I meant to get this out to you guys forever and a day ago, but I took this chapter apart several times before I thought I had it right. I hope you like it.

Much love to my amazing pre-reader, SazzleDazzled and beta, Edwardsfirstkiss. I appreciate their encouragement and help so very much.

SM owns Twilight.

The Devil's Plan

Chapter 24

The Devil Inside

Realization hit Edward with sledgehammer force. "The Devil." He whispered to himself.

"I'm known by many names. My subjects refer to me as 'Sire.' My friends and family call me Lucifer. Edward, I do hope we'll be friends." Edward recoiled at Satan's wicked grin.

Friends? With the Devil? Edward bent forward on the bench, placing his head between his legs as nausea churned in his stomach.

"Not real. Not real. Not real." Edward chanted through chattering teeth.

The Devil laughed beside him. "I assure you Edward, you don't mind if I call you Edward?" The Devil continued without waiting for an answer. "I'm real. As real as they come. So let's dispense with the whole, 'how do you know who I am, how did you find me and prove it' bullshit." The Devil suggested roughly. "I really don't like to play games. Besides, we've met before. Remember?" Edward's head shot up as The Devil lowered the heavy hood that had been obscuring his face.

Recognition shot through Edward's tired body. "The party, at Halloween. You were there." He'd recognized him as the weird and scary guest Jasper had brought. "Lucian," he said in a whoosh of air.

"Yes. Some people totally freak out when you tell them your name is Lucifer. I find that Lucian has a nice ring to it," The Devil said with a shoulder shrug.

"Why were you there?"

"It can get pretty boring in Hell. All of the torture followed by crying, whining, pleading…," The Devil waved a dismissive hand. "I like to get out every once in a while. You know, see what my father's favored children are up to. You humans get into some serious shit up here. I mean, Ebola, hate crimes, terrorism-the list goes on. It makes a guy like me feel right at home. You have my fair feathered brothers and sisters all tied up in knots. Have you ever seen a stressed-out angel? They look like puppies on crack. Running in circles, sniffing each other's butts." He laughed again, chuckling so hard he rocked the bench.

Edward blinked slowly, shaking his head. This can't be real. He could not really be sitting in the dark having a conversation with The Devil. Much less one that thinks he's a comedian.

"You don't think I'm funny? I'm wounded." The Devil mocked with an evil grin.

"How did you-?"

"Hear you?" The Devil asked with a sigh. "Well, as an omnipresent being, I can hear your thoughts. But not very well, and not for long. You see, I'm a bit limited up here." Edward didn't need to hear anything else. He shot up from the bench, only to once again be pushed back down.

"Stop doing that!" The Devil ordered. "I may be limited but I can still handle a human boy!" He sneered.

What do you want?" Edward had lost all of his fight. He only hoped he'd soon wake up from this horrible, delusional nightmare. Until then, he'd play along.

"Yes, let's get right to the point. Simply, I can provide what you seek. As I said before, I can only be here in this body for mere hours and I need to be able to stay here for longer than that. I need-"

"What do you mean here? On this bench?" Edward interrupted.

"I don't appreciate being interrupted. Do not do it again!" The Devil bellowed angrily. His words echoed across the lake. Edward's eyes widened at the forceful words as his mouth clamped shut of its own volition as he shrank into the back of the bench.

"Understood?" Edward nodded, his eyes never leaving the intimidating man. "Good. Now, where were we? Oh yes, you would like to feel no pain, forget all of the trouble you've caused, and boy have you caused some trouble, "The Devil said with appreciation. I can give you the solace you seek. But you have to give me something in return." Even in the dark, Edward could see his malicious grin.

Every cell in his body begged him not to ask and yet, as if he had no choice, he did just that. "What?"

The Devil smiled. His teeth, an unnatural white, beamed in the darkness. "I need to borrow you."

His words lingered in the air like a swarm of gnats in a field. As much as Edward wanted to swat them away, he knew they would just come back.

"I don't understand."

"It's easy really," The Devil said, leaning into Edward as if he were explaining how to complete a difficult physics equation, rather than how Edward would fit into his nefarious plans. "As I mentioned before, I'm quite limited up here. This body," he said, getting up to stand before Edward. "While a supreme example of male perfection, will only hold its shape for a couple of hours before I have to return to Hell. But, if I were able to borrow a human body, I could stay up here much longer. You would have your respite with none of those pestering feelings of guilt and pain. And I would be able to complete my mission."

Any mission The Devil had on Earth had to be bad. "No."

"No?" The Devil repeated. "You will reconsider." He said, threateningly.

"No, I won't." Edward spoke with undiscovered confidence. He'd brought on enough pain, he wouldn't allow this dark and evil thing to use him as a tool to bring more.

