Artemis Fowl: A Call for Help

Chapter 33

Fowl Manor
Artemis read the new email from Jade. She had taken the bait.
Artemis,
I know that you're just playing a game. Stop. I see through all your lies. There is no point in continuing to play your childish games. I'm smarter than I appear, Master Fowl.
There are only a few things you have told me that I can believe. One, we traveled back in time. Two, my mother has changed drastically, possibly because of you. Three, I still believe in magic. As childish as it is, I believe that it is possible.
Now here's what I can't believe. One, fairies. I mean, there's a lot of speculation about them, but certainly not what you have described. Two, your sanity. From what little I know about you, I think your are a completely insane, but genius person. Three, I don't think it would be that easy to stop the 'fairy' from casting a magic spell. I mean, that was the most stupid thing ever. You interrupted her? Honestly, I don't believe that for a second.
I won't tolerate lying. If you don't give me answers, I will be forced to track you down. And don't say anything about how you have your butler to protect you. I'm not afraid of him, or you.
-Jade
Artemis smiled. Silly girl. She obviously didn't know what she was dealing with. But then his cold smile was replaced with a frown. He had to tell Holly about this. He knew that she would probably shun him for a while, but it was necessary.
Jade was a very special girl. There was an old prophecy that told of her. It said:
She will come, as the full moon rises.
She, framed by gold, will cometh with powers beyond.
A green sparkle, just like her name.
Green, is the color.
Possessing magic, unlike any other.
More powerful than the most powerful fairy.
But forever cursed she shall be.
With the omen of death, sent upon her.
Artemis knew it was her. She will come while the full moon rises. Jade was born during a full moon. Green, Jade. And her eyes. Framed by gold, blond hair. Doomed with omen of death, Opal's curse.
Opal knew that she would be powerful. So powerful, that she would be her defeat. So, in order to prevent that, the curse was instated. But now that plan had been ruined. And, Jade was being told of the existence of fairies.
Artemis decided to tell her this in his next email. But first, he had to deal with Holly. And the entire LEP. It was going to be another long day. Unhappily, he took off his ring and positioned it correctly. It turned on and immediately called Holly.
"Yeah?" Holly said, answering the call.
"Got a minute to spare?"
"I always do for you, mud boy."
Artemis smiled. "Good. I have something to tell you."
"What? Is the world going to end in an hour?"
Artemis laughed. "No, nothing like that. Nearly as serious, though."
"Uh-oh. Should I be sitting down for this news?"
"Well, it depends."
"On what?"
"I'll just tell you. Remember that girl we, well I, met last week? When we were chasing the creature."
"Yes, I do. Why?"
"Well, I was searching through Foaly's database to find information about her. When I was doing that, I found an old prophecy. I know that that prophecy spoke of the girl, Jade. I found out that her mother had tried to kill her when she was an infant. And when I showed up at their house, she was pointing a gun at her head. This was all Opal's doing. I traveled back in time and showed her what Opal did to her mother, which was causing her actions. Long story short, I prevented the curse from being cast. Well, sort of. Anyways, the prophecy tells of a human that will possess magic more powerful than the most powerful fairy. That being Opal. Opal knew that Jade could be her defeat at some point. So she had to stop it. She used a rune on Lana, one that instructed her to kill her own daughter. Now to my main point. I have told Jade about the existence of fairies and magic."
The line was silent for a tense moment. "You told a human about the People's existence. Have you gone mad? Artemis, they're going to have to mind-wipe you! Do you realize what you've done?" Holly yelled.
"Yes, I do realize what I've done. Holly, it was a necessary action. I told you that I possess a time machine. That means that I can travel to the future. I've seen what's going to happen. Without her, it will be the end of the world. We need her and her powers."
"How do you know she's the one in the prophecy? It could be anyone!"
"Time machine."
"Shut up with your stupid time machine! I now have no choice but to tell Commander Root. The People are now in danger, thanks to you. I never thought you, of all people, would betray us. How much did you get paid? Hopefully it was worth it, Fowl." With that, Holly disconnected.
Artemis squeezed his eyes shut. He knew that this would happen. But now, experiencing it, it was almost unbearable. He had just lost some of the people who meant the most to him. And now Holly would never trust him again. To Artemis, there seemed no worse punishment.
But he knew that, no matter what, if things were to be rectified it was necessary. She was the key. Artemis was sure that he could avoid the mind-wipe. If Holly could see what was going to happen, she would understand. But for now, Artemis would just have to prepare for that time.
Lower Elements
Holly was infuriated. Not to mention immensely sad. After her conversation with Artemis, she had punched her pillow. Hard. Then she had curled up and cried, her hands clenched into fists. After all they had been through, he ends it like this.
She remembered how it had felt when she had lost him. It was almost unbearable. And now, she would have to deal with it again. Except for now, it would almost be harder. She would know that he would be right there aboveground. All she had to do was get an aboveground visa. But if she did, he wouldn't remember her. Why? She asked herself, over and over again.
Suddenly, she sat up. He said something about it being necessary for the future. Maybe, just maybe, he can prove all this. Then I won't have to lose him again. Maybe I should call him... No. I'll wait a while. But that worried her even more. If it was going to be that desperate, they were going to have problems. What could be so bad? I mean, we've already faced death a million times. What now?
Powers. That doesn't sound good. Holly looked down at her watch. She jumped up and ran out the door. "D'Arvit!" Commander Root was expecting her. More interrogations, no doubt.
Operations Booth
"Okay. Here's what we found." Foaly said to the room. Apparently not an interrogation, Holly thought. Just a briefing. "The scans and tests on the creature confirmed that our original thought was correct. Troll pixie hybrid. Every ability of each species. Really, it's nothing special. I know, I know. It really is. Anyways, the only problem is what to do with it."
"What do you suggest we do with it?" Root inquired.
"The creature seems rather violent, so it would not be wise to let it live as a free fairy. A life in prison wouldn't exactly be fair, either. I mean, it didn't do this itself."
"Wow, that was helpful." Trouble scoffed. Holly elbowed him in the ribs. "Ouch!" he exclaimed, jumping a foot away from Holly. Holly smiled at him. Trouble glared back at her, clearly not amused.
"Ignore him," Holly said to Foaly. "Do you have any suggestions?"
"At least someone appreciates me." Foaly said, looking directly at Trouble. "My suggestion would be to study it a little more. Once we know more about it, we can determine what to do."
Root nodded. "Alright. That'll work."
"Good. I'm on it." Foaly said, turning around and leaving the room.
"You two can leave," Root said.
"Yes, sir." Holly and Trouble said in unison. They both exited the room. Holly thought about going back and telling Root about Artemis's latest deception, but decided against it. Better to wait and find out what's really going on, she reasoned with herself. She kept walking, eventually making it back to her apartment.
The walk was pleasant. The artificial sun strips made it seem like a nice day. Haven's occupants were bustling about, their daily routines underway. Holly took a deep breath. The filtered air tasted wonderful. Much different from the air aboveground. Every trace of pollutants was gone, leaving only the purest air. For a moment she forgot about all of her problems and was grateful for her surroundings.
Then the trance was broken and questions bombarded her brain. Most of them pertaining to Artemis. Oh well, she thought. Now I have to get this whole mess sorted out. She made to her apartment and decided to call him. She mentally prepared herself for hours on the phone and lots of arguing. Good thing I have the day off.