DISCLAIMER: See Prologue.
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Part Seven
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ACT 4, Scene 1. A black void in the Demon Dimension. At the same time.
The scene is in total darkness. All that is visible is the face of Giles in medium close up. He appears to be lying on his back and staring upwards although there are no structures apparent to indicate any direction either up, down, forward or backward.
His face is beaded with sweat and his eyes are closed but not in sleep. Rather he is attempting to shut out a flood of images that are pouring into his brain from an unseen source in the darkness. Giles rolls his head back and forth and groans.
GILES
(whispering)
... no, no... no...
Out of the darkness, the Voice of his tormentor answers.
VOICE
Yes... yes. Fascinating images you have there, Mr. Giles. I've never seen nightmares, fears,... one's very own Hell so focused on a single individual.
GILES
(groaning)
... no... leave her alone... she's not part of this.
VOICE
Oh, yes she is. She and her little group there, they're the ones who can bugger up all my plans.
Giles doesn't answer. Rather he attempts to control the deluge of nightmare visions by breathing regularly.
VOICE (cont'd)
Oh!... very good! Where'd you learn about cleansing breathes?
Giles ignores the taunting.
VOICE (cont'd)
She's like the daughter you never had. And now, she and all of her little friends are coming... (with intense sarcasm) to rescue you! How quaint!
GILES
No!
VOICE
Right into the depths of my own realm...
GILES
Buffy! No!
VOICE
Where my powers are virtually unlimited!
GILES
(now writhing in agony)
No! Buffy! NO!
VOICE
(viciously)
How does it feel,... RUPERT?
Giles' eyes snap open in terror at the sound of his name. The Voice rings in the darkness sounding like Ethan Rayne.
VOICE
... to be... BAIT!
CUT TO BLACK
ACT 4, Scene 2. EXT. The miniature golf course. After midnight.
The street lamps partially illuminate the miniature golf course which has been thoroughly vandalized. The windows and doors of both the booth and storage sheds are broken and kicked in. Golf balls and putting irons are scattered wildly around the nine holes. Midway down one little fairway by a windmill obstacle, Mayor Wilkins, who is completely drunk, sits leaning up against its base. The sails of the windmill are turning and every several turns, the Mayor leans close enough in so the sail whacks him in the back of the head. At his feet lie three scattered six packs of bottled beer, some unopened, others drained. Empty beer bottles also form a trail leading from the vandalized buildings, around the different miniature fairways, and finally ending at the windmill.
There is no sign of Mr. Trick anywhere. The Mayor, between the occasional smack on the head by the windmill sail, gazes up at the sky and rambles.
MAYOR
You know, Mr. Trick, I always wondered how I'd feel facing the end of the world. Who would have known that the primary concern on my mind would be... that I gotta take a leak something fierce!... Mr. Trick?...
There is no reply.
MAYOR (cont'd)
... Trick?... yoo hoo?...
Suddenly from a little water barrier on the front of a neighboring green comes a SOUND OF FLOPPING AND SPLASHING. The Mayor perks his head at the sound. As he does, the windmill sail whacks him again.
MAYOR (cont'd)
Tricky? Tricky poo? That you?
A voice sings out from below the rim of the water trap.
TRICK
(drunk)
I'm thirsty, man!... throw me a babe!
MAYOR
Sorry, only got beer here.
TRICK
Well, God Damn!
The Mayor picks up a full bottle and lobs it in the direction of the water barrier.
MAYOR
Heads Up!
The bottle lands on the pavement beside the water barrier and smashes with a POPPING CRASH.
TRICK
What the...?
MAYOR
Sorry,... Heads UP!
The Mayor lobs a second bottle. This time the missle lands in the water barrier with a loud SPLASH.
TRICK
SHIT! Incoming!
The Mayor lobs a third bottle. As the bottle sails into the water barrier and disappears from view, there is a MUFFLED THUD as if the glass has hit something soft.
TRICK
OW!
MAYOR
Bingo! You got that one!
There is a moment of silence.
MAYOR (cont'd)
Mr. Trick?
A groan comes from the direction of the water barrier.
MAYOR (cont'd)
Oh come on! This is good brew! You're not gonna waste it by blowing lunch on me already?!
