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damned_lounge2008-10-31 03:56 am
byname-bynature.livejournal.com) wrote in damned_lounge2008-10-31 03:56 am
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Oktoberfest Entry 08: "Fowl's Seven" by Serey [1/2]
Title: Fowl's Seven
Author: Serey/Kouject
Beta: Souji and Rini ♥
Word Count: *cough*6,105*COUGH*
Rating: Uh... PG? I guess...?
Characters: Artemis Fowl II, Haku, Zabuza, Hitsugaya Toushirou, Schuldig, Farfarello, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Skuld, The Doctor, Holly Short, ???, brief mentions of other characters.
Pairing(s): Artemis/Haku
Summary: Don't blink.
Notes: Written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
murasaki_kaze. BECAUSE I COULD. :[ Though I kind of fail seeing as none of her characters show up in this. |D;;; Thought that counts?
Also, YES, IT'S WAY OVER. But I cut as much as I could and ended up with... this. Reader beware, it's one of my typical fics. >_>;
The hallway was quiet, and dark as usual. But the quiet was what unnerved Artemis the most. When he was with the Captain and whatever third member that had been previously chosen, Artemis would fill the uncomfortable silence with idle conversation. But his decision to seek out what was in the Chapel on his own left him without companion and thus without conversation.
He was careful. He always was, when he didn’t have backup. The excursion was simply to investigate the fountain alone—see what it did when the night traveler came upon it alone. Artemis knew full well what it did when there were others present…
Before he could reach the Chapel, though, his light fell upon a strange object. One that Artemis had never seen in his sojourns to the second floor at night. The boy immediately hid, ducking around a corner. Good Freud, he was doomed if whatever that was had seen him.
He waited with baited breath. Nothing. One minute, two minutes. No sound. Curious, the boy peeked around the corner, flashlight aimed towards where the thing had been.
What met his gaze was arguably the most terrifying thing he’d seen since arriving at the institute. The boy screamed and turned to run. Moments later, his flashlight bounced to the floor, and his scream was silenced. Cut off and swallowed by the stillness.
“He’s gone, Haku,” Schuldig said, hands folded on the table. The Mastermind wasn’t one to sugar-coat things, but he wouldn’t lie and say this hadn’t affected him as well. First Crawford, then Artemis. More members (and honorary members) of Schwarz were disappearing. This didn’t please Schuldig, not at all. “I can’t feel his mind, and believe me, it’s not one that I could easily overlook. It’s huge.”
“I understand,” Haku said, his voice devoid of emotion. He had feared the worst when the bed next to his was neatly made, and the closet was devoid of Artemis’ belongings. His conversation with Schuldig only confirmed it. Artemis was gone. “He often said that you were always watching him—always listening. How did it happen? What killed him?” Whoever or whatever it was, it wouldn’t live to see the sun rise again.
“That’s what’s so fucked up about this,” Schuldig said, frowning. “He just… vanished. His mind didn’t fade away or call out to me, it stopped. Dead. Complete silence, no white noise like when someone goes unconscious. It was like he left my range in a split second. Which we both know, isn’t possible.”
Haku’s nurse bustled up to him, smiling as though nothing was wrong. It took everything not to kill the woman right there. “Come along, Christopher! Your friend is here to see you!”
The walk to the waiting room wasn’t long enough, Haku decided. If his father was waiting for him at the other end, he was going to get out as soon as humanly possible. Attack someone, anyone. Fake being ill. He wouldn’t go through it again, not when Artemis wouldn’t be there to comfort him afterwards.
“Here you are, Chris,” his nurse set a hand on Haku’s shoulder. He didn’t feel it. His mind was miles away, staring into the dark eyes of Artemis Fowl.
But… not quite. His eyes were darker and uniform. This boy wasn’t wearing a suit, either. Just a dress shirt and slacks. Artemis would never have gone out without his blazer or tie on. Not even in an institute full of monsters ready to tear his head off. This boy was also older than Artemis. What had they done to him?
“You two have fun,” the nurse patted Haku reassuringly on the shoulder and left them. Haku didn’t know what to say, or what to do. The anger, the pain, the resentment. It had to be let out.
“Haku?” The ninja blinked, the feelings suddenly gone. Artemis… recognized him? What was going on here?
“Y… yes?”
“Please, have a seat. The nurses will overhear us unless you sit down and appear relaxed.”
It took a moment, but Haku complied and sat down. “Artemis, how did you do it? How did you escape and… why haven’t they dragged you back? Why did you return?”
“Firstly, I need you to listen to exactly what I say, and not interrupt me until I’m done.”
“What happened to your accent?”
“My name is not Artemis. It is Domovoi Maxwell de Folé. My middle name is the same as your false name’s last. My father said it would serve as a password of sorts, so you would know that I came to you from him.”
Haku stared at Domovoi. This wasn’t processing. “Your father?”
“Yes, my father. He is very ill, Haku. He didn’t want you to see him as he is now.”
“I don’t know your father.”
“You did,” Domovoi pulled several folded sheets of paper from his back pocket. From within the folds, he produced a worn photograph of a young boy. Haku knew immediately who it was. How could he have forgotten that triumphant, self-indulgent smirk? When the ninja looked up, Domovoi was holding out one of the folded sheets of paper. Haku took it and, with shaking hands, began to read.
