[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Spiral at buffyology.com.]
Resume. BUFFY and DAWN are frozen in shock at the sight of GLORY standing amid the crumbled remains of Tara's dorm room wall while TARA looks up in awe at Dawn, amazed at the sight her troubled mind is allowing her to see: the Key in its natural state.
Buffy suddenly whirls, grabs Dawn by the hand and runs straight through the closed door into the hallway beyond.
Glory laughs and starts after them but WILLOW holds up a hand and suddenly Glory can't move. Willow wraps her other arm around Tara and casts a spell in Latin. Glory is hurled backward through sheer force of Willow's will.
Willow gathers up Tara and runs out after Buffy.
Buffy and Dawn dash through the lobby of the building. It is full of students walking, talking, reading, etc. Buffy pulls Dawn through the doors and out into the warm afternoon sunlight.
Behind them, Glory smashes right through the wall into the lobby. Frightened students scramble out of her way as the determined hell-god takes a bead on Buffy and Dawn fleeing across campus.
She smiles and runs after them with superhuman speed, moving so fast she's nothing but a blur.
Buffy drags Dawn run across grassy quad as fast as she can but Dawn is not a Slayer and has a hard time keeping up.
Buffy!
We have to keep moving!
I can't!
Dawn falls to the ground. Frustrated and desperate, Buffy hauls her back up and scoops her sister into her arms. She jumps over a park bench and continues running, heading for the street.
Behind them, Glory streaks toward them, gaining with the speed of a cruise missile.
Buffy staggers to a halt with Dawn in her arms as Glory suddenly appears in the street in front of them. Buffy realizes it's futile to run, futile to fight. She lets Dawn slide out of her arms and stares down Glory with as much courage as she can muster.
I really hate it when people touch my things. (to Buffy) Last words, slay-runt?
Buffy suddenly smiles, her fear evaporates.
Just one: truck.
Glory glances to her right-- too late-- just as a massive semi-tractor-trailer truck blasts its air horn and smashes into her head on.
Seizing the advantage, Buffy takes Dawn and runs off before Glory can recover.
Glory flies 50 feet across an adjacent parking lot and lands on her back on top of a parked car, caving the roof in.
Her clothes are tattered but she's unharmed otherwise. She starts to sit up, then stops with a jerk.
No! Not now, you idiot! Let go--
Her body morphs and suddenly Glory is gone. Lying on the car in Glory's clothes, BEN looks around in confusion.
--of my body!
He rolls off the car onto the ground, looking around nervously.
Oh, god.
Opening credit sequence.
Dawn stands in the center of the group, telling the story. She's excited, obviously proud of her big sister. GILES, ANYA, Willow, XANDER and Tara listen intently to the tale. Buffy stands silently off to the side, staring out the window.
And then whoosh! All of a sudden Glory's standing right there in front of us, all skanky and blonde and thinkin' she's all that just 'cause some bumpy-heads kiss her stinky feet... (beat) She does have nice feet. And she's coming right at us and Buffy's just standing there, not even blinking, like "bring it on!" and then, wham! Hell-bitch in orbit.
Go, Buff!
I knew you'd best Glory eventually. I mean, all our years of training--
A truck hit her.
Oh.
You threw it at her?
Well, no. She more kind of waited for it to hit Glory. But then Buffy ran really fast and we got away.
I don't know how we got away. That truck couldn't have slowed her down for more than a second.
Well, "how" isn't important. All that matters is that the two of you are safe.
Buffy scoffs and turns to him.
Safe? (angry) We've barely been able to manage not getting seriously dead every time we've crossed paths with Glory. Now that she knows that Dawn is the Key?
Giles and Dawn look away, knowing she's right.
There must be something in the Book of Tarnis that we've missed, something we can use against Glory.
Piano!
Because that's what we used to kill that big demon that one time! No wait, that was a rocket launcher. (to Anya) An, what are you talking about?
We should drop a piano on her. Well, it always works for that creepy cartoon rabbit when he's running from that nice man with the speech impediment.
Yes, or perhaps we could paint a convincing tunnel on the side of a mountain. Let's just keep thinking, everyone. (to Buffy) Perhaps we should reassemble at the magick shop, see if there's anything--
We can't fight her.
Well not yet, no, but--
No, not ever. She's too strong, Giles. We're not going to win this with stakes or spells or pulling out some uranium power core. She's a god and she's coming for us. So let's just not be here when she starts knocking.
Run away? (beat) Finally, a sensible plan.
That's not what she meant. (to Buffy) Is it?
Well, we can't stay here! She'll just kill us off one by one until there's no one left standing between her and Dawn.
Buffy, we all understand the severity of the situation but there must be another way.
No. We stay, we die. Show of hands for that option. (beat) All right. Nobody goes home, nobody tells anybody we're leaving. Just pack up whatever supplies we need and that's it, we're gone.
