Spike and Willow head for the place they had tracked Buffy to. Willow had called the mini-Slayers and told them where to meet her. Willow was very careful not to mention anything about Spike. He had asked her not to say anything until they are sure Buffy is completely safe.
While the mini-Slayers get into attack position, Willow casts a spell to distract the demon guards they find. Spike fights to hide how miserable he is feeling, but Willow can see it on his face. She knew he was in no shape to fight.
"Where's Buffy, Red? Is she okay?" Willow studies his face before answering.
"She's alive. But I'm pretty certain she's unconscious. I can sense her. But I can't communicate with her." Willow sighs. She has an idea. "I'm going to need silence. Okay?" Spike nods. Willow sits down on the ground, crossed-legged and closes her eyes. She enters a sort of trance. A moment later, she's standing in the hallway, watching the fight. Glory may be basically alone, but it's clear the girls are still outmatched.
Something seems to be making Glory strong even then the last time she fought them. As if sensing Willow's silent question, Glory laughs. "You stand no chance. Ben died. He was only holding me back. Good riddance, I say. When I was brought back, the Senior Partners gave me a gift. There's nothing you can do to defeat me." At that moment, Illyria steps forward. Glory stops fighting and studies her. Illyria looks bored.
"Who are you?" Glory asks, her tone suspicious.
"My name is not important to someone so inconsequential. I am far older than you can understand. I existed before your dimension was even formed, Glorificus. I will defeat you." Illyria takes a step towards her. Willow is shocked to see Glory look disconcerted. She takes a step back.
- :~:~:~:
Spike watches Willow's body, figuring she's doing something witchly. He doesn't know just what. The fight below seems to be going well enough. Suddenly, Spike feels like a giant weight has been slammed down on top of him.
He collapses to the ground, struggling to breathe. Even keeping his eyes open is a struggle. His breathing becomes labored. He grips his chest, his heart pounding.
"Not now. Not yet. I just...I have to...see her." He pushes the pain aside, sitting up slowly. Each breath is a struggle, but he intends to win. "Red, whatever you're doing...make it fast." Spike blinks, and Makoto appears before his eyes.
"Spike." She speaks his name softly. "Am I too late?" He looks up at her.
"Not...yet." Makoto kneels down in front of him.
"I'm not really here. I can't really help you. But you can fight this. You have to get down there. The Old One. She needs to give you her blood." Spike tries to nod, and manages a head bob. Just then, Willow jerks back into her body. She looks at Makoto and then at Spike.
"What happened?" She rushes to Spike. Spike looks up at her.
"I need to...get down there." Willow nods and helps him up.
"The fight is almost over. Illyria has Glory cornered. It won't take long for Buffy to use the scythe." Willow move slowly, supporting Spike's weight as they start down the hillside.
As they near the fight, Spike has to stop. Willow rushes ahead to see how it's going. Makoto appears in front of Spike again.
"There isn't much time. For any of you. They're on their way. Hurry, Spike." Suddenly, Makoto disappears. There's a loud, ear-splitting shriek. Spike pulls himself away from the wall and pushes himself forward.
Illyria stands over Glory, who is lying on the ground. She's clearly gravely wounded, but not quite dead. But something passes over Illyria. Suddenly, she resembles Fred much more than usual.
"Buffy! Hurry!" Willow shouts and Buffy rushes forward with the scythe. Willow shoves Illyria out of the way, and Spike rushes towards her.
"Come on, Blue. Look at me." Illyria looks up at him through Fred's eyes.
"Spike?" Her voice sounds so much like Fred's, it pulls at his heart.
"Come on, Blue. We need to get you somewhere quiet." He helps her up.