Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Summer Script Challenge
The Powers that Be Pro Temporae
Episode 6.17: My Sister's Keeper
By Noggins and AminalLuv
Note from the author: Yup, it's been a while but I (Noggins) have been pretty busy in uni. The rest of the team are too but I've felt the urge to continue the series, alone this time but with the aid of all the ideas the others came up with during the planning stages. The last few eps should be out over the next month...and trust me it'll have been worth the wait!!! Well, I hope so anyway! - Noggins (=-\)
GILES (V.O)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
From "From Sunnydale With Love":
We watch Dawn fighting with kids in school and out on patrol while we hear Buffy and Giles speaking.
GILES (V.O)
It is as if she was infused
with the purest Slayer essence
ever. Can't say its done
much for her personality.
BUFFY (V.O.)
It's as if I don't know who
she is anymore. And I'm scared.
From "Rifting":
Dawn pulls her arm away and whips out a knife, which she holds at Spike's throat.
DAWN
Touch me again and this is
gonna be through your throat.
SPIKE
(a little nervously)
Y-you couldn't do it. I'm human.
You can't kill humans.
DAWN
(threateningly)
I can't kill innocents, Spike. And
last I heard you were far from that.
From "From Sunnydale With Love":
The Watchers are all in the Magic Box explaining what's happened to Dawn.
NIGEL
We extracted they part of
her that was the Key, and
substituted the essence of
the first Slayer. It was not
a lengthy procedure, and
Dawn was not aware of what
was happening.
TEASER
EXTERIOR: CEMETERY - night
Dawn and Buffy are out on patrol together.
BUFFY
…I really think you should try
to get back into school… Maybe
we could go talk to principal
Spalding again… he seems a
lot more liberal than Snyder.
Maybe…
DAWN
Are you ever gonna quit talking
about that damn school?
BUFFY
I want the best for you, Dawnie.
Can't you understand that?
DAWN
I can understand you want me
to try and beat the crap out of
you again.
BUFFY
(shocked)
Dawn!
Dawn just shakes her head and keeps walking. Buffy catches up with her again.
BUFFY
(C'tnd)
Dawn! I don't want you throwing
your life away. You've only just
started high school. They're the
best years of your life! I mean,
you haven't got a Hellmouth
right below the library and…
DAWN
See? You're doing it again!
BUFFY
Doing what exactly?
DAWN
Trying to protect me! I'm a
Slayer! I don't think it really
matters whether or not there's
a Hellmouth under my high
school because I'm not going
back there. Being expelled was
a good thing.
BUFFY
(utter disbelief)
A good thing…?
DAWN
That's what I said. Now I can
carry on my duties without any
more homework! Do you realise
that's all you and Giles have been
talking about for those last few
months? "Dawn do your homework!"…
"Dawn, you should be doing your
homework"… "Dawn…"
Their (rather one sided) conversation is cut short when a red skinned, scaly Demon with horns bursts out of the darkness. They move aside in time and don't get hit. The demon looks around.
Dawn suddenly jumps into action, punching and kicking the hell out of it.
BUFFY
Dawn! Hang on!
Buffy jumps into the attack. She's about to the punch the demon when Dawn grabs her arm and throws her aside so she can fight alone.
DAWN
I don't need any distractions!
Dawn knocks the demon to the ground. It jumps up with its claws ready to attack. Dawn stops it in its tracks and with a quick movement breaks one of its arms with a loud crack.
ANGLE ON: Buffy as she looks incredibly shocked at all of this.
Dawn grabs a sword from a scabbard she has on her back and drives it through the demon violently! She yanks it out and decapitates the Demon. It's limp body falls to the floor.
DAWN
Hralik demon. Thought by some
ancient cultures to be the devil
himself. Of course, there are
hundreds of them scattered all
over the world…
BUFFY
(sarcastically)
Wow. Slayer and Watcher in
one. Maybe Giles should be
watching his back too.
DAWN
Very funny. Come on.
Dawn walks off, not even offering to help Buffy back onto her feet. Buffy watches her go in a state of shock.
CREDITS
ACT ONE
EXTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - early morning
Establishing shot. It's still pretty early but the sun is up. About six or seven AM.
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - morning
Giles and Spike are talking to the rest of the Scoobies (Xander, Willow, Tara and Anya) about what's been happening with Dawn. They're scattered throughout the room on the sofa or leaning against walls. They can't believe what they're hearing.
WILLOW
So our trip to England wasn't
just to kill Lillith?
TARA
They wanted Dawn to… to do
these things to…
GILES
Y-yes. According to our now
departed Watcher friends some
mystics working for the Council
were unable to undo the spell
the monks cast to create Dawn.
They extracted the part of her
that was the Key and took the
spirit of the Slayer…
XANDER
The one we cast together to
beat Adam?
GILES
Very similar but not exactly
the same. They infused that
spirit with Dawn. Much like
the ancient shamans, who
were later to become the
watchers, when they created
the first ever Slayer. Of course,
we all suspected those spells
were lost long ago…
XANDER
Obviously not.
WILLOW
I guess that must've been on
a need to know only basis by
the top Watchers.
GILES
(continuing)
And only to be used in the
most dire of circumstances…
TARA
And that happens to be now.
But still, how could they
determine who was to be
chosen…
GILES
Clearly, now the line of Slayers
has increased and there are
multiple potential Slayers.
Several incantations were likely
To have been cast to ensure
Dawn's chances of being called
were increased. Then, it seems,
they arranged Faith's death.
None of the others know what to say. There are several moments of silence.
ANYA
So why Dawn?
GILES
What? I just explained…
ANYA
No! Not how Dawn! Why
Dawn? Why go through
the trouble of Key extracting
and putting the Slayer soul
into her? Surely they could
have just done it to anyone…
SPIKE
The Watchers obviously think
they have some humanity to
'em… not much, but some. They
thought since Dawn wasn't real
it would absolve them from any
blame. To inflict what they did
on a, how they would put it,
"normal" human being is too
much even for them.
Willow seems thoughtful as she glances over to a shelf full of magic books that Giles keeps in his house. Tara notices.
TARA
What is it?
WILLOW
(looking back at the group)
There must be some way we
can get the Slayer spirit out
of her. If we knew the spell
that was used to do this…
ANYA
If only the highest Watchers
have access to it then it must
be difficult… probably impossible
to get a hold of.
TARA
And only dark magic could
have been used to do this.
Remember, Buffy was told
the Slayer's power lies in
darkness… and if this is really
the spell used to create the
first Slayer we're talking about…
XANDER
And you're not exactly dark
magic friendly at the moment.
One black spell and poof! You're
all red and glowy and painful
to the touch.
We hear a loud off screen thud. It's Spike. He's punched the wall.
SPIKE
Damn it!
XANDER
That's not exactly good for
you… I know.
(contemplates)
At least Giles has better walls.
SPIKE
We have to solve this somehow.
(to Tara)
If we can find a way… could
you do it?
TARA
I… I'm not even close to being
powerful enough… a-and I
couldn't perform black magic.
It-it's against my…
SPIKE
(frustrated, angry…)
What? Code of practice? This
is Dawn's life we're talking
about! Sod your bloody ethics!
WILLOW
(snaps)
Don't shout at Tara!
Spike is suddenly down. Tears start forming in his eyes as he tries to stop himself crying out of sadness and anger.
SPIKE
We can't lose Dawn to this!
Now we know we can rescue
her from this… we can't just.
(beat)
She's the only one who understood
me when I was still a vampire…
the only one who gave a crap
when they rest of you wanted
to plunge a stake through my
heart every opportunity you
got… We can't just…
Willow moves to comfort him but he pushes her away. He tries to regain his composure.
SPIKE
(under his breath)
Bloody soul…
(a little louder)
Wouldn't have been like this
when I was a vamp no matter
what happened.
WILLOW
That's not a bad thing… Look,
we're gonna do everything we
can to figure this out. But first
we need Dawn to admit she
has a problem…
INTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - morning
Meanwhile Dawn is talking with Lydia. She's really pissed and Lydia is trying to get through to her.
LYDIA
Maybe you should give her
a break…
DAWN
How many more breaks do I
have to give her? She just
gets in the way, she's too
emotional… she keeps talking
to me like I'm not the Slayer…
LYDIA
She's just concerned…
DAWN
No! She's trying to get rid of
me! She knows that my being
around is just putting her to
shame… I'm making her realise
she's not worthy to be a Slayer!
There's an almost deathly silence after those words. Lydia can't believe what she's hearing. She tries to get some words out.
LYDIA
I… I don't think that is exactly
true, do you? Buffy has, in her
lifetime, done everything a Slayer
should.
DAWN
What? Get killed?
LYDIA
(taken aback even more)
S-sometimes a Slayer must
sacrifice herself to make the
world a better place. It's a
worthy sacrifice… one Buffy
has been willing to make…
twice…
DAWN
Really? Because the first time
I still think was stupidity. I was
there. I saw it. I even tried to
warn her but she didn't listen
and the Master just bit her. If it
wasn't for me and Xander she
would have been too far gone…
They didn't even have the heart
to tell me what was going on!
I didn't even know what the
Master was… just some ugly
guy.
(pauses)
But that's not the point.
LYDIA
What are you saying?
DAWN
I'm saying she's sloppy. She
doesn't take things seriously
anymore. She's come back
from the dead twice and she
just doesn't seem to care about
her duties. Maybe next time she
gets unlucky she should just
stay dead. Then there'd only
be one Slayer - me!
