Wow... Shirou is like a different person today.
He still can't seem to reinforce the lamps, but Rin finds out he's been up to some freaky stuff in the shed - ie turning some everyday objects into iron (it seems). Rin is shocked since it's not possible for a normal magician to do that - yet, Shirou wouldn't even know that "because he's an idiot"
Later, Shinji calls Shirou and tells him to come to school. And the life-force draining spell has been activated - the students are writing in pain. Shinji starts gloating to Shirou and "just happens to mention" how Taiga was surprisingly tough against the spell, and tried to get Shinji to call an ambulance - but Shinji kicked her, knocking her unconscious at least, but maybe she died on the spot.
Naturally, Shirou is royally pissed at this, and instead of the single glowing line from his "trace on" thing, we get two crackling lines. Shirou goes to beat some sense into Shinji and charges forwards, but Shinji does a magic attack. Shirou uses his training from Saber to dodge and moves to get Shinji when Rider appears - Shirou dodges the first attack. He can't dodge the next set properly and gets a bunch of wounds. Shinji orders Rider to kill Shirou already and she goes for a finishing blow but her weapon breaks on contact with Shirou (though he's still hurt). So she kicks him out the window - and they're high up.
Shirou summons Saber and she catches him. Shirou tells Saber to take care of Rider - he'll handle Shinji.
Saber holds off Rider without too much difficulty, though it's not one-sided. However, Shinji turns tail and runs pretty easily when threatened by Shirou. Another magic attack of his fails - this time, Shirou blocked it after turning part of a broom into iron. Shirou grabs Shinji by the throat and tells him to release the spell or else. But Shinji doesn't believe Shirou could kill him so refuses. But it seems Shirou has always been prepared to kill another magician (because of things his dad said) and Shinji in a panic orders Rider to release the spell. She gives an obvious look of distain but releases it.
Shirou isn't done yet though and orders Shinji to cast aside all his command mantra, but Shinji doesn't seem ready to go that far.
Rider then turbos past Saber to where Shinji and Shirou is. She then uses the magic energy gathered from the earlier spell to do an advanced attack and escape at the same time. Looks like Shirou's magic power runs out and he collapses.
Later, he wakes up at home with Rin beside him. Heheh, she acts rather cute when he thanks her for the trouble he's given her again.
He goes to talk to Saber in the dojo (she's still in her armour) and she's rather unhappy with him fighting alone etc. He apologies nicely, and Saber accepts that he's going to be better from now on... but actually, Shirou says he doesn't regret anything he's done before. He still can't stand to see her get hurt and couldn't stand to order her off to fight. Anyway, they will fight together and they shake hands. Then Rin comes in and acts curious about what they were up to. She also has a change of clothes for Saber (forcible summoning ruined her old ones or something). Rin comments that they're rather plain and asks why Saber likes that style so much. She says it's because Shirou said they look good on her
Next week: looks like a "conclusive" ariel battle in the city between Saber and Rider.
if you see any spoilers.
Blood from her neck...
Graphic Designer
