A/N: Haven's fate has finally been decided.

Outside on the quad of Haven Academy. The battle between the White Fang and the Menagerie Faunus as well as the Mistral police force continued. One of the Mistral airships shined its searchlight on three White Fang soliders.

Mistral Policeman: Cease fire, immediately!

The three tried to run away, but they were stopped by a combined group of Menagerie Faunus and Mistral policemen led by Ilia. Eventually, two of the White Fang soldiers dropped their weapons and held their hands in the air to surrender when they were surrounded. The last White Fang soldier tried to fire his weapon, but it was whipped out of his hands and he was tackled and restrained to the ground by Ilia.

Female Rabbit Faunus: Thank you.

Ilia looked at the rabbit Faunus, smiled and nodded back. Elsewhere, Blake stood over Adam, who was on his knees before standing back up.

Adam: I'm going to make you regret ever coming back...

Blake: More police are on their way, Adam. Huntsmen too.

Adam: Still too afraid to face me on your own.

Blake: I'm here for Haven, not you.

Angered, Adam pointed Blush in front of Blake with Wilt in his left hand, while Blake drew Gambol Shroud.

Adam: Heh, you are still afraid, and you should be. I've made powerful friends while you've been away.

Sun: Oh yeah?

Adam looked to his left as Sun approached him holding Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang in its staff form.

Sun: Where?

Adam pointed Wilt towards Sun.

Adam:Tell me, does Blake make all of her classmates fight for her?

Sun: Nah, it's a volunteer gig. I'm just sayin', for someone who claims to have such great friends, there doesn't seem to be a lot of people here willing to fight for you.

Adam looked around, seeing his followers surrendering to the overwhelming numbers of forces Blake brought with her, only proving Sun's point right. A searchlight then shined down on him.

Blake: You can try and make me regret coming here, Adam, but honestly... I've got more important things to deal with.

(Get Riggity Riggity Wrecked, Son)!

Adam let out a frustrated growl and swung his sword at Sun, but the monkey Faunus countered his attacks by swinging his shotgun nunchucks. Adam then blocked Blake's sword swings as she came at him, followed up by Adam getting knocked away by Sun. Adam bolted, with Sun giving chase. Adam ran away into the bushes and trees while Sun continued to pursue him, but Blake called out to him.

Blake: Sun, wait!

Sun: But he's getting away! We could take him!

Blake sheathed her katana.

Blake: No, we can't. He wants to lure us away so he can pick us off. We need to protect the school and the people here. Besides... now he can see what it feels like to run away.

She said while smiling.

Blake: Thank you.

Sun smiled back.

Sun: Eh, we all need help sometimes.

Sun's attention was then drawn to Haven's Great Hall where he and Blake saw their old friends and allies fighting off their enemies.

Sun: I think there's a few people who could use yours.

Sun is about to run off to help finish the fight, but Blake stops him before he leaves.

Blake: Be careful.

Sun: No promises.

Sun ran off as Blake smiled at his last remark, before she too ran to finish the fight. Back inside the Great Hall, Hazel launched fireballs from his fists with his fire-Dust enhanced arms while Frost fired beams from his fingers at Weiss summoned Queen Lancer. The Lancer dodged out of the way of the blasts. Meanwhile, the remaining members of Team JNPR fend themselves from Mercury and Emerald's shots.

Jaune: You guys okay?

Ren coughed while Nora groaned in exhaustion.

Ren: Surviving...

Nora: I don't know how that big guy is still standing. He recharges his Aura faster than I've ever seen!

Oscar watched Qrow fly in with his bird form, before transforming back into his usual self and grunted in pain.

Qrow: He's sheer willpower.

Oscar took cover behind a nearby column.

Ozpin: We just need to get him to his limit!

The Queen Lancer summon then fired projectiles at Lionheart, who defended himself with his weapon. He then knocked the summon away with a flame torrent coming from his weapon. Hazel and Frost used the opportunity to launch a combined fire, lightning and Beam attack which caused the Lancer summon to dissipate. Weiss stared in shock as her summon disappeared. Suddenly, Blake jumped in and kicked Hazel to the ground. She swung a hit at Frost, but he dodged and Jumped back a few feet before Blake jumped next to Weiss and Ruby.

Blake: Are you hurt?

Weiss: N..... No! I just remembered you being more of the quiet one.

Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury slowly advanced toward the three of them.

Blake: Not today.

Blake drew Gambol Shroud, while Ruby held up Crescent Rose.

Weiss: Alright.

She held out Myrtenaster defensively.

Weiss: Well, what's the plan, Ruby?

