WARNING: Volume 3 chapter 11 spoilers!

Author's note: please don't take offence if this isn't where you wanted this story to go. I'm sorry, but I wanted it to run parallel to the real thing.

I do not own RWBY or anything associated with it.

"She's gone."

Scarlet's words rung through the ears of Mercury, Emerald, teams RWBY, CFVY, SSSN, and JNPR. Scarlet had called an emergency gathering up in team RWBY's room, after heading back to Beacon in a daze. Ruby was in the corner, crying, Yang looked more confused than ever, and Velvet seemed to be taking it worst of all. She was shaking like… well, like a bunny, and Coco was trying to comfort her but she pulled away from her team leader.

"It was my fault," Velvet whispered, "I was with her then I left her by herself."

"Don't blame yourself, Velv," said Yang, who was standing by the door, arms folded. "I saw her, too, probably just before she left. She helped me in the bathroom, then she said she was coming back… but… she never did…" Tears welled in her eyes.

"Guys, we have to think of a way to get her to come back," said Ruby, walking over to Yang and handing her a tissue. "Why would she leave?"

"Why don't we just see how this pans out?" Emerald asked. "I mean; it's not like we knew she was going to leave. Maybe it's just temporary?"

"I doubt it. she seemed pretty adamant that should any of us have to fight her; we fight to our fullest." Scarlet had his head bowed, his elbows resting on his knees. Sage patted him on the shoulder, but he shrugged his hand off. "She isn't coming back. Accept it." He stood up, and walked out. Everyone stared at his abrupt exit.

"Velvet." Said Coco suddenly, "Is it okay if I ask you to delete her weapon from your camera? We don't copy our foes." And with that, she also turned and walked out.

Neo walked down to the warehouse. She was scared to go in, to see what awaited her. It was still light, so she walked around the area for a few minutes, distracted, and was startled when she bumped into a grey suit or armour, worn by none other than Cardin. She wasn't in the mood for this.

"What do you want, jackass?"

He grinned down at her. "Rumour has it, you've defected from Beacon to join a gang of psychopaths."

She REALLY wasn't in the mood for this. "Listen Cardin, this is none of your business. And if you could stop being a sadistic, bullying fuck for ten seconds you'd realise that you could be using your power and training for something positive. Now go do something, good or bad, but just stay the hell away from me."

He stepped back, confused, then turned and stalked off. Neo breathed heavily. She had almost lost control. She turned away, too, and went back to the warehouse. The sun had not quite set, but she couldn't risk being seen by anyone else.

Inside the building, there was little sunlight, just artificial lighting. It smelt musty and dirty, something she had never noticed before. Cinder was standing under some rafters, on an upper level, talking to Adam Taurus. When she noticed Neo, standing inside the door, she beckoned her with one finger like the dictator she truly was. Neo followed her orders. I'm doing this for you guys, she thought, as she rose on the elevator.

"Adam darling, would you leave us for a few minutes?" Cinder suggested seductively to Adam, who bowed and left. Cinder strolled over to Neo, who shrank down in her outfit under the half-fall-maiden's gaze. "You came. Excellent. Now, I want your word that you will never disappear again."

"YOU threw ME out?" Neo countered. Cinder's eyes narrowed. "Fine. I promise I'll stay." Not for you, for my friends, she thought but didn't add.

"Good. Your first job starts tomorrow night. On board will be squadron Blue-II. It will be your job to take care of them, and ensure Roman's release. A file will be downloaded onto a scroll shortly. This must fall into Roman's possession in order for our operation to continue smoothly. The rest of your job will be to guard Roman and the ship."

Neo nodded, accepting that this was now her fate. "I'll do it."

"I have to set up a connection to the feed. Mercury will be fighting your ex-teammate today. I suggest you wish her luck." Cinder walked off to the main terminal, and connected her scroll.

Neo relinquished her control, and let her psychopathic side take control.

Neo stood in front of the dead soldiers, admiring her handiwork. She held her own umbrella, and Roman's Cane, topped with his hat. She walked past the terminal, where someone was asking for Blue-II's status, and over to the cell at the back. She opened the door, and heard him speak.

"Well," he said from the shadows, "It's about time." Roman leaned forwards, his face glowing in the artificial lighting he'd been deprived of.

Neo handed him the scroll, and stood back, waiting to see what would happen with this file Cinder had mentioned.

"Now, this one…" He placed the scroll into the terminal, "This one's gunna be fun…"

Neo watched it surprise as the black queen virus spread through the system, infecting every order and file. She had heard Cinder's speech, but had never expected this to happen so openly.

A few minutes later, after Roman had fiddled with some more buttons, a THUNK was heard from the deck above them. Roman sighed. "Go see what that is." He sing-songed at her. She nodded and left the room, pulling her parasol after her. Maybe she could change out of this itchy military uniform now.

On the deck, she saw Ruby fighting a large Griffon Grimm. Her heart stopped. So soon? Maybe she couldn't keep this promise after all. She pulled out her scroll and opened the camera. Ruby turned in time to see her change her outfit, using her semblance. Neo snapped the picture, tilted her head, and winked at Ruby. This was no time to be soft.

"Remember what I asked, Ruby. Don't hold back. Please."

Neo and Torchwick fought Ruby, side by side. Neo barely noticed what anyone said. All she knew was that Ruby needed to beat her, no matter what. Suddenly, she found herself standing over Ruby, who was dangling off the edge of the ship, and was pointing her sword at her from the tip of the umbrella. God damn it, she thought, the students help me and I use their designs against them. How ironic. She looked down at Ruby, who was concentrating on not getting eaten, and silently mouthed "Stop me, Ruby."

Ruby looked up at her once-friend, and knew what she had to do.

"You can't stop them!" Roman crowed from behind them.

Ruby focussed on the button to open the umbrella.

"I can't stop them!"

Ruby and Neo braced themselves.

"You know the old saying- If you can't beat 'em-"

Ruby pulled herself up and pressed the button. Neo gasped as she was pulled off the airship, and was blown away.

"NEO!" Roman yelled from the top of the ship. Neo glanced back to see Ruby pulling herself up. She turned away and smiled. "Thank you, Ruby."