Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight


Chapter Fifty-Two

*Abby's POV*

"Are you sure it's a newborn army?" Dru questioned. We were currently in Lizzy's room talking about Lucas's latest discovery. Even though I was still flabbergasted from walking on Lizzy and Felix- this was getting more intense.

"Yes. It has to be," Lucas said. "I mean, it would make the most sense. They want to wipe out the Cullen's! What better way than to create an unstoppable newborn army!"

"Our family's already beaten one," Lizzy spoke up. She was a bit red in the face at this remark, but continued nonetheless, "I mean, they conquered Victoria's. What makes you think think this'll be a challenge for us? Considering there are more of us in numbers?"

"Yeah, but that was Victoria. Victoria was inexperienced and was only interested in avenging her mate," Lucas said. "Maria is a lot more tactful than that. She's been in this business long and knows a lot of things. More than Victoria will ever know."

"But my dad knew Maria. He knows all of her moves. He lived with her for decades," I pointed out. "How's that any different?"

"Abbs, it's been decades since your father's been with Maria. Even though he was her right hand man, she still abused him. Heavily. He didn't know what it was like to be good until he met your mother," Lucas said. "Trust me when I say Maria is a crazy manipulative bitch."

"You sound like you know her, Rider," Felix remarked, raising his eyebrows at him.

Lucas turned red while Dru snorted. "Oh yeah, he knows her," My sister said, rolling her eyes.

"You know her?" I asked curiously.

"I did. You run into people like this in my kind of work," Lucas murmured, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Anyway, that's dead in the past. I knew the recent Maria and she isn't one to back down from a challenge and knowing Aro- he's getting desperate. He knows the Cullen's are growing powerful."

"But we don't want war!" Lizzy cried out.

"Yeah! We just want to be left alone!" I added.

"Aro doesn't care," Felix said. "He wants to be the most powerful coven out there and if he's not the most feared, then he becomes threatened. He's been working not his for a long time. Ever since he met Edward and Alice. He's wanted them for years and then when Bella was added to the coven- he's been enthralled. After all, the visit we payed in 2006 to see if your sister was an immortal child was a hoax."

"Aro knew exactly what Ness was," Dru added. "After all, I had ben born the previous year and Cordelia earlier that year. Not to forget Robert who was born ten years prior. Aro just wanted an excuse to see if he could get members of your family or even have a reason to destroy them."

"Then he saw all the witnesses and voted against it," Felix explained. "Since then he's been planning. I'm not sure what he's up to nowadays. The brother's biggest flaw is their paranoia. It's even the reason as to why Aro killed his own sister."

"Aro killed his sister?" Lizzy whispered, looking at me.

"Yes. Didyme. It's why he's very interested in Abby and why he keep his distance," Felix explained slowly, looking at me. "You look exactly like her, you know."

"Me?" I whispered. Suddenly, I felt a chill go down my spine.

"Marcus was in love with her. They were mates," Felix explained. "They planned to leave the Volturi, but Aro didn't like it one bit. He had his sister murdered and since then Marcus has never known happiness. It's been centuries, and he hasn't had a smile on his face since then. Chelsea's the only reason he still stays."

"Wow," Dru whispered. "Explains a lot…"

"I never met her, but Chelsea's talked about it. She was talking to Afton when they first saw you as how you're a dead ringer for Didyme," Felix explained.

"Jeez," I muttered, taking a seat on the bed.

"Leave it to Aro Volturi to destroy all kinds of families- including his own," Iris muttered. "And for what? Power? Where's that going to get him?"

"Probably unnecessary destruction," Lucas said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "At the rate he's going- who knows who's going to come out alive. All because Aro Volturi wanted too much."

Felix grew quiet at this and Lizzy looked at him curiously. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "So…How do we know he's not just getting Maria's opinion on new coven members. I mean, we know he's been recruiting more into the guard recently," I said.

"He has. Maybe he's trying to ween out the weak. Train the strong," Dru said, getting nervous. "Who knows what'll happen."

"Oh God," Lizzy said, burying her face into her hands.

"Hey, nothing's happened yet, Little Red," Lucas said. I reach out and grab my cousin's arm, holding it comfortingly.

"We'll be fine, Liz. I promise," I said to her softly.

"I think we need rest," Dru said, standing up. "We all went through a lot today, Lizzy and Iris especially. Let's discuss this in the morning or in the upcoming days. We need to be careful. We almost got caught tonight."

"Those two seem pretty occupied with their dinner to realize what happened," Lizzy said, scrunching her nose up in disgust.

"Well, until tomorrow, night guys," I said softly. I gave Lizzy and my sisters hugs before walking down the hall towards my room. Lucas Rider by my side.

"So, you and Maria huh?" I said softly. "Were you two a couple?"

"What makes you say that?" Lucas asked incredulously, his cheeks pinking.

