Episode 22: Season One Finale: Time's Up
EPISODE 22
"TIME'S UP"
SEASON FINALE
FADE IN
COLD OPEN
FLASHBACK
INT. APARTMENT
CHARLES awakens as stretches and looks over to see a FEMALE asleep, CHARLES smirking as he reaches over and kisses her on the head, the FEMALE stirring as he slaps her on the bed as he gets up, the FEMALE making a groggy sound as CHARLES yawns.
CHARLES
Get up, we slept in, again.
INT. APARTMENT-KITCHEN
CHARLES is cooking as he pulls out a BLOOD PACKET and pours it into a coffee mug, CHARLES putting it beside a DATAPAD as he continues cooking as LYDIA comes in and ties her robe up, CHARLES smiling at her as she sits down and takes the mug, sipping at it as she turns the DATAPAD on.
LYDIA
Couldn't let me sleep for like, ten more minutes could ya?
CHARLES
When I'm hungry, you're hungry.
LYDIA
Oh so when did we start sharing the same stomach?
CHARLES
Pretty much since we got married, I think. I mean, that's just my guess.
LYDIA
shut up, come here.
The TWO kiss
LYDIA
Good morning.
CHARLES
Morning, hun.
LYDIA
What's on the docket?
CHARLES
I don't know, haven't gotten a word from COLBY yet.
LYDIA
Did he go home with that lycan last night?
CHARLES
I was pretty gone by that point, so it wouldn't surprise me though.
LYDIA
All your friends are whores. How'd you end up so square?
CHARLES
I laid my eyes on a sexy vampire who used to suck people dry, but in the bad way, not the naughty way.
LYDIA
You're such an idiot.
CHARLES
I know.
LYDIA wipes her lips as takes another drink as CHARLES smirks at her and goes back to cooking as LYDIA pushes the DATAPAD away and finishes her mug, LYDIA washing it in the sink before she comes over and rubs on CHARLES'S shoulders, kissing the back of them before she heads off.
CHARLES
Where are you off too?
LYDIA
Shower, you can join me if you are not too busy with your eggs and what not.
CHARLES
Hmm...morning sex in the shower or breakfast...that's really tough for me.
LYDIA
No...
LYDIA rounds the corner as she throws her ROBE back, CHARLES watching it land on the floor.
LYDIA
It's really not.
CHARLES sighs as he smirks and turns the stove off, moving the pan over as he takes his shirt and darts towards the BATHROOM.
EXT. MISFIT STRONGHOLD
CHARLES snaps from the vision as he looks over to AUSTIN who was calling upon him.
AUSTIN
You alright?
CHARLES
Yeah. What's up?
AUSTIN
We may have a problem.
CHARLES takes a closer look as they notice the back ENTRANCE into the MISFIT STRONGHOLD was heavily guarded.
AUSTIN
Looks like they knew someone was coming.
CHARLES
Shit.
EMMA
What do you want us to do?
CHARLES looks at the situation as he assesses in his head, but doesn't come up with anything right away as the others look amongst each other, UN sure.
FADE OUT
OPENING CREDITS
FADE IN
INT. MISFIT STRONGHOLD-FACTORY
SHANE stands in the corner, listening to the ERADICATOR hum and fire off it's dispersal cooling systems as DREW was shouting orders for his men to cover all the entrances and exits into the STRONGHOLD as well defensive fronts in key areas as JARED had changed out of his tux and was in combat gear as well, SHANE no longer where his tux as he was back in his regular clothes.
JARED
If your friends die tonight, will this be how you want them to go? Bloody and beaten, with violent ends. What makes this way better for them than a blinding light and an overwhelming sense of peace!?
SHANE
It's still a fight.
JARED
Fool. You goddamn fool.
SHANE
This all around, this doesn't have to be how we go out. We don't have to fight...
ASTAROTH
But I think we do.
ASTAROTH comes up, LYDIA and CASSIE behind him as DREW looks to him as ASTAROTH lays a comforting hand on his shoulder.
ASTAROTH
Excellent work.
DREW
Thank you, sir.
ASTAROTH
I see that we may end up having guests. SHANE, talk to them. Let them see reason.
SHANE
And If I don't?
ASTAROTH
We destroy them. All of them.
SHANE
I'll take my chances on them.
ASTAROTH
I see. CASSIE, LYDIA, DREW. Take your posts.
CASSIE and DREW head off as LYDIA hesitates, ASTAROTH turning to her as she nods at him and then heads off, SHANE watching her closely as ASTAROTH turns to JARED.
ASTAROTH
I will see to this being handled myself.
JARED
Sir...
ASTAROTH
I have already activated the countdown on the ERADICATOR BEAM. Once it is primed and down to zero, it will need the CATALYST'S SOUL to begin the dispersal. If he refuses to see reason to his purpose...then do what must be done, my son.
JARED
I will.
ASTAROTH hugs JARED as JARED hugs him back, ASTAROTH coming over to SHANE as SHANE looks at him with disdain.
ASTAROTH
Regardless of how you feel about me, about this. It was a pleasure to meet you, SHANE.
ASTAROTH extends a hand, SHANE looking at it before shakes it with a smirk.
SHANE
When CHARLES kills you, and he will. I'll be sure to tell him how much of a whacked out dude you were.
ASTAROTH
Keep swinging, SHANE. Your end is coming very soon...
SHANE listens as the ERADICATOR BEAM begins to churn and crank up, ASTAROTH walking away with a smirk as SHANE turns to see the ERADICATOR beginning to countdown.
EXT. MISFIT STRONGHOLD
CHARLES hears the sounds of the ERADICATOR coming on as the ground around them seemed to shake as the tremor was sudden but powerful.
NIKKI
What the hell was that?
CHRISTIAN
I believe whatever they plan on using to destroy the FRINGE has been activated, we do not have much time...
AUSTIN
Goddamnit.
CHARLES
We can't just charge in, they'll slaughter us.
CHRISTIAN
I can lead a diversionary unit. I need at least TWO of you to come with and we can draw them and...
From their LEFT they can hear GUNFIRE and SCREAMING, the GROUP standing as they watch one of the ENTRANCES they were scoping suddenly begin to move out towards the NOISE. CHARLES looking about at the confusion.
CHARLES
AUSTIN, EMMA with CHRISTIAN, flank that unit and make sure they can't double back on us, NIKKI, TONY and myself will take this entrance in and find SHANE. Once inside you find the device or whatever the hell the damn thing is and you shut it down.
CHRISTIAN hurries off as AUSTIN and EMMA follow, NIKKI and ANTHONY pulling their weapons to ready level as CHARLES does with his as well, storming towards the ENTRANCE as CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN reach behind a few of the GUARDSMEN and unload into their back of their skulls, blowing their eyes out from behind killing them instantly as EMMA slides under one and twists onto her back shooting into his face a few times as EMMA quickly takes cover as they look to see that the GUARDS were focusing on someone else entirely.
