Chapter 7

The First Battle Part III

Arturia Pendragon roared as she slammed her sword against another ballistic axe. The axe, despite its top notch craftsmanship, was split in two and exploded on impact with the ground. Still her attention didn't linger, and she pivoted on her heel, letting a sword slip in between her arms while barely dodging another meant to take off her head. Her weapon slapped aside a bronze spear and another axe before she grit her teeth.

The rain all around them pattered against her armor with 'taps' and 'tips'.

She let out a slow breath.

"Burst."

The ground exploded as she kicked off at speeds far faster than any onlooker would've expected her capable of. She flew through the storm of golden weapons, striking four down that almost hit, and as she neared the King of Hero's she roared once more, the wind picking up around her as she went. She swung and the King of Heros was forced to leap off his current perch as the roof exploded from a sheer tap of her blade. He landed on another building, the edges of his lips threatening to turn into a frown.

A smile almost formed on her lips, but she knew better now than to tempt fate and instead twisted mid air to avoid another volley of golden weapons.

"As expected of the King of Knights. You fight as valiantly as you did the last time we met! The perfect warrior in all regards, and the perfect bride!" The voice, pompous as it was, wasn't alone and of course several more weapons shot down at her as she landed on the street.

She blocked again, ignoring two that overshot, and deflecting another into a nearby building.

"You truly are almost second to none!" His laugh was loud and she glared at him even as he smirked and his red eyes met hers, "but only the King can hold the grail."

His portals grew in number and she knew she couldn't stay still. With another burst of mana to her legs she shot off to the side, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of weapons. Still, Gilgamesh was not one to give up on his prize so easily.

Even as she kicked off the nearest building and launched herself into the air, swords and axes followed her every move. A few she blocked. Most she had to keep moving to even avoid now.

She grit her teeth as she landed on the roof, only for her to have to launch herself off as it was shred apart by ancient weapons. Swords once more came for her, and she slashed one in half, used the flat of her blade to deflect another. But finally her luck ran out.

A sword clipped her shoulder and the sheer force sent her tumbling to the ground. Her armor shattered the concrete, and she bounced down a new street, one where civilians were running and crying out in shock. She blinked once to clear her mind, her sword having never left her hand, and in a moment was on her feet.

She only spared half a glance to her surroundings. People were running from their homes. Mothers carried children, fathers pushed families forward, children pulled parents along, and all the while in the distance she could see the red and purple powers of Assassin, and what she assumed had to be the Caster of this War, tearing new holes into the cityscape.

And though she could feel the mana flowing into her, she couldn't sense her Master. Which meant something had occurred, but he wasn't dead. If only that gave her comfort.

"Come now, Saber. Surely you aren't worn already."

As expected, the King had followed her.

She hissed under her breath and lunged forward towards his location down the street, only to be met with another onslaught of blades. She blocked, weaved through some, and parried another. She twisted on her left foot, letting two swords sail by, and she poured mana into her blade.

She glared at the king, pointed her sword, and yelled, "Burst air!"

Air, as powerful a tornado but far more localized, shot forward at the King of Heros, and his visage of entertainment dropped into a stern frown. Portals opened around him and shields appeared in front of her attack, the shields holding against gale force winds with ease before disappearing right back into the portals that had released them.

She knew she had his full attention now.

He raised his hand an a dome of golden portals surrounded the entire street.

"Tell me, Saber. Is it the duty of the King to protect their people?"

Her eyes grew wide, and on a dime the portals turned and fired out into the city.

She watched in horror as roofs exploded, people screamed, and even more smoke filled the air. She watched as a family simply ceased to exist under a torrent of blades, and her bleeding heart wouldn't let her stay still. She rushed forward with another burst of mana into her whole body, slamming her blade into another axe and destroying it with ease. The family behind her cried out in fear and she opened her mouth to speak only for instinct to scream at her.

Once more, the King of Knights twisted her sword and outright shattered three projectiles with one motion, then deflected a fourth with the flat of her blade.

Portals closed then reopened both behind her and in front of her.

Her eyes went wide as the children behind her screamed.

She turned and blocked another blade meant to impale the children, pivoting again and parrying another blade meant for her back. More came for her and she did as was natural for her.

Block, parry, deflect. Move. Swing. Thrust. Bloc-

"Gah!" She gasped as pain exploded in her side, and she stumbled forward only for blades to fly by her and impale the ground around the family. It was at a far slower speed than normal and instead of eviscerating the people, it caged them in a wall of swords.

