Coming Home (Malec fanfic)

Chapter 7

The following day, everyone was in Idris doing some sort of practise. The lyncanthropes were doing battle tactics out on the plain, warlocks and witches had numerous dummies to try spells on, while the shadowhunters were in the Accords Hall arguing. Sure everyone was ready to battle but they still needed to argue over how they could try and avoid it at all costs. Alec and Clary being taken were a huge issue but since only Isabelle and Jace knew of their master plan everyone would obviously go against, they were forced to sit quietly and listen to everyone panic.

The new inquisitor was silently watching the fight rage on in the crowd, the Consul kept shouting "Everyone please calm down!" but it wasn't working, then some few high shadowhunters, Robert Lightwood inclusive, sat frustrated near the back of the podium.

It had been like such for a few hours by now, Isabelle was itching to tell her father about Alec since she had not had the chance the day before; Robert wasn't at the Lightwood mansion so Jace used his chance to convince her to just stop. "Jace, this is going nowhere." She hissed at him, "I'm sneaking round and telling him."

"Izzy, what did I tell you yesterday?" He spat back.

"'Just give it up' I know! But screw you Jace, he needs to know. I need to tell him. Just to clarify. Mom and Alec may not love him anymore, Max is dead, but I still do! It's unconditional! So screw you!"

Jace only simply raised an eyebrow and sighed, "fine, go."

Isabelle nodded and ran off, having to dodge people who were jumping around like hot potatoes with rage. That's what happen if you sit in the middle of a row and column, it was near deserted at the pillars since no-one particularly wanted to stand for hours on end.

Weaving inbetween them she had sneeked to behind Robert and tapped him in the shoulder, "Dad?"

Robert sighed and turned round, looking at her over his shoulder, "What is it Isabelle? Can't it wait until after this damn argument?"

"In my opinion, no. I tried to tell you yesterday but couldn't find you."

"Well what is it then? Go ahead, amuse me."

"You know about the war and all this, but what about behind the scenes? Sebast-Jonathan has two hostages with him. One he took yesterday, the other I can't even remember! But quite a few weeks!"

"And who were they?"

"One of them was Clary, and guess who the other one was?"

He frowned, getting a little concerned, "Clary? Surely the rest of the clave should know that Izzy, don't keep secrets. Now who is this other one?"

"Alec."

"Not surprising, not hard to catch. He always has been weak when it comes to defending himself," Isabelle took a step back out of sheer shock, "wouldn't be surprised if he's dead when we find him. If we find him."

"You monster!" she cried and fled the Accords Hall, sick of everyone and everything, glancing at Jace hoping to catch his eye, which he did and fled after her; everyone was too busy arguing to notice their departure, except for Robert, who watched them leave with a hurt expression because he felt betrayed by his daughter whom he still loved.



~*~



"Maia stop it!"

"I don't want to hurt you! Why can't I be partnered with someone else?"

"Because you chose me perhaps? We're preparing for battle babe, go fight Luke or I will."

Maia being the complete submissive to Jordan, had chosen to partner with him before Luke had even said what they were doing. They were near the edge of the woods away from everyone for Jordan's sake, he was a well known fighter for the pack but with Maia constantly pulling out of even biting him round the ankle would be pure embarrassment. His girl was tough in battle, but not during practice, she was as harmless as a baby, but dangerous as a just turned wolf.

Jordan was about to pounce, getting frustrated when another wolf, its fur the same colour as the forest trees leaped from in out of the shadows. It growled feircly and started clawing at Jordan's chest. "Dude!" Maia barked, "what the hell? Get off him!"

The other wolf pinned Jordan down and sat on him, "Practice little one. I got bored of my partner, thought I'd try Jordan. Feel free to have mine, he's called Sammol. I'm Clarkson, never call me my first name." Maia rolled her eyes at him and was about to yowl when Sammol pounced on her.

"Just fight you little pup!"

"I am no pup!" Maia growled and pushed him off her, both pairs immediately started fighting a lot more than previously.

Maia was the dominant one against Sammol, he was probably younger by a few years and had never been to battle before. Except rogue wolves or pack wars but nothing major. He was probably only about 12 or 13 at the previous battle, so no match for Maia who survived the war in pretty ship shape at 16.

It didn't take long for her to pin the wolf down and sit on his chest. It felt good, winning against another wolf that isn't pityful Jordan for a change. Neither made the indication to start fighting again so they just sat there, Sammol eventually rolling out from under her and sitting beside.

