Edited 7/9/22.

A/N: There aren't really any warnings except that this chapter is kind of heavy. So fair warning for that.

***

Scarlet eyes are enamored by a scene of extreme beauty.

With some unexpected friendships being made, Marshall has had the opportunity of being exposed to new gifts. For instance, Zafrina of the Amazonian coven has the ability of showing others what she wants them to see. She's currently projecting an image of a pretty realistic forest.

Paul is alongside Marshall, and both men are looking around in awe.

A towering waterfall leads to a raging river in the distance. Different types of trees and plants are being seized upon by animals. A group of monkeys are enjoying some fruit high above them. Fluffy clouds are dancing across a blue sky with a vibrant sun shining behind them. A group of rainbow hued birds are flying toward the ball of light.

"And Benjamin said my gift was beautiful." Marshall shakes his head in disbelief. "Zafrina- this is amazing."

"Thank you," she answers with a confident grin. "Are you a traveler? I could take you to whatever place you'd like to go."

"I am, actually. I have a preference to be near water. Do you think you could create an illusion of the bottom of an ocean?"

Instead of replying, Zafrina changes the scenery around them.

Trees and plants morph into a gorgeous, rippling blue background. Grass is replaced by tinted sand. Seashells, rocks, and seaweed are lying along its surface.

Marshall looks up when a shadow passes him. He takes in the captivating sight of a large whale swimming by. The creature's mannerisms are slow, and it gives the group a moment to really take in enormous features.

A bit further in the distance, a phantom jellyfish is initially mistaken for a piece of cloth. Said creature is also slow in its mannerisms; and its stingers float in multiple directions.

Schools of fish swim by without a care in the world. Marshall gasps when a blue and yellow seahorse approaches him. It swims around his head before darting away.

An underwater view is slowly replaced by the familiar interior walls of the Cullen household.

"I need to hang out with you more often."

The small group share a laugh before Zafrina excuses herself to rejoin her coven mate.

Some other vampires are sitting around the room talking to each other, while a few are missing. Renesmee is currently talking with Benjamin, who is also creating a small display with ice crystals.

Marshall leans into his husband's frame while observing the scene as a whole.

Ruby and golden eyed folk are coexisting peacefully. People who normally wouldn't be hanging out are laughing over stories and conversations.

It's nice to know that the atmosphere has changed.

Everyone's a lot less tense than they previously were.

It could've just been nervous jitters from meeting new people, which is understandable. At the same time though, nervous jitters got in the way of budding friendships.

Had Marshall decided to stay home, he never would've been given the opportunity to learn about Egyptian culture and music from Benjamin. Marshall never would've had the opportunity to admire Zafrina's amazing talent. He wouldn't have had the opportunity to openly gush about Paul alongside Tanya—who has been honest that she also finds the shifter attractive; in a respectful way, of course.

In spite of an upcoming stressful situation, almost everyone has been able to come out of their shells to build new relationships. It's a pleasant atmosphere that's desperately needed to act as a distraction from building tension.

Marshall's eyes shift to the front of the room when Carlisle and a few others come inside. Two unfamiliar ruby eyed vampires are with them.

The newcomers are two pale men; one with platinum blond hair and the other with black hair. Neither of them speak to anyone—they simply settle down by a window together.

Marshall makes eye contact with one of the strangers. He lets out a low growl when a glare is sent Paul's way. The vocal gesture is met with a comforting kiss against a sea of black waves.

Marshall aims to give thanks, but he takes note of the worried expression on Carlisle's face.

Everyone does.

"What's wrong?"

"...Our two new witnesses, Vladimir and Stefan from the Romanian coven, have just informed me that Aro also has witnesses for our confrontation," Carlisle says. "In light of Alice and Jasper's leaving, and with the Volturi building their own numbers, things have gotten more difficult."

"What does Alice leaving have to do with this?"

"When Aro wants someone from a coven, he will go to extreme lengths in order to find that coven guilty of whatever crime he says they've committed." Eleazar explains. "I've seen it myself through my time in the Guard. It doesn't happen often, but that's not never. A pattern that I've seen is that he pardons at least one person from a guilty coven while everyone else is killed. That spared member is always a person with an ability- and is someone who is also given a position in the Guard."

"That would make sense as to why Alice left," Edward cuts in. "If she's been watching Aro's decisions, that means she knows he wants her. He's probably doing all of this to get her to join the Volturi."

"Exactly. On top of that, witnesses are used as a form of evidence to show that the crime committed has been dealt with." Eleazar pauses, taking a moment to decide whether or not he wants to say his next statement. "Now that she's left though, I'm concerned Aro will set his sights on others who are gifted in this room."

Golden and scarlet meet when Eleazar's worry-filled gaze settles on Marshall.

It makes him cling tighter to his husband.

The thought of Aro coming after the vampire because of his gift isn't something he thought about. He's never used it in front of the Volturi.

But he has used it in front of the Denalis.

If Aro read Irina's memories to find out about Renesmee, chances are he now knows about a certain hidden ability. With Alice being gone and Aro not showing interest in Edward, that leaves Marshall on the table with the threat of being plucked away.

He takes in a quivering breath. Dread, which was slowly beginning to drift away, returns in even worse amounts.

Across the room, Rosalie looks over at her brother in fear.

Both siblings lean into their partners for emotional support.

Every gifted individual finds themselves searching for support.

"Benjamin, Tia, we are leaving," Amun orders.

"And where exactly will you go?" Edward interrupts. "Just because you run- that doesn't keep you safe from the Volturi or Aro's desires. Even if you leave, Benjamin could still be sought out. Or Kate, or Marsh- or anyone here who has any form of gift. If Aro wants power, he won't stop until he has it. So it'd be in our best interest to fight this. Carlisle may not ask this of you, but I will. Fight. Not just for my family but for all of ours. For your livelihood- and the way you want to live."

