Authors note: So many followers! I really cannot thank you all enough. You all keep me going. If no one had encouraged me, I would have abandoned this story long ago.

Disclaimer: Haven't we been through this?

Chapter 10

This is War

Z had everyone gathered in the stadium. Vampires and demons, together, preparing to defeat an enemy that seeks to bring about the Apocalypse. I noticed that the two creatures tended to stick with their own, but a few had wondered and mingled. Carlisle was speaking to a reptilian-looking demon. Emmett was laughing at something a big demon with bull horns had said. Garrett sat on a window ledge far off the ground. Felix was staring at him and going on a rant on how there weren't any windows in the arena. Caius was arguing the greatest wars in history with a beautiful female demon wearing rather revealing armor. I thought the metal pointless and ineffective in battle. Z covered his laugh with a fake cough. He winked down at me and pulled his sword out of its sheath.

Silence consumed the audience as they stared at Z. The Fallen shoved the blade into the ground. "We have all gathered here to accomplish one thing: to destroy Draven and stop his plan to invoke the end of the world. Those who rise and stand with me risk death or enslavement if defeated, so if there are those who do not wish to endanger their lives for this cause may leave." No one moved. Z kept his face clear of emotion as he continued. "The plan is simple. I will take all of you to the gates of Draven's prison where we shall wait and ambush him once he emerges. Bella, Draven's chosen, shall remain here. She will be watched by two of my most trusted advisors. Are there any disagreements?"

Silence dominated the large space. Z nodded once, "Prepare for battle. We leave at dusk!"

Everyone began moving. Some strapped armor onto their bodies while others issued challenges of practice fighting. I grasped Z's hand. He glanced down at me, keeping his face clear. "Are you sure this will work? What if he has more soldiers at his disposal? What if you…." I was cut off by a hand to my mouth. Z stared down with glowing orange eyes. He winked me before his eyes bleed to dark crimson.

"Cerberus and Drake will defend you with their lives." He whispered, "They won't let anything happen to you. As long as they stand, you will be safe." Z brushed the hair from my face before placing a kiss on my forehead. He scratched the back of my ear and approached the bull demon. I saw Edward's form shivering on one of the stadium seats. Seeing him brought the morning back. Esme had yelled at Z, thinking that he had killed Edward. Z snorted, and with a snap of his fingers, summoned Edward into the main chamber. Edward was curled in a fetal position, mumbling and sniveling. Edward let out a loud (and girly) scream when Esme placed her hand on him. Z stated Edward had spent one night in Hell. Many vampires had backed away, casting terrified glances at Edward.

Even Emmett didn't find humor in the situation. Twelve hours in Hell turned a century old vampire from a strong-willed individual into a whimpering mess. If Draven impregnated me, then the Dark Child will bring about the Apocalypse and bring Hell on Earth.

Cerberus and Drake appeared by my side. Cerberus threw an arm over my shoulder, smiling like we were at an amusement park. Drake, his arms crossed, examined the area. It looked as if he was watching for possible dangers, but I'm sure it was all a guise. Cerberus was given directions to remain by my side no matter what. He laughed at this and pulled me into a bear hug. He proceeded to say how much fun we would have and how he would never leave my side for anything! He placed much emphasis on never and anything. A part of me was excited to spend time with him, yet another was a little nervous about his idea of fun. I could have sworn I saw a pack of rubber balloons, a funnel, and a lot of unopened cans of paint.

As the sun began its descent, everyone prepared to leave. Z sent me one last look, a plea to be safe, and he led his army out of the arena. Soon enough, only Cerberus, Drake, and I stood in the sand pit. Cerberus whooped and threw me over his shoulder. "Come on! I have so much planned for the night! First, we fill balloons with paint and throw them at people." Drake rolled his eyes and followed Cerberus as he rattled on about paintball guns and video games. I was carried through the corridors until Cerberus entered a room full of various games and TVs. Cerberus dropped me onto a couch. He pulled a giant bag full of, you guessed it, canned paint and empty balloons. He pulled out a funnel and commanded Drake to get off his lazy ass and help him.

