A/N: Here you go, part two. As with the previous chapter, we're looking at a lot of parts taken directly from Breaking Dawn, I had an idea previously about incorporating the vision that Alice gives Aro in the movie, but the more I played with it, the more I realized I wasn't going to be able to do it, so sadly these chapters follow the book pretty closely and I do apologize for that. Hopefully the last few chapters of this fic will not only be as independent from Breaking Dawn as possible, but will also a good finale to this installment. Till then, hope everyone enjoys!

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As Aro turned to Caius and Marcus to conference, I clenched my free fist tight, trying to stay calm. Even though the Volturi's voices were loud enough to carry across the field I didn't hear them…well not in the technical sense, I allowed my mind to drift away, away from the field and away from the Volturi. I was on my bike, finally in Germany on the autobahn, clocking 65…75…90…150 miles per hour…going faster and faster, only the open road ahead of me, my bike's fully potentially being unleashed.

I wasn't alone, I could feel Fi's arms wrapped around my waist, but she wasn't afraid, she was laughing, we were both safe and happy and just enjoying life. Nothing was in front of us, nothing to stop us, nothing to hold us back, the speedometer hit 200, the fastest my bike was intended to go. Fi's arms wrapped tighter around my waist, but suddenly I was slowing down, the speed was dropping quickly even though I pushing it to maintain its speed… until I had no choice, but to put my feet back on the ground to prevent the bike from tipping.

In reality, what brought me back from my imagined joyride was tension between Caius and Aro, with Marcus still off in his own world. Caius was mad as a hatter that Aro was not concerned about the wolves, the fact that we had allied ourselves with his imposed enemy just made us more traitors to our kind, an accusation that Caius was standing behind, meanwhile Aro was trying to calm his brother down and make him see reason, but Caius' prior experience with real werewolves had given him PTSD or something to that effect, he was beyond being reasoned with.

"Will you defend that alliance, too, Aro?" Caius demanded. "The Children of the Moon have been our bitter enemies from the dawn of time. We have hunted them to near extinction in Europe and Asia. Yet Carlisle encourages a familiar relationship with this enormous infestation—no doubt in an attempt to overthrow us. The better to protect his warped lifestyle."

I was proud when Edward cleared his throat and spoke up, pointing out something that we could all see, including Aro, but Caius was being too dense to see "Caius, it's the middle of the day," Edward pointed out. He gestured to Jacob. "These are not Children of the Moon, clearly. They bear no relation to your enemies on the other side of the world."

"You breed mutants here," Caius shot back and I heard growling erupt behind us in a line, the older members of the pack, Jacob's friends were the easiest to distinguish.

"They aren't even werewolves." Edward replied, resisting the urge to rub his temple in frustration. I could also tell he was maintain his voice, trying not to treat Caius like the child he was acting like. "Aro can tell you all about it if you don't believe me."

"Dear Caius, I would have warned you not to press this point if you had told me your thoughts," we could hear Aro murmur. "Though the creatures think of themselves as werewolves, they are not. The more accurate name for them would be shape-shifters. The choice of a wolf form was purely chance. It could have been a bear or a hawk or a panther when the first change was made. These creatures truly have nothing to do with the Children of the Moon. They have merely inherited this skill from their fathers. It's genetic—they do not continue their species by infecting others the way true werewolves do."

Caius didn't look convinced, if anything he looked angry, even betrayed by his brother, he was clearly not ready to back off of this as he crossed his arms and looked at Aro expectantly

"They know our secret," he said flatly.

"Are you bloody kidding me," I muttered and Edward reached behind to cover my mouth, he looked ready to speak to Caius, but Aro beat him to the punch, being the voice of reason and even the voice of calm for a moment.

"They are creatures of our supernatural world, brother." Aro reminded Caius "Perhaps even more dependent upon secrecy than we are; they can hardly expose us. Carefully, Caius. Specious allegations get us nowhere."

Feeling all eyes on him, Caius went back to a previous target, he was like a school yard bully who had been put in his place by a teacher…he wanted to throw his weight around and prove that he was still the toughest bully in the school yard…he went back after Irina.

She had removed herself as far from Aro, Caius, and Marcus as she was able to, which is to say not very far. She was still guarded tightly and sensing Caius' request, those guards had pushed her forward, back into the jaws of the lion. She was beaten, she knew she had brought up false accusations against us and was regretting her decision, for both her own sake as well as ours. I hated to even think it, but I couldn't ignore my profile, we were witnessing Irina's final moments of life tick by.

