Selene got underneath the covers and snuggled with Emmett, "Of course we do, Emmett. This fight is not something that we can sit out; it goes against our training. Besides, you're going to need all the help you can get."
"But, Sel, you and Percy could get killed."
"It's part of being a demigod, Em. Percy and I know the risks, but this is something we have to do. It's who we are, and there's nothing you can say that will make us change our minds."
"What about the baby? You would risk the life of our child?"
Selene cupped Emmett's face, "Nothing is going to happen, Baby. Percy and I have survived worse than this. If what Jasper said is true, this doesn't compare to what we've already been through."
Emmett pulled Selene into his arms, "I can't lose you, Babe. I don't know what I would do if you got hurt."
"You're not going to lose me, I promise."
"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay out of this?"
"No, you can't."
Emmett sighed, "I didn't think so."
Emmett kissed the top of Selene's head as she settled further into Emmett's embrace. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. The next day, Selene woke up bright and early so that she could get ready to head out to the clearing where Jasper had chosen to train. Emmett had already left to get started on breakfast. Selene got out of bed and went into the closet and took out her training gear from that she used at camp Half-Blood and set it out so that she could change after breakfast. Selene made her way upstairs and went into the kitchen, where Emmett helped Esme and Leah make breakfast.
"Good morning, McGruff," Selene said to her sister.
Leah turned around and smiled at her sister, "Morning, Ursula."
Percy, sitting at the kitchen table with Paul, stared at his sister and Leah, confused. Then his eyes lit up, "McGruff the Crime Dog?"
"Yep."
"And Ursula from the Little Mermaid?"
Leah looked at Percy and smirked, "Yep."
Paul suddenly started laughing, "Is that what you guys have been doing this whole time? Calling each other fish and dog nicknames?"
"Yep," Both girls said at the same time.
Everyone in the room started laughing. Paul was laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his seat. "Oh my gods, I can't believe I never made the connection before," Paul said.
"Of course you didn't; how often did you hear us say that with the pack around," Selene asked.
"Enough that it should have been a clue."
"Well, you're not that bright, Paul," Leah said.
"Hey!"
"What? You know it's true."
"Whatever."
"Alright, enough of that. Breakfast is ready," Esme told her new children.
Selene and Leah sat down at the kitchen table with Percy and Paul while Emmett and Esme placed everything on the table. Selene served herself some scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, and oatmeal. Emmett smiled at seeing that her appetite had returned, "I see you woke up hungry."
"Yeah, I'm starving. And I don't have any morning sickness. Maybe I'm past that stage now."
"You'll have good days and bad days, Selene, for a few more weeks," Carlisle explained as he sat down and grabbed the newspaper from the table.
Even though the vampires didn't eat, they enjoyed spending time as a family while the others ate. And it also gave Paul a chance to get used to their scent. Selene would have to ask her dad if he could also get a necklace to help with the smell of the vampires. She wasn't sure he would get Paul one, but there was no harm in asking.
When breakfast was over, Selene and the others went to their rooms to change their workout clothes. Selene and Emmett quickly took a shower then Selene put on her training gear. Emmett stared at his mate, "That's pretty badass, Sel. Where did you get it."
"This is what Percy and I use to train. Our battle gear is different. But you already saw mine, remember."
"That's right. If I hadn't been so worried about you during that fight with Rose, I would have thought you looked hot in it."
"Thanks, Baby. Now, let's get going."
Selene tied her hair in a bun, then headed upstairs, and then to the garage where they met Percy and Leah. They got into Selene's Range Rover and headed out to the clearing they were going to practice. By the time they had arrived, the others were already there. Paul had phased so that he could keep up with Rosalie while they ran to the clearing. As soon as Leah got out of the Range Rover, she stepped deeper into the woods to phase as well. Paul and Leah had talked to Jasper the night before, and he told them that he would instruct Leah how to fight him so that she could show Paul and the others. He still didn't trust Paul.
Now that everyone had arrived, Jasper began to spar with Emmett. Jasper and Emmett wrestle for a while, then suddenly Emmett is tossed across the clearing and lands on his back. He skidded a few feet in the dirt, then he's instantly on his feet, "Again!"
