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Post by shred on Jun 17, 2007 16:32:27 GMT 10
TEASER
~MONASTERY~Astwihad was pacing the length of the hall of the monastery. Irritation was written all over his face. Ahriman watched him patiently, almost looking bored. ASTWIHAD: Flirting! Can you believe it? She's known him for five minutes and already she is eating from the palm of his hand. AHRIMAN: Are you jealous, Astwihad? ASTWIHAD: Don’t mock me! (pause) And no, I’m not jealous. AHRIMAN: Then why the temper? ASTWIHAD: I’m just saying that I don’t understand her. She’s able to flirt and is willing to do whatever for a stranger she just met but not for someone who has saved her life and has been helping her for the past month! Where’s the logic in that? AHRIMAN: I’m not familiar with this kind of behaviour, Astwihad. Maybe it’s time you change your strategy. The irritation on Astwihad’s face turned into a scowl. ASTWIHAD: I’m not going to change anything. I’m doing just fine. AHRIMAN: I don’t see what the problem here is. If he is bothering you, just eliminate him. Astwihad waved him off. ASTWIHAD: Nah. It’s too messy and I don’t want to get my hands dirty. AHRIMAN: If this is all you have to tell me… ASTWIHAD: No, there’s something else. Something quite worrying. AHRIMAN: What is it? ASTWIHAD: One of my sources told me that a collector is in town and she’s collecting souls – souls of slayers. And our dear Asta is her next target. AHRIMAN: And? ASTWIHAD: And she’s using those blue rocks to get the souls. I can’t remember what they were called. AHRIMAN: Aren’t these stones specific? ASTWIHAD: They are. (pause) You do see where I’m going here. Astwihad rolled his eyes in exasperation when Ahriman looked at him blankly. ASTWIHAD: If the stones don’t work on Asta, her friends will definitely start asking questions about Asta. Right now, we can’t afford her friends to be asking questions because we can’t afford for them to get the answers to those questions. AHRIMAN: Ah yes. It is worrying. What do you propose we do? Astwihad shrugged as he leaned against the wall across from Ahriman. ASTWIHAD: Well, I could always kill this collector but that would just make Asta ask questions. And there’s also the possibility of this collector finding out how special Asta is and becoming even more focused on getting her soul. So we are in a bit of a predicament here. AHRIMAN: I’ll leave this situation to you, Astwihad. And make sure you take care of it as soon as you can because we don’t have time for side projects. ASTWIHAD: You sure? Cause I’m really thinking about taking out this new guy that Asta has a crush on. Ahriman leaned forward, his red eyes narrowing. AHRIMAN: Astwihad, Asta can’t find out that she’s different. She might pull away from us. So do whatever you can to make sure she doesn’t find out. Astwihad smiled. ASTWIHAD: You’re the boss. CUT TO BLACK OPENING CREDITS ROLL THEME SONG “Club Foot” by Kasabian Starring:Jewel Staite as Asta Dawson Nicholas Brendon as Xander HarrisTom Lenk as Andrew WellsCillian Murphy as Oliver PikeAshley Scott as Tabitha PikeGuest Starring:Tyron Leitso as David BooneDean Cain as Ashley/Astwihad Maria Bello as The BlondMike Erwin as Sebastian Gold Created by Irene Issac with Beck SchwarzBased on the hit television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”END OF CREDITS DISCLAIMER: ASTA is created by Irene (shred) and Beck (Radient Evil). All original characters belong to us and us alone. All the other characters and the slayverse, however, belong to Joss Whedon and we are just borrowing them. If you want to use this series or any of the original characters, ask and you shall receive. This series is set during the 5th season of ANGEL.
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Post by shred on Jun 17, 2007 16:32:54 GMT 10
ACT 1
Asta head butted the blond woman and pushed her away. As the woman stumbled back, Asta lunged at her and the two of them toppled to the ground. Asta sat on top of The Blond and pressed the blade of her pocket knife against her throat.
ASTA: I haven’t tried chopping your head off so it might work if I do it.
The Blond struggled underneath Asta and the Slayer pressed the blade harder against her flesh.
ASTA: Don’t tempt me, woman. Now, I need you to answer a few questions. You don’t, we’ll just see if your head grows back if we chop it off. Ok?
The woman didn’t reply. She just glared at the Slayer.
ASTA: Ok. Now, I want you to tell me who I am. What I am?
WOMAN: I don’t know.
Asta pressed the blade even harder. Blood started trickling down from the sides of the blade.
ASTA: I said don’t tempt me!
The woman stared back at Asta.
ASTA: What am I? How do you know that I am different?
WOMAN: The stone didn’t work.
ASTA: So you didn’t know before?
The woman was about to shake a head when she remembered the knife at her throat.
WOMAN: No, I didn’t.
ASTA: Do you know why I’m different? How I am different?
WOMAN: No. I…I have never seen anything like you before.
ASTA: Huh. Ok. That’s…nice.
WOMAN: Demon.
Asta looked stunned at the woman’s declaration.
ASTA: W-What?
WOMAN: Behind you. Demon.
Asta glanced over her shoulder and her eyes widened when she saw a large demon that resembled a devil growling behind her. Its long, pointed red tail whipped about dangerously.
ASTA: Shit!
Asta jumped away from the woman and got to her feet, the pocket knife in front of her.
ASTA: Friend of yours?
The woman stood up and dusted herself off. The wound at her throat closed up.
WOMAN: I don’t like Lygis demons.
ASTA: Ok. So this is my problem then.
Asta turned her attention back to the demon.
ASTA: Let’s make it quick. I've got a lot of things to do today. Like kick this blond’s ass for nearly killing me.
Asta threw her knife straight at the demon’s heart. The demon swung its tail and smacked the knife away before it could hit its target. The demon roared and rushed the two of them. Asta jumped out of the way. Rolling on the back, she raised her hands to defend herself against the demon – in case it decided to leap on her while she was in the ground.
Instead the red demon ran straight towards The Blond. The Blond didn’t look surprised. She waited until the demon was almost on top of her before she dropped to the ground and lashed out at the demon with her right leg. Her foot hit the demon’s jaw so hard that it cracked inward and snapped the demon’s head back.
The demon dropped to the ground, dead.
ASTA: Whoa.
The woman stood up and gazed at Asta.
WOMAN: I don’t like Lygis demons because they are too stupid.
Without another word, she walked away from the Slayer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Astwihad cried out in frustration as he saw his Lygis demon fall to the ground with a broken neck.
AHRIMAN: She’s smarter than she looks, Astwihad.
ASTWIHAD: I can see that!
AHRIMAN: She knows too much.
ASTWIHAD: I know.
AHRIMAN: Asta will know too much.
ASTWIHAD: Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she doesn’t.
Astwihad shut the monastery door softly and turned to his master.
ASTWIHAD: Who knows – maybe this could work out in our favour.
AHRIMAN: As you say.
ASTWIHAD: Now I really want to kill something. Think I should kill that boy? Maybe torture him a little?
#########################################
~HOUSE~
Xander, Tabitha and Andrew were all seated at the dining table in silence. The three of them were staring off into space, off in their own worlds.
The front door slammed shut and Asta came shuffling into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw the three of them at the dining table.
ASTA: Hey.
None of them looked up. Asta frowned.
ASTA: Guys?
Andrew was the first to look up.
