Dominion, episode 1.20 - "Sticks and Stones"

[Allan]

Welcome to the twentieth instalment of Dominion, entitled "Sticks and Stones". As I mentioned about five weeks ago when posting the previous episode, I held off posting this episode until the final three of the season were written, and I am astonished by the fact I actually got there.

This episode is the first of a three-part finale, as Oni's plans come to fruition and everybody at the Dominion scrambles to prepare for the final battle. It took a little while to write, particularly the action sequences and planting the final seeds for the next two episodes.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy it. Please note that I will not be posting any trivia for this episode until 1.22, due to the close ties between them and not wanting to potentially spoil the finale.

This episode contains one song:

• My Immortal by Evanescence

Classification: M 15+ for violence, sexual references, some minor language, and adult themes (using the Australian classification system)

Pages: 46

Words: 11,795

I hope you enjoy the episode. Any feedback, positive, negative, or just plain rude, in the Dominion feedback thread is always appreciated. Thanks!

[Allan]

CLEM:
Previously on Dominion:

EXT. NEW YORK CITY, DOMINION ACCESS POINT – NIGHT

Shell, Jack and Bob walk toward the access point ahead of Illyria, who is helping Kalinka walk as she heals.

Jack opens the door and steps aside as Illyria helps Kalinka in, then Shell and Bob enter. Jack follows them inside and closes the door behind him.

Kate steps into the alley and rushes toward the access point. She opens the door and steps inside to discover a dilapidated storeroom. Kate looks around the storeroom confused and shakes her head.

KATE (under breath):
Apparently, I really don’t find them.

INT. DOMINION BAR

Kalinka looks at Clem lovingly and gently places her hand on his leg.

KALINKA:
I missed you, Clem.

CLEM:
I was only gone for a few days.

KALINKA:
No, over the past few months. I’ve missed you.

Clem smiles to Kalinka and nuzzles his head into her shoulder.

CLEM:
Yeah, me too. Do you think we could…

Kalinka nods her head.

KALINKA:
I’m game if you are.

Clem and Kalinka kiss each other on the lips tenderly. Beck glances over and claps her hands loudly, embarrassing them.

INT. NEW YORK GRAVEYARD, ANCIENT CRYPT

Miranda, Belle, Sam and Alicia all stare at Victor in stunned disbelief as he waves his severed leg in the air. Miranda steps toward the warlock and glances down into the coffin and back up at him.

MIRANDA:
You’re Victor Murch? The warlock?

VICTOR (sarcastically):
No, I’m the goddamn tooth fairy. And I look damn fine in a tutu.

INT. DOMINION BAR

Victor nods his head.

VICTOR:
Well, I guess next time I see you folks, we’ll be fighting to the death. Ta ta for now.

INT. BEXL DIMENSION, TRINKET SHOP

A five-foot tall, female, ELDERLY DEMON with pale grey skin and bright orange, straggly hair, wipes down the counter of her small trinket shop. The shop has a musty feel to it, and its walls and shelves are adorned with various trinkets and mystical objects

The elderly demon looks up as a bell over the door rings, alerting him to the door opening as Bob steps inside. He rushes toward the counter.

ELDERLY DEMON:
Can I help you, young man?

BOB:
I hope so. I heard a rumour that you have the Amulet of Voltok.

ELDERLY DEMON:
And what would a Cessation Demon such as yourself be wanting with such an item?

BOB:
That’s my business.

INT. TOKYO, CAFÉ

Bob reaches into his pocket, withdraws the amulet and hands it to Fred.

BOB:
It’s called the Amulet of Voltok. It covers whoever wears it in a magical aura, making them, for all intents and purposes, a demon.

Fred shakes her head and looks at Bob sadly.

FRED:
Bob, I just told you that I’m happier like this. Just as plain old Winifred Burkle.

BOB:
No, Fred, that wasn’t what I meant. It means you can access the Dominion.

EXT. TOKYO, CITY STREET – NIGHT

Tok points into the distance to the top of the Wolfram & Hart tower, which can be seen over the city’s skyline. A bright light glows, expanding slowly.

TOK:
I think this is worse.

As the light expands, it becomes apparent that it is a portal to another dimension. Creatures leap and fly out from it and soon flood the night sky.

FAITH:
Much worse. And where the hell is Fred when we need her?

TOK:
We’ll need a lot more than Fred, Faith.

[Allan]

Teaser[/u]

EXT. NEW YORK, HI-FI STORE – NIGHT

The window of the hi-fi store shows various television sets, all of which are tuned in to the same station. On the sets, an ANCHORWOMAN reads the news.

ANCHORWOMAN:
It has been three nights since what appear to be portals have opened up above the Wolfram & Hart building in Tokyo, Japan. Representatives of Wolfram & Hart have been unavailable for comments, but rumours persist that the creatures escaping the area are demonic in nature.

The image on the televisions cuts away from the anchorwoman to footage of various demons emerging from the portals and scattering throughout the city.

ANCHORWOMAN:
In just over 72 hours, the chaos has spread through all of Asia and through Europe. Preliminary reports suggest that this activity is making its way into the United States. The Secretary of Defence has recommended that everybody stays indoors until these reports can be confirmed.
(beat)
The newsroom, however, has received the following amateur footage, taken from a cellular phone found in Central Park. It is advised that sensitive viewers change channels.

The televisions cut away from the newsroom and begin to play the grainy footage taken from the phone’s camera. It is being filmed by an unseen person late at night and slowly zooms toward a dark figure walking through the trees. The FIGURE emerges slowly, revealing itself to be a figure of approximately seven feet tall, and wearing a flowing maroon cloak. The figure turns toward the camera briefly, revealing pale skin from under the cloak’s hood. Startled, the figure leaps away and into the shadows.

The camera zooms further into the trees, trying unsuccessfully to catch a second glimpse of the figure. The camera zooms out again, looking at a wide angle of the trees to try and catch any glimpse of the figure. Footsteps can be heard in the background, and the camera spins around to see the cloaked figure stepping toward it.

The camera moves backward slowly and nervously as the cloaked figure stares at the unseen cameraperson. The figure stands still, staring, as the camera continues to move backward. The camera begins to shake and the figure steps forward. The figure begins to shake even more as heavy breathing can be heard in the background.

FEMALE VOICE (O.S., under breath):
Come on, come on…Calm down, he might be a nice monster…

The camera’s shaking begins to ease and it lifts up and zooms in toward the cloaked figure’s face. The face’s pigmentation is very pale, and the texture of its skin is wrinkly. The figure’s eyes are a deep blue colour and appear to be glowing.

The figure suddenly rushes toward the camera and the girl holding the phone screams. The camera spins around and faces the ground as the girl runs away. Grainy footage of the grass rushing by can be seen while a leg moves in and out of the camera’s view as the girl runs.

A bloodcurdling scream can be heard off camera as it drops to the ground, staring up into the night sky. The cloaked figure steps into view, holding a seventeen year old GIRL by the throat. The figure pulls the girl toward it, pressing its lips against hers. The figure begins to suck the girl’s face, dehydrating her, until she is dry and wrinkled. The figure grips the girl’s neck tightly, snapping it, drops her to the ground and walks off into the darkness.

The view on the television returns to the newsroom, where the anchorwoman sits in her chair and looks at the camera confidently.

ANCHORWOMAN:
The New York Police Department is refusing to comment on the video. Is it proof of monsters attacking New York, is it a prank, or is it a high school media assignment? There was not a body retrieved from the scene.
(beat)
This is not the first time that there has been suspected demonic activity in the United States. In May 2003, Sunnydale, California was destroyed by what former residents describe as “evil personified.”

The television sets show an image of a desolate crater where Sunnydale used to be before returning to the newsroom.

ANCHORWOMAN:
However, the Department of Defence has described this as a terrorist attack on American soil. The perpetrators are apparently still at large.
(beat)
Almost exactly a year later, the city of Los Angeles seemingly disappeared, with the city’s denizens claiming that it had been sent to Hell. However, it has since been reported that this was an elaborate hoax to promote the short-lived reality television series, “Get Me the Hell Out of This Town.”
(beat)
In related news, people all over the world are flocking to churches of all religions, worshipping and making peace with their gods.

The television scene shows a Catholic church with hundreds of patrons queuing outside the door. A priest stands by the entrance, doing his best to keep the patrons at bay and to ease their panic.

A NEWS REPORTER stands next to a patron.

NEWS REPORTER:
I am here at St. Johns Catholic Church and the turnout here is unbelievable. We have literally hundreds of people here to make their peace with God.

