Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Tara? Oh, God!
Somebody! [ Yells ]
- Things just got worse. - How worse?
End of the world worse. Willlow's going to destroy it.
[ Crying ]
I love you.
Things really suck lately. That's all gonna change.
And I'm gonna be there when it does.
Make me what I was.
- We will return your soul. - [ Yelling ]
[ Panting ]
[ Grunts ]
[ Cries Out, Grunts ]
It's about power--
who's got it, who knows how to use it. [ Growling ]
So, who's got the power, Dawn?
[ Sighs ] Well, I've got the stake.
- The stake is not the power. - But he's new.
- He doesn't know his strength. - [ Growls ]
He might not know all those fancy martial arts skills they inevitably seem to pick up.
Who's got the power?
- He does. - Never forget it.
It doesn't matter how well-prepped you are or how well-armed you are.
You're a little girl. Woman.
Little woman. I'm taller than you.
He's a vampire. Okay? Demon?
Preternaturally strong, skilled with powers no human could possibly ever--
Excuse me-- I think I'm stuck.
You're stuck?
My foot's caught on a root or something.
I don't even know how I got down there.
If you girls could just give me a hand?
[ Clears Throat ] So, he's got the power.
- Zip it. - I really appreciate it. It's just so dark,
and I don't even know what I'm doing here.
Whoa!
Whew. Thanks. That was a help.
Unfortunately, it was the last--
[ Choked ] thing you'll ever do. Listen up. I'm the Slayer.
You don't want to get into it with me. You want blood? You can have hers.
[ Growls ] Power. He's got it.
He's going to use it. You don't have it, so--
Use that. Perfect.
- [ Vampire Grunts ] - [ Dawn Whimpers ]
Buffy!
[ Sighs ]
It's real. It's the only lesson, Dawn.
It's always real. Let me see.
It's nothing. It's just a scrape.
Plus, I had a plan the whole time.
Really? Yeah. I planned to...
get killed, come back as a vampire and bite you. You wanted to be trained.
Well, just the next time-- You did pretty well.
I did? Yeah.
'Cause, you know, with the whole rolling thing,
I was actually using his strength, and it was very tai chi.
Plus, I nearly got the heart.
My first time out, I missed the heart too.
No way. Just the once.
Well, the next vampire I meet--
The next vampire you meet, you run away.
I just wish that was all we had to worry about.
Vampires, demons, they're nothing compared to what's coming.
I know. I just can't believe it's back.
Believe me. I thought I was long past it.
I guess you never are.
Just a few more days till it starts,
and then we'll never know what's coming next.
It is my great pleasure and privilege to announce the official opening,
on the very ground that it first stood upon,
of the brand-new, state-of-the-art...
Sunnydale High!
[ Horse Snorts ]
[ Giles ] That doesn't belong there. No, it doesn't.
That's a flora kua alaya.
Native of Paraguay, if my botany serves.
Is there anything you don't know everything about?
Synchronized swimming. Complete mystery to me.
Yep. Paraguay.
Where does it come from? Paraguay.
You brought it through the earth. It's all connected--
the root system, the molecules, the energy.
Everything's connected.
You sound like Miss Hartness.
She's taught me a lot.
Then why aren't you in your lesson?
Sorry.
- It's all right. She was just-- - Afraid.
Yeah. They all are.
The coven is--
They're the most amazing women I've ever met,
but there's this-- this look that they get,
like I'm gonna turn them all into bangers and mash or something--
which I'm not even really sure what that is.
They're cautious. I trust you understand that.
I don't have that much power, I don't think.
Everything is connected.
You're connected to a great power, whether you feel it or not.
Well, you should just take it from me.
[ Giles ] You know we can't.
This isn't a hobby or an addiction.
It's inside you now, this magic.
You're responsible for it.
Will they always be afraid of me? Maybe. Can you handle it?
I deserve a lot worse.
I killed people, Giles.
I've not forgotten. When you brought me here,
I thought it was to kill me...
or to lock me in some mystical dungeon for all eternity...
or with the torture.
Instead, you go all Dumbledore on me.
I'm learning about magic,
all about energy and Gaia and root systems.
Do you want to be punished?
I wanna be Willow.
You are. In the end, we all are who we are,
no matter how much we may appear to have changed.
