Title: Angels Arrive
Author: Claire Watson (myredturtle)
Fandom: Shadowhunters
Pairing: Alec/Magnus (offscreen)
Characters: OC’s, Raphael, Simon, Angels, Alec, Lydia
Rating: G
Word Count: 997
Warnings: No beta.
News that Angels were gathering in Idris spread like wildfire through the Shadow World.
“What could it mean?” was the most commonly asked question.
The majority of the Nephilim were excited. “We’re blessed,” one older lady who had lived her entire life in Alicante told her neighbours, a newly-wed pair of Shadowhunters who were soon to have a child. “Angels have come at last, and the holy war will begin!”
They agreed with her, smiling wide and happily until they were inside, hidden from view.
They, along with others that had recently seen active service, were far less optimistic.
“I don’t like it,” Tania said to her husband, cradling her unborn child with one hand. “Why now? What’s changed?”
Bradley shook his head. “I don’t know,” he replied, pacing agitatedly. A framed photograph caught his eye, it showed a group of young Shadowhunters beginning of their first official posting. Taking centre place, looking humourless as always, Alec Lightwood glowered out at the camera. Bradley’s mind sparked and his eyes widened. “Unless – is it about Alec Lightwood?”
Tania cocked her head. “You mean his affair with that Warlock? This can’t be the first time that a Shadowhunter has – you know. In fact, hasn’t that sister of his been sleeping with Downworlders for years now? I once saw that Seelie guy everyone was talking about. He’s fine.”
“He announced that he was taking the New York Institute and breaking away from Clave oversight,” he reminded her. “He wants to change the way we interact with Downworlders. He’s got backing from the Downworld Cabinet and the Silent Brothers – no one can really stop him without declaring outright war. Which they’re reluctant to do, since he’s promoting peace they have no moral high-ground.”
“I thought that was just a publicity stunt?” Tania asked curiously. “A show to appease the Downworlders. He hasn’t blocked the Clave’s access, after all.”
“I thought that as well,” Bradley assured her. “I’d probably still think that, except that Angels are turning up for some giant conference, and why else would they be here? That crap about a holy war? Pull the other one.”
“But that doesn’t make sense. If they’re here for the Lightwoods, then why are they gathering in Idris?”
“I don’t know,” Bradley said helplessly. “I really don’t know.”
Downworlders were decidedly more pessimistic.
“Great, just what we needed,” Raphael muttered to Simon on their way to Magnus’ loft. “More ‘holier than thou’ Angel types to sneer at us.”
“Maybe they’ll be nice,” Simon said hopefully.
“It’s the start of the end,” Raphael stated. “Mark my words.”
“Magnus will know what to do,” Simon replied, as though it was a mantra. “And Alec isn’t going to stand for any Angels messing around with his honey-buns.”
“Alec is probably the reason the Angels are here,” Raphael stated, unknowingly echoing the views of more than one Shadowhunter. “You’ll notice that the Angels were conspicuous in their absence when Valentine and his thugs were on their crazed crusade to be the only inhabitants of the Shadow World. But one Shadowhunter breaks from the Clave with Downworlder support, and BAM!” He slammed his fist against a brick wall as he passed, leaving a fist shaped dent behind. “We’re going down, and not in the fun way. You’ll see. There’s no justice in the world.”
They discovered why the Angels were there the next day, when the Angels summoned the Shadowhunters to a gathering. Every Shadowhunter in the world was there, unable to deny the call of their blood.
“Raziel granted humankind a gift,” the lead Angel said, getting right down to it. “Further to that, he also gifted you with three items – The Mortal Instruments. They have been misused. We require accountability and justice. Only true warriors will bear our gift.
“My friends, mark for me those who have used the gift our brother gave in good faith for personal gain, or against those with no recourse because they could, or solely because of unreasoning prejudice or bigotry.” The majority of the crowd began glowing a dull red.
The Angel cocked it’s head to one side. “Interesting. Perhaps it would be easier to mark those who have not used their gift ill.”
This group was much smaller. Alec, Isabelle, Jace, Clary and Lydia stood with a number of Shadowhunters that had transferred to New York after Alec had declared his long-term intentions for the Institute.
The Angel looked at them for a moment, and spoke again.
“From this moment forth, only our approved warriors will bear our blood.
“You are as children, running amok with a weapon you could not understand. The fault lies with us, for failing to oversee your use of something clearly beyond your grasp. Henceforth, the only Shadowhunters are those that we ourselves ordain, and any that misuse that power will lose it forever.”
“Stand forth, Alexander Lightwood, Lydia Branwell. You will be the Chief Arbiters, the final voice of the Nephilim.”
Alec felt a headache coming on. “I don’t have time to be in charge of everything,” he said to Lydia as the crowd behind him began an uproar. “Not even jointly! How the hell is this going to work?”
“We delegate,” Lydia said with a decisive nod of her head. “The Silent Brothers have a lot of time on their hands, right? And they have that nifty mind-reading trick. We’ll tell them what we want and then let them sort it out.”
Alec blinked, thinking that over. “Will that work?” he asked doubtfully.
“If it doesn’t then we can always reconsider,” Lydia suggested. “Come on. I need a drink. You think Magnus will be up for providing me with something strong enough to knock me out, help me forget the last half an hour?”
“Good plan,” Alec said, edging away from the irate group of un-angeled humans. “Last one there gets to explain this to Magnus.” He activated his speed and stealth runes and made for the door.
I like it