Hello my awesome possome fans. This is the chapter you have all been waiting for! And I have MORE good news for you at the end of the Chapter. But for now, I must say that writing this broke my heart. Soon, you shall see but for now, I hope you enjoy this. For the excitement is just beginning. 8D
Read, Review & Enjoy!
Paris was disappearing beneath them with each stroke of their wings as quickly as the morning light rose over the horizon.
The flock soared upward, feeling rejuvenated with the longest leg of the journey behind them. The English channel was in view and Valkyrie swelled with nerve wracking anticipation and heart breaking reality. One more good-bye would have to be made before she could finally go home.
Carlos looked over at her to share a feline grin of reassurance in which she couldn't help but return. It only took them a half an hour to reach England and soon London appeared below them. Valkyrie couldn't help it, she let loose a scream of exhilarated excitement. The Flock felt her excitement and cheered for her and their success in arriving safely.
"Ohhh, London!" Nudge cried. "I so want to go to London."
"Then go." Valkyrie told her. "Feel free to, while I go and enjoy Dublin."
Their great and energetic moods soon led games such as dropping for a certain amount of time before catching themselves and see who got the farthest and several games of aerialist tag.
On their fifth game, Gazzy chased Valkyrie up into the clouds, then she dived back down to evade from being tagged and caught sight of the Celtic sea. Forgetting the game, Valkyrie dropped below the cloud line to find Max. The Flock leader was just below to the left so Valkyrie angled her wings accordingly and dropped down close enough to her to be heard with out hitting Max's wings.
"Max, we need to land up here at the beach." Concern clouded Max's features.
"Why? Has anyone been hurt?"
"No, its just that I need to continue on. Alone. Ah, I need to say- well I believe its time- That, we need to go our separate ways." Valkyrie struggled with her words uncharacteristically.
"Ah, I see." Max responded, after a slight pause looking disheartened. Then the flock leader looked to her. "I really do understand, I'd do the same thing. So, it's been nice traveling with you, glad we could be of service." She smiled.
"Same goes here, otherwise it would have been a long hard trip with just two." Valkyrie returned the smile. Max soared upward suddenly and addressed the flock commandingly.
"Listen up gang! The Celtic Sea is dead ahead! We will be landing on the beach A.S.A.P! Lets go, lets go, lets go!"
Valkyrie angled herself downward and with a mighty stroke of her wings, soared toward the remote beach. She could hear the flock behind her and see Gazzy and Iggy in her peripheral vision. The sand rushed up to greet her and she hit the ground running. Upon coming to a stop at the edge of the sea, she turned to watch the flock land on the beach. All of them, aside from Max, Fang and Angel, looked confused.
"What's going on?" Dylan asked.
"Why did we land?" Gazzy chimed. "We're almost there." Angel walked forward to stand in front of Valkyrie.
I'm going to miss you. Angel thought to her.
I'm going to miss you too, all of you.
Then Angel threw her arms around Valkyrie and began to sob softly. The dark haired girl held the little angel and rocked her back and forth.
"Bye." Angel said as she backed away, wiping her eyes on her sleeves. She nodded and pulled Gazzy into a hug next.
"Bye, kiddo." He looked up.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes, I need to continue on alone." She walked down the line, hugging and bidding farewell to Dylan, Iggy, Nudge, Total, Akila, Max and Fang. The tall, black haired boy surprised her by returning the hug.
"Thank you for being a part of this family, all of us have enjoyed it." He whispered discretely and somewhat choppily. He wasn't used to expressing such amount of emotion as he was the lead man of the flock, and she smiled to herself before he released her. Valkyrie nodded to him, then to Maximum.
"Enjoy London." Valkyrie told them. Nudge nodded vehemently with tears streaking down her face. Then Valkyrie turned to Carlos who sat staring at the sand, head low.
"Well," She said to him. "Vamos, tu y yo. To Ireland. Now." He looked at her and grin cracked across his face.
"Aye, Capitan. Uno momento, chica." Carlos approached Total. "Well, hasta luego huh Total."
"Si," Said the Scottie. "for now." They smiled and Carlos batted him with a massive paw. "Adios."
"Adios."
Then he and Valkyrie turned and leapt into the sky once more.
The coast line of Ireland was in view and Valkyrie couldn't get there fast enough. The flight became a race between her and Carlos, they each fought for the lead but so far it was tied as they were both weighed down by their packs.
"This finish is mine, Carlos." Valkyrie growled determinedly about a quarter of a mile from the shore. With a mighty stroke of her wings, she surged forward and once she leveled out to a glide, she folded her wings in and dropped. She tore off the back pack and whipped out her wings. The sudden decrease in speed hurt her wings but she ignored it and focused on what she had to do. Throwing the bag in front of her, she shoved at the air and the bag rocketed to shore. Valkyrie slowed its decent so nothing jostled, then she plummeted toward the sea.
