Mind Games

Damien:

I found myself sitting in the middle of a casino in Monte Carlo. With Adam, Jasper, Emmett, Alec, Edward, Jake, and everyone else in tow, we were attending to my little Bachelor Party. Alec stayed to be with Ren, and Charlie had stayed back in Voltera with Sue, and he was having talks with Marcus, and his new mate, HuiIen. I was going on at least 3 days with this suit that Alice had me try on for the wedding, which would be in five days.

Three days before, Alice had the tailor attending to the last few details on my tuxedo, just as Adam came in with Bree and the twins. Rose came over to take one of the twins from him, since he was dressed, knowing we'd be leaving soon.

"Alice, is he ready yet?"

She gave him a frustrated glare, "We're still finishing his tux."

Bree was laughing at Adam's impatience as he declared, "Well, since I am the best man, it's up to me to show my bud an awesome time. So, Bachelor party is on me, with all the trimmings."

Bella had come in just then, and came over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist, much to Alice's frustration, and asked, "So, this party…will there be strippers?"

I shook my head, and chuckled, "He said it was a surprise. I don't think so, though. Adam?"

Adam rolled his eyes, "Strippers? Boring. I got something else in mind. A little something much more creative, and besides, strippers are so passé. I got something much more fun in mind. The guys helped me put it together. It'll be awesome."

Bree went over to him, daughter in arms, and leaned against him, "Much like a certain guy I know, right?"

He held her, "You know it, babe. Alice, we'll just take him like that. Let's go, already."

Alice pouted then, "Would you let him finish fitting the damn suit? He's still got a while before we get it just right."

Adam came over to me, and pulled me off the pedestal, much to the tailor's surprise and dismay, "Come on, dude. You don't have to wear the dress, so it'll be cool."

Alice put her hands to her waist, "Don't ruin it. We just got it."

Adam pulled me along, "Aww, Come on already, It's not like he has to wear the huge wedding gown, or anything. Tuxedos are totally replaceable. Damien, let's go, dude."

Bella put her arms around my neck now, "Alright, baby, have fun. Also, we still have enemies out there, so be really careful. I'll be expecting you in five days. Take any longer, I'll tell Alistair to track you so I can come and drag your ass back to our wedding, myself. Got it?"

I kissed her deeply, holding her close, "You kidding? Wouldn't miss our wedding for the world. I'll be back soon."

I was now actually sitting at the black jack table, and winning pretty consistently, when I was approached by security. Both of them seemed to tower over me, as one took my arm.

"Sir. We're going to have to insist you come with us."

I moved my head to regard both of them, asking, "Is there a problem?"

The other placed a hand on my shoulder, demanding, "We insist."

Having no choice, I stood up, and both of them seemed humbled when I did stand up, towering a full head over both of them. I decided if they were going to kick me out, I wouldn't make a public spectacle. I merely pulled my arms to myself, and regarded them both as I told them, "There's no need for violence. I'll come with you, quietly. Just lead the way."

Edward:

Adam seemed a little too relaxed about the men that were pulling Damien away, and I turned to ask, "Did you see that?"

He dismissed it, "It's all part of the plan. I've got a plat de résistancewaiting for him in a rented room somewhere in the back. That's where they're taking him."

I took hold of Adam's shoulder, "Those aren't the ones you paid. They're vampires."

We traded looks, and he turned to look in the direction Damien was taken, asking me, "Where do you think they took him?"

I waved over the guys, telling him, "Aro's here. He's been recruiting the owners of this casino. They're mafia types. Those guys that came to take him, they're notorious for their utter brutality. Becoming vampires made them worse. One is a bounty hunter, and the other is an expert interrogator, and torturer."

We all went to follow where they were taking Damien, but found that the guests were now also looking at us. Emmett came over as he noticed that they were slowly turning away from their games, and tasks. He finally blurted, "Alright. Who wants some action first?"

They all turned to us, speeding at us, as I complained, "Why do you have to just ask for it?"

Adam was already cutting through the newborns, making a path, as he spread his wings, "This was supposed to be awesome, not some sparkly Casino Royale!"

Jasper killed six vampires making his way towards the passageways, as I called over to him, "Jasper! Don't go alone!"

"You're kidding, right? Bella will kill me if we let him get tortured by one of Aro's toadies."

