[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Two To Go at buffyology.com.]
BUFFY, XANDER and ANYA run through the forest, desperate to get back to Sunnydale in time to stop Willow from harming Jonathan and Andrew.
Xander stops and leans against a tree, panting.
I think I'm gonna be sick.
Again?
Xander, we don't have time.
I know, it's just... what happened back there. The sounds of it. The smell.
I know.
Willow did that.
That's why we have to keep moving. You heard what she said. "One down."
She was talking about "two to go", right? Jonathan and what's- his-face... the other guy.
Andrew. They're sitting at county jail without a clue Willow's coming.
You don't think she's gonna kill them, too? She wouldn't. Doesn't make sense.
Willow's got an addictive personality. She just tasted blood. She could be there already.
No, she couldn't. A witch at her level? She could only go airborne. It's a thing-- more flashy, impresses the locals-- but it does take longer.
Longer than what?
Teleporting.
Anya disappears, leaving only a ripple in the air.
Right! Vengeance demon. (to Buffy) Well, at least she'll get there first.
I'm counting the ways that can go wrong.
Well, Anya can handle herself.
Against Willow? Tonight? Don't be so sure.
Well, she should be coming down at some point, shouldn't she? I mean, back there, she was out of her head, running on grief and magicks.
Doesn't matter. Willow just killed someone. Killing people changes you. Believe me, I know.
Warren was a cold-blooded killer of women just warming up. If you ask me, the bastard had it coming to him.
Maybe. Andrew and Jonathan don't.
This is still Willow we're dealing with, right?
I hope so. Whatever she's going through, we have to stop her. Maybe we can actually do that if we can get to your...
They come upon Xander's smashed and wrecked car.
...car.
Willow.
I guess she wants to finish the job without us tagging along. Meet me at the jail.
Sure. How're you gonna...
Buffy vaults the wrecked car and sprints off into the night. A second later, she's gone.
Okay, then! I'll just catch up. She's only my best friend, you know. No big deal, just...
He slams his fist down on the car's hood.
...glad I could help.
Opening credit sequence.
ANDREW and JONATHAN sit in their cell, morosely watching the trustees mop the floors. Andrew has his wrist to his ear.
Dude, move like a foot to your left.
What for?
I'm trying to hear something.
Like what?
Signals.
Oh, for crying out loud. Signals? Who from? Your probe-happy alien friends? Say... maybe we can trade a pack of cigarettes in for tinfoil. Make you a nice little antenna hat.
Laugh it up, fuzzball. I figured it out. Warren never abandoned us. Well, not me, anyway. This is like his test. If we can figure out how he's communicating with us, then we'll be, you know, worthy.
You're checking for implants?
Lex Luthor had a false epidermis escape kit in Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man, Treasury Edition.
Okay, first of all, those were sonic disruptors. Second of all, you are sadness personified. Waiting for Warren? Yeah, maybe he'll come bust us out of here on Santa's magic sleigh.
I'm telling him you said that!
Why wait? Tell him right now. (into Andrews elbow) Hey, Warren, do you read me? Your girlfriend's pathetic. Over.
Shut up, Jerkathan! You see this? This is why we get jet packs and all you get is left behind.
So you admit it.
Why not? You were out of the Trio a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. And you want to know why, little feller? No respect for the chain of command.
Yeah, see how far it's gotten you? Checking every hole in your sad little body for transmitters that don't exist.
Oh, I'll find it if I have to check every hole in my body and yours!
Andrew pushes Jonathan and they start grappling with each other.
Get off!
Make me!
Anya suddenly materializes in the cell with them.
There you two are.
You do that?
Jonathan shakes his head no.
Listen to me. We have to get you out of here or you'll both be killed. Guard!
What's going on?
Guard!
Stop that! (to Jonathan) I don't trust her. Do you trust her? This is major uncool.
Anya? You're going to have to break this down for us a little.
Warren shot Buffy. Warren shot Tara. Buffy's alive. Tara's dead. Willow found out and being the most powerful Wicca in the western hemisphere, decided to get the payback... with interest.
