[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Graduation Day (part 2) at buffyology.com.]
Shocked at Faith's apparent death and her hand in it, BUFFY sets Faith's assassin's knife down on the terrace wall and climbs down a ladder attached to the outside of the building.
Later. MAYOR RICHARD WILKINS stares out through the broken terrace window. The Mayor turns around as a VAMPIRE approaches.
There's nobody here, sir.
No. No, she took the fight outside. My Faith doesn't like to be cooped up. We have to find them. Put everyone on it. Do it now.
But sir, the Ascension...
The Mayor rounds on the vampire, his face contorted with rage.
Find them!
The vampire hastily exits and the Mayor begins pacing the apartment, clearly worried about Faith.
Faith's a good girl. She can take anything they'll throw at her. She's going to be all right. She'll be all right. She'll be all right.
Opening credit sequence.
GILES walks out of his office massaging his shoulder as XANDER arrives carrying a Styrofoam coffee cup.
Any word from Buffy?
Not yet.
Here's your coffee. Brewed from the finest Colombian lighter fluid.
Thank you. (takes a sip) Horrible.
Nevertheless, he continues drinking the coffee.
Aren't you supposed to be drinking tea anyway?
Tea is soothing. I wish to be tense.
Okay. But you are destroying a perfectly good cultural stereotype here.
Look through the Kepler volumes... any reference to the demon Olvikan... powers, weaknesses, hat size. There's got to be something.
Still batting zero? (off his look) But I mean in cricket?
CORDELIA walks into the library, very upset.
Cordy! What's up?
I demand an explanation.
For what?
Wesley.
Inbreeding?
So very funny. Any minute I am sure to laugh. I just got off the phone with him. He could hardly speak, he was so upset. He said there was something about a fight? And he is leav-ing the country.
Should I show remorse?
Just tell me what's going on.
Buffy has quit the Council. She'll not be working with Wesley from now on.
But he is her Watcher.
Buffy no longer needs a Watcher.
Well, does he have to leave the country? I mean, you got fired and you still hang around like a big loser. Why can't he?
Cordelia. We are trying to stop a massacre here. Want to give us a hand?
Cordelia hesitates a moment then takes off her jacket and sits down.
Sure. This is just such a Buffy thing to do. She is always thinking of herself.
ANGEL lies in bed, tossing and turning with delirium. The wound from the arrowhead is red and inflamed. He is clearly in pain and moaning softly.
WILLOW dabs at his sweaty forehead with a wet rag and Angel opens his eyes.
You're awake.
Angel reaches for her hand.
You've been watching over me?
Willow nods and he kisses her hand. She is taken aback.
Well, we've been taking turns.
I thought... I thought I'd never see you again.
Willow looks at him, surprised and confused.
I can't leave you. I was wrong. I need you.
Oh! You mean you need Buffy!
Angel squints up at her.
Willow?
She points at herself, smiling.
Yes, right! Willow!
Angel tries to sit up and Willow gently pushes him back down, worried.
Where is she?
She'll be back soon.
Angel sinks back to the pillow and closes his eyes, falling back into a semi- conscious state. Willow gets up and heads out into the main hall where OZ is waiting.
Any change?
He's delirious. He thought I was Buffy.
You too, huh?
I hope she gets here soon. She better if...
Yeah.
I feel so guilty.
Guilty?
Well, things are so terrible and everything's coming apart but in some ways, this is the best night of my life.
Oz reaches for her hand with a smile
Us.
Willow smiles and moves closer to him.
Us.
They kiss just as the door opens and Buffy walks in staring sadly at the ground.
Willow and Oz break off, guilty.
I just checked on him, just now. We're watching.
Willow takes in Buffy's mood and appearance. She's nearly catatonic, her clothes are torn and her lip is swollen and bleeding.
Did you find Faith?
Buffy looks up at them but says nothing.
You didn't? She's not here?
Buffy gives a small shake of her head.
How is he?
He comes in and out. I think the pain is less now.
A small frown appears briefly on Buffy's face.
Would you guys... (beat) I'd like to be alone with him.
Of course.