CHRISTIAN
Who the hell are they focusing on?
AUSTIN
Beats me, but least they're helping us out.
INT. MISFITS STRONGHOLD-FACTORY
JARED listens to the GUNFIRE as SHANE was listening to it tensely as well. JARED pushing his earpiece in as he listens to the CHAOS.
JARED
CASSIE, DREW!? What's going on?
DREW
(O.S.)
We're being hit from the side, a goddamn monster is tearing through us.
JARED
Who?
DREW
We don't know...something just took out the north west entrance without taking any damage, he didn't come alone though...
JARED
BELPHEGOR...
DREW
(O.S.)
We should have killed that goddamn mongoloid the second we had the chance.
JARED
We did, you failed in doing so and took an axe in the chest for your failure. Do not let BELPHEGOR reach this area!
The LINE goes dead as JARED curses to himself as SHANE folds his arms.
SHANE
I knew I sorta liked that stupid fucker.
JARED
If he makes it here, he could easily kill you and me.
SHANE
Looking forward to it, I want to stab out the other part of his eyes.
JARED
You may get your chance.
SHANE
So you're going to kill me, throw me into the machine if I don't do it myself.
JARED
Yes.
SHANE
That sounds right to you.
JARED
It has to be done, SHANE. I am sorry, and I don't wish to do it that way but it...
SHANE
Wake up you goddamn fool, you're being used for some fruitless, bat shit crazy power play. So maybe there are the OUTSIDERS, maybe they are the big bad threat that you're all scared shit less for, but do you really honestly think that this is the way to do it?
JARED
What part of there is no other way, do you not seem to comprehend!?
SHANE
The part about not even trying! You skipped past even planning on defending and taking the fight to them that you just decided that taking yourselves out was the better option, well I'm telling you it's not, and you have to know that, some part of you has to know that, JARED!
SHANE grabs JARED but JARED knocks SHANE down, SHANE not bothering to go back after him as JARED shakes his head.
JARED
No...it's too late.
SHANE
It's not...I'm telling you brother...it's not.
JARED looks away from him, thinking as SHANE looks at the ERADICATOR and then at the sound of the fighting.
INT. MISFIT STRONGHOLD
CHARLES and NIKKI lead up front as ANTHONY covers their rear, ANTHONY quickly ducking to the side as a few MISFITS appear from their prone posts and begin firing at them, CHARLES and NIKKI trading fire as they drop a few of them with well placed shots as ANTHONY lays cover fire.
CHARLES spots someone walking across the CATWALK above him, CHARLES not sure what to do as NIKKI notices his face.
NIKKI
Was it her?
CHARLES
Yes...
NIKKI
Go...I'll cover ya.
CHARLES
NIKKI...
NIKKI
Go, I got this.
CHARLES nods at her and sprays towards the remaining MISFITS CHARLES taking off as NIKKI pot shots a few of them dead as ANTHONY comes up to where CHARLES had been.
ANTHONY
Where is he going?
NIKKI
Finishing some personal business.
ANTHONY
Is this the right time for that?!
NIKKI
As good a time as any.
NIKKI and ANTHONY raise up and open fire.
ELSEWHERE
CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN are hand to hand fighting a few MISFITS who had attacked them with BLADES instead of GUNS, the MAYHEM of DEAD MISFITS laying out behind and ahead of them as EMMA is covering them from the MISFITS with firearms, EMMA watching as CHRISTIAN snaps a VAMPIRE MISFIT'S HEAD OFF of his body as AUSTIN shoulder tackles one and grabbing the MISFIT'S arm pulls it into TWO EYE STABS from his BLADE, CHRISTIAN goading another DEMON MISFIT to attack him as CHRSITIAN blocks a few of his strike before pulling his DEMONIC BLADE from his hands and stabbing it into his chest, killing him instantly as AUSTIN scopes a DEMONIC BLADE up as well.
CHRISTIAN
Could come in handy?
EMMA
Little help here?!
CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN turn and unload towards the MISFITS firing at her, EMMA standing as she joins as they easily decimate the forces.
CHRISTIAN
Easy enough.
DREW
So sure of yourselves.
The THREE turn as they watch DREW arrive with a large squadron beginning to surround them, none of them holding guns as they were all bladed as CHRISTIAN looks for an opening and sees it, CHRISTIAN pushing EMMA towards it.
CHRISTIAN
Find CHARLES, we will take care of this.
EMMA
But...
AUSTIN
Go!
EMMA runs towards the DOOR but as she does a MISFIT goes to cut her off but EMMA spins kicks him across the face, knocking him to the side as she runs out, DREW nodding for a few of his men to follow but as they break for it, CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN unload, finishing their clips into a good portion of DREW'S MEN as they then listen to their guns power cells reach zero, CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN dropping their guns as DREW claps.
DREW
I wasn't expecting to find you TWO, seems our other guests moved on in before we could flank them. Pity.
AUSTIN
You're running out of men, and time, DREW. If you call them off, I may consider not killing you myself.
DREW
I don't remember ever doing anything to upset you.
AUSTIN
Aside from putting the moves and touching all over NIKKI...
DREW
Heard about that huh? Not my best moments I assure you.
CHRISTIAN
I always knew you were a weasel little fuck, DREW. But this. This is low even for you.
DREW
You wanna talk about low? Why not tell everyone here about what you do when you go see AZRAEL every week at that little bar of his hmm? Don't lecture me about the merits of how low one can get, when you yourself have secrets that would put most of us to shame I am sure.
CHRISTIAN looks away from DREW as AUSTIN looks at him for a moment before looking back at DREW.
DREW
But no matter. All I'm here to do is kill you, and if I can't do that, at least slow you down. For in due time, none of this will matter.
CHRISTIAN
We're going to kill all your men here, and then...we're going to kill you.
DREW
Well, I'd stop talking and start getting to work, you're kinda running out of time, chisel chin twins.
The MISFITS attack all at once as CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN scream and go in opposite directions to meet them.
ELSEWHERE-CATWALK
CHARLES reaches the CATWALK as he has his MACHINE GUN LEVELED but as he aims about a MISFIT steps forward and grabs at it, CHARLES letting it go as the MISFIT falls over backwards as CHARLES quick draws his pistol and plugs a round into his eyes, killing him as he aims about before he turns around as he heard the footsteps, CHARLES lowering his pistol as he spots LYDIA.
CHARLES
LYD...
LYDIA
Hello, CHARLES. Long time.
CHARLES sighs as he takes a deep breath nodding as he and LYDIA stare each other down.
ELSEWHERE-LOWER LEVEL
NIKKI and ANTHONY continue firing as ANTHONY drops down his clip ran out, ANTHONY pulling it out as he grabs a reload battery from one of his flak pockets and reloads, NIKKI shooting the last one as ANTHONY raises up to fire but NIKKI stops him.
NIKKI
We cleared it.
ANTHONY
Do we go after CHARLES?