ANDREW: Asta.
ASTA: Andrew.
ANDREW: Asta, you’re here.
ASTA: Apparently.
Andrew nudged Xander who was beside him. He kicked Tabitha under the table.
ANDREW: Xander, look who’s here.
Xander and Tabitha snapped out of their reveries and focused on Asta.
XANDER: Asta!
ASTA: Xander.
TABITHA: Asta, you’re here!
ASTA: Are you guys alright? You sound like you’re on drugs on something.
ANDREW: Oh we are fine!
TABITHA: More than fine!
XANDER: Super fine!
ASTA: Ok…is there something wrong?
ANDREW: Nothing!
TABITHA: Nothing at all.
XANDER: Everything is fine.
ASTA: Alright, whatever you say. So…erm…I bumped into The Blond just now.
XANDER: You did?
ANDRW: Did she try to take your soul again?
ASTA: No, she didn’t. She seemed pretty uninterested in me. But there was this demon who was interested in her.
TABITHA: What kind of demon?
ASTA: The Blond said it was a Lygis demon. It looked like Satan’s very own twin brother. It came out of nowhere and attacked us. She killed it though.
XANDER: Any idea why the demon wanted to kill The Blond?
ASTA: Nope. The Blond didn’t either. But…
ANDREW: What?
Asta studied the three of them, contemplating. Then she shook her head.
ASTA: Nothing. So…any information on why the stone didn’t work?
All three of them gave Asta a big, bright smile and shook their heads in unison.
XANDER: Nope.
ANDREW: Nothing at all.
TABITHA: What they said.
ASTA: Ok. Well, I guess I’ll head out again and look for The Blond. She might not want my soul but she is still a threat to the other slayers out there.
ANDREW: Yes, you’re right. Want us to go with?
ASTA: No, that’s alright. I’ll be fine on my own. I think it’s best if you all stay here and continue researching. You need to find out what’s wrong with me…I mean the stone.
ANDREW: The stone. Right. Of course.
ASTA: Ok.
ANDREW: Ok.
XANDER: Ok.
TABITHA: What they say.
ASTA: Right.
Asta searched Tabitha’s, Andrew’s and Xander’s faces as they stared back at her with those big, fake smiles. She took her gaze away from their faces.
ASTA: Alright. I’ll see you guys later then.
XANDER: Be careful.
As soon as they were sure that Asta was gone, the three remaining in the kitchen sighed in relief. Tabitha slouched in her chair while Xander dropped his head onto the tabletop.
TABITHA: What just happened?
Xander didn’t lift his head as he replied.
XANDER: We lied?
ANDREW: Badly too. Do you think she suspects something?
XANDER: I don’t know. It was hard to tell. But it seem liked she was hiding something.
TABITHA: Just like how we are hiding something from her?
Andrew groaned as he buried his face in his hands.
ANDREW: We are bad friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta placed her hand on the doorknob and was about to twist it open when she heard her friends’ voices coming from the kitchen. There was something in their tones that stopped her from opening the door.
Instead, she let go of the doorknob and quietly moved down the hallway towards the kitchen. She stood just outside the kitchen but away from the entrance so that her friends couldn’t see that she was in there.
She continued to listen to their conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABITHA: Can someone tell me why we didn’t tell her what we found out?
Xander lifted his head and stood up.
XANDER: We can’t.
TABITHA: Erm…why?
He went over to the phone which was next to the refrigerator.
XANDER: Because we are not sure whether what we found was true or not. We need more proof.
TABITHA: I thought the exploding rock was proof enough.
Andrew lifted his eyes to Tabitha.
ANDREW: There might be other ways the stone could have exploded that we don’t know about.
TABITHA: You seriously believe that?
A look of annoyance spread across Xander’s face.
XANDER: Are you saying that you want Asta to be something that she’s not?
TABITHA: Of course not. I just think that we should tell her. I don’t want it to blow up in our faces when she finds out on her own.
XANDER: She won’t because there’s nothing to find out about.
TABITHA: I don’t know, Xander. It’s really hard to see that this is not true. It makes perfect sense.
ANDREW: It does?
TABITHA: Of course! The dreams she has been having, the voices she has been hearing, this thing that is supposedly after her? It all adds up. What if she’s experiencing all these things because she isn’t just a slayer?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta froze as her friends’ words washed over her. She didn’t want to believe what they were saying but she couldn’t help feeling that Tabitha might be right.
MATTHIAS: You’re not just a slayer. You’re different. So different that a mere vampire like me could tell you’re special.
WOMAN: Silly, Slayer. You don’t know what you are, do you?
ASTA: Who am I?
WOMAN: Not ‘who’, Slayer. What. What are you.
Asta leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
XANDER: I don’t think so.
Tabitha rolled her eyes in frustration.
TABITHA: God, Xander, are you that blind?! Connect the dots here! It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?
Xander took in a breath, trying to stay calm as possible.
XANDER: We can’t just jump into conclusions, Tabitha.
TABITHA: I’m not jumping into conclusions!
XANDER: It might be a coincidence. Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, Asta’s experiencing all these things because she’s something special?
TABITHA: Look, Xander, I’m thinking logically here. Sure she might be something special but I honestly can’t see it as something good.
XANDER: Well, I can and I’m going to keep seeing it until I’m proven otherwise.
Tabitha pursed her lips, not wanting to say anymore. She didn’t think she could argue with Xander. His mind was set and it didn’t look like anything could change it.
ANDREW: So what do we do now?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta’s curled her fingers into a tight fist. She leaned her head against the wall as tears trickled down her face.
Memories of her dreams that she had started flashing through her mind like some horror show.
MAN: All this can happen if you accept your destiny – accept who you really are.
Dead bodies of her friends – Xander, Andrew, Tabitha and Pike – stared back at her, their necks cocked at a haphazard angle.
A young girl about ten years old was running down the street. Behind her, Asta was running after her, a mean looking dagger in her hand.
Asta stood in the middle of a field with many dead bodies with hordes of demons behind her. The face of the same demon loomed large.
DEMON: We’ll rule together, Asta. Just accept your destiny.
With a gasp, Asta’s eyes flew open.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABITHA: I don’t know. I’m really lost. Until we have something concrete, there really isn’t anything we can do without running into dead ends.
Xander picked up the phone and started dialing.
ANDREW: Who are you calling?
XANDER: Giles. And Buffy and Willow.
ANDREW: Why?
XANDER: They need to know what we found out. Maybe they can help us find something concrete. Tabitha’s right, we can’t do anything without something concrete.
TABITHA: Thank you.
ANDREW: If we can’t find anything, you think they can?
XANDER: Maybe. Maybe not. But at the moment, this is the only thing I can think of doing. It’s better than sitting on our asses and staring at the four walls. They've got more resources than we do so something has to turn up.
TABITHA: So what do we do in the meantime?
XANDER: Look for The Blond. She’s still a danger to the other slayers.
He punched in the last number and placed the phone against his ear. A couple of rings later, someone picked up on the other end.
XANDER: Hello, Buffy? It’s me, Xander. (pause) I’m fine. Things here are…fine. How about over there? (pause) That’s good. Listen, there’s something I need you, Willow and Giles to help me do. It’s about Asta. We think she’s not just a slayer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta wasn’t sure what to do. She stood in the hallway, her mind going over the conversation in the kitchen.
