[Transcript of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" episode Get It Done at buffyology.com.]
BUFFY walks through the crowded house looking over the dozens of sleeping girls lying everywhere: on the couches and chairs, the floors and the beds. She stops and picks a Greek translation book up off the floor and sets it on the desk, then turns out the light.
Upstairs, she checks in on each of the bedrooms where more girls lie sleeping. Her attention is drawn by the soft sounds of sobbing coming from the shadows at the end of the hall. She moves closer to investigate and finds CHLOE huddled in the corner, crying.
Chloe? It is Chloe, right?
Suddenly Buffy is tackled from the side and sent tumbling down the stairs. She lands at the bottom and looks up as her attacker lands on top of her. It's SINEYA, the First Slayer, her face fierce in her tribal makeup.
It's not enough!
Buffy starts awake, gasping at the reality of her dream. She looks around her room, at the sleeping girls, not sure what to think.
Opening credit sequence.
SPIKE and ANYA walk along the darkened alley together.
I'm a bright girl. Good education, quick on the uptake... so why in the name of almighty Grothnar would I let myself become human again?
You're really talking to the wrong fella.
I mean, sure, the vengeance demon gig has some downsides...
All jobs do.
But being human? Ugh. You're always icky on the inside, disgusting on the outside...
Your outside's not so bad.
You know the only thing worse than being human is being trapped inside a house full of humans.
Preaching to the choir, love.
I mean, it's like we live in Slayer Central. I swear, if Buffy rooms or boards one more of the potential girls, I'm going to call... I'm going to call a health inspector.
I like my plan better. Get up, get out, get drunk. Repeat as needed. It's just more elegant.
Anya loops her arm through Spike's.
Thanks for having me along.
Don't mention it.
At first I thought, "It's weird. Is Spike asking me out on a date?" Because that would just be... nuts.
Right. I'm just out for the alcohol.
Right there with you, scooter. Tonight I plan to drink you under the table.
You're on, then.
Good. Of course, once you're down there, I could join you. (off his look) Kidding. I like my sex on top of the table.
Would you let it go? You're like a dog with a bone.
So what?
It's my bone. Just drop it.
Okay, okay. I wasn't proposing. Time goes by, a girl gets hungry. You should know.
Oh, thank god.
What?
Demon.
Huh?
She's suddenly hurled to the ground by a large wart-faced demon. It stands over her, glowering.
D'Hoffryn says you die!
Of course he does.
Spike yanks the demon backward, knocks it to the ground, then looks back at Anya. He comes to a decision and grabs her by the arm and retreats with her down the alley.
Principal WOOD stands behind Buffy at her desk, glowering at two delinquent students seated across from them.
This may mean more than you think.
Is that so? Because I think what we have here is a couple of chuckleheads who thought that a cafeteria fistfight would impress. I'm not impressed. Buffy, are you impressed? (she shakes her head) Still, I'm going to cut you guys some slack this time.
He motions for them to get out. They gather their things and leave. When they're gone, Wood starts closing the blinds on the windows to Buffy's cubicle.
Third fight this week and it's just getting worse. Plus, a rise in vandalism, three students missing... tell me something, Buffy. In your professional opinion, it's started, hasn't it?
The Hellmouth has begun its semi-annual percolation. Usually it blows around May.
Was it like this before? I mean, it just seems to me as if things are getting bad faster than we thought.
We're a little ahead of schedule.
I can't say I'm too surprised. I knew I signed on for something but, Buffy, I'm just a guy. Granted, a cool and sexy vampire-fighting guy but still...
Don't forget snappy dresser.
Thank you. But this is going to get bigger than me.
Yeah, it is.
And that's why I've decided to give you this.
He reaches under the desk and picks up a large leather satchel, setting it on the desk in front of her.
What is it?
An emergency kit. This bag belonged to my mother.
A Slayer keepsake... I couldn't.
No, you have to. Technically, it should have been passed down directly to you through the years but after my mother died, I guess I just couldn't part with it.
Wow.
I don't know what's inside, exactly, but I know it has something to do with her power. Well, your power now.
I don't know what to say.
Try saying, "Thank you, Principal Wood."
Thank you, Principal Wood.
Nah, call me Robin. Now I'd like to see where you work.
Here, actually. This is my desk and these are my pencils...
