Disclaimer: The Twilight Saga belongs to Ms. Meyer. Copyright infringement is not intended. Again I am placing a warning here as this story does explore theories regarding religion. And this chapter here deals heavily in it. Please remember that this is AU and I don't plan on rewriting The Twilight Saga. It has already been done quite successfully and redone by some wonderful fan fic writers as well. But I do plan on taking this is a different direction. All your favorite characters will be in it as well as cannon couples. That I will not take away and I hope you will stick with me through the journey.

Playlist: She talks to Angels (The Black Crowes), Running Up That Hill (Placebo),

The Bearer of Honesty and Absolute Truthfulness

…..

I would have been happy to sit and bide my time in relative peace and quiet but Legacy had other ideas.

"I don't know why it is that you're getting yourself so worked up?" He began to question as the wind and the snow on the mountain picked up.

"And what would make you think that I am working my self up?" He had been right. I just didn't like that he could pick up my feelings so well.

"Six thousand years of your constant brooding, it kind of makes me an expert, doesn't it?" Legacy offered me a big toothy smile and I couldn't help but laugh. Yes, we had thousands of years to get to know each other well. I wondered if he would miss me when I was finally human? "It's good to see you laugh, you know."

I shook my head. Yes, it did feel good to release some of that built up tension.

"So," I began. "Are you here just keeping me company until you get orders to guard someone else or do you have orders for me as well. Because I am assuming that my retreat time is just about over."

"Well, yes and no," He sighed. "I do love your company even if we sit in comparative silence. This is therapeutic for me as well. My last charge didn't go so well. Murdered. He decided that opening a Speak Easy would be a profitable gain…a profitable gain to someone else, maybe. Humans. Always quick to blame their problems on everything else instead of looking at themselves for the answers."

"Hmmm…" I nodded my head in agreement.

"Wait, did you just agree with me?" Legacy looked up at me feigning shock.

"Yes," I laughed again. "I guess I did. There's a first for everything. But don't get your hopes up. I won't let it happen again."

"Sorry to bring our humor to an end." I knew it was coming. He wasn't just here for a random visit or to sooth his therapeutic side. I still had work to do before my time here was over. "Business is at hand again, my dear Bella."

I didn't ask who. I just accepted my task. This time I'll try not to get too involved emotionally.

…..

Not every birth was the same. Some mothers were just ecstatic to finally meet the child that they carried for nine months. Others, both child and mother were lost to the labor of birth because medical technology hasn't caught up with itself yet. Those were the ones that I hated being present for. It wasn't for the one or two souls that were coming home but for the grievance and strain that it placed on other family members. Then there were mothers who looked at the birth of a child as a job or some annoyance that was just getting in the way. The child didn't matter much. Living arrangements and circumstances didn't help much either.

But this is how Mary Alice Brandon entered the world. To her mother she was just another mouth to feed and their too small of a house just couldn't accommodate another person. Mary Alice's mother took no loving approach to be motherly and bond with her child at all.

Like every infant, she caught my gaze and didn't turn away. The bond between us was now formed. Behind her deep blue eyes, Mary Alice reminded me of an old soul. A part of me wondered if she was indeed an angel that chose the life of a human and she just had a fleeting memory of what it was like to be one of our kind. Memories like that, or so I heard, are soon forgotten. But those are the children that you have to watch out for because most of them, if not all of them have some form of psychic ability.

I had a feeling that being the charge over little Mary Alice Brandon would be an interesting one all around. Every intent I had at not getting emotionally involved just flew out the window. She certainly was going to need me.

It was then that I realized that I wasn't alone in the room with the child. Of course we are never really fully alone. Each human has their guardian to watch over them and very rarely do we say anything to each other, or stand in the way. But this being was entirely different. Crouching in the dark corner of the room he watched me interact with the child with acute interest. Dare I say that he was almost amused? It left me with a sickly uncomfortable feeling that I just couldn't put my finger on.

"I'd really like it if you would please leave." My voice was full but uneasy.

