Final Thoughts by Cheri

Chapter Ten

Fade in Hyperion – Lobby

For a moment everyone seems frozen at the events. Faith is the first to finally react.

She advances and they both go at it. Her first attack is easily blocked and she spins to deliver a roundhouse kick that catches him in the back. He stumbles slightly and turns to smile at her.

Angelus: I gotta say I’m disappointed Faith. You were so close and then you blew it.

Faith: That’s our boy. Too stupid to know when to shut his mouth and fight.

He frowns and comes at her. They exchange several blows and seem to be evenly matched, neither giving an inch until he catches her with a backhand and her head snaps back at the impact. When she looks back at him, she’s bleeding from her lip.

Angelus: What? Fight over already?

Wesley: Not even close. (comes forward with a cross) This is a tag team event my Friend, and I’d say you’re decidedly teamless.

Angelus flinches slightly at the cross an then growls angrily.

Angelus: I’ve got plenty on the way. Didn’t you hear? It’s a welcome home party and I’m the guest of honor.

With that he savagely knocks the cross loose and it flies across the floor stopping at Cordelia’s feet. Angelus punches Wesley in the midsection and shoves him backwards against Lorne. They both fall.

Angelus: Who’s next? I’m loving the workout.

Connor: How about me Dad?

Angelus turns to see him standing behind him.

Cordy: No!

They all exchange a look and Angelus faces Cordelia.

Angelus: Talk about evil. I have to give you some credit though. He’s suffered a lot, but what you did…that’s right up there Beautiful.

Cordy: (sarcastic) Like I’m gonna listen to anything you say.

She bends to pick up the cross and hold it in front of her.

Angelus: What is it with you people and the old school? And you sweetheart? After what you did last night, that thing might just burn you too.

Connor: Leave her alone.

Faith and Connor have moved on either side of him. They each hold a chain and set of shackles. When Angelus turns, they each swing them around like a lasso. Connor’s goes around his neck and Faith’s around his ankles. He reaches to try and pull at his neck but both pull hard and Angelus is laid out. Before he can react, Connor practically hogties him and he’s shackled on the floor writhing and furious.

Lorne: Is that gonna hold him?

Wesley: Not for long. Come, all of you, we must work quickly.

 

Cut to W & H

Lilah is in research basement when Gavin enters.

Gavin: What are you doing holed up down here?

Lilah: (exhaling heavily) Can you ever walk in a room sans the stupid questions?

Gavin: The senior partners were very explicit.

Lilah: Yes Gavin. They were…with me. And as part of my increased responsibility of late, I have taken it upon myself to do some research. Do you have a problem with that?

Gavin: We have people to do that for you. (looks around) Where is the recordkeeper?

Lilah: Perhaps you should go look for her.

Gavin: They said to prepare for the arrival.

Lilah’s cell phone rings and she picks it up.

Lilah: What? (pause and changes tone) Interesting. (pause) I’m sure you know what you’re doing. (pause) No. I have my own business to do. I’m afraid you’re on your own. (pause) Now where would the fun be if I told you that? (smiles) Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow. If there is one.

She hangs up the phone.

Gavin: Was that Wyndham-Price? How can you let yourself get so cozy with him? I fear you’re losing your priorities.

Lilah: Not that I care one iota what you think of me Gavin, but I really don’t have time for the verbal tag right now. So I’ll tell you what. I sent Miss Rolo-eyes back to E-32 to retrieve the Migaut text and she hasn’t come back. Why don’t you go help her find it and I’ll fill you in when you get back?

He hesitates but she smiles up at him and he turns to follow his instructions. He walks past several rows of books and finally reaches the section marked E. He turns the corner and cries out in surprise at the Priest of the First.

Gavin: (nervous laughter) whoa. Sneaky aren’t you? Guess it comes with the territory. Have you seen…(looks at him) never mind. Excuse me.

He steps past him and begins scanning the books for the volumes Lilah requested. Without a sound, a blade protrudes through his abdomen. He looks down in confusion and sees the blood begin to seep. The priest moves in closer behind him and twists the blade savagely.

Gavins cry of pain reaches Lilah’s ears as she continues to jot down notes. Her only reaction is a self-satisfied smirk.

Lilah: Even apocalypses can have silver linings.

 

Cut to Sunnydale

Fred and Anya try to push the door off of them but its being held by some force. Dawn struggles and then sees Willow staring down the beast.

Willow: (concentrating and calm) Return.

The door flies back to its point of origin and knocks the beast back out. But it’s sideways instead of where it belongs. She holds out a hand to prevent it from moving.

Beast: Witch.

