Post by collex on Sept 8, 2009 21:20:13 GMT -5
Hi. I'm Collex and this is my first fanfic ever. It's the script for the pilot episode of "Slayers", a spin-off series I'm creating which takes place 20 years after "Chosen" and follows Buffy daughter, A.J. Fore more info, read the discussion thread here.
Before we begin with the fic, some important disclaimer:
Disclaimer 1: While I'm very fluent in English, it's not my first language. So, if you see things that just doesn't work, don't be afraid of telling me!
Disclaimer 2: According to the timeline, this show wouldn't air before 2023. However, I love pop culture jokes and references, so I inserted modern-day jokes because I didn't want to create all of them from scratch.
Disclaimer 3: Comments are more than welcome!!! Either PM them to me or post them here. I need them to become better!
With that said, Let's go!
Timeline: 20 years after BtVS Season7 (Season 8 is ignored because it isn't complete yet)
Genre: Urban fantasy, high-school drama, action
Rating: PG.
Summary: Shortly after reaching 16, A.J. Summers discover she is a Slayer, a chosen warrior against evil. Not only that, but she is also the daughter of the most famous slayer of all, Buffy Summers.
Disclaimer: Every existing characters and situations from past BtVS episodes belongs to Joss Whedon. I guess everything else belongs to me.
Slayers Season one, Episode 1
Just Another Day
Scene 1
Open on: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE, NIGHT
The episode begins at night, with the camera climbing the stairs of a fairly mundane middle-class house. As the camera goes toward the brightly lit hallway upstairs, it turns to face the left wall. On the wall, there is a row of framed picture: one depicting Dawn in her early twenties holding a three-years-old raven-haired girl in her hands in a bedroom; another depicting Dawn, the same, if slightly-older, little girl, and an eye-patch-sporting Xander in his early thirties in a sunny field; and a last one showing Dawn, Xander, Buffy, Willow and Giles in some kind of castle, eating a birthday cake. Buffy is holding a young raven-haired girl, no more than one-year old, in her arms. She smiles tenderly to the person taking the picture.
As the camera reaches the hallway, it is possible to see three doors on each wall. The last door on the right is the only one open. As the camera goes toward that room,, we can hear Dawn telling the following story.
Dawn – As your mother gives a kiss on the cheek to the mysterious young man who had saved her, an ugly bug monster sneaks up behind her. It grabs her by the shoulders, impatient to eat her. But your mother’s witty and fast. She draws a bottle of bug-spray from under her coat and sprays the monster until he flies away. “Who are you,” asks the monster while retreating?
At this point, the camera has entered the bedroom, revealing Dawn, now nearing thirty, sitting next to a bed in which an 8-year-old girl with long, shiny black hair is listening, captivated. As Dawn voices the monster’s question, the girl quickly answers, in her best “grown-up” voice.
A.J. – I’m Buffy, the Monster Slayer!!!
Dawn (with a smile) – Sure you are, darling. Now, time to go to bed. You’ve got school tomorrow.
The girl smiles and quickly goes under the blankets.
A.J. – That was a good story Aunty. You really saw my mom do all these things?
Dawn – Sure I did. Goodnight, darling.
Dawn is exiting the room now. The girl responds to her goodnight as Dawn closes the light, quits the room and closes the door behind her.
Cut to: BLACK
Main Credits. The main credits are somewhat similar to the main Buffy credits: The title of the show (Slayers) is followed by excerpts from various episodes of the series, along with the name of all the actors in the following order: A.J., Bee, Ricky, Miss Cho and “Michelle Trachtenberg as Dawn”. The credits end on a shot of the main three characters (A.J., Bee and Ricky) all ready for the battle. The music that plays over the credits is a modernized version of the Buffy credit song. The special guests for this episode include Nicholas Brendon as Xander.
Scene 2
Open on: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (KITCHEN/DINING ROOM), MORNING
The scene begins in a kitchen/dining room that clearly belong to the same house where the previous scene took place. This is Dawn Summers’ house: a typical, two-story middle-class New England house, built about 30-years ago. The furniture are faux-antique. The house looks comfy and inviting, and there is a lot of framed picture everywhere. At the dining table, which is a rectangular, wooden, and with 6 chairs, a brown-haired woman is reading a newspaper while eating a grapefruit. The table is set for two, even if there is only one person sat at the moment. The camera zooms on the newspaper front page, revealing it to be the Tuesday, September 2 issue of the Safe Hill Report. The headline reads as follow: “Construction of a new arena to begin next year. By Dawn Summers, Senior Reporter.” The camera then zooms back just in time to see a 16-years-old girl with black hair coming into the kitchen from the living room. She’s still in pyjama. She wears her hair just above the neckline and slightly curved at the ends. She is cute, but not what most guys of this age would consider sexy. The woman lowers her newspaper, revealing her as Dawn, now age 36. She is wearing a dark blue trouser suit with a press pass clipped to her ticket pocket.
Dawn – Hi. You woke up late. It’s your first day, and like every year, you woke up late.
A.J. – I know, I know. I just hate first days. Everyone’s telling everyone what they did during the summer and I never do anything worth telling.
Dawn – You know I can’t leave town because of my work. Beside, you did something this summer.
A.J. – (obviously not in the best mood) Yeah,sure. I went in Boston with Stan to see the Captain, who finally could not show up. Then Stan broke up with me and let me pay the hotel room on my own. I sooooo want to tell that to everyone.
Dawn – Well, if you want to brood all day, that’s your choice. But if you want me to drive you to school, you better hurry up. I must be at the bottle factory in half-an-hour for a press conference.
A.J. is about to reply when the doorbell rings. A.J. sighs and goes into the living room to open the front door. The camera follows A.J. as she leaves the kitchen in such a way that we can see the guest as soon as she can. It’s Xander, now forty-two and still sporting an eyepatch. He is wearing a sport jacket and manages to look both professional and casual at the same time. When she sees who it is, A.J. is filled happiness and jump into his arms, which seems quite unusual for a girl of her age.
A.J. (overwhelmed with joy) – Captain!!!
Xander – Hey, A.J. How’re you doing?
A.J. – Not that well. You know Stan dumped me in Boston?
Xander (surprised) –No!? What a jerk. Why did he dump you?
A.J. – Well, he wanted to …
At this moment, Dawn comes into the living room and A.J. abruptly stops talking. Neither of the adults notices. Dawn sees Xander and she is visibly happy to see him too.
Xander – Dawn! (He gives Dawn a big hug then look at A.J.) Hey, A.J., go dress up and I’ll drive you to school, o.k.?
A.J. – Oh yeah! I won’t be long! (She goes upstairs and off-screen)
Dawn – Xander, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you in Safe Hill, Massachusetts.
Xander – Well, we are in a big expansion phase right now at the talent agency and…
Dawn – (amusingly interrupting) Xander. She can’t hear us.
Xander – Oh. In that case then…. We found a nest nearby. (Dawn suddenly looks worried) Nothing big, Dawn, I swear. I put two rookies on it. First time in the field, same age as A.J., they will handle this in no time. Usually, I wouldn’t have come myself, but I thought I could kill two birds with one stone and pay you a little visit at the same time.
Dawn – You did well. You know I’m always happy to see you. Come back here for dinner, I’ll cook one of my famous ratatouilles.
At this moment, A.J. comes back onscreen. She is wearing a black short-sleeved blouse with red marking, tight-fitted red jeans and a silk scarf around the neck; pretty but unusual clothes for a teen girl of this age. A.J. doesn’t seem to care tough. Unlike her mother, she is a lot less versed in fashion. The only piece of jewellery she wears is an old Claddagh ring on her left hand.
A.J. – Ok. I’m ready.
Xander – Then let’s go, (takes a stereotypical pirate voice) yar scurvy dog.
They leave the house together with Dawn watching, smiling.
Scene 3
Cut to - EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL, DAY
Xander’s car stop just outside the front door of the Safe Hill High School, a old and massive building made of red bricks with a more modern wing added to the left side. It’s a beautiful sunny day, probably one of the last days of summer. There are a lot of teenagers hanging out in the front yard.
