MY NAME IS...
"My name is Samael…" Lucifer says while pausing.
"L-Like the angel?" Karen stutters.
"Like gods poison, yes" Lucifer confirms.
Strangely calm in such a weird situation, Karen asks "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead" He responds.
"Why do this? " Karen questions.
"Do what?" Lucifer questions back.
"Kill them, I mean, you could have just captured them all, called the police and turn them in... it's not exactly in favor of the…" Karen rapidly clarifies.
"In favor of the law?" Lucifer interrupts
"Yes…" Karen meekly responds
"Well I don't believe my act of vigilantism is exactly in favor of the law either." Lucifer responds
"Yes, but it could still count as self-defense, I you caught them all and turn them in. I mean they would have been judged by the law, I work at a law firm I would have made sure of that" Karen righteously says.
"Perhaps, perhaps you are right and I went too far, or perhaps I was to light handed. Lucifer says as he stares at his scythe, which is still in his hands.
"What do you…" Karen begins.
Putting away the scythe Lucifer looks at Karen "What I mean is, can the law really judged all of this scumbags? Can you guarantee this? Can anyone guarantee that tomorrow there won't be other victims from people like them? Can the law even go against those with wealth and influence, even when they now of all the atrocities they have committed?"
Lowering her head, Karen realizes the truth in Lucifer's words "No they can't or they are unwilling I suppose"
"So then, that is why I do it, so all those scumbags in the dark now to fear, so they think twice and thrice before they raise their hand against the innocent. So my existence serves as their warning and my hand the gavel that shall sentence their punishment. Kill the chicken to warn the monkey, as they say" He continues.
"I-I understand. You are right…but who can judge you?" Still with her head lowered Karen states.
"Come again?" Bewildered Lucifer questions.
"Don't you think you might someday take it too far, that you may err and fall to your own depravity, who is to judge you then?" Karen points out, a bit terrified of the thoughts present in the man in front of her.
"There may only be two. Yet you do poses a valid point. If I play the monster I may also end up being the monster" As if realizing a flaw in his plan and possibly in places more disturbing Lucifer falls into contemplation.
As he does so, so to those silence fall into the alley, where only the sound of Karen's strained breathing can be heard.
A couple of minutes later Lucifer snaps out and says "It would seem a visit to old Nietzsche philosophy is in order (Beware, for if you stare long into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you), I thank you lady, lady…"
"Karen, Karen Page" She says, while covering her bloodied body with the small rags she still had on.
"Oh forgive my blunder lady Karen, allow me to heal you and restore your clothes" Says Lucifer as he approaches her and touches her head.
Startled a bit, Karen backs away once more, as though weary of any physical contact.
"Oh dear, you have trauma. Not to worry I shall fix this as well" Lucifer says, while once more reaching out at an increased speed, not leaving Karen chance to move.
Grasping her forehead, Lucifer's Chi and arcane energies proceed to mend her wounds, clothes and mind.
"Done!" Lucifer cheerily says.
"Amazing!" Karen comments
"Know Lady Karen, let's get you home" Lucifer says as he lifts her up
"Ah! Th-Thank you" Karen stammers.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Starfold building, two weeks later, Armory.
"M.I.N.E.R.V.A here are more samples for analysis. Show me the data on the suits performance tonight" Throwing the spheres in the air, Lucifer says.
"Displaying sir" The AI's dutiful voice sounds, as a holographic projection appears in front of Lucifer.
"Hmmm" Frowning Lucifer thinks into his thoughts.
"Is something bothering you sir" M.I.N.E.R.V.A's says, catching Lucifer's attention.
"In just a day I have taken the lives of more than twenty people, in three more than a hundred, in two weeks more than that and while knowing they are scum, the action may have lead me down a darker path in the future, unless I have standards with which to judge myself"
"What are you suggesting sir?" Inquires the AI.
"I'm suggesting a code I can live by, for no man must live without one. While I believe my actions just and necessary, I fear the day I may not recognize myself where I to keep going on this pre-established path." Lucifer states his worries
"What would these codes be sir?" The AI once more questions.
"This, I do not know yet…" Lucifer gloomily responds.
Silence sinks into the room as Lucifer contemplates, searching for answers he may have never asked, where it not for a woman know as Karen Page and as he proceeds in his silent contemplation, a figure begins to appear in his mind. A man in a white, blue and red uniform with a star in his chest, carrying an iconic red shield and suddenly as enlightened Lucifer's eyes bulge.
'That's right! Captain America is just such an example, a man of indomitable will, who upon needing to compromise, does, yet remains upright and incorruptible, worthy enough to be a god!' Lucifer smiles as he finds his role model.
"It seems you have found your answer sir" The AI comments.
"Yes I have M.I.N.E.R.V.A, I find Steve Rogers code admirable, one of always fighting for the people, of sacrifice and valor, therein lies my answer, my code. Taking a life doesn't make you necessarily evil, sparing a live doesn't make you necessarily good, it's when you turn your back on the thing you try to protect that you go down the dark path, where you are of the same kind as those you fight. Caps example may serve as my guide as I work in the dark, to serve the light" Lucifer states "And I know that where he could do good, I can do better"