As they returned to Forks, everyone was aware that this was the calm before the storm. Romain was scouring the indexes for new blood to join the council. It was a fine line he was treading, traditional, but Denali's had arrived and seemed more than interested in joining the Witch Vampire community. While Carmen and Garrett gave their allegiance to a reluctant Jasper, he was aware he'd taken up the mantle in Seattle.
The news started to filter through, New Orleans in their usual style had a street party to celebrate the tentative peace. They had been living side by side for years and had often come to blows over territory and such like. Las Vegas said as long as they could carry on their businesses, as usual, they didn't care one way or the other, again used to living tooth and jowl with each other. New York had, of course, capitulated in the face of Jasper's threat. In fact, all was going well until they heard from some of the other southern states.
Texas agreed to lay off each other and have a truce, but New Mexico, Arizona and Georgia were a little more resistant. The vampires wanting to know what was in it for them? The witches wished to do the council's bidding, but if the vampires didn't stand down then neither could they! The worst rumblings, of course, were coming out of Mexico itself. Jasper had known this would be a problem, there were far more vampires there than witches. Mexico was all about feeding and they cared for nothing but blood and territory.
The biggest problem was most of the warlords he knew would be dead and replaced several times over. Therefore his name wouldn't carry much weight there either. But those that knew him would spread the word he hoped or just like here he'd have to remind everyone he wasn't dead or a myth. It was funny how that was what he was remembered for and it was also the thing he liked doing least, fighting! It was unfortunate that when he did he was good at it; no he was excellent at it.
It was becoming obvious with the other groups having councils, that was what the vampires had always lacked. They needed a place to vent their grievances, not to their Kings, but their peers, their equals just like everyone else. So with this in mind, Jasper sat down with Carlisle, and they hashed out a rough plan and who should be on the council and why. Plus he knew there would have to be as many women as men. He thought and Carlisle agreed he should ask Carmen, she was level headed and didn't jump in feet first.
Carlisle surprised Jasper by telling him,
"I'm happy to advise you son, but I don't want to be on the council or have a large roll in it. I promised Esme I'd retire so to speak, now we're here I don't need to work anymore. I want to concentrate on writing some medical theories I had and just be with my mate and family"
Rose also asked him for a minor roll in the council's running. She wanted to keep the records and start a comprehensive library, the equivalent of the witches archives,
"Not everything should be locked away in Volterra, we need to know more. How can we follow the rules if we don't really know what they are?" she had told him and he was happy to agree.
When the proverbial shit started to hit the fan, it was not where they all thought it would be. For some strange reason, Chicago was on the brink of all-out war and the humans would be caught in the cross-fire if they didn't stop it sooner rather than later. So with heavy hearts and some trepidation, the three main new leaders headed to the windy city with their back up of Charlie, Peter and Charlotte. Peter was happy Jasper and Bella were married so that his loyalties weren't too divided. Technically he was now a Witch Vampire, but he would always have Jasper's back no matter what.
TCHBTE
"Ah Alistair, thank you for answering my call. I don't know where to start! Well, I've obviously left Volterra; I refuse to die for that fool! I also have come to realise we three and yourself, of course, are not mere vampires after all.
The Americans it would seem have taken the lead and have recognised Witch Vampires as a separate species. So in keeping with that, I will be offering myself up as the European leader of this new species. I think the days of one overall leader are gone. One leader on each continent is all we require and then all of them coming together as a council to finalise the rulings might be what we need. I would like you to join me and become my head of security. After all who better than the most elusive former vampire of all time!" Marcus explained to the recalcitrant and surprised man,
"I'll not deny Marcus; I've always felt different from the run of the mill vampire. So what of Aro? Who do you think could replace him? I presume we want him gone!" Alistair asked getting to the point,
"Yes, his days I think as numbered. I would hope that Felix might step up and take control. But I want us to be ready and in place before the twins and Chelsea break free. In charge, they could bring the world to its knees. They need help and guidance especially Jane and Chelsea. Millennia of misusing their powers have taken its toll on their minds. We are the lucky ones; we haven't had our power corrupted by Aro and Caius!" Marcus said with a heavy heart,
"You think she's saveable, Chelsea I mean? Jane and her brother yes, he although using it for evil, hasn't corrupted himself like her. I also see you have given the lovely Heidi her due, that arrogant ass didn't see her potential at all!" Alistair stated plainly.
