Language: English

Rating: Rated: M

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Drama

CHAPTER 10: ATISHOO, ATISHOO, THEY ALL FALL DOWN

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All rights go to Stephanie Meyer

Revenge is a dish best served cold:

The Hunt

~I'm taking back the crown

I'm all dressed up and naked

I see what's mine and take it

Oh, yeah

The crown...

So close I can taste it

I see what's mine and take it

Oh, yeah~

Emperor's new clothes- Panic! At the disco

A-tishoo, a-tishoo they all fall down

Isabella smiled as she dropped the body of her latest victim. His blood ran down her chin, down to her pale neck and settling in the valley between her breasts. Opening her eyes, she pulled out a match and dropped it on him, watching in glee as the flames consumed him. Humming, she took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off, dropping it into the blazing fire before turning on her heels and getting back in her car. She sat there for a while, deciding on whether or not she should run or continue driving. After all, she was only twenty kilometres from Volterra and it would take her ten minutes tops to get there. A smirk appeared on her face as she thought of Edward's face when she saw him again. She could just imagine how loudly he'd scream when she finally gave him what he deserved.

A knock on her window brought her out of her thoughts. Rolling down the window, Isabella turned and plastered a smile onto her face. "How can I help you?" she asked in fluent Italien.

"Miss I must ask you to move..." he trailed off as his eyes locked onto hers. "Gesú Cristo! It's you! You're the Swan Girl!" Isabella frowned.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"You! Your father put out an international advert stating that anyone who found you and brought you back home would receive a prize of one hundred thousand dollars!" Isabella narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, you are definitely not getting it." She reached her hand through the window, grasped his head and twisted, breaking his neck with a snap. Face stoic, she got out of the car and headed to Volterra on foot.

"Aro, I must ask. Will you grant the Cullen's your protection?" asked Eleazer. Caius and Marcus both reached their hands over and brushed it over his. Aro sighed.

"Carlisle, if I do this for you, then I have no obligations in the future to do so. This is the last situation I get you out of. Understood?" Carlisle nodded, Esme and Alice sobbing in relief. "But," he continued. "Major and Alice would have to give their service for half a century." Smirking evilly, he watched the joy drain from the maternal Cullen.

"Oh, Aro please don't-"

"No. Everything comes with a price and this is the one you must pay." Jasper looked to his mate, a sense of understanding passing between them.

"We accept. You swear that they will all have your protection from her?" Aro nodded, smiling. Everything was falling into place. He'd have The Major training and Alice watching for how he could get even more powerful. Soon, he would have Isabella and his collection would be complete. Rosalie and Emmett had huddled around the two who had just sacrificed their freedom for them when Alice shrieked.

"No! No, no, no!" Her eyes were wide and her hands clutching the remains of Jasper's shirt. Her mouth was hanging open in shock. Jasper spoke to her in hushed tones and slowly, she returned.

"What did you see?" asked Aro, leaning forward in his seat, red eyes gleaming.

"Nothing," she whispered. "I saw nothing." Her golden eyes flicked up and held his. "They're coming." Just as the words left her mouth, a stench so profound it would have made them puke permeated the air. Carlisle and Eleazer exchanged confused glances before the doors burst open.

In strode the La Push wolves, their faces set as they walked in, perfectly in sync with one another. In the front rank stood Sam next to Jacob. The three kings stood, the guard tensing and snarling. Jasper and Emmett pushed their mates behind them while the Denali's braced up. Carlisle and Esme approached them.

"Sam, what are you doing here?" Paul growled, but a warning glare from his Alpha silenced him.

"We're here to retrieve the girl." His deep voice rumbled through the room. Caius growled as he stared at them, hatred written in his red depths.

Carlisle shook his head sadly. "She's not here." Jacob frowned.

"What do you mean she isn't here?" Carlisle shook his head again.

"I'm sorry but she isn't here. But more she isn't...the same." Sam barked out a harsh, humourless laugh.

"We're not the ones you should be apologising to." The group parted and a man dressed in a police uniform walked out. The Volturi all tensed as the sweet smell of blood filled the air. It was similar to one they all remembered well but different...more masculine.

