RWBYA/Part 1

*[The scene was black.]*

Richard *(voice)*: You know...

*[The scene lit up as Richard walked forward, as the shot zoomed out from behind him. The scene was a large, dark dinner hall. The walls were completely lined with windows like that of a cathedral, showing the blood red sky outside. There was a long, black table with a purple shine to it, with chairs of bone on either side. At one seat was a tall, thin man with a grey and orange suit, with a darker grey overcoat with a high collar. He bore a bushy mustache on his face. Another seat had a man who was large and muscular wearing green and brown clothes. Rather than sitting, the third man was crouching in his seat, and wore a mostly white, sleeveless outfit, a prosthetic scorpion tail attached to him. Two others stood to the side. One was a young woman with darker skin, green hair, and a white and brown outfit. The other was a young man with grey hair, and a black and grey outfit. Richard stood at one end of the table, and at the far side was a woman with completely white skin and hair. Blackish-red veins went across her body and hair. She wore a completely black dress, and her eyes were black with red irises.]*

Richard: I've always found peace in the hopelessness of others. *[places hands onto table]* I do believe there's quite an atmosphere of that here. At least in the way of this... Team RWBY you've talked about.

*[The woman with chalk white skin spoke up.]*

Salem: Correction: Team RWBY that *Cinder* has talked about.

*[At the mention of Cinder, the young woman with green hair shifted, visibly uncomfortable. Richard smiled.]*

Richard: Of course. Cinder.

*[Richard went to walk around the table towards Salem. The more muscular man stood up to block him.]*

Richard: Now, now, Hazel. It wouldn't take much for me to send your tree trunk of a body toppling to the ground. Timber.

*[Hazel grumbled and sat back down. Richard continued his way towards Salem.]*

Richard: I sense a bit of discourse in your voice when you mention her name.

Salem: At almost every turn, Cinder has failed me. She didn't kill Ozpin, she lost to the silver-eyed Ruby, she failed to kill the Spring Maiden, and she did not get the Relic of Mistral. Her only true success was taking the power of the Fall Maiden. The only reason I don't send for her return is so she can learn there are consequences to her actions.

*[The girl with green hair looked up.]*

Emerald: *[whispering]* Cinder's alive?

Richard: A method of leadership I can respect.

*[Salem stood up to be eye level with Richard.]*

Salem: A method of leadership you *will* respect.

Richard: But of course. My business was with Cinder but her allegience was to you, so mine should follow suit.

Salem: That's right.

*[Salem then stepped away from the table, walking towards the windows.]*

Salem: Arthur. Show Mr. Nomaly where he'll be staying.

*[The mustached man stood up.]*

Arthur: *[to Salem]*Of course. *[to Richard]* Right this way.

*[Arthur led Richard out of the room. While leaving, Richard made a subtle wink towards Emerald, as well as the grey-haired man, Mercury, standing next to her. A few moments later, the two stopped outside a bedroom door that matched the dark aesthetic of the rest of the palace. Richard went to step inside, only to be stopped by Arthur's hand on his shoulder.]*

Arthur: Our lady's favor is not simply bought with words. Your actions will prove your loyalty.

*[Richard nonchalantly shook off Arthur's hand.]*

Richard: I understand. Your lady is not the only one to cut people off due to their actions. My allegience to her does not equate to me having allegience to you. If I had to guess, I'd say you'd fall *quite* a bit easier than Hazel.

*[Arthur scoffed.]*

Arthur: I suppose I was mistaken. I took you for the intellectual type, not the brute.

Richard: Is it too much to ask to be both?

Arthur: *[chuckles]* Watch yourself, boy.

*[Arthur walked away as Richard made way into the bedroom. It wasn't so long after that a knock was heard. Richard turned to see Emerald and Mercury entering, the latter closing the door.]*

Emerald: I can't believe it. Cinder's-

Richard: Indeed. Quite fortunate.

Mercury: So all that stuff about "allegience" was just crap?

Richard: Only that towards Salem.

Mercury: Yeah, and how do we know you aren't gonna pull that with us or Cinder, too?

Richard: With all we've discussed and planned, just this once... I might actually be able to choose my own destiny. The only way to ensure that is with Cinder's help. So. *[cracks neck]* Let's go find her.

*[The scene changed to a large train station. People of all kinds, including those with animal body parts, were walking around, either going to or from trains, or going to any of the various shops around. A camouflaged ChamAlien crawled along the wall, looking around confused. He saw a clear area on the floor and jumped down. He looked up and saw a group of people standing near a train.]*

ChamAlien: Those look like main characters.

*[Just as ChamAlien was about to walk towards them, he was cut off by a speedy red blur right in front of him followed by rose petals.]*

ChamAlien: ...What the fu-

*[He saw the red blur speed around before it stopped near the group of people he was just looking at as it changed into a teenage girl. She was wearing a black and red corset, over a cream-colored top, that connected to a combat skirt. She had black leggings, and black and red boots. Her hair was black with red tips, and her eyes were silver.]*

ChamAlien: ...Yeah. Definitely main characters.

*[As he approached, two large, musclar men walked towards the group. ChamAlien stopped for a moment, and his vision switched from normal to infrared, seeing the heat from their steps as they walked from a nearby train. He followed the invisible footprints towards the back of the train, and passed by another "main character." She had long black hair, and was wearing a black crop top with a criss-cross pattern near the neck. Her pants were black with golden decal, along with her boots, and she had a long, white overcoat. After passing her, ChamAlien stopped and turned back, staring at the set of cat ears from a top her head.]*

ChamAlien: Okay. That's a bit weird.

*[One of her cat hears twitched at ChamAlien's sentence, and she turned back, revealing her piercing, yellow eyes. As to be expected, she didn't see him, so she just shrugged it off and made way to the group. ChamAlien by this point was already a stowaway on the train. Not too much later, the train left the station. Alan, now in human form, made his way from the storage car he was in to the passenger cars, finally reaching the one with the main characters. He sat down not too far behind them. He pulled out his phone and saw there was no signal.]*

Alan: *[whispering]* Damn. Guess it's too much to ask there be some interdimensional signal.