The news reporter turns to the patron.

NEWS REPORTER:
How long have you been here?

PATRON:
About three hours. I am here to give my final confession.

NEWS REPORTER:
Your final confession?

PATRON:
The Final Judgement is upon us. The Resurrection of the Dead has begun, and they are walking among us. Soon, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, will descend to Earth and will judge all people who have ever lived.

The news reporter turns back to the camera.

NEWS REPORTER:
Is the Final Judgement upon us? Only time will tell.

The camera cuts back to the newsroom. The anchorwoman looks toward the camera.

ANCHORWOMAN:
After the break, a heart-warming story about an old lady and her claims about her talking dog.

Outside the hi-fi store, a large group of people are gathered watching the televisions. Toward the front of the group are DETECTIVE KATE LOCKLEY and OFFICER SMITH, who grins as he looks at her.

OFFICER SMITH:
So, Detective Lockley, ghost and goblins. This would be right up your alley.

KATE:
Shut it, Smith.

OFFICER SMITH:
So do you believe this? The end of the world and all that?

KATE:
I wish I had an answer.

Kate and Smith are both startled as a rock crashes through the store’s window, shattering it. A LOOTER steps inside the store and grabs a television set. Instinctively, Kate draws her gun and aims it at the looter. The officer follows suit, drawing his gun.

KATE:
Drop the TV and turn around slowly. Keep your hands where I can see them.

The looter puts the television back and turns around to face Kate.

KATE:
What the hell do you think you’re doing?

LOOTER:
It’s the end of the world, nobody’s gonna need it.

KATE:
If it’s the end of the world, then you have more important things to do than worry about catching the latest episode of “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

The looter nods his head nervously.

LOOTER:
So…you gonna arrest me?

KATE:
Honestly, I have bigger things to worry about. Go home, spend some time with your family and friends.

LOOTER:
You got it.

The looter turns away from Kate and walks into the darkness. A GREEN DEMON with long claws suddenly leaps from the shadows at the looter, slashing his throat with its claws.

KATE:
Damn it!

Kate and Officer Smith aim their weapons at the demon and open fire. Bullets simply bounce from its skin, and it turns toward the two of them angrily. They continue to fire their weapons at the demon, who simply growls and salivates before leaping toward them.

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER.

OPENING CREDITS ROLL:

Theme: “Crash” by Static-X & Mephisto Odyssey

Starring:
Rachael Leigh Cook as Shell Moore
James C Leary as Clem
Laura Harris as Kalinka
With Amy Acker as Winifred Burkle
And Ron Perlman as Bob

Guest-Starring:
Eliza Dushku as Faith Lehane
Ken Watanabe as Oni
Callum Blue as the Jack of Spades
Natasha Gregson Wagner as Beck Richardson
Erica Durance as Sarah Welles
Elisabeth Rohm as Kate Lockley
Aya Ueto as Tok
And Bruce Campbell as Victor Murch

Created by Allan Whatford with Marie Menninga.

Based on the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”, created by Joss Whedon.

END CREDITS.

[Allan]

Act One[/u]

INT. DOMINION BAR

The Dominion Bar is closed for business, with the main bar area in a state of disrepair. The glasses, bottles and shelves are missing from behind the bar, having previously been destroyed, the furnishings in the area are broken, and the walls are cracked and burned.

BOB paces back and forth agitatedly before finally settling and looking toward SHELL, CLEM, KALINKA, FRED, BECK and JACK, who are all standing side-by-side.

BOB:
So that’s that, then?

FRED:
Spike’s confirming it, but it looks like the Mutari Generator was destroyed when L.A. went to that hell dimension.

BOB:
So we find another. It can’t be that hard, can it?

FRED:
Well, Bob, that depends on your definition of hard. If it means impossible, then, yeah, it’s hard.
(beat)
Sorry.

SHELL:
Okay, that’s no biggie.

KALINKA (exasperated):
No biggie, Shell? You mightn’t care about the Earth, but there are billions of people there who do.

Clem reaches for Kalinka’s hand and holds it gently.

CLEM:
I don’t think Shell meant anything by that, Kallie.

SHELL:
We’re the good guys, and the good guys always win, right?

JACK:
I hate to be negative, but that didn’t work so well for me on Grimmfaerie.

SHELL:
I have the words that can stop Oni.

KALINKA:
But you don’t know how to use them, Shell.

SHELL:
No, I don’t, and that’s why I’ll figure it out. We’ll figure out how to stop him, guys. We just need to formulate a plan, that’s all.

BECK:
Well, aside from being an evil warlock worshipper of Oni, Victor seemed like a nice enough guy. Maybe we could talk him around.

BOB:
Even though he accepted Clem’s apology, he made his intentions clear. He is out for blood.
(beat)
There is a slight chance that we could get to him, but there’s also a huge chance that he could kill us. So let’s put that on the backburner – no pun intended, Beck – for a bit.

The door to the Dominion opens and Bob swivels around and ejects his spikes offensively in a single, fluid movement. FAITH enters, shakes her head at Bob and walks toward the bar.

BOB:
It’s only you.

FAITH:
“Only” me, huh, big guy? Thanks for all the love.

Faith looks around the Dominion, noticing the damage and the lack of customers.

FAITH:
Wow, this place has seen better days.
(beat, to Kalinka)
Where’s all the alcohol? I was gonna grab a beer.

KALINKA:
It got destroyed a few days ago. There may be some out the back, but it’ll be warm.

FAITH:
Why don’t we let Oni take over the world before I have to drink warm beer?
(beat)
And speaking of which…

Faith turns to the group and glares at them all.

FAITH:
What the hell is going on here?
(beat)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t Tok, Fred and I supposed to be keeping the chaos in Tokyo in check while you guys, I dunno, killed Oni? Instead, here you are, standing around, and I dunno, lamenting the fact that you don’t have chairs to sit on, with Fred, who I thought was supposed to be in Tokyo but decided this is more comfortable, while there is an apocalypse going on outside.
(beat)
And it’s a big one.

BECK:
How do you quantify a big apocalypse? I mean, have you seen them before?

FAITH:
I’ve stopped a couple. And I almost brought about one. So believe me when I tell you all that this is the apocalypse to end all apocalypses.

Bob shakes his head at Faith.

BOB:
Faith, calm down. Look, I know that the situation isn’t looking great—

FAITH:
Not looking great? That’s one mother of an understatement, Bob. Since the portals opened, demons have been swarming the Earth. I’ve been trying to contact Giles in the hope that he can get his Slayers onto this, but he can’t be reached. I’ve heard that Spike went to L.A., and [/u]hopefully[/u] he can get a hold of Angel, but his numbers aren’t enough to contain this either.

BOB:
And this is exactly why we need a plan, Faith. A plan that will work, and a plan that with any luck, won’t get us all killed. Oni is more powerful than us, he has a new General, who managed to do this to the Dominion Bar, protection spell and all, and there are thousands of demons who will do anything to stop us.

Shell raises her arms to the group.

SHELL:
Could everybody please shut up?
(beat)
Faith, I know things are tough, and we appreciate everything you’ve done to help. But we need a plan. We need to figure out a way to stop Oni.

INT. TOKYO, WOLFRAM & HART EXECUTIVE OFFICE

ONI stands stoically, staring out the window. He hears a knock at the door, but continues to gaze outside.

ONI:
You may enter.

MIRANDA enters the office and bows before her master.

ONI:
Come, look out the window.

Miranda walks beside Oni and looks outside. Demons fly, scurry and rampage through the street, destroying everything in their path. Flames rage through the street, buildings are destroyed, and there is not a single human to be seen.

ONI:
It is all coming together.

MIRANDA:
And meanwhile, I’m inside, with you, doing nothing.

ONI:
Watch your tongue. Although you are to be the vessel for Illyria, you are not my equal. You will do well to remember that.

MIRANDA:
My apologies, master.
(beat)
But I feel useless cooped up in here. And we have no idea what everybody at the Dominion are planning.

ONI:
No doubt they are planning a swift escape to a secluded dimension. Not that it matters. Once Earth falls, every other dimension will follow.

INT. DOMINION BAR

Faith and Bob have calmed themselves down, but they still look at each other cautiously, waiting for an insult. Shell, Beck, Jack, Clem and Kalinka look at them nervously.

BOB:
Does anybody know the legend of the X’arff?

JACK:
They’re just a myth, aren’t they?

BOB:
Hext always seemed to believe otherwise. Apparently they have a representative on Earth.

KALINKA:
What do they do?

