Land of Darkness

Cinder: Rrgh!

Following an explosion in the meeting hall, Cinder was sent airborne out of the castle. As she quickly descended to the ground below, Cinder quickly threw flames from her hands to soften her landing.

Getting her feet beneath her, Cinder kept upright as she skid a few yards after slamming into the ground. Quickly catching her breath, Cinder looked back toward the meeting hall only to have to quickly dodge the incoming crystal table.

Cinder: Shit!

Cinder instantly jumped to the side to avoid the incoming meeting table that crashed into the ground.

Emerald: Cinder!

Looking back forward, Cinder saw Emerald and Mercury running to her.

Emerald: Are you alright!?

Worried, Emerald quickly ran to her leader's side.

Cinder: I'm fine.

Cinder coldly ignored her follower and glanced back toward the wrecked meeting hall.

Mercury: What now?

Cinder narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists when she saw someone hop out of the castle.

Cinder: Now? We survive.

A black glass sword formed in Cinder's hand as she prepared for what was coming.

Emerald and Mercury stood on each side of Cinder and readied themselves.

Walking over the small hill in front of them, the young teen that the three of them kidnapped from Atlas dusted himself off.

(Y/N): Ah. There you are.

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury, tensed slightly as Y/N rotated his shoulder.

Emerald: What do we do?

Mercury: We kick his ass, what else? We did it before.

Emerald glared at Y/N.

Emerald: Somehow I doubt we'll be able to do that again...

(Y/N): You got that right.

Y/N approached the trio until he was about five yards from where they stood.

(Y/N): So, how do you three want to do this? All at once? One at a time? I mean...

Y/N glanced back toward the castle.

(Y/N): ...I got time.

Cinder: Hmph.

Cinder raised her sword and pointed in at Y/N.

Cinder: Do you really think you'll survive here?

Y/N blinked and looked around confused.

(Y/N): ...Yes... yes I do...

Cinder tightened her grip on her sword.

Cinder: Allow me to correct that. Emerald.

Emerald: Right.

Y/N raised an eyebrow as copies of the three people in front of him. Soon, what was once three turned into fifteen.

Suddenly, the many images of Emerald and Mercury rushed Y/N in unison.

Emerald: Let's see you stop all of us!

The copies quickly surrounded Y/N before finally lunging at him. Out of reflex, Y/N brought his arms up in defense of the incoming kicks and punches, however, none came. As the copy images threw their attacks, they suddenly faded away before the punches could land.

Seeing their target distracted by their false images, Emerald and Mercury attacked from opposite sides. Once they were close enough, Mercury launched himself into the air to try and axe kick Y/N's exposed head, while Emerald swung her daggers toward the back of his neck.

As Mercury's kick and Emerald's dagger were mere inches from their target, Y/N quickly grabbed Mercury's leg and leaned forward to avoid Emerald's attempt at decapitation. Using that momentum, Y/N swung Mercury out of the air and right into his partner.

Mercury: Argh!!

Emerald: Augh!!

Mercury slammed into Emerald's stomach sending the two of them tumbling into the ground.

However, as soon as Y/N finished throwing Mercury, he clenched his fist and activated the shield in his arm-guards. Y/N brought the shield up just as Cinder's sword was about to impale him.

Cinder: Rrrrgh!!

Cinder grunted in frustration as sparks flew from the colliding weapons. Not wanting to give up, Cinder quickly kicked off of Y/N's shield to gain some distance before unleashing a flurry of slashes against the teen.

(Y/N): Woah!

Y/N quickly blocked Cinder's consecutive strikes with his shield, which caused her to grow even more frustrated.

In the middle of her strikes, Cinder instantly materialized a second sword and swung both of them at the opponent in front of her. As the two swords swung toward Y/N, fire burst from the tips of each sword.

(Y/N): Woah, hello!

Now, along with the sparks that flew off of Cinder and Y/N's collisions, arcs of flame shot in every direction.

(Y/N): Oh! Ah! Hot! Very Hot!

Despite applying more pressure on him, Y/N still blocked every slash from her swords.

Cinder: Rrrrgh!!!

A mixture of frustration and anger filled Cinder as each of her strikes failed to harm Y/N. Furious that her attacks were achieving nothing, Cinder jumped into the air and quickly spun around to create a cyclone of fire powered by her spinning blades.

(Y/N): Here we go!

Cinder: Die!!

