So this is another one of those stories I worked on with Matdeception and a few others on anime addventure. I can't claim anything except the paper this is printed on . . . yes, I know you're reading this online. Also, There is another crack fic version of the Switching Places Evangelion by Greyff on this site. It's definitely worth checking out. This is a slightly, only just slightly, more serious attempt at the story.

Stop me if you've heard this before. So a martial artist, a blond, and a magic lamp walk into a dojo…. except magic lamps can't walk. Wait, let me start again.

So it all started with a major magical artifact that belonged in Husaquahr, the world of magic beyond the Sea of Dreams. Throckmorton P. Ruddygore, master sorcerer, needed to get rid of a powerful item to save his world, the cursed wishing Lamp of Lakash.

In his mind, the only way to accomplish that was to wish it away. He wished it far into the universe and thought it lost for all time. Funny thing is that the universe is a huge place, but not huge enough for a certain good natured, if trouble prone, blond Galaxy Police officer named Mihoshi who somehow ended up meeting with an even more troubled cursed martial artist as the djinn of the cursed lamp.

The djinn just appeared and offered him, Ranma Saotome, a wish. Only one. He knew what he wanted to wish for, but the words froze as he opened his mouth. It wasn't that he didn't trust her. He was desperate enough and seen enough that he was willing to take a lot at face value. He just couldn't physical say his wish. Him, the brave martial artist was afraid to speak. He knew what he wanted, but his past way with words and wishes never came to a good end.

Thanks to Kuno's wish he still couldn't completely get rid of that statue of their 'first date'. It was buried in the backyard, but any attempts to discard the homely thing would lead it coming back in the strangest fashion. He once attempted to destroy it, but let's say the mental and physical strain wasn't worth a second go at it. (Let's just say it involved a sudden visit from his mother with a portfolio of photos, a series of omiai and, yes, Tatewaki was involved.)

He didn't like it, but he couldn't think of any other solution then this. The longer he delayed, the greater the chance some unlikely mishap would lead to the loss of his one chance of being normal again. He swallowed his pride and went to the smartest person he knew. (Who knows what happened to Dr. Tofu at this point of the manga!)

"I can have the wish?" Nabiki asked, almost distractedly as she considered this. Not that she really believed that it would actually happen, but if it were, then the wish could be viewed as a sort of legal contract. Wording would have to be very exact.

"Yes," Mihoshi said. "I am to give three people around whom chaos swirls a wish before I'm freed. Or someone can wish to be a djinn in which case I get replaced. After here I go to someplace called the Hinata House and give a wish to someone named Keitaro Urashima who has even worse girl troubles than Mister Saotome here!"

"Hmmm," said Nabiki distractedly. "I think I've got it." 'Yeah, I got that this is probably some new fiancée trying a different angle to get at the naïve guest at her home.'

"You do?" Ranma asked eagerly. "Neveh gunna be a girl again!"

"No, listen. Your curse isn't the worst of your problems by a long shot," indicated Nabiki as she pointed at her manga collection. "Nor is it the worst thing that could happen. These people have real world changing problems. What if I were to wish that you were exchanged with one of the characters from one of my manga? Think you could deal with what goes on there?"

"Granted. Well, it's been nice, gotta go!"

Nabiki snapped out of her distraction as the girl was surrounded by a glow and she realized this was for real. "HEY WAIT! That wasn't... oh crud."

As the very real wish went into effect, Ranma Saotome vanished, being exchanged with a very different person.

Nabiki looked at the manga she was pointing at and the person in front of her and went pale. "Ranma is so screwed."

"Oh," Mihoshi reappeared floating near the ceiling, "the djinn board says that I have to read this warning to you." She was holding a long scroll that went down to floor. Tiny glasses appeared on her face as she peered at the scroll. "It says that the person arriving will be viewed as if the real Ranma was here no matter how different that person may look or act. A bunch of stuff about them still expecting the same as before unless forcibly confronted with the difference. Except you, of course, since you made the wish. Ah, here is an important one about the outcome of your wish. If either should die of unnatural causes as a result of your wish then it would count very badly against your immortal soul which is already slightly on the bad side and something about being punished for all eternity. That's it for now. I'll be back in a bit once I get Ranma settled."

"Heck, I'm so screwed."