Here we are at Chapter 10. The final venture into Weiss' dream begins. I do not own RWBY Ice Queendom. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 10. Enjoy.
Chapter 10: Dreams come Rued
Out in the frozen wilderness of Weiss' dream, Teams RWBY and KEPL look around. Yang happens to notice the tree she destroyed the last time, still broken.
"Hey, the tree I punched before. It's still here. That means we really did change the dream," Yang notes happily.
"Um, has anyone seen Jaune?" Reaper looks around.
Just then, a hand pops out of the snow and grabs Ruby's ankle, "Ah! What the-!"
She tries to move away, but it doesn't work. Lloyd reaches down, pulls the hand off, and then pulls up with one arm and brings out Jaune from beneath the snow.
Jaune lays on the snow, "Oh, thank you. I thought I was gonna die. This stuff is really heavy," he moans.
His outfit is the same, but now he has a brown cloak on his shoulders and a large, well-decorated sword on his back.
"Is.. This how Weiss sees Jaune in the dream?" Yang asks.
"Wow, her opinion of him is so low, she doesn't even think he can use his own weapon. Talk about cold," Porphyrius notes as they all look down on him with pity.
"Everyone check your coin count," Khazhak says. They all pull out three coins each. "Three coins each. Best use them wisely. Come on, let's get moving."
They all move down the snowy hill, but Jaune lags behind as he struggles to use his shield as a snow board and can't keep control.
"Someone help! I'm gonna crash!" Jaune cries as he tumbles at the bottom of the hill, ending up just before the weird arrow sign. He sits up, "Hey, what is this thing?"
"No idea. We're stumped about it. You got any clues?" Ruby asks, while Jaune hums.
"We'll worry about that later. We need to get ready," Reaper says.
Everyone readies their weapons, but Jaune struggles to properly wield his large sword from his back. He sways from side to side, almost hitting the others, before finally getting it in place.
"Uh, yeah... I'm ready too... I think," Jaune says.
Lloyd stares flatly at him, "Yeah, maybe you should put that away before you hurt someone... or yourself,"
Just then, they hear the train horn and look to see the train rolling in.
"There's the train. Ruby," Khazhak looks to the scythe-wielder.
"Right," Ruby takes aim with her weapon, looking at the train before moving up and spotting the Grimm Fang, who launch their attack on the train.
The train's defense robots fire on them, but the Grimm Fang get closer. Just as one attacks a robot, Ruby takes it out with her sniper-scythe.
"Now's the time, everyone!" Ruby calls out.
"Let's move!" Khazhak jumps down first with the rest behind him.
Khazhak falls on top of one Grimm Fang member, impaling his swords on it before moving and slicing through a second. Porphyrius flies over the train, firing his rifles at those that run along its side. Reaper fires his knife, stabbing the chest of one fang member, pulling himself in to kick it off the train. Lloyd blocks bullets with his steel semblance before ripping through two Grimm Fang members with his claws. One attacks his rear, but Yang comes in and throws a right cross to send it flying. Blake joins them, dodging a few bullets before slicing her blade through another. Jaune screams as he falls down, his sword impaling itself in one of the train cars. This causes a strange reaction as the whole train glows for a moment before dissipating.
Jaune struggles to pull it out, "It... won't budge!" he stops when his cape blows around him from the wind and then flies off. "Ah, my cape!" he watches it fly away.
Ruby flies in with her semblance, taking one Grimm Fang out with her sniper-scythe. Khazhak charges up his semblance and then swings his left sword, sending out several lightning bolts that take out the rest of their foes. They all regroup before they notice the train passing by some rubble.
"Hey, this is the spot where the train crashed. We made it," Blake says.
"Yeah, all the way to the Ice Queendom!" Lloyd cheers.
A few minutes later, they exit the valley, "We've made it pass the valley. But..." Reaper looks at the wall surrounding the city, and the closed gate they're approaching. "The gate is still closed."
