melodiesoflife | A Shadow of a Doubt

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A Shadow of a Doubt

Who: Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, and OPEN to close CR with Jaune
What: Jaune confronts his shadow
Where: The lab
When: February 22

[Jaune’s not exactly thrilled to be doing this, but he feels that confronting his Shadow is something that needs to be done. It’s not like he doesn’t know what it’s going to say – his self-confidence was never the highest – but hearing it actually said? That isn’t going to be pleasant.

Still, he has to do it. He takes a deep breath and nods to the moogle in charge. He’s not ready, per se, but he’s as ready as he’s ever going to be. He closes his eyes, and when he reopens them, his doppelgänger is there, smirking at him.]

Well, well, well. I didn’t think you’d actually have the balls to do it. Then again, you did cheat your way into school, so I guess I shouldn’t be all that surprised. How’s that going, by the way?

[He cocks and eyebrow, as if he actually wants to hear Jaune’s thoughts on the matter. While this might have once been a touchy subject with Jaune, though, he’s already talked it out with Pyrrha so he barely flinches.]

I made team leader. And Pyrrha’s been helping me learn to fight better.

[The Shadow snorts.]

You call what you do fighting? Please. It’s fleeing. You’re a coward, Jaune Arc.

Th-that’s not true! I took down that Ursa that attacked Beacon on my own.

By closing your eyes and swinging wildly. Some hero.

[He pauses, grin growing wider when sees a flash of self-doubt go across Jaune’s face.]

Tell me: What happens the next time when he has a friend that attacks you from behind? What happens when Pyrrha can’t guide your shield in time? Face it, Jaune. You’re not cut out to be a hero. You never were. You’ll always be a pathetic brat.

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Chrom disliked these trials. Useful as it might be in the long run, he disliked how their shadow selves dug into people's insecurities and cut them down. It was difficult to focus on the task at hand when the shame and humiliation became too great to bear.

The toughest part, he'd found, was accepting that this other side existed without giving up all hope and pride. Arguing against the shadow wouldn't help, and would only make it more difficult to accept. He unfolded his arms and took a step forward from where he stood, giving a single firm nod of assurance to his housemate.

"Keep in mind that bravery isn't a complete lack of fear. It's knowing the stakes, knowing what you stand to lose, and finding the strength to move forward anyway. There is no shame in admitting fear. All men have this. It makes us human."

Cloud had been spending less time about the lab as things moved on, trying to not engage with the Shadows as much after his own encounter and after seeing through so many others. He needed a break from it, and there was much to do as things in Crystallis seemed to be reaching a head. But when he found out that Jaune was undergoing a trial of his own he took the time to meet him. He know the young man hadn't been in this world as long and might not have as many to support him.

His presence wasn't out of pity or a sense of guard duty. It just felt like the right thing to do.

He'd shown up as a Paladin out of habit, a lingering fear of losing a friend and ally from since the Seer's vision, but he was happy to see Chrom there as well. The two hadn't worked together perhaps as much as they should have, but he trusted the other Hero to be on the same line of thinking as he was.

And then the Shadow entered the stage. He was quiet as it spoke, but then he nodded in agreement with Chrom's own words. "He's right. I don't think you're a coward, but there's nothing wrong with being afraid. Or running when you feel overwhelmed. As long as you're not abandoning your friends or teammates anyway."

He closed his eyes, thinking back to a particular incident in Midgar, "Stubbornly standing in the face of death doesn't make you a Hero either. It's not Heroic to throw your life away for fear of being called a coward. But you can learn to be courageous. The most important thing is to trust in others to watch out for you, and being sure to do the same."

Pyrrha had expected something like this from Jaune's Shadow. She knows him better than anyone here, after all. She frowns at its words, considering her own response even as the others step forward to give their own. And after a few moments, she does the same, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"Chrom and Cloud are right, Jaune. What makes a Hero is what's in your heart, and I know yours is in the right place. There's no shame in needing help from your friends. That's what a team is for, isn't it?"

[Jaune nods, feeling more confident now. They were right, all of them.]

It's true that I get scared sometimes - okay, a lot of the time, but I would never abandon someone. I'll stay and fight with them, even if it might cost me my life. [He smiles at Pyrrha.] And I know my team would do the same for me.

[It's not the optimal outcome, of course, but he knows that it's true.

So you'll die protecting your friends. How noble.

[His shadow sneers, seeing Jaune standing a little straighter. Looks like a different plan of attack was needed to break him.]

Speaking of friends... What do you all even see in him? He's worthless. Socially awkward. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. Can barely fight.

[Jaune doesn't deny any of this. He's come to terms that this is just part of who he is. But did that mean that his friends actually liked him? Or were they just taking pity on him? And what about...]

