Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything in here except my imagination and some of the characters. I have also made some slight changes to her world.

I make no apologies for being British, but it does mean that sometimes my spelling/grammar or the words I use may be unfamiliar.

I have used my imagination to create some of the characters and their backgrounds. They are fictional and do not represent anyone living or dead from this reality. Although I can't speak for other realities….

A thousand thanks to my pre-readers Andrea and hubby Harry – I can't do this without you both!

BE WARNED: If you don't like to read about blood and gore – DO NOT READ IT!

Bella's POV

Bring It On

We ran on and on, watching the sky begin to darken until night was upon us. I expected my chest to ache and my legs to hurt, but there was nothing; no aches, no pains, no breathlessness and no tiredness. I could run like this forever!

As the stars begin to unveil themselves we all paused to drain a heard of deer. As we had just crossed the U.S. border, I knew it wouldn't be long before we would be home, but I didn't want to think about what waited for us once we got there… or how many. Would we be able to beat the lycanthropes and save everyone? I sincerely hoped so but I wasn't expecting it to be easy.

And some of us might even get hurt in the process, or worse…

As soon as the carcasses were buried we set off for the final leg of the journey.

"Bella?"

I turned my head slightly so that I could look at Edward and watch where I was going.

"Don't underestimate the Lycans," demanded Edward. They are strong and their bite can rip you apart. Get behind them if you can and pull their heads off by twisting and yanking upwards." He made the motion with his hands.

"Oh yeah!" Tanya squealed from the other side of me.

"Do you have to be so graphic?" I asked, but Kate and Tanya just laughed. I had so much to learn!

As we neared Quileute land I could hear the sounds of… battle. I should've been afraid as the animalistic sounds wafted towards us in the night air, but I wasn't; these creatures were trying to hurt my family, my friends.

I was excited!

I was anxious!

But above all, I was… determined.

My shield began to shimmer.

The growling and hissing seemed to grow more and fiercer as we dashed through the trees faster and faster. I could smell them now. The Quileute wolves smelt of the forest; of ancient trees that have surrounded us and protected us for generations. The werewolves smelt of dirt, of mould and decay.

This was it.

This was why I wanted to return, had to return.

As we burst through the final line of trees we split up and went separate ways, though Edward remained close. I quickly assessed the situation and launched myself at the closest werewolf or lycanthrope. There was no visible difference between the two, or not that I could see anyway.

…and not that I cared…

The creature whose back I jumped on was bent over one of the Quileute wolves, its mouth wide open, teeth glimmering with saliva. The second I landed squarely in the middle of its spine it gave an almighty howl before it straightened up and began reaching around, trying to dislodge me. It was strong; I could feel the power as it writhed beneath me.

But so was I.

"Jasper!"

I heard Edward shout so I chanced a look at him, still clinging on to the hairy neck. Edward was staring at me, torn between staying with me and going to help his brother.

"Go!" I hissed at him. I couldn't look at him any longer as I still had a creature to deal with.

As Edward ran I knew it was now or never. I kept my legs wrapped around its middle, then I reached up, put my hands on either side of its hairy, drool-splattered face and twisted with as much force as I could summon.

I wasn't expecting much to happen, after all, I'm lucky if I weigh a hundred pounds when I'm dripping wet!

However, it was possibly a bit too much force… I dropped down from its back as the now silent body slumped forward, leaving its decapitated head still between my hands!

"Ewwww!" I squealed, throwing the bloody head into the trees.

"Yeah," Emmett yelled. "You go sister!" He was grinning at me from across the car park before he took off after another werewolf who decided to chase Rosalie.

I wonder where Edward had got to.

I was still on the outskirts of the main battle. The Quileute wolf that I had saved slowly stood, shook its fur, smiled a toothy grin at me and slowly limped towards the centre. Well, it looked like a toothy grin to me! I wonder who it was. That's when I noticed the doors to the centre had been completely obliterated. I just hope everyone who was inside is safe.

I took a second to check my shield was still tight around me and looked around once more.

Kate and Tanya were fighting side by side with Eleazar, taking on two werewolves between them. The rest of the Quileute wolves and my family were darting about. I caught sight of Edward, a Quileute wolf and a werewolf facing off, growling at each other at the tree line. A loud bang made me turn to the noise - the centre! I suddenly saw my dad hunched just inside with his shotgun in his hand and a werewolf at his feet.

