In a world where Skulduggery isn't Lord Vile, Tanith isn't possessed by a Remnant, Valkyrie isn't Darquesse, Valkyrie's 24, and, more importantly a world where Lord Vile falls for Valkyrie.
Disclaimer: I don't own rights to any of these characters.
Mortal coil-
Valkyrie's face contorted in pain as Fletcher, or the Remnant inside Fletcher, delivered another bone-cracking kick to her ribs. He kicked her again then stood over her.
"You know, I love you, but this Remnant's opened my eyes, you don't really love me, you keep me around because I'm useful." He said, stamping on her stomach.
Valkyrie moaned, the pain was unbearable. She would've beat the shit out of him if he said she didn't love him, but she was in too much pain to do anything but fight the darkness creeping into her vision.
He stamped on her stomach yet again and stepped back as she convulsed, coughing up blood.
He teleported away, only for a second, coming back with an axe. "I'm going to kill you, then Skulduggery, then Ghastly, Tanith, then your whole family."
He dragged the axe along the cold concrete, sparks flying, slowly making his way over to her curled up form. He nudged her with his foot, raised the axe and…..
He smashed into the far wall, sinking down it, landing heavily on his side. As he stood a wave of shadow crashed into his chest. Fletcher crawled along the floor, trying to rid the wave of dizziness so he could teleport.
Whoever had hit him was in front of him in the blink of an eye lifting him clear of the ground before slamming him down onto his knee. Once, twice, three times before dropping him to the floor.
Fletcher moaned and looked up to see the bottom of a black boot sail towards him, moments before it hit him in the centre of his face, throwing his head back, making it hit the floor with a sickening crack.
Valkyrie was puzzled, why Fletcher was not chopping her like a block of wood was still a mystery. She was scared, where was she? Then it came back to her, the unknown person who had so blatantly saved her life. Who had it been? She sat up slowly recalling the small fight, in which this unknown person had kicked the crap out of Remnant Fletcher.
It wasn't Skulduggery. For this new person was faster than him, faster than anyone she had fought, faster than Vengeous, Serpine, Murder Rose, Jaron Gallows, Gruesome Krav, even Dusk.
She felt cold gloved hands hauling her to her feet. She looked up to thank this person and froze. The person who stood before her was a demon, a ghost, a dead man, a man who was spoke of with pure hatred and distaste, the man who saved her life. Lord Vile.
She recoiled from his touch, backing away. She cursed as she tripped over her left foot. Vile's shadows quickly formed behind her, saving her from hitting the floor.
He was watching her with mild curiosity. He could sense the fear radiating from her. He was confused, why was she backing away from him, he had saved her life. His gaze followed her as she backed herself against the wall, wide-eyed.
Valkyrie was terrified, scratch that petrified. She wasn't in a good condition to fight, Fletcher had taken her jacket, and there was a pounding in her head that refused to retreat, she couldn't even run, let alone fight. Contemplating her options she didn't notice that Vile had moved and now was now stood directly in front of her, hand held out, grasping her jacket.
His head was cocked sideways, she reached out grabbed her jacket and quickly pulling it back, mumbling a thanks. As she slipped on her jacket she noticed that Vile's gaze was still fixed on her.
She looked up. The look he was giving her was not off hate, it was adoration, softness and love.
She remembered the stories of how Vile had slain thousands of sorcerers with barely a flick of his hand as he quickly closed the distance between them.
She remembered the raw power that Vile's armour as she felt his arms snake round her waist, pulling her against him.
Remembered how the shadows had smashed into Fletcher as the mask around his mouth retracted, and he dipped his head down so he was centimetres from her face.
Remembered how he had saved as her life, how he had fought for her as he kissed her.
She forgot about Fletcher, forgot about everything as she wrapped her arms round his neck, deepening the kiss.
The armour he donned, the black as night armour should have been cold and hard, yet it was warm and soft. What was she doing? She tried to avoid the very obvious fact that Vile's hands were on her waist, slowly making their way down her body.
The moment was shattered by the unmistakeable click of the hammer of a revolver. Vile pulled away from her, looking at someone past her. She slowly turned round and shrank back against Vile's chest. It was Skulduggery, gun pointed at Vile.
"Valkyrie, move." His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
She stayed, frozen next to Vile, who had his arm draped protectively over her shoulder.
"Valkyrie move, now." Anger lacing his voice.
Vile nudged her towards Skulduggery. She wordlessly made her way to Skulduggery's side. Trying to avoid Vile's gaze of desire that followed her. When she reached his side she turned to look at the sorcerer who had killed many men, haunted dreams, and the man who had done unspeakable things, the man who loved her. Lord Vile.
One long, last, lingering look at Valkyrie and Vile disappeared. Skulduggery holstered his gun and turned to look at Valkyrie who was looking at the floor.
"What were you thinking?" He asked, she still was not meeting his gaze.
"Lord Vile is a murderer, a monster. He killed thousands of sorcerers, friends. So I ask you again, what were you thinking?" He continued.
"I wasn't." She mumbled.
Seeing how Skulduggery was Skulduggery he decided not to push it further. "So he saved your life." She just nodded.
"Well, to the Bentley then." He said.
"Yeah, to the Bentley." She muttered, thinking how good it felt to kiss Vile
