In an alleyway behind the Magic Box, a young male teen runs from a vampire, but Buffy intervenes. The Vampire doesn't recognise Buffy, nor the danger it is in. Buffy slays him, leaving the teen questioning how a simple girl could do that, Buffy is surprised, it's been a while since a vampire didn't know who she was.

Inside the magic shop, Buffy demands that Giles repeat the process of the ritual as she desperately seeks out another option other than killing Dawn. As far as she is concerned, that is not an option. Giles has a more pragmatic look at the situation than Buffy and knows killing Dawn is the only option. (Why save one only to lose 6 billion?)Buffy's bond with Dawn is too strong for Buffy to be willing to allow Dawn to die.

The gang brainstorm for a way to defeat Glory. Anya tries to be helpful and positive but Buffy yells at her. Anya suggests using the Dagon Sphere and troll hammer. (Two items mysteriously forgotten until then) The Dagon Sphere temporalily weakens Glory and the hammer has been forged by a God so surely it can be used to hurt a God, even a little bit is better than nothing.

Then, they belatedly realize that Tara's craziness can lead them to Glory. (remeber how she has been saying that she's late for something, and that she's needed somewhere, just like all the crazy men form the hospital?)

At the site of the portal Ben offers a ritual robe to Dawn to wear, but she doesn't want to look at him and demands Glory's presence. Dawn feels betrayed by someone she thought was her friend, and at least she can hate Glory. Dawn tries to prove to Glory that she's not scared of what is about to happen so the Mad God throws Dawn around as she reminds her that Buffy hasn't shown up yet to rescue her.Dawn screams for her sister.

Buffy brutally hits a punching bag then talks with Giles about the upcoming battle and their differing opinions. Buffy tells him that she's not able to sacrifice another person to save the world...she can't do it again. (Remember Becoming Part 2?)

The time to open the portal approaches and Dawn is dragged by Glory's minions to the top of a purpose-built giant tower.

Xander attempts to calm Anya by having sex in the shop basement when they're supposed to be looking for the Dagon Sphere. Their searching accidentally uncovers the Buffybot (scaring Xander half to death)

Xander suddenly pulls out a ring and proposes to Anya. She freaks out a bit, slapping Xander and saying that he's only proposing to her now because they're going to die, but he convinces her to accept.

Willow explains her ideas to Buffy about possibly weakening Glory and getting Tara's sanity back by reversing the effects of Glory's brain suck. Tara is getting more and more agiatated so Willow goes to comfort her, but is met with a slap and an angry, senseless reply, which Tara immediately feels guilty for.

Buffy brings Spike with her to gather clothes and weapons from her house, but having reversed the invitation she has to do it again. He tells her he understands she never returned his love, but he accepts that now and appreciates the way she always treated him. Buffy tells him that they won't all get through this alive, to which he shrugs and says that he's always wanted to go out fighting.

Tara leads the way to Glory as the gang follows slowly behind. At the construction site Glory catches Tara wondering about and is about to kill her when Willow shows up, and casts her magic which throws the three of them apart and across the room. Glory is debilitated and in need of a brain to suck and Buffy is there to offer hers.

A huge battle ensues as the gang takes on Glory's minions and Buffy battles with Glory.

Dawn remains helpless, tied up at the top of the tower, unable to free herself.

Willow recovers and goes to Tara, pleased to find that Tara is back to her normal self again. Tara said that she was lost and that she's glad that Willow found her again.

Glory recovers enough strength in order to knock Buffy's head off, but she finds that Buffy is actually the Buffybot. Glory is momenteraly confused and the real Buffy takes the moment to attack Glory from behind with the troll hammer.

Buffy spots Dawn at the top of the tower and tries to race Glory to the top, fighting a fierce battle against the HellGod all the way up. The two of them end up plumeting down from the tower but they pick themselves up and the fight continues on the ground.

As Buffy keeps Glory busy, trying to stop her from starting the ritual, a new complication arises as Doc appears at the top of the tower, armed with a knife. He is the back-up in case somethign likethis happened. Dawn redoubles her efforts to escape.

Willow uses new-found telepathic powers to tell Spike to get up to the top of the tower and save Dawn. As Spike prepares himself to fight his way through the crowd gaurding the tower bottom Willow and Tara join hands and use their combined strength to move the minions out of Spike's way.

Spike races to the top unhindered where he faces Doc. It's a little one-sided as Doc stabs Spike with the knife before throwing him off the top of the tower.

Buffy hits Glory repeatedly with the troll hammer, until Glory morphs into Ben and Buffy tells him and Glory to stay away forever. Buffy leaves, but Giles appears from the shadows, and tells Ben that Buffy could never take a human life, but he can. He smothers Ben with his hand.

At the top of the tower, the appointed time of the ritual is at hand. Doc uses his knife to cut into Dawn's skin until Buffy arrives at the top of the tower and pushes him off to fall to his death. But is is too late, Dawn's blood has already opened the portal and hell begins to open on earth. Bursts of lightning shoot from the portal, blowing up various parts of Sunnydale. At the construction site a ray if lightning hits a wall which collapses onto Anya.

We see images of other demon's who can sense the portal opening in other dimensions.

Dawn is willing to jump in the portal herself and save the world, but Buffy finally realizes that Dawn isn't the only one who can stop the dimensional walls from crumbling. The Monks made Dawn's physical body using Buffy's blood, so if their blood is the same then Buffy can close the Portal. With final inspiring words to Dawn, Buffy throws herself into the portal, successfully closing it.

A bruised and batter Scooby gang gather around Buffy's body, which has fallen to the ground and remains, lifeless. Tears fall and hearts break as everyone mourns the loss of Buffy.

Dawn has made her way down the stairs, the keeper of Buffy's last words.

The scene cuts to a shot of a gravestone

Buffy Anne Summers

1981 - 2001

Beloved sister and friend

She saved the world . . . a lot

This isn't the end. There will be a new series, over on UPN. Sky One and The BBC will continue to show the series over here.