My Dearest Friend,
By now, you have met my son Domovoi. I had intended to come myself, but I’m afraid that the ramblings of an old man would go unheard by our common, dear friend, Martin Landel. I have sent my son in my stead. He knows what the institute is, and will aid you in the removal of what caused my disappearance—which, by my calculations, should have been last night.
It was foolish of me, I know, but I went to the Chapel alone to assess the properties of the healing fountain. Before I arrived, I saw a strange figure. I was terrified at the time, but from what I can recall now, it was the figure of an angel—an angel with its hands over its face.
It attacked me. While I was looking away, it moved. I locked eyes with it again when I came around the corner, and it was once again stone. I looked away, and I was gone. Thrown backwards in time to the year 1964. Yes, your math is correct. I am currently sixty-five years old. Quite a change from fourteen, I assure you.
While researching these monsters, in hope of assuring that this tragedy does not occur to any of our fellow friends, I happened upon a man. No matter what I did, he wouldn’t reveal his name—he simply told me to call him ‘Doctor’. The moment I mentioned the name Martin Landel, he was very cooperative. Apparently, he is there right now, and managed to escape during a massive explosion.
This part is very important Haku, and I trust you to follow my instructions to the letter. You must post a message on the board, asking about the Weeping Angels. Specify that you must speak with ‘The Doctor’, and that the Angels are in the Institute. You must do this TODAY. Without fail, my friend. My life hangs in the balance.
You will need a team. Assemble the Captain, Farfarello, Schuldig, Obi-Wan, and Skuld I suspect Zabuza-san will want to come as well. The Captain will serve as your second in command. Farfarello and Schuldig will be the muscle, as well as Domovoi’s aid. Obi-Wan will serve as a secondary fighter and counsel. He will be able to guide you through what you must be thinking and feeling right now, I promise. Skuld is not much of a fighter, but is an intellectual match for me and is thus the brains of the operation. Anything mechanical, she will be able to deal with. My son Domovoi will also be joining you.
He is going to stand up and start making a scene. You must try to calm him down. Pretend that you’ve been discussing nothing out of the ordinary—but lie badly. Make them CERTAIN that you both are up to no good.
Haku looked up at that point, clearly overwhelmed and not exactly certain that any of this was real. As if on cue, Domovoi stood up and grabbed the nearest orderly by the shirt front.
“What did you do to my father?” he growled. “What did you do with Artemis Fowl?!” The nurses looked up and exchanged wary and shocked glances. Various patients looked up, some unaware that Artemis had even vanished. And yet it seemed as though his clone was standing right there. Schuldig especially suddenly found Crawford much less interesting, and was watching what was going on. Haku watched the scene unfold, his mouth open in confusion. Events were unfolding faster than he could keep up with. He quickly turned back to the letter, as if to read again what he had to do.
Follow my instructions exactly, Haku.
I love you.
--Artemis Fowl II
“Stop it, Domovoi!” Haku stood up, tucking the letter into his waistband. “Sean wasn’t your father! You’re just my friend from school!”
“Shut up!” Domovoi snarled, releasing the orderly and advancing on Haku. “I am the son of the great Artemis Fowl! Martin Landel has killed him!”
“Please, he doesn’t know what he’s saying!” Haku cried in his best Chris-voice as orderlies advanced on Domovoi. “We were just talking, honest!”
“This place is a lie!” Domovoi yelled, completely contradicting Haku’s previous statement. “I’m going to free you all, in the name of my father Artemis! He would not want you all to stay here and rot while he was on the outside!”
A murmur of dissent suddenly rose around the room. Orderlies and nurses alike were nervous. This was a bad time and place for another patient riot.
“REMEMBER RIVER!” Domovoi screamed. “DO NOT LET THEM KEEP YOU HERE!”
Haku caught on to Domovoi’s intention and he viciously leapt at one of the nurses, trying to beat at her with light, non-threatening fists. A few patients stood up as well and began fighting off nurses and orderlies with needles. Most realized that this riot wasn’t going to get them anywhere and stayed out of it.
Domovoi must be admitted to the Institute today, Haku thought in Schuldig’s general direction. Artemis is counting on us to save him.
“Roger that,” Schuldig chuckled under his breath. “Man, can you believe that guy?” The Mastermind said, rather loudly, to Crawford. “Crazy as Sean used to be. Fuckin’ off his rocker. Maybe he should be here instead of me.”
A nurse overheard Schuldig’s words. Frowning, she turned to an orderly. “Sedate him. I must speak with Lydia.”
“An explosion.”
“Yes. That is what my father said.”
“We escape after an explosion.”
“Yes. And you’ll meet him after your time here. The angels have taken him to the year 1964. He says that you will be able to help us.”
“Well,” The Doctor said, chewing on the words for a moment. “While it is true that I have dealt with the angels before, I was following a script. The plan was there, all I had to do was follow it.”
“We do have a script,” Domovoi protested. “My father has written everything out, to the letter. We are the players,” the boy held up the folded pages he’d passed off to Haku before the orderlies had hauled him away. “This is his masterpiece.” Domovoi let that hang for a moment then continued. “We need the specifics on the Angels. And your promise that once the escape takes place you will follow the instructions in this letter, written to you, exactly as they appear. Now, you can give us these things—” Farfarello loomed over Domovoi’s shoulder. Like father, like son, Farfarello had taken a liking to the kid. He was a bit more direct, harder than Artemis. Maybe Farfarello had been making progress on the boy. The Doctor looked up at the assassin, a little pale. “Or I can have Farfarello ask you again.”
