[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Prophecy Girl at buffyology.com.]
In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.
Establishing.
XANDER and WILLOW sit at one of the tables.
You know how I feel about you. It's, uh, pretty obvious, isn't it? There's never been anyone else for me... but you. And we're good friends, and it's time to take the next step.
Willow listens to him dreamily.
Would you ... date me? Oh that's good! Date me... it's terrible, right?
Huh? Oh, no! Oh, yes, 'date me' is silly...
See, what I should do is I should just start with talking about the dance. (clears his throat) Y'know, Buffy, Spring Fling just isn't any dance. It's a time for students to choose, um... a mate and then we can... observe their... mating rituals and tag them before they migrate. Just kill me!
You're doing fine.
Why's it so hard? I should just walk up to her and say, 'Hey, I like you. Let's go to the dance together.'
Direct and to the point.
I'm ready. I want to do it now. I gotta do it now.
Oh, Buffy's not here. You can practice on me some more.
No, no, I can't wait until tomorrow, I'll be thinking about it too much. Why didn't Buffy show up tonight? What's she doing?
Oh, you know, the usual.
A car is parked in the distance with its windows fogged. BUFFY falls into frame in slow motion and hits the ground hard on her back; the impact knocks her wind out.
Cordelia breaks off her kiss with her date du jour, KEVIN.
What was that?
What was what?
Buffy props herself up. A vampire approaches her, snarling.
Someone's out there.
That's silly. Who would be out there?
Buffy rolls in a reverse somersault and comes up standing, ready to fight. The vampire growls at her and she pulls a stake out from under her jacket and holds it for him to see. He frowns at the sight of it as Buffy sports an evil smile. Infuriated, the vampire launches himself at her. She stuns him with a blazing volley of kicks and punches then quickly plunges the stake home. He falls over backward and bursts into ashes when he hits the ground.
Three in one night. Giles would be so proud.
The camera pans over to the skylight and we look in. GILES is at the table researching. He gets up and goes into his office to make some tea.
Giles sits down at his desk with his cup of tea and reads the text of the Pergamum Codex. It's in an ancient language which Giles handily translates.
Ho korias phanaytie toutay... tay nuktee. 'The Master shall rise...' Yes, yes, this is it! 'The Master shall rise and the Slayer...' (looks up in disbelief) My god!
He considers what he's just read for a moment and then reaches for his tea. The cup begins to jiggle and he looks at it curiously. A few seconds later, the whole building begins to shake and he realizes he's experiencing his first earthquake. He gets up and looks around at everything shaking. His teacup vibrates off of the desk and smashes to pieces on the floor.
The patrons panic. Xander grabs Willow and quickly guides her to safety.
Under the stairs! Under the stairs!
They crouch under the stairs and Willow grabs onto a step from underneath to steady herself. Someone rushing down the stairs nearly steps on her fingers and she yelps as she pulls her hand back.
Cordelia and Kevin hold on as they ride out the quake.
Buffy looks around her at the shaking trees. Car alarms are sounding everywhere.
Giles exits his office in time to see several bookshelves fall over as the walls and the floor sustain severe damage.
The MASTER stands with his arms stretched out above him.
Yes! Yes! Shake, Earth! This is a sign: we are in the final days. My time has come. Glory! Glory!
Then the quake is over as quickly as it started. The Master looks over at COLLIN.
What do you think? 5.1?
Opening credit sequence.
Giles exits his office and walks over to the cage as Buffy enters.
Morning!
She surveys the damage. Giles looks at her as if he's just seen a ghost.
Wow. The damage looks fairly structural. Are we safe in here?
Buffy!
Buffy reacts to Giles' suspicious over-enthusiasm.
What? (suddenly panicked) Do I have something on my face?
No! And yes, we're safe. (indicates the stacks) But probably best not to go up there.
How're you doin' there, Giles? Get much sleep last night?
I've been working.
Me, too. I went hunting last night and it is awfully sweet of you to ask. It's getting hairy out there, Giles. I killed three vampires last night and one of them was practically on school grounds.
Their numbers are increasing.
And they're getting cockier. Look, I'm not loving it. Last night was a pretty close call.
Yes.