Cool. Don't have to study for that geometry test.
What about wheels? I don't think everybody's going to fit in the Xandermobile.
Just get your stuff together. I'll handle the rest.
Ben walks down the stairs into the main room, changed into his normal clothes. He's followed closely by a female minion, GRONX. The minion holds Glory's truck-mangled dress and frets over it.
This is terrible. I'll never be able to mend this.
Not really my color anyway.
Oh, yes. Inappropriate humor. Most amusing. Don't suppose you know what led to this sartorial tragedy?
That's not how it works, you know that.
Yes, of course. I just thought maybe after her magnificent incandescence was returned to this manly and... painfully handsome assemblage, you might have noticed something interesting? A Key in human form, perhaps? Lounging about unattended?
If I did, do you really think I would tell you?
Why do you insist on fighting the inevitable? No one can stand against her blindingly scrumptious luminescence.
Glory. Her name is Glory and she's your god, you little scab, not mine.
With all due respect-- and fear of sharp objects-- you exist, sir, only because of her divine greatness.
You mean her divine failure, don't you?
Gronx squints angrily at him but Ben doesn't care.
I didn't ask for any of this. I just want to be normal.
We play the hand we're dealt.
Nothing's mine, is it? This life, this body, it's all infected. The only thing I ever cared about, she's taken away from me. You know why I wanted to be a doctor?
Flattering drawstring pants?
To be close to people. To witness their lives and their deaths, to be there alongside them, a part of everyday humanity. (sigh) Maybe it's the drugs.
Drugs, sir?
Find the right combination, keep her buried where she belongs.
Impossible! Her magnificence can never be fully contained! She is a perfect, all-encompassing light, one you should feel honored to be bathed in.
Oh, yeah, I'm thrilled. Especially with the part where she gets her Key back and I cease to exist.
True, this oh-so-appealing form will of necessity be shrugged off.
Not if I get the Key first.
And if you did... what then? Could you do it? Take a human life with your own hands? Oblivion is such a small inconvenience in the service of a deity. Accept your fate. I mean, you said it yourself. This life was never really yours anyway, was it?
It doesn't matter how I came by it. It's mine. And I plan on keeping it.
Willow and Tara sit on a street bench while Giles, Anya, and Xander stand with their bags, watching cars go by.
Anybody else feel that?
What?
Cold draft of paralyzing fear.
We just need to stay calm.
Calm, right.
Hey, we gotta be like Sergeant Rock. Cool and collected in the face of overwhelming odds.
Overwhelming? How much more than whelming would that be exactly?
Look, everything will be all right. We just need to stay here calmly. As soon as Buffy arrives--
Giles breaks off as a large Winnebago motor home pulls up and screeches to a halt in front of them. The windows are covered with aluminum foil. The door swings open.
--we'll feel oddly worse.
They all grab their stuff and climb into the RV.
Willow and Anya look around curiously as they sit with Tara around the small kitchen table. Buffy is there already, studying maps.
Giles glances at the driver's seat, then does a double-take. SPIKE sits there wearing a large pair of black welder's goggles.
What's he doing here?
Just out for a jaunt. Thought I'd swing by and say howdy.
Out.
He's here because we need him.
The hell we do.
If Glory finds us, he's the only one besides me that has any chance of protecting Dawn.
Buffy, come on--
Look, this isn't a discussion! He stays. Get over it.
She takes one of the maps and storms into the back room, slamming the door. Dawn watches her anxiously. Spike grins at Giles' baleful glare.
Buckle up, kids. Daddy's puttin' the hammer down.
Spike drops the RV into gear and begins driving. Everyone clutches the walls and each other for balance.
A NURSE hands a clipboard and pen to a guy wearing a baseball cap.
Sign here.
H signs his name: DANTE.
Two other guys stand behind him, also wearing baseball caps.
Okay, that should do it.
Dante nods and turns to the other men. They start to walk off. The taller man is ORLANDO, one of Glory's victims. He stares blankly ahead of him.
See. Did I not tell you how easy it would be for us to--
Hey!
The men stop walking as the nurse comes out from behind her counter. Dante and the other man exchange a look. The second man begins to pull a dagger out of his jacket. The nurse comes over to them.
My pen?
Dante smiles and hands her the pen. She takes it and goes back to her desk as the other man puts away his dagger. He and Dante lead Orlando away.
Dante, Orlando, and the third knight move carefully down a slight rise. Orlando looks around at the sunny sky and the trees with wonder.
The trees are singing water.
Dante ignores him and looks around. Rustling noises emanate from the bushes. The two knights watch as a man emerges from the bushes wearing battle armor. GENERAL GREGOR has the mark of the Knights of Byzantium on his forehead and several long scars running down the side of his face.
