Once More, With Horsemen

by Parda, Summer 2008

 

with acknowledgements and thanks to

 

 

In the Highlander Universe...

Immortals live among us. Beheading is the only way to kill them. When an Immortal is beheaded, his or her quickening (i.e., life essence)  is absorbed by another Immortal via lightning bolts. Beheading happens fairly often, because Immortals play "the Game," a contest in which the last Immortal left alive gets "the Prize," enough power to rule the world. Some Immortals are nice, some not so nice. They sense each other's approach through a sensation known as "the buzz."

Comes a Horseman

Immortals Duncan MacLeod and Methos are walking along and bickering amiably when they feel "the buzz." Methos (who is 5000 years old) immediately wants to turn around and go the other way. Duncan (only 400 years old) is curious and wants to find out who the other Immortal is. Methos leaves, and Duncan goes to see who's there.

Living Like a Hero

 

Going Through the Motions

Methos

Every single dare, 
   the same reaction
He goes out to see who's there.
Though I always counsel
   Wise inaction,
He just has to know; 
He just has to care.
 
Buffy

 

Every single night,

   the same arrangement

I go out and fight the fight.

Still I always feel

   this strange estrangement,

Nothing here is real,

nothing here is right.

  I've been lying low 
  Like a normal Joe,
  Just going with the flow,
While he's been living like a hero,
   Playing out the part.
 He's really quite 
   the Boy Scout at heart.
 
 

  I've been making shows

  of trading blows,

  Just hoping no one knows,

That I've been going through the motions,

  Walking though the part,

Nothing seems to

  penetrate my heart.

I was sometimes brave

      and sometimes not too,
Now I find I'm wondering.
Crawl out of your grave
    enough times and you 
Give up on the Game.
 

I was always brave

    and kind of righteous,

  Now I find I'm wavering.

  Crawl out of your grave,

    you find this fight just

  doesn't mean a thing.

It's just not the same. Demon  She ain't got that swing.
No one left to blame. Buffy

 -pause- Thanks for noticing.

 

  I've lived many years,
  Been drinking beers
  But now there are these fears.
'Cause he's been living like a hero,
  Getting all the girls.
No doubt he's even 
  going to save the world!
Three Demons

(dancing)

  She does pretty well

  with fiends from Hell

  But lately we can tell

That she's just going through the motions

  Faking it somehow.

Demon

She's not even half

   the girl she...owww!

Is this Game our life's endeavor?
Fighting, dying, staying never
Who would want to live forever?
Buffy

  Will I stay this way forever?

  Sleepwalk through my life's endeavor.

Handsome Man How can I repay...
Buffy                               Whatever!
   I don't want to be

Living like a hero,

I'm just trying to survive.

  Why can't he even see

  It could be him and me

And I want us to stay alive!

 

  I don't want to be

Going through the motions,

Losing all my drive.

  I can't even see,

  If this is really me,

And I just wanna be alive.

 

Duncan recognizes the other immortal as Koren, a murderous raider he met in the 1800s. While chasing him, Duncan meets Cassandra, another ancient Immortal who has psychic powers. She is also hunting Koren. However, Koren disappears, so Duncan and Cassandra go to Duncan's loft. There, Cassandra tells Duncan that Koren was originally known as Kronos, and he used to raid with three other Immortals. They killed her family three thousand years ago, during the Bronze Age. She knows them as the Four Horsemen, and she wants revenge.

 

The next morning, Duncan takes Cassandra to Joe's Bar, where they ask Joe, a mortal who watches Immortals, for help in finding Koren/Kronos.

 

 

It's Not A Theory

 

I've Got a Theory

Cass.

It's not a theory.

  He was a Horseman.

Back in the Bronze Age

  And don't give me that look, Joe.

Giles

I've got a theory,

  that it's a demon,

A dancing demon.

  No, something isn't right there.

Joe

You must be joking.

  I mean, way back then,

People told some stories

  That got into the Bible long ago.

Willow

I've got a theory,

  some kid is dreamin'

And we're all stuck inside

  his wacky Broadway nightmare.

Duncan

It's not a theory;

  the Horsemen were a fact.

Xander

I've got a theory

  we should work this out.

Duncan

+ Cass.

So help us find him.

Koren who was Kronos

   should be whacked.

Willow, Anya, Tara

It's getting eerie,

what's this cheery singing

   all about?

Joe

  It might be in there.

  Maybe there's something.

I guess I could go check the files  

but this is nuts,

the horsemen were all bogeymen

and this witch has got MacLeod

again to chase down all her foes.

Xander

  It could be witches,

  some evil witches.

Which is ridiculous

'cause witches they were persecuted.

Wicca good and love the earth

and woman power

and I'll be over here.

Cass.

It's not a story.

