FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THE HYPERION - NIGHT
ANGEL steps forward and SPIKE, GUNN and ILLYRIA follow. Spike is standing off to Angel's right side. ANGEL is charging, sword up, flanked a step behind by GUNN on the right and ILLYRIA on the left. SPIKE backs them up, looking at more demons coming from a different direction. A portal opens and out charges FAITH, with twenty or so fresh slayers. They all start fighting the various vampires, demons and beasts. FAITH fights her way through some demons to get to ANGEL.
ANGEL
What took you so long?
FAITH
Traffic was a [gets hits on the side by a female vampire and slays her quickly] bitch.
WILLOW steps of the portal, closing it. Around her is some sort of mystical force field that keeps the rain and demons from touching her. The dragon charges at Angel and Faith. WILLOW shoots a magic ball from her hands which spreads in the air to cover the dragon's mouth so it can't breathe fire. The dragon charges at Angel. Angel hits the dragon which rolls away in air, whimpering in pain like a dog. FAITH looks at ANGEL for a brief moment in surprise.
FAITH
Ooh baby, when did you become Superman strong?
ANGEL
I got some help [ripping a demon's jaws apart].
Slayers start kicking some demon butt but the demons are still gaining.
WILLOW
[Telepathic voice]
Angel, Faith, we have to get out. We're outnumbered.
ANGEL hits a few demons, looking at WILLOW, standing far away.
ANGEL
Don't see how we can, Will. Where's Buffy?
The Dragon melts the mystical goo and charges again.
WILLOW
She's still mad at you about Italy…
Another portal opens in the sky and out comes BUFFY riding a large dragon and holding a scythe.
WILLOW
Or not.
The dragon BUFFY is riding charges at the other dragon, avoiding its breath of fire. It spins allowing Buffy to cut off the dragon's head.
ANGEL
Hey, I wanted to do that dragon.
Buffy's dragon lands near WILLOW, turning into THE IMMORTAL, so BUFFY lands on her butt, with a "not-again" look on her face.
WILLOW
I can't open another portal here in the rain. There's too much mystical interference as it is.
BUFFY
How about we, ouch, go to the Hyperion? Always wanted to visit the place.
WILLOW
[Telepathic voice]
Slayers, retreat to the hotel.
The SLAYERS, start backing out, slowly, still fighting demons, and then begin running. All sort of demons chase them. ANGEL looks around, sees ILLYRIA and SPIKE fighting a bunch of yellow demons. He comes over, easily throws the demons who crash against a wall. SPIKE looks in surprise at ANGEL.
ANGEL
Lets go. Go to the hotel. We teleport out of here. [Casually throws off a few demons]
ILLYRIA
Run away from battle? Never! I will crush our enemies' skulls and pounce on their rotten bodies for what they did to Wesley.
SPIKE
I know your will to live is not really high these days, Blue , but I'm sure we can do more damage if we regroup and attack them when there are less of them and more of us.
ILLYRIA
Then go, lowly cowards!
ANGEL
[to Spike] Buffy's here with the Immortal.
SPIKE walks towards the retreating slayers with ANGEL in pursuit.
SPIKE
[Waving to Illyria]
So, have a fun death.
ANGEL
[to Spike]
Now stay calm and don't embarrass us like you did in Rome.
SPIKE
I'm all over that. Besides, I can see like thirty slayers over there. Do you reckon Faith is free?
ILLIRYA watches them go, takes a few swings at some demons, and then runs off to join them.
INT. HYPERION – NIGHT
A group of slayers enters the hotel, along with ANGEL and SPIKE. It is filled with vampires. A big fight erupts. WILLOW starts chanting quietly and a portal begins to open. ILLYRIA quickly follows, casually snapping a vampire's head, fighting AMANDA, one of the slayers.
AMANDA
Cool look.
ILLYRIA
It is ancient as
AMANDA
[interferes] Yet trendy.
ILLYIRA just stares at her. A vampire comes at AMANDA from behind.
AMANDA
[Swinging elegantly and staking the vampire] Rough crowd.
ANGEL sees BUFFY with THE IMMORTAL, touching him warmly. He looks around, agitated. Turns to SPIKE.
ANGEL
Where's Gunn?
SPIKE
Not sure.
ANGEL
Wasn't he fighting with you?
SPIKE
It was sort of difficult to see with the two hundred monsters jumping my friggin' back. He's dying anyway, so unless you wanna sire him…
ANGEL heads to the door, bumps in to BUFFY.
BUFFY
Where are you going?
ANGEL
Got one more soul to save.
BUFFY
There isn't time. The portal is almost ready and we have to close quickly.
The hotel is shaking.
ANGEL
You always argue. I've had enough.
BUFFY is stunned while ANGEL leaves.
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THE HYPERION - NIGHT
ANGEL walks along the alley. It is filled with wet monster bodies and covered with vampire dust, but other then that empty. The rain has also stopped.
Something jumps ANGEL from behind. He goes to hit it, then sees its GUNN, limping, covered with blood, barely alive.
GUNN
It's a, it's a [gasps]
ANGEL
Trap, yes I know.
Four well dressed black demons appear. It seems they are having problem stabilizing themselves in this reality as their images waver from time to time. GUNN collapses to the ground. He has two bloody holes on his neck.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
Thanks you so much for coming.