Drake and Cerberus got into an argument over Drake's work ethic. I pulled out a book and ignored the demons. I tried to get into the story, but I was distracted by the argument. It shifted from Drake's morals to who would win in a fight; raptor on a tiger or a flying shark. I gaped in confusion as the subject changed to a disagreement on who was worse; Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus. I wondered at the IQs of these two as the subject changed to a shouting match on why one wasn't allowed to go around slapping people with a fish dipped in salsa. Cerberus believed it would confuse the fuck out of their opponent and end the argument. Drake said it would just make them angrier and start a fight. Cerberus said a person's sheer stupidity made him want to wring their necks and that 'a fish to the face wouldn't change shit'. Drake replied with Cerberus' tendency to start fights by opening his big mouth.

"Hey guys, who wants to play Left 4 Dead?" I suggested. Both men looked at me and rushed to get a controller. Cerberus tossed one to me as Drake started Xbox. Apparently, this Xbox connected to the internet and allowed us to play with others online. Cerberus and Drake sandwiched me on the couch as we started the game. It wasn't too long before I found out that I wasn't talented in video gaming. Another player startled a witch while he was covering me. It killed me and him. He said he respawned in an abandoned building. I respawned in a room full of witches between me and the door. I shot the farthest one and was torn apart. I respawned again in an alley way. Two steps out of the alley and I was ambushed by another witch. I respawned again… surrounded by witches.

"Wow!" Cerberus exclaimed, "This game hates you with a vengeance!"

Drake nodded. "I must agree with Cerberus' conclusion, Bella."

I pouted at the screen. Cerberus and Drake watched their own screens as they continued playing. The group startled the witches and I was the first to go. I checked the area I respawned in. I determined that the building was witchless and exited the virtual structure.

Cerberus' avatar met me at the door and led me to the group. I made the mistake of entering a building. Cerberus avenged me by blowing the witch to kingdom come. I dropped my controller and moved to the sofa. I watched as the demons continued playing. I admired their virtual prowess and skill. When I said as much, their chests puffed up. Since then, they tried to outdo each other by killing as many zombies as they could. Cerberus was dubbed the winner after an hour of playing. Drake growled and turned off the game box. I laughed at Cerberus' victory dance. Drake tried to hide his chuckle under growls, but I saw the smile gracing his face.

Cerberus and Drake suddenly stiffened. Cerberus glared out the window. "It has begun."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Drake stood up and left the room. Cerberus watched him go. I got up and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I am so scared." His arms held me tightly to his chest. He stroked my back, rubbing away the tenseness in my muscles. He lifted me and lay me on the couch. He placed my legs on his lap and continued stroking me.

"Everything will be alright." His voice was soft. "The plan will work."

I closed my eyes and tried to relax. He could reassure me with that gentle voice until sun up, but I just couldn't forget how many risks this plan entailed. I took a deep breath and let it out. If all else failed, there was always the fail-safe. Z said it wouldn't come to that, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that Draven and I would be meeting real soon. I relaxed as the demon continued rubbing my legs. I closed my eyes and let my subconscious swallow me.

My eyes shot open at the loud bang. The sounds of battle traveled down the hall into the room. Cerberus was no longer in the room. I shot up off the couch and rushed to the door. I knew it was safer to stay in the room, but I needed to see him. My hand shook as I reached for the door knob. I turned the crystal ball and ran out of the room. I let the sounds of battle lead me. I ran and ran until I reached the room Z and I shared. I pushed past the fixed door and slammed the door behind me. I jumped when I noticed another presence in the room. More than one, actually.

Drake studied a dagger, ignoring my stuttered questions. After I forced the question out of my throat, he sheathed the dagger and stared at the ceiling.

"What am I doing here?" He repeated, "Good question. There are many reasons. One of them is because I find your sent very addictive. Another is my preference for this comfy couch. However, the main reason is because my father has ordered me to bring you to the main chamber so he may take you in front of those who sought to defend you. I must admit the humor in this situation. Centuries of isolation has made him no less of an attention seeker."

