The next morning, or rather what the Slayer called "morning," everyone was in the kitchen for breakfast, and the Slayer was going over the plans. Mainly, that it was going to involve lots of testing, of strength, stamina, fighting style, and beyond, all to establish a baseline for the Slayer to work with, and how best to train them all up. Though there would be some common exercises, such as running, strength training, and more, all to toughen them up.
Though he also understood there were some limits to how long he could train them at a time, because they still had to attend school during the week, so they were confined to weekends. The plan was to face them all individually, then as teams, all so he could evaluate all their strengths and weaknesses. He also observed what they ate, as he knew that was important too. Though enough bacon and eggs went around that he knew they were getting their protein. But a surprise was seeing Pyrrha's face on a cereal box. She's a celebrity?
A few hours later, they were all in the Ripatorium. Most of of them were in the new stands that were up above, for the sake of watching the fight. In fact, thanks to some new tricks the Ripatorium had up its sleeve was restructuring itself on demand, and right now the Slayer made it take the shape of the Sentinel Prime arena. There were even a few extras, like barrels of Sentinel swords around. He was in his armor, his weapons at the ready. And everyone else was coming to him, one at a time, while the rest waited in the stands to watch.
"Ruby Rose," he called out, Ruby jumping down from the stands, Crescent Rose unfolding as she did so. "At least you're NOT trying to kill me this time. And you have a bit more room to maneuver," he says as she gets ready. "Still, no holding back. Trust me...I can take it."
"Normally I'd ask if you're sure about that. But that glare you gave me back then seemed to radiate anger into my soul," Ruby says with a shudder. "So, go ahead and fight you?" She asks.
"Just one moment," the Slayer answers, thinking for a bit about what best to play, when he decided on something. "First off," he says, tilting his head upwards towards the ceiling. "Let's have some Sympathy for the Devil."
Ruby was about to ask what he meant, but she soon got her answer, as drums started to play, along with a guy yelling into the microphone, joined shortly by a piano, and a guy singing as the Slayer gave the taunting "come and get me" hand wave. "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste," the man sung out as she rushed at the Slayer. Though clearly the song referenced things she had no context for. She had no idea who the singer meant about "when Jesus Christ, had his moment of doubt and pain," nor why making sure that "Pilate washed his hands," would seal his fate. But boy did the big guy have good taste in music.
The Slayer managed to dodge her attacks, even getting in a few shots with his shotgun. But what really surprised Ruby was when she felt something cold come her way, and felt herself get frozen solid, unable to move. Gosh darnit! She thought, as the Slayer got in more shots, but she was able to break free, sans a good chunk of Aura.
But for the Slayer, his big surprise came from the Fortress itself, and what it was telling him via armor. "Subject Ruby Rose Analysis: Potential match for Overdrive energy. Further analysis required." Well, she's got the speed for it. A few minutes later, and the fight was over, Ruby's Aura was gone. "That was good," he tells her. "Here's the thing. Never. Stop. Moving. Learn to aim on the go, attack on the go, and reload on the go." She folds Crescent Rose back up, heading back into the stands, as Weiss replaces her, Myrtenaster at the ready.
"I still haven't forgiven you for punching my sister," she says angrily.
"Look, she was in my way. And I'm sure you've seen footage of me firing the BFG. There is no human that can tank a BFG ball. Nor an extended tracer hit," he explains as Weiss rushes at him, complete with a few glyphs here and there as more hits from his playlist blared. He also noticed some of the tricks she could pull off with said glyphs. But soon enough, after Slayer fending her off via Doom Blade and punches, her own Aura was depleted. "Good. But WAY too many openings," he told her.
Blake's turn was tricky, due to ninja-like skills, and leaving fake copies of herself. Not to mention the ribbon attached to her gun. But thanks to the meathook, the Slayer had his own tricks too. Not to mention his ability to always keep an eye on her. A few minutes later, and that fight was over too. "You could probably hear better, if you took that ribbon off," he told her. "As additional rule, for everyone?" He says loudly. "Fear not thine identity. Embrace who you are," he tells them, staring hard at Blake, and Penny, both of them understanding. But strangely, Nixera looked guilty.