Mayor Wilkins struggles to his feet. As he does, the sail on the windmill, as if bidding him a fond farewell, whacks him on the head one last time. In response, the Mayor drunkenly swats behind him as if he were brushing away a bothersome horsefly. He then staggers over to the water barrier, reaches down below the coping and drags Trick up by the scruff of his collar. Trick is completely soaked with the green, algae infested water.
MAYOR (cont'd)
There you are!
The Mayor drags Trick up to the nineth green and drops him in a pile against the vandalized ticket booth. Wilkins pulls out a cloth hankerchief, wipes his hands and then sits down beside Trick, who appears to have finally passed out.
MAYOR (cont'd)
(sighing)
You shouldn't take something like this so personally... the end of the world I mean. It's just business, you know. Just because our little empire here may cease to exist doesn't mean we should get so PMS'y about it. Me... I'm actually looking forward to a little change of pace.
The Mayor looks over at Trick who snorts in a drunken stupor.
MAYOR (cont'd)
I mean, all the responsibilities of an elected official... who needs 'em? There is something to be said for being free just to hide under beds and terrorize four year olds.
TRICK
(groaning)
... I no wanna die...
MAYOR (cont'd)
(patting Trick)
Oh, now, now. Don't be such a gloomy gus. You and I, we'll still have a place in the new world. After all, there'll still be plenty of wars. And genocide, don't forget genocide. I mean, whole nations of people believe in it right now! In fact, I just saw something on AOL the other day...
The Mayor thinks for a moment.
MAYOR (cont'd)
(excited)
Yes! Ethnic cleansing, that's the expression they use now. Has a wonderful surgical quality, don't you think?
TRICK
(wallowing on the green)
Uuuggh! I'm gonna hurl.
MAYOR
(ignoring Trick and becoming more enthusiastic)
Yes, Trick, you and I, we'll always be there! We'll prey on gullible minds, infest empty souls! Whenever a politician or true believer declares black to be white and white to black, empty to be full and full to be empty, we'll be there! Whenever the demons of the mind subvert the soul, preaching love is hate and hate is love, we'll be there! Wherever the madness of empty frustration builds until it overwhelms all sense of sanity turning children against children, we'll be there!
Trick only groans.
MAYOR (cont'd)
Yes, Mr. Trick... I don't think it's going to be such a bad world after all!
Suddenly a pair of uniformed legs appear before the Mayor and Mr. Trick. It is a POLICE OFFICER. The Mayor looks up and grins.
MAYOR (cont'd)
Hi!
OFFICER
(holding his baton)
All right, boys. Let's go.
The Mayor gives the Officer a look of "Who? Me?"
MAYOR
Now Officer, you don't think *we* did all of this? The place was a mess when we got here. Wasn't it, Mr. Trick? Besides, I'm Mayor Wilkins! I'm invulnerable! And this is my assistant, Mr. Trick! He's a vampire!
OFFICER
Right, and I'm Prince Charming.
MAYOR
Nooo! Really? I'd never recognize you in that...
The Police Officer pulls his two way radio out of his hip holder. The radio BEEPS AND BUZZES with static.
OFFICER
(speaking into the radio)
Roger, Charlie one niner. I'm gonna need back up here.
MAYOR
(punching the drunken form of Trick)
Hey, Trick, wake up! It's some Prince somebody!
Trick groans and rolls away out of sight into a clump of ornamental shrubs. In a moment the SOUND OF VOMITING can be heard from the bushes.
MAYOR (cont'd)
(taken aback)
Oh... I didn't realize you two had met.
CUT TO BLACK
ACT 4, Scene 3. EXT. The path through the underworld beyond the River Styx. At the same time.
Buffy, Scott and the rest of the Scooby Gang have left the boatman, Charon, far behind. Their trail, with Scott leading the way, has wound up from the surging waters of the Styx into the jagged peaks surrounding the river. The path winds through a canyon of blasted wastes where boulders and stone outcroppings jut out from the ground and cliff walls at bizarre and fantastic angles. Lining the rock faces that soar up around them, are scattered black holes cut into the dark stone. They might be mistaken for cavern openings if they didn't resemble so much the entranceways for ancient rock tombs. All around there is a QUIET MOANING, like the sound of a rising and falling wind among the tortured landscape.
