22
Breaking Dawn, the Battle!
by Jim Parzych
Chapter 01: The Shield
Jasper's POV:
Alice and I had just passed through Panama and were closing in on Medellin as we made our way to the Amazons when Alice suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
"Jazz, our baby sister is a shield!" she exclaimed with a look of excitement. "Eleazar is about to label Bella a shield!"
'How did we miss this?' I asked myself when Alice suddenly gasped and dropped to her knees. I stood there and watched helplessly as she succumbed to another vision which elicited both pain and sorrow. I tried absorbing as much as I could but it washed over us like a tidal wave, and only at the end did I feel a shift in her feelings where there was awe and hope.
"Alice?" I prodded when I saw her smile.
"Amazing," she responded.
"I'm not Edward, darlin," I reminded her.
"I've experienced two different outcomes."
"Two…? Please, darlin… rein it in and start at the beginning," I encouraged her.
"The first one started off like before, but there's a point while the Volturi are deliberating that they attack. Suddenly, our family and friends are dropping to the ground in agony…"
"Jane," I snarled.
"Then there's a strange mist-like substance that creeps towards them."
"That would be Alec," I commented.
"As soon as it touches our family and friends, they freeze where they stand. Even Jane's victims stop screaming and then Aro and Caius began pointing at the ones they wanted the Guard to execute."
"But then…?" I prodded, knowing Alice was smiling for a reason.
"Then I experienced my second vision," she replied. "This time instead of our friends and family writhing on the ground from Jane's attack; it is she who is doing the screaming. But she isn't screaming in pain, but in frustration. Then I witnessed the most spectacular vision I've ever seen when Alec's mist hit Bella's shield. It's huge and globe-like and Alec can't penetrate it."
"Her shield is that powerful?" I asked with amazement.
"It's huge, Jazz, and it protects everyone… at least the ones that I can see."
"You do realize by rendering Jane and Alec useless it changes the dynamics of our confrontation."
Alice grinned in response.
"What's your theory?" I asked, having my own but wanting to hear Alice's first.
"I think the two visions allow us to know what could happen, and as we draw nearer to the confrontation, one of the two visions will solidify," Alice replied.
"Agreed," I responded with a smile, and…"
"And we recruit!" Alice finished my statement.
I smiled. "Do you still see Aro reading Edward early in the confrontation?"
"Yes."
"Then we'll have to work around him."
"Our Denali cousins; Tanya, Kate, Eleazar and Carmen."
"First, run them through a vision to be sure," I replied.
Alice took a few moments before she frowned. "It appears everyone except Carmen."
"Carmen?" I questioned with surprise. I knew she was just as versed in blocking Edward as the rest of us.
"I'm only getting occasional glimpses of her future which can only mean she is spending a lot of her time with our niece."
"And wherever our darlin niece is, her pet dog is close by," I added with a sigh.
"I see you've already decided on Kate as Bella's trainer," Alice stated with a smile.
"Yes, she'll be perfect given her personality and experience," I replied.
Alice pulled out her cell phone.
"Do you have a signal?" I asked with surprise.
"Two bars, which means we're close enough to Medellin. I'll text Tanya and have her discreetly set up a meeting."
"Ensure to remind her that Edward reads minds and that secrecy is of the most importance. I don't want anything left up to chance regardless how stupid it and obvious it might sound."
Alice nodded her head as she experienced another vision, and then she sent her text.
While we waited for our team to get into position, I had Alice run through various scenarios in order to trigger new visions.
Kate's POV:
As Eleazar and I approached the small clearing by the cliff; a good thirty miles northwest of the Cullen residence; we came across a nervously pacing Tanya. Now that was something I hadn't seen in several centuries and I would have laughed if our situation wasn't so dire.
"Tanya?" I questioned her as Eleazar and I flitted up to her.
"Tanya, I really don't like deceiving Carmen like this," Eleazar pointed out in complaint. I felt sorry for Eleazar, for his stress was evident. With what was coming, Eleazar's place was beside his mate.
"I'm sorry my dear friend, but Alice was quite specific."
"Alice…?" Eleazar and I responded with surprise.
