving out." 

  The statement caught Holly off-guard; it was the only thing Artemis had said to her in the time they'd arrived back and been at the apartment. It was nearly 10 PM HST, the city lights alive and twinkling in the pitch black sim-sky outside the windows. She shook her head in disbelief, following him into her dimly lit bedroom. "What? Why?" 

  Artemis strode into her closet, collecting his clothing from their respective hangers. He wanted to avoid as much conversation as possible. He didn't have the energy or the care at the moment to argue. "I think it's wise, considering everything." 

  "Artemis," Holly started, following him towards the closet, leaning on the doorframe. "About what Trouble did-"

  "It's fine," he cut off coolly. "It's not about that." He moved past her with bundles of clothes in his arms and placed them gently on her bed. 

  Holly watched him silently pack for a few moments. She got off the frame and sauntered towards him with her arms buried in her hoodie. "Are you sure? If you want to talk about it-"

  "I don't want to talk about it. Thank you." 

  "Where are you going to go?" Holly asked, chewing her lip anxiously. "You don't have any money." 

  "I have a room at Phobos tower. I have everything I need there." 

  Holly reached her hand out to touch his forearm. "You can't live in the Black Alley. That's dangerous-"

  "You can't make decisions for me," Artemis whipped around, his voice calm but his wrinkled eyes miffed. "And, frankly, it's unfair you make decisions for me, and make me out to be a burden the entire time, when I'm actively trying to get out of your hair." 

  Holly took a step back, surprised by his temper. That wasn't usual for him. "Arty-" 

  "Don't call me that," he interjected emotionlessly, turning his back to her to continue packing.

  Holly felt her own temper starting to flare, but unlike Artemis', it was not controlled and icy. Hers was a burning, angry flame - a wild force of nature that destroyed everything in its path. She took a step forward, her eyes like embers in a forest fire.  "You don't know Haven like I do. You barely speak Gnommish well enough to pick up slander. How are you going to live on your own?" 

  "I've been on my own my entire life," Artemis declared insistently, watching her from over his shoulder now. "I will be fine. I refuse to be a burden to you any longer." 

  Holly tugged at her hair, throwing it up in a messy bun frustratedly. "Why didn't you just tell me what you were doing? Why did you keep me in the dark like always?" 

   Artemis turned, his hardened features softened for the first time in days. He gave a sympathetic sigh. "I had just started… I expected you to find out eventually, and I knew I could use that to my advantage in several ways. But, I really had just started getting everything ready." 

  You found me out a little early, to be honest. He wanted to admit it to her, but he was too resentful, or as the twins called it: he was salty. He'd been discovered too early, he'd been wrong about her shooting him, both of which were frustrating enough. But to have his secrets - ones even he didn't realize yet - be forced out of him for her to hear? It was humiliating. He wanted out. He needed space to think. To plan. It was the only thing that could give him solace at the moment… "Besides sleep," he muttered to himself aloud, grabbing his forehead in frustration. "I-I need some space. Please." 

  "No!" Holly scoffed, offended he thought he had a say in this. "Listen: Why didn't you just tell me? Why would you wait for me to figure you out? Don't you realize how manipulative that is-"

   "Yes!" Artemis snapped, finally broken down enough to have most of his walls shattered around him like glass pieces. "Yes. And that is precisely why I need you to leave me alone." He closed in their gap, his hand gentle on her shoulder. "I'm not good for you. I'm not…" He shook his head, struggling to find the correct vocabulary that embodied his feelings, but nothing really seemed to work. 

  "I'm not a good friend to you. And I know you feel responsible for me, but I really can handle myself." Holly. He didn't say her name aloud. He was still petty enough to avoid it, but he felt so guilty. It was precisely why he needed to leave her alone. She deserved better than this. "You deserve better than to deal with me." 

  "Uh-huh," Holly shook her head and her arms, adamantly getting in his space. "I don't like that kind of talk. That kind of talk scares me." 

  "I'm not going to do anything." Artemis rolled his eyes. "Please leave me alone. I'd like to end this conversation."

  "Too bad." 

  "Then I forcefully eject myself from this conversation," he countered, sitting on her bed. "Why don't you go project your insecurities on the Commander instead?" Artemis muttered loudly enough for her to hear, trying whatever he could to get her off his back at this point. 

  "What the fuck did you just say to me?" Holly asked quietly through grit teeth, her hand clenching into a fist. "You do not get to talk to me like that in my home, on my fucking bed that I haven't slept in, in days!" 

  "Then. Let. Me. Leave," Artemis grumbled, glaring at her. "That, or leave me alone so I can sleep this off." 

  "Fuck you, Artemis Fowl," Holly yelled for the second time in a few days, charging out of her room and slamming the door.

  Artemis was tempted to shout something snarky at her but held his tongue. Be mature now. You're nearly 30. He sighed, his brain throbbing painfully in his head. He felt exhausted. Selfish. Foul. A foul Fowl. He groaned, falling back onto her bed. This fight felt strangely familiar, sending him through a loop of deja vu. It was like their fight years ago, in Ibiza. Was he toxic then too? Was there anyone he wouldn't be toxic with? He turned over, allowing the soft duvet to welcome him into a warm hug of sleep. 

  Four hours later Artemis awoke suddenly in Holly's bedsheets, scrambling around in alert confusion. When he realized he wasn't in danger, he fell back into her bed, running a hand over his face. His eyes landed on the pitch black ceiling, streaks of neon yellow and green light dancing across the room like a laser show. He thought back to a few hours before, remembering where and what happened. 

   Beep. 

  His phone pulsed gently beside his chest and he clumsily searched around for it in his sleepy daze. 

  Keni: Hey boss. You ok? 

  Artemis groaned, running a hand over his eyes one more time. What did she want now? He had to admit, they got along quite well in his time at the tower, and he liked her coolness and ability to command attention effortlessly, even if it was a little selfish at times. But besides that, she was his employee. Nothing more. 

  He ignored her message, resting his phone on his chest to look back up at the ceiling, watching shadows dance in the abyss of the night. If he apologized to Holly, would she forgive him? He didn't feel as upset as he had earlier, rest having thankfully calmed him down. But he did feel guilty for the way he treated her, even if it was for her own good. 

   Beep. 

  Artemis raised a brow, glancing at his phone again. 

  Keni: News said you got out. Is it true? 

  The news?  he wondered. He looked at the Gnommish front news page of Haven's internet network, Acorn. 

   Artemis Fowl the Second, human criminal mastermind genius extraordinaire released from jail! Was his arrest in relation to the Goliath Knopp case? What is a human doing in Haven?! Read for more inside! 

   Artemis nearly chuckled. "Human criminal mastermind genius extraordinaire?" he mumbled aloud. Well, that's not bad at all, is it? Except that he was now on the celebrity hot list, and every paparazzo in town would be after him. "Fantastic," he said sarcastically, about to shut his phone off when another text rolled in. 

   Keni: If you're out, you should come over. We can all celebrate your release. 

  Artemis's fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure how to respond. Eventually, he decided he wanted to talk things out with Holly instead. 

   Artemis: Hello, Keni. Yes, I've been released. Everything went according to plan. I'd like to come over, perhaps tomorrow, and discuss the next stage of our Company's progress. Until then, I bid you goodnight.

  He got off the bed, placing his phone back into his pocket. Okay. Just talk to Holly. She's probably asleep, so be gentle. He nodded to himself, finding the courage to whip up the discussion and exit the bedroom. 

  Artemis scratched his dark stubble nervously as he strolled into the living room, starting with, "So, I've slept a bit, and I'd like to apologize, Holly. I was completely-" He stopped speaking when he realized he was talking to empty space. Holly wasn't in the living room, on the futon, fast asleep. Where was she? 

  "Holly?" Artemis called out, a little worriedly, looking around. She wasn't in her kitchen, nor in her bathroom or toilet room. He opened her front door, scanning her hall a little ways before giving up and strolling back into her apartment. Maybe she went for a jog to clear her mind? Maybe she was getting a late-night snack? 

  A whiff of a musty, unpleasant odor wafted by his nose and he wrinkled it in disgust. It was then he realized the smell was him, as he hadn't showered in the last three days. He grimaced and made for Holly's bathroom. I'll call if she's not back by the time I'm done. 

   About thirty minutes after a soothing, hot shower, Artemis fixed himself into some grey pajama pants and a navy sweatshirt. He towel-dried his hair as he stepped into the living room, looking around for the elf again anxiously. Where are you? He tossed the towel onto her couch, grabbing his phone off her acrylic coffee table. He dialed her number and waited. And waited. And it rang, and rang. 

   Hey! You've reached Commodore Holly Short's voicemail. If it's urgent, please call back again-

   Artemis clicked, biting his lip in annoyance. Was Holly okay? Was she in danger? He put her on dial once more, tapping his foot restlessly against the soft rug. 

   Hey! You've reached Commodore Holl-

   Artemis canceled the call, frowning. He wandered into the bathroom, finding his sapphire fairy comm ring on the glossy counter. He rang Holly on the ring, and after three rings, it clicked off. Artemis blinked. She rejected his call. He called once more, just to be sure. It clicked off after two this time. He blinked again, his brow furrowing together in panic. Was Holly okay? 

  He raced back out into the living room, calling her on his phone once more. If she didn't answer this time, he'd be forced to trace her location. The phone rang, and rang. It rang, and rang some more when:

  "WHAT?! Are you dying?!" Holly scrambled out of breath on the other line. "What do you want?" 

  "Where are you?" Artemis questioned, noting her elevated breathing and irritation. "Are you jogging at 2 am?" 

  Holly rolled her eyes on the other line, trying her best to catch her breath, it coming in erratic, short bursts. "Yes, Artemis. I'm jogging at 2 am," Holly replied sarcastically. 

  "Hah. You're definitely jogging alright-" Trouble sneered in the background before Holly smacked him. 

  Artemis froze on the other line. "Was that-?" His heart dropped into a deep pit in his stomach. "Oh." 

  "Can I go now?!" Holly stammered before the line was cut off without an answer. She stared at her phone in shock before chucking it across the room. "Fuck it." 

  Artemis hung up, not bothering to ask much more. He really didn't need to. The answer was blatantly obvious. 

  His thoughts traveled back to the Commander's mesmer probe a few days prior. If he didn't see Holly as more than a friend, why did the reality of her sleeping with Commander Kelp sting so much? He felt like his heart was torn in half. He felt like a fool. A stupid, little fool. No, he couldn't like Holly. That wasn't good for either of them. He had to stop it. He had to end this silly little crush now, before it was too late. 

  Beep. Beep. 

  His phone trilled gently in his hand and Artemis glanced at the screen defeatedly. 

   Keni: Cool. I can't believe you got out so quick. Totally thought you were another Goliath.

   Artemis frowned at the message, responding quickly. 

  Artemis: I am what happened to Goliath. He and I are nothing alike. 

  Keni: Clearly. Kinda hot, to be honest. 

   Artemis blinked at the screen. Hot? Was he hot? Was that day hot? Was Haven hot? He decided she most likely meant the first option and rolled with it. 

  Artemis: Me? I'm a human, you know. 

  Keni: LOL so? The only difference between us is our height and ears. Oh and that pixies are smarter than humans. ;) 

  Artemis: Are you certain? Your grammar says otherwise. 

  Keni: OH?! Bring that slick mouth over here and we can talk about grammar, MudMan. 

   Artemis rubbed his neck a little, unsure whether he should take the invitation or not. Did he find Keni attractive? Well… yeah, he concluded. It wasn't like she was a stranger, and it could provide a nice distraction. Then he remembered she was the whole reason Holly was let into the tower in the first place. Keni had deliberately disobeyed him and betrayed his trust… So why was he so willing to overlook that now? 

  Artemis threw his face into his hands and smiled a little in shame to himself. Even I don't have control over my hormones this time. Fantastic. 

  He looked around Holly's empty apartment, the image of her with Trouble piercing his mind. He cringed, running his hand through his hair. The empty, dimly lit apartment was lonely. Artemis was always lonely. He didn't want to be lonely for once. He didn't want to think. He sent a quick text to Keni. 

   Artemis: I'm unsure you deserve it, to be honest. 

  He sent it without really reading it before realizing how it sounded. He gripped the bridge of his nose, quickly sending off another text. 

  Artemis: We'll speak later. Goodnight, Keni. 

  Artemis tapped the phone on his palm for a few minutes, mulling it over. His eyes caught Holly's futon in their wandering and he froze again. I need to move on. And then he decided. 

The Black Alley, The Underground 

Room 403, 4th Floor, Phobos Tower 

  A hefty knock at the wooden door prompted a certain, lilac-haired pixie to answer it, swinging it open with both confusion and curiosity. She looked up, taking in the tall, freshly-groomed human with lecherous eyes and matching grin. He was in an oversized black coat and navy turtleneck, casual slacks and loafers to match on the bottom. "I didn't know you were on delivery duty." 

  Artemis raised a brow at the pixie, caught a little off-guard. "I'm not?"  

  Keni leaned in, patting his coat lapel. "Oh. Well, you brought me a snack, so…" 

  Artemis realized she meant he was the 'snack' in question and he rolled his eyes playfully. He leaned against the doorframe, avoiding her intense gaze on him like a predator on its prey. "I don't know what I'm doing here," he admittedly honestly. 

  Keni grabbed him by the lapels, wheeling him backwards into the darkness of her room. "Yes, you do." The door closed behind them, the night still young and full of uncertainty.  

Chapter Text

The trap song Trouble is rapping is a remix of Family Ties and does not belong to me. 

7 Days Later 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apt 224

  It'd been a whole week since Artemis moved out from Holly's apartment, and since she last saw or heard from him. Well, the former wasn't technically true. The media had stirred a frenzy when it was discovered the Irish genius was now living amongst The People. His pallid face was plastered on every billboard and news article. Everybody wanted to know: just what was a human doing in Haven City? 

  It was this very sentiment that added to Holly's sour mood. She tossed herself onto her stomach under the duvet to cuddle her fluffy pillow, unlocking her phone screen. The holo-projector lit a small screen above the actual one, allowing her to control her phone in the air. She frowned as she scrolled through her notifications; all of them from Trouble, none of them from Artemis. 

  She sighed into the soft poof of the pillow, just letting her face melt into the fluffy surface. "Urghh," she groaned from her throat, lifting her phone back up to read Trouble's messages. 

  Trouble aka trouble in my a- 

  (15 Unread Messages)

  (3 Missed Calls) 

   She frowned at the messages. Fifteen? Really, Trubs?  She whined again, skimming through the texts.

  Trouble: Hey. Call me back ? 

  Trouble: Wyd

  Trouble: Holly did you die lol

  Trouble: Ok now Im worried 

   Holly rolled her eyes. She should feel flattered, or appreciated by this, shouldn't she? So why did she feel annoyed? She skimmed a few more, breezing through the end of the block of text. 

  Trouble: …been 5 days since i heard from you…you ignored me today…didd i do sometjing wrong ?

  Trouble: Sorry.

   Holly's lips flattened into a tight line. What was she doing? She didn't feel like a professional lately. She felt so out of her depth, like everything and everyone was challenging her mentally, spiritually, whatever. 

  Holly rolled in her sheets, snuggling the soft fabric. She missed her cat friend about now, realizing she hadn't seen the fancy tunnel cat since she came back from vacation. He's probably mad at me, too. Of course, he wasn't truly hers, as the fairies tended to only keep wild animal companions that were free to come and go, tunnel cats being the easiest and most popular of pets in Haven City - if you were lucky enough to befriend one. 

  But, Holly was alone in her apartment, tossing and turning in her spare hours before her early morning shift. She thought back to the media articles plastered across the internet. 

  What is a human doing in Haven?!

  It's all because of me. It's all my fault. True, it was Angeline's idea to keep Artemis helpless in Haven. His mother had paved the way to bring it to fruition, but it'd been Holly herself who physically brought Artemis into the Lower Elements. She couldn't help but feel like it was a direct betrayal to him. 

  I tricked him down here, forced him into a job he didn't want, learned his deepest secrets, shot him, and kept him isolated in a cell for 72 hours. 

  Holly groaned and rolled over, frowning at the paneled ceiling as her thoughts kept swirling in her mind. He tried to kill himself in space. He doesn't think he's real. And I left him in a cell for three days. "Dammit" she uttered, running a hand down her face. I suck. 

  She tossed over onto her stomach again, slim fingers searching for her phone. She pulled up Artemis' contact and stared at it. Are you okay? Please be okay, wherever you are. 

  Holly caught a glint in the soft lavender lights outside her window, her eyes catching her carnelian ring. Just call him.

  She dropped her phone and flipped the little orange stone over, allowing the ringer to carry out. It rang four times before rejecting. Holly pouted onto her pillow. Even after a week, he was refusing to talk to her? She felt like crying, punching her pillow, and eating a gallon of pandan ice cream. Why did she feel so out of control? She was 97, for Frond's sake! 

  A click from her living room caught her attention, her pointed ears alert and tingling. She got out of bed cautiously to tiptoe to the door frame, peeking out over the lip of the wall. A tall, raven-haired human was strolling through her apartment as if searching for something. Artemis! 

  Holly stepped out from the crevice so he could see the anxious elf in her oversized hoodie. She held her arms together, swaying gently as she waited for him to notice her. And when he did, he froze, their eyes locked on each other's, full of regret and uncertainty. 

  "Hi…" Holly started first in English, taking a slight step forward. 

  "Hi…" Artemis repeated in English too, stiff on the center of her fuzzy rug. 

  Holly observed him before she spoke, silently checking up on her friend - if they were still friends. He seemed rested, and the haircut she'd given him had grown out nicely, his curtain bangs framed his face in wisps. His tapered jaw was dusted with dark, week-old stubble, and he seemed to be maintaining it.

  "Um, what's up?" she gulped. "What're you doing here?" 

  Artemis stood up straight, stuffing his hands in his slacks pockets. "I left a microchip behind. I should've retrieved it earlier, but…" He trailed off, diverting his eyes from her gaze to peek into her kitchen. "I can get it and leave." 

  "Oh," Holly said simply, walking past him slowly. "I think you hid it over here." She looked behind the herbal oils by her stovetop, plucking the tiny chip from the glass carafes. "Here," she turned to him and handed it upwards for him to take. She used the opportunity to observe him more closely now: overall, she had to admit he seemed fine, which both worried and relieved her. Was he hiding how he really felt? Was he actually better without her around? She noticed a reddish mark on the fair flesh of his neck, the contrast like a drop of blood in clean snow. She squinted at it, her fingers and chip frozen in place. "What's that?" 

  "What's what?" Artemis inquired genuinely, looking down at his outfit in confusion. 

  "That," Holly persisted, hopping to her tiptoes to press her fingers to his neck. A few blue sparks siphoned off her fingertips, dancing around the broken skin. "Is that a bruise?" 

  Artemis' cool demeanor broke briefly, his eyes widening as he reeled backwards. "Oh. That's, um-" He pulled up his turtleneck, an embarrassed smile creeping across his pink cheeks. "I hit a sign a few days ago. I'm much taller than everything here." 

  But Holly wasn't convinced. She arched a brow, peering closer again. "You're lying straight to my face, aren't you?" She recognized the way the red capillaries circled the broken skin. "That's a ph'rong!" 

  "A what?" 

  "A hickey, lovebite, whatever you Irish people call it," Holly scoffed. "Are you kidding me?" 

  Artemis threw his hands up a little defensively. "It's not what it looks like-" 

  "You're really gonna lie to me?" Holly sneered, crossing her arms. "Who're you hooking up with? You don't know anyone down here." 

  Artemis put his hands down, his expression growing steely cold. He straightened, asserting himself a little. "That's none of your business, to be frank with you." 

  "No? I brought you down here. It's my right to know what you're doing-" 

  "-No, it's not." Artemis held a palm up, stopping her quickly. "What I do in my spare time is my business, as is what you do in yours. I don't impede your personal life. Do not interject yourself into mine." 

  Holly put her hands on her hips. "Oh, yeah? Getting defensive, are we?" She peered closely at him, analyzing his reactions. "So, you're hooking up with random faeries now? Huh. I thought you were better than that." 

  Artemis' brow twitched a little. His jaw set tightly as he brushed her off. "First off, they're not random. I happen to know this person quite well now. And secondly, even if they were a stranger, you've no discretion to judge me-" 

  "I just never imagined you being so easy, is all," Holly interrupted with a shrug, refusing to meet his eyes. "I thought you'd have more respect for yourself." 

   She's trying to bait me. Smart. Artemis rolled his eyes at her. "I see what you're doing." He closed in their distance, his height towering over his former best friend. 

  "Let's make something very clear: you do not get to police me. You do not get to judge me, or project or impose your personal values onto me. I don't know why you think I'm a saint, or think I'm above intimacy, but I'm not. I'm a healthy, 28 year old man and I'm not getting any younger. I'm not like you - I don't get to live forever. So, I think I'm permitted room for a relationship." He stuck his hand out. "Are we in agreement?" 

  Holly burst into laughter, throwing her head back in mockery. "A relationship? Oh, really? A relationship with someone you just met? You should know better-" 

  "Enough," Artemis snarled. "I understand you're overwhelmed. I know I've been hard on you-" 

  "-Who is it?"

  "That's none of your concern," he replied frigidly, snatching the chip from her hand and pocketing it quickly. He whirled around, briskly making his way to her door, fully expecting Holly to follow after him. 

  And of course she did. She threw her hair into a high ponytail as she marched after Artemis, the tips of her ears bright red and steaming. "Is it someone you work with?" When he didn't answer, she surged forward, leaning back on her front door to block him. She arched an eyebrow. "Is it Keni?" 

  Artemis did his best to keep a poker face, but unfortunately for him the elf before him knew him too well. Holly couldn't help but grin when she saw his nostrils flare and his cheekbones darken. "I knew it," she cackled sharply. Not a friendly sound. "You know she dates someone new every week, right? She changes partners like she changes hair colors. You're just another heart for her to steal and conquer." 

  Artemis couldn't help but smirk at the conversation, feeling a little ridiculous. He smoothed his bangs back coolly. "This is getting a little childish. Honestly, Commodore. I have to ask -" He looked at her square in her hazel eye, avoiding the blue as always. "Are you okay? You seem… a little out of sorts." 

  "That's hilarious coming from you," Holly sneered, grinning deviously at the human. "Ya know-" her eyes slowly scanned him, "Considering." 

  "Exactly my point," Artemis shot back, both irked and amused. "If I can tell you're off-kilter, then you definitely have a problem."   

  "Right. I'm the problem,"  Holly mocked, unwavered, her determination set in stone. "I'm just trying to help you so you don't get your heart broken." 

  Artemis held up a palm. "I think you've misunderstood," he chuckled with a slick smile. "It's not that kind of relationship." 

  Holly nearly gagged. "Gods. And here I was thinking you had class." 

  Artemis closed in their distance slightly,  trapping her between him and the door. He continued his shot back at her, "You're one to talk about class. In fact, this whole conversation is very hypocritical of you."

  Holly smirked up at the domineering human. If she wasn't so pissed with him, she'd probably think he looked pretty cool right about now. Regardless, she glared at him with fiery vexation. "Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?" 

  "You allowed your Commander to abuse his magick on me, then ran off with him as a reward, " Artemis argued, leaning in closer to her so their noses were a foot apart. "Talking to me about class while you 'went for a jog', but yes-"

   "-Are you serious?" 

  "-let's talk about class," Artemis finished, his eyes fixed on her door. "Please move. I'd like to leave." 

  "You're gonna talk about me and Trouble as if you didn't loudly fuck Minerva in the room next to mine?" Holly retorted, her blood boiling so hot she could feel her limbs vibrating. 

  "5 years ago?!" Artemis nearly burst, fully annoyed with Holly now. "You need to let that go."   

  "Oh?! Like you let go of your teenage crush?!"  

  Artemis glowered at her, a little too miffed for words.

  An intense pang of guilt ate away at Holly's heart. Sure, she was infuriated with Artemis, and more than ever she wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk flat off his face, but she couldn't. But she couldn't pinpoint why she was so out of her element either. She was nearing a hundred in a few years - almost a real fairy adult soon. She was supposed to have her shit together. So, why did it feel like she was falling apart? 

  Apparently, the conversation was enough for Artemis as he pushed against Holly, pressing his side into her as if fighting for the door. "You're too emotional for me at the moment. Let me leave," he stated firmly, glaring at her.  

  "Too emotional for you?!" She pushed back against Artemis' willowy frame. "Are you serious?!" 

  "Holly," Artemis growled, the sound husky in his throat. "Let. Me. Leave." 

  "FINE!" Holly cried out, slamming the front door open, sending it smashing into the adjacent wall. "Leave then! Go!" 

  Artemis stormed past her without another word, straightening his turtleneck as he rounded into the hall. 

  "It's like I don't even know who you are anymore," Holly grumbled from the door, to which she immediately locked up and gasped at her own words. 

   Artemis halted in place, his shoulders stiffening as his head hung forward. Oh.

   Holly covered her mouth in shock at herself, her eyes wide on the back of his head. You idiot.

  Holly leapt into the hallway but kept her distance. "Oh gods. I didn't- Artemis, I didn't mean it like that," she declared urgently, shaking her auburn head adamantly. "I didn't- I truly didn't-" she choked, tears welling in the corner of her eyes. How could she fix this? Why was she so out of control? "Artemis, please believe me. I didn't mean it that way. I rea-really, I truly…" 

  Artemis barely glanced at her from over his shoulder, his body hunched and heavy. He wanted to speak, but words felt scrambled in his head. Before he could advance forward, his right arm was yanked backward, a pair of small hands tightly gripping his wrist. His eyes dropped to examine the flustered elf at his abdomen tugging against his weight. She was in tears, and Artemis couldn't bear that. He fixed his sight ahead of him.

  "Wait," Holly huffed, panting as streams of tears stained garnet-coloured cheeks. "I can't let you leave with that being the last thing I said to you. I can't. I can't," she explained between broken cries, shaking her head again. "I can't. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I'm so sorry. Please- I'm-" 

  Holly was falling apart behind him but Artemis refused to look. If he saw her sorry, tormented face, it was game over; it'd break him. More than anything he wanted to cradle her cheeks in his hands and hold her against him, whisper to her that things would be alright. But as much as he would've done these things had he turned to observe her, he couldn't. There was a deep nagging inside his chest that kept his shoulders locked and his head forward. He didn't feel well. He needed out. Now. 

   Artemis gently broke Holly's hold on his arm and took a step forward. "Take care, Holly," he whispered, briskly trekking the way down the long hallway and out of sight. 

  Holly watched him go through blurred, soaked vision. Her heart felt like an avocado pit dropped into her stomach: it just didn't sit right. She wiped her tears in frustration and huffed out a quick breath, closing her eyes as she buried herself into her mind, contemplating all the things she should've said, and those she shouldn't have. 

Upper Levels, Lower Elements Police HQ

Commander's Quarters 

    If there was anything in the underground that Commander Trouble Kelp loved more than nettlebeer, crunchball, and pizza, it was pancakes. And oh boy, did he take his pancakes seriously. You see, Trouble Kelp had a routine: the burly elf liked to wake up in the wee hours of the morning for some quick cardio, relax with his first morning coffee while catching up on an episode of whatever show he was binge watching (right now was Troll King: Killers, Kissing, and Khaos), stash up on some protein and run to work with his cacao protein shake, then consume his second morning coffee over work emails. 

  However, for only one day out of the week, every Friday in the prestigious corridors of the Upper Levels, the elite cafe Pêches et Crème was open for business. And you can bet on every Friday, Trouble Kelp was the first fairy in that bustling to-go line, excited for the cafe's legendary pancakes. With the week he'd just had, there was nothing better to improve his mood than the buttery, soft cake soaked in maple syrup, glazed in sweet blueberries. 

  So, Trouble jammed to trap music in his earbuds as he marched hurriedly down the halls of his quarters. He stopped outside the office door, bobbing his head to the beat and rapping under his breath as the door clicked green and slid open. He strolled over to his work area, lovingly placing his to-go pancake container on the desktop and moved to his coffee bar. "What's the pros and the cons of this next check? Wasn't nobody 'round, I was independent. In the '90s, sittin' bum with the windows tinted," Trouble rhymed to the music aloud, swinging his hands and head as his coffee poured into his metal cup. 

  Back at his desk, he set his sights on the to-go pancake container, rubbing his hands together as his mouth began to water. That's right. Don't think about her. These pancakes, dude. These pancakes will always be there for you. 

  But, as Trouble reached out to tear open the container to let the sweet aroma of maple and butter waft towards him, his office door slid open, a very flustered and terrifying female elf on the other side. Trouble blinked in place, unsure what his next move was. But before he could come to a decision, Holly practically threw herself at him, shoving him back into his chair. 

  "Woah!" Trouble gulped in surprise when Holly smashed her lips into his, kissing furiously against him. Trouble kissed her back with less intensity, a mixture of confusion and exploitation stirring inside him. Of course he wanted to kiss Holly. Of course he wanted her to want him, to throw herself at him. But she didn't want him - and that was the problem. 

  Holly yanked Trouble backwards off his chair, using her arm to clean sweep his desk - including his very precious pancakes. Trouble nearly whimpered as he watched the buttery cakes flop to the aluminum floor, maple syrup and blueberries pooling and dribbling out of the broken container. That's it. He pushed Holly back, his grip tight on her shoulders. 

  "We can't do this," Trouble asserted. 

  "We do this all the time," Holly argued, leaning in to kiss him again. 

  Trouble allowed it for a half-second before finding his bearings and pushed her back again. "No, Holly. You haven't talked to me in a week and now you're kissing me at work?" He waved a palm at his ruined food. "You wrecked my pancakes," Trouble complained sternly. "You know I have to wait a whole week for those-"

  "You are not mad at me over pancakes right now-"

  "It's not the pancakes, Holly," Trouble explained, stepping away from her so he could articulate properly. "It's the general disrespect. You ghosted me after we hooked up, and now you're throwing yourself at me? I mean…" he trailed off, his heart pounding in his chest. This was not how he wanted his morning to go, and he had no idea his day was only getting started. 

  Holly sat against his desk, blinking at him, processing what he said. "Throwing myself at you?" she furrowed her brows together. "You make me sound like a slut. I'm not a slut, that's your other ex. Not me." 

  "Okay, well, Lili's not the one in here trying to fuck at work," Trouble rolled his eyes. "Speaking of work, you should be at your station." 

  "I came here to see you," Holly said but stopped, realizing what she was doing here. I've been using him.

  "You've been using me," Trouble said a moment later, as if reading her thoughts. "I don't think you realized it, but everytime you and that stupid mudman get into a spat, you come to me afterwards, crying and upset. I mean… you don't come to me any other time. Am I wrong?" 

  Holly didn't mean to, but her face fell into a deep frown. She was so disappointed in herself. Was she even 97? Or was she 67? Trouble was one of her oldest friends, and she'd totally taken advantage of him. 

  "What is wrong with me?" she whimpered, hiding her face in her hands. "You're so right. I'm so sorry, Trubs. I don't… I don't know how I feel anymore. I don't know what's happening to me." 

  "It's ever since he came back," Trouble snarled, moving past her to pick up his poor pancakes. "Ever since you came back from vacation with him, you've been like this. I don't know why you keep him around, Holly. He isn't good for you." 

  Holly remembered back to her and Artemis' argument a week ago, when he had placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm not good for you." 

  She shook her in disagreement. "No, it's not his fault. You can't blame him for my behavior." She crossed her arms into her jumpsuit to comfort herself. Her eyes fell to the floor, heavy with realization. "This is on me. I- I'm so sorry, Trubs. I mean, I'm… I'm a piece of shit, aren't I?"

  "Nah," Trouble replied with a sigh. "You're just really stressed right now. Maybe get some hits in at the gym? That should help." 

  "No, Trouble. I mean…" Holly placed her hands on his plated shoulders, showing him she was taking him seriously now. "What I've done to you is really not okay. I knew how you felt about me and I used it to my advantage. That's fucked. I mean, I'm-" she shook her head again. "So… just friends, then?" 

  Trouble placed his hands on hers, giving her a small but sullen smile. "It's best, Holly. I can't keep doing this." 

  Holly wrinkled her nose at him suddenly. "You're not still messing around with that airhead, right?" 

  Trouble's dusky skin reddened under a wide gaze. "Uh… that's confidential information, Short." 

  "Are you serious, Trubs?" Holly arched a brow, curling her lip in disgust. "Your smashed pancakes are stacked higher than Lili Frond's IQ." 

  "Yikes, Holly!" Trouble patted her hands, moving back to his chair. "What is it with you and Lili? You're not jealous of her, are you?" 

  "Hah! Me? Jealous of what?" Holly giggled mockingly. "Her lack of a brain or that loose cannon between her legs?" 

  Trouble sighed deeply, his violet eyes reflecting his holo screen. "Here we go…" he muttered, trying to ignore her. 

  "Am I wrong? 'Cause I know I'm not wrong." 

  Trouble frowned at Holly. "You are. She's actually a very interesting person. You'd probably like her if you actually spoke to her." 

  "I can't believe you're actually defending her," Holly threw her hands up, pacing in circles in front of Trouble's desk. "I mean, how is what she's doing any different than what I was?" 

  "Because she's not seeing anyone else, she actually talks to me outside of hooking up with me, and I don't have feelings for her." Trouble watched her silently for a moment. "Stop pacing. You're making me nervous." 

  Holly stopped, raising her brows at him. "Nervous? Why?" 

  "You always do something impulsive when you pace." Trouble sighed deeper this time, massaging his temples. "Look, why don't you take an hour break to cool off?" 

  "But, I-" 

  "I want you at the gym in T-minus five minutes. Get some of that stress out. You need it." When Holly pouted defiantly at him, Trouble narrowed his gaze. "That's an order, Short." 

  Holly groaned, leaving the Commander's office in a hurry. A few steps down the hall she remembered her insolence, and she backed up to his door. It slid open at her presence and she offered a guilty smile at the other elf. "I'm sorry about your pancakes, by the way. I didn't really notice them… yeah… sorry…" 

  "Gym, Short," Trouble warned, albeit a little playfully. "Now." 

  "Yes, sir," Holly saluted, trudging her way over to the LEP's gymnasium facility with defeated shoulders and a weight in her heart. 

Phobos Tower, The Black Alley 

Room 408 

  Electronic Gnommish rap played from the holo-tv on the wall while teal lights from the Alley streamed in through the dim, hazy air of Artemis' suite.

  Artemis himself was perched on his "full-sized" (it wasn't) bed, finally inserting the chip he'd taken from Holly's apartment into his laptop. He sat comfortably in red boxers, legs crossed as he tuned out the "music" and typed away at his keyboard. Soft skin shifted beside him, a warm, pixie body pressed into his side. He ignored Keni for a few moments as he continued monitoring Alley accounts, until her skin was the only thing he could focus on any longer.

  He turned his head slightly to raise a brow at her, an annoyed smile growing on his face. "Can I help you?" 

  "Whatcha doin'?" the pretty pixie asked, burying her curious, indigo stare into his screen. 

  "Making sure every account has been cleaned out, or is in progress of doing so…" he mumbled mindlessly, refocusing his attention back on the screen. 

  "Which means…?" 

  Artemis sighed. "We've gone clean, which means the Black Alley will not remain a black market any longer." 

  Keni shook her head in disbelief at him. "Wait, what? Since when is that your goal?" 

  "That has always been the goal," Artemis continued dryly, doing his best to keep his attention on the numbers in front of him. "It was my very intention from the start."

  "So… we're no longer… doing crime?" 

  Artemis looked at her again with a teasing grin. "That's what going clean means, Kens." 

  "When were you going to tell me this?" she questioned, backing away a little.

  "I'm telling you now," Artemis shrugged, glancing at her. When he saw her reaction he offered a small, fanged smile. "C'mon, Kens. We'll make as much money, if not more, and we can't get arrested for it. Win win."

  Keni blinked at him, then blinked at the screen. "...You're the worst criminal I've ever heard of."

  "But you've heard of me," he smirked, chuckling when she hit his arm in response. 

  Keni rolled her eyes at him and reached over the edge of the bed, lilac waves draping her shoulders. She pulled a cigarillo from her bag and settled onto her stomach next to Artemis, bobbing her head to the beat of the Gnommish rap as she sparked it up between her lips. 

  Emerald smoke wafted through the already steamed air, drifting by Artemis' head. He crinkled his nose in disgust at the stench of burnt earth, glancing at Keni. "Do you have to smoke inside?" 

  Keni raised a brow at him. "Oh? Sure, I can smoke outside naked. I didn't know you were into voyeurism, but we can try it-" 

  "Stop that," Artemis blushed, his eyes scanning over spare fund transfers. He spared a glance at her, noting the green smoke she puffed from her lips. "What is that, anyway?" 

  "This?" Keni lifted the cigarillo for confirmation. "It's uh… the good stuff." 

  "Which is…?" Artemis raised a curious brow, eager to intake new information. 

  "I dunno what to call it, to be honest. I call it green, 'cause it's green," she shrugged. 

  "I've noticed there are different colors the fairies smoke. Do the colors matter?" he asked, finishing up the last of his work. 

  "Yeah. Green is down, purple is up," Keni explained, taking another inhale and handing it to him. "Why don't you stop asking and just try it yourself?" 

  "No, thank you," Artemis scowled, closing his laptop and falling onto his back, running a hand over his face as stress seeped back into him. "I'd prefer not engaging in psychoactive substances that don't pertain to scientific research." 

  "Uh, you've never done it before. Doesn't your first time count as 'research'?" Keni countered, crawling up closer to him. 

  Artemis thought on it for a second but decided against it. "A bit more goes into it than that," he concluded, stealing a glance at her under his hand. "Hi." 

  "Hey, hot stuff," Keni grinned, emerald smoke filling the air between them. "Well, if I can't get you to relax with me, maybe we can do something… else?" 

  Artemis chuckled at her, closing his eyes. "We just did that." 

  Keni curled up to him, patting her manicured hand on his bare chest. "Well, I know I hold a lot of power over you, sooo-"

  "Oh?" Artemis inquired in amusement. "You think you have power over me, do you?" 

  "Are you really saying I don't?" Keni blinked at him. 

  "Considering that's what I said, yes."

  "PFFFFFT!" Keni spurted, covering Artemis' mouth with both of her hands. "Shhh. Stop talking." When he gave up and she saw his light smile through her fingertips, she removed one hand to stroke his sweaty, jet black locks. "See? You do as I say. Like a good pet."

  Artemis removed her hand off him, promptly sitting up. "Pet?" he grimaced. 

  "I've always wanted a human pet," Keni shrugged. 

  Artemis turned over, getting off the bed. "No," he responded simply.

  "I was kidding!" Keni whined, reaching her arms out to him. "Come baaack."

  Artemis transferred his laptop from the bed to his desk before strolling over to his closet. "It's past noon now. Don't you have work to be doing? 

  "I can do work on you..." 

  Artemis froze. Keni offered an innocent smile. 

  "...Tempting. But we must discipline ourselves," Artemis concluded, removing his gaze and disappearing into his closet. 

  Keni fell onto her back. "Fiiine." He exited the closet with a fresh suit over his arm. Keni continued, puffing smoke into the air. "Work hard, play-" She eyed his boxers, "hard..." 

  Artemis rolled his eyes. "Okay. Enough of that," he chuckled, laying the suit over his desk chair. 

  But Keni wasn't deterred. She put out half the cigarillo in the ashtray on the nightstand and crawled over to him. "You should eat more, by the way," she commented, poking his arm from her position on the bed. "You're a bit skinny. No offense." 

  "I don't really know how to reply to that," Artemis coughed out, the insult jabbing him a bit. "I suppose I lost muscle mass in space, though physical activity has never been a talent of mine." 

  "I could teach you," Keni offered with a lecherous smile, running her hands over his shoulders. "I do run a fight club, you know." 

  "Does Holly frequent your club?" Artemis asked suddenly, his gaze stuck on the neon lights in the window as he imagined Holly punching Keni through a wall. 

  "Oh yeah. She's one of our top fighters. It's why we're friends," she explained, her arms wrapped around him from behind now. 

  Artemis barely noticed. "How long have you been friends for?" 

  "Three years," Keni purred against his back. 

  "Interesting. Did she lose her bet to Juliet at your club?" 

  "Mhm. So many questions. Why do you ask?" She bit his shoulder playfully, causing him to jolt in surprise. 

  "Oh-um, I-" Artemis stammered, a little unnerved by her presence, albeit pleasantly. He realized he was talking about Holly again and facepalmed. "No reason. Curiosity, I suppose." 

  "You're cute when you're nervous," Keni grinned, her pointer finger stroking his chin towards his lips, inching him closer. She waited for him to realize what she wanted and moved forward, taking his lips in hers. 

  Once she got his attention on her and he relaxed, she moved her hand down his arm, peeling him from his suit and placing it on her bare body. 

  Before he knew it, Keni had Artemis reeled back in, hook, line and sinker. He let his mind wander as he focused on her, work becoming an afterthought. He held onto her as he moved towards the bed, allowing her to take the lead. She pushed him onto his back and her lips were tangled in his again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself into him, deepening the kiss. Artemis let himself go, giving into the heat of the moment. 

  He didn't really know how he felt in moments like these. Physically, he had to admit it was one of the better pleasures in life. But it seemed… empty? Even when the chemistry was strong, like he felt with Minerva, and now Keni, something felt… vacant. As if something had been carved out of his chest and was missing. 

  You're not real. That's why you're hollow. 

  This was never supposed to happen. 

  Artemis' eyes snapped open mid-kiss, completely unaware of Keni and only attached to the dark ceiling above them. 

  You're hollow. A shell, with no seed. Vacant. A ghost of who you used to be. 

  Who are you? 

  You're a bother to everyone.  

  You should just die. 

  And then the pain struck. It started in his gut and wormed its way up his intestines, twisting and scratching and clawing at every inch of his internal organs until it filled his lungs. Artemis imagined it like black tar coating him, blocking his breath. He choked into their kiss and pushed Keni up, breaking away so he could breathe. 

  Keni blinked, dazed from the moment a la passíon. "Wha-?"

  Artemis shoved her off gently, hopping off the bed as quickly as he could muster. "Sorry. I-I need a second," he forced out. 

  Mumbling like an idiot. 

   "Are you okay?" Keni asked slowly, confused by his sudden behavior, watching him from the bed. 

  Artemis barely heard her as he flung himself into the bathroom, closing and locking the door. As soon as the latch clicked, it was like his throat returned to closing in on him, sucking the air straight from his lungs. Artemis fell over the sink, heaving as he struggled to breathe. His hand struggled to turn the sink on so the noise could mask his erratic breathing, warm water finally falling free from the gold faucet.  

  Artemis dropped to his elbows, hyperventilating as his breath wouldn't catch. And then the panic hit. 

  His eyes landed on themselves in the mirror, reflecting back his hateful gaze. 

 Pathetic. Too broken to be fixed.  

  The panic pommeled his chest over and over and he gasped, his eyes clenching in pain as his head dropped once more. He hated himself for this. He was so weak. 

  Your amygdala is triggering an epinephrine release, he tried to calm himself with science. These are chemicals. You are fine. Ignore it. You are fine. 

  Except he wasn't. And pretending he could beat it was making it worse. He couldn't control this - no matter his intelligence, his knowledge, his education, his discipline - nothing was working. 

  You're not the real Artemis. You're worthless. 

  "Hellfire!" Artemis swore, clamping his teeth together. "I can- I can't-" 

  "Boss? You okay?" Keni's voice startled him from the other side of the door. He'd nearly forgotten she was still here. 

  "Please-" he tried to get out, but his chest was caving in and the world was spinning. Of all the times in the world to experience his worst attack yet, why now?! 

  "Did I do something, Artemis?" 

  "No! I- I-... I'm sorry," he managed, covering his shaking head in his hands. "I'm sorry! I'm-" 

  "Do you need anything?" 

  "No- I'm- I'm- I can-"

  "Look, I'm gonna go, okay?" Keni replied sullenly from the door. "I don't know what's happening, but, um, I hope you feel better." 

  He heard the door close over the faucet and Artemis switched it off and rested on his elbows. Drops of sweat rolled off his forehead and dropped into the wet sink, slithering down the drain with droplets of water. Or were they tears? He hadn't even noticed he was crying, the warm liquid staining his burning cheeks. He hyperventilated even more, hating that he was crying. So weak. So useless. 

  Who are you anymore? 

  Artemis glanced at himself, catching those fake blue eyes in the mirror. 

  Who are you? 

  Who are you? 

  Who are you?

  Who are you? Wh o are you? W ho are you ? W go are y ou? Who a re you? W h o a re you? Who a re y o u? Wh o areyou? Who are you? W ho a r e you ? W ho ar e- 

   "AGH!" Artemis roared, smashing the copy in front of him, pieces of him shattering around the bathroom like a glittering dust storm. 

  He didn't notice the blood that rolled down his arm, or even comprehend he had really just smashed his own bathroom mirror like a maniac, but he wouldn't have cared. He was so disappointed with himself. He should be better than this. And he wasn't. 

  The pain was so intense, it was like his mother forgetting he was her son; it watching his father be thrown into the arctic waters all over again; like Butler being gunned down and dying in his arms; like Holly's pleads as she died on Hybras; like when she had been kidnapped by the Extinctionists; when he thought his mother was dying at his fingertips; when he realized he had to die to take Holly's place - this is what his heart felt like, all at once. All together. All at the same time. 

  He glanced back up at his broken reflection, staring back at the shattered glass that disfigured him. He was broken, just like his reflection. Just like in the stars. The lengths he would go through to get rid of this feeling. He couldn't handle it, he decided. 

   You could always die.

   His back hit the wall, shaking his head furiously. No. That wasn't an option. And then he remembered Keni's cigar. 

  "Green is down, purple is up." 

  Artemis' eyes widened. Yes! He broke out of the bathroom, stumbling towards the bed. He crawled onto the mattress weakly, barely catching his breath as it continued to hitch in his throat. He reached for her cigarillo, rolling it between his fingers. 

  Drugs? Pathetic, honestly. Holly was right. Who are you? 

  That was right! He remembered Holly's challenge a few weeks ago. "Promise me you'll try something new everyday. Even if it's something you wouldn't normally do."

  Artemis frowned but grabbed the lighter beside it anyway, his shaking hands struggling to light it. Smoke piled from the edge of the leafy wrap and he hesitated for a moment before uttering, "To hell with it." He inhaled quickly, desperate to be rid of his internal turmoil. 

  Of course, Artemis had never done this before, and his lungs could barely handle the intake of smoke and his hyperventilation. But he didn't care. He hit his chest, coughing hard, nearly vomiting as tears welled his eyes. "Vile," he choked out before inhaling more, and more, until his body accepted it. 

  Emerald smoke wafted around him as the world melted like a fresh oil painting, dripping as he fell over on his side, his eyes glazing over as they pinned to the neon alley in the window. Well, this was certainly… different. 

   He suspected a good dose of serotonin? Maybe his glutamate system was being slightly stimulated? Likely both, he concluded, momentarily fascinated by the drug's effects on his brain until another wave of euphoria overtook him. He blinked, the teal light on the walls rippling as if he were underwater. How in the hell did Goliath and Keni smoke this so casually? And then he realized: magick. The pixies didn't have the regenerative abilities of elves, therefore the drug's effects on them were likely a buzz, more than a high. Artemis was greatly satisfied with this new discovery, glad that there was at least some educational outcome from this poor coping decision.

  Then he realized: he was making a lot of poor coping decisions, wasn't he? He blinked again, gravity pulling him and sucking him into the bed, sinking him down as if he were laying in quicksand. His thoughts shifted back to his decision-making: he knew trauma had prominent effects on the brain in youth, and he knew he was lucky to only get PTSD from the long list of things knocking on sanity's door, and even if that wasn't true, he still felt that way. But, impulsively running off to space after a bad break up with Minerva? Poor. Staying in space for 5 years? Bad. Attempting suicide in space? Even worse. Getting kidnapped by Yakuza to secure funding and involve Holly's life without her consent? Horrible. Moving out of Holly's apartment to fool around with a cute pixie? Not a great idea, but not the worst. Then again, there had to be better coping mechanisms than intimacy. Of course, he was aware of  that. 

