This is going to be my first post in a REALLY long time, so please just bare with me here.
This is an idea I had for a Ranma 1/2 alterverse story. It's one I haven't seen before and while I have NO intention of doing it myself I figured I would just put this out to see what people think of it.
This idea actually makes a rather major change to the timeline and can almost be summed up in one sentence: The Tendo's and the Kuonji's switch places.
To be more specific it goes a little like this. Instead of Soun training with Genma under Happosai Mr. Kuonji does instead. They form the same 'marry our children and combine the schools' pact and Genma still takes Ranma on the training trip.
During the training trip Genma cons the Tendo's (who he has never meet before) engaging Ranma to Akane. Genma makes off with the dowry (the deed to the dojo?) and causes Akane to loose face in the process, putting her in the 'pound Ranma flat' vengeance mood.
After the usual splash down in 'ye old Jusenkyo Ranma is taken to the Kuonji's instead of Tendo's and is engaged to Ukyou. (I am not sure if it is ever said that Ukyou doesn't have siblings, or where she lived originally. Personally I would just make sure whatever school they go to has a pompous fool like Kuno, though Tsubasa might be enough.)
Now you have to remember that at this point Ukyou and Ranma have never meet, and this will be Ranma's first forced engagement. While admittedly their reactions will have a lot to do with the author, they aren't too likely to get along right at first. Ranma has had no time to get used to being engaged to anybody, Ukyou and Ranma are not childhood friends, and Ukyou has not had ten odd years to get used to being engaged to anyone either.
Of course the really interesting events will happen when the vengeful Akane arrives on scene...
I know this is too complicated for me to do and my view of Ukyou is sometimes less than complementary, this can easily turn into a pro- OR anti- Ukyou story with just the simple spin the author puts on Ukyou's personality.
Well, what do you think? Please make all replies private unless the mailing list as a whole can benefit from your wisdom.
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"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."
-Bumper sticker
"I've got an idea. Lets find a cliff and
play lemmings. You can go first."
-Diana Troi
"Deep within the soul is a hidden power-
Deep within the heart is a mighty strength-
I call forth this power unto this plane-
To rend this world with my great might!
SOUL REAVER!"
-Something I made up for Slayers.