Giles, care? I'm putting my life on the line battling the undead. Look, I broke a nail, okay? I'm wearing a press-on. The least you could do is exhibit some casual interest. You could go, 'hmm'.
Hmm? Oh, sorry. Yes, I'm very glad that you're all right. I need to verify... I just can't really talk right now.
Fine. That's okay. I can't put it off any longer. I have to meet my terrible fate.
What?
Biology.
The bell rings and Buffy leaves the library to go to class. Giles watches her go, a haunted look on his face.
Buffy, Xander and Willow come out of the doors onto the balcony and head down the stairs.
Wow. That was boring.
I don't feel that "boring" covers it.
No, "boring" falls short.
Even I was bored. And I'm a science nerd.
Don't say that.
I'm not ashamed. It's the computer age. Nerds are in. They're still in, right?
Willow, don't you have a thing?
A thing? (remembers) The thing... that I have... which is... a thing that I have to go to. See ya later.
She waves sheepishly and departs.
What on earth is her deal?
She's Willow. (laughs) So Buffy, I wanted to... there was this thing I wanted to ask you, to talk to you about.
Okay, what's up?
Let's go over here and sit.
He leads her over to a bench.
Okay, now you're making me nervous.
Oh, no, no, there's nothing to be nervous about. Really, it's silly.
He laughs nervously as they reach the bench. A boy is already sitting there.
Hey. Leave. (the boy scoots away) Thanks.
Well?
Um... you know, Buffy, Spring Fling is a... time for students to gather and... oh, god! (takes a deep breath) Buffy, I want you to go to the dance with me. You and me, on a date.
I don't know what to say.
Well, you're not laughing, so that's a good start. Buffy, I like you. A lot. And I know we're friends and we've had experiences. We've fought some blood-sucking fiends and that's all been a good time. But I want more. I want to dance with you.
Xander, you're one of my best friends. You and Willow...
Well, Willow's not looking to date you. Or if she is, she's playing it pretty close to the chest.
I don't want to spoil the friendship that we have.
Well, I don't want to spoil it either. But that's not the point, is it? You either feel a thing or you don't.
Buffy drops her eyes for a moment before looking back up at him. Her expression is soft and kind-hearted.
I don't. Xander, I'm sorry. I just don't think of you that way.
Well, try. I'll wait.
He smiles weakly.
Xander...
Nah. Forget it. (stands up) I'm not him. I mean, I guess a guy's gotta be undead to make time with you.
That's really harsh.
Look, I'm sorry. I don't handle rejection well. Funny, considering all the practice I've had, huh?
Xander, I'm sorry, I don't know--
You know what? Let's just not.
He heads into the building with his head hung low. Buffy sighs, bummed and watches him leave.
Giles is on the phone.
Hello. This is Giles. Rupert Giles.
JENNY CALENDAR, the school's Computer Science teacher, walks in and stands by his office door.
I need to see you. No, I realize that. Come after sundown. Good. I'll see you then.
He hangs up.
You know, that outfit looks just like the one you wore yesterday. Only wrinklier. Were you here all night?
Sorry... I'm not really up to socializing just now.
Something's going on, Rupert, and I'm guessing you already know what it is.
What do you know?
Well, I have been surfing the Net, looking for unexplained incidents. You know, people are always sending stuff my way. They know the occult's my turf. Now, here is the latest. A cat last week gave birth to a litter of snakes. A family was swimming in Whisper Lake when the lake suddenly began to boil. And at Mercy Hospital last night, a boy was born with his eyes facing inward. I'm not stupid. This is apocalypse stuff. And throw in last night's earthquake and I'd say we've got a problem. I would say the end is pretty seriously nigh.
I don't know if I can trust you.
I helped you cast that demon out of the Internet. I think that merits some trust. Look, I'm scared, okay? Oh plus, I've got this crazy monk e-mailing me from Cortona about some Anointed One?
The Anointed One? He's dead.
Someone's dead?
Who is this monk?
A Brother Luca something? Keeps sending out global mailings about a prophecy.
I need you to talk to him, find out everything he knows.
Look, Rupert, you haven't told me jack, so what's with the order?
Just do it. I'll explain later.
You better.
Cordelia and Kevin discuss their weekend plans.
I'll get everything tonight after practice. The guys'll help me.
