Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cybernetic Couple. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Atlas.)

Ruddy watched as the apparatus picked at the skin and circuits of his body.

"They were waiting for us to appear." Ruddy stated as he sighed and shook his head. "They knew we were going to talk to General Ironwood and they waited." Ruddy said as Penny looked at him.

She held up her hand with which a snowball came into creation within it. Tyrian had come after her and went through Ruddy to do it.

The cyborg said nothing as he looked at Penny who was wringing her hands currently. Pietro looked between the two teens and cleared his throat at that moment.

"You both enjoy your awkward silences, it seems." Pietro said with a smile as Ruddy hummed. "Ruddy, what makes you think they listened in? Tyrian has been stalking the streets of Mantle since he arrived… And last I heard? General Ironwood assigned the Ace-Ops to arrest him." Pietro added which was greeted by Penny clearing her throat at the moment.

"Because he knew exactly where we'd be." Ruddy put in as he turned to Pietro. "He went after Penny. I know how dangerous Tyrian is, General Ironwood has reports of everyone who's a threat to Atlas and Mantle." Ruddy added while Penny nodded and turned to the side.

Ruddy knew someone would hopefully take down Tyrian. He had no reason to hunt Penny other then because she was the maiden. It was Emerald who scared him so.

"Dr. Pietro?" Ruddy asked the doctor as the machines started to recede. "Do you have anything to deal with hallucination semblances?" Ruddy asked as Pietro hummed and looked up at the ceiling in confusion.

"Hallucinations?" Pietro questioned while Ruddy and Penny nodded. "Whatever for? Have you both been dealing with hallucinations recently?" Pietro asked Ruddy only for Penny to answer him.

"Ruddy told me one of our assailants had made him see things." Penny stated as she walked next to Ruddy. "Ruddy is concerned that her semblance will allow them to sneak around… To ambush us again when we least expecting, putting us on the preverbal backfoot." Penny added which Ruddy nodded at as he began to patch his body.

It felt weird dealing with metal below his skin rather then muscle and tissue. He was beginning to wonder just how human he was anymore.

"Someone with the ability to conjure illusions…" Pietro said as he scratched at the back of his head. "That would be dangerous, but…. No, it's far too risky. I might end up causing irretrievable damage." Pietro said while Ruddy and Penny both shared a look at each other.

Ruddy smiled at Penny. Her company was calming to him. She didn't see him as a monster, she saw him as a friend. Someone who was as much a partner as a companion and ally.

"If it's dangerous, I'll gladly volunteer to test it." Ruddy stated as he gestured to his own body. "Got far more metal then flesh at this point… Wouldn't change much to add a little more." Ruddy added as he cracked his metallic fingers.

"What is this dangerous idea, father?" Penny asked as she turned to Ruddy.

Pietro sighed and started to cross the room towards the duo. He was quite curious as to what was going to happen next. They'd be going into dangers that could very well take their risks.

Could another risk change anything at the moment? Pietro didn't know.

"I have cybernetic optics that I've been testing with people." Pietro stated as he waved his hands in the air. "It could help you see through illusions, but the optics as I tell people? Their experimental. They could permanently burn out your nerve endings." Pietro added which caused Penny and Ruddy shared a look.

"How come you haven't tested them, doctor?" Ruddy asked while tapping Penny on the shoulder. "If you need to? I'll gladly test them." Ruddy stated as Penny glared at him for this.

He smiled all the same, he was becoming far more amused then anything. Penny was simply concerned for him; he couldn't fault that at the moment… However? Ruddy wanted to be able to fight for Mantle and everyone from her to everyone else.

"Ruddy, this might cause massive trauma to you." Pietro said while Ruddy frowned.

"Doctor? I'm not being purely brave." Ruddy said before gesturing to his bare torso. "I've survived worse trauma because of Penny. If Tyrian and the others show up? They WILL target Penny. I know she can handle herself, but I'd be scared if we didn't have alternate options." Ruddy added which caused him to shake his head.

Pietro turned away from the duo who were busy sharing looks. They knew that there would be risks. Ruddy knew there was always going to be risks that held them back

But he wasn't going to let them keep him from fighting.

Author notes

Phew. Next chapter will be delayed or such. I'm NOT ending this story like RWBY did. Next chapter will be in 2-14 weeks and will show Ruddy and Penny talking and discussing their relationship and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter is 900 words Tuesday. Ruby 1200 words Monday. Neo 1200 Wednesday. Cinder 900-1500 words Saturday. Raven 1200 words Saturday. Yang 1500 words Thursday.