“Well,” the Doctor cleared his throat. “I suppose I couldn’t leave young Artemis to the ravages of this… wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey… thing. You have my word.”
“Good,” Domovoi smiled, his expression eerily reminiscent of Artemis’ own vampire-esque smile. He slid his journal across the table. “Now… Everything.”
“We need a very bright, concentrated light,” Haku said, reading directly from the letter. “Ten foot radius, able to hold up until sunrise, possibly longer.”
“Hmm…” Skuld pondered for a moment. She grinned. “What does that stupid boy take me for? That’s child’s play! When do you need it by?”
“Tonight.” The goddess winced. That was… really soon. “Artemis says that everything you need should be in Domovoi’s box in the Patient Possessions room. The team will escort you there, you will construct the device, and then we run to the Grand Ballroom.”
“I don’t know, Haku… I’m only a Goddess Third Class, Limited. And my powers here are stunted—”
“Artemis has written that if you are unable to do it, Edward Elric could assemble it in half the ti—”
“Edward?” Skuld repeated, scoffing. “Half the time? I don’t think so. Meet you in the west hall first thing.”
And meeting in the west hall first thing was indeed what happened. First Haku and Zabuza, joined by Hitsugaya, then Obi-Wan, Schuldig, and Farfarello, then Skuld. Domovoi was the last, as he had to read a map provided to him by the letter.
Once they were assembled, Domovoi gave the motion to head to the Patient Possessions room, leading the way. The group was silent, each going over his or her part (much to Schuldig’s annoyance) in their own heads. It was still early, and the group arrived at the designated location without any trouble. Schuldig and Farfarello tossed boxes back and forth, trying to find the right one. Obi-Wan calmly pointed out that Domovoi, being a new patient, probably hadn’t had his box filed yet. Sure enough, Skuld found it on the desk.
There were parts sewn cleverly into clothing and other mundane objects. Apparently, the nurses didn’t check these things very thoroughly until later. Most likely another reason why it was imperative that the plan be carried out that night.
Skuld set to work, dumping the parts on the floor and organizing them. With a piece of chalk settled in the box (“How thoughtful…”), the goddess drew the alchemic array and activated the sign. What resulted was what looked like a giant light bulb on a high-tech stand. Farfarello, Schuldig, and Zabuza were skeptical, but considering Skuld had to be steadied by the helpful Obi-Wan, they could grudgingly admit that perhaps she had expended enough effort to make it viable.
“All right, so how exactly do we find these things?” Farfarello asked, looking around the dark hallways.
Domovoi looked a little worried. The letter hadn’t specified where—
Skuld screamed, clutching the device to her chest. Behind Farfarello was a stone statue. An angel. With its hands over its face. Farfarello’s eye widened, taken by surprise. He knew what this thing did, and he really didn’t want to try to fight something made of stone. Domovoi rushed forward, flashlight trained on the beautiful stone monster.
“Run. Run, go now!” He shouted, keeping his eyes wide open and the light on it. Skuld took off first, followed by Schuldig and Farfarello, then Zabuza. Obi-Wan, Hitsugaya, and Haku remained behind to help.
“What do we do?” Obi-Wan asked, unsure of how to help or even what he could do.
“Just run, get ahead of me, I have to lead them to the Ballroom.”
“If one of them touches you, that’s it, we’re all dead,” Hitsugaya growled, hand tightening on his sword. “Are you sure about this?”
“Artemis is,” Haku said quietly, eyes cold and dark. “I believe in Artemis. You should as well, Captain Hitsugaya.” The shinigami captain looked disgruntled and almost unwilling to trust a boy who was so unpredictable and volatile, but what choice did he have? Obi-Wan laid a hand on Hitsugaya’s shoulder and nodded.
“I believe in him as well,” Obi-Wan patted Domovoi’s back. “I’m right behind you, Domovoi. Lead us Haku.” The ninja gave a quick nod and took off at a run. Hitsugaya followed, Obi-Wan bringing up the rear, protecting Domovoi.
“If I stop singing,” Domovoi called, running backwards, light trained on the advancing Angels. “Haku and Zabuza must take turns watching them!”
“What?!” Skuld shrieked, beginning to run again as Haku and Hitsugaya passed her. “They could GET you?!”
“Keep running!” Domovoi shouted. “I’m Henry the Eighth I am!”
Farfarello rolled his eye, “Balls.” He took off down the hall.
“Henry the—” Blink. Advance. “Eighth I am! I am!”
The group approached the stairs. “Carry him, Obi-Wan,” Haku ordered. “Link arms and carry him on your back!”
Obi-Wan followed the call, hoisting the singing Domovoi onto his back and proceeding down the stairs. Skuld and Hitsugaya lighted the Jedi’s feet. “I got married to the widow next door!”