Yang's turn was punch-happy, as the Slayer expected. Shotgun bracers sounded like something he would use. Just add a berserk and I'd be good to go. He responded in turn, only getting punch-happy, to better judge her skill, even landing a few. But she seemed to enjoy that, causing the Slayer's eyebrow to raise.
"The more I'm hit, the more I can give," she says with a maniacal grin, though her face frowns as a blonde hair floats down in front of her face. "NOW YOU ASKED FOR IT!" She yelled out, eyes turning red and her hair catching fire, her punches much harder now. But for the Slayer, still nothing he couldn't handle.
But there was a surprise. "Subject Yang Xiao Long Analysis: Potential match for Berserk energy. Further analysis required." Well, isn't this a surprise. Though I imagine that if she herself HAD a Berserk, she'd enjoy it. He could see what it'd be like, Yang Berserked out, ripping and tearing Grimm apart. Or even demons. The only issue that would arise, is one that he himself had suffered once. Mainly if she grew to like Berserks TOO much. He himself knew of the potential for addiction, having to spend a good amount of time away from Berserks to cold turkey end his addiction. Though he still used them, he just made sure it was in moderation, like all the other powerups.
"That was good," he said after the fight was over. "But you need self-control. To go wild, to get too hot-headed, will mean you forget things, and not pay attention where you should. You must find the balance. You must let the beast free, but at the same time maintain the leash. Know when to let it go, and when to rein it in. But YOU must always be in control. Not the beast. Not your emotions," he lectures her. "And that's RWBY, individually. I'll let you all recover. Now, it's JNPR's turn," he says, as they all get ready.
Jaune was first, sword in one hand and his scabbard/shield in the other. He was clearly nervous, going up against someone as powerful as the Slayer. "No gun or anything?" The Slayer asks. "Just the sword, shield, and armor?"
"N-no s-sir," Jaune stutters out, so the Slayer walks over to one of the weapon barrels, and grabs a sword, giving it a few practice swings then readying himself.
"Relax kid. Forget what fear is, focus only on how angry you'd be if you lose. Focus on what you have to lose, and/or have lost," he tells Jaune, and Jaune raises his sword, ready to attack him.
The first few strikes were good, yet the Slayer could parry them easily. They were getting quite the reaction from the stands though. A lot of disbelief, with Ruby loudly yelling about "You're cheating! You're supposed to be into guns! Since when could you use a sword?" Pyrrha meanwhile was cheering him on, regardless, eyes fixated upon Jaune.
Soon enough, his fight was done. "Confidence kid. That's what you need," he tells him. I believe you qualify as Beacon's Neville Longbottom. We just need to find your Sword of Gryffindor. He then noticed as Jaune healed up a few cuts on him. "So, you can heal too huh? Ok, so you're pretty much a paladin. And trust me...being a paladin is always good," he says with a chuckle as Jaune heads back, and Nora comes forth. Though the Slayer also noticed how Pyrrha fussed over Jaune, concern in her eyes, but moreso than what would be normal for a friend. Yet he also saw how Jaune didn't notice. Ah, that can explain things. Kid, you couldn't do any better if you tried. I WILL help you see the truth. Even if I have to lock you 2 in a room.
Nora meanwhile was quite energetic, hammer in hand. The Slayer even saw some lightning crackle around her, and concern from others in the stands. "Ready to get shocked big guy?" She asks with a maniacal grin.
"Correction. I believe you plan to leave me," he faces the ceiling, holding up his hand. "Thunderstruck." Nora was about to comment how that sounds even better, but before she could, also had her question of why he said it to the ceiling answered, as an electric guitar started playing, and eventually chants of "Thunder!" "I was caught, in the middle of a railroad track," the song sang out, and Nora attacked the Slayer with gusto, even switching the hammer back to its grenade launcher form after a time. Some of which the Slayer even punched back towards her, also using his own Sentinel Hammer.