LYDIA
(a little nervous)
I really don't think you know
what you're talking about…
(beat)
P-perhaps you should return
home. I'm sure Mr. Giles is
waiting for you.
DAWN
Are you trying to get rid of me?
LYDIA
N-no. Of course not. I'm just
worried he'll come storming in
here again like he's done before
and… and I haven't tidied up.
I really couldn't do with another
visit from him.
DAWN
Sure, whatever. Training in the
shop later?
LYDIA
Of course.
Dawn quickly leaves. Once the door is closed behind her, Lydia quickly picks up the telephone and dials some numbers. She waits several seconds until there's an answer.
LYDIA
Hello? This is Lydia Barlow.
(pause)
Yes, the Slayer's Watcher.
(pause)
Look, I need to speak with
Mr. Travers immediately….
(in an annoyed voice)
Monkey….M-O-N
(scene starts to fade out as she finishes spelling the password)
K-E-Y
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - morning
Everyone is sitting around, talking and arguing about what to do. Anya is no longer with the group. The door opens and they suddenly go silent in case it's Dawn. It turns out to be Buffy.
BUFFY
Hey guys… uh, whatcha doing?
GILES
I was informing the others about
the current situation with Dawn.
They clearly needed to know.
BUFFY
(a little out of it)
Yeah, yeah. I guess…
XANDER
So how was patrolling with
little sis?
(looks to the door)
And where is she anyway?
BUFFY
She went straight to Lydia's
to report in like the dutiful
Slayer she is.
(sits down, shocked)
I still can't believe it…
GILES
What? What happened?
BUFFY
A demon attacked us, you know,
the usual… but when I tried to
join in I was just pushed out
of the way…
XANDER
The demon pushed you?
BUFFY
(shakes her head)
No. Dawn did… She said I was
a distraction. She killed the
thing and didn't want me
to have anything to do with it.
There's a general consensus of "wowsers!" around the room.
GILES
Is she okay?
SPIKE
(worried)
Okay? The girl's lost it. This
Slayer soul has taken over…
but it's worse than any Slayer…
it's…
TARA
What?
SPIKE
Back when I was a vampire I
used to love hunting alone,
showing off. Used to really piss
off Angel and Darla, the arty
buggers that they were… I just
wanted the kill… made
me feel better about myself…
made me more vicious.
(pauses)
Used to impress Dru too… and
that always led to something
more than karmic rewards.
BUFFY
(shaking her head, almost irrationally)
How can you compare Dawn to
your former self? She's a Slayer,
not a vampire!
SPIKE
And what's a better way to hunt
your prey than by adopting their
methods?
Buffy really isn't amused by this. She begins pacing anxiously, but not taking her angry eyes off Spike.
BUFFY
Hunt? You're talking like she's
a killer! And Dawn's not a killer!
She isn't!
SPIKE
Luv, I told you last night she
threatened me and it's time this
lot knew too. I tried not to take
it too seriously, but… She put a
knife to my throat and I know
that if she does it again I'm a
dead man…
WILLOW
How can you even say that?
After all you just said to defend
her! She wouldn't kill a human…
that's just not a Slayer… it's
not Dawn!
SPIKE
But she's slowly becoming less
and less Dawn and more the
Super Slayer. If Dawn is tapping
that primal power…
GILES
(interrupting)
Her body and mind is unable
to cope with it. It will slowly
take her over, driving out any
humanity inside her… I'm afraid
she's quite capable of anything.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - MAIN - morning
Anya is preparing to open the shop. She's getting the cash register ready.
ANYA
(to herself)
To make me leave when things
got exciting. Typical…
She goes to the door and unlocks it, turning the "closed" sign around. The door is suddenly pushed open and Dawn walks in.
DAWN
About time.
ANYA
(a little miffed)
We're open the same time as
usual Miss Super Slayer.
DAWN
The forces of darkness don't
work nine 'til five, you know.
You should be open all the time.
Dawn makes her way to the training room.
ANYA
So what're you up to today?
Obviously not school since,
well, you've been expelled.
Dawn just ignores her.
ANYA
(getting louder as Dawn gets further away)
You know even I had to suffer
high school… well, the senior
year anyway. And not by choice.
And it was pretty traumatic for
someone newly human. So I
understand your pain…
Dawn's gone. Anya looks a little annoyed but goes about her work again.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - TRAINING ROOM - morning
Dawn goes straight for a box of weapons and starts discarding ones she doesn't want until she gets to several knives. She looks at the blades emotionlessly.
BLACK OUT
(End of Act One)
ACT TWO
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - MAIN - day
Anya is moving some items around on a shelf. She looks over to the door of the training room and notices there isn't any sounds coming from it.
ANYA
Dawn? Dawnie? Are you okay
in there? Because I thought
your training meant you make
loads of "ooh! I'm getting tougher"
noises.
There isn't a reply. Anya goes over to the slightly ajar door.
ANYA
Dawn?
She pushes the door open and we look into the training room from Anya's POV. Some weapons are missing from the walls and ones that weren't wanted are thrown all over the place. The back door has been left open.
ANYA
Oh no.
INTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - day
Lydia is frantically tapping her feet on the floor as she tries to get through to Quentin Travers. She's being put on hold.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
I assure you we're trying to
find him. It appears that he's
quite busy at the moment.
LYDIA
I don't care if he's busy! I need
to speak with him immediately.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
Excuse me a moment.
There's a pauses as Lydia becomes more and more frantic.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
It seems Mr. Travers only
wishes to be disturbed in
the most extreme circumstances.
LYDIA
Extreme circumstances? This
is a bloody emergency!
There's another pause.
LYDIA
Are you still there?
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
I'm putting you through to
Mr. Travers' office right away.
There is a click and QUENTIN TRAVERS is on the other end of the line.
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Hello?
LYDIA
Mr. Travers! This is Lydia!
We have a problem.
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Yes, yes. I've received word
from Nigel and his team.
The plan has been deemed a
failure.
LYDIA
(panicked)
Plan? What plan? Since when
was there a plan? I was just
sent here to train Dawn.
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Yes… yes… That's right…
LYDIA
(suspiciously)
Is there something you
haven't been telling me?
QUENTIN (V.O.)
That's not important. You'll
be debriefed upon your return
to England.
LYDIA
(really confused)
My-my return to…?
QUENTIN (V.O.)
We'll be booking seats on every
plane from Sunnydale International
to London. I suggest you get on
the first one you can.
LYDIA
What… what about Dawn? I'm
supposed to be training her… I
have to…
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Ms. Barlow, I suggest you
return to the Council before,
to use a rather colloquial term,
the shit hits the fan.
The telephone is slammed down on the other end. Lydia looks around nervously. She doesn't know what to think.
There's a knock on the door and she jumps, turning around looking quite scared…
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - day
Buffy is pacing around while the other Scoobies sit around not sure what to do.
XANDER
You know, you're gonna wear
down the carpet if you keep
doing that…
BUFFY
(ignoring Xander)
I have to go find her. She
should have been back from
Lydia's by now.
GILES
I don't think that's quite a
good idea.
BUFFY
I have to talk to her… she needs
to know what's happened to her…
Giles looks even more concerned. He puts his hands on Buffy's shoulders to stop her pacing and looks directly at her.
GILES
I honestly believe that would
be the worst thing you could
possibly do. It will only make
her more unstable.
BUFFY
But… but if she doesn't know
anything's wrong then she
won't want to help us make
it right…
WILLOW
Buffy, she probably doesn't
even think there's any need
for help… Telling her how…
unnatural this all is won't
change a thing.
TARA
It might only act to drive the
two of you even further apart…
Buffy looks hopelessly at them.
INTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - day
There's another knock on the door, this time harder. Lydia goes to open it, slowly undoing all of the locks and chains. She opens it carefully to see Dawn on the other side.
LYDIA
D-Dawn… what a surprise. I
thought we would be meeting
at… at the magic shop.
Dawn pushes her way inside and closes the door behind her.
DAWN
There's been a change of plan.
LYDIA
H-have you been back to Mr.
Giles'…?
DAWN
No. Of course I haven't. I can't
face another meeting with Buffy.
My patience is wearing thin.
Something has to be done
about her.
LYDIA
I… I hope y-you're not p-p-
planning anything rash…
DAWN
(ignoring Lydia)
She just keeps trying to "help"
me. She can't see that there's
nothing wrong!
LYDIA
Are you absolutely sure
about that?
Dawn looks up at Lydia. Picture a lion out in the savanna grasslands suddenly noticing an antelope getting a little too close to it…
DAWN
What are you saying?
LYDIA
N-nothing… I've just had words
w-with the Council and they
seem to think… that there's…
DAWN
The Council… Always the Council.
The early Slayers needed no
Watchers… they just relied on
instinct.
Dawn gets out one of the knives she took from the magic shop. It's ornate with jagged edges although nothing like the one the Mayor gave Faith. This one's a lot more like a tribal hunting knife. Dawn plays around with it in her hands.
LYDIA
Wh-what have you got that for?
DAWN
(C'tnd, ignoring her)
Do you know what that's like?
Just relying on instinct and
going in for the kill, not being
tested and observed all the time.
Slaying is about the kill… defeating
the enemy, taking out the weak…
Lydia is looking incredibly nervous now. Shifting a little.
