Here we are at Chapter 4. Time to see exactly what Weiss' role in Ruby's dream is. I do not own RWBY. They belong to roosterteeth. Here's chapter 4. Enjoy.
Chapter 4: Night of the Songstress
The woman in white leaves the high tower of Beacon Castle when she is approached by one of the red knights.
The knight salutes her, "Commander, we have located Mistress Schnee. She is being escorted back to her post as we speak. She stated she wished to resume her duties," the knight explains.
"Good, Her Grace will enjoy that. It has been too long since she last heard Mistress Schnee's voice. What of Lady Belladonna and Captain Xiao Long?" the woman asks.
"Nothing as of yet. We're still searching for them," the knight replies.
"Find them, swiftly. Her Grace must not be interrupted, nor be placed in unnecessary danger. The grimm could attack at any time," the woman says.
The knight salutes again, "Understood, Commander!" and then the knight takes his leave.
The woman looks back up to the tower, "They will not disturb you, not while I am protecting you,"
…
"Hey, I've been wondering about what you said earlier. About how this room could be for both Ruby and Weiss," Yang drones out as they wait for Weiss to come back for them.
"Could you be more specific?" Blake replies.
"About how this is a bedchamber for the two of them, implying that in the dream, the two of them are very close. I just... I get that Ruby wanted to be friends with Weiss. She tried really hard for the two of them to get along in school, but this feels a... a bit of a stretch," Yang sits on the bed.
"Not unless it's love at first sight, and I'm not saying that's quite what this could be, even if it's just for Ruby. This dream is created by the Nightmare using Ruby's thoughts, fears, and beliefs. Everything here has meaning behind it. Besides Yang, you can't expect your sister to tell you everything single thing about her life. You've kept secrets from her, haven't you," Blake replies, peeking out the window.
Yang raises a finger, "That is... not entirely untrue," she sighs. "Maybe we can change topics. What roles do you think our counterparts play in this dream?"
"I overheard the knights. They called you a captain, so I assume you have some role among the knights or the military here if there is one. As for me, they referred to me as 'Lady' Belladonna. My first guess would be maybe an advisor or some handmaiden or something, but..." Blake looks at her outfit. "I don't think that's the case,"
"Yeah, you look like a ninja. Anyone can see that," Yang notes.
"Which is why I think my role is required more... in the shadows. Like a spy or a bodyguard who stays out of sight while protecting their charge. Though, some ninja work as assassins, but I can't bring myself to think that Ruby would put me in that kind of position," Blake theorizes.
"Okay, so exactly what role do you think Weiss has here?" Yang asks, getting curious.
Blake thinks with her chin in her hand, "That feels a bit more difficult to understand. Maybe a personal bodyguard, or her closest confidant, or even something... more. I don't know, that's just how I feel about this situation,"
Yang sighs and lays down on the bed, "Weiss better hurry up,"
…
After walking for a little while longer with the guards, Weiss is brought into a room. The room has an assortment of instruments on one side, a window in the back, and a magnificent white piano in the center.
"Drat! I don't see Ruby here! Just a bunch of instruments. Do they expect me to play them?!" Weiss tries to come up with a plan.
"Here are your instruments, Mistress Schnee. Her Grace has been starved of your music for some time. It would do her well if you would resume playing," one knight bows his head to her.
So they want her to play some music for Ruby? She could do that, but that still begs one question.
"I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure Ru-… Her Grace will hear my music from here? I want her to hear it, but I don't want it to distract her from her royal duties," Weiss asks.
"Not to worry, Milady. Her Grace will indeed hear your music Surely you haven't forgotten about those," the knight points to three pipes off on the other side of the room. The ends look like old-styled horns and go up into the ceiling. On each horn is one of her teammate's symbols. "Your music will be broadcasted to the rooms that only Her Grace would be in. She will hear your music. Now, if you'd please, Mistress Schnee," the knight gestures to the piano.
Weiss takes a breath and walks over to sit before the piano. She only needs to play long enough for the two knights to leave. Weiss scrolls through the pages, looking for a song to play.
"If Ruby can truly hear me playing, then... let's try... this?" Weiss stops on one song that caught her eye, though she decides to change the lyrics up a bit.
It should get Ruby's attention, and if Ruby can truly hear her, then Weiss wants her to know that she's not giving up on her.
"You two may leave. I want to play this song for Ruby alone, please," Weiss glances at the two knights.
"Mistress Schnee," the two knights bow their heads and exit the room.
