A/N: Thanks everyone, 'Don't Change For Me, Cause I'll Never Change For You' just passed the 80,000 hits mark xx Alexis


If Aro thought there was something wrong he didn't show it. He certainly didn't think Marcus and Caius could do anything against him. Chelsea controlled Marcus and as long as Aro controlled Dora, he controlled Caius. Over the years he refused to read either of them, due to the vile hatred for him in their thoughts, especially Caius. The varied ways he dreamt of killing Aro were, with each passing decade more and more elaborate. But they were also possible and lengthy, something Aro did not want to see or be reminded of.

So due to his own arrogance, he knew nothing of Marcus and Heidi. Knew nothing of Jane's allegiances to the Queens. Knew nothing of Caius' helping Marcus, by leaving things lying around. Things that were not meant for other's eyes. Many in Volterra worked against him cautiously and stealthily, Demetri, for instance, was often helping Marcus, undetected. Only Felix, Chelsea and Alec were truly loyal to Aro, but they too were eager to claim what he'd offered so long ago. Marcus and Caius' thrones, were what Aro waved under their noses, but had no intention of ever letting them have them.

Chelsea thought she had Aro's heart, but how can one with no heart give it to another. She had his body, but even then she was unaware she shared it with several others. Most of the other guards would go with the strongest leader, which was at present Aro. But not for very much longer, the Queens were about to reclaim their thrones and heads would roll and pyres would be lit sooner than anyone ever guessed. The winds of change were starting to blow and all who held the Queens captive would be swept aside. Pain and death would be their penance.

So as the plane touched down in Rio, Marcus and Caius hung back letting Felix and Alec take their places either side of Aro. A boat was procured as Aro had no intention of swimming, he would not lower himself. Whereas the Queens had endured along with the others, proving their leadership to be better, leading by example nor fear and tyranny. History has long proved great leaders fight with their men, not ordering them to their deaths alone.

As the swept ashore and up the dock to the house as seemed quiet, there sat Dora and Pica, Jane and Heidi either side of them. Then Aro's eyes fell upon Carlisle and Joham on their knees, restrained by two Amazon women. He realised right away they had had their tongues removed as they were making unintelligible noises.

"Dora, my love are you okay?" Caius said as he rushed forward to her side,

"Heidi, is all well with you dearest one," Marcus said also surging forward and Aro knew now something was wrong here.

"Jane, are you alright," Renata said leaving Aro's back, to rush at the small blonde,

Felix tried to grab her and found his way blocked by a barrier he could not see.

"What no concern for me Aro? No are you well my wife! Well, I didn't really expect you to care! You are a selfish evil bastard and look you've brought your whore with you. How are you, Chelsea? Oh, don't think I've forgotten you either Corin, hiding at the back won't save you this day" Pica's voice rang out loudly and the guard gasped,

"Pica, what is this? How dare you speak to me like that and denigrate my guard?" Aro shouted, still not seeing what was going on right in front of him.

"How dare I! I dare because I am your Queen, your ruler! You have finally made your last mistake in underestimating me and Athenodora, Aro Volturi!" she said in such a regal tone the guard took notice.

"Who is going to stop me Pica, you and your bitch of a sister? I think not! I subdued you once, there will not be a next time, you will die today. I see seven of you and the two Amazons, is that all you've got?" Aro postured while signalling Alec to do something,

"Don't waste your time Alec, I warned you all those years ago, you backed the loser!" Jane said laughing and as Felix stepped forward threateningly she dropped him where he stood.

"Not just the seven you see before you Aro, let me introduce our loyal friends and subjects. The Amazon Coven of course and their newest member, the Denali Coven, the Irish Coven and the Whitlock Coven. I make that twenty-five. Oh wait, twenty-four apparently the Denali's no longer want Eleazar, he's all yours" Dora said as Peter threw Eleazar at Aro's feet,

This was not good Aro thought; they had both Major and Captain Whitlock on their side, so now with Caius, they had the top three fighters in the vampire world on their side. His only real power was Alec and although they had the larger number, the Whitlocks would decimate them quickly.