"What did you do to my daughter?" Esme, Alice and Rosalie all gasped. Aro chose that moment to speak.

"Well this is an interesting turn of events. Charlie Swan. How ever did you find us?" He rose a perfect eyebrow, a deadly smirk on his face. Charlie turned and narrowed his eyes, taking in the appearance of the seemingly crazy man that stood before him before his chocolate eyes flicked to the two beside him, the blonde absolutely fuming.

"It's my job. Now answer my question. Where is Bella?" Nobody spoke. Nobody moved. Charlie fisted his hands at his sides as his impatience turned to anger. Jasper could feel the mounting emotions in the room and slowly started spreading a sense of calm. Edward stepped forward, eyes dejected and forlorn as a frown settled onto his face.

"Chief Swan-" He was cut off by the loud bang of a gun going off. Edward stood in shock as he clutched where the bullet pierced his side. Every vampire in the room jumped back in shock, their eyes glued to the wound seeping venom. Jane and Alec stepped forward at the same time Sam and Jacob did. Charlie, still with his pistol aimed at Edward, shouted, "Answer me!"

"She has a murderous vendetta against the Cullen's, and is expected to arrive at any moment." All eyes snapped to Marcus, who had sat forward, milky eyes focused solely on the human man before him. He admired the long golden threads that extended from this man to only a handful of people. That, in itself, was an oddity for a human, who tended to form attachments with almost everyone they meet. The bond he was most interested in was a silvery blue, tied to an entity that appeared to be rapidly approaching.

Charlie frowned as he took in the features of the man. His long mahogany hair was the same shade as his, with the exception that Charlie's has freckles of grey. Aro watched their interaction, fascinated. He, too, noticed the subtle similarities between the two, but chose instead to file the information away for later use. Edward growled as he finally managed to get the bullet from lodged within him.

"How did you do that?" he asked, chest heaving. Charlie turned, eyes narrowing again in disgust.

"You don't have the right to speak after what you did to her," he spat, levelling his gun. This time, though, he aimed right between his eyes. Edward froze, staring in horror down the barrel of the gun. Never did he imagine in his one hundred years of life that he would die at the hands of such a contraption his body was designed to repel. After being so sure for a century that he wouldn't ever die at the hands of human, it blew his mind that the father of his mate would be the one to kill him. Ironic, considering he threatened to if he ever hurt his daughter. Charlie's hand trembled as his finger wrapped around the trigger, prepared to pull back and shoot.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," intervened Aro, eyes wide. If Charlie shot and killed Edward, then there'd be nothing tying Isabella to the Volturi. She'd probably turn her father and take off. He couldn't have that. At least, if he handed over Edward, she'd a enough gratitude to stay.

"If that's what you think, Aro, then you're sorely mistaken. What's to stop her from wiping you all out? None of your powers work on her anyway. She's unstoppable," rasped Edward, still clutching his side. Aro ignored him.

"Your daughter, Charlie, she wants to kill Edward herself. If you do it she'd go into a blind rage and kill any and everyone. I've seen her do it. I've watched her looe control. Spare him, and the life of all in here too." Charlie was breathing heavily, hand shaking as he came to a decision in his head. Finally, he lowered the gun.

"Get those filthy dogs out of here!" spat Caius. Paul gowled, stepping forward.

"Paul! Stand down," Charlie commanded, turning to face the Cullens. "You all better pray that she's alright. Otherwise I'll kill you myself."

"Dad," whimpered a voice from the doors.

Isabella whimpered as she limped towards her father, hair curtaining her face. It was caked in blood and dirt, mingling with tears. "Bella," whispered Charlie, voice cracking as he took in the sight of his daughter. She sniffled and he took a step forward, towards her.

"No!" screamed Edward. "It's all fake. She's not human!" Isabella growled lowly, eyes flashing as she looked behind Charlie at Edward. He was crumpled on the floor and still clutching at a wound by his side. She cocked her head. How'd that happen, Eddie boy? she taunted. He growled.

"Get...out..of...my...head!"