An ear piercing metallic grinding sound echoed throughout the area as Cinder's fire cyclone grinded against Y/N's shield. A continuous stream of sparks and fire slid off of Y/N's shield as Cinder continued her attack.

(Y/N): Aaaaaand.... Now!

Much to her surprise, and confusion, Cinder watched as Y/N suddenly lowered his shield. At a speed she could barely keep up with, Y/N grabbed Cinder's arm and used her own momentum to throw her out of her attack and away from him.

Cinder: No!

Using her experience, Cinder quickly got her feet beneath her before she crashed into the ground.

Cinder: You-!

Before she could fully recover from the throw, Cinder looked up from where she was to see Y/N a mere few feet from her, fist clenched.

Cinder: Wha!?- Hrrrk!!!

Y/N fist directly collided with Cinder's face, causing her to slam into the ground and tumble a few dozen yards away.

Cinder: Gaah!! *huff* *huff*

Cinder shakily sat up from her prone position to see just how hard Y/N hit her. Fortunately, her Aura took the full brunt of the hit, however, the resulting absorption depleted the majority of her Aura reserves.

(Y/N): Well, that wasn't so bad...

Cinder glared at Y/N as the dust began to clear.

(Y/N): ...to be honest, it was pretty easy.

Cinder visibly scowled at Y/N's comment.

(Y/N): Welp, time to- Waaaaah!?

Suddenly appearing behind him, Hazel roughly grabbed the teen and slammed him--face first--into the ground, creating a small crater.

(Y/N): (muffled) Ow.

Hazel growled as he finished his ambush by kicking the prone teen; to mitigate the damage, Y/N quickly pulled up his shield right before Hazel's foot collided with his side.

(Y/N): Woaaah!!!

Y/N flew up in the air a short distance before falling to the ground again.

Hazel: You alright?

Hazel glanced behind him to his shaken ally.

Cinder: I'm fine!

Cinder shakily got to her feet and glared at Hazel.

Cinder: I could have handled it.

Hazel grunted before turning back to face Y/N.

(Y/N): You know... you're very quiet for someone so huge.

Y/N dusted himself off as he got to his feet once more.

(Y/N): Seriously, you're really quiet.

Hazel glared at the teen that just nonchalantly shrugged off his attacks.

Hazel: You just need to learn to watch your surroundings.

(Y/N): -_- Yeah, su-

Tyrian: Surprise!

Appearing suddenly, directly to Y/N's left, Tyrian lunged at the distracted teen.

(Y/N): Again!?

Reacting quickly, Y/N brought his shield up right to block Tyrian's blades just in time.

Tyrian: Hahaha!!!

The demented Faunas burst out into laughter as he kicked off of Y/N's shield and used the guns built into his vambraces to unleash a stream of bullets at the shield.

(Y/N): Does everything have guns built into them!?

Y/N complained as he held his shield up to block the hail of gunfire.

Tyrian grinned as he extended his scorpion tail along the ground to grab Y/N's foot.

(Y/N): What the?

Tyrian: Down you go!

Pulling his tail back toward him, Tyrian forced Y/N to fall onto his back.

Tyrian: Hahaha!!

Tyrian laughed further as he attempted to pounce onto Y/N and impale him with his blades.

(Y/N): Yeah... no.

Before Tyrian could land, Y/N quickly brought his feet to his chest and extended them outward toward the incoming Faunas.

Tyrian: Ah!!

Tyrian quickly brought his arms up to block Y/N's kick. The kick forced Tyrian backward, towards Hazel and Cinder.

Tyrian spun in the air before landing on his feet next to Hazel.

Tyrian: *chuckle* That was pretty close there, wasn't it?

Tyrian smiled sadistically as Y/N jumped to his feet.

Tyrian: Just a second too late and you'd be struggling to breath as my blades pierce your lungs.

(Y/N): ...You're weird.

As Tyrian giggled to himself, Cinder stepped out in front.

Cinder: You're not leaving here alive.

As Cinder stared daggers at Y/N, her allies lined up beside her and readied their weapons.

(Y/N): I, personally, disagree with that statement.

Cinder: You don't honestly believe that you can beat all of us, do you?

Y/N glanced at everyone in front of them, spending only a brief moment to eye them up and down.

(Y/N): Uh.... definitely.

Hazel: That so? How are you so sure?

(Y/N): I mean...

Y/N cracked his knuckles.

(Y/N): ...now all of you are in front of me, which will make what's about to happen next so much easier on m-

Before Y/N could continue a powerful beam of energy erupted from his left and slammed directly on him.

