Here we are at Chapter 7. Time to delve into the Ice Queen's dream. I do not own RWBY Ice Queendom. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 7. Enjoy.
Chapter 7: Ice Queendom
Slowly, Ruby opens her eyes and finds herself in a dead forest covered in snow. Looking up, she sees the faint images of glyphs in the mystical sky. The next thing she noticed is that her outfit changed. She has on a pair of goggles over a red ski hat. Instead of her usual dress, she has on a red snow coat over a black jacket, over what appears to be a white shirt with a long tale, black leggings, and red snow boots. Finally, she has a black fanny pack wrapped around her body. She feels around and notices a long metal object on her back.
"Could this be..." she pulls it out and it transforms into her beloved scythe, Crescent Rose, only the form has been altered too. "Oh, this is so cool."
"Ruby," she hears and turns to see Khazhak walking up to her. "Finally found you, little rose. Guess you're not the only one that got a makeover."
Khazhak's outfit has changed too. Instead of his usual clothes, he is wearing a black, bodysuit shirt underneath dark blue, semi-heavy armor on his chest, around his waist, and his arms and shoulders. On the armor are black images of dragons and the shoulder armor seems to be two halves of a dragon head separated. He is wearing black hakama pants, poofing out at the knees where they meet armored boots the same color as his armor. Around the waist is a wide coat tail wrapping around his waist in black. His trusty swords, Narukami, which seem unchanged, rest on his hips. (Think of Hakumen's outfit from Blazblue, without the head gear and the long hair)
"Oh, wow, you look so cool, Khazhak! Almost like a samurai from the future or something," Ruby coos over his new look.
"The outfit must be a part of Weiss' dream. But I can still move around well enough in it. I see your weapon has changed too. But, nevermind about that. We'd best get going," Khazhak says.
Ruby nods, "Right,"
Ruby turns her weapon back into its snowboard form and rides it on the snow. Khazhak combines his swords into their greatsword form and does the same thing as Ruby. As they move through the forest, they spot something in the distance. Getting closer, they find it to be several arrows getting entangled with one another, making a mess of a road map as they go everywhere.
"What a mess," Khazhak mutters.
"I have no idea what this says. Kind of like Weiss," Ruby agrees.
Khazhak walks past it and spots a railroad within a valley, "A railroad, huh. Might as well call Shion and inform her of our progress. This is supposed to be a scouting missing after all,"
Ruby reaches into her pockets and pulls out several coins. Flipping one, a parking meter pops out of the snow and takes the coin. It then changes into a phone. Ruby picks up the phone and makes the call. In the real world, Shion picks up.
"Shion here, do you read me, Ruby?" Shion's voice is on the other end.
"It's Ruby. I hear you. Khazhak is with me too," Ruby replies.
"Good, you found one another. Have you located the gate yet?" Shion asks.
Khazhak leans into the phone, "Not yet. So far, we've only found sign of arrows and a set of train tracks,"
"Do you see anything on the tracks right now?" Shion asks.
"Huh? No we-," Ruby gets interrupted by the sound of a loud horn. "Wait, there's a SDC train coming.
Khazhak looks across the valley and spots something, "Ruby, look, over there,"
They look to see White Fang flags being flown. Next, they see what appear to be grimm wearing White Fang uniforms. The creatures roar and jump down to attack the train. Robot soldiers appear on the train to defend it, but get easily overwhelmed.
"Creatures that look like a cross between White Fang soldiers and grimm are attacking the train now. The train's defenses won't last long," Khazhak notes.
"We have to help!" Ruby gets ready to move.
Khazhak holds out an arm to stop her, "No, not yet Ruby. We can't intervene just yet. Remember our mission here,"
"Khazhak is right. You need to stay out of sight," Shion says over the phone.
Shortly after, the train gets derailed and the Grimm Fang celebrate in their victory.
"They got the train," Khazhak says.
"What about the tracks? If they're still intact, use them as a road to follow. Be sure to leave some breadcrumbs behind first, though. Your enemies won't be out in broad daylight. They'll stick to the shadows for now. If you see anything that look like clues, make a note of them," Shion explains.
"We're on it, Shion," Khazhak says before they hang up. He looks back to the arrow sign. "Maybe that's one of the clues she spoke about. Let's go,"
The pair jump down into the valley. Khazhak takes out a coin and flips it, creating a doorway next to them. After that, they follow the train tracks through the wilderness. Eventually, they come across a very tall wall with spikes on the side. A large, closed gate awaits them at the end of the tracks. They look, but find no way to open the gate from the outside.
