Neo spent the rest of the day in her room messaging Junior. Roman had completely dismissed her and she was pretty upset with him; he knew it too because her eyes turned dark brown and she went to her room. She knew better than to be around him when she was mad because she would hurt him. She sighed and dropped her scroll on her face.
"Well shit," she growled.
She picked it back staring at it blankly.
(Neo) He is cleaning up now.
(Junior) I'm sorry he caused a mess
(Neo) He hasn't broken anything in a while so in that case that's good. I just hope no matter what goes down tonight he can focus long enough for the big task we have tonight.
(Junior) are you going to be ok?
(Neo) I'll be fine; do you have your bag packed?
(Junior) yea I'm ready. How many safe places do you guys have exactly?
(Neo) Three of them are mine and two are his. I can't believe you don't have any though lol I'll see you later tonight; I'm going to hang with my friend before we disappear forever. Bye Junior
(Junior) Bye Neo, be safe
Neo pulled on some normal clothes and messaged Ruby to meet her at the most popular burger joint in downtown Vale. Of course Ruby said yes and she was going to start heading down there now. Neo slipped on her bright pink boots and stepped out of her room. Roman was sitting at the table that had two chairs now.
"You're going out?" Roman asked staring at the wall. Neo could tell he had been crying.
"Yea, I'm going to meet Ruby as Mandi one last time."
Roman scooted his chair back and stood up.
"What?" Neo asked eyeing him as he walked over to her.
Roman wrapped his arms her neck bringing her in for a tight hug.
"Roman?" she said her voice muffled by her face in his chest.
"I was thinking a lot and I want us to succeed in this. I want to come back home and be with you joking and fighting like we always do. I want us to retire and not have to worry about shit ever again. I'm so glad you saved me all those years ago. I love you like a sister. My little sister," he whispered into her hair.
Tears were already streaming down her face listening to him.
"R-roman, you're my best friend and my big brother; we'll make it through this."
"I hope so my pint of ice cream."
"Mandi!" Ruby yelled seeing her friend come into view.
Neo skipped happily through the crowd jumping into Ruby's lap.
"Hellllloooo Ruby I missed you!"
Ruby laughed as she held her tiny friend in her arms.
"Mandi what's up? Is everything ok?" Ruby asked giving her friend a concerned look.
"Oh, well…. I'm leaving for Vacuo tomorrow and I don't know if I'll be back."
Ruby's face fell, "WHAT?"
"I'm sorry Ruby," Neo said, scratching her head.
"It makes me sad but if you really have to go then go."
Neo nodded and picked up her menu.
"I wanna come back someday and see you," Neo said grinning over her menu. Ruby returned the smile.
"I would love that! I should be a full fledge huntress. Maybe sometime you can come with me on a mission sometime."
Neo smiled. She watched Ruby drink her Mountain Dew and scan the menu looking at all the choices and practically drooling over them. What Neo loved some much about Ruby was how innocent she was and how lightly she took things. Ruby looked like a normal fifteen-year old girl not a huntress.
Of course Neo didn't look like a fighter either. She looked like she had the chest of an eighteen-year old and the rest well… she looked like she was eleven. She was rather glad Junior could see past her abnormal size and see she was a great woman. Though Junior's size made her look even more like a kid because he stood at 6'11.
"Ruby," Neo said smiling at her sadly.
"Yes?"
"Don't ever forget me. I won't forget you."
"Are we really going to do this?" Weiss complained sitting on the bed.
Blake frowned at her, "You didn't do it last time. Ruby and I did. Relax, we can do this."
Yang nodded.
"Ima slam my fist into Torchwick's ass!" she bellowed getting angry all by herself.
Ruby frowned.
"Why his butt Yang? Be nice."
"Then I'll break his legs."
The girls looked each other.
"What?" Yang demanded.
"You sound like Nora," Ruby said smiling.
"How'd your date go?" Weiss asked raising an eyebrow.
"How does Yang taste?" Ruby said grinning evilly.
Weiss' face turned red and she snapped her mouth shut. She really wished Mandi wouldn't be leaving but what could she do? Mandi said it was because she wanted to live with her dad and three brothers so she didn't blame her. Ruby sighed looking outside at the moon.
"Ruby are you ok?" Yang asked wrapping an arm around her sister's shoulder.
"Yea, it's just Mandi is moving away and I won't see her anymore."
"I still think she's weird."
Yang shot her lover a dirty look.
"Does anyone wanna get a snack before we go? We still have two hours," Yang asked heading for the door.
