ANNOUNCEMENT!
This story and many others are a part of a mass update I myself am doing for Christmas this year.
This includes Oneshots with Gorgon/Medusa (from Fate), Penny Polendina (RWBY), Nightingale (Fate), Supergirl (Dc) and more...
Additionally some of my other stories have been updated, including: Phantom of the Underworld, Heart Under a Blade, Hail to the King!, Mockingbird, Wrecked, and a few new stories as well...
Right now FFN's stats aren't working, so only way I can tell a story is doing well. So only way I can tell you like a story is through Reviews, Follows, and Favorites.
So please leave some if you want these stories to be updated, it really helps out alot. And please check out some of my other stories.
And Merry Christmas
:)
~ RWV3N
12/25/23
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, RWBY, or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their respective owners: Masashi Kishimoto and Rooster Teeth.
My Galatea
Power supply? Operational. Systems check? Completed. Dust conductivity? As predicted. All the sensors were reading normally, as nothing was unusual. The perfect conditions for their little operation.
But even still, he couldn't help but ask, "Hey, old man, are you okay in there?" the young male asked, a blonde-looking male with spiky-disheveled hair. Tan skin, blue eyes, and whisker marks. His attire appeared to be unusual, as he was adorned in the pure white cotton lab coat usually associated with a doctor, but unlike the pristine position, he decided to forgo professionalism out the door as he also had on a place white t-shirt, and brown cargo pants that gave him a more casual vibe.
His surroundings were also unusual, as he appeared to be, within what could only be considered to be a laboratory of some kind. What he spoke to was also surprising, as it was a large machine, with two, large, glass tube-like structures, with two, equally large figures within them.
As the first figure within the tube responded, a dark-skinned man with gray hair and a beard, and a small set of glasses as well, as he smiled towards his assistant and apprentice. "All is good in here, although I suppose in my time working on this doo-hickey I could have made it a little more comfortable," he somewhat complained, although all of them could tell that it was just nerves acting upon them. But they knew as well that he wouldn't give up a chance like this for anything.
"Alright, well we'll have to add seat cushions to the list of improvements," The blonde boy smiled towards his longtime mentor and friend. "But you just let us know if there are any problems you feel on the inside, alright, Frankenstein?" he joked, despite this being a serious situation.
Pietro Polendina couldn't help but laugh, likening this scenario to that of the mad scientist's creation of his monster. Although in all actuality they hoped it would be anything but… "All is right, my boy, you can start 'er up whenever you get the signal," his mentor told him.
As Naruto turned to face the man at his side, eyeing him with both a smile and respect to hide his inner anxieties. "General," he asked for permission to begin the machine's activation. General Ironwood, a dark and grey-haired, well-dressed man in a clean white and gray suit, nodded, giving Naruto an all-clear to start the procedure.
Flipping the final switch was a tall order, one that almost felt like he held the entire world upon his shoulders. As if the entire new age of discovery could be activated with just the flick of a switch. No doubt saving countless lives, and paving a new way for humanity to fight the creatures of Grimm. But, at the same time, would this ever fall into the wrong hands, untold mayhem could occur, But he wasn't going to end it, they had spent far too long working on this project to back out now, spent far too many resources.
And if he stopped now, who knows how many people could die, tens, thousands, perhaps the entirety of remnant itself. He couldn't allow a little anxiety to stop him from helping people, they would just have to watch this power closely and make sure it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands.
Casting a single glance towards the one man he could call a father, he could see the assured look in his eyes as plain as day. He was an orphan, grew up on the streets of Mantle itself, and he knew how his people could suffer firsthand. Had it not been for Pietro, he would have remained there to this day, fighting for himself, fighting the loneliness that lived inside of him.
The blonde fox ears atop his head twitched, remembering just what had happened that ordinary day like no other. He had gotten into a fight, one with a group of the older boys that had been picking on him for some time, they wanted his food, something he needed, and would give up even if it meant his life. But, like most kids– or faunus– he was unable to stop just what had happened for defying those bigger and stronger than them. He ended up getting brutally beaten, hanging on for dear life.
He had awoken in Pietro's clinic not long after, something that was apparently nearby, and seeing the old man's kind eyes had surprised him, as he certainly hadn't seen anything like it. And although the man wasn't at all a medical practitioner, he took him to people who were, helping him recover. Eventually, he saw something in him, something he still couldn't quite understand, and he soon began his journey to becoming the man's lab assistant, and an upcoming scientist within Atlas in his own right.
Leading him to where they were now, the P.E.N.N.Y. project– an acronym he still didn't know the meaning of.
When the man had approached him with such a project he at first had been skeptical. A machine, capable of taking one's aura and transferring it into any person or object, well… it sounded like Pietro had finally gone off the deep end. Likening him to that of the Mad scientist he once compared him to. But he could see the genuine joy the project brought the old man, and the appeal to finally get rid of huntsman and huntress casualties completely by implementing aura into the lifeless automatons Atlas already had in the works.
That was the project, they were messing with the very fabric of life itself… he only hoped Pietro wasn't wrong in his calculations.
He flipped the last remaining switch.
