Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. Although I wouldn't mind owning Judas.

A/N: I'm sorry for taking so long to update this, but what with my grandmother and a friend of mine dying… let's say that there's been a lot on my mind lately. A lot of questions. I'm going to start the next chapter ASAP, because I already know how I want it to start. I'm guessing that this will take maybe two more chapters, who knows? Shouldn't be much more. However, I've decided to stick to one- shots a bit more. Also, if you don't have anything better to do than to tell me that you're better than me 'cause you own 5 Bibles and a bunch of other books, then know that I'll just roll my eyes and think about what an idiot you are. I want to improve my writing skills, not argue with some 13 year old. Thanks

Dedication: To Tony, Eric, and my reviewers

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Chapter 3- Interlude, of Sorts

"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things" – Isaiah 45:7, KJV

Pain, for some people, was a foreign thing that couldn't be explained. If it ever was, it was usually explained wrong. Nobody truly understood pain. Judas sometimes thought that maybe he didn't, either. Even after all these years in Hell, he didn't think he'd be able to explain it to a person.

However, he thought sometimes that he'd be able to show a person what pain was, and at this particular moment, it was the blonde former Arch-Angel who was preparing to go to a sacrifice that was being done in his name. He looked unusually pale, his icy blue eyes staring straight ahead. Judas often wondered why Lucifer spent so much time getting ready for these things- he hated them, and nobody ever got to see him anyway.

In truth, it helped Lucifer stay at a distance from whatever activities were transpiring, to have his mask on without breaking down. Once he got in character, he rarely broke from it. Judas was going with him, tonight.

He was horribly disgusted when he got there. They appeared to be in an abandoned church, which was decorated heavily in blood reds and blacks. "Strange, isn't it, how people associate certain colours with evil?" Lucifer asked, his voice sounding far away. He nodded up toward the altar, where a dozen or so people stood, in long black robes with pointed hoods. There were several crying children present.

Judas frowned. "Kidnapped, or runaways?" Lucifer made a face as they took a few steps closer.

"No. Their mothers are here. Volunteered them for the service, in return for limitless power, that I'm supposed to give them"

"Why these people think that you'll give them power is beyond me" Judas sneered.

"It's because I do. It's what is expected of me" he paused, then grinned wickedly. "However, let it be known that I'll have them tormented for the rest of their natural days, and, with any luck, I'll have them in Hell, where they belong"

Judas shook his head "You never cease to amaze me." They stayed silent for a bit as the rituals began. "This won't include any rape or anything, will it?"

Lucifer still hadn't let his eyes drift from the scene in front of him. It was his own way of punishing himself, although he never knew why he did it. "It's not supposed too, but you never know with this sort of thing. Maybe they'll do this quickly, but I doubt that"

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It was several hours later when they finally returned, and Judas was feeling queasy. It had been a long time since he had seen anything of that nature. "I never said you had to go" Lucifer said, dressing into his more casual wear.

"I don't know how you go, time after time. I forgot how messy it was"

"I have to be there, we both know that. God expects me to be there."

"He shouldn't. It's not like He has the balls to be there" Lucifer looked genuinely confused for a moment or so.

"You didn't see Him? He was on the other side of the church" Judas shook his head.

"He was there and you never said anything? Why not?" Satan shrugged, pouring them some drinks.

"Why would I? I have a sacrifice that I need to pay attention to. He'll talk to me about it later, like He always does, with that stupid self-satisfied smirk on His face. He might even have-" Lucifer stopped abruptly, shaking his head. "Never mind, it's not important"

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God beamed at him as he entered the Room of Unending Torment- or, as most others called it, the Meeting Room. "I have fabulous news, Lucifer! Come, sit!" The blonde did as he was told, but not without a heated glare. One would think that God had not been at the sacrifice the other night, with this attitude.

"What is it this time, God? Come to tell me how You're going to rip me limb from limb in the Last Days, and allow Your loyal followers have a party in my blood? Spare me the details"

"You always had the flair for the dramatic" God said, rolling His eyes, but still smiling goofily.

"Fine, what was it that you wanted? I have souls to corrupt" Satan's temper was always on edge on the days following a sacrifice, so God let it slide.

"It is the Time for the End. It has come to Pass, and-"

"Now Who's being the drama queen?" he asked, but his heart took a sharp plummet. God was Finished with him, and now was the time. He only had a few years left. "I suppose this means I must go choose the Anti- Christ, then, right?"

God's grin widened and Lucifer knew that this couldn't be a good sign. "No worries about that, Satan! I've chosen him already, he's 23, and ready for what you must make him do" Lucifer fought hard to keep his composure, and won, only just barely. He hated it when he was right, and most people would be shocked at how often he was right.

"So… I have seven years, then?" God nodded.

"Yes. I already have John in a position of power, so it should be quite simple for you to move him up. Isn't this great? My plans are finally coming to fruition"

Lucifer stood, slowly. "Yeah" he felt numb, inside and out.