Xander’s car is black and looks like what James Bond would drive. It’s obvious that Xander has no money problems. While the car comes to a full stop, A.J. and Xander are finishing their discussion inside.
Xander – I’m not saying I’m happy he dumped you, I’m saying I’m happy you’re wiser than your mother in your choice of guys.
A.J. – What do you mean, my mother? I thought dad was her first guy?
Xander (very uncomfortable) – Yeah he was, but… Anyway, you don’t have time for that, its time to go to school.
A.J. (smiling) – You’re not going to get away so easily Captain! We’ll continue this later tonight. Goodbye Captain.
She kisses him on the cheek then leaves the car. The camera stays on Xander.
Xander – I swear, this secrecy’s gonna kill me faster than any demons ever could.
Xander leaves and the camera focus back on A.J. as she enters the school. A blond-haired guy wearing a jacket sporting the school’s football team colors appear next to her as she walks toward her classroom. A.J. is not happy to see him, but he seems amused.
Stan – Hey babe! Who was that guy, your new boyfriend? You’re dating sugar daddies now? And what’s the deal with the eyepatch, he’s a war vet or what?
A.J. (coldly) – First, never call me babe again. You’ve dumped me, remember? Second, this was my aunt’s best friend.
Stan – The one who didn’t show up in Boston because he had a problem with a girl from his talent agency?
A.J. – Yep, that one. And third, just leave me alone, understood?
A.J. then enters the classroom on her left, leaving Stan alone. When she enters, her eye is caught by a guy with light-brown hair and a killer smile. He is wearing a white shirt under a brown leather vest. A.J. smiles at him nervously and sits a couple of desk behind him.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 4
INT. SCHOOL (MATH CLASSROOM/HALLWAY), DAY
The camera is at the back of the same classroom as in the last scene, looking toward the teacher and the blackboard. The teacher, a slightly overweight woman, finishes her explanation of some mathematical formula just in time before when the bell rings. Faster than the speed of light, all the students pack their things and leave the classroom. The brown-haired boy that had caught A.J.’s eye earlier also leaves, but he inadvertently drops a book on the floor. A.J. picks up the book and quickly runs out of the classroom, catching up with the guy in the hallway.
A.J. – (nervously) Hey! Hi. Hmm, you dropped your math book. (She hands him the book and starts walking next to him.)
Ricky (takes the book and puts it under his arm) –Thank you. Those books, so very slippery, aren’t they?
A.J. (laughing nervously) – Ye-Yes. (short pause) I’m Anne Joyce Summers. But everybody calls me A.J.
Ricky – Summers, really? That’s a cool family name. I’m Ricky Tanner. But everybody calls me, well, they call me Ricky.
A.J. – Ricky. That’s a nice name. You’re new?
Ricky – Yep. But I’m just here for a couple of days. I’m visiting my uncle.
A.J. – I didn’t know the school accepted temporary students.
Ricky – They don’t, usually. But my uncle is a very rich man and I didn’t want to miss school, even if it was just for one day.
A.J. – Your parents must be pretty proud of you, studying so diligently.
Ricky – Probably. Never met them. I was raised in an orphanage until my uncle learned that I existed and invited me over. But I won’t stay, I don’t like him. Too macho for my tastes. So I’ll be going back to the orphanage in L.A. soon and stay there till I’m ready to go to college.
A.J. (embarrassed) –Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to… I lost my parents too. They were killed in a car accident when I was two, so I was raised by my aunt.
Ricky – That’s sad.
A.J. – Nah, not that much. Like Captain Harris says: “Being raised by your aunt is not so bad. Look at Peter Parker!”
Ricky (perplexed) – Captain Harris?
A.J. (slowly but surely getting more at ease) – It’s my aunt’s best friend. He knows her since she’s ten. Of course, at that time he was mainly my mother’s friend, but my aunt and he always got along very well. In fact, I think my aunt sometimes wish they were more than “just friends”. Anyway, he is the owner of a big talent agency in L.A. In fact, he’s in town today for business.
Ricky – And why do you call him Captain?
A.J. –He wears an eyepatch, so when I was young I used to think he was a pirate captain and the name stuck.
Ricky says nothing, suddenly absorbed in deep thoughts
A.J. – Did I say something wrong?
Ricky – Oh no, no. Sorry, I was daydreaming. How did he lose his eye?
A.J. – I don’t really know. He always told me a priest plucked it out, but I don’t believe him, obviously.
Ricky – Maybe it’s true. I’ve seen stranger things happen.
A.J. – Maybe you’re right. Anyway, the English class’s just there. Maybe we can continue to talk at lunch?
Ricky – Sure, I’ll love too.
They both enter a classroom on their right.
Scene 5
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), LATE AFTERNOON
Xander and Dawn are sitting on the living room sofa. Xander is in the midst of telling a story. Both are laughing loudly.
Xander – Then the leader sees her and he says: (with a booming voice) “it’s a Slayer! Slay her!!!” (Both burst once again in laughter. Xander continues, almost out of breath.) And she answers: “Bad puns won’t keep you from being pun–ished!”
They laugh for a long time before recovering their breath.
Dawn – Whew… Oh my god, do I miss this world sometimes.
Xander – You mean you miss fighting the worst horrors existing on Earth, putting your life on the line everyday and losing your friends at an alarming rate. You really miss that?
Dawn – Put this way, it sounds really horrible. But I don’t remember it like that. I remember how happy we were together. Even with all these bad things that kept happening, we never lost hope. You, me, Willow, Buffy, Giles, we were more than friends. We were a family. I really miss that. God, I even miss Spike.
Xander (surprised) –You miss Spike? Really? (Dawn nods, half-ashamed) Come on, Dawn, it’s not so bad. You have A.J. She’s a wonderful girl, thanks to you. And you know we try to visit as often as we can.
Dawn gets up, visibly saddened
Dawn –You yes. But I haven’t seen the others in years. It’s way too hard for them to keep secrets in front of A.J., so they prefer to avoid us. After all, (she begins to sob) who am I but the normal, boring sister of a dead legend? (She is crying now.) Oh, Xander. It’s so hard. Some times I hate her for leaving us. Why did she have to take such a stupid risk for a guy anyway?
Xander gets up too and takes Dawn in his arms, comforting her gently. At this moment, A.J. enters the house via the front door, which gives directly to the living room. When she hears A.J., Dawn takes a hold of herself, wipes her tears away and smiles to A.J.
Dawn – Hi darling. I’m, hmm, I’m going to get started on the dinner. You and Xander can sit and have some fun, ok?
Both Xander and A.J. stays up as Dawn goes to the back of the living room and into the kitchen, leaving the screen.
A.J. (to Xander) – Is she o.k.?
Xander – Oh yeah. She’s just a little down, but she’ll be fine in a sec. Tell me, did you receive my birthday card I sent you last month?
A.J. – The one from Rome? I did. Thank you, it was beautiful.
Xander – Happy you liked it. However, I have something else for your birthday. Wait here.
He goes outside as the camera turns around to look trough the living room’s window. Trough the window, we can see as Xander opens the trunk of his car and takes a large giftbox wrapped in red paper. He then closes the trunk and come back into the house. The camera pulls away from the window and focuses once again on Xander and A.J.
Xander – Here. It’s for you. Happy Birthday.
A.J. (excited like a young child) – Thanks a lot Captain.
They both sit down on the couch. A.J. unwraps the box and opens it. Inside, there is a black leather trenchcoat. When she sees it, A.J. almost feint of happiness and jumps in Xander’s arms.
A.J. – Oh my god. It’s so beautiful. You didn’t have to. I can’t accept that. I –
Xander (interrupting) – Hey, A.J. (A.J. sits back down) It’s my pleasure. Reaching 16 is a big step in your life, it deserves to be celebrated. You know I was exactly that age when I met your mother?
A.J. – Yeah I know. (smiling) Aunty said you had a crush on my mother at that time.
Xander (blushing) –Yeah, well, let’s not talk about that, please. Now, let’s both go to the kitchen to help your aunt with the dinner and show her your new coat.
