Ranko: I have to admit, I feel loved :) Why? Because I have been noticing that this story is starting to become more popular and that makes me very happy. So all I have to say is…thanks :)
Alright, so I will not be answering all the reviews so please do not be offended if I don't respond to yours because it is nothing personal!
GirlsRule2013: He-he, I'm good like that ;) I feel your pain, girl! There are just those stories that irritate you enough to want to quit reading them but then you don't want to because you want to know what happens next…I know this because I write those kind of stories ;) I'm kidding, love you!
Elysabeth Loredon: My dear, you are not even close to being a flamer. I have encountered just plain old mean reviews/reviewers before and I do not count you as one. It is more informative, constructive criticism. I have to agree with you on Camille, her character really isn't the kind to get angry like that but I knew that I wanted Alec to get upset and leave her but I didn't have time to develop that. I'm glad that you like the story so much, Ely! But I have to say that the way I answer reviews is that I just write down the person's penname ^^" I'm strange…
Warby: Oh, well, if its any consolation, I'm starting to like you too :) You just gave me the biggest smile while I was reading your review. I actually have read the book (it's amazing!) and I have a vague memory of the part that you are talking about. I might be able to find a spot to add it in or I may not. I will try my best for you ;)
Ranko: So yeah…that's it. Usually I just answer reviews that ask a question or a response to a comment that I found enjoyable. You know, because I'm a weirdo ;) But hey! If I wasn't a weirdo you wouldn't have this story, right?
Alright, the Mortal Instruments nor Howl's Moving Castle (book or movie) belong to me! They both belong to their respected creators!
Enjoy!
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Alec got up so quickly that he knocked his chair over. "What?" he exclaimed in surprise. "How did you I…?" He quickly slapped a hand over his mouth; he couldn't say anymore. What if this man was just playing him and trying to get an answer out of him?
Sebastian laughed heartily, as if Alec had just told him a joke. "Like I said, Alexander, I am not as dimwitted as one might think. Do you really think I would recognize Alexander Lightwood, son of Robert Lightwood, curse or no curse?"
Alec slowly lowered his hand and furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion. "How do you know my father?"
Sebastian grinned, obviously he was enjoying Alec's reactions. "Robert Lightwood is a member of my father's council."
Alec gaped. "What?"
The silver-haired man nodded in confirmation. "Yes, that is correct. You're father is a part of my father's advisory council. Did you not know that?"
Alec felt like his head was spinning. He picked up his chair from the ground so he could sit; he couldn't trust his legs to hold him up. He couldn't believe it. His father was working for the king and he never bothered to tell him or Isabelle. He must make a lot of money from this job and not a dime has been sent to him or sister. Why would he even keep something like this a secret from them? They were his family too, damn it!
Sebastian covered his mouth with his hand, hiding a satisfied grin as he said, "Alexander, I can understand that you are…upset about this and confused, but we must get back to discussing the topic at hand which is Magnus Bane."
Alec pursed his lips and sat up a little straighter, or at least tried too, he suddenly felt very uncomfortable being in the presence of this Sebastian person. "What do you want to know?" Alec asked, keeping his voice steady.
Sebastian smiled. "You see, Alexander, Magnus and I studied magic together under Queen Jocelyn's teachings. We were both very good friends at the time and we both excelled in the art of magic, though I must admit that Magnus was always above me; very talented. Then one day…" Sebastian sighed. "He left and never returned. He offered no explanation, he just left a note that stated he was never coming back."
Alec sucked in a sharp breath through his nose; he knew that the reason of Magnus not returning had something to do with his contract with Jace.
"It broke my mother's heart, she treated Magnus just like a son…"
Alec noticed a sort of far off look in Sebastian's eyes as he said that. It was a look of bitterness, almost a kind of angry jealousy. Could it be…?
"Alexander," Sebastian said sharply, snapping Alec out of his thoughts. "You don't realize how dangerous Magnus truly is. His power is immeasurable and you are just sitting in his house like he is a completely normal human being. He is heartless and he has no control over his magic whatsoever."
Alec had to resist the urge to get up and hit the man sitting across from him.
Sebastian straightened out the wrinkles in his suit and sat back in his chair. "If he stays like this than I am afraid that he will end up just like Camille Belcourt."
Alec furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion, thinking of the blonde woman. "What do you mean?"
Sebastian grinned. "I'll show you." He snapped his fingers and a masked servant rolled in a wheelchair and stopped it next to Alec.