She wished she could go in and demand them to tell her what was going on. But for some reason, she couldn’t seem to make herself move.
Casting one last look at the kitchen, Asta turned and ran out of the house, slamming the front door shut behind her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tabitha, Xander and Andrew turned their head towards the direction of the hallway when they heard the front door banging close.
TABTIHA: Was that…?
ANDREW: Boy, I hope not.
TABITHA: How much do you think she heard?
Andrew groaned and slumped onto the dining table.
ANDREW: We are bad friends.
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Post by shred on Jun 17, 2007 16:33:35 GMT 10
ACT 2
Asta ran without a destination in mind. Tears streamed down her face, distorting her vision. Buildings, trees, cars, people whipped by in a blur. She stumbled but she managed to keep her balance and she continued running.
She turned around a corner and collided into someone. The two of them tumbled to the ground. Sebastian Gold looked at Asta in surprise and in pain. His surprise and pain then turned into concern when he caught sight of Asta’s tear streaked face.
SEBASTIAN: Asta? Are you alright?
Asta climbed to her feet and took a look around at her surroundings. She hardly seemed to notice Sebastian, who was studying her intently. It was only when he called out to her the second time that she met his gaze.
SEBASTIAN: Everything ok?
ASTA: I have to go.
The Slayer pushed past Sebastian and started running down the street. Sebastian looked on with confusion. Then he smiled.
SEBASTIAN: Man, I have to go out with her.
#########################################
~HOSPITAL~
Pike wasn’t sure what time it was but it must be close to midnight. The level his room was on was silent and was void of activity.
Though his whole body ached and he was extremely exhausted, Pike couldn’t seem to close his eyes and get that much needed sleep his doctor and sister kept asking him to have. Every time he closed his eyes, he kept picturing Asta fighting with the blond woman and seeing his sister standing beside him, not wanting to do anything. He couldn’t believe that his sister would do something like that. He didn’t think that she had it in her.
Pike swept his hand across his face and sighed. He shifted a little in his bed, trying to get comfortable and closed his eyes. He heard footsteps approaching his bed a moment later and he opened one eye to see who it was.
David stood awkwardly a few feet away from Pike’s bed.
PIKE: Bad dream. This has got to be a bad dream.
DAVID: I can leave if you want.
PIKE: You’re real?
David smirked. He pushed his hands into his pockets and shrugged.
DAVID: Unfortunately, yes.
PIKE: Tabitha’s not here. And it’s midnight. Visiting hours are over.
DAVID: It’s hardly nine, Pike.
PIKE: It is? Damn, it feels like it’s midnight.
DAVID: Hospitals can do that to you.
Pike frowned at Tabitha’s boyfriend.
PIKE: What are you doing here? You’re not here to jump around and dance in happiness are you? Cause if you are, I was so right about you.
David grabbed a chair from the neighbouring bed and set it beside Pike’s. He sat down and crossed his legs at the ankles.
DAVID: No, I came to see how you were.
PIKE: Seriously?
DAVID: Seriously. Also, I did my whole Pike-is-hurt-I’m-so-happy song and dance number back in the bar. I don’t think an encore is needed.
PIKE: Ok. So you’re here to see how I was doing.
DAVID: Yup. (pause) And to talk.
PIKE: Talk?
DAVID: Talk. About us.
Pike shook his head in mock sadness.
PIKE: Are you breaking up with me, David?
DAVID: Ha ha. Very funny. I want to talk to you about Tabitha.
PIKE: What about her?
DAVID: I’m going to ask her to marry me.
Pike stared at David.
PIKE: I’m sorry, can you just repeat that? Cause I was so sure you just said that –
DAVID: I’m going to marry her, Oliver.
PIKE: This is a bad dream.
DAVID: Oliver…
PIKE: (scowling) Don’t call me that. Only people I like are allowed to. Even then, it’s only one time and when it’s important.
David raised his hands in apology.
DAVID: I’ll keep that in mind.
PIKE: So why are you telling me this? You do know that if you intend on marrying Tabitha, you should be proposing to her and not to me.
DAVID: I know but not right now. I want to ask you first.
Pike blinked.
PIKE: Wait. You want to ask me. As in, ask me for my permission.
David nodded. He straightened in his seat and ran a hand through his hair. He looked embarrassed.
DAVID: I know I should be asking your parents but Tabitha doesn’t seem to like your folks that much…
PIKE: That’s an understatement.
DAVID:…And she really cares a lot about what you think. I know that it’s important for her to know that you’re ok with this. Even though she would still marry me if you said no, it would be extra special for her if you said yes.
PIKE: Why are you telling me this now?
DAVID: Because this is probably the only time I can talk to you without one of us leaving in the middle of our conversation.
PIKE: And you knew I was here…how?
DAVID: Asta. She was at the bar and she mentioned you being sick.
PIKE: I’m gonna kill her. (pause) And I’m not sick.
DAVID: Ok. Whatever you say.
The two men fell silent. Their eyes wandered around the room but avoided each other’s.
PIKE: So…you want to marry my sister?
DAVID: Yeah. Yeah, I do.
PIKE: I see.
DAVID: I know you hate me but Tabitha doesn’t and…and I really want to spend the rest of my life with her.
PIKE: It’s not that simple.
DAVID: What makes you say that?
PIKE: There’s a lot about Tabby – about us – that you don’t know and –
DAVID: I know, Pike. But I’m going to try not to make it affect our relationship. I’m working really hard at it. After the whole bar incident, Tabby and I talked and I’ve made peace with it – or at least I’m getting there.
Pike went quiet.
DAVID: So?
PIKE: Ok.
DAVID: Ok?
PIKE: Ok. Marry my sister.
David broke into a grin.
DAVID: Really?
Pike looked at David and gave him a quick smile.
PIKE: Really. For some reason Tabitha really likes you a lot and she would be glad to have you in her life forever. And I want whatever that makes her happy.
DAVID: Thank you.
PIKE: But I still don’t like you.
DAVID: I can live with that.
David leaned back in his chair and the two men sat in silence.
#########################################
~HOUSE~
~Kitchen~
ANDREW: I got an email from Willow. Remember the little scan that she did when she first met Asta?
XANDER: Yeah. She said she saw some strange things right?
ANDREW: Yup and it included a face of a demon. She sent us a drawing of the demon – thought maybe we might get some luck finding the identity of it.
Andrew turned the laptop around so that Tabitha and Xander could see the scanned drawing of a demon.
TABITHA: Nothing I have ever seen before.
ANDREW: Maybe we should go over to Slick’s and see if he knows anything.
XANDER: It’s worth a shot. Did she say anything else?
ANDREW: Not really. She mentioned something about looking at Asta’s family history but she told us not to expect anything big just yet. It might take awhile. I told her about the stone though and she said she’ll pass the information onto Giles.
TABITHA: Ok, so England’s a bust.
XANDER: Let’s head over to Slick’s and see if he has anything. That demon is the only lead we have at the moment.
TABITHA: I don’t understand. What does that demon have to do with Asta?
XANDER: Willow did a scan – kinda like a background check – on Asta and she saw these weird images.
ANDREW: One of the images is of this demon.
XANDER: Coincidently, it was only after Willow did the scan that Asta started hearing those voices and having those dreams.
ANDREW: This demon might be responsible for the dreams and the voices.