"So before we get to your crimes Aro, we need to dispose of these two first. So please all sit this may take a few moments" Pica said and Aro made no move to sit, so no one did, except Demetri.

"Bella my dear, if you'd be so kind, and Demetri now's your chance to pick your side," Dora asked kindly of both,

Bella nodded and Demetri rushed to Marcus' side, bowing low to his two Queens,

"My Queen asked you to sit, so sit!" Bella said flattening them all to the ground; she had inverted her shield over them, to stop any escapees.

"Oops, sorry, newborn and all that!" she said laughing,

Some were buried up to their necks in the sand, most just to the knees so they sat down staring at the woman before them, Aro was livid, she was a shield, a powerful shield.

"Don't worry suga', you'll get the hang of it. Most month old newborns can't even dress themselves" Peter told her kissing her cheek,

"A word of warnin', inside Bella's shield your gifts will only work on you, not us" Jasper informed them in a nonchalant voice as he came up behind Bella,

"But ours will work on you" he finished saying,

He then sent them a ton of fear. Nobody noticed he was touching her with just one finger, that's all they needed to get through, but it was a drawback for now.

"Now if we're all comfortable, well as much as you can be buried in the sand. We will begin, bring the prisoners forward, please ladies" Pica asked Zafrina and Senna,

It didn't take long, their crimes were listed. It was noted Joham only became like this because of Aro and that would be added to his own list of crimes. But they both had allowed superiority to guide their behaviour and their crimes were of the most heinous type. Carlisle had allowed his grief at the loss of one child, to do this terrible thing. Aro looked mildly surprised to hear Edward was dead.

Caius too was told he would have to be accountable for setting James loose on the Cullens, as a way of getting at Aro. Innocent lives were lost due to him, namely Edward's death and Ashley's change, but it was not his fault that the tracker refused to stop. Aro was almost distraught upon hearing what Alice had done, not seeing she could not live any longer without her mate. All he could see was the loss of a great gift.

The heartbeats of the children could be heard, as they too listened to the fate of their so-called fathers. But they were shielded from the gaze of all, right at the back. Joham was first to be executed, Nahuel stepped forward to do it himself.

"It is only fitting you should die at the hands of your oldest son, he asked to do this for the others and as retribution for their mother's death's," Dora said and nodded for Nahuel to take his head.

Aro's eyes widened seeing the hybrids strength, unaware that Jasper had been working with him. Showing him how to do it quickly and cleanly using only the power from the forearms, thus intimidating his enemies. Then Raini stepped up and threw Joham's head and body into the awaiting pyre with much relief.

"Carlisle Cullen, you above all others should have known better! Where was that famed compassion for those poor children's mothers? You thought yourself better than them, but you are wrong.

Those women were brave and courageous and you are just a small-minded evil nonentity! Joham at least fed his, did you? No, you let them suffer thinking your skills as a human doctor and scientist could deal with this tragedy, I'm a vampire and this was just sick carnage in my eyes!

If my history serves me well, didn't the humans have an evil scientist who performed atrocities on them? You were once revered as Stregone benefico, now you will be remembered for all time, as the Vampire equivalent of Josef Mengele. That is your legacy!" Pica said scathingly to the crestfallen Carlisle, as he saw finally he'd gone from glory to infamy, due to his own actions.

"Esme Platt of the Voluntas Coven, as the ex-mate of this prisoner, whose actions caused you unwelcomed grief. Who do you designate to be his executioner?

"Peter Whitlock, my Queen" Esme all but whispered.

Peter stepped forward and for once there was no compassion or feeling of any kind on his face, as he even more swiftly removed Carlisle's head.

