Chapter One: The Brother Gods Make An Oopsie

Let it never be said that the Brother Gods were infallible, because they weren't. Salem and Ozma had proven that almost completely by accident and then they left to sulk for a few hundred million years in the ether. Don't tell them that, though. They're still touchy about it.

Using their magical Brother Gods (patent pending) powers, they'd made themselves a cozy cabin of omnidimensional existence in which to keep tabs on their favorite realities, as well as to give things a little nudge now and again. It was only cheating if you got caught, after all, and both Brothers loved nothing more than to slip something by the other in favor of whoever they happened to like in that particular abstract unit of time. By a remarkable coincidence, both of them were checking in on the reality labeled [ _w94], which was arguably their crowning achievement. They were both rather proud of it, but were getting worried as Ozma hadn't called them back to see how things had turned out yet. It's almost like getting humans to live in harmony was actually a difficult task. Surely things couldn't be that hard for the young wizard.

The Elder Brother, otherwise known to the world as the God of Light, turned to his younger Brother, the God of Darkness. "Brother, have the proper preparations been put in place for the purviewing of Remnant?"

"You're just alliterating for the hell of it now, brother. And it got old a few hundred thousand years ago. Yes, everything is ready. I merely need to adjust our console."

As the God of Darkness spoke, he conjured up a dashboard that was both infinitely long and the size of a small desk, filled with windows and buttons for every conceivable (and inconceivable) aspect of the world that was Remnant. However, in a shining example of divine error, one of his hands brushed against a forming button that happened to be bright red. Immediately an alarm chimed, accompanied by the message "edit saved." The God of Darkness grew even darker.

"Well… this isn't good."

"Brother, what exactly just happened?"

The God of Darkness shook slightly. "What do you think would happen if, and this is definitely hypothetical, our realities had a randomization option?"

It wasn't possible for a being made of pure light to pale, but the God of Light gave it a good effort. "I would be very, very concerned. Such a thing could wreak havoc on the destiny of a world, to say nothing of the denizens who could be affected and that's what just happened isn't it."

"Well… yes. But it's nothing too bad. Judging by these readings, it seems like only important people were affected, and they've gotten a power, trait or ability that is beneficial to them. Huh, looks like it drew from other worlds. Funny, eh?"

"Brother… just how many important people do you think live in that world?"

"Oh shit."

The God of Light sighed. Oh shit indeed. This could completely ruin what he had planned for Ozma's planet-wide redemption arc. Then again, it was apparently taking a long time. Maybe this could speed things up a bit for him. Besides, it's not like Salem was still around. It had been literal eons, surely she'd come to terms with the importance of mortality by now.

"Son of a bitch! That mortal karen stole my Grimmlands! Brother!"

Ah, hell. Guess not. That would explain what was taking Ozma so long. Wait, if Salem was still around… Dashing to the panel, the God of Light opened an infinity of tabs and swore profusely. This was going to get messy.

Across the world of Remnant the change rolled over the lands and seas. It's important to note this because no one noticed at first. The first one who did notice was one Jaune Arc, who found himself with one extra rather colorful shield that seemed to come out of nowhere. Given the already-unsettling nature of the long-abandoned town of Oniyuri, Jaune felt very justified in his jumping a foot into the air and screaming.

"Guys! Where did this thing come from?"

The thing in question was perhaps the most famous Shield (and yes, it earns capitalization) in its history, but it was of another world so no one present recognized it. It was large and circular, with a gentle concave shape. It had red and white-silver rings painted onto it, and a circular blue center with a white five-pointed star proudly displayed. Jaune tapped on the shield gently, and a gentle peal rang out in a soothing harmony.

Ruby tilted her head to the side. "What metal is that made out of?"

Nora bounced forward excitedly, inspecting it from every angle and poking it with Magnhild. "Can we test it's durability?"

Ren moved to step forward, but paused. Outstretching a hand, he let Tranquility flow through and around him. His teammates were curious, excited even, but… Someone was coming, a beacon of glee mixed with murderous intent. "Guys, someone's coming!" Stormflower shot to his hands as his teammates drew their weapons, Jaune strapping the new shield to his back as Crocea Mors unfurled in his hands. Team RNJR moved back-to-back in a single coordinated motion. And then a madman jumped over a roof, leaping in front of Ren while laughing maniacally.

