"Avenger?"

This was the thought that ran through everyone's minds as they watched silently.

A sharp glint appeared in Qrow's eyes as he glanced at Shirou's direction. "You know this bastard?"

Shirou nodded his head.

"A pitiable man," Shirou said. "A spirit of vengeance."

"Pitiable? I need no one's pity," Avenger said while smiling, the black taint on his person receding back within the skin and shifting into black tribal marks beneath the clothes. "I bring death, that is what I am."

"All the more reason why I have to stop you know," Shirou said, Kanshou and Bakuya appearing in his hands.

The two stared at each other in silence, a blood lust filling the air that caused the others around to grow horrified. It was alright to kill Grimm, but it was something else entirely to direct such killing intent towardsrepo another human. Especially someone no one present wanted to see hurt.

In fact, Tai and Qrow had once again drawn their weapons, yet their gazes were no longer just focused on Avenger, but on Shirou as well.

As for the others.

Ruby looked as if someone had pierced her with a knife and was slowly twisting it from within her. Yet, it was clear that she refused to voice her pain, instead, only low whimpers could be heard as her gaze shifted back and forth from Avenger and Shirou.

"What. The. Fuck," Yang said in disbelief. She didn't know what was going on, but she could recognize Summer anywhere. What caused her to swear though was the fact that everyone, including her own father and Qrow had their weapons drawn towards Summer and Shirou.

Even Ruby was the same, despite her scythe being lowered.

"Stop, stop damn it! W-What are you all doing!?" Yang was close to breaking into hysterics. Even after she had spoken, no one seemed to take notice. Her eyes were beginning to moisten, but she quickly brushed a hand over them. "T-That's mom," she said softly before her face steeled.

"Yang," Tai spoke sharply, warning her to stay away.

Yang would have none of it. clenching her fists, she stared defiantly at her father before then staring at Qrow for help.

Qrow only shook his head in response, his opinion the same as Tai's.

"Y-You both," Yang couldn't even finish her words before tinges of red could be seen on her blond hair, her anger beginning to swell as her lips thinned. "This is crazy! We should be helping her!"

Walking forward, she moved towards Ruby, Tai, and Qrow to work some sense into them.

However, Weiss held Yang back by gripping her arm. Yang nearly snarled if not for the grave expression on Weiss's face.

"Stop for a second and think. You're letting your emotions get to you," Weiss said in concern. "You weren't here to see what I did. You said that's your mom, and I believe you. But right now, that's not your mom."

Blake's brows creased as a frown worked its way onto her face. "What do you mean?"

A grave expression appeared on Weiss's face before she began explaining the situation to the rest that just arrived. Gylnda's expression soured while the rest could hardly believe the words coming from Weiss's mouth.

"Magic, it's magic Ren!" Nora whispered loudly into Ren's ear.

Pyrrha shook her head, having heard what Nora said to Ren. "It's more likely to be some sort of Semblance that allows one to control others."

"Even if it's that kind of semblance, no semblance should be able to last indefinitely." Blake said.

Glynda agreed with Blake's words. "Therefore, we must restrain her at least."

"Without hurting her," Yang quickly interjected, her hands already gripping tightly onto Ember Cecilia.

"Then we have to do something now!" Weiss spoke out, her attention directed forward.

Avenger seemed to have had enough of waiting, but the speed he exhibited was too absurd. Appearing in front of Shirou, Avenger dragged him off deeper into the forest.

"A-After them!" Qrow yelled, disappearing into the woods, everyone else hot on his trail.

He stared passively at the hand dragging him off further into the forest.

"This is far enough, don't you think?" He spoke coldly.

"It would seem so," Avenger said, stopping before throwing Shirou to stand on the opposite side of him.

"No one should be able to interfere from here," Avenger said. "You know as well as I that neither of us should be here. Yet here we are. I stuck in this vessel, and you left with not a clue as to how to return."

Shirou kept silent before he opened his mouth to speak. "You're right, but that doesn't mean that I won't find my own way."

Shirou clenched his fists. "As for you, I can't leave you alone after what you've done."