Blood leaked from the wound on her side, a small thing, but one that still hampered her movement. And against her current foe, that was going to be a problem.

Gilgamesh walked toward her, portals following him as he pushed his hands inside his pocket and he tilted his head, "do these mongrels truly mean so much to you? To a King?"

She grit her teeth as she turned to look at him, nothing but fury radiating off her being.

"It is a Kings duty to serve her people. You know this, Tyrant."

He scowled at her, "A King is do what his wishes. If I chose to eliminate this city because it slights me, then that is my right as King. If these peasants wrong me, then it is my duty to punish them. These fakes have created themselves in the image of my Garden, and as King, they must be punished by my hand."

Portals flared to life, behind him, and this time he grabbed a sword himself.

"Tell me, Saber, will you stand between a King and his justice?"

She grit her teeth and spread her feet into a firm stance; between the family and the monster before her.

He smiled.

"So shall it be."

And the heavens rained.

If anyone had asked Qrow a few weeks ago if he would lose a fight against someone with only a bow and arrow, and who was smaller and shorter than him, he would've laughed at them. But now, as he deflected an arrow that held as much, if not more power behind it than Crescent Roses' sniper rounds, he genuinely worried how long he would be able to hold the fanus lady off.

She was pretty that much he could admit, but the ferocity of her attacks was a direct contrast to her size. It was like another Ruby, but far meaner and without the naive tenacity.

"Look sweet-" an arrow tore through the roof beneath him and Qrow cursed as he leapt backwards, spun his scythe around and blocked another arrow, once more feeling his feet slid back on the roof, "I get we're not friends but-"

"Men talk too much," She growled and a trio of arrows rushed at him faster than what should've been possible. He yelped and blocked two, only for the third to slip past him.

The woman didn't wait and rushed forward, and in two strides was in his face. He cursed again firing off his weapons shotgun attachment to hopefully discourage the girl. She moved faster than he expected, easily sidestepping the shots, and slammed the palm of her hand into his chest.

He gasped as his breath left him, and was backhanded onto his ass. He moved with the fall, rolling to his side as arrows shot through the roof he hand landed on, before leaping to his feet and swiping his weapon forward to cut through both the rain and two arrows that were once more aimed for his face.

"Not gonna be that easy sweet heart." Qrow chuckled, his breath heavy, drops of rain racing down the back of his neck.

He grit his teeth even as the cold breeze and sounds of explosions echoed around them.

The woman glanced around the city, and he lunged at her. She back-flipped away from his strike, letting lose another two arrows before he had even finished his own attack and forced him to simply duck and roll.

"Damn servants…"

She frowned, but gave no reply before leaping backwards, loading a few more arrows and firing them at him.

They came faster than before, with intervals that were off just enough so Qrow was forced onto the back-foot as he couldn't predict her shots, he could simply react and pray he was fast enough to avoid or block them.

The look on her face was stale, and he cursed under his breath as he blocked another arrow that sent shock waves up his arms.

"This is the Atlesian military. Surrender or face execution."

And there went his semblance.

A spotlight shone down on them through the rain. The barrage of arrows stopped. He spared a glance at the woman, and found her staring at the Atlesian warship in confusion her brow furrowed before she scowled and raised her weapon towards the gunship floating above them.

"No!" He dashed forward, the gunship opened fire, and arrows flew.

Before he even reached her the Atlesian warship banked hard to the left, its engine screeching as arrows somehow tore through metal with less effort than a knife through butter. He dove at her with his weapon extended, forcing her to roll under him and away.

He landed and spun to his feet, and her foot crashed against his chest throwing him off the roof.

He tried to turn to land on his feet, but was slow and the fall had him slamming onto the cement with his shoulder first, his weapon flying from his grip as the ground cracked and his aura flared. He coughed as pain shot through his being, and pushed himself up and to the side.

His eyes traveled up. Arrows raced towards him.

A blur of black, the arrows ceased to exist, and he frowned at the sight of Blake Belladonna standing before him, her weapons in hand as she growled at the woman above them both.

The woman narrowed her gaze.

"A friend of this mans?"

The fanus ignored the Servant and looked back at Qrow, "get up!"

He was already moving, having pushed himself to his feet before gathering Harbringer then taking a place next to her.

With a gentle shove he pushed her behind himself, and while he was grateful he prayed the other brats had stayed with Weiss.

She didn't resist his movement.

It was two versus one now.

He just had to make sure he had this woman's attention more. If she was as strong as Ruby's so called Servant, she'd kill Blake easily. He hoped his aura had enough to take a few hits. Blake's wouldn't.

