THIRD TRIAL

[despairection]

[Ashley Blair, the SHSL Witch-in-Training, is dead. She's had her life snuffed out, but how and why? It's a murder both mysterious and menacing.

Portraits of Betrayus and Ashley, depicted in monochrome coloring, stand at their podiums. But more importantly, the courtroom this time is an exact and functional replica of the Eggman Factory. If only for the evidence they'll never be able to move...

Will they be able to use this evidence to find the truth? Or will the culprit's confusing conundrum get the best of them?

10 students remain.]



[Let the class trial in the murder of Ashley Blair...begin.]

 

Comments

[tsungeonsanddragons]

[It's voting time, and Neph already hit Yomiel's button for her. Yomiel's gone back to his podium, as expected, but Clair's grown silent. She can't bear to watch as the others soon chime in, dooming the man she cared about to a fate he chose for himself. She doesn't want this. Even after all the talk and all the action, her mind hasn't changed.

And that's when she remembers. Wiitney had chosen the wrong button by mistake and was allowed to edit her choice! There was still time! As long as she does this quickly, there might be a chance. Slowly, she raises her hand and...]

> CLAIR TARASQUE

[...huh. It actually worked.]

[superstylishschism]

Clair, don't! Please...

[Alastor's hands are shaking on his podium, claws drawing long lines in the wood.]

You were...we were counting on you. I was counting on you. Your Pokemon...what will they do if you just give yourself to the bear like this?

[tsungeonsanddragons]

...before coming here, I never saw a single person die. Never had a single friend, either. But after coming here, I've seen both rolled into one. And it's only going to continue unless Monobear is stopped. But I don't have the heart to continue. I can't go on living with the knowledge that all these people have died, several because of me, and yet we're no closer to beating the one who trapped here.

[Shaking her head. There's no tears any more. Although maybe that's the most unnerving part of all.]

Maybe it's wrong to give up, but even if I did reverse my decision, what good would it do? I'm...tired, Alastor. Everyone back home was right; I'll never be better than Lance. But at least...at least I know everyone else is in good hands. You can get everyone out of this. You're stronger than he is. [...okay, maybe she's not totally dead inside, considering she swallows hard before saying this last bit.] And as for my team...I want you to have them.

[superstylishschism]

But...

[There are tears from him, leaving damp tracks down his cheek.]

Whenever someone needed to take charge, you were right there next to me. Helping me with the parts I'm not human enough to see the same way as everyone else. Pulling me back when I started slipping back into the mindset of the underworld. I need someone to argue with me when I start to cross those lines...

Please. Don't give up like this. Don't make us watch a friend give up on living. And don't let yourself die with whatever indignity Monobear will give you.

[tsungeonsanddragons]

So that's it. You wanted me to be a leader.

[Her cold gaze turns to Alastor.]

You know, I wanted to be. I thought if I worked hard and stayed optimistic, I'd be able to escape with everyone. That I could save everyone and be praised for my efforts. That for once in my life, I'd accomplish something that no one could take credit for. But once Mac died, I doubted myself. I bent. Then when Callie died, I broke. Wiitney brought me back, but I showed my true colors then.

I'm not strong enough to be a leader. I'm too emotional. Too weak. In order to get out of this place, you all need to be strong. But where I failed...others will succeed. You already have someone who can pull you back in and make you see things different, Alastor. [Turning to Neph.] Someone I foolishly underestimated.

[superstylishschism]

I want you to be here. I had faith in you, but even if you can't live up to what you wanted to be...if you give up, you'll never be able to see what you can be.

[tsungeonsanddragons]

...please, that's enough. I've already made up my mind. You won't change it, because I know if I keep going...it's only a matter of time before someone else I care about dies.

[superstylishschism]

You know...I hadn't pegged you for a coward, Clair. Guess I was wrong.

1/2

[tsungeonsanddragons]

...

2/2

[tsungeonsanddragons]

...yeah. Me neither.

[superstylishschism]

[He doesn't have anything else to say. He's just spent for now. Instead, he walks over to Clair's podium and holds out his hands, cupped and waiting.]