'It was a dirty job! A thankless task. One, nobody wanted to take responsibility for. I stepped up, for them, for the children. Evil wears many faces, so I did what needed to be done and did it with a clear conscience'

He did this for Jasper and Emmett who could not bring themselves to kill him. They were so disgusted and let down by Carlisle they could barely meet his eyes. Bella and Ashley set his remains upon the pyre for Rose and Esme, both of whom were too distraught to act. For three out of the four, he was their sire and his betrayal was harsh.

IIBOIIN

"I think we might take a break here. Could someone dig our guests out? Caius, we need to discuss your involvement in the Cullen debacle!" Pica said and he nodded.

Caius explained, yes he went behind Aro's back because he refused to do anything. The Cullens were about to get an eighth member who was gifted, making then the largest force outside of Volterra and Aro was just going to let it happen. It was as if Carlisle had a free pass to do as he wished!

They all found this strange. What did Carlisle know that stayed Aro's hand? Did he know what Aro was up to, all those years ago, knew and was he blackmailing him? His freedom for his silence!

"Yes, I paid that fool to rock the boat, scare them even and then Edward died and the coven disintegrated. I was elated and that was to be the end of it. But James wouldn't let go, I don't know why?" Caius said,

"We do, Alice had been James' singer back in 1921and she managed to get away, evade his anger for eighty years give or take. Her mate changed her and James killed him. It took many years before Alice remembered and she set a trap for James once he was after her again. She knew it was you Caius who sent him! Edward tried to play the hero rather than stick to the plan and died.

Then she led them a merry dance feedin' him false information I presumed, about the Cullens and Ashley's whereabouts. He got sick of chasin' false leads and came to us, well he sent someone to get us to find Ashley. But she was with us by them, we'd realised we were mates and once we had the story, Alice knew. Then she killed herself and took James and his mate Victoria out with her, for what they had done to her mate!" Jasper told the Queens.

"Okay, well Aro knew the rules. Change no more than three people. He let Carlisle change four! Covens over five members have to have permission, I doubt that happened! Marcus?" Dora asked,

"No, there is no written confirmation of that in the archives. When did you join Major?" he now asked.

"Around 1950 or 51," Jasper said,

"Also all gifted coven members to be registered. When did the Volturi become aware of Alice? Caius do you know?" Pica asked,

"Alice came to Volterra in 1979, told us the Romanians were planning a coupe, along with the Spanish contingent. We quashed it right away and when Aro tried to get Alice to join us, she said you Major, were her mate!" Caius told them all.

"We were merely companions, by then we were just friends. Didn't Aro read her?" Jasper said confused,

"I think he tried and she showed him a vision instead. He gave up after that!" Marcus supplied laughing,

"I think she played him, showing him a false future. Possibly his death at your hands Major!" he finished by saying.

"Maybe not that false after all!" Peter added and everyone nodded.

So even though it was done with malintent, Caius had not actually broken any laws. But both Carlisle and Aro had. One blatantly flouted the rules about his coven's size and its gifts; the other knew but did nothing for fear of exposure even at that late stage in the game. Carlisle it seems was not so mild-mannered as he portrayed. Seeking out the influential old guard, making friends in awkward places for Aro. All in case he needed to sell him out.

"Do you the previous Cullen coven accept Caius' account of the events leading up to Edward Cullen's death? Though done underhandedly it was lawful in its legitimacy?" Pica asked and they all nodded, these kinds of dealings were not that unusual in vampire life.

IIBOIIN

"Right then, Maggie we are in need of your particular talent. We will give the guard a choice, him or us! We would like your view on each ones real answer" Dora now asked,

"Just tap her shoulder if they are lying. We'll do the rest" Dora said, her voice holding a no-nonsense vibe to it.

One by one the guard was brought forward and asked to bend the knee to the Queens or be placed on trial with Aro. All agreed, but Maggie indicated five were lying. They were ushered to one side; finally, Afton was brought forward,

"My Queens, I willingly give you my fealty, but I do not wish to remain a guard in Volterra. I am weary of all the lies and subterfuge. Chelsea has lied to me for centuries, we are not mates and never were" he said in a tired and lacklustre voice, "I wish to be free!"