Schuldig looked back, gritting his teeth as he and Farfarello took the stairs two at a time. As they looked away and Domovoi blinked, the Angels grew closer and closer. They reached out with clawed hands for their prey, teeth bared, frustrated by the plan to keep them at bay. They were so fucked. When they got out of this, Schuldig didn’t care if Artemis was sixty-five, he was giving that boy a piece of his mind.
The group exited the stairwell and ran directly through the Sun Room and into the Cafeteria.
“She’s been married seven times before!”
Zabuza was going to throttle Artemis’ son once he’d stopped running. And once Haku was looking the other way. That song was getting on his last sane nerve.
After the Cafeteria came the locked door to the Kitchen. This was the tricky part. All of the corners in the Kitchen leading to the Refrigerator made this leg of the journey very dangerous. They would have to do it quickly. Fortunately, Artemis had set up a plan. Haku jumped to the head of the group, Hitsugaya following suit. Skuld and Obi-Wan flanked them, as per instructions.
As they ran, Haku instructed Hitsugaya. “Use the ability you used on the bus the night the nurses transformed in fron—”
“I know!” Hitsugaya growled. “We went over this. Get on my back!”
Without breaking stride, Haku swung himself into position on Hitsugaya’s back. The Captain didn’t so much as stumble either. The two of them were completely synchronized, two pairs of eyes focused intently on the door.
“Everyone was a Henry!”
“HADOU 18!” The moment the words left Hitsugaya’s lips, Haku pressed several different pressure points in the Captain’s torso. Blood still oozed out of his nose, but the points had prevented the kidou from ripping Hitsugaya’s body apart completely. The door flew off its hinges, sufficiently destroyed, and the group continued to move. Haku noted as he dismounted Hitsugaya that the Angels were still following. Five, by his count. No, six.
Skuld ran ahead, accompanied by Obi-Wan, wielding a series of small, self-designed picks. She attacked the refrigerator door, sweating hard.
“She wouldn’t have a Willie or a Sam!” Domovoi sang, the group slowing down as they all piled into the kitchen. The son blinked again and one of the angels stood with its arms almost embracing Domovoi in a deadly hug. The boy’s voice cracked and he stopped, at a loss for words. Obi-Wan looked back at the boy on his back, staring glassy-eyed at the monster. Everyone else was also staring, mute with terror, at the enemy in their midst.
“Not to rush you Miss Skuld, but—” The refrigerator door swung open.
“Am I good, or am I good?” She grinned, falling in with the rest of the crowd again as they surged forward. Obi-Wan had to agree, allowing himself a small smile. Domovoi could only sweat as they moved away from the frozen monster.
“Rest for a minute,” Schuldig said, standing in front of Domovoi and fixing a piercing stare on the angels trying to crowd the refrigerator door. Domovoi exhaled as though he had been holding his breath the whole time. He gasped for air and blinked his eyes and trying to recollect himself.
“You didn’t have it easy, did you?” Domovoi commented as Skuld and Obi-Wan worked on the trap door. Haku, HItsugaya, and Zabuza stood guard over the procession. “You’re still calm and collected, even though that thing almost had me. Is this really not the worst thing you’ve undertaken?” The son said with a nervous laugh.
“So, Arty told you stories?” Schuldig said with a grin. “Seems you like to tell stories too, Dom.”
The son didn’t have anything to say to that. Except, “You know why. My father made it very explicit why.”
“The trap door is open,” Haku called. “Everyone down one at a time. Skuld first, Schuldig and Farfarello next.”
“I’ve got it, Schuldig,” Domovoi said, a note of finality in his voice, locking eyes with the angels. “I have to lead them down there.”
The Mastermind shrugged and gave a lopsided grin, “Whatever you say, sir.”
Domovoi continued to chant, slowly and more steadily. Leading the angels down the stairs would be the most difficult part, and the one requiring the most timing. “I'm her eighth old man,” Blink. Advance.
“The device is set!” Skuld called. She’d raced down the stairs to the center of the Grand Ballroom and set down the strobe. Farfarello and Schuldig took their positions, their backs to the light, forming a circle.
“I’m Henry—” Obi-Wan let Domovoi off his back and the boy walked slowly backwards, the angels moving after him. Domovoi had specified that no one must look at them during this crucial period. The group had to trust his vocal cues. Haku, Zabuza, Obi-Wan and Hitsugaya moved into the same pre-ordained positions, backs to the light, eyes closed, listening to Domovoi.
“Henry the— oh no.” The hair on everyone’s neck stood up on end at those two words, and even though their eyes were shut, they could tell that all the lights in the ballroom were flickering.
“THE LIGHT!!” Domovoi shouted, panicking and backpedaling as the angels chased him, claws extended, teeth bared. Light, darkness, light and darkness—the angels pressed on, almost frustrated that they couldn’t simply sweep in and claim their prey. “SKULD TURN ON THE LIGHT!”
Various shouts and screams of panic ensued as the lights died completely. Skuld’s hand fumbled on the switch, but her thumb found it in the next instant and hit it. Light flooded the darkened ballroom, and slowly the rest of the lights came up. Crouched in defensive positions, the group slowly straightened, faces pale. Hitsugaya was staring directly at an angel’s chest, its fangs inches from his forehead. Zabuza’s sword was now trapped inside the shoulder of one of them, claws inches from his own hands. Farfarello and Schuldig each had a clawed hand in their faces, and another was looming over Skuld. Obi-Wan was in mid-force-push, one of the angels reaching out for his head. Haku stood with his hands grasped around a stone wrist, millimeters from his chest.