TABITHA: What else did Willow see?
XANDER: Dead bodies and Asta.
ANDREW: Part of a bigger picture that we have yet to uncover.
TABITHA: You think this demon is responsible for making Asta…different?
XANDER: Maybe. If yes, how is he related?
ANDREW: Father?
Xander and Tabitha looked at him as if he had grown two heads.
ANDREW: It is possible.
TABITHA: Then who’s Douglas?
ANDREW: Maybe Asta’s mom had an affair.
Tabitha rolled her eyes in exasperation.
TABITHA: You are watching too much Charmed, Andrew.
Tabitha turned to Xander.
TABITHA: What about The Blond?
XANDER: What about her?
TABITHA: Aren’t we going to do something to take her down? She is still a threat you know.
ANDREW: Well, Asta’s said that she’s gone to look for her. So I think we've got that taken cared of.
TABITHA: Yeah but we – and Asta – still have no clue how to take her down. Unless we find her weakness, that Blond is powerful and not to mention invincible. I don’t think Asta alone can defeat her without finding out her weakness.
Xander stood up and moved away from the dining table. He made his way out of the kitchen.
XANDER: Honestly, I think The Blond is the least of our problems right now.
TABITHA: Hey, where are you going?
Tabitha quickly got to her feet and followed Xander out into the hallway. Andrew followed shortly after.
XANDER: Going to Slick’s. We have got to see whether he knows anything about the demon remember.
TABITHA: How can you say The Blond is the least of our problems? She is the one who almost got me, Pike and Asta killed!
ANDREW: And me!
TABITHA: And Andrew!
Xander grabbed his jacket and hastily slipped it on.
XANDER: That was before she knew that she couldn’t take Asta’s soul.
TABITHA: So you’re going to let The Blond run free until we find out who Asta really is?
XANDER: She’s harmless now.
TABITHA: How can you say that? She might be harmless to Asta but what about the thousands of Slayers back at the Watcher’s Council? What if she makes her way there and starts slaughtering all of the slayers there?
ANDREW: Tabitha’s right, Xander. This thing with Asta is the not the most pressing issue at hand at the moment.
TABITHA: And remember, the stone that this chick used on Asta wasn’t the right one. What if she finds the right one and goes after Asta again?
Xander remained silent. He looked away from them. Tabitha touched his arm, her voice growing gentle.
TABITHA: Look, I know you really care for Asta and you want to know what’s happening to her but we've got to remain objective here. This woman is the biggest threat right now. You won’t forgive yourself if people start getting hurt because of her.
Xander sighed, nodding.
XANDER: You’re right. I’m sorry. I just…I really want to help Asta.
TABITHA: We all do, Xand – and we still will. After we defeat this blond woman.
ANDREW: We can still head over to Slick’s. He might know something about the stones and maybe the identity of the woman.
TABITHA: Yeah. I think it’s about time we find out who she really is instead of calling her ‘The Blond’.
She squeezed Xander’s arm reassuringly.
TABITHA: Don’t worry, we’ll help Asta. We are her friends, it’s what we do.
#########################################
~MONASTERY~
Asta stood outside of the monastery, staring at the building. She was panting slightly and her eyes were red from all the crying.
ASTA: I always seem to come back here.
Ashley came out of the shadows and stood beside Asta.
ASHLEY: I know.
ASTA: And I always seem to find you here.
ASHLEY: I guess we are a lot alike.
ASTA: I found out something today – about myself.
ASHLEY: We are always learning something about ourselves.
ASTA: I’m not who I am.
ASHLEY: Who are you, Asta?
ASTA: Right now? I have no idea.
ASHLEY: What did you find out?
ASTA: That I’m not just a slayer. That I’m something else.
ASHLEY: Something else?
ASTA: Yeah. That blond woman told me that I should be asking what I am and not who I am.
ASHLEY: Is there a difference?
ASTA: You tell me.
Ashley didn’t say anything. He waited for her to continue.
ASTA: What if…what if I’m evil?
ASHLEY: Define evil.
ASTA: A killer.
ASHLEY: But you’re not.
ASTA: Aren’t I? I kill demons and vampires…
ASHLEY: It’s your job to do so.
ASTA: I killed that girl – Dana.
ASHLEY: Because she was the killer. You are just doing your job.
After a moment of silence, Asta spoke again.
ASTA: I don’t know whether I told you this but…before I came to Hades Valley, I heard voices and had strange dreams. It’s why I’m here. The voices and the dreams kept asking me to come here and I never knew why.
ASHLEY: Maybe it’s time to find out.
ASTA: How?
ASHLEY: By finding out who you really are.
ASTA: I…can’t. I don’t think I…I’m scared, Ashley. I’m scared of who I am. What if I don’t like the real me?
ASHLEY: Everyone doesn’t like a part of themselves and they don’t learn how to embrace and accept the part they hate. That’s why they become depressed or become something they are not. When they don’t accept it, they don’t accept who they really are and that’s the saddest thing in the world – not accepting yourself. I can help you learn about yourself and embrace the real you. I can help you accept your destiny – accept who you really are.
Asta looked at Ashley. His words sounded so familiar.
ASTA: I don’t know if I can handle it. I’m just so tired of everything that’s happening…I can’t take anymore, Ashley. I’m tired and scared and –
Ashley placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her towards him so that he was looking straight into her eyes.
ASHLEY: Hey. Listen to me. I will do everything in my power to help you. I’ll make sure that nothing will go wrong in your life again. I don’t want you to be scared again as it pains me to see you living in fear. You’re a slayer! You shouldn’t be afraid.
ASTA: I can’t help it. Nothing in my life is going right!
ASHLEY: Don’t worry. I’ll make sure things will be fine again for you. You’ll be safe with me. I will keep you safe. You stay with me and not only will I train you to be the best slayer anyone has ever seen but I’ll teach you the importance of being Asta. Because Asta, you are really important to the world believe it or not.
ASTA: My friends lied to me, Ashley. I don’t think I can trust them anymore. How can I trust you?
ASHLEY: Believe me, you can trust me. I would never lie to you – never. You can trust me, Asta.
Ashley pulled Asta into a hug.
ASHLEY: I won’t hurt you, Asta. Trust me to help you learn who you really are. Because once you find out who you really are, the world won’t know what hit them.
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Post by shred on Jun 17, 2007 16:34:34 GMT 10
ACT 3
~SLICK’S SHOP~
~Later~
The shop looked a little different from the last time the three of them were there. The place looked brighter with more colours and light and was crammed with more stuff.
Slick, a small black demon, was attending to a customer when Andrew, Tabitha and Xander entered the shop. The demon was wearing a loud, orange Hawaiian shirt and Bermudas. His red, beady eyes set on the three of them and he smiled wide, his silver teeth gleaming dully under the light.
SLICK: My, my, look what the cat dragged in.
Tabitha grinned as the three of them made their way towards the counter.
TABITHA: Nice to see you too, Slick.
SLICK: I’m disappointed in you, Tabitha. You haven’t visited me or made a purchase in what? A month?
TABITHA: I’m sure it wasn’t that long.
SLICK: No matter how long, it’s still long.
TABITHA: I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I see you’ve made some changes to the place. Very nice.
Slick shrugged as he took a look around his shop. Satisfaction was written all over his face.