Voice: Who are you talking to?

*[Alan looked up and saw a pale teenage girl with whitish-blue hair put up in a ponytail to one side. She wore a silvery blue combat skirt which had a rapier sword hanging from the belt. Her eyes were an icy blue, the left of which had a scar going across it. Alan was caught off guard at first but quickly regained composure.]*

Alan: Oh, no one, just... thinking out loud.

*[She clearly had her suspicions, but sat down near Alan.]*

Weiss: What's your name?

Alan: Alan Nomaly.

Weiss: Weiss Schnee.

Alan: You say that like it's a name I should recognize.

*[Weiss paused for a moment and looked at Alan confused.]*

Weiss: You don't recognize the name "Schnee?"

Alan: ...Should I?

Weiss: SDC? Schnee Dust Company? One of the most well-known and powerful suppliers of Dust in Remnant?

Alan: Ohhhh. Okay, well, now that you mention it... No, I'll be honest. No bells ringing at all.

*[Weiss was about to respond, but something suddenly hit the train, causing it to shake. This was followed by a piercing screech. Everyone looked out the window to see a giant black creatures, bodies like griffins, with white, bone-like constructs flying around the train. All of the formerly dubbed "main characters" headed to the outside of the still moving train. Alan sat there, bewildered at the fact all of them had gone outside of a train in motion to fight giant monster griffins. He slowly blinked once.]*

Alan: Where... In the fuckity *fuck* am I?

*[Outside, one of the griffin creatures crashed into the train, only to be hit by a swirling red scythe and turned into ash. The red hooded girl from earlier stopped swirling her weapon.]*

Ruby: Got one! Now who's ne-

*[Ruby was cut off by a large ice construct forming behind her and then being shattered by another griffin. Weiss skated past on white glyphs.]*

Weiss: Thank me later!

*[Weiss used a glyph to jump up and then used her rapier to slash two griffins into dust. The black haired girl was then seen fighting another griffin, with the help of a blonde girl. The blonde with lilac eyes was wearing a two-tone brown and tan zip up jacket, which was zipped down some to show an orange crop top, with the sleeves rolled up, revealing her left arm to have a big yellow gauntlet, and the other to be robotic with a yellow and grey painted pattern. The jacket also had a collar round her neck. She wore black pants with a brown belt and boots, and a purple clock wrapped round her left calf. The black haired girl shot out a grappling hook from her weapon at the griffin, and it it to fling up and around.]*

Blake: Incoming!

*[Blake retracted the hook then shot it again, grabbing onto the back of the griffin's head. She fell onto its back and then jumped back up, pulling it back, only for the blonde to jump through it, turning it to dust.]*

Yang: Good to see you're not rusty!

*[Yang's gauntlet then cocked. The scene zoomed several cars ahead, revealing the other characters. An orange haired girl in a white shirt, black jacket, and pink combat skirt spoke up.]*

Nora: Why is it always something?!

Ruby: Just keep it towards the back!

*[A blonde with a black hoodie, which was covered in white armor, and blue jeans brought out a shield, blocking ass Nora's hammer shot out a pink grenade that exploded a griffin. A black haired male, with a pink stripe in the hair, and a dark green jacket and white pants pulled out two green guns to combat the griffins. Using her glyphs, Weiss jumped up and hit one of the griffins with her rapier, then fired a blast of dust at another. It was initially almost unphased, but then its body began freezing over entirely before bursting. Weiss landed next to Blake and Yang.]*

Yang: That a new move?

Weiss: It wasn't me!

*[Suddenly, Big Chill flew up into view, freezing other griffins for the same effect.]*

Big Chill: For creatures living in the cold, they don't seem to-

*[Big Chill was abruptly interupted when one of the griffins bashed into him, knocking him onto the train. His body was encompassed in red energy as he transformed back into Alan, groaning as he did. The three girls ran up to him.]*

Weiss: ...Alan?

Blake: You know him?

Weiss: I wouldn't call it "knowing him." We only talked like two seconds before the Grimm started attacking.

*[Alan looked up at them, then Weiss.]*

Alan: Oh. Hey. It's you. Dust lady.

*[Weiss rolled her eyes. Alan's eyes widened slightly, then he looked away.]*

Alan: Might wanna check your skirt there, Marilyn Monroe, it's a bit windy up here.

*[Weiss immediately blushed and put her hands to her skirt, getting an annoyed look on her face.]*

Weiss: No one asked you to look!

*[Alan threw himself up, hopping to his feet.]*

Alan: Any explanation for what these things are?

Yang: I think we've all got some explaining to do after the fighting is done.

Alan: Fair enough.

*[Alan activated the Simplicitrix. Pink skin formed around Alan's hand as it changed, becoming smaller. Alan's back grew a square port. Two growths came out the top of the port up to his ears, which formed into earphones. His eyes opened, glowing red and becoming rectangular. The scene zoomed from his body showing him having become Echo-Echo, followed by the Simplicitrix shining bright finishing off the sequence. Blake looked down at him.]*

Blake: That little thing's supposed to help?

Echo-Echo: Ain't about the size, love!

*[Echo-Echo duplicated himself and started using sonic screams on the Grimm around him. A griffin Grimm swooped by, knocking an Echo-Echo off the train before getting blasted by Ruby's scythe as she landed. Another Echo-Echo quickly ran to the edge of the train and duplicated a chain of himself as he grabbed the flailing clone before it hit a tree, pulling it back. As the chain retracted, the original Echo-Echo fell back onto the roof of the train and duplicated from the impact.]*

Yang: Any other ideas?

*[The two clones looked at each other.]*

Echo-Echo 1: You thinking what I'm thinking?

Echo-Echo 2: Always.

*[The two Echo-Echo's merged back into one. He then pressed the Simplicitrix, and his body was swarmed with red energy before changing into Ultimate Echo-Echo. He then took off to fight the Grimm on their turf in the sky.]*

Ruby: *[cocks Crescent Rose]* This just keeps getting weirder.

