Here we are at Chapter 9. The next big fight begins as Teams RWBY and KEPL face off against Negative Weiss. I do not own RWBY Ice Queendom. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 9. Enjoy.
Chapter 9: The Next Plan
The gang have gotten deeper into Weiss' mind and heart, but just as things got better, they find Negative Weiss waiting for them with her robot guards, blocking their path.
"It never gets easy for us," Khazhak mutters.
"Weiss..." Porphyrius mutters with concern as he stares at Negative Weiss.
"Do you hate the Faunus so much that you want all of us out that badly?" Blake asks.
"Oh please, it is the Faunus that show such scorn to us," Weiss retorts, then turns her eyes to Porphyrius. "And this is no place for a half-breed. The Faunus don't belong in the Schnee Empire, but you shouldn't exist in the first place,"
Porphyrius appears hurt by her words. He's had plenty of people see him as such, but they were strangers, not someone he knew personally.
"Porphyrius, don't let her words control you. They're just words in the end. It's the Nightmare's doing," Reaper says.
"Weiss, I've told you before. It's not like that!" Blake shouts.
"Blake, calm down. That's not Weiss' true self. It's the Nightmare," Ruby tries to calm her teammate down.
"Listen, I'll lure Negative Weiss away. You use that chance to find the Nightmare," Blake says to her.
"I'll help Ruby," Reaper adds.
Khazhak grips his swords, "I will help Blake. Negative Weiss isn't someone you should take on alone. Together, we'll buy more time. Porphyrius, go with the others,"
Porphyrius grunts in shame, but reluctantly nods his head. His mind isn't in this battle right now. The rest ready their weapons.
"Are you done whispering to each other? Porphyrius and Blake, step away from them. I won't allow you two to manipulate my precious imperial subjects," Nega-Weiss says, surprising Ruby.
"I'm... precious?" Ruby mutters.
"I will not allow any Faunus in the Schnee Em-," Nega-Weiss readies her rapier.
"Sorry, but your winter wonderland is closed, Ice Queen," Khazhak shuts her up, earning a low growl. "And precious? Can you really call them precious when you lock them away in a tower like slaves?!"
This angers Nega-Weiss, who stabs the ground with her weapon, sending out a surge of ice shards at them. The group separate, with Khazhak firing off a few shots at Nega-Weiss, who moves to the side and the bullets hit her robots instead.
"Come and get us, Ice Queen!" Khazhak challenges her before he and Blake run off.
"Klein, Sister, you two hunt down Ruby, Edom, and Porphyrius. I will deal with Khazhak and Blake myself," Nega-Weiss commands as her jacket comes off.
With Ruby and her group, they find themselves in a white void of sorts, walking on the steps of a long snake statue in the shape of an infinity symbol.
"Man, this world just gets weirder and weirder," Porphyrius notes as he looks around.
Ruby takes out a coin and flips it.
…
Back in the tower, Yang and Lloyd wait for the others to come to them.
"How long you think we have to wait?" Lloyd notes, laying on his bed while reading a book.
Yang shrugs her shoulders, "Who knows? Hopefully the others will reach us-," she stops when the light on their door comes on.
Ruby enters through the door," Guys, let's go, hurry!"
"Hey, you're back? Where are Blake and Khazhak?" Yang asks as she hops down from her bunk.
"We encountered Negative Weiss further in the dream. Blake and Khazhak are distracting her for the time being. We need to use this chance to head deeper in Weiss' mind and find the Nightmare," Reaper explains.
"Then, we'd best get going then," Yang says.
Ruby sighs, "I wonder if I'm really pulling off this leader thing while in the dream,"
Yang smiles, "Hey, don't worry about it. Come on, let's go wake up Weiss," The group move through the door back to the infinity symbol. "Wow, I wasn't expecting all of this. So, where do we go?" Yang asks as she looks around.
Reaper gets an idea, "Wait, Ruby, what about that relic you found? Take it out here,"
Ruby pulls out her red relic. It glows and the path suddenly shifts, giving them a way forward.
"Hey, that did it! See, you are a great leader, Ruby! Yang cheers, making her sister smile.