SLICK: Yup. The customers were complaining about how depressing the shop looked and so I thought I brighten up the place a little. Just in time before the new shipment arrived.
TABITHA: Well, you certainly outdid yourself. I really like it.
Slick beamed.
SLICK: Thanks.
He nodded towards Xander and Andrew.
SLICK: I see you’re still hanging out with Eyepatch and the Watcher. I thought you would've ditched them by now.
TABITHA: Nope. They are a keeper.
SLICK: I see.
Slick gazed at the two men a moment longer before turning back to Tabitha.
SLICK: So what can I do for you today?
XANDER: There’s a new demon in town – or we think she’s a demon. She has been going around the taking the souls of slayers. We were wondering whether you know who this woman is or know how to stop her.
SLICK: Name?
XANDER: We don’t know. That’s why we are here.
SLICK: How is she taking these souls?
ANDREW: With a stone – a blue stone that turns white after it takes the soul. I don’t think there’s a name for the stone.
Slick nodded, his expression growing thoughtful.
SLICK: Can you describe how the woman looks like?
TABITHA: Blond, well-built. There aren’t any distinguishing features though.
XANDER: She was last seen dressed in a pair of army pants and a tank top.
ANDREW: She had cool boots.
Slick stroke his chin, his forehead furrowing deeper. Without a word, he turned, got down to his knees and disappeared behind the counter. Tabitha, Xander and Andrew leaned forward just to see what the small demon was up to.
Slick had opened a drawer at the bottom of the shelf that was behind the counter and was now going through the contents. The drawer wasn’t exactly filled with things. There was a few pieces of stationary, a couple of leather-bound books and some photos.
SLICK: Not sure I can help you with the woman but I do have some information on the stone. And you’re right, Watcher. The stone doesn’t have any name.
He took one of the leather-bound books, closed the drawer and stood up. He placed it on the glass counter.
SLICK: This book contains information on stones, rocks, jewels and crystals famous in the demon world. You might find some information on this blue, soul-sucking stone.
TABITHA: Great! Thanks, Slick.
XANDER: What about the blond woman?
SLICK: Like I said, not sure I can help you with that. Maybe if you have a picture or a name. But all I can do is maybe ask around and see if anyone has seen anything but I can’t promise you that you’ll get your answer.
ANDREW: That would be great.
SLICK: Is there anything else?
TABITHA: Actually, there is.
Tabitha reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a piece of paper. She unfolded it and passed it to Slick.
TABITHA: Know who this demon is?
#########################################
~MONASTERY~
AHRIMAN: What is she doing here?
ASTWIHAD: She needed help – I’m helping.
AHRIMAN: And how is bringing her here helping, Astwihad?
ASTWIHAD: She needs to know that this place is nothing to be afraid of. Beside, I’m sure you want to know how much she has found out about herself.
AHRIMAN: It’s too soon.
Astwihad rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
ASTWIHAD: First you tell me to hurry. Now you tell me it’s too soon. Make up your mind already!
AHRIMAN: It’s too soon for her to know about her identity.
ASTWIHAD: I know. But we can’t help that she found out some stuff. Look, I’m not going to tell her everything. Like you said, it’s too soon and she’s at the stage where a tiny little thing could scare her away from us. I’m just going to give her enough information to run to us and away from her friends. I’ll lie if I have to.
AHRIMAN: Don’t under estimate her intelligence, Astwihad.
ASTWIHAD: I won’t. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ASHLEY: Trust me, I know what I’m doing.
Asta nodded and closed her eyes. The two of them were in the small room in the monastery where they had their training. The room was nearly bare. Only two wooden chairs, a table and a dummy occupied the room. The table and the dummy were pushed to one corner of the room while Asta sat on the chair in the middle. Ashley sat across from her, holding both her hands. .
ASHLEY: This is a simple spell. It’s just going to let me enter your mind and have a look around – just to see what’s going on in there. To see those dreams you’ve been having and to understand what they mean.
ASTA: Will it hurt?
ASHLEY: Not at all. It’s going to be a little bit scary as the spell is going the open a door in your mind and cause all these dreams to come rushing out so be strong and don’t be afraid. If it gets too much for you, just squeeze my hand and I’ll break the spell. Don’t break contact with me. Understand?
Asta nodded, her eyes still closed.
ASHLEY: Good. Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll start.
Asta took in a deep breath.
ASTA: Ok. I’m ready.
ASHLEY: Ok. Just relax and let me do the work.
Ashley closed his eyes and started muttering under his breath.
ASHLEY: Let our minds merge so that the truth can be seen, the lies be hidden and the secrets be revealed. Let our minds merge so that the nightmares can be clothed with darkness and the dreams be embraced by light.
As Ashley repeated the words, Asta began to see fragments of the dreams that she has been having. Then Ashley appeared.
ASHLEY: You’re doing well, Asta. Just concentrate on these images so that I can see them too.
Asta open her mouth to speak but she couldn’t do so. She seemed to be paralysed.
ASHLEY: Just focus.
Ashley continued his spell.
ASHLEY: Let our minds merge so that the truth can be seen, the lies be hidden and the secrets be revealed. Let our minds merge so that the nightmares can be clothed with darkness and the dreams be embraced by light. Let our minds merge and become one.
The images slammed into Asta in full force.
Asta was standing in the middle of a large field all alone.
VOICE: Hello, Asta. Welcome home.
ASTA: It’s you. Who are you and why are you doing this to me? Why can’t you leave me alone?
VOICE: But you are home. Don’t you recognize the place you belong?
ASTA: In Hades Valley?
VOICE: No…with me.
ASTA: Who are you? How do you know me?
VOICE: I’ll be seeing you very, very soon, Asta. You are finally home and so am I.
Suddenly, the whole field was flooded with light and Asta had to shield her eyes with her hand.
ASTA: What’s going on?
VOICE: I’ll be seeing you Asta…
Something hit her squarely in the chest and she felt herself being flung backwards. She landed on the ground on her back. Then she saw the huge pillar of fire hurtling down from the sky towards her. As soon as the pillar of fire was inches away from her face, everything went black. The fire disappeared and the strong light that lit up the field vanished, leaving only darkness behind.
Asta got to her feet and looked around. Then a beam of light shone in her face and her hands flew to her eyes to shield them from the light. Squinting, she made out a blurry object in the distant. Little by little the object began to take shape and finally it took shape of a tall man. The man stopped just a few feet away from her.
The man was dressed in black – black suit, black shirt and black tie. He’s dark hair was combed back and his dark eyes twinkled. He was smiling and looked glad to see her. But with the light in her eyes, she was still unable to see his face.
He lifted his hands as if to hug Asta but she made no attempt to move.
MAN: Told you I’ll be seeing you. Now, it’s time to face your destiny and rule the earth with me.
ASTA: Ashley?
The man turned and gestured to something behind him. With the dim light, she was able to distinguish limp bodies of her friends – Xander, Andrew, Tabitha and Pike – hanging from a lone tree.
MAN: Your friends are only just the beginning. After them, it’s the people of Hades Valley. And after that, it’s the world.
The man turned to face Asta, one hand outstretched towards her.
MAN: All this can happen if you accept your destiny – accept who you really are.
Asta’s eyes were glued to the bodies that hung from the tree.
ASTA: I didn’t do that. I didn’t kill them.
MAN: But you did. You’ll do this and more, Asta. Just accept.
