Chapter Text
Penny had been briefed about the situation, and it was decided (against Ironwood’s wishes) that she be sent to what remained of Doctor Merlot’s Island and to search for team RWBY. Just to ensure that no organic contaminants could damage her. While RWBY had been supplied with Gasmasks their final message had warned that it didn’t work.
After that all communication had stopped, save for a warning to not return.
Penny weighed the pros and cons as she landed on the island. Pro: She would possibly encounter friend-Ruby. She was demonstrating that she has a personal friendship with a human being, and that she was somewhat normal. Con: Ruby could be dead. Which was not quite like how she could die and decomposition would ensure that she could not be… reused.
Which was sort of a gray area as far as she understood.
Still she tried not to think about it; focusing on the positives was what Ruby would tell her to do after all!. Speaking of which she noticed that the area was quiet; She had arrived at the docks which looked like they had minimal combat damage; a few scorch marks, bullet holes that some programs in her head calculated to be just right for either Crescent Rose and Gambol Shroud.
She tried to ignore the remains of the robots; non sapient as they were, and more importantly working for an enemy.
The Island was connected to the CCT network, so she would be… fine. She hoped. She didn’t want to test it.
“There is nothing notable so far.” She said aloud. “It seems team RWBY had a minor shuffle on the docks and continued forwards.”
“Is there anything in the air?” A voice, Ironwood, asked over comms.
“No sir. I do not sense anything.”
“Well… then continue to follow the trial, should any remain, and then venture into the Lab. Remember to secure the Data before it falls into enemy hands.”
“Yes sir…”
Penny didn’t question the order; she wasn’t sure what ‘enemy hands’ even meant in this case given that this island only had Grimm and runaway security robots, neither of which could use this data… then again there was that security breach and occasional discussions her father had with the team on ‘Grimm Combatants’.
The Island was… dusty. She didn’t like little D-dust; it took forever to clean out of her body, but she didn’t worry about it too much. Merlot picked an island that was deserted and habitable only by those who, for some reason, liked dusty deserts with orange trees.
Note: Do not ask if Blake Stayed because it reminded her of Menagerie. Potentially offensive.
She hoped that they had chosen to stay at least…
—--
The Island proved to be mostly quiet She followed the trail and found that it led directly to a large building in the geographical center. Convenient! She passed all sorts of battle scenes that nature was already attempting to retake… though what did disturb her were the well-entrenched Grimm pools and the strange green material that she had managed to find. Something only found on this island (the material, sadly grimm pools were not uncommon…).
She gathered the Material for research purposes (well, for others to) and continued on inside the building. She could see in the dark just fine but when she entered she found the place surprisingly well-lit. “It seems that Doctor Merlot is not environmentally focused.”
“Unusual… the signal from this point onwards will likely weaken, establish comms as soon as you are finished.”
“Yes sir.”
Penny however was happy not to have Ironwood in her head for a bit; after all that meant if-When she found Ruby they could talk. She could always say that the data took longer to ensure retrieval in the worst case!
A noise ahead brought her attention back to her current situation. Floating Array was ready but the confined space worried her, just a bit…
Well, she’d cross that bridge when she got there, as the saying goes.
She ventured forwards, through the halls, seeing that RWBY had been through here; lots of broken machinery and the remains matching those found at the docks and other areas.
But still, the island was eerily quiet save for her footsteps. Though she began to have… a feeling.
She couldn’t prove this feeling but she felt like she was being watched by something. She suppose this was something she felt rather then was fed to her by her programmed senses… this was real.
She paused in a decently sized are; the roof was high, the walls were spread out… and looked.
“S-Salutations?” She asked aloud.
Her voice echoed and echoed…
She was wasting time but- “RWBY? RUBY? ARE YOU HERE? ARE YOU OKAY? ARE YOU SERIOUSLY INJURED?”
She paused as the echos died down. “Oh…” Penny looked down. She couldn’t cry but the realization hit her all the same…
“... Penny?”
Penny gasped and turned to see…
It looked like Blake; though Penny was sure her eyes didn’t glow green, nor had she had a smile quite as… alarming. Her skin was pale as well, and purplish-black hair covered her head. Her Faunus ears maneuvered as they usually would, free from the bow.
She also didn’t have arms, save for two tentacles that ended in sharp-red structures.
“Oh hello Blake… I assume this is… uh…”
Blake chuckled. Her voice was rough, though Penny supposed she no longer needed to drink…
“... we told you to stay away.”
—-
Log 1
Ruby Rose stood in front of the Camera
Ruby: We managed to stop the island from exploding! Dr. Merlot isn’t here though but we found something… weird.
*Camera moves to show Grimm in large tubes.
Ruby: We already knew that he was making Grimm even more dangerous for some reason
Yang*offscreen*: because he’s an idiot!
Ruby *ignoring her sister*: We’re still investigating to make sure that we aren’t missing anything. We’re doing fine so far.
Log 2
Ruby, looking a bit worse for wear stumbling into the scene.
Ruby: We found something in the deeper parts of the lab. He was doing stuff with Grimm liquid, injecting the green stuff into it. We… got sprayed with it.
