Faith's new alliance with the Mayor goes as far as them conspiring to rob Angel of his soul. Faith tries to seduce him but he is thinking Buffy Summers in a big, one-track way. When the old-fashioned way doesn't work, the Mayor summons a powerful sorcerer who does the job for them. Faith and Angelus team up and capture Buffy but while they are preparing to torture her, Faith lets loose some details about the Mayor and his upcoming Ascension; at which point Angelus reveals that his being evil was all an act for them to get information. Faith escapes after she and Buffy battle and Buffy tells Angel that she needs some time alone after having to watch him and Faith kiss.
Buffy Summer's journey as the Vampire Slayer begins when she moves to Sunnydale, a small Californian town that, unbeknownst to most residents, sits atop a Hellmouth - a portal to supernatural forces. She is discovered by Rupert Giles, the school librarian and her Watcher, whose role is to guide and train her as the Slayer. Alongside Giles, Buffy forms an eclectic group of friends, her "Scooby Gang", including Willow Rosenberg, a shy but highly intelligent witch; Xander Harris, Buffy's best friend and comic relief; and Cordelia Chase, a popular girl who becomes a reluctant ally.
Buffy's relationships with those around her, particularly romantic entanglements, are a major focus of the series. Her most notable love interests are Angel, a vampire with a soul, and Spike, who, despite being a villain, develops a complex and evolving bond with Buffy. The complexities of her relationships, particularly her love life, highlight the emotional weight of Buffy's duties as the Slayer and her desire for connection, love, and a sense of normalcy.