A white light flooded the whole area and then suddenly disappeared. Asta was now seeing another dream.
A young girl about ten years old was running down the street. Behind her, Asta was running after her, a mean looking dagger in her hand.
The white light came again and then disappeared. Another dream took the place of the last one.
A large, massive being came out of the ground. Fire surrounded it as the demon rose. Asta watched with a smile on her face. In one of her hands was the dead body of the ten year old girl. The other hand held a bloody dagger.
Asta stood in the middle of a field with many dead bodies with hordes of demons behind her. The face of the same demon loomed large.
DEMON: We’ll rule together, Asta. Just accept your destiny. You’re not good, you’re evil. Just like me. We’ll rule together.
The white light came for the third time but it didn’t disappear. A moment later, all the different images started flashing through her mind.
Asta let out a gasp as the intensity of the flashing got too much for her. She heard Ashley’s voice.
ASHLEY: Stay strong, Asta. It will be over soon.
The images continued flashing over and over again.
ASTA: Make it stop!
Asta squeezed Ashley’s hands as hard as she could, hoping that he would get the message. The images continued flickering through her mind.
ASTA: Ashley! Make it stop!
ASHLEY: Just a little bit longer.
The light got even brighter and the images flashed even faster. Asta started to feel dizzy and nauseous. A headache throbbed at the back of her skull.
ASTA: Stop it!
Asta yanked her hands free from Ashley’s grip. The white light exploded in her head causing her and Ashley to fly across the room.
Silence.
Asta’s mind was blank and quiet and so was the room. Groaning, Asta opened her eyes slowly. A strong headache pounded against her temple. She felt something wet trickling down from her nose. She brought her fingers to her face and touched her nostrils. She pulled her hand away and saw blood on her fingertips.
She heard groaning coming from across the room. Looking up, Asta saw Ashley slowly sitting upright. He looked dazed and blood was also dribbling down from his nose.
ASTA: Are you alright?
Ashley nodded and then winced. He pressed his right hand against his temple.
ASHLEY: I…think so. God, my head hurts!
ASTA: Tell me about it.
ASHLEY: What happened?
ASTA: I…let go.
Ashley cocked his head and looked at her questioningly.
ASHLEY: Why?
ASTA: It just got too much. And I felt all dizzy and nauseous and –
ASHLEY: I told you not to let go.
ASTA: I know. I’m sorry. I just couldn’t take it anymore.
Ashley got to his feet shakily. He rubbed the back of his neck.
ASHLEY: You know, if you can’t do what I ask maybe we should just forget about this.
ASTA: What? No!
Asta quickly stood up and rushed up to Ashley.
ASTA: You can’t just give up. Not after you promised me that you’ll help me.
ASHLEY: I can’t help you if you don’t let me help you, Asta. My instruction was simple – don’t let go. But you did because it got too much for you. Let me be honest here. It’s not going to get any easier. It will probably be hard for you and get too much to handle. Are you going to let go and run into hiding when that happens?
Ashley walked past Asta and headed out into the main hall of the monastery.
ASHLEY: If you are going to run whenever things get rough for you, let me know now so that I won’t waste my time helping you.
Asta blinked in surprise at Ashley’s harsh tone as she followed him out into the hall.
ASTA: What are you saying?
Ashley grabbed a towel that was hanging over the railing and touched it to his nose.
ASHLEY: I won’t help you if you don’t give me 100%. I won’t help you if you’re going to run every time you think you can’t handle it. You have to be strong, Asta. Not for me but for yourself. You've got to start learning to push your fears aside and face the problems head on. If not, I can’t help you.
ASTA: I said I was sorry.
ASHLEY: That’s not enough, Asta.
ASTA: Hey, why are you biting my head off? If I’d known you were going to be so touchy about this, I wouldn’t have let go.
Ashley shot the Slayer a glare as he tossed the towel aside.
ASHLEY: This isn’t about you letting go, Asta. Don’t you get it? Can’t you see the bigger picture here?
ASTA: What the hell are you talking about?
ASHLEY: I’m talking about you trusting me, Asta! You let go because you didn’t trust that I was in control. I was in control the whole time. Whatever you were experiencing, I was experiencing it too. I knew what was happening in your head. But you acted like I didn’t have a clue – like I don’t know you were in pain. That’s how you’ve been your whole life, right?
Ashley took a step forward, his voice rising.
ASHLEY: You think that everyone around you – your dad, your friends, your Watcher – has no clue as to what you are feeling or going through. You think that you’re the only one in this world who feels the way you do. That’s why you shut everyone out. You bottle up your pain and fear inside and isolate yourself instead of coming out and asking for help. You don’t trust that anyone could help you because how could they? They don’t know how you’re feeling.
Ashley took another step forward and the two of them was face to face. So close that Asta could feel his breath on her cheeks as he spoke.
ASHLEY: Maybe if you open up once in awhile, the people who care about you would understand what you’re going through and help you. If you trust them, they would trust you.
Ashley narrowed his eyes, his gaze boring right through Asta’s.
ASHLEY: Maybe that’s why your friends didn’t tell you about what they found out. Because they don’t trust you.
Before Asta could stop what she was about to do, her right hand flew up and slapped Ashley across his face. Ashley didn’t look surprised. Instead, he smirked, his hand rubbing his raw cheek.
ASTA: How dare you. How dare you talk to me like you know me. You hardly know me at all. So don’t you dare accuse me of being afraid!
ASHLEY: Then tell me, Asta, why do you keep running away?
Asta raised her chin, her mouth set in a thin line.
ASTA: I’m leaving.
The Slayer whirled around and stalked towards the exit of the monastery.
ASHLEY: There you go again! Running away because you can’t handle it. Typical!
Asta didn’t turn around. She kept on walking.
ASHLEY: How are you going to know who are you really are if you can’t face the truth, Asta? You are important. You have a role on this earth.
ASTA: I’m a Slayer. I know what my role on this earth is.
ASHLEY: Oh yeah? Well, that’s not what the dreams in your head tell me.
That sentence made Asta stop in her tracks. She had one hand on the door and one foot across the threshold. She turned around and faced Ashley. He was now leaning against the railing. He had his arms across his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles. His right check was bright red. If she looked carefully, Asta could almost make out her hand imprint.
ASTA: You know what those dreams mean?
Ashley smiled cryptically.
ASHLEY: I do.
ASTA: Tell me.
ASHLEY: You sure you won’t run away again if I tell you?
Asta thought about it for a brief moment before shaking her head.
ASTA: I won’t.
ASHLEY: You promise?
ASTA: Yes I promise! Now can you tell me what those dreams mean?
ASHLEY: They mean that you, Asta Dawson, are not a Slayer.
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Post by shred on Jun 17, 2007 16:35:54 GMT 10
ACT 4
~SLICK’S SHOP~
SLICK: That demon is known as Ahriman.
Xander, Tabitha and Andrew were in the back of Slick’s shop. The room is out of bounds to all customers as it serves like a lounge area and office for Slick. The room was slightly smaller than the main shop and fully furnished. There was a brand new couch, a round, glass coffee table, a small television set and a small bookshelf that was fill with all sorts of books. Beside the bookshelf was a small cupboard that had a few mugs, a teapot and some snacks on it. Next to the entrance of the room was a round, wooden table with 5 matching chairs around it.
