Ranko: Hey, hey, hey everyone! It is me, Ranko twin, and I have a new story for you guys! This time it is for The Mortal Instruments. It will be based off of Howl's Moving Castle (Miyazaki's version, not the original—unfortunately). It will be Malec, of course!
I was actually inspired to write this story because of a piece of art made my Kialun that is titled "Malec crossover." It is so freaking adorable! And guess what? It's the cover art for this story! Though you probably can't see it very well, it is so pretty! Go search Kialun on deviantart and check out her art! Give her some love and comment if you can (especially on "Malec crossover").
Like I said, that piece by Kialun was what inspired me to write this little crossover because this picture has Magnus as Howl and he is walking on air (literally!) with Alec, the same way Howl did with Sophie! It is so cute and I seriously advise you to look her up and look at her artwork. It is so cute!
Ahem, I do not own anything that involves The Mortal Instruments nor Howl's Moving Castle (movie and book); they both belong to their respected creators!
Enjoy!
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It was a rather quiet day in the little town known as York Valley, as everyone was in their homes preparing for the parade of troops that would be marching through their town.
There were two women chatting on the street and a man passing them by leading his pack mule along by a thing of rope. There was a locomotive that passed by on its track like it did every morning and afternoon on the dot. Its whistle blew and thick black smoke was spit out from the hatch on the top of the front car; it rolled like storm clouds.
Alec sat at his work desk as the train went by. The windows were closed so he wouldn't breathe in any of annoying smoke. He continued to work diligently even when the lighting in the room was faded because of the black mist and smoke that the locomotive released.
He bit his lips as he worked his nimble, slightly calloused, fingers to sew the little berries onto the hat he was correctly working on. He needed to be completely concentrated to get this right or else he would poke himself and mess up the woman's hat he had been working on for a better part of the day.
That was hard to do considering the other girls that worked there were chattering excitedly outside his work room. They were giggling and making plans with each other; he secretly wished that he could go have some fun for once but he had serious work to do. He worked the needle through and tugged at it lightly to secure the berry in place.
"Alexander?" Tessa knocked on the doorframe. Alec looked up when he heard his full name being called. He saw the petite brunette standing in the doorway. Tessa smiled softly at Alec and took a step into the older boy's work room. "We just closed the Shoppe and you have done enough work. Why don't you come out with us?"
Alec thought that over for a moment and then thought how inappropriate it would look to have one male amongst a group of pretty young girls. He smiled at Tessa and held up the pink hat that was designed with berries, two pinecones, and a little bird. "No, I think I should finish this. But you go on ahead and have fun."
Tessa's smile dropped from her face. Alec was the hardest worker among them all. His mother was the original owner of the Hat Shoppe but then Maryse and Alec's younger brother, Max, died in the same car accident. Instead of listening to others who told him to sell the Shoppe, Alec kept it running in memory of his late mother. His father had remarried a year after his wife and son's death and didn't care about the Shoppe that his wife doted over.
Tessa smiled hesitantly. "Alright then, suit yourself," she said with a shrug of her shoulders. She turned on her heel and went back out to the main work area, separated from Alec's private room, where all the other girls were waiting for her. "Come along, let's go," she said to the other girls.
Alec was relieved whenever he heard the fading sound of the clicking of heels but then he heard one girl squeal, "It's Magnus's castle!" And then all the girls came rushing back, giggling and peaking over each other to see out the window.
All the girls were chatting excitedly as they caught a glimpse of the moving castle that was so far out it was just a spec in the fields of The Waste. However, Alec could not contain his curiosity. He sat up a little straighter and peaked out the window.
He saw the moving castle out in the fields of The Waste and the chimneys of it exerting black smoke that was similar to the smoke from the locomotive. But he only saw it for a moment; it disappeared behind the fog. A moment later, three planes that had the Alicante flag waving behind it flew by.
He heard a girl whine in disappointment. "He's gone," she said.
"He's not gone! He's just hiding behind the fog from those planes."
Alec rolled his eyes; this conversation was of no use to him. He went back to work to finishing the hat.
"Hey, did you hear about what happened to that girl from Port Faerie?" one girl said in a hushed yet excited tone.
Alec stopped his hand and tilted his head to the side to catch the words the girls were saying.
"They say that Magnus ripped her heart out."
The girls gasped.
"Now I'm too scared to go out!"
"Don't worry, Magnus only eats the hearts of beautiful people!"
There was a sudden outburst of laughs from the girls.
