Chapter 1: Rebel Shadowhunters…
February 2032:
New York had been quiet over the last few weeks. Of course, there was some demon activity, and a few Downworlder scuffles, but nothing above the ordinary. Inevitably, this wasn't to last. It was approaching midnight when Clary Fairchild's phone started buzzing, waking the Institute head from her previously peaceful rest. It also woke her husband, Jace, up as well. Picking up and squinting at her phone while her eyes adjusted, Clary could see that it was Maia calling. She picked up the phone.
"Maia? Why are you calling so late?" Clary asked, sounding more drowsy than annoyed. Late night calls were common, but usually didn't amount to much.
"It's the den!" Maia replied, sounding incredibly worried. In the background, Clary could hear voices shouting and the sound of something slamming into wood. These factors made Clary bolt upright.
"Maia, what's happening?!" Clary was now wide awake, and fully alert.
"There's an army or something outside: Vampires, Faeries, some wolves. Bat said there's the scent of a Shadowhunter, but I'm not sure about that." Maia explained, the sounds in the background getting louder. "Clary, they're trying to get in. They already killed two of the pack. We need help!"
A chill passed through Clary as she realised what, or rather, whose army was trying to get into the Werewolf den. Obviously, Mortmain's army, who had attacked the Institute's inhabitants multiple times and whose leader had killed Jace and Clary's (adoptive) nephew before being obliterated by the Herondales' daughter, were somehow still organised and were striking at the werewolves. Clary jumped up.
"We'll get there as soon as we can. Keep holding them off, Maia." Clary instructed. She turned to Jace, who was already up and getting changed into gear.
"We need to get to the werewolf den. It's Mortmain's army." Clary briefed Jace succinctly. The colour drained from her husband's face then he sped up his changing whilst Clary walked into the corridor. She ran down the corridor, slamming her hand against each of the doors which lead to a particular individual or couple's bedroom. As it was the closest of the three to the Herondale parents' room, Will was the first to surface. He exited his room with a clatter.
"What's the emergency, mum?!" Will asked, seeming energetically worried.
"The werewolf den's being attacked. Get dressed, and arm up!" Clary ordered.
Soon enough, everyone was awake and running towards the werewolf den. Will and Jace were the first ready, so were a few streets ahead of the rest of their family. Following closely behind were Charlie, Ros, and Cecily, whilst bringing up the rear were Clary, Simon and Isabelle. However, their distance apart was moot as they all arrived to a similar scene. What had been Mortmain's army had managed to smash through the werewolf den's front door and were flooding in. There was the sound of screams, growls and yelps from inside. Each Shadowhunter drew their preferred weapon; most had seraph blades, minus Cecily and Simon who had bows, and Izzy who had her whip. They ran into the den and immediately assessed the situation: Maia and her pack were huddled against one wall, attempting to hold off the onslaught that came from Mortmain's army. The Shadowhunters from the Institute began to fight against the army. At one point, Clary was faced with one of Mortmain's Shadowhunter allies.
"Ah, Clarissa Herondale, It's an honour. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to kill you, though." The Shadowhunter remarked.
"Just shut up and fight." Clary retorted. The pair started sparring and Clary was able to hit the other Shadowhunter in the head with the hilt of her seraph blade. The Shadowhunter, a dark-skinned tall man, who Clary didn't recognise, slumped to the floor. The parents were able to fight their ways through the mass of enemies to the pack, while Cecily, Charlie, Ros, and Will fought as a quartet in the centre of the mass, pushing a large portion of the army outside and away from the werewolf pack. Maia ran forwards and started fighting beside the four parents. The pack alpha had aged well, but the stress of leading could be seen in how her eyes looked older than she was.
"Thanks for getting here so quickly." Maia remarked.
"Let's get out of this alive first then we can deal with all that thanking business." Jace responded. The werewolf nodded in response. The werewolves and Shadowhunters kept fighting against Mortmain's army until suddenly, the attackers began to run out of the den. Their reasoning was easy to see. In the centre of the room, someone had dropped a mundane bomb, which was counting down and had less than five minutes left on the timer.
"We need to get everyone out of here NOW!" Simon ordered. The pack swarmed towards the door. The Shadowhunter parents pushed their children forwards, while also heralding the pack. Everyone who was in the building was able to evacuate. Just as the parents were running from the den, the timer ticked to zero and the werewolf's den was engulfed in flame. Sirens began to blare in the distance, and there was no sign of Mortmain's army anywhere.
An hour later, all of the werewolf pack had been brought to the Institute. Each was looked over, and given some food and water. The Praetor Lupus was preparing enough rooms for the pack to stay in while the den was repaired. Clary was on the phone to the Conclave, explaining the situation, whilst the other Institute inhabitants were dealing with the distribution of the supplies. However, it wasn't until a figure was in the centre of the hall, before anybody realised they were there and recognised them. As soon as they did, both Charlie and Will ran forwards. The figure noticed this and started running further into the Institute. The two Herondales continued to pursue the figure, until they lead her to a dead end.
"I didn't think you'd recognise me." The figure remarked, flicking down their hood. It was the Shadowhunter that the two Herondales had briefly seen when they were kidnapped by Mortmain the previous year. The as yet unnamed Shadowhunter opened their jacket, revealing what Charlie and Will recognised as a suicide bomber vest. She also drew a button.
"Move any closer and I'll blow you and most of this Institute to oblivion." The Shadowhunter warned. "I would have wanted to do this somewhere where it would be more effective, but I guess this will have to do."
Just before she was about to press the trigger, a seraph blade was pressed against the rebel Shadowhunter's neck.
