Trials of Warriors

Cullen Residence

Edward and Jacob stretched out breakfast as much as they could and eventually Edie left for Charlie's house. As they journeyed back to the mansion, Alice Saw that their battle companions would start to arrive as well. Most of the ones who stayed in Forks were present when the couple arrived.

"Where's Tanya?"

"She went home," her sister answered. "She felt that given the circumstances that it would be best."

"Why didn't you go with her? Not that we don't want you here, it's just, you're her coven, right? And she's your leader."

"We wanted to stay," Eleazar resolved. "It's not only your daughter to whom we have pledged our assistance, it is also Carlisle. We will help in whatever way you need."

"Thanks." Jacob turned slightly to Edward who had been reading Alice's vision from her thoughts.

"Yes, thank you. Before everyone else starts to arrive, we request that our daughter's true identity be kept a secret."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want it getting out that you fathered possibly the most powerful supernatural being in the world."

"Alistair," Edward breathed, astonished. "I would have thought you would be halfway across the ocean by now."

The old-world vampire smirked and jumped up to one of the top branches.

"Where is the Queen," Benjamin asked. "I noticed that both she and our instructors have left for the moment."

"She's visiting someone important."

Swan Residence

"So…anything to report?" The patriarch nursed his coffee.

"I mean Mom and Dad pretty much just hung out with me. We talked," she pressed the hot mug on her lower lip.

"Did you tell them everything?" Riley leaned on the corduroy couch.

"I didn't tell them about Marcus. We just bonded. Tore away from the outside world and we were a family."

"That's great and all, but," the petite vampire hesitated. "We're worried that something like that will happen when the Volturi come."

"We don't want you freaking out every time that someone goes after your folks."

"I'm not gonna freak out."

"You do it every time one of them is in the line of fire. Remember how we met?"

"I see your point, but I'm telling you, Riles, I'm not going to freak. I promise."

"I don't think you can."

"I am. Now, what's new on your end?"

"I don't know if they told you, but your parents, the dead ones, beat the shit out of the Denali leader."

"You're shitting me."

"It was mostly Black but damn! Your Mom took kicking ass and raised it to an art form."

"What Riley isn't telling you is that it also caused problems with the Denali coven. It got so bad that they almost left! The whole coven."

"Are you serious? We're five people down?"

"Only Tanya left, but I think this will cause some serious relations problems between the covens."

"Alright." At that moment, a text was sent to Edie. "Alice says Tanya is about to leave the city. We can cut her off before she hits the northern borders of the forest."

Charlie got up from his chair. "Why don't you two go ahead, Edie will catch up with you in a minute." They left. "I don't want you fighting the Volturi."

"Very funny."

"Kiddo, it's not a good idea and you know it. When the day comes, you and I will be miles away."

Hoh Rainforest

Eventually, Edie joined her students. On their way out of Charlie's house, the trio spotted Tanya and vice versa. "I'm heading home. I didn't feel that my presence would be beneficial to your cause."

"Yeah, you can't leave. If you go, it'll ruin relations with our covens."

"And whose fault is that?"

"I don't blame you, Tanya. I don't like you," she concedes. "But I don't blame you. Look, you need to come back."

"What will you do for me so I will?"

"Don't be selfish, Tanya. At least don't act like it. Come back because if Kate or Eleazar or Carmen dies, then you'll spend the rest of eternity wondering where they went and deep down you will blame yourself for it."

"That's low." Tanya scowled.

Coldly, "I'm not above guilt-tripping. Now, are you coming, or should I send you straight to Denali?"

Tanya pursed her lips and clicked her teeth.

Cullen Residence

The Romanians, the Amazonians, Huilen, Amun, and Kebi were all there when they arrived. They were in the second-floor living room. Jasper seemed to be leading the meeting.

"Carlisle why doesn't your psychic tell us the plan," Stefan jeered. "I'm sure of all of us, the one who sees the currentfuture may lead us to victory."

"Ooh. So witty. And here I thought that your little break might put you in better spirits."

Edward diffused, "How was your visit?"

"It was good. I just had to make a quick stop." She stood aside for them to see Tanya. At the sight of her, several knuckled were popped. "Okay, everybody, stop. Tanya is a respected leader of the Denali Coven. She deserves to be here as much as any of you do. Think about it like this, why should we let the Romanians stay and not her.

