Sup everyone? This is the second to last chapter! I'll have the other one up before 2015 (Maybe)! So if you haven't read chapter 18.5 you should go and read it first. I know I said Id post on Wednesday but my friend's school let out yes and I wasn't home all day! The author's note also explains why I haven't updated… I left my laptop at my friend's house and moved! Anyone wanna adopt this story? Say so in the reviews or Pm me! Thxs for all the follows, favs, and reviews. And LET US NOT FORGOT CORINBLUE for the amazing revision of this chapter and all the others! And Thanks for the rewiews, especially! I'm glad you all like this story and think it's funny!
Diesclaimer: I do not own Jace, Simon, Isabelle, Clary, Magnus, Maia, MADELINE, or any of the other characters of the TMI, because I am not Cassandra Clare. Only the plot is mine.
Chapter nineteen:
"Is everyone ready?" Maryse called out to all her troops. She felt slightly dizzy. The dizziness that meant she may get to see her family together again. That she may be able to actually do this.
In front of her stood over three hundred people, all commoners from the country. At her side stood Jonathan Morgenstern, heir of Aclainte. By him was Jeremiah Brother, heir of London, and holding his hand was Ty, the heir of Los Angeles. Maryse herself was the heir of New York. They stood looking at all the people in complete and total awe.
In the crowd Maryse could see Luke, grinning at them and ready to fight. She could see Rebecca and her mother standing in a corner with hundreds of young children, the two babysitters for the entire region. Men and women alike were in the crowd, and Jocelyn stood by Luke, looking ready.
"READY!" The crowd chorused.
"Then let's march!" Maryse grinned, and the army started to make their way to the castle, at the very heart of Idris.
Clary stood with Isabelle at a completely different scene.
There were absolutely no soldiers, at least none on duty. The day was completely devoted to ceremony of the king. The crowd stood in front of the tomb, which was ravishing. Though the tomb builders didn't seem very happy about it. The entire crew had been fitted into gorgeous clothes and fed huge slices of cake. They didn't seem very happy about that either.
Of course not.
They were going to die today, after all.
It was supposed to be considered an honor, to die serving your country, but Clarissa Fairchild didn't feel like it at the time. Her stomach kept doing flip flops. She knew that if what Jace had promised her the other day was true, no one was going to die. But by the way he wouldn't meet her eyes, she had the strong suspicion that he had been lying.
Clary's dress was dark green silk, and she knew she should have been happy to wear something that expensive, or at least finger the dress like Maureen was dong with her pink one, or Maia was doing with her brown one. Even Madeline, who usually disapproved of anything fancy, was stroking the midnight blue of her dresses' skirt.
In fact, it seemed as though there was only one other girl in the entire palace that didn't seem to enjoy being treated like royalty.
Isabelle wore a dark red dress and stood tensely beside her. She wasn't talking. Instead she was staring longingly at the table, among the hundreds of others, at which both her father and her brother were seated at.
Clary nudged her, "Go Izzy."
Isabelle stared at her. "Are you sure?"
"Well," Clary smiled gently, "I told you to go talk to them when you were ready. You look pretty ready to me. Are you ready, Isabelle Lightwood?"
"Yes," Izzy said with surprising confidence. "I am. Simon, come with me."
"Who me?" Simon, who was standing a few feet away, looked up with alarm.
"No," Isabelle rolled her eyes. "My other boyfriend named Simon."
"You have another boyfriend?" Simon sounded hurt.
Isabelle threw up her hands, "Ugh, you're hopeless." She began to march to the table.
Simon grinned. "Hey Izzy, wait up!" He jogged over to her and slipped his hand around hers. They kept walking.
Clary sighed. She turned to look at Maia and Jordan. Jordan was smiling at Maia, but she was looking distant. Finally, she turned around and smiled as well.
"Clary," Jace materialized next to her, and slipped his hand in hers. "Clary I made sure your name would be called. To win. I asked Sebastian to do it. I think he might call you, but I can't really trust him."
Clary stared up at him. He was at least nine inches taller than her, but she didn't care. Then a thought hit her. "Jace," she whispered urgently. "What about everyone else?"
"I- I," He seemed at a loss for words. "I couldn't do it Clary. Celine, my mother, wouldn't allow it. I gave up being crown prince, but she still didn't care."
The anger that was rising in Clary faded away. "You gave up being crown prince for me and my friends?" She asked.
