ASTA Episode 1.02 "Here We Go" - Act 3 & 4
ACT3
~GILES’ OFFICE~
Buffy trudged into Giles’ office looking exhausted. She fell onto the couch and groaned out loud. Giles was at his bookcase, shelving his books when he looked over at the blonde girl with concern.
GILES: Are you alright?
BUFFY: Tired. As in very.
GILES: What happened?
BUFFY: A slayer got into a fight with a Watcher.
Giles stopped his shelving and took off his glasses, surprise registering on his face.
GILES: Her own Watcher?
BUFFY: No, some other slayer’s Watcher. They got into a verbal fight and the Slayer - the one that the Watcher was watching over - thought it was a good idea to use fists to solve the problem. So it was a free for all between two slayers and a Watcher.
GILES: Dear Lord. Is everyone alright?
BUFFY: Yeah, everyone’s fine. The Slayers were pretty beat up but they’ll live.
GILES: I understand now why you look worse for wear.
BUFFY: Oh but there’s more.
GILES: Should I even ask?
BUFFY: No. Just pretend that you didn’t hear anything.
At that moment, Willow and Xander came into the office.
XANDER: All I’m saying is that there’s nothing wrong.
Willow shuddered visibly.
WILLOW: But it’s just so weird.
BUFFY: What’s so weird?
XANDER & WILLOW: English men.
Giles raised an eyebrow at them.
GILES: And what’s wrong with English men?
WILLOW: (quickly) Oh! Nothing! Nothing at all.
XANDER: It’s a long story but she didn’t mean you. Just English men in general.
GILES: (sarcastically) I feel so much better now.
XANDER: Anyway, English men aside, I’ve checked out all the weapons and see if none are missing. I’m not sure where Claire got that dagger.
GILES: Dagger?
BUFFY: A Slayer, Claire, went all Carrie in her class and started waving a dagger at her classmates and at her teacher. We were wondering where she got the dagger from.
XANDER: Not from us that’s for sure.
GILES: (at Buffy) When you said more, you were referring to this, weren’t you?
BUFFY: Told you not to ask. I’ll speak to Claire tomorrow and ask her about the dagger. I gave her the day off after the incident. I didn’t want to bother her in case she was still feeling all dagger wield-y.
GILES: Fair enough. I’ll have a word with her Watcher and see whether she exhibited signs of breaking down before today.
Someone knocked loudly on the door of the office just before swinging it open. Andrew walked in with a large duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He slammed the door behind him and dropped the bag to the ground with a thump. He dropped next to Buffy on the couch.
ANDREW: I am exhausted!
XANDER: How did the outdoor training go with Asta?
ANDREW: Tragically horrible. I went against the Watcher’s code and saved her life.
XANDER: (mock horror) You’re sure to get fired now!
WILLOW: Training didn’t go all that well huh?
ANDREW: No. She almost got herself killed and I came swooping in - all very Batman like I must add - and saved the day. She started talking about this figure that she saw but I wasn’t paying much attention. I was too worried about my code violation.
GILES: A figure. Was it a demon?
Andrew looked at Giles worriedly.
ANDREW: Watcher’s code violation!
GILES: Oh bollocks! There’s no such thing.
BUFFY: But Asta’s alright right?
ANDREW: I think so. She headed to her room after training and I came here. She looked fine to me - pretty beaten up but fine.
XANDER: Andrew, you seriously need to start reading up on sensitivity instead of those comic books. It will take you a long way.
Andrew closed his eyes and slouched deeper into the couch.
ANDREW: I’ll get to that some day.
Someone rapped on the door of the office and everyone looked at each other in surprise.
GILES: We are not expecting anyone else are we?
BUFFY: At this time of the night? No, I don’t think so.
GILES: Xander, would you mind?
XANDER: Say no more. I’ll take the risk and answer the door. (pause) Ok, I’m starting to rhyme. That just brings back bad memories.
Xander went towards the door and pulled it open. Asta stood before Xander nervously.
XANDER: Asta. What are you doing here?
Asta blinked at Xander and then at the others in the room.
ASTA: I was actually looking for Mr. Giles. This is Mr. Giles office right?
XANDER: Yeah, yeah, it is. Come on in.
Asta stepping to the office, looking a bit apprehensive.
ASTA: I could come back another time…
GILES: No, there’s no need to. Is everything alright?
ASTA: I…
Asta swallowed nervously as all eyes were trained on her.
ASTA: I…I don’t exactly know how to say this.
WILLOW: It’s ok, Asta. We don’t bite. I assure you.
Asta swallowed and tried again.
ASTA: Ok, I’ll just come out and say this then. (pause) I-I think I’m insane.
~HADES VALLEY~
~night~
When Oliver stepped into his house at nine in the evening, he found David and Tabitha in the living watching some sitcom on the television. Tabitha was curled up against David’s side asleep while David was staring at the television screen. He looked up at Oliver when he heard the front door shut. He nodded his greeting and Oliver nodded back.
Oliver shrugged off his coat, hung it up on the coat hanger next to the front door and made his way towards the kitchen. He went to the refrigerator and took out an ice pack from the freezer compartment. He headed to the sink, took off his shirt and inspected his injury.
His stomach was tightly bound with bandages and it still hurt when he moved. Oliver touched the ice pack to his wound and held it there. He clenched his teeth as a fiery pain started to spread around his tummy area.
DAVID: That looks bad.
OLIVER: I’m fine.
DAVID: I’m sure you are.
Oliver glanced over his shoulder and shot Tabitha’s boyfriend a glare.
OLIVER: I said I’m fine.
David raised his hands in front of his, palms out.
DAVID: And I don’t doubt that - really.
David strolled to the refrigerator and took out two bottles of beer. He slid one of the bottles across the kitchen counter towards Oliver. Oliver caught it d nodded his thanks. Oliver dumped the ice pack into the sink and opened up the bottle. He leaned against the sink as he took a swing of his beer. David leaned against the refrigerator and lifted his bottle towards Oliver.
DAVID: Cheers.
OLIVER: Yeah. Cheers.
The two of the stood in awkward silence as they drifted off into their own worlds.
OLIVER: So…
DAVID: So.
OLIVER: How’s your business coming along?
DAVID: The bar? It’s coming along fine. Business is slowly picking up and I can’t say I’m going to be bankrupt soon so I take it as a good sign.
OLIVER: (nods) Good…good.
Oliver took another swing of his beer as David did the same.
OLIVER: How is the bar industry like? Is it tough? I’m thinking of opening my own business.
DAVID: Really?
OLIVER: No, not really.
There was silence once again.
DAVID: Well, the industry is certainly doing well. You just need to create a bar that has a good environment and ambience, you know.
OLIVER: No, I don’t but I’ll keep that in mind if I decide to open up my own bar.
DAVID: Cool.
Another awkward silence descended upon them. David stared off into space while Oliver studied the label on the beer bottle intently.
DAVID: You know, if you want, I could get you a job at the bar. Tabby said you were looking for a job and I could use another bartender. If you’re interested, you could come down tomorrow or something for training.
Oliver looked up and narrowed his blue eyes at David.
OLIVER: Are you serious?
DAVID: Yeah. I think it could work. We have to try to get along and be civil with each other - and once or twice, you have to call me boss and listen to what I say - but I think it could work.
Oliver stared at David for a moment to make sure he didn’t burst out laughing and start yelling “I got you! I so got you!” When David didn’t do that, Oliver took another drink of his beer and gave him his reply.
OLIVER: I’ll think about it.
DAVID: Great.
They fell silent and went back to their beer.
~ENGLAND~
~Watchers Council~
~Giles’ Office~
ANDREW: Insane? As in mentally?