*[Ultimate Echo-Echo was using sonic blasts from the red disks on his body. A Grimm flew close and almost took his arm off with its mouth. He swiftly dodged, and the disks on his body came off and duplicated, surrounding the Grimm as it flew.]*

Ultimate Echo-Echo: You should've gone for the head.

*[Ultimate Echo-Echo lifted his left hand and snapped his fingers, causing the disks to blast the Grimm into dust. A Grimm bashed against the train, causing two people to fall off. One of them was one of the more muscular men from the train station. The other was a thinner man with slicked back black hair and thin facial hair. He was wearing a white and grey overcoat and long black pants. Making a split decision, Ultimate Echo-Echo shot down towards the thinner man with his sonic speed, swiftly grabbing him before slowing down and turning back around, speeding back up to the train.]*

Weiss: You couldn't have saved both?!

Ultimate Echo-Echo: I wasn't exactly in a position to get to both, the way my speed works!

Qrow: You should've gone for the other one, then! I could've taken care of myself!

Ultimate Echo-Echo: Like I'm just supposed to know that!

*[A louder screech was heard, and the group looked up to see a much larger Grimm approaching. Yang cocked her gauntlet and Qrow drew his sword.]*

Yang: What's the plan, Ruby?

Ruby: Don't let anyone else die!

Ultimate Echo-Echo: That's a goal. What's the *plan*?

*[Shooting was heard. Qrow turned around to see turrets activated further up the train.]*

Qrow: If it's a plan you want, how about we get fist-for-brains down there to shut those turrets off? They're just attracting more Grimm!

*[The youngest person in the party spoke up. He had tan skin with freckles on his face, black hair, and hazel eyes. He wore a slightly messy white shirt, white bandages round his neck, patched up khakis, orange and black gloves, and orange overalls. From his belt was a golden relic with a glowing cyan center.]*

Oscar: I'm on it.

*[Oscar went to run towards the turrets, only to get picked up by Ultimate Echo-Echo who flew him to the front to get him there.]*

Oscar: Um, thanks?

Ultimate Echo-Echo: Thank me later.

*[The two ran up to the more muscular man, Dudley.]*

Oscar: You need to shut off the turrets!

Dudley: Are you insane, kid?!

Ultimate Echo-Echo: Do you want *more* of these things flying around?!

Dudley: I don't know what you are, but these turrets are helping to keep them away!

*[As the turrets fired and killed Grimm, several more appeared, contradicting Dudley's misinformed statement. Oscar turned to Ultimate Echo-Echo.]*

Oscar: Any ideas?

*[Saying nothing, Ultimate Echo-Echo pressed the Simplicitrix, changing into Jury Rigg. He jumped down into the console of the turret, breaking it swiftly before throwing it out and off the train. Dudley turned around.]*

Dudley: What are you-

*[He saw Jury Rigg quickly scampering from the broken turret to the next one, and ran after him. Just as Jury Rigg finished breaking and removing the second one, Dudley grabbed him by the tell and flung him back, causing him to hit the train and transform into Alan.]*

Dudley: Nice job, kid. You just took out our defenses!

Alan: Faulty defenses that were doing more harm than good, you mean.

Dudley: Don't start getting smart with me!

Alan: Why, don't want me to speak a language you can't understand?

Dudley: Why you-

Oscar: TUNNEL!

*[Both of them looked up and saw the train was about to head for a tunnel. Alan quickly pressed the Simplicitrix. In a red flash, his body was covered in black fur before white fur grew on his hands, feet, chest, and head. Black fur spiked off from around his eyes, which opened up and caused a red flash, revealing him to be Fasttrack.]*

*[From his perspective, everything else slowed down. He grabbed up Oscar and Dudley and ran them into the train, then proceeded to open up windows inside the cars before running back up to the roof. He grabbed the blonde (Jaune), the black-haired teen in green (Ren), and the orange-haired girl (Nora) and swiftly put them into the train through the opened windows. He turned and grabbed up Qrow and Ruby, getting them to safety. He did the same for Yang and Weiss, but he was just a millisecond too slow before a gust of wind blew Blake off the train. Time went back to normal as Fasttrack stood at the end of the train, wide eyed and speechless that he was too slow.]*

*[He took a deep breath, then jumped from the train and got onto all fours, running to find her. Digging through the snow as he ran, he managed to find her as she coughed.]*

Fasttrack: Hey, you alright?

Blake: I... think so. *[looks around]* Why aren't we on the train?

Fasttrack: Don't worry about it, we're about to be.

*[Fasttrack picked up Blake and sped back towards the train. In the train, everyone met up in the backmost car.]*

Ruby: Is everyone alright?

Weiss: A bit shaken up, and confused as to how we got in here, but... yeah.

Yang: Does anyone know where Blake is?

*[As everyone looked around for the sometimes absentee Faunus, the biggest coincidence happened in the form of Fasttrack running in through the back door with Blake. Everyone sighed in relief as Blake shivvered and sat down. Fasttrack pressed the Simplicitrix. He changed into a humanoid, brown, plant-like creature, whose neck opened up to reveal his face which was covered in blue and cyan petals. He also had bulbs on his arms in the same color. He lit up a small fire in his hand and put it near Blake.]*

Blake: Thanks.

Swampfire: Just doing my job.

*[After a few minutes of her warming up, Alan turned back.]*

Alan: Alright, we've got a bit of respite from those things now. So, introduction time. My name's Alan Nomaly. I have a watch that can turn me into countless aliens. I share my brain with a ghost. Any questions? *[interupting before anyone can ask anything]* Good. Now, there's way too many of you for individual intros so I'll just speed it up a bit.

*[Alan pressed the Simplicitrix, changing into AmpFibian. He looked at each one of the people and pointed to them as he said their names.]*

AmpFibian: Yang, Weiss, Ruby, Nora, Jaune, Ren, Qrow, Blake, and...

*[He paused when he looked at Oscar.]*

AmpFibian: Which one am I talking to?

Oscar: What?

AmpFibian: Am I talking to Oscar or the other one?

Oscar: Oscar.

AmpFibian: Let me talk to the other one.

*[A strange film went over Oscar's eyes as "the other one" took over.]*

AmpFibian: Ozpin. Got i-

*[AmpFibian cut off and stared at him for a moment.]*

Ozpin: Is something the matter?