Avenger smiled in a deranged manor, the action unnerving Shirou as an involuntary anger welled from within him.

"Is it wrong to kill those you hate?" Avenger said mockingly. "Is it wrong to hate those who've cursed and scorned you for all of your life? I've already found my answer long ago, and it's now a part of who I am."

"Then there's nothing to talk about here. For the sake of others, I have to stop you."

Shirou noticed the way the magical energy around Avenger was growing more and more dark. Shifting his weight, he prepared himself for any attack that may come. Avenger, although one of the weakest as a heroic spirit, he was still one of the best at one thing in regard to other servants.

His ability to kill humans.

It was Avenger's natural inclination.

No matter how strong the human was, or how courageous, so long as the opponent was a human, Avenger would have a hundred percent confidence in killing them.

The Shirou in front of Avenger was without a doubt, human.

The situation was one where a predator met prey, and because of this natural inclination Avenger exuded, Shirou could already feel a heaviness pressing down on him.

And in that moment, Avenger moved.

Swift like a striking mantis, the beast-claw-like weapon he had in hand lashed out. One was called Tawrich, the Left Fang Grinder, and the other was called Zarich, the Right Fang Grinder. Both were named after the Daevas, False Gods.

The hairs at the back of Shirou's neck stood on end as the attack drew near, but he wasn't idle. Kanshou and Bakuya were raised to counter the two strikes.

A loud clang echoed in the forest, followed by a layer of sparks that burnt holes into the nearby leaves.

Gritting his teeth, Shirou diverted Avengers strike by twisting the grip he had on Bakuya.

"I am the Bone of my Sword,"

Words were power. That which gave a man purpose.

And the very will to strive forward.

But to Shirou, they were his conviction. His path to follow.

Magical energy began to pump profusely through his body, using a different pathway than the aura he was using to help fuel his projections.

It was the pathway connected to his magic circuits, something that no resident of Remnant possessed.

Stabbing forward, he drew blood from Avenger as a frustrated grimace appeared on Avenger's face.

Just by observing his opponent, Shirou was able to deduce something odd. For every strike he deflected, he could tell that the strength of Avenger's attacks always seemed to drastically reduce in power whenever they would strike him. It was odd, but the frustration on Avenger's face gave it away.

The body Avenger was possessing was resisting him vehemently.

The sudden surge of willpower from within Summer Rose not only surprised Avenger, but Shirou as well.

"This damn woman," Avenger could do nothing but grow angrier. Yet Shirou would not let such an opportunity pass.

"Trace on,"

Thinking clearly about the way Yang, Ruby, and the rest looked at the body Avenger was possessing, this woman was truly important to them. In fact, he knew after hearing Ruby's and Yang's words that this was their mother. He couldn't hurt her, therefore, he had to save her no matter what.

He needed a weapon to nullify Avenger's possession, and there was one that came to mind. The dagger of the witch of Colchis. A weapon he was familiar with after facing it in the Fifth Holy Grail War.

"Rule Breaker," the twisted dagger of the witch of Cochis appeared in his hands, causing Avengers eyes to widen.

"Wait!" Avenger called in a panic. "You wish to get rid of me, but don't you understand that it was because of me that this woman is still alive?!"

Avenger staggered backwards, a hand on his head as he fought off Summer's resistance.

"She has been my host for too long. To forcibly remove me may be detrimental to her body and soul."

Shirou hesitated after hearing Avenger's words. For all intents and purposes, it was probably true. How else had someone Ruby had said had gone missing in Grimm territory survive several years alone?

Shirou clicked his tongue before dismissing Rule Breaker as his thoughts raced furiously. It was then that he came up with an idea. If it was unsafe to forcibly remove Avenger, then the best he could do was allow Avenger to willingly leave.

The Avenger he knew just before being transported to Remnant took on the form a shadow. Avenger had no physical form, instead adopting to the appearance of others in his possession. Therefore, his goal would be achieved when that shadow showed itself.

By this point, Avenger finally got back control of the body he was in, and stared straight at Shirou.

