Artemis Fowl: The Unpredictable Future

Chapter 20: An Ultimatum

Rachel gasped and fell to her knees at the sight of a weapon being pointed at her, holding her hands up to her mouth. Foaly slammed the door closed as quickly as he could and locked it.

Holly frantically grabbed at the door knob, only to be held back by Foaly, "Hold it Holly. We have a plan to stick to, Artemis' plan! He knew this was a possibility, that's why he gave you his bomb and us these notes."

"Argghhhh!" Holly screamed out and punched the door, fumbling with the note in her hand trying to open it.

Foaly reached down and closed her hands with the note, "He said not to open them unless we find ourselves in a position where we are clueless. I have to tell them that the LEP are on their way. If they still persist on apprehending you, I have to throw my bomb. If that doesn't work, we will just have to wait until they force their way in and that's when we use your special bomb."

Holly growled, "Then hurry up and throw the damn bomb Foaly. We have to get Artemis back!"

He groaned out, "Go grab me your pillow please."

"Boss, look how lucky I got." The sprite dragged Artemis behind a line of trees, who was groaning in pain. He tossed the human forward but didn't looked pleased. "Fulton, you told me that these people killed Rachel, my daughter. I saw her inside the house we are trying to demolish! It looked like they were protecting her!"

Fulton approached Artemis with a bazooka type weapon in his hand, leaning against his shoulder. He looked down at the boy and smirked, "It would seem I know exactly what I am dealing with Master Fowl."

Artemis scowled and undid his tie, tying it around his upper leg above his gunshot wound.

Fulton looked up at the sprite, "Good work Charlie, but next time, make sure you grab the money prize."

Charlie fumed, "Are you going to explain yourself?!"

Fulton grabbed Artemis by the back of his suit and picked him up. "Not right now I'm not. Go tie this mud rat up." Artemis grunted as he kept his hold on his wound.

Charlie growled as his green face grew a few shades darker, "You can go to hell Fulton, I'm going in there and getting my little girl!" He turned around and began hovering towards the house.

Fulton sighed and dropped Artemis as he aimed his launcher at Charlie. He quickly glanced down towards the boy, "Oops." Looking forward, he pulled the trigger. Artemis closed his eyes and turned his body away as he tried his best to ignore the explosion.

"Daddy!" Rachel screamed against the window, pounding her little fists against it and bursting into tears.

Holly pulled her away from the window and held her close, "I'm sorry Rachel. I'm so sorry."

Speaking through gasps, Rachel looked up at her, "H-his magic... Surely he will be alright?"

Holly looked up at Foaly who gave her a subtle shake of his head. She looked back down at her grieving friend and forced a smile, speaking in a maternal tone, "Don't you worry about a thing. Let's go back to bed for now, it's almost over sweetie." She looked over at Foaly, who was tying the pillow cover to the top of a broomstick, and said, "Be careful out there my friend." She escorted Rachel to the bedroom.

Foaly inhaled deeply and opened the door just a crack, sticking the broomstick outside and waving the white pillow case. He waited a few seconds to see if there would be any shots fired or impending explosions. When it seemed safe, he slowly stepped outside, making sure there wasn't another ambush around the door, "Hey there." He kept one arm up as he kept waving his surrender's flag. "I know what you are here for and I felt it necessary to inform you that I have already contacted LEPrecon days prior to our arrival here." He looked around to see how many hostiles were in range. "They should be showing up in about fifteen minutes."