The Revenant

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or The Punisher.

Chapter XVII

Revenant continued his walk towards his target's location whom he could easily sense was deep in Emerald Forest and was also badly hurt and not moving.

Most likely the work of Rovagug. The deity did despise the bitch though not as much as Revenant did, which is why he's going to be the one to kill her not Rovagug.

The undead vigilante then heard groaning and immediately drew a single Retribution and aimed it at the direction of the sound, only to growl when he saw that it was an injured Ozpin. Once again the work of Rovagug who also hated this caffeine addict.

"You're a sight for sore eyes caffeine addict." Revenant greeted.

Ozpin chuckled before groaning in pain due to his injuries. "W-We finally get to meet face to face David."

"It's Revenant you old fool. Get it right." Revenant deadpanned, "Got your ass handed to you by Rovagug huh?"

"Ugh! Y-Yes, I had the unfortunate honor of meeting him after a long time and got this for it." The Beacon headmaster said.

Revenant shrugged as he holstered his pistol and continued walking. "Whatever. It's not my problem. You drag your sorry ass out of here and out of my sight while I settle a score."

"You mean Salem?"

"I see no need to clarify what's already obvious."

"You do realize that the moment you kill Salem you doom everyone else?"

"Everyone else but Summer, Ruby and anyone else close to them, except Raven and Qrow. Those two can rot in hell for all I care."

"Is it because of the deal you made with Rovagug? It's only valid as long as you're alive David. The moment you kill Salem and you finally die because of what you are, they all become free game for him. You're being played David!"

Revenant stopped moving and spun around firing a shot from Retribution into Ozpin's gut further injuring the older man.

"Like you're one to talk about manipulation." Revenant said darkly, "Weren't you using young kids as your chess pieces in a chess game against Bitch Queen? Like you've been using RWBY, JNPR and STRQ, hell even Amber, for your own motives? Your inability to even trust your allies in your circle and your stale tactics already proved your failure as a protector of humanity. Bitch Queen actually adapted with the times and switched tactics. It's only because of me that you, Beacon or even Vale is still around. Well in your case not any longer. Remnant doesn't need incompetent morons like you anymore."

With that Revenant left the wounded man to bleed out while he continued towards his prey who was still there in place, ripe for the picking. However he soon heard movement from behind him and from the corner of his eye he saw Ozpin rushing at him with his hidden sword from his cane before quick drawing Penance and blocking the attack at his back. "So you still have energy to come at me huh? Must be the caffeine you've been drinking too much kicking in." He said to the glaring 'protector' of humanity.

"I've been doing all that's been necessary to protect humanity and I won't let some petty, vengeful child puppet with no restraint doom everyone." Ozpin said.

"Petty?! You've got a lot of balls calling me petty for seeking vengeance for myself and my family. Unfortunately, I've come too far to let some old fool who can't adapt with the times stop me from getting what I want...my VENGEANCE. Now get out of my sight!"

BOOM!

...

The sound of a huge explosion in Emerald Forest got the attention of Glynda and Team STRQ, making them move with even more urgency as it was very clear that Revenant was in the area and he obviously wasn't in the mood for any diplomacy.

They reached a clearing where there was a lot of smoke in what looked like the aftermath of that explosion they heard.

"Revenant was here." Raven mentioned to the group as she recognized that foul aura of his anywhere.

"And he had one hell of a temper tantrum if this is the aftermath." Qrow added.

"Do you know where he's going?" Glynda asked. Coughing soon followed as a weak voice answered her.

"Ugghh...I-I can tell you...b-but you'll have to be quick about it." The group looked towards the owner of the voice and were shocked to see a badly messed up Ozpin.

"Ozpin!" Glynda shouted as she and STRQ rushed towards the downed man.

They had to stop and look at how badly the Beacon headmaster was. The man who was less than whole as he was missing an arm and a leg with the wounds already cauterized, a huge gash was across his chest and he was smoking as he'd looked like he'd been cooked from the inside out.

"Damn old man! What the hell happened to you?" Tai asked.

"R-Revenant happened." Ozpin replied before coughing.

