Chapter 95: Doomed
"Well, somebody should speak before one of us graduates." Buffy says.
Riley rises slowly. He crosses past her, then turns back. "What are you two?"
Buffy eyes him, a little irked at the question. "Capricorn. On the cusp of Aquarius. You?"
"Sorry. Came out a little blunter than I intended. It's just..." Riley says, enthused. "You're amazing. Your speed, your strength." Then he looks at Piper. "That thing you did with your hands…"
"Also passionate, artistic And inquisitive." Buffy says. "Who are you?"
"You know who I am. The rest... What I do... I can't tell you." Riley says.
Piper nods, "Then, let me. You're part of some military demon squad that rounds up demons, vampires - probably have official-sounding euphemisms for them like "Unfriendlies" or "Non-sapiens...""
"Hostile Sub-Terrestrials." Riley says.
Buffy nods, "There you go. So you deliver these... "HSTs" to a bunch of lab coats who perform experiments which, among other things, turn some into harmless bunnies. How are we doing so far?"
"A little too well." Riley says.
"Meanwhile, by day, you pretend to be Riley Finn, corn-fed Iowa boy. You ever even been to lowa, Riley?" Buffy asks. "Goddess, if that's even your name."
"It is. Born and raised. And hey, bulletin, I'm not the only one who's been less than honest here." Riley says.
Buffy nods and looks at Piper.
Piper sighs and nods, "That is complicated, Riley. Have you ever dealt with witches?"
Riley shakes his head, "No."
"You see Buffy, myself, and my sisters are known as the Charmed Ones." Piper says. "What you saw last night was me using my power. Each of us, Buffy included, have powers."
"Powers?" Riley asks.
Buffy flames out and in behind Riley. "Behind you."
Riley turns to face her his eyes wide. "Uhm okay."
"Now that you know that Riley." Buffy says. "You have to promise not to tell anyone that were witches."
"Why?" Riley asks.
Buffy sighs, "A little while back we faced what would happen if our powers were exposed. What would your guys think of us?"
"You would probably be classified as HSTs." Riley says. "And taken in to custody."
"And that's why you can't tell." Piper says.
Riley nods, "Sure I think I can do that. No one would believe me anyways without proof. And to tell the truth I care for Buffy and I wouldn't want to see anything happen to her."
Buffy smiles, "That's sweet."
Riley nods, "What about your strength and all that. Is that because you're a witch?"
Buffy shakes her head, "No. I'd have thought a professional Demon chaser like you would've figured it out by now. On top of being a witch I'm also the Slayer."
Riley looks at her blankly.
"Slay-er. Chosen one? She who hangs out a lot in cemeteries?" Buffy asks.
Riley shrugs, apologetically.
"You're kidding." Buffy says, sighing. "In every genera—You know, I really don't feel like doing the routine. Ask around. Look it up: "Slayer comma The.""
"And you fight... demons... I mean, you wailed on them - and these guys were in shape. Kind of a weird shape, but –" Riley says.
"You did pretty well yourself." Buffy says.
Piper nods, "You did, Riley. For a mortal you handled yourself pretty good."
"But I'm a walking bruise today. See me with my clothes off I look like... I mean I have bruises... purple. Don't see a scratch on you, Buffy." Riley says. "Your cousin here I can see bruises on her."
"Not looking hard enough." Buffy says.
"I'm looking pretty hard." Riley says. "So, then... What do we... do?"
Buffy gets what he's asking. Not so much about telling people but about him and her. "I don't know. I'm still... I really thought you were a nice, normal guy."
"I am a nice, normal guy." Riley says.
"Maybe by this city's standards, but I'm not grading on a curve. I think we both need a little time to process... everything. Decide where this... where we're..." Buffy says.
Riley nods, "Yeah. I think that's a good idea." He stands. They look at each other for a moment. "Don't think I need to tell you..."
"I won't say a word to anybody." Buffy says. "And remember…"
Riley nods, "I won't either. Besides it'll be safer for all concerned."
Then, a low, rumbling hum and the room begins to violently shake. A few breakables fall off a shelf and shatter.
Riley instinctively grabs Buffy and Piper and moves them and himself into the door frame until the shaking finally subsides. In the distance, car alarms blare.
"Wow. That was some ride," Riley says as Buffy slowly crosses to the window. "Sorry. I'm a little excited. It's my first earthquake."
