Requiem: Chapter One...
Okay so originally this fic was gonna be set waaaay after the events of the current books and continue on with the current canon but I got sort of stuck with it. So instead I've decided to try a new angle for me (though not necessarily a new angle for Skuduggery fics). This is going to be my version of the series if Valkyrie and Skulduggery hadn't met when she was twelve. Valkyrie never made the decision to stay in Gordon's house overnight. I hope you all enjoy it!
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Discovering magic had been a weird experience for Stephanie Edgley. When she was twelve her Uncle Gordon had died at his desk while writing his latest book. She loved her uncle. He was childish and enormously funny, but he had a habit of making decisions that only made sense to him. He'd left her his home and his money when he died, and it had overwhelmed her. It took a few years for her to get her head around owning a mansion as a teenager, but eventually she had wandered back to that house she'd loved so much as a kid, and she'd gone to his study. That was when she first discovered the Echo Stone, and inside it was her Uncle Gordon...sort of. She'd known then that it wasn't a special kind of technology like he tried to tell her. It was magic.
She learned that he'd been murdered. Agonising death was how it was described. She heard talk of a detective taking down the man responsible. Serpine, he'd been called. Stephanie had stayed away from it all, taking her time to learn magic in her uncle's study away from prying eyes. She was delighted when she discovered she had a capacity for it, but she was afraid of it too. It had gotten Gordon killed and it could get her killed as well. She thought often of the man that killed her uncle, and of the detective that avenged him.
She'd heard many tales of Skulduggery Pleasant. By all accounts he was witty, cunning and he wore nice suits. Gordon had been good friends with him and she remembered meeting him once, very briefly, at the reading of Gordon's will. He'd congratulated her gently on being left the house, and then he'd left. His voice had sounded like warm honey. She'd considered trying to find him and thank him for stopping her uncle's murderer, but then the vision happened and she vowed to avoid him.
"Am I interrupting your inner monologue?" The cheery voice broke through her thoughts as Andromeda White slid into the seat in front of her. They were in a coffee shop in Haggard and Stephanie had chosen a booth away from the other customers.
"No," she smiled back. "Hi An."
"What're you drinking?" Andromeda glanced down at her friend's cup, noticed the skin on top of the no longer hot beverage and wrinkled her nose. "Or not drinking, as the case may be. How long have you been sat here?"
"A few hours."
"On your own? Doing what?"
"Thinking."
"About what, Steph?"
"Taking a name."
"Same as always then?" Stephanie shrugged. The subject of taking a name had been something she'd deliberated over for many years. She knew very few mages and Andromeda was one of them. They only met because Andromeda's ability made her able to sense magical auras, and apparently she'd sensed a lot of magic in Stephanie. "It's about time you took one. You've been exposed for too many years." She lowered her voice. "If anybody discovered that you had more than one speciality they could use your name to manipulate you. I've told you this before."
"You know why I haven't chosen anything."
"I know, I know. Jordy's vision. Just because you haven't chosen a name doesn't mean it'll come true. It could come true because you haven't chosen one. Also Jordy is a terrible Sensitive. His visions are almost never right."
"Almost is still too often. You saw what happened."
"I saw a lot of things but none of them were clear. You worry too much." Stephanie shuddered. She'd seen herself kneeling in front of a tall man with a revolver pointed at her head. She had no doubt who that man was. "You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"
"No," she said immediately.
"Liar. You always go pale when you think about him. I seriously doubt the great Skulduggery Pleasant is going to shoot you in the head. You don't even know him."
"That doesn't mean I won't meet him."
"You wouldn't even know it was him. He has a full body facade now. It's as good as a real face." Andromeda took in her friend's doubtful expression and rolled her eyes. "Steph, taking a name isn't gonna set you on a path of certain death. If anything it'll protect you from it." She leaned forward, twirling a strand of pink hair around her fingers. "What have you been thinking of?"