"Stop talking Ozpin. You need help right now." Glynda pleaded as she and Summer went to his side and sat him up gently.

"I won't be able to make it for treatment and even if you somehow get me aid, we have bigger problems." Ozpin said.

"Revenant. Like he isn't any more of a problem." Raven growled.

"R-Revenant is one part of the problem. Salem is also in there and Revenant is on his way to finish her off. Not to mention there's someone much worse who'd been pulling his strings." Ozpin corrected.

"The Bitch herself is here?!" Glynda yelled in anger.

"Yes she is and she's the least of our problems." Ozpin replied.

"What do you mean Oz?" Summer asked. "How's she the least of our problem?! Who's been pulling David's strings?!"

"A being who's even more dangerous than Salem herself and unfortunately if Revenant accomplishes what he wants the whole of Remnant will be doomed." Ozpin pointed out shocking the group.

"What do you mean?! Who's this bigger threat?!" Glynda asked.

And with that Ozpin told them about Rovagug, an ancient deity who'd existed even before the two brothers of legends. The same deity even claimed that he was the one who gave the destructive brother his powers and even had control of the creatures of Grimm which he used as a deterrent against humanity when they chose to be hate filled, bigoted morons. Rovagug made Salem look like a brat with a tantrum with the stuff he pulled. He was much more ruthless and monstrous and he had no qualms about using every trick in the book to get what he wants.

However unlike the vile Grimm Queen Rovagug actually had a line he won't cross: He always kept his end of whatever deal he made and he never attacked children or mothers who were expecting, all because he found their innocence...interesting and he made sure that no Grimm attacked any children. However when the children became teens then they were free game. Heck he'd even took a trio of children under his wing because of that same innocence but in their case it was so...pure enough to make him genuinely smile which he hadn't done like at all.

Salem had tried to gain control of the Grimm but Rovagug had always prevented that knowing the bitch's lack of tact. He found her futile attempts amusing and didn't bother too much about her...until she killed those three kids. That was when he went off the rails and on a brutal rampage, nearly destroying Remnant in the process. Salem herself had been on the receiving end of a brutal beat down at Rovagug's hands and if not for Ozpin and some other huntsmen showing up to stop him she'd be dead. The two sworn enemies had to team up together to stop the pissed off deity and were only successful by the skin of their teeth as a lot of lives had been lost in that chaotic battle with both Ozpin and Salem sealing him away, hopefully forever.

Unfortunately Salem just had to screw things up by killing the Castle family and leaving David for dead with his blood releasing Rovagug from his prison and now she's no doubt going to pay for it while at the same time dooming everyone else.

But there was one more piece of info Ozpin gave which shook the group. The Revenant had always been around and was Rovagug's enforcer and best deterrent. Worse this cursed being had always been a Castle meaning generations of Castle family members had had one of them return as a Revenant to unleash hell in Rovagug's stead.

Frank had been lucky to avoid such a fate but David however didn't have that luck and he became the latest Revenant and he's followed the footsteps of other Revenants.

Finally Ozpin told them of Rovagug's endgame.

"By the way when Revenant's done with that bitch and he finally withers away I'll be resetting Remnant. Which I should have done years ago instead of just using the Grimm deterrent. So enjoy whatever time you have left."

...

Salem regained consciousness, managing to see the clear blue sky. Oh how it annoyed her. The light.

Unfortunately she had a bigger problem, she was unable to get up due to the brutal beating she took at the hands of that monster Rovagug. She could barely feel any part of her body at all not to mention even move. Worse thanks to that brat Revenant recovering from the damage was difficult now.

"You're finally awake. Good...because I want you conscious for what's about to befall you Bitch Queen."

If she could Salem could have become beyond pale due to that voice. She moved her head to the left and her eyes went wide as she saw someone who should be dead. Someone she knew.

David Castle Jr. or now otherwise...Revenant.

There he was sitting a few feet from her with a demented smile on his face while resting his chin over his hands which were over the hilt of Penance. Those red and silver eyes of his staring at her soul already deciding her sentence.

Which she knew was death.

