After leaving Sunnydale, Buffy ends up in L.A., and goes by the name Anne. When she finds old homeless people chanting "I'm no one", she investigates and finds herself on a journey to hell and back.
Buffy feels she is not welcome back in Sunnydale. However, her friends throw her a big party which goes horribly wrong as zombies crash in.
In the Bronze, Buffy watches as a vampires lures another victim outside. She follows just in time to see the girl stake the vampire. The girl then introduces herself as Faith, the vampire slayer.
A mauled body is discovered and the gang suspects it to be the work of a werewolf - Oz. When another body is found, they begin to suspect Scott's friends - Debbie and her mad scientist boyfriend. The return of Angel leaves Buffy at a loss of what to do.
Buffy challenges Cordelia's confidence in becoming the Homecoming Queen by running for it as well. Willow and Xander get in a tight stop as they try to decide whom to help. Just then, Trick invites the world's most vicious killers for a "Slayerfest".
The gang has a taste of just how bad teenagers can get as the adult population of Sunnydale becomes a tad juvenile, leaving the town virtually defenceless. It is therefore up to them to stop Trick before he destroys Sunnydale.
The gang finds that Angel has returned and they're not pleased. Buffy tries to prove that he is no longer a vicious killer. At the same time, a new Watcher arrives in Sunnydale to take care of Faith.
Spike, heartbroken after Drusilla left him, returns to Sunnydale to take revenge on Angel and Buffy. Willow tries to cast a delusting spell for herself and Xander as they plan for a bowling double date.
Cordelia, upset over Xander's betrayal, makes a wish which take Buffy out of Sunnydale. The wish is more than she bargains for as she finds herself in a world in which the vampires reign.
Visions of victims, including Jenny Calendar, from Angel's past haunts him, causing him to turn against Buffy. Willow goes to great lengths to convince Oz he is the one she loves, while Xander tries to cope without Cordelia.
The Sunnydale witch hunts begin as Joyce discovers the bodies of two children. On each of their hands is a symbol used by occults, making everyone thinks that the children are killed for a sacrificial purpose. Joyce heads a movement to eradicate all the witches, including her own daughter.
Buffy's 18th birthday is coming up and given her past experience on birthdays, she is not looking forward to it. Her fear becomes true as she finds that her slaying power is taken from her.
Xander is the odd man as he finds himself more of a hinder when the gang battles against demons. Feeling insignificant, he finds new friends, who are quite 100% alive.
Buffy goes on patrol with Faith, following the latter's reckless behaviour. Giles' replacement, Wesley has arrived, and is less than welcome. The two slayers go on patrol during Faith puts a stake into something which isn't quite demonic...
Finch's body has been found and Buffy is haunted by the consequences of what she has done. Yet she is shocked by Faith's lack of remorse. Trick and the Mayor are thrilled by the prospects of imprisoning a slayer, while Wesley is just being a pain in the ass.
Anya, the ex-demon, asks Willow to help her perform a spell. Willow, not knowing Anya's intentions, agree, until she finds how strong the spell really is. However, harm is already done when evil Willow is brought from the alternate universe, causing havoc and confusion.
Buffy is shocked by Faith's alliance with the Mayor, as they conspire to steal Angel. Wesley is less of a pain as he is distracted by Cordelia.
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Faith's desertion leaves Buffy little choice on what she can do after she graduates. Similar difficulties are faced by Willow and Xander, but they need to ensure they HAVE a future by trying to shut down the Mayor's plan for the Ascension.
History keeps repeating itself as demons try to crash the Prom. Buffy must stop it before it ruins her friends' possible last moment of happiness as the date of the Ascension edges closer. Xander's contribution in making Cordelia's night perfect is ignored as Cordelia only has eyes for the new Watcher.
The Mayor makes the final preparations for the Ascension as the gang prepares for their graduation. Angel decides he needs to leave Sunnydale, but is wounded with a lethal poison.