Yes the man is back at it!  Multiple replies for the fics that I
have had time to catch up on.  To be reviewed this issue:  Crossed Lives,
Descents and Inversions, The Surreal World, and Foxx's Fanfic.  All reviews
rendered from personal opinion and no insult is meant<---disclaimer  Oh, 
yeah... SPOILERS BELOW!!



 		      
1) Crossed Lives:  

	Ok, I'm pulling no punches and giving my honest opinion on this
work---I like it!  Seriously, I find the thesis(Ranma crossing into a
alternate reality where he is married to Akane)rather interesting.  It
offers a glimpse of what many would like to, or think they will see, in
the future.  My only confusion is for the inhabitants of the alternate
dimension; they don't act that much like the Ranma cast that we all know
and love.  And for that matter neither does Alternate Ranma.  While I
understand this can be attributed to the significant event in their life
that is missing in the lives of the normal cast(I imagine that Ranma
marrying Akane would be at least a slightly significant event in the lives
of the inhabitants of Nerima with which we are familiar)some of their
actions just don't seem ranma-ish.  Would a Ranma who married Akane two
months before be as drastically different from the Ranma we know.  He'd
probably make an effort to be more considerate, but I still expect him, if
only out of habit, to make some smarmy remark.  By the same token, I would
expect Akane to keep her interdimensional hammer sheathed more often, but
completely inert?  No.  Of course, there is a lot of story left so they
still have much time to show their true colors.  All in all, I really like
this story and am looking forward to continuation. 



2) Descents and Inversions:

	Continuing in the vein of stories with characters from alternate
dimensions, we have this fic.  This is one of my favorites so far; I
generally don't go in for Ranma and... type stories, but this breaks the
mold.  Nerima's next generation from several possible futures have
accidentally come to pay a visit upon him through Spring's, who happens to
be Ranma and Shampoo's daughter, efforts to find a strong husband.  So
far, this story is VERY entertaining.  The main characters are likeable
and recognizable for their forebearers.  I think the only good advice I
can offer for this story is to continue.  Also being that I have always
been one who fervently believes that Nabiki and Kuno BELONG together,
Tatchi is a wonderful inclusion.  My only question is that I have seen her
call herself Tatchi Tendo and Tatchi Kuno.  Which is it?  Who took who's
name?  I don't imagine anything on heaven, earth, or in between could
convince the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High to forsake his family's name;
besides I don't imagine Nabiki would find it a problem to become Kuno
Nabiki, in her oh so romantic cost-benefit analysis of the situation. 
Anyway, great fic, 'nuff said! 


3) The Surreal World:

	Another personal fave, this is possibly the greatest crossover
attempt undertaken yet(if we don't count Twister who bounces from universe
to universe).  My only concern is how you're going to cope with so many
characters from differing universes per episode.  I have heard it bounced
around the ML to only deal with several character universes an episode and
this sounds like a good idea(I can't take credit for it though; I think it
was Isabel's idea, but I'm not sure).  You've got a lot possibilities for
interaction.  Everyone has got something to hide(except maybe Ataru whose 
lechery is obvious and well-documented).  A house of multiple secrets? 
That's begging for some embarrassing scenes, as the characters attempt to
cover-up or explain the strange ocurrances that seem to happen around
them.  Their primary secrets: 

Ranma:          his curse

Kasuga:         his powers

Nuku-Nuku: 	the fact that she's not only a cat,(which I believe Wasshu  
                has already discovered), but an android as well.

Wasshu:         her origin(she's alien and damn proud of it, but I believe 
		Tenchi has asked her to refrain from making that common    
   		knowledge).

Urd: 		her origin; I don't think she wants her housemates to 
		know that she's a goddess(although with Urd anything's 
		possible), they'd be inclined to ask for a wish            
                (Ranma: "Nannichuan!"; Kasuga: "Please help me let  
		Hikaru-chan down easily."; Nuku-Nuku: "Ahhhh... fish! 
		and a body for Ami-chan, and for Papa-san and Mama-san      
                to stay together, and a new bike for Ryonosuke-chan 
		and..."; Wasshu:"Hmmm."; Ataru:"Beautiful women---a 
		horde of naked beautiful women who are in love with me!"     
                or even worse "For a sexy babe like you to be with me 
		forever!".

In other words you've got a winner on your hands.  Keep it 
going(hopefully without taking silly advice from me).


4) Foxx's Fanfic:  

	Well this one is fairly young so there isn't much to it yet.  I
enjoyed reading what it contained but I was confused on several points. 
Kuno's poetry spouting is an act?  All indications would point to this
being a primary part of his character.  Is the effect you're trying to
achieve one of a serious Tatewake?  If so(and that is what I have gleaned
from what I've read) I would direct you to Chiesai:  Dreams Of Darkness,
by our very own Windlilly.  An excellent fic which displays our normally
not-terribly-serious friend Kuno Tatewake as a real person.  Or Blue
Thunder Rising, the story of Kuno B.R.S.(Before Ranma Saotome).  Both are
two of my favorites(hell, look at my handle and guess my favorite Ranma
character).  The idea of seeing the whole story through the eyes of Kuno,
is a good one(I've only seen one other fic do it--Blue Thunder Rising),
but this Kuno does not resemble the one I am used to.  I think you're
running with football before you caught it(something the Steelers are
notorious for--just kidding!!).  You want to show us a different Kuno,
well and good, but take us there.  Don't WHAM!! Akane's dead and Kuno's
transformed.  Let his transformation be a little more gradual, as he slips
deeper and deeper into a guilt induced depression.  The fic is still a
novel idea, with the potential to be a great story.  One question though;
I believe you mentioned Shampoo and someone else, I believe one of Ranma's
other fiancees(memory fails me at this point)deriding Kuno for causing
Akane's death.  Why would they?  I'm not espousing that they would be
celebrating Akane's passing(well maybe some would)but I don't think they'd
be mad at Kuno for causing her death.  My view, of Shampoo mainly, is that
she would mostly apathetic; perhaps tinged with some sadness.  Certainly
not enough emotion to insult Kuno about it. 


Duane L. Pinnock
LOR
---
Giants: 1997 SuperBowl Champions.  Dave Brown, Most Valuable Player.