Countdown to Halloween - A Mythical Moment in Time

by FF Countdowns

Witches, warlocks, gremlins, ghosts...those are the things that come out to play on Halloween, right? You're about to find out in this installment of the countdowns. Readers beware: things could get a little scary.

11. The Prophecy Part 4

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

The Prophecy

~ Part Four ~

~o0o~

~ Bella's Point of View ~

~ By ncbexie25 ~

The thirty-six hours before the preparation of the battle site ritual was spent tying up loose ends. After training the rest of the day before away, and then sleeping, they woke for another full day of training.

For the most part, the training had intensified as plans had been made for them to camp at the site until the battle just to make sure that the preparations held up.

More focus was put on training each person for their individual talents. Bella focused on controlling her shields to block the enemy but protect her allies at the same time as separating the shields to protect each individual. Of course, this extra control would work more for Peter's favor since she would only be using her shield on herself and him, but in being able to separate her shields to cover only each person individually she and Peter could split up and work more effectively.

Peter worked on his fire-wielding, but they found he could project fire only from his hands while projecting energy from all over his body. This energy he then used to shock and throw enemy off him, weakening them quickly and working greatly to his advantage.

The warlocks and witches worked on their spell-casting skills, most particularly in the area of protecting their allies by attacking the enemy for them at times. It would rest on their shoulders to protect the rest of the chosen allies as Bella's shield was only for herself and her mate, Peter. They were also practicing—Bella and Peter included—the spells they would need to perform on the battle site.

It turned out that Angela and Ben were most prepared for the situation. They had the candles ready and had already looked in the Book of Shadows the Observer had sent to Bella and Peter for the prayers they would need to speak together. This would be a ritual only for the warlocks and witches. Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie weren't telling anyone what they were going to do, and Jessica and Lauren hadn't volunteered anything of their own.

Peter's knowledge and experience with meditation also proved most useful. Many of the warlocks and witches, including Bella, had trouble with it or had little experience. He coached them in half-hour sessions in the morning and at night until they were all able to meditate as one entity for several minutes.

But there was a shadow forming over Bella, and it was becoming increasingly obvious. Ever since the letter from the Observer that Emmett and Rosalie had delivered, she had been on her best guard so that she could fulfill her role as Peter's mate and protector. At all times, she observed their surroundings, her instincts ready for her shield's activation at a second's notice. She had taken to shield them when they were asleep as well, an experiment she had taken up one night when she had laid away as Peter held her in his arms, fast asleep. She had been restless but trying not to move in Peter's arms, even as her instincts reacted like a live wire to the complete and utter vulnerability that she could see her mate was in due to his state of unconsciousness. It was only when she realized that she was on her way to a panic attack that she relented and activated her shields.

It had been for the best, as she had calmed almost immediately, and only minutes later, with a smile on her face, she was asleep. Peter had woken her the next morning because she still had them encased in her shields and he needed to get up for the toilet. She'd laughed, delighted that it had worked, that she could truly protect him even through sleep, and had immediately let up.

Of course, that glee vanished when they had vacated the house and once again stepped out into open ground. Anything could hide in the thick clumps of bush and tree, waiting to attack and kill her mate. It was driving her lioness insane, the animal within her clawing for freedom, for control, to eliminate the possibility in the one way she understood: violence.

But at the same time, the lioness was scared and needed reassurance. She had noticed that ever since Bella had broached the subject of Peter's fire perhaps being a way for him to mark her—a thought she had purred at in rampant satisfaction—there was a certain degree of constraint in her own mate, that he was not allowing himself to be completely free with her. He had started taking more stock of his emotions, and indeed so when they were intimate. It hurt, and at the same time, worried the lioness. She could understand why her mate would not mark her, even though Bella could.

Bella sighed and shook her head, rolling her shoulders and wincing at the kink in her neck. With her head cocked toward the trees, she noticed a fast-travelling sound that was getting louder and louder coming towards their home. Thinking it a plane or helicopter, she looked up in the sky with a smile on her face and looked for it. But that smile turned into a frown and a gasp as she saw a dark flying object flying straight down at rapid speed.

With a purely femininely animalistic growl, she unleashed her shield, stretching them like a dome over the lands she knew her Peter and the rest of their followers to be in. She was half-crouched, staring up at the object with rapid concentration, trying to determine if it was indeed something threatening. It would be clever for the underworld God Osiris to attack in the one way they never would have suspected—overhead.

She held her shield tight at the object got closer, only releasing her tense pose—though she could feel eyes on her, and indeed Peter's body heat just centimeters away, behind her—when the object seemed to fizzle from the contact with her shield. She sighed, but was still tensed as she stood straight from her crouch, and she spun into Peter's arms.

The palms of her hands and the tips of her fingers glided over every inch of his gorgeous skin, feeling for any injuries though she knew that she had protected him well. With a smirk on her face, she purred as she rubbed her cheek against his chest, up his neck and against his own cheek. Peter was gripping her tight to him, feeling her frenzy and knowing he needed to help her through it, reassure her, even as he was at a loss as to exactly how to go about it.

Bella launched herself into his arms, gripping him tighter than she ever had. She was shaking, tears welling in her eyes as she thought of what could have happened had she not looked into the sky to see the presumed 'plane' fly overhead. She trembled harder at the thought.

"Inside. Now," she gasped into Peter's ear. She couldn't help herself. One way or another, she would have him now. She had to know he was okay, that he was perfectly fine.

Wordlessly, Peter grabbed her up in his arms and took her inside. They barely made it to the bedroom, Bella latching her arms and legs around him, pressing sweet but insistent kisses to every inch of his skin, leaving wet trails of her salty tears behind. She had come so close today. It was always so close. Why could she never protect him to the best of her ability?

She swore to herself then and there that she'd keep him wrapped in her shields whether he liked it or not until this whole fuckery was over. Osiris, hell, no-fucking-body would touch what was hers but her.

She'd unleash her beast on them if they dared to try. The thought alone caused a growl to rip from her throat, and before conscious thought could halt her, she'd ripped Peter's shirt off his body and buried her face in his neck, breathing in his scent over and over to reassure herself that he was here and he was perfectly fine.

"Bella," came the whisper from his lips. She swallowed but didn't respond, too overwhelmed by her emotions and the fact that her mate had come close to being quite possibly very seriously hurt. "Baby, I'm right here. And I'm perfectly fine." His arms closed in on her and he took her over to the bed, laying her down and climbing on top of her as she reached for him, whimpering with the need for him closer.

He undressed them as best he could with Bella clinging to him. She was shaking in his arms now, and when he withdrew and look into her eyes, he saw the unshed tears swimming in her beautiful brown eyes.

"If I hadn't heard it…" she whispered thickly, her hands coming up to his face, her eyes searching his. "Oh, god, Peter…"

He hushed her, kissing away her tears as she wrapped her arms around him once more. He flipped over, and rested her on his chest, holding her close. "It's okay…"

"It's not," she whispered, lifting her head from his chest, resting her chin down on it instead and looking into his eyes, pain within them. "Peter I nearly killed our chances of fulfilling this prophecy… you nearly died, I—"

He cut her off. "It's not your fault, Bella. Hell, I didn't even know until you reacted to it. No one did." He sat up, gripping her chin and staring deeply into her eyes as he told her, "Bella, you saved me, you protected me. You did what you were supposed to do. It doesn't matter how close it came, which really wasn't even that close. We never would have expected an attack of that kind."

She sighed and shook her head stubbornly out of his hold, not answering him. He sighed as well, knowing that she still blamed herself and probably would for a little longer. But he could feel her need for him—the same as how he felt. The need for reassurance of wellbeing, to know that the other is okay, that they as a couple would be okay.

"Peter," she whispered, clenching her legs around his waist. He settled his hands on her lower back, his forehead against hers. Wordlessly, he answered her call, lifting her just a little and slipping into her. Bella barely held in the whimper of relief, and Peter closed his eyes, swallowing hard at the feel of her around him.

Their movements were slow, their caresses sweet and brushing, meant to reassure and explore. Bella's face stayed burrowed against his neck the entire time, and as they came together, he could feel her tears against his neck, sliding down his chest. He clenched his eyes closed, swallowing against the lump in his throat, holding her tighter to him as he breathed in her scent as she did him.

