Spiral

Part 1

March 12, 2001 (Green)

Written by Buffistas Betsy Hanes Perry, David S., Hil R., Elena B., Jeff Mejia, jengod, Liese S, Jacqueline Zahas, DXMachina, et al after a script by Steven S. DeKnight

jengod's rewrite
Not sure this scene needed a re-write, but here it is anyway.

Teaser

INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - DAY

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.

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 blocked her with some transparent wall mojo. Tara whimpers behind her.

EXT. ENTRANCE TO TARA'S DORM - DAY

Buffy and Dawn bolt out the doors.

EXT. TARA'S DORM - DAY

Glory gives up getting in and decides to go around. She sees Buffy and Dawn.

EXT. UC SUNNYDALE QUAD - DAY

Buffy and Dawn run through.

INT. TARA'S DORM ROOM - DAY

Willow down looks at Tara, and knows she can't join Buffy and Dawn in this particular fight. But maybe she can help them from here.

WILLOW
Sensus confundatur et aer oppleatur. Caligo absorbeat mentem obscuratam.

(If FX budgets can bear it, the fog should be SHINY and GREEN. Otherwise, standard-issue mist will do.)

EXT. CAMPUS - DAY

Buffy runs full tilt, half dragging Dawn. The sun dims, and the mist rises. Buffy looks up and notices the unexpected eclipse and pauses a moment.

BUFFY
(to herself)
Thank you, Will.

Buffy drags Dawn into one of those patches of woods the Iniative so liked.

DAWN
(gasping)
Wait... Buffy...

BUFFY
We have to keep moving!

[Insert fireman's carry scene approx. here.]

EXT. EDGE OF WOODS - NIGHT

Glory is a confounded, as she is supposed to be, by the mist, but she peers into the darkness and knows exactly where her little Key is.

GLORY
Nice try, witch.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Buffy and Dawn run through the woods. Buffy and Dawn reach the edge of the woods and the edge of Willow's spell. There are more woods in front of them though, right across the train tracks. They head for that next refuge.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

A bramble has caught Glory's beloved hair.

GLORY
Gaghh!

She yanks her head away, leaving chunks of blond behind. It's worth it though, because she can see light ahead, and her precious Key.

EXT. CLEARING - DAY

ANGLE on Glory, bursting out of the woods.

GLORY
Ha! Hi baby Key. Missed ya!

ANGLE on Buffy and Dawn. Believe it or not, Dawn has gotten her foot stuck in a pothole on the tracks. Buffy and Dawn are frantically trying to rescue her as Glory comes ever closer.

GLORY
You better get her out of there. I don't want that train breaking my Key.

She steps onto a spur of the track and hand on hip, nods casually to the oncoming train.

ANGLE on the train that, of course, is moving down the tracks at fast train-speed.

BUFFY
No problem.

With a confidence perhaps inappropriate to the moment, Buffy grins, and flicks the switch she has been holding onto, seemingly to give her leverage in yanking out poor stuck Dawnie.

The train GROANS and SCREECHES as we see the track switch over to the spur.

ANGLE on Glory looking up, startled and pissed, then a shot Glory's P.O.V. up at the upcoming train.

Buffy shelters Dawn from the train's momentum as the 12-car Amtrak barrels by. When it is gone, the girls stand up and look at down the track, a little bemused.

DAWN
Meep, meep.

And the Summers sisters take off running, as fast as they can.

END OF TEASER

OR Original

Teaser

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.

BUFFY
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.

GLORY
You're really starting to piss me off, witch.

WILLOW
(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.

EXT. CAMPUS - DAY

 

Buffy runs full tilt, half dragging Dawn.

DAWN (gasping)
Wait... Buffy...

BUFFY
We have to keep moving!

DAWN (gasping)
I... I can't ...

Dawn stumbles, exhausted. Buffy, barely pausing, picks Dawn up and slings her over her shoulder in a fireman's carry, 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.

GLORY
I really hate it when people touch my things.

Buffy puts Dawn down, never taking her eyes off Glory as she advances.

GLORY (cont'd)
Last words, Slay-runt?

BUFFY
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.

GLORY
No! Not now, you idiot! Let... go... of my...

She bellows in rage as she rolls off the car transforming into Ben.

GLORY/BEN
... BODY!

Ben collapses to his knees, exhausted and spent. Whatever Glory's been through, he's definitely feeling it.

BEN
Oh god

BLACK OUT.

END OF TEASER

Act One

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.

DAWN
...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.

DAWN (cont'd)
Hellbitch in orbit!

XANDER
Go, Buff!

