Episode 10 - Valentine
ACT FOUR
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/STOREROOM - DAY
from where we left off. Solomon still holds Tara close
to him, covering her mouth. He takes a look around the
room, making sure everything is safe. He then looks
down at Tara, putting his face near her hair, smelling
it. He notices something.
We see his hand reach down, past Tara's face, towards
her neck. He lifts the chain around her neck with his
finger, lifting the cross out.
SOLOMON
This is new. Do you really think
this is going to keep me away from
you?
Solomon clenches the cross with his free hand. We hear
a sizzle as it starts to burn the palm of his hand.
SOLOMON
Nothing can keep me away from you.
With one quick movement, Solomon rips the cross from
Tara's neck and flings it across the room. We hear a
clinking sound as it lands on the floor some distance
off.
ANGLE : TARA
Solomon's hand covering her mouth. Her eyes filled
with fear.
SOLOMON
I can't be like you, I know that
now. I cannot change for you.. But
you, my dear, you can change for me.
Tara now looks terrified.
SOLOMON
Now, you should know that you won't
be exactly the same after the
transformation, but that's okay. I
have faith that some part of what
you are now will cross over to what
you will become.
Solomon exposes Tara's neck and vamps out.
SOLOMON
We can share in our eternal pain.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/AN EXHIBIT ROOM - DAY
where we see Willow, still wandering, deep in thought.
She decides to leave. She exits into..
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/HALLWAY - DAY
where she pauses for a beat. She looks down the
hallway, sensing something. She sees the closed off
Ancient Rome exhibit far off in the distance. She
shakes it off and exits.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/STOREROOM - DAY
A vamped Solomon still holding Tara close. Tara scans
the room. She sees a small window which provides the
only light into the storeroom. As we are in a
basement, the window is level with the street outside,
so she sees nothing but feet walking by in the
foreground and the museum steps off in the background.
Solomon starts to head for Tara's neck. Tara struggles
unsuccessfully.
SOLOMON
(quietly, as if comforting
a child)
Stop resisting. Just give in to it
and let it happen. I promise you, it
will be the most exquisite moment.
Tara looks out the window again, salvation so close.
Suddenly her eyes bulge.
REVERSE ANGLE :
We see from Tara's POV, through the window, Willow
slowly walking down the museum steps.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - DAY
ANGLE ON : STOREROOM WINDOW
where we cannot see Tara and Solomon, the interior
being hidden by shadows.
We PULL BACK to the museum steps where we see Willow
sitting down on the steps, looking very depressed and
shut off from the world outside.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/STOREROOM - DAY
Solomon leaning close to Tara's ear.
SOLOMON
(whispering)
Say it. Say you choose me. Tell me
you choose me.
Tara looks at Solomon out of the corner of her eyes.
She slowly nods, as if resigned. Solomon smiles and
slowly removes his hand.
TARA
(quickly beginning to
chant a spell)
Deflagrati..
Solomon quickly covers Tara's open mouth.
SOLOMON
We'll have none of that. Not so
strong without your magic are you?
What are you going to now witch?
Pray that you..
Tara settles for the less refined but equally
effective tactic of biting Solomon's hand. Solomon
lets go of Tara as he screams. Tara struggles free.
An angry Solomon, cradling his hand, looks up at Tara.
Tara focuses on something. A large, heavy pot flys
across the room and smashes into Solomon's head,
knocking him down.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/AN EXHIBIT ROOM - DAY
where we see Flix and Trix playing with some of the
exhibits, a little way off from the door. They hear
the noise from the storeroom and start rushing over.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/STOREROOM - DAY
Tara quickly turns around, focuses on something else.
A large metal cabinet screwed to the ground. We see
the cabinet shake vigorously, the items on its shelves
falling off onto the floor. We see the screws holding
the cabinet on the floor begin to loosen.
ANGLE : TARA
focusing on the cabinet. Her nose beginning to bleed
from the exertion.
Suddenly, the cabinet flies away from the floor,
screws and all, and slams into the storeroom door,
blocking it just as we hear Flix and Trix start
ramming into it.
Tara heads immediately for the window. She bangs on
it.
TARA
(yelling)
Willow!
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - DAY
ANGLE : WILLOW
We mute all sound as we see Willow, still lost in her
thoughts. We see Tara in the background calling out
but we hear nothing.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/STOREROOM - DAY
Tara struggles with the window lock for a beat before
finally managing to force it open.
TARA
(an almighty yell)
Willow!
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - DAY
All sound returns as, this time Willow hears Tara. She
is instantly dragged back into reality.
WILLOW
(quietly)
Tara?
She turns around to see Tara starting to struggle out
the window.
Willow gets up and starts to run towards Tara.
WILLOW
(concerned, yelling)
Tara!