  Speaking of coping mechanisms, did he really think cleaning the Alley without Holly's knowledge would work? It had so far, and was still now, but would it have been the same if he had just told her?

  Why didn't I just tell her my plan? Why didn't I just ask her first, then attempt to take over the Alley? Don't I trust her? Don't I-  I've been trying to move on, but what do I even feel? What am I moving on from? I don't want to lose her. I can't lose her. She's Holly. 

  Do I like her? Do I? 

  What if I do? 

   Artemis turned over on his back, the shadows on the ceiling like demons laughing at him. 

  I betrayed her. She will never open that door again, and I don't deserve it. She likes Kelp. She doesn't like me. She never has. She knows she's too good for me. 

  But why was she jealous? Why? He felt like his brain was melting his worries away, and he faced his issues head on with no fear, no pain, no anxiety or guilt. He had to admit: he felt good.

  Definitely serotonin and glutamate, then, he grinned stupidly, covering his face in awe. I'm an idiot. 

  Holly was jealous, was she not? She also questioned my virginity. What else could that behavior indicate? Curiosity? Protectiveness? Possessiveness? She's given no other indication, though. Perhaps I've imagined it out of hope. 

  Artemis felt a tingle on his lips and his fingers touched them lightly, as if careful to disturb the sensation. He remembered back to when Holly kissed him so many years ago, the feeling of her soft, cherubic lips against his and the magickal spark that erupted between them. He had no sparks with Keni. Was it an elfin thing? Or had it meant something? 

   "In another time." 

   What did it mean? Could it be… what if it didn't have to be the past? Or a paradoxical timeline somewhere else? What if it meant now? 

  Artemis nearly laughed at himself. Yeah. Right. Idiot. She's your friend. Don't ruin what you've got. Don't make this about you. 

   His thoughts floated away from him as if he sank underwater, and he concluded that sleep would suffice for the time being. He decided to let himself drift off, snoozing happily on his pillow as the depths of shadowy unconsciousness dragged him in. 

Lower Elements Police Plaza, Haven City

Vinyáya-Root Gymnasium and Physical Facilities  

  Commodore Holly Short decided to follow her Commander's orders just this once, and found herself in black sweats and sports bra, hammering away her frustrations on a swinging punching bag. Her bare knuckles smashed against the rough surface, every tear and abrasion zipped up clean by magick blue sparks. Light flecks of blood streaked her fists and the bag, and she relished the pain as a form of punishment for her recent immaturity. 

  Holly pressed her forehead to the bag and took a deep breath, panting for a few minutes. Sweat dribbled down her temples, her eyes shut closed as thoughts poured away in her head. 

   I've been using Trouble. Artemis likes me and I- 

  Fuck. 

  Holly blew out a quick exhale and moved off the punching bag to scan the facility. The gym was entirely made out of reflective glass, the ceiling with its own sim-sky set to whatever you wanted. Right now, Holly had it set to a sunny blue sky, hoping it would lighten her mood. And even with the happy sky and unleashing her wrath on the bag, she didn't feel any better. She just felt frustrated, boiled, overwhelmed. Like a kettle that'd been left on the stove too long. 

  At least she had the gym alone. Normally, there'd be several beefy elves and gnomes in the state-of-the-art facility, either getting their health reports from the med-scanners, benching some weights, or flexing in front of the floor length mirrors. Holly liked the peace and quiet, and lack of smelly males. 

  And in the blink of an eye, her peace was ruined. Just like that. Of all the fairies in the Lower Elements Police, it had to be a long-legged elf in tight, teal spandex strolling past the sliding glass doors. 

  The gorgeous Elfin princess, Lili Frond, tied her luscious, blonde waves into a high ponytail, showing off her impressive pointed ears and high-cheekbones. Her golden skin glittered under the sunny sim panels, her aqua eyes matching the blue sky. 

  Holly hated all of it. She rolled her eyes. "Oh! Hey. You're in the wrong building. The bimbo convention is actually next door," she snickered, turning back to the punching bag. 

  Lili didn't even bat an eye, and her lack of response bothered Holly further. Holly pounded her fists into the bag twice, growing ever disturbed by Lili behind her. "Can you go away?" Holly complained loudly, smashing her knuckles against the pack and blue sparks. "Some of us are actually trying to get a work out." 

  "You're literally the only person in here, Short," Lili replied indifferently from the elliptical behind Holly, her blonde ponytail swinging behind her. 

  "Right. And I'm actually trying to make some progress," Holly huffed, shoving each word out with each hit. "So, if you can find somewhere else to do your bullshit workout, that'd be appreciated. Thanks." 

  "Oh?" Lili laughed in mockery. "Like where?" Holly opened her mouth to answer but Lili cut her off, still ignoring Holly's glare. "Let me guess… you're going to suggest I go to Trouble as a work out, right?"

  She sneered at the redhead from over her shoulder. "Hm… thought so." She coolly turned back around, refocused on her light cardio. 

  "Why do you insist on bothering me?" Holly snapped, whipping around to burn her eyes into Lili's back. "You're always in my space. Everywhere I turn. It's like, you're such a slut, you need to keep tabs on me. Or maybe you're into me too. Difference is, unlike Trouble, I won't promote you for fucking me." 

  Lili halted and slowly turned her head to look at Holly, an irked frown spread across her noble features. "First of all, I'm pretty sure you don't swing that way, so I’m not interested, babe. Second of all, I earned my promotion fair and square. If anyone got their position from using Trouble, it's you. So, please," Lili turned back around, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Stop wasting my precious mind space to listen to your insecure blabbering." 

  "Me?" Holly laughed. "Not to toot my own horn, but they make movies about me for a reason."

  "They make movies about Fowl, and you're just his romantic side-kick," she smirked. "I guess art replicates life." 

  "HAH!" Holly howled, her heterochromia burning wild flames at Lili now. "You're just upset I'm ranked above you. I've always been better than you." 

  "Are you trying to convince me, or yourself by saying that?" 

  "See, Frond, here's the thing-" Holly stopped her assault on the punching bag and strode over to the blonde. "Unlike you, I actually worked hard to get where I am. I've died before, and through time, was brought back. I watched Julius Root die before my eyes, and then I was framed for it! I watched Vinyaya die, and there was nothing I could do. I saved Atlantis from a psychopathic elf. I watched my best friend die for humanity, for our People, for the world." 

  Holly was shaking now. She was having a mental break, wasn't she? Regardless, she carried on, fuming up at Lili on her useless elliptical. "So, I earned my rank as Commodore. I worked for that. Died for it. What have you done? Besides stand there and waste air by looking pretty?" 

  "Aw, you think I'm pretty?" Lili sneered. 

  "Get down here and look at me elf to elf, Frond!" 

  "Jeez, you're really determined to be close to me, huh? Too bad you're straight, Short." 

  And because Holly was a kettle boiling over onto a flaming stove already, she assaulted Lili with the worst, most petty thing she could think of. "Exactly what I mean. You didn't become a Captain from hard work or integrity. You're a whore. You've fucked every guy in the LEP. No wonder you're trying with the girls now." 

  Lili sighed and stepped off the elliptical, a pretentious smile inches from Holly's face. "I'm a what, Commodore?" 

  "You want me to repeat it?!" Holly grinned impishly, her eyes falling to Lili's cleavage. "You're nothing but a dumb, smooth brain bimbo that relies on her noble vagina to think for her so she can please royal mommy and daddy into thinking their daughter isn't a useless whore that makes a living passing her body through the ranks."

  "At least I have a mom and dad." 

  Holly snapped. "At least my parents would've been proud of me," she retaliated with force, angry tears welling in her eyes. "You're just a useless breeding vessel that's been used too many times to work." 

  Lili gaped at Holly, taking a step back in stunned silence. There was very little that could get to her, but that… "You're such a bitch," Lili said quietly, as if struggling to bottle her emotions now. "Like you really are an insecure bitch, Short, you know that? You're a loose cannon." 

  "At least I'm not loose… you know." 

  Lili had enough. "Fuck you," she spat, fat tears streaming down her face now. She shoved past the shorter elf to storm out of the gymnasium, hiding her tears on her way out. 

  Holly panted in a sweat for a few moments, absorbing what transpired. She was justified, right? Lili had talked about her parents again. She deserved it, right? 

  But I made her cry. I was so brutal… I made Lili Frond cry. 

  Holly's eyes caught the Gnommish sign above the doorway. Vinyáya-Root Gymnasium. I wish they were here. What would they think? 

   Dammit. 

   "Lili!" Holly called out, chasing after her. But as she burst through the gym doors, the hallway was empty and Lili nowhere to be found. Holly ruffled her fingers through her braided hair, stray strands sticking to her sweaty skin. What was she to do now? 

Lower Elements Police HQ

Commander's Quarters

  "I, uh, kinda fucked up." 

  "What did you do now?" Trouble groaned, running a gloved hand down a long face. 

  "I made Lili cry and I don't know where she went," Holly explained sheepishly.

  "You made her cry?" Trouble questioned aghast. "Holy hell, Holly. What did you say?" 

  "I called her a whore… amongst other things." 

  Trouble's face fell into his hands. "Please tell me you didn't." 

  "...I did." 

  "Apologize to her, now," Trouble demanded, standing over the seated Commodore and jamming his finger on the desk. "That's an order, Short!"

  "That's why I'm here," Holly grumbled, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know where she could be. I was thinking you would know." 

  Trouble let out a deep sigh, giving him a second to calm down. He held his chin in his hand, his fingers drumming the desk in thought. "She might be somewhere that makes her feel safe. There are a few spots she won't tell me about though." 

  "Like where?" 

  Trouble pondered a bit, his eyes hard in concentration. "Well… she might be in the pool area, to be honest. She's really into hydrotherapy. My guess is she's at the hot spring by the saunas." 

  Holly nodded. "Thanks. Um… how do I apologize to her? We're not exactly… ya know. Friendly." 

  "Be nice, and be genuine. She'll sniff you out if you're fake," Trouble answered, crossing his arms. "Explain to her you've been stressed out. Apologize like an adult, Holly. I don't know what to tell you." 

  Holly sighed. Here we go. 

Lower Elements Police Plaza

Vinyáya-Root Physical Facilities

  Because Haven was situated above a boiling hot spring that ran clean water through the city, that meant the cavern was situated with tinier springs around magma pockets, one of these being on the outside deck of the pool area. It was situated a little further ways into the cavern but not out of sight. So when Holly entered the empty deck and no blondie in sight, she grumbled in annoyance. How hard could it be to find the only female Captain in Retrieval? 

  Holly strolled to the hot spring, searching the area for clues. A trail of water droplets on the onyx floor led towards an exit back to the main building. Was Lili going back to her locker? She felt like a PI again, or like a predator tracking its prey. Is this how Artemis and Butler felt when they had tracked Holly down sixteen years ago? Holly followed the water trail to the glass doors, moving through the exit into the main hall. This area of the hall was empty too, spare one sprite that flittered past her. She noticed a reflection on the tiled floor - more water! It seemed Lili had finished her hydrotherapy session and was indeed off to the female lockers. 

  Confident in her discovery, Holly marched back over to the lockers. Even if the princess was long gone, Holly could still change back into her uniform. She rounded a corner quickly, careful not to slip on the water when her sensitive ears picked up a hushed conversation somewhere in the brightly-lit hall. She halted, listening in. 

  "I said no thanks," a soft female voice replied to someone, the tone clearly annoyed. 

  "Don't be like that, babe," a gruff male voice said in response. "We'll have a good time. We don't have to tell anyone." 

  "I don't want a good time. I want to be left alone," the female replied, more adamant this time. "Back off." 

  There was a dull thump and a gasp. Holly cautiously approached the mysterious pair tucked away in the smaller hall intersected with hers. She peeked over the corner, her eyes honing in on the situation. 

  Captain Gronk Moss had Lili trapped between him and the wall, his buff arms on either side of her. She stood undeterred in her dripping one-piece LEP swimsuit, her eyes narrowed at Gronk in disgust. "Fuck off, mouth breather," she ordered, shoving his wide shoulders back. 

  But Gronk was significantly taller and stronger than her limber frame and flung her back into the wall with both hands, pressing himself over her now, his face inching closer. "Come on, babygirl. You're already half-naked. This will be fast." 

  "I said no!" Lili yelped, slapping Gronk across the face as hard as she could. 

  But it only seemed to encourage him more. He touched a hand to his reddened cheek, a lusty smile growing on his face. "I don't take no for an answer, babe." Gronk moved back in, his greedy fingers gingerly stroking the air as he couldn't wait to get his hands on her again - when WHAM! 

  Before Gronk could even lay one finger on Lili, Holly Short’s fist pommeled into Gronk's cheek, sending him reeling across the hall. 

  Holly panted angrily, in total disgust over what she just witnessed. She nodded at Lili. "You okay?" 

  "Yeah…" Lili nodded slowly, stunned by what just happened. "I thi- Holly!" 

  While Holly checked up on her, Gronk had recovered and sent a punch straight across Holly's jaw. She hit the floor before she could even tell what happened, blood spurting from her lips.

  "Stupid bitch," Gronk grunted, blue sparks lighting up the veins in his face, healing Holly's impact. 

  "I'm," Holly started through gritted bloody teeth, "Gonna. Fucking. KILL. YOU!" She leapt up, ducking under his throw and slugged him right in the nose. And her other fist, then the other, rotating each fist between his cheeks, his brow, his nose, anywhere her raw knuckles could bust up and bruise.  

  Gronk grabbed her braids and held her an arm's distance away. His other hand tugged on the hair at the nape of her neck and smashed his forehead into hers. 

  Holly sank to the ground, stars swimming in her eyes. Holly was a prolific fighter and had taken the Yakuza down fairly easily. Fighting ambushed humans was different than fighting a muscly, armored, trained military elf that could heal after each hit. But what Gronk lacked was Holly's wrath, her rage, her fury, but most of all - her ability to stand up for what was right, and right now, Lili Frond needed her help. 

  Holly caught a glimpse of a thick boot above her but she rolled out of the way as it came crashing down beside her head. Her eyes narrowed up at Gronk, totally incensed. Was he trying to kill her?! She was so livid that her stomach twisted in painful knots. Holly wasn't going to let him win, or kill her for that matter. No fucking way. 

  "Heal," Holly whispered as she spun up from the ground, blue sparks electrifying her eyes as she cracked her neck side to side. She ducked down to dodge a throw from Gronk and landed one back on his cheek instead, stunning him as she battered his face over and over. "AGH!" she screamed out, kicking at his knees now. "Máthair fucker!" 

  Gronk was over his beating. He squared up his shoulders and back and charged at her, grabbing Holly and throwing her upwards, body slamming her into the tiled floor. He spit blood, his gaze fixated on the beaten elf as sparks regenerated his swollen face. "You hit hard for a little girl, you know that?" Gronk would've kicked her unarmored gut had it not been for the two arms that suddenly wrapped around his trunk-like neck from behind.  

  Lili was done being a background character. Holly needed assistance, and now was Lili's chance to show she wasn't some airhead princess - she was LEPRetrieval. She screamed out as she squeezed on Gronk's neck, choking him out from behind with all her strength. But her efforts were short-lived when he heaved backwards, smashing her between him and the wall. Lili slid off him, slumping weakly to the ground. 

  Gronk coughed, rubbing his neck as he turned back to Holly when he was met with her boot flat to the face. He crashed into the wall, magickal blue sparks flying wildly like embers between the three elves in the hallway. At this point, that fluttering lone sprite Holly had passed earlier had done another round and bore witness to the fight. And, of course, like all adrenaline-loving officers, he had gone and brought back half the building to form a crowd around the Captains and Commodore. 

  Cheers and heckling erupted as Holly continued battering Gronk's face into the wall. He finally found an opening and grappled Holly, throwing them both to the ground. He sat on his knees as he straddled over her, held her down by her braid, and served a solid smash of his fist to her pouty mouth. He didn't get another hit in though - he reeled his fist back for a second punch when Lili raced beside him, striking her foot diagonally at Gronk's groin like she was kicking a goal. Gronk immediately hunched over, his hands flying to his precious family jewels as he tipped over and fell useless to the floor.

  Lili laughed at his pathetic display under her breath, her eyes craning to Holly. She moved to stand over the dazed Commodore, water droplets from Lili's hair mixing into the pools of blood beneath them. "Are you okay?" Lili asked. She stuck her hand out to Holly, as if making a peace offering. 

  Holly blinked a few times at her, her wounds healed by blue sparks, but her face was still sore as hell. She shook her head a little and opened her eyes at Lili fully, noticing the hand. Holly hesitated. 

  "Come on, Holly," Lili assured her hurriedly. "He's not down yet." 

  Holly blinked once more. Lili said her first name. Not Short, not her rank. But her actual name. Holly nodded at her, reaching out and taking her hand. Lili heaved her up, helping her up to her feet. "Thanks," Holly said, forming a small smile at the blonde. 

  Lili opened her mouth to share a witty comment but gasped instead, shoving Holly aside. "Move!" she cried out, both girls avoiding the slam of Gronk's incoming fist. 

  Lili twisted around quickly, kneeing Gronk in the stomach to stumble him back while Holly surged forward, serving a roundhouse kick to his gut, sending him flying to the edge of the roaring crowd of officers. 

  Her eyes caught Lili's by accident and both girls couldn't help but smile at each other in disbelief - was this really happening? Holly refocused and cracked her neck once more, darting towards him as adrenaline soared through her. Gronk was sitting upright, groaning and sweating as sparks circled his torso. Holly didn't spare him any mercy though - she thrust her knee into his nose with a crack and he flopped over flat. 

  "Kick his ass!" Lili shouted, racing around Gronk and pressing his arms over his head. 

  That was all Holly needed to launch her fists at his face over and over again, her knuckles in a cycle of ripping, shattering, then healing on each impact with his skull. And as quickly as the fight had started and the crowd had formed, Commander Trouble Kelp appeared through the crowd, tomato-faced and fiery-eyed. Holly might've compared him to their beloved former commander had she not been so invested in breaking Gronk's face. 

  "BREAK IT UP!" Trouble hollered, his voice thundering through the hall. "BREAK THEM UP, NOW!"

  Several officers jumped in at once, breaking the ravenous Holly and Lili away from the sputtering Gronk. Even as she was being pulled back, Holly was clawing her way to Gronk, still determined to get a few more hits in. 

  "Commodore Short," Trouble fumed at Holly, stepping towards the group from the crowd. He turned to Gronk, addressing them both. "Captain Moss. My office. Now."  When Holly still didn't give up, kicking and screaming in the officers' arms, Trouble roared in her face, "NOW!"

  This seemed to snap her out of her furious fixation and she relaxed, breathing heavily against the other fairies. She shot one more nasty look at Gronk and stormed past them when Trouble grabbed her arm, locking a cuff on one wrist. When he locked the other, Holly tugged on him. "What're you doing?" 

  "I just witnessed you assault another officer, Short. That's a criminal offense," he explained as he led her through the crowd. "Back to work, the lot of you! Anyone seen standing around will have the last hour docked from their pay, so move fast," he warned loudly, causing the officers to snicker and scatter. Trouble noticed Lili but didn't question her, he could ask her later. "Captain Frond, go get dressed and join us please." 

  Lili nodded, smoothing her long hair out of her eyes back into its ponytail. "Yes, Sir." She saluted him and practically sprinted away, disappearing through the door of the female locker room. 

  Trouble continued forward, a handcuffed Holly Short and free Gronk Moss treaded beside him back towards the Commander's Quarters. 

  "So," Trouble started once back in his office, Holly and Gronk standing on either side of each other in front of their Commander. "Can one of you calmly explain what just happened?" 

  Gronk was faster, starting first. "I was talking to Lili about work and this crazy bitch attacked me out of nowhere. I don't know what the lunar cycle is right now, but this is exactly why females shouldn't be LEP, Commander. She can't handle her own emotions. How can she handle an entire flight squad?" 

  Trouble made a face but continued on. He nodded at Holly. "And you?" 

  Holly smirked after a few moments of silence. "You're gonna leave him here next to me?" She giggled a little scarily, eyeing Gronk elfishly beside her. "Mmmkay." Before either male knew it, Holly sweeped down low, kicking Gronk's legs out from under him. "Die, you gross, perverted criminal!" Holly kicked him once in the shoulder until Trouble yanked her back, forcing her in a chair. 

  Trouble leaned into her ear and whispered, "I will fire you right now if you don't quit it, do you hear me?" He straightened, nodding to an elf corporal guarding the door. "Take Short out. I want to hear Moss' story first." 

  About ten minutes later Gronk emerged from Trouble's office, a devious grin planted on his chiseled cheeks as he strolled by the handcuffed Holly. "Good luck with your story, sweetheart," he teased, winking as he was led down the hall. 

  Holly chewed on her tongue as she was walked into Trouble's office, the corporal guard leaving them alone in the glass-enclosed space. Holly glared at Trouble, waving her wrists at him. "Uh, can you free me please?" 

  "How do I know you won't attack me too? You've been a loose cannon lately," Trouble shrugged. 

  "Are you serious, Trubs?!" Holly laughed. "Uncuff me. Now." 

  "Why did you attack Gronk Moss, Holly?" Trouble tried a little softer this time. He knew she didn't respond to aggression well. "What happened?" 

  Holly almost answered, but then didn't. It wasn't her story to tell, was it? She remembered the shame she felt when she told Artemis, and how hard even that was to do. She had yet to tell Trouble and now she was regretting not having done so. Maybe this could've been avoided? Was this her fault? And he had only flirted with her. She couldn't imagine the shame Lili felt, especially after the awful things she called her. That could never be undone, and even if she apologized, those words were forever. Holly loathed herself for that. 

  She bit on her lip, keeping her eyes down. "I… I can't." 

  Trouble shook his head in exhaustion. "What?! What do you mean you can't?" 

  "It's not my place. I can't say." Holly looked up, her distraught eyes meeting his. "I'm sorry. I know I'll get repercussions for this, but I can't." 

  Trouble's features stirred in confusion. "What are you talking about? You attacked him! I saw you. It's not your place to say?" He threw his head into his hands. "Three times today, Holly. Three times today you have caused issues at work. Are you trying to have me fire you? Because this won't demote you, this will fire you!" He stepped in front of her, placing praying hands in front of her. "Please work with me here." 

  Holly tried to speak, to tell him to call up Lili so she could explain, but she doubled over instead, tears escaping her eyes. She felt so overwhelmed, her own behavior, the stress and pain of everyone and everything, and her guilt finally seeping into her. "Sorry," she cried, hiding her face from him. "Sorry." 

  Trouble uncuffed her, leading her to the small couch on the far corner of his office. He helped her sit gently, his concerned gaze looking over her cowering frame. "Holly. Please know, I will always take you and Lili Frond's word over Gronk Moss', anyday, anytime.  There is no way the two of you worked together without a good reason. Please tell me what it is." 

  "He's a total creep," she cried angrily through thick tears, wiping them away in annoyance. "He's made moves on me before. He has no respect for the female officers, not even his superiors. He doesn't care about consent apparently, either, so there's that. I-" She looked at Trouble guiltily. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but I felt really embarrassed. I didn't want you to think I couldn't handle it. I'm sorry." 

  Trouble was frozen stiff and silent as he absorbed this information, and Holly could see the tips of his ears burning bright red. He nodded once after a minute of processing and stood, dusting his uniform off a bit. "I'm going to call Lili in here. You okay with that?" 

  At her nod, he dialed Lili's wrist computer at the comm on his desk. "Hey, Lil? You done yet? …Yeah. Thanks." He glanced at the door and moments later, Lili Frond stepped into the office in her emerald uniform. Trouble took a careful step forward, his eyes cautiously scanning her face. "First things first: Are you okay?" 

  Lili shifted in place uncomfortably, wrapping her arms tightly across her chest. "Yeah, no thanks to Short over here," she nodded in Holly's direction. "You should've seen her. She was like a damn pigeon or something."

  Holly blinked at her deadpan. "A pigeon? Really? ....A pigeon? Out of all the animals you could've compared me to, you picked a fucking pigeon?" 

  Lili smiled. "They're fast," she winked. "That's why they're mail carriers." 

  Trouble cleared his throat to get their attention. "You're sure you're okay?" he asked Lili again, to which she nodded, again. He took a few steps towards Lili, getting closer to her. "Do you need her to leave?" he asked quietly.

  Lili mulled it over, but left her smile on her face, fixing her gaze on Holly. "Nah. Anyone that fights a big dude for me is someone I respect." A tiny smirk grew on the corner of her lips. "Besides, she saw the whole thing. Nothing to really hide." 

  "Can you tell me what happened?" Trouble asked gently, careful not to push. 

  "It was… it wasn't a big deal. Gronk was just being an ass. It's how he is," she shrugged, avoiding Trouble's stare. "I think we overreacted a little. Sorry. I didn't mean to get Holly in trouble." 

  Holly stood, shaking her head in refusal. "Hell no, we didn't overreact! I heard him, Lili. I heard what he said to you. I saw him." She moved towards the blonde slowly. "You can tell Trouble. He trusts us. You know he does." 

  Lili's eyes shifted from Holly's to Trouble's carefully, studying each person. She eventually sighed, taking another step closer to Trouble. "Okay. Yeah. He started harassing me at the spring and I got really uncomfortable with it being us two alone, so I left. He followed after me and kept calling me a stuck-up princess-" she rolled her eyes "-you know how that goes. Then, yeah. He got a bit physical. He told me he didn't take no for an answer, then Holly hit him." She blew out a giant breath, smoothing her damp locks back. "Please don't make me repeat that," she shuddered, avoiding Trouble's gaze again. 

  Commander Kelp was quiet for several more long minutes, to the point both Holly and Lili glanced at each other in concern. Eventually he nodded to himself and popped his head up, moving back round his desk. He dialed in the comm: "Bring Moss in here now. Bring Cyprus and Reed too." He switched it off, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as he ruffled his fingers through his short hair. 

  A few seconds later, Gronk strolled in through the doors, the other officers filing in behind him. "I've been summoned, Commander, sir?" Gronk asked innocently, saluting the shorter male. 

  Trouble wore a dark expression on his face as he calmly approached Gronk, his arms behind his back and his posture straight. "Gronk Moss, on this day, March 3rd, Era 10 Year 63, I declare you dishonorably discharged from your service as an LEP operative. You must turn in your badge and sign out any weapons on you."

  "You're not serious, sir," Gronk protested, his tawny eyes growing large and wide with realization. "You're firing me?" He waved his palm over at Holly. "What about the crazy girly Captain? Oh- oops. Sorry, Commodore," he scoffed. 

  "I recommend you stop speaking and turn in your badge immediately," Trouble spoke very icily, which was unusual for him. This is where his name came in - an icy Trouble meant trouble was brewing, and definitely not one you wanted to mess with. "Badge. Weapons. Now. You're out. You're done." 

  Gronk gaped at him in utter shock but growled, tossing his badge across the room. "I signed out my weapons already. You're a shitty commander, anyway," he scoffed, turning to leave when Trouble nodded to the officers behind Gronk. They took the elf's arms and thrusted them behind his back, cuffing him. "The hell is this?!" Gronk demanded, glaring at the Commander.

  "Gronk Moss, I hereby place you under arrest for attempted sexual assault, assault of another officer, and battery. You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so, but whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence."

  "The fuck are you on about?!" Gronk roared, tugging against the officers' hold on him. "I'm fucking innocent and these bitches have no proof I've done shit!" 

  "You sure about that? Foaly's got this place loaded with secret cameras. You sure you want to incriminate yourself further?" Trouble grew a tiny smile at Gronk, approaching the former officer until he backed him into the wall. He bore his deadly stare into Gronk's eyes until they were inches apart. "You're lucky it was Holly who hit you," he whispered into the elf's ear so only he could hear. "Because if it were me, I would've killed you." He drew back a few feet, his glare still pinned on Gronk. "Get him out of here. Place him in Block A." 

  Gronk protested the entire way out, and once his declarations had died down the hall, Trouble exhaled loudly, punching the air angrily. "Gods dammit," he growled, running hand through his crew cut. "Having a guy like that in the LEP, and I didn't know. I didn't notice. Fucking-" 

  "It's not your fault, Trubs," Lili said softly, resting an elegant hand on his shoulder. "You couldn't have known if we've been hiding it from you. Thank you for believing us." 

  Holly stood, approaching the pair warmly. "Yeah, Trubs," she agreed, raising her brows at Lili for using the same nickname as her. "You're a great Commander. Julius would've been proud of you, and honestly, he wouldn't have wanted anyone else." 

  Lili looked between the two, lifting her arms. "This is endearing. Group hug?" When Holly hesitated, but eventually gave in, wrapping her arms around them, Lili squealed, "Group hug!" 

  Trouble broke away first. "Alright. I have paperwork to fill out. Can you two talk things out meanwhile? I think it's long deserved, yeah?" 

  Holly rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah Commander." She looked at Lili. "That okay with you?" 

  Lili rubbed her neck, her cheeks blooming pink. "I actually want some time to myself, if that's okay. But I'm totally down in a few hours when we're off work. We can talk over some dinner. It's on me. Is thaaat… cool? Or, like, weird? Or…?" 

  "No, yeah!" 

  "Yeah?" 

  "Yeah," Holly smiled genuinely. "Let's do it." 

  The three went their separate ways, and for the first time in a few days, all three felt hopeful and relieved that a new friendship might form from this. Finally, something good. 

Upper Levels, Haven City

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apt 224 

  The sky was a soft lavender as twilight fell upon the bustling and twinkling Haven City. Holly couldn't help a small smile as she entered her apartment, falling back onto her couch with a huge exhale of relief. 

  The day had started so terribly that having a satisfying resolution was a considerable weight off her shoulders. She smiled into the umber cushion, feeling good about herself. She'd gotten a lot of her anger out on Gronk's face earlier, and though it may not be the best coping mechanism, it was certainly justified. Trouble and her seemed to be on okay terms, and that was something she could work on. Most surprising of all, she'd ended a decades long feud with her greatest rival, Princess Captain Lili Frond. Holly threw her head back, her smile widening as she watched lavender streams of light twirl on her ceiling. Would they actually become friends? Would they get along during dinner later on? 

  Holly sighed, running a hand over her face. Her eyes caught her little carnelian ring and she froze. Artemis. Not that she'd ever actually forget about him, but she'd been so occupied she'd forgotten their fight earlier. She sank back into the couch, disappointment once again taking its primary hold of her.

  She had to apologize for her behavior. There was no way she could damage their relationship further. She twisted the cloudy orange stone, letting its rings fill the silence of her lone apartment. It rang and rang, but nothing. 

  Holly groaned and shut it off, eyes on the ceiling again. Was she too late? Did he hate her forever now? 

  A sudden click behind her caused her to jolt in place, startled by the sound of her front door unlocking and sliding open. Holly whipped around on the couch with wide eyes, anticipation thumping in her chest like a taiko drum. 

  It was Artemis! His cheeks were pink and he had a duffle bag over his shoulder. His eyes caught hers and froze, his face deepening into a wine blush. "Hi…" he spoke uncertainly in English, hovering in the doorway. 

  Holly hopped over her couch and stared at him in total awe. Was he really here? "Hey…" she took one careful step forward. "You're… here?" she asked in English too.

  Artemis shifted in place, resettling his bag. "Yeah. I-..." He broke out into an embarrassed smile, avoiding Holly's gaze. "I was wondering if you still had room for one. You know, if the vacancy hasn't been filled yet." 

  "What?!" Holly laughed, peering in playful confusion at him. 

  "I wanted- I-" Artemis struggled, and Holly couldn't tell if it was his shame or pride. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I shouldn't have engaged you. I'm the entire reason you've had a hard time, and I shouldn't have contributed to-" Before he could finish Holly threw herself at him, burying him into a tight hug. He smiled into the embrace, kneeling a little and wrapping his arms around her in return. 

  They held each other warmly for what must've been three silent minutes, Holly the first to break the ice. "I'm sorry," she whispered to him. "I was such an asshole. You didn't deserve that. I was unbearable."

  "You're never unbearable, Holls," Artemis said, his voice hushed in her hair. "I'm sorry for all the stress I've caused you." 

  "We can talk about that later," Holly murmured, pulling him in tighter, catching a whiff of his cedar soap. "I miss you." 

  "I miss you too." They released each other, both with warm smiles on grateful faces. Artemis tugged at his collar a little nervously, his eyes at the floor. "Holly. I was… could I move… back in… you know, with you?" 

  "Oh?!" Holly started with a wink. "What? You missed my bed that much, did you?" 

  Artemis rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. The full-sized bed at Phobos was more than substantial." He smiled teasingly at her. "I miss you. Yes, we're always in each other's space, and I don't exactly help around here-" 

  "Mhmmm," Holly raised a brow, tapping her foot with a devious smirk. 

  "But," Artemis continued with insistence. "I cannot deny that Haven is considerably more enjoyable with your company. And, so, if you'd have me-" 

  "Of course," Holly cut in, sticking her pinky finger out to him. "Welcome home, Artemis. You're always welcome here." 

  Artemis nodded, locking his pinky in hers as a smile crept his cheeks. "Thank you, Holly. Really." 

  "So!" Holly chimed. "How do you feel about a cuppa' Earl Grey and a storytime?" 

Chapter Text

Artist credit: iesnoth
Instagram: iesnothsart

Upper Levels, Haven City

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224

  "So!" 

  "So…"

  Holly sat bundled in the corner of her umber-colored couch, her fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of Earl Grey. She smiled anxiously at Artemis across from her, watching him fiddle with the cuffs of his button-down. 

  "You have hair!" Holly exclaimed, reaching to lightly stroke his week-old stubble. "I didn't mention it earlier, but I noticed. I've never seen you with it before." 

  "I believe I had a few stray hairs when we traveled through time," Artemis reminded her. 

  "Yeah, but you actually have hair now."

  "Yes, well," he replied, rubbing his jaw unconsciously. "I'm thinking of trying something new for a while."

  "I like it. It's different…" Their fingers collided on his jaw and they met eyes, both frozen on each other. 

  "Anyway! How was your day?" Holly asked awkwardly, pulling away as a coral blush deepened her freckled cheeks. "Ya know, after our fight and everything…"

  "Um…" Artemis' brows furrowed together and he smiled at the recollection of hours prior. "My day…was…" His eyes suddenly widened playfully. "It was a day." 

   "It was a day!" Holly repeated with a warm laugh. "Yeah, I had one of those too," she giggled into the brim of her cup as she took a sweet sip. 

  "How did yours go?" Artemis nodded in response, his eyes watching her curiously. 

  "I, uh… well, I guess I was in the fighting spirit today because I,  uhhh… fought someone," she continued smiling awkwardly, covering her face with a hand. 

  "You fought someone?" Artemis asked, intrigued with a raised brow. "At work?" 

  "Yeah. Like, I kicked someone's ass," she nodded.

  "May I say that I'm not exactly surprised?" 

  "Okay but like he totally deserved it, so I'm in the right okay so don't judge me too much I swear I'm not an aggressive or violent person all the time but holy fuck do I wish I could've ripped that lil bitch's face off-" 

  "Holly!" Artemis laughed out, interrupting her with a wave of his hand. "Slow down," he continued chuckling, relief filling him. It was good to be laughing with her and not spitting vicious words at one another. He kept that to himself as he held onto the fond moment. "My Gnommish is exceptional except in cases like this-"

  "Sorry!" she grinned, taking another sip and setting her mug on the acrylic coffee table. "Okay. So, remember the guy who was harassing me?" 

  "The one you wouldn't tell your Commander about?" 

  "Yeah. I hit him harder than a stinkworm," Holly bounced to her knees on her cushion, burying her fist in her other hand. "He assaulted Lili Frond and we kicked his ass together. Then Trouble had him arrested. So, that worthless elf is sitting in jail now, right where he belongs." 

  "You and-" his eyebrows furrowed again. "Lili Frond? Fought him together?" He gaped at her, and he couldn't decide if it was awe or disbelief. "You continue to fascinate me each and every coming day, you know that?" 

  Holly smoothed her hair back, reaching for her phone. "I'll take that as a compliment, since I imagine it's hard to keep a genius on their toes." 

  "My point. So, things escalated with this other officer?"

  "Yeah," Holly pouted, cupping her chin in her hand. "You were right. I should've told Trouble sooner and maybe this would've never happened." 

  "That's not fair, Holls. The situation was never your fault to begin with," Artemis replied, invested in their conversation. "I'm glad everything was resolved and that you're okay."

  "Yeah, if you say so." Holly glanced at him as she sent Lili a quick text. "So? Why was your day a day?" 

  "Oh. Well, it, um-" Stop mumbling. "I had a panic attack earlier," he admitted with a little contempt for himself. 

  "Oh," Holly breathed. "Was it… was it what I said?" 

  "No, no! It's fine," Artemis hurried to assure her, placing his tea down. He took a few moments to recollect himself and organize his thoughts. "The panic attack isn't an issue. It's what I’ve learned from it - well, sort of. But, anyway," he scrambled, taking a deep breath.

  "I've done a lot of thinking. I've realized the reason I pull off these outlandish schemes, the reason I don't tell you, is because I grew up doing that to you. I've grown comfortable in it. I know that I can always rely on you first and apologize later. But that's wrong, and I need to change. I need to be honest, Holly. So, I will. Starting now, I promise I will be as genuine with you as is possible for me. I hope I can prove that to you over time." 

   Holly didn't really know what to say. She must've looked stupid staring at him in a daze. It was just so strange to hear him talk so vulnerable - willingly? "Okay. Who kidnapped Artemis and who are you?" 

  "I'm serious, Holls," Artemis rolled his eyes playfully at her. "And, to further exemplify my promise, I have a confession to make." 

  "A confession? Uh-oh," Holly straightened, sitting on her calves and knees. "What is it?" 

  Artemis exhaled quickly. "A bit earlier, during my panic attack, I, er, did something." 

  Holly raised a brow. "You… did something? Like…?" Her eyes noticed his bare hand hiding in his cuff and she grabbed it. "Like this?! What happened here?" she exclaimed, blue sparks sewing up his dried cuts as she lifted it to see. 

  "Well, yes, I did that as well, but that's not what I'm talking about. I, um…" he removed his hand from her, examining it so he could avoid her eyes. "I smoked a fairy substance. It's Keni's. She calls it green, though I'm not sure what it is." 

  Holly nearly facepalmed. "You did not…" 

  "...I did," Artemis admitted with a shrug. "It wasn't really all that bad, actually-" 

  "Uh-huh. No," Holly wagged a finger at him. "Don't start that!" 

  "You're the one who said to try something new everyday! Does that not count?" 

  "Experiences! Music! Food!" Holly threw her hands in the air. "I didn't mean drugs, Artemis. Frond almighty-" 

  "I don't know. I'd definitely consider it an experience," Artemis shrugged with a teasing grin.  

  "Artemis fucking Fowl. I swear to Frond-" 

  "Well. You wanted honesty. So, I'm being honest," he sighed, smoothing his curtain bangs back. 

  "I know! And I appreciate it, a lot," Holly reached for his hands, holding them in hers. "I've done some thinking too. And you were right. I can't police you on things like this. You're an adult and if you make stupid decisions, that's on you. So, just know I promise to support you. Well-" she rolled her eyes, "-I don't support you smoking but I support you, ya know, in other things." 

  "It was just once, Holly," Artemis chuckled, patting her hands. "And it was out of delusional desperation. I also learned it's not meant for human consumption. Well… that's unless I synthesized it and played with its chemical makeup. Perhaps I could tweak its glutamate and serotonin levels to 25% of what the drug currently releases, for example. Both have been proven to be quite beneficial in oral microdoses, along with therapy, but, then again, I haven't tested the substance, so it's just a theory." 

  Holly blinked at him. "Please tell me you did not just justify drug use with science." 

  "Ah, but it is science," Artemis said with a pointed finger and a playful wink. 

  "My gods," Holly snorted, reaching over to slurp down her tea. She was silent as she did so, staring at the twinkling city lights through her sheer curtains. An awkward silence befell them, as if both realized they'd gotten to the point of the conversation neither wanted to address. 

  Holly cleared her throat. "Arty… about what Trouble did…" 

   Oh no. Artemis decided to be unafraid, despite the anxiety bubbling in his chest. "Mhm?" 

  "So, we already established that it was fucked up, right? We didn't really talk about what was said though." Holly took a sharp inhale and placed her sights on Artemis. "What does that mean, that you see me as more than a friend?" It's your fault he's like this. Don't forget. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I've been trying to make sense of it, but I don't want to assume, so I'd rather just ask you," she winced with a friendly smile. "Kinda awkward. Sorry." 

  Artemis nodded a little. "No, it's not awkward. It's completely understandable that you'd want clarification." His fingers drummed the top of the couch for a few moments while he silently organized an explanation. He looked at her door instead of her, hoping he could focus better this way. 

  "I've also been thinking about that, and if I'm entirely honest? I'm not really so sure myself," he admitted, the pale frosty pallor of his cheeks burning a cherry red. "The mesmer dug that confession out of the deepest recesses of my subconscious, and I wasn't totally aware of it myself." He grunted gruffly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Well, obviously we know that's not entirely true, considering-"

   "Orion?" Holly grinned elfishly. She poked his arm once. "Yeah. We talked about that." 

  "Right. Well, my assumption is that it's similar to that," he nodded, placing his stubbled chin in his hand. "I think I hold such high regard for you, such respect and admiration, that I view you as more than a friend. You're…" he trailed off, his eyes and brows furrowed as he became lost in her features. Liar. You know you like her. 

  That doesn't matter. She deserves more than that.

   Artemis cleared his throat again. "You're my greatest inspiration. You're one of the reasons I'm glad I'm still alive. You're a much better person than I could ever aspire to be, and for that, I hold you to the highest esteem. Platonically, of course," he added a little goofily, facepalming afterwards. 

  Holly's smile slowly transitioned into a sparkling grin, which then sparked a joyous laugh. She grabbed his hand so she could see his face, waving him off. "Don't be dorky now. I can't handle it." She pulled him in for another tight hug, a large smile plastered to her face. "You shouldn't put me on a pedestal, Arty," she said gently. "I'm not perfect, as you've seen this week." 

  "Well, I'm just as bad, Holls," he spoke gently back. "If not worse- no. Definitely worse. And you've stuck around, so…" 

  Holly laughed again, pulling back with her hands on his shoulders. She took a good look at him, analyzing his eyes, his brows, his lips. He seemed relieved, and like he was being genuinely open with her. She then remembered what he had said minutes ago, about earlier in his day. Her smile dropped and a look of concern washed over her warm features. "You had a panic attack? Did something happen?" She tightened her grip on his shoulders. "You said it wasn't what I said. Are you sure?" 

  Artemis grabbed her hands, placing them back on her lap. His face was soft, reassuring. "It's my illness to deal with. Though, I'm sure I scared off Keni." 

  Holly shook her head in confusion. "Wait, you were with Keni when it happened? What makes you say that?" 

  "I hid in the bathroom and she left. Not very eventful, but she didn't sound amused." 

  "She saw you like that and didn't tell me?" Holly huffed, furrowing her brow angrily. She scrolled through her phone, suddenly remembering she didn't have her number. "Gods dammit," she groaned.

  "It only happened a few hours ago, Holls," Artemis insisted, grabbing his mug to sip his lukewarm tea. "It's not her fault, either, so don't blame her." 

  Holly put her phone down, remembering her promise to Artemis and herself. Don't baby him. "Okay. I won't push it then." 

  Artemis blinked at her mid-sip. "Wha- really?" He set the cup on his lap gracefully. "Keeping promises already, I see…" 

  "Yeah," she shrugged a bit too casually. "No biggie." Her phone trilled gently in front of her and she glanced at the screen. "Oh! A text from Lili." Holly's face fell as she read the screen. "Oh no."

  Artemis glanced up, his interest piqued. "Oh no?" 

  "I was supposed to get dinner with her, but she's not feeling well. She wants to meet up tomorrow." Holly let her phone fall between her hands. "I hope she's okay." 

  "You're not on the type of grounds to comfort her yet, are you?" Artemis suggested. 

  Holly shook her head. "Not yet. We still need to talk about where our rivalry stemmed from. Then we can see about stuff like that. But-" she reached for her phone again, texting Trouble. "I know someone who can comfort her." 

  "Ah." Artemis took their empty tea mugs to Holly's metallic kitchen sink. "So, you're free tonight then?"

  "Seems like." She stood from the couch and stretched her arms over her head, following after Artemis. "Wanna get some curry?" 

  Artemis nodded. "Is soup our thing now?" 

  "For sure," Holly wiggled her brows in excitement. "Nothing like a hot bowl of curry… and ramen… and soba… and chowder." 

  "You know, I'm not certain, but I'd say that you're hungry," Artemis chuckled. 

  Holly punched his arm playfully. "Just for that, cleaning's your chore this weekend!" 

 "What? All I did was state the very obvious!" 

 "Exactly. Tell me something I don't know!" 

  "You hate it when I do that." 

  Holly stared at him. "...……So, curry?!" 

Lower Levels, Haven City

Canyon Springs Cafe & Overlook, Milk District

  This wasn't something Artemis wanted to do, but it was something he needed to do.

  He'd taken the liberty of sleeping in, a little exhausted from the previous day's events, and had planned his break-up speech in the mirror to Keni. He was certain the speech was well-paced and non-offensive. Now it was up to him to pull it off and not chicken out. 

  And so, after grooming himself and dodging a few pesky paparazzi on the way over, Artemis found himself at the spring overlook, sipping a hot, oat milk sim-latte. He had picked a high top table beside the overlook's glass railing, steam rising from rocky vents around the hot spring below. 

  He checked his phone screen for notifications, but had none. He sighed, setting the phone on the table as anxiety weighed in his chest. Did Keni lie when she said she'd meet him? Was she standing him up? Was she laughing at him from wherever she was for being so pathetic? Did she find him too worthless to even meet with? 

  "Hey!" 

  Artemis turned his head mid-thought, looking for the person who called out amongst the cafe patrons. A pixie in a black mesh top and hot pink cargo pants strode towards him with lilac space buns, her curls falling around her bare shoulders. She waved to him and he sighed in relief. There was nothing to be worried about. Remember. You have this planned. 

   He felt his heart thump dramatically in his chest as she took a seat opposite him. He nodded to the to-go coffee on her side. "That's for you, by the way." 

  "Thanks!" Keni smiled at him, taking a few sips of her coffee silently. She looked out over the railing at the spring below, ignoring Artemis' uncomfortable shuffling. "So. I'm guessing you wanted to meet over yesterday?" 

  "Not particularly," Artemis said, leaning onto his elbows. "Though I apologize if I scared you. I get panic attacks, and unfortunately, I cannot control them." 

  "It's okay," Keni shrugged. "It happens. Everyone's got something. Are you okay?" 

  "Yes. Quite fine." Artemis chewed his lip over, straightening his posture. "I don't want to waste your time, and so I'll get straight to the point: I- …I think-..." He froze up, suddenly forgetting his entire speech. Some genius you are. 

   What would Holly do? Well, she might punch Keni. No, no. Besides that, she'd say 'speak from your heart.' Can I do that? 

   Artemis coughed, hitting his chest. "Apologies. What I'd like to say first is, I think you're wonderful. You're witty, and your sense of humor is genuinely amusing. I think you're extremely pretty, though I'm sure you already know that." 

  "Well, yeah. I assumed that since you're fucking me," Keni winked, fiddling with the silver hoops that adorned her pointed ears. "But thanks, hot stuff."   

  Artemis nearly spit out his latte. "Right. Of course." He looked around, anxious someone might've overheard when he realized there were a few paparazzi hiding behind the umbrellas at their café tables, snapping away his conversation with Keni. 

  Keni noticed his gaze and followed it, smirking to herself. "Hmph. Looks like we have an audience! Let's give them a show, yeah?" She reached across the table for Artemis' tie, yanking him towards her so she could plant a firm kiss to his lips. 

  The cameras were clicking away rapidly now, the paparazzi muttering ecstatically under their breath. 

  But the pixie was undeterred. Before Artemis could protest, she dropped his tie and sat back in her seat. "So?" Keni folded her arms, arching a brow at him. "What're you getting at, Boss?" 