As we turned to fight the whole gang of newborns, we heard some of them crying out, more in surprise than pain. They were utterly decimated when we heard a heavy Japanese accent, "My, my. Alistair was right. You are a troublesome bunch."

Adam looked over, demanding, "Who the hell are you, again?"

An amused laugh, and then a scowl rose on the newcomer's face, "I am Toshiro Takashi. Where is Damien Summers?"

I looked over at Adam, Jasper, and the rest, as I told them, "He's here on Bella's orders."

Damien:

I walked along with the two guards as they walked on either side of me. I took in my surroundings, noticing that the casino now had several occupied wine cellars. There were at least fifteen in each one, ready to attack, but were being kept at bay for the moment. Finally, I saw Laurent standing about aimlessly. He looked at me as they brought me into an office, but it was remodeled to resemble the former lair of the Volturi.

On a velvet chair, mounted upon a makeshift pedestal, sat Aro as he regarded me with such hate in his eyes, as he seethed, "You're the father of that wretched child."

I regarded him a moment, "So, this is where you've been? Turning the mob?"

He stood up, "Silence! I will not be talked down to in my own chambers by some ruffian boy."

"Big words from someone hiding in this hole like a rat in a cage."

"YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! YOU, AND THAT HARLOT!" He reached up to grab his chest, and was forced to take his seat again. Apparently, Marcus's strike had hit home, and I understood what he was doing here. He was still recovering after all this time. We hadn't heard from him in months since Nahuel first came to us and told us the situation.

I decided to try my luck, "You really should get that looked at."

He smiled now, "Why do you think I had them bring you here?"

I lowered my head, my tone snide, "I haven't a clue. Clearly, I was hoping this week would be without incident. So, I hadn't planned on seeing you again."

He motioned to his guards, "Would you hold him down?"

They both held fast on my arms, and one pushed my head forward, "You heard him, peasant. Bow your head."

He approached now, ready to bite me, "This will not hurt one bit."

I started laughing, even as my head was forced to face the ground. I even relaxed my body as Aro approached.

"Good. Don't fight me. Do you realize how long it took me to build the Volturi? I took the time to watch covens develop over time. I watched them as they brought gifted members into their ranks. Then, my coven would trample them, and bring those gifted into my group. So much careful planning, maneuvering, and even facilitating until I had the reach of power necessary to keep everyone under my rule."

I continued laughing, making him furious enough to motion to the guards to strike me on the neck. I couldn't stop though, and I finally told him, "You sound like a spoiled, stupid child that lost their toy. That's what they were to you. Toys. If I were to come and deal with you, like I am now, what would you do with them?"

Aro did his own maniacal laugh, and seethed, "I'd send them to deal with you."

I finished for him, "By doing that, you almost certainly send your special children to be destroyed. In other words, you would sacrifice anyone in this room to make sure that you maintain your position."

He grabbed my hair and pulled my head up to face him, "You understand nothing at all, boy. You took a social structure, and destroyed it for personal gain."

I countered, "You did that. The moment you took away their free will, you lost them at that point. No one likes to be controlled."

He struck me across the face with his other hand, "Of course, they do! That's why society makes laws, and rules. Even you have your own code of conduct. You cannot deny that you absolutely need these structures to keep you organized."

I yawned, making him pull on my hair harder, and rasped, "You're just like any other politician over time. You only care about yourself. You take anything and anyone around you, and pull them in as long as you can use them. When that is no longer true, they are discarded, and tossed aside. That's you. You talk about building your society, but in actuality, you can never let yourself rest, or even think of it. Just remember this, as you sit in that throne, you will never feel safe or secure again. You will always fear being overthrown, and that, in itself, is pretty sickening and childish. You fight tooth and nail to get your soft throne, but you don't know what it really means do you? You are trapped in this world forever with that fear never being far away. You fear losing control, losing that power. It's pathetic! I can't stand such people, because all you're thinking about is yourself. None of the Volturi ever figured in your equation, did they? They were all expendable, much like the gentlemen you have gathered for you right now. You might as well tell them now."

"Silence!"

He struck me hard on the neck, but I was chuckling now, "Do you really think that will do anything? You'll just have to fight someone else for the power. It was your own mistake for leaving as a hostile. You could've fallen in with your other comrades, but with this, you're the enemy. You'll have to be destroyed."

