Artemis was not looking forward to this. He had been in a time tunnel before, and it hadn’t been much fun. Actually, it was quite painful. But this was nothing like the time tunnel.

-Besides the fact that it was blue. Artemis and Holly sped down the tunnel at incredible speeds. Every second or so, another being zipped past them. Most of the time it was a human or an animal, but sometimes it was a fairy. Suddenly there was a blinding flash of light and they landed on a mattress.

Artemis’s first impression was blue. Blue and white, sky and clouds. He reached down to feel the soft surface that they had landed on, and instantly jerked his hand up. It was like there was nothing there. They were actually suspended on clouds.

They pushed themselves up onto one elbow. Holly noticed that she and Artemis were completely naked. But they felt no shame, on the contrary. She felt happy and exhilarated.

They got up and looked around. In every direction, as far as the eye could see, there were clouds. It made Artemis feel dizzy. In front of them was a gate. A constant line of fairies, humans, and animals filed through it.

The golden gate was a ruin of a once beautiful entranceway. The pure gold spirals and bars were tarnished and covered with age spots. One of the gates hung on a broken hinge.

The Pearly Gates weren’t all they were cracked up to be, and neither was Saint Peter. The elderly saint had a pot belly, thinning white hair, and a nose the size and shape of a moldy potato.

Holly and Artemis walked over to him. The angel sat at a white desk, working at a white AppleMac. He looked up at them and smiled benevolently.

“Ah, Artemis Fowl and Holly Short. Another young couple. Please don’t tell me you died in a car crash? There are so many accidents this time of year…” He shook his balding head sadly.

Artemis laid his palms on the table. “Well, actually, that’s sort of why we are here. See, we aren’t supposed to be here. In Heaven.”

He snorted. “That’s what they all say.”

Holly slammed her fist down. “Look Pete-”

“Nobody calls me Pete except the Big Man!”

“And Italians.” said Artemis under his breath.

“What?” he asked sharply.

“Nothing. Saint Peter, please. Just look up our names on that computer. Read our profiles and you will see what we are talking about.”

He sighed and minimized his game of solitaire. There was the sound of rapid typing. “Artemis Fowl… Holly Short… Aha! Here we are.” His eyes scanned the page.

“Kidnapping… Saving Haven… Goblin rebellion… Well what do you know, you never died.”

“That’s what we’ve been telling you.” said Holly exasperatedly.

He read it over again. “Well, it seems that we have a little technicality here. In my opinion, excluding the kidnapping thing, both of you have done enough good things in your lives to go to Heaven at least twice. Go on in, I’ll talk to the Boss about this and get it all sorted out.” He gestured towards the gates. “Go on into Paradise.”

Artemis and Holly stepped through the gates and into a whole new world.

Gold. Everything was gold. Artemis liked it.

They were in a gold plaza. Gold building, gold streets, gold benches. There was a circular oasis in the middle. A grand tree shaded the entire area. It must’ve been at least several stories tall. Children climbed in it’s braches, and elderly couples sat at its base. The branches were weighed down with every fruit imaginable, and more.

Slightly transparent forms of people walked around them. There were thousands of souls, but it didn’t seem crowded. There were animals everywhere. Artemis bent down and scratched a lion behind the ear. It rolled over like a playful puppy in an indication that it wanted to have its belly rubbed.

Strangely, Artemis knew everyone there. He knew everything about them, without even thinking. Their age, the day they died, their favorite thing to do. Everything. Walking in their general direction was Susan Paren, age 50, died of cancer. She had three children, two of which were in college and the other on a surveying mission in Russia.

As soon as they entered, Artemis and Holly’s minds were flooded with thousands of conversations. Soon the message was singular. Hello Artemis and Holly!

Hello! they called back, and instantly felt at home. Even more so than they had on Earth.

Artemis sat on a gleaming bench, trying to absorb it all. It was so amazing.

Wow. he said to Holly. This place is wonderful.

Yes. she agreed. Too bad we have to wait to stay here forever. Suddenly she looked amused. I didn’t know you slept with a teddy bear.

Artemis wasn’t embarrassed. I didn’t know that you liked spaghetti with chocolate sauce.

They laughed. Do you want to walk? He asked.

Sure.They walked, chatted, laughed some more, and shared memories and thoughts. They had a lunch of their favorite meals (filet mignon and chicken parmesan), and sat beneath the great tree.

They walked, chatted, laughed some more, and shared memories and thoughts. They had a lunch of their favorite meals (filet mignon and chicken parmesan), and sat beneath the great tree.A young boy ran up to them. Dennis Moore, age 10, died of drowning.

Artemis and Holly, Peter wants to see you!They glanced at each other sadly. Neither of them wanted to leave. Artemis knew that Holly was slightly disappointed. She hadn’t seen the one person she had wanted to say goodbye to- Commander Root.

They glanced at each other sadly. Neither of them wanted to leave. Artemis knew that Holly was slightly disappointed. She hadn’t seen the one person she had wanted to say goodbye to- Commander Root.Cheer up. Heaven is big. I know he’s here somewhere. said Artemis gently.I know. she replied, taking Artemis’s hand.They returned to the gates, where Saint Peter was waiting for them.

Did you enjoy Heaven? he asked

Oh, yes. they said, hoping they could have more time.

I thought you might. You know, you are the first people to actually go back to Earth from Heaven. But now it is time for you to go. I’ve cleared the whole thing up with Alpha Omega. I know you want to return to your friends and family. He placed a hand on their shoulders. One more thing before you go. You may or may not have three children. It depends on which path you take.

He placed a hand on their shoulders.He winked. You weren’t supposed to know that.

Then they disappeared.

Some other stories by 1crazyhollyfan:

• Shifting Sands
• Still here.
• "Foaly's Visit" announcement
• The Long Awaited Part 3 of The Breakup!
• In the Face of Hardship

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