ANGEL
Where is everyone? I so enjoyed your little party.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
We wanted to have a more private chat; we've invested so much in you.
angel
The senior partners? Come to see me? I'm flattered.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
We expected much of you.
angel
I'm sorry I drank your guy. I do appreciate this new invincibility thing.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
You did get cocky before with that whole "Shanshu" thing. Our friends at the Powers-That-Be really thought you would buy into that, after you failed to use the ring of Amarra.
ANGEL
So, you're all in the same boat. Why am I not surprised?
SENIOR PARTNER #1
See, higher being politics is somewhat like human politics. You've got allies and enemies; you just sometimes can't tell which is which. It's a pity all you animals ever come to is death, death and more death.
ANGEL
Yes, but you're evil, don't you like death?
SENIOR PARTNER #1
Oh, death sounds nice and cozy, but keeping the balance is more important to us. Think about it from a vampire point of view. If you eat up all the humans, there's no food left. So you need them, you like them, eventually you get to be more and more like them. But we are very patient. We are always willing to make a few sacrifices to get what we want.
ANGEL
That's cute, but we don't need you. How about I sacrifice *you*?
Angel gets into a fighting position, jumps at the SENIOR PARTNERs but is halted in mid-air.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
Like hell you do. We've been keeping the balance in nature for a while. We're not like those God wannabees with their fake "world peace" or "world destruction" or some other stupid plan they have in any given moment.
Shish, You know, we're uncomfortable in this [disgusted] disguise, this form that we took to appear before you. We feel really weak.
SENIOR PARTNER #2 nods his head in agreement. Angel struggles and whimpers but can't move.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
But still, we control *you*. Your blood is filled with our power. So we were thinking, perhaps we should just take your soul away but leave you invincible. You've killed all of our toy shadow government, and now we're left with nothing to play with. We like you, Liam, you've done so much mayhem. Plus, we come bearing gifts.
A shiny bringer knife materializes in the hand of SENIOR PARTNER #1. Angel floats in the air, helpless, agony showing on his face.
ANGEL
Angelus would never work for you. He likes to be on top.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
This is interesting. Doctor Jeckyll is praising Mister Hyde.
SENIOR PARTNER #2
I think he has a point.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
Everybody has a price, wishes, hopes, even vampires do. You just have to make the right adjustments and all the pieces fall into place. [to Angel] You had Buffy, your son, the Shanshu[pulls out a long knife, slices angel] Oh, look at all that blood flowing. It's as if you were a real boy, Pinocchio.
SENIOR PARTENER #1 slices Angel again. Angel tries real hard not to scream, gasping with pain.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
Tell me, how do you like it, being a real person? Be honest, this is for prosperity.
ANGEL
But I [winces in pain] signed the Shanshu away.
SENIOR PARTNER #1
Yes, that useless secret society. What do they know? Did they show you the secret handshake?
[SENIOR PARTNER 2 and SENIOR PARTNER 3 snicker]
ANGEL is bleeding badly now. The blood flows and trickles on to GUNN's face.
CUT TO the Hyperion
Slayers are moving through the portal, followed by ILLYRIA and SPIKE.
SENIOR PARTNER #1[V.O]
You've had so much power, it gave you pain. Now you have none and what have you got? More pain.
BUFFY looks at THE IMMORTAL, then at the hotel entrance. THE IMMORTAL steps into the portal, disappearing.
SENIOR PARTNER #1 [V.O]
Dust to dust, but no dust.
Now you might understand the importance of having balance.
BUFFY looks once more at the entrance, then reluctantly steps in to the portal which closes after her.
INT. HOSPITAL – DAY
FAITH sits on a chair. ROBIN is in the hospital bed, IV hooked to his hand, machines monitoring his vitals. The sign are in English and the bed spread has "South Valley Hospital" written on it.
ROBIN
So, how was the big fight?
FAITH
Major slaying.
ROBIN
So you had fun.
FAITH
[embarrassed smile] Yes.
ROBIN
It's okay to like it. I'm sure babysitting me is no fun.
FAITH
Robin, stop. You know I want to be here for you.
ROBIN
I know. But when I said I'll surprise you I didn't mean surprise visits to the hospital every few weeks.
FAITH
The doctors say they almost are sure what the problem is this time.
ROBIN
The almost sure is not very comforting.
Awkward silence.
FAITH
If you die I'm going back to prison.
ROBIN
I thought Riley and his guys erased your criminal record.
FAITH
I'll, I have to do something. It's not fair.
ROBIN
You're just afraid of grown old.
FAITH
[protesting] I'm not [stops] ok, maybe I am. I think I'll be lost without you.
ROBIN
Oh no, don't use me as an excuse. You should go out there, have fun, dance with boys
FAITH winces, half crying.
ROBIN (cont.)
and most of all you should go back to the other slayers.
FAITH
And what do I teach them? Jail birding? People killin'? Torture?
robin
You can help them fight the bad guys.
FAITH
I don't want to fight. To help Angel, that was special especially since nobody wanted to. I had to do some real heavy duty convincing to get them to help. But I'm through with the killing.
ROBIN
It's part of you, the slaying, like it was my mother's. I love you for it. Don't give it up.