Isabella ran into her father's arms, wrapping herself around him as she inhaled his scent. She cried, clutching his shirt as sobs wracked her body. The entire room held its breath, astounded by the display before them. Jane stared in disappointment at the girl who she believed could have changed everything for her. Felix gaped, looking to his wife and Demetri in incredulity. Caius stood in outrage.

"What is this?" he demanded, red eyes glowing. Isabella's sobs stopped, as she pulled herself away. Wiping her eyes, she turned to the wolves.

"Dad, Jacob, Sam, please go. I couldn't bear it if you got hurt." They shook their heads.

"No, Bella, we can take care of ourselves. You can't." She shook her head.

"You don't understand. You're all just human. They...they made me something else. I'm not the same anymore. Please, just...go." She forced some will into her words, widening her eyes. The others all turned to leave, but Charlie remained. He shook his head, shaking as he fought her will.

"No, Isabella. I won't leave you again." Aro laughed, clapping his hands in wonder.

"Marvellous! Simply wonderful. My dearest Isabella, why do you insult yourself by wearing such an appearance?" His eyes danced with delight as he saw her's flash red. When she didn't move or say anything, he walked towards her, slowly. Her eyes traced every step and she fought the impulse to grab her father and run. As much as she had become a heartless bitch, she did have a weakness, and it just so happened to be standing behind her.

"Back off, Aro," she growled lowly, warning. He paused for a fraction of a second before continuing, a smile growing on his face. Her next growl was more audible, eyes flicking everywhere. The Cullen's and Denali's had come to stand in the middle of the throne room, while the rest of the guard had closed up and circled them.

The exit was blocked.

Charlie brandished his gun, pointing straight for Aro's heart. "Don't take another step, leech." His hand was steady, voice unwavering. In response, Alec, Felix, Jane and Demetri all stepped forward. Isabella growled at them, her control slipping. She closed her eyes, before whispering,

"I'm sorry, Dad."

All pretences fell away. Her skin paled, all dirt, tears and blood vanishing. Her hair lengthened and thickened, red and gold strands becoming more prominent. Her eyes melted into a vibrant rose red, black outlining them. Her body filled out and she became every bit the deadly predator every vampire knew her to be. Charlie stumbled back, eyes wide.

"H...how did you do that?" he asked. Isabella didn't turn, didn't show him who she had become.

"I told you," she replied, voice bell-like and tinkling. "I'm different now." Charlie was about to respond when another growl rang out.

"This is who you're all afraid of? This...this...newborn?" Her scornful laugh rang through the room. Isabella's temper flared. Aro smirked as flashed back to his throne. Isabella slowly turned to her, eyes deadly. Energy cackled around her as she smiled evilly.

"I'll show you why."

She focused on her golden hair, imagining it falling out lock by beautiful lock. Her astonished gasps rang through the room before her eyes flashed to the enraged newborn.

"Is that all you've got?" She laughed.

"Oh honey, this is just beginning." Isabella's eyes raked the blonde over, from her designer boots to her expensive shirt. She started circling her, the tiger growling within her. The tiger fought for control, wanting to show this blonde bimbo why everyone should fear her. Her eyes burned as they bore into Tanya's. She flashed her [Tanya] a smile before she dove into her mind.

She swam through her thoughts, rifling through her memories. Ignoring her quiet whimpers, Isabella continued to search. She saw Tanya's obsession with Edward, and how badly she had tried to take him to her bed before moving onto Emmett. She saw the one thousand plus year old's life flash before her, from her coven with Sasha and the Immortal Child that she had created to settling down in Denali after meeting Carlisle; she saw it all. A laugh bubbled in her throat as she withdrew from her mind, sucking in a deep breath before smiling widely.

"What did you do?" Tanya growled between gritted teeth. Irina held her steady, glaring at me with disgusting yellow eyes. Isabella tsked.