BOB:
They’re virtually omnipotent; they see and hear everything.

SHELL:
But do they talk?

BOB:
They’re information brokers, so they’ll talk as long as the price is right.

JACK:
And as far as I’ve heard, the price is steep, Bob. So steep that even the most evil, soulless demons cringe.

FAITH:
So, Bob has nothing to worry about then.

Bob shoots Faith a disapproving stare.

BOB:
Kalinka, do you think you can find Earth’s representative?

KALINKA:
Assuming he, she or it is real. If the X’arff are considered a myth, chances are they don’t want to be found. It could be difficult.

BOB:
Best you get to work now, then.
(beat, to Beck and Jack)
Are you two up for some action?

Jack smirks and puts his arm around Shell’s shoulder. Kalinka disappears away to the bar’s back room.

JACK:
Sorry, Bob, but I’m spoken for. It’s flattering, though.

BOB:
Go to Tokyo with Faith. Try to contain the chaos.

CLEM:
Didn’t Faith say that it’s all over the world?

BOB:
She did. But Oni’s in Tokyo, and when we have what we need to stop him, a clear path to him would help.

BECK:
Glad to do it, Bob.

JACK:
Ditto.

Bob turns to Fred, Clem and Shell.

BOB:
You three stay put for the moment.

Faith smiles and nods to Bob.

FAITH:
Sounds like you have a plan, Bob.

BOB:
What, you doubted me?

EXT. NEW YORK, CITY STREET – NIGHT

The crowd scatters, many people screaming in terror, as the green demon approaches. Kate and Officer Smith step back cautiously and continue to fire their guns. Their bullets ricochet off the demon’s skin, only succeeding in irritating it.

OFFICER SMITH:
Uh, Detective Lockley? About all the crap everyone on the force has been giving you…well, maybe you were right.

KATE:
While I appreciate your apology, Officer, maybe now isn’t the best time. I’d like to stay focused on not getting shredded.

Officer Smith aims his gun at the demon’s head and pulls the trigger. A simple click can be heard and he looks at the gun in disbelief.

OFFICER SMITH:
Damn it. Out of ammo!

Officer Smith lunges toward the demon and thrusts his gun into its head. Startled, the demon steps back.

FEMALE VOICE (O.S.):
Pistol-whipping demons? Gotta say, that’s a new one.

Kate turns around to see SARAH WELLES, holding a katana, and dressed in a black jumpsuit.

SARAH:
Hi there.

The demon slashes its claws at Officer Smith’s throat, cutting it deeply. Officer Smith gasps and puts his hands around his throat to try and cover the wound. Sarah jumps toward the demon and slashes her katana, slicing the demon’s wrist. The demon’s hand drops to the ground as yellow blood oozes from the wound. Sarah turns to Kate.

SARAH:
Get behind me.

Kate steps behind Sarah as the demon lunges toward the Slayer. With its remaining hand, the demon slashes at Sarah, who blocks the blow with her katana. The demon tries a second time, scraping its claws against Sarah’s blade. Sarah kicks the demon in the stomach, sending it reeling backward. As the demon staggers back, Sarah viciously thrusts her katana at its chest, impaling it. The demon screeches in agony and Sarah pulls her weapon free. The demon looks down at the wound.

SARAH:
Man, I was really hoping that would do the trick.

Sarah launches her body into the air, tackling the demon to the ground. The two wrestle on the pavement until the Slayer manages to break free from the demon’s grip. She stands above the demon, stares down at it, and plunges her katana deep into its throat. The demon struggles to break free, but Sarah twists her katana, killing it.

SARAH:
It’s always a shame to kill someone so pretty.

Kate rushes to Officer Smith as he drops to the ground. She kneels over him tenderly.

KATE:
It’s going to be okay, we’ll get you to a…

Kate’s words are cut short as she looks down at Officer Smith. He has stopped breathing, he is dead. She shakes her head solemnly and looks up at Sarah.

KATE:
He’s dead.

SARAH:
Yeah, it happens. Especially when you have demons running about the place.

KATE:
Could you show a modicum of respect?

SARAH:
Hey, I’m just saying he’s not the first person to be killed by a demon. And I’m telling you now that he won’t be the last. We just need to focus on stopping these sons of bitches from killing as many people as we can.

Kate stands to her feet and glares at Sarah sternly.

KATE:
And who are you, exactly?

SARAH:
The name’s Sarah. I’m a—

KATE:
Slayer, aren’t you?
(beat)
Funny, I know a girl who claims to be a Slayer. But the myth goes “unto every generation a Slayer is born.” The key word there is “a”, right?

SARAH:
That was the case. These days, it’s more like a couple of thousand. Most of them are evil, though.

KATE:
Are you “evil?”

Sarah smirks to herself.

SARAH:
Depends on who you ask.

INT. DOMINION BAR, CLEM’S OFFICE

Clem’s office is empty, save Kalinka, who is sitting alone with all the furniture moved to the side of the office. Kalinka sits still on the floor with her legs crossed and a candle is placed in front of her. Kalinka closes her eyes and places her hands gently on her knees, tilts her head back slightly and takes a deep breath. The candle flickers and a flame ignites from the wick. Blue mist emanates from the flame and slowly envelopes Kalinka. She opens her eyes and the pigmentation is gone; they are simply pearl-white.

KALINKA:
Earth’s agent of the X’arff.

The mist swirls around Kalinka and through the office before dissipating. Kalinka takes another deep breath, but retains her composure.

KALINKA:
Earth’s agent of the X’arff.

Nothing happens.

KALINKA:
Oh Goddess Hecate, please lead me to Earth’s agent of the X’arff. It is imperative that they be found.

The blue mist slowly reappears in the office and begins to swirl slowly around her. Its speed steadily increases until it is swirling rapidly and chaotically around her. Its colour changes from a peaceful blue to a dark and foreboding red.

Kalinka’s hair changes from blonde to black and she begins breathing heavily. She thrusts her eyelids open, her eyes now pitch black. Her face is angry and raw power is swirling through her.

KALINKA (shouting):
Goddess Hecate, guide me to Earth’s agent of the X’arff!

The mist continues to swirl, expanding through the office. Kalinka watches as a small white light slowly appears amid the chaos. She closes her eyes, the light dims and the mist dissipates. Her hair slowly returns to its blonde colour. She reopens her eyes and the pigmentation returns. Kalinka drops to her knees in exhaustion.

KALINKA (under breath):
What the hell was that?

INT. DOMINION BAR

Faith, Jack and Beck all step out from the Dominion’s back room. They are stocked with weapons – all three have a crossbow strapped to their back; Faith additionally has a sword strapped to her belt next to her scalloped dagger; Jack carries two swords and sheaths them; and Beck wears a large belt with eight knives placed in it.

BECK:
Doesn’t this seem like overkill?

JACK:
It’s better that we overkill the demons than they overkill us.

Beck shrugs her shoulders as Faith approaches Bob.

FAITH:
Hey big guy, got a second?

Bob walks across the bar and toward Faith.

BOB:
What is it?

FAITH:
Kalinka was making a lot of noise back there. Seems like a little more than your usual location spell.
(beat)
Want me to check in on her?

BOB:
No, you’d best just hit the streets. She’s been a while, but I’ll give her another couple of minutes.

Faith turns to Jack and Beck.

FAITH:
Okay, guys, let’s roll.

Jack walks toward Shell and smiles to her.

JACK:
See you soon.

Shell leans in and kisses Jack tenderly.

SHELL:
See you soon. And try not to get killed.

JACK:
Well, getting killed was my big plan. But since you asked so nicely, I’ll have to come up with something else.

Shell punches Jack playfully on the shoulder. He grins and gives her a gentle kiss.

JACK:
I love you, Shell.

SHELL:
Good.

Jack, Faith and Beck walk toward the bar’s exit.

FRED:
Good luck.

FAITH:
Five by five, Fred.

The door opens and the three of them leave, just as Kalinka enters the bar. She looks worn out, her eyes are red and her hair is a mess. Fred turns around and rushes toward Kalinka, placing her arms around her.

FRED:
Oh my God, Kalinka, you look terrible!

KALINKA:
Oh come on, I don’t believe that for a second.

Clem walks toward his wife and holds her hand.

CLEM:
Kallie, is everything okay?

Kalinka kisses Clem on the cheek.

KALINKA:
I’m fine, okay? The X’arff agent didn’t want to be found, and it just took a little out of me is all.

CLEM:
You’re sure?

KALINKA:
Sure I’m sure.

