A/N: Don't forget if you want to see pictures from all my stories or get rec's and things like that. Please join my Facebook page, soon to be a group xx Alexis

Charlotte

As Peter and I awaited Bella in the trainin' courtyard, we were gainin' some speculative looks and a fair few sneers. These things never bothered me, usually the more cowardly the person the louder the detrimental remark. It was like they needed to paint a target on their own back; a true fighter didn't hide but kept their own counsel until the time was right. Like Demetri for instance, he watched, he waited and most of all he observed our every move and breath.

Caius was next to arrive and dressed for sparrin', at Peter's raised eyebrow he laughed loudly,

"Did you think I'd pass up an opportunity to spar with someone who is not only my equal but won't just let me win because I'm their leader?"He said noddin' to those around us,

"Jeez, I should be so lucky; he'd rip my head off if I wasn't givin' it my all. What was it he said to me that first time Char?" Peter asked me,

"Stop fuckin' about like a pansy and fight me asshole! I believe suga' and he relieved you of one of your arms, for the first hour" I said sweetly and saw a few flinches around the grounds.

"I might just initiate that tactic from now on, what do you think Felix?" Caius asked the guard who was already here and trainin' a few lower guards and the huge man bowed sayin',

"Sounds good to me Master, I would never insult you by giving less than my very best"

Just then the murmurs heightened and I knew it had to be the Major arrivin'. Thank God they hadn't seen him when he was with the Cullens or his reputation would have been in ruins, with the way Alice had him dressed. The gold eyes did nothin' to detract from the dangerous vibe he gave off thanks to his gift and his cowboy swagger just underlined how in control he appeared to be. Most didn't realise forty percent was showboatin' and the rest pure talent.

It was the same for any warrior, you had to sell yourself as the ultimate weapon first and foremost and then back it up. His reputation was mostly of Maria makin', she made him out to be a killin' machine and although the God of War is a scary sight he's still Jasper. It's just his beast in control and not the Major. He's not three different people as some think, he's Jasper in his downtime, the Major when he's trainin' newborns and the God of War when he heads into battle, so three names, not three people.

But it does his enemies no harm to think his press is real, so we never refute the stories. As I said, it's forty percent showboatin'! Due to all the stares, he's getting, I see he's more the Major than Jasper at the moment. Actually, that might be a good idea, Bella needs a firm hand and not mollycoddled.

"At last suga', I thought we might have to come and wake you!" Peter says as Bella appeared, he's aggravatin' her on purpose, she just doesn't know it yet.

"It's barely dawn. You said dawn!" she countered annoyed,

"Yet, we were all here first, just before dawn broke and we're not the ones with an axe to grind!" he said extendin' his arms to point out all the people there before her,

Bella

Why in hell's name did I want him here to train me, the guy's a taskmaster? Jeez, even Demetri's here before me, I need to get my head in the game and stop falling back into my old human ways. I need moral support and even though Char is turning out to be a friend like Heidi they don't push me or motivate me. I need Rose, I need her to kick my butt and keep me moving forward. Because at the moment only Peter seems to want to do that or is that enjoys doing that. The others are still treating me like a delicate flower and Demetri is avoiding meeting my eye at present.

So who do we have here, Caius, Jasper, Peter, Felix, Demetri and Char are all fighters? The others milling about are guards, some lower, and some upper. Marcus is with me and although I'm sure he can fight I doubt he does it often. Heidi uses her other skill set so she's no fighter. So where do we begin?

"I have no training whatsoever, remember up until a day ago walking across a room was a task for me," I say as I reach the group and Jasper smiles,

"That's why we're startin' at the very beginnin' darlin'. You and Heidi are goin' to learn the basic movements all fighters have and you do that by learnin' Tai chi. It's easier to do it with someone else and Marcus is a Zen Master so I've heard!" he told me and I sighed in relief,

"Meanwhile we're all going to blow off some stress by sparring," Caius said gleefully,

He was so desperate to fight with Jasper in was palpable, Peter and Felix and Demetri and Char also paired up. The three Volturi were stiffer and more regimented than the three Texan's and only Caius seemed able to adapt quickly. He and Jasper got in a rhythm faster than the others and it was a joy to see. Marcus ran Heidi and me through several steps quickly, because as a vampire once you got it you never forgot and it was just constant repetition.

What should have taken months took two hours and we had every move down pat. I could even see the moves in the other's fighting styles, just a damn sight faster. So now Marcus made us use the moves against each other and it was even more apparent, blocking and parrying it was all there just slower. It about then that we heard a commotion at the edge of the training courtyard and Aro Volturi appeared. He was not a happy camper at all. I threw out my shield and covered the nine of us easily.

