Here we are at Chapter 6. Time for the team to dive into Ruby's dream one more time. I do not own RWBY Ice Queendom. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 6. Enjoy.
Chapter 6: Garden of Chaos
"Ready yourselves, everyone. I shall now invite you all into the dream," Shion activates her semblance and transports Weiss, Blake, and Yang into Ruby's dream.
Inside the dream, the three find themselves back in the forest where they started before.
"Okay, so let's get this show on the road," Yang says.
"Right. It helped us to a degree last time. We just need to go even further. Let's head to the city," Weiss says.
Moving through the forest, the trio stick to the path they had before until they reach the cliff overlooking the city. Just as in previous visits, the city looks safe and okay. But, they know it's only a matter of time. They're counting on what comes next. Jumping down and reaching the gate into the city, they sneak their way in.
"So, everyone remember their parts for this step in the plan?" Weiss asks.
"Yep. We wait for the grimm to show up, take them down, make a show of it, and show the nights we're on their side," Yang says.
"Yang's role as a captain should be easy enough to convince. I can stick to the shadows for the time being, but the hard part will be Weiss. They will probably be suspicious that you're away from your post near Ruby," Blake says.
"We'll have to use Yang and Ruby's family ties to help with that. I'll use my position and tell them that Ruby was worried for her sister and sent me to provide support. The rest will be up to luck," Weiss replies.
Just then, they hear a howl in the distance and look to see the grimm appear on the cliff. They race down the cliffside towards the city. The trio nod to each other before separating. Blake sticks to the shadows while Yang takes the lead and Weiss stays further behind for support. Activating her gauntlets, Yang throws a right punch as soon as one grimm lunges at her, smashing its skull and sending it flying. Weiss conjures a few glyphs and sends out several ice shards, skewering a few more that run past Yang. The blonde jumps into the air, firing off a few shots at a group of grimm before smashing her fist into the ground, sending out a shockwave that knocks more back. Weiss slides across her glyphs, swinging her rapier around as she passes by a few grimm. Jumping into the air, Weiss conjures a few more glyphs and sends out a few fireballs at three more. Her blade encased in fire, Weiss swings her rapier around to slice through one grimm at her rear, followed by stabbing another through its skull, burning it alive. Yang throws an uppercut into ne Beowolf's chest to send it flying beyond the gate. She fires off another shot, busting through the chest of a second, and then throws a spinning back kick at one at her flank, followed up by a pair of hooks. As more grimm show up, the red knights appear to fight back against the grimm.
"Captain Xiao Long, what are you doing here?" one knight asks as they approach Yang.
"Stow it, knight. I'm her under Her Grace's orders to defend the city. You can either help me protect our home, or you can stay out of my way and just watch!" Yang barks back like a real captain.
"Y-Yes, sir! Men, support the captain. Drive back these monsters!" the knight gives her a quick salute before giving the rest their orders.
One notices Weiss as she stabs her rapier through a grimm, "Mistress Schnee, why are you away from the castle?!"
"Her Grace was concerned for her sister's safety considering the large number of grimm we've been seeing. She commanded me to provide support to Captain Xiao Long. I will follow my queen's orders. Are you not the same?" Weiss replies.
"But, shouldn't you be-," the knight asks, only to nearly get torn apart by a pouncing grimm were it not for Weiss firing an ice shard through its skull.
"Any further complaints?" Weiss gives the knight an icy glare.
"Uh, n-no complaints here, Mistress," the knight backs off and focuses on the battle.
With that out of the way, Yang and Weiss work with the knights to deal with the grimm. Blake watches from the shadows, worried for her friends. However, she knows that if she comes out now, the knights will definitely get suspicious if all three of them were away from Ruby at the castle. Yang gives out commands to the soldiers as they fight the grimm. Originally, she wouldn't have any idea how to do this stuff. Luckily, Weiss and Balke helped her out with that. It honestly feels weird to Yang. Not just the commanding part, but fighting alongside the knights. The last time they were here, Yang was busy fighting them and keeping them off of Blake and Weiss. After a few more minutes of fighting, the last of the grimm were defeated.
