Prepare for the worst.

Sorry.

Chapter 20 - The Volturi

Dark cloaked figures emerged from the trees in a wide line. They're hoods were drawn concealing their faces. Three cloaks in the middle of the line were darker than the others, as black as night. I recognised Aro, Marcus and Caius's 'mental voices' coming from the black cloaks they came to a stop about 100 feet in front of Edward and I. I could see Tanya amongst them. Behind them a large group gathered before splitting in the middle and drifting to the sides of the Volturi guard and further back a newborn army stood, about 30 feet behind the Volturi.

Aro's mind was on me, wondering what gifts I had acquired from the vampire's around me. The faces he didn't recognise like the Amazon's as well as Benjamin and Tia made him uncomfortable. Aro lifted his hood and his guard followed revealing the faces that have been haunting me for so many years.

I could feel the tension, Jasper and I both used his gift to reassure everyone on our side and put fear and uncertainty in the vampire's across from us. I see a few nervous twitches and some shuffled their feet but the guard stayed perfectly still. I felt tingles in my shield as it was repeatedly stabbed by mental gifts. I knew they had more than one of their own shields on their side. One of which would make using Jane's or Alec's gifts completely disarming. But none of which got through my gifts. Edwards thoughts were cocky, he was proud of me. That's my girl. I giggled internally.

The wind picked up slightly and I felt Benjamin working with me. The breeze swept high above the clearing so it wouldn't go noticed until we needed it. Boulders that we had strategically placed around the field yesterday lifted about a foot off the ground with my telekinesis. They wouldn't do much damage through the fight but they'd be distracting. I felt heat coming from the hand Edward wasn't holding fire at the ready and the familiar hum of the earth beneath our feet ready to go at a moment's notice.

Ok, I'm ready. I told Edward.

You can do this love. I felt determination in me, my eyes swept to Jasper and back to Aro in a silent thanks.

Aro took a step forward. "Isabella, how lovely to see you again. I see you have met my good friend Carlisle and his family." His eyes and facial expression was amused. Silly girl, they won't be enough to protect her. He thought.

"I wish I could say the same Aro. Yes, I met Carlisle recently and they have welcomed me into their family with open arms."

He turned to Carlisle then "Carlisle" He greeted with a smile. "It has been a long time my old friend. I wished that you had visited earlier I would have told you about Isabella here and would have advised you that if you came across her to turn her over to me." My eyes narrowed but I didn't give him the satisfaction of retaliating.

Carlisle frowned. "Aro, it has been a long time. I apologise that I have not visited earlier but as you can see I have been busy with my family. I must ask you Aro, what crime has Bella committed in order for you to bring your entire guard and guests here today?"

Aro nodded in agreement about our family but tilted his head in amusement when Carlisle asked about me. "Ahh, well you see Carlisle, Isabella is a fugitive. She ran from us in Volterra and has been on the run ever since."

"I understand that Aro, but what crime did she commit?" Aro shook his head a smirk on his face, Carlisle spoke again before Aro could open his mouth. "Are you telling me that simply because Bella decided that she did not want to join your guard and instead left Volterra that that is her crime? Declining your invitation? It may come as a shock to you Aro, but not everyone is greedy enough to want to rule." Aro's thoughts were angry, his eyes narrowed at Carlisle.

"When Isabella was in Volterra, I touched her hand I couldn't see anything with my gift. She may very well have committed a crime and was keeping it hidden from me. She is a danger to our kind when I cannot attest that she has done no wrong." His tone had gone from amused earlier to angry now. He knew that Carlisle had a very good point but he wasn't going to give up easily.

"So her crime is simply that she chooses not to have someone read every single thought she's ever had? Some people, myself included enjoy their privacy Aro. That is no crime, you have falsely accused my daughter."

I couldn't hold it in any longer, Edward squeezed my hand. "I have committed no crime Aro. But I do have a question for you. My old coven, the one I was born into this life to my sire Joseph his mate Elinor and Valentine." My voice wavered over their names. "They visited you and you took their lives. I would like to know what crime they committed also? Or do you just falsely accuse anyone that you do not like Aro?"

It's alright love, your doing so well. Edward encouraged me.