How can you love a fool like him, Pyrrha?

Edited 2017-02-26 00:58 (UTC)

[The question actually earns a surprised but genuine smile from Chrom. His eyebrows go up, but he hardly seems upset by the shadow's harsh and self-deprecating words.]

I could say much the same of myself! Friendship and trust aren't based on fighting skills either. This is coming from someone who prefers fighting.

[Seriously, that's all he studied as he was growing up.]

He can hold his own. I trust him at my back.

[As for Pyrrha, well...he'll wisely say nothing about that. It's none of his business, and they've already discussed this at length before. ~~Sorry Jaune.~~]

Ideally- none of us would go down at all. That's the point of being part of a group- having each others back's.

[she makes a peeved sound, ears twitching forward.]

What does that matter? I hardly started as an expert in all of this.

[Cloud can't help but smirk at the list of faults rattled off.]

Sounds a lot like me when I enlisted with ShinRa. But that didn't stop Zack from becoming my friend. Or watching out for me and helping me get better.

[He ignores the brief pang of worry at the mention of his best friend's name.]

Being friends and being ready to fight, you just need to have the right heart for both of those things. Anyone can do it as long as they're honest and try their best. As long as they don't give up.

[Pyrrha shakes her head defiantly, hands on her hips as she prepares to address the Shadow's new line of attack.]

This isn't between you and me. This is between you and Jaune.

[And she steps to the side this time, placing her hands lightly on her teammate's shoulder in a show of support.]

Jaune knows my reasons. They haven't changed, and they're the same things that have filled this room with friends who support him as well. We're here for him because he would do the same for us without a second thought.

[Jaune looks at each of them as they speak up for him, their belief in his ability warming him. He was shocked to hear most of them weren't skilled fighters when they had first started; until then, Jaune just assumed it came more naturally to some, but maybe he was wrong. He smiles at Pyrrha, taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze.

Before he can say anything, though, his shadow speaks up, focusing on Pyrrha.]

This might be between me and him, but believe me, it's all about you. Isn't that right, Jaune?

[He faces Jaune now.]

She's going to die one day, and you won't be strong enough to stop it. It'll be your fault.

No, I won't let that happen!

[His grip tightens on Pyrrha's hand as if he's afraid she'll suddenly vanish if he lets go.]

I'll find a way to save her.

Jaune.

[Chrom's voice is stern with caution. He eyes the shadow, frowning, before glancing back toward his younger housemates.]

No one doubts your resolve. But remember the purpose of facing this hidden side of yourself. Don't lose focus!

[It's tricky, though. Accepting that this part of himself exists isn't the same as saying Pyrrha will die and that he should feel horrible about it. A gloved hand tightens on the railing as he focuses his gaze intently on Jaune's darker copy.]

...A way to save me?

[That was unexpected. Pyrrha frowns, looking to the side to see if she can read the answer on Jaune's face.]

What is your Shadow talking about, Jaune?

[Cloud is with Chrom on this.]

Jaune. It's just trying to distract you. It's not talking about things that will happen. All it's saying are the things you worry about deep down. The stuff you try to keep buried and not think about. All of this is coming from inside, not outside.

[Says the young man who has to face the fact that he knows his best friend will die protecting him at some point in his own future.]

[In what little conversation she'd had with Blake, K'pandolu had picked up that one of the others from Remnant had died- if not the details. She glowered at Jaune's Shadow, now, taking a step forward.]

You have the will to do something about that, though, don't you?

[Jaune closes his eyes, trying to figure out if he should tell her. On one hand, telling someone they're going to die can only cause pain. On the other, if she knows then they might have a better chance of saving her. He takes a deep breath before opening his eyes and facing her.]

Pyrrha... I... Back when I was trying to figure out how I felt about you, Chrom and I went to the records room to find out if we ended up together. [He pauses, bracing himself.] At the end of the tournament there's an attack on Beacon and... [He closes his eyes, unable to face her when he whispers the last line.]

And you don't make it.

[It's true that he thinks that he has the resolve to stop it, but thinking and knowing are two different things. After all, he knows his capabilities. Even if he keeps training with Pyrrha and Chrom there's a good chance that he won't be able to win that fight. And his shadow knows that.]

But it's okay, because Jauney Boy's going to save you, isn't that right? He thinks he might actually be able to win a fight against all odds. Me? I'm not so sure. In fact, I think it's time he puts his money where his mouth is.

[The Shadow draws his sword and shield and activating Testament. He doesn't attack just yet, waiting to see what everyone does first.]

[Though Chrom can't see what Jaune's shadow is doing ability-wise, he nonetheless moves fast to interpose himself between both of them, sword drawn, but held defensively rather than pointed in challenge.]