GILES
So Glory has been contained for now? How did you discover her weakness?

BUFFY (not turning around)
A truck hit her.

GILES
Oh.

ANYA (encouraging)
Did you throw it?

DAWN
Well, no, she more kind of waited for it to hit Glory -- but then Buffy ran really fast and we got away!

BUFFY
I don't know how we got away. That truck couldn't have slowed her down for more than a second.

GILES
Perhaps she has a ... well, no, that wouldn't ... Frankly, I don't know how. But at least you're safe for now.

Buffy laughs bitterly as she turns to face the group. She's rattled, and it shows.

BUFFY
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 ...

TARA
Floaty green shimmers.

Tara is staring at Dawn in wonder.

TARA (cont'd) (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.

WILLOW
She didn't mean to. You know that, right?

BUFFY
I know. But it's done, and now we have to deal with it.

GILES
Perhaps there's something in the Book of Tarnis, something we've missed that we can use against Glory.

ANYA
We could turn her into a troll!

XANDER
Right. Because, as my recently rebroken arm will attest, THAT worked so well last time.

ANYA
Or a piano! 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.

GILES
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 --

BUFFY
We can't fight her.

GILES
Not physically, perhaps, but perhaps if Willow and I researched some...

BUFFY
We can't. 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.

ANYA
Run away?! Finally a sensible plan.

XANDER
That's not what she meant. (to Buffy, uncertain) Is it?

BUFFY (increasingly frazzled)
We can't stay here. Glory may not see us as a threat, but she's threatened to kill us all before. Now that she knows who the key is, she knows exactly what she's going for, and there's NOTHING to stop her. The only way to keep her away from Dawn is to get the hell out of Dodge.

GILES
Buffy, we all understand the severity of the situation, but there must be another --

BUFFY (on the edge)
No! We stay -- we die! Show of hands for that option?

Uneasy glances around the room.

BUFFY (cont'd)
All right. Nobody goes home, nobody tells anyone we're leaving. We grab whatever supplies we can and that's it -- we're gone.

DAWN (rattled, trying not to show it)
Cool. Won't have to study for that geometry test.

WILLOW
But where are we going? And I'll have to get Tara's pills from her room.

BUFFY
It doesn't matter. We'll go out to the desert, or somewhere safer. We just want to be away from the Hellmouth and away from Glory.

XANDER
What about wheels? I don't think everybody's gonna fit in the Xan-mobile.

ANYA
And we don't keep any weapons here! What will we do without weapons? And food?

BUFFY
Just get some stuff together. Don't leave. I'll figure something out.

BUFFY leaves.

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.

GRONX
This is... this is terrible! I'll never be able to mend this!

BEN
Not really my color anyway.

Gronx laughs politely.

GRONX
Oh yes, inappropriate humor. Most amusing. (indicating dress) I don't suppose you know what lead to this sartorial tragedy?

BEN
That's not how it works. You know that.

GRONX
Yes, yes, of course. I just thought maybe after her Magnificent Incandescence was returned to this painfully handsome assemblage, you might have observed something interesting? A Key perhaps? Lounging about, unattended?

Ben locks eyes with Gronx. Gronx squirms.

BEN
Do you really think I would tell you? Remember the part where she gets her Key back and I cease to exist.

GRONX
True, this oh so appealing form - (indicates Ben's body) --will by necessity be shrugged off -- But why do you insist on fighting the inevitable? No one can stand against her blindingly Scrumptious Luminescence --

BEN
Glory! Her name is Glory. And she's your god, you little scab. Not mine.

GRONX
With all due respect and fear of sharp objects, you exist, sir, only because of her divine greatness.

BEN
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. His eyes fall on his doctor's bag, resting on a table.

BEN (cont'd)(a beat)
You know why I wanted to become a doctor?

GRONX
The flattering drawstring pants?

BEN
For the drugs. Find the right combination... keep her buried where she belongs --

GRONX
Impossible! Her magnificence can never be fully contained! She is a perfect, all-encompassing light -- one you should feel honored to be bathed in.

BEN
Oh yeah, I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled that I have to clean up her messes. I'm thrilled that I don't have a job anymore. I'm thrilled that every time I wake up, I look like a refugee from Rocky Horror.

GRONX (gently)
These are such small inconveniences in the service of a deity. Accept your fate. I mean, you said it yourself. This life was never really yours anyway, was it?

BEN
It can be if I get to the Key first.

Gronx eyes him for a stunned beat, then quickly regroups.

GRONX
And if you did? What then?

Ben doesn't answer.

GRONX (cont'd)
But could you do it? Take a human life ... with your own hands?