NIKKI
No we need to keep pushing ahead, find that device or at the least keep thinning these numbers down...
NIKKI kicks ANTHONY backwards as ANTHONY tumbles onto his back as NIKKI falls back onto her back from the kick as a HARPOON had nearly struck ANTHONY in the head, the HARPOON slamming into a FAR WALL as NIKKI looks to see CASSIE strolling up, throwing the HARPOON gun across her shoulder as she frowned.
CASSIE
I'm never going to get to watch someone die by HARPOON.
NIKKI
ANTHONY, get out of here.
ANTHONY
Uh, that doesn't seem smart.
NIKKI
Staying here while I handle her is not the smartest move either.
ANTHONY
Good point...
ANTHONY gets up and comes to NIKKI, handing her something as NIKKI takes it and tucks it away.
ANTHONY
She's a GHOUL..
ANTHONY heads off as CASSIE pushes her ear com in.
CASSIE
We got a run...heading east towards the...
NIKKI draws her PISTOL and opens fire, hitting with nearly fourteen rounds in her chest before NIKKI aims upwards but CASSIE just smirks as she rushes NIKKI, NIKKI still hitting her but stops firing as she avoids CASSIE'S bull rush, CASSIE starting to show her GHOULISH FEATURES in her face as NIKKI rolls and turns, firing a few more times into her chest, watching as a small hole was beginning to form as CASSIE just shrugs it off, CASSIE grabbing the HARPOON that embedded into the wall, CASSIE pulling the HARPOON out with ease as she spins it and stabs it towards NIKKI, NIKKI blocking it away from her with her PISTOL but CASSIE kicks NIKKI in the ribs, NIKKI reeling as CASSIE rears the HARPOON back to go for another stab but NIKKI moves out of the way as CASSIE turns and stabs at NIKKI again but NIKKI jumps to the side and grabs the handle, CASSIE watching as NIKKI headbutts CASSIE in the face, CASSIE reeling as NIKKI pulls the HARPOON free from her grasp and stabs it through the small hole where CASSIE had been shoot frequently, CASSIE smirking as she headbutts NIKKI back, knocking her over from the force as NIKKI scoots back as a CASSIE pulls the HARPOON out from her chest, reeling as she screams out in pain but laughs as she tosses the HARPOON down.
CASSIE
Going to have to do better than that if you want to kill me, bitch.
NIKKI
Oh, I know.
NIKKI flips up and pulling the pin on the GRENADE that ANTHONY gave her she hits CASSIE in the face and pushes the GRENADE into the hole that was in her chest, NIKKI diving away from CASSIE as CASSIE goes to grab it out of her chest but can't as it EXPLODES, NIKKI covering her head as CASSIE'S BODY EXPLODES all over the place, raining meat and blood and debris about the area as NIKKI looks around as she sees her victory splattered all over the place.
NIKKI
Ha!
ELSEWHERE-CATWALK
CHARLES raises an eyebrow as he looks towards the EXPLOSION, LYDIA shaking her head.
CHARLES
One of yours I suspect?
LYDIA
CASSIE was a fool, but she didn't deserve to die that way.
CHARLES
What the hell happened to you?
LYDIA
Do you remember that morning...the morning I left...
CHARLES
I've never forgotten.
LYDIA
Did you keep the note?
CHARLES
No.
LYDIA
I figured you would have.
CHARLES
When I couldn't find you...when I thought that you were truly dead...I couldn't keep it around.
LYDIA
I wish you had. I think maybe it would have helped you in this moment.
CHARLES
Why would you say that?
LYDIA
It would make this...easier I think.
LYDIA draws her Gun and fires at CHARLES at point blank range, hitting CHARLES twice in the chest as CHARLES falls backwards reaching behind him as he lands, not attempting to fire back as LYDIA comes over to him, CHARLES looking up at her as she aims at one of his eyes.
LYDIA
Fight me.
CHARLES
NO.
LYDIA
I will kill you as you lay, CHARLES. Get up.
CHARLES
No, LYD. I'm not going to do this...
LYDIA
Then you leave me no choice...
CHARLES
No my love...
LYDIA notices the MACHETE in his free hand as LYDIA goes to fire but CHARLES fires a round into her chest, LYDIA rocking back as CHARLES gets to a knee and stabs his MACHETE forward, impaling it through her chest cavity, LYDIA looking surprised as she spits out blood, CHARLES watching as she drops to her knees, CHARLES grabbing her as she fell as he lays her down softly, LYDIA looking to see the MACHETE imbedded into her chest.
CHARLES
You left me no choice.
LYDIA
Why...
CHARLES
The LYDIA I knew...whom I loved...she is gone. Just as the CHARLES you knew...whom you left...is gone.
LYDIA gags and reels as she throws her head back, CHARLES gripping on to her hand as she looks at him as she reaches for his face.
LYDIA
I never...I...I never meant...
CHARLES
Who did this to you...who turned you into what you are...Tell me...you owe me that much...
LYDIA
AS...ASTAROTH...
CHARLES
He's still alive...?
LYDIA
He's...who you want...CHARLES...CHARLES...
CHARLES
Yes, LYD? I'm here.
LYDIA touches his face and smiles for a moment, CHARLES'S eyes tearing up as She grabs his hand and wraps it around the hilt of the MACHETE, LYDIA putting her hand around his as she forces him to push the MACHETE all the way through, piercing through her thick chest wall and through her, heart. LYDIA jerking forward, CHARLES grabbing her and holding her as the life left her eyes, LYDIA going limp in his arms as CHARLES holds her, calling her name as he cries out.
NIKKI comes up the CATWALK as she sees the sight for herself, NIKKI looking away as she turns right into ASTAROTH.
NIKKI goes for PISTOL but ASTAROTH back hands her hard, sending her flying over the CATWALK as CHARLES turns and watches as NIKKI falls over, landing hard on her side as her head bounces against the hard concrete floor, NIKKI laying passed out as CHARLES screams and sets LYDIA'S BODY DOWN, rushing ASTAROTH but as CHARLES reaches him ASTAROTH hits him with a shot to his gut before he grabs him and tosses him through a nearby door, which shatters off of the door frame as ASTAROTH looks over to LYDIA'S BODY, shaking his head as CHARLES groggily gets up as he comes back over towards ASTAROTH throwing a few punches which ASTAROTH takes in stride, ASTAROTH hitting CHARLES as few more times which drops him onto his knees again as ASTAROTH grabs CHARLES and tosses him through a window, CHARLES falling a good ways down, hitting a few pipes before he lands on a floor below, CHARLES reeling in pain as ASTAROTH suddenly drops down beside him, CHARLES turning as ASTAROTH punts CHARLES across his face, CHARLES spinning as CHARLES is flung from the force into the side of a wall, CHARLES reeling as ASTAROTH grabs CHARLES by his throat and pulls him, tossing him back into the more open area of the room as CHARLES can hear the machine from above him.