Scene 6
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (KITCHEN/DINING ROOM), NIGHT
Xander, Dawn and A.J. are all sat around the dining table, a rectangular wooden-table with 6 chairs. Xander and Dawn are each at one end of the table while A.J. is in the middle, facing the camera. The dinner is over and Xander is finishing his plate. He chews, swallows, and then compliments Dawn on the food.
Xander – That was delicious Dawn. What a cook you’ve become.
A.J. – Yeah, Aunty, your ratatouille is great. You should make some more often.
Dawn – Thanks. But I don’t have that much merit. I just improved Mom’s recipe.
A.J. – You improved it greatly, Aunty. It’s much better.
Dawn – You never tasted your grandmother’s ratatouille, darling.
A.J. (blushing) –That’s true. Sorry, the food was just too good. I guess I got over-excited. (She turns toward Xander and become a little bit more serious) Now, Captain, I want you to explain what you said in the car this morning.
Xander – (losing his smile) Please A.J., no. The food’s great, the evening’s great, don’t spoil it.
A.J. (defiantly) – No, I wanna know. Why did you say Dad was an unwise choice?
Dawn gives Xander a look meaning “Watch what you’re going to say”
Xander – Well, if you really want to know, your dad, before becoming your dad, did some things he would not be proud of and that rubbed a lot of us, including me, the wrong way.
A.J. (irritated) – What kind of things?
Xander (strictly, like somebody used to give orders) – I won’t tell you.
A.J. (loudly) – Why???
Dawn (almost angry) – Because you’re too young, that’s why.
A.J. (angrily) – Too young, too young. You always answer that when I ask about my dad. What was he, a serial murderer or what? I have the right to know! I’m 16, for fuck’s sake!
Dawn (angrily) – Now girl, you’re going too far.
A.J. rudely gets up, followed quickly by Dawn and Xander. A.J. goes to the front door and Dawn wants to follow her but Xander grabs her arm and gently prevents her from doing so. Without looking back, A.J. grabs her new trenchcoat on the coffee table, puts it on, and leaves the house, slamming the door behind her.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 7
Open on: EXT. CEMETERY, NIGHT
A.J. is walking on the street circling the cemetery. She’s looking at her feet, obviously still mad from the argument that occurred in the previous scene.
A.J. (angrily, to herself) – Too young, too young. Why do parents have to be such jerks?
At this moment, she hears voices coming from the cemetery. She jumps over the low fence of the cemetery, meant to keep dogs and cats out more than humans, and sees Ricky and a girl with long, blond hair sitting on a gravestone, talking. Curious, A.J. hides behind a tree, close enough to hear them. The camera leaves A.J. off-screen and zooms in on Ricky and the blonde girl. The former still wears the clothes from the earlier scene, while the latter is wearing up-to-date fashion clothes underneath a large black oilcloth coat, perfect for hiding small weapons. We can now hear what they are saying very clearly.
Bee – That means nothing. There are a lot of men called Harris. Doesn’t mean it’s ours.
Ricky – Bee, how many eyepatch-wearing, comic-book-quoting man called Harris do you know? Not to mention she told me he was in town right now.
Bee – Yes, Mr. Harris is here now. To see how we perform on the field, he said it himself.
Ricky (surprised Bee doesn’t get it) – Come on, Bee. He is the head honcho of the entire organization. Why would he personally supervise two rookies like us for their first assignment?
Bee – Because of you, (mockingly) sir.
Ricky (not convinced) –It that was true, he would be here with us right now.
Bee (half-heartedly) – Ok, you win. She probably knows Mr. Harris. But how? She’s not one of us, that’s for sure.
Ricky – Don’t know. Her family name is Summers. Maybe she is –
Bee (interrupting) – Related to her? Nah, I wouldn’t think so.
Cut to A.J. behind the tree.
A.J. (whispering, to herself) – What in hell are they talking about?
Cut to Ricky and Bee, still sitting on the gravestone.
Ricky – Anyway. Are you really sure this dead guy will rise and guide us to the nest?
Bee – Yes, I am. I didn’t lose my day going to school pretending to be “normal”. I am a warrior, a –
Bee doesn’t have the time finish her sentence as Ricky quickly jumps behind the gravestone. Bee does the same half-a-second later. They are now both crouched behind the gravestone when a vampire pulls himself out of the grave. Disoriented, he gives quick glances in every direction than run toward the back of the graveyard. Ricky and Bee gets up and follow him. They are in turn followed by A.J., slack-jawed in surprise.
Cut to the vampire as he comes to a stop in front of a mausoleum. He knocks on the door. A voice comes from behind.
Vampire doorman (Off-screen) – Who made you?
New Vampire – John.
The door of the mausoleum open, revealing a vampire shaped like a brick house. Behind him, there is five other vampires in the mausoleum, all sat on old couches, apparently waiting for him. The camera then turns around to face the new vampire just in time to see him get dusted away. Ricky is standing behind him, stake in hand, smiling.
Ricky – Hi. I’m here to tell you about our new life insurance. Trust me, you’re going to need it.
The vampire doorman is about to jump on him when Bee appears from behind Ricky and dusts him too. Ricky and Bee enter the mausoleum and, after a quick fight, are able to dust the five other vampires without to much trouble. Afterward, they both stand next to each other, stakes still in hands, catching their breath, when they hear A.J. behind them.
A.J. (off-screen) – What was that?
Surprised, both Ricky and Bee turn around and see A.J., who obviously can’t believe her eyes. Ricky drops his stake on the ground, in a futile attempt to hide his true purpose.
Ricky (embarrassed) – A.J.! Hmm, hi? What are you doing here?
Bee (irritated) – Did you follow us?
A.J. – Yeah. Can someone please explain what went on here?
Ricky (pleasantly surprised, but still nervous) – Wow, congratulations. Few people could have sneaked up on me and Bee like that. For the explanation, it’s gonna be hard to believe, but to make a long story short, these were vampires and we killed them.
A.J. (not convinced) – And you think I’m going to believe that? Vampire, that’s totally –
At this very moment, another vampire, attracted by the noise, comes from outside the mausoleum jumps on A.J.’s back. They both fall on the ground. A.J.’s instinctively turn around to face the vampire, kicks him between the legs, partially gets up, reaches for the stake Ricky dropped earlier, grabs it and stakes the vampire. A.J. turns around, look at both Ricky and Bee, who are both starring at her, impressed. A.J. has a weird look on her face, as if she just woke from sleepwalking.
A.J. – Di-did I ju-just –
She quickly loses the strength to talk, waves and faints, falling on the ground.
Cut to: BLACK
Scene 8
Cut to: INT. MAUSOLEUM, NIGHT.
We’re still in the same mausoleum as in the last scene; A.J. is lying on one of the aforementioned couches. Ricky is sated on the floor by her side while Bee is nervously walking around the mausoleum. A.J. slowly wakes up and Ricky, sensing that she’s coming back to life, gets up and turns to face her.
A.J. (stretching) – Oh my god. I have one of those headaches. (She sees Ricky and she try to remember where she is.) Ricky? What…What just happened?
Ricky – You’ve killed a vampire. And you’re going to kill many more, trust me.
A.J. (sitting on the couch) – I what? What are you talking about?
Ricky (reassuring) – Somebody’s coming to tell you everything you need to know. Now just relax and –
Bee (standing beside Ricky and interrupting him) – You’ve become a Slayer, a chosen warrior in the war against evil. (She smiles, apparently happy to talk about the subject.) They’re used to be only one in the world at a given time. But twenty years ago, a legendary Slayer changed that and gave the Slayer’s power to all the girls worthy of it. There’s now about 2 000 Slayers in the world, and you’re one of them. You can thank the great Buffy Summers for that.
A.J. lets out a tired, nervous laugh.
Bee (slightly taken aback by A.J.’s laugh) – What’s funny?
A.J. – It’s just that I thought I had heard you say my mother was a legendary warrior against evil.
Bee and Ricky both look at each other, not believing their ears. Neither of them have the time to reply, however, as Xander appears in the mausoleum doorway. The camera closes up on him.