"You guys are so mean!"
He heard Tessa's laughter. "Alright, enough of that. Let's go," she said and Alec heard the fading sound of the clicking of shoes again as their laughter and voices drifted off with it.
Alec hadn't moved from his seat at his work table the whole time. He sighed and went back to work making the last finishing touches on this hat. Then he had to go visit his only family he had left—Izzy—at the bakery that she worked at.
Alec rested the hat he had just finished on a mannequin head. He sighed when he looked at the pile of hats that were still yet to be decorated. He shifted through the plain hats and then decided that he was too tired to be creative and come up with another design. He hopped off of his stool and took off his work apron.
He folded the fabric and slung it over the back of his chair. He grabbed the directions Isabelle had written for him off the table, grabbed his old sweater and went out. When he went outside, the streets were much more alive. People were leaving their homes and hopping on the trolleys to get to the parade. Planes with Alicante flags waving behind them flew through the sky. Children were laughing and saying anxiously, "I want to go see the parade!" People were making plans to meet before the event. It was a commotion of friendly chatter and excited giggles.
Alec didn't care about the stupid parade; he just wanted to get to the bakery before all the commotion started. He locked the shop door behind and pulled self consciously at his sweater, hoping to make himself look more decent. He walked across the street quickly and hopped onto the footstep of a full trolley, hanging on tightly to the handrail as the trolley moved.
Alec hopped off a little ways off from his stop; the roads were already starting to get backed up because of the march of the parade. People were running past him, eager to get to the fun. Troops were marching through the streets with planes zooming over head of them and tanks following behind them. Confetti was thrown into the air and people were waving mini Alicante flags.
Alec wanted no part of that. He cut through an alley so he wouldn't have to get caught up in all of the ruckus and the throng of people. He followed it and it opened up to a square where soldiers' packs were set up and were being guarded by a few fierce mutts that were held back by a chain. They barked and snarled whenever they saw Alec pass by. He jumped in surprise and let out a surprised scream; he took off away from the mutts.
He took a random turn and hopped down a few steps. He looked to his left. He saw the main street where the parade was going on. He could hear the whistling and cheering. To his left was an unfamiliar street. He looked back at his map and went left. That decision had led him to a part of York Valley he had never seen before.
He was led down narrow, winding streets where doors were nailed shut and windows boarded up. In the windows, there were signs that said, "Out of business."
Alec continued to look down at his map he walked, trying to find a familiar street name. He didn't even notice whenever he ran into a broad chest. He let out a startled noise and quickly backed up. "I'm so sorry," he said quietly, ducking his head.
He gasped when a finger was placed under his chin and made him look up. The first thing he noticed was the uniform that all Alicante soldiers wore. Then he saw the cocky grin that was on the man's face. And it wasn't just one man; he had a friend.
"Hey, look what he found. A cute little kitten seems to have lost his way," the first man said.
Alec clenched his jaw and jerked his chin away from the man. "I'm not lost. Now if you will let me past…" The man grinned wider and moved in Alec's path. His friend came up beside him to make sure that Alec didn't get by.
"Where are you going? We hardly know each other. Why don't we go out for a cup of tea and then we can…chat," the man's friend said, resting a hand on Alec's shoulder.
"How old are you? Do you live around here?" the man with the grin asked, leaning in closer to Alec's face.
Alec's eyes widened and he stepped away
"Leave me alone!" he said.
The man with the grin chuckled. "See, you scare them all off. I told you," he said amused.
His friend shrugged. "So what? I think that he is kind of cute when he's scared."
Alec was about to turn on his heel and run whenever he felt an arm wrap around his shoulder and pull him toward a warm, solid body. He flinched at the touch; he was frightened that it was another soldier He saw the look on the two other soldiers faces and it was not one of recognition; he figured that was a good sign.
"There you are, sweetheart," a deep, alluring voice said; there was a slight accent as well that Alec couldn't quite place. He couldn't see the mysterious man's face from where he was. "I've been looking everywhere for you." He hoped that his face was as beautiful as his voice.
"Hey, we're busy here!" the first soldier said, clearly irritated.
"Are you really?" Alec's rescuer said, completely calm; his tone had not changed from when he first spoke. "It looked me that you were just leaving."
Alec saw the hand that was on his shoulder rise and then point at the two men before them. He numerous rings decorating the man's tan, thin fingers. The two soldiers snapped to attention, making surprised noises; it was as if they couldn't control their bodies The man made a circle in the air with his finger and the two men turned away. He swiped his hand and the soldiers marched down the street away from them, as if they were clockwork soldiers, saying things like, "I can't stop!"