As the Scooby Gang moves further into the region of the damned, they spot clusters of motionless robed figures, their faces hidden under black hoods, by the sides of the path and off among the rocks. Buffy, Angel and the others gaze intently at the apparitions as they pass by, but a silent look from Scott tells them that these phantoms are not to be disturbed. Xander, in particular, eyes them closely, almost expectantly, as if beneath the concealing cloth might lie buried another familiar face, a friend or a fellow student, that had perished at the hands of the demons he and the others have fought for three years.
The path climbs higher, at times slicing into the stone cliffs themselves, forcing Buffy and the others to slither in single file through claustrophobic hallways of rock. The Gang struggles around and through each obstacle. Suddenly, Cordelia's back pack snags on a jagged edge. Stopping with a little gasp, she squeaks for the others.
CORDELIA
(whispered, frightened)
Uhh... uhh... guys... Xander!
Protectively, Xander runs back to her side, untangles the straps and gives her a reassuring hug. Everyone moves forward once again. Willow, her arm wrapped tightly over Oz's shoulder, is now barely able to walk. She hobbles along, dragging her feet with every painful step. Oz quietly reassures her, keeping her spirit strong.
The trail passes out into the open once more, circling along the rim of a cliff that drops off behind down to a lake of molten lava. To the other side of the trail, the ground rolls gently lower into a clearing of gravel and sand. Steam rises from dozens of fumeroles scattered through the open area while the robed figures stand clustered around a central spot in the clearing.
There, nailed cruciform fashion to a large flat stone, lies a naked man. It is the image of the condemned man Buffy saw in the old Dante volume. Buffy stops and the others hold up as she does. They all follow her gaze to the gruesome sight.
SCOTT
(quietly)
This is it. We're here.
WILLOW
(between breaths)
What happens now?
SCOTT
We wait.
ANGEL
Does He know we're here?
SCOTT
Oh, yeah... He's just playing with us. But remember, everything He says is a lie. It's all lies.
Ethan Rayne grins smuggly as he stands between Cordelia and Xander. Faith who is standing behind them, gives Ethan a rough shove.
FAITH
(to Ethan)
Hey! Wipe that shit eater grin off yer face!
Ethan turns to Faith. There is a malevolence in his smile.
ETHAN
(slowly)
I'll make sure... you get yours especially.
Faith swaggers up to Ethan and pokes him in the chest.
FAITH
(very surly)
I'm sorta looking forward to it. After old man MacDuffie hogged all the fun up in the Library, I figure, now it's my turn to party.
Faith lears up at Ethan, her face only inches away from his.
FAITH (cont'd)
Besides, whatcha gonna do 'bout it, weasel boy? Cry fer Daddy?
Ethan's eyes blaze with fury. Faith turns away from Ethan.
FAITH (cont'd)
Yeah, I figured as much. What a loser!
Through the whole exchange, Buffy is silent, her gaze fixed on the tormented soul nailed to the stone. Finally she speaks to Cordelia but doesn't look at her.
BUFFY
(quietly)
Cordelia... gimme your water canteen.
Cordelia passes the canteen to Buffy who takes it and begins walking down towards the center of the clearing.
ANGEL
Buffy? Where you going?
XANDER
(calling after her)
Hey, Buffy, we better stick together here!
WILLOW
(quietly)
No... let her go, guys.... that's her Hell.
No one speaks for a moment as Buffy picks her way down the slope towards the clearing. Finally, Angel turns to Scott.
ANGEL
Hey,... maybe you better go with her.
Puzzled, Scott stares unspeaking at Angel. Their eyes lock as if the two were communicating without words. After a few moments, Angel speaks again.
ANGEL
(to Scott, quietly)
Go on... this is your territory... she might need you.
Scott still doesn't move. Finally he nods at Angel, turns and follows Buffy down to the clearly.
XANDER
(to Angel as Scott gets out of earshot)
Mighty noble, there, Big Guy.
ANGEL
(almost speaking to himself)
Noble's got nothing to do with it. It's almost over.
Angel turns to the rest of the Scooby Gang.
ANGEL (cont'd)
I could see it in his eyes. There's just a few minutes left.
With those words, Cordelia steps up beside Xander and wraps her arm around his waist. She quickly leans her head over and whispers something in his ear. Xander stares at her, a look of startled joy on his face. Just as quickly, he buries his head in her brown hair and whispers in her ear. Cordelia grins a smile as broad as any Willow could muster, and her white teeth almost glow like a challenge to the murky gloom all around them.
At the same time, Willow leans closer to Oz as she hangs on his shoulder.