"Um, yes," He seemed confused as to why it mattered.
"That's so sweet, Jace," She grinned at him. Then her smile faded. "But I wouldn't be able to do it. I cannot without all my friends."
"But- but," Jace stuttered.
"No," Clary shook her head. "Jonathan Christopher Herondale. Please, if you love me you will let me go. Go tell Sebastian to pick whoever he wants. The best artist deserves a fair chance."
"But," Jace started.
"Please Jace," Clary said.
"I," Jace shook his head. "Okay. If that's what you want then, okay Clary. But remember, I will always love you."
"I'll always love you too, Jace." Clary said as he walked away. He went up to Sebastian, who was just about to step onto a small podium.
Clary shivered and sighed. She could feel the tears building up, but she swallowed them down.
"Clary!" It was Isabelle, calling from the empty table beside her families'. She was grinning. Simon and some of his friends were sitting beside her, along with Madeline. On the table beside them were Lily, Maureen, Jordan, Maia and some others. "Come on," Izzy called.
Clary grinned and nodded. "Okay!" She yelled and walked over to sit between Izzy and Madeline.
Magnus was nearing the end of his speech, "So thank you," He called. "And long live the legacy of Stephan Herondale. Our king!"
There was cheering, and then Sebastian took his place. He gave a basic speech and moved on. "Alright," he said. "Now what our tomb builders," He glanced at Clary's table, "and some others," he gave a very pointed look at Jace, "have been waiting for. The builder who lives!"
Cheers went through the crowd. Clary felt like she was going to be sick.
"Remember guys, this builder will replace my job as Magnus' assistant!" More cheering. "Are you ready?" The crowd cheered even louder. "Okay then! The winner is-" There was no loud noise, no indication of what was to come other than a flash of silver. A knife cut through the scene dove into Sebastian's heart. He staggered back and fell down dead.
There was a shocked silence for the next few seconds.
Then Simon spoke. "Oh well," he said. "I guess we'll never know who lives now."
The guards were up and looking around, frantically, for the attacker. Then, out of nowhere, Maryse Lightwood appeared on the stage Sebastian had been on.
"People of this country," she said. "I ask that you stay seated for a few minutes, and hear me out."
"Kill her!" The queen screamed at the guards from her seat. Jace and William were seated on either side of her.
"No," Jace screamed once he got over his initial shock. "Listen to the woman. Obey me."
"He is not your leader!" Celine called. "I am. It would do you well to pay heed to me."
"Stop!" William stood up. "I am the leader of this country now. It is past midnight, and today is my first day of rule."
"Good," the queen smiled, "Good my son. Tell the guards to kill the woman."
"I shall do no such thing." William said. "No one move, listen to Maryse Lightwood, the heir of New York."
"William!" Both Jace and Celine exclaimed.
"You will not defy me!" The queen shrieked.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jace asked. "Why didn't you tell me you were planning a rebellion?"
"You were busy." William said simply.
Clary sat frozen in her seat. Isabelle, however, had other ideas.
"Mom!" She cried happily. "Mom! Did you bring Max?"
Maryse smiled and said. "We have slaved for this country for so long, only to be killed afterwards. But we shall do this no more. Tonight, at the ceremony of King Stephan's death, his wife shall be buried alongside him. We shall unite the forgotten countries of Alcanitie, London, Los Angles, New York, and Idris. We shall form a government ruled by the people, for the people."
"DEMOCRACY!" Madeline yelled. "In your face everyone!"
"Shut up!" Izzy hissed.
"Now stand my brothers and sisters. Stand alongside me and fight, for our queen shall not go down willingly. Stand and fight in the biggest battle of them all. Pick your side! Who will die first, Celine Herondale, or I, Maryse Lightwood? I do not know. But whoever dies first loses. So come, and let us play this ultimate game of chess."
For a few more seconds, no one did anything. Then the queen shouted, "GET HER!" and Simon shouted, "I LOVE CHESS!" Then the palace was filled with chaos.
Okay well, um yeah. LONGEST CHAPTER! (I think) AM I AWESOME OR WHAT? That was a good almost final chapter. Last chapter next week. (Unless someone wants to adopt the story) If there are demands for an epilogue, I'll write one. Anyone read the Bane Chronicles? They are amazing! Leave a review or two! Later!
-Van