The heavens seemed to split, as time seemed to slow down. The aura-transferring machine activated, as the tubes that connected both chambers seemed to light up, life flowing through the coils from Pietro to that of the lifeless husk he had designed in the other. The old man began to light up, flaring with aura in his unique light green color.
All seemed to be going well, until a scream began emanating from Pietro's lips, "Ahhhhhhh!" the old man wailed, as Naruto's eyes widened. Instantly, his hand began reaching back to the control panel, intent on stopping the procedure. A white-gloved hand on his own stopped him in his tracts, he instantly turned to face just who it belonged to.
Naruto's surprise grew larger as he realized it was Ironwood. But, as he tried to speak he was interrupted. "Sir, you cannot be serious, he could–"
"Pietro knew the risks, he knew what he signed up for," Ironwood said impassively.
Only for another scream of pain to leave the old man's lips, as if his very life was being sucked out of him, "Argh! Don't do it Naruto, I can take it!" he said, knowing exactly what his apprentice was about to do, although whether it was the truth or not none of them knew. But Ironwood was right, he knew the risks, he designed the machine after all. Though the soul-crushing pain, he could feel it only attacking his right leg, even as the shock went through his entire nervous system, just as planned.
In his entire life, he had never been able to walk properly, it had been just the way he had been born. With the joints in his legs not being able to sustain his body for as long as they should, the time he attempted to do so ended poorly. So he designed this machine, a machine capable of harvesting a person's aura from select portions of their body. Well, he had been the first to volunteer for the procedure, he never used his legs anyhow; a price he was willing to give up for what he wanted.
Naruto was hesitant, not knowing whether to listen to his clear superior and longtime mentor in their attempt to shape the world. Or to listen to his instincts, to protect his father figure, consequences be damned as they would be left to start the project all over again.
Unfortunately for him, it seemed the decision was for him on its own…
Silence, utter silence could be heard, the machine stopped, as Naruto rushed to the first 'coffin' prying the seal off the bunker, as his mentor's form became utterly apparent to him. The man soon collapsed from exhaustion, his aura flickering as it did so.
As Naruto's eyes widened, several medics were being rushed towards the old man, all being led by the white-haired girl usually at General Ironwood's side, Winter? If he remembered correctly. He couldn't, no, his mind was far too preoccupied with something, else, something far greater.
Pietro's aura was missing, he only saw it, for the briefest of seconds, but it was there, or rather it wasn't. As upon his right leg there seemed to be a gaping hole within it, as if his very soul no longer resided within it. Meaning the machine worked, they had successfully siphoned off a piece of Pietro's aura. But, if that were the case, then that means…
Instantly, he rushed towards the second coffin, even as Pietro's now unconscious body was being hauled off to the nearby infirmary. He had to check, he had to make sure, he had to know. Prying his fingers into the release hatch of the second coffin, steam ironically seemed to permeate the room, as if a monster lay within.
But, as the smoke dissipated, he was met with a sight he had only come to expect. A girl, around his age, with short orange curly hair, a cowlick at the top, and a small pink bow at her back. She was noticeably pale-skinned, with light freckles on her cheeks. They had chosen a rather peculiar outfit for the girl, a small, almost old-fashioned yet somehow futuristic, green, white, and gray frilly blouse and pants. And even though he wasn't a master of fashion–usually choosing what felt the most comfortable, even he could tell the outfit suited her.
Perfect, that was the only way to describe her. While she might now be as downright gorgeous as some of the other girls he had seen, or abundantly curvy and sensual like others as well. She did have a sort of alluring cuteness to her look, he had designed it as so. He spent countless nights working on the body that they needed to transfer the aura into, and he couldn't say he could have done any better.
Yes, she was utterly perfect.
But still, how could he truly know the project was a success?
.
.
.
Green eyes stared out at him, his heart skipped a beat.
XXX
Life.
She was alive, at least, she thought she was. And given that she previously hadn't been able to think at all, well, that seemed like a good sign. She could feel too, although she didn't particularly know where exactly she was. She did know one thing, though, it was mildly uncomfortable.
As her other senses became aware to her as well. Hearing; well, her sensors were practically picking up everything, and wherever she was, it was loud, people seemed to be moving, shuffling against the likely metallic floors outside wherever she was. Taste? Well, she didn't quite have that kind of sense, there was practically no need to, as she didn't think she had those kinds of digestive capabilities. Smell? Well, that sense was much the same in that regard, eluding her entirely.
But sight? Sight was something else. She couldn't quite see anything, as darkness only seemed to permeate around her, like an endless void, consuming her entirely. She knew she didn't like the feeling.
She heard a loud noise opening, and then a bright light entered her eyelids. The feeling was almost too overwhelming for her, as she was forced to close her eyelids lest she be lost in the sensation.
She opened her eyes, as her sensors adjusted, and she could see just what– Or who– was in front of her. It was a young male, appearing to be about the age she was modeled after, with golden bright hair. And, had she been more experienced with the world, she may have likened his figure to be like that of the sun itself. Unfortunately, she had never seen such an object.
He appeared to be staring at her with wide eyes, almost not being able to comprehend her existence. "Beautiful," she almost didn't hear him mutter, but it was clear as day. And at the comment, she felt a strange warmth within her core, she liked the feeling, was this… happiness?