No. Where you do your other work.
The door opens and Buffy and Wood enter.
So all the potential Slayers, who seem to keep popping up from like every corner of the earth, were getting killed.
By The First.
Agents of. We thought the Council could protect them but, unfortunately, no one was protecting the Council and all their Watchers were killed. Word got out and they've all been coming here since.
Well, there's nothing like the end of the world to bring people together.
It's heartwarming. (re: living room) Anyway, this it. Command central.
ANDREW walks out of the kitchen wearing an apron and oven mitts, highly displeased.
Where the hell have you been? This funnel cake is kicking my ass.
Yeah, I hear they're tricky.
Robin Wood, this is Andrew.
Wood shakes Andrew's hand.
It's a pleasure.
Andrew is our... actually, he's our hostage.
I like to think of myself more as a "guestage".
So you hold him here against his will?
Well, he was evil and people got killed and now he... bakes. It's a thing.
Oh...
Can we try to just keep our secret headquarters a little bit secret? If you keep bringing people in, they're going to see everything. They'll see the big board.
Andrew, we don't have a big board.
He eagerly runs across the room and lifts up a dry-erase board with a cartoon-like map of Sunnydale drawn on it.
I made it myself.
Oh, I wouldn't have guessed.
This is us and this represents The First in various incarnations and there's no pattern to the naked eye yet but the instant one emerges, yours truly is on it.
Buffy glances at Wood and they both walk out the back without comment. Andrew calls after them.
Where do we put our receipts?
Wood and Buffy emerge onto the back porch.
You'll have to forgive Andrew. Or not. Your call. We do have a lot more working for us than just the big board.
So I see.
Pull back to reveal about two dozen potential Slayers, including RONA, CHLOE, VI, MOLLY, AMANDA and CHAO-AHN, lined up in formation. KENNEDY leads them in a martial arts routine. She gives the commands and they execute.
Punch block combo!
Hyah!
Cross block kick!
Hyah!
Chamber your energy...
The girls assume a relaxed stance, eyes closed.
Punch block combo!
Hyah!
They all flip around and do the move in the opposite direction. All except Chloe who turns the wrong way.
Hold it! (to Chloe) What the hell do you call that, potential? Try that in the field and you are dead. Drop and give me 20!
Chloe trembles from Kennedy's verbal assault.
Twenty what?
Push-ups, maggot!
While Chloe drops to the ground and starts struggling through her push- ups, Kennedy turns to Buffy and Wood.
I love this job! Did you see that? I called that girl maggot! (to Wood) Hi. Who the hell are you?
An ally.
So what do you think? The girls ready to kick some ass or what?
Looking strong.
But?
Well, I'm just not sure The First has an ass that you can actually, you know, kick.
Principal Wood, hi!
He waves awkwardly to her.
It's so weird seeing you outside of school.
Kennedy turns back to the group, angry.
What are you waving at, potential? (to others) Attention!
Hyah!
Rising sun!
You're right. It's not enough.
That's not what I said, Buffy. It's an impressive group of recruits.
They're not recruits. Recruits are recruited. These girls were chosen.
You're doing the best you can with what you've got.
They're not all going to make it. Some will die and nothing I can do will stop that.
The porch door opens and WILLOW emerges, her arms full of weapons: swords, stakes, daggers, crossbows. Her eyes go wide when she sees Wood.
Oh. Hi. Hey. Well, Buffy... I see that our preparation for the school... pep-dance-cheer-drill-contest are... are coming along. Bring it on!
It's okay. I filled him in on everything.
Oh, thank god. If I had to explain all these weapons, I had nothing.
She drops them all on the porch table.
Buffy tells me you've been... oh, how shall I put it? Experimenting.
Willow looks at Buffy, aghast.
With the magicks.
Willow is relieved, again.
Oh, yeah. Nothing too heavy, though. Just the lighter, safer stuff. (to Buffy) If Kennedy asks, her pointy stuff's right there. (to Wood) See ya inside. So much cooler than Snyder.
Willow winks and smiles at him, then goes back inside.
She really almost destroyed the world?
Yep.
Remind me not to make her crabby.
Might be better if you did.
How's that work?
Oh, I don't know. It's just... The First is coming and then look at us. The army. We've got a bunch of fighters with nothing to hit. A Wicca who won'ta and the brains of our operation wears oven mitts.
