Chapter One: Tanith has a Plan
A/N: Ok, this time, Tanith's the main character. There will be Valduggery and Ghanith in the future, so don't worry.
Years of combat had strengthened Valkyrie to new extents, and helped her get over her deep and twisted anger. Her partner, secret love, best friend had been taken from her, leaving her heart broken and consumed with utter rage. She had spent the past twenty years in search of the group known as the Venom Clan, tracking their every move until tonight. Tonight she predicted their location, and she was desperate to rush in and break every bone in the clan's members, but patience was important here.
She had wanted to get Skulduggery earlier and save him before they did anything, but they would expect her then, and she knew that getting herself killed wouldn't be a good thing.
She threw her head back in despair and spun around in her chair, rubbing her eyes. She could only imagine what those evil villains would be doing to her poor Skulduggery, and the thoughts hurt her. She soon was consumed by rage once again and stood up and walked to the basement of the mansion. She flicked on the light switch as she clambered down the steps, her pale skin glowing in the dim light. She made her way across the cement floor to the corner of the room where a punching bag was dangling from a beam in the ceiling. Time for some physical therapy.
She rolled up her sleeves and growled, putting her anger and depression into every punch she threw at the bag. The bag began to violently swing back and forth, and Valkyrie yelled before dropping to the ground and putting her face into her knees. She was lost without him…she wasn't embarrassed one bit to admit it, and she was desperate to get him back in her long and empty life. She lay in a crumpled heap on the cold floor crying uncontrollably until she heard the familiar sound of a motorbike. Her bike.
Valkyrie's instincts kicked in and she quickly flicked the light off, nestling into the darkness of one of the corners of the room.
No one had given her an update on Tanith, and the last she heard, that damned Remnant was still inside her.
Well…no one had been talking to her at all lately, due to the fact they didn't want to say something that would trigger her strong emotions.
Valkyrie stayed still in the corner waiting for the Remnant to make its way down the stairs into her ambush. She held her new gun to her chest, her heart pounding rapidly. She kept her eyes on the stairwell as she heard footsteps above. She closed her eyes and waited for the voice.
"Val? Where are you? I'm finally free of that Remnant!" Tanith Low called, her footsteps getting louder.
Valkyrie's eyes widened and she screamed happily as she rushed upstairs. Most people would call her dumb, and idiotic, but she knew Tanith's voice. The Remnant managed to change her voice when it inhabited her, so she knew this was the real Tanith, She bounded down the dark hallway to see the blond clad in brown leather looking around with her back to her, and Valkyrie took it as a opportunity.
She rushed at Tanith and wrapped her arms around her earning a squeal, then began giggling as her friend realized it was her. Tanith smiled and gently pushed Valkyrie up to stand, and immediately hugged her best friend.
"Oh, Val! I heard about you isolating yourself…I had to come and see you!" Tanith cried, tightening her grip.
Valkyrie laughed and returned the gesture as she replied, "Yeah, I've been upset. I thought you were gone forever! How did it happen?"
Tanith pulled back and looked at Valkyrie and simply said, "I honestly don't want to repeat the process."
Valkyrie nodded stiffly but her smile came right back. She plopped on the couch and smiled at Tanith as she walked over. Tanith took a seat and tilted her head at Valkyrie, trying to read her emotions that were cooped up inside.
"Val, I know something's wrong. That fake smile isn't hiding anything…now talk. I missed you," she explained, patting Valkyrie's hand.
Valkyrie sighed and her smile faded, the thoughts of Skulduggery taking control of her mind. Her eyes began to water and she covered her face, not wanting Tanith to see. Everyone thought that Valkyrie was some bad girl that wasn't afraid of anything…but they were definitely wrong. Without Skulduggery by her side she was an emotional wreck, and she just couldn't hide it. Tanith slightly hugged Valkyrie and rubbed her back in attempt to console her. Valkyrie sniffed before looking up and wiping her eyes, her face saying it all.
"It's about Skul, isn't it?" Tanith whispered gently, hoping she didn't trigger Valkyrie's hidden bucket of anger.