Xander shot him an annoyed look.
XANDER: How many different types of insanity are there, Andrew?
Buffy ignore Andrew’s comment and went up to the nervous slayer.
BUFFY: Why don’t you sit down and tell us everything from the beginning?
Buffy took Asta by the arm and led her to the couch.
BUFFY: Ok, start from the beginning. What makes you think you’re insane?
ASTA: The fact that I see weird things and hear voices?
BUFFY: What kind of things?
WILLOW: What kind of voices?
ASTA: (softly) It knows my name.
GILES: Who knows your name?
Buffy knelt down in front of Asta and touched her hand.
BUFFY: Asta, listen to me carefully. I want you to tell me everything and I don’t want you to leave out anything. It’s important that you don’t. Understand?
Asta nodded.
BUFFY: Good. Ok, now start from the beginning.
Asta looked at Willow, her gaze hardening.
ASTA: You. You started it.
WILLOW: I didn’t -
ASTA: I touched your hand and I saw all this images.
BUFFY: What exactly did you see?
Asta looked down at her mug, her coffee untouched.
ASTA: This demon, me, dead bodies everywhere.
BUFFY: And?
ASTA: I let go of her hand and everything stopped. I couldn’t see any images. But I heard the voice again when I was in the bathroom. Then I keep having these weird dreams. Stacy and Andrew kept telling me that I should tell Mr. Giles about it and they said that he would know what to do. Then when I saw that figure in the cemetery just now, I just had to go to somebody ‘cause I was so scared. So that’s why I came here.
BUFFY: (smiled) You did the right thing.
GILES: Dreams are common for a slayer…
ASTA: I know but these dreams weren’t slayer dreams. They are different. Slayers dreams are like I’m watching a movie. I watch the different slayers beat the crap out of demons and vampires. But these dreams? I was in it. I had the starring role. And the demon made a cameo appearance. It kept asked me to come home.
XANDER: To New York?
ASTA: No. I thought it was New York at first but then it said to come home to Hades Valley. I spent at least 15 years in New York; I left Hades when I was two so I don’t exactly understand why the demon called Hades Valley home.
ANDREW: We’ll go to Hades Valley then.
Everyone looked at Andrew in confusion. Buffy stood up and placed her hands on her hips.
BUFFY: What?
ANDREW: Instead of sitting here and doing research that is getting us nowhere, why not go to someplace that we are sure to find answers? Right now I’m thinking that Hades Valley is the place.
BUFFY: I’m not letting an amateur Watcher and a new Slayer go to a Hellmouth. You need someone with more experience to go with you. We’ll go once everything in the school is settled and we know more about what we are dealing with.
XANDER: Then I’ll go with them.
Buffy looked at Xander in disbelief.
BUFFY: Didn’t you just hear what I said? We’ll go once we have settled everything here. It’s too risky to go now when we don’t know anything about this demon or what those images mean.
XANDER: Buffy, you said it yourself. You need someone more experienced and I was born and bred in Sunnydale. Not only that but I was in the heart of every apocalypse that came our way. I have the scars to show for it. You, Willow and Giles need to be here to run the school even after everything’s settled. I’m useless here.
BUFFY: (scoffed) And you’re not in Cleveland?
WILLOW: (sternly) Buffy.
XANDER: (grimly) I’m going to ignore that comment.
BUFFY: (sighed) I’m sorry. You’re not useless here. We need you to run the school as well.
XANDER: All I’ve ever done in this place is bringing furniture in, fixing up choked toilets and remodeling the training rooms. I wasn’t running the school, Buff, I’m janitor-ing it. You need someone with a lot more knowledge than they wished they didn’t have on hellmouths to go with Andrew and Asta and I’m the right man for the job.
BUFFY: But we need a plan. What are you going to do once you’ve reached Cleveland?
XANDER: (shrugged) Find a place to stay, take a tour around the place and wait for the next time Mr. Demon talks to Asta.
GILES: Xander’s idea is a good one, Buffy…
ANDREW: Hey! It was my idea.
GILES: Right. Andrew’s idea is a good one and Xander has convinced me of that. Xander will go to Hades Valley with Asta and Andrew. Once everything is needed to know about this demon and its plan, we’ll come in - if needed. I don’t think we can wait after everything here is settled.
BUFFY: No, I can’t let you do that. I’m coming along if you’re going.
XANDER: I’m going.
BUFFY: Then I’m coming along.
WILLOW: Buffy, what about the school?
BUFFY: I won’t be there long. Maybe a couple of days. I just want to be there to make sure this isn’t some sort of a trap.
XANDER: We can take care of ourselves Buffy.
BUFFY: I’m going and you can’t say anything that’s going to change my mind.
Xander rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully.
XANDER: Alright, fine. But once everything is settled. You’re going back to England. They need you here.
BUFFY: I’m sure they’ll be fine without me for a couple of days.
Giles went to his desk and picked up the handset of the telephone.
GILES: I’ll make a few calls - book a flight for you and a place to stay in Hades Valley. You’ll leave tomorrow?
BUFFY: Yes. The sooner, the better. Whoever that is calling out to Asta would probably think that it’ll take time for us to take action so going to Hades as soon as possible might tilt things to our advantage.
Giles nodded as he punched the keypad of his telephone.
GILES: Hello Ruth? Yes, this is Mr. Giles speaking. Could you book four tickets to Cleveland please? (pause) The first flight tomorrow morning.
Asta raised her hand, hoping to catch the attention of one of them.
ASTA: Don’t I get a say in this?
Everyone returned their attention to the young slayer. They looked like they had only just realized that she was in the room with them.
ASTA: I mean, you all agreed that going to Hades is the best option but can I just interrupt and say no?
BUFFY: Asta, I know this seems like a stupid idea. Well, I think it’s a stupid idea but when the majority agrees on something, it’s best that you go with the flow. But they are right. There’s no point for us to stay here and wait for things to happen in order to learn more about these dreams and this demon. Going to Hades seems like the logical thing to do at the moment.
Asta stood up and looked at Buffy angrily.
ASTA: Logical? You call going to a place where this demon wants me to be logical? I would actually call it ‘walking into a trap’. For all you know, this demon or whoever it is that’s playing these mind games with me could be waiting for me when I land in Hades.
BUFFY: That’s why I’m going with you - to make sure that that doesn’t happen. You’ll be safe, I promise.
Buffy reached out to comfort the panicking slayer but Asta shrank away from her touch.
ASTA: Look, you can not make me go to a place that I don’t want to go. I don’t care if you’re a slayer or my Watcher or Captain Hook. You can’t make me go.
BUFFY: Asta, listen to me -
Xander stepped forward, easing Buffy aside.
XANDER: Asta, I understand that you don’t want to go to a place that attracts demons and all kinds of bad mojo. Trust me when I say that I’m the last person on earth who wants to go back to a hellmouth. And I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t know what my friends are doing. But I do. So you can trust them ok? We’ll go to Hades Valley. If you don’t like it there, we’ll come back. Deal?
Asta looked at Xander as he waited for her answer. She looked at the other faces in the room and they all had the same expression on their faces - care, concern and the confidence that they sincerely knew what they were doing.
ASTA: If I don’t like it there…
XANDER: I’ll put you on the first flight back to England, I promise.
Asta sighed.
ASTA: Alright, deal.
ACT 4
~HADES VALLEY~
~cemetery~
~night~
OLIVER: Have you ever wondered why there isn’t a slayer here in Hades Valley? I mean, this is a Hellmouth and you would think there would be a slayer guarding it but there isn’t. Instead a high school dropout, unemployed male and his amateur witch sister who works in a law firm are doing all the guarding. Don’t you think it’s weird?