He was a Horseman.

Anya

I've got a theory.

It could be bunnies.

Joe

I think you're--

Tara

I've got a theory--

Cass.

Horsemen aren't just myths

    like everybody keeps saying.

They used their great bronze swords

    For slashing and for slaying.

I saw them in the Bronze Age.

What do you Watchers know  

    about it anyway?

Horsemen, Horsemen.

They were the Horsemen!

 

   So go find Kronos.

Anya

Bunnies aren't just cute

  like everybody supposes,

They've got them hoppy legs

   and twitchy little noses.

And what's with all the carrots?

What do they need such good

    eyesight  for anyway?

Bunnies, bunnies!

It must be bunnies!

 

...or maybe midgets.

Duncan

I think it's best that

  We get on this fast.

Because it clearly could get

  serious before it's passed.

Willow

I've got a theory

   we should work this fast.

Giles +

Willow

Because it clearly could get

   serious before it's passed.

Cass.

  It's not a theory...

  You can't imagine.

The Horsemen when

   they were together.

Riding down on you

   hell-bent for leather.

Apocalypse.

Well, I've been there.

  The blood, the tears

  The hate, the fears.

Buffy

  I've got a theory

  It doesn't matter.

What can't we face

   if we're together?

What's in this place

  that we can't weather?

Apocalypse:

    We've all been there.

The same old trips.

   Why should we care?

 

They took the world

  we knew and killed it.

They slaughtered, raped,

  and burned right through it.

All except

 Giles 

What can't we do

   if we get in it?

We'll work it through

   within a minute.

 

When those four came,

  Our blood was spilled.

My people slain            

  My father killed.

Giles joins

We have to try.

  We'll pay the price.

It's do or die.

Buffy

  Hey, I've died twice!

 

Though they all called

   each other brothers

That's what the Horsemen

   did to others.

 

So there's nothing I want more

   Than the head of Kronos.

All

What can't we face

  if we're together?.

What's in this place

  that we can't weather?

There's nothing we can't face

 

 

Anya

Except for bunnies.

 

 

That evening, Kronos greets Methos by stabbing him in the chest then drags him to an abandoned power station. Methos revives.

The Dagger

The Mustard

Methos

You took the dagger out!

 

Kronos

I took the dagger out!

Man

They got the mustard out!

 

Townsfolk

They got the mustard out.

 
 
 
Kronos tries to convince Methos to join him as a Horseman once again.

(Note: this combines the scene after the dagger is removed and the scene with the blood oath, which takes place the next day, after Cassandra confronts Methos in the dojo.)

 

You're Under the Spell

I'm Under Your Spell

Kronos

We lived our life as Horsemen,

   always the sword in our hand.

There was no force on earth that

   Could withstand our fearsome band.

         Our power shone.

         Brighter than any they'd known

Tara

 I lived my life in shadow,

  never the sun on my face.

It didn't seem so sad though,

  I figured that was my place.

     Now I'm bathed in light.

     Something just isn't right.

The Horsemen came from hell.

    Riding from the sun,

   watching mortals run

It's freedom, we can tell.

   That's how it's meant to be,

   killing comes so easily.

I'm under your spell.  

  How else could it be,

  anyone would notice me?

It's magic, I can tell.

  How you set me free,

  brought me out so easily.

We lived our lives as brothers,

   horses and slaves all around.

We always had each other,

  we didn't need holy ground.

         And our power shone.  

         Brighter than any they'd known.

I saw a whole world enchanted,

  spirits and charms in the air,

and I always took for granted,

   I was the only one there.

      But your power shone,   

      brighter than any I've known.

 The Horsemen ruled the world

   Nothing they could do.

   We just swept on through.

We slaughtered, raped and burned.

   Remember how they died.

   Your brothers by your side

The Horsemen ruled the world!

 I'm under your spell.

       Nothing I can do,

       you just took my soul with you.

You worked your charm so well,

        Finally I knew,

        everything I dreamed was true.

You made me believe.

The blood on the ride.

You can feel it inside.

     You're under the spell.

Surging like the sea,

drawn to death so helplessly.

  I know you oh so well.

Lost in ecstasy

Death becomes both you and me.

The moon to the tide,

I can feel you inside.

   I'm under your spell.

Surging like the sea,

drawn to you so helplessly.

   I break with every swell,

Lost in ecstasy,

spread beneath my willow tree.

I make you complete.

You make me complete.

Death makes us complete

(repeat and fade)

You make me complete.

You make me complete.

You make me complete.

You make me complete.

 

 

Methos leaves Kronos, goes to Duncan's dojo, and starts to say, "Look, something's come up...". He is  taken aback when Duncan immediately asks him about Kronos. Then Cassandra appears and recognizes Methos.