The cold water enveloped her and she welcomed it like an old friend, focusing on the currents like Skulduggery taught her and she shot through the water like a torpedo. The bottom of the sea began to rise toward her as the shore approached, then her feet found purchase as she coiled and sprung. Her entire upper body emerged into the air again and she breathed deeply in content.
Out of the waves, Valkyrie ran with a smile on her face. She loved the sea, she always had since she was a little girl and she had been robbed of its power for five years, now she reveled in it.
She waded ashore and collapsed on her knees next to her back pack and dug her fingers into the Irish sand. Carlos swooped out of the sky and with a muted landing, approached his friend.
"I'm home, Carlos."
"Yes, you are. So what's your mission from here?"
Valkyrie stood. "Get to Dublin. Find Skulduggery and the others."
"Bien, but how are we going to find them?"
"I remember the address. We just need to find a map first. Get our bearings. After all, it's been a while."
"Alright, lets go."
"Wait up, we have a problem. You cant go into the city like that." Carlos stared at her.
"You're not suggesting…" He bristled slightly.
"Yes, I very much am. It won't kill you to dress as a dog agai-" Before she could finish, Carlos broke into a rant. He raged in Spanish and Valkyrie was sure he was using words that would make his mother turn in her grave.
As Carlos carried on, something miraculous began to occur. Valkyrie wasn't sure whether to be amazed or freaked out as Carlos began to shrink. When Carlos was near the size of a large house cat he stopped both ranting and shrinking and turned his golden eyes to her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like the first time you heard me speak."
"Oh, well maybe it's because you look like a house cat."
"A HOUSE CAT!" Carlos screeched in bewilderment. "What do you mean I look like a house cat!" Valkyrie unzipped her back pack and pulled out a mirror that Nudge had packed for her as an 'essential necessity" and turned it toward Carlos. He froze, staring blankly at his reflection.
"That's just insulting." He stated bluntly.
"At least you don't have to dress as a dog now."
"Wha-, oh." he stated picking up on what she was saying. "Let's just hope I'm not stuck like this." Valkyrie laughed softly as she stood and flung the bag over her shoulders.
"Come on, it's show time." The duo hiked up the embankment to level ground and followed the road south bound. They had walked barely two miles when a sign showed its self to them. During her transformation at the school, she had developed the vision of a raptor, or a bird of prey, now she could see objects in detail from a distance of over a mile. She could read this sign like a book, what it said caused Valkyrie to stop dead in her tracks, dark eyes grow wide, and then she burst into a run.
"Aye! Muchacha! Where are you going?" But Valkyrie didn't slow. "Whoa! Wait up!" Carlos yelled, sprinting to catch up. She was way ahead of him, already passing the mile marker sign. He slowed just enough to read two of the town names. Dublin and Haggard were all he could make out before he picked up speed again. They didn't stop until they reached the outskirts of the next town.
Valkyrie approached a young tree and touched three spots on the trunk. In those spots, symbols glowed different colors and Carlos stared in amazement.
"What were those, Seniorita?"
"Protective symbols, carved here five years ago by a woman named China Sorrows by my request to protect the residents from intruding sorcerers." She offered no other explanation, just continued forward.
Carlos followed with out speaking, soon they found themselves in a neighborhood on the other side of town near the sea. A car passed them and Carlos heard Valkyrie draw a sharp breath before he ran into her leg. He looked up to see her staring at the house before them. Carlos sat and didn't say a word.
"This was my home, Carlos." Valkyrie whispered. She sounded as though she were talking more to herself than to him so he stayed silent. "I used to sneak out of my bedroom window around back in broad daylight and meet Skulduggery down by the pier so we could continue on our extreme cases. Got into hundreds of fights, but they were good times, I truly enjoyed them even if I always did come away needing some sort of medical attention." She continued with a small laugh. Staring at the house, she gave a forlorn sigh and went to walk on but something blocked her way.
"Do you want to play with me?"
Valkyrie looked down and almost cried out. Clinging to her arm was a little boy of five years with dark brown hair and even darker eyes. They were identical to hers and in that moment, Valkyrie knew she was staring at her little brother.
Like Valkyrie, he grew impatient when his question was ignored. Valkyrie had no desire to quarrel with a five-year-old who had a temper like her own.
"What game do you want to play."
"Tag! On the beach and in the water!" he said enthusiastically with a smile and Valkyrie returned it trying not to cry. It had been her favorite game too. To add to her sorrow, a familiar voice shot an aching pang of longing into her heart. Mum.