  "I- uh…" Artemis glanced between her and the paparazzi, eventually dropping his forehead into his palm. "Keni, I…" Artemis straightened, forcing himself to look into her almond-shaped, indigo eyes. "I believe I've been engaging with you for the wrong reasons. I know this arrangement we have is primarily for casual intercourse, but I believe it is wrong of me to continue this knowing that it's a mere distraction, and I don't want to waste your time or hurt your feelings any more than I already have. So, what I'm trying to say, is, I- I think-" 

  "Are you…" Keni peered at him closely. "Nooo. Are you breaking up with me?" 

  Artemis blinked at her, actually afraid to answer. "Y-yes. That's why we're here." 

  Keni blinked at him back until she threw her head back into a wholesome, hearty laugh. "Oh gods, oh gods!" she cackled, wiping her eyes. 

  Artemis frowned, straightening his suit out of anxiety, or was it fear now? He wasn't sure. "I was being serious." 

  Keni took a big breath and reached over the table once more, patting his cheek fondly. "Oh. Oh, you're so sweet for a human. They really had you pinned as this evil, scary, ruthless monster." Artemis tried to open his mouth to answer but Keni placed a finger to his lips to shush him. "Artemis, you didn't have to break up with me. You could've just texted me you didn't want to hook up anymore. It's not that serious." 

  Truth be told, Artemis was a little stunned. His only real experience with break ups came from Minerva, and though it had been her who ended their two-year relationship, it was a fiery and explosive end that came with lots of crying and screaming. It was not an experience Artemis wished to repeat any time soon, or ever again, for that matter. So, was Keni serious? Was there a secret camera planted somewhere (that wasn't paparazzi?). Was she actually furious and was masking it? He couldn't shake off the feeling that things had been too easy. 

  "Kens, are you sure you're okay with this?" Artemis asked with uncertainty. "I've just admitted to using you for sex." 

  "Uh, yeah, Artemis. That's what fuck buddies do," Keni giggled, booping his pointed nose before retreating her hand. "I used you as much as you used me. If you're not comfortable with it anymore, then that's that. We go back to being big boss and little boss." She winked at him. "I'm big boss, by the way." 

  "Fine by me," Artemis chuckled, resting back in the tiny chair. His eyes scanned the steaming spring again. "So, we just go back to how things were?" 

  "Yup, though, don't blame me if I do flirt with you from time to time," she shrugged with a playful glint in her eyes. "I'll miss this. It was fun." She nearly cooed at him, reaching forward to pinch his cheek gently. "Aw. You're so cute." The pinch turned into a light pat. "Anyway, I'mma go, K? I'll see you around?" she winked and got off her chair, swiftly scooping her coffee cup and whirling around. 

  "Bye!" Keni called over her shoulder, her bouncy curls the last thing Artemis would see as she disappeared into the bustling mass of fairies on Haven's Stick. 

  Artemis sighed, resting his scratchy chin on his hand in thought. Keni seemed fine, but he couldn't shake the feeling she didn't really feel that way. Maybe he was a little paranoid, or traumatized even, though he'd use the latter word lightly. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't as they appeared. His genius sought after the truth when his phone trilled insistently on the tabletop. 

  It was an Irish number calling him. 

  Artemis' fingers hovered over the screen, completely taken by surprise. An Irish number? His mother's number was saved into his phone. That would mean it could only be one of four people. His heart pounded in his chest, and he was unsure if it would actually combust and explode this time. His finger swiped right, accepting the call. 

  "Hello?" 

  "Artemis." It was a gentle, booming voice, one so deep Artemis had to turn up his volume a tad. He knew this voice. He knew exactly who this was. 

  "Butler," Artemis breathed in awe. He got off the chair, moving towards the glass railing to look over the spring below. "Hello, old friend." 

  "It's good to hear your voice, Artemis," Butler said through the speaker. He swore he could see the bodyguard's warm smile. "How are you?" 

  "I am well enough, thank you," Artemis remarked as a confused smile crept his cheeks. He leaned on the railing at his hips. "How did you get this number, by the way? Not that I mind, of course." 

  "Holly, actually," Butler replied. "She was worried about you and called me. She thought a call from me would cheer you up." 

  "Of course she did," Artemis sighed with flushed cheeks. "I think you'd be extremely proud of her, Butler. She's improved her combat skills tenfold since we last saw her. She defeated an entire gang of Yakuza by her lonesome. Oh, and then yesterday, she-" 

  "Artemis," Butler chuckled from the other line. "Holly stays in touch. I'm calling to hear about you." 

  "Oh. Of course, but I am fine, Butler," Artemis insisted. "Holly's extremely protective of me, is all. I'm her human, or something like that." 

  "I see…" 

  "Anyway. I'd love to hear about you," Artemis stared at the clear waters below, Haven's twinkling lights sparkling on the surface like glitter. "What're you doing now? I’d imagine you’re in that little cottage by the sea that you love." 

  "You'd be right!" Butler affirmed. "The village of Duncade is lovely this time of year. I'm glad we got back in time for spring and skipped the winter." Butler cleared his throat over the line, his voice firmer this time. "Artemis. I know I haven't spoken to you since we got back. I want you to know I think of you everyday. Things have just been… I feel like I failed you. So, be honest with me. Are you okay?" 

  Artemis pressed his lips into a thin line. Two tense conversations, back-to-back? What were the odds? "I'm better than you think," Artemis replied eventually, unable to help a small smile to himself. It was good to hear from Butler. Though he was his oldest friend, Artemis saw the bodyguard as more than that. He was more like the father his own father had failed to be, forever at Artemis' side when no one else was. He always believed in him, and though his schemes were usually extreme in nature, Butler always supported Artemis' plans, even as a mere child. 

  "I don't want you to worry about me, old friend," Artemis sighed in fondness. "I'm currently the CEO of one of the largest distribution companies in Haven, and soon, the fairy world. You'd be pleased to know it's all legal, of course." 

  "I'd congratulate you, but I'm honestly not surprised," Butler laughed joyously, the depth of his voice distorting the speaker. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the great Artemis Fowl. I'm sure your father is pleased with your ventures, keeping them clean and all." 

  Artemis froze. He hadn't thought of his actual father in a while, and the memory of the lashing he’d endured from him weeks ago sunk his heart. He held his head down as his father's words cycled in his mind. 

   "I didn't get my real son back. My firstborn son is dead."

   His blue eyes hardened, steely grey like the waters below. "Yes. Have you spoken with him at all?" 

  "Of course. I've been by a few times to check on things. They said you've moved to Haven now, and that they're proud of the awards you've won since we've been back. You know, it really hasn't been that long, has it?" 

  "It hasn't, and it's felt like a lifetime," Artemis agreed with a sigh. His parents were proud of him? Since when? "You mentioned my parents were proud of my awards. What did they say, exactly?" 

  Butler hmmed in thought for a second. "Your father said he was proud of the minerals you found and crafted. Did you ever tell them what they meant, by the way?" 

  "What what meant?" 

  "The crystals. You named artelite after yourself, and quadrastite after your friends. Remember? You said it was for Holly, Foaly, me, and-" 

  "Juliet, yes," Artemis chuckled. "It's a shame the ones for Mulch and N°1 were lost to space." 

  "Right. That day was…" He trailed off, and though he couldn't see him, Artemis could tell the bodyguard was uncomfortable. 

  "Let's not dwell on it. It was years ago, and we're both fine," Artemis asserted, clearing his throat. He moved off the railing and headed through the café back towards Haven's Stick. "Anyway, Butler, I really am more interested in hearing about you. I do miss you dearly. Please tell me about your exploits." 

  "My exploits," Butler bellowed in laughter. "I am not you, Artemis. I'm not sure my trips to the farmer's market for leeks and peppers count as exploits." 

  "Exactly, old friend." 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224

  After a sentimental and heartfelt talk with Butler on his way back to Holly's apartment, Artemis was in good spirits. Things with Holly were being repaired, his break-up with Keni had gone better than expected, and hearing from Butler had filled Artemis with comfort and security. 

  So, wanting to spread the joy he felt, Artemis stopped by the juice bar in the stretch of shops on the Midway, grabbing one of those nettle smoothies Holly was so fond of. He started going over potential conversations they'd have in his head, wondering if the smoothie was made to her liking, or maybe if she had an activity planned for their weekend. So, when Artemis pressed his palm to her door, the scanner pulsing green and the door unlocking and sliding open, what reality actually had in store for him was not one he'd anticipated.

  "AHH! NO! GET OUT!" Holly roared from somewhere in her living room, "GET THE FUCKKK OUUUT!" she almost whined.

  Artemis couldn't tell if she was furious, weeping, or laughing but he froze in the doorway. "Holly? What's wrong?" 

  "Nothing! Please, just-" she groaned, huffing away at something out of sight. "Just please don't come in." 

  Artemis blinked, brows furrowed in wild confusion. "Holly… you're making me nervous." He moved forward anyway, carefully peeking over the edge of the sofa. Holly was on her knees over one cushion, scrubbing away furiously at the fabric with a rag. Artemis raised a brow. "Are you okay?" 

  Holly's eyes snapped up from the cushion and nearly popped out of her head at the sight of Artemis. "AHHH! I SAID STAY BY THE DOOR!"

  "Okay!"

  "HURRY UP! GO AWAY!" 

  "Okay! Okay! Holly," Artemis couldn't help but laugh now as he strode back to the doorway. "What- What are you doing?"

  "Shut up and stay there. It's none of your business." 

  Artemis tried to piece contextual clues together to determine what the issue was. She was obviously deeply embarrassed and didn't want him to see what she was scrubbing. His thoughts went to the next logical solution: something had spilled or stained the cushion. It could be food, though that wouldn't cause the shame she was exhibiting. That meant it was likely something more biological. She did sleep on the couch. Maybe… He decided to take the risk and test it.

  "Don't worry too much, Holls," he reassured, avoiding looking in her direction. "It's about the same color as your sofa anyway." 

  There was a long winded silence before he saw Holly's mismatched eyes shoot balls of fire at him from over the lip of the couch. "What?" 

   "That's what it is, right? That's why you're embarrassed?" 

  Holly jumped up and gaped at him. "What the- how the hell did you figure that out?" 

  Artemis grinned over at her, tapping his temple with a pointer finger. "I'm a genius. Remember?" He advanced forward into her apartment despite the glare pinned to him, making for her sink. "Do you need help? I'd suggest hydrogen peroxide but that may damage the fabric. I've also heard bar soap is fantastic at getting stains out, though I couldn't exactly tell you why," he shrugged as he moved over to Holly, who was still kneeled on the couch. 

  Holly didn't say anything; she just arched a brow at him. Her fiery, yet bewildered glare made Artemis chuckle. 

  "Minerva told me once," he explained in English. "I'm no stranger to periods. Is that what fairies call them? I'm not sure what the Gnommish translation is for menstruation." 

  Holly's cheeks burned and she kicked Artemis away warningly. "Uh- no! Go away! It's shameful! Faeries don't talk about it unless you're with other girls." She offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. This is really embarrassing."

  "It's not," Artemis raised a brow seriously. "About half of most animal populations experience menstruation. It's completely natural, and to be honest, and maybe this is just my scientific standpoint, I've never understood the taboo behind them. Or most cultural and societal concepts, really." 

  "Sometimes I forget you're a super nerd that doesn't think like normal people," Holly sighed as her head fell into her arms. "It just happened. I woke up from a nap and it came out of nowhere. But, yeah. You're right. It shouldn't be that big of a deal. But it is." Her eyes met the floor in shame. "I hate that that dick was right. He said my lunar cycle was to blame. Maybe he was right. Maybe I am too unstable." 

  Artemis burst into uncontrollable laughter and Holly blinked at him angrily. "Wha-what's so funny to you?!" 

  "You're really going to let that perverse low-life affect your self-esteem?" Artemis put a hand on her shoulder. "Absolutely not. You're unstable always, with or without the hormones that accompany a cycle. You're one of the most chaotic people I've ever met." 

  Holly grew a strange deadpan smile, one of those grimace-grins she formed around Fowls. "...I'm not sure that makes me feel better." 

  Artemis rolled his eyes, suddenly remembering there was a nettle smoothie in his left hand. "Oh! I got this for you," he said as he handed it to her. "Hopefully it's still cold enough." 

  Holly's ears perked up at the cup. "Oh?" She took a sip through the biodegradable straw and squealed in delight to herself. "Mmm! Nettle!" She smiled at him as she slurped it down. "You remembered." 

  "I'm quite observant, you know," Artemis started playfully. When Holly's acrylic mail delivery tube dinged, he continued teasing her as he took the opportunity to check it out. "You should give me more credit."

  "Hah! You get plenty credit," Holly quipped, finishing her scrubbing to peek at the tube against her kitchen wall. "Oh! What've I got?" 

  Artemis lifted the clear cover and sorted through the letters and a tiny plastic box. "Well, they're all addressed to you. This one's LEP business… this one's a bank statement-" he glanced at her, "why are your statements in paper?" 

  "Nostalgia," Holly shrugged. "Having everything digital would drive us insane. Fairies need to touch things sometimes." 

  "Ah. Fascinating." He turned back to her mail. "This one is also from the LEP, as well as-" He turned to her again with a frown. "All of your mail is from the LEP." 

  "Yup. Sounds about right." 

  "And there's this." He strolled back over to her and handed her the tiny box. 

  "Oh! Thanks," she smiled, snapping it open and grabbing the cloth inside. She held up a pair of small cactus socks. "I got socks!" she exclaimed with an innocent smile and jumped off the couch. She slid the plastic container back inside the mail tube, closed the clear cover on top, and the vacuum-like tube sucked the box down. 

  "They reuse the boxes to deliver things like clothing and shoes," Holly explained, slipping her new socks on. "That way, we're reducing waste." 

  "Very useful design, indeed," Artemis agreed. "Is it Foaly's?" 

  "Of course. Like everything," Holly snorted. "But it's not his original idea. The faeries have been using delivery chutes since forever. Foaly just expanded on it. Don't tell him I said that." 

  "I will most definitely mention it to him," Artemis smirked, hiding the sly expression behind his thumb. "And I'm certainly not about to give you grief over it."

  "Oh. Never." Holly flopped onto her back, exhaling a loud sigh. "So, how are things with Keni?" 

  "Oh." Artemis sat beside her, leaning back against the sofa. "I saw her less than an hour ago. I decided to stop seeing her." 

  Holly's ears perked up, turning on her side to stare at him. "So you ended things? Wait, why?! How did she react?" 

  "Fine, I think? I just felt that it was wrong of me to continue, given the circumstances. She seemed indifferent to it, honestly. Though…I can't shake the idea that something feels… off." 

  "Feels off?" Holly raised her brows. "Don't tell me Artemis Fowl is using his intuition right now." 

  Artemis gave a small laugh, turning his head lazily to peek at her. "Yes, Holly. You seem to be having that effect on me." 

  She jammed a finger in his face playfully. "Don't blame this on me! Besides, it's probably your own guilt you feel for using her." 

  "Ouch." 

  "It's true," Holly shrugged, patting his shoulders. She continued facetiously, "Guess you really are the typical, red-blooded male, after all." 

   "Pfft. Most definitely not," Artemis shook his head, his cheeks blushing as he knew some well-deserved teasing was on its way. 

  "Mhm," Holly continued casually, poking his shoulder from a distance now. "You even looked at my ass earlier." 

  Artemis jolted up from this and glanced at her wild-eyed. "I did not!"

  "You totally did." 

  "When?" he demanded a little adamantly.

  But Holly was deeply amused. She struggled to not burst into laughter, biting down on her lip as she mumbled out, "Back in Tokyo? At the Yakuza hideout?"

  "That's not earlier, that was weeks ago," Artemis rolled his eyes, falling back into the couch . "And I only looked at your bottom because you asked me to."

  "Say ass."

  "Ass," Artemis smiled guiltily in amusement.

  "We're adults here, Arty," Holly patted his shoulder again with an innocent pout. "We don't need to use words like bottom."

  "Well, I'll have you know I'm not vulgar like you. I don't prefer to swear every other sentence."

  "WHAT?!" Holly wheeled back, fiddling with her braid. "Look, don't expose me like this. Alright, fine. You know the LEP have a whole file on me because of that?" 

  "For swearing?"

  "See, I was bitten by a swear toad… on the ass."

  "Hmm. Your poor ass has been through a lot, hasn't it?" Artemis managed lamely through a devious grin. 

  Holly groaned loudly. "Please tell me that wasn't a joke."

  "It was an attempt."

  "Artemis fucking Fowl."

  Artemis wiggled his thick brows at her, exemplifying his point. "See?" 

  Holly popped into a criss-cross sitting style and raised a single pointer finger. "Listen, I get the swearing from my mom's side. She was a European elf. Feisty type, those bunch. Maybe I do it because it reminds me of her or something."

  "What was your mother's name again?" Artemis asked, crossing his suited legs. 

  Holly's fingers played with themselves absent-mindedly as she remembered back to her younger days, when things were simple. "Coral," she said fondly. "Coral Short. Man… the things I could tell you about her."

  Artemis sat up slowly, picking up on Holly's change of tone. He took her hand in his, holding it gently in her lap. "I'm sorry. I can only imagine how much you miss her."

  "I miss both of them," she smiled sadly, her usually bright eyes distant and cloudy. "I never stopped. It's why I could never hate you for what you did. Your parents mean the world to you."

  Holly put her other hand on top of the ones already in her lap. She kept her head down as her grip tightened on his fingers. "During holidays, I used to get really lonely, so I'd put up pictures of them at the table so they could eat with me. That way, I wasn't alone. I hate eating alone." She covered her eyes in shame. "That's crazy, right? I must sound nuts." 

  Artemis lifted his hand to her shoulder. "No. No, it's not. I understand how that feels, Holly. I would do the same." And it was true. His father was presumed dead for two years. Artemis knew how deadly it was to miss a parent. It was torture.

  "Well," Holly continued, "Foaly started inviting me over years ago, and I don't think I've ever looked back since." She looked up to catch Artemis' eyes, offering him a small smile. "I think what I'm trying to say is that I don't mind having you here. It's like, I always have someone to talk to. It's actually kind of nice. I guess what I’m trying to say is: I'm really glad you're back." 

  "Oh," Artemis actually cooed, patting Holly's hands in his. "Thank you, Holls. That's very sweet of you, and I'm eternally grateful to be back." Artemis opened up his arms a little. "Could I request a hug? I think this calls for a hug." 

  "Of course," Holly grinned, falling forward into his embrace and pulling him in close. "You don't need to ask to hug me,” she murmured into his shoulder. “Those are always open to you." She couldn't deny that being in the warmth of his chest was extremely fulfilling, and despite his lanky frame and lack of physicality, she couldn't help but feel safe in his arms.

  "I still like to ask, just in case," Artemis explained quietly, softly stroking his fingers through her thick waves. "I must say, however: it's amusing how this conversation shifted from asses to learning about your parents."

  Holly reeled back to peer up at him playfully yet dangerously. " Do not ever put my parents and ass in the same sentence ever again." 

  "Noted." 

  Several hours later after chatting and lounging around, Holly had left Artemis alone and in charge of cleaning the apartment while she met with Lili for dinner. She left a green notepad of instructions stuck to her fridge, cleaning items and chores scribbled in Gnommish. Artemis' fingers brushed over the list. 

• Dust and clean furniture and walls

• Mop floor. Turn floor-suction on by light switch by closet. 

• Do dishes. Finish in washer. Put away in drawers.

• DO YOUR OWN LAUNDRY ARTY❤ detergent is above the washer/dryer machine! (use Faetube if you need help! plz don't put your clothes in the dishwasher) 

• Put trash down wall recycler in kitchen (next to dishwasher) 

  Artemis nodded to himself in determination. Only five things to finish before she got back. Five chores couldn't be so hard, right? Granted, they were mostly things he had never done before, but he was a 200 IQ genius! This wasn't rocket science. It was domestic duty. 

  Artemis hadn't started excited, as most people, but as he sprayed the purple cleaner on a wet rag and slid it over the white granite countertops in her open-floor kitchen, he experienced a similar sort of catharsis to when he'd gone personal shopping. Organizing things together, then clearing out the clutter? Watching the dirt scrub away and reveal the clean surface underneath? Or how fresh the air seemed after a slight dusting? Artemis had uncovered a secret love: cleaning. 

  "Achoooo!" 

   He looked around for a wipe, or maybe a paper towel as he sniffled back a slight dust mite allergy. "ACHOOO!" he sneezed again, frowning this time. 

  Okay. So, maybe dusting wasn't the chore for him.

  After wiping down Holly's walls and surfaces, the sweat beneath his bangs, and surviving a dust attack, Artemis grabbed a red pen from her kitchen and scratched off the first on the list. He felt proud. Was this what it meant to be normal? His mother would be riveted. 

  He sniffled a little more as he moved on to mop her floors. A little water, a little herbal cleaner. Easy. He struck it off with the red pen. 

  Now were the dishes. Artemis unfolded the list, checking it again. "Finish in washer, put away in drawers." Artemis sighed as he put the list back in his pocket. "Terrible grammar." 

  The dishes were soothing for Artemis, the same way wiping the walls and counters clean was. As he leaned over to scrub a bowl of curry in the sink, he wondered how he would've been different had he been raised as a normal child by a normal family. Would he even be the genius that he was? What if that normal family couldn't afford to fund his genius? What if this, this scrubbing and soaking of these dishes, was the only way he could get by, despite his genius? Who would that Artemis have become? Who would he be? Who was he now? 

  He stopped scrubbing, staring down at the soapy bubbles in the metal sink. It wasn't too late to find that out, was it? 

  Artemis mindlessly loaded the dishwasher as he daydreamed of what could've been, most unusual for him. However, he was in unusual circumstances. 

  He poured dish soap into the small compartment in the washer door and closed it, reaching his arms over his head to stretch out sore muscles. Chores were quite a workout, weren't they? He glanced down and noticed his white shirt was soaked in water. Good time to break for a shower. 

  One thing Artemis loved about Haven's water system was that the water was consistently recycled, cleaned, and hot. The setting Holly always left it on was a little too hot for his taste, but that seemed to be the case with human women as well. Hellish creatures, beautiful females were. 

  Only two chores left, and perhaps the easiest of the bunch. Artemis stepped out of the steamy bathroom with a towel around his waist, ruffling a hand towel through his sopping raven locks when his bottom half felt as soaked as his top. He froze in the center of Holly's living room, eyes wide at her wall, terrified to look down. Oh… oh no. 

   His blue eyes slowly craned downwards, blinking at the mass of white foam engorging his legs and feet. What have I done?!

  Mountains of bubbles swarmed Holly's living room and kitchen floor, and the dishwasher showed no signs of stopping soon. Artemis treaded through the swamp of soap, his fingers urgently ripping the dishwasher open. It stopped and burst open, foam and water seeping out onto his feet. 

  "Oh, hellfire!" he swore, his eyes darting around to search for anything to soak the bubbles up with when he remembered the apartment's floor suction feature. He trudged through the thick sea of foam and flicked the switch on the wall next to the recycler. A buzzing reverberated throughout the apartment walls, and the vacuum that lined the trim of the floor opened its vents, suctioning all the debris, pools of water and foam until they were sucked dry and the floor was left squeaky clean. 

  Artemis panted as he rested his forehead on the wall, looking down at his soaked, bubble-covered body. Perhaps another rinse was due? 

  After yet another shower, Artemis opted for a navy, cashmere sweatshirt and heather grey pyjama pants. He caught himself in the mirror, thinking about what Keni had said the day prior. He poked a bicep with disdain. Am I too skinny? I've always been thin. My caloric intake is average, but my physical activity is low. He poked his stomach this time. Maybe I am too thin. Does Holly care? He groaned, smacking his forehead. It doesn't matter if Holly cares. Why do you care if she cares? Artemis rolled his eyes at himself, moving on with his chores. 

  Finally. Just the laundry, and throwing the trash out. Sure, the other three chores had taken Artemis nearly two hours, but this would be as easy as lemon should be squeezy… or something like that. 

  Artemis stood in front of Holly's washer/dryer machine and inspected the machine carefully, sure to look at the Gnommish buttons and knobs. There were so many options: low spin, high spin, normal wash (normal?), delicates, handwash, wool, bulky. Artemis peered down at the laundry basket of clothing. He knew he couldn't wash his suits, but how would he separate them? By fabric? That had to make sense, right? He loaded his pyjamas and house clothes, but only the cotton ones. Artemis scratched his head as he looked between the machine and his laundry basket. If he did this by fabrics, it would take years to finish. 

  "No, no. This can't be right," he mumbled to himself as he looked up a tutorial on Faetube, the fairies' version of Youtube. "Ridiculous," he uttered as he perused options. "I've built a spaceship, but I can't run a domestic machine. This isn't rocket science. It's laundry!" 

  "Oh… it's by color?!" 

  Five minutes after re-sorting his clothes, figuring out the difference between detergent and fabric softener and how much to use so he didn't explode this machine too , Artemis finally finished, closing the clear bubble cover with a relieved sigh. See? You can do this. Almost done. 

  Artemis exited the tiny hallway beside the bedroom to stroll back out into the living room. The apartment was dimly lit now. An acrylic lamp and a dangling kitchen light warmed up the space with golden light, a comfort against the night city sky beyond the curtains. Artemis rubbed his tired eyes and yawned, a little worn out from his chores. As he lifted his fingers and opened his eyes, readjusting his vision, he noticed a strange black and white pillow on the couch. He blinked and shook his head, unsure if he was too dazed to see properly. As his vision resettled, the pillow in question was, in fact, not a pillow, but a fluffy black and white cat. 

  Artemis froze, blinking at the cat in question. The cat blinked its brilliant blue eyes back at him, and between two, tiny fangs whined, "Mleh." 

  It was as if the cat's meow shocked Artemis with copious amounts of electricity because he jolted up, his eyes and mouth spreading wide in fear. He scrambled for his comm ring, terrified to take his eyes off the small, furry creature. The comm buzzed for a few rings and as soon as Artemis heard the ringer click in acceptance, he hollered before she could answer, "HOLLY! HOLLY, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM!" 

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Hābu Fine Dining 

  "Okay, but remember the time Chuckie Pollock pissed his pants asking you out?" 

  "Jesus Christ!" Lili laughed opposite Holly at their dinner table inside the Japanese vegan restaurant. "That whole year was a nightmare. Remember when they made us be the victim in front of the class for all the demonstrations?" 

  Holly chuckled as she played with her spicy radish nigiri. "Gods. The Academy was a fever dream sometimes." 

  "Didn't we hate each other before that too?" Lili asked. 

  "Hmm… you mean back when classes were still segregated by species? Remember that?" 

  "Yeah, that was fucked. But no, no. I meant, like, our 30s, 40s." 

  "Oh! Yeah. Did we hate each other then?" Holly raised a brow at her. "I only remember hating you since the Academy." 

  Lili stopped mid-bite of her wakame, thinking hard on it. "Oh… shit. Guess it was one-sided," she laughed, continuing to elegantly chow down her seaweed salad with metal chopsticks. 

  "So. We both hated each other until…" 

  "Yesterday? Now?" she questioned Holly suspiciously, but a light grin tugged at her lips. 

  "No, not now." Holly playfully rolled her eyes. "Definitely yesterday, though. Or, really… maybe…" Holly cast her eyes down at the colorful array of vegetables on her lava rock plate. "I don't think I ever really, truly hated you. To be honest, I had no real reason to. I mean, you did steal my first boyfriend, but besides that-" 

  "Okay, no," Lili interrupted with a finger. "He was a dick. He thought he was hotshit after scoring you and came for me. He kissed me. Not the other way around! Plus you already punched me for it."  

 "I know! I know! I'm sorry," Holly apologized sheepishly. "I believe you. I'm sorry I didn't back then." 

  Holly took a deep breath to settle herself and continue. "Well, I think I was envious of you, Lili. I was jealous. I was resentful. And I think it was the LEP that made us that way. I think they wanted us to hate each other - the only girls in the Academy. And I wanted to be like the guys so badly, I was so desperate to fit in and be accepted, I gave them what they wanted. I hated you because they told me to. And, I mean, obviously that's not okay, and it's been years and I should've known better but I just-" She finally looked directly at Lili, her eyes heavy with regret. "I hated that you were everything I wasn't. You're gorgeous. You have perfect skin, and you're the face of the LEP even though, no offense, you haven't done anything exactly significant." 

  Holly waved a hand at her own chest. "You have the boobs I never had. You're tall. You're royalty. You still have your parents, your family. You're well-spoken and classy. You're… perfect. And I couldn't stand knowing someone so perfect was my direct competition at all times. Because I'm not perfect. I'm a fuck-up. A test case. Sometimes, even a basket case. The only reason I'm relevant is because of Artemis Fowl. You're relevant just for being you." 

  Holly rested her heart-shaped face into her hand. "I don't hate you. I wish I was you," she lamented thoughtfully. 

  Lili nodded, a small smile gracing her features. "I thought you might say that," she commented, swishing the red wine in her glass before taking a long sip. 

  "Really?" Holly asked, her ears perked up a little in surprise.

  Lili fixed her gaze back on Holly as she set her wine glass down. "Mhm. You're pretty predictable, Short," she winked. "I'll be honest: I saw through it all, and I used it to my advantage. I knew exactly what to do and what to say to piss you off. You're not crazy: I basically manipulated you into hating me even more." 

  Holly shook her head, a little disgruntled by this. "Why would you do that?" 

  Lili gave her a sad smile. "It was my way of getting back at you, for all the things you had that you seemed to never recognize. It almost felt like you didn't appreciate it, especially yourself." 

  "What are you saying?" 

  "You may have wished to be me, Holly," Lili sighed, her shoulders a little drooped. "But I wanted to be you." Her eyes gave a glint of melancholy, her shaped brows a mix of emotions. "You're one of the strongest people I've ever seen. You're reliable. If you say you're going to do something, you get it done. Maybe it's not conventional, but you always come through." Lili's eyes scanned her briefly. "And you may not think it, but you're totally hot. There's a reason the guys bother you as much as they do me. Difference is, you always knew how to make them respect you - and I hated you for that." Lili's eyes dropped at her wine glass, watching the ruby liquid swirl. "You have to understand - I'm royalty. I'm a princess, and in a few centuries, I may become Queen. If I can't make my own comrades respect me, how can I make The People?” 

  "Everyone always talks about wanting to be prettier, thinner, hotter, bigger boobs, blonde hair, whatever. But no one talks about how people treat you when you are those things. Because that's what they are: they're things. And ultimately, you become a thing to them, too." Her pink nails tapped the glass, testing the air between them. 

  Holly grabbed her hand reassuringly. "Go on," she urged her. 

  Lili blushed at the touch but nodded. "Well, it's like… I mean, you proved my point yesterday, with the whole slut-shaming thing?" 

  "Oh," Holly tensed. "Yeah…" 

  "Yeah… Well, that's all people see me as half the time. Either a stuck-up princess bitch, which I admit, I can be sometimes, or they see me as a pretty face who's an otherwise waste of space. I'm not sure why people equate blondes with stupidity, or beauty with weakness. But, you see me as that too. And sure, the LEP totally pitted us against each other, but I'm sure you also believed it at some points. And, even moreso, what's so bad about being a 'slut' if you're single and getting consent? I'm not having children irresponsibly. I've never understood why slut-shaming was ever a thing. It seems like something primitive humans would do." 

  "I hate to admit it, but the more time I spend on the surface and with Artemis, the more I've come to learn that humans and fairies have more things in common than apart," Holly nodded with shame, her eyes locked on the pink orchid petals on her plate. 

  "Right, so why are we still holding onto that? We have magick. We create advanced technology too." Lili threw her hands up frustratedly. "So why are we still placing girls in the gutter? Haven't we proved enough by now?" She determinedly hit her fist into her palm. "We're not breeding vessels, like you said. And it's not our purpose to be that, either. We're fighters. We're soldiers. We're brave, and smart, and strong, and we can be slutty and pretty too. We can be both, Holly. It's not either/or. We should be able to do what we want without being penalized for it. I mean, is that so crazy?! Like, am I wrong?!" Lili snorted, sipping at her wine again. "It really doesn't seem that 'new age' to me." 

  "It's not," Holly agreed, finally taking a bite of her food. "I feel terrible about contributing to all of it, though." 

  "It's okay. I'm not innocent either," Lili shrugged, tossing a blonde curl over her shoulder. "Besides, we can start a new era as friends. We already know everything we hate about each other. Seems like the perfect recipe for an uninhibited friendship to me," she winked. 

  Holly nodded but kept her gaze down. She was trying to control the wildfire of emotions that were zipping through her bloodstream as she thought of the next topic to bring up to Lili. A topic of utmost importance to her. "Lili…there's something else that's bothered me we haven't addressed yet." 

  "Oh. Okay, sure," Lili complied, straightening her back and leaning forward a bit. "I'm listening." 

  "You've brought up my parents. A lot." 

  Lili's face fell, pretty features washed away by sullen sorrow. "Oh. Yeah." 

  Holly gulped calmly, her face emotionless. "You know they're dead and yet you still did it. Like you said, you always knew how to piss me off. Why would you use them?" Holly clamped down on her lip to hold back tears. "Why would you do that?" 

  Lili was quiet as she stared at her wine again, deep in thought. Finally, she sighed between parted lips. "Everyone wants to be royalty, but no one knows how lonely and diplomatic it is. I didn't get hugs as a child. I got lashings if I didn't recite public speeches perfectly. I wasn't allowed friends, I wasn't allowed to play. It was 'be pretty, stand still, and be silent.' Did you ever notice my family wasn't at a single one of our graduations?" Lili rested her chin on hand, her brow creased. "The reason I didn't meet yesterday was because I stupidly called my mother, thinking things would be different. That this was a different circumstance." She wiped a tear away in a flash. "She told me, 'If you were more assertive, this wouldn't have happened. That job isn't for you, anyway. What did you expect?'" She sniffled a little and glanced at Holly. 

  "Do you remember back when we were 45?" Lili responded, a fond, faraway look in her eyes. "In primary school? And your mom had forgotten your lunch, so I gave you some gold instead?" 

  Holly gaped at her. "Holy hell. That's oddly specific." 

  "Yeah, well, that day always stuck with me because not long after, your mom came by in her uniform and she was, like, totally out of sorts. But she came all that way just to make sure you got your lunch. So, I guess you don't remember, but you handed me back the gold I gave you and your mom saw. I never told you, but-" Another tear drizzled down Lili's golden cheek but she wiped it away quickly. "Your mom gave me a hug and said ‘Thank you, sweet pea. Please look after Holly. You're a good friend.’" 

  A few more tears leaked out but Lili swiped them all away, refusing to look at Holly's wet face. "When she hugged me, how warm and motherly she felt… that one, quick moment was the first act of kindness I'd ever experienced. And so, when your parents died… I also felt like I failed her, and you. And I hated you for that. I don't know why I blamed you. We were babies. How could that have been your fault? But I couldn't help it. I was so mad at you for having what I always wanted, and now you didn't have it either. I guess it just always stuck with me. I really didn't have anything else on you, besides that you're wildly insecure, combative, impulsive-" 

  "I've got it," Holly stopped her with a palm, a small smile on her flushed face. "I'm sorry." 

  "No, Holly," Lili insisted, grabbing her hands from across the table. "I'm sorry. I've been out of line for years. I don't even know how to make up for that." 

  "We've both said unimaginable things to each other," Holly tapped her soft hands to assure her. "Now, all we can do is start over." 

  "Yeah," Lili smiled back, removing her hands and smoothing her hair. "Ah! Sorry. Didn't mean to start crying in a restaurant." 

  "It's okay. I cry pretty much anywhere," Holly joked. She remembered back to yesterday. "So, speaking of yesterday. Did Trouble end up coming over?" 

  Lili hesitated and peered at her suspiciously with a smile. "Yeah… why?" 

  Holly jiggled her brows at her. "How did that go?" 

  "Oh, please," Lili rolled her eyes, giggling. "He's too nice to try anything right now." 

  "Yeah, but-" Holly was interrupted by the buzzing of her fairy communicator on her finger and she blinked at it. "Oh! Sorry, can I take this? It's Artemis." 

  "Yeah, I don't mind." 

  She clicked it on and began, "Hey, A-" 

  "HOLLY! HOLLY, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!" 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224 

  "A problem?" Holly questioned urgently from the line. "What kind of problem, Artemis?!" 

  "Okay," Artemis took a giant breath. "Don't be upset." 

  "Oh no. What did you do?"

   "I didn’t do anything," he assured, staring at the fluffy creature as it yawned four, tiny fangs at him. "Just know I had nothing to do with this." 

  "Okay, but what is it?! You're scaring me!" 

  Artemis inhaled, then exhaled. Then repeated twice. "There is a cat on your couch." 

  "MEOWINGTON!" 

  "Meowington?" he repeated incredulously.

  "That's Sir Meowington to you. Yeah! He's a Haven tunnel cat. He's my buddy! Awh! I'm glad he came back! He showed up around the time that you left for space." 

  "How did he get inside your apartment?" Artemis stammered, looking around for any openings. 

  "He lets himself in through the delivery tube!" 

  "You cannot be serious." 

  "I am! He just does what he wants." 

  Artemis risked a step closer to the cat. "…Does he sort of look like me? Why does he look like me?" 

  "I knooow! Isn't his tuxedo so cute? It's actually why I liked keeping him around. He reminds me of you." 

  "Fantastic," Artemis droned with sarcasm. "I've been replaced by a cat." 

  "Meh," Meowington agreed, sitting up from his loaf position to lick a paw. 

  Artemis raised a brow as he took a few steps closer. "Holly, I have no experience with cats, or most animals. I'll need some advice." 

  "He's a cat, not a rocket equation." He could see her rolling her eyes in his mind. "Just hang out with him. You have the Acorn for questions. Anyway, I'm still with Lili, so I gotta go. I'll be home soon, K, Arty?" 

  "Okay," he gulped, a bit wimpier than he liked.  

  "Text me, okay? Bye!" 

  The absence of Holly's voice left him feeling small in her apartment. He craned his head slowly towards the cat and gave it a look over. It seemed harmless enough, and he had to admit it was pretty charming with its black fur and white chest, a white chin, very long whiskers, complete with a strip of white down his nose. 

  Artemis took another step closer, the cat oblivious to him as it sucked dirt from its pink toebeans. "Hello, Meowington," he said aloud, feeling a tad ridiculous. 

  The cat glanced at him, blinking its brilliant blue eyes. "Maow," Meowington chimed. 

  "Oh! Hello," Artemis felt a small smile creep his cheeks. He advanced forward, reaching a hand out for the cat to sniff. "I didn't expect a response." 

  "Meh." 

  "Oh! You did it again." 

  Meowington noticed Artemis' pale flesh and stuck his nose out. He sniffed around a little, leaving a cold trail of moisture along Artemis' hand. "Mleeeehhh," he whined loudly, as if begging Artemis for something. 

  "Hm? Do you want food?" Artemis strode into Holly's kitchen and the cat trotted alongside him. "I haven't seen cat food." He opened her fridge, searching through its contents. "No meat," he sighed, glancing down at the kitty. "I take it you don't eat broccoli?" 

   "Prrrrp," he trilled in agreement and hopped onto the counter effortlessly, shoving his face into the fridge beside Artemis. "Maow." 

  "Well, now. That's impressive," he commented. 

  "Raaaoooow!" Meowington yowled, prompting Artemis to stand straight. Once he had the human where he wanted him, Meowington propped his front paws up on Artemis' shoulders, the whiskers on his brows almost furrowed at him. "Meh. Meeeh," he continued in a high-pitched whine, as if begging.

  "I hate to admit this, but I am unfamiliar with feline behavior, and I don't speak cat," Artemis told the persistent kitty on his chest. In response, the tuxedo cat leapt onto him, carefully aligning itself along his shoulders. "Oh! Hello. What- what are you doing?" Artemis murmured, struggling to look at Meowington when the cat's cheek smeared against his, and then his other cheek, until Meowington was smashing his face all over Artemis'. "Okay… you're awfully endearing, aren't you?" 

  "Meh." 

  "Let's do some research and see what we can learn about you," Artemis concluded, carefully sauntering back to the couch with the cat draped over him. He grabbed the remote to her holo-tv and sat down, turning on the screen. He searched up Faetube on the projector keyboard, sifting through the dozens of videos on Felines 101. "We have a long night of research, Meowington. I hope you have your encyclopedia ready."

  "Mlem."

  Two hours later, Holly walked through the front door of her apartment, a small smile planted on her face as she thought back to her talk with Lili. Things felt good between them, like she had made a genuine friend over this whole fiasco. And it made sense their friendship would be uninhibited since enemies were always closer than friends. She felt a genuine chemistry with Lili, the kind of friendship where you can shave each other's legs while drunk because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Or the kind of friendship where you can have a fight then laugh about it. 

  Today was good. And tomorrow, she hoped, would be even better. "Artemis?" Holly called out, placing her purse on the table as her eyes scanned the dim apartment. "Meow meow?" Silence in the empty space - when Holly's sensitive ears picked up a rumbling noise from the couch. Holly tip-toed over to the back of the sofa, careful not to make a peep as she peered over. 

  Artemis was fast asleep, sprawled out on his back on the cushions. A light snore emitted from his lips, a trail of drool drizzling down his mouth onto his shirt. On top of his chest lay Meowington, the kitty's sweet face smooshed beneath Artemis' chin. 

  Holly let out a tiny gasp of affection, covering her mouth to soften her giggles. Oh gods. This is too cute. Oh gods! She quickly rummaged her pockets for her phone, sliding open the camera and snapping a few pictures of the snoozing pair. 

  Satisfied with her photos, she put the phone away and pressed her fingers gently to Artemis' forehead, softly ruffling his bangs and stroking his skin. "Artyyy," she sang lightly to him, leaning her elbows on the edge of the couch. "Wake up, Arty." 

  He shifted slightly in his sleep, finally closing his mouth and sniffling back his drool. His brows furrowed together and Holly covered her mouth again to stifle another giggle. She never thought Artemis Fowl the Second was ever capable of looking so pouty and adorable, but alas, here he was, an innocent sundae with a kitty on top. 

  She sighed. It would be too evil to wake them both now. She straightened and moved around the sofa, fondly smoothing Artemis' bangs back. "Goodnight, Arty," she whispered, leaning down and pressing a tender kiss to his forehead. "Sweet dreams."

Outer Caverns, Haven City 

Worldwide Weather Park 

Spring Amphitheater 

  Haven City's Weather Park was a notorious spot for family vacations, tourists, and adorkable first dates. Only a short, 30-minute shuttle ride away, Worldwide Weather Park (WWP for short) was settled in the canyons a little closer to the surface. Erosion had eaten away parts of the earth's crust, leaving gaping holes in parts of the canyons' ceiling that exposed the sky above. The WWP was a necessity for the fairies since it had been created in 1652. Since the Lower Elements didn't experience weather or seasons, and since fairies prefered a life heavily intertwined with nature, the WWP was the perfect place for anyone in the Lower Elements to experience any season they wanted, at any time.

  It was the next day when Holly decided to bring Artemis along with her to the WWP. She picked the Spring Amphitheater because she'd insisted it'd go perfectly with the Irish spring sky above. Although it couldn't compare to the surface, the fairies had done a wonderful job cultivating and farming the plants that grew here. Perhaps it was their natural green thumbs and magick. Artemis took in the blooms, taking a mental picture of the flora around him.

  Holly held Artemis' hand as she led him through a wisteria tunnel, rows and rows of lilac-colored flowers draped above them like purple rain melting from the sky. 

  His eyes settled on her when she threw a sparkling grin at him from over her shoulder. It was beautiful, and she was most beautiful of all. He never wanted this moment to end. And then she turned back around and it was gone, forever a memory in time. 

  After a few hours of strolling through hydroponic and geophyte gardens, the pair stopped by the fresh farmer's market where local growers sold their organic tubers, roots and other veggies. After picking up lunch - an avocado toast and smoothie for Holly, and a Mediterranean panini and sim-espresso for Artemis - they hiked up a trail along the canyon wall that led into a massive, vegetive cavern below. 

  A giant willow tree sat at the center of the meadow as several fairies flew pastel kites high into the gaping hole in the ceiling, revealing the golden surface sky above them. Holly led Artemis to a cliff that rose a little higher into the cavern, putting them closer to the sky and kites. 

  "The combination of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic systems is spectacular," Artemis raved as he held one corner of a sunshine yellow picnic blanket. 

  "I'll take your word for it," Holly chuckled at her corner, placing the blanket down on the smooth cliffside. 

  They sat down on the soft knitted blanket and enjoyed their lunch, backs pressed against the rockface. The setting sun casted a gorgeous blend of pinks, lavenders, and oranges across the sky, golden streams of light breaking through into the cavern through tinier holes in the ceiling. 

  Holly eventually leaned sideways into Artemis, resting her head against his bicep comfortably. "It's funny how it's night on the surface but still daytime in Haven," she commented after a while, pushing her face into him snuggly. 

  Artemis tried to hide his blush, unsure if he should do the same or not. He decided against it, pressing his head against the rock instead. 

  "Yeah," he said mindlessly, one of the rare times he didn't want to think very much. The view was stellar, and Holly was warm on his side. He enjoyed this. This was nice, and nice was not something he was used to. 

  "I hope this wasn't too boring," Holly yawned, closing her eyes and leaning further into him. "I just really like plants."

  "Today was anything but boring," Artemis revealed, his eyes falling to watch her fall into a light slumber. He couldn't help a fond smile as she fell asleep against him, tiny snores catching in her throat. "Thank you, Holly. You're a better friend than I could ever ask for." 

  Artemis closed his eyes, finding himself also taken by the idea of sleep. And though he'd originally not wanted to impede her nap, he slumped over in his slumber, his head falling against hers. And so, the friends fell asleep together as the golden streams fizzled out, replaced by the cool moonlight of the starry night above. 

Chapter Text

Music for this chapter's mood

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Lower Elements Police Plaza

  Artemis straightened his gold wrist watch and blew out a quick breath as he charged through the crowd. This was it. He tugged on the navy lapels of his grid-patterned blazer with confidence. Flashes of light blinded him from the front, from the sides; anywhere he looked and turned there was a paparazzo or reporter wanting his feelings on the trial, his story, what designer he was wearing. Artemis could do this. He was made for this, and he was prepared.

  "Artemis! Artemis, over here!"

  "Mud Man! Look at the camera!"

  "Fowl! How are you feeling about your upcoming deposition?!" 

  He waved off an enthusiastic sprite, sporting a classic, smug smirk as he ignored the sweltering heat and fervent fairies around him. He went over his plan for the thousandth time in his head as he powered through the hustle and bustle. 

  The gnome officer at the kiosk gaped at the celebrity human approaching him, straightening up and gulping in place behind the glass. "He-hello. Ticket, please?" 

  Artemis briskly flashed a gold pass, the mark of an official Fairy Council invitation. "If you could hurry, please," he pressed, nodding to the blustering crowd behind him. 

  "O-of course, sir. Right through here, please," the gnome stammered, approving Artemis' entry. The electrified gate fizzled out and blinked green, allowing the human to pass through. 

  Artemis sighed to himself as he heard the paparazzi and reporters drown out by the LEP's glass-enclosed corridors. Since his arrest, their presence grew heavier and heavier in his daily life. It was becoming commonplace to see his face smeared over billboards and tabloids with headlines like, "Mud Man free from prison! What is the criminal mastermind up to now?" "Caught red-handed! Is Fowl dating a pixie?!" "Artemis Fowl: Haven's only human bachelor!" 

  He ran a thumb over his smirk as he mulled over the facts. He couldn't help but appreciate the media's obsession over him, and considering he was a human with a criminal history, having the media on his side would also influence whatever decision the Council came up with - that, and Holly Short's word, of course. 

  Speaking of Holly Short, Artemis lifted his eyes from the tiled floor, searching the plaza's bustling lobby for the miniscule chance he'd run into her. Holly had left a few hours before Artemis had awoken, so she was likely taking her break before his trial. Where her break would be was a mystery. Artemis sent her a quick text before observing the Gnommish directory hanging above, looking for the directions for the Haven City Council. Beep beep. He glanced at his phone screen. 

