Villains

[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Villains at buffyology.com.]

Prologue

EXT. SUNNYDALE STREETS-- DAY

An ambulance speeds down Revello Drive toward the Summers home. The PARAMEDICS pull to a stop in front of the house and open the rear doors, grabbing their gear on the run. XANDER runs up to meet them, his shirt covered in blood.

XANDER

She's in the back! This way!

He leads them around the house into the backyard.

EXT. SUMMERS HOME-- BACKYARD-- DAY

PARAMEDIC #1

She was shot?

XANDER

Yeah, in the chest.

PARAMEDIC #2

Accidental?

XANDER

No! No, it was-- he was trying to kill her.

They reach BUFFY who is lying in the middle of the yard on her back. They unpack their equipment and start stabilizing her while Xander looks on, panicked.

CUT TO:

INT. SUMMERS HOME-- MASTER BEDROOM-- DAY

WILLOW cradles TARA's dead body in her arms, weeping uncontrollably.

WILLOW

Oh, god! Oh, no... please. Please! Come on! Come on, Tara, please! Come on, baby...

The room suddenly goes dark and roiling clouds displace the bedroom ceiling. Willow looks up, her eyes black as pitch.

WILLOW

By Osiris, I command you! Bring her back!
CUT TO:

EXT. SUMMERS HOME-- BACKYARD-- DAY

Buffy stares up at the sky, her expression peaceful and calm, as the paramedics work on her.

PARAMEDIC #2

Pulse is 100 and weak. Lung sounds are wet.

XANDER

What does that mean? Is she gonna--

PARAMEDIC #1

You need to stand back, okay? If you want us to help her out, we need some space.
CUT TO:

INT. SUMMERS HOME-- MASTER BEDROOM-- DAY

Willow stares up at the churning clouds hovering in the bedroom. Electrical discharges arc across the room as her power pours forth fueled by grief and anger.

WILLOW

Hear me, Keeper of Darkness!

Suddenly a demonic face materializes out of the mist and glares down at Willow.

OSIRIS

Witch! How dare you invoke Osiris in this task?

WILLOW

Please... please bring her back!

OSIRIS

You may not violate the laws of natural passing.

WILLOW

How? How is this natural?

OSIRIS

It is a human death by human means.

WILLOW

But I--

OSIRIS

You raised one killed by mystical forces. This is not the same. She is taken by natural order. It is done.

WILLOW

No! There has to be a way.

OSIRIS

It... is... done!

WILLOW

NOOOOOO!!!

The force of her power slams into Osiris and the demon screams in agony and disappears.

Opening credit sequence.

ACT I

EXT. SUMMERS HOME-- FRONT YARD-- DAY

The paramedics wheel Buffy on a stretcher to the ambulance and load her inside. Xander follows, walking next to the stretcher and holding Buffy's hand.

PARAMEDIC #2

Sunnydale Memorial, do you copy? We have a Caucasian female, 21, GSW to the chest.

XANDER

Come on, Buffy, hang on. We're gonna get you to the hospital.

Xander turns in surprise when he sees Willow walking out of the house, her arms and clothes covered in blood.

XANDER

Willow, oh my god! Are you okay?

WILLOW

How did this happen?

XANDER

Warren-- he had a gun.

WILLOW

(cold)
Warren...

XANDER

It went down too fast. I couldn't stop it.

Willow turns and calmly but purposefully walks off down the street.

XANDER

Hey. Will!

PARAMEDIC #1

Sir, we have to go. Are you coming with us or not?

Xander hesitates then leaves Willow and jumps in the back of the ambulance. The paramedics close up the doors and pull out.

CUT TO:

INT. SUNNYDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT-- CELL BLOCK-- DAY

ANDREW lies on the top bunk while JONATHAN stares out the cell bars into the corridor.

ANDREW

Think they'll let my aunt bring me my Discman?

JONATHAN

That's what you're worried about? In-flight entertainment? We're in jail!

ANDREW

We're in custody. We haven't been charged yet.

JONATHAN

Thank you, Dragnet. It doesn't matter what they call it. They got us, okay? We're going down. (points to guy in next cell) That guy's been looking at me. I think he wants to make me his butt monkey.

ANDREW

Don't flatter yourself. I heard him talking to the guard. He's in here for parking tickets.

JONATHAN

That doesn't mean anything. The joint changes you. I hear they like the small ones with little hands like their girlfriends.

ANDREW

You have got to chill out This isn't Oz. It's like Mayberry. Besides, Warren is going to find a way to get us out of here.

