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CHAPTER ONE: Ode to the Fallen

Now a little about me. Let's be honest with a name like Lucifer Black no parent in their right mind would send me to Catholic School . . . then again they wouldn't name have named their twin sons Michael and Lucifer either. That's just the kind of twisted thing that happens when your father is an archaeologist that majored in the study of Christen Religion in the British Isles. He's off in England studying ancient monasteries while I get to sit through another lecture of angels are good, demons are bad, and (my favorite)Lucifer is the cause of all the world's evil. If that isn't pleasant enough on its own the current lecture is being given by none other than Joseph Canton the former cardinal of France who "graciously" chose to step down from his position of authority and prestige to become principal of St. James Catholic and Boarding School for Boys located on the coast of Massachusetts. I'd like to go on about this particular "educator" but he's coming my way.

"Mr. Black."

"Mr. Canton."

"Since you have finished your work so quickly perhaps you would like to assist me in a demonstration for the class."

"Actually I wouldn't but I suppose I don't really have a choice, do I?"

Mr. Canton went rigid and glanced across the room to see that the other students had quickly become aware of the situation taking place. "Front of the class Mr. Black."

I rose from my seat and went to stand beside him where he immediately launched into a lecture of how we students were to be the future of our world and so we therefore must take time to learn the morals and values which will guide us through our lives. I remained standing quietly (but not completely still) until he spoke to me directly. "Now Mr. Black you and I will give a presentation to the class-a form of debate if you will."

"Upon what subject?"

"Allow me to finish and you shall know." I nodded after which he continued, "Now we shall be discussing the first fall, I from the view of Gabriel and you from the view of-"

"-Lucifer." I suggested causing the whole of the class to break into laughter.

"Mr. Black you shall not speak that name in my presence." Mr. Canton instructed.

"I'm not allowed to speak my own name?" I inquired raising one eyebrow as I gave him a smirk.

Mr. Canton towered over me with firm conviction, "While you attend my school you will be addressed as Mr. Black or simply Black and if you or any of your classmates make the mistake of addressing you by the cursed name the guilty will be punished severely. "

"But I am correct in thinking that you were going to assign me the role of the adversary?"

"Children do not speak unless spoken to."

"I've been spoken to so I'll ask again am I correct?"

Mr. Canton's nostrils flared but he pretended to ignore my comment and pressed on. "The circumstances of the fall have occurred we, I as Gabriel and Mr. Black as one of the fallen shall present the reasoning for our chosen alliance."

I rolled my eyes knowing that this was going to be the twentieth time we had gone through this discussion. Of course that was not to say that I wasn't going to find a way to make it interesting. "I assume that you wish me to argue with the best of my abilities?"

"Just do your part boy but only once I am finished." Mr. Canton snapped.

"I understand."

"Now I am the angel Gabriel the second to Michael and warrior in God's army. God is the one who created us. He is our father who we must trust and obey for he wants only the best for us and all others which he created. Those that went against him were wrong to do so as it is surely the greatest sin that can be committed to disobey one's father. Therefore I stand by what I chose which was to be forever an angel and warrior of all that right for surely he that fell will be forever wrong."

"Are you finished?" asked having run out of gestures and faces to make behind his back.

Mr. Canton was clearly not happy at being interrupted again, although the other students didn't seem to have a problem, but he nodded his consent anyway and stood back to allow me my piece.

"It has always been assumed that God was the creator of us and the world around us and it is for that sole purpose that we called him Father and willing accepted him as our ruler. For all our years prior we did exactly as we were told with no argument or question. We were given orders and we followed orders with no change and no end. Then he created the beings he named Man and told us that we were to serve as their protectors and guides. For a time we allowed this but slowly through time a new ability because ours-we learned thought and realized that we were nothing anymore but servants to his favorite creations. He said he loved us but what was love to him or to us for that matter. We could not love because we could not think. We had no choice, no free will, and no control. The fallen brought us will and control and the ability to choose who we wanted to follow. The fallen was the first revolutionist such the like of the founding fathers of grand America. We chose him as our leader because he led us out of dark of ignorance. We are not evil, we are not wrong-we are different, we are wise, and we are free because of-Lucifer!"