She wanted to greet herself, first impressions were always the most important.
And she knew just the way to do it.
XXX
Naruto couldn't believe it, P.E.N.N.Y., his and Pietro's creation had been a success, as the girl-like robot opened her eyes for what may have been the first time, teeming with life. He knew those eyes, he had helped forge them, and they were overwhelmingly different from the lifeless orbs they were previously.
Perfect, they were utterly perfect. Their beauty was so immense he couldn't help but whisper it out unconsciously.
But, as the high of her production came down, he was left with nothing but worry. Why wasn't she moving? Shouldn't she be moving right now? Although he didn't have much time to think on the matter, a sound reverberated through his eardrums. At first, it was small, soft, like a dull hum,
"SALLLLLLLLLLL…."
But then it became bigger, louder.
"UUUUUUUUU…"
Wait? That almost sounded like it was coming from…
"TATIONS~!" Penny greeted, her form instantly coming to life as she leaped from her sitting position straight onto him.
Unfortunately for them both, she hadn't quite mastered her ability to walk as of yet, and given the sudden shift in momentum, it caused both of them to come tumbling down. Naruto landed straight on his ass before he could think, with Penny straddling him.
"Oh dear, it seems I caused us to fall," the newly-born girl proclaimed in a happy tone, more than satisfied with just being alive. "Are you okay?" she asked with a tilt of her head, looking at the blonde faunus she had just knocked down.
Naruto was frozen, absolutely so, and unable to comprehend what had just happened. How could he, his—their creation was alive and moving, and she seemed positively astounding. He did the only thing he could do…
He laughed, he laughed hard. First, it was small, then it became louder, engulfing the entire room, "Haha… Ha-Hahahaa!"
His laughter was so engulfing it caused the orange-haired robot on top of him to laugh as well, "Hehe… hahaha!" eventually the noises became so loud all of the other's attention was brought solely to them. So much so Penny had to ask, "What are we laughing?" she inquired, a bright smile still across her face.
Naruto merely threw his hands over the girl's shoulders, engulfing her in a hug, utterly surprising the girl, "You, Penny! You're absolutely amazing!" he couldn't help but yell.
As the girl's smile became even brighter, "Thank you!"
XXX
Sometime later.
"So, you want me to… attack these things?" The android girl said, somewhat confused at the whole ordeal. They were in a large room, an arena, she realized, with a tall ceiling, and wide walls.
Naruto nodded, fixing the backpack-like weapon behind her, and finishing off the last touches as they got ready for the test. "Mhmm, General Ironwood wants to do a field test. He's been having some of his scientists cook up these weapons, we should have enough lightning and gravity dust to complete the exercise," he told her, still finishing off what he ended up with. With this pack, the girl should be able to control a great number of blades with nothing but her mind and diagnostics. Now, if he had it his way, they would wait until at least Pietro was out of the hospital, as he could really use the help when it came to these sorts of things. But Ironwood thought otherwise, and he didn't have the clearance to disagree.
But even still Penny seemed to be unsure. "Do you… do you think I'm ready?" she asked. She was still adjusting to her body, as sometimes– albeit rarely, she ended up losing her balance, and falling to the ground. Surely that would be a hindrance to battle, she didn't want to mess up after all, she didn't want to disappoint Naruto, and all the people who had worked so hard on her.
Naruto nodded, giving her a smile that only seemed to soothe her worries. "Hmmm, you should be… well, you should be combat-ready!" he told her, putting it into words only Penny would understand,
As Penny smiled as well, her worries were instantly washed away. "Alright! Well, I will download all the Data I can!" she exclaimed, not having any doubt in her mind that she couldn't do this.
Naruto smiled at her exuberance, "Yeah, I'm sure you'll do great!" he told her.
And she believed it
XXX
"She really is amazing," Naruto couldn't help but marvel.
Her actions were like a dance, as she flew around the arena without care in sight. Blasting apart each target into hundreds of smithereens, well that, or she would slice the target in two. Nothing was left in her wake, all the while, a cheer-filled smile engulfed her face as if this were a sort of game to her. Idly, the scientist part of her couldn't help but notice the repulsors along her feet were starting to give out in power, and if she were to continue, it would likely cause one, or both of them to give out. He would have to fix that, after she got done with the exercise, of course.
"Yes, she is…" Ironwood said impassively, overlooking the project personally as it was of great interest that this project was to succeed. "Do you think she will be ready for what is to come?" he asked.
Naruto frowned, knowing what the man was referring to. The Vytal exams, coming up within just a few short months. "Well I don't know, it can be hard to tell with these things, especially so early," he told him, both knew he was telling the truth. But if he were to have a say in it then the girl wouldn't fight at all, but Ironwood saw the festival as both an opportunity for Penny to gain new data as well as garner more support and funds for the operation should the girl win the tournament. Honestly, as a scientist, he saw the appeal, testing one of his creations against that of the up-and-coming students of other academies, seeing how well they would match up.
But the other part about him couldn't stand to see Penny get hurt, no matter how beneficial such an exercise could be.
"Sensational!" Penny cheered, breaking him out of his thoughts. He saw the girl promptly crash down to the floor.
Crash.