WILLOW
(whispered)
I love you, Wolfy. But when things get bad, you gotta remember... I'm already dead... so don't go risking yourself trying to protect me.
OZ
Willow, I got other instructions... from Mr. MacDuffie.
ETHAN
(looking around him at all the hugging)
This... is disgusting!
FAITH
(giving Ethan another shove)
Shut Up! I like it! Smootchies are good stuff! Course you wouldn't have a clue would you. So listen up weasel boy. This is how we're gonna beat the crap outta you... and Mr. D!
Ethan Rayne glowers all the more at Faith
CUT TO EXT. The clearing away from the path. At the same time.
In the foreground, the naked soul lies slowly writhing on the stone, blood spreading from where his hands and feet are nailed down. Buffy, the canteen firmly grasped in front of her, fearfully draws near. As she does, the robe shrouded figures, almost in defference, part and allow her to pass. A little ways behind her, Scott follows. He does not try to catch up with her, rather letting Buffy approach on her own.
Buffy stands silently before the tormented soul. She gazes down at him as he weakly struggles to free himself, pulling at his anchored arms and feet. Finally, Scott moves forward and stands right beside Buffy. For a few moments, neither say anything. When Buffy speaks at last, she doesn't direct her words at Scott, but rather at the blasted landscape around her and the threatening clouds overhead, as if her question were asked of Hell itself.
BUFFY
Who is he?
Scott's answer sounds as if it has come from the very rocks and stones surrounding them.
SCOTT
He is ancient... a few claim he's Caiaphas, the High Priest. But in reality, he's far older... he's been here since the dawn of humanity.
BUFFY
(trying to recite)
"He who gave counsel that it were fitting for one,
... to suffer for the good of many."
Buffy unscrews the canteen cap, steps forward and kneels down beside the naked man. She tips the canteen toward his parched lips so that the water runs into his open mouth. Suddenly aware of his benefactor, the tortured soul turns his head towards Buffy and gulps desperately of the clear water pouring from the canteen.
BUFFY
(very quietly)
... easy... easy... not too fast...
Finally the crucified spirit's thirst abates and he looks up at Buffy. His voice croaks like the sound of someone who hasn't spoken for a very long time.
CRUCIFIED MAN
... who... are... you?
BUFFY
(sadly)
I am you... if I fail... when this is all over, I'll be back... to keep you company.
The tortured soul closes his eyes and allows his head to rest on its side as if the stone were the softest of pillows.
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE PATH ABOVE THE CLEARING
All of the Scooby Gang have their eyes trained on Buffy and Scott. The only exception is Faith who keeps a careful watch on Ethan Rayne. Slowly, Willow draws the stone fragment out of her pocket and gently unwraps it from its protective cloth. Her motions catch Ethan Rayne's attention.
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE CLEARING BELOW THE PATH
Buffy steps away from the crucified soul and stands beside Scott. As she does, the surrounding shrouded figures move back and bow with respect. Puzzled, Buffy stares at them.
BUFFY
(to Scott)
What are they doing?
SCOTT
Acknowledging that they have seen what they are not permitted to see.
BUFFY
But, Scott... ?
SCOTT
(quietly, hesitantly)
Buffy, when you show pity and love for the damned... even the very least of us... you have shown it to all... giving them that which is forbidden in this place,... hope.
BUFFY
(sadly, tenderly as she faces him)
... and you're not the least among them...
Scott slowly lowers his head, trying not to look Buffy in the eyes. But she reaches out with her hand and turns his face up to look into her green eyes. She then leans forward and kisses him, her lips gently touching his. She runs her hands across his disheveled hair and caresses the bruises and scars on his face. As their lips separate, she can see the tears beginning to form in Scott's eyes as he bows his head again and buries it in her hair spilling across her shoulders.
Not speaking, Buffy wraps her arms tightly around Scott, as if she were trying to pass all of her Slayer's strength to him and, through him, to the souls of the condemned all around them. For just a moment, she imagines that the sound of the moaning, their ever present companion since the crossing of the Styx, has somehow fallen silent for the first time in thousands of years.
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE PATH ABOVE THE CLEARING
Angel stares down beyond the boulders to the clearing where Buffy is holding Scott. He lowers his head and sighs. His movement distracts Faith from her watch over Ethan.
FAITH
You okay, Big Guy?
ANGEL
(fearfully)
... any moment now...