JONATHAN

Yeah, I'm sure he'll be bustin' us out any minute.

ANDREW

He will. He's coming up with a plan... like Wargames. Remember that decoder that Matthew Broderick used?

JONATHAN

(smiles)
Oh, yeah. That was rad. The one he made from the scissors and the tape recorder.

ANDREW

I miss Ferris Matthew. Broadway Matthew-- I find him cold.

JONATHAN

Really? No, I-- shut up! This is real life and nobody's coming to get us, not even your aunt who won't return your one phone call.

ANDREW

She must be out of town!

JONATHAN

She... doesn't... care. And neither does your partner in crime, Warren.

ANDREW

Don't say that. What do you mean my partner in crime? We're in this together.

JONATHAN

What do you mean "what do I mean"? You two were totally going to fly off and leave me holding the bag.

ANDREW

(defensive)

No, we weren't. I was... going to carry you.

JONATHAN

No. You two were setting me up and then Warren was going to screw you over, too.

ANDREW

That is so not true.

JONATHAN

Sure. He's a nice murderer. He keeps his word.

ANDREW

You're wrong. He's coming for us. He's out there right now devising a brilliant way to get us out of here.
CUT TO:

INT. DEMON BAR-- DAY

A seedy, smoky dive. Loud music plays while vampires and demons of all shapes and sizes booze it up. WARREN enters excited and fidgety and waves to the demon BARTENDER.

WARREN

(to bartender)
Whiskey, straight up. And get a round for the house. I'm feeling expansive.

He sits down next to a VAMPIRE who is intently watching a TV show about alligators.

WARREN

Hey. Bet you don't get a lot of humans in--

The vampire seizes him by the arm.

VAMPIRE

I'm watching my program.

WARREN

Wouldn't want to interrupt your me time... not even to buy the guy who killed the Slayer a drink.

He suddenly has the attention of the entire bar.

VAMPIRE

What's that?

WARREN

I took her out myself. I've been heading an organization... the Trio. You've heard of us.

VAMPIRE

Uh... no.

WARREN

Not important. I cut them loose. I figure now that Buffy's out of the picture, some things have got to change around here. I need a real gang, you know? Not a couple of wannabes.

BARTENDER

(dubious)
And you killed the Slayer?

WARREN

With these hands.

BARTENDER

What are you, a warlock?

WARREN

Funny you mention that. I've explored all the dark arts-- witchcraft, demonology-- you name it, I tried it against the Slayer. But you know what I found really works? A gun.

VAMPIRE

You killed the Slayer with a gun?

WARREN

In her own backyard. Don't underestimate science, my friends. Good old-fashioned metal meets propulsion.

The bartender and the vampire both start laughing and Warren joins in.

BARTENDER

Oh, man! This is gonna be good.

WARREN

The best! The town is ours.

VAMPIRE

Ours maybe. You are screwed.

Warren laughs even harder and the others do the same.

BARTENDER

Metal meets propulsion, yeah. But you still better be a good shot!

Warren's laughter dies away and looks at them, confused.

WARREN

This isn't the evil laugh of victory, is it?

VAMPIRE

More like the evil laugh of "you're a dead man".

WARREN

Okay... what's the joke?

BARTENDER

It was just on the news. Girl was shot.

VAMPIRE

In her backyard.

BARTENDER

She survived. She's in the hospital. And Slayers heal fast. Real fast.

VAMPIRE

Yeah. I was going to eat you myself during the commercial but now I think it'll be more fun to let the Slayer de-gut you. Might want to get a head start, my friend, 'cause this girl's gonna be coming for you... big time.
CUT TO:

INT. THE MAGIC BOX-- DAY

The door to the shop slams open and Willow enters. Every light bulb in the building explodes in succession as she walks through the store. ANYA looks up from where she's sitting at the register.

ANYA

Willow...

WILLOW

Where do you keep the Black Arts books?

ANYA

Something terrible has happened, I know, but you don't have to do--

WILLOW

I need power.

ANYA

Not with those books, I can't let you. Willow!

WILLOW

Stop!

She holds up her hand and an energy barrier shoots out and stops Anya from reaching her. Willow looks up at the book loft and all of the ancient tomes suddenly leap off the upper shelves and rain down in a pile onto the reading table. Willow approaches the books and stretches her arms out toward them. She sinks her hands into the first book and they disappear beneath the pages. The spells and incantations in the books are literally sucked off the pages and absorbed into her body. The runes and mystic illustrations travel along her skin and cover her completely before disappearing within her.

As the dark magick fills her, it changes her, deepening her voice and turning both her red hair and her eyes a jet, coal black.