Xander – Ok, I’m here. So, where is this new recruit you told me ab— (He lose his words as he sees A.J.) A.J.?
(Close-up on A.J.) A.J. (as surprised as he his) – Captain?
(Close-up on Xander) Xander – Oh no. Dawn’s going to kill me.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 9
Open on: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), NIGHT
Dawn is sitting on the couch, watching T.V. The two half-finished glasses of wine on the coffee table is a sign that Xander probably left abruptly and that she’s waiting for him to return. When she hears the door bell rings, she get up off the couch, close the T.V. with the remote control and go open the door. Outside, Xander is waiting, a strange expression of apprehension on his face.
Dawn – Xander, you’re ok? Everything went well with your girls? (At this moment, Dawn looks further down the front porch and she sees Ricky and Bee holding a visibly shaken A.J. between them. Dawn is surprised and seriously worried) A.J.? What happened, Xander?
Xander – A.J. dusted her first vampire tonight, Dawn. And she did it like a pro, if you know what I mean.
Dawn (taken aback by the news) – Oh my god. Come sit in the living room, we’ll discuss this together.
Xander enters the house, closely followed by the others. He, Ricky and A.J. stay in the entrance with Dawn while Bee head for the living room, off-screen. Dawn takes all of their coats and finally notices Ricky. She looks at him, intrigued.
Dawn (to Ricky) – And you are?
Ricky – Ricky Tanner, Mrs. Summers. I’m a slayer too.
Dawn (surprised) – A slayer? I thought only girls could be slayers.
Xander – Well, there’s only one thing I remember from high school, and it’s that there is an exception to every rules. Ricky’s our resident exception.
Before anyone had time to reply, an over-excited Bee shouts from off-screen
Bee – Oh my god! It’s her!
The others turn around and so does the camera. In the living room, Bee is victoriously brandishing a small framed picture of Buffy she took from one of the bookshelves lining the wall.
Bee (excited like a child) – That’s her, right? That’s the legendary Buffy Summers? That means A.J. is --
Dawn (sighing and interrupting) – Her daughter, yes. And I am her sister, Dawn Summers. You are…?
Bee – Buffy Sullivan, ma’am. My mother was a Slayer too, and she gave me this name in honor of Buffy Summers, the fearless warrior of good, the Amazon of the 21st century, the –
A.J. (visibly overwhelmed) – Sorry to interrupt your elegy, but could we please sit down and talk about this.
There is an awkward silence and everybody obligingly sit down in the living room. Ricky, Xander and Bee sit down on the biggest couch while Dawn and A.J. sits on a smaller one.
A.J. (very fast,as if she wanted to get rid of her thoughts as soon as possible) – Ok, so let’s see if I get that right. I am a Slayer, like my mother before me, a warrior chosen by God-Knows-Who to destroy evil creatures like demons and vampires. There is a whole, mostly-female, army of slayers out there around the world with you, Captain, as the leader. And that whole shebang was created by my mother, which is obviously quite a celebrity.
Xander – That’s quite it, yes. Except your mother didn’t create the Slayers. She just shared her gift with everyone worthy of it. (sighs and resumes) A.J., I know this is hard to swallow, but it’s the truth, believe me.
A.J. – Oh, it explains a lot of things. Like why your “talent agency” don’t have any website or why Aunty was so good at telling bedtime stories about my mom.
Now, what happens? You take me to Harris’ School for Gifted Youngster?
Xander – Usually, that’s what would happen, yes. I would take you to a private school in Boston where you’ll be taught both “normal” and “special” subjects. But that would anger your aunt and her anger could instill fear in the hearts of any demons. Being the natural coward that I am, I think it will be better for everyone if you just stayed here. Of course I would never leave you alone with this responsibility, so I’ll assign both Ricky and Bee here too.
Dawn – Where will they live? I got another bedroom upstairs, but it’s too small for two.
Xander –Don’t worry, Dawn. With the money from the organization, I’ll buy the old, abandoned manor in town and get them installed in no time. I will also assign an older slayer here to take care of them.
Dawn – Is it really necessary to send another slayer? I’ve got more experience with both teenagers and monsters than any of your slayers. Besides, Safe Hill isn’t Sunnydale. I don’t know if you noticed what was written on the sign at the town’s entrance, but this is “the safest town in the world.”
Xander – Not for long, I’m afraid. Each time a slayer awakens, a surge of energy is released and it acts as a beacon that attracts demons and other magical creature. It’s a way for a slayer to attract her preys. Unfortunately, some preys are bigger than a rookie slayer would want. Trust me, its better if they have someone like them to watch over them. And I know just who to send for the job. (He gets up and looks at both Ricky and Bee) Ok kids, it’s time to go back to the hotel. (Ricky and Bee obey and goes toward the door, off-screen) A.J., gets some sleep, honey, you’ll need it.
She gets up and hugs him. He kisses her on the cheek and head for the door. Dawn follows him. Ricky and Bee are already waiting outside. Dawn takes Xander in her arms before he leaves.
Dawn (sadly) – So the day I hoped would never happen, happened. Do you think it’ll be all right?
Xander (falsely serious) – Well, the last girl I know that followed on the footsteps of her mother ended up as a rat for some years…
(Dawn looks at him, scared)
Xander – Dawn, I’m joking. It’ll be all right, trust me. You told me you missed the Scooby-gang era, well, it’s back now. Everything’s going to be fine.
The camera lingers on Xander and Dawn hugging each other.
Scene 10
Cut to: INT. CASTLE, NIGHT.
Caption: Scotland
We are in the basement of an old European castle. The vast stone-walled room is lit by candle and torches. A woman with long, curly black hair and wearing an old red dress is looking at a wall, her back facing the camera. Two dandy-looking vampires enter the room running and respectfully stand behind her. One of them is holding a musty tome. The woman, without turning to face them, speaks in a soft voice.
Woman – I love this wall. So much blood got spilled on it. So much voices whispering to me. They tell me you both have good news for me.
Vampire 1 – Mistress, our agent in America just reported in. You were right, it’s her daughter, and she just awakened.
Woman – Nice. (She lets out a small, childish laugh.) I’m sure he’ll like her when he comes back. What else?
Vampire 2 – We’ve found the book, mistress. It is here, intact.
The vampires hands her the book. The woman turns around to take the book as the camera close up on her hands, so we can’t see her face. Once the book is in her hands, the camera travels upward, revealing her face. It’s Drusilla, one of Buffy Summers old ennemies, a powerful and quite mad female vampire.
Drusilla – At last. Now, let’s bring back my love, shall we?
She gives a madwoman smiles directly to the camera.
Scene 11
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (A.J.’s BEDROOM), NIGHT
A.J. is about to get to sleep. She’s already in bed when Dawn enters.
Dawn – Hi, honey. Are you sure you’re all right? I’m here to talk about it if you want.
A.J. (confused, saddened and angry at the same time) – Why did you not tell me Aunty? All those bedtime stories, why didn’t you tell me they were true? Why the secrets? You thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it? You didn’t trust me?
Dawn sits on the bed and tries to comfort her.
Dawn – That’s not the reason, darling. I didn’t tell you because your mother, before dying, asked me not to. She wanted you to have a normal life for as long as it would be possible. And I agreed with her.
A.J. – But if I hadn’t become like her, when would you have told me?
Dawn – I don’t know. I guess I childishly hoped I would never have to.
A.J. – Mom and Dad, they didn’t die in a car crash, didn’t they?
Dawn (sighing but smiling a little) – No. But that’s a too long story for tonight. Get some sleep, you’ve got school tomorrow. ‘Night, darling.
A.J. – ‘Night Aunty.
Dawn kisses her, leaves the room and closes the light behind her, echoing the first scene of the episode. A.J.’s open the desk lamp resting on her night table and takes a small framed picture that’s next to the lamp. We can’t see the picture.
A.J. (to the picture) – So, I’m a slayer now. I hope I’ll make both of you proud. ‘Night Mom, ‘night Dad.
A.J. puts the picture back on the night table. She then closes the desk lamp and goes to sleep. The camera zooms in on the picture. The picture shows Buffy and Angel, both smiling, on a beautiful sun-drenched beach.
