A/N: This short story is, essentially, solely based on my desire to see Neopolitan become a Maiden. cx Thus, there are some "minor" (ahem) alterations to the events in the finale episode of RWBY Vol. 8. If you're looking to avoid spoilers, you may want to avoid reading this story, despite the divergences in some canon events. It's also worth noting that the chapters in this story are significantly shorter than in others I've written.

Disclaimer: RWBY and its characters belong solely to Rooster Teeth and the late Monty Oum. The wonderful cover art was drawn by Viki-Bastet on DeviantArt; I take no credit for it.

Warning: This story contains some disturbing themes, including violence, brief mentions of blood and injuries, and some sexual content in later chapters.

Neo's back had been unguarded for a single second, and that was all it had taken.

She felt the full brunt of Ruby's weight crash into her from behind, sending her falling forward into the yawning black void. When her hands locked around the edge of the platform, she held on for dear life, struggling to pull herself up.

A deafening blast of fire shot through the air and Ruby's scream echoed in the empty space. Neo watched as the huntress went flying over her head, helpless without her scythe or her aura. A second later, Neo felt her body jolt at a sudden weight tugging at her legs. Her eyes burned scarlet when she saw Ruby clinging desperately to the leather straps of her ankle boots, her own silver eyes frantic with terror.

Neo's arms burned under the weight. She kicked her legs, but Ruby held on tightly, slowly dragging them both down into the void. Neo's eyes flickered from murderous scarlet to pure white as she felt her grip on the edge of the platform weaken. She couldn't hold on much longer.

Cinder was kneeling above her, her lone golden eye burning with flame as she clenched the Staff of Creation in her right hand. Instinctively, Neo reached for her, pure fear radiating from her face and her breath coming in heavy gasps. There was a hesitation. Five seconds.

Neo's lips parted in a silent scream as her fingers scrabbled frantically across the steel platform, and her grip broke.

Grimm claws tightened around her wrist, gashing the skin but keeping her suspended in midair. Neo's fingers clung to the bony appendage as frantic white eyes met a single golden one.

Cinder looked past Neo at the silver-eyed huntress that clawed desperately at her feet. A small, sadistic smile ghosted across her lips.

"You should never have touched what's mine."

Ruby's shriek gashed the air as a ball of flame struck her squarely in the chest, sending her flying into the darkness. Neo and Cinder watched as the girl vanished in a flurry of glowing scarlet.

Breathing heavily, Neo held onto Cinder's Grimm arm with all her strength as the older girl pulled her up and heaved her up onto the platform. For only the second time in her life, the silent criminal was shaking, her eyes still flickering erratically between white and their natural pink and brown. She looked up at Cinder, but the Fall Maiden was staring over her shoulder with narrowed eyes.

From somewhere behind them, Neo heard a familiar voice cry out in anguish. "Ruby!"

The cat Faunus, Ruby's teammate, had dove from the platform in an effort to save her friend, even though it was far too late. Behind her rose the small, ginger-haired form of the Winter Maiden, Penny Polendina. Her emerald-green eyes were blazing as they locked on Cinder and Neo, and swords began to form themselves in the air behind her with the aid of her elemental magic.

"You know nothing of friendship, Cinder Fall," Penny hissed, drawing her arms back to launch her weapons at the Fall Maiden and her diminutive partner. "You've never cared about anyone but yourself, and you never will."

Neo felt Cinder's hand tighten around her own. Instinctively, she returned the gesture, warm human fingers wrapping around cold Grimm claws. She unsheathed Hush with her free hand and poised it as Cinder conjured a ball of flame in her palm. The Maiden chuckled softly and held tighter to Neo's hand, sending the blast of fire reeling toward Penny.

"I'm afraid that's where you're mistaken, Polendina."