As they head for the door, Willow turns to her.
We'll try to find another cure.
Thanks.
Buffy sits down and takes Angel's hand and strokes the side of his face.
Buffy. It's you?
It's me.
I didn't want to go without seeing you.
Buffy puts a finger to his lips to silence him.
Angel, I can cure you.
It's okay. I'm ready.
She takes him by the shoulders.
Angel, listen to me. Sit up. You're going to live. You have to live.
What way?
Buffy takes off her jacket, a determined expression on her face.
Drink. (beat) Drink me.
Angel stares at her in shock.
No...
It's the only way.
Angel pushes Buffy aside.
No. Get away.
It'll save you.
It'll kill you.
Maybe not. Not if you don't take it all.
You can't ask me to do this.
I won't let you die. I can't. Angel, the blood of a Slayer is the only cure.
Angel looks up at Buffy.
Faith...
I tried. I killed her.
He pulls away from Buffy.
Then it's over.
He stumbles out of the bedroom, bumping into the wall, then catches himself on the sofa table, spilling a pewter pitcher onto the floor. Buffy takes him by the arms and pulls him up to face her. She looks desperately into his eyes and opens the collar of her shirt, exposing the soft flesh of her neck.
It is never over! I won't let you die. Drink!
Angel looks at her, forlorn, his eyes pleading for her not to make him do it.
Please...
Buffy stares at him for a moment, then punches him in the face. His head snaps around but he manages to stay on his feet. He turns to Buffy, confused, but before he can say anything, she hits him again, harder this time. It takes him longer to recover and as he turns to her again, she hits him a third time, sending him crashing to the floor.
This time, Angel rounds on her with a roar, his vampire in full force. He stares at her as Buffy pulls her shirt aside and grabs him by the back of his head. She looks at him for a long moment then presses his head firmly against her neck and holds him there. For a moment they remain frozen, a grim tableau.
CU of Angel's yellow eyes as he sinks his fangs into her warm flesh. Blood runs from between his lips and down her shoulder.
Buffy gasps in pain but holds still while Angel drains her life's blood. Her face contorts with the intensity of the experience and she writhes in the vampire's embrace.
Oh, god...
Buffy slowly sinks backward to the floor. With Angel lying on top of her, still drinking, Buffy reaches out, her hand grasping for something-- anything-- as she struggles to hold on to life. She finds a pewter pitcher and crushes it as her muscles spasm. In her death throes, her leg shoots out, breaking the sofa table in half.
CU on Buffy's face as her eyes glaze over and a tear forms in the corner of her eye. Then her eyes close and her head drops to the side as Angel finally rolls off of her, panting.
Angel's face morphs back to human and he pushes himself up off the floor. The redness around his wound is gone. Confused, as if waking from a bad dream, he looks over at Buffy.
Buffy?
She lies motionless on the floor, still as death. As the enormity of what he's done descends on him, he cries out in anguish.
Buffy!
Angel runs into the hospital carrying Buffy's limp body in his arms. He stops at the nurses station.
I need some help! She's lost a lot of blood.
What happened?
She needs blood.
Try to stay calm. We're going to take care of her.
The NURSE guides Angel into a nearby examining room and helps him lay Buffy down on the bed.
Something bit her. She needs a transfusion.
DR. POWELL enters the room.
You found her?
Yes.
Was she conscious?
Yes.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
Okay. (to nurse) I need a type, I need cross-match. Get her on two lines of Wringer's lactate and watch for hyper-bulimic shock. (to Angel) Tell me, what happened?
Something bit her. I don't know what.
Okay. I need a rabies shot treatment. (to Angel) Any allergies?
None.
In his frantic distraction, Angel rips the handle off a nearby door without realizing it. The doctor steps back, surprised.
Just help her.
The doctor regards Angel suspiciously.
You two been doing drugs? (off Angel's angry stare) You want her to live, you have to be straight with me.
She's clean.
All right. Wait outside. Let us work.
A phone.
Right out there.
With a last look at Buffy lying still and pale on the bed, Angel leaves the room.