Well, you're redefining the job, Buffy, and that takes guts. This isn't your full arsenal, anyway. Show me the vampire.
Spike and Anya are in the basement arguing as Buffy and Wood descend the stairs.
But you just let him go.
After saving your life.
For now. That was one of D'Hoffryn's killers, Spike. He won't stop coming until he kills me.
Yet here you are. Walking, talking, annoying...
But you fought like such a wimpire, what with the lifting and the running. Why not just kill him?
Anya, think. I fight, demon-boy gets lucky, I get knocked out, you get killed. True? (beat) We both know the safest and sanest way of saving your life is to keep you with me, away from danger.
She shakes her head and stalks back up the stairs.
No need to thank me. I'm just the one who beat him off. (off Buffy's look) "Repelled him" would perhaps be the better phrase. Demon.
Figured.
I hope we're not intruding.
Not a bit. And just what brings our good principal to this neck of the gloom?
I'm showing him our operation. Us.
Fine by me. Big fight against evil coming up. The more good guys we've got, the longer we'll all live.
Is that what you are? A good guy?
I haven't heard any complaints. Well, I have heard a few complaints over the years but then I just killed whoever spoke up and that was pretty much that.
He's joking.
No, he's not.
No, I'm not. But that's the old me I'm talking about.
Why don't you tell me about that.
There's not much to tell. I've changed.
Oh. Now that you have a soul.
Yeah, that was a big deal. (to Buffy) Very private. What? Are you just telling everyone now?
Oh, come on, Spike. Don't blame Buffy. I asked.
Spike and Wood move toward each other, facing off, the tension between them crackling.
Right. The educator. (beat) Yeah, I went to great lengths, lots of trouble. Now I'm unique. Well, more or less. Got myself a soul... whatever that means.
And how's that working out for you?
In progress.
Well, you've had some time. You've been in Sunnydale, what?
Years.
How many?
A few.
Before that?
Around.
Spike clenches his jaw and takes a step closer to Wood. Buffy sees what's happening and intervenes.
I think we'd better get back upstairs.
Spike responds to her but keeps his eyes locked on Wood.
Right. Give him the full tour. (to Wood) You don't want to miss a look at her weapons chest.
Wood stares hard at Spike for a beat, then follows Buffy up the stairs.
DAWN watches while Buffy folds blankets and straighten the room up.
So I took a look at that emergency bag of Principal Wood's.
And?
Smelled weird. Kinda like grandma's closet... but worse.
I didn't know that was possible. Anything we could use?
Trinkets, weapons and one very large textbook. Translation's going to be a bitch but... did you know that ancient Sumerians did not speak English?
They're worse than the French. Anything else?
Yeah, a box. A big, fat unopenable box. I'm betting whatever the big deal about this emergency bag is, you'll find it in the box.
Good. Keep on it. Don't you have any real homework?
Oh, you mean like schoolwork?
Buffy heads for the next room and Dawn follows.
Yes...
Well, I've got a system. It's called flunking out. (off her look) No, I'm just kidding! I'm paying someone to do my work. (another glare) Kidding! I love to see your eyeballs change color when you think I'm going to flunk out of--
Dawn screams as Buffy opens the bedroom door and they find Chloe dead, hanging by her neck from the ceiling.
Kennedy and the other potential Slayers come running at the sound of Dawn's scream.
What happened? We heard--
They all stare in shock and horror at the sight of Chloe's corpse.
Dawn, get a knife. I'm cutting her down.
Good thinking. But on the other hand, why rush?
Buffy stares at The First who suddenly appears as Chloe, standing next to the real girl's hanging body.
Up or down, I'll still be dead.
You're not Chloe.
Yeah, well neither is she anymore. Now she's just Chloe's body.
What did you do to her?
Nothing. We just talked all night. Well, I did most of the talking. But Chloe is-- I'm sorry, was-- a good listener. Till she hanged herself. Like when you called her maggot. She really heard that.
Don't listen to it. Any of you. It's The First.
Oh, let 'em. The only reason why Chloe offed herself was because she knew what you're not getting. I'm coming. You're going. All this? It's almost over.
We'll be here.