DAWN
(C'tnd)
Don't you think that it's time
the line reverted back to its
original form? No Watchers…
just the Slayer… the hunter…
Lydia suddenly makes a run for it, pushing passed Dawn and getting to the door. Dawn tries to grab her but just misses.
EXTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - day
Lydia runs through the door and fumbles with her keys to lock it behind her. As soon as this is done she runs as fast as she can up the street, kicking her high heel shoes off to make it easier.
We SPIN AROUND to face the door again as Dawn comes crashing through it and puts up a chase.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - day
Establishing shot.
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - day
Buffy is still trying to convince the others to let her go as she struggles with her conscience about what to do.
GILES
You have to realise this isn't a
good idea. Willow and Tara are
right! Reacting like this right now
may drive a wedge between the
two of you…
BUFFY
But I have to bring Dawn back…
the real Dawn…
XANDER
Doing this might just make the
Slayer in her react. You could
drive Dawn away.
SPIKE
I'm with Buffy. We have to find
her, bring her back before she
does something stupid.
Giles shakes his head. He wants to side with Buffy but part of him knows that it could be a bad idea. He's just as torn as she is, if not more.
GILES
We had assurances from the
Watchers that we caught that
the Council will be working on
a solution as we speak.
XANDER
Yeah, we just sit tight and wait
for them to tell us the cure…
The door bursts open. Lydia is heard off screen before they can turn around.
LYDIA (V.O.)
They're not going to do anything!
We finally see her. She's panting and out of breath after a long run.
GILES
Lydia…
LYDIA
(through deep breaths)
Mr. Giles… the… the Council is
not going to do anything.
Spike helps Lydia to the sofa. Xander gets up to give her room to sit down.
BUFFY
What happened?
LYDIA
I called the Council… they told
me to return to England that…
that… well, let's just say things
haven't turned out as they
planned.
(confused again)
They had a plan. I didn't… didn't
know they had a plan… I-I was
just supposed to train Dawn…
Th-that's all…
BUFFY
(suddenly)
Dawn! Where is she?
LYDIA
She… she tried to attack me…
I swear… she was going to kill
me…
WILLOW
Kill you?
LYDIA
She talked about how the early
Slayers didn't need Watchers…
that it was time she went back
to the old ways… What's all this
have to do with the primitive
Slayers? What's going on?
Spike is becoming irrational.
SPIKE
I was right. I knew I was. I
knew it'd come to this… We
have to do something now!
BUFFY
There's no "we" about this!
I have to find her now!
(to Giles, re: Lydia)
Tell her everything we know!
Buffy storms out of the door without sharing anymore words.
XANDER
I'm going after her!
WILLOW
Xander! No!
Xander leaves the house too. Lydia watches all of this, confused as hell. She has no idea what's going on. Spike is about to follow but Giles grabs his arm.
GILES
Don't! The more of us that are
out there, the more that could
be… hurt.
SPIKE
I'm stronger than Harris! I can
take care of…
GILES
Stay here… please…
The telephone rings. Everyone jumps. Giles goes to answer it while Willow and the others explain the Dawn goings on to Lydia.
GILES
Hello?
(pause)
Anya? Calm down! What's
happened?
(pause)
No… no… it's alright. I'll be
there as soon as I can…
ANGLE ON: LYDIA AND THE SCOOBIES. They partway through their explanation.
LYDIA
But I was just told to train
Dawn… I thought something
might have been up… but…
SPIKE
Then you knew something
would happen to Faith?
LYDIA
I only surmised… I… I didn't
think the Council would arrange
her… her…
WILLOW
Death?
Tara hands Lydia a glass of water that she sips before continuing.
LYDIA
(nods)
I… I didn't know… I didn't think
they would… What sort of people
are the Council? I always thought…
Giles interrupts them.
GILES
That was Anya. Some weapons
are missing from the shop… the
training room is in a mess…
WILLOW
Shoplifters? That's all we need
with our problems with Dawn…
GILES
It was Dawn who took them.
I can only guess at what she
has in mind…
(starts putting a jacket on)
I'm going to the shop.
SPIKE
You just said…
GILES
(voice raised a little too loudly)
I bloody well know what I said!
But I have to go there!
WILLOW
No. We're coming with you. We're
sticking together.
They all get ready to leave the house.
BLACK OUT
(End of Act Two)
ACT THREE
EXTERIOR: FIRST CEMETETY - night
The sun is going down. Dawn is out hunting. She looks around carefully, knowing something is about to happen. Suddenly a mausoleum door bursts open and a vamp comes out.
VAMP
Slayer…
Dawn kicks the vamp back into a tree and pulls out a stake, stabbing it through its heart. The vamp turns to dust.
Dawn turns around and goes back to her hunt, acting as if the slaying hadn't happened.
EXTERIOR: NEAR CEMETERY - night
Buffy is out looking for Dawn. She's pretty frantic.
BUFFY
DAWN!!!! DAWN ARE YOU OUT HERE?
XANDER
(Off screen)
BUFFY!
BUFFY
(Turns around and spots Xander running
towards her)
Xander! What are you doing
out here? It's dangerous.
XANDER
Hence my being here. It's
dangerous for you too. We
have to go back to Giles'.
BUFFY
No! I have to find her. Xander…
She's my sister. I have to find her.
Xander stops and holds Buffy's shoulders to stop her as well. He looks into her eyes.
XANDER
I know Buffy. But she can
take care of herself. What
are you going to do when you
find her that will protect her?
The best way to protect her is
to find a spell to reverse what
the council did. If you find her,
all you'll be able to do is fight
her. Is that something you want
right now? I don't like to admit
it, but she's capable of anything.
Pulls herself free of his grasp.
BUFFY
She won't hurt me. She can't.
I refuse to believe, I can't believe,
that she would hurt me.
XANDER
I don't like to admit it either,
but you can't deny what's there….
(Xander pauses, debating whether or not to Buffy this)
Listen Buffy. I have to say this.
Remember when the Military was
holding me and the others hostage.
(Buffy nods her head)
I heard Dawn talking to Lydia…about
What she wanted to do about the
situation. She said she would take
them on, killing as few people a
possible. She was willing to sacrifice
us then and she's gotten worse.
BUFFY
But…I can tell her. She...
she has to know. If she knows…
XANDER
Then what? What will she do
if she knows? If she finds out
that she's just another spell, And
this time, it went wrong? That
she's wrong? She won't accept
that. Not in the frame of mind
she's in now. She thinks she's
perfect. Do you really think she'll
believe you if you tell her the opposite?
BUFFY
I'm sorry Xander. I have to
try. Please, Xander, just go
back. I have to try.
XANDER
(hesitates)
Be careful.
Xander stays to watch Buffy go. She just walks off and we follow her. Once Xander is in the distance he finally relents and turns around.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - evening
Giles, Willow, Spike and Tara rush into the shop. Anya is waiting for them.
GILES
Are you OK Anya? She didn't
hurt you did she?
ANYA
Not physically, just monetarily.
Do you have any idea how
Much money those weapons
are worth?
GILES
Yes Anya, but I think we should
concentrate on Dawn, we'll discuss
the merchandise later.
ANYA
OK, I was just saying. You
know, she was pretty bitchy.
I think she might be
pre-menstrual, that always makes
me cranky.
WILLOW
Don't I know it. PMS is the worst,
of course Tara and I always go
through it together which helps
a lot.
Tara grabs Willow's hand lovingly while Spike just looks a little pissed off/freaked out by all this woman talk.
SPIKE
I don't have the time to be
completely disgusted right
now so I'm just going to ask
if we can get back on topic.
GILES
Yes please, Anya, what exactly
led up to Dawn stealing the
weapons?
ANYA
Well as soon as I opened
the store she just barged
right in. She barely paid
attention to me except to
yell at me for not keeping
the store open all the time.
She went right into the
training room but after a few
minutes, I didn't hear anything
so I went in to check on her
and the room was like this
and she was gone. I would just
assume she was out slaying
but she's usually not quite
so messy.
GILES
Yes well she's not quite herself
lately.
EXTERIOR: SECOND CEMETERY - evening
Buffy is in a cemetery looking for Dawn. She is looking around pretty carefully. She hears a noise behind her and spins around. Several vampires are coming from the trees.
BUFFY
Look, guys I really don't have
time for this.
VAMP #1
(to others, amazed)
She doesn't have time for
this? Did you just hear that?
VAMP #2
Yup… she really doesn't know
what's goin' on does she?
BUFFY
(pulling out a stake)
I think you'll be surprised to
find that I do.
She launches at one of the vamps but is knocked back by the others. She kicks back and one is propelled into a tree. Three other vamps dive on her, holding her down.
VAMP #1
Aw, we were hoping it'd be
the other Slayer. I heard
she actually puts up a fight!
BUFFY
Fight…?
The first vamp is turned to dust and the others scatter. Buffy jumps to her feet.
BUFFY
You want a fight? I'll give
you a fight! I just didn't
want to deal with you guys
right now…
The three remaining vamps run at her. Buffy grabs one and throws him aside with ease. She punches another in the face and follows with a roundhouse kick to the other. The last vamp goes down and Buffy quickly stakes him.
She looks up and runs at the one next to the tree. She somersaults just as she gets close, chipping him in the face before following through with a stake. She turns around to face the final one.
BUFFY
You know, maybe with the
other Slayer you would've
lasted longer…
The last vamp tries to make a run for it. We follow him as he does, closing in on his face. His eyes suddenly open wide as he turns to dust.
