Unknown time, unknown location - Ruby's P.O.V.

How wonderful... way to get yourself caught in the web, Ruby Rose. What did Qrow teach you: Always be mindful of plots against you, make sure that the area around you is safe, and don't do anything stupid!. Instead, what did you do? End up in a different world alongside the enemy that wants you dead before ending up being captured.

I was annoyed at myself, to be honest... more so at the situation I was in when my eyelids cracked open. It was quite the damper location... cold, water dripping from the ceiling, and just the wind blowing. The floor was entirely made out of stones as I slowly sat up, rubbing my head and eyes as well.

Once my vision was clear enough, I had a good look at my surrounds and looked at the iron bars in front of me. There was also a simple bed that had seen better days, a window with bars, and a bucket? For what exactly... peeing?

This could only be concluded with one simple explanation: I'm in prison.

Letting out an annoyed grunt, I got up and walked over to the bed before sitting down. It was almost like back in Atlas, minus me in a cell. Guess I can see why Weiss ran away from that hell.

What exactly was the last thing I remember though...? Ending up in an icy wasteland... my Aura shattering, forced to walk through the snow as I was stiff like a statue. Then... I remember that I ended up in a cave and started a fire. It was a
peaceful moment until Neo showed up, demanding that we finish the fight, and then agree to a temporary truce. For now...

And then... I remember a shock. Oh, right... we ended up getting paralyzed and captured. Now I remember.

So, I'm in a prison cell yet Neo is nowhere to be found? Was she somewhere else? Probably trying to figure out different ways to kill me? Was she going to come to the conclusion I had set up a trap in that cave for us both to end up getting captured?

Shaking my head, I pushed those thoughts away. Right now, I had to find a way to escape from this cell and search for Neo. It's true I hate her for all of the things she's done and want her to pay... yet, I'm still worried about her. Why? I don't know... maybe because I'm a Huntress that protects those that can't protect themselves.

Either way, I still had find and locate her. But first, I need to figure out how to bust out of the cell. Maybe I can twist one of the bar to create an opening big enough for me to slip out? Or was there an escape tunnel that was hidden?

Getting up, I walked and stood at the edge of the cell where the bars were. My silver irises looked around the prison as I noticed other empty cells along with torches lit up. I can't help but wonder about the people that had been imprisoned here.

Were they still alive? I hadn't a clue...

I was soon shaking the thoughts away from my head as I heard footsteps... my face lit up with raised brows. Was someone coming?

Soon enough, a guard had arrived... yet three things caught my interest: first, the clothing - they seemed to be wearing attire akin to a farmer, which was very confusing. Second was the smile on his face... it was making me feel a bit uneasy. And lastly... the tray of food and water he was holding.

They didn't say a word and plopped the tray through an open hole as it slid right next to my boots. He then kept smiling like nothing happened... making me shiver. I didn't like it at all. He walked away as I stared at him before opening my mouth. "H-hey, where am I!? Who are you!? Come back!" yelling for him to return but receiving no response.

Letting out an annoyed grunt, I looked at the tray with food and the water. I have no idea if its safe to eat or laced with something. Better safe than sorry as they say.

Getting back on topic, I had a crazy idea: what if I used my Semblance? Slip past the bars and make my way down to the rest of this prison? Worth a try...

The only con was the fact that Crescent Rose wasn't with me... which made me panic. If anything happened to my sweet baby, I was gonna make them pay! Nobody touches my beloved scythe except for me!

Rushing quickly towards the back wall, I cracked my knuckles and prepared to turn into petals. My strength had recovered well enough for me to use my Semblance. Once out, I'll start exploring the prison and figuring out where exactly they had taken us...

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I allowed a light jump before transforming into a flurry of petals and rushing towards the bars themselves. Ready to slip pass and escape!

Stench of freedom, here I co- GAH!

Immediately I was thrown back as my Semblance turned me back into a human. But that wasn't what hurt me... it was the electricity that was shaking my body! IT WAS HURTING ME!

Releasing a scream, electricity was flowing all over my body, making it hurt... my Aura wasn't protecting me at all! Gah! M-make it stop!

The electricity continued to sting my body as my energy was sapping faster than a speeding bullet... the pain was unbearable! Make it STOP!!!

Seconds later, the electricity had slowed down as I breathed slowly... with my energy sapping. I was feeling lightheaded and was breathing slowly. My body was suddenly feeling heavy.

I need help from someone. P-please help me, Sis. Yang... where are you? I need you... please.

My pleading had no effect. Blake, Weiss... Jaune... Penny... please...

Soon enough, I was feeling a bit blurry as my vision was blanketing. Slumber would soon take me, which I didn't want. I wanted to stay awake, escape and find out where I ended up.

As my eyes were closing, my last moment of vision were of a figure who had stopped in front of my cell. W-who was this?

They... didn't seem... fami-

(Sometime later...)

The first thing that I felt upon waking up was a pounding headache along with most of my body being sore. Remembering that sneaky electrical attack, I felt great anger at that trap. Yet I couldn't fully blame myself... how was I supposed to know that the bars were spiked!?