END CREDITS
Before we begin with the fic, some important disclaimer:
Disclaimer 1: While I'm very fluent in English, it's not my first language. So, if you see things that just doesn't work, don't be afraid of telling me!
Disclaimer 2: According to the timeline, this show wouldn't air before 2023. However, I love pop culture jokes and references, so I inserted modern-day jokes because I didn't want to create all of them from scratch.
Disclaimer 3: Comments are more than welcome!!! Either PM them to me or post them here. I need them to become better!
With that said, Let's go!
Timeline: 20 years after BtVS Season7 (Season 8 is ignored because it isn't complete yet)
Genre: Urban fantasy, high-school drama, action
Rating: PG.
Summary: Shortly after reaching 16, A.J. Summers discover she is a Slayer, a chosen warrior against evil. Not only that, but she is also the daughter of the most famous slayer of all, Buffy Summers.
Disclaimer: Every existing characters and situations from past BtVS episodes belongs to Joss Whedon. I guess everything else belongs to me.
Slayers Season one, Episode 1
Just Another Day
Scene 1
Open on: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE, NIGHT
The episode begins at night, with the camera climbing the stairs of a fairly mundane middle-class house. As the camera goes toward the brightly lit hallway upstairs, it turns to face the left wall. On the wall, there is a row of framed picture: one depicting Dawn in her early twenties holding a three-years-old raven-haired girl in her hands in a bedroom; another depicting Dawn, the same, if slightly-older, little girl, and an eye-patch-sporting Xander in his early thirties in a sunny field; and a last one showing Dawn, Xander, Buffy, Willow and Giles in some kind of castle, eating a birthday cake. Buffy is holding a young raven-haired girl, no more than one-year old, in her arms. She smiles tenderly to the person taking the picture.
As the camera reaches the hallway, it is possible to see three doors on each wall. The last door on the right is the only one open. As the camera goes toward that room,, we can hear Dawn telling the following story.
Dawn – As your mother gives a kiss on the cheek to the mysterious young man who had saved her, an ugly bug monster sneaks up behind her. It grabs her by the shoulders, impatient to eat her. But your mother’s witty and fast. She draws a bottle of bug-spray from under her coat and sprays the monster until he flies away. “Who are you,” asks the monster while retreating?
At this point, the camera has entered the bedroom, revealing Dawn, now nearing thirty, sitting next to a bed in which an 8-year-old girl with long, shiny black hair is listening, captivated. As Dawn voices the monster’s question, the girl quickly answers, in her best “grown-up” voice.
A.J. – I’m Buffy, the Monster Slayer!!!
Dawn (with a smile) – Sure you are, darling. Now, time to go to bed. You’ve got school tomorrow.
The girl smiles and quickly goes under the blankets.
A.J. – That was a good story Aunty. You really saw my mom do all these things?
Dawn – Sure I did. Goodnight, darling.
Dawn is exiting the room now. The girl responds to her goodnight as Dawn closes the light, quits the room and closes the door behind her.
Cut to: BLACK
Main Credits. The main credits are somewhat similar to the main Buffy credits: The title of the show (Slayers) is followed by excerpts from various episodes of the series, along with the name of all the actors in the following order: A.J., Bee, Ricky, Miss Cho and “Michelle Trachtenberg as Dawn”. The credits end on a shot of the main three characters (A.J., Bee and Ricky) all ready for the battle. The music that plays over the credits is a modernized version of the Buffy credit song. The special guests for this episode include Nicholas Brendon as Xander.
Scene 2
Open on: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (KITCHEN/DINING ROOM), MORNING
The scene begins in a kitchen/dining room that clearly belong to the same house where the previous scene took place. This is Dawn Summers’ house: a typical, two-story middle-class New England house, built about 30-years ago. The furniture are faux-antique. The house looks comfy and inviting, and there is a lot of framed picture everywhere. At the dining table, which is a rectangular, wooden, and with 6 chairs, a brown-haired woman is reading a newspaper while eating a grapefruit. The table is set for two, even if there is only one person sat at the moment. The camera zooms on the newspaper front page, revealing it to be the Tuesday, September 2 issue of the Safe Hill Report. The headline reads as follow: “Construction of a new arena to begin next year. By Dawn Summers, Senior Reporter.” The camera then zooms back just in time to see a 16-years-old girl with black hair coming into the kitchen from the living room. She’s still in pyjama. She wears her hair just above the neckline and slightly curved at the ends. She is cute, but not what most guys of this age would consider sexy. The woman lowers her newspaper, revealing her as Dawn, now age 36. She is wearing a dark blue trouser suit with a press pass clipped to her ticket pocket.
Dawn – Hi. You woke up late. It’s your first day, and like every year, you woke up late.
A.J. – I know, I know. I just hate first days. Everyone’s telling everyone what they did during the summer and I never do anything worth telling.
Dawn – You know I can’t leave town because of my work. Beside, you did something this summer.
A.J. – (obviously not in the best mood) Yeah,sure. I went in Boston with Stan to see the Captain, who finally could not show up. Then Stan broke up with me and let me pay the hotel room on my own. I sooooo want to tell that to everyone.
Dawn – Well, if you want to brood all day, that’s your choice. But if you want me to drive you to school, you better hurry up. I must be at the bottle factory in half-an-hour for a press conference.
A.J. is about to reply when the doorbell rings. A.J. sighs and goes into the living room to open the front door. The camera follows A.J. as she leaves the kitchen in such a way that we can see the guest as soon as she can. It’s Xander, now forty-two and still sporting an eyepatch. He is wearing a sport jacket and manages to look both professional and casual at the same time. When she sees who it is, A.J. is filled happiness and jump into his arms, which seems quite unusual for a girl of her age.
A.J. (overwhelmed with joy) – Captain!!!
Xander – Hey, A.J. How’re you doing?
A.J. – Not that well. You know Stan dumped me in Boston?
Xander (surprised) –No!? What a jerk. Why did he dump you?
A.J. – Well, he wanted to …
At this moment, Dawn comes into the living room and A.J. abruptly stops talking. Neither of the adults notices. Dawn sees Xander and she is visibly happy to see him too.
Xander – Dawn! (He gives Dawn a big hug then look at A.J.) Hey, A.J., go dress up and I’ll drive you to school, o.k.?
A.J. – Oh yeah! I won’t be long! (She goes upstairs and off-screen)
Dawn – Xander, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you in Safe Hill, Massachusetts.
Xander – Well, we are in a big expansion phase right now at the talent agency and…
Dawn – (amusingly interrupting) Xander. She can’t hear us.
Xander – Oh. In that case then…. We found a nest nearby. (Dawn suddenly looks worried) Nothing big, Dawn, I swear. I put two rookies on it. First time in the field, same age as A.J., they will handle this in no time. Usually, I wouldn’t have come myself, but I thought I could kill two birds with one stone and pay you a little visit at the same time.
Dawn – You did well. You know I’m always happy to see you. Come back here for dinner, I’ll cook one of my famous ratatouilles.
At this moment, A.J. comes back onscreen. She is wearing a black short-sleeved blouse with red marking, tight-fitted red jeans and a silk scarf around the neck; pretty but unusual clothes for a teen girl of this age. A.J. doesn’t seem to care tough. Unlike her mother, she is a lot less versed in fashion. The only piece of jewellery she wears is an old Claddagh ring on her left hand.
A.J. – Ok. I’m ready.
Xander – Then let’s go, (takes a stereotypical pirate voice) yar scurvy dog.
They leave the house together with Dawn watching, smiling.
Scene 3
Cut to - EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL, DAY
Xander’s car stop just outside the front door of the Safe Hill High School, a old and massive building made of red bricks with a more modern wing added to the left side. It’s a beautiful sunny day, probably one of the last days of summer. There are a lot of teenagers hanging out in the front yard.
Xander’s car is black and looks like what James Bond would drive. It’s obvious that Xander has no money problems. While the car comes to a full stop, A.J. and Xander are finishing their discussion inside.
