Rona is checking out the demon bar scene looking for Spike and catches a glimpse of him leaving a demon bar and she follows. She notices that he is heading back toward the same warehouse that he killed Karen in. She stays a good distance behind and follows him until he reaches the warehouse. He reaches the door to the warehouse and enters. Rona pauses for a moment then follows after him. She carefully stays in the shadows and looks around for Spike and sees him in the same spot where he killed Karen. Reminiscent of the earlier scene where he is smoking his cigarette as he catches a familiar scent and smiles. Rona walks out toward him.
William: Another Slayer cometh my fortunes do improve much (turns around) I must be famous rather a grand celebrity or some such.
Rona: Spike is that you what has gotten into you and how are you back?
William: Well no my name is William the Bloody and you do rightly to remember that and for the second part of your question don’t remember much as to how I got here.
Rona: Don’t you remember me and all the fighting we did against The First? The closing you did of the Hellmouth in Sunnydale? Any of this rings a bell? Don’t you even remember Buffy?
William: Me fighting on your side against The First?! You must be off your rocker Slayer…closing the Hellmouth doesn’t sound like something I’d do…but Buffy is another story.
Rona: So you do remember her?
William: Fraid so, she was the only Slayer I wasn’t able to best…she still haunts me in my nightmares me doing all this and that…enough to drive a fellow bonkers.
Rona: Is that all you remember Spike?
William: I am William the Bloody and you are Slayer number four so let’s just start the game shall we.
Rona: Look Spike I don’t know what has gotten into you but this is one black chick who’s not gonna end up another dead Slayer.
They fight and have a ferocious battle that Rona holds her own against a bloodthirsty Spike. But Spike is still able to take the upper hand in the battle in which he is all too familiar with Slayers. Rona hurting runs for cover from Spike as he tries to look for her but initially can’t find her. Rona is able to sneak around back of him as he stops to try and pick up her scent. She pulls out her stake and runs to tackle Spike as he turns around. She has him on the floor but hesitates for a fraction of a second giving Spike the time he needs to block her attempt to dust him. He fights her off and puts her in a choke hold as he stands over her.
William: Still one bit of info I still need from you. Where’s Buffy?
Rona: (struggling to speak) She’s here in LA.
William: Why don’t you give her a ring on the telly?
Rona: Why should I?
William: Because if you don’t I will make your death…nice…and…slow. So give her a ring than and I will finish you quick, a man of my word I am.
Rona: You’re no man. You’re a sad lost little boy and you’ll get yours.
William: Hush up now. No need for name calling are you gonna make that call or not.
Rona: Fine (reaches in her pocket for her phone calls Buffy) Buffy its Spike and he’s…
Buffy: Rona, what’s going on, where are you?
William: (grabs the phone) Hello there sunshine always knew we’d meet again. I’ve got another Slayer here that was no match for William the Bloody. But there’s one more Slayer I need to kill to rid myself of these nightmares…and that’s you.
Buffy: (shocked unable to speak) Spike…?
William: No, not Spike will you bleeding people stop calling me that. I’ll be seeing you soon…Buffy (hangs up) Thank you Slayer much obliged… (snaps Rona's neck) kept my word didn’t I, Slayer number four. Four Slayers soon to be five how have I’ve gotten so lucky (sinks his teeth into Rona).
Buffy is unable move and unable to speak. Just hearing Spike’s voice again has Buffy’s head spinning. She has a million emotions running through her right now but tries to focus on finding him first. Buffy calls Willow looking for Rona.
Buffy: Will I need that locator spell now!
Willow: I’m just about to right now Ok but what’s going on.
Buffy: It’s Spike and he’s got Rona. Will just tell me where!
Willow: Ok I did a locator spell for Slayers in LA and I read you bright orange but I barely see Rona. She is about twelve blocks north of your location…I think something’s happened to her. Buffy about Spike… (Buffy hangs up).
Buffy runs full-speed north toward the warehouse. Her heart sinking into her stomach as she gets closer to the warehouse. Not stopping even to catch her breath as she reaches the front of the warehouse and throws open the door. Feeling her heart pounding in her chest nearly ready to burst if not for the fact she was a Slayer. Emotions of all kinds filling her as she walks in looking for Rona. Suddenly a light turns on in the dark warehouse over Rona’s body and Buffy goes to her and checks to see if she is still alive. Buffy realizes she’s dead and the emotion of anger fills her as she senses that Spike is still lurking in the warehouse.
Buffy: I know you’re still here Spike come out so I can beat some sense into you.
