This was probably the hardest chapter to write and it most likely sucks. I was a little disappointed in the mastermind reveal on the show, but I think there's still more we don't know. Anyway, at least this bridge is crossed for my fic.

It was impossible, but who was she to say what was possible or not. She, herself, had been killed by a whiskey bottle and yet was somehow still alive. Anything was possible, especially with those three involved. Sitting regally on a stiff, red velvet Victorian couch were Stefano DiMera, Ernesto Toscano, and Vivian Alamain, two of whom were supposed to be dead themselves.

"What da hell are you three doing here? I swear if you're behind this your dead!"

"Not so fast Roman, this is the part of the movie where the genius reveals his master plan. You wouldn't want to miss that would you?"

As Roman and Stefano bickered, Maggie looked around gauging everyone's reactions. Isabella looked horrified at seeing her one time father who had repeatedly tried to destroy her life. John was standing in shock, either from seeing Ernesto alive or at the fact that his Aunt Vivian had been involved in this. Marlena was holding onto Roman's arm to keep him from attacking their captors, while still managing to look dismayed at the fact that Stefano was around, Abe was helping her. Sami, Jack, and Doug looked too stunned to moved, and all she could do was wish she could have a drink. It had been tough reigning in the urge to let everything melt away in her alcoholism since she had gotten here almost a year ago. She had come extremely close several times, but now in the face of certain doom the yearning was pulling at her again.

Gesturing, Ernesto interrupted Roman and Stefano, "Everyone sit down. We must get this show on the road."

Looking to Doug, he shrugged his shoulders at her and Maggie followed him to a couch as the others sat down.

Vivian stood up first; she always did have a flare for the dramatic.

"I guess I will start our fascinating tale with how I became involved. Years ago, right after I found out about the chip Stefano had implanted in my brain I had gone to the mansion to confront him. I stumbled upon plans for this masterpiece while looking around. Now, I could have gone straight to the police, I threatened to, but instead old Steffie let me in on their plans. The island was Ernesto's idea, a la the Cruise of Deception, but Stefano engineered the deaths. I kept my mouth shut and helped smooth out any kinks, and in turn got to add a few victims to the list.

I supported Roman being brought here because he has always been a pompous ass, but mostly to make Kate suffer. I know she believes she loves the idiot, but Victor, I just wanted to get you away from that evil woman. I knew she'd try to get you back and I couldn't let that happen. Sami, you should have told me what you had on Kate, but I didn't choose for you to come here. I just held you under the water and planted the suicide note. We figured setting it up as a suicide would make it more believable. We had to avoid getting caught at all costs.

It's all about getting back at Kate, for me. She took Victor away from me, then she got Phillip, too. Do any of you have even the slightest idea what it feels like to carry a child inside of you for nine months and then give him up," for just a second Maggie felt a twinge of sympathy for Vivian as she tried to keep her emotions in check, but then the moment passed as the woman's face hardened, "John, I tried to get you off the list, you are family after all, but one must make some sacrifices for the definitive goal. The rest of you I just basically don't like, but now I believe Ernesto has something to say."

She sat back down casually, her lips in a smug smirk. Ernesto rose out of his seat, Maggie didn't remember much about him, but he was a very commanding presence.

"The obvious victim of my choice was Isabella. She passed herself off as my daughter for years when she was really a Kiriakis. When I tried to poison her, like her mother, she wouldn't die. So I came up with the brilliant plan to fake her cancer. John was, of course, next on my list. I knew him as Roman Brady, and as that man he was always a thorn in my side, saving Isabella at every turn. Victor was the third on my inventory; I have hated him with a passion since he seduced my wife into an affair. As Vivian has told you, the island was my idea. This inspired plot was supposed to start after Isabella died, but circumstances didn't allow it, so I brought Stefano into the mix. He has the most victims, so if you will." He moved aside for Stefano to stand.

The captives sat, mesmerized by the show in front of them. The man they had scorned and secretly feared for decades was before them, laying out all the cards.

"I see we have saved the best for last. Since I provided the most funding it seems appropriate that I inform the esteemed citizens of Salem why they have been brought here. First, my son in law, Commander Carver, you were brought here simply to protect my daughter. Alexandra should never have married you; you stole her from her rightful place in the DiMera Empire. An added bonus was the poetic way I took out two police commanders whom were under surveillance at all times. I think I have proven once and for all the incompetence of the Salem PD.

Which leads to Commander Brady, he was a challenge, but quite a victory. Kate let out a whopper of a scream; I swear you could hear it for miles. My dear Roman, you have just come between too many of my exceptional plans. Of course we also have our resident reporter, Mr. Deveraux. You robbed my Peter of the woman he loved. My son went crazy because of you! Sami and Eric were supposed to be the replacement for my dead daughter Megan, but you had to go and get rescued. I brought you here, Sami, to cause as much pain as I have been put through. John, you have betrayed me more than any of the others. You were my mercenary, trained to do my bidding, but you didn't. You developed a mind of your own; much to my dismay then took Marlena from me. Taking Kristen from my son while you were at it. Tony was working for me the entire time. He was my insider to the goings on of Salem.

My beautiful Queen of the Night, there was absolutely no other possible choice as my instrument in this orchestra. You were a fundamental part of this process without ever knowing it. Unfortunately, the police actually became suspicious of the correct person for once and we had to fake her death. The real victims here are Cassie, Doug, Maggie, and Alice. They had to arrive ahead of schedule because they knew too much. The ultimate goal of our plan was to make the town of Salem suffer, but that plan has to be scrapped. People in real Salem are becoming suspicious and you imbeciles keep trying to escape. We can't possibly bring the whole town here before someone catches on, so now it seems you must all die a slow painful death."

Maggie gripped Doug's hand as complete panic entrapped her senses.