(A/N): Due to the rising popularity of this story. I will update again — your welcome. 

Chapter 3: Getting Caught Up, Reuniting With Old Friends

(Y/N)'s POV

As I walked through the tunnels of the decimated city, I started to realize what kind of work Atlas tried to put in for people to live in this damn place. Out of all the places they could expand, they decided to expand into the mountain where I rest. Even though they found out where I was sleeping, they still approved the expansion. Just how shallow these people are? 

I shrugged and went on my merry way to the outside with my old coat. A couple of minutes later, I swore I sensed something burning ahead of me. So I hastily ran towards the POI, but instead, I found an abandoned outpost that had been attacked recently.

(Here's the coat by the way): 

(I will explain the tattoo on your arm later on.) 

"What the hell happened here? Did the Grimm strike an Atlas Military outpost or something while I was getting my coat?" I said as I questioned the cause of this unnecessary destruction. As if someone heard my question, I heard a loud metal creak from my right. I looked to see that it was the flag of The White Fang instead of Atlas' flag burning.

"What the hell happened while I was gone? The White Fang didn't have the guts to stand against the Atlesian Military unless they grew in numbers or they unite under a single cause that made them brave enough to turn against the military." I said before going inside the decommissioned outpost.

All I saw was rubble, fire, and the smell of dust and gunpowder. Strange. I don't remember people making gunpowder-dust hybrids. I'm the only one who did that. Wait a minute, I remember now. I thought Roman how to make that! I taught my adopted son how to make it. In case he runs out of bullets to shoot in a crossfire!

"Roman, what are you up to now? I didn't know you would follow in your father's footsteps." I said as I explore the outpost.

The inside didn't look bad as much as the outside. It's just random equipment strewn about here and there. Crates of dust all over the place belongs to the Schnee Dust Company.

Schnee Dust Company?!

What does the Schnees have to do with all of this? Unless-

!!!

It all makes sense now. The lack of military presence. The White Fang flag on the Atlesian outposts, and the dust crates from the Schnee Dust Company.

Not only did the Atlesian Military wage war with the White Fang, but the White Fang are fighting both the Military and the Schnee Dust Company themselves! That explains why I also see Atlesian technology and equipment in this White Fang outpost. Most importantly, why is there a freight train here?

I jogged towards the train and stopped to see what was in it.

C4 charges. Satchel charges.

I look to the right and see that all the carts, riddled with them. What's worse is that the train is going for Vale. I know this because of the sign that indicates that the train belongs to Vale. 

That's when I realized that my son is trying to blow up some part of Vale. 

'What are you trying to do, my boy? Have you had a change of heart after what happened to me?' I thought as guilt slowly sinks into my conscience.

'Now that I think about it. Everyone I knew has gone downhill since I slept. The Grimm has this huge spark of rage within them. The White Fang has completely changed its current outlook.' I thought as I close my eyes.

As I close my eyes, I can feel every life force in Remnant in the form of a person's outline. I can also sense the Grimm due to my abilities. As I differentiate the weak life force from the others, I noticed that the Fall Maiden's powers split in two. The Spring Maiden's power belongs to a very familiar bird, and the rest of the Maidens are faint.

Ozpin's life force is a torch in the endless dark. Salem is just a big giant void with a hint of red swirls in the center. I noticed that my little Red Riding Hood's life force is also faint. Tai is just the same as always, Qrow is a bit hazy, and Dickwad Ironwood has gotten stronger. Never knew he had it in him, that dickwad. 

All my friends and family are dandy for the most part, but they didn't burn as much as they used to back in the day. 

I slowly opened my eyes and felt the colors of the world coming back to me. I breathed in and out slowly through my nose as my vision starts to go a bit hazy. 

'Wow. I haven't used that ability in a while. Good thing, this coat can amplify my skills tenfold.' 

Continuing down the main tunnel going to Vale, I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I slowly jogged towards the end of the tunnel, stopping when I'm feet away from the exit. As I walk out the tunnel, the light enveloped my eyes as sunlight hits my face once more. 

After my eyes got used to the light, I saw the city of Vale in its beauty once again. The lush green forest and the clear blue skies as the sun shines down on the enormous towers. A single tear escaped my eyes as I admire the view. 