ASTAROTH
You have done quite enough.
CHARLES stands as he draws his second MACHETE.
CHARLES
Yeah well...
CHARLES swipes at ASTEROTH'S HEAD but ASTAROTH moves his shoulder and head away from the strike and hits CHARLES in the chest, CHARLES falling forwards as he drops his MACHETE, CHARLES coughing up blood as ASTAROTH paces around him.
ASTAROTH
You and I are going to have a little chat while the world around us goes into oblivion.
CHARLES
It won't happen...
ASTAROTH
Oh but it will, in a few minutes your own man will jump into the ERADICATOR BEAM, and his energy will be the beginning of the end.
CHARLES
Wrong.
ASTAROTH
Even if he doesn't...my man JARED will see that his soul will merge.
CHARLES
That won't happen either. SHANE won't do it willingly, and SHANE won't let JARED do it, JARED can be saved.
ASTAROTH
Saved?
CHARLES
It's something my...guy seems to think.
ASTAROTH strikes CHARLES four times in the face, CHARLES'S face beginning to swell as he falls over.
ASTAROTH
Shut your mouth, and embrace the end.
CHARLES reels as he lays in pain.
ELSEWHERE-SIDE ENTRANCE
CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN breath heavily as CHRISTIAN looks unphased as AUSTIN has a few cuts and scrapes and a deep gash on his forehead and a stab wound.
CHRISTIAN
You alright there?
AUSTIN
Fine...
CHRISTIAN
Don't be an idiot, don't over do it.
AUSTIN
I think we got most of em...
The TWO scan the faces of the final five men as the other dozen or so were laying about dead, DREW looking a bit agitated as CHRISTIAN and AUSTIN keeping moving, scoping them out.
CHRISTIAN
I can take them, you take your shot at DREW...
AUSTIN
CHARLES did give me LINTON'S gun...
CHRISTIAN
Well, we can't let that go to waste then.
CHRISTIAN runs forward and stabs the DEMONIC BLADE into one's head as AUSTIN pulls LINTON'S gun up and fires a shot at DREW, watching as the round hits DREW in the LEFT EYE, DREW screaming as he grabs it and falls over as one of the MISFITS runs forward and stabs his blade through AUSTIN'S HAND, AUSTIN screaming as he drops LINTON'S GUN as CHRISTIAN turns to see a second MISFIT running up with a AX that was being swung at AUSTIN'S HEAD, CHRISTIAN tossing the DEMONIC BLADE and watches as it impales the SECOND MISFIT in the skull as AUSTIN quickly ignores the pains to stab the MISFIT who stabbed him in the hand through his neck with the DEMONIC BLADE that he had grabbed off of a DEAD MISFIT.
AUSTIN pulls the BLADE out as AUSTIN turns as DREW tackles him down, punching AUSTIN a few times across his face as CHRISTIAN goes to him but the THREE remaining MISFITS cut him off, two of them grabbing CHRISTIAN as the third stabs a DEMONIC BLADE into CHRISTIAN'S RIBS, CHRISTIAN screaming as the MISFIT smirks but looks horrified as CHRISTIAN'S WOUND quickly heals with a white light coming from it, CHRISTIAN looking surprised as the MISFIT looks at him in horror.
CHRISTIAN head butts the MISFIT away from him as he throws the TWO MISFITS into each other by using his raw strength, CHRISTIAN watching as DREW and AUSTIN wrestle with one another as AUSTIN blocks DREW a few times, AUSTIN hitting DREW a few times as DREW knocks AUSTIN'S fists away as he slams AUSTIN'S HEAD into the ground, AUSTIN reeling as DREW feels his eye that was shot out, DREW sneering as he reaches over and grabs a BLADE, holding it up as he goes to stab it into AUSTIN'S LEFT EYE, but AUSTIN moves his head away him, as he hits DREW off of him, CHRISTIAN kicking one of the MISFITS across his face as he rolls forward and grabs a PISTOL that was on the ground, CHRISTIAN turning as he stands and fires six shots, each round hitting one of the UNDEAD MISFITS in the eye as the THREE MISFITS fall over dead, CHRISTIAN turning to DREW as DREW heard the sound of his men dying and quickly turns and drops down from CHRISTIAN'S shot at his other eye, DREW hitting CHRISTIAN with a low kick in the ribs before he uppercuts CHRISTIAN across his face, AUSTIN reeling as he goes and grabs the DEMONIC BLADE he was using.
DREW kicks CHRISTIAN across the face a few times before he punches him onto his back, CHRISTIAN reeling as DREW shakes his head.
DREW
Stay down, both of you, I don't want to end you if I don't have too.
CHRISTIAN
You don't get a choice.
AUSTIN runs up and drives the BLADE into the top part of DREW'S BACK DREW rocking forward as AUSTIN falls to the side, landing near CHRISTIAN as CHRISTIAN pulls his PISTOL up and aims, firing a round into DREW'S OTHER EYE as AUSTIN and CHRISTIAN look away as the white and gold light fire from his body before his body falls over, AUSTIN and CHRISTIAN reeling as they lay their heads back as they snicker.
AUSTIN
I killed a couple more than you.
CHRISTIAN
I still took out DREW
AUSTIN
We split that one.
CHRISTIAN
Ha. Fine.
The TWO lay there, closing their eyes as they breath heavy as bodies are laid about all around them.
ELSEWHERE-FACTORY
JARED and SHANE listen to the sound of the ERADICATOR as it was beginning to make a louder grinding sound, the ERADICATOR begins to cause a mini fissure within the building as JARED turns to SHANE.
JARED
It's time, SHANE.
SHANE
I won't do it....
SHANE and JARED turn as they see a PLATFORM below their CATWALK suddenly open as one of the CHAMBERS housing the SOULS was opening, JARED pulling one of his PISTOLS out of it's HOLDER as SHANE was still looking at the opening CHAMBER DOOR below, JARED raising the PISTOL as he aims it at SHANE'S SKULL, JARED gripping the trigger as he goes to pull but SHANE turns and looks at him, JARED hesitating as SHANE calls out to him.
SHANE
JARED!
JARED feels it as well and jumps forward as a DEMONIC BATTLE AX goes side winding past him, slamming into a metal part of the ERADICATOR as JARED rolls back to his feet, standing next to SHANE who comes up next to him as BELPHEGOR comes stomping up the steps, smirking as he looks between the TWO.
BELPHEGOR
Look who's home.
JARED and SHANE sneer as they ball their fists, waiting for BELPHEGOR as BELPHEGOR lets out a loud chuckle.
ELSEWHERE-BELOW ERADICATOR
ASTAROTH paces back and forth as he feels the fissures, the sound of the ERADICATOR ratcheting up all around them as CHARLES winces in pain as he hears it.
ASTAROTH
Do you hear that? That's the sound of me winning.
CHARLES
Just sounds like a lot of noise is all.
ASTAROTH
Noise that will be your end.
