A/N: okay so I thought about breaking this up and making it suspensful, but most people hate that so i did the whole scene and while still leaving you hanging. If you don't like cliffhangers, review so I'll write faster...
LOST
EDWARD
"Are you sure she's going to cooperate?" I asked Alice. She tried to conjure a vision – her face blanking out – but frowned instead.
"Honestly, I don't know. I couldn't pick up any outlook."
I knew that meant Bella's mind was still warring within itself, and the power was up. Evidence was in the rise of particles surrounding her. She looked so helpless. I turned away from her in sorrow. Before we went our separate ways, I huddled everyone together for one last talk.
"Well, let's review the plan: Emmett and Jasper – carefully transport Bella back to Carlisle's office. Once there, Carlisle, lock her securely in a chair and if she is startled, soothe her until she is comatose again. Aro and Alice, I need you to help me coax the Bella we know back. We have to eliminate the power that is controlling her. Marcus, Caius, and along with your bodyguards may wait downstairs in the sitting area if you like. Esme and Rosalie, you two can wait along with them and if we need your assistance will call you.
"For Aro and Alice – once Bella's mind becomes vulnerable again, we need to invade her thoughts. Alice, you need to predict when her power will resurface. Watch for any sudden body movements. It would be dangerous for us to allow her mind too much control over us. Aro, you will help me destroy the power controlling her. We need to make sure that we are not isolated in her thoughts; I can't imagine what she could do…" Everyone shuddered in agreement as we begun our designated services.
Jane quietly sauntered over to Aro. "Master, what if you can't save her?" Her tone was innocent, although her expression hinted otherwise.
"Well, we'll have to go with plan b: our traditional methods," he answered. This amused Jane, who skipped away in content. Even for a vampire, she was inconsiderate. I threw her a hateful glare as I supervised Emmett and Jasper while they lifted Bella of the ground. Running, we all were home in minute.
I really hoped I could save my Bella. She was all I had, the only thing valuable to me. If she couldn't live, I didn't see the reason for me to live as well. She was suffering and I was responsible for it -- for everything: the Tanya scuffle…the attack on Jacob…
Marcus and Caius glided into the living room, escorted by Esme as Jane sat whispering to Demetri "when will we hunt?" Rosalie went over to straighten out that situation. The rest of us went the stairs towards Carlisle's office.
Gently, Carlisle strapped Bella into an office chair. She seemed not to notice the change of environment. She just continued to exhibit a lifeless mien, her body stiff and rigid like she had paralyzed herself.
"Ready?" Carlisle inquired. With a sigh, I decided I was ready. I was ready to fight for my love and her life.
Alice positioned herself in a seat opposite of Bella, as Aro and I situated ourselves at Bella's side. Aro reached to touch Bella's shoulder and she tensed up a little. That was strange. When Aro touches her, she responds. When Emmett or Jasper touches her, she remains in shock. I thought it must have something to do with Aro's talent and that she responded as he tried to gain access into his mind.
I had begun concentrating on Bella's mind. Her power had fluctuated too high and the lights flickered in response. Aro's hand back to his side as he looked at me perplexed.
"We missed our window…" I explained. Aro frowned. But, Alice drew a blank look.
"Next window opens in ten, nine, eight…" she counted. I inhaled and began to concentrate again. I felt like I was being hauled into another universe – like I was being separated from my body. Too soon, I found myself standing in a boundless white room. I looked over my right shoulder to see Aro. He patted my shoulder in a paternal gesture. I smiled nervously at him as we continued to walk around Bella's mind.
It was quite amazing, -- yet disturbing. Her mind had changed dramatically. A regular human mind was like a screen – it displayed your thoughts and feelings, but we couldn't interact with them. A vampire mind was like a three-dimensional interactive screen – smells and drama could be felt. But, Bella's mind was like a movie set. Resembling a universe, her thoughts zoomed past us like a film strip preparing to project on a screen. Here, you could touch things, because they were real.
However, her current thoughts were quite graphic in nature, full of bizarre images of torture that were not of my Bella. I shied away. They reminded me of my own dark past.
"What are you doing here?" a familiar voice asked. Aro and I turned around to see Bella standing in front of us. Her stance suggested one of submission as she hung her head. She appeared meek and pallid, like a zombie. I wanted to run up and kiss her, and tell her she was beautiful but that action might cause a negative result. She shuffled her feet as she murmured, "You shouldn't be here."
Aro's brows rose in curiosity. "And why is that?"
Slowly, she drew up her eyes. Her onyx eyes penetrated in alarm, shifting back and forth between Aro and me.
"She'll see you," she whispered.