'I miss this view. Never gets old.' I thought. "Hey, Harbinger. Did you take a picture of this yet?" I asked my sword as it activates its lifeless lense. 

"Yep! Downloaded it and set it as a background photo on your scroll!" She says excitedly. I sweatdrop at her sudden burst of happiness. 

"What were you doing while I was dumping a crap ton dialogue?" I asked her. She looks at me and looks away. 

"I was saving battery since you took too long to get out of that tunnel. Be faster next time." She says, and I looked at her with a straight face. 

"You're right. It has been a thousand words already. Alright, let me summon a Grimm first, I want to meet Salem first before Ozpin." I said as Harbinger's eye-lense turned purple as a sign of fear. 

"W-What? Why?!" She asks frantically. 

"To avoid suspicion, and I know that A LOT of people will be looking for me in Vale. So I decided to meet the baddies first before the good ones. Also, I might meet Roman down the line with the hint of him doing criminal activities." I explained, my sword hesitated at first until she agreed. 

"I see. Well, at least I can get it over-" 

"I change my mind. We're going to see my little Red Riding Hood first." I interrupted Harbinger as she began to sputter out words.

"W-Wait! What about seeing your son first?!" Harbinger asks me as I cover my ears due to her high-pitched voice. 

"I want to surprise my son as a reference to his childhood whenever I surprise him on every birthday during his younger years. It's what I can do for now." I replied. 

I stood there in silence as Harbinger looked at me with a glare. 

"Well, that's your choice. Anyways, who is this little Red Riding Hood you always talk about?" She asks. 

I grinned at her, "Do you remember Summer Rose?" I asked her. Harbinger's lense turned yellow as she was taken by surprise. 

"What?! Her cape isn't even Red, and it's white! How in the hell did you come up with that nickname?!" She exclaims as I cover my ears again.

"I used that to tease her since she had red highlights on her hair, and Red Riding Hood was the first thing that came into my mind. She also had the same reaction as you did. Summer hated the idea of me calling her that at first. Over time, she learned to accept it completely, and she rarely wore her white cape just for me to call her Red Riding Hood. When she and I were alone, I call her "my little Red Riding Hood," and she didn't mind." I finished explaining. Harbinger made some buffering noises until her lenses turned red from embarrassment for some reason. 

"Holy shit! Did you date-?!" 

"AH AH AH! We're 1,400+ words already! Time to summon a Grimm!" I interrupted her again as I snap my finger. Out of nowhere, a giant Grimm manta ray swooped down and hovered right in front of me. 

"Woah! Aren't these extremely rare?! Sweet! Now I can outrun those stupid Bullheads without putting much effort!" I said as I climbed unto the behemoth's torso. 

"Now onwards to my little Red Riding Hood!" I proclaimed as I pat the behemoth to go. The Manta Ray made some weird-ass sounds before taking the skies. 

Salem's Castle, Throne Room

While Salem is currently sitting on her throne, her henchmen looked at the empty throne to her left. It was a gold-covered throne with red and black outlines. Hazel, Tyrian, Watts, and a yellow-eyes girl wearing a red dress was eyeing it with confusion. Roman looked at it and looked at Salem. He knows what Salem is up to now. 

Salem did meet Roman's eyes. She smiled at him before he scowls and looked down. She frowned, knowing that she had to act so mean with everyone, now it was her time to break character since she knew that (Y/N) isn't going to be happy about what has happened these past few decades. 

"My queen, if I may ask, why is there an empty throne beside you?" Watts asked in confusion.

"What is Roman doing here, my highness? He's nothing but a petty thief stealing dust with the animals." The yellow-eyed girl spat. Roman was about to say something until Salem stood up and glared at her. 

"I would shut your mouth if I were you, Cinder," Salem replied with annoyance in her tone. This made everyone surprised, especially Cinder because she would usually let her antagonize people without repercussions. Now she's being silenced when it came to offending Roman, making her confused and angry at once. 

"I will answer all your questions, but for now, we have a serious crisis in our hands." 