Spike smoking a cigarette steps out toward Buffy but in the shadows where only his face is hidden. He brings up the cigarette to his mouth which slightly lights up his face and takes a deep drag. He exhales and slowly lowers the cigarette.
William: That scent of yours it’s somehow different than the other Slayers. It’s more of a stray cat than a newborn kitten. Been through much more than the other Slayers I gather. But it all has to come to an end sometime and I am your ending.
Buffy: Spike your back and killing. What the Hell is the matter with you? You don’t remember? You were the one who let yourself burn to death so you could close the Hellmouth and save everyone.
William: (angry) Why must you all keep calling me that. That name Spike doesn’t have any meaning for me. I am William the Bloody you be good to say it right for the rest of your life (smiles) which I don’t see for being much longer. And well I am dead because of the non-beating heart of course (pats himself on the chest) but still got all my fleshy parts on the bone.
Buffy: (pleading) Spike listen to me this isn’t you I know there is some part of you that remembers who you really are and all the good you’ve done after getting your soul.
William: You know something Slayer you might have a point there. You see I been having these nightmares ever since I woke up in LA. I woke up a broken and bloody mess with no idea how I got that way. Since then I’ve been having nightmare after nightmare of all sorts. Been thinking I was going mad with the things I seen. You and me were fighting the good fight. You and me having sodding sex in every which way imaginable (smiles) well those weren’t too bad actually (shakes his head). And yes the whole getting a soul bit seems vaguely familiar but last time I checked no soul in here. Wouldn’t want one of those bleeding things anyway. Do I look like that soft wanker Angel. Anyways Slayer it’s come down to you and me once more but I won’t go down like before. I’m quite full after Slayer number four over there but there is always room for Buffy… (walks toward her in full view).
Buffy: Spike…don’t…not like this…
Spike lunges toward Buffy whose instincts take over and they fight an epic battle. Spike with the bloodlust in his eyes and Buffy with pain in hers square off. The battle rages back and forth with neither able to gain an advantage. They fight with every blow precise and bruising into each other. Finally Buffy pulls out a stake from her pocket and Spike just laughs it off. They continue fighting with the pain in Buffy’s eyes still visible. Eventually Buffy lands an unexpected punch on Spike while he’s taunting her. He lands on the floor and Buffy quickly gains the advantage by placing her hand on his throat choking him and pointing the stake just above his heart. Knowing that she can’t watch herself dust Spike she closes her eyes raises the stake and plunges toward his heart. Spike with all of his strength is able to throw her off him and she lands ten feet away. Both fighters are bloody, beaten, and exhausted from the hard fought battle. Buffy stands and looks at Spike as he gains his footing.
Buffy: I can’t… (drops the stake).
William: Fine by me…Slayer number five.
He runs toward her and with one Slayer move dodges his attempt to tackle her and he crashes head first into a column. Spike is dazed for a moment. Buffy seizes the opportunity and picks him up and with the entire Slayer strength left in her body punches him square in the face knocking him out cold. He falls to the ground in a thud and Buffy soon follows void of any energy to be able to stand on her feet. She sits up looks over at the unconscious Spike and breaks into tears. Knowing that it’s all over for the moment she uses the opportunity to let all of her emotions out and cries for what seemed like hours. With so much happening at once all she could do was cry. Minutes fall off the clock as she sheds tears by the gallons until she is able to gather the strength to call Willow.
Buffy: (composing herself slightly but still sniffling) Willow I need your help…I need you to do some sort of transportation spell or something…and bring all three of us back home.
Willow: Whoa now you said a whole lot there Buffy what is going on first. What happened to Rona? And is Spike…there?
Buffy: (trying to remain calm) Willow, Spike has been the one killing here in LA and he killed Rona too…I just need you to bring us back somehow, as in now.
Willow: But Buffy, Spike is back killing? How…is that possible? I mean…you know…
Buffy: (dragging Spike next to Rona) I don’t know Will he doesn’t seem to know who he is…but I’ve got to help him. I need to bring him back so I can figure out what’s going on.
Willow: Uhm about that Buffy you are talking some serious mileage here and I’m not talking about frequent flyer here. A transportation spell would take some serious…I mean I would have to send something huge over there to trade places with three people and…
Buffy: Will just get it done! (hangs up).
Cut to:
Giles, Willow and Dawn in Europe trying to figure out what’s going on.
Willow: (to herself) Okey Dokey. I’m right on it. (to Dawn) Dawn what’s about the size of three bodies put together.
Dawn: It that a serious question?
Willow: Well yes Dawny I need something that size to transport over to LA to bring Buffy, Rona and Spike back here.
Dawn: Spike!? He’s coming back here?