BOB:
So you found it?

KALINKA:
Yeah, the agent is in New York. In a cinema, oddly enough.

Shell turns her head.

SHELL:
New York? Well, I’m a native, so should I be coming?

BOB:
No, Shell. I need you here working with the others to figure out how to stop Oni.

CLEM:
Um, isn’t that what you two are doing, Bob?

BOB:
It is, but it never hurts to have a back-up plan. In case—

KALINKA:
In case you die.

BOB:
That’s not how I’d put it, but in a nutshell, yeah.

INT. TOKYO, WOLFRAM & HART CONFERENCE ROOM

The furniture has been removed from the large conference room, making way for twenty-four SLAYERS, paired into two groups at opposite ends of the room. Each Slayer grips a katana. VICTOR MURCH stands to the side watching as the two groups spar.

Slayers #1 and #2 clash katanas rapidly, each desperately trying to get the upper hand. Slayer #2 slashes at Slayer #1, who blocks the blows. Finally, Slayer #1 manages to duck past her opponent’s attack, thrusts her sword, and attacks her opponent violently. Slayer #2 moves to a defensive stance, barely able to block the attacks. In the background, Slayer #3 leaps into the air and throws a shuriken at Slayer #1. The weapon spins through the air and slashes Slayer #1’s arm open.

SLAYER #1:
Damn it, that’s not fair!

Slayer #1 pushes her way past Slayer #2 and storms toward Slayer #3. Victor raises his arm into the air.

VICTOR:
That is enough!

Slayer #1 turns to Victor.

SLAYER #1:
She cheated! We were sparring with katanas!

VICTOR:
And you didn’t expect a shuriken, did you?

SLAYER #1:
No!

Victor shakes his head.

VICTOR:
The thing about war is that your enemies will always cheat. You have to be prepared for it.
(beat)
And if you’re not prepared to deflect an itty bitty shuriken, I question your ability to fight this war.

Victor flicks his wrist and telekinetically rips Slayer #1’s katana away from her. The weapon hovers in front of her. Victor gasps in horror and points behind Slayer #1.

VICTOR:
What’s…that?

Slayer #1 spins around and Victor flicks his wrist a second time. The Slayer’s katana slashes toward the back of her neck, decapitating her. The Slayer drops to her knees and her head lands behind her. Horrified, the remaining twenty-three Slayers stare at Victor.

VICTOR (to group):
Okay, listen up kiddies! As I was saying, your enemies will cheat. Whether it’s an unexpected shuriken, or calling your bluff and decapitating you, expect the unexpected.
(beat)
And hell, first opportunity you get, cheat yourself. Not only does it give you the upper hand, it’s pretty damned funny!

The door to the conference room opens and Oni stands in the doorway. Victor bows to Oni and walks past the group of Slayers and toward the hallway.

INT. TOKYO, WOLFRAM & HART CORRIDOOR

Victor follows Oni outside and closes the door behind him.

VICTOR:
Look, about that decapitation, sorry about the carpet. But don’t worry about it, I’ll pay to have it cleaned.

Oni stares at Victor blankly.

ONI:
The group is divided. Shell Moore, Kalinka and Clem are still at the Dominion Bar; Faith Lehane, Beck Richardson and the Jack of Spades have come to Tokyo.

VICTOR:
No worries there, I’ve got twenty-four…twenty-three Slayers in there just itching to kill someone.

ONI:
They are not our primary concern.
(beat)
Bob and the former host to Illyria are our primary concern, however. They are currently in New York City, seeking out Earth’s agent of the X’arff. See to it they do not succeed.

VICTOR:
Consider it done. But since the group is separated, perhaps we can look at attacking all three fronts. Divide and conquer, without the dividing, since they did that for us.

ONI:
Fine.

Victor bows to Oni, who walks off without responding. Victor turns back to the door.

VICTOR (under breath, singing):
Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today; I want to be a part of it – New York, New York…

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE.

[Allan]

Act Two[/u]

EXT. NEW YORK, CITY STREET – NIGHT

The city is enveloped in darkness as the city’s power supply has been cut, illuminated only by the flickering flames burning through deserted buildings. A MAN in his mid-thirties hides behind a damaged car, watching as demons rampage through the street destroying everything in their path. One of the demons walks past the car. With the demon’s back turned, the man takes a deep breath and runs out from behind the car.

A demon at the opposite side of the street hisses and speedily rushes toward the man and tackles him to the ground. The man’s bloodcurdling screams of agony can be heard over the hysterical laughter of demons in the vicinity.

The demons all look up toward the night sky. An image of Victor’s face appears over the city and stares over it.

VICTOR:
Hi, everyone! Hope you’re having fun with your pillaging. But, I actually have work for you to do. But don’t worry, you can still have fun with it.
(beat)
I have just been informed that two of the inhabitants of the Dominion Bar are running rampant throughout the city. The first is a Cessation Demon who goes by the name of Bob. Being a Cessation Demon, word is he’s pretty good at the killing thing, so try to kill him before he can kill you. The second is a mortal woman, Winifred Burkle. She’s not so good with the killing, but if you kill her, you will piss Bob off, so be careful.
(beat)
I’ll be there shortly, but if you could save me the effort of killing them myself, well, that would be swell.

FLASH TO:

EXT. TOKYO, CITY STREET – NIGHT

Tokyo is virtually a desolate wasteland, with buildings lying in ruins as flames rampage through the city. TOK darts through the shadows, surveying her surroundings. A TALL, THIN DEMON creeps around a corner and Tok leaps toward it. She draws her katana and slashes the demon behind its knees, causing it to fall over. She stabs the demon through the chest, killing it.

Slowly, demons of all shapes and sizes step out from the shadows and grin as they stare at the young ninja. Tok gulps.

TOK (under breath, subtitled from Japanese):
Crap.

The demons approach Tok as she steps back slowly, toward a building. She glances up to the roof and nods her head. Twelve small figures, cloaked in black, drop from the roof and land in front of Tok. The NINJA PUPPETS stand in front of their master defensively and draw their weapons.

Slowly, the demons stop walking toward Tok and the puppets.

TOK (subtitled from Japanese):
Wow, you are the fearsome puppets, aren’t you?

The demons all look up into the starry sky above them and watch intently. Tok looks at them all in confusion, before looking up into the sky above her. The puppets all follow Tok’s lead and look up into the sky. They see nothing but the night sky.

TOK (subtitled from Japanese):
What is it?

The ninja puppets all shrug their shoulders.

As the demons look into the sky, they see Victor’s image.

VICTOR:
And hello, Tokyo!
(beat)
I know you’ve all been hunting the ninja Tok and her little puppet friends, and I appreciate your efforts, I really do. Granted, none of you have successfully killed her yet, but what can you do?
(beat)
Word is, though, that they’re not alone. The Slayer Faith Lehane has returned and she has brought a couple of friends. The first is the girl who wields the Fire Elemental, Beck Richardson. The second is actually royalty – the Jack of Spades, from Grimmfaerie. And I have it on faith that should you kill him, the Queen of Hearts will be very appreciative.

Tok and the ninja puppets watch the demons in confusion.

TOK (subtitled from Japanese):
Well, as long as they’re distracted, let’s use it to our advantage. Let’s see if Faith has returned, and if she has brought Fred back with her.
(beat)
Ninja Puppet Clan, vanish.

The puppets leap away and disappear into the shadows, followed by Tok.

FLASH TO:

EXT. GRIMMFAERIE DIMENSION, FOREST – DAY

The large trees growing within the forest block out much of the sun light. Various ELVES, dressed for battle, push their way through the forest. Slowly, they stop walking and look up, through the trees, and into the clear sky. The image of Victor appears and looks down at them.

VICTOR:
Allies of Oni, hear me, and hear me well. The inhabitants of Dominion must not be allowed to leave. All access points to the bar must be covered from all dimensions.

FLASH TO:

EXT. VEKLEPAZ DIMENSION, PLANES – DAY

A red sun shines over the desert planes of Veklepaz, bathing the planes in crimson light as a harsh wind blows dust around the area. ETHEREAL DEMONIC SPIRITS hover in the sky, unaffected by the wind. They all watch the image of Victor.

VICTOR:
The demon Clem and his wife, Kalinka, are considered to be relatively harmless. However, Shell Moore is believed to have the power that can destroy Oni. She must not be allowed to leave.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY, SUNRISE CINEMA – NIGHT

While the rest of the block is enveloped in darkness, the cinema appears to be open, as if nothing was wrong. The lights are on inside the complex and the neon sign listing the movies currently playing shines brightly. Fred and Bob approach the cinema cautiously. Bob’s spikes are ejected from below his wrists and Fred carries an axe.

