Spike rips through the streets of the Hellish Los Angeles, brandishing a chain and in a decidedly helpful mood. He roars through a group of lizard demons who are threatening a little boy. The demons pile him – he’s vastly outnumbered…ish. As they question where their leader is, a voice booms: It’s Illyria, carrying the very-not-as-tough body of the demon’s leader, Nata. Spike and Illyria, almost like clockwork, manage to stop the rest of the demons. Spike looks around as Illyria picks up the child. He asks if anyone wants him – and looks back at the considerable amount of people following them to ‘safety’.

They’ve come to an amusement park. It seems to be the latest in the long line of bolt holes for this crowd, but for now, it will do. Spike and a human, a teenager named Jeremy, scout the park for food. Satisfied with their find, Spike announces to the crowd that tonight they will dine like tourists! How the Hell did he end up doing this?

He thinks back to the battle in the alley way. He remembers it going to Hell and finding Fred, or rather Illyria. They travelled together and set out to find safe haven, if such a thing existed in Hell. More and more survivors followed them, hoping for protection from the white-haired champion and his primordial Goddess. When they went up against resistance, Illyria came in handy.

Spike readies himself: they can’t stay here forever – they have to keep moving. Then he hears a familiar voice, comforting the child from earlier. It’s Fred, crouched down with the child, serving him cotton candy. Spike gets angry, grabbing a hold of Fred and telling the kid’s new guardian to guard him. Keep away from Illyria, he snarls.

Fred does not appreciate being dragged away. Spike takes her inside an attraction and starts to power it up. Fred is starting to notice a wound. Spike is in a hurry, but Jeremy activates a ride filled with a massive duck robot. Fred takes one look at it and transforms into Illyria – she likes a challenge.

Spike needs to keep her distracted. It’s not worth the trouble if people find her. He needs to keep her Illyria because Fred is unable to defend herself from Hell. She has to stay bad-moody, or die. Jeremy says that he’s noticed how Spike looks at her. He produces a ring – Jeremy was on his way to his girlfriend outside of Los Angeles to propose when LA fell. A group of youngsters crowd Spike and ask him if they can go on the rides. Spike says no: rides bring noise, noise brings attention.

Spike gets on his bike – he has something he needs to do. As he leaves, he fails to notice the lizard demons gathering above, ready to strike in his absence. Before they can strike however, a group of demon women in black armour attack and kill them: this is their territory to take.

Meanwhile, Spike arrives at the wrecked offices of Wolfram & Hart. He reckons it’s probably the safest place in Hell. He’ll settle for a light for his cigarette. His wish is granted, as Angel’s dragon sucks in the air, preparing to flambe the new arrival.

At the park, the kids are now pestering Jeremy for access to the rides. He’s about to give in when he spots something coming. He tells the kids to run, but they’re also transfixed: on the demon women in black armour before them, ordering them to submit…