"Damn it. Unless that gate opens, this is going to get very messy," Porphyrius says as they get closer.
"Weiss, please... We just want to save you!" Ruby yells.
"Come on, Weiss!" Jaune joins her.
"Weiss, let us in!" Yang yells.
"Weiss, don't keep us out. We're your friends!" Blake pleads.
"Weiss, don't let this cage control you!" Khazhak yells.
"Weiss, I know you can hear us. Let us in!" Reaper adds.
"Come on, Ice Queen. Open up!" Lloyd joins in.
"Weiss, please, let us be there for you!" Porphyrius screams.
Suddenly, the gate opens up before them in time, "Weiss opened it for us," Ruby notes happily.
They make it past the gate, and find the outer city shifting to make a passage for them and the train.
"The dream... it's changing for us just like you thought, Yang," Porphyrius notes, earning a smile from the blonde.
The city continues to shift for them, even creating a railway leading up and deeper into the city.
"Alright, let's take this all the way to the finish line!" Lloyd pumps his fist.
The inner wall of the city opens up for them to pass. They see a train station forming ahead of them.
"Looks like this is out stop. Little rose, you're up next," Khazhak turns to her.
Ruby nods, "Right,"
The train comes to a stop, with dozens of robot guards standing around it, chanting 'Big Nicholas'. While they're busy with their cheering, the group sneak away onto a nearby rooftop. Yang flips a coin and creates a door for them.
"Okay, now we won't be kicked out," Yang says.
"Time for my plan to do its thing. Jaune, you're up now," Ruby turns to him.
Jaune suddenly sneezes, "Achoo! Ah man, my nose is runny, I feel so cold, and my eyes are starting to itch too," he complains.
"Quit complaining, it's because you're allergic to the Nightmare, but that works with our plan. You're the only one who can sneak around without being seen. You're the key to this part of the plan," Khazhak says, but Jaune just sneezes again, making him sigh. "Lloyd, go with him just in case. He may need the muscle,"
Lloyd gives him a thumbs up, "Got it,"
Jaune and Lloyd take their leave, though the group are concerned with how wobbly Jaune looks on his feet.
"Are we sure Jaune will be okay?" Yang asks.
"Oh, I just want to take a nap in a nice warm bed. Why did it have to be so cold?" Jaune moans before suddenly stopping when a robot guard appears in front of him.
The two have a staring contest for a moment before the robot walks off, paying Jaune no mind at all. Jaune sneezes again as it passes.
"Nice work, Jaune," Jaune looks over to see Lloyd poking his head out from behind a building.
"Why are you there?" Jaune asks.
"Duh, they can't see you, but they can still see me. So, I'll be nearby, but I'll need to stick to the shadows so I'm not spotted. Don't worry, I got your back," Lloyd gives him a thumbs up.
Jaune sags, "I'd prefer a war blanket, please,"
The others look on at the scene, "What do you know? It actually worked," Porphyrius notes.
"Jaune's sure sneezing up a storm down there," Ruby notes.
"He'll be fine," Yang waves it off.
Khazhak cocks an eyebrow, "I have my doubts. Let's go,"
Jaune walks through what looks like a big circus, wandering around while Lloyd keeps hiding nearby. He eventually comes across one tent with a metal door on it.
"Why, hello there!" the goofy face on the door suddenly talks, spooking him. "Big Nicholas! Greetings, I am Dopy Klein, one of the seven butlers. My duty is to watch over and guard every silly in the city so they don't... wait a minute," the door gets a closer look at Jaune. "Hold on, aren't you supposed to be in here with the rest of the sillies? Why are you outside, you big dummy?"
Off to the side, Lloyd snickers, "Wow, Jaune getting dissed by a talking door with a goofy face. Oh man, I'm gonna make sure he never lives this down!"
Jaune looks upset until he notices the dream versions of the rest of his team inside the cell and gets an idea.
"Hey, you think you could open the door for me?" Jaune asks.
