Spellbound, by darkravine
Rating- Strong PG-13, mostly for language
Pairings- some X/A, B/S

Spoilers: Everything up until "Hell's Bells"

Summary: The Troika discover the spell used to bring Buffy back. "Every spell can be ended"

[ACT III]

INT. Summers' Residence – NIGHT

BUFFY stands in front of JONATHAN, going with the trademark hands-on-her-hips stance. JONATHAN is seated on the stairs, looking extremely uncomfortable.

BUFFY: So … Warren thinks he's going to get Willow to do the reversal spell? What is he, damaged? Willow's not even doing magic anymore, and she definitely wouldn't do it for him.

Her eyes widen as something comes to mind.

BUFFY: He wouldn't … hurt Dawn, would he?

JONATHAN: (shaking his head) He doesn't have to. Andrew has this … thing he does.

BUFFY: And what would that be?

JONATHAN: He can summon demons from other dimensions. He knows of this one, the Mynspire. It's real bad news. Big, nasty, and more importantly, it can transfer ability.

BUFFY: What's that supposed to mean?

JONATHAN: It means that even if Willow doesn't want to do the spell, all the Mynspire has to do is grab a hold of Willow, thus transferring her abilities to him. (smiling excitedly) It's very X-Men. In fact, Andrew and I are convinced that the creators must have seen one-

JONATHAN stops as he sees BUFFY's very pissed off expression.

JONATHAN: Anyway, there is a drawback. If that demon holds onto Willow for too long, she's going to die.

BUFFY: That's a little bit more than a drawback, don't you think? Now, tell me. Why can't I just go in and beat the crap out of Warren and Andrew?

JONATHAN: Because if they've already started the reversal process, you need a few things to stop the spell. I'm sure you guys have all the supplies at the Magic Box. They have everything they need to do the reversal spell, except for one ingredient, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they figure it out. And one other thing. In order to control the Mynspire, Warren has to wear a charm around his neck. While he's wearing the charm, the Mynspire will understand both verbal and telepathic commands. The only way to stop Warren is to get that charm away from him.

JONATHAN stops suddenly as the front door flies open. XANDER steps in, a little out of breath.

XANDER: Buffy, there's something I have to tell you. Willow's at –

BUFFY: A butcher shop on Main Street. Got it. Except that they have Dawn too.

XANDER: I just talked to her 10 minutes ago. What do you mean – (Pauses, noticing Jonathan behind Buffy) What is he doing here? (narrows his eyes) Wearing girly clothes?

BUFFY: I don't have time to explain. Listen, do you still have a key to the Magic Box?

XANDER nods slowly.

BUFFY: Good, we have to get there, and fast.

XANDER: Well, I don't have Giles' mid-life crisis vehicle, but my car runs.

BUFFY: Let's go.

BUFFY hauls JONATHAN up by the arm and pushes him out the door.

JONATHAN: Ok … ow! I can walk, you know.

BUFFY: Just move.

BUFFY, JONATHAN, and XANDER exit the house.

INT. Xander and Anya's Apartment – NIGHT

Open on ANYA, pacing back and forth in her living room. She is apparently conversing with herself.

ANYA: No, they wouldn't even listen to me anyway. They were his friends. They'll probably just think I'm making it up to get attention or something. Besides, Spike wouldn't do anything to hurt Xander. He's not that crazy. (Pauses) Oh, who am I kidding. I'm not just going to sit here and let him get away with this.

ANYA grabs her keys off of the table and runs out the door.

INT. Geeks' New Lair – NIGHT

WARREN and ANDREW are still sitting in front of the laptop, however, a pile of magical components is now situated next to them. WILLOW lays her head against the wall, and DAWN lay sleeping, her chained hand hanging in mid-air.

WARREN: Ah ha!

DAWN awakens with a start and sits up.

WARREN: Andrew, look. That's it.

ANDREW: I'll go get it.

ANDREW rises to his feet and exits the room. WARREN leers at WILLOW, who is staring at him through heavy lids.

WARREN: What's the matter, Willow? Afraid we're going to win? Take your precious slayer away from you again?

WILLOW: (through clenched jaw) Buffy's going to kick your ass when she finds you.

