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Transcriber's Notes:
Episode opens on a minion in Glory's bathroom, gathering up bottles of cosmetics. He hurries into another room where we see other minions gathering up stuff and packing. Murk walks among them.
MURK: Quickly, quickly! Already we're behind schedule! Someone's bound for a beheading.
Murk goes into a large walk-in closet where Gronx is taking stuff from the shelves and putting it in boxes.
MURK: Let's make sure it's not me.
GRONX: Why do we remain when our moment of triumph lies so close at hand?
MURK: (quietly) The glorious one, having acquired much in this world, doesn't exactly travel light.
They peek around a corner and we see the main room of Glory's apartment. Glory stands on top of a stool wearing an ornate gown, with tailor minions at her feet working on the gown.
GLORY: Hey! Minions, I can hear you. God-like ears don't miss much, you know what I'm sayin'? (glares at them) Come here.
Murk and Gronx hurry out toward her.
GRONX: 'Twas he who blasphemed, your magnificence.
MURK: Spurred on by treacherous urging! (Gronx hits him)
GLORY: Guys! I'm not gonna kill you. (frowns in puzzlement) Not in the mood. What do you think that's about?
GRONX: In mercy does your power lie?
GLORY: No, brainless, in torture, death and chaos does my power lie. (frowning) So tell me, why am I not popping your head like a zit right now?
The minions have no idea.
GLORY: Maybe I'm just hungry.
MURK: Yes, we shall fetch a, a lovely-
GLORY: No, I'm not hungry.
She drops the robe to the floor, revealing a simple black dress underneath. She steps impatiently down from the stool. The tailors continue to work on the robe.
GLORY: Uhh! Just a little tight in the skin is all. I've been waiting an eternity - well, 25 human years - and it all comes down to tonight.
GRONX: The portal shall open.
MURK: And the great Glorificus shall return.
GLORY: To the hell I came from. Where I'm gonna rain down more super-sized portions of slaughter, mayhem and bloodshed than any of you scabs can even dream about. (pacing, sits down on a sofa) So how come I ain't happy? (shot of the minions looking confused) Got everything I ever wanted ... still, something's off.
She twirls her wrist a few times as if it's stiff.
GLORY: I don't know. What do you think?
She looks off to her left. Pan across to Dawn sitting on another sofa, bound and gagged, whimpering with fear.
Cut to the gas station. Willow and Xander stand staring at something. In the background Tara is peeking out the boarded-up windows, and we see Anya standing beside Giles, who still lies on the counter but now appears to be conscious again. Sound of the door opening. Spike enters. His hands are still bandaged.
SPIKE: Better part of a century spent in delinquency just paid off. (nods toward the door) Hotwired Ben's auto. Who's for gettin' the hell out of here?
XANDER: All in favor, let's do it. (to Giles) You good to go?
GILES: Oh, don't worry about me. How's Buffy?
XANDER: The same. (turns back to staring where Willow is staring) Still.
WILLOW: It's been almost a half an hour.
SPIKE: (stares that way too) The Slayer's gonna be all right, won't she?
Beat.
XANDER: You should try it again, Will.
WILLOW: All right, but ... I'm not even sure she's, you know ... really in there.
XANDER: Try.
Willow sighs, steps forward and kneels on the ground. Focus on her face (Buffy POV).
WILLOW: Can you hear me? Buffy!
We finally see what they're all looking at. Buffy sits there with her hands folded in her lap. She stares straight ahead and doesn't seem to hear or see anything.
Back to focus on Willow's face.
WILLOW: Buffy!
Zoom in on Buffy's unresponsive face.
WILLOW: (OS) Buffy?
Wolf howl. Opening credits.
Guest starring Clare Kramer, Charlie Weber, Dean Butler, Lily Knight, Bob Morrisey, Amber Benson as Tara, special guest star Joel Grey, and Kristine Sutherland as Joyce Summers. Written by Douglas Petrie, directed by David Solomon.
Open on Buffy still unresponsive, staring at nothing.
SPIKE: (OS) Buffy!
The gang continues staring at Buffy.
SPIKE: She can't just be brain-dead. (paces around behind Xander) I mean ... she's still Buffy, (Willow stands up) somewhere in there, right?
XANDER: Spike, come on, we're not gonna get Dawn back by sittin' around here.
SPIKE: You're not gonna get Dawn back any way you slice it, Harris, it's for Buffy to decide.
XANDER: Good, panic. That oughta help.
WILLOW: We should move her. U-unless we shouldn't. Should we?
ANYA: Couldn't that make it worse? I think I read that somewhere.
XANDER: I am so large with not knowing.
GILES: It's impossible to know for sure. Losing Dawn, after all that Buffy's been through ... I think it's pushed her too far into some sort of catatonia.
SPIKE: You don't need a diploma to see that. (moves forward) Snap her out of it.
Spike grabs Buffy by the shoulders and shakes her.
SPIKE: Buffy!
Close shot on Spike's face (Buffy POV).
SPIKE: Oi, rise and shine, love!
The others look skeptical.
ANYA: Spike...
SPIKE: Come on, people. Girl's endowed with Slayer strength. It's hardly the time to get dainty. Buffy! (shakes her harder)
XANDER: We tried that!
Spike slaps Buffy across the face, hard. No reaction.
SPIKE: Ow! (grabs his head in pain)
ANYA: We didn't try that.
Xander pulls Spike away.
XANDER: Are you insane? We could be dealing with neurological damage here. You want to kill her?
SPIKE: We have to do something. I can't just sit here watching. You waste time with kid gloves. I'm willing to wager, when all is said and done, Buffy likes it rough.
Xander punches Spike in the face. They grapple.
Willow turns to them with a stern expression.
WILLOW: Separate.
An unseen force pushes Spike and Xander apart.
They both stare at Willow in surprise. She gives them a determined glare.
Anya and Giles stare too.
WILLOW: (glaring at them) Buffy's out. Glory has Dawn. Sometime real soon, she's gonna use Dawn to tear down the barrier between every dimension there is. So if you two wanna fight, do it after the world ends, okay?
Spike glares at Xander. Xander goes over to Anya and Giles, leans against the counter.
WILLOW: (very quietly and with authority) All right. First we head back to Sunnydale. Xander'll take Giles to a hospital. Anya's looking after Tara. And Spike, you find Glory. Check her apartment, see if she's still there. Try anything stupid, like payback, and I will get Very Cranky. (looks around at them) Everyone clear?
Anya cautiously raises her hand.
WILLOW: Anya.
ANYA: Um ... w-what will you do?
WILLOW: I'll help Buffy.
ANYA: Okay then.
TARA: The world is spinning.
Willow looks concerned, goes over to Tara as Xander and Anya begin helping Giles down.
TARA: Straight to a new day! Big day. Big, big day.
WILLOW: Shh, shh. (Tara whimpers)
Spike moves forward.
SPIKE: Uh ... Will?
Willow looks at him.
SPIKE: Now, uh, don't turn me into a horned toad for asking, but ... what if we come across Ben? (shot of the others listening)
WILLOW: I-I don't think a doctor's what Buffy needs right now.
