Ranma 1/2 owned by Rumiko Takahashi

Tribe of One owned by TSR

********************************************************************

Ranma/Play stared at her reflection in one of the pools of the
cursed springs.

"Hey!  I'm kinda cute!" she said, striking a pose.

She then started squeezing her breasts and giggled.

<Guardian> *Play!  You stop that right now!*

<Play> *But this is fun!  I like this body!  Let's jump into another
spring!*

<Bitter> *Don't you DARE!  This is bad enough...*

<Guardian> *Please be quiet, I have to try to wake up Ranma.*


After a few moments of the Guardian's gently probing, Ranma woke up and took
control.
He blinked a few times and looked around, confused.  He then looked at his
body and
screamed.  He was about to black out again, when the Guardian stopped him.

<Guardian> *Calm down!  Things are not as bad as they seem...*

"NOT THAT BAD???" Ranma screamed aloud, "I'm a guy in a WOMAN's body!"

<Guardian> *And _I_ am a woman who was in a MAN'S body.  If I can deal with
it,
so can you.  Settle down and pay attention to me.*

Ranma slowed his breathing and said, "Sorry...but this scares me."

<Guardian> *I know it does, but like I said, it's not that bad.  While you
were
out, I probed the Guide's mind.  Bitter, ask the Guide for some hot water.
He
has some in a thermos he is carrying.*

<Ranma> *Hot water?*

<Guardian> *Trust me.*


   *****************************************
   *     *
   * Raoh the Conquorer presents *
   *     *
   *    A Story of Ranma 1/2  *
   *     *
   * A Stained Glass Mind part 3 *
   *     *
   *****************************************


Ranma/Bitter asked the guide for some hot water and the Guide, realizing
what his
customer wanted to do with it, calmly dumped it over his head.  Ranma took
control
again as his body became male.

<Ranma> *What happened? How did I change back?*

<Guardian> *This place father has brought us to is a set of _cursed_
springs.  Someone,
or something died in each one of the springs here.  From now on, if anyone
falls into
the springs, he will take on the form of whatever drown there.  You knocked
father
into the Spring of Drown Panda; he knocked us into Spring of Drown Girl.
Apparently,
hot water reverses the curse, but it is not a cure.  Cold Water will change
us back into
a female.*


Ranma sat down on the ground and put his head in his hands.

"Oh man...So I guess I'd better stay away from Cold water then..."

<Guardian> *Ranma, there is one other thing I have to tell you...*

The Guardian sounded troubled and was hesitating a bit, which was not like
her
at all, so Ranma was understandably puzzled.

<Ranma> *Yes?  What's wrong?*

<Guardian> *There is a Spring of Drown Man here as well.  If you jumped into
it,
you would be cured.*

<Ranma> *But...*

<Guardian>  *I know this is a lot to ask, but this female form is actually
good
for some of us.  It gives us an outlet that we didn't have before.  Play,
Watcher,
and I would like to keep the curse.  You are not stuck in it after all, and
it
will benefit the tribe.*

<Ranma> *Oh man... Do you realize what you are asking me?*

<Guardian>  *I understand perfectly what I am asking you, that's why I told
you of the Spring of Drown Man.  The decsion is yours Ranma, the rest of the
tribe doesn't really care one way or the other.*

<Ranma> *But it is important to you?*

The Guardian remained silent.

<Ranma> *Sigh... very well, I will... stay like this.*

<Play> *Yeaaaaa!!!!!  I can go out, and go shopping, and go on-*

<Ranma> *PLAY!  If you do something that I will regret later on, I will
never
let you have control again!  Even if I have to _kill_ us to stop you!*

The rest of the tribe stayed silent.

<Guardian> *Thank you Ranma, I know how hard this is for you.  I'll keep
Play
in line*

Ranma suddenly noticed that the Panda and the Guide were staring at him.
The Panda
held up a sign that read, 'Are you OK, son?'

Ranma smiled, "Sure Otosan, I'm fine."

"Well, let's go to the Guide's house then. " Genma said as Ranma poured what
was left of the hot water on him.

As soon as they reached the house, the trio ate lunch and Ranma and Genma
discussed
their new situation.

"Ranma, "  Genma began, "This curse of yours could... cause some problems."

<Bitter> *HA! Remember your promise, Ranma!  We should leave right now!*

"Problems, Otosan? "  Ranma said with a smile, "You mean like the promise
you
made to Mom?"