WILLOW

That's better.
FADE OUT

ACT II

INT. SUMMERS HOME-- FOYER/CONTINUOUS-- DAY

DAWN enters, slightly taken aback to find the front door standing open and the house seemingly deserted.

DAWN

Buffy?

She heads upstairs and pauses in the hallway.

DAWN

Buffy?

No answer. She turns and heads for the master bedroom.

DAWN

Hey... hello? The door was...

She trails off when she sees Tara's lifeless body lying on the floor.

DAWN

Tara?

As she comes around the bed, she sees the blood and the bullet wound in Tara's chest and gasps in shock.

WIPE TO:

INT. WARLOCK'S LAIR-- DAY

RACK opens the door and comes out of his inner sanctum and into the waiting room.

RACK

All right, who's next?

Warren jumps to the front of the line.

WARREN

I am!

Rack looks him up and down, appraising him.

RACK

You're new.

Warren flashes a wad of cash.

WARREN

Yeah, and I come bearing dead presidents so do you think we can just skip the small talk?

Rack just smiles and points to his private room.

INT. WARLOCK'S LAIR-- INNER SANCTUM-- DAY

RACK

How'd you find me?

WARREN

I talked to a guy. He was one of your regulars. Offered to show me the way for 20 bucks.

RACK

Should have haggled. Most of my customers will bring you here for five.

WARREN

Great! Great. I'll file that away. Look, I'm in a bit of a situation here. I tried to do us all a favor and eliminate the Slayer but it... I guess it didn't take.

RACK

Killin' a Slayer... that's big business for a kid.

WARREN

I'm not a kid.

RACK

Okay...

WARREN

I have my own guys. The Trio... you've heard of us.

RACK

Right. What were you-- a band or something?

WARREN

I thought word traveled in the underworld. You know, we were evil! Robots were my thing. (off his look) You didn't hear about the freeze ray?

RACK

Sorry. So why aren't your guys helping you?

WARREN

Look, I thought this was a cash-for-service gig, not an interview process. I need protection! I've got the Slayer after me.

RACK

The Slayer is the least of your problems.

WARREN

Oh, you're right. I'm sorry. Let's talk about my skin troubles. You know, I'd say on the scale of problems, that she ranks.

RACK

If I were you, I'd worry about the witch.

WARREN

(confused)
Witch? Which witch?

RACK

Willow. Slayer's pal. She's the new power, man. Anybody with intuition can feel it. She's gonna blow this town apart. Startin' with you.

WARREN

Me? What did I do to her? Okay, okay, I shot her friend.

RACK

I feel death.

WARREN

But the Slayer is alive and she heals!

RACK

She might but somebody is stone cold and that is why the witch wants your head. She can sense your essence right now, man. It's just a matter of time before she finds you.

Warren slaps the whole wad of cash in Rack's hand.

WARREN

Okay! Take it. There's that and I can get more. Just give me something.

RACK

(considers)
Hide or fight?

WARREN

Both. All of it. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve but it's not enough. I need a cover and I need lots of firepower.

RACK

I can't guarantee anything. Not this time. Girl's runnin' on pure fury. I've never felt anything like it.

WARREN

Thank you for the tip, Nostradamus. Just load me up, okay?
CUT TO:

INT. SUNNYDALE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL-- E.R.-- DAY

Xander stands in the hall watching through the window as the doctors work on Buffy.

DOCTOR

We've got to stop that bleeding.

NURSE #1

Where?

DOCTOR

Over by the left ventricle.

NURSE #2

BP is down to 80/palp.

DOCTOR

Got more bleeding.

NURSE #2

BP is--

Suddenly the lights surge bright, then dim and all the electrical equipment in the room starts malfunctioning.

NURSE #1

What's happening?

Willow suddenly appears in the doorway and stares hard at the medical staff.

WILLOW

Leave.

The doctors and nurses just stand there, staring at her in confusion, as Xander approaches Willow.

XANDER

Willow?

WILLOW

(to staff)
Now.

Unnerved by Willow's presence, the medical personnel comply and clear the room. Buffy's heart monitor starts beeping wildly, then flatlines.

XANDER

Will, what are you doing? She's gonna die!

WILLOW

No, she isn't.

Willow serenely approaches Buffy's bedside and looks down at her, concentrating intently. Within seconds, Buffy's wound opens and the bullet rises out of her body and into the air.

Beneath it, the wound closes back up and Buffy's skin rapidly heals, not even a scar remaining to indicate she'd ever been shot.

