Beacon Academy Dorms

Ruby happily skipped through the student dormitory hallway toward the common room. Sniffing the familiar smell in the air, Ruby's smile grew wider as she got closer to the common room.

Ruby: Good morning everyone!

Ruby opened the door to the common room to see her friends inside.

By the T.V., Ren and Nora were playing a video game together.

Ren: Good morning Ruby.

Nora: Yeah, hey Ruby- Oh Yeah!!! Got ya!!!

Ren shrugged as Nora jumped in triumph.

Behind them, on the couch, was Yang, who watched Nora win against Ren.

Yang: Hey Ruby!

Immediately after, the blonde student knocked Ren aside and took his controller.

Yang: Alright Nora, my turn!

Nora: You're on!

Ruby chuckled to herself and looked at Weiss and Pyrrha, both of whom were sitting at the small dining table.

Pyrrha: Good morning Ruby.

Pyrrha smiled warmly and waved.

Weiss: Good morning Ruby.

Weiss took a sip of coffee from her cup.

Pyrrha: You're just in time, breakfast is almost ready.

Weiss: Yes, and speaking of breakfast...

Weiss looked over toward the kitchen.

Weiss: ...you had better not burn my food!

Yang: Our food!

Yang shouted from her game.

Weiss rolled her eyes.

Weiss: Fine... our food... but more specifically, mine.

(Y/N): I know Weiss...

Ruby turned her head toward the kitchen to see Y/N stirring a bowl of dough.

(Y/N): ..and good morning Ruby.

Ruby smiled.

Ruby: Good morning!

Jaune: Ugh...

Next to Y/N, slumped face down onto the counter, was Jaune. Y/N patted him on the back.

(Y/N): There, there...

Jaune: I'm a terrible baker...

(Y/N): It's okay...

Y/N glanced at Jaune's attempt at baking cinnamon rolls.

(Y/N): ...it takes time to get good at anything...

Jaune shifted his head to look at Y/N.

Jaune: Really?

(Y/N): ...Okay, I won't lie to you Jaune... Never attempt to cook anything ever again.

Jaune: Ugh....

Blake: It's okay...

Blake showed up with a trash bag and threw Jaune's poorly made cinnamon rolls into the bag.

Blake: Oh, good morning Ruby!

Ruby: Hey Blake!

Blake leaned toward Y/N.

Blake: (whisper) What should I do with these?

(Y/N): (whisper) Burn them, leave no trace of its existence.

Blake nodded.

Blake: (whisper) Right.

Blake tied the bag up and began to walk out.

Blake: I'll be right back.

As Blake walked by, Ruby jumped to the kitchen and sat on the counter and smiled at Y/N.

Y/N sighed.

(Y/N): Fine... here.

Y/N handed Ruby the mixing spoon he was using, with a glob of cookie dough on it.

Ruby: Yay!!!

Ruby quickly swiped the spoon and began to eat the raw dough still on it.

Ruby: Mmmmm!!!~

Y/N pulled open a drawer and grabbed another spoon, sat next to Ruby, and started to eat the cookie dough with her.

(Y/N): To the only way to eat cookies.

Y/N lifted his spoon into the air.

Ruby: Here, here!

Ruby took her spoon and lightly touched Y/N's and resumed eating the cookie dough.

The two students happily ate cookie dough together in the kitchen, the two of them ignoring the sulking Jaune on the counter next to them.

The door to the common room opened once again stepping through, however, was Salem.

The ghostly pale woman stuck out like a sore thumb in the common room, her sinister presence completely contradicted the joyous mood in the room.

Salem looked around the room and then approached Y/N, who didn't seem to react or even notice the pale woman's presence. In fact, no one noticed Salem in the room, each person continuing with their own activities.

Narrowing her eyes, Salem looked at Y/N as he ate cookie dough with Ruby.

Salem: You have quite the attachment to these people...