But the biggest surprise for everyone present was yet to come. Nora at one point sent some major electrical attacks his way, the first few he could dodge. So, we have girl Thor here. Except I get the feeling you can't fly by throwing the hammer. But the main surprise was once she landed a hit. His armor took quite an overload, but essential systems remained isolated, even as some went into the Slayer's body. The main thing was his suit wanted to get rid of the excess electricity, but instead of grounding it, The Slayer felt his equipment launcher activate, and the excess electricity was fired back at Nora.
But it wasn't normal electricity anymore. Now it had a red tint, as it went towards Nora, shocking her thoroughly. Normally her Semblance would've liked that, and gained power from it. But not this time. She could feel her Aura drain from this strange electricity. What the fu— ? Before she could even finish her thought, she also noticed something else. In her shocked state, her body was shedding...white things. White glowing bits of energy, falling all around her body, coming from her. As the Slayer rushed over in concern, the white pickups leapt at him. He did a quick check on his HUD to see what happened, and that's when he understood. His Aura had taken hits, as he expected. But now it had replenished somewhat. But Nora was the bigger concern.
"You alright Nora?" He asked, helping her up.
"I'm fine. But what WAS that? Normally electricity makes me stronger!" She said angrily, staring up at him. "What...what were those?"
"I can't fully explain it," he tells her, looking around at the crowd. "I had ZERO idea my armor would do that. I have no idea why the electricity that came from my suit was like that. But I CAN explain...what that last bit was. It refilled my Aura," he explained to everyone's shock.
"No. Fucking. Way," Marion says, after contemplating it all. "You truly are...invincible, are you?"
"We need to experiment," Daisy adds. "If it can work for you..."
"It could work for us," Nixera finishes. "But would it work against Grimm?"
"It is a good theory," the Slayer suggests. "But enough of that for now. You alright Nora?"
"I'm fine mister. But why do YOU have a hammer too?" She asks, sticking her finger in his face. Or rather, on his visor. "Though for that matter, why is it you're good with a sword, but don't have one?"
"Look, as I've said, I am old. VERY old," the Slayer explains. "You can't even comprehend living as long as I have. I've used all sorts of weapons. As for why I don't have a sword? I do, but...it doesn't work right now," he explains, pulling out the Crucible hilt. "I know it's confusing, but bear with me. Anyway...would you all like to continue? Also, Nora, take things a bit more seriously next time."
Pyrrha comes down, ready for battle as Nora heads back up, cozying up to Ren. "You better have been holding back on Jaune," she says sternly as she attacks him. Good. She's at least a little angry. And I get it. Unrequited love. And possibly other things. I know how teenagers are red. You've probably had lonely moments where you want more than his heart. But his thoughts got interrupted when Pyrrha threw her shield at him, which he dodged thanks to his dash. What the Hell? He thought as it rebounded around the room and back to her arm. Since when were you female Captain America? Wait... He continued to think as he looked again at Nora quickly, and the rest of JNPR. That means you guys have not one, but TWO Avengers. Both female variants too. That means we need an Iron Woman, a She-Hulk, a Hawkeye, and a male version of Black Widow. Then the genderbent Avengers will be complete.
But soon enough, that battle was over. "Good job Pyrrha. A bit less anger than I'd like. Focus on what you have to lose, let that motivate you," he explains. "And we'll work on...tightening your grip on that which you have to lose, later," he adds, quitely enough so only she can hear, glancing up at Jaune. She followed his eyes, and once she understood, blushed furiously, saying nothing else.
Ren's turn seemed simple, by comparison. He hardly showed ANY emotion, always seeming quite serene. "Wow, you keep the emotional cards close," the Slayer comments during the fight. "That can be good. But sometimes...it can be good to let loose once in a while. Make them fear you. It works for me." After the fight, Ren went back up, sitting next to Nora. The Slayer noticed how they seemed friendly, but in a different way than Pyrrha and Jaune. At least you 2 might actually kiss at some point. Without prompting.
