RECAP: When we last left Sebastian Duke, he was in the midst of a shocking revelation from Jonathan, one of his young followers in the Brotherhood. Jonathan revealed to Sebastian Duke and the entire world that he was responsible for the assassination attempt from earlier this year, at the urging of the Vatican. It was also revealed that he helped Griffin MacAlister break into the Compound.

In other events, Sebastian instructed Lucas to find out what, if anything, Linn Kwann is hiding.

In addition to that, Sebastian showed remorse over the action he took against Stephen after he was accused of the attempt on Duke's life. A proper burial and memorial service was planned.

---

Sunday, February 10, 2013 - 8:46AM EST


Stephen, the young Brother who was persecuted last month for the attempted murder of Sebastian Duke has just been interred in the hallowed grounds within the estate. He had been cleared and exhonerated of all charges stemming from the incident by the Brotherhood after Jonathan pointed the finger at himself in some very shocking revelations.

The Brotherhood has gathered in the chapel for silent prayer following a heart-warming sermon lead by Asmodeus. Stephens proper burial was administered earlier.

We join them now as Asmodeus comes to the end of his eulogy.


Asmodeus: "Stephen was a young man, not unlike many of you here with us today. A man dedicated to the cloth. Dedicated to the cause. Dedicated to the path chosen for him by Almighty God. While we wish we could turn back the hands of time and bring him back, unfortunately that is just not possible. He martyred himself, like a hero, so someone else wouldn't have to pay the price he unselfishly paid. He pointed the finger at himself when things came to a head. Foolishly yes. A martyr nonetheless.

"Take solace, dear Brothers, knowing that Stephen gave his life for all of you. From this day forth, Stephens name shall by regarded in the highest esteem. A man that sacrificed himself, for the good of the rest.

"I just hope that the lesson learned here, is that no life, no single person, is greater then the cause. May Stephen rest peacefully among the Angels.

"In the Lords name we pray..."


After the eulogy, again, the Brothers bow their heads in silent prayer for a few minutes before finally the chatter picks up and the men begin to scatter to their posts.

---

Sunday, February 10, 2013 - 10:32AM EST


Sebastian Duke paces inside the library as Asmodeus enters.


Sebastian Duke: "Lock that door behind you."


Asmodeus does as ordered and he take a seat as he watches Sebastian continue to pace.


Asmodeus: "Forgive me for asking you this, son. What exactly is on your mind?"

SD: "I think... It's time to give our... nemesis a call."

A: "I'm not sure that is the best thing to do, Sebastian. He is a busy man. Like him or not, he's a powerful man."

SD: "Asmodeus. Speaker phone. Dial. Now!"


Reluctantly, Asmodeus makes the call. Moments later a voice is on the other end. A thick German accent.


???: "Hello?"

SD: "Joseph. It's been a long time."

Joseph: "Who is this? How did you get this number?"

SD: "Joseph... This is Sebastian Duke. You gave me this number right before you acquired that post you have."

Joseph: "Ahh. Forgive me, Sebastian. I'm an old man now. Forgetful. Though I must admit, I uhhh, didn't expect to hear from you anymore."

SD: "Yes I suspect that is the case. I mean, you not expecting to hear from me again."

Joseph: "To what do I owe this distinct pleasure of speaking with you?"

SD: "I'm going to cut to the chase and get right to the point here, Joseph. I want you to announce your resignation."

Joseph: "Why would I do such a foolish thing? That will not happen, Sebastian. I thought we were on good terms."

SD: "You told me once that no one person is bigger then the cause right? Whether it's our cause... or yours. That is correct right?"

Joseph: "That is correct, Sebastian. I fail, though, to see the point of all this."

SD: "Joseph, if I do not hear of your resignation by noon tomorrow... I will bring down the Church."


Silence on the other end.


SD: "Joseph. I'm not playing around. Do you want to be the one in power and responsible for the downfall of the Church? Do you want to be responsible for all the gloriousness that is your city-state, the holiness that is Vatican City, and watch it burn to the ground? Like many of those that ascended to the Papacy in centuries past, Joseph, you too have blood on your hands."

Joseph: "I fail to see the legitimacy of your claim here Sebastian. How in God's name do I have blood of any kind on my hands?"

SD: "You sent a man to kill me, Joseph. A young man assumed the name Jonathan and infiltrated my Brotherhood. He was caught red-handed and revealed the truth. He was here at the request of the Vatican."


More silence from 'Joseph'.


SD: "You have until noon tomorrow, your 'Holiness,' or I go public with the fact that you are complicit in attempted murder. That you wanted to silence the Brotherhood for good. You will deny these charges, I know. You're already taking heat for covering up what your priests do. Do you think the Church will survive something like this?"

Joseph: "What if I refuse?"