WARREN: (laughing) Oh, I highly doubt that. You see, by the time she gets here, it will already be too late.

He rises and approaches Willow, taking a key out of his pocket. As he begins to unlock her chains, he yells over his shoulder.

WARREN: Appear!

5 what can only be described as THUG DEMONS appear behind him. They are about 6 feet tall, and about twice as muscular as the current heavyweight champion.

WARREN: Now, if you try anything funny, these guys will punish you. (He looks at Dawn) And the little girl.

DAWN looks very frightened at this point, and WILLOW sighs heavily, allowing WARREN to lead her over to the pile of magical paraphernalia.

WARREN: Now sit. It won't be long.

INT. Magic Box – NIGHT

Open on XANDER, BUFFY, and JONATHAN entering through the front door. XANDER reaches over on the wall and flicks all of the lights up with one swift motion. The Magic Box is flooded in light as JONATHAN quickly runs over to the shelves, picking up various items. XANDER and BUFFY hang back, not being able to help in the magic department. XANDER gazes around the room almost wistfully.

XANDER: It feels like I haven't been here in like, forever.

BUFFY: (joking) And that's a bad thing?

XANDER smiles and looks at BUFFY.

XANDER: Do you think she'll ever forgive me?

BUFFY: (thoughtfully) Maybe one day. Maybe when you can explain it to her.

XANDER: I can't even explain it to myself.

JONATHAN, his arms full of various magic items, nods at BUFFY and XANDER.

JONATHAN: I need a conjuring bowl. Do you know where one might be?

XANDER: (gesturing behind the counter) I think the third shelf down.

The bell behind them rings as ANYA hurriedly steps in. As XANDER and BUFFY turn to face her, ANYA stops suddenly, her jaw dropping. She rushes toward XANDER and throws her arms around him.

ANYA: You're alright!

ANYA suddenly realizes what she's doing and drops her arms, taking a step back.

ANYA: I mean, what are you doing in my shop?

XANDER: (confused) What do you mean, I'm alright? Was I supposed to be … not alright?

BUFFY stares at ANYA guardedly.

BUFFY: (coldly) What did you do, Anya?

ANYA: I didn't do anything. But I have to tell you something –

BUFFY: (cutting her off) Spike told me all about it. He said you and Halfrek had something planned to get back at Xander.

ANYA: Spike? No, you don't understand. He's the one that's trying to hurt Xander.

BUFFY and XANDER: Huh?

ANYA: Yeah, Hallie and him showed up at my apartment a little while ago. I remember thinking it was really weird, since at the Bronze, it looked like he couldn't have hated her more, and then, here they were, making out in my living room.

BUFFY's face fell as realization hit.

ANYA: Anyway, he said something to the point that if I didn't want to make the wish, it doesn't mean he couldn't.

XANDER held up his hands.

XANDER: Whoa, back up. Spike and Halfrek? Since when?

ANYA: Oh, they knew each other from when they were human. I sensed a bad breakup thing going on there.

BUFFY looks as if she's about to ram her fist through the wall.

BUFFY: He played me. (rolling her head back) Oh, he's so dead.

XANDER: Can you honestly say you're surprised, Buffy? I mean, this is Evil-Dead here.

BUFFY: Listen, I'm going to find Spike and take care of him once and for all. You two stay here with Jonathan. I'll be back as soon as I can.

XANDER: What about Warren?

BUFFY: (shaking her head) There's no telling what Spike would wish for. I need to find him before that happens. If Jonathan finishes conjuring the … whatever that is, wait for me. I'll be back real soon.

BUFFY quickly exits the Magic Box, leaving ANYA and XANDER to stare at each other awkwardly.

XANDER: So … (moving closer to Anya) you came here to save me?

ANYA: No, I went to Buffy's house to save you. I came here to beat up whoever was burglarizing the shop. (smiling slightly) Or so I thought.

XANDER: An, I just want you to know-

JONATHAN: Ok, I'm done. (looking around) Where's Buffy?

XANDER: She went to put out another fire. She'll be back.

JONATHAN nods and holds up a small vial of neon blue liquid.

JONATHAN: You need to pour this stuff over the living flame that they will have burning. Once that is done, it will seal the magic, forever preventing the particular spell that brought Buffy back from being tampered with again.