Sometime later, and Peter and Bella were on the bed, the sheet hanging at their waists. Bella was on her back, looking up at Bella as he silently looked back from his position on her right, propped on his left elbow. His right hand was free to explore, to trace, to feel and he did so, relishing in the sweet sighs that fell from his Bella's lips as he traced invisible patterns on her skin, the same heart and ankh combination over and over.

The positioning of her neck saw the whole right side of her neck exposed to him, and his fingers itched to touch her there, to suckle on and explore that bit of skin behind her ear. He'd heard it was sensitive—okay, so Emmett had been nagging him and giving him 'tips'—and he wanted to see if it really was. He eyed that patch of beautifully creamy and tempting skin, seeing the same pattern he'd etched on her skin a thousand times since he'd first been with her, only this time he imagined it glowing that lovely color of their marks.

Unable to resist, he reached out and traced the symbol onto her skin, right from behind her ear to the base of her neck. His eyes were connected to hers, so he had no idea of the sweet fire that seeped from his fingers and onto her skin, marking her as his forever. She gasped at the heat of his touch, stronger than ever before, but it wasn't burning. It was a sweet fire, a good fire, a fire of promises and love and forever. Her hand flew to her neck, encountering his still lingering fingertips on her skin as he leaned down to kiss her. But as she felt the familiar texture of the marks on her wrist and chest now on her neck, she gasped his name and got out from under him and onto the bed.

She heard him behind her, still on the bed, calling her name, asking if something was wrong. But she couldn't answer as her eyes narrowed in on the now glowing mark on her neck, a mark made her mate to claim her. The beast inside her purred and even externally, she felt the tears well in her eyes, the tightening of her throat, the hitch of her breath. He had marked her. He had claimed her as his, just as she had done previously. She felt the craze of her need to claim him settle within this knowledge, her beast content and almost sleepy with the satisfaction and calm that was washing over her in waves.

She felt him come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder as he looked to connect his eyes with hers. She smiled at him, tears still in her eyes, and settled back into his arms, her own dropping to meet his. But by then his eyes had already fallen on his mark on her skin and he froze.

"Bella?" he whispered, eyes frozen on the mark that he had drawn onto her skin, forever etched as a sign of his devotion, his love, and yes, indeed, his ownership of her heart and soul. Instead of the horror, the worry, the remorse, he had expected to feel, he felt nothing but positive emotions: happy, calm, sated. He had marked her with his fire, but it hadn't hurt her, hadn't maimed her, nor even killed her. She had been right. But then again, that shouldn't be a surprise to him still; about most things Bella was right.

He had now marked her in the same way she had, and both bodies held that symbolism of love, devotion, and ownership of heart and soul.

As they would forever.

This time, when they made love before they would have to face the others again, it was slow, soft, and sweet. There was no need for marking, no need for restraint. They fell into one another completely and unapologetically, joined forever as one soul, one heart in two bodies.

A little later, they heard their names being called and grudgingly got up and redressed, pulling themselves away from one another. Despite their obvious annoyance and reluctance, the entire gathering could tell that something had changed between them, something profound. There was now no tension in either of them, and they were closer than ever before, orbiting like magnets, like one entity.

"What's this?" Bella asked Alice as she reached them.

Jasper stepped forward to answer. "There is some noise disturbance up ahead about a mile or so. Carlisle has gone to investigate."

"If one more supernatural turns up outta the blue and declares their servitude, I think I'm gonna scream. This place is too fuckin' crowded as it is," Peter groaned, resting his chin on Bella's shoulder. He glared over at Jasper, only half meaning the anger in his gaze. "He dragged us out of bed for a 'noise disturbance'?"

A rustling of leaves ahead brought the conversational murmurs to a stop, especially when Carlisle revealed himself with seven tall, Native American women in simple sun dresses with no shoes on.

Their eyes moved over each and every person in the gathering, but it was only when they landed on Bella that they stopped. All at the same time, they came to stop before her, and seemingly ignoring Peter, they let out growls from between clenched teeth and revealed their marks of the Phoenix.

"Who are you?" Bella asked softly, smiling down at each of them. She felt a strange affinity with each and every one of them; something she recognized in the very fabric of her being. Her lioness's interest was piqued.

The tallest spoke, "We are the pack of Navajo reservation. We have been marked with the sign of the Phoenix, and have dreamed of you, our Goddess Ra and Alpha, our entire lives. Our loyalty lies with you and your mate in pursuit to save our world from the darkness of Osiris. We ourselves also shift into the form of the lioness, and are designed to protect you and yours so that you may achieve your prophecy. We are here to answer the call of your own lioness in search for the pack that she commands. That is us.

"My name is Leah. I have been the acting Alpha for this pack until we were to meet you, our true leader. These behind me are Emily," she gestured to the girl to her right, and turned to do the same for each girl's name she called, "Rachel, Rebecca, Claire, Sue, and Sarah."

Bella smiled and kneeled before them. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I thank you for your servitude and may I say that it is an honor to have you ladies in my pack." She stood and deftly elbowed Peter in the ribs when he grumbled under his breath about having more people around. He'd be able to accommodate.

"We are the children of the Phoenix, Goddess Ra. We receive our strength through the sun and yourself, just as the Children of the Moon receive theirs through the Moon and Osiris."

"What's this about Children of the Moon?" Peter asked, piping right up at the mention of Osiris. He had wondered if the other side would have strange supernatural creatures just as they did. He'd heard whispers of Children of the Moon during his time in that slate cell but he didn't know what they were—he knew nothing about them other than their name and the sound of their growl bursting through their lips.

Leah regarded him for a moment then spoke after a prompting nod from Bella. "They are a pack of werewolves that are controlled by the moon cycle. Every full moon, they shift, and they hunt in a particularly blood thirsty manner. Their main mission is to bring a glimpse of the sort of destruction that Osiris would cause to our earthly plains were he ever to be able to fully enter them. Something he could only do if he defeated you, my Lord and Alpha.

"If Osiris is to use them, as I would believe he is, then he would need to fight on a full moon as that is the only time that the Children of the Moon change."

"In a fight, you would oppose them?" Bella asked the girl. "You seem to be the opposites of one another, true enemies as Peter and I are with Osiris."

"It is true, my Lady, our main purpose is to handle the canine minions. But we are fundamentally different from them; we are not weres, we are lionesses, shapeshifters whose chosen form is the lioness. And we can change at will."

At that, Leah looked to her other companions and as a group, they began to tremble. Bella stood silent, holding her breath as she watched her pack transform from their lithe human bodies into equally as lithe and stunning lionesses. Each stood at around the same height that Bella imagined a normal lioness would, but the knowledge in their eyes held true to the fact that they were not merely animal, but human as well.

Bella herself, taking in the lionesses before her, began to tremble and she stepped away from Peter as it began to overtake her body. She gasped at the shocking pain that took over her body and when she reopened her eyes, she was staring down at the closer earth and stood on all fours, her paws in front of her and digging confidently into the soil beneath them.

She looked up at the lionesses in front of her, and with an animalistic grin, she threw her head back and roared. The answer call from each of her pack mates made her chest puff, and when she looked at Peter and saw the awe in his eyes, she purred and slunk over to him. As he kneeled in front of her, taking in the sight of her in front of him in the form she would protect him in, they felt the charge of their connection and his hand came up to rest on his lioness's face. She purred and leaned into his touch, before turning and slinking back toward her back. There, she was engulfed in a sea of others as they scented her and she them, before each shifted back at the same time. The bond as a pack was complete, and as a pack they were now ready for battle.

Jasper was the first to break the silence, and from his stance and the quiet but commanding tone of his voice, everyone knew he was in his element, already planning. "If we know when the next full moon is as soon as possible, we can start planning. We should find out immediately."

Bella sighed. "How? The internet is shoddy at best out here. Most days it doesn't even work."

"If someone were to run into the closest town, we'd get our answer right quick," Peter said, eyeing both Carlisle and the pack. "It shouldn't be that much of a run, surely."

Carlisle nodded. "I will go."

"No one is allowed to leave without at least one other person with them. It's too risky. From what happened earlier with the airborne weapon, we need to be on guard. Carlisle, I know you're a vampire and a warlock, but I'm still not comfortable with you going alone, and I know that Esme isn't either."