FAITH
What?
Ignored by the others, Ethan Rayne lears at Willow, his eyes locked on the stone fragment she is holding.
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE CLEARING BELOW THE PATH
Suddenly, Scott raises his head off Buffy's shoulder. A sense of building panic spreads across his face.
BUFFY
Scott? What is it?
SCOTT
(almost silently)
... He's coming... Buffy, He's coming!
Scott looks wildly around him. His eyes suddenly settle on the Scooby Gang dozens of yards away up on the path.
SCOTT (cont'd)
(whispered with desperation)
... Willow... it's Willow He's after!
Scott breaks away from Buffy's embrace and runs, dodging rocks and the shrouded phantoms. Buffy breaks into a dash after him.
SCOTT
(screaming)
WILLOW! LOOK OUT!
BUFFY
Scott!
CROSS CUT BACK TO THE PATH ABOVE THE CLEARING
Ethan Rayne makes a leap towards Willow. He drops Xander with a quick punch to the face and shoves Cordelia aside. Faith, who has been caught off guard, takes a swing at Ethan but only connects with thin air. Hearing her voice called by Scott, Willow looks up from the stone just as Ethan grabs a fist full of her long hair and drags her off of Oz's shoulder. Snatching the stone out of her hand, Ethan quickly has Willow and the ancient rock fragment dangling on the edge of the path where it drops off to the volcanic lava pool hundreds of feet below.
ETHAN
Party's over! Don't anybody move!
OZ
Willow!
Scott and Buffy race towards the Scooby Gang. As they do, Scott's body metamophizes into his dragon alter ego. He charges in long strides, his blue eyes blazing furiously, towards Ethan. Ethan spots him and begins to panic.
ETHAN
Rarak! Keep away from me! Or I'll...
Scott doesn't slow his charge towards Ethan.
ETHAN
(wincing down in fear)
Oh Shit! Rarak!
As Scott is about to sink his talons into Ethan, an invisible force, like a sweeping hand of wind, slams into Scott, lifts him off his feet and sends him hurtling violently against a rock face a few feet away. He drops to the ground and lies still. Quickly, his body returns to its original human form. Buffy screams
BUFFY
SCOTT!
She and Faith run to his side. At the same time, Angel, Oz, Xander and Cordelia form a menacing circle around Ethan who threatens to toss both Willow and the ancient stone fragment off into the lava pit below. Unable to stand, Willow drops to her knees on the brink of the cliff. The only thing holding her from toppling over down into the crater of fire is Ethan's grasp on her long red hair.
Buffy is the first to reach Scott but she halts and does not kneel down beside him. The bandage has been ripped off his head and his whole face is swathed in blood. His left arm, almost yanked from its socket, dangles at his side at a grotesque angle while his right leg is twisted out to one side. He still breaths and his eyes are open but staring ahead, glassy.
Buffy stands over Scott.
BUFFY
Scott! Scott!
FAITH
(joining Buffy)
Get a grip, "B!" (to Scott) This is it, isn't it, kid? The battle starts now?
Scott barely nods. Faith, her face a mask of fury, turns towards Ethan Rayne.
FAITH (cont'd)
(under her breath at Ethan)
You f**king bastard!
Faith quickly turns to Buffy
FAITH (cont'd)
(indicating Scott)
Take care of him for me, "B."
BUFFY
(confused)
What the hell are you gonna do?
FAITH
(with cold anger)
What I shoulda done back in Sunnydale!
Pushing aside Angel and Xander as she enters the ring of Slayerettes, Faith walks purposefully towards Ethan and Willow. At the same time, Buffy kneels down beside Scott's broken body.
BUFFY
(desperately, not knowing what to do)
Scott... can you move?... what can I do?
SCOTT
(whispered)
... forget me...
BUFFY
NO!
SCOTT
(gasping as blood begins to run from his mouth)
Buffy, it's started! He's all around us, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Death! You must make your stand now! Believe nothing He says! Nothing you see! He and all of this are lies!
Faith swaggers up to within a few feet of Ethan.
ETHAN
No Closer, Slayer!
FAITH
Easy, man! I'm not gonna give ya a hard time. I gotta deal for ya though. Something that might impress... Mr. D.
ETHAN
Oh, come on! What could you possible offer...
FAITH
A trade... for Dead Red there... me.
Ethan is silent.