Thinking of the new lyrics she has in mind, Weiss can't help but blush. However, she also feels that these are the right words to sing. The true words she needs to say to Ruby. Weiss sighs before she begins to play, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She starts playing the keys on the piano. In the bedchamber, Blake and Yang bolt up when they hear the music and look at the pipe coming out of the ceiling with Yang's symbol etched into it. In the high tower, the music is heard by a sleeping Ruby. Weiss takes a breath and then sings.
Standing in your ruins feels a lot like the end
So used to coldness, you're afraid to try again
Right now, all you see are ashes
Where there was a flame
Truth is that you're not forgotten
'Cause I know your name
I'll be there for you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
I'll be there for you
Even when you're lost and its hard and you're falling apart
I'll be there for you
It's not over, our story's begun
You're not done, I swear
'Cause I'll be there for
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
There's a warmth you don't notice
Until you're standing in the snow
And that's a strength that's growing
I just want you to know
Woah-oh-oh-oh
I'll be there for you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
I'll be there for you
Even when you're lost and it's hard and you're falling apart
I'll be there for you
It's not over, our story's begun
You're not done, I swear
'Cause I'll be there for
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
I'll be there for
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
We got a plan, this is part of it
Our team will finish what we started
We got a plan, this is part of it
Our team will finish what we started
I'll be there
I'll be there to heal your true heart
Yes, I'll be there
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
I'll be there for you
Even when you're lost and it's hard and you're falling apart
I'll be there for you
It's not over, our story's begun
You're not done, I swear
'Cause I'll be there for
You, You
I'll be there to heal your true heart
Yes, I'll be there
I'll be there for you
Weiss finishes the song. It's only when she's done does she notice that she's crying. For so long, whenever she sang, it was either for herself to vent her feelings, or it was some song that her father chose for her because he believed it would make the most money. It has been a long time since she sang a song that wasn't about her. A song that was genuinely for someone else. A song that she put her innermost feelings into, even feelings she didn't know she had or misunderstood. She takes out the white rose emblem, staring at it and then holding it to her chest. However, she can't dwell on that. She has a mission to complete. Up in the high tower, Ruby's hand twitches after hearing the song, and a single tear falls from her eye. Weiss opens up a door for Blake and Yang, who enter when it opens.
"Wow, Weiss, I have to admit, that was beautiful," Yang compliments her singing.
"I think so too. I could feel the emotion you put into that song," Blake adds.
Weiss blushes out of embarrassment, "L-L-Look, that's not important right now. The guards are gone, so we have an opening. Those pipes lead to three possible rooms where Ruby could be," she points to the pipes.
"Well, we heard your song from the bedchamber, so that's one down," Yang jots down one finger.
"That leaves two other rooms. It looks like we can figure out which is which based on the symbols, but we don't know where they are. The pipes go into the ceiling and we don't have a way to trace them," Blake notes.
Weiss inspects the pipes, "If we can just figure out where these pipes lead, then we can split up and search those locations. But, how can we track them? Do we just go up into the ceiling?"
"I could help with that," Yang smashes her fists together.
"I'd rather we don't make a lot of noise right now. The less attention we have on us the better," Blake says, making Yang pout that she doesn't get to smash stuff.
"Maybe we're thinking too hard on this," Weiss says.
"How'd you figure that?" Yang cocks an eyebrow.
"This is a castle, in what's basically a fairytale world. And in this world, Ruby is basically royalty. Where would you normally find royalty in a castle, or even a sleeping princess if you want to be that dramatic?" Weiss asks.
"Either their bedchambers, a throne room, or a room in a high tower. Those are my best bets for where Ruby could be," Blake says.
"Okay, but who goes where?" Yang asks.
"I think we should stick together. Just in case. We've already crossed off the bedchambers, so let's start with the throne room, and then the high tower. Hopefully, Ruby is at one of those locations," Weiss suggests.
"Alright, let's do it," Yang nods.
The trio slowly open the door to the room to peek out. Luckily, they don't see any guards around. Using this chance, they sneak out and begin moving towards the throne room. Much to their confusion, they don't notice any attendants, maids, advisors, or other nobles in the castle. Just red knights on patrol. Well, at least that means there's less prying eyes around. Moving from hall to hall, the team get closer to the throne room. They come to a set of large doors and Yang pushes them open. They find themselves in the throne room, just as they hoped. The room is decorated with red roses. Behind the elaborate black and red throne are three statues of Weiss, Blake, and Yang, with Weiss at the center directly behind the throne. On the walls are portraits of each member of Team RWBY. However, the one thing their looking for, their team leader, is nowhere to be seen.
