Chapter Text
Prologue:
They were surrounded. As Bella looked on at Victoria and her four henchmen, she listened to the threats, the hatred, and all the terrible things that would soon happen to her and her mate. Bella reflected on everything she had endured to reach this point with the love of her life. While Victoria droned on about the impending doom that awaited her and her beloved, Bella's fists tightened. She was not one to roll over and surrender her life. "Fuck this bitch," she thought, as she unleashed hell on earth.
Chapter 1:
Carlisle's sharp teeth sliced into Bella's neck, and he carefully injected as much venom as he could. He wanted her transformation to be as swift as possible, knowing firsthand how agonizing it could be. As the sweet, taste of her blood flooded his mouth, he fought against his instinct to take more. He quickly unlatched his teeth, flicking his tongue over the wound to hasten the healing process.
As Carlisle stood up and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, erasing any trace of blood. Edward's mind drifted back to this morning, when Bella had hugged each of them tightly and they had all wished her luck with her transformation. As Bella had hugged and kissed him, he had felt a pang of sadness, knowing that things would never be the same between them. But she had given him a bright smile and a playful wink before she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes, ready for the transformation to begin.
"Edward, are you sure you don't want to contribute to Bella's transformation by adding your own venom?" Carlisle's voice interrupted Edward's thoughts. "It would mean a great deal to her, and she would see it as a symbol of your support for her decision to become a vampire."
Edward's eyes remained fixed on Bella, his face etched with pain. "I couldn't do that, Carlisle," he whispered hoarsely. "Bella was perfect just the way she was. Now, she's going to be a monster like the rest of us. Are we doing the right thing?" His voice trembled with uncertainty.
Carlisle's frown deepened as he fixed his gaze on his son. "We have been over this a hundred times, Edward. This is what Bella wanted. It was her choice. And regardless, after your escapades with the Volturi, it needed to be done no matter what."
Edward lowered his head, feeling the weight of Carlisle's words bearing down on him. He had tried so hard to protect Bella from the dangers of the vampire world, but his own actions had led her down this path. He knew he couldn't deny Bella's wishes, but the guilt of what he had done made it hard for him to accept the outcome.
As Carlisle watched Bella lying on the bed, his eyes carefully examined her every breath and movement. He couldn't help but start to feel a little uneasy as the minutes ticked by. Bella looked so peaceful, but with the venom pumping through her system, she should have been showing signs of distress by now. Carlisle's mind started racing as he meticulously analyzed every detail of Bella's transformation, like a doctor trying to diagnose a mysterious illness. He noted the color of her skin, the rate of her heartbeat, the rhythm of her breathing, and every minute change in her body. Yet despite his scrutiny, Bella remained serene, her features relaxed and her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Carlisle couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.
Edward must have been listening to Carlisle's thoughts, as suddenly, his panicked voice broke through. "Is something wrong, Carlisle? Why isn't Bella reacting to the venom?"
Carlisle placed a reassuring hand on Edward's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. He could feel the tension radiating from his son, who was now pacing nervously around the room. Carlisle knew that Edward was worried about Bella, but he also knew that there was nothing more they could do at the moment. They had done everything possible to ensure that Bella's transformation went as smoothly as possible. "Every change is different, son. Let's go downstairs and wait with the family. I'm sure Bella will be fine."
As Carlisle and Edward descended the stairs, Bella lay motionless on the bed, consumed by excruciating pain that wracked her entire body. Every breath felt like daggers piercing her lungs, every beat of her heart like a sledgehammer pounding against her chest. But amidst the torment, Bella tried to focus on the last few moments of her human life. She remembered kissing Edward and the comfort of the bed beneath her as she lay down upon it. The last thing her human eyes ever saw was Carlisle standing over her. She then closed her eyes and felt the sharp pressure of Carlisle's teeth as he began her transformation.
At first, it was a dull throb, but soon the burning heat intensified and spread like wildfire, scorching every nerve in her body. The venom felt like a river of molten lava, slowly snaking through her veins, consuming everything in its path. She felt it in her neck, then her chest, arms, and legs. Each wave of searing pain was more intense than the last, but Bella refused to make a sound. She knew her family was waiting outside and didn't want to alarm them. So she kept her eyes shut and endured the agony, hoping it would subside soon. But as the venom continued to spread, she knew that the worst was yet to come.