"Tsk, tsk, Bella," He said clucking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "This is where I belong, my domain."

"A stuffy, over crowded nursery is your domain?" I sarcastically questioned trying to let this creature know that I was not afraid of him.

The other angels in the room were completely oblivious to the presence of this being. Either they did not see him because his interest was solely for my charge, and me or for the same reason; he was not here for them and their charges and therefore chose to ignore him.

He stayed crouched in his dank dark corner of the room never letting me fully see his true form. "Ah, my domain is not limited to this room only, my dear. My domain, my kingdom is this entire planet." He made a wide gesture with his hands illustrating the girth of his domain.

I hovered closer to Mary Alice in sheer defense at realizing just who exactly was in this room with us. Angels and demons never really keep in close contact with each other. I can in fact say that I have never been around one before. The driving out of demons or the destruction of them are left entirely to Michael and his army of Arcs.

"You're a demon." I spat.

A malicious laugh escaped his lips. "Oh, no, no, no. You are solely mistaken on that account, Bella."

I didn't like where this was going at all. There was no way on God's green earth, literally, that I was letting this monster come between my charge and myself.

I looked towards the ceiling, past the flickering of phosphorous lights that were damaged from heat and humidity; centering my focus I began my prayer. "Lord in Heaven, Maker and Creator of all things both in heaven and earth, please hear my plea?"

I was cut off by the creature's insidious laugh. "Oh, He will not help you. Who do you think gave me this dominion?"

"Satan," I whispered.

"Yes," That word slithered off his tongue like the snake that he is. "I have many names. None of which I really care for, by the way. Mere humans made it all up and I do have to say that I am sadly portrayed in their histories too. But what's one to do?" He sighed as if he couldn't help what was written or said about him.

"Hmm, where shall I begin?" Lucifer lithely stepped out from his dark corner. The stories about his beauty didn't do him justice. He was not some red creature with horns, pointed tail and pitchfork,, sadly he was right about that one, mere humans did make that tale up. All angels, at least to my perception anyway, are beautiful and unlike Arcs and Elders that could not be looked upon, I could take in the glorious ethereal beauty of Lucifer. History got that right. God's most perfect and quite possibly His most selfish creation was standing before me.

"First off, let me put your little angelic mind at ease. I am not here for the child. So your guarded protective stance is a bit unnecessary." He sneered and sauntered closer to me.

"This particular child will never belong to me. She will be true and all her own, a force to be reckoned with in the future. You will see…someday." He almost looked at her lovingly. "I really do love humanity despite what you have heard. In fact much of what you've heard is more than likely only half truths."

"God doesn't lie." I defended.

"No," Lucifer said softly. "But nor does He feel the need to fill you in on the whole truth either."

"Then what is the truth that I have obviously been so blinded to all these years?" I couldn't help myself. How did he even have the audacity to say these things to me? "You who are the Father of lies are going to proceed to tell me what is truth." I laughed.

"Cocky aren't we? We'll see how cocky you are when I'm finished. The Father of lies, huh, another half truth." He said with resounding sigh.

"I'm not sure I should listen to you." I found myself doubting. Doubting what I always perceived to be truth and doubting on whether or not Lucifer spoke any. But he in an ironic sort of way captivated me. Yes, he surely had my attention. And where was I to go anyway. I couldn't flee and leave Mary Alice. We were bound together until she inevitably leaves this life.

"Bella, from the moment that you saw me I already held your regard." He moved closer to me and I wondered if it was more or less of his beauty that I was drawn to and that lead me to doubt in the first place. Satan himself comes as a ray of light to deceive humans and now angels alike. Beauty can most definitely be a mask for what's ugly and grotesque underneath.

Not in earthly terms can I even begin to describe him. Adonis comes to mind. The handsome Greek youth that was slain by a wild boar. Michael Angelo's statue of David almost had the likes of Lucifer pegged…almost. His light brown hair was waved to absolute perfection and Lucifer's blue eyes sparkled like flawless sapphires. Every attribute, his mouth, his nose and cheekbones and total physique looked as if he were carved from the most infallible and perfect marble. His beauty even surpassed the vampire. They were not even comparable. He was beyond a shadow of a doubt impeccably flawless just like God created and intended him to be.