Jaune, take a breath. It's starting to attack because you're not accepting that this is a part of yourself. It will continue to lash out until you do. Do you understand?

[His head turns in Jaune's direction, but his gaze stays fixed on the shadow.]

If you keep rejecting it, it will possess you, and we'll be forced to fight you ourselves. I'd rather avoid that possibility, wouldn't you?

[Cloud holds up his shield and his hand goes for his sword. He doesn't make a move to draw just yet but he's ready if this goes sour. He hopes it still won't though.]

There's a difference between rejecting yourself and rejecting the future. Trust me. It's important to know the difference. You can fight and hope for a different future, but right now you need to be honest with what you're feeling. Are you worried that you can't save her because that's what you've been told the future is? Or is it because you're worried you're not strong enough?

[He grits his teeth, hoping that Jaune says the right thing. He completely understands where Jaune is coming from here but pretending it isn't so doesn't help one find the path they want.]

[Pyrrha has been silent while the others speak, quietly digesting Jaune's words and the words of his Shadow. Hearing about one's own impending death is a pretty big thing to swallow, after all. But once the others have said their piece, she's ready to say hers.]

...Whatever comes, we'll face it together, Jaune.

[She glances toward the Shadow, eyes narrowed.]

Including him.

[Lifting her hand, she briefly caresses his cheek before pressing a kiss to his lips.]

I believe in you. Your friends believe in you. Now, it's time to believe in yourself. Show your Shadow that not every fight is won with strength of arms. Some are won with strength of heart.

[Grinning a little, she traces a finger over his armor in the appropriate place.]

And if there's one thing Jaune Arc has always had, it's lots of heart.

[K'pandolu's still glowering at the Shadow, but she turns to give Jaune an encouraging look- ah, a smile, too. That's a sight more encouraging, she's sure.]

It's a hard thing to face. What may come to pass… But what you do is face is with all you have- all you are- and be, do the best you can.

[The shadow listens to them, a slight frown crossing its face as each speaks. Once K'pandolu has said her piece, his attention goes back to Jaune.]

Well? What's it going to be? Will you let her die?

[Jaune is silent for a moment, and for those few seconds the Shadow is sure it's won.]

...No.

Prove it to me.

No. [His attention remains on Pyrrha, but his words are loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.]

I don't know what the future holds. I don't know if you'll survive the attack on Beacon, or even if any of us will survive the attack on Garland. [He clasps the hand on his chest in both of his.] But I swear that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I will not stand back and let you die. I will become stronger and I will protect you, Pyrrha.

[The Shadow stares at Jaune for a minute.]

You actually believe that.

[It's not a question. He sheathes his blade and walks over to Jaune, stepping around Chrom on his way over. He stands next to him for a moment before resting his hand on Jaune's shoulder, uttering one last line as he's absorbed back into the crystal.]

Don't let me down.

[Chrom doesn't attack the shadow as it makes its way toward Jaune, but he doesn't relax just yet...not until the shadow begins to fade. Relief brightens his features, hinting at his true youth, and he smiles.]

Well said. And well done.

[Then he, too, puts up his sword in its sheath. He'd move in for a friendly clap to the shoulder or a handshake, but one look at the smiling redheaded warrior at Jaune's side is reason enough not to interfere too much. He smiles and takes a step back, then another. With Jaune's new resolve, he's sure now that the two of them may find that future they both wished for in each other's arms.]

[Cloud is in agreement with Chrom. Letting go of his sword he gives Jaune a waist high thumbsup at how he handled this in the end.]

Looks like you remember what you said to me that day with the chocobo. Good on you.

[Jaune already knew that being afraid was okay. He just needed to remember he knew that.]

[Jaune's friends are doing a fine job at encouraging him with words, so she decides to take another tack. It's rare that she's this brave about this sort of thing in public, but he deserves it. And so with a deep blush and a big smile, she leans in to kiss him on the lips.]

...I know you will.

[K'pandolu grins, wide but settled with the situation resolved. It'll take more than just words, but she's sure he knows that- and more, he's got the reasons to build that strength in himself, now.]

We've every faith you'll come through.

[Jaune grins into the kiss, returning it gladly. When they break apart, he gives her hand a squeeze before chuckling at Cloud, remembering the mess they both were after the incident.]

Yeah, looks like I should start following my own advice.

[He grins at Chrom's retreating form and K'pandolu.]

Thanks for having my back and believing in me, even when I didn't. I couldn't have done this without all of your support.

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A Shadow of a Doubt

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We, uh, might be heading towards a fight. Just a heads up

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1/2

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I guess this is a wrap :) go team!