INT. CASTLE LIBRARY – DAY
DAWN is sitting, copying some stuff off a book. SPIKE comes over, sits across of her.
spike
Dawn. What are you reading?
DAWN
I'm not helping you.
SPIKE
Come on Dawn, you know I've changed. I helped saved the world. You were there.
dawn
Fine. But I'm still not helping you. Buffy has someone now. The Immortal.
SPIKE
Yes, I kinda figured that one for myself. Beside I'm all over Buffy.
DAWN
[not really buying it] Okay.
SPIKE
Even though I'm more like her now.
DAWN
How come?
SPIKE
I died twice too.
DAWN
How was it? I mean dying like that in the hellmouth?
SPIKE
Oh wait I've died three times.
DAWN
Huh?
SPIKE
Yes, Illyria killed me.
DAWN
Who?
SPIKE
The blue goddess who infected Fred. She killed us all, Me, Angel, Gunn, Wesley. But she made the time warp and then we were okay.
DAWN
[Wide-eyed] Illyria can bend time?
spike
She used too the little bugger. Good thing ole'Wesley off'd her powers or she had blown a crate the size of Wembley in LA.
dawn
So you've outnumbered Buffy in the numbers of your death. [cynical] I guess now she might love you.
SPIKE
You've grown, Dawnnie.
DAWN
Yes, and it's about time you do too Spike.
EXT. SLAYER ACADEMY GROUNDS – DAY
ANDEW walks through the grounds where other watchers in training and slayers are sitting, enjoying the sun. Two guys are walking towards him.
ANDREW
Hi guys, what's up?
JOHN
Hi Andrew, do you recon you could tell us another one of you amusing fantasy stories?
MATHEW
No, wait, he's still waiting for his Master Jedi to come back so he can fondle him.
JOHN snickers.
ANDREW
Ha ha guys, I'm really
JOHN and MATHEW walk away.
JOHN
Not interested.
andrew
[to himself]
One of these days I will pull a McFly on you.
ANDREW joins DAWN and AMANDA sitting on the lawn.
DAWN
So, a real epic battle, right?
AMANDA
Yes, it was awesome [sees Dawn's downcast eyes] but real dangerous. So many demons we thought we would die.
DAWN
Oh, I've been in mortal danger before so many times I lost count. Just, you know, not for a while.
AMANDA
I still remember my first time when the bringers tried to do me.
ANDREW
Remember that time in Sunnydale when we saved the world…
Both DAWN and AMANDA roll their eyes.
AMANDA
Andy, you've got to get yourself a life,
XANDER walks by and looks fondly at Dawn. She smiles at him.
AMANDA
or a boyfriend, which ever comes first. Isn't that right, Dawn? Dawn?
DAWN
[distracted] Sure, like totally.
ANDREW
I can't. I mean, the other young watchers, they like, too serious for me. And Italian men, they're really nice, and rugged and dress well…[trails off]
AMANDA
Andrew?
ANDREW
But I can't really tell which ones like men. They're being secretive because of their sacred Catholic faith. And the watchers are really too serious for me. Have you noticed how though not all of them are from England, they all get these really Queen's British accent?
AMANDA
They're like Giles-spawns.
DAWN
I find it funny that since we came here you dated two women and not a single man.
ANDREW
[smiling bitterly] Yes, ha ha, magical dates. I'm still trying to forget that, thanks for nothing.
AMANDA
Come on, at least now you know what you're missing.
DAWN
And I'm sure Giles will forgive you in like few millennia.
ANDREW
Ah, the love of two women. [shudders]
INT. WILLOW'S OFFICE – NIGHT
WILLOW sits alone at her office desk. She absentmindedly is playing with some sort of a magical field where a Lethe's Bramble is floating.
WILLOW
Come in.
KENNEDY comes in.
KENNEDY
I know you can sense me coming, but can't you at least let me knock on the door?
WILLOW
[shrugs] I'm sorry. [smiles bitterly] I'll try to be less creepy.
KENNEDY
Illyria wants to talk to you.
WILLOW
Who?
KENNEDY
That strange yet real sexy woman with the bluish hair and the cool outfit.
WILLOW
You mean Fred.
KENNEDY
Who's Fred?
WILLOW
Fred is… Never mind, tell, I'll see her tomorrow, in the dungeons, okay?
KENNEDY
Talk to me Willow, what's up?
WILLOW
Nothing is up. Nothing. We did real well today, you know, except for the part with Angel. I hope Buffy's okay.
KENNEDY
She lost him a long time ago, and she's got the Immortal to comfort her.
WILLOW
That's true.
KENNEDY
I want you to know that even though we're not together anymore, you can still talk to me.
WILLOW
I'm okay.
KENNEDY
I wish we could just go back to Rio.
WILLOW
[Reproachfully] Kennedy.
KENNEDY
Okay, I'll just tell, em, Fred, that you'll see her.
WILLOW
Thanks, Kennedy.
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THE HYPERION - NIGHT
ANGEL is dead, now face downon the ground, lying on GUNN who is slumped, face down in the mud. A single drop of rain water drops from a nearby roof. GUNN opens his eyes, moves out from under ANGEL, turning him on his back. He looks around and sees ANGEL's body and his face becomes a mixture of worry and delight.
GUNN
Man, where did I go?
GUNN's face morph to game face and he smiles.