The man took a quarter-second to appraise them before dashing forward, angling towards Ruby. A click echoed through the deserted town as bladed weapons deployed from his vambraces. Quicker than lighting, Ren blocked his charge, Stormflower's blades ringing across the stranger's weapons as he shunted them both to the side. They traded kicks for maybe four seconds before the stranger shoved Ren away by force. Green tinted the edges of his vision as he began to right himself, almost as if it was helping him up somehow. As he dashed forwards he saw the stranger bulldoze through Jaune and Ruby, before closing on Nora. Thunder crackled.

Afterwards, Nora would admit that she had no idea how she did it. This wasn't a part of her natural semblance, but as she moved then nothing seemed easier. Pointing Magnhild at the stranger, she thrust it forwards, and a bolt of lightning crashed down from the heavens, striking where the man had been not a second before. The stranger in question had thrown himself to the side, and looked decidedly upset at having to fling himself onto the ground to dodge.

"Well, I'll say I didn't expect such a violent welcome! I was expecting children, not people who were almost capable."

Jaune stepped forward. "We're not looking for a fight! Also, Nora, have you always been able to do that?"

"Nope? But that's not important. What is important is grinding this guy into paste! Say… who are you anyways?"

The stranger stood up and sketched a dramatic bow. "Well, I suppose it's only professional to introduce oneself. Almost hitting me with lightning is good enough to count as professional, by the way. My name is Tyrian, but that doesn't matter to anyone except her."

Tyrian's finger was pointed at Ruby, who looked as confused as the rest of RNJR felt. "Me?"

Tyrian leaned sideways before bursting into laughter. "Oh, none of you have a clue, do you? How exciting. Why, I'm here to whisk you away with me!"

Nora stepped forward, Magnhild angled toward Tyrian with murderous intent clear in her eyes. "And what if she doesn't want to go with you?"

This drew a quiet chuckle from the man. "Then I'll take her."

As Ren quietly moved to Tyrian's flank, Jaune stepped in front of Nora, Crocea Mors raised high to defend his team. "We're not going to let that happen."

Tyrian inhaled, a grin on his face. "Good." Then, in a blur, he was gone, only to reappear behind Jaune. Ren turned slowly, while the rest of RNJR seemed to move in slow-motion compared to the two of them. On pure instinct, he outstretched his hand, a warning cry on his lips. Desperation rang through his soul, he had to stop this man. He needed to reach further, to hold him in place somehow. He needed-

Green tendrils shot forward from nowhere, right next to Ren's hand. Just as Tyrian was about to strike Jaune, they wrapped around him, holding him in midair. Ren blinked once to make sure he wasn't hallucinating from the stress. Nope, still some green tendrils, although they now seemed to be coming from just behind him. Acting on some urge of mad curiosity, he raised his other hand and willed more tendrils into being, just to see what would happen. Sure enough, more surged forward and pinned Tyrian's arms to his sides. Jaune, Ruby and Nora stepped forward cautiously.

Nora turned to Ren with a very confused expression. "Ren, are two semblances a thing?"

"Not that I've ever heard of. I don't know what's happening."

"Yeah, you're holding him in midair somehow! Like telekinesis! Ooh, maybe it's the Shwartz!"

Ren blinked. "You can't see the tendrils?"

"What do you mean?"

"These green… things! That are coming out of me. I have them wrapped around… you said your name was Tyrian?"

Tyrian wasn't very happy with his impromptu hug. "Release me at once before I make your death hurt worse!"

Ren blinked again. "To clarify, no one can see the green things coming out of me."

Tyrian had evidently had enough, as a scorpion tail wriggled its way out of Ren's(?) tendrils, allowing Tyrian to free himself. Screaming in frustration, he charged Ruby, dodging Nora's lightning and jumping over Jaune. Arms glowing purple, he grabbed Ruby's wrist, forcing Crescent Rose out of her grasp-

Ruby's aura broke with a snap, as Tyrian glowed red and purple. He stared at his hands for a moment, and then began laughing in a pitch that should have been made illegal. "The goddess has blessed me! My semblance, it has become more!"