[shslancer]

... M-Miss Clair...A-Ah don't think you're as weak as ya think...

Sometimes...ya gotta break to become strong...

[It's fairly easy to see she's speaking from experience.]

[tsungeonsanddragons]

...I'm sorry. My decision is final.

[fitnessenthusiast]

[Everyone is talking and saying things. She feels like she should be able to understand what they're saying but. She can't. She doesn't get it.]

Are you okay?

[She has to be... right?]

[tsungeonsanddragons]

[Of all the people she has to face, Wiitney's probably the hardest. But unlike the others who found it difficult to look someone right in the eye, Clair meets her gaze.

And it's the hardest thing she's ever done in her entire life.]

...I'm sorry, Wiitney. This time I'm not.

[fitnessenthusiast]

[That's not a good answer. That wasn't how she was supposed to answer. It takes her a second to think of a response.]

Can I help?

[tsungeonsanddragons]

[She wants to say no one can help. But that's not exactly true, is it?]

...yes, you can. I want you to make me a promise. Right here, right now. Promise me that you won't give up hope, no matter what happens next. That you'll stay alive, regardless of the hardships that follow this moment.

[fitnessenthusiast]

[Oh, that sounds easy! She nods, eager to please.]

I promise.

[lavenza]

[There's not a lot of things that can shake Elizabeth.

Not a lot at all.

But damn if this is not trying now]

Clair...?

Y...You cannot be serious right now...

[tsungeonsanddragons]

Have I ever been one to make a joke like this?

[Despite how difficult this is, she's making sure to maintain eye contact with every single person who chimes in. It makes it harder, but...she deserves to hurt. Deep down, she knows this choice was foolish, but the alternative was too much to bear. She doesn't want to see anyone else die.]

[lavenza]

N-No... you're certainly not one to jest but...

[she looks down. WHAT ARE THESE FEELINGS]

Please... I implore you not to do this...

[tsungeonsanddragons]

...I'm sorry, Elizabeth. But you all have hope. I don't. Even if I reversed my decision, I'd just be in the way. A nuisance. I'd bring the whole group down and probably wind up dead anyway.

[lavenza]

[she doesn't get it. what is this. why is her chest tightening. Death is something that comes to all. She knew that. Her master had said that enough times for her to feel more than comfortable with the nature of living and dying.

"Though life is merely a journey to the grave, it must not be undertaken without hope."

Maybe that's the reason.]

...I understand.

[she's as calm as ever, renewing her resolve]

Then please... meet your end with this knowledge in mind:

You will be avenged. Each of you, for what he has done to you.

I will absolutely not allow him to get away with any of this without being thoroughly and utterly beaten to a fluffy pulp.

The only true murderer all along has been him, and he will be punished accordingly. I swear it.

[tsungeonsanddragons]

[It takes a few seconds for Clair to respond. She's unsure what to say to that. In all honesty, the speech surprises her. After Alastor... After Wiitney... She really couldn't take having to listen to another round of all this. But when Elizabeth speaks, her heart manages to pump a little slower. More evenly, like it should be. And then, slowly, a smile creeps up her features. It's not a strong smile, nor is it big. Really, it's little more than a shadow of what she'd normally be feeling, but...it's genuine.

For once after the reveal, she feels truly at peace.]

Elizabeth... Thank you. Despite what everyone may think, especially Alastor, this decision wasn't easy for me. Maybe I did make it out of emotion. Maybe it is foolish. But at the end of the day, the choice was mine to make. I can't force myself to keep going. I couldn't live with the knowledge that I might bring the whole group down.

But you? And the others? You're truly strong. Your words aren't empty; they have resolve in them. I may not be confident in myself, but I am confident in you. I know in my heart that you'll stop him. You've given me that peace of mind.

[lavenza]

[Eventually Elizabeth smiles back as well.]

Your words are quite kind. Thank you for your faith.

Though it was but for a short time, it has been a pleasure to know you and think of you as a friend.

Farewell, Clair.