She gets to Tara and starts to help pull her out. Tara
is almost completely free from the window when we see
Solomon's hand reach out and grab Tara's leg, very
tightly.
Willow looks stunned. She pulls Tara harder. We see
Solomon's arm beginning to burn from the sunlight.
INT. SUNNYDALE MUSEUM/STOREROOM - DAY
as we see Solomon with his arm out the window. He
starts to cry out as his arm burns, the pain getting
stronger and stronger. But still, he refuses to let
Tara go.
EXT. SUNNYDALE STREET - DAY
Willow still trying to pull Tara free.
WILLOW
(shouting to Solomon)
Let her go!
Solomon's arm catches fire. Finally, Solomon lets Tara
go and pulls his arm back inside. Willow and Tara fall
to the ground as Solomon releases Tara. We hear a
scream come from inside the storeroom as Willow and
Tara get up and run away.
EXT. WILLOW AND TARA'S DORM - DAY
to establish. Late afternoon, closing on evening.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - DAY
We see Tara on the bed, looking very tired. Willow
wipes away some blood from Tara's nose. She looks
down, concerned. A quiet tension in the air.
TARA
(trying to break the
tension)
Um.. you know you wanted to check
out the Ancient Rome exhibit at the
museum? Well, I had a look and its
nothing special. You know, all the
usual stuff. Statues, plates,..
(beginning to trail off,
tension breaker not
working)
..pictures of guys in robes, um..
two or three vampires.
WILLOW
Tara, this is a big thing. How could
you not tell me? An evil, psychotic
vamp's out there sending you letters
and you didn't tell me?
TARA
I didn't want you to worry.
WILLOW
Baby, you're everything to me. It's
my job to worry.
TARA
I couldn't.. I mean,.. I thought if
you found out..
WILLOW
(cutting in)
You know what? Let's not do this
now. You go get some rest. I'm going
to call Buffy.. get an update.
Willow starts to head off towards the phone. She takes
a look at the piece of cloth in her hands. She sees
the blood on it.
WHITE OUT
Very quick flashing images (lasting around two seconds
in all); Tara's eyes closing; blood slowly spreading
on a piece of cloth.
WHITE OUT
Willow stops.
WILLOW
(to herself)
He's the one.
TARA
What?
WILLOW
(turning to Tara)
Nothing, just rest.
Willow gets to the phone, picks up the receiver and
dials.
WILLOW
Hey Buffy? Listen, Tara and I just
got back.. What?.. Right now?..
Okay, I'll get there as soon as I
can.
Willow hangs up.
WILLOW
That was Buffy. She and Giles wants
me to come over.
TARA
Really? They told me they were
planning to go to the woods tonight,
you know, near the old mill? They
were going to crash the General's
ritual.
WILLOW
Change of plans. Now, they're doing
this other thing.
Tara begins to get up from the bed.
WILLOW
No, you should stay here and get
some sleep. You've had enough
excitement for tonight.
TARA
But..
WILLOW
It's okay. It's not that far. I'll
get there before dark. You just rest
up and don't let anyone in, okay?
Tara nods. Willow heads to the door. She opens it,
turns back to look at Tara.
WILLOW
Don't worry baby. I'll take care of
everything.
EXT. SUNNYDALE WOODS - NIGHT
Another clearing. We see Musfata performing another
ritual. The main group of vamps including the General,
Flix, Trix and Tarwin are standing close to Musfata.
Various other vamps stand guard around the place.
Sasha stands back a little way behind the main group.
We see Solomon coming up to Sasha.
SASHA
You almost missed the big show. This
is the last of them.
Sasha turns to look at Solomon, sees his burnt arm.
SASHA
(shaking her head)
What exactly is wrong with you?
You're like a fish which keeps
coming up for air. Don't you know by
now that daylight doesn't agree with
you?
SOLOMON
I was simply..
SASHA
(disgusted)
No. I don't want to hear it. You
risk everything for this girl. Well,
from now on, the risk is all yours.
I'm done looking out for you.
Sasha walks away. Solomon looks a tad contrite.
INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S ROOM - NIGHT
Tara gets up from the bed, wanders around, looking a
little worried. She looks out the window at the night
sky. She senses something is wrong. She turns to look
at the telephone.
She slowly walks towards the phone, picks up the
receiver.
ANGLE ON : PHONE
as Tara's finger presses the redial button.
TARA
(to herself, quietly)
Please.. please..
CLOSE ON : PHONE
VOICE (O.S.)
Thank you for calling the movie
hotline. The following films are
playing tonight at the Sunnydale..
We hear off-screen, the sound of something hitting the
table, then footsteps and then a door opening.
WIDEN :
to reveal the receiver lying on the table and the door
wide open. Tara is gone.