Well, it's all in the AV room. The sound system and the decorations... and oh! Aura needs help moving the coolers.
Don't sweat it.
Well, bring everything to the Bronze and I'll meet you there in the morning.
Done.
You're so sweet! Why're you so sweet?
I don't know. 'Cause I'm usually mean as a snake.
She smiles at him then spots Willow.
Willow! (to Kevin) I'll see you in the morning.
Okay.
He heads off.
Willow! I really like your outfit.
No, you don't.
No, I really don't but I need a favor.
What kind?
Well, the Bronze won't let us use their sound system and I need someone who knows how to hook one up. If you could just show up tomorrow morning...
Willow sees Xander throwing a ball against the wall in a nearby classroom.
...I'd be really, really grateful! I mean, I'd talk to you at the dance and everything.
Sure.
Great! Tomorrow at ten?
Sure.
Beaming, Cordelia sachets down the hall. Willow heads over to Xander.
Willow walks in and sits down beside Xander who continues throwing the ball.
Hey.
Hey.
How'd it go?
On a scale of one to ten? It sucked.
Oh.
Well, I guess it could be worse. I could have gangrene on my face.
Well, what'd she say?
Apart from 'no', does it really matter? She's still jonesin' for Angel and could care less about me.
At least now you know.
Yeah, you're right. The deal's done. The polls are in and it's time for my concession speech. (suddenly brightens) Hey, I know what we'll do! We can go. Be my date. We'll have a great time. We'll dance, we'll go wild... what do you say?
No.
Good! What?
There's no way.
Willow, come on!
You think I want to go to the dance with you and watch you wish you were at the dance with her? You think that's my idea of hijinks? You should know better.
I didn't think.
I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I'll see you on Monday.
That's okay. I don't want to go. I'm just going to go home, lie down and listen to country music. The music of pain.
He throws the ball again and lets it bounce wild.
Buffy shuts her gym locker. Two girls walk by chatting. Buffy plays with a stake as she heads to the sink and puts it down on one. She looks at herself in the mirror and absently turns on the water. After looking in the mirror another moment, she looks down to find blood pouring from the faucet.
Buffy enters.
Giles, you are not gonna believe this.
She stops when she hears Giles talking and looks into his office.
It's clear. It's what's going to happen. It's happening now!
Buffy starts as she sees ANGEL move into the light to read the Codex over Giles' shoulder.
Angel?
She moves toward the office.
It can't be. You've got to be wrong.
I've checked it against all my other volumes. It's very real.
Buffy stops at the door.
Well, there's got to be some way around it.
Listen. Some prophecies are a bit dodgy. They're mutable. Buffy herself has thwarted them time and time again but this is the Codex. There is nothing in it that does not come to pass.
Then you're reading it wrong.
I wish to god I were but it's very plain. Tomorrow night Buffy will face the Master... and she will die.
Angel won't accept what he's just been told.
Well, have you verified the text?
Buffy begins to laugh. Angel and Giles see her and exchange a concerned look. She slowly starts to walk out into the library proper.
Angel comes out of the office after her. She stops by the reading table and faces them. Giles stands in his office doorway.
So that's it, huh? I remember the drill. One Slayer dies, next one's called. Wonder who she is. (to Giles) Will you train her? Or will they send someone else?
Buffy, I--
They say how he's gonna kill me? Do you think it'll hurt?
Tears are flowing freely down her cheeks. Angel tries to wrap her up in his arms, but she puts up her hands and quickly steps away.
Don't touch me! (to Giles) Were you even gonna tell me?
I was hoping that I wouldn't have to. That there was... some way around it. I--
I've got a way around it. I quit!
It's not that simple.
I'm making it that simple. I quit! I resign, I'm fired. You can find someone else to stop the Master from taking over.
I'm not sure that anyone else can. All the... the signs indicate...
The signs? (throws a book at him, screaming) Read me the signs! Tell me my fortune! You're so useful sitting here with all your books! You're really a lot of help!
No, I don't suppose I am.
I know this is hard.
What do you know about this? You're never gonna die!
You think I want anything to happen to you? Do you think I could stand it? We just gotta figure out a way--
I already did. I quit, remember? Pay attention!