Xander – I’m not saying I’m happy he dumped you, I’m saying I’m happy you’re wiser than your mother in your choice of guys.
A.J. – What do you mean, my mother? I thought dad was her first guy?
Xander (very uncomfortable) – Yeah he was, but… Anyway, you don’t have time for that, its time to go to school.
A.J. (smiling) – You’re not going to get away so easily Captain! We’ll continue this later tonight. Goodbye Captain.
She kisses him on the cheek then leaves the car. The camera stays on Xander.
Xander – I swear, this secrecy’s gonna kill me faster than any demons ever could.
Xander leaves and the camera focus back on A.J. as she enters the school. A blond-haired guy wearing a jacket sporting the school’s football team colors appear next to her as she walks toward her classroom. A.J. is not happy to see him, but he seems amused.
Stan – Hey babe! Who was that guy, your new boyfriend? You’re dating sugar daddies now? And what’s the deal with the eyepatch, he’s a war vet or what?
A.J. (coldly) – First, never call me babe again. You’ve dumped me, remember? Second, this was my aunt’s best friend.
Stan – The one who didn’t show up in Boston because he had a problem with a girl from his talent agency?
A.J. – Yep, that one. And third, just leave me alone, understood?
A.J. then enters the classroom on her left, leaving Stan alone. When she enters, her eye is caught by a guy with light-brown hair and a killer smile. He is wearing a white shirt under a brown leather vest. A.J. smiles at him nervously and sits a couple of desk behind him.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 4
INT. SCHOOL (MATH CLASSROOM/HALLWAY), DAY
The camera is at the back of the same classroom as in the last scene, looking toward the teacher and the blackboard. The teacher, a slightly overweight woman, finishes her explanation of some mathematical formula just in time before when the bell rings. Faster than the speed of light, all the students pack their things and leave the classroom. The brown-haired boy that had caught A.J.’s eye earlier also leaves, but he inadvertently drops a book on the floor. A.J. picks up the book and quickly runs out of the classroom, catching up with the guy in the hallway.
A.J. – (nervously) Hey! Hi. Hmm, you dropped your math book. (She hands him the book and starts walking next to him.)
Ricky (takes the book and puts it under his arm) –Thank you. Those books, so very slippery, aren’t they?
A.J. (laughing nervously) – Ye-Yes. (short pause) I’m Anne Joyce Summers. But everybody calls me A.J.
Ricky – Summers, really? That’s a cool family name. I’m Ricky Tanner. But everybody calls me, well, they call me Ricky.
A.J. – Ricky. That’s a nice name. You’re new?
Ricky – Yep. But I’m just here for a couple of days. I’m visiting my uncle.
A.J. – I didn’t know the school accepted temporary students.
Ricky – They don’t, usually. But my uncle is a very rich man and I didn’t want to miss school, even if it was just for one day.
A.J. – Your parents must be pretty proud of you, studying so diligently.
Ricky – Probably. Never met them. I was raised in an orphanage until my uncle learned that I existed and invited me over. But I won’t stay, I don’t like him. Too macho for my tastes. So I’ll be going back to the orphanage in L.A. soon and stay there till I’m ready to go to college.
A.J. (embarrassed) –Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to… I lost my parents too. They were killed in a car accident when I was two, so I was raised by my aunt.
Ricky – That’s sad.
A.J. – Nah, not that much. Like Captain Harris says: “Being raised by your aunt is not so bad. Look at Peter Parker!”
Ricky (perplexed) – Captain Harris?
A.J. (slowly but surely getting more at ease) – It’s my aunt’s best friend. He knows her since she’s ten. Of course, at that time he was mainly my mother’s friend, but my aunt and he always got along very well. In fact, I think my aunt sometimes wish they were more than “just friends”. Anyway, he is the owner of a big talent agency in L.A. In fact, he’s in town today for business.
Ricky – And why do you call him Captain?
A.J. –He wears an eyepatch, so when I was young I used to think he was a pirate captain and the name stuck.
Ricky says nothing, suddenly absorbed in deep thoughts
A.J. – Did I say something wrong?
Ricky – Oh no, no. Sorry, I was daydreaming. How did he lose his eye?
A.J. – I don’t really know. He always told me a priest plucked it out, but I don’t believe him, obviously.
Ricky – Maybe it’s true. I’ve seen stranger things happen.
A.J. – Maybe you’re right. Anyway, the English class’s just there. Maybe we can continue to talk at lunch?
Ricky – Sure, I’ll love too.
They both enter a classroom on their right.
Scene 5
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), LATE AFTERNOON
Xander and Dawn are sitting on the living room sofa. Xander is in the midst of telling a story. Both are laughing loudly.
Xander – Then the leader sees her and he says: (with a booming voice) “it’s a Slayer! Slay her!!!” (Both burst once again in laughter. Xander continues, almost out of breath.) And she answers: “Bad puns won’t keep you from being pun–ished!”
They laugh for a long time before recovering their breath.
Dawn – Whew… Oh my god, do I miss this world sometimes.
Xander – You mean you miss fighting the worst horrors existing on Earth, putting your life on the line everyday and losing your friends at an alarming rate. You really miss that?
Dawn – Put this way, it sounds really horrible. But I don’t remember it like that. I remember how happy we were together. Even with all these bad things that kept happening, we never lost hope. You, me, Willow, Buffy, Giles, we were more than friends. We were a family. I really miss that. God, I even miss Spike.
Xander (surprised) –You miss Spike? Really? (Dawn nods, half-ashamed) Come on, Dawn, it’s not so bad. You have A.J. She’s a wonderful girl, thanks to you. And you know we try to visit as often as we can.
Dawn gets up, visibly saddened
Dawn –You yes. But I haven’t seen the others in years. It’s way too hard for them to keep secrets in front of A.J., so they prefer to avoid us. After all, (she begins to sob) who am I but the normal, boring sister of a dead legend? (She is crying now.) Oh, Xander. It’s so hard. Some times I hate her for leaving us. Why did she have to take such a stupid risk for a guy anyway?
Xander gets up too and takes Dawn in his arms, comforting her gently. At this moment, A.J. enters the house via the front door, which gives directly to the living room. When she hears A.J., Dawn takes a hold of herself, wipes her tears away and smiles to A.J.
Dawn – Hi darling. I’m, hmm, I’m going to get started on the dinner. You and Xander can sit and have some fun, ok?
Both Xander and A.J. stays up as Dawn goes to the back of the living room and into the kitchen, leaving the screen.
A.J. (to Xander) – Is she o.k.?
Xander – Oh yeah. She’s just a little down, but she’ll be fine in a sec. Tell me, did you receive my birthday card I sent you last month?
A.J. – The one from Rome? I did. Thank you, it was beautiful.
Xander – Happy you liked it. However, I have something else for your birthday. Wait here.
He goes outside as the camera turns around to look trough the living room’s window. Trough the window, we can see as Xander opens the trunk of his car and takes a large giftbox wrapped in red paper. He then closes the trunk and come back into the house. The camera pulls away from the window and focuses once again on Xander and A.J.
Xander – Here. It’s for you. Happy Birthday.
A.J. (excited like a young child) – Thanks a lot Captain.
They both sit down on the couch. A.J. unwraps the box and opens it. Inside, there is a black leather trenchcoat. When she sees it, A.J. almost feint of happiness and jumps in Xander’s arms.
A.J. – Oh my god. It’s so beautiful. You didn’t have to. I can’t accept that. I –
Xander (interrupting) – Hey, A.J. (A.J. sits back down) It’s my pleasure. Reaching 16 is a big step in your life, it deserves to be celebrated. You know I was exactly that age when I met your mother?
A.J. – Yeah I know. (smiling) Aunty said you had a crush on my mother at that time.
Xander (blushing) –Yeah, well, let’s not talk about that, please. Now, let’s both go to the kitchen to help your aunt with the dinner and show her your new coat.
Scene 6
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (KITCHEN/DINING ROOM), NIGHT
Xander, Dawn and A.J. are all sat around the dining table, a rectangular wooden-table with 6 chairs. Xander and Dawn are each at one end of the table while A.J. is in the middle, facing the camera. The dinner is over and Xander is finishing his plate. He chews, swallows, and then compliments Dawn on the food.