(Y/N): Aaaaaahhhh!!! Are you kidding me!?

The beam of energy forced Y/N to skid along the ground and crash directly into a rock wall, causing a large explosion.

Cinder, and those who were with her, looked on in surprise when they saw their malevolent leader stepping onto the battlefield.

Mercury: Guess we weren't pulling any punches...

Salem ignored her followers' surprised looks and comments and narrowed her eyes at the rubble she created when she launched Y/N into it.

Emerald: Is he dead?

Emerald's question was answered when the rubble started to move and Y/N climbed out.

(Y/N): Okay.

Y/N moved the large boulder that was on top of him to the side.

(Y/N): That hurt.

With the dust finally clearing, Y/N was able to see Salem with orbs of different types of energy floating around her.

(Y/N): Of course you're here...

Salem: My offer still stands...

Y/N raised an eyebrow as Salem spoke to him.

Salem: ...I am willing to... overlook, these transgressions you have commited in return for your servitude.

Mercury: Is she serious!? We should just kill him!

Cinder shared Mercury's opinion, but knew better than to interrupt her master.

Salem: What is your answer?

Despite her calm demeanor, Salem was anything but off guard, she carefully watched Y/N for any sudden movements as he thought about his response.

(Y/N): Or what?

Salem's eyes glowed a crimson red at Y/N's response.

Salem: You die.

(Y/N): Well... you drive a hard bargain, but I'm going to go with: No. A definite no.

Salem had a look of irritation on her face as the balls of energy around her began to spark and glow brighter.

Salem: Then I have no use for you...

Salem outstretched her arm and pointed at Y/N.

Salem: ...goodbye.

As Salem's spell finished casting her eyes suddenly went wide when she no longer saw Y/N standing before her.

(Y/N): Goodbye.

To Salem's complete surprise, Y/N had somehow managed to get right next to her. By the time Salem's eyes saw Y/N, his foot was already flying directly for her head.

CRACK

With a loud cracking sound, Cinder and everyone with her stared in complete shock as Y/N instantly decapitated Salem where she stood.

There was complete silence as Salem's headless body fell to the ground, the orbs that she controlled shattering into nothingness.

Cinder and everyone with her looked in silent shock at Y/N's effortless dispatching of their leader.

(Y/N): Uh....

Y/N looked at Salem's headless body in confusion.

(Y/N): ...well that was easy... kinda anti-climatic all things considered. Oh well...

Y/N turned his attention back toward Cinder and her group.

(Y/N): Who's next?

Any confidence the group of Salem's followers had disappeared when the teen looked at them.

Emerald: N-no way...

Mercury: What the hell...

Emerald and Mercury took a few steps back as they looked at Y/N.

Tyrian: M-mistress?

Tyrian stared in disbelief at Salem's unmoving body.

Hazel clenched his fists and put his guard up.

Hazel: This isn't good.

While the others had emotions of fear, shock, and disbelief, Cinder felt differently. She glared at Y/N, anger coursing through every fiber of her being. She hated Y/N, more than anything she's hated before. Just the idea alone that Y/N was stronger than her caused her to feel revulsion unparalleled, actually seeing it, amplified that feeling ten-fold.

Cinder: We're killing him...

Emerald: W-what?

Cinder: I said we're killing him!

Cinder, flames in her eyes, formed another black sword into her hand and pointed it at Y/N.

Emerald: But-!

Cinder looked over her shoulder and glared at Emerald, the look she gave her caused a chill to run down her spine.

Emerald: S-sorry ma'am.

Mercury: But how are we going to-

Tyrian: Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!

Tyrian let out a loud scream, pulling everyone's attention to him.

Tyrian: You bastard!

Tyrian looked at Y/N with tears running down his face and anger in his eyes.

Tyrian: How dare you harm our divine saviour!

(Y/N): ...Wow, your standards are pretty low then huh?

Tyrian: Bastard!!!!

With little regard for his own life, Tyrian readied his blades and charged at Y/N full speed.

Hazel: Tyrian wait! Shit!

Hazel quickly followed behind his ally and joined the charge.

Cinder: Let's go.

Following closely behind Hazel, Cinder and her own followers started their charge as well.

(Y/N): This outta be good.

Y/N activated his shield as Tyrian closed the distance.

Tyrian: Die!!!!

In a wild flurry, Tyrian began to consecutively try to slash at Y/N, who used his shield to stop his deadly blades.

(Y/N): You need a hobby, seriously.

Hazel: Raaah!!!