Buffy, if the Master rises--
She yanks the cross from her neck.
I don't care! (forlorn) I don't care. Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die.
Giles and Angel are at a loss. Buffy throws her cross down and walks out of the library without looking back.
Willow is at her desk studying. She looks up at a picture of her and Xander and sighs. She picks up the phone and dials his number.
Buffy looks through a photo album. Jonathan Brooke's Inconsolable plays on the radio. JOYCE enters.
Hi, honey. You all right?
Sure.
Probably just full from that bite of dinner you nearly had. Feel like telling me what's on your mind?
Mom, let's go away!
What?
Anywhere, just for a while... all weekend!
Honey, I--
No, it'll be great! You and me, a mother-daughter thing. We can talk about all the embarrassing things you love to bring up.
You know the gallery's open on weekends.
Mom, please!
Isn't the Prom tomorrow night? Or Spring Fling, whatever they're calling it?
I guess.
Nobody asked you?
Oh, someone...
But not the right someone. See, sometimes I actually do know what you're thinking. (walks over to Buffy's closet) Well, then this probably isn't the best time for this but...
She opens the closet to reveal a beautiful white sleeveless gown.
I saw you eyeing it at the store. I figured...
Mom, we can't afford this.
The way you've been eating, we can afford it.
It's beautiful.
I think you should wear it. To the dance.
No, I can't go to the dance.
Says who? Is it written somewhere? You should do what you want. Homecoming, my freshman year of college. I didn't have a date so I got dressed up and I went anyway.
Was it awful?
It was awful. For about an hour.
Then what happened?
I met your father.
He didn't have a date either?
He did. And that's a much funnier story that you will not get to hear. Oh, but it was a beautiful night!
And you had your whole life ahead of you.
Yeah.
Must be nice.
The next day. Cordelia and Willow come down the stairs.
Oh, Kevin said that he'd bring everything to the Bronze last night. He promised! We'll never get everything ready in time.
He probably forgot. It's not that big a deal.
You don't understand. I'm not mad. He totally flaked on me. On me! And I don't even care. God help me, I think it's cute! Oh...
Willow smiles. They reach the Audio-Visual room. They see Kevin and his friends through the windows.
There they are! They're watching cartoons. That's so cu-- that's not cute. That's annoying. I'm annoyed.
Right. I'm furious.
Men. I don't know why we put up with them.
I hear ya.
The view from inside the room. Kevin is sitting on the floor leaning against the door. The room is trashed and the boys are all dead and horribly mutilated.
Obviously, Kevin has underestimated the power of my icy stare.
She opens the door and Kevin's body falls out into the hall. He has a ragged bite on his neck where his throat has been torn out.
Oh, my God! Kevin! No!
Willow slowly walks into the room. She sees the death and devastation.
Kevin!
There's a bloody handprint on the TV screen.
Buffy is wearing her new white prom gown and is admiring it and herself in the mirror. Her mom comes rushing in.
Buffy? There's something on the news... Willow.
Willow is on her bed hugging her knees. She's been crying.
I've seen so much. I thought I could take anything. But Buffy, this... this was different.
It'll be all right.
I'm trying to think how to say it... to explain it so you understand.
It doesn't matter as long as you're okay.
I'm not okay. I knew those guys. I go to that room every day. And when I walked in there, it... it wasn't our world anymore. They made it theirs. And they had fun. What are we gonna do?
What we have to. Promise me you'll stay in tonight, okay?
Willow nods. Buffy starts to go.
Buffy? I like your dress.
Buffy looks down at it and smiles weakly.
Take care.
She leaves and Willow hangs her head in grief.
The Master tests his confines as Collin looks on, fascinated.
Soon.
He sends Collin on his way to get Buffy. Collin climbs up to the exit.
Soon!
Giles removes weapons from the cage and prepares them.
Okay, so this Master guy tried to open the Hellmouth. But he got stuck in it and now all the signs are reading that he's going to get out, which opens the Hellmouth, which brings the demons, which ends the world.
Yes. That about sums it up, yes.
The part that gets me, though, is where Buffy is the Vampire Slayer. She's so little.
You know how to get in touch with this Brother Luca chap?
Hmm. As far as I can tell, no one can. He's disappeared. Did send out one last global though. A short one.