INT. CASTLE – DAY
ILLIRYA walks through the castle. Through the window of the castle a group of slayers can be seen practicing swordplay. A large hall has been converted to a library and is teeming with slayers studying books. ILLRYA turns around a corner, goes down the stairs, slowly as if there's danger around the corner. Turns a corner, she sees a big lab, with some computer and medical equipment. WILLOW sits at a computer console, looking more cheerful.
WILLOW
Hi there, Fred, er, Illirya.
ILLIRYA
You are the one that has great magic powers.
WILLOW
I guess that would be me.
ILLIRYA
I could sense you all over the castle. You are so strong, yet you don't use your power, why is that?
WILLOW
It's difficult to explain. I have this great power, from all kind of sources, but these things sometimes come with a price.
ILLIRYA
It's because you are weak, like all the other soft shells.
WILLOW
It's true. I have the powers of a goddess; but most of these powers can crush me mentally or physically.
ILLIRYA
I need your help. I am weak now as well. This, body, it is too weak to contain my strength so my power has been taken away from me.
WILLOW
Fred's body.
ILLIRYA
And I no longer wish to destroy everything like before.
WILLOW
That's, er, good.
ILLIRYA
I've studied this humanity thing for a while.
WILLOW
[Hopeful] So, you like it?
ILLIRYA
No.
WILLOW
Oh.
ILLIRYA
It's interesting, but it just brings out more pain in me.
They killed Wesley, they killed Gunn. I can't face them. I thought killing all these demons would help, but it does not.
WILLOW
So, what do you want?
ILLIRYA
I want to go back in time, make things right. Wesley understood me more then the rest or at least he tried to help me. I killed his Fred. I killed Wesley then brought him back before, traveling through your time dimension. Now I need your power to help me do this again.
WILLOW
[Shaking, softly to herself] Time Travel.
DAWN comes running down the stairs.
DAWN
Any news about Angel? [sees Illirya] Hi there… you.
ILLYIRA
[To Dawn]You are different from the rest. They used the strongest magic to bring you to life.
DAWN
So you heard, huh? Well, I had my short time of Glory. Willow? Angel? New slayer?
WILLOW
[Distractedly] It's all kind of fuzzy. I keep getting mixed results and, oh, Illrya is an ex-ancient power. She inhabits the body of Wesley's ex-girlfriend though she didn't really choose it.
DAWN
Spike told me about her. Well, anyways, can I help you with some magic stuff?
ILLYRIA
[to Willow] Let me know [goes up the stairs]
DAWN
Know what?
WILLOW
Oh, just some historical stuff.
DAWN
Can we do some spells together? I mean regular spells, not "spell spells".
WILLOW is in her own world, staring blankly.
DAWN
Willow?
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
GUNN, now back to his normal face, walks along the alley, sees some black kids playing. GUNN starts to fake a limp.
KID #1
Mister, what happened to you?
GUNN
Cops, they saw me, thought I was up to no good, [panting] beat me up.
The kids come running to GUNN. He is panting, coughing.
KID #2
Do you need an ambulance or something?
KID #3
Damn, if I saw these motherfuckers I would just [fakes a gun with his hand] pop them.
KID #2
Were you scared, bro?
GUNN
Not really, [morphs his face] but you should be.
Kids scream and run.
GUNN
Let's play hide and seek with your uncle.
Kids run through alleys, go under a chain link fence, go around a corner, panting.
KID #1
Did we lose him?
GUNN jumps from a roof, corners the kids.
KID #3
My brother is gonna kill you.
GUNN
Oh, I'm sure he's a "bad motherfucker". So, are you now, like, my "homees"? Are we "brothers"? I say black is beautiful, don’t you think so?
The kids try to run away but GUNN manages to catch KID #1 and KID #2.
GUNN
So, which of you kids wanna die first? Come'on, what, no volunteers? I tell you, dying is really cool.
KID #3 comes back and throws a knife at GUNN. GUNN swings KID #2 so the knife hits him in the back and he screams..
GUNN
[fake whiny voice] Oh my god, you killed Kenny. You bastard!
KID #3 falls to his knees, shocked.
GUNN
Come'on, son, it's your first hood kill. You should be proud of yourself. I'm sure it won't be your last. Keep this going and you could grow up to be rap artist.
LAILAH [O.S]
Don't you ever get tired of this?
LAILAH steps out of the shadows.
LAILAH
Err…Grr… Ooh I'm such a scary monster
KID #1
Help us miss.
GUNN
You know she works for organization that sell kids like you.
LAILAH
Let them go, we have business to discuss.
GUNN
Fine.
KID #1 grabs KID #2 and runs away, along with KID #3.
GUNN
So, what brings you to this peck of the woods? Hell get too crowded?
LAILAH
We still have a contract.
GUNN
Come'on. Aren't you tired of rebuilding Wolfram and Hart? Just sell the property to Trump or something.
LAILAH
We've got insurance.
GUNN
Does it cover mystical crashes?
LAILAH
Anything but an act of God.
GUNN
So, let me see, you want me to peddle papers all day for the senior partners? Let me think, hmmm, no.
LAILAH
Oh grow up. We worked real hard to get rid you of that pesky soul, got you the new body.
GUNN
Thanks, but still not ready to be the senior partners' bitch.