 

How Can I Tell?

 

I'll Never Tell

Cass.

This is a man

that I can happily strangle,

   He's total slime.

His claim to fame

was to maim and to mangle,

  Now vengeance is mine!

When I just felt the buzz,

   I never dreamt

it was because

Another Horseman was

    Still alive.

 

Anya

This is the man

 that I plan to entangle,

    isn't he fine?

My claim to fame

   was to maim and to mangle,

    vengeance was mine!

But I'm out of the biz,

 the name I made

I'll trade for his.

The only trouble is ...

   I'll never tell

Methos

Who is this dame, what's her name, what's her game?

   And why is she mad?

Was I once late on a date?

Why the hate?

  This is bad, really bad!

   She's just pulled her blade,

  I'd better run; I'd better fade

  Away, 'cause that's the way I've stayed

    Still alive

Xander

She is the one, she's such wonderful fun,

    such passion and grace.

Warm in the night,

when I'm right  in her tight ... embrace... Tight embrace!

   I'll never let her go.

   The love we've known

  can only grow.

  There's just one thing that...no.

    I'll never tell.

  And I want to survive. Both Cuz there's nothing to tell.

Duncan

What are you doing?

Anya

He snores.

 

 

Xander

                    She wheezes.

Cass.

Stay back or you'll be ruing

The day you started screwing

     With a witch.

(then to Methos) You're dead.

Anya

Say housework and he freezes.

Xander

She eats these skeezy cheeses

       that I can't describe.

Methos

I've never met you.

Anya

I talk, he breezes.

Cass.

Do you think I could forget you?

And don’t think I'm going to let you

     Keep your lying head.

 

Xander

She doesn't know what please is.

Anya

His penis got diseases

     from a Chumash Tribe!

Methos

MacLeod, you've got to hold her.

Cause I'd like to become older

And she's getting rather bolder

And if all you do is scold her

   Then I won't live too long!

   I'm telling you that she is wrong.

 

both

The vibe gets kind of scary.

Xander

Like she thinks I'm ordinary.

Anya

Like it's all just temporary.

Xander

Like her toes are kinda hairy.

Both

  But it's all very well

  Cuz God knows I'll never tell!

Cass.

(to Duncan) I'm right; he's lying.

(to Methos) Start fighting or start dying.

Why aren't you even trying.

     I want to know.

Anya

When things get rough, he

just hides behind his Buffy.

Now look, he's gettin' huffy

   Cuz he knows that I know.

Methos

MacLeod, don't delay.

She's treating me like her prey

Xander

  She clings, she's needy,

  she's also really greedy.

Cass.

    I'll take--

 

      She never...

Duncan

(grabs Cass.)  Methos, get away!

Anya

                  His eyes are beady!

Cass.

 Let go of me! Let go! 

        You--

Xander

This is my verse, hello?

          She...

Methos

(spoken) Don't look at me! I'm running like crazy!    (exit Methos)

Anya

Look at me! I'm dancing crazy!

 

Cass.

Let go!   

Xander

You know

Duncan

You have to calm down

 

You're quite the charmer

Cass.

(descant)     Ok, I'll calm down.

Anya

(descant) My knight in armor

 (going to the hall to look for Methos)  

 He's the smartest of the brothers

 I'm not talking Marx or Smothers

 If he's alive there might be others...

     They have to die!

Xander

You're the cutest of the Scoobies,

with your lips as red as rubies,

And your firm yet supple ...

    tight embrace!

(returning to Duncan in the dojo)

He's gone. You shouldn't

Anya He's swell.
Have stopped me. Xander                 She's sweller.
Duncan                             But he couldn't Anya He'll always be my feller

 

I'm sure that he just wouldn't.

     He's a normal guy.

Xander 

That's why I'll never tell her

   That I'm petrified.

Cass.

I've lived this tale.

There's trust and then betrayal.

I know there'll come the day he'll

      hang you out to dry.

Anya

I've read this tale.

There's wedding then betrayal.

I know there'll come the day I'll

       want to run and hide.

Duncan

He won't; he's not a Horseman.

both

I lied, I said it's easy.

I've tried,   

    but there're these fears I can't quell.

Both

You don't ...

     know him the way that I do.

Duncan

I'm telling you, he is my friend.

Xander

Is she looking for a pot-of-gold?

Cass.

I'm telling you, it's all pretend.

Anya

Will I look good when I've gotten old?

 

He's a killer, he's a raider.

Even worse than bad Darth Vader

Xander

Will our lives become too stressful

  if I'm never that successful?

Duncan

He likes reading, he likes writing.

And he's not that keen on fighting.

 

Anya

When I get so worn and wrinkly

that I look like David Brinkley?

Cass.

He's a Horseman.