PULL BACK to show Dawn, stake in hand, as the last of the dust dissipates. She looks at Buffy and grimaces.
DAWN
Somehow I doubt that.
BUFFY
Dawn…
The two sisters look at each other - Buffy with a look of hope and Dawn expressing complete disdain. There are several seconds of silence but they seem like an eternity.
BUFFY
You have to come back with
me. We know what's wrong
with you… the Watchers did
this to you…
DAWN
(hatefully)
No one did anything to me.
BUFFY
They did… the cast a spell
on you… made you… made
you this…
DAWN
Stop this…
Buffy stops straight away. She looks at Dawn. The hope that she previously had slowly draining away.
BUFFY
Dawn… please… Come with
me…
DAWN
Come with you? You're not
going anywhere…
BUFFY
No. I haven't got time to
fight you anymore. We
don't need to fight.
DAWN
The only thing that isn't
needed is you…
They look at each other again.
ANGLE ON: DAWN. We focus on her side as her hand hovers above the knife in a holster next to her.
EXTERIOR: SUNNYDALE - STREET - evening
Xander is walking back to the shop but stops.
XANDER
What the hell am I doing?
He turns around and begins to walk back to where he met Buffy.
SPIKE (O.S.)
I was wondering the same
thing…
XANDER
Spike!
SPIKE
If we gonna find her we're
doing this together. I don't
trust Dawn as far as I can
throw her anymore…
XANDER
You think you'll need to fight.
SPIKE
I know I will. Come on!
The two of them head towards the cemetery.
EXTERIOR: SECOND CEMETERY - evening
Dawn and Buffy are facing each other. Dawn's hand is moving further down towards the knife.
BUFFY
You don't mean that. And
not because of whether or
not I'm the Slayer. We're
sisters… we love each other…
we help each other out…
And right now I want to
help you…
DAWN
I don't need your help! I don't
want to hear this anymore!
You're in the way.
BUFFY
The only thing in the way is
whatever's inside of you…
taking you away from us all…
ANGLE ON: Dawn's hand grasping the handle of the knife.
Buffy notices this and takes a few small steps back.
DAWN
Nothing is taking me away.
I'm adapting to my role…
BUFFY
Role? This is ridiculous!
DAWN
(really pissed off)
I'm the Slayer… and you're nothing.
Dawn pulls out one of the knives and moves in to attack. Buffy begins to back away. Dawn launches at her, punching and kicking and trying to stab her. Buffy only defends herself and doesn't fight back.
BUFFY
I don't want to do this…
DAWN
Well, I do…
Dawn slashes at Buffy who ducks just in time to roll away and get back onto her feet. Dawn pulls out a second knife and dives at Buffy. Buffy kicks and knocks Dawn back several feet. This only makes her madder and her next attack is much more violent.
Buffy jumps back as Dawn begins to slash at her. She cuts open her sweater.
BUFFY
Hey!
DAWN
You're lucky I missed.
BUFFY
Dawn!
(jumps away from knife)
Please… Stop this…
(ducks another blow)
It's not right…
(blocks a punch to her face)
This isn't you…
Dawn kicks Buffy in the face. She falls to the ground.
DAWN
It feels like me… It looks like
me. You know what? I think
it's still me.
Dawn brings one of the knives down towards Buffy who brings her feet up just in time to knock it from her hand. She scrambles across the floor to get it in time. She brings it up to block another knife attack. She uses all of her strength to push Dawn back. Buffy is about to run at her with her own knife.
DAWN
(impressed)
Wow… you're actually starting
to show some spirit.
BUFFY
(under her breath)
No…
DAWN
Use it on me. C'mon. Run me
through. Be a real hunter…
BUFFY
I'm a Slayer, not a killer.
Buffy throws the knife to the floor.
BUFFY
(C'tnd)
I came you to save you, not
to kill you. I refuse to hurt
you. There's got to be an
easier way.
DAWN
(walking forward slowly)
Yeah… maybe there is.
Buffy is a little nervous but walks towards Dawn. She smiles at her. Dawn smiles back. Buffy opens her arms to hold Dawn.
Suddenly, Dawn lurches forward and stabs Buffy through the stomach. Buffy's eyes open wide.
BLACK OUT
(End of Act Three)
ACT FOUR
EXTERIOR: SECOND CEMETERY - evening
Spike and Xander are running through the graveyard, and around the stones. They get out into a clearing and stop.
XANDER
Oh God…
SPIKE
No…
ANGLE ON: BUFFY AND DAWN. The knife is still through Buffy's stomach. Dawn violently tugs it out. Buffy falls to the floor.
Xander and Spike run forward. Xander tries to get to Buffy but Dawn grabs him by the shirt and flings him into a tree as if he's a toy. He hits it hard and falls winded to the ground.
SPIKE
You realise you're not doing
that to me…
DAWN
Don't worry. I know you're
willing to put up a fight.
SPIKE
That I am, Little Bit.
DAWN
Don't call me that…
SPIKE
Then how does "bitch" sound?
Spike dives at Dawn with an unnatural growl, almost as if he was still a vampire. She moves aside as he lands. He spins around and punches her in the face. She follows up with a roundhouse kick to his stomach. He goes down but jumps back up quickly with an uppercut.
ANGLE ON: XANDER. He runs to Buffy who's still conscious but bleeding.
XANDER
Buff… It's me…
BUFFY
Uuuuh…
He rips off part of his shirt to try to stem the flow.
XANDER
It's okay… It'll be okay…
BUFFY
(weakly)
Dawn… No…
XANDER
(shouting)
Spike! Hurry up! She needs
help!
ANGLE ON: SPIKE AND DAWN. Their fight becomes more and more violent. She punches him in the face and he staggers back. He quickly recovers to grab her and throw her face first into a tree.
Dawn spins back around, her nose bleeding and dives at Spike, grabbing him by the throat. Using all of her weight, he knocks him to the ground and begins to pound his face.
ANGLE ON: XANDER AND BUFFY. Xander is becoming more and more frantic.
XANDER
Spike!
He looks at Buffy who is getting weaker and weaker.
ANGLE ON: SPIKE AND DAWN. Spike pushes Dawn off him. She flips back onto her feet and stares at him as if he's dirt. Spike has a bruised eye and a bleeding lip. The two of them look at each other carefully.
DAWN
You're next.
She suddenly turns and runs off. Spike is about to give a chase.
XANDER (O.S.)
Not now! Buffy needs help!
Spike runs to Xander. Buffy is getting worse.
XANDER
We have to get her back.
Willow can help…
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - evening
At the shop everyone is waiting with bated breath.
TARA
They must be back by now.
ANYA
Xander's going to get hurt.
I don't want him to die.
WILLOW
They'll be okay. They'll bring
Dawn back and…
(rethinks the last part)
They'll be okay.
The door bursts open and Spike runs in first with Buffy in his arms. She's bleeding pretty badly from her wounds.
GILES
Oh God…
WILLOW
Buffy! What happened?
SPIKE
You all know what happened.
He puts Buffy down on the table as Xander comes through the door too. Spike looks at Willow and snaps quickly.
SPIKE
Well get on with it, red!
Heal her!
WILLOW
I… I…
Willow bursts into action, fumbling a little. She pulls up Buffy's sweater to reveal the injury. She begins to whisper to herself.
WILLOW
Deuses de healing. Traga
para trás o que era uma
vez dela.
Energy comes from her hands and envelops Buffy's wound.
EXTERIOR: THIRD CEMETERY - night
Dawn is running as fast as she can away from the scene of the fight then stops. She turns around and looks at the knife in her hand coated in Buffy's blood.
She rubs her finger down it and licks it like it's some sort of hunting ritual. She smiles.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - night
Buffy is sitting up again but is still pretty weak. She isn't talking much.
WILLOW
You're still gonna need to
go to the hospital about
that. My spell couldn't heal
it completely…
BUFFY
(a little out of it)
Oh.
WILLOW
I mean, I've still got a scar
from that bullet wound from
when…
BUFFY
Mmmm…
ANGLE ON: XANDER, SPIKE, TARA, ANYA. They're all watching in shock.
ANYA
(to Spike)
You were right.
SPIKE
Told you. Maybe if you'd
listened to me before maybe
this wouldn't have happened…
Buffy overhears this and turns to them silently.
SPIKE
(C'tnd)
I'm sorry, luv… But it's
the truth.
BUFFY
(nods sadly)
I know…
WILLOW
But we can still save her,
right? We can still…
BUFFY
(quietly, thoughtfully)
No… I don't think we can.
WILLOW
You don't mean that!
GILES
She does…
Buffy gets off the table and looks around, running her fingers across all of the surfaces.
BUFFY
Was I supposed to save her?
Was Glory supposed to take
her… use her?
XANDER
Of course not! You saved
her life! It's what you do!
She's your sister!
BUFFY
(honestly)
Is she? I only think she's
my sister.
WILLOW
You can't say that. All these
memories… they're real… no
matter how they got there…
they're real. You told us this…
BUFFY
She's just a killer in the shape
of my sister…
LYDIA
She… she hasn't killed anyone.
BUFFY
(looks at Lydia sadly)
Not yet.
Buffy falls to the floor, onto her knees. The others crowd around her. Tears start building in her eyes.