LAILAH
You are always someone's bitch. That's the sad truth. But you can at least do it with style.
GUNN
So I can be like you? With the fancy clothes and manicured hands. How was it for you, LAILAH, getting abused every week at the office and then sleeping it off with someone who lost it all and can't care who's fucking him so he can abuse you even more?
LAILAH
It was a game, I played the game. There was a price, I paid the price.
GUNN
Good for you. I'm not sure I wanna pay the price. I'm not Angel.
LAILAH
I told the senior partners you would make a fuss. So here is the deal: you don't want us to be in control of you, how about you freelance; we work on some projects that might interest you and if you like it you can choose to go full-time.
GUNN
Read my fangs, Lailah, N-O, no.
LAILAH
At least look at the first project we have for you,
GUNN
There's no chance in hell that
LAILAH opens a briefcase with pictures of Buffy and the Immortal.
GUNN
[stunned] I'm your guy.
INT. CASTLE Corridor – night
SPIKE walks back and forth.
SPIKE
Listen, Buffy, you know I love you. Ah fuck it, I'm no soap opera guy.
[tries again] Look, I understand what is going on with you and The Immortal, but [morphs into game face] I'll drink every last pint of blood in that backstabber, sleeping around with everyone.
CYNTHIA, a young girl, watches SPIKE. Her face turn from horror to determination as she pulls out a stake from her night gown. SPIKE morphs back to human face.
CYNTHIA
A vampire. Just when I was beginning to suspect they were a myth.
SPIKE
Sod off.
CYNTHIA charges at him.
SPIKE
look I've got a soul now. I'm good!
CYNTHIA tries to stake SPIKE but he blocks her and they start fighting.
CYNTHIA
I'm gonna make you my very first slay.
SPIKE
Look, stop this stupid fighting and listen for a bloody moment.
CYNTHIA punches SPIKE in the face. He hits her back but she ducks his blow.
SPIKE
Fine, wanna play rough, little girl? Wanna slay me? I killed two of your kind.
A Chinese girl appears from the other end of the hallway, holding a cross bow.
JIANG LI
I bet not at the same time though.
SPIKE grabs CYNTHYIA and throws her at JIANG LI, then runs the other way. They scramble and follow him. JIANG LI tries to get a shot at SPIKE but he turns around the corridor just in time so the wooden arrow misses him. CYNTHIA goes around another corridor and jumps at SPIKE, knocking him against the wall. He gets up but he is a bit woozy. CYNTHIA holds him as JIANG LI takes a good aim and shoots at his chest. A HAND comes in front of SPIKE'S chest and the arrow is lodged in it. Another hand slowly pulls it out as CYNTHIA and JIANG LI look in horror. The camera show the hands to belong to DANA, taking her shirt off and wrapping it around her wound.
DANA
Leave him be. He's William the Bloody. He has a soul now.
CYNTHIA
But…
DANA
Didn't you hear me?
CYNTHIA and JIANG LI walk away, half running.
SPIKE
Are you okay? I mean, the arrow, your hand.
DANA
Don't worry. I heal.
SPIKE
You are… I mean I know you.
DANA
Didn't expect to see you here with your hands attached and working.
SPIKE
Yes, I heal too.
DANA
Not without some serious magic. Can you help tie the shirt around my wound?
SPIKE ties the shirt tighter.
SPIKE
You seem better, Dana. You should have that wound checked though.
DANA
Don't worry about me, Spike. I'm just not sure this is the place for you, Spike.
SPIKE
I'm starting to sense that.
INT. BUFFY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
BUFFY's head is next to THE IMMORTAL'S head only the other way around.
THE IMMORTAL
So, do you miss him?
BUFFY kiss THE IMMORTAL lightly, upside down, touches his shoulders with her hands.
BUFFY
I like your warmth.
THE IMMORTAL
So, is that a no, or an "I don't want to talk about it?"
BUFFY
It's an "I don't know yet".
THE IMMORTAL
I know you might still be in love with Angel, maybe Riley or god knows why, Spike.
BUFFY looks at THE IMMORTAL Curiously.
THE IMMORTAL
The feelings you experienced, they just change, they get dull, they get distant, but they don't die.
BUFFY
[smiling warmly] So what you're saying is that I worry too much about feelings.
THE IMMORTAL
I was once worried on a trek to Nepal. I was up on a mountain and I haven't eaten anything for a couple of days. There was snow everywhere and I couldn't see anything.
buffy
How did you make it out?
the immortal
I flew.
buffy
Cheater.
the immortal
There was no sense in me just dying there. So I lived on and managed to meet you and like you.
BUFFY
Then you made the right decision. Will you like me when I get old and you stay young?
THE IMMORTAL
You have some demon magic in you that makes you strong, but to enhance magically it would mean for you to become a demon yourself, to surrender to the parts of you that have evil desires in them. Not that I would use magic even if it could help. There is a path that I took all those years ago that you could take to become immortal like me. It is a difficult path and no human has taken it in hundreds of years. It gave me this great gift.
I have been to many corners of the world and seen it change so many times. However, immortality can also be a burden.
BUFFY
How come?
THE IMMORTAL
I always had experienced lots of woman, and naturally, some love, but seeing people grow old together, I knew I could never have that.
