Chapter 10. The Cullens
Life for the Cullen clan was serene especially for Bella and Edward who spent most of their time away from the family home because they were still in the Vampire's version of a honeymoon. There was an emergency that did arise for Bella. Her mother Renee had fallen sick with cancer and Bella unwilling to loose asked Carlisle and the family for permission to change her. They all voted yes and Carlisle faked her death and a fake funeral was held. Then she was taken to Forks where Bella bit her.
"How could you hide all this from me? Vampires really!" Renee said in private to Bella at Edward and Bella's home. Bella and Edward took on the responsibility of training her.
"I wanted to tell you but I couldn't-It is forbidden to allow humans to know our secrets."
"So Charlie doesn't know?"
"He knows that-I'm different-and I tell him what he needs to know-Mom I couldn't bare the thought of loosing you."
Renee sighed and grabbed Bella's hand, "Death is apart of life and I had no fear of it. I am happy we will live on forever I suppose, but the cost outweighs the benefits."
Slowly Renee accepted her new life as a Vampire and the day finally came when they introduced her to Renesmee Cullen and Jacob. She dotted on Renesmee, "You smell!" She said to Jacob. Everyone laughed, with the exception of Renesmee.
Jacob sneered, "Ha! Ha! Very funny-lets all laugh at the werewolf."
They invited Charlie over to let him know that Renee was still alive, "Okay you guys fake her death and now she is the picture of health-I need the truth right now!"
"Trust me Charlie you are better off not knowing." Renee said comforting him. To everyone's relief he let the matter go.
Carlisle kept what was happening in the Vampire world a secret from his family. He didn't want them to know that one of Victoria's new bloods survived and he and Edward didn't say anything because of Alice who didn't seem to react to anything that was happening, so they assumed that at the moment it didn't affect them. To distract the family they went out during the thunderstorm and played baseball. Jacob, Seth, and Leah joined them while Embry and Quill are out patrolling their territory. Renee had a wonderful time playing and Leah to everyone's surprise loosened up.
Alice had given up trying to turn Bella a shopping Diva so she turned her attention to Renesemee. They went shopping in town buying outfits, they made an entire day of it. Jacob was them as well and he regretted coming along, but Renesmee made him promise.
"I don't like it." Jacob said as Renesmee posed in front of him.
"I think she looks cute." Alice said in her bubbly voice. As Renesmee returned to the dressing room Alice froze in shock as she saw a vision of a great Vampire battle between the Vultori and a new blood army. There were several Vampires using gifts she had never even heard of and an all powerful Vampire killing and leading his army against the united might of the Vultori and the other Coven's. Her vision switched to another scenario based on a decision that she, Jacob, and Renesmee made. "Rey!" Alice called her Rey.
"Al!" She replied playfully coming out in a new outfit.
"I need the two of you to listen to me and trust me without question-Our world as we know it will depend on it."
Everyone was talking and joking when Jasper came into the living, "Is Alice here!" He said interrupting Renee's story.
"No-I thought you were meeting her to go hunting." Bella said.
"She never showed up-I thought she may have gone to the reservation-but Sam and the others haven't seen them either-Renesmee and Jacob are missing as well."
"You know how Alice is-She probably found another store with some clothes to buy." Bella offered.
"Well its been three hours and I'm getting worried." Jasper said with a hint of desperation in his voice.
Edward and Carlisle looked at each other and Carlisle nodded. "Maybe four of us can go looking-Edward-Jasper and-"
"Me!" Renee said interrupting.
"Mom you are still learning to control your speed."
"Bella is right-I will go and maybe Bella should come as well."
Bella pulled Edward on the side, "You are hiding something-what is going on?"
He sighed and kissed her, "You have to keep a secret-One of Victoria's new borns is causing trouble for the Vultori."
"Is this Vampire coming after us?"
"We don't know-Carlisle didn't feel the need to bother the others with this-"
"But there is a possibility that Renesmee could be in danger?"
"If she is with Alice-then no."