"So, do I still have your audience, my dear Bella?"

I could only nod my head in indication that yes; he certainly had my full attention indeed.

"Good. I prefer not to be interrupted. You know, it's not every day I get to regale my tale with honesty and truth.

I still had my doubts about his honesty and truth to a certain degree. I reminded my self to take what Lucifer says with a grain of salt.

"What is written in historical and religious documents are not complete truths," He wondered around the nursery looking lovingly at each and every child lying in their bassinets never arousing the attention of other angels. " I was God's first creation. Emanuel…Jesus was his second. I had a lot of power. I still do to a point. He's a jealous God. But I didn't have to tell you that. He made that statement Himself on more than one occasion. He's very easily bored and very little holds His amusement. Seraphim's were created next as He thought we needed constant singing and adoration. Then races of Arc Angels were created, warriors, messengers and cherubim all highly loyal to Him. But yet He was soon bored again. The constant worship and adoration was not enough. He wanted more. Your race of angels were created next, you who are little higher than human beings themselves. But He thought enough to placed you as guardians of them. As if I have to say it again, He grew bored with you and your race as well. This did not go unnoticed by angels.

"Some angels throughout the ranks were beginning to feel this. While others continued in their worship and their adoration, free will was being born in others. But His boredom and constant yearning for that perfect love grew by leaps and bounds. Soon humans were created…well, one human in this case."

He casually leaned up against the wall in front of me crossing his arms and looking quite comfortable. "You see, Bella, the earth has always been my dominion, mine. It was given to me. He has Heaven and the infinite celestial space above. Earth, this lowly planet that was in his words "covered in disarray and chaos" was my rule and I was happy with that. But without so much as asking me He took it back. He thought it was in his right to do so and in a way I guess it was. I was His left hand and Emanuel is His right. Emanuel is set to be King of this world now. But still I do not begrudge Him or Emanuel this. I kept thinking that maybe He had something better in mind for me. He always talked that He had great plans for Emanuel and myself.

" I watched on the sidelines as He created land, seas, vegetation, birds of the air, animals to roam through this lush vegetation, the Eden. And lastly He formed Adam from nothing but dirt and clay. Breathing life into this human He created something that has not shape or form, a soul. This is something you shall never posses, Bella. Did you know that? You will never be in His presence ever again. It is in His choosing who will get to see Heaven and who will not.

"But I am really getting ahead of myself now, aren't I? Let's see, where were we? Ah, yes, Adam. He gave Adam the task of naming the birds of the air and the animals of the land. Again, this you knew. As well as it's no big secret that Adam was growing bored and lonely. Oh, how like God humans are in personality. They really are. He did create them in His likeness after all. And just like Adam, Lilith was created in the very same fashion giving them both an air of equality. Which seem to really shatter Adam's little world when she would not submit to him. I watched them with keen interest. They were completely fascinating to me.

"That Lilith, she's a little spit fire, let me tell you. She tried desperately to get Adam to see their relationship as an equal partnership but he was not having it. Through countless efforts, Lilith finally gave up and left Eden for the world beyond the guarded gates of paradise. He saw this and allowed it to happen. He believed that creating Lilith was a mistake and in that He was wrong on all accounts and told her so many times. But He could not take back her humanity no matter how hard He tried. And believe me He did. He couldn't see that she possessed immeasurable potential. Letting her go, she became wild and unpredictable. On her own she became the shape shifter. Shifting between her human form and whatever animal caught her attention at the moment. Like her Creator, she was and still is a jealous being. Lilith watched from afar as He created another human for Adam. This time, this particular human was created from Adam, a part of him. Adam of course called her woman and named her Eve.