You have him.
Yes, general.
Dante and the other man remove their baseball caps, revealing the marks on their foreheads as well.
Our brother has returned to the fold.
Welcome home, Orlando. I swear by my sword your sacrifice will not go unavenged.
Orlando seems fascinated by an amulet hanging around the general's neck. He reaches out to touch it.
Shiny.
Yes, I suppose it is.
Pretty little girl, she's shiny too.
Watch him, make sure he's comfortable.
So shiny. Pretty little shiny Key.
The Key? You've seen it?
Pretty little shiny girl.
Gregor and Dante stare at Orlando.
The monks, they've made it human.
We know the Slayer's protecting the Key. If what Orlando says is true...
Gregor turns back to the bushes. In the background, a phalanx of knights stand in formation, some on foot, some on horseback.
Prepare to advance!
Yes, sir.
We end this now.
The RV has left the city and is now on the highway in open desert with Giles driving. Dawn, Willow, Tara, Anya, and Xander sit around the table. Spike sits on the floor beside Dawn, looking irritated. Willow studies a spell book.
Shouldn't somebody be asking, "Are we there yet?" (to Xander) Isn't that what small entertaining children do?
Xander doesn't reply. He looks ill.
That kinda only works if you know where you're going.
Xander groans softly.
Do we know where we're going yet?
We'd already be somewhere if Captain Slowpoke would give up the wheel. (to Giles) Hey! Gramps! Bloody step on it!
Step on what? I've driven tricycles with more power.
Is anybody else queasy?
He doesn't travel well. He's like fine shrimp.
I should've nicked that Porsche I had my eye on. There's just enough room for me, you and big sis.
Xander shoots Spike a queasy glare.
What?
Would you give it a rest or...
Or what? You're going to toss your cookies on my shoes?
Or you can be undead man walking. See how fast you can hitch a ride with a flaming thumb.
Fine. Shrimp.
Xander gags, gets up and stumbles to the front and falls into the passenger seat beside Giles.
That guy is bloodsuckin' the last nerve right outta me.
Well, Buffy has a point. In a confrontation, Spike may prove... useful.
I don't know if Buffy's thinking too clear on that one or anything else right now. I've never seen her so...
She's been through more than her fair share of late. She just needs a chance to catch her breath, regroup. She'll be all right.
Yeah. She'll... yeah.
Dawn peers over Willow's shoulder.
Any luck?
If you define luck as the absence of success, plenty. There's a couple barrier spells but they only work on a fixed locus. Haven't found anything that'll work while we're still moving.
So pretty. Can I have one?
Tara tries to reach past Willow to touch Dawn. Willow gently pushes Tara's arm back.
Come on.
Anyone hungry?
Oh! Snacks! The secret to any successful migration.
Anya reaches into her backpack and pulls out a frying pan.
Who's up for some tasty fried meat products?
She holds up a can of Spam. No one looks interested. Tara reaches over to the window and opens the blinds. Sunlight streams in, hitting Spike's hand.
Hey! Ah!
Spike leaps away from the table as Willow pulls Tara back from the window.
Tara, no! What did I tell you?
Tara cries softly and Willow pulls her head to her chest to comfort her. She looks over at Spike.
I'm sorry. She didn't mean to.
Spike nods, understanding.
She doesn't know what she's doing.
We know.
No biggie. Look, the skin's already stopped smoking. (to Tara) You go ahead and play peek-a-boo with Mr. Sunshine all you like. It keeps the ride from getting boring.
All the light is gone!
No, shh, baby. The light's still outside, okay?
All dark. All dark.
The patients-- Glory's victims-- are strapped down in their beds. As if on cue, they all begin chanting the phrase "all dark" over and over. After a while, the chant changes to "soon, soon".
Candles are set out on the floor amid symbols written in red dirt. Gronx and MURK sit on the floor casting runestones onto the symbols.
It's coming. The signs are in alignment and soon victory will be in our grasp. All we need do is seize the moment... and squeeze until it bleeds.
The RV limps through the desert, its tired engine straining.
Buffy sits in the back room, leaning against the wall. The door opens and Dawn peeks in.
Hey. I think Anya's going to try to cook. Want to come watch the tears and recriminations?
Maybe later.
Dawn looks meaningfully at Buffy.
Thanks.
For what?
You know. Pretty much everything.
Yeah. I'm doing a great job.
You are.
I'm the Slayer. The Chosen One. All mythic and defendery. Evil nasties are supposed to flee from me. Not the other way around.
You're not fleeing. You're... moving at a brisk pace.
Quaintly referred to in some cultures as the big scaredy runaway.
Dawn closes the door and walks over to sit beside Buffy.
It's the most amazing thing anyone's ever done for me.
Buffy's voice cracks with emotion.
It just keeps coming. Glory... Riley... Tara... Mom.
