Prologue
1 EXT. LOS ANGELES— VARIOUS— NIGHT 1
People all over the city look up fearfully at the roiling black cloud
covering the sun and blocking its light.
NEWS ANCHOR
(v.o.)
The weather service remains baffled at the cause of this
strange phenomenon. All that’s being reported at this mid-afternoon
hour is what meteorologists are calling “a
localized abnormality”, confirming earlier reports that
outlying areas remain unaffected while the sun over Los
Angeles has, for all intents and purposes, been blotted out
from the sky.
CUT TO:
2 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 2
The TV on the counter plays the same news report, watched by GUNN,
CONNOR, CORDELIA and FRED.
NEWS ANCHOR
The Mayor’s Office has scheduled a news conference for
6:00 this evening regarding this bizarre development and
what it may mean for the city.
Gunn clicks the TV off.
GUNN
I’ll tell you what it means. Soon as vamps everywhere
realize this town’s open for business 24/7, there’s going to
be a huge rise in undead tourism.
CORDELIA
We just gotta find a way to bring back the sun.
FRED
Working on it. Failing miserably but working on it. I could
really use some help deciphering some of these symbols…
or all of them, really. (sighs) I need Wesley. (off Gunn’s look)
His expertise..ANGEL
Awakening
4
GUNN
Yeah, well rogue warrior took off without a word right
after Electro-Gwen decided to skip town when the going
got tougher. Not big on the teamwork, either one of ’em.
CONNOR
You’re wasting your time. The answer is among us.
He points to the office window where ANGEL stands before LORNE singing
animatedly.
CONNOR
He knows. He’s part of the plan.
CORDELIA
He doesn’t remember.
CONNOR
So he says. You saw him yourself making a pact with the
Beast.
CORDELIA
It wasn’t Angel in my vision. It was Angelus.
CONNOR
He is Angelus.
CORDELIA
(hard)
Believe me. You’ve never met Angelus.
She stares at him, her gaze piercing, and Connor looks away..ANGEL
Awakening
5
GUNN
Me neither. But I’m starting to think maybe it’s time we
did. Maybe Wes is right. Big beastie has got to be stopped
and I’m fresh out of ideas. If there’s even a chance Angelus
could have inside info we could use—
CORDELIA
And you think he’s willingly going to turn it over?
GUNN
I think it’s worth a try.
CORDELIA
Not gonna happen. The gypsies cursed him with a soul so
he could feel remorse, to make him suffer for all the
people he slaughtered. Removing that soul is the only way
to change Angel back into Angelus.
FRED
A lot easier said than done.
CORDELIA
The gypsy curse was specific. For Angel to lose his soul, he
would have to experience a moment of perfect, pure
happiness. And right now happiness of any kind is in kind
of short supply.
CUT TO:
3 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 3
Angel looks at Lorne questioningly.
ANGEL
You’re sure?
LORNE
Sorry, bucko. I got nothing. Although your choice of The
Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia might have thrown me
a wee. I’m personally not huge with the Vicki Lawrence
love.
ANGEL
It doesn’t make sense. I remember everything Angelus
did— I did— every family butchered, every child
slaughtered, every throat ripped out. I remember every
detail of all of it..ANGEL
Awakening
6
LORNE
So how come you don’t have a smidge of any recollection
of a giant magma demon with ram horns and goat legs?
Hey, all I can tell you, stud, is if it’s in there, it’s buried
deep. Deep inside Angelus.
ANGEL
Then that’s where it stays. Even if I wanted it, there’s no
way to bring Angelus back.
CUT TO:
4 INT. MONASTERY— NIGHT 4
WO PANG kneels on the floor, dressed in ceremonial robes and hood,
chanting over a mystical symbol and several precisely-placed talismans.
The sounds of crashing and fighting can be heard from outside. A man
flies through a beaded curtain and lands unconscious in the center of Wo
Pang’s spell. Wo Pang stares down at him a moment, then WESLEY enters,
wiping the blood off his knuckles, and looks down at him.
WESLEY
Rumor has it you possess certain skill I require. I need a
soul extracted.
Opening credit sequence..ANGEL
Awakening
7
Act I
5 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 5
Cordelia comes down stairs just as Angel and Lorne emerge from the
office.
CORDELIA
Did Lorne help you remember?
ANGEL
No.
CORDELIA
Anything at all?
ANGEL
Nothing. (to Fred) So what have we got?
FRED
A puzzle with missing pieces and some cryptic gibberish.
Angel, whatever power this device had got swallowed up
by the Beast. It won’t bring back the sun. Without the orb,
it’s as useless as—
GUNN
Us. Face it, man, we’re losing ground. Pretty much the
only victory we can claim is that we’re not dead yet.
Angel looks around at the defeated expressions on the faces of the people
around him.
ANGEL
Okay, look, I know things haven’t been going our way
lately but things change and we’re not down for the count
yet. Look, the Beast is not our only concern right now.
Until we figure out how to end eternal darkness, it’s a
devil’s playground out there.
CONNOR
Just the way you like it, huh?
ANGEL
Something to say, Connor? You got a problem?
CONNOR
You..ANGEL
Awakening
8
CORDELIA
Hey, Connor!
