Having lots of faces doesn't make you great!

[demonofjeeha]

[Filtered to Simon, from the cockpit of Gurren.]

Oi, Simon! We gotta work some shit out. We've got that fancy new Gurren Lagann to kick ass with, but unless we know how to recreate it when we need it and in the right way, it's no good to us. We need to practice!

[Action, On the ground near the White Chalice.]

An unusual sight meets any curious onlookers. It looks like Kamina, in Gurren, is hurling giant rocks at Simon, who is running around and dodging like the fear of god is in him! Could it be some sort of training exercise, or has Kamina finally just totally gone off the deep end?

Comments

[Video]

[digs_holes]

P-practice? Are we just going to work on our combination, then, bro?

[demonofjeeha]

Exactly! Sure, we survived last time, but it was pretty much just dumb luck. Also it was super lame. We need to be able to form a manly fusion of souls whenever we need to and leave our enemies with their jaws on the floor when we do it!

[digs_holes]

I... guess that's a good idea? Do we really need it to look cool, though? We just need it to work.

[Oh, Simon.]

[demonofjeeha]

How can you say that!? It's GOTTA be cool! This isn't just about making a new weapon, it's about leaving the beastmen quaking in their skins! It's about inspiring our allies with our very presence!

[digs_holes]

That's true... it'd be nice to be able to scare the beastmen, for a change. And it'd be great if I can help the others with this.

How do we practice this, though? Just keep working on it until it seems right?

[demonofjeeha]

Just meet me outside the ship. I've got it all figured out.

[video -> action]

[digs_holes]

O-okay... I'll be right there, bro!

[And some time later, one will find that Simon's joined his bro outside the Chalice, himself in Lagann, his bro in Gurren.]

So... what's the plan?

[demonofjeeha]

You think you can do what you did last time again?

[digs_holes]

Last time? You mean... the thing where I kinda flew and drilled in?

[demonofjeeha]

Right! That! Do it again!

[digs_holes]

I-I don't think I can... that was mostly because I'd gotten really worked up, and you were in trouble. I don't know how I did that.

[demonofjeeha]

Then we'll just have to get you all worked up again!

[Careful Simon, Gurren is lifting a rock that is about twice Lagann's size over its head.]

[digs_holes]

...Bro? What are you doing with that boulder?

[demonofjeeha]

[And rock flung at Lagann!]

[digs_holes]

Wah! [Simon's eyes widen as the boulder quickly fills Lagann's entire viewscreen, and as instinct takes over he just digs underground, popping up about thirty feet away.]

W-why are you throwing rocks at me, bro!?

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Simon raises an excellent point!" a voice on the Comm channel calls out.

Matthew's Nova crests a nearby hillside, looking down over the rock throwing.

"How will this help Simon in unlocking his potential?!?!"

[demonofjeeha]

God you people. Why does everyone find this so complicated!?

"He said it himself. He could only manage that combination before because he was fired up from the fight!"

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Aff! I remember it well! But throwing rocks at him will not awaken his inner aggression! Simon became 'fired up' in the last battle only when–"

Oh. Oh. Oooooh.

Matthew switches to a private comm channel.

"I have an idea for how to awaken the fighting instincts of Simon! Invincible Kamina, would you allow me to try something?"

Matthew adjusts the settings of his lasers.

[demonofjeeha]

"Oh yeah? Sure."

Gurren stopped mid throw, rock held high. Simon got a second to catch his breath.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"My thanks."

Matthew finishes dialing down his weapons settings, and switches to an open comm channel.

"I challenge you to a Trial of Position for Leadership of this Clan!"

His Nova pivots, turns to face Kamina and opens fire!

Whaaaaaaa?

[demonofjeeha]

"You wha-"

And then there were lasers. Fortunately, they weren't at full power, and Gurren is a pretty sturdy Gunmen, but Kamina was alarmed and being shot at.

"HEY WHAT THE HELL MAN!?"

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Face me, Kamina!" Matthew shouts, maneuvering towards the right and sending another laser flying past Gurren's head-torso.