SPIKE: Well, yeah, especially not one who also happens to be Glory. (Everyone looks confused)
GILES: What do you mean?
SPIKE: You know. Ben is Glory.
WILLOW: (frowns) You mean ... Ben's with Glory?
XANDER: "With" in what sense?
ANYA: They're working together?
SPIKE: No. No. Ben is Glory. Glory's Ben. They're one and the same.
Beat. Everyone looks completely confused (except Tara who still looks blank).
ANYA: When did all this happen?
SPIKE: Not one hour ago! Right here, before your very eyes! Ben came, he turned into Glory, snatched the kid, and pfft! Vanished, remember?
They continue to stare at him.
SPIKE: (uncertainly) You do remember...? (squints at them) Is everyone here very stoned?
They continue to look confused.
SPIKE: (getting annoyed) Ben! Glory! He's a doctor, she's the beast. Two entirely separate entities sharing one body. Like a bloody sitcom. Surely you remember.
XANDER: So you're saying ... Ben and Glory...
ANYA: Have a connection.
GILES: Yes, obviously, but what kind?
SPIKE: (laughs sarcastically) Oh, I get it. That's very crafty. (nods) Glory's worked the kind of mojo where anyone who sees her little presto-change-o instantly forgets. And yours truly, being somewhat other than human ... stands immune.
WILLOW: (frowning) So ... Ben and Glory ... are-are the same person?
XANDER: (slowly, like a revelation) Glory can turn into Ben, and Ben turns back into Glory.
ANYA: And anyone who sees it instantly forgets.
SPIKE: (sighs in relief) Kewpie doll for the lady.
He puts one finger on his nose and points the other hand at Anya.
GILES: Excellent. (looks around at them) Now. Do we suspect there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?
Xander and Anya look enquiringly at Spike.
Spike sighs loudly.
Cut to: a man wielding a blowtorch, wearing a welding mask. He turns off the blowtorch and lifts the mask. It's the crazy guy who accosted Dawn in "The Real Me." We hear rhythmic machinery noises. The guy looks around, then falls to his knees as Glory enters, followed by Dawn and some minions. Glory is again wearing the robe and has Dawn by the arm. We see that we're in some sort of warehouse.
CRAZY GUY: The key. The key.
As Glory walks through the warehouse we see other crazy people doing various things with machinery. They all drop their tasks and kneel on the floor as Glory and Dawn go by. The machinery noises slow and then stop.
CRAZIES: The key. The key. The key.
Glory, Dawn, and the minions go to a door in the back.
Cut to Murk opC: (looks up) Who's what?
SPIKE: (surprised) Look at this. Special Ed remembers.
XANDER: Yeah. I do. Ben's Glory and Glory's Ben. It's like this... (gestures around his head) fog's lifting.
SPIKE: (nodding) Wonderful. But not why we're here. (turns back to Doc) Hell-god type. (Doc returns to his book) Name of Glory-
XANDER: A.K.A. Ben.
SPIKE: -has gone missing. She's brewing up some major-league bad, and she's nicked the Slayer's kid sister in the bargain.
DOC: (looking at him, nodding) Hmm. That girl you brought here. Sweet little thing. How'd things work out with her mom? Changed her mind, didn't she?
SPIKE: Yeah. You got any idea where Glory would take her?
DOC: (closes his book, thoughtfully) Glory ... Glory. Oh! (gets up, carrying the book) You don't mean Glorificus. (walks closer to them) Gosh. What do you wanna get mixed up with her for? That's a sure way to get yourselves killed. I hear she's awfully unpleasant. (turns away, goes toward a side table) When it comes to hellgods, my best advice ... is get out of the way ... and stay there. (puts the book down)
SPIKE: Love to. Can't.
DOC: Well, uh, other than that ... (turns to a chest of drawers, closes a drawer) I'd like to help ... but I-I'm a small-town guy.
Shot of Xander listening.
DOC: This Glorificus, if it is her ... whoo, she's big city.
SPIKE: She's got Dawn.
DOC: Right. (thinks) Well, I may know a fella ... you know, who knows a fella in... (thinks) in China. He might-
SPIKE: How the hell are we supposed to get to China? Teleport?
DOC: I guess.
Shot of Spike looking suspicious. He looks downward.
Close angle on Doc from about mid-chest to mid-thigh. His hands are clasped in front of him. Behind him on the table we see something that looks like a wooden box.
DOC: You know, if you're in that much of a hurry.
Cut to Doc's face.
DOC: Wish you luck.
SPIKE: You're lying.
Xander looks at Spike in surprise. Doc removes his glasses.
SPIKE: And what's more ... I believe you're standing right in front of the very thing we need.
Another shot of the box half-hidden behind Doc's body.
Doc smiles and suddenly leaps to his left. Suddenly he's behind Spike, who turns in surprise as Doc grabs a sword that's leaning against the wall. He puts the sword tip to Spike's throat.
DOC: (whispers) Idiot.
Doc lunges forward but Spike smacks the sword blade aside and falls to the floor, knocking over a pile of books onto himself.
Doc opens his mouth and a super-long tongue comes out, smacks Xander in the chest and slams him back against a wall, then retreats.
The tongue coils back into Doc's mouth.
Xander falls to the floor with a grunt.
Doc walks over to where Spike is lying on the floor stunned.
DOC: You think only underworld bottom-feeders worship the beast?
Doc kicks Spike in the face, then turns, grabs the box off the table and throws it into the fire. He turns away from the fireplace, walks back toward Spike.
DOC: Her day is coming, boys! (grabs Spike by the front of his shirt) And when she returns, then you're gonna see something.
Xander jumps up and knees Doc in the chest, knocking him away from Spike. Xander falls on top of Doc. As they grapple, Spike hurries over to the fire and pulls the box out.
SPIKE: Ow!
Xander and Doc continue grappling. Xander reaches out and grabs the sword, gets up on his knees and plunges the sword downward. Blue blood spurts up at him.
Shot of Spike kneeling by the fireplace, panting and looking over at Xander.
Xander gets up, wipes blue blood from his face, looks at Spike.
Spike gets up holding the box in both arms, walks over to Xander. The box is smoking slightly but appears undamaged.
XANDER: What do we got?
SPIKE: (looking down at Doc) Something worth dying for.
Xander opens the door and they leave. Pan over to Doc lying there with the sword sticking out of his chest, blue blood staining his shirt.
Suddenly Doc's eyes pop open.
Cut to Buffy and Willow facing each other in the dark bedroom.
WILLOW VOICEOVER: Buffy, will you just stop a second and listen to me?
Cut to the dream-hallway. Buffy #2 is walking down the hallway with Willow following.
WILLOW: Buffy!
Willow hurries around in front of Buffy, stops her with a hand on her arm.
WILLOW: You have to stop doing this.
BUFFY #2: Doing what?
WILLOW: Killing Dawn.
BUFFY #2: Why?
WILLOW: Because this never happened. You never killed your sister.
BUFFY #2: Will, I did this.
WILLOW: In your imagination! None of this is real! Y-you're stuck in some kind of loop!
