Isabella and Coraline

'Keep your distance, Aro and don't even think about using any of your tricks.' Maria grabbed Bella's arm and locked her hand around it, Bella winced in pain because of the tight grip. 'If you try anything I will kill her and none of us will have her.'

Aro gave Maria a scrutinizing look.

'What do you want exactly, Maria?'

'I want Coraline of course and I know you have brought her with you, so it is really of no use to hide her.'

Maria chuckled at Aro's surprised face.

'I have underestimated you and your cunning ability to know everything, Maria, but it will not happen again. I don't see any reason why I should just give you Coraline.'

Maria shook Bella in the same way as she once did Liam and Bella was almost irritated enough to give Maria a taste of her power.

'I have the Firstborn and the power. I win, Aro and you lose.'

Aro shook his head.

'You might have her, but your child is a little bit uhm... unpolished. Coraline on the other hand has evolved completely.'

'I know that. The fact remains that we don't have much time. The situation is about to get more complicated and you want to see this as much as I do. Bring me Coraline!'

Bella suddenly began to fear her faith. Maria had something planned for her and Coraline and it couldn't be something good. She was not afraid for her life, but she was afraid for her soul. She glanced around her looking for a way to escape, but saw it was hopeless. She was completely surrounded by her enemies and she had brought it upon herself. She understood the stupidity of her plan now. The warnings had all been apparent in her dreams, Coraline was her demise and she had walked into this trap with her eyes wide open.

Aro was thinking and she could see his eyes glide over her. He would come to the conclusion that he didn't have a choice. He wanted this to happen and if it had to happen under Maria's circumstances then so be it. He gave Felix and Demetri a signal and they both disappeared.

'I am glad you came to this decision.' Maria said and she turned to Bella. 'Are you ready, girl, because it is almost time.'

Bella shivered and wished she had thought things through better. In her mind she saw the faces of her family. She would not only lose her soul, she would lose them. She intended to die for them and hoped to be with them in an afterlife, but she now knew she would lose them completely. She might even destroy them herself. She prayed they would seek a safe haven, somewhere far away and hidden. Her heart bounced erratically. She had to do something. Time was running out. She could freeze Maria and make a run for it, but she knew she wouldn't even be able to set two steps in front of her without being caught by at least ten vampires. Why wasn't she stronger?

The sounds of a childish voice she knew well startled her. She was out of time.

Aro turned to the child that came from the bushes. She ran towards him in a blur before Bella's eyes.

'My child, turn around and look. I promised you your sister and here she is.'

The childish chuckle was followed by piercing eyes in Bella's direction.

'She looks so different father, are you sure that is her?'

'Positive child, go play with her.'

Bella braced herself, biting on her lip. She was so afraid she could scream. Coraline took a few steps towards her, but hesitated.

'I don't feel her, father. She is empty.'

Coraline turned back to Aro and her eyes were big with doubt.

'Don't be afraid.' Aro encouraged. 'You have waited so long to be reunited with your sister. Remember her, sweetheart.'

Coraline's eyes were back on Bella's face and Bella felt herself stiffen. Coraline's look was mesmerizing and she was drawn to it. An old power inside her stirred, it recognized the familiarity in Coraline's power and it wanted to be close, to touch its second half. Maria released her arm and laughed excited, but Bella didn't hear it. She took a few steps forward, her eyes steady on Coraline's face. Deep inside her Bella knew what she was doing and that she had to stop, but she couldn't resist the drawing eyes of her sister. They both took steps towards each other and they stood in between Aro and Maria.

Bella stopped only two steps from Coraline and stared in her face. Coraline stared back, confusion and doubt on her face.

'I recognize your power.' Coraline said softly. 'But you can't be my sister, you are older and you are not of my kind.'

'Coraline.' Aro called. 'Don't let appearances stand in your way. Remember what you are and reform the connection you once had.'

Coraline held her head under an angle, looking at Bella intently. Bella couldn't move a muscle, her soul ached to flee, to turn away from the evil eyes of her sister. Suddenly a flood of memories invaded her mind. She almost lost her footing because of it, but something held her in place. She tried to fight the memories, but she couldn't. A part of her wanted to see them, she wanted to know who she was and she wanted to reconnect herself with her sister.

She looked around, her eyes touching the light for the first time. She was unbearably hungry and saw only one face above her. The face was beautiful, shining like the sun and smiling lovably towards her.

'My sweet daughter, my sweet Isabella.'

The next memory followed immediately.

She sat in someone's lap, arms tightly around her. She felt protected and safe. A man came in and his angry face frightened her. She didn't recognize him, but he was dangerous for her. She pushed herself closer in the embrace of her mother.

'Mommy?' She asked.

'Don't worry sweetheart, I won't let him hurt you.'

The man's angry voice intruded in her ears. She didn't understand his words, but she remembered them.

'I have warned you, Yvane, time and time again.' The man said accusingly. 'This child can't be allowed to live. I have told you not to procreate and you chose to ignore my warnings.'

'I didn't choose her, Rafe. She chose me and she is a blessing, a miracle.'

'Lies! You have made her and she is dangerous!'

'Can't you see how beautiful she is? She has a soul and it is good. She is meant to exist.'

'You are forbidden from reproduction, because your children would be too powerful. She holds too much power, past, present and future, she holds time. Even worse, good and evil are joined inside her. Her soul might be good, but her power could destroy the world. We can't take the chance that her soul will be able to control that amount of power. How many will have to die before you will see the truth? You have brought us the end of time itself.'

'I don't believe you! I will protect her from herself! I love her!'

'Your love is a sin. The counsel agrees with me. The child has to be destroyed.'

'You may have convinced the counsel of your evil lies, Rafe, but you won't convince me. I won't let you hurt my child!'

