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Spiral March 12, 2001 (Green) Written by: Steven S. DeKnight |
| Teaser |
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INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - DAY (DAY 1) Direct pick up from the end of episode 19. Glory has destroyed the outer wall of Tara's room. Brain-sucked Tara has inadvertently revealed that Dawn is the Key. Buffy, Dawn, and Willow stand frozen. Buffy explodes into action. She grabs Dawn and flings herself through Tara's door, back first. The door splinters off its hinges. INT. TARA'S DORM - HALLWAY - DAY Buffy spills out into the hall with Dawn. She scrambles to her feet, yanking Dawn up.
Run! Buffy takes off with Dawn down the hall. INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - DAY Glory's face darkens as she takes a step after Buffy. WHOMP! Her forward momentum is stopped cold before she can enter the room -- Willow's casting a spell. Tara whimpers behind her.
You're really starting to piss me off, witch.
(Russian) Air becomes FIST! Willow clenches her hand into a fist. BOOM! An energy blast blows Glory back outside through the destroyed wall. Willow grabs Tara and hustles out the door. INT. COLLEGE COMMONS ROOM - DAY Students bustle. Buffy tears in with Dawn. She jostles students out of the way as she makes for the double doors on the other side. Buffy and Dawn hit the double doors, escaping out of the building. BOOM! The opposite wall across the room explodes. Startled SCREAMS and STUDENTS DIVING FOR COVER. Glory steps through the hole, snaps her eyes around he room. She becomes a RED BLUR as she switches into SPEED MODE. BOOM! The double doors leading outside are blown off their hinges as she exits. 5 AND 6 OMITTED EXT. CAMPUS - DAY Buffy runs full tilt, half dragging Dawn.
(gasping) Wait... Buffy...
We have to keep moving!
(gasping) I... I can't ... Dawn stumbles, exhausted. Buffy scoops her up in her arms and continues, leaping over a bench as she goes. ANOTHER ANGLE: Glory, in SPEED MODE, chases after them. EXT. EDGE OF CAMPUS - DAY Buffy dashes for a tree-lined park on the other side of the street. Suddenly Glory is in front of them, blocking Buffy's path. Buffy freezes. Glory pins her with an icy stare.
I really hate it when people touch my things. Buffy puts Dawn down, never taking her eyes off Glory as she advances.
Last words, Slay-runt?
Just one. (a beat) Truck. A TRUCK HORN suddenly BLARES. Glory whips her head around -- too late. An EIGHTEEN WHEELER barreling down the road slams into her. The truck tears past, brakes squealing. Buffy grabs Dawn's hand and takes off with her through the park on the other side of the street. EXT. STREET/EDGE OF PARK - DAY Several hundred yards from the truck, near a stand of trees ringing the park. WHAM! Glory crash-lands on the roof of a parked car, her dress soiled and tattered. The car windows explode, the car alarm goes off. Glory snarls, her eyes flashing with blind rage. Hellgod hella pissed off. She moves to get up and start after Buffy but is stopped by a sudden pain slamming through her body.
No! Not now, you idiot! Let... go... of my... She bellows in rage as she rolls off the car transforming into Ben.
... BODY! Ben collapses to his knees, exhausted and spent. Whatever Glory's been through, he's definitely feeling it.
Oh god… BLACK OUT. OMITTED
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| Act One |
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INT. XANDER'S APARTMENT - DAY The Scooby Gang has assembled. Buffy stands near the window, her eyes nervously sweeping for any sign of Glory or her Minions. Dawn, on the other hand, is excitedly relating their latest daring escape.
...and then WHOOSH! All of a sudden Glory's standing right there in front of us all skanky and blond and thinking she's all that just because some bumpy heads kiss her stinky feet -- well she does have nice feet -- and she's coming right at us but Buffy doesn't even blink. She just stands there all "bring it on" and then WHAM!' Dawn smashes her fist into her hand for effect.
Hellbitch in orbit!
Go, Buff!
I knew you'd be able best Glory eventually. With all our years of training and --
(not turning around) A truck hit her.
Oh.
(encouraging) Did you throw it?
Well, no, she more kind of waited for it to hit Glory -- but then Buffy ran really fast and we got away!
I don't know how we got away. That truck couldn't have slowed her down for more than a second.
How isn't important. All that matters is the two of you are safe. Buffy laughs bitterly as she turns to face the group. She's rattled, and it shows.
Safe? We've barely been able to manage not getting seriously dead every time we cross paths with Glory. Now that she knows about Dawn ...
Floaty green shimmers. Tara is staring at Dawn in wonder.
(to Willow, confused) Why don't you shimmer? Willow looks to the Gang, her face a swirl of fear, pain, and a whole mountain of guilt.
She didn't mean to. You know that, right?
I know. But it's done, and now we have to deal with it.
Perhaps there's something in the Book of Tarnis, something we've missed that we can use against Glory.
Piano!
Right. Piano. Because that's what we used to kill that big demon that one time. No, wait. That was a rocket launcher. Ahn, what are you talkin'?
We should drop a piano on her. (off their looks) It always works for that creepy cartoon rabbit when he's running from that nice man with the speech impediment.
Yes, or perhaps we could paint a convincing fake tunnel on the side of a mountain. Let's keep thinking. We should reassemble at the shop, see what we can --
We can't fight her.
Not yet, but --
Not ever. She's too strong, Giles. We're not going to win this with spells or stakes or yanking out uranium power cores. She's a god, and she's coming for us. So let's not be here when she starts knocking. Surprise all around.
Run away?! Finally a sensible plan.
That's not what she meant. (to Buffy, uncertain) Is it?