My body is still feeling the soreness... and for some reason I can't move at all. Strange... huh, why was my hands and legs feeling the metal? Opening my eyelids, I found myself in a dark room that featured electronics, vials filled with liquids and cages too- Must be a laboratory.

I struggled to move my limbs, hands and legs, yet I found out that I couldn't... shaking my head, I turned to see... metal restraints? Holding me in place on an experimental table?

My mind and face morphed into panic mode as I struggled to break free... w-where am I!? WHAT'S GOING ON!? THIS IS ALL WRONG!!!

"So... you're finally awake, aren't you?" A feminine voice interrupted my panic mode.

Who said that...? I looked around for the source yet couldn't see anyone at all. Was it a spirit? Or maybe one of my victims? Wait... the latter saying was dumb. My victims? When have I killed anyone?

My ears perked up as I heard footsteps with someone stepping out into the light. It was a young woman a little bit older than me...

I became cautious. "Who are you?" I inquired.

"The owner of this little lair or home as I like to call it. It's nice to finally meet you, Ruby Rose." She responded.

The fact she had managed to guess my name made me freeze in place. How did she even-

The woman was standing at 5’6” with an athletic build. She possessed a pale complexion with her waist-length hair being a moderate purple with lighter purple and pale light grayish aquamarine streaks and light turquoise eyes.

Her attire consisted of a pink beanie with gold stars, a short-sleeved pink shirt with a short-sleeved aquamarine shirt and a black vest on top. A set of black jeans with a few tears and black heel boots with pink laces. She also had a white lab coat that was unbuttoned.

There was a smile on her face. "You're no doubt asking yourself how I know your name? Well... that answer is related to your dear, dear friend." She responded, taking out a remote.

Clicking on a button, I heard some machinery wheeling forward as an experimental table came out but that wasn't what made me gasp. It was who was on it and held in place that made me shocked. NEO!?

Neo was being held in place yet she wasn't moving. Instead, she kept her head down as if something bad had gone wrong with her. "N-neo...?"

Upon hearing her name, Neo arose her head and looked at me... with the most unusual and dare I say, creepiest smile ever. Neo...? W-what has happened to you...?

I directed a glare at my kidnapper. "What did you do to her!?" I demanded the answer.

The woman kept her smile which made me angered. "Simple: I freed her. From feeling the anger and hatred she had for you... from the sadness inside her." She explained.

Sadness? Roman's death? Was Neo still on that? I. didn't. kill. HIM!!!

The woman was still smiling. "And you? What a selfish child you are." She responded to me.

It made me halt. "S-selfish!? I've never been selfish!"

The woman ignored my disagreement and giggled. "Not selfish? How about the fact that you lied to your closest allies, you cheated and kept a hidden secret, managed to bring down a nation? All in the spam of a short time? I would say that is quite an accomplishment."

A-accomplishment!? I... I...

Shaking my head, I glared at her. "You're crazy! You're wrong about everything!" I yelled.

"Oh? Is that what you truly believe? You see... while you and Neo were both unconscious, I managed to gain a glimpse of your true self - hypocrite, selfish, liar. You claim to be the embodiment of hope... yet your actions in Atlas have proven otherwise. Especially the fact that you hid an interesting artifact called the Relic of Knowledge and Jinn." She answered.

I stared with a wide mouth... at all those things she said. I shook my head. "Y-you're wrong... you don't know what-"

The woman lost her smile and glared. "Who are you trying to fool!? You're responsible for the actions that lead to the fall of Atlas... no one else!"

"N-no! I'm not at fault! It wasn't the right time to-"

The woman smirked again. "The right time to what? To continue to lie? To continue with your doomed plan without an actual outcome? You play the part of a hero... but you aren't anything than a pure hypocrite."

"Shut up." I demanded, glaring at her.

"Oh? Touched a nerve did I? Your ally, Ironwood, died because you chose to not admit the truth in front of him." She reminded me.

"SHUT UP!" I demanded again, unable to stop shaking.

"You're nothing more than a broken record! A hypocrite, a liar, a child... a mistake that should have never been!"

"SHUT UP!!!" I yelled, tears dripped down as she glared at her... before I broke down. "SHUT UP... What do you know about any of that bullshit!? You don't know how serious it was for us! Do you think it was easy for me to keep that secret!? Do you think I enjoyed acting the way I did!? You have no idea what it was like! NO ONE DID!"

No... one... did. Nobody knew... how much I fucked up... how much I failed... how much... I wanted to be a hero and do what was right.

I wanted to blame Cinder, Neo... or Salem. Yet... what was the point... I was reponsible... nobody else. Me... my team and friends. We had done that... Tears were dripping down my face.

The woman just stared at me... as I caught glimpse of a smile. "So... your pain is real."

Looking at her and giving her a look of anger, she kept her smile. "You shouldn't shed any more tears... because I am here to help you." She revealed much to my surprise.

"H-help me? With what?" I inquired.