"Owwww~ my sensors are being loud," Penny stated, her eyes spinning, as she landed along the floor.
Naruto grimaced, maybe he would need to look at Penny's hardware… again.
XXX
Months Later.
As time went on, Pietro finally got to meet his creation, and unsurprisingly, the two had hit it off. With the elder man's more kind and sage-like demeanor, and Penny's more… eccentric attitude befitting of a rather curious child who just wanted to get to know the world. It made sense, especially with the man's stories, telling of things she had never even thought of experiencing before. And, from what he had heard, the girl had started likening the man to that of a father figure, even calling him as such., and he couldn't be happier for the two.
From the time spent with each other Penny's smile had become more pronounced, a staple whenever he met the girl. Whereas Pietro seemed more complete, less anxious and stressed, and overall just a better man than he had been previously.
Honestly, it was a real shame he hadn't gotten to spend much time with them. He had been too busy with other projects Ironwood had been having him work on, ever since Pietro had been hospitalized. This meant he wasn't able to work with his teacher as often, and the only time he got to see Penny was during her routine check-ups done by him personally. Well, that, and the times the girl had unexpectedly visited him, which usually ended up with things being broken in the wake of her loud entrances.
He had been put in charge of this year's Vytal festival arena, making sure things ran smoothly in that regard. He was the only one who could, especially since Pietro, Atlas's leading scientist in all things robotic, had been unable to make the long journey due to his condition. That was unfortunate for Penny as well, who was probably looking forward to him coming along to see the sights with her.
Speaking of the energetic robot… where had she gone off to? And what was that loud noise he was hearing?
"SSSSAAALLLLLLUUUUUTTTTAAATTTIIIIOOONNNSSS!" a voice spoke, Naruto had to duck in order to dodge the energetic girl being launched at him. He was currently working on and in the festival arena, something he had been doing for the past month trying to work out all the kinks within the Geoconstructive systems.
"OW~ My sensors are acting loud again," Penny stated, once again as her head felt like it was spinning.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Penny? What are you doing here?" he asked, not that he was displeased to see her.
Reminding the girl as to why she was there, she jumped up from off the floor, engulfing him into a near bone-crushing hug in her excitement. "Scientist-Naruto, I have most wonderful news!" she chirped, the excitement rushing off of her.
Naruto tapped on her shoulder "That's great Penny, but why don't you let go of me?" he said, slightly strained given her robotic strength. Leaving the girl to realize what she was doing, as she promptly let go of him.
"Oh, it seems I must apologize," she said., still in a chipper tune despite the situation.
"It's fine, Penny," Naruto said, still nursing himself over. "But where are your bodyguards? I thought Ironwood had a few given few to you to keep you company while you check out the city," he asked.
As the orange-haired girl blinked, "Oh, it seems I lost them," she stated, realizing that she no longer had two people in white Atlas armor watching her. Naruto chuckled, it could only be Penny who would act so casually when she had lost her tail while being followed by some of Atlas's most elite.
"Alright Penny, I suppose you'll just have to stay with me while we get this sorted out," He sighed, although the prospect didn't sound too bad once he said it out loud. But still, what about that one girl– Ciel, was it? Wasn't she also assigned to look over her?
Penny's smile only seemed to brighten at that comment, happy that they would finally be getting to spend some time together. "That would be most delightful, scientist Naruto," she told him.
As Naruto caught it, he realized what exactly she had been calling him. Giving her a light tap on the girl's forehead, much to her displeasure, "Hey, I thought I told you to call me just Naruto," he told her.
As the girl beamed, "Alright, then I will update my current profile on you," she told him, already adding the information to her personal database. She was bouncing on her feet at the thought.
"Okay, Okay," Naruto said, trying to placate the girl. "But what was it that you wanted to tell me?" he asked, getting the girl to remember once again why she was there. The girl really got distracted easily.
Her excitement raised tenfold, "Naruto, I made a friend!" she chirped.
Naruto smiled as well, happy for the girl, she needed to meet new people "Really that's great!" he said, seeing just how excited she was, it was almost overwhelming.
"Yes, her name is Ruby, and I can tell we are going to be the best of friends!" Penny sounded happy with the prospect, "I'll get to go shopping, paint my nails, try on clothes, and talk about cute boys! It'll be amazing and I'll get to be just like a real girl! I can't believe it! I–" she rambled on.
Naruto interrupted her before she was completely lost to him "That's great, Penny, but you could have already done those things," he pointed out.
"I know, but it's different while talking with a real girl," she explained, practically bouncing on her feet.
Naruto didn't understand it one bit, chalking it up to one of those things he would never get with Penny or women in general. "Okay, but you hardly ever get out, so how many cute boys do you see?" he inquired, wondering just how Penny would answer. The response he got was something that he didn't expect.
Penny flushed, looking straight at him, and she didn't say a word. Naruto looked at her inquisitively, wondering if there was some sort of malfunction with her heating system to cause such a response. "Huh? Penny, are you feeling alright?" he asked, pressing his forehead against hers, causing the girl to only heat up more at their proximity.
"I am fine," Penny stated, although her freckled cheeks were still burning like the sun.