Dawn? Xander's here.
Just a minute! You're gonna be late.
I'm comfortable with that.
Morning. Well, you gotta eat something. I made cereal.
Okay! You're unconscionably spiffy.
Client meeting. How exactly do you make cereal?
Ah. You put the box near the milk. I saw it on the Food Channel.
You want something? I ate. I'm good. How are you?
My sister's about to go to the same high school that tried to kill me for three years,
I can't change districts, I can't afford private school,
and I can't begin to prepare for what could possibly come out of there.
So, peachy with a side of keen. That would be me.
Well, here's a little something for what ails ya.
Mmm. You got the rest? Take a look.
Hey. Check out double-O Xander.
Go. Talk with your mouth full.
I've got two crews working on this diabolical, yet lucrative, new campus.
One here, finishing the science building,
and one here, reinforcing the gym.
There are no pentagrams, no secret passageways.
Everything's up to code and safe as houses.
- Nothing creepy? Strange? From beyond? - Maybe we're just paranoid?
Well, there is one interesting detail.
I managed to scare up the plan from the old high school.
You remember the very center of Sunnydale's own Hellmouth?
[ Buffy ] Under the library. Right.
So, I lined up the plans, new and old,
and right exactly where the library was, we now have--
Principal's office.
- So, the principal's evil? - Or in a boatload of danger.
Well, the last two principals were eaten. Who'd even apply for that job?
I guess we'll see. Oh, we have to leave though.
- Do you have everything? Books? Lunch? Stakes? - Check thrice.
Did you give her the-- No. I was saving it.
[ Dawn ] What is it?
Back-to-school gift.
It's a weapon, isn't it?
Yes. It is.
[ Chattering ]
I'm gonna take her to class, have a look around.
Okay. I'll be on-site all day, so if you have any needs. Thanks.
Now remember, if you see anything strange or, you know,
dead-- Got it.
And stay away from hyena people, or any lizardy-type athletes,
or if you see anyone that's invisible. Hey, Buffy.
I think it's pretty safe to say I'm not gonna see anybody that's invisible.
You know, you can still drop out. Only nerds finish high school.
I don't really think it's fair for you to try and scare me on my first day of high school,
'cause it is so redundant. This place is evil.
Tough to let 'em go, huh?
Hi? I'm Robin Wood, the new principal.
Oh, uh, Buffy Summers. This is Dawn.
- Nice to meet you. - Hi.
So, you're the new principal. I expected you to be more...
aged. [ Chuckles ]
You seem a bit young to have such a grown-up daughter.
No. [ Stammers ] No, uh, sister.
Oh, right. Um. Of course.
[ Laughing ] You didn't really think she's my--
It's my hair. I have mom hair.
No. I actually have heard of you, Miss Summers.
You graduated from the old high school. Am I right?
Um, yeah. How did you-- I better get back to work.
Gotta start deadening young minds. It's really nice to meet you. You have fun.
That was suspicious. You betcha. Bye.
Oh, Dawn! I know! You never know what's coming.
The stake is not the power. To Serve Man is a cookbook. I love you. Go away.
[ Bell Rings ]
[ Sighs ]
[ Ball Bouncing ]
[ Chattering ]
You know? I know. Totally.
Okay. I'm Mr. Lonegrin.
Why don't we go around the room and introduce ourselves, hmm?
Let's start with--
It's not mom hair.
You can't protect her. Couldn't protect me.
Get out! Get back! Get out!
I love to dance. I like music.
I'm very into Britney Spears's early work, before she sold out.
[ Chuckling ] So, mostly her finger painting and macaroni art.
Very underrated.
Uh, favorite activities include not ever having to do this again, and, uh--
- Dawn! - What?
- We have to go. It's not safe. - But--
We, um-- I mean, I saw--
Can I help you?
No. I, uh--
Dawn, I just thought you were in danger... of smoking.
I'll be around.
I also have a sister.
♪ You've done for me everything I ♪
♪ Have ever dreamed ♪
♪ You are a miracle ♪
[ Together ] ♪ In my eyes ♪
[ Woman ] ♪ How do I ever say to you ♪
God, they're depressing. Oh, who are they kidding with that happy, shiny crap?
