Raider attempted one final time to give them a break, but Blake wasn't having any of it, demanding that the next episode be started. Raider agreed, but she knew Blake wouldn't be pleased when she saw that it didn't begin where she would have liked it to.
(Volume 5 Intro)
At the Branwen Camp, Raven sits in her tent, sharpening her sword that is resting in her palms.
"No!" Blake cried out, beyond disappointed and upset that they didn't start where the last episode left off. Yang and Sun both place a hand on her shoulders, trying to reassure her, but nothing will cure her distress until she sees her family safe and sound.
Her task is interrupted by Vernal, telling her that Salem has found them.
Weiss's brow raised, curious about the word choice. Why would she refer to both of them when Vernal is the Spring Maiden? Wouldn't she say herself when referring to the Maiden? Weiss sat wondering if that was purposeful.
Raven takes a deep breath, repeating the name when Vernal tells her that four of her followers are waiting to speak with her.
"Wait, how did they get inside?" Jaune asks.
All expressions turned grim. Ah, sadly, why did they even ask?
"Right, we planned for this, bring me my helmet."
Another thing Weiss felt there was more too. One could argue that she simply wanted to keep her face hidden, but something deep down suggested there was more to it than that.
Watts, Cinder, Mercury, and Emerald await Raven as she walks out of her tent. "I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home, either I'm losing my memory or you've all lost your spines!"
"Don't be too upset with them, Raven, your men simply recognized the power of a Maiden when they see it," Cinder activates her power, her eye glowing, "Which is why we'd like to have a word with you." For a moment, Raven doesn't speak until she tells the group to leave them because they plan to break down camp and move elsewhere.
The group released the breaths they didn't realize they were holding. They honestly thought Yang's mom would have joined them after convincing her why it was such a great idea. To see Raven not even giving her a chance to speak put their minds at ease only a bit. It was just the beginning of the episode, so they didn't plan to keep their hopes up entirely.
The bandits do as she says. "A little late to run and hide, you've been on our Master's list for some time," Watts declares, "So you must understand we cannot allow you to slip away."
"I know all about your master, but I don't believe we've met." Mercury states that they're the guys she should be afraid of. "I doubt anyone should be afraid of you," Raven retorts, offending the boy.
"Ha! I know we all don't like Raven that much, but you gotta admit that was funny," Sun says. His comment got a few more chuckles from around the room.
"It's always nice to see arrogant jerks get put in their place, huh Blake?" Yang asks, nudging the girl. Yang frowns when Blake says nothing, only getting a grunt in response.
Mercury is about to tell her off when Cinder orders him to stay quiet. "I'm Cinder Fall, this is my associate, Arthur Watts, and my disciples, Emerald and Mercury."
"Two children you tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, and a Maiden with a surname so appropriate she probably picked it out herself. Something tells me you got more than a slight case of egomania, is that about right?"
"Before we continue, I'd just like to say: Watts is from Atlas?" Ruby asks. She wasn't expecting to get that information and sensed that was a blip of a moment that would potentially explain more of his character later. Weiss also tried to wrack her brain to decipher if she had heard the name before. Now they know where he's from they could dig deeper into his background and get more information on him.
Emerald and Mercury look at one another and Watts clears his throat, "Uh, technically I was also a doctor, but the rest was spot on." Cinder calls her perceptive and Raven replies that that's what's been keeping her alive.
"I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive is because you have something our master wants. Of course, if I'm wrong," Cinder smirks, showing her powers. Raven yells for Vernal and she steps outside the tent. Vernal steps beside Raven. "So, this is the long-lost Spring Maiden. Prove it." Raven and Vernal give one another a look and Vernal closes her eyes.
The ground begins to rumble and dark clouds form overhead. Winds begin to pick up and Cinder's companions look around as she smirks.
That must have been the breaking point for everyone. "Why did she have to keep her eyes closed the entire time?" Nora asked. Questions began to break out and now the group was left confused. Was Vernal truly the Spring Maiden or was she just pretending to be? Even if her eyes were closed, wouldn't the flames still appear around her eyes?
Now, everyone was sitting confused, wondering if the person who they thought was the Spring Maiden, wasn't the Spring Maiden.
"Vernal has done well under my guidance, I'd take that into consideration before you try anything," Raven states.
Now the group is starting to look more into what Raven is saying, and at the moment, that sounded like a bluff. "What, so if what we're seeing is right, and Vernal isn't the Spring Maiden based on the smaller things we just watched, then wouldn't that make…"
"Raven is the real Spring Maiden," Oscar finished. To make sure that was actually right, whether it was actually shown to them or they were given smaller things to take note of, they would continue to watch and study.
"Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence. There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape here today, but if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch," Cinder announces.
Jaune scoffed, nothing she could give her would truly be an olive branch.
"The Maidens are merely a means to an end," Watts starts, walking forward, "Salem's true desires are the Relics locked within the huntsmen academies. Come with us, allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgiven." Watts leans in closer and whispers it's the best deal that either of them is going to be given.
"That doesn't sound like a deal," Nora states, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, sounds more like a threat if you ask me," Yang adds.
"Whatever it is, they're trying to convince Raven and Vernal to join them and I think it just worked," Ren says.
"You talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy," Raven comments as Watts walks back to his group. Cinder declares that it will be, Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem and all they need is the key to the vault.
Ruby coughs into her hand, "I think you're also forgetting one more thing that's standing in your way, us!"
"If you think we're just gonna let you waltz into the academy and take the Relic, you got another thing coming!" Nora shouts. The others began to shout their agreement. Except for Blake, she was aware enough to focus on the discussion of the real Spring Maiden, but after that was settled her mind went back to her parents.
"You're not the only one to turn your back on Oz," Cinder calmly says.
"I'm not helping Salem, I'm not helping Oz, I don't want a part in any of this!" Raven shouts, placing her hand on her sword.
"That ship has sailed when you chose to harbor a Maiden, but if you come with us to Haven we'll leave you, your tribe, and your little secret to live out the rest of your days squabbling in the wilderness. We just. Need. The Relic."
More relief began to settle in when Raven continued to hesitate and refuse their offer. Maybe she was giving her tribe time to all pack up and leave the area and then she would follow? Whatever the reason, they just hoped she would continue to stall the offer.
Raven tells them she'll think about it but Watts buds in and tells her they don't have time. "In two days, Haven Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang, you're going to choose now." Raven states the obvious that they've backed her into a corner.
"You know, when Raven said the next time they meet she wouldn't be as nice, I should have expected it to be at the academy," Yang says. She was already anticipating where this was going to end and she thinks the rest of them were beginning to realize as well.
"So, are you with us? Or against us?" Cinder asks, letting a moment of pause rest in the air. Raven takes off her helmet and voices that agreements like these are built on trust. But, she doesn't trust any of them and they're going to need to give her more. Watts tells Raven she's in a poor position to negotiate.
"I want my brother dead."
The silence in the theater was deafening everyone sat shocked. No one dared to say a word because they were afraid something unintelligible was going to escape. Ruby and Yang were having the hardest time wrapping their heads around that. Why? Does she truly hate Uncle Qrow that much? What would she have to gain from it? Freedom from Salem?!
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Yang exclaims, being the first one to say anything, as she shoots up from her seat. "What decides whether or not you join them is that you want Qrow dead?! Are you fucking serious?!" Yang's eyes were scarlet as she was burning holes into the screen, fuming.
Ruby stands up, grabbing Yang's arm to pull her back into the seat so she can cool down enough for them to continue but Yang rips her arm out of her hand. "No, Ruby! This is something that isn't going to be easily moved past!"
"I-I know, but things can't be talked over b-by simply yelling." Yang was breathing heavily through her nose, wanting to punch something that would get her anger out. The group is surprised when a single room opens up. Out of nowhere, Yang's gauntlets drop into her arms and they all look at Raider in shock. She doesn't say anything but nods to the room. Yang understands the use and doesn't waste a second in putting on her Ember Celica. Ruby rushes after her sister, but Raider stops her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Ruby," She starts gently, "I know you want to help your sister, and you can when she's finished, but there are times when we just need to let out." The room was soundproof but inside, Yang was releasing all of her emotions, destroying all the dummies and equipment in her path.
"Sometimes, people need their space to let go."
Blake stares silently at the door and seems to have come to a decision. She steps up to go inside, but Raider does the same thing, stopping her. Blake refuses to listen and pushes her way inside, much to Raider's protests. The moment she's inside, gunfire rings through the room and Yang is screaming at one of the dummies. Blake doesn't falter as she walks up to Yang. The girl turns around, eyes blazing, but they soon go wide in surprise when Blake pulls her into a hug, softly whispering to her.
Yang hesitates to wrap her arms around her. When she does, everything falls apart. Yang drops to her knees, Blake joining her, and lets the tears fall. The two don't say a word as the room is filled with Yang's sobs. "You've been holding in so much. It's okay, it's okay." Yang holds onto Blake tightly, her face moving to the crook of Blake's neck. Blake rubs Yang's back, encouraging her to let go.