That caused Carlisle to look over at his mate, who was indeed obviously shaken at the possibility. He took her into his arms, kissed her forehead, and nodded. "Perhaps one of the pack?"

"Two," Esme interjected firmly, her Irish accent thick. "You're not going with only one other person; I don't care how impenetrable you are."

He nodded, and smiled down at her. "If it comforts you, then of course." He nodded toward Bella, who turned to the pack.

Leah and Sarah stepped forward. It was obvious they were the oldest of the pack, and from their size, they were strongest. They exchanged a glance. "We will go."

"All right then, that's settled," Peter said with a large smirk, smacking his hands together and rubbing them.

"If you will allow me the time to spell protection against the sunlight, I would appreciate it," Carlisle said. "The last thing I need is to sparkle like diamonds walking through the town for everyone to see. The risk of exposure is the last thing we need at this moment."

"Aww, I dunno, Carlisle," Peter said cheekily, "you're pretty enough to pull it off. And it'll bring those girls running to ya!"

Esme huffed at him, eyes narrowed, and then she turned to Carlisle. "I'll come with you back to the house to get ready."

Carlisle glared over her head at Peter. "Thanks," he mouthed, and then the two disappeared, Carlisle having picked his mate up to run back. Leah and Sarah followed after them.

"This seems awfully dangerous, are you sure it's that necessary?" Edward asked, looking nervously after his sister. "I don't want her hurt if something happens to Carlisle when we're going to be notified by the Observer of the date soon enough." He looked over at his parents, who were obviously feeling the same way, but had not wanted to bring it up.

Charlotte smiled at him and took his hand. "It really is. I know my brother. He's had a lot of experience in this area, and if we know all we can know sooner rather than later, it'll help us. And don't you worry about Carlisle. He's probably the strongest of us outside of the God and Goddess, considering he's a warlock and a vampire. He's practically impenetrable, and his enhanced senses would tell him if danger was coming, as it would especially with Leah and Sarah."

Edward looked at her and after a moment, he nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Charlotte."

She smiled and nodded, squeezing his hand. They pair looked over at Edward's parents, and they, too, nodded at Charlotte in thanks.

"In the meantime, I think we should continue to train," Jasper said strongly, causing most to groan.

Soon, Esme returned, and immediately, they set to work. The lionesses were eager, shifting into their animal forms to practice amongst themselves. They'd had a little experience with the Children of the Moon, whom they would be focusing on in the battle. This time, Bella followed, and they helped her learn the best ways to fight in her form. It turned out, though hardly surprising as it was, that she was a natural, her own lioness guiding her through it from the wisdom of past lives.

Sometime later, they heard the approach of three from the direction that Carlisle and the two lionesses had left. Esme threw herself into his arms, immensely relieved, and began to check him for injuries, fussing over him even as he tried to calm her. The reunion between Leah, Sarah, and the pack was far more sedate, with relieved smiles and nods, and a hug for each with Bella. Peter hugged her closer, squeezing his arm around her tighter, staying quiet as he leaned his chin on her shoulder, taking in his surroundings.

"The next full moon is in two days," Carlisle informed them. There was a collective intake of breath.

"So soon…" Bella murmured, biting her lip, unsure how to feel. On one hand, she was glad that all of it was nearly over, that they would finally be able to fulfill the prophecy—hopefully—and that Peter would get his closure from killing Osiris. Not that she didn't plan to help, oh, boy, did she. She wasn't letting him go into that alone, no way. And she definitely would be taking a swipe at him of her own for hurting her mate for as long as he had.

But at the same time, there was the possibility that in just less than seventy-two hours, she, Peter, and the people around her could be dead. It might be one or two, or hell, all of them. The weight on her shoulders doubled as she realized that it was all on her. As the Observer said, only she and Peter could do this, could defeat Osiris. But Bella had to protect Peter.

She took a deep breath, turning in Peter's arms to embrace him fully. She buried her face in his chest, taking a deep, long pull of his scent a few times before relaxing. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back as determination rose within her. She would not let anyone take from her or any one of their friends—as that was what they had become—the future that they deserved. Seeing the blossoming friendships and indeed relationships, it pained her just the thought of seeing that cut short. So she vowed that she would do everything she could.

And looking up into Peter's eyes, her resolve strengthened even more as he kissed her.

Tonight, they would complete the preparatory cleansing ritual, and then at the rise of the full moon in two nights time, they would battle.

Time moved quickly after they found out what little time they had. Before long, darkness had descended and it was time to complete the preparatory ritual on the battle site. The warlocks and witches with the most knowledge—namely Angela and Ben, whom they had all put unofficially in charge of any rituals that would involve magic—had packed everything needed, and Bella protected their grounds by leaving an impenetrable dome-like shield much like the one she had placed over the area that same morning when she'd thought them, quite rightly, in danger. With the shield blocking mental and physical attacks to their home, there was no way they'd come back to a place anywhere other than safe.

Gathering with everyone else, Bella stood next to Peter as they all joined hands. Before Alice could work her fairy magic and pop them to their destination, Leah spoke up, eyes on the pack's lioness Alpha.

"We would like to request that after your rituals, we are allowed to perform one of our own," she said quietly. "It, too, wards off evil spirits, and is relatively uncomplicated. We have all that we need so that we may go ahead, but we need your permission, Alpha."

Bella looked at each of her lionesses. "Of course you can. Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett are doing their own ritual, so there's no reason why you can't as well."

Leah smiled and nodded gratefully, and they all turned their attention to Alice. She smiled that elfin grin of hers, and her chiming voice told them to "hold on" before there was a rush of air.

When they opened their eyes, they were standing in the middle of the crater, which expanded more than two miles around them. It was an incredible experience.

For several minutes, the group simply took in the majestic surroundings. Bella was recalling the first time she had visited the site, and felt ashamed at finding the outing boring. It sure took her breath away now.

Silently, they all came back to focus and turned in on the circle once more. Quiet murmured words from Angela and Ben told the pack, the leprechaun family, and the three fairies in their midst that they would need the entire site to themselves, and as such, Alice popped them all out to stand on the raised land two miles out. They would know when the time came to rejoin them before instigating their own ritual.

In silence, the magic beings sat in their adopted meditation poses, and closing their eyes, they meditated for several minutes. They would know when it was time to move into the next phase of the ritual, and shortly after, they did.

They had all memorized the words of their protection prayer, and silently, holding hands, they spoke it, requesting that the evil spirits and negative energy stay away, inviting positivity and light.

They then meditated for a shorter period of time, focused on the task to come.

One by one, they each came out of the meditation, and one by one, they stood and received the two candles they would take for the ritual. The God and Goddess were the last to rise and receive. They each lit the candles, and slowly they walked to their own destinations, each taking the candles to their designated area, setting them down in their numerical placement. The candles all formed to take on the shape of the pentagram, with the magic ones standing in the middle to perform the last part of their ritual.

From there, the group gathered again in the center to join hands. As one, their mouths opened and out from their mouths came the words of the ancient cleansing prayers. When the ritual was finished, no one wished to break the incredible sense of oneness and therefore no one spoke.

They were quiet then, and sometime later, they were joined by the pack. The others all watched on reverently and paid their respects in their silence, as Leah spoke.

"The burning of a sage stick brings protection and wards off evil spirits. I will light the sage in the middle of this pentagram, and we will burn the stick for thirty seconds before blowing it out so it produces the smoke we need."

Bella held her silence. Her eyes remained on Leah as she brought out the materials she needed for the fire, and reverently lit the sage. The fire burned brightly and they all watched as the sage caught fire before Leah put it out, smoke coming from it. "First, we must purify every participant. You must rub the smoke that is produced against your body. Cup your hands to catch the smoke, then pass it over yourself, or rub it against your skin. Please start with the head and heart then move down your body. After that, we will walk around the area."

Each participant underwent what Leah had described, being fanned by the turkey feather. Bella found the smoke overwhelming, not having ever done so before, but she managed to quell her reaction some.

For the next time, each pack member walked the perimeter of the battle site quietly. They used their hands to push the smoke to every part of the outer ring, pushing away the negative energies, walking in a single line.

They all came to the center of the pentagram once they were done, and they watched the ashes cool. Once it was done, however, the ashes rose from the thick smoke into the form of a dove. There were murmurs of confusion as this was obviously not meant to happen, but the dove made for Bella and as soon as it touched her hand, it changed its form again into that of a letter.