"Yes… Our psychic cousin texted me to coordinate this meeting and she was very adamant as to who needed to attend and who couldn't," Tanya responded.
Suddenly we were all startled when Tanya's cell chirped, and I could picture Alice having a good laugh at this.
"Alice!" Tanya answered and although it wasn't necessary, she placed her cell phone on speaker.
"Hi Tanya, Kate, and Eleazar!" she greeted us with excitement. "It's so good to talk to you. Jazz and I miss all of you so very much."
"Same here, Alice… but we know this isn't a social call," Tanya replied.
"No, it isn't, Tanya. As you can imagine we have a lot to cover."
"Before you start, can you tell me why you've excluded Carmen from this?"
"I'm sorry, Eleazar. I know the stress this is causing you, but-"
"You know she can block Edward as well as I can," Eleazar pointed out.
"I wish blocking was the issue."
"If it isn't, then what is?" Eleazar asked after a moment of silence.
"Seeing her is."
"But I don't understand," Eleazar responded.
"I'm guessing Carmen has taken a liking to Renesmee…?"
"Yes, she absolutely adores the little girl," Eleazar replied.
"I can't see Renesmee... nor the wolves... or anyone close to them… and we can't risk blind spots unless it is absolutely necessary."
"Understood, Alice," Tanya declared after a few moments of silence.
"Eleazar…?"
"Yes," Eleazar replied.
"When you identified Bella as a shield earlier, you set off a chain of events to include two very different visions. The first vision was of our death while the second vision was of our survival."
"Two visions…?" Tanya responded.
"Which means we have a hand in shaping our future," Alice replied.
"This is incredible," I declared with shock.
"And Bella is the key," Jasper said, speaking for the first time.
"A three month old newborn is the key to our survival…?" Eleazar questioned.
"Trust me, Eleazar… Bella isn't anything like what you would expect in a newborn," Jasper replied with a chuckle.
"But how can Bella develop a shield of this magnitude in just three weeks?" I asked.
"With our intervention it's definitely possible," Alice responded.
"And we all know not to bet against Alice," Tanya said with a grin.
"Alice? Can you be more specific as to what her shield looks like?" Eleazar asked.
"It was invisible until it stopped Alec's mist-like power, and it was then that I saw how huge it will be. Not only did it render Alec's power useless, but Jane's as well."
"This changes everything!" Tanya responded with excitement, and I could see from the look on Eleazar's face that he agreed.
"I'm telling you, Jasper. Getting Bella to this point is not going to be easy," I interjected. "She's absolutely clueless and only learned this morning that she even possesses the power."
"You can handle it," Jasper responded.
"Huh? Would you care to elaborate?" I asked with confusion.
"It will be your job to prepare her, Kate," Jasper replied.
"She might not take a liking to my style, especially with the time constraints. It would mean pushing her," I pointed out.
"Which could prove extremely dangerous," Alice interjected.
"You can do it, Kate. First, have her build a strong foundation by teaching her the basic fundamentals and only then will you work on her motivations."
"Nothing like pissing off a newborn," I replied with a roll of my eyes.
"There's no other way, Kate. Bella will need to experience tangible evidence of what motivates her, otherwise she won't have a reference point when it comes to the confrontation," Jasper insisted.
"Edward might get in the way," Tanya pointed out.
"It will be up to you guys to make sure he doesn't. Feel him out and try eliciting his help without confiding in him. I can guarantee Edward will be a pain in the ass during our entire mission but remember. My vision proves our success can be achieved," Alice responded.
"Are you sure that will be enough, Jasper?" I asked.
"I'm impressed, Kate. It reinforces my confidence in your role. Once you've succeeded in your mission, you'll be turning over the reins to Zafrina."
"The Amazons?" we all responded in surprise.
"Yes. They don't know it quite yet, but they'll be joining our covert operation," Alice responded with a giggle.
"Are you sure they can block Edward?" Tanya asked.
"I never understood why, but the Amazons never had a problem in blocking him," Alice replied.
"So, I play the bad guy and push Bella to the brink..."
"…and then Zafrina plays the good guy and solidifies her readiness."