CHARLES
So this is what you have been doing all this time ASTAROTH...building a duplicate ERADICATOR...using fear of some make believe bad guys to help you destroy the world...it's all very tacky villain bullshit.
ASTAROTH
Make believe, if that's what you wish it to be, do so, bury your head in the sand like the SYSTEM did all those years ago. But believe me, LYDIA'S former beau, this is what's right...
CHARLES
No...no my guy...and even your guy...they're going to make the right choice.
ASTAROTH
This is the right choice!
ASTAROTH kicks CHARLES in the face, knocking CHARLES back over as ASTEROTH seethes.
ASTAROTH
Everything has led to this! There is no doubt, nothing can be left to chance! JARED has followed me since the beginning, he knows that there is no other way!
CHARLES
That was before he met...my CATALYST...
ASTAROTH
JARED will do what must be done, your RECLAIMER is dead no matter what happens.
CHARLES
Then why are you starting to have doubts...
ASTAROTH hits CHARLES a half dozen more times as CHARLES reels in pain.
ELSEWHERE-HALLWAY
EMMA runs down a hallway, looking around as she stops as the FISSURE rocks the area, EMMA watching as she see's ANTHONY run by from the far end of the HALLWAY.
EMMA
ANTHONY!
ANTHONY stops as he comes back down the HALLWAY, EMMA looking to her right as she sees the FACTORY and ERADICATOR, EMMA looking at in horror as ANTHONY comes up to her, looking at it as well.
ANTHONY
Oh fuck is that the thing that's causing these tremors.
EMMA
Yes...pretty sure.
ANTHONY
It's an ERADICATOR BEAM...
EMMA
Oh shit...
ANTHONY
Well. What are we going to do?
EMMA feels a presence as she looks around her, EMMA watching as something appears from the shadows behind them, EMMA firing at it but as she did the FIGURE knocks her around, EMMA landing hard as ANTHONY turns as the FIGURE knocks ANTHONY a few times into the wall before it runs and kicks ANTHONY out of the WINDOW, ANTHONY falling out of the WINDOW as the FIGURE follows, ANTHONY grabbing onto it as ANTHONY spins onto his side before they both land hard on the ground below, ANTHONY reeling as the FIGURE quickly stands, ANTHONY looking up as the FIGURE drops his hood, ANTHONY sneering as MICHAEL smiles at him.
MICHAEL
See. I told you we'd run into each other again.
ANTHONY
Why are...
MICHAEL
Why am I here? Some brutish dumb DEMON wanted my help in bringing this place down, and seeing how I'm not fond of being completely wiped out of existence, I decided, what the hell, why not.
ANTHONY
Then why...
MICHAEL
Oh, the MISFITS, not really going to be a problem anymore. I did my part, this...this is just for fun.
MICHAEL kicks ANTHONY in the face, before he begins striking him dozens of times in the face, ANTHONY trying to fight back but MICHAEL is able to vanish and reappear from the shadows without any difficulty as ANTHONY is completely over matched, ANTHONY being struck dozens of times in his face, chest and ribs as MICHAEL hits ANTHONY a few more times above the LEFT PART of his LEFT EYE.
ANTHONY reaches out desperately, grasping at nothing as MICHAEL lets ANTHONY'S body fall over, ANTHONY looking completely beaten and out of it as MICHAEL takes a breath.
MICHAEL
Now...which eye do I want to...Hmm...how about this one.
MICHAEL pulls ANTHONY up to his face by his collar and rearing his arm back he punches his fist into the side socket of ANTHONY'S LEFT EYE, ANTHONY barely able to let a scream out as the eye socket is caved in, his LEFT EYE crushed and destroyed from the strike as ANTHONY falls over, his LEFT EYE now destroyed and caved in as his other was badly beaten and swollen along with the rest of his face.
MICHAEL
And now...let's even this up.
MICHAEL begins striking the RIGHT EYE repeatedly, smiling as he feels ANTHONY going lifeless in his arms but as he does, MICHAEL disappears as he is hit with gun fire, EMMA appearing as she had run down from the HALLWAY and into the open area, EMMA screaming for ANTHONY as she slides over to him, looking him over as ANTHONY reaches for her, EMMA taking his hand but he moves her to the side as MICHAEL appeared and grabbed at her, EMMA able to move away as MICHAEL jumps back, looking her over.
MICHAEL
Well hello there. You look much better in the light.
EMMA
You...
MICHAEL
You remember me? Good. I remember you, pretty thang.
EMMA
I'm going to tear you the fuck apart you hear me!
MICHAEL
I'd love to see that happen, but you don't know much about PHANTOMS do you...
EMMA
I don't care!
MICHAEL
You should.
MICHAEL disappears and appears beside EMMA, punching EMMA in the stomach and hitting her a few times as ANTHONY opens his eye, looking as EMMA tries to fight MICHAEL straight up but MICHAEL is too fast and powerful, EMMA being rocked with shots as ANTHONY reaches down and grabs at his PISTOL meekly.
ANTHONY aims it up from his spot on the floor and fires twice, hitting MICHAEL in the back as MICHAEL rocks forward, MICHAEL looking a bit surprised as EMMA takes the opportunity and throws her arms forward, surrounding it with FIRE as MICHAEL turns and is suddenly engulfed as ANTHONY closes his eye as EMMA watching as the FIRE continues to surround and engulf MICHAEL as he screams and thrashes before disappearing, the FIRE going out in a loud puff as EMMA runs over to ANTHONY, cradling his head as she says his name over and over but ANTHONY says nothing as he lay motionless, only his chest moving very slowly and up and down as EMMA looks around for anyone, tears in her eyes as she buries her head into ANTHONY'S CHEST and cries, MICHAEL watching them from where he had kicked ANTHONY from, MICHAEL completely unharmed as he has a piece of shoulder still on fire, MICHAEL blowing it out as he smirks.
MICHAEL
Be seeing y'all.
MICHAEL whistles to himself as he disappears again.
ELSEWHERE-FACTORY
BELPHEGOR knocks JARED across the jaw, knocking him down as SHANE throws a few punches, BELPHEGOR taking them as he grabs SHANE by his throat and lifts him in the air, JARED getting up as he runs to stop BELPHEGOR but BELPHEGOR kicks JARED in the chest, knocking him back as BELPHEGOR choke-slams SHANE onto the ground, SHANE reeling as he spits out blood on impact. BELPHEGOR reaching his hand out towards his DEMONIC BATTLE AXE as he watches it come sailing back into his hands but as he does JARED dropkicks BELPHEGOR in the chest, SHANE leg sweeping from his downed position as BELPHEGOR falls over as JARED grabs his PISTOL and runs forward taking a few shots at BELPHEGOR but BELPHEGOR blocks it with his DEMONIC BATTLE AXE but as he does JARED tosses his PISTOL to SHANE, SHANE catching it as BELPHEGOR swings at JARED who jumps over the swing, landing and turning as SHANE takes aim and fires but as he does BELPHEGOR tosses his BATTLE AXE down at SHANE, forcing SHANE'S shot to veer the right as SHANE had to move, BELPHAGOR turning as he backhands JARED who tried to jump him from behind, BELPHEGOR kicking SHANE in the chest as SHANE hits the rail and feels it bend and break, SHANE watching as he grabbed onto the rail and holds onto it tightly as he dangled over the SOUL CHAMBER, JARED looking on conflicted as BELPHEGOR began to laugh.