With that, he looked up at Pica and Dora but caught Maggie's eyes instead and they stared at each other until Dora cleared her throat,

"I believe Ireland is very nice at this time of year Afton!" Pica said raising an eyebrow and he sighed deeply and stood to hold out his hand to Maggie which she took willingly.

All that remained were Santiago, Felix, Alec, Chelsea, Corin and Aro himself.

"Well Santiago, where do you stand in all of this madness?" Pica now asked the warrior standing to one side, away from the others,

"I stand with you, of course, my Queen," he said smiling as he approached her,

Kneeling at her feet and taking her hand in his own he kissed her knuckles and Aro hissed loudly.

"Treacherous beast, how dare you! She is my wife!" Aro spluttered,

"Actually I'm not, you were my Consort. But Marcus will be making that mistake disappear soon. A marriage of Royalty is not that of husband and wife. It is of Queen and Consort, you are still just one of my subjects. While your bed saw a parade of hundred's Aro, mine saw only one other for the last one thousand years! He will make a far better consort than you ever did, you arrogant fool!" Pica said regally and Santiago bowed low to her.

"You have but to command me my Queen and it shall be done," He said standing behind her now,

"He's got much prettier manners too Pica. Good choice my sister" Dora said smirking at Aro, who was fuming.

"Now you five, you do not deserve, nor will you be given the choice. Each of you betrayed us both and your lives are forfeit. Well, Aro there you stand with your two lackeys and your two whores! Oh look, they didn't know. Not very bright or observant are you Corin? Dear me Chelsea you didn't think he really cared for you?

As for you two fools, what did he offer you? No, let me guess? Caius and Marcus' thrones, am I right? Yes, I thought so! Two thrones for four vampires.

What do they call that nowadays Ashley?" Pica asked sweetly of the young girl,

"Timeshare, my Queen" Ashley replied barely able to hold her grin from breaking into a huge smile.

Sniggers went around the beach, some happy to see Felix and Alec pulled down a peg or two. Many were beginning to feel their freewill return, now that Bella's shield had set them free of Chelsea's manipulations.

"Jane dear, if you and Renata wish to leave, please do!" Dora said knowing the time had come to start taking heads,

"No my Queen, thank you but we'll stay. My brother made his choice and he will have to pay dearly for it" Jane replied stoically, knowing Alec was about to die.

"Before we serve sentence on these five, Eleazar, where do you stand? Will you bend the knee willingly?" Pica asked the man, who'd been silent this whole time,

"Yes my Queen, I too live to serve. I accept your right and will abide by your judgement" He said quietly, having lost everything, but mostly his pride.

The Queens looked at Maggie and she nodded, he was telling the truth, for once anyway,

"Where will you go?" Dora asked.

"Spain my Queen, I will return home to study, but if you have need of me at any time, I will heed your call," he said bowing low,

"Go then Eleazar, take your freedom and don't squander it this time" Pica added and Eleazar disappeared into the water and was gone.

IIBOIIN

"So Corin, not so high and mighty now are you? Not gloating over our misfortune, not parading around in our clothes and our jewels today I see!" Pica said and genuine fear showed on Corin's face,

"She thought us stupid, Pica. She stole our things and lied to everyone saying we gave her them. Then when we actually did, to make her forget to use her gift on us. Well then, she told others Aro gave her them, to demean us" Dora said her voice showing no emotion at all.

"You will die today Corin alongside your three accomplices because without your gifts he could have done nothing, he used you all to keep us prisoner. Making you guilty of treason! Don't think for one moment you could say it was an order or you feared for your life. Don't insult our intelligence or demean yourself more" Pica said shaking her head in a disgusted fashion,

"Santiago, how would you like to be our new Commander of the Guard, second only to Caius himself? Sounds much better than mere Captain of the guard don't you think?" Dora said and everyone could see Felix bristle at the insult.