"But how will we know when Bella has reached her full potential?" Eleazar asked.
"That's where you come in," Jasper replied.
"Sorry, Jasper… but her shield doesn't allow me to get a read on her," Eleazar replied.
"Would it be logical to think you'll be able to detect her shield when she's extending it?" Jasper asked.
"Yes, once it leaves her body, sure," Eleazar replied. "But to get a read on her potential is very different."
"I agree, but I'm confident you'll be able to get a read on her the second Zafrina is done with her," Jasper replied.
"That is going to require a lot of trust… and it may not be attainable after I get done with her," I pointed out.
"While you are abusing Bella, Zafrina will be befriending Renesmee," Alice responded.
"We're pinning an awful lot of hope on a newborn," Eleazar commented.
"Eleazar… I've worked with hundreds of newborns during my earlier years, and never have I ever seen anyone like her. You have to stop thinking of her as a newborn. Trust me."
I smiled, appreciating Jasper's insight and leadership. I could see why Maria had him as her General. I never got to see this side of Jasper, for he was always the strong silent type; the consummate southern gentleman. But right now his superior knowledge and sound reasoning were quite impressive and reassuring, and I could imagine my adorable cousin growing moist from Jasper's genius.
"You will be preparing for a fight, right?" Eleazar asked.
"Yes," Jasper replied, "But we have a bit more to add to the puzzle, and we're confident it will trigger another vision. So, for the time being… our measures will be defensive ones."
"Another vision…?" Tanya prodded.
"Your original reason for your abrupt departure," I guessed.
"Yes. We believe there are other hybrids out here."
"Interesting," Tanya responded.
"Even with Bella eliminating the Jane and Alec equation, the Volturi still have us heavily outnumbered," Eleazar pointed out.
"At the moment they do, but Alice assures me that our numbers will increase dramatically by confrontation time. Plus there are ten wolves and the element of surprise," Jasper responded.
"Are you saying…?" Tanya started.
"Yes, as long as we succeed with Bella, we can beat the Volturi," Jasper responded.
"Look, Jasper. I know Carlisle would be opposed to taking the offense here, but we both know the Volturi will scoff at a diplomatic solution. This is very much about destroying a threat and acquiring talent, and nothing about serving justice," Eleazar interjected.
"I couldn't agree with you more, my friend. But it would do a dishonor to Carlisle if we act prematurely in this direction. Trust me... When the cards are dealt, we'll be more than ready to execute a strong strategy of attack."
"Okay, Jasper. We trust you… and we're at your service," Tanya responded.
"Is there a reason why you don't want to bring Bella into the mix?" I asked, given Edward couldn't read her mind.
"Just like Carmen, I can't see Bella, and her knowing isn't necessary. Besides, there's no telling how her knowing would affect her motivations," Alice responded. Then she giggled. "Not to mention she's a terrible liar."
"As it is, Bella is already performing a covert operation behind Edward's back in preparation for the worst case scenario."
"Then what's next?" Tanya asked.
"We'll contact you again once we've met our Amazon friends," Jasper responded, and this ended the call.
The three of us just stood there in silence for a few moments to let everything sink in. My thoughts in particular were centered on our baby cousin.
"I know we're all great at guarding our thoughts from Edward, but given what's at stake, and the extended period of time in which we'll need to focus on this, I'm suggesting we give serious consideration as to our approach," I stated.
"And we can never forget Edward's range," Tanya added.
"Agreed," Eleazar replied.
"I'm just blown away with Bella being the most powerful vampire in existence."
I added with a giggle.
"But sister? Have you forgotten how special our darling cousin has been from the very beginning when she was just a mere human?" Tanya asked.
"How so - my smartass sister?" I asked with my own smile.
"As a human, Bella was able to out-seduce a succubus," Tanya replied, and with that the two of us laughed hard while Eleazar rolled his eyes.
"Did you note the confidence in Jasper's voice?" Eleazar then pointed out.
"He sounds like a true leader," I replied.
"That vibe is more than just his leadership style."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"According to Carlisle, Jasper's not an optimist… but very much so a realist. He applies analytical reasoning after he taps his vast military strategic experience before formulating a plan."