*she pauses, looking down at her feet.*
Ruby: We know we’re not supposed to drink the stuff but we’re not sure why he sprayed us with it. We think it might have been a security system for something important…. We uh, we’re waiting to see if *her voiced cracked* If we’re fine. Everyone’s playing the blame game but we were too quick… too
*She began to cough*
Ruby: I think… I think I need to lie down…
Log 3
Yang and Weiss are arguing in the background as Blake takes the camera.
Blake *Strained*: “Ruby collapsed last night and hasn’t woken up. She’s still moving, twitching, and… and screaming but she isn’t responding. Yang and Weiss are arguing over her right now and I think I heard them getting ready to fight more than once.
*her face turns to a contorted, strained smile*
Blake: I think… I think we’re not going to make it. We should have let the island blow up… Ruby wanted to bring Merlot to justice but i.. *yawn* i don’t think we’ll be doing muuu-”
*She collapses. Yang, stopping the argument running to her side.
Yang: Blake? Wake up! Blake? BLAKE!!!!
Log 4
Weiss Schnee was breathing steadily, but under a lot of pressure.
Weiss: This is… the last message we can say. We sent an emergency message yesterday warning others to avoid the island but if you violated that message then… I suppose you’re braver then most. This place… it’s not just the Grimm fluid. This place was made to convert others to the Grimm… that would explain why we did not find Merlot’s body.
*her face scrunches up*
Weiss: I… I don’t know what will happen; Ruby has mutated, so has Blake… I’m not sure if they’re still themselves… I never expect to… to die like this but if you find this; Tell Winter I love her, Inform Ruby’s parents and… Blake’s if you know them.
*her face became serene*
Weiss: Until we… meet… again
—--
Penny watched with some trepidation each of the logs.
“I’m sorry.”
Ruby smiled despite herself. “We know.”
She had been changed, so had Yang and Weiss. Blake stood at the entrance of the room they called their den; camping supplies like Sleeping bags were there, though they did not sleep, not anymore.
Ruby’s greenish-gold eyes stared at Penny in a way Penny had only in people looking at food. “I’m… happy you decided to come but isn’t Ironwood-”
“Special request from Ozpin.” Penny replied. “I wonder why but perhaps he suspects your… condition?’
Yang growled, before chomping down on the glowing green mutagenic rocks. It kept them under control… and Yang needed it more. “Shouldn’t have sent us then the old ba-”
“Who could have known?” Ruby interrupted, scowling at her sister. “Besides, I think we have bigger problems than why he didn’t just…”
Weiss sighed. “My family might have been interested in seeing if we are still alive at least. Perhaps Winter asked for a favor as well… better that she have hope then to think I’m no longer here…”
Penny nodded. “I… do need to get the Data from this place.”
“You want to end up like this too?” Blake asked, a little amused.
Ruby nodded. “Well, no sense in holding the secret; Penny is a robot.”
Weiss was about to say something but closed her mouth and closely studied Penny. “... hmm. I had read rumors and given my… condition I don't think I have room to judge.”
Blake laughed. “Well at least you learned something….”
“Do not joke about this…” Weiss said under her breath.
Penny then came to another realization. “... What are you going to do? I have to return to Beacon and…”
Ruby looked to her team before turning. “... We don’t want to hurt people, and the island is the only place with the green rocks so we figured that we’d remain here, slaying grimm… but we’re not sure if we want to get in contact because-”
“We’re pretty sure we’re gonna be killed on sight.”
“Yang!”
Blake nodded. “She’s right you know…”
Penny frowned. “But you cannot die, you're alive and… you aren’t a normal Grimm…”
Ruby chuckled, looking down. “W-Well… I think that's’ because of the rocks around us. It makes me feel weird and… and lazy. I Dunno why but i think that, in the worst case scenario if we leave someone is gonna get hurt and… well, Grimm so…”
Penny shook her head. “I… I don’t want to believe that! You’re my friend!”
Ruby put her hands on her shoulder. “I know… I just… I just don’t want to hurt anyone. Whatever happens, we’ll stay here. Do your mission, Okay Penny?”
A thought occurred to her. “Oh, and if you don’t mind… could you take Crescent Rose back to Beacon?”
Penny tilted her head. “... Of course, friend Ruby. I will be happy to fulfill any request.”
Ruby grinned. “Thank you. Here, let me show you the way to the computer systems.”
And Penny went with Ruby.
Blake watched them pass.
“Do you think they’ll really kill us?”
“Probably, but Penny will go in our favor.”
Yang snorted, but she smiled. “My sister is friends with a robot… I guess if anyone could get us out of this it would be Ruby’s friend…
—--
“-And that's everything that happened on the Island.” Penny hiccupped.
Ironwood and Ozpin considered the information. Ozpin leaned in. “Interesting… Thank you Miss Polendina. I’ll be sure to notify their parents…”
Ironwood frowned. “We lost contact with you for some time… perhaps we should look at your-”
“No. I assure you she’s perfectly fine.” Ozpin said, making the General pause.
Penny walked out of the room, smiling, before she took Crescent Rose and examined it again. She was allowed to keep the team’s weapons (Well, would, after clearing them.) But she had a bigger idea in mind…
All that remained was to see if she could pull it off…