"Guys, we have company," Porphyrius looks up.
Several robots and Grumpy Klein land in front of them, "Ladies and gentlemen, as long as my eyes are glowing red, you will not be allowed to pass. I, Grumpy Klein, will not allow it,"
"Is that supposed to scare us, tin man," Porphyrius says as they ready their weapons. "Time to send you to the scrap yard."
…
Back with Khazhak and Blake, they continue their fight against Nega-Weiss. Nega-Weiss fires a few Dust shots at Blake, who nimbly jumps around them. Khazhak then comes in and swings his right blade at Nega-Weiss, who blocks it with her rapier.
"You really are an idiot, aren't you," Khazhak notes.
"I don't understand why you would help a Faunus, Khazhak. Her very presence here disrupts the peace of the Schnee Empire," Nega-Weiss retorts.
"Peace? All I see is a spoiled little girl trying to force people into cages. Is that what happened to you? Did your father and your family's expectations put you in a cage as well, so you can only feel better by putting other people in cages? Is that why you hate Faunus so much? Because of what 'Daddy' told you to do? You really are pathetic," Khazhak argues.
"How dare you! Why would you want to ruin the peace we've built? No matter how many times I push Blake out, she always sneaks back in. She's a threat to my imperial subjects," Nega-Weiss asks.
Khazhak pushes her back, "Subjects? Get real. You see anyone who isn't a Schnee as an insect to you. Just like what you did with Ruby and the others,"
"What?" Nega-Weiss' eyes widen.
"You called her 'precious', but you've never actually treated her as such. Since the day you two met, all you've done is yell at her, insult her, mock her, and degrade her. Rather than protect her, you've done nothing but hurt her! You called her precious, but you don't know the meaning of the word," Khazhak shoots back.
"I will do what I must to protect this city and uphold the Schnee name. Any who endanger that will face judgment for their crimes," Nega-Weiss says.
"And that's one more thing that pisses me off. You say you'll judge us, but let me be clear: the only one here who can cast judgment is me. I am Khazhak Rairyu, the Storm of Judgment!" lightning pulses around Khazhak's swords as he kicks Nega-Weiss back.
Swinging his blades, he sends out several arches of lightning at her. Nega-Weiss conjures some glyphs to block the attack. As the dust settles, a lightning bolt rings out and hits Weiss, knocking her back. She flips in the air and lands back on her feet.
"You will not stand in my way," Weiss creates a few more glyphs that produce new Dust vials for Myrtenaster.
"She can create more Dust vials. That's just cheating," Blake mutters.
To add insult to injury, Weiss then summons a pair of Ursai, but their fur is white rather than black.
"Grimm too? This is getting annoying," Khazhak jumps back while swinging his blades, sending out several lightning bolts at them.
The summoned grimm and Nega-Weiss chase the pair, but they use a couple of their coins to create some decoys. Their enemies go after the decoys, allowing the pair to make a run for it.
"She's just as strong as you said she was," Blake notes.
"Blake, don't let her words consume you. Once we've freed Weiss, you and her can have a nice, long chat about moving forward," Khazhak says.
"What makes you say that?" Blake asks.
"I don't know... Just a feeling," Khazhak mutters.
…
Back with Ruby's group, Lloyd smashes his claws down on two robots, leaving them in pieces. Porphyrius fires off his rifles, taking out a few more as he flies over them. The rest of the machines have already been dealt with, leaving only Grumpy Klein.
"You will not pass!" Grumpy Klein fires off a gatling gun at them.
Reaper twirls his twin-scythe around to block the shots, giving Ruby the chance to fire her sniper-scythe and take out his weapon. Yang uses this chance to charge in and deal several punches to Grumpy Klein, leaving him broken and in pieces.
"Forgive me, Mistress Weiss, I have failed..." and Grumpy Klein shuts down.
"You won't stop us from saving Weiss," Yang retorts.
"Come on, let's keep moving," Lloyd says.
