A/N: All original Twilight characters are © Stephenie

Meyer. Original Perfect Forever characters are the sole property of MissP1987.

A/N x 2: It has also come to my attention that several of my current and/or former students have found this story. I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO READ THE TWILIGHT SAGA FIRST! 6th grade and above may read and enjoy! 5th grade and below must have parent's permission first! Sorry, teacher first, writer second.

Chapter 18

Low Blows and Split-Second Decisions

Snow was falling heavily and the temperature was frigid as Garrett sauntered into Dallas's camp on the uninhabited outskirts of northern Ontario. He tried not to think about Kate and his friends back in Forks, Washington. His task here would be hard enough to pull off without clouding his mind with thoughts of home.

Home… Kate. Garrett had never figured on her. He had roamed around the world for decades – perfectly content to hunt and feed on humans – justifying his brutal actions as the necessary means to an end…his own survival. Until she came along, Garrett had never even considered there could be any other way to survive. But Kate had changed all of that…she had changed him.

Oh, it was still quite difficult to ignore his thirst for human blood…to satisfy his cravings with animal blood instead. But, Garrett simply stayed as far away from the temptation as possible. That helped the burning in his throat immensely, but his love for Kate and his desire to please her was the most potent of antidotes.

Garrett didn't worry so much about convincing Dallas of his decision to remain a vegetarian after his split with Kate. It would be easy to play the vampire with a conscience. Besides, his sporadic hunting trips were the key to the success of his mission as an informant for the Forks camp.

Edward had devised a plan for Garrett to plant pre-paid cell phones at sporadic intervals along the route that the Volturi army would take on their way to Forks. Garrett would use his hunting excursions as a cover for communication with Edward via text messaging. Then, Garrett would destroy the phone just in case it was discovered by an unwanted party.

"Ah, Garrett my old friend!" Dallas greeted Garrett with a friendly smile…almost too friendly. As Garrett reached out to clasp Dallas's hand in greeting, Felix moved in behind him and wrapped his oversized left arm around Garrett's neck. Using his right foot, Felix forced Garrett's knees to fold, driving him to a kneeling position in the snow. Dallas gave a nod and two soldiers took up positions on either side of Garrett, securing both of his arms straight out to the side, parallel to the ground, while Felix gripped his head in his gigantic hands. At Dallas's second nod, a third soldier came forward, awaiting instructions.

"Search him for communication devices of any kind, Bryce," Dallas ordered. As the young vampire completed his search and turned up nothing, Felix and the two foot soldiers released Garrett.

As he stood to his feet, Garrett held up his hands and arched his eyebrows in question before inquiring, "Just what the hell was that all about, Dallas? Do you think I would be so suicidal as to come here without the most honorable of intentions? Our friendship is decades old. You should know by now that you can trust me!"

Dallas looked at Garrett, searching his face closely, and said, "Yes. I imagine that did sting a bit, Old Friend. Please, allow me to make it up to you. You look a bit thirsty. I'm sure you haven't taken the time to feed properly in your haste to catch up with us. I've taken the liberty of preparing a meal for you. Scott!"

Garrett's keen sense of smell caught the scent seconds before his perfect eyes made out the form running across the snowy plain toward them. A tall broad shouldered male with blond hair cut into a military buzz sprinted toward them carrying a squirming screaming female thrown over his shoulder like a wet towel. Garrett could see the woman's long wavy blonde hair swinging and her skinny arms flailing as her upper torso hung over the male vampire's muscular back. Immediately, his mouth filled with venom and his throat began to burn as the woman's delicious human scent assaulted his long neglected senses.

"Set her down gently, Scott," directed Dallas.

As Scott lifted the blond-haired beauty off of his shoulders and stood her upright on her high-priced red power pumps, she looked quickly from face to face and smoothed her designer business suit around her waist.

"You people should know that I am very well known in Ontario. If it's ransom money you're after, I'm sure my…" Dallas gently placed his pointer finger over the pretty woman's pouty red lips to shush her.

"No No, My Dear. We won't be seeking ransom. You're here to provide a service. Once that service has been performed, you'll be disposed of…it's as simple as that. However, it is a pity. You're beauty is really a sight to behold."