One by one, people begin rising as a sign of support and agreement. Marshall looks around the room as they do.

His fear climbs higher and higher. Crippling anxiety does as well.

He doesn't fully understand why everyone is so ready to fight even though this could end with so many lives lost. Part of him does understand though—because no one else is connected by an intense bond like he is with Paul.

"Marshall, will you be fighting?" Benjamin asks while looking toward his new friend.

"I-"

"No, he won't be. And neither will Paul," Edward answers instead. "Due to certain circumstances, they won't be able to fight if one breaks out. More than anything, alongside my daughter, they need to be protected at all costs. I don't want to divulge too much for the sake of their privacy- but I will say that their safety must be guaranteed in order to witness for Renesmee. If a fight happens, we need to be prepared to give them a safe path out. I'm ready to do so at any cost. If you guys are willing to fight for our families, I need you to do the same for them."

Marshall is overcome by a wave of gratitude. He's also overcome by a wave of respect.

With the way things have been in the past, it isn't expected for Edward to jump in like this. It isn't expected for him to actively fight for his brother and his husband. It definitely isn't expected for Edward to ask everyone else to do so as well.

Marshall feels his eyes water due to multiple intense emotions.

He isn't sure if Alice told anyone about the Lahotes' possible need to leave before she did so herself. But the fact that people are stepping up to ensure a safe exit is overwhelming.

"We will fight," Benjamin announces. "Both as people who care and as friends. We will fight for both of them."

"And so will we," Zafrina adds.

Everyone gives a confident agreement in aiding to keep Marshall and Paul safe.

They both feel a sense of relief in terms of the sentiment.

Realistically speaking though, they know it'd be better to have their own plan of escape in case things turn sour. It'd be nice to just have blind faith in everyone. But it's more ideal to have a backup plan.

Marshall gives his sincerest thanks either way. Warm smiles are given from multiple members of his family, along with his new friends.

A moment passes before everything falls into a less tense atmosphere. People begin conversing again among themselves.

While looking around the room, scarlet eyes meet golden ones. Bella looks between the vampire-werewolf couple before motioning her head in another direction. No verbal agreement is given in response. Instead, the trio exit the room.

They make their way down the hall towards a vacant balcony. Paul takes it upon himself to close both glass doors to ensure their privacy.

From the look on her face, Marshall can tell that Bella is conflicted about something. What that is, he's unsure. But the fact that she's requested to speak to him of all people says a lot.

"Marsh, you're able to pick and choose when people can read your mind, right? Like, you're capable of putting up mental blocks when necessary?"

"Yes."

"So that means your mind would be safe." She takes a needed breath. "I- I'm going to need to ask something of you. Both of you. I'm not going to ask you to fight. But what I will ask is just as important."

"...Go on."

"I know we don't have much of a relationship. And with the way things were in the past between us, I don't expect you to listen to me so willingly. You don't owe me anything- and I'm not asking this for me. I'm asking this for my daughter."

"I understand that."

Bella sighs. "I have reason to believe that Alice may know how all this ends- at least to an extent. If she had a vision about Aro, and her ultimate decision was to leave, she may know more than she initially let on."

"I agree with you," Marshall admits. "After she crossed into our land, she told me that it'd be in mine and Paul's best interest to be prepared to leave. She didn't say whether or not it was for certain that we'd have to- but I know she wouldn't have said that if she didn't have a reason to."

"Yeah..." Bella looks down at the floor. Her shoulders fall in evident dejection. "If that's the case though, it seems like all things considered, the people with the best odds in this are you two. So that brings me to why we're talking. Alice has left me clues that- that Renesmee and Jake will make it out of this. It's not so clear about the rest of us. From what I've gathered though- my daughter will most likely have a future without Edward and I. Because of that, I just need to ask...

"Please, if the rest of us die in the end, please take Ness and Jake- and go far, far away from here. You four go off, and you live your lives. Together. You protect each other with everything that you have. And you make the best out of the sacrifice being made."

Marshall approaches Bella with a serious expression. He lays both hands atop her shoulders, wordlessly taking note of her trembling form.

"...We will do whatever we can to make it so she can grow up happy. We'll do whatever we can to make sure she grows up with a family full of love and support. I can't promise that everything will go according to plan, but I will promise that we'll do our best to keep each other safe."

"...I'm sorry for the way things have been. I'm sorry for outing your relationship when it wasn't my place. I'm sorry for any problems I've caused- or any pain I've caused." Bella brings her attention to Paul. "I know that I've hurt Marsh in many, many ways. But please- I'm begging here- I need to know that this will work out. I need to know that I can count on both of you for this. Not even as me, but as her mother."

Paul approaches as well. He takes a firm stance beside his husband and places a hand onto one of his shoulders.

"Wherever Marsh goes, I go. I may not forgive you for the pain you've caused him, but I'm man enough to own up to the fact that you need us. She needs us. So I'll promise too- that we'll keep Ness safe."

Marshall can tell that if Bella could cry, she would be. He can see it in the way that her bottom lip trembles, and her eyes seem unfocused.

He's unsure of how to react when she pulls both men into a hug. Neither of them move to shake her off though.

Marshall remains silent because he knows that Bella is taking a moment to basically say goodbye to her daughter. There's a mutual agreement that she deserves at least this time to grieve over it. They all deserve a second to grieve over the fact that almost everyone they've come to know and love might lose their lives.

This isn't going to be easy on anyone. They at least deserve a moment to feel their pain before it gets bottled up again.