The wolf I had saved was still trying to make it back to the centre. Its progress was so slow that it was obviously in so much pain. Just before it reached the doors, it collapsed and transformed. It was Esther! Sweet, quiet Esther who wouldn't say 'boo' to a goose! When did that happen?

My dad ran out, threw a blanket over her, picked her up and carried her into the centre, before resuming his place back out in the foyer. I really wanted to be with him, to keep him safe. I had decided to go down there when I saw a werewolf suddenly scramble up the side of the building and leap onto the roof. He had started to rip the roof apart when Jasper leapt up after him, grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him off. The werewolf turned in mid air, landed on his feet and spun around just as Jasper jumped down next to him. Unfortunately the werewolf was ready for him and he grabbed Jasper, pinning his arms by his sides. I was about to go and help when Alice appeared on the scene. She ripped the werewolf away from her mate and landed on top of it. As the werewolf made an 'oomph' sound, Jasper grabbed its head and pulled hard. So I wasn't the only one who pulled heads off! I watched as Jasper gave Alice a quick kiss before the shot off towards the enemy once more.

I realised I wasn't doing much in this fight, but watching the Cullens work together was amazing. They knew where each other was and could help each other at a moment's notice, without the need for words or gestures. Would I ever be a part of that? Would I ever be that close to all of them?

Carlisle suddenly appeared from the side of the building with a werewolf on his back. He appeared to be struggling to shake it loose as it had one arm tight around his neck. They spun and Carlisle backed up against the building, slamming the werewolf forcibly against the wall. He stepped away but it continued to hold on, growling and spitting, its sharp teeth close to Carlisle's ear, when Esme came barrelling around the same corner. Her usually perfectly styled hair was a mess and her jumper was torn, but she thought nothing of jumping on the werewolf. She tightened one arm around its neck and with the other she grabbed its flailing arm. As she twisted, there was a sickening crunch and the werewolf howled in pain, its face contorted in agony. It immediately let go of Carlisle, but in one swift motion it had grabbed Esme's arm and pulled. In fact, it pulled so hard that it yanked her arm completely away from her body!

"Nooo!" I screamed. I was so angry; angry over the actions of the werewolf and angry over my inaction – I had just stood and watched while Esme's arm was ripped out of its socket!

One moment I was stood berating myself and then the next moment I was stood face to face with the same werewolf. We both growled at each other as it began to reach out for me. I was faster. I grabbed its arm and yanked downwards as hard as I could. Once the arm was separated I flung it into the forest as far as I could.

"How do you like it," I sneered as I reached for its other arm. The werewolf was screaming now as blood flowed freely from the wound. I grabbed its other arm, lifted my leg and braced my foot against its chest. "This is going to hurt, just a little bit!"

I twisted and pulled, wrenching its other arm out of its socket. As the werewolf dropped to the floor, passing out from the pain, I realised it had never touched me. I felt no pain anywhere; these creatures were no match for me! The power I felt was intoxicating. I could pull apart this werewolf as if it was an insect!

I grabbed its leg and prepared to pull. I would make him suffer as much as I could!

"Bella." I jumped as I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Sweetheart, we don't torture needlessly. Put him out of his misery," whispered Carlisle, immediately calming my anger, replacing it with shame. As I stood above the werewolf watching it tremble and jerk, I knew he was right. It didn't matter what he had done, he didn't deserve to be ripped apart piece by piece. I reached down and twisted its head in one swift motion, breaking its neck, but not decapitating this time.

"I'm taking Esme inside. She'll be fine Bella, will you? Do you want to come in with us?" Carlisle asked.

"No, no, I'll be fine. Are you sure mum will be okay?"

"It will soon start to heal itself once I hold the arm against her shoulder, but it will hurt. I'm also going to see if anyone else inside needs my help." Carlisle bent down and gently cradled his wife to his chest. He picked up her arm, placed it on top of her and walked towards the centre, trying not to jostle her.

"Isabella!"

A growling, throaty voice sounded behind me. I turned to see a werewolf standing inches away from me, glaring, with a long show lace of spit hanging from its bottom jaw.