The woman spoke again, "maybe he's a lover. It does not matter. I will make it painless for the both of you. I have no grudge against either of you." The woman's bow began to glow before her eyes went wide and she looked behind them, "master?"

Keeping an eye on the Servant Qrow glanced behind them and he cursed his semblance for the umpteenth time.

"No." Blakes voice cracked and he couldn't blame her for turning around to face the newest threat.

The click of Adams shoes against the street could be heard even above the rain. He could hear the sword being unsheathed and the malice in his voice.

"My love. How kind of you to join us."

Seemed like his Semblance was on overdrive today.

"What on Remnant is this?"

Ruby stared wide eyed at the wall of… well it had to be magic! A wall of pure magic stood between her, Jaune, and the rest of the street. She noticed as she looked at the ground how it was completely dry, and she knew it had started raining.

She grit her teeth and looked behind them, the dome of magic having encased the whole street and a few alleyways but nothing more.

"Hyah!" Jaune roared and she turned to see him strike the force-field with all of his strength, the metal bouncing off the magical dome without a scratch.

"I wouldn't bother."

The voice, sultry and smooth sent a cold chill running up Ruby's arms and she turned quickly, silver eyes meeting amber as Jaune pushed around her and deployed his shield in front of her.

Cinder Fall and Neo stood around fifteen feet before them, fire swirling around Cinders raised hand as she grinned at them while Neo raised her sword and let a manic smile spread across her face.

"Ruby."

Jaune's body tensed, his weapon and shield at the ready and his posture strong and steady. She grit her teeth but stayed behind him. Without Crescent Rose she knew she couldn't realistically fight either of them.

It didn't mean they wouldn't kill her though.

"I've wanted this moment for so long," Cinder stepped forward and extended her hand towards them, "I can't wait to see you burn." Fire erupted from her palm and Jaune raised his shield.

Like a freight train it slammed into him, throwing him back and bowling Ruby over.

She knew not to stay still and instantly activated her semblance. Not a moment to soon as the moment she turned to roses, Neo drove her sword through them, scowling as Ruby rushed to the opposite side of the street and reformed.

Neo rushed at her, but a wall of flames erupted between the two. Both turned and saw Cinder glowering at Ruby, eyes flaming and voice more like a growl as she spoke, "she's mine first. Deal with the boy."

The multicolored girl scowled at Cinder but pivoted and turned to Jaune, though Ruby didn't get to see what happened as the wind picked up around her and she dove to the side to avoid a blast of fire that literally melted the concrete on the street.

Flames exploded on her right and she flew back into the wall of a building.

Again she morphed to roses, avoiding the next tide of heat that turned the wall to ash within seconds.

She reformed with a gasp, her body aching, but found no respite as a heel cracked against her throat. She gasped, throat shut and refusing to open as she stumbled back. Wild eyes searched for the threat, but she wasn't fast enough and a black sword ripped against her chest. Pain blossomed through her and she bit her cheek to keep from screaming even as her aura held and she fell back on her butt.

Another bout of fire came for her and she dashed away with a burst of speed and roses, only to reform into a grinning Cinder who grabbed her by her throat and lifted. The woman squeezed, and Ruby clawed at the hand, kicking at Cinder chest with all her might.

Despite her struggles however Cinder only smiled, and her eyes glowed even brighter.

"You humiliated me. Burned me. It's only fair, I do the same. And eye for an eye no?"

Cinder free hand raised up, her fingers glowing with fire. Her fingers reached for Ruby's eyes.

Ruby screamed, and as Cinder's fingers crashed against Ruby's head, as the heat burned away at her aura to reach flesh, as pained blossomed all over her head, as tears rushed from her eyes, her thoughts raced over and over.

Was this really going to be it? Was she going to die to Cinder Fall, here in Argus, where all her friends were fighting for her lives?

She'd never she her sister again. Her uncle or dad. She'd never see if Oscar and Ozpin became a great Huntsman. Or if Weiss would truly be able to reinvent the SDC. Or if Jaune would every truly get over his heart ache.

This was where her story ended, to Cinder Fall, and the failed henchmen of Roman Torchwick.

Her eyes narrowed.

"No."

Cinder's smile faltered as Rubys aura flared.

Her eyes glowed silver.

"No!" Cinder screeched, releasing Ruby and igniting both hands.

Far too late.

Silver light erupted.

And even the sun would be envious of its glory.