Xander – That was delicious Dawn. What a cook you’ve become.
A.J. – Yeah, Aunty, your ratatouille is great. You should make some more often.
Dawn – Thanks. But I don’t have that much merit. I just improved Mom’s recipe.
A.J. – You improved it greatly, Aunty. It’s much better.
Dawn – You never tasted your grandmother’s ratatouille, darling.
A.J. (blushing) –That’s true. Sorry, the food was just too good. I guess I got over-excited. (She turns toward Xander and become a little bit more serious) Now, Captain, I want you to explain what you said in the car this morning.
Xander – (losing his smile) Please A.J., no. The food’s great, the evening’s great, don’t spoil it.
A.J. (defiantly) – No, I wanna know. Why did you say Dad was an unwise choice?
Dawn gives Xander a look meaning “Watch what you’re going to say”
Xander – Well, if you really want to know, your dad, before becoming your dad, did some things he would not be proud of and that rubbed a lot of us, including me, the wrong way.
A.J. (irritated) – What kind of things?
Xander (strictly, like somebody used to give orders) – I won’t tell you.
A.J. (loudly) – Why???
Dawn (almost angry) – Because you’re too young, that’s why.
A.J. (angrily) – Too young, too young. You always answer that when I ask about my dad. What was he, a serial murderer or what? I have the right to know! I’m 16, for fuck’s sake!
Dawn (angrily) – Now girl, you’re going too far.
A.J. rudely gets up, followed quickly by Dawn and Xander. A.J. goes to the front door and Dawn wants to follow her but Xander grabs her arm and gently prevents her from doing so. Without looking back, A.J. grabs her new trenchcoat on the coffee table, puts it on, and leaves the house, slamming the door behind her.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 7
Open on: EXT. CEMETERY, NIGHT
A.J. is walking on the street circling the cemetery. She’s looking at her feet, obviously still mad from the argument that occurred in the previous scene.
A.J. (angrily, to herself) – Too young, too young. Why do parents have to be such jerks?
At this moment, she hears voices coming from the cemetery. She jumps over the low fence of the cemetery, meant to keep dogs and cats out more than humans, and sees Ricky and a girl with long, blond hair sitting on a gravestone, talking. Curious, A.J. hides behind a tree, close enough to hear them. The camera leaves A.J. off-screen and zooms in on Ricky and the blonde girl. The former still wears the clothes from the earlier scene, while the latter is wearing up-to-date fashion clothes underneath a large black oilcloth coat, perfect for hiding small weapons. We can now hear what they are saying very clearly.
Bee – That means nothing. There are a lot of men called Harris. Doesn’t mean it’s ours.
Ricky – Bee, how many eyepatch-wearing, comic-book-quoting man called Harris do you know? Not to mention she told me he was in town right now.
Bee – Yes, Mr. Harris is here now. To see how we perform on the field, he said it himself.
Ricky (surprised Bee doesn’t get it) – Come on, Bee. He is the head honcho of the entire organization. Why would he personally supervise two rookies like us for their first assignment?
Bee – Because of you, (mockingly) sir.
Ricky (not convinced) –It that was true, he would be here with us right now.
Bee (half-heartedly) – Ok, you win. She probably knows Mr. Harris. But how? She’s not one of us, that’s for sure.
Ricky – Don’t know. Her family name is Summers. Maybe she is –
Bee (interrupting) – Related to her? Nah, I wouldn’t think so.
Cut to A.J. behind the tree.
A.J. (whispering, to herself) – What in hell are they talking about?
Cut to Ricky and Bee, still sitting on the gravestone.
Ricky – Anyway. Are you really sure this dead guy will rise and guide us to the nest?
Bee – Yes, I am. I didn’t lose my day going to school pretending to be “normal”. I am a warrior, a –
Bee doesn’t have the time finish her sentence as Ricky quickly jumps behind the gravestone. Bee does the same half-a-second later. They are now both crouched behind the gravestone when a vampire pulls himself out of the grave. Disoriented, he gives quick glances in every direction than run toward the back of the graveyard. Ricky and Bee gets up and follow him. They are in turn followed by A.J., slack-jawed in surprise.
Cut to the vampire as he comes to a stop in front of a mausoleum. He knocks on the door. A voice comes from behind.
Vampire doorman (Off-screen) – Who made you?
New Vampire – John.
The door of the mausoleum open, revealing a vampire shaped like a brick house. Behind him, there is five other vampires in the mausoleum, all sat on old couches, apparently waiting for him. The camera then turns around to face the new vampire just in time to see him get dusted away. Ricky is standing behind him, stake in hand, smiling.
Ricky – Hi. I’m here to tell you about our new life insurance. Trust me, you’re going to need it.
The vampire doorman is about to jump on him when Bee appears from behind Ricky and dusts him too. Ricky and Bee enter the mausoleum and, after a quick fight, are able to dust the five other vampires without to much trouble. Afterward, they both stand next to each other, stakes still in hands, catching their breath, when they hear A.J. behind them.
A.J. (off-screen) – What was that?
Surprised, both Ricky and Bee turn around and see A.J., who obviously can’t believe her eyes. Ricky drops his stake on the ground, in a futile attempt to hide his true purpose.
Ricky (embarrassed) – A.J.! Hmm, hi? What are you doing here?
Bee (irritated) – Did you follow us?
A.J. – Yeah. Can someone please explain what went on here?
Ricky (pleasantly surprised, but still nervous) – Wow, congratulations. Few people could have sneaked up on me and Bee like that. For the explanation, it’s gonna be hard to believe, but to make a long story short, these were vampires and we killed them.
A.J. (not convinced) – And you think I’m going to believe that? Vampire, that’s totally –
At this very moment, another vampire, attracted by the noise, comes from outside the mausoleum jumps on A.J.’s back. They both fall on the ground. A.J.’s instinctively turn around to face the vampire, kicks him between the legs, partially gets up, reaches for the stake Ricky dropped earlier, grabs it and stakes the vampire. A.J. turns around, look at both Ricky and Bee, who are both starring at her, impressed. A.J. has a weird look on her face, as if she just woke from sleepwalking.
A.J. – Di-did I ju-just –
She quickly loses the strength to talk, waves and faints, falling on the ground.
Cut to: BLACK
Scene 8
Cut to: INT. MAUSOLEUM, NIGHT.
We’re still in the same mausoleum as in the last scene; A.J. is lying on one of the aforementioned couches. Ricky is sated on the floor by her side while Bee is nervously walking around the mausoleum. A.J. slowly wakes up and Ricky, sensing that she’s coming back to life, gets up and turns to face her.
A.J. (stretching) – Oh my god. I have one of those headaches. (She sees Ricky and she try to remember where she is.) Ricky? What…What just happened?
Ricky – You’ve killed a vampire. And you’re going to kill many more, trust me.
A.J. (sitting on the couch) – I what? What are you talking about?
Ricky (reassuring) – Somebody’s coming to tell you everything you need to know. Now just relax and –
Bee (standing beside Ricky and interrupting him) – You’ve become a Slayer, a chosen warrior in the war against evil. (She smiles, apparently happy to talk about the subject.) They’re used to be only one in the world at a given time. But twenty years ago, a legendary Slayer changed that and gave the Slayer’s power to all the girls worthy of it. There’s now about 2 000 Slayers in the world, and you’re one of them. You can thank the great Buffy Summers for that.
A.J. lets out a tired, nervous laugh.
Bee (slightly taken aback by A.J.’s laugh) – What’s funny?
A.J. – It’s just that I thought I had heard you say my mother was a legendary warrior against evil.
Bee and Ricky both look at each other, not believing their ears. Neither of them have the time to reply, however, as Xander appears in the mausoleum doorway. The camera closes up on him.
Xander – Ok, I’m here. So, where is this new recruit you told me ab— (He lose his words as he sees A.J.) A.J.?
(Close-up on A.J.) A.J. (as surprised as he his) – Captain?