Genma paled.  "How... did you-"

"Didn't Aunt Ryoko tell you about my tribe?"

Genma began to look uncomfortable.  "Well, yes... but we didn't really
discuss it in detail."

<Bitter> *Coward!*

"Well, one of my personalities is a telepath.  I know, Otosan.  I know
everything."

"You read my MIND?"  Genma asked, his anger rising.

"Not me, one of the tribe did."

"This... this is very confusing Ranma."  Genma said, his anger deflating.

"I know Otosan. I'm sorry to say that I am going to have to leave you now."

"WHAT?  But- but... I have so much to teach you still, and... and..."

"And you want me marry one of your friend's daughters."  Ranma finished.

Genma just nodded weakly.

"I'm sorry Otosan, but the tribe does not trust you.  Bringing me here did
not
help matters at all.  I am going to go see mother, dispite your promise.
You are
welcome to join me if you wish, but I WILL see her."

Genma thought for a moment.  *Maybe I can still get us out of this.  It's a
long
way to Japan.  The poor boy isn't in control of himself.  That damned tribe
is
doing this.  Maybe I can find a doctor...*

Luckily for Genma, Guardian was not in control at the moment.  After a few
moments
Genma said, "OK Ranma, We'll do it your way.  Let's go visit your mother."

<Bitter> *This is a mistake Ranma, we shouldn't take him with us.  And why
do you
want to see mother anway?  She's probably as cracked as father.  Do you WANT
to
kill yourself?*

<Ranma> *No, Bitter, but we have to give Okasan a chance... She deserves
that.*

The next day, Ranma and Genma left the Guide's home a started traveling
towards
China's eastern coastline.  The traveled alon and did not meet many people.
The
first few days passed by uneventful.

Finally, after one week had passed, they entered a village and Genma was
eager to
stop and rest for a while.  He was in decent physical shape, but he could
not
keep up with the pace that Ranma had kept.  Ranma, of course, had the tribe,
and they
took turns walking.  Even though they were in the same body, they  could
still travel
farther on foot than most 'normal' people.  Genma had somehow felt the
hostility
that the tribe had for him.  Everyone once in a while, Ranma would give him
a dark look
that spoke volumes.  At least, Genma had thought that it was Ranma.  For
this reason,
and to avoid any _other_ confrontations, Genma remained in Panda form
through out
the journey.

The outskirts of the village looked empty but Watcher could sense that there
were
a large group of people congregating near by. Ranma curiously walked over to
the
crowd.  The crowd was watching two women fight on a large log that was
suspended
in mid air by some ropes.  Ranma joined the crowd and watched the fight with
interest.
One of the combatants, a pretty girl with purple hair, seemed to be gaining
the
upper hand.

<Ranma> *Wow.  That girl's got some serious power.*

<Play>  *What ARE those things she's swinging around?  They look kinda
cute.*

<Bitter> *They look utterly rediculous.*

<Ranma>  *Those are bonboris.  I've seen some of the woman back at the
village
use them.  Although, they weren't as colorful.*

The fight finished as the purple-haired girl knocked her opponent off the
log
and sent her flying away. The girl jumped off the log with a smile on her
face.  She then turned towards Ranma and the smile becaome a glare.

<Ranma> *uh oh.  What did we do?*

The girl walked up to Ranma and started yelling at him in Chinese.  She
gestured
towards Genma, so Ranma turned around.  There, Genma-Panda was sitting
contentedly
by a table filled with food, or rather, the left overs of a big meal.  Ranma
turned
back towards the girl and said, "I'm sorry, but I don't speak Chinese..."

"She wants to know why your Panda is eating her prize."  A voice rang out
from
the silent crowd.

Ranma turned towards the voice and the crowd parted as a short, old woman
hopped
into view using an gnarled wooden staff.

<Ranma>  *Guardian...*

Guardian immediately took control and tried to probe the old woman's mind.

<Guardian>  *She blocked my probe!*

<Ranma> *How is THAT possible?  No one at our village could do that!*

<Guardian>  *I don't know, but I think we're in trouble.*

"Well boy?  What are you going to do about this? "  The old woman asked.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know that the food was a prize...  I'll gladly pay-"

"How does money restore Honor?  or pay for an insult?"  the old woman
demanded.