TABITHA: (glared) I’m not amateur. I’m able to spurt fireballs from my hands and make vampires go poof. Name me one amateur witch that could do that.
The two of them were walking through Willows Cemetery on the hunt for the Vampires of Zoor. They each had a weapon in their hand - Oliver had an axe slung across his back and Tabitha held a crossbow. She also had a pouch around her waist.
TABITHA: And no, I don’t think it’s weird. We haven’t exactly had a slayer here in Cleveland for a long time, Ollie. So it’s not weird or unusual. It’s just the way it is. Beside, there’s only one slayer in every generation and that Slayer is busy with another Hellmouth in California. We’re just…unlucky.
They continued walking through the cemetery.
TABITHA: Are you sure this is the place?
OLIVER: I’m sure. I saw the vampires heading towards the mausoleum over there. It could be their hideout. Or an entrance to their hideout.
TABITHA: Or it could be a place they wanted to trash because their leader asked them to.
OLIVER: No. These vamps are always traveling in groups so I find it really suspicious that another vampire could creep up behind me the last time. And I know he wasn’t part of the group. They all gather here and that mausoleum is the reason why.
TABITHA: And what if you’re wrong? You have the tendency to be wrong - that’s why you got kicked out of school.
OLIVER: I got kicked out of school because I was one of the few people who believe that there were indeed vampires in our high school.
TABITHA: (smirks) Ever thought that maybe you could have been wrong.
OLIVER: I wasn’t wrong then and I’m not wrong now. Just trust me, ok?
TABITHA: I think I’ve done too much of that. That’s why I’m stuck slaying vampires for the rest of my young life.
They continued to walk through the cemetery in silence. A few moments later, Oliver spoke up.
OLIVER: Tabby, did you tell David about my little unemployment situation?
TABITHA: I don’t know. I might have mentioned it once or twice. Why?
OLIVER: He offered me a job as a bartender in his bar.
TABITHA: (surprised) He did? Wow. That’s really nice of him to do so.
OLIVER: (scoffed) Nice? He took pity on me.
TABITHA: Well, I think it was really sweet of him to do that even though you hate his guts. So did you accept the job?
OLIVER: What? Of course not! I hate his guts; I’m not going to work for him.
TABITHA: Come on Ollie. You have been looking for a job since you came here two years ago. It’s time you start paying rent.
OLIVER: I just don’t see myself as a bartender.
TABITHA: Neither do I but this is a good opportunity of you, Ollie. Just give it a try. If you hate it, you could always quit.
OLIVER: I’ll think about it.
TABITHA: Good. I’ll make sure I’ll thank David on your behalf.
Oliver stopped suddenly and raised his finger to his lips.
OLIVER: Shh! Did you hear that?
Tabitha cocked her head and listened.
TABITHA: Yeah. I do. Crickets. No, wait! I hear something else. Those creatures that go woo-woo. What do you call it? An owl is it?
Oliver grabbed Tabitha’s arm and pulled her behind a tree.
OLIVER: Don’t move or say a word.
Oliver peered around the tree and saw three Vampires of Zoor heading towards the mausoleum. Unlike the last time he saw them, the vampires were strangely silent as they made their way inside of the crypt.
OLIVER: There are three of them that I can see. Not sure that there are any more around.
TABITHA: It’s only the three.
Oliver looked at her with raised eyebrows.
OLIVER: How do you know?
TABITHA: I did a spell and those are the only three that popped up on my radar.
OLIVER: (scowled) You knew all along that there were three vampires in the cemetery? Why didn’t you tell me?
TABITHA: Two words - fragile ego. I didn’t want to steal your glory.
OLIVER: So you sure they are the only three?
TABITHA: Yup. But whatever we need to find in that crypt, we need to find it fast. We don’t know how long it would take for the others to return. So here’s the plan.
OLIVER: You have a plan?
TABITHA: I have to have one if I don’t want my brother to suffer another stab wound.
She took the axe from Oliver and pressed her crossbow into his hands.
TABITHA: You’re not ready to do any chopping or lifting yet so I want you to stand in a safe distance and shoot. I’ll do the heavy lifting.
Oliver shook his head in amusement as he loaded the crossbow.
OLIVER: Every minute you’re making me feel less of a man.
TABITHA: It’s for your own good, little brother. Alright, I’m going to make my presence known and make them think that I’m the only one there. Once you hear the signal, you come in with crossbow a blazing.
OLIVER: And the signal would be…?
TABITHA: (grinned) The vampires screaming their heads off while I kick their asses.
OLIVER: (nodded) Be careful
TABITHA: Always.
Tabitha stepped away from the tree they were behind and made a quick dash towards the mausoleum. The door of the crypt was not fully closed and there was sliver of opening. She pressed her ear against the crack and listened carefully to the happenings within the mausoleum.
VAMP #1: Dude, I cannot believe you ate that human. Boss gave us strict orders not to feed.
VAMP #2: I can’t help it. I’m getting sick of feeding from you guys. Anyway, Boss wouldn’t know about it if no one tells him. So no one tells him.
VAMP #3: Man, I’m getting tired of this. When will we get into the good stuff?
VAMP #1: Not until the Boss gives the go ahead.
VAMP #3: (whined) But I’m hungry.
Tabitha straightened and pushed the heavy door open.
TABITHA: Me too. So which one of you boys want to take me out to dinner.
The three vampires snapped their heads towards Tabitha.
VAMP #1: You! What part of me stabbing your brother don’t you understand? I told him to stay away from our business. Didn’t he give you the memo?
TABITHA: Well, he’s quite stubborn and it kinda runs in the family.
The vampire that spoke to her roared and rushed her. Tabitha twirled the axe above her head a couple of times before swinging it downwards and lopping his head off. Both the body and the head disintegrated into ash before it could hit the ground. Tabitha blew at the blade and grinned widely.
TABITHA: Alright, so who’s next?
The two remaining vampires looked at her before looking at each other. Without warning, the two of them came at her. She was about to swing her axe at the vampire on the right when an arrow whizzed past her head and struck the other vampire in its chest. The vampire looked shocked as he crumbled to dust.
Tabitha waved her left hand at the last remaining vampire and the vampire flew back and slammed into the wall behind him. He was pinned to the wall, unable to move. Tabitha used her other hand and made the arrow which had dusted the second vampire float towards the pinned vampire. The arrow headed straight for the vampire’s chest but didn’t dust him.
VAMP: What are you doing?
TABITHA: I’m piercing your flesh with the arrow real slow That way I’m able to get some answers.
A wild, panic look came across vampire’s features when he realized what was happening.
VAMP: What answers? I don’t have any answers that you want.
Oliver entered the crypt and approached the vampire, the crossbow dangling from his hand.
OLIVER: I think you do. Tell us who your boss is.
VAMP: My boss?
OLIVER: Yes. Your boss. The same boss who has been asking you and your vampire pals to do his biddings for him.
VAMP: But I can’t tell him who he is. He’ll kill me.
Tabitha concentrated a little harder and made the arrow to pierce through the vampire’s flesh another inch. The vampire yelped in pain.
TABITHA: Is your boss Joseph Zoor?
VAMP: Who? I don’t know anybody call Joseph Zoor. Man! That hurts.
TABITHA: I’ll make it stop if you tell us who your boss is.
VAMP: Ok, ok. I will. His name is Matthias.
OLIVER: Where do we find him?
VAMP: That I can’t tell you man. I mean really. Ah!
The arrow went through another inch and the tip almost reached the vampire’s dead heart.
TABITHA: Where is he again?
VAMP: I can’t tell you because I don’t know. He meets us and tells us what to do and then we don’t see him again until the next meeting.
