Act Three[/u]
INT. DOMINION BAR
The lights in the Dominion Bar are dimmed and music is playing softly from the jukebox. The bar is empty, save Beck, who stands alone in the centre of the bar, and a lone figure concealed in the darkness standing next to the jukebox.
Music – “Charlie no. 3” by the Whitlams:
He'll need some time to get over this
But a moment is all he can spareShell walks through the empty bar toward the figure. She looks at looks at the figure, stunned, as it steps into the light. It is Clem, who smiles sweetly to Shell.
SHELL:
Clem! What, I thought you were…
CLEM:
It’s okay, Shell, you can say it. Dead.
(beat)
And, well, yeah, I kinda am.
Music (continued):
His buddies out there in the city lights
And he is trying to careSHELL:
Oh my God, Clem, I am
so sorry. I should have been able to save you. If only I’d been a bit faster…stronger…
anything, I could have saved you.
Clem laughs quietly.
CLEM:
You’re blaming yourself, Bob’s blaming himself, but funnily enough, Kallie’s blaming everyone
but her.
SHELL:
I promise you, Clem, Kalinka will pay for this.
CLEM:
Don’t be too hard on Kallie, Shell. Sure, she betrayed us all, and that led the Slayers to outside the Dominion, but in her own Kalinka-type way, I think she was doing what was right.
Music (continued):
See him offering himself to the world
Staring down from the fifty-sixth floor SHELL:
Yeah, what’s right for Kalinka.
CLEM:
What’s right for our marriage.
(beat)
Not that it went as expected.
Shell shakes her head.
SHELL:
Obviously not. But did she think of what would happen if Oni destroys Earth and every other dimension out there? It’s kind of hard to have a strong marriage if you don’t exist.
CLEM:
If I knew she was going to betray us, I would’ve mentioned that.
Music (continued):
I'll be happy just to catch him again
We go out we don't always come backCLEM:
But I knew what I was doing, Shell. When we were leaving the Dominion, I knew the Slayers would kill me. Hell, they would have killed everyone. You hold the key to stopping Oni, Shell, and Kalinka’s my wife. Me, I’m unimportant.
Tears begin to roll down Shell’s cheeks as she shakes her head frantically.
Music (continued):
The night pressing in on his weary mind
There's a half-eaten moon in the skySHELL:
Clem, you
are important. We would have found another way.
CLEM:
You know, a while back, the Wanderer told me that you’ll need my help.
SHELL:
And you’re
not here to help me anymore, are you?
Music (continued):
Nothing is calling him back to bed
And no-one is saying goodbye CLEM:
I think earlier tonight is what he meant, Shell. I died so you can stop Oni.
(beat)
Not the way of helping I’d have picked if I had the choice, but what can you do?
(beat)
But just remember you have the power to stop Oni, Shell. You have the words. Be strong, be resilient, and instil hope.
Clem smiles to Shell and waves to her before disappearing into the ether. Shell watches silently as tears stream down her cheeks.
Music (continued):
See him offering himself to the world
Staring down from the fifty-sixth floor
Yeah I'll be happy just to catch him again
We go out because we go back
And back and backShell shakes her head.
SHELL (under breath):
Am I dreaming? Or is this really happening?
In Clem’s place, SENAYA appears before Shell. She steps toward the Slayer.
SENAYA:
Rest, Shell. For in twenty four hours’ time, you shall face Oni.
(beat)
In twenty four hours, you shall use the words. They are within you.
SHELL:
So you keep telling me! But what do I
do with them?
Senaya simply smiles.
SENAYA:
When the time comes, you shall know.
(beat)
We have ended the reign of the Old Ones once before. We can do so again.
SHELL:
What? Before Illyria saved me from those Slayers a year ago, I’d never even
met an Old One.
(beat)
Are you talking about Slayers in general, or are you referring to you as “we?” And is there any need to confuse me like—
FLASH TO:
INT. NEW YORK CITY, KATE LOCKLEY’S APARTMENT
Kate’s apartment is small and fairly humble, clean but not very tidy. Shell sleeps on the couch with a rug covering her body as she thrashes about in her sleep.
SHELL (mumbling):
—this?