"Ruby's not here," Blake notes.
Weiss clenches her fists, "Drat! Then we move to the high tower, now!"
"I think not," they hear and look up just as a woman in a white cloak drops down between them and the throne. "Abandoning your duties yet again, Mistress Schnee. I'm terribly disappointed in you,"
"Weiss, is this-," Blake takes out her katana.
"Yes, the woman from before," Weiss draws her rapier.
Yang, however, stares frozen at the woman, "It... It can't be,"
"Yang, what's wrong?" Blake asks her partner.
"And you, Lady Belladonna and Captain Xiao Long. How could you turn your backs on your charge... on your own sister? How you have fallen so far," the woman says while taking out her axe.
Yang gasps, "No... it can't be,"
"Yang!" Blake yells.
"I will protect her, no matter who stands in my way," the woman's hood falls off, revealing a head with short black hair with red tips, and Silver Eyes. "I will make you understand your mistakes," the woman is revealed to be Summer Rose, Ruby and Yang's mother, her cloak opening up to reveal a black dress with a short skirt, lightweight chest armor, stockings, armored boots, and gauntlets underneath the cloak.
Yang's eyes shake with shock, "...Mom?"
"Wait... that's your mom?" Weiss looks between the two.
Suddenly, Summer shoots over to them, a flurry of white petals behind her. She swings her axe, forcing the three to jump back. Summer goes after Weiss first, swinging her axe as the heiress switches her chamber to ice Dust. Their two weapons clash, but Weiss finds herself on the defensive again, even as Summer's weapon starts to get coated in ice. Summer kicks her to the side, then jumps way when Blake comes in with her blades. Blake tries to get a hit in, but Summer expertly deflects and parries each strike, twirling her axe around so the barrel aims at Blake's chest. She fires a shot, knocking Blake back to the ground. Just before she can slam her axe down on the Faunus, Yang comes in and blocks the attack by crossing her gauntlets before her.
"Stay away from her!" Yang growls.
"You wound me, Yang, and your sister. How could you betray her? Do you intend to abandon her?" Summer asks.
Yang finds herself being forced back. To see her mother speak so harshly to her, even if in a dream... It terrifies her.
"N-No, I'd never leave Ruby behind. I would never become like-like-," Yang can't finish as Summer swings her axe, sending Yang flying back.
Summer glances to the side, seeing Weiss conjure several glyphs to fire off energy bolts at her. Summer jumps and spins around the shots, moving closer to her. Weiss creates a glyph and jumps above her, switching her chamber to fire Dust. Swinging her rapier, she sends out a wave of fire at her. Summer jumps over the flames, swinging her axe up at Weiss. Weiss jumps away with another glyph, and the axe hits the wall instead. Blake turns her blades into their shuriken form and throws it at Summer. Summer aims her rifle behind her and pulls the trigger, hitting the shuriken off course. Blake pulls back on her ribbon to get her weapon back and separates it back into its dual sword form.
"She's so strong!" Blake notes.
"Yang, we need your help here! Yang!" Weiss shouts.
Yang shakes her head, but her hands are still shaking, "R-Right, I'm sorry! It's just-,"
Summer attacks Yang again, swinging her axe in a flurry of attacks at the blonde. Yang blocks them with her gauntlets, but can't find an opening for a counterattack. Worse, she can't find the strength to strike her own mother. Summer kicks Yang in the stomach, knocking her back again. Just as Summer goes for another attack, Blake intervenes and blocks the strike with her katana.
"Tell me, what kind of mother would try to harm her own daughter, huh? Hurting one to protect the other. That doesn't sound like being a good mother to me. Real mothers protect their children, all of them. They guide them, love them, and make them smile! So, what gives you the right to attack Yang?!" Blake yells.
"Blake..." Yang mutters in awe.
"I will protect her from any who would wish harm upon her. Those who abandon their duties, abandon her, are no different. Besides, I do love my daughters. And that is why I must discipline them when the time calls for it. Yang has done something very bad, and naughty children must be punished for it," Summer says.
"Get over yourself!" Weiss comes in, thrusting her rapier at Summer.
Summer leans her back to dodge it, then spins her axe around to parry attacks from both Weiss and Blake. Weiss stabs her rapier into the floor, creating a black glyph beneath Summer's feet. Blake uses this chance to attack her left flank, but Summer parries the strike, forcing Blake to crash into Weiss and freeing herself from the black glyph. Summer goes after them as they try to get up, but Yang flies in and smashes her fist into the floor separating them. Weiss then uses this chance to create a wall of ice to block Summer's path. Just then, several red knights appear, brandishing their scythes.