Selene, Percy, and the others watch intently as Jasper and Emmett continue to fight. Suddenly they all turn when they hear Edward's Volvo coming. Edward got out of the car, then opened the door for Bella; Selene sighed, "Great, Bella's here."
"So?" Percy asked.
"So that means we can't practice. Bella doesn't know about us, and I think it would be best if we kept it that way."
Percy frowned, "Aw man."
Carlisle walked towards the siblings, "Don't worry, you two can practice later."
Selene and Percy nod.
Bella and Edward make their way towards the group, then Edward's head snapped towards the other end of the clearing, "They're here."
Six giant wolves come out of the forest and make their way towards the Cullens. Paul licked Rosalie's hand and went to join his pack. Carlisle walked towards them and began to talk to Jared, "Welcome."
"Thank you," Edward translated.
"Thank you for coming."
Jared nodded towards Carlisle.
"Jasper has experience with the newborns; teach us how to defeat them."
"Jared wants to know how they differ from us," Edward said.
"They're a great deal stronger than us because their human blood lingers in their tissues."
Carlisle turned to Jasper, who stepped forward, "Carlisle right; our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of this life. That's why they're created. A newborn army doesn't need thousands like a human army. But no human army can stand against them. Now the two most important things to remember are; first, never let them get their arms around you. They'll crush you instantly. The second, never go for the obvious kill, they'll be expecting that, and you will lose."
Jasper then challenged Emmett to a rematch, and they began to spar. They moved so fast that it was hard to keep up with their movements, but the pack managed. Once Jasper defeated Emmett, he moved on to the others to show each vampire how to handle the newborns. Then Jasper called Leah forward, "Now, Leah is going to help me demonstrate how a wolf should hand a newborn."
Alice walked towards Selene and Percy and took Selene's hand, "Do you think Leah will hurt Jasper?" Alice asked in a worried tone.
"No, she's lived with us long enough to control herself, and Jasper trusts her. Besides, Leah was the second-fastest in the pack. She should be able to keep up with him."
"Who was the fastest," Percy asked.
Selene smirked, "I was."
"Then why aren't you helping?" Alice asked.
"I don't think it's a good idea for me to shift while I'm pregnant," Selene told Alice.
"No, you're probably right."
The three stood by while Jasper and Leah faced off. Leah waited for Jasper to make the first move. He charged her and grabbed her by the head. Leah dropped her weight and flipped Jasper over her head, making him let go of her. Jasper landed on his feet and charged again. Leah turned and rushed him as well. She suddenly stopped and skidded into Jasper, taking his feet out from under him. Leah quickly stood and grabbed Jasper by the neck for a killing blow. Jasper smiled.
"Perfect, Leah."
Huffed and nudged Jasper in the chest. Jasper laughed, "Yeah, I let you win, but you're going to do well going up against a newborn."
After that display, Jared had the wolves come down to the clearing and fight with Leah so that they could learn how she dealt with Jasper. Many of the wolves wanted to practice with the Cullens, but Jared didn't think it was a good idea considering that they were not as familiar with them as Leah was, and their instincts might kick in. After a few hours of sparring, Carlisle decided that they were finished for the day. Jasper made plans with Jared to come back the following day to continue their training. Hopefully, Bella wouldn't go with them, and Selene and Percy could participate.
Everyone loaded up into their vehicles and headed back to the Cullen house. Selene sat grumpily on the passenger side of the car as Emmett drove home. He looked over at his mate, "Come on, Babe, don't be that way. You'll get to practice tomorrow."
"Not if Bella comes back. Percy and I need to spar as well."
"Why don't you and Percy spar at the house if Bella isn't there," Leah suggested.
Selene sat up straighter in her seat, "That, sister dear, is a great idea. We can spar in the back yard, Perce."
"Yeah, the river is right there, which means we can use our powers," Percy said excitedly.
Emmett looked at Selene suspiciously, "But you guys aren't going to be too rough with each other, are you?"
"No, of course not," The siblings said at the same time.
Somehow Emmett didn't believe them, and that worried him.
When they got to the house, Seth and Paul were there. Selene and Leah happily got out of the Range Rover and greeted their little brother, as did Percy, "Seth, what are you doing here?"
"Jared said that I could come over to visit with you guys for a while," Seth explained.