What about Warren?
She killed him. Ripped him apart and bloodied up the forest doing it. Now she's coming here and the two of you are next.
Oh, my god... Warren.
Oh, my god... me. Guard! Guard!
We didn't do anything.
The GUARD gets up from his desk and walks down the hall to the cell.
All right, all right. What do you-- (sees Anya) Who the hell are you?
Something's coming. Something bad. You have to let these men out of here or I guarantee you there will be hell to pay.
Okay, what exactly is coming?
One of the many things in this world you are not prepared to deal with.
Is that a fact?
Yes. And we're running out of time so just believe me when I tell you (teleports through the bars) these things are real, they're dangerous and they're coming.
The guard steps back, speechless.
An OFFICER sits in his cruiser outside the station, going over a report. He looks up, confused, as the coffee cup on the dashboard starts vibrantly violently.
He turns just as WILLOW materializes in the parking lot with a burst of light and wind. Plasma discharges arc all around her.
The officer gets out of the car and approaches her.
What the hell was that? Listen, I don't know what you think you're doing but just--
Take a nap.
The officer instantly collapses to the pavement, unconscious. Willow looks up at the second floor of the station, sensing Jonathan and Andrew in the cell block overhead. She starts to focus her concentration.
Andrew and Jonathan watch anxiously as Anya tries to convince the guard to let them go.
So please stop looking at me like it's your first trip to the circus and do your job. Let them out.
Willow focuses her power on an inset of bricks in the second-floor wall. After a moment, the masonry starts to crumble and the bricks are ripped free one at a time.
In the cell, Andrew and Jonathan recoil in fear as large holes appear in the wall of their cell.
The guard shakes his head in amazement.
You three stay here.
Oh, like we have a choice.
Don't move. You'll be safe here.
Are you even listening? This is the one place they won't be safe.
The guard ignores her and runs to the stairwell.
Out in the parking lot, Willow continues her assault. Larger and larger chunks of the building peel away and rain down on the squad cars, crushing them like cans. Willow raises her hand as several officers run out of the building.
Back off.
One of the men shoots across the lot and crashes through the windshield of a wrecked cruiser. Another flips head over feet and lands on the asphalt, unconscious. The sergeant motions for the rest of the men to hold their ground.
Willow turns her attention back to the building.
Upstairs, the bricks continue to shoot out of the walls, the hole ever widening.
Stop it! Just stop! (to Anya) Why is she doing this? Tell her we didn't do anything.
Yes, we did. We signed on. We teamed up. We wanted to see where our plans would take us. Well, take a look! This is it.
Maybe for you.
Buffy runs up and peers around the corner as the police surround Willow but keep their distance from her.
Concerned and frightened for Willow, Buffy turns to the rear door of the police station.
Andrew pleads with Anya.
Anya, teleport us out of here. Please, take us with you!
I can't. It doesn't work that way.
Another huge section of the wall falls away.
Oh, god... help!
The rear door shatters. Buffy runs in and heads for the stairwell.
A dozen officers and detectives encircle Willow, their guns drawn, shouting commands at her. She ignores them, extends her arms and rises off the ground and up to the shattered faÁade of the station.
Willow steps into the jail cell only to find it empty. The bars are ripped open and Jonathan and Andrew are nowhere to be found.
Buffy...
Willow, just stop for a second and listen to me--
Plasma arcs from Willow's hands and slams into Anya, hurling her against the wall and knocking her out.
Willow turns and screams a banshee shriek, the sound so loud it causes the building to tremble in its foundation.
Andrew staggers and grabs the wall for support as Willow's scream tears through his skull.
Aghhh! What's that sound? God, it kills.
Jonathan and Andrew cover their ears, desperately trying to block the hideous noise. Buffy seems unaffected, however, and peers around the corner of the building at the officers still grouped in the parking lot. Willow's scream is incapacitating them, just as it is Andrew and Jonathan.
We're gonna have to make a run for it.
Are you kidding? She's like Dark Phoenix up there. You expect us to just outrun her?