(increasingly frazzled) We can't stay here. Glory will kill us off one by one until there's nobody standing between her and Dawn.
Buffy, we all understand the severity of the situation, but there must be another --
(on the edge) No! We stay -- we die! Show of hands for that option? Uneasy glances around the room.
All right. Nobody goes home, nobody tells anyone we're leaving. We grab whatever supplies we can and that's it -- we're gone.
(rattled, trying not to show it) Cool. Won't have to study for that geometry test.
What about wheels? I don't think everybody's gonna fit in the Xan-mobile.
Just get your stuff together. I'll take care of it. INT. GLORY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY Ben is slipping into his own clothes. He's still spent from the energy Glory expended fighting Willow and chasing Buffy. GRONX holds Glory's tattered red dress, eyeing it in horror.
This is... this is terrible! I'll never be able to mend this!
Not really my color anyway. Gronx laughs politely.
Oh yes, inappropriate humor. Most amusing. (indicating dress) I don't suppose you know what lead to this sartorial tragedy?
That's not how it works. You know that.
Yes, yes, of course. I just thought maybe after her Magnificent Incandescence was returned to this manly and painfully handsome assemblage, you might have observed something interesting? A Key in human form perhaps? Lounging about, unattended? Ben locks eyes with Gronx. Gronx squirms.
If I did, do you really think I would tell you?
Why do you insist on fighting the inevitable? No one can stand against her blindingly Scrumptious Luminescence --
Glory! Her name is Glory. And she's your god, you little scab. Not mine.
With all due respect and fear of sharp objects, you exist, sir, only because of her divine greatness.
You mean her divine failure, don't you? Gronx shifts uncomfortably. Touchy subject. Ben turns away. There's no joy in torturing Glory's twisted little minions.
I didn't ask for any of this. I just want to be normal.
I wanted to be an underwear model. (shrugs) We play the hand we're dealt.
Nothing's mine, is it? This body, this life. It's all infected. The only thing I've ever cared about she's taken away from me. His eyes fall on his doctor's bag, resting on a table.
(a beat) You know why I wanted to become a doctor?
The flattering drawstring pants?
To be close to people. To witness their lives and their deaths. To be there, alongside them, a part of everyday humanity. (laughs bitterly) Or maybe it was the drugs.
Drugs, sir?
Find the right combination... keep her buried where she belongs --
Impossible! Her magnificence can never be fully contained! She is a perfect, all-encompassing light -- one you should feel honored to be bathed in.
Oh yeah, I'm thrilled. Especially with the part where she gets her Key back and I cease to exist.
True, this oh so appealing form - (indicates Ben's body) --will by necessity be shrugged off --
Not if I get to the Key first. Gronx eyes him for a stunned beat, then quickly regroups.
And if you did? What then? Ben doesn't answer.
But could you do it? Take a human life ... with your own hands? It's Ben's turn to squirm.
(gently) Oblivion is such a small inconvenience in the service of a deity. Accept your fate. I mean, you said it yourself. This life was never really yours anyway, was it?
It doesn't matter how I came by it. It's mine. Ben's face hardens into dark menace.
And I plan on keeping it. EXT. WAREHOUSE ALLEY - DAY The Scoobies (minus Buffy and Dawn) are on the curb with their gear. Jitters all around.
Anybody else feel that?
What?
Cold draft of paralyzing fear.
We just need to stay calm.
(scared) Calm. Right.
We gotta be Sergeant Rock! Cool and collected in the face of overwhelming odds.
(not liking the sound of that) Overwhelming? How much more than whelming would that be exactly?
Everything's going to be all right. We'll wait here -- calmly -- and as soon as Buffy arrives we'll -- A battered Winnebago tears up, screeches to a stop. The front windshield has been mostly blocked out by tin foil from the inside -- where we can just make out Spike behind the wheel. He wears dark round goggles to protect himself from getting fried by the sun. Giles' face drops.
... feel oddly worse. INT. WINNEBAGO - DAY Buffy and Dawn quickly help the Gang pile in. The interior of the Winnie is worse than the outside. This crate has definitely seen better days. Giles glares at Spike.
What's he doing here?
(dryly) Just out for a jaunt. Thought I'd swing by and say howdy.
Out. Giles takes a step towards Spike. Buffy stops him.
He's here because we need him.
The hell we do.
If Glory finds us, he's the only one besides me that has a chance of protecting Dawn.
Buffy, come on, he -- Buffy explodes -- she so doesn't need this right now.
This isn't a discussion! He stays. Get over it. She disappears into the back bedroom area, sliding the door closed behind her. Extra frazzled. Giles and Xander glare at Spike. He gives them a huge grin.
Buckle up, kids! Daddy's puttin' the hammer down. Spike grinds gears. EXT. WAREHOUSE ALLEY - DAY The Winnie lurches off. INT. HOSPITAL - DAY A Nurse is filling out paperwork behind the desk. Two Knights of Byzantium (Dante and Knight #1) are on the other side, checking crazy Orlando out of the hospital. They're disguised in normal clothes with baseball caps covering their tattooed foreheads. Orlando's eyes absently drift around the room, his tattoo clearly visible on his forehead.
Sign here. Dante takes her pen, signs the release papers in flowing calligraphy, slides them back to the Nurse.
Okay. That should do it. Dante nods. He and Knight #1 move off with Orlando.
(softly, to Knight #1) See? Did I not tell you it would be easy to --
Hey! They turn. The Nurse is coming around the desk. Knight #1 slips a dagger out of his sleeve behind his back. Dante tenses.