"I trusted you. Z trusted you! Why are you betraying the demon that has protected you for over a millennia? He has stood by you and you stab him in the back!"

Drake stood up, still not looking at me. "Draven is my father."

"Blood does not determine loyalty!" I shouted.

Drake finally looked at me. "Forgive me, Bella." Drake rushed at me. I heard the sound of flesh on flesh. It wasn't until after he had threw me over his shoulder and started running that I felt the burning sting in my abdomen. With Drake running, we got to the doors of the main chamber. Drake stopped moving and stared at the doors. I was puzzled as to why he didn't just burst into the room. He stood and waited. A few minutes passed before my patience ran thin. I opened my mouth to yell at Drake when he kicked the doors open. He strutted in and dropped me on the floor.

I looked around and shivered in fear. Z was held captive in tendrils of shadows. Cerberus was on the floor, shuddering. Many other vampires were encased in shadows most struggled, but others were still. Those who were still either hung their head in defeat or glared daggers at the man in black. The man was about 5'9 and had his starless-night hair in a high ponytail, the end curling around his waist. He was dressed in complete black. He was shirtless. His pants were loose and only his arms were protected by gleaming black armor. He turned and stared at me with his pitch black eyes.

His smile sent chills down my spine. "Well well, speak of the devil…"

"Don't you dare touch her!" Z spat. He fought against the vines of darkness wrapped around his wrists and ankles. Draven chuckled at his useless thrashing.

"Why can't I? I sent one of my own to mark her for me." He stalked towards Z. He lifted his dark blade and dragged it across Z's bare chest. "A mark you removed and placed with your own." Draven threw his arm down. Z hissed as blood leaked out of the fresh cut. I gasped at the blood pooling at the hem of his low-hung pants. Draven glanced back at me and smirked. "No matter, Azazel. She has been returned to me, by one of your own line, I must add." Draven picked me up and threw me at the wall. I cried out in pain and focused on Z's voice.

Draven came at me again. He kicked, punched, and tossed me around. I endured the pain, trying not to make a sound, for Z's sake. I thought of Z's kindness and reminded myself that he would save me. Draven laughed darkly. He picked me up and threw me into the middle of the room. "There is no one to save you now, my dear! All you can do is accept your fate! You should be honored, human! You shall give birth to the one who shall bring Hell on to earth and rule mankind!"

I managed out a choked laugh as I got to my knees. I stared up at Draven. "To bear a child, both parties must be fertile, Draven."

He froze. Draven slowly turned to face me. "What's your point?"

I got to my feet. I flinched and held my possibly broken arm. I faced Draven with the courage supplied by Z's mental reassurance. "I am not fertile, Draven!"

Draven hissed and clenched his fists. "What?!"

I stole a glance at Cerberus. "There is a woman, a vampire, that I have admired ever since we met. She hated me on sight, but I couldn't help but admire her strength and determination to protect her family. She opened up to me not too long ago. She told me of her last moments as a human and I finally understood why she kept people out. I learned of her pain and loss. She told me that she craved a family. She wanted to bear a child of her own, more than anything. So Z did me a favor and transferred my fertility to her. She can now have her family." I looked over at Rosalie. Her eyes were watery as she stared at me in amazement. "Not only can she bear a child, but now I can't bear yours."

Draven had been slowly making his way to me as I spoke. He now stood in front of me, breathing heavily. His lips pulled back at the growl building in his throat. He roared in outrage and slapped me. I flew sideways and crashed into the wall. I watched as Draven stalked over to Z's bound form, trembling with barely contained rage. Draven started lashing at Z, tearing his skin open. "For your sake, I hope she was lying! Tell me, Azazel, does she speak truth?!"

Suddenly, Z's form grew and changed into Cerberus. He grinned down at the stunned Draven. The other Cerberus shifted into Z. He shot to his feet and stood behind Draven. "She speaks truth." At that, Z lifted his blade and swung at Draven. The black demon dodged at the last minute. Draven retrieved his own sword and battled Draven.