What did it say?
Isaiah 11:6, which I dutifully looked up.
'The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf, the lion and the fatling together, and the little child to lead them.'
That's kinda warm and fuzzy for a message of doom.
Well, that depends where he's leading them to. Aurelius wrote of the Anointed One, 'The Slayer will not know him and he will lead her into Hell.'
So Luca thinks the Anointed is a kid.
If the vampire that Buffy killed was in fact not the Anointed, then it may well be.
Well, then we need to warn her.
I don't intend involving her at all.
What do you mean?
Buffy's not going to face the Master. I am.
No, you're not.
Giles and Jenny turn in surprise to see Buffy walking into the library.
So I'm looking for a kid, huh? And he'll lead me to the Master?
Buffy, I'm not going to send you out there to die. Now, you were right. I've waded around in these old books for so long, I've forgotten what the real world is like. It's time I found out.
You're still not going up against the Master.
I've made up my mind.
So have I.
I made up my mine first! I'm older and wiser than you and just... just do what you're told for once! All right?
That's not how it goes. I'm the Slayer.
I don't care what the books say. I defy prophecy and I am going. There's nothing you can say will change my mind.
I know.
She turns to turn to go, but suddenly whirls around and throws a hard punch to his face, knocking him out. He falls backward to the floor and Jenny scrambles to his aid. Buffy sees her cross on the reading table and puts it back on. Jenny lifts Giles' head in her hands. She looks up at Buffy.
When he wakes up tell him... I don't know. Think of something cool, tell him I said it.
You fight the Master and you'll die.
Maybe. (picks up the crossbow) Maybe I'll take him with me.
She turns and heads out. Jenny turns back to Giles.
Buffy walks a short distance, looking all around, when she comes upon Collin.
Help me...
She lowers the crossbow and walks over to him.
It's okay. I know who you are.
Collin drops the pretense and holds out his hand. She takes it and he leads her away, to her destiny.
Willow and Xander are there with Giles and Jenny.
She what?
I told you there was something going on with her.
And she knew about this prophecy of yours? (Giles nods) Aw, man, what do we do?
We stay calm, first thing.
Calm?
I think he's right.
I'm sorry, calm may work for Locutus of the Borg here, (indicates Giles) but I'm freaked out and I intend to stay that way.
Xander...
How could you let her go?
As the soon-to-be-purple area of my jaw will attest, I did not let her go.
Well, how can we help her?
I'm sorry to bring this up but we also have an apocalypse to worry about?
Do you mind?
How come she's in the club?
Hey! Once the Master gets free, the Hellmouth opens, the demons come to party and everybody dies.
I don't care. I'm sorry, I don't. Right now I gotta help Buffy.
We don't even know where she's gone.
No, but I can find out.
Collin guides Buffy in. She has the crossbow up and ready. He leads her down the stairs and into a round side tunnel.
There's knocking at the door and Angel comes to answer, puzzled at who would be knocking on his door.
Oh. Look who's here.
Mind if I come in?
Xander pushes inside.
Make yourself at home.
She's gone.
What do you mean?
Buffy. She's gone to fight the Master.
He'll kill her.
Rumor has it. Only we're not going to let it happen.
Well, what do you propose we do about it?
Look, I know you can find this Master guy. He's underground, right? Take me to him.
You're way out of your league, kid. The Master'll kill you before you can even breathe. If you're lucky.
How can I say this clearly?
He shoves a cross in Angel's face. Angel rears back, snarling. Xander advances toward him and he backs off until he falls onto the couch.
I don't like you. At the end of the day, I pretty much think you're a vampire. But Buffy's got this big old yen for you. She thinks you're a real person. And right now I need you to prove her right.
You're in love with her.
Aren't you?
Giles comes out of the stacks with an armload of books.
The Master is as old as any vampire on record. There's no telling how powerful he'll be if he reaches the surface.
Okay, here's my question: the Hellmouth opens.
Yes.
Where? If he's underground and it's right where he is, where's it going to open?
Good point. Well, you have a look through the Black Chronicles...
Okay.
Willow? Willow?
Yeah?
Could you look through the local histories, please. Check for any common denominators, locations of incidences and such.
Right, okay.