I hated to see her like this, to see this happen to a member of our family. Irina, prior to Laurent was protective, caring, and fun to be with. From the minute I first met our Alaskan cousins I profiled family…knew they were our family and had always treated them as such…I closed my eyes, pulling back into my memory when I first met them…I had followed every bit of etiquette my mother had drilled into me since I was young.

Tanya had made some joke that Emmett and Edward hadn't had a chance to corrupt me, Emmett had responded with it taking time, since I was a Brit I was naturally stubborn. I had been in a whirlwind of laughter and joking that I hadn't expected, after all this meet and greet had occurred after I had tried to reach the Volturi on my own, after Carlisle had been ordered by Aro and Caius to bring me to Volterra. Trying to protect my family I had tried to get there by myself, only to be stopped by Carlisle, Edward, and Emmett. Realizing how we were to Denali after my run, Emmett had made the suggestion we stop by and visit our Denali cousins. The first time I would learn of our cousins and meet them.

Irina's words regarding Emmett's attempt to Americanize me returned to my memory, floating up over the other chatter of that night.

"So that explains it, it is just the American Cullen boys who have no idea how to be gentlemen. Makes sense, the only two Englishmen of the family are the real gentlemen"

I hung my head.

"I want to talk to the informant," Caius announced abruptly, he glared at her for a moment before calling her name "Irina," when she didn't move, he snapped his fingers like he was calling a dog. Walking as slow as possible, Irina moved towards Caius, standing in front of him weakly. "So you appear to have been quite mistaken in your allegations," Caius began.

Tanya and Kate leaned forward, now my profile was becoming apparent to everyone, and despite all she had put us through these last few weeks…I wanted nothing more than to run over there and help her…protect our cousin, but I couldn't. I hated to think like this, but Irina had made her decision…she had made her bed…she had to lay in it, the consequences were not going to favor her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I should have made sure of what I was seeing. But I had no idea.…"

Aro cleared his throat and stepped closer to her

"Dear Caius, could you expect her to have guessed in an instant something so strange and impossible? Any of us would have made the same assumption."

"We all know you made a mistake," Caius continued, ignoring Aro "I meant to speak of your motivations."

"My motivations?" Irina repeated, looking confused, she actually looked at our line, specifically towards Edward and I, as if we were able to provide some kind of explanation, some kind help in understanding what Caius meant by motivation.

"Yes, for coming to spy on them in the first place." None of us missed Irina's flinch "You were unhappy with the Cullens, were you not?"

Now Irina looked directly at Carlisle, silently asking him for forgiveness

"I was," she admitted.

"Because…?" Caius prompted.

"Because the werewolves killed my friend," she whispered. "And the Cullens wouldn't stand aside to let me avenge him."

"The shape-shifters," Aro corrected quietly.

"So the Cullens sided with the shape-shifters against our own kind—against the friend of a friend, even," Caius continued, once again ignoring Aro.

"That's how I saw it." Irina explained

"If you'd like to make a formal complaint against the shape-shifters—and the Cullens for supporting their actions—now would be the time." Caius prodded, clearly hopeful that Irina would take the bait, but she didn't, she had accepted her fate, all that she had left was to hope for our forgiveness, which amazingly we all were ready to give, and I really hoped she knew that.

"No, I have no complaint against the wolves, or the Cullens. You came here today to destroy an immortal child. No immortal child exists. This was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for it. But the Cullens are innocent, and you have no reason to still be here. I'm so sorry," she said to us, and then she turned her face toward the Volturi witnesses. "There was no crime. There's no valid reason for you to continue here."

I watched as three of the guard tensed up, just as Caius raised his hand,

"Close your eyes Fi," I commanded

"What?" she asked

"Trust me, close your eyes," I looked at Bella and she looked at me confused, before I looked down at Nessie, still gripping Jacob by the fur, "Nessie close your eyes," I whispered.

Bella seemed confused for a moment, but reached down to Nessie and picked her up, wrapping her arms around her and hiding her head. Fi also did as I asked and not a moment too soon as the three members of the guard swarmed Irina, I knew what was coming, we all did.

As the guard covered her, the screeching noise filled the clearing, Fi let out a yelp and I pulled her closer, closing my own eyes. A burning smell reached my nostrils and I winced in response. Slowly I opened one eye, then the other, the three soldiers had returned to their place, leaving only Caius standing over the fire, in triumph.

