This is the last major time jump. I SWEAR. No, really. I swear. This is the last one. I promise.

Anyways, this is probably the chapter everyone has been waiting for... well, other than finding out what the Fiores are, but we've already gotten that out of the way :)

P.S. Please do remember that Phoenixes have telepathic powers. Yeah, I just wanted to remind you guys.

Without further adieu... I hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 10: War

Bella POV

The lone tear slid down his face and blended in with the water soundlessly. He took a deep breath and looked at me with careful eyes. It's time. I nodded and shut my eyes closed. My arms stayed still by my sides, patiently waiting for the painful onslaught to come. His wings flapped behind him. At first they were slow, and then they got faster and faster. Huge gusts of wind struck me across the face. I bit the inside of my cheeks to keep from crying out.

My eyes snapped open as I felt a strange warmness overcome me. My eyes widened as blazing flames suddenly began to engulf me. It scorched every part of my body. It wasn't like the feeling of comfort that teleporting gave. This… it burned. It was torture. I couldn't help it anymore. I began to scream. I thrashed, flailed, yelled, and shrieked but nothing I did relieved the pain. The only things I was aware of was the reddish-orange flames that took over my sight, the sound of winds flapping, and the unbearable pain. My legs, arms, torso, face… everything was hurting.

When I least expected it, a terrible pain erupted in my stomach. I curled in to try to soothe it, but then my back felt like it was being torn apart. I was suddenly thrown into an arched position, my spine feeling horrifyingly broken.

The next thing I knew, a new sound made its presence. The back of my shirt was being forced open. I cried out once again as I felt like someone was stabbing into my back. I could feel it slowly gliding out of my back, tearing my skin apart. My sweat began to join the lone tear as it continuously poured out of me. I screamed one last time, when the stabbing feeling finally stopped.

Suddenly, an eerie silence came upon me. The only sound I could hear was the erratic sound of my pants as I tried to regain my breathing. Soon enough, other sounds began to join it. I could hear the water swooshing, birds chirping, cars passing by, animals grazing the deep forest, and so many more sounds that I shouldn't have been able to hear. Not as a normal person, at least.

I surveyed my surrounding, my eyes running across the expanse of the water. I can't describe it… I could see every particle that's floating in the air. I could see far beyond the forest. I heard the slight movement of water. I turned to see Landon right across from me, observing me. I could see his obvious worry, but I could also see the love, pride, and awe shining in his eyes. I soon became aware of the other Fiores. For once, it seemed that Rhia was stunned speechless.

I looked down to see my reflection in the water. I reached up and carefully touched my face, not believing what I was seeing. My skin felt like silk under my touch. My lips had become fuller, my cheekbones were much more defined, and my nose was much more shaped. I ran my fingers through the streak of blonde hair that now framed the left side of my face. I gasped at the next thing I saw.

Bright red eyes were staring back at me.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

My eyes scanned my surroundings. I clutched the metal barrel to my chest, trying to gauge the perfect time. My bare feet curled around the branch. I willed my wings to stop flapping. Silence was key.

Are you ready?

I turned to see Landon grinning at me. My eyes twinkled with delight.

Go!

Landon and I pointed our guns at our specific target and shot.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

"Aww fuck!"

THUD!

"Ohhhh, yeah!" I exclaimed, high fiving Landon. We both grinned as Ives crashed to hard forest floor.

"You guys are such fucking cheaters!" Ives accused.

"No, you just suck," Landon laughed.

"Double teaming is considered cheating! It's supposed to be every man for himself," Ives pouted, lying flat on the ground with two splashes of paint across his chest and one on his face. "And really? You just had to aim at my face?"

"Like you said, every man. Last time I checked, I'm a woman," I grinned, "And yes, I just had to aim at your face. Because if you don't recall, you shot me in the ass the last time we played."

"Yeah, no one gets to hit that but me," Landon said, wiggling his eyes suggestively at me. I laughed and playfully shoved him away.

"Ugh, gross, you guys," Ives grimaced.

I jumped off of the tree and began flapping my wings once again.

"Well, it was nice chatting with you, but I've got other people to shoot," I smirked. I waved Landon over and he immediately followed. I turned to see Landon with a small smile on his face. "What?"

"Nothing," he smiled, "It's just that you once told me that you could never get used to flying. Now, look at you. It's practically your first nature."

My charm bracelet made dangling noises as I flew around him. I stopped right in front of him and grinned. "You did tell me that you would change my mind." I leaned in closer to him.

"I did," he smiled softly, his breath fanning across my face. I closed my eyes and waited for his lips to touch mine, but obviously that's never the fucking case for us.

