TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - NIGHT 1
The camera pans the magnolia painted walls until we come to
BUFFY. Her eyes are narrowed on DAWN, whose arm is gripped by
the slayer, prevented from causing any damage with the axe in
her hand. JACKSON is cautiously watching the pair from the
doorway, his eyes never leaving their presence.
DAWN
This isn't supposed to happen.
(to Buffy)
You're not supposed to be here.
BUFFY
Deal with it.
Buffy brings her arm up for a hit but Dawn swats her away
with a backhand, sending her CRASHING into the wall, cracking
it. Jackson GRABS the axe but Dawn quickly turns, clasps her
hand around his neck, and lifts him from the floor.
DAWN
You dare to challenge me? You are
but a fly among spiders.
JACKSON
Get the hell off me!
Jackson KICKS her between the legs and she DROPS him. He
gathers himself quickly, then sweeps his legs along the
floor, taking out her legs.
Dawn falls, dropping the axe. Jackson swoops it up and gets
to her, bringing it high over his head.
BUFFY
(shouts)
Wait!
He stops as he brings it down, his eyes darting to Buffy. She
rushes over and takes the weapon from him.
BUFFY (cont'd)
It's still Dawn.
Dawn FLIPS up, landing on her feet. She eyes Buffy with a
confident smirk. She starts towards them but stops suddenly,
looking herself over. After a moment, she looks back at them.
Her eyes are a GLOWING RED.
DAWN
The change is almost over. This
body will soon become more than it
is.
BUFFY
That body belongs to my sister.
DAWN
(curious)
You love her. You... you gave your
life for her. For this world.
(beat)
I remember. Everything. The host's
memories are... tainted. Some are
not real. Some are too real.
(beat)
This vessel is corrupted.
JACKSON
Which should suit you well,
Ulithios.
Dawn grabs him by his shirt and THROWS him into the wall. He
crumbles to the floor, motionless. Buffy brings the axe
closer, threatening.
DAWN
My name is beyond your speech. None
of you can comprehend my existence.
BUFFY
Not caring.
(beat)
Now get the hell out of my sister.
DAWN
You don't know. You don't know
because you are human. The vessel
is dead.
(disgusted)
For weeks I have had to simulate
this host. I wasn't strong enough
to make my move. But still, I
watched, I learnt. You are all
flawed. Emotions running though you
like poison. It's vile.
BUFFY
If it's so bad then why are you
still here?
DAWN
Thousands of years I have been
waiting for this day, to bring
about my world once again.
Soon the chaos I once enforced will
reign once again and you will fall
to my power.
(beat)
My allies will rise, my enemies
will die. Ulithios will be the only
word spoken by the mortal tongue.
It will be spoken with fear, with
awe. I am --
Buffy SWINGS the axe into Dawn's gut, burying it into her
body. Dawn looks down, then at Buffy.
BUFFY
If Dawn's dead, you'll die too.
Dawn FALLS back, over the coffee table, and to the ground,
the axe hanging out of her. Buffy leans over and Dawn slowly
raises her hand, touching the slayer's cheek.
DAWN
See.
A light begins to emanate from Dawn's hand until it fills the
entire screen. Then --
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
2 INT. CAVES - NIGHT - SEVEN WEEKS AGO 2
Dawn is standing in the rocky area, in the middle is a
contained fire. She is looking above, where there is nothing
but darkness, an amulet dangling in her hand.
DAWN
Tell me about Jackson Shaw.
VOICE (O.S)
His existence was put in motion
long ago. Everything he is is
unfolding and soon, the events
happening will become clearer.
DAWN
He's linked... to... something
else. There's something else here,
something bad.
VOICE (O.S)
(disturbed)
You do not know.
DAWN
No, I don't. Know what?
VOICE (O.S)
(beat)
Before man, there were demons.
These demons all ruled the world at
some point or another. They didn't
always get along and often killed
each other, much like modern
humans. Each had their own
strengths and weaknesses, but the
biggest weakness wasn't what they
had, it was what was to come.