"It isn't ours." Piper says.
After Riley has left Buffy puts on a change of clothes. "I'm going to check and make sure Willow is okay. Then I'm checking in with Giles. I'll let you know what he says. Probably was just an earthquake. But better safe than sorry."
Piper nods, "Okay."
Buffy flames out and into Willow's dorm room. She notices Willow isn't there and heads for the door as Willow bounds in.
"Hey. I was in the library when the quake hit. Almost got buried in 19th Century English Literature. And I don't have to tell you how hard it is to dig through some of that stuff." Willow says as Buffy smiles slightly. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Couple of broken knickknacks at the Manor. No biggies." Buffy says. "I was just coming over to make sure you're alright."
"I'm doing fine, Buffy. But you didn't have to do that."
"I know." Buffy says.
"Anyways Porter Dorm is completely blacked out, so naturally they're dealing with the crisis the only way they know how: "Aftershock Party.""
"From the dorm that brought you the "Somebody Sneezed Party" and "Day That Ends in a 'Y' Party."" Buffy says.
Willow nods, "They do seem to be generous with the milestones. You should ask Riley to come. Much carousing by flattering candlelight."
"Riley. Riley is... busy, I'm pretty sure. Why don't I meet up with you there. On my way for a little Giles one-on-one." Buffy says.
"Anything wrong?" Willow asks.
"Wrong? No. Not at all." Buffy says as she flames out.
At Giles apartment Buffy is talking to Giles.
"Something horrible is going to happen. Giles." Buffy says.
"It was an earthquake, Buffy. A not uncommon occurrence in Southern California. There's no reason to think it's anything more." Giles says.
"I've so got a reason. Pretty darn good one. The last time we had an earthquake, I died." Buffy says.
Giles looks up at her. "Yes. I know that. And therefore completely understand your anxiety."
"Oh, good. Hate for my little "untimely, horrible death" concern to be ambiguous." Buffy says.
"But until evidence suggests otherwise, I think we should assume this was the result of shifting land masses and not a portent of Imminent doom." Giles says as he produces a sheet of foam core on which is mounted a map of San Francisco. Green push pins are stuck in it at various points.
"In the meantime, I've come up with a few theories regarding our mysterious commando friends." Giles says.
Buffy freezes in her tracks. "Oh. Really?"
Giles nods, "Yes. Now, based on the location of our various sightings, and Spike's descriptions of their underground installation—"
"Okay, say this quake was a sign – a bad omen. And we just ignore it. There's gonna be some pretty red faces around here if the world comes to an end." Buffy says.
"If the quake is heralding a catastrophe such as that, I'm sure they'll be other signs to follow, affording us enough time to avert it." Giles says. "Now, I believe the commandos' installation is somewhere very close to, if not directly under, your school. And as such, I'm convinced one or more of them may be in your very midst—"
"Plague!" Buffy says.
"What?" Giles asks.
"If the end is coming in the form of a plague, too many people may become infected before we—" Buffy says.
"Buffy, will you please stop worrying about what may be and concentrate on what is." Giles says. Buffy opens her mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand to stop her. "Vigilance is all well and good, but as I feel we're getting close, there's a much more pressing question..."
Later at Porter Dorm, Buffy is late getting to the party. She notices cops interviewing shivering party-goers as the now-covered body is wheeled past her.
Buffy, takes in the aftermath as she enters, scanning the crowd.
Willow, standing apart from all the activity, notices her. "Buffy. Over here."
"Wow. See, I was kind of unsure about where the party was. And then I saw the flashing red lights and the ambulance, and it's like... oh, right, of course. Carnage. Death. It's a Buffy party."
"I'm so glad you're here." Willow says.
Buffy looks closer at Willow, sees how shaken she is, gets concerned. "What happened?"
"I found him. A guy on the bed. With me. Dead. Not me dead. He dead." Willow says.
"Poor, Will. Vampire?" Buffy says.
Willow shakes her head... not a vampire. "So much blood. Godfather horse-head amounts of blood, hold the horse. And there was a symbol and Percy said I was a nerd."
"Percy called you a nerd?" Buffy asks.
"We should probably report to Piper and Giles, get started on the demon tracking. Save lives and stuff." Willow says.
"Does Percy even go here?" Buffy asks.
Later Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Buffy, Willow, Giles and Xander are gathered around Giles' desk. Xander is still in his pizza uniform.