They eventually end up in a garden with a fountain in the center. The fountain has the Schnee emblem above it and vines wrapped all around it. Taking out her relic, Ruby points it forth and it glows, causing the vines to move and open up a pathway in the fountain. Inside, they are shrouded in darkness.
"Uh, anyone bring a night light?" Lloyd jokes.
"Hold on," Ruby uses her relic and it brightens the room, the group finding themselves in another room filled with vines.
"All these vines; we must be getting close. They must lead to the grimm as well," Reaper says.
Ruby holds up her relic, "Please... please take us to Weiss," The relic glows and the vines move, allowing a large door to open up for them. "Alright, it worked,"
"Let's contact the others," Reaper pulls out his scroll while Lloyd uses one of his coins. "Khazhak... wait unlimited Dust and grimm. That's new... Yeah, okay, we'll create a door for you,"
They create a door, allowing Khazhak and Blake to join them.
"So, you guys managed to give that other Weiss the slip, huh? Are you two okay?" Ruby asks.
"We were basically just playing tag. We're okay," Blake replies.
Khazhak stares flatly at her, "If that's your idea of tag, I'd hate to see what your idea of hide and seek is,"
"Do we still have some coins left?" Blake asks.
They check and find that they each still have a few coins left.
"We'll need to save at least one to pull us out of the dream. Ruby, save your last coin, just in case," Khazhak suggests, earning a nod from Ruby.
They move deeper into the hall, noticing all the vines around.
"Professor Shion said we shouldn't touch the thorns," Porphyrius notes.
"Well, good things Ruby cleared the way for us thanks to her relic. Nice job, sis," Yang says, earning a smile from Ruby.
They continue on until they come to a large theatre room. Vines are everywhere, but on the stage is the Nightmare; its vines coiling around a glowing blue dress.
"That's the Nightmare. We've finally found it," Khazhak says.
"Yang!" Ruby looks to her sister.
"Got it," Yang uses a coin to create a phone, but just as she's about to call, it gets destroyed by ice shards.
"How dare you trespass in these sacred halls?" they look back to see Nega-Weiss approaching.
Nega-Weiss creates a glyph and uses it to jump over them and land in front of the Nightmare, which gets covered by drapes on the stage.
"Wait, is she trying to keep us from the grimm?" Lloyd asks.
"Weiss, you need to listen! We're only trying to help you!" Blake yells.
"You won't fool me with your lies. It's time to leave!" Nega-Weiss conjures another glyph, sending out a surg of ice so large it forces everyone out of the room.
As they fall, Ruby's relic falls out of her pack and ends up in the vines of the Nightmare.
"The relic!" Ruby exclaims.
The ice breaks as Nega-Weiss approaches them, "I don't understand... How could you of all people betray me, Ruby? I must protect what is most precious to me. Why must you threaten that?" Nega-Weiss asks as the door closes behind her.
"I'm sorry, Weiss. I honestly have no idea wat really matters to you. But still, I want to help you. That's why you need to wake up!" Ruby pleads.
Nega-Weiss turns to Reaper, "You're just as bad, Reaper. You were always advising Khazhak, and everyone else. And yet, you allowed them to walk down this foolish path, and went along with them. Even with all your wisdom, how could you do something so foolish?"
"Wisdom cannot be given or granted, Weiss. It must be earned. Sometimes at a cost. A cost... you unfortunately haven't paid yet," Reaper replies.
"I know what the wise thing to do is, Reaper. A shame I can't say the same about you, Lloyd. You've always been the most immature of your team. You just blindly follow Khazhak's lead, but then again I shouldn't be surprised," Nega-Weiss insults Lloyd this time.
"I go where Brother goes, Weiss. I follow my leader. What's immature is how you completely disregard your own leader's feelings. Just a stuck-up brat who doesn't care about anyone but herself," Lloyd retorts, earning a glare from Nega-Weiss.
"If she were a competent leader, then maybe I would. But, we know who to blame for how she is. Isn't that right, Yang?" this gets Yang's attention. "You're the reason she's turned out like this. Treating her like a child, always being soft on her. You're the reason she became so weak and could never be a true leader. Because of your selfishness," Nega-Weiss says.
