Chapter 4
In the clearing of the woods, Jacob faces Bella and Edward. They're in the center of the field. Jasper and Ellie stands several paces behind Edward.
"You're not fighting? What, you pull a muscle or something?" Jacob asked sarcastically.
"He's doing it for me. Okay?" Bella responds making Jacob look at her, at Edward, shakes his head with disdain.
"Whatever. Just tell me the plan." Jacob demanded as Jasper and Ellie steps forward slightly.
"This field will give us an advantage in battle. We need to lure the newborns with Bella's scent. It needs to end here." Jasper informed.
"Edward and I are going on a campsite. Even if he carries me, they'll still pick up our scents." Bella said.
"Your stench, however, is revolting." Edward sneered.
"Dude, you really don't want to start comparing stinks." Jacob defended.
"What he means, is that your scent will mask Bella's if you carry her." Ellie said to diffuse the tension.
"Done." Jacob agreed.
Oo kpopopo0"This is not a good idea." Edward said.
"Edward. They won't want to get anywhere near his... odor." Jasper told him.
"Okay, let's just try it."klop,p Bella said.
Edward finally nods. She extends her arms to Jacob. He grins, picks her up, holding her tight.
"Eau de wolf, comin' up." Jacob joked making Ellie snicker.
"Run." Edward told Jacob as he runs through the trees carrying Bella – not superhuman speed, but fast, and not breaking a sweat.
Jasper and Ellie head into the forest to see if they can pick up Bella's scent while Edward stood in the clearing.
The two return to Edward, "All I picked up was wolf stench. No Bella. This will work." Jasper told him.
"Great." Edward replied still not happy with the plan.
The next day, after most of the vampires hunted and Edward stayed with Bella, they were back at the woods. Bella is pricking her finger and spreading her blood on the trees.
She moves up the trail to the next tree, touching it was well. A cold wind blows. The clouds above are dark. She continues, making her way to the empty field, touching another tree.
Edward comes up behind her, "You're going overboard." Edward tells her.
"If this is all I can contribute, I want to be thorough." he tells him.
"The newborns will be frantic. Now let me put a bandage on that." He reaches for her left hand. She pulls it away, worried.
"It's Okay. Don't make yourself uncomfortable." she told him.
"It doesn't bother me anymore." he tolls her.
"Since when?" she asks as he takes her hand and puts a bandage on it.
"Since I spent 24 hours thinking you were dead." he says as he continues to hold her hand and gives her a quizzical look, "You're not wearing your ring." he noticed.
"Well, I didn't want to risk losing it." Bella told him.
"Or risk Jacob seeing it?" Ellie interrupted as she walked up to them. She hugged Bella, "Congrats by the way…. And Edward, you and me will have a little chat after all this goes down." she said making Edward smirk.
Bella rolled her eyes at her sister, "I think we should wait to tell him. I mean, at least till after the fight."
"If you're having second thoughts…" Edward started.
"I'm not. I just want him to have a clear head."
"Whose head is unclear?" They hear Jacob say, they spin to find Jacob across the clearing. He approaches.
"Nobody's, I hope." Bella said.
Edward and Jacob nod curtly to one another. He then looks at Ellie, "Ellie. Good to see you."
"You too Jacob." Ellie replied.
Jacob eyes the cloudy sky. Edward does the same, "Alice says there's a storm coming." Edward said.
"Yeah, I can feel it. We should get going." Jacob added.
"I'll take the longer route. But I'll get there first. Set up camp." Edward told them.
Jacob nods. Edward turns to Bella, searing her face for ambivalence or surety. Finally, he kisses her forehead, "I'll see you in a couple of hours." He grabs her bag and some gear and leaves.
Bella turns to her sister, "Please stay safe." she said as they hugged.
Ellie returned the hug, "Like I said, we will be fine." she said, "Now you stay safe, this will all be over soon" she told Bella. Bella then turned to Jacob.
Jacob eyes Bella, "Something up?" he asked.
