Shadowhunter in the Apocalypse

Mia walked in soon, looking around with a bit of confusion, she didn't recognize the senior Shadowhunter seated with a warm smile and was about to formally greet him when Reed spoke calmly.

"I think she can dispense with the formality considering you were just threatening to cut off her head some minutes ago."

Mia paused at the statement, suddenly the man's smile didn't seem as warm. She took a deeper look at him before she turned to her father who watched her calmly.

Hale on the other hand was really in a complicated place right now, on one side everyone in this room knew deep down what her answer would be, no matter how much he hoped for her to say no, he knew she just wouldn't.

Mia was determined to be a hunter, now she had a chance to be one of the best, how would she say no?

But he still considered her his little baby, why else would he bring in Reed all the way to New York to mentor her….among other reasons.

Not wanting her to feel too much pressure he gave her a warm smile.

"He's right, we can dispense with the formality"

Mia tried to project confidence in her voice as she spoke, but it ended up a bit shaky, "Dad what's going on? Am I in trouble?"

"No, you're not" Hale shook his head, once again he had Reed to thank for that, he would have offered to pay him if the young man wasn't already filthy rich.

"Actually, that's yet to be se-" Jason wanted to point out but was interrupted by Reed.

"She is not." Reed pointed out more forcefully, from his own seat. He gestured for her to seat beside him.

When she sat, Reed began, "Mia, Hunter Jason is from Head Quarters"

She nodded following, "He is an envoy from the Council, and he is here because of the recent situation with the Serum"

Mia's face suddenly went pale, but he quickly added. "Don't worry, don't you know who your mentor is? I've gotten you of the hook" he said with a wink that made her blush as her father was staring at both of them, along with a stranger who apparently felt her head and her body needed a break.

She wanted to ask how, but it seems now wasn't the time, everyone was watching her every reaction, she had never been put on the spot like this. She didn't know whether to hide her emotions, be truthful, be sly….she didn't know what to do.

"We called you here because you have a choice to pick" Hale took over, "First, instead of Hunter Reed supervising your first mission, Hunter Jason will replace him, and don't worry Hunters are held responsible for their cadets" He pointed out, indirectly warning Jason.

"Can i politely refuse? Reed is already my mentor so it's only natural he supervises me on my first mission." Mia answered quickly, a smile still remained glued to the man's face.

"Why is everyone acting like I'm some big bad monster?" Jason complained as he shook his head ruefully "Do you know how many people this kid has killed? And he is just 23!"

He gestured to Reed who looked up to the heavens as though asking God why he was doing this too him.

"Enough!" Hale ordered before continuing, "Honey, allow me finish, this will be very temporary, there is a reason why he will be supervising you instead of Reed."

"Do you not want to be my mentor anymore?" Mia asked, turning to face Reed holding his hands, it had been little over two weeks since they had met but she couldn't imagine a better teacher than Reed, she really didn't want him to leave her, much less for a guy that thought she should be dead!

"Is Headquarters forcing you to leave me?" She asked, her voice breaking

Reed smiled and shook his head "I don't think they could even if they wanted too," he assured her, then continued "Jason wants to see if you will be qualified enough to remain a Shadowhunter and maybe go farther if you impress him."

"Qualify to remain a Shadowhunter?" her brows furrowed

"Well, the serum kind of blurred the line with your race and with that your right to be a Shadowhunter and protecting humanity"

"But I can still fight for humanity," She stood up agitated, "Hell, I'm better at it now!"

"Mia, remember what I said about controlling your outburst" Reed voice suddenly got deeper.

She took a look at Jason who was shaking his head in disapproval, a sudden feeling of wanting to smash his head to a pulp pass through her mind, ironically the thought was quite calming.

She took her seat back.

She looked between the both of them "Can't you come with me even if he comes?"

"No, I can't" Reed sighed and glared at the Asian hunter, "I have some missions I apparently need to take care of urgently"

"Where?"

"Classified"

"But…"

"It's classified Mia, and you may very well soon be getting your own classified missions"

"Can you stop being vague and tell me what is going on?" Mia's eyes narrowed.

"You have the chance to become a Special Class Hunter." Reed said with a small smile.

Her eyes brightened as she asked, "That's like basically you right?"

"And sixteen others" Jason added from his corner helpfully.

"Don't mind him" Reed waved him off "And yes that's like me and some very selected hunters around the world, you already have a codename even, so they are very serious about you."

Mia could barely keep the excitement off her face. "What is it???"

"Viper"

Her lips parted, surprise flooding her features, before a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "That sounds… badass, dangerous, yes yes I like it….."

Jason chuckled low, folding his hands together. "It's more than just badass, Cadet. That name will carry weight, your suit will strike whatever fear you earn, you can be like Hunter Reed here and some others and reveal your identity but of course you can maintain your secret."

Her grin faltered slightly, everything was happening all too fast for her to process.

