interesting idea that I hope is made into a story.

You got me. I love this one. I've seen Xander gain the pack back in other fics, but never seen Halloween be the cause for that, and definitely would never have thought to bring them together while possessed like that. I can see wanting to have to pack come back after The Zeppo, but I agree the way you set it up works so much better. This one I have no notes on how to do it better, I'd just love to see what you can make of it. (And of course I'd love it if you didn't get too upset if I "borrow" the main plot device sometime, with full credit given of course.)

Oh, and one think about your AN: I find it extremely funny about how some people can go on and on about "the subtext". They will spend hours doing close readings that would put Lit. Grads to shame in order to justify some fantasy or other. That's not actually funny, it's really rather pathetic. No, what is funny is that the ones who seem the most vocal and seem so very good at reading subtext... well, they seem incapable of reading text. (As in holding up one or two examples of "subtext" as proof to refute two hundred thousand words worth of text saying the exact opposite.)

I like this one too. I didn't get the Zelda connection until you mentioned it but I like it.

With this one, the main thing I would do differently is the opening. I understand for the purposes of just getting the idea down on paper it works, but if you're going to make an actual story of it then it's... well... crap. There are two basic ways to "fix" this while still telling a good story. The first is to have the beginning bit be a prologue, and instead of telling the story of the Shadow Men, actually write it in third person, with all the arguments between the three and finally ending with the creation of the three lines. The second way (and the one I prefer to read usually) would be to not preface that part of the story at all. Maybe start out with Xander being in his dream and dieing, much like a Slayer Dream. Still have comment about it going on since Halloween and talking to Giles then follow up with the Japan dream, although maybe in that one let Xander catch a glimpse of "himself" in a window or mirror and comment on the odd blond hair and blue-green eyes on a Japanese person (of that era at least). Basically keep the mystery going as long as possible, but still have skills and attitude slip through every now and then until the final change. I would work best if you could hold out for Wesley because in spite of being near useless in BtVS, he DID still have near encyclopedic knowledge of the supernatural and thus might know of Xander's line when Giles didn't (maybe not many Watchers know if it, and why bother telling a Field Watcher if the official policy is do nothing?). Unfortunately Wes takes too long to show up, so Giles will have to provide the back story for the group, but still might find a way to draw it out a bit. (Actually, one idea that throws back to the movie could be to have Giles read the file on Buffy from L.A., and have a full dossier on Pike that shows him having hair that is naturally blond but he dyed it black. Have it listed by Merick that the boy changed rapidly in the presence of the Slayer and became useful. This lead the Watchers to think HE was the current incarnation of this warrior and when he died before Buffy came to Sunnydale they assumed they wouldn't see the reincarnation for many years. Thus, it never entered Giles' mind that Xander could be this mystical warrior... just a thought.)

Okay, my crap aside, it really is a cool idea. The only problems is it might make Xander a little TOO super, too quickly. If I understand right, he wouldn't have enhanced strength or speed or anything, but even without powers that level of skill (all those lifetimes of gaining and honing) would put him WAY beyond the Slayer and pretty much everything else with the exceptions of Season Ending Bad Guys. That's one reason to draw it out a bit. (The other is Buffy. It may be a fanon cliche, but even in the show any time someone on the good side showed up with power near hers, her insecurities went into overdrive and caused massive friction. While I wouldn't suggest she beat him up or run him out of town like I've seen in some fics, a suddenly super Xander would cause friction while a gradually super Xander would be better tolerated - much like gradual super Willow was.)

I like this one, especially the "Crow" element. What makes it work even better is that unlike almost every other "possession fic" out there, you have him going back to get fully charged up. (I've only seen three other fics where Xander double dipped to get a possession powerup.)

I'll disagree with you on the hospital speech. The main reason is it is a defining moment for both Xander and Angelus. For Xander it shows he has, in spite of what most people see, incredible strength of will - in this case showing he has the will to die so long as he has a shot of taking Angelus with him (that shot being all the other humans who might jump in the fight and allow Xander to take the vamp with him). For Angelus/Angel it shows that at his heart Angelus is a coward, being that whatever he sees in Xander's eyes is enough to convince him there might be some actual risk. This contrasts with Angel, though they did it poorly, because with his soul he is much like Xander, willing to die to save those he cares about (or at least would be once he got his own show).

At any rate, imaginative and well written as always.

This is a tough on. I can commend your ideals on it, and it is a nice inversion of the usual Xander centric fic, which almost universally has Xander as the good guy. (I also agree somewhat with your take on most super!Xander fics being bash fests, though personally I can put up with it if it is used to further the story... for instance you bash Buffy and Willow for one, maybe two chapters and then Xander leaves town and we never see them again, or at least for a long time. It's just so damn hard to break him away from the gang in a believable manner given his devotion to them that you really need a betrayal to the level that it seems like bashing... but I've let this parenthetical get away from me.)