OLIVER: When is the next meeting?
VAMP: Ah! Hey! I’ll tell, I’ll tell! Erm…tomorrow - tomorrow, midnight, here. That’s all I know, I swear.
TABITHA: Thanks! I really appreciate it.
VAMP: Are you going to let me go?
TABITHA: Sure, why not.
With a flick of a wrist, the arrow withdrew from the vampire’s chest and fell to the ground. Tabitha dropped her left hand to her side and the vampire slumped to the floor.
OLIVER: So what do you think? You think he’s telling the truth?
TABITHA: Well, the worst thing that could happen is that we won’t find their leader. But we could always get another vampire and torture him for information.
Oliver absentmindedly shot an arrow into the vampire’s heart.
VAMP: Hey!
The vampire crumbled into dust.
OLIVER: You’re right. So I guess we’ll come back tomorrow then.
TABITHA: Guess so. (sighs) I was hoping for a more exciting night. This isn’t what I had in mind.
Tabitha let a pout form on her lips.
TABITHA: I wanted to fight more vampires.
OLIVER: We can go over to the next cemetery and patrol. I’m sure we’ll find more there.
Tabitha’s gaze shifted away from Oliver’s.
TABITHA: Or we could take those guys out instead.
Oliver turned around and blinked at the four new Vampires of Zoor standing at the door of the mausoleum.
OLIVER: Well, I guess you got your wish, Tabby.
TABITHA: (grinned) I wish for a million dollars.
Oliver and the vampires looked at her and frowned.
VAMPS & OLIVER: What?
TABITHA: Never mind. (to vamps) Shall we do this?
VAMP #1: It would be our pleasure.
OLIVER: Here we go.
~WATCHERS COUNCIL, ENGLAND~
~Asta’s room~
Asta pulled out a large traveling bag from her wardrobe and dumped it on her bed. She went over to her drawers and started getting her clothes out. She went to her bed with a tall pile of clothes in her hand and started stuffing them into the bag.
Once all her clothes were in the bag, she headed into her bathroom and started gathering all her toiletries. She dumped them into her bag as well. At her desk, she looked through all her books, papers and notebooks, tossing out the ones that she didn’t want and keeping those that she needed. She pulled out a backpack from under her desk and inserted all her books into it. Once that was done, she zipped it up and tossed the bag onto her bed next to her luggage.
Asta let out a breath and looked around the room.
A moment later, she went towards the bedside table where a small piece of notepad and pencil was. She picked the pencil up and started scribbling down a note.
ASTA: Dear Stacy. This is Asta. I just thought I’d write this note to tell you that I’m leaving. I’m not leaving because I’m giving up this slayer life but I’m leaving England because there is something I need to do at home. Not in New York but in Hades Valley where I’m originally from.
~HADES VALLEY~
Oliver crouched in the corner and shot at the second vampire that ran towards him. Unlike the first one, the arrow missed the marked and hit the vampire’s stomach. The vampire snarled in pain but didn’t stop running.
ASTA: (v.o) Mr. Giles says that the dreams I’m having and the things I’ve been seeing might mean something and it’s possible that I could find the answers in Hades Valley. I didn’t want to go at first because the thing about that place is that it’s different from other towns.
Tabitha swung her axe at one of the vampire and the sharp blade caught the vampire in the chest. Tabitha pulled the axe out and struck again. This time the vampire read her move and ducked. Before Tabitha could hit the vampire, it straightened and gave her a hard backhand across her face. Tabitha went flying and hit the wall.
ASTA: (o.s) A lot of weird things happen there. It’s not a good place to be. The Hellmouth is there.
Oliver smacked the vampire with the butt of the crossbow, whipped out a stake that he had with him and thrust it into its chest, this time hitting the mark.
ASTA: (o.s) Vampires, demons and all kinds of creatures can be found there because of the Hellmouth and I’m going there. I can’t stake a vampire but I’m going to a Hellmouth. It’s funny how things work out.
A vampire came up from behind Oliver and grabbed him in a bear hug. Oliver let out a grunt as the vampire squeezed, aggravating his not-yet healed wound. Oliver slammed his head back and there was a loud crack as the back of his head connected with the vampires face. The vampire let go and Oliver took this chance to whirl around and plunged the stake into its heart.
ASTA: (o.s) I’m not going alone. Andrew and this guy called Xander are coming with me. Buffy Summers is also coming along so I guess I’m in safe hands. However, I’m still scared to go and I wished there was another way…but there isn’t. For now, Hades Valley is where I need to be. I don’t know what to expect and I really hope I’m able to get through the first day without getting myself killed.
Tabitha got to her feet and shook her head, trying to clear the fog in her head. She heard a growl and she dropped to the ground. A leg whizzed above her head. Tabitha whispered a spell under her breath and the next moment, she heard a loud scream. She stood up and smiled when the vampire who tried to attack her started to convulse. Smoke came off his body and with one final scream, the vampire burst into flames.
ASTA: (o.s) I hope that I’ll survive my time there because I have a bad feeling about this. Wish me luck and I’ll see you soon. Hopefully.
Oliver looked around the crypt to make sure that there weren’t anymore vampires sneaking up on them before going to his sister.
OLIVER: You alright?
Tabitha patted her arms, legs and then her head.
TABITHA: Have all vital body parts intact so yeah, I’m fine.
OLIVER: Had enough fun for tonight or do you still want to get more vamps?
TABITHA: Let’s call it a night. I’m feeling hungry and I don’t think I can fight with an empty stomach.
Oliver laughed as he draped a hand around Tabitha’s shoulder and led her out of the mausoleum.
OLIVER: You know, with us around, I don’t think we need a slayer.
TABITHA: I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind the extra help.
OLIVER: Yeah, but it’s more fun this way. It’s the only time where I get to bond with my sister. I don’t think I like the thought of a slayer disrupting our quality bonding time together.
Tabitha looked at him like he was crazy.
TABITHA: So you consider the time where we get our ass kicked, get bruised and stabbed quality time?
OLIVER: (shrugged) I’m weird that way.
TABITHA: (laughed) That’s why I love you, little brother.
OLIVER: So I don’t think we need a slayer. We can handle this on our own. We make a pretty good team. We are actually slayers ourselves.
Tabitha looks worriedly at her brother.
TABITHA: You are not going to break into a song are you?
~WATCHERS COUNCIL, ENGLAND~
~Asta’s room~
Asta tore off the note from the pad and read it over again. After she was done, she went and placed it on Stacy’s pillow. She stared at the note as she drifted into her thoughts.
ASTA: (sighed) This is ridiculous.
She picked up the note and crushed it into a ball. She went to the rubbish bin at her desk and threw the note in. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jeans and took one last look around the room.
~NEXT DAY~
~flight to Cleveland~
Asta gazed out of the window of the airplane as Xander sat down in the seat beside her and buckled his seat belt. After shifting in his seat for a few seconds to make himself more comfortable, he looked over at the silent slayer beside him.
XANDER: You’re pretty chatty today.
Asta turned away from the window and looked at him blankly.
ASTA: What?
Xander smiled as he shook his head.
XANDER: Never mind. I was just talking to myself.
ASTA: Ok.
She turned back to the window. A few minutes of silence later, the airplane jerked and started to make its way to the runaway.
XANDER: This is it. We’re going to Cleveland. You ready?
The airplane picked up speed and Asta watched as the surrounding trees and the other planes whipped by.
ASTA: Here we go.
The airplane lifted off the ground.