"Captain, the last of the grimm have been routed. The city is secure," one knight approaches Yang and gives her a salute.
Weiss approaches them, "Make sure there are no grimm directly outside the kingdom. We'll need to tend to any injured and assess the damages around the city as well,"
"Yes, understood, Mistress Schnee. But, please if you would-," the knight begins.
"I will return to the castle with Captain Xiao Long. Her Grace will want to be sure that her sister is unharmed," Weiss says.
"Of course. Please, allow us to provide you with an escort," the knight gives another salute before gathering a few knights to escort the two ladies back to the castle.
As they do, Blake watches them leave before following them. The knights provide Weiss and Yang with a pair of horses for travel and they head towards the castle. Blake sticks to the trees and foliage. Eventually, they reach the castle walls. The gate opens up for Weiss and Yang, while Blake sneaks in over the top of the wall thanks to her chain-scythe. Once she's over the wall, she quickly finds another hiding place and waits for Yang and Weiss to separate from the knights. They don't do so until Weiss and Yang are inside the castle interior. Once they are inside, they find themselves in an empty room, giving Weiss the chance to use a coin to create a door, while Yang contacts Blake on her scroll.
"Hey, Blake, it's Yang. We made a door for you. Find a safe spot to make one for yourself," Yang says before hanging up.
A moment later, the door opens up and Blake walks through.
"Hey, Blake, any trouble on your end?" Yang asks.
Blake shakes her head, "No, I wasn't seen. So far, so good. We should assume they know we're inside the castle by now. Do we move onto the next phase of the plan now?"
Weiss nods, "Yes, we know where Ruby is most likely being kept now. And I'll be the Nightmare is there too, guarding her. The red knights around here aren't that much of threat provided they don't overwhelm us with great numbers. The key will be holding off Negative Summer. Yang, are you sure you're up for this?"
"I screwed up last time. But I won't this time. Nothing is keeping me from making sure my sister is safe, even if it's some stupid grimm masquerading around as my mom. I'm ready this time," Yang cracks her knuckles.
"Then, I'll hold off the knights. But Weiss, that means you'll end up facing the Nightmare alone. Will you be okay?" Blake asks, concerned for her teammate.
"I don't have a choice. None of us do. We're going to save Ruby, no matter what. So, let's get this done and get our leader back," Weiss says, to which the other two nod.
The three move through the castle, careful to remain unseen. While the enemy may know they're here, that doesn't mean they don't know exactly where they are. They know where they need to go this time too. The high tower. Movin through the halls, they find that the high tower has only one clear access point: a bridge from the main building. They make it there without any issues. It's only when they finally reach it do the issues pop up. Standing in the middle of the bridge is Negative Summer, with a number of red knights behind her.
"I was wondering where you three were exactly. You still intend to forsake your duty and abandon Her Grace? I was wrong to think there was still hope for you all," Nega-Summer readies her axe, while the knights ready their scythes.
"That's where you're wrong, Mom-No... Negative Summer. We will never abandon Ruby," Yang cocks her gauntlets.
"That's right. Just as she's been there for each and every one of us, it's our turn to be there for her," Blake draws her katana.
"And I know my duty. And it's to save Ruby and atone for the sins I have committed against her. And no one is going to stop me," Weiss aims the tip of her rapier at Negative Summer.
Negative Summer narrows her eyes at them, "Very well. You have sealed your fate. Capture them, but hold nothing back. If you have to inflict harm upon them, then don't hesitate," she commands the knights.