Having seen enough, Salem turned around and began to walk toward the door. As she did so, Blake returned and began to walk back toward the kitchen.

Blake: Hey, I'm back.

As Blake walked toward the kitchen, she was headed in the direct path that Salem was walking, however, instead of colliding with her, Blake seemed to just phase through the pale woman and continued on like nothing happened.

Salem glanced back as she headed toward the exit.

Salem: You seem very happy here... Y/N...

Salem opened the door once again, but instead of the hallway of the Beacon Academy Dorm, Salem found herself in an endless landscape of floating voices and images.

Salem: Now... to the next... memory...

Salem seemed to glide through air as she took a step forward. With no solid ground, Salem slowly flew through air as she heard the different voices that made up Y/N's more recent memories.

Yang: Hey Y/N! Wanna play a card game?

Nora: Cinnamon Rolls!!

Ruby: That was so cool!!!!

Jaune: Thanks, Y/N...

The voices talked over each other, making it fairly difficult to discern who was speaking between them.

Salem stopped where she was, closed her eyes, and listened carefully for memories that would allow her to learn more about the teen whose mind she was in.

As she listened, Salem could have sworn she heard a faint static sound coming from the memories, she ignored it however and continued to listen.

Vernal: This just isn't your day, is it?

Amongst the voices of students from Beacon, Salem heard the voice of someone that seemed out of the ordinary.

Opening her eyes, Salem glided in the direction she heard the rhetorical question.

Vernal: Actually, I have an idea...

Using the voice as a guide, Salem arrived at another memory. The floating image showed Y/N surrendering to a group of bandits in the forest.

Salem: An encounter with bandits? Interesting...

Interested on how this panned out, Salem outstretched her hand and entered the memory.

_____

_____

Stepping onto the ground Salem glanced around to see Y/N with his hands in the air, surrounded by bandits.

Vernal: Get over here.

Salem's attention was brought to the short-haired tanned woman who seemed to be incharge of this small band of criminals.

Stepping around the smug woman, Salem saw as the group of bandits singled a man out and shoved him into the circle with Y/N.

Vernal: Seeing as how this whole thing is your fault, I'm going to give you the opportunity to fix it...

The man looked at the woman with a mixture of confusion and fear.

Man: W-what?

Vernal pointed to the man and Y/N.

Vernal: ...you two are going to fight until one is left standing.

Man: W-what!?

(Y/N): Q_Q

Salem raised an eyebrow and glanced at the two in the center of the circle.

Salem: A fight to submission?

The memory continued as Salem curiously to watch.

Vernal pointed to Y/N.

Vernal: You win, I'll let you go.

The woman then turned to the man with Y/N.

Vernal: You lose.... Well...

Vernal twirled the gun in her hand and aimed it at the man.

Vernal: ...we'll have one less idiot in the tribe.

The man gulped and turned to face Y/N.

Salem glanced around at the bandits that surrounded Y/N as well as the man that Y/N was going to face.

Salem: What will you do now?

Knowing that Y/N was significantly more powerful than these bandits combined, it came as quite the surprise when Y/N barely fought back as the man began to beat him down.

Confused, Salem approached as the man continued to one-sidedly beat the young team.

Salem: Why would you allow-

(Y/N): Ugh.... why does stuff like this always happen to me?.....

Listening closely, Salem heard Y/N voice echo throughout the memory.

Salem: Ah. These are the thoughts you had at this moment.

Wanting to learn more, Salem listened carefully as the scene unfolded before her.

As the man landed a punch on the teen's face, Y/N's thoughts continued.

(Y/N): What should I do?...

The punch sent Y/N tumbling to the ground.

(Y/N): ...kill them? No.... They said they were trying to find their camp, which means there is more of them....

The man smiled to himself and began to kick the prone teen.

(Y/N): ...if I do anything to these guys, the other bandits from their camp will come looking for them and may take out their anger on Trist... Ugh... I don't even know where their main camp is... Escape?