BELPHEGOR
What do you think JARED? Should I let him fall? It'd be what you want, hell in a way it's what I want.
JARED
then why not let him.
SHANE feels his grip slip as he was hanging over the ledge, BELPHEGOR smiling as he takes a step forward but he watches as JARED moves towards him BELPHEGOR hitting JARED in the chest as JARED rocks to a knee as BELPHAGOR then punches JARED in the back of the head, laying JARED flat as BELPHEGOR steps on JARED'S CHEST, grabbing his AXE as he pulls it towards him, SHANE looking as BELPHEGOR as he was going to kill JARED, SHANE trying to pull himself up as he sees the JARED'S PISTOL near him.
BELPHAGOR digs his boot into JARED'S CHEST as JARED can barely move as BELPHEGOR swings his BATTLE AXE like a pendulum over his face, BELPHEGOR smiling.
BELPHEGOR
I will take your life, and rob you of your peaceful definitive end. Then I'll kill your pal there. And then I'll finish this...as I should've all along...
BELPHEGOR rocks forward as three shots hit him in the side of his head, BELPHEGOR loosening his holding JARED as JARED pushes himself off from under BELPHEGOR as SHANE was still holding on with one hand, but the GUN was in his free, aimed at BELPHEGOR as BELPHEGOR looked at SHANE stunned.
BELPHEGOR
He's trying to kill you...
SHANE
No...he's not...But he is trying to kill you.
BELPHAGOR screams as he runs at SHANE but JARED cuts him off and punches BELPHEGOR in the face, JARED extending his hand quickly at SHANE as SHANE let's go of his grip and begins to fall but JARED reaches for him, grabbing SHANE as he pulls SHANE back up onto the LEDGE, SHANE and JARED looking at each other for a moment before BELPHEGOR screams and charges both of them but as he does JARED and SHANE both dive to the side, BELPHEGOR having to stop himself as JARED pulls a SECOND PISTOL and tosses it to SHANE as JARED picked up the PISTOl that SHANE had dropped when he reached for JARED, The TWO both taking aim at BELPHEGOR as he turned around sneering, both firing simultaneously as each one of their rounds hits BELPHEGOR in each one of his eyes, BELPHEGOR screaming as his DEMONIC PRESENCE fires out of his eyes, GREEN and WHITE LIGHTNING as BELPHEGOR'S BODY begins to fall backwards, SHANE going to it but JARED stops him.
JARED
No...
SHANE
But...!
JARED
His soul is gone...it's just...residual.
SHANE looks horrified as BELPHEGOR'S BODY falls into the SOUL CHAMBER, but as it disperses inside, nothing happens as SHANE looks at JARED, who looks at him defeated.
SHANE
Why didn't you let me fall?
JARED
Why'd you save me from BELPHEGOR?
SHANE
Good point.
JARED
Yeah.
JARED begins down the CATWALK as SHANE looks around.
SHANE
How do we turn this off?
JARED
Follow me.
SHANE
Why?! Why did you change your mind?!
JARED
Maybe one day I'll tell you. But I have a good reason. Only took till now to see it.
SHANE
That's lame dude.
JARED
You wanna help me shut this off or not?
SHANE
Yeah.
SHANE hurries up behind him as he follows JARED with a smile smirk.
ELSEWHERE-BELOW FACTORY
CHARLES smirks to himself as he watches the terror come across ASTAROTH'S face as suddenly he hears the ERADICATOR SHUT DOWN, CHARLES laughing as ASTAROTH shakes his head.
ASTAROTH
No...no it's not possible...
CHARLES
All this time...all the Jim Jones kool aid drinking bullshit, and in the end...my guy undoes everything...
ASTAROTH
Then you will die for his success...and I will find a way to rise again...
CHARLES
Oh...I doubt that.
ASTAROTH'S HEAD is severed from his body as CHARLES is splashed with some blood splatter as CHARLES wipes it off his face as he reels, CHARLES looking at NIKKI who was holding onto CHARLES'S MACHETE that was left in LYDIA, NIKKI bleeding from her skull as she shrugs.
NIKKI
He was an asshole.
CHARLES
Would you like to do the honors? He did slap you off a balcony?
NIKKI
Nah, you go ahead.
NIKKI leans herself against a beam as CHARLES stands and grabs ASTEROTH'S HEAD, ASTAROTH sneering as CHARLES smirks.
CHARLES
I should keep you as a trophy.
ASTAROTH
You will pay for this!
CHARLES
No, you're done talking.
CHARLES holds a hand out towards NIKKI who hands him her PISTOL.
CHARLES
Let's see if I still got it.
CHARLES tosses the head into the air, taking aim as ASTAROTH is screaming curses as CHARLES fires five times, watching as TWO HIT the eyes, one hits the back side of the lower jaw and two miss.
CHARLES and NIKKI look away from the sight of the SOUL exploding as CHARLES and NIKKI look at each other and smile.
NIKKI
Did we win?
CHARLES
I uh...I think so?
NIKKI nods as with a content smile as CHARLES looks up towards where he had been knocked down from, CHARLES wincing as he goes towards it.
CHARLES
Gather the others up if you can't, and be careful there could still be pockets of these guys ready to take us out.
NIKKI
I haven't heard much gunfire.
CHARLES
Still watch yourself...
NIKKI
Where are you going?
CHARLES
To do something I need to do. Oh and call BENJAMIN...let him know...we're finished. The MISFITS are finished...
CHARLES winces as he goes up the steps as NIKKI goes back the way she came as she pulls her CELL out and dials a number.
EXT. MISFIT STRONGHOLD
SYSTEM FORCES are securing the area, combing it and tagging dead bodies as AUSTIN is being looked over as CHRISTIAN is giving a report to some OVERSEER'S, CHRISTIAN looking over to him as AUSTIN nods, wincing as he did so as CHRISTIAN shakes his head with a grin.
DAVIEL is talking with NIKKI as the TWO watch SHANE stand over near where JARED is being detained, JARED looking defeated as SHANE does as well.
DAVIEL
Though I am glad this is over...and that this threat was real as they claimed. The SYSTEM will not be pleased with this.
NIKKI
That ERADICATOR in there is real enough, with enough souls that would have very easily wiped us out.
DAVIEL
I've got every containment squad and specialist in there, we'll be at this for a very long time sorting this out.
NIKKI
Well, hopefully I don't get locked away in some cell like our pal over there.