All of you? But wait, I thought... (Buffy's voice) they're not all going to make it. Some will die and nothing I can do will stop that. (Chloe's voice) Hey, I didn't say it. But I'll be seeing all of you. One by one. TTFN.
The First disappears in a flash of light leaving nothing but Chloe's dangling body.
What's TTFN?
It's "ta-ta for now". It's what Tigger says when he leaves.
Chloe loved Winnie the Pooh.
Dawn, where's that knife?
Buffy buries Chloe next to the mound of fresh dirt that marks Annabelle's grave, her face an emotionless mask. She pauses to wipe her brow, then continues filling the hole with dirt.
All the girls are gathered, still in their nightwear, along with all of Buffy's crew: Spike, Anya, Willow, Dawn and XANDER. The mood is somber and tearful. Buffy enters, the shovel still in her hand.
Is everyone here?
All accounted for.
Anyone want to say a few words about Chloe? (beat) Let me. Chloe was an idiot. Chloe was stupid. She was weak. And anyone in a rush to be the next dead body I bury, it's easy. Just think of Chloe and do what she did. And I'll find room for you next to her and Annabelle. I'm the Slayer. The one with the power. And The First has me using that power to dig our graves.
She throws down the shovel, furious, causing the girls to cringe.
I've been carrying you-- all of you-- too far, too long. Ride's over.
Kennedy stands up, angry.
You're out of line.
No, she's not.
You're going to let her talk to you like that? Willow, she's not even the most powerful one in this room. With you here, she's not close.
Kennedy stares at Buffy defiantly.
You're new here... and you're wrong. Because I use the power that I have. The rest of you are just waiting for me.
Well, yeah, but only because you kinda told us to. You're our leader, Buffy, as in "follow the".
Well, from now on I'm your leader as in "do what I say".
Ja voll. But let's not try to forget, we're also your friends.
I'm not.
Then why are you here? Aside from getting rescued, what is it that you do?
Anya is momentarily at a loss.
I... I provide much needed... sarcasm.
That would kind of be my job, actually.
You're here because you're scared.
Same goes for everyone in this room.
Fine. Anya, all of you, be as scared as you like, just be useful while you're at it.
Come on, Buffy, you know everyone here is doing everything they can.
And The First isn't impressed. It already knows us. It knows what we can do and it's laughing. You want to surprise the enemy? Surprise yourselves. Force yourself to do what can't be done or else we are not an army. We're just a bunch of girls waiting to be picked off and buried.
Spike has had enough. He heads for the door.
Where are you going?
Out. Since I'm neither a girl nor waiting. All this speechifying doesn't really apply to me, does it?
Fine. Take a cell phone. That way if I need someone to get weepy or wailed on I can call you.
Spike stops and turns back to her, amazed at her words.
If you've got something to say...
Just said it. You keep holding back, you might as well walk out that door.
Holding back? You're blind. I've been here. Right in it. Fighting, scrapping--
Since you got your soul back?
Well, as a matter of fact, I haven't been quite relishing the kill the way I used to.
You were a better fighter then.
I did this for you! The soul, the changes-- it's what you wanted!
What I want is the Spike that's dangerous! The Spike that tried to kill me when we met.
Oh, you don't know how close you are to bringing him out.
I'm nowhere near him. Dawn, get the potentials upstairs and break out that emergency kit.
What are you going to do?
I'm declaring an emergency.
She walks out of the room without sparing Spike another glance.
Later. Wood has joined them in the living room. All the potential Slayers are gone. Just Buffy's core crew and Kennedy remains. Wood sets the leather satchel down on the table and the group starts examining the items within.
We thought you'd want to be here.
Yeah, you thought right.
That emergency bag's got some neat stuff in it. Weapons, charms... (holds up book) advanced reading assignments.
Yeah, cool stuff but we've seen it all before.
Anya finds a metal box at the bottom of the bag.
Well, not this we haven't. What's inside it?
I don't know. It hasn't been opened since...
Buffy reaches down and snaps the padlock off and lifts the lid.
...well, since now.
Xander reaches in and takes out a caricature made of metal. He holds it up and makes it dance.
Puppets! That's it. The First hates puppets. Now if we can just airlift Kermit, Fozzy the Bear and Miss Piggy into town, The First will be a-runnin'.
Those are Muppets.