   Holly: look up lol 

  Artemis raised a brow. Wasn't he just looking up? She couldn't be that hard to miss, could she? He found her waving an arm at him from a glass balcony three stories up. Even from the ground floor Artemis could see her pearly smile. He waved back at her and made his way to the escalators. Might as well kill some time. 

  Commodore Holly Short, meanwhile, was several hours into her shift and had managed to take her lunch break before the council meeting. She sat opposite Captain Lili Frond, both officers slurping down fruit smoothies at their café table. 

  "Isn't Fowl's deposition today?" Lili asked suddenly. 

  "Yeah." 

  "You have to go?" 

  "Yeah." 

  Lili raised a brow at Holly. "Uh, are you okay?" 

  "Yeah! Yeah. Sorry." Holly shook her head. She stared at her avocolada smoothie. "I guess my mind is on other things." 

  "Like you two living together?" Lili said playfully, wiggling her brows at Holly. "How's that?" 

  "Really good, actually. He's not allowed near the kitchen anymore, though." 

  "What?! Why?" 

  "He set my dish towel on fire." 

  "He set it on fire?" Lili gaped. 

  "He didn't realize he left it on the stove," Holly shrugged, rolling her eyes with a smile. "He has to buy his espresso to-go now." 

  "For a genius, he's pretty clueless, huh?" 

  "You have no idea." 

  Lili chuckled to herself and mindlessly looked out over the balcony when she noticed a tall and pale well-dressed human strolling through the ground floor lobby. She perked up and gripped Holly's arm excitedly. "Hey! Isn't that him right there?!" 

  Holly looked over and a deep blush swept across freckled cheeks as she noticed his designer suit-and-tie. "Oh, Frond. He really went all out for this trial, didn't he?"

  "Jesus Christ. He's fucking hot." Lili leaned over the railing to get a better look. "How do you manage to live with him?!" 

  Holly raised a brow. "What do you mean?" 

  "Like, how do you keep your hands off of him?!" she sat back in her seat, her eyes hungry slits at Holly. "Artemis-fuck-me-Fowl." 

  "My gods." Holly rolled her eyes, resting her gaze on him below. 

  Was Artemis really that handsome? She noticed an influx of fairy attention on them when they went out, and he'd managed to attract Keni. Now Lili, too? Holly's eyes scanned him. His broad shoulders nicely filled out his fitted blazer, and the way his hair was slicked back highlighted his bearded jaw nicely. His austere eyes were a piercing blue, the kind that could see straight through your soul. The aloof air about him was definitely appealing- wait. Do I… do I also think Artemis is hot? I mean, he's definitely attractive. But… do I find him hot? 

  Holly shook her head to clear her thoughts. "We're best friends. Nothing more." 

  Lili rested her chin on her hand as she gazed down at him. "Tell him to come over! I wanna meet him." 

  "What?! Right now?" 

  Lili grabbed Holly's forearms from across the table. "Pleaseee? Pleaseee?" 

  "Gods. Okay, okay." Beep beep. Holly glanced at her phone and smirked, sending a text back. "Looks like your prayers were answered." 

  "See?" Lili raved on as Holly waved her arms down at Artemis. "It's meant to be." When he noticed them and waved back, heading for the escalator, Lili raced for her holo-mirror. She looked through her features for any flaws. "Do I look okay? Do I have berry in my teeth?" 

  Holly rolled her eyes, catching sight of Artemis approaching them over Lili's shoulder. "Hey!" she smiled, waving him over. He stopped between them at their table. "You look good! I was afraid the fire held you up." 

  Artemis' cheeks burned but he attempted a guilty smile. "I'm alive and in one piece, but I'll admit my ego is in shambles." 

  "Oh yes. Who would've thought Artemis Fowl should be around a stove?" 

  "Is it my fault you prefer an ancient method of crafting espresso?" Artemis countered. 

   "Oh yes," Holly droned sarcastically, leaning into him with a grin. "Because a moka pot is too ancient for a mud man to use-" 

   "Nevermind that," Artemis interjected, shooting her a playful glare before settling his focus on Lili. "You must be the famous Lili Frond I've heard so much about." 

  "That's meee!" Lili smiled, batting her lashes. "And you must be the infamous Artemis Fowl I've seen everywhere." 

  Artemis reached his hand out for her to shake. "A pleasure to finally meet you." 

  His phone's alarm went off just then, a smooth, sultry voice stating "Your deposition begins in T-minus 10 minutes. Do you need a second remin-" 

   "Oh! Ignore that," Artemis muttered, fumbling with the alarm. 

  But Lili was more than amused. She arched a brow and looked at him in wild confusion. "Was that-? Was that my-?" 

  Artemis smiled nervously through burning cheeks. What a time to make a fool of himself. "Yes. That was your voice." 

  Lili looked between him and Holly in bewilderment. "What?!" she laughed, deeply amused. 

  "Let me explain," he chuckled, lifting his palms sheepishly. "So, as you're well aware, you and Holly were not on friendly terms-" 

  "Uh-huh," she nodded, leaning into him curiously. 

  "-And you were the bane of her existence. So," he rubbed his neck as he faced her. "I assigned your voice to my phone's system to annoy her." 

  Lili blinked at him, her smile growing larger. "Are you serious?" 

  "Yes," he laughed back casually. 

  "So, you've literally known who I am this whole time?" Lili glanced at Holly and mouthed to her, "AHHHHHH!" 

  Holly crossed her arms and shrugged but Artemis kept on. "Indeed. You seem to have sold your likeness and voice to a stock company, so despite your royal standing and Holly's rivalry with you, you're quite the prominent figure amongst the People." 

  "Oh my gods," Lili cooed, her hands on her cheeks. "You have me flustered, Fowl. I don't know what to say!" She winked over at Holly, whose face was ever-reddening. "At least buy me a drink first if you're going to use my voice!" 

  "Ugh," Holly groaned in her throat, avoiding the two's interactions. She was glad they seemed to hit it off so easily, and even moreso Artemis seemed so… casual? But there was another feeling nagging under her skin. 

  Despite her laughter, Lili noticed the other elf's annoyance and squinted at her. What was up with Holly? Was she…? Lili's eyes widened in realization and she snapped back to Artemis. "Hey! What are you doing next week?" She could feel Holly's eyes burning into her soul but she continued on. Holly would just have to trust her. 

  Artemis opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was, "Uh…" He quickly shut up and looked at Holly, as if for assurance. She was completely avoiding their conversation, her face turned towards the balcony. Without her say, Artemis turned back to Lili. "I should be available by the 30th. What did you have in mind?"

  "Just hang out," Lili smiled, careful to watch Holly in her peripheral vision as she leaned into Artemis. "We can get coffee or something." 

  "I like coffee," Artemis nodded, anxiety growing in him. Was Lili asking him out? Or out? He couldn't help but glance at Holly again for clarification, but she was avoiding his gaze altogether. "All of us? Or…?"

  "Just us," Lili winked, tapping Holly's arm. "Just for a bit. You won't mind, right, Holly?" 

  "Why would I mind? I don't care. We're just friends. I don't care," Holly shrugged, still avoiding both friends' eyes. I definitely care. Why do I care?! 

  "See? She doesn't mind," Lili stated, tapping Holly's armored arms once more before turning her body to face Artemis. She reached her hand out to him. "Give me your phone." 

  Artemis was surprised that he immediately handed it to her without question, only contemplating it once his phone was already in her palm. She was quite charismatic, wasn't she? 

  Lili tapped a few keys and handed it back to him. "Now you can match a face to the voice," she winked, resting her chin on her hand. "Text me." 

  "Sure. That's fine with me," Artemis smiled. He caught the time on the digital clock overhead and looked between the elves. "I should get going-" 

  "Yup. Don't wanna be late, even if it is fashionable," Holly mused, tapping the tabletop as she finally set her eyes back on him. She felt small next to Lili, as if Artemis wouldn't even notice her. But she couldn't blame Lili anymore - these were her own insecurities. "You know where you're going?"

  "I do, in fact." 

  "Good. I'll see you there?" 

  "Where else would I be?" he teased. His gaze lingered on Holly. She was behaving a little oddly but he brushed it off. "Good day, ladies." 

  Holly watched him walk a few steps away, feeling selfish for being insecure. So, she pulled herself together and called out, "Arty!" He stopped and whirled around, his brows slightly raised at her. "You're gonna do great." She offered him a sweet smile. "You've got this." 

  Artemis felt his heart swell. He blinked once, a smile forming on his lips. He nodded to her in thanks and continued on, hands in pockets as he made for the top floor. 

  When Holly's eyes craned back to Lili, she frowned at the mischievous glint in the blonde's eyes. "What?" 

  "I see you." 

  Holly looked around a little confused. "You see me?" 

  "Yuh. I see you," Lili repeated, pointing a finger at Holly. "I've got you." 

  "What are you talking about?" 

  "You're jealous I asked Fowl out." 

  Holly felt her face tingle. She was sure her cheeks were bright coral now. "J-jealous?! I am not jealous." 

  "You're totes jealous," Lili shook her head. "You keep saying you're just friends but it's so obvious you like him." 

  "I-I-!" Holly stammered, her fists on the table. "I don't like him!" 

  "No?" 

  "No!" 

  "Oh, okay," Lili continued, casually checking her manicure. "So you don't care if I fuck him then?" 

  "Don't you fucking dare," Holly warned, hardening her gaze. 

  "So, if you don't like him, why do you care?" Lili grinned. 

  "I-I don't!" Holly threw her hands up. "But, you're my friends! I-I don't want my friends dating each other-" 

  "Holly," Lili interrupted, grabbing Holly's hand firmly. "Do you trust me?" 

  "This isn't about trust! I just do-" 

  "Holly!" Lili yelped. "I need you to trust me when I say I see you, and I've got you." Her grin grew larger, her finger waving in the air at her. "I'm gonna set you two up." 

   "What?!" 

   "Jesus Christ. Drop the act. You two are way too cute together," Lili carried on, reaching for her smoothie. 

  Holly blinked at her. "Why do you keep saying Jesus Christ? Isn't he one of the human Gods?" 

  "He's the son of the God… or something like that, thank you very much," Lili explained sternly. "And I much prefer it to 'Oh Frond'. Like, what? You really think I'm gonna say my own name? That's weird." 

  "Isn't it offensive to say Jesus' name?" 

  "It's catchy! Besides, who cares about offending mud men?" Lili exasperated, when she realized what Holly was doing and waved a finger at her. "HEY! Nuh-uh-uh! You don't get to just change the subject." 

  Holly smirked to herself. Maybe Artemis was rubbing off on her. "What makes you think we should be together, anyway?" Holly rolled her eyes, sitting back in her metal chair. 

  "Um, you guys have more chemistry than Romeo and Juliet. Like, are you kidding me?" 

  "I dunno. You two seemed pretty into each other," Holly accused dully, crossing her arms. 

  "Holly. You cannot be that blind." 

  The mini computer on her wrist buzzed and Holly popped up. "Well! His trial starts any moment, so I gotta run." 

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get outta here," Lili smiled, smacking Holly's butt as the elf stood beside her. "Text me, asswipe." 

  "See ya later, dick squeeze." 

  "Bye, mud lover."

  Holly flashed her a playful middle finger as she strode away with her helmet at her hip. Lili watched her go, shaking her head fondly as her chin fell into her palm again. "You'll thank me one day, weirdo." 

Police Plaza, Top Floor 

Haven City Council 

   The next few minutes seemed to speed by as Artemis finally found himself in Haven's famed Council Room, a court of fairies wrapped in a half-circle around him. The massive room was carved out of quartz crystal, cyan tourmaline points jutting out from the glass floor and cavern walls, some tall enough to spear high into the glass domed ceiling. Gilded gold vines accented the walls and floors, and a large teal banner hung behind the court, reading Haven City Council in Gnommish gold letters. Holly and Commander Kelp had their own stand to Artemis' left while Foaly was situated at his right.

 Chairman Cahartez stood from his seat. He donned his signature conical hat and gold-teal robes, standing center of Haven's Council of six. "Please state your full name and title," he declared to Artemis, his voice booming through the crystalline walls. 

  "Dr. Artemis Fowl the Second," Artemis announced from his podium, alone in the center of the floor. 

  "And you are a human, correct?" the Chairman asked. 

  "Yes," Artemis answered, offering a friendly, tight-lipped smile. "Technically, that is correct." 

  "Technically?"

  "Well, as you're aware, my family and your People are intertwined in more ways than one. Your own technical advisor here," Artemis motioned to the geeky centaur to his far right, "grew this body from my DNA in his lab here in Haven. So, technically I am human, but I was conceived by your People… so to speak." 

  Chairman Cahartez nodded slowly, as if struggling to understand. "Yes… of course. Well then, Dr. Fowl, if we may begin?" 

  Cahartez stepped forward. A hologram-projection sprung to life in the center of the room, taking the form of gold dust particles until the particles spun around, morphing to reveal LEP arrest documents before their eyes. Cahartez held his palms out towards Artemis. "Dr. Fowl was arrested under suspicion of engaging in illegal commerce in The Black Alley. He was released when Commander Kelp and Commodore Short failed to obtain a confession or discover evidence of any wrongdoing. This was confirmed by you, Foaly. Correct?" 

  "That'd be correct, Chairman!" Foaly whinnied from his stand. 

  "Councilors, we are meeting today to discuss the terms and conditions of Dr. Fowl's business, his visa, and a possible deportation and mind-wipe. If we are ready to debilitate, say 'ay'. If any are not, say 'nay'. Ay," Cahartez started, raising his palm into the air. 

  "Ay" rang around the room, for no one had protested. At that, the Chairman sat back in his intricately carved seat. "We may begin." 

  A female elf, maybe 400 years old, with a brunette ponytail and green-tinted glasses stepped forward, a welcoming yet stern expression across her broad brow. "Dr. Artemis Fowl," she started, her voice warm as honey tea. "I am T.J. Fleetstream, Inclusivity and Diversity Officer for Haven City Council. In case you're unfamiliar, it is my duty to make sure every fairy species is fairly represented in court. Meaning…" 

  "-Meaning you're likely against my position as a CEO amongst the People," Artemis concluded, catching onto her point. "Considering I am human, after all." 

  "Yes," she smiled, frown lines creasing around her mouth. "Especially considering you're running your business out of The Black Alley. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you." 

  "Of course," Artemis approved, stepping out from the podium so she could fully gaze down at him. 

  "With Foaly's access, your bank accounts show you have less than a thousand alums to your name. What is the point of your position if not to make money? And how do you intend to pay your employees?"

  "Good questions, Councilor," Artemis nodded, placing his arms behind his back. "Furthermore, I'd like to reduce our time here and explain everything, if that's acceptable with the Council?" 

  "Ay." 

  Artemis felt a jolt of excitement rush through him. He loved a good audience, and even moreso, any chance to put his attorney's license to use. He cleared his throat and stepped before the Council, reaching a hand into his pocket. 

  "You may or may not have heard, but around a month ago I returned from a five year expedition in space. In my time on the moon and Mars, I have discovered and created various substances. The one I'd like to present to you today is artelite." 

  Artemis removed his hand from his pocket, revealing a tiny plastic container in his palm. The container unfolded itself, retracting inwards until it created a flat plate, presenting the luminescent, cyan mineral cluster. "Artelite is a substance I created from several of Mars' elements. It is not only easily synthesized, but it can be morphed into any form. You may be wondering what it does." Artemis took a few steps forward, waving a hand to the digital clock on the far wall. "I've noticed your clock is out of commission. If I may demonstrate…?" 

  The Councilors looked at each other but none objected, nodding to him instead. Artemis' fingers stroked the cluster delicately, peeling off a miniscule, crystal point. He raised it into the air for the Council to see before setting the entire cluster down on the podium. He strode over to the clock on the wall, ignoring the stepping stool beside it. He unscrewed the clock face and removed the battery inside, fitting the tiny crystal into the slot instead. He closed the clock face and screwed it back on, taking a step back to admire his work. 

  After several seconds, a burly gnome squinted, leaning forward in his seat, "What are we waiting on, Fowl?" 

  Just then the clock sprung to life, the light fizzling on and the hologram numbers winding up to correct the current date and time. Some of the Council ooed and awed, while others were decidedly unimpressed. The same gnome stood from his chair and moved over to the clock to get a better look, his robes flowing behind him. "So, it's a power source. What does this have to do with your business?"

  Artemis flashed him a vampiric smile as he strode back to the podium. "It has everything to do with my business, Councilor…?" 

  "Sol Lope, General of the LEP," the elder gnome grunted in response.

  “Councilor Lope: In basic terms, I would like to legitimize The Black Alley by employing its members and leveraging its capital into a new, entirely legal business venture built around artelite. These members are already bound to me, and I will be protecting their identities. So far, I've kept them paid using Goliath Knopp’s funds, however, due to the criminal nature of his accounts, I've refused to take any money for myself.

  "What do you mean, they are bound to you?" T.J. questioned from her chair. "At no point should any fairy be bound to a human." 

  "Bound, as in, they have criminal history I will expose if they are caught committing any illegal activities within the company," Artemis flashed a canine at her. "They are not servants. They're free to quit at any time."

  "If I may interject, Dr. Fowl," another female voice from across the room cut in. A shorter, pudgier female elf raised a brow at him. "I am Dr. Belleva Beste, Deputy Director of Howler's Peak. From one Doctor to another, do you sincerely think it realistic that criminals won't engage in crime in favor of 'going clean'?" She threw her nose in the air. "As someone who works exclusively with criminals, I think not." 

  "In no way do I mean to minimize your experience, Doctor, but I was a criminal. You don't need me to remind you, I'm sure. If there is anyone who can lead criminals into going straight, it would be me." 

  "And how so?" 

  "Simple," Artemis smiled again. "Under strict orders, you fool them into thinking they're committing crimes, when in reality, they're doing fair, legal labor." 

  "So, you've been tricking them." 

  "And it's worked splendidly so far." 

  The Councilors were stunned for a few moments when the Chairman broke the silence. "Give us a moment to deliberate, please," Cahartez announced. The Councilors huddled in close, debating in hushed tones amongst each other. 

  Artemis took the moment to scan the luxurious council room, his gaze landing on the elfin officers at their stand. His eyes met Holly's and he felt his heart lurch. He hoped wasn't making a fool of himself, but found reassurance when she flashed him a thumbs up and excited smile instead. "You're doing great!" he read from her lips, returning the smile. "Thank you," he mouthed back when the Council finished. Someone cleared their throat to get his attention and he focused back on the Councilors. 

  "We'd like to hear from you, Foaly," a blonde pixie asked as he stood behind his chair. "We'd like to hear your perspective on this artelite substance, and what of Fowl's plans to distribute it." 

  "Of course, Councilor Oot," Foaly neighed excitedly, clopping off his stand. He lifted the remote to the hologram projector in the center of the room, a scientific model of artelite broken down before them. "As an ally and long-time friend of Artemis, I was in contact with him during his first year in space. During that time, he sent me journals, formulas - one of these was artelite, a substance he created from a Martian mineral. And since his arrest, he was nice enough to gift me my very own cluster!" Foaly excitedly reached into his pocket to reveal his own glittering artelite crystal. 

  "Get to the point, Foaly," General Lope warned from his seat. 

  "Right. So, I've tested artelite numerous times since then to prepare for this hearing, and… well, if I'm honest?" His big brown eyes sparkled with scientific passion at the fairies. "This stuff is incredible. It can power almost anything. Councilor Marsh, you'd be pleased to know that it's also ridiculously cheap, and entirely too easy to recreate." 

  Councilor Kareem K. Marsh steepled gold-laced fingers. "And the revenue to be gained from it? How would this benefit us, exactly?"

  Artemis stepped forward once more, his determined sneer on the Councilor's creased eyes. "Haven's market would be in direct contact with The Black Alley. We've already secured several businesses in our network." 

  "That sounds an awful lot like money laundering without actually using the phrase.” Councilor Marsh looked astonished. “Please tell me I’m wrong.”

  "You are. We're in touch. I've not allowed any funds through yet." He nodded to the Councilors in respect. "Not without your permission." 

  "You're asking us to allow you to launder money through Haven's businesses?" T.J. questioned from the opposite side of the room. 

  "Criminals," Dr. Beste snorted, jotting down in her notepad. 

  "Think of it though: if we regulated his laundering, we're basically regulating The Black Alley! We'd be touching funds that were invisible to us before. We could even distribute these funds more efficiently-" 

  "Councilor Marsh, please tell me you're not taking the human's side on this!" Dr. Beste snapped up from her notes. "This is absurd. We will be no different from the criminals if we allow this!" 

  "There could be interesting developments from this engagement, though," Professor Oot chimed in. 

  "No, no, no! And imagine if those reckless brothers of his get involved. We can't risk it." 

  "I'm with Beste on this," General Lope grunted as he lit a fungus cigar between his lips, blue smoke circling the air. "I say mind-wipe the mud man and be done with it."

  Artemis cleared his throat. “I believe I am entitled to call a witness in my defense?”

  The Councilors silenced, their gazes transfixed on him. He motioned his hand towards Holly in her stand. 

  "Come forward, please," Cahartez requested. 

  Holly stood from her seat, her hands in tight fists at her hips and her jaw set. She didn't look at Artemis but instead focused on the Council as she took her place beside him. 

  "Please state your rank and name." 

  "Commodore Holly Short," Holly said, pulling her Book out around her neck, her fingers wrapped tightly around it. 

  "Do you swear to tell the truth in Frond's name?"

  "I do." 

  "And do you swear to give the Council in this matter the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you Gods?"

  "I do." Holly took a breath, her hand still on the tiny Book around her neck. "I'm the fairy Artemis Fowl the Second kidnapped many, many years ago. I'm also the one who arrested him over a week ago," she spoke clearly as she strode around the podium, taking the center of the room. "Despite our actions, I sincerely believe Artemis is a good person and intends to do good for Haven. He's not only a super genius, but his experience and knowledge of the business world can help the East Bank and Lower Levels out of poverty. Think of the good that can come from having him on your side, especially because it's the side he wants to be on. On top of that, he's an extremely influential figure amongst the People. Have you seen the tabloids recently?" 

  "You should've seen the crowd earlier," Artemis agreed slyly alongside Holly, his heart fluttering in his suit. "I was nearly trampled trying to attend this very meeting." 

  "Exactly. With attention like that, it wouldn't do us any good to have him deported. It would turn the People against you. Plus, having him around for much longer may spike the GDP." 

  "I'm afraid that may be true," T.J. chuckled, the crystal skylight above causing her emerald lenses to flare. " Luna's Goodies on Amberwood Ave has been selling Fowl and Fairy cupcakes for the past week. I haven't even bothered stopping in, it's been so packed." 

  "Who's side are you on, Fleetstream?!" Dr. Beste scowled. "Since when are we influenced by celebrities, much less human ones?"

  "I am on whichever side helps our People," T.J. replied stiffly. "And right now, Dr. Fowl and his associates have made several good propositions." 

  "Councilors, I will have order in the court," Chairman Cahartez demanded. He stood from his golden chair and straightened his conical hat, eyes rounding on Artemis and Holly at the podium. "Before we even discuss business matters, we must discuss safety. Is this element toxic? Flammable? Explosive?" He turned on Foaly this time. "What does this element actually consist of?" 

  "Substance, Chairman," Artemis corrected, unable to help himself. "It is a substance, not an element. Neither of the Martian elements that make up part of its formula are explosive. Toxic? Well… I wouldn't suggest consuming most rocks anyway, unless you have the jaw and digestive system of a dwarf, so…" he trailed off with a slick grin and a shrug.

  "Is it non-explosive? How can you be sure?" the Chairman doubted, squinting eyes at him. 

  "It powered both the suits and helmet derived from Foaly's award-winning design, as well as my ship after it was damaged in a meteor shower within Mars' orbit. Unless you're an expert on Martian geology and mineralogy, Chairman Cahartez?" Artemis challenged with a raised brow. "I know the LEP doesn't have a space unit that's ventured as far as Mars, correct? You also have no satellites that far out. Isn't that right, Foaly?" 

  Foaly furrowed his brows down at Artemis, sincerely wishing the human didn't have to be such a little shit in front of the Council. "It's true," he sighed, hanging his head in defeat. "After the hijacked space probe, I've been too cautious to send anything further than the moon." 

  Artemis moved from around the podium, his back firm and tall as he stood with confidence before the Council. "I can absolutely guarantee you that this substance is non-explosive, and that by distributing it to your people, you could create a clean source of fuel from this. Your people could be in their own hovercars soon - their own vehicles - and you wouldn't need to worry about pollution within the confines of the cavern. Imagine the revenue you'd make from transportation, from the artelite fuel sold to power them-" 

  "I understand, Dr. Fowl. And to be completely honest, I'd have to agree that you make a compelling argument." Chairman Cahartez leaned forward, rigid eyes bearing down at Artemis. "But what if a goblin, for example, finds a way to weaponize this. What then?" 

  "There are dozens of power sources already available to them, if that were to be the case," Artemis countered. "Once you've pushed through the regulations on moving funds within The Black Alley, those sales will be tracked and archived."

  "And what if you're wrong? What if these gangs find a way to make it dangerous anyway?" 

  Artemis Fowl gave Chairman Cahartez his most classic, smug grin. "If I'm right, I'm a prodigy. If I'm wrong, then I'm crazy. That's the way history is written." He glanced over at Holly, meeting her mismatched eyes. A warm smile crept her cheeks as he offered a wink. "And I haven't been wrong so far." 

  The meeting didn't last long after Holly's testimony, with her escorting Artemis towards the exit of Police Plaza alone once it was concluded. She smirked as she watched him fiddle with the gold cufflinks on his blazer. "So? Pleased with the results of your deposition?" 

  "Of course. I owe it to you and Foaly, Holls," Artemis said brightly, straightening up. He tilted his head slightly towards her. "I'm rather surprised Commander Kelp didn't protest my position. However, I suspect he may have done it to please you." 

  Holly stopped in her tracks, grimacing at him. "What does that mean?"

  Artemis stopped a little in front of her. "Well, you're dating. Naturally, he'd be wise to keep you happy." 

  Holly's grimace became emotionless, blinking at him until she burst into joyous laughter. "Artemis fucking Fowl!" She threw her head back, totally hysterical. "I'll admit. You can be funny sometimes." 

  Artemis stared, unamused. "That wasn't a comedic attempt…?"  

  Holly put a reassuring hand on his suited arm, her eyes kind on him. "I'm not dating Trouble. We stopped seeing each other. It wasn't right for either of us." 

  Artemis nodded casually, but inside he felt stunned and… hopeful? Don't be a fool. "Ah. I see. Sorry to hear that." 

  "Nah. It's okay, really." She shrugged awkwardly, moving back towards the electrified gate with him. "I'd say we're both single now, but you just scored a date with Lili Frond, so…" 

  "I wouldn't classify it as a date," Artemis said firmly. "Besides, I'll be much too busy with the production and distribution of artelite to fret over things like dating." Liar. He stopped by the exit gate, the acrylic wall door before him sliding open. "Anyway, I should get going. Thank you again, Holls," Artemis said, offering her a small, genuine smile. "This wouldn't be the success it was without your help." 

  "Oh?!" Holly beamed at him, hands on her hips. "Is the great Artemis Fowl acknowledging my help?!" 

  "Of course," Artemis replied, his smile growing larger. "When have I not?" 

  They said their good-byes, Artemis leaving Holly by the gate of Police Plaza. But before he was totally out of reach, he heard her voice call to him, "I remember, by the way!" 

  Artemis stopped and turned around, meeting his best friend's smile. He couldn't help but form one as well; she was infectious. He pondered what she could be referring to, when it hit him. "I hoped you might. Only the context has slightly changed." 

  "You're both, by the way." 

  "Oh?" He lifted a single brow. Even as dozens of fairies bustled and passed them by, it was like they only noticed each other, his eyes locked on hers. "I'm both crazy and a prodigy?" 

  "Yeah," Holly teased, her brows furrowing impishly. "Only a crazy person would jump off the tallest building in the world with a bomb strapped to his wrist."

  "Ho-ho!" Artemis laughed, throwing his head back. "I guess you're as bad as me then, considering you came along." 

  "Yeah, it's my curse," she chuckled, shrugging. "I'm stuck with you till the end, I guess." 

  Artemis couldn't help but stumble a little at her words. He knew what she meant, and he knew she was coming from a platonic place, but he couldn't help his heart skipping every other beat in his chest, flighty bits of twisting and turning knobs in his stomach. Butterflies? Is that what people call them? 

  He shook himself out of it, ignoring the burning on his flesh. "I hope that you are," he said softly, realizing he sounded a little sentimental. "A curse, though? I recall you saying 'I like having you around'," he teased her back, crossing his arms and leaning into her a bit. 

  "Yeah, well, maybe I like curses. You never know," Holly crossed her arms, mimicking him. As he got closer, she felt her cheeks growing hot. Damn it. He is kind of hot, isn't he? "I guess things could be worse." 

  "Oh, really?" Artemis challenged, leaning against the gate beside her. "What's that supposed to mean, Short?" 

  "Don't call me by my last name!" 

  "Are you saying you like being cursed by me?" 

  "Are- are you flirting with me, Artemis-"  

  "Of course not," he said smugly as he checked his nails patiently. "I'm only asking you to clarify what you've said-" 

   "Artemis fucking Fowl-" Holly warned humorously, jamming a finger at his chest. "I'm- I'm going back to work!" She whipped around and stormed off for a few feet before smiling at him from over her shoulder. "I'm leaving." 

  "You're ridiculous," Artemis shook his head in amusement, getting off the gate. "I'll see you at home, Holls." 

  She felt like sun rays beamed on her as prickly heat spread through her arms and chest. "Home, yeah." She gave a warm smile, remembering she wasn't alone anymore. "I'll see you then." She nodded to him once, their gaze lingering on each other's. He's just taking those mental pictures he likes. Don't overthink it. "Bye," she said, turning to stride back into the hustle and bustle of Police Plaza. 

  "Bye," he said quietly, almost to himself. It was only when she was gone did Artemis notice all the fairies huddled around him, especially the ones with more nefarious intentions. He ignored them as he moved past, making his way towards the Thoroughfare.

  "Fowl! Artemis Fowl! How was your hearing?!" "Did your deposition go well?! Are you being deported?! What's your salary like right now?! Is the elf commodore your new girlfriend?!" 

  The last one got Artemis' attention and he snapped to the paparazzo sprite with fervid irritation. "That elf's name is Holly Short, and she is a fantastic commodore. Show respect and use her name," he scowled, pushing past the crowd of fairies below him. It wasn't hard for him, being much taller than them. He often wondered if this was how Butler experienced the world. 

  But, Artemis had made the mistake of answering the media, indeed a rare heated moment for him. But with Holly, it was as if he couldn't help it. He couldn't stand her image being reduced to 'a girlfriend', or 'that elf.' It was clear who the People's favorite of the Fowl and Fairy franchise was, but just because it was him didn't mean he agreed with it. But despite his feelings towards the matter, it only fed the media's curiosity more. 

  "FOWL! FOWL! ARE YOU AND HOLLY SHORT DATING?" "Please confirm, sir!" "He didn't say no! Quick! Write this down, Barbara!" "What about the pixie girl? Are you dating both fairies?" "Artemis Fowl! Do you consider yourself a playboy?!" 

  It was maddening. He understood the reasons for societies latching onto celebrities' lives as a form of escapism, but he wasn't a celebrity. He was just an out-of-place human who's every move was apparently too fascinating for the fairy media to not keep up with. How they found his morning espresso interesting was beyond him. 

  Artemis powered through the media frenzy on the Thoroughfare, the misty sim-sky overhead replicating the stormy surface above. Thunder rolled through Haven's hidden cavern speakers, a slight rumble beneath his black dress shoes as Artemis carefully hopped onto Haven's Stick platform, riding the Stick into the Lower Levels of the city. That didn't stop the paparazzi from joining in, bombarding Artemis from all sides. 

  "Fowl! Fowl!"

  Artemis gritted his teeth in annoyance and took the next exit platform, hopping off the Stick to wander into the sleazy Saw District.

  Neon pink and gold lights strobed the streets as electronic bass boomed from run-down storefronts. Grime stuck to the steamy cavern vents that fogged the holo-advertisements around him. Artemis rounded a corner into a tight alleyway, looking over his shoulder to check the media presence. They were gaining speed on him, and increasing from a dozen fairies to at least thirty now and Artemis was missing his trusty bodyguard at the moment. 

  "Hellfire," he swore and whirled back around, zipping off into the tight alleyway. He rounded a corner, then another, looking back every so often to check for fairies. 

  "Artemis! Please! Just give us one word!" 

  Artemis groaned as he swerved another corridor, picking up his speed into a jog now. Actually on the run. Preposterous. 

  "Catch him!"

   What?! He craned his neck to look and a sprite was barrelling for him. He ducked at the last minute, the sprite swooping over his head past him. He held back the urge to threaten the sprite's reputation and bank account, reminding himself it was his engagement that started this hysteria in the first place. He needed a way out now. 

  Artemis came to a forked alleyway, his eyes darting left and right. He quickly settled on the left, as it was always the more comfortable choice for him. He sped off as quickly as he could muster in his dress shoes, careful not to slip on the smooth obsidian. He eventually skidded to a halt on a rusted, broken railing, the metalwork missing large chunks. He panted over the ledge as he caught his breath. He looked around at the glittering fae metropolis above him. It loomed over the Lower Levels, a shadow of what could've been had Haven's elite not abandoned them. 

  Artemis took a final heave as he stared into the dark corridor he escaped from. It seemed he'd lost the media, for now. Artemis couldn't help but smile to himself a little. He'd had great success at his hearing with the Council, the fairy people were obsessed with him, he'd finally be making an income off of his creation, and he was on better terms with Holly. Was he… actually doing alright for himself here? Was living a simpler life in Haven like this… okay?

   Beep beep. Beep beep. His Faetek phone buzzed in his trouser pocket and he dug it out from the depths. He felt his chest warm in comfort when he saw the screen. It was Butler, his name blinking in Gnommish letters. Artemis sighed with relief as he took the call. 

  "Hello, Butler," Artemis greeted fondly in English, a smile plastered to his face. "Perfect timing, old friend! I've actually just-" 

  "Hello, darling." 

  This voice. This voice wasn't the gruff, rumbly voice of his massive bodyguard. This voice was sweet, maternal, bright. 

  "Mother." 

  "Oh, my baby Arty," his mother cooed. "I've missed you so much. Why haven't you called me?" 

  Faux thunder rumbled through Haven as Artemis hesitated. His stomach was doing somersaults as memories came pouring back from weeks ago, when his family had evicted him from his own home. He'd just gotten back from space. Did they even care? Did his mother even care? 

  "I've been busy, mother." 

  "Oh, please! As if you can be too busy for your mum," Angeline said, her voice like honey. "Anyway, how are you darling?" 

  "Fine." 

  "You're being so cold to me, Arty. Don't you miss your mum?" 

  Of course he missed his mother; he loved her with his whole heart. He wouldn't have risked all he had if he didn't love her. But he couldn't help but feel repulsed by the call. His mother didn't seem genuine, but rather, like she was trying to obtain something. Maybe her pride? Maybe she wanted information of some sort? 

  "Why are you using Butler's phone?" he asked her instead, his voice monotone. 

  "Oh, he comes by here and there. He's doing some work for your father at the moment." 

  "He's supposed to be relieved of his duties until further notice. I'm going to ask that you don't work him anymore, please," Artemis requested sternly. 

  "Arty! I am your mum. Not your business partner. My goodness," she exasperated, her voice crackling on the line. "Can you facetime? I'd like to see my darling's face." 

  A video request appeared on his screen. His fingers hovered over the green video button, but he couldn't do it. He pressed the red X instead. "Not now. I'm very busy at the moment."

  "Well, you weren't busy for Butler. Why won't you make time for me, Artemis?" Angeline used his actual name. She only did that when she was truly upset or adamant with him. "I haven't heard from you in almost a month. I've sent texts you don't answer. You reject all my calls." He heard another sigh. "I don't even know what you're doing in Haven, love. You haven't told me anything." 

  Artemis raised a brow, fixated on the last part of her speech. "How do you know I'm in Haven?" he questioned quietly. "I don't recall mentioning that to you." 

  "Darling, I know you talk to Butler. Why do you think I've used his phone?" An awkward silence drifted between him and his mother on the other line. And then, "Do you hate me?" 

  The question took Artemis aback. "Of course I don't hate you, mother." His eyes drifted past the broken railing, gazing at the stormy sky panels above. "I could never hate you." 

  "Then why won't you make time for me?" 

  The question hit him hard. Was he supposed to? He wanted to spend time with his family when he finished his seminars, but his mother had sent him off to the French countryside with Holly instead. He wanted to have long family dinners with his parents. He wanted to have late-night movies with Beckett, and explosive research sessions with Myles. He wanted to sit in the rose garden with his mother. He wanted to watch the Irish coast with his father; see his approving smile. He just wanted his family. It was all he ever wanted. 

  But they didn't want him. 

  So, why was she bothering him about it now? Like this was his fault? Was it? 

  "I-I'm-" Artemis sputtered, his heart growing heavier. "I wanted to, mother. But, you and father wanted me gone. So I left. And now you're upset I haven't contacted you?" Artemis took another breath, barely filling his lungs. "I love you, mother. So very much. You've no idea how much I've missed you all." 

  "So then call, my love!" Angeline said, her tone more irked than sympathetic. "Or come visit sometime. You've shut us out like you don't want to be with us." 

  "I-I've-?" Artemis clamped his teeth on his lip, biting down hard as he closed his eyes. He held his composure, sucking in a breath between teeth. They'd kicked him out and now she was blaming him for not being around? He felt so frustrated, like a beast locked in a cage, emotions clawing to get out. He wanted to snap at his mother, reject her opinions and tell her she was wrong. But he didn't have the heart to be cruel to her. He never could. 

  "I'm sorry. I'll try to call more." 

  "Even Butler tells me he's had trouble getting ahold of you, dear. You shouldn't be a hermit." 

  Artemis hesitated, his mouth held open as he was floored how to respond. Was being away from Angeline for so many years opening his eyes to who his mother really was? Was she… was she gaslighting him? "That's not true. Butler called me once, and ever since, I've stayed in touch with him. I haven't shut him out. I haven't shut anyone out-" 

  "Have you even called your brothers?"

  Artemis froze, his eyes dropping to the metal mesh floor beneath his dress shoes. He felt so small from Angeline's words. His shoulders slumped forward and he held his head low. What did she want? Why was she bothering him? He felt a sudden drop in his chest when a familiar, crackling warmth sparked, igniting his blood and nerves on fire. His breath hitched and it felt like his lungs were squeezing for air. Oh no.

  "Mo-mother. Pl-please stop-" 

  But Angeline hadn't noticed his stumbling, still ranting at him. "Did you know Beckett's on spring break from school? He was even asking about you the other day. He nor Myles have heard from you since you left for space! I mean, Artemis. Really?"

  That was it. He couldn't take it anymore. He shut off the call without another word, staring at the phone as his fingernails clawed into the plastic, his grip growing tighter and tighter. He fell weakly against the rusty railing, the old metal groaning against his weight. His eyes traveled up and noticed a break in the railing, leaving several gaps that someone might fall through if not careful. He mindlessly approached one, entranced by the spring below. 

  He imagined launching the phone into the spring so no one could ever contact him again. He imagined smashing it against the mesh floor and screaming his lungs out. But he didn't, and he wouldn't. He took another deep breath, and though it caught in his throat and he choked, he held his composure. Do. Not. Break. He blew out the breath and tapped the screen with his nails. Don't act on impulse. You are better than that. But, was he? He was always so high and mighty, always out to do the next big thing, but who was he really trying to prove it to? Others? Or himself? 

  Artemis' eyes drifted from his phone back down to the grey waters below, thunder grumbling around him, adding to the melancholy and melodrama. Theatrics, like father said. Dramatic. He was alive. Butler was alive and well. He had artelite. He was loved by the People. He had the Council on his side. He had his best friend back, and he got to stay with her through all the fun and chaos, even if there were hardships. He was a successful businessman amongst the People and now owned an entire market. He was a genius. A prodigy.

  So, why wasn't it enough? Why was he still having panic attacks? Why… why did he still want to die? 

   I don't belong here. I have to return. I have to give myself back.

  Haven's glowing metropolis twinkled against the bleak waters below, so close from his ledge, and yet so out of reach. The lights glittered and blinked, bright and pearly just like- 

   Stars. 

   He stared, entranced by the luminaries that glowed against the surface. He stepped closer to the ledge, and another, until there were no more steps to take. He wasn't really here, was he? No. He was still lost, lost in the stars. He reached a hand out, his finger dipping forward, expecting to fall into a wormhole through time, floating weightlessly in space. That's right. He never left.

  He shuffled forward, reaching further. There was nothing but air, but he didn't notice. Just a little closer. The stars twinkled brighter, inviting him into the abyss, reminding him of their familiar embrace when-

  "Mleow!" 

  Artemis blinked. What? 

   "Mraow!" 

  A friendly, small creature rubbed against his trousers and Artemis blinked once more, glancing down. Meowington the cat weaved between his legs. His mind cleared as he fell back to Earth, realizing where he was. He was nearly off the ledge, the edge of his shoes dangling a few inches. He fell back in shock, blinking rapidly. What had happened? Where had he gone? Why was he so close to the ledge?! 

  It was too overwhelming. Artemis doubled over, wanting so badly to let out tears but he absolutely refused . What if paparazzi were around? It was enough he was as close to the ledge as possible without someone picking up on his mental state. He didn't need to confirm it with a breakdown. 

  "Raooow!" 

  Artemis frowned at Meowington. "You followed me here? Why? To check on me?" He bit his lip again, stuffing back tears. He felt so grateful. This fluffy creature had just saved his life. "Thank you, Meow." Artemis bent down and scooped the kitty up, allowing the tuxedo cat to wrap its arms around his shoulders as if for a hug. "Is Meow okay? It's a suitable nickname, I think." 

  "Meh."  

  "Splendid." He held the affectionate kitty close and ran his fingers through his soft fur, Meowington's comforting purrs buzzing against his chest. "Ah. Purring indicates you're content. I've also read studies that suggest purring is used as a form of healing for a broad range of ailments, from brittle bones to emotional distress." He pulled the kitty back a little in both arms so he could get a proper look at his adorable little pout. "You're extremely intelligent, aren't you?"

  "Meh." 

  "I wouldn't have guessed common creatures possessed such intellect," Artemis raved on. Dissecting feline behavior was soothing him. "Entirely different from canines, and yet so vocal and willing to communicate." 

  "Meh." 

  "However, given that you domesticated yourselves to gain the benefits of living with humans, or, I suppose fairies in your case," Artemis continued on, stroking Meowington's fur. "It really isn't surprising that you've also learned how to communicate with us. I just never expected you to be so…" He lifted the kitty again to look at his sweet face. "...empathic."

  "Mlaow." 

  Artemis couldn't resist a small smile, fighting back the tears in his eyes. "Thank you." He gritted his teeth as he held the kitty in a hug a bit longer this time, careful not to squish him too hard. "Thank you," he said again, this time a hushed whisper against soft fur. He pulled back his face eventually, clearing his throat. "I think Holly's made me more emotional," he chuckled. 

  Meowington twisted in his arms, lightly clawing his way up Artemis' torso. From there, he draped over his shoulder, the cat's head lined up with his cheek. Artemis scratched the kitty's white chin. "Like a parrot. Alright, then. Shall we get going, Sir Meowington? We have lots to achieve today."

   "Prrrp." 

   "Our first step is to return to The Alley and start moving our funds-" 

  Artemis tickled his kitty's snout as he left the alleyway, planning the rest of their day together.

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224

  The sky panels had transitioned from grey to black as Haven carried into night, rolling thunder and stormy clouds replaced by melodic crickets and glittering stars. Holly had gotten home around an hour ago, towel drying her long locks as she got out of her steamy, glass shower. She stopped to look at herself in the mirror, frowning at her freckled face. 

   'You're totally hot.' Lili's words echoed through her. 'There's a reason the guys bother you as much as they bother me.'

   Holly ran a finger over her nose, booping the button tip. Her nose was her mother's, but it was the source of teasing as a child. She didn't mind her appearance; she cared for skincare more than cosmetics or dressing up. But, was she… 'hot?' Holly tapped her nose some more. She liked her face, and that was all that mattered. 

  She sighed, massaging lavender moisturizer into her skin, finishing her routine by running a leave-in conditioner through her hair. She squealed happily to herself, doing a little dance when she got her soft sweatshirt on. "Mmm. Cozy," she murmured happily. 

   Beep beep. Beep beep. Beep beep. 

   Holly's ears perked up. Her phone was ringing! It was getting pretty late. Was it Artemis? She scanned her vanity for her the tiny device, locating it and sliding the call open without looking. "Hiiii! Where are-" 

  "Hi, Holly. Do you have a moment?" 

  Holly stared at her phone stunned. Angeline was on the line and didn't sound too happy. Holly gulped, resting both hands on the cold countertop. "Hi, Angeline. I'm free right now. Is everything okay?" 

  "No, Holly. It isn't," she snapped in a tone Holly hadn't heard from her before. "Things are not okay. Why isn't Artemis happy?" 

  Holly hesitated, trying to process what she was saying. "A-Artemis? What do you mean-" 

  "You had a very simple job," Angeline interrupted callously. "Keep Artemis happy in Haven. You were to care for him, heal him, keep him underwraps. So why hasn't that been done?" 

  "I-I thought-" Holly stumbled, finding her words. "Can you tell me what happened, please?" 

  "I got off the phone with him a little while ago. He was mean to me, Holly. Mean to his mum. And then, he hung up on me while I was speaking! Can you believe that? What have you been telling him about me?!"

  "Angeline, I haven't said anything about you!" Holly assured, watching her reflection in the mirror. "He's probably still upset that you kicked him out-" 

  A cackle distorted the phone line. "-Kicked him out?! Holly. Darling. You knew this was to happen. You were supposed to help him through this." 

  "I-I have, Angeline! But," Holly caught her gaze: one hazel, one blue. You killed him. Don't forget that. She gasped at the demonic thought, holding a hand to her mouth. She shook her head. "Artemis is a human being. He's not a robot. He's been through so much, you don't even know the tip of the iceberg-" 

  "Holly, I don't mean to sound condescending, love," Angeline said facetiously. "But if you can't heal him, then what am I paying you for?" 

  Holly's jaw dropped. She'd completely forgotten about that part of the arrangement. She had originally accepted back then, as she figured it made sense to accept extra funds to afford Artemis' lifestyle. But since he'd arrived, she wasn't controlling, monitoring, or trying to fix him like Angeline wanted. 

  She just wanted her best friend to be healthy, to be well, to be happy. She loved seeing his smile, but she knew he was only human, and along with that smile came a frown, sometimes tears. He couldn't be healed. His memories couldn't be healed with a spark or a thousand. But he wasn't broken because he had downfalls, or trauma. He was trying his best. Why didn't Angeline see that? 

  Holly set her jaw angrily. "Angeline, did you even talk to him?" 

  "Excuse me?" 

  "Did you even speak to him and listen? And I mean, really listen to him? He loves you so much. All he wants is to know you care about him as much as you say you do."

  "How dare you suggest I don't care for my son? For my baby Arty?"

  "He's not a baby, Angeline," Holly said firmly. "He's a grown man, and he's done a lot for someone who's gone through as much as he has. You ought to give him more credit." 

  "Can we have this discussion over video?" 

  "No." Holly shook her head. "I'd rather not have a visual to this conversation." 

  "Well, in that case, you don't need any more of my funding, then," Angeline gloated, her voice layered in entitlement. 

  "I don't want your money. You can have all of it," Holly snapped. "And for the record, Artemis seems to be a lot happier here than he ever was with you." 

  "Oh, please!" Angeline laughed, ignoring the last part of Holly's argument. "Arty is an expensive boy to handle. How will you pay for his meals then? Or pay for all your utilities? Don't forget I helped you move into that apartment. I found the rates in Haven. For two people, especially one as needy as my baby? You'll go broke in a few months, love." 