Willow: Never mind I’ll just use Buffy’s couch here stand back while I do the spell. (chants) I hope this works.
Suddenly the couch outside Buffy’s office disappears in a cloud of smoke. Seconds later Buffy, Rona and Spike appear where the couch was. Everyone is shocked to see each other and amazed that the spell worked then everyone’s attention turns to Rona and Spike.
Buffy: Thanks Will (hugs Willow) I need you and Dawn to take care of Rona and Giles we need to lock up Spike downstairs until we can figure what’s going on.
Giles: Buffy if he’s killing again why haven’t you taken care of him. He’s too dangerous to be kept alive.
Buffy: This is no different than when The First had him killing all those people. There is something causing him to do this…if you won’t take him downstairs…than I will.
Giles: As you wish Buffy… (picks up Spike and drags him away).
Dawn: Is that really Spike? Not some copycat or Doppelganger or some evil clone from another dimension? Maybe some evil robot?
Buffy: No…it’s Spike but he’s not himself. He keeps calling himself “William the Bloody” like he forgot who he was. That’s why we’ve gotta help him.
Willow: Ok Buffy we’ll get right on it but you need to rest you look terrible.
Buffy: I’m fine, I’ve been through way worse like that time… (sighs) just I need to help Spike.
Willow: You’ve given plenty of orders tonight missy now it’s time for you to take one― get some sleep. If you don’t go willingly you know I am a witch and can make you have a nice long nap just by twitching my nose you know.
Buffy: Fine I’ll be on the couch. (looks where the couch should be) let me guess you traded us for my couch.
Willow: Guilty as charged just go lay down on Giles couch.
Cut to:
Buffy is exhausted after her long night and immediately falls asleep once she lies down on Giles couch. Buffy has another dream this time and it has her in the eyes of Rona repeating the events that just happened. The fighting goes back and forth until the end where Spike forces Rona to call Buffy. Then Spike snaps her neck and then Buffy wakes up. She didn’t get much more than a few hours sleep. She leaves Giles office and sees the light on in the meeting room where everyone else is and decides she needs to go downstairs and see Spike. She walks down into the basement where they keep supplies and sees Kennedy sitting in a chair watching over Spike. Spike is chained up against the wall similar to the same chains he was in back in the Summers house in Sunnydale. Buffy walks over to Kennedy.
Buffy: Didn’t expect to see you here.
Kennedy: Willow said that she needed my help with something I just didn’t think it would be watching over a guy who I thought was dead. But who is unconscious at the moment. Funny how things turn out you die to save the world, next thing you know you come back reeking havoc on it.
Buffy: I know he’s not the one doing this. I mean something else has him killing people. He wouldn’t just go back to doing that.
Kennedy: I still don’t trust him.
Buffy: I don’t need you to I just need you to watch him. But do you think you can give me sec with him. I need to do something.
Kennedy: Sure go right ahead I don’t think he’ll mind (walks away).
Buffy walks up to Spike and touches him on the cheek.
Buffy: (to Spike) There’s something different about you Spike. I can feel it there is something making you do this and I’m gonna stop it. I don’t care what I have to do or who I have to go through but I’m not letting all the good you’ve done get thrown away by this. Whatever or whoever is making you do this I know you’re fighting it Spike with your soul. I still believe in you Spike… (Spike wakes up).
William: (groggy) Where am I. (pulls against his chains) You, you're still alive and I’ll bet your having laugh ain’t ya. Got William all chained up just to poke fun at him. (pulls harder on his chains) Slayer these won’t hold me forever and when I get out we’re gonna finish this… (Buffy walks away) hear me Slayer this isn’t over (to himself) Oh bollocks.
Buffy: (to Kennedy) He’s awake please don’t listen to anything he says. Call me if you need me.
Kennedy: (sighs) Buffy you sure about this (Buffy turns and goes up the stairs).
Cut to:
Buffy goes to the meeting room where everyone is and opens the door.
Willow: You’re up already, I’m ready to give you the little nose twitch sleepy time.
Buffy: I’ve had enough sleep as I’m gonna get. So has anybody had any progress?
Giles: We’ve exhausted all of our current resources Buffy the only one who knows what’s going on is Spike. And I don’t think he will cooperate.
Buffy: Guys I’ve been having these dreams lately and they’ve all been about Spike. I’ve been dreaming about the others Slayers that Spike has killed and watching him do it. Not just the one’s he’s killed before but Karen and Rona just now. I don’t know what they mean but they’ve gotta mean something. Will I need you to check something real quick. I need you to run a revealing spell on Spike to see if he has been under some sort of spell which is making him do this.