CONNOR
Acting like the big leader. Like we don’t already know
what we know.
ANGEL
And what do you know?
CONNOR
Everybody thought it was me. Maybe even I was starting
to. But it was you all along. You’re the one who’s working
with the Beast.
ANGEL
I’m not.
CONNOR
Well, then you’re a puppet! Either way, everything’s going
to hell because of you. You’re the reason that the sun is
gone, that I don’t have a home to go back to. You’re the
reason that she— (looks at Cordelia) It’s you. You’re the
reason my life sucks.
ANGEL
(beat)
Get over it.
Cordelia looks up, surprised.
LORNE
Not to be a butinsky but could we get back to the pep-talky
thing?
FRED
Well, I’m not one to turn down a little pep but I’d much
prefer we had a plan.
WESLEY
(o.s.)
Here’s one.
All eyes turn as Wesley enters with Wo Pang.
WESLEY
Him..ANGEL
Awakening
9
ANGEL
Who is he?
WESLEY
Wo Pang. He can deliver Angelus to us.
GUNN
(to Cordelia)
Thought you said—
CORDELIA
Me, too.
WESLEY
Fred, would you mind brewing some tea for our guest?
FRED
(puzzled)
Sure.
She motions for Wo Pang to follow her. Angel walks over and takes
Wesley by the arm and pulls him into the office.
FRED
Right this way, Mr.… Pang. Any special tea you…
WO PANG
How about Orange Zinger?
FRED
(taken aback)
Okay….ANGEL
Awakening
10
CUT TO:
6 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— OFFICE— NIGHT 6
Angel stares hard at Wesley.
ANGEL
What do you mean “deliver Angelus”?
WESLEY
Wo Pang’s a shaman— order of the Kun-Sun-Dai.
ANGEL
Dark mystics? You brought a dark mystic here without
talking—
WESLEY
Claims he has the power to extract souls.
ANGEL
Claims?
WESLEY
More importantly, he can restore them. Once we learn
what it is Angelus knows about the Beast—
ANGEL
We’re not bringing Angelus.
WESLEY
You don’t have a choice..ANGEL
Awakening
11
ANGEL
Actually, I do. That was it. You want to hear it again? Not
with the bringing.
WESLEY
Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Angel. There’s no
Plan B and we’re running out of time. People are in serious
danger.
ANGEL
Then unleashing Angelus is the last thing that we should
do. If he’s here, I’m not. I won’t be able to protect anyone
from the Beast… or from me.
WESLEY
It’s only temporary. We’ll take all the necessary
precautions in the interim. Contain you. I’m not blind to
the risks. I know what Angelus—
ANGEL
You have no idea what Angelus is, Wesley. All you know
is what you’ve read in books. You’ve never had the
pleasure of his company and you’re not going to. Get rid
of the shaman.
Angel turns and walks back out into the lobby, past all of his stunned
friends, and out into the solarium. After a moment, Cordelia follows.
CUT TO:
7 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— SOLARIUM— NIGHT 7
Angel silently stares up at the black sun as Cordelia comes out and sits
beside him.
CORDELIA
They’re all going to die. The flowers, plants, trees. Without
sun. Just realizing.
Angel says nothing and moves away from her.
CORDELIA
I just came to say that… I’m on your side. Angelus is the
jumbo family-size bad of bad ideas. He’d be a danger to all
of us. You made the right call. Wesley, the others… they
don’t get it.
ANGEL
But you do..ANGEL
Awakening
12
CORDELIA
Well, if I didn’t when Angelus was loose and killing in
Sunnydale, then reliving his past horrors in virtual wide-screen
sensurround during my tenure in Floatyville, pretty
makes me an expert.
ANGEL
Right. Do you… do you think Connor’s right? That I’m
being used by the Beast without even knowing?
CORDELIA
No.
ANGEL
Are you just saying that?
CORDELIA
Yes. I don’t know, Angel. It’s possible.
ANGEL
Well, if I am, then I’m already a danger to you. All of you.
CORDELIA
Well, not like Angelus would be. I mean, he’s… he’s smart.
ANGEL
Excuse me?
CORDELIA
Well… you know what I mean.
ANGEL
You’re saying Angelus is smarter than me.
CORDELIA
No! You’re smart. He’s just…
ANGEL
Ingenious.
CORDELIA
But in that twisted, sadistic, ruthless kind of way.
ANGEL
Like the Beast..ANGEL
Awakening
13
CORDELIA
Yes, exactly. They think alike. Always a step or two ahead
of us. I mean, what is it about evil that jacks up the IQ
points? It’s like whenever… (off his look) What?
Angel abruptly stands up and goes back inside.
CORDELIA
Angel?
CUT TO:
8 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 8
Angel strides purposefully into the lobby.
ANGEL
We’re going to need a cage.
LORNE
A cage?
ANGEL
Strong one, about 10 x 12, steel-reinforced, two-inch bars.
Maybe three. I’ll make some calls.
He goes in the office and closes the door.
GUNN
What? He thinks something like that’s going to hold the Beast?
WESLEY
It’s not for the Beast. It’s for him.