Willow is recounting what happened. "It just made me feel like I was right back in high school."
"Dumb jock... if it wasn't for you he still would be." Xander says.
"...of course, the Percy thing isn't really important. It's the dead guy on the bed." Willow says.
Piper nods, "I'll call Darryl see what he knows."
"I'm still not clear on why you and he were on the bed...?" Giles asks.
"Oh! And something else. He – the dead guy - was propped up, like whatever killed him wanted to drain the blood out of him. Only there wasn't so much blood there. And so I'm thinking the whatever took a bunch of the guy's blood with it." Willow says. "And I haven't been a nerd for a long time. Hello, dating a guitarist? Or, I was..."
Piper shakes her head, "I don't think we need to call Darryl after all. Sounds like you would know about as much as he would, Willow."
"Tell them about the symbol." Buffy says.
"Oh, right. It was carved right into his chest. Like a big creepy eye." Willow says as she pulls out a napkin with the symbol drawn on it. They look at it.
"It's kinda the CBS logo. Could this be the handiwork of one Mr. Morley Safer?" Xander says.
Buffy nods, "I've seen this before. Somewhere. I can't remember. It's like..."
"The end of the world." Giles says.
The others look at him.
"Again?!" Xander and Willow says.
Giles nods, "The earthquake, this symbol—"
"I told you! Giles, I said, "end of the world," and you're all like... pooh pooh, Southern California pooh pooh—"
"I'm so very sorry. My contrition completely dwarfs the impending apocalypse." Giles says.
Piper shakes her head, "No need to be hard on him, Buffy. How was he supposed to know."
Giles nods, "End of the world. Divisions break down, Hell itself flows into our lives like a sea of fire. Loss, tears and heart-rending pain without end for every human man, woman and child on this earth. Death ten times over. For each of you and everyone you love."
"What do we do?" Willow asks.
Buffy's expression is grim and intense, she picks up her weapon bag, shoulders it, faces the end of the world. A hero. "I stop it."
"Phoebe help Giles." Piper says. "Paige and I will go with Buffy."
Later in the cemetery Buffy stands looking up at the symbol on the side of tomb.
"Ooh, I wonder where I've seen this before." Where else? The place I spend almost all my waking hours, memorizing stuff off the sides of mausoleums. Big freaky cereal boxes of death-" Buffy says.
Piper nods, "Well it makes sense you would have seen it somewhere."
They stops when they hear something... the scrape of stone on stone. Buffy pulls a crossbow from her bag, handing it to Paige as she powers up a fireball. They step silently around to the front of the mausoleum. The door stands open. They take a tentative step inside...
A demon bends over a child-sized casket, loading bones into a bag. As he puts the small skull into the bag, Piper, Paige and Buffy's shadows fall across him.
"Door was open." Buffy says.
The demon turns toward them. Paige raises her bow... shoots... The bolt catches the hellthing in the shoulder. It howls and charges her.
Paige orbs out as the demon runs through her into the wall behind before she orbs back in. "I haven't been more happy to have that little fear reflex with my orbing then I am right now."
The demon turns and find Buffy standing between him and Paige and Piper. He slices at her with its razor sharp claws.
FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT... Eluding its talons, Buffy wails an the demon, eventually knocking it clear out of the mausoleum and into...
The demon's still on its feet, but reeling from the blow.
Finally, the demon gets her in a body hold, and squeezes, crushing her. Her arms pinned by the demon, she struggles to break free. Piper raises her hands using her exploding power knocking the demon away from Buffy.
The demon roars again and drives Buffy down to the ground, where she hits hard. Paige and Piper move to Buffy as the demon moves off, carrying the bag of bones.
Buffy stays on the ground, gasping for the air that was squeezed out of her lungs, trying to get back to her feet.
"You okay," Piper asks.
Buffy nods, "Just… trying… to… catch… my… breath."
Something moves behind them as a heavy foot crunches on gravel. They hear it, and stiffen, tensing for a renewal of the fight. From a seemingly defenseless position on the around, Buffy suddenly flips herself up to her feet, braced for the fight - her hand shooting out in a vicious punch at the same time...
Only to be blocked, lightning-fast, by Riley. "Wow. That flippy thing you did..."
"Riley. Where-?" Buffy says.
"It's gone. Saw it take off toward the woods." Riley says.
Piper shakes her head, "You didn't follow it?"