Aro was having them strike me over and over as he sat on his thrown. I had just about enough of it, and was about to spread my wings when someone came in, killing both guards, and fully ready to kill Aro, then and there. He was wearing a black body suit, more like armor really, and longish, silvery hair like mine. In fact, I could've sworn he was my twin, if it weren't for the fact that he seemed to wear an ever-present scowl that might never fade.

Aro rose from his throne, catching the sword in hand, "Fool!" He took hold of the newcomer's neck and sped to the wall, holding him there. "You think you could strike me down, in my own home?"

I charged at Aro, and was met by another fellow with a cloak like Aro's, and able to hold my arm at bay while shouting over at the former Volturi, "You fool! Do you see what trouble your stupidity has brought? Now, run!"

Aro dropped the other fellow, and sped out of the room, while I struggled to pull my arm out of his grip. He simply twisted my arm behind my back, "You're weak, Boy! I knew you wouldn't be able to do what is necessary?"

I didn't struggle with the arm-hold, I only rasped, "And what is necessary?"

He leaned in close to whisper, "I thought I told you before, just after you destroyed your classmates. Humanity is weak. Your task was to destroy them all. That is what you were created for." I remembered the voice as that of my father. He then took my whole arm and tossed me at my would-be rescuer, knocking us both to the wall. I quickly recovered, as did he.

"Thanks for the assist." I muttered.

"Don't thank me. You're an idiot for being caught up in all this!"

I blew out a breath, commenting, "Alright then, smartass. Thanks for nothing. I had that handled, you know?"

He looked around, sarcastically biting out, "Good job. You've got this whole getting captured thing down to a science."

Impatiently, I snapped, "Who the hell are you, anyway?"

"I'm your brother, Damn it. I've been following you for a while now."

I was walking away, "That's not possible. There's nothing left from that facility I was kept in."

He grabbed my shoulder, "I'm serious. I was the back-up, until I realized what they wanted me to do. That was our father, just now."

I pulled out of his grip, and turned on him, "I was born alone. When I blew the rest of my classmates away, they put me away in a cell for months with scant food, and zero contact."

He inclined his head, "Of course you were born alone. I was produced in another facility. They wouldn't risk losing the both of us just because you went out of control."

"I lost control? Your classmates didn't turn on you, and try to kill you!"

"Not all of them! There's one left, still. I think you know her, as Alice Cullen."

I looked around, "That's not possible. Unless…"

He directed his eyes at mine, "She wasn't there that day, when you destroyed the rest. In fact, Maya Stern was long dead by then. Your friend had killed her to save you."

I looked at the ground, muttering, "Alice…"

He snapped his fingers, "Hey. Hey, focus. I'm called Azrael, but you can just call me Rael." He walked over to me now, and he was about just as tall, and built like me. He did have long thick, silver hair, and similarly slender.

Adam came down now, and called to me, "Hey, we gotta get you to your wedding, dude. Let's move, already!"

I looked over to Rael, and told him, "Go with Jasper and the rest. They'll bring you over. We'll meet over there, and have a meeting after that."

Edward took his shoulder, "We have lots to talk about, anyway. It's 99 problems to solve."

Rael turned on him, "Get the hell off of me, would you?"

Bella:

I sat in the fitting room as Rosalie attended to my hair, and Alice helped me with the make up. My parents came in, and my mother hugged me.

"Oh my gosh, you're beautiful, Bella."

Ren hugged me too, "She's right, mom. You look great."

Alec inclined his head, "Yes, ma'am. You look very beautiful."

He moved to take Ren into his arms, until I gave them both a look, and he settled for putting his arm around her.

Victoria and Bree came over to hug me, "Oh my god, Bella. You look gorgeous, it's incredible." Bree sighed.

Victoria smiled, "She's right, Bella. I haven't the words, but if I had to add one, I would say radiant."

We had the procession through the streets of Voltera. I was actually sitting atop one of those Egyptian carriages, being carried by four Volturi members as they held the carriage on their shoulders. They were carrying me to the cathedral as those gathered around watched me. I had seen that everyone was gathered in there. My parents and their own perspective mates were waiting. Also, there were a few seats, which were still empty. The boys should've been back by now, and we could all hear the roar of engines as they arrived.

Damien:

I woke up with music blaring into my ear, as Adam tapped me awake, "Hey, hey, dude, we just got to your wedding."

