Helping me gain power

[Aro]

Aro's attention was far from Maria. He had to get his power back. It was the whole reason for being. He had always had power. He was certain even as a human he had. Even if those memories were completely faded he knew all his life he had wanted power. And he would gain it at any cost. Even if it meant losing his mate. Which now he did not have. He had come close to losing her once and it had been overwhelming. To know how close, but now she was gone . . . His love. Someone he didn't think he could live with out. For three thousand years even if they had their fights she had been there with him. Until he lost his power. Anger quickly replaced Aro. He would kill Marcus. He would get his power back. He would get it at any cost even at the cost of breaking his own rules. He didn't care what he had to do to gain his power. He would gain it. He could not live without power. He felt weak, useless. He needed power it was not a want it was a need. He had to have power. There was no other option this was a task he needed to complete.

There were several possibilities. He didn't want many to know he had been thrown out by his own coven. This would make the Volturi appear weak, but they already where without him. They would be defeated it not by him then Stefan and Vladimir they would take any chance they could to gain their power. If they were to overthrow Marcus, Aro would be in familiar grounds defeating the Romanians. He knew their tactics, but he could only imagine what they would do if in power. They would no doubt ruin everything! Aro could not allow this. He had to beat them. They may want the humans to know about their existence like that had when they were in power. Aro could not allow this. He had worked to hard to make sure the humans knew nothing about vampires. This could not be ruined!

Aro turned his eyes to Maria as she spoke his name. He had been deep in thought. He had so much to plan, so much to do. And so very little time before his plans would be ruined. If only the Romanians did not know that he was gone that the Volturi were now weak. Marcus wouldn't want the Volturi to appear weak. At least Aro hoped not. He could not be certain he had always been so emotionless his thoughts not as valued as Caius' was. Aro's full attetnion was on Maria as she reached for his hand. How long had he wanted to know her thoughts? How long had he been curious what secrets she had held from him? Aro closed his eyes concentrating on every thought, every secret, everything.

Aro saw her thoughts on what she had done. How she had made her army want to die for her, to love her. How she learned of any of the Volturi's secrets. He noted the guards that had betrayed him they would be added on the list to die along with Marcus. Aro kept his expression calm. As he read though every detail. Everything she had done. How she found Jasper how she used him to her advantage. The armies she created the ones she destroyed. The one's she made sure were destroyed before the Volturi arrived to ensure her story would be true. So no one could tell the Volturi she had an army. So Aro would not read their thoughts and see her.

Every thought about Aro and his threats. The weakness she saw in the Volturi. This angered Aro the Volturi were not weak! They may be now, but once he gained control they would not be. Aro continued to read Maria's thoughts. Seeing every action she wanted take. How she would bring the Volturi down, a thought that upset him greatly. The thought of being in power, but she did not want to fight to keep her power. Aro already knew he was going crazy and probably appeared weak. While he knew this it still angered him. Aro wanted to growl at her thoughts of loving anyone was weak. He couldn't change her mind, but did see her point. Losing Sulpicia had caused him such pain. It was almost unbearable. He had reacted differently from Marcus he would get revenge he wouldn't wait around forever.

Maria's thoughts took a turn surprising him slightly. She wanted him in power. She even respected him. She would help him gain power and she would be careful. She would not reveal their secret. She had all these years and not once had the humans suspected anything. She would be good on her word Aro was certain of this. She could be of great help. Aro would ignore anything she has or plans to do if it would put him in power. He would overlook her when others were breaking the rules. He would allow her to do what she wants. If she allows him to gain his power and keep it. They both wanted power, but Aro wanted it far larger. He did he craved power and wanted to be on top. Nothing would stop him.

Aro read Maria's last thought a smile forming on his lips. He liked the idea of the vampires fearing not he Volturi, bur Aro. They should. He would prove he was a vampire to be feared and no one could challenge him. He would be on top he would be in power. He would be the only one in power. Aro opened his eyes as Maria pulled her hand away. He could tell she was prepared for any reaction Aro might have. Bad or good. "Discussing would be wise," Aro replied. He was far more confident than before. He was certain he would regain his power back. And he would do so with Maria's help.

[Maria Verdugo]

Maria gave a slow, small smile as Aro seemed remind calm. Maria however took a step backwards, so that she might put more distances between them, just in case. Maria knew better then to trust the side one showed the world. She her self often appeared a happy girl, or pleasant. She could however, rip someone apart with just her words.

"I am glad you agree. Perhaps first, you should eat someone, Aro Dearest, when was the last time you had anything?" Maria's voice sounded as if she was slightly worried for him. Aro, would know this was false emotion, maybe. He had seen her mind twice now. She often faked emotions on her face, and in her voice in order to cox others into doing this she wanted them to so. And Maria wanted Aro to drink.