Fred: (calling loudly) Gunn!

Willow: (same) Giles.

Dawn: (frantic) Buffy!

Anya: (looks around and shrugs defeatedly) Xander!

The four appear at the top of the stairs just as Willow loses her hold and the door is splintered by one blow from the Beast.

Xander: Hey! Watch the door!

Buffy leaps over the railing and lands at the girls side before stepping in front.

Buffy: So is there like a Map to the Slayers homes that I’m not aware of?

It strikes quickly. Buffy stumbles back in shock.

Buffy: Wait. You’re obviously new. Let me explain. I quip, you quip back, we banter, we fight, we banter some more and then I kill you. Got it?

He lunges and she ducks under his swing to spin around behind him.

Buffy: Guess not.

She kicks him in the back.

Buffy: Giles!

Giles: Oh right. Ladies, run!

The four women run into the living room as Giles and Gunn rush down the stairs. Xander grabs a print off the wall and leans over the railing to smash it over it’s head.

Buffy: (annoyed) Xander!

Xander: (holding frame pieces) What? (looks down at the mess) Oh sorry.

Gunn: (pulls dagger from his belt) Alright ugly. Let’s go. You ready for round 2 cause…

It backhands Gunn and he flies into Xander coming down the stairs.

Fred: Charles! (Willow pulls her back)

Buffy advances again and the two warriors exchange several blows. She takes a solid punch and her neck snaps back from the blow. She seems almost dazed when Giles appears between them holding the box from LA. It seems to get the Beast’s attention

Giles: Recognize this?

Beast: They marked him. It will be done.

Giles: So why are you here?

Beast: (points at Buffy) This one.

Buffy: Gosh, I don’t know what to say. Oh wait, how about Bite me?

It snatches the box from Giles hand and crushes it to dust. Buffy grabs a broadsword mounted behind the table and swings it wildly.

Buffy: Giles duck!

He obeys and Buffy takes a swing at the beast. He easily avoids the blade and grabs her wrist. He twists and she falls to one knee allowing him to turn the blade against her throat. It presses against the flesh drawing blood. Buffy grimaces.

Beast: I expected more.

Xander: Oh we got more.

Out of nowhere, everyone rushes in. Anya attacks with a heavy bookend beating the beast on the back as Xander reaches his side. The beast ignores them and goes for the kill, but the blade doesn’t move. Willow has found strength from somewhere and the blood disappears instantly.

Gunn, Fred and Giles bum rush it from the other side using chairs as weapons. And Dawn pushes the sword away with both hands. For this, she gets the first blow. It leaves her unconscious against the couch. Buffy takes the sword by the handle and rips it from the beast’s grasp. She extends her arm burying it deep down in the thing’s chest barely missing the heart.

Anya: (grimacing) Oww. Hurts doesn’t it? Buffy just loves the sword through the heart thing.

It growls angrily and Buffy pulls the sword loose. It looks down to see the slice. It only infuriates him. He proceeds to flail wildly mowing through all of them with deadly hand to hand. Buffy is the last left standing but finds herself helplessly flying through the air landing hard halfway up the stairs. She senses him advancing again and struggles to focus. She gets up on one elbow and drops weakly when she puts weight on it to stand up.

Buffy: (mumbling) Not like this.

She waits for the next blow but it never comes. She raises her eyes and sees the beast only two steps down staring above her head. She turns painfully to see the bandaged spike looking down from above.

Spike: I don’t think you want me to come down there.

The group left downstairs watches cautiously. Buffy gets to her feet standing between the two.

Beast: You made it so simple.

Buffy: Huh?

Spike: I think someone made a wrong turn. You don’t belong here. Don’t you have a schedule to stick to Mate?

Beast: You’ve interfered in ways not repairable. Your suffering will be great.

Giles looks at Willow and nods. She closes her eyes and begins speaking too low to hear. Xander picks Dawn up and moves away with Anya, Fred and Gunn.

The beast senses something and turns to look at Willow. He leaps down to stop her but it’s too late. She opens her eyes and looks at the floor under his feet. Three huge black serpents burst through the floor and two wrap themselves around his ankles. One more moves past him.

Giles pushes the small group farther behind him and watches Willow with concern. Her eyes have gone black and she seems painfully conflicted and struggles to maintain control.

Beast: You can’t stop what is already done. We will keep coming. You only delay destiny. You can not change it.

Willow: (deadly calm) What can I say? I’m a procrastinator.

The snakes pull the beast underground as the other stays behind. Willow collapses in exhaustion and the hole is sealed. She passes out.

