Asmodeus climbs the stairs of the Compound with the help of his cane. As he reaches the top, he knocks on the door of Sebastian, then enters. Sebastian is in the sitting area drinking coffee. Linn reads apaper. Sebastian looks up at Asmodeus, noticing the cane, Duke motions for him to sit. Asmodeus takes a seat.

SD: "In pain today?"
A: "Yes."
LK: "What kind of pain, Asmo."
A: "Nothing I can not deal with. Do not worry your pretty little head, my dear."
SD: "What brings you upstairs? You don't come up often. Never when you're in pain."
A: "Jacob says I am to have a 'cellular telephone.' Why?"
LK: "Just roll with it Asmo. We need to be able to get ahold of you at a moments notice. Also, should you need help, on days like today when your pains are bad..."
A: "Do not worry about my pains. I have dealt with it for many years, Ms. Kwann. And stop calling me Asmo!"

Linn Kwann gives Asmodeus the death stare of doom. It goes unnoticed at first, until Asmodeus' eyes meet hers.

A: "On second thought....... Asmo is good."
SD: "Father, you live on the other side of the grounds. It is wise to be able to communicate with the main building or with security at any time. No matter how bad your pain is."
A: "Sebastian, my son, I just do not think all of this new technology is good for the Followers. They may get spoiled."
SD: "I've considered that. My feeling is though, that if they had something to do during down time, that incidents like what happened with Stephen, may be avoided in the future."
LK: "Stephen? Who is Stephen? I've spoke with all of your Followers and I'm good with names. There was no Stephen."
A: "Stephen was a bright kid with a future in the....... brotherhood. He tried to poison his Leader. Almost succesfully."
SD: "We put an end to it and he is no longer here with us."
LK: "So, you excommunicated him?"
A: "In..... a manner of speaking..... yes."
SD: "Go see Luke. He should have your cell ready by now."

Asmodeus, struggling to stand decides to use his cane to help him to his feet. Sebastian stands to try and help but Asmodeus waves him off. He exits Duke's quarters and makes a left down the hall. Slowly, he shuffles his way there. His pain today, is much more excruciating then he lets on. He comes to a door and leans against the wall. Using the cane, he knocks on the door. Seconds later, the door opens and Luke ushers Asmodeus into the room. Luke realizes the High Priest is in substantial pain and helps him to sit on the bed.

A: "I hear you have some cellular device for me?"
L: "You hear correct, Father."
A: "I suppose you will show me how to use it."
L: "Of course. I could not, in good conscience, allow my Father to struggle with new equipment."

Luke walks over to his desk where his computer once sat. He open the drawer and reaches in pulling out a shiny black cell phone. iPhone? Droid? One of the two. Luke sits next to Asmodeus being cautious not to disturb the High Priest's current comfort level.

He powers on the phone and gives Asmodeus a quick rundown as well as showing him certain apps and how to work them. Luke clicks on a particular app. When the app loads a look of shock and excitement comes over Asmodeus.

A: "BUBBLE SHOOTER!"
L: "Indeed, Father."
A: "Let's see.... BLAST!"
L: "What is it Father? Is there a problem?"
A: "No, no. Just noticed my arch-rival is still champion of Bubble Shooter!"
L: "That Neo guy?"
A: "Ahh. Indeed. Neonero. The British guy."
L: "Keep playing. You'll beat him. I have faith!"
A: "Could I ask a favor of you, Lucas?"
L: "Of course Father. Anything. I'm here to serve you as well as the Leader."
A: "Could you help me to the residence?"
L: "Absolutely."

Luke helps up the High Priest and escorts him through the door as this scene fades out.
_________________________________________________________________


Back in Duke's private quarters, Sebastian sits drinking his coffee staring out the window toward the front gates. Linn Kwann sits, still reading a newspaper. A puzzled look appears on the face of Sebastian Duke. The camera moves to see what Sebastian sees. What appears to be a woman standing at the gate talking to a guard. This woman seems to be holding something. Something small and brown.

Suddenly, the startling buzz of the security control panel. A sound Sebastian is not yet used to. He hits the button.

SD: "Yes? Who or what is it?"
GUARD: "Sorry to bother you Mr. Duke, but, there is a woman here."
SD: "What does she want?"
G: "Says she has something for Ms. Kwann."
SD: "Hold on."

Sebastian turns to see Linn already out of her seat. Linn is struggling to see what is out that window. Finally she realizes.

LK: "MY PUPPY!!!"

Kwann storms out of the room. He never had a chance to say a word to her. Duke hits the button again.

SD: "Ms. Kwann will be down. Do NOT open that gate."
G: "Yes sir."