Inside the cockpit, Matthew is smiling. Simon's fighting spirit was awakened when Kamina's life was at stake. Thus, to get him fired up again, it has to look like Kamina's in danger! It's the perfect idea!

Matthew is also impressed at how authentic Kamina's sounds! It's as if he actually thinks he's in danger!

Yay! Kamina-Sempai is Back!

[gurrenbrigbonded]

[Video to Kamina, before the practice. Matthew is positively beaming.]

"Demon Leader Kamina. I have heard that you are organizing a training exercise!"

He is so proud of the leader of his clan! Has he finally embraced the tenants of Zelbrigen and sound tactics?

"I have compiled a set of tactical maneuvering drills..."

Drills?

[Can I join in on the action thread?]

[demonofjeeha]

"What's a Zelbrigen?"

Kamina really just needs to sit down and actually learn all this Clanner terminology.

Which is really staggeringly unlikely.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"What is Zelbrigen." Matthew corrects. "It is–"

Alright. You've got his attention. Break it down into simple chunks.

"–a set of rules for combat. They help two sides fight honorably and prevent their surroundings from...blowing up too much."

[demonofjeeha]

"Lame. A fight's a fight. Anything else is just making things too complicated."

But on the other hand, Kamina HAS seen the kind of guns the star clan mechs pack.

"...I guess I can see why you'd want something like that in SOME situations, though."

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Aff!" Matthew exclaims.

He adjusts his video camera so that it points to face his Nova.

"A true Mechwarrior is not-cannot be a blind brawler! A fight in a bar merely hurts it's participants and bits of furniture. Someone who pilots a Mech carelessly can destroy an entire city and people in it! So when two honorable warriors meet, they agree to fight in a way that prevents collateral damage! That is part of Zelbrigen–"

Matthew pauses in thought. "–The other part is something like this. Suppose you are fighting someone on the ground, bare-handed. Suppose the other one is not as skilled as you. Which would be...more badass? If you beat this person at full strength, or if you beat him with a hand tied behind your back?"

[demonofjeeha]

"So it's kinda like a super fancy kind of bragging and betting?"

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"THE ULTIMATE FORM OF BRAGGING AND BETTING!" Matthew replies, pointing a fingers towards the sky.

He gets it. The Demon Leader Kamina finally gets it! Surely he will understand the important of Zelbrigen now!

[Action]

[fallen_overlord]

(Well, Letriel is watching this and laughing her damned ass off! This was a training exercise that was worth watching.)

Better put your back into it, maggot! Don't want to get squashed, do you?!

[hold_r1]

[On one of his fairly frequent visits to the hangar, Wendell stops halfway across the walkway to just stare at the scene before him. He literally cannot find words.]

[demonofjeeha]

[Kamina would say hi, but he's dealing with Brigade Business right now, as you can clearly see.]

[hold_r1]

[Clearly.]

...

What on earth are you doing?

[demonofjeeha]

Special training.

[hold_r1]

Um.

Special how?

[demonofjeeha]

Special because when it works we'll be able to reach new heights we never could before! The bond between soul brothers will be even stronger!

[hold_r1]

I'm.. I'm not sure I understand how this helps.

[He says with a gesture towards the mayhem.]

[whats_a_paladin]

Isn't that a bit excessive?

[demonofjeeha]

I don't even know the meaning of the word!

[whats_a_paladin]

What'll you do if you kill him by accident?

[demonofjeeha]

Pfft, like my bro could be killed by something as minor as this!

[whats_a_paladin]

Most of these rocks are bigger than his tiny robot. And he doesn't even have a sword.

[demonofjeeha]

Lagann is small, but it's tough. Just like Simon!

[whats_a_paladin]

Actually, let me try this out on my own, if you're okay with that. Give me a second to fetch Paragon?

[demonofjeeha]

Maybe later. Gotta deal with this right now.

[whats_a_paladin]

Alright, I'll be back then. Hopefully he won't turn into a pancake in the meantime.