She glanced at her father, who was staring at Jason with narrowed eyes. Hale finally spoke, voice gruff. "It's not a name I would give my daughter."

"It's not a name you get to choose," Jason countered smoothly, not breaking eye contact. "The Council chose it because they see in her what others don't. Potential."

Mia's chest swelled with pride, but Reed's voice cut in before she could reply. "Potential isn't always a blessing," he said quietly.

His gaze lingered on her, dark and unreadable. "It's a burden. Once you accept this, you can't turn back. Every mission will be harder, every enemy deadlier, every ally more cautious of you. You'll be used, Mia. Because that's what Special Class Hunters are—tools the Council doesn't hesitate to use if it serves their goals."

Her throat tightened, and for the first time the weight of the name pressed down on her shoulders.

"But it's your choice," Reed finished, leaning back. "All yours, and I will support you in whatever path you choose."

She turned to her father, Hale wanted to say the same thing, but it would be obvious he was lying.

Jason raised a brow but didn't object. He wanted her to choose, but the way his smile lingered made it clear he was confident she would.

Mia looked down at her hands, twisting them in her lap. Viper.

She had wanted this for so long, and now just like that before she even went for her first mission it suddenly fell on her laps?.

Hale shifted, "Mia, you don't need to do this. You can remain a Shadowhunter. That's more than enough."

She lifted her chin, eyes glimmering with resolve. "Dad… it may be enough for you. But not for me."

Her words hit Hale like a blade, but Reed's lips curled into the faintest ghost of a smile.

As expected.

Jason clapped once, breaking the tension. "Then it's settled, of course your first mission will be changed into something more…..befitting of your potential status and I'll be accompanying you on your first mission as a candidate for Special Class. Prove yourself, and the Council will mark you as Viper."

"Just think Mia Hale, all that power, resources, you think you have seen half of what Hunter Reed is capable of? you have no idea" Jason continued to pour more Gas on her desires much to Hales dismay.

Mia nodded, heart hammering, though she could still feel her father's disappointment pressing against her excitement.

"All that depends on how your first mission goes so let's not get too excited"

"Mia, do you know what makes Special Class Hunters so… different from the rest of us?"

Her eyes flicked between him and Reed. "…Their strength? Their skill?"

Jason chuckled softly and shook his head. "Strength and skill will only take you so far. No—what sets them apart is what they're given after they earn their status, Knowledge. Techniques the rest of us can't even dream of."

Mia blinked, caught off guard. "Techniques?"

Jason nodded, his tone almost conspiratorial now. "The Council guards them jealously. They come from the Originals, the first hunters, the ones who drank angelic and demonic blood directly. Over centuries, those immortals experimented with shadow magic until they created abilities no academy manual could ever teach. Only Special Class hunters are entrusted with them."

Hale's voice cut in like a whip. "Jason." His tone was cold and warning.

But Jason pressed on anyway, his gaze never leaving Mia. "Your mentor is proof of it. Reed already carries multiple I bet, all those impossible missions."

Mia's head snapped toward Reed, eyes widening. "You do?"

Reed gave Jason a look that promised murder, but Jason only sat back with a knowing smirk.

"Show her," Jason said, voice deceptively casual. "Just one. Let her see the difference."

Reed exhaled slowly, the weight of the room suddenly heavy. For a moment, it seemed he might refuse. But then Mia's hopeful eyes locked with his, they made him curse under his breath.

Darkness stirred around his hand, pooling and tightening until the shadows solidified. Within a second, the sleek outline of a weapon formed, black as midnight, its edges shifting as though it were both substance and smoke.

Mia leaned forward, breath caught in her throat. "That's…"

"Shadow Gun," Reed said flatly. The weapon rested in his hand like it belonged there, like it was carved out of the night itself. "Don't expect to see it again unless we're at war."

Jason spread his hands with a small laugh. "That's what I'm talking about! This is what a special technique looks like Cadet. They can change the balance of battle entirely. Tell me, Mia if you had something like that, how many doors would open for you? How many enemies would fall before they even saw you coming?"

Mia couldn't stop staring. Her fingers twitched against her knees, aching to reach out. "Why… why didn't you teach me this?"

Reed's eyes fell on her, sharp, steady. "Because it can't be taught. It was given to me directly, by an Original through shadow magic. Passed from one soul to another."

She swallowed, the weight of his words crashing against the thrill running through her. "But if I… if I become Special Class…"

Jason leaned back, smug and certain. "Then maybe you'll be chosen too. If you prove you're worthy."

"Jason!" Hale snapped, anger breaking through his composure at last. "You've said enough."

Jason raised his hands in mock surrender, though the satisfied gleam in his eyes betrayed him. "I'm only telling her the truth. Isn't that better than keeping her blind?"

Mia hardly noticed the argument. Her eyes were locked on Reed's hand, on the fading shadow weapon dissolving into the air like smoke.