Dear reader,
Thank you for clicking on this story, and for joining me on what has now been a seven-year adventure. This Fanfiction was initially posted as a fanfiction in German. This was after the release of the ninth "Skulduggery Pleasant" book (Dying of the Light), which was the final part at the time.
I'd say that it works well as a parallel timeline for the second SP installment. I have slightly adjusted details over time, to continuously fit into the SP-world and stay as canon as possible, but the general concept has always been the same. As English is my second language I apologize for any grammatical mistakes in advance. Also, please note that I speak American English in my daily life, which is why most of my writing is spelled that way. Though I try my best to adapt my spelling and vocabulary when I quote British-English-speaking characters.
If you're new here, and generally unsure about what this story is mostly about, feel free to skip forward to "Chapter 8: Pivot", and then start from top.
This story will turn out to be three or four book-length parts:
1: Battles of Shadow
2: Vodun War
3: The Inbetween
I can't actually publish these as books, for obvious copyright reasons, which is why I am now sharing them with you. Thank you again, for giving it a chance. On that note; I love any kind of comments and feedback, whether positive or negative. Please be so kind to leave a review.
Credit and great thanks for the Triskelion Covers, goes to my wonderful artist Pax! Contact me for an HD version of the Battles of Shadow cover art. Also, check out their Instagram: pax_sian
Finally, a Disclaimer: This fanfiction does not contain explicit sex scenes / "smut". It does contain other sensitive subject matters, including violence and gore, swearing, death and disability, mental and physical abuse/torture, abuse of drugs and alcohol, and crimes against minors.
Now, I leave you to read my pride and joy, the Fanfiction that is "Triskelion" (Part One: Battles of Shadow). It starts like this: Once upon a time, two Dead Men went to two dead uncles' funerals...
"Triskelion 1 - Battles of Shadow"
A Skulduggery Pleasant Fanfiction Character Study
Healing, holy man, once upon a time. He lived for his wife, up until the crime.
Hunting high and low, to seek revenge. Brand new moral code got made reluctant renegade. Leaving empty souls, when he avenged. Evil spirits flowed. He drank the blood like lemonade
Cozy campfire crowd, with a case of wine. I'm feeling fine. Bounty hunter now and it crossed the line. Cross that line.
Hunting high and low, to seek revenge. Brand new moral code got made reluctant renegade. Leaving empty souls, when he avenged. Evil spirits flowed. He drank the blood like lemonade
In a border town, down by Mexico, they let him go. Law and order now, 'cause he runs the show. So, now you know.
Hunting high and low, exerts revenge. Brand new moral code got made reluctant renegade. Leaving empty souls, when he avenged. Evil spirits flowed. He drank the blood like lemonade
-"Blood Like Lemonade", Morcheeba (2010)
Chapter 1: Aftermath
Diamond Irie took a deep calming breath. She stood outside the arrival gate of Dublin Airport, impatiently tapping her foot, as she waited for her transport to Roarhaven.
Diamond forced her foot to stop tapping and kept herself from nervously glancing at her watch. Instead, she made sure her blouse was tucked in safely into the waistband of her pants. She pulled a hairband from her wrist and tied up her hair. She struggled a little with the amount of curly ginger hair on her head, but she managed to tightly wrap it around itself and secure it in a practical bun.
Driving up fast and halting abruptly, a black Mercedes-Benz appeared. Diamond quickly got in and tossed her bag onto the other back seat before closing the door behind herself.
"What's the status?" She asked the driver and buckled in, as he got the car moving again right away. He looked young, and he was wearing his brown hair in a ponytail, as well as a fashionable mustache.
"Unclear, Ma'am," the driver replied, and they left the airport and entered the highway. "There is still a fight going on, but we don't believe they will last much longer."
"Yeah, no surprise there..." Diamond tensely muttered. "They should have just sent me in there from the get-go."
"Which field are you in, Ma'am?" he asked.
"Personal Protection and First Aid," she replied. "English Sanctuary."
"Colin Credits from Transport," he introduced himself, "Irish Sanctuary."
She smiled at him via the rearview mirror. "Diamond Irie, nice to meet you."