Ruby nodded. Lionheart tried to launch an attack on her, but Ruby shot at his shoulder. Lionheart ran out of the room through the doors behind him in fear.

Mercury watched Lionheart run away.

Mercury: You've gotta be kidding me...

Frost: Coward!

As Frost fired at Lionheart, and missed, Hazel let out a fearsome roar, while Emerald and Mercury just watched him. Ruby called out their team attack.

Ruby: Checkmate!

Blake and Weiss ran forward, followed closely behind by their leader. Down in the vault, Yang faced Raven.

Raven: I warned you, Yang. I gave you every opportunity to walk away from Qrow and Oz. So you can believe me when I say this wasn't personal.

Yang: You opened the vault.

Raven: Thanks to the chaos you and your friends caused upstairs. I knew you could handle it. You're my daughter after all.

Yang: Qrow and Oz told me how the Maiden powers are transferred. The girl you found... she would've had to have trusted you if you were in her final thoughts - cared about you a lot.

Raven: I'm sure they told you plenty, and you just sat and obeyed.

Yang: No, I'm starting to ask questions like you said. So tell me... what happened to the last Spring Maiden? Did she die in battle? Was it sickness?

Raven: What does it matter to you?

Yang eyes widened.

Yang: I can already see the answer. It's all over your face. How could you?!

Raven: She was scared when we found her! Weak. No matter how much training I put her through, she never learned! She wasn't cut out for this world! And with those powers, she would've been hunted her entire life! What I did......

Yang: "Wasn't personal."

Raven: It was mercy!

Yang: Which is it, mom? Are you merciful, or are you a survivor? Did you let me walk into that trap because you knew I could handle it, or because it meant you could get what you wanted?!

Raven: It's not that simple. You don't know me, you don't know what I've been through, the choices I've had to make!

Yang: You're right. I don't know you. I only know the Raven dad told me about. She was troubled, and complicated, but she fought for what she believed in, whether it was her team or her tribe! Did you kill her too?

Raven eyes widened and looked away, before turning back to face her daughter again.

Raven: I've stared death in the face over and over again!

In her anger, her Maiden powers activated.

Raven: And every time I've spat in that face and survived, because I'm strong enough to do what others won't!!

Yang: Oh, shut up!! You don't know the first thing about strength! You turn your back on people, you run away when things get too hard, you put others in harm's way instead of yourself!!

She said as she balled her hand into a fist, shaking.

Yang: You might be powerful, but that doesn't make you strong.

Raven was now enraged.

Raven: Who do you think you are lecturing me?! Standing there, shaking like a scared little girl?!

Yang: Yeah, I'm scared. But I'm still standing here! I'm not like you, I won't run, which is why you're going to give me the Relic.

She said as she started to approach her mother.

Raven: And why would I.......

Yang: Because you're afraid of Salem!!! And if you thought having Maiden powers put a target on your back, imagine what she'll do when she finds out you have a Relic.

Raven turned away, seething.

Yang: She'll come after you with everything she has.

Raven's expression then turned solemn.

Yang: Or she can come after me.

Raven's eyes widened when she heard her daughter say that, before turning back to her.

Yang: And I'll be standing there, waiting for her.

After a tense moment, Raven deactivated her Maiden powers.

Raven: You don't want to do this, Yang.

Yang: Nope. But I'm gonna do it anyway.

Yang walked forward, bumping her mother out of the way as she passed her. Raven looked down before turning to see her daughter approach the Relic chamber. A tear dropped from Raven's eye.

Raven: I...

She held her arm as tears well up in her eyes)

Raven: I'm sorry...

Tears well up in Yang's eyes as well.

Yang: Yeah... Me too.

Yang then heard the sound of one of Raven's portals as well as the sound of flapping wings from behind her. She looked behind her and saw a black feather fall gently to the ground. Yang then proceeded forward and entered the Relic chamber. She approached the Relic of Knowledge - an ornate, gold and cyan lamp - as it rested on the stone pedestal. Yang grabbed the Relic by its handle, and small, indistinct whispers could be heard when near it. Tears then streamed from Yang's eyes, before she fell to her knees as she broke down crying. Back above ground, Lionheart burst into his office and ran behind his desk, frantically opening drawers trying to look for something. Suddenly, he heard ominous clicking noises, and looked up to notice a Seer floating menacingly in front of his desk. A familiar voice came from it.

Salem: And where might you be going?

Lionheart: Uh, your grace! I was just looking for something.

Salem: Leonardo, do you have something you wish to tell me?

Lionheart didn't say anything for a bit, before telling Salem his response.