(beat)
Man. The demons were banished from
this world, some slain, some kept
in the Deeper Well, some merely
vanished from the time space
continuum.
DAWN
I know this already.
VOICE (O.S)
One by one they will return and
reclaim this world that was once
theirs. They will come and the
final fight will follow.
(beat)
But some are already in the
process. This is what is coming.
This is what is already here.
DAWN
That's what's been happening? An
Old One is returning to this world?
How?
VOICE (O.S)
Ulithios, or the Source, as it has
been come to be known, has
disciples in this realm and many
others. The Bringers of Origin set
his coming in motion hundreds of
years ago. A powerful seer in the
cult found a way for Ulithios'
essence to be funneled back into
this world from the dimension it
had fled to.
(beat)
It would return in the form of a
mortal.
DAWN
Jackson?
VOICE (O.S)
(continuing)
It could only come with a birth of
the mortal, but the birth would
have to be mystical. Only by
magicks could the essence be
maintained. And so the Bringers of
Origin placed an agent inside a
congress of good. These people were
protecting something, an energy.
DAWN
(realizing)
The monks.
VOICE (O.S)
Yes. They harvested the Key and
made it human, sent it to the
Slayer. Using powerful means, they
created a mortal but they did not
know Ulithios' essence had been
merged with this birth.
Dawn steps back, shocked.
DAWN
(shocked)
Me. It's... inside me.
She looks down at the amulet and after a moment, tosses it
into the fire, which consumes it with a burning blue flame.
VOICE (O.S)
You must leave now.
DAWN
But I... I don't believe you. How
could that be right?
VOICE (O.S)
It is how it is.
Dawn's eyes widen in fear.
JOYCE (V.O)
When it's bad, Buffy won't choose
you. She'll be against you.
3 INT. SHAW RESIDENCE - LOUNGE - NIGHT 3
The blinding light quickly retreats as Buffy STUMBLES back.
Dawn rises and pulls the axe out of her stomach, throwing it
to the floor. Unhurt.
DAWN
Now you know.
BUFFY
It can't be... this isn't right.
DAWN
And to think. The vessel knew long
before any of you.
BUFFY
Why didn't she say anything?
DAWN
Because she died. The Bringers of
Origin are everywhere, they had
foreseen the vessel learning of the
truth long before she did. And so
they pinpointed her movements and
one follower killed her.
BUFFY
(realizing)
The car accident.
(beat)
But... Jackson saved her. He
brought her back to life.
DAWN
Curious how you can still only see
fairytales.
So much hurt but yet all you
believe in are happily ever afters.
(beat)
The vessel is dead. I am all that's
left. Since then I have been
watching you all. You are weak and
irrational. You think with your
hearts, hearts that pump useless
blood around your body like razor
blades. You let yourselves be
slaves to emotions.
Buffy doesn't respond, still in a state of shock.
DAWN (cont'd)
My army will rise. My will done.
And you will all die.
(beat)
I think I should be more content
with that notion.
Buffy eyes her, noticing something.
BUFFY
Does it bother you?
DAWN
It shouldn't.
BUFFY
But it does. That's emotions.
That's what you'll feel every
single day. You may be a demon but
you're inside a human body now and
those feelings will only grow.
(beat)
Soon you won't be able to move
without feeling something. You'll
be a slave, just like us.
DAWN
(angry)
No! My power will overcome the
restraints of this vessel. The
limbs will exceed their natural
basis, and my previous status will
once again grace this earth.
Jackson begins to STIR. Dawn looks down at him, cocking her
head, curious of his movements.
DAWN (cont'd)
(to Buffy)
Killing him would hurt you more
than killing you. That is your
weakness.
BUFFY
You've already taken my weakness.
DAWN
Dawn. You loved her.
(beat)
Now she is dead, what do you have
left to fight for?
BUFFY
(beat)
Her forgiveness.