"Since when do callers on Volturi not present themselves to me?" he demanded,

"When they are invited guests, visiting us brother!" Marcus replied with a small smirk,

"Yes, the Major has finally decided to take me up on my offer of a sparring session. This is the most fun I've had in years" Caius declared happily and Aro glowered at them both,

"Well, introduce me at least" he now ordered and both Caius and Marcus bristled at the tone.

Two things happened then, everyone turned to Aro and Renata stepped out from behind him. She stared at Jasper and he at her, before they moved to meet in the middle and Peter called out,

"Well hot damn!"

"This is Captain Whitlock and his mate Charlotte Whitlock. Also, their sire Major Whitlock and it seems his mate Renata, who you already know!" Caius said before bursting out laughing and much to Aro's displeasure so did everyone else.

Meanwhile, Jasper and Renata were in a passionate embrace that no one dared to disturb, not if they valued their life.

MDWBMR

Rose

Seattle was a mess; several newborns huddled in a derelict warehouse and no sign of their maker. Four were easy to dispatch and three stood together facing us, not threatening but not willing to die either. They after some prodding told us their names, Bree, Diego and Fred. Fred had a gift that repelled others, but his friends were either immune or used to it and stuck close to him. They knew most of what they were told was lies and they also knew who we were. At least who we used to be, Cullens!

They were being trained to kill us and Bella. So much for Intel, we haven't been there for months and Bella is now in Italy and presumed dead. Bree and Diego were mates, very young mates and Fred just wanted to leave and go somewhere isolated. They were all at least six months into their newborn year but were very controlled. So I gave them my phone with Emmett's number in it. Telling them I'd send them mine once I got a new phone. They never needed to worry about anything but charging it up; it was on our new account.

I also added for some reason Peter's number. Telling them he might call randomly and always to do as he said. Emmett gave them a wad of cash and explained about Jenks, we took them there and with little difficulty he forged them new papers and said he'd set up a bank account for Fred as he was the oldest and send on the cards to a PO Box. Only Diego couldn't remember who he'd been before and as he was Bree's mate he became a Hyde like her.

She had a quick mind and a good grasp of the classics it seemed. Fred was more down to earth and decided on Natus, meaning newborn in Latin. We nodded telling them this was one human they could trust, but not tell what we were. Then we sent them north to a cabin high in the Canadian mountains, explained about hunting animals or at least criminals if they wanted to stay on human blood. To avoid humans as much as possible until they had passed their first year and even then sparingly just visits to the bank etc.

We told them about the Volturi and the guard, saying they didn't care about the crime, if they came they would kill all three of them. With a heavy heart, we watched them go, praying they would stick to the rules and be okay. I promised Bree to keep in touch and help her as much as possible. Now we settled in to wait and see when their maker would return. We knew his name was Riley, but he was not in charge. Diego assured us he would be back later, as they had had words about Riley lying to them and he said he'd take Diego to 'Her'.

So it was just a matter of time, Riley would come, freak out and run back to who we thought was Victoria and we would kill them both. She was obviously using him to set everything up to avoid Alice. Not that that bitch had been looking or cared. I wanted this over so I could join Bella in Volterra, she needed a friend, well, someone to bounce ideas off and that would be me and maybe one day we would be friends. Suddenly he was there, popped up out of a sewer drain and once he saw there was no one here he started running overland thank God.

Sam Uley

The guys and I are waiting just on the outskirts of Seattle for Emmett's call, once he has eyes on the Redhead's position we'll join them and block any retreat. We're convinced it's her, she's been coming back and forward to Forks for months, we didn't even know it was for Bella until Emmett told us what had happened. Those fuckers, the dead ones and their 'parents' had a lot to answer for. Of them, all Emmett is by far the easiest to get on with.

Carlisle was condescending and Edward had been downright rude and arrogant. The blond Jasper was just too scary, everyone kept phasing when he was about. Terrified we'd meet him in Forks and burst into our wolf form with fright. So Emmett was the best of the bunch, He's straight-talking and unapologetic for what he is. Even his mate Rosalie was a straight talker, hell she pulled no punches ever not even with her own family and it's refreshing to have someone say what the mean and mean what they say. Speak of the devil!

"West Point Treatment Plant, we're coming in from the water at North Beach. You spread out as you come through Discovery Park and cover Fort Lawton Beach and the Hidden Valley too.