Dawn grabs the piece from him.
And these things are shadowcasters. You put them in motion and they tell you a story. It says you can't just watch, you have to see.
What the hell does that mean?
It's cryptic. I don't like it. Every time instructions get cryptic, someone gets hurt. Usually me.
"You can't just watch, you have to see"? See what?
That's where all my fancy translating skills break down but I think it's an origin myth. The story of the very first Slayer.
I saw her.
You saw the first Slayer?
The other night, in my dream. It's got to mean something, right?
Later. The room is dark. Xander strikes a match and lights a single candle in the center of the shadowcaster device. Dawn holds the book open and reads from it.
Okay, according to this-- I think-- you put on those puppet guys one by one. They cast shadows and the shadows tell the story. First, there is the earth.
Xander bends down and picks up a piece with mountains and a crescent moon. He fits it into a groove along the edge of the platform and spins it. A faint drumming sounds, as if from far away.
What's that sound?
Okay, so far, so creepy.
Dawn looks down at the book.
Okay, then there came the demons.
Xander fits the next piece onto the platform-- a depiction of a fearsome wraith. When he spins the platform this time, a ghostly wail fills the room.
After demons, there came men. Men found a girl.
Xander attaches the two relevant pieces and the ethereal noises get louder.
The men took the girl to fight the demon... all demons. They... they chained her to the earth. And then... and then I...
Xander fits the last piece onto the platform-- a link of chain-- and the platform starts spinning on its own. The shadows it casts on the wall start to shift and move from static representations to living things.
I can't read this. Something about darkness.
What about darkness?
It says you cannot be shown. You cannot just watch but you must see. See for yourself but only if you're willing to make the exchange.
When did you get so good at Sumerian?
It's not in Sumerian anymore.
Dawn looks down at the book again as a golden light washes across the pages, changing the text from ancient runes and glyphs to modern English.
The shadowcaster device starts spinning faster. On the wall, the shadow- play becomes more intense. The demon looms over the young girl chained to the earth. She screams as the men stand behind her, thumping their staves on the ground.
Suddenly an intense swirling light forms in the center of the platform where the candle was. It instantly expands with a burst of energy causing everyone in the room to recoil and stumble backward. A glowing blue- white dimensional rift floats in space where the shadowcaster was only moments before.
Buffy moves around it, studying it, as the other stare at in amazement.
What does it mean?
It means I have to go in there.
No, it doesn't! Where does it say that? It doesn't say that!
Buffy, you don't even know what you're exchanging. You don't even know if you're ready yet.
That's the point.
No. Buffy, we don't know where you're going or how we'll get you back.
Buffy, you can't!
How will we get you back?
Find a way.
She leaps into the portal and both it and her disappear. The room is dark once again.
She's gone.
What was that about an exchange?
Another bright flash of light and Xander looks up and up and up at a massive eight-foot-tall demon with horns jutting from its neck and wearing a primitive loincloth. It growls menacingly at Xander, like the rumble of thunder before a storm.
Ah, this must be the exchange student.
The demon reaches out and seizes Xander by the shirt and hurls him across the room. He lands on the desk, shattering it and knocking him out.
Resume. The demon turns from Xander's unconscious form to the rest of the group with a bellowing snarl.
Willow! Use your magick, send him back.
I'm... trying. Redi!
Willow struggles with the spell but nothing happens. The demon backhands her across the room where she slams into the wall and drops to the floor, not moving.
Wood extends his arms and throwing stars snap forward from spring- loaded wrist-sheaths. Without hesitating, he whips them across the room where they embed themselves in the demon's flesh. The wounds have no effect on the creature and it dispatches Wood as easily as it took out Xander and Willow.
Weapons!
Dawn tosses her a sword then wields one herself. Kennedy attacks, slicing and jabbing at the monster which dodges her blows, then seizes her hands and uses her sword to deflect Dawn's blade. Using Kennedy's sword, it sweeps Dawn's out her hands and sends her reeling backward to the floor, then punches Kennedy in the chest with a vicious blow, knocking her down.
Spike leaps and tackles the creature from behind, struggling to keep it at bay.
Get her out of here! All of you! Unless you want to end up all dead and useless.
Kennedy gasps, holding her bruised chest.
What are you going to do?
What I do best.