Pretty much.
At the sound of screeching breaks behind them, Buffy turns to find Xander pulling up in a police cruiser.
Get in.
Go! Go!
Xander pulls out into the lot, circling around the confused and panicked police officers.
Xander drives down the rural road, checking his mirrors. Buffy does the same from the passenger seat while Andrew and Jonathan cower in the back.
Is she coming?
I don't see anything.
Are you guys all right? Are you injured?
I don't think so.
Where are you taking us?
We'll find someplace safe and we'll keep you there until we can stop Willow.
Run and hide? That's your brilliant plan?
I don't believe this.
Boys, if you don't knock it off, I will pull this car over and you can just walk to your painful deaths from here.
The door to the station opens and Willow strides out, her senses tracking those she seeks.
I don't get it. Willow's a witch. Why doesn't she just wave her arms and make us dead?
Because she doesn't want you dead. She wants to kill you.
But we didn't do anything.
Buffy backhands Andrew in the face.
Ow!
I hate to admit it, Buff, but Jonathan may have a point. Why isn't she right here, right now?
Maybe she's just getting her mojo up and running or maybe she hasn't figured out exactly how much power she really has yet. Neither have we.
Guess we keep running, then.
I still can't believe that was Willow. I mean, I've known her almost as long as you guys. Willow was... you know? She packed her own lunches and wore floods and was always... just Willow.
Everyone is suddenly thrown forward from a violent rear impact.
Jeez it!
What was that?
Xander looks into the mirror and sees a massive semi-tractor-trailer truck looming behind them, Willow standing on the roof of the cab, her arms extended, controlling the speeding vehicle.
Just Willow.
The truck driver inside tries desperately to wrench back control of his vehicle but can't move the steering wheel. He finally gives up and lets go as the truck closes in on the rear of the squad car again.
The truck smashes into the rear of the car several times, caving in the trunk and tearing the back bumper free.
Any ideas?
Drive faster!
The truck slams into the car again and starts speeding up, pushing the smaller car ahead of it.
This is faster...
She knows you're in this car, too, right? (no answer) Right?
Jonathan looks out the back window and up at Willow who is panting heavily and swaying on her feet.
She's draining.
She's whating?
Willow collapses onto the roof of the truck.
Just keep going.
Willow tries to get back up but it's too much for her. The squad car starts to pull away and the truck driver manages to regain control of the truck. He wrenches the
wheel hard left and the truck screeches to a halt as the smaller car disappears down the dark road.
Cool.
DAWN paces anxiously while CLEM tries to distract her with feckless banter. At the moment, he's rating different types of snack food for her.
Not that I'm knocking the nacho cheese ones. I like the taste. It's just the texture I can't deal with. So gritty. Kinda hurts my tongue. So I give them a 7, maybe a 7.5 and... you think this is dumb, don't you?
No! No, as taste tests go, this is definitely one of the better ones I've been to.
I get it. No biggie. You want to play cards?
Clem...
I can be a real boredom buster if you just give me half a chance.
It's not you.
Still, I feel responsible. It's not fair. A girl your age cooped up in a crypt. Tell you what... let me get my hat and my coat, I'll take you to a movie. We'll go nuts! PG-13...
Clem, look at me. Do I look weak to you? Or incapable?
Heck no.
So why am I stuck here?
No good reason I can see. (beat) I'm still real sorry about what happened. If there's anything I can do to help, just name it.
Anything?
Oh, you're not go and get yourself in trouble now, are you? Or me! 'Cause your sister's the Slayer. I'm a demon. That's real good incentive to get along with her.
I need a demon to help me.
Clem hesitates, uncertain.
Spike would have.
Spike's gone.
SPIKE paces shirtless in front of the Asphyx DEMON.
You understand, then?
Yeah, it's not like you haven't been clear about it, o great mysterious one. This is a test. I don't get what I want unless I pass said test. That about the size and shape?
Yes.
And since your pad is decked out gladiator-style and no No. 2 pencils have been provided, I guess we're not starting with the written.