Revenant's smile became even more crazed as he said, "I've been waiting for a long time for this moment. Where I get to finally unleash hell on you. While I would have preferred it if Rovagug didn't beat your ass down I'll take what I can get now." Revenant then got up and picked up Penance. "So prepare yourself Salem. Welcome to your damnation!" Salem didn't even get to scream as Revenant descended upon her and cut loose.

...

When Ozpin was done everyone was silent as they took in everything the dying old man had said.

"So let me get this straight Oz...You and that bitch teamed up once to stop this Rovagug guy who's worse than her in many ways but with morals. And now thanks to her we're all screwed." Qrow said getting a sigh and nod from Ozpin.

"Not to mention David's family had been cursed for a while and it's thanks to this Rovagug that he came back as his personal enforcer." Tai added, "Damn that's messed up."

"And when the kid gets his vengeance, Rovagug will reset the world." Raven added.

"Y-Yes...he does and he has the power to do so. All he wants now...is...no loose ends..." Ozpin began losing consciousness making Glynda panic and frantically try to keep him stable.

"Ozpin! Stay with us!"

Ozpin coughed out a lot of blood and spat out some more to the side. "T-That's...no longer possible...I've taken a beating from Rovagug himself and suffered even worse from Revenant when I tried to stop him from going after Salem...I-I've only been using my aura to just extend my life for this long and unfortunately I've reached my limit...Whatever you do...stop Revenant from bringing doom to Remnant...even if it earns you his wrath..." And then Ozpin went limp and stopped breathing.

STRQ and Glynda stayed silent as Glynda closed the deceased man's eyes. However that silence soon ended.

"Well now...we've got one hell of a conundrum." Qrow said, "We've got a chance to end a major enemy but that will result in the end of the world as we know it or a chance to prevent the end of the world and in return piss off a vengeful kid who made the deal with the devil."

"This' not even a conundrum." Glynda answered getting to her feet and began moving towards where Ozpin pointed out Revenant was going. "This madness ends today. One way or another."

Qrow sighed before taking out his tankard and quickly drinking a gulp from it. "That's save Remnant and earn us a temper tantrum. Anyone else."

Raven walks past her twin saying, "My mind's already made up."

Qrow sighed saying, "Well that makes three of us for saving the world. What about you two?" He turned to Summer and Tai.

"I would have paid to see David tear Salem a new asshole but..." Tai began, "...now I have no choice but to stop him from dooming everything I care for. Just hope he forgives me for this."

"I highly doubt he will." Summer spoke up in anger, "But I'll come along anyways...but only for my own reason." She too got up and followed after Glynda and Raven.

"I hope she's not gonna try and convince David in some way to stop because at this point it isn't happening." Qrow said.

"I just wish things didn't get this far." Tai added before both men followed after the others, catching up to them.

"AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!"

"MUWAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHA!"

The sound of someone feminine screaming and the maniacal laughter soon got the group's attention which told them what was up.

"Looks like the brat's wasted no time with his payback and is enjoying every bit of it." Raven said.

"We have to hurry!" Glynda said adding urgency to the situation.

...

STRQ and Glynda finally arrived where Revenant and Salem would be and what they saw made them cringe and stare in shock.

In front of them was David/Revenant standing there in his signature armored attire and without his mask on, leaving his pale face with silver and red eyes, white hair and a crazed smile on his face. In his hand was his blade Penance and in front of him was a bloodied, crucified Salem who was tied up on a large black bar in thick spiked chains that pierced the Grimm Queen at her wrists, shoulders, neck, chest, waist, knees and ankles. The evil woman was barely alive, if breathing at all and in agony, her clothes mostly rags and cuts, bruises and stab wounds all over her body that had been cauterized and not healing. Around the two were disintegrating bodies of Grimm that had no doubt tried to help Salem but it was clear that Revenant was having none of that.

"Well what do we have here? Spectators to watch your execution." Revenant said offhandedly.

Salem weakly, spotting STRQ and Glynda standing a good distance from them.

"Please help-" She began only to have Revenant stab her in the gut and then place his free hand around her throat.

