Synapsis

Ranma's chaotic life continues to get crazier when he gets pulled into the distant future (or the distant past depending on your perspective) by a mysterious ter'angreal.With a new mysterious power in female form, will he be able to escape the clutches of the Aes Sedai or will he become one of them?

Author's Note: On Pronouns and terms

Ranma is essentially a transgender male while in female form in canon, although one could make the case that Ranma is non-binary. For the purposes of this story I will treat Ranma as non-binary (genderfluid) and they will change genders along with sex. Thus I will use she when they are in female form, and he in male form. Of course, growing up with such a misogynistic father makes it rather difficult for Ranma to be ok with feminine things, and thus they will always refer to themselves as male unless that changes throughout the course of the story.

Since there are quite a few terms that may be unknown to people, I recommend you Google them as you go, however I will try to post at the end explaining them (example, ter'angreal: A kind of angreal that doesn't necessarily require the one power, and serves a specific purpose)

" " Speech

' ' Thoughts

Old Tongue

Timeline: This occurs after Saffron/failed wedding for Ranma, and occurs before The Eye of the World

Disclaimer:

I own nothing, these characters belong to Robert Jordon, and Takahashi Rumiko

Chapter One: A New Beginning

Nerima-ku, Tokyo

"RANMA, PREPARE TO DIE!"

A man holding a red umbrella, with yellow spotted bandana on his forehead flew toward his foe like a meteor from on high, leg outstretched in a sidekick. His target was one Saotome Ranma, a martial artist of high caliber, and for the moment a pigtailed redhead.

"You'll have to do better than that, Pig Boy!"yelled Ranma as she quickly dodged the kick, while countering with 50 quick punches to her foe's ribs.

Hibiki Ryoga hardly flinched at the barrage as he continued on his trajectory, creating a crater in the freshly paved street. The barrage had thrown him off, so his landing was somewhat sloppy.

"All of my suffering is your fault Ranma, and I will have my revenge!" He cried as he quickly aimed a fist for Ranma's head.

"Give it a rest P-Chan! Yer always blamin' me for your own problems an' I'm sick of it!" Ranma said as she ducked under Ryoga's arm and backhanded him in the head, briefly sending her long time friend/enemy sprawling.

Ryoga's anger grew due to Ranma's dismissal of his problems, and he began to power up a ki attack he had recently learned.

"With my new technique I'll finally defeat you, Ranma!" Ryoga said. 'With you out of the way, I'll finally have my chance with Akane!' He thought as he continued to power up his attack.

Obviously Ranma wasn't about to let Ryoga charge up his attack without contest, no matter how much she wanted to see this new technique. She launched herself at Ryoga, all the while wishing she had some hot water so that she could become male again. You see, due to a cursed training ground named Jusenkyo, when splashed with cold water Ranma becomes female, while hot water reverses the curse. Due to chasing her foolish father after extricating herself from the spring of drowned girl, she accidentally knocked Ryoga into the spring of drowned black piglet. Naturally Ryoga was less than thrilled about becoming so small and weak due to his new curse.

Ryoga backed away rapidly, hoping to finish charging his attack before Ranma could get to him, however his eyes widened in surprise as Ranma began to glow for a moment, and then disappeared entirely.

"Ranma?"

"C'mon Ranma, I thought you sealed the Umisenken you honorless bastard! Stop hiding"

"Ranma...?"

Ryoga waited another five minutes before dropping his fists and cancelling his charged ki attack. 'Just like Ranma to run like a coward in the middle of a fight,' he thought as he picked up his pack that had fallen off his shoulders during the fight. He then walked off into the sunset, which was unfortunate, as he needed to go north rather than west to reach the Tendo Dojo. Akane wouldn't be seeing her pet pig for a few more weeks it seems.

Randland, Tar Valon

10 minutes prior...