Xander

Am I crazy?

Duncan

                          You're mistaken.

Anya

                       Am I dreamin'?

Cass.

I'm afraid that you've been taken.

He and Kronos have a stake in

  Making this world a hell.

  I'm off to cast their death spell.

          Exit Cassandra

both

Am I marrying a demon?

We could really raise the beam in

    making a marriage a Hell.

    So thank God I'll never tell.

    I swear that I'll never tell.

Duncan

  I wish I knew how to tell.

 

 

She's got to be wrong.

What if she's right?

Nothing is proved.

This can't be real.

   How can I tell?

Xander

My lips are sealed.

 

Anya

I take the fifth!

 

Xander

Nothin' to see!

Move it along!

 

Both

   I'll never tell!

 

Duncan goes to ask Joe for advice about Methos.

 

Was it true?

Parking Ticket

sung by Marti

Duncan

I've been having a bad, bad day

I said, "Cassandra, put your sword away."

   But all she said was, "No!

"He's a Horseman, can't you see."

Then Methos said, "It wasn't me."

I've been having a bad, bad day

Come on, won't you put that pad away

    I'm asking you, please no!

It isn't right, it isn't fair.

There was no parking anywhere

Joe

She's as crazy as can be.

I think that hydrant wasn't there.

Duncan

 

    So I helped Methos go!

Was I right or was it true?

   Why can't you let it go?

I think you've paid more than my share

Joe  

I'm afraid I can't help you.

I'm just a poor girl, don't you care

Duncan

Then I know what I must do.

Hey I'm not wearing underwear

Duncan goes to Methos to ask if Cassandra is telling the truth and finds Methos packing his car to leave.

 What You Want to Hear

 Rest in Peace

METHOS

It was

   So many years ago.

Everything was different then.

   More than you can know.

And now you come here asking me

   If what she said is so?

SPIKE

I died,

  so many years ago.

But you can make me feel

  like it isn't so.

And why you come to be with me,

  I think I finally know.

(spoken) Yes.

It's true.

  Is that what you want to hear?

Cassandra, she was nothing.

  Though I did enjoy her fear.

Her people, they were nothing.

  It's been three thousand years!

Mmmmmm.

You're scared,

  ashamed of what you feel.

And you can't tell the ones you love,

  you know they couldn't deal.

A whisper in a dead man's ear,

  that doesn't make it real.

I killed.

  And it wasn't just for need.

It wasn't just for vengeance

  It wasn't just for greed.

I killed because I liked it.

  Killing was my creed!

 

Is that what you want to hear?

That's great,

  but I don't wanna play.

Cuz bein' with you touches me,

  more than I can say.

And since I'm only dead to you,

  I'm sayin' stay away.

 

And let me rest in peace.

 What you want to hear!

 What you need to know!

You come to me and ask me questions

 Why can't you let it go?

I have been a hundred men

 In these last five thousand years.

 Is that what you want to hear?

Let me rest in peace!

Let me get some sleep!

Let me take my love and bury it

 in a hole six foot deep!

I can lay my body down

but I can't find my sweet release!

So let me rest in peace!

You know,

  I didn't kill just ten.

I didn't kill a hundred

  I didn't kill just men.

I killed women, children too

  I killed ten thousand!

 

Is that what you want to hear?

You know,

   you got a willing slave.

And you just love to play the thought

   that you might misbehave.

But 'til you do, I'm telling you

   Stop visiting my grave!

 

And let me rest in peace!

Do you know

Who I was...

 

When a mother warned her daughter or son

Of a monster who they couldn't outrun

On a horse of white riding from the sun

That monster was me; I was a Horseman

For I was Death, That's what I've done.

 

The answer's yes

I know

I should go.

 

But I follow you like a man possessed.

There's a traitor here beneath my breast,

And it hurts me more than you've ever guessed.

If my heart could beat it would break my chest.

But I can see you're unimpressed.

 

So leave me be,

 That's what you want to hear.

    What you need to know.

You come to me and ask me questions

    Why can't you let it go?

I have been a hundred men

 In these last five thousand years

That's what you have to hear. 

 

  Why don't you ever hear?

And let me rest in peace!

Let me get some sleep!

Let me take my love and bury it

 in a hole six foot deep!

I can lay my body down

but I can't find my sweet release!

Let me rest in peace!

 

Why won't you let me rest in peace!

 

Duncan tells Methos that they're through, and they part. Meanwhile, Cassandra tracks Kronos down to the power plant, tries to fight him, does badly, and starts to try to escape. Methos sneaks up on her, knocks her out and dumps her in the river. 

  Cassandra's Lament

Cass

Does anybody even notice?

Does anybody even care?

