She found it interesting. Extremely interesting. It wasn't everyday she was invited to sneak away in the middle of the night, sneak into a high security school of highly skilled combatants to retrieve someone and then put him back. But if she had to pick anyone for that job she would've also picked herself. Neo smiled and gave Cinder a curt nod, knowing her part in this little mission to the letter. She had felt annoyed that Cinder woke her up in middle of the night, but that quickly vanished as she was explained why.

Getting to see Alessandro.

Cinder had promised Neo time and time again she would have her fun with the boy, it wasn't normal for her to find a person with so much fire in him, and she loved the idea of being able to extinguish it. Although Neo wouldn't be allowed to kill him she could still have some fun. But only if she got her part done with Cinder first.

Cinder's needs for the boy were…odd, to say the least. She had already done this a few times with the help of Emerald and her illusions, but for some reason Cinder had chosen Neo this time. Not that she was complaining.

"Very well, go retrieve him. Quickly, quietly. He is a student of Beacon and this is the last time I will see him outside of the school. I must do this now while we still have a chance." Cinder said, putting on her…glove? Arm glove? It was a handy little thing she was going to use against the Fall maiden, a grayish piece of fabric which she put on her left arm and would allow her to take the power of someone else. Was Cinder going to take the little power Alessandro possessed? Neo supposed she would find out and with that thought she teleported away, all the way to team RWBY's dorm in Beacon Academy. The five sleeping in the room stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. After a quick check she was sure the four girls were fast asleep and she then looked down at Alessandro, sleeping on the floor at the foot of Ruby's bed.

Been quite some time…I know you would actually be happy to see me. Sadly, that will change soon. Still it will be fun to break your heart and then your will, as Cinder promised. Then I'll move on to the bimbo…then the heiress, then the Faunus and then finally Ruby Rose. Neo thought, kneeling and gently passing one hand through his hair. Indeed, she would let him watch as she stripped everyone away from him just like she did before. Only this time he wouldn't leave his loved ones behind, no, this time he would see them die.

Focus, Neo. You have a job right now and you can't let your sadistic tendencies distract you. Cinder had told her before she left. Neo sighed, reminding herself she would have some measure of fun later, and teleported back to Cinder. This time with Alessandro.

"Very good. Put him on his knees and wake him. Make sure he cannot run." Cinder said. Neo gladly obliged, putting him on his knees and holding her sword against his neck. She let herself lean against his back and her free arm wrap around his waist. By now he was awake, groggy but awake.

"What the? Cinder?" He yawned, not sounding too worried. "Hey Neo. Weren't we off the, hold a sword against my neck, basis?"

"How have you been?" Cinder asked, smiling slightly. An act of care which Neo easily saw through, yet one Alessandro believed in.

"I just turned into an official student. No more stupid tests or questions. Just life." Alessandro said, smiling somewhat. "I had to take on an army of Grimm. I almost died more than once, yet someone helped me…"

"Listen, and listen carefully Alessandro." Cinder said, kneeling in front of him. "Soon Mercury, Emerald and I shall infiltrate Beacon. You must pretend you do not know us, understand?" Now he seemed a bit concerned.

"Why would you need to infiltrate Beacon? They're good, remember?" He said with a frown.

"Some are, some are not. The council ordered you to go face the army of Grimm. Ironwood agreed and Ozpin didn't even try to stop it." Cinder said, cupping his chin in her hand. "You must see, they are evil. The student's may not be but they are." He squirmed a bit, but he seemed to actually consider this. Neo was surprised time after time again by his stupidity, even after everything that had happened he trusted Cinder and even cared for her. It was ridiculous, yet, wasn't that Cinder's goal? Cinder was a master at trickery and an excellent seductress, be it sexually or platonically. Neo supposed Alessandro couldn't help but trust her.

"I…I understand that. Next time I see you I'll act out that we're strangers. Don't worry about it." Alessandro said. "But why is Neo holding a sword to my throat and why are we here?"

"You see, I always need to take measures to assure there are no…loose ends. No flaws with the plan. The humans from your planet were ridiculous to think that some sort of chip would keep you in check." Cinder said, to which Alessandro chuckled.

"Yet you still had Emerald give me the chip? She inserted it right in my neck."

"So it seemed, in all honesty it was just a bit of water. I destroyed the chip and sent Emerald to act as if she was giving it to you. It kept the Earthlings happy enough." She said casually. "But as I said, I do take measures. Think about it, you don't honestly believe you would continue to trust me even after what happened? Even after meeting the people at Beacon? Even now your mind struggles with itself, the part of reason fighting the part I have distorted and twisted."

"What?" Alessandro asked cautiously, his fists tightening. "I…of course I would trust you. You're my family here." He muttered.

"No, I am not. But you will continue to believe that and never remember this moment. You would've reasoned before that I was an enemy, but this kept you from doing so." Cinder said as she stood up and looked down on him. Her gloved hand glowed a faint black and she pressed it against Alessandro's head. "Salem's power keeps you in control. It makes you trust me and it makes sure you don't remember too much of this world, nor that you think too much of Earth."

It make sense. Neo thought. He's not as stupid as I thought. He's just under the influence of some power. Who is this Salem? The reason he hasn't tried to get back, the reason he never questioned Cinder top much and the reason he loved her so…is due to this power. It is perfect. Neo thought.

"What? No…no I trust you because you can be trusted." Alessandro murmured. "I mean, you saved me from Adam. You took care of me and had the other two teach me how to fight."

"I sent Neo to Earth to take you away. I planned Adam torturing and fighting you. I planned your escape and you entering Beacon and I never, ever loved you." Cinder whispered, smiling just a bit. Alessandro tried to jump up but Cinder kept him down, and Neo held him still. He went to grab her sword but before he could Cinder's gloved arm turned completely pitch black. Alessandro's arm fell limply to his sides, but that didn't stop him. Now Neo found herself having to hold him back since he was trying to stand up despite the sword to his neck. Neo sighed and dropped her sowrd, grabbing his shoulders and firmly pushing him back to his knees.

"After this time you won't remember anything. You will love me as an actual mother, or more. And you will follow me without question. I will use you to help me, to help us take over this wretched world. And as it slowly burns you will then see what you have done." Cinder whispered in his ear. "You will see it, and you will enjoy it."

"Please…don't." Alessandro asked, obviously afraid. How could he not fear?

"This isn't the first time I have done this. And it certainly won't be the last. But eventually you will be mine." Cinder whispered. "My child. The perfect child. And you will help me destroy everything you love."

Right after her last word Alessandro fell limp in Neo's grip, his head lolling down. Neo was, to say the least, worried. She always knew not to fight or anger Cinder because she was more powerful, but now? Neo may even hold a little fear for her boss. Cinder smiled a bit wider and her glove vanished, she turned away.

"Do what you wish, just make sure it will not ruin our plan and do not kill him." She said, walking away. That was it. She did what she needed with the boy and then walked away. Neo had actually believed she held at least a fraction of care for him, but apparently not. As Cinder walked away Neo actually found herself pitying the boy. She didn't want to hurt him anymore, not today at least. Even her cold heart could feel some compassion and Neo smiled, knowing what she would do.

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow we both will have some fun." She said, teleporting him back to the dorm room.

And that is all for this chapter! Yes, rather short again I know. Sorry about that, but it felt right so that is how I will post it! I remind you not all chapters will be this short-

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See you next time!