CUT TO BLACK
END CREDITS
Written by
Irene Issac
Story Editor
Rebecca Schwarz
Special Thanks To
Everyone and anyone who helped in making this episode a success
A BECK TO SHREDS production. © 2005 Irene Issac
~GILES’ OFFICE~
Buffy trudged into Giles’ office looking exhausted. She fell onto the couch and groaned out loud. Giles was at his bookcase, shelving his books when he looked over at the blonde girl with concern.
GILES: Are you alright?
BUFFY: Tired. As in very.
GILES: What happened?
BUFFY: A slayer got into a fight with a Watcher.
Giles stopped his shelving and took off his glasses, surprise registering on his face.
GILES: Her own Watcher?
BUFFY: No, some other slayer’s Watcher. They got into a verbal fight and the Slayer - the one that the Watcher was watching over - thought it was a good idea to use fists to solve the problem. So it was a free for all between two slayers and a Watcher.
GILES: Dear Lord. Is everyone alright?
BUFFY: Yeah, everyone’s fine. The Slayers were pretty beat up but they’ll live.
GILES: I understand now why you look worse for wear.
BUFFY: Oh but there’s more.
GILES: Should I even ask?
BUFFY: No. Just pretend that you didn’t hear anything.
At that moment, Willow and Xander came into the office.
XANDER: All I’m saying is that there’s nothing wrong.
Willow shuddered visibly.
WILLOW: But it’s just so weird.
BUFFY: What’s so weird?
XANDER & WILLOW: English men.
Giles raised an eyebrow at them.
GILES: And what’s wrong with English men?
WILLOW: (quickly) Oh! Nothing! Nothing at all.
XANDER: It’s a long story but she didn’t mean you. Just English men in general.
GILES: (sarcastically) I feel so much better now.
XANDER: Anyway, English men aside, I’ve checked out all the weapons and see if none are missing. I’m not sure where Claire got that dagger.
GILES: Dagger?
BUFFY: A Slayer, Claire, went all Carrie in her class and started waving a dagger at her classmates and at her teacher. We were wondering where she got the dagger from.
XANDER: Not from us that’s for sure.
GILES: (at Buffy) When you said more, you were referring to this, weren’t you?
BUFFY: Told you not to ask. I’ll speak to Claire tomorrow and ask her about the dagger. I gave her the day off after the incident. I didn’t want to bother her in case she was still feeling all dagger wield-y.
GILES: Fair enough. I’ll have a word with her Watcher and see whether she exhibited signs of breaking down before today.
Someone knocked loudly on the door of the office just before swinging it open. Andrew walked in with a large duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He slammed the door behind him and dropped the bag to the ground with a thump. He dropped next to Buffy on the couch.
ANDREW: I am exhausted!
XANDER: How did the outdoor training go with Asta?
ANDREW: Tragically horrible. I went against the Watcher’s code and saved her life.
XANDER: (mock horror) You’re sure to get fired now!
WILLOW: Training didn’t go all that well huh?
ANDREW: No. She almost got herself killed and I came swooping in - all very Batman like I must add - and saved the day. She started talking about this figure that she saw but I wasn’t paying much attention. I was too worried about my code violation.
GILES: A figure. Was it a demon?
Andrew looked at Giles worriedly.
ANDREW: Watcher’s code violation!
GILES: Oh bollocks! There’s no such thing.
BUFFY: But Asta’s alright right?
ANDREW: I think so. She headed to her room after training and I came here. She looked fine to me - pretty beaten up but fine.
XANDER: Andrew, you seriously need to start reading up on sensitivity instead of those comic books. It will take you a long way.
Andrew closed his eyes and slouched deeper into the couch.
ANDREW: I’ll get to that some day.
Someone rapped on the door of the office and everyone looked at each other in surprise.
GILES: We are not expecting anyone else are we?
BUFFY: At this time of the night? No, I don’t think so.
GILES: Xander, would you mind?
XANDER: Say no more. I’ll take the risk and answer the door. (pause) Ok, I’m starting to rhyme. That just brings back bad memories.
Xander went towards the door and pulled it open. Asta stood before Xander nervously.
XANDER: Asta. What are you doing here?
Asta blinked at Xander and then at the others in the room.
ASTA: I was actually looking for Mr. Giles. This is Mr. Giles office right?
XANDER: Yeah, yeah, it is. Come on in.
Asta stepping to the office, looking a bit apprehensive.
ASTA: I could come back another time…
GILES: No, there’s no need to. Is everything alright?
ASTA: I…
Asta swallowed nervously as all eyes were trained on her.
ASTA: I…I don’t exactly know how to say this.
WILLOW: It’s ok, Asta. We don’t bite. I assure you.
Asta swallowed and tried again.
ASTA: Ok, I’ll just come out and say this then. (pause) I-I think I’m insane.
~HADES VALLEY~
~night~
When Oliver stepped into his house at nine in the evening, he found David and Tabitha in the living watching some sitcom on the television. Tabitha was curled up against David’s side asleep while David was staring at the television screen. He looked up at Oliver when he heard the front door shut. He nodded his greeting and Oliver nodded back.
Oliver shrugged off his coat, hung it up on the coat hanger next to the front door and made his way towards the kitchen. He went to the refrigerator and took out an ice pack from the freezer compartment. He headed to the sink, took off his shirt and inspected his injury.
His stomach was tightly bound with bandages and it still hurt when he moved. Oliver touched the ice pack to his wound and held it there. He clenched his teeth as a fiery pain started to spread around his tummy area.
DAVID: That looks bad.
OLIVER: I’m fine.
DAVID: I’m sure you are.
Oliver glanced over his shoulder and shot Tabitha’s boyfriend a glare.
OLIVER: I said I’m fine.
David raised his hands in front of his, palms out.
DAVID: And I don’t doubt that - really.
David strolled to the refrigerator and took out two bottles of beer. He slid one of the bottles across the kitchen counter towards Oliver. Oliver caught it d nodded his thanks. Oliver dumped the ice pack into the sink and opened up the bottle. He leaned against the sink as he took a swing of his beer. David leaned against the refrigerator and lifted his bottle towards Oliver.
DAVID: Cheers.
OLIVER: Yeah. Cheers.
The two of the stood in awkward silence as they drifted off into their own worlds.
OLIVER: So…
DAVID: So.
OLIVER: How’s your business coming along?
DAVID: The bar? It’s coming along fine. Business is slowly picking up and I can’t say I’m going to be bankrupt soon so I take it as a good sign.
OLIVER: (nods) Good…good.
Oliver took another swing of his beer as David did the same.
OLIVER: How is the bar industry like? Is it tough? I’m thinking of opening my own business.
DAVID: Really?
OLIVER: No, not really.
There was silence once again.
DAVID: Well, the industry is certainly doing well. You just need to create a bar that has a good environment and ambience, you know.
OLIVER: No, I don’t but I’ll keep that in mind if I decide to open up my own bar.
DAVID: Cool.
Another awkward silence descended upon them. David stared off into space while Oliver studied the label on the beer bottle intently.
DAVID: You know, if you want, I could get you a job at the bar. Tabby said you were looking for a job and I could use another bartender. If you’re interested, you could come down tomorrow or something for training.
Oliver looked up and narrowed his blue eyes at David.
OLIVER: Are you serious?
DAVID: Yeah. I think it could work. We have to try to get along and be civil with each other - and once or twice, you have to call me boss and listen to what I say - but I think it could work.
Oliver stared at David for a moment to make sure he didn’t burst out laughing and start yelling “I got you! I so got you!” When David didn’t do that, Oliver took another drink of his beer and gave him his reply.
OLIVER: I’ll think about it.
DAVID: Great.
They fell silent and went back to their beer.
~ENGLAND~
~Watchers Council~
~Giles’ Office~
ANDREW: Insane? As in mentally?
Xander shot him an annoyed look.