 

Meanwhile, Duncan arrives at the power plant and fights Kronos. Methos sets a fire and calls the firefighters, thus stopping the fight. Duncan goes back to his apartment and finds Cassandra there. He tells her he will help her against the Horsemen.

 

That night by the river, Kronos tries to decide if he can trust Methos or not.

 

What you Feel

 

 What you Feel

Kronos:

 

  Why'd you stop the fight

     Don't you like my style?

  Not the greatest site,

     But I've got strength and guile

We could shake the world's foundation

But you're here strictly by my invitation

      We've got the whole night.

We're going to chat a while.

 

  It's the hottest thrill

     It's the scream and shout

  When you get to kill

     When you get to let it out.

Now we're together, you'll be my right arm

When you do the plotting, we do the best harm.

   We can have our fill.

      That's what it's all about.

 

     'Cause I know what you fe-el, bro.

     I know just what you fe-el, bro.

 

Demon

 Why'd you run away?

    Don't you like my style

  Why don't you come and play?

     I guarantee you a great, big smile!

I come from the imagination.
And I'm here strictly by your
invocation.
           So what do you
say?

Why don't we dance a while?

 

  I'm the hottest thing!

     I'm the twist and shout!
  When you gotta
sing,

     when you gotta let it out!

You call me and I come a'runnin'.
I turn the music on, I bring the
fun in.
    Now we're part
yin',

       that's what it's all about.

 

    'Cause I know what you fe - el girl.
    I know just what you feel, gi - rl.

Methos

 (spoken) So, you're like a therapist? 

Getting me in touch with my inner demon?

Dawn  

(Spoken) So, you're like a good demon?  

Bringin' the fun in?

 

Kronos

 You know these mortals

      They don't last too long.
 The world is made for

     Taking by the strong!

All these town lie open and trusting
Soon they'll be blazing and die combusting.

  That's the plan we had

     You and I. Or was I wrong?

 

'Cause I had MacLeod

I had him cowed

      And then you blew that scene,
We all have to go

When the fire trucks show

       And you threw down a smoke screen!

      

Tell me what you mean, bro.

Demon

  All these melodies,

     they go on too long.
  Then that energy starts to

     come on way too strong

All those hearts lay open, that must sting,
Plus some customers just die combusting.

   That's the penalty

     when life is full of song!

 

You brought me down

and doomed this town
      So when we blow this scene,
Back we will go

to my kingdom below,
       And you will be my queen!

      

'Cause I know what you fe - el girl.
 

Methos

Once begun

Either one

Could have won.

  There'll be others.

Dawn

No, you see,

you and me

wouldn't be  

   very regal!

 

Kronos

Is it him or me, bro?

Demon

I'll make it re - al, girl!

 

Methos

Now and then

we have been

the Horsemen;

  We are brothers.

Dawn

What I mean,

I'm fifteen,

so this queen

   thing's illegal!

Kronos

Maybe I should

  kill you to be sure.

I'll act in haste

  and repent at leisure.

Demon

I can bring whole

  cities to ruin,
And still have time

   to get a soft-shoe in.

Methos

Though you could,

Brotherhood

Means we should

  not be fighting.

Dawn

Y'know that's great,

but I'm late

and I'd hate

   to delay her.

 

Kronos

You're a liar;

   you're always plotting.

I'll take your head

   and then leave it rotting.

Demon

Somethin's cookin',

  I'm at the griddle,
I bought Nero

  his very first fiddle!

 

Methos

Four survive.

They're alive.

We could contrive

  to go riding.

 

Dawn

She'll get pissed

if I'm missed,

see my sis-

    ter's the Slayer!

Kronos (spoken) Silas and Caspian? Demon Spoken. The Slayer?
Methos (spoken) I can take you to them. Dawn  Spoken. Yah-huh!

Kronos

(spoken) Then you live.

The Four Horsemen together again!
  I want to see the world burn!
 

(sung)  

Now we ride again!
That's what it's all about!
 

Demon

 Spoken, to henchmen.

Find her!  Tell her...tell her everything!
Just get her here!
I wanna see the Slayer burn!
 

(Sung)

 Now we're partyin'!
 That's what it's all about!

 

 

 

Revelations 6:8

Methos and Kronos gather Silas and Caspian (the other two Horsemen) and go to Kronos's submarine base in France. Methos tries to convince Silas to stop being a Horseman, but Silas says he enjoys killing enemies and is looking forward to raiding again. Methos watches Silas play with the monkeys that Kronos is using to develop a deadly virus.

Riding

Standing

Methos

You're not ready for the world outside

You keep the old ways, you haven't tried

I know I said that I'd be riding by your side

     But I...

 

This path's been beaten, and it's bloody still

And you could leave it, but you never will.

You all keep hunting for the perfect kill

    While I....