Shell continues to thrash about and she rolls off the couch and hits the floor heavily. Startled, she wakes up and stands up. She rubs her head and looks toward the clock, which reads at just after 4am. Shell groans to herself, glances to the back of the room where Fred is sleeping soundly, and lies back down on the couch.
INT. DOMINION BAR
Bob and Hext sit on stools by the bar. Bob’s eyes are weary, tired from the night’s events.
BOB:
Are you after a drink, Hext?
HEXT:
No, thank you, Bob. I might join you for a beverage
after we stop Oni.
BOB:
How did you get in here, Hext? Doesn’t Oni have demons blocking all the access points?
Hext nods his head.
HEXT:
He does, but being the Lord of Chaos and living in Enchantadora where everyone loves me has certain benefits. In this case, it’s me getting a free pass into the Dominion.
BOB:
So they’re still there?
HEXT:
Yep, it complicates things a bit.
BOB:
Tell me about it.
(beat)
I need to get to Tokyo and get hold of Beck, Faith and Jack.
HEXT:
Bob, I know they’re your friends, but Shell is the
key to all of this. I know they’re your friends, but without Shell, they’re collateral damage. Nothing more.
BOB:
But
with Shell, it’s strength in numbers. We need to regroup, and we need to stop Oni.
(beat)
Do you have any idea how Shell’s words will stop Oni?
HEXT:
I do, Bob. But I’m not telling you, and I’m sure as hell not telling Shell.
BOB:
These secrets have to end, Hext.
Hext shakes his head.
HEXT:
Not this one, Bob.
(beat)
Shell has to learn this for herself. The power of words, her connection to the Old Ones, everything. If we tell her prematurely, she won’t be able to harness the power and you can say goodbye to not just Earth, but reality.
(beat)
So then, Bob, how about we go visit Tokyo? I hear it’s lovely this time of year.
EXT. TOKYO, DOMINION ACCESS POINT – NIGHT
The alley is secluded in darkness, with thirty demons of various shapes and sizes crammed inside the alley. The demons stand guard in the cramped space, blocking access to the Dominion Bar. Two figures approach, side by side: Jack and Faith. Faith continues to limp as blood seeps from the wound in her leg as Jack holds her, helping her walk. Jack stops and grips Faith firmly as she moves in toward the demons. Jack turns his head and looks at Faith sternly.
JACK (whispering):
What do you think you’re doing, Faith?
FAITH (whispering):
It wasn’t too long ago that you were aching to get inside to warn your girlfriend, Jack. So let’s kill these demons and get the hell in there!
Faith steps toward the demons, who have not yet noticed their presence. Jack holds her as tightly as possible.
JACK (whispering):
In case you haven’t noticed, there are
two of us. And there are about a hundred of them.
FAITH (whispering):
My count’s closer to thirty.
JACK (whispering):
Whatever.
(beat)
I’m not exactly a Slayer – hell, I don’t even have any
powers to speak of – and you’re injured.
FAITH (whispering):
Injuries or not, I can still kick the crap outta you.
JACK (whispering):
I don’t doubt it. But I
do doubt that you can take these demons on your own. Or even with my help.
(beat)
Look, we can’t warn the others if we’re dead. Let’s just…
The demons slowly turn around and glare ominously at Jack and Faith. They growl and hiss at the duo before slowly stepping toward them.
FAITH (to Jack):
Get the hell outta here?
JACK:
That’s probably about the sanest thing I’ve heard all night.
Jack and Faith turn their backs to the demons and Jack grabs Faith’s hand. They run from the demons, Jack ahead of Faith, gripping her hand tightly as she limps painfully. The demons rush after the two of them, swarming upon their prey.
EXT. TOKYO, CITY STREET – NIGHT
Beck and Tok walk through the abandoned city street cautiously. Their weapons are drawn as they proceed forward, careful to ensure their safety. Tok turns to Beck.
TOK:
You did not have to do this, you know.
BECK:
I didn’t have to do what?
TOK:
How do you say it in English? Babysit? I am used to fighting demons, and the Ninja Puppet Clan are capable.
Beck smiles.