XANDER: How many different types of insanity are there, Andrew?
Buffy ignore Andrew’s comment and went up to the nervous slayer.
BUFFY: Why don’t you sit down and tell us everything from the beginning?
Buffy took Asta by the arm and led her to the couch.
BUFFY: Ok, start from the beginning. What makes you think you’re insane?
ASTA: The fact that I see weird things and hear voices?
BUFFY: What kind of things?
WILLOW: What kind of voices?
ASTA: (softly) It knows my name.
GILES: Who knows your name?
Buffy knelt down in front of Asta and touched her hand.
BUFFY: Asta, listen to me carefully. I want you to tell me everything and I don’t want you to leave out anything. It’s important that you don’t. Understand?
Asta nodded.
BUFFY: Good. Ok, now start from the beginning.
Asta looked at Willow, her gaze hardening.
ASTA: You. You started it.
WILLOW: I didn’t -
ASTA: I touched your hand and I saw all this images.
BUFFY: What exactly did you see?
Asta looked down at her mug, her coffee untouched.
ASTA: This demon, me, dead bodies everywhere.
BUFFY: And?
ASTA: I let go of her hand and everything stopped. I couldn’t see any images. But I heard the voice again when I was in the bathroom. Then I keep having these weird dreams. Stacy and Andrew kept telling me that I should tell Mr. Giles about it and they said that he would know what to do. Then when I saw that figure in the cemetery just now, I just had to go to somebody ‘cause I was so scared. So that’s why I came here.
BUFFY: (smiled) You did the right thing.
GILES: Dreams are common for a slayer…
ASTA: I know but these dreams weren’t slayer dreams. They are different. Slayers dreams are like I’m watching a movie. I watch the different slayers beat the crap out of demons and vampires. But these dreams? I was in it. I had the starring role. And the demon made a cameo appearance. It kept asked me to come home.
XANDER: To New York?
ASTA: No. I thought it was New York at first but then it said to come home to Hades Valley. I spent at least 15 years in New York; I left Hades when I was two so I don’t exactly understand why the demon called Hades Valley home.
ANDREW: We’ll go to Hades Valley then.
Everyone looked at Andrew in confusion. Buffy stood up and placed her hands on her hips.
BUFFY: What?
ANDREW: Instead of sitting here and doing research that is getting us nowhere, why not go to someplace that we are sure to find answers? Right now I’m thinking that Hades Valley is the place.
BUFFY: I’m not letting an amateur Watcher and a new Slayer go to a Hellmouth. You need someone with more experience to go with you. We’ll go once everything in the school is settled and we know more about what we are dealing with.
XANDER: Then I’ll go with them.
Buffy looked at Xander in disbelief.
BUFFY: Didn’t you just hear what I said? We’ll go once we have settled everything here. It’s too risky to go now when we don’t know anything about this demon or what those images mean.
XANDER: Buffy, you said it yourself. You need someone more experienced and I was born and bred in Sunnydale. Not only that but I was in the heart of every apocalypse that came our way. I have the scars to show for it. You, Willow and Giles need to be here to run the school even after everything’s settled. I’m useless here.
BUFFY: (scoffed) And you’re not in Cleveland?
WILLOW: (sternly) Buffy.
XANDER: (grimly) I’m going to ignore that comment.
BUFFY: (sighed) I’m sorry. You’re not useless here. We need you to run the school as well.
XANDER: All I’ve ever done in this place is bringing furniture in, fixing up choked toilets and remodeling the training rooms. I wasn’t running the school, Buff, I’m janitor-ing it. You need someone with a lot more knowledge than they wished they didn’t have on hellmouths to go with Andrew and Asta and I’m the right man for the job.
BUFFY: But we need a plan. What are you going to do once you’ve reached Cleveland?
XANDER: (shrugged) Find a place to stay, take a tour around the place and wait for the next time Mr. Demon talks to Asta.
GILES: Xander’s idea is a good one, Buffy…
ANDREW: Hey! It was my idea.
GILES: Right. Andrew’s idea is a good one and Xander has convinced me of that. Xander will go to Hades Valley with Asta and Andrew. Once everything is needed to know about this demon and its plan, we’ll come in - if needed. I don’t think we can wait after everything here is settled.
BUFFY: No, I can’t let you do that. I’m coming along if you’re going.
XANDER: I’m going.
BUFFY: Then I’m coming along.
WILLOW: Buffy, what about the school?
BUFFY: I won’t be there long. Maybe a couple of days. I just want to be there to make sure this isn’t some sort of a trap.
XANDER: We can take care of ourselves Buffy.
BUFFY: I’m going and you can’t say anything that’s going to change my mind.
Xander rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully.
XANDER: Alright, fine. But once everything is settled. You’re going back to England. They need you here.
BUFFY: I’m sure they’ll be fine without me for a couple of days.
Giles went to his desk and picked up the handset of the telephone.
GILES: I’ll make a few calls - book a flight for you and a place to stay in Hades Valley. You’ll leave tomorrow?
BUFFY: Yes. The sooner, the better. Whoever that is calling out to Asta would probably think that it’ll take time for us to take action so going to Hades as soon as possible might tilt things to our advantage.
Giles nodded as he punched the keypad of his telephone.
GILES: Hello Ruth? Yes, this is Mr. Giles speaking. Could you book four tickets to Cleveland please? (pause) The first flight tomorrow morning.
Asta raised her hand, hoping to catch the attention of one of them.
ASTA: Don’t I get a say in this?
Everyone returned their attention to the young slayer. They looked like they had only just realized that she was in the room with them.
ASTA: I mean, you all agreed that going to Hades is the best option but can I just interrupt and say no?
BUFFY: Asta, I know this seems like a stupid idea. Well, I think it’s a stupid idea but when the majority agrees on something, it’s best that you go with the flow. But they are right. There’s no point for us to stay here and wait for things to happen in order to learn more about these dreams and this demon. Going to Hades seems like the logical thing to do at the moment.
Asta stood up and looked at Buffy angrily.
ASTA: Logical? You call going to a place where this demon wants me to be logical? I would actually call it ‘walking into a trap’. For all you know, this demon or whoever it is that’s playing these mind games with me could be waiting for me when I land in Hades.
BUFFY: That’s why I’m going with you - to make sure that that doesn’t happen. You’ll be safe, I promise.
Buffy reached out to comfort the panicking slayer but Asta shrank away from her touch.
ASTA: Look, you can not make me go to a place that I don’t want to go. I don’t care if you’re a slayer or my Watcher or Captain Hook. You can’t make me go.
BUFFY: Asta, listen to me -
Xander stepped forward, easing Buffy aside.
XANDER: Asta, I understand that you don’t want to go to a place that attracts demons and all kinds of bad mojo. Trust me when I say that I’m the last person on earth who wants to go back to a hellmouth. And I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t know what my friends are doing. But I do. So you can trust them ok? We’ll go to Hades Valley. If you don’t like it there, we’ll come back. Deal?
Asta looked at Xander as he waited for her answer. She looked at the other faces in the room and they all had the same expression on their faces - care, concern and the confidence that they sincerely knew what they were doing.
ASTA: If I don’t like it there…
XANDER: I’ll put you on the first flight back to England, I promise.
Asta sighed.
ASTA: Alright, deal.
ACT 4
~HADES VALLEY~
~cemetery~
~night~
OLIVER: Have you ever wondered why there isn’t a slayer here in Hades Valley? I mean, this is a Hellmouth and you would think there would be a slayer guarding it but there isn’t. Instead a high school dropout, unemployed male and his amateur witch sister who works in a law firm are doing all the guarding. Don’t you think it’s weird?