As Dallas spoke, he traced his hand lightly up and down the woman's cheek blowing his sweet breath in her face mesmerizing her. The woman swooned and every man except Garrett chuckled darkly.

Dallas sighed and said, "Unfortunately however, we aren't in the market for newborns today. Garrett, your dinner awaits."

Garrett's eyes narrowed as he squared his shoulders and faced off against Dallas.

"Is this your sick sadistic way of testing my loyalty? You know I'm a vegetarian, Dallas. Just because I am no longer with Kate doesn't mean I have returned to the old barbaric feeding methods. I will not murder an innocent human for the sole purpose of proving myself to you!"

Garrett's eyes were ablaze and the beautiful young woman's eyes were now panic-stricken…no longer mesmerized.

Dallas smiled patiently at Garrett before replying coolly, "Ah, but you will. You see…it isn't your loyalty to me that's in question. It is your loyalty to the Volturi. They have sponsored this mission so generously, I would think you'd be happy to oblige them this one little test. Although, failure is really not an option. You either pass this test with flying colors, or you die. It's your choice."

Garrett's mind was reeling as he thought about Kate and all of his friends back in Forks. Should he refuse to take this test of loyalty, he would die…sentencing them all to death as well. He had no choice.

Garret growled and grabbed the beautiful blonde woman by the throat, lifting her off the ground. As her feet dangled and she slapped at his arm in panic, her red high-heeled pumps dropped off her feet and landed in the snow. Garrett squeezed his fingers together tightly, crushing the blonde's windpipe and cutting off the air supply to her lungs. She struggled for only seconds before going limp in Garrett's hand. Without allowing himself time to think about it, he pulled her lifeless body to his chest and sank his teeth into the soft flesh of her neck where her pulsing jugular vein awaited. The last picture in Garrett's mind was of Kate…his Katie Girl…before he allowed the feeding frenzy to completely take over his mind and body.


The snow had melted and turned into a wet slushy mess by the time the wolves and large cats stepped out of the forest and into the now all too familiar clearing to run through yet another training exercise.

That was the most disgusting display of manners I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing!

Meekah's silvery blue-gray Lynx was the most cat-like of the group, and her delicate sensibilities had been offended during the morning hunt while watching the wolves and most of the large cats greedily devour a large herd of elk.

I got news for you, girl. That little squirrel you daintily picked at back there wouldn't hold you very long if you had to spend a good week or two in cat form.

Collin chided Meekah with his thoughts.

Hey, bro…leave her alone. It saves more for the rest of us!

Whether in human form or wolf form, Embry could never seem to get enough food.

Meekah's fur ruffled and she turned a whiskered face to confront Collin.

Well, at least I'm not covered in gooey animal blood from my tail to my snout!

Collin nuzzled Meekah in the neck playfully with his snout.

I'll be glad to let you wash me down, Baby.

Meekah roared angrily and swiped at Collin with her large paw.

All right you two…knock it off.

Ethan intervened before the fuss escalated to a full on fight.

Jacob, I'll take my team to Location X today since your team worked there yesterday.

Sure, Sure. Sam, you wanna take Location Y today?

Yep. Let's go, people.

As Sam's team of nine sprinted off toward the bluffs nestled far back into the forest, Jacob's team stayed put in the clearing which had been dubbed Location Z for training purposes. Ethan's team headed off in the opposite direction toward the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

The cliffs had proved to be quite a challenge for most of the young shape shifters because they tended to end up in the ocean more often than not...whether by accident or on purpose was not really clear.

Okay, team. The vamps will be here any minute. Let's run through the latest maneuver before they get here. Anybody got a problem they want to hash out before we do this thing?

Jacob could hear her thoughts – so could everyone else – so he knew what was coming – they all did.

I just feel like I'm holding everybody back. I just can't seem to get the jump right.

Tahla had worked all day yesterday on using a tree or a boulder to catapult her lean golden yellow lioness atop the shoulders of an opponent. She had overshot her target every time and ended up sprawled out on the ground in front of them vulnerable and slow to recover.

Everybody's so worried about protecting me they can't focus on their own opponent.

Seth nudged Tahla gently with his muzzle behind her ear.

Don't worry, LaLa. You'll get it. You're just over thinking things…that's all.

Jacob suddenly had an idea.