I know. But there's a bright side.
There is?
At least things can't get any crazier. Right?
Suddenly an arrow slams through the window and sticks in the wall inches from Buffy's head. Dawn stares at it in horror and Buffy actually shoots Dawn a wry smile.
You know this is your fault for saying that.
She pulls down a corner of the blinds to peer outside.
About fifteen Byzantine Knights on horseback chase the Winnebago, swinging their swords and drawing closer by the second.
Come on now! Bring up the rear! Let's go!
Buffy and Dawn stare in amazement for a moment, then Buffy turns away from the window and sighs.
The knights are a hundred feet back and closing fast.
Buffy and Dawn rush into the main cabin.
Giles!
I see them.
See who?
Several knights ride up alongside the RV on either side. One has a crossbow and shoots another arrow into the side.
Spike jumps as the arrow punches through the wall beside him.
Arrows!
Bloody hell!
They're throwing arrows!
Tara peeks out the window as more arrows pepper the vehicle.
Dawn, get down under the table.
Buffy pushes Dawn to the floor. She and Anya duck underneath the tiny kitchen table.
Horsies!
Arrows appear in the wall beside Giles and Tara. Willow pulls Tara down just as an arrow appears where her head was.
Tara!
Weapons?
Buffy tosses a bag to Spike.
Hello! You're driving one!
Don't hit the horsies!
Oh, we won't!
Buffy moves up next to Giles.
Aim for the horsies.
The RV swerves toward the mounted knights but the knights are skillful riders and they avoid the ponderous vehicle.
One of the knights rides up alongside the back of the RV, grabs onto the exterior ladder and climbs up onto the roof.
Xander pokes his head up.
Did we shake 'em?
The knight's sword stabs through the ceiling inches from Xander's head and he drops back to the floor with a yelp.
Buffy moves back toward the rear as the sword stabs down again.
Stay low! Watch out for the--
The sword point slices right for Buffy's head. Spike reaches up with both hands and grabs the blade and holds it, saving her.
The knight struggles in vain to pull his sword free.
Spike continues holding onto it with both hands, grimacing in pain as the blade bites into his palms.
Now might be a good time for something heroic!
Xander! Hatch!
Buffy climbs up on the table and opens the hatch in the ceiling. Xander boosts her up and through it onto the roof.
Buffy emerges behind the knight. The other horsemen ride alongside, pacing the RV.
The knight sees Buffy just as he manages to rip his sword free. Spike yells in pain from inside.
The knight thrusts at Buffy and she ducks, backs away from his second swing, wheels and kicks his legs out from under him. He goes down and Buffy jumps on top of him, blocks another swing and punches him, knocking the sword from his grip.
Spike sits at the table beside Dawn, grimacing in pain. His hands are bloody and he awkwardly tries to wrap them in rags.
Buffy punches the knight in the face several times and grapples with him. He kicks her in the head and she falls over the side. She holds precariously to the railing along the top of the RV.
One of the mounted knights charges forward, swinging a mace.
Spike holds his bloody hands on the table as Dawn rips up the rags. Giles struggles to control the speeding RV.
The knight leans over Buffy to knock her off but she kicks upward and he falls back. Buffy vaults back up onto the roof and squares off with him once again.
Another knight rides up alongside and throws a grappling hook onto the railing. He begins climbing up the side.
Buffy punches the first knight, then spins and kicks him off roof. He falls to the ground in a broken heap.
The second knight reaches the roof as another grappling hook catches the railing.
Dawn ties the rags around Spike's hands.
Keep the pressure on.
I always do, sweet bit.
A knight bursts through the window and they both dive to the floor. The knight tries to grab Dawn while Spike recoils from the sunlight.
Tara and Willow cower as Anya grabs her frying pan and pounds the knight in the head with it. He loses his grip and falls to the pavement.
Not a piano, but hey.
Two knights now face Buffy, one with an axe, the other with a mace. But Buffy is warmed up now and these guys are no match for a Vampire Slayer. She picks up the first knight's sword and spins it over her head, taking on both at once. She easily dodges and parries blow after blow.
Within seconds, she tosses one night off the RV and buries his axe in the chest of the other.
All is quiet. Spike is on the floor with Dawn crouching over him, blocking the sunlight. Giles peers out at his mirror. The knights are nowhere to be seen. He lets out a sigh of relief.
Everyone all right?
They all nod and Giles turns back to the road and gasps in shock at the sight of a knight on horseback charging at the RV, spear raised and pointed directly at him.
Giles wrenches the wheel to the side as the knight throws his spear. It flies through the windshield and into Giles' side, impaling him. He gasps and falls forward onto the steering wheel, sending the RV wheeling out of control.
Buffy struggles to keep her balance. She leaps off the roof, tucks and rolls as the RV flips onto its side and slides across the road with a shriek of metal.
