| Mutant
Existential Scoobies presents Angel: the Series Season 6 Episode 7 And Everything Nice Part 1 (January 26, 2005) Written by Tyreseus and Deeva |
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PREVIOUSLY, ON "ANGEL" - - LORNE shoots Lindsey in "Not Fade Away." LORNE (v.o.) I'll do this last thing for you, for us.... but then I'm out, and you won't find me in the alley afterwards. Do me a favor. Don't try. - The GANG fight in the alleyway north of the Hyperion. A DRAGON opens a PORTAL. Angel, Gunn, Spike, and Illyria are sucked inside. - The Gang and the Wa!Jani Shaman use the DRAGON'S STONE to return through a portal to L.A. - Scenes of UTTER DEVASTATION around Los Angeles. - Gunn and Illyria find a strange IMAGE OF A BATTLE-AXE drawn on the wall of an alleyway. A FIGURE stands above the alleyway, looking down at them. - Illyria, Angel, and Gunn do surveillance on the DEMON INTERNMENT CAMP. MICHAEL surprises them. ILLYRIA-F (o.s.) A sorcerer. And with knowledge of the Old Ones. - GWEN RAIDEN takes down WOLF-NINA in the internment camp. - Gwen taps into the Captain's computer. CAPTAIN (v.o.) You're a highly skilled thief, Ms. Raiden. And you've been stealing from us. - Angel helps Nina escape the burning internment camp building. - CLOSE-UP on the DRAGON'S STONE sitting in the gang's weapons armoire. Michael gazes at the stone with recognition. - Spike finds LORNE in a demon bar. SPIKE Charley Gunn's in trouble. - Spike and Lorne walk down a city street together. LORNE I'm not coming back to join Angel. And I'm not ready for them to know I'm here. Can I count on you for that? FADE/CUT TO - INT. THE MONASTERY OFFICE - NIGHT TIGHT SHOT - the camera PANS slowly across a table. We see there an open FIRST AID KIT, recently used if the torn bandage packets and open bottle of antiseptic are any indication, and a collection of BLOOD-STAINED WEAPONS in need of cleaning. Finally the pan arrives on ANGEL, who is sitting at the desk, brooding. Throughout this, we hear the crackle of a walkie-talkie radio, which we see next to Angel. NATIONAL GUARDSMAN ONE (on radio) Alpha Base, this is Sergeant Servo of the Bravo-04 squad. We've got a Code Red situation escalating at Fourteenth and Vine. NATIONAL GUARDSMAN TWO (on radio) Sergeant, please advise as to the nature of the hostiles. NATIONAL GUARDSMAN ONE We've got thirty or forty of those...things...big and hairy this time....We caught 'em ransacking some local shops. Tranqs are dropping 'em, but we've got to hit 'em with four or five darts each. We don't have the manpower or ammo to handle this. NATIONAL GUARDSMAN TWO Understood, Bravo-04. Dispatching Bravo-02 and Bravo-05. Stand by. Angel leaps up from his chair as though about to dash off to join the fight. REVERSE ANGLE - Instead, he crosses to a LARGE MAP of Los Angeles pinned to a nearby wall. ANGLE ON the MAP, which is a jumble of competing markings in several colors. We can see a legend scrawled at the bottom, with colored streaks beside words like "Military" and "Human--other." HOBBES stands alongside it with a cup full of different colored markers. ANGEL Sounds like Koasair demons. They're not too bright, but strong and dangerous in a group. I didn't think there were any packs that large left in the world. Hobbes pulls out an orange marker and offers it to Angel. ANGEL (nodding at him) Good call. Angel places an orange "X" on the map at the location of the disturbance. ANGLE ON - The door. MICHAEL enters, drops a crossbow and an OLD BOOK (which viewers might recognize as the one Angel took from Wolfram and Hart in "Resistance Part 1") on the desk, then collapses into the chair previously occupied by Angel. He looks exhausted. CUT TO - Illyria, entering after him. MICHAEL (sighing) This is work for a younger man. (he glances at Angel) Or...a much older one. ILLYRIA If you cannot handle it.... MICHAEL (glancing at her) I'll be fine, just give me a moment to catch my breath. ANGEL (to Michael) What have you got for me? Michael pulls himself out of the chair and crosses to the map. MICHAEL (pointing to various locations on the map) There's a coven of sorcerers over here controlling about a six-block radius. (Angel marks up the map) Over here, the industrial area, fires have burned everything to the ground, and it's still choking on fumes and smoke, which don't seem to be dissipating. Nothing human could be living there. (Angel makes a note, Michael continues to point) And I couldn't find out anything about this area, near the park, except that people are afraid to go near it. ANGEL (making another note) Small potatoes. What about the book? MICHAEL I cross-referenced the magical symbols with my meager library, but I'm afraid it wasn't much help. I don't know what else to try. They're pretty obscure. ANGEL Illyria, what did you learn? ILLYRIA (pointing at the map) I found more of the graffiti marks here, here, and here, although I could find no sign of who or what made them. While in the Burkle persona, I overheard a human refer to "the roofwalkers." He believed they were responsible. Angel makes "X"s at the spots she pointed to, then connects them to another section. In that rather large territory, we see a rendering of the odd BATTLE-AXE symbol Gunn and Illyria first saw in "Haven." As Angel and Illyria continue to talk, we see Illyria pointing to various points on the map. ILLYRIA I caught sight of an organized band of demons over here. They seem to match the description we've been given. Angel makes a mark on another large territory. ILLYRIA I also fought another band of vampires just four blocks from here, but there were fewer this time. I believe we have effectively established our territory and could conquer more land to the west and north. ANGEL (exasperated) I don't want to keep having this conversation, Illyria. We are not in the business of "conquering" anything. We're...liberating this area so that people can live their own lives in safety. ILLYRIA And if they choose to enslave themselves to a more powerful leader? ANGEL