Angel goes over to a payphone, searching his pockets for change. While he dials the phone, we pan down the corridor to a police officer standing guard outside another hospital room.
DR. GOLD reports on Faith's condition to a distraught Mayor Wilkins.
The bones are set and the damage to the kidneys is repairable. But the head trauma... its simply to severe. You know, its a wonder she's alive at all with the blood loss. I'm sorry, sir... there is almost no chance at all that she is ever going to regain consciousness.
Pan down to reveal FAITH lying in a hospital bed. She is badly bruised and wearing an oxygen mask. She is also attached to an IV and a heart monitor which beeps steadily.
The Mayor reaches down and gently brushes her hair from her forehead and strokes her cheek.
It's your day.
The ER nurse enters the room and approaches Dr. Gold.
We have another girl with severe blood loss. Doctor Powell wants you to prep to assist on an anticubital cutdown.
I'll be right there.
The Mayor suddenly realizes just who this other girl must be. He abruptly turns and leaves Faith's room.
The Mayor enters the room and walks over to Buffy's bedside. He puts his hand over her mouth and nose and starts to suffocate her. Buffy struggles weakly beneath him.
A nurse comes in and rushes over, trying to pull his hand away, but is unable to budge him.
Oh, my god. Sir! No!
She turns and runs out of the room to get help.
Somebody call security!
CU on Buffy struggling harder. A pair of hands seize the Mayor and hurl him away from the bed.
Don't do that!
The Mayor stumbles back, then gets right in Angel's face.
I will do that and worse. (re: Buffy) Murderous little fiend! Did you see what she did to my Faith?
Hadn't any plans to weep over that one.
Well, I'd get set for some weeping if I were you. I'd get set for a world of pain! Misery loves company, young man and I'm looking to share that with you and your whore!
Angel throws the Mayor clear across the room. He impacts with a window looking onto the corridor, shattering it, then drops to the floor, overturning a small metal table holding various surgical implements. Several nurses and orderlies approach in response to the noise.
The Mayor looks up at an enraged Angel and picks himself up, laughing. He brushes glass shards off his suit and smiles at Angel.
Looks like somebody has been eating his spinach. (to nurses) No, its okay, folks. It's all right. The show's not over but there will be a short intermission. (to Angel) Don't want to miss the second act. All kinds of excitement.
He brushes past Angel and heads out the door.
I'll be there.
After the Mayor is gone, Angel looks back with concern at Buffy lying still on the bed.
Angel sits next to the door to Buffy's room, his back against the wall. He stands up as the door at the end of the hallway opens and Giles, Willow, Oz and Xander rush in.
How is she?
She's fine. She's asleep.
Well, you seem all right, too.
Angel looks down, ashamed.
Yeah.
Xander sizes him up.
What happened?
When we left her, she was fine. Did Faith--
Faith's out of the picture. Buffy put her into a coma.
Xander stares hard at Angel.
And?
Buffy cured me. Made me--
You fed off her.
Angel looks at him, grief-stricken.
Yes.
How much?
She's going to be fine.
She won't be a vampire?
No. She didn't feed off me.
Xander looks away, then rounds on him, angry.
Well, its just good to know that when the chips are down and things look grim, you'll feed off the girl who loves you to save your own ass!
Angel says nothing. He knows he deserves that and more. Willow and Oz just look at him, not sure what to think.
You better go, Angel. We'll watch over her.
I don't want to--
The sun will be up soon.
Angel hesitates, clearly reluctant to leave. He finally nods and, with a final glance at Buffy's bed, he slowly walks away.
Gosh, I'm really going to miss him when he leaves town.
Let's go find out how Buffy's doing.
Buffy walks through Faith's apartment her arms crossed in front of her as if she's cold. Cardboard boxes are stacked everywhere. Buffy stops as a cat jumps up onto Faith's bed.
Who's going to look after him?
Faith walks up behind Buffy and stops beside her.
It's a she. And aren't these things supposed to take care of themselves?
A higher power guiding us?
Faith looks at her for a beat then turns away.
I'm pretty sure that's not what I meant.
There's something I'm supposed to be doing.