BUFFY #2: I don't know what you're talking about. 'Scuse me.
She resumes walking. Willow follows.
WILLOW: Buffy, why are you doing this?
Buffy pushes through the door.
Cut to Dawn and Ben walking down the main street of Sunnydale. Ben still wears the ceremonial robe and has Dawn by the wrist. Dawn looks nervously over her shoulder.
DAWN: I think they see us.
BEN: Just stay close to me. Don't look back.
Suddenly he pushes Dawn into an alley. They press up against a brick wall.
BEN: Shh! Stay very still.
Ben goes to peer around the corner. When he turns back, Dawn hits him over the head with a large pile of chain. He goes down. Dawn drops the chain next to him.
DAWN: I'm sorry.
Dawn steps over him and starts off.
GLORY: (OS) Sorry?!
Dawn looks horrified, turns back.
Glory stands up holding the chain.
GLORY: That actually hurt, you prepubescent puke.
Dawn looks very scared.
Blackout.
Open on the alley.
GLORY: Okay, first thought, just totally spontaneous, unfiltered, off the top of my head ... ow!
She shakes the chain in Dawn's face, then tosses it aside.
GLORY: You hit Ben in his soft human head, and I remember the pain.
Glory pins one of Dawn's arms behind her and forces her farther into the alley. Dawn grunts in pain. Glory lets go.
GLORY: You probably think I won't waste any precious blood of yours till tonight. You're right. But I know a thousand ways to hurt you that won't spill a drop.
Glory shoves Dawn in the chest. Dawn stumbles backward with a yelp. She backs up toward some stairs leading up to a door. Dawn ends up sitting on a stair clutching the metal hand-rail. Glory advances on her.
GLORY: You know all those pesky feelings Ben's been having like guilt, empathy? I'm gonna take 'em and mash 'em back down where they belong, okay? Now ... (strokes the side of Dawn's face) let's have big-girl fun. (grabs Dawn's chin) Just you and...
Suddenly Glory lets go of Dawn and speaks in a different tone.
GLORY: Leave her alone.
She rolls her eyes and turns away, morphs into Ben.
BEN: I said, leave her alone.
Morph. (Note: from this point on the morphing happens so fast I won't note it each time. Just assume that they change each time there's a change in speaker.)
GLORY: No, no. Little late in the game to start growing a backbone, Benjamin. (Dawn watches fearfully) Now be good and stay quiet. No you don't! Get over yourself, Ben! This is the way things are! I'm strong, you're weak. (laughs) This is reality. Stop trying to infect me with your... (whirls around)
BEN: Do you ever stop talking? I don't know which is worse, waking up in a dress not knowing where I've been, or having to hear all your self-involved ranting!
GLORY: Animal.
BEN: Wrong, Glory. I'm no animal. This is humanity you're feeling. Welcome to the world.
In the background, Dawn slowly gets up and starts edging away. Ben turns to her.
GLORY: No, no, no!
Glory grabs Dawn and throws her across the alley. Dawn slams into a dumpster and falls to the ground.
GLORY: Stick around, chica.
BEN: I won't let you hurt her, Glory.
GLORY: Ooh, shut your hole, you sanctimonious little meatworm. (advances on the frightened Dawn) I'm going home no matter what you do.
Glory looks to the side, reaches down to grab something, morphs into Ben as she picks it up. It's an empty beer bottle. Ben slams it against the side of the dumpster, breaking it. He holds the broken edge up to Dawn's face. Dawn cringes away in terror.
BEN: You really think I'll just let that happen?
GLORY: Benjamin, what are you doing?
BEN: You need her blood? When I'm through there won't be enough left to fill a bottle cap. Then you, hellbitch, have nowhere left-
GLORY: -to go. Huh!
Glory pulls Dawn away from the dumpster, throws her across the alley, then throws the bottle against the wall. We hear it shatter. Dawn crouches on the ground staring at Glory in fear.
GLORY: You can't hurt her and you know it, Ben. (sits down on a pile of bricks) I know it 'cause I feel what you're feeling. Scared. Shh! Shh! It's okay! You don't wanna die. Who would? I don't.
BEN: You can't, you're immortal.
GLORY: Nobody has to die here, Ben. Just let me bleed the girl and go home. Everything will work out fine.
BEN: Do you really believe with all I know that you can trick me?
GLORY: Stop ... and think, baby. We bleed the kid, return me to my seat of power, I become a god again...
BEN: And I disappear.
GLORY: Ooh, unless somebody up there likes you. Give up the girl ... I could like you a lot.
Dawn watches this wide-eyed.
BEN: I won't make a deal with you, Glory.
GLORY: (angry) When exactly did you get stupid? I'm offering immortality here.
BEN: I believe you. That's not the problem. You make me immortal, then what? (walks over to Dawn, grabs her arm and pulls her to her feet) I'd have to kill her to do it and I won't be able to live with that, not even for a day, forget about eternity!
He whirls Dawn around in a circle and morphs in mid-whirl.
GLORY: Baby, baby, baby Ben. (lets go of Dawn who falls to the ground again) Why do you worry so much? When you're immortal, all this crap you've been carrying around inside ... (leans against the wall) the guilt, the anger, the crazy-making pain ... (smiles) Ooh, it all just melts away like ice cream. Trust me. When all this is over I can set you up real nice. I'm making it easy. It's you ... or the girl.
She slides down the wall and morphs halfway down.
BEN: (panting) I can't accept that.
GLORY: Accept it. (chuckles) I'm a god, stupid.
She morphs into Ben again. He stares at Dawn, who stares back fearfully.
Ben gets up, goes over to Dawn, holds out his hand.
BEN: I'm sorry.
Dawn sighs in relief, liftsyche site rather than post it on your site, but you can post it on your site if you really want, as long as you keep my name and email address on it. Please also keep my disclaimers intact.
TeaserGILES VOICEOVER: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
Giles in the Sunnydale High library in "Welcome to the Hellmouth."
GILES: You are the Slayer. Into each generation a Slayer is born.
A series of scenes from "Welcome to the Hellmouth"...
BUFFY: Why don't we start with 'Hi, I'm Buffy.'
XANDER: Xander.
CORDELIA: Cordelia.
Shot of Willow at the water fountain.
BUFFY VOICEOVER: Willow, right?
GILES: Mister Giles.
ANGEL: Angel.
Giles thumping the book "VAMPYR" onto the library counter.
A quick series of scenes from the first season: the Master with the Anointed One; Buffy and Angel kissing; Angel vamping out, Buffy screaming; the possessed ventriloquist dummy; Buffy punching someone; Buffy dying; Buffy killing the Master, etc...
Moves into a series of scenes from the second season. They go by faster and faster. I can't possibly detail every one, but they include all the major demons and recurring characters: Spike, Ethan, Drusilla, Kendra, Ted, etc. We see Xander kissing Cordelia, Willow kissing Oz, Angel killing Jenny Calendar, Willow in the hospital doing the spell to restore Angel's soul, Buffy killing Angel.
Continues to a series of scenes from third season. Includes Mr. Trick, Xander and Willow kissing, Giles and Joyce kissing, Spike, Gwendolyn Post, Amy turning into a rat, Faide?Willow and Xander exchange a smile.
