So, that first chapter was Claire's. And here's Madi's. Bet you're excited now, aren't ya?

~ THEMESONGS ~

Tightrope ~ Janelle Monae

.M.I.W.

2. Recaps and Rundowns

So, yes. Falling.

That sickening feeling where you have zero gravity, your stomach lurches into your throat (quite uncomfortably, mind you), and you get that that ridiculously frightening mindset where you don't scream, and only allow your impending doom, watching helplessly at the ground coming at you face-first or the sky rapidly getting further away.

For me, I was watching my own portal disappear before my eyes, not even having to see the ground because I could feel it coming to me.

BANG! CLONG! SMACK!

"God dammit!" I shouted after I landed back-first into a couple of garbage bins, and subsequently rolled off of them, and hit hard pavement. The garbage bins toppled over, their smelly contents spilling all over the alley.

I sucked in a sharp breath, glaring up at the dim pinkish-purple sky.

I'd have to be more specific next time.

For those of you returning from previous adventures (or for you newbies), I'm Madison Verdantia. Please, call me Madi. I kind of insist, because my full name is plain and boring.

Anyways, I'm a Rogue – a person who can travel from dimension to dimension using portals. I can make these said portals, so that lets me go wherever I want. Usually, this gives me leave to go to whatever literary world I chose.

"Hey!" A voice snapped from an apartment a few floors above. I saw a light turn on. "Who the hell is out there? I'll call the cops!"

"Fuck." I muttered, staggering to my feet, and sprinting out of the alley.

This time, I chose Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments. City of Fallen Angels, to be exact. Because there were two things that I had to find out.

The first was that starting around a time I was conversing with half-vampires in Russia, a fortune teller (who I later learned was disguised as a demon) had prophesized me to die. Then, when in Ingary – a land with rather hysterical wizards and talking scarecrows – I met that same demon, who informed me that I was going to die in the arms of a certain blonde Shadowhunter, who was also my cousin in bond.

I slowed to a walk once I was a few blocks away from my starting point, and reached into my pocket, pulling out a carton of cigarettes and a lighter.

Anyways, this is nothing new. Since these adventures began, I've become quite the target of everyone's… temper. I've been told I'm going to die many times by many different people. But then they learn that I'm kind of indestructible. Because I'm a badass.

No, I'd have to say what really kind of sold me on the whole shebang was the fact that a star (that's right, a falling star that sees all dimensions, as far as I'm concerned) told me I was going to die. And soon.

I pulled out one of the cigarettes and stuffed the carton back into my pocket, putting the one I'd chosen into my mouth to free my hands. I then lit the cigarette, and took a deep drag before letting out a long stream of smoke.

So I figured, with this whole death business, that I should stop by and figure it out.

My second reason for stopping by in City of Angels, is because I've read the book. And Jace Lightwood seems to be in a hell of a lot of trouble, if I do say so myself. I had a feeling we were in the midst of having a mutual enemy, and this would be her next stop.

I took another drag, sighing in slight contentment. At least I could have some small relaxation before diving into the lion's den. I had a sinking feeling that this was all going to be one thing after the other for a while now.

I continued to follow the familiar path to the Institute. I'd been calling the Mortal Instruments my home dimension for a while now, seeing that I always found myself coming back to it. I felt like I could navigate this whole world if I wanted to, which was saying a lot.

It was probably about four thirty in the morning now, and no one was out walking the streets. Well, there were people, but not the kind worth mentioning. Prostitutes, drug dealers, some other possible unscrupulous characters lurking as well. There were those people, but even then there weren't a lot.

They didn't seem to notice me, or were too scared to approach because they saw my two seraph blades (gotten from this world, along with my gear and interesting 'tattoos' on my arms) hanging from my waist. I didn't really feel much need to use a glamour here. Who would believe them if they called the cops?

For the first time in a while, I felt somewhat in my element, completely calm, completely confident. Confident in the truest sense, and not just narcissism and arrogance.

I turned down another block, this time completely devoid of people. Well, it was, save for the woman in black, flanked by two men walking towards me.

Something about her made the hairs of my neck stand on end, made me want to turn tail and run. Maybe I was just being paranoid. I had that issue.

But that issue had saved my life on more than one occasion.

I didn't let it bother me, though, and still walked ahead. Inhaling another breath of cancer-inducing smoke before taking out my cigarette to tap ashes onto the street. The woman still approached with her cronies, and I pretended not to notice her.

Finally, we came into contact, stepping aside for each other as a common courtesy. I took another step past them, putting them behind me, but felt eyes boring into the back of my neck. I turned around to meet blood red eyes twinkling maliciously in excitement. Full scarlet lips stretched into a smile to show of pearl white teeth, fangs sprouting from her normal canines.

Vampire.

"Interesting." She whispered breathlessly, blonde hair styled in ringlets bouncing as she took another step.

"I'm straight." I practically retorted, turning around and continuing on my path. I was not in the mood to kill another vampire. You kind of get sick of them after a while.

I heard her bell-like laugh fading into the distance, and ignored it. She was only bating me, as all Underworlders did to Shadowhunters. As far as she was concerned, I was one of them.

I took another drag from my cigarette, noticing it had dwindled down to nothing. I sighed, throwing it on the ground and stomping it out with my boot before walking on. I wanted another, but decided against it. The last thing I needed was to be addicted. I had enough of everything else to worry about.

Like kicking ass. Yeah. It was about time I kicked some ass again.

.M.I.W.

Of course I had to leave it on a Madi-licious note! It just wouldn't be her if I didn't!

Anyways, it looks like we're finally creeping back into our usual, favorite, cocky Verdantian. I have to admit, I'm excited. I miss her gritty sarcasm.