Here we are at a brand new story. This idea popped up in my head while writing another story. This one is based off of RWBY Ice Queendom where Ruby only made one trip into the dream and saved Weiss herself, but gets hurt by the words of Negative Weiss. Now the roles are essentially switched between Ruby and Weiss. Also, things will work a little differently in the dream with the Nightmare than how they did in the show, so please keep that in mind. This story isn't going to be a long one. Anyway, I do not own RWBY Ice Queendom. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 1. Enjoy.

Chapter 1: Rose Wilting

Weiss Schnee slowly opened her eyes. She spots purple strands moving above her. Sitting up, she finds herself not in her familiar dorm room, but the same room her team was in when Jaune had been possessed by a Nightmare.

"Weiss, you're awake!" Weiss looks to see Yang and Blake by her side. "It's about time you woke up, Ice Queen," Yang jokes.

"What... What happened?" Weiss asks.

"You were possessed by a Nightmare," she turns to face Shion Zaiden, the Nightmare Hunter, and sees Professor Goodwitch and Ozpin next to her.

"Wait... I was possessed by a grimm. But... how is that possible?" Weiss can barely believe that she of all people would be possessed by a grimm.

"As I explained before with Jaune, Nightmare's attach themselves to those with strong auras, but unstable emotions. You were the perfect host for one," Shion says.

Weiss holds her head, "I was possessed by a grimm... I can't believe I let this happen. But, did I just wake up now? How?"

"You can thank Ruby. She went into your dream and saved you," Blake looks to their leader, Ruby, sitting with her back to Weiss. "She wanted to bring you back, no matter what it took. And she did," Blake says.

"Yeah, my little sister saves the day again!" Yang cheers.

"Ruby..." Weiss stares at her partner, but then notices something.

Throughout this whole exchange, Ruby never turned to them, nor uttered a single word.

"Miss Rose, well done on saving your teammate. You have proven yourself a remarkable leader and partner," Ozpin praises her.

"...Thank you, Professor Ozpin," Ruby replies finally, but her voice lacks her usual cheer, which the group notice.

"Ruby. Hey, is something wrong?" Yang asks, concerned for her sister.

"I'm fine, Yang. Everything's fine. Just tired. I'm glad... I'm glad you're back, Weiss," Ruby says.

"Ruby... you saved me. Thank you," Weiss says, unsure of what to feel at the moment.

"Yeah... I guess I did. And now there's nothing left to talk about," with that, Ruby makes an abrupt leave of the room.

"Ruby, wait!" Yang reaches out, but Ruby uses her semblance to leave.

"What was that about?" Blake asks.

"Hmm, if I were to wager a guess, something must've happened to Ruby during her time in Weiss' dream. Delving into another's dream isn't an easy experience. She might just be exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Perhaps some rest will help her," Shion suggests.

"She's exhausted... because of me?" Weiss mutters, perturbed.

"Ozpin, I'd like to speak with Ruby about what she saw in Weiss' dream after she's had some time to rest. Would that be alright?" Shion asks.

Ozpin nods, "Of course. Right now, you all should check on your leader. Miss Schnee, you should get some rest as well. You've been through quite the ordeal,"

Team RWBY and the others leave the room, but as Shion puts her equipment away, she quickly turns her head to one of the windows.

"Wait... don't tell me... there's another one," Shion mutters.

…

Weiss, Blake, and Yang return to their room, but find it empty, "Ruby's not here either. Where could she be?" Yang wonders.

"Maybe she just needs a little time to herself to process things," Blake thinks.

"Sorry, but I can't leave my little sister alone right now. The way she was back there... that's not Ruby. That's not the shy, weapon crazy, cookie loving little sister that I know and love. That was something... not Ruby. I don't like it. I'll keep searching for her just for a little bit longer," Yang says.