FRED:
Who ever thought a picture theatre’d be so eerie?

BOB:
I’m more concerned that nobody’s tried to stop us yet.

A small WHITE DEMON scurries along the ground and leaps toward Bob, tackling him to the ground.

BOB:
Damn it, I spoke too son.

Fred rushes toward Bob as he wrestles with the white demon. The demon gnashes its teeth at Bob as he impales it with his spike and discards it effortlessly. Bob looks up to see Fred send her axe crashing down toward his head and swiftly rolls to the side as it crashes down onto the pavement.

Bob stands up and glares at Fred.

BOB:
What was that?

FRED:
Sorry, Bob, I was just trying to get the demon.

BOB:
Generally, you don’t have to after I’ve killed it.
(beat)
Come on, let’s get inside.

Bob and Fred turn their heads as they hear a deep snarl to see a WOLF-LIKE DEMON staring at them, drooling. Various demons approach, gathering around it, each of them poised for battle. Fred looks at Bob worriedly.

FRED:
Well, it was nice knowing ya, Bob.

BOB:
Don’t think like that, Fred. We’ve just encountered a slight delay is all.

Bob grits his teeth and clenches his fists. He rushes toward the wolf-like demon and impales its stomach with the spike on his right wrist while slashing its neck with the left. The other demons begin to descend on Bob, and Fred rushes to his aid, gripping her axe firmly. Her eyes begin to glow with a gentle illumination.

EXT. TOKYO, KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT

Faith, Jack and Beck walk slowly through the street and past a karaoke bar. Jack and Beck’s eyes are wide open, staring in horror at the state of the city. The air is full of smoke as flames burn through the street.

BECK:
My God, it’s…

FAITH:
Hell on Earth? That seems like an understatement, Beck.

JACK:
Where is everybody?

FAITH:
In hiding’s my guess. Either that, or trying not to get eaten by demons.

BECK:
I don’t see any demons.

FAITH:
Yeah, that’s because you’re—we’re lucky. For now.

JACK:
So, where to now? I assume we’re off to find Tok?

Faith nods her head.

FAITH:
That’s the plan. She was about six blocks away when I left her. But she could be anywhere by now.

BECK:
And I’m guessing Tokyo doesn’t have something like a Tok-Signal to get her attention with.

Faith ignores Beck’s comment and simply points past her. Beck looks at Faith, confused.

BECK:
What?

JACK:
Beck, turn around.

Beck turns around to see six LEATHER-CLAD DEMONS approaching. They stand at approximately six-feet tall, are dressed in leather, and all carry whips. The demons are bald with dark grey skin and huge gnashing teeth.

BECK:
Wonderful. Bondage demons. Of all the things I never expected to see in my lifetime, that one’s up there.

The first leather-clad demon turns to the second and grins.

LEATHER-CLAD DEMON #1:
Looks like we found them. I don’t see the ninja, though.

LEATHER-CLAD DEMON #2:
Just means there’s one less to kill. Makes our lives a little easier.
(beat)
Hey, did Victor mention if there was a reward?

LEATHER-CLAD DEMON #1:
Only not getting killed by Oni.

LEATHER-CLAD DEMON #2:
Works for me.

Leather-clad demon #1 lashes his whip toward Beck, snaring it around her wrist. He yanks the whip, pulls Beck to the ground and drags her toward him. Beck struggles to break free to no avail, flinching as her skin scrapes along the pavement. She reaches into the air with her free hand and it begins to flicker. Her hand becomes engulfed in flame. She grins to herself and throws a fireball at the demon.

The demon screams and flinches from the flame, letting go of the whip. Beck stands up, dusts herself off, and picks up the whip.

BECK:
I bet Spike and I could have fun with this.

Faith glances toward Beck.

FAITH:
One word, Beck: Eww.

Beck lashes the whip at leather-clad demon #1, barely hitting him. She tries again, with not much more luck. Faith draws her sword and rushes toward leather-clad demon #2, who snaps his whip toward her. Faith ducks the attack, only to have the demon lash its whip a second time, this time snaring her leg. Faith slashes her sword down at the whip, slicing it and breaking herself free. She rushes toward the demon and swiftly decapitates it.

FAITH (under breath):
One bondage demon down, five to go.

Jack draws both of his swords and rushes toward leather-clad demon #3. The demon lashes his whip at Jack, who leaps over it.

JACK:
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the…whip?
(beat)
Nope, doesn’t rhyme.

Jack runs directly at the demon who lifts his arm, ready for another attack. Jack slashes one sword at the demon’s hand, slicing it off, and stabs it through the chest with his second. The demon hisses at Jack, who slashes its throat, killing it. He turns to Beck mischievously.

JACK:
Come on, Beck! Both Faith and I have gotten one, how about you?

Beck draws two knives from her belt. She throws the first at leather-clad demon #1, followed closely by a second knife at leather-clad demon #4. Both knives strike their marks perfectly in the chest. Beck rushes toward them as her hands ignite into flame. She grabs both their faces as the flames glow brightly, incinerating them both. The demons drop to the ground, dead. She turns back to Jack.

BECK:
You were saying? That’s two for me!

JACK:
Yeah, well, you cheated with that whole fire thing.

FAITH:
Jack, pay attention!

JACK:
Wha—?

Jack is struck in the chest by leather-clad demon #5’s whip. The impact sends him flying backward and through the doors of the karaoke bar.

BECK:
Ouch!

FAITH:
We’ll check on him after we’ve taken care of these three.

Faith rushes toward leather-clad demon #5 and draws her scalloped dagger. The demon lashes his whip at the Slayer, who catches it with her free hand. She yanks the demon toward her and stabs him through the chest with her dagger. With one final twist, Faith kills him.

Flames run up Beck’s arms and burn brightly as leather-clad demon #6 runs directly toward her. Beck grabs both of the demon’s arms, burning them. The demon struggles to break free, and she kicks it in the groin, sending it staggering backward. Faith stabs the demon through the back with her sword, killing it.

BECK:
Oh come on, he was gonna be on my tally!

Faith ignores Beck and rushes toward the karaoke bar.

INT. TOKYO, KARAOKE BAR

Dazed, Jack picks himself up off the ground. He spots some cotton-like stuffing on the ground and reaches down to pick it up. He inspects it and turns around. Shocked, Jack steps back, as he sees a ninja puppet lying dead on the ground, slashed through the abdomen.

JACK (under breath):
Poor little guy. Hope Tok’s okay…

A drop of slime drops from the ceiling and Jack looks up to see a TENTACLED DEMON, with twelve long tentacles, hanging from the ceiling. Faith and Beck rush inside the karaoke bar and look up after seeing Jack.

BECK:
Jack, forget about it, we’ve gotta find Tok.

JACK:
Well, we may have found her. I hope not, but…

Jack lifts up the ninja puppet and shows it to Beck and Faith.

FAITH:
This night keeps on getting better…

EXT. NEW YORK, CITY STREET

Kate and Sarah walk through the abandoned city street cautiously.

SARAH:
Be careful, demons could be around any corner. And they’re annoying bastards to kill.

KATE:
Yeah, I’ve noticed that.

SARAH:
That was one demon, Detective.

KATE:
I’ve had my share of…encounters in the past.
(beat)
So, you’re a Slayer, huh? The girl I mentioned earlier, her name’s—

SARAH:
Let me guess. Shell Moore.

KATE:
So you do know her?

SARAH:
Yeah, she’s one of the ones who’d be calling me evil.

KATE:
Is she right?

SARAH:
It depends on your perspective. I was working for Oni, who’s the demon behind all this.

KATE:
Wonderful.

Kate draws her gun and points it at Sarah.

KATE:
So why should I trust you?

Sarah raises her hands.

SARAH:
Look, I was brainwashed. Just like a hundred-odd Slayers we could run into tonight. The difference is I managed to snap out of it.

Kate lowers her weapon and Sarah drops her hands.

KATE:
Well, the Dominion Bar is near here. For some reason, I can’t get inside, though.

SARAH:
It’s because you’re a mortal, with no mystic ability. Don’t feel bad, it just means you’re in the 99% of Americans who aren’t part of the exclusive club.

KATE:
Well, we need to find Shell and her friends.

SARAH:
Okay, first of all, it’s not the bar itself, it’s an access point. You can come and go from anywhere. Secondly, that means that if they’re not in the bar – and chances are, they’ll be out trying to do something about the end of the Earth – they could be anywhere on the planet. Or some other dimension somewhere.