Author: Serey/Kouject
Beta: Souji and Rini ♥
Word Count: *cough*6,105*COUGH*
Rating: Uh... PG? I guess...?
Characters: Artemis Fowl II, Haku, Zabuza, Hitsugaya Toushirou, Schuldig, Farfarello, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Skuld, The Doctor, Holly Short, ???, brief mentions of other characters.
Pairing(s): Artemis/Haku
Summary: Don't blink.
Notes: Written for
murasaki_kaze. BECAUSE I COULD. :[ Though I kind of fail seeing as none of her characters show up in this. |D;;; Thought that counts?Also, YES, IT'S WAY OVER. But I cut as much as I could and ended up with... this. Reader beware, it's one of my typical fics. >_>;
The hallway was quiet, and dark as usual. But the quiet was what unnerved Artemis the most. When he was with the Captain and whatever third member that had been previously chosen, Artemis would fill the uncomfortable silence with idle conversation. But his decision to seek out what was in the Chapel on his own left him without companion and thus without conversation.
He was careful. He always was, when he didn’t have backup. The excursion was simply to investigate the fountain alone—see what it did when the night traveler came upon it alone. Artemis knew full well what it did when there were others present…
Before he could reach the Chapel, though, his light fell upon a strange object. One that Artemis had never seen in his sojourns to the second floor at night. The boy immediately hid, ducking around a corner. Good Freud, he was doomed if whatever that was had seen him.
He waited with baited breath. Nothing. One minute, two minutes. No sound. Curious, the boy peeked around the corner, flashlight aimed towards where the thing had been.
What met his gaze was arguably the most terrifying thing he’d seen since arriving at the institute. The boy screamed and turned to run. Moments later, his flashlight bounced to the floor, and his scream was silenced. Cut off and swallowed by the stillness.
“He’s gone, Haku,” Schuldig said, hands folded on the table. The Mastermind wasn’t one to sugar-coat things, but he wouldn’t lie and say this hadn’t affected him as well. First Crawford, then Artemis. More members (and honorary members) of Schwarz were disappearing. This didn’t please Schuldig, not at all. “I can’t feel his mind, and believe me, it’s not one that I could easily overlook. It’s huge.”
“I understand,” Haku said, his voice devoid of emotion. He had feared the worst when the bed next to his was neatly made, and the closet was devoid of Artemis’ belongings. His conversation with Schuldig only confirmed it. Artemis was gone. “He often said that you were always watching him—always listening. How did it happen? What killed him?” Whoever or whatever it was, it wouldn’t live to see the sun rise again.
“That’s what’s so fucked up about this,” Schuldig said, frowning. “He just… vanished. His mind didn’t fade away or call out to me, it stopped. Dead. Complete silence, no white noise like when someone goes unconscious. It was like he left my range in a split second. Which we both know, isn’t possible.”
Haku’s nurse bustled up to him, smiling as though nothing was wrong. It took everything not to kill the woman right there. “Come along, Christopher! Your friend is here to see you!”
The walk to the waiting room wasn’t long enough, Haku decided. If his father was waiting for him at the other end, he was going to get out as soon as humanly possible. Attack someone, anyone. Fake being ill. He wouldn’t go through it again, not when Artemis wouldn’t be there to comfort him afterwards.
“Here you are, Chris,” his nurse set a hand on Haku’s shoulder. He didn’t feel it. His mind was miles away, staring into the dark eyes of Artemis Fowl.
But… not quite. His eyes were darker and uniform. This boy wasn’t wearing a suit, either. Just a dress shirt and slacks. Artemis would never have gone out without his blazer or tie on. Not even in an institute full of monsters ready to tear his head off. This boy was also older than Artemis. What had they done to him?
“You two have fun,” the nurse patted Haku reassuringly on the shoulder and left them. Haku didn’t know what to say, or what to do. The anger, the pain, the resentment. It had to be let out.
“Haku?” The ninja blinked, the feelings suddenly gone. Artemis… recognized him? What was going on here?
“Y… yes?”
“Please, have a seat. The nurses will overhear us unless you sit down and appear relaxed.”
It took a moment, but Haku complied and sat down. “Artemis, how did you do it? How did you escape and… why haven’t they dragged you back? Why did you return?”
“Firstly, I need you to listen to exactly what I say, and not interrupt me until I’m done.”
“What happened to your accent?”
“My name is not Artemis. It is Domovoi Maxwell de Folé. My middle name is the same as your false name’s last. My father said it would serve as a password of sorts, so you would know that I came to you from him.”
Haku stared at Domovoi. This wasn’t processing. “Your father?”
“Yes, my father. He is very ill, Haku. He didn’t want you to see him as he is now.”
“I don’t know your father.”
“You did,” Domovoi pulled several folded sheets of paper from his back pocket. From within the folds, he produced a worn photograph of a young boy. Haku knew immediately who it was. How could he have forgotten that triumphant, self-indulgent smirk? When the ninja looked up, Domovoi was holding out one of the folded sheets of paper. Haku took it and, with shaking hands, began to read.