My pen? Dante realizes he's still holding the Nurse's pen. He hands it back with a sheepish grin. EXT. WOODS - DAY Dante and Knight #1 lead Orlando through the woods. Orlando's eyes are wide with wonder.
The trees are singing water. A twig snaps nearby. Dante freezes, ears straining to locate the source. A deep voice breaks the silence behind them.
You have him? Dante whirls about. GREGOR, the huge, grizzled General of the Knights of Byzantium, looms over them. He's older than the other Knights, with scars spider-webbing the side of his weathered face. The tattoo adorning his forehead is wider and more ornate: the mark of a commander. The crest on his tunic also bares his elevated rank.
Yes, General. Dante removes his hat, revealing his own tattooed forehead.
Our brother has returned to the fold.
Welcome home, Orlando. (embraces him) I swear by my sword, your sacrifice will not go unavenged. Orlando reaches out with a trembling hand and touches Gregor's armor. Does Orlando remember him?
(re: armor) Shiny. Gregor smiles sadly. No, Orlando's mind is totally gone.
Yes. I suppose it is.
Pretty little girl. She's shiny too.
(to Dante) Watch him. Make sure he's... comfortable. Gregor turns to go.
All shiny. Pretty little Key. Gregor whirls back around.
The Key? You've seen it?!
Pretty little shiny girl... Gregor's jaw tightens as he puts it together.
(spitting it out) The monks. They've made it human.
We know the Slayer is protecting the Key. If what Orlando says is true ... Gregor turns to the woods behind him.
Prepare to advance! PULL BACK to reveal TWENTY KNIGHTS standing at attention. TWENTY MORE are marching out of the woods followed by TEN on horseback. As promised, they have returned with an army to destroy the Key.
We end this. Now. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Two |
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EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN - DAY The Winnebago chugs along through the outskirts of town. INT. WINNEBAGO - MOVING - DAY Gloomy with all the shades drawn for Spike, who's in a bit of a pout because Giles has seized control of the driver's seat (tinfoil removed from windshield). The Gang is spread out in the main compartment. Willow is pouring through a spell book. Tara sits besides her, humming distractedly.
Shouldn't somebody be asking if we're there yet? That's what small irritating children do, don't they?
That kinda only works if you know where you're going.
Oh. (a beat, loudly) Do we know where we're going yet?!
Already be somewhere if Captain Slowpoke would give up the wheel. (to Giles) Hey, gramps! Bloody step on it!
Step on what? I've driven tricycles with more power. The Winnie lurches. Xander puts a hand to his stomach, looking a little green.
Anybody else a little queasy?
(to Gang, re: Xander) He doesn't travel well. He's like fine shrimp. Spike leans close to Dawn.
Should've nicked that Porsche I had me eye on. Just enough room for me, you, and big sis. Xander gives Spike the evil eye.
What?
Just give it a rest or --
Or what? Gonna toss your cookies on my shoes?
--or you're going to be Undead Man Walking. See how fast you hitch a ride with a flaming thumb.
Fine... (soft) ... shrimp. Xander shoots him a look, crosses to the front of the Winnie. FRONT CAB Xander slides into the passenger seat next to Giles.
That guy is bloodsucking the last nerve right out of me.
Buffy does have a point. In a confrontation, Spike could prove... (paining him) ... useful.
I don't know if Buffy's thinking too clear on that one. Or anything else right now. I've never seen her so..
She's had more than her share to deal with of late. She just needs a chance to catch her breath. Regroup. (trying to convince himself) She'll be all right.
Yeah, she'll... (weakly) Yeah. Silence. They're both worried about her, and it shows. MAIN COMPARTMENT Dawn sits next to Willow.
Any luck?
If you define luck as the absence of success -- plenty. She smiles weakly. She's exhausted and stressed to the max by having to take care of Tara.
There's a couple of barrier spells, but they only work on a fixed locus. Haven't found anything we can use while we're moving. Tara peeks around Willow. She stares at Dawn, wide-eyed.
(to Willow, re: Dawn) It's so pretty. Can I have one? Willow looks at Dawn, mortified. Dawn musters up a weak smile. Discomfort all around.
Umm... Anybody hungry?
(leaping up) Ouhh! Snacks! She roots around in a backpack.
The secret to any successful migration! Anya pulls a frying pan and a tin of Spam from the backpack.
Who's up for some tasty fried meat products!? Tara pulls open one of the blinds. The direct sunlight scorches Spike. He dances back, his skin smouldering.
Hey!
Tara, no! Willow quickly closes the blind, scolding Tara.
What did I tell you?! Tara bursts into tears, sobbing like a little child. Willow instantly regrets snapping at her. She cradles Tara.
No, shhh... I'm sorry. It's okay. shhh... (to Gang) She didn't mean it. She doesn't know what she's doing.
(gently) We know. Spike awkwardly tries to console Tara.
Yeah, no biggie. Look, skin's already stopped smoking. You go ahead and play peek-a-boo with Mr. Sunshine all you want. Keep the ride from getting boring. Tara becomes even more agitated.
All the light... gone. Willow rocks her in her arms, trying to calm her.
No, baby. It's still light outside. Shh ...
...dark....... all dark ... INT. HOSPITAL - MENTAL WARD - DAY The Crazies fidget in their beds, eyes glazed and faces slick with sweat, muttering to themselves.
Dark.
All dark.
Soon.
Dark.
Soon...
(soft, whispered) Soon... soon We overlap: INT. GLORY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY MYSTIC SYMBOLS have been written on the floor in blood, encircled by black candles.
(fading) ... soon ... ...soon... ...soon... RUNIC STONES are cast into the circle.
