Caged Like Animals

Skulduggery was sitting in a dark and dirty cage. He'd been locked up for god knows how long. An hour? A day? More? He didn't know any more. After the attack, he, Valkyrie and many others were captured. He didn't even know if Sapphire and Obsidian were still alive.

The door to the room where the cage was being held opened eventually, two soldiers with Department X logos on their armour walked in. And Sapphire Phoenix was close behind.

"Sapphire!" Said Skulduggery as he jumped from him seating position "your alive! Where's Obsidian? Why are you here?"

Sapphire looked up at her former mentor and smiled "well, the people need to know their leader is alive and well"

Skulduggery quickly knew what that meant "you're... behind this?"

Sapphire chuckled "and you thought Obsidian was the one to betray you"

"Why?"

"Over the last two and a half decades the Sanctuaries have had a few problems. Serpine, Vengeance, The Faceless Ones, The Revenge Club, The Remnants, Necromancers, Argeddion, The War of The Sanctuaries and of course Obsidian's mother, Darquesse. All happened because of your and moms ignorance and blood thirst. Then when magic was revealed you all hid away, refused to give Mortals and idea on your activities. They're scared of you. Of us. I'm trying to end that fear"

"By killing me?"

"Yeah, pretty much. And China. The Irish Sanctuary has fallen. The others will follow. Department X will replace them"

"So your giving the power to the Mortals?"

"It's there world, they deserve the power"

"No wait, you get the power"

"Yes, but I will answer to the will of Mortals. Not be an arse and hide"

Sapphire turned and begun to walk away.

"What about Obsidian?" Asked Skulduggery coldly

"Crashed and burned" she just said without turning back. She quickly marched out, the soldiers followed.

Sapphire and her too soldiers walked down the corridors of the Irish Sanctuary. The new HQ of Department X, she walked around to see the last of the bodies being moved. Sorcerers, Cleavers, Soldiers. She then looked out from a balcony. The city was in chaos and empty. All the civilians were either dead or escaped.

"Quite a stupid strategical move if you ask me"

Sapphire turned to see that it was Dean Winchester that said that. His hands tied behind his back surrounded by soldiers. Sam Winchester, Castiel and Tanith were all next to him in the same condition.

"Still did the job" said Sapphire "we've made ourselves know. To both magic and Mortals" she pointed up to the news helicopters flying above the city.

"Where's my son? You treacherous bitch!" Shouted Tanith, she was then slapped by one of the soldiers.

Sapphire smiled "put him down. Then I burned him up"

Tanith then screamed loudly and fell to her knees. Sam knelt down to try to comfort her.

"Where's my daughter?" Said Castiel. The fury in his voice caused Sapphire to almost tremble with fear, almost though.

"Probably pulling what's left of herself out of a wreckage only to die a slow painful death in the cold with her disgusting demigod boyfriend" Sapphire said smiling.

Castiel's eyes opened wide out of shock "no" he whispered. Sam turned to Sapphire "why?"

"For the good of all magic and mortal" said Sapphire softly.

The four were taken to their cells. Tanith was dragged as she continued to sob.

Sapphire then continued her walk alone, she sent her soldiers to their next duties. She eventually made it to her new office. She would have taken China Sorrows' office, but it didn't have a view of the city. She went to the chair and sat down. She turned her chair to overlook to city and smiled to herself, she was making the world a safer place for all, both mortals and supernatural beings.

"Enjoying the new power" came a voice

Sapphire turned to see a tall, black haired figure with black robes.

"You know there are other ways to make yourself know without almost killing me, m'lord. Sapphire said.

"None of which are fun" said The Unnamed.

"So. Where's Eliza then? If she's being me, I'll kill her"

The Unnamed smiled "beat you to it"

"Oh" Sapphire turned back to the city "she promised me that she could help me make the world safer, for both mortals and supernatural. That's why I created Department X. She also said you'd help us. That's why I never said anything to China about Eliza's plan. Can you promise me you will help me?

"And may I ask, what I get in return?"

"A place by my side. We will both rule magic as equals, as partners"

"Seems a fair deal" The Unnamed spoke softly "but first we have business to attend to"

Sapphire stood from her seat and slowly walked to The Unnamed "what business?"

"The God Killers" said The Unnamed quickly "I've found no record of them in the Sanctuary archives"

"The remaining four, including the remnants of the sword, are hidden. Only Skulduggery knows their location. Mom told me"

"Interesting, perhaps I should meet this Skulduggery. Sapphire, have your mother brought to his cell"

"Why?"

"All in good time, partner" he smiled and with that The Unnamed teleported.

The Unnamed appeared in front of Skulduggery. He looked up. But said nothing.

"You must be Skulduggery Pleasant" said The Unnamed

"And you are?" Asked Skulduggery

"You've probably heard of me. My apprentice, lovely chap, was the leader in some war about a century and a bit ago"

Skulduggery quickly got to his feet "The Unnamed"

The Unnamed smiled "good to see I was never forgotten by my foes"

"What do you want? The Faceless Ones back?"

"Oh dear god, no" The Unnamed said sarcastically shocked "why would I bring them back. Mevolent was the believer. I wanted them gone for good, leave the whole world to myself. But... I hear that a half Faceless One walks the Earth.

"Obsidian. But he's dead"

"Did Sapphire tell you that? Shame. Well he lives, unfortunately. And even more unfortunate I can't kill him. Like his farther and mother, he's almost indestructible. Almost, except for a few things"

"The God Killers"

"Where are they?!"

"Go to hell!"

"Been there. It's actually quite nice. I must remember to write back to Crowley"

The Unnamed then clicked his fingers and the door opened as Sapphire walked in with Valkyrie being pushed ahead, her hands tied behind her back.

When Valkyrie looked at The Unnamed she spat at his face "you bastard. You stole my daughter. Well listen here. I've beaten up your apprentice. You'll be easy work"

"You mean Darquesse best Mevolent up" The Unnamed said as he wiped the spit off his face, he then turned to Skulduggery and smiled.

"You're going to tell us, Detective. It's the only thing that's gonna keep her alive"

The Unnamed then turned to Valkyrie. His eyes began to glow red. Valkyrie doubled over and began to scream. All Sapphire could do was watch and think the same thing over and over.

"It's for the greater good"