Questions/Answers/Comments
Evangeline Kathrine- You sure are getting flamed a lot aren't ya? (Yup xD But it's okay. Luckily I'm not the type to stop writing because someone said something to try and hurt my feelings. Thank you very much for the compliments on my story as well. It means a lot to me.)
elliehandesu- so Bella is with some other war horses with her ? is she a pack leader or something? do this attack by the volturi have related to bella and alice relationship in process or in near future? (Bella is with her entire herd of War Horses. She is indeed the 'Alpha Mare' I will go more into that in this chapter. The Volturi have another reason for attacking the Cullen's that has nothing to do with Bella and Alice. This also will be explained in this chapter.)
DeJee- Does bella know alice is her mate? do they imprint much like the wolves ? (War horses imprint like the wolves. It's a little different with Bella though. She has been around for a long time and even though she can feel the imprint, it isn't strong. Not yet anyways. I think her little Pixie is going to have her work cut out for her.)
Shaz- Thanks for answering my question :) I'm loving the story so far and nice touch with Bella tell Alice about her human life. Will we see much of Victoria or is the volturi the big bad? Can't wait for the next chapter. (I'm always willing to answer my readers questions. :D If I ever end up skipping over a question just ask again or send me a message. I'll answer it as quick as I can. I haven't made up my mind with what to do with Victoria yet. For now the Volturi are the big bad.)
Disclaimer- Twilight= not mine.
Beta: UntalentedRose (thanks so much for being awesome and helping me out with this chapter!)
[While on a hunt the Cullen's run into something they never believed to exist. Dark times are headed towards our favorite vampires and they are going to need all the help they can get. The only question is, will these hostile creatures be willing to help?]
Chapter 4
Golden Zebra
"It's about time you got back." Rosalie muttered as Bella and I walked through the front door and into the living room where the family sat waiting for us. Leah and Seth were sitting side by side on the love seat, looking quite uncomfortable with the current situation.
"I apologize for holding Alice up." Bella said kindly as her eyes scanned the living room. "You have such a lovely home Esme." She complimented, making the older vampire beam with happiness.
"Why thank you dear." Esme replied kindly.
"Mama bear actually did all the decorating herself." Emmett said as he grinned at the look of shock on Bella's face. A proud look came over Esme's face as the girl beside me continued to scan the area. I took hold of her warm hand and lead her over to one of the couches that still had openings and sat her down. I quickly sat beside her, smiling at the look of shock on Carlisle's face. He and Edward still seemed somewhat hesitant around her. It was quiet for a while as everyone gathered their thoughts. I wanted to know everything about this creature sitting beside me but I wasn't sure where to begin.
"I have a question." Emmett said seriously as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Why are you a zebra when all the others are horses?" Edward stiffened up and shot a glare at his brother.
"Oh my god, Emmett. You cant just ask people why they're zebra's." Edward hissed as he looked cautiously back at Bella.
"Dude bro, did you seriously just quote mean girls to me?" Emmett asked, referring to a movie Edward had been in love with for a few years. This seemed to lighten up the mood somewhat. A few chuckles went around the room before Bella answered Emmett's question.
"It's somewhat complicated." She began, eyebrows scrunched in concentration as she tried to figure out the best way to explain it to us. "As you know, war horses are said to be a bad omen. It's true of course. We only tend to show up when there will be bloodshed. I think the best way to explain is through a story." Everyone nodded and waited for her to begin.
"Carrigan, if you don't stop making newborns soon the Volturi will find out what we are doing." Carlos hissed at his creator. He was right of course but Carrigan didn't care at this point. Someone had claimed a territory that he had wanted and he was going to take it back from them.
"Relax boy." He snarled as he looked around at the large army he had assembled. Dozens of newborns surrounded them, all practicing fighting. Of course half the time they ended up killing each other. The worst part is that they were unable to contain their thirst. He was about to yell at his second in command when one of their guards ran up in a panic.
"Sir, there is something in the woods." He cried, pure terror written all over his face." Carrigan looked at him as if he had grown a second head.
"I think you can handle it. You are a vampire after all. Now go out there and do what you were created for." He snapped.
"Y-you don't understand sir. Whatever's out there is huge. They are coming for us, I can feel it." Before he could respond loud shouts came from the woods from the opposite direction of where the guard had come. Newborns ran towards Carrigans camp, ready to kill him and his army. It seems as though the other army decided to strike first.