Instantly I heard murmuring from the Volturi's own witnesses, they were confused, very confused. What had happened? Why had she been killed? But I knew, I could see it in Caius' body language, he had been instigating from the beginning, he wanted a reaction…an excuse to punish us. I felt my stomach drop, Tanya…Kate…Caius was about to get the reaction he wanted.

"Now she has taken full responsibility for her actions."

"Watch out!" I yelped, at the same time Edward cried out:

"Stop them!" he reached out to grab Tanya's arm as she bolted towards Caius' knowing smile. She fought Edward's grasp as I grabbed her other arm, but thankfully Carlisle took hold of her around the waist.

"It's too late to help her," he reasoned urgently as she struggled. "Don't give him what he wants!"

"Tanya he wants us to attack, it's part of his plan!" I added "please!"

It was Kate who we were worried the most about, her ability was going to make it difficult to restrain her. Rose was closer and when my sister made a move to grab her, Kate shocked her, sending Rose to the ground, Fi dropped down next to her, her hand on my sister's shoulder, trying to check on her,

"Rose!" she whispered, Emmett was the next to go down, when he grabbed Kate's arm and threw her to the ground, but the jolt was too much and sent him crashing. Kate got back to her feet and was making a break for it, my instinct was to tackle her, but Garrett got there first. He literally tackled her, wrapping his arms around her waist and restraining her tightly, she was mad with rage and the shocks she must have given him was enough to drop any one of us, but he gritted his teeth and held fast, refusing to let her shock deter him.

"Zafrina," Edward shouted. Instantly the girls stopped struggling, Kate's screams turned to moans and Tanya looked around with eyes that weren't seeing anything.

"Give me my sight back," she growled hissed.

Garrett was clearly in pain, but he was refusing to give in and release Kate, weakly he whispered to her

"If I let you up, will you knock me down again, Katie?" She snarled in response,

"Listen to me, Tanya, Kate," Carlisle spoke up "Vengeance doesn't help her now. Irina wouldn't want you to waste your lives this way. Think about what you're doing. If you attack them, we all die."

I watched my father and Garrett console Kate and Tanya from my own position, I knelt down next to Fi and together we helped Rose up, Edward pulled Emmett to his feet and Rose instantly reached for Em, he held her close rocking her gently. Fi wrapped her arm around my waist and I put my own arm around her shoulder. Across the field the guard was still on edge, waiting for the attack they expected, that would not come from our side, the witnesses however were still in a state of shock over what had just happened, the confusion was etched on each of their faces and the murmuring amongst themselves had not stopped.

"They killed her," Fi whispered keeping her voice as low as she could, hoping that Tanya and Kate wouldn't hear, but there was no mistaking the pain in her voice, the sympathy and hurt she felt for the Denali's "why…?"

"It's how they operate," I replied "they do not know love or family, only power and fear." I paused, feeling a glare digging deep into my mind, when I chanced a glance up to confirm where it was coming from I was not surprised to see Jane's blood red eyes narrowed like daggers at me…not just me Fi as well. "Fi," I said softly "Fi go to my mum, please."

"Chris,"

"Go quick," she must have heard the urgency in my voice, because she didn't argue with me, she gave my hand a squeeze and moved back in the line, where Esme stood, where Emmett had weakly walked Rose. I felt a tingle work its way down my spine, little sharp pains; almost like the pins and needles I would get when my foot fell asleep as a child, but those sharp pricks were quickly becoming more intense.

Jane's glare worsened, but at the same time I could see a small smile forming. No one had noticed the one sided exchange that was going on between Jane and I and I was doing all I could to keep it that way.

When she realized I wasn't reacting to her standards, Jane increased the assault, I sucked in a breath as a sharp pain entered my mind, like a knife being driven into the base of my skull. The pain wasn't enough to incapacitate me, crippling wasn't her goal in this case, to do so would draw attention from Aro and we both knew he would put a stop to it instantly.

I don't know how she knew, but Bella realized what was going on, I felt the blanket form earlier wrap around me again and instantly the pain stopped. Jane's glare intensified as she realized her powers weren't working on me. She looked at Alec quickly who gave her a look I could read all the way across the field, I was out of his reach as well, Bella's shield was protecting me.

