The shadowhunters have lost the war and all chances of happiness squandered when Clary thinks of a rune to send her back in time to the moment it all began. Clary's journey through the mortal instruments series knowing everything she does now, and seeing how this knowledge alters the series of events. Summary is probably rubbish but give it a go!

Prologue

The war was not going to be won. Idris was utterly destroyed, practically deserted except from the rotting shadowhunter and downworlders littering the streets. Even the alliance rune had proved fruitless against the endless demons that relentlessly slaughtered any in their path. It was the dead of night and Idris remained eerily quiet, the only sounds heard were the patter of three sets of footsteps cautiously moving through, witchlight illuminating their path.

A gasp echoed through the streets as one of the three stumbled over a very familiar looking body. Lying perfectly still, without a drop of blood on her, was Isabelle Lightwood. The red pendant around her neck appeared to gleam dangerously as the other two edged hesitantly nearer to the body, not wanting to believe what they saw.

"Izzy...no...NO. Not after Alec went, not her too...I can't...I can't..." Jace crumbled to the floor next to the dead body, his hands helplessly shaking her, as if in doing so would wake her up.

Clary knelt down beside the boy she loved more than anything in the world and wrapped her arms around his body, knowing little comfort could be given to placate him at this time. Everyone they knew, everyone they had loved had gone. Their time had run out and the world as they knew it had altered irrevocably, never to be the same again.

Magnus, the other member of the trio, paced beside the two shadowhunters furiously muttering incarnations under his breath, pieces of glitter flying everywhere as his hair shook. His head jolted up as he locked eyes with Clary, an idea forming in his head. "Clary," his words urgently escaping his lips, "Clary! Don't you see! It's over, there is no more time. If only we had more time"

Clary frowned at the warlock, trying to understand his words as there had to be more to them than pointless mocking of their predicament. "Time," she began, stepping away from Jace and placing her fingers over her temples as if to trap a thought within her mind, "Time." she repeated, her head tilting up to the cloudless sky as one hand grabbed her stele.

"We need more time, and the only way we're going to get it is if we go back, back to before this whole war started. Another chance would mean we could do it all again, but differently, make it right! Kill Valentine, kill Jonathan...they wouldn't be dead Jace! Max, Alec, Izzy, Simon, Luke and my mum...there wouldn't BE a war!" Clary finished her speech with flushed cheeks, a dash of hope crossing her face as a smile began to grow.

Jace remained staring at Izzy's lifeless body, a dejected look upon his features, "Yeah well how are we going to get 'more time' Clary. It's a stupid idea that'll never work. We've lost. We've lost goddamit." He punched the floor behind him as his body shook with anger, shrugging Clary away from him.

"Actually," interjected Magnus, "It's not such a stupid idea, Jace. You know what Clary can do, we all do. If the right idea came into her mind then she could make a-"

"Rune," finished Clary, "I can see it. I can make a rune."

At that Jace looked up, as if to check it was not all an elaborate farce initiated by the pair as a pathetic stab at humour. But one look at their faces and he could see that they were completely serious, their eyes bright with the magic of possibilities.

"I don't know exactly how it'll work or how far I'll go back...or if we will stay how we are now or lose all knowledge." Clary warned, looking at Magnus for confirmation

"You need to change as little as possible, Clary." he advised, looking at her very seriously. "Time travel is not an activity to be entered into lightly, and I have never known a shadowhunter to succeed in the attempt. If anyone can do it, it would be you. To be honest even if it went wrong this is our last hope, I'm surprised Jonathan hasn't found us already."

As those words were spoken they heard a voice in the distance, coming ever closer in a similar way to a cat stalking its prey. "Dearest sister!" it called, "It's time to make your final choice. Die with your boyfriend and the warlock or join me as we relish in the new world created."

Jace's eyes found Clary's as he furiously nodded his head. "Do it," he urged, "Quickly before he comes any closer," as he grabbed for her hand he drew her to him and placed a ferocious kiss upon her lips, "And if this doesn't work. If we all die here and you can't fix it, know that I love you. I love you Clary Fray."

A tear rolled down his cheek as he turned to Magnus, leaving Clary placed behind the pair. "We'll distract him, give you as much time as possible." Magnus said, blowing her a kiss before being dragged forward by Jace.

Ignoring the sobs vibrating through her chest, Clary placed her wrist out in front of her, closed her eyes, and began to draw.

Tell me your thoughts! And thank you if you took the time to read this, it means a lot to me :) next chapter should be up soon - Though I am posting as I write so can't promise regular and quick updates. Hint for next chapter - Pandemonium!