"And now, for CFVY," he says, as Coco comes down ready to face him. "A handbag, really?"
"A heavy handbag," Coco growls. "With quite a secret," she adds as she transforms it into its gatling gun form.
"Oooh, well I've got one of those," he chuckles, pulling out his own. "And it's bigger too. 80 pounds of heavenly joy."
Coco grinned under her sunglasses, sensing where this was going. "It's not all about size, it's about motion too. Readiness...and the number of happy customers," she chuckled, holding her gun up proudly.
"Oh, I've got all that. How fast are you with that thing?" He looked down at her shoes, noticing they looked more suitable for shopping for expensive clothes than a battlefield. "My guess is..not. Plus let me guess, you take a while to be ready to perform? I can be ready, at ANY time," he adds teasingly.
"If you're feeling limp and underperforming, there's a little blue pill from my world that can help. Ok actually, there's multiple blue pills. But only one of them is the REALLY famous blue pill." He adds with a smirk. "Oh, and I have PLENTY of satisfied customers. Not only that? I have options."
He attaches the mobile turret mod, deploying it. "For when you have to deliver maximum firepower," he says, Coco lowering her glasses to stare at the 4 sets of barrels in awe. "But sometimes, you gotta play it safe." He then finishes by attaching the shield mod, then deploying it. "Really quite useful. Possibly moreso. Wrap before you tap kiddos," he finishes, looking into the stands. Ruby was looking with confusion, but everyone else was blushing furiously, especially the guys. Even normally stoic Ren was clearly fighting embarrassment.
"Find THIS useful!" Coco says angrily as she starts firing at him. Her bullets were actually doing a number on his Aura, moreso than what everyone else was doing. But the Fortress was there to provide an answer. "Subject Coco Adel Analysis: Potential match for Onslaught energy. Further analysis required." Oh really? Well that explains a bit. But still, she wasn't used to speed, so all the Slayer had to do was circle strafe dash around her, then close the distance to punch her Aura away.
"Not bad. Clearly, you need to make sure you don't skip leg day," he chuckles, as Coco transforms it back to a handbag and heads back up.
Next up was Fox, who the Slayer hadn't interacted with much. He did notice many things about the boy, including all the scars, and the pure white eyes. "About time you showed up," he says, with an internal chuckle. "Don't worry, those scars fade with time. Otherwise? I'd be ALL scars. Or at least 99%." He also noticed Fox's weapons, and the blades along his arms. "Well, come on, show me what you can do."
Fox rushed at him, which the Slayer dodged, keeping his distance for a bit. Then he gave Fox a chance, but still keeping him at bay with his own fists, as well as the Doom Blade. It wasn't long before the fight was over however. "Keep it up, keep practicing," he tells him, as Velvet replaces him.
"Ah, the OTHER bunny girl I know," he chuckles, Daisy blushing from the stands. "You like taking pictures huh?"
"I got this one of you the other day," she says, holding one up. He was standing on a bunch of Grimm, one reaching up towards him. Marion was running towards him, behind him, and another Grimm was staring into the camera. Meanwhile the Slayer in the photo was firing down at the mob with his heavy cannon. It reminded him of a similar picture made of him, but with demons instead of Grimm, and in his old Marine armor.
"Oh I like this," the Slayer says with a chuckle. "So what can you do?" Velvet responds by punching him, in exactly the same manner he has. They spar for a bit, Slayer noticing how her moves mirrored his own. But she also mixed in moves from others he had seen too. "You're a mimic?" He asked with surprise. "So why not actually use your weapon?"
"Because it's special," she admits. "It can make hard-light constructs of any weapon I see, and I can wield it the same way. But after use...it goes away. I have to retake the pictures."