The boys fighted for a good two hours, Maia had got bored and dozed off, her paws in the air looking as if she were dead. Sammol had joined the guys so they became some sort of bloodthirsty trio, clawing and biting at each other, tearing through the skin. Luke had finished his patrolling through the woods and growled at Maia, instantly waking her. "Luke!" she stammered, sitting in attention, "I was just uh- taking a breather."

"For two hours? Course you were." He sat beside her and swished his tail like an annoyed house cat.

"It wasn't meant to be that long. But Luke, come on, you know the majority of us don't need constant training all day and night long. We need rest!"

"You're a werewolf, Maia, your energy regenerates quicker than others. Got bored of Jordan and Sammol? After that one round?"

"Oh shut up. He needs the training with guys his level."

"Because you are obviously stronger than Jordan and Clarkson combined. Or even Jordan alone." Maia bit his ankle.

"Alright! I just- do we really need all this? I mean, we didn't do this last battle! Seven years, each pack is larger and we still have everyone from back then still fighting. The shadowhunters have grown! Everyone is more powerful, then there's the warlocks. There's over 300 of them! Only they, and Sebastian can use magic."

"Yes, but remember this battle is for someone's life and the peace between us? It's you know, just a little more important." He said with a slight snarl making Maia cringe slightly.

"You mean Alec? You do know he's not the only one who's been captured right?"

"What!? How do you know? Who is it?"

"Isabelle told me yesterday, I think I know why she didn't want me to tell you know. But I've dug myself too deep into this hole haven't I?"

"Maia!" Luke leaped and pinned her to the ground, "who. Is. It?"

"Clary."

"WHAT." he howled into the air, "NO!" he ran off into the woods, but in the opposite direction of the multiple packs who had now gathered round to try to see what happened; even though it was over and Luke was gone. Probably to tell Jocelyn-which couldn't have been a worse idea- the news.



~*~



Sebastian watched Clary across the room, shackled to the wall. She had rings of fire bound round her wrists as cuffs that dug into her skin the more she struggled, or even moved, her ankles the same. They shouldn't be kept on for more than a couple hours, but of course Sebastian didn't care. Her shackles though, were round her elbows and knees that were studded on the inside designed to cause extreme pain when trying to bend said limbs. She was completely stuck in one position unless Sebastian decided to move her.

Clary was glaring at him with pure white hatred. Ignoring her slowly burning skin, all attention on him. Watching. Waiting. "Care to explain you little rat?" She spat at him.

"Explain what?" He grinned, "gesture to me."

"This situation," she said ignoring the last comment, "same reason as last time? To get to Jace or use my powers to turn me into a dark shadowhunter? Well good luck with that."

"No, I'm selling you."

"To who!? You're not keeping me for yourself? The hell?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out. I can't keep you and I don't need you. I won't miss you." He raised an eyebrow, "You'll find out tomorrow. That's if your friends would rather rage on war or trade you for peace."

"What about Alec? Is he just- just a helpless pawn in all this?"

Sebastian opened his mouth to speak when an eidolon burst in the room, "So sorry master, but it is the nephilim! He has done something!"

"He has done many things, what is it now?"

"He held the bars." Sebastian's already black eyes seemed to widen further.

"Is he alive?"

"I cannot touch him, I am an eidolon, sir." Sebastian sprang from his seat and out the door, his footsteps echoing off the walls, slowly decreasing to silence.

So much for Alec being a pawn in all this.

~*~

Isabelle had told Jace the whole conversation with her dad, she hated his guts and hoped his life would be a miserable one. She was now wandering through the streets glumly, aiming to get back to the Lightwood mansion without being bothered.

She got to the edge of Idris rather silently, some children out in the streets gave her strange looks, one good looking boy came over and offered to walk her home and they could talk. But she turned down his offer saying she was taken and would rather not break up with him since his mind was so fragile.

Simon had portalled over the previous night and then stayed at theirs, why he didn't wait till morning he never said. He had to wait till night to start practising while all the other vampires slept so when Isabelle got back he was sat in the living room reading a manga comic. He looked up from his comic and turned round. "Izzy?"

"Simon..." Simon stood and walked over to her.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" She bowed her head, tears starting to flow freely. "Izzy tell me."

