A/N:
Hi friends!
Welcome back to RWBY: The Selection. Today's chapter has some Penny! :D
I love Penny so much. She's just so good. She's just so pure. Penny Polendina is 10/10. Best robot girl.
Quick note: I will say in this chapter that there may be something Ironwood is hiding from Penny for her own safety that may get revealed later (heeheeheehee).
Shoutout to Six02 for your reviews. As a big Arkos shipper, I wouldn't worry about no one being interested in Jaune, but yeah it is kind of sad (and funny) that very few people are here for the right reasons. And don't worry, there is an excess of tooth-rotting fluff up ahead. ;)
Once again, please leave any comments/questions/concerns/suggestions/thoughts on best robot girl Penny Polendina and anything else.
Another chapter will probably come out later this afternoon as well, so stay tuned for that :D
Without further ado, enjoy!
Chapter 12: Penny
If Penny Polendina had a heart, it would've been pounding a million beats a second. She sat outside of General Ironwood's office, twiddling her thumbs and looking around anxiously. When the door banged open and Winter Schnee exited, she gave her a cold look. Penny sank deeper into herself. She had messed up…
"Penny," Ironwood called. She stood up, twirling some of her curly, orange hair through her fingers, and slowly walked inside. Ironwood was staring at his scroll as she entered. He looked tired. His hair was greying. The mysterious death of his boss and closest friend, King Ozma, had not boded well for Ironwood's appearance or for his mental health.
"Hello, General Ironwood," Penny said cheerfully. He gave her a stern look, and her grin faded. "Did you call me in to ask me about the Selection?"
"What on Remnant did you think you were doing when you applied?" Ironwood demanded.
"I… I just thought I could maybe… make some… make some friends? Or perhaps find true-"
"You risked the security of the entire Atlesian military to sign up for some stupid competition for young, silly girls,"
"But I am a girl!" Penny protested.
"You are a piece of military technology," Ironwood snapped in response. Penny blinked, taken aback. If she had tears, they would have sprung to her eyes. Ironwood sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. "Queen Salem doesn't yet know that you exist."
Penny's eyes widened. "But, King Ozma-"
"Made me swear that I'd keep your existence a secret, Penny," Ironwood shook his head, "and without him here, I have no idea how to proceed."
Penny's lip quivered, and she looked at her feet. They, like the rest of her, were made of metal. She would give anything to be a real girl: to meet real friends, and find real love… she had never had a friend before. She had never even been outside of the walls of Atlas Academy. To Penny, the Selection was an escape to the real world she so desperately craved to be a part of.
Ironwood stood up. "With your name already in the running, it would seem suspicious if you dropped out." Penny looked at the General as he rose, hardly daring to hope. He sighed and hung his head. "We don't have a choice but to send you in. Be careful."
Penny could've jumped for joy. She was going to go to the capital. She was going to meet new friends, maybe even meet the Prince. This was sure to be the most exciting adventure of her life!
"Thank you, General Ironwood," Penny exclaimed. She bowed as she stood up, and skipped happily to the door.
"Penny," he called. She looked back at him innocently. "No one can know what you are. If they learn, the fate of all of Remnant may be in jeopardy."