SPLAT! SPLAT!

"Shit!" we both cursed as green splashes of paint hit the both of us. I instantly spun around and saw Rhia smirking at the two of us.

"I told you that you're grossness with each other is going to bite you in the ass," she leered, "Geez, you guys. It's been fifty fucking years. You guys need to get over this shit. Otherwise, Fate is going to force you to get over it."

We scowled at her as she flew away. She left a trail of dark chuckles behind her. I looked at Landon and saw him shrug.

"She doesn't know what she's talking about."

A slow smile formed its way onto my lips. "Of course she doesn't."

He grinned and grabbed my hand as we flew back to the house. As soon as our feet touched the ground, Adrien shoved a tray of food at us. I chuckled.

"Eat up kids!" he exclaimed with a wide grin.

"It's a wonder that our kids aren't obese," Cassandra laughed at Adrien.

"Thanks, Adrien," I said thankfully, stuffing a cookie into my mouth.

I scanned the backyard and saw that almost everyone was already here but Daniel and Rhia. Oh God. Those two and go at it for days, man, days. Every single time, Daniel swears that he's going to win, but we all know that it's just hopeless wishing. Rhia always wins. Always. Both Landon and I know this, so we try our best to get as much people as we can, even if we can't win. Ives is usually our main target, just because he's so fun to mess with.

"About time you guys got here," Patrick said with a full mouth.

Rayne was lying down on the sunbathing chair, drinking some iced tea. "Yeah," she nodded. "I'm so bored you guys."

"Only 'cuz you were the first one out," Patrick grinned. She scowled at him and flipped him the bird.

"Hey! Mommy! She did the Finger!" Marc told Cassandra.

Cassandra shook her head and gave Rayne a fake glare, to appease Marc. "You know you shouldn't do that," she scolded lightly, not really meaning it. Rayne smirked slightly.

"Sorry." Marc smiled and plopped down on one of the metal chairs, satisfied. I chuckled at his antics.

I grabbed Landon's hand and dragged him with me. I sat down and dipped my legs inside the pool. I looked up at Landon expectedly. His shoulders shook with slight laughter as he joined me. I smiled at him and nuzzled closed to him, leaning my head on his shoulder. I bit on my cookie contently.

"Rhia is right about something." My eyes snapped to him, surprised. "It has been fifty years. Wow, time flies," he mused.

"Yeah," I agreed, "I still can't help but remember some of the things I left."

"Well, I still can't believe we managed to convince people that you committed suicide."

My eyes watered slightly as I remembered the events from thirty years ago. "After Charlie died – " I stopped mid-sentence, trying not to cry. Landon grabbed my hand and rubbed it soothingly. "It was the best thing to do. There's no need for people to look for me. Besides, let that get to the Cullens' head. Let them die, pun intended, with guilt," I finished, albeit a bit bitterly.

Charlie knew that we were not normal. After my transformation, I already knew that he could tell that something was up. True to his word, he didn't pry. We kept a need-to-know basis. I loved Charlie. I still love my dad. He was there for me when everything went wrong. He stood by me when I needed him most. Thirty years ago, he was shot on the job. The bullet scraped the edge of his heart. The doctors couldn't do anything to stop the bleeding.

I didn't talk to anyone for days. I cried myself to sleep every night. I moped around. Not even Landon could do anything to help me, but he helped lessen the pain.

After his death, I faked my own suicide, leaving behind a fake death note, saying I could no longer live without my dad. Many people doubted it at first, knowing I would not do that to the Fiores. However, the Fiores proved themselves to be just as good actors as the Cullens. We managed to pull it off. After a few years, the pain gradually went away, but remnants of it will always be with me, knowing I would no longer see my dad.

I officially changed my name to Bella Marie Roux, taking on Cassandra's maiden name. We thought that it would be best, considering Landon's last name is Fiore. We didn't want people to think that we were in any way related. We've traveled all over the world since then. We're currently residing in Edinburgh, UK. Just like Forks, it's a very gloomy place.

"Charlie was awesome," Landon smiled softly at me. I closed my eyes and nodded. I felt his lips kiss my temple.

"Thank you, Landon. For everything," I told him, gazing deeply into his eyes. His eyes lit up with love.

"Ugh, gross. I told you guys to cut that out!" Rhia's unmistakable voice grunted. Landon and I turned to her. She had a smirk on her face while Daniel was scowling behind her, green paint all over his body.

"Told you so," Rayne grinned at him. He hissed and stomped into the house.

"Someone's cranky," Ives cackled.