BUFFY
I don't want her to be my
sister anymore…
BLACK OUT
END
Summer Script Challenge
The Powers that Be Pro Temporae
Episode 6.17: My Sister's Keeper
By Noggins and AminalLuv
Note from the author: Yup, it's been a while but I (Noggins) have been pretty busy in uni. The rest of the team are too but I've felt the urge to continue the series, alone this time but with the aid of all the ideas the others came up with during the planning stages. The last few eps should be out over the next month...and trust me it'll have been worth the wait!!! Well, I hope so anyway! - Noggins (=-\)
GILES (V.O)
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
From "From Sunnydale With Love":
We watch Dawn fighting with kids in school and out on patrol while we hear Buffy and Giles speaking.
GILES (V.O)
It is as if she was infused
with the purest Slayer essence
ever. Can't say its done
much for her personality.
BUFFY (V.O.)
It's as if I don't know who
she is anymore. And I'm scared.
From "Rifting":
Dawn pulls her arm away and whips out a knife, which she holds at Spike's throat.
DAWN
Touch me again and this is
gonna be through your throat.
SPIKE
(a little nervously)
Y-you couldn't do it. I'm human.
You can't kill humans.
DAWN
(threateningly)
I can't kill innocents, Spike. And
last I heard you were far from that.
From "From Sunnydale With Love":
The Watchers are all in the Magic Box explaining what's happened to Dawn.
NIGEL
We extracted they part of
her that was the Key, and
substituted the essence of
the first Slayer. It was not
a lengthy procedure, and
Dawn was not aware of what
was happening.
TEASER
EXTERIOR: CEMETERY - night
Dawn and Buffy are out on patrol together.
BUFFY
…I really think you should try
to get back into school… Maybe
we could go talk to principal
Spalding again… he seems a
lot more liberal than Snyder.
Maybe…
DAWN
Are you ever gonna quit talking
about that damn school?
BUFFY
I want the best for you, Dawnie.
Can't you understand that?
DAWN
I can understand you want me
to try and beat the crap out of
you again.
BUFFY
(shocked)
Dawn!
Dawn just shakes her head and keeps walking. Buffy catches up with her again.
BUFFY
(C'tnd)
Dawn! I don't want you throwing
your life away. You've only just
started high school. They're the
best years of your life! I mean,
you haven't got a Hellmouth
right below the library and…
DAWN
See? You're doing it again!
BUFFY
Doing what exactly?
DAWN
Trying to protect me! I'm a
Slayer! I don't think it really
matters whether or not there's
a Hellmouth under my high
school because I'm not going
back there. Being expelled was
a good thing.
BUFFY
(utter disbelief)
A good thing…?
DAWN
That's what I said. Now I can
carry on my duties without any
more homework! Do you realise
that's all you and Giles have been
talking about for those last few
months? "Dawn do your homework!"…
"Dawn, you should be doing your
homework"… "Dawn…"
Their (rather one sided) conversation is cut short when a red skinned, scaly Demon with horns bursts out of the darkness. They move aside in time and don't get hit. The demon looks around.
Dawn suddenly jumps into action, punching and kicking the hell out of it.
BUFFY
Dawn! Hang on!
Buffy jumps into the attack. She's about to the punch the demon when Dawn grabs her arm and throws her aside so she can fight alone.
DAWN
I don't need any distractions!
Dawn knocks the demon to the ground. It jumps up with its claws ready to attack. Dawn stops it in its tracks and with a quick movement breaks one of its arms with a loud crack.
ANGLE ON: Buffy as she looks incredibly shocked at all of this.
Dawn grabs a sword from a scabbard she has on her back and drives it through the demon violently! She yanks it out and decapitates the Demon. It's limp body falls to the floor.
DAWN
Hralik demon. Thought by some
ancient cultures to be the devil
himself. Of course, there are
hundreds of them scattered all
over the world…
BUFFY
(sarcastically)
Wow. Slayer and Watcher in
one. Maybe Giles should be
watching his back too.
DAWN
Very funny. Come on.
Dawn walks off, not even offering to help Buffy back onto her feet. Buffy watches her go in a state of shock.
CREDITS
ACT ONE
EXTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - early morning
Establishing shot. It's still pretty early but the sun is up. About six or seven AM.
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - morning
Giles and Spike are talking to the rest of the Scoobies (Xander, Willow, Tara and Anya) about what's been happening with Dawn. They're scattered throughout the room on the sofa or leaning against walls. They can't believe what they're hearing.
WILLOW
So our trip to England wasn't
just to kill Lillith?
TARA
They wanted Dawn to… to do
these things to…
GILES
Y-yes. According to our now
departed Watcher friends some
mystics working for the Council
were unable to undo the spell
the monks cast to create Dawn.
They extracted the part of her
that was the Key and took the
spirit of the Slayer…
XANDER
The one we cast together to
beat Adam?
GILES
Very similar but not exactly
the same. They infused that
spirit with Dawn. Much like
the ancient shamans, who
were later to become the
watchers, when they created
the first ever Slayer. Of course,
we all suspected those spells
were lost long ago…
XANDER
Obviously not.
WILLOW
I guess that must've been on
a need to know only basis by
the top Watchers.
GILES
(continuing)
And only to be used in the
most dire of circumstances…
TARA
And that happens to be now.
But still, how could they
determine who was to be
chosen…
GILES
Clearly, now the line of Slayers
has increased and there are
multiple potential Slayers.
Several incantations were likely
To have been cast to ensure
Dawn's chances of being called
were increased. Then, it seems,
they arranged Faith's death.
None of the others know what to say. There are several moments of silence.
ANYA
So why Dawn?
GILES
What? I just explained…
ANYA
No! Not how Dawn! Why
Dawn? Why go through
the trouble of Key extracting
and putting the Slayer soul
into her? Surely they could
have just done it to anyone…
SPIKE
The Watchers obviously think
they have some humanity to
'em… not much, but some. They
thought since Dawn wasn't real
it would absolve them from any
blame. To inflict what they did
on a, how they would put it,
"normal" human being is too
much even for them.
Willow seems thoughtful as she glances over to a shelf full of magic books that Giles keeps in his house. Tara notices.
TARA
What is it?
WILLOW
(looking back at the group)
There must be some way we
can get the Slayer spirit out
of her. If we knew the spell
that was used to do this…
ANYA
If only the highest Watchers
have access to it then it must
be difficult… probably impossible
to get a hold of.
TARA
And only dark magic could
have been used to do this.
Remember, Buffy was told
the Slayer's power lies in
darkness… and if this is really
the spell used to create the
first Slayer we're talking about…
XANDER
And you're not exactly dark
magic friendly at the moment.
One black spell and poof! You're
all red and glowy and painful
to the touch.
We hear a loud off screen thud. It's Spike. He's punched the wall.
SPIKE
Damn it!
XANDER
That's not exactly good for
you… I know.
(contemplates)
At least Giles has better walls.
SPIKE
We have to solve this somehow.
(to Tara)
If we can find a way… could
you do it?
TARA
I… I'm not even close to being
powerful enough… a-and I
couldn't perform black magic.
It-it's against my…
SPIKE
(frustrated, angry…)
What? Code of practice? This
is Dawn's life we're talking
about! Sod your bloody ethics!
WILLOW
(snaps)
Don't shout at Tara!
Spike is suddenly down. Tears start forming in his eyes as he tries to stop himself crying out of sadness and anger.
SPIKE
We can't lose Dawn to this!
Now we know we can rescue
her from this… we can't just.
(beat)
She's the only one who understood
me when I was still a vampire…
the only one who gave a crap
when they rest of you wanted
to plunge a stake through my
heart every opportunity you
got… We can't just…
Willow moves to comfort him but he pushes her away. He tries to regain his composure.
SPIKE
(under his breath)
Bloody soul…
(a little louder)
Wouldn't have been like this
when I was a vamp no matter
what happened.
WILLOW
That's not a bad thing… Look,
we're gonna do everything we
can to figure this out. But first
we need Dawn to admit she
has a problem…
INTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - morning
Meanwhile Dawn is talking with Lydia. She's really pissed and Lydia is trying to get through to her.
LYDIA
Maybe you should give her
a break…
DAWN
How many more breaks do I
have to give her? She just
gets in the way, she's too
emotional… she keeps talking
to me like I'm not the Slayer…
LYDIA
She's just concerned…
DAWN
No! She's trying to get rid of
me! She knows that my being
around is just putting her to
shame… I'm making her realise
she's not worthy to be a Slayer!
There's an almost deathly silence after those words. Lydia can't believe what she's hearing. She tries to get some words out.
LYDIA
I… I don't think that is exactly
true, do you? Buffy has, in her
lifetime, done everything a Slayer
should.
DAWN
What? Get killed?
LYDIA
(taken aback even more)
S-sometimes a Slayer must
sacrifice herself to make the
world a better place. It's a
worthy sacrifice… one Buffy
has been willing to make…
twice…
DAWN
Really? Because the first time
I still think was stupidity. I was
there. I saw it. I even tried to
warn her but she didn't listen
and the Master just bit her. If it
wasn't for me and Xander she
would have been too far gone…
They didn't even have the heart
to tell me what was going on!
I didn't even know what the
Master was… just some ugly
guy.
(pauses)
But that's not the point.
LYDIA
What are you saying?
DAWN
I'm saying she's sloppy. She
doesn't take things seriously
anymore. She's come back
from the dead twice and she
just doesn't seem to care about
her duties. Maybe next time she
gets unlucky she should just
stay dead. Then there'd only
be one Slayer - me!