BUFFY
So you've had vampires.
THE IMMORTAL
Oh, yes, I've had the best looking ones, but the temperatures in Europe really drop in the winter and vampire touch, not helping.
BUFFY
[Smiling] You're starting to sound like me. Not good for such a noble and ancient person such as yourself.
THE IMMORTAL
Yes, I'm Buffy-ish. I'm down with the Buffy-isms.
BUFFY
No, no, don't be like me. I'm bad. I shop like hell.
THE IMMORTAL
Yes, but you have lots of redeeming qualities.
buffy
So what is this path?
the immortal
It is a difficult spiritual journey.
The IMMORTAL dives down and we see he is actually floating, naked. Buffy is swimming through air upwards, also naked.
BUFFY
And it doesn't involve magic?
the immortal
Magic is an alteration of the fabric of the universe. I don't do that. Instead, I become part of it. I merge with it and you merge with me.
BUFFY
[smiles]I like the merging.
There are candles burning all around. Buffy swims and turns towards THE IMMORTAL, kissing him in mid air.
BUFFY
I think I want to take that journey, be immortal like you, even if it is a burden.
THE IMMORTAL
How come?
BUFFY
You know I've been waiting a long time for flying cars, and their really taking their time.
THE IMMORTAL
Maybe you struck fear in them?
BUFFY and THE IMMORTAL embrace in mid-air
BUFFY
Are you poking fun of me? [sighs audibly as something else is probably poking her naked body] Cause I'm an excellent [sigh] driver.
INT. WILLOW'S OFFICE – NIGHT
WILLOW sits at her office desk talking on the phone. We can't hear the voice at the other side of the conversation.
WILLOW
Yes, Xander I know water spins the other wait in Australia. When are you coming back? I miss you.
You know how I used to feel about you when we were kids? I think its starting to be like that again. [uncomfortable silence] Xander, are you there? I think I'm in love with you. I'm, like, over the gay phase. Maybe, not really over, but it's you I always wanted. We can always bring a girl to bed if I feel the urge. [pause] No I'm not a vampire. [pause] No I'm not bad or demonized in any shape or form.
I just thought it was time we grew up. You know how I always thought we would be married. I was really sad for Anya when you called off the wedding, but I was kind of happy too for myself. I couldn't really watch you marry somebody else. [pause]
Don't be scared Xander, I love you. Yes, alright. Okay. We talk when you get back. Yes, you consider it. Okay. Kisses.
And, oh, say hi to Faith and Robin. Bye, my love.
WILLOW puts down the phone and takes a real long hard breath. The camera pans to show ILLYRIA.
WILLOW
This had [breathes heavily] better work.
ILLYRIA extends her arm. WILLOW takes it. Blue energy flows from ILLYIRA to WILLOW. The phone rings, breaking their concentration. WILLOW picks up the phone.
WILLOW
Hi. Oh Xander, are you okay? No, I'm fine. Really? Three new slayers? That's real good. I hope they can part with all these Kangaroos over there.
Yes, I know that water spins the other way in Australia. Listen Xander, let's talk when you get here, I think I see Dawn through the windows trying to do another botched magic.
Yes, I'll try to take care of the brat. And Buffy too. Yes. Okay. Say hi to Faith and Robin. Bye. Bye.
Willow puts the phone down.
WILLOW
This could definitely work.
INT. GILES' OFFICE – DAY
GILES is sitting in a chair, going through some documents. There's a knock on the door and KENNEDY comes in.
GILES
Hi, Kennedy, do come in. There's a new training program I wanted to talk to you about.
KENNEDY
Em, Okay.
GILES
I want the slayers to learn some martial arts history. There's an expert in America who can teach this. He's had some Vampire experience so he's most suited for this task but he's too expensive. I was wondering whether, perhaps, with your parents' connections, we could persuade him to come here.
KENNEDY
Sure. I'll ask them.
GILES
Thanks. [looks at his documents ,then up] Oh, did you want, em, something?
KENNEDY
It's about Willow.
GILES removes his glasses.
GILES
Kennedy, I'm not sure I'm the right person to talk
KENNEDY
No, it's not about, I mean, I think there's something wrong with her.
GILES
Wrong how?
KENNEDY
She seems distanced, like she's bothered by something.
GILES
I, I'm not really the expert on relationships, but I suppose she would be a bit nervous around you.
KENNEDY
I don't know. I think I know her better. She's not herself.
GILES
[sighs] I'll have a word with her tomorrow then. And Buffy could really help when she comes over next week to teach her "Decision Making" class.
Look, I'm sorry I haven't been around much but there's simply so much work.
What happened in L.A has lots of consequences, maybe even global consequences.
KENNEDY
What do you mean?
GILES
Angel has made lots of progress there. We weren't sure if he was good or evil right until the very end, but what he did there was really impressive.
With all the power that we now have I was wondering whether it was time to take the offensive, not just go to another Hellmouth and wait for bad things to pop out.
KENNEDY
I really like fighting but wars can get tricky.
GILES
You're absolutely right. This is why I'm cross-referencing all we have on wars to see how we can do this with minimum risks and maximum results.
KENNEDY
[not really enthusiastic]
That's great, Giles.
INT. CASTLE DUNGEON – DAY
WILLOW is setting up an apple on a table. She has a book open and is chanting. DAWN comes in.