Buffy swings a punch at Dawn, hitting her in the face. She
then kicks her back, sending her CRASHING through the window
and out onto the lawn.
Jackson finally gets to his feet and sees Buffy grabbing the
axe from the floor.
JACKSON
Buffy.
She turns to him but her eyes are that of determination. He
gets it.
JACKSON (cont'd)
You're really gonna kill Dawn?
BUFFY
That's not Dawn.
4 EXT. SHAW RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD 4
Buffy leaps through the window, landing on some broken glass,
quickly followed by Jackson. She looks around but as the
camera slowly zooms out, we see that Dawn has gone.
5 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 5
FAITH is holding a glass of water, staring out into the night
sky, scrapes a bruises mark her skin. GILES pushes the door
and comes through.
FAITH
The others still doing their happy
dance?
GILES
It's mutated into a slumber.
FAITH
(smiles)
Big night.
GILES
Yes. Yes, it was.
(beat)
Faith, you acted... remarkably.
She finally turns to face him, another smile gracing her
lips.
FAITH
This where you tell me I'm just
like a real Slayer?
GILES
(smiles)
I don't think that's... the way
you've come back from the darkness,
it's the kind of resilience a
Watcher would be proud of.
FAITH
It's no big. I rode a dragon, who
hasn't?
A brief laugh escapes Giles' lips.
FAITH (cont'd)
Besides, it's Willow who did the
mojo and Xander and Andrew with the
head chopping.
(beat)
And since when did Andrew become
this champion of nerds?
GILES
People change, Faith.
FAITH
I should know, right?
Giles gives her a nod as they both make their way back
through the door to the lounge.
6 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - LOUNGE 6
WILLOW and XANDER are sitting on the sofa. ANDREW is sitting
at the table, with JODY hovering by him. Close, but not too
close. Every now and again they exchange looks.
MARIE is on the other end of the table, with a load of books
in front of her. ANYA is in the armchair, her hand placed on
her stomach. Giles and Faith come through, catching them in
mid-conversation.
JODY
I know you probably fight them
like, once every year, but it was a
Dragon. Like, a real Dragon.
XANDER
Dragons? That was our first.
JODY
Really? It was so cool.
ANYA
Yes, it was cool how it almost
killed us all.
JODY
I just meant, the way Faith was on
it looking all heroic-like, and
hott, and then the portal, and the
decapitating... I'm so not gonna
sleep tonight.
WILLOW
(somber)
Kennedy woulda loved it.
Xander looks to her, quickly putting his arm around her and
pulling her closer to him.
MARIE
It was exhilarating.
GILES
But it's not over.
BUFFY (O.S)
Damn right.
They all look to see Buffy and Jackson come through the front
door. The slayer sets down the axe and folds her arms.
BUFFY (cont'd)
We found Ulithios.
WILLOW
Oh my God.
GILES
Are you all right?
JODY
Now, Ulithios is The Source, right?
Cos, I'm a little fuzzy on that.
ANYA
Me too. But that could be because
I'm pregnant.
(beat)
Pregnant women are often
exasperated and irrational. I've
read about it.
Xander gives her a nod.
GILES
(to Buffy)
Where was it?
BUFFY
At Jackson's. It knew about him
doing the ritual to find out
exactly who it had inhabited.
XANDER
How did it know?
BUFFY
Because...
JACKSON
Because it's Dawn.
Silence. The whole room falls completely silent as that
statement sinks in.
WILLOW
If Ulithios is in Dawn, that would
mean...
GILES
It would mean Dawn is dead.
BUFFY
No. She's not.
(beat)
Giles, that thing told me she was
but I'm not so sure. And I know
that you think she will be dead but
it was feeling what Dawn would be
feeling. It was showing emotions.
GILES
Well, yes, it would do. It's in a
human body now.
BUFFY
But I felt it.
(beat)
Dawn's not dead.
Giles looks to Marie and they exchange a look. It's obvious
they think Buffy's in denial.