"What the hell is that ghastly noise?"

Adam chuckled, "It's Asia's Heat of the Moment. C'mon, you love this song and you know it!" He was even grooving with it as he pointed to me with the beat.

"Why didn't you just drop me off at the hotel? I'm a mess."

He shook his head, "No time for that. Besides, I got your secret agent tux waiting in the trunk. Just get yourself dressed."

I yawned and looked out the window seeing several people in red robes, as they opened the door for me.

Adam came over to my door, and waved them away, "Come on, guys. He's gotta get ready first."

He pulled me out of the car, and helped me over to the cathedral, "Aha, see? The procession is still going. We got lots of time. Go get ready!"

I took the tux he handed me, and grumbled, "Alice is going to kill me, you know?"

"Go get ready, dude! Chop, chop, no time!"

I went in, and got myself into the tux, only after using one of the showers in the priest's quarters. It was actually pretty cold, but I had no time to really care since I had been in the same suit for days. Adam never did give me time to actually just sleep in the past couple of days. I ran out to the front of the cathedral chapel room, watching as Bella was waiting in the back. I noticed how spacious it was. The whole place was pretty intimidating, considering what happened the last time I was here.

Bella:

I could see him run in, and waiting for me. He was a mess, but at the same time, he had a little of that secret agent thing going with a tux I knew Alice hadn't set him up with. He looked like James Bond, with a ponytail, and it was hot. My dress was a long, flowing white gown, Alice and my mother insisted. I saw my father approach me, and smile.

"You look beautiful, Bells. I'm happy for you, really."

I smiled, "Thank you, dad. I knew he'd get here in time."

He chuckled, "He probably ran all the way over from wherever."

I almost laughed myself, "That would be so like him. He's great, don't you think?"

He shrugged as he took my hand into the crook of his arm, "He's always thought the same of you."

I leaned on his shoulder, as I sighed, "I know. Ok. Let's get married."

My father walked me down the aisle as Marcus awaited us up front.

Damien:

I saw her, and Charlie walking towards me. I felt myself grow very warm as she got closer. I could see Adam, Jasper, Emmett, and Edward, as well as everyone else took their seats next to their girls. I also saw Alec sitting next to Ren, as she leaned on his shoulder. I didn't give them the eye, though. They were entitled to it. Also, I realized that I did want my daughter to be happy, and I couldn't be the one to stop her from having it. I could only let things happen, but I trusted Alec enough to take care of my daughter. All I could think about was what Rael had told me of Alice. She had actually saved me, and I wondered if she had been there all along, keeping things from happening. I shook my head as inconspicuously as I could, and found myself trying to focus only on Bella. It wasn't hard, though. I looked at her, now. The girl that I knew I was going to marry from the first moment that I saw her.

Charlie brought her close now, and I let my other thoughts fade about Alice, or Rael, or my father. I could only think of Bella as she was brought to me, and I turned to face Marcus, as he asked, "Who offers this bride?"

Charlie spoke up, "I am, her father. I hereby offer my daughter into this man's care."

Marcus nodded, and Charlie went to take his seat next to Sue.

Bella:

Now we found ourselves standing together, and facing Marcus. I reached out to take Damien's hand, and he took it, holding mine tightly, but still only firmly as I remember the first time he touched me. Marcus asked, "If there's anyone who feels should not be married, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Everyone looked to Edward, and he shrugged, "What'd I do this time?"

They then looked to Alice, who raised her hand in the air, "Well, I'm not going to say anything."

Satisfied, everyone looked back to the front to regard us, as Marcus held his arms out and his hands up in the air, "We are gathered here to celebrate the love of these two youthful spirits as they take their next step in the journey through eternity, together. I trust you have you can express this love in your own words."

That was our cue, as Alec and Ren brought the rings to us. He took the ring for me, and placed it on my finger, as he told me, "My life was never made much sense until I met you. You've filled my soul, my mind, and my heart. There is no more waiting to feel that waking every moment. So, Isabella Marie Swan, I take you now as my wife, as I promise to care for you, and cherish you for all time, and beyond. Sickness, health, even sharing our sad or happy moments, that's what fuels what we already have. This is our life now, and it shall ever be, never to part. Even if death happens upon us, I know that beyond the shadow of a doubt, that either of us will go to the depths of hell, or follow to the gates of heaven to make sure the other is never alone."

