The demons hadn't even had time to hook up any of the equipment, before the door to the large cave-like room slammed open. Buffy glanced over to the stairs, and saw a number of familiar faces pouring into the room. It was her friends! Giles, Oz, Willow, Xander, and Angel.
Why were they here? She hadn't told them to come and rescue her! Didn't matter. Good for her that they had. Angel's eyes went immediately to Buffy, and she watched as his face changed into a vampiric snarl. He shouted something to the others, and their eyes all fell on her. Then Angel roared, and leapt at the group of demons. The others all began to get into the fray, as well, cornering and trapping demons, using crosses and amulets to ward them off.
Buffy looked over, at the Doctor, who had collapsed onto the ground. His eyes were open, but lifeless, staring straight ahead. Everything had drained from him — he was empty, just a shell where there had once been a person. Buffy squirmed, trying to free herself from the bonds, but they held her fast.
Willow was the first to sneak over to Buffy, and cut through the ropes. Buffy hugged Willow, then jumped out of her seat.
"Stay here," she said. "I'll be right back!"
She rushed over to the unresponsive Doctor, and fished around in his pocket for the sonic screwdriver. She used it to unlock the chains, then slipped it back in his pocket and took his hands in her own. "Doctor?"
A spark of life appeared in his eyes. He sat up, still clutching her hands. "You can't keep doing this," he said. "It's not right."
"How do I open the box?" asked Buffy.
The Doctor froze. "You… can't."
"You're lying."
"No, really, you can't," said the Doctor. "The only thing powerful enough to open that box is something… you can't know about yet. Something from your future."
"What sort of thing?" asked Buffy.
"It's… a wish."
Buffy frowned. "You mean like the kind that vengeance demons pick up on?"
"It's not a wish of vengeance," said the Doctor. "Never a wish of vengeance. This is something stronger, something more powerful. It's not just a wish; it's the paradox that sustains the universe."
"I don't—"
"I'm sorry," said the Doctor. "What you need to know is in your future. I can't tell it to you."
"Okay, so let's get into the TARDIS, track down my future self, and have her open the box," said Buffy.
"It's impossible."
"Why?"
The Doctor just shook his head. "Goodbye," he said, "Buffy Anne Summers."
And he let go of her hands, and slumped to the ground.
"Buffy!" Willow cried.
Buffy leapt to her feet and spun around, to find that a demon had caught Willow in a chokehold. Buffy surged forwards, knocking the demon to the ground. She grabbed a fallen sword, and ran the demon through. She then turned back to Willow.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," said Willow. "We're trying to lock all of the demons in that recreation room at the top — you know, just until you can do whatever you have to down here and then kill them all — but we're not doing a very good job."
Buffy looked around. They were actually doing a pretty good job, she thought. It looked like they'd managed to get most of the demons into the room, and were just struggling with a few stragglers.
"Did you find out what the Doctor did to stop the Ascension?" Willow asked.
"It wasn't the same situation," said Buffy. "It doesn't matter. Listen, Willow. I need you to do something for me."
"Sure," said Willow. "Anything."
"I need you to help me break into the Doctor's mind," said Buffy.