Despite the fact that a man was roughly kicking the teen, Y/N didn't seem to notice it.

(Y/N): ...No... If I escape they'll simply attack someone else...

At this point, the other bandits were cheering on their comrade as he kicked Y/N.

(Y/N): ...great... I have to let this schmuck beat me... this guy clearly doesn't work out, I've had indigestion that's hurt more than his kicks.

Salem: Interesting, even under these circumstances you think about your actions...

Eventually the man stopped kicking Y/N and raised his arms in victory. Salem mostly ignored the bandits and found herself impressed with Y/N's ability to think under extreme circumstances.

Now finished with this particular memory, Salem closed her eyes and drifted upward, soon she was once again in the sea of voices and images of Y/N's memories.

Again, Salem listened carefully, this time she listened carefully for another recent memory that she could see.

Gangster #1: Hey boss, what should we do with the hostages?

Salem opened her eyes and began to search for the memory she had heard, soon she found what she was looking for.

Gangster #1: You heard him.

Gangster #2: Hell yeah, 'execution' style.

Looking at the image, Salem found Y/N in a store being robbed.

Salem: Not very lucky... are you?...

Once more, Salem outstretched her hand and entered the memory.

_____

_____

Walking through the front door of the store, Salem witnesses as men in black and red suits robbed the store of Dust.

Salem: Ah. Cinder's little plan to take down Beacon.

Salem recognized what was happening and why the robbers were taking only the Dust. But she wasn't there to watch her follower's lackeys, she was there to observe Y/N.

Turning toward the counter that the employees and Y/N were tied up behind.

Gangster #3: Hey, don't make too much of a mess.

Gangster #1: What's it matter? We ain't cleaning it up.

Getting closer to the counter, Salem began to hear Y/N's thoughts once again.

(Y/N): They aren't stealing any money? Then they aren't common criminals...

The gangster standing above Y/N reached for his gun and loaded a new magazine into it.

(Y/N): If they're organized then that would mean someone has ordered these guys to steal this specific item... I wonder- Of for the love of.

Y/N's thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the bandit next to him aiming his gun at the employee in front of him.

Y/N mentally sighed to himself and strangely began to count.

(Y/N): one... two...

Salem watched with interest as Y/N started to count.

(Y/N): ...three!

As Y/N said "three", he pushed his foot forward, causing the employee to slide backward a foot.

In the split second that the gun fired, Y/N managed to move the poor employee out of the way.

Gangster #1: What the!?

(Y/N): -_- It always happens to me... always...

As the gangsters were still stunned by the sudden miss, Y/N lifted his leg and kicked the gangster with the gun into the counter.

(Y/N): *sigh* ...one...

Gangster #2: How the-!?

Y/N instantaneously jumped to his feet and tackled the other gangster behind the counter and kicked him to the other end of the store.

(Y/N): ...two... Oh! Field goal!

Salem watched with interest as Y/N easily and quickly took down the gangsters that were robbing the front of the store.

Salem: Hmm....

Salem thought to herself, ignoring the carnage occuring around her.

(Y/N): ...three!...

Salem didn't react when Y/N sent a gangster flying through Salem and eventually out the front window.

Salem: ...You're no novice to combat... but where did you learn such things?

(Y/N): ...four and five!...

Focusing back to the memory, Salem watched as the last two gangsters slammed into the back wall of the store.

(Y/N): ...easy peasy, lemon squeezy...

As Y/N cut himself and the other hostages free, Salem noticed the first gangster Y/N kicked getting to his feet. Salem watched as the man aimed his gun at the fleeing store employees.

Gangster #1: No one does that to me! No one!!!

(Y/N): Always something...

What happened next surprised even Salem.

Salem watched, eyes slightly widened, as Y/N caught each and every bullet that was fired at him.

Gangster #1: N-no fucking way...

The gangster visibly trembled as he took a few steps back. Even Salem found herself surprised by Y/N's feat of skill.