"Nope. We can't have you doing that bitch!" Revenant said before he mercilessly ripped out her voice box from her throat before cauterizing the wound, further shocking the spectators with his brutality. "Besides you did this to me when I was just a kid bitch. Eye for an eye and all that. Speaking of which..."

In a quick motion Salem's vision went red black and excruciating pain followed, but with no voice box she was unable to scream even if she wanted to. In Revenant's eyes were the bloodied eyes of the Grimm Queen he ripped right of their sockets."

"That's for ripping out my eye you bitch!" Revenant added before crushing the eyes. He then put a hand over the sockets and cauterized the wounds once more. He was about to chop off an arm before Glynda recovered from her shock and pointed her riding crop at the avenger, using her semblance to stop his attack.

"Tch! You again!" Revenant snarled as he glared at Ozpin's annoying assistant. "You don't know when to give it a rest do you?"

"That's enough of your rampage Revenant! This ends now!" Glynda ordered.

Revenant just reached out with his free hand at Glynda and his ethereal one instantly came out and grabbed her, the hand covering her whole body but the look of panic was clear on Glynda's face.

"People like you are the worst. Acting all holier than though when you're nothing more than hypocrites or weak willed assholes." Revenant said before closing his hand resulting in the ethereal one crushing Glynda in seconds before anyone could react. When the hand opened, only her bloody squished remains were left dropping to the ground.

"Now that the hypocritical bitch's no longer running her mouth, what to do with you four?" Revenant said turning his attention on STRQ. He could see Summer and Tai not exactly comfortable being here and the Branwen twins ready to take action, especially Raven if the bloodthirsty look in her eyes wasn't apparent.

"David-I mean Revenant." Qrow corrected himself when Revenant glared at him, "As much as I'd love to watch you butcher this bitch, she's much more useful alive than dead right now."

Revenant raised an eyebrow at that and asked, "Ho?! Why is that Unlucky Drunkard Qrow?" That got Qrow twitching in annoyance, Summer giggling, Tai trying to not lose it and Raven cracking a momentary smile.

"At least show some respect kid!" Qrow exclaimed.

"And why the hell should I, you lapdog?" Revenant replied, now pissing Qrow off.

"Because I can school your ass in respect brat!" Qrow yelled.

"A lapdog school an alpha?! Wow! Looks like all that alcohol has killed all the brain cells in your fucking skull." Revenant deadpanned, further pissing Qrow off even more.

"I'll second that." Raven added mischievously making her brother look at her incredulously.

"Oh not you too sis!"

"Revenant, can I ask you something?" Summer asked the avenger.

Revenant's face turned neutral and nodded.

"Is...David still there or is he gone?"

"He's been long gone Summer Rose." Revenant responded making Summer's and Tai's hearts sink and Qrow shake his head while Raven didn't give a damn. "He held on as long as he could but he eventually gave up on whatever little humanity he had left."

Summer stayed silent along with Tai but only for a short while before he brought out his own shotgun gauntlets like his daughter's.

"Well no point in talking anymore since it's clear that you Revenant can't be reasoned with." He said resolutely.

"You're right about that. Especially when I'm so close to getting what I want." Revenant deadpanned pointing a thumb at the weak crucified body behind him.

"Meaning that it makes this simple for us." Summer said finally drawing out her scythe sniper weapon. "I have no qualms about taking you out since David's gone and it's just you, Rovagug's puppet in his place."

Revenant raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Oh? I take it Ozpin told ya about that piece of history."

"Pretty much told us everything about your master and you." Tai added.

"And even with all that info you sure you wanna take that risk against me?" Revenant asked.

"You already know the answer...Revenant." Summer answered.

"Well then..." Revenant began as he snapped his fingers and a barrier came around the crucified Salem keeping her away from the action, "...Let's do this."

Immediately Revenant dashed at them like a blue blur and would have sliced Raven's head off if not for her honed reflexes and her quick draw skill with her katana and barely blocked the attack. Qrow quickly joined in with an overhead slash to back up his sister which Revenant blocked too and kicked him back before back dashing to avoid a joint attack from Summer and Tai, only for a short reprieve as Raven and Qrow were both attacking him again and blocked their attacks with Penance.