The entrance to the Master's lair.
Collin stops, and points down below, inviting her to enter, then leaves the way they came. Buffy watches him go, then she turns and makes her way down to the floor below.
Buffy looks around herself. There are hundreds of candles burning everywhere.
Welcome.
The Master's voice seems to be coming from all directions.
Thanks for having me.
The Master steps into the light to take her measure.
Y'know, you really ought to talk to your contractor. Looks like you got some water damage.
Oh, good. The feeble banter portion of the fight. Why don't we just cut to the--
Buffy spins around and launches a bolt in the direction of his voice. With blazing speed, the Master catches it in mid-flight right in front of him, inches from his heart. Buffy quickly reloads the bow.
Nice shot.
Xander and Angel reach an intersection and stop. Angel looks in both directions, trying to remember the way, then walks past Xander.
This way. (looks at Xander) What?
You were looking at my neck.
What?
You were checking out my neck! I saw that!
No, I wasn't!
Just keep your distance, pal.
I wasn't looking at your neck!
I told you to eat before we left.
The Master moves slowly toward Buffy.
You're not going to kill me with that thing.
Don't be so sure.
You still don't understand your part in all this, do you? You are not the hunter. You are the lamb.
Giles and Ms. Calendar are at the table studying the ancient volumes.
Well, let's think about this, then. The vampires have been gathering, they know he's coming, they will be his army.
Do you think they'll gather at the Hellmouth?
Well, the last time the Master tried to rise was the Harvest. He sent a bunch of vampires to get him fresh blood.
Well, where did that go down?
The Bronze.
The Prom!
We have to warn them.
No! We'll go. You have to concentrate on demon killing. My car's in the lot.
Willow and Jenny run out of the library.
Stay close together and for goodness sake, be careful!
We will.
Buffy is slowly walking around, searching for the Master. She comes upon a moldering corpse. Barely glancing at it, she continues her search.
You know, for someone who's all-powerful, you sure do like to hide.
I'm waiting for you. I want this moment to last.
Well, I don't.
Then the Master suddenly rises up right behind her.
I understand.
She turns around and the Master casually knocks the crossbow out of her hands and seizes her by the neck.
Jenny digs in her bag for her keys as she and Willow head for her car.
What if they get to the Bronze before we do?
Jenny suddenly freezes in her tracks.
Don't need to worry about that!
Why not?
Because they're not going to the Bronze.
They look out onto the athletic field and see a hoard of vampires approaching. Another group approaches from the parking lot. As they turn to retreat back into the school, another group blocks their way. They are surrounded.
The Master has Buffy by the throat. With all her strength, she swings at his arm, breaking his grip and knocking it away. She decides that maybe she isn't up to this after all and starts to run. He holds his hand out toward her and she freezes, caught in some kind of magickal field. She looks back at him, terrified, but can't
move her feet. He approaches her from behind and gently takes off her leather jacket, letting it fall to the ground. Buffy is panting with fear.
You tried. It was noble of you. You heard the prophecy that I was about to break free and you came to stop me. But prophecies are tricky creatures. They don't tell you everything. (whispers) You're the one that sets me free. If you hadn't come, I couldn't go. Think about that.
Buffy is frozen with fear. The Master waits a moment longer, savoring her terror and then lowers his head to her neck and buries his fangs into her soft flesh, drinking deeply.
He releases her and looks up in ecstasy.
Oh, god! The power!
Buffy falls to her knees.
And by the way... I like your dress.
Buffy falls face down into a pool of brackish water, dead.
The Master steps over to the edge of his confines and pushes against the field. This time, he is able to force his hand through and with a burst of light and energy, he is free. For the first time in centuries, he starts up and out of his lair.
Angel and Xander see the flash of light from an adjoining tunnel.
What was that?
It's too late. He's gone up.
They break into a run for the Master's lair.
Angel gets there first, looks around and spots Buffy. He scrambles down to the floor and rushes to her as Xander reaches the lair's entrance. Xander stops and stares at Buffy in the pool. Angel reaches her and quickly pulls her out of the water. He holds her and tries to listen for breathing. Nothing. He looks up at Xander.
She's dead!
Xander looks down in stunned disbelief at the sight of his best friend's lifeless body.