The two quickly resumed soon after, Shirou's expression blanking as he resolved himself to attack without mercy. It was the only way to drive out Avenger from his current body. After all, Avenger would have no use for a host incapable of moving nor doing anything. It was just that, Shirou knew that following through with this strategy would hurt the host more, but there was nothing left for him to do.

Kansho parried Tawrich away before he drove his elbow into Aveger's gut, and backed up for distance. Only for Avenger to stick right on him, Zarich landing a blow to his chest. There was stinging sensation before a body wracking pain erupted within his body. He almost screamed out if not for Tawrich following up with a head blow.

He swerved to the right, and kicked Avenger away into the distance.

A black bow then appeared in his hands.

Eyes searching the still forest, a blade appeared in his hand before altering itself into a more aerodynamic form. An arrow.

The forest was still as his eyes gazed around him. Aiming his shot, he fired four times into the distance.

The first arrow drew forth a figure from the trees.

The second arrow toppled the branch the figure was going to land on.

The figure thus was held air born, unable to get any footing as the third and fourth arrows came.

The third was aimed to strike at the figure's chest.

But it was easily deflected, yet it was the fourth arrow hidden in the shadow of the third that was poised to strike. Yet,

"What the hell are you doing!" Gylnda Goodwitch stopped the fourth shot in its tracks.

Shirou's expression stiffened as he realized that he was no longer alone.

Tai, Qrow, Glynda, and the rest had arrived in the area.

Having no time to explain, and seeing the murderous expression on Avenger's face, Shirou fired another shot.

This time Glynda wasn't expecting it, and the arrow sailed past her, hitting a blow to Avenger's arm. Blood spurted to the ground, and anger welled in Qrow's eyes.

"Kid, I swear you better stop now!" Qrow brandished his sword.

"Shirou, what are you doing?" Jaune asked stunned.

Shirou didn't have time to respond as Tai appeared protectively in front of Avenger. Tarwich was raised in Avenger's hand and Tai was still staring in Shirou's direction.

Shirou quickly traced another arrow to stop Avenger's attack, but the bow in his hands rebounded after a sniper shot redirected the trajectory.

Ruby Rose had a serious expression on her face. It was clear that she would defiantly fire a second shot if Shirou aimed his bow at Avenger again.

Yet that expression on Ruby's face faded as Tai's face twisted in pain, a beast-claw like dagger stabbed through his stomach.

"Dad!" Ruby called.

Staggering, Tai held himself standing by using a tree as support.

Meanwhile Avenger stood with a blank expression as if he had done nothing wrong. In fact, in his eyes, he had done nothing wrong. Killing humans to him was a normal part of life.

"Y-You bastard," Tai grunted through clenched teeth as Ren moved to support the man, Nora staring cautiously at Avenger. "What have you done to my wife?!"

Tai would get no answer as Avenger was once again forced to dodge away from Shirou's arrows.

"Mr. Rose, you have to rest," Ren spoke politely before growing solemn. "For those blades to draw blood…They're dangerous if they can harm us even with our aura to shield us. Jaune, Pyrrha, be careful."

Jaune and Pyrrha nodded as they readied themselves to Avenger's approach. Yet an arrow once again changed the trajectory of Avenger's movements. This time forcing Avenger towards Yang, Weiss, and Blake.

"She's coming," Blake woke Yang from her daze as she readied her weapon. "We have to subdue her somehow."

"Leave that to me," Qrow appeared from out of nowhere, locking his sword against Tarwich and Zarich.

Thereafter, he repositioned himself and grappled with Avenger, using his height and weight to his advantage by pressing her down. It was just unexpected though when Avenger pushed back with even more force than what Summer's body should have had been able to produce.

Thus, flipping him over onto his back, Tarwich descending down on his neck, yet an arrow once again forced Avenger to halt his actions.

"How annoying," Avenger muttered lowly, back peddling away as Shirou seemed to be carpet bombing the area.

Qrow for his part stared blankly up at the sky before cursing while hammering his fist into the ground. As a Huntsman, his main proficiency lied in killing Grimm, subduing others was a far harder task, but for Summer, he would put his all. Thereafter, he gave a nod to Glynda in the distance, and the two chased after Avenger, leaving Yang, Blake, and Weiss behind.