  "You can infantilize Artemis as much as you'd like," Holly informed. "But Artemis is extremely capable on his own. Yes, he's dangerous in the kitchen, and yes, he hasn't quite learned the difference between detergent and dish soap yet. But he tries with everything he does in life, no matter how small, and if he fails, he never mopes or whines. He gets right back into it, and he keeps going until he succeeds. He works harder than anyone I've ever met. Did you even know what he accomplished today? He joined Haven with our black market, The Black Alley. Impressed the council and everything. And then, instead of taking the day off to celebrate, you know what he did?"

  "He went right back to work," Angeline sighed. "Holly. The point was to keep him out of work. It is work that is killing him-" 

  "No, Angeline." Holly stood her ground. "What's killing him is that he doesn't have your support. He doesn't need your money. He doesn't even need me. He does need his family's love. He needs you to listen to him."

   "I am not a magickal being. I cannot heal my son's mind," Angeline ranted, her voice growing weary.

  "He can't be healed, Angeline. I don't know what you think he had, but his trauma runs so deep," Holly explained passionately on the verge of tears. "It will take years to heal him, and not with magick. With love, and support, and trust." 

  "He can't be healed?" Angeline repeated in disbelief. "You healed my depression. You can't heal his? That is why I put you in charge of this task, Holly."

  "Then I quit!" Holly threw her hands up. "I quit. There. Let him move back in. Deal with him yourself since I can't do it to your standards!" 

  "You can't quit. You made a promise, remember? And you don't want to test my promises." 

  Holly caught her reflection again. She was pale and wild-eyed. "Or, what, Angeline? Is that a threat?" 

  "Not a physical one. But, if you care for the Fowl family at all, I suggest you keep to your word or you will never hear from us again. Arty included." 

  "What do you want, Angeline?!" Holly roared at her phone, resisting the urge to slam it into the wall. "He's my best friend and I love him to death! I'm doing my best! What else do you want?! D'arvit!"  

  "Fix. Him." After some silence, she added, "I'll call again in a few weeks. There better be progress. Good night." Angeline clicked and the line went dead. 

  Holly's hands turned to white fists on the vanity, her head hung low as she avoided her reflection. I'm not a good person, am I? 

   It was all she wanted to be. Be a good person. Help people. Bring them justice. But she dwelled on the conversation, her mind drifting back to a few days ago when she'd been at her most toxic yet. I was so mean to him. I shot him. I held him captive. 

  What am I doing?

   Tears blossomed from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks in a never-ending stream. She curled her fists and her eyes shot up, catching her distressed red glare in the mirror. She thought back to the terrible things she said to Lili, and though she had forgiven her, Holly knew their hatred had to have weighed on her for years. You're just a useless breeding vessel that's been used too many times to work properly. Holly clamped down her teeth. She was horrible, wasn't she? How could she even say that? And for what? Words were forever set in stone. They couldn't be erased. 

  She thought back to how she used Trouble, and kept using him despite how she knew he felt about her. Her cries fell into tiny sobs and she closed her eyes, doubling over the vanity. "I'm sorry." She choked on her guilt. "I'm so sorry." 

  She thought of how she had healed Artemis mother's mind and how it had worked for her. But there were several times Holly had directly healed his head, sent sparks to his skull, and he hadn't changed. He couldn't be. Could he? Was she not good enough? No, she was. That wasn't the issue. She froze, forcing herself to stare at her reflection. She looked like absolute shit, like an absolute madfairy. She knew why he wasn't healed: she was selfishly not doing it well enough so she could keep him around. The thought struck her like an aimed arrow straight through the heart. Was that true? 

  She just wanted to help people. That was all she ever wanted. Was to be good. She just wanted to be good like her parents wanted her to be, like she wanted to be. But she wasn't. She was irredeemable. 

  Holly wept, hating herself more and more by the second until the stress boiled over and screamed. She just screamed - but the world was silent and still around her. She couldn't hear her own pained yells as she weakly fell to her knees, unable to function much more as she held herself; as she hated herself. 

The Black Alley

Phobos Tower

15th Floor 

   The ocean shore crashed into the rocks on the bleak Irish coast, the pebbles icy and rugged beneath his feet. A strong breeze blew through him, reminding him of how close the sea and the sky almost intertwined. He looked up - blue eyes trailing over the storm clouds that crackled and grumbled overhead. The storm was only getting started, and it already had so much to give. 

   "Mlaow!"

   Hm? 

   "Raaaooow! Prrr aooow!

  Artemis' eyes snapped open. He was in his office, hunched over in the burgundy armchair. Streams of olive light streaked across the mahogany desk in front of him, the air stale and stagnant. He ran a hand over his face, waking himself up. Soft fur smeared against his hand, catching bits of his cheek and he blinked his eyes a little sleepily. Meowington's feet were on his lap while his front paws were pressed against his chest, his little eyebrows furrowed anxiously at him. 

  Artemis rubbed his eyes. "Mmm. What time is it?" He patted around for his phone blindly, pulling it from his pocket to give it a look. 20:23. He sighed, "Must've dozed off, hmm, Meow?" 

  "Mleh." 

  Artemis yawned and stood, the kitty landing on the carpet beside him. He took a quick peek around and gathered his things, rubbing his eyes once more as he headed out, Meowington loyally following beside him. 

Upper Levels

Mulberry Row Condominiums 

Apartment 224

  The apartment was quiet and still when Artemis entered, well, tried to when Meowington dashed between his legs, nearly tripping him. "Hellfire, Meow," Artemis muttered, entering after the kitty, Holly's front door sliding closed. Speaking of Holly, she should've been home by now. Artemis was a little surprised that she wasn't in her kitchen, conjuring up a tea like she normally would've been. 

  "Holly?" he called out, strolling into her room and closet to hang his grid-patterned blazer back up. He could hear Meowington's muffled whines and followed them out of the room to her bathroom. Meowington was at the bottom of her door on his back, his arms dramatically stretched out under the crack in the door. Artemis chuckled at the sight. "Holly, are you in there? I think your cat wants in." 

  "Raow! Mrraow! Mlehh!" His pink tongue peeked out between tiny fangs as he cried, glaring at Artemis urgently. "Mraooooow!" 

  "Okay. Goodness," Artemis mumbled in response to the fervent meowing, knocking on the white door. "Holly? Are you in there?" He knocked once more, softly this time. Was something wrong? Growing increasingly concerned, Artemis tried for the handle but the door was locked. "Holly? Holly, you're worrying me. Please answer if you're in there." 

  He pressed his ear to the door to listen in closely. It was slight, but he could make out muffled weeps from the other side. She was crying? He felt his heart drop into his stomach. He pressed his forehead to the door, speaking gently through the other side. "Why are you crying, Holls?" 

  "Sorry," she barely managed, growing silent once more. 

  "Did something happen at work?" When she didn't answer, he glanced down at the kitty sprawled between his shoes. "Would you let Sir Meowington in? He's concerned about you." 

  "Maow!" 

  Artemis frowned, fingertips brushing the plastic door. "Holly…" 

  The door slid a little open a few moments later and Meowington raced through. She closed the door right after, barely letting Artemis hear her distress. He sighed patiently, kneeling down to sit on the floor on the other side. "Are you okay? Well," he facepalmed, "obviously not. What I mean is, are you physically well? As in, you're not dying, correct?" 

  He heard some sniffles and a slight laugh. "I'm okay. Sorry." 

  "Why are you crying?" 

  There was silence again. Artemis leaned his head back. "My mother called today," he said suddenly. Maybe changing the subject would help? "She was quite angry with me, and I didn't take it well. I think our conversation left me so drained, I dozed off at work." He remembered his contacts just then, reaching into his pocket for the case as his other finger popped them out gently. "That's why I'm late. Sorry about that." 

  But she still wouldn't answer, despite her cries having died down. Artemis furrowed his brows, peering at her door again. "Talk to me, Holls. Our friendship goes both ways, you know. You're always there for me. Let me be there for you." 

  "I don't deserve you." 

  Artemis blinked. Had she really said that? He turned as if he could look at her through the door. "What do you mean? It's the other way around, honestly." 

  "I'm not a good person," she wept, the pain in her voice raw and real. "I'm sorry."

  Artemis was aghast. How could she genuinely believe that? He shook his head, curtain bangs falling into his eyes. "How could you say that?" he persisted. "You're amazing, Holls. You're the best person I've ever met, besides Butler, really. I think I have you two tied neck-for-neck." Her cries didn't stop this time and he felt his heart ache for her. "Holly… I hate hearing you like this. Please let me help."

  It took some time, maybe ten or fifteen minutes or so, but Artemis didn't mind it. She needed him right now, and he wasn't going to abandon her. Her cries had dwindled by the time he scrolled through his phone, browsing the Acorn network when the door suddenly slid a little open. He perked up instantly, dropping his phone to the floor as he crawled to his knees. He opened the door a little more, finally revealing Holly on the other side. Her eyes were still wet, her cheeks beet-red and her lips still puffy, but she attempted a small, guilty smile when they locked eyes. 

  "Sorry," she said, trying to maintain her composure. But seeing him brought forth a new rush of emotions and she buried her face into Meowington in her lap, sucking in a few pathetic tears. 

  Artemis moved into the bathroom and sat on the floor opposite of her, a gentle hand on her shaking shoulder. "Why don't you think you're a good person? What happened?" 

  Holly made a strange, throaty sound somewhere between a giggle and a cry. "Don't play psychologist with me." 

  "Well, I am qualified to offer counseling, if you want it," he attempted to joke, offering her a smug grin. He was relieved it worked a little as she peeked at him from Meowington's fur. 

  "You're ridiculous."

  "I know. But I mean it." 

  Holly nodded but burst into tears again. "Fuck, fuck!" She buried her head into her hands. "I should be better than this. But I'm not. I'm not. Everyone always acts like I know what I'm doing. Like, I'm supposed to be an adult. But, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. Ever. And you-you think I'm this great person, but really, I'm not. I've been so mean and abusive to Lili for so many years. I feel so bad. I feel so bad," she stammered, refusing to look at Artemis. "I used Trouble. I was mean to you. I shot you. I shot you! What is wrong with me?!-" 

  He couldn't let her beat herself up anymore, so Artemis surged forward, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. She cried incoherently into his shoulder, and he could feel her gut spasm with each sputtered cry and breath. "Yes, you have done wrong. Yes, you've made mistakes, and they were quite destructive ones. But, you're not perfect," he said warmly, his voice soft against her damp hair. "And you're sorry, and then you go on to become better. You grow, Holly. You're not finished growing, and that's okay. But, you're trying. 

  "Besides - many people say and do cruel things and never blink an eye about it. Meanwhile, you're clearly distraught over your behavior. You care because you're good. Your heart is good." 

  "Yours is too," she whispered into his shoulder. "More than you think." 

  They held each other in silence until they dozed off, falling asleep in each other's embrace like they'd done so many times before. Eventually Artemis stirred awake, Holly still latched to him. He did his best as he tried not to wake her, actually nervous of her sudden ninja abilities suddenly punching him. But she was limp in his arms as he lifted her, grateful she was light enough for him to carry. 

  Artemis nestled her into her bed, draping the white duvet up to her shoulders. His hand traveled along the length of some of her auburn locks, tracing the curls and waves. "Good night, Holly. Sweet dreams." He lifted his hand and left her to her slumber, opting to take the couch instead. 

 He was fidgeting uncomfortably on the small sofa when Meowington hopped onto his chest. "Hey, Meow." Artemis tickled the kitty's chin, causing the cat to close his eyes in bliss and purr powerfully into his hand. "Go sleep with Holly tonight. She needs you more than I do." 

  "Meh," Meowington murmured, leaping from his chest to dart wildly into Holly's bedroom. 

  Artemis blinked at the kitty's sudden burst of energy. "Right then. Good night." 

  Golden rivers of morning light glowed off Holly's white walls through her sheer kitchen curtains, the hustle and bustle of Haven City slowly creeping into Artemis' hearing as he gently awoke from Holly's couch. He yawned, stretching his arms out when he noticed the pleasant weight on his chest. He chuckled at the cat on him, scratching his cheeks a little before moving the kitty off. 

  He rubbed his face as he examined the apartment, realizing Holly must've left for work already. He reached down for his phone when his eyes caught a delectable sight on the coffee table: a steaming cup of espresso sat beside a pitcher of oat milk. Two golden, fluffy mini-waffles sat on a white plate, drenched in pure maple syrup, light powdered with confectioners sugar, with three tiny raspberries on top. He blinked, unsure if the meal was real. It was so aesthetic that Artemis couldn't help feel his mouth water as he plucked a tiny green note beside it. 

   Thank you for last night Arty. 🧡 I made some waffles for you. Hope you like them! (I know you dont like sweets but Im in a sweet mood I guess) 

  PS: I made you espresso so you dont have to burn the house down :P

  Artemis felt a smile burn his cheeks. This was, indeed, very sweet. He grinned like an idiot to himself as he gracefully dug in, eternally grateful and so very ready for the day ahead. 

3 Weeks Later 

Lower Elements Police Grounds 

Shuttle Bay, E3

12:31

  Commodore Holly Short made her rounds at E3's shuttle bay, checking on the progress of a defunct LEP transport shuttle. She scrolled through her checklist on her visor, checking the shuttle's maintenance records when a familiar green-skinned sprite fluttered towards her. 

  "Hey, Short! Lookin' good under that visor." 

  Holly rolled her eyes, sliding her visor up. "Chix, shouldn't you be at your post?" 

  "I was," he winked, tapping his abdomen as he hovered in the air. "It's my lunchtime now. What you up to here?" 

  Holly frowned back at the shuttle, pressing a palm to the cool, titanium surface. "This shuttle's been out of commission for a while and I'm trying to get it online and hot before I send my squad out. Actually, do you think y-"

  The little carnelian ring buzzed on her finger just then, stopping her in her tracks. "Oh. Could you give me a sec? I need to take this." Holly stepped away for privacy, twisting the stone and flipping the comm open. "Hey, Arty? Can you text me? I'm working right now-" 

  "Holly, I've been drugged." 

Chapter Text

Playlist for this chap🎵

✨️Big thanks to the incredible comic panel artwork done by the S-tier, iesnoth. Find her here! ✨️

3 Weeks Before 

The Black Alley

Phobos Tower, 14th Floor   

  Artemis ran a hand through the hairs on his jaw as he examined the holo-screen hovering in front of him. He'd been holed up in Phobos' operations booth for the past several hours, eagerly passing judgment on the flow of cleaned funds that would run through the company with the Council's permission. He glanced over at Meowington, ever a loyal companion, blissfully snoozing on a cooling fan beside the scanners. Artemis smiled and turned back to the screen. His pale skin glowed like bleached sand from the screen's harsh light after hours of managing accounts and finances. But, despite it all, he was determined to earn his own money, the way his father challenged him to. 

  His hands stuffed his pockets as he mulled over his earlier conversation with his mother. Did they really want him back? All of this, this clean business and moral high ground, stemmed from his father. Would Artemis Sr be pleased? Would he take him back? And not as a tolerable clone, but as Artemis? As his son? 

  "Hey." 

  Artemis looked over his shoulder towards the smooth voice behind him, unsurprised to find Keni in the doorway. 

  "Hey," Artemis replied casually, turning briefly back to the screen to close his accounts and power down the system. "It's 18:00 already?" 

  "Mhm," Keni murmured, leaning against the doorframe. "You said to get you, remember?" 

  "I know," he said, shutting off the main screen to gather his tablet and phone. He moved over to Meowington, waking him up with a gentle chin scratch. When Keni cleared her throat, he reassured her, "I'm coming, Kens. Hold on." 

  "Oh really now?" she grinned at him, twirling a navy curl in her finger. He shot her a warning look and she cackled. "Oh, lighten up. I'm joking." He made to pass her but she stretched a sturdy arm across the door, slitted eyes like a predator on its prey. "Don't be like that." 

  "Like what?" He raised an impatient brow at her. "I thought you were rushing me." 

  "We don't have to rush." 

  He realized what she wanted and let out a hefty sigh. "Keni… I can't." He didn't say anything else, but his stern expression told her enough. 

  "Aw." Keni released her grip, dropping her arm to let him pass. "Fine. It was worth a shot." She strolled in front of him down the hall, Meowington trotting beside him. "Are our funds cleared?" 

  "Yes." 

  "And you cleaned them?" 

  "Obviously," Artemis scowled. "It's in progress." 

  "Good."

  They took the stairs to the next floor as she led the way to his office. She halted outside the door, a palm pressed against the wood. "The Company doesn't know why you met with the Council yet, right? You haven't told them?" 

  Artemis nodded firmly. "I don't plan on telling them either. It's vital that they don't know." He noticed a twist at the corner of her lips and he flashed a cocky grin at her. "You don't trust me?" 

  Keni rolled her eyes at him. "Not really. But what choice do I have?" 

  "Pfft. You've always had a choice."

  "Oh, you threatening to expose my club never happened then?" 

  Artemis almost replied, then closed his mouth, thought on it, and smirked, "Well, I don't remember saying I would explicitly expose you-"  

  "Oh, shut up." She noticed the tuxedo cat weaving between his legs and arched a brow at Artemis. "Your cat can't come in." 

  He tried to ignore her and open the doors but Keni slid in front of him. "Why not?" he frowned. 

  "He's distracting, and an attention whore. We need everyone focused."  

  "Mleh." 

  "See?" 

  Artemis looked between her and Meowington, coming to a shrug. "Fine. Can we start the meeting, then?"

  "Of course, Lil Boss," Keni jabbed with a sweet grin, sliding over to allow him into the dim office. Artemis entered, focused on straightening his tie as he stepped forward. 

  "Evening, gentlemen. I believe we've had quite the victory today-" His eyes popped up and he froze upon realizing he was speaking to an empty room. 

  Oh no. 

  Artemis spun around but Keni was closing the door behind them. He held his palms up at her. "Kens, let's talk abo-" was the last thing that escaped his lips before Meatball whacked him in the back of the skull. Artemis' eyes rolled back and he sank to the carpet with a thump.

  "Sorry, Artemis," Keni muttered. Her dangerous, indigo eyes flicked to Meatball. "I'll never understand how you hit that high." 

  "I can hit higher," he grinned, winking and flexing a beefy bicep at her. "That's not even my max, babe." 

  "Mhm. Whatever. Get him up there." She motioned to the armchair behind his desk. She crossed her arms and sauntered over slowly, watching Meatball struggle to lug Artemis’ scrawny frame into the chair. "Need some help? I can call Pauly for you." 

  "This guy's like, 6 feet tall, babe," Meatball grunted, heaving Artemis upright in the chair. "Gimme a break." 

  "He is not that tall." Keni shoved Meatball out of the way. "Move." She pressed her palms against Artemis' chest, pushing him back in the seat as she straddled his lap. She trailed a fond finger across his cheek. "It's a shame I have to do this to you, Artemis. I actually liked you." 

  "Oh, please. How many guys have you said that to now?" Meatball grunted, crossing his arms as he jealously scrunched his face. 

 Keni sucked in a breath, resisting the urge to snap at him. "Just do as you're told and keep quiet," she said with a sultry smile, batting her lashes at him. "M'kay, cutie?" As soon as he gave her a desperate nod she turned her attention back to Artemis. "Case." 

  Meatball fumbled through his pockets and slipped out a contact lens case and held it out on his palm. Keni gently opened Artemis' right eyelid instead, examining it for the supposed contact lens. Her client had promised he'd have them in, despite Keni never catching him with them herself. She felt almost betrayed knowing he'd hidden them from her. Had he not trusted her?! She rolled her eyes at the thought. Too late now.

  She pressed a careful fingertip to his iris, popping the clear contact out. She blinked at it in awe. It was true, then. She placed it in the case and repeated the process with his other eye. As Meatball closed the case and tucked it away, Keni examined the wound on the back of Artemis' head. She nearly growled when she pulled back blood-soaked fingers.

  "You moron. I said be gentle." 

  "Do it yourself next time, then," Meatball said gruffly. He ducked down a little to get a better angle of the wound, wiping it clean with a rag. "Head wounds bleed a lot. He'll be fine. I'm only a pixie, you know. Besides, you own a whole ass fight club. Aren't yo-" 

  "Can you shut up?" Keni wheeled on him with wild eyes. "I need peace and quiet so I can focus." With Meatball silent, Keni turned back to Artemis. She pressed an innocent kiss to his forehead, weak blue sparks dancing around the impact. It was no elf healing, but it would save him from a concussion at the very least.

  After a minute of waiting, Artemis' eyes fluttered, the woes of consciousness seeping back into his mind. His head pounded and he felt a weight on his chest. When he tried to gather his bearings his hair was yanked back, holding him in place. He winced, barely able to see through heavy lids. "Wha-?" 

  "Artemis. Look at me." 

   What happened? Where am I? Artemis forced his eyes open through the searing pain in his skull, blinking at the pretty pixie on top of him. "Keni?" And then he remembered - this was a trick. He jolted up to push her off but she shoved him back down, her grip tight on his hair. His wide eyes met hers, pleading with her. "Don't-" 

   "Shhh, Artemis. It's okay," Keni sang to him, her voice layered with the hypnotic mesmer. "You're okay." She stroked his temple gently as she captured his fearful gaze, gold pools swirling in indigo eyes as her mesmer bewitched his mind, strumming his will like a melody. 

  Meowington unleashed muffled yowls from the hallway, even banging his round body into the door. The kitty's desperation snapped Artemis back to Earth. He tried to resist Keni’s charm, but his eyelids felt so heavy, and that siren song was so sweet, so tempting. "W-why-" he mumbled when she pressed a finger to his lips. 

   "Give in to my voice, Artemis. Get lost in my eyes, look for yourself in my spell," Keni pushed into him, feeling her magick spear through his spirit, his expression numb and stale. "Good pet."

  Keni patted him fondly, ignoring Meowington's incessant cries from the door. "Now, I need you to listen closely. Ignore the cat for now. Listen to me - only me." Artemis nodded, eyes empty like a corpse. She leaned in so their noses brushed. 

  "In three weeks time, Palo will drop off a cigar at your desk. You will smoke it, no questions asked. You won't become suspicious. You won't fight back. You will be taken, is that clear?" Another solid nod. "Give your phone to Palo when he gives you the cigar. Do not resist. Understand?" A final nod. "You won't check the cameras. You will never recall this encounter. Repeat after me. This never happened." 

  "This never happened." 

  "Nothing odd happened today." 

  "Nothing odd happened today." 

  "Now, sleep. Sleep, my human pet. And when you awaken, you will feel anew." 

   Artemis' head lolled forward and Keni settled him back in the chair, as if she were tucking him into bed. "It's a shame. I really do think he's a good boss." Unfazed, she snapped her fingers at Meatball. "Case." 

  "So why're we screwing him over again?" Meatball asked, handing her the lens case.

  "I don't like this whole clean thing, and I don't trust him ratting us out to the Council," Keni explained as she delicately popped the contacts back into Artemis' eyes. "Plus, he's been outbought. Top Dog offered us a better deal, and they want Artemis in exchange." 

  "Who is it?" 

  "I dunno," she shrugged, swinging off Artemis's lap to stroll towards the exit. "They stayed anonymous. But whoever they are, they meant serious business. The kind we can't ignore." 

  The instant Keni threw open the doors, Meowington dashed through their legs into the office. The nefarious pixies left the hallway, leaving Meowington to cry with concern on Artemis' chest. And when he didn't awaken, he sadly curled onto Artemis' lap in defeat, building up the energy to try again in a few hours. 

3 Weeks Later - Now 

Phobos Tower, 15th Floor 

12:05

  The day had been like any other normal day - at least, what was considered normal for Haven. The cavern air was always muggy and stale, in spite of Foaly's state-of-the-art air purifiers installed into the rock to keep the air fresh and recycled, it couldn't compare to the actual surface. The Alley was even worse. Wedged beside the hot spring left the air sweltering, but that was what the fairies liked. Artemis, on the other hand, was finding it barely tolerable. 

  Nimble fingers flew across the holo-screen as he ran numbers through his head and updated their finances. He loosened his tie and fanned his dress shirt, a bead of sweat dripping down his temple as his eyes darted around the screen. He barely noticed the office door creaking open, a green-skinned sprite slipping through. 

  "'Ay, Boss!" Palo grinned, his wings fluttering as he hovered towards Artemis with a fancy wooden box between his fingers. He opened it on the desk, revealing a thin cigar lounging on crushed red velvet. "Got this bad baby imported from Atlantis today, fresh off the roller! Lemme know how you like it, yeah?" 

  "Uh-huh," Artemis nodded. Despite barely noticing Palo, he handed over his Faetek phone without a care in the world. 

  "Um… boss?" 

  Palo's uneasy tone gripped Artemis' attention. "What is it?" 

  "Uh…" Palo shuffled a bit in the air, but shook his head, bleached braids whipping side to side. "Nevermind. Just… lemme know, alright?" 

  "Sure," Artemis shrugged, turning back to the tabs on his screen. When he heard the door close, his fingers stopped strumming the keyboard and he ran them down his face instead. He fell back into his armchair with a sigh. He couldn't help a small smile as he gazed at the ceiling, closing his eyes to freeze the moment for just a second.

  Things had been good lately, and he meant actually good. Regulating The Black Alley had been a massive success thus far, and within a three week span, Artemis was pulling in so many alums and gold, he'd almost forgotten what it was like to be a millionaire.

  And Holly was an absolute joy to be around. He wasn't sure he'd ever laughed so much in his life as he did with her. She was adorably goofy the more comfortable she became over time, and he wouldn't trade the late-nights staying up with her, sharing stories and board games for anything else in the world… except maybe an entire empire powered by artelite. But even then, artelite couldn't smile at him the way she did. 

  Artemis cracked an eye open, glancing at the cigar on his desk. Perhaps his rare good mood called for a celebration? He leaned forward, plucking the cigar from its velvet clutches. His father smoked Cuban cigars with his whiskey from time to time. Artemis recalled one instance many years ago on a rough, stormy night. 

   "Why do you insist on smoking such atrocities, Father?" 8-year-old Artemis asked with a wrinkled nose beside his father's desk. "They are terrible for your respiratory system. Your risk of certain cancers is 15 to 30 times more likely than if you were to resist such indulgences." 

  Artemis I smiled at his son, a rare display of levity. "You're correct, as always. But, I cannot explain such indulgences to a child." 

  "Why not?" Little Artemis challenged. "I do not lack comprehensive skills as most children do. I fail to see how my age is of any relevance." 

  "It's not your comprehension, Artemis. It's about experience, through time, with age." Fowl Senior took another drag off the fat cigar. "One day, you'll understand." 

   Artemis realized he was smiling at the memory, not just because he greatly appreciated any warm moments he had with his father, but he remembered it. He could actually see it, replay it in his mind. He was real, then? This was really real, wasn't it? His spirit, his soul, his mind. 

  He was real. 

  "I'm still not sure I understand your habits, Father," he whispered, rolling the cigar between his fingers. "But I'll indulge one last time. Let's hope it's not green." 

  He took the gold lighter beside the box, flicking it and lighting the tip of the cigar. It sparked on impact, fizzling as a tiny stream of grey smoke snaked from the end. Artemis inhaled, the aroma of warm vanilla and burnt rubber wafting past his nose. He leaned back in his chair, watching neon lights from the Alley dance on the ceiling as he exhaled. Grey smoke billowed around his head, trailing through the air like a twisting river. 

  Things were alright, then. The Company was going well. Holly was well. His mind felt more stable. Everything was just fine. 

  Except for how damn hot it was in Haven. Artemis kept at his smoking as he sat up, loosening his tie and slipping it off his neck. His skin stuck to his white dress shirt, and he wiped another bead of sweat off his temple with the release of more smoke. Was it suddenly getting warmer? Was the air conditioning broken? 

  Artemis peered at the cigar between lithe fingers - he'd nearly finished it now. His throat burned from the smoke and a numbness began to tickle the roof of his mouth, but he assumed it was a symptom of whatever he was smoking. Artemis lifted the cigar between his eyes, examining it curiously. What was it, anyway? 

  It was fine. Everything was fine. 

  He squinted closer. No. Something isn't right. But he couldn't pinpoint what. What was it? 

  Artemis shrugged it off and took another drag, the cigar a mere stub now. He exhaled, watching the grey smoke swirl and spiral. 

   Oh. 

   He sat up straight in realization, but sluggish, like being underwater. Was he even moving? But that wasn't what struck him - the smoke was grey. The smoke was grey, colorless, translucent, normal. The smoke was normal smoke - and fairies didn't have normal smoke. 

  As soon as the realization seeped in, whatever he'd smoked decided to take its hold of him. Warm euphoria crept into his chest and held him like a comforting hug. Artemis fell back into his chair, eyes struggling to stay open. It was fine. It was all fine. 

   No. It isn't. 

  Artemis couldn't hear his own thoughts anymore. He couldn't visualize any equations he tried to conjure up - he could barely think in Gnommish. Holly. Call Holly. His fingers fumbled with the sapphire ring, popping the comm open. Holly answered something in Gnommish, but his brain was too scrambled to translate. 

  "Holly," Artemis blurted in English, propping himself up with his elbows on the desk. "I've been drugged." 

Lower Elements Police Grounds 

Shuttle Bay, E3

12:31

  Holly Short blinked at the Irish voice from her comm. "What?" she chuckled in English, unsure how to react. She stepped away from Chix and the shuttle, a nervous smile pasted on her face. "What do you mean?" 

  "I mean, I-I've been drugged." 

  Holly blinked again, shaking her head in confusion. "Uh, okay. Are you-? Do you need help? Are you, like, having a fun time?" 

  "Holly, please. Please. I-I think- I-I-" 

  "Artemis?" Holly froze. Oh, shit. "Where are you?" 

  "P-Phobos. Top floor." 

  "Oh shit," Holly gasped. "OH, SHIT!" 

Phobos Tower, 15th Floor 

12:32

   Artemis was completely sprawled out over his desk, feeling very much like melted paint at this point. Despite the panic in his chest, his mind insisted he was fine. He felt so good - very similar to when he'd tried Keni's green smokes. He could tell that whatever it was had just started working through his system, and the more seconds that crept by, the heavier and heavier he felt. 

  "Holly," he rasped weakly. "What do I do?" 

  "Is the door locked?" 

  Artemis glanced up slowly. It wasn't. He groaned, heaving himself off the desk and to his feet. The world was topsy turvy and he nearly toppled over, leaning into the desk for support. "Okay. Just a few steps," he assured himself under his breath, trudging like a corpse to the door. He fumbled with the lock, clicking it closed, and he fell against the wall. "Okay. Locked. Now what?" 

  "Can you escape through another door?" 

  "No." 

  "Is there anything you can hide in, Arty? Just until I get there?" 

  Artemis scanned his office. There was a private bathroom but the room was mostly barren, save a couch on the far wall. "There's a closet. I'm- I'm not sure I fit."  

  "Hide in the closet. Go, now!" 

  Artemis took a big breath to prepare himself for the trek across the room. He forced his eyes wide open, hoping that would help him stabilize the wobbly world as he took a few steps forward. His balance adjusted to the sensation and he clambered into the closet, ducking behind the rack of tiny suits. He closed the door, save a tiny crack to peek through. "Okay. I'm in." 

  "Stay there. Do not move." 

  Outside, the office's door handles jiggled alongside three hefty knocks. "Boss? Boss, you in there?" 

  Artemis paled, clutching the comm for life. "Holly, they're calling for me. What should I do?" 

  "Be as quiet as you can." 

  "B-but what-what if they find me-" 

  "Artemis, shh. Be quiet or they will!" 

  The doors burst open then, crashing into the adjacent wall. Meatball and Pauly Sow stormed into the center of the office, spinning in confused circles. "Where's he at?" 

  "Holly," Artemis whispered, eyes glued to the pixies through the crack. "Holly, they're here." 

  "D'arvit. Okay, um…" She went silent and Artemis could hear intense rummaging from the comm. 

  "Holly, please hurry-" 

  "Sorry. Okay. What are they doing?" 

  "Looking. For me." 

  "Okay, wait for an opening then slip out." 

  Artemis grimaced at the comm as if she could see him. "What? I-I can't do that!" 

  "Artemis, you have to or they will find you," she hissed. "Look for an opening." 

  Artemis opened the crack a little more, peering outside. Pauly lifted into the air and flew towards the desk while Meatball made for the private bathroom. Holly had too much faith in him. He couldn't sneak around on his own regardless, especially not while under the influence of a mystery drug. "They're going to catch me-" 

  As if by some miracle, Sir Meowington strolled into the office, trotting to the corner of the room to give a pronounced, "Waaaow!" 

  Pauly and Meatball spun around, investigating the yowling tuxedo cat. "Aw," Pauly cooed, pressing his palms to his cheeks. "What's wrong, lil guy?" 

  Artemis didn't know if Meowington was that intuitive, or if it was sheer, dumb luck, but the kitty's body lurched, hacking from his throat, dry heaving dramatically above the floor. 

  "No! No! Don't do that!" Meatball shook his palms at Meowington, rounding on Pauly desperately. "Gods damn, help me here!" 

  Artemis grit his teeth. Now or never. He slowly pushed the closet door aside, silently removing himself from the rack of clothes. He tiptoed to the office door, his loafers light on the soft carpet. He spared a glance at the chaos. 

  "Hm?" Pauly snapped up, looking over his shoulder. But Artemis was nowhere to be found. 

  Artemis nearly tripped over his own feet in the hallway, wildly darting around for a place to hide.

  "Artemis? Did you make it?" Holly's voice asked in midair. 

  "Meowington. He saved me," he breathed, blinking dazed at the walls. There was a large window at the end of the hall. Or were there two? Were there six doors? Weren't there supposed to be three? And, why was one pink? "Oh dear. That's not right." 

  "Where are you?" 

  Artemis nearly answered when voices from the office grew closer and louder. He dashed towards a door but smashed face first into the wall instead. 

  "Hellfire," he swore, rubbing his nose. Another hallucination then. Which door was real? He couldn’t contemplate it, there wasn’t time. He placed his palms to the wall, dragging himself down the hall until he felt the cool wood of a real door, throwing himself inside. It closed shut as Pauly and Meatball stepped back into the hall.

  Artemis breathed heavily, head in hands. His skin was ablaze, heart thumping slowly, drunken and sluggish like the time around him. "Holly?" 

   Holly Short didn't know what was faster: her thoughts, or the speed at which she threw on a pair of Dragonfly wings and raced out of Chute E3. What was the fastest way into the Alley? Should she shield? Would anyone care or notice? And worst of all, who was trying to take Artemis, and why? Was Phobos trying to get rid of him? What if it was the Council? There were so many options, and the more options Holly pondered, the more it dawned on her that she didn't know where solace would be found. He couldn't go back to her home, and she couldn't risk taking him to the LEP. Could she take a shuttle to the surface? What could she do?! 

  "Gods dammit," she swore to herself, weaving through dank stalactites. She studied the map on her visor, realizing that a small tunnel to her right forked up a few hundred feet, right into a derelict shuttle chute beside K-Club. "Yes!" Holly flew through, soaring in a corkscrew through the chute.

  "Holly?" Artemis' voice snapped her out of her thoughts. 

  "I'm here, Arty," she replied, flying in spirals as her speed climbed faster and faster. 

  "Holly, how-" Was he giggling? "How did I manage that?" 

  "What, Artemis?" 

  "How- how," he kept chittering to himself in amusement. "How did I sne-sneak around them? How- How did I do that?!" 

  Oh, Frond. The drug was intensifying. There was no telling what state he’d be in when she finally reached him. All she could do was keep him calm and focused for now. "I don't know, Artemis-" 

  "I-I can't do that!" he cackled, followed by a thump. 

  "Artemis?!"

  "Sorry. I hit my head." 

  Holly couldn't help but smile under her helmet. "Gods dammit, Astroboy. Don't scare me like that." 

  "Sorry." 

  "Can you tell me where you are now? 

  He lifted his head off the wall, his eyes barely adjusting to the environment. "It's dark. I- I think aaaaaa utility closet?" he rambled on, leaning his forehead against another wall. "Yes. That seems right." 

  "Same floor?" 

  "Affirmative, Commodore, Sir," he giggled softly under his breath. 

  Oh gods. "Okay, I'll be right there. Don't. Make. A. Peep." 

  Holly soared through the abandoned canyon, streamlining against the charred rock wall. The chute had been abandoned during the Pixie Crusades of Era 18 Year 71, when it caved in during an terrorist attack on a shuttle. Since then, the Underground below Haven and its network of chutes had been largely left to ruin and dust - that was, until The Black Alley was formed. The chutes themselves were unused by the LEP, but Holly had always suspected there were a few off-grid tunnels that criminals smuggled goods from. 

  She weaved through the ruins when the air turned sour, fragrant of fungus cigars and stale barbecue. She passed a rusted traffic sign overhead, orange heat marks flashing brightly on her visor. She was approaching life. 

  The chute lifted the surrounding earth into a plateau, the collapsed remains of an old terminal scattered across the rock like a wasteland. Holly followed the orange signatures on her thermal radar until she hit a clearing, electronic music booming deep within the rock. She flew out of the hangar, recognizing the druzy tunnel system before her. They were the same tunnels the fairies used to travel from K-Club to The Black Alley. 

  "Holly?" 

  "I'm here, Arty. I'm almost there." 

  "I'm sorry, Holly. I'm sorry." 

  Holly cracked her neck side to side. Her magick wasn't as hot as she'd like it, but it was all she had. She switched on her shield as she merged into the Alley's entrance, the hustle and bustle deafening her speakers, magenta and cyan lights streaking across her visor. "Why are you sorry? Are you okay?" 

  "You warned me. I-I didn't listen." He sounded so frail and small. "It's my fault." 

  "It's okay, Artemis," Holly said through ground teeth, zipping past steel towers and blinding advertisements. "I'm nearly there. Top floor, right?" 

  "Hmhm." 

  Holly didn't answer, pressing her lips into a tight line. This was bad. Even when she got to him, how would she get him out? She couldn't take down the whole Alley by her lonesome. Getting Artemis out through the front doors would lead to a firefight, and that wasn't ideal for either of them. Her wings were made for speed and agility, not draftwork. She was sure her combined weight with Artemis would be too much, no thanks to the Council for banning moonbelts in the last decade. Her options were dwindling the more she dwelled on it, so she set her sights on the massive, iridescent tower ahead of her. She'd have to wing it then, but that was how she pulled off most things, anyway.

  "Top floor," she reassured herself. "I'm coming, Arty." 

  Artemis took a deep breath, sweat rolling off his forehead as he smeared it across the wall. You need to find your composure. Determine what you've inhaled. 

   This wasn't as simple as the green fae cigar he'd smoked weeks ago, and it nagged him that he couldn't pinpoint the side effects of the mystery substance. He'd hallucinate, but then there were moments where he didn't; one moment he felt like spilled concrete on a sidewalk, then he'd snap out of it and feel sober for a few seconds, only to fall back into delirium. It was as if whoever drugged him layered the cigar with several substances, each of them activating one after the other like dominos. 

  Artemis closed his eyes, concentrating on the symptoms at hand: delirium, serotonin-induced euphoria, and hallucinations pointed to a psychedelic; drowsiness, reduced motor function, dissociation, and body warmth indicated a tranquilizer. But both drugs pointed to one question: what kind? 

   "Fe'poyt could alf be?" 

  Artemis' eyes broke open, his brow furrowing in concentration. He could only make out some of the muffled Gnommish coming from the other side of the door. He was sure it was Pauly's gravely tones, and Artemis most definitely didn't need the beefiest fairies in the Company on the hunt for him. Oh, how nice it would've been to shield right about now. 

  Fine. Everything is fine. You will be taken. 

  Artemis shook the foreign words from his head. Where had they come from? Was this fine? It couldn't be. He groaned in frustration, slamming his fist into the wall. Why couldn't he think straight?! What was happening to him?! 

  "Fe'tot was that?" 

  Artemis froze - his fist had been loud enough to alert them. You absolute buffoon. He backed up until he hit the wall, eyes fearfully glued to what little he could see of the door. This was it. He didn't know what it was, but they'd definitely heard him. 

  "Sorry, Holly," he muttered in defeat. His thumb traced the sapphire comm. 

  "I'm almos-" 

  But he didn't hear her. He shut off the comm and closed his eyes, accepting his fate. 

  Good pet. 

  No!

  His eyes snapped open again, but he wasn't met with darkness. He was greeted by two grinning fairies blocking the door, light bursting in from around their silhouettes. 

  "Ai, p'fret dui Boss. Or do you need me to use my gift of tongues now?" Pauly switched to English, crossing his arms beside Meatball. 

  "Sorry, pretty boy," Meatball goaded, jamming his fist into his palm. "Playtime's over. It's time to come with us." 

  Artemis gathered what confidence he could and narrowed his eyes at them. "No." 

  Meatball and Pauly both halted, blinked, looked at each other and broke into howling laughter. "No?! Wha-whaddya mean no?!" 

  "You're being taken, Fowl. Now, don't make me break your arms," Meatball huffed, advancing into the closet. 

  But he never made it. There was a sharp crash like shattering glass and then Meatball was launched backwards, sent skidding down the hall. 

  "E d'arvit?!" Pauly felt a breeze blow by him and he whipped right, only to be sucker-punched across the cheek and careened into the wall. 

  Artemis blinked at the heat shimmer in the doorway when a winged LEP officer materialized in front of him. "H-Holly?" he croaked, unable to believe his eyes. "Is that really you?" 

  Holly couldn't help herself, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into her embrace. "It's me, Arty. I'm here." 

  "You're real?" he questioned, oh so comforted by her friendly face. "You're really here?" 

  "I'm really here." She squeezed him tightly before pulling back, hands on his shoulders. "Let's get you out of here, okay?" 

  "You're real," Artemis repeated with a stupid smile painted to his clammy face. "Oh, please be real." 

  "I am. Now, come on!" she gripped his left hand, pulling him out of the closet with her. "Can you walk?" 

  "Sometimes. Maybe?" Artemis shuffled forward, nodding. "I can move like this."

  "Okay. Tell me if you can't walk anymore, alright?" Holly pulled his hand along the length of the hallway. She glanced at the kidnappers' as they strode past, her visor reading ' Unconscious, Stable Condition' above their heads. Exactly how she wanted it. 

  Thankfully for Holly, Phobos' building layout had been scanned and uploaded into her maps following Artemis' arrest, providing her a limited view of the floor on the corner of her visor. There was a stairwell by the window she'd crashed through, and an elevator through the lobby, a bit further down the hall. 

  Holly weighed her options quickly, looking Artemis over. "Can you take the stairs?" He nodded and she gripped his arm, throwing it around her shoulders and leaning his weight against her. Her wings couldn't carry them both, but they could certainly help prop him up. 

  They made for the staircase as quickly as Holly could move them, Artemis shuffling his shoes against the carpet until they broke through the door, entering a dimly lit, concrete stairwell. Holly peered over the edge, gulping as she looked down. 

  "Okay, Arty. Fifteen floors is a lot. Are you sure you can make it?" 

  Artemis shook his head to clear his mind. His brain felt like it was layered in cellophane, fogging his ability to think. But thinking - planning - was his specialty. He wouldn't allow a few fairies to outsmart him. "H-Holly, where are we going?" 

  Holly's eyes met his, worry creasing in the lines around her lashes. "I… I don't know. Anywhere but here." 

  "What if we go up?" 

  Holly arched a brow at him. "Up? What do you mean, 'up?'" 

  Artemis rested his other arm against the concrete block.  "I mean, up. Into Haven. Instead of going down to go up, why don't we just go up?" 

  "Artemis, we don't have time for cryptic-" 

  "The ducts, Holls," he continued. Though he was clearly intoxicated, his thick brows remained determined and firm. "The air recyclers- they- they travel down here and disperse"- he flayed out his hands as if to provide an example -"Haven's air. I'm quite positive there's one- on- um…" he pressed a delicate finger to his forehead, closing his eyes, thinking hard. "Fourteen. Fourteenth floor. It-" 

  "-Connects to the server room to cool it. Yeah, I see it on my maps," she breathed. "Okay. So. How do we go up a vertical vent, Arty?" 

  Artemis thought on it for a moment, but when nothing came to mind, he uttered a single, "Feck." 

  Holly gaped at him. "Did you just say feck?" 

  Artemis' eyes were half-lidded, his face deadpan. "...Yes." 

  "Say it again." 

  "Feck." 

  "Ahh!" Holly shook her head, recollecting herself. Despite the chaos and danger to his life, hearing his Irish accent was so damn cute. 

  "Okay. This isn't going to work. Do you have another plan?" 

  Artemis jammed his finger into his forehead again, thinking hard while Holly checked thermals on the stairwell. "There… there's an elevator at theee place next door," he scrambled, closing his eyes shut as he swayed side to side. "Fish. Yes. Fish." A cute little goldfish swam over Holly's helmet and he giggled again, staring in awe. "Fish." 

  A door slammed open several floors below, loud voices booming around the stairwell. Holly leaned over the balcony. There were two signatures on her thermal overlay on the ninth floor - and they were moving fast. 

  "We’ve got to move now." She yanked Artemis' hand and draped him over her shoulders, her wings lifting her off the ground and propping him up. She eased him down one flight of stairs as quickly as she could. He stumbled down the second to last step but Holly leaned against him, pulling him up. "Come on, Arty! We have to go!" 

  Artemis grunted in confusion, the stairwell's LED bulbs disorienting in the dim light like twinkling stars.  

  Stars. 

   His eyes widened in fear and he backed up into the wall. "No. No, please," he pleaded into the air. And as soon as the panic had taken hold of him, it was gone. He slumped forward as he lost his balance but Holly caught him, heaving him up. Work with her. "Sorry," he said huskily as he stumbled at her side. 

  "Where's he at?!" Bones' taunts echoed from below, much closer than before. 

  Holly ground her teeth as she checked the thermals of the fourteenth floor. Clear. She swung the metal door open, throwing them both into the hall. "Hold on, Arty," she muttered, grabbing her Neutrino from the holster at her hip and flicking the setting to scorched. Red and blue sparks flew as the concentrated beam welded the metal door frame shut. She whirled around in the air, dragging Artemis through the hall to the elevator. They passed door after door to their left and right, eyes locked on the rusty contraption ahead when the light above the chute glowed.

   Ding! 

   Holly had no hesitation as she swerved them hard into the first room she saw, shutting the door as the elevator's grate lifted. They clambered through the rectangular room for the exit on the other side when Holly halted them in front of the door, holding a clenched fist to Artemis' face. Bones must've discovered Holly's work on the stairwell door because chaotic gunfire erupted down the hall. Holly waited, watching as their pursuers' heat signatures rushed by in favor of the ruckus. 

  And she was out through the door with Artemis, racing for the elevator as the fairies fixated on Bones' outburst. Holly slapped the button, throwing them into the rusty, industrial contraption. The elevator dinged again and the fairies in the hall spun around, eyes wide and furious. "HEY!" 

  Pauly and Meatball were close behind and reaching out to stop the elevator, but before Pauly could zip through, the rusted contraption closed shut, plunging Artemis and Holly into the depths of the tower below. 

  They panted heavily against each other, grateful for the small break amidst the chaos. Holly readjusted her fingers on the Neutrino's grip, blowing out a quick breath. She watched the elevator count down the floors, mere moments between 11, 10, 9. She observed Artemis closely, watching as his eyes glazed over and his lids struggled to stay open; he was totally out of it. 

  "You okay?" she asked sweetly, intertwining their fingers over her shoulder. He nodded. "So, where do we go from here?" she asked, readjusting his weight.

  8. 7. 6. 

  "Er," Artemis gulped, the lines under his eyes creased in concentration. "Left. Café, on left," he managed to force out. His tongue felt like a numb sock in his mouth, despite his taste buds on fire. He could taste every grain of salt from the sweat on his face, the stale cavern air, and the metallic rust of the elevator walls. The dragging metal of the elevator chute screeched in his ears, and his skin felt boiled by the superheated air. To add to it all, his drowsiness slipped away and he was left more… was it stimulated now? 