"Colby Edgely, what have I told you a hundred times before?" Melissa Edgely scolded in amused exasperation. Valkyrie began to tremble from holding back the turmoil of emotion storming within. Longing, affection, love, fear, anger and frustration. Yet she knew she couldn't call out for her mother even though the woman who had birthed and raised her was walking toward her bearing the weight of two grocery bags and a five month baby bump.
"I know, I know. Don't talk to strangers. Sorry mum." the little boy, Colby, said with an innocent smile. The word stranger crushed her heart but Melissa just returned the smile lovingly then she smiled at Valkyrie. God how she missed that smile, missed how her mother would smile at her with such warmth, joy and undying motherly love. Valkyrie relished in that moment but did not show it.
"Your son reminds me of myself at that age." She stated casually.
"Yes, it seems to be a common trait among our family as well," I am your family, please, PLEASE, see that. Mum. "He definitely gets it from his father, though I may have contributed a little." She laughed and Valkyrie smiled largely to hide the on coming tears as she stared at her mother. Melissa, not knowing who Valkyrie was, (courtesy of the White Coats) grew slightly uncomfortable under Valkyrie's gaze and Valkyrie could sense it.
"I'm sorry, you just remind me so much of my, my mother." She said the last words with difficulty. "We were separated several years ago. I miss her." I miss you, please mum, please! See who I am! Melissa's face softened.
"I'm so sorry dear. I didn't know-"
"No, it's alright. Sorry for interrupting, if I did, on anything." She had to make a quick break, and soon. She couldn't take it anymore. "I was just stopping by because this used to be my grandparents house. Some friends of mine are waiting in Dublin, I must get going."
"Ah, alright. It was lovely meeting you, miss-?"
"Stephanie."
"Yes, Miss Stephanie, hope Colby wasn't too intrusive."
"No, no. He's a cool little man." Valkyrie said as she looked at her brother again. "It was nice meeting you little bro." She added discretely. He just gave a childish grin and twisted back and forth.
"Can I pet your kitty?" Valkyrie looked from him to Carlos to Melissa who shrugged.
"Yes you may." Carlos took the gentle petting even though Val was sure he didn't like being called a kitty.
"Thank you." Said Melissa.
"You're welcome." Mum. She added silently again. At that moment, Desmond Edgely came out the front door bare footed and Valkyrie was taken back to the day they were late to Gordon's lawyer for the reading of his will because he couldn't remember his shoes. He waved and the two women waved back. Dad…
"Good bye, Melissa." Valkyrie said softly.
"Good bye, Stephanie."
"Bye bye!" waved Colby as he and his mother walked to the front door to greet Desmond and they went together into the house as a growing family without her. Please…
Valkyrie began walking south, Carlos following silently, sensing her anguish. She stopped a ways outside the town and stuffed her jacket into the bag, swinging it over her shoulders again, she ran and jumped, snapping out her wings and rocketing into the sky. Carlos looked around to make sure he wasn't seen then he willed himself to his full size and leapt into the air with her. After a long silence, Valkyrie asked a very difficult question to answer.
"I shouldn't have stopped, Carlos. Why did I stop?"
"You've been gone for five years, it was only natural for you to see how your family was doing." He said after a slight hesitation.
"It just hurts. That there was the last time I'll ever see them again. I'll never get to know my brother or my other sibling." She choked.
"It's OK to cry Val, if it makes you feel any better." she nodded and quietly let the sorrowful tears roll off her face and fall to the earth waiting below. Soon, Dublin was stretching out beneath them and she felt better knowing that her life was about to begin again. She spotted a place among all the crowded blocks of the city and smiled genuinely.
"Change of plans, I know someone who would be a better resource than a map." Valkyrie swooped down and landed on a roof near Temple Bar and smiled widely.
"Good to be home?"
"Yeah, that and I remember a friend, Finbar Wrong. He's a tattoo artist and a seer. Skulduggery and I went to visit him one day and found him tattooing a kitten onto the shoulder of a passed out fat man who wanted a growling panther."
"Oh man," Carlos said with a laugh, closing his eyes as he shook his head. "I hope the man got a refund."
"I have no idea, never did ask. Want to meet him? He'll be much faster than hunting for a map."
"Sure, just tell him to keep the needles out of sight."
"Agreed." Valkyrie shuddered at the memory of her transformation. They climbed down the side of the building into a small ally. Carlos shrank to his new size and followed Valkyrie to the door of a brightly colored shop. Before she could knock, the door flew open and there stood a heavily pierced, thin, bald man wearing the same Thin Lizzy tee he wore the first time she met him.
"Hello Finbar."
"I saw you coming, just now Valkyrie Cain. Welcome home." He smiled and the two friends embraced.