"I didn't know werewolves could talk?" I questioned. You learn something new every day!

"They can't. However, lycanthropes can. My cousin Edric has quite the thing for you, or should I say had. Now you're one of them, I'll be doing him a favour, ending your existence!" He sneered and I felt a moment of fear.

As I slowly backed away the lycanthrope stayed with me step for step.

He leant forward so his snout was millimetres from my face. "I'm going to break your legs so you can't run away then I'm going to slice through your skin so no one will recognise you!"

"Who are you?" I asked. I vaguely remembered my dad telling me to keep an attacker talking to buy some time.

"Oweyn. I want my name to be your dying breath."

Oh crap….

Wait a minute….

I'm a vampire.

I AM A VAMPIRE! I am not some weak, helpless human!

"I don't think so!" I growled as I straightened my spine and looked into his cold, beady eyes.

As he licked his lips I engulfed him in my shield and squeezed.

He opened his mouth to speak but appeared to be having some difficulties. "You will…" cough. "You…" He grabbed his throat and frowned.

No other sound left his gruesome lips as his eyes rolled; he dropped to his knees and finally fell to his side, dead.

A loud growl made me turn to my right. One of the Quileute wolves was fighting one werewolf, while another kept trying to jump on his back. As I ran to help I became aware of Emmett also engaging a werewolf. The werewolf, obviously a better tactician, outsmarted Em and ended up securing itself on Em's back. Emmett roared, trying to get it off, but he wasn't quite able to grab its arms.

Who do I help?

As I pondered the question for a split second a fourth werewolf leaped in front of me, hissing. Give me a break! I stepped to the side of it, to avoid it for now, only to see Rose dash up to Emmett, peck his cheek and quickly dislodge the offending werewolf.

The werewolf I had avoided seized his opportunity. Knowing I was focused elsewhere, he leapt over me and landed right in front of me. He backhanded me across the face with as much strength as he could muster and sent me flying through the air, until I landed on the last car in the car park. It didn't hurt at all, but I suppose I was stunned! My shield had protected me from harm – I just hadn't been concentrating enough to make it stronger so that the hit wouldn't physically move me. I raised my head, feeling pretty foolish, when I saw the werewolf who had previously been on Emmett's back jump back on! Also, the one that hit me now had Rosalie in a headlock. It wasn't that Rose and Em were poor fighters – it was because they saw me fly through the air and the werewolves took advantage of the moment their attention was turned to me.

I leapt from the roof of the car and checked my shield again. It was still in place so I decided to go and help Rose. The Quileute wolf I had seen previously had disappeared, along with the werewolf, but I didn't have time to worry about that now. Jasper had also turned up and was helping Emmett.

The werewolf held Rose by the neck as I approached. "Don't come any closer," it hissed. This was obviously a lycanthrope then! "You killed my son and now you must pay," he growled. "My wife is dead, my son is dead and you vampires have grown too powerful! You think you are gods, saying who lives and who dies!"

"The only reason you will die," I responded, "Is because you are threatening my family and friends."

The lycanthrope, whose name I suspected to be Forrix, gave an agonising scream. Pure anger drove him and nothing was going to stand in his way. He had nothing to lose, so he tightened his grip around Rose's throat.

I leapt at him as I heard the crunch of splintering stone. I immediately pulled his arm from around Rose and she dropped to the floor, shaken, but relatively unharmed.

"Go and help Em," I told Rose, while Forrix and I wrestled.

"The rule of the vampire must end!" Forrix screamed.

"Not today," I hissed as my shield crept up his legs and dragged him a few feet away from me.

"I WILL END YOU!" Forrix screeched, not realising he couldn't move.

I was about to reply when I heard an almighty roar come from the forest behind Forrix. The trees shook as a huge Quileute wolf leapt out from between the trees, landing beside Forrix and in one swift motion it had Forrix' head between its jaws. I turned my head so I didn't have to watch what I knew was about to happen.

I heard a faint crackling sound and a voice I hadn't heard in so long.

"Bella?"

Still with me? Kelly - hope you're happy :)

Recs:

Shamrocks and Shenanigans by mathisson

In the Hands of Fate by mathisson