They searched for the next three days and covered the entire state of Washington. They even searched Oregon, the northern half of California, and parts of Canada. When they returned the entire family gathered in the living room.
"Carlisle my friend-We need to talk!" Aro said yelling before he could say anything.
"What is Aro doing here?" Esme asked.
"I don't know." Carlisle replied going outside, the entire family followed. "Aro-to what do I owe the honor?" Felix and Chelsea were with Aro along with six others.
Aro smiled looking at Renee, "I see you have a new member of your Coven."
"This is Renee-Bella's mother-We turned her because she was dying of cancer."
"I see-maybe I should make a law that dying people are no longer a reason to change someone-Anyway Carlisle I need to speak with you in private." Carlisle nodded to the others and Aro waited until they went inside, Edward and Bella were the last to leave. Aro looked at his guard and with a nod they ran off. "I have always admired you my friend-Your sense of honor and ability to gain the respect of those under you."
"Respect is a more powerful weapon than fear. Is this about that new blood created by Victoria?"
Aro smiled, "Yes-His name is Braden-We locked in on him because he slaughtered a bunch of Campers in the Denali's territory-He has an unusual gift-He can mimic the gifts of other Vampires-I was hoping to speak with Alice-Is she here?"
"She left three days ago with Renesmee and Jacob."
He smiled, "I see-" Aro held out his hand and without hesitation Carlisle placed his hand in Aro's. He sighed in disappointment, "I need your help-I am building an army and the less new borns I have to create the better."
"I-"
He interrupted Carlisle "Do this thing for me Carlisle-If the Vultori are defeated what will Braden do next-He may turn his army on you and your family."
"Aro-All this could have been avoided-but you are too arrogant for your own good-You slaughtered that boy's family."
Aro cut him off again, "I need an answer-my friend-If I must I will raise an army to swell my numbers and when I am done with them I intend to destroy all my enemies. Don't be my enemy Carlisle."
Carlisle just stared at him, "I will speak with my family and if they agree-then yes we will fight with you-If they say no-"
"Persuade them!" He said interrupting for the third time.
"If my family agrees to fight with you so be it and if they no-then the answer is no." Carlisle started to walk back to the house, but he stopped and looked back. "Oh and Aro-if you threaten my family again-Braden's army won't be the only group of Vampires you have to worry about." Aro smiled as Carlisle walked back into his house.
"What does he want?" Edward asked as Carlisle handed him an envelope with news clippings and a picture of Braden.
"There is a Vampire named Braden-He has an unusual gift-" He said speaking so that they all could hear him. "-he can mimic the gifts of other Vampires." The Cullens exchanged looks as Edward passed the file to Bella.
"Micmic the abilities of other Vampires-He sounds, like one bad ass new blood." Emmett said. "No wonder Aro is quaking in his robe. Maybe we should join this Braden."
"Don't even joke about something like that!" Rosalie said getting emotional.
"This Braden was one of Victoria's and he is now building his own army."
"Are they coming after us?" Rosalie asked.
"No-Aro had his family killed and apparently he was friends with Bree."
"That is why Alice left-she must have foreseen the outcome of the battle." Jasper said.
"Or she may have seen Aro using Renesmee to make us fight for him." Edward said.
"Perhaps-the question is do we fight for Aro?'
"Hell no!" Bella said, "If Braden comes after us then we defend ourselves-Alice left so that we can make a decision without being threatened-I say no."
Jasper was leaning against the pillar, "I agree with Bella-I say no."
As each of the Cullens spoke, Carlisle looked at them, "Very well then." They followed Carlisle outside. Aro was waiting with his guard.
"Well what is your answer my friend."
"I'm sorry Aro the answer is no-"
"What a pity." He turned to leave, "Before I go there is one thing you can do for me-Deliver a message to Braden-If you truly want to stop a war then act as an emissary. Make peace on our behalf."
"Do you truly want peace Aro?"
"Do this for me-and I will forgive all past transgressions."
"Let someone else go!" Esmee said.