"Really?" Edward nodded. "Hmmm, well that's unfortunate. I guess I should let you get back home where your family is consoling poor, poor Alec. Back home where your mother is shedding a tear for the woman she hates, but used to consider a friend. Yes, yes, you should definitely hurry back. I believe your brother is waiting to have a word with you. Your father is just now speaking to Marcus, explaining how Tanya ended her life while her son was in the next room. Do you want me to tell you how it happened? What sent her over the edge? What it felt like as the razor sliced-"

"STOP!" Edward yelled, covering his ears with his hands. The images of Tanya had only just stopped playing in his mind, and with a few phrases, they were back. Edward's head began to pound with a vengeance.

"Oh, too hard for you to hear? Awwww,does it make you sad to hear about the devastation you've wrought? Strap in Edward, you're not done destroying lives."

"STOP! No!" Every negative thought Edward had been harboring was being thrown at him.

"Let's recount, shall we? Your father had to leave the job he'd worked years to obtain in one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country and lose all of the authority and standing within that community, to languish in a backwater hospital. Your brother lost his starting position as an All-Star only to be forced to make the starting lineup on a team that has never seen the inside of a playoff venue. And poor, poor Esme-"

"Why are you doing this?" Edward begged, as his hands covered his face in desperation.

"My dear Edward, is being reminded of your crimes making you sad?" The Devil asked, with a mock pout. "Too bad. Own up Buttercup because I'm just getting started. Did you know that your dear, sweet mother is an alcoholic?" Edward removed his hands and looked up in surprise. "Oh, yes. Poor Esme is barely keeping it together. What with a husband that looks for reasons to avoid coming home, a son that is practically crippled with guilt and depression to the point that he sucks the life out of everyone he meets, it's a wonder she hasn't turned to the razor-"

"Shut your fucking mouth!" Edward erupted with anger. "Don't you come near my mother!" He screamed, moving forward intending to fight Lucifer, only to find himself being flung to the ground with the merest of movement on Satan's part, where he was left gasping for air. His lungs on fire from the force used to move him.

"Don't EVER think to touch me! I'm goddamn Satan!" Edward curled into himself as Satan's voice bellowed so loudly he thought his eardrums would bleed.

Satan leaned down to where he could whisper into Edward's ear. "Know this boy, even limited on this Earth in this body, I am the most fearsome being in your world!" Satan seethed with gritted teeth and blazing eyes.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of! You people read the Bible and think you know me!" Edward closed his eyes against the onslaught, trying to regain his breath. "One-third of God's angels followed me to my kingdom! I tempted Eve and proved how weak you humans are! I have made more war, and destroyed more souls than God has ever saved," he said, boastingly. Edward could feel Satan's hot and fetid breath on his cheek as the being continued his rant. "If you think for one fucking minute I will hesitate to add your mother's soul to the pile, you are gravely delusional-"

"No you won't." Edward interrupted. Edward scooted back so he could see Satan's face.

"What did you say?!" The Devil's temper rose at the boy's impudence.

"I said, 'No you won't'. You need me." Edward straightened his backbone and moved to a sitting position on the hard ground.

Satan eyed him carefully. He'd miscalculated Edward's strength. No matter, he would be able to use it against the boy, but it rankled him that he'd given the child an upper hand, regardless of how fleeting it would be.

"So, I do." The Devil agreed. "Will you acquiesce to my invitation?"

Edward hung his head. How could he even consider allowing this menace to use him? No, it would be better if he were to die than help this foul thing.

"Hmmm, I see we may need at bit more convincing." Lucifer had heard Edward's thoughts, he did not approve. "I could kill you. It won't end your suffering of course, no, I have a nice room picked out for you downstairs. But if you think sacrificing your life will stop my plans, once again my friend, you're wrong. And I won't stop with the lovely Esme." Edward gasped at the Devil's threat.

Satan smiled evilly, knowing he had the boy on the ropes. "No, if you disappoint me, I will obliterate your entirefamily. I'm thinking a nice child pornography scandal for Daddy Dearest. Imagine the community's surprise when Esme Cullen is found passed out at the wheel in front of Forks Elementary. Think about them, Edward." Satan advised, chuckling darkly as Edward began to hyperventilate. "And for Emmett, I'm thinking steroid abuse that ends in bank robbery," Satan said, spreading his arms out as if he were describing a scene in a movie. "possibly a life of petty crime to pay for his drugs? I mean, have you seen that kid? Everyone probably thinks he's already on steroids." Satan's eyes practically danced in delight as he gleefully described Edward's family's downfall. "They'll lose all that they've worked so hard to maintain after you destroyed their lives in Seattle."