"You're blushing," I remarked, studying him carefully.

"No I'm not," Lucas insisted.

"Look, it's fine. I mean, my dad was with her for decades. Judgement free, remember?" I said to him. It's true. I didn't care who Rider's dated and to be honest, I was vastly curious as to why Maria. I mean, how the hell did that ship set sail?

"Can you stop comparing me to your dad, it's weird," Lucas said, shivering a bit.

"Why?" I asked with raised eyebrows. "It's not like we're dating or anything."

Lucas shook his head furiously, "No, of course not. Ahh…I'll see you tomorrow, Sparky."

"See you tomorrow?" I said, my statement coming out like a question as Lucas Rider scurried away.

"Yeah!" Lucas yelled out before disappearing. With that, I headed straight to bed. I thought about Lucas, about everything going on. To be honest, it kept me up for most of the night. I finally passed out from exhaustion, but woke up early the next morning when the boys came running into my room.

"Happy Birthday!" Wesley squealed, jumping onto my bed.

"Hey guys," I said sleepily.

"Abby! Father wants to see you today," Bo told me, peaking up from my blankets.

"He does?" I questioned incredulously.

"He does," confirmed Demetri, who was standing in the middle of the doorway. He had a stoic look on his face that made me nervous. Demetri wasn't exactly one to make me scared. Maybe when I first came here, but once I got to know him he wasn't the worst person out there.

I swallowed hard. Stefano looked at me warily from where he was sitting at the edge of the bed and despite the younger boys optimism, I couldn't help but feel a chill down my spine.

"Maybe he wants to give you a big birthday gift," Bo said hopefully, but I could tell he was only hoping. Aro isn't one for affection.

I swallowed hard and made my way down to the training room Demetri was leading away and at this point the boys were gone as well. Suddenly, I found myself staring at my three Volturi leaders. Aro looked at me intensely, Caius looked annoyed, and Marcus looked as he always did.

"Abrianna, welcome," Aro said.

I just nodded my head. I never liked to address Aro by father or master, and I wasn't allowed to call him Aro so I just never said anything.

"And should I say, happy birthday!" he added whimsically.

"Thank you," I responded quietly.

"Well, I think I should probably explain why I brought you here," Aro announced, circling around me like a prey.

"That would be nice," I quipped.

"Well, as you and I both know and well everyone in the room for that matter, you're fully grown," Aro said. "You have finally turned that age where you stop growing."

"Yes, that's true," I stated flatly.

"Well, as a coming of age celebration and hearing so much about your progression in training, I'm here to challenge you," Aro declared, allowing one of his servants to take off his robes.

"To challenge me?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes, to challenge you," Aro said, nodding his head. "I want to see your fighting skills. Come on, Abrianna. Time to face your dear old father."

I swallowed hard, noticing the grim expressions of the guard. I noticed Jane and Alec looked rather played to see me get beat up. I looked down at my stance and stood across from my biological father.

"Now, Abrianna. Stand your ground," Aro instructed me.

I did as I was told and got ready to fight. The two of us nodded our heads at one another and went at it. I could feel the fear but also thrill rush through my veins as I charged towards Aro. He tried to take me down, but I quickly maneuvered him.

"You are a quick little once," He crooned.

"I learned from the best," I said, knocking him down in the process.

"Ah, so you have learned a little thing or too from the Volturi," Aro exclaimed, studying me intently.

"No. I just learned a lot from my real parents," I stated simply.

Aro looked disappointed at this, "Well, I don't think they taught you well enough."

Without another moment, I went to attack Aro again, but he was too fast. Soon I found myself flying down onto the ground. I gasped for air, feeling the wind knocked out of me. I coughed hard, struggling to breathe, as I looked up at my red eyed father.

"I guess you didn't learn from the best," Aro crooned.

That did it. Suddenly everything I had been keeping in the last two years was swirling within me. The anger especially boiling within me like a volcano erupting. I then charged at him again. The two of us fighting head to head, constantly. I was almost through with him, ready to pin him down. However, Aro was one step ahead of me. His eyes lingered to Bo's figure on the side line, watching the two of us with a blank expression.

My stomach dropped. "No," I whispered, reaching out to pounce him. I was too late, Aro was quicker and he scooped Bo up into his arms and held him hostage. I stopped midway as I watched Aro dangle my little brother in front of me.

"Now, why don't we make things a little more interesting," Aro said, sweetly. I could see Stefano was frozen, watching his brother in the hands of their father. Wes seemed spoked and tried to look at his own father for guidance, but Caius didn't even dare look at them. All these boys and even me would ever been seen for would be weapons. Weapons they can play with whenever they wanted.

"Father please!" Stefano cried out, snapping out of his shaken trance.

"Silence," Aro ordered harshly while Bo let out a whimper against his father's grasp.

"Put him down," I snapped.