*[AmpFibian groaned and looked down at the relic hanging from his belt, then transformed back.]*

Alan: Real stand up guy, this one.

Qrow: What are you talking about?

Alan: Old Wizard of Oz here decided it'd be a good idea to not inform you that relic is attracting the Grimm even more than the turrets were.

Yang: What the hell?!

Weiss: Is that true?!

Blake: Why would you keep something like that from us?!

Ruby: It doesn't matter! What matte-

Alan: Um, excuse me? I'm not sure what your priorities are, Batwoman, but witholding vital infromation matters quite a lot in my book!

Ruby: Alright, yes, it matters, but what matters even more is how we protect everyone on this train! *[turns to Ren]* You can use your Semblance to calm everyone down, right?

Ren: Yes, but I've never done it on this scale before.

Jaune: Don't worry, I can amplify your aura.

Weiss: And what if that's not enough?

Alan: Then that's where I come in. I have a transformation that can amp up the defenses of this train tenfold. Whatever your power doesn't cover, I got.

*[Ren nodded and Alan made his way to the front of the train. Jaune put his arms out. A white, mesh-like pattern of aura formed around his arms and onto Ren, who used his power. From him, everything began to decrease in saturation, and all attitudes calmed. However, it only reached so far. Alan stepped out of the greyscale into the regular colors as he exited Ren's range. He waited for a moment and the train finally exited the tunnel.]*

Alan: Alright, let's do this.

*[Alan made his way out of the train and onto the roof. He popped the Simplicitrix up, and scrolled through the icons until he found a large alien with spiked shoulders. He pressed on the core. With the blinding red flash of his watch, Alan was changed into the alien. His upper torso, shoulders, legs, and head were made of a rocky armor, red markings on his shoulder areas. Four large spikes made of yellow energy came from each shoulder. That same energy became the composition of his neck, lower torso, and around his knees. There was also rocky armor on his forearms.]*

Golem-Eye: Defense systems back online!

*[Golem-Eye used his yellow electricity on the train. Rocky armor grew around the top as rock constructs powered by yellow energy grew out of it, forming into more powerful turrets than the previous ones Jury Rigg destroyed. As Grimm approached, they were almost immediately zapped by Golem-Eye's automatic turrets.]*

Golem-Eye: Nice try, you Cranvius Sapience looking fuckers! These ain't Portal turrets! These fuckers are stro- WOAH!

*[A surprise attack from behind by a Grimm like unexpected anal sex threw Golem-Eye off the train. He tumbled through the snow as he fell further down the mountain. He managed to put his hands out and stop himself. Breathing heavily, he looked up and saw the train leaving.]*

Golem-Eye: You get back here before I introduce you to Shed 17! ...On second thought, I'll just come to you.

*[Golem-Eye concentrated, and his back started to change. A rocky construct in the shape of a jetpack grew from his back before lighting up with his electrified yellow plasma, allowing him to shoot his way back up to the top of the train, dusting any Grimm in his path. Once back on the train, he retracted the jetpack, and focused his electricity into a force field around him and the train.]*

Golem-Eye: Probably should've done this to begin with.

*[Not too long after Golem-Eye's return to the train, the Grimm backed off, as they were nearing civilization. WIth the city on the horizon, Golem-Eye retracted the shield and transformed back before climbing back into the train to meet with the others. The train stopped and they all exited.]*

Ruby: Thanks for the help back there, Alan.

Alan: All part of the job description.... Not that there's really much of a description for what I do... And not that it's really a job... Anyway, you're welcome.

Weiss: Well, since we have a bit of down time, you can explain yourself.

*[Alan froze up from the ice queen's comment.]*

Alan: ...I have no idea what you're talking about.

Weiss: That seems to be pretty common with you, seeing as how you didn't know about the Schnee Dust Company or the Grimm.

Alan: Alright, probably stupid question, but a-

Weiss: Wouldn't be your first.

Alan: ...Probably stupid question put on hold. Are you always like this?

Weiss: Not *all* the time.

*[Alan looked around at the others.]*

Alan: Anyone wanna give a second opinion?

*[Everyone else remained quiet and avoided eye contact with Alan or Weiss.]*

Weiss: ...Wow. Seriously?!

Alan: Right. Back to the probably stupid question. Am I on Earth?

Weiss: What do you mean?

Alan: Okay, like, I know I'm standing on solid earth right now, as in the ground, but... Am I on the planet Earth? Cause I kinda jumped through a portal my asshole brother made and I've completely lost my bearings.

*[Everyone looked at each other concerned before looking back at Alan.]*

Ruby: The planet you're on is Remnant.

*[Alan's face dropped.]*

Alan: Remnant. Right. Okay. So, Richard not only sent us to another dimension... but a whole other planet, as well. Right. Right. Remnant. Not Earth. Remnant. *[chuckles nervously, turns away from the group, then whispers]* I am going to fucking murder him. *[turns back to the group]* So... Where we all headed?

*[The scene changed to the inside of Haven Academy. The front hall was a large, two-level chamber with green walls that were lined with wooden beams, decorated with blue banners. The wooden floor had a tan carpet that lead to a dual staircase that lead up to the second level. Between the sets of staircases was a large statue of a woman in a robe, who had chains around her wrists and was seemingly holding up the second floor. Rather than a door, the front of Haven was a giant hole, obviously not added for any architectural reason, as the door was busted in at some prior point. The place was crawling with authorities. Suddenly, the room was filled with a pink mist that froze all of the people inside in a casing of red ice. Negative Big Chill landed outside and changed into Richard as he walked in, followed by Mercury and Emerald. They looked at the statue.]*

Richard: I take it that's where we're going?

Emerald: Yeah.

*[Emerald pulled out a small pocket watch as they walked towards the statue. She placed it into a pendant on the chain hanging down from around the statue's neck. The state started to descend. When it got low enough, the three hopped on and went into the depths of the school. Underneath the school was a large, dark chamber. The statue ended its descent at a large platform that stretched out into the chamber. The platform had glowing cyan sigils across it connected by a single line. At the end of a platform was a large tree with glowing orange leaves. In front of the tree was a rocky structure, which had a door that lead to a desert pocket dimension. The three of them stepped off the statue and towards the door.]*

Mercury: Doesn't seem to be much of anything, or anyone, here.