"What is it, your majesty? Is it Ozpin getting closer to finding where you live? Or is it another silver-eyed warrior that is coming to kill you again?" He asks. Salem shakes her head.

"It isn't both of that; it's something much greater than Ozpin or the silver-eyed warriors." That statement confused the hell out of the four. 

"Something greater than Ozpin? What do you mean? There's no threat greater, Ozpin." Cinder asks, squinting her eyes at Salem. Roman didn't say a word and looked down instead. 

"Have you heard the recent activities in Mt. Glenn?" She asks her cohorts. 

"I've heard that there was a huge spike in Grimm activity there, my queen. It certainly must be your doing, right?" Watts said proudly. Salem shakes her head. 

"Wrong. That wasn't me that did it. The Grimm in Mt. Glenn were all tied into one pack, a hive mind. They weren't under my control." Salem said calmly, trying not to spoil the surprise. 

Watts, Tyrian, and Cinder looked at her with wide eyes. 

"But there isn't a single person who can control a Grimm! Let alone command an army! That has to be a mistake!" Tyrian said skeptically. Watts and Cinder agreed, Roman tried not to shout at the both of them for questioning his dad's powers. 

"Who is this "person" that can control the Grimm? If they are planning to overthrow you, I can kill them before they can stage it." Cinder says while activating some of the Fall Maiden's powers. A chuckle slowly escapes Salem's lips, making everyone's spine crawl, even for Roman. 

"No, Cinder. You can't kill this person, even with your powers. Why may you ask? It's because this "person" is the Great (Y/N)." She says with a sickening, sweet smile. 

Watts, Tyrian, Cinder, and Hazel looked at her for a second before they realize who Salem mentioned, and they completely lost their shit. 

"Y-(Y/N)?! Impossible! I thought he was dead! There's no way we can stand against him!" Watts said, horrified at the sudden revolution. 

"No way! How can even control a whole army of Grimm? There's a ton of Grimm back there!" Tyrian said in fear. 

"Y-(Y/N). As in The Sleeper (Y/N)?" Cinder mutters, while her confidence started to break. The power-hungry persona in her starts to cry as the chance of being powerful quickly diminishes.

"We're dead. We're so fucking dead." Hazel says while clutching his forehead in fear. 

Roman smiles as Salem does. That's what they get for doubting such a powerful man who is his father or in Salem's case, fiance. 

"Settle down, everyone. He has seen me before. I've seen him one too many times." Salem says as everyone except Roman stopped to look at her with more confusion in their faces. 

"Well, you see, when I first met him. You know what, I'll tell you the full story of how we met. Better than making hints that you guys will never get." She says as everyone except for Roman begins to listen to Salem's story. 

As Salem tells her part of the story, she thinks about her and (Y/N) before all of this. 

Flashback, 3rd Person POV

As Salem solemnly sighs at her miserable state, in which she's locked up in her room 24/7. A knock was heard on the window. She looks outside to see you waving at her. Stars appeared on her eyes (as well as a blush) when she saw you through the window. Salem quickly opens the window and drags you into her room, giving you a big hug in the process, and you did the same. Both of you stayed like that for a minute until you both separated. Salem's blue eyes shone brighter while you had a genuine smile on your face. 

You both sat on her bed and began to talk about things. 

"How's my locked up princess been fairing?" I asked while I held her right hand and kissed it. 

She gave a cute giggle before looking at you, "I've been doing well, thanks to you, my knight in shining armor." She says as Salem kisses you on the lips. You kissed her back, and soon enough, you both engaged in a make-out session. 

After a steamy four and a half minutes, you both separated for air. You and Salem had a massive blush on your faces. 

"You kept me waiting, (Y/N)," Salem says as she nuzzles into your hands. You playfully let out a gasp. 

"What? It has been ten days since I last saw you." You said in a mocked tone. Salem puffs air out as she playfully punches your chest. 

"You're supposed to say 'Kept you waiting, huh?' Not mock me! That's not how you treat a princess!" 

Salem crosses her arms and turns away from you with a pout. You chuckle at her cute little attitude before wrapping your arms around her waist, your chin resting on her shoulders. 

"How about me and you go to the shopping district and eat some food? I can pay for both of us." You said as Salem's fingers intertwine with yours. 