GILES: Well, we have some ideas, if we could actually get Glory on the run, but, um...
BUFFY: But, we still have no idea how to find her.
TARA: Big day. Oh, it calls me! I have to be there!Everyone looks at Tara, then at Buffy. Buffy looks thoughtful.
TARA: Big day!
Cut to: Ben entering the back room at the warehouse. He still wears the ceremonial robe and is holding a pile of clothing. A few minions are in the background.
Shot of Dawn sitting on the floor with her knees up to her chest, eyes closed. Ben walks over to her.
BEN: They, uh ... said you have to put this on ... for the ceremony.
DAWN: What if I don't?
BEN: Come on, just-
DAWN: What if I don't like the color?
BEN: Look, I ... I wish there was another way.
DAWN: And I wish you'd fall on your head and drown in your own barf, so ... (shrugs) I guess we're both disappointed.
BEN: I think ... it'll be quick.
MINION: Actually, sir, the bleeding is quite a slow process to give the portal time to-
BEN: (annoyed) Thank you ... for the information. (to Dawn) I'll do what I can to-
DAWN: Change.
BEN: What?
DAWN: Change. Be her. I don't wanna look at you.
BEN: (shakes head) Dawn, I don't think you wanna-
DAWN: Be Glory. Be Glory. (yelling) Glory! Glory! Glory!
BEN: Will you just stop- (morphs into Glory)
GLORY: -shouting already?Dawn scowls.
GLORY: Huh.
Glory shakes out the garment she's holding. It's a medieval-style dress. She examines it, then turns to Dawn.
GLORY: So, what's the hubbub, bub? (sits in a chair) What do you got against old Benjy?
DAWN: He's a monster. At least you're up-front about it.
GLORY: (picking at the hem of the dress) Don't be so hard on the boy. He just wants to live. Most guys would do the same. Besides, he's probably the reason your sis and her little cartoon pals are still alive. That little nagging pinch of humanity that makes me go for the hurt instead of the kill. (looks at Dawn) Lowering myself to trade blows with the Slayer when I should have just put my fist through her heart.Glory stands up and holds up the dress to look at it.
GLORY: It's gotta be Ben.
DAWN: Or maybe you just can't take her.Glory tosses the dress to Dawn, who takes hold of one end. Glory is still holding the other end and she suddenly yanks on it, pulling Dawn to her feet. They face off.
GLORY: Hmm, funny thing. You've been here for a few hours now, and I haven't seen big sis galloping in to save you. She probably knows what a terrible mistake that'd be.
DAWN: She's not afraid of you.
GLORY: Oh no, sweetie baby. I'm talking about the ritual. 'Cause you know I bleed you, the portals open, but once you die they close. The faster you die, the better for your sorry species.Glory puts her hand on the side of Dawn's face. Dawn looks scared.
GLORY: I'm bettin' Buffy knows that. Since she's not really your sister, I'm guessin' she isn't gonna show. And if she does...
Dawn winces in pain as Glory's fingers tighten on her head.
GLORY: ...it might not be to save you.
Glory shoves Dawn aside. She falls to the floor on top of a grating. Glory smirks at her.
Angle on Dawn's face, shooting up from below as her face is pressed against the grating.
DAWN: (whispers) Buffy.Cut to Buffy in the workout room, punching the punching-bag. She alternates hands and hits it with a steady rhythm. The camera pulls out and reveals Giles entering, walking toward her.
GILES: You sure you're not going to tire yourself out?
BUFFY: (stops punching) I'm sure.She resumes punching. Close shot on Buffy's face with Giles out of focus in the background.
GILES: We're ... still working on ideas. (Buffy stops punching) Time's short, but, uh, best leave it to the last moment. (Buffy stretching her arms) If we go in too early and she takes us out, no chance of getting her to miss her window.
BUFFY: Then we wait.Buffy gives one last punch that breaks the punching bag off its chain. It falls to the floor. Buffy stares at it, gives her arm a shake.
GILES: I imagine you hate me right now.
Same angle on Buffy with Giles in the background, her back to him. She sighs but doesn't answer. Giles takes a few steps closer.
GILES: I love Dawn.
BUFFY: I know.
GILES: But I've sworn to protect this sorry world, and sometimes that means saying and doing ... what other people can't. What they shouldn't have to.Buffy turns to face him.
BUFFY: You try and hurt her, and you know I'll stop you.
GILES: I know.Overhead shot of the two of them. Buffy walks slowly over to the sofa in the corner and sits. Giles paces slowly over to the sofa as well.
BUFFY: This is how many apocalypses for us now?
GILES: Oh, uh, well... (sits, takes off his glasses) six, at least. (sits back slowly) Feels like a hundred.
BUFFY: I've always stopped them. Always won.
GILES: Yes.
BUFFY: I sacrificed Angel to save the world.Cut to close angle on Buffy's face.
BUFFY: I loved him so much. But I knew ... what was right. I don't have that any more. I don't understand. I don't know how to live in this world if these are the choices. If everything just gets stripped away. I don't see the point. I just wish that... (tearfully) I just wish my mom was here.
She gets up, walks a few paces away, turns to face Giles.
BUFFY: The spirit guide told me ... that death is my gift. Guess that means a Slayer really is just a killer after all.
GILES: I think you're wrong about that.
BUFFY: It doesn't matter. If Dawn dies, I'm done with it. I'm quitting.She walks out, leaving Giles sitting on the sofa alone.
Cut to the warehouse. Dawn is now wearing the ritual dress. She has her other clothing folded in a neat pile and carries it over to the chair, lays the clothing down on the chair, kneels beside the chair.
Shot of Glory off to the side, writing something. A minion goes to her and whispers.
Dawn kneels by the chair and arranges her sneakers neatly in front of the chair. She looks up when Glory begins to speak.
GLORY: Okay, campers, it's almost stab time. (smiling) You two, get her.
Two minions move toward Dawn, who looks scared and backs away.
DAWN: No. No! Aah! (screams) Buffy!
She continues to scream as the minions grab her arms and drag her away. Glory watches them go with a smile.
GLORY: See you in a few.
Cut to outside. The minions drag Dawn into the courtyard area where the crazy people are still working. Sparks fly from someone's welding. Dawn looks up apprehensively.
Shot of a huge metal tower, basically build out of scaffolding. It stretches into the air above the warehouse. At the top, a narrow walkway protrudes out into the air. We see the tower first from Dawn's perspective, on the ground looking up; and then a longer shot from the side.
Dawn continues to stare up at the tower as the minions lead her to some stairs at the base of the tower and they begin to climb.
Blackout.
Act II
Open on Giles in the magic shop, walking over to a door and opening it. It leads down some stairs into the basement, which is cluttered as any basement tends to be.
GILES: (calling) Any luck? Have you found the Dagon sphere?
Pan down to the basement. Anya emerges from behind the stairs, wearing a bra, quickly putting on her blouse.
ANYA: (calling) Um, I'm sure it's here, just be a minute!
Xander emerges as well, fastening his pants.