♪ Everyone I have ever ♪♪
Six weeks tops and she's calling on me for vengeance.
Ooh, he better run for cover. [ Chuckles ]
What's that supposed to mean? Oh, sweetie, you know exactly what it means.
Excuse me? It's the talk of the order.
They're calling you Miss Soft Serve. Tell me you don't know this.
But-- Who? Listen, Anya.
I know I've always been a little competitive with you.
I mean, there was that thing in the Crimean War. We laugh about it now.
The fact is I've actually always looked up to you.
You were the single-most hard-core vengeance demon on the roster, and everybody knew it.
Do I have to mention Mrs. Cholgash?
[ Chuckles ] Good times.
And then you lost your powers.
It happens. And you fell for this Xander guy.
It was a glitch, a summer thing. I am so back in the vengeance fold.
No deaths, no eviscerations. You're not goading women into anything inventive,
and you're not delivering when it is.
I don't even know-- That waitress downtown, wished her husband was a frog?
You made him French.
He's smelly. And with the little mustache, he-- Listen, Anya.
If it was just me-- What do you mean if it was just you?
D'Hoffryn, the lower beings--
They're all feeling the heat.
Something's rising.
Something older than the old ones, and everybody's tail is twitching.
This is a bad time to be a good guy.
Well, what is this, an intervention? Shouldn't all my demon friends be here?
Sweetie,
they are.
[ Chattering ] [ Saw Buzzing ]
So, how's it lookin'? Does the place pass inspection?
Oh, it's great, if you're a zombie ghost thing.
So, school's back in session, huh?
Seems like old times.
So, zombies or ghosts? I'm not sure.
They were in the mirror, but they disappeared.
Um, but they touched me, I think.
Let's just start with dead and pissed. They were after you personally?
They talked about protecting people. Told me to leave. No damage though.
I think I may have destroyed Dawn's social life in all of about 30 seconds,
but apart from that, no. Ah, being popular isn't so great.
Or so I've read in books.
This isn't a coincidence, you know. The school being rebuilt.
It means something. As in what?
Can I borrow a pencil?
- Thanks a lot. - [ Screams ]
[ Whimpering ]
Are you all right?
I'm sorry.
There was a bee. It flew in my eye. I'm--
I'm very allergic.
I think it's gone.
- Can I go to the bathroom? - Of course.
Guess it runs in the family.
[ Sobbing ]
[ Sobbing Continues ]
Ooh! Sorry. Whoa.
Miss Summers. I didn't know you were still about.
Uh, yeah. I was just looking for-- You know, I thought in general,
it was customary for a person who's graduated to, um,
you know-- [ Chuckles ] go somewhere else.
Well, it's a new campus. Just getting to know it.
You know, make sure it's safe for my sister.
[ Dawn ] Hey.
What's wrong?
[ Whimpers ] There's someone in here.
It's only me.
No. It's not.
You know, I, um, have to be honest.
I actually know a little bit more about you than I let on before.
Isn't that interesting. Oh, it really is.
Let's get you out of here, okay?
Maybe we can get some air.
[ Sighs ]
I'm Dawn.
Kit.
Saw something pretty creepy, huh?
You wouldn't believe me.
I kinda sorta think I will.
Was there a pencil involved in any of--
[ Screaming ]
Come on!
[ Gasps ]
Just breathe. [ Faintly ] Giles.
I-- I... can't. Goddess.
Just breathe.
What happened?
What do you remember?
We were talking, and I felt--
I felt the earth.
It's all connected.
It is, but...
it's not all good and pure and rootsy.
There's deep, deep black. There's--
I saw-- I saw the earth, Giles.
I saw its teeth. The Hellmouth.
It's gonna open.
It's gonna swallow us all.
Hey. Hey, wake up.
Please wake up.
Oh, God.
Are you okay?
We have to leave.
You're not wrong.
Come on. There's gotta be a staircase.
The school board recommended I spend a little time reading your record.
It's, um, quite a page-turner. Kind of a checkered past.
Uh, more like a plaid.
Kind of a clan tartan of badness, really.
Uh, you know, but there were factors.
What did you see...
when I found you in the stall?
A girl.
She said she died here, and that everybody dies here and that we would too.
Here I was worried about not fitting in.