My Dearest Friend,
By now, you have met my son Domovoi. I had intended to come myself, but I’m afraid that the ramblings of an old man would go unheard by our common, dear friend, Martin Landel. I have sent my son in my stead. He knows what the institute is, and will aid you in the removal of what caused my disappearance—which, by my calculations, should have been last night.
It was foolish of me, I know, but I went to the Chapel alone to assess the properties of the healing fountain. Before I arrived, I saw a strange figure. I was terrified at the time, but from what I can recall now, it was the figure of an angel—an angel with its hands over its face.
It attacked me. While I was looking away, it moved. I locked eyes with it again when I came around the corner, and it was once again stone. I looked away, and I was gone. Thrown backwards in time to the year 1964. Yes, your math is correct. I am currently sixty-five years old. Quite a change from fourteen, I assure you.
While researching these monsters, in hope of assuring that this tragedy does not occur to any of our fellow friends, I happened upon a man. No matter what I did, he wouldn’t reveal his name—he simply told me to call him ‘Doctor’. The moment I mentioned the name Martin Landel, he was very cooperative. Apparently, he is there right now, and managed to escape during a massive explosion.
This part is very important Haku, and I trust you to follow my instructions to the letter. You must post a message on the board, asking about the Weeping Angels. Specify that you must speak with ‘The Doctor’, and that the Angels are in the Institute. You must do this TODAY. Without fail, my friend. My life hangs in the balance.
You will need a team. Assemble the Captain, Farfarello, Schuldig, Obi-Wan, and Skuld I suspect Zabuza-san will want to come as well. The Captain will serve as your second in command. Farfarello and Schuldig will be the muscle, as well as Domovoi’s aid. Obi-Wan will serve as a secondary fighter and counsel. He will be able to guide you through what you must be thinking and feeling right now, I promise. Skuld is not much of a fighter, but is an intellectual match for me and is thus the brains of the operation. Anything mechanical, she will be able to deal with. My son Domovoi will also be joining you.
He is going to stand up and start making a scene. You must try to calm him down. Pretend that you’ve been discussing nothing out of the ordinary—but lie badly. Make them CERTAIN that you both are up to no good.
Haku looked up at that point, clearly overwhelmed and not exactly certain that any of this was real. As if on cue, Domovoi stood up and grabbed the nearest orderly by the shirt front.
“What did you do to my father?” he growled. “What did you do with Artemis Fowl?!” The nurses looked up and exchanged wary and shocked glances. Various patients looked up, some unaware that Artemis had even vanished. And yet it seemed as though his clone was standing right there. Schuldig especially suddenly found Crawford much less interesting, and was watching what was going on. Haku watched the scene unfold, his mouth open in confusion. Events were unfolding faster than he could keep up with. He quickly turned back to the letter, as if to read again what he had to do.
Follow my instructions exactly, Haku.
I love you.
--Artemis Fowl II
“Stop it, Domovoi!” Haku stood up, tucking the letter into his waistband. “Sean wasn’t your father! You’re just my friend from school!”
“Shut up!” Domovoi snarled, releasing the orderly and advancing on Haku. “I am the son of the great Artemis Fowl! Martin Landel has killed him!”
“Please, he doesn’t know what he’s saying!” Haku cried in his best Chris-voice as orderlies advanced on Domovoi. “We were just talking, honest!”
“This place is a lie!” Domovoi yelled, completely contradicting Haku’s previous statement. “I’m going to free you all, in the name of my father Artemis! He would not want you all to stay here and rot while he was on the outside!”
A murmur of dissent suddenly rose around the room. Orderlies and nurses alike were nervous. This was a bad time and place for another patient riot.
“REMEMBER RIVER!” Domovoi screamed. “DO NOT LET THEM KEEP YOU HERE!”
Haku caught on to Domovoi’s intention and he viciously leapt at one of the nurses, trying to beat at her with light, non-threatening fists. A few patients stood up as well and began fighting off nurses and orderlies with needles. Most realized that this riot wasn’t going to get them anywhere and stayed out of it.
Domovoi must be admitted to the Institute today, Haku thought in Schuldig’s general direction. Artemis is counting on us to save him.
“Roger that,” Schuldig chuckled under his breath. “Man, can you believe that guy?” The Mastermind said, rather loudly, to Crawford. “Crazy as Sean used to be. Fuckin’ off his rocker. Maybe he should be here instead of me.”
A nurse overheard Schuldig’s words. Frowning, she turned to an orderly. “Sedate him. I must speak with Lydia.”
“An explosion.”
“Yes. That is what my father said.”
“We escape after an explosion.”
“Yes. And you’ll meet him after your time here. The angels have taken him to the year 1964. He says that you will be able to help us.”
“Well,” The Doctor said, chewing on the words for a moment. “While it is true that I have dealt with the angels before, I was following a script. The plan was there, all I had to do was follow it.”
“We do have a script,” Domovoi protested. “My father has written everything out, to the letter. We are the players,” the boy held up the folded pages he’d passed off to Haku before the orderlies had hauled him away. “This is his masterpiece.” Domovoi let that hang for a moment then continued. “We need the specifics on the Angels. And your promise that once the escape takes place you will follow the instructions in this letter, written to you, exactly as they appear. Now, you can give us these things—” Farfarello loomed over Domovoi’s shoulder. Like father, like son, Farfarello had taken a liking to the kid. He was a bit more direct, harder than Artemis. Maybe Farfarello had been making progress on the boy. The Doctor looked up at the assassin, a little pale. “Or I can have Farfarello ask you again.”