Ranma just stared at the women wordlessly.  Slowly he hung his head with
shame.

"My great-grand-daughter, Shampoo, won our annual tournament today.  If you
want
to make amends for stealing her rightful award, you must defeat her in
combat.
If you win, we will let you go... If you lose, you will be... punished."

Ranma nodded slowly, a grin starting to form on his face.

<Bitter>  *Here we go again...*

Ranma jogged up to the large log and jumped on top of it with one leap.  The
old
woman, meanwhile, told Shmapoo what Ranma had agreed upon.  Shampoo grinned
viscously and she too jumped up onto the log.  The fight, itself, was
relatively
short.  Ranma saw an opening in Shampoo's defense almost immediately and
quickly
kicked her off the log.

Ranma made a show of dusting his hands off and jumped down off the log.

<Ranma>  *Well that wasn't any fun at all...*

<Guardian>  *Stop showing off!  We're in enough trouble as it is.*

Shampoo slowly stood up, brushed herself off and walked towards Ranma.

<Guardian>  *Be careful.*

Then, she did something totally unexpected;  she gave Ranma a big hug and a
long sensuous kiss.

<Guardian>  *Stop this!*

<Play>  *Hmmmm... this is nice...*

The watcher simply fled.

<Guardian>  *Ranma?  RANMA!*

Ranma jerked his head back and quickly disengaged himself from Shampoo's
embace.
Shampoo just smiled smiled happily at him and said, "Airen..."

The old woman hopped over to the stunned Ranma and said, "Congratulations
Son-in-Law.
You have defeated my Great Grand-Daughter.  I'm pleased that such a
formidable
fighter will be joining our blood-line."

"Son-in-Law????"  Ranma asked.

<Guardian>  *I think we'd better leave.  Right now.*

The old woman ignored Ranma's shocked look and said, "My name is Cologne.  I
am the
Matriarch of this village, the Amazon Tribe.  By our tribal laws, Shampoo is
now
your wife."

"What tribal laws?"

"If a female is defeated by an outsider, and the outsider is male, she will
marry him."

"Look, lady, you promised to let me go if I win, and I won..."

"By all means, leave if you wish.  But Shampoo will go with you as your
wife.  If
you reject her, be prepared to face the wrath of 3000 years of Amazon
traditions. "

"Sorry Cologne, I can't marry Shampoo. I'm going to Japan.  Alone."

Shampoo started to step towards Ranma, but Cologne stopped her with a harsh
command.

"What makes you think we will allow you to leave here without her?  I have
been waiting
for a strong young man to marry into our family.  You fit the bill nicely.
Besides, I
would not let a telepath walk away so easily."

Ranma's face paled in shock.

<Play>  *She knows!*

<Guardian>  *Maybe... but not everything... I don't _think_ she knows about
the rest of us.*

"That's right boy, I felt your attempt at probing my mind.  You are very
strong for
one so young."

Ranma calmed himself and said, "I am leaving here; and you can not stop me.
I CAN NOT
marry Shampoo.  There are many reasons for this, and I don't plan on getting
into
them now."  Ranma turned towards his father and said, "Let's go."

As Ranma turned to leave, Cologne hopped in front of him and blocked his
path.  The
rest of the villagers started backing away.  Ranma jumped back and crouched
down into
a fighting stance.

"I don't want to hurt you Cologne, but I will not be a prisoner here and I
will not
marry your Great grand-daughter.  That is final."

"So be it boy, beat me... if you can!"

Cologne hopped off of her staff and swung it around on top of Ranma's head.
Ranma
saw stars as the staff smashed onto the top of his head.  As he shook his
head, trying
to clear it, he was hit again this time on the back.  The blow caused him to
loose
his balance and he fell forward.

He immediately put his arms in front of him and was able to roll with the
fall and
flip forward.  He spun around to face Cologne but was met by her staff
smashing into
his nose.  Ranma's head jerked back, his face bloodied.

<Bitter> *Might I suggest that you release Shade?*

<Ranma>  *No!  Shade will kill her!*

<Guardian> *We are outmatched here!  Even Shade won't be able to kill her,
but with
luck we may survive this.*

The staff hit Ranma in the stomach then on the back of the head as he
doubled over in pain.

<Shade>  *RELEASE ME*

Through the pain and dizziness Ranma relaxed and gave up control.
Ranma/Shade stood
up and faced Cologne impassively.