Sitting in the wheelchair was a little girl, no more than seven. Long, blonde hair flowed down her back and covered her face, and she wore a rosy dress that was obviously too large for her. And her emerald green eyes had this blank, expressionless look.
Alec's eyes widened as he recognized the little girl as Camille Belcourt. "What…how?" He turned to Sebastian, his teeth clenched. "What did you do to her?" he practically screamed.
Sebastian was leaning back in his chair comfortably. "I simply returned her to the age she truly is…without her magic. She was an innocent girl before a demon of lust consumed her heart and gave her power. That power transformed her into the beautiful woman that you knew."
Alec looked back down at the little girl in the wheelchair; her head lolled to the side as if she were a doll off her stand.
"Our kingdom can no longer turn a blind eye to these kinds of Witches and Warlocks," Sebastian continued, gaining power to his voice. "However, if Magnus were to report to me and promises me to use his magic for good, I will spare him and let him keep his powers. If he doesn't, well…" Sebastian trailed off, grinning and gesturing to the former Witch.
Alec clenched his jaw; he had had just about enough of this man. "That's enough!" he exclaimed. Camille and Church both flinched at the volume of his voice but Sebastian sat there, not fazed at all and staring straight into Alec's eyes.
Alec did not back down there. "Now I understand why Magnus didn't want to come here! It's a trap; you lure people here with a fake invitation from the king and then you strip them of all their powers just like what you did to Camille Belcourt! Magnus Bane has a lot of faults but he is most definitely not heartless! I can tell you that Magnus will not come here, he doesn't need your help, he can fix his problems on his own," Alec said with a pleased smile.
Sebastian also looked pleased. He rested his chin in his hand and smiled lazily at Alec. "I see now…you're in love with Magnus, aren't you?"
Alec's face became bright red instantly. "Wh-what?" he nearly shrieked out. "Of course not!"
"Magnus?" Little Camille questioned from her wheelchair. Alec looked over and saw the young girl had tears in her emerald eyes. "Did you say Magnus was coming? I want his heart…his heart belongs to me," she said in between quiet sobs.
Alec soothingly rubbed the small girl's back. "Now, now, calm down. Magnus isn't coming here, alright?"
Sebastian sat up straighter and crossed his legs. "I think that he will, I now know his weakness, Alexandria," Sebastian said mockingly.
Alec looked confusedly over at the man. "What do you mean?"
Before Sebastian could answer, they were interrupted by the sound of a Firefly landing on the lawn of the outside garden. A man entered through the door to the greenhouse and Alec immediately recognized him as the man who he had ran into on his way here, the one who asked him to go on a Firefly ride.
Alec gulped and slowly sat back down.
Sebastian obviously recognized the man; he bowed his head in respect. "Captain," he greeted. "So nice of you to join us."
"I thought it would be nice to drop by and see how you were doing," the captain said, tipping his cap in the Warlock's direction.
The captain looked over his shoulder and looked Alec right in the eye; he smiled and approached the boy. "I believe we have met before," he said, bowing at the waist. "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier; I am Captain Garroway. And you are?"
"You may call her Alexandria, she is Ragnor Fell's sister," Sebastian said.
Captain Garroway nodded. "I see, thank you for coming. But I have decided not to use magic to win this war," he explained which caused a start from both Alec and Sebastian. "We've tried that before to guide the castle but the bombs just landed on civilian homes instead. I believe this will be better in the long run, don't you agree, Sebastian?"
Sebastian bowed his head again. "Whatever your choice is, captain."
"Warlock Sebastian!"
Everyone turned and saw another Captain Garroway walking in the same way Alec came. He looked rather excited and he was waving a document in his hand. Alec gasped and looked between the two look-alikes in shock.
"I have a new way to use your magic for defense. I must admit that it is one of my best plans yet!" he said, putting the documents down on the table by Sebastian's chair. "While I must admit that there are a few flaws, I think that it will be worth it in the end."
Captain Garroway looked over, finally noticing his double facing him. He turned back to Sebastian, a frown between his eyebrows. "Warlock Sebastian, what have I told you about making doubles of me?"
Sebastian bowed his head. "My apologies, captain."
Captain Garroway bowed at the waist. "Sorry to disturb you, carry on with your business," he said, turning on his heel and walking out.
There was an awkward silence after the real captain had walked over. Alec continued to stare in shock, his jaw still hanging open. He looked between Sebastian and the imposter as they had an intense stare down. Little Camille obviously felt the tension in the air and clung to Alec's skirts, just like a child would do to their mother; Alec put a hand on the girl's back.
Finally, Sebastian said, "It's so nice to see you again, Magnus."