Spike turns around as a brawny and muscled man enters the cave behind him.
Oh, here we go, then. Just me and the walking action figure. (to demon) I'm venturing this would be a kill-or-be-killed type of situation, then?
To the death.
Right. (to opponent) Here we are now. Entertain us.
The man knocks his fists together and they instantly ignite.
Son of a--!
He attacks Spike with his flaming fists as Spike stumbles backward to avoid being scorched.
Dawn and Clem walk among the deserted warehouses and loading docks.
Rack's place was right around her last time.
Well, I don't feel anything. Oh, well. Not here. Let's go home.
You don't feel anything because his place moves. I told you.
Know why Rack moves all the time? Because he's shady. A bad element comes down here.
I get that. But Willow's part of it now. She is the element. If she isn't around somewhere, Rack may know where she is which is why we need to talk to him.
We? In a face-to-face way?
Or me. I'll go in there without you.
No, no! It's fine. I'm good. It's just Rack's not partial to the floppy-eared. He has a thing. But hey, I'm in. Absolutely.
Either way, just get me there.
Say Rack does know where Willow is. He's not going to tell you for nothing. He's going to want something.
I have money.
That's not the kind of something he's going to want. Rack likes little girls.
I am not a little girl.
I don't know if you've thought his through. I'm supposed to keep you safe and this whole thing is... I mean, even if you find Willow, you really think you can stop her?
The door opens and Xander, Anya, Buffy and Jonathan and Andrew walk in.
Anya, thanks for getting here so fast. It's a big help.
Once again, Xander in need of big help.
Whatever. So can you still sense Willow? Knowing her location would be real big comfort right about now.
No, I can't. Which means whatever she's feeling, it's gone way beyond simple vengeance.
Did I mention me needing the comfort?
Whatever we got, we better grab it fast. This is one of the first places she's gonna think to look for us.
Then what are we doing here? You know, I could summon a demon that would kill her.
And I could smack you so hard your eyeballs would switch sockets.
No one is getting killed. (to Andrew) Sit down.
She turns back to the stack of blank magick books on the reading table while Anya goes over to the register.
We need to find some sort of magicks that'll stop Willow or at least slow her down.
But she drained the place. Took everything.
Not everything.
She leans down and unlocks a compartment beneath the register and takes out a wooden box. She opens and takes out an ancient leather-bound tome.
What is it?
A book of protection spells. Anti-magick, our last resort.
Think you can work this stuff?
She opens the book and nods.
Well, okay... good news is the text is intact. Bad news is I can't read a word of it. It's like in ancient Sumerian or something.
Jonathan gets up and comes over.
Could I take a look at it?
Shut up.
Right. I just thought, you know, as long as you're protecting us, the least I could do is--
I'm not protecting you, Jonathan. None of us are. We're doing this for Willow. The only reason it happens to be you're lucky day is because if Willow kills you, she crosses a line. I lose a friend. And I hate losing.
I get that. It's just... you know she's running out of power, right? I can tell. I can practically feel it. I've dabbled in magicks.
I think Willow's in a league of her own about now, dabble boy.
But still, running that hot for that long, it's just a matter of time before you gotta recharge, no matter how juiced-up you are.
Thank you. Now remember that thing we talked about?
About me shutting up? (she nods) Right.
He turns and scurries back to his seat by Andrew. Xander pulls Buffy aside and talks with her quietly.
Buffy, let's say this works and we stop Willow from working the hoodoo for a minute. What then?
I talk to her.
Great. And say what?
Look, whatever she's gonna do, she starts with those two. They're the line she cannot cross. And if she is running low on magicks, then she's probably somewhere right now trying to get it all back.
Various people lie on the floor, delirious and consumed by magick. RACK sits on the floor playing solitaire. The door opens.
Hey, babe. I've been waiting for you.
Reveal Willow standing silently in the doorway.
Guess the rehab didn't take, huh? That's the way it goes sometimes.
He gets up and walks over to her.
But I gotta say, I could feel you coming a mile away, the power you got. And you know something, sweetness? I liked it. When you first came to me, you were just a little slip of a girl. Look at you now... all growed up.