"A bunch of vampires trying to kill me." she replied.
"Same old, same old." he said as the three share a smile as he slings her onto his back.
Snow falls in earnest now, glacial winds blow, Jacob sets Bella down. They hurry to the left side of the peak to find – a campsite – erected against the sheltering face of the peak. Edward stands by the tent pacing, waiting.
He's acutely relieved to see her. He hugs her and turns to Jacob, "Thank you."
Jacob nods and Bella turns to Jacob as well, "You should get back before the storm hits." Bella suggested.
"No, I'm staying. You'll need my connection to the pack, to keep tabs on what's going on." Jacob informed them.
Edward looks down, none-too-happy but knowing Jacob's right, "You're not going to fight?" Bella asked Jacob.
"Seth will spell me in the morning. He's not happy about missing the action, but it'll keep him out of trouble." Jacob said.
Edward notes her disappointment. Be he covers, guiding her toward the tent, "Let's get you inside." he said as he guided her into the tent.
At the Cullen's, everyone was getting ready.
Ellie was in her and Emmett's room, standing in front of the tall mirror putting her hair up so it wouldn't get in the way while fighting, a little anxious of what was to come.
Emmett noticed this and spoke up as he came up behind her to wrap his arms around, "It will be fine. As long as we work together, they don't stand a chance."
Ellie looked at him in the mirror, "I hope your right." she said as she leaned back and closed her eyes.
"Don't be hard on yourself. You can read minds, so you can anticipate moves. Not that you needed it anyway with your Taekwondo training, but you can move things too. They don't stand a chance against you. Besides, you have me as backup." Emmett told her.
"You're right!" she said as she spun around in his arms and wrapped hers around his neck, "They don't stand a chance. You didnt." she grinned.
Emmett was about to lift her up when they heard Alice call out for them that it was time for them to head out, "We will continue this later" he whispered in her ear which make her shiver with anticipation.
The Cullen's and Ellie were standing on the edge of the clearing. Ready for battle.
The whole newborn army blitzes out of the woods and into the field! You can see the frenzy in their eyes. Their rabid thirst as they follow the scent of Bella's blood. But the scent trail ends here. They're confused…
Ellie is standing in front of the Cullens, she sees the newborns and waves her arms out, using her powers it knocks the first few rows of newborns down.
Suddenly something bolts from the trees with lightning speed and tackles a newborn The other newborns spin to find a lethal-looking Jasper in a crouch beside his victim's body.
They rush Jasper but – Bam! Bam! Bam! Three of them go down, tackled by Esme, Rosalie, Carlisle, Emmett and Alice.
Out of nowhere lunges Sam-Wolf, flanked by two wolves. They tear a newborn to pieces. Four other wolves dive into the fray.
Emmett sprints full-bore into the fight, relishing the battle. Ellie using her gifts as well as her fighting skills alongside Emmett. The duo proving to be a lethal combination.
The wolves work as a pack, coordinated, deadly. Jasper controls the field – strategy and speed vs strength. Rosalie fights with icy calm. Alice with precognition. Esme and Carlisle fight side by side. The newborns are brutal and strong as hell. The group are taking some vicious hits.
Jacob-wolf charges into the clearing, tackling a newborn, going for it's neck. Sam and Jacob charge a newborn – each wolf grab an arm in the mouths and rip. Paul is surrounded by Three Newborns; Emmett comes to his aid. They share a look, a battlefield rapprochement.
Carlisle and Esme move in on Bree, the youngest newborn of the group – but she backs up frightened. Esme and Carlisle share a look. They relax their attack stance, try to calm her, talk to her…
Alice darts from newborn to newborn, not even looking at them, knowing their next move. She sweeps their feet, keeping them off balance, confusing them. Jasper is a step behind her, trying to give her cover. As a newborn appears behind Jasper and bites his shoulder. Alice spins, flings the newborn to Ellie who uses her mind to rip the limbs off the newborn vampire.