"You know, Tanya, following the Volturi's rules are fairly simple. Don't attract attention, don't create an Immortal Child. I just can't imagine why Sasha would do that to you." Isabella stopped her circling as she got nose to nose with her rival. The blonde's eyes widened.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh I know enough honey. I know that she chose a child, an infant she didn't even know, over you." Images played on a roll of Sasha cradling the child, fire surrounding them. The Volturi stood in the distance, getting closer as they seemingly glided over the ground. Isabella increased her terror, fuelling her sense of hopelessness. Soon, Tanya was screaming, clutching onto her sisters. Isabella seemed to bathe in the mounting terror, relishing in the rush of power gained from it.

The blonde's eyes turned glassy as she tried to scratch off her skin. Her skin wrinkled in, and everyone knew what was to come. She crumpled in on herself, twitching and writhing and screaming. Isabella's tiger swelled and rattled in her cage, bigoted by the energy pouring from Tanya into her.

Once the screaming stopped, Isabella opened her eyes. Before her huddled the Denali's. Irina and Kate were sobbing over their dead sister's body. Cocking her head at the sight, she felt a tug at her heart. They had always been together, always had each other's back, she realised.

But now, they were broken, fractured. An unnameable emotion tried to break through but she pushed it down. Scanning the room, Isabella locked eyes with Jasper before snarling. He shrugged. If she had to lose Maggie because of them, then no one got to be happy. No one got to get their happily ever after.

Kate and Irina tried to lunge for her but she easily deflected them, waving her hand lazily as she threw several waves of pain their way.

Her eyes hardened to steel as she turned to the Cullen's, smiling. Esme's eyes flickered to Aro frantically. Isabella cocked her head again. "What is it, Esme? Do you expect Aro or his guard to save you?" She pouted mockingly before turning to face Aro. She rose a brow. He shrugged, but she could tell he was thinking quickly.

"They asked for me protection in exchange for The Major and his mate's service. Surely you understand?" Isabella's face darkened as a growl built up in her throat.

"Do you expect me to stand here and allow you to protect them?" She demanded, bristling at the warning in Aro's eyes.

"Do you expect me to stand here and go back on my word? What kind of man would I be if I did that?" A tense silence filled the air. Her power flared and collided with his, her tiger growling as his responded. She nudged her way into his mind, rifling through his thoughts. I want her but I cannot back down. Everyone here witnessed me promise to protect them and I mustn't back down. If only she could come up with a way around me and my guard...

She withdrew, smiling. Her eyes flickered to Alice, then to Jane. She tensed. Aro flicked his fingers. She lunged.

.

It was all a blur. Isabella lunged for Alice, tackling her to the ground. Jane concentrated, trying to put Isabella under her influence. Twisting, Isabella put Alice in Jane's line of vision, causing her to scream out in pain. Jasper growled and leapt on Isabella, grabbing her and putting her in a headlock. Alice, taking advantage of the situation, squirmed from the vengeful vampire's hold, unknowingly putting her mate in Jane's line of sight. "Jasper!" she screamed, realising her mistake. But it was too late. Her husband crumpled to the ground, not screaming, but grunting in pain. Growling, Isabella turned her black eyes to Alice. The tiny vampire froze as terror seized her heart and ice flowed through her veins. "Bella, please don't. We didn't know-"

"The hell you didn't!" she spat. Her eyes were wild as her hair darkened to a deep black. "You must have known that Edward was lying. You knew that I would never leave you guys, that I would never not want you. And even if you didn't, don't tell me it never occurred to you that Victoria was on my tail." Chest heaving, she spun on Edward. "You!" Fire danced in her eyes as hatred and rage consumed her.

"Bella." She growled, grabbing a hold of his mind and forcing him to feel a fraction of the pain that she had experienced. After a few seconds, she stopped, stalking over to him and grabbing him by his neck. Red met with gold in a ferocious battle of wills.

"Bella," he croaked again. Snarling, she threw him across the room. Esme squeaked, covering her mouth almost as soon as the noise left her mouth. In an instant, Isabella was on Edward again, punching him in the face. He didn't try to defend himself. He simply lay there and took the beating. Growing increasingly frustrated, she shook him.

"Fight back you coward!" she screamed, completely enraged. He shook his head sadly.

"I won't fight you, Bella. I still love you, and I know deep down that you still love me too. I've messed up enough, I can't bring myself to make the list any longer." His eyes bore into hers, willing her to realise how much of a mistake she was making.