CUT TO:
9 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 9
Wesley uses a blowtorch to weld the thick bars of the cage together while
Connor and Gunn assemble the cage door. Inside, Lorne constructs a
table with manacled restraints.
Wesley finishes as Angel approaches and inspects the cage.
WESLEY
That’s it, then..ANGEL
Awakening
14
GUNN
(to Connor)
You got it?
He tightens the bolts on the door with a wrench.
CONNOR
Yeah.
As he finishes and steps back, Angel takes the wrench from him and
checks his work.
ANGEL
All right. Tell the shaman we’re ready.
Gunn heads upstairs to get him.
LORNE
Hey, listen, Angelcakes, if it’s all the same with you, I think
I might sit this one out upstairs. You know how dark
magick unleashing unspeakable evil gives me the heebies.
ANGEL
It’s okay. Tell Cordy and Fred they don’t need to be down
here, either.
LORNE
Gotcha, chief. Break a leg.
He heads upstairs and Connor starts to follow him.
ANGEL
Connor..ANGEL
Awakening
15
CONNOR
What?
ANGEL
Look, I know you like to think that I’m the enemy but if
this works… I will be. I’m going to become the one thing
you were raised to believe I was. The thing I never wanted
you to see.
CONNOR
Yeah. I think I can handle it.
ANGEL
Uh-huh. Well, just keep in mind that whatever Angelus
says, whatever he does… remember, he’s not your father.
I am. No matter what happens or… happened, I love you.
A beat, then Connor turns and heads upstairs.
ANGEL
Look, one more thing. Since I’m going to be out of
commission for a while, I want you to, you know, take
care of everybody. Keep them safe. That means if
anything should go wrong with Angelus, you’re going to
have to kill me.
CONNOR
(nonchalant)
Okay.
ANGEL
If anything goes wrong.
CONNOR
Right. I got it.
CUT TO:
Later. Gunn and Wesley strap Angel down to the table in the cage and
tighten the restraints while outside, Wo Pang removes a glass receptacle
from his bag and sets it on a table near where Cordelia is standing.
CORDELIA
What is that?
WO PANG
It is the muo-ping. The receptacle that will house his soul..ANGEL
Awakening
16
Angel looks up at the sound of her voice.
ANGEL
Cordy? I don’t want you here.
CORDELIA
Yeah? Tough.
Connor watches from the stairs as Gunn and Wesley finish binding Angel
and Wo Pang steps inside the cage and closes the door.
WO PANG
It would be wise for your safety to add the second lock to
the door.
WESLEY
(to Gunn)
Do as he says.
Gunn slips a padlock through the hasp on the door and locks it.
CORDELIA
Angel, you don’t have to do this.
ANGEL
Now she tells me.
Wo Pang places his hand on Angel’s forehead.
WO PANG
Close your eyes and don’t speak.
Wo Pang closes his eyes also and begins the incantation..ANGEL
Awakening
17
WO PANG
Wo qing qui
Wu xin zi li
Kun, zhen, xun, kan, li.
Ci wo ton ling
Ji fao muo li
Wo Pang’s eyes turn blood red.
WO PANG
Wo hao zhao
Jue xin ze
Wan cheng
Ta de zi yuan.
He leans in close to Angel and whispers to him.
WO PANG
Time to say goodbye.
He whips a sword out from beneath his cloak with a flourish and brings it
down in a flash toward Angel’s neck.
SMASH CUT TO BLACK
Act II
10 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 10
Resume. Angel breaks free and stops the blade inches from his neck.
Gunn frantically tries to open the lock on the door.
WESLEY
Gunn!
CORDELIA
Hurry!
WO PANG
(to Angel)
Fool! Why would I help you? I serve the Awakened One.
ANGEL
A little help here, please…
Gunn gets the door open and Wo Pang switches his attack from Angel to
Gunn. While he’s occupied, Angel works free of his bonds..ANGEL
Awakening
18
Wo Pang kicks Gunn out into the room where he lands on the table and
shatters the glass receptacle. Wesley charges but ducks aside when Wo
Pang’s blade slices the air inches from his head. Then Connor is there
ducking and feinting, landing quick blows between Wo Pang’s attacks. He
leaps into the air and connects squarely with Wo Pang’s chest, send him
reeling around to come face-to-face with Angel.
Wo Pang looks around and finds himself surrounded by Gunn, Wesley,
Connor and Angel.
GUNN
So this was all a set-up? This whole soul colonic thing— for
what?
ANGEL
That’s what I’d like to know.
They begin to close in on Wo Pang and he backs up until he’s against the
wall.
ANGEL
Why does the Beast suddenly want me dead? Did Angelus
welsh on our pact, is that it? (no answer) Okay, then maybe
you can shed a little light as to what the Beast’s plan is.
Wo Pang waves his dagger threateningly toward Angel and the others.
ANGEL
Or maybe I should just start taking you apart now. Piece—
Wo Pang turns the dagger on himself and stabs himself in the chest. He
drops to the floor, dead.
ANGEL
—by piece.
CORDELIA
Well, so much for that font of information.
WESLEY
Gunn, see if he has anything on him.
Gunn kneels down and pulls back Wo Pang’s hood and robes. His entire
body is covered with tattooed Chinese characters.