Ellie catches a glimpse of red hair, and turns seeing Victoria who was searching the battlefield from the treeline. She abruptly turns away from the fight, and starts running, following Edward's scent.
"Ellie! She is after Bella and Edward. Go now." Alice called out to her and without hesitation, Ellie is after Victoria.
Up on the mountain, Edward is keeping tabs on the pack and the family when he suddenly hears something, "She's close. I can hear her thoughts. She knew we weren't there, but she caught my scent." he said.
"She knew you'd be with me."
"She found us." Bella muttered.
"She's not alone." he said as Riley steps out of the woods. Bella immediately recognizes him, is taken aback. Riley edges closer, watching Edward's every move. As they both carefully position themselves.
"Neither are you Edward. Takes a lot of get past me" Ellie said as she suddenly appeared next to Edward but both in front of Bella.
"Riley... Listen to me. Victoria's just using you, to distract me. But she knows I'll kill you." Riley hesitates. Surprised to be addressed, "In fact, she'll be glad she doesn't have to deal with you anymore."
Victoria emerges from the woods, forming a triangle with Riley – Bella, Ellie and Edward at the apex, "Don't listen, Riley. I told you about their mind tricks."
"I can read her mind, and so can Ellie so we both know what she thinks of you." Edward said.
"He's lying." Victoria told Riley.
"She only created you and this army to avenge her true mate, James. It's the only thing she cares about. Not you." Ellie added.
Riley's beginning to hesitate. He glances at Victoria, "There's only you. You know that." she tried to reassure him.
Riley focuses back on Edward, positioning himself to attack. Victoria's eyes burrow into Bella's with bloodlust, revenge.
"Think about it. You're from Forks, you know the area. That's the only reason she chose you. She doesn't love you." Edward said.
Riley falters ever so slightly, doubt seeping into his mind. But Victoria's face is convincingly emotional, "Riley... Don't let him do this to us. You know I love you."
Riley needs to believe her. His resolve returns, "You're dead." Riley said as he charges toward Edward who doesn't move because he knows - Seth-wolf is leaping from the cliff above to land on Riley, taking a chunk out of Riley's hand.
Riley roars with fury and pain as Seth-wolf circles back for another attack. While Seth-wolf keeps Riley on the defense, Edward starts toward Victoria she backs toward the trees. Ellie stays with Bella.
Edward sees she's about to escape and darts into her path, "You can escape. You always do. But you won't get another chance like this again." Edward told her.
Victoria hisses at him, backs further away, "You want her. You want me to feel the pain you felt when I killed James. When I tore him to pieces. When I turned him into ash. When I turned him into nothing." Edward eggs her on.
Victoria finally erupts and charges Bella, but Edward never lets her get close – he intercepts her and they roll down the hill in a death grip.
Bella and Ellie watching this battle, desperate to help, meanwhile Riley kicks Seth-wolf hard against the cliff. Sharp shards of rock fall around Bella.
Seth-wolf, battered, goes down. Riley spins toward Bella and Ellie. Ellie steps into a more protective stance, ready to pounce.
With lightning fast speed, she kicks him while he is in the air with such power he flies back and into Victoria. Edward knew it was coming and stepped out of the way.
Riley joins Victoria's battle providing her with the tiny advantage she needs. Riley tackles Edward to his knees, Victoria grabs Edward from behind. Ellie rushes over and grabs Riley but Victoria still has the upper hand with Edward.
Bella's never in her life been more sure of what she wants than in this moment – with purpose she grabs up a sharp piece of slate. Bella plunges the shard downward, stabbing her arm. Blood immediately flows dripping bright red onto the white snow.
Riley spun around towards Bella, the scent making him wild and Victoria also catching the smell; her head whips toward Bella.
Edward seizes the moment – dead drops to the ground while flipping Victoria over his head, across the clearing and into a tree breaking it in two.
Ellie also takes the advantage and rips Riley's arm off, tossing it aside making him scream. His arm is gone!