"Attack!" He shouted and his newborns turned on their enemies and began ripping each other apart. That is until a high pitch cry sounded from the opposite side of the field. Five giant horses stepped out of the woods, all clad with blood covered armor. "War horses" He whispered in horror as they moved closer.
"What's a war horse?" Carlos asked as he watched in awe at the creatures grace and ferocity.
"As their names suggest, they come at times of war. They don't choose sides though. They will wipe the entire field out. Who they kill doesn't matter to them. As he said that a long, dark haired female walked out from behind the giant horses.
"You have committed many crimes as of late Carrigan." She said loudly, glaring at the commander of the army. "You just couldn't leave well enough alone, could you?" The horses began to get restless as they pranced in place, their long mane's flowing out beneath their armor. They pawed restlessly at the ground. "You and all of those around you will die of your sins." She cried. As those words left her mouth the horses charged. The sharp horns and spikes tore through the newborns as though they were made of paper and Carlos couldn't help but wonder of they were invincible. He watched as newborn after newborn was dispatched. A shrill cry from one of the horses showed them that the creatures were not invincible.
"You will pay for that." The girl muttered as one of the horses crumpled to the ground. It was still alive but Carlos could tell it was wounded in a way that wouldn't allow it to get back up. The girl suddenly shifted into what they thought would be a horse but were surprised when she was anything but. What stood before them was a beautiful zebra with golden stripes and bright blue eyes. She reared onto her hind legs and charged into battle. The difference between her and the others was clear. She fought harder and more viciously then the normal horses did. Anger and hate radiated off of her, striking fear in those nearby. Those that were left realized that they would have to work together to take this creature out.
"Have you ever seen a war horse like that before?" Carlos asked Carrigan. The elder vampire shook his head as he watched what was left of the army surround her. There was no way she would get out alive, or so he thought. She reared up a second time, legs thrashing wildly about. This time when her hooves returned to the ground a shock wave pulsed around her knocking nearby newborns to the ground. The golden markings on her fur seemed to be moving, as if sparks of electricity rested on her coat.
"What the hell is going on?" Carrigan asked no one in particular. Suddenly there was an explosion around her body, the electricity wrapped around each vampire in close proximity to her and were instantly turned to dust. In their horror Carlos and Carrigan didn't realize that a war horse had come up behind them. They were dispatched quickly. The only sound left in the field was the heavy breathing of the downed war horse. Everyone shifted back to human form.
"Thomas." The female whispered as she hurried over to the war horse that was slowly, painfully changing back to human form. Once Thomas was fully shifted he slowly got to his feet, wincing in pain. The rest of the herd joined them, sadness clouding their eyes. "Please tell me you weren't." She pleaded softly with him. He pulled her into a tight hug before whispering back to her.
"I'm afraid so." Tears formed in her eyes and she noticed the rest of the herd was having the same reaction.
"It's your choice. What do you wish to do?" She asked the pained man in front of her. He didn't even think twice about his answer.
"I want you to do it. Maybe I would think twice if I had an imprint but I don't. Please don't make this harder then it has to be." The herd all gave him hugs as they sniffled and walked away, leaving just the two of them. She ran a hand through his sandy blond hair before pulling him back into another hug. "Be strong." He whispered in her ear as another tear ran down her face. She nodded and squeezed him tightly before sending a shock through his system immediately stopping his heart.
"I'm so sorry my old friend."
The looks on everyone's faces ranged from shocked to horrified.
"Why did she kill the other war horse?" Carlisle asked. I was wondering the same question. It didn't make much sense to me. Why would the zebra kill him?
"We war horses are strong and have very few weaknesses. We can easily shake off most wounds but there is one that can disable us." I noticed that she had balled her hands into fists. Whatever she was going to tell us seemed to be a sore subject for her. I took her hand in mine causing her to look up surprised.
"It's okay." I said softly, meeting her eyes with mine. I found myself getting lost in them until she finally looked away.
"Thank you." She replied, keeping her hand in mine. " "War horses are a type of shifter, although we are different than most. Many shifters explode into their animal form while we become our animal. We join with the animal inside us and take on that form. We also don't lose our clothes every time we shift like the wolves."." Leah and Seth both blushed a deep red and I saw Bella smirk somewhat.
