Hey guys, this is a new story of mine I just started. I've written about 6 chapters atm, but I'd thought i'd put up a few for now and see if I get any reviews so please R&R if you want more, even if you just review saying yeah I like this. Thanks :)

Disclaimer here e.t.c.


Chapter One

Valkyrie

Valkyrie drummed her fingers on the cars dashboard. It didn't usually take Skulduggery this long. The silence in the car was almost foreboding. Then, as if on cue, the windows of the apartment blew out in a sudden explosion. Glittering shards rained down on the Bentley.

"I knew it." Valkyrie grumbled as three figures followed the glass.

With a scowl she exited the car and stormed over, her right hand flaming and left holding shadows. A fourth figure stood on the window's ledge. He held a long gun... aiming at the head of one of the figures. Skulduggery was the first to compose himself from the fall, sending a wave of air slamming into the gun man. The second figure remained on the floor, struggling to get up, and the third, China Sorrows stood gracefully, as though she fell 4 stories every day. Valkyrie rushed over to the figure. A small pool of blood surrounded the girl, draining from the glass shard going through her leg. She was barely conscious so Valkyrie propped her over her shoulder and carried her over to the Bentley. The girl was lean, but no means remotely overweight, but she was tall and her legs had strong muscles, making her more of a burden than Valkyrie could carry. Another car screeched to a halt next to the Bentley and out sprang Ghastly Bespoke and Tanith Low. Ghastly rushed over to her, while Tanith streaked off after the others who followed the gunman back in to the apartment.

"Who's this then?" Ghastly grunted as he opened the back door.

"Not sure, she flew out of the window with Skulduggery and China." Valkyrie explained as they laid the girl on the back seat. She was young by her looks, about Valkyries age, but with magic she might have been old as Skulduggery himself.

"Ah, then she might be China's new apprentice." Ghastly noted as he ripped off the bottom of the girl's trouser leg.

"China's...? I didn't think China would ever take on one." Valkyrie said, watching behind them for more gunmen while Ghastly slowly pulled out the large piece of glass.

A cry escaped the girl's lips and Ghastly stopped.

"Not as unconscious as I thought. We'll take her to Kespeckle for sedation."

He rounded the car, getting into the driver's seat. Valkyrie entered as well.

"What about the others?"

She clipped her seat belt just in time as Ghastly speed off.

"Tanith will take them back to th car. She's loosing blood."

Alaska

Something was in her leg.

Something big.

Her leg felt warm, too warm. Warm and wet.

Hot pain spiked up her leg and she woke with a cry. Looking down at her leg she saw a piece of glass the size of a book sticking through her calf.

"Oh! She's up! Clarabelle, anaesthetic please... now!" An elderly looking man called.

In rushed a lanky blue haired girl holding a small leaf. With two languid steps she walked over and gave her the leaf.

Assuming she was to take it, she forced it down her throat and swallowed until it went down completely. Immediately the pain numbed and her body cooled down. Without the pain to distract her, she looked around the small white room she was in. It was clearly a hospital sort of place and she recognized the man.

"Kenspeckle Grouse?" She wondered aloud.

"Indeed I am. And you are?" He looked up over his glasses at her as he pulled out the glass. She felt nothing except a small tingling in her leg.

"Alaska Fox, and if it's okay to ask, where is China? A man attacked us in her apartment." Alaska replied courteously, but eager to find out what happened to China and the skeleton, who she assumed was Detective Pleasant.

"Pleased to meet you Miss Fox. Miss Sorrows is just outside with Detective Pleasant and Miss Cain"

He brought over a small bowl containing an electric blue mixture, which he stirred with a small spoon. She relaxed as he spread the mixture over her wound. It was cold. She watched the door open after a small knock and China, Cain and the detective walked in. They all looked at her but only China came right over. The detective stayed near the door. Alaska never really liked the detective. He was arrogant and rude, but she did respect his power and usefulness in arriving in the nick of time. She turned to China.

"That was a highly unprofessional experience China and I'm sorry I let you down. I wasn't useful, flying out of the window like that and passing out." Alaska said. She was genuinely embarrassed. She had passed out after Cain dragged her to the car with Bespoke's help.

"Nonsense Fox, your training is still limited, give yourself a few months and you'll be as good at Valkyrie no doubt."

Her voice was slightly more emotional than usual Alaska noted. She looked down at her leg, slightly distracted by the occasional plink, plink of the glass extracted from her leg by the mixture.

"Oh and of course I am to have another young helpless girl to fix every time you two decide to find an apprentice?" Grouse grumbled.

"An unavoidable cost doctor." Skulduggery replied whilst leaning against the wall.

Alaska eyed him. He had an irresponsible air about him, more than the rumours portrayed. Agitation stirred inside her. She flicked her eyes back to China who looked back at her with a smirk. Only of course, while she faced away from the others. Valkyrie remained silent and the plinking continued.

"Although, it is interesting to see China with an apprentice. Your first?" Skulduggery continued. She wasn't sure, but she thought he was looking at her, despite him facing the other way.

"Interesting indeed, to think that I should take an apprentice. I have my reasons though. Miss Fox is my first and last." China said as she flattened out her perfectly shaped skirt. Alaska had always admired her, but she was surprised to find China looked to her as an equal.

The plinking had stopped and Grouse had begun to sow small, intricate stitches down the wound. Still, Alaska gladly felt nothing.

"And Miss Fox, what is it you practice?" Skulduggery turned to look at her. Many rumours said his eyeless pits were a fright yet she was neither scared nor moved by them.

"I'm an adept. I'd rather not disclose specifics." She replied curtly.

He nodded.

"As would be expected from China's apprentice. I must admit your name has no significant notes attached to it and I am curious why China finds you so special considering your previous performance of falling out of the window." He held her eye contact as she clenched her jaw.

"Skulduggery if you are here to be your usual rude self, leave." Grouse ordered with a glare.

Still maintaining eye contact Alaska replied,

"Not to worry Doctor, it takes more than this pile of bones to annoy me."


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