Lionheart: It was Cinder! She altered the plan! Huntsmen showed up here! Qrow! Several students, one with the Silver Eyes! The White Fang attack, it was stopped! I don't know that they'll be able to recover the Relic... Your grace, I can still be of assistance!! If I leave now, I.... I can avoid the authorities and come find you, I'll do whatever it takes! Your grace?

Out of options, Lionheart then aimed his weapon at the Seer, but it used one of its tentacles to knock it off his wrist. Lionheart tried to run, but the Seer wrapped one of its tentacles around Lionheart's ankle, causing him to trip and fall. He started Begging Pathetically.

Lionheart: Please, ma'am! I'll do anything! I can still be useful!!

The Seer aimed its sharp tentacles at Lionheart. He tried to crawl away, but more tentacles wrapped around his body.

Lionheart: Please!! PLEEEAAASE!!!!

Despite his pleas, Lionheart was dragged toward the Seer before being stabbed by it. He gave out one more weakly plea.

Lionheart: Please...

The Seer stabbed him once more before Lionheart was now dead. In Salem's Domain, the dark queen herself stared at the Seer in front of her on the table, leaning her head on her hand in disappointment.

Salem: Coward...

Back at Haven, Oscar was defending an exhausted Qrow while Ruby and her friends held off their opponents, who were all exhausted as well.

Ruby: That's enough! Just give up.

Mercury snarled and yelled in frustration, slamming his fist into the ground.

Emerald: It's not over! Cinder will come back, she'll have the Relic, and she'll stop all of you! She won't let us down.

The platform leading to the vault was heard coming back up. Everyone stared as Yang came back up with the Relic of Knowledge in her hand. Emerald looked in surprise as Cinder didn't come back up. All of Yang's friends looked up to her and smiled.

Ruby: Yang...

Hazel seethed while tears streamed from Emerald's eyes.

Frost: I knew that child would batch things up!!!!

Yang smiled back down to her friends and shared a brief glance with Blake, who looked down for a bit before looking back up to her. Emerald fell to her knees and began to sob. Mercury and Hazel slowly backed away. Frost, having no choice, did so as well.

Mercury: Emerald, get up, we need to go.

Emerald shook her head and remained stationary.

Mercury: Emerald!

Emerald looked around as her breathing got frantic. She held her head and let out a loud scream, activating her Semblance. Suddenly, the room turned dark as black smoke rose from the ground nearby. From it, a giant effigy of Salem, limbs bent and deformed, towered above everyone in the room. The giant Salem opened her eyes, and let out an ear-piercing scream as it swooped down over everyone. Everything went black for a moment before it returned to normal, Ruby shook in fear as she came to terms with what she had just witnessed. Everyone in the room was still present, with the exception of Emerald, Mercury, Hazel and Frost, who have disappeared.

Blake: Wha....... what was that?

Ozpin: An illusion. But an accurate one. That... was Salem.

Outside, Hazel was running and carrying an unconscious Emerald over his shoulder, with Mercury following not too far behind him. Up in the tree branches, Adam watched his allies run, before he too leaves. Frost was ahead of the rest of them, speaking to himself.

Frost: Minor set back. Not matter, I will just have to work around this.

He then gave a smirk.

Frost: Once those brats are taken care of, I'll depose of (Y/N) next, then you...... Salem.

Back at Haven, Blake sighed in relief now that the battle was over, before she heard the sounds of her parents and Sun run into the great hall. The Belladonnas shared a hug together while Sun looked on.

Kali: The police rounded up the remaining White Fang members. Haven was safe.

Ghira: Unfortunately, it appears that Adam escaped.

They all look down.

Ilia: It's okay.

She said as she walked into the building.

Ilia: He was the only one to escape tonight. Those in the White Fang that followed him? Won't support a leader that abandons his people. He won't have their help after this. He'll have no one at all. And the White Fang will be left divided.

Ghira: We've been fighting amongst ourselves for too long. Perhaps it's time for a new brotherhood. A new family for Faunus truly working towards a better world.

Kali: And they'll need a new leader.

Ghira nodded in acknowledgement. Sun peeked behind Ghira and noticed his old friends from Beacon, waving to them. He then wraps his tail around Blake to turn her around and have her see her old friends too. She slowly walked towards them nervously while Sun and her parents smile. Yang walked down the stairs and handed the Relic to her uncle.

Qrow: What happened?

Yang: I don't know exactly. When I got down there, Cinder was gone, and Vernal was dead.

Qrow: And Raven?

Yang: Gone.