Oh, yeah. Miles to go... Little Miss Muffet counting down from 7-3-0.
Great. Riddles.
Faith stands before the broken window, looking out
Sorry, it's my head. A lot of new stuff.
Buffy smiles briefly at Faith as the cat on the bed turns into Faith lying unconscious and comatose for a split second.
They are never going to fix this, are they?
What about you?
Faith turns around and points to her head.
Scar tissue. It fades. It all fades.
Buffy frowns and looks down at her hand where Faith's bloody assassin's knife briefly appears.
You want to know the deal? Human weakness never goes away. Not even his.
Buffy smiles wryly at her.
Is this your mind or mine?
Beats me.
Faith sits down next to Buffy.
Getting toward that time.
Buffy looks at all the boxes and the weapons laid out on the table beside her.
How are you going to fit all this stuff?
Not gonna. It's yours.
I can't use all of this!
Just take what you need.
Faith reaches up and caresses Buffy's cheek.
You ready?
Buffy wakes in the hospital. She gets out of bed and leaves her room.
Buffy enters and slowly walks over to where Faith lies comatose in her bed. She looks down at her for a moment, then tenderly kisses her on the forehead.
Buffy, fully dressed, is walking down the corridor to where Xander is pacing and the others are waiting. When they see her, they rush to greet her.
Buffy!
Are you okay?
How do you feel?
Is Angel here?
He had to go. It got kind of sunny.
Get him. Get everyone.
What exactly is up?
Buffy, are you sure you're all right?
I'm ready.
Ready for what?
War.
Bleachers are set up for the graduation ceremony and a podium has been erected for the speaker. Snyder stands at a nearby table holding a box full of diplomas, looking around nervously.
Buffy has just briefed Giles, Angel, Cordelia, Oz, Xander and Willow on her plan to battle the Mayor. They all look at her dubiously.
Well, that's the basic plan. So am I crazy?
Well, 'crazy' is such a strong word.
Let's not rule it out though.
You don't think it can be done?
I didn't say that. I might, but not yet.
I personally don't think it's possible to come up with a crazier plan.
We attack the Mayor with hummus.
They all look at him incredulously.
I stand corrected.
Just trying to keep things in perspective.
Thank you. My point, however, is-- crazy or not-- it's pretty much the only plan. Besides, it's Buffy's and she's Slay Gal. You know, Little Miss Likes-to-Fight? So--
I think there was a 'yay' vote buried in there somewhere.
Well, I'm going to need every single one of you on board. Especially you Xander. You're sort of the key figure here.
Key? Me? (takes deep breath) Okay... pride, humility and here is the mind numbing fear. (sighs) What do I have to do?
Do you remember any of your military training from when you became Soldier Guy?
Rocket launcher?
Rocket launcher not going to get it done. I mean, it took a volcano to kill one of these things last time.
Buffy, all of this is rather dependent on your being able to control the Mayor.
Faith told me to play on his human weakness.
Faith told you? Was that before or after you put her in a coma?
After.
Oh.
His weakness.
Right.
Which is?
You know, I do all this planning. I'm in charge here, even though I am really not at my best.
Well, let's think...
Well, Angel, you hung with him the most. Is there something that he's afraid of?
Well, he's not crazy about germs.
Of course, that's it. We attack him with germs!
Great! We'll get him cornered and then you can sneeze on him.
Cordelia loves this idea and runs with it, oblivious to Buffy's sarcasm. She gestures wildly with excitement.
No! No, we'll get a box with the Ebola virus and... or it doesn't even have to be real. We can just get a box that says Ebola on it and... (snaps fingers) chase him! (off their puzzled looks) With the box!
I'm starting to lean toward the hummus offensive.
He'll never see it coming.
Faith.
Faith?
At the hospital, he was grieving. Seriously crazed and not just in a homicidal "I want to be a demon" way. She is his weak link.
Faith. (to Giles) I can work that.
Wesley enters the library looking grave.
You haven't an enormous amount of time.
Hey, it's Mr. States-the-Obvious.
The Council is not welcome here. I have no time for orders. If I need someone to scream like a woman, I'll give you a call.
