Title: The Consequence – Chapter One – Possibilities.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns it all, I'm just playing with her characters for a little while.
Timeline: 10 Years Post Breaking Dawn.
Spoilers: Mentions of key elements from Breaking Dawn.
P.O.V: Aro.
Summery: Every action has a consequence. As does every fight, even a fight that never was. 10 years after the events of Breaking Dawn, Aro decides that the Cullen family have become a threat, a threat which he can not ignore any longer. How does he intend to deal with them? By taking something which they hold dear, and he greatly covets.
Author Notes: Written because I've always thought that Aro wouldn't wait very long to take revenge against the Cullen's for the fight that never was. Without giving anything away, the main focus of the story will be Alice (because I just adore that little psychic pixie.) though it will be told from many different p.o.v's as the story progresses. Enjoy :D Constructive reviews would be welcomed but are in no way necessary.
I did not often suffer from the weaknesses of unhappiness or impatience. Today however, I was afflicted by both. I wandered aimlessly through the halls of my sprawling castle, my footfalls echoing in the still air. While I could have very easily ghosted around the castle in utter silence, I found the ominous sound of my footsteps to be somewhat comforting in my unhappy state. There were very few things that could bring me to this despairing state of mind; the betrayal of false friends, my carefully constructed plans being rendered useless, the power I so rightly deserve being challenged without cause. But, above all things, what caused me the greatest sadness was being denied something I wanted.
I had once considered Carlisle Cullen to be a good and dear friend to me, worthy of both my trust and my admiration. I'd had ten years since our last meeting to consider how truly blind I had been in regards to my good friend's motivations. Never would I have guessed that Carlisle could be capable of such betrayals, that he could believe that my dear ones and I wanted anything other than what was best for all of our kind. Surely such betrayal and dark thoughts could not go unpunished? How could I, in good conscience, set such a terrible example to my fellow immortals? It was my duty to punish those who threatened our world. And, as my wise eyes saw it, Carlisle Cullen's family became more of a threat with each passing day. Never had such a truth struck me as so unfortunate. But, unfortunate or not, this problem demanded to be dealt with. It would not be easy of course, they were an extremely gifted family. I could not afford to risk any of my dear ones in a direct confrontation. No, this required an action of much more subtlety.
A number of plans began to loosely form themselves in my mind when another possibility occurred to me. Perhaps punishment and acquisition could mean the same thing in this case. I found myself trying very hard now, not to make any definite decisions in my mind. Carlisle prized his family above all else. I prized uniqueness and rarity. The Cullen's, all in all, were a very uniquely talented family. Each gift was as rare as could be, and all would make fine additions to my own dear family. But, in a family of extraordinary gifts, one star shone brighter than all others. To see things that had yet to happen, to live with one eye forever on the future; to know the wonders that Alice Cullen knew. The thought was undeniably intoxicating. Yes, surely if Carlisle were to lose that particular gift to my dearest ones here, that would be punishment enough – for the time being, at least. And, if I were to convince sweet Alice to join us, then perhaps the others would follow. Young Bella alone would be a particularly wonderful addition to the guard.
Ah, but how to begin? I would need to discuss this with my brothers, there was much work to be done. I made my way to the main chamber of the castle, calling my brothers names on the way. They were already waiting for me.
"Dear brothers!" I greeted them affectionately as I took my seat between them. "I have been considering the possibilities of dealing with Cullen family. I believe they've become a threat to all that we hold dear." Though my voice was grave, my expression sombre, that did little to halt the grin of anticipation which appeared on the face of my blond haired brother.
"How soon can the guard be ready to go?" Caius asked me eagerly. I held up one hand to caution him, though I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
"Peace brother. What I propose will require patience and subtlety. Notice brothers-" I looked from Caius on my left, to Marcus on my right. Marcus looked as distant and uninterested as always, though I was sure he was listening just as intently as Caius. "-that I spoke only of the possibilities of dealing with the Cullen problem. We must be careful not to make any rash decisions." Of course I knew the remarkable little psychic's gift as well as Alice herself knew it. A definite decision was sure to trigger a vision, and therefore ruin our plans before we had a chance to even make them.
"Then what do you propose, Aro?" Caius asked, his voice dripping with impatience.
"My dear brothers, I propose that we may be able to convince the little Seer, Alice to join our happy family."
Caius seemed to ponder my words for a moment, no doubt assessing the advantages that such an acquisition would give us.
"That certainly would be a considerable loss for them, and quite a gain for ourselves. But I don't see how you intend to convince her. I wasn't aware that she had shown any wavering towards joining us in the past?"
"Unfortunately, she has not. Which will only make this much harder on herself than necessary. But I do know her mind, brother. I know every weakness she has." Caius merely raised his brow, urging me to continue. "Love, my dear brother, is her greatest weakness. We need only get to the Southern empath who she so treasures, and sweet little Alice shall be ours for the taking."
"Aro, you can not believe it would be any easier to get to the empath than to the psychic herself. You know the rest of the coven will fight for him, just as they would for his mate."
I should have found my brother's disbelief insulting, but in truth, it amused me. My brother actually thought me capable of overlooking such an obstacle? I dismissed his pessimism with a burst of laughter.
"Perhaps you're right, brother. The others would likely stand with him, if that were going to be necessary. But you forget, Caius, that I have had the rare privilege of having known Edward's thoughts." I took in my brothers rather amusing confused expression before I elaborated. "Ah, the burdens of those of us gifted with knowledge of others thoughts. You see, my brother, our young friend Edward's mind contains an abundance of thoughts and memories of his siblings. I learned much from his thoughts. For instance, I learned that the empath has a great many weaknesses. The little psychic is the greatest of them of course, but there is also the fact that he has a past which no other in his family shares. Our delightful empathic friend was rather instrumental in the southern wars. He also is the least committed to Carlisle's strange lifestyle."
"And how does knowing any of this help us?" Caius asked me in a clipped tone. How terribly small minded he could be at times.
"All in good time, brother, all in good time. Jane dear?" I called out then, certain she would doubtless be listening somewhere close by, always so curious. Half a second later, her petite form was standing in front of me.
"Master?"
"Ah, Jane. I have an errand for you to run my dear one. You are to take a small contingency of the guard, whomever you believe will be most helpful, and find the Southern female known as Maria. She will likely be found somewhere in Texas or Mexico."
"As you wish, Master. Am I to destroy the Southerner?"
I had to admire the cold enthusiasm in her voice.
"Not yet my dear. I need you to deliver a message to her. Please inform Maria that she is to seek out her old friend Jasper Whitlock, separate him from the rest of his coven in whatever manner she sees fit. She is then to bring him here. You are to assist her with whatever she requires to accomplish this task, but please ensure that no one from Mr Whitlock's coven suspects your involvement. Assure Maria that she will be greatly rewarded if she follows these instructions correctly."
"Yes Master."
I was not surprised when Jane asked for no further explanations. While she may be curious, she also knew her place.
"Oh, and Jane dear?" She stopped and waited for me to continue. "If Maria harms any of the Cullen's, in any way, you are free to punish her however you believe would be appropriate. But only once she has delivered my dear friend Jasper to us."
"Of course Master." She smiled her sweet, dangerous smile at me before disappearing in a blur of movement, eager to begin her task.
"So it begins, my dear brothers. One way or another, the Cullen's shall not be a threat to us for much longer." The satisfied smile that broke across my face could have given small children nightmares.