Resume. Dust drifts around the overturned vehicle. In the background, the gang walks down the road in search of shelter. Spike has a blanket covering his head while Buffy and Xander support Giles between them.
We gotta find shelter.
Yeah, right bloody quick. I'm burning up out here.
Later. The group approaches an abandoned gas station with a rusting truck parked in front.
Spike kicks the door open and bolts inside, followed by the others.
Careful.
Dawn coughs from the dust and watches as the others bring Giles in. Anya closes the door behind them. Inside, it looks like an empty room with little or no furniture. The windows are boarded up and a long counter runs half the length of the room.
Spike.
Spike and Xander help Buffy lift Giles onto the counter. His abdomen is covered in blood and he groans in pain.
Careful. Up.
Okay, Will?
I'm on it.
Willow finds a pile of rags and fashions a makeshift pillow for Giles. The pain is immense and Giles' forehead is covered with perspiration.
Oh, careful!
Are you sure you're okay?
Yeah, but Spike's hurt.
Buffy turns to Spike and grabs his wrist, inspecting his hands.
Ow! Easy with the delicates.
They'll heal.
Florence bloody Nightingale to the rescue.
Buffy goes to the window and looks through the boards: no one in sight.
You have another plan, right? One that doesn't involve pointy knives and a Winnebago?
We'll rest here for a minute but then we have to keep moving.
Where?
I don't know! We just, we can't... can't stay here. It's too close to the wreck, we're too easy to find.
Buffy!
Buffy runs over to where Willow stands over Giles.
Will, how is he?
Blood oozes out of Giles' mouth.
Will?
I think I slowed the bleeding but...
Okay. Okay, just give me a minute.
Buffy turns away trying to think.
Suddenly a flaming arrow shoots through the boards and sticks in the wall opposite.
Dawn, get down!
Another fiery arrow breaks a window.
Xander quickly stomps the fire out before it can spread.
Buffy pushes Dawn behind the counter as more flaming arrows shoot through the windows.
Willow pushes a whimpering Tara down to a crouch.
A company of forty knights fortify their position, surrounding the gas station.
We got company.
More arrows whicker through the windows.
And they brought a crusade.
General Gregor arrives on horseback.
Buffy runs toward Willow and pulls her down.
Willow!
Willow crouches beside the counter, one hand stretched up to keep pressure on Giles' wound while she flips through the pages of her magick book with the other. Tara huddles next to her, whimpering and covering her head.
I'm working on it!
Buffy and Spike shove a large coffee machine in front of the door and tip it over on its side.
The general sits on his horse watching the action.
Go! Go! Go! Let's move! Come on, move it!
Multiple knights attack the boarded-up windows of the building with various weapons, trying to break in.
A knight's axe breaks through the wall right next to Dawn's head. She screams.
Buffy!
Buffy runs over to help but is decked by another knight coming through the back door. He punches Buffy and she falls aside.
Spike lunges at the knight, punches him, then screams in pain and clutches his head. The knight lifts his weapon to strike Spike but Buffy intervenes, pounding him unconscious with one vicious blow.
The boards on the windows rattle as more knights pound on them and the glass shatters. Spike covers his head as glass rains down on him.
Xander drags the unconscious knight into the gas station's garage area.
Dawn stands up cautiously from behind the counter and looks down at bleeding Giles. She looks at his wound in dismay as General Gregor strides into the room. He points his sword at Dawn.
The Key.
Buffy picks up a mace from the floor and whips it at Gregor, hitting him in the hand. His sword clatters to the ground and he lunges at Buffy in a rage. She decks him, sending him smashing into a nearby concrete pillar. He hits face-first and drops unconscious.
Willow finds her spell and starts the incantation. As she speaks, her eyes go jet- black and her voice takes on a fierce, guttural tone.
Enemies, fly and fall. Circling arms, raise a wall.
She raises her hands and a bright sphere of light emanates from them, expanding outward.
The light sphere bursts through the walls and forces the knights backward with great force, tossing them through the air. The bubble stops expanding about 20 feet out from the building.
Dante hits the barrier with his sword. It shimmers but deflects the blow.
They have the general. Clerics!
Two elderly men in long black robes come forward. They walk up to the barrier and hold up their hands. One begins to chant while the other turns to Dante.
Energy barrier. A most powerful one.
Can it be breached?
The witch's magick pales to the might of our God. The infidels' wall shall tumble before us.
Willow and Tara get to their feet as Buffy comes to check Giles' wound.
Will? How long will it hold?
Half a day maybe.
Willow goes to the window and peers out. The two clerics chant while the knights wait impatiently behind them.
Or till Heckle and Jeckle punch a hole through it.
So what's the story with these role-playing rejects?
Buffy looks down at Gregor.