BECK:
Tok, I know that they’re capable, and I know
you are. But I came to Tokyo to help protect the city, and maybe we can learn something about Oni while we’re here.
TOK:
I don’t believe any of the demons are going to inform us of his master plan.
BECK:
Then maybe we need to go directly to the source.
TOK:
I’m not following.
BECK:
We go to Wolfram & Hart.
(beat)
You’re a ninja and I can burn stuff. We can figure out a way of getting ourselves inside.
Tok shakes her head.
TOK:
If we get caught, Oni will kill us.
Beck grins.
BECK:
The keyword there, my friend, is
if. And if we can get any info that will help Shell and the guys stop Oni, then it’s a risk worth taking.
(beat)
Besides, we’re only a couple of blocks away.
Tok pauses briefly before answering.
TOK:
Fine. But for the record, I think it’s reckless.
EXT. TOKYO, DOMINION ACCESS POINT – NIGHT
The door to the Dominion Bar opens and Bob steps out, followed closely by Hext and then Sarah. Bob looks around the alley, confused, and turns to Hext.
HEXT:
Well, that’s a little anticlimactic.
Sarah nods her head in agreement.
SARAH:
I’ll say. I was looking forward to killing something.
BOB:
Don’t get too disappointed. It’s
too quiet. Something’s happening.
Bob looks up as he hears crashes coming from outside the alley.
BOB:
That’s our cue.
Bob rushes toward the end of the alley and Hext turns to Sarah.
HEXT:
You may still get to kill something yet.
Hext and Sarah run after Bob.
EXT. TOKYO, CITY CORNER – NIGHT
Jack and Faith stand back-to-back, each of them gripping their swords firmly. The demons swarm over them, slashing their claws and gnashing their teeth, hungry for the kill. Faith leaps at the first demon, slashing her sword across its chest. The demon responds by leaping toward her, only to have the Slayer impale it through the chest.
Jack runs toward two more demons, and slashes both of his swords at them, barely scratching the demons. More demons swarm over him, and he is completely outnumbered. He turns to Faith, who is in the same situation as he is, completely inundated by the sheer number of demons attacking her.
Bob, Sarah and Hext run around the corner, and see the battle that is ensuing.
BOB:
Is that Jack and Faith?
SARAH:
Weren’t there supposed to be others?
BOB:
We’ll ask that question when the time comes. Which is after we kill these demons.
Bob and Sarah run into the fray. Sarah draws her katana and Bob ejects the spikes from below his wrists.
Bob swiftly impales a demon through the chest with his right spike and decapitates a second demon with his left. He promptly moves toward another demon and blood spatters into the air as he rips it apart with both spikes. A demon leaps from behind Bob and grabs his neck, choking him.
Sarah slashes her katana at a demon, decapitating it. She leaps into the air, kicking a second demon into one behind it, and lands, slamming her katana down into the demon’s chest. She withdraws her weapon and aims it at the following demon, before another demon strikes her, knocking the katana from her hands.
Hext watches from the background as demons continue to swarm over Jack and Faith, as more descend upon Bob and Sarah. More demons approach from the shadows, drawn to the battle. Hext smiles.
Hext raises his hands into the air, surrounded by a glowing blue aura. The aura expands, encompassing his entire body, and he turns toward the battle. He grins.
HEXT:
Let there be chaos among those who worship Oni.
The demons pause momentarily in confusion. Soon, some of the demons leave their marks and begin to fight each other, while other demons leave the battle and begin to rampage through the city. Some demons continue to fight Jack, Faith, Bob and Sarah, though willingly battle each other for the right to kill their prey.
Sarah watches in confusion.
SARAH:
What the—? It’s just
chaos!
BOB:
You can thank Hext for that.
(beat, to Sarah, Jack and Faith)
It gives us an out, though. Come on.
Bob, Sarah, Jack and Faith, all bruised and bleeding, fight their way through the crazed demons and make their way back to Hext. Bob turns to Jack.
BOB:
Where’s Beck, Jack? Is she okay?
JACK:
I hope so, she’s with Tok. Faith and I were heading back to the Dominion before these demons attacked us.
BOB:
You
left her?