He leans in close, his face inches from hers.
So full of dark juice... and you still taste like strawberries. Only now... you're ripe. You came because you want something, don't ya? (she nods) I thought so. So tell me, Strawberry, what on this earth do you want?
Just to take a little tour.
Plasma bolts shoot from her hand as she buries it in his chest. He gasps in pain and surprise as she lifts him off the floor and feeds off his magickal energy.
First Clem, then Dawn materialize out of the ether and into Rack's waiting room.
Yay, Clem! Making with the demon senses. I knew you could find this place.
It's not very clean.
Don't wig out on me again.
It's just I'm still not so sure you should be here. I'm not so sure I should be here.
It'll only take a minute. Come on.
She heads for the door to the inner room but Clem hangs back.
You want to wait here?
If that works for you.
Be right back.
She opens the door and walks in.
Dawn doesn't see anyone and moves further into the room.
Willow?
She turns and comes face to face with Rack's corpse suspended upside-down from the ceiling. She screams and recoils in fright, then turns to run out only to find Willow blocking her way.
Hey, cutie.
Resume. Willow's eyes are now jet black and her skin is laced with dark veins. Dawn backs away, terrified.
What are you doing here? 'Cause if you're looking for me, now's not a great time.
You look terrible.
Do I?
You're back on the magicks.
No, honey. I am the magicks.
Did you kill that guy?
It's an improvement, believe me.
I have to go.
She ducks around Willow and runs for the door. Suddenly Willow is in front of her again, blocking her way.
Why? So you can run and tell Buffy?
Willow, please. Just listen to me...
You don't have to talk. Just think real loud. I can hear you.
You're freaking me out.
Oh, don't be like that. I'm just a little wired. And I have some things to do. I thought if anybody'd understand--
I miss Tara too! But this-- what you're doing here-- this is not the way to go. You're only going to make things worse. But I promise, it's not too late to--
You miss her?
Yes.
Did you cry? Of course you did. I get that. I understand the crying. You cry because you're human. But you weren't always.
Yes, I was.
No, please. You're telling me you don't remember? You used to be some mystic ball of energy. Maybe that's why you're crying all the time, Dawnie. 'Cause you don't belong here. Want to go back? End the pain? You'll be happier. I'll be happier. We'll all be a lot happier without listening to the constant whining.
Willow, stop.
Mom... Buffy... Tara... waah. It's time you go back to being a little energy ball. No more tears, Dawnie.
Dawn backs up against the wall, then closes her eyes as Willow closes in. Suddenly the door behind them slams off its hinges. Willow turns to find Buffy staring hard at her.
I think you need to get away from her.
Anya is busy translating the spells while Xander watches over her shoulder.
You're too close.
How am I supposed to read?
I don't know. I'm staring right at this stuff and I can't read it.
Well, how's the translation coming? What have we got so far?
So far we've got "the". Well, either "the" or "towards", I'm not really sure. I can't do this. I'm in retail. Stupid ancient Sumerian.
I'm pretty sure it's Babylonian. The text is similar but the dialect is completely different.
Great. Babylonian. Thanks a bushel. But unless you can read Babylonian, why don't you sit back down?
Jonathan quickly returns to his seat next to Andrew.
Why are you helping them?
Because they're saving our lives, you moron.
Uh-huh. And what then? Even if they kill that Wicca bitch, you think they're just going to let us walk? They own us.
So what do you want me to do?
Look around. You know magick. We're in a magick shop. We can take them. The books are sucked dry but so what? There's still like tons of supplies all around us. This is the best chance we're going to get to make it out of here.
And do what?
Start over. We can be the Duo, you and me. You can even be the leader. I swear I'll take orders. I like taking orders. Just tell me what to do.
You want an order?
Jonathan stands up and shoves Andrew against a bookcase.
Grow up.
Hey, now, fellas! Play nice or you'll break our concentration.
Jonathan lets Andrew go and sits back down.
Which means no protection spell.