It's Ben's turn to squirm. He realizes that he doesn't have it in him.

BEN
I didn't ask for any of this. I just want to be normal.

GRONX
I wanted to be an underwear model. (shrugs) We play the hand we're dealt.

EXT. WAREHOUSE ALLEY - DAY

The Scoobies (minus Buffy and Dawn) are on the curb with their gear. Jitters all around.

ANYA
Anybody else feel that?

WILLOW
What?

ANYA
Cold draft of paralyzing fear.

GILES
We just need to stay calm.

WILLOW
(scared)
Calm. Right.

XANDER
We gotta be Sergeant Rock! Cool and collected in the face of overwhelming odds.

ANYA
(not liking the sound of that)
Overwhelming? How much more than whelming would that be exactly?

GILES
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.

GILES (cont'd)
... 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.

GILES
What's he doing here?

SPIKE
(dryly)
Just out for a jaunt. Thought I'd swing by and say howdy.

GILES
Out.

Giles takes a step towards Spike. Buffy stops him.

BUFFY
He's here because we need him.

XANDER
The hell we do.

BUFFY
If Glory finds us, he's the only one besides me that has a chance of protecting Dawn. And he's in as much danger from her as we are.

XANDER
Buffy, come on, he --

Buffy explodes -- she so doesn't need this right now.

BUFFY
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.

SPIKE
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. Five Knights of Byzantium (Tybalt, Anton and Knights #1, #2 & #3) are on the other side, checking crazy Orlando out of the hospital. They're "disguised" in extremely expensive custom-made Italian suits, like pro-football players on the road, or New Jersey mobsters. They're supposed to be undercover, but don't particularly blend, especially with the tattoos on their foreheads. Orlando wears jeans and a Charlie Brown t-shirt, zigzag and everything. It's the only thing they could find in the Ôlost-and-found' box which fit him. He stares off into space, whispering, tell himself a long, senseless story.

NURSE
Sign here.

Tybalt takes her pen, signs the release papers in flowing calligraphy, slides them back to the Nurse.

NURSE (cont'd)
Okay. That should do it.

Tybalt nods. He and the Knights begin to move off, but Orlando just stands there, no longer inclined to move unless someone points him the way. Tybalt reaches back and drags him back to his brethren.

ORLANDO
(conspiratorially) Itchy. The needles make my brain itchy. And scratchy.

ANTON
Get it together, Orlando. (to Tybalt) Why are we even here? He's a burden. There are more important things than Ð

TYBALT
We do this together. Dead, alive, or (with a pitying look at Orlando) diminished, we do this together.

EXT. SUNNYDALE AUTO MALL - DAY

TYBALT and ANTON and ORLANDO pile out a Lincoln Towncar in front of a huge used car lot on the edge of town. From under an awning in the back, Gregor rides out, in full armor, astride a black stallion. Gregor is old, grouchy and scarred.

GREGOR
You have him?

TYBALT
Yes, Commander. Our brother has returned to the fold.

GREGOR
Welcome home, Orlando. Your sacrifice will be remembered, my son. There will be retribution. We will make the Beast suffer, and spread suffering to her servants and her lands and all her kin, in this world and the next.

ORLANDO
Mossy. Glittery green moss -- spreading all across the rock. Shiny glitter green. The Key. My shiny new Key.

Gregor peers down at Orlando.

GREGOR
The Key? You've seen it?!

ORLANDO
Pretty little girl-key is all green on the inside. (begins humming, starring at his hands)

Gregor's puts it together.

GREGOR
The monks made it into a human girl. Which one?

TYBALT
We know the Slayer defends Key. If what Orlando says is true ...

GREGOR
(doing the math)
Yes, thank you. I've got it. I'm disgusted our intelligence didn't yield this information before. Keep an eye on him. His insanity is more useful to us that the Beast realizes.

A befuddled USED CAR SALESMAN approaches.

USED CAR SALESMAN
Um, can I help you? We have Ð

GREGOR
(Turning, he raises his sword.) Prepare to advance!

At first we see nothing but rows of used cars, but suddenly, lines of heavily armed knights appear from a PORTAL. The Knights of Byzantium clearly do not roost in this dimension as a rule, and have the same delayed fashion sense as a DeBarge-loving vampire. The Knights, who march in precise lines, are outfitted in chain mail and helmets, ready for battle. The fifty-ish knights convene at the gate.

GREGOR (cont'd)
We end this. Now.

The used car salesman looks on, calm, but a little confused.

BLACK OUT.

 

END OF ACT ONE

Act Two

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.