Edward bolts back to Victoria as Seth-wolf also recovered, leaps up and tackles Riley and drags him screaming into the woods.
"Victoria. Victoria." Riley cried out. Victoria doesn't even glance at him, revealing to Riley the painful truth. The last thing we see of Riley is his tragically betrayed face...
Ellie returns to Bella's side, she rips off a part of her top and wraps its around Bella's wound as Edward charges Victoria – the two clash and begin a blurred battle. Until he pummels her down and, finally, maneuvers himself behind her, gelling her in a death grip.
Victoria struggles; Bella is directly in her eye-line. She glares at Bella who glares back, every bit as fiercely. Edward's lips are at Victoria's neck – it looks as if he kisses her – he bites a huge chunk from her neck, ripping her head off.
They watch as Victoria's body crumple to the ground. All sound disappears. The air goes still. The atmosphere changes. This nemesis, this relentless demon, is finally dead. Or almost. Eerily, it still moves slightly and Edward looks up at Bella. Their eyes meet. But shame, fear, cloud his face. She moves toward him. Slowly. Purposefully. As she reaches him, he turns away.
Ellie gives them some space and walks over to where Seth is.
"Edward" she started.
"I didn't want you to see that." he told her. She stops him, touches his face tenderly, her eyes telling him it's ok.
He starts for the tent but Seth-wolf lets out a sharp bark and Ellie runs up beside him.
Edward turns; his expression fills with concern.
"Something's wrong." Bella said, unsure.
"Alice needs us to go. And now." Ellie told them.
"Why? What's happening?" Bella asked, bit nothing was said as the 4 left the mountain.
A massive fire burns as the Cullens and the wolves hurriedly drag what's left of the newborns to it for the incineration. A purple-black smoke rises. Edward, Bella and Ellie race out of the trees, bee-lining for Alice and the rest of the Cullens gathered near the fire while Ellie went instantly to Emmett's side.
"How long?" Edward asked Alice.
"A few minutes. Maybe ten." Alice told them as Bella scans the field for Jacob.
"They timed their arrival well." Ellie said.
"Probably hoping the newborns took a few of us out." Emmett said.
Edward stops as he sees someone by the fire, "What's she doing here?"
Bella looks to the fire – by which cowers the newborn Bree. "We offered her safe haven if she stopped fighting, she took it." Esme explained.
"The pack needs to leave. The Volturi won't honor a truce with the werewolves." Carlisle said.
"Where's Jacob?" Bella asked.
"There...:" Edward poinsted to the treeline clear across the field.
Jacob-wolf emerges. Bella sighs with enormous relief. He sees her as well, starts toward her but suddenly – he hears a vicious snarl coming from behind him in the woods, he spins to see a light grey wolf (Leah) cornering one last male newborn who was hiding. Leah charges.
"Leah, don't!" Ellie yelled out.
The male newborn maneuvers out of her way, spins and grabs her ruff, fiercely yanking her off her paws but Jacob leaps on the male newborn, tackling him – they roll into the clearing where Jacob bites a piece of his face off.
But the male newborn gets his arms around Jacob and crushes him causing Jacob to howl in agony. Bella see this from afar, "Jacob!"
Ellie uses her telekinesis to cause the newborn vampire to have an aneurysm in his brain over and over causing one hell of a headache, forcing him to release Jacob and giving the other wolves the opportunity to pounce on the male newborn, ripping him apart while Jacob collapses to the ground.
As the wolves pull him apart, Edward, Ellie and Carlisle appear at Jacob's side and Bella races across the field to reach Jacob.
Jacob is forced to transform back into a human, naked, grotesquely twisted and broken, barely able to breathe. Carlisle quickly examines him as he writhes in pain; Edward steadies him, gripping his hand. "Hold on, Carlisle is gonna take care of you." Edward reassured Jacob.
"The bones on the right half of his body are shattered." Carlisle told them.
Jacob, in excruciating pain, squeezes Edward's hand. Bella reaches them, dropping to her knees beside Jacob. She strokes his face, trying to comfort him.