They won't. People don't like it when someone else makes decisions for them. ILLYRIA As you did when you altered your friends' memories and allied them with the Wolf, Ram, and Hart? ANGEL (glancing at Michael) I did that to save my son. ILLYRIA And could you not save more mortal lives if you were their king? Michael ignores their exchange, and indicates two areas on the map. Look at how close these two territories are getting to each other. ANGEL (thoughtfully) They're the big guys on the south side. MICHAEL And they're about to collide. ANGEL (frowning) They're also closer to us than I'm comfortable with. It looks like they could meet up over here (pointing) tonight. MICHAEL Isn't that where Gunn and Spike are? Illyria turns abruptly, crosses the room, and grabs one of the bloodied weapons from the table. She heads out the door. ANGEL (frowning and calling after her) Yeah, why don't you go check on them! EXT. AN ALLEY IN A COMMERCIAL AREA OF TOWN - NIGHT GUNN and SPIKE have their backs to a large brick wall. They are holding their weapons down against their sides. They are surrounded by twenty or more RED-COLORED DEMONS with ridges on their faces and shoulders and large, bulging muscles. The demons are dressed in leather and carrying a variety of weapons. They are clearly a military-style unit, organized and disciplined. GUNN Am I the only one getting a strong sense of déjà vu? SPIKE (mocking, imitating Gunn) "Oh sure, Angel, we'll go investigate the warehouses. No, we'll be fine, just the two of us." GUNN I'm not the one who called them "ugly, sunburned steroid-crazed poofters." SPIKE 'S not the biggest army I've ever faced. Now all we need is some gaudy amulet or a dragon portal. GUNN I'd settle for reinforcements. SPIKE Think it's just you and me this time. CUT TO - WIDE SHOT - THE ROOFTOPS NEAR THE ALLEY In a COMIC-BOOK MOVIE, BUFFY-AT-THE-END-OF-"CHOSEN"-STYLE SHOT, we see a MYSTERIOUS FIGURE leap from building to building. The camera swiftly DOLLIES alongside the shadowy (female, by the hair and shape) character. CUT BACK TO - Gunn and Spike, staring at the demon throng. REVERSE ANGLE - their POV - The figure suddenly DROPS FROM THE SKY in front of them and lands in a crouch, placing the tips of her fingers on the ground before rising and turning swiftly. As her long black hair clears her face, we see it is FAITH. She smiles and raises a shiny, spike-tipped battle-axe, which whistles as she twirls it around. FAITH What's the matter, Spike? Lost your faith? BLACK OUT. |
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Opening Credits |
 Starring David Boreanaz J. August Richards Amy Acker And James Marsters |
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EXT. THE ALLEY - NIGHT Spike, Gunn, and Faith are in BATTLE with the demons. Spike is engaging two of them with a sword, dodging blows and holding his own. Faith has taken down three or four demons already and moves easily through them. Both Faith and Spike are keeping the demons far enough away from Gunn to allow him use of his crossbow. He takes aim and places a bolt through the forehead of a demon sneaking up on Spike. FAITH Good shot, big guy. Glad to see you getting your money's worth out of my little present. She lands a roundhouse kick to another approaching demon. (raising his crossbow, surprised) This crossbow! That was you? We were getting creamed in that fight. Why didn't you just jump in? FAITH City goes to hell, you guys didn't seem to be around anymore--don't call, don't write. Then all of sudden you're back. Had to see which side you were on. GUNN You really had to ask? A demon breaks through and comes at Gunn. Gunn hits him in the head with the butt of the crossbow, but it doesn't even slow the big muscle-bound brute down. Gunn finds himself pinned against the wall. We hear a whistle and see the FLASH OF FAITH'S AXE DECAPITATE THE DEMON. The demon and Gunn both fall; Faith reaches down and helps Gunn back to his feet. FAITH Yeah, I really did. Things ain't what they used to be. Faith turns back to the fight. They've cleared off half the original number of demons now, but Spike is surrounded by four of those that remain. They circle him but don't move in. Before Faith can move to help him, she is engaged by two more demons. But Spike has the situation well in hand. As the first demon lunges at him from behind, he stabs it underarm. He pulls the sword from the demon's body and turns the recovery into a swing which takes out the demon to his immediate right. FAITH Nice move, Spike. I see being a pile of ash at the bottom of a giant crater hasn't slowed you down one bit. SPIKE Yeah, about that.... FAITH (gesturing at Gunn) This guy, on the other hand.... Definitely draggin'. GUNN That's what happens when you get stabbed in the gut. Twice. And I only deserved it one of those times. Gunn fires off another bolt, taking out another demon. Been there, done that. We could get T-shirts. (she stabs another demon through the heart) So how's Angel doing? SPIKE Same as always. Broody, depressed, and angry about how he was cursed with a bloody big forehead and stupid hair. Spike pivots between the two demons still attacking him and, as he turns his body, he's able to SLICE THROUGH BOTH DEMONS in one move. Now Spike, Gunn, and Faith have killed all but two of the demons, who suddenly realize they're outnumbered. The two demons turn tail and run down an alleyway. FAITH (gesturing at herself) Gunn! Gunn tosses her the crossbow. Faith takes aim and fires. ANGLE ON - The retreating demons. The demon on the right falls, but the one on the left disappears around a corner before she can reload. Faith starts to run after him, then stops and shakes her head. After a beat, she turns back to face Gunn and Spike, relaxing visibly. FAITH All right. Got two burning questions. One, where the hell have you been all summer? Two, where's Wes? CUT TO - ILLYRIA, arriving on the scene, too late to be of any use. Faith stares at her. FAITH (cont.) And three--when did Fred become a