"No weapons. No backup. You don't go after a demon that size by yourself." Riley says.
"I used to." Buffy says.
"Yeah, well, I'm no slayer." Riley says. From a holster on his belt, he produces a palm sized walkie-talkie and immediately speaks into it. "Base One, this is Lilac one..."
"Lilac?" Paige asks.
Riley holds his finger to his lips, cuing them to stay silent, as a voice comes out of the earpiece.
"Go."
"Confirm sighting of an unidentified sub-T. Mobilize patrol team for debriefing at oh-eight-hundred hours." Riley says.
"Copy that."
Riley turns it off and holsters it again, Buffy eves him with fascination. "Very commandery, lilac not withstanding. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you. She who hangs out in cemeteries." Riley says. "Didn't expect it to be a family gathering though."
Piper smiles, "Well when it comes to demons. We don't usually let Buffy tangle them alone. We don't want her to die on us."
"Well, we gotta get the... demon..." Buffy says.
"Don't sweat it. We'll bag him." Riley says.
Buffy shakes her head, "It's not that simple."
"Yeah, but I really think we –" Riley says.
"Riley, I can't. I just –" Buffy says.
Piper and Paige give each other a look and move a few feet away to give Riley and Buffy a little privacy.
"Can't talk?" Riley asks.
"Can't... any of it. Can't be with you. It's a mistake, it's a huge black pit of a mistake and I can't go there again." Buffy says.
"Again? You've dated me before?" Riley asks.
"No. But I've been involved with... you don't know what my life is like." Buffy says.
"And I'm dying to find out!" Riley says.
"Operative word: dying. There's too much risk - there's too much... It's just doomed, okay, and I can't do doomed again right now." Buffy says.
"I don't understand where this is coming from. I know you like me. And it's not like we don't have anything in common." Riley says.
"But it's –" Buffy says.
"Buffy. I'm thrown by this. I'm confused. But I can feel my skin humming - my hands, my... every inch of me. I've never been this excited by a girl and I'm not trying to scare you, not gonna force myself on you but I am by God not gonna walk away because I think it might not work. I don't know what's happened in the past –" Riley says.
Buffy sighs, "Death. Pain. Apocalypse - none of them fun. Do you know what the Hellmouth is? Do they have a fancy term for it, 'cause I went to high school on top of it. For three years. We don't have that much in common. This is a job to you."
Riley shakes his head, "It's not just a job –"
"It's an adventure, great, but for me, Piper, Phoebe and Paige - It's destiny. It's something we can't escape, something we can't change. We were destined before we were born to fight demons."
"You don't have to be and neither do they. You and they can change things." Riley says.
Buffy shakes her head, "Riley... No."
"I know it seems like –" Riley says.
"My answer is no." Buffy says.
Riley stops. It sinks in, Riley covering disappointment and anger with glowering calm. There's nothing else to say. She walks away towards Piper and Phoebe, leaving Riley standing there. He doesn't see her start to cry.
Piper starts to say something and Buffy holds up her hand and shakes her head. Buffy grabs Piper and Paige's hands and flames out.
The next morning Buffy informs Piper she is going to inform Giles on the demon and see what he's got on the apocalypse. Before Piper can say anything Buffy flames out.
Piper sighs as she looks at the space Buffy stood moments before and shakes her head.
Later at Giles' apartment, Buffy, Willow and Xander look at a picture of the demon in the book Giles holds.
"A Vahrall demon." Giles says.
"Eww." Willow says.
Xander nods, "I second that revulsion."
"Slick like gall, and gird in moonlight, father of portents and brother to blight... " Giles reads.
Buffy has been reading over his shoulder and now takes over, "...Limbs with talons, eyes like knives. Bane to the blameless, thief of lives..."
Willow mutters something under her breath just loud enough for Buffy to hear.
"Thing isn't digging up the bones of a child for fun." Buffy says.
"Well, demons got some hilarious ideas about fun..." Xander says.
Willow nods, "It has to be a spell of some kind. Something that uses blood and bones."
"There must be... thousands of rituals like that. The Test of Gervail, a number of passion spells, death-pact bonding—" Giles says.
"I know of a few that require blood, but no bone." Buffy says.
Willow starts flipping through his book. "Bones of a child, though. I saw that..." she spots the passage. "An ancient ritual - it uses the blood of a man, the bones of a child, and... and something called the Word of Valios. It's all part of a, a sacrifice. "The sacrifice of three.""