"I mean, yeah, we could kick them out too, but what kind of precedent would that be? Besides, the little problem with our covens will and can be solved with a little distance AFTER this battle. Capisce?"

They all gathered once more around Jasper. "Well, that's been settled now, I guess."

She inspected the plans on the table more carefully. "What the hell? Who told you guys to keep the wolves back? This is a bunch of bull. Who wrote these?"

"I did," an Irish lilt pushed through. "M'self and the others thought to expand our ideas for victory."

"Yeah, but we haven't talked about any of this…" Edie did a brief search of their minds. 'They were trying to protect me.'She came across her mother's mind.

"Someone's coming. They just crossed the city limits. They're coming here." He trailed off as if he was speaking to no one, inching to the back door.

"Jake, I didn't See anyone."

"Then they're hiding from you. 'Cause I'm telling you. We have a vampire zipping his way to us."

"Who is it? How do you know?"

"It's instinct. I just. I just know. It's like when I knew the rest of you were coming. Like when I knew you guys were coming before anyone could smell you." He jogged out the door.

"Volturi," asked Kebi.

"Don't know."

Alistair jumped down from the trees and landed a few steps away from where the party migrated. "Whoever it is, they stopped at a clearing and then followed a scent to here. Definitely Volturi, though."

"And here, I thought you were gone."

"Just want to see what you'll do, Princess." He matched her smirk.

It disappeared once the intruder was in their sights.

"Alec? Oh, Bonnie!" The hem of her dress whirled as she collided with her friend. "I've been calling you."

"It wasn't safe and then when it was, I was too embarrassed to call." Alec settled her on the ground by her waist. While the rest of her face was blank, the crinkles around her eyes told him what she wanted to say. "I'm well and he is safe as of when I left."

"And how convenient is your departure, Alec? Should we expect more alliances on the way."

"No, it's just I."

"Rose, he's my friend."

"Maybe. But we've known him a lot longer than you. He's dangerous and more importantly, loyal to the Volturi."

Edie was about to protest, but Alec cut her off. "Yes, I know. Aro believes it too. He knows I'm here and he plans on arriving the morning after the next. He's bringing–"

"The wives," Alice confirmed. "The whole guard is with him. He sent Alec to scout us. He wants us to think that he wants to negotiate, but he just wants to capture us."

"What is he accusing you of?"

"Exposure to humans, genetic experimentation, and treason against our kind. He's going to kill us. If we don't do exactly what he expects of us, he's going to kill us."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Siobhan gripped her by her shoulders.

"He hadn't made up his mind yet! Now he has. He wants the wolves too."

"What? Why? He didn't want them last time."

"It's," Alice hesitantly continues. She tries not to look at Carlisle. "It's because of the letters. Once Aro knows the pack exists, he's going to use them to make those mutants you showed us."

"You, Edward, and the pack? What else does he want? A leprechaun?" To the Irish, "No offense."

"And you."

Breathless, "Excuse me?"

"He wants you. When we returned to Volterra last time, Aro thought about the knowledge of your existence and decided he wanted you for the guard. At least, that's what he said. Truthfully, I believe he has other plans in mind for you."

She didn't search their memories. She didn't listen to their thoughts. Her cold glare swayed to her students. They didn't waver. A promise, but of what, Edward didn't know. Her gaze, a bit warmer now, she hooked her arm around Alec's, "We've wasted enough time."

They went to the library on the second floor. It had a larger table and more materials for them to utilize when they needed them. As the last person gathered around the table, she started, "Okay, so let's take the humans out of the equation for a moment. What can we do about the guard?"

"The ones we should focus on are the witnesses. Take them out and it's a lot less trouble for you," Vladimir pointed out. "With them gone, we easily outnumber the Italians."

"It's not just about outnumbering them," Edward stared intently at the center of the table. "Jane can take us all out if she wanted."

"Let me worry about my sister."

Edie squeezed his hand. "Alright, the next thing we need to talk about is Renata."

"I think Sam and Quil should take her out," Jacob suggested.

"She's Aro's shield. Are you sure they can handle it?"

"Yeah. If they coordinate their attack, they can take her down."

"Now, Chelsea," Edward continues off of Jacob. "She needs to be gone. If not at the beginning, then very close to it."

"We will also need to separate the witnesses from the guard," Eleazar voiced. "Benjamin, can you transform the battlefield so that we would have the advantage?"

"I suppose."