(Y/N): Hell yeah! I am the chosen- Ow!!! Ow!!! Hot!! Hot!!!

Y/N suddenly dropped the bullets he caught and began to blow his hands.

(Y/N): Fire hot!! Fire hot!!!

Gangster #1: H-how!?

Y/N shook his hands and looked at the trembling criminal.

(Y/N): Ha ha! Practice!! ... Lot's of failed practice....

Y/N sighed.

(Y/N): ...lot's of failed practice...

Salem: 'Practice'?

Salem thought to herself as Y/N finished off the last criminal by sending him flying through the back wall. The pale caster, no longer interested in the current memory she was in, left that memory and entered into the stream of voices and images once more.

Salem: Everything I have seen would point to past experience in situations like this...

Salem closed her eyes once more, this time however, she focused on finding memories from before Y/N came to Remnant.

Emilio: You really aren't from here, are you?

Voices and images past by Salem as she concentrated on going back further. Again, Salem could hear a faint static sound, it was louder than earlier but like last time, she ignored it and continued to listen.

(Y/N): Why is it so hot!?!? Why did I eat those berries!?!? Why are there no towns?! Why did I eat those berries!!!???

(Y/N): *sigh* I hate dimension hopping...

The last voice that Salem heard caught her attention, but she pressed onward, delving further into Y/N's memories.

Princess Lumara: It is thanks to your efforts that our world has finally obtained peace!!

The Grand Wizard: Hero from across time and space! I have summoned you here for a great quest!!

Salem's eyes opened and she quickly zeroed in on the voice of the man she just heard.

(Y/N): Oh you've gotta be kidding me.

Salem soon found the image the voices were coming from. Looking in Salem saw a large marble cathedral lit by candles and floating balls of light.

Salem: It is this one...

Salem lightly touched the image and entered the memory.

_____

_____

The Grand Wizard's Hall

Stepping down onto the clean white floor, Salem herself was awestruck as she found herself in a room of magic from another world. The pale woman slowly panned around the room, noticing the distinct differences between the magic she practices and the magic of another world.

(Y/N): Can't you find someone else? I just wanna head home...

The Grand Wizard: F-f-find someone else!? B-but, there isn't anyone else!

Salem was pulled out of her reverie when she heard Y/N's voice and the voice of an older man. Turning her attention away from the room filled with the arcane, Salem started to listen to Y/N's conversation.

Y/N visibly looked distressed and shrugged.

(Y/N): You can just summon someone else, right? I mean, you summoned me didn't you?

The wizard shook his head.

The Grand Wizard: Alas, I cannot. It was very difficult to call you here in the first place.

(Y/N): Aaarrrrghhhh!!!.... Fine.

Y/N got up from the floor he was summoned from and began to walk toward the old man. However, when Y/N did this, Salem turned to see the very summoning circle that brought Y/N to this world.

Salem's eyes widened and a smile adorned her face as she approached the complex arcane circle.

Salem: Yes.....

(Y/N): Look, just point me in the direction of this monster you want me to beat.

Salem mostly ignored the conversation Y/N had with the wizard, her focus entirely on the magic circle.

The Grand Wizard: It is no monster you must defeat!...

Salem carefully and meticulously studied the summoning circle, confident that she could replicate it.

The Grand Wizard: ...it is a god you must defeat!

Salem instantly stopped what she was doing and slowly turned around listen to the conversation she initially ignored.

Salem: Defeat a god?....

The Grand Wizard: This evil god has immense power, so we must work together to prepare you to-

(Y/N): Yeah, yeah, evil god... something something waffle- just tell me where it is.

Y/N's carefree mentioning of fighting a god intrigued Salem greatly.

The Grand Wizard: Great hero, this isn't something you can beat with brute force. The evil god has omnipotent power and can-

(Y/N): Abababab!!! Look, this isn't the first time I've killed an "omnipotent being" okay?

The old wizard--as well as Salem--were surprised by this statement.