Let's find out.
Gregor is tied to a pillar in the garage. Buffy stands in front of him with her arms folded while Dawn and Spike watch.
You sure Scarface here can habla the English?
He understands me. (to Gregor) Don't you?
You were warned we would return, Slayer.
Took you long enough. What are you supposed to be, some kind of chief?
General.
General. In charge of what? Getting captured?
You do not frighten me, child.
Gregor stares hatefully at Dawn.
The instrument of chaos must be destroyed.
Buffy steps forward and puts her hands firmly on either side of his face.
Look at her that way again and she will be the last thing you ever see.
She lets go and steps back.
As I've been told, you protect the Key of the Beast.
It's not that simple.
Yes. The Key has been transformed, given breath... life. Yet this makes no difference. The Key is the link. The link must be severed. Such is the will of God.
She doesn't remember anything about being this Key you're all looking for. The only thing that she remembers is growing up with a mother and a sister that love her. What kind of god would demand her life for something that she has no control over?
Gregor is unmoved.
We are not your enemy. Tell your men to stand down.
No.
It is not her fault! She's human now!
The Key is too dangerous to be allowed to exist, no matter what form it has been pressed into.
I will not let anyone tell me--
Buffy breaks off as a wailing emanates from the next room.
Buffy, Dawn, Spike and Xander enter to find Anya watching helplessly as Willow tries to calm Tara.
What happened?
I don't know. She just went nuts.
Tara whimpers frantically and struggles to get free from Willow who holds her down.
Time! Time, time!
She runs over to the boarded-up windows and claws at them. Willow runs after her and tries to pull her away.
Tara! (to Buffy) We have to do something! She can't stay this way. Buffy!
Time... time... time...
The mental patients all mutter "time, time, time" and struggle against their bonds.
The nurse enters.
No, it's not time for your meds. Just lie back--
Crazy #1 rips free of his restraints and the nurse rushes over to try to force him back into bed.
Doctor! Doctor McCarthy!
Crazy #2 hits her over the head and she drops unconscious. The other patients begin to break free and get up out of bed. They shuffle out the door, muttering "time" over and over again.
Orlando walks among the knights in the encampment. He stares at the building.
It's time. It's time.
Dante calms him.
No, no, shhh. There's nothing to fear, my brother. The Beast may have taken your mind but I swear to you, she will never know the taste of your heart.
Dante pulls Orlando to him and plunges his dagger into Orlando's chest.
Clerics! I want the witch's barrier down. Now!
The clerics exchange a look, then return to their chanting.
Buffy stands beside Giles, holding his hand.
I'm sorry.
For what?
We should have stayed. If we had, none of this would have happened.
Don't. What you did... was necessary... what I've always admired.
Running away?
Being able to place... your heart... above all else.
He takes a labored breath and Buffy frowns in concern.
I'm so proud of you. You've come so far. You're everything a Watcher... everything I could have hoped for.
Buffy's eyes tear up.
Giles makes a pained face, then closes his eyes. He continues breathing shallowly but seems to have fallen asleep. Buffy gently removes his hand from hers.
In the background, Willow stands over a sleeping Tara, stroking her hair.
Buffy turns away from Giles with a resolute expression.
Willow. Open a door.
A hole appears in the barrier as Buffy walks out of the building, followed by Xander. Dante and his knights come forward. They stop at the edge of the barrier and Dante holds up a hand.
Speak.
One of my friends was hurt when you attacked us.
And ten of my men are dead. Honorable men. (draws his sword) Shall we balance the scale?
Will you let someone come and help him or not?
Give quarter to an agent of the Beast? What madness would move me to such action?
I'm done asking.
Buffy starts forward but Xander intervenes, stopping her, as the knights prepare for Buffy's attack.
Whoa, whoa, hey! (to Dante) This is war, isn't it? And if there's one thing I've learned from Sergeant Rock, it is in war... there are rules. (beat) Or at least there should be if you're as honorable as you think you are. Plus, we do have your General Forehead guy.
Dante considers.
Willow, Spike and Buffy stand beside a pay phone. The phone is old and inoperative like everything else in the gas station. Willow holds her hand over it and takes a deep breath.
Discharge and bring life!
The pay phone sizzles and suddenly lights up. Buffy picks up the receiver, turns and nods to Willow, who looks relieved. Buffy dials.
Handier than a Swiss knife. Look, the door to my crypt's got this nasty squeak, maybe you could...
Willow rolls her eyes and walks away.
Hey, it's Buffy. I need to ask you a really big favor.
A car pulls up to the gas station and the army of knights stands aside silently, watching. Ben is at the wheel. He stops the car and looks dubiously at the knights, then takes a deep breath, picks up his black bag and gets out of the car.
Ben stands next to Giles, wearing surgical gloves and tending to his wound. Buffy stands anxiously beside him with the others in the background.