dominatrix? INT. THE MONASTERY OFFICE - NIGHT Angel is wiping down a long, serrated knife. Michael is still looking at the map. ANGEL Michael, thanks for your help with this. MICHAEL (smiling) I'm just happy to be of some use to you and your friends. Michael turns away from the map and sits down on the edge of a desk. He notices a sketchpad among the clutter. He picks it up. MICHAEL May I? ANGEL Help yourself. Michael pages through the sketch pad. His POV - There are a variety of Angel's drawings on the pad, some unfinished and some of random things like hands and animals. As Michael flips through, we also see pictures of Doyle, Cordelia, the Wa!Jani Shaman, and Nina. Michael finally stops on a picture of Fred and Wesley. MICHAEL Well, you know what they say. I don't know about art, but I know what I like, and you have quite a talent. You care about these people. ANGEL (with a hint of sadness) Photographic memory. It's all I have left to remind me of some of them. Michael smiles a polite smile of acknowledgement at Angel's grief. (indicating a drawing of Fred) So she was your friend before she became what she is now? ANGEL She didn't "become" anything. Illyria killed Fred and took over her body. Michael sets down the sketchpad, still open to the picture of Fred and Wes, then crosses to a window and looks out on the night. MICHAEL I don't think Illyria likes me very much. ANGEL Illyria's used to commanding and conquering. Teamwork is a new concept to her. Angel places the knife he has been cleaning in a CABINET on the wall next to the map. A loud crackle of static from the walkie-talkie radio interrupts the otherwise somber scene. Angel grabs the radio and holds it up to hear better. NATIONAL GUARDSMAN (through heavy static) ...Spooked 'em...rounded up five or six...no resistance.... CLOSE-UP on the radio - the "battery low" light is flashing. The radio gives way to complete static. Angel turns it all the way off. ANGEL (sighing) It's almost dead. I'll have to do something about that. (he turns back to the map) We need more information. There's no pattern to this. MICHAEL What exactly are you looking for? ANGEL A centralized source. That's where they'll be. MICHAEL Who? ANGEL The agents of the Senior Partners. (pointing at the map) These big boys to the south look promising, but.... MICHAEL But? ANGEL Something's not right. I need more information. Angel sits in his chair, his brow furrowed. Michael pauses for a moment before suggesting, somewhat tentatively - MICHAEL What do you know about love spells? ANGEL (looking confused) They tend to go wrong. MICHAEL Not all of them. The problem with most love spells is that they attempt to manipulate the free will of another. But a conscientious witch can cast a spell that simply guides the right kind of person to them. Instead of saying "make so-and-so love me," they say, "bring me someone who has these traits who might also be looking for love." ANGEL Like a personal ad? MICHAEL (with a small chuckle) Yes, except the only people who are going to read it are the ones who fit the criteria. ANGEL (still not sure where this is going) So you're thinking of getting a girlfriend? MICHAEL No. I was just thinking, my magic's been improving the more I've been helping. I could modify the same type of spell to attract people with the kind of information we need. ANGEL More of a "help wanted" ad? MICHAEL Yes, a bit more like that. But.... He looks away. But what? MICHAEL This magic has a price. To offset the karmic balance, whoever answers the call will have need of us as well. (he gives Angel a serious look) You understand that? You won't be able to just take what you need. ANGEL (frowning at him) Is this about me taking the Ring of Ragshiel? (pauses) Everything has a cost. That's not a new concept to me. (beat, a far-away look comes to his eyes) Do it. Find me someone who knows what's going on. MICHAEL You're not the least bit concerned about what this individual might require of us? ANGEL (shrugging) Whatever it is, we can handle it. Michael goes quiet at this. Angel rises from his seat. ANGEL What do you need in terms of supplies? MICHAEL Ah...not much. Some paper, a candle, and a quiet room. The adaptation seems simple enough. I think the storeroom has been working well for spell-casting. There is a knock at the door. NINA enters holding a plastic bag. NINA Hi, Angel. ANGEL (surprised) Nina? Did we have plans? NINA No, I just wanted to drop by. (she holds up the bag) I brought Chinese food. ANGEL Now isn't really a good time. MICHAEL (interrupting cheerfully) Nonsense. I think we're done here. Michael exits. Nina crosses to Angel, setting the Chinese food on the desk. She wraps her arms around him and kisses him. She pulls away after a moment, arms still wrapped around Angel. NINA (with a teasing smile) Happy to see me? ANGEL (returning a small smile) Yeah. NINA So what were you two talking about just now? ANGEL Love spells. NINA Oh? Something I should worry about? ANGEL (smiling affectionately) No. EXT. AN ALLEY - NIGHT Faith, Gunn, Spike, and Illyria have been talking at the site of the battle. Faith looks a little shell-shocked; Gunn and Spike look depressed. Illyria stands apart, unmoved. FAITH Okay, so I get the alternate dimension part, and I think I get how Spike went from being vamp to dust to ghost to vamp. And Wes died when you all went after the evil knitting circle... GUNN Circle of the Black Thorn. FAITH Right. And Fred is dead. (she gestures at Illyria) This is just an ancient demon that has taken over her body. ILLYRIA Just? FAITH (with an annoyed look) But I'm not getting the part where Angel Donnie- Brascoed his way into the evil country club. What are you leaving out? ILLYRIA Angel murdered Drogyn to prove his intentions to the Circle of the Black Thorn. SPIKE Hard to figure, eh? FAITH Drogyn...the eternal-youth, no-lying guy? GUNN Keeper of the Deeper Well. (beat) How do you...? FAITH I hang around with a lot of Watcher types. They mentioned him. (beat, concerned) You sure we're