Fyla Gamaryn, a novice in the White Tower, the seat of power for the Aes Sedai, inspected an oddly shaped ter'angreal. It appeared to be shaped somewhat like an hourglass, with the flame of Tar Avalon printed on the top half, and the Dragon's claw on the bottom. She knew that as a novice she shouldn't mess around with the ter'angreal in case she inadvertently activated it, and caused trouble for the Aes Sedai. She had found it while walking the grounds just outside the tower, and wondered how none of the Aes Sedai had noticed it before. 'The Wheel weaves and the Wheel wills,' Fyla thought as she grabbed hold of it.

Suddenly the ter'angreal sparkled a bright blue, and with a loud pop she just barely glimpsed a foot before something fell on top of her, causing her to topple to the ground

Thanking the Light that she didn't lose consciousness, she rubbed her head and then made an effort to pick herself back up. She quickly fell back to the ground, as the strain was too great. She'd never done much physical labor, being a merchant's daughter, so lifting herself as well as the weighty object on her back was simply too difficult.

"Ooh my head. What the hell did Ryoga do?" Said the object on her back, revealing that it was a person. The person rolled off of Fyla, and looked around with a confused expression while Fyla got to her feet. Once she got up, she took in the person standing in front of her. Her hair was red, and worn in a pigtail, and her rather buxom chest was contained within a red shirt of a kind she hadn't seen before. Her pants were black and looked somewhat baggy, while her feet were contained within a pair of black slippers.

"Um, who...who are you" Fyla said with a concerned look tinged with guilt.

"I'm Saotome Ranma, heir to the Anything Goes school of martial arts, you can jus' call me Ranma. Where the hell am I? One moment I was fightin' Ryoga, the next I'm landing on yer head," Ranma said while looking about her with a confused expression.

"This is Tar Valon, I...I'm afraid I might've brought you here with this," Fyla said as she held out the ter'angreal.

"Wha' is it? An' how do I get back to Nerima?" Ranma asked.

"Nerima? I've not heard of a town called Nerima before, I think I'd better take you to the Mistress of Novices, she might be able to help. I just hope they don't kick me out of the tower for using this by accident..." Fyla said with a depressed look on her face.

"Alright, whatever gets me back to Nerima, or at least Japan I guess. Lead the way."

A short time later they had arrived in front of Sheriam Bayanar's door, the Mistress of Novices.

Fyla gave a polite knock. "Sheriam Sedai, I was wondering if you could help me with an issue..."

"Come in child, I have some spare time" Sheriam replied.

Fyla motioned for Ranma to follow her in and they sat in front of Sheriam's desk.

Ranma observed Sheriam as she walked in. She was 5'5", with hair as red as her own. Her face had a sort of ageless feel to it, and her green eyes carefully studied her, causing her look away at the uncomfortable feeling the eyes brought.

"And who is this that you've brought, child?" Sheriam asked.

"This is Saotome Ranma, she's the issue actually. I..um...found a ter'angreal by the base of the tower earlier while walking about the grounds, and when I touched it Ranma appeared in midair above me. She says she's from somewhere called Nerima, Japan, but I've never heard of such a place. So I brought her here hoping you could help her."

Throughout her explanation, Ranma winced every time she was referred to as a girl, but she didn't say anything in the hopes that she could get home before anyone witnessed her curse. It would only complicate things if these people found out.

Sheriam pondered Fyla's words as she studied the petite redhead. She had been shocked when Ranma first walked in, the girl had the spark, an innate ability to use the One Power, within her and not only that but she could potentially be stronger than the Amyrlin in strength someday.

"I see. I have never heard of such a place either, but I will speak with others of my Ajah in case they have heard of it. Ranma was it? Has there ever been a time in your life when something unexplained has happened? There would've been a sickness following it as well," Sheriam asked.

"Ha! My whole life has been unexpected weirdness. I guess I did get kinda sick after comin' back from Jusendo though, but it was no big deal. No sickness can put Saotome Ranma down for long!" Ranma said with a cocky smile on her face.

