Stating the Obvious: The following fanfic is a sequel to "Final Prophecy" (because, apparently, I can't quit these two).

Disclaimer: I have no right over the Prophecy franchise, the movies, the characters and whatnot. Nor am I versed in the mythology of the movies as a whole.

Author's Note: I'm not surprised that I restarted this fic; I think the reviews I'd see in my e-mail made my muse smirk in a very dangerous way. The next thing I knew, I started imagining random scenes in my head (the primary one that came up, I shall not mention, since it'll take a bit for the fic to go to that point, but wow, heart palpitations! This fanfiction is not good for my blood pressure, clearly) and the next thing I knew, this happened. This prologue actually is set before the epilogue I wrote for "The Final Prophecy" so, it's a funny way to start the sequel, but I liked how it set the tone for this fic...and everything that is soon to come.

Prologue

Following my footsteps home
This time I'm walking alone
Trying hard to be someone
I don't even know

"Shadow" Maria Mena

Lucifer opens his eyes to something he had never encountered in his lifetime - confusion.

The day of his creation - creation, because he was never born, but made - he knew what his purpose was, where he was, who his Father was and what he was.

This is the first time since that moment that he feels a somewhat similar feeling - of a new life - but this is one does not involve an awareness of any kind.

He has no idea of what he is opening his eyes to.

He's lying on his side, on a somewhat damp floor where he can detect the faint smell of rain. He looks at his surroundings: a dumpster, a dark alley, a black cat staring at him from a distance - looking past him, in fact. When Lucifer turns to lie on his back, he turns his head and even in the darkness, he recognizes that face.

He looks at the sky, holds his breath and closes his eyes, smiling.

"Oh, the all merciful hypocrite. You couldn't even grant me peace." He sits up, ignoring the soreness overtaking his body as he moves. He leans his back on the wall, ignoring the critters that were just crawling behind him. "Any particular sermon you'd like to bore me with before I take my leave into this wonderful world of sin?"

Lucifer gives him a side-way glance, his features hidden by the shadows, but he can detect a hint of a smile.

After it's clear he's not getting a sermon, or any sweet words of departure, Lucifer ignores the pain that shoots through his legs and limbs as he forces himself to stand without using the wall behind him. He turns, ready to walk out of the alley, into the night.

He's testing his senses and they're all there, just as he left them. It makes him stop. Lucifer knows he's still right there, watching him.

"What game is He playing?" Lucifer turns his head, slightly, looking behind him, his gaze solemn. "Your benevolent Master uses us as sacrifice and then brings us back...for what purpose?"

There's still no answer but the figure takes a step out of the shadows; that has to count as some kind of a response. That's when Lucifer notices the cloak. Oh, the irony, he thinks. A very long time ago, their roles had been somewhat reversed.

"Very well, then. Let the games begin..."

"Lucifer." Hearing his name stops him, the hairs on the back of his neck standing. "She is waiting."

Lucifer doesn't bother turning around, he knows he's gone. He puts his hands in his pockets, smiling.

He may be capable of foolishness - stupidity beyond all reason is often the product of falling in love - but he is not foolish enough to think that this is only about Allison. He has no doubt his Father has bigger plans than that.

He honestly thought his Father would rejoice in his sacrifice; perhaps even open the gates to him, finally, after which Lucifer had already been prepared to say, "I didn't do it for You or Your hypocritical ideals. I did it for her, and to end your madness."

Of course, Lucifer likes chaos, especially when he has a hand in it, but his chaos is honest. He doesn't hide behind miracles or mysterious ways, as some say. He tortures, he deceives, he maims, all for the purpose of toying with someone, testing their limits and, ultimately, leading them into his domain. But his Father...His are methods that Lucifer doesn't exactly agree on.

After all, one grows to hate that which he is constantly competing against, and losing. If Lucifer is responsible for all evil, and yet, he did not create it, how can he ever win against the omnipotent, and sadistic, God?