(Close-up on Xander) Xander – Oh no. Dawn’s going to kill me.
COMMERCIAL
Scene 9
Open on: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (LIVING ROOM), NIGHT
Dawn is sitting on the couch, watching T.V. The two half-finished glasses of wine on the coffee table is a sign that Xander probably left abruptly and that she’s waiting for him to return. When she hears the door bell rings, she get up off the couch, close the T.V. with the remote control and go open the door. Outside, Xander is waiting, a strange expression of apprehension on his face.
Dawn – Xander, you’re ok? Everything went well with your girls? (At this moment, Dawn looks further down the front porch and she sees Ricky and Bee holding a visibly shaken A.J. between them. Dawn is surprised and seriously worried) A.J.? What happened, Xander?
Xander – A.J. dusted her first vampire tonight, Dawn. And she did it like a pro, if you know what I mean.
Dawn (taken aback by the news) – Oh my god. Come sit in the living room, we’ll discuss this together.
Xander enters the house, closely followed by the others. He, Ricky and A.J. stay in the entrance with Dawn while Bee head for the living room, off-screen. Dawn takes all of their coats and finally notices Ricky. She looks at him, intrigued.
Dawn (to Ricky) – And you are?
Ricky – Ricky Tanner, Mrs. Summers. I’m a slayer too.
Dawn (surprised) – A slayer? I thought only girls could be slayers.
Xander – Well, there’s only one thing I remember from high school, and it’s that there is an exception to every rules. Ricky’s our resident exception.
Before anyone had time to reply, an over-excited Bee shouts from off-screen
Bee – Oh my god! It’s her!
The others turn around and so does the camera. In the living room, Bee is victoriously brandishing a small framed picture of Buffy she took from one of the bookshelves lining the wall.
Bee (excited like a child) – That’s her, right? That’s the legendary Buffy Summers? That means A.J. is --
Dawn (sighing and interrupting) – Her daughter, yes. And I am her sister, Dawn Summers. You are…?
Bee – Buffy Sullivan, ma’am. My mother was a Slayer too, and she gave me this name in honor of Buffy Summers, the fearless warrior of good, the Amazon of the 21st century, the –
A.J. (visibly overwhelmed) – Sorry to interrupt your elegy, but could we please sit down and talk about this.
There is an awkward silence and everybody obligingly sit down in the living room. Ricky, Xander and Bee sit down on the biggest couch while Dawn and A.J. sits on a smaller one.
A.J. (very fast,as if she wanted to get rid of her thoughts as soon as possible) – Ok, so let’s see if I get that right. I am a Slayer, like my mother before me, a warrior chosen by God-Knows-Who to destroy evil creatures like demons and vampires. There is a whole, mostly-female, army of slayers out there around the world with you, Captain, as the leader. And that whole shebang was created by my mother, which is obviously quite a celebrity.
Xander – That’s quite it, yes. Except your mother didn’t create the Slayers. She just shared her gift with everyone worthy of it. (sighs and resumes) A.J., I know this is hard to swallow, but it’s the truth, believe me.
A.J. – Oh, it explains a lot of things. Like why your “talent agency” don’t have any website or why Aunty was so good at telling bedtime stories about my mom.
Now, what happens? You take me to Harris’ School for Gifted Youngster?
Xander – Usually, that’s what would happen, yes. I would take you to a private school in Boston where you’ll be taught both “normal” and “special” subjects. But that would anger your aunt and her anger could instill fear in the hearts of any demons. Being the natural coward that I am, I think it will be better for everyone if you just stayed here. Of course I would never leave you alone with this responsibility, so I’ll assign both Ricky and Bee here too.
Dawn – Where will they live? I got another bedroom upstairs, but it’s too small for two.
Xander –Don’t worry, Dawn. With the money from the organization, I’ll buy the old, abandoned manor in town and get them installed in no time. I will also assign an older slayer here to take care of them.
Dawn – Is it really necessary to send another slayer? I’ve got more experience with both teenagers and monsters than any of your slayers. Besides, Safe Hill isn’t Sunnydale. I don’t know if you noticed what was written on the sign at the town’s entrance, but this is “the safest town in the world.”
Xander – Not for long, I’m afraid. Each time a slayer awakens, a surge of energy is released and it acts as a beacon that attracts demons and other magical creature. It’s a way for a slayer to attract her preys. Unfortunately, some preys are bigger than a rookie slayer would want. Trust me, its better if they have someone like them to watch over them. And I know just who to send for the job. (He gets up and looks at both Ricky and Bee) Ok kids, it’s time to go back to the hotel. (Ricky and Bee obey and goes toward the door, off-screen) A.J., gets some sleep, honey, you’ll need it.
She gets up and hugs him. He kisses her on the cheek and head for the door. Dawn follows him. Ricky and Bee are already waiting outside. Dawn takes Xander in her arms before he leaves.
Dawn (sadly) – So the day I hoped would never happen, happened. Do you think it’ll be all right?
Xander (falsely serious) – Well, the last girl I know that followed on the footsteps of her mother ended up as a rat for some years…
(Dawn looks at him, scared)
Xander – Dawn, I’m joking. It’ll be all right, trust me. You told me you missed the Scooby-gang era, well, it’s back now. Everything’s going to be fine.
The camera lingers on Xander and Dawn hugging each other.
Scene 10
Cut to: INT. CASTLE, NIGHT.
Caption: Scotland
We are in the basement of an old European castle. The vast stone-walled room is lit by candle and torches. A woman with long, curly black hair and wearing an old red dress is looking at a wall, her back facing the camera. Two dandy-looking vampires enter the room running and respectfully stand behind her. One of them is holding a musty tome. The woman, without turning to face them, speaks in a soft voice.
Woman – I love this wall. So much blood got spilled on it. So much voices whispering to me. They tell me you both have good news for me.
Vampire 1 – Mistress, our agent in America just reported in. You were right, it’s her daughter, and she just awakened.
Woman – Nice. (She lets out a small, childish laugh.) I’m sure he’ll like her when he comes back. What else?
Vampire 2 – We’ve found the book, mistress. It is here, intact.
The vampires hands her the book. The woman turns around to take the book as the camera close up on her hands, so we can’t see her face. Once the book is in her hands, the camera travels upward, revealing her face. It’s Drusilla, one of Buffy Summers old ennemies, a powerful and quite mad female vampire.
Drusilla – At last. Now, let’s bring back my love, shall we?
She gives a madwoman smiles directly to the camera.
Scene 11
Cut to: INT. DAWN’S HOUSE (A.J.’s BEDROOM), NIGHT
A.J. is about to get to sleep. She’s already in bed when Dawn enters.
Dawn – Hi, honey. Are you sure you’re all right? I’m here to talk about it if you want.
A.J. (confused, saddened and angry at the same time) – Why did you not tell me Aunty? All those bedtime stories, why didn’t you tell me they were true? Why the secrets? You thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it? You didn’t trust me?
Dawn sits on the bed and tries to comfort her.
Dawn – That’s not the reason, darling. I didn’t tell you because your mother, before dying, asked me not to. She wanted you to have a normal life for as long as it would be possible. And I agreed with her.
A.J. – But if I hadn’t become like her, when would you have told me?
Dawn – I don’t know. I guess I childishly hoped I would never have to.
A.J. – Mom and Dad, they didn’t die in a car crash, didn’t they?
Dawn (sighing but smiling a little) – No. But that’s a too long story for tonight. Get some sleep, you’ve got school tomorrow. ‘Night, darling.
A.J. – ‘Night Aunty.
Dawn kisses her, leaves the room and closes the light behind her, echoing the first scene of the episode. A.J.’s open the desk lamp resting on her night table and takes a small framed picture that’s next to the lamp. We can’t see the picture.
A.J. (to the picture) – So, I’m a slayer now. I hope I’ll make both of you proud. ‘Night Mom, ‘night Dad.
A.J. puts the picture back on the night table. She then closes the desk lamp and goes to sleep. The camera zooms in on the picture. The picture shows Buffy and Angel, both smiling, on a beautiful sun-drenched beach.
END CREDITS