GUNN
He’s got something on him, all right..ANGEL
Awakening
19
CUT TO:
Later. Wesley examines Wo Pang’s corpse with a magnifying glass on the
table inside the cage while Fred holds a light for him.
LORNE
Is there any part of this guy that doesn’t have writing all
over it? (considers) Scratch that. I don’t want to know.
ANGEL
(to Wesley)
Can you translate it?
WESLEY
Most of it. Definitely scripture. A recorded history of the
Kun-Sun-Dai. They’re acolytes of the Beast, all right.
GUNN
So that’s why we couldn’t find anything written about
beastie-boy in the books. These jokers are walking around
with it on their asses.
Wesley folds back more of Wo Pang’s robes.
WESLEY
Hang on.
ANGEL
What is it?
WESLEY
There’s a passage here. Difficult to… Fred, could you?
She raises the light for him..ANGEL
Awakening
20
WESLEY
It’s detailing the acolytes’ victory over the Bosh M’ad
sometime in… I think in the 3
rd
Century.
CORDELIA
What’s a Bosh… whatever you said?
WESLEY
The opposers of the Awakening. The Bosh M’ad forged
something to destroy the Beast. The Tooth of Light.
FRED
They made a tooth?
WESLEY
To the best of my interpretation, a weapon of some kind.
GUNN
How’d it work out for ’em?
Wesley looks back down at the text.
WESLEY
It was never used. The Awakening was centuries away. In
the meantime, every last one of the Bosh M’ad was wiped
out by the Beast’s acolytes.
FRED
So this tooth thing must have had them worried. What
happened to it?
WESLEY
Never found. The opposers kept it hidden.
GUNN
Great. So now we have to find a tooth in a haystack.
ANGEL
We don’t even know what the weapon is.
Cordelia’s eyes suddenly go completely white and she stares into the
distance as a vision comes to her.
CORDELIA
It’s a sword. The Sword of Bosh M’ad. I can see it. Pretty.
The vision ends and her eyes return to normal. She takes a deep breath
and looks at the others..ANGEL
Awakening
21
CORDELIA
I know where it is.
ANGEL
Where?
CORDELIA
It’s here. Under the city.
FRED
Well, that’s a break.
ANGEL
(to Wesley)
Did you hear that? There’s a sword. A sword to kill the
Beast. And you wanted to turn me into Angelus by having
an evil shaman cut off my head. Not that that wasn’t a
swell plan, too.
WESLEY
(beat)
Sorry.
He gets up and walks away from the others.
ANGEL
Was that an apology?
Wesley turns around and nods.
WESLEY
I was careless. I made a mistake that almost cost you your
life. Would have made pulling you out of the ocean a big
waste of my time.
ANGEL
(smiles)
Yeah, that would have been a drag. It’s just the first time
I’ve ever heard you apologize about anything.
Wesley smirks at Angel who smiles back, enjoying the moment.
CONNOR
So we gonna go get the sword or what?
CUT TO:.ANGEL
Awakening
22
11 INT. LOS ANGELES STORM SEWERS/CAVERN— NIGHT 11
Cordelia leads Connor, Angel and Wesley through the dark and dank
tunnels toward the location in her vision.
ANGEL
I don’t get this.
WESLEY
What?
ANGEL
How is it that a sword from the 3
rd
Century is conveniently
located here in Los Angeles?
CORDELIA
I don’t think it is. I mean, I get the impression that
somehow it’s accessible from like a hundred points all over
the world.
CONNOR
How’s that work?
CORDELIA
I don’t know. I just get the visions, not the Cliff Notes.
WESLEY
(points)
Over there. What’s that?
Cordelia stops at a hole in the wall of the tunnel and shines her light
inside..ANGEL
Awakening
23
CORDELIA
The way down.
ANGEL
That’s a steep grade down there. Going to have to take it a
little slow. Watch our steps and stay—
Connor pushes Angel aside and jumps into the hole.
ANGEL
—together.
He sighs and goes after Connor with Cordelia and Wesley following
behind. They descend a steep set of stairs hewn out of the rock. Suddenly
Connor pops out of a side passage, startling Cordelia.
CORDELIA
(gasps)
Connor!
CONNOR
Found something.
They emerge into a large chamber with hundreds of thin leather straps
dangling from the ceiling. Attached to each strap is a small bell. Cordelia
and Wesley move forward, shining their lights on the bizarre
arrangement.
ANGEL
Easy…
CORDELIA
What are those? Holiday decorations left over from some
S&M bondage party?.ANGEL
Awakening
24
Angel reaches out and flicks one of the straps. The bell rings and a set of
massive wooden spikes shoots out of each wall, slamming together in the
middle right where the bell hangs. Cordelia stumbles backward with a
gasp as the spikes withdraw back into the wall.
ANGEL
Wood. Why did it have to be wood?
WESLEY
We have to pass through the corridor without ringing any
of the bells.
Cordelia looks down at the fullness of her breasts.
CORDELIA
I knew you two would get me in trouble someday.
Connor starts forward and the others follow single file, inching their way
past each dangling strap, twisting and contorting their bodies to avoid
disturbing any of the little bells. Connor is the first to make it through to
the other side. He turns back to watch the others just as Wesley shouts to
Cordelia.