Qrow: Well, we're all glad you're still here, firecracker.

He placing an assuring hand on her shoulder.

Suddenly, Ruby groaned and fell to her knees. Weiss catches her.

Weiss: Are you okay?

Ruby: "sighs" I feel like I should be asking you guys.

They both looked up to see Blake approaching them. Yang walked over and dropped to her sister's side.

Ruby: So Blake, what're you doing here?

Blake: I... I was gonna ask you three the same thing.

Ruby, Weiss, and Yang, shared glances with each other.

Ruby: That's... a looooong story.

Blake: Well... I'm not going anywhere.

Ruby: That's all that matters. That we're all here together. Right?

Ruby looked to Yang as she says that. Blake briefly looked away with a sorrowful expression on her face. Yang looked up at her and smiles.

Yang: Yeah.

Blake looked back over to them and smiled. Weiss offered a hand out to her, and the cat Faunus eagerly joined in to Team RWBY's first group hug after a long time of being apart. The four girls embraced each other while their friends look on smiling. Qrow, still holding the Relic, then approached a panting Oscar, who was kneeling on the ground.

Qrow: I don't know how, but we did it, Oz. You okay?

Oscar: I'm alright.

Qrow: Kid?

Oscar: He's resting. Too much energy fighting.

Qrow: Hey, wizard, don't strain yourself!

Oscar: No! He had... a message... We must... get the lamp to... Atlas.

Oscar groaned and fell, but Qrow caught him. He layed the exhausted farm boy on the ground and looked over as Team RWBY finished their embrace. Qrow then stood back up, and looked to the Relic he held in his hand. The lamp was seen glowing brightly as the indistinct whispers were heard again. Qrow just sighed.

https://youtu.be/3LyYFc4LJcc

As the Girls stopped their embrace, Ruby noticed something from the corner of her coming from the hole at the entrance. A bright light from the sky was coming closer to Haven. She soon stood up and walked out to see what it was.

Yang: Ruby, what's wrong?

Ruby didn't respond as she carefully looked in the sky and she could make out a familair shape in the appraoching light.

Ruby: Is...... is that?

Yang and the others followed Ruby outside to see what it was.

Weiss: What is it?

Blake: An unknwon light?

Yang could see the shape in the light as well and went wide eyed.

Yang: (Y.......Y/N)?

Both Weiss and Blake went wide eyed as well. As the light was very close enough, You were now easier for them to see you. Tears streamed down Ruby and Yang's eyes and they started to run to the direction that you were about to land.

Ruby & Yang: (Y/N)!!!!!!!!!!!!

You looked to them and smiled as they were running to You. However, once you landed, you were caught off gaurd as the two tackled you to the ground into a hug. Weiss and Blake soon ran up to you as well and embraced you in a hug. You started to laugh and hug them as well as tears streamed down your face. It had been so long that you had been away from your friends and loved ones. But no longer. Your ship had eventually arrived at Haven and landed gently on the ground. The front door part of it opened up and you and the Girls were greeted by Coco and the others.

Ruby: Coco! Velvet!

The two smiled and waved to their friends from the enrance of the ship before exiting. Ghira then noticed a Patched up Sienna exit the ship.

Ghira: Sienna?

She looked to Ghira's direction and looked down a bit as she appraoched him.

Sienna: Ghira...... it's been a long time.

Ghira: Indeed it has.

Sienna: I'm sorry. It was my fault. If I had lead the White Fang down the right path, things wouldn't have ended up like this.

Ghira: We can't change what we did in the past, but we can make up for it in the future. The White Fang will eventually find the right path once again.

He said as he looked to Blake.

Sienna: Do you think she'll be able to handle that responsiblity?

Ghira: I know she will. She's ready.

As The reunited friends greeted each other, Ruby stood in shock of someone she never thought she'd see again.

Ruby: P.......penny?

Penny: Salutations. :D

Ruby pulled her old friend into a deep hug.

Ruby: I thought you were gone. I didn't think I'd ever see you again!

Penny smiled as she petted Ruby's head.

Penny: Me neither. But I guess that's why you have such great friends.

She said as You approached the two.

Ruby: (Y/N), Thank you....... just thank you.......... all these months....... without you, they've just been hard to deal with.

(Y/N): I'm sure they were. But you don't need to worry anymore. Because even without me, you've had help from our friends ever since. And it's knowing that you and the others that's all right is what matters to me.

You said before Ruby pressed her lips against your as tears continued to stream down her face. You kissed back as you wrapped your arms and tail around her.

A/N: The battle for Haven is over. But another will soon begin. (On to Volume 6).