Willow: Be back in a jiffy (leaves).
Cut to:
Willow returns after doing a revealing spell on Spike.
Willow: I was able to find out that he is not under any mind control or anything like that (Buffy looks disappointed) but I was able to find out that there was some sort of mystical spell done to him I just don't know what. But from what I can tell it is some powerful black magic.
Buffy: (to Willow) I need you to check one more thing and that’s to see if he still has a soul.
Willow: (shocked) What do you mean?
Buffy: He told me that he didn’t have a soul and for some reason I believe him.
Willow: Uhm I guess I could check for you (leaves).
Giles: Do you believe that he somehow lost his soul in his resurrection.
Dawn: Maybe he came back wrong (Buffy glares at her).
Buffy: I just don’t know anymore and I think if he still had his soul there would be no way he could live with himself. All the killing he’s been doing he seems to be enjoying it.
Giles: We still don’t know how or why he’s back and if his purpose has been only to kill again.
Dawn: Are we so sure that this is the Spike we knew. Maybe if he didn’t get that chip in his head and the soul the Spike we see now is the real Spike.
Buffy: No, people change and he’s changed he’s not “William the Bloody” anymore he’s just Spike…the only thing different is… (Willow interrupts).
Willow: …He doesn’t have a soul…
Buffy: (in disbelief) What!? Are you sure?
Willow: I’m sure, did the spell twice.
Dawn: See I told you he came back wrong.
Buffy: You just don’t lose a soul like you lose a wallet or keys or a sock. What could have done this to him?
Giles: Perhaps that mystical spell that Willow picked up on has something to do with it.
Dawn: Or maybe he just came back wrong (notices that no one is paying attention to her) fine don’t listen to what I have to say.
Buffy: The only who knows for sure is Spike. Willow I need you to do a mind read on Spike and see if there is anything in his memory that could tell us what’s been happening to him.
Willow: I don’t know that I want to be going in there and I don’t know what I’m gonna see especially with him being crazy and evil an all.
Buffy: (sighs) Fine let me go inside his head just let me take a tour in there.
Giles: Buffy this is far too dangerous you’re not trained for this sort of thing. You could get hurt.
Buffy: Let’s go Will (grabs Willow by the wrist and pulls her away).
Cut to:
Everyone is downstairs in front of Spike and he is staring back at them very unhappy.
William: Please tell me I’m in Hell. I’m chained up in a building that stinks of Slayers and I can’t do a bloody thing about it. Not only that no one will tell me how I got here and I got a witch doing her spells on me with no sodding idea what any of the side effects could be. And to top it off I’ve got Buffy wanting to take a bike ride inside my noggin. Bloody must be Hell.
Giles: Can someone please gag him so we don’t have to listen to his complaining.
Kennedy: Do you want to be the one to put the gag on him cuz if you do go right ahead.
Buffy: Willow are you ready to go.
Willow: I’m trying to focus in on his most recent memories and sent you in there.
William: If I get the chance to kill you in my mind I will (not sure if what he said makes sense) Slayer.
Willow: Here we go Buffy (chants).
Cut to:
Buffy is now in Spike’s mind is watching like a ghost his memories as they happen. First Buffy watches Spike as he is stalking Buffy as he’s planning to kill her back in Sunnydale.
Cut to:
Buffy and Spike fighting.
Cut to:
Buffy and Spike literally bringing the house down.
Cut to:
Spike killing people under control of The First.
Cut to:
Spike burning away in the Hellmouth after Buffy leaves him there.
Cut to:
Spike appearing in Angel’s office at Wolfram & Hart.
Cut to:
Angel explaining his plan against the Black Thorn.
Cut to:
Spike fighting off lots of Demons and killing many but eventually is overwhelmed by numbers.
Cut to:
Spike is lying bloody on the floor and Buffy sees him and goes over to him to touch him but her hand goes right through him. Buffy’s attention shifts over to the two demons standing away from Spike.
Dioxin: Let’s finish him off and dust him now.
Schlareth: No, that is too quick of death for him. We should make him suffer for thinking he could take on the Black Thorn.
Dioxin: What exactly do you have in mind for our hero?
Schlareth: Oh I have the perfect plan for revenge...
Dioxin: I’m all ears.
Schlareth: We should return him to his former self and take away all the good that has corrupted him. Not only that we must strip him of his soul and all of his memories of the good deeds he has done.
Dioxin: That’s it what kind of punishment is that for him.
