We then left the school and drove in silence until we reached the diner where I got out of the car and said to Charlie before closing the door. "Thanks again Charlie, and sorry for all of the trouble."
"I should be thanking you for not being more upset, it looks like you are a pretty famous person from how all of those teachers were acting and most of the more popular folks around here tend to be difficult to deal with."
"I am famous, but just because I am famous it doesn't mean I have to be a snob. We're all just people living our lives just like everyone else." I told him which caused us both to chuckle. "Well I'll let you get back to your job then, see you later Charlie."
"Yes, take care Alex." Charlie said with a nod before driving off.
I just smiled a bit before going into the diner again and ordering a piece of pie while the waitress just let out a grin and served me. I made sure to leave her a generous tip before I got up and went outside. I didn't get to leave her one earlier and she was such a good waitress. It was an hour after school had ended and I could see a couple of guys around my car ogling it.
"I wonder whose car this is, I've only seen this car in magazines." One of them said.
"It's probably the Cullens, but they don't ever come to the diner. I wonder if something is going on? Though back to what I was saying, so today apparently some famous guy named Alex Hale showed up at the school and caused all of the teachers to freak out. He wrote basically all of our school books and is some sort of super genius. The even more surprising thing is that he is our age."
"He sounds like a rather amazing person." I said with a grin.
"Yeah, he must have like millions of dollars and can do whatever he wants. I'm so jealous, but what in the world would he be doing somewhere like Forks and not somewhere like L.A. or New York?" He said as his friend looked at me in shock after he had stopped checking out my car and noticed me.
"Well maybe you could also work hard on something, after all it must have been a lot of trouble writing books for every single subject. Not to mention that nothing beats the feeling of finishing a hard project. Plus Forks isn't so terrible, it is very peaceful and a good spot to spend some time writing."
"True that, I love the feeling I get when I see a motor I've fixed up running smoothly." He said with a grin as he imagined his engine going. "Hey Joe, why are you looking so shocked?" He said before turning around and having his mouth drop open.
"I believe you have quite a good future if you have such a passion for engines already." I gave him a smile while patting him on the shoulder. I then unlocked my car as the two boys stood there with their mouths hanging open in shock. I just got in my car and waved to them as I left to go back to my house.
After I returned I worked on my greenhouse to pass the time and around two hours later I heard my doorbell go off.
I went to my door and opened it while saying. "Please enter."
The whole Cullen family entered my house while looking around in curiosity while Carlisle greeted me with a handshake and Esme gave me a smile.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Hale." Carlisle said with a smile.
"The pleasure is all mine Carlisle." I said with an equally bright smile. "It is rare that I get to meet someone as selfless and kind hearted as you and your wife."
"Oh you." Esme said with an even bigger smile as she waved me off.
I then led them into the living room where everyone sat down on various couches or chairs.
"So I believe that you all have questions for me." I said after sitting down.
"Yes." Carlisle began. "I was curious about a number of things, but I believe you are already planning to answer most of them."
"Indeed." I nodded to him.
"Well to start with I have to ask if you all know of the multiverse theory."
"Isn't that the idea that there are an infinite number of universes and dimensions out there?" Alice said in curiosity.
"That is correct, but only partially. It basically states that there is an infinite amount of universes out there and that they are all connected to one another. That every bit of fiction is in fact just a small window into another universe where that is their reality and even our own world is just another's bit of fiction. It also states that every time we come to a decision that two worlds are made where a different decision was made and that world then continued on as is."
"So are you saying that you are from another universe or something?" Emmet asked with awe.
"Sort of. I am a plane walker. I die in one universe and move from one universe into a different one where I am reincarnated as someone else with all of my memories intact and a number of other abilities that follow me through my lives. This is my fourth life."
"That is amazing." Carlisle said with enthusiasm.
"Not that I believe any of this nonsense, but what are you doing in our universe then?" Rosalie asked with a scowl.
"Random draw." I said with a grin. "Or maybe I just came to play for a vacation." This caused Emmet to laugh while Rosalie scowled even more.
"So you aren't actually a genius?" Edward asked in confusion.
"Oh no, I most certainly am. However it helps that I have had multiple lives to further improve my ideas and expand my knowledge. I'm sure that all of you can understand that having extra time and experiences allows for a broader amount of knowledge and viewpoint."
"That is certainly something that we all have experience with." Carlisle nodded.
"It must be terrible to have to die over and over again like that." Esme said with a sad look.