Xander: Um Giles…

The serpent moves quickly up the stairs. It strikes at Buffy and she dodges the best she can. It is about to strike again when Gunn rushes it and uses his dagger to stab it. The head rears up and Giles slices it through with the broadsword. The pieces fall to the ground harmless.

Everyone gathers around the bottom of the stairs Xander and Dawn check on Willow. Giles, Fred and Anya look up at the ones on the stairs.

Giles: Is everyone okay?

Buffy: (quietly) I think we might have a problem.

Anya: Ya think?

Giles: Buffy?

He looks up as Buffy’s eyes roll back in her head. Before he can react, she pitches forward tumbling down the stairs.

Dawn: Buffy!

Spike is down the stairs in an instant, injury forgotten.

Spike: (sees she’s unconscious) What the bloody hell is going on?

Fred bends with Giles to roll her over on her back.

Giles: Buffy? Can you hear me?

Fred: Look.

She points to two marks on her arm.

Fred: Snake bite.

Dawn: Oh God. (runs to sit by Buffy and shake her) Wake up! Buffy open your eyes!

 

Cut to Hyperion

Angelus is now sitting in a chair. He’s still shackled and is surrounded by a circle of crosses and holy water on the floor. Just outside of that circle is another human circle.

Faith, Wesley, Lorne, Connor are arms length apart all holding stakes. Faith twirls hers absentmindedly. Cordelia is nowhere to be seen.

Angelus: This is really growing tiresome. This was your plan? To release me only to keep me chained here while your pathetic world is destroyed? I would have expected more from you Faith.

Wesley: When you’re ready to listen to reason….

Angelus: (interrupts) Like you ‘reasoned’ taking the baby from him? (Wesley is visibly bothered by this) Don’t get me wrong. You did the brat a favor. (looks at Connor) It’s just too bad he found a way out of the hell that he belongs in. Then again, it looks like he may have brought it with him. Score.

Connor: Shut your mouth.

Angelus: (chuckling) Atta boy. I’m feeling your rage. Use it. I could teach you how you know.

Faith: God I forgot how much you liked to hear yourself talk.

Angelus: You’ve never heard me. You’ve heard about me. Nothing like living color.

Faith: Right. So Wes, if he won’t talk or at least hear us out, can I just kill him?

Cordelia: No.

She steps into the room and the others look at her watching Angelus closely.

Angelus: Look who finally joined the party. I was afraid you weren’t going to be here to torture later.

Cordelia: I’m not going anywhere.

Connor: Stay outside the circle.

Angelus: Yes, listen to Connor. Or would you rather just find a room and have another go?

Cordelia: (deadpan)I guess someone should get some action since you’re pretty much helpless. Too bad.

Angelus: I’m never helpless. And you aren’t ready to see me in action.

Connor: What do you want to do? Kill us all? What then?

Angelus: (smiling) Oh, there’s so much to be done. I wouldn’t know where to start. But fortunately for me, I’ll have plenty of time to do it all.

Wesley: If you don’t listen to us, there will be no world to ravage. There are things happening now that are bigger than anything you’ve come across. We’re looking at the destruction of this world, possibly all worlds, all dimensions.

Angelus: Do you know how many of these I’ve seen? Not as many as I’d like thanks to the Gypsies but in case you’ve forgotten I tend to go for the ending of the world. Whatever happened to old Acathla?

Wesley: He’s dormant and buried deeper than you could ever hope to dig.

Angelus: Whatever. I’ve got new opportunities thanks to you all. So when are we going to stop with the bondage? I’m thinking someone likes the way I look in shackles.

Faith: I’d like you better with your mouth taped shut. Hey Green, you got any duct tape around here?

Cordelia: No. No duct tape. (she steps past the group and over the crosses) It’s my turn to talk.

Connor: What are you doing?

Wesley: This isn’t a good idea.

Cordy walks to place a hand on Angelus’s shoulder and he recoils slightly.

Cordy: Why don’t you and I have a talk? I remember you used to love to talk.

Angelus: That was different. And you know it.

Faith: Wesley, what’s she doing?

Wesley: I’m not quite sure.

Lorne: Hey, does anyone hear that?

Connor: It’s scratching. Something’s scratching.

Angelus: You give yourself too much credit. Even if there was something appealing once, you’re unclean. And that’s saying a lot coming from me.

Cordy: But you still like the game. And what fun would there be if you just destroyed the world and there was no one left to make suffer? Come on, I at least thought you’d make it interesting.

Angelus: And what if I do? Do you think you could possibly have any effect either way. At least the slayer was true to her pathetic emotions. You couldn’t get the soulful moron, so you went for the next best thing. You’re not worth it.