"So, have you had enough, boy?"  Cologne asked with a smug look on her face.

Ranma/Shade just glided towards Cologne and started his attack.  Cologne was
pushed
back onto the defensive, but was able to block or dodge all of Ranma/Shade's
attacks.

"Very good boy... but let me show what REAL speed is!"

Cologne dropped her staff and yelled, "Katchu-tenshin-Amiguriken!"  and
proceeded to
hit Ranma/Shade at a furious pace.

Ranma/Shade slowly but steadily backed up under the assault.  Shade ignored
the pain,
and in a very clinical manner, attempted to look for an opening in Cologne's
attack.
Suddenly, with out warning, Ranma/Shade reached out a grabbed Cologne's
right hand
just as it was about to hit him yet again.

Cologne stared in amazement at the young man whom she had just hit with over
a hundred
blows.  Her amazememt turned to pain as Ranma/Shade squeezed her fist in his
hand, and
kept sqeezing until the bones in her fingers and wrist started to break.

With a scream of rage and pain, Cologne pulled back her left hand, which had
started
to glow.  She launched the glowing hand straight at Ranma's chest and he was
hit
with a force of pure Ki.  Ranma's body flew back for about sixty feet before
he landed
on the ground in a heap.  For some reason, the Ki attack hurt Shade in a way
that the
physical attacks had not, and his consciousness submerged once again.

Ranma took control as Shade left.  His whole body was numb with soreness and
pain.
His chest felt like it was on fire and he looked up to see a livid Cologne
stalk
towards him.

<Bitter>  *I think we're in trouble*

<Guardian>  *I can't wake up Shade!  Ranma, you're going to have to handle
this.*

<Ranma>  *How?  What the hell did she hit me with?  I haven't mastered any
Ki techniques yet!*

<Master>  *Ranma, let go.*

<Ranma>  *MASTER????*

<Master>  *Let go...*

<Guardian>  *Do it Ranma!*

Slowly, Ranma slipped back and allowed Master to take control of his body
for
the first time.  Ranma/Master stood up and faced Cologne, a serene and
confident
look on his face.

"Enough of this boy,  I was going to go easy on you.  But it looks like I've
misjudged
you.  You are not worthy of joining my tribe.  You will die."  Cologne said.

"Behold, you old wench!  A secret technique of the Village of the Mind!
SOLIT-AIRE!"

A gust of wind picked up in the village and blew towards Cologne.  At first,
the
wind was a breeze, but it hastily gained strength and started pushing her
back.  After
a few moments, Cologne could no longer move forward.  She slowly looked up
towards
Ranma and saw him standing, straight and tall, about a dozen feet in front
of her.
Slowly he raised his right hand and it began to glow.  A second later the
wind
died down completely and a stream of Ki shot from Ranma/Master's hand and
hit Cologne.

The force of the blast picked her up in the air and threw her a few hundred
feet back,
where she crashed into one of the villagers' houses.  Master withdrew
himself and
Ranma re-emerged; just in time to pass out from strain and exhuastion.  The
villagers
looked on in various stages of shock.  They could not believe that their
Fight Mistress
had been defeated.

Genma took this opportunity to do what he did best; escape.  He picked up
the
unconscious form of his son. carried him over his broad, furry back and ran
out
of the village of the Amazons'; hopefully never to return.

Shampoo looked in the direction of her fast disappearing husband.  She
sighed with
bliss and said, "Airen..."

************************
End Part 3.
************************

Next time:  Ranma meets his mother.


*****************************
OK someone mentioned that 'Stained Glass Mind'
did not quite fit as the title to this story,
so I thought i'd explain where it came from
(just to make sure my references and assumptions
were correct)

I was under the impression that a Stained Glass Window
was a decorative window made up of many different pieces of
glass, each with a different color.  They are usually found
in churches and when looked at together, form a beautiful picture.
Am i right?  or did I get the term wrong?  Well, anyway, I chose
this title because Ranma's mind is in a similar state.  It is defragmented
into different parts, different 'colors' as it were... But all together,
they form something beautiful.  Synergy at its best.  Oh well.... thanks to
everyone who wrote about this one, should be starting part 4 soon.

And, Special thanks to Sir Olin, fellow Disciple of Eriond, for his
encouragement
and his alternate storyline.  I hope he writes it one day.


-anand