"Being the smart creature that she is, Lilith plotted revenge…and this revenge, I get blamed for time and time gain, as this could not even be possible yet because I haven't left Heaven at this particular time. And that's something that God Himself can and will attest to.

"She shape shifted into the crawling serpent that Adam namely called snake. With that she slithered up the Tree of Knowledge and waited, watching Adam and Eve's every move. She listened as they walked and talked with God every evening as they strolled through the garden. All the while He knew she was there and never said a thing to his beloved creations. He never thought to warn them of what she had planed. The downfall of humanity rests solely with Lilith. Although I could not blame her in the least bit, she certainly is a woman scorned. She became unwanted and unloved by both her Creator and the man she thought loved her. She cannot be entirely blamed for the revenge she took up. It was allowed.

"When God came back from His stroll I confronted Him.

'Did you think to warn them of her schemes and plots, my dear Lord?'

"And to this His only response was, 'Let things fall as they may, dear Lucifer.'

"I was despondent. I was growing fond of these humans. They were funny and made mistakes. But like Him, Emanuel and I had the foresight into the future. We all knew what was going to happen. Of course the future changes as people change their chosen path. That's the beauty of free will. Had I known from the beginning that I was going to get blamed for this whole sorry mess, I would have spoke up sooner.

'Lord, you have to do something? You can't let Lilith do this to them. Please, Lord, think about it.' I begged of Him unmercifully. But it was to no avail.

'Lucifer, why do you worry about such things as this? This is my game. I am playing right now. Please just indulge me.' He sat down on His throne beside Emanuel. 'Are you worried Emanuel about what is about to take place?'

'No, Father, I am not.' He looked upon our Father with such unconditional love. I believe to this day that if Emanuel had expressed concern over the situation, our Lord may have changed history completely.

"And because I was out numbered things were left to unfold. We watched as Lilith tempted Eve and took this information back to Adam. Adam fought with her. He didn't like it one bit and didn't trust the creature that lurked in the Tree. No animal that he knew could talk with human words. But Eve insisted that what this creature spoke was truth. And in a way Lilith did. She knew that she would succeed in coaxing Eve. She enticed with promises so tempting that even I, if I hadn't known how wild and unpredictable she was, would have believed her.

"In that instant, Adam and Even knew as soon as the Fruit from the Tree hit their lips their fate was sealed. They disobeyed the Lord. They now knew what was right and wrong but they were far from being like God as Lilith so promised them.

"He flew from his throne in anger and rage that I had never witnessed before. Calling them out in their disobedience He banished them from the Garden. Guarded forever by flaming swords, Adam and Eve were never to return.

"I watched as hardship after hardship plagued them. How could he do this to them? His beloved creation, He just threw them out and watched them cry out to Him for forgiveness and help. And yet God did nothing.

He sat again on his throne and got that look, that look I knew so well. It was boredom. His human's could no longer capture his interest any more. You cannot create and just let it go. There had to be some sort of responsibility for what you create.

'What are you doing?' I yelled at Him. 'You can't just leave them to move on to something else because You have found them flawed.'

'I can and I will Lucifer. You will not tell me what I can and cannot do. You are an insubordinate. Emanuel would never think of going against me.'

'But they need you. And it's not just Adam and Eve any more. There are now two more that are their offspring. Do you not hear them calling for you. It's maddening to listen to.'

'Do you think you could do better Lucifer?'

'Yes,' I shot off. 'If this is such a game, then I challenge You.'

'Oh, really? Name your terms Lucifer.'

"Let's see which one of us can take care of them better. Because I believe that I can do a much better job and I won't get bored, that I can promise you. And in the mean time You cannot create another thing.'

'Fine. Let the games begin. Dominion of the Earth and it inhabitants are yours for a set period of time. The date has yet to be determined. That I will have to think on as I do have the foresight to know that humans will concoct a system of keeping time. So I will select the perfect time and place to end this game. Heaven will no longer be your place of dwelling. Go, take who you must in order to help you out and inhibit the earth.'