"No need to look so sad Esme. It would be a little sad, but I have made my own plane where all of my loved ones can live after death and we get to be together and enjoy each others company. Also at this point I am sure that something is messing with me since I always seem to die from a bus. So it is less sad and more irritating."
"What about god, what of the afterlife?" Edward said almost panicking.
"Calm down Edward." I said with a frown and a commanding tone as I looked into his eyes. "Look into my eyes and focus." I told him and watched as he did so and after a little bit I saw him relax a little. Everyone else seemed to be tensed up as if waiting for Edward to snap.
"As far as I have seen there is no god, there is however a system in charge of the afterlife and she has already told me that the beings who claim to be gods are actually just more powerful beings with various beliefs and abilities. You could even call me a god or even yourself a god from that viewpoint. As for the afterlife, well it is basically spending a large amount of time in a white room with nothingness. No body, no heartbeat, nothing to see, and after a while a persons soul will eventually forget it's past even existed and become a blank slate. The system will then send that soul into another or even the same universe depending on that various worlds needs."
Edward sat back and put his head into his hands. "Then what is the point of everything I have been doing? What reason is there to all of us not feeding on humans and only feeding on animals this whole time when we'll all simply go to the same place regardless of our choices?"
I was silent for a moment before saying. "You really should stop all this self destructive thinking Edward. You aren't some sort of soulless monster like you believe. I have met those kinds of monsters, in quite a literal fashion and believe me when I say that you are not one of them."
Edward looked up at me in surprise and shock before scowling at me in disbelief.
"Someone without a soul wouldn't care about whether they had a soul or about the possibility of harming others. I had to kill a man who tore his own soul into pieces in an attempt to live forever and he would kill and torture anyone and everyone if they didn't do what he wanted. He most certainly had a bit of a soul and I can tell you right here and now that even if you were to kill everyone in this town and bathe in their blood you would barely begin to scratch the evils he had committed."
"He sounds terrible." Esme said while trembling in a mixture of fear and anger.
"He was indeed. He once killed an entire town all so they could be turned into corpse puppets to guard one of his soul pieces. Their souls were trapped in their corpses and had to stay underwater drowning over and over again as they waited for a trespasser that might never come. Even his followers had tortured numerous people to the point that their very minds broke and they ended up being no better than vegetables."
"That Edward, is something someone did and he still had a soul, why do you think that with how kind and caring you are that you somehow don't have one? Not to mention that the system does in fact judge all of us based on our good and bad deeds in the form of Karma." Edward perked up at this a bit and focused on what I was saying.
"If you do good deeds that make the world and those living in it better then it adds positive karma to your soul and the system will send your soul to a better place with a much nicer life. These good deeds could be something as simple as talking a person into following their dreams to killing a serial killer. Edward looked taken aback at the thought that killing someone could be considered a good thing."
"Yes Edward, killing a serial killer or other terrible people can make the world a better place and is judged by the system as a good thing. It would save people who might have lived happy and good lives from falling into pain and suffering where they themselves might make the world a worse place."
"The opposite however is also true. From what I understand the worst place a person's soul can be sent to is a literal hellscape where you would be forced into eternal torture and war until your soul is ripped to pieces and devoured by the other beings who live there."
"So don't for a second think that the good deeds you do are pointless or that by not going out and slaughtering people it won't make a difference. It most certainly does make a difference and so long as you strive to make the world a better place the system will calculate your good deeds against your evil deeds without personal feelings."
Edward looked at me in shock before looking at his feet in contemplation. Carlisle and Esme both smiled at me while mouthing a thank you that made me grin.
"Now that I have the introduction out of the way I think it is time for me to discuss the trade I have in mind." I said with a grin.
"Oh, and what might you be trading?" Alice asked in curiosity. While everyone else also looked at me.
"I would like to trade the future as it would have happened without my interference for some venom from each of you."
They all looked at me sharply. "And what might you be planning to do with all that venom?" Rosalie growled out.
"Well for starters I plan to compare them to each other and other kinds of venoms in the world to see if there is any differences in them compared to other common venoms and chemical compounds. Then I plan to see the effects that the venom has on different materials to find out how they react. Last but not least I plan study the nature of vampire venom, why it is so aggressive and what makes it do the things it does."
"Those are all interesting ideas." Carlisle said in awe. "Why didn't I think of trying this? This information could change any number of things and could possibly even advance medicine and science by years." Carlisle then hugged Esme while smiling at me. "I would like to take you up on this trade of yours, but I would also like it if you could keep me updated on any information you would find out since it could change things for countless people in the world."