SD: "Then I suspect, Joseph, that in the annals of Papal history, that Pope Benedict XVI will go down as a lying, murderous bastard like Clement V. I also suspect that your already fragile religion will break under the pressure. Do you want that? Do you want that on your conscience? Do you want to be responsible for the final blow that breaks the Church? The fact is, your Church and my Brotherhood have been able to co-exist throughout the centuries. Once in awhile, some demon spawn, like yourself, grabs hold of the throne of St. Peter and tries to kill off those that have the power to destroy your religion, but for the good of human kind, choose not to."

Joseph: "You've given me plenty to think about, Sebastian. Allow me to..."

SD: "The only think I will allow you, Joseph, is to save face. You resign by noon tomorrow. In fact, I'll even give you until noon New England time. You resign. Cite anything you wish. Old age. Sickly. You just want to relax on a boat. I don't much give a damn.

"You resign the Papacy, and your Church stays in tact. You stay, I destroy you!"


Sebastian walks over as he finishes his statement and hits the end call button on the phone.


A: "Now what?"

SD: "We wait."

---

Sunday, February 10, 2013 - 2:12PM EST


Sebastian Duke sits in his private office thinking about his conversation with Pope Benedict XVI earlier this morning. The anxiety eats at him. Has he really just ordered a sitting Pope to resign? Will Benedict actually resign? If he didn't, would Sebastian really unleas hell on the Vatican and the Catholic Church? Would Benedict ultimately call Sebastian's bluff? All of these thoughts ran through his mind as he sits, seemingly staring into space.

A knock at the door brings Sebastian back to an alert status. The door to his private office opens and in walks Lucas. Sebastian motions for him to sit and he does just that.


SD: "What have you got for me?"

Lucas: "Still nothing yet on the Linn Kwann thing. I'm getting close though."

SD: "Have you discovered anything at all? Aliases? Family? Friends? Previous residences?"

Lucas: "She's had plenty of addresses. So far I've uncovered thirty different addresses across 19 states and Ontario, Canada."

SD: "Wow. She's definitely hiding something then. Keep looking. Also, has anyone been in the hole yet?"

Lucas: "Actually, that's why I'm here. The workers are preparing to weld the rebar in place so they can pour the cement. Jacob and I went down to take a look.

"Jonathan is gone."

SD: "Gone? He's dead?"

Lucas: "No. Not that we can tell. I mean he's no longer in the tunnels. He's physically vanished."


Sebastian stares at Lucas blankly. He stands up and walks around the desk and out of the office. Lucas stands and follows him. The head to their right down the long corridor to the end and make a left. In a small previously unseen hallways lays the spiral stone staircase leading to the basement.

Once they emerge from the staircase in the basement he walks toward the bright lights used by the masons to illuminate their work space. Once in the torture chamber Duke looks around to see to it that all of the torture devices were still concealed. Much to his delight, they were. He didn't want to hear questions he couldn't answer.

Near the hole in the floor, which was used as a point of entry for Griffin MacAlister, he kneels. He pokes his head through the hole and looks around at the workers putting the finishing touches on the rebar encasement. Within minutes, the workers will emerge from the hole and weld the rebar in place.

Unsatisfied with what he can see, Duke decides to descend into the hole to take a look for himself. He grabs one of the bright battery-powered lamps that the workers are using and starts travelling a tunnel. As he walks, he notices rope and pieces of duct tape scattered about. Almost like Jonathan left a trail toward his exit.


SD: "I think he made it out safely."

Lucas: "It seems that way sir. Are you worried?"

SD: "No. Not even slightly. Once the workers are done in a little bit, he'll have zero chance to finish his mission. I suspect, by noon tomorrow, his mission will be null and void anyhow."

Lucas: "Oh? Why's that?"

SD: "You'll find out."


The two men walk back the way they came and ascend back up through the hole as this portion of the scene fades out.

---

"The time is nearing. Peter Gilmour and his mystery partner, defend the XWF Tag Team Championship against Sebastian Duke and HIS mystery partner...

"Not something I'd typically do. Ya see, I'm normally a pretty straight forward guy. I call it like I see it. In order to play the game, you got to play by the rules. The rules are simple. Win. Or go home. This little game of cat and mouse, while I have enjoyed it, it must come to an end. At some point, partners will be revealed. At some point in the near future, this match WILL happen. In the near future, your reigning, finally defending, Tag Team Champion walks in to Shove It with gold... Then walks his fat out of shape ass to his running... barely... Ford Escort as my victory celebration begins! My crowning moment will come at your expense Pete. Like it or not...

"Let us talk about partner for a moment shall we? My partner? He's a guy you might have heard of a time or two. He's a guy, like pretty much everyone in the XWF, I have absolutely NOTHING in common with.

"You might ask yourself why I would choose a guy I have literally nothing in common with. You might ask yourself who in their right mind would possibly want to team up with the Angel of fuckin' Darkness.

"It's a common enemies kind of thing Pete. I don't neccesarily consider you an enemy but you do possess something I want. That's the tag team titles.