Xander moves down to where Angel is cradling Buffy in his lap.
No. She's not dead.
She's not breathing.
But if she drowned, there's a shot. CPR!
You have to do it. I have no breath.
Xander takes off his jacket and lays it over her. He kneels down by her face and looks at her a moment, then puts his mouth on hers and blows into her lungs. He lets go and begins to compress her chest, once every few seconds.
C'mon. C'mon!
The vampires are advancing on Willow and Jenny Calendar.
Why are they coming here?
Not caring!
They hear a car screech to a stop behind them. It's Cordelia.
Get in!
Xander breathes into her lungs again and continues to pump her chest.
C'mon! Breathe! Breathe!
Angel looks down in grief, knowing she is lost. Xander's not giving up hope-- he won't-- and keeps pumping.
C'mon!
Soon, however, even Xander knows it's hopeless and he gives up, looking at Buffy helplessly. But a mere second later Buffy opens her eyes wide and draws a huge gasping breath, then lies still for a moment, looking around, confused.
Buffy!
She turns her head to the side and coughs the water out of her lungs. Xander places his hand on her forehead and strokes it gently. She looks up at him, surprised to see him.
Buffy.
Xander?
Welcome back.
Jenny and Willow run for Cordelia's car and tumble in.
I was sitting where Kevin and I used to park and all of a sudden these things are coming at me!
They all scream as a vampire jumps on top of the car.
What do we do now?
We've gotta get to the library!
Library! Great!
She burns rubber and makes a fast U-turn, throwing the vampire off of the roof of her car, and heads toward the school building. The car's engine races as Cordelia guns it toward the doors.
Of course, we generally walk there.
They crash through the doors and into the hall.
Giles hears a tremendous crashing as Cordelia drives into the school.
What the...
The car comes crashing through another set of doors and skids to a stop in front of the library. Vampires run into the hall behind them as the girls get out of the car and dash into the library. They push the doors closed just as the vampires get and slam into them.
The girls lean against the doors with all they're worth. Giles is stunned.
What's happening?
Guess!
A vampire punches through the small round window in one of the doors and grabs for them. Giles lifts a bookcase and carries it over to the door while Willow hits the vampire's arm with a piece of wood. Giles wedges the bookcase against the doors, then reinforces the barricade with the copy machine.
Why are they coming here?
POV: a shot of the group from the rear of the library. A green tentacle is worming its way up through the cracks in the floor.
The Master opens the roof access door and walks out, taking in the twinkling lights of town around him. He smiles, then walks to the edge of the roof and holds his arms out as he surveys the scene.
My world! Oh, my beautiful world!
Xander and Angel help Buffy up.
Easy. Easy.
The Master?
He's gone up.
Buffy starts to go.
No. You're still weak.
No. No, I feel strong. I feel different. Let's go!
They pile more things in front of the door. Giles glances toward the back of the library and sees more vampires trying to get in.
They're coming in through the stacks!
C'mon!
She and Willow run to the back of the library and begin shifting the bookshelves to cover access points.
The bookshelves!
They lift a bookcase against the French doors that lead to the stacks and lean against it.
My office...
He moves to secure his office, leaving Cordelia alone at the main doors. The as- yet-unnoticed tentacle inches toward Willow's leg. Another vampire punches through the main library door window and grabs Cordelia's arm.
Somebody help!
Buffy strides purposefully toward the school with Xander and Angel in tow.
So how do you know where the Master's going?
I know.
A snarling vampire jumps out of the bushes and tries to block their way into the school.
Oh look, a bad guy.
She flattens him with one punch and continues on.
The door to the stairs leading to the roof.
Okay, you two wait here, keep the rest of the vampires off me.
Right.
Angel, better put on your game face.
Angel brings the demon in him to the fore and his face shifts into a nightmarish visage.
I'm ready.
One way or another, this won't take long.
She looks at them both once more and then heads up to the roof.
Cordelia hits the vampire's hand and then bites it. The vampire screams and lets go.
See how you like it!
The rear of the library.
This won't keep 'em out for long!
She looks down and sees the tentacle just as it wraps itself around her ankle. She screams loudly and Jenny grabs hold of her.
Giles! GILES!