"Bella." Jacob calls out.
"Jake, I'm right here." she said as Sam, Paul, Jared, Embry, Quil and Leah, now in human form race up.
"Jacob, you idiot. I had it." Leah said in frustration.
"Leah." Sam warned her as he knelt down next to Ellie giving her a quick look.
"I need to set the bones before his accelerated healing kicks in. It's already starting." Carlisle informed Sam.
"We need to get him out of here. We're not gonna win a fight with the Volturi." Edward said.
"We'll take him back to Billy's." Sam informed them.
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Carlisle said.
"Hang in there, Jake. We got you." Bella said.
Jacob cries out in pain as the pack lift him. Bella agonizes as she watches them disappear into the woods. She and Edward exchange a look of shared concern.
"They're here. Alice said as the Cullens and Ellie gather in the center of the field, converging around Bella. She sees nothing through the oily smoke from the fire.
"It appears you've done our work for us." they heard Jane say.
From out of the mist and the smoke emerge – The Volturi – Jane and behind her, Felix, Demetri and Alec. Jane asses the scene, taking in Bella as well., "Impressive. I've never seen a coven escape an assault of this magnitude intact." Jane told them.
"We were lucky." Carlisle said.
"I doubt that." Jane said as a matter of fact.
"It appears we missed an entertaining fight." Alec commented.
"Yes. It's not often we're rendered unnecessary." Jane noted.
"If you'd arrived a half hour ago, you would have fulfilled your purpose." Edward said.
"Pity." she said as sees the newborn, Bree, crouching by the fire, "You missed one." Jane pointed out.
"We offered her asylum in exchange for her surrender." Carlisle informed Jane.
"That wasn't yours to offer." Jane stated as Jane moves to Bree, Esme shoots Carlisle a concerned look. Carlisle subtly shakes his head, don't. "Why did you come?" She asked the newborn.
Before Bree can answer, Jane focuses her power, sending an invisible searing current through Bree's body. Bree screams in pain. Bella flinches. Esme quickly steps up, "They came to destroy us – to kill Bella."
Jane ignores Esme, continues her torture, enjoying it, "Who created you?" she asked another question.
"You don't need to do that. She'll tell you anything you want to know." Esme defended.
"I know." Jane said.
Carlisle puts a hand on Esme's shoulder. Bree's screaming briefly stops. Jane waits for an answer, "I don't know Riley wouldn't tell us. He said our thoughts weren't safe." Bree tries to explain.
Jane zaps her again – Esme is about to say something, but Ellie spoke up, next to Emmett, "Her name was Victoria. Perhaps you knew her." she said.
Bree's pain abruptly ceases. Jane faces Ellie with an innocent smile that's somehow unnerving.
The other three Volturi are suddenly positioned behind Jane. Bella plants herself firmly at Edward's side in between him and Ellie. The air is tense. This could turn bad, fast.
Carlisle intercedes with great and purposeful calm, "Ellie. If the Volturi had knowledge of Victoria, they would've stopped her. Isn't that right, Jane?" Carlisle asked.
Jane just looks at Carlisle. Jane nods, "Of course. Felix." Felix moves to Bree.
"She didn't know what she was doing. We'll take responsibility for her. Give her a chance." Esme pleaded.
"The Volturi don't give second chances. Keep that in mind. Caius will be interested to know that she's still human." Jane pointed out.
"The date is set." Bella said.
Jane is ever so slightly taken aback by Bella's confidence. Her look lingers on Bella – this human. Edward stands ready to defend her, as well as her sister Ellie. But Jane turns back to Felix, "Take care of that, Felix. I'd like to go home." she ordered.
Meanwhile Felix, with his enormous strength, easily tears Bree from limb to limb. Her screams quickly cease, though the metallic screeching sound continues, "Thank you, Felix. Until next time." she said. The Cullens can do nothing but stand by, grim-faced. Esme tries not to watch.