Aro leaned forward, anxious as to what Isabella's response would be. Several strained seconds passes, and his nerves skyrocketed as he saw the fight leave her eyes. No, he thought to himself as fury settled on his face. She was supposed to be mine, not his. She was supposed to rule alongside me, not skip off into the sunset with him. Jasper felt the backlash of Aro's rage, and focused his energy in not ripping everyone's head off. Esme clutched Carlisle's hand tightly in hers, while Rosalie gripped Emmett's arm tightly. The Denali's still wept over the still form of Tanya, while Charlie had backed away to the doors.

"You just don't get it," Isabella whispered softly, smile playing on the edges of her lips. "You still don't understand. I hate you. I fucking hate you Edward Cullen. Do you think I like killing people? Hurting people?" Her eyes flickered between both of his, searching for a plausible answer for his sheer stupidity.

"No, of course not-"

"I do, actually. I really, fucking, enjoy it. I enjoy having the power and control over others, of their minds, over their very souls." Her mind delved into his. "I killed myself everyday for four months with the memory of you leaving me, telling me that I was a worthless human who will forget everything with time. I died everyday not in your compelling presence, not under the influence of your dazzling." She laughed maliciously at the wide-eyed look on his face. "Yes, Edward, I know about that." His eyes went glassy as he stared into her hypnotizing gaze. Smirking, she released him, letting him crumple to the floor in a heap.

He clambered to his feet, still seemingly in a trance. Isabella's smirk widened to a full blown smile. It dazzled him, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She was so incredibly beautiful, heartbreakingly alluring even in anger. Her fingers flicked, and Emmett went down, screaming and shouting. Alec and Jane stepped forward, the thick grey fog rolling steadily across the ground and towards him. With another flick of her fingers, more went down too. Alarmed, everyone jumped back.

Edward finally snapped out of it. Wide eyed, he looked around. With each vampire he laid his eyes on, they went down, screaming and clutching at air, shouting for it to stop. The guard were dropping like flies, not able to withstand the pain. The only ones remaining on their feet were Alec, Jane and Demetri while the kings watched with mounting fear in their thrones.

"No," he murmured as he watched Carlisle crash to the floor.

"No," he repeated as he watched Esme meet the same fate.

"No! No, Bella, stop, please," he begged. She laughed, cocking her head to the side.

"Why, Eddie? You didn't come back even though I begged you to. I chased after you and nearly died trying to get you to come back to me. But you didn't." She flicked her fingers again and Alice fell. "So why should I listen to you?" Edward looked around, frantic. He tugged at his copper hair. Eyes wide, he spun in a circle as he tried to search for a solution.

"No. No! Kill me instead! Hurt me, not them. Please. They don't deserve this."

"I didn't deserve this either, Edward! I didn't deserve any of this! You were killing me, hurting everyone around me. You isolated me from my friends, my family. You made me depend on you, and need you. Now I'm doing the same to you... Do you feel that? That burning need to be near me, to touch me?" Edward paused his wild pacing as his eyes widened. He drifted closer to Isabella, face pained. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists but his steps never faltered. "I am making you need me just as much as I needed you. And I'm going to make you watch," she grabbed his face in her hand and turned it painfully to where his coven writhed on the floor "as they all suffer."

As one, Esme, Rosalie and Alice's screams all rose in pitch, their bodies vibrating slightly on the marble floor. The guard all watched in horror at the display, unable to tear their eyes from it.

Charlie stared aghast at his daughter- or at least at the girl that was once his daughter. Whatever the Cullen's had done to her had twisted her into someone- something unrecognisable. He opened his mouth to interfere but was stopped by a cold hand wrapping around his mouth. Eyes wide, he looked incredulously at Marcus, stood beside him and with a finger to his lips. The message was clear.

Edward's shoulders shook with the force of his sobs. His family were dying painful deaths because of him, because of his selfishness. Isabella's eyes shone in glee as she watched Edward's soul fracture and break. Aro wrung his hands nervously, at a loss at what to do with the situation. Caius leaned forward in his seat, disgusted but fascinated at the same time. He had to hand it to her, Isabella knew how to put on a show.