"Guess we go up," Khazhak says, taking out his swords.
Ruby looks up and sees a set of bars on top of the gate. Using her semblance, she flies in through the bars. Khazhak fires his blades behind him, propelling him to the same spot. He slips in behind Ruby. They move past the wall, finding themselves in a maze with vines around. They go in different directions, but can't seem to find an easy exit.
"I never liked mazes," Ruby mutters, getting annoyed.
"There's always an exit, little rose. Just gotta know where to look," Khazhak looks up, finding the sky above them.
They move up and jump into the air. Below them, they find a massive city before them, separated by sections that go up almost like a pyramid. At the center of the city appears a large, golden statue. The pair land on one building overlooking the city.
"Welp, the Ice Queen has to be here somewhere. Let's find her," Khazhak says as the wind blows.
…
Back in the real world, Team's KEPL and RWBY watch over Ruby, Khazhak, and Weiss who still has the vine marks on her body in the same room as before. Professors Ozpin and Glynda stand near Shion at her work station. A moment later, Shion's phone rings.
Shion picks it up, "Shion here,"
"It's Khazhak and Ruby. We've found a large city in Weiss dream. There was a gate at a wall separating the city from the outside. It was closed, so we basically went over it to get inside," Khazhk explains.
"Okay. Leave more breadcrumbs as you progress further in the dream. But, be cautious. If you two get caught, saving Weiss will become far more difficult," Shion explains.
"Understood," Khazhak replies.
"Also, both of you need to be careful with how often you use those coins. Each one spent uses a portion of my aura. If I run out while you're in there, then I won't be able to help you," Shion says.
"Got it. One more thing. Ruby's weapon and our clothing have changed in here. What's with the wardrobe change?" Khazhak asks.
"Your appearances are how Weiss imagines you in her dream. That means that there is another Ruby and another Khazhak in the dream," Shion says.
"There's another me and Khazhak in here?" Ruby asks as she joins in.
"It's not there since you two are there right now. When someone in the dream gets replaced by the real person, it's harder for the Nightmare to locate you. This is only possible for people who are close to Weiss. If it had been me or the professors here, then we'd be spotted immediately," Shion says.
"So... Weiss thinks about us... because we're close," Ruby says, feeling a little happy about that.
"We'll keep moving. Talk to you later," Khazhak says and then hangs up the phone.
"What's our progress?" Ozpin asks.
"They're deeper in Weiss' dream than I first thought. This may prove more difficult than we anticipated," Shion says.
Porphyrius looks over Weiss, "Nightmares go after those with unstable emotions. Just like me. No doubt, I had a hand in Weiss getting possessed like this,"
"It's not your fault, Porphyrius. Weiss is my teammate, yet I never noticed what was happening to her. I was focused only on myself," Blake bemoans.
"If anyone was being a bad teammate here, it was me," Yang holds her head.
"Enough. Blaming ourselves won't solve anything. Right now, we must be there for Weiss. She needs us all, now more than ever. We are all her friends. The time will come when we can help her. For now, let's trust in Khazhak and Ruby to do their part before we can do ours," Reaper says.
"Indeed. The Nightmare has creeped deep into her heart. Right now, it's hiding. We must find it first before you guys could go in and fight it like what Team JNPR did," Shion says.
"Reaper is correct. If someone like me or Professor Ozpin were to go inside, Weiss' dream would reject us. Weiss trusts you all the most. Be ready to fight for her," Glynda says.
Lloyd pats the girls on the shoulders, "Yeah. We'll save the Ice Queen, and then laugh about this crazy story later. All of us,"
"...Right," Blake replies.
…
Back in the dream, Khazhak and Ruby go over their coins, "We still have some coins left. Let's use one more right now,"
"Remember not to use too many at once, Ruby. Let's create a door that connects to the one we left on the tracks," Khazhak says.
Ruby uses a coin to create a door. She opens it up and it reveals the tracks before them, just as they thought. With that settled, the pair move downwards into the city proper. They find themselves in a part of the city that looks filled with factories. Sticking to the shadows, Khazhak notes the pictures and statues of the same man all over. He also notices how their eyes move everywhere.
"Are those sentries?" Ruby asks.
"Looks like it. Sentries of Jacques Schnee, the current CEO of the Schnee Dust Company. And Weiss' bastard father," Khazhak glares at the statues.
