Hey guys so this is my first fanfic ever so please be brutal about the writing. Let me know how you feel about it. It takes place in modern day times in our world, but like in TMI there are things that us mundanes don't know about. SO read and enjoy and let me know your thoughts.

I don't own the Mortal Instruments or any of the characters.

Chapter 1 - Escape

The six are born to every new generation

One born of the dark with great powers to summon those of other worlds

One born of the light with beauty and strength to save others

One born of the earth with the intelligence and skill to see the truth

One born of water with the care and focus to protect the ones they love

One born of wind with the grace and speed to out shine any others

One born of fire with the gift to bind them

All six born of the elements to save us all

Clary Fray had never gotten along with people in her life, so when she opened her door one day to find an old man wanting to take her away it was an interesting offer. He called himself Hodge and claimed that Clary was special and needed to go with him. Her mother had made no motions to stop Clary; in fact before Clary departed with the strange man her mother wished her good luck. Clary was acutely aware that leaving her mother behind to go away with an old stranger was not her smartest move, but she never claimed to be a genius and had enough problems already. In her mind a small escape could only lead to a positive outcome.

That is how Clary ended up standing outside of what Hodge called the institute in New York City. It was a beautiful tall building that looked like a very old church. She could only imagine what was waiting for her. The information that was previously given to her during the car ride was not enough to understand the whole situation, but it was enough to help Clary start to put the pieces together. Clary was part of a group of teenagers born with gifts given by the six elements. Along with the power to control the elements themselves, each child was given extra abilities (that Hodge had yet to explain). Every generation the powers are born into new children. This act removes the abilities from the previous owners.

Even this small amount of information was a lot to be taken in. Just the day before Clary had been fighting with three girls from her school that claimed she had slept with their friend's boyfriend, and now she was standing outside of the building that held the truth about her past and the key to her future. It is a scary thought, that all of the choices that Clary had made or would make were all laid out for her and the others, but that was how it always had been and always would be.

Clary followed behind Hodge as they walked up to the door. When it opened clary saw a boy standing there with brown eyes and hair. He was wearing a shirt that read "Made in Brooklyn" that made Clary laugh to herself. He looked at her with a small smile that was extremely inviting. This gave Clary hope that maybe she finally found somewhere that she belonged.

"Hi, I'm Simon. Simon Lewis, but you can call me Simon," he stuttered out. Talking did not seem to be his strong suit.

"Hey Simon, I'm Clary. Clary Fray, but you can call me Clary," she responded with much more confidence than the boy. Simon gave her a small smile and offered to show her around the institute. Apparently everyone else had either gone out or locked themselves in their rooms (not an uncommon event). The building was huge and had in fact once been a church. Along with about 100 bed rooms there was a kitchen, rooms for training, lounging areas and more. Clary had already decided it would take her a while to get used to all of this. Throughout the tour Simon told Clary more about himself as well as the other four. He left out details about their gifts and what they all were saying that it was Hodge who should tell her.

Apparently there was only one other girl Isabelle and three boys Alec, Magnus and a boy who Simon seemed to particularly not like named Jace. Magnus and Alec were the oldest being 18, Jace 17, and like Clary Isabelle and Simon were 16. Along with the now six Hodge lived in the Institute along with Isabelle and Alec's parents, as they were siblings, Maryse and Robert and their son Max. People seeking refuge (from what Simon had not told Clary) would come and go from the Institute from time to time, but recently no one had come. Maryse, Robert, and Max were currently away on business which happened often, but would be back soon.

Simon led Clary to her room and told her that she could unpack and shower before they would have to head down for dinner. Clary noticed that her room was very plain, but was nice nonetheless. She had had to spend nights in places much worse before. After her shower she decided to wear just plain skinny jeans with a black v neck to dinner. After she quickly combed through her mess of hair there was a knock on the door. She opened it to be face to face with a girl much taller than she was. She had long black hair and black eyes that were staring straight into Clary's brown ones.

"I'm Isabelle, you must be Clary, so sorry you had to get the original tour from Simon, but I was out shopping with Magnus," the tall girl said very quickly that Clary almost did not understand what she was saying.

"Um.. Hi I'm Clary. Yeah the tour with Simon wasn't awful. I got the gist of things."

"Let me show you everything later," Isabelle said but not as a request, as a demand.

They walked down to the dining room in silence until they reached the door. Isabelle looked at Clary and said very clearly as to make sure Clary understood, "These are not welcoming people Clary. Do not be surprised when they automatically do not like you."

"Great thanks Isabelle-"

"Call me Izzy."

"Okay Izzy thanks." They both walked into the ding room, but for Clary she was walking into the lion's den.

Hey let me know what you guys are thinking good or bad...