As Shirou continued to fire down arrows, Avenger was beginning to get hard pressed at the fools who were attempting to catch him and the need to dodge.

Mind wandering, it wasn't unexpected when another arrow pierced his left arm. He didn't scream, as the pain was nothing compared to what he had once endured. Yet to others, it looked particularly gruesome when Avenger pulled the shot out and let a trail of blood fall to the ground. It made Yang and the others even more concerned once they saw the paleness now present on Avenger's face.

"You're killing her!" Yang immediately shifted her attention towards Shirou, snapping the tree he was on in half with one punch. Yang's hair had turned crimson by now, her eyes pits of anger.

Shirou hopped down from the tree, a conflicted expression on his face that steeled once he realized the direction Avenger was retreating towards.

It was towards an open space where Ruby had been sniping him from. Based on how Ruby was frozen in place, it would not end well if Avenger attacked her.

Ignoring Yang's outburst, he aimed and fired another shot, much to Yang's fury. But that shot forced Avenger to shift his path back towards where Qrow, Pyrrha, Jaune, and Glynda were waiting. Ren and Nora supporting an injured Tai.

Sighing in relief, Shirou had less than a second to catch his breath before he was dodging a shotgun powered fist aimed at his chest. The wound he had sustained from Avenger earlier caused him to wince in pain and his movements to slow. Thus, although he dodged the punch aimed at him, he was hit by the Ice Dust Weiss shot out to immobilize him.

Already he could feel his body going numb as a result. But the warmth of his magic acted to nullify this effect. Reinforcement kicked in, and he swerved away just as Blake moved to pin him down.

Swiping Blake's legs from under her, he put strength back into his arms and aimed and fired another shot towards Avenger. From where he stood, he could see clearly that Qrow and the rest only had one goal in mind, and that was to capture Avenger without harming him. Such a course of actions was suicide against someone like Avenger. Therefore, out of everyone present, the only one truly applying pressure to Avenger was Shirou himself.

As soon as Shirou stopped firing, the deaths would begin. Tai's case was proof enough. It was lucky that Shirou had injured Avenger before or it would have had been more than just one dagger that would have had pierced through Tai.

His arrow had the desired effect and forced Avenger into a different direction.

Towards Shirou himself. Avenger fed up with dodging.

Because of Avenger's quick approach, Weiss and Blake were forced to redirect their attention towards Avenger. Weiss using more Ice Dust and Blake splitting off into multiple copies of herself to intercept any path Avenger may take.

As for Yang, she stood right where she was, frozen stiff and unable to bring herself to attack Avenger.

As Shirou had predicted before, trying to subdue Avenger while avoiding his fatal attacks was impossible.

Tarwich appeared right over Weiss's widened eyes, slashing downward in an attempt to gouge them only for Blake to tackle Weiss out of the way. However, Blake suffered for it, a cut opening on her back.

Her lips quivered from the pain, but she bit down on them, and forced herself to dodge the follow up strike.

"Yang!" Blake called to her partner for help.

But Yang's intervention was far from beneficial. There was no power in her strikes. The raging flames and confidence that always surrounded her replaced by panic and anxiety.

Avenger only snorted, an attack aimed to pierce straight through Yang's heart.

"Mom," Yang whispered lowly, her voice trembling.

Boom!

Right before Yang's eyes, she could see Avenger's face twisting in a surprise and pain. It was like everything was in slow motion, the hand Avenger had just placed above her heart, was dragged away as an arrow entered Yang's line of sight; driving itself into Avenger's body and flinging her out along with it for miles.

"NNNNOOOOO!" Yang screamed, reaching a hand forward. Yet the motion was useless.

Taking the opportunity where no one was paying attention to him, Shirou resolved to finish things now before anyone else could get hurt.

Strengthening the grip, he had on his bow, Shirou once again took a vantage point up on the trees. His eyes were locked solely on Avenger's form, his breathing even.

In his entire life, he had never once missed a shot with his bow. And a reason for that was the state of calm that always took over his mind just before each shot. That, and the way the world seemed to just freeze around him, letting his own senses get a gauge on his surroundings and target.