Duke stands up and exits his private quarters. Down the spiral stairs, he leans against the open doorway at the fromt of the Compound. By the time he gets there the lady at the gate is gone and Linn Kwann is walking toward him with a brown dog in her hand. Moments later she stands in the doorway alongside Duke holding a small brown Chihuahua.

LK: "This is Buddy."
SD: "A dog?"
LK: "You're observant."

Sebastian Duke reaches to pet the dog. The dog bites his finger and Kwann sets the dog down. Immediately the small dog starts biting and pulling at the pant leg of Sebastian Duke, much to his chagrin. He tries to ignore it.

SD: "You really should have told me. I'm giving a lot here and you're not giving me anytime to adjust!"
LK: "Sebastian, you are a big man. Stop being a big baby!"
SD: "All the technology... the appliances... now a dog?"
LK: "Yeah. So?"
SD: "Too much too fast."
LK: "You'll get over it. Besides, like at hims cute little face. How could you say no to that!?"
SD: "Easily. Very easily."

The dog finally stops tugging at Duke's pantleg. Now the dog is just wandering around sniffing around the feet of Duke.

SD: "In case you haven't noticed. This is still MY home! You should've checked with me before getting a damn dog!"
LK: "Oh.... Oh.... So here I thought this was MY home too!"
SD: "Linn..."
LK: "No... no... It's okay. I'll get rid of everything!"
SD: "Linn, c'mon!"
LK: "No, it's okay. Everything will go!"
SD: "Linn, that's not what I'm saying. All I'm saying is you need to consult me before doing things! We have rules... codes.... that we live by here."
LK: "No! What you're saying is you don't want me or my dog here!"
SD: "LINN! THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING AT ALL!!!!!"
LK: "Now you're gonna yell! Typical."
SD: "FINE! I'm sorry. I just wish you'd consult me more. That's all!"

Duke forces a smile and Linn returns a real one. They hug. Another puzzled look crosses the face of Sebastian Duke. He gently pushes Linn away and looks down. He sees the dog scamper off and notices a puddle and a large yellow stain on his sock.

SD: "OH GOD DAMN IT! THAT LITTLE BASTARD!"

Duke tries to do a one legged hop up the stairs and falls twice. Linn looks on and laughs. A dog pissing on his foot is not what he envisioned when he woke up this morning. This scene fades out.
_________________________________________________________________


"In just five days, Warfare arrives. Warfare is certainly going to be a fitting name this week. A night in whch 16 men will go to war for one prize. A prize of leather and gold. A prize indicating supremacy. Supremacy over what? People certainly. What about over a brand? A company? Perhaps that's true too. The fact of the matter is, Sebastian Duke, in 5 days, will reign supreme. I will reign supreme over 15 other XWF stars and the legitamacy I seek will be realized....

"Yesterday, I adressed people in generalities. I didn't really speak on any one individual person. Today, is different. A new day. The dawning of a new era in the X-Treme Wrestling Federation is upon us. Your Angel of Darkness plans to reign supreme...

"So, today I speak of the competition. If you want to call it that...

"Let's begin shall we? But who to start with?

"How about Crimson Dong. Nah. I'm not going to waste breath on that talentless loser. Watching me sleep would be more entertaining than anything he has to say...

"How about some of the rookies... like AJ Powell, Dexter Bale, John Michael White, Neil Capra, Chasm, JB Colt, or maybe even Tommy Carlos King. What do I have to say about them? Nothing really. None of them have even proved that they belong in this tournament, not to mention that they have yet to prove they belong in the XWF! If any of them stand in my way in round one, consider it a quick, easy victory for the Angel of Darkness...

"What about Mr. Natural? He's good. Right Sebastian? Not really. No. So I'm not going to stand here and waste valuable oxygen on him either...

"On to some more familiar names. Names that I have perhaps already beaten, or that have crossed my path in some other way...

"Ahhh yes! The Monolith himself, Benjamin Crane! The delusional Benjamin freakin' Crane! Delusional in terms of thinking he's relevant. Delusional in terms of thinking he could survive one round, let alone going all the way to the end. Perhaps we will cross paths again, Ben. If that happens, the outcome will sure to be much like the last. Destruction. Pain. Victory for Sebastian Duke....

"Michael James. Everyone's favorite mexican or whatever the hell he is. My one-time partner in the battle against the Black Circle. I can't say I have a problem with him on a personal level. But this tournament isn't personal. It's business. If Michael James gets in my way, he will suffer the same fate as everyone else. Defeat...

"Mr. Satellite. I thought I was odd. Here's a guy with one arm that doesn't speak and wears a burlap sack over his head. I think it's burlap. I never gave it much thought though. I'll admit he's certainly an odd, yet interesting charater, isn't he? As much as I like your style Mr. Satellite, your fate is already sealed. You will fail. You will fail because I won't. It's just that simple...