Cordelia seems to be hurt by this but quickly brushes it aside.

Faith: What is that sound?

Wesley: It’s coming from the doors. Or the walls.

Angelus: (smiling) I told you they were coming. And if you think I’m bad, wait till you see this.

Cordelia finally hears it and turns just in time to see the doors open. The group turns to see the gnarled vampire at the door. He looks around the room and seems to sniff the air. He advances inside and Connor steps forward. When Cordelia sees this she heads straight for him.

Faith: Don’t think you wanna do that girlfriend.

Cordy: Shut up.

The vamp steps up to Connor seemingly studying him. Connor doesn’t back down and only moves when Cordelia reaches the pair and the vampire recoils.

Cordy: (frowning) What’s your deal?

Wesley: How peculiar?

Faith: How peculiar? That’s all you’re gonna say?

Angelus: I’ve got something to say.

Lorne: I’m thinking wrong room, Creepmaster.

Angelus: Could you just stand elsewhere cause I’m about to choke on the stench of your fear demon.

Lorne: Promise?

The vampire moves away from Connor and watches Cordy wearily. She takes a step and sees him take a step to keep up some distance between them.

Cordelia: I think he’s scared of me.

Connor: Why?

Cordy: Don’t ask me. Wes?

Wesley: More important question might be what is he? He’s unlike any vampire I’ve ever seen.

Faith: Uber ugly if you ask me. I’m thinking way past his expiration date. A body can only go so long before it’s gonna give.

Lorne: So he’s just your average vamp then. We can stop him then right?

Connor: Stop him from what? What’s he doing here?

Angelus: I’m gonna go with the spawn on this one. (looks at vamp) Hello? Do you have any purpose or are you just sightseeing?

The vamp steps toward Angel and Faith moves forward. Wes stops her and points at the water and crosses. She stops to watch him hit the barrier.

Angelus: Say, you might want to pay attention Friend.

He looks down just as the vamp steps directly on a cross and shows no pain. Everyone watching seems completely thrown by this.

Lorne: Maybe I haven’t mentioned it lately but uh-oh.

The vamp’s next step knocks over the holy water and it splashes up on his leg but again he doesn’t falter. Angelus almost gets doused and scoots sideways in the chair.

Angelus: Watch it!

The vamp leans down and sniffs Angelus then looks at the shackles. He uses a long crooked nail to pop the first lock and Angelus doesn’t hesitate to break the second and free himself.

Cordelia: No!

She steps forward and the vamp cowers behind Angelus.

Angelus: Hold up there, you’re bothering my new friend. I’d say you better stay back.

Faith: You’re not leaving this hotel.

Angelus: (looks at vamp) I love it when they say that. (looks at Faith) And you think you can stop me? No more chains to cheat with.

Connor: We don’t need chains. You won’t be loose in the city.

Angelus: (snicker) You really don’t get it do you? You’re not real. How you were made, what brought you here, it wasn’t any of this Boy. You’re a cosmic mistake and now every dimension and power on both sides is gonna have to clean up the mess. Your mess.

Wesley: He is stronger than that. He won’t be affected by your sadistic ramblings.

Angelus: Won’t he?

Faith begins to move on the other side of the two vampires.

Cordelia: There has to be something left. You can’t just be gone.

Angelus: Oh wait. I know this line. (condescending and mimics a familiar time) This can’t be you. There has to be some part of you, deep down that still remembers. Some part of you left in there. (stops and straightens up to go to human face) Look at me boys and girls, take notes if necessary. Things are about to get better than interesting.

He smiles and steps towards the atrium exit. Faith rushes forward, stake raised. He lifts one arm to deflect her strike and grabs her wrist with the other. In the same movement, he knees her in the kidney and the stake falls into his hand. She drops to one knee and Connor steps forward.

Angelus slings the stake with precision and it embeds itself in Connor’s shoulder. He grunts and grabs at the weapon.

Angelus: You’ve been asking for that since day one.

He turns to follow the vamp out and Wesley releases a stake from his spring loaded wrist sheath and it flies through the air. Angelus ducks and it lands in the vamps back apparently through the heart. It hisses but doesn’t stop and Angelus pulls it out. The wound heals itself.

He turns with a vindictive smirk twirling the stake in his hands.

Cordelia: We’ll find you. Whereever you go, what ever you try to do, we’ll be there to stop you.

Angelus: (hand on heart in faux concern) Ouch. And just when we were so close to the truth. (shrugs) Oh well. I wouldn’t expect less. Like I said, way better than interesting.

He turns to leave and this time the ones left behind just watch in horror.