It's coming! PULL BACK to reveal Gronx and Murk sitting across from each other on the outer edges of the circle.
The signs are in alignment. Soon victory will be in our grasp. All we need do is seize the moment... and squeeze until it bleeds. Gronx smiles, all pointy teeth and dark intent. INT. WINNEBAGO - BACK BEDROOM - MOVING - DAY Buffy is siting on the bed in the gloom, totally spent. Dawn pokes her head in.
Hey. I think Anya's gonna try to cook. Wanna come watch the tears and recriminations? Buffy smiles weakly, barely listening.
Maybe later. A beat. Dawn turns to go, pauses.
Thank you.
For what?
You know. Pretty much... everything.
(down on her herself) Yeah. I'm doing a great job.
You are.
I'm the Slayer. The Chosen one, all mythic and defendery. Evil Nasties are supposed to flee from me, not the other way around.
You're not fleeing. You're... moving at a brisk pace.
Quaintly referred to in some cultures as the Big Scaredy Run Away. Dawn sits next to her.
(sincerely) It's the most amazing thing anyone's ever done for me. Buffy sags, on the verge of total collapse.
It just... keeps coming. Glory. Riley. Tara. Mom -- Buffy barely chokes that last one out.
(soft) I know. (a beat) But there's a bright side.
There is?
Yeah. At least things can't get any crazier, right? THUNK! An arrow pierces the back of the Winnebago right next to Buffy's head. Buffy stares at it.
(to Dawn) You know this is your fault for saying that. They shove the rear window blinds aside to see where the arrow came from. EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY Ten KNIGHTS ON HORSEBACK are thundering after the Winnebago. Several are notching arrows onto their bows. INT. WINNEBAGO - BACK BEDROOM - MOVING - DAY Buffy can't help but laugh at the absurdity of what she's seeing. Welcome to Crazier, USA. INT. WINNEBAGO - MOVING - DAY Buffy and Dawn rush out into the main compartment.
Giles! Giles has already spotted the Knights in the sideview.
I see them!
See who? THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! More arrows pierce the Winnie (not penetrating all the way, just sticking halfway through).
Bloody hell!
Arrows! They're throwing arrows!
Dawn! Stay down! Dawn hunkers down. Tara peeks through the blinds, squeals with delight.
Horsies!
Tara! Willow yanks Tara away from the window just as an arrow crashes through. An arrow pierces the driver's side door, narrowly missing Giles.
(calling to Gang) Weapons?!
Hello! You're driving one!
Don't hurt the horsies!
We won't. (to Giles, whispered) Aim for the horsies. Giles yanks the wheel hard to the left. EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY The Winnie swerves, but the Knights easily avoid it. These guys are good. EXT. REAR OF WINNEBAGO - MOVING - DAY A Knight gallops up. He latches onto the access ladder on the back of the Winnie, quickly scampers up. INT. WINNEBAGO - MOVING - DAY The Gang is jostled hard as the Winnie careens down the road.
(trying not to vomit) Did we shake 'em? WHUMP! The blade of a broadsword pierces the roof, narrowly missing Xander. The Gang dives for cover as the Knight on the roof keeps slamming his sword down in different spots.
Stay low! Watch out for -- WHUMP! The sword comes down right over Buffy. Spike grabs the blade, stopping it before it rams into her. He hangs on, grunting in pain as the steel slices into his hands.
(to Buffy) Now might be a good time for something heroic. Buffy scans the ceiling, spots the vent hatch.
Xander! Hatch! Xander boosts Buffy up to the hatch. She punches it out and disappears up onto the roof. EXT. WINNEBAGO ROOF - MOVING - DAY The Knight struggles to free his sword. He finally yanks it free. Spike SCREAMS IN AGONY from inside the Winnie. The Knight sees a shadow creeping up on him. He swings his sword around. Buffy ducks, lays into him. She takes his sword away and whip kicks him hard. He sails off the edge of the roof. WHUMP! WHUMP! GRAPPLING HOOKS dig into the side of the roof from below. More Knights are climbing up. INT. WINNEBAGO - MOVING - DAY Spike's hands are drenched in blood from trying to hold the Knight's sword. Dawn quickly wraps strips of dish towel around them to stop the bleeding.
Keep the pressure on.
Always do, sweet bit. CRASH! A chain mail-clad hand slams through the window next to Dawn, latching onto her hair and giving Spike a dose of solar scorch. Dawn screams. Xander tries to pull the Knight off, gets smashed back. The Knight's face appears behind Dawn. He snarls as his grip tightens. One good squeeze and -- KLANG! Anya clocks him in the face with her frying pan. The Knight falls away.
(re: frying pan). Not a piano, but hey. EXT. WINNEBAGO ROOF - MOVING - DAY Buffy is battling two more Knights. One has an axe, the other a morning star. Buffy dodges and spins. She holds her sword up just as the morning star descends. The chain wraps around her sword. She yanks hard, sending the Knight flying off the roof. The other Knight nearly takes her head off with his axe. Buffy's sword is knocked out of her hands. She attacks. The Knight sails back, unconscious, his axe flying up. Buffy grabs it midair, spins around, throws it. KA-CHUNK! The axe slams into the chest of a Knight coming up the rear access ladder. He stiffens, falls. Buffy stands there, breathing hard. That's it. No more Knights. INT. WINNEBAGO - MOVING - DAY Giles breathes a sigh of relief, glancing back to the Gang.