XANDER
(shouting)
Faith, what the hell are you doing!
CORDELIA
(under her breath to Xander)
Sshh! She's good, Xander. She's real good.
FAITH
(to Ethan)
Not bad, huh! Think about it. Red here, she's already dead. You pitch her into the sweat bath there, net gain for the old Kingdom... zipperoony! 'Cause she doesn't belong here. But me, on the other hand... with my track record.
Ethan grins malevolently.
ETHAN
You're a saucy bitch!
FAITH'
Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment. We got a deal?
ETHAN
(grinning)
Come here.
Faith swaggers up to Ethan. Ethan quickly releases his grip on Willow and sinks his fingers into Faith's long black hair, yanking her head back so that her body totters on the edge of the precipice over the lava pit. Oz runs forward, pulling Willow away.
FAITH
(calling over to the group)
You okay, Red?
WILLOW
(gasping in Oz's arms)
Yeah...
FAITH
(turning her gaze to Ethan)
All right, weasel boy,... now... gimme the stone!
Ethan almost laughs but suddenly he senses the threat coming from Faith.
FAITH (cont'd)
Scott said you were stupid.
In a flash, Faith grabs Ethan's hand, breaks his grip on her hair and twists his arm up around behind his back. Forcing him to his knees, she tips his head forward so that half his body hangs out beyond the path over the edge of the lava pit.
FAITH (cont'd)
I want that stone, Now!
Ethan extends his free hand up over his head. In his fist is grasped the piece of tattered cloth wrapped around the fragment of the first Tablets of the Laws. As Faith reaches out to snatch it away, Ethan opens his palm, and the scorched fragment of the Tablet drops out of his hand. It sails down through the fumes and glowing red light, finally striking the surface of the lava pit where it disintegrates with a tiny flash.
ETHAN
(dripping sarcasm)
Oops! How clumsy of me.
In a fury, Faith releases her grip on Ethan, steps back and plants her foot in a furious kick directly on Ethan's upturned buttocks. He flies out off the cliff's edge, spinning head over heels down to the seething pool of lava.
FAITH
Oops! How clumsy of me!
ETHAN (cont'd)
(his voice echoing as he disappears)
BLOODY HELL!
A flash of red light and a puff of smoke billows up above the rim of the precipice from the lava pit. For a moment, none of the Scooby Gang moves. Faith stomps her foot on the stone path.
FAITH
DAMN!
WILLOW
It's gone... our only chance is gone.
SCOTT
(gasping)
No! ... no...
The others turn to Scott and Buffy. They all quickly gather around him. Willow, still supported by Oz, kneels down by Scott's side.
WILLOW
(quietly)
Scott... what do we do? We've lost the stone... that was "touched by the finger of God."
SCOTT
(whispered)
No... I can see it... Buffy... Willow, this is not the way it's going to end. I can see what He can't. The answer is all around us.
BUFFY
What is Scott?
Suddenly the voice of Ethan Rayne rings out from behind the Slayerettes. Everyone looks up and gasps. There standing on the edge of the precipice where he fell into the lava pit just moments before is what appears to be Ethan Rayne. His arms are folded across his chest and his grin is even more malicious than before.
ETHAN
Are you babbling your riddles again, Rarak?
A collective gasp comes from the Scooby Gang.
XANDER
But he just got killed! What the Hell's he doing back?
Ethan chuckles. Faith takes a few steps towards the image of Ethan. She stops and studies him up and down.
ETHAN
(pleasantly)
Hello, Faith.
FAITH
(realizing who he is)
Hey, there... Mr. D.
ANGEL
Holy shit...
OZ
(in amazement)
Like Father, like Son...
BUFFY
No kidding...
FAITH
(to Ethan)
It's time, huh?
ETHAN
Almost.
FAITH
(matter of fact)
Would you mind if I beat the shit outta you?
ETHAN
Take your best shot.
Faith swings at Ethan. Her fist passes through him as if he had no corporeal substance. Watching from next to Buffy and Scott, Willow whispers to Oz.
WILLOW
Oz, with the stone gone, this may be the end. I'm gonna go for it.
OZ
What? Whatta you gonna do, Will?
WILLOW
(with steely fury)
I'm gonna give "Mr. D." a little "material" form.
OZ
Will! If you do that, you'll drain all the strength from the spell keeping your body alive!
WILLOW
I know. (Willow quickly kisses Oz) Bye, Wolfy.