"I wish we could do that." Seth muttered as he crossed his arms over his still bare chest. The others had given them some clothes to wear but he remained shirtless.
"Our animals rest within us in such a way that if we are hurt then it is possible for them to become damaged. Usually they will heal in time. Unfortunately if one of us is impaled through the spine, although it will heal our animal is considered hobbled. The animal inside slowly dies. The biggest problem with this however is that even as it dies it continues to try to surface. This causes extreme pain for the shifter as they can literally feel their insides being stretched and torn. They will never be able to shift again though and the animal can take decades to die." I shivered at the though of someone feeling as though there insides were being torn and clung tighter to Bella's hand. I didn't want something like that to ever happen to her.
"Is it possible for the animal to be healed in any way? I mean through surgery perhaps?" Carlisle asked as he leaned forward in his seat.
"I suppose it's a possibility but it's not something that has ever been tried. We cant very well go to a hospital and ask a human to try and fix our inner animal. They don't show up in x-rays or anything either." I noticed a sad look in her eyes and wished I could do something to cheer her up. Had she ever known someone who had been hobbled? Was she the golden zebra from her story?
"Not to sound rude or anything but I was hoping that you could tell us why the Volturi is after us." Rosalie said calmly which was odd for her. Usually she would snap at people she didn't know. Bella nodded her head and smiled sadly at us.
"It shouldn't come as a big surprise for you. Aro has decided that your Coven has become to big for his liking. The truth is he wants Alice and Jasper to join with him. He will try and negotiate a deal with you. You offer your services and in return he will spare the life of your family. Of course once they arrive they will catch the scent of the wolves. They will also be pulled into this battle."
"And you're here to what? Wipe us all out? Volturi, Wolves and us?" Edward asked, looking horrified.
"That's the general idea." Before anyone could protest another voice interrupted, causing most everyone in the room to jump.
"Bells, we can make an exception just this once." A tall pale woman with dirty blond hair and green eyes said casually as if she knew that Bella would be okay with it. I turned my head when I heard a small whine from Seth. He was staring at the woman like he had found his forever. Bella looked back and forth between the two before sighing.
"The rules state-" The woman cut her off quickly.
"Screw the rules Bella. This time is different and you know it. Not only are imprints involved but War hounds as well." Imprints? War hounds? What exactly was she talking about. Seth got up quickly and scrambled over to her.
"My name's Imprint, you're my Seth." He stated causally as he ran his hand through his hair and winked at her. The girl didn't' miss a beat though.
"It's nice to meet you Imprint. I'm afraid my name isn't Seth though. I usually go by Sadie." She winked back at him and chuckled when he blushed.
"I meant my name is Seth." He said quietly, causing the room to erupt in laughter.
"What's an Imprint and what are War hounds?" Jasper asked as he looked back and forth between the new arrival and Seth, smirking slightly.
"Imprint is kind of like a mate for a vampire. When you find your imprint it's like the world stops and everything suddenly revolves around them. You will be whatever they need you to be. Friend, brother, sister, lover. War hounds are also a type of shifter. Seth and Leah happen to be War hounds. They are a lot like the rest of the pack but there are a few differences. As they learn more about themselves they will be able to shift without losing their clothes. They have to become one with their inner animal. They will also be able to shift into armor like we can. The best part is that they will always be stronger then the Alpha of their pack and if they wish to leave the pack then they can do so." Seth and Leah both looked ecstatic over this information and I couldn't help but be happy for them.
"So, will you help us?" Carlisle asked her bluntly. She didn't answer straight away and seemed to be heavily considering her options.
"Please?" I asked as I squeezed her hand again. She looked up into my eyes once again and I saw her resolve waver. Knowing that we had almost broken her I gave my best pout. After letting out a deep breath she looked around the room.
"I guess we can break the rules this one time."
The next chapter will have more about Seth and Leah being war hounds. Alice and Bella will also have some alone time together.
I also want to point out that I will have Leah imprint on someone later in the story. I cant keep her from her happily ever after.
Being "Hobbled" is not something I made up myself. I got the idea from the Jennifer Scales books. They are books about a girl who has to change into a dragon for a certain time each month. There is a lot of drama and action. They are great books (Which I did not write)
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.
Also thanks for all the reviews/Follows/Favorites 3