Love Conquers All

Chapter 2

Trouble quickly got Butler and Holly geared up. Butler in particular was armed to the teeth with LEP weapons. Artemis however was given only a simple Neutrino 2000. "I've trained since you last saw me" Artemis complained "I deserve more than this".

Trouble just smirked, "Artemis Fowl trained? I'll believe it when I see it. Besides, that big brain of yours will no doubt get you out of any situation". Artemis grumbled something about Trouble being biased but didn't argue any further.

Holly grabbed her new Neutrino 3000 and gestured for Butler and Artemis to follow her. "Let's not lose any time here, this whole mission might be pointless". With that, she headed to the pods, the boys trailing behind her. Once they arrived topside, Holly turned on her helmet, checking the coordinates Foaly had sent her.

"Foaly traced the video to Iceland so that's where we're headed. Now normally I would just fly there but I can't carry both you and butler so any ideas?"

"We'll just take my private jet" Artemis replied, "It's only a short walk from here to Fowl manor, let's go". The trio walked to Fowl manor and boarded Artemis' jet. "To Iceland," Artemis said semi-enthusiastically.

Holly looked at him questioningly and he grinned sheepishly. "It's been awhile since I went anywhere exciting," he told her. They soon arrived in Iceland and they landed in a small clearing inside a forest that was out of the way of anyone who might see them.

Holly stepped out of the plane and smiled "I love Iceland" she said out loud "It's very green despite what its name suggests".

Artemis followed her "I agree, it's a very nice place".

Butler frowned at them "Let's get moving you two, we don't want to waste any time". Together they walked deeper into the forest towards where Foaly said the video had come from. Even if she wasn't there, they would still have somewhere to start.

To their surprise, they soon arrived at a large patch of air that seemed to shimmer ever so slightly. "Cam foil, " Holly said, "Maybe that sprite wasn't as crazy as we thought". She walked forward and carefully ran her hand over the outside of the building. After a few steps, she stopped "I think I found a door" she told them. She ran her hand up and down and then they heard the click of a button and a door opened seemingly out of thin air.

"Quiet" she whispered and entered, her hand on her gun. Artemis and Butler followed silently, the door sliding closed behind them. The trio quickly made their way through the structure. "I think it's empty," Holly whispered having encountered no one after exploring more than half the building.

"Or maybe that's what they want us to think," Artemis whispered back. They stepped into yet another corridor when suddenly they heard the sound of gears turning behind them. They spun around and found that a door they hadn't noticed had opened ominously.

"Stay behind me," Butler ordered and slowly entered the room, Artemis following close behind. They froze once Holly had entered but the door did not slam shut like they expected it to.

"Maybe we pressed a button or something," Holly suggested. Suddenly, a dozen lights flashed on revealing a large screen. It fizzled to life and a picture of a sprite appeared. Artemis quickly grabbed his phone and snapped a picture.

"So you actually came," she mused, "Only three though, pity. Whatever, you will be valuable additions to my army."

Holly floated up to the screen. "Recording or live?" she asked and the sprite laughed.

"Live, now sit tight and my soldiers will come get you." She cackled and the screen went dark.

"As if," Artemis grumbled, "Let's go." They hurried out of the room a second before the door slid shut behind them. "Never panic."  

"What do you think she means by soldiers?" Holly asked.

"Well, we'll find out soon enough," Artemis warned as the sound of footsteps thundered towards them. It seemed to be coming from deeper inside the building however and the trio ran, retracing their steps only to find the door locked.

"Now what?" Asked Butler.

"Now? We fight." Holly responded, turning around, determined to face the enemy head on. She for one would not be going down without a fight.

Artemis, however, had a different idea, "Maybe not, I think I saw a map of this place behind her, on a screen. There were dots representing her soldiers I guess, they were coming from over there." He pointed down a hall before continuing, "But more importantly, "There were other exits."

"Then let's go."