Willow reaches out her hand and twists it in a circular motion. Her blue eyes blaze like glowing sapphires against the pasty color of death on her face.
At the same time, Faith takes another swing at Ethan. Instead of her fist passing through him, the blow strikes Ethan hard against the jaw. Ethan springs back, a look of total shock on his face.
FAITH
Hey! (to Willow) That you, Red?!
WILLOW
(calling out with her fading strength)
Go for it!
FAITH
ALL RIGHT!
Faith begins landing blow after blow to Ethan's face and midsection. He doubles up, groaning and squirming with shock and surprise.
FAITH (cont'd)
(as she swings her fists over and over)
Man! Vamps, demons, horny guys and now punching out Mr. D himself! Is this the best or what!
The others stare in total amazement as Faith's fists fly rapid fire to Ethan's stomach.
FAITH (cont'd)
(yelling to Cordelia)
Hey, Cords! Get over here!
Cordelia breaks away from the group, even as Xander makes a futile effort to grab her before she can get away. She runs up to Faith's side.
FAITH
(to Cordelia)
Do your thing, babe!
Cordelia plants her knee as hard as she can in Ethan Rayne's groin. Ethan drops to his knees and sways back and forth with the pain. Everyone watching winces.
OZ
(to Willow)
That was a definite high "C."
FAITH
(urgently to Cordelia)
Okay, get outta here. Fun's almost over.
Cordelia runs back to the group. As she reaches Xander's side she winks at him.
CORDELIA
(to Xander)
Aren't you glad I love you!
Xander's eyes almost pop out of his head with surprise. At the same time, Ethan looks up at Faith and waves his hand in front of him. Willow gasps, feeling the power of her materialization spell severed. Ethan rises up in front of Faith, somehow seeming taller than he actually is.
ETHAN
(to Faith)
You finished?
FAITH
Guess so... so how was I? Was it good for you?
Ethan waves his hand in front of him once more. The same force that struck Scott earlier, slams into Faith, sending her flying off the path down to the lava pool. As she disappears from view, her cheery voice rings out.
FAITH (cont'd)
Bye, guys! See ya in the next world!
The Scooby Gang stares, horrified at what has just happened. The image of Ethan turns towards them. His face appears flushed, his eyes glowing and his teeth, now sharper and more pointed, protrude over his lips.
ETHAN
(learing)
And now, I understand you little twits have some "business" with me? Oh, and Rarak? Keep out of it! I warned you! Down here you're under my command.
SCOTT
(gasping)
You don't tell me what to do!
ETHAN
Hhmm. Where have I heard that before? Ethan always said you were a pill that way... And now, ladies and gents, I believe you owe me... a little stone trinket of some sort?
Buffy and the others are silent, at a total loss as to what to do.
ETHAN (cont'd)
Come, come! You have the audacity to challenge me for the soul of Rupert Giles!... and have nothing to bargain with? Pretty pathetic, if you ask me. There aren't even seven of you!
Suddenly Scott begins quietly laughing. He struggles as his body is wracked by choking and gasping but he laughs nonetheless.
SCOTT
(to the others)
I can see it! We've won, guys! He's gonna rain all Hell down on us! But don't let him fool you! Hold on to your love... each of you!
ETHAN
You really should stop babbling, Rarak.
SCOTT
(to Ethan)
You can't even count! You're stupider than Ethan! *I'm* number seven, you asshole!
ETHAN
Shut up, Rarak!
SCOTT
(quickly, to Buffy)
Remember, everything you're going to see is a lie! Don't believe it!
ETHAN
SHUT UP, RARAK!
SCOTT
Throw it in his face, Buffy! As hard as you can!
BUFFY
(desperately)
What, Scott? Throw what?
SCOTT
(grinning)
Everything! We don't need the stone! It's what the stone represents!
ETHAN
(screaming)
DAMN YOU, RARAK!
Ethan suddenly raises his arms over his head as if he were reaching up to the billowing black clouds in order to draw them down over what is happening. His face and body contort, their shape twisting like an image passing through wavy red glass in a nightmare funhouse. As Ethan brings his arms down in a rush, he yells in a fury. There is a THUNDEROUS EXPLOSION that knocks Buffy, Angel and the others to the ground. Accompanying the roar is a blinding flash of red light, and with it, Buffy and the others are scattered.
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