Skulduggery Pleasent: Reversed

Part 9

[Spoilers from KOTW (Book 7)]

Valkyrie stopped so suddenly that she almost tripped over her own two feet. Valkyrie looked at the pool of blood that was forming on the ground around Era's fresh corps. So much for catching him.

"Woops" said Skulduggery form behind her, "I was a bit off"

"Off?!" asked Valkyrie almost yelling, "You but a bullet through his brain and you call it off!"

"Hmm, I was aiming for the shoulder" he grumbled as he strode over to her.

"Oh, well is that case, than yes you were a bit off" she replied slightly amazed as she stared at what was left of Era. After a half a minute Dexter, Ghastly and the young woman approached the park.

"Prysm Emery I presume" said Skulduggery stretching out his hand. "Skulduggery Pleasant at your service"

The woman nodded looking a little confused but she shook Skulduggery's hand. "Thank for helping me back there. He caught me by surprise then bound my magic." said Prysm.

"He didn't hurt you did he?" asked Dexter

"No" said Prysm, "Whatever he was going to do you stopped him when you came in"

Skulduggery nodded and Ghastly gave a polite smile.

"Prysm, do you mind if I ask you some more questions on the way to the van?" asked Dexter

"There's no problem with that" replied Prysm completely calm.

"Ghastly can I have the keys? I'll drive the van around so we can move his body" said Dexter

"Here" said Ghastly as he chucked Dexter the keys.

"Come on miss Emery" said Dexter as he spun the keys. "You get to spend some time with the glorious Dexter Vex" commented Dexter with a grin. Prysm flashed a smile and followed Dexter across the street.

Once they were out of earshot Ghastly spoke up, "I'll get some people in to clean up the mess. And I might need to get Geoffrey in" said Ghastly muttering the last bit. Ghastly walked a respectable distance away then phoned the Sanctuary.

"You know, you're not a bad detective Mr Pleasant" said Valkyrie with a smile.

"Why thank you, I pride myself on my work" said Skulduggery puffing up his chest. "And you're not bad yourself Miss Cain" replied Skulduggery as he flashed her a grin. Valkyrie couldn't help her smile from almost splitting her face.

They stood like that for a few moments' just grinning and exchanging smiles.

Then Valkyrie's grin dipped, "What are you going to do now?"

Skulduggery's smile faded and he let out a ragged sigh that showed his age, "Start again I guess. I can't kill Serpine, I can't go back to my family and there's no war. So I'm just going to have to start over and pick up where you're Skulduggery left off."

"And, is that ok with you?" asked Valkyrie gently, not wanting to pressure her friend into doing anything that he wasn't willing to do.

Skulduggery's smile picked up again as he looked back at Valkyrie, "So far it doesn't seem so bad"

"I don't know" said Valkyrie with a smirk, "There's a lot of danger in this job"

Skulduggery raised an eyebrow, "Valkyrie, I have lived thought a war and many things much more dangerous than the events of today. I think I'll manage" finished Skulduggery with his lips still quirked upwards.

"I've also survived events much more deadly than today's. So don't think that you have the upper hand just because you're a hundred or so years older"

"Oh ha ha miss smarty pants. What are those oh so deadly events did you face?"

Valkyrie's grin broadened, He fell for her trap, "Well as you know I fought against Serpine" said Valkyre as she straightened up, "I fought against Barron Vengeance, Mevolent although he was from another dimension. The Faceless ones, remnants, a revenge gang, Vampires, two Death Bringers, Yetis and a Werewolf." said Valkyrie as she watched her friend's smirk slowly droop. "Oh did I mention a sea hag. The sea hag was very important"

"I, well there is no doubt that you have enough experience for this job" responded Skulduggery slightly stunned.

"I'm glad you think so" Skulduggery closed his eyes and started to massage his temples. "Skulduggery?" asked Valkyrie in concern.

"You know, suddenly I don't feel all that well" said Skulduggery slowly as he waivered. Valkyrie stepped closer to him and put a firm hand on his shoulder. Skulduggery glanced at her just before a knee gave out and Skulduggery fell to the grass. Valkyrie dropped next to him and tightened her grip on his shoulder in order to prevent him from completely falling over.

[Hello again! XD I'm proud two updates in two days! *Fist pump* Oh yeah!!
Again if you see any spelling mistakes or things that don't match up with the books just say so. I won't bite!
And it's all down hill from here folks! I'm hoping to finish this thing ASAP so the next chapter might go up tomorrow or the next few days (That is my goal). For all who don't know I'm currently wrapping this FanFic up. So not long now!! O_O Ooooh, XD
:3 Thanks everyone for all of you're support, comments and faves! I adore it all!
And again it's late so I'ma gonna go to sleep now! Night everyone!]