"Tha…thanks Bella," I whispered feeling relief wash over my body. She reached over and hugged my shoulders tightly, I glanced behind me and checked on Fi, standing with my mother, Esme's arms wrapped tightly around her shoulder, protectively. It was better that I stay away for now. If I'm alone maybe Fi will be safer, especially if Jane thinks she succeeded in some way, forcing my hand and forcing me to send Fi away from the attack. Fi wouldn't be a real target, but Jane was definitely relishing in the fact that Fi was no longer hugging my arm tight and was in fact nowhere near me.

I looked at Aro, wondering if he had finally noticed Jane's glare directed my way, but I realized quickly he had bigger things to worry about, the entire guard was quickly losing control of the situation. Caius' murder of Irina had set things into motion that couldn't be undone and what made it worse for them was the fact that the witnesses, the audience that the Volturi had brought, now had the chance to question and discuss, rather than follow blindly like Aro had hoped.

Clearly hoping to regain the ground he had lost, Aro put a hand on Caius' shoulder, reining in his defiant brother. For some reason I couldn't be exactly sure, Aro was still focused on our own witnesses, still focused on Nessie and what our witnesses had experienced with her. We knew the Irish clan would back us up, but we also had less than dependable witnesses in Amun and Kebi, and I had a feeling that Aro would go for them first, just to prove a point. I could see Amun's regret at not leaving sooner was at an all-time high.

"Irina has been punished for bearing false witness against this child." Aro explained more to the witnesses than us. "Perhaps we should return to the matter at hand?" Moving towards the witnesses, Aro's entourage followed, however with a wave of his hand he dismissed them "Just to be thorough," he said, "I'd like to speak with a few of your witnesses. Procedure, you know."

Edward, Carlisle, and I exchanged a look, Aro was taking a more calculating approach to do what Caius had started, instigate some sort of fight…the excuse they would need to take us out.

I was not surprised, but couldn't help my wince when Aro went right for Amun and Kebi first, apparently Amun and I were on the same page on that fact, because he also winced, his body stiffening as Aro came to a stop about ten yards from him.

"Ah, Amun, my southern neighbor!" Aro said warmly. "It has been so long since you've visited me."

"Time means little; I never notice its passing," Amun replied weakly

"So true," Aro agreed. "But maybe you had another reason to stay away?" Amun didn't reply, but I looked over at Edward quickly, of course, Aro must have seen Benjamin in his mind, there was no way to hide our friends in that matter. "It can be terribly time-consuming to organize newcomers into a coven. I know that well! I'm grateful I have others to deal with the tedium. I'm glad your new additions have fit in so well. I would have loved to have been introduced. I'm sure you were meaning to come to see me soon."

"Of course," Amun said,

"Oh well, we're all together now! Isn't it lovely?" Amun nodded, he was keeping his composure well, but even with the distance I could see the fear in his body language. "But the reason for your presence here is not as pleasant, unfortunately. Carlisle called on you to witness?"

"Yes."

"And what did you witness for him?"

"I've observed the child in question. It was evident almost immediately that she was not an immortal child—"

"Perhaps we should define our terminology," Aro interrupted, "now that there seem to be new classifications. By immortal child, you mean of course a human child who had been bitten and thus transformed into a vampire."

"Yes, that's what I meant."

"What else did you observe about the child?"

"The same things that you surely saw in Edward's mind. That the child is his biologically. That she grows. That she learns."

"Yes, yes," Aro said, a hint of impatience in his otherwise amiable tone. "But specifically in your few weeks here, what did you see?"

"That she grows… quickly."

Aro smiled.

"And do you believe that she should be allowed to live?"

Along with my own, a chorus of growls and hisses echoed through our side, Amun flinched a bit, as annoyed as he was at Carlisle, he was not going to play Aro's game, nor was he going to give the Volturi fodder to destroy not only us, but potentially endanger his own life and that of his mate.

"I did not come to make judgments," Amun replied and Aro laughed lightly.

"Just your opinion."

"I see no danger in the child. She learns even more swiftly than she grows." Aro nodded, before turning back to face the guard, but Amun wasn't done. "Aro?" he called, Aro whirled back, hopeful that Amun would give him the answer he had desired, but clearly Aro was about to be disappointed by that.

"Yes, friend?"

"I gave my witness. I have no more business here. My mate and I would like to take our leave now."

"Of course. I'm so glad we were able to chat for a bit. And I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."

