On the elevator ride down, Raven was contemplating her next move. She knew what Cinder had really wanted, the maiden powers and Ruby dead. Raven had to make one thing clear, she would never let anyone harm her daughter or her niece. Yes she knew the truth about Qrow being Ruby's father but also felt that the one that needed to tell her, was him and no one else. After all her mother was gone and had been killed in action years ago. The truth is though, Raven knew more about it than anyone else on remnant, she had been there after all. Years ago when she was secretly on a mission for Ozpin, her kindred link semblance rang an alarm, showing that Summer was in trouble. At first she was confused, Summer being in trouble? The woman was one of the greatest huntresses she had ever seen and together they were unstoppable, they were the best duo in Beacon. If she was in trouble than something was very wrong, so Raven made a portal to her best friend and couldn't believe what she saw. Summer wasn't fighting just a grimm, she was fighting the queen of Grimm known as Salem, who was about to kill her. Raven immediately joined into the fray, knocking Salem back and moved to protect Summer. Summer was shocked to see her but welcomed the help and the two tried everything they could but to no avail…Both Raven and Summer were exhausted and then Salem did some sort of attack that created an explosion that encapsulated the duo. When Raven awoke, Salem was gone as was her best friend. She burst into tears, knowing that her partner, her only friend, was gone and swore that she would never be part of Ozpin's war ever again.
While Raven reflected on the past, her subordinate Vernal called her attention, letting her know that they were at their destination. She, Vernal, and Cinder carefully walked to the entrance of the Vault and Vernal began to try and open. In the meantime, Raven tried to perform her best sneak attack on Cinder until said Maiden starting talking, "You know, I have heard much about you Raven. How you are a smart, cunning leader and an even better warrior. Too bad they were all false…" Raven's heart stopped, 'She knows', was the thought running in her mind. She then felt ice on her and screamed to her subordinate knowing what was coming next. Cinder then used her newly attached grimm arm to attack Vernal at a high pace only to have a bullet be lodged in it. She screamed in fury but saw that it did not come of the direction of Vernal, it came from the side. Just then Raven had broken free from the Ice using her maiden powers but could not figure out what had hit Cinder. Then she heard a voice, one that made her heart stop…
"Hmph, things never go as planned do they? I was going to kill Cinder quickly and now I have to save my sister and her lackey." Everyone looked to the side and saw a figure coming out of the shadows. It was a woman, dressed in a black combat suit with a white cloak draping over her body. In her hand was a three pronged scythe, which could be shifted into a rifle and had a contraption on the bottom to throw at a ball chain. Raven couldn't believe it, her dead partner was alive, kicking, and apparently still combat ready. She then heard an enraged yell coming from the fall maiden who was about to kill her. "You?! How did you escape the Castle?!" – Cinder said in anger. She couldn't believe that the mother of that little bitch who ruined her was out of her cell and here of all places. Raven looked in confusion and anger, "What do you mean she is out of her cell?! You people had the gall to have her be your prisoner?!". Summer glared at Cinder, "It isn't my fault that Scientist of yours is so arrogant that he left the control to my cell in reach. It also isn't my fault how none of you sensed my presence on that airship when you came to Mistral." Cinder was shocked, was she really so focused on killing Ruby that she didn't notice Summer had snuck on their ship with her camouflage semblance?!
Vernal was grateful that this woman had saved her life but she had no idea who she was, so she asked her leader. "Raven, who is this?" Her leader replied in a somber tone, "My sister…"and the bandit had been shocked. This was Summer Rose? The woman that Raven had gone on and on about how if she were still in the land of the living we would be rid of this Salem woman?! Vernal took one good look at Summer and she definitely could tell she was as strong as Raven said she was. Summer approached Cinder and gave her a cold stare, "You do realize that you are not leaving here alive correct? I would just surrender so we can end this quickly." Cinder gave a laugh and flared up her powers, "HA! You think that you can beat me alone? You might be a Silver Eyed Warrior but you are no match for a maiden!" She created two of her make-shift weapons and prepared to charge until she heard someone speak, "Who said she is alone?" Cinder looked to see Raven Branwen and Vernal have their weapons drawn and go to Summer's side to back them up. "Summer…" Raven started but was interrupted by her sister, "I know what you want to say, we can talk after this annoyance is dealt with." Raven nodded in approval and the 3 women charged at Cinder, who while powerful could not deal with two warriors and a maiden. Making it a predictably short fight.