The four of them were seated around the table. Each of them had a mug in front of them but they remained untouched as Xander, Tabitha and Andrew was more interested in what Slick had to say than what was in their mugs. Slick, on the other hand, was draining his second cup of tea. In the middle of the table was the picture of the demon that Tabitha brought with her and a thin, black book.
Slick stood up, taking his empty cup with him.
SLICK: I’ll be right back.
TABITHA: Slick, you can’t just leave just as you were about to start your story.
SLICK: But I need my tea!
Tabitha sighed in frustration. She then noticed Andrew’s and Xander’s curious expressions.
TABITHA: He’s a Myhaa demon.
XANDER: Ok…so?
SLICK: So I need my tea.
TABITHA: Myhaa demons love their tea.
ANDREW: I thought it was coffee.
Slick came back to the table with a fresh pot of tea. He poured himself a mug before sitting down.
SLICK: You’re thinking of a Nyhaa demon, my little Watcher. Same family of demons but different species. They are the ones who love their coffee.
ANDREW: Oh right.
SLICK: So where were we?
XANDER: Something about this demon being called Ahriman.
SLICK: Ah, yes. Ahriman. According to Mazdean philosophy, life originated from two principles, Ahura Mazda and Ahriman, who was created by Ahura Mazda. The two of them govern the universe.
Slick took a huge gulp of his tea and poured more into his mug.
SLICK: Ahura Mazda represents lightness. He is full of only goodness, no evil and does not tolerate any kind of evil or unrighteousness. Ahriman, on the other hand, is the opposite. He chose to be evil and he represented darkness. Ahriman refused to abide by the laws of Ahura Mazda and thus –
XANDER: Let me guess, a fight broke out between the two and they weren’t best friends anymore?
Slick smiled, looking impressed.
SLICK: Give that pirate a gold star!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~MONASTERY~
ASHLEY: According to Mazdean philosophy and ancient texts, there are three great souls and they are called Saoshyants or Saviours. These three Saoshyants destroy evil and bring forth the reign of righteousness onto this world.
ASTA: What does that got to do with me?
ASHLEY: Because you, Asta, are one of the Saoshyants.
ASTA: No. That can’t be right. I can’t be a saviour. Those dreams I had were all about killing! How can I be a saviour if I kill people?
ASHLEY: Asta, your dreams don’t show you killing people.
ASTA: What about all those dead demons?
ASHLEY: They are demons – they deserve to die.
ASTA: What about that little girl? My friends? They were hanging dead from a tree! And that man said that my friends were only the beginning. After them, it’s the people of Hades Valley and then the world!
ASHLEY: Dreams are not meant to be taking literally. There’s always a hidden meaning behind it.
ASTA: I don’t believe there’s a hidden meaning behind my friends’ death, Ashley.
ASHLEY: Maybe you’re right. But I have to ask. Did any of your dreams – even pieces of it – come true?
Asta frowned. She racked her brain, trying to remember anything that looked a lot like the images in her dreams. Then it hit her.
ASTA: Yes. Andrew. When he got kidnapped, we found him hanging from a tree in the cemetery.
ASHLEY: And were you responsible for that?
ASTA: Well…no, I wasn’t. I mean I didn’t hang him there if that’s what you’re asking.
ASHLEY: Like I said, dreams have hidden meaning. We just have to study each sentence and image and figure out its meaning.
ASTA: Ok…so I’m this Saviour. What am I supposed to do?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~SLICK’S SHOP~
ANDREW: What else does this Ahriman dude do?
SLICK: Many other evil things.
The small demon picked up the thin, black book and flipped through the pages. He stopped when he found what he was looking for.
SLICK: Here’s a text about Ahriman. “Ahriman created many of the evil things. He created the serpent in the river and winter, the locust, – which brings death unto cattle and plants – plunder and sin, the sin of unbelief, tears and wailing, the sin of pride, the sin for which there is no atonement, the unnatural sin, the evil work of witchcraft, the cooking of corpse and barbarian oppression".
XANDER: He’s been a busy man.
Slick put down the book and leaned back in his chair.
SLICK: Basically, he created things in the world to fight the good things Ahura Mazda created.
TABITHA: This just gets weirder and weirder. What does Ahriman have to do with Asta?
ANDREW: You don’t believe that Asta is Ahriman do you?
XANDER: I don’t think so. If she is, she would probably have caused more havoc by now.
SLICK: Asta?
TABITHA: She’s a friend of ours. Also a Slayer.
SLICK: Is she the one who had the strange dreams?
TABITHA: The one and the same.
SLICK: Hmmm, that’s interesting. And Ahriman, how did you know about him?
TABITHA: He’s the demon that Asta saw in one of her dreams.
SLICK: Well, there’s your answer then.
ANDREW: What is?
SLICK: Asta sees Ahriman in her dreams. Remember how I said that demons who give humans demonic dreams have a connection with them?
XANDER: Vaguely.
SLICK: Well, maybe Ahriman has a connection with your Slayer friend.
XANDER: What kind of connection?
SLICK: That my friend, I wouldn’t know.
ANDREW: Maybe that’s why Asta is different – because of the connection.
TABITHA: You think a connection with a demon is able to alter someone’s soul?
SLICK: I highly doubt it would. But then again, you have to find out what kind of connection it is. Is it blood? Magick? Genetics?
XANDER: Genetics?
ANDREW: You mean, this thing – Ahriman – could be Asta’s father?
SLICK: I have no idea, Watcher. I’m just giving a guess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~MONASTERY~
ASHLEY: My guess is to make this world a safer place for the good guys. You’re a saviour, Asta. Do what a saviour would do – save people.
ASTA: That’s it? I save people? Isn’t that like being a Slayer?
ASHLEY: I guess you can look at it that way.
ASTA: How do you know all this?
ASHLEY: Let’s just say I have some expertise in this area.
ASTA: Is that why you’re helping me?
ASHLEY: Yes. It’s my job to make you better at what you do.
ASTA: So I’m not a Slayer then but a Saoshyant?
ASHLEY: Ok I might be exaggerating a little when I said you weren’t the Slayer. You are a still a Slayer but not your typical one. There’s something special in you. Now, how about we use this new found information and go find that woman who has been stealing Slayer souls.
#########################################
~CEMETERY~
It took Asta and Ashley less then half an hour to find The Blond. The two of them found her in the cemetery fighting off a couple of vampires.
ASHLEY: Are you sure she’s the bad guy?
ASTA: Honestly, I’m not so sure anymore.
ASHLEY: Maybe we should talk to her – ask her if she likes a full time job over in the good guy side.
ASTA: I’ll remember to ask that when I’m fighting for my life.
ASHLEY: Don’t worry, you’ll do good. Just remember what you are and your purpose in this world, Asta. You are here to get rid of all evil. That’s your purpose.
ASTA: But I don’t even know how to defeat her?
ASHLEY: I’ll give you a clue. The stones give her power.
ASTA: That’s it?
ASHLEY: Hey! Blond chick! Over here!
Before Asta could react, Ashley pushed her forward. The Blond stopped her fighting and glanced over at Asta.
ASTA: Er…hi! We meet again.
The Blond scowled before tearing off the head of the last vampire. She started stalking towards the Slayer.
ASTA: Ashley! You sure about this?
ASHLEY: Just remember the importance of being Asta!
