Here we are again … I'm embarking on a new journey of a fanfiction story. This time, we're going with a post-apocalyptic vibe. I recently watched The 100 on Netflix. I'd been intrigued to write a story based off that show/series of novels. I decided to write it for NaNoWriMo. I'd starting almost halfway through the month, but I'm determined to, at least, get something going. My goal is to finish the story for NaNoWriMo July Camp …

Chapter Twenty: At Mount Weather

Edward

Very little sleep was had by the council. We spent most of the night planning. We also conferenced in the council from the Ark to brainstorm ideas how to bring down the two mad men at the Drop Ship. But, those ideas were moot until we got information from Emmett, Tyler, and Commander Blake.

They had not been in contact in almost two days.

"My eyes are crossing," Rose said, rubbing her face. "I need to sleep … hell, I need to eat and shower. I can smell myself and I'm disgusting." Looking at me, she gave me a grimace. "And, Edward, you're looking rough."

"I know, I know," I said, rubbing my scruffy face with a yawn. "Let's reconvene tomorrow morning."

"It is tomorrow morning," Jasper mumbled into his arms. "How about the afternoon? I need to check on my crops."

"Okay, okay," I huffed. "We can't do much more until we hear from the scouts. Once we hear back from Emmett and his team, we'll meet to discuss." I dismissed them. They left the conference room, leaving me inside. I looked at where I slept the night before and considered doing a repeat performance.

"You need to eat, shower, and shave," Renee admonished, giving me a rueful smile.

"I can't go back to our suite, Renee," I frowned. "It's our place and being there without Bella … it's a blatant reminder that she's not here."

"Come up to my suite. Like you, I'm dealing with not having my husband with me. But, you're taking the couch, kiddo. You're young," Renee said, holding out her hand. I took it, and she pulled me to my feet. Tugging me into a hug, she whispered in my ear. "We're going to get her, Edward."

"I hope so, Renee," I whispered back. "But, at what cost? Will she …?"

"She might be, but with our love and support, we'll get her back," Renee said. "I didn't raise my daughter to be a pushover. She's strong in so many ways. As are you, Edward. Now, every body has its breaking point. You're at yours. Let's get you something to eat."

I nodded, allowing myself to be guided out of the conference room. We went up to the dining room and ate some breakfast. I forced it down my throat, not tasting the food. I vaguely heard comments of concern and prayers of Bella's safe return. I nodded, saying thank you but not really caring about their concerns. They weren't Bella.

After finishing our meal, I stopped by my suite to get some clean clothes. I rushed through the space, not wanting to linger too long inside. Renee looped her arm through mine and led me to her suite. She all but pushed me into the bathroom to shower. I scrubbed my body and got out of the shower. Drying off, I got dressed in a pair of pants and t-shirt. Renee was making a bed for me on the couch. "Get some rest, Edward."

"I'll try," I muttered, sitting on the couch, and giving her a half-hearted smile. "I'm sorry if I wake you up with nightmares."

"We'll get through it, Edward," she said, ruffling my wet hair. "Get some sleep." I lay back on the couch and Renee covered me with a blanket. "We'll get her back." She gave me a motherly kiss to my forehead, getting up and walking to her bedroom. I curled up, allowing the quiet hum of the air filtration system along with the water from Renee's shower lull me to sleep.

I must have slept hard. I didn't remember any dreams or nightmares. When I woke up, I was disoriented, confused as to where I was. Renee walked in, carrying a tray. "Good morning, Edward."

"What time is it?" I asked, yawning.

"You slept for over twenty-four hours," Renee said. "And before you ask, there's no news."

"I need to check in with my security team," I mumbled, trying to get up. "I also need to check on Alice. In all the craziness, she's been lost in the shuffle."

"Not until after you eat something and wake up some more," Renee chided, putting the tray on the table. "You're in for a treat … apple pancakes with elk sausage." She lifted the cover off the tray with a flourish. "Enjoy, son."

"Thanks, Renee," I smiled weakly. "Are my parents still here?"

"Rose got them some accommodations. Your dad wants to check you out since you're struggling. He also checked on Alice while he was down in medical," Renee said. "After you finish this, head down to medical, spend some time with Alice, and then you can check in with your security team."

I gave her a weak smile, tucking into my meal. Like the meal I had before I crashed, I forced it down my throat and into my belly. The only thing I tasted was the coffee, which I sucked down eagerly. After I finished my meal, I gave Renee a hug and left with the tray. I dropped it off in the kitchen before heading down to medical to get checked out by my father. He gave me a clean bill of health, though he was concerned about my mental health. He gave me some coping techniques to help with my short fuse, but the only thing that would help me was having Bella back.

God, I sound like a broken record.

Before I left medical, I checked on Alice. She was awake, using the tablet to communicate. She saw me and her brows furrowed. Beckoning me to her, she held up the tablet.

What's happening? Everyone is so … agitated.

