A/N: bolded passages are flashbacks. Warning: this story contains bloody violence, drug and alcohol use, gun violence, sexual content, brief language, disturbing images, and death! Ratings may go up so reader discretion is advised. Disclaimer: most characters are property of Derek Landy. The OCs belongs to me. Enjoy as always!

"Catch me as I fall

Say you're here and it's all over now

Speaking to the atmosphere

No one's here and I fall into myself

This truth drives me into madness

I know I can stop the pain if I will it all away…"

Whisper by Evanescence

DUBLIN, IRELAND – 2013

"Move out!" Doors of a dozen black armor vans slid open. The cleavers came out first and then the sanctuary agents came last; Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain were among them. They all approached the warehouses' doors quickly and after he listened for any life, the detective gave the signal. Four cleavers kicked the doors open, unsheathing their scythes, and stormed inside.

Valkyrie was moving before someone grabbed her arm. She turned and she was face-to-face with Skulduggery. His façade was up; pale skin, one green eye and the other blue, thin lips, shaggy black hair. How she loved his eyes… "Remember," he had told her. "Be brave."

She smiled. "Ditto." She winked at him before running inside. The warehouse was mostly deserted except for some tables and broken chairs. They searched the place before spotting a basement door in the back. The cleavers kicked it open and they rushed inside. Skulduggery, Ghastly Bespoke, Valkyrie, Tanith Low, and Mr. Bliss were leading the way. When they made it to ground floor, a maniacal cackle halted them in their pursuit. "Darlings, darlings, darlings," a voice said with a giggle. "Welcome…" A light came on and it was then when an African woman came into view. She wore a black leather sleeveless top that only went midriff; her tone stomach exposed. Her leather pants were red and she wore black combat boots. Fingerless leather gloves covered her hands and a studded belt was wrapped around her waist.

But the most peculiar aspect of this woman was her smile. She had smiled really big like what you see on a clown's face; teeth bright white and almost jackal-like. Her long hair covered her face but her right eye was exposed. It was blood red and it glowed in the light that shone from the florescent lights above. They couldn't see her left eye and Skulduggery had explained that she wore an eye-patch over that eye…or they suspected that she did. In the distance, she seemed to have a face of an angel, of China Sorrows maybe. She was dangerously beautiful…but up close and personal, she had the face of a sick person. A mental patient who would smile no matter what the situation is; whether it's a special occasion or a murder. She had the face of a sick, crazy woman.

She smiled before saying, "Welcome to Hell."

Skulduggery stepped up first. "Miss Terra Diana Strange, you are under arrest for the murder of twenty unidentified civilians; fifteen men and five women, kidnapping, thievery, illegal possession of three shotguns, selling drugs to minors, arson, reckless driving, and destroying public property. There is more, of course, but we don't have time to go on at the moment." Miss Strange giggled maniacally again before looking at them with a wicked grin on her face.

"Twenty civilians, you say?" she asked innocently. She put a finger against her chin in thought. "Funny, I thought it was more."

Valkyrie stepped up beside Skulduggery. "Are you going to come quietly or do we have to add 'resisting arrest' on your rap sheet too?" The African sorceress cackled; throwing her head back.

"Oh my, darling, why would I ever do that? I like my freedom here."

"Listen Miss Strange-."

"No, you listen," Strange hissed with an insane glint in her eye. "You won't be able to defeat me, detectives. Besides, we'll miss the party."

Skulduggery tilted his head a little. "What party?"

"Why, a party of a lifetime, mister." She replied giddily. "A party of your worst nightmares!" With that, she stamped her foot into the ground and a glowing red symbol appeared under her boot. Before anyone could do anything, she raised both her arms over her head and her hair floated in the sudden wind that picked up. Her eyes began to glow a shimmering white and she wasn't wearing an eye-patch. There was no eyeball in the socket to begin with. It glowed white too as she boomed, "Minions! Rise!"

