Note: This chapter turned out to be the longest in the story. I'm still editing the last act but its already so long I'm going to split it up into parts like I did with the last chapter. I was originally going to post them all on Monday, but that seems like a lot of reading for one sitting. So, I'll post Part One today, Part Two and Three tomorrow, and the grand finale on Monday. That one you won't want to miss!
Chapter 55: The Trial of Bella Swan
Part One: Preperations
Bella sat on a park bench, her thoughts drifting as she reflected on all that had transpired this morning. In the distance, she watched a group of children playing soccer, their carefree laughter filling the air. It was calming, watching them live their lives, blissfully unaware and free from the burdens of adulthood. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the simplicity of it—granting her a fleeting sense of normalcy before reality pulled her back.
In the grand scheme of things, she knew she had made the right decision. So many lives had been spared; mothers and fathers would open their front doors tonight and be reunited with their loved ones, all because of her actions. That thought alone reassured her that she had made the right choice. But as her phone buzzed with another message, she knew it was time to face the music. The messages—voicemails and texts—had been piling up from everyone who had recognized her. She had skimmed through them earlier, and thankfully, they were all positive. Everyone seemed more concerned for her well-being than what would be coming next.
With a steady breath, Bella wondered who she should call back first. She needed advice, knowing full well she'd called down a shitstorm of trouble squarely on her head. The vampire world had to be losing its collective mind by now, with her flying around on every TV screen across the globe. And the Volturi... well, all her efforts to stay off their radar were officially out the window. They were probably already on their way.
Bella knew Peter had the best tactical mind and, more importantly, wouldn't sugarcoat anything. He was the one person who would tell her exactly what she needed to hear, no matter how brutal. She scrolled through her contacts, hesitating for only a second before tapping his name. The phone barely rang once before it was answered.
"God damn, Bella! What have you done?" Peter's voice came through, exasperated but not angry. For that, she felt a small wave of relief.
"I had to, Peter," She said, cutting straight to the point. "I was only a few blocks away when the bomb went off. Watching it unfold with my own eyes… I can do so much, and I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I'd turned away and let all those people die."
"I know, I know," Peter said, his tone softening a bit. "But you've gotta realize—this isn't just gonna blow over."
"I do," Bella replied, her own voice dropping. "I know I'm in trouble. That's why I'm calling you—what advice do you have for me?"
There was a pause on the other end, and Bella held her breath, waiting.
Finally, she heard Peter sigh heavily on the other end. "The way I see it, the Volturi are going to come down on you fast and hard. They've probably already dispatched a team to L.A. to pick up your scent, track you down, and drag you back to Volterra for trial. In my opinion, you've got a few options—some better than others, but none that I think you'll like." He paused, letting his words sink in.
"One, you could go with them and hear them out. But you know damn well Aro's going to want you in his glorified goon squad, enforcing his will across the vampire world. It'll all come down to whether or not he thinks he can control you. And once he figures out none of their powers work on you... well, they'll try to destroy you with everything they've got. You're too powerful for Aro to let you live. He's really a coward at heart, always has been, and he won't risk letting someone like you roam free, unchecked."
Peter's first suggestion didn't sit well with Bella, but she listened quietly, knowing he wasn't done yet.
He continued, "Another option is you could run. Demetri wouldn't be able to track you if you just flew off—he'd lose your scent immediately. But running means you'd spend the rest of eternity looking over your shoulder, waiting for the Volturi to come knocking. And let's face it, running's not really your style. I've never seen you once back down from a fight."
Bella nodded, even though Peter couldn't see her. "You're right. I won't run away from my actions." The words felt grounding—something she needed to hear herself say.
Peter hesitated briefly before moving on to his final suggestion, his voice tinged with reluctance. "My last option... it's the one I'm most conflicted about, but it might be your best bet. You could take them out. Kill every last fucking one of them... Hope you're more powerful than the most dangerous coven in vampire history and end the Volturi for good."
