Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cybernetic Couple. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Atlas.)

Ruddy hummed and looked to the side. He and Penny stood in the elevator as it descended. Ruddy wore his repaired armor. He had heard that Pietro would be busy designing another pair… And he had worked to complete another weapon which was waiting being completed at Pietro's pharmacy.

"Do you think they know about General Ironwood's plan?" Penny questioned which caused Ruddy to shrug before humming.

"Considering how she knew about the hospital?" Ruddy said and crossed his arms. "I'm going to say yes." Ruddy said as they walked towards the command center.

They didn't notice one of the dozens of soldiers look at them, their eyes changing several times. They passed through the crowd of soldiers and technicians.

The soldier left, eager to report to Cinder and finally get an opportunity to kill Ruby.

Ruddy and Penny saw General Ironwood monitoring several large screens. He turned as Ruddy and Penny's heavy footfalls alerted him to their arrival.

"Sir." Penny and Ruddy gave salutes and got a nod from the Atlesian General.

"Penny?" Ironwood questioned which was greeted by Penny tilting her head. "Winter wanted me to tell you she's glad you were there to assist her… She also informed me what happened." Ironwood stated which caused Penny to frown.

"Dr. Pietro told us you wanted us to report to you." Ruddy stated and folded his arms behind his back. "Something about the Amity project, sir?" Ruddy questioned and dusted off his armor.

Ruddy was less worried about General Ironwood then he was about what would happen to Penny. Cinder wanted her, and that meant she'd go through anyone in order to do it.

"There's been some complications in the project." Ironwood stated which got a blink from both of the cyborgs. "And as I've heard? You both had another run in with Ms. Fall." Ironwood said and got a nod from both of the duo.

"She tried to kill me, Winter, and Penny, sir." Ruddy stated and shook his head. "I don't know what she'll do next. I doubt any regular troops can handle her the way she is now. She overpowered me despite all the enhancements I have." Ruddy put in as Ironwood turned to Penny.

"Since I trust you?" Ironwood questioned which made Ruddy turn to the side in confusion. "And the fact that we have bigger issues at the moment? I will not mention what happened at the hospital. That plan doesn't need to be implemented at the moment. I'll trust Fria's sacrifice wasn't in vain, she died protecting Atlas like any hero would." Ironwood stated which got a frown from Penny.

Ruddy said nothing, but he was bothered by how Ironwood spoke of the fight with Cinder. Still? They could focus on that at a later date.

"You wanted us to deal with Cinder, sir?" Ruddy asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Winter was supposed to get the power of the Winter Maiden from Fria." Ironwood stated and watched the right lens on Ruddy's helmet narrow. "The Maidens are the 4 most powerful women on Remnant. Cinder is one, Fria was one… And now Penny is one. That is why she has flames coming from her eyes." Ironwood stated which was greeted by Ruddy looking at Penny.

"So, Penny…" Ruddy started to say and got a nod from Ironwood.

"Is one of the most valuable people on Remnant, yes." Ironwood said and placed a hand on Penny's shoulder. "That's why I want you to handle Cinder." Ironwood said which caused Ruddy to frown under his helmet.

"Sir? With all due respect?" Ruddy questioned as both Penny and Ironwood turned to him. "There's several reasons that's suicide. Penny barely has any training with whatever powers she has. Cinder also nearly killed her in Vale. Cinder could kill her if they get into another fight so soon." Ruddy stated and looked to the ground.

"Penny's safety isn't something I want to risk." Ironwood stated and crossed his arms. Ruddy blinked and hummed upon seeing black metal on Ironwood's arm. "But Penny is the one with the power to defeat Cinder. You said it yourself. Cinder is more powerful than anyone in Atlas." Ironwood said which made Ruddy frown under his helmet.

He knew that the general had a point, but he didn't want to see Penny fight Cinder. Cinder was cocky, his short fight with her told him that far enough.

But Cinder wasn't stupid, she knew how to psychologically attack people from what Pietro told him of the broadcast. If she and Penny met without Penny even slightly getting training? Then she could be killed.

"Ruddy?" Ironwood questioned which snapped Ruddy from his thoughts. "Dr. Pietro informed me just how close you and Penny have been over the weeks. I know you aren't one of my soldiers anymore due to working under him… But I do have one final mission for you if you can accept it." Ironwood said and got a nod from Ruddy.

"Keep helping Penny." Ironwood said which caused Ruddy to nod once more. "I don't have anyone to spare to protect her… And I know Penny wouldn't want anyone protecting her anyway." Ironwood stated as Ruddy nodded and looked to the side.

"Your dismissed." Ironwood said to the duo and then turned back to the monitors.

Ruddy turned to Penny and saw the green flames dancing in her eyes. He and Penny turned and walked towards the elevator.

Ruddy cleared his throat as they walked across the command center to the base. Ruddy hummed and looked to Penny who was busy looking at the ground.

Ruddy guessed she didn't take the news that she was going to be the pride of the kingdom. It just put more pressure on Penny.

He didn't know what to say as they boarded the elevator. Ruddy knew they were going to be in much more trouble when the next fight came. Ruddy could only imagine what the next fight would hold.

Ruddy didn't know that there was a fight waiting for them once they hit Mantle. If he did? Then Ruddy

(With Cinder)

"No, I've sent Emerald to handle that." Cinder stated to Neo who frowned as the duo glared at each other. "Your get your chance… We both want her dead." Cinder hissed and turned to the side.

She didn't plan on killing Ruby till she got the Maiden's power. She had been put on the defensive last time if only for a moment.

Cinder wanted to draw out Penny, but there was the entire kingdom to hunt through. Drawing Penny and her little friend out? Just required a little bait.

And Cinder knew just what bait to use.

Author notes

Phew, another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be 2000-2500 words or such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 weeks and will show Ruddy and Penny fighting Tyrian and Emerald. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter will be on Sunday or such. Penny's Maiden powers will be used soon. Raven is 1200 words Saturday, Cinder 1500 Monday, Ruby 900 Monday. Yang 1500 Sunday. Neo 1200 Wednesday. Winter and Saphron will hopefully be soon.