"I am honoured my Queen, thank you. What would you have me do first?" he said bowing deeply,

"Those guards loyal to Aro, if you please, have to go!" Dora said and within seconds the five were no more and Caius flicked his wrist at some of the lower guards and they rushed forward to dispose of the bodies.

"Also those cloaks and his insignia, burn them all. We can do better than that, more becoming and befitting for the tasks ahead" Pica said and the guard immediately complied, all stripping of the dull grey clocks and Volturi crests and adding them to the flames.

Marcus, Caius, Demetri, Jane, Heidi, Afton, Renata and Santiago also stepped up and in a flurry of black and grey threw their cloaks and insignia into the pyre too.

"The symbol of the Vulture will be destroyed; from this day on it will be an offence to wear it and the punishment will be death!" Dora's voice rang out, making even Aro flinch.

"Now to the main event! You five are on trial here for your crimes against the thrones of Voluntas, not just us personally. Your greed, your desire for power and your weakness, have brought you all here. Yes, weakness!" Pica stated firmly,

"You Chelsea are the weakest of all. You had the power to make yourself Queen and did not, instead you crawled into the bed of a greedy arrogant fool" Dora told her.

"Felix you could have been Caius' right hand, but you played his executioner and prison warder instead. Thinking Aro would actually give you real power, fool!" Pica said scathingly,

"Alec, not only a fool but an arrogant one at that! You thought your gift better than all others, but as you see it is not. You let Aro lead you around like a dog on a leash, pathetic. You wanted the throne, but have no idea how to wield it!" Dora spat at him, totally annoyed by his overinflated ego.

"Jane and Heidi if you would be so kind," Pica said waving at Chelsea and Corin, "Caius and Santiago remove those two imbeciles" she added indicating Felix and Alec,

Just then the bubble of Bella's shield filled with blackish smoke and everyone gasped. As it settled only the four previous guards were in a trance and Aro was looking around wildly.

"I thought he might do that, so I put Aro in a separate shield. I assume you wanted him awake to hear and see his own fate!" Bella said and the Queens smiled up at her,

"Thank you, my dear, most thoughtful," Dora said knowing Aro had expected Alec to use his gift on them all and thus escaped somewhat from this humiliation.

The four were quickly disposed of and now only Aro stood inside Bella's shield. He tried to look unaffected by what had befallen him, but now knew in keeping his enemies alive, he'd sealed his own fate.

"So finally Aro, your crimes are too many to recount. We know, as do you what they were! You will die today at the hands of the two men you wronged the most. Marcus and Caius were held prisoner by you for just as long as Athenodora and I. You biggest error was in not killing us all, but you just had to gloat and see us debased. This proves you were never fit to rule, you are weak!" Pica said looking down her nose at him,

"The first rule of enemy engagement is, would you care to enlighten him, Major?" Dora said smiling condescendingly at Aro.

"My Queen, always kill your biggest threat first. The lesser ones will fall in line or die regardless!" Jasper said nodding to the Queens.

"There you have it, Aro; you should have killed us when you arranged for Didyme's death all those years ago. I would have, we killed to take the throne and if you hadn't interfered we would have killed Vladimir and Stefan too. Ensuring no retaliation, as they have tried over the years. Your weakness has brought you here today, your failure to be a true leader has brought you here today. I am disgusted I thought you fit to be my consort, you are weak!" Pica said denigrating him.

"Marcus, Caius? Please finish this once and for all. We have a world to rebuild and I for one am ready to start!" Dora said and with that, the two vampires tore Aro to shreds before Caius lent down and set them all ablaze.

The Queens had shown everyone they could be ruthless, but that they also could be fair. The mark of true leaders, they were born to lead the vampire world and now after all this time, they would be able to do so.