"I've never had a personal problem with you in the least Pete. In fact until last Warfare, we've only crossed paths one time.

"I'm not going to reveal his name just yet. No, Pete, you'll need to wait just a little bit longer. I take pride in the fact that I looked at every single member of the XWF roster! I looked at every promo I could possibly get my hands on. I searched far and wide for any news story concerning the XWF roster. I found the guy I was looking for.

"The man I found, Pete, has agreed to join forces with the Angel of darkness with one goal in mind. Destroy the hopes and dreams of Peter Gilmour.

"I know what you're thinking, Pete. How could I be so confident that we will defeat you when I have yet to find out who your partner is? The answer is simple. Quite simple, really. I just don't care.

"You heard me right. I don't care. You can bring your mother. Bring your father. Bring your entire family Pete. The fact is I just don't care who it is. Go dig up bones.

"Go get the rotting corpse of Owen Hart.

"Go get the ghost of Randy Savage.

"Go get the ashes of Andre the fuckin' Giant!

"Hell, go get Yoko-fucking-zuna!

"Grab Jericho, grab Hardy, grab Brock god damned Lesnar for all I care!

"Go find whatever hole Unknown Soldier sits in, bring him.

"Go give Blair Sully a piece of your dick! Bring her!

"Fly to whatever island Sid Feder sits on and bring him!

"Get Angelus, Flynn, MacAlister!

"IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER PETE!

"The outcome will be the same. Just like last week, Peter Gilmour laying on the mat looking up at the lights as Sebastian Duke hooks the leg and gets the...

"1


"2


"3...

"Ten years you've waited. Waited to capture a piece of XWF gold. January 24th you finally conquered. You've done absolutely nothing since. Never even chose or announced a partner to defend them with. Why? I can only assume you were afraid of losing something you worked so long and hard for! You won the gold, and put it on cruise control.

"Coasting...

"Waiting...

"Hoping...

"Coasting, waiting and hoping no one would notice and that no one would challenge you. Your time is up and your luck has just run out. Someone noticed and you have been challenged. As February 23 looms... You know its all over. Everything you waited so long for, is about to be ripped from you grip. About to be ripped from your sweaty fat sausage fingered hands...

"Peter Gilmour. I'd love to beat you , but it looks like God already beat me to it!

"Speaking of God...

"Even HE can't save you."

---

Monday, February 11, 2013 - 9:52AM EST


Linn Kwann is out finishing up the last of the wedding shopping leaving Sebastian Duke, thankful, behind. He sits in his private quarters drinking coffee and chatting with Asmodeus. Behind them, a knock followed by a swift entrance from Jacob.


A: "Ahh. Jacob! Have my papers come!?"


Jacob tosses a small stack of newspapers on the table in front of Asmodeus and basically ignores the question. The most trusted and highest respected young Brother grabs the remote quickly and turns on the 50" flat screen television attached to the wall.

Jacob: "You two are NOT going to believe this!"

SD: "Believe what?"


The picture on the screen reveals what Jacob is referring to as he turns to a local news station.




News Anchor: "...First Pope in nearly 600 years to..."


Audible click from the remote as Jacob changes the station. Another local report.




News Anchor: "...Joining us now is Bishop David Choby of..."


Jacob changes to CNN.




News Anchor: "...Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415..."


Changed to CBS News.




News Anchor: "...Benedict XVI cites advanced age as..."


Switched to ABC News.




News Anchor: "...Mired by controversy ever since rising to the Papacy..."


SD: "Thank you Jacob. That'll be enough. You are dismissed."


Jacob shuts off the television and says nothing as he turns to leave. After the door clicks shut, sebastian takes the remote and turns the television back on and back to CNN.




News Anchor: "...Pope Benedict XVI announced today his resignation inside the Sistine Chapel at the Apostolic Palace. He rose to the Papacy following the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. His Papacy has been mired in controversy after allegations that Cardinals and perhaps even Benedict himself, covered up child molestation allegations committed by priests.

"The Pope, during his resignation address, which he delivered in Latin, cited advanced age and declining health as the reasons saying, quote 'I did this in full liberty, for the good of the Church.' End quote.

"This marks the first time since 1415 and Pope Gregory XII that a pope has resigned. Pope Benedict's Papacy will officially end on February 28th..."


Sebastian Duke shuts off the television.


A: "I am... shocked that it worked."

SD: "I'm not. He wouldn't dare allow me to destroy his Church and his faith. Even if it was a bluff."

A: "You were bluffing?"

SD: "Of course. Whether we agree with all the different religions or not, as a whole, religion is good for humanity."

A: "I loved that quote though. 'For the good of the Church.'"

SD: "No truer words has he ever spoken. As far as he knows, it was the truth."

A: "Of course, the next Pope could be worse."

SD: "Well... I guess we'll just have to wait."

A: "Wait for what?"

SD: "Conclave. The new Pope will be chosen. We'll find out soon, whether we're allies, or mortal enemies a little bit longer."