WESLEY
Cordelia, freeze! Your sleeve…
He inches his way over to Cordelia and slowly unhooks a snagged strap
from Cordelia’s coat sleeve. She lets out a nervous breath and navigates
the final few straps to stand by Connor.
Wesley steadies his hand, then releases the strap from his fingers and
shares a look of relief with Angel before moving on. He sees the end
approaching and in his eagerness, he knocks his lantern into one of the
final straps. The bell jingles loudly.
WESLEY
Oh, fu—
ANGEL
Move!
He dives into Wesley, pushing them both clear just as dozens of wooden
spikes shoot out of the walls on either side.
After a stunned beat, Cordelia turns down the corridor only to find it goes
nowhere. It ends in a wall..ANGEL
Awakening
25
CORDELIA
Oh, no…
ANGEL
It’s a dead end.
CORDELIA
Who booby-traps a dead end? That’s just not right.
Wesley holds his lantern up to reveal many of the stones in the wall are
inscribed with runic letters.
WESLEY
There’s something here.
ANGEL
Assyrian?
WESLEY
Hebrew. Rashi script.
ANGEL
Can you read it?
WESLEY
It’s just random letters, one on each stone. Unless…
He reaches out and pushes one of the stones with a letter on it. The stone
recedes into the wall and the wall begins to rise.
CORDELIA
This is it! You did—
The wall stops about a foot off the ground then slams back down.
CORDELIA
You didn’t.
WESLEY
There’s a pattern. Hebrew letters have numerical values.
Aleph is one. The letter with the next highest numerical
value would be… He, five.
He finds the corresponding stone and pushes it in. Instead of raising the
wall, a spike shoots out of the stone and impales Wesley’s hand. He rips it
free with an agonized scream.
ANGEL
What happened?.ANGEL
Awakening
26
CONNOR
He was wrong.
Cordelia rips a strip of cloth from her shirt and binds Wesley’s wound.
WESLEY
I don’t know… I don’t know what else— (realizes) Nine
stones. Yes, that’s it. It’s not their numerical value. These
are the first letters of the nine antediluvian patriarchs in
Genesis.
CORDELIA
That would have been my next guess.
ANGEL
So what which one do we press?
WESLEY
Aleph was Adam so, in ascending order, Shin for Seth.
(points) That one.
Angel steps over and presses the indicated stone. Once again, the stone
recedes and the door rises a foot before slamming back down.
ANGEL
Now what?
WESLEY
Kaf for Cainan.
ANGEL
Which one’s Kaf?.ANGEL
Awakening
27
WESLEY
(points)
Maybe that one.
CORDELIA
Maybe? I don’t have enough shirt to bandage both of you.
Angel presses the stone and it recedes. The wall rises higher, about three
feet this time, and Angel and Connor wedge themselves beneath it,
holding it up so the others can duck beneath it.
ANGEL
Come on!
Wesley and Cordelia run under and Angel looks over at Connor.
ANGEL
Connor, go.
CONNOR
Both of us.
ANGEL
Now!
They time their release together and let the wall drop, rolling into the next
passageway as the wall slams down behind them. The tunnel before them
splits and runs off in two directions.
ANGEL
(to Cordelia)
Which way now?
CORDELIA
Don’t look at me. I’m not a Thomas Guide.
WESLEY
We should split up.
ANGEL
Right. Connor, go with Wes. Cordy and I will take the one
on the left.
CONNOR
I’ll go with Cordy.
CORDELIA
Connor….ANGEL
Awakening
28
CONNOR
I mean, what difference does it make? Why do I—
CORDELIA
We don’t have time for a discussion. Just… just go with
Wesley.
He shoots her a sour look and stalks off down the right-hand tunnel.
Wesley glances at Angel, then follows. Angel and Cordelia go in the
opposite direction down the left-hand passageway.
CORDELIA
I’m sorry about that. Back there. Connor. He’s still
confused about things. I’ve really made a mess of a messy
situation, haven’t I? Some really rotten decisions I’d love to
take back but… I don’t know if you ever could…
ANGEL
Could?
He looks at her expectantly but her attention is suddenly drawn by what
she sees at the end of the tunnel.
CORDELIA
Whoa…
ANGEL
Could what? What could I ever…
He follows Cordelia into a large circular chamber. It’s well-lit but there’s
no visible source of light. A stone pedestal stands in the center of the
room..ANGEL
Awakening
29
CORDELIA
This has got to be the place. So where’s the sword? (beat)
Okay, great. It’s gone.
ANGEL
Maybe.
CORDELIA
What maybe? I don’t see it. Do you?
ANGEL
No. But the light must be coming from somewhere.
He extends his hand toward the space above the pedestal and it suddenly
disappears into a shimmering energy field.
CORDELIA
(worried)
Angel…
ANGEL
It’s some kind of dimensional hub. That’s why the sword
can be in a hundred places at once. Ah…
He smiles as his hand closes on the sword and he withdraws it from the
glowing energy sphere. Cordelia’s face breaks out into a huge smile as
Angel waves the sword in front of him.