And Willow will make you two boneless chickens skinless, too.
And then what? You think your little witch buddy's gonna stop with us? You saw her! She's a truck-driving magick mama and we've got maybe seconds before Darth Rosenberg grinds everybody into Jawa burgers and not one of you bunch has the midiclorians to stop her.
You've never had any tiny bit of sex, have you?
The annoying virgin has a point. What if Willow filets their souls and comes after us?
She won't.
You don't know that.
We're her friends, Anya. Her family. She would never hurt us.
She tried to use you for a hood ornament, Xander. She doesn't care if you live or die.
Guess you two finally have something in common.
I care if you live or die, Xander. I'm just not sure which one I want.
Again with the comfort. Look, be both know things might get ugly at Wiccapalooza and if it gets really bad--
Let me guess. You'll propose?
I need to know if you're going to turn on me. Use this little shindig as an excuse for some sweet revenge.
There is nothing in this world that would give me greater or more lasting satisfaction than to reap bloody vengeance upon you, Xander Harris. But I can't. Not officially. Not magickally. So smile, it's your lucky day. You got away with it. I can't hurt you.
Right, 'cause you varnishing the table with Spike-- how could that possibly have hurt? It may have chafed...
That wasn't vengeance. It was solace. Look, I really can't hurt you so I'm just going to have to settle for hating you.
If that's what you need to do.
Don't! You don't get to play the martyr.
I'm not.
You know, none of this would be happening if it weren't for you.
You think I don't know that? You think I'm the hero of this piece? I saw the gun before Warren raised it. I saw it and I couldn't move. He shot two of my friends before I could even... (beat) You want me to know how useless I am? That it's my fault? Thanks. I already got the memo.
Anya looks down, chastened.
I was talking about us.
Buffy enters the room and approaches Willow.
You need to back down a minute and think, Will.
I wasn't going to hurt her, buzzkill.
She tried to turn me back.
You're attacking the people who love you now?
Only the ones in my way.
That's not... you need help.
I'm doing fine on my own, thanks.
Buffy edges forward, then grabs Dawn by the arm, pulling her across the room and propelling her toward the door.
Dawn, get out of here. Go!
Dawn gets to the door but can't open it.
Don't. We're all friends.
Willow, I know what you want to do but you have to listen to me. The forces inside you are incredibly powerful. They're strong but you're stronger. You have to remember you're still Willow.
Let me tell you something about Willow. She's a loser and she always has been. People picked on Willow in junior high school, high school, up until college, with her stupid mousy ways. And now, Willow's a junkie.
I can help.
The only thing Willow was ever good for-- the only thing I had going for me-- were the moments, just moments, when Tara would look at me and I was wonderful. (cold) And that will never happen again.
I know this hurts. Bad. But Willow, if you let loose with the magicks, it'll never end.
Promise?
You don't want that.
Why not?
Because you'll lose everything. Your friends, yourself. Willow, if you let this control you, then the world goes away and all of us with it. There's so much to live for. Will, there's too much--
Oh, please! This is your pitch? Buffy, you hate it here as much as I do. I'm just more honest about it.
That's not true.
You're trying to sell me on the world? The one where you lie to your friends when you're not trying to kill them and you screw a vampire just to feel and insane asylums are the comfy alternative? This world? Buffy, it's me. I know you were happier when you were in the ground. The only time you were ever at peace in your whole life was when you were dead... until Willow brought you back. You know, with magick.
Buffy and Dawn sway on their feet and Buffy blinks, confused.
Aw, sorry. The trip can be kinda rough if you're, you know, not me.
Pull back to reveal they are in the Magic Box now, having been brought there magickally by Willow. Dawn falls to floor, unconscious.
Dawn!
Buffy drops to her knees next to her sister, woozy and disoriented. Willow turns to Jonathan and Andrew and smiles a pitiless smile.
Jonathan. Andrew. You boys like magick, don't you? Abracadabra.
Willow thrusts her hands outward and a stream of plasma and magickal energy engulfs the two cowering nerds.
