Not In Paradise (AGAP)

Not In Paradise is the first chapter of Another Girl, Another Planet
==Plot==
Nicole's eyes suddenly opened, and her heart raced as she found herself engulfed in a free fall. Panic threatened to consume her as she rapidly plummeted towards the ground. Instinctively, she flexed the Omnitrix in her palm, hoping that one of its many alien transformations could save her from this perilous situation.
With a quick press of the Omnitrix's faceplate, she transformed into Big Chill, an alien being with the power to control ice and fly. Her body underwent a radical change, and within moments, she had wings and icy breath to control her descent.
With newfound control over her form, Big Chill maneuvered through the air, steadying her fall. As she surveyed her surroundings, she noticed a smoking village in the distance. Her concern for the inhabitants overpowered her initial confusion, and she knew she had to act quickly.
Switching to her faster and more agile form, Jetray, she soared through the sky like a supersonic jet, racing toward the village. The landscape blurred beneath her as she descended, determined to assess the situation and lend a helping hand.
Jetray landed gracefully on the outskirts of the village, transforming once more, this time into Fasttrack. Her pulse quickened as she surveyed the aftermath of the disaster. 
As Fasttrack cautiously moved through the rubble-strewn streets, she was disheartened to find no signs of survivors. The devastation was extensive, and the village appeared to be completely deserted. Her heart weighed heavy with sorrow, and she couldn't help but wonder what could have caused such destruction.
Lost in her thoughts, Fasttrack rounded a corner and almost collided with a group of individuals who appeared battle-ready. Startled, she instinctively took a defensive stance, but to her surprise, they didn't attack. Instead, they regarded her with curiosity and suspicion.
The group consisted of a girl with black hair with red ends, wielding a scythe; a lively and energetic girl with orange hair; a noble and brave young man; and a calm and composed fighter. They all wore determined expressions, and it was clear that they were prepared for combat.
"Uh, does anyone know what kind of Grimm that is? I know I didn't pay attention a lot in Port's class, but it... seems strange," the swordsman asked his group.
"I don't know, but let's take it down!" the scythe wielder ordered with a smile.
As the group prepared to engage, Fasttrack, now back in her human form as Nicole, tried to interject before things escalated further. "Grimm?? What, I-" Her words were abruptly cut off as she had to dodge a swift slash from the swordsman, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Hearing Nicole speak and change into a human made the group freeze. The SMG user broke the silence moments later, his eyes widening with recognition. "Wait... did the Grimm... react to Ruby?"
Confused and curious, the others glanced at Nicole, unsure of what to make of this revelation. The fiery-haired girl, Ruby, stepped forward, her scythe held at the ready but no longer with a fierce intent to attack.
"Again, what the hell is a Grimm?" Nicole asked, her human form now exposed to the group.
"Who... who are you?" the scythe user asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.
"I'm Nicole Du. Protector of Earth. You guys are???" Nicole replied, offering a friendly smile despite the confusion.
"You haven't seen us at the Vytal Festival?" the hammer user asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.
"Vital Festival???" Nicole's confusion was evident as she tried to process the unfamiliar terms being thrown at her.
"Wait, you haven't heard of that? Team RWBY? JNPR? Fall of Beacon? Schnee Dust Company? Faunus?" the scythe user continued to probe for any recognition.
"Those words don't really mean anything to me," Nicole answered honestly, feeling a bit out of place.
"Okay, this is getting weird..." Ruby muttered to herself, trying to comprehend how someone could be completely unaware of such significant events and organizations in their world. Nevertheless, she realized that Nicole seemed genuine in her lack of knowledge.
Taking a deep breath, Ruby decided to introduce herself and her friends properly. "I'm Ruby Rose, leader of Team RWBY, and these are my friends. Nora Valkyrie, Jaune Arc, and Lie Ren."
Nicole nodded, still absorbing the information. "It's nice to meet you all, even if I'm not entirely sure where I am or who you are.”
"So… how did you change into that cat creature?" Jaune asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Fasttrack? It's one of my aliens I can turn into," Nicole explained, hoping her response would make sense to them.
"Is that your semblance?" Jaune inquired further, using a term that was familiar to him.
"What the hell is a semblance?" Nicole asked, feeling a bit lost in the terminology of this world.
"Guys, let's keep moving. It's not safe being in the open like this," Ren advised, keenly aware of the dangers lurking around them.
The group nodded in agreement and started to head out with Ren and Nora leading the way.
