RWBY Fanfic: Team EMRC Volume 2

Night Life

Ruby and Penny look at each other in the darkening sky light, Ruby confused but more than else shocked while Penny looks at her saddened, "Penny I-I really don't understand."

"Most girls are born, but I was made. I am the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an aura." Penny looks down sad, "I'm not real."

Penny closes her hands while Ruby walks up and grabs them, opening them and looking at the metal for a moment before closing them and lightly forcing them back, "Of course you are Penny. You think just because you've got nuts and bolts makes you any less of a person? Just look at Ellis."

"I don't, um..." Penny goes closer to her, "You're taking this extraordinarily well."

Ruby points her thumb in the direction out of the alley, "You're not like those things we saw back there." She pokes her where her heart would be, "You've got a heart. And a soul, I can feel it."

Penny looks at her extremely happy, "Oh, oh Ruby!" Penny pulls her head into a hug and shakes her slightly, "You're the best friend anyone could have!"

Muffled though Penny's clothes Ruby gets out in a slightly pained voice, "I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower!"

Penny takes her head away and holds her shoulders, "Oh, he's very sweet. My father's the one that built me!" Ruby gets out of her grasp, "I'm sure you would just love him!"

"Wow, he built you all by himself?"

"Well almost, he had some help from Mr. Ironwood."

"The general? Wait, is that why those soldiers are after you?"

"They also like to protect me."

"Pfft. They think that you're not able to protect yourself?"

"They're not sure if I'm ready yet... one day, it'll be my job to save the world. But I still have a lot left to learn. That's why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world and test myself in the tournament."

"Penny what are you talking about? Save the world from what? We're in a time of peace."

"That's not what Mr. Ironwood said."

"Check down here!"

They turn to where the voice came and Penny turns back to Ruby and grabs her shoulders, "You have to hide!"

Penny picks her up and leads her over to a big dumpster. Ruby trying to get out of her hold yells, "Gah, Penny! What are you doing? You don't have to go with them I can help you!"

Penny places her in the dumpster with a loud crash and holds up the lid, "It's ok Ruby, they're not bad people. I just don't want you to get in trouble. Just promise me you won't tell anyone about my secret. Okay?"

Ruby nods, "I promise."

She closes the lid and a soldier yells, "There she is!"

Ruby opens the lid and peeks through the crack to watch Penny, "Salutations, officers!"

"Why were you running? And what happened to the other girl with you?"

"What other girl? I've been by myself all day." Penny hiccups but plays it off.

"You shouldn't cause such a scene. Are you okay?"

Penny shows them her hands, "Just a scratch."

"Penny, your father isn't going to be happy about this. Please, just come with us."

"Yes, sir!"

The two walk off with Penny and Ruby looks at her happily before hearing the squeaking of a rat and being startled back into the dumpster.