Bella remained silent as he continued, his words carrying a weight neither of them could ignore. "I'll admit, I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I'd love nothing more than to see those corrupt bastards wiped off the face of the Earth. They're evil, plain and simple. But on the other... they've kept vampires hidden for three thousand years, even if their methods are high-handed. And another issue is, we don't know who would rise to take their place if you gave them the permanent pink slip."
"I know I don't want to rule over the vampire race. That job sounds miserable," Bella said, her tone firm. She wanted to get that out of the way right off the bat. Thinking it all over, Peter's options all had their positives and negatives, but none of them were ideal. She exhaled heavily, considering everything before finally arriving at a partial decision. "Thanks for the insights. I think I'll wait here, see who they send, and decide how to handle it once I hear what they have to say."
Peter was quiet for a moment before responding. "That sounds like a solid plan." Then he added, "But Bella, do you want backup? Char and I could be in LA before nightfall."
Bella cut him off quickly, leaving no room for debate. "Absolutely not! I don't want you guys getting anywhere near my mess. I dug this hole, and I'll dig myself out. But I appreciate the offer."
Peter chuckled lightly on the other end, clearly expecting that response. "Fair enough. Just remember, we've got your back if you ever do need help."
Hearing Peter chuckle, Bella felt the tension of the moment dissolve. When he spoke again, she could easily hear the amusement creeping into his voice. "Alright, now you've got to tell me—where the hell did 'Starshield' come from?"
Bella laughed. "Honestly, they put me on the spot. I had to come up with something, or they'd slap some ridiculous name on me, and I'd be stuck with it for the rest of eternity. They could've called me 'The Flying Lass' or some shit like that." She paused, shaking her head. "Really, I was just worried they'd tack 'girl' onto the end of any random word. And that just wouldn't fly with me."
Peter snorted, clearly entertained.
"At least 'Starshield' sounded cool," she added. "And hey, I do have a shield, so it made sense."
"Starshield rocks, Bella! You show 'em! You've got this!" Char shouted from the background, her enthusiasm bringing a smile to Bella's face.
"Thanks, Char," Bella replied, her voice lighter. She was glad she had called them first. Peter's advice had helped, and just hearing their voices had calmed her more than she realized. "Alright, guys. I've got a ton of calls to return. Seems like everyone who recognized me left a message—some of them, like you, left more than one."
"No doubt," Peter chuckled knowingly.
"Yeah," Bella agreed. "Anyway, I'll talk to you both later. Peter, in the meantime, can you start thinking over everything you know about the Volturi—their strengths, weaknesses, members, and abilities? I want to be as prepared as possible if I'm going to walk into the lion's den."
"Sure thing," Peter said, his tone shifting back to serious. "I'll be ready for your call."
"Thanks," Bella replied before ending the call.
Bella knew it was time to speak with her parents. She called her mom first, who couldn't stop gushing about how amazing she had been. Apparently, it had been a sunny day in London, and they were at home when Jean Paul received a text from one of his vampire friends, telling them to turn on the TV. Her mother's excitement was obvious, though Bella could also detect the undercurrent of nervousness in her voice. While her mom sounded proud, she was understandably worried about the consequences of Bella's actions.
Bella tried to offer reassurances, keeping her tone light and saying everything she could to ease her mom's concerns. But when Jean Paul took over the call, the conversation shifted. She dropped the comforting facade and told him bluntly what she was facing. Jean Paul, as always, grasped the gravity of the situation, likely better than she did. Bella made it clear—if things went bad, he and her mom would need to run. Her priority would be to take out Demetri first, giving them a chance to escape if the worst came to pass.
Jean Paul's response was measured, as expected, but Bella could sense the weight of the conversation. He understood what was at stake, and though there was no panic in his tone, Bella knew he was preparing for every eventuality. He wished her well, leaving Bella feeling both comforted and burdened by the reality of what was coming and what she might have to do.