"Yea, popcorn sounds good," Blake said patting Ruby's shoulder.
"Ok it does; I'm in."
They made it down to the mess hall and got a couple bags of popcorn and carried them back to their dorm room. Ruby kept thinking about how excited she was to fight again. It had been a long while since anything had happened and she was getting really bored. She began thinking about how she would probably go against Torchwick again.
Roman Torchwick. She had wandered how someone who was very attractive could be so evil. He was very cute for a red head and his eyes were absolutely stunning. She had never seen anyone's eyes that shade of green; even Pyrrha's eyes weren't that pretty. She wondered how she'd feel going up against him again…
Bam!
"OW!" Ruby yelled as she fell backwards from running into a pillar.
"Ruby are you alright?!" Yang cried picking up Ruby.
"Yea, just a nose bleed!" she said dabbing her sleeve against her nose.
They made it back to the room without Ruby running into something else but her nose really- really hurt. Blake got her a cold wash cloth and she cleaned up her face with Weiss staring at her. Ruby shifted uncomfortably like Weiss knew what she was thinking about and it made her feel… weird.
"Ruby are you nervous about going to the shipyard?" Weiss asked.
"Why do you ask?"
"You looked pale and red at the same time, are you sick?"
"No, no that's not it. It's just last time things didn't go so well."
"Things will go better this time ok? No reason to worry," Yang said before shoving a giant handful of popcorn into her mouth.
"I hope so," Ruby said gazing out the window.
Neo walked into the living naked seeing that Roman was laying on the couch. She peeked over the back to see he looked like he was asleep. She tapped him knee waiting for him to respond. He didn't move so she did it again. She frowned and sucked in some air.
"ROOOOOOOOMAAAAANNNNN!"
"I'm awake Neo," he said cracking his eyes open.
"I have to get dresses. We have one hour left. Are you ready?" she asked.
"Yea. Get dressed. I'd like to ride my chopper one last time before we run."
Neo walked back into her room and pulled out her usual fighting attire. She shoved it into her back pack and went through her drawers for something less "Neo". She pulled out a pair of dark blue jeans and a black tube top. Perfect, she thought and slipped it on. She stretched out on her bed for the very last time.
"Are you ready?" Roman called from the living room.
Neo looked into the mirror and put her hair into a ponytail. Slowly her hair turned blonde and her eyes turned bright orange. It was the perfect disguise; she loathed ponytails. She walked out into the living room to see Roman standing there by the door with a pop in his hand and a cigar in the other.
"I'm living it up for my last moments," Roman said shrugging.
They walked down to the garage one last time, walking as slowly as they could. Roman had a Dust infused bomb inside of his apartment rigged to go off from his scroll. It was a special one he created himself; it would burn at first for twenty minutes and then it would ice the whole apartment in five minutes. He wanted to make things as difficult for Cinder so he laced another set of red Dust underneath the ice just in case she tried to melt another and it would blow up with her in it.
Neo walked over to a black tarp in the corner of the garage and ripped it off grinning widely. Roman had bought her a mope head looking motorcycle for her a couple years ago and she took very good care of it. The thing was covered in pink rhinestones and it had an ice cream emblem on the right backside. She stretched then threw her leg over.
"I know but I don't think Cinder will blow up the club so we can hide our rides in there for the time we are gone… if we make it alive we can come back for them one day," Roman said giving Neo a reassuring smile.
"I have no intentions of going down that easily Roman," she whispered.
"I know little sister. Let's go."
They reached the club in the matter of ten minutes and Junior was already outside waiting with a black car. He showed them the garage for the rides then they piled into the vehicle. Melanie and Militia waved them off; all rights of the club have been signed over to them because he was moving to Atlas or at least that's what he told them. Neo was the only who wasn't visibly nervous considering no one was going to recognize her.
"I can't believe I'm going to do this," Junior muttered as they reached the shipyard and the docks.
"Relax my friend you have us here," Roman said.
He looked into the back seat and Neo was already gone. The plan was when Red and her little team showed up Roman would message her and blow up the extra warehouse of Dust Cinder had (that Roman painstakingly gathered) and teleport back here. The two men got out and walked to the main warehouse meeting some White Fang members that were already there. Roman opened to the wide door revealing the half of the huge shipment in there already.
"Alright animals get to work so we can go home and get to bed. I'm tired!" Roman yelled.
Some of them frowned at him but no one could visibly see because of the Grimm masks.
