Chapter Text
Something is going to happen today.
Something is going to happen, and Dragon has no idea what it is. No way to stop whatever whim Imu is acting on now. Whatever whim Dragon caused.
It will not be his fault, Dragon tells himself. Words he has said to others, over the years. Only Imu can be blamed for the actions that they decide to take. Dragon knows this.
It is much harder to believe now, in this position. When, no matter what it is that the monster does, Dragon's words and action are what inspired this. Dragon is the cause.
He can't forget that, either. That he shares, if not guilt, at least responsibility. Especially if it concerns Shamrock. Someone that he has failed.
And it most likely does.
Shamrock and his coming service. As if a boy, twelve years old, has any real understanding of what that would mean, to give himself to Imu. Especially when raised by Garling. All he sees glory and the promise of doing something good, not understanding the horrors he's signing up to defend and inflict.
Not comprehending they are horrors at all, because of how he was raised. To be both a monster and a weapon.
Dragon is glad he doesn't have to witness it. That, whatever else Imu has come up with, he doesn't have to watch as a small boy that looks so familiar kneels and gives his life away.
There are many children here, Dragon knows. Has seen. All of who deserve not to be, deserve better. Most of whom are worse of than Shamrock, by most measures. Dragon can help, can save, none of them.
But only Shamrock looks like Shanks. And Dragon thinks it would have broken something in him to watch as he willingly gave himself to a monster. To Imu.
So Dragon is relieved in some ways, and anxious in others. About what is going to happen instead, what Imu plans to surprise him with. That it will be worse than what Dragon had already feared.
Imu has a way of always finding something worse than Dragon's worst fears and making it happen. Expecting, demanding, gratitude for doing so.
And Dragon can do nothing. And somehow that, the pain of that powerlessness, never gets duller.
It makes the collar around his throat feel even heavier.
"Beloved." He doesn't turn from the window for a moment. His attention is one thing that Dragon can control. A thing that Imu desperately wants.
But there is a set of footsteps, small footsteps, that came with Imu. So, after those few seconds, he turns.
Seeing Shamrock is not a surprise, though the way Imu grabs his arm, pulling him to stand in front of them is. The kid's lip is trembling, like he's barely stopping himself from crying. Or screaming.
At least he doesn't stumble, glaring up at Dragon.
"As you wished, Beloved, the pup is no Knight." Shamrock inhales shakily at those words. And while that's a good thing, Dragon knows that the boy must be devastated.
"Then why is he here?" Dragon questions, looking up from Shamrock to watch Imu. Always the bigger threat, and Dragon still has no idea what game the other is playing at here. What this is all about.
Imu doesn't do things because Dragon wants them to, or a lot of things would be very different.
"You did not think Garling should have the pup." Dragon doesn't think Garling should be in charge of taking care of a stray cat, never mind a child. "So mu decided that you can have the pup instead, Beloved."
What?
"What do you mean–"
"I'm not a–" Shamrock's indignant protest is interrupted as he is pushed forward by a black tendril, Dragon dropping a hand on his shoulder to steady the kid on instinct as he stumbles into him.
The just seems to upset him more, as he jerks away from Dragon. "Don't!"
"Quiet, pup. You have no part in this conversation." Shamrock shivers, probably feeling the haki swirling around them. Dragon has to contain the impulse to push the boy behind him. It wouldn't do any good and Shamrock obviously doesn't want his help.
Dragon has to respect that.
Instead, he squares his shoulders and looks at Imu. "What is this all about?"
It doesn't make sense. Not with everything he's seen. Imu wants to break him, that much is obvious. To force Dragon to accept the way they see the world. To accept them and the life they want for him.
He won't.
But Imu doesn't believe that. And giving him any power at all goes against trying to break him down. They want him powerless, dependent. So why change on anything?
Red eyes don't blink as they meet his. "Mu thought you would appreciate a project, Beloved. Something to do when mu is busy."
"He isn't a pet or a toy. He's a child." Dragon fires back. "Not that I'm surprised you don't understand that, even for your favorites. How long do you think your rule can last, now that you're doing things like this?"
Even a monster like Imu can't stand alone. And even if Dragon doesn't believe that Garling actually cares about his son, he does care about his pride. This has to be enough to make him start questioning.
Not that a world ruled by the Five Elders or the God's Knights would be much better, but fractures are useful. And this must have started one.
(Dragon could, should, stop arguing. Could drive the point home to Garling any time he happens to see the man. That Imu, his master, chose to give Dragon a gift at the cost of the man's son.
Dragon will not, cannot, use a child like that. Will not stoop to their level and see people as just pawns, objects.
Shamrock is a child who doesn't deserve any part of this situation.)
"Garling understands his place. His anger will be kept in check. And if not, there will be other Figarlands. Mu does not need him."
That attitude doesn't surprise Dragon a bit.
"Now, Beloved, mu has matters to attend to. You may get acquainted with your new pup."
Dragon doesn't look away from Imu, not until the door closes behind them.
They've won today, Dragon knows. At least for now, in the short term. But for a being that's lived centuries, they are bad at planning long-term.
Hopefully. Dragon hopes that this is the start of a lasting divide. If nothing else, this has to have denied them Shamrock's loyalty. It must have some of the other Knights questioning whether they really want to trust Imu with their children.
The answer is an obvious no, but they all benefit from this system.
Later, Dragon can think about all the consequences of this. Right now, he has to worry about what he can do.
Worry about Shamrock.
Who's shoulders are shaking lightly as Dragon turns his attention to him. His eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
"Shamrock–"
"This is all your fault!" Shamrock looks up and familiar eyes meet his, tears pooling in them. Dragon's heart aches. "Why do you keep ruining my life?"