I started panicking. Everything had gone according to plan until now. Z was supposed to be standing over Draven's corpse, not fighting for his life. Draven was using his rage to beat Z back. I wasn't a genius, but it looked like Z was having trouble blocking his attacks. How could Z kill Draven when he couldn't even hit him? I cried out when Draven knocked Z's sword out of his hand. Draven kicked Z down. Draven slammed his foot on Z's chest, pushing the tip of sword into Z's neck.

"First, I will ensure that you never move again, and then I shall make you watch as I take Bella, over and over and over!" Draven snarled. Draven lifted his sword. Before he could harm Z, a blade slid out of his chest. Draven froze and turned his head to see who had run him through.

I gawked, "Drake?"

Drake pulled the sword out of his father's chest. Draven stared in shock at his son. Drake scowled at Draven. "No one threatens my lord's life without consequences."

"What are you doing? Would you really turn against your own father?!"

Drake lifted his sword. "Blood does not guarantee loyalty." Drake brought his sword down, ending his father's life. Draven's body fell to the floor beside Z. No one spoke as Z stood up and studied Drake. They stared at each other for an immeasurable amount of time. Finally, Drake knelt on one knee and lifted the blade above his head with both hands. Z gently took the blade and sheathed it. Z placed a hand on Drake's head, mumbling in a language unknown to me. Drake stood up and placed his right fist over his heart. Z did the same. They both dropped their hands. Z gave Drake a small smile.

"Welcome back, Drake." The shadows vanished and everyone was released. Rosalie walked over to me, one hand placed on her stomach.

"Did you really do that… for me?" Venom pooled in her eyes as she stared down at me.

I nodded. "You'd be a better mom than me anyway."

Rosalie pulled me into a hug. She held me close as her body shook in tearless sobs. "Thank you." I hugged her back. Another set of arms wrapped around both of us. I looked up and could see Emmett's smiling face. He smiled at me and mouthed a 'thank you'. I hugged Rose back. After a long minute, both vampires let go. Rosalie had the brightest grin on her face. "Come on, monkey man! Let's make babies!"

Emmett fist-pumped as he was dragged out of the chamber. I watched them go with a smile on my face. Rosalie got her wish. She would have a family. Nothing made me happier than knowing that I put that smile on her perfect face. I felt a finger caress my cheek. I jumped, but calmed when I realized it was Z. He smiled at me and pulled me into a tighter, warmer hug than the previous one. He held me close, breathing in my scent. I grinned as he nuzzled my hair and buried my face in his chest. His chest vibrated with a purr. He pulled me into his side and guided me out of the large room.

We traveled back to our shared room. He opened the door and gently closed it behind us. He picked me up in a bridle hold and carried me into the bedroom. He fell onto the mattress, letting me pin his body to the covers. I snuggled into his chest as his body melted into the bed. There were no new battle scars marring his skin at all. I winced a little when I put pressure on my arm. Z flipped us over so he was hovering over me. He carefully pinned my arms to my side. He leaned down and placed his lips on mine. I gasped in surprise, and he took advantage of my open mouth. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, brushing mine. I tasted something sweet and swallowed. He took control of the kiss and explored my mouth with eagerness. His hands wondered my body as his mouth did things to my head. My body jerked when he settled his hips between my legs.

I couldn't stop the moan from escaping my throat. Z purred in response, his body vibrating and doing very wicked things to my body. I felt face burning, but I ignored it and let my hands wander along his muscular arms and down his back. His purrs grew louder. He jerked his hips into mine, causing my toes and fingers to curl, scratching his back. His purring turned into a growl and he rubbed against me. I whimpered and bit his shoulder. Z groaned and licked my neck. His hands crept between us, unbuttoning my shirt. He pulled open my shirt and let his fingers trail over my exposed torso, making me shiver. He growled when his fingers met the fabric of my bra. I kissed my way back to his mouth. He happily started kissing me again. His hands crept closer to my bras latch.

Cerberus kicked the door in. "Come on, love birds! It's party time!"

"Cerberus!" Z roared.

I am so evil! I really do love Cerberus, though. He really is a big puppy! How did you like this chapter? It got a little hot and heavy near the end. I think it's almost done. Who wants an epilogue?

-SPN ;3