Amun was not pleased with that promise, but didn't reply as he and Kebi ran swiftly towards the tree line, disappearing from sight. Aro didn't dwell on Amun's departure as he moved towards his next target. The Irish clan. Even though they were not standing directly with us, Siobhan and Liam were closer to us than Amun and Kebi had been and who could blame them, two of their own members…their adoptive daughters were standing with us Cullens, even though I had wanted Fi out of harm's way, and by that I had wanted her to stay as close to the Irish clan as possible, I was now glad she was with Esme, I could see Siobhan's face as well, she was thinking along the same lines, I saw her glance at Fi and Maggie and I saw a look of relief wash over her, for a brief split second.

"Hello, dear Siobhan. You are as lovely as ever." Siobhan didn't give into the flattery, instead looked at Aro expectantly, her eyes telling him to get on with it. "And you?" he asked. "Would you answer my questions the same way Amun has?"

"I would," Siobhan said. "But I would perhaps add a little more. Renesmee understands the limitations. She's no danger to humans—she blends in better than we do. She poses no threat of exposure."

"Can you think of none?" Aro asked

"I don't think I follow you."

Aro drifted lightly back, casually, but toward the rest of his guard. Renata, Felix, and Demetri were closer than his shadow.

"There is no broken law," Aro said "No broken law," he repeated. "However, does it follow then that there is no danger? No." He shook his head gently. "That is a separate issue." He paused, pacing in the middle of the field "She is unique… utterly, impossibly unique. Such a waste it would be, to destroy something so lovely. Especially when we could learn so much…" But there is danger, danger that cannot simply be ignored. How ironic it is that as the humans advance, as their faith in science grows and controls their world, the more free we are from discovery. Yet, as we become ever more uninhibited by their disbelief in the supernatural, they become strong enough in their technologies that, if they wished, they could actually pose a threat to us, even destroy some of us. For thousands and thousands of years, our secrecy has been more a matter of convenience, of ease, than of actual safety. This last raw, angry century has given birth to weapons of such power that they endanger even immortals. Now our status as mere myth in truth protects us from these weak creatures we hunt. This amazing child" he pointed at Nessie, Bella and Edward instinctively moved in front of her and I inched closer, adding to her protection "if we could but know her potential—know with absolute certainty that she could always remain shrouded within the obscurity that protects us. But we know nothing of what she will become! Her own parents are plagued by fears of her future. We cannot know what she will grow to be." He paused, looking first at our witnesses, and then at his own. "Only the known is safe. Only the known is tolerable. The unknown is… a vulnerability."

Aro was playing his own game, putting on yet another show for the witnesses and holding their attention perfectly. Aro has never been fearful of the unknown, if anything he's been drawn to it, if only to study it. Carlisle had told me about the Immortal Children, Aro had studied them, tried to learn about them. He was a scientist and explorer, a researcher all rolled into one being, this fearful Aro was just part of the act.

"You're reaching, Aro," Carlisle said in a bleak voice.

"Peace, friend." Aro smiled "Let us not be hasty. Let us look at this from every side."

"May I offer a side to be considered?" Garrett called, shaking Kate's hand off of his arm

"Nomad," Aro said, giving Garrett permission to speak, I think Aro was expecting Garrett to speak directly to him, instead he faced the witnesses. Him standing there, I could almost picture Garrett addressing a troop of Continental soldiers, as they prepared to face the incoming British army, outnumbered, outgunned, but certainly not out of moral and determination. All his Red Coat jabs faded away and left only admiration.