The Grand Wizard: Y-you've killed a god before?

(Y/N): I've killed a bunch of them. It was annoying. Like this conversation. Let's go.

Y/N began to walk toward the large double door exit.

The Grand Wizard: W-wait! You've killed gods before!? H-how!? When!?

Y/N stopped and turned to look at the wizard.

(Y/N): To answer your first question: With gusto. The second: Literally right before you got me here. Now let's go!

The Grand Wizard: W-wait!

The old man quickly followed behind the young teen, curious about what he had said.

The wizard wasn't the only one interested in Y/N's story, Salem stood wide-eyed as she processed what Y/N had said.

Salem: 'killed gods'!?

Salem thought for a brief moment before quickly turning around once more and finished memorizing the magic circle.

Salem: Now...

Salem quickly left the memory and focused to go just a few hours back. Soon she discovered the memory she was searching for.

Getting close to the image, Salem saw what looked to be a ruined temple of some kind.

Salem: So this is a few hours before...

Salem narrowed her eyes and outstretched her hand toward the image.

_____

_____

Salem stepped onto the ground and looked around. She was partially right before, she was indeed in a temple, but it wasn't in complete ruin as she expected it to be. Turning around, Salem noticed that much of the temple still stood. The ruined part that Salem saw seemed to have been an altar of some kind.

Approaching the broken altar Salem noticed the similarities between her own and the one here. However, the altar before her was handled and decorated very differently.

BOOM

As Salem silently inspected the foreign altar her attention was suddenly brought behind her when something crashed through the ceiling.

Turning around, Salem saw that the once pristine temple was ruined as a large crater was formed and a large plume of dust filled the air from the incredibly loud explosion.

???: Aaaaarrrrghh!!!!!

Salem heard grunting and cries of pain coming from the crater, curious, she moved closer. Just as the dust began to clear Salem was startled when a glowing arm reached over the edge of the crater.

Salem took a few steps backward as she stared, wide eyed, at the figure before her.

Salem: A god...

Wounded god: Arrrghh! *huff* *huff*

The god struggled out of the crater and began to crawl away from it. They were humanoid but lacked any discernible human features, instead the figure glowed a bright red and seemed to be translucent. To Salem, the figure appeared all too familiar to her.

Wounded god: *gasp* Rrrraaagh!!! *wheeze* Aaaagh!!!

The god crawled across the floor, groaning from pain.

(Y/N): Ooooow....

Salem turned back toward the crater to see the very teen she brought to her castle rubbing his head.

(Y/N): Yeesh... you're such an ass, you know that?

Y/N looked at the wounded god as they crawled way.

(Y/N): What?... what are you...

Y/N rolled his eyes and sighed.

(Y/N): Where are you even going?

Wounded god: *huff* *huff*

The god seemed to ignore Y/N question and continued to crawl in the direction of the altar.

(Y/N): ...You've gotta be kidding me... *sigh*

Y/N sighed and walked out of the crater and began to approach the wounded deity.

Salem was further surprised when she saw the god began to crawl faster away from the approaching teen. The fear the god expressed was apparent, even without human face.

(Y/N): I have no idea where you're going but it won't help. So stop... please?

Y/N grabbed the god by their leg and pulled them toward him.

(Y/N): Hey, I said plea-

As Y/N spoke, the god's body pulsed and suddenly the wounded deity quickly turned to face Y/N and outstretched both of their arms toward him.

Wounded god: Die!!!!!!

After a very faint flash of light a colossal beam of energy burst forth. The tremendous energy beam caused a sonic boom as the pillar shot up out of the temple and toward the sky.

Even Salem had to cover her eyes from the sudden burst of light.

The powerful beam of energy lasted for a few seconds before it finally began to fade. When Salem's eyes readjusted she saw that Y/N simply leaned back to avoid the deadly blast of energy.

Y/N leaned forward again and looked at the god.

(Y/N): -_- You done?

Wounded God: H-how!? How can you be this powerful!?