not talking about Angelus? I mean, I get it when he does things like.... GUNN Destroying the leaders of evil in the world? You fight those big battles. You know not all the good guys make it. FAITH (carefully controlled, but with real apprehension behind it) Sounds like a tidy bit of lawyerly spin. Is that the company line? CUT TO - A young man and woman come around the corner. The woman has a stake in her hand and a knife tucked into a sheath at her belt. She is about seventeen years old with short red hair and wears a form-fitting blue T-shirt, tan leather jacket, and jeans. The man has wavy brown hair, is in his early twenties, and has the look of a typical college student. He is thin, wears a red-hooded sweatshirt and black jeans, and carries a cross and a knife of his own. WOMAN Faith! Everything okay? FAITH Yeah. WOMAN Looks like I missed the party, but I kept Brian safe like you asked. She kneels down over one of the slain demons, examining it more closely. FAITH I want double patrols along this stretch, Vanessa. These guys were tough and answered to someone with a brain. VANESSA (glancing at her) This wasn't all of them? FAITH No, one of them got away. In fact, we should clear out if there are more of these things coming. VANESSA We want to get the drop on them. Right? FAITH It's the buddy system from here on out. And even then, if anyone spots them, call for back-up. VANESSA Get all that, Brian? Brian, the young man, looks up, and we see that his eyes have gone all WHITE. He puts a hand to his temple. BRIAN Message relayed. Cali and Duena took out a pair of vamps in the northwestern border. Nyoko says she's bored watching the base and wants to stretch her legs. VANESSA Have her replace Susan, she's been busy all night and deserves a break. Vanessa removes a dirty rag from her pocket and touches it to the fresh blood of the demon she is examining. FAITH No. Tell her to practice those moves I showed her this morning. She's not going on the front line until I say she's ready. (to Vanessa) You meet up with Susan. Keep patrolling together. VANESSA I can keep watch on this area and just call for help. FAITH No. Not alone. VANESSA But-- FAITH Hey, who's in charge here? Vanessa doesn't answer, but a slightly mutinous look crosses her face. BRIAN Anything else? FAITH Everyone be on guard around the western areas. I got a feeling we're going to run into more big uglies as we move toward the waterfront. GUNN How many slayers have you got here in L.A.? FAITH Varies. Right now, twelve. Brian's eyes fade back to normal. Meanwhile, Vanessa has walked up to the nearest wall and uses the bloody rag to draw a stylized axe-shaped symbol on the wall. FAITH Vanessa, I asked you to stop doing that. VANESSA Just letting 'em know who's in charge. FAITH And where we've been. VANESSA Let 'em. Who's going to mess with us? SPIKE (grinning) I like her. She's spunky. FAITH (to Spike and Gunn) Guys, this is Vanessa. And this is Brian. He's a telepath. SPIKE Human walkie-talkie. Convenient. FAITH (to Brian and Vanessa) These are the friends I told you about. Charles Gunn and Spike. BRIAN (eyes going wide) You're Spike? Spike grins. Brian points at Illyria. Who's she? FAITH Some old demon named Illyria. ILLYRIA You know nothing of the Old Ones. If you did-- FAITH (dismissively) Yeah, she's fun. Brian, why don't you stick with me for a bit. We're going to visit another old friend of mine. (to Vanessa) Go patrol with Susan. (to the boys) Let's go see how Angel's doing. INT. ANGEL'S BEDROOM AT THE MONASTERY - NIGHT Nina and Angel cross the room, kissing and trying to undress one another while bumping into things. NINA God, I've missed this. ANGEL Me too. Nina tugs at Angel's shirt without stopping the kissing, but can't get it past his shoulders. NINA Arms. Angel takes a half step back, giving Nina the space she needs to pull his shirt off the rest of the way. She then pushes him backward onto the bed. The movement causes the bed to lurch, knocking a SMALL WOODEN CRUCIFIX off the wall and onto Angel's shoulder. ANGEL Ahh! Angel lurches off the bed rather quickly, a WHIFF OF SMOKE rising from the spot where he came into contact with the cross. NINA (picking it up, still in the moment) Now why would you even keep this in your roo-- Angel turns around abruptly IN VAMP FACE. Nina instinctively throws her hands up to guard herself, letting out a small whimper of fear. ANGEL Nina? (realizes, morphs back to human face) I wasn't going to.... NINA (relaxing a bit) No. I know. Sorry, it just took me off guard. ANGEL You've seen it before. NINA I know. It's just...you were gone for so long and.... what you said before you left...and the curse. It's sorta my responsibility to watch for that, you know. ANGEL (eyes dipping) Maybe we shouldn't.... NINA No. I'm sorry. You just surprised me. ANGEL (after a pause) You should go. NINA (suprised) What? (then, firmly) Angel....You promised we'd have time. Now you're pushing me away again. ANGEL (grim) I've still got work to do, and you're not a part of that. NINA I want to be. ANGEL (shaking his head) No. I need you to not be a part of this. Nina gives him a reproving look. (with a twinge of anger) It's not just about your needs, Angel. I have a say in this, too. And who says I couldn't help you? Angel just looks at her, brows lowered. NINA (sighing) I knew you would do this. ANGEL (with concern) No. Look, Nina, we will spend time together, but not here at the monastery. There are things going on here, and if you're here.... Go. I'll come to you. NINA Not sure I see the point in staying away. ANGEL Tomorrow. I'll come over tomorrow and we can spend time together, O.K.? I promise. NINA (frowning) You're still a crappy liar, you know that? ANGEL Tomorrow. NINA Fine. Bring this. She tosses him the crucifix, which he instinctively catches. He glances down, wincing, drops it on the nightstand, and looks up to see - REVERSE ANGLE - the room. Nina has left. EXT. A RUN-DOWN OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING The demon who escaped the fight with Faith, Gunn, and Spike makes his way through the side door of the building, which is covered in graffiti and trash. INT. OFFICE BULDING - NIGHT Inside, the demon is acknowledged by another demon of the same species, apparently a gate-keeper. The first demon passes through another door and enters a LAIR - what used to be a large office space filled with cublicles that have been modified into a THRONE ROOM for some big, bad demon. There is an assembly of different kinds of demons in the room, but most look like the squad from the earlier fight. The demon approaches the foot of the makeshift throne space. He kneels before a demon standing at the base of the throne who is a bigger, scarier version of the same demon species. BIGGER SCARIER DEMON Where is your squad? DEMON Destroyed, Master Bucon. Frenhg was correct. They have returned. Both demons look to the side. The camera reveals FRENHG, the tentacled demon from "Haven" chained upside down in one corner of the room. FRENHG I told you! DEMON We had the human and the blonde vampire cornered when one of the roofwalkers joined them. I was the only one to escape. BUCON (grabbing the demon by the neck and lifting him off the ground) You, Hattry the Lesser? Were you unprepared to lay down your life in service of the Domvack? To fail the Domvack is to forfeit your life. VOICE (o.s.) No, let him live. CUT TO - THE THRONE ABOVE BUCON and HATTRY. Sitting there is a SMALL RED CREATURE who bears a certain resemblance to Cyvus Vail from "Origin." This is THE DOMVACK. DOMVACK And release Frenhg. If Angel and his friends have returned, and if they have teamed up with the slayers, we will need all our loyal soldiers. BUCON These are cowards who are of no use. We should kill them now. The Domvack rises from his throne. He is small, barely five feet tall, but he obviously has power over the other demons. Bucon drops Hattry. Both fall to the floor clutching their heads. So does Frenhg, who has been unceremoniously dropped from his chains. CLOSE-UP on the Domvack. He stares down at his minions, his jaw trembling with concentration. DOMVACK You dare question me, slave? They knew the risk of my displeasure. Still, they have brought back valuable information. The Domvack releases his psychic hold on the demons, who all kneel in obedience now. BUCON We beg your forgiveness, Master. The Domvack waves his hand dismissively and sits back down in his throne. Bucon glares at him with obvious hatred. DOMVACK Still, Frenhg and Hattry have failed me, and for that there must be a price. I have a task for these two. I think it's time we find out what slayers are made of. INT. THE OFFICE AND STOREROOM OF THE MONASTERY - NIGHT Michael sits on the floor before a small alter he has made. He holds the WRITTEN LIST of qualities he is seeking above a candle, chanting. His other hand rests on the DRAGON'S STONE, which glows a soft red under his touch. MICHAEL Advoco. Accio amicus. Quocunque volent animum auditoris agunto. (Translation: "I summon [for assistance]. I send for a friend. And take men's spirits where they will.") He lowers the list into the candle flame. The list burns with a sudden, explosive FLASH. The concussive effect knocks him flat on the ground. The ashes turn into glowing embers, which swirl around him for a moment before dispersing outward. CUT TO - INT. THE MONASTERY, JUST INSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE - NIGHT Spike, Gunn, Illyria, Faith, and Brian rush through the front door, apparently aware that something just happened. At the same time, Angel appears from within the monastery. GUNN What just happened here? ANGEL I don't know. Michael was doing a spell and-- The door to the office/storeroom opens and Michael comes out. He looks a little dazed. MICHAEL It's O.K. The spell worked, just with an unexpected kick. ILLYRIA You should not be toying with powers you neither understand nor deserve, human. ANGEL (noticing Faith) But it worked, and fast. (nods) Faith. FAITH (friendly, but wary) Angel. ANGEL How are...things? FAITH (shrugging) You know how things are. (pauses) We need to talk. ANGEL (sensing her tone, then indicating the office door) In here. Faith and Brian walk into the office. Angel pauses. ANGEL Michael, good job. (to the others) You guys...take a break or something. GUNN Don't have to tell me twice. Angel exits, closing the office door behind him. Gunn and the others walk into the office on the opposite end of the foyer from the office/storeroom. Gunn places the crossbow on a shelf and sits down. Illyria remains standing, while Spike paces nervously. GUNN (to Michael) So what kind of spell was that? MICHAEL It's a summoning spell. It was supposed to bring us an ally who could help us figure out what's been going on. Who was that? SPIKE Faith. She's a vampire slayer. MICHAEL A vampire slayer? You mean she's the Slayer? SPIKE Useta be one girl in the world given the power to fight evil. Then it was two. Now, there's a whole horde of 'em. (to Gunn) She seem surprised to see me? GUNN Not really, but she saw us long before we saw her. SPIKE You think Buffy knows that I'm back? GUNN Was she not supposed to? ILLYRIA Unless this "Buffy" is likely to appear in Los Angeles, we should not be concerned with such trivialities. SPIKE (indignantly) Trivialities! MICHAEL Fascinating as all this is, I have to tell you that this Faith couldn't be the person I summoned. SPIKE and GUNN Huh? MICHAEL She was already here, or almost here, when I cast the spell. And it was a doozy of a spell. I can still feel it drawing the right person to us. GUNN How long? There's a knock at the door. MICHAEL I think now. Gunn steps out into the foyer. The others follow him. He opens up the door, revealing a man in a long tan trench coat, fedora, and dark sunglasses. It's LORNE in his "undercover" costume. He keeps his eyes down as he talks. LORNE Hi, you don't know me, and this is probably going to sound like I'm sipping on a new-age sized Sea Breeze, but I just got the strongest celestial vibe that I should be here right.... Lorne looks up. REVERSE ANGLE - Gunn, Spike, Illyria, and Michael are looking out the door curiously. SPIKE (with a smirk) Long time no see. LORNE (disgruntled) Oh, sh-- BLACK OUT. |