Wesley stands before her.
I'm not here for the Council. Just tell me how I can help.
That is so classy! (to everyone) Isn't he just so classy?
It's a start.
So there is something I can do besides scream like a woman?
There is plenty. There's chores for everyone. Okay, this is--
The Mayor briefs his troops.
--how it's going to lay out. The transformation should begin at exactly 3:28. I'll just be finishing my speech. You know, it's too bad you fellows have to miss that because I think it speaks to every one of us. I mean, heck... I've been working on it for a hundred years. It better be good. (laughs) They'll try to run, of course, and that's when I'll need you boys in flanking position.
But sir, the sun!
Not a problem.
Wesley reads from an ancient tome.
"Darkness will follow and day becomes night."
An eclipse.
Standard procedure for an Ascension.
That puts me back into the game.
Yeah, it does. You and Xander are going to have to work together now. Can you guys handle that?
Neither one of them looks exactly overjoyed at the prospect.
But I'm still Key Guy, right?
Right.
Great. Then Angel-- in his non-Key Guy capacity-- can work with me.
What fun.
Hey! Key Guy is still talking.
Oh, that's good! Start bickering. That's going to work great for us. You guys are like little old ladies!
The Mayor points at a schematic.
You come up through the sewers here. The important thing is containment. I'll need to feed. It's crucial in the first few minutes to sustain the change. What does that mean? No snacking. I see blood on your lips, it's a visit to the wood shed for you boys. Kill. Don't feed.
Willow and Oz are busily going through book after book, searching diligently for answers.
So how are we on volcano detail?
I think we can work it out.
Fun with chemistry.
Xander said he should be able to get the materials.
Who's going to stoke it up?
You feel up to it?
I suppose it should be I. It's strangely fitting in a grotesque fashion.
Okay guys, start reaching out. Giles: weapons, weapons, weapons.
What about you?
There is something I need to get.
She gathers her things and bolts out of the library.
Remember: fast and brutal. It's going to be a whole new world come nightfall... don't want to weaken now.
The vampires head out to do the Mayor's bidding.
And boys? Let's watch the swearing.
Xander walks into the room and approaches HARMONY and her two friends. He takes her by the arm and pulls her to the side.
Harmony, listen, I need to talk to you for a sec.
You mean in front of other people?
Xander smirks and drags her out of the room.
PERCY WEST wears his graduation gown. He looks at it with disgust as Willow approaches.
Are they serious? I'm going to look stupid in this!
Percy!
Do I look stupid in this? Be honest.
You look great. You got a sec?
Wesley and Cordelia pull all the library books off the shelves and pack them into cardboard boxes. They glance at each other several times, each when the other isn't looking. Suddenly Wesley straightens up and looks her in the eye.
Cordelia.
Cordelia spins around to face him.
Yes!
You know that when this is over...
Yes.
Well, should we prevail I'll be going back to England.
Cordelia looks away, disappointed.
I know.
Wesley fidgets awkwardly.
With Buffy no longer working for the Council, there really is no place for me here.
Cordelia steps closer to him.
I guess not.
No reason to stay.
Cordelia inches closer.
No.
No cause to hope that I might be needed?
Needed?
Or wanted?
Wanted...
Wesley takes a deep breath and leans down to kiss Cordelia and she responds in kind. They bump noses and juggle awkwardly. Wesley waves his hands around in the air as Cordy tries to wrap her arms around his back to pull him unsuccessfully closer. They maneuver around a bit more then break off and look at each other. Cordelia turns her head and wipes her mouth. They try again but with about as much success. As they break off again, Cordelia sighs with frustration and disappointment.
Good luck in England.
Wesley nods and puts his glasses back on.
Yes, thank you. I'll drop you a line some time.
That'll be neat.
Wesley smiles awkwardly at her and they both silently go back to packing up the books.
LARRY and JONATHAN load sacks of fertilizer from Oz's van into a shopping cart.
Okay, put these with the others. Don't touch anything.
What do we do then?
Nothing.
Just relax. Have a good time.
Okay.
Larry peeks around the corner of the building.
Okay, it's clear. Lets move.