"She?" I thought. Who was she? I felt a wave of hostility hit me. I turned around to see another woman standing there.
"What are doing?" she grimaced at us. This woman was Bella, another Bella. But quickly, I differentiated between the two. This Bella was dressed to seductively for my own Bella's taste. She even wore fire engine red lipstick to accentuate her lips. She stood opposite of the other Bella, leaving Aro and I in between the two. This one was too extreme to be my Bella, so that dubs her The Power. Anger rolled off her as she crossed her arms. Aro inspected both of the Bellas, comprehending.
"Fascinating," he muttered. Apparently, The Power didn't like this. All too soon, Aro disappeared from my side.
I jumped back in horror. "WHAT DID YOU DO?" I scowled advancing towards the second Bella. Now, I was alone. Isolated. She straightened up and glared at me. Moments passed as her face fell into frustration.
"Humph. He was too curious for my liking," she snapped and then turned to the first Bella. "And you…stop blocking me. He shouldn't be here. This is between you and me. You shouldn't waste your power on him," she bullied.
The first Bella glanced at her and slowly looked back at me warily.
"Don't listen to her. You're stronger than that…" I encouraged.
"Shut up, Cullen," The Power snarled. But, the first Bella still stared at me. I took a step forward confidently, but the first Bella stepped back in reaction and the second one smirked in satisfaction.
"She doesn't want you, Edward. She doesn't need you. Right, Bella?" The Power tinkled her voice feigning innocence.
"I'm…so confused," she shrugged. I had to think of a way to save her from that monster controlling her.
"Bella, I need you," I pleaded. She looked torn between her power and her love. Slumping to the white floor, the first Bella closed her eyes and attempted to shake the confusion. Images flew into focus. Images of Bella and I together – when I saved her from James…the night I stayed with her…when Bella rescued me from killing myself…the night I proposed…on and on…
Until the second Bella interrupted.
"But didn't she live without you?" The Power smirked, causing the images to change drastically to the dark period of Bella's life – when I left her. This was like a blow to me for I felt myself reflexively draw an arm around my chest. I watched in horror over the memories of Bella being lost without me…how she held herself together…her time with Jacob…her zombie state…the cliff-diving…
It was beginning to be too much. "Stop it this instant," I demanded the second Bella. But she just strolled towards me arrogantly.
"Ah, is little Eddie tired of losing," she teased. "Unfortunately, Edward, I'm not the one controlling her memories. I just simply…encourage them." She walked back to the first Bella and patted her head as if she was a dog.
"Leave her alone." I was beginning to get quite aggravated over the exchange.
"No."
"I'm afraid you don't understand—"
"No, I afraid you don't understand," the Power smiled. "You see…once Bella here slips from protecting you, I will eliminate you from the picture…forever. And then, I will control Bella. The thing is…there is only room for one Bella. I will eventually merge my mannerisms permanently into her. And all her memories – especially the ones of you – will be lost along with you…"
Snarls ripped from my chest as I began to crouch down defensively. "Sorry, I can't let that happen to her."
"Sorry that I don't care what you will and won't allow. You always been sheltering her: 'Bella, don't do this. Stay back, Bella – it's not safe…' It's time for her to grow up into me." She hissed at me and again, images zoomed by us illustrating how I had protected Bella.
I understood now. I needed to trigger a memory from the first Bella. I needed her to see her love was much stronger than this power. That's why the second Bella isn't harming me – subconsciously, Bella still loves me.
"But I only do that because I love her. I have repressed my desire for her blood and replaced with my desire for her love. I waited for more than a century for a love like her." The first Bella peered up at the Power looking for confirmation. But, the Power denied my claims by vigorously shaking her head. I took this time to swiftly come to the first Bella's side. "You know I love you. I will forever love you. And you, deep down, love me, too."
"Don't listen to him!" the second Bella seethed.
"Be quiet!" the first Bella shouted. This startled all of us. Right on cue, the floodgates of her mind open up, releasing recollections of the love Bella and I shared. Images of us in the meadow…at school…laying together at night…me professing me love…Italy…it all came rushing out.
The first Bella brought her eyes to mine. They were no longer onyx, but chocolate brown – her human eye color. They met mine and lit up in revelation as she whispered, "Edward…"
"Yes, sweetheart," I spoke as I reached for her warm hands.
"I'm scared," she whispered. The Power stood over her, enraged.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" the second Bella shrieked.
"No…no, you leave me alone," the first Bella snapped. The second Bella stepped back to crouch down.
"I didn't want to do this. You brought this own yourself. I made you, Bella! Without me, you were nobody. Nothing! Now, I could be what you want…" The Power suggested.