Marcus knew he was right to call on Alistair; he saw more than others and would be a benefit to their new order. The time was right and they needed to strike while the iron was hot, so to speak.
TCHBTE
All was quiet in Italy; Aro was at a loss as what to do. His world was crashing down around his ears and vampires were disappearing from Volterra at an unholy speed. He knew it wasn't witches causing this, but defection. They were the rats leaving the sinking ship, a signal that his reign was over. How could one vampire do all this? Caius would go down in history, not as the great warrior he thought himself. But as the Vampire who tore the supernatural world apart!
Felix, ever the strategist was keeping his finger on the pulse of the world and he saw how things were going. America was leading the way forward and with the three factions being tight it would be easier for them than here in Europe. Yes, Marcus would be the leader of the Witch Vampires, so that was helpful to them. But Armand Milfoil was not a good choice for the witches of the world, that council had to go. But there was hope for the Europeans with Danielle Thurston in control. She was a good woman and had been helpful in the past.
"So Felix, when are you taking charge?" Demetri asked his friend,
"Me! Why do you think I should take charge?" he answered flabbergasted,
"Well, who's the vampire here watching the world events as they unfold? Who's the vampire aiding the others to escape? I've seen you directing them to hide and wait it out or until you call them! Who besides Aro has Ms Thurston and Marcus Volturi on speed dial? Come on man, face it your our best chance of survival. You here, with me by your side and Jasper Whitlock in America, could ensure the survival of the vampire race!" Demetri stated, convinced he was right.
Just then a movement caught their eyes, Alec stood with an unconscious Jane in his arms. He shrugged his shoulders and said,
"I'm assuming we're Witch Vampires now then! So I think it's time we joined Marcus, she's not so sure but I won't lose her. Not after all she's suffered, so I made the decision for her! Could you call Marcus and tell him we're on our way. Give him my number and the rest will be up to him" Alec said in his usual unhurried way,
Felix and Demetri nodded and watched as he started to leave through a hidden passageway,
"Oh and Felix! You would make an excellent leader" he whispered back to the giant of a man he once called a friend.
TCHBTE
Chicago was living up to its name as the windy city as the six teleported into Edward's old home. He had come rushing over to them as the news about Chicago broke,
"I have a house there! You could use it as your headquarters. Teleport in and ward it before they even know you're there" he said to the three new leaders and they nodded,
"Thank you, Edward, we'll try to keep it safe for you" Bella had said hugging the new vampire fairy,
"Thanks, man, that will be a great help!" Jasper had also told his brother.
"You've become a wise man young Edward. Could you ask Selente to tell her mother the High Queen, it might be wise to draw her people back until we sort out the trouble between our three factions" Romain then said with the solemnity of the occasion.
If war was upon them he wanted the other Fae safe and out of harm's way. He had spoken to many of the others and suggested a low profile for the time being. This was not of their doing; they seemed to get along with everyone. The humanoid Fae was the problem here, of all the human traits to come over with them, arrogance was the worst, followed closely by greed and self-importance. So as the stood surveying Edward's human childhood home, they all hoped everything would go well.
Romain had sent out a call for all witches to meet at the Chicago trading post, which was accessed by entering the Chess Pavilion on the Lakefront Trail. Most would teleport in of course, but he and Charlie would enter that way. Bella had just checked her new register and send magical notes to all the names on it asking them to meet her at the Rosehill Cemetery, where they would hopefully be undisturbed. It would be easier for her as there were fewer Witch Vampires here than the other two factions.
Jasper would, of course, have the hardest time; he would need to beard them in their den. Vampires would be less likely to answer a summons than the other two factions. So with that in mind, he would enter Sedgewick underground station and wait for them to find him and Charlotte. Peter wanted to be with them but he needed to be with Bella, mostly at Jasper's request.
The vampire leader here in Chicago had been around for a very long time, in fact, he was presumed to have died in the great fire and he never told anyone different. While the city had burned so too did he, just not in the same manner. It had taken him time to get to grips with his new life and as Chicago was rebuilt so too was his new vampire empire. He couldn't remember who he'd been before but they now called him 'Lucky Jim'. He was never sure if that was true or not, yes he survived the great fire, but at what cost?