Larry pushes the shopping cart ahead of him while Jonathan slides the van door shut.
Willow looks over nervously at Oz as he drives off.
I guess that's it. Won't be long now.
You nervous?
Only in a terrified way.
Oz takes her hand.
We'll make it through this.
Are you sure?
I sound pretty sure, don't I?
Yeah.
Then I must be sure.
Is that just a comforting way of not answering the question?
Oz shrugs, leans over and kisses her softly. Willow pulls away a little and smiles.
How long till graduation?
A little while.
Willow pulls him close again.
Buffy enters Giles' office to find Angel sorting through weapons. She hesitates a moment. Angel speaks to her without turning around.
Did you get what you needed?
Yeah, I did. (re: weapons) This isn't going to be enough.
Giles is on it.
Buffy starts to leave and Angel turns to her.
How are you?
I heal fast. Like you. (all business) So! Are we sure that everyone knows what their position--
I'm not going to say good-bye. (beat) If we get through this, I'm just going to go. You understand?
Buffy gives a small nod, tears welling in her eyes.
There is just too much to--
Buffy puts up her hand to stop him. He hesitates a moment then turns and leaves quietly.
Buffy takes a deep breath then looks down and unwraps the bundle in her hands to reveal Faith's assassin's knife. Dried blood stains the blade.
Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance plays as the students file in and take their seats for the graduation ceremony. The music stops and the students sit down. Principal Snyder steps up to the podium.
Congratulations to the class of 1999. You all proved more or less adequate. This is a time of celebration so sit still and be quiet. (to student in crowd) Spit out that gum. (to crowd) Please welcome our distinguished guest speaker, Richard Wilkins, III. (to student) I saw that gesture. You see me after graduation.
Snyder turns and claps as the Mayor stands up.
Willow and Oz run in late and take their places. Willow sits down next to Buffy.
Am I late? Did we fight?
The Mayor shakes Snyder's hand and steps up to the podium. He smiles and takes cue cards from his suit pocket, then clears his throat and surveys the students.
Well. What a day this is! Special day. Today is our centennial, the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Sunnydale and I know what that means to all you kids: not a darn thing. Because today something much more important happens. Today you all graduate from high school. Today all the pain, all the work, all the excitement is finally over. And what's a hundred years of history compared to that? You know what kids?
Oh, my god. He's going to do the entire speech.
Man, just ascend already.
Evil!
As the Mayor continues his speech, we CU on each member of Buffy's gang: Xander, Cordelia, Oz, Willow and Buffy herself.
For all of you it may be that there is a place in Sunnydale's history, whether you like it or not. It's been a long road getting here. For you, for Sunnydale. There has been achievement, joy, good times... and there has been grief. There's been loss. Some people who should be here today aren't. But we are. Journey's end. And what is a journey? Is it just distance traveled? Time spent? No. It's what happens on the way, it's the things that shape you. At the end of the journey you're not the same. Today is about change. Graduation doesn't just mean your circum- stances change, it means you do. You ascend to a higher level. Nothing will ever be the same.
A shadow falls across the Mayor.
Nothing.
The Mayor and the students look up as the sun goes dark. As the eclipse enters totality, a bolt of pain rips through the Mayor's body. He pauses, then continues his speech, groaning in pain each time his body is wracked by the early stages of his transformation.
And so as we look back on the events that brought us to this day...
Buffy takes off her mortar board. The students murmur nervously at the unexpected eclipse and the Mayor's odd behavior.
Come on.
We... we must all...
The Mayor screams in pain and the students and the faculty look at each other uneasily.
It has begun. My destiny. (smiles) It's a little sooner then I expected. I had this whole section on civic pride but I guess we'll just skip to the big finish!
Buffy and Willow look at each other as the Mayor's features distort and elongate. His suit splits around him as Snyder stumbles backward in shock. Within seconds, the Mayor has transformed into a massive reptilian demon in the form of a snake with clawed mandibles surrounding its mouth. It keeps growing, stretching higher as the faculty abandons their seats in a blind panic. The students stand up but remain in place, staring up at the Mayor, who now towers above the roof of the school.