LYDIA
(a little nervous)
I really don't think you know
what you're talking about…
(beat)
P-perhaps you should return
home. I'm sure Mr. Giles is
waiting for you.
DAWN
Are you trying to get rid of me?
LYDIA
N-no. Of course not. I'm just
worried he'll come storming in
here again like he's done before
and… and I haven't tidied up.
I really couldn't do with another
visit from him.
DAWN
Sure, whatever. Training in the
shop later?
LYDIA
Of course.
Dawn quickly leaves. Once the door is closed behind her, Lydia quickly picks up the telephone and dials some numbers. She waits several seconds until there's an answer.
LYDIA
Hello? This is Lydia Barlow.
(pause)
Yes, the Slayer's Watcher.
(pause)
Look, I need to speak with
Mr. Travers immediately….
(in an annoyed voice)
Monkey….M-O-N
(scene starts to fade out as she finishes spelling the password)
K-E-Y
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - morning
Everyone is sitting around, talking and arguing about what to do. Anya is no longer with the group. The door opens and they suddenly go silent in case it's Dawn. It turns out to be Buffy.
BUFFY
Hey guys… uh, whatcha doing?
GILES
I was informing the others about
the current situation with Dawn.
They clearly needed to know.
BUFFY
(a little out of it)
Yeah, yeah. I guess…
XANDER
So how was patrolling with
little sis?
(looks to the door)
And where is she anyway?
BUFFY
She went straight to Lydia's
to report in like the dutiful
Slayer she is.
(sits down, shocked)
I still can't believe it…
GILES
What? What happened?
BUFFY
A demon attacked us, you know,
the usual… but when I tried to
join in I was just pushed out
of the way…
XANDER
The demon pushed you?
BUFFY
(shakes her head)
No. Dawn did… She said I was
a distraction. She killed the
thing and didn't want me
to have anything to do with it.
There's a general consensus of "wowsers!" around the room.
GILES
Is she okay?
SPIKE
(worried)
Okay? The girl's lost it. This
Slayer soul has taken over…
but it's worse than any Slayer…
it's…
TARA
What?
SPIKE
Back when I was a vampire I
used to love hunting alone,
showing off. Used to really piss
off Angel and Darla, the arty
buggers that they were… I just
wanted the kill… made
me feel better about myself…
made me more vicious.
(pauses)
Used to impress Dru too… and
that always led to something
more than karmic rewards.
BUFFY
(shaking her head, almost irrationally)
How can you compare Dawn to
your former self? She's a Slayer,
not a vampire!
SPIKE
And what's a better way to hunt
your prey than by adopting their
methods?
Buffy really isn't amused by this. She begins pacing anxiously, but not taking her angry eyes off Spike.
BUFFY
Hunt? You're talking like she's
a killer! And Dawn's not a killer!
She isn't!
SPIKE
Luv, I told you last night she
threatened me and it's time this
lot knew too. I tried not to take
it too seriously, but… She put a
knife to my throat and I know
that if she does it again I'm a
dead man…
WILLOW
How can you even say that?
After all you just said to defend
her! She wouldn't kill a human…
that's just not a Slayer… it's
not Dawn!
SPIKE
But she's slowly becoming less
and less Dawn and more the
Super Slayer. If Dawn is tapping
that primal power…
GILES
(interrupting)
Her body and mind is unable
to cope with it. It will slowly
take her over, driving out any
humanity inside her… I'm afraid
she's quite capable of anything.
CUT TO:
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - MAIN - morning
Anya is preparing to open the shop. She's getting the cash register ready.
ANYA
(to herself)
To make me leave when things
got exciting. Typical…
She goes to the door and unlocks it, turning the "closed" sign around. The door is suddenly pushed open and Dawn walks in.
DAWN
About time.
ANYA
(a little miffed)
We're open the same time as
usual Miss Super Slayer.
DAWN
The forces of darkness don't
work nine 'til five, you know.
You should be open all the time.
Dawn makes her way to the training room.
ANYA
So what're you up to today?
Obviously not school since,
well, you've been expelled.
Dawn just ignores her.
ANYA
(getting louder as Dawn gets further away)
You know even I had to suffer
high school… well, the senior
year anyway. And not by choice.
And it was pretty traumatic for
someone newly human. So I
understand your pain…
Dawn's gone. Anya looks a little annoyed but goes about her work again.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - TRAINING ROOM - morning
Dawn goes straight for a box of weapons and starts discarding ones she doesn't want until she gets to several knives. She looks at the blades emotionlessly.
BLACK OUT
(End of Act One)
ACT TWO
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - MAIN - day
Anya is moving some items around on a shelf. She looks over to the door of the training room and notices there isn't any sounds coming from it.
ANYA
Dawn? Dawnie? Are you okay
in there? Because I thought
your training meant you make
loads of "ooh! I'm getting tougher"
noises.
There isn't a reply. Anya goes over to the slightly ajar door.
ANYA
Dawn?
She pushes the door open and we look into the training room from Anya's POV. Some weapons are missing from the walls and ones that weren't wanted are thrown all over the place. The back door has been left open.
ANYA
Oh no.
INTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - day
Lydia is frantically tapping her feet on the floor as she tries to get through to Quentin Travers. She's being put on hold.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
I assure you we're trying to
find him. It appears that he's
quite busy at the moment.
LYDIA
I don't care if he's busy! I need
to speak with him immediately.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
Excuse me a moment.
There's a pauses as Lydia becomes more and more frantic.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
It seems Mr. Travers only
wishes to be disturbed in
the most extreme circumstances.
LYDIA
Extreme circumstances? This
is a bloody emergency!
There's another pause.
LYDIA
Are you still there?
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
I'm putting you through to
Mr. Travers' office right away.
There is a click and QUENTIN TRAVERS is on the other end of the line.
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Hello?
LYDIA
Mr. Travers! This is Lydia!
We have a problem.
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Yes, yes. I've received word
from Nigel and his team.
The plan has been deemed a
failure.
LYDIA
(panicked)
Plan? What plan? Since when
was there a plan? I was just
sent here to train Dawn.
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Yes… yes… That's right…
LYDIA
(suspiciously)
Is there something you
haven't been telling me?
QUENTIN (V.O.)
That's not important. You'll
be debriefed upon your return
to England.
LYDIA
(really confused)
My-my return to…?
QUENTIN (V.O.)
We'll be booking seats on every
plane from Sunnydale International
to London. I suggest you get on
the first one you can.
LYDIA
What… what about Dawn? I'm
supposed to be training her… I
have to…
QUENTIN (V.O.)
Ms. Barlow, I suggest you
return to the Council before,
to use a rather colloquial term,
the shit hits the fan.
The telephone is slammed down on the other end. Lydia looks around nervously. She doesn't know what to think.
There's a knock on the door and she jumps, turning around looking quite scared…
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - day
Buffy is pacing around while the other Scoobies sit around not sure what to do.
XANDER
You know, you're gonna wear
down the carpet if you keep
doing that…
BUFFY
(ignoring Xander)
I have to go find her. She
should have been back from
Lydia's by now.
GILES
I don't think that's quite a
good idea.
BUFFY
I have to talk to her… she needs
to know what's happened to her…
Giles looks even more concerned. He puts his hands on Buffy's shoulders to stop her pacing and looks directly at her.
GILES
I honestly believe that would
be the worst thing you could
possibly do. It will only make
her more unstable.
BUFFY
But… but if she doesn't know
anything's wrong then she
won't want to help us make
it right…
WILLOW
Buffy, she probably doesn't
even think there's any need
for help… Telling her how…
unnatural this all is won't
change a thing.
TARA
It might only act to drive the
two of you even further apart…
Buffy looks hopelessly at them.
INTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - day
There's another knock on the door, this time harder. Lydia goes to open it, slowly undoing all of the locks and chains. She opens it carefully to see Dawn on the other side.
LYDIA
D-Dawn… what a surprise. I
thought we would be meeting
at… at the magic shop.
Dawn pushes her way inside and closes the door behind her.
DAWN
There's been a change of plan.
LYDIA
H-have you been back to Mr.
Giles'…?
DAWN
No. Of course I haven't. I can't
face another meeting with Buffy.
My patience is wearing thin.
Something has to be done
about her.
LYDIA
I… I hope y-you're not p-p-
planning anything rash…
DAWN
(ignoring Lydia)
She just keeps trying to "help"
me. She can't see that there's
nothing wrong!
LYDIA
Are you absolutely sure
about that?
Dawn looks up at Lydia. Picture a lion out in the savanna grasslands suddenly noticing an antelope getting a little too close to it…
DAWN
What are you saying?
LYDIA
N-nothing… I've just had words
w-with the Council and they
seem to think… that there's…
DAWN
The Council… Always the Council.
The early Slayers needed no
Watchers… they just relied on
instinct.
Dawn gets out one of the knives she took from the magic shop. It's ornate with jagged edges although nothing like the one the Mayor gave Faith. This one's a lot more like a tribal hunting knife. Dawn plays around with it in her hands.
LYDIA
Wh-what have you got that for?
DAWN
(C'tnd, ignoring her)
Do you know what that's like?
Just relying on instinct and
going in for the kill, not being
tested and observed all the time.
Slaying is about the kill… defeating
the enemy, taking out the weak…
Lydia is looking incredibly nervous now. Shifting a little.