Caius snapped at my words. "Do not speak to us like that child!" He hissed at me. "You have committed a crime and you will be punished!"

I smirked at him. "Oh really Caius? Please do tell us all what crime I am to be punished for. It wouldn't be jealously would it? It must be hard not being gifted when both of your brothers are. What is it that you do...exactly?"

Easy Bella

Sorry, I can't help myself. The man's an ass. Edward chuckled.

Caius was livid "You will regret that!"

"Not as much as you will" I muttered, he heard me obviously. Caius growled and got into a crouch.

I heard a laugh to my left and looked around Edward to see Emmett trying to stifle it but failing. I winked when he looked up and he laughed again. This isn't going anywhere, I'm sick of this small talk. It's time for them all to die. Aro thought as he watched his brother. "Tanya" Aro said. Two members of his guard grabbed the annoying strawberry blonde and brought her forward to Aro's side. She glared at me the whole time. I rolled my eyes in response.

"Aro?"

"You came to Volterra three weeks ago to report a crime. Will you please tell everyone what you reported?" My eyes narrowed, his thoughts weren't even on us in the clearing. He was keeping Edward and I out.

Edward?

I don't know, he's definitely hiding something. Get ready just in case.

"Isabella" she spat my name. "Stole my mate!" The crowed looked around awkwardly.

I think she's lost her mind. She truly believes that I should be punished.

Aro smirked at the Tanya. "Is that so? Marcus? Can you tell us if Tanya and Edward are mates?"

Bella!

I'm on it Edward. I reluctantly pulled my shields down exposing both Edward and I. Marcus looked up for the first time his attention actually on us. He glanced between Tanya, Edward and I. "No, Tanya is not Edwards mate. Isabella is." His tone was bored, he bowed his head again thoughts back on his long lost wife. I pulled my shield back up.

Tanya hissed at Marcus. The guards that held her tightened their grip on her shoulders until she calmed somewhat. Aro's thoughts were still hidden when he spoke up. "I see, thank you brother. It seems you have made a false claim Tanya." Edward, Alice and I gasped as we all seen a second before it happened. Aro grabbed Tanya's gold locks and twisted it breaking her head from her body. Caius threw a lit flame on Tanya engulfing her body. I turned to look at Irina and Kate, Edward grabbed Irina who was closer and Garrett grabbed Kate. She zapped him with her electric shock gift. Garrett seizure in pain but didn't let go. I used Zafrina's gift as well as Jasper and blinded Irina and Kate as well as threw calming waves at them both. Kate stopped shocking Garrett and they both stopped struggling.

My eyes widened as I turned in time to see Carmen and Eleazar run forward heading straight for Aro. Felix jumped in the air tackling Eleazar, while Demetri dove for Carmen. In one swift movement Carmen was beheaded. This was it, it was time for war.

I glanced at Edward quickly I love you Edward.

I love you too.

Aro's arms rose everyone raced forward. The newborns jumped over the guard who stood still around their masters. Wave one. Eleazar was destroyed a moment later.

Edward was the first on our side to move, I stood and watched as he jumped across the clearing his fist landing straight in the chest of a newborn male who was thrown backwards into other bodies. The rest on our side weren't far behind him. True to their word Carlisle, Laurent and Kachiri stood beside me. I watched as Emmett and Benjamin made their way through the crowd punching and kicking people out of their way. I helped them both with a burst of levitation to get them safely across the field. When they were only a few feet from the Jane and Alec a ball of fire flew from my hand into the sky. I heard a wolf howl from behind me before paws ran across the earth in our direction.

I kept my shield firmly around Emmett and Benjamin while I focused on Jane. She screamed in pain and fell to the floor clawing at her own face. Alec looked down at his sister before he too was on the ground in pain. Emmett tore Alec's arms off while Benjamin tore at his head. He then threw fire all over Jane as her screams got louder he grabbed her head and twisted it off.

I looked to see Kate electrocuting Heidi while Alice and Rose dismembered her. The wind that was swirling above descended on us all. Trees flew in the breeze, leaves scattered as a tornado circled us all. The wolves joined us, Jacob made his first kill tearing the head off a newborn that was attacking Esme. My rocks threw out of the trees, one smashed into the back on Demetri as he fought Emmett. Is was enough of a distraction that Emmett tore his arm from the socket. Another landed on top on a newborn that was about to jump at Maggie from behind. She gave me a grateful look before turning back to the fight. Jasper and Edward took out Felix after a minute and threw his remains into the burning pile of Jane and Alec.

