Just got a review from Keith Collins, who is anti-Buffy and pro-Faith, which got me thinking. Just wanted to address it: yes I am pro-Buffy, and anti-Faith. I disagree with what you said about how they treated Faith, Buffy only tried to befriend her, while still feeling inferior to this new slayer who came into her life and had everyone all excited about her. Then, even when Buffy tried to help Faith, Faith threw it back in her face.

But that's just me, and I respect your POV, and like to hear them.

Keep reviewing!

Chapter 6 – Graduation

"Faith? As in the song?"  Xander said loudly. "Oh right." He said after everyone glared at him.
 "She's been like his kid," Buffy continued. "I tell him I've broken her and he might not be too happy." She looked around at the group and at no one's disagreement, she continued:

 "Right so here's what we're gonna do….."

Graduation day dawned sunny and crisp in Sunnydale. Buffy, Xander, Willow, Cordelia, Oz and Sirius gathered at Buffy's home to put on their gowns and caps and have one last Scooby meeting.

 "This could be it, you guys," Buffy said seriously. "The final battle. You up for it?"

 "Course," Xander said casually. "You know me. Random property damage and slayage is totally my thing. I'm in."

 "As much as I hate to admit it," Cordelia said, tossing her hair over her shoulder, "The boys got a point. We've got the hang of this now." Buffy turned to Sirius.
 "You gonna be okay?" she asked concernedly. "Just remember what I told you, aim for the heart and avoid the big demon thing." Sirius nodded, clutching the stake Buffy had provided him with.
 "Right you guys," Buffy said. "Let's head out. Eclipse is at 3.28."

The students took their seats and the music ceased its playing.

"Well. What a day this is! - Special day. Today is our centennial the one hundreds anniversary of the founding of Sunnydale, and I know what that means to all you kids: not - a darn thing. Because today something much more important happens: today you all graduate from high school. Today all the pain, all the work, all the excitement is finally over. And what's a hundred years of history compared to that? You know what kids? …" The Mayor began his speech.

Buffy rolled her eyes and quickly looked around, meeting the eyes of many of her fellow students and nodding to them. She looked over to the guest seating and flashed a grin at Sirius before turning back.

"… It's been a long road getting here. For you… for Sunnydale. There has been achievement, joy, good times… and there has been grief. There's been loss. Some people who should be here today… aren't. But we are. - Journey's end. And what is a journey? Is it just… distance traveled? Time spent? No. It's what happens on the way, it the things that happen to you. At the end of the journey you're not the same. Today is about change. Graduation doesn't just mean your circumstances change, it means you do. You ascend… to a higher level. Nothing will ever be the same. Nothing." He looked up. Buffy and the other students looked up to see the sun being totally blocked. The Mayor flinched in pain, then swallowed and continued his speech: "And so as we look back on…" Pain struck again, and he groaned. "On the events that brought us to this day…" He clutched his side in pain. "Looks like there's no time for the speech, here's for the big finish!" Darkness fell over Sunnydale as the moon eclipsed the sun.

The Mayors skin appeared to stretch and contract. Then, it split and a snake, larger than anything they had imagined, burst from it, large, sharp teeth on display. Most of the faculty and staff ran from their seats but the students stayed, watching the creature expand.

 "Now!" Buffy yelled, and the students around her removed their robes to reveal weapons hung over their frames. A large group of vampires ran up the steps behind the students and they moved into position, the students facing them. The snake reared up as Xander commanded several students to open crossbow fire on it. Students with flame throwers stood a little way behind, preparing for their turn.
 "This is unacceptable!" Principal Snyder screamed, running between the rows of upturned chairs. "This is my school buddy and I…" His words were broken off as the snake leant down and devoured him whole. This gave the students an apparent burst of energy and they, Sirius included, leapt into battle with the vampires, led by Angel.

Buffy looked around her, barely taking in the sight of students being fed on, and others being eaten by the giant snake. She took a deep breath and walked forward, regardless of what went on around her, towards the mayor.
 "Hey, snake boy," she called, and the snake turned to her. "Looky what I got. Pulled it from Faith's gut, after I stabbed her with it." She waved the silver knife at the snake, still stained with blood, and then she took off running.

 Chancing a glance behind her, she saw what she had hoped, the snake following her, tearing up the school as she ran through it. She took a sharp left, and ran towards the library, where the doors were held open. Quickly, she crossed the room and leapt out of an open window. The snake followed, and then stopped as it took in the bags of explosives piled around it.

 "Oh gosh," were the Mayors last words as Giles pushed the plunger and the snake exploded in a flash that knocked everyone on the campus off their feet.

Buffy stood next to a fire truck, wrapped in a blanket as she surveyed the scene around her. Students limped past, some injured, some not. The plan had been a success; the Mayor was gone and Buffy felt contentment, edged by foreboding. Looking through the mist that floated off the firemen's hoses, she saw a familiar shape in front of her. Angel. Buffy stared as he looked at her in recognition, then turned and walked away. Buffy watched his departing back, and then turned away herself.

 "Well done, I'm proud of you," Giles said, coming up to her. "You fought a good battle."

 "I'm proud of all of us," Buffy said honestly. "The senior class coming together like that, it was amazing."

 "No more high school then," said Giles reflectively. "For anyone actually. Roll on college, I suppose." Buffy gazed up at the demolished school.
 "I'm not going to go to college this year," she said, surprising even herself. "I want to travel Giles, to see some of the world, before my predictably short life comes to an end. College can wait a year. Do you think I can?"
 "I think you should," Giles said firmly. "Things should lay low for a while after this, and we can call you back if need be. But be proud of what you accomplished today." He wandered off to see to the other students. Sirius approached Buffy.

 "Hey, you made it!" she exclaimed. "Congrats you survived Sunnydale. Thanks." He grinned at her.
 "I staked three," he said proudly. "It was great. But I've got to go." Buffy frowned.
 "So soon?" she asked despondently. "I wish you could stay."

 "Me too," Sirius agreed. "But I have to get to Harry, got to sort out that. Pity you've got college, you could have come with me."

 "Are you serious?" Buffy said, a broad grin spreading across her face. "Coz I wanted to take a gap year…."

 "Then come with me," Sirius said firmly. "I can't guarantee it'll be the pretty route, we'll be on the run, but you'll see England, and the whole magic community."
 "I'm in," Buffy said. "When can we leave?"