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EXT. AN ALLEYWAY - NIGHT HATTRY the demon is walking along slowly, looking around nervously as he goes. CUT TO - From the roofline, VANESSA is watching him. She jumps the ledge and drops down to land in front of a very frightened Hattry. VANESSA Not very smart, being out all by yourself in this part of town. HATTRY (stepping back) Wh--what are you going to do to me? VANESSA (menacing him) Well, I'm supposed to call for back-up before I kick your ass, but since you're so very all alone, I think I'll just jump straight to the ass-kicking. Hattry tries to dodge to the right and get past her, but she's too fast. A WHIP OF HER SILVER KNIFE is all we see before Hattry's head is rolling on the alley floor. Vanessa kneels beside the body. CUT TO - blood pooling around her scuffed but wildly colorful cowboy boots. VANESSA (snorting) Good thing I wore my Mardi Gras boots. She rises and pulls the rag out of her back pocket. Suddenly, TWO LASSOES come out of the darkness, catching her unprepared. Her knife clatters to the ground as her arms are PINNED TO HER SIDES. ANGLE ON - FRENHG Gotcha! With two of his four tentacles, Frenhg holds two ropes tight. He gives them a tug and pulls Vanessa off balance to the ground. As he crosses the distance between them, she kicks wildly at him, struggling to get her arms free, but he keeps the ropes pulled tight. Vanessa manages to land a kick at Frenhg's groin area. He backs off a bit. Then she loosens one of the ropes and gets an arm free. As she reaches for the knife, Frenhg lunges forward to knock it away. VANESSA You bastard! Unable to reach the knife, she uses her mobility to leap to her feet. Frenhg comes at her, swinging his two other limbs dangerously. Vanessa dodges several attempted blows before he finally lands one against the side of her head. VANESSA (a little dazed) You're strong, but you're slow. She ducks another blow and leans in low, preparing to hit him with her free arm with a massive uppercut to the stomach. As she swings, however, she finds herself blocked by one of the tentacles. It wraps around her neck in a VISE GRIP. FRENHG You'd think that, but I can move pretty quick when I want to. CUT TO - Vanessa, CHOKING. She reaches up with her free hand, trying to pry the tentacle off her neck. She kicks at him again. Frenhg lifts her off the ground. He loops one of the ropes around her feet. Finally, Vanessa's free hand drops away from her neck. She loses consciousness. FRENHG Nothing personal, girlie. Last thing I wanted to do was pick a fight with one of you. Still, that was kinda fun, wasn't it? Frenhg rebinds the ropes around her securely. Then he heads back toward the Domvack's lair, dragging her unceremoniously behind him and whistling tunelessly. INT. THE MONASTERY OFFICE - NIGHT Faith and Brian are looking at the big map while Angel waits patiently. FAITH This is good. Brian, can you send a visual to Nyoko while Angel and I talk? Tell her to compare it to what we know. BRIAN Sure thing. ANGEL This your new boyfriend, Faith? FAITH Brian? (with a small laugh) No. He keeps me in touch with my girls. ANGEL Handy. Telepath? FAITH Yeah. ANGEL What's his range? FAITH In a deep trance, he can reach all the way to Europe. (she gestures away from the table) Let's take a walk. He can't concentrate while we're talking about him. ANGEL (to Brian) Sorry. Angel moves away from the table with Faith following. They stop several feet away. ANGEL (guardedly, in a low voice) Why are you in L.A.? FAITH (sarcastic and slightly hostile) Hoping to meet Jason Priestley. Had a crush on him since 90210. ANGEL So it's the slayer squad to the rescue? FAITH You could say that. ANGEL This is my city, my problem. FAITH Oh, brother. Angel! You were AWOL through the worst of this! And you're not the only one with a stake in it anymore. ANGEL (lamely) That's not my fault. There was a dragon.... FAITH Angel, what's happened to you? You spend a year playing king of the evil empire-- ANGEL That's why you're here, isn't it? Buffy doesn't trust me, so she sent you to keep an eye on me. FAITH B sent me because I do trust you. Or did, anyway. You have to admit you haven't given us lots of reasons to. ANGEL It was all part of a plan. FAITH Circle of the Black Thorn, yeah, saw the movie of the week. Thing is, Angel, while you were being the big champion, a lot of people wound up dead. ANGEL In war, people sometimes end up dead. Wesley always understood that. He'd have sacrificed any of us in a second for the greater good. You know that. FAITH (snapping angrily) This isn't about Wesley. It's about all the people caught in the crossfire of your "war," Angel. The civilians and innocents. ANGEL I can't save them all. FAITH Save them! How about not killing them? ANGEL What are you talking about? FAITH Drogyn. ANGEL How did you...? FAITH The thing that killed Fred told me. INT. THE MONASTERY FOYER - NIGHT Lorne is still standing in the doorway. Gunn and Illyria register a look of surprise. Michael looks a little afraid. Lorne turns to leave. SPIKE (stepping forward) Lorne, wait! LORNE (quietly) I told you I'm not ready. GUNN Lorne, what's going on? Where have you been? MICHAEL You know him? GUNN Another old friend. MICHAEL Do you people know anyone who isn't a demon or a superhero? GUNN (thinking for a second) Define "superhero." LORNE Well, this reunion tour was fun. Now I'm turning it into a farewell performance. GUNN Whoa, Lorne, don't go. Gunn grabs Lorne's arm. Lorne turns back to the group. LORNE Is Angel here? GUNN Yeah, he's meeting with-- LORNE I don't think so, then. I'll just be going. Sorry. Lorne turns to go again. Gunn looks after him, hurt. MICHAEL The spell that brought you here-- Lorne stops, turns back to the group. MICHAEL (cont.) We can help you with your problem, the one you've been unable to find a solution to. And you can help us with ours. LORNE (after a pause) You have anything to drink in this chapel of love? SPIKE Look who you're talkin' to, mate. LORNE Fine. We'll have a drink. When it's gone, so am I. INT. THE MONASTERY OFFICE Angel is now sitting in his chair, brooding again. Faith remains standing. ANGEL I did what I had to do. Drogyn was in the wrong place at the wrong time. (pause) I have no regrets. FAITH Maybe you should. That place changed you, Angel. You're not the same person who pulled me back. ANGEL (with a hint of anger) No. I'm not. I'm free and I'm not going to be jerked around anymore. FAITH What's that supposed to mean? ANGEL Since I came to L.A., since before that, I've had the Powers That Be, former Powers That Be, evil lawyers, ex-girlfriends, ancient demons, and gypsies manipulating me for their grand plans. (beat) I'm tired of it Faith, and I'm choosing my own way now. What I did, taking out the Circle, was tell them all that I'm not going to play their game anymore. FAITH (indicating the map) Game? Man, you haven't stopped playing. The rules have just changed. It ain't gonna stop, Angel. ANGEL (shaking his head) I'll find who the Senior Partners are sending after me, and I'll kill them. FAITH And then what? Kill the next baddies they send? And then the ones after them, and the next? ANGEL What else would I be doing? FAITH Oh, I don't know.... Helping the hopeless? ANGEL (firmly) Faith-- FAITH Here I am, thinking that you could actually help us save the city. But this is some stupid vendetta for you, isn't it? ANGEL It's not a-- FAITH I know a thing or two about vendettas, Angel, and so do you. How many more of your friends have to die until you get even with these Senior Partner guys for the grief they've caused you? ANGEL (with frustration) It's about stopping them, Faith, and what they do to this world. (pause) You think I don't miss my friends? But we knew the risks. We weren't the ones who started this, the ones scheduling apocalypses. FAITH But we're supposed to be out there for the people we're trying to help, not the monsters we gotta stop. There has to be more in it for you than that. There is a long pause while Angel gives serious thought to her words. Then he grabs the ANCIENT BOOK, along with a SHEET OF PAPER with various notes on it, and flips the book open to a particular page. ANGEL I took this out of Wolfram and Hart. It's been badly damaged, and we've only been able to make out some of it, but I'm pretty sure this passage says "When the Wolf, Ram, and Hart manifest during the final hour...." Something...something.... "Millions of..." something "will perish." (beat) I will honor my friends. By finishing things with the Partners. FAITH (looking puzzled) Millions of what will perish? ANGEL (frowning) I'm not sure. It's the water damage. It's either innocents or birds. (he looks up at her) But don't you see, I've got to find them before that happens. Everything that's been going on in L.A.--it has the Senior Partners written all over it. FAITH L.A.? (pointing at the map) Your map isn't big enough, Angel. Why do you think we've only got a dozen green slayers here? The whole world's being hit. A GASP from Brian draws their attention. ANGLE ON Brian. BRIAN Vanessa--she's in trouble! INT. THE MONASTERY BASEMENT DINING ROOM - NIGHT Spike pours Lorne a big glass of whiskey as Gunn and Michael take seats at the table next to Lorne. Illyria remains standing. GUNN (to Lorne) Talk to me, man. What happened? LORNE I've just been doing my own thing. GUNN You didn't meet us in the alley. LORNE Angel didn't tell you? ILLYRIA He told us nothing. We believed that, like Wesley, you had been defeated in battle. LORNE (not surprised, but saddened) So Wes has gone on to that big library in the sky. Can't say I didn't see that coming. Figuratively speaking, that is. Lorne raises his glass in wordless tribute, then drinks. LORNE (to Michael) But you--that was one whammy of an engraved invitation. Where'd they find you? MICHAEL The name's Michael Barber. I found them. I wanted to get involved in the good fight. LORNE Well, best of luck with that. So I know the who's and how's of my ending up here. How about you tell me why? MICHAEL The spell was to attract someone who could and would give us information about what's going on with the demons in the city. Help us paint a picture. GUNN You always were the go-to guy when we needed information from the underground. SPIKE Guessing you still know more about demons, mystics, and celebrities than any of us. LORNE You wouldn't be wrong. CUT TO - Angel, Faith, and Brian enter the room. ANGEL Spike, Illyria, I need you to-- (surprised) Lorne! You--you...you're here. LORNE (coolly) Angel. ANGEL So...how've you been? FAITH Hey, can we do this later? I've got a slayer down and we need to move. GUNN (rising) Let's get on it. ANGEL (to Gunn) No. We need strong fighters on this. GUNN (offended) I can still swing an axe. ANGEL Not as fast as you used to. Stay here. Find out what Lorne knows. Gunn sits back down, frowning. Faith gives him an uncomfortable smile. FAITH Don't take it the wrong way, big guy. But we need to move fast and hit these guys hard. MICHAEL Will you need my assistance? ANGEL No time for spells, this is a smash-and-bash party. SPIKE (grabbing his sword from where he set it down) All right! My kinda party. ANGEL Illyria, let's go. ILLYRIA I will remain here. ANGEL What? Why? ILLYRIA I need not explain myself to you. FAITH (urgently) Angel, we don't have time for this. Faith, Brian, Angel, and Spike exit in a hurry, weapons in hand. Lorne drains his glass. LORNE Clock's ticking, boys and girls. I'm suddenly remembering exactly why I don't want to be here. MICHAEL I said we can help with your problem, whatever it is. GUNN Unless it involves smashing and bashing, apparently. LORNE I'd honestly prefer that it didn't, muffins. MICHAEL You know what we need. What do you need? LORNE Tell