Disclaimer: Sm owns everything-- I just borrowed her amazing ideas and her words. Sorry if this offends anyone!
See bottom for A/N :) Enjoy!
Adagio G Minor- Ilmar Lapinsch & Mostar Symphony Orchestra
I looked around to see that the others were falling into a line, wolves intermixing with vampires. Much to my surprise, Jacob took his stance beside me. I ventured a glance at the russet wolf, noticing that his ears were laid back against his head and the fur on his neck was roughed up. His teeth were bared as he gave a growl towards the vampires approaching us. Never in my life had I been more afraid of a creature in my life, and I was so relieved to know that he was on our side. More mind boggling than that, was there were nine others who looked just like Jacob, some slightly smaller, others larger. I wondered who they were, and if I knew them. Other than Sam and Jacob, I could not be sure. Once, while in La Push, Jake and I had decided to go cliff diving, but decided against it when we saw Sam and two others jumping off the cliffs. I think Jake mentioned their names were Paul and Jared. I wondered if they were here now. I gave a silent prayer to whomever was watching above, begging Them to allow the wolves to make it through safely and unharmed. I knew it was too much to ask, but I had to. They were risking life and limb to help us, to help me. Glancing over the wolves, I caught Kate's eyes and was amazed at what I saw. Sparks seemed to be literally jumping off her body. Eleazar was beside Carmen, ready to protect his mate if need be. His face was unnervingly calm, while Carmen had tapped into her feral side, crouched low, hissing and growling. Irina and Tanya stood beside each other, and Irina gave me apologetic smile. I knew she was sorry for what had happened between her, but I also understood why. I did not hate her, I just didn't appreciate our current position. Regardless, the Denali Coven looked ready to protect me and my own. A surge of pride ripped through my body, and I used that bit of energy to add to my shield. I knew I would need it when the time came.
I glanced at the Cullen's. Alice and Jasper were crouched down in position, ready for whatever was to come. She smirked at me when her eyes caught mine. Rosalie was picturesque in her beauty, blonde hair flowing in the wind. Her eyes were wide with excitement, as well as Emmett's. They seemed to actually be having fun. Crazy vampires! My eyes came upon Carlisle and Esme. Carlisle had a relaxed smile on his face, and he was holding Esme close to him. They were a few feet ahead of us, as if telling the Volturi, "If you want my family, you'll have to come through me first." Seeing this dedication to us, their family, my body was rejuvenated, only adding more fuel to my shield. It was getting stronger as I took on their emotions. Finally, my eyes rested on my love, my forever: Edward. He was calm, and small smile spread across his lips. It bothered me to see him smiling as his did, so I delved into his mind.
Edward, why are you smiling? I asked.
He jumped at the sudden intrusion but quickly regained composure. I'm never going to get used to that!
I grinned and gave him a look that asked him to continue.
We have a frenemy in our midst he said cryptically.
Confused, I responded, A what?
Marcus. He's been communicating with me since he's been on the field. It seems that he agreed to this war in hopes of being rid of Aro and Caius.
You're kidding! Well, that's good isn't? I mean, if Marcus is on our side, won't that mean some of the guard is on our side as well?
He looked down at the ground and shook his head. Unfortunately not. It seems Marcus is using us. However, he said he is willing to help us as needed.
I let out a sigh of relief. Having a vampire of Marcus's age, plus the added fact that he fed on humans, made me feel a little more relaxed. Marcus was willing to help us.
The other vampire nodded as he proceeded forward. "That is has, old friend." Aro had an ugly smile playing across his lips. His dark, long hair fell down his back much like Jacob's had not very long ago. His skin was pale white, almost translucent. Yet, the most offsetting of his traits were his eyes; blood red and so very cold. "It seems, Carlisle, that you cannot keep a certain newborn under control?" Aro responded. His jet black hair flowed as his walked closer to us.
Carlisle scoffed, "I beg your pardon Aro, but you and I both know that is not true."
Arms crossed on his chest, he thrust one hand in the air, pointer finger up, and started to walk, no float, much closer to our line of defense. "Ah, you've caught me! You know, I so wished you would have joined my Guard. We could have used someone as passionate as you. I guess I will just have to settle with what I have." He turned around to face the forest behind him and called out, "Come out and play, my children."
With that command, others descended upon us. Twelve other vampires stepped out from the tree line. In response, my family hissed, and venom pooled in my mouth. Only Rosalie and Emmett stayed standing up, bouncing on the balls of their feet, ready for the attack.
"I see you brought your guard Aro." Carlisle stated.