Bella, fighting revulsion, but standing strong with the rest of the Cullens, as the thick plume of smoke rises…
Billy sits in his wheelchair on the porch, surrounded by the pack, including Emily but not Sam. They wait anxiously. Bella's truck pulls up. She hurriedly climbs out with Ellie behind her.
As she reaches the porch a loud yell of excruciating pain emanates from inside the house; Jacob. Bella flinches, feeling the pain herself. They all do.
It's all Billy can do to keep it together. Emily, next to him, puts an arm around his shoulders.
"It's been going on for a while." Quil said.
"Doc's rebreaking his bones." Embry told the girls.
Bella reacts to the horror of that. Leah paces, "Why'd he have to butt in? I could've taken that tick…" she said.
"Oh, give it a rest, Leah." Paul told her. They all spin toward the front door as it opens Carlisle exits with Sam.
"The worst is over. He'll be alright." Carlisle said.
Billy exhales heavily, tears threatening. Sam puts a hand on Billy's shoulder. Emily wraps an arm around Sam's waist. "I gave him some morphine, but his body temperature will burn it off soon. I'll come back to set up a drip." Carlisle informed Billy.
"Thank you." Billy said.
"He's asking for you." Carlisle said to Bella.
They all look at her. A combination of pleading – 'don't hurt him' – and threatening – 'if you hurt him' –Bella looked at Ellie who gave her a nod so Bella headed inside.
After Bella went inside, the wolves looked at Ellie, wondering why she was there.
"Ellie, I am glad your here" Sam said approaching her.
"I'm glad I could offer some support" she replied.
"What is she doing here Sam?" Paul asked.
Sam gave Ellie a weak smile and turned to look at the other wolves, "With her abilities, she can help Jacob relax and get some rest so he heals quicker."
"I know Jacob wanted to speak to Bella so I'll wait until she comes out." Ellie said.
"What's so special about her?" Quil asked.
Sam was about to speak but Sam interrupted her, "We now have an alliance with the Cullen's and that includes Ellie." he turned to Ellie who had put her hand on his shoulder.
"It's ok Sam, I know they are sceptical. Don't need to read their minds to see that." she paused and stepped forward, "Carlisle says I am very powerful. You saw my abilities today. My strength is my mind, I can move things, read minds and even compel" she explained, "But I would never use it against you guys. I don't know what I can say to put you guys at ease so I just want to say Thank you for your help today, the town is now safe and that's all I can ask for."
The wolves were still silent, not sure what to make of it but perfect timing for Bella to come out.
Ellie went up to Billy, "I'm not going to compel him, I will only just use a little mind trick that will help him rest" she explained.
Billy nodded, and with that Ellie went inside. She hadn't been inside since becoming a vampire.
She headed to Jacob's room and saw him laying there in pain, "Hey Jacob" she said quietly.
Jacob glanced at her, "The doc said you can help" he said as she sat down next to him.
Ellie nodded, "Yes.I can help you rest up so your healing kicks in quicker. By the looks of it, I think your gonna need it" Ellie tried to joke but it still got a weak smile from Jacob.
"What are you going do? Jacob asked.
"I am just going to go into your mind and activate a little spot that tells your body to rest and induces sleep until you're back to yourself. Don't worry, I wont be going into any memories or anything. Are you ok with me doing that?" she asked.
Jacob weakly nodded as Ellie put her hands either side of his head and closed her eyes, looking for that spot to activate. As soon as she did it, it was obvious that Jacob was more relaxed and fast asleep.
She smiled and walked out of the room quietly. When she made it outside, there was Billy, Sue and Sam. Bella had already gone home.
"He is resting easy now, Carlisle will be back soon to set up the drip." Ellie told them.
"Thank you again Ellie" Billy said.
"No worries Billy." she said with a small smile.
"I'm going to head back. Take it easy." she said to the both of them and with that she left quickly, leaving Billy and Sam to watch over Jacob.
End of chapter 4 and Eclipse.
Stay tuned for Breaking Dawn