Blake sighs, "Okay, then I'll go with you. Let's get Team JNPR to help too. Weiss, you stay here in case Ruby comes back. You need to rest as well,"

With that, Blake and Yang leave the room, leaving Weiss by herself. Weiss walks over and sits on her bed, looking up at Ruby's bunk. So much had happened in such a short time. She found out that she of all people had been possessed by a grimm. She learned that her leader, who she once treated like trash, went into her dream and brought her back while defeating the Nightmare. And now she learns that there may be something wrong with said leader because of something that might've happened in her dream. Weiss can't help but feel worried about what that might be.

"What did I do... Ruby?" Weiss mutters.

Sometime passes before Yang and Blake return, with no Ruby. Blake suggests that they try again after they get some rest. They're in no shape for another scavenger hunt. However, a few minutes later, the door opens and in walks Ruby.

"Ruby, I was so worried!" Yang practically jumps on Ruby, wrapping her in her arms. "Are you okay?!"

"Yang... can't breathe," Ruby wheezes in the bear hug.

"Oh, sorry," Yang releases her sister. "But seriously, why'd you run off like that? Blake and I were looking everywhere for you. Even Team JNPR helped and they never found you," Yang asks.

Ruby sighs, "I didn't mean to scare you. I just... needed some time alone to process everything,"

"We're just glad you're back, Ruby. All of us, right Weiss," Blake looks to the heiress.

"Um, yes, of course. Ruby... are you alright?" Weiss asks tentatively.

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired. I'm going to sleep early. I've had a long day," Ruby replies, not meeting Weiss' eyes as she grabs her pajamas and heads into the bathroom.

"I don't think she's okay," Yang says.

"I'm worried too, Yang. But, we can't rush her. We just need her to know that we'll be there for her when she needs us. We're a team and we help each other," Blake says.

Weiss barely pays attention to Blake's words; her eyes and mind focused entirely on the bathroom door where Ruby went.

"Ruby..." Weiss looks on, melancholy.

…

The next few days go about with little happening. However, those that know Team RWBY notice a change between them. Yang and Blake are okay, but things seem different when it involves Ruby and Weiss. Ruby would talk to Yang and Blake, but only give small words and short replies to Weiss, if any reply at all. It was like she was avoiding Weiss. Normally, Weiss would be upset and throw a fit about something like this, but recently, she can't find the strength to be angry. If anything, she just feels worried about her partner. Her mind seems more and more consumed by thoughts of Ruby as the days pass. The trio are unsure of what to do, even Yang. One day, the trio are in their room, but Ruby had gone to the library to study.

"I'm going to talk with Ruby," Weiss decides.

"Maybe we should go with you?" Blake asks,

Weiss shakes her head, "No, I need to do this myself. If something happened to Ruby because she was in my dream, then it's my responsibility to fix it. I just... I want to make amends between the two of us," Weiss goes to open the door, only to find Professor Goodwitch on the other side. "Professor Goodwitch? Is there something you need from us?"

"Where is your leader?" Goodwitch asks.

"We think she's in the library, studying. Shall we go get her?" Weiss offers.

Goodwitch raises a hand, "No, that is fine. I need to speak with the three of you. Come with me, now," she leaves no room for argument.

Though confused, the three do as she asks and follow her. They end up back in the room from before and find Shion and Ozpin there.

"What's going on?" Yang asks.

"We wanted to talk with you about Ruby," Ozpin says.

"The other day, I spoke with Ruby about what she saw in Weiss' dream. After learning what she knew, I believe I know the reason for her sudden change in behavior," Shion explains.

"What did she say?" Blake asks, though Weiss is worried about what she might've said.

"In the dream, Ruby fought against Weiss while trying to find the Nightmare," Shion admits.

"Wait... I fought against her," Weiss barely gasps.

"It was not you, per say. It was the Nightmare controlling you, basically. To separate you here from the you in the dream, let's call that Weiss Negative Weiss. Negative Weiss fought against Ruby, but that isn't what was difficult for her. It was what she said that might've traumatized her," Shion says.

"What did this bad Weiss say?" Yang asks.

