Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to rwby.

Ruby's grip slackened as the short ice cream girl bore down over her. Griffin type grim flew around the ship in a massive flock, attracted to the negative emotions. The short girls eyes flashed white as she slowly pressed her blade closer to Ruby, a bit slower than she should have as the huntress in training noticed the release button on Neo's parasol. In an instant the smirk on her face vanished as the pink umbrella flashed open, grabbing the intense winds that whipped over the hull of the massive airship and pulling her along with them.

A streak of guilt flashed through Ruby's mind as she saw the look of fear on the girl's face as she reached out towards the ship in a last attempt to prevent the inevitable.

"NEO!" Cried the Orange haired criminal just beyond reach, his voice tinged with much more than anger, however his hand was too short. Their fingertips almost touched before being ripped cruelly apart.

Retracting back onto her parasol the neopolitan girl seemed very innocent and fragile as she fell on the mercies of the winds and grim. White eyes shone with fear as she drifted farther away from rescue before disappearing entirely into the skies.

Not wasting the opportunity Ruby pulled herself up onto the hull once more to face Roman.

"Damn it Red!" He yelled at her, his voice partially cracking as his face contorted in despair and rage. "Do you have ANY idea what you've done?" A swing of his cane to the right came into direct contact with Ruby's small arms, each raised in defense.

Staggering a few feet backwards Ruby yelled back "Made sure one of your goons can't hurt anyone else?!" Ruby quickly sidestepped avoiding the overhanded strike of Roman's cane, however she was blindsided by the follow up backhand. The force of which caused a partial spin before the huntress landed on her back.

"She's much more than just a goon! She's-" The orange haired criminal yelled, anxiety evident in his tone as he grasped at his hat in frustration, stalling his attack.

"She's what?" Ruby asked partially in an effort to stall the man and partially out of curiosity. As the man grasped for words she managed to push herself around and into a kneeling position. The ship shook again, lending more instability to the battlefield.

"She's the only family I have!" Roman yelled suddenly rushing forwards with another overhanded swing while the ship listed slightly.

Pushing herself out of the way, Ruby managed to stumble back to her feet as she avoided Roman's attack. Her eyes wide in surprise, the huntress tried to vocalize a response. "I-if she's family then … then why are you doing this?! Why are you hurting everyone?!" She couldn't understand committing such crimes, especially when he had family.

"You don't understand Red. Not all of us are as lucky as you. I know it's wrong, but I can't afford to lose!" The man stated, clenching his free hand in distress. "I'm not giving up, I'm going to make sure we survive. No matter the cost!"

"Then why don't you Help Us! I'm sure the hunters and huntresses can keep you safe!" Ruby yelled over the gusting wind while she took a step back from the man. If it was doable, she had to save everyone possible. That's what being a huntress is about right? Being the hero, and making the happy ending a reality.

Roman seemed to chuckle darkly "You don't know what's out there Red, this was the only way! The only way to make sure she wouldn't get hurt." The man replied, oblivious to the dark aura he was emitting. "Nothing in this world comes without sacrifice Red, survival is pretty expensive these days, but as long as I still stand I'll be sure to pay any debt for us! I'll lie, cheat, and steal, but I'll make sure that we survive!"

"Look out!" Ruby exclaimed, reaching out to the criminal but it was too late. The Griffin crashed into the man, quickly pinning him to the hull with it's talons and breaking through the mans' aura and into his chest with it's sharp beak. She moved as fast as she could, decapitating the beast but the initial attack was already over, and Roman was already bleeding heavily. Rushing over to the man, Ruby tried to help.

"Dammit..." Roman coughed as Ruby tried to prop him up to investigate the damage. "It's useless Red" He knew stronger men than himself die from less. "The ship's already going down, you should ….get outta here." He said through gritted teeth, red stained his usually white coat while his cane lay several feet away.

"I can't just let another person in front of me die!" Ruby exclaimed, images of her friend Penny flashing through her mind. It wasn't fair, she couldn't let another family get destroyed, especially if she could save it.

"Come on Red, I'm a criminal if you don't get out of here we'll both die! Just go Red!" Roman yelled, pushing the girl back with any remaining strength he had left.

"No! I don't care! I'm not going-" Ruby started to yell in defiance, pushing herself back towards the wounded man.

"Shut up! You can't save me Red, there's no point." Roman interrupted, his body shaking from the knowledge of his imminent demise. "So if you want to help then...then..." He continued, his voice cracking as tears threatened to break upon his face. "Save my little girl Red, make sure she makes it through this!" An explosion rocked the ship, tilting the hull further downwards.

Gritting her teeth in determination, Ruby stood up after a silent moment. "I will... Don't Worry I will, I promise!" She stated quietly almost to herself before shouting it again at the dying man. Turning her back on him she ran and ran until she reached the edge of the hull, where she jumped.

Another explosion rocked the ship, ensuring its downward trajectory. Roman wiped his face with his sleeve and swallowed hard. He was going to die any minute, but he intended to do so with what little dignity he had left. "I'm sorry Kiddo." He muttered as he pulled out one last cigar from his coat pocket.