He immediately drew a single Retribution and fired away at Summer and Tai before forcing Raven and Tai with a wide slash. He then found himself having to run around while deflecting bullets from Summer's sniper rifle and Tai's shotgun gauntlets with Qrow also joining in with his own shotgun weapon while Raven was standing next to him while waiting for she had no gun of any kind to use in a firefight.

"Raven! Get Salem down from there!" Summer ordered.

Raven growled at that but complied as she'd rather fight the brat than help the Grimm Queen from her torment. She soon reached the barrier that blocked her off from Salem and began trying to break through, but that was getting her nowhere and she got a spin kick to her face from out of the blue from a blurring Revenant sending her back.

"Not so fast Raven Branwen." Revenant said while finger wagging. The rogue huntress/former bandit leader (which she didn't know yet) got up and growled as she came right at him and both began a dangerous dance of blades. Qrow, Summer and Tai were unable to get involved in this fight because they couldn't risk shooting at her and because it was too high level for them to get into which Qrow found out the hard way when he tried to assist them only to be blown away by the force of their combined attacks.

"Still trying to kill me to save what's left of your clan of bandits? Not like it matters since I've already taken care of your other remaining member." Revenant said making Raven pissed off as he parried an attack.

"You killed Vernal?!" Raven said in anger, swinging at him, "Even after all she's done for you?!"

"It was comfort for David. But only temporary since she's a murderous bandit like yourself." Revenant responded coldly as he blocked another attack and responded with his counter attack, "In fact I'd dare say that you're no better than bitch queen herself, you fucking hypocrite! Hiding behind the bullshit excuse of survival while murdering people left and right just like the Grimm and the bitch queen."

That was the last straw for Raven as being compared to the Grimm and Salem was just too much for her. So with a roar she began fighting recklessly trying to outright chop the vigilante to pieces but failing as Revenant just parried her attacks effortlessly. Then she saw an opening and went for a slash at the right side and would have hit home if she hadn't taken the bait and got her attack parried and her sword flying away before being sliced diagonally across the chest and sent flying back towards her teammates with a powerful kick.

"Raven!" Her comrades yelled as she rolled towards them.

"I don't have time to waste with you. I have an execution to finish." Revenant said coldly as he blurred from their sights. "Blurred End."

The next thing STRQ knew they were caught in a rift and hit by multiple blurs before they dropped like puppets without their strings attached. Revenant returned back to his original position and walked toward Salem whom was still crucified and unable to move. He removed the barrier and pointed Penance at her neck.

"Any last words...oh wait. You can't even talk anymore." Revenant said mischievously while Salem defiantly glared back even without her eyes. He got close to her ear and whispered, 'And just to let you know, this sword was created to end people like you and even more, so you won't be coming back.'

A shocked expression came on her face before her head got separated from her shoulders and her body was disintegrated. Revenant also watched as Salem's soul screamed as it was sucked into Penance.

"Finally...It is over..." Revenant said as he stood there. He wasn't sure whether to be happy or not. He'd gotten his vengeance and soon he will be no more.

"Indeed it is." Came the voice of Rovagug himself from behind him. Revenant looked back and saw the deity walk up behind him in glee. "You've done well my Revenant. Now you can finally rest in peace."

Revenant chuckled. "Not exactly. I sold my soul just to get to this moment so I'm damned for eternity."

"That may be true normally...but I'll make an exception with you."Rovagug said getting Revenant's interest.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm a deity. A god. I have power over life and death, so I can allow you to join your family in the afterlife instead of being damned for eternity."

"Really?"

"Yes, yes I can. However you'd better make the decision quickly as you're living on borrowed time."

Revenant looked at his body and noticed that his body was indeed disintegrating.

"You have a point there." He stated.

Suddenly a roar was heard and Revenant saw Summer Rose attacking Rovagug with her weapon and got nothing as the deity easily stopped the attack with a hand.

"Tsk! Troublesome woman." Rovagug said with annoyance.