"What? I can't do that. I can't let these sillies get out," Dopy Klein replies.
"But you said that I was a silly too. If the door's closed, then how am I supposed to get back inside where I belong?" Jaune says.
"Wait, are you saying you're a dummy?" Dopy Klein says.
"Yep, just like you said. So, can I come in?" Jaune asks.
"Hmm, okay," Dopy Klein opens up the door for him.
Jaune moves first, but opens up his shield to place in the doorway. Lloyd quickly moves right behind him. Luckily, the door's back was to him and his eyes were closed so he didn't see him. After they get inside, Dopy Klein goes to close, only to stop when he gets blocked by Jaune's shield.
"Huh, what the-hey, I can't close. How'd this happen?" Dopy Klein gets really confused.
Inside, Jaune and Lloyd stare wide-eyed at the scene before them. Inside the jail cell are several stalls full of tasty snacks and food.
"Uh, I thought jail was supposed to be a crappy place. This is actually decent setup," Lloyd looks around.
"Yeah, no kidding," Jaune nods his head.
"Meow/nyaa," they turn to the rest of dream Tem JNPR, who offer Jaune mittens, a scarf, and a snow hat.
"Wait, are you saying those are for me?" Jaune asks and then puts them on. Immediately, he feels much better. "Wow, this stuff is awesome. Thanks, guys. You know, we did come in here to free you guys, but this place ain't half bad. My nose feels much better too,"
Dream Pyrrha walks up and takes Jaune's hand, escorting him with the others following them. They come across what looks like a large version of the strange arrow sign they saw out in the valley. All the arrows have the word 'stop' written on them. Within its center is a yellow relic.
"It's another relic, just like Ruby's, but with a different color," Lloyd notes before reaching up and grabbing it. This makes Dream JNPR gasp. "Huh?"
Suddenly, the arrows bolt up and show 'go'. A second later, dozens of identical little girls with white hair tied back in short ponytails and wearing white dresses appear and run arpund everywhere.
"What the-are these... mini-Weiss'?!" Lloyd and Jaune are so confused.
"This is so weird! Why can't I close? I have to close!" Dopy Klein can't close until the little Weiss' open up and bolt out of the jail cell.
Outside, the rest of group spot the army of little girls.
"Are those... versions of Weiss when she was little?" Yang asks.
"Maybe... she's been bottling up all her childhood feelings this whole time," Blake says.
"This just gets weirder and weirder," Porphyrius shakes his head.
"What the Hell did Lloyd do this time?" Khazhak sighs.
"Weiss, is this what was going on with you?" Ruby shows concern for her partner. A second later, she gets a call on her scroll and answers it. "Huh, Jaune?... Yeah, it's crazy out here. Are you guys okay?... Wait, did you say... a relic?"
The little Weiss' all join up just as robot guards appear, with Grumpy Klein standing at the helm.
"That's far enough. As long as my eyes are glowing red, this Grumpy Klein will not allow any sillies to run around free," Grumpy Klein threatens them. However, the little Weiss' charge forth with their rapiers. One strikes Grumpy Klein and his personality changes. "Eh... I want to be free too!"
It seems that when the little Weiss' hit the robots, it causes them to express what the little Weiss' say and feel. The gang all watch the chaos unfold as Ruby, Khazhak, and Porphyrius link back up with Jaune and Lloyd.
"You guys sure know how to cause a scene," Khazhak notes.
Ruby notices the item in Lloyd's hand, "Wait, is that a relic?"
"Yep, here. I think this belongs with you," Lloyd hands the yellow relic over to Ruby, earning a gasp from Dream Pyrrha.
"Thanks, you guys. I feel like everything's going to work out now," Ruby says as she puts the relic away in her pack.
"Um, is all of this... okay?" Jaune points to the chaos being made by the little Weiss'.