"Didn't you just tell me that your ex was a Faunus?" Junior whispered into his ear.
"Yes, but I always talk to them like this."
Junior nodded and watched as everyone was doing their job even though they didn't know it didn't secretly matter.
"It's those humans again!" someone yelled.
Roman and Junior peeked through the cracks of the warehouse doors. There stood team RWBY. Little Red was standing in front with her yellow, black and her friend Weiss Schnee standing behind her. Red had her scythe out ready to fight. Junior stared at the blond and whispered "Blondie" under his breath letting out a shaky breath. Roman pulled out his scroll and dialed the code word to Neo.
"Get out of here!" Roman yelled, "If they catch you they'll question you!"
The White Fang began scattering piling into hidden Bullheads like a frighten crowd and they flew away. The few that were dumb enough to stay and fight RWBY stayed charging at the four but course they lost easily. Roman sat down on a crate waiting for them to come inside. Junior stood up beside him tapping his foot softly against the ground.
Beep.
(Neo) I'm on the roof on the back part of the warehouse when we are ready to get out the back way.
(Roman) Roger Pint of Ice Cream
The girls threw the doors open to be greeted by the criminal mastermind and Junior, but only Yang knew who he was.
"Give it up Torchwick!" Ruby cried holding her scythe up.
"Junior why are here?" Yang asked staring at him rather dumbfounded.
"I owe him a favor," he said looking away.
"Hurry up and beat us already," Roman said tapping his cane.
The four girls looked at him.
"What?" Ruby cried.
"Hurry up we have little time Red. We are making our grand escape."
"Why?" Ruby asked.
Roman sighed, "Bad things are happening Red and we are trying to… help you could call it and make out alive."
"You're lying!" Blake yelled.
"I agree, you only help yourself," Weiss chimed in.
Ruby stared at Roman. She could tell; she could feel it, something wasn't ok. He looked a little grim like something was wrong. He usually was cheerful but this time he wasn't; even his friend looked nervous. They were both nervous like something was wrong. Roman's green eyes had dulled a little in color.
"What's happening?" Ruby asked, receiving gasps from her team.
"A lot. My employer… turned out to be nuts and we have to run for it. Don't worry we'll handle her ourselves. So if you would 'defeat us and we'll be on our way unless you plan on joining me."
Ruby frowned but he looked like he was telling the truth.
"The charges, Roman," Junior said staring at Yang.
"Is she the one who destroyed your club?" Roman asked seeing that Junior was staring at Yang.
"Yea."
"You might want to stop staring unless you want Neo to kill you," he said pulling out his scroll.
Junior nodded.
"Alright ladies, we are blowing up the Dust if you so kindly leave; I don't want you harmed at this point in time."
Ruby nodded.
"Let's leave," she said turning around.
"What?!" the other three said in unison.
"He has to reason to lie to us," Ruby said shrugging.
"He's a thief and a liar! You're going to let him go like that?!" Blake yelled.
Ruby looked at Roman.
"Yes. Let's go."
Roman tilted his head staring at Ruby as she walked away.
"Thank you Red. Alright Junior let's go; we better hurry before she finds out what we are up too. She'll set us on fire."
Roman pressed the button on his scroll for his apartment then for this shipyard. Team RWBY was almost out of the shipyard except for their leader. They were out onto the street when Yang realized she wasn't with them. Yang looked around frantically but there was so sign of Ruby when everything exploded.
Roman and Junior headed for the back of the burning warehouse.
"Hey," Ruby called.
The two men turned around to stare at her.
"Red really? Are you that dense?" Roman asked as he shoved the metal doors of the warehouse open.
Neo stood there with her parasol open and aimed at Ruby.
"I'm coming with you."
Neo, Roman and Junior's jaws all dropped open in surprise.
"Red I really am just kidding about you coming along-
"I'm serious. Whoever you're working for- why would you betray them unless something crazy was happening. I think you're telling the truth and I want to help you defeat… her. I don't know much at this point but you can fill me in and I won't tell my team anything since it'll put them more in danger."
Neo stepped up to Ruby and shook her hand. She smiled at her and started pulling her with them as they walked out of the warehouse into another black car. Ruby slid in with Neo while the two men got into the front seats and then they were off. Neo turned her head to look out the window.
Ruby studied the girl in front of her. She was really cute; short but cute. Her hair had pink with white streaks and the other half was brown. Her eyes were switching in color between pink and brown making Ruby think to that time they fought Roman on their own mission searching for answers. He had that giant robot.