When Yang's cries turn into small whimpers, she moves her head back. "T-thank you, Blake," Yang's voice is hoarse and Blake just nods. The two rest their foreheads against one another and that's when Ruby comes running in, immediately hugging her sister.
"Ruby, I'm sorry for–"
"Shush, Yang…" Ruby doesn't let her speak as she holds onto her sister for dear life. "Everything's gonna be okay, and whatever we watch or comes our way, we're gonna get through it together." Yang feels another set of arms and sees Weiss's white hair. Soon, everyone was piling into the room and formed an enormous group hug.
Raider leaned against the door frame and watched all of it with a fond smile. As much as she didn't like holding Ruby or Yang's friends from her, it was safer for them to let Yang be in the room alone to let out all her pain. Hearing her mom say that she wanted her brother dead, whom Yang is very close to, must have been the breaking point.
The group remained like that for a whole 20 minutes until Raider softly reminded them that there was still more of the episode to get through. When Blake stood up, she held out her hand to Yang. The girl took it and the both of them walked back to the theater room, hands intertwined. When everyone sat back down, their hands never broke apart.
The group is surprised, and Cinder repeats the name, wanting clarification. "That's right, he knows I have Spring and if I help you get your Relic he's going to become a problem, I have enough problems to deal with. Qrow doesn't trust me, but he does trust Ozpin's other lieutenants. If Leo really is loyal to you, then you can order him to invite Qrow right into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your Relic, and we all leave happy."
Blake feels the grip on her hand tighten, and Blake doesn't know what force compelled her to, but she rubs her thumb across Yang's knuckles and the girl's tension quickly lessens. The two don't look at each other, but both of them can feel the heat rising to their cheeks.
"Now this is a proposition I can get behind." Watts steps in between the two, telling them to pause.
"We haveone objective, retrieving the Relic of knowledge. Now Qrow Branwen may be on our list of individuals we would very much like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight and he's not going to fight quietly."
Once the rest of the world catches wind of the fight that will go down at Haven, the rest of the world will be on high alert about the threats that will be soon approaching.
"Our advantage here is just as you said, we walk straight into Haven, no resistance, no one the wiser, the battle with your brother throws that all out the window."
"He's good, but that good," Raven says, "All of us against him? It'll be over in a heartbeat."
They still fail to realize that Qrow won't be the only one there. Qrow will have them and now they'll have five new problems to deal with.
"But it's not just him," Emerald speaks up, "He has the students with him. He has Ruby." Cinder agrees.
"If we leave that school a bloody mess it will draw the attention of the authorities," Watts says.
"You're gonna have that issue if you wanted it or not. You can thank Blake and Sun for that," Nora shouts. Sun and Blake smile proudly.
"The kingdom will be on high alert and the White Fang's attack will be ruined."
"Then we wait," Cinder tells him, "We wait until the full moon. Leo invites Qrow and his little fighters to Haven the same night Hazel and Adam arrive with the White Fang, as soon as the battle is won, the White Fang demolishes Haven and any evidence we may have left behind and is lost along with the school." Watts puts his fingers against his chin, thinking this over.
"Then, Salem leaves my people alone, for good," Raven adds.
There were so many things to that plan that could really go wrong, not they would ever tell them that. But, no matter what plan they come up with, they would figure out some way to thwart it, think of something in advance.
Cinder and Raven have a deal. Cinder puts out her hand, but Watts stops her, grabbing hold of her wrist which enrages Cinder. "Wait, don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudges with a child, I will not be taking the blame." Cinder asks what he's worried about, activating her powers and burning him. Watts swiftly lets go and Cinder tells him to fly back home and tinker with his machines, and to tell Salem she'll get what she wants and more.
Mhm, yep, something was going to happen during the attack on Haven that's going to fall flat. Might even be the possibility of a betrayal between Cinder and Raven of some sort. They wouldn't mind that since Cinder wants to be so confident that all will go well for her.
Salem places her hand out again and the two shake on it.
Well, wasn't that just peachy? Two Maidens working together who are now on the same side as Salem's. Wonderful.
At the Belladonna Manor, gunshots fire inside and men let out cries.
Blake gasps, leaning forward to pay close attention, and letting go of Yang's hand in the process. Yang doesn't voice how she immediately misses its warmth.
Ghira pounces around the room, jumping onto a pillar, and attacking one of the White Fang members, clawing him. Another comes charging with a spear, but Ghira grabs hold of it and swings her into Fennec.
"Dad! You're still okay!" Blake exclaims. The rest of them assumed that this was only a few short moments from where they left off.