"Ah, now I see I've found a sweet spot," Aro exclaimed. "Just like your mother. Serena was so protective of the ones she loved, but so foolishly headstrong. You'll die doing the same one day, Abrianna."

"Why did you even want me that bad when you never wanted me at all?" I hissed. "To play games, is that it? Did you take me from my parents for two years just so you could feel good about yourself. To feel powerful!"

"Too bad Chelsea's power never worked on you," Aro said, shaking his head. "Elizabelle is always protecting you. Her shield has permanently embedded itself on your mind. Maybe we should pay her a visit as well."

"Leave Lizzy out of this," I growled. "And leave Bo and all the others out of this. It's me and you now, Aro."

"You're getting angry. I can sense it," Aro said, stalking forward. "My, my, my, my what would you did if Bo was in danger? I'd love to know."

I watched his hands touch Bo's neck. "You wouldn't kill your own son," I said. "Your Lux Lamia son. You fought too hard for him."

"Don't tempt me, Abrianna," Aro scolded, now getting closer to Bo's neck.

I was absolutely ragging inside. Every fiber in me was on fire and I couldn't stand it. Suddenly, I could feel the power leaving me. The electricity striking Aro right in the chest. He went flying back while Bo also went flying to the side.

That's when I felt my senses go numb. My sight, taste, and smell disappearing and then an overwhelming amount of pain taking over my body, causing me to shake and collapsed to my knees. I screamed in agony, also hearing others scream in the process. My body couldn't handle it anymore as darkness consumed me and my body hit the floor.

*Lucas's POV*

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before taking a long drag of a cigarette. The thoughts racing through my head a mile a minute. There were so many things going through my head. This whole thing was ridiculous with the Volturi and now Maria.

I thought of the fiery vampire who once captured my attention almost ten years ago. I was naive and working for the Volturi. They wanted me to watch out for her. We soon grew close, she became just another connection for me. But then that grew into another possibility and well, Maria and I started up a relationship.

Ethan doesn't even know about that. Even though I miss my parents, thank God they aren't alive to see any of this...

My parents. They were so in love- always following the other quickly in step. Bella and Edward reminded me of them. Two people very passionate about their love affair- their family. My parents would've loved Dru, Abby, and the rest of them. My mother would've especially loved Lily and Abby- two equally courageous women. She was just like them. A strong headed woman always ready to face any sort of danger. My father, a gentle spirt.

Sometimes, I'll find myself drifting to memories of them in times like this. My mother teaching me to ice skate on a frozen pond in Indiana. Sitting on my father's knee and watching Sunday morning cartoons. It was stupid, little things that bring me back to them. I haven't been back to Indiana since the attack that burned our home down…Since everything happened.

Jeez…Honestly, what my parents would say about the mess I got myself into- who the hell knows. And I can't forget Ethan. Poor Ethan who's spent countless of years trying to find me. My brother only wanted to keep me safe and all I've wanted to is to be the brother he deserves, but he's better than me. He made something of himself, I'm just…I don't even know. I'm a mess yet he still loves me and still isn't done chasing after my sorry ass.

"I thought you said you'd quit?"

I look to see Dru making her way over to me. I shrugged, starring back out the window, letting the smoke cloud my face. "I mean, I'm not addicted and it ain't gonna kill me. We've had this talk before."

"Still, it's nasty," Dru said, taking a seat next to me. She then grabbed one of the other cigarettes in the pack and began to smoke it herself.

"Excuse me, Miss Hypocrite. You're half human. Won't these kill you rather me, the resulted of magically induced vampire procreation?" I remarked, raising my eyebrows.

Dru shrugged, "Probably. I have a tendency to follow bad behavior though."

"Oh shut up," I said, taking another long drag. I then nimbly held the cancer stick between my fingers and let it rest there. "Where's Iris?"

"Helping one of the guard's research something," Dru said, shrugging. "Nothing interesting. All they did was interrupt our make out session."

"Oh jeez," I chuckled.

"Made sure dear old Dad saw us the other day," Dru whistled, grinning proudly in the process. "Boy, was he angry! I love making his undead blood boil."

"Well good," I said, smirking. Dru smiled at this and I couldn't help but feel pride for my friend. Dru deserved to be in love with someone like Iris- someone who cares and loves her without any sort of issue.

"So…What's on your mind?" Dru asked me after taking another drag. "Something's obviously bothering you."

"To be honest, a lot," I confessed. "This whole shit show, Maria, my parents, Ethan, Abby…"

"Abby?"

"Well, yeah," I mumbled, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

"Why, is Lucas Rider finally going to admit he has a little something something for my sister?" Dru inquired.

"I don't know," I said, shrugging. "It's weird. I met her when she was a baby. I feel like those weird wolf guys."