Resume. Willow's magickal energy surrounds Andrew and Jonathan but doesn't touch them. They look at each other, confused and surprised to be alive.
Okay. Didn't see that coming.
What was that?
We're alive...
You guys want to take it slow? I can do that, too. Ask Warren.
She sends another burst of dark power at the duo.
Don't!
Again, the primal forces surround them but leave them unscathed.
Anya stands in the shadows near the front of the store chanting, providing the protection spell that is counteracting Willow's power.
Willow sees that her second blast has no more effect than the first and stops, staring at Andrew and Jonathan.
Let's get out of here.
They make a break for the door but Willow moves in front of them. They switch directions and head for the back but Willow slams and locks the door from across the room.
No, no... stay. I mean, we're just getting started. I've got big party plans.
Jonathan takes a sword off the wall and brandishes it. Andrew does the same.
Will...
No, don't.
Guys, come on. I'm just getting' a wood for the violence here. And you know what they say, if at first you don't succeed...
She sends another stream of energy searing across the room at her enemies.
Spike reels back against the wall of the cave. He's bloodied, bruised and scorched. He looks up at the warrior with the flaming fists and sneers.
Had enough?
The warrior decks him and he stumbles backward. He takes several more blows to the head and goes down on his knees. Spike looks up with grim determination and catches the next blow in mid-swing. He grips the man's fist in his hand; his skin smokes and sizzles as it burns.
He hurls the warrior backward, then cringes at the sight of his seared hand.
Bad move. Bad move. Bad move.
The warrior charges him again. Spike ducks the blow, flips the man to the ground, kicks him in the ribs, then straddles him from behind. He seizes the warrior's head and wrenches it violently to the side, snapping his neck. The man drops to the ground at Spike's feet, dead.
Looks like local boy loses.
So it would appear.
Good on me, then. I get what I came for. I passed, right?
Indeed. You have passed the first stage of the test.
Right. I get-- wait. First stage?
The demon chuckles and recedes into the shadows.
Bugger.
Willow's power streams out from her and envelopes Jonathan and Andrew. They stand at the center of the maelstrom, terrified but unharmed. Willow stops and smiles.
Damn, that is one effective counter-spell. Won't keep you alive, though.
Will, stop! You need to give this up now.
I get it. You boys put a spell on yourselves, didn't you? Protecting you from harm, from magicks? That's cute.
Will, back off before somebody gets hurt.
How about I back off right after? So which one of you boys worked the mojo? Doesn't matter, really. I'm just curious.
Up near the front of the store, Anya continues chanting quietly but earnestly.
Just because I can't do magicks to you, doesn't mean I can't do them on myself. Domehim!
A burst of plasma arcs across Willow's body.
Now I'm pretty sure I'm strong enough to beat you to death.
She casually flips the reading table across the room. Buffy runs over and puts herself between Willow and her targets.
I don't want to hurt you.
Willow smiles and decks Buffy. The Slayer flies across the room and into a bookshelf, shattering it.
Not a problem.
Buffy gets back up and faces off with Willow.
I said I didn't want to...
She backhands Willow and sends her crashing through a walled partition. Willow tumbles to the floor amid the shattered debris.
...didn't say I wouldn't.
Let's go.
What about Willow?
Buffy can handle her.
Are you sure?
That's why we're leaving.
He takes Dawn by the hand and leads her to the front door, Jonathan and Andrew right behind. He stops for Anya.
An?
I can't. I have to stay here to keep the spell going on Willow. (off his look) Go! Do something right.
He nods and leaves and she goes back to chanting. Willow looks up in time to see the door close behind Jonathan.
No!
She gets up to pursue them but Buffy grabs her from behind and hurls her across the room. Willow lands at the base of the loft ladder, then gets to her feet and stares at Buffy. Buffy stares back, defiant.
So... here we are.
Are we really gonna do this?
Come on! This is a huge deal for me. Six years as a sideman, now I get to be the Slayer.
A killer isn't a Slayer. Being a Slayer means something you can't conceive of.
Oh, Buffy... you really need to have every square inch of your ass kicked.