You forgot to mention the costume party outside.
Sorry. I didn't know who else to call.
No, it's okay. I mean, yeah, not how I pictured seeing you again but I'll take what I can get.
Spike rolls his eyes.
Thank you... for coming.
My pleasure.
Ben looks past Buffy his gaze coming to rest on Dawn.
Giles sleeps soundly, a fresh bandage wrapped around his abdomen. Ben pulls a blanket up over him and packs away his stethoscope while Buffy watches.
All right, I think I got him stabilized but there's a lot of damage. We need to get him out of here.
Well, I think the guys with the pointy swords kinda have other ideas.
Don't they always.
Behind Ben, Spike petulantly mimics his squeaky clean mannerisms, then turns away.
Look, I know this must seem extra Outer Limits to you.
This? Nah. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. You know, emergency room, full moon on a Saturday night?
Look, if this gets too weird, just tell me. I'll understand.
Don't worry about me. I won't leave until I've worn out my welcome.
Buffy smiles and takes Giles' hand.
Spike tries to light a cigarette but can't seem to manage with his injured hands. Xander walks over and takes the lighter, holding the flame to the cigarette for him.
Thanks.
You know, those things'll kill you. (off Spike's look) Oh. Right.
They stand side by side, leaning against the wall as Spike smokes.
I mention today how much I don't like you?
You mighta let it slip in... once or twice.
How're your feelers?
Nothing compared to the little bits we're going to get chopped into when the Renaissance Fair kicks the door in. And here we bloody sit.
It's not like we got much of a choice.
Could make a break for it! Use General Armor-All as a shield, get to the doc's car and--
Great plan. And while all the hacking and slashing's going on, what are you going to be doing, huh? Throwing migraines at 'em?
Look, we stay here, we all die! At least this way, some of us might get--
No.
The guys turn to find Buffy standing in the doorway.
We're all going to make it. I'm not losing anyone.
Spike sighs and shakes his head but says nothing.
Check the supplies. See if anyone's hungry.
Xander looks to Spike, then they both walk out. Gregor chuckles and Buffy closes her eyes briefly, then stares angrily at him.
Dissention in the ranks. Seldom a harbinger of glad tidings.
Buffy backhands him across the face.
Shut up.
Gregor turns his head and spits blood.
Poor frightened girl. You've no idea what you've gotten yourself into.
Why don't you tell me?
Would it make a difference? (beat) What do you know of the Beast?
Strong. Fast. Hell-god.
From a dimension of unspeakable torment.
A demon dimension. I know. She ruled with two other hell-gods, right?
Along with the Beast they were a triumvirate of suffering and despair, ruling with equal vengeance. But the Beast's power grew beyond even what they could conceive. As did her lust for pain and misery. They looked upon her, what she had become... and trembled.
Buffy is taken aback.
A god afraid?
Such was her power. They feared she would attempt to seize their dimension for herself and decided to strike first. A great battle erupted. In the end, they stood victorious over the Beast... barely. She was cast out, banished to this lower plane of existence, forced to live and eventually die trapped within the body of a mortal-- a newborn male-- created as her prison. That is the Beast's only weakness.
Kill the man... and the god dies.
Unfortunately, the identity of the human vessel has never been discovered.
I don't understand. Now, I've seen Glory. Not a whole lot going on in the hairy chest department.
You have seen a glimpse of the true Beast. Her power was too great to be completely contained. She's found a way to escape her mortal prison for brief periods, before her energies are exhausted and she's forced back into her living cell of meat and bone.
What about me?
Buffy turns to see Dawn standing in the doorway.
What about the Key?
Dawn...
I want to know.
The Key is almost as old as the Beast itself. Where it came from, how it was created... the deepest of mysteries. All that is certain is that its power is absolute. Countless generations of my people have sacrificed their lives in search of it, to destroy it before its wrath could be unleashed.
But the monks found it first.
Yes, and hid it with their magicks.
Why didn't they just destroy it? If the Key is as dangerous as--
Because they were fools. They thought they could harness its power for the forces of light. They failed and paid with their blood.
What do I do? What was I created for?
You were created... to open the gates that separate dimensions. The Beast will use your power to return home and seize control of the hell she was banished from.
Buffy laughs. The general looks at her in surprise.
That's it? That's Glory's master plan... to go home?
You misunderstand. Once the Key is activated, it won't just open the gates to the Beast's dimension. It's going to open all the gates. The walls separating realities will crumble. Dimensions will bleed into each other. Order will be overthrown and the universe will tumble into chaos... all dark... forever.
Buffy goes pale as the general stares at Dawn with revulsion.
That is what you were created for.
Dawn looks away, terrified.
Buffy finds Dawn and sits next to her.
Dawn.
You think it's true... what he said?