“Well,” the Doctor cleared his throat. “I suppose I couldn’t leave young Artemis to the ravages of this… wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey… thing. You have my word.”
“Good,” Domovoi smiled, his expression eerily reminiscent of Artemis’ own vampire-esque smile. He slid his journal across the table. “Now… Everything.”
“We need a very bright, concentrated light,” Haku said, reading directly from the letter. “Ten foot radius, able to hold up until sunrise, possibly longer.”
“Hmm…” Skuld pondered for a moment. She grinned. “What does that stupid boy take me for? That’s child’s play! When do you need it by?”
“Tonight.” The goddess winced. That was… really soon. “Artemis says that everything you need should be in Domovoi’s box in the Patient Possessions room. The team will escort you there, you will construct the device, and then we run to the Grand Ballroom.”
“I don’t know, Haku… I’m only a Goddess Third Class, Limited. And my powers here are stunted—”
“Artemis has written that if you are unable to do it, Edward Elric could assemble it in half the ti—”
“Edward?” Skuld repeated, scoffing. “Half the time? I don’t think so. Meet you in the west hall first thing.”
And meeting in the west hall first thing was indeed what happened. First Haku and Zabuza, joined by Hitsugaya, then Obi-Wan, Schuldig, and Farfarello, then Skuld. Domovoi was the last, as he had to read a map provided to him by the letter.
Once they were assembled, Domovoi gave the motion to head to the Patient Possessions room, leading the way. The group was silent, each going over his or her part (much to Schuldig’s annoyance) in their own heads. It was still early, and the group arrived at the designated location without any trouble. Schuldig and Farfarello tossed boxes back and forth, trying to find the right one. Obi-Wan calmly pointed out that Domovoi, being a new patient, probably hadn’t had his box filed yet. Sure enough, Skuld found it on the desk.
There were parts sewn cleverly into clothing and other mundane objects. Apparently, the nurses didn’t check these things very thoroughly until later. Most likely another reason why it was imperative that the plan be carried out that night.
Skuld set to work, dumping the parts on the floor and organizing them. With a piece of chalk settled in the box (“How thoughtful…”), the goddess drew the alchemic array and activated the sign. What resulted was what looked like a giant light bulb on a high-tech stand. Farfarello, Schuldig, and Zabuza were skeptical, but considering Skuld had to be steadied by the helpful Obi-Wan, they could grudgingly admit that perhaps she had expended enough effort to make it viable.
“All right, so how exactly do we find these things?” Farfarello asked, looking around the dark hallways.
Domovoi looked a little worried. The letter hadn’t specified where—
Skuld screamed, clutching the device to her chest. Behind Farfarello was a stone statue. An angel. With its hands over its face. Farfarello’s eye widened, taken by surprise. He knew what this thing did, and he really didn’t want to try to fight something made of stone. Domovoi rushed forward, flashlight trained on the beautiful stone monster.
“Run. Run, go now!” He shouted, keeping his eyes wide open and the light on it. Skuld took off first, followed by Schuldig and Farfarello, then Zabuza. Obi-Wan, Hitsugaya, and Haku remained behind to help.
“What do we do?” Obi-Wan asked, unsure of how to help or even what he could do.
“Just run, get ahead of me, I have to lead them to the Ballroom.”
“If one of them touches you, that’s it, we’re all dead,” Hitsugaya growled, hand tightening on his sword. “Are you sure about this?”
“Artemis is,” Haku said quietly, eyes cold and dark. “I believe in Artemis. You should as well, Captain Hitsugaya.” The shinigami captain looked disgruntled and almost unwilling to trust a boy who was so unpredictable and volatile, but what choice did he have? Obi-Wan laid a hand on Hitsugaya’s shoulder and nodded.
“I believe in him as well,” Obi-Wan patted Domovoi’s back. “I’m right behind you, Domovoi. Lead us Haku.” The ninja gave a quick nod and took off at a run. Hitsugaya followed, Obi-Wan bringing up the rear, protecting Domovoi.
“If I stop singing,” Domovoi called, running backwards, light trained on the advancing Angels. “Haku and Zabuza must take turns watching them!”
“What?!” Skuld shrieked, beginning to run again as Haku and Hitsugaya passed her. “They could GET you?!”
“Keep running!” Domovoi shouted. “I’m Henry the Eighth I am!”
Farfarello rolled his eye, “Balls.” He took off down the hall.
“Henry the—” Blink. Advance. “Eighth I am! I am!”
The group approached the stairs. “Carry him, Obi-Wan,” Haku ordered. “Link arms and carry him on your back!”
Obi-Wan followed the call, hoisting the singing Domovoi onto his back and proceeding down the stairs. Skuld and Hitsugaya lighted the Jedi’s feet. “I got married to the widow next door!”
Schuldig looked back, gritting his teeth as he and Farfarello took the stairs two at a time. As they looked away and Domovoi blinked, the Angels grew closer and closer. They reached out with clawed hands for their prey, teeth bared, frustrated by the plan to keep them at bay. They were so fucked. When they got out of this, Schuldig didn’t care if Artemis was sixty-five, he was giving that boy a piece of his mind.