Then show me what you got... and I'll show you what a Slayer really is.
Willow charges Buffy and they engage, punching, kicking, flipping. They seem evenly matched, Willow's strength and skill the equal of Buffy's. Buffy starts to falter under Willow's onslaught and the witch picks her up and hurls her across the room.
Xander, Dawn, Jonathan and Andrew stride down the street. Jonathan and Andrew still have their swords held at the ready.
Where are you taking us?
Someplace safe.
Like where?
Xander?
I don't know.
Buffy struggles to her feet but Willow raises her hand and the loft ladder rolls across the room and pins her between it and a shattered bookshelf. With Buffy trapped, Willow turns to the door, intent on pursuing her targets.
Buffy strains against the ladder with all she's got and breaks free. She launches herself at Willow, tackling her to the floor.
Get off, super bitch!
She throws Buffy off her, sending the Slayer crashing through the counter display case. Buffy is instantly back on her feet, raining a series of furious blows down on Willow but Willow gives as good as she gets.
She sends a roundhouse blow at Buffy's head but Buffy seizes her arm mid-swing and stops it.
I can help you stop.
Willow breaks the hold and pounds Buffy the ground with a series of devastating blows, leaving the Slayer stunned and bleeding.
I thought you were gonna show me what a Slayer was.
The group turns down an alley at a brisk run. Jonathan lags behind, panting heavily. He stops to catch his breath and the others reluctantly stop with him.
Can't... run anymore. Need to... breathe.
If you want to keep breathing, you gotta keep moving.
This is bogus. We gotta get out of this town. (to Jonathan) Mexico. We should go to Mexico.
Hey, you're not going anywhere. We just gotta find a place to hide you two until we get the all-clear from Buffy.
Yeah, and what if the Slayer's dead already? We're just supposed to sit around waiting for Sabrina to show up and disembowel us?
You do what I say to--
Andrew flips his sword up, the point of the blade at Xander's neck.
I don't think so.
Buffy is back on her feet, fighting Willow with all she's got. She seizes Willow, lifts her and throws her across the store and through a display case. Willow rolls over with a groan and looks up to find Anya standing in front of her, chanting.
Well, hey. Isn't that interesting. Anya's still here.
She gets up and moves toward Anya. Buffy runs up to stop her but Willow casually throws her aside.
Looks like I've been beatin' on the wrong gal.
Xander motions for calm.
Whoa, whoa. Okay, Andy. Let's just put the sword down.
Oh, no way. I'm not going to die because of something I didn't even do.
You're not going to die.
Leave him alone.
Behind Andrew, Jonathan raises his sword puts the tip of his blade against Andrew's jugular.
Let him go, Andrew. (beat) You heard me.
You let me go first.
No. Him.
It's your move.
No. Yours.
I'm not moving. I'm not gonna budge till--
Jonathan presses the point harder into Andrew's neck and he drops his sword.
--right now! Ow!
Xander's right. We're not leaving Sunnydale. When this is over, you and I are going back to jail to do our time.
Willow seizes Anya by throat and lifts her off her feet. She screams to Buffy for help but Buffy lies unconscious on the floor amid the shattered remains of the Magic Box.
Help me! Help me! (to Willow) You're hurting me.
You can't block my spells if you can't chant and you can't chant if your sleeping.
She throws Anya across the room into the herb shelves. They shatter and Anya drops to the floor in a battered heap, debris raining down on her. She turns from Anya to find Buffy struggling to her feet again.
Buffy, I gotta tell ya. I get it now. The Slayer thing really isn't about the violence. It's about the power.
She looses a stream of energy at Buffy. The plasma hits her full force and throws her back against the wall.
She collapses to the floor, moaning and in pain. Willow stands over her, smiling.
And there's no one in the world who has the power to stop me now.
There's a sudden flash of green light and Willow is thrown the length of the store. She cries out in pain and rolls over, bleeding from the nose. She looks over to find RUPERT GILES standing in the doorway, his gaze cold and hard.
I'd like to test that theory.