However, the first Bella took me in a desperate embrace. I brought my lips to her ear. "Tell me what you want me to do?"
"Save me Edward," she cried. "I need you to help me, stay with me. Don't ever let me go…"
I caressed her cheek and vowed, "I will stay with you forever, love. As long, as you want me, I will stay."
I shifted the first Bella, my Bella, behind me as I followed suit of the Power. She shifted her weight her from leg to leg as I began to mimic her. I was going to battle a Bella for my Bella. But, my Bella lightly touched my shoulder, relaxing me in a way I didn't know possible. I straightened back up as the Power followed. My Bella calmly squared off in front of the second one.
"Ha! Are you kidding me? You think you can even attempt to faze me?" The Power snorted boisterously in disbelief.
Ignoring the second Bella, my love turned to me. "Edward, I love you. Don't worry about me or what happens. Everything will be alright…" she assured. I was confused. What was she planning?
Faint warnings came from Alice.
"Edward. Her mind is reaching a dangerous intensity. You have to leave now…"
I thought to myself, "I can't her, now. I have to stay."
Moments went by when I heard Alice shouting in my head again. "Edward, you don't understand. Only one Bella will survive this battle. And if the wrong one wins…you'll be trapped in her mind – forever. It's dangerous. You don't have Aro there to protect you. GET OUT NOW!" she demanded.
I thought aloud to Alice "Can't you see the outcome?"
"No, Edward, the power is currently blocking my vision. Leave now!"
"Alice, I have to stay. I promised." Moments passed again before I heard Alice again.
"Don't let us lose you, too," she concluded. And her thoughts faded into whispers.
I turned my attention back to the Bellas, who were circling each other. My Bella remained smug and casual as the second Bella shook with fury. I looked into the Power's eyes -- glowing embers of red. Her lips curled back over her teeth.
"Honestly, Bella, do you like being useless…hopeless?" the Power asked. The first Bella just ignored her question and continued to stalk around. "It's only one way to know…" the Power smirked.
I looked on to the exchange and reflexively crouched, preparing to defend. But suddenly both were engaged in battle.
Growls ripped from the clash as scars resulted. How could I stand here and not help? I ran towards the battle zone.
I waited for an opening to attack the Power. But as soon I as attempted to intervene, fierce orange flames engulfed both of them.
"NOOOO!" I shrieked. I couldn't have been too late. I stepped forward and reached out in vain towards the pyre. As if reacting to me, the flames intensified.
Carlisle's voice lulled in my mind, "Her mind has to protect itself."
I couldn't physically save her anymore. I could only stand by and pray my Bella would come out unscathed. I fell to my knees and watched the flames dance around. Faint cries escaped from the fire.
Above the flames rose two distinct billows of smoke – one charcoal gray and the other muted purple. The clouds of smoke gradually swirled together, causing sparks.
"Edward," Alice thought, "the lights are flickering and we feel the atmospheric pressure building." I knew power and control was about to reach a critical level. I concentrated inside the fire for the last time trying to see if my Bella remained. Even for a vampire, the flames were too dense.
Emerging from the center of the fire, a faint glow appeared. I looked on curiously as the orb of white light grew. The glow brilliantly lit the fire and the orb expanded until the whole fire was devoured inside.
I realized an explosion was eminent. I gathered myself up and backed away slowly from the spectacle. I looked on it one last time, before I broke off running in Bella's mind at full speed. But my vampire speed was fast enough.
"EDWARD!" Alice screamed in my mind, but the explosion drowned out her cries. I couldn't outrun the waves of impact and soon was sucked into the power.
I felt myself suspended in the air and I floated around to see that my Bella and the Power were still battling. The intense glare from the glowing light made them silhouettes. I saw one Bella fall to the ground as the other suspended in the air. She outstretched her hands and raised them above her head as a shrill cry released from her throat and I looked on in horror. Which Bella was it?
Before I had time to decipher, the orb collapsed towards her. The implosion knocked me back down to the ground with enough strength to kill a person.
"BELLA!" I shouted. The fire died away leaving the sickening smoke covering the area thickly. Ashes scattered all over, covering the white surface. I reached out towards the scene. I stumbled up and sprinted back to the site.
"I'm too late. She is gone, never to come back. And it was my fault," I whispered to myself. I hung my head low and a pang of guilt filled me. I was responsible for the destruction of Bella.
I looked up again and saw the smoke creating a small eddy above. Swirling around, it was beginning to concentrate into a dusty purple. Gradually, the smoke retreated down to the ashes, revealing a figure –the winner.