"Oh come on!" Yang pouts.
"Yang, deal with the knights. We'll deal with your mom," Blake says.
"What?! But-," Yang hesitates.
"Do you have it in you to fight your mom?!" Blake yells, shutting her down. "Even if it's the Nightmare's work, you can't bring yourself to fight her. I can see it. But the knights, you CAN face them. Weiss and I will figure something out. Please, buy us some elbow room here," Blake says.
Yang slowly nods her head and runs at the knights. She shoots past two of them swinging around to throw a pair of haymakers to knock them back before facing the rest. Meanwhile, Blake throws two of her coins, turning them into decoys. As Summer breaks through the ice wall, she spots the decoys first and goes after them. Swinging her axe, she slices through both in seconds. Blake comes at her rear with her katana, swinging at her back. Summer twirls her axe around, blocking the strike behind her. She back kicks Blake away, but Weiss sends out several fireballs at the older woman. Summer jumps back to evade them, firing her rifle at Weiss. Weiss conjures a glyph to block the bullets, while Blake fires her pistol at Summer. Back with Yang, she ducks under a swing from one knight's scythe and throws an uppercut into his skull. Turning around, she throws a pair of hooks at two more coming at her backside. Yang jumps up and fire off a few shots at a few more knights, sending them flying. Landing, Yang looks back, seeing her teammates fighting a dream version of her mother, and hating herself for how useless she feels right now.
Back with Weiss and Blake, the pair cry a cross-combo at Summer, but she manages to move her axe around and block both of their attacks together.
"I'm very disappointed in you two. You, Blake, said you would protect Ruby from the shadows. Despite your past sins, Ruby opened her hands to you in friendship and trust. It didn't matter to her that you were a Faunus, or what crimes you committed in the past. She felt she could trust you. Any who would come for her from the darkness; you would be there waiting for them," Summer says, freezing Blake for a moment. "But Weiss; you're even worse. Ruby treasures you so greatly. Does she truly mean that little to you?"
"Ruby... treasures me?" Weiss mutters, confused.
"Nevertheless, I will protect Ruby from any who would harm her, and ensure she has a peaceful slumber. Even those whom she cares about so much will not receive mercy from me. Don't underestimate a mother's fury," Summer says.
She knocks them back by swinging her axe, then hooking the blade around Weiss' left ankle. She swings the younger girl around into Blake, sending them both crashing into a wall.
"Weiss... we have to leave the dream, now!" Blake struggles to get up.
"W-We can't! We still have to free Ruby!" Weiss doesn't want to quit just yet.
"We can't win here, Weiss! We have to regroup, or else we'll never save Ruby!" Blake retorts.
"But-," Weiss hesitates.
Summer comes at them while they argue, but a puff of blonde hair falls down, smashing their fist in the ground in between them. The smoke falls to reveal Yang as their savior.
Yang looks back at them, "Weiss, I get it. I want to save Ruby too! She's my sister, for Oum's sake. But..." She looks back at Summer as she readies her axe. "We're not ready for this... We have to leave and try again later. Please, Weiss, we have to-,"
"Yang, look out!" Blake yells.
Yang turns, just in time to see Summer swing her axe down on her, striking her across the chest.
…
In the real world, Yang's doll shows the mark on her body. The three girls are breathing heavily.
"Crap, this can't go on! I'm pulling them out," Shion says, typing 'wake' on her computer.
...
In the dream, Weiss and Blake catch Yang just as Shion pulls them out of the dream.
"They escaped," Summer mutters as several more knights appear. "Increase security. No one goes anywhere near Her Grace without my approval," she commands, to which the knights give her a salute.
In the high tower, the Nightmare's vines wrap around Ruby, its power going deeper into her.
And that's the chapter. Weiss, Blake, and Yang enter Ruby's dream, but are once again forced to retreat when confronted by the dream version of Yang and Ruby's mother, Summer Rose. Now, they must eventually dive back in, but will they succeed, or will Ruby fall into the clutches of the Nightmare completely? Until then, please Read and review.
P.S: The song I used in the chapter was based off of 'God's not Done with You' by Tauren Wells, so I do not own the original song. It belongs to Wells and his record company, Reunion Records. I wanted to use a song that had a good use of piano in it.