  5. 4. 

  He shook his head in frustration, smacking himself with his free hand. "Stim- stimul- amph-" he stammered, trying to convey the analysis in his mind but the words just wouldn't come out. He was worse than a babbling toddler. "Feck!" 

  3. 2. 

  "Artemis, relax. We're here," Holly reassured him, her sights ready to scan the ground floor any moment now. 

  1.

   Three, glowing orange coronas greeted them on her motion sensor and as the grate lifted, three, rifle-armed fairies grinned at them from the other side. 

  "Move!" she instructed, separating from Artemis. Holly shoved him into the opposite side of the elevator, ducking for cover when a hail of gunfire buzzed around their heads, blast after blast melting a hole in the back of the cab. 

  "Stay back!" she shouted at Artemis while peeking around the corner. Her visor locked onto one target and she followed suit with her Neutrino, putting three bursts into his chest. He flew back into a wall as she blasted another assailant, clipping him in the leg and skull. She fired off another round and struck his ribs, sinking him to the floor. A laser beam whizzed past her cheek and she fell back, using the half-second to check on Artemis. He was tucked into the corner by the buttons, hiding his face with his arms. He was alright, and that was all Holly needed to focus on the last shooter. 

  She shielded and whipped her head around the corner, the pixie's heat signature locked on. She couldn't shoot yet, though. The pixie was hidden behind a marble column, firing random shots off into the air. Pfft. Amateur. 

  "You know," Holly called out, fulfilling the age-old tradition of gunfight banter with an impish grin. "You can shoot as many times as you want, but that won't make your aim any better. I'd hold onto your ammo with that sorta skill, if I were you." 

  The pixie jumped out of cover to throw a nasty grimace at her, but Holly got him right where she wanted him. She blew several slugs into his chest before his finger hit his trigger, blowing him backwards across the sleek marble floor. 

  Holly wasted no time as she reached for Artemis, throwing his arm over her shoulders and gliding out into the lobby. The floor was clear on her visor, but Holly knew his goons would be bursting through the stairwell door any moment. She hated this. She was throwing them right out into the open, exposed to every hit-fairy, any cop-killer with some vengeance to fulfill. But it was all they could do. 

  Without another choice, she heaved them through the glass double-doors and right into the hustle and bustle of The Black Alley. Excited chatter and fairy techno deafened their ears, eyes blinded by the iridescent strobes of light from the towers and advertisements overhead. 

  "There. It's that one," Artemis said, his voice clear and alert. He lifted a finger and pointed left at a corrugated metal shack, a lime green fish sign hung over the rusty door, LED letters spelling out The Rusty Pelican.  

  A few fairies laid suspicious eyes on the pair, a few able to see through Holly's shield, so she moved on with haste. "I hope you know where you're going." 

  "I do. It leads to the Market District." 

  "Not exactly safe," Holly grunted. She gripped her Neutrino tightly, ready for anything. But before she reached the bronze handles that'd allow them entry, Artemis straightened against her, slamming his side into the door. 

  The musk of day-old shellfish assaulted their noses, dozens of ravenous pixies scattered the nautical-themed restaurant, too busy stuffing their faces to notice the bizarre human. Artemis pushed through the narrow foyer urgently, almost leaving Holly behind in the air. "Hey!" She reached out, grabbing his hand tightly. "Don't let go. I can't lose you," she whispered into his ear. 

  "I feel a bit more stable at the moment and I'd like to use the opportunity to escape as quickly as possible," he said from over his shoulder. He couldn't exactly see her, but he offered her a tight-lipped smile anyway, interlocking their fingers. "Please." And then he whipped around, dragging her through the air as he wove around tables, ignoring the fairies as much as they ignored him, desperate to reach the back of the restaurant. 

  "Here!" Artemis led her to a silver elevator at the end of a bathroom hallway, tapping the red button urgently. "This'll take us into Happy as a Clam, a dive bar." 

  "It stinks in here." 

  "Yes," Artemis chuckled, feeling a little woozy. "Hence why this isn't my preferred entrance, but I digress." 

  "Fuck it." 

  "Yeah."

  Artemis felt Holly surge in front of him when the elevator light dinged, casting a red glow in the hall. He could see the doors slide apart through her slight shimmer, but their escape route was clear and Holly tugged him into the metal box with her, smashing the singular button to bring the doors to a close. The elevator hummed and whirred to life, slowly scaling its way through the obsidian cavern, into Haven above. 

  Holly unshielded beside Artemis, examining his face closely. "You seem more like yourself now. Any idea what they gave you?" 

 Artemis nodded, gazing at her hazel eye through the golden visor. "I suspect it's a mixture of several things, however, they were smoked one after the other in a particular order, rather than mixed all together at once." He furrowed his brow at the elevator door, disdain washing over his features. "Whoever drugged me certainly knows what they're doing - and it's not fairy." 

  This piqued Holly's interest and she raised a brow at him. "Not fairy?" 

  "It was regular smoke. I'm not certain, but fae smokes are always colored. I can also tolerate what I'm currently intoxicated with to an extent. This leads me to believe I've been drugged by human narcotics. Which variety - I am unsure." His stomach felt like it'd been punched through the lining and he doubled over, clenching his abdomen in pain. "Aaand now I'm incredibly nauseous." 

  "Here." Holly released his hand, smoothing his sweaty bangs back. She pressed light fingertips to his forehead and whispered, "Heal." 

  But instead of recovering, Artemis felt his knees buckle and his mind go blank. He slumped forward when Holly caught him, heaving his arm around her shoulders again. 

  "Woah! What's wrong?" 

  But he wasn't sure. His stomach no longer ached but he felt as though her magick had tranquilized him- "That's it!" he cried out, trying to regain his bearings against Holly. "The drugs- they're- your magick-" 

  Holly understood, her eyes widening. "My magick makes you worse."

   Ding.

   If Holly thought The Rusty Pelican smelled awful, she couldn't have imagined the stench of week-old fish as the silver doors slid open, revealing the Happy as a Clam dive bar on the other side. It was deserted, unlike its busy counterpart below, but Holly's visor revealed several signatures on her motion sensor, and they were headed their way. 

  "Gotta go!" She lifted Artemis a few inches off the ground and made a break for it, speeding towards the entrance, barrelling through the wooden door into the Lower Level's Market District. 

Market District, Haven City

12:59 

  There were tons of shady districts scattered around Haven's Lower Levels, sure. But if you were unaware of The Black Alley's existence, you'd probably assume that no other area of Haven compared in its sheer criminal to civilian ratio of the Market District. There was a goblin gang fight (complete with arson, of course) nearly once a day, and though the area was littered with fish-lens cameras tucked into every nook and stalagmite, the shadiest of the shady weren't deterred from doing what they wanted, or paying off who they needed to. 

  Holly took a narrow, cobblestone street into an even tighter alley, winding past run-down storefronts straight into a wide clearing. Fairies called out bargains from their white tents that lined the plaza, the marketplace lively and vibrant with goods and wares. Holly pushed through the crowd, shifting Artemis so he was closer to her. But she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. Her eyes trickled over her shoulder through her visor, but there were too many heat sources, too many people. Even without her thermal scanner on, she could hardly tell the sheer mass of her people apart. 

  "Hey! Isn't that Fowl?!" 

  She blinked sweat from her eyes and gritted her teeth in determination. She needed them out of the public eye now. 

   "Hold on," she muttered to Artemis, lifting him a little more to whiz by the hectic crowd. She zoomed over the fairies, making sure Artemis didn't bump and shove every person in their way. And finally they broke from the chaos, merging onto the sidewalk before the Stick's travelator. Holly wasted no time, barely giving Artemis room to gather his steps as she jerked them onto the conveyor track, glancing over her shoulder to check for pursuers. 

  Her instincts were right, of course. Elfin instincts always were. Four burly pixies stepped onto the Stick a dozen or so feet behind them. Although their faces were hidden under dark hoods, Holly made out a devious, sharp grin. "D'Arvit" she uttered, whipping back around to focus ahead. She couldn't have a shootout here, not like this. Her eyes darted around the exits that whizzed by, settling on the next one coming up. 

  Holly bolted them off the Stick, hauling Artemis under an rocky archway, swiftly swerving right onto the street. Her eyes landed on a flickering neon sign: Murdock's Motel and Overnight Stay. Good enough. 

  She trudged them along, holstering her Neutrino and throwing the wooden door open. The motel was built of bare boards and plain walls, the only decór being the old magazine rack, stuffed with articles about celebrities and adult stars. Holly wrinkled her nose in disgust. At least there was no one at the front desk.

  "Let's move," she said quietly, dropping Artemis gently so he was on his feet. She took his hand in hers and moved him along slowly, striding towards the hallway. 

  "What's our plan, Holls?" Artemis asked suddenly, his voice a little clearer now. 

  Holly looked back at him in surprise. "Oh. I never thought you'd ask me that." 

  "Yes, well," Artemis smiled, a playful subtlety on his lips as he allowed her to lead him into the dim hallway. A flickering lamp glowed overhead, flooding the hall with sickly green light. "I'm not functioning well at the moment. So, when duty calls." 

  "Oh. So I'm the plan-maker now?" 

  "Mastermind, yes. You're my brain at the moment." 

  "Ohhh, so you trust me enough to be your brain, huh?" 

  "I trust you to keep me alive so, yes."

  "You sound just fine to me, Astroboy," Holly cackled, whipping back around. She plucked her mother's omnitool from her thigh, using her motion sensor to find them an empty room. "I'm sure you'd manag-" She didn't get to finish her sentence though, because a motel room door to their right slammed open into the wall, two jumbo pixies grinning sharp smiles at them from the doorway. 

  "Hey, hot chocolate. You don't mind me calling you that, right?" a goon winked at her, sweeping a heated leer over her from head to toe. "'Cause you're hot, and you're dark. Get it?" 

  "You've gotta be fucking kidding me," Holly grumbled under her breath.

  "Extremely distasteful, I must say," Artemis agreed, eyes narrowed at the pixie. "If my knees were more stable, I may have actually struck you." 

  Holly caught several more fairies appearing in her peripheral vision. It seemed their pursuers had caught up with them, blocking the end of the hall, trapping her and Artemis into a corner. Her eyes flitted around the hall and she tightened her grip in Artemis' fingers, tugging him as she scurried away from the assailants. 

  She slammed her side into the first clear door she saw, sliding her omnitool into the lock and wrenching it open, flinging her and Artemis inside. The room was incredibly dark and tight, neither escapee having their own space, pressed up against each other. The walls hummed and a gentle breeze of stale air cooled their foreheads. Holly wasted no time trading out her omnitool for her Neutrino, welding the door’s lock shut. It'd hold them off, for now. 

  "This isn't a motel room," Artemis said gruffly, shifting uncomfortably against the wall. 

  "Sorry. It was the first thing I saw." Holly shut down her wings, her boots light on the ground. She used her visor to peer around the tiny utility closet, barely able to move against Artemis. The closet had two tiers, the lowered backspace used as drain storage for mop buckets. But directly above her sat a fat vent, air fogging her visor.

  "Yes!" Holly exclaimed, shoving Artemis back so she could get hold of the vent's grate. 

  "Uh?" Artemis mumbled as she flattened him between her and the wall, blinking down at her. "I-I can't move." 

  Holly ignored him and the fairies' yells and pounds at the door, grabbing hold of her omnitool once more. She unscrewed one screw but it jammed, locking in place. "Dammit." She pulled on it, jerking against Artemis. 

  Artemis was startled by the motion, his eyes craning downwards. Holly had her, well, rump pressed up against his… well… and her movements weren't slowing down. Artemis squirmed, trying to wiggle away but his arm bumped the parallel wall, locked in. "H-Holly, you're, well-"

  "Artemis. Shh." 

  "No, er- Holly, you're… um-" 

  Holly stopped tugging on the screw, angrily tilting her head to glare up at him. "Artemis!" she hissed with seething rage, turning back to the jammed screw. "Be! Qui-et! I! Am! Trying! To! Get! Us! Out!" 

  Artemis realized her reaction wasn't from irritation,  but fear. She's claustrophobic, he remembered. He didn't want to stress her further, but her movements would soon cause his body to betray him. Artemis covered his beet-red face with his hands, hiding his embarrassment from the inevitable.

  Holly finally freed the jammed screw, letting out a frustrated yelp as she chucked it at the floor. "Stupid. Fucking. Thing. Stupid. Small. Room-" She froze, eyebrows furrowed. 

  What… What was that? Holly shimmied her hips side to side, feeling the mysterious, intrusive object. Her mouth gaped open, slowly craning her head to stare wide-eyed at Artemis. "Arty…"

  "I tried to tell you!" he insisted, his cheeks flustered and ripe against pale skin. "It can't be helped, Holly. It's an involuntary physiological reaction to physical stimulation-" 

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah! Oookay," she teased doubtfully, going back to removing the screws.

  "It-it's true!" 

  "Uh-huh." An elfish grin stretched across freckled cheeks. "Maybe Minerva wasn't overdoing it after all," she remarked with a casual shrug. 

  Artemis rolled his eyes, his turn to smile now. "Oh, come on now-" 

  The closet door pounded so hard it nearly burst at the seams, the nails in the frame threatening to give way. 

  Holly got the last screw out and ripped the grate off the vent. She took two steps to her right, her back against the door and tugged Artemis across her, towards safety. "Climb! Go up, now!"

  He was tucking his last leg into the air duct when the door burst open, smashing into the wall beside Holly. A pixie tried to take a few steps inside but was wacked between the eyes by Holly's fist, sending him flying into another thug. She grabbed the grate off the floor and dove into the duct, slamming it down from inside. Before another pixie could grab her Holly whipped out her Neutrino, searing the red hot metal against the grate, welding them in and their pursuers out. 

  "Go, go, go!" Holly rushed Artemis, spinning round, crawling on her hands and knees through the air duct. "Go, Arty!" 

  "Holly, please." Artemis lay ahead of her, panting between elbows. "This is very difficult for me. It's ridiculously hot. I'm slipping on my own perspiration. It's hard to breathe-"

  "I know. I said I know," Holly pleaded from her throat, her eyes on fire, glaring at his suit jacket. "Please don't stop until we're out. Please." 

  That's right. Her fear. Artemis crawled forward immediately, determined not to place her under any more duress than the tiny vent was causing her. But he still felt disoriented and it was so dark he couldn't tell up from up from down from left to right. He felt like he was crawling in a black hole through time, or in an underwater cavern where it was slippery and sluggish and hard to breathe. But as they crawled for what felt like eternity, golden light glowed from the other side of the duct: a true light at the end of the tunnel. 

  Artemis wasted no time, gathering his limbs beneath him and worming his way through, an enthusiastic smile growing across flushed cheeks. "Yes! We're almost ther-" 

  The duct narrowed and closed in on him, as if sucking on his broad shoulders, but refusing to release him from its clutches. He tugged back on his shoulders, but they wouldn't give. He pushed forward, against the vent, but they wouldn't give. 

  Holly bumped into his behind, her head popping up in irritation. "The hell, Arty?!" she whined, shoving his butt forward. "Keep going! We're almost there!" 

  "Holly, stop!" Artemis yelped, unable to advance despite her shoves. "I'm stuck." 

  Holly froze her efforts, blinking rapidly. "You're what?" 

  "I'm stuck," he said, blinking sweat from damp bangs. "I'm actually, quite literally, stuck." 

  Holly blinked twice more, nodding with forced calm. "Okay. Okay. We'll figure something out. Um-" She felt around the metal vent, using her visor to scan the walls. But there was no other way to go, they had to go back, or forward. Artemis had no choice. "Arty, we have to keep going." 

  "Holly, I can't. This isn't about will. I cannot physically move," he insisted, gritting his teeth as the pressure started to build and pulse in his shoulders. 

  "Are you in pain?" 

  "It's becoming sore, yes." Artemis sucked on a breath between his teeth, closing his eyes. "I'd suggest using your Neutrino to heat the air and expand the metal, but there is too little ventilation, ironically-" he grunted, rolling his eyes, "-and we could bake ourselves alive. So, with that in mind-" He tried to shift again but got sucked in deeper, his sockets threatening to pop out. "I don't know what to do." 

  Holly shoved against his behind again, pushing harder but he cried out. She couldn't do this to him. She felt her heart thump wildly in her chest, threatening to burst out and leap away. She considered their options. They weren't good. 

  "Artemis," she started, gentle hands on his calves. "You're not going to like this…" He was silent, letting her continue. He knew as well as she did. "I think… I think we need to dislocate your shoulders." 

  "Right," he scoffed. "That's ideal. But-" he grunted, forcing out a breath as his shoulders squeezed tighter. "You and I both know the pressure of the duct and the force applied by your wings will collapse and shatter my clavicle, and then my shoulders. W-we have to crush my shoulders." 

  He didn't intend to sound so fragile, but he couldn't deny that he was past the point of exhaustion. Even so, his mind remained overstimulated. His skin and brain sparked like a thousand crackling fireworks, but his perception, his reality, felt more and more like he was sinking into a vast, inky abyss, flitting on the edge between life and eternal sleep. He despised all of it. 

  They panted together in silence for a full thirty seconds, the reality of what they were about to do seeping in. Holly patted Artemis' back affectionately, guilt taking its heavy hold of her heart. "Damn. The one time those broad shoulders worked against you, huh?" He released a throaty chuckle. That was good enough for her. "Okay. Are you sure you can do this?" 

  "We have to," he said, his voice strong and firm suddenly. But they both knew it was a farce. His breath was shaky, limbs jittery with nerves. Artemis was petrified. But there was no other choice. "We're nearly there. Just-" He closed his eyes, clenching his jaw tight. "Make it fast, please." 

  "I'll heal you," Holly assured, rubbing his back gently. "I can't risk fusing your bones in here, but as soon as we're out." She pressed her lips together, keeping her composure. She flattened her palms against his back, closing her eyes. 

  "Heal." Loving, nurturing sparks spiraled down her arm, embracing Artemis' figure like a warm hug. He slumped over instantly, her magick tranquilizing him like before. "Sorry. I thought this would make it easier for you." 

  Though she couldn't see him, Artemis nodded slowly, feeling very much like a cloud. His mind drifted off, leaving the muggy, cramped vent, suddenly teleported to a time, long, long ago when Commander Root had broken his ribs, also at the hands of Holly. Artemis might have chuckled had his throat not already had bile in it. 

  Holly gripped her wing’s throttle, taking a few breaths to steady herself when a series of bangs echoed down the ventilation system, their pursuer's movements reverberating off the metal walls. Holly narrowed her eyes in disbelief down the vent. "...No fucking way." 

  She caught a stray comment much closer than she liked and whipped around, lodging her shoulders against Artemis' behind. "Okay go Arty! Go go go!" Holly slid the throttle up on her wings, releasing them at full-speed. The mechanical contraption crashed and clanged around the vent, the impulse of the engine alone jolting Holly forward against Artemis. His shoulders resisted, failing to give way just yet. 

  Artemis clamped his teeth down, nauseous terror building as his shoulders popped and buckled, still dragging against the air duct. He gasped, tears welling in his eyes. "Ahh- fu-" He couldn't complete the sentence, letting loose an involuntary scream as tendons ripped, joints twisted and his collarbone shattered. His shoulders cracked inwards as Holly's wings accelerated, propelling them forward as his arms dragged along the walls of the vent. 

  "I'M SORRY!" Holly shouted over her spluttering wings and Artemis' wails of agony. But as much as she felt for him, she shoved him as hard as she could, her wings sputtering and thrashing in the too-tiny space. 

  Despite the sedation from Holly's magick, Artemis couldn't fathom the searing pain as his humerus bones snapped in half, dragging uselessly along the walls like nails on a chalkboard. He felt damp, unsure if it was from excessive sweating or blood loss by this point. He was sure he'd lose consciousness any moment. He forced himself to squint through blurred eyesight, the beacon of light enveloping him like a cocoon. And then it was over. Holly had done it. 

  Artemis popped out of the vent, dropping several feet, smashing his shoulders into the cobblestone alley below. The fall was too much for his body to handle, and the world went cold and dark, ripped away into a tunnel of its own. 

  Holly dropped to her feet, dashing to his side. "Heal!" Magic welled up inside her, a thousand pins and needles racing beneath her skin as she grabbed his shoulders. Her palms sunk into a pool of blood and she released a current of cerulean sparks to embrace Artemis, embalming his torso in a halo that electrified his skin and hair. 

  It was all she could do for now as her magick waned, thinning out between her veins. She had to save some for emergencies, and running dry was the last thing they needed right now. She pressed a bloody hand to his cheek, controlling shaky breaths to calm her nerves. "Arty. Arty, can you hear me?" she asked, gliding her thumb gently across his cheekbone. His brows stirred slightly, bunching together as consciousness found him once more. "Are you in pain?" 

  Artemis blinked, his vision dark, as if still trapped in the clutches of sleep. The first thing he noted was that he was light-headed and his mind felt foggy. He couldn't tell if it was pain, but there was an immense pressure on his shoulders, crushing him down like a giant squashing a bug. Artemis was that bug, obviously. 

  "Artemis? Arty." Holly's voice was so far-off, so distant. Was she really that far away? "We need to go. You need to get up." Her voice was so tranquil. So serene. His eyes fluttered in their sockets, barely catching a glimpse of the gorgeous creature above him. 

  "An angel," Artemis murmured, dozing off as suddenly as he came to. With this beautiful woman holding him, what could possibly go wrong? He let himself drift off but was jolted upward by a hard yank on his shirt. She was shouting at him. What was she saying? 

  "GET. UP!" Holly roared, doing her best to heave him up to his knees, her fists clenching his shirt. "Please, Artemis! They're here!" 

  Artemis stared at her, a loopy, enamored smile stretching his cheeks. He couldn't understand. Why was she so upset? It was so warm, so lovi-

  "Snap out of it!" Holly yelped, using all of the strength in her biceps to drag him to his feet. Without warning, a dozen rounds fired over her head, ricocheting around the tight alleyway. "D'arvit." Holly dropped him, moving to cover his crumpled form with her readied Neutrino. She waited, her nerves electric with fear, training overriding any panic, calm washing over her with every steadying breath. She was a quick-shot, a hot shot, and she wouldn't let them have Artemis. Ever. 

  An orange signature flashed on the thermals and she raised her aim slightly to the left, waiting ever so patiently. A pixie with a gold pistol rounded the corner and Holly blasted him in the forehead with a single shot - she only needed one. He sank to the floor as several others appeared on her helmet’s display, blasting each intruder until she had a heaping pile of unconscious fairies at her feet. But they were already healing, a network of weak sparks siphoning off each fairy to the next.

  Holly whipped around, forcing an incoherent Artemis to stand. She glanced over her shoulder, grimacing at the destroyed machinery. She'd have to escape their pursuers by foot. Where to, she still didn't know. "Let's go!" she ordered, grasping his hand tightly once more as they sprang into a dark alley ahead. 

  She didn't know where they were, who was after him. She had so many things to worry about, she couldn't even break to think about where to take him. He wobbled along as she pivoted a tight corner, bumping into the wall, taking off into the narrowest alley yet. Artemis smashed into the wall behind her but was thrust sideways into the alley with Holly, mindlessly following along to the best of his ability.

  Holly emerged from the alley, whipping right through another corridor when two thugs stepped out from behind a brick wall, a sniper rifle aimed right for Holly's chest. 

  "D'arvit!" she shouted, ramming her elbow into Artemis' arm, sending him flying out of the way. Holly was quick,  but not quick enough as the silver bullet zipped by her, clipping her arm and wheeling her backwards. Magick swirled the wound on her bicep but didn't close her bleeding flesh, turning grey and sickly. Holly felt it jolt in her chest. Her magick… It was draining from her core. Holly's hand flew to her wound, eyes wide in realization as she looked down the barrel of the sniper: whatever the bullet was made of was disintegrating her magick, literally ripping it from her soul and spirit. She couldn't believe it. She'd lost her wings, her powers. This was it. She'd lost. She'd failed. 

  The jumbo pixie sported a broken-toothed grin at her, his finger tight on the rifle's trigger. "Don't worry, hot chocolate. This won't kill ya. But, it'll hurt a bit." His finger twitched, pressing the trigger down. Before she could quip his tasteless flirting, another bullet was hurtling its way towards her shoulder. 

  Except it never came. Holly was knocked out of the way, thrown to the floor, the shot echoing off above her. Her eyes shot up, sweeping the cobblestone street for what happened. Artemis!

  Holly blinked, shaking her head. Just like Tokyo. "No!" 

  The pixie's grin fell, his buddy punching his chest. "Idiot! You weren't supposed to hit him!" 

  Holly used the distraction to fire her Neutrino, blasting one in the head and blowing a charred hole into the other's chest. She wasted no time throwing herself to Artemis' side, urgent eyes scanning him. There - a hit to his right shoulder, a stream of blood blooming on his dress shirt. "Gods dammit, Artemis. You need to stop doing this." 

  "I-I couldn't-" he stammered, his eyes unfocused and dazed. "I couldn't let them-" 

   "Shhh. It's okay," Holly calmed him, gently stroking the dark hair along his jaw. "It's okay." She pressed her hands to the wound on his right shoulder, clamping down on her teeth in hesitation. The thug had said it wouldn't kill them, and healing Artemis again would render him even more useless. No. She couldn't risk him dying. 

  "Heal," she whispered, feeling the last of her magick wither away as she gave everything she had to Artemis. She couldn't help but lift her visor, pressing their clammy foreheads together. "Arty," she said sweetly, moving her hands under his arms. "We have to go, okay? I know you can hear me. You have to use your legs, okay? We have to go." She tugged upwards, hefting the stunned genius to his feet again. "C'mon." 

  Artemis swayed in place, glassy eyes trying to take in his environment. Gold signs beamed down from the stalactites above, steam rising from the obsidian vents that ran alongside a small stream. It was familiar, but he couldn't tell now. Holly was trying to wrench him along, forcing him into a shambling run. He tried to gather his feet beneath him but Holly was too frantic, racing off hand-in-hand. 

  He tripped over his own feet and his knees buckled, ramming Artemis into the cobblestone street. 

  "Oh! Sorry!" Holly slid under him, helping him up on her back. "Sorry, Arty. You have to run, okay? We have to go!" 

  The mercenaries groaned from their pile, a weak healing glow threatening to wake them at any moment, free to strike again. 

  Holly held Artemis' hand more firmly. "We. Have. To. Go. Now!" And she was off, jolting Artemis along as they disappeared through a narrow passage along the hot spring below. 

Saw District, Haven City 

13:20

  They swerved another corner, Holly's hand tight in Artemis' as he staggered along. She felt the desire to panic now, uncertainty claiming her. It dawned on her that she couldn't get Artemis to safety if the paparazzi found them, so where would she take him? Where was she even going? 

   That doesn't matter. Your first priority is to lose the assailants. 

   They twirled around a sharp turn, greeted by a dead end. Holly crashed into the railing, slamming into the rusted metal first, the old barrier taking her weight just fine. But then Artemis slammed against it and from one blink to the next, he was gone over the edge, their fingers still intertwined, dragging her down with him. 

  "Wings!" she yelped instinctually, but the crumpled wings flopped around the motor on her back, rendered completely useless. They were going to die. 

  Luckily, Holly had the reflexes of a cat. She grasped Artemis with both hands, kicking her legs at anything around her. Her left foot caught the railing, their combined weight ripping it from the platform with her until it shuddered to a halt, leaving them dangling in mid-air. 

  Holly grit her teeth as she dissected the scene: they were suspended over the spring, the rusted railing torn halfway off the ledge, her boot the sole thing preventing them from dropping to their painful, boiling deaths. She momentarily imagined her skin melting off her bones but shook herself out of it. 

  They must've looked insane, draped over the edge of Haven City's Lower Levels, dangling over the enticing hot spring only a dozen feet away. Stalactic skyscrapers and glaring neon lights surrounded them, fairy citizens completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding in the seedy underbelly of the Saw District. 

  Artemis' sweaty hands were slipping through her gloves and she readjusted her grip on him, each hand intertwined. But his raw weight was tugging on her arms, threatening to pop her shoulders out of their sockets. She couldn't risk them getting hurt; her magick was dry. She didn't know what to do. Her eyes darted around desperately: the hot spring was an ethereal blue beneath the powdery blue sim-sky, the sparkle of Haven's metropolis glittering off the water's surface. They were going to die.

   Focus.

  Holly glanced at Artemis, wincing as she realized how his dangling form must be sore on his poor shoulders. But he looked barely conscious, losing his grip again as the drug's hold on him grew ever stronger, and him weaker. She grinded her teeth together as he started to slip through her fingers. 

  "Damn it, Arty! I hope you have a plan," she grunted, trying to keep her breath consistent and calm. "Grab me, Artemis! Climb me!"  But his glazed eyes were fluttering, obviously losing his fight to the tranquilizer. Even when he tried to regain his grip he was too clumsy, his right arm collapsing at his side.

  The railing groaned above them, giving way a tiny bit more. Artemis mulled over his options, determined to at least use the last of his consciousness for something. But, like Holly, he found himself unable to create a realistic plan. He was too weak and too pathetic physically. He'd finally met his final death, hadn't he? He'd almost gone over the ledge before. Maybe that had been a sign this was the only option. At least this way, Holly still had a chance at life, and that meant more to him than anything. 

  Artemis loosened his grip on his left hand, the only thing attaching him to his best friend. But both of her hands flew to his left, one intertwined in his fingers, the other pressed firmly onto his wrist. 

  "Artemis! Climb!" Holly demanded hoarsely, constantly readjusting her ever-failing hold on him. "Come on! Climb!" 

  "Holly…" He had to do this. It was the only way to save her. He let go. 

  But Holly refused. "N-No!" She tightened the vice grip around his wrist, sweat dripping inside her helmet, blurring her vision. "What are you doing?!" 

  Artemis took her features in, memorizing them for the last time. He gave her a fond smile, but his eyes were weary and heartbroken. "You have to let me go," he said, his voice gentle. 

  No. Holly felt her heart crack in two. He couldn't be serious. "Are you crazy?!" she shook her head stubbornly. "I- I can't lose you!" 

  "You have to, Holls. Or you will fall and die too." 

  "No! No!" she gasped, tears welling in her eyes. She stared at her best friend's peaceful face, imagining she'd never see him again. She imagined his sweaty hand slipping through her fingers, watching him fall through the air as he smiled at her for the last time. 

  Holly blinked, and suddenly they weren't dangling over Haven's hot spring anymore. They were in the hills of Ireland, it was dark, and Artemis was smiling at her. A much younger, much simpler Artemis, a green corona imprisoning his body. She reached out, she couldn't even hear her own screams, but he was gone, falling through her fingers, falling through the air, falling through time. He was dead. Her best friend was dead. 

  She blinked again, and her sight was fixed on piercing, blue eyes. He was going to die. 

  "NO!" Holly broke, thrashing her head wildly side to side as tears streamed her cheeks. "No! No! No!" she repeated over and over, her screams hoarse and desperate. "Help! Please! Someone-" she gasped a breath as she screeched, "ANYONE! PLEASE!" 

  "Holly-" Her grip was weakening. She was going to lose him. 

   "No! No! Please! Please!" Holly wept, her voice cracking and small as she pleaded with him. "Please. I-I can't-" Her eyes widened as she imagined him dying again, colliding with the sparkling waters, watching him burn and melt away forever. She screamed at the top of her lungs, feeling her own shoulders threatening to pop from his weight. "PLEASE!"

  Artemis frowned, his chest crackling with pain and guilt as she broke before him. You weren't supposed to break her. You're not just hurting her. A tear rolled off her visor, dropping through the air like a feather when it landed on his cheek, rolling a clean path down muddy, blood-soaked skin. You're killing her.

   Anguished eyes suddenly widened. He absorbed her sobs of despair, her distressed brow, her wet cheeks. She wouldn't let him go. She couldn't. She didn't say it, but he saw it in her eyes - she needed him as much as he needed her. He couldn't let that go. So, Artemis set his jaw, blowing out a determined breath. 

  For you, Holly. And for me, too.

  It took everything inside him to gather the strength to lift his right arm, grabbing onto Holly's wrist. His sudden grasp was a shock, breaking her out of the distress. It took a mere second to register what had happened but she returned the strong hold on his right hand, a brilliant smile filling flushed cheeks. 

  "Yes! That's it, Artemis! Climb! Climb me!" 

  It was possibly the hardest, most athletic thing he'd ever done. He didn't weigh much, thankfully, but there was so little to grab onto, using Holly's belt, holster, even her helmet to heave himself up another few feet. "Sorry," he sputtered, grabbing hold of her thigh next. The railing yawned and groaned, threatening to give way. He stopped, glancing at it fearfully. 

  "I DON'T CARE! CLIMB!" Holly encouraged, lugging his thigh upwards, over her. "You can do it!" 

  She was right. Artemis had to do this. They had no other choice - and it all depended on him. His teeth clamped down on his lip as he pulled himself up her body, finally facing the twisted mesh of railing above them. This was it. All he had to do was grab it and climb. Like a ladder. Don't think. Just do it. Artemis nodded at the sentiment and reached out, sweat blinding his vision. Right there, slightly out of reach was Holly's boot trapped inbetween the rails. He reached past her, his fingers brushing the rusted steel. 

  "Yes!" Artemis grumbled, reaching out just a little further. But if Artemis Fowl was anything in his life, he wasn't known for being able-bodied. His sore muscles, his beaten, lanky limbs couldn't handle it anymore. His arm gave out and he slipped, tripping over Holly, crashing back into her. The impact dislodged her boot from the rail and they were gone - tumbling through the air like droplets. 

  You've killed her. "Holly!" Artemis shouted, reaching out to grasp her hand.

  Mismatched eyes met blue, the world held still. Holly's fingers speared the air, reaching out for him, but she never made it. Time restored around them and they plunged into the shimmering waters, sinking into its fatal depths. 

Chapter Text

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   Streams of golden, artificial light from the early morning hours streamed in through the windows that adorned a cozy kitchen. A tiny, adolescent elf jumped excitedly on her little tippy-toes, ecstatic to catch a sneak peak of her mother's soup on the stove. The little elf smiled up to her mother, tugging on her emerald apron. "Mama! Mama! When are the noodles done?!" 

  The mother smiled the most generous of smiles at her baby girl, kissing the messy mop of red hair on her head. "Wait for the water to boil, and watch the noodles rise. Not too long, or they'll lose their bite. But be careful, baby. The water's boiling." 

Haven Water System

Lower Elements Hot Springs

   The water's boiling, baby. Not too long, or they'll lose their bite. 

  The water's boiling, baby. 

  Get out, baby. Get out. 

   Holly snapped awake, alert and anxious as her eyes darted around her helmet. Foaly's hi-tech design constantly monitored Holly's vitals, so the second she hit the water and was knocked unconscious, it closed and drained excess water, the tiny tank on the side replacing it with artificial air. 

  Holly swallowed a dry breath and blinked, watching the faux sun rays shimmer across the surface, sinking deeper into the spring's depths. She blinked again. She was… alive? She glanced at the visor. The water's temperature read 106° F, ticking up slightly to 107°, then 108°. It's rising. But…? Holly blinked sluggishly in confusion as she treaded the blue waters around her. She wasn't… she wasn't boiling alive? 

  And then she realized. She skimmed the science logs - the LEP's term for magma flare predictions. There hadn't been one for three weeks, so the spring was cooler. Still scalding hot, but survivable. She checked the temperature again - 110°, when her helmet beeped. From the flashing science readout, a flare was scheduled any moment. Holly needed them out now. 

   Speaking of them, she whirled around under the water, eager to find Artemis. There! A little below her, he sank lifelessly into the navy depths. Holly wasted no time opening the throttle on her crumpled wings. Despite the damage, they'd still provide her speed. She dove down, locking onto Artemis' figure. The medical report above him flashed an urgent red alarm. Water inhalation detected. Drowning in progress.  

   Holly hastily scooped Artemis into her arms, propelling them upwards to the surface. She broke through, floating them on the surface for air. Holly's mouthpiece lifted apart, leaving just the visor. "Heal!" She patted his reddened face with urgency, his skin hot under her fingertips, but no magick escaped her. She was dry as desert stone. "Artemis, breathe! You need to breathe!" 

  But he was completely limp in her arms, flopping over to float on his back as she shook him desperately. Dammit. She needed to perform CPR now. Holly scanned the rock walls, eyes flicking a thousand miles a minute when - there! A small canal snaked into a grotto. 

  The alarm in Holly's helmet beeped again. Warning! Flare approaching. T-Minus 1 minute. 

   Holly didn't have a minute - they needed to get out now!  

  She wrapped her arms under his, dragging him as her throttle opened, her wings spluttering them across the rumbling, aqua waters.

   113° F 

   Steam rolled off the surface as bubbles rose and popped around them, the spring blistering to life as Holly glided along the canal. The grotto was mere feet away. 

   116° F 

   Even with the protection of Holly's suit she could feel the heat increasing, heavy breath and heat fogging her visor. If she didn't give Artemis air in the next minute, he would die. If she didn't get him out of the spring in the next few seconds, he would die.

  "Fuck," she swore through her teeth, holding onto him tighter as she zipped deeper into the dark cavern. "Fuck." Aragonite clusters glittered on the rock walls as the rotten stench of sulfur wrinkled her nose, the blue waters steaming and bubbling around her. 

   118°  

  "Fuck!" Holly smashed her side into a rocky bank, throwing an arm up over the ledge to climb onto a low-lying plateau. It was difficult to climb and roll onto the flat rock with one hand, the other still grasping Artemis' torn shirt. "C'mon!" she gasped, heaving his torso onto the ledge. 

   120°

  Warning! No pulse detected. 

   She tucked her hands underneath his arms, pulling his soaked, dead weight out of the spring as quickly as she could manage. Her shoulders shook in pain, muscles stretched and threatening to tear, but adrenaline fueled her spirit into action. She was a soldier - this is what she existed for. 

  The ethereal spring bubbled around Artemis' dress shoes as she dragged his long frame out of the water, gasping in short breaths as she tugged and tugged backwards. 

   125°

   But it didn't matter - he was out. She'd gotten them out. Holly dropped him onto his back and dug her fingers into her jumpsuit, ripping the sealed acorn from her neck. Of course, they were illegal. Of course, she didn't care. Her eyes darted between the acorn and Artemis. If she buried the acorn in the cave rock and completed The Ritual, she could heal Artemis. But by then, he'd be dead. And she wasn't a necromancer, despite as much as he relied on her to be. 

  Holly’s teeth clamped down on her lip, bruising it red as she stared at his emotionless features. His life was losing its place in their world with every second she waited. No. She didn't have time for The Ritual - he needed her now. 

  "You better fucking survive this, Astroboy," she growled, opening his mouth and placing his head back. She pinched his nose and pressed her lips to his, giving him as much air as she could muster. And then she was on his chest, compressions of one, five, ten, before breathing as much heated desperation into him as she could give. She ripped off her helmet before starting the second round, her dripping braids swinging behind her. 

  "Breathe, Artemis!" Holly shouted as she pressed on his chest. "Breathe!" When he didn't awaken, she repeated the process - pressing her mouth to his to give him breath once, twice more. She went back to compressions, one, two, three. But it seemed hopeless. She froze, her eyes unwavering on his face. His lifeless face. His dead face. He was dead. 

  "N-" She couldn't even manage the word, the rest a sharp shriek in her throat. Her palm traced his cheek down to his parted lips, desperate for any movement, her eyes widening in their sockets. But there was nothing. He was dead.

  You cannot let him die. Keep going, soldier. 

  Holly shook her head, regaining her focus. She started the compressions again, but got fed up by the ninth push, smashing a fist into his chest. "Wake! Up!" She leaned down and gave him air, blowing as much breath into him as she had in her lungs.

  Artemis woke suddenly, choking as his eyes fluttered open, water coming up like bile from his throat. 

   "Oh my gods!" Holly cried, wrapping her arms around her neck and holding him close. "You're alive!" 

  He broke away from her with urgency to lean over the ledge, vomiting water into the spring. He felt his soul returning into his body with every purge of water from his lungs, painful, short gasps for whatever air he could muster in between. 

  "Oh, sorry," Holly winced, rubbing his back. "It's okay. You're okay." He eventually collapsed back into her arms and Holly felt an immense burst of relief wash over her as she kissed his head. 

  Her heart thumped in her chest as she buried her face into his drenched hair, unable to hold back the mass of tears that streamed down flushed cheeks. "I need you, Arty," she choked, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. "I need you. I-I can't do this without you. You're my human. You're my person."

  Artemis heard her. He wanted to reply, but his stomach ached and his throat was on fire. He couldn't manage any words - he could barely breathe. But hearing the strain in her voice, hearing Holly say she needed him? He couldn’t help it, but her words made his heart soar. She saved him. She always did, didn't she? 

  A stupid smile plastered weakly to his face, smothered in the crook of her neck. He couldn't tell where they were, or what had even happened. But he felt so warm in her arms like this. He didn't care where they were. He never wanted to leave.   

  Holly finished her sobs, giving him a kiss to the head before breaking away gently. "Give me a minute, okay?" 

  She placed him on his side to crawl around for a damp patch of earth. The cavern had almost no soft soil, but her fingers sank into red clay and she frantically scooped it away, digging a small hole. She stuffed her acorn inside and patched the clay back on top, her fingers embedded in the moist earth. 

  "I return you to the earth, and claim the gift that is my right."

   Nothing happened for a few heartbeats, or maybe even a hundred. But then a stream of cerulean sparks grew from the earth and snaked up her fingers and arm, then her other arm, until magick was spiralling out of the clay, surrounding her in a glowing corona of violent embers. Her spine arched, her head pinned upright as power filled her veins, restoring a molten vigor to her core. Her limbs vibrated and bucked, eyes rolling in their sockets, but she accepted every inch of power surging through her. She was so lazy with her magick, she always forgot how good it felt to run hot. 

  She smiled as electric sparks danced from her fingertips and crawled back over to Artemis. She pressed a palm to his clammy forehead and whispered, "Heal." As magick held him in its clutches, Holly cradled him in her arms again, pulling his limp torso into her lap. "We're okay, Arty. It's okay."  

  "It's okay?" he repeated sluggishly into her abdomen, mindlessly wrapping his arms around her. 

  "You're okay." She held him close, batting her eyes quickly at him in disbelief. She'd really saved him. However messed up he was, he was alive. She rested her chin on the top of his head, just wishing time would stand still for a while. "I'm so glad you're okay. Are you in pain?" He shook his head, at least she thought he did. "How do you feel?" 

  "Gone."

  Holly laughed, running her fingers through his sopping wet locks. "Yeah. That's about right."

  Thanks to Holly’s healing his throat was no longer burning and his lungs were clear of water, but her magick couldn't erase the intoxicants still laced in his system, and her healing's effects weren't any less intense mixed with the drugs. But he didn't care anymore. He felt so loved, so special, even if it was temporary and likely the result of delirium. 

  "You saved me," Artemis choked out.

  "Of course I saved you," Holly smiled, burying her face into his hair. "I couldn't do without you." 

  He remembered those words. She'd said them right before giving him his first kiss, the first act of romantic affection anyone had ever shown him. Re-hearing them now, he realized that, perhaps, she was right. Perhaps, he'd truly never gotten over it. 

  He lazily flopped over onto his side, turning his cheek so he could peer up at her. "Hi." 

  Holly met his dopey gaze. She couldn't help being a little amused. "Hi."

  "You are very pretty." 

  "Oh! Thank you," she chuckled heartily. 

  "Like a black widow," Artemis murmured, throwing up his pointer finger factually. "Dangerous. Beautiful."

  "Ah…" Holly chortled through a flushed smile at him. "You sure you're okay?" 

  "I'm okay. Are you okay?" 

  "I'm okay, Arty. Thank you." 

  "Okay…" he trailed off at first, closing his eyes. But a few seconds later he reawakened, repeating, "You're okay?"

  "Yes, Artemis," Holly laughed now, returning to stroking his locks. "I'm okay."

  "Okay... Holly?"

  "Mhm?" 

  "I'm sorry."

  "It's fine," she reassured. "It wasn't your fault for once… I think." 

  "I'm so useless." 

  "Shh. You are not useless." 

  "Holly?" 

  "Mhm?" 

  "Thank you for being my best friend." There was a pause between them, Holly slowing her fingers in his hair until she came to a halt. Artemis hardly noticed, his mumbling coming out with difficulty. "I- I don't even care if our relationship e- escalates or not. You're my best friend. The chance to be your friend is worth more than I deserve."

   Oh, Frond. Here we go. Holly rolled her eyes over an enchanted smile, stroking his wet hair again as she stared off at a cave wall. It was wrong of her to let him speak this way while he was vulnerable, but she couldn't help but be charmed by such rare, raw affection from him. And after nearly losing him, was that so bad? "Arty... thank you. I really appreciate that." 

  "You're so strong. I- I admire you. I really do." 

  "I know. It's okay, get some rest, okay?" 

  "Okay." Artemis buried his face into her stomach, a smile nestled cozily on his lips. "Rest sounds nice...mmfblm." He suddenly registered where his face was in proximity to her and shot up, eyes wide with worry. "Holly! Is this okay?! Sooorry. Is thi- thi-s okay?" 

  Holly giggled into her hand as she stared at him in awe. Even like this, he was worried about making her uncomfortable. He really was one of a kind, wasn't he? "You're okay, Arty. Thank you for asking." 

  "You're sure?" 

  "I'm sure," she repeated sweetly, tenderly twirling his hair.

  "Mkay." He crawled down, curling back into her lap. "........Holly?" 

  "Mhmmm?" 

  "Out of all of the places I've been, this feels most like home." 

  "In a dark cave?" she asked, looking around playfully.

 Artemis made a strange noise, a choking chuckle of sorts. He chittered in his daze, "No, not the cave, silly. You. You are. In your arms, like this." 

  "Oh boy. What's your name again?" 

  Artemis squinted at her. "I am not Orion. I am Artemis." 

  "Cool. Just checking." 

  "Mmmf. You're warm." He held her waist tighter, snuggling his head between her small hands. He snoozed peacefully for a while until he muttered, "This is my favorite."

  "What is?"

  "Just laying here like this. With you." 

  Holly let out a hefty sigh through a fond smile. "You're being so sweet. Why can't you be like this all the time?" 

  "I am. I don't show it. Too risky." He buried his face into her jumpsuit again. It was a rare occurrence, but Artemis had so little running through his mind. His heart pounded in his chest, relishing the closeness to Holly. He understood now: he wanted to be in her arms like this, always. "I really like you." 

  "I know, it's okay." Holly nuzzled her face into his head, joyous warmth filling her chest. "Go to sleep, okay?" But instead of dozing off, he ogled at her with laden eyelids. Holly caught the gaze, getting lost in his blue stare. 

  "I really like you." 

  Her heart was ablaze, twisting into a pit in her stomach. He didn't mean it; he was stupefied. He didn't really still like her, did he? 

  "I- I really really like you, Holly." 

  She couldn't tell if the heat on her face was from her or the spring. Did she like him too? They held each other's lingering stare, and for a moment, Holly swore that time froze for them. "I know, Arty," she calmed him, her voice barely beyond a whisper. "I know." 

  But Artemis wasn't deterred. His hand flopped around for hers, gripping it tightly  as he babbled in her lap. "I'll always save you, Holly. I- I'll die for you. Never again... let you die. Never, Holly... never-"  

  Holly heard enough. She coddled him in an embrace, stiffening at his words. "Okay, Arty. Shh. Go to sleep, mmkay?" His mumbles turned incoherent and she moved a finger to fondle his facial hair. "Shh." She remembered back to her sick days as a child. Holly would cling to a pillow as Coral soothed and sang her to sleep. The lullaby her mother sang was actually intended for her father, but Holly loved the mix of sharp and flat notes so much that she'd insisted it be sung to her too. She missed her mother's voice. And in the same way Coral had, Holly felt the desire to sing Artemis into a tranquil sleep. She cleared her throat, concentrating on the words as they floated into her mind.  