"You really should speak more humbly to an Aes Sedai, young lady. Fyla, you may leave for now I will take care of things," Sheriam said.

Ranma bristled at being called a young girl, as well as being chastised, and was about to stick her foot in her mouth as usual before she was cut off by Fyla.

"Thank you, Aes Sedai, I will return to my duties," Fyla said as she exited, closing the door behind her on the way out.

"Ranma, you are what we would call a wilder, someone who has learned to use Saidar without training. Saidar is the female part of the One Power, and by guiding it we can do many things. Since you are a wilder you may have a block that prevents you from using Saidar unless certain conditions are met. Becoming a novice of the tower would give you a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and a chance to get rid of that block you have. It would also ensure that you can channel Saidar safely. Without proper training, you could even kill yourself by accident or burn out your ability to channel." Sheriam had always liked helping novices remove their blocks and with potential like Ranma had, she felt like she had to get Ranma to stay and become an Aes Sedai.

Ranma, however, was getting really tired of being referred to as a girl.

"Female...part? I ain't no weak girl! I'm a guy damnit!" Ranma shouted, crossing her arms under breasts, her face contorting in frustration and anger.

"Excuse me? What do you mean by that? A man can't channel Saidar, and since you have the potential, there's no way you can be male," Sheriam explained with a confused expression on her face. She pointedly ignored the weak girl part, but resolved to teach the girl that women were anything but weak.

"I...er...well...you see I've got a curse. My stupid Pops took me to this place called Jusenkyo, an' there's all these springs with tragic stories. If ya fall in one, you turn inta whatever drowned in tha spring. I fell in tha spring of drowned girl. Cold water turns me inta a girl, and hot turns me back inta a guy," Ranma explained. Sheriam had a look of shock on her face, as she'd never heard of anything changing a persons gender before.

"I think I shall need to see this, come with me to the kitchens child" as she said this she went to the door and opened it, motioning for Ranma to leave.

After acquiring both hot and cold water in the kitchens, they returned to Sheriam's office. Once the door was securely shut, Ranma poured just enough hot water over his head to activate the curse causing Sheriam to gasp in surprise. She had known from his explanation that it would happen, but to see the black haired boy standing before her where once was a short red headed girl was a bit overwhelming.

"Hot water reverses it, an' cold activates it," Ranma said as he poured the cold water over his head, becoming the buxom redhead once more.

"Incredible, I've never seen anything like it...I only hope your male half is unable to channel Saidin, the male half of the One Power. It is tainted by the Dark One, and men who use it go mad. If the Red Ajah were to hear of this they'd certainly try to have you gentled in your male form, and stilled in your female. You should stay in your female form for now, for your own safety. If you channeled Saidin by accident, you could go insane. I think when you changed back to female I saw weaves of Saidar, if you can show me again I may be able to keep you in female form," Sheriam said, although when she looked at Ranma's face, she could tell convincing her to stay female wasn't going to be easy.

"No way I'll stay a girl, I ain't gonna go crazy, an' I'm gonna be leavin' here as soon as I get the chance. I'm a guy, and besides if I stay here an' learn all this girly stuff, I won' be able ta do my duty as martial artist. It's my duty to protect the weak, an' I can't do that stuck here," Ranma exclaimed, frustrated that she was being put in yet another situation where someone wanted her to be a girl.

'Protect the weak? I may be able to work with this,' thought Sheriam as she studied him. "If you learn how to use Saidar, you could protect everyone from darkfriends and Trollocs, far more effectively than you could now. You could weave fireballs, hold your enemies with the wind, strike them down with lightning, or heal those in need. Saidar can do a great many things, and it may hold the key to getting you home," Sheriam said, hoping it would be enough to entice Ranma.