KATE:
Great. But it doesn’t change the fact that we could use some extra firepower.

SARAH:
Agreed, but we shouldn’t be wasting our time, either.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY, SUNRISE CINEMA – NIGHT

Twenty demons descend on Bob and Fred, who both frantically fight for their lives. Bob’s face is cold and calculating, his muscles flexed as adrenalin runs through his body. He stabs the spike with his right arm violently, impaling demons #1 and #2, and then with his left, impaling demons #3 and #4. Fred turns her head to him in disbelief.

BOB:
We don’t have time for kid gloves, Fred.

FRED:
I know, but you seem to be enjoying it.

BOB:
And? In case you haven’t noticed, I am a demon. A Cessation Demon, and this is what we do.

Fred lifts her axe above her head as demon #5 rushes toward her. She slams the ace down on his head, slicing it open. The demon drops to the ground.

FRED:
So, what’d you bring me along for?

Demon #6 rushes toward Bob, who grabs its arm. Bob snaps the demon’s arm backward, snapping it.

BOB:
What do you mean?

Bob head butts the demon and stabs it through the stomach.

FRED:
Well, I’m not the biggest fighter. I mean, Shell’s a Slayer.

Demons #7 and #8 step toward Fred, who slashes her axe at them, missing. Demon #7 kicks its foot at her, which she blocks with the axe, slicing the sole of the demon’s foot open.

FRED:
And I’m actually pretty good when it comes to research.

Demon #7 staggers back and Fred slams the axe into its chest. She swivels around and decapitates demon #8.

BOB:
Really? I never picked you for a nerd.
(beat)
But there are a few reasons.

Demon #9 leaps at Bob who grabs it by its ankle and hurls it back toward the group, knocking demons #10, #11 and #12 over.

BOB:
Firstly, and this goes no further, I don’t trust them as much as I should. Someone has been betraying us – hence this attack, I’m guessing – and I need somebody with me who I know hasn’t. Faith, Tok and yourself haven’t been around, haven’t known our every move.

Bob runs toward demons #9 to #12 and plunges his spikes through them all while they’re on the ground.

BOB:
Secondly, I think I can trust Shell. I hope I can trust her.
(beat)
And if something happens at Dominion, they’ll need someone who can fight.

FRED:
It has a protection spell, though.

Fred ducks as demon #13 jumps toward her. The demon manages to grab her shoulder and pulls her to the ground with it. Fred struggles to break free from its grip.

BOB:
You right there?

Fred nods her head.

BOB:
It turns out certain individuals – one of whom is working for Oni, I might add – can get around it.
(beat)
And thirdly, you’re a nerd? If I knew that, I would have brought Clem along and let you help with the research. Gotta admit, though, this is more fun.

Fred bludgeons the demon’s face with the handle of her axe until it finally releases its grip. She slams the axe down over its stomach, killing it. Her eyes begin to glow more brightly.

FRED:
Yeah, there is something kinda therapeutic about it.

Demons #14 to #19 swarm toward Bob. They begin to slash at him furiously, slowly overpowering him. Fred looks toward Bob, panicked.

FRED (shouting):
Bob!

Fred rushes toward him, however is stopped short by demon #20 who grabs her by the shoulders and pulls her toward it. The demon lashes its tongue out and runs it up her neck.

Across the road, Kate and Sarah rush toward the scene.

KATE:
What, demons are fighting demons, now?

SARAH:
Hey, as long as there aren’t people involved, I’m happy to ignore it.

Kate looks across the road and sees Fred struggling against demon #20.

KATE:
Well, I see a girl.

SARAH:
Just one? Still happy to ignore it.

KATE:
Well, you do that. I’m going in.

SARAH:
You’ll get yourself killed.

KATE:
If that happens, so be it.
(beat)
Wait a minute, I know that demon.

Sarah looks across to see Bob struggling against the swarm of demons.

SARAH:
It’s Bob.
(beat)
Okay, let’s go help him.

Kate and Sarah run across the road and toward the fight. Kate draws her gun and fires two shots at the demons, who turn to her, irked.

Demon #20 lets go of Fred and steps toward Kate. Fred takes a second to regain her breath before sneaking up behind demon #20 and, with all her strength, brings the axe down over the demon’s head, killing it instantly.

Sarah rushes toward the group of demons attacking Bob. She draws her katana and decapitates demon #14. Demons #15 and #16 turn away from Bob and step toward Sarah, who backs away slowly.

SARAH:
Wow, you guys are fickle, aren’t you? So easily distracted as soon as some fresh meat comes along.

Sarah slashes her katana across demon #15’s abdomen and kicks it away from her. Demon #16 lunges toward her and she stabs it through the chest, before rushing back toward demon #15 and decapitating it.

Bob grabs demons #16 and #17 by the top of their heads and slams them together. He grabs the dazed demon #16 by the neck and snaps it, and stabs demon #17 repeatedly.

Demon #18 lunges at Kate and tackles her to the ground. She struggles to break free of its grip unsuccessfully and Bob approaches from behind. He picks it up by the back of its neck and stabs it.

Demon #19 runs toward Fred who hacks away at it viciously and repeatedly with her axe. The demon drops to the ground, dead, and Fred lunges into it with one final blow.

BOB:
I think you got it, Fred.

FRED:
I just had to be sure.

Bob nods his head and turns toward Kate.

BOB:
Thanks for the assist. But I suggest you find somewhere to hide. Things are likely to get worse before they get better.

KATE:
Thanks, but I’m in this for the long haul.

SARAH:
Me too.

Bob turns to Sarah and his eyes widen in shock.

BOB:
I thought I wouldn’t be seeing you again. I was hoping as much, too.

SARAH:
No such luck, Bob. But I think we should work together if we’re going to stop this.

BOB:
Obviously. Because us working together has worked so well in the past.

KATE:
For what it’s worth, I think she’s on the level.

BOB:
I hope you’re right. Because we do not have time for any games right now.

Bob turns to Fred.

BOB:
Okay, I’m heading inside.

FRED:
No, Bob, we are.

BOB:
It’s dangerous. After everything that just happened…

FRED:
Bob, I’m coming with you.

BOB:
It’s not happening.

Fred’s eyes begin to flicker.

FRED:
It is happening, Bob. You are not going in there alone.
(beat)
Please.

BOB:
Fine. And thanks.

SARAH:
Look, I hate to interrupt guys, but I think we’ll just stay out here while you two go in.

Kate shoots a dirty glare toward Sarah before reconsidering.

KATE:
Actually, it’s probably a good idea that we keep an eye out in case more trouble comes looking for you.

BOB:
Okay, it’s decided then.

Bob and Fred turn and walk toward the cinema’s entrance.

INT. DOMINION BAR, CLEM’S OFFICE

The furniture remains pushed against the wall of the office, except for three chairs which are seating Shell, Kalinka and Clem. The three of them sit quietly, each of them focused intently on the books that they are reading. Clem looks up with a worried expression.

CLEM:
Oh, no…

KALINKA:
What is it, honey?

CLEM:
I just found the X’arff’s price.

Clem gets up and shows Kalinka and Shell the passage in the book.

CLEM:
The X’arff will give the information, but it will cost them their lives.

Shell stands up from her chair.

SHELL:
That’s it, I’m going after them.

KALINKA:
No, Shell. Bob told us to stay put.

SHELL:
Yeah, but I’m guessing that was before his life was on the line.

KALINKA:
Maybe it was, but maybe he didn’t want to get us killed, too.

SHELL:
Kalinka, if that was the case, he wouldn’t have taken Fred with him.

KALINKA:
Shell, what if we’re needed here?

SHELL:
You two stay put and there’ll still be two people here. But I’m warning them.

Kalinka shakes her head.

CLEM:
Good luck, Shell.

INT. DOMINION BAR

Shell rushes through the main bar area and toward the door. She opens it and gasps as she sees a group of Slayers waiting outside, with BELLE standing at the front. She grins and she waves to Shell.

BELLE:
Hi, Shell!
(beat)
So, are you ready to die yet?

Shell quickly slams the door in Belle’s face.

SHELL (under breath):
This isn’t good at all.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO.

[Allan]

Act Three[/u]

INT. NEW YORK CITY, SUNRISE CINEMA FOYER

The foyer is fairly small, and has a “classic” feel to it, echoing movie theatres of the 1940’s. The front door opens and Bob and Fred enter, looking around their surroundings cautiously. The lights shine brightly, causing the two to flinch slightly at the sudden exposure to light. They walk past various posters promoting current and upcoming films. Bob glances at a poster.

