Quest For Iris

FRIEND OR FOALY

FOWL MANOR, DUBLIN, IRELAND( Artemis's pov)

Artemis and Butler hurried to Angeline Fowl's room. Until now Artemis had not disclosed his intentions to Butler. After all reveal was the most important part of his plan. He knocked the door politely and waited till his mother asked him to come in.

"Mother I would like to ask you something of utter importance."

"Very well Arty" sighed Angeline "can you be more informal and call me mum, mom or Angeline even?"

"Informalities can wait mother. I'm here to talk about father"

"What of him?"

"Where is he now mother?"

"Why Arty he has gone to a meeting in the Arctic. You sent him there saying that it was important for the future of the planet. You said it was about your Big Project."

"I know mother I sent him there so that I could interrogate you. Mother there is something you hiding from me. And it is about him. I have been searching the family history since a long time and now I found that Artemis Fowl senior died at the age of 27. Who is the person pretending to be him?" Artemis hadn't meant to ask the question so directly but he had no choice. Hiding the identity of one's own father was bad stuff. He watched unaffected as colour drained from Angeline's face.

"What are you say-saying Arty.... but of course he is yo-your father. D-d-don't you recognize him" she stuttered terrified. That was his mother's weak point. She was a bad liar.

"Mom do you always see him the way he is? He always keeps his crutches in his hand even though he fine now."

"That is his habit Arty!"

"He holds them like a weapon" said Artemis seriously.

"That is because of me! I love the way he walks......." but her voice quavered. It was good that she was a bad liar.

Artemis sighed. This was going to be difficult.

"Mother don't ask me how I know that but I know that you are lying to me"

"Arty you don't believe me?" she exclaimed.

"No mother" he replied curtly, "I'll dig out the truth and I'll tell you about it soon." Saying this he left the room.

*******

Angeline stared after him. She was afraid of this. How could she tell him the truth of his father? He was such a brilliant mind. Would he believe her? Why would he believe her? No. She'll have to keep pretending otherwise. Thinking this she sighed and went back to sleep.

*******

Once inside his room Artemis saw that Butler could not control himself. He braced himself for a scolding. "Okay Artemis I need an explanation for this behaviour."

"Butler I suspect there are more magical and powerful creatures on this earth and my father is somehow related to them." Butler's expression softened, now he began again in a polite tone, "Artemis I think due to all this memory loss you've put a lot of pressure n your mind. You need to relax a bit."

"You don't get it Butler" but then he noticed a slight shimmer in the room. "You are never late, are you?" he said grinning widely.

"Never" said Holly as she materialized in front of him grinning broadly. Then she became serious. "Enough chitchat Artemis. We need to move right now."

"Artemis is not going anywhere without me Holly." Butler stated.

"Butler you are very old now and you'll only slow us down. Holly can protect me if there is any danger. If I think that I need something I'll ask you to send Juliet. Okay?"

"Is it really that important?" he asked softly. Artemis looked in his eyes and answered firmly "Yes"

"Okay Artemis if this is so important then, I'll stay" he said dejected "but promise me that you'll return safely. You are a magnet for trouble."

Artemis sighed "I promise".

"Then you may go."

"Thank you, old friend. Maybe now I'll be able to find the truth." He said and hurried behind Holly who was careful enough to listen quietly and not question any of this conversation to him, and then they made themselves comfortable in the shuttle. Holly sat in the pilot's seat and Artemis sat in the co- pilot's seat. Activating the shield they took off to the Empire State Building.

"How long will it take?"

"4 hours. Why?"

"Enough time to think."

"Of what?"

"The disturbances."

"Oh." Said Holly shrewdly "good to see you Artemis".

"Good to see you too Holly"

"What about me eh?" came a voice from the speaker. Artemis laughed "How can I ever forget you Foaly? I know you're there. After all you'll come handy there."

"So I am just that. A tool? Eyes and ears?" asked Foaly annoyed.

"No! Of course not Foaly. You are much more than that" snorted Artemis "you are my video game, server, C-Cube-"

"-all right! all right that is enough. I understand Artemis" Said Foaly irritated "go on. Feel as if I am not there. Okay? Bye" which set Holly laughing all the way to Empire State.

;M