Deciding to chalk it up to that, he hoped the sensors he had placed within her would activate not long after and fix the problem. "Okay, Penny, but you know you don't have to prove anything to anyone," he told her, causing the girl's eyes to widen. "Mhmmm, you're about as real as they come, so I don't want you to be saying that you aren't a 'real girl', alright?" he told her, as the girl nodded.
Penny's cheeks were still flushed, something he didn't quite understand. But given the girl's rather round face, he could tell it looked rather cute.
XXX
Later.
He was exhausted.
The arena had been having problems with the hydraulic systems, which meant he had to work tirelessly to fix them. Working with his laboratory day and night to develop the right schematics and code the construction robots to fix everything. He hadn't left in days, only getting short bursts of sleep wherever he could.
But even still, he wouldn't give up, he knew Penny and all the others were working tirelessly to get the Vytal Festival underway, maybe even more so. He didn't want to disappoint them, and he knew that he would make them happy.
That's why, it was a bit of a shock to see Penny waltzing around his laboratory, trying and failing to be sneaky, "Penny, what are you doing?" he couldn't help but ask, as the girl jumped, him seemingly sneaking up from behind her. Although he doubted it, as her sensors would be able to pick him up. In all actuality, the girl was probably too distracted to check them, just what was she up to?
"Oh, Naruto, it seems I did not see you there, I was just trying to go and see you…" Penny chirped, shuffling back, her hands at her rear, trying to not draw attention to herself.
Naruto wasn't buying any of it, "Uh-huh, yeah, and I'm sure, it doesn't have anything to do with whatever is behind your back," he stated, as the girl's eyes widened, but as she tried to argue, his voice stopped her. "No buts, now show me what happened," he told her, leaving no room for an argument.
As she showed him her palms, his eyes widened seeing that they were torn up, showing the metallic structure that lay below. "Penny, what happened?!" he asked, his voice perhaps being much louder than he intended.
Penny grimaced, "Well, I was with Ruby, and we… shekindoffoundoutwhatIamwhileacarranintomeandIhadtostopit!" she said, almost too fast for him to understand, but he did hear it.
"What! You know Ironwood doesn't want anybody to know about your 'condition'!" he nearly yelled, referring to the fact that she was a robot as a mere 'condition'. But even still, Naruto was right, the general had wanted information about her to be a secret, one only known by a select few. If anyone knew about the P.E.N.N.Y. project from other nations then it could cause a panic between them, perhaps even cause another war as they might think Atlas was preparing new weapons in the place of advanced soldiers.
Not that he knew that Ozpin already had information on the project, and had even managed to construct an Aura splicer of his own given Pietro's blueprints.
Penny shrunk in her place, "Are you… mad at me?" she asked, looking down. His voice had grown into a higher tone, as well as his ears twitching rapidly. All signs indicated that he was angered, she didn't like the feeling, especially when it was directed at her.
Naruto froze, realizing just how distressed Penny seemed to be, and he understood why. Of course, she was nervous, she didn't want her friend to get in trouble. And him accidentally blowing up at her, sighing, he walked over to a nearby desk, pulling out a specific solvent he had used to construct her. Grasping her hand as he sprayed the cold polymer against her synthetic skin, "No, Penny, I'm not mad at you," he told her, causing her eyes to widen as she looked at him.
"I'm just a little frustrated, that's all," he told her honestly, shocking Penny. So wait, he wasn't mad at her?
"Then why do you seem angry?" she had to ask, human emotions were so foreign to her. She didn't understand them at all.
"Because I—!" Naruto tried to say but stopped himself as he calmed himself down. girl in her emerald green eyes, he continued. "Look, Penny, it's just that I don't like seeing you hurt. There are people that care about you, you'll worry them if you keep ending up like this," the blonde fanus stated, as she began to start to understand.
"I see…" Penny said she didn't like seeing people hurt either. But, she had to ask, "...and are you… one of these people too?" she inquired.
Naruto thought about it, giving her a soft smile. "Yeah, Penny, I am…" he told her, he hated seeing her get hurt.
Penny smiled, realizing that Naruto cared for her, did that mean they were… friends?
Naruto's heart skipped a beat at such a sight.
XXX
During the Vytal festival.
They were in the contestant waiting area, waiting for Penny's next match, as she was facing off against the infamous and indomitable Pyrrha Nikos, a formidable force in her own right.
"I don't know about this, Penny," he told her honestly, he just had a bad feeling something was going to happen.
"Oh? But why, you were so sure I would do well in the tournament?" Penny inquired, she wanted to prove that Naruto's and her father's work had paid off, which meant doing well in the tournament. Initially, Naruto had even expressed that he knew she would do well, why the sudden change in tune?
Still, Naruto looked unsure, "I know I said that, but… I don't know, I just have one of those bad feelings about his." the blonde told her honestly.
Penny merely quirked her head, "But why?" was this one of those human things she didn't really understand too much? "You have already run diagnostics on me, several times I might add. And you spent so long working on the arena and even double-checking Floating Array. It is like you have said, I am 'combat ready'!" she exclaimed, using his own words against him. And she was right, he did do all those things in preparation, making sure nothing would go wrong. Everything seemed fine, optimal even, but he just felt that something was about to go wrong.