Shion pulls out a piece of paper, "I asked Ruby to write down what she said. To be honest, some of the verbiage is quite disturbing,"

She hands the paper to Weiss who begins to read it over. As she does, her eyes widen and her face takes on a frightened expression. Her hands shake while holding the paper.

"I... I said these things to her?!" Weiss is so horrified by it that she drops the paper.

Blake and Yang take a look and are also disturbed by what's written. Yang then gets angry and grabs Weiss by her jacket collar.

"What the hell did you do to my sister in there?!" Yang yells, her eyes turning red.

Weiss is too scared to answer.

"Miss Xiao Long, enough," Ozpin commands. Yang glares at Weiss a moment longer and then lets her go; her eyes returning to their normal color. "That wasn't Weiss who said those things. It was the grimm. They play tricks on those who enter the dream. It's how they maintain control. Weiss is not to blame for this,"

Yang takes a moment to calm down, "Right, right. Sorry Weiss. I lost my cool there,"

Weiss recollects herself, "No, it's not your fault. You're just worried about Ruby. I am too. I just... can't believe that I-or it-or I-Argh! That Ruby heard those things coming from my mouth. With my image. It made... it made everything else I've said to her look like mild jesting,"

"Right now, we need focus on helping Miss Rose heal. We can't do that, but you, her teammates can," Glynda says.

"But, you must hurry. I sensed one more Nightmare nearby," Shion adds.

"Wait, there's still one more?" Blake doesn't like this new piece of news.

"Yes, and given the fragile state of her heart right now, Ruby would be easy prey for it. Help Ruby, but do not force it upon her. She may only reject you. Time is of the essence," Shion says.

"Then, let's go find Ruby and talk to her before that stupid grimm gets its vines on her," Yang says.

With that, the three girls make a hasty retreat from the room. However, as they move, Weiss starts to slow down behind them, which Blake notices.

"Weiss, what's wrong? We need to find Ruby," Blake says.

"I know! I know that, but..." Weiss stares at her trembling hands. "I just... seeing those things that the me in the dream said to Ruby. I just... I have been such a poor teammate to her. I treated her like garbage the moment I met her. And it was the same for all of you. And yet, despite what I thought of all of you, I was the one possessed by a Nightmare. And despite how poorly I treated her before, Ruby still went in and saved me. And now, I've hurt her again. This one girl who never wanted to hurt me," tears start to form in her eyes. "I thought she was a child, and yet i was the one in trouble. I was the one being a fool. Am I even worthy of helping her? Would she even want my help?"

Yang and Blake are surprised by how much this has affected Weiss. Perhaps deep down, the Ice Queen had a soft spot for Ruby all along, but due to her upbringing and her personality issues, she was incapable of showing it. And the moment she started to, the grimm got in the way and made a mess of things.

Blake walks up and holds Weiss' hands, "It's not too late to fix things, Weiss. Look at you and me. We hated each other. I didn't like you because of what people like the old you and your family's company did to my people. And you didn't like me because I was a Faunus. But, we were able to mend things between us. I know it's early, and there may still be some things to work out. But, you're my teammate and I've decided to trust you,"

"Blake..." Weiss is having a hard time holding back the tears.

"Yeah, what she said," Yang rubs her head. "I guess I can be a bit intense at times, but it's only because I hate seeing people I care about getting hurt. We're a team. You, me, Blake, and Ruby. If we can't figure out how to work together as one, then what good are we when we become official huntresses? If we're going to do this, then we're going to do this together."

Weiss wipes her tears away, feeling so many emotions right now.

"I don't deserve you guys, but... I'll try, for Ruby," Weiss says.

With that settled, they begin looking for Ruby, promising to call each other if they find her. Blake checks the library, while Yang checks the school forge. Meanwhile, Weiss looks around at some of their classes to see if Ruby's hiding in one of them. Unfortunately, she doesn't find her partner in any of the empty classrooms that aren't currently in session. After failing there, Weiss decides to head back to their dorm room. She opens the door, only to find the one she's been looking for on her bed.