He hurls the demon into the wall and slams its head against a support beam but the demon, unfazed, whips around and seizes him by the throat, then throws him upward with tremendous force. Spike shoots right through the ceiling and up into the second floor bedroom where he lands on the floor in a daze.
With a final roar, the demon crashes through the front door and runs off into the night.
Xander and Willow struggle to their feet, Wood helps Anya up, while Dawn tends to Kennedy whose hand is bleeding from a deep gash.
Are you injured?
Just hurt. Don't make a case out of it. How about you?
I think we'll live.
Anya looks at the huge hole in the ceiling.
Except maybe Spike.
Is getting thrown through the ceiling what he does best?
I'll go check on him.
We've got bigger problems than that.
Yeah, demon loose, no Slayer.
We need Buffy.
You gotta get her back. Looks like it's spell o'clock.
Which spell? I mean, didn't you see that thing? And you expect to re-open the portal without sending Willow off the deep end?
Thanks for your support.
Well, it's true. We're going to have to find another way.
There isn't... and Buffy knew it. I've got to get her back.
We don't even know where she went.
A flash of light and Buffy tumbles to the sand. She picks herself up and takes in her surroundings.
Well, I guess that worked.
She hesitates for a moment, then starts walking toward the crest of the hill, looking down into the vast wasteland below, stretching as far as she can see to the horizon.
Dawnie, what's the book say?
Not much. Once Buffy left it got a little tougher to read.
Dawn holds up the book. All the pages are now blank.
Oh.
Willow walks away, even more nervous and worried.
It's okay. We'll just start with what we know, take it from there.
Great. So far we know jack about squat. Let's go from there.
You've got the magick. Use it.
They head for the kitchen where Willow takes out a first aid kit and bandages Kennedy's hand.
I don't even know what magick to use.
Why not just try all 32 flavors? The worst thing that happens is you go brunette.
That's not the worst thing that can happen.
She's right. And you know we have a choice. We can risk Willow's life and the rest of our lives to get Buffy back... or we leave her out there.
If we play it safe back here, Buffy could stay lost.
You missed her "everyone sucks but me" speech. If she's so superior, let her find her own way back.
Anya, The First is already up and running. Every second that Buffy's not here is an opportunity for it to show up and rip us to pieces.
Willow, how would you get Buffy back?
That's what I'm saying. I don't even know.
Okay, but if another witch was to do it, where would she start?
Physics, principles, basic laws...
Such as?
Conservation of energies. You can't really create or destroy anything, just transfer.
Anya scoffs.
I'm sorry, are you helping?
No, but at least I'm not galloping off in the wrong direction.
Magick works off physics.
Not without a catalyst. If you're talking about transferring energies, you need some kind of conduit.
Like a Kraken's tooth...
Yeah, skin of Draconus, ground-up Baltic stones, something...
Okay, good.
Plus, we need an exchange, like you said. I'm thinking a Slayer for a demon.
Right. If we want Buffy back, then we have to find that demon and send it through.
Does it matter if it's dead or alive?
I vote dead.
They all turn to find Spike standing in the doorway.
The Slayer's counting on you, Willow. Get cracking on that portal and don't be stingy with the mojo. The demon's mine.
Hate to say it, big bad, but you look like you can barely stand. We're trained. And the only thing we know for sure about this demon is it kicked your ass.
It did at that.
He heads for the door.
Where are you going?
Something I need.
He opens the back door and walks out.
Buffy approaches three SHADOW MEN sitting in a small semi-circle in the desert. They're dressed as tribal chieftains and speak in Swahili.
Hello? I'm Buffy. I'm the Slayer.
We know who you are.
And we know why you are here.
We've been waiting.
Good. That's good, then. (beat) I know we have bigger issues to deal with but how'd I understand anything you guys just said? Oh, I know. Ancient magicks. I just thought it was neat.
The Shadow Men rise and surround her, walking around her in a circle.
We have been here since the beginning.
Now we are almost at the end.
The neat of it just left. End of what?
You are the Hellmouth's last guardian.
Latest. You mean latest guardian.
No.
Okay. I have a First to fight. Okay, so just tell me what I need to know. I came to learn.
We cannot give you knowledge. Only power.
You know what I think? I'm not really here at all. None of this is actually happening. This is like a play. Like some shadow
play.