Alec gasped in shock and then turned to see Magnus had replaced the captain and was no standing next to him in uniform, and he had to admit that he looked… Alec immediately stopped that train of thought.
Magnus bowed. "Sebastian," he greeted.
"That was a rather weak disguise, I thought you knew better than that," Sebastian said rather casually.
"I'm not trying to outwit you," Magnus said. He quickly took a step closer to Alec and put a secure arm around him. "I kept my oath, didn't I? I reported when summoned. Now my sister and I shall take our leave."
Sebastian chuckled and stood up. "I'm afraid not." He clapped his hands and water rushed in from no where and built up all the way to their waists and slowly rising. Camille shrieked and jumped into Alec's arms to avoid drowning.
"It was nice meeting your sister, but I am afraid that I can't just let you leave."
Alec closed his eyes when the water got to his chin and began to rise over his head, but he still felt Magnus's arm around him.
"It is time to show your sister what you really are, Magnus."
Alec heard Sebastian's voice but he didn't know where it was coming from. Alec suddenly felt the absence of Magnus's arm and his eyes shot open in surprise. He looked around hurriedly and saw the he was surrounded by mirrors and below him there was a kind of valley.
Camille was still in his arms and she was sobbing in fright; really, he still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that Camille was just a mere child now, no older than Max was before he died.
In valley below his feet he saw Sebastian standing over Magnus, who was writhing in pain.
"Magnus!" Alec cried, falling to his knees and banging on the invisible barrier that separated them. "Magnus!"
Magnus sounded like a wild animal that was in severe pain. He was growling and snarling and gnashing his teeth. Then wings sprouted from his back, tearing through his jacket. Large, black claws on black feathered hands burst his white gloves apart. Magnus began to claw at his face as feather began to sprout there as well.
It brought tears to Alec's eye and he couldn't tell if it was from seeing Magnus in this kind of pain or fear of him. "No, Magnus, it's a trap!"
Suddenly Magnus looked up at him and he shot up like a bullet, breaking through the glass and grabbing Alec as he went past him. He covered Alec with his arms as they broke through the glass roof of the greenhouse and floated in the air there for a moment. Alec was reminded of the first time they met when they walked on air and he looked up and saw Magnus had returned to normal.
They drifted back down quickly and he landed Alec in the driver's seat; Camille fell in the passenger's seat with Church in her lap.
"Hold on tight!" Magnus said as he turned the plane on and brought them up in the air. They flew over Alicante at a fast pace; Magnus was standing over Alec, steering the plane with only one hand.
"How did the cat get here?" Alec cried over the loud fluttering of the wings.
"Must have grabbed him on accident," Magnus said, amusement clear in his voice. Alec stared up at Magnus in annoyance; it wasn't on accident, he just wanted another cat. "Who's the girl?" Magnus asked.
"She's…Camille Belcourt," Alec said after a moment's hesitation.
Magnus let out a surprised laugh. "You're kidding?" Magnus shrugged. "Oh well, take the wheel, Alex," he commanded.
"I can't fly this thing!" Alec protested. "Are you insane?"
"Only slightly!"
Alec sighed and rolled his eyes.
"They're gaining on us," Magnus continued to say.
Alec jumped in surprise and looked behind him, seeing a fleet of Fighter Fireflies that were indeed just right behind them and slowly gaining on them.
"I can distract them while you fly this thing back to my castle!" Magnus said with all the confidence in the world.
"How? I don't know where it is!" Alec cried, still not believing all the events of today.
"That ring that I gave you will guide you," Magnus explained. "I told you that that ring will help you find your way back to me."
Alec blushed and looked back down at Magnus's ring that was still on his finger. The stone in the middle began to glow and a beam of light shot out of it, pointing in a direction in front of him.
"Just follow the ring and you'll be home before dark!"
Alec didn't bother to notice how Magnus called the castle Alec's home. Instead he said, "You must be completely mad! Why did you make me go there if you were going to show up anyway?"
"I'm a coward, Alexandria," Magnus explained. "The only way I can do something this frightening is by telling myself I'm not doing it. But knowing you'd be there gave me the strength and the courage to show up." He grabbed Alec's hand and gently placed it on the wheel of the plane. "You saved me, Alec."
Alec ducked his head and blushed. "Yeah, yeah…" He put his other hand on the wheel and Magnus let go. Alec realized this quickly and began to freak out. "No! Don't let go! I don't know how to fly this!" They were quickly losing altitude and Alec realized he was about to fly them into a building. He frantically began to steer the wheel and brought the plane back up.
Magnus was still standing there, laughing his head off. "You're a natural!"