Jaune's gaze lingered on the remains of the city with a mournful look. Ruby, sensing his sadness, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Nicole mirrored the gesture on Jaune’s other shoulder, and the three of them shared a small moment of solidarity.
Nicole then hurried to join Ren and Nora, realizing the importance of sticking together in this unfamiliar and hostile environment.
"It'll be okay, Jaune," Ruby assured him, trying to lift his spirits.
"I'm… just tired of losing everything…" he responded, his voice laden with the weight of past losses.
As the group headed out together, their footsteps were accompanied by a mixture of somber thoughts and newfound curiosity. Ren, Nora, and Nicole noticed a giant hoof print in the ground, its size indicating a colossal creature that had recently passed through the area.
Ruby and Jaune, catching up with the others, saw the hoof print and exchanged concerned glances. It was clear that the dangers they faced were immense, and the presence of such massive creatures only heightened their anxiety.
Seeking a distraction, Nora turned to Nicole, eager to learn more about her and her abilities. "What's your favorite alien form to transform into?"
Nicole chuckled. "I’ve learned that each one has their purpose so I don’t have a favorite, but I do rely on a select few a lot."
"So you aren't familiar with anything in Remnant. Which leads me to ask, where are you from?" Jaune inquired, genuinely curious about Nicole's origins.
"Well, my Remnant is called Earth, and I go to school with my friends, just like you guys did. I also fight bad guys and monsters too, though my monsters are usually aliens," Nicole began, trying to find the right words to explain her unique world to them.
"Can your friends do what you do too?!" Nora asked with her usual enthusiasm, her eyes wide with excitement.
"No, the Omnitrix in my palm is one of a kind. Though my friends have their own skills that help us fight crime," Nicole clarified, appreciating the curiosity and interest her new friends showed.
"Fight crime? Wait, are you saying you're basically a superhero?!" Jaune exclaimed, amazed by the idea.
"I guess so? Though, I was fighting some weird... monster when it opened a rift and sucked me into it. The next thing I know, I'm falling from the sky here," Nicole explained, recounting her unexpected journey to this new world.
"What did the monster look like? How many aliens can you turn into?" Ruby chimed in, eager to learn more about Nicole's extraordinary abilities.
"I can transform into about 200 or so aliens. As for the monster, it was mostly black with red details, yellow eyes, and bone-like armor growths," Nicole answered, trying to recall the creature she had faced.
"That sounds a lot like a Grimm..." Ren mentioned, his calm demeanor contrasting with the seriousness of the situation.
"I hope I never have to see another one ever again. That thing was gross-looking," Nicole responded, shuddering at the memory of the encounter.
As nightfall descended upon them, the group settled down to set up camp. Ren took charge of building a fire, but his annoyance was evident as he watched Nicole transform into Swampfire to set the campfire ablaze. Despite his annoyance, Ren kept his thoughts to himself, not wanting to disrupt the camaraderie of the group.
"So does it like... hurt changing into aliens?" Jaune asked, genuinely curious about Nicole's abilities.
"No, the changes are instantaneous, so I feel nothing. Any damage I take in alien form usually doesn't transfer to my human form. I've got some other cool ones too," Nicole explained, a sense of pride in her voice.
Curiosity piqued, Nicole then transformed into Spidermonkey, demonstrating her ability to create a web hammock for her to sleep in for the night. Her next transformation, Alcreamist, wowed the others as she transmuted wood into delectable s'mores for everyone to enjoy.
Ruby and Nora couldn't contain their excitement, their faces lighting up with joy as they received their s'mores. Jaune took his with a smile, appreciating the unusual but delicious treat. Ren, however, seemed a bit more reserved, questioning the idea of eating s'mores made from transmuted wood.
"Is no one weirded out about eating s'mores from wood?" Ren asked, his stoic expression hinting at his unease.
"It's fine. This form can transmute anything into any desserts," Nicole reassured them as she changed back to her human form, wanting to alleviate any concerns.
"Nicole, why don't you tell us more about your world? You've only given us cliff notes so far," Ren asked, genuinely interested in learning more about her home dimension.
"I mean, I don't really remember much before I got the Omnitrix. It kinda wiped my memory. No dad, mom, family. I just have my friends... Even then, it took me a while to open up to them," Nicole started, her voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and strength.
"Went to school, fought professors, creatures, aliens, magic shit. Actually... how am I supposed to get back home..." Nicole trailed off, the weight of her situation sinking in.
"Don't worry, we can help you figure out how to get back home on our way to Mistral," Ruby reassured her with a warm smile, offering her support.