Willow considers the bullet hovering over Buffy curiously.

WILLOW

It's so small...

She snatches it out of the air, then opens her empty hand. The piece of lead is gone. Xander watches Willow warily as Buffy opens her eyes and sits up.

BUFFY

What happened?

XANDER

Buffy! Oh, my god, are you okay?

BUFFY

Sure. How'd I get here?

Xander hugs her, relieved.

XANDER

You gotta stop doing this. This dying thing's funny once, maybe twice.

Buffy looks over at Willow, taken aback by her appearance: black hair, black clothes.

BUFFY

Willow?

WILLOW

Buffy, hey.

BUFFY

What's wrong?

WILLOW

I'll explain but we've gotta go.

BUFFY

Why?

WILLOW

(cold)
It's time to find Warren.

She abruptly turns and walks out.

CUT TO:

INT. SUNNYDALE BUS STATION-- DAY

Warren stands at the counter as a CLERK hands him a ticket.

WARREN

This'll get me all the way to the border?

CLERK

You'll have to change from the city bus. It's all in the folder.

Warren looks at the ticket, then heads outside and boards the bus.

CUT TO:

EXT. CALIFORNIA DESERT-- DAY

Xander's car speeds down the road, Buffy in the passenger seat, Willow in back.

WILLOW

Faster.

XANDER

I'm going as fast as I can.

WILLOW

Faster!

The gas pedal suddenly depresses on its own and the car surges forward.

XANDER

Will, would you cut that out! If you wanted to drive--

BUFFY

We need to stop. I don't like this.

WILLOW

We're close. I can feel him.

BUFFY

And we'll catch him and he'll go to jail. I'm finding the whole getting shot very motivating... but you're using magick.

WILLOW

If I wasn't, you'd be dead.

BUFFY

Maybe. But this isn't right. This isn't how I want it.

WILLOW

Sometimes you don't have a choice.

XANDER

I think Buffy gets the tiebreaker on this one. She was the one on the ouch end of the bullet.

BUFFY

Will, you do have a choice. This isn't good for you.

XANDER

You made the decision to stop for a reason. You promised us. And can I just ask, what's with the makeover of the damned? I mean, the hair--

Willow suddenly straightens up, sensing something.

WILLOW

Turn right! Go!

XANDER

Go where?

WILLOW

Over there! Now!

XANDER

Will...

WILLOW

Turn!

The wheel is suddenly wrenched out of Xander's hands and the car swerves off the road into the desert.

XANDER

Fine, fine! Puppetmaster wants to drive? Go right ahead.

They come upon a state highway and the car slides to a stop on the shoulder. Willow immediately gets out and strides to the center of the road. Buffy and Xander follow.

BUFFY

Willow, wait!

WILLOW

Stay back!

Plasma bolts shoot from her hand and envelope Buffy and Xander, halting them in their tracks. She turns back up the road as a passenger bus tops a rise and heads straight toward her.

She stares intently at the bus. Inside, the driver suddenly loses control, the steering wheel moving on its own, the accelerator dropping to the floor. The speeding bus barrels directly at Willow. When it's mere yards away, the wheels lock and the bus screeches to a shuddering less than a foot from where Willow is standing.

She walks around to the side and the door flies open before her.

WILLOW

Get out.

Knowing she means him, Warren stands up and walks off the bus. Willow instantly seizes him by the throat.

WARREN

Please! I'll do anything.

Her hand tightens on his neck, snapping it like a twig. His eye pops from its socket revealing gleaming metal beneath-- a robot.

Willow drops the robot to the side of the road, then releases Buffy and Xander who run over to her. Buffy looks down at the robot, stunned by its presence and what she just saw Willow do to it.

WILLOW

It's a robot. It's a robot. I could feel his essence. He tricked me. (turns to go) We'll find him another way.

BUFFY

And then what?

WILLOW

And then we'll kill him.

Buffy grabs her by the arm and spins her around.

BUFFY

Okay, you need to calm down!

WILLOW

Calm down?

BUFFY

Look, you're angry. I am, too. There's no excuse for what Warren did but that--

WILLOW

He shot Tara. When he shot you, he hit her, too. Upstairs in my room. Guess the last shot was the charm.

XANDER

She's dead?

WILLOW

She's dead. Now he's dead, too.

BUFFY

(stunned)
Oh, my god... Tara.

XANDER

Christ, Will, how come you didn't say anything?

WILLOW

I'm busy.

She turns away and Buffy grabs her again.

BUFFY

Willow, please! Just stop. We love you-- and Tara-- but we don't kill humans. It's not the way.