"I'm perfectly fine with that." She said as she kisses you in the cheek again. In an instant, you stood up, carrying Salem bridal style. She blushed at your sudden bravery and saw you eyeing the window. 

"Don't you dare (Y/N)." She whined. You kept your bravado and smirked. Before she could say anything, you jumped out of her room, and you both began to plummet down to your death. 

That was the case until a Griffin swoops down and catches you both. You look down to see Salem with frizzled hair, visibly shaking. She looks at you and ponders whether to slap you or not.

You kiss her on the lips and let out a nervous laugh.

"Does that count as sorry?" You asked as you nervously smiled at her. She stares into your eyes before giggling and kisses you back. 

"To be honest with you, I wasn't expecting that. Tell me what you're about to do instead of doing out of the blue. If I wanted to have a heart attack, then I wouldn't have said so."  She said as she smiles. 

You grinned at her before your Griffin does a flip in the air, making Salem squeal. You and she enjoyed that date, unbeknownst to you, a man with brown hair and green eyes were watching you from afar. Frowning as he felt he's been left out. 

Flashback End 

When Salem finished her side of the story, everyone was shocked that she was very close with (Y/N).

"For Ozpin, let's just say he was feeling a bit lonely." Salem finishes as she eyes Roman.

"You know, (Y/N) and me did adopt a child before you guys came here."

Everyone except Roman looked at her in surprise. The latter looked away from his mother's gaze.

"You did?! Certainly he or she must
have been strong for both of you to adopt him." Watts said with a menacing grin.

"He must be a worthy opponent to fight if he was raised by you and the Great (Y/N)." Tyrian said as he cackles.

Roman started to sweat, feeling that his true identity is about to be revealed.

"He is worthy. Now, he just wears a black bowler hat and wields a cane as a weapon." Salem said, she covers her mouth mockingly as she smiles underneath her hand.

"Whoops, did I say that out loud?"

Watts, Cinder, Tyrian and Hazel slowly turns to Roman. Who covered his face with his hands, embarrassed.

"Fuck," was all Roman could say before everyone lost their shit for the second time. Salem struggled really hard not to laugh at her son's predicament.

"You?! His son?! What a let down! You might as well be a shame to (Y/N) more than anything!" Cinder taunted as she slams her hand on the table.

Roman did the same as he glared at Cinder in the eyes.

"Watch your mouth, girl. At least I didn't get my powers by killing an innocent little girl! I have to train with my dad to get to where I am!" Roman spat back with venom laced in every word. With that, Cinder drew her bow and Roman aimed his cane at her.

Before things would get messy, Salem instantly teleports in front of Cinder and pushes her with great force, instantly planting her to the wall. Salem then teleport in front of Roman and took his cane from him. Before Roman could say anything, Salem lightly hits him in the head with his own cane. Her left hand on her hips as she makes a face that resembles disappointment.

Roman didn't say anything and looked down shamefully. This made Salem chuckle lightly, she pats her son in the head and hands his cane back.

She instantly teleports in front of a stunned Cinder and pulls her out of the web-shaped crater on the wall. She drops her on the ground and instantly teleports back onto her throne.

"Now that's out of the way, our mission is to find (Y/N) before Ozpin or any of my past associates find him. If we do find him, I will finally kill that bastard Ozpin and sacrifice his soul to the gods. After that, (Y/N) and I will rightfully rule Remnant as-"

*BANG BANG BANG*

Everyone looked at the door as it visibly bends under each knock.

Salem looked really pissed as her speech was interrupted yet again.

*BANG BANG BANG*

Everyone except Cinder stood up in their seats as they all draw their weapons.

"I swear to Oum if that door knocks one more-"

The door suddenly flew of his hinges landing next to Salem. She looked at the doorway and saw a familiar face stepping into the room.

The person turned out to be (Y/N), drenched in what appears to be like spit.

"Honey! I'm- ...home." (Y/N) slowly said as he looks at the four new faces in front of him. They seem to have their jaws dropped and shivering.

"Umm... Did I have the wrong address?" (Y/N) said before a blur tackled him into the ground.

To be Continued...