"Dad....." she mumbled, "he... He doesn't care. Glad the possibility of his death is high... he probably doesn't care that I'm risking mine to save him. I don't want my name anymore!"

"Izzy..." Simon pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder. "Don't say that, you can't want to be disowned."

"And why not? Alec got disowned four years ago. Why not me as well? Da-Robert doesn't deserve children. Why couldn't I have been a Ringshard? A Blackthorn? Anything!"

"Well if you hate Lightwood so much, I know a name you could have instead."

"Oh please, who would want me in their family? And how?"

"By being my wife." Isabelle froze.

"What did you say?" she pulled away from him, looking at in disbelief.

Simon got down on one knee and pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. "Isabelle, I know right now couldn't be a more inappropriate time but at the same time it couldn't be better. I love you, love you with all my damned soul and un-beating heart. I want to spend the rest of your life together, or our lives. I'm not quite sure how I could live without you. And in saying so, Isabelle Sophia," he opened the box to reveal a small ring encrusted with coloured gems, "will you marry me?"

Izzy stood there in shock. Marry!? Bit of an odd time to ask for hand in marriage! They might both just fall down dead tomorrow and they wouldn't be married or properly engaged; meaning the ring would be completely pointless!

But the look on Simon's face, the hope in his eyes, the worry in his trembling stance, trying to keep a straight face. Izzy dreamed this day, but not today. But yes, no, yes! no! Argh!

She looked down at him and held his hands, smiling the tiniest bit. "Simon I-" she trailed off, "Yes." she whispered.

Simon choked on the air, "w-what? I didn't hear you, say it louder."

"Yes." she proclaimed, tears flowing down her cheeks, "yes yes yes! Oh, Simon, yes! Yes I will marry you!"

"Really!? Izzy, I... Thank you!" He stood and picked her up round the waist, spinning them both in circles of giggles.

They couldn't be happier, tomorrow's battle completely forgotten; no Sebastian, no Clary or Alec, no nothing. Just the two of them. In their small world of eternal hapiness...



~*~

"Jace!" Magnus called, "listen to me you dumb blonde!"

Jace spun round and held a kitchen knife to Magnus' throat. "Not. In. The. Mood."

"Okay, easy." He pulled the blade back and put it down on the chopping board. "I have awesome news to tell you."

"You don't sound ecstatic so I'm guessing it has to do with someone you don't particularly like but I do?" Jace raises his eyebrow, rather proud of his deduction.

"Uhm-yeah... It's Isabelle."

"What about her?"

"Simon proposed to her earlier, and she said yes." A grin grew on Jace's face and his eyes burst with colour.

"I knew this would happen someday, didn't you? Could be better timing but all well."

"Better now than never, you can trust me on that."

"I guess so. Perhaps if Simon keeps to the side with fear like he usually does, he has a chance of surviving, though, his love for my sister is strangely strong."

"And yours for Clary isn't?" Magnus coughed 'incest' and Jace rolled his eyes.

"It's complicated. And yours for Alec is strong, too. Plus- over the past months..."

"Don't even go there, I made him forget nonetheless."

"What? Why?"

Magnus raised his eyebrow, "stupid nephilim." Jace simply stuck his tongue out in a childish manner.

"Anyway, let's go find... Never mind. There really isn't anyone to tell."

"Well, I've got a couple things to clear with Luke, care to come with?" Jace shrugged, "let's go then."

~*~

"Jocelyn!"

"Ssssh! Pipe down or you'll get us killed!" Jocelyn tugged Luke to the ground and dragged him to some bushes. "God, your stupid. Jonathan is right inside that barn!"

"What!? How do you know? Why aren't we telling anyone!?" He made a move to stand but got pulled back down. "You mad woman, we must alert someone."

"Look. We can find out his plans this way, I'm going to watch the scene so shut up." She pulled out her stele a drew a rune onto the barn wall, then using a second Clary had made to be able to hear sound from far away. "Oh my goodness..."

"Clary... That's what I came to tell you." Jocelyn suddenly attacked Luke like a child, "what happened to watching?"

"I hate you right now. Shut up."

She looked back at hole in the wall and they both fell silent. Inside, Sebastian was wearing casual clothes, as if he were laying around at home with nothing but video games-or weapons- to play with. In his arms was a limp Clary, only just waking from a potion Sebastian had shoved down her throat. The Seelie Queen stood opposite them, looking at Clary with uninterest. "Did you not receive my message?" She tilted her head, "I sent one approximately three hours after your departure of your little visit."