This state was what took over him at this moment.

He had to draw Avenger out of that body, and to do so would mean to render the body completely incapacitated. Thus, Avenger would be able to do nothing to avoid capture which would then lead to him rotting away behind restraints. Therefore, if he truly did incapacitate Summer, then it was quite likely that Avenger would choose to find another host.

Therefore, at this moment, he decided on a gamble. Betting on the increased defences Avenger would give to its host.

"I am the Bone of my Sword."

The start of his aria aligned his mind with his purpose. Dust, grime, and loose bramble seemed to levitate into the air at this moment, vibrating gently as an aura like nonother spread out in the vicinity.

Tai noticed it, Ruby noticed it, everyone noticed it.

And it was then that a sword appeared in Shirou's hands. Plain as it was with a golden hilt and a stainless-steel blade, the air of grandeur around it couldn't be contained. Above the gazes of all, it demanded respect, and gave others a feeling of certainty and resolution. Promising only a single result to its enemies.

This was Noble Phantasm, a crystallization of Legends which no one in the world of Remnant had ever laid eyes upon. In fact, because this was everyone in the area's first exposure to such a thing, none of them were able to move, caught up in the sight before them.

Heroes are made not only because of their actions, but the way they inspire others around them.

At this moment, the words Jaune's mother had once spoken to him as a child resounded in his mind. Shivers travelled down his back, and he wasn't the only one. His entire team was being effected.

With a single movement from Shirou, that sword began shifting in a show of alteration. The once flat blade rounding itself into a spire that was similar in form as the arrows Shirou had been previously shooting.

The presence everyone could feel from the sword in Shirou's bow at this point was awe inspiring, yet it filled Ruby, Yang, Tai, and Qrow with dread when they realized its recipient.

"Shirou no!" Ruby yelled dashing forward from her sniping position.

Yet it was too late.

"Soar, Caladbolg!"

The magic sword of Fergus mac Róich, founder of the Knights of the Red Branch in Celtic lore and foster father to Ireland's Child of Light, Cu Chulainn.

Space itself twisted as a shockwave blew back all the trees in the vicinity, rocking them violently and uprooting them. A swirl of blue aura followed the arrow in its trajectory, lighting up the area in an ominous azure glow.

Time seemed to freeze, a scream echoing out into the forest as Avenger stared wide eyed at the Noble Phantasm that was instantly directly on top of him. There wasn't even any time to react.

One moment Avenger was just standing there, and in the next, a violent explosion reduced the area to burning flames and ashes.

Before Shirou could even assess the result of his attack, a fist to his face sent him flying into the woods, Yang's tear stained face the last image he saw before falling beneath the underbrush.

Everyone else just stood there motionless. Ruby arrived and looked frantically within the flames for the person within only to stagger when she eventually found her mark.

Summer was bruised and beaten, parts of her skin charred. From her injuries, it was clear that she wouldn't be moving anytime soon even if she was still alive. From where Ruby and the others were standing, it was hard to tell, but the one thing everyone could understand was that she wasn't moving.

Tai appeared as if he'd lost his soul, his body falling onto its knees as it stared forward blankly. It wasn't till Ruby moved that Tai got a hold of himself.

"M-Mom, get up," Ruby urged, her body staggering forward towards Summer's unmoving form.

When Ruby saw that her voice wasn't having any effect, her voice seemed to hitch as she shook her head in denial; continuing to call out as she lost her reservations and then promptly ran forward. Out of everyone, she was the fastest with her semblance, and she reached Summer within a heartbeat.

"W-Wake up!" Ruby immediately said upon getting close, pulling Summer into her hands. She grew relieved though when she felt a faint breath coming from Summer's mouth.

"D-Dad, uncle Qrow, help!" She called out hysterically after seeing the injuries over Summer's body.

Hands trembling, Ruby's mind blanked before she ripped her red cloak to use it as a bandage. Pursing her lips, she carefully began wrapping up Summer's wounds.

At that moment though, everyone in the area just seemed to freeze, confusing Ruby.