Everyone all right? He turns back to the road -- and his eyes go wide. A Knight is galloping straight for them, spear in hand. EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY The Knight hurls the spear. INT. WINNEBAGO - FRONT CAB - MOVING - DAY The spear slams through the windshield and impales Giles through his side. EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY The Winnie swerves off the road. The tires hit the gravel and the Winnie pitches over on its side, hurling Buffy like a catapult. She lands hard, regaining her senses just in time to see the Winnie skid to a stop, coming to rest in a cloud of dust. From bad to impossible in record time. BLACK OUT.
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| Act Three |
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EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY The crippled Winnie lays on its side. PAN UP AND OVER the wreckage. In the distance, the Gang is limping away from the crash site, heading for an ABANDONED GAS STATION down the road. OMITTED EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - DAY Spike kicks the door in, a blanket over his head to keep from bursting into flames. The Gang enters. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - DAY The gas station is divided into three connecting rooms: a customer snack bar area up front (with an 'Out of Order' pay phone), an office in the back, and a large boarded up service garage off to the side. The windows are also boarded up, with narrow gaps allowing a person to peek outside. Buffy and Xander carry Giles in, lay him down on a counter. The side of his torso where he was impaled is drenched in blood.
(to Willow, re: Giles) Willow...?
I'm on it. She moves over to Giles, keeping Tara close. Buffy gives Dawn the quick once over.
You sure you're all right?
Yeah. But Spike's hurt. Spike's hands are still wrapped in strips of bloody dish towel. Buffy, preoccupied, grabs them roughly to examine the damage.
Ow! Easy with the delicates!
(to Dawn) They'll heal. She moves to the window and looks through the slats, eyes flicking nervously across the barren landscape.
(grumbling) Florence Nightingale to the bloody rescue.
We have another plan, right? One that doesn't involve pointy arrows and Winnebagos? Buffy struggles to get her bearings. She's off balance, reeling.
We'll -- we'll rest here for a minute. Then we have to keep moving.
Where?
(snapping at him) I don't know! But we can't stay here. It's too close to the wreck, too easy to --
Buffy? Buffy crosses to Willow and Giles.
How is he? Willow tries to respond, can't. It's that bad.
(stricken) Will?
I think I slowed the bleeding, but ...
Okay. Okay, just... just let me think -- WHOOSH! A flaming arrow smashes through a boarded up window and THUNKS into the wall. THUNK THUNK THUNK! More flaming arrows. The Gang dives for cover. Xander peeks out the window. Not good.
We got company -- and they brought a Crusade! EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - DAY Five Knights continue firing off arrows as twenty more converge on the gas station, led by Dante and General Gregor, both on horseback. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - DAY Xander is ripping the flaming arrows out of the walls and stomping them out. Buffy and Spike tip a soda machine to block the front door.
Willow!
I'm working on it! Willow frantically pages through her spell book. The sound of BREAKING GLASS and SPLINTERING WOOD fills the air. The walls tremble. Tara curls into a ball, wailing in terror. EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - DAY The Knights are trying to chop through the slats. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - DAY The blade of an axe pierces the wall near Dawn.
Dawn -- CRASH! The office door behind Buffy smashes open. Buffy spins around -- WHAM! Knight #1 clocks her with his mace. Buffy staggers back.
Buffy! WHAM! Spike smashes the Knight in the face -- then screams in agony as his chip activates. He collapses to the floor, clutching his head. The Knight raises his mace to smash Spike's head off. WHAM! Buffy lays into the Knight. Fists fly, the Knight goes down. Xander drags the Knight through the office door. General Gregor bursts in from the garage. He spots Dawn hunkered down near the wall.
The Key! He raises his broadsword. Buffy grabs the fallen Knight's mace, hurls it. The mace hits Gregor's sword hand, forcing him to drop the sword. He whirls around -- Buffy's now right behind him, murder in her eyes. WHAM! Buffy punches Gregor in the face. He hits the floor at Dawn's feet, out cold. CRASH! Chain mail hands burst through windows and smash through rotted wood. It's like a Medieval Night of the Living Dead. There's just too many of them. Willow's eyes suddenly crackle with DARK ENERGY. She's found her spell -- and she's completing it with angry confidence.
Enemies, fly and fall...circling arms, raise a wall! An energy flash explodes out from around Willow like the shock wave of a magical nuclear blast. 41 AND 42 OMITTED EXT-. ABANDONED GAS STATION - DAY BOOM! The energy wave slams into the Knights, blowing them all back from the gas station. Dante staggers to his feet and charges the building. He slams his sword pummel into the barrier which flashes, but won't give. He turns to his men, growls with anger.
They have the General. Clerics! The Knights part, making way for two ancient, robbed HOLY MEN.
Energy barrier. A most powerful one.
Can it be breached? Cleric #1 smiles coolly.
A witches magic pales to the might of our God. The infidel's wall shall tumble before us. They assess the situation. They can hear the barrier HUM. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - DAY Tense silence. That was way too close. Willow's nose is bleeding from the spell.
(indicating Will's nose) Will. Willow wipes the blood away with the back of her hand, barely noticing.
(re: nose bleed) You get used to it.
How long will it hold?
Half a day, maybe. Willow eyes the Clerics outside. They're standing side by side, heads bowed. Cleric #1 chants.
Or until Heckle and Jeckle punch a hole in it. Buffy tries to process the situation. How did things go downhill so fast? Spike massages his temple. He stares down at the unconscious Gregor in disgust.
What's the story on these roleplaying rejects? Buffy eyes Gregor, her face turning hard.
Let's find out. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - GARAGE - NIGHT Gregor has been tied to one of the pneumatic lifts used to raise cars. He glares at Buffy, his jaw set. Xander, Spike and Dawn watch the confrontation. Willow, Tara, and Anya are in the other room with Giles.