I shook my head at them, a small smile playing on my lips.

"So, you guys ready for school?"

At this, they all groaned simultaneously. I laughed.

"Rise and shine!" I shouted, running up and down the halls.

"GAHHH! Shut up, Bella!" Ives groaned thunderously.

"Seriously!" Rayne agreed.

I grinned to myself, sprinting back into Landon's room and mine. Landon's amused smile greeted me as I entered the room. He was propped up on his elbows, watching me.

"What?" I asked innocently. I crawled onto the bed and straddled his waist. He smiled seductively and placed his hands on my waist.

"I thought I told you not to leave me in the morning," he mock scolded. I grinned, placing kisses on his neck. He groaned and fell back onto the bed.

"I had to," I whined, smiling. "If I hadn't woken them up, they wouldn't have gotten up at all."

"You're so anal about going to school."

I shrugged. "School is very important, you know," I said, starting the speech that I've recited for the past fifty years. "Without it, all of us will become brain dead. We won't be able to catch up with the world – "

"Blah, blah, blah," Landon mocked, rolling his eyes. "Honestly, Bella. Do you have to say that every single time?"

I laughed and got off of him. "Come on, mister. Go take a shower." I grabbed his hand and dragged him off of the bed.

I eyed his half-naked body, lingering on his waist. "Like what you see?" he asked huskily. I bit my lip.

"No. Now go take a shower," I grunted, pushing him into the bathroom.

"Lying is a sin, Bella," he tisked with a smirk.

"I've been living in sin because of you," I grinned. "Now go!" He somehow managed to get out of my grasp and stole a kiss. I gasped in surprise. He quickly got into the bathroom and shut it closed. "I am so going to get you back," I muttered, knowing well that he could hear me.

I swiftly got dressed and went back down. Everyone was already sitting on the kitchen table, eating some bacon and eggs.

"Good morning," I smiled sheepishly at all of them. They scowled at me. "Oh, come on! Do we have to go through this every single time?"

"If only you'd stop waking us up so damn early!" Rhia snapped.

"Language, dear," Adrien scolded.

"But – "

"They're older than you," he reminded her.

"Not that much," she grumbled.

I took a seat next to Ives and started to get some food. Just as I was about to reach for the last slice of bacon, he slapped my hand. My eyes snapped to him.

"What?" I snapped.

"You don't deserve the last piece." He quickly got the last bacon and shoved it into his mouth. He then leaned into me, as if to rub the bacon into my face.

"Ives!" I shrieked. Everyone in the table laughed at me.

"Serves you right," Patrick smirked. I huffed and crossed my arms.

"Not fair!"

Landon finally made his appearance, showing up at the table.

"About time," Cassandra told him, "I swear, you're always the last one down."

Landon flashed me a grin. "What can I say? Lazyness comes with being a Hot Badboy." I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that made its way onto my lips.

Rayne sighed. "You'd think that after fifty years, school would get better. But, no."

I laughed at her. "Oh, get over it. You know that you eventually warm up to it again. I mean, come on! Remember last year?"

Beside her, Daniel grinned. "I remember." We all looked at each other and boomed with laughter.

"I thought we agreed never to talk about that again!" she objected.

"But it was the funniest shit ever!" Ives joined in.

"I still have the pictures of it," Patrick smirked.

Landon groaned. "You're my sister. I did not have to see that."

"What are you guys talking about?" Marc asked with innocent eyes.

Rhia gave us all a sharp look. "Nothing!" I squeaked. "Just some school stuff."

Daniel, Patrick, and Ives laughed even harder at this. Rayne huffed and stomped out of the house. Still chuckling, Daniel followed after her.

"Yeah, school stuff," Ives grinned. I thumped him in the chest.

"Alright, children," I said, rolling my eyes. "Time to go to school."

"Please, Bella. Keep them under control," Adrien groaned.

"Yes, please," Cassandra pleaded.

I smiled and nodded. "You have my word."

Everyone else grumbled under their breaths and piled out to their respective cars. Landon grabbed my hand and smiled. I returned it whole-heartedly.

"Stop smooching!" Rhia scolded.

We both scowled and got into the car. It's our turn to drop Rhia and Marc off.

"Yeah, yeah," Landon muttered.

After settling in my chair, I turned around and gave the two kids a stern look.

"Marc, please, oh please, stay away from any sweets while at school," I begged.

His eyes twinkled at me. "I'll try, but I make no promises."

I sighed and turned to Rhia, who was smirking at me. She opened her mouth to speak but I beat her to it.