Just then, several microphones go off, "...Another company train was attacked by those disgusting White Fang soldiers. No one survived. How annoying. Revenge must be made swiftly against those monstrosities,"
As the pair move through the city, they spot robots with guns and large shields on their shoulders patrolling the city.
"Big Nicholas," one makes a weird salute.
"More guard dogs. Better get... moving," Khazhak and Ruby turn, only to find another robot waiting behind them. "Oh crap,"
"Intruder alert!" the robot aims its right gun. Khazhak makes a quick slash across its waist, leaving it in two big pieces. "We need to move, now!"
They make a break for it, but more robots show up. Ruby slices through one with her scythe and then aims it at another. However, the gun fires behind Ruby, taking out one at their rear. Apparently, the barrel has switched positions.
"What? Weiss, it doesn't shoot that way!" Ruby complains.
"That's not our biggest problem, Ruby! Move!" Khazhak swings his swords, slicing through two more robots and they run for it.
As they run through the maze of the city, Khazhak flips a coin and creates a doll decoy of himself.
"We need to move! Now! We need to move! Now!" the decoy repeats as it bounces away, causing the robots to follow it instead.
Once the coast is clear, they catch their breath, "Oh, how are we supposed to find Weiss in this mess?"
Khazhak looks ahead, "Well, one thing all rich morons love. They love living in places over everyone else," he looks at the statue at the center of the city. "That's where I'd go,"
"Then let's try it," Ruby says.
They move along the rooftops until they reach a large wall separating two sections of the city. Ruby moves up with her semblance, only for several black vines to get in her way and prevent her advance.
Ruby drops back down next to Khazhak, "I can't move ahead. Oh, it's all so prickly. That's just like Weiss,"
The vines change and form speakers, "Unauthorized use of any semblances is strictly prohibited. All citizens of the Schnee Empire must only travel by the true path," a female voice rings out.
"True path?" Ruby wonders.
"Schnee Empire? I knew Weiss was on a high horse, but this is ridiculous," Khazhak notes.
Ruby groans, "Oh, I wish we had a map or something to show us the way. Oh, wait," Ruby pulls out a coin and creates a map before them. However, the map only shows places the pair have already visited. "What? It doesn't show the whole city. Ugh, what a waist," she sags, only for the map to begin to disappear. "Ah, no, wait!" she quickly takes a picture of the map with her scroll.
Khazhak looks over the picture, "Perhaps we should move to this big building first. Seems like a good start,"
"Guess we don't have any other options right now," Ruby says.
Just then, a buzzer goes off and garage doors open up. Several people in factory worker outfits, with their faces hidden by the shadows of their hats, walk out and move in a single file. Thinking that this might lead somewhere, Khazhak and Ruby decide to follow along.
"The Schnee Dust company provides excellent jobs to all its employees. Mining Dust, refining it, and creating transportation. The great Nicholas Schnee, my father-in-law, risked his life to locate Dust for his people and created peace to the kingdom of Atlas. However, I, Jacques Schnee, helped mold this company into the powerful corporation that it has become, and no one else," Jacques statues ring out.
"Yeah, all while sacrificing so many innocent people just to line your pockets," Khazhak clenches his fists.
…
Khazhak and Ruby find themselves in one of the city's factories, preparing Dust vials for the company. They look around and see the workers doing the same thing without complaint, but without smiles either.
"This job is so stupid. These people look like slaves," Ruby notes as she gets bored.
"That's because, in Jacques Schnee's eyes, they are. He doesn't care about anyone but himself, Ruby... Not even his own family," Khazhak says.
The pair decide to clock out and move, not realizing that a Schnee statue was watching them. They end up in part of the factory. They end up looking at a poster of the large statue at the center of the city. Khazhak feels a presence behind him and looks back to see another robot behind them, but this one looks less menacing with a goofy face and a construction worker's helmet.
"Big Nicholas," the robot salutes.
"And you would be?" Khazhak asks.
"Oh, beg your pardon. I am Happy Klein, one of the seven butlers, and director. Are you looking to get to the other side of the wall? I forgot how horrible the Dust shop next to the Sillies jail can be sometimes,"
"Sillies jail," Khazhak mutters in confusion.
"Master Jacques has done great things with the company. He is so full of wisdom," Happy Klein says.
Khazhak nods to Ruby for them to sneak out while the robot monologues and they do so. They find themselves back out on the street. Looking across the street, they find a Dust shop nearby.