'You have no choice, the combined might of me and the counsel will be enough the bind you and destroy her.'

Another memory came unbidden.

She felt extreme pain. Her scream followed when she felt as if her body was torn in two. Darkness followed the pain and when she opened her eyes again, she saw eyes similar to hers. It was like looking in a mirror but still not the same. She stared into that image for a long time. She reached out her hand. The child in front of her did the same and when she touched the child's hand she felt a part of herself in the other girl. A flash of light came and the girl disappeared. She turned questionably to her mother.

'Who was she?'

'A part of you, Bella.'

'Is she my sister?'

Her mother hesitated, but after a second she nodded.

'Like a twin sister.'

'You have sent her away? Why? Will she be alright?'

She felt very worried about that other girl, her touch still burned her hand in a strong urge to be joined with her again.

'I don't know sweetheart, I didn't have a choice. You had to be separated from the evil side of your powers. I can't protect you anymore. I am so sorry.'

Her mother pulled her in an embrace and held her tight.

'The others don't understand. This was the only way to protect you. You will live, my daughter, but not with me. I have to send you away.'

She looked in her mother's eyes, those beautiful and familiar eyes and felt tears come unbidden.

'I don't want to leave.'

'I will seal your memory and I promise you, you won't be alone. Many will love and protect you. This is my last gift to you. Be brave and remember that I will always love you.'

Bella shook the memory off her and Coraline was outlined before her again. Her smile was bright. It was clear that she remembered as well as Bella.

'Sister.' Coraline greeted.

Coraline stretched out her hand towards her.

'Take my hand, big sis and we can play together forever.'

The words were enchanting and Bella took another step forward. Her hand twitched in the extreme urge to touch her other half, the part of her she lost so many years ago. She didn't think, but stretched her hand. Their fingers were almost touching. She was going to be whole again.

'Bella, no!' She heard the voice, but it didn't reach her.

'Bella, please don't!'

That voice again and Bella hesitated, letting her hand drop a little bit. It sounded so familiar and real.

'Bella, listen to me! Fight it!'

She could hear the voice loud and clear now and with every ounce of willpower she had she turned her eyes away from Coraline and towards the voice. Her heart was drawn to it.

'Edward?' She asked softly.

He stood a few yards away from her and behind him stood her family. Their eyes were filled with love and Bella turned towards them.

'Edward!' She called to him.

He held out his hand for her and Carlisle stepped next to him.

'Come back to us, Bella.' Carlisle said to her. 'We love you. We need you.'

She didn't need more. It was love that protected her soul and she broke from Coraline completely, stepping in her family's direction. Coraline gave a shriek in dismay.

'You can't escape me, sister! I will destroy everyone!'

Bella turned back towards Coraline and saw her flaming red eyes. They were filled with power. Around her screams erupted. Friend and foe fell to the ground. In panic she ran to her family. They were gripping their heads in pain and their faces were holding the devastating masks of fear.

'You are all afraid and your fears will destroy you!' Coraline screamed.

Aro and Maria fell also to the ground and were screaming in pain and fear. Their gamble had turned out badly even for them. Bella was the only one standing and the only thing on her mind was protecting her family.

'Coraline!' She yelled. 'Let them go!'

She looked at her sister and saw it was of no use. Coraline was sending out waves of her power in frenzy and she was not even listening. Bella ran closer and tried to freeze her, but her ability had no effect. Coraline was a part of her and she was immune to her gifts as well as Coraline was immune to hers. She couldn't overthrow her with strength, because faith had made Coraline a vampire and Bella humanlike. The screams became louder and Bella knew everyone in this field was going to be killed with no exception but herself.

'I sense so many fears!' Coraline yelled with a smile.

She was an immortal child after all and she was not to be controlled. Bella understood that Coraline was the real danger to this world, that she would destroy it and unknowingly Aro had made her worse by turning her. Bella stared at her family helpless. They were on their knees in the grass. Suddenly something changed. Carlisle was the first. He turned up his head and looked at Bella. His eyes cleared and slowly he stood. Not long after that Jasper followed. Coraline was noticing the change. One by one, her family regained their control.

'What?!' Coraline asked shocked. 'Your greatest fears are gone! That is impossible!'

Carlisle stood behind Bella and placed his hands on her shoulders.

'I understand now, Bella. The reason you had those dreams. It was to protect us from our fears. Through you, we learned to understand and control them. She cannot hurt us.'

'Each dream I had, showed me your fears.' Bella said, understanding everything.

'Rosalie's fear of losing her humanity.' Rose caressed her fingers lovingly through Bella's curls.

'Esme's fear of failing as a mother.' Esme kissed her cheek, welcoming her back.

'Jasper's fear of losing meaning to life.' Jasper took her hand with a proud smile.

'Alice's fear of losing the ones she loves because of her gift.' Alice pulled her in an embrace, holding her tight.

'Carlisle's fear of being alone.' Carlisle softly tightened his grip on her shoulders.

'And Emmett's fear of being defenseless.' Emmett gave her a beaming smile.

'Aargh!' Coraline screamed frustrated and she stamped the ground like a little child.

Bella could almost feel the waves of fear she sent their way.

'There is one fear left, a heart's fear, very strong. Hihihi, you didn't protect them all, big sis.'

Bella felt the cold stab of panic overwhelm her, realizing immediately what Coraline meant. She turned to Edward and heard his scream before she could see his face. He was still on his knees. She didn't dream about Edward's past, she hadn't helped him. She dropped herself next to him and took his face in her hands. His eyes were big and unfocused. She knew he couldn't see her. He was drowning into his fear and Bella in her turn felt more afraid than she ever did in her life.

'Quickly!' Bella yelled, turning to Jasper and Carlisle. 'What is Edward's biggest fear?'