Suddenly, the ground began to shake. It shook so much that Valkyrie almost fell over. Luckily, Skulduggery caught her in his arms before she fell down. It was then when several skeletal hands burst through the stone ground; clawing at the air. They grabbed at the ground and pulled themselves up. Corpses of dead criminals rose from the earth and when they turned toward them, their eyes glowed a deadly red.

"Oh, hell." Skulduggery murmured.

"Minions!" Miss Strange yelled before laughing. "Kill them." On cue, the corpses lunged for the detectives. Tanith unsheathed her sword and charged; six cleavers behind her. Ghastly and Mr. Bliss both got into a fighting stance and threw punches at the first minion that came near. Valkyrie summoned fireballs in both her palms and fired at the corpses that came her way. Skulduggery also summoned fireballs and then threw fiery punches into the faces of each minion that lunged for him. Miss Strange laughed at the scene before her. It was all so exciting.

Valkyrie punched the last minion that was in her way and run toward the insane woman. She thrust her hands at the ground, the air rippling, and she bolted through the air. She landed in front of her and sent a sharp punch to her smiling face. Miss Strange fell backward; landing on her bottom. She was holding her face in one hand as she propped herself up with the other. Her eyes were closed tightly shut in pain.

"Are you going come quietly now?" Valkyrie asked; getting ready to punch again. When Miss Strange opened her eyes again, they showed animalistic rage as she stood up slowly. Her smile was gone when she turned to Valkyrie; replaced with an irritated frown. And then she smiled; eyes like pinpoints.

"Sorry," she said giddily. "But it seems that the fun is just about to begin." And then she head-butted Valkyrie. Hard. Valkyrie tried to back away but the sorceress followed her; punching her again. She suddenly spun and kicked out her boot into her chest. Valkyrie fell onto the ground, gasping for air, and rolled out of the way before Miss Strange could kick her again.

"Valkyrie!" Skulduggery called out before two minions grabbed him from behind. Valkyrie got to her feet and summoned massive fireballs in both her hands. She threw them at her but Miss Strange had cartwheeled out of the way. She snapped her fingers and her hand began to glow a sickly red. Roots came out of the ground and grabbed at Valkyrie; wrapping around her wrists and legs.

Valkyrie cried out as another one wrapped itself over her mouth. Miss Strange walked up to her slowly; enjoying watching her struggle. She stopped in front of her and reached out to lift her chin so she can look at her. The African sorceress' smile disappeared and was replaced with a sneer.

"How does it feel?" she hissed. "How does it feel, being held captive? Doesn't feel good, does it?" Suddenly, there was a gunshot and Miss Strange screamed in pain. She turned sharply to see Skulduggery pointing his gun at her.

"Really?" she asked, annoyed. "Really, now? Anyone can use a fucking gun!" Miss Strange pulled out two silver 9mms and began shooting at him. The skeleton detective jumped out of the way and shot back at her…until he ran out of bullets. And the worst part was that he forgot to bring extra.

"Dammit!" he murmured. Miss Strange laughed.

"Forgot your bullets, Mr. Bones? Well, good thing I brought mine." She reloaded and resumed shooting at him. Valkyrie continued to struggle against the roots until she heard a sound above her. She looked up to see Tanith standing on the ceiling. The blonde put a finger to her lips and landed softly behind her. She began to cut the roots off and Valkyrie was finally free at last!

"Thanks." She whispered.

"Anytime." Tanith whispered back. Suddenly, three corpses grabbed Tanith from behind and before she could do anything, one of them grabbed her sword out of her grasp. Valkyrie cried out to her but stopped short when she heard another cackle. She turned to see Miss Strange grabbing Skulduggery by his collar and pulling him off his feet. She then threw him aside like he was nothing and he slammed right into Valkyrie. They fell onto the ground; Skul on top and Val at the bottom.

"This wasn't what I was expecting…" he had said. "…at all."

Valkyrie rolled her eyes. "Apparently." They both got to their feet as Miss Strange laughed again.

"Now why don't have some real fun?!" she clapped her hands together and more lights came on. Before her was a trail of clear liquid that led to seven barrels of gasoline. She took out her gun and smiled an eerie grin. "Shall I do the honors?"