"I don't know. I've hated most of the ones I've thought of."
"Like what?"
"Summer Sin. But I didn't like that one because it sounds cheesy."
"Yeah that one's a no from me."
"Ivy Chance?"
"You don't look like an Ivy to me."
"I thought that too. There is one name that sticks with me." Stephanie frowned, hoping Andromeda liked it as much as she did. "Valkyrie Cain."
"Valkyrie Cain..." She rolled the name around her tongue as she said it, dragging it out a little before a wide smile split her face. "It's perfect. Is that it then? Is that the one?"
"I...I think so. Valkyrie Cain. That's my taken name." As soon as she accepted it she felt it. A little tweak in the back of her brain that suddenly shifted it from a possibility to a certainty. Her given name seemed to lose its signifigance in an instant.
"You know, it's really weird for a mage to choose a name after the Surge."
"It's also weird for a mage to actively practice two disciplines while trying to stay out of the magical community."
"Touche." She clasped her hands on the table in front of her and opened her mouth to speak, before stopping and frowning. "There's another magical being nearby."
"Is it somebody you recognise?"
"No. Feels like a Vampire."
"Let's go." The girls rose from their seats and stepped out onto the street. Valkyrie followed her friend quietly as she ducked into the alleys behind the shops. She didn't like engaging other mages unless she absolutely had to, but recently Haggard had been subject to worrying attacks. Valkyrie's mother and younger sister had barely escaped whoever it was by running into a nearby shop. When Valkyrie went to investigate, the signs pointed to a Vampire, and she vowed she'd get rid of it for trying to hurt her family.
As they rounded a corner they heard a cry and set off at a run, working hard to stay silent. They came across a young woman, bruised and cowering on the ground as a man with dark hair swept back into a ponytail stood over her with his teeth bared. Definitely a Vampire.
"Hey ugly!" The Vampire snarled and grabbed the woman, dragging her close to him and whirling to face them. "Let her go," Valkyrie warned. She had the advantage of surprise. Very few people knew she was magically ambidextrous, and it worked in her favour when her opponent was stronger. She snapped her fingers, curling a flame into her palm to distract him as shadows gathered behind him. They slammed into his back and he stumbled and the woman was freed. Andromeda sprinted forwards and took her arm, guiding her away from danger as Valkyrie faced down the Vampire. He was injured, which meant he'd be slow. She could work with that.
"You little brat! You don't know what you're doing!"
"Seems to me like I'm stopping you infecting her like you infected all those other people. Making yourself an army, are you?"
"Not me," he shook his head, advancing a step. She held her ground, the fire still burning in her palm.
"Who then?"
"This town will find out soon enough." He took another step. Valkyrie stayed where she was. "For now I'll just content myself with ripping your throat out."
"I'd like to see you try." He leapt and she ducked, narrowly avoiding his swiping hands as he sailed over her head. She rolled and came up on her feet, sensing the air shift as he launched himself at her. His injuries made him sloppy. She spun and slammed a foot into his chest, knocking him back. He snarled angrily but she snapped her palm and sent him sailing into the nearest wall. As the dust cleared he shot towards her and they collided. She felt his shoulder connect with her torso and the air rushed out of her lungs as a sharp pain shot through her. She went down heavily and spots danced in front of her eyes as she tried to drag in a breath. She rolled before he could stamp on her face and slammed an elbow into his knee. It buckled and she got her feet underneath her, giving herself some room.
"Stop squirming and let me kill you."
"Not gonna happen," she answered as her lungs finally filled. She clenched her fist and sent a tendril of shadow out to smack him, but he dodged it and feinted left. She fell for it and he leapt and kicked her across the face. She saw stars and tasted blood as she staggered. She felt his hands on her throat and then the wall hit her back and he was squeezing. He was squeezing so hard. She slammed a knee into his stomach. A boot into his thigh. Her elbow into his forearm, once, twice, three times and still he wouldn't let go. Her vision began to dim at the edges and she could still taste blood. She couldn't summon a flame or control the shadows anymore because of the panic storming its way through her veins.