Ruby groaned from her prone position, clearly exhausted. "Guys… he drained my aura… r-run…"

NJR made the decision not to run. Nora raised Magnhild to the sky and lightning bolts began to chase Tyrian as Jaune rushed him, Crocea Mors glinting in the flickering light. Ren dashed to the side, trying to get a clear angle on Tyrian to entrap him again with whatever-that-was. Tyrian dashed straight for Jaune, clawing both sword and shield from his grasp before springing off him and towards Nora. Nora called lightning down upon them both, attempting a double knockout, but Tyrian's enhanced aura tanked the strike, while Nora collapsed before him. Ren poured rounds from Stormflower into the madman's back, but Tyrian only stumbled for a moment before charging him.

Jaune threw the Shield. It arced, if you'll pardon the pun, perfectly, crashing into the back of Tyrian's head before bouncing off a nearby building and returning to Jaune's hand. Tyrian turned, paused, and visibly grappled with what had just happened. "How did any of that work?"

Jaune didn't answer. Roaring in defiance, the blond knight scooped up the sword of Crocea Mors and rushed Tyrian, but Tyrian merely leaped onto the Shield, grinning.

Words bubbled up from Ren's soul as all of this played out, words he'd never heard but resonated with his very aura. Out of teammates and out of ideas, he sheathed Stormflower, for he'd need to use his hands for aura strikes. Taking a deep breath, he spoke words that hadn't been spoken in Remnant ever before, yet rang as true as in any world. "Hierophant Green! Emerald Splash!"

Now, let's take a moment to evaluate basic facts. Rocks hurt. Tripping over them, getting them thrown at you, volcanoes in general. All excellent examples of geology actively gunning for one's life. Now, imagine a shower of emerald gems infused with the very fighting spirit of an unbound soul. Yeah, that's gonna sting like a bitch. And as soon as they landed upon Tyrian's back, that fact was made known.

Ren turned to the figure beside him as Tyrian moaned on the ground and Jaune bashed him with the Shield to knock him out. It was green, and a shade away from being translucent, with silver accents giving it a humanoid shape. Closer inspection showed it was made of a length of coiled tendrils, and it had golden eyes and a sort of facemask where a mouth would be. The green itself was flowing, and Ren knew in that moment that it was nothing less than a manifestation of his will. A companion to the aura that was his soul, yet distinctly different.

"A pleasure to meet you, noble Hierophant."

The being nodded, before fading away, secure now that Ren knew he could call upon it anytime.

Nora stood up shakily, hair standing on end. "Did someone get the number of the train that hit me?"

"Nora," Ren began, "Please don't hit yourself with a lightning bolt again."

"No promises, you have to admit it was pretty cool."

Ren smiled. It was, after all, pretty cool.

Ruby stood up, leaning on Crescent Rose as she glared at Tyrian's prone form. "So, this is all well and good, but we still don't know where Jaune's new Shield is from, or why Nora gets cool weather powers now, or what Ren's doing at all… any explanations?"

NJR blinked. "No," Jaune said.

Silence, and then a man with a sword crashed through a building to stand in front of Ruby. "All right you bastard, don't you lay a finger on my… niece… who is fine."

"Uncle Qrow? What are you doing here?"

Qrow blinked. "I've been keeping an eye on you kids. I heard gunfire and got here as fast as I could. Who were you even fighting?"

Ruby gestured to Tyrian's prone form. "That guy, he said his name was… Tyran? Tree-something?"

Nora slid next to Ruby and whispered "Tyrian."

"Yeah, Tyrian! That was his name."

Qrow blinked, stared, blinked again and pulled a pair of handcuffs off his belt. "I don't even know how you kids did this, Tyrian's… got a reputation. He'd be a tough fight for me, let alone four students. Say, who wants his weapons?"

Ren stepped forward to take them as Ruby laughed nervously. "That's the thing, Uncle Qrow… we don't really know either.