"Is that the Dust shop that guy was talking about?" Ruby wonders as they walk past it.
"He said there was a jail nearby, but-," Khazhak notes.
"Hello there!" they turn to find a door with a goofy face on it talking to them.
"Um... what are you?" Khazhak asks as they approach.
"I am Doppy Klein, known as one of the seven butlers. My job is to watch over and prevent any Sillies from escaping," Doppy Klein explains.
"Sillies?" Ruby looks over, seeing several people inside the cage, masked by shadow.
"Yes sir. First-class dumb-dumbs. If they escape, who knows what could happen," the door replies.
Khazhak looks at the inmates, but then stops when he notices Jaune, Ren, and Nora inside. Nora and Ren's outfits have changed, but Jaune looks the same. However, the three start making cat sounds as they hold the bars of the gate.
"You've gotta be kidding me. This is where Weiss has been keeping Team JNPR. Guess she doesn't think much of them. She's starting to piss me off, now," Khazhak notes.
"Hey, you two, if you're dummies, you should hurry up and get in here too," Doppy Klein says.
"We're not dummies, Doppy," Khazhak refuses the offer.
"Are you sure you're not dummies? If you are, you could come in. It's nice and safe and warm in here," Doppy Klein offers.
"We'll pass, thanks. Let's go, Ruby," Khazhak says and they leave.
"Remember, if you're a dummy, then you're not a Schnee," the door says.
The pair enter the Dust shop across the street. They look over and spot two female shadow figures talking.
"Another train got attacked by the White Fang?" one says.
"That's scary, thinking those despicable Faunus could be so close to our grand empire," the second replies.
They slide along the wall and enter behind a door. Ruby opens it, finding another part of the city before them. They see more shadow figures walking around on the walls and in the stores. Moving onto another rooftop, they look over the city.
"We should probably make another door here since we got further in," Khazhak notes before using a coin to create a door.
Neither of them notice a bat with white hair flying over them before it turns away. They head down into an alleyway and Ruby uses two coins to create a new map to take a photo of and a phone to speak with Shion.
"We still haven't found any sign of Weiss," Ruby notes sadly. "I'm not sure... she wants to see me,"
"What makes you think that?" Shion asks.
Ruby moves her knees to her chest, "I don't know. Being in this world... I think she hates me,"
"I wouldn't be so sure, little rose," Khazhak says.
"Huh?" Ruby looks up at him.
Khazhak kneels before Ruby, "Think about it. You being in the dream is proof enough that you and Weiss have some sort of bond at least. If she truly hated you, then the dream would've rejected you. Next, we know that in this dream, there's another you who isn't here because you're here right now. Perhaps that means that Yang and Blake are here to; at least this dream's versions of them. We didn't find them in that jail for Sillies. That could mean that they're somewhere else here in this city. Perhaps... somewhere closer to Weiss' heart."
"Khazhak is right. There are many kinds of souls in a dream. Some are good while others are evil. Lies and truth also exist in a dream. The key is figuring out which is which. Do not let the dream swallow you up. Keep going and face it head-on," Shion says.
"Find... the key?" Ruby mutters.
"You said you wanted to save Weiss. Then that's what we're going to do. Together," Khazhak pats her head, making her blush.
"I'd like to talk more, but if we continue this discussion, then you'll both run out of coins. Don't give up," Shion says.
"Thank you, Shion," Ruby hangs up the phone, which disappears along with the map.
Ruby looks at the map on her scroll for a moment before they move on. However, as they turn one corner, they find wanted posters of both on them lined up across the walls.
"Oh great, they definitely know we're here now," Khazhak mutters.
"There they are. The detestable riff-raff," they see several robots approaching, including one that looks like Happy Klein, except its face is red, looks angry, and has red eyes. "Surround them!" the robots surround them as the pair draw their weapons. "Two sillies moving about without permission. You two will return with me back to the tower!"
"Tower?" Khazhak mutters, perplexed.
Just then, they hear footsteps approaching and look to see someone walking through a tunnel. A young woman with no scar and with long white hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing an Atlas military uniform. Her uniform is a white dress with a short skirt, a short cape under a long military trench coat, white high-heels with stockings, and long white sleeves. She also has on a military-styled hat and a pair of sunglasses. The woman is carrying a book in her left hand and is accompanied by a dog robot on her right side.
"It can't be..." Khazhak mutters as he stares at her.