"So if I learn how ta use this Saidar, I can throw fireballs, an' wind and other stuff?" Ranma asked to which Sheriam nodded. Ranma contemplated this new information, weighing the pros and cons to decide whether it would be worth being a girl for awhile if she could learn these techniques. 'On one hand, she'd havta lock my curse. On the other I get some new techniques an' I can give Ryoga a real poundin' when I seem 'im next,' Ranma thought to herself. 'Sides, it's not so bad bein' a girl sometimes,' Ranma thought, but then quickly shook her head and slapped herself, drawing a raised eyebrow from Sheriam.

"Alright, I'll do it but only if ya can unlock the curse when I'm done," Ranma said reluctantly. She'd decided to do it, but despite the allure of new techniques, she wasn't happy about having to stay in female form.

Sheriam smiled at her warmly. "Of course Ranma, I'll unlock it as soon as you've learned all that you can about the One Power. I'll need you to switch to your male form and then back again and I should be able to modify your curse with a weave of spirit after that."

Ranma grimaced, and then complied, dumping first the hot water over her head, and then the cold once more over his head.

Sheriam embraced Saidar and studied Ranma intently while they went through this process, and then wove Saidar in what she hoped was a pattern that would lock Ranma's curse. She then tied off the weave.

Sheriam nodded at Ranma. "It is done, if the water remaining in the glass is still warm, try becoming male."

Ranma splashed herself again, and felt her heart drop into her stomach as she didn't change. She knew that was the goal, but it still didn't sit well with her. It didn't worry her as much as she thought it should though, and she could just imagine her Pops calling her a weak girl, and bawling about how unfortunate he was to have such a weak, stupid girl for a son. Fortunately for Saotome Genma, he wasn't around. If he had been, those kinds of comment would've got him knocked through the nearest wall. The panda cursed father could be a real idiot.

"Now that we don't have to worry about you going mad, will you become a novice, and in doing so follow our rules that we expect of all our novices?" Sheriam asked as she carefully schooled her face. Internally she smirked, knowing that the boy turned girl before her certainly wouldn't enjoy wearing a novice's dress.

"I guess I do, but I'm gonna be leavin' as soon as I can get back to Nerima," Ranma said, while hoping that she wasn't making a huge mistake.

Sheriam smiled warmly. "In that case I will inform the Amyrlin of your situation, and then mark you in the books as a new novice. Follow me, I'll bring you to your new room in the Novice's quarters."

Ranma followed her as directed through the passageways to what would be her new room. The Tower was on the emptier side, and thus there was no shortage of new rooms for novices. The room they stopped in front of was rather tiny and sparse, lacking much besides a singular bed. For Ranma however, this was the first time she'd ever had a room just for her. No longer would she be kept up by her father's incessant snoring. Not to mention an actual bed rather than a mere futon placed on the floor. While Sheriam left, Ranma went to sit on the bed and was surprised at how comfortable it was. Most novices were of the opinion that the beds were terribly uncomfortable, however over the 10 year training journey with her father she had slept in far worse conditions.

While she waited for Sheriam to return, she pondered her decision. 'No way home yet, but this ain't so bad. I got my own room, an' I'll get ta learn some new techniques. Wish I didn't havta be a girl though. I ain't gonna let 'em make me a girl. Maybe if Ryoga shows up I can follow 'im outta here,' Ranma thought.

When Sheriam returned she was holding a bundle of clothing which she lightly placed on the bed. "Congratulations Ranma, you are now a novice of the White Tower. The first ritual any novice must go through is that you will need to change into your Novice's clothing, and then you must burn the clothes you are wearing."

"What!? I ain't gonna burn anything, these are my favorite clothes!" As Ranma picked up the bundle she noticed that it was a white dress, like the one that Fyla wore earlier. "An' I sure as hell ain't wearing a dress!"

Sheriam gave Ranma a bemused smile. "You did choose to become a novice, did you not child? You did promise to follow the rules that a novice must follow, correct?"

"I guess but...no way I'm wearin' a dress.." Ranma grumbled impotently. She could already feel she was losing the conversation. 'I can Never let her meet Nabiki," Ranma thought as she hoped Sheriam would at least let her out of the dress issue.