I don't know.
Destroyer of the universe. (beat) I guess cutting school doesn't seem so bad now, huh?
It's not you. You know that.
But it's in me... isn't it? It's inside me. What are we going to do?
Buffy puts her arms around her sister and pulls her close, resting Dawn's head on her cheek.
I won't let anything happen to you. I promise.
Willow tries to feed Tara while Gregor watches.
Wriggling!
Come on, Tara, you have to eat something.
Tara turns her head aside and whimpers.
Want me to try?
I don't know. I'm getting used to picking fruit out of my hair.
Ben cleans his instruments in a small sink next to the general.
You!
Ben stops what he's doing but doesn't look at Gregor.
You are not a part of this, are you?
Just a friend of the family.
Would you die for them? Because that is what your future holds if you align yourself with the Slayer and her misguided people.
It's my life and I'll do what I please with it.
It's not just your life. Unimaginable legions will perish, including everyone here. You can stop this. You can save all their lives by ending one. The little girl. The Key. Destroy it and the will of the Beast will be broken. She will fade, a distant memory... and all of this madness will end.
Dawn stands over Giles, watching him as he continues to sleep. Ben walks up behind Dawn and startles her.
Sorry.
Ben takes Giles' pulse.
Is... is he going to be okay?
He was hurt pretty bad, Dawn.
It's because of me. It's all my fault.
No it isn't.
Ben goes past Dawn to get his bag.
You don't know what's happening.
I don't have to.
He takes a syringe from the bag and begins filling it.
I just know that sometimes terrible things happen to good people. They shouldn't but... they do. It's nobody's fault.
He turns back, holding the needle up behind Dawn and moves toward her.
It's just the way life is.
He walks past Dawn and puts the needle to Giles' arm.
Is that going to help?
No answer. Ben turns away as the syringe falls to the floor.
Ben?
Ben puts a shaky hand to his forehead, then runs across the room in a panic.
You have to let me out!
Dawn follows him and the others begin to gather.
Ben?
You don't understand, I gotta get out. Open a door now!
What happened?
I don't know. He just freaked out.
Let me out!
Okay, Will, open a door.
No! Ahhh!
Ben puts his hands to his head with a scream and suddenly he's gone and Glory is standing in his place and in his clothes. She stretches and looks around curiously.
Buffy and Dawn stare in horror as Glory's gaze comes to rest on them. Buffy pushes Dawn behind her.
Well, what do you know? Little Ben finally did something right.
The Beast!
Glory looks over at the general and smiles happily.
Hey, it's Gregor.
She grabs a hubcap off the wall and whips it at him like a Frisbee. It embeds itself six inches into the general's chest. Everyone stares in shock as Gregor falls forward against his bonds, dead.
Now it's not.
With a shout, Spike rushes Glory, Xander right behind him. Glory bats Spike backward into Xander. They both crash against the wall hard enough to shake the building.
Willow lowers her head and closes her eyes.
Buffy charges Glory and Glory casually tosses her across the room and into Willow.
Glory laughs with delight and turns to find Dawn. Anya pulls Dawn to her but Glory yanks her away with little effort and drags her toward the door.
Buffy!
Buffy painfully tries to get up as Glory smashes through door.
The knights outside are galvanized into action at Glory's sudden appearance. Glory drags Dawn forward but stops short when she runs into the barrier.
Yeah, right!
Glory swings her arm at the barrier and smashes a hole in it. She pulls Dawn through it as the knights attack.
The hole begins to close as Buffy emerges from the building. She tries to make it through but it closes before her, trapping her inside.
Dawn!!
Offscreen, we hear the knights fighting, swords clashing.
Buffy turns and limps back inside.
Willow!
Willow lifts her head. Her eyes are dead-black again.
Get it down, now!
Hear, hear my plea... Circling arm protecting me...
Buffy limps back outside.
Buffy runs out as the barrier disappears.
The knights are scattered, broken and dead on the ground. Buffy walks forward slowly, looking around at the corpses in horror.
Spike, Xander, Willow, Tara and Anya follow her, taking in the carnage.
We have to--
Buffy walks slowly forward and stops before Dante who is still alive... barely.
The Beast...
Tara whimpers and hides her face in Willow's shoulder as Dante convulses and dies.
The car. Get the keys.
Spike and Xander run off. Buffy abruptly sits down on the ground, her eyes staring vacantly.
Buffy! Buffy, we have to find Dawn. We can't let Glory--
No answer.
Buffy? Buffy!
Tears stream down Buffy's face.
Buffy, you have to get up! We need you!
Buffy just sits, the tears flowing, staring into the distance. Willow's voice echoes, as if coming from far away. Buffy has finally reached her limit. She's snapped, catatonic, the stress and responsibility and loss too much for her to bear.
Buffy, please! Buffy...