"Jacob and Aro kidnapped Bella," I answered. "Jacob sent a message saying he wanted the mountain and that if we didn't vacate the mountain …"

You have to get her back, Edward! They'll … They're monsters. You saw what they did to me. I was on their side, and this is what they did to someone who was on their side!

"What can you tell me about the Grounders?" I asked.

They're a peaceful people. I don't know how many there are, but they helped us with getting food. I don't much more. I'm sorry … getting away from the camp was my highest priority. I think they helped me when they saw my condition.

"Thank you for the information, Alice," I murmured, reaching over, and taking her good hand. "I'm sorry that you had to endure the trauma at Jacob's hands. He's truly a monster and he will pay for what he did to you."

And, what he will do to Bella … I love you, big brother.

"I love you, too, little one," I responded, leaning down, and kissing her forehead. "I'll check on you later. Get some rest, okay?"

I'll try.

I left medical, riding down to the command center to pick up my charged radio. I was doing my rounds, checking the mountain, and trying not to steal one of the motorcycles to drive to the Drop Ship, swoop in and take Bella back to the Mount Weather.

"Mallory to Cullen," Lauren said over the radio, her voice airy and high-pitched. "Come in, Commander Cullen."

I unclipped my radio, pressing the button down to respond. "This is Cullen, over."

"Get the council and come down to the conference room. Emmett has made contact," Lauren said. I could hear her smile in her voice.

"We're on our way," I breathed, walking to the closest phone, and pressing the code for an all-call. "Council members, please meet in the conference room, as soon as possible. Council members to the conference room. Thank you." Hanging up the phone, I ran to the elevator and rode down to the command center. Bursting inside, I looked at Lauren.

"They made contact about ten minutes ago. They're currently hiding in a nearby cave, trying not to garner attention," Lauren explained. "But, they were able to see in the encampment."

"Did they see Bella?" I asked.

"They didn't say," Lauren answered. "But, they've made contact."

I nodded, sitting down at the conference table. The council members arrived, and Lauren patched the call through speaker phone on the center of the desk. "Cullen to McCarty," I said. "Please come in."

"This is McCarty," Emmett said. "It's good to hear your voice, Edward."

"You, too, Emmett," I breathed. "What have you seen at the Drop Ship?"

"We've been watching from a distance during the day and sneaking into the encampment at night," Emmett began. "You were right to hold off on coming to the Drop Ship. There are at least three hundred people camped around the drop ship. They call themselves Grounders."

"Grounders?" I asked.

"I don't know, but I'm grateful they speak English. It's a modified English, but we can understand what they're saying," Emmett explained.

"You said that there are three people … how did they survive on the planet? We're able to do so because of our genetic engineering," Dad said.

"I don't know, Dr. Cullen. It's not like we can go up at ask them," Emmett deadpanned. "Anyway, from what we can see, Jacob's little group rescued someone from the Exodus Ship. When they brought that person back, a group of the Grounders followed them. They wanted to know more about where they came from and about the technology that fell from the sky. In exchange for that information, they made an alliance with the Grounders, explaining that we were the enemy and were going to invade their lands."

"What?" I asked. "We didn't even know that there were Grounders. I mean, I knew there were humans, but not the location of where they were."

"Exactly," Emmett sighed. "Anyway, you've got the seventeen people from Jacob's group, plus the three hundred Grounders. With the Grounders, their weaponry is rudimentary – bows and arrows, catapults, spears. They're great with their weapons, able to hunt and feed their group."

"Do they have any advantages?" Sinclair asked.

"They have horses, about fifty of them," Tyler answered. "They're domesticated and well-trained. They also have farm animals … sheep, goats, and chickens … not like those can help with the fight, but they can feed their troops."

"So, let me try to understand this," Renee interjected. "Jacob Black, the son of William Black, allied himself with a group of three hundred Grounders after they saved Aro Volturi from the Exodus Ship. These Grounders believe that we're the enemy, wanting to invade their lands, when in reality, Jacob and his gang of assholes probably want to steal their lands."

"Wait, did you say Aro Volturi?" Marcus asked. "We were led to believe that he died in the Exodus Ship crash."

"He's like a god damned cockroach. He just won't die," Sinclair spat, shaking his head.

"If he did survive the crash, he won't be alive for very long," Carlisle said. "Even with the best medical equipment, he'd have numerous broken bones, internal bleeding, and burns over his body. That's why they took Bella … to try and save Aro. At least, that's what Quil said when he came to the mountain the other day."

"We have the advantage with our numbers and our technology," Emmett said. "But, they're preparing for war."

"They might be preparing for war, but do they know how to handle the equipment in the mountain?" I asked. "We know how to …"

"Exactly," Emmett agreed.

"I think we need to go on the offensive," I muttered. "This might be their home turf, but they're not getting the mountain. They are not going to keep Bella."

"We obviously have numbers on our side, but we need to get those numbers to the mountain," Rose said.

"Or, we can persuade these Grounders that it's Jacob and Aro who are wrong. We want to live peacefully with our neighbors," Renee suggested.