DAWN
Hi Willow. I think I finally am able to do some of the protection spells you taught [wow] What's with the big spell energies?
WILLOW
Orta Gavathora Similrat. [Closes the book] I'm doing this really neat new trick.
DAWN
What’s the chanting for?
WILLOW
Oh, it just calms me. Don't want to go all black and evil when doing magic.
DAWN
Like anger management.
WILLOW
Sort of.
DAWN
So what's the spell?
WILLOW
Watch this
WILLOW raises her hand, and the apple floats.
DAWN
Floating spell? Heh, even I can do this [unsure] I think.
WILLOW
Now watch closely.
The apple starts to disintegrate, "Lawnmower Man" Style, and then to reassemble in the air two form two apples. DAWN is open mouthed. WILLOW gently floats the two apples back to the table.
WILLOW
Pretty neat, eh?
DAWN
That' so cool. Do you think it works on humans too?
WILLOW
I don't know yet.
DAWN
I really would like to have one of me to go to classes and one to just hang around, shop, have sex [A surprised look from Willow] – ophon lessons.
WILLOW
This is serious magic stuff you know.
DAWN
I know, I'm eh kidding. Do you thing the apple is edible?
WILLOW
Oh sure.
DAWN lifts her hand towards the apple. WILLOW sweeps the apples in the air to her.
WILLOW
I should check these under the microscope just as well, to make sure they're okay.
INT. CASTLE CORRIDOR – DAY
ANDREW walks along the corridor humming Star Wars Empire March theme. GILES comes from the other direction with books in his hands, looks up and notices ANDREW before he has a chance to escape.
GILES
Hi Andrew, I was just looking for you.
ANDREW
I didn't do it, I swear.
GILES
Do what?
ANDREW
Oh, em. Please don't take points off the house of Griffindor.
GILES
[Furrows his brow] What? Is that another Harry Potter reference? I've really had enough of those.
ANDREW
Sorry.
GILES
[softening] Andrew, just because I shouted at you and banished you from the school for a couple of days doesn't mean I'll be mad at you forever.
You did a horrible, stupid mistake. You should know better than mess with magic like that.
I gave you responsibility, sent you to LA.
ANDREW
[in protest] Nobody wanted to go.
GILES
True, but you went, so I could spend my time on managing the academy instead of flying around the world.
And you did well. I still can't figure out what on earth made you want to fiddle around with dark magic after that.
ANDREW
Nobody in class likes me, except for maybe Dawn. So, I tried to be more like them. It's difficult, having no friends.
GILES
One of your friends left you to be killed and the other one you killed yourself.
ANDREW
Yes, and thus I remained without friends. Everyone always looking at me as if I was nothing. The human nag.
GILES
You know, being a watcher is sometimes a lonely task. I got cut off from all my friends to go to America. Most of the watchers had to go through that. Then you get to spend your time with kids who've got no sense of, well, nothing and a bunch of evil monsters who occasionally murder the people you love.
ANDREW
Is this a pep talk? Cause it's not really, er, helping me.
GILES
You chose this life. You should know what it entails.
ANDREW
I'll be brave, Master Giles.
GILES
Good, 'cause I could use your language expertise with some work I've been doing about wars against evil forces.
ANDREW
Wars are cool, except for those 3D Virtual reality computer generated ones that always look fake.
GILES
Andrew, you must be able to separate between the fiction they've been feeding you since you were young, if you want to be able to fulfill you duties.
ANDREW
You know, it's kind of difficult when you're surrounded by mythical objects and magic and demons all the time.
GILES
I see your point. Well, at least try to stay clear of science fiction, westerns and anything on TV.
INT. ROME STREETS – DAY
BUFFY walks along the street, carrying shopping bags, looking visibly happy. She gets in to a dark tight alley and senses something is aloof. She pulls out a stake, walks slowly and carefully, looking around. She hears a noise, looks around but can't tell what it is. Suddenly a hooded vampire leaps in front of her.
BUFFY
Oh come on, how can you even stand to be here with all the crosses around.
BUFFY and the vampire fight, he's strong and fights as well as her. When she comes to stake him he manages to use the stake as leverage to do a summersault over her and also grab the stake away.
BUFFY
So, are we fighting or preparing for the Olympics?
The vampire lifts the hood and we see it's Spike.
SPIKE
Dunno, It looks to me like you've just lost the fight, love.
BUFFY
[Softly] Spike.
SPIKE
The one and the bloody.
BUFFY
So, did you come to chase me again?
SPIKE throws the stake at BUFFY and she catches it.
spike
No, just to say goodbye. Again.
BUFFY
You're leaving?
SPIKE
What do you bloody care? You've got the immortal now.
BUFFY
It's just, usually it takes an apocalypse that makes you leave. And I thought you liked hanging around the training slayers.
SPIKE
It all seemed nice and cozy at first, but you know, now that all of them have super-strength, thanks to you and Red, I'm starting to get a tad jumpy.
BUFFY
You should wear a T-Shirt, saying "Kiss me, I'm a good vampire".
SPIKE
Would you now, love?
BUFFY
[flustered] I didn't mean [smiles uncomfortably] Those were some crazy times.