EXT. SUNNYDALE WOODS - NIGHT
ANGLE : MUSFATA AND VAMPS
Musfata still performing his ritual. Blue sparks
flying into the air.
We PAN over to the left, to see Buffy, Giles, Chris,
Xander and Anya, hiding in the trees.
ANYA
(nervous)
Okay, what are we doing again? Oh, I
remember. We hit them and then we
run away really fast.
XANDER
Hit and fade, Anya. Hit and fade.
ANYA
So we're not running away really
fast?
GILES
Well, yes we are. 'Fade' just sounds
more.. manly.
CHRISTOPHER
The important thing to remember is
that we must eliminate the warlock.
With any luck, with him gone, the
General won't be able to proceed
with his plans.
(to Buffy)
He's your target Buffy. We'll try to
get you a clear shot with your
crossbow.
BUFFY
I won't miss.
ANYA
Okay, I still haven't heard any part
of the plan which involves us
running away.
GILES
Well, we'll use a code word. When
Buffy elimates the warlock, someone
will yell out..
XANDER
Oh.. Uncle!
(off the looks)
Hey, no one else ever comes up with
the kooky ideas.
Buffy takes a look at the assembled vamps.
BUFFY
(to Giles)
They're so many of them.
GILES
Yes. What we need is some kind of
distraction.
Suddenly, we see some bushes suddenly catch on fire
near the vamps. All the vamps turn to look.
XANDER
Or, you know, God could turn up and
lend a hand.
BUFFY
(peering into the fire,
suddenly alarmed)
That's no god.
We see three vamps slowly approach the burning bushes.
Suddenly three fireballs shoot out from the trees,
hitting each vamp in turn. They burn up and turn to
dust.
ANGLE ON : BURNING TREES AND BUSHES
where we see Willow, floating out through the fire,
eyes black.
Solomon vamps out, snarling.
Willow releases a series of fireballs, aimed at
Solomon. Solomon runs away from them, ducking and
weaving and finally diving into some cover behind a
large boulder.
Buffy and the gang rushes out from the opposite side,
catching the vamps unaware.
Sasha sees them. As some minor vamps run forward to
take on the Scoobs, Sasha heads for Musfata.
SASHA
(to Flix and Trix)
Get the General away, now!
The twins do as ordered, protecting the General as
they retreat.
SASHA
(to Tarwin)
Get over here! We have to protect
the Warlock. He has to complete the
spell.
Tarwin rushes over by Sasha, the two surrounding
Musfata and his aide as he continues with his spell.
We CRANE UP and WIDEN from this shot to reveal a shot
looking down on the battlefield. Musfata, Sasha and
Tarwin in the middle. Willow shooting fireballs at the
top of the screen while Buffy, Giles, Christopher,
Xander and Anya battle pockets of vamps at the bottom.
A wild flurry of activity.
ANGLE : BUFFY
Buffy is fighting a vamp. She ducks and avoids his
blows and then uses the pointy end of her crossbow to
stake him. She spots Musfata, raises her crossbow and
takes aim. However, a vamp comes from her side and
tackles her to the ground before she can fire.
ANGLE : GILES AND CHRISTOPHER
both taking on a vamp each, back to back. They both
manage to get the better of their opponents and stake
them. They bump into each other's backs.
GILES
(turning to see, genial)
Beg your pardon.
CHRISTOPHER
(similarly genial)
Quite alright.
They both rush off to take on more vamps.
ANGLE : WILLOW AND SOLOMON
Solomon still pinned down behind the boulder. Willow
firing fireballs around him.
She then stops, trying a new tact. She looks up to the
night sky.
WILLOW
Wing-ed creatures of the night,
Heed my wish and take thy flight.
From out of the trees come a whole swarm of bats. They
swoop down and attack Solomon who tries to fend them
away.
ANGLE : XANDER AND ANYA
Xander grapples with a vamp. He manages to trip the
vampire up, then stakes him.
A second vamp sees Xander. He takes out a big old
knife. Anya, from behind the vamp, sees this and
rushes to the second vamp, stake held aloft.
The vamp swings back his arm in readiness to throw the
knife at Xander. In doing do, he catches Anya's face
with his elbow.
ANYA
(dizzy)
Oh, okay. I'll just sit down now.
Anya falls straight to the ground to her butt. The
vamp turns to look at Anya, holding his knife up.
XANDER
(seeing this)
An!
He throws his stake, striking the vamp in his back and
is dusted. Xander rushes over to Anya who still sits
on the ground, very groggy.
XANDER
An, are you alright?
ANYA
Did someone say 'Uncle'?
ANGLE : WILLOW AND SOLOMON
Solomon still being attacked by bats. Eventually, it
gets too much for him and he rushes out to the
clearing.
Willow sees this, and releases a fireball at Solomon.