Schlareth: No you didn’t let me finish. I’m talking about returning him to “William the Bloody” and letting him loose here in LA. Soon after he kills enough people he will draw the attention of one Slayer…his slayer. She’ll have no choice but to dust him. He’ll be killed by the woman he loves so much and holds so dear. It’s perfect!
Dioxin: I agree, let’s get started then. I’ll have my warlock perform the deed. (calls for his warlock) I want you to remove his soul and all his memories of being a champion. Make him what he was; make him “William the Bloody”!
Buffy watches in horror as the spell is performed and the warlock holds up a sphere in his hand the size of a baseball and chants. Suddenly from Spike’s body an orange light leaves his chest and enters the sphere. Then a blue light from his head leaves and enters the sphere. The sphere the warlock holds glows alternating between orange and blue pulses. The warlock hands over the sphere to Dioxin and leaves.
Schlareth: Now destroy that sphere and gone forever will be champion of the people.
Dioxin: No I intend to keep this as a trophy a sign of our victory (walks over to Spike) remember this once you awaken you are “William the Bloody” (laughs) she’ll see you soon.
Cut to:
Spike killing victim after victim and then the two Slayers before his fight with Buffy.
Cut to:
Buffy wakes from her trance and realizes what has happened with Spike. Before anyone can speak she motions for everyone to follow her upstairs except Kennedy who has to watch after Spike. They all are in the meeting room and Buffy explains everything that she saw in Spike’s head.
Giles: So you say this demon is holding Spike’s soul and memories as a trophy.
Buffy: You see he wasn’t doing this on purpose it was “William the Bloody” and not Spike.
Dawn: So I guess he didn’t come back wrong (Buffy staring angrily at her).
Willow: So can you clue me in to what this demon looked like?
Buffy: He looks just like that guy Darth Maul from Star Wars Episode One.
Willow: I heard that movie sucked.
Buffy: Only watched it because Andrew said it was good and a classic or something.
Dawn: Dumbass loves Stars Wars.
Buffy: Enough about Andrew lets find out where this demon is hiding so I can get Spike’s soul back.
Giles: I know there’s no use arguing with you Buffy so I’ll help with the research on this demon.
Buffy: Good I’m going to talk to Spike and fill him in to what’s going on.
Giles: Buffy… (she looks at him) right then I’ll just start on the research.
Cut to:
Buffy walks down to talk to Spike and she begins to explain to him what happened.
Buffy: Spike I know what happened to you and we’re going to get back everything that was taken from you.
William: (half listening) And what would that be Slayer?
Buffy: Your soul and all your memories of the champion that you are.
William: So all those nightmares I’ve been having were true. Me and you fighting side by side for the people was that true. What about having a soul why would I do such a thing? So I guess than us showing the Karma Sutra a few new tricks must be sodding true also (she looks down). What a stupid wanker I’ve become.
Buffy: Your not, (looks up) you’re a champion…you’re my champion.
William: (laughs) Oh that makes it all better then.
Buffy: I gotta go… (walks back up the stairs).
William: So long sweetie…
Cut to:
Buffy goes to the meeting room and meets up with everyone.
Willow: So I’ve got a bit of info about this demon you described. Turns out he lives in another dimension the same Hell dimension that Glory was from. The only other thing that we found out about him was that he comes to this dimension once a month to eat a particular kind of cow. Supposedly it’s his favorite meal.
Dawn: So where’s the beef?
Buffy: Don’t think that’s the same thing Dawn. So is there any way to know when he is going to show up next this month?
Willow: No, it seems that he comes at random times of the month.
Buffy: Then I’ll just go in after him and take back Spike’s soul from his dimension.
Giles: Do you know what you are saying? The dangers involved in going into another dimension let alone a Hell Dimension are uncharted.
Buffy: He would do the same for me, so Will do you think that you can open a portal to that dimension.
Willow: (sighs) More with the mojo, I’m starting to wish I was an amateur witch again. Going back to floating pencils and making rabbits disappear and making simple love spells which turn out to make everyone fall in love with somebody which by the way was an accident.
Buffy: Please if not for Spike than for me.
Willow: Alright I just can’t say no to a buddy especially best buddies.
Cut to:
Willow and Buffy are alone in the gym area preparing to open a portal to the Hell dimension.
Willow: …Just need a drop of your blood to channel its energy I need to open the door.
Buffy: (cuts herself and lets a few drops of blood on the floor) Is that enough because I’m tried of using my blood to open or close portals.
Willow: (chants) Here we go (a portal opens in front of them) I don’t know what’s in there Buffy or how you’re gonna find where he’s keeping it.
Buffy: I have a nose for these kinds of things (jumps into the portal).
Continued in Part 3...Hell & Back...
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!