Remember the first day we met, it was you

Talking to miss and I came and saved you

Then our friendship just suddenly grew

Started talking and then it all blew

Then we went down our separate ways

Felt really empty and everything changed

We reunited, it felt just the same

Now we love in a different way, yeah

So my darling, so my darling, so my darling

When our hairs are turning grey

Won't even remember our younger days

So my darling, so my darling

You are my best friend, you are my best friend

Remember I'll always love you

  Holly's focus drifted from the rock walls to his face. He was so innocent snoozing on her, his pallid cheeks pink from the heat. 

  Remember I'll always love you. 

  She definitely loved him, but it was normal to love friends, especially one she was so bonded to. But Holly forced herself to look at Artemis, picturing another type of love with him. Her fingertip drew shapes on his cheekbone, sweeping over his parted lips, his hushed breath light and slow. Would she ever kiss him again? She imagined herself leaning in, a soft press of her lips to his. Did she hate it? Did the idea gross her out? 

  Holly found herself sinking deeper into the idea, her imagination running wild. She imagined him deepening the kiss, holding her tightly in his tall frame. She didn't despise it, she realized. She was craving it. She wanted him. 

  A sudden burst of cortisol boiled to life in her veins, and the incredible burden of barely saving his life crashed into her like a tidal wave. A million emotions rushed through her: guilt for bringing him to Haven in the first place; contempt for wanting something more from him when she was supposed to be healing him, caring for him; stress from how she was getting them out of the grotto; and most of all, intense relief that he was alive. Artemis was alive. 

  She wept into his neck, her sobs escalating into hyperventilating breaths. She'd nearly lost him. He almost died, again. They’d only survived out of pure luck. Holly gazed at him through blurred vision. "I can't lose you. I can't," she blurted, smashing her face into his neck again. "I can't. I can't." 

  Holly stared at the aragonite ceiling, snuggling a sleeping Artemis to her chest as the hours passed by. She tried to join him, as nice as the idea of dozing off and stumbling around the stars in her mind was, but her body was still wired from the action. Instead, she spent the past few hours thinking everything over, mostly about her feelings for Artemis. They were real, and they were there, she concluded. But her own trauma was holding her back. She couldn't imagine the heartbreak of him dying again, and as a human, he'd inevitably die much sooner than her. She didn't know if she could handle that. 

  And then there was the matter of their feelings in the past. When they'd travelled through time, just the two of them, Holly had actually considered seeing him as… more. Maybe it was foreshadowing their feelings for each other now, but if that was the case, did that mean he would trick her again too? Manipulate her? Lie? He still did these things now. He vowed to change… but was it enough? Did she have the guts to get over it and just go for it? She didn't think so. 

  Holly sighed, sitting up slowly to readjust the clinging Artemis. She rested him against his side, stroking his hair a little before standing on both feet. She ran a hand over her face with a groan. She'd spent enough time moping - it was time to spring back into action. She bit her lip and glanced at her helmet. She couldn't risk calling anyone on it - would someone be listening? She patted around her jumpsuit for her phone, finding it in one of the waterproof compartments. 

  "Perfect." She slid it on, the hologram projecting the call screen for her. Call Mulch? Holly slid the green button, waiting as the ringer dialed over the line. 

  "Ah, what do you want?" a familiar, gravely voice replied. "I'm on vacation!" 

  "Hey, Mulch," she greeted quickly. "I need a favor. Where you at?" 

  "Vegas. They got some kinda music festival this time of year, and most of the kids are too drugged to notice the cash from their pockets missing, heheh." 

  "How the hell did you get to Vegas?" Holly asked, stunned. 

  "I drove. The hell do you mean, Holly?" 

  "Drove?! Why did you drive?!" 

  "Eh. Walking was too much effort." 

  "Mulch!" 

  "I didn't want to put too many miles on the Lamborgfeeties." 

  Holly couldn't resist a crooked smile. "Frond almighty, Mulch, honestly." She heard a crackly wrapper on the line, deducing he was probably getting ready to shove a chocolate bar down his throat. "Alright, then. You're no help in America." 

  "Sorry. Catch me next time. Don't forget to say hi to the mud boy for me!" 

  "I won't. Take care, okay?" The line clicked and went dead, alleviating her anxiety a bit. Talking to Mulch was akin to spending time with a crazy brother, or that drunk uncle that always had a conspiracy theory. She was grateful for the comedic relief, and took a few breaths of pungent cave air.

  "Who was that?" 

  Holly whirled around, her eyes wide on Artemis. "Hey!" She dropped to her knees beside him, helping him sit up. "You're awake. How do you feel?" 

  "Like I've come back from the dead," Artemis coughed, smoothing his bangs out of weary eyes. "I've done that before, you know." 

  "Artemis fucking Fowl!" Holly smacked his arm. "That's not funny!" 

  "Sorry." He looked around in confusion. "Where are we?" 

  Holly's mouth dropped a little, surprised at his question. "You… you don't remember?" When he shook his head, she grasped his hand in hers. Fuzzy warmth filled her heart, and she swore she felt a jolt of electricity shoot up her arm, but she shook it off. She clamped down on pouty lips. "What's the last thing you remember?" 

  Artemis rubbed his eyes, his brows furrowing in thought. "Er…" His blue irises widened then, a hot flush coloring his cheeks. Suddenly, he covered his face with his hand, breaking into controlled laughter. "I'm not sure I can say this aloud." 

  Holly arched an auburn brow. "Say it." 

  "No," he grinned in embarrassment.

  But Holly wasn't having it. She snatched his hand, tugging it off his face with a large smile. "What is it?!" 

  "I- You-" He fought against her for his hand, but when he lost the tug of war, he resorted to using the other to hide his flustered face. "You were trying to open a, er, a duct? Is that what we did? And my, er, body betrayed me." 

  Holly gaped at him with squinted eyes. "Artemis, are you serious?" 

  He threw his free hand into the air. "You insisted!" 

  Holly dropped his arm. "Honestly, there are worse things you could've remembered," she sighed, patting his shoulder. "Consider yourself lucky."

  "I can imagine," Artemis noted, raising a brow at his clothes. "My suit is ruined." He scanned the grotto, eyeing the now-broiling spring. "You're right. It's for the best that I don't remember what's transpired." He bent his knees, resting his arms across them. "So, how are we leaving this cavern?" 

  Holly scrolled through the contacts on her phone, nervously chewing her nails. "I'm working on it. I tried Mulch but he was a no go." 

  "I'm assuming you haven't contacted the LEP in fear they've been tapped?" When she nodded, Artemis tapped a finger to his chin. "And Lili? She's royalty, correct? Her home is likely guarded, and I'd be genuinely baffled if she was on the assailants' watch list." 

  She blinked twice at him. "Holy shit. You're a genius!" 

  "Yes. I thought that was well-established at this point," he quipped with a sharp smirk. 

  Holly pulled up Lili's contact, dialing her on speaker. The line dialed for several rings, and before Lili could greet her, Holly exclaimed, "Lili! Please, please tell me you're in Haven." 

  "Ay, ay, Captain! Or, uh, Commodore, sir," Lili chattered jovially. "Why're you calling me on your phone, weirdo?" 

  "I need a massive favor. You can drive one of the small service shuttles, right?" 

  "Uh, yeah? Why?" 

  "Me and Artemis-" 

  "Artemis and I-" Artemis interjected factually before wincing at the nasty look Holly shot him. "Sorry. Sorry." 

  "Artemis and I-" she rolled her eyes, "-are stuck in the water system. We're like… in this grotto within the hot spring." 

  "I'm sorry, what?"

  "I can't risk sending you coordinates," Holly continued. "This is a top secret mission, soldier, and lives are at stake. Can you help?" 

  There was some silence, but eventually Lili's smooth voice replied, "Tell me what to do." 

Upper Levels, Haven City 

Brookside Luxury Homes 

  Lili Frond was many things, but a sell-out she was not. Even if it meant keeping secrets from Foaly and Trouble, turning off her locator, and stealing a service shuttle for Holly Short. Well, she wasn't sure if it was really stealing since Holly appeared to be part of some covert mission. She justified it in her head, assuring herself this would all make sense when they arrived at her home. 

  It didn't. When the trio exited the garage with Artemis wrapped in cam-foil, and settled into the living room of her lavish two-story apartment, Lili was left with more questions than answers. 

  "So, Artemis is in danger?" 

  "Yes." 

  "And, you want me to babysit him?" 

  "I don't need a babysitter, thank you." Artemis rolled his eyes and plopped onto a velvet floor pouf, one of many scattered across Lili's ornamental rug. His fingers stroked the bright fabric, studying it carefully. "This is Sarouk Persian, isn't it?" He flipped the corner of the rug, running a finger along the bottom. "The fringe ends in warp strings, and the edge is hand overcast. This is an extraordinary rug. Circa 1890s? Perhaps 1895? I'd expect no less of a princess, of course." 

  Lili peered at him with a curled lip before glancing at Holly. "Is he always like this?" 

  "He does that when he's nervous," Holly explained, standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder. "I'm gonna head to Police Plaza and figure out what's going on. I'll be back soon, okay?" 

  Artemis met her eyes. He got lost in the fiery determination, her mismatched gaze like flaming arrows straight through his heart, heat blossoming through his chest and cheeks. "Y-yeah." He dropped the stare, fixing on the marble floor beneath the rug instead. "I'll be here, I suppose."

  "Jesus. You make it seem like I kidnapped you," Lili groaned, playfully swatting at him. "Anyway, you look like hell. Why don't you shower? We can wash your clothes in the meantime." 

  "Sure," Artemis frowned, standing up slowly. He didn't feel too terrible, but he was a little nauseated when he straightened. "A hot shower sounds splendid."

  Once in her bathing room, Artemis handed his clothes to Lili from around the door. She raised a brow at his tattered dress shirt. "Listen, my washer can clean in a microsecond, but there's no saving this. I'm gonna order you a shirt!" she called from the hallway. She perused Acorn, opting for a clothing site. "What size will you fit? Like, a centaur large?" 

  "Extra large, please," Artemis replied tersely. "Your large is rather small on me." 

  Holly giggled into her hand beside the blonde. "I have pictures to prove it." 

  "No way! I have to see!" 

  "Holly," Artemis warned, his voice muffled behind the door. "Don't, please." 

  "Too late!" Lili howled, zooming in on Holly's projector. "AH! You worked for Cub's?! You're sooo cuuute!" 

  "Can I shower in peace now?" Artemis grumbled, testing the water's temperature with his hand. 

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll leave you be, old grump," Lili teased, striding to the laundry room with Holly, his clothes folded over her arm.

  Once out of earshot, she wiggled her brows at Holly. "Sooo. Have you two kissed yet?" 

  Holly nearly dropped her phone, her cheeks a bright cherry red. "W-what?! Of course not." 

  "Aw, bummer." Lili tossed Artemis' clothes into the metal machine, watching the rays blast and sanitize his clothes from the glass top. "So, why not?" 

  "It's… complicated. I don't have time to explain right now." Holly crossed her arms across her chest, avoiding eye contact. "Could you… could you talk to him while I'm out? You know, like, figure him out for me?" 

  Lili's face fell deadpan. "Are you, like, dense or something?" 

  "Maybe," Holly sighed. "I know he likes me, Lili. I know that. But… I don't know. He just stopped dating my friend-" 

  "Ooh, that pixie girl in the tabloids?" 

  "Yeah. And, I don't know. He's never given any indication, besides confessions under some sort of influence." 

  "Uh, that's a pretty big indication." 

  "It's not enough," Holly shook her head. "I just… I can't risk ruining our friendship. He means too much to me. I- I can't risk wrecking that. I just, I don't know-" 

  "Listen," Lili interrupted, placing a reassuring hand on Holly's shoulder. "You head on to Police Plaza, and I'll see what I can dig out of him, okay? Sound good?" 

  Holly dropped her gaze, her brows furrowed in uncertainty. "Yeah," she sighed. She reached into her holster, slipping Lili her Neutrino. "Give this to him for me. I can't risk him being unarmed." Holly leaned in and hugged Lili. "Thank you. I really can't thank you enough for this." 

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't get all sappy on me!" Lili chortled, holding Holly at arms distance. "Be safe. Text me!" 

It wasn't long before Artemis exited the steaming, warm shower, grateful for the aroma of eucalyptus and clean skin. Lili's towels, like most of the fairies, were tiny on him. He managed to wrap a white towel around his waist, holding the side tightly as he popped the mirrored contacts from his eyes and placed them on the counter. He could worry about them later. He slid open the bathroom door a hair, peeking into the hall. The hallway was empty, his clothes neatly folded beside the door. 

  Artemis buttoned what he could of his dress shirt, the wrecked material hanging off him as he made his way into her living room. 

  The blonde beauty snapped up from her phone, waving him over to join her on the floor pillows. "Hey! Your shirt will be here soon. Then you don't have to look homeless anymore!"

  "Thank you," Artemis nodded, taking his place on a sapphire, velvet pouf beside her. "I really can't thank you enough for the hospitality. We are forever in your debt." 

  "Yeah, so, you better start paying up!" Lili joked, nudging his shoulder. 

  "How much would you like? I'd wire it to you now, but I don't have my phone." 

  "I was kidding." Lili rolled her eyes. "Take a look around. Do I look like I need money to you?" 

  "Point taken." 

  "There is something you can do for me, though." 

  There was something different in her voice, it was floaty and airy, sultry even. Artemis glanced at her, a fluffy brow raised. "Oh?" And before he knew it, she did something he could've never predicted: Lili crawled forward, aqua eyes fixed on him like a predator on prey. He gulped as he leaned back, blinking rapidly. "Uh-?" 

  But Lili pounced him, her face inches from his own. She batted thick lashes at him, gold flecks tainting her irises. 

  "Kiss me."  

   What?! His heart beat like a drum as her voice charmed him, smooth and layered. Was this some sort of low-grade mesmer? And like the mesmer, he found himself unable to look away from her face, his eyes dropping to her pink lips. 

  "I said, kiss me." She brushed her nose against his. "Come on. Don't wait." 

  Her lips hovered over his own, her breath like strawberries, enticing him with her beauty and charisma. A tiny part of him wanted to give into her spell, bewitched by her beauty and orders. But the rest of him, the whole of him, fought it with every fibre in his being. He couldn't kiss her. He didn't want to. He glanced up from her lips and she wasn't Lili anymore, but Holly. Her glowing, freckle-swept bronze skin. Her long, auburn waves dangling over pointed ears. Her cherubic lips, held by the most genuine of smiles. Her mismatched eyes were full of passion and resilience, one of them even his own. He wanted her, not her friends. Not anyone else. 

   "Artemis," Lili sang, breaking his imagination. "Kiss me." 

   "N-no!" His head shook adamantly, paralyzed in place beside her. "No," he declared again, closing his eyes, breaking her mesmer. "No." 

  Lili pulled a few feet away, her eyes as wide as her gaping mouth. "Oh…" A giant, devious smile replaced her shock, the thread of her spell snapped. She pointed a curious finger at him. "Good. Very good." She clapped her hands together, plopping back onto her own pouf. "This is very good. You pass!" 

  Artemis rubbed his eyes, feeling a little woozy after her mesmer. "I pass? Pass what?" His eyes widened in realization before narrowing at her angrily. "You were testing me? For what?" 

  Lili raised her brows. "What do you think?" 

  Artemis stared at her, trying to gain a context clue or a hint. His only thought was Holly, but the likelihood of it being her was too absurd to consider. He gripped his forehead, irritation sweeping his cheeks with a pink flush. "I don't know. I'd prefer you tell me before I tell Holly what just occurred." 

  "Jesus. Between the two of you, I can't decide who's more blind," Lili groaned, palming her forehead. "You're a genius and you're telling me you can't figure it out?" 

  So, it was about Holly. But what was she getting at? "Explain, Lili," he ordered, his tone cold. "Now." 

  "Relax. You like Holly." Lili patted her pockets, scanning her rug as she searched for her pen. "Don't even bother lying to me. No one can just break my spell like that, not without the will to drive them against it. Holly is obviously your drive. Am I right?" She shrugged. "I always am." 

  Artemis was flabbergasted. He didn't even know how to reply to her statements, instead consumed by another question instead. "Your spell? This wasn't the work of a mesmer?" 

  "Nope." Lili gave him a proud, pearly-toothed smile. "It's a royal thing, exclusive to our blood. It's similar to the mesmer, but not as intense. Think of it as exposing one's true will. How do you think the Frond family is so influential?" 

  "Okay." Which prompted another question in him. "Did Holly put you up to this? This doesn't seem like her." 

  "Oh, Christ, no. She has no idea." Lili tilted her head in thought. "Well, she has an idea, though it's probably not this one." 

  "Then what are you testing me for, exactly?" 

  "To test if you were actually serious about liking her, and not just saying that to… you know…" she trailed off, letting him absorb the insinuation.

  "A-absolutely not!" he stammered, waving his palms defensively. "I'm not that sort of man, despite how she makes me out to be. I know she jokes about me being a red-blooded male, however, I can assure you I am anything but." 

  Lili patted his shoulder. "Relax, I believe it. You couldn't have passed my test otherwise." 

  "Regardless, why are you testing if I really like her?" He lifted his knees, resting his elbow on them. He stared at the glossy marble floor, avoiding Lili's interrogative stare. "Why does it matter to you?" 

  "Because nothing is more annoying than seeing someone desire to be with another person they actually have a chance with, but are too afraid to take." She patted the hand on his knees. "Trust me." 

  Lili finally spotted her bamboo vaporizer beside his pillow, leaning across to snatch it. "Aha! Found you." She clicked the button down and inhaled, letting out a puff of fruity, white vapor. She blew it away from Artemis, handing the pen to him. "Wanna try? I only get the best." 

  "What is it?" Artemis asked out of disdain, rather than curiosity. 

  "Hybrid. 95.6% pure THC, imported straight out of Amsterdam." She shrugged her shoulders. "I have my servants bring them from mother's bi-weekly vacations." 

  Artemis cinched his eyebrows in concentration, remembering back to his research. "That… seems like an excessive percentage." 

  "Yeah, well. I'm an elf. Our healing is too thorough, so we need the higher dosage to even feel anything." 

  "Right. Well. I am not an elf, thus I do not have the regenerative abilities of an elf," Artemis countered, grimacing at the pen between her manicured fingertips. 

  "I'll just heal you if it's too much," Lili shrugged. "You can just say no. It's not a big deal."

  "If I'm honest," Artemis started, leaning back against her white chaise. "I've always considered trying cannabis for research. In a controlled environment, of course. Normally, I'd say using it recreationally doesn't appeal to me, but given the day I've just had…" 

  "Screw it." 

  "Essentially." Artemis swept his bangs off his forehead. "At this rate, I quite literally have nothing to lose." 

  Holly's promise from months ago echoed in his mind. Try something new everyday, even if it's something you wouldn't normally do. "Let's not mention this to Holly." 

  "Sure." 

  He took the tiny device from Lili, scowling at it. "I must have you know I don't normally partake in activities like this. This is very unlike me." 

  "So," she started, tapping a finger to her chin. "What you're really saying is that you're normally boring." 

  Artemis frowned. "I'm not boring. It's just-" He glanced back at the pen. "I'm an academic. A scientist. Doing this sort of thing recreationally defiles my work." 

  It was Lili's turn to frown now. She gestured to him. "Oookay. If you're really that unsure about it, just hand it here." She gave an authentic smile. "It's not worth beating yourself up about it later." 

  Artemis shrugged, pressing the button, watching the circle glow blue. He'd probably already smoked the substance earlier during the attempted kidnapping. "It doesn't matter now." He inhaled, coughing harder than he expected. He doubled over as his throat burned. "Hellfire," he choked, tears leaking from his eyes. 

  Lili chuckled, taking it back from him. "You get used to it." She looked him over suddenly, analyzing whatever she could of him. "Hmmm… what sign are you? 

  Artemis blinked at her, a strange sensation overcoming him as his throat recovered. "What?" 

  "Wait!" Lili sat up straight, peering at him closely. "Hmmm… too uppity to be a Taurus. Maybe a Capricorn? A Virgo?" She noticed his comm ring and grinned. "Sapphire. You're a Virgo, huh?" 

  She couldn't be serious, could she? "I am. September 1st," Artemis grinned with ridicule. "You're familiar with human zodiacs?" 

  "Um, yeah? Who do you think they stole it from?" Lili rolled her eyes, handing the pen back to him.

  Artemis accepted it but didn't press on the button yet. "I'd assume you'd claim Irish astrology, not westernized fiction," he sneered. 

  Lili raised her palm playfully at him. "I will smack you, human!" she said teasingly, resting it back on her knee. "It's both. It's all the same. You idiots just call it different names then go oH thEyRe DiFFeRenT aNd OneS beTTer ThAn The OtHeR." 

  "Well, yes," Artemis gloaded. "Irish folklore is superior, thank you." He pressed on the pen's button, inhaling for his second and last round. He handed it back to her as he exhaled the vapor.

  Lili sat back against her couch, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Jeez. Such a Virgo." 

  "Well," he coughed out. "What are you?" 

  "A Scorpio," she smirked at him. "Holly's a Taurus, you know. You know what that means for a Virgo?" 

  "I could lie and say I have not the slightest idea," Artemis chuckled, sitting back as his head felt a little floaty. "But embarrassingly enough, I've studied up on the subject." 

  "Of course you have. You're a genius." 

  "Yes. The difference is that it's personally not for me."

  "That's fair." 

  "Yeah." Artemis chuckled again, finding the conversation amusing. Was this a side-effect? "An interesting one, nonetheless. Perhaps, my sense of humor has changed? Or, been altered?" 

  "What?" Lili asked as she stood, strolling away from the living room. 

  "...Did I say that aloud?" 

  "...Yes." 

  Artemis covered his eyes with the sleeve of his tattered shirt. "Oh," he replied, a stupid grin plastered on his face. "I'm curious about the effects is all." 

  "Well? Go on," Lili said, returning back into his line of sight with a tray of black clay teacups and teapot. "How do you feel?" she asked as she handed him a steaming cup. 

  "Honestly…" he took the cup carefully as he mulled the question over. "Fine? The same as usual, I suppose? But there's a glaring difference in perception. I've also noticed I have to make a conscious effort to restrict my laughter, considering I keep finding sporadic things humorous." He sipped the hot liquid, exhaling with a relieved sigh. "Mmm. That's nice. Is there a hint of rose? And hibiscus?" 

  "That's it," she grinned, placing her chin into her palm on her gold coffee table. "Go on." 

  "Well, I also feel like I can't see, but I can? Besides that, I feel fairly normal, albeit a bit more talkative." He scratched his chin, pondering it. "It's less intrusive than I imagined." 

  "Uh-huh. Do you wanna write this all down, or?" Lili teased. 

  Artemis scowled in response. He was making a fool out of himself, babbling on. He sipped the tea quietly, using twice as much mind-power to quiet the excited voices in his head. He had so many new thoughts, so many new theories he hadn't considered before. He placed the tea down, leaning into the chaise again. 

  "Oh! I'm supposed to give you this!" 

  Lili's voice broke his thoughts. He glanced at her as she shuffled through her pockets again, pulling out a Neutrino 5K. "Holly told me to give you this," she explained, handing it to him from the barrel. "You know how to use it, right?" 

  Artemis took the pistol, looking over the settings and feeling the grip. "Yes. We have a shooting range back at the family estate. It has been a while, however." He raised a brow. "Doesn't she need to approve my fingerprints?" 

  "I don't know. I'm assuming she figured it out," Lili shrugged, letting out another puff of vapor. "So… speaking of Holly…" 

  "What about Holly?" Artemis asked as he tucked the Neutrino into the back of his pants and into the helm of his boxer briefs, hoping the weapon wouldn't ride down his underwear. 

  "Am I right? That you like her?" 

  Artemis pressed his lips into a thin line. Obviously, he liked Holly. But did he want to talk to Lili about it? Holly and her seemed to have something up their sleeves. It made him nervous, anxious even. What if they extracted information from him and then used it against him later? Could he risk that? 

   Holly is your best friend. She wouldn't do that to you. 

   But she most definitely didn't like him the way he liked her. Despite dating Keni, he didn't think about Holly any less. In fact, he only found himself thinking about her more and more. 

  "What are you thinking about?" Lili asked. 

  There he was - thinking about her again. "Holly." 

  "Do you think about her a lot?" Lili offered him the pen but he shook his head. 

  "It's getting stronger by the minute, thank you," he explained. 

  "Mmkay. Sooo? Hooolly?" 

  Artemis rested his head back, staring at Lili's endlessly tall ceiling. "...Yes. I think of her more than I care to admit. She's been occupying valuable mind space I could be applying to business ventures, inventions, theories… I could be in a museum full of the finest pieces, ancient artifacts, and rarest minerals, and yet, none of that would matter because she would be the most exquisite work of art there is." 

  Lili went silent for a moment, mostly because her mouth gaped wide open.  "...Okay. That might actually be the cutest thing I've ever heard in my life. And I'm 93."

  He turned his head to her. "I can't stop thinking about her this way. I'm aware that I like her. But, what does that mean, exactly?" 

  Lili scooted closer to him, patting his shoulder gently. "Oh, poor, poor, human. It means you're in love with her." 

  Artemis nearly spit out his tea. "Me? In love? No…" He shook his head, rejecting the idea as he took another sip… until the concept settled in and shook his core. Was he…? "Oh… Oh. I'm… I'm in love?" He set his tea down, watching his reflection in the ruby liquid. "And with an elf, no less." 

  "Hey! It's not all so bad," Lili said. "Elves are pretty fun, if you know what I mean." 

  Artemis gave her a subtle glare, his cheeks burning. "Can we stick to the subject, please?" 

  "I thought elves were the subject?"

  "No. Holly. Holly is the subject."

  "Yeah, she's an elf… Okay, okay I'm messing with you." She poured herself some tea, leaning back as she sipped. "So, I mean, you love her. I just told you that. What else do you need to hear?" 

  Artemis sat up straight, putting his head into his hands on the coffee table. "It would never work between us. She would never give me that chance again, and I don't blame her. I don't think I trust myself either. 

  "I mean, how do you know it won't work?" Lili asked at first before squinting and leaned in, nudging him with her elbow. "And what do you mean by 'again'?" 

  "It's a long story." 

  "Okay?"  

  Artemis looked up, his shoulders tense. "...That'd I'd rather not get into…"

  "...?" Lili rolled her eyes. "Do you want someone to tell you the truth or do you just wanna hide your head in the dirt all day?" 

  "Like an ostrich?" 

  "Yes. Like an ostrich."

  "...I don't want to be an ostrich." 

  "Then just tell me," Lili said with an encouraging smile. "We have time." 

  It took a little under eight minutes, but Artemis told Lili the story of how he and Holly first met, their adventures together, their kiss in Rathdown Park, and eventually, Artemis' lies and manipulations that destroyed any chance of regaining that. By the time he had finished, he couldn't tell if Lili was half-asleep, or affected by their shared high. "That's about it." 

  Lili tapped a powder blue nail on the tabletop. "...Yeaaah, that's messed up. You dug yourself a hole there." 

  "I know." 

  "You don't think she's over it?" she asked. Her tone was different now, casual. Relaxed and slow, like the way a typical stoner sounded on those comedy shows. "I mean, that was like over a decade ago? 

  "I don't think Holly is the sort to 'get over' things," Artemis answered doubtfully with air quotes. 

  "No? Hm." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, cocking her head to the side. "I feel like she would eventually. She's a pretty nice person... as long as you're her friend."

  "I really don't think she would recover those feelings," Artemis disagreed with a deep breath. "I mean, the likelihood of such an occurrence-"

  "Artemis, shush. This isn't a scientific theory. These are matters of the heart." 

  "I've been told I'm bad at those."  

  "Well, luckily for you, you have the Looove Doctor at your service," Lili squealed with delight, poking his arm with her finger. "And she is prescribing you one big, chonkin' dose of confidence." 

  "...Can you prescribe confidence to someone?" Artemis blinked. 

  "Shush. Don't ruin my groove." Lili scooted her purple pouf to sit directly beside him. "You need to have confidence. That's what gets her." 

  "'Gets her?'"  

  "Reels her in," Lili explained, clutching her chest dramatically. "Sweeps her off her feet. Makes her heart swoon! Whatever you want to call it." 

  Artemis couldn't believe his ears. Surely, this was a jest? "You think if I have confidence, Holly will forgive me?" 

  Lili pressed her palms together, and with a heaving sigh pointed them at him. "...You're missing the point."

  "Please explain." 

  "Holly is a reasonably dominant person. She doesn't like to hold someone's hand. She wants someone to be able to hold their own. Match her strength." 

  "Yes," Artemis agreed slowly. "This is true about her, but I don't see the correlation...?"

  "Take the lead! Be a dominant human and ask her out-"

  "A dominant human?" he spluttered. 

  "-Take her on a little date," Lili ignored him, continuing. "Tell her how you see her. Maybe even plant a little kissy on her." 

  "She'd punch me in the face." 

  "…" 

  "She punches people, Lili. You and I both know this." 

  "Do you ever find yourself having long, lingering stares with her?" she questioned. "Maybe you're holding hands and one of you doesn't let go?"

  "Er- ah… yes. Sometimes."

  "Do you talk easily? Like for hours but you could've sworn it was just minutes?"

  "Yes," Artemis answered simply.  

  "Artemis, do you want to kiss her?" 

  Suddenly, he grew suspicious. "What do you know that I don't?" He meant it rhetorically. If he was honest, he didn't want the truth. And that was when it registered just how much he'd told her. He hadn't even realized until now. He straightened his back, eyes wide at her. "Wait, how… How are you-" Artemis couldn't resist an impressed smile. "Oh. You're good. Scarily good." 

  "I know," Lili smiled, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind a pointed ear. 

  "You'v- You've extracted more information out of me in minutes than therapists have in years," Artemis continued, aghast. "Surely, this is the work of the cannabis? Perhaps the mesmer? Like you displayed earlier?" 

  "You look pretty baked, so I can't answer for you," Lili chuckled. "But there's no mesmer here, Fowl. You're not the only genius around here."

  Artemis couldn't decide if he would break into hysterical laughter or weep from her statement. Instead, he found himself staring at Lili in disbelief. 

  She stared back. "What?" 

  Artemis' eye twitched. "You're… you're not comparing your genius to mine-"

  "No, Mud Man," Lili moaned, rolling her eyes. "I'm not saying I'm the same type of genius. I'm not obnoxiously pretentious unlike some people." 

  Artemis didn't reply, instead giving her a silent grimace. So, she clarified, "I'm an emotional genius. A social wizard, if you will." 

  Artemis was falling into intoxicated laughter now, pressing onto his stomach for support. "A-! A social wizard-!" 

  Lili crossed her arms, peering at him dangerously. "Are you done mocking me now?"  

  Artemis calmed himself, smirking at her. "I'm sorry. I was just being obnoxiously pretentious."

   "…I can feed you to the guards, human." 

  "You're clearly fantastic at this," Artemis said, turning to fully face her. "So, with that in mind… What's your remedy for my situation?"

  Lili rubbed her palms together, prepared to lay down her scheme. "Here's what you need to do-" 

  The mail tube on the far wall dinged and made a swoosh, the plastic container dropping into her delivery system. "Oh! Your shirt's here!" Lili crawled to her feet, sauntering lazily to her mail tube. "Don't go anywhere, Mud Man!" she exclaimed, jabbing a finger at him. "We're not dropping this!" 

  "I don't think I can stand, to be honest," Artemis chuckled, leaning forward to sip his tea. He swayed a little in place, euphoria prickling his skin. "I'll be surprised if that shirt even fits," he called out for her to hear. "A centaur extra large. What a time to be alive," he joked, leaning into his hands. 

  It'd been nearly thirty seconds now, and Lili hadn't replied. Artemis plopped onto his knees, looking over the lip of the chaise for the blonde. "Lili?" Her back was turned to him, still in front of her mail system. Artemis perked up, paranoia creeping through his veins, bleeding into pins and needles on his pallid skin. "Lili, what's happened?" 

  Lili's head whirled around, aqua eyes giant saucers in terror. "Run, Artemis! RUN!" 

   Oh no. His assailants hadn't let up. Before he could stumble to his feet the bomb in Lili's hands exploded, releasing thick smoke and gas. Artemis fumbled to stand, racing with two left feet as he made for her front door. But the gas was inescapable, engulfing his head and body instantaneously. 

  He coughed into his dress shirt, using the tattered remains to cover his nose and mouth as he ran past Lili. She was unconscious on the floor, as useless as he'd become in the next few seconds if he didn't make it to safety. 

  Artemis grit his teeth, reaching for the door knob. He was so close - his escape was right there. Just a little more! Gas burned his eyes, his vision blurred with heaps of tears. He held his breath, his lungs begging for fresh air. But just as his hand pressed against the cool metal of the handle, the gas entered his blood stream, shutting down his brain. He slumped over, crashing to the marble floor. A dark shadow stood above him, and before Artemis could discern whether the figure was real or not, his mind went blank and he sank into nothingness, his world now dark and cold. 

Police Plaza

Operations Booth  

  Holly chewed the inside of her cheek beside Foaly. Secure inside the Ops Booth, they'd staked out the security cams, observing the shifting hover screens that showcased every beat in Haven City. 

  "Have you found anything?" Holly asked hurriedly. She found herself shifting side to side restlessly. She was so anxious away from Artemis' side, and she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that things weren't as dandy as they appeared to be. "Please, Foaly!" 

  "Holly, I love you," Foaly said randomly. "You know that, right?" 

  "Yeah? I love you too. Now, what are you afraid to tell me?" 

  Foaly gave her a long face. "Someone's tampered with my footage. Someone that isn't Artemis." 

  "Are you sure it wasn't Artemis?" 

  Foaly turned back to his screen, opening up the code files for her to see. "I'll explain in a way you understand, no offense. The style of hacking is different. I've come to recognize Arty Boy's style, and this isn't that." 

  "You can't recover the original footage?"

  "I'm trying to, Holly," Foaly whinnied, stomping a hoof. "These things take a bit of time-" 

  "Okay, okay." She rolled her eyes, tapping her foot against the metal floor. "I can't shake this bad feeling." 

  "You get those when you haven't eaten." 

  Holly chuckled, staring at her feet. "Yeah. I am pretty hungry." 

  "Oh no." 

  Holly shot up, nudging Foaly aside to gaze at the screen. "Oh no, what?!" 

  He pointed to one of the taller screens above, vitals for different officers on the display. One's was flashing red, the name: Captain Lili Frond, Retrieval. 

  Holly couldn't believe her eyes, rubbing them in disbelief. "What is it?! What's wrong?!" 

  "Her vitals show that she's unconscious, but healthy and breathing," Foaly read from the report. "For over two minutes now." 

  Holly wasted no time calling Lili on her wrist communicator. The line buzzed on and on, but as suspected, the captain did not answer. Holly tried her ring next, flipping the carnelian to reveal the comm underneath. The dial rang and rang, but like Lili, Artemis did not answer. 

  "Fuck!" Holly shouted, throwing on her helmet. She whirled around to race out of the booth, yelling to Foaly over her shoulder. "Relay this to Trouble! I've gotta go!" 

  And she was gone, dashing out of the automatic double doors. Foaly didn't bother trying to stop her. When an elf had their sights set on something, there was no changing their direction. And when Holly had to save her friends, absolutely nothing would stop her. 

Brookside Luxury Homes

  It only took Holly four minutes to escape Police Plaza and fly to Lili's apartment with a fresh set of Dragonfly wings. She charged into the ritzy building, soaring through Lili's floor until she reached her door. Holly tugged on the handle but the door opened with ease, thick haze escaping from the apartment. 

  Holly's helmet closed completely, protecting her lungs from the noxious gas that drifted by her. "Artemis?!" she called out as she raced into the apartment, locating Lili on the marble floor. "Lili!" 

  Holly whizzed to her side, tucking her hands under Lili's arms, hoisting her backwards out of the smoky living room and into the recycled air of the hall. "Heal!" Holly demanded, a mix of amber and blue sparks jolted Lili, causing the hexagonal panels on her suit to glow like a radioactive shimmer. She rested the blonde against the wall, the vital above Lili's head reading Unconscious, Stable Condition. 

  Holly stormed back into the apartment, zipping around every nook and cranny for a handsome human. Her human. "Artemis! ARTEMIS!" But her thermals displayed no signs of life on either floor. Artemis was gone. 

  "ARTEMIS!" Holly screeched in the center of the massive living room. Police sirens sounded off in the distance, cold sweat dribbled down her face, and Trouble Kelp was calling her, her helmet buzzing away. But all Holly could think about was Artemis. He was gone. She'd failed him. And he was gone. 

  Holly buckled, sinking to her knees. "No," she breathed, tears leaking from her eyes. "No." She threw her head into her hands as her shoulders trembled. Her heart raced in her chest, like it would explode all over the apartment any moment. "No." 

  The sirens were closer now, her helmet still buzzing. She needed to compose herself. She couldn't help Artemis like this. She gulped a huge breath of filtered air, eyes cast downwards - when she noticed a piece of plain paper on the cold floor. Holly hesitated, reaching her hand out slowly. She smoothed it out, looking over the note. 

   If you want Fowl, come get him. 

  Hwy 75, 322 O'Brien Park, Kinsale, Ireland. 

  Come alone, or he dies. 

  Holly couldn't believe it. They still had a chance. She crumpled the paper in her hand, hopping to her feet. 

  "I'm coming, Artemis. Hold on for me. Please." 

Unknown Location 

   Few things genuinely surprised Artemis Fowl the Second. Artemis was always at the top of his game, always ten steps ahead. He knew the risks of being a brash business mogul without a trusty bodyguard, and yet, he'd assumed he'd be safe in Haven with Holly by his side. Unfortunately for him, Holly was not a bodyguard, and therefore was not at Artemis' disposal for every complaint and need, and now the genius had gotten himself kidnapped. 

  Kidnapped! Him! And not a planned kidnapping either, like he had pulled off in Chicago, or Tokyo. Truly, this wasn't one of his proudest moments, and had he been conscious, he likely would've smacked his skull around until the jumbling fixed his brain. 

  Speaking of consciousness, Artemis slowly came to. His eyelids fluttered in their sockets, straining to see his surroundings. He straightened his back, stretching himself out of sleep, but he couldn't lift his arms - they were tied together in some sort of rope. Artemis shifted a little. He was tied to a chair. Do kidnappings always include being tied to a chair? 

   Artemis blinked again, hoping his vision would return. But as his senses settled and absorbed the new environment around him, he realized he couldn't see because of the dark sack over his head. He grimaced, a groan escaping his throat. Fantastic. 

  "Awake?" 

  A deep, robotic voice startled him. Artemis popped his head up, taking in whatever touch, sound, and smell he could. Any advantage might prove the difference.

  "Good." 

  The voice was anonymous with a pitch-changer and was present in the room with him, rather than from a loudspeaker. That meant he was entirely at this person's, or persons', mercy. 

  "I'm assuming this is related to my exports within The Black Alley, correct?" Artemis risked inquiring. "A simple negotiatio-" He soon regretted the decision when a hand pressed over his mouth, restricting his access to air in the sack. 

  "I didn't say you could speak." The voice was monotone, deep and uncaring. The hand pressed harder, a threat of what was to come. "You're nothing but a hostage, understand? Speak when you're spoken to, or I'll kill you." 

  Artemis tried holding his air but he was running low, and he couldn't help choking for a breath or two. The hand released him and he sucked in air, his chest swelling with every grateful breath. 

  "Say your name." 

  "Artemis Fowl the Second," Artemis answered, anxiety rippling through his chest, his stomach roiling with nausea. A realization struck him. I'm… nervous? I wasn't nervous in Tokyo. Why now? 

  Am I afraid to die? 

   It was a good realization, one that twinged a subtle smile on his lips. He cared about his own life, and that wasn't something he'd experienced in the last five years. He cared. 

  "Do you speak Gnommish, human?" the voice asked in Gnommish, detaching him from his thoughts. 

  "Yes," Artemis nearly scowled, also replying in fluent Gnommish. He had another realization. His accent had changed a little, going from saying yes properly to a more casual form of Gnommish, closer to yeah. He chuckled, keeping his head low to soften the sound. 

  The anonymous interrogator grabbed a handful of hair through the sack, yanking his head back hard. "Is something funny, human?" 

  "No. Sorry." They didn't release him, however, and he could feel a presence close, almost brushing against the exposed skin through his tattered shirt. 

  "You're wondering what I want with you, right? Why are you in Haven City? Why are you in The Black Alley?" 

  Artemis gulped. He'd prefer not mentioning Holly, so he'd have to settle for a version of the truth. He didn't have anything to hide, exactly… except his meeting with the Council. But he couldn't risk mentioning it without knowing if his kidnapper was even aware. Artemis missed Butler at the moment, wishing his loyal friend would break in any moment to rescue him. Toughen up. You did this to yourself. Get yourself out of it. 

  Artemis blew a quick breath. "I'm in Haven to expand my business. I create and export artelite, a substance I founded while on a Martian expedition. I don't mean any harm to your people. I want to bring our worlds together." 

  His kidnapper chuckled, the sound crackling through the voice-changer. "You mean, you'd like to benefit from both illegal and legal transactions, whilst disguising the process as an ethical business model to The Council? Cleaning the Alley helps the People, how, exactly?" 

  Artemis sucked on his bottom lip, analyzing the person's speaking patterns. They changed slightly from conversation to conversation, meaning they were purposefully trying to throw him off. This person was smart.

  "Artelite helps the People in many ways. It provides them clean, zero-emission fuel for vehicles. It works as a power source for both commercial and residential-" 

  A hard pressure to his temple cut him off. Was it a gun? The handle of a knife? He pressed his head against the object, as if feeling it. There were two points of pressure. Like a double-barrel? Or maybe… fingers? Artemis shifted his head a little, testing the rigidity of the object. It was definitely not a hard, metallic weapon. That meant this person was bluffing. They didn't want to kill him. So, what did they want? 

  "You talk too much," the kidnapper snapped. "You don't have much time left. Speak fast." 

  "Actually, I have a question for you:" Artemis countered, his tone more smug than expected of one tied in a chair. "You say you will kill me, however, what is the purpose of keeping me hostage without a ransom in play? In addition, if I may continue, killing me wouldn't benefit you. You may regain control of The Alley, but you won't have access to artelite, nor will you know how to recreate it." 

  "So? Give me the formula and leave the Alley alone, and you walk out of here alive. Or, I'll kill you." 

  "I don't think you will." 

  Tension bloomed from the silence that befell them, the pressure coming off Artemis' temple. "You're awfully cocky for someone tied in a chair, completely at my mercy." The anonymous person circled him, the robotic voice bouncing around the room. "A human in Haven. How did you even manage that? Did you really think they wouldn't turn against you?"

  "I suspected it," Artemis admitted. 

  "Yet, you continued? How did you even meet with the Council? How did you obtain a visa?" 

  "These are very specific questions," Artemis chuckled. "I'd say you're more concerned with my being in Haven than my business in The Alley." 

  "You don't know anything, Mud Man," the voice said, drawing in close. He could feel their presence in his personal bubble, their face pressing into his sack. "You shouldn't have access either. If other humans aren't allowed in Haven, neither should you."

  Artemis almost replied, opening his mouth to drag on the conversation for further analysis, when he caught a faint, floral whiff through the sack. It was so familiar. Artemis tensed, his limbs frozen, the realization smacking him like a bowling ball. He knew this smell. He'd become very familiar with it, though it was long ago. Still, his memory was impeccable. He couldn't be wrong. 

  A large smirk stretched sweaty cheeks. He lifted his head slowly, as if he could look into this person's eyes. "Still resentful, I see. A shame. I've no idea what I've done to offend you, but this is surely not the appropriate response." 

  The robotic voice chortled, causing crunchy feedback. "What're you talking about?" 

  "You know as well as I do." 

  "Oh? Do explain." 

  Artemis would've cracked his knuckles had they been free. It would've been nice to see his captor, relishing the disappointment in their eyes with his display of genius. But, from inside of his sack, he took what he got. 

  "There were several occurrences that shaped my conclusion. The first was the manner in which I was drugged. You could have easily tranquilized me with a dart or a drink, but you chose for it to be smoked. This tells me that you were concerned that the dosages involved in a dart or a drink are harder to regulate. Let's say your goons made a mistake and gave me too much, you couldn't risk me dying, because you need me alive. Dosing the cigar yourself is fool-proof." 

  "Go on." 

  "Of course. The second occurrence was the method of intoxication. Intravenous injections, like a dart, or oral consumption, like a drink, have more intense highs, but a shorter half-life in the human body. The best way to extend their duration is through smoking. Smoking is gradual, residual, and allows for several different substances to be activated at separate times. The third occurrence was the color of the smoke. Fairies tend to stick with colored smokes, like violet and emerald. Yours was colorless, which indicates human manufacture. Through careful consideration, I concluded that whoever paid for my abduction must be a human." He paused, and though he was sure they couldn't see his smug smile, he was sure they could hear it in his voice. "I can keep going, if you'd like." 

  "Oh. I'm very intrigued. Continue to entertain me, human." 

  "Well, since you insist: the fourth clue was how you went about the abduction. Most would subdue their victim as quickly as possible, maintaining control over the operation. You, on the other hand, went about this inefficiently. But, not because of poor planning. No. This was exactly what you wanted." 

  "A game of cat and mouse?" 

  "Precisely. The confidence you displayed in your plan and intelligence is atypical of criminals. You were able to play with your cake, and eat it too. Which brings me to my next point: you were able to locate me within Haven, sneak an explosive past royal security, and have me escorted out. That's beyond impressive, even by my standards. I hadn't anticipated being caught at our location. And I anticipate everything." 

  "Mostly." 

  "Mostly," Artemis repeated with a chuckle. "The fifth hint is your Gnommish. I've lived in Haven for two months, and your grammar is a little outdated. It's almost too formal, a mistake I made when I first moved there. And, finally, the clue that gave it all away, and confirmed my suspicions, was your scent." 

  There was a brief pause. The kidnapper was obviously caught off-guard, and Artemis could tell they were scrambling for a reply. "My scent?" they finally asked, the voice-changer still robotic and monotone. 

  "You smell of violets. It's a scent I've grown accustomed to. One I can't forget." 

  Another light pause, when eventually, the smoldering question was finally ignited. "Who am I, Fowl?" 

  "Paradise." 

Chapter Text

Music for this chapter

Somewhere in Ireland  

  "Who am I, Fowl?" 

  "Paradise." 

  The dark sack was ripped off Artemis' head and he squinted, blinded by the cool fluorescent lights overhead. He sucked in fresh air as his vision adjusted, the shape of a woman before him. He blinked repeatedly, the world sharpening around him. Much to his surprise, they appeared to be in the lounge of a large, decrepit LEP shuttle, the walls and floor coated in tarnished aluminum and titanium. A small workstation filled with books, tools, beakers and the like sat on his left, two sliding doors on his right. But, the shuttle wasn't as shocking as the woman before him. 

  Artemis' eyes closed for a moment, expecting the woman before him to be glamorous, limber and blonde. But when they snapped open, she met him with a devilish grin that rivalled his own.

  "Coucou (Hi), Artemis." Strangely, that devilish grin was the only faithful piece of his memory. 

  Shifting his focus from her poisonous, burgundy smile, he took in the rest of her face. Ruby red strands of straight hair brushed his knees, her head adorned with an American flag trucker hat. Sultry, black eyeshadow contoured intense, grey eyes that blazed behind thick rimmed-glasses. 

  "You- look- ah-" His focus was diverted by the dark markings on her neck, following them to her exposed shoulders. Her cream-colored skin was smothered in swirly Gnommish tattoos, a few only blocked by the skimpy, French-printed tanktop across her bust. Artemis didn't mean to look, doing so out of total shock rather than desire. He was intrigued by the immense differences, his gaze wandering to discover more. Her body had changed, even if it was slight. She was still in great shape but her hips were wider, shapely in her bleached, ripped jeans. Her chest bumped into his own, shooting his focus back up to meet her eyes. 

  Artemis cleared his throat. "You look different," he grunted in English, scanning her one more time. He nodded to her tattoos. "Are those real?" 

  "Oui." Her voice was her own now, French and feminine. Minerva leaned into him, her hands on either side of the armrests of his chair. 