"I came here at Carlisle's request, as the others, to witness," he said. "That is certainly no longer necessary, with regard to the child. We all see what she is. I stayed to witness something else. You. Two of you I know—Makenna, Charles—and I can see that many of you others are also wanderers, roamers like myself. Answering to none. Think carefully on what I tell you now. These ancient ones did not come here for justice as they told you. We suspected as much, and now it has been proved. They came, misled, but with a valid excuse for their action. Witness now as they seek flimsy excuses to continue their true mission. Witness them struggle to find a justification for their true purpose—to destroy this family here." He turned to Carlisle and Tanya as he continued "The Volturi come to erase what they perceive as the competition. Perhaps, like me, you look at this clan's golden eyes, the young beings that make up the group and marvel. They are difficult to understand, it's true. But the ancient ones look and see something besides their strange choice. They see power. I have witnessed the bonds within this family—I say family and not coven. These strange golden-eyed ones deny their very natures. But in return have they found something worth even more, perhaps, than mere gratification of desire? I've made a little study of them in my time here, and it seems to me that intrinsic to this intense family binding," I had to admit I was impressed with Garrett, he had been profiling us, studying us this whole time and none of us realized…heck I hadn't even realized it. Garrett glanced behind him at me and winked and I quickly grinned and rolled my eyes as he continued "that which makes them possible at all—is the peaceful character of this life of sacrifice. There is no aggression here like we all saw in the large southern clans that grew and diminished so quickly in their wild feuds. There is no thought for domination. And Aro knows this better than I do." Aro didn't respond, he merely crossed his arms over his chest and waited for Garrett to finish his motivational speech. "Carlisle assured us all, when he told us what was coming, that he did not call us here to fight. These witnesses" Garrett pointed to Siobhan and Liam "agreed to give evidence, to slow the Volturi advance with their presence so that Carlisle would get the chance to present his case. But some of us wondered" now he looked at Eleazar, before continuing "if Carlisle having truth on his side would be enough to stop the so-called justice. Are the Volturi here to protect the safety of our secrecy, or to protect their own power? Did they come to destroy an illegal creation, or a way of life? Could they be satisfied when the danger turned out to be no more than a misunderstanding? Or would they push the issue without the excuse of justice? We have the answer to all these questions. We heard it in Aro's lying words—we have one with a gift of knowing such things for certain and another that profile what some are working very hard to hide…and we see it now in Caius's eager smile. Their guard is just a mindless good imitation of sounding torn by his words. So now there are more questions, questions that you must answer. Who rules you, nomads? Do you answer to someone's will besides your own? Are you free to choose your path, or will the Volturi decide how you will live? "I came to witness. I stay to fight. The Volturi care nothing for the death of the child. They seek the death of our free will." Now he looked at the Volturi themselves "So come, I say! Let's hear no more lying rationalizations. Be honest in your intents as we will be honest in ours. We will defend our freedom. You will or will not attack it. Choose now, and let these witnesses see the true issue debated here." It was amazing how enthralled everyone was with his speech, the witnesses brought by the Volturi had been pulled in by Garrett's words, they were listening very carefully, studying, and forming their own opinions, they were no longer mindless sheep there to give Aro an audience, they were their own beings making a decision. "You might consider joining us. If you think the Volturi will let you live to tell this tale, you are mistaken. We may all be destroyed"—he shrugged—"but then again, maybe not. Perhaps we are on more equal footing than they know. Perhaps the Volturi have finally met their match. I promise you this, though—if we fall, so do you."

No one moved for a good thirty seconds as Garrett finished his speech and stepped back to our line, standing with Kate, but on edge, as he prepared for an attack. Caius looked furious that Garrett had dared defy the Volturi like that, but Aro looked amused as he smiled.

"A very pretty speech, my revolutionary friend." He commended

"Revolutionary?" Garrett repeated, growling in response "Who am I revolting against, might I ask? Are you my king? Do you wish me to call you master, too, like your sycophantic guard?"

"Peace, Garrett," Aro said tolerantly. "I meant only to refer to your time of birth. Still a patriot, I see." Coming from anyone else that would be a compliment for Garrett, coming from Aro, it was nothing more than an insult, Aro patronizing Garrett's involvement in the United States war for Independence. "Let us ask our witnesses," Aro suggested. "Let us hear their thoughts before we make our decision. Tell us, friends" Aro turned to the their own witnesses, sometime between the end of Garrett's speech and Aro trying to retake control of the situation, most of the Volturi's witnesses had migrated closer to the forest, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation. I wondered for a moment, ignoring Aro's own speech, how had the Volturi convinced these witnesses to come with them? Garrett had pointed it out, most of these witnesses were Nomads, with no ties to any one place.

I was focusing on the witnesses themselves, I missed Aro's address to the witnesses, one of the witnesses, the woman Makenna that Garrett had addressed directly, glanced at our group, before speaking up:

"Are those our only choices?" she asked, looking back at Aro "Agree with you, or fight against you?"

I hadn't really paid attention to either of the witnesses that Garrett had called out, but now looking at them, especially Charles, studying his body language, he had an ability, the way he was carrying himself and looking at the entire display in front of him, he was studying.

"Of course not, most charming Makenna," Aro said, his show continuing as he reassured his onlookers, "You may go in peace, of course, as Amun did, even if you disagree with the council's decision." The look Makenna gave him, following her exchange with Charles confirmed my suspicions, not only did Charles have an ability, but his ability was similar to my own…more importantly similar to Maggie's.