Not willing to allow Jasper and Charlotte to be defenceless. Bella had placed shields in their minds, so at least they couldn't be protected from other gifts. It all came down to just how persuasive Jasper could be. But if push came to shove he and Charlotte could do a lot of damage if needed. As they strode through the empty tunnels below the city, he emanated a power and dark presence that Charlotte was glad wasn't directed at her.
She knew without looking the Major was once more in control, but lord help them if the 'God of War' made an appearance. Everyone always thought they were one and the same. Only Charlotte and Peter knew better, when the Major checked out and it wasn't Jasper in charge, he became his true vampiric self, the beast that was within them all. He was one of few vampires who had not two but three parts to him. Maria had done a serious number on Jasper when he was the Major and once she unleashed the beast, even she was not safe! She had opened Pandora's Box and could not close it again, no matter how hard she tried.
TCHBTE
Back in Forks Emmett was watching the three split-screen monitors in front of him, he had rigged each of the six with cameras and earpieces. He hoped that if they came up against anything out of their remit then the community of Forks could help. This was one of the main reasons Jasper left him in charge, Emmett could think outside of the box. His plan bore fruit quickly as Jasper and Charlotte got deeper into the tunnels. They came across what they thought were fairies, but wingless and grey in appearance. Emmett yelled for Edward and Selente.
"They are starved of fairy food and their wings clipped! How vile and repulsive is this vampire?" Spat Selente,
"Jasper, Charlotte Hold out your hands, cupped in front of you," Edward said into the microphone in front of Emmett.
The two vampires complied and soon their hands were overflowing with fairy food and drink,
"Quickly, eat and drink and then follow our scent back out of here and flee the city, in High Queen Ravshala's name I command you!" Jasper told the frightened fairies,
But on hearing their Queens name spoken, they did as he bid and fled as soon as their wings reappeared. The evil one had not even known that information, this vampire was no enemy.
"The evil one has the other Fae chained to him, using our magic, our strength for his own gain" an old fairy male whispered to Charlotte.
Over at the Chess Pavilion, everything was going smoother; there was a couple of witches missing and everyone seemed reluctant to say why. With a nod to Charlie from Romain, he used his mind manipulation and it all tumbled out. They were mother and daughter, both worked for Lucky Jim, but they both fancied themselves as ruling by his side. Neither was his mate but he bedded both and let them use their magic on his behalf. He was a typical vampire his greed made him sloppy and he assumed no one could take him on.
In the graveyard, Bella too had a couple of absentees, both she was told were prisoners of 'Lucky Jim'. One was the husband of a witch in his employ and the other their son, for insurance purposes the thought, both turned by 'Lucky Jim' to tie them to him as their sire. As each told Emmett their findings he relayed it to the others. Bella bid the Witch Vampires hide until they sorted this out. Then she and Peter teleported to Jasper and Charlotte's position.
Romain and Charlie knew they could not interfere, as witches it would cause more harm than good. So once their meeting was concluded and the witches back under control, they set about the task of checking on what the humans had seen and how to fix it. Memory charms were a blessing at times like this and hopefully, it would only be a few. They were right, the only ones talking were drunks and drug addicts, and with their faculties impaired they saw magic, as did children. But like the children, no one believed their ramblings.
TCHBTE
The four to all eyes vampire pushed on through the corridors and found their next challenge, shapeshifters were guarding the way deeper underground. They were many different types, large cats, wolves, birds of prey and a couple of bears. Bella ensured they were shielded and Jasper stepped forward. In Forks, it was now the turn of Cah'mel and Old Quil to talk to Jasper.
"Ask to address the Alpha of their group," Quil said first,
Which Jasper did and this confused the animals, no one had cared about their hierarchy before. Yes, they were not all the one tribe, but over the years they had become one. Jasper could see the collars around their necks and asked if they were bond in their animal form. One bear nodded his head and they all relaxed their stance as a huge white polar bear approached them.
"I am Major Jasper Whitlock, are you the Alpha?" he asked as gently as he could. The great bear nodded, with a sad look in his eyes.
"The collars hold you in your animal form? I assume they are covered in vampire venom to stop you tearin' them off?" he said now trying to see one closer up and the bear nodded again.
"May we look? I may be able to remove them if there is no magic involved" Jasper said now and all heads lifted to him,
"Hello, I'm Bella and if there's magic involved then I can deal with that! The great spirits willing" Bella said listening to Cah'mel's instructions, she stepped up to her mate and smiling kindly,
This too had them sitting up and taking notice. Bella waved her hand over the gathering and smiled,
"Arrogant asshole did it the old-fashioned way, Major. How much is this going to hurt us because those collars are barbed?" she asked cringing a little.