DAWN
(C'tnd)
Don't you think that it's time
the line reverted back to its
original form? No Watchers…
just the Slayer… the hunter…
Lydia suddenly makes a run for it, pushing passed Dawn and getting to the door. Dawn tries to grab her but just misses.
EXTERIOR: LYDIA'S APARTMENT - day
Lydia runs through the door and fumbles with her keys to lock it behind her. As soon as this is done she runs as fast as she can up the street, kicking her high heel shoes off to make it easier.
We SPIN AROUND to face the door again as Dawn comes crashing through it and puts up a chase.
CUT TO:
EXTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - day
Establishing shot.
INTERIOR: GILES' HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - day
Buffy is still trying to convince the others to let her go as she struggles with her conscience about what to do.
GILES
You have to realise this isn't a
good idea. Willow and Tara are
right! Reacting like this right now
may drive a wedge between the
two of you…
BUFFY
But I have to bring Dawn back…
the real Dawn…
XANDER
Doing this might just make the
Slayer in her react. You could
drive Dawn away.
SPIKE
I'm with Buffy. We have to find
her, bring her back before she
does something stupid.
Giles shakes his head. He wants to side with Buffy but part of him knows that it could be a bad idea. He's just as torn as she is, if not more.
GILES
We had assurances from the
Watchers that we caught that
the Council will be working on
a solution as we speak.
XANDER
Yeah, we just sit tight and wait
for them to tell us the cure…
The door bursts open. Lydia is heard off screen before they can turn around.
LYDIA (V.O.)
They're not going to do anything!
We finally see her. She's panting and out of breath after a long run.
GILES
Lydia…
LYDIA
(through deep breaths)
Mr. Giles… the… the Council is
not going to do anything.
Spike helps Lydia to the sofa. Xander gets up to give her room to sit down.
BUFFY
What happened?
LYDIA
I called the Council… they told
me to return to England that…
that… well, let's just say things
haven't turned out as they
planned.
(confused again)
They had a plan. I didn't… didn't
know they had a plan… I-I was
just supposed to train Dawn…
Th-that's all…
BUFFY
(suddenly)
Dawn! Where is she?
LYDIA
She… she tried to attack me…
I swear… she was going to kill
me…
WILLOW
Kill you?
LYDIA
She talked about how the early
Slayers didn't need Watchers…
that it was time she went back
to the old ways… What's all this
have to do with the primitive
Slayers? What's going on?
Spike is becoming irrational.
SPIKE
I was right. I knew I was. I
knew it'd come to this… We
have to do something now!
BUFFY
There's no "we" about this!
I have to find her now!
(to Giles, re: Lydia)
Tell her everything we know!
Buffy storms out of the door without sharing anymore words.
XANDER
I'm going after her!
WILLOW
Xander! No!
Xander leaves the house too. Lydia watches all of this, confused as hell. She has no idea what's going on. Spike is about to follow but Giles grabs his arm.
GILES
Don't! The more of us that are
out there, the more that could
be… hurt.
SPIKE
I'm stronger than Harris! I can
take care of…
GILES
Stay here… please…
The telephone rings. Everyone jumps. Giles goes to answer it while Willow and the others explain the Dawn goings on to Lydia.
GILES
Hello?
(pause)
Anya? Calm down! What's
happened?
(pause)
No… no… it's alright. I'll be
there as soon as I can…
ANGLE ON: LYDIA AND THE SCOOBIES. They partway through their explanation.
LYDIA
But I was just told to train
Dawn… I thought something
might have been up… but…
SPIKE
Then you knew something
would happen to Faith?
LYDIA
I only surmised… I… I didn't
think the Council would arrange
her… her…
WILLOW
Death?
Tara hands Lydia a glass of water that she sips before continuing.
LYDIA
(nods)
I… I didn't know… I didn't think
they would… What sort of people
are the Council? I always thought…
Giles interrupts them.
GILES
That was Anya. Some weapons
are missing from the shop… the
training room is in a mess…
WILLOW
Shoplifters? That's all we need
with our problems with Dawn…
GILES
It was Dawn who took them.
I can only guess at what she
has in mind…
(starts putting a jacket on)
I'm going to the shop.
SPIKE
You just said…
GILES
(voice raised a little too loudly)
I bloody well know what I said!
But I have to go there!
WILLOW
No. We're coming with you. We're
sticking together.
They all get ready to leave the house.
BLACK OUT
(End of Act Two)
ACT THREE
EXTERIOR: FIRST CEMETETY - night
The sun is going down. Dawn is out hunting. She looks around carefully, knowing something is about to happen. Suddenly a mausoleum door bursts open and a vamp comes out.
VAMP
Slayer…
Dawn kicks the vamp back into a tree and pulls out a stake, stabbing it through its heart. The vamp turns to dust.
Dawn turns around and goes back to her hunt, acting as if the slaying hadn't happened.
EXTERIOR: NEAR CEMETERY - night
Buffy is out looking for Dawn. She's pretty frantic.
BUFFY
DAWN!!!! DAWN ARE YOU OUT HERE?
XANDER
(Off screen)
BUFFY!
BUFFY
(Turns around and spots Xander running
towards her)
Xander! What are you doing
out here? It's dangerous.
XANDER
Hence my being here. It's
dangerous for you too. We
have to go back to Giles'.
BUFFY
No! I have to find her. Xander…
She's my sister. I have to find her.
Xander stops and holds Buffy's shoulders to stop her as well. He looks into her eyes.
XANDER
I know Buffy. But she can
take care of herself. What
are you going to do when you
find her that will protect her?
The best way to protect her is
to find a spell to reverse what
the council did. If you find her,
all you'll be able to do is fight
her. Is that something you want
right now? I don't like to admit
it, but she's capable of anything.
Pulls herself free of his grasp.
BUFFY
She won't hurt me. She can't.
I refuse to believe, I can't believe,
that she would hurt me.
XANDER
I don't like to admit it either,
but you can't deny what's there….
(Xander pauses, debating whether or not to Buffy this)
Listen Buffy. I have to say this.
Remember when the Military was
holding me and the others hostage.
(Buffy nods her head)
I heard Dawn talking to Lydia…about
What she wanted to do about the
situation. She said she would take
them on, killing as few people a
possible. She was willing to sacrifice
us then and she's gotten worse.
BUFFY
But…I can tell her. She...
she has to know. If she knows…
XANDER
Then what? What will she do
if she knows? If she finds out
that she's just another spell, And
this time, it went wrong? That
she's wrong? She won't accept
that. Not in the frame of mind
she's in now. She thinks she's
perfect. Do you really think she'll
believe you if you tell her the opposite?
BUFFY
I'm sorry Xander. I have to
try. Please, Xander, just go
back. I have to try.
XANDER
(hesitates)
Be careful.
Xander stays to watch Buffy go. She just walks off and we follow her. Once Xander is in the distance he finally relents and turns around.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - evening
Giles, Willow, Spike and Tara rush into the shop. Anya is waiting for them.
GILES
Are you OK Anya? She didn't
hurt you did she?
ANYA
Not physically, just monetarily.
Do you have any idea how
Much money those weapons
are worth?
GILES
Yes Anya, but I think we should
concentrate on Dawn, we'll discuss
the merchandise later.
ANYA
OK, I was just saying. You
know, she was pretty bitchy.
I think she might be
pre-menstrual, that always makes
me cranky.
WILLOW
Don't I know it. PMS is the worst,
of course Tara and I always go
through it together which helps
a lot.
Tara grabs Willow's hand lovingly while Spike just looks a little pissed off/freaked out by all this woman talk.
SPIKE
I don't have the time to be
completely disgusted right
now so I'm just going to ask
if we can get back on topic.
GILES
Yes please, Anya, what exactly
led up to Dawn stealing the
weapons?
ANYA
Well as soon as I opened
the store she just barged
right in. She barely paid
attention to me except to
yell at me for not keeping
the store open all the time.
She went right into the
training room but after a few
minutes, I didn't hear anything
so I went in to check on her
and the room was like this
and she was gone. I would just
assume she was out slaying
but she's usually not quite
so messy.
GILES
Yes well she's not quite herself
lately.
EXTERIOR: SECOND CEMETERY - evening
Buffy is in a cemetery looking for Dawn. She is looking around pretty carefully. She hears a noise behind her and spins around. Several vampires are coming from the trees.
BUFFY
Look, guys I really don't have
time for this.
VAMP #1
(to others, amazed)
She doesn't have time for
this? Did you just hear that?
VAMP #2
Yup… she really doesn't know
what's goin' on does she?
BUFFY
(pulling out a stake)
I think you'll be surprised to
find that I do.
She launches at one of the vamps but is knocked back by the others. She kicks back and one is propelled into a tree. Three other vamps dive on her, holding her down.
VAMP #1
Aw, we were hoping it'd be
the other Slayer. I heard
she actually puts up a fight!
BUFFY
Fight…?
The first vamp is turned to dust and the others scatter. Buffy jumps to her feet.
BUFFY
You want a fight? I'll give
you a fight! I just didn't
want to deal with you guys
right now…
The three remaining vamps run at her. Buffy grabs one and throws him aside with ease. She punches another in the face and follows with a roundhouse kick to the other. The last vamp goes down and Buffy quickly stakes him.
She looks up and runs at the one next to the tree. She somersaults just as she gets close, chipping him in the face before following through with a stake. She turns around to face the final one.
BUFFY
You know, maybe with the
other Slayer you would've
lasted longer…
The last vamp tries to make a run for it. We follow him as he does, closing in on his face. His eyes suddenly open wide as he turns to dust.