SPIKE
Anyway, I'm off to England. I'm done being everyone's punching bag. Giles is setting me up with a seer, so I can have my very own private "saving the people's club."
BUFFY
That's good Spike. It's great that you're finding a place for yourself in the world.
SPIKE
It is.
BUFFY walks up to SPIKE and hugs him.
SPIKE
You know one day I'll come for you.
BUFFY
Sure, Spike.
On a distant rooftop GUNN looks at BUFFY and SPIKE.
GUNN
I will come for you too.
INT. CASTLE DUNGEON – DAY
WILLOW is sitting down, looking at her book and chanting quietly. IILLYRIA enters the dungeon.
WILLOW
It's time. Are you ready?
ILLYRIA
I have all my plans in order. Vail is a mighty opponent.
WILLOW
I can't use a protection spell for this because it won't last the time jump. I will give you enough power to go through it.
ILLYRIA
Dark magic power, it surges inside of you.
WILLOW
It is, so you will get so much of it. Hold my hands.
ILLYRIA and WILLOW join hands. Black energy surges from WILLOW and fills ILLYRIA. Blue Energy surges from ILLYRIA, filling WILLOW.
WILLOW
[strange low voice] Enjoy your journey, Illyria.
The energies merge and space is distorted.
EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET – NIGHT
IZZY and three other people walk to their car parked on the side of the street. They all get in the car. IZZY puts on his seatbelt, starts the engine, and turns on the headlights. When he looks up, he sees ILLYRIA standing in front of the car. She looks at them, cocking her head with curiosity.
She throws one hand forwards and a small energy ball shoots towards the car and explodes inside the engine. Two the car's inhabitants escape through the back doors. ILLYRIA jumps in the air, doing an impossible somersault and landing on the roof, crushing it, jumping back at the air and landing on the back of one person who drops immediately. The other one takes a gun and tries to shoot at her but the bullet slows as they approach her, becoming blue and then dropping. As he tries to run again ILLYRIA raises her arm and he is flayed alive, skin coming off. ILLYRIA goes back to the car and sees IZZY walking towards her.
IZZY
I like fire, it reminds me of home.
ILLYRIA and IZZY start to fight. They are evenly matched at first, then she punches him so jabs him so hard in the face his neck snaps. She opens the car hood, tosses him inside and closes it.
ILLYRIA
I hope you feel at home.
INT. THE BRONZE – NIGHT
XANDER, shaking his head and walks back to a table. BUFFY stands and takes Willow's arm. They all look younger, teenagers as they did when they looked when they were freshmen.
YOUNG BUFFY
Okay, you know what? That's it — I'm taking you home.
YOUNG WILLOW
(Pulls her arm away) No, I don't want to.
YOUNG BUFFY
Well, you'll thank me when you still have a friend in the morning.
YOUNG WILLOW
I just can't stand feeling this way. I want it to be over.
YOUNG BUFFY
It will. I promise. But it's gonna take time.
YOUNG WILLOW
Well, that's not good enough.
YOUNG BUFFY
I know. It's just how it is. You have to go through the pain.
YOUNG WILLOW
Well, isn't there someway I can just make it go away? Just ‘cause I say so? Can't I just make it go ‘poof'?
From the aisle, an older WILLOW, black and blue streaks in her hair looks on.
WILLOW
I think there is.
EXT. LOS ANGELES STREET – NIGHT
Blue LLYRIA is walking to Izzy's car. The car's hood is smoking, the roof has been smashed in violently, and there are blood stains on the ground near the car doors. The camera closes in showing the blood stains to form the words "GO LIE TO WESTLEY". As ILLYRIA looks at them her eyes widen and she starts running. Another ILLYRIA, with black tinting her blue and her hands bloody, steps in from the shadows and watches her go as the universe distorts around her.
EXT/INT. CAMPUS DORMS – NIGHT
WILLOW, her hair still streaked black and blue, walks up to the dorms, floating slowly in the air. She comes up to a window. Inside, TARA is sitting at a table working on her homework. WILLOW's eyes are starting to swell with tears.
INT. ILLYRIA'S TEMPLE – NIGHT
The fabric of the universe is dented as ILLYRIA lands in front of a statue of a beast with several hands. An army of beasts is making animal noises. The QWA'HA XAHN, a tall more humanoid beast, dressed in white clothes turns to look at her.
ILLYRIA
Ikht'aka garaka dinkrahtak paleh!
[Subtitled: I have come back to lead you in battle!]
The QWA'HA XAHN looks her up and down.
QWA'HA XAHN
[puzzled] karge tsumeeke oh [Subtitled: And you are?]
|
|
|
|
Rave
Barbie Girl (Becca)
biscuit07
Filmtheory (Jim)
Malice (Jess)
MebbtheScribe (MichaelB)
Reset (Allie)
Shay (Marrisa)
somnambulist29 (Shea)
Stephanie Loss
Wendyness (Wendy)
Questions?Contact Us
|
|
All stories on this site have been archived with the authors' consent. Do not copy these stories for your own uses without the express consent of the author themselves. Buffy the Vampire Slayer TM and Angel TM are © UPN, WB, Fox and its related entities. All photos on the site are © UPN, Fox, Warner Bros, and/or their respective owners. No profits are being made by use of these images.
Powered with the assitance of eFiction.
|
|
|