EMIYA growled as he felt his weakened projections form in his hands, firing off another trio of projectiles towards Caster's location, where as expected they exploded upon her magical barriers. What happened that she didn't expect was for another bolt to fly and slam into the roof beneath her feet a moment later, ripping apart wood and metal with a grand explosion and sending her flying with a scream of surprise.

Granted it was a minor victory and a second later she retaliated with a barrage of mystical energy, which he easily evaded, but it was something.

After all, a moment ago he felt his masters energy waning, her strength and obvious magical reserves failing as he continuously fought the witch.

The pure dome of light to his left taunted him, and he cursed under his breath as he tried once more to get around Madea's defenses. Of course, shield blocked his swords even at Mach 7 from hitting the dome and he scowled before turning back to the Witch.

A panic flared through him, and his eyes widened as felt his master emotions even through the dome. It was proof of Madea's quick work, but was also evidence of her plight.

Something was very wrong.

Golden light ripped into the city far on their right, and the screams filled the air still.

Purple, malevolent magic fired at him and tore homes and streets to shreds as he avoided them for the sake of surviving this shamble of a Grail War.

The presence of another servant beyond the dome screamed danger into his mind, and hundreds of Madea's monsters rummaged the street all around, slaughtering, killing, and searching.

It was a mess.

He scowled as his masters panic deepened, and he felt her energy suddenly wane.

Silver eyes returned to the form of Madea, her smile evident.

"You can't win Assassin. You may be formidable, but my ally is far worse than you. And my master, far more capable I'm sure. Accept defeat."

Magic flared to life around her.

He slowed his breath.

'I am the bone of my sword'

The wind kicked up and swords formed from thin air all around him in the dozen's, and Madea's gasp was audible to him as they rocketed forward and ripped into her magic and shields with enough ferocity he knew she was worrying about the sheer power behind them. Especially considering her companion was the King of Hero's himself and he knew his projections were enough or his own armory.

'Steel is my body. Fire is my blood.'

Magic, bright purple's and dark blue's, returned with their own onslaught on him, but he stood still and only tightened his hands into fists as his bow de-materialized. The amount of swords returning fire and blocking Madea's magic tripled.

Chu-thunk. Chu-Thunk.

Her could hear the gears turning.

'I have created over a thousand blades'

His hand raised towards Madea, and his mind reached out to the other servants around him. The city was dying around him, and if the feelings of his master were anything to go by, so was his master. This wasn't his world. He, wasn't here. So he had no real aim.

'Unknown to life. Nor known to death.'

But he was a Counter Guardian. He was to clean up humanities messes.

Yet, this was their problem.

It was a Hero's mess.

The winds exploded around him, and he heard the explosions stop and heard Madea roaring at him.

It didn't matter.

He would do his duty.

"Unlimited Blade Works!"

A/N

Initially, I hadn't wanted EMIYA to use this here, but everything is kinda a shit show already (it was planned that way don't worry) but the more I thought about it, the more I had realized my initial ending to this scene wasn't feasible with who the characters were.

This path I'm doing will have the same outcome, but will be a bit shorter simply because EMIYA is forced into using his trump card now. Ruby's in a bad spot, and while he could likely defeat Madea, Gil is going rampant, Atlanta showed up, and the city is being destroyed. Chaos, and the only way he could complete every objective was to simply give himself and his allies the edge. And UBW is the answer to that.

Granted, I'm not going to blow every desired fight scene in the first major fight. We have a lot to go still, but this path feels correct for each character.

Like how would Ruby and Jaune possibly survive? (without plot armor obvs.)How would Saber, without Avalon defeat Gil in a timely manner while saving the city? How would Archer save Ruby when his distracted and the dome is protected?

Yeah, not much choice for him.

Anyway, about two more chapters for this fight, and we'll get a twist or two as well. Then some explanations and obvious questions for the RWBY characters that need to be answered.

This is UBW Gil, tainted by the grail with a human body. Same thing as the anime, a true prick, but still badass in every way. Though since it was an instant transition to this war, his desire for Saber hasn't faded at all.

Hopefully you like the Atlanta and Qrow fight. Kinda hard to write them since neither are major parts of their respective show, but I tired my best. Also, Atlanta for clarification, is not a very strong servant. Minus her noble phantasms (and berserker) she's rather weak physically, so she's the only one I think Qrow and Blake would be able to fight without getting near insta dead. Like against Arturia? No chance. Against Gil? No chance. Karna? What do you think.

Anyway, hope you enjoy.

God bless and please review. Constructive reviews please

-Metal4k