XANDER: (calling) Yeah, we're on it! Let's look over here, where we didn't look yet.
Xander and Anya continue fastening their clothing. The angle is such that Giles can't see them.
GILES: (OS) Time is a factor.
ANYA: Yes. Yes. Not to worry.Sound of the door closing. Anya picks up a clipboard and examines it.
XANDER: So, are you more, uh ... relaxed?
ANYA: (looking through boxes) No.
XANDER: No? I mean, it sounded like you, uh ... (paces past her) arrived.
ANYA: (distracted) No. (tunes back in to the conversation) Yes. Um, I had the pleasure moment, and the blissful calm that comes right after it. But that only lasted a couple of seconds, and now I'm terrified again.
XANDER: Well, you don't have to be.Anya moves toward another pile of stuff. Xander turns and pulls down a drop-cloth, revealing the Buffy Bot.
XANDER: Gah!
He leaps back, making Anya jump as well.
ANYA: What?
They both stare at the bot. It sits there with eyes open, unmoving.
XANDER: Spike's sex-bot. Why didn't they just melt it down into scrap?
Anya moves away as Xander continues staring at the bot.
ANYA: Maybe Willow wanted it.
XANDER: (turns to her) I don't think Willow feels that way about, about Buffy. I mean, I know she's gone through a lot of changes, but-
ANYA: To study it.
XANDER: Right. Robotics. (embarrassed ) Science.Xander moves to another pile of stuff and they both continue looking, separately.
ANYA: Pervert.
XANDER: Other pervert.
ANYA: And don't frighten me like tha-aah!She shrieks as she sees something in another box. Xander comes over to look.
ANYA: God, who, who would put something like that there? Is this supposed to be some sort of sick joke?
She picks it up. It's a small toy bunny.
ANYA: I mean, things aren't bad enough! (pause) This is an omen.
XANDER: Hey, hey, shh. (rubs her shoulders)
ANYA: No, no, it's an omen. It's a higher power, trying to tell me through bunnies that we're all gonna die. Oh god.
XANDER: No it's not.Anya puts the bunny back in the box as Xander puts his arms around her waist from behind.
XANDER: It's okay.
ANYA: No, you see, usually when there's an apocalypse, I skedaddle. But now I love you so much that instead I have inappropriately timed sex and try to think of ways to fight a god ... and worry terribly that something might happen to you. And also worry that something'll happen to me. And then I have guilt that I'm not more worried about everyone else, but I just don't have enough! I'm just on total overload, and I honestly don't think that I could be more nervous than I am right now.
XANDER: Care to wager on that?Xander lifts his hand into the shot. He holds a small box, open to reveal the ring inside.
Anya stares at it. Xander lets her go and she turns to face him, still looking at the ring.
XANDER: Anya ... you wanna marry me?
Anya stares at him a moment, then slaps him across the face.
XANDER: Can I take that as a "maybe"?
ANYA: You're proposing to me!
XANDER: Yes...
ANYA: You're proposing to me 'cause we're gonna die! And you think it's romantic and sexy and, and you know you're not gonna have to go through with it 'cause the world's gonna end!
XANDER: I'm proposing to you, Anya, because it's not.
ANYA: You can't know that.
XANDER: I believe it. I think we're gonna get through this. I think I'm gonna live a long ... and silly life, and I'm not interested in doing that without you around.
ANYA: (softly) Oh. Okay.
XANDER: (wide-eyed) Okay?
ANYA: Yes. (small smile) I mean, yes.They both smile happily and look down at the ring. Xander begins removing the ring from the box as Anya holds up her hands. Then she stops him.
ANYA: No.
XANDER: No?
ANYA: After. Give it to me when the world doesn't end.Xander smiles slightly. Anya puts her arms around his neck and they kiss.
Cut to the main magic shop room. Willow sits at the table reading books while Tara naps behind her. Buffy walks up.
BUFFY: Will, what do you got for me?
WILLOW: Some ideas. (Buffy goes to sit on the stairs leading up to the loft) Well, notions. Or, theories based on wild speculation. Did I mention I'm not good under pressure?
BUFFY: I need you, Will. You're my big gun.
WILLOW: (alarmed) I'm your - no, I-I was never a gun. Someone else should be the gun. I, I could be a, a cudgel. Or, or a pointy stick.
BUFFY: You're the strongest person here. You know that, right?
WILLOW: (frowns) Well ... no.
BUFFY: Will, you're the only person that's ever hurt Glory. At all. You're my best shot at getting her on the ropes, so don't get a jelly belly on me now.
WILLOW: Well ... I, I ... do sort of have this one idea. But, last few days, I've mostly been looking into ways to help Tara. I-I know that shouldn't be my priority....Buffy leans over and puts her hand on Willow's knee.
BUFFY: Of course it should.
Willow smiles gratefully. Buffy leans back.
WILLOW: Well, I've been charting their essences. Mapping out. I think ... if I can get close enough, I may be able to reverse what Glory did. Like, take back what she took from Tara. It might weaken Glory, or ... make her less coherent. Or it might make all our heads explode.
GILES: (OS) Buffy.Buffy looks up. Across the room we see Giles, Xander, and Anya gathered around something.
WILLOW: I'll try to work it.
Buffy gets up and walks away, putting her hand briefly on Willow's shoulder as she passes.
Willow gets up and goes to crouch beside Tara's chair.
WILLOW: Don't worry, love. It won't be long.
Tara slaps her hard across the face.
TARA: (angrily) Bitch! I'm supposed to work on the factors!
Willow just looks at her sadly. The anger passes and Tara becomes anxious.
TARA: I'm, I'm not ... I'm not....
Tara puts her hand gently on Willow's cheek and begins to cry. Willow looks at her with tears in her eyes as well.
WILLOW: I'm gonna bring you back.
Cut over to the others gathered together. Giles is holding the Dagon sphere.
BUFFY: No. No, no, that's good. That could be pivotal. (to Anya and Xander) Thank you guys.
GILES: Well, um, you're gonna need some-
BUFFY: Way ahead of you. We have time?
GILES: Yes, if you hurry.
BUFFY: Okay. I'll grab some weapons too. (we see Spike appearing behind Giles)
XANDER: I'm looking for something in a broadsword.
SPIKE: Don't be swingin' that thing near me. (Buffy takes the sphere from Giles, examines it)
XANDER: Hey, I happen to be-
SPIKE: A glorified bricklayer?
XANDER: (looks around at the others) I'm also a swell bowler.
ANYA: Has his own shoes.
SPIKE: The gods themselves do tremble.
BUFFY: Spike, shut your mouth, come with me.Buffy hands the sphere to Giles and strides out. Spike looks surprised, follows her.
Cut to Buffy entering the Summers house with Spike behind her. It's dark outside.
BUFFY: The weapons are in the chest by the TV, I'll grab the stuff upstairs.She moves toward the stairs, not realizing that Spike has stopped at the door.
SPIKE: Uh, Buffy...
She turns back to him. Spike lifts his hand in a little wave. Buffy frowns, still not getting it.
SPIKE: If you wanna just hand them over the threshold, I'll...