"No. You are not allowed to beat people just because they're being annoying. And in no way, no how, will you set another kid's hair on fire! God knows how much trouble we had explaining that to the principal. Understood?" I demanded.

She pouted and crossed her arms. "Well, you're no fun."

I sighed in frustration and settled back into my chair. I turned to see Landon grinning at me.

"What?"

"Nothing," he smiled. I looked at him suspiciously, but I decided to let it go as he sped us off.

Luckily, Rhia and Marc's elementary is right across from our high school. As soon as we arrived at their school, Rhia and Marc zoomed out of the car.

"Remember what I said!" I shouted after them.

"Whatever!"

I groaned. "Ugh!" Landon laughed at me.

"Stop freaking out, Bella. They'll be okay. They know the drill." I scowled at him.

"Sure, they do. That's why they keep pulling off stupid stunts like putting people's hair on fire!"

"Bella?"

"WHAT?"

"Chill." I took a deep breath and turned back to him.

"Happy?" He nodded with a smile. "Sorry," I apologized. "I just… I feel like something bad is going to happen today. Do you feel it too?"

One of the things about being a Phoenix is having the gift of premonition. It's not like Alice's power, where you get visions. It's more of a little prickling feeling that we get.

"Kind of, but it's probably nothing. Remember the last time? It was just Ives running into a pole," he shrugged. I couldn't help but laugh, remembering the sight.

"Yeah," I agreed, though I was still not so sure, "Probably."

When Landon and I arrived at school, the others had already gathered at our usual spot. I grabbed Landon's hand and pulled him along with me.

"Hey, guys," I greeted at the others.

"What took you so long?" Patrick asked noncommittally. I rolled my eyes.

"I had to give them the talk."

"The birds and bees talk?"

"Shut up, Ives." I backhanded his head. He scowled. "You know you deserved it." Landon chuckled beside me.

"She gave them the 'don't do this' talk," he answered for mer.

"God knows they need it," Rayne agreed.

"Thank you!" I smiled at her.

"It's a wonder how you got Rhia to start listening to you," Daniel said. I grinned.

"What can I say?" I smirked cockily.

"Hey, guys!" a familiar feminine voice greeted.

We all turned to see Mandy towards us. I smiled brightly at her. You could consider Mandy as the one-woman welcoming committee of Edinburgh High. She was the one that oriented us when we moved here just last year. She's become one of the family's close friends. Adrien and Cassandra love her.

She's incredibly nice, but piss her off and you'll wish that you never met her. She blew up on Ives once. Boy, I've never seen him so scared in my life. You'd think that he would leave her alone afterwards, but no. Instead, it made him double his efforts on getting with her.

"Hey, Mandy!" I exclaimed, giving her a hug. "What's up, girl?"

"Hey, sweet thang," Ives tried to grin seductively.

Mandy just proceeded to roll her eyes and ignored him.

"Just the usual," she shrugged. "Oh! I just remembered. We actually have some new kids again this year."

Considering that Edinburgh is such a gloomy place, not much people really bother to move here. That's why when we first moved here, we were the talk of the school.

"Well, it seems that Edinburgh is more popular than you originally thought," Rayne teased.

"Oh, shut up," Many said, smiling.

Popping a chip in his mouth, Patrick asked, "How many?" She held up five fingers.

Honestly, I nearly choked on my own saliva. I immediately locked eyes with Landon, who was looking at me worriedly.

Do you think…? I began to ask him in my hand.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, he tried to assure, but I could feel his own apprehension.

"Oh, cool," Daniel grinned, not thinking much about it.

"So… about that date?" Ives asked, changing the subject.

"In your dreams, Kris," she smirked, walking away. "See you guys later!" We all waved goodbye to her

Ives scowled at her retreating back. "You know I hate that name!" he whined after her. Her only response was a trail of twinkling laughter.

"Wow, you're got it bad for Mandy," I teased.

"I haven't seen you like this since Amy," Landon grinned.

"Amy was a bitch. Screw her," Ives waved off the subject. I boomed with laughter. Amy was a bitch. None of us liked her at all.

"Sorry to bust our happy time," Daniel began to say, "But Bella and I need to get our schedules."

"Oh, yeah," I remembered. I quickly stretched up on my toes and pecked Landon's lips. "You guys better behave while Daniel and I are gone," I warned, pointing an accusing finger at both Ives and Patrick.

"Moi?" Ives asked, appalled.

"When have we not behaved?" Patrick asked innocently.

"Contain them, will you?" I pleaded with Rayne and Landon. They grinned, saluting me.

"Sure, boss." I grinned, waiting for Daniel to finish kissing Rayne.