Aro laughed amiably, "You know I don't travel without them." He made a quick motion with his hands and Edward doubled over in pain, screaming. Then Jasper, and Rosalie. Irina and Kate were the next to fall down. I was reminded of the vow I made, I will not let them suffer! Then it happened, their screams dissipated and they looked around, unable to figure out what had happened. I was curious as well, until I realized the answer. My shield had blew out from me in a bubble of sheer energy, a mushroom cloud of liquid steel. It pulsed like a living thing – I could feel it, from the apex to the edges. I was about to help Edward to get back on his feet when I felt an attack on my shield, ever so slight. I knew I would have to concentrate in order for it to continue to work. What is doing this? I screamed it inside my head.
"Jane." Edward gasped out loud. Still in tremendous pain, he slowly made his way to his feet. "Jane has the power to cause an illusion of pain. I'm extremely susceptible because I can read her mind."
"What can the others do?" I was frightened, unsure of how much longer my shield would stand. The wolves were growling beside me, itching to attack.
He pointed to the young, blonde child-like girl he named Jane, and then to another young boy, who looked very similar. "Her brother, Alec, has the ability to paralyze senses. If we can take Alec and Jane out, we'll be able to get through this." He looked at Rosalie and Jasper, and finally to Alice. Again, fear illuminated her face. She still couldn't see the outcome.
Quietly, he continued. "Felix and Renata are second most dangerous. Felix has immense power, while Renata can host a shield much like yours." He pointed to Felix, although it was not hard to find him. He was just as tall and wide as Emmett, with short, dark black hair. He flashed me menacing smile, and Edward emitted a guttural growl. Renata stood next to Aro, a thin shield covering them both. Edward looked down at the wolves who growled a response and then at Emmett who smiled quite evilly. I finally realized what he was doing. He was giving commands: Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, and himself were to take on the twins, while several of the wolves and Emmett went for Felix and Renata. The rest of the guard would go to the others to take care of.
He turned to me, "Bella, I need you to stay with me until we've taken down Jane and Alec. We'll need your shield. You'll have to concentrate on keeping it up." I nodded. This took place in a matter of seconds, but it felt so much longer. The wake of battle was upon us.
Carlisle spoke once more, "Is there no hope, then?"
Aro put his hand up to his face, pretending to think. "Truly, Carlisle, nothing would please me more than to preserve your life today. Your newest member, Bella, is it?" he looked at me, then his red eyes floated back to Carlisle, "would be quite the addition to our guard. She seems to have remarkable talent." Jacob and Edward both growled at that, Jacob considerably louder. One of the guard ran forward and emitted an evil hiss.
Aro yelled, "Caius, stand down!"
But Caius didn't stand down, and he hissed as he spoke. "You breed mutants here. You've sided with the shape-shifters against our own kind – against the friend of a friend, even. The Children of the Moon have been our bitter enemies from the dawn of time. Yet your coven encourages a familiar relationship with this enormous infestation – no doubt in an attempt to overthrow us. The better to protect your warped lifestyle." His voice was laced with pure revulsion.
The wolves growled and snapped their teeth, ears laid back on their head. There was no doubt that Caius would be among the ones brought down by the savage teeth of the monstrous animals.
"We called upon these mutants as you called them to protect the people," Carlisle said, "to protect the people from the very thing you are supposed to be doing yourself! These wolves will ensure that our secret is not revealed."
Aro snickered, "And how, pray tell, can you be so sure of that?"
Then Edward stepped forward, "Because these wolves were built to tear you limb from limb, and they will. And what they don't finish, I will." His words were angry and intense. His words were the truth.
Aro actually flinched at this, and Caius began to disappear behind the others. Aro's eyes were full of desperation, becoming aware of the situation. I knew he was desperate to keep Edward and me, to imprison us. But this fight was too big. He would not win if I lived. I was fiercely glad to be so powerful that I left him no way not to kill me. I had the advantage and I was going to use it. I took several steps forward, my shield following me. Aro's eyes became wide and with a signal, Alec and Jane stepped forward as well. I could feel their powers wearing on me, but my newborn strength kept me strong. I would win this fight. Edward stepped forward as well, and took my hand. This seemed to revive me, giving me more strength. Taking another step forward, my family and wolves followed suit. The gap between us and the Volturi was shrinking. I could see the red in their blood thirsty eyes. I could smell the human blood sustaining their forsaken bodies.