Some
non-reality,
re-enactment,
hologramy--
The second Shadow Man raises his staff and cracks Buffy across the back of the head with it. She drops to the ground, unconscious.
Willow pours a circle of green sand on the living room floor while the others watch.
And this is going to help us how?
The sand forms a circle, the circle acts as a barrier and the barrier contains the portal.
Willow finishes and steps back.
Well, now what? We hold hands and chant Kumbaya or something?
Maybe. Till we get the magicks up and running, I'm kinda working on my best guess here.
Well, maybe we should wait.
For what?
Spike. To see if he can bring back that demon.
No, I don't think we should wait right now. Opening a portal this size could take days.
Better get started.
I think I might pee my pants.
Kennedy smiles and takes her hand.
You can do it. The magicks, not the pants thing.
Okay.
She steps into the center of the circle and sits down cross-legged, her hands on her knees. She takes a deep breath and starts the incantation.
Via temporis iam clamo a te, Via spatii te jubeo aperaha.
Nothing.
Aperi!
Still nothing.
Dawnie, you better put on some coffee, this could take a whi--
Suddenly Dawn and Kennedy are knocked off their feet by a burst of energy. Willow's head whips around, her eyes jet black and a banshee shriek screaming from her mouth.
Buffy comes to and looks around. She finds herself in a cave, chained to the ground by her wrists. The Shadow Men face her, watching her silently from the other side of a spiral pattern on the floor. She stands up and struggles with her restraints.
What is this?
We are at the beginning. The source of your strength. The well of the Slayer's power.
This is why we have brought you here.
I thought I brought me here. Look, listen you guys, I'm already the Slayer. Bursting with power. Really don't need any more.
The first Slayer did not talk so much.
The three men start to thump their staves rhythmically on the ground in unison while Buffy continues to struggle with the chains. The first Shadow Man puts his staff down and picks up a small wooden box. He steps to the center of the spiral and sets it down, then slides the lid off.
Herein lies your truest strength.
The energy of the demon. Its spirit.
Its heart.
This is how you--
Created the Slayer? Yes.
A black oily cloud roils up out of the box and swirls around the cavern, between the Shadow Men, winding its way toward Buffy.
It must become one with you.
No!
This will make you ready for the fight.
By making me less human?
This is how it was then. How it must be now.
This is all there is.
The cloud of black energy arcs down toward Buffy and envelops her head, streaming into her eyes, ears and mouth as she struggles desperately to fight it.
Resume. Buffy screams, an echo of Willow's ear-splitting shriek, and expels the black energy from her mouth.
It twists and turns and soars around the cavern, winding its way back toward her. It wraps around her waist as she twists and turns, trying to avoid it but the chains hold her in place.
Make this stop!
This is what you came for.
No! This isn't the way.
Do not fight this.
The demonic cloud swings around and heads for Buffy once again.
Spike tosses aside boxes and digs through piles of junk until he finds what he's looking for: his black leather duster.
He shrugs into it, straightens the collar and heads for the stairs.
Spike strides purposefully down the corridor. He passes Wood, standing in the doorway to his office.
Where are you going?
Got a job.
Nice coat. Where'd you get it?
New York.
Spike walks out the door leaving Wood staring hatefully after him.
Kennedy and Dawn lie stunned on the floor behind Willow as Xander and Anya watch the dark magick overcome their friend once again.
Via concursus tempus spatium Audi me ut imperio!
Kennedy gets up and stands next to Anya behind Willow, worried about the changes that have so swiftly taken her over.
Screw it! Mighty forces, I suck at Latin, okay? But that's not the issue. I'm the one in charge and I'm telling you open that portal now!
It's not happening, Will.
He steps forward but Kennedy stops him.
Give her time. She's getting it.
Or something's getting her. Will, I think you better back up a little.
No!
She thrusts her hands backward and Anya and Kennedy are instantly enveloped in a swirling field of energy. Willow draws from their life force and channels the power directly into the circle in front of her, forcing the portal open.
Xander rushes forward and grabs Willow who sways deliriously from the surge of power, her hair now jet black as well as her eyes. Kennedy gets to her knees and gasps, reeling from the experience of having part of her life's energy drained from her.
Spike staggers backward, his vampiric features cut and bleeding, but a wicked smile on his face.