Next on the call sheet was Charlie. He'd sent her a message earlier, making sure she knew he'd be at home so they could talk freely. As soon as she hit dial, the phone barely had a chance to ring before his voice came through.
"Hello?" Charlie's voice held a trace of anxiousness, like he had been waiting for the call but wasn't sure what to expect.
"Hey, Dad," Bella said, a smile tugging at her lips as soon as she heard his familiar voice. Just hearing him made everything feel a little more normal.
"Oh, Bells." Charlie's tone softened, his relief clear, but underneath that, there was pride. "Your old man couldn't be more proud of you, sweetheart. You were incredible today, really." The warmth in his voice was unmistakable, and Bella could almost picture him sitting in his recliner in the living room, still watching the news with the TV on mute. "The whole station couldn't believe what they were seeing, especially Deputy Crabtree. He's still convinced you're some kind of alien." Charlie chuckled, his excitement spilling over.
Bella could hear the happiness radiating from him, the pride in his words making her feel lighter. She knew Charlie was never one for long speeches or flowery expressions, so her actions must have really moved him.
Bella couldn't help but laugh, remembering her long conversation with Deputy Crabtree at Charlie's wedding. His conspiracy theories and wacky beliefs had provided plenty of entertainment that day. If only he knew he had been speaking with a real-life vampire. It didn't surprise her one bit that he thought she was an alien. Thank God he hadn't recognized her. That mask better work as well as Superman's glasses, or she was going to be up shit's creek. "I'm glad you got to see everything. How's the news been covering it? Are they accepting of me, or are they spinning me into some sort of big bad?"
Charlie's relief was palpable over the phone. After watching everything Bella had done, he had really needed to hear her voice to make sure she was okay. "You'll be glad to hear the news has been very positive so far. A few pundits have been playing it safe, not really taking a side, but most of the coverage has been really supportive. It's hard to spin saving hundreds of people as anything but good."
He'd been glued to the ongoing reports, still front and center on every major news channel even hours later. When he got home from the station, Sue had already been watching the coverage, and her reaction had surprised him. She wasn't one to share her true feelings often when it came to his daughter, as he knew her opinions on vampires, but he'd been pleased to hear how positively she had spoken about Bella. Glancing over at her now, still sitting on the sofa, the genuine smile on her face told him all he needed to know.
"I'm really glad to hear that," Bella said, letting out a sigh of relief. "I haven't had the chance to see any of it yet." She hesitated for a moment, knowing what she had to say next wouldn't be easy. "Listen, Dad. What I did today... it was the right thing, but there are going to be consequences. Hopefully just for me, and not for my friends or family."
She paused, gathering her thoughts. "I've told you about the Volturi. There's no doubt in my mind they're already coming for me. But I'm not going to run, Dad. You know I'm not some pushover." Her tone was firm. She didn't particularly want to wipe them out, but it was really up to them how she would respond. "All I can ask is for you to wish me luck and to stay safe. Until you hear from me again, please stick close to the wolves."
Bella's voice dropped, her concern unmistakable. "I wouldn't put it past the Volturi to come after my family if they figure out who I am. And if they do, it won't be hard for them to trace my name back to you. Please be careful, Dad. I'm so sorry my actions have put you in danger."
Charlie's voice was steady, filled with the kind of quiet confidence Bella had always admired in him. "Don't worry about me, honey. You do what you have to. I have complete faith in you."
Bella felt a sense of relief wash over her. Knowing she had her family's unwavering support meant everything. "Thanks, Dad. I love you." She could feel the emotion swelling inside her, knowing that if it were possible, she'd be crying.
"Love you too, Bells," Charlie responded softly, his own tears falling for the both of them.
Next, Bella called Seth to fill him and the pack in on the importance of watching over Charlie and his mother. While she trusted Charlie, she wouldn't put it past him to not ask for help from others. They were both alike in that way, and she wasn't going to take any chances.