(Y/N): I dunno... I believe in the heart of the cards?

Wounded god: What!?

(Y/N): Eh, doesn't matter. Come here

Y/N roughly grabbed the god by the neck and lifted him to head level.

Wounded god: You- *gasp* -pathetic little- *choking* -you should be bowing to me! *gasp*

Y/N rolled his eyes.

(Y/N): That's exactly what the other three said... you know... before I killed them.

Wounded god: W-what!? How can a mortal like you kill a god!?

(Y/N): Oh.... uh...

Y/N clenched his black glove covered fist and reeled it back.

(Y/N): ...like this.

Y/N thrust his fist forward and drove his clenched hand right through the chest of the god. Sparks and waves of red energy burst from the god's back.

Wounded god: Gaaaaaahhhh!!!!!

Y/N quickly pulled his arm back out, leaving a large hole right through the god's chest and back.

(Y/N): Aw gross.

Y/N looked at his arm, which was now covered in translucent, glowing, red blood, and started to try and shake off the liquid.

As he did this, the last of the god's very life faded and the body in Y/N hand no longer glowed. Suddenly the body began to twitch and twist, grotesque cracking and tearing noises started to emanate from the divine corpse.

(Y/N): Huh?

Turning his attention back to the god, Y/N noticed what was happening.

(Y/N): Whoops.

Y/N quickly threw the god's corpse onto the altar as the twitching and cracking grew louder.

The corpse began to fold in on itself and soon a bright light burst forth followed quickly behind by a loud explosion.

As the dust settled Salem began to hear clapping. Turning her attention toward the source of the sound, she saw Y/N dusting his hands off.

(Y/N): And... that makes four! Done!

Salem stared wide-eyed at the teen that she had brought to her world. Her initial plan for Y/N was to learn how to traverse different realities, but now her plan changed.

Salem: You know how to kill a god.

Salem's eyes glowed as she stared intently at Y/N, who began to remove the gloves he was wearing.

(Y/N): Finally, I can go ho-

Suddenly, a magic circle appeared beneath the teen.

(Y/N): What the hell!?

Caught off guard, Y/N only had a split second to look down at what was at his feet.

(Y/N): Oh shit not agai-

With another burst of lighting Y/N suddenly vanished.

Salem, however, narrowed her eyes at where Y/N just was, her fascination and interest in Y/N having grown exponentially.

Moments later, Salem was in the long stream of voices and images once more.

Salem: I have what I wanted, and more...

Content with what she found, Salem began to focus once more to return to the present.

Salem flew through the voices and memories that Y/N had, toward the exit, until she heard something. Coming to a stop, Salem once again heard the faint static sound she kept hearing.

Salem found it strange that among the voices and images of Y/N's memories that there was something that was just static. Curious, Salem carefully searched for the source of the static.

Sun: 'Bun guy'!!!

(Y/N): ...please don't call me that...

Strangely the static seemed to be coming from one of Y/N's more recent memories when he was at Beacon.

(Y/N): ...want a restraining...

(Y/N): ...inter...ing.....

As the static grew louder the other memories and images seemed to fade away and grow silent. However, Salem ignored the strangeness that was occurring around her, focusing only on the static sound.

Soon Salem found a singular image--the source of the static sound. Approaching the image Salem saw Y/N in his pajamas sitting on his bed.

Salem narrowed her eyes and outstretched her hand.

_____

_____

Salem opened the door to Y/N's room, it was early morning and Y/N was sitting up on his bed.

There were no other sounds in the room other than Y/N's breathing.

Salem: What is so special about this memory?

Salem approached Y/N, wondering what was going through his head.

(Y/N): I haven't had that dream in a long time... a very long time...

Salem: A dream?

Salem found it strange why this particular memory would have such a strange sound coming from it.

Salem: I will return another time...

Although this memory perplexed her, Salem decided to leave and return another time. However, as Salem turned around she was greeted face to face with another figure.