WILLOW

How can you say that? Tara is dead.

BUFFY

I know. I know. And I can't understand anything. Not what happened and not what you must be going through. Willow, if you do this, you let Warren destroy you, too.

XANDER

You said it yourself, Will. The magick's too strong. There's no coming back from it.

WILLOW

I'm not coming back.

BUFFY

Will, please! We'll get through this together.

WILLOW

We won't! Not your way.

BUFFY

Please just--

WILLOW

No! No more talking. It's done.

She walks away and hurls a bolt of plasma at Buffy and Xander as she goes, knocking them to the ground. When they look up, she's gone. There's nothing but empty desert for miles in every direction.

FADE OUT

ACT III

INT. SUMMERS HOME-- FOYER-- NIGHT

Buffy and Xander finally arrive back at her house and walk inside. It's dark, no lights at all.

BUFFY

Willow? Dawn?

XANDER

Maybe she went to the hospital to find you.

BUFFY

I left there hours ago. She would have been back by now.

They both turn and head upstairs.

CUT TO:

INT. SUMMERS HOME-- UPSTAIRS HALL/MASTER BEDROOM-- NIGHT 1

While Xander checks the rest of the floor, Buffy enters the master bedroom. She finds Tara's body right where Willow left it.

BUFFY

Oh, god...

DAWN

(o.s.)
I didn't want to leave her alone.

Buffy turns and finds Dawn huddled in the corner. She walks over and kneels down next to her.

BUFFY

Dawn, sweetheart. Come on. Honey, we need to get out of here, okay? Be strong for me, okay? We need to go downstairs.

Xander walks in slowly, staring at Tara, his face an expressionless mask. Dawn hugs her sister, crying.

DAWN

I don't understand.

BUFFY

I don't understand either.
CUT TO:

INT. SUMMERS HOME-- LIVING ROOM-- NIGHT

Xander watches grimly as crime scene techs carry Tara's body down the stairs on a stretcher in a body bag. Buffy sits with Dawn on the couch in the living room.

CORONER

(to Xander)
If you could just sign this...

XANDER

Sure.

He hands Xander a slip of paper.

CORONER

Call this number tomorrow. We'll have more information.

XANDER

Okay. Thanks.

CORONER

I'm sorry for your loss.

Xander closes the door behind him and walks into the living room with the others.

XANDER

So... that's it.

BUFFY

Are the police gone, too?

XANDER

Coming back tomorrow with more of their pretty yellow tape.

BUFFY

(sighs)
We need to find Willow.

XANDER

Yeah, she's off the wagon big time. Warren's a dead man if she finds him.

DAWN

Good.

BUFFY

Dawn, don't say that.

DAWN

Why not? I'd do it myself if I could.

BUFFY

Because you don't really feel that way.

DAWN

Yes, I do. And you should, too. He killed Tara and he nearly killed you. He needs to pay.

XANDER

Out of the mouths of babes.

BUFFY

Xander...

XANDER

I'm just saying, he's just as bad as any vampire you send to Dustville.

BUFFY

Being a Slayer doesn't give me a license to kill. Warren's human.

DAWN

So?

BUFFY

So the human world has its own rules for dealing with people like him.

XANDER

Yeah, we all know how well those rules work.

BUFFY

Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. We can't control the universe. If we were supposed to... then the magick wouldn't change Willow the way it does. And we'd be able to bring Tara back.

DAWN

And mom.

BUFFY

There are limits to what we can do. There should be. Willow doesn't want to believe that and now she's messing with forces that want to hurt her. All of us.

XANDER

I just... I've had blood on my hands all day. Blood from people I love.

BUFFY

I know... and now it has to stop. Warren's going to get what he deserves-- I promise-- but I will not let Willow destroy herself.

XANDER

(nods)
Okay, where do we go? She could be anywhere.

BUFFY

I don't know... maybe the Magic Box for some kind of locating spell? I could go myself.

XANDER

No, I'm cool. I'll go.

BUFFY

Dawn can't stay here by herself.

DAWN

Let me go with you. I want to.

BUFFY

No, honey. It's too dangerous.

DAWN

But... it's Willow. She needs us.

BUFFY

She does. And you'll help her. Lots. But first we have to get her home in one piece.

DAWN

But--

BUFFY

Dawn. I'm serious. You've been through enough for more than one... ever. You should be someplace where you feel safe.

DAWN

Fine. I want to go to Spike's.

BUFFY

(beat)
All right.

XANDER

What? Not all right. Are you kidding? After what Spike did to--

BUFFY

Xander! (beat) I'll get the coats.