Emerald: Shut up. We'll find her.

Mercury: Don't be shocked if that's just wishful thinking.

*[The two's bickering was interupted by a cyan flash. They saw Richard had changed into Negative Wildmutt and was sniffing around. He sniffed to the edge of the platform they were on then peered over the edge, before returning to the two and motioning for them to climb onto his back. Reluctantly they did, and Negative Wildmutt jumped to the wall to start making his way down to the ground far below. When they got to the bottom, it didn't take long befofre Negative Wildmutt found Cinder.]*

*[Cinder was a young woman, wearing a long, dark red dress with golden details on it. On her right arm was a long black glove with details matching those on her dress. She had black pantyhose under her dress, and on her right hip was a black gen that had blue feathers coming off of it. Her hair was short and black, and covered the left side of her face. Her left arm, however, stood out the most, as it wasn't a human arm, but that of a Grimm. Emerald quickly ran to her with Mercury following.]*

Emerald: Cinder!

*[Emerald and Mercury helped Cinder up to her feet. She just looked at them blankly.]*

Emerald: Cinder?

Cinder: ...I take it Salem wants punishment to be in person.

Mercury: Actually, Salem had nothing to do with this.

*[Cinder looked up to see Mercury motioning towards Negative Wildmutt. She approached, but then quickly sparked up a fireball out of her right hand and threw it. Negative Wildmutt swiftly dodged. The fireball went past him and blasted apart, revealing to have hit a bright pink, opened umbrella. The four of them looked uneasy at the umbrella as it lifed up and closed to reveal another young woman: Neo.]*

*[Neo wore a short, white jacket over top of a brown corset. The cuffs of the jacket were pink and she had black gloves. She sported black pants with two black belts. She had multiple black chains around her neck, and wore long white boots. She also had a black bowler hat with a red stripe. Neo lifted her umbrella and rested it on her shoulder behind her head, which was topped with hair that was pink on the right side and brown on the left, with her eyes matching.]*

Emerald: Neo?

Mercury: I honestly thought she was dead.

*[Mercury quickly ran to Neo who dodged him attempting to kick her. Emerald followed this up by pulling out her kama and swinging them at the heterochromatic mute, managing to hit her after a few unsuccessful attempts and knocking her down. In a cyan flash, Negative Wildmutt evolved to his Ultimate form. Emerald looked at him in a confused state before he shot the quills from his back, pinning her to the back wall by her clothing. Now it was Cinder's turn to be confused.]*

Cinder: What are you doing?!

Negative Ultimate Wildmutt: Her illusions don't get past those without eyes.

*[Cinder turned to see Emerald change into Neo, and the Neo lying on the ground change to Emerald.]*

Negative Ultimate Wildmutt: Not to mention she didn't say anything after I changed forms. Emerald's a talkative one.

Emerald: Hey!

*[Negative Ultimate Wildmutt transformed into Negative Ouroborosaurus and turned to Cinder.]*

Negative Ouroborosaurus: You're hurt. Let me help.

*[He placed a hand on her shoulder, and within a few moments, she was healed and back to full strength. She smirked and then turned to Neo, sparking up a fireball in her hand.]*

Cinder: Roman's death wasn't my fault, and I'm honestly offended you'd even find me just to get petty revenge.

Negative Ouroborosaurus: Wait.

*[Cinder turned back to see Negative Ouroborosaurus revert to Richard as he walked towards the two.]*

Richard: Allow me.

*[Richard reached his hand towards Neo, who pulled back against the wall, which prevented her from staying away from his touch. Placing his hand on her cheek, he began to speak.]*

Richard: Your anger should be aimed towards someone else, Neo.

*[A strange energy transferred from Richard's hand to Neo's face, calming her demeanor.]*

Richard: Your real enemy... is Salem. She commands the Grimm, after all. The same Grimm which killed Roman. I think you'll find it would be more beneficial to join us than fight us. Wouldn't you agree?

*[After a moment of silence, Neo continued the silence by nodding instead of saying her answer, typical of her. Richard smiled.]*

Richard: Let her down, we'll begin our preparations at once.

*[Mercury and Emerald walked to Neo to help her down from the Evolved Vulpimancer quills, with Richard walking back to Cinder.]*

Cinder: How did you do that?

*[Richard simply pulled his tie to the side, and the cyan glow of his Simplicitrix was shown threw his white button up shirt.]*

Richard: Quite a versatile form, this one.

*[The heroes were walking down the street of Argus, a city that looked quite like a snowy San Francisco, steep roads and trolley cars and the like. They stopped at a relatively large house, one with three stories, with a noticeably wider build than those around it. There was a tall staircase leading to the front door. The normally timid Jaune lead the way, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Alan looked around, nervous, which caused Qrow to approach him.]*

Qrow: You alright?

Alan: Yeah, just... Just attempting to get used to the whole "not being in my universe" thing. It's not the first time, but I've not been out of my realm like this for so long. It was only like a minute last time.

Qrow: And you're sure this isn't just some elaborate amnesia?

Alan: Don't you think you'd have heard of a guy turning into otherworldly beings before I arrived if I was from here?

Qrow: Fair enough, I suppose.

*[Jaune knocked on the door to the house. After a minute of waiting, a woman answered. She had dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a beige vest overtop an orange, sleeveless shirt, as well as brown pants that had orange stitches going down the sides. Her face lit up at seeing Jaune.]*

Jaune: Hey, Saphron.

*[Saphron immediately embraced Jaune in a tight hug, causing Jaune to gasp for air.]*

Jaune: Can't... breathe...

Saphron: *[teasing voice]* Don't try to weasel your way out of loving on your sister, baby brother!

*[Ruby and Nora started chuckling. Saphron let go of Jaune, who took in a big gasp of air to catch his breath, then she turned and saw the rest of them.]*

Saphron: I see you brought friends. Quite a few friends.