Lucifer finally arrives at the alley he had been searching for - his senses are still his own and yet his body feels different somehow - and he stands before the wall, awaiting the door to emerge.

And he waits...he waits for a very long time, but the door doesn't open.

"Well, this is unexpected." He hears her voice behind him and smiles, keeping his hands in his pockets. He doesn't turn around.

"I didn't think turning over the keys would mean I'd be locked out for the remainder of my days. Really, Lilith?" He turns to face her, his boyish charm ready, "Is that any way to treat an old friend?"

The Lilith he had left in charge is not the same Lilith standing before him today. When he last saw her, granted, he had betrayed her, she was pissed, but she was glorious. Lilith had always been his playful partner in crime, his right hand and, a very long time ago, his perfect way to satisfy all of his...particular appetites…before he met Allison, of course. Now, she's wearing a suit - granted, it hugs her curves beautifully, as usual, and her femininity is not lost on him - but her wild, wavy hair is tied back into a braid - and she is showing very little skin. Heck, she is barely showing any cleavage.

"You mean a former employer, don't you?" She crosses her arms, trying her best to look as intimidating as he used to when he was upset. It's not exactly working.

Lucifer smiles, "While I find your current mood towards me endearing, do you really think if I was just a former employer that you would go out of your way to sense me outside of Hell and personally greet me at the door? I must say, you are slipping, Lilith."

That earns him a smirk, "Nice to know death hasn't changed you."

"Ah, you heard about that."

"Yes, and don't worry, I kept the details of your demise out of prying ears." This makes him curious, but he doesn't ask, knowing Lilith's outburst is about to begin. "What were you thinking, Lou?" It's been years, thousands of them, since she called him that. It used to irritate him at first, but then he allowed it, only when they were alone, and only when he had deserved it...he figures he has, all things considered. "I mean, I can figure out the why, but what were you thinking?" She holds up her hand when he opens his mouth to answer - it makes him smile. "You died. You really died."

"I wasn't aware there is more than one degree of dead."

She huffs, "I'm being serious. You ripped your heart out," he doesn't even flinch at the memory, "how are you even here?"

He smiles, "Remember Gabriel?" He licks his lips, touching his finger on his bottom lip as he recalls the memory. "The dead can always come back, as we all now."

She quirks a brow, "That is different."

"How is it different? He's an archangel, I was an archangel-perhaps a remnant of that still remained, enough to bring me back."

"You're a fallen arch who has developed clear delusions about what he has become and what he used to-"

"I would advise caution, Lilith, for I may have lost my place amongst you, but I have not lost myself." His eyes shine with a fire she has not seen in a while.

She clears her throat, "When Gabriel died, you took his soul. He belonged to us. When you died, I felt it. We all did, but you weren't with us, and this make some doubt your demise. You weren't in hell and considering the fact that hell didn't freeze over, I doubt you were in Heaven, so I ask you again, what happened? Where were you? How did you come back?"

"Your concern is touching, but I don't understand how knowing would help your cause, unless you want to try ritual suicide as a way to overtake heaven."

"Fine," she throws her arms up, "Don't tell me, you bloody selfish, self-righteous bastard."

Lucifer smirks, "You've been waiting a long time to say that, haven't you?"

She huffs, "You've no idea. As you're clearly committed to being uncooperative, I have nothing further to say to you and you're not welcome in hell."

Lucifer smirks, "I'm...unwelcome? That is interesting. Care to elaborate?"

She narrows her eyes, "While I was able to keep the manner of your death a secret, Mephistopheles was a bit too forthcoming about the manner in which you left us."

"Ah," he smiles in understanding. He has to smile, even though inside, he's imagining his hand around Mephistopheles' neck and squeezing until there's nothing there but dust. Loyalty is the one thing he had expected from his followers - perhaps not blind loyalty, not to the point where they did things without question, he is not his father, but for Mephistopheles to offer information that hadn't been his to offer...while understandable, to a point, is still rather vexing. "Are you trying to protect me?"