BOB:
Pauly Shore, huh? I always figured if we had an apocalypse, it’d be his fault.

Bob and Fred continue walking, ignoring the nearby box office and the HORNED DEMON sitting behind the counter. The demon coughs to get their attention. Fred and Bob turn and look at the demon awkwardly.

HORNED DEMON:
Can I help you?

BOB:
That depends. Are you the agent of the X’arff?

The horned demon smirks before laughing condescendingly.

HORNED DEMON:
Do I look like an agent of the X’arff to you?

FRED:
Honestly, we wouldn’t know. We’ve never actually met one before.

HORNED DEMON:
Obviously.
(beat)
I think you want to buy some tickets.

Bob shakes his head.

BOB:
We’re not here to see a movie. We’re—

HORNED DEMON:
To see the agent of the X’arff, I know. And I think you should buy some tickets. Ten dollars a head.

Fred reaches for her pocket, withdraws $20 and hands it to the demon. The demon prints out two tickets and hands them to Fred.

HORNED DEMON:
Screen number 2. First on your right.

INT. TOKYO, KARAOKE BAR

The tentacled demon hangs from the ceiling, moving its tentacles gradually, seemingly unaware of Faith, Jack and Beck. Jack hands Faith the dead puppet and Beck cringes, visibly upset by the sight.

BECK:
Poor little guy. Hope it was quick.

FAITH:
I don’t think puppets feel pain, Beck.

JACK:
Well, I hate to sound cold about this, but we have bigger things to worry about, no pun intended. So far we’ve found one dead puppet. Tok usually keeps more than one around, so where are they? And where’s Tok?
(beat)
And much as I hate to point out the obvious, we’ve got a damn big demon just hanging from the ceiling.

VOICE (O.S.):
You won’t find your ninja friends here.

Faith, Beck and Jack all look up to the demon on the ceiling, surprised as they realise that he is talking to them.

BECK:
Oh my God, you ate them?

TENTACLED DEMON:
Oh no, no, no…I’m a vegetarian. And fabric gives me stomach aches.
(beat)
Your friends were here, but they ran into some trouble and left. I did the best I could to help them, but Oni’s forces were too strong.

JACK:
So, let me get this straight. You’re a big, scary tentacled demon, and you’re not working with Oni?

TENTACLED DEMON:
You’re the people from the Dominion Bar, right? And you’ve allied yourselves with demons. So I wouldn’t be so quick to judge, if I were you.
(beat)
They entered this bar for sanctuary from the outside world. That lasted for about five minutes before these golems and a warlock showed up.

BECK (to group):
That sounds like Victor.

FAITH (to tentacled demon):
You know where they went?

TENTACLED DEMON:
They disappeared out the back. Same way as they came in. That’s all I know, sorry.

INT. DOMINION BAR, CLEM’S OFFICE

Clem and Kalinka sit in the office, continuing to trawl through the books. The door swings open violently and Shell rushes in. Upon hearing the door swing open, Clem and Kalinka look up in surprise.

CLEM:
That was quick, Shell.

KALINKA:
I don’t believe it, Shell. Did you actually do what Bob asked of you?

Shell shakes her head.

SHELL:
No, not exactly.
(beat)
We have a slight problem.

KALINKA:
We always have problems here, Shell.

SHELL:
Yeah, but this is bigger.
(beat)
It looks like we’re trapped here.

Clem and Kalinka look at Shell worriedly.

KALINKA:
Defined “trapped,” Shell.

SHELL:
Well, I opened the door and there are a bunch of Slayers waiting at the access point. And one of the girls who was with Victor and Miranda when they attacked Dominion made her intentions of killing us quite clear.

Kalinka runs her hands through her hair, distressed.

KALINKA:
Okay, Shell, I would definitely call that a problem.
(beat)
So they’re just waiting outside?

Shell nods her head.

SHELL:
Yup.

CLEM:
And they haven’t come in or anything?

SHELL:
No, they’re just waiting.
(beat)
I guess it’s just easier to kill us if we’re not covered by a protection spell.

CLEM:
They’re not going to kill us, Shell. We’ll figure a way out of this, just like we always do.

SHELL:
Well, we’d better get thinking then, guys. We need to be able to get out of here and warn Bob and Fred. Because I’m not planning on getting ourselves, or them, killed.

CLEM:
New York has two access points, did you check them both?

SHELL:
No, but it’s worth a shot.

INT. NEW YORK CITY, SUNRISE CINEMA SCREEN #2

The lights in the cinema are dimmed, enveloping the room in darkness, aside from the glow of the projector lighting up the screen with a blank image. The cinema is empty and a slight humming can be heard emanating from the projector. The door to the screen squeaks as it opens slowly. Bob and Fred enter.

FRED (whispering):
Can you see the agent?

BOB (whispering):
No, there’s nobody here.

FRED (whispering):
Then why are we whispering?

BOB (audible):
Good point.
(beat)
I don’t get this, though. Surely the agent has to be here.

X’ARFF (O.S.):
Oh, I’m here. You haven’t paid your money for nothing.

The cinema screen begins to flicker before an image slowly appears on screen. Fred steps back in shock as she sees it – a baby’s head with no eyes, seemingly floating in a void of emptiness.

FRED (to Bob):
That is not what I was expecting.

X’ARFF:
Well, I can hardly say that I was expecting to see a Cessation Demon and an…imposter.

Bob looks at the X’arff in confusion.

BOB:
Imposter?

The X’arff smiles, making even Bob feel uneasy.

X’ARFF:
Your friend. She wears the Amulet of Voltok, she passes herself off as a demon. I must say that I am impressed. It’s not every day that somebody manages to acquire such an item. Or has the courage to wear one for that matter.

BOB:
What is that supposed to mean?

X’ARFF:
What does it matter? That is not why you are here, is it?

Worried by the lack of an answer, Bob glances to Fred. She simply nods her head, indicating for Bob to let the X’arff’s comment slide.

BOB:
What can you tell us about Oni?

INT. DOMINION BAR

Shell, Clem and Kalinka walk toward the door and look at it nervously. Shell reaches her hand out to open it and pauses.

KALINKA:
Well?
(beat)
What are you waiting for?

Shell takes a deep breath and places her hand on the door handle. She turns to Clem and Kalinka, who both nod their heads. Shell opens the door and jumps back in shock. The alley surrounding the access point outside is littered with vampires, who all glare at Shell, snarling. Kalinka steps beside Shell and looks outside.

KALINKA:
Why don’t you boys and girls come inside? I know that might make it harder to kill us, with that protection spell and all, but I am willing to make that sacrifice.
(beat)
Just because you seem like such friendly vampires.

Shell slams the door closed and turns to Clem and Kalinka.

SHELL:
Well, that’s that, then. We’re blocked from both access points.

KALINKA:
So, there are Slayers at one access point and vampires at the other?

SHELL:
Yeah, that’s about the size of it.

KALINKA:
So, come daylight, we can make our way out to that access point. When the vampires can’t bother us.

Shell shakes her head emphatically.

SHELL:
No, Kalinka. We don’t have time; we need to get to Bob and Fred now.

Clem steps past Shell and Kalinka and opens the door. He looks outside to see the destruction rampaging through Tokyo. Dozens of stone golems stand outside the access point and leer at the demon. He quickly closes the door.

CLEM:
It looks like they have all the access points in Earth covered.
(beat)
I don’t think Oni wants us getting there.

Kalinka opens the door one more time and looks outside, over the vast landscape of Grimmfaerie. A horde of elves, poised for battle, stare inside the bar. Kalinka slams the door closed and slides down, sitting on the ground against the door, dejected.

KALINKA:
Not just Earth, honey. It looks like they have the whole multiverse covered.

SHELL:
So, we really are trapped.

EXT. TOKYO, ALLEY – NIGHT

The karaoke bar’s back door opens and Faith, Jack and Beck step outside into the darkness. The alley is compact and leads to a main street. The trio look around their surroundings as they walk toward the street.

JACK (calling):
Tok!

Faith draws her sword and surveys the area.

FAITH (calling):
Tok! You here?

A small figure drops from the roof of the karaoke bar and lands in the shadow behind Beck. Startled, Beck spins around, igniting her hand in flame. The figure steps out from the shadow and toward Beck, revealing itself to be one of the ninja puppets. The puppet lifts its index finger to its face, asking for quiet. Beck nods her head.