DAVIEL
He helped, that should secure his sentence from being eradicated, to just spending all eternity locked away in a containment cell.
NIKKI
Not the way I imagine he wanted to go.
DAVIEL
Not at all. Good work, RECLAIMER.
NIKKI
Thank you, sir.
The TWO shake as SHANE crosses his arms as JARED looks over at him as they are finishing up binding his body with hexes and chains.
JARED
I suppose I'm off to spend the rest of my days in a quaint little cell.
SHANE
Better than the alternative.
JARED
Is it? Truly?
SHANE
You'll have a lot of time to think about it.
JARED
Make me one promise, SHANE. You owe me that much.
SHANE
I don't owe you anything, neither do you owe me. Ask me as a friend, and maybe I'll think about it.
JARED
You know the OUTSIDERS are real. Even if you can't deny that, you don't know for sure, but you know. Do not let this be the last of our fight. The FOLLOWERS are out there...plotting the OUTSIDERS entrance into our world...I choose your way, I chose to fight, but do not let the mercy of death I offered to you all, be in vain. For a fate much worse will be on your shoulders should you fail. Your shoulders, and mine for trusting in you.
SHANE doesn't know what to say as JARED is loading into a back of a TRANSPORT VEHICLE as SHANE doesn't know what to say as he watches the VEHICLE go, SHANE turning as he hears NIKKI screaming "Oh my god" and rush over towards the FRONT SHANE running to meet her as NIKKI puts her hand over her mouth and looks away as SHANE comes to see a MEDICAL STAFF bring ANTHONY out, EMMA walking behind, her face frozen and locked with sadness as AUSTIN brushes his medical attention aside and rushes over as he comes up next to NIKKI who puts her head into his chest and starts crying as AUSTIN looks at the sight of ANTHONY horrified as SHANE watches the MEDICAL UNIT hurry ANTHONY towards a TRANSPORT VEHICLE, EMMA staying close as she gets in once they load him inside as SHANE looks back to see CHARLES come out of the ENTRANCE, looking dejected as SHANE looks around at everyone before looking as if they had lost.
SOME TIME LATER
INT. WHITE ROOM
CHARLES stands in the WHITE ROOM as he doesn't say anything, his arms in front of him as he stares at the ground.
SYSTEM
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY IN REGARDS TO YOUR ACTIONS, MR. REID?
CHARLES
No.
SYSTEM
WE EXPRESSLY FORBID YOU FROM ACTING ON YOUR OWN, AND YOU DEFIED A DIRECT ORDER FROM US.
CHARLES
I did. And in the process me and my team took out MISFITS, including all their top ranking members, captured JARED, seized a duplicate ERADICATOR BEAM powered by souls that was going off and could of been the equivalent of a thousand plus atom bombs, and oh, saved the FRINGE in the process.
SYSTEM
YOU BELIEVE THIS JUSTIFIES, INSUBORDINATION?
CHARLES
I believe that a thank you would be welcomed.
SYSTEM
YOU WERE WARNED AND THEREFORE YOU AND YOURS MUST BE REPRIMAND...
BENJAMIN
If you are going to punish anyone, it should be me, not them.
CHARLES turns as he sees BENJAMIN come in, CHARLES looking around as he watches BENJAMIN come inside stoic faced.
CHARLES
BEN...
BENJAMIN
I gave them my authorization to go ahead with the attack, I gave them the location once I found out where it was, I even gave them CHRISTIAN DOYLE as freelance back up. If there is anyone here who deserves to be punished for what has happened, it should be me.
SYSTEM
WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT, BENJAMIN?
BENJAMIN
Because you were unwilling to see that there was a threat bigger looming right on the horizon, right under your nose. I could no longer do that.
SYSTEM
YOU ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS?
BENJAMIN looks at CHARLES who looks at him upset, CHARLES shaking his head as BENJAMIN gives him an assuring nod.
BENJAMIN
I DO.
SYSTEM
VERY WELL. BENJAMIN, AS OF THIS MOMENT, YOU ARE NO LONGER APART OF THE SYSTEM, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CLEAR YOU OFFICE, AND REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE SYSTEM DATABASE. YOU WILL GIVE UP YOUR MASTER CODES, YOUR UNITS AND PENSION, AND WILL BECOME A CITIZEN OF THE FRINGE. YOU WILL ALSO BE STRIPPED OF ALL ANY AND ALL RANKS, AND BE FORCED TO LEAVE YOU SYSTEM FUNDED HOME. WHEREVER THIS COURSE OF ACTION TAKES YOU, MAY YOU BE WELL, BENJAMIN, AND THANK YOU FOR PRIOR LOYAL SERVICE.
BENJAMIN
I leave humbly.
CHARLES
BENJAMIN...
BENJAMIN
It's okay CHARLES...it was worth it.
BENJAMIN turns to leave as CHARLES goes after him, CHARLES stopping as the SYSTEM speaks up quickly.
SYSTEM
THE HE HAS ACCEPTED YOUR PUNISHMENT, DO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE AWARE THAT HE WAS ONLY COVERING FOR YOUR ACTIONS. A GOOD MAN, AND BELIEVER OF THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN LET GO BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS...WE WILL NOT FORGET THIS.
CHARLES
Threaten me all you want...I've got bigger issues to deal with it.
SYSTEM
SUCH AS?
CHARLES
The fact that these whack jobs were the ones trying to quote "save us" from these...OUTSIDERS. I don't know if I believe in them, I don't know if they really can exist. But I do know that there were determined people....strong willed people who believed in them enough to fear them...and I have to believe that there are more, who worship them...who want them here...if we do nothing...then who knows what happens to us here in the future. I know you don't believe, and I know you won't help, so I gotta lead the charge, I gotta get the troops ready.
SYSTEM
DO NOT OVERSTEP YOUR BOUNDS CHASING FAIRY TALES, MR. REID. THE OUTSIDERS ARE A MYTH, THEY WERE A MYTH THEN, AND THEY ARE A MYTH NOW. LIVING SOULS CANNOT CROSS INTO OUR WORLD.
CHARLES
Never say never.
SYSTEM
UNTIL WE MUST MEET AGAIN...
CHARLES heads out as he doesn't say anything back as he spots TERESA at the end of the hallway, CHARLES not looking at her as he walks past her, into the ELEVATOR as TERESA goes to say something but doesn't.
INT. THE TAVERN
SHANE, NIKKI and AUSTIN sit at the BAR as SHANE finishes his beer, AUSTIN paying for his tab as he rubs SHANE on the back of the neck and pats him on the back.
AUSTIN
You're a tough bastard dude, you had balls doing that.
SHANE
Yeah. I guess.
AUSTIN
Are you going to be alright alone?
SHANE
Yeah, I think I should.
AUSTIN nods as he gets up, NIKKI standing as she goes to follow as she comes over to SHANE and kisses him on the cheek.
NIKKI
Starting to feel like one of us, yet?