After finishing her call with Seth, she rang Peter again, this time for a more detailed discussion about the Volturi. The conversation stretched on for a good while, as Peter laid out his knowledge of their strengths, weaknesses, and the key members she should be aware of. By the time the call ended, Bella had a much clearer picture of what she was up against.
Standing up from the park bench, Bella noticed the field where the kids had been playing soccer was now empty. They were probably home, having dinner by now. She wondered briefly if she should eat again, considering how much energy she'd expended today, but she didn't really feel any hunger pangs yet since she'd dined on those three dudes the night before. She couldn't help but smile, remembering how tasty the last one had been.
In her head, she estimated that the Volturi would need at least 12 hours to reach Los Angeles, assuming they flew in from Italy. That gave her time to get things in order before the inevitable confrontation. They'd probably arrive sometime during the night, and if they were as good as everyone said, she'd be meeting them soon after. Bella wasn't going to make it hard for them. She just wanted to get this over with and, hopefully, move on with her life.
After returning to her hotel, Bella checked out. Outside, she passed a magazine stand but something caught her eye, a Vistas magazine. It stopped her in her tracks. Her interview. She'd completely forgotten about it. It had been scheduled for just a few hours ago. She smiled at the irony; so much had changed since then, it felt like an entire lifetime ago, even though it was still the same day.
Pulling out her phone, Bella quickly dialed the woman she had been scheduled to meet, apologizing for missing the appointment. She explained that the day's events had caused her to reevaluate some things. To her relief, the woman understood, and they briefly discussed the chaos that had overtaken the city. Bella found the conversation oddly amusing—after all, the woman had no idea she was speaking to the very topic of their conversation: Starshield herself.
Needing a place to stash her belongings, Bella made her way to the train station. She rented a locker, placing everything inside—her wallet, IDs, suitcase, and phone. All she kept was some cash and her mask, safely tucked in her back pocket.
With the locker key hidden where no one would ever find it, Bella felt ready to face the Volturi. Her identity was secure—assuming, of course, that Aro couldn't read her thoughts. But given her shield had blocked every other vampire, she saw no reason to think he'd be any different.
Using the last of her cash, Bella hailed a cab back to the scene of the day's drama. As they approached, she saw that the streets surrounding the remains of the Federal One building were still cordoned off, with dozens of vehicles scattered around the area, likely with investigators sifting through the wreckage. That suited her just fine; she didn't need to get too close. Her main reason for returning was to leave a trail the Volturi could follow. Moving carefully, she spread her scent around the area, making it as clear as possible: I went this way…
Satisfied, Bella began the long walk out of downtown L.A., intent on finding a secluded spot for her meeting with the Volturi, far from any prying eyes in case things went south and a fight broke out. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that, as she much preferred the idea of going to Volterra and handling matters diplomatically. And if they couldn't reach an understanding there... well, at least they'd all be in one place.
She didn't like to dwell on it, but in her discussions with Peter, they both agreed—if it came to a fight, there couldn't be any loose ends. In their world, leaving anyone alive only led to trouble down the road. Bella knew the chances of her seeing eye to eye with the Volturi were pretty slim. She remembered all too well her one encounter with them in the past, and if that was anything to go by, she knew she'd likely be getting her hands dirty. She was ready to do what was needed if they forced her hand.
After walking for several hours, she finally found a desolate hill on the outskirts of L.A. It was quiet, isolated... perfect. Bella sat down and settled in to wait. A small voice in her head couldn't help but taunt her, "You're going to feel like a damn fool if you wait here for days and no one ever shows."
So, what do you all think? Will Aro give her a slap on the wrist with a promise never to do it again as she goes merrily on her way? Or will he choose another path, leading to a full-blown Carrie situation? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
See you tomorrow for Part Two: The Twisted Mind of Demetri Volturi