And we're back. Do any of you still have nails? I confess, until this chapter, I also had no idea what was going to happen. I really kind of wanted to kill someone off, but that wouldn't have worked. Ah, well, next one, I suppose. My sister was dancing to Single Ladies and cracked her knee. Capitol LOL! I just decided to write a series about the war, including this one. I decided, very genious like, to call them... wait for it... wait for it... wait...for...it... ... The War Chronicals. Uh-huh. I went there.

And I have a new friend, in my other life where you guys are the magical people on the internet. Her name is Sara. She is cool. She likes Skulduggery Pleasant. She is either very awestruck or extremely weirded out by me. I can't imagine (and I'm sure you can't either) why she would be weirded out, so lets go with awestruck.

Also, in History, I made up a new word. Let me pronouce, for it's grand unveiling, 'Desertation'. I'm pretty sure you can work out what it means. It might even make it into another story.

Chapter 10

This Means War

Dexter and Ghastly staggered onto shore. Thehy looked at each other and grinned, then sobered up.

"Do you think Skulduggery...?" Dexter started, then stopped, not wanting to finish.

Ghastly shrugged grimly. "I suppose we should wait for him for a while. If he doesn't show up then, we head back to your bosses and get them to send out a search party."

Dexter nodded. "He'll be fine. He's Skulduggery Pleasant. If anyone can survive something like that, it'll be him."

The pair settled on the sand to wait.

Hours later, Ghastly touched Dexter on the shoulder. "Come on."

Dexter shook him off. "No. Just a little longer. What's he going to do if he makes it here and we aren't here?"

"If he comes back, he'll be fine. But if he doesn't make it here, then we need to find him. And to do that, we need the Sanctuary."

Dexter looked back at the still, and annoyingly empty, ocean. "Fine." They got to their feet, and groaning with cold and stiffness, walked off.

As they approached the office of the Elders, they could hear voices. Dexter knocked. There was a long, pregnant pause (sorry, always wanted to use that) then the door opened.

Prince smiled at him. "Mr Vex. Nice to see you're back. We were wondering what took you so long." He stood aside to let them past. Ghastly hung back, a little awkwardly. Prince turned the smile his way. "And you must be the Mr Bespoke we've been hearing so much about." There was an awkward silence as they looked at each other. "You're allowed to come in, you know." Ghastly shuffled in after Dexter Vex, and the door was shut again behind them.

Ghastly stopped when something occured to him. "How did you know my name? And when you greeted Dexter, you said-"

Dexter cut over him. "Forget about that. Grand Mage, Mr and Mrs Elder, we need to send out a search party." There were some raised eyebrows and perplexed looks. "It's Skulduggery. He's-"

Ghastly leaned in. "Right beside you," he muttered. Dexter looked at him, then across to the other side, where Skulduggery patiently sat.

"How did you-? I mean-? How are you alive?" Dexter asked, both shocked and a little dismayed that he didn't get to finish.

"That sea monster had a big mouth and a small throat," Skulduggery said. They both stared at him and he sighed. "It choked on a cannon. And after that, I just sailed the pirate ship into the harbour."

"And the Pirates?" Ghastly asked.

"They were still locked away."

"Why didn't you pick us up?" Dexter asked.

"I thought I'd surprise you. Did it work?"

There was a cough from behind them. "Maybe some introductions would be good, and hten we move onto other matters," Scribe said pointedly.

"Grand Mage, Elders. This is Ghastly Bespoke. You've met Dexter and myself, so introductions won't be needed there. We also both know you, so Ghastly, this is Grand Mage Extol Scribe, Elder Buffer Prince and Elder Drey Imminent. Now, those other matters," Skulduggery said.

"Ah, yes," Prince said. Not one of the Elders seemed happy, even with a crisis averted.

"I hope your ready to help save the world again, Mr Bespoke. We could use a soldier like you on our side." Scribe said grimly.

"Soldier, sir?" Skulduggery's face paled. "No, he didn't."

"Skulduggery, Mevolent has put forward his terms. We are, as of yesterday, at War."

End of When Skulduggery Met Ghastly

The Story Continues in The War Chronicals 2: The Usual Dead Men Tales

I want to thank you, for reading When Skulduggery Met Ghastly. Your support and reviews made all the lonely nights writing (although I wouldn't have it any other way) worthwhile. If I ever beome an author, I will dedicate a book to you guys, I promise. Thank you for sticking with me the times I been in a nonsense mood. Esp. Flik, cause she puts up with me on a daily basis. Thanks everyone, including, umm, Luna Shadows as well, I suppose. Your reviews made me laugh. Thank you.

Unsure of when The Usual Dead Men Tales will be up. But it's a story. About the war. And the Dead Men. Incase you didn't guess. And yes, Skulduggery will die. But on the good news, there will be plenty of my soul mate and future husband (Dexter Vex) in it. Yays. And the Dead Men. WITH DEXTER VEX! DOUBLE YAYS! OMMM NOM NOM!