"Come on in." Valkyrie and Carols joined him inside.
"So how's Sharon?"
"She doing great! The little man is growing up fast. The years do fly, don't they Val?" He said as he cleaned up the mess from his latest tattoo session.
"I can't argue with that."
"I see you have acquired a new friend. Where'd you find this guy?"
" I have, but this isn't what he always looks like. But it's a long story."
"What do you mean by that, Val?" Before she could answer Carlos chimed in.
"What she means is that I've been forced to this size because the public can't handle my full, handsome panther looks." Valkyrie rolled her eyes.
"Doesn't he remind you of anyone?" Finbar just stared at Carlos, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. Sensing that things could get awkward and she didn't want to explain the entire story just now, so she got straight to the point.
"Listen Finbar, I can't stay long, I just need directions -"
"Cemetery Road, about five miles west out side the suburbs."
"Thank you. I promise I will visit again soon."
"I understand. I'm sorry I couldn't have seen you or where you went all those years ago. It's like you disappeared of the face of the world. Weird man, totally weird."
"It's alright. I will explain everything later. Carlos, lets go." They bid each other farewell in an embrace and left the parlor. Climbing up on the roof again, Valkyrie saw a woman in brown leathers speeding away on her motorbike, a black Yamaha R6. She was wearing a helmet so Valkyrie couldn't be sure if it was Tanith or not. But she just didn't have the time to be chasing potential strangers and focused on her mission.
The two friends were soon airborne again and flew westward toward the setting sun. The buildings soon became more spread out and Valkyrie followed the cars below with her eyes absent mindedly. She soon found herself tracing the path of a large black car. It was obviously well cared for and it had every right to be. It was a Bentley, probably a 1954 R-Type continental. Something clicked and she looked to where the car was heading and saw two funeral parlors across the street from each other and a house sitting atop a hill like a proud parent overlooking the squabbling siblings.
"Carlos! There it is!" Valkyrie surged forward and Carlos did the same. In no time at all, the two were standing in Skulduggery's front yard. Upon exchanging a silent look of understanding, Carlos shrank and leapt into the nearest tree and lay still among its many strong branches.
Valkyrie lifted the entry mat and withdrew a hidden key. Slipping the key into the lock she let herself in closing the door behind her and covering her trail. The house was exactly as she remembered it. In the main entry way stood a hat stand, a full length mirror and be side that stood a small table with a single picture frame on it.
The photo was on of the whole gang that China had been reluctant to take. Valkyrie had been squished between Fletcher and Skulduggery, with Tanith in-between Skulduggery and Ghastly. She and Tanith has been giving each other a look crossed between amusement and annoyance while they laughed at something ridiculous that Skulduggery had said, what ever it was she couldn't remember.
Valkyrie looked from the picture to her reflection and was saddened. She was now taller and leaner, maybe just slightly shorter than Skulduggery. The major difference between the photo and her was that she was no longer a teen, but a woman. A clear reminder that time had passed, too much time.
Setting the photo down she wandered into the main living room and sat on the couch as a pair of headlights illuminated the darkening room. Her breath quickened as she propped her elbows on her knees and clasped her hands between them, she stared at he floor and listened.
The engine cut off in the garage. The car door opened and closed, then the door leading from the house to the garage. Familiar footsteps walked down the hall. They paused and she heard the gun, Smith and Wesson, being removed from its holster. Then Skulduggery Pleasant stepped into the living room and aimed his gun at the woman sitting on his couch and froze as she raise her gaze to meet his. The Detective lowered his gun and holstered it.
"Valkyrie Cain." He stated.
"Skulduggery Pleasant." She echoed as she stood and approached him, evenly paced. They were both almost eye to eye.
"It's been a while."
"Yes, yes it has."
Then both of them, if it was even possible for a living skeleton, broke down into tears as they embraced fiercely, afraid that if they let go, they would wake up to find it was all a dream. Skulduggery alone and hunting and Valkyrie in her cage once more. But it wasn't a dream, everything was very real. Every sight, every touch, every word, every tear was real. They were the best of friends, they would always be there hold each other up, save each others lives and never let go.
Finally, after years of pain, amnesia, death and confusion, Valkyrie Cain was finally home.
YAY! All done! For now, as I said. The excitement is just beginning. I got alot of inspiration from KT Tunstall's album "Eye to the Telescope". Now I am watching River dance... OH WAIT! I almost forgot the good news! If any of you are on Facebook and are a part of the SP Fanpage, soon my Friend Becky and I will be posting chapter by chapter the Manga adaption of Spreading Her Wings! WOOP! granted it will take a while but it will be worth it. :D
FROZEN ANDES MINTS ARE REVIEWS! AND KIWIS! :D