Skulduggery ran for her. "Don't-!" But before he could get to her, Miss Strange shot at the ground and the trail of liquid burst into flames. As the fire spread toward the barrels, Skulduggery grabbed Valkyrie; shielding her with his body. The seven barrels exploded and it sent a shower of flames everywhere. Miss Strange shouted happily, "Burn, baby, burn!"

Ghastly sent a mist of water toward the fire; extinguishing the flames. Both Skulduggery and Valkyrie got to their feet slowly. Miss Strange was smiling widely now like a deranged lunatic. She then took out a small square object from her pocket and asked, "Want to see something cool?" She clapped her hands again and this time every light in the basement came on and to everybody's horror, there were dozens of gasoline barrels in every corner of the room. Valkyrie looked up at Skulduggery.

"We have to get out of here." He said urgently. "Everybody, out! Now!"

"Happy Birthday, you motherfuckers!" Miss Strange shouted. She laughed once more before she pushed the button. There was a massive explosion and the room was suddenly on fire. Tanith had finally broke out of the corpses' grasp and ran toward the stairs with Ghastly, Mr. Bliss, and the remaining cleavers. Skulduggery pulled Valkyrie to her feet.

"Move!" he shouted and then they were running. The fire was spreading fast and it was destroying the building quickly. Miss Strange was nowhere in sight but Skulduggery and Valkyrie only thought about getting out. Pieces of wood and stone rained down upon them but they managed to dive out of the way. Finally, they made it to the stairs and they quickly continued to run; the flames trailing after them.

They burst through the basement door just as Mr. Bliss shouted, "Hurry!" Skulduggery took Valkyrie's hand and pulled her ahead of him; wanting her to get to safety before he did. The flames quickly spread throughout the rest of the building and Valkyrie could feel its hot breath on her skin. As they all ran for the door, there was another gunshot and an explosion. The sudden rush of hot air pushed them outward and they landed on the ground. Valkyrie propped herself on her elbows and looked up to see that the whole warehouse was now on fire. Another job well done, she thought weakly as she lay back on the ground and closed her eyes.

Skulduggery got to his feet and dusted himself off. His façade was gone; leaving only a gleaming white skull. He looked up at the building. Good riddance, he thought. Skulduggery then turned to see Valkyrie lying on the ground. He walked up beside her.

"Valkyrie?" he said. No response. He crouched down beside her and shook her by the shoulder. "Valkyrie?" Still no response. Something waswrong, he thought suddenly. Something was definitely wrong.

"Seriously, Val, if this is a joke, it's not amusing so please wake up." Valkyrie just lied there, motionless. Was she even breathing? Skulduggery then grabbed her shoulders and began to shake her; desperately wanting her to wake up and now. "Val, please, tell me what's wrong! Just tell me, please!" He looked down to see that the white t-shirt she wore was stained with something red. He pushed her jacket back and to his horror, there was a bullet hole in her abdomen; blood pumping out the wound.

"No." Skulduggery whispered in disbelief. "No, no, no!" He then heard a maniacal laugh and looked up to see Miss Strange standing outside of the burning building. In her right hand was a silver gun. She was smiling madly as she whispered, "Gotcha."

"Seize her!" Ghastly ordered. In seconds, the cleavers were on her; whacking the gun out of her grasp and holding their blades to her throat. She just laughed evilly as they lead her to one of the vans. Ghastly turned to see Skulduggery frantically shaking Valkyrie.

"Valkyrie, please, not like this!" he shouted, tears in his voice. "Please wake up! Oh god, please wake up!" Mr. Bliss then ran toward them and forcefully pulled the skeleton detective from girl. Tantih ran to Valkyrie; her hand over her mouth. More blood seeped from her wound.

"Valkyrie!" Skulduggery cried. He tried to go to her but Mr. Bliss had a firm grip on his arms. "Let go of me! She needs me! Let go of me! VALKYRIE!"

"Don't give in to the pain

Don't try to hide

Though they're screaming your name

Don't close your eyes…"

Whisper by Evanescence

Stay tune for chapter 2!