TABITHA: (glared) I’m not amateur. I’m able to spurt fireballs from my hands and make vampires go poof. Name me one amateur witch that could do that.
The two of them were walking through Willows Cemetery on the hunt for the Vampires of Zoor. They each had a weapon in their hand - Oliver had an axe slung across his back and Tabitha held a crossbow. She also had a pouch around her waist.
TABITHA: And no, I don’t think it’s weird. We haven’t exactly had a slayer here in Cleveland for a long time, Ollie. So it’s not weird or unusual. It’s just the way it is. Beside, there’s only one slayer in every generation and that Slayer is busy with another Hellmouth in California. We’re just…unlucky.
They continued walking through the cemetery.
TABITHA: Are you sure this is the place?
OLIVER: I’m sure. I saw the vampires heading towards the mausoleum over there. It could be their hideout. Or an entrance to their hideout.
TABITHA: Or it could be a place they wanted to trash because their leader asked them to.
OLIVER: No. These vamps are always traveling in groups so I find it really suspicious that another vampire could creep up behind me the last time. And I know he wasn’t part of the group. They all gather here and that mausoleum is the reason why.
TABITHA: And what if you’re wrong? You have the tendency to be wrong - that’s why you got kicked out of school.
OLIVER: I got kicked out of school because I was one of the few people who believe that there were indeed vampires in our high school.
TABITHA: (smirks) Ever thought that maybe you could have been wrong.
OLIVER: I wasn’t wrong then and I’m not wrong now. Just trust me, ok?
TABITHA: I think I’ve done too much of that. That’s why I’m stuck slaying vampires for the rest of my young life.
They continued to walk through the cemetery in silence. A few moments later, Oliver spoke up.
OLIVER: Tabby, did you tell David about my little unemployment situation?
TABITHA: I don’t know. I might have mentioned it once or twice. Why?
OLIVER: He offered me a job as a bartender in his bar.
TABITHA: (surprised) He did? Wow. That’s really nice of him to do so.
OLIVER: (scoffed) Nice? He took pity on me.
TABITHA: Well, I think it was really sweet of him to do that even though you hate his guts. So did you accept the job?
OLIVER: What? Of course not! I hate his guts; I’m not going to work for him.
TABITHA: Come on Ollie. You have been looking for a job since you came here two years ago. It’s time you start paying rent.
OLIVER: I just don’t see myself as a bartender.
TABITHA: Neither do I but this is a good opportunity of you, Ollie. Just give it a try. If you hate it, you could always quit.
OLIVER: I’ll think about it.
TABITHA: Good. I’ll make sure I’ll thank David on your behalf.
Oliver stopped suddenly and raised his finger to his lips.
OLIVER: Shh! Did you hear that?
Tabitha cocked her head and listened.
TABITHA: Yeah. I do. Crickets. No, wait! I hear something else. Those creatures that go woo-woo. What do you call it? An owl is it?
Oliver grabbed Tabitha’s arm and pulled her behind a tree.
OLIVER: Don’t move or say a word.
Oliver peered around the tree and saw three Vampires of Zoor heading towards the mausoleum. Unlike the last time he saw them, the vampires were strangely silent as they made their way inside of the crypt.
OLIVER: There are three of them that I can see. Not sure that there are any more around.
TABITHA: It’s only the three.
Oliver looked at her with raised eyebrows.
OLIVER: How do you know?
TABITHA: I did a spell and those are the only three that popped up on my radar.
OLIVER: (scowled) You knew all along that there were three vampires in the cemetery? Why didn’t you tell me?
TABITHA: Two words - fragile ego. I didn’t want to steal your glory.
OLIVER: So you sure they are the only three?
TABITHA: Yup. But whatever we need to find in that crypt, we need to find it fast. We don’t know how long it would take for the others to return. So here’s the plan.
OLIVER: You have a plan?
TABITHA: I have to have one if I don’t want my brother to suffer another stab wound.
She took the axe from Oliver and pressed her crossbow into his hands.
TABITHA: You’re not ready to do any chopping or lifting yet so I want you to stand in a safe distance and shoot. I’ll do the heavy lifting.
Oliver shook his head in amusement as he loaded the crossbow.
OLIVER: Every minute you’re making me feel less of a man.
TABITHA: It’s for your own good, little brother. Alright, I’m going to make my presence known and make them think that I’m the only one there. Once you hear the signal, you come in with crossbow a blazing.
OLIVER: And the signal would be…?
TABITHA: (grinned) The vampires screaming their heads off while I kick their asses.
OLIVER: (nodded) Be careful
TABITHA: Always.
Tabitha stepped away from the tree they were behind and made a quick dash towards the mausoleum. The door of the crypt was not fully closed and there was sliver of opening. She pressed her ear against the crack and listened carefully to the happenings within the mausoleum.
VAMP #1: Dude, I cannot believe you ate that human. Boss gave us strict orders not to feed.
VAMP #2: I can’t help it. I’m getting sick of feeding from you guys. Anyway, Boss wouldn’t know about it if no one tells him. So no one tells him.
VAMP #3: Man, I’m getting tired of this. When will we get into the good stuff?
VAMP #1: Not until the Boss gives the go ahead.
VAMP #3: (whined) But I’m hungry.
Tabitha straightened and pushed the heavy door open.
TABITHA: Me too. So which one of you boys want to take me out to dinner.
The three vampires snapped their heads towards Tabitha.
VAMP #1: You! What part of me stabbing your brother don’t you understand? I told him to stay away from our business. Didn’t he give you the memo?
TABITHA: Well, he’s quite stubborn and it kinda runs in the family.
The vampire that spoke to her roared and rushed her. Tabitha twirled the axe above her head a couple of times before swinging it downwards and lopping his head off. Both the body and the head disintegrated into ash before it could hit the ground. Tabitha blew at the blade and grinned widely.
TABITHA: Alright, so who’s next?
The two remaining vampires looked at her before looking at each other. Without warning, the two of them came at her. She was about to swing her axe at the vampire on the right when an arrow whizzed past her head and struck the other vampire in its chest. The vampire looked shocked as he crumbled to dust.
Tabitha waved her left hand at the last remaining vampire and the vampire flew back and slammed into the wall behind him. He was pinned to the wall, unable to move. Tabitha used her other hand and made the arrow which had dusted the second vampire float towards the pinned vampire. The arrow headed straight for the vampire’s chest but didn’t dust him.
VAMP: What are you doing?
TABITHA: I’m piercing your flesh with the arrow real slow That way I’m able to get some answers.
A wild, panic look came across vampire’s features when he realized what was happening.
VAMP: What answers? I don’t have any answers that you want.
Oliver entered the crypt and approached the vampire, the crossbow dangling from his hand.
OLIVER: I think you do. Tell us who your boss is.
VAMP: My boss?
OLIVER: Yes. Your boss. The same boss who has been asking you and your vampire pals to do his biddings for him.
VAMP: But I can’t tell him who he is. He’ll kill me.
Tabitha concentrated a little harder and made the arrow to pierce through the vampire’s flesh another inch. The vampire yelped in pain.
TABITHA: Is your boss Joseph Zoor?
VAMP: Who? I don’t know anybody call Joseph Zoor. Man! That hurts.
TABITHA: I’ll make it stop if you tell us who your boss is.
VAMP: Ok, ok. I will. His name is Matthias.
OLIVER: Where do we find him?
VAMP: That I can’t tell you man. I mean really. Ah!
The arrow went through another inch and the tip almost reached the vampire’s dead heart.
TABITHA: Where is he again?
VAMP: I can’t tell you because I don’t know. He meets us and tells us what to do and then we don’t see him again until the next meeting.
OLIVER: When is the next meeting?