"Mark f*****g Flynn! Very talented man. A talented man on the verge of a very deep losing streak. A talented man that, should he cross my path, not only is his career in danger, but his life as well. You see, Mark Flynn, you used to be considered a top dog in this company. As they say, every dog has his day. Your day is over Flynn. Look around you! There is all of these fresh faces, and new blood! You're one of the last of the 'old guard' Flynn. I'd be happy to put you down....

"Angelus. The low life that claims he's not part of the Black Circle but obviously is. You and I have crossed paths before Angelus, and I gather, probably sooner rather than later, we will do so again. In our first encounter you bested me. But, not before I was hit by a car driven by your fearless loser.... leader... Shane . Then the big 6 man tag team match where you're brothers in the Circle decided to kill your strongest partner. Big mistake. My team got that victory. Unfortunately I didn't get the pin. A win is a win though....

"You can claim all you want that you are not part of that clan, but until you prove it, you're guilty by association and you will remain so. Angelus, in a fair match, you and I both know, you don't stand a chance against the Angel of Darkness....

"Finally....

"Cyren...

"Cyren is a man I hate with every fiber of my being. But why? Is it because I deem him a threat to the cause? No. Nobody is a threat to the cause. Even if I met my demise, someone else would Lead the charge. Is it because he is living legend? Or a dead one? Depending on how you look at it. No. The only person on this planet that considers him a legend is himself. Or is it because he is or was a part of the Black Circle? That one seems a lot more likely. You see, Cyren is a man with a weak mind. A weak heart. A weak body. Now normally I wouldn't side with, nor agree with anything Idenhaus related. But, in this case, I do. The weak minded must be put down. Cyren is a man, just a little more than a month ago, got all sentimental over the deaths of a bunch of school children. Very sad yes. Then he was corrupted by that snake in the grass, Shane . A mind easily corrupted, makes a man easily destroyed. Cyren, you will fair no better this week than the names I've already mentioned....

"It is my fate. My time. This tournament. It's prize. The XWF United States Championship, comes home with the Angel of Darkness...

"Since the calendar changed from 2012 to 2013, I have put this company on my back and I have carried it. A challenge yes. I do not deny that. It is something though, win or lose, that I'm proud of. I feel as if, maybe even just in my own mind, that I am the Leader of the new generation of XWFers...

"16 men will enter this tournament in just 5 days. In one night, only the one true Champion will emerge. 15 men will fall. They will fail to realize a dream. A dream laden with respect and laden with gold! 15 men will fall at the feet of yours truly. 15 men will not realize this dream because this tournament belongs to me. Sebastian Duke. The Angel of Darkness...

"As I said it is a dawning of a new era in the XWF. An era where Sebastian Duke unleashes hell on those standing in his way on the path to greatness. An era where the bright lights turn to darkness...

"An era....

"Where Sebastian Duke....

"Your Angel of Darkness....

"Will rise above all others....

"An era where, the Angel of Darkness...

"Reigns Supreme....

"An heram ubi vestra Dux incipit, Regante Terror. Est regnum inciperant. Sequere me, Sebastian Dux, Angelus Tenebrarum, quoniam Princeps. (An era where your Leader begins his Reign of Terror. An era that has only just begun. Follow me, Sebastian Duke, the Angel of Darkness, for I am your Leader.)
_________________________________________________________________


Luke has helped Asmodeus out of the Compound and across the grounds to his personal residence. They enter the small home and Luke helps Asmodeus to his chair near the crackling fire. Asmodeus pulls out his new phone and loads Bubble Shooter.

A: "Luke, my son. You may stay if you like."
L: "Thank you, Father. I must get back though. The Leader is going nuts over Ms. Kwann's dog. Aparently, the dog has relieved himself on the Leaders foot."
A: "Oh dear. That may be entertaining."
L: "Yes. Well. You know the Leader. One does not like abrupt change."
A: "Indeed. Luke, when you get back, cancel the afternoon sermon. I don't suspect my pain shall let up in time."
L: "As you wish, Father."

Luke makes his exit. Asmodeus sits by himself playing Bubble Shooter on his new phone. Constantly, he waves his arm in the direction he shoots as if trying to guide the Bubbles with his arm, not realizing that it makes no difference.

A: "DAMN THAT NERO!.......... Stupid........ British...... Bastard! I will show you.... I will beat your score!"

Much to Asmodeus' chagrin, each time he fails to beat the high score, the face of the champion surfaces on the screen. Almost as if Asmodeus was being taunted.

A: "Are you mocking me!? You're mocking me! You DARE to mock the High Priest!"

Asmodeus continues to yell at his phone as he thinks Neonero is mocking him. He hasn't yet realized that each time he fails, the champion does pop up on the screen, but if he scrolled downward, he'd see a full list of scores.

The scened fades out...