On to one of the more interesting Ranma AU's - interesting for
not really featuring Ranma.


"The Shampoo Variation"
"Crossover"
"Worlds in Collision"
"Timelines"

all by Mark Latus


I've always been fond of AU stories - drawing "What if's" in
your own vision, as opposed to the original authors.  Mark has
produced one of the most interesting of these genres - and I 
don't just say this because they all feature Ryouga, my favorite
male Ranma character.

"The Shampoo Variation"

Sort of a prelude to the series as a whole, this features a 
Ryouga who is the one to defeat Shampoo, leading unexpectantly
to big trouble for Ranma.  A simple tale, but introduces the 
idea that will drive the series.  

"Crossover"

The plot in this one is *just* barely followable, but of course
the reason to read these are the Ryougas.  Ranging from normal
(#4) to wildly weird (#5) to disturbing (#6), we get a full
range of what if's here.  As with The Shampoo Variation, the 
drama tends to overshadow the comedy, but Ryouga #2, aka
Ryouga-chan, brings lots of laughs, and remains my favorite.

"Worlds in Collision"

This is where the plot really gets too complex for its own
good - there were huge gouts of plot that I skipped with no 
ill-effects.  I'm not familiar with the Guyver universe, but
didn't find any major problems.  The contrast between the two
Nabikis was perhaps the best part of this fic, and the budding
romance between Guyver Ryouga and Nabiki was very sweet.  Plus,
the idea of Keiichi Morisato as a ninja makes this fic.

"Timelines"

At last, a comedy!  Timelines has many hilarious set pieces to
recommend it, including the speech by Yokho, which appears to mix
up Devil Hunter Yokho with Sailor Moon.  Belldandy is written
perfectly; Mark should do an AMG fic.  This is my personal 
favorite, mixing comedy and drama excellently, and Ryouga-chan
and Ryouga-K(odachi) are excellent rivals.  The best of the
series.

And that, sadly, is it.  There were several other stories proposed,
but Futureshock is in the far future, and the rest appeared to 
be forgotten.  I would love to hear the story of how Ryouga-chan
and Nabiki got engaged, for one.  Let's hope, after the current
slate of BGC and Sailor Moon fics, Mark returns to the Ryouga 
crossover universe.


Next:  "Akane Por Siempre" and "Improbable Encounter"

--Sean Gaffney
--"You git!  I thought you were dead!  Git git git!" - Benny, No Future