BUFFY: Come in, Spike.Spike looks surprised and pleased. He takes a slow step over the threshold, smiles.
SPIKE: Hmm. Presto. No barrier.
They look at each other for a moment, then Spike breaks away, walks into the living room.
SPIKE: Um, won't bother with the small stuff. Couple of good axes should hold off Glory's mates while you take on the lady herself. (opens the chest, begins taking stuff out)
BUFFY: We're not all gonna make it. You know that.
SPIKE: Yeah.He takes a few weapons from the chest and walks back toward Buffy.
SPIKE: Hey. Always knew I'd go down fightin'.
BUFFY: I'm counting on you ... to protect her.
SPIKE: Till the end of the world. Even if that happens to be tonight.
BUFFY: I'll be a minute.
SPIKE: Yeah.Buffy turns to go up the stairs. Spike watches her go.
SPIKE: I know you'll never love me.
Buffy pauses halfway up the stairs, turns back to look at Spike.
SPIKE: I know that I'm a monster. But you treat me like a man. And that's...
Buffy gazes silently at him.
SPIKE: Get your stuff, I'll be here.
She turns and continues up the stairs.
Cut to the top of the tower. The minions are tying Dawn to the tower with rope. She stands there looking scared. The wind blows her hair around.
Angle downward from Dawn's POV. We see her bare feet on the edge of the platform, and far below we can see the crazy people moving around.
The minions finish tying Dawn up and turn to leave. One of them looks back.
MINION: She will come to you soon.
The camera pulls slowly back on Dawn standing at the end of the platform with the city lights behind and below her.
Cut to the magic shop. Pan quickly across Xander and Anya looking at each other, Tara looking at stuff in a display case. Willow appears from the back as Buffy and Spike enter, carrying weapons. They walk over to the office area.
BUFFY: We on schedule?
Spike goes to put the weapons down on the desk beside Giles, who is also holding an axe.
GILES: Yes, it's time.
Pan back over to Buffy.
BUFFY: Will?
Willow nods, goes over to Tara who is still staring at the merchandise.
WILLOW: Tara, baby? Is there somewhere you should be?
Tara looks over at Buffy, doesn't look at Willow.
TARA: They held me down.
WILLOW: No one's holding you. It's the big day, right?Both Willow and Tara look at Buffy. Shot of Buffy looking concerned.
WILLOW: Do you wanna go?
Tara looks anxiously from Buffy to Willow and back again. She turns and begins to walk toward Buffy and the door. She passes Spike and Giles in the background, Spike packing up weapons as Giles unsheathes a sword.
TARA: (points to Giles) You're a killer. (Giles and Spike look at her in surprise) This is all set down.
Tara continues walking out. Giles puts his axe in Spike's bag.
Willow, following Tara, draws alongside Buffy as Tara heads for the door.
BUFFY: (quietly) Stay close but don't crowd her. We'll follow in a minute.
Willow starts out again, stops when Buffy begins to address the others.
BUFFY: Everybody knows their jobs. Remember, the ritual starts, we all die. And I'll kill anyone who comes near Dawn.
Buffy turns and walks off. Willow turns to the open door and leaves.
Angle on Giles and Spike. Giles is clutching his side where he was speared in "Spiral." Spike glances at Giles, then back in the direction Buffy went.
SPIKE: Well, not exactly the St. Crispin's Day speech, was it?
GILES: We few...Giles goes past Spike as Spike gathers up the bag of weapons.
GILES: ...we happy few.
SPIKE: We band of buggered.They exit.
Cut to: exterior city street, night. Tara walks along the sidewalk, picking at the cast on her hand. The camera pulls out to reveal Willow walking a few paces behind, with the others following farther behind that.
Tara comes around a corner, pauses to gaze upward for a moment, then continues. The others follow, now all in a group. Spike carries a crossbow, Anya a baseball bat. Spike also has the bag of weapons on her back. They all stop walking and look up.
Shot from below of the tower rising up into the air above them.
They all stare at it.
XANDER: Shpadoinkle.
ANYA: What is that?
GILES: The portal must open up there.
BUFFY: Will, you're up.Close angle on Willow's face.
GILES: Need anything?
WILLOW: Could use a little courage.Spike's hand comes into the shot, holding a small flask in front of Willow's face.
WILLOW: The real kind.
Spike looks over at her. She looks at him.
WILLOW: But thanks.
Spike nods, puts the flask away.
Shot of the tower. People are walking toward it as sparks (from welding) come from the yard below.
Cut to the warehouse. The crazy people are still doing various things with machinery and metal. Pan over to the entrance as Tara enters, finally pulling the cast off her hand and tossing it aside. She walks in muttering to herself, goes over to a pile of bricks and picks one up.
A hand grabs Tara's shoulder from behind and spins her around.
GLORY: You. What are you doing here?
Willow appears beside Glory.
WILLOW: She's with me.
Willow grabs both Glory's and Tara's heads. They all scream as blue lightning begins to flicker around them. Bright blue light appears to stream from Glory's head to Tara's.
Suddenly a blast of power separates them. All three go flying in different directions. Willow crashes into a pile of wood.
Glory lands on her back on the concrete, sits up as several minions run over.
GLORY: What the frickin' hell did that bitch do to me?
The minions look at each other, then at Glory.
MINION: (anxiously) You look fine. Truly.
GLORY: (clutching her head) She made a little ... she made a hole. Uh, I need a brain to eat.
MINION: Oh, take mine, oh groove-tastic one! (bows)
GLORY: I said a brain, you worthless dirt!She puts a hand to her forehead and begins to walk, distractedly, as the minions follow her with concern.
GLORY: Big day. I got places to be, big day. Need a brain.
She looks at something directly in front of her, scoffs.
GLORY: Suppose I could always use yours.
BUFFY: (OS) Okay then.Buffy stands there with her hands clasped behind her back. The camera zooms in on her.
BUFFY: Come and get it.
Blackout.
Act III
Open on Glory still staring at Buffy. Glory starts to smile, then looks away and moves her arms as if in pain.
BUFFY: (innocently) You don't seem very well.
GLORY: Your little witch bitch ... gave me kind of a headache there. (removes her ceremonial robe, revealing the simple black dress underneath) But if you think this is gonna last more than eight seconds-
BUFFY: I noticed you're talking, whereas in your position, I would attack me.The minions have taken Glory's robe as she continues to stand there looking weakened.
MINION: Oh, most sweaty-naughty-feelings-causing one, should we...
GLORY: Go guard the girl. This is a ... this is a, a...
MINION: Diversionary tactic?
GLORY: Go guard!The minions scurry away. They pull a bunch of crazies away from their work and gather them around the base of the stairs leading up to the tower.
Cut back to Glory still standing there unsteadily.
BUFFY: It's strange, you're not as blurry with speed as usual either.
GLORY: The witch...
BUFFY: It's not her.Buffy produces the Dagon sphere from behind her.
BUFFY: Might be this.
Glory looks alarmed.
BUFFY: I heard it's supposed to repel you. So my guess is ... you probably shouldn't touch it, either.