That gives us total coverage all around them. Listen for my signal in fifteen minutes" he said before ringing off,

I split everyone up into pairs, Jared and Quil, Paul and Embry and myself and Jake. We hit Discovery Park within five minutes and broke off into our separate zones. The signal when it came was a Megaphone and siren,

"Trespassers in the Treatment Plant, you are in direct violation of Penal Code 308. Come out with your hands up!" he said sounding very official and we head the scampering of feet heading towards the park and freedom.

I barked once for Emmett and Rosalie to let them know which way they were heading and the pack was already converging on that area. We had then surrounded and trapped in a small storage unit. She was ranting at the guy, blaming him for everything, since the dawn of time!

"Come out Victoria and bring Riley with you" Rosalie called in a bored voice,

"How? I did everything right to hide us from the seer!" Victoria whined,

"Well since she's dead, it wouldn't be hard!" Emmett said laughing,

"What? The pet and the boy?" she demanded and Rosalie raised a brow at her, but answered anyway,

"Him dead, Bella a vampire, Turned and claimed as a daughter by Marcus Volturi himself," she said smirking widely,

"No!" Victoria yelled before jumping towards Rosalie and ending up in Paul's jaws as he pre-empted her.

Emmett grabbed Riley as we tore Victoria apart and everyone piled both of them together and struck a match to send them to hell.

MDWBMR

Aro

What in the name of all that holy is going on? I haven't seen Marcus or Caius this morning, obviously, the child has awoken but she wasn't in the feeding chamber and neither were they. Mind you it was small pickings as Chelsea is no fisherman! The guard around me has shrunk without Jane, Afton and that fool Demetri. Thank goodness for Renata, she'll keep me safe.

"Alec, where is everyone?" I demand,

"At the training courtyard Master Aro" he answered sparingly, the boy is not verbose,

"Why? There is no scheduled training today is there?" I enquire; maybe I missed that decree from Caius he does waffle so,

"No Master, Isabella is to be trained today and Master Caius is sparring with the Major!" Chelsea pipes up,

"What? When did the Major arrive and why hasn't he presented himself here?" I rage, getting to my feet, this insolence has gone on too long.

I stride off for the training courtyard and Renata is right behind me as usual, Alec and Chelsea in our wake. They take far too much upon themselves, I should be told of all visitors to Volterra. In fact, now I think about it I heard nothing unusual last evening. Damn it is her shield working that well already? Could Renata protect at all, I slowed at the entrance and saw all the fools enjoying themselves.

Caius was twirling about trying to avoid the much nimbler Major; Felix was a lumbering fool next to the quick-footed vampire who was his opponent. The Captain I presumed and that reprobate Demetri was holding his own against a woman, no she was no simple woman this must be Charlotte Whitlock. Over to one side was that fool Marcus teaching Heidi and the girl one of his stupid martial arts, what good are they to a fighter. I step out into the daylight, my anger barely controlled and all hell rains down on me.

I ignored the child and the betrayer, they are of no consequence at this time and I will not show weakness. Before I can say but a few words Renata steps away from me and I know there is no point trying to grab her it never works. No! God above why? She's just mated to the Major and I know she's lost to me, now I have no shields. He will never stay and she is here through choice because you cannot compel a shield, Chelsea has never been able to get through Renata's defences in all the time she's been here.

They are all laughing at me, to my face, it's untenable. I almost order Alec to silence them all, but I know that she will have them shielded here and it would seal my fate. I will need to be cautious and pick them off one at a time. If Alec nullifies them, then Chelsea can bind them to me, I care not if they are mates or not! Yes, softly, softly will be the key to my success. I can outwait them and once more I will be the greatest vampire here and my guard will be the very best the world has to offer.

Peter

I'd love to say I saw this comin', but I didn't. What with Bella's shield and now Renata's. I'll be lucky to see anythin' to do with the Major ever again and that doesn't sit right at all. I need eyes and ears everywhere and I know just the two people to help with that, Renata and Emmett. Marcus told me about her little bugs in Aro's office. Emmett texted to say Victoria was gone and about the three little ones they let go, to start a new life for themselves. I'll watch out for them as best I can.

Em and Rose are on their way and should be here soon, Aro's going to love that. I don't for one second think he's not goin' to try somethin' and that's why I need surveillance on everyone. Just cause two of his lackeys have been demoted doesn't mean they don't still work for him, so they will need watchin'. Talkin' of lackeys, Chelsea is hoverin' about over there and I thought, she was tryin' her gift out on us, I was livid. I have no qualms about killin' mated pairs, sometimes it's necessary.

"Bella, can you feel anythin' proddin' your shield" I whisper in her ear and she nods, I indicate Chelsea and she growls before sayin',

"Oh Chelsea, a word if you please" everyone but the Major and Renata froze and then the idiot tried to bolt for it.