Soon, Hazel joined the fight and began to try and over power Y/N. Quickly dodging to the left, Tyrian gave Hazel a clear shot at Y/N's shield who punched it with full force in an attempt to off balance the teen.

(Y/N): Woah, hello!

The solid ground cracked and crumpled as Hazel's heavy fists collided with Y/N's shield.

As Y/N blocked Hazel's strikes, Mercury jumped behind Y/N and attempted to sweep Y/N's feet.

(Y/N): Oh no you don't.

Thinking fast, Y/N jumped over Mercury's leg sweep and used the momentum from Hazel's punch on his shield to clothesline Mercury.

Mercury: Hurgh!!

Without skipping a beat, Y/N landed on his feet and charged Hazel with his shield.

Hazel: Gaaah!

The impact forced the entirety of Hazel's form into the air and crashing into the ground a few yards away.

Tyrian: Don't forget about me!

Y/N was forced to pivot his body quickly to bring his shield up in order to block Tyrian's gunshots from hitting him.

Tyrian: Hahahah!!!!

(Y/N): You have some serious problems dude.

Tyrian laughed hysterically as he circled Y/N while firing his guns at him.

(Y/N): Okay, enough of that.

Reacting quickly, Y/N threw his shield at Tyrian as he circled him, however, as the shield hit Tyrian, his image suddenly disappeared.

Y/N rolled his eyes.

(Y/N): Ugh... not this again...

Tyrian: Hahahah!!!!

With Y/N distracted and without his shield, Tyrian took the opportunity to pounce on him from behind.

(Y/N): There you are.

Tyrian: What!?

Reacting much faster than Tyrian expected, Y/N quickly pulled Tyrian out of the air and slammed him into the ground.

Tyrian: Aaargh!!!

Y/N didn't have time to gloat as Emerald tried to slash at Y/N with her daggers.

(Y/N): Ah! You can take him.

As he dodged one of Emerald's slashes, Y/N grabbed Tyrian by the leg and swung him at Emerald.

Emerald: Wha!? Haaagh!!!

Tyrian: Nooo!!!

Y/N roughly threw Tyrian at Emerald and sent the two of them flying right into a rock wall.

(Y/N): Now... Last and certainly least...

Cinder: Rrrrgh!!!

On que, Cinder dropped from the sky and slammed into the ground, creating an explosion of fire in her wake.

Quickly dodging the incoming fire, Y/N brought his arm up to guard against Cinder's fire infused attacks.

(Y/N): Woah there!

Thanks to his arm-guards Y/N was able to block Cinder's black glass swords without injury.

(Y/N): Man, these things are so useful! Makes me wonder why I never had these before.

Y/N's comments as he blocked her attacks caused Cinder to grow even angrier than she was before.

Cinder: How!?

(Y/N): Huh?

Cinder shouted at Y/N as she kept trying to kill him.

Cinder: How can someone like you have this much power!?

Cinder's jealous and wrathful emotions boiled to the surface as she continued to fail to kill Y/N.

(Y/N): It is getting very warm right now...

The fire that engulfed Cinder's word burned brighter and hotter the more enraged she became. The flames grew so hot that as Cinder and Y/N continued their clash, visible waves of heat emanated from them.

Cinder: Why!? Why does someone like you deserve so much power!?

Despite Cinder's swords hitting Y/N's arm guards, the heat from her swords was starting to burn the defensive teen.

(Y/N): Holy crap it is hot!!

Cinder: Raaaaaahhh!!!!

With one more swing Cinder poured enough fire and energy into her swords that an explosion of fire erupted when they made contact with Y/N's arm guards.

BOOM

The fiery explosion forced both Cinder and Y/N away from each other.

(Y/N): Ah! Ah! Oh! Hot! Hot!

Y/N started to panically pat his body to douse the small flames that were on him.

On the other side of the burnt out crater the explosion left, Cinder stood up straight and aimed her sword--now glowing a bright red from the heat--at Y/N.

Cinder: I have dedicated my whole life to obtaining more power...

Y/N finished putting out the small fires on him and turned his attention to Cinder.

Cinder: ...I've endured so much to obtain the power I have now... But you...

Fire erupted from both of Cinder's eyes as she glared at Y/N, whose expression changed to shock.

(Y/N): N-no way...

Cinder: You actively hide your power! You waste it on pathetic wastes of time!...

Y/N couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Cinder: ...All of that power and you want to bake!? You're a joke! You don't deserve the power that you have!

A small circle of fire erupted from around Cinder's feet.