"You dare threaten my children?" Clary ordered in a cold and level voice. "How stupid do you have to be?"
Quick as a flash, Clary snatched the trigger from the Shadowhunter and was able to sever it from the vest, disarming it.
"Now, we are going to detain you on behalf of the Clave and the Conclave." Clary stated. "You are suspected of terrorism and accessory to the murder of an underage Shadowhunter."
Charlie noticed a shadow of grief pass over Will's face for a moment. Clary was referring to Jordan, Will's parabatai and Cecily's younger brother, who had died at Mortmain's hand less than a year ago. Ever since the battle, the Institute's inhabitants had been trying to deconstruct Mortmain's network, though the network had all but disappeared. There had been various Downworlder terrorist attacks; there wasn't anything particularly major until tonight, but there was nothing to link it to Mortmain or his army.
The Shadowhunter, who refused to name herself was lead to the Institute's Sanctuary and locked inside. The outside door was also locked. She would be kept there until representatives from the Conclave could come and transport her to a more appropriate prison. As every case so far had taken place in the New York Institute's jurisdiction, Clary and Jace were pretty sure that it would be their responsibility to investigate and deal with Mortmain's network. However, half an hour later, there was an unexpected visitor to the Institute. Robert walked into the Institute, in full Inquisitor robes, alongside a dower looking, grey haired women in the uniform of the Centurions. The werewolves had been transported to the Praetor Lupus' house, so it was only the Shadowhunters remaining.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Izzy queried when she saw her dad.
"We have a matter that requires the attention of the Institute heads." Robert stated. "Unfortunately, at this point in time, it's classified to that level."
Clary and Jace led Robert and the woman, who was revealed to be one of the lead Centurions, Marissa Bowstaff, up to the Institute's office. The conversation lasted for a few minutes before Jace came into the lounge where the other Institute inhabitants were sitting.
"Charlie, Will, the Inquisitor and Centurion Bowstaff have a few questions they need to ask you." Jace explained to his children. "It's about when Mortmain kidnapped you."
The two Herondale children nodded. Cecily took Will's hand. Will looked back at his girlfriend.
"I'll be fine. They just want to know what happened, and what we saw." Will assured Cecily. "I don't think it will go over 'that'."
Cecily let Will's hand go. She wasn't completely satisfied but Will seemed sure about what he had to do. Charlie and Will followed Jace up to the office. Robert and the Centurion were sitting, and Clary was leaning against the back wall of the office. Centurion Bowstaff stood and extended her hand to Will and Charlie. Both Herondale children shook the Centurion's hand.
"Hello. I'm Centurion Bowstaff, and it's my responsibility to deal with the Mortmain case." Centurion Bowstaff explained.
"Wait, why is the Scholomance taking on the Mortmain case?" Charlie asked. "I thought it was a local matter."
Robert and the Centurion looked at each other.
"This is highly classified information, known only to the people in this room, and a few select other Clave members, and a group of Centurions. It must remain that way, until we state otherwise." Robert informed Cecily and Will. We have reason to believe that Mortmain's network stretched further than just New York. If some evidence we've found is true, we have reason to believe that Mortmain was the mastermind behind an international Downworld criminal network."
Centurion Bowstaff and Robert proceeded to get a full account from Charlie and Will about what had happened on the night that they were kidnapped. After their accounts were complete, Centurion Bowstaff and Robert stood.
"Thank you for your assistance in this matter." Robert remarked.
"Wait," Will started. "I'm assuming there's going to be a Clave investigation into Mortmain."
"That's correct." The Centurion responded. "We've got representatives from each country an attack has taken place."
"I would like to be a part of that investigation." Will stated. "My parabatai was one of Mortmain's victims, and so it's my duty to make sure anyone responsible are brought to justice."
"We'll need to think it over," Robert remarked. "But I am sure that there is a place for you in the investigation."
Will nodded.
A week later, Will received a letter from the Inquisitor's office, confirming that Will had a place in the investigation. A few days later, Will had packed a month's worth of gear and clothes, and was preparing to portal to Idris.
"I still don't understand why you can't tell me anything," Cecily stated, as the pair waited for the portal to be made ready.
"It's a confidential investigation." Will explained. "I'm sure that there will be some information released soon."
"I wish that I could come with you, though." Cecily remarked. "I mean, we're engaged, for Raziel's sake."
Will took Cecily's hands in his.
"I know. They need help, and I'm one of the only people who can." Will remarked. At that moment, Magnus walked in, saying that the portal was ready. Will kissed Cecily quickly, before following Magnus to the portal and stepping through to Idris. Cecily walked back into the Institute where she was met by Charlie. Charlie immediately noticed that the Lovelace was slightly tearful, and gave her parabatai a hug.
"I couldn't tell him, Charlie. I couldn't get up the courage." Cecily whispered between tears.
"I'm sure that you will." Charlie assured Cecily "He's only going to be gone for a few weeks."
Cecily nodded and walked with her parabatai to get on with their everyday duties as Shadowhunters.
Meanwhile, when Will emerged from the portal, he was immediately met by a young Shadowhunter about his age: a tall girl of indeterminate Asian descent with shoulder length black hair. A detail that Will immediately noticed, much like he did on himself any time he looked in the mirror was the faded parabatai rune on the girl's arm.
"You must be Will Herondale." The girl remarked. The girl had a British accent, and she spoke with a formal tone of voice. "My name's Tanya Drewstark. I've been told to get you settled in."
Will nodded and followed Tanya from the portal towards Alicante and the Shadowhunter academy where an investigation office of sorts had been set up, and where Will would be staying for the month.