You sure Scarface here can habla the English?
(not taking her eyes off him) He understands me. Don't you?
You were warned we would return, Slayer.
Took you long enough. (eyeing his larger tattoo) You supposed to be some kind of chief? Gregor locks eyes with her, trying to intimidate.
General.
(staring him down) In charge of what? Getting captured?
You do not frighten me, child. He turns to Dawn, pinning her with a withering stare. Dawn squirms.
The instrument of chaos will be destroyed -- Buffy loses her cool. She latches onto his face, roughly snapping his head back to look at her.
Look at her that way again, and she'll be the last thing you ever see.
(not backing down) As I was told. You protect the Key of the Beast. Buffy backs off, barely regaining her composure.
It's not that simple. Gregor's face softens a bit. He takes Dawn in with the compassionate eyes of a father.
Yes. The Key has been transformed. Given breath. Life. (sadly, to Buffy) Yet this makes no difference. The Key is the link. The link must be severed. Such is the will of God.
She doesn't remember anything about being this Key everyone's looking for! All she remembers is growing up with a mother and a sister that love her. What kind of god would demand her life for something she has no control over? Silence. Gregor ventures no response.
(softer) We're not your enemy. Tell your men to stand down.
(a beat) No.
(losing it again) It's not her fault! She's human now!
The Key is too dangerous to be allowed to exist -- no matter what form it has been pressed into.
(on the verge of violence) I'm not going to let anyone -- Tara shrieks from the Customer Area.
Buffy! INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT Buffy rushes in, with Dawn, Spike, and Xander close behind. Tara is pitching a serious fit, screaming and flailing. Willow is trying to get her under control.
Tara... Tara, please ...
What happened?
I don't know! She just went nuts! (whoops) Oh! I mean, uh --
(screaming) Time! Time! Time! She breaks away from Willow and runs for the door. She claws at it, sinking to her knees, sobbing. Willow cradles her on the floor. She turns to Buffy, searching desperately for comfort.
We have to do something. She can't stay like this. Buffy? Buffy's pained face says it all. She's not even close to having any answers.
(crying softly) Time... time... INT. HOSPITAL - MENTAL WARD - NIGHT The Nurse that checked Orlando out is trying to calm the agitated Crazies. They're all muttering the same thing.
...time... ...time…
No, it's not time for your meds yet. Just lie back and-- SNAP! Crazie #1 yanks his restraints free. The Nurse tries to hold him down, yelling for help.
Doctor! Doctor McCarthy-- WHAM! Crazie #3 knocks her unconscious from behind. All the Crazies rise and shuffle for the door, their faces blank.
(muttering softly) ...time... it's time... it's time... EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - NIGHT Orlando is also feeling the pull. He struggles against Dante, who holds him back.
It's time! It's time! Dante embraces him tightly. He whispers soothingly in Orlando's ear.
No! Shhh... There's nothing to fear, my brother. The Beast may have taken your mind, but I swear to you... she will never know the taste of your heart. Orlando stiffens. His face suddenly becomes sane -- and filled with pain. He slides to the ground, dead. Dante is holding a bloody dagger -- he slipped it into Orlando's heart during the embrace. Dante's anguish gives way to rage.
Clerics! I want the witch's barrier down! Now! INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT Buffy is gripping Giles' hand like a lifeline, trying not to completely fall apart. Giles is barely conscious.
I'm sorry.
For what?
We should have stayed. If we had, none of this --
Don't. (a beat) You did... what was necessary. What I've always admired.
Running away?
Being able to place your heart above all else. (a beat) I'm so proud of you. How far you've come. You're everything a Watcher - everything I could have hoped for ... He drifts back off into unconsciousness. Buffy stands there, desperately clutching his hand, trying to figure out what to do. She comes to a decision.
Willow. Open a door. EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - NIGHT The chanting Clerics stumble back as a door-sized rift opens in the barrier. Buffy steps outside. Xander is close behind, backing her up with the mace. The rift closes behind them. The Knights raise their weapons, but Dante raises a hand to halt their attack.
Speak.
One of my friends was hurt when you attacked us --
And ten of mine are dead. Honorable men. Shall we balance the scale? Dante draws his sword. Xander's heart is about to thump out of his chest. Buffy grits her teeth, barely containing her mounting rage.
Will you let someone come and help him or not?
Give quarter to an agent of the Beast? What madness would move me to such action?
I'm done asking. Buffy takes a step towards Dante, ready to bring on the hurt. The Knights behind him tense. Xander steps in, trying to defuse the situation.
Whoa, hey, uh... this is war, isn't it? And if there's one thing I've learned from Sergeant Rock, in war there are rules. Or at least there should be... if you're as "honorable" as you think you are. (a beat) Plus we do have your General Forehead Guy. Dante glares, his face impenetrable. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT Willow is casting an electrical spell at the pay phone.
... discharge and bring life! A light flickers to life in the phone booth. Buffy picks up the phone, gets a dial tone, nods. She punches in a number.
(re: Willow) Handier than a Swiss knife. You know the door to my crypt's got this nasty squeak. Maybe you could -- Someone picks up on the other end of the line.
(into phone) Hey, it's Buffy. I need to ask you a really big favor ... EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - NIGHT A car pulls up, screeches to a halt as the driver spots the Knights. It's Ben -- he's the one Buffy called. His eyes flash with fear as the Knights surround his car. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT The Gang watches tensely as Ben examines Giles, his doctor's bag close at hand.
You, uh, forgot to mention the costume party outside.
