Title: ZeroSum Game
Author: Aadler
Rating: T
Genre: Character Study
Pairing: None
Characters: Buffy, Kennedy, Vi
Fandom: Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Words: 4,375
Published: Mar 13, 2011
Status: Complete
Summary: It isn't easy, standing in the shadow of giants …
Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6819378/1/Backstage-32-ZeroSum-Game

This is one of those short stories that hits you harder than you expect. Let's put it this way, I wound up reading most of the author's other work just because of this story. Just read it.
I don't usually like stories from the perspective of Kennedy or Vi, but this story does something special by showing you what the Scoobies look like from the perspective of outsiders. It's worth reading just for that, but the zero sum theory Aadler works into the story makes it so much better. The final scene elevates the story to a new level. It's just a well-crafted piece.

5/5


Checked by Minion, January 26, 2014

 

This is a cute one-shot, it can be seen as a bit fanwankish but it still is kinda nice. 4/5

 

Bittersweet. It reads like it should be the teaser for a post-series novel, not a work in and of itself, honestly.

 

Bumped to gain attention: This needs more vote before I can move it.

I'll give it another four days and will move it on Sunday based on the current votes.