Yang growls, "Now you're starting to piss me off. You're the spoiled brat here who grew up small!"
"Yang, please, calm down!" Blake says.
"I've had enough of this. I'll just lock all of you up... forever!" Nega-Weiss declares.
She conjures some glyphs, summoning more Ursai to attack. Khazhak charges first, attacking one grimm to get its attention. Reaper and Porphyrius go after two more. Meanwhile, Lloyd goes after Weiss. He smashes his steel fist down on her, but she dodges and tries to throw a kick at him. Lloyd's steel body stops her strike cold, and Weiss jumps back. She uses her Dust to send out a surge of ice at him, but Khazhak lands in between them and swings his greatsword down, destroying the ice.
"Ruby!" Reaper fires off one of his knives.
Ruby grabs it and Reaper swings her around towards the red relic. She reaches for it, but her hand gets cut by the Nightmare's vines, and then they crush the relic into pieces.
"No, the relic!" Ruby cries as blood leaks from her wound.
"Ruby!" Khazhak yells.
One Ursai jumps at her, but Khazhak swings his blade, slicing it in too. Nega-Weiss stabs her rapier into the ground on a glyph, sending out a storm of Dust shots everywhere. The shots end up hitting everyone, who either block the shots, or get knocked back by them.
"No choice," Khazhak mutters before using his coin to wake them all up from the dream.
…
"Everyone, wake up now!" Shion commands and everyone bolt up with gasps for air, everyone except for Weiss. Shion sighs, "That was too close,"
"Ruby!" Ruby looks as Khazhak quickly approaches her and checks her hand. "You're hurt... The Nightmare's thorns, wasn't it," he carefully holds her hand.
Ruby hangs her head, "I'm sorry,"
Khazhak shakes his head, "It's not your fault. Things just got out of hand. Come on, let's get this wrapped up,"
Khazhak wraps bandages around Ruby's hand as they all collect themselves. Ruby is surprised by how tender Khazhak is with wrapping the bandages around her hand.
"I can sense it. All the markers you left in the dream have been destroyed. That means we'll have to enter the dream again and replace each one," Shion explains.
"So, we're back to square one," Porphyrius notes as he and Blake stare at Weiss.
The Nightmare's vine marks have spread further across her body.
"The rules that govern Weiss' dream shouldn't have changed too much. For now, recollect on what you've learned from this last dive and come up with a new plan," Shion suggests.
"A new plan?" Khazhak asks.
"It will take some time for me to regain my strength and my aura. When the time is right, we'll go again. However, I must warn you all. If you fail a third time... then Weiss will be truly lost to us," Shion delivers an ultimatum.
…
A little later, the two teams are in the school cafeteria, trying to figure out what to do next over a meal.
"Ugh, I'm so worried about Weiss, I can't even think about food right now," Ruby moans as she's barely touched her plate.
"That spoiled brat sure know how to make things complicated, doesn't she," Lloyd notes while scarfing down his burger.
"Table manners, Lloyd, please," Reaper facepalms.
"Remind me again why we're doing this for Weiss," Yang asks.
"She's like that in the dream because of the Nightmare. Remember what Professor Ozpin said, that's not Weiss' true self we're facing," Blake says.
Throughout the exchange, Porphyrius remains silent. Yang suddenly stands up.
"Where are you going?" Ruby asks.
"I need to take a walk. I can't think straight right now just sitting around. I need to clear my head if I can help come up with a plan. We'll meet back here in an hour," Yang says and walk away.
"Lloyd," Khazhak nods to the blonde.
"Got it," Lloyd gives him a salute and walks off to follow Yang.
"I think I'll go too. I need to think on a few things," Blake says and leaves.
Porphyrius leaves too, but doesn't say anything and goes his own way, leaving just Ruby and Khazhak.
"Okay, I guess that's alright," Ruby hangs her head.
Khazhak stares at Ruby across the table, "You okay, little rose?"
"Weiss... she said I was precious to her. Is that how she truly feels about me? I want... I want to understand her. I want us to be friends, but I don't know how. I'm sorry... Weiss," Ruby cries.