"We did not come here for a fight." Makenna replied, "We came here to witness. And our witness is that this condemned family is innocent. Everything that Garrett claimed is the truth."

"Ah," Aro said sadly. "I'm sorry you see us in that way. But such is the nature of our work."

"It is not what I see, but what I feel," Charles spoke up finally, he looked at Garrett and it was easy to hear the nerves in his voice. "Garrett said they have ways of knowing lies. I, too, know when I am hearing the truth, and when I am not." Like a frightened puppy, he retreated closer to Makenna.

"Do not fear us, friend Charles. No doubt the patriot truly believes what he says," Aro replied, chuckling

"That is our witness," Makenna uttered boldly before adding "We're leaving now." And with that they did, backed into the woods and were gone. One by one the other witnesses began retreating as well, about thirty-seven stayed, but had moved closer to the woods, preparing to run when the time was right.

Aro ignored them and went right for the guard itself,

"We are outnumbered, dearest ones," he addressed the group "We can expect no outside help. Should we leave this question undecided to save ourselves?"

"No, master," they whispered in unison. Like robots, I exchanged a look with Edward, his fists were clenched tight, and soft growls were escaping my brother's throat.

"Is the protection of our world worth perhaps the loss of some of our number?" Aro continued.

"Yes," they breathed. "We are not afraid."

"This isn't good," I whispered to Edward and he nodded "even with their witnesses abandoning ship, we're still in trouble here."

"I know," Edward replied, he unclenched his fists and put a hand on my shoulder for a second.

Aro meanwhile turned back to Caius and Marcus

"Brothers," he said somberly, "there is much to consider here."

"Let us counsel," Caius said eagerly.

"Let us counsel," Marcus repeated in an uninterested tone. Aro turned his back to our group, the three Volturi leaders clasping hands, a few more witnesses took the opportunity to bolt.

I felt the tension billowing up in the field, like with Irina's final seconds I could feel our own ticking away, now it was our turn, we were going to die. I could feel it, I could see it, it was coming hard and fast.

Bella, Edward, and Nessie began their own goodbye, Bella's plan for Nessie was becoming evident, Nessie would live, Jacob would see to that, Bella had the escape plan for Nessie and Jacob ready this whole time, I had suspected as much and now that my suspicions were confirmed I was relieved

"Is there no hope, then?" Carlisle whispered. I didn't answer him, I think Bella did, but I didn't hear her, I closed my eyes, counted to ten and felt our final moments enveloping us like Bella's shield.

Fi came up behind me and took my hand, holding it tight as we all began to say our goodbyes in our own way. Esme walked down the line, saying goodbye to each of us in her own way, she paused when she reached Fi and I.

"I love you my little one," she whispered, hugging me tight

"Love you too mum," I replied "always," she brushed my bangs back, before turning to Fi.

"Thank you Fiona," she said, hugging her

"For what?" Fi asked,

"For being a light in some very dark times, and for bringing a smile to someone I care about very much."

She moved down the line towards my siblings and I lowered my head, the reality of the situation hitting hard. I felt a shadow wash over me and I looked up into the face of my father.

"Dad," I said softly "Thank…" my voice trailed off, not wanting to go any further with this, I couldn't thank Carlisle for all he had done for me since saving my life, in only a few seconds. I looked around at the rest of my family, Bella, Edward, Nessie, and Jacob having their moment, Rose and Emmett exchanging a kiss, Garrett promising Kate that he would follow her anywhere, Tia and Benjamin exchanging their own goodbye.

"I know son," Carlisle replied, he hugged me tight, "I am so proud of you," he hugged Fi, before rejoining Esme.

I looked at Fi,

"Fi, you don't have to do this," I sighed "please."

"I don't want to be anywhere but here, I belong here with you,"

"I'm so sorry," I whispered "I never wanted you to get hurt…to be part of this."

"It's my choice Chris, I want to be with you come whatever."

She held my hand tighter, I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it gently.

"Tha gaol agam ort," I whispered (I love you, Scottish Gaelic)

"Gráim thú freisin" Fi replied (I love you too Irish Gaelic)

We both sighed and looked out across the field, the leaders were still conferencing, but I could see Jane's look even way across the field, the look in Alec's eyes and Chelsea, the one who could break bonds, they were starting their assault.

"Chris?" Rose asked I hadn't realized my stance had changed, I wasn't accepting any longer, my body had tensed without me realizing it.

"Incoming." I muttered.

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