'One more thing my Lord, let all creation above and below have the same free will that you instill in all human beings.'

'Granted,' He whispered.

I looked towards Emanuel, as I was about to take my leave. I had no fear or doubt as to what I was doing. I had complete and utter confidence in my actions.

'Oh, no Lucifer, Emanuel is not yours for the taking and neither are the Seraphim. Everyone else is fair game if you can get them to see things your way then you can take them.'

'I do believe there are a few I can sway to see things my way.'

I had a fourth of Heaven at my side. The miracles and wonders of this world do not solely lie with only God. Some of which I can also lay claim to as well. I will not persuade this world to love me, as they are not my creation. I care for them deeply. I encourage them to be themselves and to look to themselves for answers. I watch as this world constantly cries out for Him. Religion and religious wars are not my doing either. That He can have.

"So, there you have it, my dear Bella. This whole thing, life, is just a game. That's all it is. That's all it ever was to Him. I'm not bad. I am not evil. I am not here to destroy humanity. I do have my partners in this game as well. They are not demons as you so thought that I was. Demons do exist. They are their own free agents so to speak. Legion, I do believe that you have heard of him. Threw himself into some pigs that threw themselves off a cliff. He would be the leader of demons."

I watched as Lucifer shrugged at his explanation.

"Demons are playing their own game and they follow neither Him nor me. They care not for the human race. They are allowed at the moment and in time will be dealt with accordingly.

"Do you have any questions, Bella? Because in all honesty and in absolute truthfulness, I will tell you whatever it is that you want to know. There is no holding back with me."

To be honest, I was a bit confused. I was at a complete loss of words. Everything that I thought I knew was for the most part just a game. I was passionate and serious about what I did and the charges I took on. I loved humanity. So much so that I wanted part of it and soon I was going to insert myself fully as a willing pawn in this game. What was done could not be undone. But I wouldn't change a thing. My chance at love with Edward was taken away. It would have ended anyway either in death or in immortality. It mattered not as he didn't like his roll in immortality and I solely take responsibility for that.

"Why these half truths and allowing these stories concocted by man?"

"Have you not been listening? This is all a game. Games have a beginning and an ending." He walked over to me leaving his comfortable stance against the wall. He took little Mary Alice's hand in his and immediately she grasped his index finger.

"And when does this one end? Or is that something that you cannot divulge?"

"Ah," Lucifer laughed. " I knew that was coming. That I really can't divulge to you. But I can tell you, as you are most likely going to forget it once your human, is that there will be a big shake up on December 21, 2012. Originally, it was all suppose to end on that date but God upped the stakes. And well, I am a betting man…or creature per se. How could I say no?"

"The Mayan Calendar?" I seriously questioned. "But that's just the end of their calendar cycle, right?"

"Yes, it's the end of the cycle. But things are already building up to take place on that given date. Disasters and death alike will plague the world. God thought that it was an ingenious idea to use this given point in time to end His game but since the discovery of the calendar, thanks in part to me, a good portion of the world in the near future will believe it's going to end on that date. But no man knows the hour of earth's existence except for God and myself. Even Emanuel does not know. He played his part and played it well and therefore will be greatly rewarded for it."

"And what of you? What do you get when this is all over?"

"He knows what I want. He will never relinquish it, ever. And no, it's not His throne. I want humanity. I don't want to be human but I want his creation. I guess you could say that I have always wanted it. I would restore things back to the way they were. Disease and sickness would not exist. The evils of this world that everyone loves to place on my shoulders would be gone. I would grant forgiveness and tear down the flaming swords that still guard Eden to this day. I would give humanity back what they so long for, peace and a love that they have never known."

"And of this date," I just had to know and hoped that he would appease my searing curiosity. "You have stated that death is inevitable for some. But of me, will I die on that date because surely I will be around for this."

"No, death will come to you but I can tell you with absolute truth, you will be around after December 21, 2012. So will be your family, your husband and child."

So, I will find love. Just not with Edward. In away this revelation brightened my confused and hurt spirit.