 

I wish I could say the right words

    To lead you from this land

Wish I could be your brother

    and take you by the hand

Wish I could stay

    But now I understand

You'll never turn away.

 

With death beside you, you still want more

You love to wallow in the blood and gore

And you just kill then leave them lying on the floor

    While I...

 

I wish we could lay the swords down

   And let them rest at last.

Wish you would slay your demons

   And leave behind the past.

Wish we could stay

    The brothers holding fast

But I'll have to go away.

 

I have to go away.

Giles

You're not ready for the world outside

You keep pretending, but you just can't hide

I know I said that I'd be standing by your side

     But I...

 

Your path's unbeaten, and it's all uphill

And you can meet it, but you never will.

And I'm the reason that you're standing still

    But I...

 

I wish I could say the right words

  to lead you through this land.

Wish I could play the father

  And take you by the hand.

Wish I could stay

  but now I understand.

I'm standing in the way.

 

The cries around you, you don't hear at all,

'Cause you know I'm here to take that call.

So you just lie there when you should be standing tall

  But I...

 

I wish I could lay your arms down

  And let you rest at last

Wish I could slay your demons

  But now that time has passed.

Wish I could stay

Your stalwart standing fast

But I'm standing in the way.

 

I'm just standing in the way.

 

 

Duncan and Cassandra track the Horsemen to France. Methos asks Duncan to meet him, and while they are talking the other three Horsemen capture Cassandra then take her to their base and lock her in a cage. Caspian and Silas go to fight Duncan.  Methos, believing the Duncan has lost that fight and is dead, tries to convince Cassandra to be nice to Kronos so they can survive.

 

Wish I Could Go

Wish I Could Stay

Methos

  

 

 

You're under a spell

    Years of slavery

    Playing with your memory.

 

I know you've been through hell.

    Cassandra, don't you see

    There'll be nothing left if we

Don't make him believe

Tara

I'm under your spell.

  God, how can this be

  Playing with my memory.

 

You know I've been through hell.

  Willow, don't you see

  There'll be nothing left of me.

You made me believe

Cass 

I didn't then; I won't today.

I'd rather die than live that way

Giles

Believe me I don't wanna go
Giles + Tara And it'll grieve me cause I love you so
Methos  Then you'll die today.

But we both know.

These parts are sung together

These parts are sung together

Cass:

Wish I could kill

   You both now,

    rip your heads

off with my hands

Wish I could fill

    my goblet,

    pour your blood

onto the sands.

Methos:

Wish you could trust

  That it was

   just that once,

but I must do what I must.

   You can't adjust.

   All turns to dust. 

It's done and I just...

Tara

Wish I could trust

   That it was

   just this once

But I must do what I must.

  I can't adjust

  to this disgust.

We're done and I just...

Giles

Wish I could say

   the right words

   to lead you

Through this land.

Wish I could play

   the father

   And take you

by the hand.

Cass/Methos together

Wish I could go

Wish I could go

Wish I could go

Wish I could

Go.

Giles/Tara together

Wish I could stay

Wish I could stay

Wish I could stay

Wish I could

Stay.

 

 

 

Duncan, having managed to kill Caspian and elude Silas, is on his way to the submarine base to rescue Cassandra and fight Kronos and Silas ... and Methos, too, if necessary, because Duncan is not sure whose side Methos is on.

 

 

Walk Through the Fire

 

Walk Through the Fire

Kronos

(to his brothers)

We start the fire and it pleases me.

We look into the flames of gold

   This is what's real!

   Their skin will crack and peel

Bring back the ways of old.

 

Buffy

I touch the fire and it freezes me

I look into it and it's black

  Why can't I feel?

  My skin should crack and peel

I want the fire back

Duncan

(on his way to the base)

Now through the smoke they call to me

To make my way across the flame

  To save the day

  or maybe die today

It's how we play the Game.

 

And I will walk through the fire

For where else can I turn?

I will walk through the fire

And let it--

 

Now through the smoke she calls to me

To make my way across the flame

  To save the day

  or maybe melt away

I guess it's all the same.

 

So, I will walk through the fire

'Cause where else can I turn?

I will walk through the fire

And let it--

 

METHOS (to himself)

 

This past I bear is haunting me.

My brother's laughing, I've no doubt

   All of the lives...

   I'm hoping to survive

I have to get us out.

Spike

The torch I bear is scorching me

And Buffy's laughing I've no doubt

  I hope she fries

  I'm free if that bitch dies!

I better help her out...

 

Kronos 'Cause we are drawn to the fire Demon Cause she is drawn to the fire
 

Methos 

Some people

never learn

Cassandra

They will

never learn

 

Demon

 Some people

never learn

SPIKE:

She will

 never learn

Methos and Cass

And they will walk through the fire

And let it--

 Spike + Demon

 And she will walk through the fire

And let it--

Duncan (still on the way)

Should I kill him or persuade him?