(Y/N): That's insane...

Cinder grunted at Y/N's expression of shock.

Cinder: Hmph. Finally realized just how out of your depth you're in?

(Y/N): H-how are you able to?....

Cinder allowed herself to faintly smirk.

Cinder: If you drop to your knees and beg, maybe I'll kill you quick-

(Y/N): Have you been fighting me in high heels!?

Y/N looked at Cinder's high heels in disbelief.

(Y/N): Those are some seriously durable shoes... and feet...

Whatever inhibitions Cinder still had were crushed when an intense feeling of fury she'd never felt before course throughout her body.

(Y/N): ...and an incredible sense of balance.

Cinder: DIEEEEE!!!!!

In another fiery explosion, Cinder rushed toward Y/N, completely engulfed in flame and filled with an indescribable anger.

(Y/N): Oh. That's my que.

In response to Cinder's charge, Y/N stretched his arm behind him and flicked his wrist.

Cinder: RAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

Cinder rapidly approached Y/N, and when she was close enough, she swung her sword at him.

(Y/N): Yikes, that's warm...

Before Cinder could reach her target, Y/N caught his returning shield in his hand.

(Y/N): Batter up!

WHACK

Swinging it like a bat, Y/N swatted Cinder like a baseball with the broadside of his shield.

Cinder: Gah!

Cinder only managed a quick sound before she slammed into the ground and roughly skid a good distance through the ground.

(Y/N): Man...

Y/N reattached his shield to his arm-guard as he started to walk in the direction he batted Cinder.

(Y/N): ...shields are great!

Cinder: *gasp* *huff* *wheeze*

Severe pain replaced the anger that filled Cinder's body, she had a difficult enough time just bringing air to her lungs. Enduring the pain, Cinder forced her body to try and sit up to see where she was.

A large burned out scar on the terrain indicated Cinder's devastating landing point.

Cinder: G-guh!... *huff* B-bastard! *huff*

Cinder's eye widened slightly when--through the kicked up dust--she saw Y/N approaching her. Feeling the same fury she had felt before one again, Cinder tried with all her strength to get to her feet. However, struggle as she might, Cinder didn't have the strength to return to her feet.

(Y/N): Another happy landing huh?

Cinder: Grrr!!

Cinder glared at Y/N as he approached.

(Y/N): Just you and me now.

As Y/N got closer, another figure quickly approached from behind him.

Mercury: Not quite, jackass!

In a last ditch effort, Mercury attempted to strike at the back of Y/N's head with his leg. His attack, however, failed as Y/N moved his head and caught Mercury's foot with his hand.

Mercury: Shi-!!

Not allowing anytime for Mercury to react, Y/N quickly pulled Mercury's leg in front of him and--using his free arm--Y/N mercilessly broke Mercury's leg clean in half.

Mercury: Aaaaargh!!!

With the sound of breaking metal, Mercury fell to the ground clutching what was left of his destroyed leg.

(Y/N): Woah, you have a robot leg?

Mercury: Gaaaaah!!!

(Y/N): Not gonna lie, I did not expect that...

Y/N glanced at the intricate circuitry in the foot he had in his hand.

(Y/N): Well, certainly less messy than a regular leg... Welp, back to the task at hand!

Y/N stepped over Mercury and returned to his walk toward Cinder.

(Y/N): Oh right!

Y/N tossed Mercury's damaged foot back to him.

(Y/N): Break a leg buddy.

The robotic leg hit Mercury in the head as he rolled on the ground.

Y/N dusted his hands off and glared at Cinder.

Cinder returned Y/N's glare with her own. Despite her disadvantageous position, Cinder displayed more anger than fear toward the teen standing over her.

Cinder: If you think I'll beg- Huurk!!

Y/N grabbed Cinder by the neck and lifted her off her feet.

Cinder: Agh! Hargh! *choking* *huff*

(Y/N): I don't like you...

Cinder struggled under Y/N grip, trying--in vain--to shake free.

(Y/N): It take a lot to get a rise out of me...

Cinder kept her glare on Y/N, even though she struggled just to breath.

(Y/N): ...of the very few times people have gotten a rise out of me... well... they didn't do it a second time.

Cinder: He- *choke* Grrgh!! *gasp* uffered- *wheeze*

Y/N tilted his head slightly.

(Y/N): What?

Curious on what Cinder was trying to say, Y/N slightly loosened his grip on her neck.

(Y/N): What are trying to say?