Nicole appreciated the reassurance, her eyes conveying gratitude as she looked at the rest of the team. "Is that okay with you guys? I don't want to impede too much," she asked, considerate of their journey's mission.
The group nodded in agreement, expressing their willingness to help. Ren was a little hesitant, still unsure of this unexpected addition to their team, but he recognized the sincerity in Nicole's words and eventually agreed as well.
As everyone settled down to rest for the night, the campfire crackled softly, casting gentle shadows on their faces. Nicole, lying on her makeshift hammock, reached into her pocket and took out her phone. She illuminated the screen, revealing a picture of her friends, smiling together, that served as her background.
"Hey, who are your friends in the picture?" Jaune asked, his curiosity piqued.
Nicole smiled warmly, holding her phone out for them to see. "These are my best friends from Earth. Molly, Samara, Grey, and Jason. We've been through so much together, and they mean the world to me."
Ruby and her team gathered around, looking at the photo with interest. "They look like a fun bunch," Nora commented, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"They are," Nicole replied, fond memories flooding her thoughts. "We've had our ups and downs, but they've always been there for me, just like I'm sure you all are for each other."
Ren, who had been silently observing the interaction, found himself softening a little. "It's important to have people you can trust and rely on," he said, a hint of understanding in his voice.
Nicole nodded, grateful for the acceptance she was finding with Team RNJR. "Absolutely. And I'm grateful to have met all of you. It's strange how the universe brings people together, even from different worlds."
Eventually, Nicole slowly drifted back to sleep, but her slumber was interrupted by the sight of Jaune getting out of bed. Intrigued, she quietly followed him, trying not to disturb the solemn atmosphere that surrounded him. She observed as he set up his phone and played a video recording.
The video showed a girl with a nice and friendly voice, recognizable by her red hair. She was instructing Jaune through training moves, guiding him with patience and encouragement. 
Jaune followed the instructions diligently, repeating the moves again and again, his determination evident. But as he continued, Nicole noticed a hint of sorrow emitting from him, as if the training brought back memories and emotions that weighed on his heart.
"I know this can be frustrating," the girl's voice spoke softly through the recording. "...and it can feel like so much effort to progress such a small amount, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you. I've never met someone so determined to better themselves. You've grown so much since we started training."
As the video turned to the side, revealing the girl's tear-streaked face, her vulnerability was palpable. "Jaune, I-I... I want you to know that I'm just happy to be a part of your life. I'll always be here for you, Jaune," she promised with heartfelt sincerity.
The video restarted itself, and Jaune resumed his training, but the ending message hung over him like a weight. Nicole was about to approach him, to offer comfort or talk about what she had seen, when she felt Ruby's hand gently grab her arm. Looking into Ruby's tear-filled eyes, Nicole understood that this was a private and deeply emotional moment for Jaune.
Ruby led Nicole away from Jaune, Ren, and Nora, seeking a moment of privacy to collect herself. She wiped her tear-streaked face, trying to compose her emotions before speaking.
"I... sorry... I- we lost Pyrrha. The girl in that video during the Fall of Beacon..." Ruby explained, her voice quivering with grief.
Nicole's heart sank, realizing the weight of the loss Ruby was carrying. "I... I'm sorry to hear that," she replied softly, knowing that no words could truly ease the pain of such a loss.
"She was... close to Jaune... really close..." Ruby cried, her emotions overwhelming her.
Nicole's expression turned sympathetic, recalling her own experiences with loss. "Oh... OH... I... I see..." she acknowledged, understanding the depth of the connection between Pyrrha and Jaune.
"It sounds like she was really special to him," Nicole said, her tone gentle and compassionate.
Ruby nodded, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "Yeah, she was. To all of us," she replied, her voice filled with both sorrow and fondness for her fallen friend.
==Noteworthy Events==
===Major Events===
*Nicole finds herself in Remnant
*All Characters and Aliens in this chapter debut
==Characters==
*Nicole Du
*Ruby Rose (debut)
*Jaune Arc (debut)
*Nora Valkyrie (debut)
*Lie Ren (debut)
*Pyrrha Nikos (debut, video footage only)
==Aliens Used==
*Big Chill (debut)
*Jetray (debut)
*Fasttrack (debut)
*Swampfire (debut)
*Spidermonkey (debut)
*Alcreamist (debut)
==Trivia==
*The episode title is a reference to the saying "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore" from Wizard of Oz.
Category:Episodes
Category:Series Premieres
Category:Season Premieres