She looked to Peter, who came forward now the ceremony was finished, and over her shoulder, he read the letter they received from the Observer.

Dear ones,

I congratulate you on finishing your rituals, and thank you for doing them in the correct order. I struggled to find a way to get this to you since the last one was nearly seized by the enemy, and so thought this may be a safer alternative.

I am to inform you that in two nights' time, at the rise of the full moon, you will battle for the fulfillment of the prophecy, and the greater good of the world. Should you fail, the world in all its plains will fall into darkness, and you shall be separated from one another for all eternity.

Blessed be,

Your Observer.

"But we haven't finished all the rituals yet," Peter said, looking toward the fairies. They smiled.

"We flew overhead and bestowed our own ritual after the magic ones did and before the pack. Not to worry," Rosalie said in her cute bell voice, smiling at them from her place wrapped in Emmett's thick arms. Alice, beside them, nodded in confirmation.

Bella sighed. "All right then. Well, I suppose there is nothing else to do here, so why don't we pack up and head back. Before we leave, I'd live to place a protective dome over the area so Osiris or any of his minions can't tamper with what we've done. I'll not have our ceremonies be for naught."

Soon enough, they were back home, and Bella kept the shield up. She had decided that until they were finished saving the world, she'd keep it up just so there was as little stress as there could be before the battle. They hardly needed any negative or nervous energy at the moment.

The group had chosen to eat outside over a bonfire, and so the night was spent with all but Peter speaking, laughing, and even dancing. Bella continuously looked back at her soul mate, a worried frown on her face, as she took in his sudden quiet and almost morose attitude. She said joke after joke, and left many a sentence unfinished for him to pick up on with one of his witticisms, but alas there was no reaction. Not even a smile.

She noticed his haunted eyes following her every move, and occasionally those of their allies. Every time she was within reach, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight, squeezing her to him as if he was waiting for something or someone to snatch her away.

There was hardly a peep from him all night, and this continued as they lay in bed, naked together, having made soft and tender love, falling asleep in one another's arms. Those three precious words of love were the last she heard before she slipped into sleep.

~o0o~

~ Peter's Point of View ~

~ By Spudzmom ~

Peter awoke to the waning shadows of the early morning, his thoughts still in turmoil, especially with the dreams he'd had during the night. He couldn't seem to banish the images of the upcoming battle from his head and it was affecting him greatly. He felt anger and frustration well up at his inability to control his thoughts and mood and he knew he had to do something about that.

He laid there for a bit and glanced over at his peacefully sleeping mate. She was so still and so deeply asleep that he couldn't bring himself to disturb her so he rose from the bed as quietly as he could and dressed in some workout clothes; just some sweats and a t-shirt. If his mind and body wouldn't give him peace, then he'd work into exhaustion. That had always been an effective coping mechanism for him during his youth and he hoped it would now as well.

He crept quietly into the bathroom and took care of his morning routine, with the exception of a shower. He'd do that after his work-out. He still found that, due to his power, he didn't necessarily need showers, but he enjoyed the warmth and the feel of the water, so he indulged. Why not? There were still very few pleasures that he gleaned from his life so he took them where he could find them.

He glanced at himself in the mirror and sighed as he thought about the first time he'd seen his reflection. It'd been startling, to say the least as he'd never seen his own face before. He'd had no idea he was looking at himself until Bella, with a sympathetic laugh, had explained it to him. He'd felt like an idiot afterward, but as always, Bella'd made him feel better about the whole thing while still managing to chuckle through it. The memory made him smile and he left the room quietly. It was time to tackle his demons.

He made his way to the training circle just as the first light of the sun broke over the mountains in the distance, breathing deeply of the cool morning air as he stretched.

Rolling his work-out mat onto the bare ground, he laid down on his back and began doing sit-ups; the first of hundreds. He'd beat these thoughts and regain focus through the shedding of sweat and the burn of well worked muscle. He was determined.

~o0o~

Bella awoke slowly, stretching and reaching, her eyes snapping open when she felt the empty place next to her where Peter belonged. Worry overtook her immediately at his absence. This was unusual. He'd waited for her to awake every morning since his arrival in her life and she'd adjusted to his presence so fully that it felt as though she was missing part of herself without him next to her. She flopped over on her back as she thought how ridiculous she was being. He's a grown man after all, but still… she worried.

Grumbling to herself, she rose from the bed, deciding it was time to get up and start the day. It was going to be another busy one. She scoffed at the thought. Since when wasn't it busy now? It's as though her life had gone from zero to one hundred miles per hour in a day, but she wouldn't go back for anything. This craziness brought Peter to her and that's all that mattered. She'd put up with anything for him.

Once she had showered and dressed, she made her way out to the back yard. She didn't bother with making breakfast inside anymore since she knew that it was ready to go outside. Esme, Elizabeth and Char were all excellent cooks and she didn't mind handing over that chore in the least.

She walked out and made her way to the kitchen tent amidst many good-natured greetings, to which she responded with smiles and a wave.

She grabbed a plate from the stack and looked at the food they'd made, choosing some scrambled eggs and bacon. She smiled at Charlotte when she walked in. "Hey there Char. How's it going?"

Charlotte blushed. "It's really good Bella. Better than it's ever been for me." She smiled a shy smile and Bella grinned.

"That wouldn't be because of a certain young leprechaun, now would it?"

Char grinned. "Shh! Too loud! He might hear you!"

Bella rolled her eyes as she filled a cup with juice. "Oh, and that would be terrible. You two make a wonderful couple."

Char looked down. "Thank you Bella. I'm just afraid I'll scare him away, I guess."

Bella sat down and ate quickly, finishing the last bite in her mouth before speaking. "Char…" she took a sip of juice, "…really, he likes you way too much for that to happen. Trust me."

Char looked at her with hope shining in her eyes and Bella rose from the chair. "Stop worrying so much and just enjoy each other. Believe me when I say it's worth it." Char smiled and nodded and Bella walked out feeling pretty good about the two. Now it was time to go and find her love.

She used her senses to find him sitting amidst the trees not too far from the house, but still far enough that he had his privacy. She knew that after living his whole life completely alone, the small crowd they now had here got to him at times and he had to separate himself just to relieve the tension that built inside him.

She sat next to him, keeping her silence, just letting the feeling of their connection hum through and around them. It was a comforting feeling and she knew he felt it too. She also knew that he needed the quiet, so she waited for him to speak when he was ready.

It took about ten minutes of them just being together before he finally spoke but when he did it was worth the wait. "I love you Bella."

She smiled and tucked herself under the arm he raised to place around her. "I love you too Peter. So much." Their voices were quiet, neither of them wanting to spoil the peace they found themselves in, so they sat for long moments in silence.

She finally spoke again. "You were up early this morning."

He glanced at her. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep anymore and didn't want to wake you so I came out and worked out for a bit before eating, then took a shower. You were still sleeping so I came out here just to think." He glanced down at her again. "It's all so much to take in, ya know? I wouldn't believe any of it if I wasn't experiencing it."

She chuckled. "I know exactly what you mean."

He sighed. "Yeah, maybe. Don't get me wrong. I know your life wasn't all sunshine and roses, but… damn, I was raised in a stone cage with no one and nothing… I've never known parents, never had contact with people and I yearn for all of that Bella. I want to live. And to get here, and then find out I'm here just to have to fight this battle with some ancient asshole that I've never laid eyes on, that I could die so fucking soon after gaining the first bit of freedom I've ever known…"

He pulled away from her, sitting forward, his forehead resting on his bent knees. She placed a hand on his back and was startled to feel him tremble with his emotions.

"What is it baby? How can I help?"

She gasped as he surged up from where he sat, hands balled into fists. "You can't! No one can! There's nothing to be done. I know I have to do this and after all the shit that my entire life has been, that fact pisses me off!"

She sucked in a breath when some loose branches lying on the ground burst into flames. She didn't get upset at him though because she knew that his anger wasn't against her, but at his situation and it was completely justified as far as she was concerned. She knew that he hadn't been far from a blow-up such as this, she just hadn't known when it would happen. She was grateful they were alone for it.