ANGLE : XANDER AND ANYA
Xander still tending to Anya. Anya sees yet another
vamp, rushing towards Xander's back with an axe.
ANYA
Xander, Behind you!
ANGLE : WILLOW
seeing the vamp behind Xander. She quickly redirects
the fireball which was heading straight for Solomon's
back towards the vamp with the axe. It strikes him and
he gets incinerated.
Willow quickly looks back towards Solomon but he has
dissapeared.
ANGLE : MUSFATA
as he finishes his spell. We see the entire forest
almost light up blue as hundreds of blue orbs suddenly
light up simultaneously around the forest, jagged blue
lines joining each light with the other. The lights
burn bright blue for a beat then fade into nothing.
AIDE
(to Sasha)
It is done.
SASHA
(to Musfata)
Good. Now Worlock?
(points to Willow)
Witch. Kill.
Musfata turns to Willow. Willow notices. She lets fly
another fireball at Musfata. Musfata calmly deflects
the fireball away with a flick of his hand.
Musfata, silver eyes glowing, then raises both his
arms and releases a huge, continuous stream of fire
towards Willow. Willow holds out a hand and a circular
blue shield envelops her. We see the fire envelop the
front of the shield but not break through.
ANGLE : GILES
just after despatching another vamp. He looks up to
see Musfata and Willow. Musfata continues to release a
steady stream of fire at Willow whose blue shield is
starting to fade.
GILES
(recognising)
Musfata.
ANGLE : BUFFY
finally getting free of a vamp, then flinging him into
a tree branch, staking him.
She quickly turns around and aims her crossbow at
Musfata. But before she can fire, we see Giles reach
over and lower her crossbow.
GILES
No. We can't kill him. Not now.
ANGLE : TARA
as she reaches the clearing. She sees Musfata and
Willow engaged in battle.
TARA
Willow.
She rushes out of frame.
ANGLE : WILLOW
visibly starting to weaken, starting to sweat
profusely as the flames get nearer and nearer as her
shield gets weaker and weaker.
The camera PANS down as we follow a bead of sweat as
it travels down her face, to her free arm, and then
down from the elbow to her hand. Suddenly, another
hand comes into frame and grabs hold of her hand.
ANGLE : TARA
as she holds on to Willow's hand. Tara's eyes turn
black as she focuses on Musfata, her other hand held
out. We see the blue shield grow stronger, slowly
pushing back the flames.
ANGLE : SASHA
as she sees Tara and Willow. She sees that Tara is
standing slightly ahead of Willow, slightly closer to
Musfata.
SASHA
(to Tarwin)
Time to go. I'll take care of this.
Tarwin looks at Sasha for a second, then leaves. Sasha
takes a look around. Small pockets of vamps still
fighting the Scoobs but they are being dusted off one
by one.
ANGLE : MUSFATA
smiling, enjoying the challenge as he continues to
release this continuous flame at Willow and Tara.
He suddenly hears a thud close to him. He looks down
at his feet. We see the dead body of his aide at his
feet.
He grimaces and exhales deeply as something strikes
him in his back. He drops out of frame to reveal Sasha
with a knife.
We see a red glowing mist rise from Musfata's dead
body, then speeds towards Tara and Willow. It slams
into them, knocking both of them to the ground. We see
the red mist has enveloped Tara. It seeps into her
body.
ANGLE : SASHA
as she smiles, seeing this. She exits.
We see all the remaining vamps run away, following
Sasha's lead. The Scoobs rush over to Willow and Tara.
Willow gets up and crawls over to Tara who is lying
face down on the ground. She touches Tara on her
shoulder.
WILLOW
Tara. Are you alright?
Tara spins around to look at Willow. Her eyes are now
completely black, very inhuman.
Willow jolts back, a little shocked. Tara backs away
from Willow, a mixture of anger, fear and confusion on
her face. Willow reaches out again.
WILLOW
Tara?
The Scoobs gather around, all looking very anxious.
Willow reaches out with her hand towards Tara. We see
Tara staring at Willow, then at her hand. She slowly
raises her hand towards Willow's but at the last
moment, she raises her palm up.
An invisible force knocks the Scoobs away, flinging
them to the ground metres away.
ANGLE : WILLOW
as she groggily gets back up. She looks up to see
Tara's feet, now floating inches off the ground. She
looks up to see Tara floating above her.
Tara looks down at her feet, her hands, as if
inspecting a new body. She looks down at Willow, and
then furrows her brow in angry expression.
She turns and flys away into the forest at great
speed. The trees in front of her crashing out of the
way as she passes. White light flashing periodically
around Tara as she departs.
ANGLE : WILLOW
looking at Tara, in absolute shock.
BLACKOUT
TO BE CONTINUED..
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