Locke's Puppet Masters - Alpert + Abbadon

[D-Roc]

Season 4 revealed that both Alpert and Abbadon contributed to Locke's path which has led him to the island and at the summit of "destiny".

But who, out of the two, would you say has contributed most to Locke's current position at the helm of the "Natives"/"Others"? That's assuming (as I am), that Alpert and Abbadon are representatives of two opposing sides.

At this stage we seem to know more about Alpert than we do Abbadon (or do we?..):

Alpert
Expecting Locke for a "long time"
Needs Locke to find his "purpose"
Believes that Locke is the chosen one
Visited Locke when he was young, but left disappointed in Locke's decision to choose the knife over the 'book of laws'
Brought Ben in as temporary leader until Locke found his way - Alpert seemingly never gave up on John - invited him to 'science school'.
Tired of Ben and his "novelties" - believes John is the one to take the Others to 'greater things', more important purposes.

Abbadon
Helped Locke when he was at his most broken (literally and figuratively) pre-island moment.
Gave him reassurance that Locke would find his destiny if he went on a 'walkabout'
Told Locke that he was living proof of a 'miracle'
inferred that he knew Locke..?
Infeered that they would meet again (has this happened yet and we've just not seen it?) and that when they did, John would 'owe him one'.

It's difficult to find any differences in the standpoints of these two men - they appear to have more in common than they do in opposition, mainly their belief in Locke and his 'specialness'. Their main disparity comes in the belief that they appear to be on opposing sides..Abbadon's inferred attachment to Widmore and Widmore's mission to 'torch' the island seems to oppose Alpert's Island agenda. or does it? What exactly does Alpert want? We never did find that out did we? All we know for sure is that he has benefitted from island preservation (gift or a curse, who knows?) and that he got tired (impatient. heh) of Ben's "novelties" (fertility missions).

I guess Ben hasn't spoken out against Alpert's motives, so perhaps they can't be that bad..but then Alpert might not have told Ben everything.

Alpert truely is a puppet master..he can no longer communicate with Jacob, so he grooms Ben. One has to wonder whether Alpert would do everything himself if he had the ability to.

[Miss Austen]

Hmm, the only difference I can see is that Alpert expects something of Locke and criticises him when Locke doesn't meet his expectations. Admittedly Alpert helped Locke with his Cooper problem; but was that for Locke's benefit or his own? I think Alpert is self-serving.

Whereas Abbadon is supportive to Locke and seems to have a better idea of what Locke will actually do. So far, Abbadon hasn't criticised Locke either. But that may change.

What is just as interesting is why does Locke tend to see Alpert and Abaddon, Hurley sees Abaddon and Charlie and Jack mainly sees Christian Shepherd. Ben also seems interested in Jack (tried to persuade him to stay on the island) but not Alpert - strange!

[KatesFate]

Another difference between the two is that Alpert never gives Locke any information, he sort of (for lack of a better term) beats around the bush when speaking to Locke. (i.e. giving him Sawyers file and not just coming right out and telling him, and not explaining to young Locke why he wouldnt be going to the "special" school).
Whereas Abbaddon comes right out and tells John that he needs to take a Walkabout. Could he have been any more specific. All is takes is a quick google. It seems as if Abbadon is allowed to push John is ways that Alpert is not.