The knights charge at the girls. Weiss conjures some glyphs and fires off some ice shards first. The shards fly and skewer a few knights that get too close. Yang and Blake race forth, the former throwing fist after fist to any walking red suit of armor that gets in her way. Blake flips over one knight while firing her pistol at a second. She lands on the shoulders of one, making a quick swing of her sheathe blade to take them down before jumping off and slashing her katana down on another. Weiss parries two strikes from two knights before stabbing her rapier into their chests. Switching to her wind Dust, Weiss creates a cyclone to blow a few more away that charge at her. But, as they fly away, Negative Summer makes her move and attacks her. Weiss dodges to the right thanks to her glyphs and Negative Summer smashes her axe into the bridge. Turning, Negative Summer fires her rifle at Weiss, who blocks the shots with a glyph. Just as Negative Summer goes at her again, a knight falls onto the ground in front of her. Looking over, she spots Yang running at her. Summer changes targets and goes after Yang instead. Jumping into the air, she swings her axe down on Yang, who meets the attack with a right cross. Both bolt back from the shockwave of the collision. Yang takes a few shots at Negative Summer, who twirls her axe around to block the shots before attacking the blonde again. Yang fires her gauntlets behind her to launch herself at the nightmare version of her mother. Throwing a left jab, Yang's fist meets Negative Summer's axe.
"I'm sure I raised you better than this, Yang. I still don't understand why you would abandon Ruby the way you are. Unless... you inherited that trait from her," Negative Summer notes.
For a moment, Yang freezes at the mention of that woman, the one that abandoned her after she was born. The one she's been searching for all this time. Negative Summer kicks her back before firing off a few more shots. Yang dodges one bullet before blocking the rest with her gauntlets. Summer attacks her again, but Yang blocks the axe by crossing her arms in front of her.
"No... You're wrong. I'm nothing like her. I'm not turning my back on my sister. I'm fighting for her. I'm fighting to save her. I am NOTHING like her!" Yang yells as she swings her arms out, forcing Negative Summer back.
Yang charges, throwing a pair of hooks followed by a right uppercut and a left jab. Summer blocks each strike, but Yang doesn't stop. She knows she needs to keep Negative Summer occupied for as long as possible. Meanwhile, Blake throws her shuriken, the spinning blades slicing through several red knights before her. She notices that when the armor falls into pieces, it turns out to be empty. There's no body inside; just an empty shell. Catching her shuriken, Blake uses her katana to block a strike from one knight before moving away with her semblance. Backflipping away, she jumps forth with her katana set. She slices the arms off of one knight, followed by cutting down another with a downward slash. Looking back, she sees more knights coming from the route they took to get here. Their numbers are growing. Blake knows she has to keep them off of Yang and Weiss. It wouldn't be the first time she's faced multiple foes by herself, but those situations were a little different. Three more approach her left flank, but a sudden gust of wind blows them all over the bridge. Blake looks as Weiss lands next to her.
"Are you okay?" Weiss asks, concerned.
Blake nods, "I'm okay. Weiss, go. We'll take care of things here. We'll buy you as much time as we can. Go save Ruby,"
Weiss nods in reply, "Thank you. Don't die on me," Weiss runs off to the tower.
Blake watches her go before turning back to face the new wave of knights coming at her. Back with Yang, she and Negative Summer deflect or block strikes from each other in a dance of death, neither looking to give any ground.
"In all my life, I never thought I'd be fighting someone that's basically Mom," Yang thinks as she fights. "Listening to her stories, whether it was the fairytales she read to Rubes and I when we were kids, or the missions she went out on sometimes. I always thought that she was a hero. In fact, she still is my hero. But right now, she's not someone I can admire. She's someone I have to beat. I have to surpass. It's time that I be Ruby's hero. Her big sister," Yang punches an axe strike away.
"You fight just like Tai. I believe your father would've taught you better than this. Were you slacking in your training, Yang?" Negative Summer asks as she makes a low sweep of her axe at Yang's feet.
