//------------------------------//
// S2E1: A Few Well-Earned Explanations 
// Story: Artemis Fowl and the Elements of Randomosity 
// by The Scribophiliac 
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	Several days have passed since the incidents of the last chapter. Artemis was making arrangements for a formal expeditionary foray into Equestria. In addition to the things he needed to bring with him, ie, food, clothes, scientific equipment, Artemis was also required to gain a permit to traverse the portal. He would have fain payed his way past regulations, but for the small problem of no one accepting his bribes.
Being forced to wait for the torpid process of bureaucracy to run its phlegmatic course gave Artemis time to contemplate deeply on the matter at hand. He now had time to reflect on a few issues that had not presented themselves in the spur of the moment, when everything was surreal in its shocking newness to him. For instance, there was a distinct lack of conflict where there should have been a language barrier between humans and equines. Throughout his whole time in Equestria, Artemis had been speaking in his native tongue. The young man concluded that unless all ponies spoke Irish as a first language, then they must have something like the faerie gift of tongues to allow for the effortless communication which Artemis had hitherto enjoyed with them. This, combined with the fact that he was able to use the mesmer as a unicorn, added to his suspicions that pony and faerie magic may be related in some distant past.
Another point of interest was the troll that had shown up. It was obviously a species native to the other world, yet it did share several striking characteristics with the variety found on Earth. Artemis made a mental note to ask Twilight’s opinion on the matter, as well as on those of the other similarities he had observed. That would be his first goal once he returned to Equestria, assuming he ever did. He briefly considered his alternatives to waiting for authorization. The permanent portal was housed in the LEP headquarters, and was guarded by LEPtactical officers under the command of Major Thorne Crest. If he and Butler could slip into the vortex, they’d be home free. However, this outcome seemed unlikely, so he decided to appease himself by learning more about this Major Crest fellow. Why was he in charge of the portal operations? Recalling that Holly seemed to know the green-clad elfin major, Artemis decided to start by questioning her.





As it turned out, that day just so happened to be Holly’s day off. This was horribly convenient, so Artemis made haste to take advantage of this opportunity and follow through on his intentions. Having left Haven but once since returning from Equestria, and for a brief time at that, he found his ends easily attainable, in fact, all that was required of him was to acquire transportation. Little difficulty was met in this department, because Foaly had already promised to drive the young Fowl if he needed to go anywhere.
Now he had arrived at his destination. He had never actually been in his friend’s house before, so it was a slightly awkward experience as he approached her front door. Just as he was prepared to knock, he heard a sound emit from the building; a sound like 100,000 people saying “whop”.

“That’s curious.” thought Artemis. “I could have sworn that I just heard 100,000 people say ‘whop’.” It was strange that he should have thought that, because nobody really knows what that sounds like, but nevertheless that was the sound he heard and so that was what he thought. He then proceeded to ring the doorbell. No answer. He rang it again, and waited longer. Still no answer. Finally, he tried the doorknob; it was unlocked, so he let himself in. Holly was nowhere to be found in the house. This was strange, because her Neutrino was still lying on the table, and Artemis knew Holly would never leave without it. This led to the obvious conclusion that she hadn't intended to leave.

She had been abducted.