Salem: What!?

Caught completely off guard, Salem took a few steps back from the figure that seemed to appear from out of thin air.

The figure before Salem was a woman wearing a simple tan dress, however, the woman's head was completely obscured by black and white static.

The abnormal appearance startled Salem who looked at the woman in surprise.

Salem: Who is this!?

As Salem stepped backward the figure seemed to follow Salem's movements with her head.

Salem: She can see me!?

Salem did not know how to react to what was before her, memories should not be able to see or even comprehend her presence, yet this strange figure before her threw all of that away.

Salem took a breath and approached the woman.

Salem: Who are you?

The figure didn't answer, instead stood silently in front of the pale woman.

Salem glared at the figure.

Salem: What are you?

Again, the figure didn't seem to react to the question, however, Salem noticed something about the static that covered the woman's face.

Salem: I wonder...

Salem outstretched her hand toward the static that covered the woman's head.

_____

_____

@*#(?3??

Salem opened her eyes to find herself alone in an empty landscape. The flat gravel like ground stretched far passed the eye could see in every direction. The sky cloudy and dark but without rain.

Salem: Where is this place?

The empty landscape she was in caused her to feel an uncharacteristic chill run down her spine.

???: ....orry....

As she looked around, Salem began to hear faint voices in the air.

?????: You're our only hope....

?????: ...the greatest hero ever!....

?????: ...We can always depend on someone like you....

Salem: What are these voices?

The voices seemed to be referring to someone, someone that they revered greatly.

????:...undefeated!....

????: ...it is your duty!.....

???: ...you will make the right choice!...

?????: ...this is why you are here!....

The voices seemed to grow in anger and spite as Salem continued to listen.

????: ...this is what a hero does!....

???: ....what good are you!?....

??????: ...You can't make the hard decisions...

The sky darkened and thunder began to rumble in the skies above.

????: ...this is what is necessary!!...

?????: ....What are you doing!?....

?????: Stop!!!!

????: Wait! Please!!!!

?????: We believed in you!!!

??????: We didn't mean to!!!

The voices grew so loud that Salem had to cover her ears.

Salem: What is happening!?

????: Please!! Don't do this!!!

?????: Please think about what you're doing!!

The voices grew louder and louder forcing Salem to fall to her knees.

Salem: What is-!?

As Salem grit her teeth and the voices grew louder she saw something in front of her. A single figure.

Salem: Who is that!?

????: Please stop! You're killing us!!

???: We didn't do anything wrong!! Stop!!

???: Why!?

There was a sudden heartbeat of silence as all the voices stopped speaking.

(Y/N): You deserved it!!!!!!!!

The figure turned around and for a fraction of a second Salem saw the eyes of something consumed by madness.

Suddenly the world fell to complete darkness and the voices were suddenly quiet, now the only sounds Salem heard was her own breathing.

??????: You have such a good heart... I'm so sorry...

_____

_____

Salem's Castle

Salem: *gasp*!!!

Salem awoke from her trance in a cold sweat. Quickly looking around, Salem breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she was now out of Y/N's mind.

Salem then sat silently on her chair in deep thought.

_____

_____

The Following Day

Come morning, Salem ordered all of her followers--Y/N included--to meet in the meeting hall to discuss the next step to their plans.

Salem herself was already in the meeting room when her followers started entering. Soon, the only one missing was Y/N.

Watts: Ugh, typical teenager...

Watts looked at his Scroll for the time.

Watts: You know, if his promptness was as good as his combat skills, I'd finally have someone to talk to.

Hazel: He is still a kid...

Watts: Yes, but...

Watts pointed toward Emerald and Mercury.

Watts: ...so are they, and they're here on time.

Mercury: Why you-!

Mercury's anger was halted when Cinder raised her hand.

Cinder: Don't.

Mercury: Tch.

Watts smirked as Mercury was forced to back down.

Tyrian: I think Y/N will make a wonderful addition to our ranks!