"Child, all novices of the tower must wear this outfit, and you will be no exception. You will wear it, and you will follow the rules," Sheriam chastised.

Ranma opened her mouth to protest further, but then promptly deflated. "Fine. Whatever. Stupid dress. Stupid curse," she muttered. "Can I 'ave some privacy?"

"Of course, I'll be waiting just outside. Don't for forget the undergarments, child. When you're finished we can go burn your old clothes. Tomorrow I will have have Fyla show you where you can receive more clothing, as well as show you around," Sheriam said as she swiftly exited the room, her face one of mirth.

"Under...garments...?" Ranma looked through the bundle of clothing and sure enough found a set of women's underwear waiting for her. "Ah c'mon, damnit this just ain't right!" Ranma exclaimed in disgust. As she undressed she stared at the feminine Novice's garb as if they were a group of venomous snakes, waiting to inject her with their femininity. Ranma would never admit to fearing anything (besides cats of course), but one of her deepest fears was losing herself to her curse, and becoming a woman not only in body, but also in mind.

After undressing she stood there naked, reluctant to don the Novice's whites. Sheriam's warm voice broke through her reverie. "Are you alright in there child? Are you nearly done?"

"N-Not yet, justa minute," Ranma exclaimed in a panicked manner, quickly dressing in order to get it over with. Once properly dressed, she looked down at herself in disgust. Her only saving grace was that no one she knew was around to see her voluntarily dressing like this, and without it even being to mess with Ryoga. 'I'd never hear the end of it if Pops or anyone else saw me,' Ranma thought as an image of Akane calling her a pervert popped into her mind. Shaking her head, she picked up her old clothes and opened the door.

Sheriam gave her a warm smile. "You look rather nice. With your red hair you almost remind me of myself during my novice days." Sheriam grew lost in her memories for a moment before returning to the present. "That hair tie must go with your clothes, you can wear a white ribbon if you'd like instead."

"No way, tha's one thing I can't do."

"Child, it is part of the Novice tradition you mu-"

Ranma cut her off. "No, it's important ta me an' I won't let ya have it!"

Sheriam thought for a moment. 'It appears she won't give it up, but it's tower tradition, what can I do? Maybe...yes, that might work.' "Ranma, what if I held onto it until you become an Accepted? Accepted have a bit more leeway with clothing, but as a novice it is important you wear what I gave you, and normally I would insist on burning your hair tie with everything else, but your circumstances are...unusual. How does that sound?" Sheriam asked. If Ranma decided to run away, it could cause issues since she had been accepted as a novice, and runaways faced harsh punishment once brought back to the tower.

"I guess that'd be ok. Just till I get ta Accepted though. Ya'd better not lose it," Ranma said. Although she didn't mean it to be threatening, her annoyance at the situation caused it to somewhat.

Sheriam blinked at the tone being used, and resolved to give the girl some extra chores as punishment. Better she start learning manners and how to address Aes Sedai now. "Alright child, I'll hold onto it then. Give me your clothes and I'll take care of them." After taking the proffered clothes, she regarded Ranma for a moment. "Tomorrow, as it is your first day, will consist of being shown around by Fyla." Sheriam mouth twisted into an amused smile. "The day after, when the gong sounds I expect you in the scullery. Being a Novice won't be easy child but you'll learn." 'One way or another,' Sheriam thought to herself. "It is getting late, so you should head to bed soon child.

After Sheriam left Ranma flopped on the bed, grumbling about "stupid rules" and "crazy women." She looked at the ceiling and was suddenly filled with the thoughts of a dark haired girl, with the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. 'Akane...I hope I can get back and see you soon you uncute tomboy. Learnin' new techniques is great but I get the feelin' that I won't get back to everyone for awhile. Heh, she'd probably hit me with that mallet of hers when I get back, an' accuse me a flirtin' with Xian Pu (Shan pew) or Ucchan, an' call me a pervert. Heh, especially with what I gotta wear here.' Her eyes grew determined for a moment. 'I'll be back soon Akane, Saotome Ranma never loses. I'll get these techniques and then I'll never lose ta anyone.'As this last thought went through her mind, she began to close her eyes and drift off, neglecting to even remove her Novice's dress.

