It was daytime at the Branwen Tribe camp. Raven sat in her tent sharpening her sword.

Y/N sat opposite her, legs crossed and eyes shut, meditating. Suddenly, Vernal entered. Y/N opened his eyes.

Vernal: Raven, we have a problem.

Raven: What is it?

Vernal: Salem's found us.

Both Y/N's and Raven's eyes widened briefly.

Raven: Salem... okay.

Vernal: Four of her followers are waiting to speak with you.

Raven stood up

Raven: Right. We planned for this... Bring me and my helmet.

Outside of her tent, Cinder Fall, Arthur Watts, Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black all stood and waited while the bandits surrounded them, eyeing them carefully. Raven and Y/N stepped out of the tent the former with their helmet on as Raven addressed her bandits.

Y/N sat down on a nearby box as Raven spoke

Raven: I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home. Either I'm losing my memory, or you've all lost your spines!

Cinder: Don't be too upset with them, Raven. Your men simply recognized the power of a Maiden when they see it.

her eye glowed and trailed fire. Y/N rolled his eyes and stood up.

Cinder:Which is why we'd like to have a word with you.

Raven turned to the tribe

Raven: Leave us. Pack your things, then break down camp. We're moving. The bandits all left to do so. Raven stepped down the stairs to speak more directly to the four intruders, signalling Y/N to follow her, which he did so, staying close behind her

Watts: Little late to run and hide. You've been on our master's list for some time, so you must understand that we cannot allow you to slip away.

Raven: I know all about your master, but I don't believe we've met.

Mercury: We're the guys you should be afraid of.

Y/N laughed slightly

Y/N: I doubt anyone should be afraid of you, boots.

Mercury: Oh yeah? Tell that to--

Cinder: Quiet.

Mercury relented and Y/N smirked under his helmet

Raven: That's what I thought.

Cinder: I'm Cinder Fall. This is my associate, Arthur Watts, and my disciples, Emerald and Mercury.

Raven: Two children you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate, she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of egomania, is that about right?

Mercury and Emerald exchanged a brief look, while Watts cleared his throat. Y/N snickered

Watts: Technically, I was also a doctor, but I must say, the rest was spot on.

Cinder: Aren't you perceptive. Raven: It's what's kept me and my tribe alive.

Cinder: 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 activated her Maiden power again and held out a small flame in her right hand, grinning evilly.

Raven: Vernal!

Vernal stepped out of Raven's tent and walked up next to her.

Cinder: So, this is the long lost Spring Maiden. Prove it.

Raven and Vernal shared a glance with each other, with Raven nodding. Vernal sighed and closed her eyes. She held her hands out and suddenly, the wind started to pick up gradually. The blue sky turned to gray as clouds covered it. Leaves blow in the wind. Watts, Mercury and Emerald covered their faces as thunder was heard, while Cinder smiled in amazement as she watched the Spring Maiden unleash her power. Vernal then lowered her hands and opened her eyes as her powers settle.

Raven: Vernal has done well under my guidance. As has Y/N. They are both very powerful. I'd take that into consideration before you try anything. Watts and Mercury brushed themselves off as Cinder spoke.

Cinder: Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence. There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape today, but if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch.

Watts: The Maidens are merely a means to an end. Salem's true desires are the Relics locked inside the Huntsman Academies. Come with us. Allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge, and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgotten. It's the best deal either of you are going to get. Watts walked away from them to rejoin his group. Raven: You talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy.

Cinder: That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem. And now, all we need is the key to the vault. You're not the only one to turn your back against Oz, Raven.

Raven: I'm not helping Salem, I'm not helping Oz! I don't want a part in any of this! Y/N stepped forward

Y/N: To join you is to put ourselves in this useless war we tried to avoid for years!

Raven placed a hand on her adopted son's shoulder, and he moved back.

Cinder: That ship 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 lives squabbling in the wilderness. We just... need... the Relic.

Raven: I need time to think this over.

Watts: You don't have time. In two days, Haven Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang. You're going to choose now.

Raven: Backed me into a corner, huh?

Cinder: So, are you with us, or against us?

After a tense moment, Raven removed her grip from her hilt and took her mask off. She looked at Y/N, who nodded and summoned The World.

