The second chapter of my fan-fiction series for skulduggery pleasant
I do not own anything from the books they are property of Derek Landy
Enjoy

LB
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Skulduggery pleasant chapter 2 – Fletchers Present

Fletcher lived in a small apartment in Dublin’s dankest street; it was of course populated entirely by sorcerers. It was small and cluttered with various items; weapons, books on magic, mirrors, hair gels and entire wall full of games and films.

When he awoke he rolled of his bed and glanced at his mirror, he winced when he saw that his hair was flat and unkempt, it took him a minute to look away from the mirror and when he did he glanced at the digital clock on the wall (Fletcher had trouble reading analogue clocks) and with a jolt he realised it was his birthday he grinned and picked up his phone.

There weren’t any messages he pouted then realised they were probably planning a surprise for him yeah that has to be it he smiled to himself in excitement and walked over to the bathroom where a full length mirror leant against the wall he struck a pose and smiled. Damn I’m gorgeous he thought turning away and stepping into the shower and sighing as the hot water caressed his body.

After spending an hour grooming himself he turned off the shower and looked at the mirror again, ahh that’s better he thought his hair styled to perfection his skin clear of any dirt and water still running in rivulets down his body, he dried himself and thought about what could happen today.

Hopefully Valkyrie gives me a little present he thought his mind wandering back to the week before when he had finally had sex with her. He hardened at just the thought and he glanced down at it smiling slightly it had been a tight fit for Valkyrie and that thought had made him proud and more arrogant than before.

He got dressed pulling on a pair of jeans and a linen shirt pulling on a leather jacket over it. Once again he marvelled at himself in the mirror and was only roused from his self-admiration when his phone beeped.

He looked at it excitedly and grinned when he saw it was from Valkyrie,
Hey wake up, skulduggery wants us to meet him at Ghastly’s. Vx

His smile dropped, not one mention of his birthday but it sprang up again, maybe that’s where the party is he took one look around the room picking up his keys, wallet and phone before hesitating and picking up a stun gun and sliding into his back pocket. Then glancing at himself in the mirror he vanished with a faint pop.

Valkyrie waited with her arms crossed, and didn’t even blink when Fletcher appeared in front of her his eyes tightly closed, since last month he had appeared when she was changing and saw her fully naked for the first time, she had jumped and kicked him between the legs but he still thought it was worth it.

“Open your eyes moron” she sighed and he opened them disheartened to see there was no present in her hands. Maybe it’s at Ghastly’s he thought holding out his hand and when Valkyrie clasped it they both vanished.

They arrived in Ghastly’s shop and only ghastly turned his head to them, he smiled and said hello at which point skulduggery and Erskine Ravel turned and greeted them quickly returning to their hushed conversation.

They walked up to ghastly Fletcher looking around for any presents,
“What’s going on?” Valkyrie asked

“Madame Sutra has demanded a meeting with us”

“Who?” Valkyrie asked

“Err I’ll let Skulduggery explain” ghastly said awkwardly “happy birthday by the way” he said to Fletcher pulling a package from under the table.

Fletcher grinned and tore the brown packaging revealing a dark black coat and waistcoat.

“Wow thanks ghastly” he exclaimed shrugging his own coat of and throwing on the waistcoat, it fitted snugly and was extremely comfortable. He looked into the mirror at the side of the room and smiled totally unaware that Valkyrie had gone quiet and was looking extremely embarrassed for she had completely forgotten it was his birthday.

The coat was long and it ended below his knees, it was extremely comfortable. He laughed and thanked ghastly again when Skulduggery and Ravel walked over.

“Valkyrie, Fletcher” said ravel nodding to them.

Skulduggery tilted his head and looked Fletcher up and down

“Have you done something different with your hair?”

“Ghastly made me a…” Fletcher began

“Who’s Madame Sutra?” Valkyrie cut in.

Fletcher felt a stab of annoyance but let it go.

“Madame Sutra is a Seductress” Skulduggery said simply

“A Seductress?” Fletcher asked

“A Seductress is a woman whose chosen discipline is pleasure magic” Ravel explained, “They err use the climax of people to strengthen themselves”

“So why don’t you like them?” Valkyrie asked looking at the dislike on ravels face,

“Because they are deceitful and untrustworthy” said ravel.

“And since they have no power of their own they live of other peoples” Skulduggery said

“They are by definition a parasite” said ravel

“When are we meeting her?” asked Fletcher

“Today we are going to drive there now” skulduggery said

“Can’t I take you?” Fletcher asked

“No”

“Why?”

“Because I like to Bentley more than you” said skulduggery and turned and walked away

Fletcher stared after him and before anyone could stop him he vanished,
He reappeared in front of the Bentley and skulduggery tilted his head,
“Yes?” he asked closing the door.

“I’ve had enough” Fletcher said crossing his arm.
“Enough of what?” Skulduggery asked leaning against the car.
“The way you treat me” Fletcher said walking forward “you treat me like I’m nothing”
Skulduggery just stood there and didn’t say anything.
“So that’s it I’ve had enough” Fletcher said anger evident in his words “either treat me like a person or we part ways”

“So that’s it you’d leave Valkyrie and everyone else behind?” asked skulduggery facing Fletcher,

“No their my friends I won’t leave them but you skulduggery you treat me like dirt and expect me to put up with it” Fletcher said angrily.

“Fine then go” Skulduggery said opening the door and climbing inside, Fletcher wanted to do something smash the window maybe or teleport him a hundred miles away.
He turned and came face to face with Valkyrie she kissed him and he felt the anger fade away, he hugged her and said
“I’ll come by to your house later for my present” with a smile that had no humour behind it, he shook Ghastly’s hand and thanked him again for the clothes; he nodded to ravel and the disappeared.

He didn’t even think of where to reappear to and without realising he was appeared in China’s library making a sorcerer jump, he caught the book before it hit the ground and apologized to the man before walking around the corner and almost walking straight into China.

“Fletcher how nice to see you” she said “where are the others?”

“Going to the sanctuary” he said glumly.

Chinas eyes wandered curiously over his face then she smiled, “skulduggery went too far didn’t he”

Fletcher frowned “how did you know?”

“Tsk my dear boy I’m surprised you didn’t say anything sooner” she laughed and Fletcher felt his heart soar, he still had trouble being near China.