Buffy tosses the sphere at Glory, who catches it instinctively. The sphere lights up and seems to warp the air around it when it touches Glory's hand. She makes a pained face, drops her hand to her side.
Close shot on Glory's hand holding the sphere. She slowly crushes the sphere and the light goes out as it crumbles.
GLORY: You're gonna wish you-
Buffy punches her in the face. Glory stumbles back and Buffy kicks her, then punches her again, and again, and again.
The minions and crazies gathered around the stairs mutter and look around nervously as the fight continues.
MINION 1: Stand fast! Kill anyone who dares approach! This will be our day of glory!
MINION 2: Well punned.
MINION 1: Well, it just called out to me.Suddenly an arrow appears in his chest and he falls back.
We see Spike holding his crossbow, having just shot the minion. Anya and Giles are beside him. They rush forward and begin fighting the minions, while Spike stays behind.
Giles blocks a minion's staff while Anya beats on another one with her bat.
Spike gives a loud battle cry and jumps on two minions at once, bearing them to the ground.
Giles slices at a minion with his sword.
A minion has Spike around the waist as another one approaches. Spike fights them both.
Cut to a wide overhead shot of the fighting. Off to the side we see Buffy hitting and kicking Glory.
Cut to above. Dawn looks down and her eyes widen as she spots Buffy.
Cut to below. Buffy flips Glory over and slams her down on a pile of bricks, tries to punch her but Glory rolls aside and Buffy ends up punching the bricks. Buffy tries to punch again and Glory grabs her arms, throws her across the room.
Willow sits up among broken pieces of wood, looks at Buffy fighting Glory, looks over to her left.
WILLOW: Tara!
Willow half-walks, half-crawls over to where Tara lies unconscious in a pile of debris.
WILLOW: Tara?
Tara's eyes open. She looks at Willow.
WILLOW: Tara?
TARA: W ... Willow?
WILLOW: (smiles hopefully) Tara?
TARA: (tearfully) Willow ... I got so lost.
WILLOW: (smiling) I found you.Willow kisses Tara all over her face, then hugs her. They both smile happily.
WILLOW: I will always find you.
Long shot of the two of them embracing.
Cut back to Glory. She stands up straight.
GLORY: You know what?
Buffy punches, but Glory grabs her fist.
GLORY: I'm feeling a little better. And now? I'm a little bored.
BUFFY: Oh, I'm sorry. Cause you're about-Glory kicks her in the face. "Buffy"'s head goes flying off, leaving her body standing. We can see the wires exposed in the neck.
The body falls over as Glory stares in bewilderment. When it hits the floor, sparks fly out of the neck.
GLORY: (staring) Hey, wow, the Slayer's a robot. (looks around) Did everybody else know the Slayer was a robot?
Glory smiles in triumph as the real Buffy appears behind her.
BUFFY: Glory?
Glory stops smiling, turns. Buffy hits her with Olaf's hammer. Glory flies across the room, crashes into a wall.
BUFFY: You're not the brightest god in the heavens, are you?
DAWN: Buffy! I'm up here!Buffy looks up as Dawn screams at the top of her lungs. Shot of the tower from Buffy's POV. We can't really make out Dawn at the end of the platform.
DAWN: Buffy!
Buffy runs toward the tower, leaps over a pile of bricks and onto the stairs. A minion confronts her but she punches him and throws him over the side.
Glory picks herself up, looks over and sees Buffy running up the stairs.
GLORY: Oh no you don't!
DAWN: (screams) Buffy! I'm up here!Cut to midway up the stairs. There's one last level after which the stairs end and the only way up is via ladders. Buffy is ascending onto this level as Glory appears in front of her and hits her. Buffy hits Glory with the hammer, then Glory kicks her into the scaffolding. They exchange a few more blows and Buffy loses her grip on the hammer, which goes flying. It gets caught in some chain that's hanging off the tower. Glory grabs another piece of chain and uses it to swing around the side, knocking Buffy aside as Buffy tries to reach the hammer. Buffy falls aside, gets up, takes another kick from Glory and swings around the scaffolding, kicks Glory, ducks a punch and goes around Glory, kicks her from behind.
DAWN: (looking down) Buffy!
Buffy tries to continue climbing but Glory hits her in the leg, making Buffy gasp in pain. They exchange some more blows, then Buffy resumes climbing up the outer scaffolding. Glory goes around beside her and climbs up as well, kicks Buffy as she's scaling up a pipe. Buffy slides back down to the previous level.
Buffy runs up a ramp, kicks Glory in the face, runs down the ramp again and manages to free the hammer. She swings it at Glory and hits her a couple of times, also hits a ladder which falls aside.
Glory hits Buffy in the face and she loses her balance. As she falls backward, she grabs Glory and they both fall off the tower.
They both hit the concrete below, a few feet away from each other. The hammer lands nearby.
Shot of Spike still fighting two minions at once.
Buffy gets to her feet. Glory does too. Buffy grabs Glory by the shoulders and pushes her away. Glory winds up a few dozen feet away, beside a wall.
GLORY: You lost your hammer, sweet cheeks. What are you gonna hit me with now?
Buffy looks at the wall.
Glory turns to the wall also, just as a huge wrecking-ball crashes through the wall and into Glory. It crashes through a second wall, deposits Glory on the other side, and swings back.
BUFFY: Whatever's handy.
Buffy turns and runs off.
Cut to Xander driving the machine that controls the wrecking ball. He shuts down the engine and sits back looking satisfied.
XANDER: The glorified bricklayer picks up a spare.
Cut to the hammer lying on the ground. Buffy grabs it as she runs past.
Cut to Spike, Anya, and Giles taking refuge behind something.
ANYA: Has anyone noticed we're going backwards?Spike straightens up to peek over the top of the machine. A brick hits him in the forehead. He ducks down again, looking annoyed.
SPIKE: It's crossed my mind.
Shot of the group of crazies standing between them and the stairs, glaring at them. There are also a few minions.
GILES: (panting) As long as ... Buffy can keep Glory down ... long enough, it doesn't matter. (looking up at the tower) There's only a few minutes left to start the ritual.
Cut to Buffy hitting Glory with the hammer. Glory doesn't seem able to fight back, just stands there reeling each time Buffy hits her.
Cut to Dawn looking down at the fight. Suddenly she looks up and gasps.
We see Doc standing at the other end of the platform, inside the tower.
DAWN: You. You can help me. Untie me. Please. Help me, she's coming.
DOC: (walks forward) Well, it seems she's running a bit late, is the thing. And, uh, if her Splendidness (Dawn looks upset) can't be here in time to bleed you...Dawn looks scared and anxious as she realizes he's not on her side.
DOC: (whispers) Hey! (winks) Kid. Wanna see a trick?
Dawn looks fearfully at him.
Suddenly he produces a large shiny knife, holds it up in front of his face. Dawn gasps and cringes. Lingering shot of Doc holding the knife up with a small smile.
Blackout.
Act IV
Open on a shot up at the top of the tower. Pan down to below.
Xander leaps over a fence and comes to join the others. Spike, Anya, and Giles are all still crouched behind their shelter, looking up at the tower.
XANDER: How we doing?
ANYA: So far it's a tie.