"You wish," she scoffs, but Lucifer knows there's a half-lie somewhere in that statement. "I was merely attempting to keep the regiment from killing each other. I should, out of courtesy, advise you that there are those who are unhappy with your decision, should you encounter them, I can offer you no protection."

"Do you think I would ask for your protection?"

To that, she actually smiles - her first, full smile since she's seen him. "No, of course not."

"Before you delude yourself," that halts her smile, "into thinking I've come here to fight your battles, or fight you. I was going to ask a favor, but in light of recent news, that task might prove to be more complicated than I first thought. I need an identity, a mortal identity."

Lilith's hand goes over her mouth as she tries to muffle her laughter. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Twice." She smirks, placing her hands behind her back. "A wise man once taught me, everything has a price."

He smiles, remembering his own words, "Name your price."

"A favor to be called on at any time that it is needed." She extends her hand towards him.

He looks at it, but doesn't take it - not yet. Yes, everything has a price, but is it a price he'll be willing to pay? Probably not. He can either take the risk or try to walk over the minefield of what used to be his domain, to find someone who might still be loyal to him and could grant him the favor. That could take time.

"I have one condition."

She quirks a brow, but does not take back her hand, "This ought to be interesting."

"Allison. She cannot be involved in whatever favor you ask of me." He reaches for her hand and takes it. Her grip is tight, a little too tight, and he feels the burn of it - oh, she's adjusting to her current position just fine.

"That sounds reasonable. Lucifer, you have my word that I will not request Allison's services, or presence, from you - this will just be me, asking something of you." She smiles, sounding more like herself by the minute. "Which brings me to my next question," she takes a step towards him, then another, until their noses are almost touching. "You haven't asked me."

"How did it feel to be naked before your subjects?"

Her eyes widened, "How did you-"

"Fail safe," he smirks, "In the event someone attempted to take my throne, I wasn't going to make it easy."

"But I didn't take it, you," she huffs, "never mind, I will not have this discussion with you. You haven't asked me where Allison is, which makes me wonder if you even want to know."

His eyes are no longer playful, but dark. "I had been toying with the possibility of being prudent, for once."

"After everything that happened, do you really think you can stay away?" She leans closer, presses her cheek against his, and whispers in his ear, "I was always faithful to you, Lucifer. Loyal. I didn't always do what I was told, but I always did what you needed me to do, what I thought you needed. I took care of her. I gave her a new life. She has someone watching over her, from a distance, just a lowly demon, no one quite high profile, and completely faithful to you."

He pretends to be unaffected and unimpressed by her loyalty, "How is she?"

"She's Allison," she leans back, crossing her arms, "I put her in Texas. I figured you would appreciate that considering what happened last time you had a little too much fun during winter."

That surprises him, "You admit that you thought about my return."

She smirks, "I hoped. Very unlike me. I will purge myself of such an emotion as soon as I get back, I assure you."

"I would give you a few suggestions."

"Bite me."

"Promises, promises."

They both share a smile, and it's reminiscent of a time when they dared to use the term "friends". Lilith sees the immediate danger-realizes they should not be this friendly, not now, not anymore, and clears her throat.

"I take it you would like me to make a life with you in Texas, with Allison?"

"Not quite." He has waited for this moment for so long, for a chance to be with her as whom he really is, not necessarily what...but he doesn't want to rush it. He doesn't trust this, whatever this is. He will wait, he will be patient, he will allow time to pass and observe her from afar and then he will decide when is the right time...he will not break into her home and ravage her in her sleep. He shakes that thought away immediately.

"I can provide you with the precise specifications for my identity, but I will need to grant you access to my mind to allow this. You will not deviate from what I will show you and you will not overstep, is that understood?"

"I tell you I had been your most faithful companion, and you still don't trust me?"

"Had. Past tense. Grammar is a hobby of mine."

She rolls her eyes, "I understand your conditions, Lucifer. Let's get this over with."

"One more thing; the demon you have watching her, call it back. With my return, she won't need any other guardians. One demon in her life is enough."