She was going to need him strong and powerful, not half crazy and hurt with loss. Maria wondered how long it had been since Aro had hunted for him self. He was used to having his meals taken to him, not hunting for them. If vampire memories were not perfect, she would have wondered if he knew how.

[Aro]

[[It's a bit short . . . Sorry!]]

Aro was still trying to figure out how to gain his power. What way could he? Breaking one of the rules was something Aro hated to think about, but it crossed his mind more than once. It would probably be one of the best ways to draw the Volturi out. If he wanted to defeat them one by one or go to Volterra. It was a touch decision. Trying to weight the pros and the cons to each. The guards that had not thrown him out would the remain loyal to him. And the guards that had what reason did they do this? Because Marcus was now in charge? Did they remain loyal with the one who in control? So many questions, so much to think. And it seemed so little time. Aro needed to act quickly to defeat the Volturi before word of his downfall got out. He needed to be quick unlike he usually was. He needed fast action to prove he was the leader of the Volturi. He was the one in power and he was the one to be feared.

Aro looked at Maria when she questioned him. How long had it been since he last fed? Far to long Aro was unsure how long it had been. Weeks, months. He couldn't' say. His thoughts had been on how to gain his power back and how hopeless it had seemed. Aro's eyes were probably coal black. His throat burned with thirst. If didn't think about it to much it didn't bother him, but now that Maria brought it to his attention. His thirst was difficult to control. Difficult to think about anything else. "It has been a while," Aro admitted. He hated seeming weak. Aro did not want to appear weak it went against who he was. He was suppose to be strong, in control, and feared. Yet here he was with no power, thirsty, and uncertain what may happen.

[Maria Verdugo]

Maria watched him for a moment. This was not the Aro everyone knew. She wondered if he would ever snap out of this . . . emotion he was feeling. If she was going to help him get back into power then she needed the old Aro, or as close as she could get. She needed someone who hungered for power more then their next meal, and would kill his coven for it. She needed a warrior, and not a heart broken vampire with a short attention span.

"Come now Aro, think of this as a way of getting back to your old self. Back when you did your own hunting, and fighting. You will feel stronger after feeding. We need you strong. If you plan to get back what was taken from you and kill your wife's murder then you are going to need to be strong." Maria was not above using the weak link of a wife to get him moving. "Surly you could do it for her, if not for the power you lost?"

[Aro]

Aro needed power. He needed more than anything. He always had, but now he was feeling conflict. There were two things he wanted more than anything he wanted his power desperately, but he also wanted revenge. He wanted to kill Marcus he wanted to be the one to rip him to pieces to make him suffer. He wanted to hear him beg for him to stop. He wanted him to know he was not to challenge Aro eve again. He would never give him a chance. He would make sure of that. He would make Marcus a 'demonstration' of what happens when anyone, anyone at all challenges Aro of the Volturi. He would be the leader. He would be in control. He would be in power and feared. He would have guards of course, but only a select few. Aro would be more cautious of who he chose. It wouldn't always be about their talent. He had seen where that had brought him. Destroyed. Fallen. Out of power. He would not allow this to ever happen again. He would destroy both Marucs and Caius he would make them an example. He would show all vampires what happen when you challenge Aro.

Aro's eyes flashed to Maria as she spoke of his wife. Sulpicia. Aro felt nothing but sorrow for a few seconds. His love, his wife, the one who no matter what had always been there for him. The one that balanced him. He had said he would choose power over her, but could he have really? Aro did not know the answer and he would never have the chance to find out. She gone. Forever. Nothing would bring her back and nothing would ease the pain he felt. Anger quickly filled Aro as the thought of who did this and why. Marcus. He had no right to do what he did. Sulpicia had never done anything. It was a mate for a mate. Oh, but it was so much more than that. It wasn't enough to kill Sulpicia he had to remove him from power. Make the guards turn against him. There was no telling what lies he told them or how he changed their mind. And Caius, Caius had allowed that to happen. He called them brothers when all along the never were! They had been through so much together fought to gain this power, fought to keep it, and how do they repay him? By taking his power, killing his wife!

"I will have my power back." Aro stated his voice held much anger. He attempted to calm himself it was so easy before, but now his emotions they ruled him. He could not control his appearance or his tone his emotions were visible whether it was anger or sorrow it was obvious what he was feeling. "There is nothing to stand in my away anymore I have lost everything. I will gain it and kill those who did this myself." Aro would enjoy ripping Marcus to pieces. He would enjoy hearing him scream in pain he would enjoy watching him burn. "I need to be strong, I need to feed. Just as you have suggested, my dear." Aro would be like he once was. He would be powerful, he would be feared. He would make sure that was obvious. He wouldn't care so much for his appearance any longer. he would make sure his words were taken seriously and any who thought differently would be destroyed. He would give no one any chances. It was do what he says or be destroyed.