FAITH:
Tok will look after her, big guy. We took a vote – and I was outvoted, by the way – to return to the Dominion to warn you.
JACK:
And to get Faith some medical attention.
BOB:
You look like you could use some yourself, Jack.
JACK:
A swarm of demons will do that to you. And may I point out you don’t look too hot yourself?
FAITH:
Anyway, as I was saying about the warning…
BOB:
Let me guess. Kalinka’s betrayed us all, resulting in Clem’s death.
Jack lowers his head.
JACK:
So it is true…
BOB:
I’m afraid it is. But Kalinka is the least of our worries at the moment.
(beat)
Let’s get to the Dominion and get you all cleaned up. And maybe get a couple of hours sleep.
Faith points to all the demons rampaging through the city.
FAITH:
What we gonna do about these guys?
HEXT:
If you think you can kill them, by all means, go ahead.
FAITH:
If they’re possessed by chaos, that can’t be good for the city.
HEXT:
Personally, I don’t think it’ll make an iota of difference. Rampaging demons are rampaging demons.
BOB:
Honestly, I think rampaging demons that aren’t under Oni’s thrall are the lesser evil right now.
Faith nods her head and the group turns toward the alley.
JACK:
Where’s Shell, Bob? Is she okay?
BOB:
Shell and Fred are safe. They’re with a friend. We’ll regroup in the morning.
Bob, Sarah, Jack, Faith and Hext turn into the alley.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY, SKYSCRAPER ROOF – DAWN
The morning sun rises above the New York skyline, illuminating the sky, and city below, in red sunlight. Kalinka and Victor stand on the rooftop watching it. Victor smiles.
VICTOR:
It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
KALINKA:
I wouldn’t know.
Victor laughs at Kalinka condescendingly.
VICTOR:
Oh come, now. You get your beloved husband killed, take this clichéd emo look, and now you can’t appreciate a beautiful sunrise?
KALINKA:
What do you want?
VICTOR:
I thought it would be obvious by now.
KALINKA:
Ah, of course.
Kalinka swivels around and telekinetically hurls Victor from the roof of the skyscraper. She looks down as he hovers in the air below.
KALINKA:
Oni doesn’t think I can be trusted, does he? After the two of you got Clem killed, you think I’ll go running back to the Dominion. He’s wrong about that.
(beat)
I will kill the two of you first.
Kalinka steps from the roof and hovers in the air above Victor. Her black her flaps in the wind behind her as she glares at the warlock with her pitch-black eyes. Kalinka clenches her fists and they begin to glow. She opens the palms of her hands, and shoots lightning from them at Victor, who blocks the attack with a forcefield.
VICTOR:
You really think you can kill me, girlie?
(beat)
You honestly have no idea how long I’ve been perfecting my craft for, do you?
Kalinka shakes her head.
KALINKA:
You’re right, I don’t know. And I really don’t care.
(beat)
You see, I have an advantage here. Hatred. I hate you, I hate Oni, and I hate what you did to my husband. The agreement between Oni and I was that I give him Shell and Bob and everyone else, and he dissolves my debt to D’Hoffryn and allows me to live forever with Clem.
(beat)
But you had to put an end to all that, didn’t you?
(beat)
You see, Victor, you and your master
betrayed me. And your betrayal cost me the only thing I cared about.
Victor shakes his head in disbelief.
VICTOR:
You betrayed your friends, Kalinka. That was your doing, no matter what promises were made to you. And it was that betrayal that got your husband killed.
(beat)
And yes, I ordered the attack on the Dominion. But you have just as much of Clem’s blood on your hands as I do.
Kalinka smiles sadistically.
KALINKA:
Oh, Victor. Soon it will be
your blood on my hands.
Kalinka floats through the air and, to Victor’s disbelief, pushes her way through his forcefield. Kalinka’s hands flicker with electricity as she approaches him and places her hands firmly around Victor’s head. Crackling can be heard as her hands glow brightly and surges of lightning flow from them through to Victor’s head. Victor screams in agony as the lightning from Kalinka’s hands electrocute his brain, killing him.
Kalinka stares down at Victor’s charred, bleeding head. She smiles with satisfaction and lets go, watching as his body plummets to the ground.