Alec watched in awe while all of his happened but still wanted to see the face of his savior.
"Don't hold it against them. They're not all that bad," his savior said with a deep, rich voice.
Alec jumped, almost forgetting the man was there. He was still blown away by what just happened. Alec looked up and nearly gasped when he saw the beautiful man that had saved him.
His skin was a smooth, caramel color that almost shined His hair was a rich, deep brown that was highlighted with metallic colors that glinted in the sun; it lay flat against his head, reaching the man's shoulders. His eyes were amazingly beautiful. They were this shade of green that Alec had never seen before, in the right lighting it looked like there were flecks of gold in his eyes. His eyes were narrow but friendly and Alec couldn't tell if he was imagining this or not, but it looked like his pupils were slit like a cats. He just wanted to stare into those green eyes all day.
He was also tall; taller than Alec, which was hard to be. He had long legs that stretched on for miles, slander torso, and rather broad shoulders. He was dressed in black trousers that were rather tight; Alec blushed. He wore a blouse like white shirt that was open a slightly so Alec could see a little of the man's chest. Resting on his shoulders were a diamond-patterned coat.
Alec was right; the man was just as beautiful as his voice.
He hadn't realized he had been staring for so long until the man laughed; oh, his laugh was so gorgeous.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Alec asked, his mind still hazed.
"I asked where to? I'll be your escort," the man said, flashing a dazzling smile at Alec.
Alec gulped. "J-Just the bakery."
The mysterious man smiled. He dropped his arm from around Alec's shoulder and then offered it for him to hold. "Don't be alarmed, but I'm being followed," the man whispered in Alec's ear as they began to walk.
Alec flinched as his body grew stiff. He wanted to look behind him to see who was behind them but he was too frightened.
"Just act natural," the man said smoothly and calmly. Alec looked up to see the man's expression had not changed. He was still smiling and there was still that little twinkle of light in his eyes. He walked at a calm and normal pace with Alec on his arm. Alec decided to let his body relax...
Then he heard it; it was similar to the sound of a person walking in a puddle. It wasn't clear nor distinctive but Alec could still hear it like the sudden pounding of his heart. And it sounded like there was a lot of people behind them. How many enemies did this man have?
"Sorry, it looks like I got you involved," the man said.
Alec flinched and clung to the man's arm tighter when he saw a wall of men that had suddenly appeared in their path. They all had this vacant and sort of dead look in their eyes. Alec gasped and looked towards his savior.
"This way." The man quickly turned left down another alley that was just before the wall of men. They began to pick up the pace of their walking until they were practically jogging.
He still heard the men behind them but it still had that unclear sound, almost as if they were walking with their feet coated in thick honey.
They were running down the alley now; Alec's eyes widened and he let out a scream of shock whenever he saw exact replicas of the men that were following them come out of the wall. Their skin was different; it looked gooey and black, like sludge.
Alec looked towards his savior again, hoping—praying—that he had some way to get out of this. The man didn't slow his pace, he was running even faster now, right towards the wall of black sludge men.
He hooked an arm around Alec's waist. "Hold on," he said. The man jumped off the ground slightly and they floated up over the rooftops gracefully. Alec gasped and looked down, seeing the black sludge men had run into each other, colliding where Alec and the man once were.
Alec made a few breathy sounds of amazement and fright; he grasped the man's hands tightly. Alec tucked his legs in close to his chest and clenched his eyes shut. He didn't like how high he was off the ground.
The man squeezed Alec's hands reassuringly. "It's okay, just straighten your legs and start walking." Alec peaked his eyes open and saw the man smiling down at him. He hesitantly stretched his legs out, his feet still searching for solid ground, but he managed to walk on air; putting one foot in front of the other normally.
It took him a moment to believe that this was happening but then he decided to give up on trying to figure out how this phenomenon was possible. He smiled and laughed in pure amazement. He saw the townsfolk and the parade under his feet.
He still clutched the man's hands like a lifeline though.
The man chuckled. "See? Not so hard is it?" he asked as they glided across the air. They began to float downwards and Alec just gasped in pure wander.
Alec soon felt his hands loosen their grip and he smiled peacefully, matching his steps with the man's who was behind him. He still held his hands delicately, as if Alec was just a glass doll. Alec noticed that the man's coat had stayed on his shoulders and was fluttering behind him like a cape.