[Maria Verdugo]

Maria watch Aro for a moment and forced the smile off of her lips. Good, he was coming to see things her way. "Yes, once you had gotten strong, we will plan the greatest attack against the greatest army. We will make them pay." Maria's voice was soft, but held the tone of slight excitement. She was looking forward to this. "Then you will bring down the ones who hurt you, killed your love, and stole your city."

And Maria--who did nothing for others--would let Aro have total control, as long as she got to keep her city. Any who tried to take it from her and built an army against her would deal with her and the Volturi. Perfect, no one would cross her, she would have her city and could feed every night! Once Aro feed then she would have to learn how much hand to hand fighting he knew, see what they would expect from her as a form of attack and work on her plans. "Shall we go find someone to eat them?"

[Aro]

Aro would be strong, he would be powerful. He would make sure that no one would ever challenge him again. He would have no weakness there would be nothing that would bring him down ever again. Power was his main focus. Aro would not let his thoughts get to focused on his lost love. Such thoughts would only make him weak. Making him get depressed feel the despair he had felt so much of. How hopeless his situation seemed, but things were changing. They had to change. Aro would never be called weak again. He would never focus on the past for to long. Everything was going to be different. He would be in complete control. There would be no leaders, no we, no plural it would be just him. He would be the only leader of the Volturi. Aro would make everyone aware of this. And he would kill Marcus and even Caius himself. He would make them suffer. He would prove they were absolutely nothing without him.

Aro had made the Volturi what they were. It had been mostly his ideas, his suggestions, his plans to take the power. And he kept them in power. Not once did he let the Volturi seem weak nor did he allow them to appear to unjustified. He made sure their actions had a reason he would not allow it any other way. He had made sure he kept his power even at the cost of killing his own sister. It had to be done. Never again would this happen. Aro quickly felt his anger return as Maria mentioned what all they had done to him. Every single word was true. They had taken everything they possibly could have. But Aro would gain what he could back. There would be those he could never gain back. Sulpicia. Quickly came to mind. They had been together for nearly four thousand years it was difficult to imagine her gone. Forever. Aro quickly pushed such thoughts aside. They would only make him weak. He didn't need that. He needed to be strong, powerful.

Aro looked at Maria he had been lost in thought once again. It wasn't uncommon for Aro to get lost in thought, but when he was around others he usually focused on them. He usually tried to figure out what he should do about them. But he did not have that power, that position at the moment. He needed to gain his power. And he would anything, anything at all to gain his power back. He needed power. It was not a want it was need. He needed to have the power, the control, the position he had for nearly four thousand years. It was gone. But he would have ti back and soon. He just had to figure out what to do next. "Yes that would help considerably." Aro was thirst probably crazy with thirst. If he was to cross paths with any human he would be unable to stop himself. He knew this. He was too thirsty. And now that Maria had brought it to his it was the main focus. He needed to feed it had been far to long.

[Maria Verdugo]

"Come then, Aro." She said and turned, her back to him, but keep her head turned to watch him as she started walking off. At first she moved slowly even for a human just to make sure he would follow, then she turned to look away from him and moved quickly though the woods. Maria was not the fastest vampire, but like all vampires she moved much faster then humans. She knew she needed to start testing Aro, he had touched her and knew all her thoughts from before this moment, but she needed to build her arsenal for if he betrayed her. The best way to do that, would be to test him.

Maria slowed as she got near a city; but not enough to hide what she was. This would be part one of a small test. Part two would be her next move. The city was close to the woods, and was small. Suburban and quite for the most part. If one person went missing the hue and cry would be raised with in an hour or so. When she got close the the building on the edge of the city, she keeping going only coming to a sudden stop when the building was in touching distant. She let her body turn and her back hit the walls of the two story warehouse type building and the bricks creaked as if about to give away. Her arms came to rest over her head, bent in one of her poses.

Would he be annoyed she was risking exposure? Moving to fast and not watching her actions? No one was around so she had not been seen, she would have smelled then and on this side of the town, it was business no one would be here this time of night unless they were up to no good, and if they were . . . she would end their troubles.

[Aro]

Aro watched Maria as she began to walk slowly, but keeping her eyes on him. Aro followed keeping some distances between them. Aro easily kept up with Maria as they ran through the woods. Aro could pick up the scent of humans. His throat burned. It had been far to long since he had last hunted. Weeks. He was normally well fed and never worried about being to thirsty, but everything was different. He no longer had the luxury of having his own food brought to him. To be sure he knew how to hunt he had done it for nearly a thousand years before they agreed to start bringing their food to them. And even then on occasion they may go out on a hunt, but for the most part it was brought to them. However, there was no 'them' any more. Aro would be the only one in the coven. Aro would kill everyone who had betrayed him.