"Ruby..." Khazhak mutters.
…
Outside the school, Blake ends up running into Sun Wukong, "Hey, shouldn't you be with your friends?"
Off to the side, Porphyrius watches them go, with much on his mind.
…
Out in Vale, Yang and Lloyd walk by a city river, "Man, this really sucks," Yang moans.
"Tell me about it," Lloyd replies.
The pair end up on a bench overlooking the river, "I keep thinking about what Weiss said about me being too soft on Ruby. I know I can be like that sometimes,"
"What do you know you're like sometimes?" they nearly bolt up when they notice Penny standing next to them.
"Woah, when'd you get here?!" Lloyd is nearly out of his seat.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, older sister and friend of Ruby. You may call me Penny," Penny smiles.
"Oh, nice to see you again, Penny," Yang greets her.
"Were two talking to each other about something?" Penny asks, curious.
"Well, talking about someone... from a dream basically," Yang replies.
Lloyd rests his head back, "Yeah, a really stubborn someone who's become a pain in our backsides,"
"I see... Maybe what you two need is maintenance," Penny suggests.
"Huh?" Yang and Lloyd look perplexed.
…
Back at Beacon, Ruby and Khazhak explain to team JNPR what they saw in Weiss' dream.
"Wow, so we were in Weiss' dream too. That's a surprise. Hey, what were we like in there?" Jaune asks.
"I think in her dream, you guys were known as 'Sillies'. She kept you locked up in jail cells in the city. As for our two teams, she kept us locked up in a large room in her tower. The accommodations may have been better, but it was still a prison," Khazhak explains.
"She locked us all up? I don't remember doing anything to Weiss to get her to want to put us behind bars," Nora wonders, rocking back and forth in her seat.
"I don't think that's what's going on," Ren says, earning confused looks from Ruby and Nora.
"I think Ren is right. If you have something important to you, wouldn't you want to do whatever it takes to protect it," Pyrrha adds.
"You mean... because she's afraid of losing us to the Nightmare," Khazhak figures it out.
"Yes, perhaps that is how Weiss believes she should protect you all. It might have something to do with her upbringing, but that's her way of protecting what's precious to her," Pyrrha replies.
"Well, maybe you could let me out so I can smash some stuff alongside you guys," Nora jokes.
"Fight alongside us..." Ruby mutters, earning a hum from Khazhak.
"Man, if only I could come along and fight with you guys. It's better than just staying here, waiting," Jaune leans back from his seat.
"Wait, that's it!" Ruby perks up as she stares at Jaune.
"Uh, what's it?" Jaune looks confused.
Khazhak slowly smirks, "I think you're on to something, little rose,"
…
"I learned from my father that dreams are a mind's way of conducting maintenance. The mind uses dreams to analyze and process excess amounts of knowledge. I also try to dream like other people, and have programmed several different scenarios for such an activity. But, it is rather difficult," Penny says.
"Seriously, there is something really off about this girl," Lloyd gives a sideways stare at her.
"I'm sorry, but I don't quite get it," Yang says.
"You can perform maintenance on yourself by using dreams. Why not give it a try, older sister and friend of my friend Ruby?" Penny suggests.
"You can just call me Yang, and he's Lloyd. I don't think it's supposed to work like that, but... you might be onto something," Yang gets a thought in her head.
"What are you thinking about, Yang?" this peeks Lloyd's interest.
…
At a local café, Blake tells Sun about Weiss' dream.
Sun holds a glass in his tail, "Huh, so your friend tries to keep you out of her little dream city all the time?"
"Yeah, just like how humans keep Faunus away, even going so far as to put us all on an island away from the kingdoms," Blake notes sadly.
"I don't know. I think that just shows how much she actually cares about you," Sun says.
Blake looks up, "You think... she cares about me?"
"You said that she said that she keeps pushing you out of the city in the dream, but you always manage to come back, then maybe that's what you're missing. Maybe just being there for her is enough to help her out. To change her for the better," Sun thinks before sipping his drink.
"You think I could... I could change Weiss for the better?" Blake wonders.