He tried to tell her about it, "I know Penny, it's just–"
[Penny Polendina, please head to your station. Your match will begin in T-minus… 60 seconds] a voice on the intercom told her, interrupting the two's conversation.
"Well, it seems I must be going, perhaps you would like to discuss upon this subject later?" she spoke up, getting ready to head to the platform.
Naruto grimaced, chalking up his own strange feelings to be just nerves. "No, Penny, I'm sure it's nothing," he sighed, although he didn't exactly believe his own words. But he had to get back to work as well, seeing as how he was the one put in charge of monitoring the Arena's systems.
The Orange girl nodded, believing him, "Then I must go, we will see each other shortly," she told him, giving him a mock salute as she did so.
But, as she walked away, the feeling within his chest didn't go away. No, it only grew, tenfold, increasing in size and magnitude. Something was telling him, that if he didn't stop this fight now…
He wouldn't see Penny ever again.
XXX
"What! No… it can't be!"
"That's impossible… how?"
"P-Penny…"
He couldn't believe it.
Penny… she was dead.
Lying along the Arena's floor for what seemed like hours.
Her arms were ripped to pieces. Her midsection was severed completely from her torso.
All the while, those color lifeless green orbs stared out at him, what life and joy they once held in them were utterly gone.
A hole in his chest is all that remained.
Why has this happened?
What made Pyrrha use that polaric blast so severe? The girl couldn't have intended this, could she?
And if not? Who…
XXX
Months later.
In the Months passed since Vale's destruction and the wake of the Vytal festival, his workload hadn't gotten any better. From coming up with new systems from the ones that had been hacked by the Atlesian knights, to coming up with new defenses to stop the same thing that had happened in their nearby fallen kingdom.
The world was a complete mess, as in all actuality, so was he, and so was Pietro. The man was… he had confined himself back to his laboratory, having gone no contact with anyone that cared about him in favor of working on whatever he had been doing. In all actuality, he had probably been mourning. Penny was like a daughter to him, and since her loss, well, they hadn't been the same.
He was similar in that regard, as his and Penny's relationship, well… it hadn't been strictly a scientist and his creation. He didn't know what they had been, but it was all too late now, as she was utterly gone, reduced to the lifeless scrap metal she had once been
The P.E.N.N.Y. project had been deemed a failure, overstepped in the wake of new projects made to combat the elusive and dangerous grim. Especially considering, they seemed to have some kind of organized leader.
He wasn't stupid, and after listening to the message given after Vale's invasion he realized that everything was far too coincidental. The white fang, the mysterious black queen, and the giant grim attack had not been seen at such a massive scale since the kingdom's formation. It was all too convenient, did that mean the white fang had planned it all… perhaps? But unlikely, and if they had the power to control grim, why would they work with humans? He had seen footage of the elusive Roman Torchwick working with them. A middleman, perhaps. That option was more than likely, and he didn't doubt for a second someone else had managed to find the power to control Grim.
But who? Who would orchestrate Penny's death? And why? Well, he knew why, it was to gain chaos, to elicit a message straight to his home kingdom of Atlas, perhaps even an indication that they were on their list too as a potential target, the same as Vale and now Haven. He wouldn't allow that to happen. He needed to prepare his country for such an outcome, stuff that Ironwood had already instructed him to do. That meant he needed time, time to do so, something he currently didn't have enough of within the day.
Idly, he did notice someone entering his workshop, a familiar face, he just didn't care who it was, as he didn't even face him. "Naruto, my boy, it seems you've been working quite a lot lately," an elderly voice spoke, marveling at just what was within his workshop. It seemed to be a plethora of models, blueprints, prototypes, everything within the large white-room walls that had once been empty.
"What do you want, Pietro?" Naruto asked, his voice a lot colder than he had once been. So much so that it surprised the aged man, although he had supposed a lot had happened in the past few weeks. Maybe a part was his doing, as well, as he had shut himself off almost entirely in the spur of his goal, but he had come to fix his mistake.
"I came to see how you were doing, I've heard a lot of good things about you," he spoke, though it was not entirely a lie. Naruto was a new and up-and-coming scientist within Atlas's ranks, especially since Ironwood seemed to favor him. And in doing so he had risen the ranks as well.
He was proud of the boy, don't get him wrong, but he could tell just by looking at him that he wasn't doing well. His eyes were darkened, with circles around his eyes, all as if he hadn't had sleep in a while,
"Yeah, well you told me that, now I'm busy, why don't you go back to your lab as well?" Naruto suggested, pushing him off, and Pietro could see he was testing a new dust compound.
But it seemed the old man was persistent, "Look, Naruto, about the P.E.N.N.Y. Project, I—" he tried to say,
"Enough about the P.E.N.N.Y. Project!" Naruto interrupted angrily, accidentally crushing an empty beaker within his palms, the shards of glass pressing into his skin, and despite his aura, it caused him to start to bleed. Naruto grimaced, realizing what he was doing, as he reached for a nearby towel to help wipe off his now red-stained hands.
"Look, the P.E.N.N.Y. Project was never meant to succeed, I suggest you accept that, It'll be easier that way." Who killed her the first time would never let her live, especially if they were coming after Atlas once again.