She stood and went to him, her hand moving slowly to rub his back as she spoke softly. "Peter, I'm here for you baby. You'll never be alone again, I vow it." She laid her head against his shoulder. "We're in this together, to the end, whatever that end may be."

He blew out a breath and pulled her into his arms, the tension slowly leaving him as he calmed. He finally nodded against her shoulder. "I'm okay now. I just needed to vent a bit."

She chuckled as she glanced pointedly at the burning branches. "I can see that, and I understand."

He smiled and leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against hers, gently, lovingly. It was reverent and she felt tears in her eyes at the sweetness of it. "You are my life Isabella." He murmured against her lips.

Emotion overcame her and she held his face in both hands, deepening their kiss, their passions flaring to life in an instant as they opened to each other, tasting, teasing, connecting.

She backed away with a sigh as Alice and Jasper broke through into their small clearing, Jasper tossing a bucket of water on the briskly burning branches. Bella looked at Alice who had turned to them, poised to speak. She held up a hand to her. "Yeah, we know, crisis averted."

Alice smiled as Jasper chuckled. "Just so my Lord and Lady. As you were." She and a smirking Jasper turned and left and Pete took Bella's hand. "Suppose it's time to get back to the others."

She squeezed his hand and they began walking back. "Yep. No flaking off for us until after the evil bastard is dead."

When they arrived back with the group, Peter called for everyone to gather in their meeting circle, which had grown to include the Navajo women who had joined them. Pete still wasn't used to their piercing stares, but he tried not to mind because they were there to aid Bella and that was enough for him, unsettling though they may be.

He sat next to Bella when all had assembled and fell silent. "Well, as you know, the full moon is tomorrow night. That also means it's the night we will all do battle to save ourselves and the world." He glanced around at the now somber group. "We've done our best to prepare in the time we've been given and now it's time to break camp here and move to the battle site. Take only the essentials. Let's get it done, shall we?" He stood with Bella and the group followed, everyone working to quickly pack up and move out.

Pete helped Bella ready the house to be empty. They had hopes to be back soon, but there were no guarantees and so they prepared it as though they'd be gone for a while.

After packing up some clothes and personal items, they were ready to go. They just had to wait on the rest of their group.

He slung their bags over his shoulder and grabbed her hand, looking around the inside of the little house that had been his first real home. He felt a pang in his chest at the thought that this could be his last time seeing it.

The all too familiar rage filled him and he straightened his spine and shoulders, cold resolve turning his vivid blue eyes into azure ice. Bella squeezed his hand, shooting him a concerned look and he nodded once, sharply. "Let's go kick this fucker's ass baby." She gave him a small smile, sadness and resolve shining in her eyes as they walked out and she locked the door after them.

They joined the group who had already sectioned themselves off into smaller groups for Alice to transport with her power, each group carrying a bundle of supplies for the camp. They wouldn't take it all, just the necessities since they wouldn't be there for long. After the battle, they'd either be victorious and free, dead, or imprisoned. With any of those eventualities, ample supplies weren't required.

Alice and Jasper were going to combine their power to transport their followers a few at a time. Pete was thankful for Alice's ability. If they didn't have her, they would have needed a bus to get them all to Meteor Crater. As it was, Alice could have them there in seconds per small group. After the last group transport had drained her of energy for an entire day afterward, Jasper had insisted on splitting them up to ease the strain on his mate and Peter had agreed. It was dangerous for her to be so depleted.

Alice walked over to them when she saw them come from the house. "I think I should transport you two first, that way you can oversee the set up and make sure it all goes smoothly. I'll transport Carlisle by himself last due to the large amount of medical supplies he's taking along with a tent. He wants to make sure he's ready for any injuries."

Pete nodded. "We're lucky to have him considering what's about to take place."

Bella leaned into him, rubbing his arm. "We're fortunate to have all of them with us. I can't see us doing this alone, that's for sure."

Alice smiled. "Well, you're not alone. We're all in this together." Bella and Pete nodded, holding each other close, neither wanting to waste a moment since their time was growing so short. Alice moved close and placed a hand on them, meeting their eyes. "You ready? Just bend your knees a bit on the landing and you should be fine."

Bella took a bracing breath. "Yep, let's go."

Turns out, Alice was right. It wasn't a bad way to travel even though it seemed to go much faster with so few beings traveling at a time.

They quickly found the spot they had chosen to set up and waited for the rest of the group to begin arriving. When they did, they worked as a well-oiled machine and the camp was set up in no time. Pete was shocked to see that even Jessica and Lauren were busy and not causing trouble. He was guessing that the seriousness of the situation had finally reached them. It had just taken a bit longer than it had for the rest of them.

Peter walked around the entire camp, making sure that everyone was settled and then went looking for Bella. He found her sitting in the shade of their tent and sat beside her, pulling her close as he reclined back against a cooler filled with bottles of water and ice. She remained quiet, holding his arms to her where they circled her waist as he nuzzled his face into her neck just below her ear, placing light kisses there. She chuckled, tilting her head to give him more room as she spoke. "Hi baby. Everything all set?"

He nodded against her, murmuring quietly between kisses. "Yep, seems to be. They're starting on dinner, you hungry?"

She turned her head and caught his lips in a kiss, just enjoying their closeness. "Yeah, I could eat." She whispered out against his lips, her eyes closed, just taking him in. She backed away enough to meet his gaze. "But then I want time alone with you. I want us to enjoy this night and each other."

His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing softly over her bottom lip as so much love and need passed between them when their eyes met again. "We will Bella. I want that too."

She leaned into his touch and smiled. "Good, then let's go get dinner out of the way."

He chuckled and rose, helping her up with him. "By all means, let's."

When they arrived at the kitchen tent, they could tell that the mood of the group had livened a bit as everyone talked and laughed as they got their food and sat down to eat. Even the Navajo women were mingling and involved in lively discussion. Peter was glad to see it. Anything was better than the somber shadow that had seemed to blanket them upon their meeting about the move here.

He and Bella had just sat down to eat when Alice approached. "My Lord, my Lady, I have to leave for a bit to retrieve a package from the Observer. I will be back in just a bit. Shouldn't take long at all, but I didn't want to leave without letting you know. Jasper will be going with me."

Pete wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded. "Thank you for letting us know Alice. Any idea what it is you're too pick up?"

"No, I'm afraid not my Lord, although I'm certain it's vital for the battle."

Bella smiled up at her. "Thanks Alice, and be careful."

Alice flitted off with a smile, a musical sounding "Will do" drifting back to them as she joined Jasper, both disappearing with a 'pop'.

Pete glanced at Bella as they continued on with dinner, smiling as she wrinkled her nose and picked a large piece of onion out of her salad. "Don't care for onions, eh?"

She frowned at him, her upper lip curling a bit. "No, they're vile and my mother used to use them in everything she cooked. I can't count the times I was stuck at the table, refusing to eat the food on my plate while she insisted that I do. She eventually gave up and began making food specifically for me to eat while she and my father had something different. The first dinner that she did that was a shining moment in my history. I'll never forget it."

He chuckled. "And you were such a sweet looking little girl too. I never would have guessed you had such a stubborn streak."

She shook her head and took a drink from her bottled water. "Oh, I didn't. Not really. Just with things I felt strongly about, and believe me, I felt strongly about not eating food that would make me gag." She smirked at him and he laughed quietly.

"Well, I wasn't picky. I was just happy that they couldn't starve me and the food had to be fresh and good. I didn't question my one meal a day beyond that, believe me."

She looked down and he could tell she was feeling guilty again. "I bet. Your body needed every calorie it got, I'm sure, no matter what form they came in."

He set his plate aside and took her free hand. "Hey, it's all in the past and I don't want you feeling bad about it. There's nothing that can change the past and I'm okay now. I have you."

She smiled and met his eyes. "Yeah, we have each other."

"Right." He kissed her hand. "That's all that matters to me."

He took up his plate and had just begun eating again when Alice and Jasper popped back in carrying a long, heavy bundle with a note attached. "My Lord, my Lady, this is for you. I don't know what's inside it, but I can speculate. I'd rather you find out for yourselves though, so here ya go." They laid the bundle down next to Pete and backed away. "We're going to go get dinner now. We'll be around if you have any questions."

He gave a nod. "Thank you both."