"I'm going to tear open your neck and let you bleed out right here," the Vampire hissed. "You really thought you could take me on? That you could get your little friend to save that girl and face me down alone?" She could hear her pulse pounding frantically in her ears.
"Whoever said she was alone?" That voice, she knew that voice. And then the Vampire was forced away from her and she was on her knees and air was heaving through her chest again. She turned her head as her vision cleared to see the Skeleton Detective pointing his gun at the Vampire. "Argent Bright, you're under arrest for attempted murder."
"You can't arrest me, you have no proof!"
"I think stopping you in the middle of threatening to murder someone is proof enough, don't you? Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is that I snap these cuffs onto your wrists and you follow me to the Sanctuary." He held up a pair of binding shackles.
"What's the hard way?"
"Your face hits the floor and then I cuff you and drag you to the Sanctuary myself. What'll it be?" The Vampire sized him up for a second. And then he lunged. Skulduggery Pleasant brought a club of air down on the back of Argent's head. His face hit the ground, his nose shattered and he groaned. "Hard way it is." The skeleton bent and snapped the shackles around the Vampire's wrists, hauling him to his feet. Even with his previous injuries and his shattered nose, he still struggled, trying hard to kick the detective's legs from beneath him. Skulduggery pistol whipped him and he crumpled in an unconscious heap. He brushed a speck of dust from his extraordinary suit, holstered his gun and straightened his hat. Valkyrie watched as he walked over to her and held out a gloved hand. "Sorry about that. I would've gotten here sooner but you know how the traffic is."
"You're Skulduggery Pleasant."
"I am." She took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. He tilted his head, surveying her with those empty eye sockets. "And you're Gordon Edgley's niece, aren't you?"
"Yes." Her aching throat hurt with every word, but she forced them out anyway. "Stephanie."
"I've seen you before."
"At my Uncle's will reading, yes."
"Yes but I mean I've seen you. In a vision. I'm fairly certain I shoot you." The way he said it was so casual, so conversational. Almost like it was an interesting puzzle.
"You've seen it too?"
"I've seen you kneeling and I've seen myself point a gun at you but I haven't seen myself pull the trigger. Have you?" She shook her head, numbness spreading through her. "That's something at least. Do you think I have a reason to shoot you?"
"I hope not."
"I do too. Do you think you and your friend could accompany me to the Sanctuary? I'd like to take some witness statements from you both and I need to deposit this gentleman in a holding cell."
"Are you going to shoot me?"
"Heavens no. At least, not right now. I only shoot people that deserve it." She thought about it. She thought about it for a while longer. She didn't want to spend any more time with him than she had to for fear that it would make the vision come true, but she wanted to help catch the people responsible for the attacks in any way she could.
"Alright. I'll come with you."
"Valkyrie!" Andromeda's voice drew their attention. She stopped when she saw who was with her. "Holy shit."
"You said your name was Stephanie," Skulduggery said.
"It was until about fifteen minutes ago. I chose my taken name today. Valkyrie Cain."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Valkyrie Cain. If you and your friend could follow me, we'll head to the Sanctuary." Valkyrie followed on numb legs.
"What are you doing? What about the vision?" Andromeda hissed.
"He saw it too. He says he won't shoot me."
"Oh, well I guess trusting a complete stranger is alright then, is it?" She glanced over at the detective as he spoke softly into his phone. "What if he's dirty?"
"Forgive me for not introducing myself. Skulduggery Pleasant of the Arbiter Corps. Thank you for helping that woman escape. Is she safe?" The skeleton approached them and inclined his head politely as he greeted Andromeda.
"She is. She's in a cafe nearby with other people," she answered warily.
"Excellent."
"Are you going to shoot my friend?"
"Why is everyone asking me that today?"