She gets up and goes into the foyer. Xander follows her.

XANDER

(sotto)
You're not going to really leave Dawn with Mr. Attempted Rape?

BUFFY

He won't hurt Dawn, okay? He physically can't. Besides... he wouldn't.

XANDER

Well, after the other night, I'd say all bets are off on what he's capable of.

BUFFY

Dawn feels safe with him. We don't have a choice. Right now, he's all we've got.
CUT TO:

INT. UC SUNNYDALE-- STEVENSON HALL-- TARA'S ROOM-- NIGHT

Willow sits on Tara's bed holding the blouse she was wearing earlier, the one covered with Tara's blood. She stands up and spreads the blouse on the floor and kneels before it.

WILLOW

Blood of the slain, hear me. Guide me to Tara's killer.

As she watches, the blood on the shirt shifts from a pattern of random droplets to a crude map of Sunnydale. The forest is highlighted on the map.

CUT TO:

INT. SPIKE'S CRYPT-- NIGHT

The television is on and playing an old black-and-white Jimmy Stewart movie. The door opens and Buffy enters with Dawn and approaches the figure sitting before the TV.

BUFFY

Spike.

CLEM bolts upright with a yelp.

CLEM

Suffering cats! Where did you come from?

BUFFY

Oh, Clem. Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.

CLEM

It's okay. You just snuck up on me, is all.

BUFFY

I made you spill your snacks.

CLEM

Oh, don't worry about it. Like I need any more of this.

He jiggles the flaps of skin hanging off his arm.

CLEM

(to Dawn)
Hi. Can I get you ladies something? I was just about to mix up some Country Time.

BUFFY

We're looking for Spike, actually.

CLEM

He didn't tell you?

BUFFY

Tell me what?

CLEM

He left. Town.

BUFFY

Oh...

DAWN

He just took off?

CLEM

That's why I'm staying here for him. Sweet pad like this goes empty for a few days, you'll lose it for sure. Plus, I don't have a TV. I'm surprised he didn't tell you. He kinda left in a hurry, I guess. Sure I can't get you something? I've got Bugles and liverwurst...

BUFFY

We're fine, thank you. But you could do us a favor. (Clem nods) Do you think maybe Dawn could hang out here with you for a while? I have some stuff that I need to do and I really don't want her to be alone.

DAWN

I still don't see why I just can't--

BUFFY

Dawn, we've been through this. (to Clem) What do you think?

CLEM

No problem. I'd love the company. (to Dawn) Do you like Parcheesi?

DAWN

(smiles)
Sure.

CLEM

Or we could rent videos. I've been dying to see The Wedding Planner.

DAWN

Either way, I'm good.

CLEM

Oh, here! You can have the comfy chair.

Buffy hugs Dawn.

BUFFY

I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise. (to Clem) Thank you.

She heads for the door, then stops and turns back.

BUFFY

Did he say when he'd be back?

CLEM

Spike? No. Only that he could be gone a while.
CUT TO:

EXT. AFRICA-- KAMPALA, UGANDA-- NIGHT

A small native seaside village on the shores of Lake Victoria. As Spike strides across the sand, a native MAN approaches him, gesturing frantically.

MAN

Toyenza coyengara. Erio mtuwana! (You can't go in there. It's very dangerous!)

SPIKE

Not asking for permission, mate.

MAN

Ymirara! Odja kufa. Ymirara! (Stop! You'll die. Stop!)
CUT TO:

INT. AFRICA-- KAMPALA, UGANDA-- DEMON CAVE-- NIGHT

Spike enters the dark cave and strikes a flame with his lighter, illuminating crude pictographs on the walls. The scenes are bloody and violent, a tableau of death. A sudden wind springs up and kills the flame. Spike puts the lighter away and continues deeper into the cave. A deep rumbling voice filled with menace emanates from the shadowy recesses.

DEMON

(o.s.)
You seek me, vampire?

Spike turns to confront the massive Asphyx demon. It's glowing green eyes pierce the darkness and watch him malevolently.

SPIKE

You do the finger paintings? Nice work.

DEMON

Answer me.

SPIKE

Yeah. I seek you.

DEMON

Something about a woman. The Slayer.

SPIKE

(nods)
Bitch thinks she's better than me. Ever since I got this bleeding chip in my head, things ain't been right. Everything's gone to hell.

DEMON

And you want to return to your former self.

SPIKE

Yeah.

The demon laughs.

SPIKE

What?

DEMON

Look what she's reduced you to.

