#ncct 4 spoilers

[greenshi]

"Jack please help me."

When the sword hits, it hits hard. Shadow is sent flying from the tiny platforms, hitting the faux lava with a pathetic slap. It'd been a close battle, closer than any of Shadow's before. Not that it mattered, really, as it ended just the same.

Words are shared. They, as per usual, are not his own. However, just this once, they are about him.

"Its clear that me and Shadow are...incompatible. :)"

"So how 'bout this? I let him go... :)"

What?

"And...the two of us test our compatibility. :)"

Jack hesitates. His one red eye is flashing fast, indicating that the Discord was speaking to him. Whatever they were saying, Shadow was the only one who couldn't hear.

"Nelson...do you trust me?"

And that's the last thing he hears. Like an atom bomb, Prism exploded out of his skin, shedding that sickly purple hue as she take control of the swordsman. Shadow fell to his knees, his own, red knees.

"...Wh...What did you do?"

His first words. For Gods know how long, he hadn't been able to speak, not of his own volition. And yet, despite the freedom, all he could feel was that same damned regret.

"Jack, what the hell did you do?" The Red Shadow called out. "Why... Why would you...?"

Prism hasn't taken him, not yet, not fully. Hes crouched on the ground, clutching his chest with a pained expression. And yet, he smiled.

"...You're free. Please, take that freedom...that's all that they wished for."

Tears. Are the Jack's? Shadow's? Both, neither? Shadow's hands are shaking, and despite it all, he can't stop them. Once again, he can't control himself.

"You... You're an idiot. She'll destroy you. It's a fate worse than death."

"Just...trust me, okay? It'll all... It'll all be just fine, Shadow. :)"

Dammit. Once again, in a body that isn't yet his, Shadow runs. Where, he does not know. He just has to run.

"Hey, don't got yet! You're up next! :)"

Prism pushed the dream world forward, catching up to Shadow and making him run in place. At the same moment, Cosmic Love is pulled in, hovering just in front of him.

"C-Cosmic, you-!"

She frowns.

"...Allow yourself this pleasure. So many have fought for it."

And, for the first time, Shadow stops, breathes, listens. That note...the message they'd left for him. This is what the meant, then. This was what they'd all given him. What Cosmic has given him. What Jack had given him.

"...I feel so different."

The tears are back. He knows who's they are now.

"Thank you, thank you so much Jack..."

He chooses to cry. Prism can wait that long, can't she? He can cry, without her pulling him forward and forcing him to fight.

"If you can hear me...thank you..."

"...He can."