*[A few minutes later, everyone was in the warmly lit living room of Saphron's home. Alan stood leaning against a wall, distancing himself from the others.]*

Weiss: You really don't mind if we stay here while working out how to get to Atlas?

Saphron: Of course not. With all that you hunters and huntresses do to keep *us* safe, this is the least we can do. *[reaches over and pinches Jaune's cheek]* Especially those who are friends with my baby brother, Jaune.

*[Jaune, annoyed, pulled away.]*

Jaune: I am not a baby!

*[Just as the words left Jaune's mouth, the sound of a baby crying came from upstairs. Alan's face dropped as he looked up.]*

Alan: No, but *that* sounds like one.

Jaune: *[chuckles nervously]* Sorry.

Saphron: It's fine. He was probably going to wake up soon, anyway. I'll go get him.

*[Saphron got up and walked upstairs. Ruby's face lit up.]*

Ruby: Jaune! You never told us you were an uncle!

Jaune: Well, it's a pretty recent development, and with all that's been going on, I just haven't had the chance to mention it.

*[A few moments later, Saphron came back down. In her arms was a young baby with light brown skin, black hair, and brown eyes. He wore denim overalls atop a blue and white striped shirt, and grey socks.]*

Saphron: Everyone, this is Adrian.

*[As Saphron approached the group with Adrian, Alan took a small step back, causing Blake to cock an eyebrow.]*

Blake: Something wrong?

Alan: Not a big fan of children, really. *[to Adrian]* No offense.

*[Adrian just stared at Alan blankly before frowning and crossing his arms, an act which caused Yang and Weiss to become totally enamoured by his adorableness. Alan glanced back and forth between Adrian and Saphron.]*

Alan: I take it he takes after the other parent?

Saphron: *[nods]* You're the first to not assume...

Alan: It's pretty normal in my- ...Where I come from.

*[The sound of someone coming through the front door was heard, and everyone turned to see a woman matching Adrian's eye, hair, and skin color standing there. She had a dark blue button up shirt beneath a light blue overcoat, as well as black pants and red glasses. She was carrying two large bags of groceries.]*

Saphron: This is my wife, Terra.

Terra: Well, this is quite a party. *[motions to her bags]* Could I get some help, please?

*[Alan, Blake, and Ren made their way towards Terra, following her to the kitchen. Not long after, the four came out carrying several sandwiches for everyone. With everyone seated and eating, Weiss looked over at Alan.]*

Weiss: So, now that we have some down time, how's about a proper introduction?

*[Alan swallowed the bit of the sandwich he was eating and then took a deep breath. The scene went black, and a comic book titled*The Alan 10 Adventures*appeared.]*

Alan *(voice)*: Alright, people, let's do this one last time.

*[The comic flipped through some pages before showing Alan holding up the Simplicitrix.]*

Alan *(voice)*: My name is Alan Nomaly. For the last year and a half, I've been a superhero in another universe.

*[Alan pressed the Simplicitrix, changing into Ripjaws, with the other nine of his original ten aliens showing up around him after.]*

Alan *(voice)*: I was given a weird alien watch called the Simplicitrix that lets me change into several alien species, all of which have their own set of superpowers.

*[Dictator Agorm Hitmas, Vapor, Excambalir, ElevenEleven, Hagan, Cerebronittion, and Richard were all seen.]*

Alan *(voice)*: I've fought alien Nazis, assassins, suicide squads, my own military, scientists, and my evil brother.

*[The villains were all pushed aside in favor of Alexis, Chloe, Devin, and Mason.]*

Alan *(voice)*: I fight alongside my best friend Alexis, girlfriend Chloe, and secondary friends Devin and Mason.

*[Alan's friends disappeared with Alan popping up after the fact, with Pride materializing behind him.]*

Pride *(voice)*: Ahem.

Alan *(voice)*: Oh, right. And there's Pride. He's the ghost I share my brain with. I'm not sure how it works but here we are.

Ruby *(voice)*: How did you get here?

Alan *(voice)*: That's kind of a long story.

*[There was a white flash which then dissipated to show a forest. An odd noise was heard, which was then revealed to be coming from Cannonbolt as he rolled through the forest. He abruptly stopped and opened up, throwing out Negative Ditto. In a burst of cyan light, the latter changed into a dark teal blob as he hit a tree. The blob was shiny and had black globs floating around in him. A cyan UFO-like device with the Negative Simplicitrix on it pulled the blob back together and up to his feet, taking on a humanoid form with glowing cyan eyes.]*

Cannonbolt: I don't know why you're bothering to fuck-

Saphron *(voice)*: Hold on a minute.

Cannonbolt: What?

Saphron *(voice)*: Language! Adrian's right here.

Cannonbolt: Seriously?! This is *my* flashback! If anyone's gonna be vulgar, it's me!

Saphron *(voice)*: How about no one be vulgar in it at all?

*[Cannonbolt let out an exasperated sigh.]*

Cannonbolt: *Fine.* No vulgarity. *[clears throat]* I don't know why you're bothering to *mess* with me, and normally I'd say I don't care, but if I don't care, you might kill me, so there's that.

Negative Goop: And normally this is the point where I'd-

*[Negative Goop was interrupted by Cannonbolt's laughter.]*

Negative Goop: *[deadpan]* What?

Cannonbolt: I just... That voice does *not* fit with your personality at all!

*[Making a motion as if he was rolling his eyes, Negative Goop switched to his human form.]*

Richard: Is that better?

Cannonbolt: *[smirking]* Perfect.

*[Cannonbolt went to swipe at Richard, but the cyan light of the latter's Simplicitrix was seen, and Cannonbolt's arm was suddenly wrapped in a mess of lavender tentacles before he was thrown to the side. Richard was revealed to have turned into a humanoid alien that seemed to have a squid for a head. His right arm changed shape, going from a mass of tentacles into a normal arm, the tentacles appearing like muscles. Most of his body was covered in black armor, with a white stripe on his chest beneath the Negative Simplicitrix. There was a teal sac going around the back of his head.]*

Negative Squidstrictor: I'd recommend you stay down.