The students hold their ground as their parents panic and flee in all directions. A group of vampires rushes up the steps behind the students.
Now!
The students shrug their gowns off en masse revealing crosses, axes and other assorted weaponry.
Flame units!
Several students, including Larry, level flame-throwers at the Mayor and blast him with jellied gasoline. The Mayor sways above the students roaring in pain, rage and hunger.
Buffy nods at Xander.
First wave!
A group of students, including Willow, aim crossbows loaded with lance points at the Mayor.
Fire!
The Mayor screams as the bolts hit home, burying themselves in his scaly flesh. He lunges toward the crowd and swallows a student in the first row whole. Buffy stares in shock and the students start to lose their nerve.
Snyder stands off to the side, in utter shock. All he can think to do is fall back on his role as disciplinarian.
This... this is simply unacceptable!
A group of students break and run right into the group of vampires waiting on the steps. Oz looks on in horror as they are savagely killed by the vampires.
Xander?
Arm bow men.
Oz and the others pick up longbows and arrows. The vampires move toward them as the teens light the arrows and take aim.
Fire!
The students let fly and several vampires explode into flaming dust.
Xander looks back at the students fighting the Mayor as Jonathan is hurled through the air and lands on top of several of his classmates knocking them to the ground.
Fall back!
Fire!
The students shoot another volley of fire arrows at the oncoming vampire horde. They strike home and the demons disintegrate in a cloud of ash. The vampires are taking heavy losses now and are confused and frightened by this unexpected counterattack. What was supposed to be an easy slaughter of helpless kids has turned into sudden death for them. They turn to flee only to find themselves confronted by another group of students led by Angel who is flanked by Percy and Wesley.
Angel charges the vampires, dealing out punishing blows to all within his reach.
Wesley runs right into a vampire's fist and falls on his ass.
Angel easily holds his own against multiple attackers.
Larry and his crew hold the Mayor at bay with their flame-throwers. Suddenly, Larry's unit cuts out and he throws it to the side in favor of a lance. The Mayor's massive tail whips around and slams into Larry like an oncoming freight train, hurling him through the air to land in a broken heap on the stage.
Angel tosses the lesser vampires around like rag dolls.
Buffy stands on a chair and looks directly up at the Mayor.
Principal Snyder is staring up at his guest speaker in horror. He's nearly catatonic with shock and keeps repeating the same phrase over and over.
This is not orderly. This is not discipline!
The Mayor's snake-like head whips around toward the diminutive principal.
You're on my campus buddy! And when I say I want quiet, I want--
The Mayor's head descends and engulfs Snyder swallowing him whole as Buffy and Xander look on in horror.
Fall Back! Get back! (to Willow) Go!
Good luck!
Willow runs off and Buffy turns to Xander.
Xander take 'em down.
Xander pulls a stake out of his back pocket and motions to his troops.
Everyone! Hand to hand! Everyone! Lets go! Move! Move!
Angel sends one vampire after another flying through space as his group drives them back up the steps. One of the vampires tries to rally his troops.
Get the kids!
He charges back down the steps as the other vampires follow his lead only to find themselves confronted with a mass of armed and angry teenagers with baseball bats, crosses and stakes.
One of the vampires seizes Harmony and sinks his fangs into her neck only to be beaten severely by a girl with a bat. Jonathan jumps a vampire and falls down the steps with him.
Xander, struggling with another vampire, calls out.
Right flank! Close in. Close! Jason and Paul-- you guys are right flank!
Angel slams two vampires to the ground at once.
In a fit of unexpected bravery, Cordelia wades into the fray, stake in hand. A snarling vampire charges her and without hesitation, she shoves a stake through his chest, cringing as the creature disintegrates in front of her.
Wesley lies on his back, looking around, dazed.
How about some help here?
The Mayor's head swings through the air.
Mayor's POV: Buffy standing far below him. She holds up Faith's knife.
Hey! You remember this? I took it from Faith. Stuck it in her gut. Just slid in her like she was butter.
The Mayor gnashes his teeth and growls with malice.