"Well shit. First off, that is REALLY useful. Second...if you let me, I'll see if I can improve the thing's memory," he says as they spar. After it's over, he smiles. "Well for you? All I can say is improve the body. Raise the stamina, and all that. But you may also delight in some of the other simulations this thing has," he says, indicating the Ripatorium at large. "But also...maybe you should, and this may go for ALL of you," he says to everyone, "If you all TRULY seek to understand me, the lore is all in the server," he explains. "Everything I have ever done. Meeting the demons, killing Cyberdemons, Spider Masterminds, the Icon of Sin twice, Davoth, and beyond." Velvet nods, and Yatsuhashi replaced her, massive sword in hand.
"Just so you know, that Icon of Sin I mentioned? Second time I killed him, he was as tall as a skyscraper. So just because your'e taller, doesn't mean I'm intimidated in the least," the Slayer tells him, though he's ready to dodge attacks. Even HE could get hurt from a big sword like that.
And he almost did. That sword of his left CRATERS. But a few ice bombs made Yatsu chill out. "Bit slow there Yatsu," he tells him. "Work on your speed." He turns to team RWBY, fully recovered. "Alright, time for the team battles."
Penny was watching the whole time the Slayer tested everyone present. But she was also already doing what he had told them to do, and review his lore, his history. She saw clear as day, the zombies, the imps, and the other demons he fought. She saw Daisy's head on a pike. She also knew of the first encounter with the Icon of Sin. As well as the Mother of All Demons, and the Slayer sealing himself in Hell.
She saw his time with the Night Sentinels, and when he went into the Divinity Machine. She saw it all, including the downfall of the Sentinels, the split after the truth of Argent energy was learned, and Commander Valen's betrayal. She watched as the Slayer's brothers in arms all died, some in their massive Sentinel mechs. How he alone survived, killing a Titan in the process, and obtaining his first Praetor Suit. She saw as the temple collapsed all around him, knocking him out.
While the team exercises were going on, she was watching his new adventures. Of his discovery by the "robot" Samuel Hayden. Of his new adventures on the other Mars. Killing the second Spider Mastermind, made from the body of Olivia Pierce. And more recently, she saw him stopping the demonic invasion of Earth, the slaying of the Hell Priests, and got a first person POV of him shoving the Crucible into the brain of the Icon of Sin. But she also saw more, all the way to his fight with Davoth, the one who shared his face.
But she had read the lore pages too. Some of which it seemed even he didn't read. She read about who Dr. Hayden really was. Who the Father really was. Even Davoth, being the Primeval of his realm, falling from grace due to love for his people going awry. She even saw the lore stating only one Primeval can kill another, and the Slayer had done so, essentially killing the devil. It all made her come to a shocking conclusion. Is...is he a god now? According to deep lore she had read, he should have powers now. Powers that mortals could only guess at. Even the highly classified magic of the Maidens was likely but tricks compared to what the Slayer could do, if he truly wanted.
But it was also likely he didn't know. And/or didn't care. He had done what he had done for so long, he may not think he needed extra power. But the thought couldn't leave her mind, that this ordinary seeming man, powerful, but ordinary otherwise, had ascended from mortal man to god. And there were supposed to be only 2 gods of Remnant, according to the old stories. A pair of brothers that left long ago. Yet here was this Outsider, as the Sentinels first described him, a god who might rally the people.
But she had also been "raised" to obey. To obey her father, obey General Ironwood, and obey Ozpin, in all their grand plans. Yet she felt compelled to ignore them, in favor of Him. Here was a man with strength and will to defeat the enemies of the people of Remnant, yet would do it all himself if possible, putting nobody else in harm's way. But since he couldn't, he was doing his best to make the most out of those at his side. He actually seemed to care, treating them all as people, and not soldiers. Even Penny's own truth didn't phase him at all. He took it in stride. Nor had he ever met faunus before, yet that didn't bother him either. She was starting to understand why, even before he became a god, he was worshipped as one. I agree with you Dr. Richardson.
Though thinking of that doctor brought up something else she wanted information on. The "foreign bodies of unknown origin" in his blood. Based on all he could do, had done, and had done to him? Those things were likely metaphorical gold. Not to mention they contained traces of his divinity, and by studying them, she could understand what he could do. Mr. Slayer...I'll help you become the best version of yourself. Whatever it takes.