Seth's right, Tahla. You're over thinking. What you need is to work one on one for awhile until you get it down pat.

"I'll take her with me and she can use me as her guinea pig."

Edward had overheard the exchange as he and Bella had walked across the clearing with Kate, Tanya, and Zafrina in tow.

Can I come, too?

Seth directed his question at Edward knowing he could read his mind.

"Sure. You'd actually be a lot of help. You're a natural at this maneuver. Bella, would you lead the rest of the vampires in one on one combat practice against the wolves and Jace? Focus on the three youngest wolves today. They need the practice. Zafrina, remember…"

Zafrina grinned sideways at Edward and held up her hand to shush him and said, "I know. I know. No illusions."

Edward chuckled and gave Bella a quick peck on the lips before walking away with his charges.


As the frenzy in Garrett's mind and body gave way to calm, he gently laid the shriveled body of the once beautiful blonde woman to the side and stood to face Dallas and Felix.

"Excellent, my friend! I knew you would see things logically."

Dallas clasped his hand over Garrett's arm in a gesture of friendship.

To Dallas's surprise, Garrett shook his arm off violently and spoke with venom in his voice.

"Let it be understood, Dallas, that I am here because I want to be. I have my own agenda concerning that damn black panther and his den of cubs. It just so happens that my agenda matches up perfectly with yours. I will gladly serve as a lowly foot soldier in this army if it means I get to exact my revenge on Ethan Pelletier. But, I will not change my commitment to living a vegetarian lifestyle. I'll hunt when you all hunt…animals, not humans. Is that understood, Old Friend?"

Dallas threw his head back and laughed heartily.

"Of course, Garrett! I think you're crazy, but I won't interfere with your choice of diet. I will also not allow you to serve as a lowly foot soldier. You have been appointed your own squad. I'll fill you in on the finer details on our way to Cantwell."

Garrett stopped short and stared at Dallas open-mouthed.

"I thought you knew. The Ahtena cubs have been extradited to Forks under the protection of the Cullens."

Dallas smiled deviously at Garrett and admitted, "Yes. We are well aware of that. But we have business to attend to in Cantwell before we make our way to Forks."

Dallas raised his eye brows as he asked, "And what business would that be?"

Dallas laughed the most evil laugh that Garrett had ever heard before replying jubilantly.

"To wipe the entire village off the map, of course! Once we take care of Cantwell, LaPush will be next."

There it was…the one thing that Edward and Garrett had not anticipated. They had been sure that Dallas would be content to leave well enough alone after he realized the Ahtena Warriors were all orphans at this point, but Dallas was cold and calculated. He intended to leave nothing to chance. By destroying the entire village of Cantwell, Dallas would squelch any chance of the tribe ever producing another shape shifter because there would be no one left to bear a child. Garrett shuddered internally as he realized the route to Cantwell from Ontario would move him away from his originally planned route, and he had just gorged out on human blood, so he could not use the excuse of needing to hunt for at least five more days. He would have no way of warning the Cullens before it was too late. The people of Cantwell were sitting ducks.


Bella grinned at the mammoth russet wolf as she watched his expressive brown eyes narrow and his body crouch, preparing to spring at her. She could swear she saw him grin as well just as his feet left the ground and hurtled right toward her. Bella chuckled and catapulted herself into the air, executing a perfect forward somersault right over the back of Jacob's wolf and landing directly behind him. In a split second, she had twisted her body around and jumped on top of his expansive back, wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing her venom-filled open mouth dangerously close to his shoulder.

Immediately, Jacob rolled nose first across the wet soggy ground, taking Bella with him and landing on top of her, pinning her beneath him. But Bella curled her legs and brought her feet up against his stomach and shoved with all her strength. The russet wolf shot through the air like a cannon ball landing on his back twenty feet away. Before Jacob had time to recover, Bella took four giant leaps forward and flung herself on top of him, pinning him to the ground and once more bringing her razor sharp teeth within millimeters of his neck.

"One bite…That's all it'll take. I've racked up two in the last five minutes. Focus, Jake. Don't hold back just because it's me," Bella admonished gently, thumping the wolf's snout playfully before leaping deftly to her feet.