PULL BACK to show Dawn, stake in hand, as the last of the dust dissipates. She looks at Buffy and grimaces.
DAWN
Somehow I doubt that.
BUFFY
Dawn…
The two sisters look at each other - Buffy with a look of hope and Dawn expressing complete disdain. There are several seconds of silence but they seem like an eternity.
BUFFY
You have to come back with
me. We know what's wrong
with you… the Watchers did
this to you…
DAWN
(hatefully)
No one did anything to me.
BUFFY
They did… the cast a spell
on you… made you… made
you this…
DAWN
Stop this…
Buffy stops straight away. She looks at Dawn. The hope that she previously had slowly draining away.
BUFFY
Dawn… please… Come with
me…
DAWN
Come with you? You're not
going anywhere…
BUFFY
No. I haven't got time to
fight you anymore. We
don't need to fight.
DAWN
The only thing that isn't
needed is you…
They look at each other again.
ANGLE ON: DAWN. We focus on her side as her hand hovers above the knife in a holster next to her.
EXTERIOR: SUNNYDALE - STREET - evening
Xander is walking back to the shop but stops.
XANDER
What the hell am I doing?
He turns around and begins to walk back to where he met Buffy.
SPIKE (O.S.)
I was wondering the same
thing…
XANDER
Spike!
SPIKE
If we gonna find her we're
doing this together. I don't
trust Dawn as far as I can
throw her anymore…
XANDER
You think you'll need to fight.
SPIKE
I know I will. Come on!
The two of them head towards the cemetery.
EXTERIOR: SECOND CEMETERY - evening
Dawn and Buffy are facing each other. Dawn's hand is moving further down towards the knife.
BUFFY
You don't mean that. And
not because of whether or
not I'm the Slayer. We're
sisters… we love each other…
we help each other out…
And right now I want to
help you…
DAWN
I don't need your help! I don't
want to hear this anymore!
You're in the way.
BUFFY
The only thing in the way is
whatever's inside of you…
taking you away from us all…
ANGLE ON: Dawn's hand grasping the handle of the knife.
Buffy notices this and takes a few small steps back.
DAWN
Nothing is taking me away.
I'm adapting to my role…
BUFFY
Role? This is ridiculous!
DAWN
(really pissed off)
I'm the Slayer… and you're nothing.
Dawn pulls out one of the knives and moves in to attack. Buffy begins to back away. Dawn launches at her, punching and kicking and trying to stab her. Buffy only defends herself and doesn't fight back.
BUFFY
I don't want to do this…
DAWN
Well, I do…
Dawn slashes at Buffy who ducks just in time to roll away and get back onto her feet. Dawn pulls out a second knife and dives at Buffy. Buffy kicks and knocks Dawn back several feet. This only makes her madder and her next attack is much more violent.
Buffy jumps back as Dawn begins to slash at her. She cuts open her sweater.
BUFFY
Hey!
DAWN
You're lucky I missed.
BUFFY
Dawn!
(jumps away from knife)
Please… Stop this…
(ducks another blow)
It's not right…
(blocks a punch to her face)
This isn't you…
Dawn kicks Buffy in the face. She falls to the ground.
DAWN
It feels like me… It looks like
me. You know what? I think
it's still me.
Dawn brings one of the knives down towards Buffy who brings her feet up just in time to knock it from her hand. She scrambles across the floor to get it in time. She brings it up to block another knife attack. She uses all of her strength to push Dawn back. Buffy is about to run at her with her own knife.
DAWN
(impressed)
Wow… you're actually starting
to show some spirit.
BUFFY
(under her breath)
No…
DAWN
Use it on me. C'mon. Run me
through. Be a real hunter…
BUFFY
I'm a Slayer, not a killer.
Buffy throws the knife to the floor.
BUFFY
(C'tnd)
I came you to save you, not
to kill you. I refuse to hurt
you. There's got to be an
easier way.
DAWN
(walking forward slowly)
Yeah… maybe there is.
Buffy is a little nervous but walks towards Dawn. She smiles at her. Dawn smiles back. Buffy opens her arms to hold Dawn.
Suddenly, Dawn lurches forward and stabs Buffy through the stomach. Buffy's eyes open wide.
BLACK OUT
(End of Act Three)
ACT FOUR
EXTERIOR: SECOND CEMETERY - evening
Spike and Xander are running through the graveyard, and around the stones. They get out into a clearing and stop.
XANDER
Oh God…
SPIKE
No…
ANGLE ON: BUFFY AND DAWN. The knife is still through Buffy's stomach. Dawn violently tugs it out. Buffy falls to the floor.
Xander and Spike run forward. Xander tries to get to Buffy but Dawn grabs him by the shirt and flings him into a tree as if he's a toy. He hits it hard and falls winded to the ground.
SPIKE
You realise you're not doing
that to me…
DAWN
Don't worry. I know you're
willing to put up a fight.
SPIKE
That I am, Little Bit.
DAWN
Don't call me that…
SPIKE
Then how does "bitch" sound?
Spike dives at Dawn with an unnatural growl, almost as if he was still a vampire. She moves aside as he lands. He spins around and punches her in the face. She follows up with a roundhouse kick to his stomach. He goes down but jumps back up quickly with an uppercut.
ANGLE ON: XANDER. He runs to Buffy who's still conscious but bleeding.
XANDER
Buff… It's me…
BUFFY
Uuuuh…
He rips off part of his shirt to try to stem the flow.
XANDER
It's okay… It'll be okay…
BUFFY
(weakly)
Dawn… No…
XANDER
(shouting)
Spike! Hurry up! She needs
help!
ANGLE ON: SPIKE AND DAWN. Their fight becomes more and more violent. She punches him in the face and he staggers back. He quickly recovers to grab her and throw her face first into a tree.
Dawn spins back around, her nose bleeding and dives at Spike, grabbing him by the throat. Using all of her weight, he knocks him to the ground and begins to pound his face.
ANGLE ON: XANDER AND BUFFY. Xander is becoming more and more frantic.
XANDER
Spike!
He looks at Buffy who is getting weaker and weaker.
ANGLE ON: SPIKE AND DAWN. Spike pushes Dawn off him. She flips back onto her feet and stares at him as if he's dirt. Spike has a bruised eye and a bleeding lip. The two of them look at each other carefully.
DAWN
You're next.
She suddenly turns and runs off. Spike is about to give a chase.
XANDER (O.S.)
Not now! Buffy needs help!
Spike runs to Xander. Buffy is getting worse.
XANDER
We have to get her back.
Willow can help…
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - evening
At the shop everyone is waiting with bated breath.
TARA
They must be back by now.
ANYA
Xander's going to get hurt.
I don't want him to die.
WILLOW
They'll be okay. They'll bring
Dawn back and…
(rethinks the last part)
They'll be okay.
The door bursts open and Spike runs in first with Buffy in his arms. She's bleeding pretty badly from her wounds.
GILES
Oh God…
WILLOW
Buffy! What happened?
SPIKE
You all know what happened.
He puts Buffy down on the table as Xander comes through the door too. Spike looks at Willow and snaps quickly.
SPIKE
Well get on with it, red!
Heal her!
WILLOW
I… I…
Willow bursts into action, fumbling a little. She pulls up Buffy's sweater to reveal the injury. She begins to whisper to herself.
WILLOW
Deuses de healing. Traga
para trás o que era uma
vez dela.
Energy comes from her hands and envelops Buffy's wound.
EXTERIOR: THIRD CEMETERY - night
Dawn is running as fast as she can away from the scene of the fight then stops. She turns around and looks at the knife in her hand coated in Buffy's blood.
She rubs her finger down it and licks it like it's some sort of hunting ritual. She smiles.
INTERIOR: MAGIC BOX - night
Buffy is sitting up again but is still pretty weak. She isn't talking much.
WILLOW
You're still gonna need to
go to the hospital about
that. My spell couldn't heal
it completely…
BUFFY
(a little out of it)
Oh.
WILLOW
I mean, I've still got a scar
from that bullet wound from
when…
BUFFY
Mmmm…
ANGLE ON: XANDER, SPIKE, TARA, ANYA. They're all watching in shock.
ANYA
(to Spike)
You were right.
SPIKE
Told you. Maybe if you'd
listened to me before maybe
this wouldn't have happened…
Buffy overhears this and turns to them silently.
SPIKE
(C'tnd)
I'm sorry, luv… But it's
the truth.
BUFFY
(nods sadly)
I know…
WILLOW
But we can still save her,
right? We can still…
BUFFY
(quietly, thoughtfully)
No… I don't think we can.
WILLOW
You don't mean that!
GILES
She does…
Buffy gets off the table and looks around, running her fingers across all of the surfaces.
BUFFY
Was I supposed to save her?
Was Glory supposed to take
her… use her?
XANDER
Of course not! You saved
her life! It's what you do!
She's your sister!
BUFFY
(honestly)
Is she? I only think she's
my sister.
WILLOW
You can't say that. All these
memories… they're real… no
matter how they got there…
they're real. You told us this…
BUFFY
She's just a killer in the shape
of my sister…
LYDIA
She… she hasn't killed anyone.
BUFFY
(looks at Lydia sadly)
Not yet.
Buffy falls to the floor, onto her knees. The others crowd around her. Tears start building in her eyes.
BUFFY
I don't want her to be my
sister anymore…
BLACK OUT
END