You want to get it back from me... Dick?
Mayor's POV: Buffy turns and runs into the school and the Mayor charges after her.
The door slams open and Buffy dashes through with the Mayor right behind her. He's far to big to fit through the door and his body smashes the wall asunder.
Buffy heads right for the library while the Mayor tears through the school behind her like a freight train. Buffy runs into the library, vaults the banister and looks back as the Mayor crashes through the doors.
The massive demon looks around the library in surprise. The room is empty of books and furniture. In its place there are huge barrels of diesel fuel and bags of fertilizer stacked everywhere.
Buffy keeps running and dives out the back window as the Mayor sweeps his mammoth head around, growling menacingly. The Mayor's voice pours forth like water down a rainspout.
Well, gosh.
Buffy crouches down next to Giles who immediately pushes down a plunger.
A massive ball of fire erupts from the top of the school.
Xander and Angel stop and look up at the explosion.
A series of massive explosions rock the school.
Jonathan protectively wraps his arms around Cordelia and covers her head.
More explosions devastate the entire length of the high school, gutting it from one end to the other.
Buffy looks up at her flattened and burning high school, then looks over somberly at Giles.
Later. Police squad cars and fire trucks are parked haphazardly in front of the school. The air is dark and smoky. Two firemen wheel a gurney with a groaning Wesley toward an ambulance.
If I could just get something for the pain. It's rather a lot of pain, actually. Aspirin, if you would? Perhaps I could just be knocked unconscious.
Pan to Xander and Buffy walking through the chaos. Buffy keeps looking around her, as if searching for something.
We got off pretty cheap considering.
Seems like we did.
Buffy finally stops, still looking around. Xander stands beside her, his hands buried in his pockets.
He made it through the fight. Guess maybe he... took off after.
Buffy looks down sadly and Xander leaves her to her thoughts. Giles approaches and puts a hand on her shoulder.
Are you all right?
I'm tired.
I should imagine so. It's been quite a couple of days.
I haven't processed everything yet. My brain isn't really functioning on the higher levels. It's pretty much fire, bad; tree, pretty.
Understandable. Well, when it's working again, congratulate it on a good campaign. You did very well.
Thank you. I will.
I managed to ferret this out of the wreckage. Now it may not interest you but I'd say you earned it.
He reaches into his jacket and removes Buffy's high school diploma and hands it to her. She takes it with a wry smile.
Giles takes a deep breath and looks around.
There is a certain dramatic irony that's attached to all this. A synchronicity that borders on predestination, one might say.
Buffy looks up blankly at him.
Fire, bad; tree, pretty.
Yes, sorry. I'm going to see to Wesley, see if he's still whimpering.
He heads off and Buffy looks after him. Her eyes lock on something in the distance and her face clears. Reveal Angel standing beside a fire truck.
CU in sequence on Angel's face, then Buffy's face. Their eyes lock in desperate longing.
Close on Angel, first obscured by passing firemen, then by a drifting cloud of smoke. He steps back, slowly turns around, and walks off into the night, finally disappearing into the smoke and out of sight.
Willow and Xander are sitting on a bench in front of the school. Oz and Cordelia find them. They're all covered in dirt and soot.
Well, that's the most fun you can have without having any fun.
How about the part where we kicked some demon ass? I didn't hate that.
Hear, hear!
Buffy heads over toward her friends.
You guys want to take off? I think we've done pretty much all we can.
I'm for it.
Are you okay?
Buffy nods, her voice trembling.
Yeah, I'm okay. I could use a little sleep though.
Yeah.
If someone could just wake me when it's time to go to college, that'd be great.
Guys, take a moment to deal with this: we survived.
It was a hell of a battle!
Not the battle. High school.
They all turn as one and look at the destroyed school. Crickets chirp in the silence.
We're taking a moment... (beat) and we're done.
Xander stands up and takes Cordelia's arm.
Well, school's done. It's so cool!
Oz puts an arm around Willow as they all walk off together.
Why do demons even come here any more? I mean, don't they know better?
Pan down to reveal a Sunnydale High '99 yearbook lying torn and scorched on the pavement.