VAMP: Ah! Hey! I’ll tell, I’ll tell! Erm…tomorrow - tomorrow, midnight, here. That’s all I know, I swear.
TABITHA: Thanks! I really appreciate it.
VAMP: Are you going to let me go?
TABITHA: Sure, why not.
With a flick of a wrist, the arrow withdrew from the vampire’s chest and fell to the ground. Tabitha dropped her left hand to her side and the vampire slumped to the floor.
OLIVER: So what do you think? You think he’s telling the truth?
TABITHA: Well, the worst thing that could happen is that we won’t find their leader. But we could always get another vampire and torture him for information.
Oliver absentmindedly shot an arrow into the vampire’s heart.
VAMP: Hey!
The vampire crumbled into dust.
OLIVER: You’re right. So I guess we’ll come back tomorrow then.
TABITHA: Guess so. (sighs) I was hoping for a more exciting night. This isn’t what I had in mind.
Tabitha let a pout form on her lips.
TABITHA: I wanted to fight more vampires.
OLIVER: We can go over to the next cemetery and patrol. I’m sure we’ll find more there.
Tabitha’s gaze shifted away from Oliver’s.
TABITHA: Or we could take those guys out instead.
Oliver turned around and blinked at the four new Vampires of Zoor standing at the door of the mausoleum.
OLIVER: Well, I guess you got your wish, Tabby.
TABITHA: (grinned) I wish for a million dollars.
Oliver and the vampires looked at her and frowned.
VAMPS & OLIVER: What?
TABITHA: Never mind. (to vamps) Shall we do this?
VAMP #1: It would be our pleasure.
OLIVER: Here we go.
~WATCHERS COUNCIL, ENGLAND~
~Asta’s room~
Asta pulled out a large traveling bag from her wardrobe and dumped it on her bed. She went over to her drawers and started getting her clothes out. She went to her bed with a tall pile of clothes in her hand and started stuffing them into the bag.
Once all her clothes were in the bag, she headed into her bathroom and started gathering all her toiletries. She dumped them into her bag as well. At her desk, she looked through all her books, papers and notebooks, tossing out the ones that she didn’t want and keeping those that she needed. She pulled out a backpack from under her desk and inserted all her books into it. Once that was done, she zipped it up and tossed the bag onto her bed next to her luggage.
Asta let out a breath and looked around the room.
A moment later, she went towards the bedside table where a small piece of notepad and pencil was. She picked the pencil up and started scribbling down a note.
ASTA: Dear Stacy. This is Asta. I just thought I’d write this note to tell you that I’m leaving. I’m not leaving because I’m giving up this slayer life but I’m leaving England because there is something I need to do at home. Not in New York but in Hades Valley where I’m originally from.
~HADES VALLEY~
Oliver crouched in the corner and shot at the second vampire that ran towards him. Unlike the first one, the arrow missed the marked and hit the vampire’s stomach. The vampire snarled in pain but didn’t stop running.
ASTA: (v.o) Mr. Giles says that the dreams I’m having and the things I’ve been seeing might mean something and it’s possible that I could find the answers in Hades Valley. I didn’t want to go at first because the thing about that place is that it’s different from other towns.
Tabitha swung her axe at one of the vampire and the sharp blade caught the vampire in the chest. Tabitha pulled the axe out and struck again. This time the vampire read her move and ducked. Before Tabitha could hit the vampire, it straightened and gave her a hard backhand across her face. Tabitha went flying and hit the wall.
ASTA: (o.s) A lot of weird things happen there. It’s not a good place to be. The Hellmouth is there.
Oliver smacked the vampire with the butt of the crossbow, whipped out a stake that he had with him and thrust it into its chest, this time hitting the mark.
ASTA: (o.s) Vampires, demons and all kinds of creatures can be found there because of the Hellmouth and I’m going there. I can’t stake a vampire but I’m going to a Hellmouth. It’s funny how things work out.
A vampire came up from behind Oliver and grabbed him in a bear hug. Oliver let out a grunt as the vampire squeezed, aggravating his not-yet healed wound. Oliver slammed his head back and there was a loud crack as the back of his head connected with the vampires face. The vampire let go and Oliver took this chance to whirl around and plunged the stake into its heart.
ASTA: (o.s) I’m not going alone. Andrew and this guy called Xander are coming with me. Buffy Summers is also coming along so I guess I’m in safe hands. However, I’m still scared to go and I wished there was another way…but there isn’t. For now, Hades Valley is where I need to be. I don’t know what to expect and I really hope I’m able to get through the first day without getting myself killed.
Tabitha got to her feet and shook her head, trying to clear the fog in her head. She heard a growl and she dropped to the ground. A leg whizzed above her head. Tabitha whispered a spell under her breath and the next moment, she heard a loud scream. She stood up and smiled when the vampire who tried to attack her started to convulse. Smoke came off his body and with one final scream, the vampire burst into flames.
ASTA: (o.s) I hope that I’ll survive my time there because I have a bad feeling about this. Wish me luck and I’ll see you soon. Hopefully.
Oliver looked around the crypt to make sure that there weren’t anymore vampires sneaking up on them before going to his sister.
OLIVER: You alright?
Tabitha patted her arms, legs and then her head.
TABITHA: Have all vital body parts intact so yeah, I’m fine.
OLIVER: Had enough fun for tonight or do you still want to get more vamps?
TABITHA: Let’s call it a night. I’m feeling hungry and I don’t think I can fight with an empty stomach.
Oliver laughed as he draped a hand around Tabitha’s shoulder and led her out of the mausoleum.
OLIVER: You know, with us around, I don’t think we need a slayer.
TABITHA: I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind the extra help.
OLIVER: Yeah, but it’s more fun this way. It’s the only time where I get to bond with my sister. I don’t think I like the thought of a slayer disrupting our quality bonding time together.
Tabitha looked at him like he was crazy.
TABITHA: So you consider the time where we get our ass kicked, get bruised and stabbed quality time?
OLIVER: (shrugged) I’m weird that way.
TABITHA: (laughed) That’s why I love you, little brother.
OLIVER: So I don’t think we need a slayer. We can handle this on our own. We make a pretty good team. We are actually slayers ourselves.
Tabitha looks worriedly at her brother.
TABITHA: You are not going to break into a song are you?
~WATCHERS COUNCIL, ENGLAND~
~Asta’s room~
Asta tore off the note from the pad and read it over again. After she was done, she went and placed it on Stacy’s pillow. She stared at the note as she drifted into her thoughts.
ASTA: (sighed) This is ridiculous.
She picked up the note and crushed it into a ball. She went to the rubbish bin at her desk and threw the note in. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jeans and took one last look around the room.
~NEXT DAY~
~flight to Cleveland~
Asta gazed out of the window of the airplane as Xander sat down in the seat beside her and buckled his seat belt. After shifting in his seat for a few seconds to make himself more comfortable, he looked over at the silent slayer beside him.
XANDER: You’re pretty chatty today.
Asta turned away from the window and looked at him blankly.
ASTA: What?
Xander smiled as he shook his head.
XANDER: Never mind. I was just talking to myself.
ASTA: Ok.
She turned back to the window. A few minutes of silence later, the airplane jerked and started to make its way to the runaway.
XANDER: This is it. We’re going to Cleveland. You ready?
The airplane picked up speed and Asta watched as the surrounding trees and the other planes whipped by.
ASTA: Here we go.
The airplane lifted off the ground.
CUT TO BLACK
END CREDITS
Written by
Irene Issac
Story Editor
Rebecca Schwarz
Special Thanks To
Everyone and anyone who helped in making this episode a success
A BECK TO SHREDS production. © 2005 Irene Issac