Sorry. I -- I didn't know who else to call.
No, it's okay. I mean, yeah, not exactly the way I pictured seeing you again, but -- (laughs) I'll take what I can get.
Thanks for coming.
My pleasure. He smiles warmly, his eyes shifting to Dawn across the room.... BLACK OUT.
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| Act Four |
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INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT Giles is still unconscious, his breathing labored. Buffy hovers as Ben finishes applying a fresh dressing to the wound.
I think I got him stabilized, but there's a lot of damage. We need to get him out of here.
The guys with the pointy swords kinda have other ideas.
(facetiously) Don't they always?
I know this must seem extra outer limits --
This? Nah. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. You know, emergency room, full moon on a Saturday night ...
If things get too weird, just let me know. I'll understand.
(smiling warmly) Don t worry about me. I won't leave till I've worn out my welcome. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - GARAGE - NIGHT Gregor is still tied to the pneumatic lift. Spike sits perched on a work bench, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He's trying to fire up his lighter, but can't manage it with his sliced up hands. Xander takes the lighter, fires it up.
(lighting cig) Thanks.
You know those things'll kill you. Spike stares. Hello, already dead.
Oh. Right. An awkward silence. Xander's trying to make nice, but not sure how to go about it.
I mention today how much I don't like you?
Might have slipped it in once or twice. Xander allows himself a half smile. Is that the sound of ice breaking?
(re: Spike's hands) How are the feelers?
(grimacing in pain) Nothing compared to the little bits we're all going to get chopped into when the Renaissance Fair kicks the door in. And here we bloody sit.
Not like we have much of a choice.
Could make a run for it. Use General Armor-All as a shield, get to the doc's car and --
Great plan. And while all the hacking and slashing's going on, what are you going to be doing? Throwing migraines at 'em? The ice has definitely frozen back over.
Look, we stay here, we all die. At least this way some of us might --
No. They turn. Buffy has entered from the customer area. She tries to be confident, but her voice is tinged with denial and fear.
We're all going to make it. I'm not losing anyone. Spike backs down.
Check the supplies. See if anyone's hungry. Spike and Xander exit. Gregor laughs, amused.
Dissension in the ranks. Seldom the harbinger of glad tidings. Buffy snaps. She whacks Gregor hard across the face.
Shut up! A beat. Gregor spits blood, eyes Buffy sadly.
Poor, frightened girl. You've no idea what you've gotten yourself into.
Then why don't you fill me in?
Would it make a difference? They lock eyes. Desperation swirls across Buffy's face. A beat. Gregor gauges her carefully. Perhaps he can reach her, make her understand.
What do you know of the Beast?
Strong. Fast. Hellgod.
From a dimension of unspeakable torment.
A demon dimension, I know. There were two other Hellgods that ruled with her, weren't there?
Along with the Beast, they were a triumvirate of suffering and despair, ruling with equal vengeance. But the power of the Beast grew beyond even what they could conceive -- as did her lust for pain and misery. They looked upon her, what she had become... and trembled.
A god afraid?
Such was her power. They feared she would attempt to seize the dimension for herself, and decided to strike first. A great battle erupted. The very bowels of Hell trembled as the war of the gods spanned a thousand years. In the end, they stood victorious over the Beast - barely. She was cast out, banished to this "lower" plane of existence, forced to live and ultimately die trapped within the body of a mortal, a newborn male, created as her prison. Her own living Hell.
Wait -- male?
That was her punishment. To finish an ageless existence buried deep inside the flesh tomb of a normal average human man. A man that would grow, age, and eventually die, like all the rest of us. That is the Beast's only weakness.
(getting it) Kill the man, and the god dies.
(nods) Unfortunately the identity of the human vessel has never been discovered.
I don't understand. I've seen Glory. Not a whole lot going on in the hairy chest department.
You have seen a glimpse of the true Beast. Her power was too great to be completely contained. She's found a way to escape her mortal prison for brief periods before her energies are exhausted and she's forced back into her living cell of meat and bone.
What about me? Buffy turns. Dawn is standing in the doorway of the garage.
What about the Key?
Dawn - -
(scared but determined) I want to know. Buffy gives in, turns back to Gregor.
The Key is almost as old as the Beast itself. Where it came from, how it was created -- the deepest of mysteries. All that is certain is that its power is absolute. Countless generations of my people have sacrificed their lives in search of it, to destroy it before its wrath could be unleashed.
But the monks found it first.
(bitterly) Yes. And hid it with their magicks.
Why didn't they destroy it? If the Key's as dangerous as you --
Because they were fools! They thought they could harness its power for the forces of light. They failed -- and paid with their blood.
What do I do? What was I created for?
You were created to open the gates that separate dimensions. The Beast will use your power to return home and seize control of the Hell she was banished from. A stunned, surprised beat. Buffy laughs.
That's it? That's Glory's master plan? Go home?
You misunderstand. When the Key is activated, it won't just open a gate to the Beast's dimension -- it's going to open all the gates. The walls separating realities will crumble. Dimensions will bleed into one another. Order will be overthrown and the universe will tumble into chaos. All dark. Forever. (to Dawn) That is what you were created for. Dawn is devastated -- and so is Buffy. Surprise -- little sis has the power to destroy the universe. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT Dawn is standing at a boarded up window, absently peering out through a gap at the Knights. Buffy appears in the doorway.
Dawn...
(soft) You think it's true? What he said? Buffy struggles for the right answer. Can't find one.
I don't know.
(trying not to cry) Destroyer of the universe. Guess cutting school doesn't seem so bad now, huh?
It's not you. You know that.