"It sure seems that way to me. I mean, you got her, a girl who was a Faunus-hating jerk to accept you, even after what happened between her family and the White Fang. Seems like you've already changed her, and still are," Sun smirks.
Blake looks down in thought, "The ideals that helped create the White Fang long ago were just like that once before. We wanted to change the world. To change how humans viewed us. We wanted peace and equality. But then, they pushed us away and lashed out at us. We lost hope. Violence became the only option at that point,"
"I think I understand what you're getting at," they look to see Porphyrius join them. "I've been thinking about a few things lately. I hated Weiss at first. Hell, I even tried to kill her. Because of what her father did to me and my family. Something she had no part in. And yet... in that dream, I had my wings. I could fly. I still wonder... why would she give me my wings back?" Porphyrius sits down with them, clasping his hands together.
Sun scratches his chin, "Hmm, maybe because she's trying to make things right,"
Porphyrius looks at him, "Make things right?"
"Yeah. Her dad took your wings away, so she decided to give them back. She can't do anything to bring your parents back, so maybe this is the next best thing. Maybe deep down, she may not actually hate Faunus, but her stupid father and her stupid upbringing made it hard to show that. I think that her giving you your wings back, even in just a dream, is her way of saying she's sorry," Sun says.
Sun's words strike a chord with both of them.
"I think you're right, Sun. That's why... I won't lose hope," Blake stands, resolute. "Even if this world rejects me, I'll still fight to change it for the better,"
"You won't do it alone," Porphyrius stands with her. "If Weiss is trying to make amends, then I need to reciprocate that. She gave me my wings, so I'm going to give her back her freedom,"
Blake nods before smiling at Sun, "Thanks for listening, and for your help, Sun,"
"Hey, that's what friends are supposed to do. Changing for the better with one another and helping each other out. Just don't give up and keep going. I know you'll do great," Sun gives them a thumbs up.
…
Back at Beacon, Ruby goes over her new plan, "...And maybe after that, Negative Weiss won't protect the Nightmare anymore. If she's not blocking out way, that grimm won't stand a chance against all of us,"
"That might work. When we went inside Porphyrius' dream, we weren't fighting just the Nightmare, or even Porphyrius. We also had grimm to deal with and the maze of Porphyrius' emotions. The Nightmare wasn't the only challenge in there," Khazhak recollects.
"It was the same for us when we went inside Jaune's dream," Pyrrha's notes.
"The grimm wasn't that strong when we fought it in Jaune's dream. It's gotta be the same in Weiss' dream. By itself, it is just another grimm," Ren notes.
"Oh, so you came up with a plan with Khazhak and Team JNPR?" they turn to see Yang and Lloyd approaching. "So, what did you guys come up with, Brother?"
"Don't look at me. This is all Ruby's idea," Khazhak points a thumb at the cookie-lover.
"Yep, I've come up with a great plan," Ruby cheers.
Yang smirks, "Oh, well, we've got one too. Let's wait for Blake and Porphyrius to arrive and we'll compare notes,"
Just then, Blake and Porphyrius arrive, "Sorry we're late,"
"Oh no, you're right on time. Have you come up with an idea too?" Yang asks.
"More like I know what I have to do now," Blake smiles.
Khazhak notices Porphyrius' posture, "You seem like you've finally figured things out,"
Porphyrius nods, "Yes. I know what I can do now. I figured out how to move forward,"
Khazhak smirks, "Alright, let's get this show on the road,"
…
They all return to Shion's room and tell her their ideas.
"So, do you think this new plan will work?" Ruby asks.
"Hmmm, first there's Yang and Lloyd's idea. While in a dream, you can change certain events in it,"
"However, that is only possible if the dreamer accepts it and sees it in a positive light. If she doesn't see it as such, then Weiss will push back against it," Ozpin notes.
"I get it now. What we need to do to make Weiss change for the better. I didn't know how to do so myself for a while now myself. I wanted to be different, but I didn't have any idea on how to do that," Blake says.
"I wanted to be accepted for who I am and what I am. If Weiss giving me my wings in her dream is her way of showing acceptance, then I need to accept her too. Truly accept her, even her faults," Porphyrius adds.