"Let me guess. It ends the world." Buffy says.
Willow nods, "Well, yeah. But it's not big with the details. It doesn't say how the world ends - or what the ritual entails, exactly."
"A sacrifice of three. Three people are going to die?" Xander asks.
Buffy shakes her head, "No, they won't. Because claw-boy won't get all the ingredients. We have to find that last one, the thingy... The Word of Valios. Keep him from getting it."
"If he doesn't already have it. I mean, who knows where he's been?" Willow says.
Buffy nods, "I'll check the magic shop. See if they've heard of a book called the "Word of Valios." Willow, Xander, how 'bout the book archives at the museum?"
Xander nods, "We'll go by my place on the way. Get some weapons. And I can change into something less anchovy scented." He and Willow turn for the door.
"Will, Xander - this thing takes its wicked pretty seriously. Be careful. I couldn't stand anybody getting hurt." Buffy says. She turns to Giles. "I'll get Piper going through the Books. See if there is anything there about this "Word of Valios."
Later that evening Buffy is on her way to the magic shop after stopping off at the Manor. She sees Riley moving toward her - discreetly reading some kind of electronic instrument he holds in his hand. Buffy hesitates, considers changing directions - but Riley looks up, sees her.
"Buffy." Riley says.
Buffy nods, "Is this really the time for Donkey Kong?"
"What? Oh-" Riley says as he checks to make sure they are not being overheard. "It takes trace readings of the creature's pheromones."
"And?" Buffy asks.
"It's either mating season for this thing - or it's moving all over town." Riley says as Forrest and Graham catch up from further down the street. While they are both in civvies, they are definitely on duty, and their militaristic demeanor shines through. They both nod a greeting to Buffy.
Forrest moves to Riley. "Can I have a minute, man?"
"Excuse me." Riley says.
"Actually, I should get going anyway-" Buffy says.
Riley shakes his head, "No. Hold up."
Buffy is surprised by his firmness. Nods. He and Forrest move a short distance away.
"We have some giant ass creepy crawly out there, and you're chatting up your honey? Might want to check your priorities." Forrest says.
Riley laughs lightly, fondly remembering, "Hey, remember that time I asked you your opinion? Gee, neither do I... You and Graham move ahead. I'll catch up with you in a few minutes."
Forrest, put off - shakes his head. "I don't know about this girl, man. She's got you whupped something fierce, and you haven't even-"
"You'd be wise not to finish that thought, private. Now carry on." Riley says.
Forrest stops himself. Returns to military form, albeit somewhat bitterly. "Carrying on." He moves back to Graham and the two of them continue patrolling.
Riley returns to Buffy. They're both majorly uncomfortable. "Sorry."
"That's okay. But, really, I'd better keep moving. You know - big bad needing to be squished-" Buffy says.
"Right. I'm on it too." Riley says. "It's just - this thing. This you and me thing? It's stupid."
Buffy isn't quite sure how to take this. Replies a little warily. "Right. Which is why we can't. Do the you and me thing."
"No. I mean you're stupid. I mean, I don't mean that... no, I think maybe I do." Riley says.
"Wow. Sweet talk like that will melt my reservations." Buffy says.
"I'm serious. You've got this twisted way of looking at things. This - this doom and gloom mentality. You keep thinking like that, things are probably going to turn out just the way you expect." Riley says.
Buffy sighs, "You know, there is nothing more dangerous than a psych grad student." Pissed, she starts to brush past him. But he stops her.
"Buffy - where's the bad here? It just turns out we're even more well matched than we thought we were. I mean, you're a-" Riley says. Some people pass. Riley catches himself. "-fry cook. And so am I."
"Right. But you're an amateur... fry cook and I come from a long line of fry cooks who don't live past twenty-five." Buffy says.
"Which is exactly the attitude I'm talking about! I know the risks of what we do. I also know it's more rewarding than any other job on the planet. And fun-" Riley says.
"Fun? Right. The last person I knew who believed that is in jail right now because she had so much "fun" on the job." Buffy says.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't take your work seriously-" Riley says.
"But just turn my frown upside down, is that it? I wish I could – but this isn't the kind of gig where you hang it up at the end of the day and snuggle with your honey." Buffy says.
"But why? Why can't it be?" Riley asks.