"I know you can hear me David! Don't listen to this monster!" Summer called out to her dying nephew. Then she saw her weapon get crushed by the now pissed deity.

"Silence!" Rovagug said as he backhanded Summer into tree where she crashed into it heavily. Rovagug then telekinetically pulled her back into his hand and got a hold of her neck. "Are you that eager to die especially considering what your nephew gave up to keep you and your family alive?!"

Summer just grabbed the offending appendage while kicking in desperation to breathe while making choking sounds in the process. Rovagug just sighed in annoyance while Revenant just stared while rotting away. Then Summer began screaming in agony as she was now being electrocuted by the annoyed deity while Revenant kept watching.

Summer looked back at the eyes of her nephew, begging and pleading silently with her eyes with tears falling down on her cheeks, but she was not getting through to Revenant at all.

"Don't bother begging. He doesn't have long to live anyways and when he goes you'll join him next along with your friends and family as I reset this world in my image." Rovagug deadpanned. Unfortunately his words got Revenant's interest who looked back at him with narrowed eyes. "You mortals have always been a blight on this world with your unpredictable tendencies which have nearly caused your extinction one too many times. This time I'll be making sure to wipe my hands of you all for good."

He continued his electrocution of Summer Rose who just kept screaming. Just as she was close to losing consciousness she looked at Revenant one more time and made one last silent plea to him.

Rovagug growled, "Didn't I already tell you to quit begging?! He's not going to-AAARRGGHHHH!" He was interrupted by a blade coming out from his chest through his back. This caused him to drop Summer as he coughed out blood and looked at the wound in shock.

"That would be enough out of you!" David exclaimed.

"W-What?! H-How could y-you?!" Rovagug demanded in shock.

"The moment you began harming Aunty Summer the deal was off and I began fighting off your control. Not to mention your plan to reset everything is something I can't exactly let stand." David said with his one silver eye glowing before twisting Penance and aggravating the fatal wound. "As for why I'm able to harm you, Penance here is a relic which is more ancient than the other one of Remnant relics and this one has the ability to even harm gods like you." Rovagug's eyes widened in shock as he and Summer saw the blade glow a bright silver. "And at this point I don't give a damn about what happens next so with that...BEGONE MOTHERFUCKER!"

David twisted the blade once more and with a roar and his silver eye glowing brightly he swung up with the glowing weapon and sliced Rovagug in half whom screamed in agony as it happened and the whole area was surrounded by bright light forcing Summer to cover her eyes.

...

When the light show was over Summer removed her arms from her face and her eyes widened at the aftermath. In a large crater was David kneeling on one leg with an obsidian black Penance stabbed into the ground with both hands holding the handle. Rovagug was nowhere to be found.

"Sorry for taking too long Aunty." David said weakly as his body deteriorated even faster. "It was a hell of a battle to regain control of what little humanity that was left. Glad I did it just in time."

"D-David?" Summer spoke, crawling towards him.

"It's me Aunty Summer. Unfortunately with me ending that asshole Rovagug I'm going to be gone sooner than later." David said.

"Language boy!" Summer jokingly scolded.

David laughed at that. "Sorry about that. By the way tell Ruby I'm sorry for scarring her like that, though I hope she now sees things differently." The dying young man picked up the sheath of Penance and with one final flourish he sheathed the sword away before putting it in the ground. "Hope you all have a better future now. Goodbye."

With that David Castle/Revenant faded away from sight, leaving Summer and her now awakening teammates behind.

However Summer saw one last thing that made her smile tearfully: The Castle Family together one more time. Frank, Maria, Lisa and David, all as spirits with David waving at Summer who waved back as the family faded and finally passed on.

"Rest in peace David. You've earned it." Summer said.

THE END.

Finally ended this story. Apologies for taking too long to be done with this but I've been busy with an important project that I barely found time to write this chapter or any of my other stories. (Though frankly I'm not even sure if this ending is great but at this point I don't care as I'm done. Maybe I'll get a beta reader next time.)

That ends that and I hope you all enjoyed this crazy ride.