Cinder took deep breaths as she was able to breathe easier once more. When she had enough air in her lunges, she looked Y/N right in the eyes.

Cinder: I made sure to... *huff* ...make him suffer before he died.

There was a brief silence as Y/N stared at Cinder.

(Y/N): ....Wow. Those are your last words? Wow...

Y/N tightened his grip once again.

Cinder: Arrgh!! *choking* Ack!!

(Y/N): I'm going to break your neck now...

Cinder could no longer bring any air to her lungs.

(Y/N): I'm going to break it slowly...

Cinder's eyes widened at Y/N.

(Y/N): ...so that you can feel your spinal cord snap...

Slowly increasing the pressure on her neck, Y/N started to slowly twist Cinder's neck.

Cinder: Aaack!! *breath* Gaaah!!!

Cinder could feel the pressure building on her neck, soon her "fight or flight" instincts kicked in and she tried to kick Y/N, who didn't react to any way.

Forcing her eyes open, Cinder looked at Y/N eyes. Instead of seeing unrestricted fury, Y/N's eyes displayed an uncaring gaze, a look that one would show when completing chores or cleaning the dishes.

Soon, the pressure on her neck overwrote her hostile emotions and replaced them with panic.

CRACK

Cinder's eyes widened when she felt something in her neck crack.

Cinder: Haaagh!! W-wait!! *choking* Aarrrgh!!

Fear and panic set in as the pressure Y/N exerted on Cinder's neck continued, in a final act of desperation she started to claw at his arm.

(Y/N): Just another day in the offi-

Y/N stopped mid-sentence when he saw Cinder's eyes shift to look at something behind him.

(Y/N): Oh shi-!!!

In a fraction of a second Y/N twisted his body in an attempt to dodge whatever was approaching from behind him.

(Y/N): Gaaah!!!

Even though he attempted to dodge it, a large black sword cut Y/N on the left side of his lower abdomen. While the the cut wasn't too deep, it was enough to cause blood to gush outward.

Y/N's impromptu dodge forced him to release Cinder, causing her to be flung away.

(Y/N): Ow! Fuck! Fucking tagged me!

Y/N gripped his side to stop the blood loss from continuing. Turning around Y/N saw where the sword came from.

(Y/N): What the!? How are you still breathing!?

Looking on in surprise, Y/N saw Salem--her head on her shoulders--with three massive black swords hovering above her.

Salem: Did you honestly believe my demise would be so easily achieved?

Y/N straightened himself out, but kept a hand on his side.

(Y/N): Well, considering who you have following you... yes. Yes I did.

Salem responded by having the remaining swords lunge an the teen.

(Y/N): Woah!

Y/N quickly and deftly dodged the first sword, which crashed into the terrain behind him. The same happened with the second sword, the third, however, Y/N had to pull his shield up and redirect it from hitting him.

(Y/N): Damn that's heavy!

Y/N, using his shield, deflected the sword to harmlessly crash into a large purple crystal to his right.

(Y/N): No seriously, how are you alive?

Salem took a few steps forward, her eyes glowing red.

Salem: You have no hope of killing me, Y/N. Save yourself the trouble, and accept your fate.

(Y/N): Oh, I get it. You're a regenerator! Well, I have a way to deal with you! My gloves!

Y/N looked at his bare--gloveless--hands.

(Y/N): ...oh, right..... Shit.

Salem: As I said before...

Salem raised her arm and--materializing from thin air--six more swords accompanied by the spheres she used earlier appeared above her head.

Salem: ...you have no hope against me.

(Y/N): Lady, you're not the first magic caster I've fought, and given my luck, you won't be the last.

After a brief moment of staring each other down, Y/N and Salem began their fight with each other.

_____

_____

Emerald: Cinder! Mercury!

Having recovered from her defeat, Emerald ran in the direction she saw the two of them run to.

Mercury: Rrgh! Over here!

Turning her head in the direction she hear his voice, Emerald found Mercury on the ground, leaning against a boulder, next to Cinder.

Emerald: Guys!

Emerald ran to her comrades.

Emerald: What happened!?

Mercury angrily looked at his broken prosthetic leg.

Mercury: Bastard broke my leg!

Emerald: At least it wasn't a real leg.

Mercury: Tch.

Emerald then looked at Cinder, who was rubbing her neck.

Emerald: Cinder! Are you-

Cinder: Silence!

Cinder didn't even look at her followers, he attention elsewhere.

Cinder: I do not need your help.

Emerald: But your neck!

Cinder: I said silence!