"So, Jasper sounding confident is a good thing…?" Tanya asked.
"Yes, a very good thing," Eleazar replied with a grin.
"I also detected a touch of sadness in Alice's voice from time to time?" I pointed out.
"Yes," Tanya agreed. "She's always had the burden of seeing the future, and I'm sure it is quite painful at times."
"At Edward and Bella's wedding, Alice told me she saw Edward's death a couple dozen times while on the way to Italy," I stated.
"Well, Eleazar," Tanya said, shifting gears. "I guess it's safe to say this has nothing to do with an immortal child."
"I agree. Irina is clearly a pawn in Aro's sick game. She provided the Volturi a much desired trigger, but if not this, they would have found some other excuse. Destroying the Cullens and having Edward and Alice at their side has always been their goal… and I have no doubt that they're interested in Bella as well."
"At least these revelations make me feel better about our wayward sister," Tanya stated.
I nodded my head in agreement.
"It's time we rejoin our cousins," Tanya declared, and then we were off.
Garrett's POV:
I just got done tying my hair back as I stepped outside my cabin when the scent hit me. My eyes lit up with recognition, prompting me to scan the forest to the west… and that was when my eyes settled on the blonde goddess not more than one hundred yards from me.
We smiled at one another as I drank in the sight of her, for she truly was the most breathtaking, beautiful vampire I ever known… and then I shifted my attention to her left and eyed the strongest, most powerful vampire I've ever known as well. "Emmett! Rosalie!" I called out to them, and instantly they flashed over to me.
"Hey, Garrett," Emmett greeted me in his usual boisterous voice. I stood 6'3, so it wasn't often that I found myself looking up at someone.
"Isn't this a pleasant surprise," I declared as we shook hands, and then I pulled his lovely mate into my arms and gave her a huge hug.
"It's good to see you, Garrett," Rosalie responded with affection, and it was then that I noted the tension. This wasn't a social call.
"Has a half-century really gone by since I've last seen you kids?" I asked, smiling at them. "Tell me... How is Carlisle and Esme?"
"Garrett. Our family is in trouble," Emmett stated in response and this was the first time I've ever witnessed Emmett serious. I paused to consider this a moment.
"Okay," I said with a nod. "Then tell me my young friends… What are your troubles and how can I help?"
"We're asking you to travel to our residence in Forks, Washington," Rosalie replied.
"We're asking you to witness for us before the Volturi," Emmett added.
My eyes lit up as I now understood the severity. The Volturi didn't pause for witnesses, and this had me wondering what my good friends had done to bring the Volturi wrath upon them.
"Where are Carlisle and Esme?" I asked.
"They're in Europe," Emmett answered.
"Seeking more friends to witness?" I asked.
"Yes," Emmett replied.
"The Volturi don't stop for witnesses," I pointed out.
"We have to try," Rosalie whispered.
"Then again, if there is anyone on the planet that could get the Volturi to stop, it would most assuredly be Carlisle," I added with laughter.
"Please, Garrett. Edward is in Forks now welcoming our friends. He'll explain everything," Rosalie stated.
"I always wondered when this day would come," I commented, recalling a conversation I had with my good friends from the other side of the pond. Charles and Makenna had been adamant that it would happen sooner, rather than later.
"Garrett?" Emmett said, drawing my attention.
"Yes, I know... Your brooding brother awaits," I stated with a chuckle.
"Not brooding anymore," Emmett pointed out.
"Oh? Has the young lad finally found himself a mate?" I asked, recalling Carlisle telling me about a certain blonde in Denali, Alaska that pursued him.
"Yes, her name is Bella," Rosalie replied.
"Then she isn't the girl from Denali…?" I asked, causing Emmett to bust out laughing.
"That answers that," I replied with a grin. "Well, knowing there isn't anything I wouldn't do for my dear friend Carlisle and his family, I'll be on my way."
"That's what we were hoping to hear," Emmett replied with a smile.
"Am I to assume you won't be traveling with me?" I asked.