BECK (whispering):
Tok. Where are you?

Faith points across the alley and toward the street.

FAITH:
Um, I think we just got sidetracked.

The others follow Faith’s line of sight. They watch Victor float through the darkness and levitate in front of the alley. He grins.

VICTOR:
Good evening, ladies.

JACK:
Shouldn’t that be ladies and gentleman?

VICTOR:
I know what I said.

Beck steps forward, ready to attack Victor. She is stopped by the ninja puppet’s small hands grabbing her leg. A slight patter on the roof of the building to the side of the alley can be heard before Tok leaps through the air, katana drawn, toward Victor. Nonplussed, Victor extends his hand and fires a bolt of electricity at Tok, stunning and knocking her to the ground.

Victor floats down to the ground and picks Tok up by the neck. He grips it tightly, holds Tok in front of his body, and looks at Faith, Jack and Beck seriously.

VICTOR:
We can do this the hard way or the…really hard way. Your call, but we need to talk.

INT. NEW YORK CITY, SUNRISE CINEMA SCREEN #2

Bob and Fred stare at the X’arff agent fearfully, refusing to move. The X’arff simply smiles back at them.

X’ARFF:
Oni was the most feared of all primordials of Vahla Ha’Nesh. He was bloodthirsty and ruled with an iron fist, caring for nothing but his own power.
(beat)
You two don’t believe you can stop him, do you?

BOB:
We’ve heard that line many times. Mostly from those who work for him.

The X’arff agent laughs.

X’ARFF:
Oh, I am not affiliated with Oni. I’m a free agent. I do feel for your dimension, though, because if he isn’t stopped, it will become nothing more than a desolate wasteland. And it will simply be the first of many more to come.

BOB:
You don’t need to worry about Earth, because we will stop him.

X’ARFF:
Oh, I doubt that.

BOB:
How do we find a Mutari Generator?

X’ARFF:
Oh, a Mutari Generator would be capable of destroying him. Alas, the last one resided in Los Angeles, and has since been destroyed.
(beat)
However, you do have other means to destroy him with. Shell Moore, for instance. She has the words.

BOB:
How do you know about Shell?

X’ARFF:
I know everything about this dimension, Bob.

BOB:
Then you would know that Shell does not know how to use the words. What does she have to do?

X’ARFF:
That is something she must find out.

Fred shakes her head in disgust.

FRED:
Look, we don’t have time for her to find out, okay? Oni and his minions are destroying Earth, and they are doing it quickly!

X’ARFF:
The words are something that your friend must learn to use for herself. And when the time comes, she will.
(beat)
You have one question left before I collect my payment. Use it wisely.

INT. DOMINION BAR

Shell paces back and forth through the empty bar, agitated. Kalinka and Clem watch with concern.

SHELL:
We have to figure this out. Bob and Fred are in danger, and we need to save them. And let’s not forget the minor fact that Oni is out there destroying Earth. My home. We need to save Bob and Fred; we need to save Earth.

KALINKA:
Shell, I know it’s important, I really do. But running outside is only going to achieve one thing – getting us killed. And if we’re dead, we can’t save Bob and we can’t save Earth.

Shell pauses and takes a deep breath.

SHELL:
Kalinka, I know it’s dangerous, but we need to try something. Anything.

Clem raises his hand. Shell and Kalinka turn toward him.

CLEM:
Um, guys, I might have an idea.

SHELL:
Let’s hear it, Clem.

CLEM:
We go.

Kalinka shakes her head.

KALINKA:
Honey, I love you, but that’s stupid.

CLEM:
It is, but if Sunnydale was any indication, stupid plans are the ones that work.
(beat)
We go out there. I’ll lead the way, and maybe my tentacles can affect the Slayers and buy you—us—some time. Kalinka, you follow me, and Shell, you stick behind Kalinka.

Kalinka places her hand on Clem’s shoulder.

Music cue – “My Immortal” by Evanescence:
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave

Clem turns to his wife and smiles sincerely.

CLEM:
Trust me, Kalinka. It will be okay.

Kalinka nods her head.

KALINKA:
Then let’s do this.

Music (continued):
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

Clem, Kalinka and Shell walk toward the door and take their positions. Clem nervously reaches for the door and opens it slowly. The Slayers grin as they see the trio.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY, DOMINION ACCESS POINT – NIGHT

The Twenty-three Slayers gathered in the enclosed alley grin as they see Clem, Kalinka and Shell exit. Their katanas are poised, ready to attack.

Music (continued):
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

The army of Slayers swarm over Clem, Kalinka and Shell. Clem steps forward and his eyes fold inside his head. In their place, six tentacles emerge from each socket. They extend toward the Slayers, who can’t help but look at them.

Music (continued):
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

The Slayers reel backward, panicked. They shout, scream, tormented by unseen visions of regret. Belle fights through it, grabs one of Clem’s tentacles and pulls it firmly. She slashes her katana through the tentacle, slicing it off. Clem screams in pain.

Music (continued):
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

Trembling, Kalinka grabs Clem tightly. She fights to pull her husband away as the Slayers follow Belle’s lead and slash at his tentacles violently. Clem struggles to move forward. Shell draws her sword and pushes to get past Kalinka and Clem and toward the Slayers.

Music (continued):
You used to captivate me by your resonating mind
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

The Slayers, all shaking their heads trying to break free of the visions, continue to attack Clem. Finally, one of them impales him through the chest. Clem drops to the ground, blood haemorrhaging from the wound. Kalinka drops to her knees, nursing her wounded husband. Tears stream down her cheeks.

KALINKA:
Clem? Clem, it’s all going to be okay, honey.

Music (continued):
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me

Shell pushes past Kalinka and slashes her sword wildly at the Slayers. The sheer number of them is too many for Shell to take on, and she fails to make a difference. Barely breathing, Clem looks up at his wife.

CLEM:
I wish…
(beat)
I wish they would feel what I feel…

Clem’s head drops to the ground as he breathes his last breath. Tears continue to flow from Kalinka as her face slowly morphs into its Vengeance Demon form.

KALINKA:
Done.

Music (continued):
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

Kalinka stands up and stares at the Slayers. Suddenly, their skin begins to slash open, one after the other, with blood spattering from the wounds. Kalinka simply watches coldly, enjoying her work, as one by one, the Slayers fall to the ground in a pool of blood, dead. Shell turns to Kalinka, horrified.

SHELL:
I’m going to be sick.

Kalinka’s face morphs back into her human form and she drops to her knees.

SHELL:
Is he…?

Tears begin to stream down Kalinka’s cheeks again as she nods her head solemnly.

KALINKA:
Yeah, Shell. He sacrificed himself.

Music (continued):
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

Shell walks toward Clem and looks down at his body.

KALINKA:
Go, Shell. Save Bob. This cannot have been for nothing.

SHELL:
Kalinka?
(beat)
For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.

Music (continued):
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

Kalinka nods her head and Shell turns away from her and runs down the alley. Kalinka continues to lean over Clem as the colour of her hair darkens into black. The colour of her eyes disappear, also becoming pitch black. She breathes deeply as her sorrow turns to rage.

Music (continued):
I tried so hard to tell myself that your gone,
But though you're still with me, I've been all alone all along

INT. NEW YORK CITY, SUNRISE CINEMA SCREEN #2

Bob looks to Fred and she nods her head, knowing what he is about to ask the X’arff.

Music (continued):
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

BOB:
Somebody has been betraying us, informing Oni of our every move. Who is it?

The X’arff looks at Bob and smiles eerily. Bob lowers his head, knowing that he is not going to like what he is about to hear.

X’ARFF:
It is Kalinka. She has been working with Oni for months.

Fred holds Bob gently as he looks at her, distressed. She rubs his shoulder tenderly.

Music (continued):
And I've held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me, me, me, me

CAPTION:
To be continued.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE.

CLOSING CREDITS ROLL.

Written by:
Allan Whatford

Story Editor:
Marie Menninga

Special Thanks:
Everyone who read this episode (and any of them, really!) - I hope you enjoyed it. Any comments in the feedback thread are appreciated. Thanks.

Dominion © 2007-2008 Allan Whatford

[Allan]

Next on Dominion:[/u]

The apocalypse continues!

As their friend lies dead outside the Dominion Bar's access point, Bob and Fred have just made a shocking discovery as to who has betrayed them. Receiving the news itself, however, could mean their deaths. Meanwhile, Jack, Faith, Beck and Tok must fight for their own lives as Oni and Miranda prepare for the nights ahead, and a figure from Kalinka's past returns.