A Shadow of a Doubt

[arcward]

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.

Comments

[pole_position]

[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.

[unyieldingspirit]

[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.

[arcward]

[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.

[shepherd_prince]

[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.]

[neverfirstclass]

[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.]

[pole_position]

[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.

[unyieldingspirit]

[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.

I guess this is a wrap :) go team!

[arcward]

[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.