Nerima-ku, Tokyo

Ranma's fiancée Akane sat on the couch, occasionally looking at the door. Ranma rarely missed the opportunity to eat her big sister Kasumi's cooking, and she felt a growing unease as the hours ticked by. She wouldn't admit out loud, but she was worried about him. After he got in a fight with Ryoga after school she decided to head home ahead of Ranma. She didn't know why he couldn't stop fighting Ryoga, he always won so it just felt like he was always picking on poor Ryoga.

'Whatever, the idiot is probably out flirting with Ukyo his cute fiancée, or Xian Pu. They can have him for all I care!' However, in Akane's heart she worried that something had happened to him. 'Oh Ranma, you big dummy, come home already," she thought as she looked at the door for what had to be the 15th time in the last half hour.

"Akane-chan, what are you doing up, don't you have school tomorrow?" A voice suddenly asked.

Akane whirled to look at the voice, and sighed in relief as she confirmed that it was her older sister Kasumi. "Yeah, I guess I should get to bed..." she trailed off as she took another look at the door.

Kasumi noticed the source of her hesitation, and gave her sister a pleasant smile. "Ranma-kun will be alright Akane-chan, there's no need to be worried. I'm sure he's just playing with his friends a bit late." Playing was what Kasumi generally called it when Ranma was fighting with one of his many enemies or friends. Words of combat and bloodshed were not words that Kasumi kept in her lexicon

Akane sighed, knowing that her sister was right and Ranma was fine. It was a measure of her exhaustion that she didn't even reflexively deny being worried about him. "I know Kasumi...I guess I'll head to bed. Goodnight." With one last glance at the door, she head to her room.

With Akane in bed, Kasumi let a bit of the worry she often felt living in such a chaotic household creep to the surface. She cares for everyone under the Tendo roof, even Ranma's idiot father Saotome Genma, so while she put up a strong front for Akane, she also felt the same unease. She shook her head and chastised herself, she needed to be in bed as well. She had to wake up early enough to make breakfast for everyone before Akane and Nabiki went to school. She only hoped that Ranma would be with them.

Will continue in Chapter Two: Novice Nuisances

Author Note:

Terms and definitions

Accepted: Where Novices and like children amongst the Aes Sedai, Accepted are the young women. They have been given more freedom and responsibility than Novices, but are still not fully trusted as Aes Sedai

Aes Sedai: Someone who can weave the One Power into a weave that accomplishes a purpose. Essentially magic users. Generally refers to women who wield Saidar, the female half of the One Power. Men can wield Saidin, the male half of the One Power, although the Red Ajah hunts them down and attempts to 'gentle' them, or cut them off from the One Power.

Ajah: One of seven colors, each representing a different purpose among Aes Sedai. Ranma will receive an explanation of Ajah's and their goals in the next chapter.

Darkfriend: Someone who has pledge themselves to the Dark One, and works to bring about its return. They refer to the Dark One as the Great Lord of the Dark.

Dark One: The epitome and source of all evil

The Light: The source of all good, the creator. All people save darkfriends pray to the Light in times of need, and a common phrase is may the Light bless you.

One Power: Made up of Saidar and Saidin, it can be used to weave five types of thread. Fire, wind, earth, water, and spirit. Each can be used to complete various tasks. A thread of fire can light a candle for instance, a thread of wind could snuff it out.

Saidar: Female half of the One Power, only usable by women. A woman must surrender to the power, not force it, and guide the flow rather than direct it.

Saidin: Male half of the One Power, only usable by men. To use Saidin, a man must seize the one power, and bend it to his will. Saidin has been corrupted by the Dark One, and drives the men who use it mad.