The pain coursing through Edward's body was nearly debilitating. He curled his body tighter into a ball as he processed what the ghoul had said.

Satan happily observed the boy writhing on the ground. Edward Cullen had given him moment's pause when he'd flatly denied him once his plan was revealed, but watching the child fall apart now, brought relief. Edward was breaking. It was time for Satan to play his final card.

"Think of that poor, poor girl, her life will never be th-"

"No!" Edward wailed, his eyes red and brimming with tears. They rolled uncontrollably down his cheeks as his body shook in denial. "Leave her alone! Please!" Edward didn't know what to do. He couldn't allow this evil to touch Bella. She was innocent in all of this. She'd saved him when no one else could.

He loved her.

He'd do anything to save her.

"I'll do anything, just don't hurt her." The words fell out of Edward's mouth faster than his brain could decipher what he was actually agreeing to do.

"My dear Edward, I don't want to hurt anyone. That is as long as we can come to an agreement." The Devil smiled toothily, not even attempting to hide his delight at Edward's downfall.

"Whatever, as long as you leave my family and Bella alone."

"Wonderful! Now, just so we're all in agreement. You agree to let me borrow your body for my use while I conduct my business and I agree to not push your family into a downward spiral."

"What about Bella?" Edward's voice was barely discernable as exhaustion threatened to overcome him.

"Don't you worry about pretty Bella. I want nothing more than to keep her happy." Edward closed his eyes, he didn't see the patronizing look on Satan's face.

"What happens to me?" Satan had been waiting for that question. The boy was a slobbering mess. His body wracked with sobbing shudders. Satan could feel the child's muscles tighten and his blood pressure rise as his heartbeat increased. If he didn't act soon, Satan was worried that Edward would expire before they could close the deal.

"What happens to you? You fall into a deep sleep. It's what you wanted. No more pain."

"How deep of a sleep?" Ah, the Devil thought, the boy is more cognizant than he anticipated.

"You won't feel a thing." He promised.

Edward nodded silently. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to feel nothing. "Okay," he said weakly, lowering he head submissively.

Satan's eyes grew dark. His breathing increased as he readied for the transfer. Possession was somewhat unknown to him, as he felt it was something usually left to lower level demons. Lucifer was familiar with most ancient languages such as Sumerian and Hurrian. However, he'd never felt the need to familiarize himself with Latin. In his opinion, it wasn't a particularly important language. Trusting that his minion wouldn't dare to cross him, he began to recite the words Aro had provided. The Latin words rolled from his tongue easily. As the spell began, Satan reached out and grabbed Edward's hand tightly. Edward started to struggle, but was quickly restrained. Satan's grip increased on his arm. He was pulled to his knees and was now kneeling in front of the thing that was about to rattle around in his skin.

The air was thick with electricity. Edward could hardly breath. His lungs tightened with every stunted breath.

Satan's words swirled around Edward's head like a bunch of incessant killer bees. He struggled to stay upright as the foreign speech attacked his ears. Slowly his eyelids began to droop, his body began to sway and become sluggish as the Devil spoke the words to close their deal. Edward's mind reached out one more time. Visions of his father, brother and mother flashed before him. All of their pain from the past year was etched deeply onto their faces. Slowly, their faces changed. Leaving smiles and laughter where frowns and tears had been. The pain visually disappeared from their faces. Edward's heart began to lift as he watched his family heal. When Bella's face appeared, Edward's heart nearly stopped. Her smile was just as he'd remembered; bright, cheerful and so beautiful. If there had been a strength left in his body he would have sighed in contentment. He didn't have the energy to bat his eyelashes but he could feel his heart swell at the thought that his sacrifice now, would keep them safe.

"Et dimisit eum qui volens et imperium, suum ius non est anima eius assiduitate imperium"

The words had barely fallen from Satan's mouth before Edward's body suddenly stiffened, his arms flew backward as his back arched and his head fell back so far, he appeared to be folded in half. Edward's mouth opened as Satan's body pitched forward and began to disintegrate into a dark sand like substance. The sand arched into Edward's open mouth, filling him until he slumped forward onto the cold concrete.

Silence surrounded the lone figure left on the dock. He slowly unfolded himself from the ground, stretching muscles and tendons as he moved. Wasting no time, he began walking towards the car that was parked behind the walkway. The interior of the vehicle was as cold as the bench outside, surprisingly, the temperature bothered him. He supposed it was one of many things he would have to get used to. The car roared to life. Heat began to permeate the car, warming him. He put the car into reverse and quickly spun the wheels to face the direction that would take him to his swan.

It's done.

Until next time,

ruinedbyrob

For those wondering what Aro changed in the spell, here you go. *The willing who has consented control retains his rights to the soul and can regain his control. *