Bella lay completely still, her body writhing in unbearable pain. But despite the agony, she refused to let herself be consumed by it. Instead, she focused on the advice given to her by her family - the more she thought about her past, the greater chance she had of retaining her human memories. So with all the strength she could muster, she delved into her memories, reliving each moment in vivid detail.
She thought back to her childhood, where her mother had moved her from one place to another. The memories were a blur, a dizzying carousel of homes, schools, and faces. But she could still feel the warmth of her mother's love and the excitement of each new adventure.
As she focused harder, memories of her life in Forks began to flood her mind. She remembered how she felt when she came to live with Charlie, and how she had stumbled upon the enigmatic Cullens. She thought about the electrifying moment she met Edward, and how he had turned her life upside down.
Even as the pain pulsed through her, Bella's mind worked tirelessly to keep the memories alive. She remembered the joy of being with Edward, and how he had shown her a love she had never known was possible. But then he had left, and the unbearable pain of his absence consumed her. She remembered when she felt her life had no meaning and the reckless behavior she had thrown herself into in a desperate attempt to fill the void.
Then, her thoughts turned to Jacob, and the time she spent with the Pack. Though it had been a welcome distraction, nothing had truly eased her heart until she was reunited with Edward in Italy. The relief and happiness she felt when her vampire family returned after leaving Forks was overwhelming. Her memories advanced to the happier time of graduation day and the image of her father's beaming smile still clear as day. She remembered feeling a sense of accomplishment, that all the hard work and effort had finally paid off.
But then her thoughts turned to the year that followed. A year of agonizing uncertainty and fear, as she and Edward went back and forth about her decision to become a vampire. The fear of his refusing her requests, of losing her family, of Edward denying what she so desperately wanted, had kept her in a constant state of worry. She could feel that worry now lift from her shoulders as the searing pain she was in was proof that she would never lose them again.
Finally, she had put her foot down, refusing to wait any longer. She had made the choice to become a vampire, no matter the cost. And now, as she lay in agony, she knew that this was the price she had to pay for that choice. But she also knew, deep down, that it would be worth it. She just had to hold on and survive this torment in one piece.
Her thoughts then turned to her decision to become a vampire, and how it had not been a difficult one for her. She had always known that this was what she wanted, what she needed to become to be with Edward and the rest of the Cullens. She couldn't imagine a life without them, and becoming a vampire was the only way to ensure that she would be with them forever.
As the venom continued to assault her body, Bella's thoughts became more jumbled, and the pain grew more intense. She refused to let it consume her. She imagined herself as a warrior, pushing back against the pain with all her might. She thrashed around in her mind, using every ounce of strength she had to lash out against the agony. Bella knew that the pain would not defeat her. She was determined to endure it, to push it away, and to emerge victorious on the other side.
Then, like a beacon in the darkness, Bella heard the sound of a familiar tune. It was "White Rabbit," a song she had always loved. But why was it playing now, in the midst of this agony? As the pain continued to surge through her body, Bella's thoughts became more jumbled and fragmented. The song was still playing, and its lyrics seemed to echo in her mind, as if beckoning her to follow its lead. The music was a lifeline, a reminder that there was a world beyond the pain and chaos she was experiencing.
Bella's mind thought about the song which was inspired by "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," a story about a girl who falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a bizarre, fantastical world. Just like Alice, Bella was falling down a rabbit hole of her own, leaving behind her human existence and entering a strange new reality as a vampire.
Bella clenched her teeth and focused on the music, using it to anchor her thoughts and prevent them from spiraling out of control. She could feel the venom coursing through her veins, transforming her body from the inside out. But she refused to let it consume her completely.
The song continued to play, its hypnotic melody filling the room. Bella's mind wandered back to her human life, to her father, her mother, her friends, and her memories of Forks. She would not forget anything. She forced that thought into her very soul.
And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the song ceased playing, leaving Bella alone with her thoughts and the pain. But she knew that she could endure this. She was stronger then any pain. When she finally emerged from this transformation, Bella would be reborn into a new reality, a reality that she would shape and she would become the person she always wanted to be. As the pain intensified, she repeated these thoughts like a mantra, knowing that everything would be fine and that she would prevail.