ANYA
Shouldn't somebody be asking if we're there yet? That's what small irritating children do, don't they?

DAWN
That kinda only works if you know where you're going.

ANYA
Oh. (a beat, loudly) Do we know where we're going yet?!

SPIKE
Already be somewhere if Captain Slowpoke would give up the wheel. (to Giles) Hey, gramps! Bloody step on it!

GILES
I'm driving tract housing on wheels, stop complaining or I'm stopping altogether.

XANDER
Just as long as we don't break down in Oxnard, I'll be happy.

Spike leans close to Dawn.

SPIKE
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.

SPIKE (cont'd)
What?

XANDER
Why couldn't you have stolen a convertible? At least then you'd be of some use as a flare.

SPIKE
I'd like to see you steal something this roomy.

XANDER
You turn into a used car salesman and I'm tossing you out. See how fast you hitch a ride with a flaming thumb.

SPIKE
I'm all a tremble.

Xander shoots him a look, crosses to the front of the Winnie.

FRONT CAB

Xander slides into the passenger seat next to Giles.

XANDER
That guy is bloodsucking the last nerve right out of me.

GILES
Buffy does have a point. In a confrontation, Spike could prove... (paining him) ... useful.

XANDER
Sure, if we need someone to get captured and tortured he's our guy.

GILES (quietly)
Yes, well, sometimes that happens to the best of us.

Xander looks away, chastened.

GILES
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.

XANDER
Yeah, she'll... (weakly) Yeah.

Silence. They're both worried about her, and it shows.

XANDER
But this isn't a strategic retreat. We don't have enough weapons, any strategy. This is running away.

GILES
So is this Sgt Rock someone from your soldier days? Could he be trusted to help.

XANDER, for once, is speechless.

MAIN COMPARTMENT

Dawn sits next to Willow.

DAWN
Any luck?

WILLOW
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.

WILLOW (cont'd)
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.

TARA
(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.

DAWN
Umm... Anybody hungry?

ANYA
(leaping up)
Ouhh! Snacks!

She roots around in a backpack.

ANYA (cont'd)
The secret to any successful migration!

Anya pulls a frying pan and a tin of Spam from the backpack.

ANYA (cont'd)
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.

SPIKE
Hey!

WILLOW
Tara, no!

Willow quickly closes the blind, scolding Tara.

WILLOW (cont'd)
What did I tell you?!

Tara bursts into tears, sobbing like a little child. Willow instantly regrets snapping at her. She cradles Tara.

WILLOW.(cont'd)
No, shhh... I'm sorry. It's okay. shhh... (to Gang)
She didn't mean it. She doesn't know what she's doing.

DAWN
(gently)
We know.

Spike awkwardly tries to console Tara.

SPIKE
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.

TARA
All the light... gone.

Willow rocks her in her arms, trying to calm her.

WILLOW
No, baby. It's still light outside. Shh ...

TARA
...dark....... all dark ...

INT. HOSPITAL - MENTAL WARD - DAY

The Crazies fidget in their beds, eyes glazed and faces slick with sweat, muttering to themselves.

CRAZIE #1
Dark.

CRAZIE #2
All dark.

CRAZIE #3
Soon.

CRAZIE #2
Dark.

CRAZIE #1
Soon...

ALL CRAZIES (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.

ALL CRAZIES (V.O.)
(fading)
... soon ... ...soon... ...soon...

RUNIC STONES are cast into the circle.

GRONX (O.S.)
It's coming!

PULL BACK to reveal Gronx and Murk sitting across from each other on the outer edges of the circle.

GRONX
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.

DAWN
Hey. I think Anya's gonna try to cook. Wanna come watch the tears and recriminations?

Buffy smiles weakly, barely listening.

BUFFY
Maybe later.

A beat. Dawn turns to go, pauses.

DAWN
Thank you.

BUFFY
For what?

DAWN
You know. Pretty much... everything.

BUFFY
(down on her herself)
Yeah. I'm doing a great job.

DAWN
You are.

BUFFY
I'm the Slayer. The Chosen one, all mythic and defendery. Evil Nasties are supposed to flee from me, not the other way around.

DAWN
You're not fleeing. You're... moving at a brisk pace.

BUFFY
Quaintly referred to in some cultures as the Big Scaredy Run Away.

Dawn sits next to her.

DAWN
(sincerely)
It's the most amazing thing anyone's ever done for me.

Buffy sags, on the verge of total collapse.

BUFFY
It just... keeps coming. Glory. Riley. Tara. Mom --

Buffy barely chokes that last one out.

DAWN
(soft)
I know. (a beat)
But there's a bright side.