I looked at Kachiri and nodded. I levitated myself at running speed across the field jumping over a vampire that had Irina pinned and landing on the gound. I grabbed his head in my hands and twisted it from his body. I didn't stop moving as I dropped under a newborn that lunged at me and kicked his chest and his body went flying in the direction of Sam and Seth. I grabbed a female from behind who was trying to kill Alice, the woman's thoughts were harsh she wanted Alice dead more than anything. I realised that this is Maria. Alice turned around and watched Maria struggle in my arms. She jumped up and tore her head off grinning hugely. Thanks sis. I winked at her.

We both took off towards our mates who were fighting Renata, Santiago, Chelsea and Afron all at once. I lunged as I watched Chelsea try to grab Jasper from behind. I tackled her to the ground she roared and I tore her arm off with my teeth. I used Janes gift and ripped her head off as she screamed in pain. I turned to see Santiago grab Alice around the neck. I sent a flying kick to the side of his head knocking him straight into Jasper's waiting arms, who ripped him apart. Renata screamed as Edward pulled her hand off. She turned with her teeth bared itching towards Edwards forearm. I jumped on her back, my own teeth sunk into the hard flesh of her neck. Fire emerged from my palms, she screamed as the fire killed her from the inside out. The guard were almost all gone I listened as Kate and Rose took out the last member standing.

We all turned then Emmett and Benjamin included towards Aro, Caius, Marcus and the wives. Benjamin and Emmett dived at Marcus who was closest. I watched with pleasure at Aro's horrified face as Edward and I both lunged for him at the same time Alice and Jasper not far behind. While Kate, Rose, Carlisle and Irina went for Caius.

Edward reached Aro first his fist struck Aro in the chest. He stumbled backward before kicking Edward sending him flying into Jasper. I growled as I grabbed Aro's outstretched leg and twisted his foot. He had no choice but to twist with it otherwise it would tear off. Aro spun in the air and landed face down on the ground. I jumped on his back and pulled him back up. Alice grabbed his arms that were reaching for me and pulled them behind his back. I used Kate's gift and enjoyed every moment as Aro endured the pain under my hands. His eyes were murderous as I was knocked away by Irina who Caius had punched. Aro twisted sending a kick back at Alice she caught it in her stomach and flew backwards. My eyes widened as Aro gripped both of my hands in one of his. Edward dived but Aro was too fast with one flick of the wrist he hit Edward in the side of his face knocking him away. Aro's arms went around my shoulders his teeth were almost at my neck.

Edwards eyes were wide in horror as he watched Aro go for my neck. There was no way I was going to leave that stunningly handsome man behind. I grabbed Aro's wrists and twisted while I head butted him away from my neck. Aro's grip loosened enough for me to break out of his hold. I roared with rage and kicked Aro right where his cold dead heart should be. It was a decent enough kick that it sent him about 30 feet away I dived after him. Aro landed in a crouch but his back was too me. When he turned he gasped as I grabbed his head between my hands. My body twisted as I dove over Aro, stretching his head back to my shoulder I held his chin and kicked his feet out from under him. The flesh just below my fingers cracked and tore until his neck was completely severed. I lit his body up instantly.

When I turned back the fight was over. Scattered body parts filled the whole clearing. I sent the cyclone away and watched as the clearing fell into silence again. My eyes glanced over everyone that was left standing. My heart broke as I realised we had lost more than just Carmen and Eleazar. Zafrina, Mary and Kebi had all fallen as well as two members of the pack Jarred and Brody. I fell to my knee's my head bowed as I sobbed for the ones we had lost. Edwards arm wrapped around me and he brought me to his chest the packs howls filled the air as they mourned their brothers. Kate and Irina lent against one another as they cried for Tanya, Carmen and Eleazar.

The nomads got together making sure every piece of vampire was in the burning piles but I hardly noticed.

I know I'm horrible. But I had to, a huge fight to that scale, well casualties are a given.

-Skye (FeminineHeroes)