GILES: We haven't got up to Dawn, but then neither has anyone else.
SPIKE: (still gazing up) Someone's up there.Shot of the underside of the platform from their POV. It's hard to tell how many people are there.
XANDER: Okay, we gotta charge or something.
ANYA: We tried that.Zoom in on Spike's face.
WILLOW VOICEOVER: Spike. Can you hear me?
SPIKE: (frowns) Yeah, loud and clear.Cut to Willow at the other side of the warehouse, with Tara behind her. Her lips don't move as she communicates telepathically to Spike.
WILLOW VOICEOVER: Is there someone up there with Dawn?
SPIKE: Yeah, can't tell who.
XANDER: Are you talking to us?
WILLOW VOICEOVER: Get up there. Go now.Spike peers out uncertainly. The crazies and minions are still in battle stance.
SPIKE: Yeah, but-
WILLOW VOICEOVER: Go!Spike gets up and charges out as the others stare at him in surprise.
Willow puts her hand behind her without looking back. Tara puts her own hand in Willow's.
The entire crowd of minions and crazies suddenly parts into two halves like the Red Sea. They all yell in surprise -- an unseen force is shoving them aside as Spike runs through. He reaches the stairs and leaps up them without slowing.
Spike gets to the last level, runs up the ramp and begins climbing the ladder.
Cut to the top. Doc produces a pocket-watch and looks at it as Dawn watches him fearfully.
DOC: Well. What do you know? (Spike appears behind him) It's just about that time.
DAWN: Spike!Doc whirls around as Spike strides slowly forward.
SPIKE: Doesn't a fella stay dead when you kill him?
DOC: Look who's talking.
SPIKE: Come on, Doc. Let's you and me have a go.
DOC: I ... (tapping his knife against his hand) do have a prior appointment.
SPIKE: This won't take long.
DOC: No, I-I don't imagine it will.Spike lunges forward. Doc sidesteps, grabs Spike around the neck, and thrusts his knife into Spike's back. Spike gasps. Dawn gasps.
Cut to below. Buffy continues hitting Glory with the hammer. Glory has blood running out of her nose. She gives Buffy an anguished look.
GLORY: You're just a mortal. You couldn't understand my pain.
BUFFY: Then I'll just have to settle for causing it.She hits Glory with the hammer again. Glory reels to the side, recovers and turns back.
GLORY: You can't kill me.
BUFFY: No ... (hefts the hammer) but my arm's not even tired yet.She hits Glory again.
Cut to the bloody knife falling onto the floor of the platform. Pan up Spike's body as he is now standing between Dawn and Doc.
SPIKE: You don't come near the girl, Doc.
DOC: I don't smell a soul anywhere on you. Why do you even care?
SPIKE: I made a promise to a lady.
DOC: Oh?Doc's long tongue appears from his mouth, shooting out at Spike, who ducks aside. Doc drops to his knees and pulls Spike's legs out from under him. Spike falls to the floor. Dawn watches anxiously as they grapple. They get to their feet, Doc holding on to Spike, pinning his arms behind him.
DOC: Then I'll send the lady your regrets.
Spike gives Dawn an agonized look.
SPIKE: (whispers) No.Doc pushes Spike over the edge.
DAWN: (screams) Aah! No!
Spike falls to the ground below, lands amid a pile of bricks and makes a pained face.
Cut to Glory falling to her knees. She looks up at Buffy, gasping, on the verge of tears.
GLORY: Stop it.
BUFFY: You're a god.Buffy hits Glory again. She falls on her back on the floor.
BUFFY: Make it stop.
Buffy goes over to Glory, kneels beside her and hits her several more times. We don't see Glory during this, just Buffy as she slams the hammer down over and over.
Now we see Glory, lying there with blood covering half her face. She morphs into Ben. Buffy stops hitting.
BEN: I'm sorry.
BUFFY: Tell her it's over. She missed her shot. (Ben watches her, not moving) She goes. She ever, *ever* comes near me and mine again...
BEN: We won't. I swear.Buffy drops the hammer and hurries away.
Ben lies there, gives a pained cough and smiles painfully but still doesn't move.
BEN: I guess we're stuck with each other, huh baby?
He breathes painfully. Giles comes over and kneels beside him.
GILES: Can you move?
BEN: Need a ... a minute. She could've killed me.
GILES: No she couldn't. Never. And sooner or later Glory will re-emerge, and ... make Buffy pay for that mercy. And the world with her. Buffy even knows that... (reaches into his pocket, takes out his glasses) and still she couldn't take a human life.Shot of Ben listening.
GILES: She's a hero, you see. (Giles puts his glasses on) She's not like us.
BEN: Us?Giles suddenly reaches down and puts his hand over Ben's nose and mouth, holding them shut. Ben struggles weakly as Giles keeps him still. Giles keeps his calm expression throughout.
Shot of the top of the tower. Sound of Dawn screaming.
Cut to close shot of Dawn's stomach in the ceremonial dress. The knife cuts a thin slash through the material and the skin. Dawn cries out and sobs in pain.
DOC: Shallow cuts... (Dawn crying) shallow cuts...
He makes another cut and Dawn cries out again.
DOC: Let the blood ... flow ...
Shot of Dawn's bare feet on the edge of the platform. Blood drips over her toes.
DOC: ...free.
BUFFY: (OS) Dawn.
DAWN: (gasping in pain) Buffy!Doc whirls around as Buffy strides forward.
DOC: This should be interesting.
Buffy doesn't even pause, just walks right past Doc, giving him a push as she goes. He falls over the edge. We can hear him faintly screaming as Buffy goes to Dawn, who continues crying.
BUFFY: Here.
DAWN: Buffy, it hurts.Another shot of Dawn's bloody feet.
BUFFY: (OS) I got it. Come here. You're gonna be okay.A few drops of Dawn's blood drip over the edge. In midair they meet something, and a small circle of light appears, quickly growing.
Buffy leads Dawn limping across the platform to the tower entrance. Dawn stops, turns to Buffy.
BUFFY: Go!
DAWN: Buffy, it's started.Buffy turns. They can both see the light of the portal.
Shot of the portal growing ever larger.
Shot of Sunnydale's main street as a huge bolt of lightning opens an enormous hole in the middle of the street. People scream and run away.
Shot of the portal crackling and sending out lightning.
Shot of a large building being hit by lightning and burning to a shell in instants.
Shot of weird demon creatures in the walls of the building, screaming in pain.
Long shot of the tower with the portal hovering beside it. Lightning continues to crackle out of it.
Cut to below. Giles stares upward. The ground shakes. The crazies and minions fall to the ground. Shot of Xander and Anya holding each other and staring up. Shot of Willow and Tara holding each other and staring up, turning to look in each other's eyes.
Shot of Spike still recovering from his fall. He rolls aside as a crack appears in the ground he's lying on.
Cut to Anya and Xander looking up.
ANYA: Xander!Anya pushes Xander aside as a bolt of lightning goes by and a pile of bricks falls on Anya's head.
XANDER: Anya!
Shot of Anya lying unmoving among the bricks.
Shot of the portal continuing t