BUFFY
There is?

DAWN
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.

BUFFY
(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.

BUFFY
Giles!

Giles has already spotted the Knights in the sideview.

GILES
I see them!

SPIKE
See who?

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! More arrows pierce the Winnie (not penetrating all the way, just sticking halfway through).

SPIKE (cont'd)
Bloody hell!

XANDER
Arrows! They're throwing arrows!

BUFFY
Dawn! Stay down!

Dawn hunkers down.

Shot of KoB dipping arrow into vial of black viscous liquid.
Shot of KoB dipping arrow in vial of poison (LOCATION - desert)
Props Need arrow and vial of poison (skull and crossbones on label, perhaps?)
STUNT Shot of KoB riding up to RV of Doom (LOCATION - desert)
Stunt Rider needed STUNT Shot of KoB shooting arrow through RV of DOOM (LOCATION - desert)
Better make sure we have a stunt rider who can shoot a bow and arrow while riding a horse. KoB rides up alongside RV o' Doom, pulls back arrow and shoots through window. Arrow pierces Xander's bicep, pinning arm to wall.

Prop: Better make sure arrowhead has poison that is visible on it.

WILLOW
Xander!

Spike quickly steps up, and grimacing (because of his painfully bandaged hands? or because he doesn't want to do this?) snaps off arrow. Xander groans with pain and slides to floor.

Spike pulls arrow head from the walls and notices the trace of poison on it. Sniffs it. Examines Xander's arm and sees a suspicious red line of infection moving under his skin toward his heart.

Shot of Spike examining Xander's wound (LOCATION - RV of Doom set)
Makeup/FX of Xander's infection.

SPIKE
We've got trouble, Red. He's poisoned.

Shot of Spike announcing that Xander's poisoned (LOCATION - RV of Doom set)

WILLOW
Oh! Oh, I know what to do. Make an incision above the wound and suck out the poison. Somebody has to suck Xander!

Shot of Willow telling Spike that someone must suck the poison out (LOCATION - RV of Doom set)

All turn to slowly look at Spike. Pull back to shot of everyone turning to look at Spike. (LOCATION - RV of Doom set)

Shot of Spike moving in to suck the poison out of Xander's wound. (LOCATION - RV of Doom set) -How will we get this one past the censors?

SPIKE
Right.
(Bends to his task and mutters to himself... )
Oh, you're a nummy treat.

Tara peeks through the blinds, squeals with delight.

TARA
Horsies!

WILLOW (runs to Tara)
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.

GILES
(calling to Gang)
Weapons?!

SPIKE (Spits blood)
Hello! You're driving one!

WILLOW
Don't hurt the horsies!

BUFFY
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. Anya is now bandaging Xanders upper arm.

XANDER
(trying not to pass out)
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.

BUFFY
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.

SPIKE
(to Buffy)
Now might be a good time for something heroic.

Buffy scans the ceiling, spots the vent hatch.

BUFFY
Xander! Hatch!

Xander with Anya's help, painfully 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.

DAWN
Keep the pressure on.

SPIKE
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.

ANYA
(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.

GILES
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.

END OF ACT TWO

Spiral

Part 2

March 12, 2001 (Green)

Act Three

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.

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.

BUFFY
(to Willow, re: Giles)
Willow...?

WILLOW
I'm on it.

She moves over to Giles, keeping Tara close. Buffy gives Dawn the quick once over.

BUFFY
You sure you're all right?

DAWN
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.

SPIKE
Ow! Easy with the delicates!

BUFFY
(to Dawn)
They'll heal.

She moves to the window and looks through the slats, eyes flicking nervously across the barren landscape.

SPIKE
(grumbling)
Florence Nightingale to the bloody rescue.

ANYA
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.

BUFFY
We'll -- we'll rest here for a minute. Then we have to keep moving.

XANDER
Where?

BUFFY
(snapping at him)
I don't know! But we can't stay here. It's too close to the wreck, too easy to --

WILLOW
Buffy?

Buffy crosses to Willow and Giles.

BUFFY
How is he?

Willow tries to respond, can't. It's that bad.

BUFFY (cont'd)
(stricken)
Will?

WILLOW
I think I slowed the bleeding, but ...

BUFFY
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.

XANDER
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.

BUFFY
Willow!

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.

BUFFY
Dawn --

CRASH! The office door behind Buffy smashes open. Buffy spins around -- WHAM! Knight #1 clocks her with his mace. Buffy staggers back.

DAWN
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.

GREGOR
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.

WILLOW
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.

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.

DANTE
They have the General. Clerics!