"Mr Pleasant-"
"Skulduggery, please."
"Skulduggery, you have to understand that both of you have seen a vision of you shooting Valkyrie in the head."
"Possibly shooting."
"I don't think the semantics matter much here," Andromeda answered, folding her arms across her chest.
"On the contrary, they matter a great deal. Visions of the future are always subjective. What is seen now may not be seen in a month. The future changes. The vision also does not show me actually shooting Valkyrie here. We don't understand the context or the events leading up to that day, therefore it is impossible to say for certain what will or will not happen, only what is likely to happen."
"An, it's alright. It's just witness statements and then we can leave. I doubt I'm going to get shot in that time." Valkyrie put a hand on her friend's shoulder, relieved when the hostility left her eyes. As they turned to go two Cleavers appeared further back in the alley and apprehended the unconscious Vampire, hauling him away. "I thought Arbiters worked independently of Sanctuary law," Valkyrie asked the skeleton as she followed him out of the alley.
"We do, but from time to time they ask for our help." He loosened his tie and undid his top button, tapping his collar bones before they reached the city. Valkyrie watched as a face flowed over his skull. He refastened the button, straightened the tie and stepped into the street. Andromeda followed behind them, openly staring at him. Valkyrie studied the facade. An had been right; if she'd met him in the street while wearing it she never would have known it was him. They reached a sleek black car and Valkyrie sucked in a breath. A 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental. She could appreciate a beautiful car when she saw one.
"Where did you get this?" she breathed. Skulduggery tilted his head, amused.
"I bought it."
"Oh dear, here comes the fangirl," Andromeda muttered.
"You bought it? When? And how? These cars are hard to find. There were only like two hundred of them ever made."
"Two hundred and eight, actually. I bought it factory new." Somehow she felt him smile. "Where did you learn to love cars?"
"I'm not sure really. Over the last few years I developed an interest."
"Did your father spark your interest?"
"God no," Valkyrie snorted. "He can barely change a tyre." Skulduggery pressed the button and the car unlocked and Valkyrie felt a little thrill of excitement in her chest despite the situation.
"Will you calm down and get in the car already?" Andromeda shoved her into the passenger seat and climbed in the back.
"Watch the leather," Valkyrie and the skeleton said together.
"Well this is going to be a fun drive," An grumbled.
"What were you girls doing in the alley?" Skulduggery asked as he slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. The purr was music to Val's ears as they slid smoothly away from the curb and into the flow of traffic.
"He attacked my mum when she was bringing my sister home from school a few weeks ago."
"I see. And you wanted revenge?"
"I wanted to punch him in the face."
"Punching criminals is indeed fun. How did you know he was there?"
"I'm an Adept," Andromeda answered from the back seat. "I can sense magical auras."
"Also we were looking for him."
"It's dangerous to go looking for criminals." He turned to glance at her with piercing green eyes.
"That's literally your job," Val shot back.
"Yes but that's different."
"Why is it?"
"I'm far too skilled to be throttled against a wall. Also I don't have a throat." Valkyrie didn't know whether to laugh or be offended.
"Modest, aren't you?" Her lips twitched as she fought a smile. Despite the fear of being shot, she found his personality magnetising. She could grow to like him.
"I'm many things. Sophisticated is one of them. Stylish is another."
"Do you enjoy complimenting yourself?"
"Immensely." Valkyrie grinned, unable to help herself. She spent the rest of the journey switching between surveying the beautiful interior of the Bentley and trying to find chinks in the facade that showed it to be fake. She didn't find any. After a while they pulled down a road with pot holes that didn't jolt the car as it passed over them. Roarhaven City rose from the ground around them, thriving and huge. Valkyrie gasped as the High Sanctuary came into view. It could only be described as a palace. Skulduggery flashed his ID to the Cleavers at the gates and pulled into a parking garage. "Ladies, welcome to the High Sanctuary."
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