Cinder was dead and there was no reason to get the relic anymore, Raven and her tribe couldn't be threatened by anyone else in Salem's circle unless the Grimm Witch had wanted to come do it herself, but Raven had doubted that would happen. Once it was all said and done, Raven had looked to the woman that she called a sister, and began her apology only to be interrupted. "No me first, I need to apologize to you Raven," Summer said sadly to her best friend. Raven looked incredibly confused until Summer resumed, "You were right about everything. We should have listened to you and done some more digging and not follow Ozpin blindly. Then maybe we would have found out that Salem can't be killed and I wouldn't have spent half of my life as her prisoner. And you would have returned home to be with Tai and Yang. I can't blame you for leaving either, Tai would never have given up the quest to hunt down Salem and would probably get you both killed." Raven looked down and gave her truth, "I didn't leave at first. I was on a mission for Ozpin but my semblance told me that you were in trouble. I rushed to get to you and after our fight with Salem…I just gave up. How could be a mother and a wife when I can't even save my best friend?" She said sadly as she was comforted by Summer, "You can be the best one that you can try to be. Do not let your fears control you, you may never be free of them. Only when you find those to protect, do you fears not matter as much. So, what will you do now?" Raven looked down then up, her face full of resolve, and looked towards Vernal. "Vernal, as of today you are the Chieftain of the Branwen Tribe. Train them to be warriors and not bottom feeders. So they may one day help us in the battle with Salem." Vernal was shocked at first but soon nodded at her leader, "I will Raven, you have my word." Summer smiled at both of them, "Well, I believe my husband and the kids are having a tough time up there, let's give them a break." Raven and Vernal nodded and went to the elevator.
Ruby and the others were exhausted, but they had the upper hand and had the minions of Salem under their heel. "That's enough! Just give up!", Ruby ordered Hazel, Emerald and Mercury. Mercury let out a cry of frustration after experiencing defeat. Emerald yelled in desperation, "It's not over! Cinder will come back and she'll have the relic and she will stop all of you!" At that moment, the elevator opened up again and it wasn't Cinder who came up, it was Raven, Vernal, and the woman who should be in a cell at their hideout. Ruby, Yang, and Qrow all looked at said women with tears in their eyes, how was this possible? Just then the woman spoke, "I am afraid Cinder won't be joining us, she is too busy bleeding in the dirt. As for the relic, Raven was never going to give it to you anyway so we decided it should just stay in the vault." Summer showed the minions of Salem the blood on her Scythe and the three's eyes widened. Hazel roared, "How did you escape the castle?!", to which Summer replied, "By using my camouflage semblance to stow away on your airship on the way to Raven's bandit tribe." Hazel was shocked and outraged, but then noticed that Emerald was on the floor shaking, he knew what was coming. Just then Emerald screamed and an illusion started to take place, it showed the horrifying form of Salem coming to attack the Huntsmen and Huntresses. Qrow went to protect Ruby and Raven dashed to protect Yang, until the Illusion faded away…
Everyone was in shock and fear after seeing that grimm creature, that looked almost human. Blake spoke up, "What was that?!", and Ozpin responded that the illusion was indeed an accurate representation of Salem, horrifying the group. Summer walked over to her husband and daughter, who still couldn't believe that she was here. She looked at Qrow with a puzzled look, "Well? I am still waiting for my kiss over here", she said with a roll of her eyes. Qrow immediately dashed to his wife and kissed her passionately, Summer returned it gladly. She then looked at Ruby, "Well Petal? How is it I still haven't gotten my hug?", to which Ruby dashed with petals flying behind her, and hugged her mother tightly not wanting to let go. "Mom…", Ruby sobbed and was comforted by her mother stroking her hair. "It's ok Ruby, I'm here and never leaving again. I promise". Yang looked at the family in shock but noticed that she was still being held by her mother in a protective way, and she herself was holding on to Raven. "Mom? But I thought, you were with Cinder and the others…?", Yang stated very confused." Raven sighed, "I came here to kill the woman who dared to harm you and Ruby, as well as get the relic away from you all. All I wanted was for you to live happily with your Father and not be dragged into this conflict. But things never go as planned, and I am done hiding in the shadows, which is why I will protect you head on from now until the end of my days. You don't have to forgive me Yang, but know that I love you always". Yang was shaking until she burst into tears and latched onto her mother, who equally hugged her back affectionately. The rest of the group watched happily, and Summer spoke, "I am sure everyone has questions, but I am beat. Let's go back to your house to talk about things." They all agreed and knew that this was the best victory they ever had.