  "They suit you," Artemis complimented. He diverted his gaze to trickle over the abandoned shuttle walls. "This, however, does not. It appears you've been in hiding. Are you a convict? Hence, your disguise?" He couldn't help sinking into a slick grimace. "I'm assuming you didn't win that Nobel Peace Prize of yours. Perhaps you had to resort to stealing one instead?" 

  Minerva smirked, but the stillness of her brows and dark stare offered a warning, and she wasn't feeling friendly. "You're one to talk. You've stolen- how many awards now? Twenty?" Her smirk turned vampish as she tilted her head. "But you've always been a hypocrite. You're just upset that the hunter has been hunted." 

  Artemis chuckled, setting his jaw. So, this is how their reunion would go. "You know, Min - I've always wondered when we would meet again, and how that interaction would unfold. I know our break-up was rather… explosive. That said, I can't imagine I've ever done anything to you that warrants this-" 

   "Artemis, shut up," she snapped, slapping a firm palm over his mouth. "This has nothing to do with that pathetic excuse of a relationship. This has nothing to do with how shitty a boyfriend you were. So, be quiet. Listen for once in your turgid life." 

  "I can' spek," Artemis replied into her palm, rolling his eyes like a child.  

  Minerva pressed harder, forcing his shaggy head back. "Who the hell do you think you are, with your grubby little fingers, taking over The Black Alley? You've destroyed every business connected to it. Cleaning the entire market? With the Council?" She released his mouth and stabbed his temple with a manicured finger. "T'es stupide? Aller dans l'espace, ça t'a cassé le cerveau? (Are you dumb? Or did you break your brain in space?)" 

  Artemis gave a pompous snort, his eyes azure slits as he watched her carefully. "At least I've gone to space and done something spectacular. You? Well… I'm not sure you can say the same," he gloated. 

  Minerva threw her head back, unleashing a dangerous cackle that further chilled the frigid air. She moved off Artemis, crossing her arms as she took a step back. "I thought you were going to 'change the world'," she mocked with air quotes. "You could be anywhere you want right now. Anywhere on the surface. Yet, you're in Haven? In my domain."

  "Well…" Artemis gave a slick smile as he eyed her. "If you hadn't messed it up so terribly, I wouldn't have had a reason to go in and fix it for you." 

  "Fix it for me?" Minerva giggled behind her hand, waving it off moments later. "Sorry. It's just… You went to space for five years. Five years, and you came back with what, Artemis? One rock? All that time in space, and all you managed to accomplish was a singular substance that you had to create yourself? Do you have anything from Mars, Artemis?" 

  Artemis stilled, a dark expression taking over his smug features, nostrils flaring slightly. She always knew where to strike him, didn't she?

 Minerva laughed at his reaction, clapping her hands together in caustic joy. "Oh! I'm sorry. Did I hit a sore spot? Seems you have more of those than the moon, nowadays. Though, I'm sure you know all about that with your precious Luna Minor."

   "I'm impressed," Artemis retorted. "Even with my being amongst the stars, in the vastness of space, you were obsessed with me. Is that why you have me here? To gloat? So you can feel better about your circumstances? I'm not sure which is more pathetic: my failure to prevent this, or your perpetual obsession." 

  "Obsession?!" Minerva gasped in amusement. She moved in again, tracing a finger across his cheek. "Oh. La cocotte. Non, non. The only person who has ever been obsessed with you is yourself. That is why you are still sad, single, and alone." 

  "I'd much rather be single than be involved with someone like you," Artemis sneered. 

  Minerva pulled her hand back, her hand covering another fake gasp. "Oh! Let me guess: you still like Holly, and she still doesn't like you." 

  Artemis forced a laugh, throwing his head back. "It's funny you've mentioned her. I remember you being sooo threatened by her. Is that why you've dyed your hair red? To look more like her?" 

  "And you say I'm obsessed?" Minerva clicked her tongue. "Haven't you wondered why she won't return your affections? I'm sure it's because of how unhinged you are. Ooh! Is that why you have so little from your expedition?" Her gaze met his, satisfaction twinkling in her eyes. "Non… Don't tell me, you actually had a mental breakdown in space?" 

  "I might've," he spat. "But unlike you, I still managed to make something of myself." 

  "Artemis, you're bound to a chair, in my shuttle." She crossed her arms with an arched brow. "You're entirely at my mercy. You can front as much as you want, but that doesn't change your circumstance." 

  "Well, I sincerely hope for your sake that when Holly finds you, she will bring Butler," Artemis smiled, sinister and cold. "And when she does, I'm more than certain your circumstance will change." 

  Minerva smiled. "Except that she won't." 

  Artemis hesitated, anxiety building in him with every second he waited. "What did you do?" 

  "I left her a ransom note," she sneered, a long red nail tapping patiently across her arm. "Come alone, or he dies."

  Artemis breathed a sigh of relief, his austere exterior returning. He chuckled, straightening his back to look fully at Minerva. "That's even worse for you." 

  "Why's that?" 

  "Butler has a soft spot for you, as you know. Without him to hold Holly back… well, she may just kill you." 

  "Will she?" Minerva scoffed. "With her little fairy gun?" 

  "Oh, her gun won't kill you," Artemis taunted with a satisfied grin. "But her fists might." 

  Holly doesn't have her gun, he remembered. That's right! 

  "I guess we'll see," Minerva said unbothered, walking away from Artemis with a deliberate sway of her hips, tinkering at her work table. "So? Why are you in The Alley, and not on the surface giving TED talks, or whatever?" 

  "TED talks," Artemis patronized, rolling his eyes. He watched Minerva's back as he shifted in his small chair, determining if the Neutrino was still wedged in his trousers. "As if that's all I have to offer." 

  "You're intolerable." Minerva glanced at him from over her shoulder. "How Holly manages to put up with you is beyond me."  

  "May I remind you, you chose to put up with me for two years." 

  "Yes," she answered, eyes back to the worktable. "Which I promptly ended when I realized you were a waste of my time." 

  "Oh, yes," Artemis kept on, using the conversation as a distraction as he shoved tied wrists into the back of his slacks. "Because living in a derelict shuttle is the family lifestyle you always wanted. How peachy." 

  "At least I have a family," Minerva mocked, tossing ruby strands over her shoulder. "What do you have? A few rocks? Where's Butler? Where's your family, Artemis? If you went missing, do you really think your parents would notice?" Although he couldn't see her, she couldn't help but smirk to herself. Causing him emotional strife was just so satisfying. "I'm surprised your mother even remembers your name. I thought they'd have replaced you with the twins by now." 

  "My relationship with my mother may be complicated," Artemis began. His fingertips brushed cool metal, wrapping them around the barrel carefully. "But at least our relationship exists. Your mother hasn’t called since you were 12. You talk of me being intolerable, but your own mother found you so unworthy she'd rather run off with the gardener." 

  Minerva stilled, halting her tinkering. She craned her head around slowly, heated eyes on Artemis. "You want to play that game?" She dropped her screwdriver with a clang, resting her hip against the table. "I may not have a relationship with my mother, but I'd rather be motherless than have a mother that pretends to love me. Angeline has always cared more about herself. And I know how much you love her, but it's a shame she doesn't feel the same."

  Artemis froze in place, the pistol halfway out of his pants. Blood boiled his veins as he fumed, unable to do anything about it. "You should speak for yourself. I, for one, sincerely hope that you never choose to have children. The second your child challenges you, you'll take off faster than your own mother." 

  Artemis barely got the sentence out when Minerva's palm smashed into his cheek, the force nearly jerking him off the chair. He twisted his neck, testing his jaw as he shook the stars from his eyes. "Well. I suppose that was warranted," he chuckled as he straightened his posture. 

  "You don't know anything about me, Artemis," Minerva growled, grabbing his face and shoving it away. "So, shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you." 

   As soon as Minerva strode back to the table, Artemis resumed pulling the Neutrino out of his trousers. Now, burn the rope. Gently. Carefully. He slipped a lithe finger into the tiny slot, tugging on the tiny trigger slightly. Slow. Slow. Go slow. He could feel heat sizzle around his wrists and used the chance to distract her again. "Minerva. Be plain with me. Why am I here? What do you want?" 

  "You're a genius. You can't figure it out?" 

  Artemis clamped down on his lip in concentration, eyeing the sizzling rope from over his shoulder. "I'm assuming you have business in The Black Alley." 

  Minerva chittered to herself but didn't bother to turn around, focused on her task at hand. "I don't just have business with The Alley. I run the entire Alley. How do you think I've tracked your whole operation?" 

  "You- ?" Artemis nearly halted his progress as he absorbed the realization. "I see. You're my anonymous contact to the surface. All this time, I imagined a gangster, perhaps disguised as a farmer. I never imagined I was dealing with you." Artemis would've smiled had he not felt like smacking the grin off his ex's smug face. "I'm genuinely impressed. You've really done something for yourself, being the top smuggler for Haven City and all. But what do you want from me, exactly?" 

  Minerva let out a dramatic sigh, peering at him over a tattooed shoulder. "Suspend your operation, and reverse your work with the Council." 

  "Or? Or what, Minerva?" Artemis grunted, annoyance growing throughout him. He was genuinely irritated, quite a feat for one to accomplish, unless you were a particular ex-girlfriend. "What will you do if I refuse? Will you kill me?" he laughed.

  "Keep talking," she rolled her eyes, "And I just might." 

  "I don't think that's in your best interest." 

  "Why?" Minerva snickered. "Your little girlfriend will shoot me with her little fairy gun?" 

  "No." Click. "But I might." 

  Minerva spun slowly, eyes narrowed down the barrel of the Neutrino in Artemis' hand. "Heh. That might be the first cool thing you've done in your life. Congratulations." She held a palm up, as if to halt him. "Now put the gun down."

  "Let me leave, and you'll never see me again." Artemis aimed broadly at her throat, resting his right hand beneath the left. "Don't make me shoot you." 

  "You'd shoot me, Artemis?" Minerva put a palm over her heart. "Me?"   

  "If I have to," Artemis warned, his left pointer finger hovering over the trigger. 

  "Ah. I see." Minerva clicked her tongue as her hand snaked down the worktable. "I'm not going to tell you again." She knew Artemis was no marksman, and his aim was worse than a kindergartener with crayons. She whirled on him, her own silver derringer pistol aimed coolly at his chest. "Drop your gun. Now." 

   It was a situation Artemis had seen Butler in time and time again, but Artemis was not Butler, and thus, found himself in a scenario he had never imagined - at least, not with Minerva. His gaze grew hard as he stared down the double-barrel, eyebrows cinched together in concern. 

  "Woah. Min. That's a real gun." He held up his right palm as an offer of peace. "Not a fairy blaster. A real gun. You can kill me with that." 

  "You think I don't know how a gun works?" Minerva scolded. She cocked the pistol, inching steps closer to him. "Drop your gun now." 

  Hardened, dark stares challenged each other, neither willing to back down. Artemis felt his heart speed up, anxiety building as he eyed her wavering finger. "You'd kill me?" 

  "Drop it, Artemis," Minerva warned. Her finger brushed the trigger, her aim still swift on chest. "I won't say it again!" 

  "The Neutrino won't kill you. You're not in any real danger-" 

  "DROP IT NOW!" Minerva roared, both hands on the firearm now. She shifted her weight side to side, obviously unnerved by the standoff. "I'm not messing with you, Artemis!"

  "Listen, Min. The Neutrino might rearrange your brain cells a little, but it won't-" 

  "NOW!" Minerva shouted, her eyes wild with rage. "I SAID NOW!" 

   "Maman?"  

Hill of Tara, Ireland 

Chute E1 

   I lost Artemis. I lost Artemis. 

  Holly couldn't believe it. She kept going over the scenario, the memory of frantically searching the gassed penthouse still fresh in her mind.

   I lost him. I lost Artemis. 

   A shocked gasp caught in her throat and she choked, smothering her wings' throttle as she hit her brakes, suspended in midair. She sucked in a breath of fresh air, glancing up at the grey, foggy sky above her. Ireland wasn't known for its bright shining skies, and today was no different. Fitting for her mood, she supposed. 

  Holly reopened the throttle on her wings, soaring through a low-lying cloud. Artemis' location beeped steadily on her visor as she followed the suggested route to a point on the eastern coast of the island. She clamped down on her lip, holding in her panic and stress as best she could. 

   I have to call Butler. I have to. "Call Butler," she spoke into her helmet mic. The AI came to life, prompting the call screen on her display. 

  'Call Butler?' 

   Her heart sank into her stomach, broiling up nausea. Maybe she'd throw it up along with the contents of her stomach too. Delivering this news to Butler would not be fun. But it had to be done. "Yes." 

  After several rings, Butler finally answered. "Hello, Holly," he greeted jovially, a bit of hustle and bustle in his background. "Good to hear from you!" 

  "I fucked up," Holly blurted. She hadn't meant to open with that, but it'd come out like word vomit. Oh, well. Too late now. "I need your help. Please. It's urgent." 

  There was a moment of tense silence before Butler finally asked, "What happened?" 

  Holly sucked in another breath, trying her very best to stick to her training and keep her composure. "It's Artemis. He's- He's-" She shook her head, trying to calm her shaking voice. 

  "Artemis?" Butler grunted, all levity replaced with deep concern. "Where's Artemis?" 

  "I- I fucked up," Holly cried, bursting into tears. Gods dammit, you emotional elf. "I'm so sorry, Butler. I'm so so sorry. I tried so hard, Butler. I tried so hard-" 

  "Where is Artemis?" Butler repeated with increased urgency. 

  "I- He- I-" 

  "Holly, pull yourself together!" Butler said gruffly, the jingling of keys in his hands. "Remember your training. Calm down, soldier. Tell me where Artemis is." 

  Holly nodded to herself. He was right. She couldn't help Artemis like this. She swept her tears away, blowing out a frustrated breath. "Artemis has been kidnapped. They left me a location and I'm on my way there now, but it says to come alone, or he dies." Holly sent him the coordinates, swiping away another annoying tear. "They'll kill him, Butler. But obviously I have to tell you. I have to." 

  "I know. Thank you for telling me." There was a second of silence before he continued, "These are the coordinates?" 

  "Affirmative." 

  "They didn't ask for a ransom?" 

  "Negative."

  "Copy. I'll send you an updated location we can meet at. Okay?" 

  "Okay," she replied with determination, despite feeling small and meek. 

  "You did good, soldier," Butler said gently, the beep of his car following suit. "Now, let's save my wayward charge." 

Minerva's Shuttle

Somewhere in Ireland  

   "Maman?"  

  The new voice was so little, so innocent, that it froze any hostility like frost suspended in air. Artemis noted Minerva's rage shift into immense distress, her glasses unable to hide the wide eyes glued to his right. Artemis turned away from her pistol, unable to resist the urge to investigate the voice behind him. Creased eyes trickled over slowly, terrified of what he would find. 

  A tiny girl in yellow pajamas, no more than two feet tall, stood in an ajar doorway, chubby fingers nervously playing with the tight blonde coils that swarmed her youthful face. She pouted at Minerva, deep worry imprinted on her broad brow. "Mama? Are you okay?" she asked in French, the words barely legible. 

  Artemis blinked, unable to process the information before him. "Ma-?" Had the toddler called Minerva mama? Jolts of shock slivered down his flesh as he snapped back to Minerva. "Mama?" he breathed, his chest swelling with gulps of air. 

  "Go back inside, bébé," Minerva demanded gently, also in French. Although her focus unwavered off the little girl, her pistol's aim remained firm on Artemis. Minerva jabbed a finger at the door. "Go, bébé! Inside, now!" 

  "Who's he?" she asked instead, taking a step further into the room. 

  Artemis whipped back to the girl, finally accepting the new reality. He lifted his palm in surrender, kneeling over to slide the Neutrino across the metal floor, to the opposite side of the room. He held up his other palm as he slowly straightened up, showing Minerva he was unarmed. He wanted to speak, to say something - but for the first time in his life, he was genuinely too astonished. He would've frowned at the amount of first times he'd had in the span of a few months, but perhaps there was a first for everything. 

   "Bébé, maman is okay. We're just playing a game. See?" Minerva held up her gun, softly placing it back on the worktable. "Maman won! So, we're just going to talk now, okay?" 

  "Okay. But why is he here? I want to play-" 

  "Numi! Inside! Now!" 

  The small child, Numi, stuck her tongue out at the red-haired woman as her fists landed on her hips. "Ugh! Fine!" she yelped, storming back into the hallway. 

  When the sliding door closed behind her with a pneumatic hiss, Minerva gripped her forehead in irritation, sputtering curses under her breath. "Mon dieu. Putain de merde." 

   Artemis hardened his gaze at Minerva, his grimace growing increasingly disturbed. "Why do you have a child with you?" 

  Minerva peered at him, an annoyed frown stretched across her face. She didn't speak - she let her expression do that for him instead. 

  "Why is there a child with you?" Artemis repeated more adamantly, tensing his shoulders as he approached her when he had a sudden realization that halted him. He felt as though his entire soul had slithered out of his body through his feet. His cheeks paled, and he was sure his knees would buckle any moment. He gulped, eyes wide. "Is she…? She's not-?" 

  "No, you moron," Minerva groaned, resting against the table as she readjusted her trucker hat. "She's not yours. Don't be stupid." 

  Artemis felt his soul return, breath filling his grateful lungs once more. "Oh, thank gods." It wasn't an expression he'd ever used before, but he'd heard Holly say it enough times that it felt appropriate for the moment. He took a big sigh of relief, refocusing back at the issue at hand. "But, she's still yours?" 

  Minerva crossed her arms, her glare burning into him. She struggled with how best to frame things, what exactly to say. She eventually gave up, dropping her focus to the floor with a soft nod. 

  Artemis raised his palms and took another slow step forward, as if approaching a wild animal. "What's going on here?" he asked calmly. "Just tell me."  

  Minerva clamped down on dark lips, her thin brows furrowed together. She shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation, selecting her answer carefully. "I got married," she announced suddenly. Her serious stare flicked back to him. "Just listen, oui?" 

  He nodded. There wasn't much more to say. 

  "When you left. I met someone, a fairy, and we married. It was illegitimate, but he was the love of my life." Her eyes darkened when her gaze moved back to the floor, as if reliving the memory. "So, we had a child. Like you mocked me earlier, it was all I ever wanted. My own happy, little family.

  "He died. He was killed, by ACRONYM. The same anti-fairy organization that hunted your brothers." Minerva gazed back at him, studying the increasing confusion on his pallid face. "Did you even know about that?" 

  "I- I didn't." 

  "Pfft. Well, when they found our hideout, my partner died protecting us. His name was Terran. They shot him with anti-magick, the same substance I used against Holly. Except, unlike hers, his didn't dissolve. His was a silver bullet coated in it. He died. He was killed instantly." 

  "That's terrible… I'm very sorry to hear that." The rest of her sentence processed, shaking him to his core. "Wait, you had Holly shot?" Artemis inquired rapidly, trying his best to ignore the boiling blood in his veins. "When? What did you-" His eyes widened and he stormed at her, resisting the urge to wrangle her throat. "What did you do to Holly?!" 

  "Artemis, she's fine! I designed it to be non-fatal. She's on her way to get you now." Minerva threw up her hands to stop him, shoving him back. "You don't remember? In Haven? I saw it on the cams. My crew shot you too," she said, nodding to his right shoulder. "They weren't supposed to. But, now you see why I didn't trust them to tranquilize you."

  Artemis took a few breaths to calm himself down. This sort of protective rage was new to him. He'd never been an aggressive person, but he couldn't decide if it was Minerva that brought it out of him, or if it was the overwhelming instinct to keep Holly safe. Perhaps both, he concluded. But still, why couldn't he remember what had happened? She said you were shot. Perhaps the events that occurred are too intense to recollect? 

  Artemis shook himself out of his thoughts, running a clammy hand to smooth his bangs back. "I'm sorry about your husband. I can't even imagine what you're going through. But, how is any of this going to get me to help you?" 

  "ACRONYM hasn't stopped hunting, Artemis. They've had a resurgence in Brazil, and they haven't stopped hunting. They're looking for Numi. My baby is next.

  "There is nowhere on this planet I can take my baby girl. There is no country, no city, no island, where she will be safe. Trust me. I've tried." 

  "I understand, and I am terribly sorry this has happened to you. Truly, I only wished the best for you. But I am confused how you think I can help."

  "You live in Haven. A human. Living in Haven. How is it that you , Artemis Fowl, are allowed residency amongst the People, when you're not even a fairy yourself? My daughter? She cannot pass for a human. She is too small, too unique, too smart. Her magick is strong, even for a hybrid. Keeping her hidden away on the surface is no life for a child. No life for a fairy. She deserves to be with other children. She deserves to be with her people. She deserves to be safe." 

  It was all coming together now, and he could visualize her plan in his head. "So, you want me to help you immigrate to Haven." He grunted in frustration, gripping his forehead. "Why not call me? Why go through all of this just to capture my attention? This only makes things harder for you." 

  Minerva shook her head in disagreement. She wasn't confident, even well-spoken like usual. Her arms trembled slightly, clearly unnerved. "I wanted to contact Holly. Even Lazuli, but I heard she went rogue. And then, I saw your name amongst my contacts. I couldn't believe it. Artemis Fowl. Out to shaft me once again." 

  "Okay? So why didn't you just call? Leave a text? Unless-" he gave a small gasp of realization. "You're on the run from the LEP as well?" 

  Minerva nodded. "They found pods in our smuggling chute, and traced them back to me. Lazuli helped me escape last year. I've been in hiding ever since. I couldn't risk contacting you and you turning me in, or telling Holly, or being tapped, or whatever. Especially considering she arrested you…" she raised an unimpressed brow. "Besides, you owe me a favor."  

  "Do I?" And then he remembered. He'd never kept his promises to her while they dated. His final promise had been to grant her one favor, any favor, when he returned from Mars. Artemis sighed, stroking the dark hair along his jaw in thought. "Alright then. I understand. Your decisions may not sit well with me, but I've no idea what it means to be a single mother. I've no idea what you're experiencing right now. So…" He peered at her as he scowled, "I'll bury how I feel about you, and I'll help. But I can't guarantee Holly will. She's fiercely protective of me, and there is a chance she'll turn you in." 

  Minerva refused the sentiment, shaking her head angrily as she bolted towards him. "Absolutely not! Absolutely no one will tear my baby girl away from me. No one." She was scarier than Artemis had ever seen her, which, for Minerva, wasn't often. But her unhinged aggression was a newer trait. It was likely motherhood, he assumed. Motherhood forced even the sweetest of women to be terrifying. "Numi will not be motherless. She will not be motherless like I was. I fucking refuse it-" 

  "I know. I know. I understand." He ran his hand down a long face. "You should give me back my communicator," he suggested, lifting his empty middle finger to wiggle it in her face. "Let me call Holly. Let me tell her I'm safe." 

  "Don't flick me off, idiot." Minerva shrugged, arching a brow. "Did you not hear anything I just said? No calls, Artemis. No contact. She'll get here when she gets here." 

  "I hope for your sake she brings Butler." 

  "Why?" 

  "I wasn't kidding, Min. She might actually kill you." 

Southern Coast of Ireland 

Shippool Woods

  The purity of undisturbed nature was one of several reasons Ireland was considered one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Even on a gloomy and fogged afternoon, Shippool Woods radiated mystical beauty. 

  Holly remained shielded as she landed gently, lush, emerald grass crunching beneath her boots. Her elfin ears tingled when she tore off her helmet, tuning in to the trickling of a creek nearby. The chill, misty wind rustled her braids as the breeze whispered amongst the evergreen trees, their leaves eager to spread their message. She inhaled another fresh breath. She was so enamored with the coastal air and flora, she'd nearly forgotten why she was here. Nearly. 

  A red dot beeped on her wrist locator, and Holly followed the path a little deeper into the brush, the sounds of running water growing louder. She eventually came upon a mossy bank beside a steady stream, hesitating as a giant, bald human hunched over a boulder. He had donned a grey long-sleeve knit, complete with a bulky black Kevlar vest and matching combat pants. The human in question was none other than Artemis' loyal bodyguard and oldest friend, Domovoi Butler. 

  Holly let her shield slip away, materializing a few feet away from the man. He knew she was there, of course. He turned to investigate her before she could greet him, deep creases around his dark eyes. Despite their situation, his chiseled face remained kind and calm. 

  "Holly," Butler said, turning to fully face her. He couldn't help breaking into the tiniest of smiles, but didn't approach her. "It's been years."

  "Yeah." Holly nodded, her cheeks burning at the sight of him. She mindlessly played with her braids, tossing them over her shoulder. "You look great. I'm glad you're okay." 

  "Same to you." 

  Holly chewed on her lip, opening her wings' throttle so she could hover at Butler's massive height. "Can I have a hug?" she pouted, messing with a braid.

  Butler's smile fell and he opened his arms to her. "Of course. You never need to ask." 

  Holly surged forward, burying herself into his chest. "It's good to see you," she whispered. At least she wasn't crying now - it'd be much too embarrassing to lose her composure in front of him. She pulled back but kept at arm's length, pressing a friendly kiss to his cheek. "I've missed you, big guy. You look a little smaller than I remember." 

  "Yes, those would be the joys of space." Butler nodded to her braids, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Those aren't regulation. What happened?" he asked. 

  Holly snorted, playfully jabbing a finger in his face. "Your sister is what happened! This is all her fault!" 

  "That sounds about right." 

  They chuckled together, the sound eventually dying off as they itched to resume their mission. Butler broke the silence first, studying Holly's distressed brow. "So, what happened?" 

  Holly exhaled a deep, annoyed breath, and gave him a brief but detailed run-down of the events of the hours prior. She didn't bother apologizing, or begging for Butler's forgiveness. She held her chin high, determined to fix her wrongs, for it was all she could do. A million apologies wouldn't save Artemis. 

  "So, Artemis is armed?" Butler asked her, turning back to the briefcases stacked on the boulder. 

  "He should be." 

  "Does that mean you're not?" Butler clicked open a briefcase, revealing a Sig Sauer P365 with a threaded barrel and silencer suppressor atop padded foam. He put the pistol together in seconds, handing the grip to Holly. "You can take this if you need it." 

  Holly gulped, her eyes hardening on the metallic gun. She reached for the grip, feeling its weight in her hands. "I don't like human firearms." 

  "I know," Butler frowned. "But I need you armed, Commodore." He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't use it unless you need to." 

  Holly glanced back up at Butler, trusting his sternness, and nodded. She had to loosen her holster a bit to wedge the human gun inside, but it held nonetheless. 

  "Okay. I go in first, like the note stated," Holly announced, her eyes more fierce than a wind storm. She slipped her helmet back on, changing her locator to the note's location. 2 min. "Meet you there," Holly said to Butler before she zipped off, breaking through the mist like it was a web, her figure blended perfectly into the clouds above. 

  Butler cocked his own modified Sig 1911, advancing through the lush woods silently. Branches snapped beneath his boots and the fog was thick as it clung to the trees, but he didn't focus on anything but Artemis' location. Whether or not his charge, his dearest friend, was alive, was not something Butler could allow himself to contemplate. Saving Artemis was not an option - it was a given. 

Kinsale Coast, Southern Ireland 

  Holly's locator beeped rapidly as she approached an empty coastline, angry white waves crashing into the rocks at the cliffside. If only she had a minute to appreciate the view. 

  Holly checked her locator again, confused about the location. Was there meant to be something here? There were no buildings or people in sight. She switched to her thermals, when - there! 

  Three red dots were directly below. Holly switched her sights, now able to see the shielded shuttle below. "Butler," she said into her comm. "There's three bodies in a shielded shuttle. I'm dropping down now." 

  "10-4." 

  Holly hovered down, her boots light on the blades of grass. She approached the shuttle along its side, careful to keep out of view. She looked around to ensure her surroundings were clear when she unshielded, eyes squinted at the woods behind her. "Do you see me?" 

  "Affirmative." 

  Holly plucked the human pistol from its holster, her grip tight as it weighed nicely in her hands. She flattened herself against the surface, slithering along the wall until she felt the entrance. She halted, checking the door on her filter, and reaffirmed her grip on the pistol. She blew out a steady stream of concentrated air, calming the jitters in her nerves. 

   You are a trained hostage negotiator. Forget this is Artemis. Concentrate. 

   The entrance hissed and heaved to her surprise, her eyes darting around the clearing as the shuttle suddenly materialized beside her. The main door power-lifted upwards, revealing entry into the shuttle. Holly lifted the Sig and aimed ahead as the door lifted over her head. 

  Do what you need to do. 

Minerva's Shuttle 

Moments Before

  Artemis wrung his hands as he paced back and forth, his dress shoes clacking against the metal floor. 

  "How much longer?" Artemis whined, resting his back against a titanium wall, eyes traveling the interior of the shuttle out of boredom. "Where did you bring us, anyway?" 

  "We're in southern Ireland, on the coast," Minerva replied nonchalantly, largely ignoring the Irish male in front of her. She tinkered with the derringer handgun on her work table, using a screwdriver to replace its current grip for a thicker, sturdier one. 

  Artemis crossed his arms, studying her intently. Eventually, he felt compelled to ask, "Why would you choose the life of a fairy smuggler?" 

  Minerva smirked to herself, not bothering to glance up. "It was Terran's lifestyle. I just wanted a taste of the fairy world. Curiosity killed the cat, I suppose." 

  "Right, but you're a genius." Artemis shrugged. "And admittedly, you're brilliant at times. You could've been anything you wanted." 

  "I still can." 

  Artemis opened his mouth to retort her answer but was interrupted by the ringing alarm that reverberated from the cockpit. 

  Minerva's head shot up, intense eyes glued to the largest door across them. "She's here." 

  Artemis moved off the wall, eyeing Minerva reach for the peashooter. "If she sees you holding that, she will shoot," he warned in gravely tones, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest as he stood in front of her like a shield. "You're putting yourself in danger." 

  "I can't risk it, Artemis," Minerva insisted, shaking her head stubbornly, ruby locks flowing at her waist. "I can't." 

  Artemis didn't reply, rolling his eyes instead as they turned their attention to the hiss of the pneumatic seal of the door, watching the aluminum seal lift, allowing dim sunlight to flood the shuttle's interior. This was the moment of truth. 

   Here we go, Artemis thought, lifting his palms, preparing to calm the officer coming through. He felt a bead of sweat dribble down his temple as they waited for the doorway to clear, squinting while their vision adjusted. The silhouette of a petite but strong fairy was centered amongst the light, iridescent wings fluttering behind her a hundred miles a minute.  

  Holly rushed forward, the Sig aimed at the figure before her when she blinked several times, her nose wrinkled in confusion. "A-Artemis?" she gaped, eyes roaming his figure in awe. She dropped the pistol to her side as she hovered towards him. "You're-? You're-?" She didn't get to finish her question, eyes drifting to the mysterious woman behind him. But what was even more concerning, this human woman was armed. 

  "Stay back, human!" Holly aimed the Sig at the woman's tattooed shoulder before either could react. "Drop the gun!" Holly ordered in English, reaching a hand out to grasp Artemis, shoving him out of the way behind her. "I said drop it! Now!" 

  "Holly," Artemis interjected, his touch gentle on her shoulder so as to not jolt her. "Holls, it's okay. It's just-" 

  But Holly was hyperfocused on the woman, shouldering Artemis off her. "Drop the gun now!" 

  The entire scenario had Minerva's nerves tossed around like a riptide. She couldn't resist the instinct to lift her gun at Holly's, both barrels staring each other down. Only one gun holder was calm and alert, the other was shivering and shaking apart. 

  "Drop it!" 

  "Holly, it's just-" Artemis tried again, but it was no use. Holly shoved him back harder, backing them further away from the woman. 

   "Now!" 

   "It's Minerva!" Artemis shouted. His next move was risky, but he couldn't allow things to escalate. He jumped between their guns, both of his arms raised to block their standoff. 

  "Holy Frond!" Holly immediately dropped her gun to her hip, her glare on him fiercer than a dozen suns. "What the fuck are you doing?!" 

  "It's Minerva! It's okay!" he explained quickly, turning back to motion at Minerva's firearm. "C'mon." 

  Minerva groaned but complied, lowering the gun and placing it on the table behind her. She lifted her palm to show she was unarmed, throwing a grimace Holly's way. "There."

  Holly narrowed her eyes at the human behind him. "What do you mean that's Minerva?" She shook her head in disbelief. "That's not Minerva-" 

  "It is. She's disguised," Artemis said, placing both hands on Holly's padded shoulders. "I'm okay." 

  Holly looked him over, and he was telling the truth. Nothing looked broken, or was bleeding, and his vitals on her visor proved that. He didn't seem to be in pain. "But? I don't-?" She didn't understand, but when the realization seeped in that it was, in fact, Minerva, who had kidnapped Artemis, who had set up this entire scheme, Holly slowly trained her gaze on her. "She-?" Her eyes widened in rage, teeth grinding together. "Oh hell no." 

  Holly felt a volcano erupt inside of her, her limbs felt so light and bubbly that if it hadn't been for her wings, she may have floated off in anger. She shoved the Sig back into her holster and tossed Artemis out of her way, soaring towards the French woman with tiny fists tight at her sides. 

  Artemis reached out to catch her but she was too fast. "Holly, don't-!" But it was too late. 

  Holly slammed her fist into Minerva's cheek, sending the woman careening into the titanium wall. "You bitch!" Holly screamed. Her training wouldn't help here - this was personal now. She smashed another fist into the other cheek, pummeling the woman into the wall. 

  "Holly, stop!" Artemis tugged on his friend's arms, doing what he could to tear her off of Minerva, but his efforts barely slowed her down. "Holls, listen to me!" 

   "What?!" Holly seethed. She held Minerva's skimpy tank in place against the wall as Holly rounded on him. "How can you possibly defend her?! We almost died!" She snapped back to Minerva, shouting in her face. "Artemis nearly died!" 

   Before any other words could be said, a shrill and innocent voice tore through the tense air. "Maman!" 

  Numi dashed across the shuttle, buckling her knees beside her mother. "Non, Maman!" 

   Holly released Minerva in shock, letting her slump to the floor. The preschooler pressed her palms to her mother's bloodied cheeks. Deep violet magick swarmed her limbs, encasing her mother's flesh with purple sparks. Each spark was strong and purposeful, seeking out the flesh it needed to sew and heal, and sinking further to heal the injuries beyond. Holly backed up as the violet halo engulfed them, purple light glowing off the walls. Holly's gaze grew wider by the minute. This child… but she looked human? 

  "What is this?" she asked in disgust, curling her lip at Minerva. "What the hell did you do?" 

  "Leave mama alone!" Numi shrieked at Holly in Gnommish, her shrill voice layered with the hypnotic mesmer along with any nightmares the small girl could imagine, conjuring up the scariest things her young life had seen and encountered. 

  But Holly, like any reasonable, sociable fairy turned her sights on Numi, her eyes bearing into the small girl's mind. Her visor suddenly flashed, like a cat's in dim light, and she reflected back any magick the preschooler had tossed at her, Numi's own nightmares and scares swarming her head like a violent, indigo sea. 

   "Numi?!" Minerva came to, grasping her daughter's head gently. "Baby, what is it?" She rounded on Holly, eyes wild behind glass frames. "What did you do to her?!" 

  "It's a fairy thing. You wouldn't understand," Holly snarled, tearing off her helmet, her glaring sights still set on Numi, watching the girl writhe in horror. "Now she knows not to try her magick on fellow fairies." Holly landed swiftly on the ground beside them. 

  "If you hurt her, I will kill you," Minerva growled at Holly, the knuckles on her fists white. 

  But Holly shrugged her off. "She's completely fine." She turned to Minerva, brows wrinkled deeply in disappointment. "Why do you have a fairy child?" She looked back at Numi, unable to believe her eyes. "Why is she-?" She turned to Artemis for answers, unable to find the words that matched her thought process. 

  "She's mine," Minerva snapped quickly, holding the girl close to her chest. 

  "Yours?" Holly gave a sharp laugh, eyes darting between the woman and her daughter. "What do you mean yours? You're a human. She's a-" Holly ate her own words, speechless the longer she stared at Numi. "She's…a…" She fell a few feet back, shaking her head in disbelief, her eyes like melons. "What?! You-?" 

   "Yes. She is mine," Minerva scowled, getting to her knees with Numi wrapped around her chest. "As in, I grew her. Inside me. For eleven months." 

  "N-no," Holly continued, aghast. She turned to Artemis, wishing he'd say something, but he was silent, worrisome eyes over their backs instead. "Artemis. Say something." 

  "Hm?" He turned his attention back to her. 

  "She's-" Holly jabbed a finger in Minerva's direction. "She's lying-" 

  "I don't think she is," Artemis replied sternly, glancing at Minerva and Numi. 

  Holly looked between them, unable to wrap the situation around her head. On one hand, she felt disgusted. Had the child not been present, she may have expressed that. A hybrid baby? A human and a fairy reproducing? It was a myth, like out of fairytales. Something like this hadn't been seen in nearly a century. How had Minerva even managed that? 

  On the other hand, Holly felt compelled by compassion to understand more. She reached a singular finger out to Numi, forcing a small yet stressed smile across flushed cheeks. "Is this your mother?" 

  Numi nodded. She reached out to meet her fingertip as Minerva watched silently, peering at Holly closely out of concern as their fingertips touched. A tiny indigo glow bloomed from the impact, trailing into the air like magickal dust. Numi gripped Holly's finger, analyzing the fairy before her in awe. 

  "You're like papa," she breathed in Gnommish, suddenly bouncing in her mother's arms. "Another fairy! Another fairy!" Numi tore from Minerva's chest, latching onto Holly instead. 

  "Numi! Don't, baby," Minerva said gently, reaching to retrieve her daughter from Holly. "Sorry-" 

  "It's okay," Holly waved her off, glancing down at the miniature blonde head buried in her chest. Holly peeled her curls apart curiously, examining the girl's ears. There they were - sharp, pointed ears hidden beneath the wild bed of curls. "You've never met another fairy?" she asked, her heart cracking in two. 

  Numi shook her head, giant brown eyes peering at Holly. "Only papa." Numi puffed out her chest, jamming a fist to her hip. "Papa is out being brave right now! Mama says he's a hero, and that sometimes it takes time for heroes to come home." Numi turned to her mother, her eyes bright and hopeful. "Right, maman?"

   Minerva was trying her best to keep her composure, her breathing labored as her eyes watered. "O-of course, baby." She avoided Holly's suspicious gaze, glancing at Artemis instead, her subtle expression screaming, "Don't you dare."

  He got the message, nodding to her in understanding, but Holly gasped beside him, covering her mouth with her hand. 

   Don't worry, baby. Daddy's a hero, remember? He'll be home soon. 

   A single tear escaped Holly's left eye, leaving a salty trail down her cheek. Minerva's expression, Numi's innocence - it reminded Holly of when her own mother had kept her father's death hidden from her, until Holly had figured it out nearly a year later. 

  "Holls?" It was Artemis' voice that broke her out of the memory, his tone was softer than usual. He placed a tender hand on her shoulder, stroking the padding softly. "Are you alright?" 

  "Don't cry," Numi said abruptly, reaching her tiny palm out to touch Holly's cheek. "Maman told me 'pretty girls don't cry.'" 

  Holly couldn't help but smile, giving the girl a determined nod. "Don't worry. It was just a mean memory." 

  "Yeah!" Numi agreed, flashing Holly a teeny-toothed smile. "Mean memories go BOOM!" she giggled, bobbing her head forward for emphasis. 

  Minerva chuckled, her hostile, mama-bear demeanor finally relaxed a few notches. "Alright, bébé. Come here." She lifted her arms to scoop her daughter when she caught a shadow in the corner of her eye, freezing in place. Her eyes darted left, fear spiralling through her as she made out a beast-like figure in the shadows of the shuttle. She jumped a little when she realized who the figure would be. "Hi." 

  This caused further intrigue, each of the group craning their necks to follow Minerva's gaze. 

  Artemis recognized him instantly, jumping to his feet, unable to take his eyes off the man. "Butler…" A sad smile broke on his lips, his dark brows furrowed in guilt. He thought of several things to say, finally coming out with, "You look well." 

  Butler stepped from the shadows, his arms crossed sternly across his vest. "I wish I could say the same for you," he joked, nodding to Artemis' tattered dress shirt. "You said you were okay. Are you?" 

  "Yes," Artemis nodded assuredly. "I promise. Thank you." There was a rigid silence that drifted between them. The last time Artemis had seen him, they'd arrived on Earth and gotten Butler to the nearest hospital. After that, he was left to his cottage in Duncade, free of Artemis and his deadly schemes… just for a while, anyway. 

  "Always getting into trouble, aren't you, Artemis?" Butler sighed. "Thankfully, you seem to have this one handled on your own." 

  "I've handled a few things on my own now." 

   "Ahem," Holly cleared her throat, elbowing Artemis' ribs lightly. 

  "Yes, not without Holly's help, of course," Artemis grumbled, giving her a playful glare.  

   "Maman," Numi whispered, ducking for cover in her mother's chest. "That man is scary." 

  "I know," Minerva said, running her fingers through the girl's hair. "He is scary, but I promise he's the best friend you could ever have." She glanced up at Butler. It was a sorry look. She could see his disappointment rolling off of him like steam. "You're always safe with him." 

  "Numi," Holly said. "That's your name, right?" 

  "Yeah," she replied meekly in Gnommish, still hidden in her mother's chest. 

  "Why don't you go to your room for a bit? I think the grown-ups need to talk." 

  "Come on, baby," Minerva agreed. She got to her feet, the little girl latched to her like a koala. "Just for a minute, okay?" 

  "Okay." 

  Long, awkward minutes passed when Minerva emerged alone from the smaller door on their left, her hands wrung nervously together as she shuffled forward. 

  Holly crossed her arms, meeting the woman in the center of the room. "I understand you have a child now. I understand you're a single mother, and you're scared, and protective." She threw her hands up, motioning to Butler. "And I say this right now, right here so Butler can hear." Holly stared at her with heated passion, the tips of her ears burnt red. "Artemis and I almost died. No! Actually!" She jabbed a finger in Artemis' direction now. "Artemis did die. He was dead for a good minute or so. And because you shot me, I had no magick, Minerva. I had to resuscitate him! With CPR! HE NEARLY DIED!" 

  Holly was shaking with rage. It took all her restraint to keep herself from bashing Minerva's face again. "And Artemis doesn't hold that against you because he doesn't remember it. He doesn't remember, but I do. And that was not fucking okay."

  "May I explain?" Minerva inquired quickly.

  "NO! I don't care what your reasons are-" 

  "Holly," Butler interrupted with a firm hand to her shoulder. "Let her speak." 

  "Are you taking her side, Butler?!" Holly whirled around, eyes burning into him. "After what she did to Artemis?!" 

  "I'm on Artemis' side, as I always will be," Butler corrected her gruffly. "But I'd like to hear what Minerva has to say." He nodded in Minerva's direction, as if reassuring her to continue. 

  Minerva stood before the trio, taking a deep, steady breath. She explained to them as she had to Artemis, detailing her dilemma, and how there was nowhere to go and no other way to contact Artemis.

  "So you kidnapped him?" Holly interjected mid-explanation, still fuming at the woman. "Surely there must've been another way?" 

  "I debated other methods, but I will be honest." Minerva's gaze drifted between Artemis and Butler. "I was resentful of Artemis. I could've picked a more serene route, but after everything we've been through… and him coming into my domain, destroying my network and my income? He needed to be put in his place." Minerva glared at Butler, who glared back, only his was scary and domineering. But Minerva didn't feel threatened. Instead, she felt sorry. "Artemis was never supposed to get hurt. I prepared anti-magick for Holly so she couldn't use it on me when she rescued him." Minerva turned to Holly now, a sour snarl on her burgundy lips. "I'm sorry Artemis nearly died, but that was entirely on you. You were leading him. I saw it all. He went over that railing because of you." 

  Holly surged forward but Butler grasped her arms, holding her back in a bear-hug. "You psycho bitch! This never would've happened if you just hadn't kidnapped him!" 

  "We can debate the ethics of Minerva's methods later," Artemis chimed in, suddenly weary of his silence. He took a step forward towards their encounter. "For now, we need to form a plan. Holly-" He looked at her, getting lost in the fire of those mismatched eyes. 

   Even like this. She is so beautiful. 

  Artemis gulped, focusing back at the task at hand. "Are you on board with moving Minerva into Haven? I know she's a risk, but their lives are at stake. Besides, I can't imagine you'd like seeing them torn apart?" 

  Holly's fire sizzled out, a wave of depression washing over her instead, cooling the steaming tips of her ears. Her eyes grew increasingly sad the longer she stared at him, the corners of her lips pulled into a frown. She sighed, grimacing at Minerva. "No. I wouldn't want that. Ever." She sighed louder this time, dramatically running a hand over her face. "Fine. I'll see what I can do." 

  Holly wedged her helmet back over her head, pulling up her contacts to call the commander. "Trouble is not going to like this." 

Police Plaza, Haven City

Commander's Quarters 

  "No." 

  Holly leaned forward on Trouble's desktop, her sweaty palms fogging the glass. "Trubs, just listen-" 

  "I said no." Trouble leered at Holly in irritation, jamming his finger onto the tabletop. "You are not permitted to bring any more humans into Haven." He pointed the finger at Artemis in the corner of the room. "This one is already enough to deal with. Speaking of, why is Fowl in here?" 

  Holly turned to stare at Artemis as well, both elves and Artemis exchanging silent, deadpan stares for half a minute. 

  "...Ignore him." 

  She turned back to Trouble, pretending Artemis wasn't there. "It would be massively irresponsible for us to block Haven's access to Minerva and her daughter. I saw her child's display of power. She may be a hybrid species, but her magick was as strong as any fairy child. And, also," Holly leaned in, her brow determined and shoulders confident. "Minerva isn't a regular human. She's a genius. She may be useful to us, so long as we place her on some sort of probation for her crimes. Perhaps she can do some work for us, instead?"

  "No, Holly," Trouble refuted, shaking his head frustratedly. "No means no." 

  "Trouble, her kid used her own mesmer on me. That's a huge no-no. Minerva, as a human, isn't equipped to handle the magickal aspect of her daughter's development. If we are truly concerned for our kind being discovered via the surface, why would we not move them here? And we can't just abandon them. We don't leave our kind behind." 

  "We can move the kid, then. Fine. It's her birthright." Trouble threw his forehead into his hands. "But the mom needs to stay in her own world. She can not, and will not, move here."

  "I can't allow that." 

  "No? And what're you going to do, Short?" Trouble stood, leaning in to shove his nose against Holly's. "Can you imagine how the Council will react to this? They will have my spine up my asshole-" 

  "I know! But, I can't leave her orphaned." Holly's lip trembled, emotions bubbling up inside her again. "You know I can't. You know I can't leave her motherless." 

  "She won't be orphaned," Trouble argued, sitting back down, eyes back to his holo-screen. "She'll be adopted to a nice family. Case closed." 

  "Commander. Please," Holly pleaded. "Look at me." 

  When he did, tired eyes set upon her, he sighed. "It really bothers you, huh?" 

  "You know why. You of all people should know." 

  Trouble gripped his forehead again, growling under his breath. "I hate it when you do this." He glanced up with a sigh. "Fine. Let me guess, you already smuggled her down here?" 

  Holly gave a playful gasp, a dramatic hand over her cheek. "You think I'd smuggle a human into Haven?!" 

  Trouble didn't reply. He just blinked. 

  "I'm by the books now, Trubs. I mean it." 

  "Okay. Well, she doesn't have a visa. How're you getting her in here?" 

  "She kindaaa already has a shuttle… and knows the chute routes." 

  Trouble glared at her, drifting his focus between her and Artemis in the corner. "She has what?" 

   "It's an older model. She said she found it in one of the abandoned tunnels. Fixed it up, runs like butter now. She can get herself down here. You just need to give me the word to allow her clearance." 

  Trouble fumed at her, his nostrils flaring. Eventually, he settled down, rolling his eyes. "She meets with the Council first thing tomorrow. No exceptions." 

Mulberry Row Condominiums, Haven