Meanwhile, Carlisle and Edward made their way down the stairs and into the living room. As Carlisle surveyed the room, he noticed the family waiting with bated breath. Jasper and Alice were huddled together on the sofa, with Jasper's arm wrapped around Alice's shoulder in a protective embrace. Emmett was engrossed in a game on his phone, seemingly trying to distract himself from the tension in the room. Rosalie, on the other hand, sat in a chair off to the side, her expression sour as she brooded over what had transpired. Carlisle hoped that Rosalie would come to see vampire Bella in a different light, something she had denied human Bella.
As Carlisle's gaze shifted to Esme, he could see the anguish etched on her face. She sat on the loveseat, wringing her hands together, as if willing herself to stay calm. He knew she wanted nothing more than to rush upstairs and make everything better for Bella, but she understood that this was something beyond her control.
With his arm still draped over Edward's shoulder, Carlisle gave him a small nudge to indicate they should join the rest of the family for the long wait ahead.
Esme stood up to greet Carlisle with a worried expression, giving him a tight hug before they sat down together on the sofa.
"What's going on, Carlisle? How is Bella?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice as she had heard Carlisle and Edwards conversation on the third floor.
"Bella has started the transformation, and she's handling the pain better than I've ever seen before. She's going to be just fine, my love," Carlisle said, reassuring her.
Emmett looked up from his phone, grinning widely. "I knew Bella was tough, but damn! Can't wait to wrestle with her when she wakes up."
Jasper shook his head, "Emmett, please be cautious. Newborns are notoriously uncontrollable, and I've seen new vampires rip off other vampires' heads when annoyed right after their transformation. Let's give Bella some time to adjust before we start making any demands of her."
Rosalie, who had been silent until now, spoke up with an angry tone. "You stay away from her, Emmett! I like your head right where it belongs," she said, emphasizing her words with a sharp glare.
Alice sat quietly, her usual bubbly nature dampened by her inability to see anything beyond Bella's imminent transformation. She chewed on her lower lip, a worried expression marring her usually serene features. "It's very strange," she finally said, breaking the silence. "I'm not getting any visions of Bella as a vampire. Everything in three days seems to be a blank right now. I'm getting worried, Jasper. Bella was fine in my visions yesterday."
Jasper placed a comforting hand on Alice's shoulder. "Alice, you know your visions are based on decisions. I know for a fact that a newborn can barely think a clear thought when they first wake up. I'm sure that's what's clouding what you see. Remember, you had visions of Bella as a vampire when we first met her. That should reassure you."
Alice looked down, a shadow of uncertainty crossing her face. "Those visions all changed over the years that we've known Bella. Our actions and decisions changed, and what I saw in those visions will never come to pass. The vampire Bella I saw in those visions was much younger than the 19 1/2-year-old Bella that we know today."
Carlisle spoke up, sensing the tension in the air. "Then it is this Bella that we will love and support as she makes her way into the world. Not many humans get the chance to know what is happening to them before the change. Bella is the most prepared person to become a vampire I have ever heard of, and she chose this outcome for herself. I think that will have a significant effect on her."
Jasper nodded in agreement, his eyes closing as he focused on Bella's emotions. "I can feel Bella's emotions right now. They're all over the place. She's spiraling constantly through the usual pain and fear, but I also feel other emotions like excitement and anticipation. It's like she's trying to constantly grab ahold and control how she feels during the change. I've never felt that before from one becoming a vampire."
Rosalie snorted, her face twisted in a scowl. "Typical Bella. Always eager to rush in without thinking of the consequences. She does not realize all she's giving up. I still don't understand why we had to do this."
Carlisle sighed patiently. "Because she wanted this, Rosalie. And don't forget, the Volturi demanded it as well. We got very lucky that their only condition was Bella had to become a vampire. We all know we broke the law when we left Bella. The outcome of our leaving could have been much graver for all of us."
Esme turned to Edward, noticing his downtrodden expression. "Edward, how are you feeling right now?"
Edward shook his head, worry evident in his expression. "I really don't know how to feel. Everyone's thoughts are bombarding me, and it's all mixed up. I'm trying to stay positive, thinking that we get Bella for eternity, but I can't stop thinking about her. Vampire life is not for everyone. What if she's unhappy? There are just so many things that could go wrong."