Marcus was the main person he wanted to kill. Aro would make sure he suffered. He would make him wish he had gone along with what Aro had done. He should have understood. Knew why he had done this. Had it not made them better? Aro's thoughts were cut short as Maria came closer to the town. She was not at all trying to hide what she was. Aro narrowed his eyes. He may not be the leader of the Volturi right now, but for millenniums he had enforced the one rule that must be followed. Keeping their existence a secret. Aro had once thought about breaking this very rule. And he was still considering it. But could he really? Break the one rule he wanted to enforce. The one rule that made them different from the previous leaders? Yes, Aro was certain he could. If it would mean he would gain his power back.

There were no humans around right now. So their secret we safe for the moment. Even though there were no humans around Aro could still smell them. They had been there. Aro could so easily give into his instincts allow himself to hunt. It would be easy, but he needed to think logically. This was a small town. Not the best place to hunt. But Aro was far to thirsty to care where as long as he was able to feed. Aro took several steps closer to the small town and paused as Maria hit the building beside her. Aro narrowed his eyes anger evident. "Maria," Aro's tone was displeased. This would attract attention, exposure. "My dear, perhaps we should be a little more inconspicuous?"

[Maria Verdugo]

"The time for inconspicuous actions is over, Aro Dearest." She said watching him, wanting to make sure that if she made the deal with the devil, the devil would keep his side of the bargain. "No one is around, I would know." She smiled, the smile she have given him a million times as she lied to him, "Trust me."

She moved slower, but still vampire speed to the building's edge. "We should get you fed and stop playing around. Your no good to anyone like this." She would know. "I have spent my life Aro, raising and training vampires for war. Building them from nothing humans, to mighty fighters. Just imagine what I could with you, once your thinking on a full belly."

She looked down the street, seeing further then any human could. "How many will you need? Ten? More?" She knew lead him places to where he could take his fill and no one would blink.

[Aro]

Aro glared at Maria he did not agree with her statement. "Maria we need to be careful. I was the one who enforced the one rule that should never be broken. I have made sure it has been enforced for well over three thousand years. Yes, there are no humans around but you are making far to much noise. They will become suspicious this is not something I will allow." Aro had spent far to many years making sure the rules were enforced. But to gain his power would he be willing to break the very rules he set forth? Would he be willing to break them? Yes if it would gain him his power he would do anything. There was no cost to high to gain his power back. But right now he was not gaining his power back. He was simply feeding there was no reason to cause any suspicion. They were in a small town a fact Aro was well aware of. It would be so easy to make the humans far to suspicious. "We are in a small town, my dear, it would be to easy to make the humans aware. It has always been of great importance to keep our existence a secret and it still is." Aro was not in power. A fact that was very upsetting yet he still wanted his rules to be followed. Yes he would allow Maria's actions to slip if he was able to gain power. As long as no humans were aware of her he would not have a problem.

"We are not playing around. You are trying to expose us. Our secret. It must be kept." Aro could normally hide every emotion he had but now all he felt was anger and that was all he was expressing. He was upset about everything there was very little that would calm him down. He still did not have his power and he had no idea how long it would take to gain it back. And he would so very soon! He would kill Marcus himself. He would enjoy it. He wanted to see him suffer beg for death. He had taken everything that was dear to him away. Yes Aro had killed Didyme but she had been willing to take his power away from him this was not something he could have allowed. it was a matter of gaining his power there was so much consider how far was he willing to go to gain his power? He would do anything, but what exactly would he do. Aro turned his eyes to Maria anger once again evident on his face at her next statement. "Maria, my dear, you are not training me. I am not some solider in your army. You are here because I need your assistance to gain my power. You are not going to train me to do anything." Anger was evident in his voice. The thought of Maria even thinking she was going to train him like some soldier upset him even more than he already was.

"We need to be careful. This is a small town." Aro was very thirsty he could care less about the size, but he needed to be careful. He had been keeping the secret for so long to do something as reckless as losing control should not be acceptable. "We cannot go off killing to many humans. We have to keep our existence a secret. A couple humans perhaps at most we cannot allow them to become to suspicious." Of course once Aro started to feed once he gave into his instincts this could be a different story. He could want to be careful now but that could change so easily. It had been far to long since he had fed. He was very thirsty his throat burned constantly he needed to feed. Could he keep control once he came into contact with humans? Aro could not be certain he had his doubts. Aro could try not to kill more than a couple humans but he could not be sure if he could stop. Once one began to feed it was difficult to stop. At least until their thirst was satisfied and it would take much more than a couple humans his eyes were coal black proof of just how thirsty he really was.