Tyrian smiled sadistically as he thought about Y/N's skills.

Tyrian: Oh the suffering we can bring!

Watts: Yes, because the boy clearly shows homicidal tendencies much like your own.

Tyrian: *gasp* You think so!?

The sarcasm that Watts used seemed to fly right over Tyrian.

Watts: *sigh* No. No I don't.

Hazel: I'll admit it as well, the boy is a valuable addition to us.

Salem: I am glad that so many of you approve of his presence now that your doubts have been answered.

Tyrian: Hehehe~ answered and annihilated.

Salem was pleased with this, however, there was still one that refused to acknowledge Y/N.

Salem: Cinder.

Cinder turned toward her master.

Salem: You still have doubts about the young man?

Cinder quickly glanced around before grimacing.

Cinder: No. I don't.

Salem narrowed her eyes.

Salem: Are you ready to return to Beacon?

Cinder: Yes.

Salem: Good, the power that you so desperately desire will be yours once your task there is complete.

Cinder: Yes ma'am...

As Cinder finished her sentence the large wooden double doors started to open. Walking in, last, was Y/N, who quickly ran to his chair.

(Y/N): Sorry!

Salem: It is no problem, Y/N.

(Y/N): Thanks.

Salem: Now that you're here, Y/N, I have some news for you.

(Y/N): Yeah?

Salem: I believe I have discovered a way for you to return home.

(Y/N): Really!?

Salem: Yes, however, I would like to train you.

Cinder: What!?

Cinder silently grit her teeth and clenched her fists.

Salem noticed Cinder's objection but ignored her.

Salem: I believe sending you home has something to do with your Aura and Semblance, so I would like to help you control it.

(Y/N): Oh... well, that sounds good. Sure.

Salem: Excellent. We shall begin aft-

(Y/N): I have a question though...

Y/N suddenly interrupted Salem, which caused everyone to turn toward the teen.

Salem: Ask.

(Y/N): ...well, not really a question more of a comment or continuation of what we were talking about before.

Salem raised an eyebrow.

(Y/N): I didn't mean to sound rude the other day when I rejected your... offer. Just... mind spells just don't sound very comfortable to me.

Cinder looked at Y/N, confused.

Salem: That is alright, I found-

(Y/N): The mere idea of someone entering my mind, and probing my most private thoughts just doesn't feel right.

Salem felt trepidation flow through her as Y/N continued.

Salem: I can understand that sort of mentality.

(Y/N): Another thing with those kinds of minds spells...

Y/N looked at Salem.

(Y/N): ...they often work two ways...

Silence filled the room as Salem and Y/N looked each other in the eyes.

Salem: I see...

(Y/N): Now, I couldn't see very far back, but I did hear and see your conversation with Cinder.

Cinder looked at Y/N in surprise.

(Y/N): So I gotta know...

Y/N looked at Cinder.

(Y/N): ...why would you destroy Trist?

Salem: The destruction of Trist, while brutal, was necessary.

Y/N looked at Salem.

(Y/N): 'Necessary'? That... So you did order the attack.

Salem never broke her gaze with Y/N's eyes.

Salem: Yes.

(Y/N): Wow. Uh.... huh....

Y/N started to scratch his head in contemplation.

(Y/N): I'm not... huh... this... this is something else.

Salem narrowed her eyes and silently prepared herself for what was about to happen.

(Y/N): Man... I haven't felt like this in a long time... What was this feeling again?

Y/N put his hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat.

(Y/N): Oh right!

Y/N dropped his hand onto the table and gripped tightly.

(Y/N): Upset!

_____

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Author: 

It's still Wednesday! It's still a Wednesday as I release this!... Okay, full disclosure, I don't have as much free time as I used to, so writing this and getting it out on time is proving to be a problem. 

Anyway, the next chapter should be pretty good, I've actually planned what will happen in the next chapter for months now and I'm super excited to start writing it!