"Shut up!"
Magnus chuckled and looked behind them. "We got a good lead now! I can give you five minutes of invisibility, so use it wisely."
"What?" Alec shrieked. "No, don't go!"
Magnus ignored Alec and swiped his left arm to the side and a replica of Alec steering the Firefly appeared before him. He gaped in shock; it was like looking in a mirror! Only difference was that there was only one Magnus.
"Magnus!" he cried as he steered off to the right, away from them.
Magnus saluted. "Good luck!"
Alec continued to stare after Magnus, when he turned back around to face the front, he saw he was about to fly right into a tree. He let out a shout of surprise and brought the plant up at and angle to fly over it as quickly as he could but he still knocked the top of it.
He flew for hours, continuing to follow the beam of light that seemed to be taking him to the Waste. It got dark quicker than he thought it would, and then the rain came. Camille began to cry and Alec had to reach back and take the extra length of her dress to shield her and Church from the rain.
He flew over his hometown of York Valley and he knew he must be getting closer.
"Look, Camille, we're almost there," Alec said, pushing his dripping hair out of his eyes.
When they got to the Waste, the rain stopped and Alec recognized the moving hunk of metal in the distance that was exerting steam and smoke. "The castle is coming to greet us!" he said excitedly. As he flew closer to the mouth of it, he realized something very important. "I don't know how to stop this thing!"
The mouth of the castle opened and swallowed the Firefly. The plane crashed into the living room where thankfully, neither Chairman Meow or Clary were. Jace did just smothered by some rock though.
Clary came rushing downstairs at the sound of the crash.
"Clary, I'm back!" Alec called, climbing over the rubble. The Firefly was buried somewhere under it all and Camille was asleep in his arms with a napping Church in her lap.
"Alexandria?" Clary questioned. She didn't even bother to question why she was steering that thing in the first place, she just sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God! I was so worried about you! The navy and army came busting down the doors to both Ragnor Fell's and John Shade's shops. It was a good thing that Magnus told Jace to move the castle to the Waste!"
Clary finally noticed the little girl in Alec's arm and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Alec made a dismissing motion with his hand. "I'll tell you later, right now, I'm tired and I just want to get some sleep."
It took a while, but they found a spare mattress for Alec to sleep on while Camille slept on the couch, curled up next to Church. In the middle of the night, the familiar ding coming from the color wheel woke him up and then the opening and closing of the front door. He heard the sound of heavy footsteps and dragging feet and he quickly closed his eyes again, feigning sleep.
When it moved past him and disappeared upstairs, he opened his eyes again. "I wonder if Magnus is back?" he asked himself; he didn't even notice that his voice had returned to his normal male voice.
By his bed were large, bloody, talon shaped footsteps and a trail of black feathers dripping with blood. He hesitantly picked one up and as soon as he touched it, it withered away in his hand.
He gasped and quickly pulled on his shoes and grabbed a candle, following the bloody footprints and feather trail up the stairs and leading into Magnus's room. He hesitated outside his door for a moment and then opened it.
Instead of the regular sight of Magnus's child-like room, on the other side of the door was what looked like an underground tunnel and imbedded in the walls were all the toys and miscellaneous things from Magnus's room. He hesitated a moment more before following the tunnel deeper.
He followed it for a while, feeling across the walls before he came upon a split path. He pursed his lips; where was he going to go? A strong wind came from the left path and without another thought, he traveled down that path, not the least bit afraid of what was down it.
The toys slowly dwindled down to none existent and were replaced with just feathers, and the blood was thicker and fresher down this path. He finally stopped at a huddled up, feathered figure that was curled up in a tight ball in a small burrow. It was breathing heavily and didn't seem to have noticed Alec.
Alec didn't know why, but he had a feeling that this thing was… "Magnus?"
The thing drew further in on itself. "Go away," it said in a rough, demonic voice.
Alec gulped. "No, I won't, I want to help you break this curse!"
"Help me?" it repeated mockingly, chuckling bitterly. "Why would you want to help me? I'm just a monster that no one can love…"
Alec shook his head desperately. "No, you're wrong! Whether you are a monster or not, I want to help you break this spell, because I…I…!"
"You're wrong! Just leave me alone! I don't want you! How can you help me when you can't even break your own curse?"
Alec gasped; Magnus knew. The thing that was Magnus got up and spread its wings to take off in flight. It flew away, creating another forceful wind and almost blowing Alec away.
"No, Magnus!"
-/-
Ranko: And that's it! No fancy ending line, just please review and I'll see you next time!
