Forged Destiny [Book 3: Ch. 13]

"We've got no problem with her."

"Just with me, I see. Oh, and what little problems they seem to be." Roman brought his cane to a stop and leaned on it. "I don't want any violence. Can't we talk this through like adults?"

My brow creased. What was he talking about? After everything he'd done, there was no way that was an option. He had to be stalling for time, and I raised my weapons towards him.

"He has a point…" Ruby said, lowering hers. "We're breaking the rules here."

"Yeah, I mean, I'm all for stretching the rules, but this is a little much," Yang added.

I whirled on them, eyes wide. "What? Guys, we can't back out now!"

"Well, no," Mitt said, lowering his sword. "We can talk at least. Maybe we can find a way to sort this out without violence. That would be good."

"I don't want any violence," Nora agreed.

"We should talk this through like adults," Pyrrha echoed.

Something was wrong. Even casting aside the sudden non-committal behaviour, Nora not liking violence and Pyrrha repeating his exact words struck me the hardest. Eyes wide, I turned to Coco, in time to see her struggling with herself. It looked like she wanted to draw her bow and shoot him, but she was also fighting the urge to put it away. Sweat beaded on her brow, and her teeth were gritted together.

But why would she…? The answer hit me immediately.

"It's a trick," I yelled. "He's using his Charisma to influence us. Snap out of it!"

Ruby looked at me, eyes clouded. "Cha… risma…?"

"He's lying," Roman teased. "Such a violent man."

"N-No…" Ruby's eyes clenched shut. "No, he isn't."

"Jaune is violent?" Pyrrha shook her head, lips parted. "I… I don't think so."

Roman's face froze, lips turning down – and it was the moment's hesitation I needed. He was failing, failing because he was trying to convince them of something they simply could not believe. My friends knew me too well to be swayed like that. Coco, on the other hand, was no doubt riddled with self-doubt. That must have made her an easy target… especially when her own decisions were called into question. If her thoughts were anything like mine, then she too must have agonised over being a leader of so many people – except that in her case she had every right to. Hundreds of people relied on her.

"Coco, snap out of it." I strode towards her and punched her in the arm, shocking her. "Think about why we're here. Think about Fox. Think about what this guy did to Fox!" My hands gripped her shoulders. "You're doing this for him, Coco. You're doing this for Fox."

"Fox…?" Her eyes were misty, but quickly cleared. A single tear ran from her left eye, trailing down her cheek. "Fox…," she whispered. "FOX!" An agonised scream escaped her, and she nocked and drew in an arrow in less than a second. "Rargh! Torchwick, I'll kill you!"

—Forged Destiny [Book 3: Ch. 13]