The Knights part, making way for two ancient, robbed HOLY MEN.

CLERIC #1
Energy barrier. A most powerful one.

DANTE
Can it be breached?

Cleric #1 smiles coolly.

CLERIC #1.
A witch's 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.

XANDER
(indicating Will's nose)
Will.

Willow wipes the blood away with the back of her hand, barely noticing.

WILLOW
(re: nose bleed)
You get used to it.

BUFFY
How long will it hold?

WILLOW
Half a day, maybe.

Willow eyes the Clerics outside. They're standing side by side, heads bowed. Cleric #1 chants.

WILLOW (cont'd)
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.

SPIKE
What's the story on these roleplaying rejects?

Buffy eyes Gregor, her face turning hard.

BUFFY
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.

SPIKE
Why talk? Cut straight to the torture.

BUFFY (not taking her eyes off GREGOR)
First things first. How do I get you and your chainy friends to leave?

GREGOR
You destroy the Key.

BUFFY
Thanks for playing, wrong answer. Since when do grown men in metal suits beat up on little girls? She's a kid. An innocent kid.

Gregor locks eyes with her, trying to take control of the conversation.

GREGOR
She believes she is a child. She is the Key. There is no innocence there.

He stares menacingly at Dawn. She flinches.

GREGOR
The evil thing must be destroyed --

Buffy loses her cool. She latches onto his face, roughly snapping his head back to look at her.

BUFFY
Look at her that way again, and she'll be the last thing you ever see.

GREGOR (disgusted) Do you have any idea what you are protecting? Do you have any idea what that 'innocent child' will do when the mask is stripped away?

BUFFY
No. So why don't you clue me.

Tara shrieks from the Customer Area.

ANYA (O.S.)
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.

WILLOW
Tara... Tara, please ...

BUFFY
What happened?

ANYA
I don't know! She just went nuts! (whoops)
Oh! I mean, uh --

TARA
(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.

WILLOW
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.

TARA
(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.

CRAZIES
...time... ...timeÉ

NURSE
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.

NURSE (cont'd)
Doctor! Doctor McCarthy--

WHAM! Crazie #3 knocks her unconscious from behind. All the Crazies rise and shuffle for the door, their faces blank.

CRAZIES (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.

ORLANDO
It's time! It's time!

Dante embraces him tightly. He whispers soothingly in Orlando's ear.

DANTE
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.

DANTE (cont'd)
Clerics! I want the witch's barrier down! Now!

INT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - CUSTOMER AREA - NIGHT

Giles is clearly racked with pain, but lucid. Buffy leans into frame over him, her face lined with fear and guilt. Off the shadow, Giles opens his eyes. In an instant, Buffy paints over her worry to smile at him.

BUFFY
I'm sorry.

GILES
For what?

BUFFY
We should have stayed. If we had, none of this --

Giles squeezes his eyes shut for a moment.

GILES
Don't. (a beat, then he looks directly at Buffy)
Sometimes you must simply take your decision and go with it. You did...what was necessary.

BUFFY
Running away?

Buffy looks away, grim with shame and failure.

GILES
Being able to act out of love. In the face of everything you've come up against. This is truly remarkable.

Giles is clearly struggling, but this is important.

GILES
You must know...how proud I am of you. How far you've come. You're everything a Watcher - everything I could have hoped for.

He holds her gaze. A quiet beat passes between the warrior and her friend who was wounded in war. A moment of true affection.

Then the effort is spent, and Giles allows himself back into his pain. Through gritted teeth, he smiles.

GILES
Now. Get on with it.

Buffy stands a moment, considering, smiling faintly as she looks at him.

BUFFY
(under her breath)
Get on with it. Easy for you to say.

She comes to a decision.

BUFFY
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.

DANTE
Speak.

BUFFY
One of my friends was hurt when you attacked us --

DANTE
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.

BUFFY
Will you let someone come and help him or not?

DANTE
Give quarter to an agent of the Beast? What madness would move me to such action?

BUFFY
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.

XANDER
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.

WILLOW
... 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.

SPIKE
(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.

BUFFY
(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.

BEN
You, uh, forgot to mention the costume party outside.

BUFFY
Sorry. I -- I didn't know who else to call.

BEN
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.

BUFFY
Thanks for coming.

BEN
My pleasure.

He smiles warmly, his eyes shifting to Dawn across the room....

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

Act Four

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.

BEN
I think I got him stabilized, but there's a lot of damage. We need to get him out of here.

BUFFY
The guys with the pointy swords kinda have other ideas.

BEN
(facetiously)
Don't they always?