ANDREW
So, what now?
BUFFY
Now, we track it down and get it
out of Dawn.
XANDER
Not to be all pessimistic but we're
dealing with an Old One here. It's
not gonna come quietly.
GILES
And how exactly do you plan on
getting it out of Dawn?
BUFFY
(to Willow)
Magic?
WILLOW
I don't know if... I'm not sure I
can.
BUFFY
Come on, Will, you're one of the
most powerful wiccas on this earth.
If anyone can, you can.
WILLOW
But that's just it. I'm not sure
anyone can.
BUFFY
They used magic to put the essence
of Ulithios in Dawn, so we must be
able to use magic to get it out.
Giles steps up to her.
GILES
Who?
BUFFY
The Bringers of Origin, Ulithios'
followers. One of them was among
the monks who first... who made
Dawn human. That's how they got it
into this world.
MARIE
Dawn was... made?
BUFFY
Long story.
XANDER
Monks made her from the Key.
BUFFY
Okay, not so long.
(beat)
Guys, we need to get to work here.
This demon is out in the open now
and it's not gonna lay low for
long.
JODY
How did you... I mean, how did you
find out it was Dawn?
BUFFY
(beat)
I knew. Or, I had my suspicions but
I couldn't act until we knew for
sure.
JACKSON
So we set a trap. Knowing Dawn
would hear and if she was really
Ulithios then it would try and kill
me.
BUFFY
Yeah, it was... well, it worked.
ANDREW
What if she'd really killed you?
JACKSON
(beat)
We hadn't thought that far ahead.
Faith gets up, clutching her side.
FAITH
Well, the Dragon's history so
that's one thing off the list,
right?
BUFFY
You got it?
FAITH
All dead. Shoulda been there, B.
GILES
Well if Ulithios has indeed blown
its cover then it'll be looking for
more of its army. No doubt we'll be
seeing more of them flying in the
skies.
BUFFY
Then we need to find her now.
(to Willow)
See what you can find. There has to
be a way to get Dawn back.
(to Xander)
Weapons. Get everything you can. If
there's gonna be more Dragons,
we'll need it all.
(to others)
We're not waiting for this one to
make its move. I don't need to
remind you that this is Dawn's life
we're dealing with.
ANDREW
I could look some stuff up on the
net, try and get some more info on
the Bringers of Origin.
BUFFY
Good.
JODY
(sadly)
I can't believe it's got Dawn.
BUFFY
We'll get her back.
GILES
Buffy.
She looks to him as he heads in the kitchen. She glances at
everyone else, then follows him in.
7 INT. SUMMERS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN 7
Giles stands by the refrigerator, leaning on it. Buffy comes
in, not taking her eyes off of him.
BUFFY
I know what you're gonna say.
GILES
Seems like we have this
conversation a lot.
BUFFY
I don't know if I can, Giles.
GILES
She's not your sister, Buffy. She
looks like Dawn, but it's not.
BUFFY
But she's in there. I know she is.
GILES
That may be true but if Willow
can't find a spell to bring her
back then --
BUFFY
Then, what, I have to kill her?
GILES
I'm sorry, Buffy, I really am. But
it falls on you. You are the
Slayer.
BUFFY
I'm not the only one.
GILES
Then shall I ask Faith?
BUFFY
No! No.
(beat)
If Ulithios hurts anyone, I'll kill
it.
GILES
(beat)
There is another thing.
Buffy nods, realizing.
BUFFY
Kennedy.
GILES
If Ulithios had already taken
control of Dawn, then it's possible
she killed Kennedy.
BUFFY
And we can't tell Willow. We need
her focused, not all vengeance-y.
Giles nods but stops Buffy as she heads for the door.
GILES
And what of Jackson? He has the
role of the Guardian, so what part
in this will he play?
BUFFY
I don't know, Giles.
(beat)
But he's not evil.
GILES
We don't know that.
BUFFY
I know that. Trust me.
GILES
I always do.