A look outside told her they were heading in the direction of Roarhaven, but the quickly-passing time clicked a rhythm into her ear, that her heel wanted to tap along to. She checked on Credits and could see the anxiety that was edged into his forehead.
"Do you have friends on the field?" She asked him.
"Yes, Ma'am," Credits nodded flatly, "but nowhere near the front line. Do you?"
Diamond nodded back. "Yes. Directly on the front line."
The thought made her chest rise involuntary. She made sure to go with the impulse and breathe deeply again.
A moment of silence developed, only interrupted by the sound of the engine humming at high speed, and the tires on the road that became rougher and more rural with time. Neither of them felt like talking and so, their silence was only uncomfortable due to the anxiety of getting through this ride; knowing that they would probably be too late to prevent any of the worst from happening.
When they finally arrived in Roarhaven, Diamond tightly wrapped her arms around herself and took in the passing view with large incredulous eyes.
The city was in tatters. Burning rubble spewed aggressive sparks onto the streets, collapsed buildings scratched the skyline at a close distance. The bangs, and roars, and screeches of big fires covered the sounds of screaming like white-noise.
A look over at Credits told Diamond that quiet tears were running over his face. He got them as close to the apocalyptic scene as possible on wheels. Once there, they jumped out, and Diamond pulled her First Aid kit over her shoulders before falling into a jog next to Colin.
They ventured deeper into the chaos, as the sounds of dying people grew stronger and more detailed. The first figures on the ground became visible. They were lying on, and between, and underneath rubble: unmoving, staring into nothingness with frozen startled expressions.
Although there were still small detonations to be heard now and then, there were no signs of a fight, no gunshots or similar battle noises. Diamonds stomach dropped into her legs.
They were too late.
They turned a corner, and the full extend of the disaster stretched out in front of them like an expanding hallway. Small and medium and enormous pieces of rubble, glass and metal lined the smoldering battlefield. Huge, swirling clouds of smoke pillared into the sky. Everywhere, dead and injured people lay, covered in pale dirt and blood.
Volunteers were moving rubble with magic and tried to find survivors. First responders were walking around on the battlefield and crouching next to the injured, administrating First Aid and trying to comfort them in their fear and pain.
One of the volunteers passed them, headed towards the Sanctuary with a clear sense of purpose. Diamond turned to call to him, as he jogged by. "What happened!?"
The man turned as well, moving backwards as he responded. "They've got her!"
Diamond sighed a breath of relief, yet her breathing continued to be shaken by the shock and stress. She lifted her hand for a quick thank you. The stranger moved on to focus on his own task again.
"Thank the Gods…" Credits murmured.
Diamond bitterly sniffed. "I think I'll be avoiding gods today."
Colin snorted, and they hurried on. Their steps became faster, the closer they got to the center of the battlefield. Meanwhile, Diamond glanced around at the faces on the ground and tried to find anyone that might look familiar. As the number of dead bodies grew to staggering heights, the amount of screaming and moaning victims faded out.
There were moving figures at the center of the worst area. They seemed to be picking up and transporting bodies.
Diamond was looking around hectically by now, searching for a fit man with blond hair. She became more horrified with each look, yet she continued on. Her eyes flicked over the various bodies, which were ripped open, and crushed, and taken apart, until they couldn't be defined as humans anymore. Dried organs and bones covered the ground, connecting puddles of blood between victims, like an abstruse group painting.
She did not find him, but she did find Saracen Rue.
Diamond heard herself gasp in horror, and tears immediately shot up into her eyes. She ran over to him, stumbling over other dead people and dropping to her knees by his side.
Saracen's limbs were turned and twisted in random angles but, most of all, crushed. His chest and parts of his face had caved in. Large pieces of rubble stretched out from him, like they had split over his body. His warm eyes stared up at the sky, shocked but empty.
Breathing out incomplete sobs, Diamond put a hand on a clean spot on Saracen's forehead. For a moment, she let her head hang low. She wanted to sink into the despair, react to the terror of everything around her.
A burst of aching concern snapped her back to her senses, immediately. She pulled herself together, gently placed her fingers on Saracen's eyelids, and permanently shut them.