"You are a natural," the man said in that alluring tone of his.
Alec smiled and fought back a blush. He saw the bakery getting closer; they stepped off on a roof for leverage and continued to walk across the air. The man landed on the railing of the balcony on the second floor of the bakery. He let go of Alec's hands and the boy floated down to stand on his own on the balcony.
"I'll draw them off, but make sure to wait a little bit before you go outside," the man said.
Alec was so captivated by this man's unique eyes, his immediate response was, "Okay."
The man smiled, as if he knew the power he held over Alec. He made a sweeping bow towards Alec. "Good boy." The man jumped backwards off the railing and floated down quickly.
Alec gasped and quickly rushed to the railing, looking over it. To his astonishment, he did not see the man on the street. He sighed; he wished he had at least gotten his savior's name. He felt his heart pound and his face flush just thinking about that mysterious man who rescued him.
Alec realized where his thoughts were going and quickly shook his head to rid his mind of those thoughts. He would not think about that! He wouldn't think of his tan skin, or how his eyes were like emeralds, or how kind he was to him…No!
He huffed and went inside to find Izzy.
He didn't have to look very far. Almost immediately when he came in the building he heard the pounding of footsteps running up the steps from the main floor and then, "Alec!" Yep, that was Izzy.
He didn't have time to prepare himself before Izzy launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "Izzy!"
His younger sister released him only to lean her face so close to his that their noses were touching. "What is going on?" she cried. "Someone just told me that you floated in on our balcony, is that true?"
Alec's eyes widened. "So it really did happen."
Izzy set her mouth to a thin line. "Come with me," she said, grabbing her brother's hand and dragging him into the pantry room that was behind the kitchen. "You are going to tell me everything."
Alec explained everything to Izzy, not leaving out one detail—even the beautiful stranger who rescued him—and in minimal words. One of Alec's many skills was to say what needed to be said in as few words as possible.
After Alec had finished telling his story, Isabelle blew out a sigh. "He must have been a Warlock then, Alec."
Alec thought back to how the man made them float and then walk on air. He shook his head, in denial. "No, that can't be. He was so kind to me, Izzy; he rescued me."
Izzy pulled at Alec's ear. "Of course! He was trying to steal your heart." Alec let out a few pained hisses and Izzy released him. Her eyebrows knitted together in worry. "You are so lucky, Alec. If that had been Magnus, he would have eaten it."
Alec scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Magnus Bane only eats the hearts of beautiful people," he said, remembering what that girl at the Shoppe said earlier that day.
Isabelle sighed. "Don't go off on that again. Alec; you need to be more careful," she insisted, worry clear in her tone. "I heard that even the Witch Belcourt is on the prowl again." She noticed the far off look in Alec's clear blue eyes. "Are you even listening to me?"
"Huh?"
Izzy groaned and then smacked Alec's arm.
"Izzy, the chocolate éclairs are done," one of the bakers said, appearing in the doorway of the pantry. He smiled at the beautiful girl.
Alec had to admit that he was sometimes jealous of his sister. She was so beautiful; her ink black hair was always so shiny and pretty, falling all the way down her back in waves. Her complexion was pale and clear; she was tall and lean. Her eyes were brown, just like their father's. She was also kind and she had the prettiest smile. Isabelle had so many admirers, even when she was younger. Alec had always stood in the shadow of his younger sister's beauty.
Izzy smiled at the baker. "Okay, I'll be right there." The man nodded and then disappeared around the corner.
Alec stood up and brushed off his clothes. "Well, I better get going. The only reason I came by was to check up on you."
"Wait, Alec!" Izzy called before her brother could leave. She stood up and grasped his hands; Alec raised his eyebrows at her to tell her to continue. "I just wanted to tell you I met someone."
Alec gaped. "Really, who?"
Izzy smiled. "He is this really sweet guy and—"
"Izzy, we need you down stairs," one of Isabelle's co-workers called anxiously.
Alec smiled. "I better get going so you can get back to work. I love you," he said, kissing his sister on the cheek.
Isabelle sighed and hugged her brother. "I'll tell you about him later." Alec was going to leave but then he realized that Izzy still hadn't let go of him. "Alec, I can't stand the thought of you all alone in that old Hat Shoppe."
Alec pushed Izzy away from him. "Izzy, you know how important that Shoppe was to mother. Please don't tell me that you're giving up on me too?"