BUFFY
I know this must seem extra outer limits --

BEN
This? Nah. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. You know, emergency room, full moon on a Saturday night ...

BUFFY
If things get too weird, just let me know. I'll understand.

BEN
(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. Spike lights up, inhales deeply, eyes closed, lost in the small but distinct pleasure of the cigarette. He opens an eye just in time to see Xander pocketing the lighter.

SPIKE
Oh, very slick. (Off Xander's sheepish look) Give.

Spike pulls his duster open, indicates an inside pocket. Xander leans in, visibly uncomfortable, and drops the lighter in.

XANDER
I wasn't going to keep it.

SPIKE
Yeah, whatever.

Pause. Medium long, medium awkward.

SPIKE (cont'd) Thanks. For the light.

XANDER
Yeah, whatever.

Pause again. Medium, medium.

XANDER (cont'd)
And also thanks. For the, the poison thing. The me not dying in horrible agony thing.

Pause again. You know the drill.

XANDER (cont'd)
I still --

SPIKE
You still hate me, I'm still evil, if it wasn't for the chip you'd stake me and behead me and hop up and down on the pile of dust. Blah sodding blah. That cover it?

XANDER
Basically, yeah.

A small look. If they were any other two people on earth, they might actually crack a smile at one another.

SPIKE
Nice little set-up this Kewpie bitch's got. We should be fighting her. Those Ren Faire loons should be fighting her. Instead, we're all trying to tear each other to bits. We fight her battle for her, all she's got to do is waltz in, kick the bodies out of the way, and stroll off with the Niblet. World-class cock-up.

XANDER
(Indicating Gregor) Well, he won't talk, he won't negotiate, he's just all "She's the Key. Kill her. Kill her a lot." What are we supposed to do?

SPIKE
Some bloody thing. We could make a run for it. Use General Armor-All as a shield, get to the doc's car and --

XANDER
Oh, yeah. "Make a run for it". That strategy's been a real winner so far --

SPIKE
Look, we stay here, we all die. At least this way some of us might --

BUFFY
No.

They turn. Buffy has entered from the customer area. She tries to be confident, but her voice is tinged with denial and fear.

BUFFY
We're all going to make it. I'm not losing anyone.

Spike backs down. HE and Xander leave. Gregor laughs, amused.

GREGOR
Dissension in the ranks. Seldom the harbinger of glad tidings.

They lock eyes. Desperation swirls across Buffy's face. A beat. Gregor gauges her carefully. Perhaps he can reach her, make her understand.

GREGOR (cont'd)
What do you know of the Beast?

BUFFY
Strong. Fast. Hellgod.

GREGOR (contemptuous)
You say that as if you were ordering dinner. "Hellgod" does not begin to describe what the Beast was. One of three gods devoted to pain, suffering, and destruction. Co-ruler of a dimension more horrible than you can imagine.

Buffy snarls. She's seen a lot.

GREGOR (cont'd)
You have no idea what you're dealing with, what we have devoted centuries to containing. Once three gods ruled a dimension of cruelty. Then one of the Three grew dissatisfied; she wanted more. More pain, more misery, more power. Her co-rulers came to fear her themselves.

BUFFY
A god afraid?

GREGOR (locks eyes with her)
They feared her. As do you.
(Beat)
There was a battle. She lost. They cast her out into a mortal body. The body of a human, a newborn male, created as her prison. Her own living Hell.

BUFFY
Check your stats, tin-can. That 'male' looks a lot like a girl to me. Or have you been too busy polishing your armor to notice those?

GREGOR
She was imprisoned in the body of a man. She discovered how to break out into her true form. The man can be destroyed; the God cannot. She grows more powerful, and more dangerous, by the day. All the more reason to destroy the Key before she possesses it.

DAWN (O.S.)
What about the Key? (softer) What about me?

Buffy turns. Dawn is standing in the doorway of the garage.

BUFFY
(trying to protect her) Dawn, let me handle this.

DAWN
(scared but determined) I need to know.

Buffy gives in, turns back to Gregor.

GREGOR
The Key is evil. It can destroy everything you love.

BUFFY
Unlike you. You just plan on destroying my sister. Oh, and all of my friends who get in your way.

GREGOR
Your emotions blind you. The Key is a force more terrible than you can imagine. Its evil corrupts everything it touches.

Dawn shudders. Gregor catches this. For the remainder of the scene, he is ostensibly talking to Buffy but actually playing to Dawn.

GREGOR
Sometimes one must die to save thousands. As the Slayer, you know this as well as I do.

BUFFY That's my destiny, it sucks, and it has nothing to do with Dawn.