The young woman is Weiss, the one they've been looking for. Only, she doesn't appear happy to see them.
"Weiss! It's you. I've finally found-," Ruby walks up to her.
"Silence!" Weiss shuts her down. "I don't remember allowing you to speak in my presence," she says.
"What was that?" Khazhak is getting pissed at her attitude.
"You're just an incompetent child, always running around and causing trouble. What an embarrassment," Weiss insults Ruby.
"Excuse me. Ruby has never been an embarrassment, Weiss. She's just worried about you," Khazhak retorts.
"And I expected far better from you, Khazhak. I never dreamed I'd see you, who always respected honor and maintaining peace, waltzing about causing trouble. I see I misjudged you. How disappointing," Weiss turns her bad mouth onto him.
Khazhak grips his swords, "Maybe I'll take that as a compliment," he stands protectively in front of Ruby.
"Weiss..." Ruby mutters, feeling hurt. "So that's it! You were actually mad about me being chosen as leader this whole time! You hate me for that, don't you! And all that talk about having bunk beds and being good partners. That was just a lie too?! Even everything you said about Blake!"
"I said that you aren't allowed to speak. Winter, it's time for your verdict," Weiss opens up her book, showing the image of her sister, Winter Schnee.
"...For those who are without power, only dust remains. The wicked will never find peace. Punish these traitors, and see to it that they are never free again," her sister gives her judgment.
Weiss closes the book, "Your verdict is guilty," she places the book on the back of the dog robot, removes her coat, and draws her rapier. "Face your judgment, Ruby, Khazhak!" she aims the rapier at them.
"If you think you of all people can judge me, you have another thing coming," Khazhak readies his blades, lightning sparking around them.
Ruby starts to cry, "We just wanted to help you, Weiss! But, if that's how you really feel, then fine. I won't think about it anymore," Ruby wipes away her tears and draws her scythe. "I'll free you from this dream, and then you'll never have to see me again!"
Weiss growls at this. Her sword erupts in blue flames and she swings her rapier at them. Khazhak swings his blades, his lightning meeting the flames in a huge explosion. Khazhak and Ruby jump onto the rooftops, making a retreat. Weiss comes up, jumping off a glyph towards Ruby. However, Khazhak intercepts her and clashes his right blade against her rapier.
"I knew you were stupid, but I never thought you were this pathetic," Khazhak notes.
"What was that? How dare you talk to me in such a manner!" Weiss retorts.
"Does Ruby mean that little to you? Funny, because you mean so much to her. That's why she's here, to save you. But, if you won't understand that, then maybe I'll just have to beat some sense into you, you stupid spoiled little daddy's girl!" Khazhak argues.
"And what's made you this angry at me, Khazhak?" Weiss asks.
"It's simple, really. Seeing you make Ruby cry... pisses me off!" Khazhak roars as lightning bursts from his left blade.
He swings wide, forcing Weiss to jump back. Weiss lands on a glyph and sees Khazhak link back up with Ruby. She jumps swings her rapier, sending out several bolts of energy at them. Khazhak swings his left sword, sending out several lightning bolts that cancel out a few of them. One bolt nearly hits Ruby, but Khazhak blocks the blast with his blades. The blast pushes them both back and they fall to the alleyways below. Khazhak and Ruby throw two coins to create decoys and then Khazhak uses one to make a door for them to escape. Unfortunately, the decoys don't last long as Weiss cuts them both down in seconds. The pair end up on the other side of the door on another rooftop.
"Oh, Weiss, is this how you really feel about me?" Ruby mutters sadly.
"I'm sorry, Ruby, but we need to leave the dream now," Khazhak says.
Ruby pulls out her last coin, "It's my last coin. Guess we'll use this to leave,"
"I know you want to help Weiss, but now isn't the time. We help her, but first we need to regroup," Khazhak says.
"There you are," they look to see Weiss jumping towards them. "You won't escape my judgment," she swings her rapier at them.
Khazhak blocks the strike, "Ruby, use the coin, now!"
Weiss makes blue flames erupt from her rapier, knocking Khazhak back, just as Ruby uses her last coin.
"Khazhak!" Ruby screams as the coin glows brightly.
And that's the chapter. Khazhak and Ruby enter Weiss' dream, only to encounter Weiss not as their friend, but as their enemy. How will Teams RWBY and KEPL save Weiss when she is their biggest obstacle to accomplishing their goal? Until then, please Read and Review.