Yang backflips over the swing, landing on her feet and firing a few more shots at her opponent. Negative Summer runs around the shots as she trades a few shots of her own. Yang smashes her fist into the ground, sending up some rumble to block the shots. Negative Summer swings her axe across, slicing through the rumble and nearly taking Yang's head off. Yang ducks under the swings and throws a right punch, but Negative Summer blocks it with her axe. Yang glares into the eyes of the woman-no, the grimm that would use the memory of her mother against her. Yang wasn't going to let this farce continue. She refused to do so. Back with Weiss, she finally reaches the tower, but a large door is blocking her way. The tower has vines all over it, and even the door is covered in them. Weiss makes a few quick swings of her rapier to cut through the vines, but they quickly grow back and cover the door. She tries to freeze them but they break free and repeat the process.
Weiss looks up at the tower, "Ruby! Please, open up the door! Please, let us in!"
Yang looks back, "Ruby! We're here for you! We're all here for you!"
"Please Ruby. Don't run away from us! Not now!" Blake joins in.
A moment later, a faint white glow emits from Weiss' clothing. She reaches down and pulls out the white rose symbol she found before. Raising it to the door, the vines pull away and the door to the tower opens up.
"Ruby... She heard us," Weiss mutters with relief.
"Weiss, go! Save Ruby!" Blake yells before slicing her katana through another knight.
Weiss nods and races into the tower. A few knights try to give chase, but Blake lands in between them with her blades out.
"You will not pass," Blake declares.
Inside the tower, Weiss finds the place littered with thorns, vines, and roses. Unfortunately, while this place is modelled after Beacon, there's no elevator to take her up to the top floor. Which means the stairs are her only option. Weiss uses her glyphs to help speed up her ascent to the top. No doubt that is where Ruby is. Though it only took a few moments, it felt like forever for Weiss as she gets closer to the top. When she finally does, she finds another set of doors before her. Using the white rose symbol, Weiss opens the way into a large room. There's barely anything inside. What Weiss does see are portraits of her, Blake, and Yang. More importantly, she saw none other than Ruby Rose sitting upon a throne, Crescent Rose up beside her in its compact form, and the girl asleep.
"Ruby..." Weiss is in slight awe at the girl before her. Ruby has never pegged her for being the regal type, but for some reason, she looks absolutely beautiful in that dress. "Don't worry, Ruby. I'm here now. It's time to wake up," she walks closer to Ruby.
A sudden vine flies out, making Weiss jump back. She takes a closer look and sees the Nightmare looming behind Ruby in the shadows, its vines coming out to form a barrier around her leader.
"Keep your disgusting roots off of her, you monster!" Weiss conjures some glyphs and fires off a few ice shards at the grimm.
The shards shred through a few of its vines, making the grimm scream in pain. Its eye glows brightly on Weiss, forming a long shadow behind her. It then flings a few vines at her. Weiss cuts them down as they get close with her rapier, but one vine manages to sneak around and stab her shadow on the floor. Weiss finds herself pinned, unable to move. She gets worried the Nightmare will use this chance to attack, but it does something unexpected. The vine in her shadow pulls out and seems to pull a black mass with it. Weiss glances between the Nightmare and whatever that black mass is. Once it's out, Weiss is free to move again. However, the black mass begins to take shape. Weiss' eyes slowly widen in shock as the figure before her turns into a young woman with long white hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a military styled uniform and wielding a rapier in her left hand.
"No... It can't be..." Weiss mutters in horror.
"What on Remnant do you think you are doing trying to save that incompetent child. She's not worth saving," the woman says.
Her final test, the last obstacle standing in her way from saving Ruby... is Negative Weiss.
And that's the chapter. With Blake and Yang's help, Weiss finally reaches Ruby in the tower, but now a new threat emerges in the form of her dark counterpart, Negative Weiss. I know it seems weird to do this considering how the Nightmare's normally work, but I always wondered what it would be like if Weiss faced off against Negative Weiss. Can Weiss defeat the Nightmare version of herself and save Ruby? Until then, please Read and Review.