GREGOR
Oh? You can die to save the world, but you deny your sister that honor?

That was a bridge too far. Buffy slaps him across the face with all her might. When he recovers, he glances at Dawn. Got her.

BUFFY
The Key. This conversation is about the Key. What is it, what does it do, how do we stop Glory from getting it?

GREGOR
The Key is absolute power. My people have sought it for centuries, to destroy it before its wrath could be unleashed.

DAWN
But the monks found it first.

GREGOR (bitterly)
Yes. And hid it with their magicks.

BUFFY
Why didn't they destroy it? If the Key's as dangerous as you --

GREGOR
Because they were fools! They thought they could harness its power for the forces of light. They failed -- and paid with their blood. Good cannot come from evil; from tainted soil, nothing clean can grow.

DAWN
What do I do? What was I created for?

GREGOR
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.

BUFFY
That's it? That's Glory's master plan? Go home? Sounds good to me.

GREGOR
You misunderstand. When the Key is activated, it slams wide every gate, every portal. The walls separating realities crumble. Dimensions bleed into one another. Order is overthrown and the universe tumbles into chaos. All dark. Forever. (to Dawn)
That is what you were created for. That is your true nature.

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.

BUFFY
Dawn...

DAWN
(soft)
You think it's true? What he said?

Buffy struggles for the right answer. Can't find one.

BUFFY
I don't know.

DAWN
(trying not to cry) Destroyer of the universe. Guess cutting school doesn't seem so bad now, huh?

BUFFY
It's not you. You know that.

DAWN
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.

BUFFY
I won't let anything happen to you, Dawn.

Buffy slips her hand into Dawn's.

BUFFY (cont'd)
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.

TARA
Wriggling.

Tara pushes the spoon away, sending fruit flying.

WILLOW
(exhausted)
Tara, come on. You have to eat.

ANYA (O.S.)
Want me to try?

Willow looks up, sees Anya there, sighs.

WILLOW
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.

GREGOR
(eyeing him carefully)
You.

Ben freezes. Has Gregor figured out his secret?

GREGOR (cont'd)
You are not a part of this, are you?

Ben relaxes. Still safe.

BEN
Just a friend of the family.

GREGOR
And would you die for them?

Ben turns, faces Gregor. Gregor smiles mirthlessly.

GREGOR (cont'd)
Because that is what your future holds if you align yourself with the Slayer and her misguided people.

BEN
It's my life. I'll do what I please with it.

GREGOR
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.

BEN
Sorry.

Giles groans. Ben moves in, takes his pulse. Dawn watches nervously.

DAWN
Is he... is he going to be okay?

BEN
(avoiding the question)
He was hurt pretty bad, Dawn.

Ben watches Xander move into the garage. He's now alone with Dawn.

DAWN
It's because of me. It's all my fault.

BEN
No, it isn't.

He moves to his doctor's bag behind Dawn.

DAWN
You don't know what's happening.

BEN
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.

BEN (cont'd)
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.

BEN (cont'd)
(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.

DAWN
Is that going to help?

Ben doesn't reply. He stands frozen, his back to her.

DAWN (cont'd)
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.

BEN
You have to let me out!

DAWN
Ben - -

BEN
You don't understand! I got to get out! Open a door! NOW!

Buffy and Spike rush in from the office.

BUFFY
What happened?

DAWN
I don't know! He just freaked out!

BEN
LET ME OUT!

BUFFY
Will, open a --

Ben screams in agony. Too late.

BEN
NO!

Ben MORPHS INTO GLORY. Everyone freezes in shock. Glory takes in the scene, grins with delight.

GLORY
Well what do you know! Little Ben finally did something right.

GREGOR
(genuinely terrified)
The Beast.

GLORY
(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.

GLORY (cont'd)
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.

DAWN
Buffy!

Glory slams through the door.

EXT. ABANDONED GAS STATION - NIGHT

WHAM! She hits Willow's barrier. She sneers in contempt.

GLORY
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.

BUFFY
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.

BUFFY
Willow! Get it down! Now!

Willow's dazed. She tries to focus on the spell.

WILLOW
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.

DANTE
The Beast ...

Dante expires. No sign of Glory -- or Dawn. The rest of the Gang spills out, equally horrified by the carnage.

WILLOW
We... we have to ...

SPIKE
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.

WILLOW
Buffy... ?

XANDER (O.S.)
They're not here!

SPIKE (O.S.)
We'll have to boost it! Find something to cut the wires!

WILLOW
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.

WILLOW (O.S.)
(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.

END OF SHOW
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