"Ruby," Weiss utters.

Ruby glances at her and hops off her bed, "I have somewhere to be right now," and goes to leave.

Weiss stands in front of the door, "No, Ruby. We need to talk. All of us. Please,"

Still, Ruby doesn't look her in the eye, "We don't have anything to talk about,"

Hearing how devoid of cheer Ruby's voice sounds, it only makes Weiss feel more guilty. Since it was her dream that did this to Ruby.

"Ruby... Shion showed us what you wrote down on that paper. About what the me in that dream said to you," Weiss confesses, which elicits a small reaction out of Ruby. "Ruby, that wasn't me. It was the Nightmare. It was just messing with you by using me. I would've never said those kinds of things to you,"

"But you did," Ruby's sudden reply freezes Weiss. "You did say those words to me. In the dream. Even if it was the grimm... it was still your face. It was still your voice. It was still your words. I wanted you to acknowledge me. I wanted you to give me a second chance. I wanted you to accept me as leader, as your partner... and as your friend. But, in the end, you made it clear what I was to you. A child. An annoyance. Someone who doesn't deserve to be a leader, or your teammate, or anything at all," Ruby finally looks up and Weiss gasps at seeing the tears fall from her red, blurry eyes. She's been crying for a long time apparently. "Do you have any idea what that did to me, Weiss?! Even if it was the grimm, all I saw was you. All I heard was you! All I thought about was YOU! You and your real feelings about me. Since the moment we met, you never liked me. You never accepted me. And it was no different in the dream. To you, I'm just a waste of life," she cries.

Seeing Ruby look so heartbroken, so shattered; it breaks Weiss' heart as well. To know that she did this, even if unintentionally, to such an innocent girl.

"You're right, I did say horrible things to you. I treated you like trash, and I was wrong. But, that's why I want to fix things between us. I want us to be partners, to be a team. I want to right those wrongs! Please Ruby, just as you wanted me to give you another chance, give me a chance to help you. Just like you helped me!" Weiss pleads.

"I... I don't think I want to," Ruby cries, stunning Weiss. But then, Weiss notices Ruby's wabbling on her feet. "I just... want everything... to go away," Ruby falls forward.

"Ruby!" Weiss jumps and catches her in her arms. "Ruby, what's wrong? Ruby? Ruby?!" she sees that Ruby has passed out. However, she notices a tiny mark just poking out of the collar of her shirt. Moving it done, Weiss's face goes paler than normal when she finds a vine mark on Ruby's neck. "Ruby... No,"

…

Weiss contacts the others and they all meet back at Shion's room. Shion has Ruby resting on her strands, and they see the Nightmare's mark has already spread across half of her face.

"To think that the Nightmare would possess her and take control so quickly. It seems we underestimated the scope of this situation," Shion notes.

"Ruby," Yang hangs on the edge closest to Ruby while Blake holds Weiss.

"This is all my fault. I tried to talk to Ruby... but instead, I only made it worse," Weiss cries.

"This isn't on you. The grimm already reached Ruby before we did," Blake tries to comfort her.

"None of that matters now. What matters is saving Ruby before it's too late. And that means we only have one option. You three must go inside Ruby's dream, find the grimm, and free her from its grasp. I still believe in Team RWBY. Now, you must believe in yourselves and in each other," Ozpin says.

Weiss wipes her tears away and stands next to Ruby, "I hurt Ruby. I did this to her. And I will make things right," she reaches out, tenderly touching Ruby's hand. "And then I will spend the rest of my life atoning for my sins. I'm going into her dream. And I will save Ruby," her face takes on a determined look now.

And that's the chapter. Weiss is free from the Nightmare, but now she and Ruby have switched places. Now, Weiss, Blake, and Yang must save their leader before it's too late. What kind of dangers will they see in Ruby's dream? What kind of world will they find in their leader's mind? Until then, please Read and Review.