The group exited the stairwell and ran directly through the Sun Room and into the Cafeteria.
“She’s been married seven times before!”
Zabuza was going to throttle Artemis’ son once he’d stopped running. And once Haku was looking the other way. That song was getting on his last sane nerve.
After the Cafeteria came the locked door to the Kitchen. This was the tricky part. All of the corners in the Kitchen leading to the Refrigerator made this leg of the journey very dangerous. They would have to do it quickly. Fortunately, Artemis had set up a plan. Haku jumped to the head of the group, Hitsugaya following suit. Skuld and Obi-Wan flanked them, as per instructions.
As they ran, Haku instructed Hitsugaya. “Use the ability you used on the bus the night the nurses transformed in fron—”
“I know!” Hitsugaya growled. “We went over this. Get on my back!”
Without breaking stride, Haku swung himself into position on Hitsugaya’s back. The Captain didn’t so much as stumble either. The two of them were completely synchronized, two pairs of eyes focused intently on the door.
“Everyone was a Henry!”
“HADOU 18!” The moment the words left Hitsugaya’s lips, Haku pressed several different pressure points in the Captain’s torso. Blood still oozed out of his nose, but the points had prevented the kidou from ripping Hitsugaya’s body apart completely. The door flew off its hinges, sufficiently destroyed, and the group continued to move. Haku noted as he dismounted Hitsugaya that the Angels were still following. Five, by his count. No, six.
Skuld ran ahead, accompanied by Obi-Wan, wielding a series of small, self-designed picks. She attacked the refrigerator door, sweating hard.
“She wouldn’t have a Willie or a Sam!” Domovoi sang, the group slowing down as they all piled into the kitchen. The son blinked again and one of the angels stood with its arms almost embracing Domovoi in a deadly hug. The boy’s voice cracked and he stopped, at a loss for words. Obi-Wan looked back at the boy on his back, staring glassy-eyed at the monster. Everyone else was also staring, mute with terror, at the enemy in their midst.
“Not to rush you Miss Skuld, but—” The refrigerator door swung open.
“Am I good, or am I good?” She grinned, falling in with the rest of the crowd again as they surged forward. Obi-Wan had to agree, allowing himself a small smile. Domovoi could only sweat as they moved away from the frozen monster.
“Rest for a minute,” Schuldig said, standing in front of Domovoi and fixing a piercing stare on the angels trying to crowd the refrigerator door. Domovoi exhaled as though he had been holding his breath the whole time. He gasped for air and blinked his eyes and trying to recollect himself.
“You didn’t have it easy, did you?” Domovoi commented as Skuld and Obi-Wan worked on the trap door. Haku, HItsugaya, and Zabuza stood guard over the procession. “You’re still calm and collected, even though that thing almost had me. Is this really not the worst thing you’ve undertaken?” The son said with a nervous laugh.
“So, Arty told you stories?” Schuldig said with a grin. “Seems you like to tell stories too, Dom.”
The son didn’t have anything to say to that. Except, “You know why. My father made it very explicit why.”
“The trap door is open,” Haku called. “Everyone down one at a time. Skuld first, Schuldig and Farfarello next.”
“I’ve got it, Schuldig,” Domovoi said, a note of finality in his voice, locking eyes with the angels. “I have to lead them down there.”
The Mastermind shrugged and gave a lopsided grin, “Whatever you say, sir.”
Domovoi continued to chant, slowly and more steadily. Leading the angels down the stairs would be the most difficult part, and the one requiring the most timing. “I'm her eighth old man,” Blink. Advance.
“The device is set!” Skuld called. She’d raced down the stairs to the center of the Grand Ballroom and set down the strobe. Farfarello and Schuldig took their positions, their backs to the light, forming a circle.
“I’m Henry—” Obi-Wan let Domovoi off his back and the boy walked slowly backwards, the angels moving after him. Domovoi had specified that no one must look at them during this crucial period. The group had to trust his vocal cues. Haku, Zabuza, Obi-Wan and Hitsugaya moved into the same pre-ordained positions, backs to the light, eyes closed, listening to Domovoi.
“Henry the— oh no.” The hair on everyone’s neck stood up on end at those two words, and even though their eyes were shut, they could tell that all the lights in the ballroom were flickering.
“THE LIGHT!!” Domovoi shouted, panicking and backpedaling as the angels chased him, claws extended, teeth bared. Light, darkness, light and darkness—the angels pressed on, almost frustrated that they couldn’t simply sweep in and claim their prey. “SKULD TURN ON THE LIGHT!”
Various shouts and screams of panic ensued as the lights died completely. Skuld’s hand fumbled on the switch, but her thumb found it in the next instant and hit it. Light flooded the darkened ballroom, and slowly the rest of the lights came up. Crouched in defensive positions, the group slowly straightened, faces pale. Hitsugaya was staring directly at an angel’s chest, its fangs inches from his forehead. Zabuza’s sword was now trapped inside the shoulder of one of them, claws inches from his own hands. Farfarello and Schuldig each had a clawed hand in their faces, and another was looming over Skuld. Obi-Wan was in mid-force-push, one of the angels reaching out for his head. Haku stood with his hands grasped around a stone wrist, millimeters from his chest.