Yang had also told her about how Roman's new henchman beat her ass with ease. Ruby was rather surprised because to her Yang was one of the strongest fighters she had ever met. This girl was a little shorter than her but easily defeated Yang. Neo noticed Ruby's staring and smiled at her funny.
"Can I help you?" Neo asked softly.
"You defeated my sister on the train."
"The blonde girl?"
"Yea, she's my sister. Her name is Yang."
Neo nodded smiling.
"She lets her anger get to her," Neo said.
"Yea," Ruby said giggling.
Roman was curious by this interaction. Red looked like she really trusted and far enough not to even to get mad at Neo for defeating her sister. How curious… Neo looked like she was at ease since she was talking to Ruby. Neo was really mute when it came to Cinder. Neo felt as if Cinder wasn't good enough to be graced by her beautiful voice.
"Red, you might want to destroy your scroll."
"I will. I want to message my sister and put her at ease. Is that ok?" she asked pulling it out.
"I think so," Junior sat looking at her in the rear view mirror.
"Thank you. Hey can we stop somewhere? It's kind of important to me. I have no idea how long we'll be gone. I want to talk to her one last time."
Roman stared at Junior when he agreed to stop.
Yang couldn't get to her sister in time before she disappeared into the black car and was gone. Yang screamed into the air in frustration and started beating up a metal crate full of Dust. Weiss and Blake stared at her; almost scared for their own lives. Yang loved and cared for her little sister and now she was gone into the night with three bad guys.
"RUUUUBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
WBY stormed into Ozpin's office. Glynda was in there with him having him sign papers when Yang crashed into the doors. The headmaster and the teacher just stared at them in total surprise. Yang's face was full of tears and snot; she was sobbing trying to talk at the same time. Weiss hugged her lover trying to calm her down.
"What's the meaning of this?" Glynda demanded pointing her riding crop at them.
"Glynda please."
"Ruby is gone!" Yang managed to cry out clearly.
Ozpin stared at the distressed blonde with confusion.
"Calm down and tell what happened."
After twenty minutes between the three of them they explained to Ozpin what had transpired. Ozpin's face never betrayed any emotions as he listened to their story but Glynda looked clearly upset. Yang managed to relax and stop crying thanks to Weiss. Blake was the only one who looked like she was mad enough to kill someone.
"Well, this isn't quite what I expected."
Yang looked at him with her red eyes.
"We should be going after her!"
"No."
Silence filled the room for no one spoke and they were all staring at Ozpin. Glynda whispered into Ozpin's ear to where no one could hear her.
"I think Ruby will be ok and I agree with her decision."
"WHAT!" Yang screamed.
"How could you say that?!" Weiss cried.
"Think about it. She went on her own free will. If she agreed to leave them be while they tried to fight their boss; I think she went willingly to help fight him-
Beep-Beep-Beep.
Yang's scroll went off.
"It's Ruby!" she cried.
Yang, I know I left suddenly everything and I'm sorry for that. What I'm telling you, you must keep secret and no one should know. They have informed me some that their boss was planning the destruction of Vale with Dust which is why they destroyed the warehouses. They are on the run to find a way to defeat her and I want to help. It will do me no good to stay at Beacon and wait. I want to train as hard as I can and help.
I hope that everything goes ok. I love you guys. Don't look for me because she might follow you. That's all I can tell you but please trust me.
Love you always Yang, Weiss, Blake
Ruby Rose
Ruby sent her a picture. She was sitting beside of Neo, the girl that had defeated her on the train. Neo was smiling big with her arm around Ruby holding up a peace sign. Yang's eyes began tearing up; the picture did make her feel a little better inside even with Neo in it.
Below the picture it had a text: Neo says sorry for what she did. She'll apologize in person when we return -Love Ruby
Yang showed Ozpin the message and picture. A smile spread across his face.
"I think everything will be ok ladies. Do not breathe a word to anyone. When I come up with a plan to cover up Ruby leaving then I'll let you know first-hand. I trust your sister's decision; Ruby is smart enough to know when to get out. Alright ladies, get some sleep and I'll let you know by lunch tomorrow."
Roman looked in the back seat and saw that Ruby had fallen asleep and Neo was cuddled up against her holding her arm. It made him smile; Neo always loved holding someone's arm while she slept. He remembered those nights when she'd have a nightmare and she'd wake him up crying and he'd let her hold his arm while she slept.
Unfortunately, this was probably going to be the most sleep they were going to get in a long time.