"We're still hoping to locate a couple of other nomads. Randall and Mary… Have you heard of them?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes. I'm not sure where Randall would be, but I have met Mary. She roams in the Boston area."
"Garrett?" Rosalie said, and then she drew me in for another hug. "You're a good friend."
"Likewise," I replied, and then I shook hands with Emmett again before turning back to my cabin.
"Enter Clallam County, Washington from the north and from there you'll be able to pick up our scent. Don't be alarmed if you detect a rather unpleasant scent in addition to our own."
"Oh?" I inquired, turning back to them.
"That would be our family dog," Rosalie added with a roll of her eyes.
I stared back at them in confusion, prompting them to laugh. I waited for them to elaborate but they didn't, which meant this explanation would be left up to Edward as well.
I proceeded to travel through the thick forest of upper-state New York into Toronto… then through Ontario before I came upon the frigid waters of the Great Lakes. I swam to Wisconsin before traveling on land through Minnesota into North Dakota. Then stopped in Fargo to feed…
I found it ironic that my current feeding habits were actually a direct result of a discussion I had with Carlisle back in the early 1900s. I had been visiting Carlisle, and his lovely mate, Esme, in Hanover, New Hampshire, and it was then that I learned of Edward.
Edward had started out as an animal drinker like his creator. But at the time of my visit, he was undergoing a rebellious stage where he gave up animal blood in favor of the blood of murderers and rapist - human scum. He would play judge, jury, and executioner, and thanks to his mind reading gift, he was able to know who the guilty were.
Although I had long since gotten over the guilt associated with my feedings, I saw this as an opportunity to serve both my nature and humanity. I didn't have access to their minds the way Edward did, but I did have patience, therefore I would camp out in the seedier parts of a city and eventually locate appropriate targets.
When I learned of Edward's eating habits, I applauded them. But Carlisle being Carlisle, felt troubled for his young protégé, fearing Edward's conscious would someday catch up with him.
As it was, I never told Carlisle I had adopted a variation of Edward's feeding practice, which meant that I was ignoring fifty percent of my food supply. There just weren't a lot of females hanging out at the seedy places in a city. My most challenging endeavor was abstaining from feeding on hunters and hikers whenever I crossed paths with them in the wilderness.
So, here I was in Fargo, a city with limited crime - at least in the winter, anyway. I was already going on eight frustrating hours before I came across a potential target. I was standing outside in the alley of a bar when I overheard someone brag about raping and killing a co-ed. Thirsty and impatient, I entered the bar and enticed the murderer and his scum of a friend to step outside for a moment. I ended up feeding on the both of them, and then threw their bodies in a dumpster and burned them.
I resumed my travels through the state of Montana before finally hitting the state of Washington. I considered feeding one more time in Seattle, but instead pressed on to Forks. As I made my way west through the state, I remembered a conversation I had with a nomad not too long ago. He insinuated someone was creating an army of newborns in the Seattle area. I wondered whether the Cullens had been involved. It would make sense that they wouldn't tolerate something like this in their own backyard, and I had no doubt Carlisle would intervene and put a stop to it. Could they have disrespected the Volturi in the process?
I traveled the woods parallel to the Olympic Highway, knowing it would eventually lead me to Forks… and just like Emmett said, I picked up the scent of my friends… in addition to a repulsive wet dog scent.
"Garrett!" Edward called out to me from his front porch.
"Edward," I greeted him back with a smile and we clasped hands in greeting.
"You were sent by Emmett and Rosalie," Edward declared with a grin.
"I most certainly was," I replied as he ushered me into the house.
The room was huge, and I immediately noted four vampires I'd never seen before.
"It appears you've already gathered yourself an impressive force," I commented while scanning the room. I paused as my eyes lingered on a pair of animal drinking blondes.
"Thank you for coming Garrett. And now if you'll indulge me, I'd like you to open all your senses before jumping to any conclusions."
"I can do that," I replied with a smile. I also noted the crimson eyed nomads standing together in the far corner. It was obvious they were mated, and from what I could see of their scars, it appeared they'd been in their share of fights… fights that they undoubtedly won.
I shifted my attention back to the blonde beauties without trying to make it look obvious. The strawberry blonde came off as confident while the platinum blonde appeared coy.