Diamond jumped up, left Saracen behind, and ran towards the people that were taking away the dead.
"Dexter Vex!" She yelled at them as she neared, "I'm looking for Dexter Vex!"
A couple of volunteers turned to watch her approach. One of them yelled back; "hospital!"
Diamond immediately spun on her heel and ran straight back. She rushed past Saracen on the ground, then past Colin on his feet. He followed her, and they both headed directly for the Sanctuary building.
"I can't find my sister either!" Credits called over to her.
"That's probably a good sign!" She said, to him as much as to herself.
They made their way to the Sanctuary, through the lavish main entrance, and into the crowded hallways. Even here, people were already scurrying around with medical equipment and pushing around hospital beds. Due to being welted in and echoed around by the walls of the building, the sound of suffering humans was overwhelming here.
Again, Diamond looked at the bodies and checked faces. She shot other glances towards the medical staff, as they moved towards the hospital wing, and looked for someone with a clipboard who knew what was going on.
Suddenly, Credits gasped and quickly moved behind her. She turned, but he was already hurrying to one of the stationary beds. There, a woman lay, who was visibly related to Credits. His sister appeared responsive as, when Credits talked to her excitedly, she replied safely.
The driver looked back, at Diamond. "Good luck!" He called, and she waved a thanks and hurried on.
When Diamond was closer to the emergency room, she stopped and turned slowly in a circle. Her gaze wandered over the rushing staff; trying to find a stationary one. It landed on a blond petite healer, who was flipping through a list on a clipboard. Diamond hurried over and did her best to stay out of the way of other staff and relatives. She laid a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder, and the healer looked up from her notes.
"Is Dexter Vex here?" Diamond asked.
The healer nodded. "He's in surgery."
She sagged and exhaled in relief, but Diamond kept herself from relaxing too much yet. "What is he being treated for?"
The healer flipped through the papers, finding him quickly. "Severe damage to the mouth and throat. Unfortunately, his chances aren't looking great."
Diamond closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"I'm sorry, but I need to get back," the healer sympathetically told her, then hurried away to a screaming patient.
Diamond stood there for a bit; riding out the interchanging waves of relief, panic, and shock. But then, Diamond took a deep breath and made herself stand up straight. Out there, a lot more people needed help, and she was helping no one by standing around.
She forced her legs to move forward, away from Dexter, and back to the battlefield.
Diamond worked through the remaining day and night. She focused on the job, rather than the terror all around her. When she felt herself become drowsy and unable to focus properly, she walked to Dexter's Roarhaven flat. The building was a good distance away from the battleground, and she was relieved to see that it hadn't been hit.
The main door had been left open and so, she walked to his apartment door and teased the key out from underneath the little gap between the door and the floormat. She let herself in, took off her blood-soaked clothes, and tossed them into the washing machine before moving to the bathroom. There, she took a shower and washed off the dirt and blood with steaming hot water. This made it easier to force the images further into the back of her head. She would have time to think about that, once she knew that Dexter would be alright.
It wasn't hard for her to fall victim to her own exhaustion, when Diamond dropped onto the couch. She managed to feebly drag a blanket over herself about halfway, before her eyes fluttered shut on their own behest.
The sleep went by in a single second. The world turned black, and then grey, and then the noise of her alarm shook her awake again.
Not feeling much more rested but less drowsy, Diamond sat up and rubbed her face, breathing deeply. She turned off the timer and made herself get up. She tossed her pants in the dryer and pull over one of Dexter's t-shirts. As soon as she was washed-up and her trousers were remotely dry, she pulled them on with significant effort and hurried back out of the door. She locked it behind herself and returned the key to its hiding place.
Diamond walked down the hallway, through a back door, down a set of stairs, and into the communal basement. She was hoping that Dexter's bike was still stored here. Luckily it was, so she grabbed it, carried it up the stairs, took it outside and climbed on. It was too large for her and she had never ridden it, but she got a hang of it eventually. Soon after, Diamond was making her way back to the sanctuary in slightly uncertain driving patterns. Still, cycling was faster than walking, thus she arrived back in the destroyed part of town only ten minutes later.