He gathered their empty plates and walked over, placing them in the trash bag that hung from the side of the kitchen tent. He smiled and gave a lazy wave to the group sitting nearby. "Thank you for dinner ladies. It was excellent, as always."

Elizabeth answered, her Irish brogue bringing a smile to his lips. "It's our pleasure my Lord. We're happy to do it."

He went back to his tent and sat down, pulling the long, heavy bundle closer. "Time to open the mystery package, eh?" He looked at Bella as he unfolded the note he'd pulled from it.

"Yeah. What does the note say?"

"Well, it says that these are weapons that some of us will require. The staves are for the wood nymphs." He looked up, wide eyed. "Jesus, just the thought of arming those two with a weapon…" He shook his head slowly in dread as Bella laughed and slapped him on the arm.

"What, did you think to have them fight bare-handed?"

"Well fuck, I kinda thought they could just talk a couple of the evil minions to death."

"Come on now, baby, they've calmed somewhat. They're not as bad as when they first arrived."

He raised one brow at her with a smirk to match and she sighed. "Okay, I see your point, but perhaps they'll be effective fighters? I mean, they must have some redeeming qualities that shone through to cause them to be chosen… right?"

He looked doubtful. "Yeah, perhaps the fact that whoever was doing the choosing never met them." He moved the staves aside and Bella nodded.

"Perhaps…" She leaned over to get a better look just as Pete pulled a long item wrapped in oilcloth from the bundle. "What's that baby?"

He hefted it and began to unwrap the cloth from it. "The note says this is for me."

Bella gasped as the cloth finally fell away, revealing a gleaming sword, the hilt marked and bedecked with gems in the same fashion of their arm-bands. "God, it's beautiful, Pete." She met his eyes. "Is it heavy?"

He stood and backed away, taking a practice swing with it and Bella marveled at the sight of him with it. He wielded it as though he'd been born to it.

"It's very balanced and feels natural to me." There was awe in his voice as he spoke. "What the fuck? I've never swung a sword in my life..."

Alice and Jasper joined them then and Jasper gave a slow nod. "Perhaps not in this life, my Lord, but you have wielded a sword, for thousands of years and in two of these such battles against the Dark One."

Pete continued practicing with the sword, moving away to a safer distance and Bella caught Jasper's attention. "How do you know this Jasper?"

"Well, I love the history of war. Always have, and so I studied everything I could get my hands on concerning it. I soon came to be bored with the wars of mortal man and took up studying what is considered mythology." He smiled a crooked smile. "You two are in lots of books on the subject, translated from ancient texts that have since been lost, and it's all considered myth, but they're surprisingly detailed."

Bella looked down at her hands, a lump in her throat when she asked the next question. "What happened, Jasper?" She met his somber eyes. "The last two times, I mean. How'd we die?"

Jasper sighed, running a hand through his hair. He'd suspected this question would come when they initiated this conversation, but he still dreaded telling her. He knew it would cause pain, but she needed to know to avoid the same mistakes in this third and final battle. "You were stripped of your arm-band Bella, while in your lioness form. Your shield around Ra dropped and the shadow demons got to him. They are the only beings that Osiris has with the ability to kill him. They do so by engulfing him with their darkness. They have no tangible bodies but somehow, they manage to drain all light and power from him and he dies. When that happened in the two previous battles, you gave up in grief and despair, and let them kill you."

A tear traced down her cheek as she absorbed his words. It was her fault. In some way, she'd always known, but now it was real to her and she felt like roaring in her pain and anger. She looked up at Jasper again and he almost gasped at the ferocity in her eyes. "I won't fail him again. I'll die protecting him if I must, but I shall not fail him."

He inclined his head in respect. "As you say, my Lady. We believe in you."

After reading the note, she handed over the rest of the bundle to Jasper. "If you would distribute these to the proper beings, I would be grateful. I've a need to be alone with him." She looked at Pete just as he finished practicing swinging the blade, his eyes alight with excitement and a sheen of sweat on his skin. He was beautiful and she needed him.

She watched as he dried himself with a towel, his t-shirt clinging to every cut muscle as they flexed and contracted with his every move. Her want of him suffused her body with heat and passion as a low purr sounded from her chest.

He looked over at her then, as if he could feel her need, his eyes lighting with an answering heat as he made his way to her.

They came together in a perfect embrace, lips meeting, taking and giving as their bodies fell to the bedding spread within their tent.

Their love was expressed in a tender manner with loving, reverent touches mapping every inch of the other with gentle hands and languid kisses.

Clothes were shed piece by piece, with slow patience prevailing, neither willing to rush through this building and simmering passion, both needing to savor… to remember, each detail.

He covered her with his body, their eyes locked as he entered her, causing tears to trace down into her hair at the beauty and perfection of their connection. This was much more than just physical; it was two souls dancing a slow sensual dance as old as time and they were overcome with the profundity of it as he pleasured her just as he took his pleasure.

Tears filled his eyes and spilled over as he cupped her face, knowing they were both at the pinnacle. "Are you ready my love?" He whispered to her.

The tightening around his length gave him his answer moments before her whispered "Yes" and they peaked together, forehead to forehead, their lips capturing each other's panted breaths before melding in a kiss as they spiraled together in their release. He moved off to the side, keeping her wrapped in his embrace, their worries and fears chased away by the peace they had made together. It was enough for both of them, at least for now and they both sighed as they slipped off into dreams of each other and the life they might have one day…if only…

They awoke the next day as the soft sunlight filtered through to them, their bodies still tangled together in a lazy sprawl, her hair spilling across his strong chest which he now ran his fingers through. "Good morning, my Goddess."

She turned her head, placing a slow kiss on his chest. "Good morning, my love."

He kept his voice low, his fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder and back. "We should get up. I think we should make sure that everyone with weapons uses the daylight to practice. I also think that we should gather and meditate in the pentagram when the sun is at its highest point as the book mentioned doing. We could use all the power we can get."

She sighed and he felt her slight nod. "You're right of course, but I don't want to move. I don't want to lose the feel of you wrapped around me."

His fingers traced back up and over her ribs. "We'll have many more mornings such as this Bella. Don't doubt it. We're going to win this time, baby, I can feel it."

Fear gripped her at the thought of one more failure; at the thought that this was it. There would be no more opportunities after this. They would spend eternity imprisoned in darkness if they failed and she clenched her eyes closed, trying to desperately stay the tears that threatened to fall. She couldn't afford to break, to crumble. She had to stay strong for him, so instead, she let cold rage fill her, breathing deeply as that rage shored up her determination. She would do this. There was no other choice.

They spent the day, just as he suggested, overseeing, along with Jasper, the practice and skill of their fighters.

At noon, they broke and made their way to the outer ring of the pentagram, spacing themselves evenly as they began to meditate, with Peter at the center, his chant a prayer of power and protection for them all. Just like all the other times they had come together, it was an awe inspiring experience, this time only felt within, but profoundly.

They all went back to camp, surprised to see that it was time to make dinner. They had meditated for hours with the low position of the sun to attest at the lengthy duration as they surfaced from their centers.

The meal was a quiet affair as everyone realized the nearness of the looming battle. Pete stood amongst them as they finished, his voice strong and sure as he spoke. "Tonight we're faced with the greatest evil this world has ever known. It falls to us to see it destroyed and destroy it we must. There is no other option; no second or third chance for those have already been and gone. You were, each of you, chosen for a purpose. I believe you were chosen because you are the best and from what I witnessed today, I know I'm right. Take heart in that. Let it fill you, build you up and empower you. Someone wiser than I saw that prowess in each one of you too and so brought us here, to this place and time. We shall be the victors tonight my friends. The Light shall prevail, even through the darkest of nights."

He turned then with Bella in his arms and they all turned with him, watching as the sun set off in the horizon, the last rays painting the desert sky in hues of orange, pink and purple before finally, slowly fading to black.

Now they only waited on the rise of the Moon and the fight for their fate that would come with it.

As the moon began to peek over the horizon, everyone changed into comfortable, close fitting clothes that would allow ease of movement. When they gathered back in the open space encircled by the tents, Jasper began putting them through warm-up paces. Nothing exhausting, but enough to ready them to move at their peaks with all possible speed and precision.

Pete stood quietly, still centered and focused from the earlier meditation, his sword sheathed at his side. Bella stood next to him in her white cloak, ready to transform at the first hint of their enemy's presence.