"We'll be right back!" I shouted as Daniel and I began to walk away.

"So far, so good," Daniel grinned at me. I groaned.

"Don't say that, because something will probably go wrong," I said, "Speaking of, don't you feel like something's off? I brought it up to Landon, but you know him. Even though I love him to death, he could be the most unobservant person ever."

Daniel gazed towards us with wonder on his face. "Now that you mention it, kind of. But then again, it could just be another Ives running into a pole incident," he joked. I smiled.

"Maybe," I agreed, content with the answer. For now.

Daniel and I finally reached the Main Office and managed to get our schedules. Daniel and I held the schedules side by side, comparing them. Seeing that he and I had the same classes together, I high-fived him.

"Nice," we grinned at each other.

Patrick put his foot down and demanded he be in the same grade as Rayne and Ives, so they were all sophomores last year and juniors this year. Landon, Daniel, and I are all seniors. Landon also had the same classes as Daniel and I, except for Calculus. Landon hates Calculus. He decided to take up Culinary Arts this year, which makes sense, considering he's really good at cooking. Like crazy good. If I didn't love him so much, I probably would have just gotten with him because of his cooking skills. Anyways…

As Daniel and I made our way back to our spot, I could tell that they were once again drawing uncalled for attention. Daniel and I looked at each other and groaned. Landon was playing intensely to the beat of Orianthi's According to You and Ives was on the table mocking him, playing air guitar. Rayne could hardly care, putting on some makeup, and Patrick was taking pictures for future blackmail.

"You guys!" I whined as we reached them. Everyone snapped towards Daniel and I and grinned sheepishly. I took the guitar off of Landon's lap and took its place. "When I told you to take care of them, it didn't mean you could help the cause."

He shrugged, smiling. "Sorry, I couldn't help it." I melted under his gaze, giving into his embrace. Daniel and Rayne looked similar to the both of us. Ives and Patrick rolled their eyes.

Unfortunately, their mutual agreement was quickly broken when Ives grabbed Patrick's camera.

"Ives!" Patrick shouted. I can tell that Ives was erasing his most recent pictures.

"Ohhh," Ives grinned to himself, "Keep this one. I actually like it." He finally returned the came to Patrick with a satisfied smile on his face. Patrick glared darkly at him.

"Why do you have to be such an ass, Ives?" Patrick shouted.

"I'll stop being such an ass if you stop being such a whiny little bitch," Ives smirked.

"Break it up, boys," I laughed, leaning against Landon's chest. His arms tightened around me and he rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Follow the boss," he chuckled. I grinned and nodded.

"You heard the man," I joked.

"I don't understand how you can be as weird as Ives but still stay the sane, mature one in this family," Patrick grinned.

"I agree," Daniel agreed with a chuckle, "I say that I should be the boss."

"Fuck you," Ives quickly interjected, "I'd rather follow Bella than you."

Rayne chuckled. "Have you finally decided that you're gay?" she teased, "And you're hitting on my boyfriend." Ives opened his mouth to snap back at her but I interrupted.

"Geez, guys. Calm yo weave," I joked. The family turned to me and gave me an 'are-you-serious?' look. "What?" I asked innocently.

Ives rolled his eyes conceitedly and scoffed. "That was like totally last year." Everyone couldn't help but laugh. Shit. Ives may be a dumbfuck, but he's funny as hell.

Hey, I heard that! Ives complained.

I mentally smirked. You were supposed to.

He stuck his tongue out at me and I grinned.

"I told you, you're the weird one in this relationship," Landon teased. I playfully slapped his arms, but couldn't help and turn around to give him a peck on the lips.

All of a sudden, we heard a loud growl. Our heads snapped towards the origin of the noise.

No way! What are they doing here?

I'm gonna kill them if they get anywhere near Bella!

Shit.

No wonder it's been stinky around here.

We all had to pause for a second and agree with the statement. Seriously.

Looking back at the crowd of five people being oriented by Mandy, I clenched my fists under the table. It took everything in me to keep a straight face.

"Hey, Ives," I called out.

"Yeah?" he asked, keeping a glare on Public Enemy Number One.

Payback's gonna be such a bitch.

He broke out into an evil grin. Of course, best friend.

I squeezed Landon's hand in assurance. I gave him a soft smile.

I'm going anywhere. I just want you to know that.

I know.

I stood up and motioned for everyone to follow me. They followed almost immediately. Still holding Landon's hand, I smirked.

You've just started a war, Cullens.

OH. SHIT.

I have no further comment. You guys know what to do :)