Later that day, we were informed that Professor Lionheart wanted to speak with us. When we arrived at Haven Academy, we spotted him standing at the top of the balcony. 

"Why, hello," Lionheart said. "Thank you for... coming. There... seems to be more of you than last time."

"Eh, you know what they say; The more, the merrier," Qrow said. "So, what's going on with the council?"

"Why... did you bring your weapons?" Lionheart asked. "What? Leo, we're Huntsmen. You okay?" Qrow asked. "Of course! Of course, sorry," He assured. "Just haven't had my evening coffee."

"Look, it's nice to see you, but we got work to do. Are we getting support from the council or not?" Qrow replied.

"Why is he acting weird?" Ash whispered to me. "He seems nervous." I noticed. "Mom?" Yang mumbled. A raven was perched on a banister and Uncle Qrow shot at it. 

The bird flew behind Lionheart, then transformed into a woman with long black hair while wearing red combat gear.

"Raven..." Ruby mumbled with a frown. "They... They really are magic..." Nora realized. Raven took off her helmet to reveal her face. 

"If you're going to shoot me, shoot me. That was insulting." She said to Qrow. "What are you doing here?!" Qrow asked, angrily. 

"I could ask you the same thing," Raven replied while making her way down the stairs. "You've been scheming, little brother. Planning to attack your own sister."

"Leo... What have you done?!" Qrow said.

"I..." He stuttered. "Leo did what any sane person would in his position," Raven answered. "He looked at all the information he had in front of him, assessed the situation, and made a choice. And it seems you all have, too."

"You have the Spring Maiden." Qrow stated. "I do." Raven confirmed.

"Then, hand her over and let's work together! We can beat Salem!"

"All that time spent spying for Ozpin, and you still have no idea what you're dealing with. There is no beating Salem!"

"You're wrong," Ruby denied. "We've done things that most people would call impossible, and I know the only reason we were able to do it is because we didn't do it alone! We had people to teach us, people to help us, we had each other. Work with us. At least I know we'll have a better chance if we try together. Please..."

"You sound just like your mother." Raven stated with a slight frown. She sliced at the air and a red portal opened to have a fireball shoot out. 

"Look out!" I yelled. I tackled Ruby to the ground, the fireball missing us. I looked at the portal again and Cinder walked out of it with Emerald, Mercury, some girl following behind them. 

"Hello, boys and girls." Cinder greeted with a smug look on her face. "Cinder..." Ruby hissed in anger. "You..." I growled. 

"Oh, c'mon, guys. Is that any way to greet your old friends?" Mercury mocked, making Yang growl in anger. "Everybody, stay calm." Qrow instructed.

Everyone looked behind them when the front doors opened to reveal a large man. Once he was inside, he closed the door.

"The White Fang is prepping demolition and securing the school grounds. No one's getting in, and no one's getting out." He informed before walking towards us.

"This was all just a trap?" Weiss said with a frown. "It appears so..." Ren answered. "Raven, tell me... How long have you been with them?" Qrow asked, frowning.

"Aww, don't take it personally, little bird," Cinder said. "Your sister was a recent addition. The lion on the other hand... Entrance into the Vytal Festival was a real treat, but Leonardo's been sending Salem all sorts of information for a very, very long time. Isn't that right, Professor?"

"Stop it..." Lionheart ordered in disappointment. "It was you..." Qrow said. "You sit on the Mistral Council. You had information on every Huntsman and Huntress in the Kingdom, and you gave it all to her."

"I-"

"I couldn't find any of them... because you let her kill them!"

"Aw, now. Don't beat yourself up about it, Lionheart," Cinder said. "I'm sure Tyrian and Hazel would've found them on their own eventually."

"What is wrong with you?" Jaune asked, angrily. "How can you be so broken inside... To take so many lives, and then come here and rub it on our faces like it's something to be proud of?!"

"Jaune..." Nora said, worriedly. "All with that damn smile on your face!" He shouted. "Everybody, stay calm!" Qrow repeated.

"I'm gonna make you pay for what you did! Do you hear me?!" Jaune said to Cinder. "Kid!" Qrow said, and everyone else got out their weapons.

"Well?! Say something!" Jaune shouted once again. "Who are you again?" Cinder asked, casually. Angered, Jaune got out his sword and charged towards her.

"Jaune!" Ruby called. She went to aid him, but was interfered by Emerald as the chain from her weapon wrapped around Ruby's waist and tugged her to the ground.

"You're not getting near her." She stated. My eyes were fixated on Cinder. Flashbacks to when she killed Shadow replayed in the back of my mind. 

"Shadow..." I whispered. I gritted my teeth as I could feel my anger boiling. "Tch...! I'll kill you!" I screamed. I felt my body changing as I charged at Cinder. 

"Mother!" Ash called after me. I knew I had transformed into a humanoid Grimm, but I didn't care. I just wanted to hurt Cinder, the same way she hurt me. 

I slashed at Cinder with my paws, trying to scratch her. But none of my attacks seemed to land as she either dodged or blocked them with her sword. 

I managed to land one hit on her, sending her back until her back hit a pillar. I pinned her with my arm pressed against her throat. 

"At last, I have you." I said with a growl. Cinder smirked at me and multiple spears appeared behind her before darting in my direction, causing me to jump back. 

I skidded back until I came to a stop. "You want me so badly? I'm right here." Cinder taunted. I let out an angry cry and charged at her. 

Blinded with rage, I didn't noticed Cinder had summons more spears from using the powers of the Fall Maiden. But I couldn't stop myself. My body was moving on its own. 

"No!" I felt a hand grab my shoulder and Ash was quickly in front of me, embracing me in a protective way. 

Ash gasped as I heard something piercing the skin on his back. He hugged me tighter as if he was enduring the pain. 

"Ash?" I looked up at him as he was smiling gently at me. I gasped when I saw black smoke leaving his body. 

"No! Ash!" He slumped to his knees, his grip on me loosening. "Hey! Come on, stay with me! Ash!" I said, desperately. 

"I'm just... going to rest for a bit..." Ash said while falling onto his side. He evaporated into black smoke, leaving behind the white cloak he wore. 

I gripped the cloak in my hands as tears fell from my eyes. "No... Not again... Please, not again..." I whispered. I threw my head back with a scream and a white light surrounded the area.