Can I do enough to sway him?

  Is this Horseman too far gone to care?

Giles

Will this do a thing to change her?

Am I leaving Dawn in danger?

  Is my slayer too far gone to care?

At the Horsemen Base    
Silas Caspian could not defeat him. Xander What if Buffy can't defeat it?
Kronos He'll be coming. Soon we'll meet him Anya

Beady Eyes is right; We're needed!

Methos   Or we could just leave this gloomy lair.  

  Or we could just sit around and glare

 

Silas, Kronos

We'll see it through

It's what we're always here to do

Anya, Giles, Tara, Willow, and Xander

We'll see it through

It's what we're always here to do

3 brothers So, we will walk through the fire. So, we will walk through the fire...

Methos (to himself)

So one by one, I turn from them

My brothers cannot face the cold

Buffy

So one by one, they turn from me

I guess my friends can't face the cold

Kronos

What can't we face, if we're together?

Tara

What can't we face, If we're together?

Methos  

   But why I go,

    the others do not know

And never can be told.

Buffy

  But why I froze,

  not one among them knows

And never can be told

  These part are are sung overlapping.    
Kronos

Brothers now, we'll always be

The burning fires are our guide

  To play the Game

  and we all love the flame

Death's what we have inside

Demon

So one by one, they come to me

The distant redness as their guide

   But what they'll find

   Ain't what they had in mind

It's what they have inside

 

Cass We come from the grave much graver Anya She came from the grave much graver
Methos First he'll kill her, then I'll save her Spike First, he'll kill her, then I'll save her
Cass   Everything is turning out so dark Tara   Everything is turning out so dark

Duncan

Living like a hero

Acting out the part

Buffy

 

Going through the motions

Walking through the part

Methos No, I'll save her, then I'll kill her Spike No, I'll save her, then I'll kill her
Kronos The fight is going to be a thriller Willow I think this line is mostly filler
Duncan

  What's it going to take to strike a spark?

Giles   What's it going to take to strike a spark?

Cass

I'll persevere

after all these countless years.

Buffy

These endless days

are finally ending in a blaze

Kronos

  He will come to me...

Demon

   She will come to me

 

Kronos, Silas, Methos, Cass, and Duncan

And we are caught in the fire

The point of no return

So we will walk through the fire

And let it

Burn

Let it burn

Let it burn

Let it burn!

Buffy, Anya, Giles, Spike, Tara, Willow,

and

Xander

And we are caught in the fire

The point of no return

So we will walk through the fire

And let it

Burn

Let it burn

Let it burn

Let it burn!

 

 

 

Silas is sharpening his ax and guarding Cassandra, with orders to kill her if Duncan shows up. Duncan finds Kronos and Methos in the submarine base and says to Methos, "You set me up."   Methos shrugs.

 

Kronos offers Duncan a trade: his life for Cassandra's. Duncan answers: "I think she'd rather be dead." Kronos tells Methos to go tell Silas to finish her. When Duncan says, "Methos, don't do this!" Methos replies: "Like you said, MacLeod; I go with the winner."  He goes to Silas, and Duncan and Kronos begin fighting with swords.

 

At Cassandra's cage, Silas opens it  to take her head, but Methos stops him and draws his blade on Silas, who is at first confused, then angry. They begin fighting.

 

 

Life's a Bitch

 

Life's a Show

Methos

fighting Silas

   In the Game

We have to play our parts

So when the fighting starts

We have to close our hearts

 

Buffy

   Life's a show

And we all play our parts

And when the music starts

We open up our hearts

Kronos

fighting Duncan

   It's all right

If some things turn out wrong

The Horsemen still are strong.

And we'll be riding long.

 

 

   It's all right

If some things come out wrong

We'll sing a happy song

And you can sing along

 

Methos

fighting Silas

Where's there's life--there's hope,

Every day's-- a gift

Wishes can--come true

Learn while---you work

So hard

all day

To live another year...

But what's life worth in constant fear?

 

Don't give me swords

 

Where's there's life, there's hope

Every day's a gift

Wishes can come true

Whistle while you work

So hard

all day

To be like other girls

To fit into this glittering world

 

Don't give me songs

Don't give me songs

Give me something to sing about

I need something to sing about

 

Kronos

fighting Duncan

Give me my sword.

Give me something to fight about

I need something to fight about

 

Cassandra

watching the fighting

Life's a bitch.

   You don't get to rewind,

    And this may be the time

   That vengeance can be mine.

That's why I

   Don't stop to wonder why 

   Or question why he tries.

   All Horsemen have to die.