"Garrett. I'd like you to meet my wife Bella and our daughter, Renesmee," Edward introduced, and immediately turned at their entrance.
"Daughter...?" I questioned, eying them. Bella was a stunningly beautiful young woman with long brown hair and in her arms was a child, who couldn't have been much older than two or three.
My initial thought was… immortal child. But then I quickly dismissed this when I heard her strange fluttery heartbeat and took in her unique scent. My eyes lit up when I realized this little girl was half-vampire and half human.
I smiled at Bella and then her child before I noted the other scent. I then shifted my attention to the huge Indian, who was clearly acting like their protector. Not only was the Indian taller than me, but he was taller and larger than even Emmett, and I smiled at him while thinking; leave it to the Cullens to befriend our natural born enemy – the werewolf.
Edward burst out laughing followed by my own laughter. I should have known that my entire inner monologue would be subject to Edward's scrutiny.
"Please forgive me for my rather rude behavior, Bella. Your mate has picked up on a rather errant thought and found it quite amusing," I stated.
Bella smiled in response.
"Please know that it is my truest honor to not only meet the newest Cullen, but the newest, newest Cullen. You and your daughter are quite precious to say the least."
Bella continued to smile while Renesmee giggled.
"Would you like Renesmee to show you her story?" Bella asked in a soft musical voice.
"I would be delighted," I replied while wondering exactly what that entailed.
"Come closer, please," the precious child commanded in her sweet little voice.
I stepped closer and the child placed her small palm on my cheek, and like magic, I was suddenly seeing Renesmee's birth through her eyes…? I marveled over the vividness of it and the fact that her mother was quite human at the time… and then I watched a whole slew of events that proceeded up to today. To say I was stunned would be to put it mildly.
"What a very beautiful and gifted child," I declared with a smile.
Renesmee giggled again.
"Then you understand," Edward responded.
"Most definitely," I replied, still smiling.
"Garrett. I've heard a lot of good things about you," an older vampire commented.
I noted that the vampire and his mate possessed a dark complexion.
"I'm sorry, sir. You have me at a disadvantage," I replied.
"My name is Eleazar… and this is my mate, Carmen."
"Ah yes… Carlisle has spoken highly of you both as well and I assure you, the honor is all mine," I responded as I shook their hands.
"We haven't been formerly introduced," the platinum blonde suddenly announced as she and the other blonde joined us. "My name is Kate, and this is my sister, Tanya. The four of us are from Denali, Alaska."
"Denali…?" I replied with a grin.
"Perhaps you've heard stories of us as well," Tanya replied with a grin.
"Perhaps I have," I replied, chuckling.
Tanya winked at Kate before she excused herself. Eleazar and Carmen followed suit, leaving me alone with Kate.
"I remember Carlisle telling us about this great colonial adventurer who made his home in the Northeast. He said this adventurer prided himself on the challenge."
I smiled. "What might you be getting at, lovely Kate," I replied with a grin.
"I was thinking perhaps your eye color might look better gold rather than ruby red."
"But Kate… In order for me to possess golden eyes, it would mean changing my lifestyle," I pointed out.
"Yes, so the great adventurer is educated as well," Kate responded with laughter and then gestured for her sister to join us. Tanya flitted over with a smile on her face. "Tanya, dear sister… You were wrong."
"Wrong you say…?" Tanya questioned, still smiling.
"You said these Revolutionaries are thick headed."
"Are you saying I'm mistaken, dear sister?" Tanya asked with feigned surprise.
"Yes, darling sister of mine. You see, Garrett here has been able to deduce a very important fact," Kate said with a grin.
"And what pray-tell is that?" Tanya asked.
"That in order to possess golden eyes, he must first change his lifestyle," Kate replied, and it was at that very moment that the double meaning slammed into me… prompting two things to happen simultaneously. The first was an uncomfortable erection… and the second, a strange tug against my dead heart.
I smiled at Kate in response; mesmerized not only with her beauty, but her feisty teasing. I respected the animal drinkers, but could I really become one? Then another reality reared its ugly head… and that was our limited time.