He looked up at the moon's progression and caught Jasper's attention. "I think it's time to take our places within the crater."

Jasper nodded, "Yes, my Lord." and began telling everyone to move out and take up their positions.

Pete offered Bella his arm and she took it as they trailed closely behind their group, placing themselves front and center when they formed up. They knew this order wouldn't last when the fighting began but Pete had a need to face his tormenter straight on from the outset. He had one hell of a debt to collect and he meant to do it by shedding the bastard's blood as soon as possible.

When the moon was at it's peak, everyone glanced over at the Navajo women who had begun to growl and tremble. The beta from the group looked to Bella, her expression fierce. "The evil approaches my Lady. It is time for us to shift."

Bella turned to Pete as the Navajo's shimmered and shifted, placing her hand on his face, the face that was the most precious in the world to her. She leaned in closely, her cheek against his as she whispered. "I shall not fail you, my love." She kissed him then trying to convey all her love in mere moments before backing away and dropping her cloak.

He grabbed her hand as she began to shimmer, placing a fleeting kiss to it as she pulled away to shift.

She roared out at the feeling of evil that drew closer and closer, her pride following suit, and Pete pulled his sword, the blade singing from it's sheath as it flared to life from his power that coursed through it.

"Osiris!" He yelled out. "Come on, you filthy slime! You will die this night by my blade, I vow it! You have but to show your cowardly self. Come and face me!"

All remained quiet with the exception of the low growls coming from the pacing pride of lions.

That was until they all discerned a high-pitched evil laugh, coming from the back of a crowd of shadowy figures that seeped toward them from the deep shadows at the rim of the crater.

"Shielding yourself with your minions I see, you cowardly piece of shit. Come out here, front and center and face me. If you're any kind of leader, you will!"

That sinister laugh sounded again. "You think I care about being an honorable leader do you, noble Ra? You're sadly mistaken, and that has always been your problem and downfall. You see, I have always used every means to beat you. I've succeeded twice now. Tonight, I will succeed again." He lifted his staff and smokey black lightning shot out, entering the rank of shadowy figures at the front which began to advance.

Pete heard Bella roar and felt the comfort of her shield wrap him as a literal hell of instant battle broke out within the bowl of the crater.

He swung his blade, slicing cleanly through the throat of what looked to be, to his horror, a werewolf. He didn't have time to dwell on it though as he was beset by another minion immediately who shrieked and screamed when his blade pierced its middle.

He glanced around the field after his latest kill and noticed the wood nymphs holding their own with their staves, impressed by their skill. Carlisle was back to back with Esme, each handling their opponents with skill, Carlisle with his hands and teeth, Esme with her leprechaun magic and a large dagger.

He took heart as he saw other's paired up and fighting; Char and Edward, Ben and Angela, Alice and Jasper… even the little pixies flitted and attacked, before flitting away again, their sharp teeth and Emmett's arrows of light taking out shadow demons one at a time, with precision. Edward Sr and Elizabeth had each other's backs too, their leprechaun magic and daggers very effective against the more human looking minions that beset them.

He looked around further, searching frantically for Osiris, wanting… no needing, to kill that bastard. The feeling consumed him even as he pierced through yet another minion.

He was swarmed by shadow demons that groaned and hovered around him. They seemed to be waiting on something, but whatever that something was, he didn't know.

He took one last look around and spotted Osiris across the chaos from him, determination filling him as he steadily made his way to his destiny. The evil fucker would die this night. He was on his way to make sure.

Bella engaged yet another Child of the Moon, the rabid beast's claws and teeth barely grazing her as she twisted and spun with lightning speed. She glanced around after ripping out the creatures throat and noticed Peter moving steadily through the chaos, swinging and slicing through the evil. He looked to have a destination in mind but she didn't have time to register just what he was after as she was attacked by two more werewolves doing their best to take her out.

She twisted to her left, concentrating her efforts on the closest werewolf as he dove, nipped and retreated, almost as if he were baiting her. This pissed her off and she roared out and charged at him, completely turning her back to the other wolf. She realized her mistake as the wolf behind her bit into her right front leg and she roared in pain and anguish, realizing, too late, that she'd just been stripped of the precious, and all too vital arm-band that rode there. Her heart sank and she loosed an anguished, high pitched roar of distress, calling her pride to her defense. She needed to shift back and replace the band on her arm. The pride surrounded her immediately and she shimmered back to human form, searching frantically for the band, tears streaming down her face in her terror. This just couldn't happen again! It just couldn't!

She felt relief fill her as her hand closed on the gold ring and she stood, poised to slide it back into place, when the most anguished scream pierced her heart from across the way.

Her head snapped up and she saw no less than five shadow demons engulf her love, his screams of agony cutting straight through her as the demons began draining Peter of his light and life. It took no more than scant seconds to happen and she jammed the band back on her arm, trying to shield him again but realizing with despair that the demons had enshrouded him too tightly. She couldn't get between her love and the vile beings that now progressively drained him. This would have to be a physical fight and so she transformed, determined to save him or die trying.

~o0o~

~ Bella's Point of View ~

~ By ncbexie25 ~

Bella threw her head back and roared as she saw and felt the love of her existence's light fade as he was surrounded by the vermin shadows. It had happened again. Against all of her attempts, she had failed him again.

On instinct, she leaped towards them. Rushing past their allies, the people had become their friends, she met the eyes of Leah, and through a glance and a blink, she communicated her plan. Oh, the splendor of linked minds.

Viciously, the pack threw their heads back and echoed the call of their Alpha, before they launched their attack ten times harder against their enemy. They would not fail their Mistress. They each had a role to play, and fate would have it that the God and Goddess Ra would have to fight together to save the world, and indeed, each other.

Bella's surroundings blurred around her, eyes focused on her target. In her animal form, the lips of the beast pulled back over her teeth, and a snarl wrenched from her being as she reached the scene before them.

Using her powerful legs, she leapt into the air and into the middle of their swarm of shadows surrounding her mate. Her mind was racing a hundred miles an hour, but all she could hear over and over again was his name. Peter. Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter.

Peter.

Hang on, baby, I'm coming, she begged him silently.

She growled as she touched the ground again, landing over her mate who lay on the ground still now. In an instant, she had separated the shields and surrounded the shadows in them, her mind overwhelmed with relief. She had made it to him.

With a smirk touching her lips, she squeezed her shields around the shadows until there was nothing but air, their deathly moaning howls signaling their death until she was met by nothing but silence and finally, she could see around her. Growling as she eyed the God of the Underworld in front of her, she smirked triumphantly, smug with satisfaction. They would not fail now that the only beasts who could kill her love were dead.

Slowly, she slinked away from her mate's body, feeling his energy zing through her as he recovered rapidly now the threat was gone and his light restored. He hopped up on his feet to stand beside her, reaching down to grab his sword.

Side by side, God and Goddess stood united faced against their enemy. An enemy who now knew that he had failed, and seemed to be looking for a dignified way out; he did not want to retreat to the darkness and decay of the underworld.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the Goddess snuck forward, the shoulders of her beast rolling under the skin, hunches raised as she growled menacingly. She would hurt him for the hurt he had caused her mate all those years, and indeed just then before Osiris met her love's sword.

Briefly, their eyes connected, and Osiris knew he would meet his end. His soul would be returned to his domain, but he would never again threaten them, or the world they protected.

The God spoke, his voice dead calm among the raging sounds of war and death around him. "You tried, Osiris, but you failed. You have become far too greedy. We will succeed this night, and you will never again see the light of day. I told you would die by my sword, and I was right. My mate could not fail me again. It was only by fate's design that we lost the previous two battles." With that knowing smirk on his face, he rested his hot palm on his mate's back, and stroking once, he murmured for only her to hear. "Do your worst, my love."

With a vicious snarl, her hackles raised, and then she surged forward. Air borne, she took advantage of the height and pushed Osiris onto his back, landing on top of him, rearing back her right paw as if to punch were she human, she swung forward and reveled in the loud snap that rung through the area. She did the same with the other paw, hearing again the same kind of crack, before she roared in his face, but he used this moment of her's to his advantage.