"You met her as a baby," Dru pointed out. "You didn't actually see her grow up and you've known her since she was fourteen but you never had romantic feelings towards her until recently. Like what, a month ago?"

"I really don't know, Dru," I confessed, rubbing my face into my hands.

"Look, our world is not the same as the human world," Dru told me. "Take me and Iris for example. She's twenty-five years older. Look at half the people in our world. We're never going to have normal love lives. Look at your brother, he fell for Lily and he's known the Cullen's for years."

"Yeah, but they weren't close until she was physically sixteen," I pointed out.

"The same goes for Abby!" Dru cried out. "Hun, listen to me, we're immortal, but this advice is the same for everyone- life is too short. Immortal or not, you never know what's going to happen. Especially with this so called war coming about."

"I guess, but I'm not one hundred percent set on it, yeah know," I told her. "Anyway, Abby's got a lot going on. She needs time to herself and perusing her right now doesn't seem ideal."

"Once again, another life lesson, nothing is ever ideal," Dru exclaimed, rolling her eyes at me.

"I guess you're right," I said, shrugging. "I just…I just want something else out of life, ya know Dru. I don't want to run anymore. I'm tired of this shit. When we get back, I'm going to be around Ethan more. I'm going to stay with the Cullen's, as cheesy as that family is…They're a family. They're a good group of people and I don't think I ever want to stray away from goodness like that again."

Dru smiled and then wrapped an arm around me, "Wow, I never thought I'd see it."

"What?" I asked.

"The day Lucas Rider grew up," She teased, earning a nudge in the ribs. The two of us chuckled as we then watched over the small Italian city. I would think back to Abby's silly little story all the time- Gone With the Wind. What a ridiculous yet amazing story. I never knew much about the story except for the fact that it's referenced in The Outsiders.

I hate to admit when squeaks is right, but she is right about my greaser appeal. When I was young Ethan used to read The Outsiders to me before bed. I would spend days wishing I was apart of Ponyboy Curtis's band of greasers. I guess it came true when I lost my parents as well and ended up joining some sort of supernatural mafia.

"We should go find her," Dru suggested, tugging at my sleeve. "Abby. It is her birthday after all, she shouldn't spend it mopping about because you know she'll do that."

"You're not wrong," I said, chuckling. I then patted my friend on the back as the two of us made our way down the hall together. That's when I heard it- a commotion of some sorts. I noticed a flash of light and a boom. Dru and I looked at one another and without missing another moment, we ran into action.

When I got into the training room, I saw Abby collapsing to the ground. Bo, Stefano, and Wes were crying as Dru let out a scream.

"Sparky," I muttered, running towards her. Abby's body was sprawled out on the floor like a rag doll, making my blood run cold. Her eyes were closed shut and she was breathing heavily.

"What did you do!?" Dru roared, looking at her father with blazing eyes. Aro was currently against the wall, his clothing marked as if he had been hit by a lightening bolt. I noticed Caius seemed terrified and Marcus…Marcus just looked like he'd seen a ghost. His eyes still fixated on Abby.

"Nothing, just nothing," Aro spat, brushing himself off as he received various help from different servants. "Abrianna just demonstrated her power, that's all."

"Her power?" Dru questioned, looking at me for answers.

"I…I don't know what's he's talking about," I lied, quickly tending to Abby.

"Abby!" Bo wailed, running out of Stefano's arms and towards his older sister.

"Enough. Demetri! Heidi! Bring the boys to their room. Lucas Rider, take Drusilla and Abrianna to her room. I've seen enough here," Aro declared in annoyance. "And in the morning, Abrianna will begin special training. However, Mr. Rider I do suspect that you knew about this and you better haven't as for tomorrow I will be pulling on a full investigation."

"Whatever you say," I said with gritted teeth.

"Come on, boys," Demetri said, trying to get Heidi's help in rallying the boys back to their rooms. However, I could still hear Bo crying along with Wes now. Meanwhile, Abby groaned in my arms as we brought her upstairs.

"Don't worry, almost there Sparky," I consoled her. Abby's head lulling against my chest and my arms still holding onto her protectively.

"What happened?" Lizzy cried out, running to us from where she had been talking to Felix.

"Aro," I stated grimily before bringing Abby onto her bed. I laid her down and began to run a hand through her hair. Lizzy came to her side and held on her hand, inspecting her cousin to make sure there wasn't a scratch on her. I noticed Felix stated in the doorway, giving us space while Dru hovered like a protective mother.

"Come on, sparky. Come on," I said, cupping her face.

"I'm going to check on the boys," Dru told us. "And get Iris. She should wake up soon, but until then stay with her. It's not easy your first time being tortured by Jane."

"It's not," I agreed. Lizzy and I shared solemn looks as we stayed with Abby, waiting for her to wake up.


A/N: The girls have surely been having a rough time in Italy...Anyway, thanks for reading and keep on the lookout for the next update!