Valkyrie didn't get angry but nodded sadly, a stray tear trickling down her pale face. Tanith was then full of sympathy for her friend, and knew exactly how she was feeling. She couldn't do anything but hope that nothing had happened to Skulduggery, fore Valkyrie would never recover. She would shut herself from all of her friends…Tanith didn't want that.
"I just d-don't know what t-to do, Tanith," Valkyrie stuttered, choking on her tears.
Tanith hugged her friend whilst whispering, "Shh, shhh, we will get him back from that Venom Clan don't worry. I heard you have been tracking them down for years now and are planning to strike. May I help?"
Valkyrie looked up slowly and nodded her smile shaking as she did so.
Tanith nodded and told her friend to lie down and take a rest while she wrapped up the attack plans. After a few minutes of arguing, she got Valkyrie to nestle up into the couch sleepily, leaving her to do some planning. Tanith stood up gently and tiptoed out of the living room, heading to Valkyrie's office. She walked down the hallway and glanced at the photos covering the walls.
In small black frames there were pictures of her and Val teasing Fletcher, her and Ghastly…and Skul and Val. It hurt to look at the picture of Val laughing and trying to snatch Skul's hat, knowing that these sweet days had gone to a bitter end. Tanith sighed and kept walking down the hallway, her blond hair bouncing as she did so. She finally reached the door to Val's office and opened the door gently, her eyes still watering. She flicked on the light and her eyes widened as she saw Val's work effort. There were maps of Ireland taped to the wall in endless layers, most with huge X's on particular locations. There were pictures of members of the Venom Clan, some with darts embedded deep into their already frowning faces.
Tanith wanted to kill every single one of those men and women right now and retrieve Skulduggery, just to see Val happy again. Everything was different now…depressing. Tanith walked over to the desk and took a seat as she began to examine Val's latest research. There were reports of last known whereabouts coating the desk, the most recent ones with red ink stars on the corner.
The last page that Val hadn't gotten to had the date from yesterday…
Tanith craned over the paper and read every single word that covered the page. The last eye witness reported strange activity at an old abandoned warehouse on Baggot Street. Tanith smirked as she read on, knowing that the Venom Clan didn't expect her coming.
She stood up and pushed the chair in, straightening everything so Val wouldn't know she was snooping around. Tanith walked out of the office after flicking off the light, and decided not to glance at any pictures, because she knew there was a chance she might fail. She sighed and was enveloped in the morning light of the living room, the sudden brightness making her flinch. After her eyes readjusted she looked over to Valkyrie who was wide awake and flicking through the romance channels with tears rolling down her face.
Valkyrie finally realized she was being watched and glanced over at Tanith with a shaky smile. Tanith returned the smile and dusted her hands off, awkwardly walking past the couch. Valkyrie tilted her head in confusion as Tanith tried to leave, wondering why she was so…stiff.
"Aw, you're leaving?" Valkyrie whined, setting down the TV remote.
Tanith froze and didn't glance back but quickly said, "Uh, Ghastly called while I was…in the bathroom. It's urgent…um, we will plan things in the next few days, promise. I guarantee that the clan won't change hideouts by then. We will get him back, I promise."
With that, Tanith walked out of the door with no good byes or explanations. Tanith took one last look at the mansion before sighing and walking away. It would be nice to have Valkyrie helping, but she already knew that when Val saw Skulduggery chained up or even dead, she would be out of it. It was up to her to get her friends back.
Tanith mounted her motorbike and kicked off and was soon flying through the streets, weaving in between the morning traffic. She was slightly distracted due to the fact she had a one night mission to complete, and she had no clue what this Venom Clan was capable of. Obviously a lot, considering they managed to capture Skulduggery. Hopefully, her skills were enough to at least stand a chance against the sorcerers. She also didn't know how many members there were in the clan, but it didn't matter to her right now.
She had a job to do, and if they wanted to try and stop her, they would be in for it.
She was going to get Skulduggery back for Val.
No matter what.
A/N: Go Tanith! I decided for once I wanted to make a story to show how BAD ASS she is.