SPIKE

(angry)

It's this bloody chip!

DEMON

You were a legendary dark warrior and you let yourself be castrated and you have the audacity to crawl in here and demand restoration?

SPIKE

I'm still a warrior.

DEMON

You're a pathetic excuse for a demon.

SPIKE

Yeah? I'll show you pathetic. Give me your best shot.

DEMON

You'd never endure the trials required to grant your request.

SPIKE

Do your worst... but when I win, I want what I came here for. Bitch is gonna see a change.
CUT TO:

INT. THE MAGIC BOX-- NIGHT

Xander helps Anya over to the reading table which is still piled high with the now-blank spell books.

XANDER

Are you feeling any change? Can you talk?

She pulls away from him.

ANYA

It's wearing off. Willow was here earlier. She put the whammy on me, then went straight to the Dark Arts books and sucked them dry.

XANDER

Look, Anya, something terrible happened.

ANYA

I know. Tara.

XANDER

(nods)
Willow's out for blood big time. We need to find her before she finds Warren. Is there something you can do... a locator spell?

ANYA

I don't need a spell. I can feel her.

XANDER

(confused)

You can--

ANYA

Feel her. Her thirst for vengeance, it's overwhelming.

XANDER

Is that like left over from your vengeance demon days, this sensor?

ANYA

No. Not left over.

Xander gets it.

XANDER

Oh.

ANYA

Yeah.

XANDER

When?

ANYA

When do you think?

The door opens and Buffy enters.

BUFFY

Is everyone okay? Did Willow--

ANYA

Got a power boost and took off.

XANDER

Anya was saying she knows where Willow is.

BUFFY

A spell?

XANDER

Not exactly. Seems Anya got her vengeance on again.

Buffy's eyes go wide.

BUFFY

Oh...

XANDER

(to Anya)
So Willow's all wrathy. Why don't you go to her? Isn't that your gig?

ANYA

Normally, I'd have to. But she doesn't want me.

BUFFY

She wants to do it herself.

ANYA

Yeah.

BUFFY

Look, Anya, we don't have much time. Which side of this are you on?

XANDER

If you know where she is, you can help us.

Anya considers for a moment, then stands.

ANYA

I'll help... but I'm helping Willow. She's close to him. He's in the woods.
CUT TO:

EXT. SUNNYDALE FOREST-- NIGHT

Willow strides through the dark woods, still carrying her bloody blouse. The trees part before her, clearing a path. Warren flees ahead of her, running desperately. She comes to a clearing and stops, looking around.

WILLOW

Run all night, Warren. I'll still find y--

She gasps and falls over, an axe buried in her back. Warren steps out of the shadows and looks down at her.

FADE OUT

ACT IV

EXT. SUNNYDALE FOREST-- NIGHT

Resume. Warren looks down at Willow and smiles but his smile vanishes as she rises up off the ground and turns toward him, ripping the axe out of her back and throwing it at his feet.

WILLOW

Axe not gonna cut it.

He turns and dashes off into the trees, Willow right behind him. As he runs, he takes a silver box from his backpack and twists a knob on the top. The box instantly sprouts a set of metal wings and takes off, flitting through the treetops.

It careens down toward Willow who looks up just in time to see it rushing toward her. When the box is about five feet from her, it explodes into a massive fireball.

WILLOW

Freeze!

The fireball instantly stops expanding and turns to ice. Willow walks straight through the ice sphere, shattering it, and continues after Warren.

Panting, Warren runs through the forest, terrified, looking behind him for any sign of Willow. He gasps when he turns to find her standing right in front of him.

WARREN

That's cute. That's a cute trick.

He backs away from her and she advances on him.

WARREN

It was an accident, you know.

WILLOW

Oh, you mean instead of killing my best friend, you killed my girlfriend?

WARREN

It wasn't personal. That's all.

He reaches into his pocket.

WILLOW

Well, this is.

He turns and runs away but Willow unleashes a magickal burst of plasma that knocks him off his feet. He pulls a ball of putty-like material from his pocket and hurls it at Willow.

WARREN

Capture!

The ball strikes Willow and instantly expands, the clear viscous substance completely enveloping her within seconds. Warren doesn't wait around-- he takes off into the forest again.

Inside the liquid cocoon, Willow's eyes glow a molten red and burn through the magickal substance. It melts and sloughs off her in waves and she's free to pursue Warren again. She focuses her power and sends it out into the forest ahead of her.

WILLOW

Iretite. (Ensnare.)