Suddenly, Jacob's wolf sprang to his feet and used his whip-like tail to sweep Bella's feet out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground flat on her back. Before she could spring back up on her feet, Jacob pounced on top of her and snapped at her neck with a snarl and a flash of white teeth. Then, as if to complete his point, he stuck out his tongue and licked all the way up her face from her jaw line to her forehead.

"Ewwww, Jake!"

Trying to remain annoyed, Bella shoved the large wolf off of her and stood up. She watched as his whole body shook with laughter and his eyes twinkled with mischief. Bella giggled as she noticed the rest of their combat team had stopped their sparring to watch hers and Jacob's. They were all howling with laughter, too.

"As usual, you're number one talent is comic relief," Bella muttered and tousled the fur behind his ear.

"Okay everybody, back to work. Zafrina can take Jace. Kate, Tanya, and I will take the newbies. Jake, Embry, and Quil… will you guys give them give them instructions during practice?"

As Bella watched everyone in the group move into position, she wondered how Edward and Seth were faring with Tahla in their efforts to perfect her attack jump.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest against a thick grove of trees, Edward stood with his feet planted firmly, his hand on his hips, as Seth's sandy-furred wolf vaulted himself off the largest tree's trunk and landed squarely on Edward's back, snapping at his neck with a snout full of razor sharp teeth. Edward chuckled as Seth jumped to all fours next to his left side and winked at Tahla's yellow gold lioness.

Okay, Lala…your turn. You can do it. Just let your body react. Don't think about it.

As Seth gave encouragement, Tahla's graceful lioness started off at a prance and quickly accelerated to top speed as she used her muscular legs to launch herself up the same tree trunk Seth had just vaulted from and sprang into the air landing with a low growl on Edward's back, nipping at his neck. Edward laughed as Tahla jumped quickly off his back to the ground.

Oh my God! Edward, are you okay? Oh my God! I did it! I did it!

"I am perfectly fine, Tahla. Of course, if I were the enemy, that would not be the point, would it? Very well, done! Now, let's see how you make out with a moving target. Are you ready?"

As Edward began running, Tahla and Seth followed. Seth ran along-side Edward, easily keeping up with his superhuman speed. Tahla laid back a bit, running behind the two friends, waiting for the most opportune moment to theoretically surprise Edward – knowing he could read every thought before she took action kind of took some of the fun out of it. Finally, eyeing the perfect boulder to use as a springboard, Tahla launched herself onto Edward's back with a triumphant roar, enclosing her large jaws around his neck. Edward stopped mid-run and allowed Tahla to spring lightly to the ground.

Wow! Tahla, that was perfect!

Seth moved to her side and nuzzled her affectionately on the nose.

"Seth's right, Tahla. You have mastered the jump. Just remember to attack from behind to lessen the chance of getting bitten. Vampire venom is extremely toxic to shape shifters…deadly, actually."

Thanks, Guys. I feel so much better now! Can we do it again?

Edward laughed and laid his hand on top of Tahla's golden head.

"One more time and then I need to speak with Jacob."


Jacob stood gaping at Edward, dumbfounded.

"You can't be serious, Edward."

Jacob sat on a boulder and buried his face in his hands, but stood right back up and began pacing back and forth in front of the boulder, muttering under his breath in quite colorful language.

"You don't have to bother mumbling, Jacob. I can hear every word you're thinking anyway," Edward said, the annoyance in his voice tinged with a bit of amusement.

Jacob stopped and stood as still as Edward. In the past year, they had grown as close as brothers, and Jacob could read Edward's facial expressions and body language as well as Edward could read Jacob's thoughts. Jacob could see the pain and resolve behind Edward's expressive ocher eyes and he knew his friend hated the thought of having this conversation. But Edward's compassion did nothing to lessen the sting for Jacob.

"No. You can't possibly expect me to stand by and allow my pack to fight without me."

Jacob crossed his arms in front of his chest defiantly.

Edward sighed. He had known Jacob would be stubborn about this.

"Yes, I can. And, I am prepared to use force if necessary to ensure you sit this one out so to speak."

As expected, Jacob's russet face turned tomato red and his breathing became labored as he once again began to pace back and forth in frustration.