I looked up at him, placing his ring on, and told him, "The first time I saw you was the moment my life changed. Yet, you never tried to change me. You believed in me and had faith in me since the first moment we kissed. I will never regret anything we've gone through, no matter the pain, or sadness. I could go through telling you I'd be with you through sickness and health, but you already know that. I only need you to know one thing, I've loved you since the beginning, and nothing will change that. So, continue to be with me, sharing the smiles, and all your moments with me. I, too, will go to hell and beyond to bring you back to me if we should part."

Marcus placed his hands on both our shoulders, and declared, "Then, by the power vested in me, by this order, I now pronounce you husband and wife. The Volturi recognizes this union, and shall hold it to be sacred for all time. I believe it is customary to kiss the bride at this point…"

We were already kissing deeply, locked together in a passionate embrace as we all heard cheers erupting from the crowd of watchers. We could even hear clapping and whistles from the guys. When we parted, he took me into his arms, and carried me out as I waved to everyone, and telling them, "See you all at the reception!"

We found ourselves alone for a moment, and he put me down as we got ready to go to the grand hall. Everything had changed so much here in Voltera since the last time we were here. I handed him the program for the week, and he seemed rather surprised as he read through it. He asked, "We're doing this the whole week?"

The program read:

Saturday…Isabella Marie Swan to Damien Summers

Sunday… Marcus to Huilen

Monday… Charlie Swan to Susan Clearwater

Tuesday… Victoria Swan to Riley Biers

Wednesday...Heidi to Jasper Hale

Thursday… Becca Cullen to Edward Cullen

Friday… Bree Tanner to Adam Westchester

I wrapped my arm around his waist, as he read. I commented, "Marcus wanted to make sure he gave everyone their own day. Besides, I think he's right. I am wondering why Alice didn't want to set up her own day."

He muttered, "She's still iffy with her whole Jake deal, I guess."

I whispered, "Are you thinking about her now?"

He turned to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, "What are you even saying, Bella?"

I pulled back to face him, "I saw you looking over at Alice for a moment. You probably didn't think I caught it, but I did. Mind telling me what's going on?"

He muttered, "It's got something to do with my time on the base. Bella, there's something I have to tell you about the time before we met."

I shook my head, "I saw everything you went through, remember? I think I know, too, what you're getting at. Alice was in your life for a moment, before you met me. I think you might not have recognized her at the time, but she wanted to be part of your life and she was very important to you."

He pulled me close now, saying, "You're all I need now, and forever. Don't ever doubt that, Bella. I need you to know that."

I kissed his neck, holding him close, "I know, baby."

He straightened up a bit, and told me, "We'd better get going, like right now."

I tossed my head to the side, "Are you sure you don't want to…you know?"

He shook his head, "No." He took my hand. "We've got a lot of time, babe."

I had to know, though, "Who's the new guy you brought over?"

He shrugged, "He claims to be my brother."

I wanted to know, asking "You brought him here?"

"I had to. He had nowhere to go. Besides, he was telling the truth. Edward read his mind."

"You're trusting Edward?"

He quickly added, "I also did my own mind scan, and he's clean. So to speak. I don't know what else to tell you, except. Maybe, he's got something I can learn from him. Actually he knows a lot that I don't."

I took his hand, "Well, he doesn't know about us. We totally kick ass, together. I think whatever's coming, we'll be ready for it. Also, you should've called me at the first sign of trouble."

He nodded, "That's why Toshiro showed up to the rescue. Don't you think that was a bit overdone?"

I smiled, "When it comes to you, there's no such thing."

After a moment, we went out to join the others, and they welcomed us, our friends, better yet, our family. I could only think of how lucky we were to have so many people surround us with their warmth.

Continued…

This was my shortest chapter, yet, I know. I do hope you all enjoyed it. I may write about the reception, and the following weddings in flashbacks. If anyone would be interested in helping with that, I'd be more than happy to share a link on here to some side stories for weddings and receptions. Hope you can let me know what you think. If ya'll can, send me crits, comments, and feedback on the couples. By the way, if you like my writing style, I wrote a novel a while back called "Can I Stop Now?" by me, Cesar Acosta. It's all over, just google it, and grab a copy. Let me know what you think. It's not as refined as this work, but it is an original novel. Lots of new characters, and it's pretty graphic.