With one last threatening growl and a final step forward, I yelled, "Now!" Wolves and vampires alike attacked from all angles. Our group was on Jane and Alec within moments. With my shield protecting us, they were nothing but child-like demons. Edward and Alice went head to head with Jane while Alec did his best to fight Rosalie and Jasper. They really didn't stand much a chance. Swift as the wind, Edward swooped in on Jane, reaching in and pulling out her throat, blood spewing everywhere. Alec went beserk seeing his sister succumb to such demise. Aro screamed, stepping away from Renata. Unprotected by Renata, Aro was a sitting duck. He moved to attack me, but a lone wolf prevented him from going too far. The other wolves fell on Renata, her screams filling the air as her body was torn and ripped. Jasper and Rosalie made quick work of Alec, tearing at his limbs and eventually pulling his head from his torso. I normally would have fallen down in disgust at the sight of it, but my concentration was needed for the shield. With Alec and Jane down, the others didn't stand much of a chance. Edward, Jasper, Rosalie, Alice, and I went to join the rest, taking down others as we moved. I found myself face to face with tall, lean man, eyes so blood eyed I wondered if he had just fed on a human. Instead of instigating the fight, he stood stock still.
"Interesting company you keep here." He mewled, "Immortality suits you Bella." Hearing him speak my name and not knowing who he was threw me into a frenzy. I attacked, not wasting another minute. He was a skilled fighter, much more skilled then I. Each time I went in to strike, he would counter strike. I allowed my human side to take over, and "tripped", falling to the ground. As he bent over to finish me off, I moved lightening fast behind him, putting him into a headlock. A black wolf came at him while I held him, biting and thrashing at his body. The vampire fell to the ground, and with one swipe of his paw, Sam had decapitated him. Edward approached me quickly, looking at Sam and then back at me.
"You're amazing, love." Admiration in his eyes, "You just took down the best tracker in the world. Aro is definitely not going to be happy about that." Quickly, his lips touched mine, and just as quickly, he was gone, helping Emmett to take down Felix. Emmett seemed to be doing well on his own, for he had torn one of Felix's arms off. Edward surprised him from behind, pushing him to the ground. I watched as Emmett stomped the vampire's head into the ground, never to smile again. My eyes searched the area, surveying who was there or who had fallen, and my concentration was interrupted by a wicked roar.
Aro realized the devastation to his guard and screamed, "ENOUGH!" His voice reverberated through the forest, ringing in our ears. I analyzed their expressions as Aro looked at us. His face was as benign as ever, but unlike before, I sensed a strange blankness behind the façade. As if his scheming was over, as if he knew they had lost. Caius was immersed in fear, pinned to the ground, centimeters from having him face torn off by a russet furred wolf; his worst nightmare having come true. One of the guard members actually looked… bored; there really was no other word for it.
At this I was confused, and looked at Edward. I gave a nod to the man and raised my eyebrows, silently asking who the man was, and Edward smiled.
That's Marcus. Neither helping nor hurting. Edward responded.
Carlisle, his chest heaving up and down, covered in blood spoke first, "Are you willing to surrender?"
Aro hissed and spat at the ground, "We are your superiors! You should bow down to us! Not rebel against us!" He stepped closer to us, and more disturbingly, towards me.
Then Emmett opened his mouth, "Well then maybbeeeee you shouldn't have come after us!" Sometimes, he could say the most ridiculous things.
Aro stared at the ground and then his eyes met mine, "Don't think this is over, young one." He turned to face Carlisle, "You may have bested us this time, but we will return."
"That would not be necessary if you allow us to continue with our lives naturally, Aro. Besides, you've seen us take you today, we'll take you again."
Aro sneered as he turned to make his leave. Yet, quick as a flash, his inhumanly fast speed had me his clutches. He was behind me, using me as a human shield.
"Put your shield up, Bella and I may let you live."
"No!" I screamed.
I felt his nail run across my throat and I could feel the blood trickling out, at the same time my skin was trying to repair itself. "I will not hesitate to kill you, Bella. Shield. Now!" My eyes fluttered to Edward as I reluctantly put up my shield. I opened my mind to Edward, willing him to hear me. Five seconds Edward, and my shield goes down. You had best get in here in that time! He nodded and I knew he heard me.
Aro called out to the others, his voice was frantic and hysteric, "You killed Renata, it only seems fair I have a replacement, don't you think?"
My family hissed back at them; and I had, in my mind, counted back from five to one. My shield faltered and Edward was at my side, pulling him from Aro's grasp. Before Aro realized what had happened, Marcus was at his throat.
Everyone froze and Aro looked into Marcus's eyes, bewildered.
Caius made like he was going to help, but he too fell in defeat, finally succumbing to his nightmares. The Children of the Moon had finally taken him, ripping at his arms and legs, and finally, severing his head from his body.
Marcus, a vengeful look to his face held tight to Aro's throat, and whispered, "You've caused enough disaster, Aro." He tightened his grasp on Aro's throat, "Yes, please—read every thought I've ever had, as they should be filled with all the hatred and disgust I have for you."
Aro's eyes widened, as he tried to break Marcus's hold.
"When I agreed to over throw the Romanian's with you, it was because you promised civility, you swore there would be no more devastation!" Marcus's voice roared throughout the clearing. "You murdered the love of my life- my mate. And why? So that I would continue staying with you, being your pet? No- you murdered the only thing I ever cared for in my entire existence, and for that, you shall suffer."