XANDER looked at him doubtfully.

JONATHAN: What? You think I'm lying?

XANDER: No. It's just kind of hard to take you seriously in that skirt.

All three look down at the short black leather skirt that JONATHAN stole from DAWN's closet.

INT. Spike's Crypt – NIGHT

SPIKE has HALFREK pinned up against a wall as he buries his face in her neck. His hands are pulling at her shirt as hers are trying to undo his pants.

Cut to a few minutes later … SPIKE and HALFREK are on the floor, a blanket covering them. Spike moves to take off the one article that HALFREK is still wearing, the pendant. HALFREK grabs his wrist.

HALFREK: I never take it off.

SPIKE: (grinning seductively) Come on, baby. I can't do this with that ugly green thing staring up at me.

HALFREK considers for a moment and then nods.

HALFREK: Maybe just this once.

She removes the pendant and drops it next to them. SPIKE smiles slowly.

SPIKE: Thank you.

Before HALFREK can move, SPIKE grabs the pendant and pegs it at the wall, shattering it. HALFREK's jaw drops.

HALFREK: No!

SPIKE grins wickedly at her as he pulls on his pants.

SPIKE: That's right, baby. Game over.

Enter BUFFY. She takes one look at HALFREK under the blanket and SPIKE shirtless before she whips out the stake from underneath her jacket. SPIKE looks at the stake and holds his hands up in mock defeat.

SPIKE: Slayer, it's not what it looks like.

BUFFY: I don't care what it looks like. I ran into Anya, and she told me what the two of you were planning to do. Now tell me, Spike. (approaching aggressively) Did you already do it?

She pushes him up against the wall as SPIKE looks at her confused.

SPIKE: Do her?

BUFFY: (rolling her eyes) Make a wish.

SPIKE gestures to the shattered pendant on the floor to his left. As BUFFY realizes what has happened, HALFREK begins to cry.

HALFREK: All I wanted to do was help Anyanka. And you had to go and do that! And now I'm a … a … (sputtering) human!

BUFFY and SPIKE: Shut up!

BUFFY releases her hold on SPIKE and looks at him her eyes softening. A mixture of confusion and sadness pass over her face as she absorbs what SPIKE has done. SPIKE is about to say something when she holds up her hand.

BUFFY: Not now. We don't have time.

SPIKE: (raising an eyebrow) What's wrong?

BUFFY: Warren. He's trying to reverse the spell that brought me back. And he's got Dawn now too. Long story. Just … (quietly) get dressed.

SPIKE nods and quickly grabs his shirt and duster from the floor. He and BUFFY leave HALFREK behind. HALFREK looks around.

HALFREK: Aw, shit.

INT. Geek's New Lair – NIGHT

Open on WARREN, now wearing a charm shaped like a skull around his neck. He is sitting in front of a what to average people looks like a nice little living room bonfire. WILLOW sits to his right and ANDREW sits to his left. DAWN is still chained to the heat register. The five THUG DEMONS are clumped in front of the door. WARREN holds a print out from WILLOW's laptop in front of him.

WARREN: Ok, Andrew. Time to call the man of the hour.

ANDREW: (nervously) Shouldn't we wait for Jonathan?

WARREN: What do we need him for? We've got one of the most powerful witches in the world sitting right next to us. Just call the Mynspire already.

ANDREW shrugs and pulls out a wooden flute-like instrument. He plays a few notes and then puts the instrument down. They wait a few minutes.

WARREN: Ok, nothing's happening.

ANDREW: Just wait.

As if on cue, a bright light fills the room, and a giant red bull-like demon steps through the vortex. He has 6 horns on his head, framing it like a crown. This is the MYNSPIRE DEMON. The MYNSPIRE looks around the room for a moment until his eyes focus on WARREN's charm. The MYNSPIRE's eyes glow red, and WARREN stands up.

WARREN: Stand on one leg.

The MYNSPIRE obliges.

WARREN: Cool. (sobering) Ok, now for the fun part.

WARREN merely looks at WILLOW before the MYNSPIRE grabs her by the throat. With a gasp, WILLOW is lifted off her feet into the air. She struggles at first, but then her eyes begin to turn black.

WARREN: It has begun.

[END ACT III]