Izzy shook her head. "No, it's just, I wish that you would do something for yourself for a change. It is your life and mother would have wanted you to be happy."
Alec huffed. "Bye Izzy," he said, turning on his heel and leaving the bakery.
Alec hadn't realized how much time had passed. When he went out through the back entrance of the bakery, it was already sunset and the streets were being cleaned because the parade.
He quickly hurried home, his thoughts on the mysterious stranger from earlier that day forgotten. He road the trolley back to the Shoppe; Alec and his family used to live in the house that was connected to the Hat Shoppe, until their family was broken apart. Now it was only Alec living there and occasionally Isabelle.
Isabelle's words kept ringing in his head; he didn't like being along, but this was his obligation as the eldest, even if he didn't have the same passion for hat making as his mother did.
He jumped off the trolley and walked the few blocks back home. He unlocked the door, the little bell above the door chiming as it was opened. It was quiet and dark. He remembered coming home to the sound of Isabelle laughing with their mother and Max crying when he was just an infant.
He sighed and locked the door behind him. He took off his worn sweater and tossed it on the back of a chair. He turned on a gas lamp and before he could go upstairs to get the hats he had made that day he heard the sound of the bell above the door chiming.
He gasped and quickly turned around. Standing in the foyer of the Shoppe was a petite woman with golden curls resting against her bare, pale shoulder. She wore an off the shoulder ball gown with ribbons and lace. She was fanning herself, her forest green eyes scanning the Shoppe with a scrutinizing eye.
After Alec got over his shock, he was confused. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we are closed for the day." And then to himself, "I could have sworn I locked that door."
The woman ignored Alec and walked further into the Shoppe. "Such a tacky shop. Never have I seen such tacky hats." Alec recognized that this woman was speaking with a French accent. She looked up at the boy and grinned. "But you are the tackiest thing here."
Alec pursed his lips, self-conscious feelings rising in his heart; he stomped them down quickly. He walked past the woman and over to the door, holding it open for her. "I am sorry, ma'am, but we are closed. If you would be so kind as to leave right now before I throw you out."
The woman burst out laughing; it sounded like the twinkling of bells. "Standing up to Camille 'Witch' Belcourt? You are a confident one, aren't you? Now I see why he likes you so much."
Alec's eyes widened and he gasped. "Camille…Belcourt?" He turned back towards the door to run but was stopped when he saw two blob men from earlier that day standing in the doorway. He let out a cry of shock.
He turned back around when he heard Camille laughing. He saw her rushing at him like a gust of wind; she went right through just as if her body really was made of wind. Alec brought his arms up to cover his face as he felt something like sand hit his face or any uncovered skin.
It felt like his body was changing. It was painful; it felt like someone was stretching his body and compacting it at the same time. The pain brought him to his knees.
He heard Camille say from the doorway, "The best part about that spell is that you can't tell anyone about it. Give my regards to Magnus, will you?" Then he heard the chime of the bell as the door closed behind her.
Alec coughed up what he thought was sand. He rubbed at his eyes to rid them of the substance. What was Camille saying before she left? He didn't really care; he was just happy that she hadn't hurt him or caused any damage. But his body still felt like it was run over by a horde of horses.
He picked himself off the floor, groaning. He really needed to close the Shoppe and get to bed. He had to be up early in the morning to open up. On his way to the backroom, he passed by a mirror that was hanging on the wall in the Shoppe. He saw an image out of the corner of his eye and it made him do a double take.
He could have sworn he saw Izzy in the mirror. He looked around the Shoppe and saw he was the only one there. He went back to the mirror and looked…Alec's eyes widened.
His reflection was not his own. He looked like Izzy! His hair had grown longer and wavier down his back. The only difference was that instead of Izzy's brown eyes, his own blue eyes stared back at him.
Alec's eyes traveled down towards his torso. He hesitantly put his hands on hips and followed up his sides, feeling his body curve into an hourglass shape. He stopped at his chest; he gulped. His hands traveled a little higher and he did not come in contact with a flat chest, instead, his hands were on his own, female breasts.
Alec screamed and he realized that even his voice was more high-pitched.
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Ranko: I really hope that you guys like this story. It was actually rather difficult but I hope that you will stick by me on this little adventure! It will pick up, I promise. If you have never seen Howl's Moving Castle I suggest that you do! It is so beautiful and I really don't do it any justice. Chapter 2 should be out soon, I want to reach at least 10 reviews before I post the new chapter. Thanks guys!