Turmoil [Emmett Cullen] (3)

[21 - Fight]

Tuesday morning, the day after our group training session, Esme and I headed back to the baseball clearing to train.

"Thank you for helping me," Esme said as we ran to the clearing.

"No problem."

"How is your house in Wyoming coming along?" The house. Definitely one of my most ambitious projects.

"I have a floor plan and some options for wood. That's about it," I admitted.

She laughed.

"Emmett and I are always together so it's pretty much impossible to plan. And then when I do have some time alone, I can't make up my mind. There's so many decisions and I keep overthinking everything."

Esme nodded her head, "I understand. If you want, I can help you organise the construction and work through the creative decisions."

"Really?" I said, dumbfounded by her offer. "You'd be willing to do that?"

"Of course. Any excuse to design and spend time with you." I beamed. Esme's selflessness and compassionate love made me strive to be a better being.

We arrived at the clearing and began training.

"According to Jasper, newborns are predictable so you only need a couple of techniques to out–maneuver them."

Esme and I practiced faking a move and then attacking from the other side. If done fast enough, this would catch the newborn off guard and make it easy to incapacitate them. I also went refined her kicking and punching technique. At the end, Esme's skills had improved greatly.

When we got back, Edward and Emmett were waiting for us in the living room. From Edward's expression, I could tell he wanted to say something.

"Edward is missing out on the battle," Emmett said. His tone was bright. I guessed it was because he would have more newborns to fight against.

"Why?" I asked.

"Bella wants me to sit out. She's more terrified than she's letting on."

"You're going to miss a hell of a fight," I replied.

He smiled wistfully. I knew he was itching to fight.

"Where are you going to stay during the fight? Here?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll talk to Bella later about the logistics."

———

Later that night, we returned to the clearing for a final training session before the battle. Jasper wanted to try some unequal groupings, dealing with multiple attackers.

Whilst waiting for Edward and Bella, Jasper and Emmett wrestled, even Jasper was laughing. I opted out so Alice and I watched from the sidelines. Esme and Carlisle were talking a few yards away, heads close together, fingers linked, not paying attention.

Once they got here, we started. There were only 3 wolves present tonight. I could loosen up more when the entire pack wasn't here. Edward told us they didn't all need to be here so Jacob offered.

With Edward, I played the role of a newborn to help Jasper teach how to deal with multiple attackers. I didn't have to be clever or quick, just predictable.

Carlisle was a very capable fighter but always reluctant to use his skills.

"Good work, Carlisle. Just remember to keep your arms close to your body. I don't need to tell you what happens if a newborn grabs a hold of it."

Even against the two of us, Esme made a substantial improvement. She wasn't an expert by any means but she didn't have to be. We all felt more at ease knowing she would be able to defend herself.

When we finished, Bella gave me a hug, fiercer than I expected.

"Please stay safe," she whispered. Edward was right; she was terrified. I could her the distraughtness in her voice.

"Hey, don't worry about us. Ok?" She nodded but it wasn't sincere.

"Look, we've got the upper hand in skill and experience. With the wolves, it's a piece of cake."

"Yeah, that's what Edward keeps saying. I don't want to put you all through this."

"Do you want to take them on instead?" Emmett grinned at himself. Edward gave him a warning glare.

"I'm not sure I can speak for everyone, but Emmett and I are excited for this. I've trained with Jasper for years so I'm more than prepared. Our fear is losing you. You're part of our family. Fighting and winning is nonnegotiable." Bella seemed to be slightly more calm than before.

On Thursday, the whole family went hunting. Bella and Edward stayed at our house. Alice didn't see the newborns changing their plan so it was safe to separate. It was rare that we went all together; normally we split into smaller groups. With all our different schedules, it was easier that way.

Alice devised a cover, our annual end of year backpacking trip. With that, Carlisle took the week off from the hospital. Everyone's alibi for the battle was set. We travelled east in the hopes of securing larger game. Carnivores would give us more strength than deer.

——
It was the day of the battle. We gathered at the edge of clearing, facing where Alice had seen them enter.

"Is everyone ready?" Jasper asked. We nodded.

"Can't back down now, brother," Emmett gleamed.

I stood in silence, focusing on exactly what I needed to do to tear the newborns apart. Every training session with Jasper played in my mind; every manuver, every attack.

I let my instincts take control. Normally, I would never. It was dangerous since we lived in such close proximity to humans. But this was different. I channeled my tenacity, my concentration until it was the only thing on my mind. It was like the moment before a big race. I focused on the run, letting all other thoughts fade into the background.

And then they came. I could actually hear them before I smelt or saw them. It was hard to miss. I heard their arms thrashing through the ferns, snapping low branches off. The earth beneath us seemed to tremble as they thundered towards us.

The group split into two, just like Alice had seen. One group unknowingly ran towards the wolves and the another to us. We charged. I sprinted as fast as I could, using my speed to knock the first newborn on the ground. Emmett tore its head off.

The primary tactic we decided to use was working in groups of 2. Emmett and I worked together. I could use my speed to knock the newborn down or tear off a limb while Emmett came up from behind and fatally snap their neck. We worked well as a team.

It was mayhem on the field but not for us. Pieces of vampires were flailing through the air as we tore them apart. I could hear the wolves doing the same with their half.

Our family was quick, it felt like less than 5 minutes went by before it was over. Before I even had a chance to lower my concentration and assessed the damage, Alice had a vision.

"The Volturi. They're coming."