Rolling them so she lay on her back with him on top of her, he wrapped his large hands around her neck, shaking and squeezing until she was seeing spots. Her head shook from the exertion of simply moving, but her eyes met those of her mate, and with renewed determination, she reached with her teeth to rip at his head, loosening it from the tendons in his neck and thus the rest of his body. Rolling him over, and spitting what remained in her mouth of him, she used her sharp claws to scratch every part of him that she could reach before leaving him for her counterpart to finish off.

With satisfaction, she watched as her mate walked forward, seeing the raw power within him as he lifted the sword in his hands and swung with a strength and speed that would rival the best swordsman in the world. Clean, he swiped the Dark One's head off, before taking the bloodied blade and jolting in through the man, making his back arch from the force, as it pierced through the skin of his chest and through his very heart.

Osiris's body darkened to nothing, and they watched as his soul and body seeped through the ground and into the Underworld. And with the knowledge that they had succeeded, the Goddess threw her head back and roared up to the heavens above, capturing the attention of all allies, who were fighting the last of the minions when they, too, disappeared. God and Goddess smirked at one another; he had given up, the coward he was, at his death.

And all around them, the shouts and roars of victory rose to the heavens. All around, across the plains of existence, their victory was heard. And praised.

And the Observer, in his study, smiled to himself, and shaking his shinning black-haired head, he sent his last message out into the world to find them.

~o0o~

"I'm gonna miss you so much!" Alice chimed, wrapping her arms around the both of them. Bella smiled and kissed her friend on the cheek, looking over at Peter as he patted Jasper on the back, both wearing matching grins.

It had been a few days, and after the battle, a lot had still happened.

They had debriefed as a group, and many an injury was left to Carlisle for his healing abilities, Esme in turn taking care of her mate's injuries as well. Peter had been perfectly fine despite his all-too-close encounter with death, but at Bella's urgings, he had sighed and resigned himself to a full check up with Carlisle, who'd given him the perfect bill of health.

The most surprising of events was the letter they received, the final from the Observer, which they were informed would be the last. The group was incredulous as they read of the gift they'd been gifted upon their success, and still, despite many a conversation, they could scarcely believe it.

They'd been gifted with immortality.

Yes, three had already had the ability to live forever—Carlisle, as a vampire, and Peter and Bella as God and Goddess. But they would spend theirs on earth, with the allies who had become their close friends and family.

She'd laughed when Peter had groaned and suggested that maybe that wasn't such a great idea for some people—the nymphs—because they'd eventually grow bored of trying to fuck everyone in the world and then they'd be in for some scary shit.

She'd laughed smacked his shoulder, but silently agreed. An eternity with them to talk their ears off… or anyone's ears off… she could hardly think of the idea without wincing.

They'd agreed to meet every year for a time around the dates that they'd saved the world. Peter, in his usually quipping style, had said that since they'd saved the world but nobody would ever know, the least they could do was have their own private party every year to celebrate. He'd also added that once a year for a few days at most was all he could handle the three amigos for.

Now, came the sad bit. It was time for the goodbyes before they returned to their quasi-normal lives. Except this time, Peter and Bella would remain together in their little cottage in the woods in Sedona, with no one the wiser about what had occurred… how close the world had come to absolute chaos.

Hugs were shared all around, and secret smiles, too, as eyes took in the new confidence in Edward as he held his Charlotte's hand, pressing a kiss to her forehead or cheek, before at the last moment wrapping his arm around her waist, making her blush.

A year, Bella thought to herself, a year and they'll be married. She winked at Charlotte and laughed as she was engulfed in another hug, this time from Emmett. For a fairy, the man was a damn bear when it came to hugs.

Before long, all the goodbyes to be had were said, and before them, stood their allies, their fighters. With a nod and a smile, they stood down from duty, and one by one they faded from sight.

And Bella and Peter watched, Peter's arm wrapped around her waist, and Bella's head on her Peter's chest, before they turned and walked back inside.

"Finally," Peter sighed as he flopped down onto the couch. "Look at this! An empty house, can you believe it?"

Bella chuckled and sat beside him, curling up into his side.

"So what are we supposed to do now?" he asked her.

She looked up at him, eyes twinkling. "Now? We live out the rest of our forever… maybe try to be normal."

Peter snorted. "Normal? With this body?" He gestured down his body. "Impossible, baby."

She laughed and kissed his cheek. "As normal as we can, then."

"Hmm," he sounded almost contemplating. Then his finger was under her chin as he turned her face toward his. He leaned closer. "And now?" he breathed.

Bella hummed and leaned in to kiss her man. "Now, I want you to bend me over this couch and fuck me."

Peter breathed out. "You know, I think I could really get used to this normal business."

Bella giggled. "See? It just takes a little practice."

"Well, we've got time."

"Yeah… forever."

And in their little cottage, two mates kissed and came together in a culmination of gripping hands and grinding bodies to their earth-shattering completion, both relieved that they succeeded and would now have forever to live out their happy lives with one another… hopefully in peace.

~o0o~

Epilogue

~ By Spudzmom ~

Bella sighed in exasperation as she picked up yet another toy from the staircase. How was she to get the house ready for guests when she was constantly picking up after their rambunctious boys? It certainly wasn't leaving her the time to get all the food ready, that was for sure. At least she'd already made most of it. All she needed to finish, really, were the finger foods that she wanted to set out so that no one would starve before dinner.

It was a special day and she really wanted everything to be perfect. It was the first time that their Phoenix group would reunite completely and she couldn't be more excited. They had tried in all the years past, but it just hadn't worked out. This year, everyone would make it. Pete's parents were coming too and that just added another layer to her nerves, but in a good way.

She glanced up the stairs at the trail of lego blocks and growled. "Peter! Where are you?! It would certainly be nice if you could keep track of your sons so that I can get things ready for our guests!"

She saw him poke his head out of his study, a smirk on his gorgeous face, his vivid blue eyes shining with mirth. "Baby, I was just catching up with Jasper. What were you saying?"

She sighed and hung her head, her hands on her hips as she stared down at the carpet, praying for patience. She loved the men in her life more than anything, but it was days like today that tempted her to hang them from hooks on the wall. "I said…" her head snapped up as the smell of smoke reached her sensitive nose and her eyes widened. "Shit!"

She spun and took off for the living room, praying that it wasn't what she feared. She heard Pete and Jasper follow just as she skidded around the corner, a cry of dismay leaving her. "Petey! What have you done?!"

The little five year old replica of his father looked down in shame as he toed the rug, his hands clasped behind his back. "I didn't mean to mommy. It's just that Jaden made me so mad! He took my truck, even though he has his own, and wouldn't give it back!" He now looked outraged and she sighed as she crossed the room and picked up three year old, dark-haired Jaden whose bright blue eyes were busy taking everything in as Uncle Jasper put out the fire on the couch and his daddy picked up his brother.

Pete reached for his other son. "Give him to me baby. I'll set up their games for them in the play room and come back and help with the mess." He took Jaden in his other arm, gave his distraught wife a sweet kiss and headed up stairs to settle his sons.

She looked at the scorched couch in despair. How the hell was she supposed to entertain guests now? The sound of Jasper's calm voice brought her from her morose thoughts.

"Got a large throw, Bells? A spell or two and the smoke smell will be gone and then we just cover it with the throw. No one the wiser. It'll do for now anyway, until you can get it replaced."

She smiled a small, grateful smile. "You're right, and besides, all our guests, with the exception of Pete's parents, are used to our weirdness."

He smirked. "Yep. I still remember that first fire I had to put out…"

She pointed her finger. "That's about enough from you I think." Then she couldn't help it. She cracked a smile and then laughed. "I'll be damned if the sacrifice of that lamp wasn't worth it and much more besides." She sighed at the memory. "It was just… and he was…"

Jasper held up a hand. "Whoa there, darlin". Just stop right there! I really don't need the details." He laughed as she blushed, a smile on her face.

"Fine, you chicken. But it was…"

He walked out quickly, fingers in his ears. "La, la, la! I can't hear you!"

She laughed and yelled after him. "You brought it up, mister!"

She turned as Alice walked in with a bag of last-minute groceries. "Brought what up, Bells?"

Bella stared off into the distance, thinking to herself how perfect her life was and how blessed she was, despite the frustrations. She smiled a soft smile as she looked at Alice. "Memories, Ali… just sweet memories."

~ Fin