ANGEL
There. I’d say things are starting to look…
The energy sphere suddenly turns blood-red and drops onto the
platform. The cavern around them trembles and pitches violently..ANGEL
Awakening
30
CORDELIA
Umm… Angel… can we get out of here now?
The stone pillars lining the room start to tumble over, slamming to the
ground with an ear-splitting crash. Flames spring up, cutting Angel off
from Cordelia.
ANGEL
Cordy!
CORDELIA
Angel!
The flames rise higher, seeming to engulf Cordelia. All Angel hears is her
terrified scream.
FADE OUT
Act III
12 INT. CEREMONIAL CAVERN— NIGHT 12
Resume. Angel desperately looks for a way around the flames.
CORDELIA
Angel!
ANGEL
Hang on!
He leaps into the air and sails above the fire, landing next to Cordelia and
pushing her out of the way and into the passageway just as the remaining
pillars come crashing down around them. He tackles her to the ground
and a roiling fireball shoots through the tunnel over their heads.
Cordelia coughs and gasps and raises her head to find her face mere
inches from Angel’s. A beat as they share a meaningful look, then Angel
gasps slightly.
CORDELIA
Oh, my god. Are you—
ANGEL
No, no, I’m good.
He sits up with a groan as Cordelia checks him for injuries..ANGEL
Awakening
31
ANGEL
I’m good, see?
He pulls the sword out from beneath him and drops it on the ground.
ANGEL
I missed the pointy end.
Cordelia smiles at him but her smile turns to tears as she embraces Angel
and sobs into his shoulder.
ANGEL
What? Shhh…
CORDELIA
We could have died.
ANGEL
But we didn’t.
CORDELIA
What if we had? What if we’d been deep-fried trying to
save the world again and I… and I didn’t have the chance
to tell you.
ANGEL
Tell me what?
CORDELIA
I’m sorry… for what happened. For what I let happen with
Connor. I was lost and frightened and I thought it was the
end and… I wanted to be with you but I couldn’t. Oh,
god… Angel, what I did…
She breaks down and cries and Angel soothes her.
ANGEL
It’s going to be all right.
CORDELIA
No, you need to know that I can look back and see every
horrible thing you’ve ever done as Angelus and it doesn’t
matter anymore because when I’m with you, all I feel is
the good you’ve done as Angel. I know I’ve hurt you. I
know I don’t deserve forgiveness.
ANGEL
Cordy, I don’t care what you’ve done in your past, either..ANGEL
Awakening
32
Their lips are only inches apart now.
CORDELIA
I don’t know if this is right, Angel.
ANGEL
Stop talking.
CORDELIA
Okay.
She leans into him and they kiss deeply, passionately only to break off
when a light shines from around the corner.
They look up to find Connor and Wesley standing there watching.
Connor stares at Angel and Cordelia, a look of betrayal on his face, then
turns and disappears down the passageway.
CORDELIA
Connor. Connor, wait!
She starts to go after him but Angel holds her back. He hands the sword
to Wesley, then heads off after Connor himself.
CUT TO:
13 INT. UNDERGROUND TUNNELS— NIGHT 13
Angel catches up with Connor in dark tunnel.
ANGEL
Connor!.ANGEL
Awakening
33
CONNOR
Leave me alone.
ANGEL
Can we just talk about this?
As Connor walks into an antechamber, torches along the walls suddenly
spring to life.
ANGEL
Don’t… move.
CONNOR
Don’t tell me what to do.
He walks further into the room and his feet trigger another trap. An
arrow shoots out of the wall directly at him. He ducks at the last instant
and the arrow slams into Angel’s shoulder. Angel rips it out angrily.
ANGEL
That hurt.
CONNOR
Yeah, I can really see why she wants you.
ANGEL
Connor, I know you’re hurt.
CONNOR
You don’t know anything, dad. Except how to take things
away from me.
He walks back across the room toward Angel.
ANGEL
Be careful.
CONNOR
Why? Nothing in this world is the way it ought to be,
right? It’s harsh and cruel…
His foot lands on another trigger and the arrow flies out of the wall.
Angel leaps into the room and tackles Connor and the arrow slams into
the wall behind them.
CONNOR
…because of you!.ANGEL
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34
He hurls Angel across the room and into the cavern wall. Angel tumbles
to the ground, his hand springing another trap.
ANGEL
This isn’t the place for this.
He gets to his feet just as Connor attacks, throwing a flurry of punches.
Angel deflects them one after another, backing away from him. His feet
trigger one trap after another, the bolts whizzing past their heads as they
duck and weave.
CONNOR
It’s your fault. All your fault! I never should have been
born!
Angel shoves him away, furious.
ANGEL
Grow up! You think you’re the only one who ever felt like
that? Wished his father were dead?
CONNOR
Yeah, but mine already is.
He lunges again, swinging wildly. Angel ducks and blocks. He sweeps
Connor’s feet out from under him and sends him crashing to the ground.
ANGEL
It’s not all about you, Connor. What you want isn’t always
what other people need.
CONNOR
She was mine!
He leaps to his feet and backhands Angel, sending him hurtling across the
room to impact the wall. He rolls to the ground, dazed.
