Greek (an Artemis Fowl fanfiction) (On Hold)

Persuit

So, Artemis thought to himself bitterly, his once causal but rushed steps growing faster and more panicked by the second, Butler was taken in a both silent and quick manner. I didn't even notice. Not only are these people strong, but they have amazing stealth. Despite this, there are still two questions to ask... He allowed himself a quick glance behind himself. Almost casually, three suit-clad men wearing sunglasses followed about ten feet behind him. Turning back around, he sighed. Those questions would be: Why are they after me? And: Who are they?

Well, you see, Artemis knew, and knew well, that he was, indeed, a popular subject amongst groups like this. He'd made mistakes and enemies, plenty of both, so it's no shocker that he'd be tracked down. Despite his knowing, Artemis's chest felt tight, cold. Never before had Butler been removed from a hunt so quickly, so soundlessly. They were a serious threat, that was obvious. But that statement alone begs the question: Who exactly were these people? For the first time in quite a while, it was obvious that Artemis Fowl had absolutely no idea.

His eyes grazed the horizon, spotting the edge of the city. A smirk indulged itself upon his face, and his pace became even faster, evolving into a loping jog. Just outside the city's limits, trees were visible. Trees were good. Very good. To play things up a bit, Artemis sharply turned a corner, glancing back to make sure he wasn't yet in the line of vision of the three men, he took off in a hard sprint, the best sprint that Artemis Fowl could give, that is. To make things simple, that's not as quick as you might imagine. Taking another turn, then two others, he finally slowed down, breathing heavily. “There you are, filthy rats,” he sneered, turning tail once more to the city's edge.

When he reached the trees he'd seen previously, he began to weave his body through their trunks, disguising himself in the forest's camouflage. He doubted they'd suspect he'd gone that way. He was Artemis Fowl the second, after all. He tended to avoid outdoorsy areas as much as possible. A forested area? It was absurd!

Smiling through the worry in his heart, he proceeded forward without a single doubt in his mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thorn removed his sunglasses quickly, peering at the man before him. Yes, Domovoi Butler was extremely strong and very well-trained, but when it came down to it, he wasn't the strongest in the world, and most certainly not the most well-trained. When it came to nerves of steel, you had to feel pain, and plenty of it, until your emotions were abandoned and your raw power came gushing out in a dangerous wave. Thorn was twice Butler's size, oh, and that emotion that was earlier mentioned? He'd forgotten what that feels like many, many years ago.

Butler was tied down, chains wrapping around his wrists and ankles. His glare was making Thorn, in a sense, pleased. Of course, pleasure in the pain of others, and anger were the only things he was permitted to feel. That was all he needed. Smiling proudly at his catch, he lifted a communicator up to his mouth, speaking into it clearly. “Alpha, Vine, Spur, have you caught the boy yet?”

For a moment, there was silence, then an unsure voice answered him. “N...no, sir. It seems we've lost him. We were following him, you see, and all the sudden he turned a corner then WOOSH just gone!”

A vein pulsed on Thorn's neck and he growled loudly into the communicator's speaker. “You're supposed to be following Master Berry's orders! Those orders were to herd Artemis Fowl out of the city. If you lose him, there's no telling where he'll be going. Find him, and find him quickly!”

“B-But sir,” Vine stuttered again, his voice making Thorn want to rip something to shreds, “We've looked everywhere! We think he may have already left the city! All on his own, sir.” Thorn growled loudly, punching the wall next to him. Noticing the smirk that delighted itself upon Butler's face, Thorn found himself leaning down to the manservant's level, seeing as he sat, bound, on the ground. Narrowing his eyes, Thorn stared at the butler, soaking him in.

His gaze not wavering, Thorn returned the mic to his lips, speaking softly but surely into it. “Then send Alpha, with a communicator, out there. If he finds little Mr. Fowl, then have him contact not just you-but me as well, immediately. Understood?”

There was a pause, then a light cough from Vine's side of the line. “Of course, Thorn, sir.”

Tossing the radio across the room, Thorn slowly bent his knees, squatting before Butler. “Tell me, servant boy, what it is that you're smirking about.”

Butler raised his eyebrows, his smile growing wider. “I know the boy isn't the most athletic, but trust me, that brain of his can get him out of most sticky situations. And, to be honest, he's been in far worse ones than what you've just put him in.” This time, Butler leaned forward, his eyes searching Thorn's green ones. “You're a group, that's obvious. No one has names like Thorn, Alpha, Vine, Spur, even the name of your 'Master Berry' seems suspicious. Code-names, I presume. So, tell me, what kind of organization are you? Are you particularly mad at Artemis? Do you want geniuses? Or is it a family thing?”

“Nothing of the sort. How do I put this...” Thorn paused, his eyes finding the ceiling in a contemplative manner. “Master Berry has taken a special...interest....in the boy. I must say, our Master is not to blame. Who wouldn't be intrigued by the idea of a teenage ex-criminal mastermind, who is not only tied up in a fairy civilization, but also has risen from the dead? We have the facts, Butler, my boy, and to put things right, I must say, they are very, very fascinating facts.”

For a moment, Butler's thoughts drifted to his earlier conversation with Artemis. A few things the young man had said came particularly to mind.

Of course, those lines were; (In the context of Madman's Tea not being something of popular Fairy use) 'It seems more...human, so to say. With that in mind, if a human were to take part in the purchasing of such excruciating liquids, that would mean that you and I are but two humans involved with the fairy-folk..'

Then there was; ''I've a feeling this will become interesting as time passes, as it always does. The minute I start over-analyzing something is the minute I become unintentionally tied up in the entire affair, hmm, Butler?'

Butler felt his chest tighten, his mouth opening ever-so slightly in a minute gasp. Grinding his teeth together, he gave Thorn the most horrifying glare he could deliver. “How do you know of the fairy-folk? What does your Master want to do with Artemis?”

When Thorn didn't immediately answer, Butler roared, lurching forward as much as he could. “WHERE IS HE?”

A ringing emitted from the communicator, cutting Butler off abruptly. With no expression creeping its way onto his hideous face, Thorn recollected it, sticking it to his mouth sharply. “Yes? Have you found him?”

A rather high-pitched, shaky voice responded. “Yessir. He's made camouflage in a small wooded area outside the city. I'm silently pursuing him at the moment. I presume he knows there's no chance his staying inside the city will be in any way safe, and he's far from his cozy little manor. He's probably out looking for somewhere outside the city that's safe. Most likely along the coastline.”

“Good,” Thorn purred. “Once he finds a place that he finds suitable, surround him, but don't attack. Make him stay. He needs to be cornered. Based on where he goes, we'll develop a new plan. Okay?”

“Yessir.”