Warren cries out as his legs and arms are instantly caught in a tangle of hanging vines and creepers. They wrap around him, immobilizing him and pulling his arms out to his sides.

Willow walks into the clearing and approaches him.

WILLOW

Cute tricks.

WARREN

You are really asking for it, you know that?

WILLOW

I'm asking for it?

WARREN

I'm gonna walk away from this and when I do, you're gonna beg to go join your little girlfriend.

Willow stares at him for a moment and then comes to a realization.

WILLOW

She wasn't your first.

WARREN

First who?

WILLOW

Tara. She wasn't the first girl you killed.

WARREN

I don't know what you're talking ab--

WILLOW

Reveal!

Suddenly Warren's ex-girlfriend KATRINA SILBER walks into the clearing.

KATRINA

I should have strangled you in your sleep, back when we shared a bed. I should have done the world a favor.

WARREN

(nervous laugh)
It's a trick.

KATRINA

Why, Warren? You could have just let me go.

WARREN

(to Willow)
Make it shut up. Make it go away.

KATRINA

It didn't have to be like that.

WARREN

I'm not kidding!

KATRINA

How could you say you loved me and do that to me?

WARREN

Because you deserved it, bitch!

He turns to her but Katrina is gone.

WILLOW

Because you liked it.

WARREN

Oh, shut up!

WILLOW

You never felt you had the power with her... not until you killed her.

WARREN

Women. You know, you're just like the rest of 'em. Mind games...

WILLOW

You get off on it. That's why you had a mad-on for the Slayer. She was your big O, wasn't she, Warren?

WARREN

Are you done yet or can we talk some more about our feelings?
CUT TO:

Buffy, Xander and Anya make their way through the woods, tracking Willow.

BUFFY

(to Anya)
What's happening? What do you feel?

ANYA

She's stronger now. Close.

XANDER

What about Warren? Has she--?

ANYA

He's still alive. She's not done.
CUT TO:

Warren is desperate now, his bravado gone.

WARREN

Help! Let me go. Somebody! Help!

WILLOW

What's the matter? Thought you wanted to talk.

WARREN

No.

WILLOW

Okay.

She raises her hand and the bullet from Buffy's body appears in her palm.

WILLOW

I'll talk.

With a flick of her hand, Warren's shirt rips open, exposing his bare chest.

WARREN

What-- what are you doing?

WILLOW

Shhhh...

WARREN

Hey, I'm sorry, okay! I'm sorry!

She holds the bullet right over his sternum and lets it go. It floats there, slowly twirling, inches from his skin.

WILLOW

Want to know what a bullet feels like, Warren? A real one? It's not like in the comics.

WARREN

No... no...

WILLOW

I think you need to. Feel it!

The bullet moves forward slowly and starts burrowing into his chest. Warren screams in agony.

WARREN

Oh, god! Stop it...

WILLOW

It's not going to make a neat little hole. First, it'll obliterate your internal organs. Your lung will collapse, feels like drowning.

WARREN

(moaning)
Please, no...

WILLOW

When it finally hits your spine, it'll blow your central nervous system.

WARREN

Please, stop! God! Please!

WILLOW

I'm talking!

She waves her hand and Warren's mouth stitches shut. His screams become muffled moans.

WILLOW

The pain will be unbearable but you won't be able to move. A bullet usually travels faster than this, of course, but the dying? It'll seem like it takes forever. It's something, isn't it? One tiny piece of metal destroys everything. It ripped her insides out... took her light away. From me. From the world. Now the one person who should be here is gone and a waste like you gets to live. Tiny piece of metal... can you feel it now?
CUT TO:

Buffy and the others are getting closer.

ANYA

Over there.
CUT TO:

WILLOW

I said, can you feel it?

She waves her hand and the stitches disappear.

WARREN

Please, god! I did wrong. I see that now. I need... jail! But you don't want this. You're not a bad person. Not like me.

BUFFY

(o.s.)
Willow!

WARREN

And when you get caught, you'll lose them, too. Your friends. You don't want that. I know you're in pain but--

WILLOW

Bored now.

As Buffy, Anya and Xander run into the clearing, Willow raises her hand and Warren's skin rips free of his body. His bloody body sags against the vines as he dies.

Willow turns to her friends who stare at her in abject horror.

XANDER

Oh, my god...

BUFFY

What did you do? Willow, what did you do?

Willow looks back at Warren's corpse and it disintegrates in a burst of flame.

WILLOW

One down...

Her eyes glow a demonic red and she disappears in a swirl of black smoke, leaving Anya, Buffy and Xander alone in the dark woods.

FADE TO BLACK
END