But it's in me, isn't it? It's inside me. (a beat, small) What are we going to do? Buffy moves next to her, trying to mask her own worry and uncertainty.
I won't let anything happen to you, Dawn. Buffy slips her hand into Dawn's.
I promise. They stand there, hand in hand, silent. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - GARAGE - NIGHT Willow is sitting in the corner with Tara, trying to feed her from a can of fruit cocktail.
Wriggling. Tara pushes the spoon away, sending fruit flying.
(exhausted) Tara, come on. You have to eat.
Want me to try? Willow looks up, sees Anya there, sighs.
Don't know. Kinda getting used to picking fruit out of my hair. ON GREGOR Watching them from across the room. He shifts his attention to Ben. He's rinsing off his medical instruments with alcohol in a sink near Gregor.
(eyeing him carefully) You. Ben freezes. Has Gregor figured out his secret?
You are not a part of this, are you? Ben relaxes. Still safe.
Just a friend of the family.
And would you die for them? Ben turns, faces Gregor. Gregor smiles mirthlessly.
Because that is what your future holds if you align yourself with the Slayer and her misguided people.
It's my life. I'll do what I please with it.
It's not just your life. Unimaginable legions will perish, including everyone here. (soft, conspiratorial) You can stop this. You can save all their lives... by ending one. The little girl. The Key. Destroy it, and the will of the Beast will be broken. She will fade, a distant memory... and this madness will end. Ben considers the General's words, carefully weighing his options. This may be his only chance to stop Glory -- and continue his life. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT Dawn stands over Giles, her face etched with concern. He's still unconscious but in obvious discomfort. Ben appears next to her. Dawn jumps, startled.
Sorry. Giles groans. Ben moves in, takes his pulse. Dawn watches nervously.
Is he... is he going to be okay?
(avoiding the question) He was hurt pretty bad, Dawn. Ben watches Xander move into the garage. He's now alone with Dawn.
It's because of me. It's all my fault.
No, it isn't. He moves to his doctor's bag behind Dawn.
You don't know what's happening.
I don't have to. Dawn's eyes are locked on Giles. She doesn't see Ben take a hypo out of his bag and begin to prepare it.
I just know that sometimes terrible things happen to good people. It shouldn't, but it does. And it's nobody's fault. He turns to Dawn, the hypo in his hand. He advances on her, his face unreadable.
(soft) That's just the way life is. He reaches Dawn, hypo poised... and passes right by her. He goes to Giles, slips the needle in. Giles sighs, his face relaxing.
Is that going to help? Ben doesn't reply. He stands frozen, his back to her.
Ben? The hypo crashes to the floor. Ben's eyes go wide in terror. Glory's coming INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - GARAGE - NIGHT Ben comes tearing in, Dawn close behind.
You have to let me out!
Ben - -
You don't understand! I got to get out! Open a door! NOW! Buffy and Spike rush in from the office.
What happened?
I don't know! He just freaked out!
LET ME OUT!
Will, open a -- Ben screams in agony. Too late.
NO! Ben MORPHS INTO GLORY. Everyone freezes in shock. Glory takes in the scene, grins with delight.
Well what do you know! Little Ben finally did something right.
(genuinely terrified) The Beast.
(recognizing him) Hey! It's Gregor! Glory grabs an old rusted hubcap off the workbench and flings it. WHAM! It buries itself halfway into Gregor's chest. Extra dead.
Now it's not. BOOM! All hell breaks loose as the Gang attacks. It's extra short confrontation -- Glory's way done fooling around. Spike goes flying into Xander and Anya. Willow's eyes crackle with Dark Magic as she gears up a spell.. WHAM! Buffy gets slammed back into her. They both go down, dazed. Glory latches onto Dawn.
Buffy! Glory slams through the door. EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - NIGHT WHAM! She hits Willow's barrier. She sneers in contempt.
Yeah, right. She rears her fist back and bellows as she slams it into the barrier. BOOM! She blows a jagged hole in it. It CRACKLES, already beginning to close up.
Dawn! Glory yanks Dawn through the hole. Buffy dives after them, but doesn't make it before the hole closes. WHAM! She crashes into the restored barrier. INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - GARAGE - NIGHT Buffy reenters.
Willow! Get it down! Now! Willow's dazed. She tries to focus on the spell.
Hear... hear my plea... circling arms protecting me... EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - NIGHT Willow's barrier crackles, dissipates. Buffy rushes out -- and freezes in horror. The ground is littered with the broken bodies of the Knights and the Clerics. Dante exhales his last blood-soaked breath.
The Beast ... Dante expires. No sign of Glory -- or Dawn. The rest of the Gang spills out, equally horrified by the carnage.
We... we have to ...
The car! Check for the keys! Spike and Xander rush to Ben's car. Willow cradles Tara, who's sobbing at the confusion and horror of what's happened. Buffy trembles, tears filling her eyes. She collapses to her knees, totally shutting down. Her promises meant nothing. She's failed, totally and completely.
Buffy... ?
They're not here!
We'll have to boost it! Find something to cut the wires!
Buffy, we... we have to look for Dawn. We can't let Glory... Buffy? Buffy isn't responding. Willow's concern quickly gives way to fear over what's happening to her friend. SLOW PUSH IN on Buffy. We hear WILLOW'S VOICE, but it's as if it's coming from a great distance -- and fading fast.
(fading) You have to get up. We need you. Buffy, please... Buffy? Buffy?.. TIGHT ON BUFFY'S FACE as Willow's voice fades to nothing. Losing Dawn has sent Buffy tumbling over the precarious edge she's been balancing on. Silence. BLACK OUT.
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