Yet that confusion disappeared moments later when her gaze shifted up.

A black shadow with wisps of black energy shooting out in all directions had appeared hovering over Summer's form.

"R-Ruby!" Yang called in panic when she realized that the shadow was moving towards Ruby's direction.

She wasn't the only one in a panic. In fact, the one who was the most effected was Tai, his face paling until it was as white as a sheet. At this point, Tai didn't know of Summer's condition, and all he could see before his eyes was that he was about to lose another member of his family.

"Fuck! You stay away from my daughter!" Tai yelled, forcing his already injured body forward under Qrow's concerned gaze.

Qrow himself grew solemn as he quickly deduced that no one was near enough to Ruby to intervene even if they wanted to.

The shadow too seemed to understand this, glancing at Tai's direction mockingly before diving towards Ruby.

Ruby swung with Crescent Rose, only for the scythe to pass straight through the shadow.

"No, no," Ruby swung out continuously, yet the shadow just continued to reform.

All her attempts were useless as the shadow did not have a physical form. As the shadow's hand touched her own, it felt as if lightning was zapping through her.

She screamed.

"GET AWAY FROM MY BABY!" Tai spurted out blood from his wounds as he used up his aura to force himself forward arriving on scene and attacking without care for himself.

Yet his effort proved just as useless as Ruby's, his fists passing straight through the shadow, and only serving to proliferate it. The broken pieces of shadow forming into more shadows.

A look of helplessness passed across Tia's face but he refused to give up, striking endlessly.

This was the scene Qrow and the others arrived to.

Glynda attempted to use her semblance to somehow pull the shadows away, but she was shocked to discover the amount of resistance she was facing. Sweat began to drip down from her brow.

"What the hell are you?!" Yang yelled, attacking along with Tai. The others were doing the same, but no physical attacks were able to effect it.

The shadows formed into one and stared coldly at everyone before turning its attention back onto Ruby.

Summer's body was no longer useful; therefore, it was best to find someone more suitable. Grinning, it put strength in its grip on Ruby's arm which made her face pale as a taint was beginning to crawl up her arm. The taint of all the world's evils.

Yet, before it could do anything, a voice entered its ears.

"I won't let you," Shirou spoke barrelling forward.

Unlike everyone else's attacks that just passed through the shadow, pieces of the shadow seemed to disappear upon contact with Shirou.

"You fool." Avenger said. "You'd rather give up yourself!"

Shirou didn't answer, as he allowed the shadow to seep into him. Bit by bit, that taint that had once been over Summer's body was appearing over Shirou's.

Everyone at this point was able to see that.

"S-Shirou you?!"

"Go!" Shirou yelled in a rush, before running into the direction of the forest and disappearing from sight while the rest were in a stupor.

Shirou knew what he had to do. Unlike everyone else in the world of Remnant, only he alone would be able to maintain his sanity under Avenger's control. After all, he was the only one who understood Avenger best.

He who bore the weight of the World's Evils. An innocent youth that had once been no different from everyone else, yet burdened as the tribute for other's prosperity.

It was why Shirou had called Avenger of pitiful man. Because that was what he was. A creation of circumstance.

You have suffered long enough.

"…"

Perhaps at that time when Avenger was first plunged into despair, if there had been another who would be there to bare the burden with him, then it would have had made all the difference. Shirou himself knew that he would have had offered himself up without hesitation. And now as the shadow of Angra Mainyu assimilated with Shirou, Angra Mainyu himself could sense Shirou's intentions. Otherwise, anything Shirou would have had said would have had been nothing more than empty words in Angra Mainyu's ears.

Now though, Avenger no longer spoke as the taint of all the World's Evil rushed into the world of Unlimited Blades.

As Shirou gathered the determination to do what he had to do, only a single thought appeared in his mind. It was a memory of when he had first met Ozpin.

Closing his eyes, he opened them while enduring the pain from the curse crawling over him.

"I'm sorry Ozpin, but I knew that this would never work out."

Thanks for reading, and I know that some things may have to change about this story because of the new season of RWBY. I'm gonna have to look into it more.

P a treon. com (slash) Parcasious