The survivors had done an impressive job so far. Most of the big rubble pieces, which had blocked access to the street before, had been moved aside or taken away. The last fires had been put out, and they were only being paid homage to by big black water puddles. However, the smell of burnt hair and ozone still hung in the heavy air, along with another smell that Diamond couldn't identify.
Once by the sanctuary building, she hopped off the bike and leaned it against a wall. Quickly but calmly returning to the hospital wing, Diamond took in the change from before. There were still some patients lined up against the wall, but all of them looked stable. More and more of the hospital beds that were being pushed around had either dead people or anesthetized people on them, rather than screaming ones. Now, only the sound of many feet hurrying, of people quietly talking, and of patients moaning filled the hallways.
Diamond landed in the same wing as before and looked around, spotting the healer from before. She certainly hoped that the poor woman had managed to take a break by now, but she doubted it.
"Hey," Diamond said and stepped around to her front.
The healer pointed at her almost immediately, upon making eye contact. "Dexter Vex."
Diamond nodded.
"…Is stable."
Diamond finally allowed herself the heavy grown of relief that had been waiting in her.
"We have inserted an injectent tube. It's a simple breathing tube but with symbols that emit secretes, which then heal the wounds," the healer explained, "it can be removed in a week or two already, however, the recovery process will be fairly lengthy."
Diamond raised her head again, looking at her without expectation. "How lengthy?"
She thought for a moment. "Hm, I can't give you an exact time frame, of course. But with healing and speech recovery and physiotherapy, I would estimate… five to ten months?"
Diamond nodded understandingly. "What can I do, right now?"
"Well, he is stable enough to leave," replied the healer. "Usually, we would keep him in for monitoring, but we're very stretched for beds and space. For now, all he really needs is to come back for check-ups and the removal of the tube. So, if you could look after him for a while and bring him in for appointments, that would save both Mister Vex and us lots of trouble."
She nodded again. "Shouldn't be a problem."
"Perfect." The healer pointed. "Room sixteen. Just call up a nurse to help you move him."
"Thank you," Diamond smiled and turned to find room sixteen. She walked down the first hallway, glancing at the room numbers. Her chest felt heavy with each inhale and light with each exhale, as her body finally worked off the anxiety of the past day.
When she found the room, Diamond stepped inside without hesitation and quietly shut the door behind herself. There were four beds in here, all separated from each other by large curtains. She glanced at the different unconscious men around and soon found Dexter in the left far corner.
They had cleaned his wounds and put him under a sheet, and he was sleeping. His chest moved flatly but evenly. The end of a clear tube protruded from his mouth, fastened by a plastic ring and crossed strips of tape. The corners of his mouth had incredibly deep cuts, and his jaw was bruised like it had recently been patched back together. His lips were severely cracked, and a surgical cut had been made all the way from underneath his chin, along his throat, and to his chest, where it disappeared beneath the blanket. Otherwise, only the usual cuts and bruises of battle were scattering his body.
Diamond breathed out slowly and grabbed a stool, which rolled up easily to the bed. Quietly, she sat down and moved herself closer to Dexter. Keeping her arm away from anything near his throat, she laid a gentle hand on his head and mustered his sleeping face.
She didn't actually expect him to wake up so, when his eyes opened, it didn't immediately register with her. And Dexter seemed to have the same experience, as he looked dazed and he stared at her for a moment to focus his eyes on her face.
Diamond gifted him a sad smile. "Hey, pal."
Dexter appeared to recognize her now, and his eyes closed again but tightly this time; overwhelmed by senseless relief. The tube kept him from making any noise, but his breath went flatter. She could tell that he had woken up before and had heard the news about Saracen, while his remaining friends were still busy dealing with the aftermath of fighting Darquesse.
Diamond took his hand that was lying on the sheet closest to her, giving it a squeeze. "I'm going to take you home now, alright?"
Dexter squeezed back, holding on, and Diamond moved around to carefully lean her forehead against the side of his.
She waited for his breathing to settle, until he was passed out again. Then, she gently pulled back to click the button that called for a nurse, and got up to find a ride.