[ Both Scream ]
Who are you?
Are you dead?
Stop sayin' that. Whoa. We're not dead.
We saw creepy dead people, and we're just trying to get out.
I just came down here for a smoke, you know, and I saw a--
It was a janitor. He was yelling at me. I thought he was just pissed, but--
I saw him in the light.
Wait. You came downstairs? Where?
Man, I got no clue. I ran away like a girl.
I don't know this place at all.
Okay. So we can run around in circles--
[ Deep Voice ] You really think you can run away?
- It's not real. - [ Dawn ] Lesson one:
It's always real.
I tried to run too.
[ Dead Girl ] I tried to scream. It doesn't matter how much you scream.
Nobody ever hears you.
Hear me! Right! Oh! I got a present.
What is it? A weapon.
Well, it's clear your sister looks up to you, which I think is great--
No, she's much, much worse than me.
Troublemaker. Expulsion is really the only way to go.
You know, or you could suspend her for... three years.
Well, how about we give her a chance first. As long as she keeps her grades up--
[ Cell Phone Ringing ]
Boy, that's loud. That's part of why we don't allow cell phones in--
Excuse me. Yeah?
Uh, sorry. My dog. Uh, dog walker.
Three dead?
Oh, my God.
Uh, no. I'll be right there. Your dogs are dead?
And Buffy? Isn't this reception amazing? I'm in the freaking basement.
- Okay. - Sorry about that.
Um, I-- I have to--
Yeah, no. Of course. And good luck with that... dog tragedy.
Help is on the way, guys. We've just gotta figure out--
Where did they go?
Dawn!
[ Cell Phone Ringing, Distant ]
Dawn? I'm close by. [ Dead Man ] Too late.
But then, you're always too late, aren't you?
Sure as hell didn't save me.
- Where's my sister? - I think she's lost.
If I'm the one who let you die, why take it out on her?
I'm right here. Come on. What are you after?
Fear? Revenge? Tasty brains?
I think I'd like Dawn to be my girlfriend.
Again, wrong sister. I'm the one that dates dead guys.
And no offense, but they were hotties.
I mean, I'm sure you had a great personality.
[ Dead Girl ] Were you busy making out with your dead boyfriend...
while I was ripped to death by a werewolf?
Is that why you let me die?
I was screaming for help when they pulled me down--
Hello! Not making myself clear. I don't care how you died.
I'm sorry for your loss, but where is my sister? Dawn!
[ Dead Man ] She's not gonna hear you. This place is like a maze.
This place is ours now. It was built on our graves.
All we want is for you to leave, so we can rest again.
Actually, I'm thinking all you want is to get between me and that door.
Who's for finding out why?
If at first you don't succeed,
cheat.
Dawnie, we have to get o--
Spike.
Are you real?
[ Giggles ]
Buffy, duck-- What?
Duck? There's a duck?
No visitors today. Terribly busy.
Told you he'd get out.
They'll probably show up in a sec.
Nobody comes in here.
It's just the three of us.
Have you seen Dawn? She came down here with some kids.
Don't you think I'm trying?
I'm not fast. Not a quick study.
I dropped my board in the water, and the chalk all ran.
Sure to be caned.
[ Laughing ] Should've seen that coming.
What did you do?
I tried to--
I tried to cut it out.
[ Cell Phone Ringing ]
- Dawn? - Buffy, where are you?
I-- [ Shuffling ]
- [ Muttering ] - Where are you?
I don't know. In a room by the furnace.
Near where we fell in. They dragged us in here, and then they disappeared.
Yeah, they came after me too. What do they want?
So far, to piss me off. Please tell me it's working.
Oh, I'm damage-bound. I just can't figure them. Ghosts can't touch you.
Zombies can't disappear. I don't know what we're dealing--
Not ghosts. [ Dawn ] Who was that?
Hold on. You know what they are?
Manifest spirits controlled by a talisman, raised to seek vengeance.
A four-year-old could figure it.
Hang tight. I'll find you.
These things can hurt you. You can hurt them too.
Find a weapon. I'll come for you.
- Spike, you gonna help me out? - This is my home.
I belong here. Always been here.
Cheers for stopping by.
It's in the walls.
[ Whimpers ]
I'll... get back to you.
