Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's The Mortal Instruments and all associated properties belong to Cassandra Clare.
Prologue
Shadow Hunters had been around as long as regular people, mundanes are what they called the common folk they then they had been through many changes throughout history. Currently they all had institution dedicated to training the next generations of Hunters. However even in this shadow world that existed to protect human kind there was still a hierarchy that was to be respected. Sure they were all Hunters, but that didn't mean that pedigree didn't take precedence over skill. Of course you could be born in a low ranking family and be equally skilled as the next child of a high ranking one, but that didn't mean you were equals in the eyes of the Council.
That brings us to where we are now. Two families with a long history of arguments and disdain towards one another. The Darkthorn's were a prideful family with a long history of victories with a trophy to prove every story true to some degree, and within the house of the family was an armory fit for a castle. Any weapon imaginable was within these halls and they all were made specifically for the family.
The other family was one far less reputable, some would even say they were shunned all together by the community. The Flamebrandts were known for being willing to do whatever it took to achieve a goal even if it meant doing something thought taboo by the Council and most other Hunters.
But, I digress. Today Idris was in a buzz over the fact that there was to be a fight between a child of the Darkthorns and the sole son of the Flamebrandts.
Ailey Darkthorn was the eldest child of the Darkthorn. Beautiful, Headstrong, and Prideful. She had her crimson hair braided tightly and flipped over her shoulder. Her tone was akin to milk. Like all Hunters she had on a tight black tee with skin tight black jeans accompanied by a pair of black combat boots. She twirled her twin hatchets around preparing herself for the duel.
In the opposing corner was the bored son of the Flamebrandts. Lucian Flamebrandt. Dark haired, broody, and tanned. He never cared for the family feud he was born into instead preferring to train with weapons and learn any rune he thought useful. He was lacking a parabatai though, as was Ailey.
"Wait." He just thought of the situation he was in with Ailey. A public spectacle for all of Idris to see overseen by the council and no one questioned it. "Shit, they plan on making us parabatai." He finally realized what was going on.
Ailey was thinking more about her opponent. Lucian and she had met in early on in training. She always disliked his lack of motivation, even now she saw that his face lacked any noticeable expression other than boredom. It infuriated her to no end that even when he was about to fight he was not motivated to take it seriously. "I'll make him take me seriously." She gritted her teeth and clenched her weapons even tighter.
Just then there was a silence so tense no one dared to move. The head of the Council spoke. "Today we are gathered here to watch a duel between the heir of the Darkthorn family and the heir of the Flamebrandt family. May the angels guide one of you to victory." She finished as she returned to her seat.
Ailey rushed out of her corner trying to stop the fight before it even started. Lucian knew she was bold and headstrong, but rushing an opponent before gauging them is a fatal mistake. Just from what she did he knew right of hand that she was going to value speed over power. He swiftly twirled his bastard sword and met her halfway in the arena . The roars of the crowd erupted as soon as their blades met. Ailey broke the stalemate by taking a swipe at his leg. He broke off contact and attempted to slash at her abdomen. She deftly dodged it and threw one of her hatchets at him, but he caught it a threw it right back at her. She caught it and rushed him again pelting him with speedy blows trying to force him to yield. What she didn't expect was for him to use his sword to push her off balance. She quickly regained her footing as she swung at his head, and he poised himself for a thrust to her heart.
"Stop." Was all that was heard by the two as the head of the council spoke up. "Both of you fought spectacularly, but neither of you won." Ailey looked at the situation. Her hatchet was poised at his throat and his blade placed to pierce her heart. "Ailey Darkthorn and Lucian Flamebrandt, I must speak to both of you at once, get changed and meet me in the council chambers." She said curtly as she and the rest of the council members disappeared into the shadows.
Within 10 minutes Ailey had switched into a loose long sleeved black tee, but she kept her jeans and boots on. Lucian had swapped outfits entirely. He wore a white button up with a tie complemented by a black tuxedo vest with black slacks and what she swore were dress boots. She had to admit for a slacker he cleaned up nice, even his hair was washed and pulled back into modest ponytail. They had both arrived at the council chambers at the same time. He opened the door for her. "Wow, I must be dreaming you actually are a gentleman." She said. "No, but this gives me an excuse to stare at your ass." He replied flatly. She scoffed at him as she walked through the door. "Wait," She thought "Is he actually looking at my butt?" She turned around and sure enough there he was looking at her ass. "Hey, my ass and everything else is off limits." She said angrily. He busted out laughing. "Okay Mistress Darkthorn whatever you say." He said as he bowed mockingly. She just walked off not wanting to deal with him. He fell in behind her this time actually paying attention to what awaited them ahead and not her rear. They both arrived in the council chambers. "Ailey Darkthorn, Lucian Flamebrandt you two are to become parabatai then you will be transferred to an institution." The head of the council stated this matter-of-factly. "Why are you making me be a parabatai with this miscreant?" She asked angrily. "I could tell you, but I know that Lucian had already figured it out in the hallway." The head replied. "The council wants us to become parabatai because we are both unapproachable, but in different ways." He said. "What does that even mean?" Ailey asked him still angry with the decision. "Your family is one of the highest in terms of history you are essentially the family that every strives to be, but can't achieve." He looked at her seeing if she understood before continuing. "My family however is one of the lowest and it what every family strives not to be. We are thought to be cursed by god and the archangels." He finished looking somewhat somber. The head of the council continued where he left off. "We chose you two for this because you are both extremities. One is the highest you can hope to be, while the other is the bottom you hope you never get near." She finished. Lucian had his stele out and was waiting for the command from the council, meanwhile Ailey was wondering what she did to deserve this punishment. She reluctantly drew out her stele. Lucian draw the rune of the parabatai on her first with no hesitation. The rune burned itself into her left shoulder blade. Lucian unbuttoned his vest and shirt showing her his toned back awaiting her to draw her rune on him. She was hesitant to even be associated with him, but this was an order from the council and no one can disobey those. She drew the same rune onto him as it burned into his skin permanently binding them together. "Now that this binding is complete ready your things then travel to the New York institution." The head said as she dismissed them.
30 minutes later Ailey was sitting near the portal to the institution waiting impatiently for Lucian. "I swear that assbrain has no motivation to do anything." She said to no one. As she completed another circle as she was growing more impatient by the minute. As she was about to berate him again she saw him coming up the path to the portal carrying a bag that she assumed he had clothes in and a bastard sword strapped to his back. "Oh, look who finally decided to grace me with his presence." She said sarcastically as he raised an eyebrow at her remark. He sighed too tired to even come up with a comeback. "Do you need me to take your bag, or are you still on your high horse thinking I'm not worth the time of day?" He asked. She simply walked past him and took her bag as they both stepped into the portal leading to their new lives.