I came to win,

To fight,

To conquer,

To thrive

I came to win,

To survive,

To prosper,

To rise

To fly

Nicki Minaj- Fly

We all took our positions: Carlisle, Edward, Emmett, Me, Rose, Devan, Tanya, Kate, and Eleazar, in the front line. Right behind us was Bella, with Nessie on her back, Zafrina and Ben who Bella was to protect with her shield as long as possible. Then behind her was Esme then the witnesses, those that had declared, closest. I also heard the large thumping hearts of the wolves in the forest but when I flicked my eyes back I couldn't see them.

Firmly gripping Emmett's hand, I barely listened as Benjamin muttered something about fault lines, something good I would hope, right as the clouds started to slowly roll in. I knew this was it and braced myself along with all the others when the soft padding of paws got my attention as they came up behind us and I figured that Jacob had walked forward to be beside Nessie.

Then I heard it, them. Edward let out a low hiss picking up their thoughts and I zeroed in my eyes on the spot just waiting for them to appear and when they did I could help that slight bit of fear that welled up. They moved as a whole, flowing through the trees; they're outer shell was gray and darkened as it got deeper into the middle every single one hooded. Suddenly the shell broke and the inner, darker cloaks moved forward. I noticed how every single one moved slowly, but steadily forward, giving an unrelenting feeling.

"The redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming," Garrett muttered giving one stiff chuckle and took one step closer to Kate who was on my other side, their bond having become stronger through their time together.

"They did come," Vladimir whispered.

"The wives," Stefan hissed back. "The entire guard. All of them together. It's well we didn't try Volterra."

Then I felt my confidence drop as more vampires began entering the clearing behind the Volturi. They're eyes met us and shock passed their features not anticipating the group of us. That shock passed quickly though as the realization of numbers hit them; we would never survive with all of them.

Edward let out a low snarl, "Alistair was right," he murmured and I felt Emmett grip my hand tighter.

"Alistair was right?" Tanya whispered.

"They, Caius and Aro, come to destroy and acquire." He breathed so only we could hear. "They have many layers of strategy already in place. If Irina's accusation had somehow proven to be false, they were committed to find another reason to take offense. But they can see Renesmee now, so they are perfectly sanguine about their course. We could still attempt to defend against their other contrived charges, but first they have to stop, to hear the truth about Renesmee. Which they have no intention of doing."

Jacob gave a little huff and then seconds later the procession halted. They froze absolutely still with their emotionless faces.

Wondering what caused it I listened and noticed that the wolves were closer. They had moved forward so they could see them.

Suddenly Bella let out a low snarl which was echoed by Zafrina and Senna beside her.

I focused in on the group ahead of us and watched as Aro raised his palm taking in Marcus' and Caius' thoughts. Back behind them the slight motion of the other vampires at the edge of the forest, caught my attention and I saw their eyes cutting to Bella and Nessie. Then I scanned forward to the one person hovering in between the two groups: Irina.

"Edward?" Carlisle asked in a low anxious voice.

"They're not sure how to proceed. They're weighing options, choosing key targets: me, of course, you, Eleazar, Tanya. Marcus is reading the strength in our ties to each other, looking for weak points. The Romainian's presence irritates them. They're worried about the faces they don't recognize, Zafrina and Senna in particular, and the wolves, naturally. They've never been outnumbered before. That's what stopped them."

"Outnumbered?" I whispered.

"They don't count their witnesses," Edward breathed. "They are nonentities, meaningless to the guard. Aro just enjoys an audience."

"Should I speak?" Carlisle asked.

Edward hesitated, "This is the only chance you'll get."

I watched him leave our line out of the corner of my eye, "Aro, my old friend. It's been centuries."

The clearing in ahead of us was silent and I tensed as Aro stepped forward breaking the Volturi's formation. What I'm guessing was Renata, Aro's shield stepped forward with him causing a low grumbled along the ranks. A few guards leaned forward into a crouch until Aro held up a hand toward them. "Peace." He walked forward a couple more steps but still leaving a large gap between them, then cocked his head to the side. "Fair words, Carlisle," he breathed, his voice reminding me of the Romanians but even softer. "They seem out of place, considering the army you've assembled to kill me, and to kill my dear ones."

Carlisle shook his head and stretched forward his hand. "You have but to touch my hand to know that was never my intent."

Aro's eyes narrowed. "But how can your intent possibly matter, dear Carlisle, in face of what you have done?"

"I have not committed the crime you are here to punish me for."

"Then step aside and let us punish those responsible. Truly, Carlisle, nothing would please me more than to preserve your life today."

"No one has broken the law, Aro. Let me explain." Again Carlisle moved out his hand but Caius moved forward towards Aro's side.