"I've tried it, okay? And every time, things fall apart - and I get sucked right back into the uber evil." Buffy says.
"Welcome to the story of the world! Things fall apart, Buffy. Evil – it comes and goes. But the way people manage is, they don't do it alone. They pull each other through. And, sometimes, they even enjoy themselves. If you weren't so self involved, you'd see that!" Riley says.
"You don't know what you're talking about. You barely know me." Buffy says, hurt. She 's had enough. She starts to walk away.
Riley keeps pace with her. "I know that it's not just the job thing. I'm sure there's some good looking guy that done you wrong in there too but mostly I think you want to stay down in the dark place. 'Cause maybe it's safer down there."
"You are so out of line-" Buffy says.
"No - see - I don't think so. We have an opportunity here, you and me. And the fact that you're too scared to even give it a try-" Riley says.
Buffy turns on him - really hurt and angered now. "It is my business. So why don't you just leave me alone?"
Riley takes this in. He's still worked up - but he's said his piece. "Fair enough."
They stare each other down. Then Riley turns and walks off to join his men - leaving Buffy seriously rattled.
Later back at Giles' apartment, Willow, Xander are there and helping a badly beaten Giles to the couch. Spike sits off to one side, amused.
"I'm fine... I'm-" Giles says.
"You're not. Now sit." Willow says.
"Look at you. I'm surprised the world hasn't ended ten times over with this sorry lot protecting it." Spike says.
"That's enough-" Xander says.
Buffy flames in and immediately sees Giles and moves to him. "What happened?"
Giles speaks with great difficulty. "It's my fault. I should have known-"
"Giles-" Buffy says.
"The Word of Valios was the name of a talisman. Not a book. I blame myself entirely. I had it here-" Giles says.
"You had it here? Okay. First I thought you were being too yourself, but-" Xander says.
"It was in a lot I purchased at a sorcerer's estate sale. I really only glanced at it once, thought it was a knock off." Giles says.
"Well they have it. And they probably have their sacrifices by now, too." Buffy says.
"They must be on their way to perform the sacrifice-" Giles says.
"On their way where? You found out what the ritual is for?" Buffy asks.
Giles nods, "The Hellmouth. It opens the Hellmouth... The one under the library."
Willow, Xander and Buffy share a worried look. A beat, then Buffy's expression hardens. She's going into full battle mode.
"Looks like we're going back to high school." Buffy says as she pulls out her cell phone dialing. "Come on Piper, pickup."
Later the charred ruins of Gateway High School looms before Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Buffy, Willow, Xander and Spike arrive.
"Be careful in there - it doesn't look like the place is too stable." Buffy says.
"Fine by me. I hope we all go under." Spike says, petulantly.
"Why is he here? It's not like he can fight." Buffy says, irked.
"If we leave him alone he'll stake himself-" Willow says.
"And that's bad because - ?" Buffy says. "Whatever. We don't have time for this. Just keep him out of the way. And when we get inside, watch for victims they're keeping alive for the sacrifice. Getting them out is our first priority. Paige that will be your goal. You and I can get them out the fastest but I'll be fighting."
Paige nods, "Okay, Buffy."
"Will do." Willow says.
"Good. You ready?" Buffy says.
Xander nods, "Let's rock n' roll."
Spike rolls his eyes. Mocks Xander. "Let's rock n' roll? You actually talk like that?"
Piper frowns, "You want to be dusted? I could aim for your neck and explode it with my power decapitating you and you'd dust."
They move on into the building and cautiously down what's left of the hall. They can't help but look around, amazed by the damage.
"Gateway high. If these walls - were still walls - what stories they could tell..." Xander says as he steps into something black and crunchy. He looks down… "Ewwwww." It's a piece of charred Mayor snake. Burnt to crisp. "Mayor meat. Extra crispy."
Willow nods. Makes a face. Steps on another piece of debris. It's a cheerleading trophy, black with smoke-damage. In fact - it's Amy's mother. Still entombed, her eyes dart desperately as Willow's foot comes crashing down on her. After Willow moves off, Amy's mom glares at her despite her impotence.
"I think we're near the-" Willow says as they turn a corner and stop.
Even though walls are blown away and such, they are clearly in the area where the Library used to be because the monsters are there, standing at the lip of the already open Hellmouth.
"-library. Wow. Check out the new floor plan." Willow finishes.