"I think so. Look, all the childhood feelings that she had to keep locked away are free now. Isn't that what a good thing? Maybe, deep down, everyone wants to be free. All those feelings that you care about, your dreams; you can't just lock them away. Never to be let out. They all need to be free," Ruby says.
"Be free," Dream Ren and Dream Nora say together.
"Wait, they're not acting like cats anymore?" Lloyd looks between them.
"Yes, you're right. You guys are part of the resistance now. Fight for freedom!" Ruby declares.
"We will fight... We will fight for freedom!" Dream Ren and Nora nod.
"For freedom!" They pump their fists in the air.
"Yeah, viva-la-resistance!" Lloyd pumps his fist in the air.
Porphyrius deadpans, "Oh please, you're just using that as an excuse to hit stuff,"
Lloyd slowly lowers his arm before rising it again, "That too!"
Dream JNPR stand with Lloyd and the Little Weiss' as another group of robot guards approach them.
Lloyd readies his claws, "Let's go! For freedom!"
As the chaos continue, Negative Weiss lands on top of one building overlooking it all.
"Unforgivable," Nega-Weiss says.
Meanwhile, the others regroup by the train.
"Jaune and Lloyd are making a good distraction. Now is our chance," Khazhak notes.
He flips a coin and creates a door.
They all turn to the tower, "Let's go. We can't fail this time. We HAVE to stop the Nightmare and free Weiss.
Back with Lloyd and Jaune, the revolution continues as Lloyd swings his claws at two robot guards, leaving them in pieces. He looks around, seeing the mess they've made that only seems to keep spreading.
"Maybe we've gone a bit too gun-ho here," Lloyd mutters.
"You think?" Jaune sits down. "Oh no, my nose is getting all runny and itchy again. Why'd this have to happen to me?" Jaune moans before Dream Pyrrha walks over and gives him a handkerchief. "Oh, thank you,"
Just then, he feels some tremors and looks back to see one little Weiss... that's not so little anymore.
"I want to make new friends," the not-so-little Weiss says.
"We want to fight for freedom," Dream Nora says as she and Dream Ren stalk closer to Jaune and Dream Pyrrha.
"Okay, maybe we did take it too far. Jaune, time to go!" Lloyd yells as he makes a break for it.
Jaune takes Dream Pyrrha's hand and runs after him.
"Lloyd, what's going on? Everyone's losing it!" Jaune yells
"How the Hell should I know?! All I did was break a few things!" Lloyd yells back.
They move around as more not-so-little Weiss' walk around and destroy everything in their paths. However, they end up getting surrounded by the big Weiss', Dream Nora and Dream Ren who look like they're possessed, and more robot guards wrapped in vines.
"Wait, is this the Nightmare's doing?" Lloyd wonders as he notices the vines around them all.
Just as they were all about to swarm on them, a glyph forms and sends out a shockwave that knocks them all back.
"Wait, what was..." Jaune looks up and they spot Negative Weiss on a rooftop.
"Oh, well this is just great," Lloyd groans.
Negative Weiss raises her rapier into the air and fires off a blue beam that reaches far up into the sky. Swirling storm clouds form above the city, creating turbulent winds. At the tower, the eyes of the face on the statue light up and six arms form on it. Teams RWBY and KEPL look up at the statue.
"This is getting insane!" Reaper notes about the storm.
"Oh... crap," Khazhak mutters as he stares at the statue.
A large, golden fist comes flying at them, forcing them to jump back to avoid it. After the fist lifts back up, Teams RWBY and KEPL stare up at Negative Weiss.
"In the name of Big Nicholas and the esteemed Schnee family, all of you... will be judged," Nega-Weiss declares.
Hearing that makes Khazhak growl as he grips his swords, "You want to play it that way, fine. Let's see who judges who..."
And that's the chapter. Teams RWBY and KEPL begin their last attempt to save Weiss, and while it went well at first, now things have gone haywire. Will Ruby, Khazhak, and their friends save Weiss from the Nightmare and herself? Until then, please Read and Review.