"So many pointless rules, so many unnecessary law you create for yourself, Carlisle," He hissed. "How is it possible that you defend the breaking of one that truly matters?"

"The law is not broken. It you would listen…"

"We see the child, Carlisle," Caius snarled. "Do not treat us as fools."

"She is not an immortal. She is not vampire. I can easily prove this with just a few moments…"

"If she is not one of the forbidden, then why have you massed a battalion to protect her?"

"Witnesses, Caius, just as you have brought," He gestured to the mob behind them; some growling in response. "Any one of these friends can tell you the truth about the child. Or you could just look at her, Caius. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks."

"Artifice!" He snapped. "Where's is the informer? Let her come forward!" He looked back until he saw Irina. "You! Come!"

She looked horrified, scared as she just stared at him. Impatient Caius snapped his fingers and one of the wives' bodyguards moved to her side prodding her in the back. She blinked and then walked forward slowly before stopped several yards short. Her eyes locked on Kate and Tanya.

Caius closed the distance and slapped her hard across the face; Tanya and Kate hissed together. Quickly she focused on Caius and he pointed over at Renesmee, causing a low growl rumbled in Jacob's chest. "This is the child you saw?" Caius demanded. "The one that was obviously more than human?" Irina looked past us to Nessie and confusion came to her face. "Well?" Caius snarled.

"I…I'm not sure," she said.

"What do you mean?" he twitched.

"She's not the same, but I think it's the same child. What I mean is, she's changed. This child is bigger than the one I saw, but…"

Caius turned furious baring his teeth and Irina quickly stopped. Aro, went to Caius' side putting a restraining hand on his shoulder. "Be composed, brother. We have time to sort this out. No need to be hasty."

Caius quickly turned his back on Irina, "Now, sweetling," Aro said in a warm murmur. "Show me that you're trying to say." Uncertain, Irina touched his hand, the exchange only lasting 5 seconds. "You see, Caius? It's a simple matter to get what we need."

Aro glanced at the mob before turning back to Carlisle, "And so we have a mystery on our hands, it seems. It would appear the child has grown. Yet Irina's first memory was clearly that of an immortal child. Curious."

"That's exactly what I'm trying to explain," Carlisle said with a tinge of relief. He held out his hand again but Aro hesitated.

"I would rather have the explanation from someone more central to the story, my friend. Am I wrong to assume that this breach was not of your making?"

"There was no breach."

"Be that as it may, I will have every facet of the truth, and the best way to get that is to have the evidence directly from your talented son. As the child clings to his newborn mate, I'm assuming Edward is involved." Of course he wanted Edward then he would know everything that had been going on. Edward quickly turned and kissed his wife and daughter, then strode into the field. Clapping Carlisle on the shoulder as he passed, causing to Esme let a low whimper pass her lips, terrified for her son.

Suddenly a laugh came from Bella and I glanced back confused before turning back toward where Edward was meeting Aro holding out his hand with a hint of arrogance. My eyes caught the different reactions from the Volturi from Renata's nervousness, to Caius's deep scowl, to what could only be Jane baring her teeth as her brother narrowed his eyes. But my eyes focused on Aro and Edward as Aro closed the distance. Next Bella let out a hiss and I wondered what was causing all of her emotion changes though this one was a lot better than the laugh.

"Easy, Bella," Zafrina whispered.

Slowly I felt myself becoming more uneasy as the silent conversation took place. The Volturi evidentially felt the same as low murmurs rolled through the line until Caius barked out an order to be quiet. Suddenly Aro's eyes flashed open awed, and wary but did not release Edward's hand picking up every thought that the others were having.

"You see?" Edward asked.

"Yes, I see, indeed," He agreed. "I doubt whether two among gods or mortals have ever seen quite so clearly. You have given me much to ponder, young friend. Much more than I expected," Aro said then a sudden eagerness entered his eyes. "May I meet her? I never dreamed of the existence of such a thing in all my centuries. What an addition to our histories!"

"What is this about, Aro?" Caius snapped.

"Something you've never dreamed of, my practical friend. Take a moment to ponder, for the justice we intended to deliver no longer applies." He said and I glared at the word ponder catching the double meaning.

Caius hissed in surprise, "Peace brother," Aro soothed.

"Will you introduce me to your daughter?" Aro asked Edward again. He nodded reluctantly.

"I think a compromise on this one point is certainly acceptable, under the circumstance. We will meet in the middle," Aro added obviously answering Edwards unasked question. Finally he released Edwards hand and he turned back towards us, Aro joining throwing an arm over his shoulder to maintain the contact.

