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This seminal two-part episode features the end to the characters' high school careers. As the Mayor (Harry Groener) prepares for the Ascension, so do Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends -- with the help of former demon Anya (Emma Caulfield). Buffy assumes that she has to miss graduation to fight the Mayor, but is amused at finding out that he will give the commencement speech. Hoping to take Buffy's attention off the Ascension, Faith (Eliza Dushka) poisons Angel (David Boreanaz). Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) research a cure and find that Angel must drink the blood of a slayer. Nervous about battling with the Mayor, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Oz (Seth Green) grow closer. Tired of Oz's distant behavior, Willow urges him to express his panic -- which he does by kissing her. Buffy attempts to sacrifice Faith to save Angel, stabbing her -- but this, of course, is not the end of their rivalry.