"If you can make a wall around the area, you can prevent…" the soldier's voice trailed off as Edie's headspace drifted to another setting.

Eventually, it landed her outside with everyone practicing their part in the battle. Nahuel often caught himself watching the girl and not for the first time, wondered if their crossed paths were destined. Both hybrids. She of one kind. He of another. He fixed to prove himself in battle.

Hoh Rainforest

They went to Billy Black's home where the other Imprints and Sue were at. Edie hadn't seen any of them since the incident at the warehouse. Upon reflection, it hadn't been that long ago, but it certainly felt like it. Edie was overwhelmed by the number of hugs and stories and familial energy that engulfed the place. She left to be with Charlie soon after. But, before that, she talked with Sue.

Sue had invited Charlie earlier in the week to a trip to a lake she used to go to as a girl to fish for some trout. She didn't believe the request to be odd due to her experience with the supernatural. Sue would later fulfill Edie's request.

In that last night with Charlie, she crawled into his bed and slept curled to his side.

She said her goodbyes and he promised to catch some extra Rainbows for her. Her body leaned forward to the departing pick-up. She took a deep breath and centered herself before she caught up with Alec and Riley.

"You're not going to tell him?"

"He wanted me to stay behind. Edward and Jacob want me to not fight. I can't do that."

"Humans aren't supposed to know about us at all."

Riley scowled, "this human isn't just a human."

"Come on," she walked ahead, "We need to join Bree at the Cullen's."

Cullen Residence

There was nothing else the group could do. The morning after, they would face the Volturi. One of the little quirks about being so close to the mountains in Washington is the phenomena of snow during the summer which seems to have happened this night.

As Seth dropped the last bit of firewood, tiny flames popped out of Benjamin's fingertips and the dry wood is lit. "That's what I'm talkin' about."

"A little pre-battle bonfire," Jacob agreed, "telling war stories." He shifted closer to embers and saw the little groups in their own worlds. "Or just standing there like frickin' statues."

Garrett appeared next to Jacob. "Name any American battle. I was there."

"Little Bighorn."

Amused, Benjamin and Tia wanted to hear the answer as well. Garrett pinched his fingers close. "I was this close to biting Custer. But the Indians got him first."

Kate settled on his lap. "Try Oleg's assault on Constantinople. He didn't win that one on his own."

"If you're talking battles, you're talking the Eleven Years' War. No one does rebellion like the Irish."

"You lost the Eleven Years' War."

"Aye. But it was one hell of a rebellion." Soon, the other red-eyes (those that weren't in the know) gathered upon the fire. The pack had decided to stay the night as well, much to the chagrin of their families.

They were thinking about what tomorrow would bring to them. Would they survive? Most thought not. Others, mostly Seth, believed they would all live. It was a quality that Alec thought was "cute".

"When we ruled, everything came to us. Prey, diplomats, favor seekers. Such was our power. But we never put on white hats and called ourselves saints," Vladimir spit out.

"We were honest about what we were," Stefan affirmed this whimsically.

"We sat still for a very long time. We didn't notice we were beginning to petrify."

"Perhaps the Volturi did us a favor when they burned our castles."

"We've been waiting 1,500 years to return that favor."

A couple of yards away, Edward and Carlisle observed the crew. "I can't help thinking that none of this wouldn't have happened if I had stayed alone. If I never met Bella…"

"You would have still met Jacob and by extension, your child."

A pause, "Father? If we don't, if tomorrow becomes abhorrent…"

Carlisle gave him a one-armed hug and a chaste kiss on the side of his son's head. "We all have something to fight for. I certainly do."

Alistair kept his distance in the tree branches. He looked over them all and landed his sight on their fearless leader.

Edie mirrored her mother looking over their would-be battlefield with Alec at her side. She unfastened the tokens around her neck. "The other you gave me this. I never took it off."

"Why do so now?"

"You might not see me for a long time after tomorrow. I'm asking that you keep it safe."

He wrapped it around his neck and under his robes. He heard a small clink. "What of those?"

She slipped the rings on. "I'm trying to think of something awe-inspiring or even thought-provoking, but I'm blank," she laughed. "I just miss the way they feel on my finger. I miss him." She got up and sat at Jacob's feet where Edward was at. She snuggled her way into his arms and put her forehead in the crook of his marble neck.

"Your mother thought of a name for you," he breathed so low, it was nearly missed.