"Great, then you're just in time to see Sel, and I spar," Percy told Seth.
Seth's eyes lit up, "Awesome. Where are you going to fight?"
"Down by the river."
"Cool, I can't wait to see you guys use your powers."
The two demigods grinned at each other.
"Does anyone know if Bella's here," Selene asked.
"No, she's not; Edward took her out to get something to eat," Alice said.
"Good, come on, Perce, let's head down to the river."
Selene and Percy headed down to the river, with the others following behind. Selene and Percy took a few paces away from each other. Selene pulled her bracelet off, and it turned into her trident; she then got into a defensive position.
"Where's your weapon, Percy," Seth asked.
Percy pulled a pen out of his pocket, "That's it," Paul asked.
Percy smirked and clicked his pen, and it turned into his sword. Then he pressed the button on his watch, and it turned into the shield that Tyson had made for him, "That was badass," Emmett said, and Jasper nodded.
Percy got into his battle stance, and the siblings square off. They circle each other a few times, and then at the same time, the siblings rush each other. Selene lunged at Percy, but he blocked with his shield then swung with his sword. Selene ducked, then swung her trident; Percy stopped the trident with his shield. With all his might, he heaved Selene's Trident back, making Selene stumble backward.
Selene regained her balance and rushed Percy again, and brought her trident down towards his head. Percy threw himself to the side to avoid the blow, but when Selene's trident made contact with the earth, it trembled and began to open. The opening followed Percy until he slammed his hands down to stop the earthquake. Percy concentrated on the river and pulled a huge wave out, and directed it towards his sister. It was about to crash down on her when she clapped her hand and turned it into a mist.
While Selene was distracted, Percy advanced and slashed Selene across the leg, leaving a gaping wound. Selene grunted in pain. Emmett snarled and was about to attack Percy until Selene glared at him, "Emmett! Stay out of this!"
Jasper grabbed Emmett in a half nelson to keep Emmett from attacking Percy, "What are you doing?! Percy hurt my mate!"
"That's how they spar, Emmett. You have to let them. Selene will never forgive you if you hurt her brother."
Emmett growls but doesn't move, "Fine."
The siblings continue to fight; Selene swings her trident hard enough to knock Percy's shield out of the way and hit him in the side, cracking his ribs. Percy groaned and dropped his sword to cradle his ribs. Once he did that, Selene advanced and knocked Percy off his feet, "Do you yield?"
"Yes."
Selene smiled at her brother, then tapped her trident on the ground, turning it back into a bracelet and putting it back on her wrist. She held her hand out to her brother and helped him up. "Are you alright, Percy," Selene asked.
"Yeah." He said as Selene put his arm over her shoulder.
The siblings are hot, sweaty, bloody, and tired. They head towards the river so that they could get cleaned up and healed. Stepping into the river, Selene and Percy begin to feel the healing effects of the river. In no time at all, their injuries are healed, and the siblings feel refreshed. As soon as they step out of the water, Emmett rushed towards Selene, "Sel! Are you alright?" Emmett asked, then wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm perfectly fine, Baby. You have nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?! You two could have killed each other!"
"Of course not, that's the way we spar, Em. Sure we get injured, but we never go for the fatal blow. It's just the way it is, Babe."
"But you said you'd be careful."
Percy walked towards his sister and her boyfriend, "We were careful, Emmett; our spars are much worse and a lot longer. Besides, I would never hurt my nephew or niece."
Emmett glared at Percy, though Percy wasn't affected at all. Selene slapped Emmett's chest, "Don't glare at my brother!"
"I'm sorry, Babe, I was so worried when he cut you."
"It was nothing, Baby. And as you can see, Percy and I are healed. Now, let's go inside and get something to eat; I'm starving."
Selene and Emmett walked back towards the house while Seth walked with Percy telling him that that was the coolest fight he'd ever seen. Then he started telling Percy about the battle that Selene had with Rosalie. Percy nodded, "I'm not surprised that Sel won; she's a great fighter."
"Yeah, she is. So do you think you and I can spar," Seth asked.
"Sure, I'll use a practice sword; I don't want to hurt you accidentally."
"Cool."
With that, the boys go into the house where Esme has lunch on the table.