Carlisle placed a reassuring hand on Edward's shoulder. "We'll be here for her, Edward. We'll help her adjust and support her no matter what."
The Cullens continued to talk quietly amongst themselves, lost in their own thoughts about Bella's transformation. The day went by slowly, and they didn't hear a sound from upstairs.
As the second day dawned, the Cullens were startled by a sudden crash followed by music coming from upstairs. They exchanged curious glances before making their way up the stairs to check on Bella.
Edward's expression was clouded with concern as they entered the room. The radio on the desk had fallen to the floor, which had turned it on. It was playing the song "White Rabbit". Edward picked up the radio, studying it for any clues as to how it had fallen, before turning it off and placing it back on the desk. "How did this even happen?" he muttered to himself.
The rest of the Cullens turned their attention to Bella, who was still lying in bed, seemingly at peace. Although it had only been a day since her transformation, they could tell that she hadn't changed much physically, but they knew that the real transformation was happening internally.
"I feel a great amount of determination coming from Bella. It's like she's trying to drown out the pain. It's very impressive," Jasper commented, intrigued by Bella's resolve.
"She looks so peaceful. One might think that she's just sleeping," Alice observed.
Carlisle, noticing the concern etched on Edward's face, suggested they go downstairs and wait some more. "It's still early in her transformation, and we don't want to disturb her. Let's give her some more time." The Cullens nodded in agreement before quietly making their way back downstairs, leaving Bella to continue her transformation in peace.
It was further into the second day of Bella's transformation, and the Cullens were now keeping a closer eye on her every step of the way. As they watched her, they started to notice changes in her appearance that indicated her transformation was progressing smoothly.
Esme was the first to notice the changes. "Look," she said softly, pointing to Bella's arm. "Her scars are disappearing."
Edward looked at Bella's arm and then at the rest of her body. "She looks different," he said, his voice tense.
"She's supposed to," Rosalie said, her voice sharp. "She's becoming a vampire."
Emmett piped up, "Hey, guys, have you noticed that Bella's looking a little more...developed? She's definitely gained some curves in all the right places and it looks like she might be an inch or two taller!" he chuckled, nudging Edward in the ribs. "You're a lucky man, Eddie."
Edward's expression was less amused, his mind preoccupied with his own worries. Emmett noticed this and quietly thought 'Don't screw it up'.
Edward's eyes were fixed on Bella's body, taking in the changes that were already becoming evident as she lay there unconscious. He could hear the others talking around him, commenting on what they saw, but he was more focused on his own observations. Bella had always been beautiful to him, but now, as a vampire, her body had become more mature, more like that of an adult woman. He noticed that her breasts had become more pronounced, and her bra no longer seemed to fit properly. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside, feeling guilty for even thinking about them while Bella was in such a vulnerable state. He also noticed that she appeared to have gained some height, and he thought she would be pleased about that, as she had often complained about feeling short compared to the rest of the Cullens save for Alice.
As he was lost in thought, he heard Emmett's crude words and his subsequent thought about himself not screwing up with Bella. Edward was about to comment when suddenly everything went silent. It was as if someone had flipped a switch, and he couldn't hear anyone's thoughts anymore. He looked up at his family, but they didn't seem to have noticed anything out of the ordinary. He quickly scanned their faces, trying to read their thoughts, but there was only silence. It was getting more unnerving the longer he tried, and he felt a sense of panic rising in his chest.
Jasper noticed Edward's growing anxiety and spoke up. "Edward, are you okay?"
Edward shook his head. "I can't hear anyone anymore," he said, his voice filled with panic. "My powers... they're not working. I can't hear anyone's thoughts."
Edward took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had always relied on his mind-reading ability, and now that it was gone, he felt lost and vulnerable. "What's happening to me?" he whispered, feeling a sense of dread settling over him.
Jasper saw the agitation in Edward's expression and sent him some calming waves, but his concern grew when he realized that his powers weren't having any effect either. He sent out more waves of calming energy toward Edward, but to no avail. Jasper was usually able to soothe even the most turbulent emotions, so this was deeply troubling.
"I can't seem to calm you, Edward," Jasper said, his own anxiety rising.