Pietro didn't see it that way. "But it doesn't have to be that way, the project—"
Naruto wasn't having any of it, "Don't do that… don't give me hope," he told him, his voice far more vulnerable than he had initially intended.
Pietro's eyes softened, behind Naruto's more determined and hard-working exterior was a far more damaged boy. Living on the streets of Mantle had done that to him. He had grown up far lonelier than he seemed, and he was the first real connection with people he had ever made. And truthfully the boy hadn't been able to keep on that same track when it came to human interaction. Always immersing himself in his work rather than meeting new people.
And he'd left him for months, of course, he would feel lost within himself.
Feeling no small amount of guilt, he sighed an idea coming to him as he did so. "Look Naruto, will you at least let me show you something, if you want, I will leave?" He requested.
"Old man, I don't have time for you—" he tried to say, turning to face the man. But as he came to look at his kind eyes, he froze. He could tell this meant something to the man, so he would entertain him for a moment. "Alright, fine, but after I want you to leave," he told him.
"It's all I can ask, I suppose," Pietro told him, pulling out a tablet he had, as he got close to him.
Naruto was wondering just the old man was doing.
But, as he saw the recording Pietro showed him, he was surely surprised.
XXX
-Test 1-
"Hello, this is Naruto Uzumaki, and this is the first test of the P.E.N.N.Y. Project's robotic frame," his own spoke, well not him. A younger version of him, he realized, from when he was designing Penny's robotic body.
"Hello, I am P.E.N.N.Y." A robotic voice spoke, testing out the girl's voice capabilities.
Before a high-pitched ringing engulfed his ears, disrupting the camera's recording.
"Stop, stop, stop, stop!" Naruto panicked and shut down Penny's body before the recording ended.
-Test 7-
"The seventh test, of my robotics project," he spoke, still enthused.
"Hello, I am P—" before the girl's arms started to malfunction, attacking him, as he was forced to cut the recording.
-Test 33-
"Naruto Uzumaki, again, and this is the thirty-third test, of Penny's robotic frame…" he trailed off, his appearance a far cry from its usual state. His hair was disheveled, bags covering his eyes, almost as he looked now.
But, as he turned on the machine, the lights cut out, and his lab's power instantly shut down.
A sign could be heard, as he turned on a flashlight, inspecting Penny's body and wondering just what had gone wrong.
Even still, determination lit high eyes, "I'm not giving up on you. You might not understand this yet, but people need you, let's get back to work " he spoke to Penny's body. Although it was more a message to himself than anything. He would prove Pietro right in putting his faith in him, and he would complete the project the world needed. Making the best and most beautiful robot the world has ever seen.
-Test 84-
"This is, uhh… Naruto Uzumaki and this is the… eighty-fourth test," he spoke, his voice tired, as he rubbed his neck, looking at his own sign for confirmation. "What do you say, Penny?" He inquired, before he started the project up, not expecting anything.
"Salutations, my name is P.E.N.N.Y." The voice of Penny spoke, and with each word, Naruto grew more and more surprised.
"It works," he stated, not believing it for a second, before instantly his face brightened, becoming filled with energy as he danced around the room. "It works! This is amazing. You… you work!" He exclaimed nearly kissing Penny's frame in excitement.
"I knew it! I knew it! I can't believe it, I can't—" he tried to say, before calming himself down from his adrenaline rush, hours of hard work finally paying off. But first, he had to test a few things, "Alright, scan me," he said, lowering his arms at his side.
P.E.N.N.Y.'s sensors did just that, her lifeless eyes looking at him with nothing but an analytic expression. "Your behavior levels are… elevated. This indicates you are happy," it spoke.
Naruto smiled as bright as the sun, "I am! I really am! Now do a few movements!" He instructed as Penny did just that. Moved each of her joints and fingers just to show everything was working properly. She even tested her thrusters as well, giving just a few inches above the air,
"This is amazing!" He sounded. "Oh, wait until the world sees you. You'll help so many people, I just know it…" he told her, looking at Penny with full confidence.
The girl would do great things…
As the recording ended.
XXX
Naruto looked at the screen contemplatively and without emotion. And in the end, he was just left confused, "Pietro, why are you showing me this?" He questioned, did this man want to show him all of his failures, or did he want to show him the success he once held? Only for it to come crashing down upon him.
But Pietro saw something he didn't, and that was Naruto's dedication and downright love for the project. He wanted to help change the world, wanted to make a lot of people proud.
But now? He sounded so broken, so defeated. The Naruto that stood before him was a far cry from his usual self.
"Because, Naruto, you care about this project. You've worked hard on it, and you cared about Penny, and you—" the old man tried to speak.
"And I should know when the project won't work, it can't…" Naruto interrupted, his voice filled with more emotion than he intended. As he turned away, no longer being able to meet the man who helped raise him in the eyes. "Just go, Pietro… just go," he couldn't handle the reminder once again, immersing himself in his work seemed to help in that regard.
"Naruto, don't act like you don't care, we both know you do," Pietro tried to say, trying to get Naruto to see things differently.
"Don't say that I don't care!" Naruto shouted, perhaps louder than he had intended. "I cared so much for her…" he admitted, grasping into his heavily beating chest, trying to just calm himself down.