SHANE
You kidding? More than ever.
NIKKI
I'm glad you're okay, SHANE. You saved a lot of people.
SHANE
You helped. You all did.
NIKKI
Without you flipping JARED...who knows how this would have ended...
SHANE
It's only the beginning, NIKKI...
NIKKI
I got that feeling too.
NIKKI heads towards the exit as she follows AUSTIN out as SHANE orders another.
EXT. THE TAVERN
NIKKI begins to go down the other end of the street as AUSTIN grabs her hand, NIKKI looking at him as AUSTIN kisses her as she kisses him back but pulls away after a moment. AUSTIN looking confused.
AUSTIN
You okay, what's wrong?
NIKKI
It's...
AUSTIN
What? Come on, we can talk about this back at my place.
NIKKI
About that...
AUSTIN
oh come on...
NIKKI
Just listen to me.
AUSTIN
Go on.
NIKKI
You make things confusing, AUSTIN. You always have. And I know I'm not any better. I know a couple nights ago, throwing myself on you like I always do, that's...that's not right of me.
AUSTIN
What are you talking about?
NIKKI
We can't let this continue, AUSTIN. I can't. This life, what we do...there's never a happy ending. I saw CHARLES have to kill his ex wife, a woman he still loved, and I think to myself...could I do that...could I do that to you, or you to me? I can't take that risk.
AUSTIN
NIKKI...
NIKKI
AUSTIN, I don't...I don't love you. I care about you, and goddamnit, I wanted to love you, but, this could never work.
AUSTIN
It can if we give it a shot...
NIKKI
I'm sorry, AUSTIN.
NIKKI turns and heads back off the way she was going, leaving AUSTIN standing flabbergasted as he walks back towards his vehicle, a look of stunned disbelief on his face.
INT. ANTHONY'S HOSPITAL ROOM
EMMA sits beside ANTHONY as he was hooked up, EMMA looking over as MEL suddenly appeared.
MEL
I came as soon as I heard...
EMMA stands and comes over to her, crying as she grabs MEL into a hug, MEL looking a bit thrown off as EMMA holds onto MEL as MEL wraps her arms around her to comfort her.
EMMA
I couldn't do it...I came too late and...even when I tried to save him, he still saved me and this....this is his price...it's not fair, MEL...it's not fair...it's not fair.
MEL
I know...I know.
EMMA cries as MEL looks to see ANTHONY lay in his beaten and prone position.
INT. THE TAVERN
SHANE looks up from his glass as CHARLES takes a seat next to him.
CHARLES
Can't stay long, got a few things to take care of.
SHANE
So are we locked away forever or what?
CHARLES
No. The damnedest thing happened. BENJAMIN took the fall.
SHANE
What?
CHARLES
Yeah. Throw himself on our sword.
SHANE
Why would he do that?
CHARLES
I don't know, I'll have to ask him sometime.
SHANE
They say anything about...You know?
CHARLES
The OUTSIDERS. No.
SHANE
They're real, CHARLES...
CHARLES
I believe you.
SHANE
You believe they're real because they are real, but I'm telling you CHARLES...look into this with me...and you'll believe for yourself.
CHARLES
Answer me this, and I'll go all in on this with you.
SHANE
Shoot.
CHARLES
If you believe, if you really buy into these OUTSIDERS...why'd you not help them? I mean if they can do what JARED and them say they can do, if we're too late to stop them, and all of this ends up being futile, why didn't you just...
SHANE
Because, CHARLES...That's not how we do things. The UNEVENTFUL'S fight, we find a way. We don't give up, we don't throw in the towel, we take our hits, we get knocked, and we get the fuck back up, and if that's how this is going to go down, fuck it, we'll be ready.
CHARLES
Like the sound of that.
CHARLES gets his shot and down its as SHANE watches CHARLES stand.
SHANE
You weren't kidding.
CHARLES
Like I said...things to be done.
SHANE
You okay, boss? I know with LYDIA...all the unanswered questions and...
CHARLES
I'm fine. Make sure you see ANTHONY.
SHANE
Yeah, I need more drinks for that.
CHARLES
SHANE, I don't think you're a rookie anymore.
SHANE
I never felt like one.
CHARLES
Yeah, well...I hope you're ready to step your game up, kid. You're going to need it.
CHARLES heads out as SHANE smiles and moves his drink between his hands as he takes a drink.
MONTAGE- CIRCA SURVIVE'S "SUITCASE" begins to play.
SHANE
(O.S.)
All this time...to think this was some sort of twisted rookie initiation if it was...I sure learned a lot in this time...
INT. ANTHONY'S ROOM
EMMA sits in the chair, watching ANTHONY closely as MEL stands near her.
SHANE
(O.S.)
How sometimes things just happen...and the ones we love and fight beside get hurt...
INT. NIKKI'S ROOM
NIKKI lays in her bed, crying to herself.
INT. AUSTIN'S APARTMENT
AUSTIN sits in his lounge chair in his living room, a bottle in hand as he chugs at it.
SHANE
(O.S.)
Or how one's feelings here truly can be the best or worst of them...how it can complicate...
INT. BENJAMIN'S OFFICE
BENJAMIN is clearing it out as others are watching in hushed silence as BENJAMIN walks out with a small bag full of items, BENJAMIN looking at everyone as he smiles and and begins towards the ELEVATOR, BENJAMIN looking to TERESA who nods at him as she holds up the disc, BENJAMIN mouthing the words "thank you" to her as he reaches the ELEVATOR and lets the door close.
SHANE
(O.S.)
Or how sometimes good intentions end badly...for both sides of the equation...
INT. JARED'S CELL
JARED sits alone, suspended in mid air in a CONTAINMENT POD that was connected to hundreds of others in a COMPLEX PRISON FACILITY.
EXT. GRAVEYARD
CHARLES watches as the PYRE is burning brightly, CHARLES taking a drink from a bottle as he watches LYDIA'S BODY was placed peacefully on it, CHARLES watching her burn with tears in his eyes as he turns to see COLBY coming towards him, the TWO not saying anything as they watch the flames.
SHANE
(O.S.)
How everything hinges on the relationships we make here...and the consequences that befalls us all if they go wrong.
INT. THE TAVERN
SHANE finishes his drink as he stands and heads out of the TAVERN after he throws some cash down.
EXT. THE TAVERN
SHANE looks around as he watches some people walk by him, heading inside with smiles as the group is diverse, SHANE smirking as he begins down the street that they had come from.
SHANE
(O.S.)
But even with all those fucked up lessons, and everything that's happened...I now know one thing for sure...TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT is here...and he's here to stay. Cuz like it or not...this is my home now...my world...and I have to protect it. Even at the cost of my own existence.
We PAN AWAY FROM SHANE as we get an extended shot of the quiet that has befallen the FRINGE, a WORLD unaware of how close it was to being no more.
FADE OUT
END OF EPISODE, END OF SEASON ONE.