I blew out a breath, thinking about what Renee suggested. "Perhaps, we can do the best of both worlds … convince the Grounders that Jacob and Aro are wrong, along with sharing the mountain. I know that's what Bella would have wanted."

"I agree," Renee said.

"I think the best thing for us to do is prepare to go on the offensive, but have this compromise on our mind," I nodded. "But, Aro and Jacob … they will pay for their crimes. The Grounders were led astray by their lies and are not culpable for what those two jackals told them."

"Do you want us to come back to the mountain?" Emmett asked.

"Try to figure out who the leader of the Grounders may be, gather intel on them. If possible, get eyes on Bella," I said. "I need to know she's okay."

"If I had to garner a guess, they're keeping her in the Drop Ship, tending to Aro," Tyler said. "We've heard some female screams at some points. I don't know if it's Bella, but we can't see any woman being hurt in the camp."

My stomach fell to my feet. They were hurting her. Jacob and his men were hurting her.

They. Would. Pay.

"We'll do some more recon, and we'll be back by the end of the day tomorrow," Emmett said. "Hopefully, we'll see Bella."

"Thank you for the information," I choked out, standing up abruptly. "Be safe. If you do see an opportunity to grab Bella, take it."

"Understood," Emmett said. "McCarty out."

Lauren disconnected the radio call, looking up at us. "I'm worried about the screaming. What if it's Bella and they're …"

"Jacob has anger management problems, beating up people who are not as strong as him. He uses their weaknesses to build himself up," Rose surmised.

"And the weakest person he can hurt is Bella," I growled, pinching my nose. "He easily outweighs her by a hundred pounds."

"She may be seen as physically weak, but she's got more power than him," Sinclair suggested. "She's the leader of our people. With her smarts and resourcefulness, she got you into the mountain and created a safe harbor for you all."

"Jacob could have stayed with us. He chose to remain at the Drop Ship," Rose argued. "It was choice. Now, he's regretting that choice."

"He will continue to regret that choice. We need to get people from the Ark here," I said. "Any able-bodied will help with the fighting, if it should come to that. My security team and the security officers from the Ark will lead the charge with our weaponry. We'll head out as soon as we're able."

"I'll put the call into the Ark and get everyone to the mountain," Dad said.

"Let's get in some more training in with everyone," I ordered, standing up.

xx MWMA xx

We trained for two days, working with everyone from the mountain and the Ark. Marcus, after he returned, worked with the security teams on honing their firing skills. I worked with Sinclair's group on fighting tactics and getting my own ass kicked.

As we were working, we saw a man in all black approach us. Everyone in security stopped their training and locked their weapons on the approaching man. He held up his hands in peace, kneeling down on the ground. "Don't move," I ordered. "You move and you die."

"I won't move," he said. "I come in peace."

Renee stopped behind me, gripping my jacket. Her eyes narrowed. "Oh my God! Charlie?" she gasped. She pushed past me, sprinting across the field and tackling the man. He laughed, enfolding her in his arms.

"Stand down," I ordered, lowering my weapon, and holstering it. I walked to where Renee and Charlie were entangled. "Chancellor?"

"Ren, stop. I'm okay," Charlie laughed, standing up and helping Renee to her feet.

"How did you get down here?" Renee asked.

"I found an old Stokes rocket and used that to get down here," Charlie answered. "Now, what's going on?"

"It's a long story, sir," I frowned.

"Edward, you're in charge …" Renee chided.

"I may be in charge down here, but he's the Chancellor," I argued. I wanted to pass the power off to someone else. Someone who could handle it better than me.

"Former Chancellor," Charlie said. "I bow to your leadership, Chancellor Cullen."

"President," Renee corrected.

"Congratulations, President Cullen," Charlie smiled, holding out his hand. I just looked at it blankly. "What's going on? Someone please tell me!"

"Aro survived and has essentially declared war on the mountain," Renee answered. "Jacob captured Bella because they needed a physician."

"Jacob? Jacob Black?" Charlie asked, his voice deadly quiet. "How did he get onto the ground?"

"He stowed away on the Drop Ship after you were shot, sir," I explained.

"And, he has my little girl?" Charlie sneered. He glared at me and Renee. "He fucking took my little girl and you're here? Why haven't you gone after her?"

"Because there are other factors at play," Renee snapped. "There are three hundred Grounders between us and our daughter. They were told that we were the enemy by Jacob and Aro. Somehow, we have to convince them otherwise. We're not the bad guys."

"No, they're not. Jacob and Aro are," Charlie hissed. "And, they will pay for what they did." Blinking to me, he arched a brow. "What's your plan, Mr. President?"

"We march at first light," I responded.

A/N: I feel like I'm beating a dead horse with this … so I'm moving forward. I'm skipping a part of my plans. Up next will be … a little of Bella's POV and what will happen when the mountain army comes across the Grounder army? Who will they trust and believe?

Leave me your thoughts! Thanks for reading!