 

Buffy

Life's a song

  You don't get to rehearse

  And every single verse

  Can make it that much worse

Still, my friends

  don't know why I ignore

  The million things or more

  I should be dancing for

Kronos

Every cut a thrill

Every slice a kill

 

All the joy, life sends

Family and friends

Duncan

All the blood we spill

All the death and still

On we fight. We will

   Never let it go

 

All the twists and bends

Knowing that it ends

Well, that  depends

  On if they let you go

Methos

fighting Silas

   Why don't they know

   enough to know

That when you leave

You don't believe...

 

  On if they know

  enough to know

That when you've bowed

You leave the crowd

 

Long pause as Kronos and Duncan see that Methos is fighting Silas.

 

Long pause as Buffy turns to her friends.
Methos

to Kronos

It's not the Game

  Life isn't bliss

  but it's more than this

constant fighting.

 

There was no pain

   No fear, no doubt

  Till they pulled me out

Of Heaven.

So that's my refrain

  I live in Hell

  'Cause I've been expelled

From Heaven

I think I was in Heaven

Kronos

I'm still the same

  The bond that I feel

  it's strong and it's real.

We're fighting

Now we'll have to be fighting

fighting Duncan again

And, I found someone

    to fight again

I found someone to fight again

 

So, give me something

   to sing about

Please give me something...

Music spirals out of control as the fighting intensifies, then Methos beheads Silas and Duncan beheads Kronos. The quickening takes them both, excruciating lightning bolts, and finally leaves Methos on his hands and knees, weeping over Silas's dead body.  Cassandra watches from a distance.

 

Music spirals out of control as Buffy's dancing intensifies, until Spike stops her.
Duncan

Life's not the Game

  Life isn't bliss

  Life is just this

It's living.

You'll get along

  The pain that you feel

  You only can heal

By living

You have to go on living

  And all of us are living

Spike

Life's not a song

  Life isn't bliss

  Life is just this

It's living

You'll get along

  The pain that you feel

  You only can heal

By living

You have to go on living

   So one of us is living

 

 

 

Methos is still on his hands and knees, sobbing. Cassandra appears, picks up Silas's axe, and holds it over Methos's exposed neck.

 

  Forgive   What you Feel (reprise)
Cassandra

Now I should forgive?  

  Is that what you want to hear?

Demon

What a lot of fun

   You guys have been real swell

Duncan

I want him to live

  There's no one left to fear 

 

And there's not a one

   Who can say this ended well

Cassandra

All the secrets

  He's been concealing  

All the death and all  

  The double dealing...

 

All these secrets

   you've  been concealing

Say you're happy now--

   Once more with feeling

Duncan  I want him to live  

Well, I gotta run

Cassandra

(thinks about it, tosses axe aside, glares at Duncan and leaves)

 

 

Duncan He owes Joe for beer.    see you all in hell

 

Afterwards, Methos and Duncan meet in a church yard and talk.

  Where do we go from here?   Where do we go from here?

Duncan

Why did this end up here?

Dawn

Where do we go from here?

You must have known he was near

Buffy + Spike

Where do we go from here?

Methos

    I knew he'd come

    But what we'd begun...

Giles

   The battle's done

   And we kind of won

 

I couldn't judge my peer.

Giles +

 Tara

So we sound our victory cheer.

Where do we go from here?

Both

How did we end up here?

 

Methos

Why is my path unclear?

after five thousand years.

Anya +

Xander

Why is the path unclear?

When we know home is near?

Both

   Understand

   We go sword in hand

So we walk alone in fear

Group

   Understand

   We'll go hand in hand

Though we walk alone in fear

Duncan         Tell me

Giles

         Tell me

Methos What else do you need to hear?

Group

Where do we go from here?

 

Duncan

Cassandra: was she dear?

When does "The End" appear?

When do the trumpets cheer?

  The curtains close

  on a kiss, God knows

We can tell the end is near.

Methos

One of a thousand tears. (he leaves)

Duncan

watching Methos go

    The Game will close

    on a kill, God knows

I can tell the end is near.

Where do we go from here?

Where do we go from here?

Where do we go from here?

Where do we go from here?

Where do we go from here?

Where do we go from here?

 

Duncan, Methos, and Cassandra each have gone their separate ways.

  Coda   Coda
Cass and Methos

I touch the fire

and it freezes me

I look into it and it's black
Buffy

I touch the fire

and it freezes me

I look into it and it's black

 Duncan

This isn't real

I just

want to feel...

Cass

I died so

many years ago

But he can

make me feel...

Methos

I killed so

many years ago

But he can

make me feel...

Buffy

This isn't real

 But I just

want to feel

Spike

I died so

many years ago

But you can

make me feel

All 3: Where do we go from here?

All:  Where do we go from here?


 

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