you what, I'll scratch your backs this time, if you'll help me rescue a lovely little family being held against their will. I can't get them out. GUNN Who's got 'em? Demons? Sorcerers? LORNE More like the poster children for Guns n' Ammo magazine. They're being held in the movie lot turned concentration camp. MICHAEL They're demons? LORNE Peaceful, practically helpless, Sh'Amick demons who make the most scrumptious sponge cake you've ever set taste buds to. GUNN Wouldn't-hurt-a-fly types? There's a lot of them in that camp. LORNE (with a sad stare) That I know. But this family, they can help-- (he eyes them furtively, then smiles) But never mind, that. Obviously I can't sashay my way into the military headquarters and ask them to do me this little favor, but you could. GUNN (nodding) Yeah, we could. We just busted Spike outta that place a few weeks ago. It won't be easy, but we could stage another jailbreak. EXT. THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES - NIGHT Faith, Brian, Angel, and Spike are rushing toward the scene of the abduction, weapons in hand. Faith steers Brian, whose eyes are all-white in telepathic concentration. He is breathing hard from their pace. CUT TO - brief, slightly disorienting angles on the gang hustling to get to Vanessa. FAITH (to Brian) Anything? BRIAN She's unconscious, I don't know where they've taken her. FAITH Tell everyone to meet us where they caught her. Brian grimaces in concentration and puts a hand to his forehead. His eyes bleed back to normal color. BRIAN It's hard to do that on the run. ANGEL (to Faith) You know we're probably heading into a trap. FAITH Probably. STRAIGHT-AHEAD SHOT of the foursome as they fall into place with Faith and Angel slightly ahead of Spike and Brian. Spike is behind Angel. Brian is just behind Faith. TWO-SHOT of Spike and Brian. SPIKE (to Brian, indicating the knife) You know how to use that thing? BRIAN Been training, but they keep me off the front lines. FAITH (o.s.) He can hold his own, but he's not a slayer. He stays out of the fights. SPIKE Sorry, mate, you miss out on all the fun. BRIAN I've seen enough violence. I don't mind. ANGLE ON Faith. FAITH (calling out over her shoulder) He's more useful to us safe than as cannon fodder. He keeps me in touch with the gang. SPIKE (jumping at the opportunity) Ah, the old gang. And how is Andrew? Still as talkative as he useta be? BRIAN (shrugging) Andrew is Andrew. ANGLE ON - Angel as he hurries slightly ahead, frowning back at Spike and Brian's conversation. SPIKE And how is Principal Dearest? Are you and he...? FAITH Robin? He's coordinating the East Coast slayers. We got an arrangement. SPIKE That's an arrangement? FAITH He's there and I'm here. We have a lot of work to do. And since when did you actually care about him anyway? SPIKE (now obviously dancing around the question he really wants to ask) And Red and Kennedy, are they...ah, screw 'em. I don't care. Buffy--is she-- ANGEL (in an exasperated tone) Do we have to do this now? SPIKE Oh, don't tell me you aren't dying to know. FAITH Couldn't tell ya anyway. All we've been able to talk about for the last few months is business. She's still in Europe, I know that much. SPIKE About Buffy, though, does she...should I.... BRIAN (pointing ahead) That's it. That's where they nabbed her. They enter the ALLEYWAY where the body of Hattry lies on the ground. Brian does the white-eyed search for anything new. Faith finds Vanessa's BLOODY KNIFE lying in the dirt. FAITH No one likes to lose their favorite weapon. She tucks it into her belt. Brian, you getting anything? BRIAN No. ANGEL (pointing toward Hattry's body) Are those her boot prints? (Faith nods) Then there's a blood trail I can track. Angel starts forward, when suddenly - ANGLE UPWARDS - SLAYERS, dropping from the roof above in quick succession and INTO HIS PATH. There are ten of them, mostly sixteen or seventeen, carrying weapons, with grim looks on their faces. SPIKE Now, this brings back memories. INT. THE DOMVACK's DEMON LAIR - NIGHT VANESSA is suspended from the ceiling by chains that are clamped tight to her wrists. She is carefully guarded by Frenhg. Bucon and the other demons stand at attention, waiting for instruction. The Domvack, on his throne, is happy. DOMVACK Very good, Frenhg. You have pleased me. FRENHG It was easy, Master. She wasn't as tough as I'd been told. CLOSE-UP - Vanessa's eyes flutter open as she comes awake. PULL BACK as she struggles violently. Frenhg takes a step back in fear and surprise. But the chains hold. The Domvack laughs at him. Then he stiffens and raises his head, sensing something. DOMVACK Well, well...someone else trying to get inside your head, dear. I don't think I can allow that to happen just yet. Not until I'm done with it. I'm learning quite a bit about slayers, and where you came from. ANGLE ON Vanessa, who glares at him, anger and hate in her eyes, but not fear. (through gritted teeth) We come from "smashing in your beet-red face," asshole. The Domvack shakes his head from side to side in amusement. DOMVACK So young, so new to your powers. You honestly believe that nothing can harm you? Let me prove otherwise. FRENHG Maybe we shouldn't taunt her, boss. DOMVACK Nonsense. I've just learned something else about slayers. The source of their power. Long ago, slayers were created by merging a demon essence with a human. (beat) How convenient, since my power works best on demons. The Domvack points at the slayer. Vanessa CRIES OUT IN PAIN. The Domvack laughs. DOMVACK Now...how shall we pass the time? Frenhg, you've earned a reward. Why don't you introduce our guest to a few of those lovely appendages of yours? FRENHG (pleased) Why don't I start with one of the classics? We CUT TO a blissful look on the Domvack's face as we hear the sound of a BONE SNAPPING. Vanessa SCREAMS. Her scream dies away to anguished sobs. CUT BACK TO a CLOSE-UP of Vanessa's face as Frenhg positions another tentacle before it. FRENGH So. Which finger breaks next? BLACK OUT. |
Part 2