"Sure, no problem." I shrugged.
"So you expect me to believe that you won't use it to change yourself into a vampire?" Rosalie glared at me. "Not to mention that your knowledge of the future might not even be worth anything. You did just say that it was the future without your interference."
"Rosalie, while you might think that being human is some great gift, it really isn't any different than being a vampire. Both species have trade offs. However I don't plan to change until I am ready to or need to. Also I could have just as easily got venom to change from a nomad if I was really that desperate to be changed."
Rosealie looked at me with a glare, but she didn't argue with me.
"So you do plan to turn yourself." Carlisle sighed out.
"While staying human allows me more opportunities it also limits me immensely. Both in time and in my physical state."
"Ha." Emmet laughed at me. "For someone strong enough to beat me in arm wrestling I think your physical state is good enough as is."
"I might be strong, but I also still have human needs and limitations just like everyone else. No need to be too sad that you are weaker than someone not even a fifth your age." I told him with a cheeky grin that caused him to open his mouth in shock while everyone chuckled.
"Fine, but next time I won't lose. Not to mention that you have cheats and multiple lives that probably makes you older than me." Emmet huffed out.
"I can agree to giving you the venom, but why would you say you might need to change?" Carlisle asked worriedly.
"Vampire law says that if a human knows about vampires he needs to be killed on the spot so that he doesn't spill the secret. If the Volturi ever find out that someone as famous as me knows about vampires they will do everything they can to kill me. Not to mention that my two closest neighbors are vampires and shapeshifters and the dangers that will happen in the future make it almost necessary for me to change."
"Dangers?" Esme said in shock while everyone tensed up.
"Yes, because of Edward deciding to be a depressed and self hating individual he will end up making stupid decisions in an attempt to protect everyone while instead causing a ton of problems instead. Rose constantly acting all hateful because of her human envy also makes problems and Jasper's unwillingness to show his weak side to others and tell them when it is too much for him is all things that lead up to a very bad situation that is dangerous for everyone." I nodded to her while looking at Edward's shocked face.
"What? Tell me what you know so that I don't do that." Edward growled out.
"Edward." Carlisle said with a disapproving tone.
"Sorry." Edward apologized.
"It is fine. I know how much you all care for one another and I know how much turmoil you are in right now Edward." I told him with a smile. "Hopefully two of the problems are already solved just by us all having this nice and therapeutic talk. Rose is still Rose though." I sighed out.
Emmet let out a laugh before shutting up when Rose glared at him.
"Well in the next few weeks Edwards future mate will be coming to Forks." I began.
"Really." Everyone exclaimed while Edward had a look of shock that was a mix of joy and worry.
"Yes, however she is currently human and is also his singer. She has a very powerful shield ability that will block out Edwards ability, but it won't stop Alice or Jasper's abilities. He wouldn't find out she was his singer until they were already in biology. It was a pretty touchy situation since she had to sit next to Edward while they watched a movie for class. It was a special sort of hell where Edward had to constantly hold his breath and try his best not to attack. It is a little funny since you basically came off as a total jerk to her the whole time and acted like she was the most disgusting and enraging thing in the whole world. You did tell her why you acted that way later, but for the gentleman Edward to treat a woman so terribly is a wonderful break in character."
"She is a human?" Edward let out a choked sound. "I must have been truly on edge to have acted that way."
"Yep, but she will eventually become a vampire, though she will also end up going through hell because of your attempts to protect her and forcing her to stay human. I will tell you this now Edward." I told him with a serious face while looking into his eyes. "Living as a human may sound nice, but if that life is spent without the one you love with all your heart it is no different than being a hollow and empty shell. Do not think for even a second that she will be able to live a better life without you because all that will do is make her borderline suicidal just so that she can feel something other than the emptiness inside of her."
Edward looked at me in shock while the other couples in the room smiled at their significant others.
"Wise words." Carlisle said after giving Esme a kiss.
"She is a very stubborn person who only appears meek but is actually very brave and when she loves she loves with all her heart. Don't think for a second that she is any bit your lesser Edward. The universe only makes people mates if they are your souls other half and a half means two equal parts. Don't ever forget that."
'I would also advise that before you meet her you go to her house when she isn't there by calling in sick and getting used to her scent. This will let you be able to be around her easier. Also feed a lot in these next few weeks so that you aren't as hungry when you meet her or it will be a terrible experience for you.