"I'll deal with them. Piper… you, Phoebe and Willow get the spell stuff away." Buffy says.
"I don't see any sacrifice people." Willow says.
"Neither do I." Piper says.
"They have to be around here somewhere - the ritual's not finished." Buffy says as she whips a stake out of her jacket and flings it at demon #3, knocking the talisman out of his hand. The demons react to this, looking at Buffy - startled and distracted.
"And you can't raise hell if you can't do the spell, right guys?" Buffy says.
A beat as the demons process this turn of events - then charge Buffy. She and the monsters trade blows, while Xander and Willow swoop in and snatch the chalice of blood from Demon #1 and the bag full of child's bones from Demon #2, respectively.
As Demon #1 and Demon #2 chase after Xander and Willow, and they play a game of keep away with the ritual items. They expertly duck blows and toss the stuff back and forth - leaving the demons frustrated.
Then Demon #1 ends the game by hitting Xander over and over, trying to weaken him.
Xander holds the chalice tight as he tries to fend Demon #1 off. "You picked the wrong guy, dude. I had lots of practice at this with my lunch money."
Willow is being chased by Demon #2. He nearly corners her, but she tosses the bag, yelling, "Piper!"
Piper catches the bag more out of instinct than anything else. She sees Demon #2, now more furious than ever - charging toward her. "Great. "
Buffy is still locked in furious battle with Demon #3. He is the largest and strongest of the three demons and is giving her a run for her money.
Demon #1 finally wrests the chalice of blood away from Xander as he readies himself for further attack - but the demon seems to have no more interest in him. Instead, Demon #1 flings himself and the chalice into the Hellmouth. Xander, stunned, takes this in.
"Okay. Guess I won." Xander says. Now the ground starts to shake, a tremor of the decidedly portentous variety starting to build. Xander processes this. A beat. Then the light goes on. He yells to Buffy, "The demons! They are the sacrifice!"
Piper raises her hands set to explode Demon #2 when it tackles her and starts pummeling her.
Spike sees Piper and decides what the heck and strikes at Demon #2, who staggers back from the punch. A beat as Spike cringes, then realizes that hitting the demon didn't hurt him in the head at all. "No pain..."
The Demon, just recovered from Spike's blow, lurches toward him. Spike pounds him again. And, again, no pain.
"I can hurt a demon..." Spike says.
With this new awareness, Spike goes to town on Demon #2, unleashing a dizzying torrent of pent-up violence on the unlucky fellow and going vampface in the process. His display is truly impressive, kicking and hitting until the demon is crumpled in a dying heap on the ground.
"Yeah! That's right! I'm back and I'm a bloody animal! Yeah!" Spike says as he raises Demon #2 over his head with a victory howl and hurls it into the Hellmouth, along with the bag of bones, Demon #2 managed to get from Piper.
"Noooo!" Xander says.
"Spike! Not in the-" Willow says.
"The demons are the sacrifices." Piper says.
The ground starts to tremble even more violently. Walls start to crumble. Spike takes in Willow and Xander's appalled stares.
"What? I was helping." Spike says.
Paige frowns, "I'm getting people out of here."
Buffy notes the ever destabilizing structure as she continues to fight Demon #3. She shouts to Paige. "Get them out of here. The building's going to come down!"
Paige grabs Piper and Phoebe's hands and orbs them out. She orbs back in and grabs Xander and Willow. Spike grabs onto Willow and they are orbed out.
Buffy continues to struggle with Demon #3. Emboldened by the near completion of the spell, the demon is stronger than ever - beating her closer and closer to the Hellmouth. She finds her stake on the floor and sinks it into the demon's chest. It screams and raises its arms for a killing blow. Then, suddenly, the demon is yanked off her by unseen hands. Buffy, confused, looks up to see Riley, in full commando garb, wrestling the demon off her.
Riley and the demon go hand to hand. Riley fights well - but it's clear that he's outmatched by the creature.
After a moment, Buffy recovers enough to join in again, yells to Riley, "Don't let him jump in the Hellmouth! If he does, we're finished!"
Riley nods his understanding and hits the demon hard, sending him staggering away from the lip of the Hellmouth. Just as it seems the two of them may best the demon, an overhear beam, loose from the tremors, falls. The beam separates Buffy and Riley from the monster, and clips Riley on the leg, hurting him but not pinning him.
Demon #3 is badly injured, near death - but using his last reserves to grab the fallen talisman and pull himself to the yawning maw of the Hellmouth.