Guys?
Resentful dead guys?
This can't be good.
Come on. Manifest spirits raised up, controlled by a...
talisman.
Xander.
We need to find some kind of a weapon,
just to hold them off.
- I got these. - Kit, gimme your bag.
Do you think they're gonna come back?
Think they're gonna come back? We never left.
We'll always be here, just like you.
No.
Why do you think we picked you?
The ones no one will miss. The ones that don't belong.
Spend all your time trying to get out of high school,
and now you'll never, ever leave.
[ Screams ]
Whoa.
Contracty goodness.
Talisman. Talisman.
[ Gasps ] You can thank your sister for this.
Thanks, Sis. We just need to keep them at bay.
[ Dawn ] The bag!
Yes!
Talisman.
You really wanna keep this up?
What are you gonna do? Kill us?
[ Straining ]
[ Screams ]
- Are they gone? - Yeah.
The talisman must've been destroyed.
How'd you know it was a talisman?
There's always a talisman.
[ Sighs ] The real question is who put it there.
[ Buffy ] Come on, you guys. Let's go find a way upstairs.
Assuming there is one.
You really weren't kidding about this place.
I guess it hasn't changed.
I don't know. Seems smaller.
You guys are gonna be okay.
The school's intense, but you'll do all right, as long as you're careful.
And, uh, you might wanna think about stickin' together.
Thank you.
Yeah, I mean it. You are the coolest mom ever.
Okay. Come on. We still have a few more classes to live through.
"Curiouser and curiouser."
What is? Carlos Trejo and Kit Hollburn, right?
Possibly the only two students in this school whose files are as thick as yours was.
You really did your homework, didn't you?
I was looking for one or both of them to actually implode in a fearsome way...
right before midterms, but now I see you got them socializing and hugging,
and actually, if I'm not mistaken, headed to class.
Well, we shared an... encounter.
Look. I know you're probably more than happy to get out of this place,
but I gotta tell ya, Miss Summers.
I think you belong here. Hmm, new?
Listen. I know this school's reputation.
What, you think I got this job based on seniority?
We got a lot of troubled students here,
and just enough money to keep this place from caving in.
Yeah, you might need a little extra there.
Well, we do have a community outreach program,
and the money we could pay you wouldn't even fold,
but it would just be a couple of days a week?
Are you asking me to be a counselor?
Well, we have a guidance counselor, but I was thinking the kids could use someone,
you know, closer to their age, who's still--
I'm in.
What? You serious? You did hear the part about the money, right?
Yeah, I heard. My schedule might be a little "funtastic,"
but, uh, I'll work it out.
I'd like to keep an eye on this place. That's great.
Look at that. It's not even noon,
and I've already bullied my first family member into helping out.
I'm gonna be the best principal ever.
[ Spike ] Everything is.
I had a speech.
I learned it all.
Oh, God. She won't understand. She won't understand.
Of course she won't understand, Sparky. I'm beyond her understanding.
She's a girl-- with sugar and spice and everything useless, unless you're baking.
I'm more than that.
More than flesh, more than blood,
I'm-- You know, I honestly don't think there's a human word fabulous enough for me.
Oh, my name will be on everyone's lips,
assuming their lips haven't been torn off.
But not just yet. That's all right though.
I can be patient.
Everything is well within parameters.
She's exactly where I want her to be,
and so are you, Number 17.
You're right where you belong.
So, what did you think? You'd get your soul back, and everything would be jim-dandy?
A soul's slipperier than a greased weasel. Why do you think I sold mine?
[ Chuckles ]
Well, you probably thought that you'd be your own man, and I respect that.
But you never will.
[ Drusilla ] You'll always be mine.
You'll always be in the dark with me,
singing our little songs.
You like our little songs, don't you?
You've always liked them.
Right from the beginning.
And that's where we're going.
Right back to the beginning.
Not the bang. Not the word.
The true beginning.
The next few months are going to be quite a ride,
and I think we're all going to learn something about ourselves in the process.
You'll learn you're a pathetic schmuck,
if it hasn't sunk in already.
Look at you...
trying to do what's right,
just like her.
You still don't get it.
It's not about right. It's not about wrong.
It's about power.
Grr! Arrgh!