Releasing Edward, Isabella walked over to Rosalie, grabbing a fistful of golden hair before yanking. Her head came off and rolled to a stop by the steps of the dais. Never removing her eyes from Edwards, she continued on, decapitating Emmett, Jasper, Esme and Alice before stopping at Carlisle. Smiling widely, she purposely placed her teeth at his neck, and, in one clean motion, ripped the blonde doctor's head off.

Edward's scream rang through the room as he lunged for Isabella, face contorted in fury as he flew through the air towards her. Rolling, Isabella dodged the attack, ducking to avoid a kick. Laughing, she spun and kicked him square in the stomach, sending him sailing through the air. Dropping into a roll, Edward narrowly missed a punch thrown at his face, grabbing Isabella around the middle and slamming her into the marble floor. The wind was knocked out of the both of them as they lay there, wrestling on the floor. Growling, Isabella headbutted Edward, taking advantage of his stunned state by grabbing his shoulders and flipping herself up and over him. With the stun and the injury by Charlie earlier, Edward's reaction time was severely off.

Landing with cat-like grace, she whipped her head up and crooked her finger towards her, daring Edward to try her again. His vision was clouded with red, his desperation, despair and anger taking control as he charged.

Isabella didn't move.

Edward got closer, reaching his hand out towards her throat.

Aro's eyes widened as his plans fell into place.

Isabella didn't move.

Edward was within arms distance now, face blackened and cracked from the fight.

Caius sat back, covering his eyes with his hand as he rested his head in his palm.

Isabella side-stepped, hand clawed.

Edward's neck ran straight into Isabella's hand, and the momentum forced the rest of his body to continue while his head came off in her hands.

Charlie felt bile rise in his throat as he watched, eyes transfixed on the headless body.

The body dropped to its knees before falling. Isabella dropped the head beside the body, pulling a lighter out of her pocket before flicking it on. "Sweet dreams Eddie," she whispered sweetly before dropping the lighter onto the body.

Edward screamed out, thrashing wildly as he clutched at his copper hair. The Cullen's, the Denali's, the Guard and even the Pack all gasped as they sat up from the floor. Aro's wild eyes turned and locked with Isabella's, her innocent blue pools gleaming with mischief. Esme sobbed in relief as she hugged her mate tightly to her body. Rosalie and Emmett embraced while The Major and his mate clutched onto each other. Each member of the Guard looked around in confusion, walls up as they surveyed the situation.

The Denali's clutched each other, the Pack all growling momentarily as they tried to come up with a plausible explanation. Caius stood in outrage.

"Bella," Charlie called softly. She ignored him.

"What the bloody hell just happened?" Caius demanded, eyes ablaze as stared down in frustration, confusion and awe at the newborn before him. Nobody answered as Edward came around. His eyes were wild as he took everything in.

"What? No," he muttered. Looking up, he locked eyes with Isabella. She smirked at him. He paled further. "No. No, no, no!" He backed away from her, eyes searching frantically for a way out. He found none. Isabella smiled tenderly at him, eyes bleeding into a blood red.

"What's wrong Eddie? Had a bad dream?" Edward shook his head as he continued to back away.

"No. No I...I died. I died, you killed me, I'm dead. I'm supposed to be dead!" Terror seized his heart as he collapsed. Isabella stopped down to his level, voice soft but seemingly loud in the silence.

"Tsk, tsk Edward. Have you really not figured it out yet?" She cocked her head and laughed. "I have brought Hell to Earth for you. Welcome to the second ring."

A/N: Hello my lovelies. I have made an extra long chapter here for you. Now I'm not even going to attempt to apologise for the unacceptably long wait, but I do hope that this chapter made up for it. Here's the thing; should I add a follow-up chapter or epilogue or just jump straight into sequel? Tell me in the comments below! Oh, and I must give credit to LooneySlytherin for giving me the song suggestion. You were spot on, mate. Give me your thoughts on how this story should end or be wrapped up and I'll try and cater to your wants. But for now, goodbye my lovelies.

-Channie.B

EDITED: 29/12/18