*[Negative Squidstrictor changed to Negative Heatblast, and blasted Cannonbolt's exposed underbelly. Yelling in pain, Cannonbolt quick-switched to Water Hazard, and retaliated with a shot of water, extinguishing Negative Heatblast.]*

Water Hazard: Even after all this time, I'm still the more experienced one.

Negative Heatblast: I wouldn't count on it.

*[Negative Heatblast changed to a humanoid bug. His body was mostly blue and cyan, with white on his face and torso. His eyes are large and compound. He had white wings growing from his back, and antennae growing from his head.]*

Negative Mossquito: You're not the only one who can counter their opponent, you know.

*[Negative Mossquito shot a mossy substance from the nodes on the front of his shoulders, which hit Water Hazard and solidified. Water Hazard moved his arms around freely.]*

Water Hazard: Not that it did much.

*[When trying to shoot a blast of water, Water Hazard realized nothing was coming out.]*

Water Hazard: What the fuuuuuuuudgernutters?

Negative Mossquito: Liquid absorbing moss. Comes in handy when fighting Orishans.

*[Negative Mossquito changed to a large, rotund alien. His skin was a dark teal. His sharp tooth-filled mouth took up most of his face, and his cyan eyes were bulbs at either end of his lips. He had stubby limbs and a tail, and wore black pants. He puffed up his body, then shot out a stream of dark cyan spit that pushed Water Hazard back into a tree, then solidified around. Water Hazard struggled to get free, just as his brother changed forms again.]*

*[This time, the alien was a humanoid bird, covered in blue feathers. Lighter blue feathers were seen on his chest and the crest on his head. His arms had long feathered wings on them, with his hands and feet being a bright blue scaley texture with talons on the ends of his fingers and toes. He wore a white mask and white shoulder bands, as well as a black pair of pants with a black and white belt, and white bands wrapped around his ankles. He had frilled tail feathers and a bright blue beak. He approached Water Hazard.]*

Negative Kickin Hawk: I'll be speaking with you soon.

*[Negative Kickin Hawk jumped and spun around, kicking Water Hazard in the face with enough force to knock him out.]*

*[Later, Alan woke up in Richard's stereotypical warehouse of a villain base, bound to a chair by the bile of Negative Spitter. He lifted his head up to see Emina and Envy facing away from him.]*

Alan: Hey, Abbott and Costello. Where's the ring leader?

*[The two lackeys turned to face him.]*

Emina: He'll be here soon enough.

*[Envy slapped Emina's arm.]*

Envy: Idiot! We're not supposed to talk to him!

Emina: I don't wanna be rude.

Envy: "Rude?!" Who cares about being rude?! We've both tried to kill him, and you've mind controlled a good chunk of the populace around here! We're *far* past the point of rude!

Emina: Maybe I feel like changing.

Envy: Not on your life, pal!

*[The bickering was cut short by a roar as Negative Rath landed on the ground nearby.]*

Alan: Ah, the old "Richard shows up as Rath" routine? Never gets old, does it?

*[Negative Rath just quietly growled at Alan.]*

Alan: How do you keep him so calm? He's always so angry for me.

*[Without responding, Negative Rath reverted to his human form, and then walked towards Alan, kneeling down to activate the Simplicitrix.]*

Alan: HEY! Never use another man's watch!

Richard: Just for once I'd like you to stop being so relentlessly annoying.

Alan: I don't give a fu... A fu... A fricki-frack what you'd like!

*[Richard flipped through Alan's holograms before transforming the latter into Blamurai.]*

Blamurai: ...Alright, I'll bite. What's this about?

Richard: *[takes Blamurai's sword from his back]* As much as I don't want to have to rely on you, I'm going to have to, just this once.

*[Richard threw down Blamurai's sword, sticking it in the ground. He then brought up his own Simplicitrix and changed into Negative Clockwork.]*

Negative Clockwork: This transformation is able to transport itself from from one universe to another. However, it can only easily be done when the universe intended is within the same multiverse.

Blamurai: Other universes? Wow, really outsourcing, nice job. Is that where you've been all season?

Negative Clockwork: *[exasperated sigh]* The temporal beam can be manipulated by the molecular make up of that form's sword. Not entirely sure how that works, but it should prove to make things more convenient for me.

Blamurai: Why bother telling me all this exposition? You could easily just stay silent and do your thing.

Negative Clockwork: ...I don't have a proper answer for that.

Blamurai: ...Dummy.

*[Ignoring Blamurai's insult, Negative Clockwork's cog began to spin, and the cogs in his chest glowed before generating a time beam that hit Blamurai's sword. The sword refracted the beam and then opened up a portal. Negative Clockwork transformed into his human self and made his way through the portal. Struggling, Blamurai tried moving his body, initially to no avail. However, it didn't take long before the solidified saliva around him began to crack, and then finally shatter as he broke free. He dove forward and drew his sword from the ground, pointing it towards the oncoming Emina and Envy, causing them to stop.]*

Blamurai: Get back, you savages!

*[Keeping them at swordpoint, Blamurai carefully backed himself up, before doing a backflip into the portal after Richard just before it closed. Blamurai found himself being hurled through a psychadelic plane in which several numbers flew by him. 775775, 710010, 1063-E, 1010, 2018, 68, 83, 1100. Blamurai turned back and saw the number 1799.A speeding away from him. He turned his attention back to Negative Clockwork, who was much further ahead. Reaching to his chest, Blamurai pressed the Simplicitrix.]*

*[Blamurai took on the form of a large, yellow, plant-like creature. A bright yellow venus fly trap opened grew his head from his neck, and his two legs split into four. He started stretching his limbs out towards the teal Chronosapien.]*

Wildvine: Where do you think you're going?

*[Negative Clockwork looked back, surprised to see his brother following him, and caught off guard to where Wildvine's fingers could wrap around him. Struggling, Negative Clockwork too changed forms.]*

*[Negative Clockwork's body became larger, and changed to a pale-teal metal. His body became topheavy. Grey bolts grew from his shoulders, as well as his arms changing to become like jackhammers. Long, grey ears grew from his head as well as a black tail from his lower body.]*

Negative Armodrillo: You're not supposed to be here!