Bella just reached out her hand and closed it in front of herself, Chelsea is frozen in mid-step. Then Bella pulls her hand closer to her body and Chelsea is dragged backwards towards her.

"Did you know that a shield can feel when someone uses their gift on them? Renata could probably confirm that if she wasn't so busy! It's a little nudging, probing, feeling like being poked persistently. Really, really annoying!" she said as Chelsea came to a stop, directly in front of her and was spun around.

"Now bitch, because I know the laws and will respect them unlike you! We will settle this the old fashioned way because you have to know I must have my vengeance. So we fight, I won't use my shield you have my word, and it is worth something unlike yours! Do you know how to fight, I just learned today, so you have a chance to beat me" Bella continued as she pushed Chelsea into the centre of the courtyard,

"Would everyone think something horrible, like say, Aro naked!" she said to us all and everyone shuddered and the Major and Renata broke apart repulsed,

"What the fuck!" he yelled and we snickered,

"You were about to get down and dirty, right here, right now!" Bella said shakin' her head.

They both looked embarrassed and of course, he projected it so that we felt it too. Bella explains she and Chelsea were about to fight and needed him to get his head in the game for a moment. We all made a loose ring around them and when Afton appeared, Felix held him in place.

"It's to be a fair fight, first blood or in your case venom wins!" the Major said loudly and everyone fell silent.

They circled for a little and I asked Marcus if Chelsea could fight. He shook his head,

"Not well, she never needed to learn," he told me and I nodded, that gave Bella a good chance.

It didn't take long for everyone to see Bella was a quick study; she took what Marcus taught her and some of the moves she'd seen today. Used them to good effect on Chelsea, who was looking scared and defeated, before a real blow was struck. It was all posturin' and designed to put her off balance and it was workin'. After another five minutes, Bella had her on her knees and in a headlock. That's when she made her statement.

Licking her fingers, coatin' them in her own venom she slashed Chelsea across the face, maimin' her for eternity. Chelsea screamed in agony, but it wasn't life threatenin' and she was lucky Bella played by the rules.

"Now, every time you look in the mirror you'll be reminded of Demetri and me and what you did to us. The laws are there for a reason and you flouted them and laid the blame solely at Aro's feet, but it's your gift and you could have withdrawn it at any time. You choose not to and this is the consequence!" Bella said lettin' her drop forward to the ground.

"It was a fair fight and justice has been served, there will be no retaliation or mated or not, death will quickly follow!" Caius said imperiously and everyone nodded.

Alec

I stood in the shadow with Jane and we watched Isabella fight and defeat Chelsea. Her retribution was a good one. It was not something Chelsea could hide and it not only reminded her but all of us what she'd done to someone she'd called a friend. I can foresee many others shunning their so-called friendships with her. Already many were querying if they were real or fabricated. Chelsea's actions had made a rod for her own back and it would be years before anyone trusted her again.

"Chelsea, if Aro asks you to bind anyone else, you come to us first! It is not beyond our powers to banish you and Afton from Volterra and Italy. Your reputation precedes you and now you're marked for all to see. Life could be very dangerous out there for you!" Marcus said as Afton helped her to her feet and the scurried away.

"It's time to choose a side, Jane. I would rather work for Masters Marcus and Caius, than Master Aro. What do you say? Remember, she will probably kill him anyway, because as we know Sulpicia is not his mate" I asked my sister,

"Agreed, you may inform them we will not be standing against any threat to Master Aro, he has brought this on himself and I refuse to die for the wrong cause!" Jane replied walking away.

I stepped into the light and caught Master Marcus' eye. I nodded and he smiled back at me. He had approached me yesterday and asked whose side Jane and I would be on. I assured him I was his vassal if he wanted me and I would ascertain where Jane stood and let him know. Now it was done and I was sure that Afton and Chelsea would not help him either. He was alone now, except for his mercenaries and I feared they were not happy with him either, at this moment.

It never does to antagonise all your allies at the same time, but it appears Master Aro has done just that. I remember what he used to be like and wonder when it all went wrong for him. The three brothers have done many good things, but from the day Didyme died it all changed. That was his mistake; it's just taken this long for the axe to finally fall. Now I have fences of my own to mend, I treated Demetri badly.

Mating is something I have yet to experience and I didn't fully understand what he was going through, but watching him, crumble under the weight and pain was not what I thought mating was about. Then to find out what those two had done I was disgusted with them, with myself and now it's time to set it right. I'm lucky. All it will take is two words said with solemnity to be forgiven; he has a longer road to travel.