"Not at all if you magic us a copy of the key sweet cheeks!" Peter said smirking and she slapped her own forehead feeling a little foolish,
"Not to worry darlin' this is all new to you and hey your thinkin' like a vampire first!" Jasper sad smiling at her lovingly,
So without further ado, Bella conjured up a key and they started to release the shifters one at a time. The polar bear lastly and he slumped to the floor in his human form.
"Fifty years, it's been fifty years since I last shifted human. There is one more, she can't stand and they wouldn't let her shift human, this way please" he said staggering to his feet slowly,
In a side alcove was a young-looking polar bear that had obviously had her legs broken repeatedly and they had healed all wrong. Her shock at seeing the others as their human selves was apparent and Bella released her immediately.
"Okay, I'm teleporting you all to Forks, Washington where the two shaman will help you all," she said,
"Wait for me Jasper" was whispered on the breeze as they all disappeared from sight.
"Fuck! This is like the worst ever episode of the Crystal Maze!" Peter said sinking to the ground shaking his head.
They waited quietly for Bella's return and praying things didn't get worse as they entered the final area. It they hoped, would only house vampires and those they could deal with no problem.
TCHBTE
'Lucky Jim' was feeling anything but lucky. His two tame witches were screaming and shouting at him like demented banshees. He had told them not to attend the summons and now their magic was gone. He had foolishly assumed they could not be touched this far away, but the Supreme Wicche proved him wrong. If Major Whitlock showed up now he wasn't sure he could survive an attack.
He wasn't a fighter he was a gambler and a showman. Calling everyone in close he waited not knowing when or where the attack might happen, but sure now it would be soon. Unknown to him and without the benefit of magic he was blinded to the fact they were already there. Jasper had unknowingly entered by the back door and not as Jim thought through the front in an all-out attack.
Not knowing the Major, he didn't know anything about his techniques or practices. So it was a massive surprise to them all when Jasper's voice rang out from the rear of the cavern,
"I can't say I like this subterranean vibe you've got goin' on!"
All the vampire rushed head-on at the four standing there nonchalantly and bounced off Bella's shield, like balls thrown at a wall.
"Halt!" Jim shouted seeing this would be harder than he thought, "Welcome to Chicago, Major Whitlock" he added wondering where all his shifters and fairies were,
"I would have been here sooner, but we had some displaced people to return home!" Jasper drawled, letting him know the rear was clear and no help would come that way.
"What!" yelled one of the witches, "I needed their magic," she said unthinkingly,
"They were not yours to do with as you pleased! I see Romain bound your powers, I might just tell him to leave you that way" Bella retorted and the witch drew back in fear.
"You can't do that!" the other exclaimed haughtily,
"Oh, I can and I most definitely might! Now, where are the two Witch Vampires? I want the released to me now" Bella replied with acid in her tone, disliking these to witches, no make that, bitches before her!
"I am their sire, so I say where they go or not" Jim now said and Bella saw two men looking at him with hatred,
"I am their leader and I wish to speak with them, alone!" Bella replied,
"They have nothing to say to you! I assure you" He pressed and Bella snorted,
"Well, why don't I ask them that. Gentlemen, you are under my shield and safe so what have you to say on this matter?" Bell asked kindly,
"We are prisoners held against our will, turned for his amusement! I would leave if I could" One spat at Jim's feet after having his say,
"Me too, what my father says is true and those two let him do it, My own wife and mother, may they rot in hell for eternity!" the other said clearly glaring at the two witches with disgust.
"Well gentlemen, the one of you that has working magic, I suggest you teleport both of you out of here to this address!" Bella says magically putting a note in the younger man's hand,
"Oh and Romain, here's a present for you!" she said before sending the two women to him at the Chess Pavilion.
"Alone at last!" Jasper drawled and Jim looked uneasy.
The Crystal Maze is a British game show devised by Jacques Antoine, in which a team of contestants take on a range of challenges set within a labyrinth of the same name consisting of four time zones, winning a "time crystal" (golf ball-sized Swarovski glass crystals) for each one they successfully complete. 1990-1996 hosted by Richard O'Brien, revised and revamped 2016 hosted by Richard Ayoade.