The entire guard fell into step behind him and I tensed slightly, "Hold, my dear ones. Truly, they mean us no harm if we are peaceable." The guard hissed and snarled in response as Renata clung to Aro whimpering.

"Master," she whispered.

"Don't fret, my love," he responded. "All is well."

"Perhaps you should bring a few members of your guard with us," Edward offered. "It will make them more comfortable."

Aro nodded then snapped his fingers twice, "Felix, Demetri." Two large vampires were at his side instantly. Both were tall and dark-haired, one lean while the other was bulky.

The five of them stopped in the middle of the field, "Bella," Edward called. "Bring Renesmee…and a few friends."

She took a deep breath, "Jacob? Emmett?" she said quietly and I loosened my hold on his hand as he leaned down kissing my lips quickly and I noticed his grin.

"Interesting company you keep," the thinner one said to Edward. He didn't respond but Jacob let out a low growl as they stopped and Edward walked over joining them.

"Hello again, Bella." The big one gave a cocky grin.

"Hey, Felix." Bella responded.

"You look good. Immortality suits you."

"Thanks so much."

"You're welcome. It's too bad…" Felix trailed off and I glared at him catching the meaning.

"Yes, too bad, isn't it?" Bella murmured and he winked.

"I hear her strange heart," Aro murmured. "I smell her strange scent." His eyes drifted to Bella. "In truth, young Bella, immortality does become you most extraordinarily; it is as if you were designed for this life." I watched as his eyes came to mine and I narrowed mine. "As it does," His eyes moved to Emmett, "your young mate. Piper, if I'm not mistaken."

Bella nodded once while Emmett stood like a statue.

"You liked my gift?" Aro asked eyeing Bella again or more specifically the necklace she wore that he had sent for a wedding present.

"It's beautiful, and very, very generous of you. Thank you. I probably should have sent a note."

Aro laughed delighted. "It's just a little something I had lying around. I thought it might complement your new face, and so it does." There was a low hiss from Jane and Aro cleared his throat. "May I greet your daughter, lovely Bella?"

Slowly she moved forward as Aro met them, beaming.

"But she's exquisite," he murmured. "So like you and Edward. Hello, Renesmee."

"Hello, Aro," Nessie answered in her sweet voice.

"What is it?" Caius hissed.

"Half mortal, half immortal," Aro announced to him and the guard, "Conceived so, and carried by this newborn while she was still human."

"Impossible," Caius scoffed.

"Do you think they've fooled me, then, brother? Is the heartbeat you hear trickery as well?"

Caius scowled.

"Calmly and carefully, brother," Aro cautioned while still observing Nessie, "I know well how you love your justice, but there is no justice in acting against this unique little one for her parentage. And so much to learn, so much to learn! I know you don't have my enthusiasm for collecting histories, but be tolerant with me, brother, as I add a chapter that stuns me with its improbability. We came expecting only justice and the sadness of false friends, but look what we have gained instead! A new, bright knowledge of ourselves, our possibilities."

He held out his hand to Nessie but she wanted to do it her way and leaned over touching her fingertips to Aro's face.

"Brilliant," he whispered his smile widening as she pulled back.

"Please?" she asked.

"Of course I have no desire to harm your loved ones, precious Renesmee." He smiled gently as Maggie let out an outraged hiss at the bold lie.

"I wonder," Aro said as his eyes moved to Jacob.

"It doesn't work that way," Edward said in a harsh tone.

"Just an errant thought," Aro said still looking over Jacob and then looking back at the other wolves.

"They don't belong to us, Aro. They don't follow our commands that way. They're here because they want to be."

Jacob let out a menacing growl.

"They seem quite attached to you, though, and your young mate and your…family. Loyal." He smoothed over the last word.

"They're committed to protecting human life, Aro. That makes them able to coexsist with us, but hardly with you. Unless you're rethinking your lifestyle."

Aro let out a laugh, "Just an errant thought," he repeated. "You well know how that is. We know none of us can entirely control our subconscious desires."

"I do know how that it. And I also know the difference between that kind of though and the kind with a purpose behind it. It could never work, Aro." Jacob let out a faint whine at Edward. "He's intrigued with the idea of…guard dogs.

Suddenly furious snarls erupted behind us as the thought passed down the pack. Then Sam let out a sharp bark, a command and they were silent again.

"I suppose that answers that question," Aro laughed again. "This lot has picked its side."

Edward hissed and leaned forward as Bella gripped his arm while Felix and Demetri crouched. Aro waved them off and they all returned to their normal positions.

"So much to discuss, so much to decide," Aro said, "If you and your furry protector will excuse me, my dear Cullens. I must confer with my brothers."