The real problem with this particular fic is that, at least as far as I can tell, you've basically covered it all. I mean, the Four Horsemen show up and you're no longer dealing with your run of the mill end of the world scenario, but rather dealing with THE Apocalypse. You're at end of days, so no matter what Buffy and the gang do, they're gonna lose. Heh... Trying to stop this one would put her against the good guys as well as the evil.

Only way that sort of fic can really work, at least in my opinion, is if you do a drawn out character study of how folks end up dealing with and ultimately accepting the end. I mean you could throw in a few interesting bits, such as Buffy and the gang calling on the Fang Gang for help, and likely getting Wolfram & Hart to help as well (since it is ruining THEIR end of the world). You can have the trials and even small victories that they suddenly realize don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Basically you're dealing with a drama at this point... which is fine and with your skills as a writer I'm sure you'll do it well. But things already seem down enough out there so these days I try to stay away from dramas or the depressing.

Nutshell: I understand and mostly agree with your motivation, I applaud your inventiveness, but I think your subject matter paints you into a corner that will be difficult to write at best. And even if you avoid the pitfalls and do a wonderful job, it still would likely be fairly depressing, no matter how impressive it might be.

Okay, I love this one. I'm just pissed I didn't think of it.

I would never steal an idea fully, but already I can tell just thinking about the interpersonal dynamics you set up in this it will eventually inspire a few original fics (for which you will get credit).

I read this whole thing - as of 0005 17 March, anyway - over on Twisting the Hellmouth, and tried to find more of your stories... but since I'm here, just thought I'd whine...er, /plead/, yeah, that's it plead for you to take this as the beginning of a truly Epic (note the capital here, please) story.

I figure that the Soldier possession, combined with the Hyena Primal and the Swim Team Incident and the Werewolf infection/mutation would combine to make a truly kick butt Xander, and Faith really needs his Pack mentality. She's had, as you point out here, as bad a home life as Xander, and the two are bonding oustandingly up to the Wet Works team called in by Stick Up His Butt.

This seems to have released the submerged Entity within Xander, and depending upon how you handle the resulting battle to save Faith and whether she is there to witness it - which I read that she is, that's the impression I got from the sentences, anyway - the bond could deepen to a truly special relationship.

Personally. I'd hope they get together romantically; it'd keep them both alive and healthy longer as well as being a pairing I really enjoy. But even if there isn't a romance there, they would still be an incredible team...

Hands down the best Dragon Age crossover I would love to see this become a full story!

Wow, this is looking to be an intense piece if it's ever expanded, though got a bad feeling, given how jealous and possessive willow and Buffy are, that the next meeting with Morrigan and Xander will have words and actions that will be given, that may not be at all appreciated.

awesome concept, i would love to see this fleshed out as a full story, I particularly enjoyed how well you portayed Xander's new character

Have to say this is probably my favorite among these, would be rather pleased to see it as a fic of its own.

Another fascinating idea here, and would be great fun to see, especially if Buffy were to be confronted, as it'd surely get her back up, and with Willow submitting, she'd be the one to have a good chance at being the Beta if she were in the pack.

Heh, try pointing out to the yaoi lovers that this is how a pack of dogs tends to act with each other. Up to and including the lying in a pile together. Hell, depending on the type of pack, (If the hyensa were all brother and sister for example) there might not be ANY "romance" between the pack, straight or otherwise. Its an interesting idea, thats for sure, and its a halloween fic idea I havent come across either. Might make a nice change from, "Xander dresses as something awesome and becomes ultra xander afterwards" type stories. I like em and all, but a change is always good. So far ive read a HALO xander who becomes the champion of the universe, iron man xander who has every tony stark ever made in his head, iron fist xander who is a kick ass martial artist, SUPERMAN xander, the most recent perfect lionheart story where he is a living magic the gathering xander (Which is looking to be a very cool fic so far) A Spark Xander, (read girl genius webcomic to understand that one) and a few others I cant think of off the top of my head.

I understand why it always seems to be xander. He is the one without any powers so it feels good to boost him up, but making him super awesome tends to ruin things. Id say half or more of the stories I listed have the btvs story get left behind or relegated to an unimportant corner of the fic. Mainly because xander is just too damn strong. So if you decide to turn this into an actual fic ill be happy because it looks like its really more of a slightly stronger xander and his new pack of friends. Not a guy who will end up as the benevolent dictator of a half dozen european countries able to beat up the justice league in a fight.

very good work

Great plot and I would like to see it continued, specially if you include Midna, as a constant companion/lover.