"What is it?"

"He won't tell me."

"It's a surprise," said-Mother grumbled.

"How will it go for us tomorrow, Alice?" The beta wolf turned to the psychic.

"I don't know."

"No decisions from the other side," her soldier queried. She didn't answer.

Edie left her parents to cuddle themselves. This time, her students joined her in her cliché pre-war brooding. "I didn't pick you guys for this."

"You didn't pick me at all. I volunteered."

"Riley?"

"I couldn't leave just when Forks got interesting."

A peaceful smile spread on the hybrid's face.

"We'll take care of them, Teacher," Riley squeezed her hand.

Dawn was breaking and Nahuel approached the young queen with intent. But he thought twice when he saw the light gleam on her still form. Whatever his intentions were could wait. War was upon them.

The Battlefield.

Before the Volturi came, Edie distributed devices among the Medic and Strategic teams. "I don't know for how long we'll be able to use these. Remember, your lives come before victory. If that happens, I can direct you to where you can escape easily."

"We will not run, and we will not surrender." Kachiri's lilted voice resonated. This unsettled Edie.

It also unsettled Carlisle. "I want to try peace talks." Most turned to him in disbelief. "I believe we can save more lives this way."

"Carlisle, you would only be delaying the inevitable." Amun shook his head.

"Loathed as I am to admit it, he is right, my friend. Tell him," Eleazar reasoned to their leader.

"You know my stance on this."

"Have faith I can reason with Aro."

"Grandpa. I know Aro better than you. But, if you feel so strongly about it, then do it."

"My lady…"

"It's his land, Eleazar." She said this, facing away from them. Alec went back to the Volturi a couple of hours ago. Soon, she would face them again. Face him again.

"You slipped. Called him Grandpa."

"Nah. Just. Just tired. How come you haven't shifted?"

"Pixie told me to do it this way. I can still talk to the pack. I've been practicing."

Facing the center group. "Alice, what's the status of the humans?"

"None heading our way. No one close enough to hear us. There's a storm coming this way. It will wash away the snow and cover any loud noises we may make."

A curt nod. "Zafrina?" Edie touched her arm while facing their arena. "Nice glamour."

"Thank you."

It was about time to take their positions. "There's still time. You, me, Edie and my Volvo."

Jacob stretched his neck so Edward's would fit easier on it. "Tempting." He captured his husband's lips, sucking whatever air he could. He was answered in kind with a foreign tongue in his mouth. He pinched the vampire's jacket, pulling him closer if it were possible.

Edward was more mindful of Jacob's abdomen. Still, he pulled his husband close enough that they molded into each other. "You. Me. Us. Always."

"Always," his pregnant spouse breathed. A few last chaste kisses. A familiar flutter danced in his tummy. "Junior agrees."

"It's cute. I think I could get used to that."

"That's not your name," he answered with his wolfy smirk. "But I will tell you something just as, maybe even more important." His nose in her hair, his mouth on her ear, Jacob breathed four words. They were ordinary words. They were simple words. They were words Edie would know for the rest of her life.

"Come here, darling girl." He waved his fingers as such. Edward encased his little girl and his husband in his arms. Their little family. Together. Always.

To the field, they went. Each step was heavier as they reached their plotted points. The air was thinner and thinner, but the ground never elevated. It was the same. Everything was the same. There are more players, but it was the same game. It was like when you hit replay on a game where the player already knows where they went wrong. They will try to avoid these spots.

But, will it be enough? Will the game simply come up with new ways to beat the player? At this point, it didn't matter. Because there were no more replays available. Edward, Jacob, their family, and their friends will win or lose today.

Behind her grandparents, Edie held hands with her parents. "Mom?"

This shook him a bit, she only ever alluded to calling him that title. "Yeah?"

"When you Imprinted on Dad, what did it feel like?"

It wasn't a question he couldn't answer. It was just weirdly timed. "I kinda think maybe like what you felt like with yours. Like a balloon being held down by steel cables. It's not like he's the center of my universe. It's more like he's keeping me, holding me to the ground. To me, he's gravity."

"Dad?"

His voice may have cracked. "Yes, Sweetheart?"

"What was your Mate Bond like? How did you know that Mom was it for you?"

"It was a vindication of every decision I had made up until then because they all led to me finding him. When it happened, I recognized within myself a space in my heart that hadn't been filled correctly. That space had me drifting with no direction. Then your mother filled that space and tethered me, like gravity."