Buffy and Riley see this and Buffy starts to crawl over the beam after the demon.
"I'm going in." Buffy says.
Riley grabs her belt and affixes a retracting cable he wears on his utility belt to it with a grappler's hook. They share a quick but powerful look of connection. "You're coming back out."
The demon is a few feet ahead of her as he reaches the edge of the Hellmouth and hurtles himself in. Without hesitation, Buffy does the same, diving in head first.
Riley anxiously watches the entrance to the Hellmouth, when the cable snaps tight in his hands. With tremendous effort, he starts pulling it up as fast as he can, unsure of what he'll find on the other end.
Buffy emerges struggling mightily to work her way out of the tunnel while she keeps hold of the demon. Riley rushes to help her, pulling the dying demon all the way out and lying it on the ground. Buffy crawls out, spent from the effort of her leap.
"Buffy. Are you-" Riley says.
The demon lying next to them dies and the tremors stop as the Hellmouth closes again.
Buffy and Riley are watching it, too stunned to feel their victory yet.
Outside Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Xander, Willow and Spike are standing away from the school. Then Buffy and a slightly limping Riley emerge from the wreckage. While Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Willow, Xander and even Spike are obviously happy that the world isn't ending – Willow, Xander and Spike are more than a little surprised to see Riley in action.
Riley, in turn, is shocked to see them there. He immediately tries to cover, launching into an unconvincing, blustering explanation. "Well, hey! Willow. Xander, right? What are the chances, huh? I was just passing by - and I thought I heard people inside-"
"You were just passing by... in your GI Joe outfit?" Willow asks.
Buffy, amused by Riley's scrambling, can't help but add, "No offense - but you are looking wicked conspicuous."
"I am? But it's... paint ball and then the aftershock and I-" Riley says.
"So you're one of the commando guys, huh?" Xander asks.
Riley tries the laughing it off method now. Weakly. "No, no, no. Commando, I mean…" He looks to Spike. "Do I know you?"
Spike's the one on the spot now. He replies with a hideously bad "American" accent. "Me? No. No sir. I'm just - an old pal of Xander's, here."
"Oh - I - Oh. That's nice." Riley says.
Spike nods, "Yeah."
They all start to move off.
Piper whispers to Riley, "You do look conspicuous."
Xander and Willow both look as though they feel strangely liberated.
"Good world saving back there, Will. The keep away thing was key." Xander says.
Willow takes this in, gratified. "You too. If you hadn't figured out that "demons are the sacrifice" thing - we'd all be hell babies by now."
Now they boast somewhat mockingly.
"What can I say? We kicked the apocalypse's ass." Xander says.
"Again." Willow says.
"Weird being back, wasn't it?" Xander asks.
Willow nods, "Yeah. Everything looked so much smaller. And more charred and ruin-y."
Riley really takes in Willow, Xander and Spike in their torn and dirtied clothes. He looks to Piper, Phoebe, Paige and Buffy with a knowing look. "So - what are you guys all doing here, anyway?"
They all share a look. Then Buffy replies - a simple throwaway as they leave behind the black remains of Gateway High. "We used to go here."
Piper whispers to Riley, "We'll tell you later."
The next day in Riley's dorm room in Lowell house. Riley sits on the edge of his bed - clearly distracted as he shoots total air balls at the Nerf basket hanging from his door. A quiet knock on the door interrupts him.
"Come in." Riley says.
Buffy pokes her nose in - enters. She seems somehow calmer. More resolved. "Hey. You never called, I didn't know if you..."
Riley anxiously cuts her off. It's clear that he's worked himself into a terrible state of agitation. "Oh, hey, sorry, I'm just. I'm a dead man. Secret. Highly. Or, it's supposed to be. Then you and your family find out, I can deal. You're all special. But last night with your friends was a disaster. I mean, could I have been less convincing? I was trained to be sneaky and stuff and I'm like - hi, paint ball, just passing by... I should have just given them my security code and rank-"
"You have a security code and rank?" Buffy asks.
Riley looks like he wants to kill himself. "No. Did I say - ? I... Oh, God... This is so not good. Everybody knows about me. I'm finished. It's the end of the world."
"No. It's not." Buffy says as she kisses him. A kiss that takes Riley by surprise at first, but which he quickly gives himself over to. It grows into quite a passionate embrace...