"With making you let go of the pain... and the sadness from within you. After all..." She paused as she gazed at Neo. "I helped your frenemy out, didn't I, Neo... or should I call you, Trivia?"

I halted... T-trivia? W-who's name was that? Neo's...? Her real name was Trivia?

In response to the question, Neo simply nodded, keeping that creepy smile. The woman released her restraints from the click of a remote as Neo dropped down before picking herself up.

I... didn't like that creepy smile at all. It made me nervous... shivering. W-what has she done to her...?

The woman looked at me, smirking. "Trivia, be a dear and fetch the helmet." She ordered.

Obeying, Neo walked over to a nearby laboratory dresser and opened it... She took out a small box and opened it, pulling out what seemed to be a computerized helmet of some sort. Metallic and purple with two antennas.

My eyes widened as I struggled to break free and escape along with Neo. Even if we were still enemies, I wouldn't want her to suffer anymore than she already had been. The restraints were making my job very hard right now...

The woman seemed to be taking pleasure from watching me trying to escape... Damn it! Neo was approaching me... all with that lobotomized smile on her face.

As soon as she was in front of me, I began to cry. "Please, Neo... you don't need to do this..." I gave a final plea.

It went ignored as she held my head down before clasping the device on. The worst part was I couldn't break to remove it by force. N-no! Please! Save me... anyone!

It was clasped shut as the woman's footsteps were heard... I looked at her boots as she was in front of me. Then she touched the device as a visor blocked my gaze.

"Now... relax and don't struggle. This is for your own good." She told me.

My own good!? This isn't even that at all! This was complete insanity! HELP ME!!!

A moment later, the helmet lit up as the visor activated too. As I was about to question what was happening, an electric zap happened followed by a couple more! IT HURT SO MUCH!!!

My head was being zapped as the woman chuckled. "Don't struggle and give in!"

N-never! I WON'T GIVE- GAH!!!!

The zapping continued as it was hitting my head. I began to scream loudly as the pain continued... zapping all around. I couldn't break free!

I heard footsteps, double, as they became distant with the zapping and pain continuing. NO! SOMEONE! HELP ME! PLEASE!

More zapping and more electric torture... I can't handle it... someone! Please!

(Hours later - Normal POV.)

Starlight Glimmer, inventor and leader of her own personal cult, stepped into the laboratory. Eager to see the fruits of her labor at work.

Her eyes darted over to the experimental table. On it laid none other than the girl that had been captured by her army of 'smiling' lobotomized servants, Ruby Rose. A rather interesting human being, found in the outskirts of the Crystal Empire.

But her appearance wasn't interesting to Starlight... what she really wanted was those silver eyes. The power behind them.

If she could utilize the girl's abilities as her own, then she would be able to spread her message further. And turn Equis into an utopia where her ideals were law! Where equality would be guaranteed under her rule.

She was cut off from her delusions of grandure by the sounds of her helmet beeping... which indicated that the process was done. A clear sign was that the two antennas were lit up in green.

Perfect! Simply dandy! Starlight walked over to the table and unclasped the helmet... removing it from Ruby who just stared blankly. Unable to think, blink or speak...

Smirking, the young woman snapped her fingers in front of her. "So... how does it feel?" She inquired.

For a moment, Ruby said nothing... until she opened her mouth. "It feels... perfect."

She raised her head and revealed a lobotomized smile. "I am a sinner. I must be cleansed of my crimes. Only by following your will shall I be redeemed." Ruby responded obediently.

Starlight grinned and released her restraints as Ruby dropped on the floor. Picking herself up, she gave Starlight an obedient smile. "I will obey and follow your commands, Mistress."

The woman nodded. "Yes... you will. Now follow me, young Ruby. For our message must be spread." She ordered.

"Yes, Mistress. I shall obey." She responded.

Ruby followed Starlight out of the laboratory, nothing but serving a purpose and with the smile still plastered on her face. For the message of Starlight Glimmer must be spread... nothing more, nothing less.

She was Ruby Rose, servant of Starlight Glimmer.

(Meanwhile...)

Natsu was outside, practicing her punches and trying out new moves when she accidentally let out a sneeze... rubbing her nose, she frowned.

"Why do I have a funny feeling that something bad is approaching in the near future?" She wondered.

The wind was blowing calmly as Natsu kept her frown. Must be something else then yet she couldn't really admit what.

Shrugging, she went back to her training and continued to punch the dummies that had been spawned thanks to Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Note

After months of waiting and a long writer’s block, not to mention laziness… a new chapter is out!

We've finally wrapped up at least the introduction to Ruby's arc... and fear not, Natsu will save her along with Neo... that won't come later though, bear in mind.

Special thanks in helping me with this chapter is my good friend/brother, Madforce. I'm glad to have him by my side! Thanks for the help, Maddy!

Next time we're going back to Natsu and I've decided on letting her have some adventure alongside Fluttershy and Twilight. Figured we'd get some more development on the relationship after all.

For now, happy reading and see you all next time... also, have a new displaced story up and running about Raphtalia from Shield Hero in case anyone's interested.