Angelus: (to vamp) Can you show me how you do the whole stake through the heart-not dying thing? That is so cool.

 

Cut to Sunnydale

Willow: What have I done? Oh God, what did I do?

Xander: You didn’t do anything. Well besides bringing forth a dark magical snake to snack on Buffy.

Willow: Oh God.

Anya: That was crass even for me.

Xander: What? No! I didn’t mean, Willow, it’s not your fault.

Gunn: Maybe next time you could just leave it at that.

Dawn: Giles, talk to me. Why isn’t she waking up?

Giles: (wiping the bite mark with a cloth and seeing the black veins growing outward from it) I’m not sure Dawn. We can figure this out.

Spike: What’s that? Is that poison?

Fred: I’ve never seen poison do this. I mean, there’s blood poisoning and snake bites can cause spider web vein appearance as it travels but it’s usually red or blue maybe but…

Xander: It’s black. I’ve seen that before. We’ve all seen that before.

Anya, Dawn and Giles all look at Willow. Tears spill from her lashes.

Willow: I just wanted to help her. He was going to kill her. (loks at them) You saw it right? I mean, we had no choice. I had no choice!

She runs out of the room and the others look at each other.

Xander: Maybe someone should go.

Spike: Maybe someone should worry about Buffy right now!

Dawn: This is your fault. You showed up and got him all pissed off. Now look at her.

Giles: Everyone just calm down. Xander, go get Willow and tell her we need her to find out where she pulled them from and what they were. We have to know how to remove the poison.

Anya: We can do that?

Giles: Yes. But I don’t know how much time we have.

Dawn: I’ll help. Xander, let’s go.

They leave the room and Anya and Gunn step back as Spike leans in to touch Buffy’s face. Giles looks at him strangely and he backs off.

Anya: Maybe you should lie down Spike. You look very bad.

Spike: I’m not going back up in that bed when she’s down here.

Giles: Then go sit over there and stop not breathing down my neck.

He goes begrudgingly and Anya heads for the kitchen.

Gunn: Maybe I should find something to cover the gaping hole where the door used to be.

Giles: Check the basement. Xander keeps supplies down there.

Gunn: Guess this happens a lot around here. Got it. The hotel seems to be destruction central too.

The phone rings off screen and Giles looks back at Buffy. She’s breathing is slow and labored. She’s broken into a cold sweat. He covers her with a blanket.

Spike: She’s gonna suffocate under that thing.

Giles: Thanks for the tip Doctor.

Spike: Sod off.

Anya walks in the living room with the cordless.

Anya: Um Giles, I think you need to take this.

Giles: Who is it Anya? I’m rather busy.

Anya: Wesley. The annoying watcher that Buffy fired.

A muffled yell is heard from the phone. Giles takes it.

Giles: Wesley? Is there a problem? (pause) I knew it was a mistake. What did I…yes I suppose it is too little too late. And it was another vampire? Sounds like our visitor and he have something in common. (pause) Well that would be difficult right at the moment. (pause) Because she’s unconscious. (pause) Snake bite. (pause) Would you like the story or would you like to stop Angelus?

Spike: (sits up) Angelus?

Giles: Don’t do anything yet. Send Faith and the boy on patrol. Keep in touch and you wait for my call. Let me consult with the others and find the best approach.

He hangs up and Spike asks again.

Spike: Did you say Angelus?

Giles: Not now Spike.

Anya: (waits for a few seconds) How about now?

Willow, Xander and Dawn walk in the room. Gunn enters from the basement with some wood.

Fred: They did it. They really did it.

Gunn: Did what?

Fred looks at him and he knows.

Gunn: He’s back.

Xander: Who’s back? What did I miss?

Fred: Angelus.

Xander: Say again.

 

Cut to W&H

Lilah is looking out her window in her office when the man walks in.

Man: It has begun.

Lilah: About time.

Man: You have no idea what you’ve released.

Lilah: Don’t underestimate me. And where is it?

Man: If I tell you that it will be all over.

Lilah: Smart man. I’m impressed.

Man: There isn’t a lot of time.

Lilah: You got that right.

Man: You’ve been using the harbingers for personal gain. It will count against you in the end.

Lilah: I’m not concerned with the end. What I have planned is going to knock all of them on their asses. From the pits of hell to the far reaches of whatever utopia they believe in, I will watch the last standing with a smile on my face.

She turns back to look out the window and the man fades out.

Cut to LA – Streets

Angelus walks along smiling with fresh blood on his chin. He starts to wipe it off but hesitates.

Angelus: Not this time. (looks at Vamp) Not like this.

They walk out of frame to reveal a dead blonde in the alley.

Fade to black