Emerald and Mercury flinched in fear at Cinder's outburst.

Cinder turned her attention back toward whatever was behind Emerald.

Following her gaze, Emerald looked in the direction her leader was looking in.

Emerald: W-woah...

Over the next ridge loud explosions and beams of energy shook the ground as Salem and Y/N fought each other.

Mercury: Yeah... they've been fighting like that for a while now...

Emerald looked on in awe at the literal explosive confrontation between the two combatants.

Cinder only glared at the fight that was taking place without her.

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury, could do nothing but watch as two extremely powerful entities battled each other in a fight they couldn't possibly join.

_____

_____

Back at the fight, Salem and Y/N did their utmost to kill each other. Salem unleashed a barrage of varying spells in her attempt to slay the teen, Y/N did his best to avoid the powerful spells and close the distance between himself and the witch.

BOOM

Following another explosion, Y/N and Salem landed on opposite sides of the large crater they created. Both parties glared at each other as they caught their breathes.

Salem: Tell me something...

(Y/N): Huh?

Salem: ...how could you have possibly known I entered your mind? You have no affinity for magic, so I am curious how you were not only able to detect my spell, but also use it to enter my own mind.

(Y/N): Oh... well... funny story.

With an audible *ker-chunk* Y/N's shield returned to his arm guard.

(Y/N): I was part of a surgery that I very much did not consent to.

Salem raised an eyebrow.

(Y/N): The replaced my brain with coils! Tesla coils! *sigh* -_- I had to run all over this "science" facility, fighting... scorpions... robot scorpions...

Y/N reactively scratched his head.

(Y/N): To make a long story short, after I convinced my brain to come back with me I've had this strange side-effect where I can tell when people attempt to read my mind through magic.

Salem: That sounds...very specific.

(Y/N): Oh it is. Doesn't work on mind-control but works flawlessly on mind-reading... it's kinda annoying now that I think about it...

Salem: Based on what I saw inside your mind, I'm inclined to believe you.

(Y/N): I'm... not sure how I should react to that.

Salem: Like this.

To Y/N's immediate an orb hovered a few feet from his head.

(Y/N): Hello!

The orb flashed a bright blue before powerful arcs of lightning burst forth in Y/N's direction. Reacting fast, Y/N dodged the incoming lightning and charged at Salem full speed.

At the last second, Salem created a shield of magic to stop Y/N's fist. With a loud boom, Y/N fist collided with Salem's shield and forced the two of them apart once again.

(Y/N): I just noticed something...

Salem prepared more spells a looked at Y/N curiously.

Salem: And what is that?

(Y/N): If I had two large graham crackers and a large chocolate bar...

Y/N pointed at Salem with a smirk.

(Y/N): ...you'd make the angriest smore.

Salem's red eyes glowed brighter than before.

Salem: You are very annoying.

(Y/N): And you are very dead.

Following another explosion, Y/N and Salem renewed their duel with each other.

As the fight progressed, Salem couldn't help but notice she wasn't getting any closer to killing Y/N. Every spell, every attack, every attempt she made, Y/N would avoid or counter it instantly.

Salem: Why won't you die!?

Even though Salem couldn't get any closer, Y/N was getting closer to her. The strikes that Y/N threw--while at the beginning Salem managed to block or avoid--were steadily getting closer and closer to her.

Salem: Rrrrgh!

Thinking quickly, Salem summoned a massive sword and broke them into small sharpened fragments.

(Y/N): Uh oh.

Thrusting her arm forward, Salem sent the hundreds of sharpened fragments at Y/N to allow her some space.

Using the shield to cover his body, Y/N was forced backward when the sword fragments hit his shield.

Getting back up, Y/N saw that Salem had changed positions and was heading in a different direction from her castle.

(Y/N): You're not going anywhere!

Y/N quickly dashed at the retreating pale witch, fists clenched.

Salem grimaced as she launched more swords in Y/N's direction.

(Y/N): I'm done with these!

Y/N deftly dodged the first volley of swords, but the last one, he grabbed and flung it back the way it came.

Salem's eyes widened in surprise at her returning sword and put up a barrier at the last second.

Salem: Arrgh!

In a cry of pain, the sword exploded sending Salem flying into the ground.

Y/N fist pumped.

(Y/N): Boom! Headshot!

Salem's body landed with an explosion on top of a large cliff.

Following close behind, Y/N landed a few yards away.

When the dust cleared Salem got to her feet and glared at Y/N.