Corsac points his weapon and shoots a fireball as Ghira throws his spear. Two fly past each other and the fireball hits him, decreasing his aura, and Corsac is stuck on the wall.
"Dad!" Blake shouts.
Fennec calls out to his brother and points his own weapon at Ghira, releasing a blast of wind that Ghira covers with his arms. Behind a pillar is another White Fang member with a gun, about to shoot when Sun crashes through the window, landing on the man.
"Oh, Sun, thank the Gods," Blake breathes in relief. The others felt the same.
"That's the definition of perfect timing," Sun says.
Corsac removes himself from his shawl and slowly walks beside his brother. The two combine fire and air dust together that sends a spiral towards Sun. He spins his staff to avoid the attack and Sun shouts 'Hurry!' Behind the two brothers is Blake, spanning to avoid their blasts. She lands in front of this and they attempt to stab her but she uses her semblance and entraps their hands in a glacier copy of herself.
"Yeah, Blake!" Yang shouts. The rest of them join, cheering on all three of them to take down the brotherly asses.
"Seem a little trapped, huh?" Sun taunts.
"Yeah, maybe they just need to cool down for a bit, huh?" Nora adds.
Blake lands in between Sun and her father and she asks where mom is. Ghira doesn't know as he got ambushed right away. "Once we take down Corsac and Fennec–"
"No, go now!" Ghira demands.
"But–"
"You keep assuring me that your friend isn't a complete waste of space, let's see him prove it."
Sun grins, popping his knuckles, "Yeah, me and your dad can handle these two."
Sun assures her that they both got this. "I wanted to sock these creeps since the day we met."
"You'll have to get in line," Ghira joins. The ice encasing their hands melts from the fire dust. Ghira yells for Blake to go. She runs out of the room as Corsac and Fennec free their hands. Sun tells Ghira that he won't let him down. "Shut up," Ghira replies.
"Okay, you got it!" Sun exclaims, snapping his fingers for an extra flare.
"Yes, Vernal?" Raven asks, sitting on her bed, not even having to look up when the girl enters the room.
"No! That's all we're getting?!" Blake yells in outrage.
She'd followed them as asked. "Did they spot you?" Vernal scoffs, telling her no. They have a ship two clicks west of the camp and they plan to stay there for the night. "Thank you, Vernal. Anything else?"
"Do you actually believe they'll let us go once they have the Relic?"
"Of course not, they'll never leave us alone. Once our purpose has come and gone, we'll be discarded. Salem only uses people until they are no longer useful."
If that is the case, then why stay on her side when she just plans to throw the person away? Especially when her goal has been met and the other's hasn't? What is there to truly gain at that point?
"If we want to have any chance of defending ourselves against her then we need this Relic. If Qrow and those brats want to follow Ozpin then let them, when the chaos reaches its peak we'll grab the Relic and make our escape."
"If you do that then you'll never be free of Salem. She'll just continue to hunt you down until she has what she wants, and in return for defying her, she'll kill you. And the rest of your camp as well," Jaune says.
"And the fact that your daughter will be a part of all that?"
"What's even the point of mentioning me? Why would she care? She never did." Yang actively avoids everyone's glances her way.
"Doesn't matter, I warned her, she made her choice." Vernal looks like she doesn't believe her words as Raven walks to the tent flaps, "This won't be easy for us either, but we must do what's best for the tribe." Vernal knows and she'll do whatever it takes.
Raven transforms into her raven and creates a portal to Mistral, flying past Qrow's window. "Hey, Qrow?" Qrow attention turns to Oscar. "Oz needs to talk to you." Qrow grunts, following the boy out of the room
They figured they would know what that discussion might be later, but some were a little curious as to why Raven decided to head to Mistral. Was it to possibly spy on Qrow? That seemed like a probability, but they were all scared for the man now that they knew Raven wanted her brother dead.
Blake bursts through a pair of doors, looking around before running left down a hall.
Blake was both relieved and pissed because they were just at the very end of the episode and they decided to leave off when her family home was being attacked.
Ilia hears Blake's footsteps and stands on the second floor as Blake glares at her from below. Ilia slowly reaches for her lance Blake's eyes narrow as she grabs hold of Gambol Shroud. The two stare each other down and the screen goes black.
"Ugh! Are you kidding me, again?!" Blake shouts, shooting up from her seat. "Why?! What is even the point of all these?!"
"Cliffhangers, to leave people in suspense and make them crave what comes next even more," Raider explains easily. Blake's ears flick in agitation as she looks behind her. Blake still doesn't know if her mom is okay and she's left with that kind of ending?!