"No, my lady. I did not recieve any message, I must have been taking Clarissa at the time."

"Tsk. I don't want her anymore, research proves that she is far from helpful to me. Her runes are only made for good, even under your influence of Lilith's blood in her veins, she did not create but one rune, am I correct?"

"Yes, but-"

"But nothing. That little black haired shadowhunter, on the contrary, could become very handy indeed. So why don't you leave Clarissa here with me while you go and get the other one for me."

"I.. I'm afraid that's not possible."

"And why not? Answer me."

They didn't hear Sebastian's response because the rune wore off. "Stupid rune!" Jocelyn quickly redrew it, "what? What happened to Alec?"

"Since when do you care so badly?" Luke looked at her confused.

"For the children's sake." Luke sighed.

"They're not children anymore."

"They'll always be children to us. Their parents. Admit it Luke, you feel the same."

"I do... Ok, stop arguing.. Hey, he's gone!"

T'was true, Sebastian had left and Clary was cowering from the Queen. "Draw me a rune of fear, child."

"I can't do these things on command." She winced as her hair was yanked at by a faerie soldier. "Well, it's true!"

"Too bad. I'll force it out of you if I have to."

"Never. Why do you need runes anyway? They don't work on you!"

"Shut up and go cry to your mommy. It's not hard to tell that's what you wish to do, or go to that blonde boy of yours. You two seem inseparable, as if joined by an invisible cord. Whereas your mother, and your new father, are listening to us right now. Isn't that uplifting?" The Queen raised a hand and their hidey hole became visible from the inside.

Clary was stunned. "Mom? Luke?" Too late though, Sebastian returned and grabbed Clary, pulling her up roughly.

"I told you, I cannot bring the other one."

"So it is official?"

"Yes."

"Stupid, stupid nephilim! I will fight along your side nonetheless, but I shall only bring half my forces."

Sebastian nodded. "I will see you tomorrow afternoon then."

"Mom!" Clary screamed.

The Queen glared at her as Clary caught Sebastian by surprise and began running towards the wall. "Get her!" The Queen ordered and two guards immediately took hold of her.

"Hey!" Sebastian dashed over and pulled her away from them, "she's not yours, remember? You okay, Clary?" He whispered the last bit.

Clary frowned. Sebastian shook his head. Resumed his normal posture, stern face, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"That was so... Sudden." Jocelyn whispered, "I do hope nothing bad happens to my daughter... She's strong when she tries. I know she'll be just fine."

"As are you." Luke patted her shoulder, "come on, sweetheart. Let's go back, staying here in the bushes doing nothing will not aid our chance of survival."

Jocelyn nodded and stood up, brushing the twigs and leaves off of her gear and smoothing out her hair. Hand in hand, they slowly walked back into Idris where all the hassle and fuss was still going on inside the hall, they could be heard from outside. They were both wondering how any shadowhunters were still alive because all they ever did was argue before battle and then train with mere hours to spare. Almost like a student before an exam or doing homework, leave it to the last minute and take the chance of having to pay the price.

The vampires were still in the black out building of the academy which was used to do training about fighting when almost blind or until the moment you die. They would play a great part in this fight since it will commence at sundown, when all the demons and vampires come out at noght, that's when things will get very messy.

Luke sighed, he was clueless about what to do. Maia was right, training was boring but they both still had to or their life was on the line. This battle would be the battle of a lifetime for many, a bad day to die for others. He pitied those who would not make it, the children who may lose a parent, the parents who may lose a child, or the extinction of a family altogether.

It was sad, but life was tough on this side of humanity. And that was something everyone learned to live with. Eventually.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note: HEY GUYS I FINALLY UPDATED!!!! And guess what!!?!? THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE UP TOMORROOOOOOOW!

Sad news: it's the final chapter the next one! But of course there will be a (very long) epilogue! And perhaps a bonus chapter if I get lots of votes on the final chapter ;) remember that! (It's a Malec chapter, of course!)

Happy news: the finally chapter will probably be about TRIPLE this chapter's length! Filled with feels and cries and giggles. So, Cassie. Would've been a shorter explanation.

If you have any questions, THEN GO AHEAD AND ASK THEM! I don't believe in privacy.....mostly. SO VOMMENT (that sounds disgusting but do it anyway) AND ILL SEE YOU GUYS TOMORROW!!!!