He grabbed Esmee by her shoulders, "I love you, but I have to try and make peace."
"Aro is lying!"
He kissed her, "I know my love-but I have to try."
When Carlisle came down the stairs Emmett was waiting, "I'm coming with you-I always wanted to fight the Vultori."
Carlisle shook his head, "If they loose you will die!"
"I don't think they will."
"And what does Rosalie say about all this?"
"She isn't happy."
"Maybe I should come with you." Edward said.
"No I need you here-watch over your mother. Keep the family safe."
France-the French countryside twenty miles outside of Paris:
Carlisle drove up towards the Chateau named the Patheon Chateau. Carlisle stopped the car thirty feet from the main gate. They got out of the car and walked up to the gate. In the blink of an eye they were surrounded by eight Vampires.
"Who are you?" A muscular Vampire asked.
"My name is Carlisle and this is Emmett we are of the Cullen clan-We wish to speak with your leader Braden." The bulky Vampire whispered into an ear piece. "Let them pass."
A young girl with ebony skin, lead Emmett through the front gate along the pathway pass a fountain. There were Vampires walking on the roof of the Chateau, two stood guard at the main entrance. Sheep grazed on the side and front lawn, while another young Vampire sat in a tree. There were horses being reading while another group played Vampire style basketball. Carlisle and Emmett were lead through the main foyer down a hall to the library.
The door opened and they walked in, an African American male sat behind a large oak desk with gold trimming. To his right stood a beautiful voluptuous woman and on his left a man wearing black camouflage pants and a plain black tank shirt with dog tags around his neck.
"Thank you for seeing us-" Carlisle said offering his hand, "-My name is-"
"Carlisle Cullen and his adopted son Emmett-I know who you are and I must say that I am surprised to see you here-This is my wife and second in command Jenna Dewman and this is my third in command Michael Otsen." Braden poured blood into five glasses, "Would you like some? Don't worry its animal blood-I try to curve my urges as well." Emmett smiled and took one of the glasses.
"Aro asked me to come here-He is offering a full pardon to all the Vampires you turned-You and everyone with a gift must join the Vultori and the rest will be divided. They will either join other covens while others will create their own covens."
"Interesting offer." Braden said before sipping from his glass.
"I thought the Vultori didn't give second chances." Jenna said.
"They don't, but if you accept it will go a long way to making peace-No one has to die and swear on my family that I will do all in my power to make sure that Aro lives up to his word."
"Its probably a ploy to divide and conquer us-so he pick us off one by one." Michael said.
"No one wants a war." Carlisle said I desperation.
"And yet here we are-" Braden sighed, "-Mr. Cullen."
"Call me Carlisle."
"Carlisle if you were in my position would you take Aro's offer?"
Carlisle smiled, "No I wouldn't."
"And can you guarantee that Aro will abide by his own word?"
Carlisle sighed, "Aro has already been embarrassed once-He won't let this one pass-between us I hope you win." Carlisle said looking at Emmett. "-but tell me if you win this war-what will you do after?"
"I will make that decision when the time comes."
Carlisle stood up, "Emmett here wishes to join you-He is strong willed and a bit of a show off."
"I've always wanted to fight the Vultori-They are a bunch of wind bags anyway." He said smiling.
Braden offered his hand, "Welcome to the brotherhood." Braden walked Carlisle to his car, "I will watch over him."
"It won't matter if you loose the battle."
"It has been an honor-I hope we meet again." Braden said.
"So do I." They shook hands and Carlisle drove off.
Amelia was the one who showed Emmett around the mansion. She was a former beauty pagent contestant with the gift to bend others to her will with her voice. She had taken a liking to him, and when she got touchy he told her that he was married. All the Vampires of the brotherhood showed off to Emmett and he played a game of Vampire style Basketball. He really enjoyed watching those with gifts show off. He got into a friendly arm wrestling match with the weight lifter and the boxer. He lost to them both. Four days later Rosalie showed up and said she loved him and that live or die she would be at his side. Michael took the two of them through the most intense training they had ever been through.