The wolves were scattered, placed where they would be most needed, should Carlisle's way fail. The Amazonians were behind most of them. Benjamin and Tia were huddled together flanking Bree with Amun and Kebi close by. Siobhan's coven was to the left side of their battle companions, flanking Riley. The Romanians were at the very front without passing Edie, detached from the group.

Rosalie and Seth were guarding Edie from behind with Emmett right beside his Angel. Leah, of course, would be nearest her brother with her Imprint. Brady and Collin decided to be near their alpha behind Leah and Sam and Quil set themselves between the Irish and Brazilian vampires. Huilen and Nahuel were in between Jared and Paul; the latter was right behind the Denali leader who was beside her sister.

Garrett was at her side. "If we survive this, I'll follow you anywhere woman."

"Now he tells me."

The other members of their coven were with Alistair in the trees with nonverbal communications devices; something the European nomad mastered with ease. Using a series of codes, they would be able to communicate to the medic and strategic teams where danger approached the rest.

Alice and Jasper? Their location was a secret.

The tremor of war was in the air. "The British are coming. The British are coming."

Heavy footfalls in the slush. Barely breathing. Footfalls are now louder.

Jacob felt increased pressure on his left hand. He turned to the center to see his little girl's eyes screwed shut, her lips in a hard line with her teeth most likely clenched. He raised her small hand to his lips. The tiny touch lifted the heavy pressure. But…

It was too late. The three lords had arrived.

It was safe to say that Jacob was accustomed to vampires in his life. The marble skin that sparkles, the otherworldly golden eyes (creepy blood-red for their guests), and the modern clothes to blend in. But these guys were a whole other animal.

They were exactly what Jacob thought a vampire looked like back before he knew about his wolfy destiny. Complete with capes, pale skin, but no fangs. Shame. It would've tied the whole picture together. He half expected to have a hair-raising crimson glow all around them. Like, when people talk about auras, he thought theirs would look like a toxic ooze from Chernobyl that someone dyed red.

As Edward read thought the Volturi's minds, he saw conflict at the front of them. Desire. Power. He saw what he believed his daughter saw when she looked at them. Ambition for the betterment of one. Entity? No. Person? Most likely.

The witnesses already knew to report in favor of whatever Aro had decided. The guard took their place and hardly strayed with the aid of Chelsea. Similarly, the wives remained complacent due to Corin's power. They stood one guard behind their husbands. In Sulpicia's case, she was behind Renata who stood closely to Aro.

His imperial nose raised. He had already won. His eyes were searching for his spoils. Marcus who was hardly worth a mention with his eternal weary mask. As always, to Aro's left, Caius posed in his pernicious way as he examined the wolves on the opposing side.

Jacob growled at his thoughts. As the pack link was still intact, the others growled too. The alpha thought to them, 'Not yet.'

Alec had reported the wolves to the lords; how they shifted with no moon. Aro saw the potential in Caius' displeasure. His weapon, ahem guard. His guard's report mentioned the other covens that had come to the Cullen's aid. He saw his predecessors among them, but not Alice. Quite possible, she ran off with the knowledge of what she saw.

Their original course minorly altered, but still true. However, Aro mostly wanted to know about this new character in his kingdom. Alec described her active role in how she magnetized herself to the visiting covens. However, the true way in which the two species cooperated was mostly due to the relationship between the Alpha wolf and the prized Edward Cullen. All in all, a sight to behold.

And his old friend was at the center of them all, "Aro, let us discuss things as we used to. In a civilized manner." His soft voice was clear as if he were right in front of Aro, rather than yards away.

"Fair words, Carlisle. But a little out of place given the battalion you've assembled against us."

"I can promise you, that was never my intent. No laws have been broken."

"We see the girl," Caius cut through the conversation. "Do not treat us as fools."

"Edie came to us this way," the patriarch's voice rung. "Her existence was never intended. But it is very appreciated," he turned back at his granddaughter's strong green eyes. "She is not the result of experimentation, nor have we exposed ourselves to humans. These witnesses can attest to that."

"Artifice!"

"I will collect every facet of the truth. However, old friend, I find it difficult to believe your version of events."

"How so?"

"A concerned citizen has come to us with a very different story."

"Bring the informer forward." Two forgettable guards brought the so-called concerned citizen to Caius' feet. It was Irina.