ASTA: Like that would help!
Ashley didn’t respond and Asta turned her attention to The Blond. She spotted a blue stone in one of the woman’s hands.
ASTA: That stone won’t work on me you know.
Asta smiled as she dropped into a familiar fighting stance.
ASTA: I’m special.
The two of them rushed each other and they both clashed as they met in the middle. The impact threw the two women a few meters away from each other and caused the blond woman to drop her blue stone beside Asta.
Asta got to her feet and smashed the stone with her foot. She heard someone let out a cry of pain behind her. Whirling around, Asta saw The Blond on her knees, blood trickling from her lower lip. Pain flashed across her face as she tried to get to her feet.
Asta looked at the stone and then back to the woman. Realization dawn upon her and the Slayer smiled.
ASTA: The stone gives you power. I bet it takes it away too.
Asta grabbed the back of the woman’s neck, lift her off the ground and threw her against a tree. The woman smashed into the tree, taking a chunk of bark off the trunk. The Blond shot to her feet and started advancing towards Asta. She didn’t look like the weak person she was a minute ago.
As the two women got into their fight, Ashley leaned against a tree and watched them with his arms across his chest. He observed Asta with a pleased look on his face.
ASHLEY: (grinning) I should win an Oscar for my performance.
Asta managed to pin The Blond against one of the mausoleums. She pressed an elbow against the woman’s throat and pressed her right knee into her abdomen.
ASTA: Where are the other stones?
The woman didn’t reply. She looked at Asta with pure hatred in her eyes.
ASTA: Ashley! I need some help here!
ASHLEY: Did you try checking her pockets?
ASTA: Why didn’t I think of that?
Using her free hand, Asta patted The Blond down. Her fingers hit something hard when she reached the side pockets of her army pants.
ASTA: Jackpot!
Finding the stone caused Asta to loosen her hold on the woman. The Blond used this moment to head butt the Slayer. Asta reeled back, stars exploding before her eyes. She shook her head to clear her vision and as soon as the stars were gone, she saw a fist coming straight to her face. Asta didn’t have time to react and the fist connected across her jaw.
Asta spun and fell to her knees. The Blond loomed over the Slayer.
WOMAN: You might be special but you are as weak and stupid as the others.
Asta looked up and another fist struck her across her face. Asta spat out blood as she fell to her hands.
WOMAN: I might not be able to get your soul but I would very much like to take your life.
The Blond lifted her leg and was about to aim a kick at Asta’s stomach when Asta’s hands shot out and grabbed hold of the woman’s foot. She twisted it hard, breaking her ankle and pushed the woman away. The woman screamed in pain as she fell back.
Asta came up to the blond woman as she writhed on the ground in pain. She reached into the pocket where the stone was and took at least five white stones out.
ASTA: Who’s the weak one now?
Asta dropped the stones to the ground and started smashing them with her foot. The Blond screamed out in pain as every stone broke. Once the last stone lay in smithereens, the woman lay unconscious on the ground.
Ashley came up to the Slayer.
ASHLEY: Finish her off.
ASTA: But she’s harmless now. Without her stones, she’s nothing – just a blond woman.
ASHLEY: But she deserves to die for all the slayers that she killed.
ASTA: I’ll call the Council and let them deal with her.
Ashley grabbed Asta’s arm and pulled her towards him. His eyes darkened as his lips twisted into an angry snarl.
ASHLEY: I said finish her off, Asta.
Asta’s eyes widened in surprise at Ashley’s sudden turn in emotion.
The anger disappeared and a pleading smile replaced it before Asta could say anything else.
ASHLEY: Please?
Asta nodded slowly. She broke free from Ashley’s grip and pulled out her pocketknife. She flipped out the blade and stood over the unconscious blond.
ASHLEY: It’s your job as a Saoshyant, Asta. You’re protecting the world by killing her.
Asta plunged the knife into the woman’s heart.
#########################################
~HOUSE~
~Later~
When Asta entered the house an hour later, she found Andrew, Tabitha and Xander in the living room in the midst of piles of books and papers. They didn’t hear her come in until she cleared her throat loudly.
TABITHA: Asta! I’m glad you’re back. We got some information that might –
ASTA: I know what I am.
The three of them traded glances before returning their gazes to the Slayer.
XANDER: You do?
ASTA: Yeah. I got…a friend that helped me figure out what I am.
XANDER: Ok…
ASTA: And I’m ok with it – with what I am.
ANDREW: What are you?
Asta smiled her first smile in days.
ASTA: I’m one of the good guys.
TABITHA: What about The Blond?
ASTA: She’s gone. I killed her.
ANDREW: How?
ASTA: The stones. It gives her the power and the invincibility. You destroy the stones, you destroy her.
ANDREW: Rats! I should have known that.
TABITHA: How did you know that?
ASTA: I had some help.
TABITHA: Is that all you’re going to tell us?
ASTA: Yeah. I don’t want to make the situation any more complicated than it already is. I still need time to process everything. Once I’ve done that, I’ll fill you in.
TABITHA: Ok…I guess.
ASTA: Well…I’m going to take a shower then head off to bed. It’s been a long night.
ANDREW: Asta, there’s something else.
ASTA (sighing) Can this wait till tomorrow or a year from now? I’m really beat.
ANDREW: Oh…ok.
Xander stood up and went over to her. He grabbed her hand before she could leave. Concern was etched all over his face.
XANDER: Are you sure you are ok?
ASTA: I am, Xander.
XANDER: You sure? Cause I know how rough things can be and –
Asta touched his face, cutting him off.
ASTA: Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.
Xander nodded.
XANDER: Ok.
ASTA: Goodnight.
She tiptoed and pecked him on the cheek before leaving the living room.
TABITHA: You seriously need to ask her out, Xand.
Xander looked at Tabitha, puzzled.
XANDER: What?
TABITHA: Don’t tell me you can’t see it? Even Andrew can see it!
ANDREW: I can see it. Very clearly.
XANDER: See what?
TABITHA: You like her. You should ask her out.
ANDREW: Cause you like her.
TABITHA: And she likes you.
Xander scoffed, shaking his head. He made his way to the couch and flopped down on it.
XANDER: I don’t like her. I mean, I like her as a friend but that’s all.
ANDREW: That’s all?
XANDER: That’s all.
ANDREW: Liar!
XANDER: I’m not lying! I just don’t see her that way. She’s just a friend. That’s all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asta paused at the staircase as she listened to Xander’s conversation with Tabitha and Andrew.
XANDER: I don’t like her. I mean, I like her as a friend but that’s all.
ANDREW: That’s all?
XANDER: That’s all.
ANDREW: Liar!
XANDER: I’m not lying! I just don’t see her that way. She’s just a friend.
Asta sniffed and swiped her hand across her face from preventing any tears from rolling down her cheeks. Without a backward glance, she sped up the stairs and into her room.
XANDER: That’s all.
CUT TO BLACK
END CREDITS
Written by
Irene Issac
Story Editor
Beck Schwarz
Special Thanks To
Everyone and anyone who helped in making this episode a success
A BECK TO SHREDS production. © 2007 Irene Issac[/i]
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Post by shred on Jun 17, 2007 16:36:53 GMT 10
Feedback, reviews, comments and suggestions are to be left in my feedback thread. Be sure to check out the Episode Trivia thread too! Thanks for reading.  |
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