Raven: Agreements like these are built on trust. And forgive me for saying, but I don't trust a single one of you. You're going to need to give me more.

Watts: You are in a poor position to negotiate.

Raven: I want my brother dead.

Cinder: Qrow?

Raven: That's right. He knows I have the Spring Maiden and if I help you get your Relic, he's going to become more of a problem than he already is. 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 into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, ywe take him down, you get your Relic, and we all leave happy.

Cinder: Now this is a proposition I can get behind.

Watts: Alright ladies, let's pause for a moment. We have one 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 go down quietly. Our advantage here is just as you said - we walk straight into Haven, no resistance, no one the wiser. A battle with your brother throws that all out the window.

Raven: He's good, but not that good. All of us against him? It'll all be over in a heartbeat.

Y/N smiled slightly "less than that if you count my ability" He said, The World hovering behind him.

Emerald: But it's not just him. He has the students with him. He has Ruby! 

Cinder: He certainly does. 

Y/N: Ruby? 

Y/N remembered who Yang has mentioned before but before he could pursue the subject further, he was cut off by Emerald

Emerald: The one responsible for Cinder's condition. 

Watts: If we leave the school a bloody mess, we will draw the attention of the authorities! The Kingdom will be on high alert, and the White Fang's attack will be ruined! 

Cinder: Then we wait. 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 is lost along with the school. 

Raven: Then, Salem leaves my people alone. For good. 

Cinder: You have yourself a deal. 

Cinder held her hand out to shake with Raven's, but Watts suddenly grabbed her wrist. 

Watts: Wait. Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudge with a child, I will not be taking the blame. 

Cinder: Then what are you worried about? 

Cinder activated her Maiden powers and burnt Watts' hand, causing him to remove his grip and hold his hand in pain. 

Cinder: Fly back home and tinker with your machines. And tell Salem she'll get what she wants - and more. 

Raven stood still for a moment, glaring at Cinder's hand in front of her, and looking at Vernal and Y/N for a few minutes, but then offered her own hand out and shook it with the Fall Maiden, sealing the deal. Y/N and Raven looked at each other. Neither of them trusted the four, but it was the best decision they had. 

Y/N: If you even think about double crossing us, I warn you. You'll be in even worse condition than you are now, Cinder! 

Raven: When Y/N makes a threat, he stands by it. 

Cinder: As you wish

Y/N smirked at her  and looked at Raven, before the two tribe members headed back into their tent. 

Y/N was pacing back and forth in front of the map while Raven sat on her bed leaning her forehead to her hand. She heard someone enter her tent. 

Raven: Yes, Vernal? 

Vernal: I followed them as you asked.  Raven: Did they spot you? 

Vernal:Of course not. They have a ship two klicks west of here, looks like they're staying there for the night. 

Raven: Thank you, Vernal. Anything else? 

Vernal: Do you... actually believe they'll let us go once they have the Relic? 

Raven: 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 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. 

Vernal: And the fact that your daughter will be a part of all that? 

Y/N looked at Vernal, then at Raven  Raven: Doesn't matter. I warned her. She made her choice. This path won't be easy for us either, but we must do what's right for the tribe. 

Vernal: I know. I'll do whatever it takes. 

Y/N: Me as well. You taught me a lot and allowed me to live here, Raven. The least I can do is ensure that I do everything possible to help us survive. 

Raven: Good. 

Raven exited the tent. Vernal and Y/N walked out to see where she has gone and noticed a cawing black bird and the sound of Raven's portal activating. Vernal and Y/N looked at each other. 

Y/N: I hate what we're doing. But it's either this or we all die. 

He looked at the ground. Vernal gently placed a hand on Y/N's shoulder. 

Vernal: Don't worry. We'll be sure to get out of there as soon as we get what we need.  Y/N looked at Vernal 

Y/N: It's not just that. It's this whole mess we've been dragged into. Raven's sacrificed too much for the tribe. And now with a threat of us all being fried, it's so much worse than I'm used to.

Vernal: Try not to think about it. After all, we work together,  we survive.  You're really strong after all..

Y/N sighed and nodded. The two of them headed back to the tent to discuss their next move.