*[Negative Armodrillo turned one of his hands into a drill and began spinning it, causing Wildvine's vine to get caught, and spin him towards his opponent. Wildvine then wrapped himself around Negative Armodrillo, constricting him.]*

Wildvine: Funny, I get the feeling you're not supposed to be here, either!

*[Negative Armodrillo attempted to break free, but Wildvine's grip increased each time the former moved. Struggling, Negative Armodrillo managed to change forrms again, turning into Negative Upgrade, allowing him to get out of Wildvine's grip before blasting him with an optic beam. He then continued on his way. Shaking off the attack, Wildvine looked up to see Negative Upgrade headed for a set of letters rather than numbers: ERTH. Wildvine was engulfed in a red light as he changed into Jetray to speed off after him. Just before reaching ERTH, Negative Upgrade was tackled by Jetray.]*

Jetray: Gotcha!

*[The attack caused both of them to fall into ERTH. In a flash of light, the two fell to the ground. Jetray sat up and looked around. The sky was dark. The two brothers had fallen in front of a large building which had clearly sustained a lot of damage from what it once was. The top of the center tower of the building was completely gone, and most notably, a giant, grey wyvern-like creature was frozen to the side of the tower.]*

Jetray: *[stands up]* What the fu-

*[Jetray's probably censored profanity was cut short by being shot by another optic beam by Negative Upgrade. Jetray grunted and changed to Chromastone.]*

Chromastone: I'm starting to get annoyed by this.

Negative Upgrade: Agreed.

*[In a blinding flash of light, Negative Upgrade assumed another transformation. Chroamstone's face dropped as he looked up to see Negative Way Big.]*

Chromastone: Oh, come on! That's just overkill!

Negative Way Big: I'm counting on it.

*[Negative Way Big crossed his arms at the wrists, and a cyan cosmic beam began to form which shot down at the monochromatic Crystalsapien. Chromastone put his hands out to try to absorb the beam, but it wasn't long before his body began to break up from the overload of energy, and he started to scream. Negative Way Big's beam dematerialized as he pulled his arms away from one another. Alan laid in a small crater with Chromastone's rocks and crystals lying around him. Negative Way Big turned and started walking away. Alan grunted and looked up at the titan, then at his Simplicitrix before weakily activating it.]*

*[A giant rock suddenly hit Negative Way Big in the back of the head, almost hitting his weak dorsal fin. Before he could turn around, he was then hit in the face with a gigantic, dark grey tail, knocking him down. He then looked up and his eyes widened, seeing Alan had turned into a dark grey Godzilla-like creature, the bright orange spinal plates contrasting with the rest of his skin. The plates then started to glow a vibrant purple. Without hesitation, the monster shot a purple beam from his mouth towards Negative Way Big's dorsal fin, just barely blocked by the latter creating a cosmic shield to block it. Negative Way Big then got to his feet, and put his Kaiju opponent in a choke hold, which proved to be ineffective as the latter's teeth became coated in a purple ooze just before biting his arm, causing the To'kustar to scream in pain before pulling away. Alan's Godzilla form then shot out a purple blast from his mouth, knocking his opposite away again. Once again standing back up, Negative Way Big looked over to Alan, who let a low yet loud growl out. The two simultaneously charged up their respective beams, and shot them at the same time. The cyan cosmic beam and purple beam of poison hit each other and caused a feedback, blasting both giants far from the scene. Alan was thrown so far he ended up in the ocean. The Simplicitrix beeped and transformed him from the giant monster into Ripjaws. Looking around confused, Ripjaws only barely managed to dodge a giant, aquatic Grimm, and then he swam off, unknowingly going in the opposite direction of Richard. The flashback then ended.]*

Alan: Not long after that I wound up in the train station, and kinda just snuck onto the train before meeting you guys.

Weiss: And you have no idea where your brother went afterwards?

Alan: Not a clue. I'm partially relieved that I know he's on this world somewhere, or at least in Earth-ERTH, since he can't get out without both of us being involved, but also I'm very worried because he was coming here on purpose. I'm guessing this isn't his first time here, given he said it's difficult to travel to a different multiverse with just Clockwork. Probably speaking from experience.

Qrow: Like you said, wouldn't we have heard about someone turning into a bunch of different creatures?

Alan: Richard's not like me. He uses aliens when he needs to and prefers to keep a low profile unless he's trying to antagonize me. I'm far more impulsive with transforming than he is... You guys wouldn't happen to know people who'd rather see you dead than in their way, would you?

*[The rest of the room got quiet as they looked at each other awkwardly. Alan sighed.]*

Alan: I shouldn't be surprised.

Yang: You don't think Richard's got plans involving them, do you?

Alan: I'm just gonna guess that he does. What *wasn't* part of the plan was me escaping the trap he had for me and then following him here, so at the very least, he should be a bit more on edge about whatever he's involved in.

Jaune: I don't think he's got any idea what he's gotten involved with then.

Alan: I think I can say the same for your villains.

*[The room got quiet and tense but was soon the mood was broken.]*

Nora: Quick question! Why are we Earth-ERTH? Shouldn't it be Earth-RMNT?

Alan: Really? *That's* the thing you're curious about?

Ren: You get used to it.

Nora: Think about it! You come from Earth, we come from Remnant, we should be Earth-RMNT! Or maybe Remnant-RMNT!

Alan: If anything you should probably be more curious about the fact your Earth is a word, stretching the definition of "word," as opposed to a bunch of numbers like every other Earth is.

Qrow: Is this an important conversation right now?

Ruby: Alan. If you're right about Richard being involved with our villains, then it's probably a good thing we met. You should probably stick with us just in case.

Alan: Considering I don't know anyone else on this planet, or in this universe probably, aside from the brother I don't want, I don't think I really have a choice anyway. What's the gameplan for tomorrow?

Weiss: Tomorrow, we see about getting transportation to... *[reluctantly]* Atlas.

Alan: I hear that tone in your voice and something about it tells me we're not going to enjoy this Atlas place very much.

Weiss: You have no idea.