CONNOR
(sotto)
She was mine.
CORDELIA
(o.s.)
No, she wasn’t.
Connor turns around to find Cordelia standing behind him.
CORDELIA
I’m sorry, Connor, but you need to understand that..ANGEL
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35
Connor stares at her for a beat, then runs out, disappearing down the
tunnel.
ANGEL
Connor…
CUT TO:
14 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 14
Lorne, Gunn and Fred sit in the lobby, the jumbled text spread around
them, still trying to decipher it. The door opens and Angel limps in, along
with Cordelia and Wesley.
FRED
Oh, my god…
GUNN
I thought you guys might be dead.
ANGEL
Don’t stop thinking it yet.
Lorne points at the sword Angel is carrying.
LORNE
Is that it?
CORDELIA
The Sword of the Bosh M’ad.
WESLEY
Slayer of the Beast.
GUNN
Oh… can I play with it?
Angel smiles and tosses it to Gunn who hefts it and waves it around.
FRED
Where’s Connor?
Angel and Cordelia look away, uncomfortable. Wesley covers.
WESLEY
Patrolling.
The look on Fred’s face says she’s not buying it..ANGEL
Awakening
36
WESLEY
We have the sword. Now all we need—
A loud crash. Everyone looks over to where Gunn has sliced the coffee
table in two with the sword. He looks up guiltily.
GUNN
My bad.
WESLEY
All we need to do is locate the Beast.
LORNE
Well, most of my connections have amscrayed to
dimensions a little lighter on the stomping-your-entrails
out. All I could Kolchak was a rumor of bad mojo rising
down in the warehouse district.
ANGEL
Then that’s where we’ll start.
FRED
Wait. We found some relevant passages in the Paranych
Grimoire which we were able to cross-reference with Wo
Pang’s… butt.
GUNN
Either he’s got one hell of a funky mold or we figure
there’s only one way to kill the Beast.
WESLEY
How?.ANGEL
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37
FRED
Piercing its brain with the Bosh M’ad.
ANGEL
Sounds like a plan to me.
CORDELIA
And what about the sun?
GUNN
One good poke in the coconut should take care of that,
too.
FRED
When the Beast is dead, the energy used to block the sun
should be released.
WESLEY
There’s a catch, isn’t there?
FRED
One small eensy.
CORDELIA
Always with the fine print.
GUNN
Took a whole lot of power to pull off permanent midnight.
ANGEL
(sighs)
Which will all be released when I kill the Beast.
FRED
As far as we can figure from the texts, nothing human will
survive at that close a range. I’m not even sure that you
can.
ANGEL
I’ll let you know.
CORDELIA
You’re not going to fight this thing by yourself.
ANGEL
There’s no choice.
CORDELIA
There’s always a choice..ANGEL
Awakening
38
He picks up the sword.
ANGEL
Not for me. I have to do this. You made a difference. Each
of you. Not just to me but to the world. We’ve been
pushed to edge so many times, done things we’re sure can
never be forgiven, but we’re always there for each other
when it counts. We’ve never let the darkness win. And it’s
not because of the Powers That Be or the super strength or
the magickal weapons. It’s because we believe in each
other. Not just as friends or lovers but as champions. All of
us. Together.
He nods at them all and heads for the door.
CORDELIA
Angel, wait. You just said it. We’re stronger together. You
can’t do this alone.
ANGEL
I’m not.
CORDELIA
Drop the Hallmark crap. That might placate the shiny-happys
over there but I’m working with a little more
investment. I can’t lose you. Not now. Not when we’re just
starting… whatever it is or could be.
ANGEL
(smiles)
We’ll figure it out when I get back.
CORDELIA
What if you don’t?
ANGEL
That’s not going to happen.
She wipes away a tear.
CORDELIA
You don’t know that.
ANGEL
I’ve never been more sure of anything. I’ll come back,
Cordelia. I promise. For you. But first I’ve gotta do this. I
have to find the Beast and—.ANGEL
Awakening
39
The front doors to the hotel shatter and smash inward. The BEAST strides
into the lobby and towers over Angel.
ANGEL
Oh. There he is.
FADE OUT
Act IV
15 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— LOBBY— NIGHT 15
Resume. The Beast smiles evilly down at Angel.
BEAST
I grow weary of your cowardice, Angelus. If you will not
stand with me, then suffer the agony of my wrath. (notices
sword) Is that what I think it is?
ANGEL
(to others)
Go!
They all scramble. Cordelia and Gunn head for the weapons cabinet and
throw it open while Angel attacks the Beast with the sword.
ANGEL
No! Get out of here.
CORDELIA
No!.ANGEL
Awakening
40
ANGEL
All of you. I can’t do this with you here.
Wesley pulls Cordelia toward the doors as the Beast hurls Angel across
the lobby. She tries to go to him but Wesley stops her.
CORDELIA
No! Angel…
Wesley drags her out the door as Angel gets to his feet, sword at the
ready. The Beast holds up its hand, a wound sizzling where the sword
struck it.
BEAST
That stings.
ANGEL
Not as much as it’s going to.
BEAST
We could rule this world. Why do you oppose me?