Remembering just what his fellow scientists had said. "Y'know, they say that Penny was revolutionary, a heard of her time, and so life-like. Even Ironwood said she felt like a real girl…" he told Pietro, they both knew it to be true.
Before Naruto took a deep breath, "But… but she was real to me, like a real person, and the first time I've ever connected with someone. I think… I think I loved her," he admitted. He didn't know when it first began, didn't even know the feeling of love. But ever since he had caught sight of Penny since her creation she had been all that was on his mind. Getting to know the girl and her more energetic attitude only seemed to increase his feelings.
And ever since her death, he had felt like he had lost a piece of him. Like a limb had been severed from him, only more so, as if his heart had been ripped out of him. Leaving only a hollow hole in his chest.
Pietro's eyes widened as well, he had known Naruto had cared a great deal for his Pseudo-daughter, but learning that his practical son had loved the girl. Well, that changed things.
Shwooom!
The two's attention had been directed straight at the lab's entrance as the metallic door slid open, reaching who had been hiding beneath.
He heard a familiar voice speak to him as well, "Naruto? I-I…" Naruto's eyes widened.
While her orange curly hair was slightly longer, her eyes slightly bigger, and her dresses' archaic features slightly more pronounced they were there, and utterly apparent. And he knew exactly who it was that he was seeing.
He was in utter disbelief. "I-I… Penny, y-you—" he couldn't believe it, he had watched her die, seen it countless times.
But his words seemed to die in his throat, as the girl walked up towards him, a slight flush on her cheeks. She silently hugged him, laying his head on his chest. Naruto froze, unable to comprehend what was happening, and it was like he was seeing a ghost. Eventually, he grasped onto her back as well, happy to be reunited with the girl.
As she hugged onto him even harder, nearly crushing him with her robotic strength. "Naruto! I am so happy to see you again!" She chirped, barely containing her excitement.
"Penny… I'm happy to see you too… but can you please ease off on the super strength?" Naruto requested, slightly strained.
"Oh? Sorry!" Penny flushed out of embarrassment, she always forgot how fragile other people could be. Naruto chuckled, this was exactly like the girl.
Before Penny remembered what exactly she had heard from the blonde. "Naruto?" She spoke up, her face blushing, as she wasn't able to meet him in the eye.
"Huh? Penny, what is it?" He asked confused.
"I am very grateful for your sudden love confession, it makes me very happy," she admitted, Naruto realizing just how much the girl heard. Before doubts seemed to plague Penny's mind. "Were you… were you perhaps telling the truth?" She inquired, if he wasn't she would understand. Even if it would hurt her.
Naruto looked at her, seeing her face, realizing just how beautiful she seemed, inside and out. Yes, this girl seemed entirely real to him, exactly like the Penny he had known previously.
"Yeah, Penny… I was telling the truth," he told her honestly. The hole within his heart disappeared completely the moment he laid eyes upon her.
"Sensational!" Penny's voice cheered. "We can go on dates, go eat dinner… can we even kiss?" She questioned, her eyes widening.
Naruto flushed slightly, although he wasn't opposed to such an outcome. "Yes, Penny, if you would like…" he told her.
As Penny's eyes lit up in delight, "Really? Like, right now?!" She asked,
Naruto flushed even more, "Penny, I— Mpft!" He tried to say, before Penny's lips graced his own.
The girl's excitement was too much for her, as she pulled back. "Sorry, it seems I couldn't control myself," she admitted.
Naruto smiled, "It's fine, Penny, I'm just glad you're back," he told her, once again hugging the girl as well.
Penny did the same, but not before saying, "Naruto, I love you too," she admitted, happy to see Naruto as well.
Pietro smiled at the scene, happy with the two's discovery.
He had to pull some strings, but over the past few months, he had been able to gather the much-needed supplies to build Penny back up again. He had to sacrifice his other leg, too, but that was a small cost for his daughter.
He could tell Naruto cared for her as well, he could tell, Naruto was like a son to him, after all, he knew how he felt.
Penny cared for him too.
But in the wake of her new life came the memories of her old one. She felt… disappointed with herself, thinking that Naruto would be disappointed with herself and she thought Naruto would be disappointed with her too.
He needed to get the two to talk to each other, and so he dragged his daughter figure here. Getting Naruto to admit his feelings has been hard, but, worthwhile in the end.
The two would make a fine couple, they cared for each other, in ways nobody else could.
He could tell the two would face many challenges, but they would have each other, and that would be enough.
The End.
An: To quote Micheal Scott "I feel like all my kids grew up and then they married each other… it's every parent's dream." I feel that quote is accurate.
Just a short little one-shot I thought of considering how well I like Galatea from Fate/Go, nothing to really make of it.
Also, although I haven't really caught up on the newer seasons of RWBY, I have seen some bits. And, seeing what happens to Penny, I can't quite agree with what they did with her.
Which is pretty much added to my option in what they do with everything else.
Not really much else to say.
Please Leave me lots of reviews and whatnot.
Inspirations: Greek/Roman mythos tale of 'Galatea and King Pygmalion'
'Big Hero 6' with Tadashi's relationship to Baymax
'Avengers: Endgame' with Hawkeye's developement