With those last words, Marcus bent down swiftly and took a huge chunk of Aro's throat out, knowing this would only cause him pain. "You shall endear pain before I end your life."
Next, Marcus tore at his left arm and threw it to the wolves. Sam grabbed the still moving limb and placed it in the fire.
"You shall watch as I tear you limb from limb and you shall watch as those limbs succumb to their demise in the torturous fire."
Each limb he tore, he passed to the wolves. Each limb was placed into the fire, popping and melting as the fire ate away at it.
Aro, now nothing but torso and head, looked up to Marcus and his eyes begged for release. They begged for some form of compassion.
Marcus hissed, "You shall receive no sympathy from me, old friend." He chuckled, an eerie sound and said, "No, no sympathy at all." With that, he pulled at Aro's head, dismembering it from its torso and threw the large, pale, blood covered chest to the wolves.
"Goodbye, old friend." Marcus whispered, and he leaned down to kiss the forehead of the man who killed his beloved. "May you rot in hell!" He approached the fire, and dropped it into the roaring fire. He then turned to Edward, gave him a curt nod, and disappeared into the trees.
I fell to the ground, exhausted and sobbing. Edward was at my side, holding me tightly. "It's over now Bella, it's all over. We're fine, love. We're going to be just fine."
The wolves broke out in a heart wrenching howl. Two of their own had fallen, their bodies slowly shifting back to human form. I leapt for Jake when I recognized one as Embry Call. My arms wrapped around Jake's neck, as he shuddered and howled. I later came to find that the other wolf who had fallen was just a child himself, his name was Brady, and he had been the lone wolf to come between Aro and I. As I did my best to comfort Jacob, I looked to see who was still there from my family. The Cullen's, although battered and bruised, were all present. As I began to look for my sisters, I screamed in horror to find that Kate was gone.
"KATE?!" I ran to Carmen, throwing my arms around her. Kate, in all her beauty and love, had fallen, never to return. As I looked at her severed body, I shivered and I immediately bent down, in hopes of bringing her back. Yet, Carmen wrapped her arms around me.
"Bella, dear. It's okay. She wanted this." She said soothingly.
"No!" I screamed, "No! That… That… That's impossible!" I sputtered.
Edward came to my side and pulled me into his arms, "Love, she was a part of this world for hundreds of years. She was ready for today."
"But we can still save her!" I screamed.
Carlisle stepped forward, taking in the scene before him. "I'm afraid it would be difficult. And it would be much more painful than you can imagine- even more painful than being turned, Bella. Do you honestly wish that upon her- to relive that pain for a second time?" he asked me that calmly. I shook my head, burying my head in Edward's ripped shirt, sobbing uncontrollably.
Irina was screaming and sobbing, "This is all my fault! My beautiful sister!" She cried, "It's all my fault!" It was true, this was her fault. But she never expected one of her own to fall. She looked at me, "Bella, I'm… so… sorry."
I reached down and pulled her into my embrace, "Shhh, I know Irina. I know. We'll get through this." I promised myself that my family wouldn't get hurt, and I let Kate down- she was my most trusted companion and friend. I clutched onto Irina, my sobs matching hers.
Tanya knelt before us, taking Irina from me and I stood up, searching for the one man I knew could make me feel better. Edward ran to me, pulling me tightly against him. Happiness expanded like an explosion inside me – so extreme, so violent that I wasn't sure I'd survive it. I lifted my head and kissed him with a passion that might possibly set the forest on fire. I wouldn't have noticed.
A/N: Yo, so I'm like super sorry for taking SO long to update! Ugh! I sort of completely lost my beta and found a new one (who is AMAZING). EndlesslyWaiting- there are not enough words in the world to explain how freaking amazing you are! :) Anywho, as I say in the beginning, if my usage of SM's words bug you, I apologize. I use them because I feel they fit perfectly with the dialogue. I know, its not very original- please, don't hate! If you want REAL originality, go check out my new story, Fearless. EndlesslyWaiting helped me the entire way through the story (and yes, it's completed- so updates will be regular!) Here's a little taste of it:
He took a big bite of his steak and moaned. Drake literally moaned over my cooking! "Bella," he admonished, "If you continue to cook like this, I ain't never leaving."
"Well, my mother always did say the quickest way to a man's heart was through his stomach." I replied.
He took another bite of his steak, chewed slowly, swallowed and then asked, "So you're after my heart, is it?"
The wine must have been getting to me because I replied, "Your heart, your lips, your body, whatever comes first."
Hpe to see you over there and reviewing the first chapter :) Oh, but please! Review here first :) haha, thanks!
xoxoxoxo