"Force? Just what kind of force do you plan to use to keep me away from a battle that decides the fate of my whole tribe? Look, I'm glad you've had some sort of amazing epiphany about imprinting and all. I'm even happier that you now seem to completely accept and understand my love for Renesmee. But, I'm not you, Edward. I wouldn't have stayed with Bella during the fight with the newborns even if she had asked. You can't ask me to stay out of this fight. I can't! I won't!"

Edward moved swiftly forward and grabbed Jacob by the shoulders with a ferocious growl. Even though Jacob stood a head taller than Edward, he took an instinctive step backward.

"You must, Jacob! If you were to die in this battle, you would be sentencing Renesmee to a life of living death. Put your pride aside for a moment and think back to the day that Nessie had the allergic reaction and almost died. I heard your thoughts that day, Jake. You were contemplating suicide at the possibility of existing on this planet without her. How do you think Nessie would feel if the situation was reversed? Renesmee is too young right now to entertain such notions as suicide, even if it was possible for her, but the radiance would leave her eyes leaving darkness and an empty shell behind. Are you willing to allow her to roam through life consumed by grief and despair never willing or able to find someone to share it with because her Jacob was all her heart would ever know?"

As Edward finished speaking, Jacob hung his head, tears spilling silently from his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was thick with emotion.

"Please don't ask me to choose between the center of my universe and my brothers and sisters…my father."

Jacob turned away from Edward, wiping his eyes with the backs of his hands.

"I get it, Edward. I know why I should want to sit out, but I really don't want to…I don't even think I can. I'm not made like you, Man. It would eat me alive if I didn't fight and something happened to one of them…one of you because I wasn't there to help. No. I won't do it. I'm sorry, but I just won't."

Edward sighed sadly and shook his head before stating matter-of-factly, "I'm sorry, too, Jacob, because you leave me no choice. Zafrina!"

As Zafrina stepped out from behind a tree over fifty feet away, she gazed intently at Jacob. Suddenly, Jacob covered his eyes and fell to his knees.

The vision was so clear…so real. His heart was torn into as he watched Renesmee – fully grown and heartbreakingly beautiful – sitting all alone in the floor of a room surrounded by pure white walls. As the vision grew deeper, Jacob could see that the walls – even the floors and ceiling – were covered in thick white padding. Renesmee hugged herself and rocked back and forth – her head down and her auburn hair cascading around her face – murmuring quietly to herself. Suddenly, as if sensing a presence in the room, Renesmee's head shot up and Jacob screamed in sheer terror. Renesmee's radiantly beautiful face was gone. Her chocolate brown eyes were missing and two gaping black holes had taken their place. Absolutely nothing sat where her once pouty red lips and perfect pug nose had been…it was blank.

Jacob rocked back and forth on his knees, tears streaming freely down his cheeks. The agony in his voice nearly tore Edward's heart out as he spoke.

"God, please… Make it stop! I'll do it. Just… make it stop…please!"

As Jacob crumpled on the ground in the fetal position, Edward held up his hand signaling to Zafrina to stop the illusion and Senna emerged from behind her sister holding Renesmee in her arms. In less than a second, Senna stood in front of Jacob and placed Renesmee on the ground in front of him. The minute Renesmee placed her small hand on the top of his head, Jacob's vision was restored and he was in the meadow riding her on his shoulders as she held tightly to a bunch of purple wild flowers and giggled.

Jacob sat back up on his knees and drew Renesmee into his arms tightly, looking up at Edward with narrowed eyes.

That was a low blow, Cullen, even for you. You win…I won't fight. But you better make damn sure my family…all of you… survives, or I will never forgive you.

"I will do whatever it takes, Jacob. I promise you."

Edward and Senna walked away in silence as Jacob hoisted Renesmee onto his shoulders.

Renesmee grabbed hold of his long black hair as if it were the reins to a horse and said, "Giddy up, Jacob!"

The musical sound of her giggling could be heard by everyone throughout the forest as Jacob took off running with her atop his shoulders.


Standing outside the entrance of Cantwell School, Garrett's stomach churned. It was Friday afternoon, just before the two o'clock bell. Any minute, the remaining residents of Cantwell would emerge from the building expecting to be rushed home for the weekend on snow mobiles. But there would be no snow mobiles this afternoon. The twelve children, three teachers, a secretary, and one old principal sitting blissfully unaware inside their school had no idea that fires burned all over Cantwell to hide the evidence that a village had ever existed here.