"Yes, we will also be using the idea you had for bottled blood so that everyone can feed even at school. Thank you for that idea and the others. Carlisle nodded at me and making me grin.
"I won't tell you guys everything about the future since anything too in detail would ruin it for you, but if you ever have questions about how to handle something you can give me a call or come visit. My place is perhaps the most secure place in the entire area." I told them with a smile. "I'll also give a warning if something major is going on, though I plan to change a number of things right off the bat."
Emmet snorted and then said. "I doubt that, after all you are sitting less than 5 feet from an entire family of vampires. How secure can this place be?"
I just grinned wider before saying. "Don't freak out." I then snapped my fingers and numerous weapons came out of every nook and cranny and ranged from a simple taser array to a flamethrower.
Alice just smiled while everyone else froze up. She had obviously seen this in the future. She had figured out that while she couldn't see me she could still see how others reacted around me.
I then snapped my fingers again causing all of the weaponry to go back to where it was before. "That was just for burglars, you should see what I have set up for shape shifters and vampires." I chuckled darkly.
"Secure it is then." Emmet said while looking like his life had just passed before his eyes.
They all looked a little shaken, outside of Alice that is.
"I was actually wondering if I could get Alice and Esme to help me with something." I said which caused everyone to look at me.
"What might that be dear?" Esme asked me with a slightly forced smile.
"I was wondering if you could help me to decorate my house." I told her with a smile while I watched her forced smile become a genuine one.
"I would love to. Though we will need to discuss the details such as how much you want to spend and your color preferences among other things." Esme then started to get into her interior decorator mode and began talking to herself and making plans.
"Oh oh, what about me?" Alice asked while bouncing up and down in excitement.
"Well I was thinking that it would be nice to have someone to help me with my wardrobe since it mostly only has a few sets of clothes and a suit for business occasions."
"Yay." Alice cheered before also starting to talk to herself and make plans for our shopping trip.
"You are a brave man." Emmet told me while giving me a boy scout salute.
"Oh, a boy scout huh." I said in amusement.
"One of the best." He grinned.
"So I was wondering if you wanted to play some games some time?" I asked him with a smirk.
"Oh, and what might you have for games?" He asked curiously while Jasper also seemed a little curious. Edward was going over his thoughts and probably trying to make sense of everything or he might have also been interested.
"Well they are here." I said as I stood up and went over to a wall before opening a panel that showed hundreds of games. I swear Emmet and Jasper were drooling from how many games I had.
Emmet let out a surprised gasp. "You have End fighter 5. This hasn't even come out yet. How did you manage to get it?"
"I have a connection with the owner of the company and he sent me a bunch of games his company is working on." I told him with a wide grin. "Beta testing is something I do on occasion for fun."
"What are we waiting for? Lets play." Emmet cheered.
"You and Jasper can play for now, I still need to talk to Carlisle." I told him before showing him where the TV and the gaming system was.
After they started they both were completely absorbed into the game.
"Thank you again for being such a great host." Carlisle said with a smile while he looked at all of his family.
"It is no problem, after all I also have a family and I would hope that they would be able to be treated well should they visit someone's house."
"It appears that you have given Edward quite a shock, I haven't seen him that deep in thought for a very long time." Carlisle said while looking over at Edward.
"It is good to think deeply every once in a while, but he should be careful not to get lost in his thoughts for too long or he'll end up overthinking things."
"True." Carlisle sighed.
"Not to mention that I also destroyed his religion and dropped a ton of life changing information on him, I think he is taking it better than some people would."
"That is something isn't it. You have probably seen and lived through quite a bit in your past lives." Carlisle said with a smile. "How old are you in total if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well, I am about 180 something with all of my lives combined. I was a common factory worker in my first life, a headmaster to a prestigious school in the second and the leader of a nations military in the third. I also ran a number of businesses and many other things in those lives."
"That is a rather varied number of lifestyles." Carlisle said before lapsing into thought.
"Okay, well I'll go to bed now since it has gotten late. Let me know if any of you need anything and know that you and your family is welcome here anytime."
"Goodnight Alex." Carlisle said with a smile.
I then turned to the two vampires who kept trying to cheat at the game and said. Make sure you two go outside if you want to wrestle since the house will punish you if you get too rowdy.
"Sure thing." They said without looking away from the game. I wonder if I told them about the house using cattle prods as punishment they would take my warning more serious.
I just chuckled before going to my bedroom and closing the door. I fell onto my bed after removing most of my clothes and crawled under the covers to go to sleep only to hear the door to my bedroom open up.