(Y/N): I have to know...

Y/N glared at Salem, his demeanor different than earlier.

(Y/N): Why?

Salem: "Why"?

(Y/N): Why would you target Trist? They did nothing... they were out of the way... they were... you had no reason to attack them.

Salem silently looked at Y/N.

(Y/N): And don't give me that "necessary" bullshit!

Salem: You're right... there was no reason to target that small town...

Salem reached into her sleeve and pulled something out.

Salem: ...but you cared for them...

Salem, in a sick and sadistic display, showed Y/N Emilio's antler.

Salem: ...and that's all the reason for me.

(Y/N): FUCK YOU!!!

At a speed no one could keep up with, Y/N lunged at Salem fists clenched, anger at boiling point. So fast was Y/N's charge that Salem didn't even have enough time to react to the teen's incoming fist.

As Y/N's very deadly fist approached Salem the only thing on Y/N's mind was killing the woman before him. As his fist flew forward Y/N's eyes widened slightly when he saw Salem... smirking.

When Y/N's fist collided with Salem's head, her head disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

(Y/N): What the fuck!?

Because of the momentum from his charge, Y/N kept flying forward over the cliff's edge. Realizing too late, Y/N found himself careening off the cliff.

(Y/N): Oh fuck!!!!

Looking down, all Y/N saw was an enormous lake of the black liquid he saw in puddles around Salem's castle.

SPLASH

With a loud splash, Y/N fell directly in the center of the large lake of black liquid.

Back on top of the cliff, Salem emerged from a shadow and walked to the edge of the cliff to see the results of her ruse.

Looking over the edge, Salem watched at the teen she had so much difficulty killing sank into the pitch black substance until all that was left on the surface were bubbles. Salem breathed a very faint sigh of relief.

Mercury: Is that son of a bitch dead?

Glancing behind her, Salem noticed her followers--some of whom were limping--approaching.

Hazel: Definitely...

Hazel looked down over the edge at the bubbles down below.

Hazel: ...nothing can survive that.

Salem returned to looking down at the lake.

Mercury smirked.

Mercury: Serves the bastard right.

(Y/N): Ow fuck!!!

Everyone on the cliff were shocked when they saw Y/N suddenly emerge from the black liquid.

(Y/N): Ow!! Ow!! Ow!! This hurts so much!! Ow!! Ow!! Ow!! O- Aagh!!

As quickly as Y/N burst from the liquid he was pulled back down to their depths.

Emerald: Does that guy even know how to die!?

Salem narrowed her eyes at the bubbles that were bubbling to the surface until they stopped completely.

Salem: Now... he is dead.

Everyone around Salem breathed a sigh of relief when their leader stated this. This relaxed feeling was short-lived when Salem turned back around to face them.

Each member did their best to stand at attention.

Salem: Each of you are to return to your previous tasks.

Hazel: Did you get what you were looking for?

Salem: Yes. I have obtained what I needed.

Hazel bowed slightly.

Hazel: Very well, ma'am.

Salem then turned her attention to Cinder, who was still rubbing her neck.

Salem: Cinder...

Cinder: I'll be fine.

Cinder avoided eye contact with her master.

Salem: ...the reason for your failure...

Salem gently raised her hand and shadows formed around Cinder's neck.

Salem: ..is because you are weak...

The shadows constricted itself around Cinder's neck.

Cinder: Ack!!

A faint crack sound emanate from Cinder's neck, moments later the shadows disappeared.

Cinder fell to her knees and breathed deeply while feeling around her neck.

Salem: ...finish your task at Beacon, and you will not suffer the same defeat you suffered today.

Cinder shakily rose to her feet.

Cinder: Yes ma'am...

Cinder cursed to herself as she and her comrades limped back toward the castle.

Salem glanced over the cliff for a few moments more before turning around.

Salem: What a waste...

_____

_____

Author: 

Welp, you died. Better luck next time... 

Anyway, sorry for the late release, I re-wrote this chapter a bunch of times--coupled with my diminishing free time--this chapter took longer than expected. I hope everyone is happy with it.

Anyway, I'm going to try and release the next chapter by my usual time (Wednesday) but if it doesn't come out that day, I will do my best to release it by the weekend.

The next part I would like to discuss is the fact that I will have to stop this story at some point. It is now March 1, 2019 as I write this chapter and at this time the RWBY series hasn't finished. So I will eventually have to find a good place to put a hold on this story while the official series continues, so please be aware of that.

And with that I wish everyone a very pleasant day!