"I'm not telling this to you, Bella, so that you will be angry with Him. I don't want that. But I thought it was in your best interest to know. I think all those, like little Mary Alice here, who choose to come to this life of humanity with their own free will, have the right to know. You are not the first to hear my side of things and you won't be the last."

"So, I was right. She was an angel. Does Mary Alice not have a soul as well?" The stories abound were true in that regard at least.

"Yes, She has a soul. What He chooses to place upon His pawns is different each time. Mary Alice just wanted humanity but you, your price tag was bigger. You had love attached to you. Not only did you love humanity but also you fell in love with one. To Him that's a huge price and a big difference on how He plays His game.

"I know your future," Lucifer reached out to caress my cheek. "But I can't tell you anymore than I already have. Her life," He looked down at the smiling child. "Her life will be vastly different from yours. But each of you will be blessed in time. I will see to that. Just like Rosalie. She did find love you know, in the strangest of places too. You never know when love's going to find you. Keep your heart open; Bella, and when you do find it, fall hard because it's not worth it if you don't give it all you've got."

"I'll try to remember that," I really would try. But it was probably futile to do so as memories of my angelic life will be wiped clean. "But Rosalie found love, huh? What of Edward? Can you tell me?"

"Rosalie found Emmett being mauled to death by a giant grisly bear. She carried him over one hundred miles and begged the doctor to change him. And for her, he did. That doctor wanted her happiness above anything. Now Edward on the other hand not so much. He's not enjoying his life as an immortal. In fact, before Rosalie came into their family, he ventured out on his own for a decade or so. He dabbled in the taste of human blood for a while. Although, I do have to say, he was rather clever about it. He chose humans with very unsavory lives. Murders, rapists, child molesters, anything that's deemed evil were amongst his pallet. But eventually he grew tired of that and returned back to the doctor. And as for love in his future, yes, he will find it eventually. But no more talk of him."

He turned around and headed for the doors. I had a hundred million questions that I still needed to ask him. "You have a job to do, Bella. It will do you no good to dwell on Edward any more. And as for your questions, I know you have them, I'll be around in time to answer them for you. But for now you have all you need to know."

"Please grant me this," I begged as the question would eat at me if I didn't ask. "You said you had ruled and had dominion over this planet. If it wasn't humans, what did you rule?"

He looked at me with a sly smile. "You know, no one has ever asked me that. Dinosaurs were my creation. Brilliant, yes?"

I watched Lucifer disappear as if he never existed. I didn't know what to think. If an angel could get dizzy, I think I just did. In some regards I was saddened to learn the things I now know and in other ways I was happy…exceedingly happy. I would some day find love and have a family. Rosalie finally found some happiness in someone called Emmett. And he had to be pretty special if he captured Rosalie's heart. I was even grateful that Edward would finally find love as well. I hoped that it will give him peace of mind and that he would enjoy his life as an immortal. And then there was little Mary Alice. I knew that she was going to have it rough growing up. But I was glad that she would be blessed and happiness will find her one-day also.

I looked down at the tiny squirming figure. "Whoa, Miss. Mary Alice. What did you think of that?" Her only reply was a genuine smile. "Well, you and I get to go home tomorrow."

I could hear her parents arguing about her in a hospital room down the hall. Unplanned, unloved and unwanted, this was the life she was about to enter and one she could do nothing about. An innocent that was going to get hurt in the process and all I could do was to be there for her to soften the blow. I just hope that it will be enough.

"Dinosaurs, huh, who knew," I settled in, taking the child's hand in mine and lulling her to sleep singing a lullaby that I heard countless of mothers sing to their children. It was a favorite of mine and worked well on Rosalie when she was younger. I smiled as I gazed at the sleeping child. Looks like it worked with Mary Alice as well.

…..

A/N: I just want to thank everyone who is reading this, added this fan fic to their faves and who have reviewed this story. It means a lot to me. You all are amazing! Up next The Future of Mary Alice Brandon.