Giles comes running out of his office in time to see a huge, green, multi-headed and tentacled demon burst through the floor.
The Hellmouth!
Cordelia absolutely cannot believe what she's seeing. The creature has three heads and reaches all the way to the ceiling.
The Master looks in through the skylight and idly claps his hands.
Yes. Come forth, my child. Come into my world.
I don't think it's yours just yet.
The Master turns around and stares at her in shock.
You're dead!
I may be dead but I'm still pretty. Which is more than I can say for you.
You were destined to die! It was written!
What can I say? I flunked the written.
The Master howls and extends his arm to ensnare her again.
Come here!
Willow screams as the creature tries to drag her away from Jenny Calendar.
GIIILES!
Giles grabs an ax from the table and rushes up the stairs to their aid. He swings it into one of the heads, and the creature roars in agony.
A blank stare on her face, Buffy slowly approaches the Master. He seizes her by the throat again.
Did you really think you could best me here when you couldn't below?
He releases her neck and lets her sway before him. Suddenly her blank stare disappears, replaced with a look of playful curiosity.
You have fruit punch mouth.
What?
Her gaze goes hard as steel as she delivers a stunning roundhouse blow to his head and he falls to the ground.
Save the hypnosis crap for the tourists.
As he starts to regain his feet, Buffy kicks him squarely in the face, sending him reeling. He lashes out at her with his talons and Buffy draws back quickly but not before he grazes her chest, drawing blood. They trade punches now, both delivering blows that would kill a normal man. She sends another blow toward his head, but he blocks it and stiff-arms her in the face, sending her flying backward into the wall.
Giles attacks the demon with the ax, swinging repeatedly. The demon fights back, knocking him off of the mezzanine and onto the large reading table below. It shatters leaving only the table legs still standing, their ends sharp and ragged.
The foot of the stairs. Two vampires attack Angel and Xander. Angel engages the male while the female jumps on Xander's back, hissing and snarling. Xander shoves his cross in her face and she flips off, like she's been electrocuted. Angel stakes the one he's fighting and Xander punches out the other.
Giles and Willow. One of the creature's heads hovers above Giles. Another bends to Willow and laughs.
The Master advances on Buffy. She launches herself into a spinning somersault over his head and lands between him and the skylight. She kicks him in the side with a side snap kick, but it barely fazes him and he quickly spins around and seizes her by the neck again.
Where are your jibes now?
She looks behind her and down and sees the shattered table through the skylight.
You laugh when my hell is on Earth?
You're that amped about Hell... (grabs him by the neck) Go there!
She lifts him up and flips him over her head and through the skylight. He crashes through and plummets down amidst a cascade of shattered glass, landing squarely on one of the broken table legs, sending it straight through his chest.
His impaled body slowly crumbles and disintegrates to dust until only his skeleton is left. Buffy watches from above with grim satisfaction.
The Hellmouth demon falls back and disappears back into the floor. The group looks around them-- the other vampires have disappeared as well.
Cordelia as she pushes the last of the junk away from the doors and pulls them open for Buffy, Angel and Xander. They all walk over to what's left of the Master.
The vampires?
Gone.
The Master?
Dead. The Hellmouth is closed. Buffy?
Oh, sorry. It's just been a really weird day.
Yeah, Buffy died and everything!
Wow! Harsh.
I should have known that wouldn't stop you.
Buffy gives him a lopsided grin.
Well, what do we do now?
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to get out of this place. I don't like the library very much anymore.
Hey! I hear there's a dance at the Bronze tonight. Could be fun.
Yeah!
Buffy?
Sure. We saved the world. I say we party! (looks down at her dress) I mean, I got all pretty.
Jenny points to the Master's bones.
And what about him?
He's not going anywhere. Loser.
They all turn to go, chattering away with each other. Buffy trails the group.
I'm not dancing, though.
We'll see.
You can come with us, Angel.
I'm hungry.
So what's the story with the car?
Oh, that was me, saving the day!
Get something to drink.
Is anybody else hungry?
Well, no, don't do that. Just hang.
I'm really, really hungry.
Angel hangs back with Buffy.
By the way, I really like your dress.
Yeah, yeah. Big hit with everyone.
Pull back on the empty library, the Master's skeleton resting amid the debris.