"We need to find Weiss and speak with her heart. To tell her that it's okay to change and to let the old her go. To become someone new, someone better," Lloyd says.
"I know that we can prove it to her. That we actually want to help her and do what's really best for her," Ruby adds.
"To show her that she can break free of the cage she built around herself, and spread her wings. To soar beyond the prescriptions of her idols, good and bad, and create her own legacy," Khazhak says.
They all turn to the sleeping Weiss, "I didn't really understand it at first, but now I do. It isn't just us. Even Weiss is fighting back against the Nightmare burrowing into her heart. She's been fighting with us all this time," Ruby says.
"Alright then, just so you know, regarding Ruby and Khazhak's idea... It is not without precedent. It's actually worked before," Shion says.
"You really mean that?" Jaune asks.
"Yes, having been possessed by a Nightmare recently himself, Jaune would be seen as a host by other Nightmares. They would most likely ignore him," Shion explains.
"But, that didn't seem to work with me, even though I was once possessed myself," Porphyrius notes.
"You faced Negative Weiss head-on, so it would've been impossible to remain hidden from the Nightmare. What's more, your counterpart in her dream might have a bigger impact on her mind than you first thought, which could also nullify it. Keep to the shadows and that may be different," Shion says.
"Wow, so she basically doesn't care one way or another about Jaune," Nora jokes.
"Nora, that's not how this works," Ren calmly berates her.
"Porphyrius and Jaune have something of an immunity to Nightmare. But, the closer they get to it, the more Jaune will react to it. Porphyrius got pretty close, but didn't have much of a reaction. I'd wager that on his strength of will combined with the effects of his possession providing him aid," Shion thinks.
"Wait, what kind of reactions are we talking about here?" Jaune can't get past that part.
"Well, it would be like intense itching or trouble breathing. Think of it like a cold or an allergy. As long as they don't make direct contact with the Nightmare or Negative Weiss, Jaune and Porphyrius can move more freely through the dream than the others. However, if the Nightmare rejects him, Jaune and Porphyrius could possibly die from shock. Though, I wager Jaune would be more likely than Porphyrius to face such a fate," Shion says.
"Hey, what, why me?!" Oh, I don't like the sound of this," Jaune complains.
Lloyd slaps his back, "Hey, you said you wanted to help. Now's your chance,"
"It doesn't matter what the risks are. I'm going to help Weiss. That's all there is to it," Porphyrius remains unperturbed.
"I know you can do it, Jaune. We all believe in you, so please believe in yourself," Pyrrha encourages him.
"Alright, I'll do it for Weiss," Jaune says, but is still sweating.
"In the dream, you must find the key to Weiss' heart. There should be another relic like the one Ruby found from last time," Shion says.
"We understand. We'll get it done, Professor Shion," Reaper says.
"I must advise you again. If you fail this time, before my aura can fully recover... then it is highly likely that Weiss will die. Do you understand?" Shion asks.
"We understand, and we'll do it this time. We won't fail again," Ruby isn't afraid.
"Yeah, we need to wake up the Ice Queen so we can bag on her how much of a pain in the butt she's been with this whole Nightmare business. She owes us big time," Lloyd jokes.
"I want to have a talk with Weiss. A real talk so that we can become real friends," Blake says.
"I still believe that Weiss is different from her bastard father. I want to see her reach her full potential. And I want to get to know the real Weiss. The Weiss hiding within that dream," Reaper says.
"Alright, then let's begin," Shion says, and everyone prepares to enter the dream one more time. "I shall invite you all into the dream," Shion uses her semblance.
…
In the dream, Teams RWBY and KEPL find themselves back where they started in the frozen wilderness outside the city.
Khazhak looks out into the expanse, "Alright then... Let's end this nightmare. Once and for all,"
And that's the chapter. The gang fail a second time to free Weiss from the Nightmare, and now they only have one last chance. They come up with a new plan and dive right back in after figuring some things out. Will they finally free Weiss from the Nightmare's grasp? Until then, please read and Review.