KALINKA (to Victor):
I hope it was worth it, you son of a bitch.
INT. DOMINION BAR
Faith sits atop the bar with her leg stretched out as Bob wraps her wound with a bandage. Faith grimaces as Jack, Sarah and Hext watch from the opposite side of the bar.
FAITH:
Nice bedside manner, big guy.
BOB:
Suck it up. I thought you Slayers were supposed to be tough.
Sarah turns to Jack.
SARAH:
Maybe I’m better off if Bob doesn’t look after my cuts.
JACK:
Nah, I’m looking forward to seeing that.
Jack turns away from Sarah and walks across the bar. He stops as he sees D’Hoffryn enter the Dominion and shakes his head.
JACK:
Well, this is absolutely peachy. What do
you want?
EXT. TOKYO, WOLFRAM & HART ENTRANCE – NIGHT
Twelve VAMPIRES stand guard outside Wolfram & Hart, protecting the entrance to the tower. Beck and Tok approach through the shadows, and hide behind an abandoned car, watching them.
TOK (whispering sarcastically):
Okay, it’s only
twelve vampires. Should be easy.
Beck grins to her friend.
BECK:
Well, vampires don’t like fire.
(beat)
Are your puppets ready?
Tok looks up to the roof of a nearby building and sees five puppet ninjas watching from the rooftop. She nods her head. Beck returns the gesture and leaps over the car and rushes toward the vampires. Tok shakes her head.
TOK (under breath, subtitled from Japanese):
One day I’ll have to explain the meaning of stealth to her.
Tok follows as Beck’s hands glow brightly and flames ignite from her palms. Beck hurls a fireball at the vampires, incinerating two of them, as the others scatter. Two vampires rush toward Tok, who decapitates them with ease. A third vampire leaps at the young ninja and grips her tightly, as he leans in to bite her jugular.
VOICE (O.S.):
Stop.
The vampire releases his grip and Tok turns around to see Oni standing behind her.
TOK:
Where did you come from?
Beck aims her flaming hands at Oni.
ONI:
I wouldn’t if I were you.
Tok looks up toward the ninja puppets, who leap from the rooftop and rush toward Oni. Oni disappears into a blur, surrounding the puppets. He stops, and the puppets are destroyed, the fabric insides, floating slowly to the ground. Beck shakes her head in disbelief as Tok fights to hold back her tears.
ONI:
You two had better come inside. I would hate for you to end up like these puppets.
INT. DOMINION BAR
Jack steps toward D’Hoffryn and Bob leaves Faith’s side to join him. The others watch silently.
JACK:
I said, what do you want?
D’HOFFRYN:
I came to ask for your help.
JACK:
Right, and I’m guessing you mean with the woman who betrayed us all and got out friend killed.
D’HOFFRYN:
Kalinka is passionate. She did what she thought was necessary.
BOB:
That’s not exactly endearing us to her, D’Hoffryn.
D’Hoffryn nods his head.
D’HOFFRYN:
I should think not. However, the fact remains that it is in your best interest to stop her.
(beat)
Kalinka’s passion is exactly why I chose her to serve me as a Vengeance Demon. She has a wonderful…talent…for hatred.
FAITH:
So she hates us? Is that what you’re trying to say?
D’HOFFRYN:
Actually, I would say that as far as she is concerned right now, you are insignificant.
(beat)
Kalinka is going to do whatever it takes to stop Oni. She blames him for her late husband’s death. It will likely end in her death.
Bob shrugs his shoulders.
BOB:
I don’t see too many of us shedding tears over that.
D’HOFFRYN:
However, it may not. Kalinka has shown great power since Clem’s death, and I cannot predict how far this power can go.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY, SKYSCRAPER ENTRANCE – DAY
The sun has risen and the city streets are bathed in sunlight. Kalinka stands over Victor’s body, breathing deeply as black energy flows through her body. She reaches down, lifts Victor’s corpse above her head, and hurls it through the city.
D’HOFFRYN (V.O.):
Between her witchcraft, and her anger, her power could be unimaginable. If unchecked, it could result in the destruction of this
entire plane of existence.
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