Oh, come on now, nancy. You call yourself a demon? I thought you were up for a proper fight.
The demon decks him again, sending him crashing into a pile of trash.
Now we're talking.
Spike leaps onto the creature and head-butts it, sending it reeling backward but it recovers quickly and they square off. It lands several crushing blows, driving Spike to the ground but he's not fazed. He's loving the pure violence in a way he hasn't in a long time. The creature leans over him to strike another blow but Spike seizes it by the head and flips him backward across the alley. He stands up and laughs, then howls with pleasure as he closes in on the demon for the kill.
Yeah!
Buffy stares at the Shadow Men incredulously as the cloud swirls around the cave.
You think I came all this way to get knocked up by some demon dust? I can't fight this. I know that now. But you guys? You're just men.
She yanks her right hand up and snaps the chain.
Just the men who did this. To her. Whoever that girl was before she was the first Slayer.
You don't understand.
No, you don't understand! You violated that girl, made her kill for you because you're weak, you're pathetic, and you obviously have nothing to show me.
She raises her arm and swings the broken chain over her head like bullwhip. She sweeps the feet out from under Shadow Man #3, then wraps the chain around Shadow Man #2's staff, using it to yank him toward her. When he's in reach, she violently kicks him backward, sending him staggering against the cave wall.
Spike staggers backward against the alley wall from a vicious blow by the demon. The demon seizes him by the throat and he does the same to the demon. They both start squeezing with all their strength. It's just a matter of who is stronger.
Suddenly, the demon's neck snaps to the side with a sickening crack and it goes limp. Spike drops the dead creature to the ground, then leans back against the wall, catching his breath.
He takes out a cigarette and puts it in his mouth.
I don't know about your feelings, big guy, but to me, a tussle like that...
He leans down and strikes a match against the demon's tusk.
...is good for the soul.
He lights his cigarette and inhales deeply, a smile of satisfaction on his face.
The two Shadow Men lie unmoving on the cavern floor as Buffy approaches Shadow Man #1. She breaks a staff across her leg and tosses it aside. The roiling black demon cloud instantly disappears.
I knew it. It's always the staff.
We offered you power
Tell me something I don't know.
As you wish.
He extends his hand and places it on her the side of her head. A bright yellow light suffuses the cave as her eyes widen in surprise.
Spike drags the dead demon into the room as a bright yellow light seems to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Kennedy and Anya, still weakened from their experience with Willow's magick look up, surprised and confused.
Spike tosses the demon into the center of the circle.
The Shadow Man takes his hand from Buffy's head and she looks up at him with awestruck apprehension as the room suddenly whites out around her and she finds herself back in
Buffy looks around at her friends, all of them battered and bloody and drained. They look back at her with a mixture of relief and uncertainty.
Kennedy rounds the corner, heading for her room, an expression of confusion and pain on her face. Willow catches up to her.
Hey. You okay? You've been kinda quiet since--
You sucked the life out of me?
Yeah, since then. Look, it's important that you know... what I am. What I'm like when I'm like that.
I thought it would be... I don't know. Cool somehow. It just hurt.
Yeah, I'm really sorry. It's just... you were the most powerful person nearby and, well, that's how it works. (ashamed) That's how I work.
I got that. You told me. (beat) I'll see you in the morning.
She turns and goes into her room, closing the door behind her.
The door opens and Willow enters with a smile to find Buffy sitting up in bed, huddled under the covers. She sits down on the bed next to her.
How're you doing?
Thanks for bringing me back... again.
That's what I do.
I was hard on you guys today.
Well, that's all right. You needed to be. Although, Twinkies and Kisses, also peachy motivational tools. (off her look) You okay?
I think I made a mistake.
What?
Those men that I met? You know, the Shadow Men? They offered me more power but I didn't like the loophole.
So you turned it down? (Buffy nods) It's okay, Buffy. We'll get by. We always do.
I don't know. They showed me...
Showed you what?
That the first Slayer was right. It isn't enough.
Why, Buffy? What did you see? What did they show you?
A Turok-han leaps into frame, growling and roaring with rage.
Pan back to reveal hundreds more, all clamoring and screaming for battle.
Pan back further and the hundreds of Turok-han turn into thousands, then tens of thousands of the snarling ancient vampires.