ANGEL
Rain of fire, blocking out the sun… and you just kinda piss
me off.
He attacks again, the Beast blocking Angel’s blows with the sword. It
seizes the sword mid-swing and holds it motionless while Angel struggles
to pull it free.
BEAST
It doesn’t have to be this way, Angelus..ANGEL
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41
ANGEL
I’m thinking it does.
He rips it free of the Beast’s grasp and slices it across the creature’s
abdomen. The Beast groans in pain and drops to its knees. Angel raises
the sword and brings it down but the Beast seizes it again. Angel puts all
his weight into it as the Beast twists with all its strength. It’s a struggle of
two titans.
Then finally the sword itself shatters. Angel looks at the broken blade in
stunned horror as the Beast seizes him by the throat and lifts him off the
floor, gasping and choking in pain.
BEAST
Did you really think you’d win?
Suddenly an axe comes down on the Beast’s arm and it drops Angel to the
floor. The Beast turns to find Connor squaring off to attack..ANGEL
Awakening
42
BEAST
The boy joins the father in death.
CONNOR
No. In kicking your stony ass.
The Beast throws a punch but Connor ducks it and slams the axe into its
chest. He lands blow after blow, ducking every one of the Beast’s
punches. On the floor, Angel reaches for the broken sword blade.
The Beast grabs Connor’s axe and uses it to flip him to the floor and kick
him into the reception counter.
BEAST
Such arrogance. So much like Angelus.
Connor pushes himself up with a gasp of pain and smiles.
CONNOR
His name… is Angel.
The Beast turns around and Angel slams the sword blade up through its
chin and out the top of its head.
ANGEL
Consider your ass kicked.
Angel runs across the lobby and takes cover as Connor shields himself
from the Beast’s destruction. It’s face glows a bloody red and then it’s
whole body erupts in an explosion of energy. Then it’s gone. The only
thing left, a smoking pile of dust on the floor..ANGEL
Awakening
43
Outside, the dark pall covering the sun disappears and the light blazes
forth once again.
Connor gets up and helps Angel to his feet.
CONNOR
Dad…
ANGEL
You came back.
CONNOR
Like I’d let you take all the credit for saving the world?
They look down at the Beast’s smoking remains.
CONNOR
You’re right. It is harsh and cruel. She was the only thing
that made it hurt less.
ANGEL
Connor…
CONNOR
But it’s not me. I could feel it in her touch… in her eyes. She
loves you. It’s always been you.
ANGEL
I’m sorry.
CONNOR
She was too old for me, anyway. (beat) Is this what it feels
like? Being a champion?
The doors open and the others come back in.
CORDELIA
Connor? Oh, my god…
They all gather around the pile and look down at it, amazed. Cordelia
hugs Angel.
CORDELIA
You did it!
He looks around at all of his friends.
ANGEL
We did it. All of us..ANGEL
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44
Gunn looks over at Wesley and shakes his hand as Angel points down at
the dust pile.
ANGEL
Now could one of you do me a favor and sweep that up?
CUT TO:
16 EXT. LOS ANGELES— VARIOUS— DAY 16
The people of the city come out of their homes and businesses and stare
up at the sky, celebrating the return of the daylight.
CUT TO:
17 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— ANGEL’S SUITE— DAY 17
Angel stands at window, looking out through the curtains at the daylight
and smiling. Cordelia approaches and stands behind him.
CORDELIA
Must be hard, seeing everyone so happy because of what
you did. Bringing the light back but not being able to go
out into it.
Angel lets the curtain fall closed.
ANGEL
There’s no place I’d rather be… than here with you..ANGEL
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45
He turns to her and looks deep into her eyes. She leans forward and
kisses him softly, then more urgently. He suddenly seems worried and
pulls back slightly.
ANGEL
Cordy…
CORDELIA
No. Whatever it is. Whatever the reason or excuse or logic,
we’re here. Now. Together. Everything is the way it’s
supposed to be. For once. Angel… haven’t we waited long
enough?
They kiss again, their passion mounting. She unbuttons his shirt and slides
it off his shoulders as he slides her nightgown down and kisses her neck.
WIPE TO:
Later. He pushes her down on the bed and lowers himself down on top of
her. Cordelia closes her eyes as Angel makes love to her, sighing with
pleasure. As their passion mounts and their climax approaches, Angel’s
eyes suddenly snap open in shock and rolls off Cordelia and looks around
fearfully.
ANGEL
Buffy… oh god… no!
DISSOLVE TO:.ANGEL
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46
18 INT. HYPERION HOTEL— BASEMENT— NIGHT 18
When Angel’s eyes open again, he lies strapped to the table inside the
steel cage in the basement. Wo Pang stands over him, clothed in his
ceremonial robes.
WO PANG
Illusion becomes reality.
He turns and looks outside the cage at Wesley.
WO PANG
It is done.
A small smile plays across Angel’s face and he turns his head to look out
at Cordelia and the others. Cordelia looks into his eyes and knows.
CORDELIA
Angelus…
On the table behind her, Angel’s soul glows a milky white inside the glass
receptacle.
As Angelus watches them from inside the cage, his smile becomes a
chuckle, then malicious laugh.
FADE TO BLACK
END