Dallas and Felix had dispersed all fifty soldiers in groups of ten to every house, store, hotel, and outpost within a ten mile radius of Cantwell. Within hours, every adult in the Athena village besides those inside the school had been slaughtered. All that remained sat defenselessly along with the only surviving children inside the small wooden building.

Dallas eyed Garrett suspiciously and grinned coldly before asking with a voice as smooth as silk, "What's the matter, Old Friend? Have you lost the stomach for such excursions? I seem to recall you were once exuberant when it came to the extermination process."

Garrett returned Dallas's cool grin with a wicked smile of his own before adding flatly, "Oh, I have the stomach for it, all right. Let's just get to it. The sooner we leave here, the sooner we can move on to Forks and get down to the real reason for exuberance."

Felix and Dallas chuckled as they moved up to the entrance of the building and opened the door, stepping inside the tiny office. Garrett, Bryce, and Scott followed closely behind.

As the five vampires entered the tiny office, the plump older lady with dark skin and kind dark eyes behind the counter greeted them with a warm smile and asked, "What can I do for you, Gentlemen?"

Suddenly, Chief Nanuk emerged through the back door of the office breathless and wild-eyed.

"Maria, go gather the children and the teachers into the conference room for an afternoon meeting," Chief Nanuk barked.

Without hesitation, the kind old woman hurried from the room.

Chief Nanuk turned his cold black eyes on Dallas and the others.

"The Warriors are not here. All you blood thirsty cowards will find here today are twelve young children and five senior citizens. Go, and leave us in peace. You'll have no shape shifting offspring from this remaining remnant."

Dallas smiled at Chief Nanuk, but it didn't reach his eyes. His eyes remained cold and calculated as he said, "You're right, Old Man. There will be no shape shifters born from Cantwell after today. We have exterminated the entire village. You and your tiny school are all that's left. But not for long…you see, we leave no witnesses behind."

Chief Nanuk's tan face turned ashen as he realized his whole village had been murdered in the course of one afternoon. Dallas laughed as Felix clamped his large hand around Chief Nanuk's throat and lifted him over the counter to stand in front of them. Chief Nanuk clutched at his heart and began gasping for breath, making Felix and Dallas laugh even harder.

"Garrett, take Scott and Bryce and finish off the kids and old women," ordered Dallas. "Felix and I will take care of the old man before his heart attack does it for us."

As soon as Garrett and the two young vampires entered the conference room, Chief Nanuk could hear the screams of the children and the older ladies inside. Mercifully, it was over in seconds. Twelve kids and four old women were no match for three powerful vampires.

Though he could barely breathe between the pain in his chest and the crushing of his windpipe from Felix's iron fist, Chief Nanuk looked into Dallas's emotionless eyes and promised, "You will burn in hell for this, you filthy bloodsucker. Ethan Pelletier will tear you apart and burn the pieces!"

The last sound Chief Nanuk heard on Earth – right before Felix crushed his skull – was Dallas's evil cackle.

Soon after, Dallas and his army were headed out of Cantwell, Alaska toward Forks, Washington – buildings and bodies burning in the background behind them – exactly one week ahead of schedule.

Realizing with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that nothing was going according to planned, Garrett decided it was time to go hunting. He had to warn the Forks army that things were progressing much faster than expected. He also had to tell Edward about what happened in Cantwell so he could break the news to the young Ahtena warriors.

But, as Garrett made his way across the Alaskan wilderness after agreeing to the twelve hour deadline to rejoin Dallas and his army, he made a split-second decision that he knew could very well be signing his death warrant. He turned in the opposite direction – away from Forks and away from the Volturi-sponsored army. He turned in the direction of home – the American plains – determined to make amends for the life-altering events he'd set in motion over a decade ago.

A/N: This chapter was tough to write. So much had to be covered before we head into the next phase of the story…the battle. I dread writing the remaining chapters. I am not very comfortable with fight scenes because I seem to labor over the descriptive language required to make them sound believable. Thanks to all of you for sticking with this story. Also, thanks to all of you who take the time to review. The reviews keep me motivated to continue this journey!