Carlisle, who had been closely observing Bella's transformation, spoke up. "I believe Bella is the reason your powers aren't working properly," he said, his tone calm and measured. "Think about it, everyone. Edward couldn't read Bella's thoughts when she was human, and now that she's becoming a vampire, whatever caused that may have grown into a gift. It's possible that having powers not work around her is part of that."
Edward looked at Carlisle, fear flashing in his eyes. "What does that mean?" he asked. "That our powers will never work when Bella is around?"
Carlisle tried to reassure him. "We need to wait for Bella to wake up," he said. "She should be waking up sometime tomorrow. There's no way to know for sure what, if any, extra abilities Bella might have until she wakes up."
Jasper added his support. "He's right, Edward," he said. "It takes time and practice to fully develop our powers. When I first became a vampire, my empathic abilities were nothing compared to what they are now. It took decades of training to get them to where they are today."
The Cullens made their way back down to the living room, where they could wait together. But Edward couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was creeping over him. He had never felt so scared and uncertain in his long life.
"Do you think Bella will be okay?" he asked Carlisle, his voice filled with worry.
Carlisle put a comforting hand on Edward's shoulder. "She's strong, Edward," he said. "She'll be okay."
Edward nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was responsible for all of Bella's future struggles as a vampire. He just hoped that he could be there to fix everyone of them.
Edward had been sitting with Bella for hours, keeping a close eye on her as she underwent the final hours of her transformation. The rest of the family was downstairs, trying to keep busy while they waited. The tension in the air was palpable as they all waited for Bella to awaken.
Edward's powers had started working again once they had left Bella's room, and he could still hear his family's thoughts downstairs. The sound of Alice's thoughts planning a celebration for Bella's awakening mixed with Esme's thoughts of concern over Bella's well being and Carlisle's thoughts of curiosity about any ability Bella might possess. Edward tried to tune them out and focus on Bella's transformation.
As he looked at Bella, he couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she had become. Her skin was now a pale, luminous white, and her features were more defined than before. Her lips were fuller, and he didn't want to think about Bella's other enhanced attributes. Edward thought she was even more attractive than Rosalie, which was saying something.
Bella had still not moved an inch since she was bitten, but the transformation had to be almost done as she looked like a vampire now. Her chest rose and fell slowly, indicating that she was still breathing. Edward prayed that her newborn year would not be as difficult as Emmett's. He had witnessed how out of control Emmett was during his newborn period, which had lasted much longer than one year.
Suddenly, there was a strange noise, a crackling sound in the air behind Edward. He turned quickly, searching for the source of the disturbance, but there was nothing there. The lights overhead flickered briefly and Edward heard another sound, this time accompanied by a metallic crash. When he looked over, he saw that the trash can beside the desk had been hurled across the room and now lay in a twisted heap against the wall.
Immediately, Edward called out for his family, and they all rushed to Bella's side. They gathered around her, gazing upon her stunning transformation with awe and wonder. Her skin was now as pale and flawless as theirs, she was a vampire. The end of her transformation just needed to occur.
As they stood there, marveling at Bella's beauty, things suddenly took a dark turn. Edward and Jasper's powers began to flicker on and off erratically, like a faulty light bulb. Emmett stumbled forward, colliding into Esme who tried to steady him. The radio that had been on the desk was suddenly launched through the window, shattering the glass as it flew out of the house. The desk chair flew up into the corner of the ceiling and stayed there as if stuck, while the desk itself was violently split in two as if a saw had sliced through it.
The Cullens watched in shock and horror as the room descended into chaos. It was as though an invisible force was wreaking havoc on everything in its path. The air seemed to be charged with electricity, and the hair on the back of their necks stood on end. The room appeared to be possessed, haunted by some malevolent spirit.
Alice, whose powers had been feeble at best the past few days, suddenly had a terrifying vision. Her face went blank for only a few seconds at most, and she came out of it with a look of horror on her face at what she had seen. Her lips trembled as she muttered, "Oh, shit!" then she looked at her family scared at what she knew was about to happen and screamed "RUN!"
The family didn't hesitate. They quickly ran from the room, sensing that something was very wrong. As they were almost out of the room, Bella's back arched violently, and she let out a blood-curdling scream. As she screamed the entire room seemed to implode in on itself, as if Bella was the center of a black hole.
Bella opened her crimson eyes for the first time and the world around her exploded in fire and mayhem.