Every setback just feeds the engine 1/2
Wonderlands meet Red Hairs and it doesn't really go like either side intended. Or how I originally intended but I decided I need the ✨drama✨
I decided to give Shanks some issues and flaws. Man hasn't seen healthy coping mechanism or his therapist (Buggy) in a long ass time.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/86684921
Everything started well. They accepted Shanks' parlay request. Set their ships next to each other and met to talk between them. A small rocky island barely registering on log pose as their background.
And that's where it all ended. Shanks of course assumed, despite their formation, that Shamrock was in charge and completely ignored Sabo and Stelly. Focusing on him and Killingham.
“It was a shock when I saw your face on a wanted poster,” he laughed heartily and everyone froze. That was just rude. “And you brought Killi around.” Really rude. Why was Shanks' first made doing nothing.
That had Sabo acting unwise. Though Shamrock is at fault for not stopping him.
“I'm Outlook D Sabo, Captain of the Wonderland and this is my Vice-Captain Stelly. Thank you for saving Luffy but that was incredibly rude,” he said in a measured voice. Shamrock felt a shiver go down his spine.
“Oh, that's amazing, kid. How's he doing?”
“He's been doing great. Still wants to be the Pirate King, yaps about you a lot less,” Sabo shrugged, arms crossed. “Are you always this rude?” Sabo tilted his head in a weary Garp way. Or in a very Luffy way.
He suspected Sabo had the potential for conquerors from the story of what happened in Shells down. If he didn't he wouldn't just faint after what sounded like something possessing him. There was a reason it was almost necessary for Knights.
But feeling it slowly build up for the first time? Untrained conquerors should be more like an explosion of its user’s will. Was it curiosity that led him to not step in and stop the spar Shanks proposed?
If so then he cursed his own curiosity. And in his defence Shanks' crew didn't do anything to stop this either.
Just what was wrong with Shank? Why is he so obviously picking a fight? Why is his crew acting like it's normal? Would he act like that around Ace too?
Or would Shanks recognise his old captain's kid and just greet him with open arms? Did he take Shamrock and Killingham not immediately switching sides as an insult?
The fight wasn't as one sided as he was afraid it would be. Sabo used his newly awakened haki with instinct that would have Healing curious but it wasn't enough. It was just enough for it to not be a one sided slaughter. Sabo actually landed a few solid hits with his flames and explosions.
But he knew his limits and started signalling surrender. Shamrock started letting out the breath he was holding in just to hold it again. Shanks wasn't stopping.
“Beckmann, why the fuck is my brother not stopping?!” He demanded as everyone aboard Wonderland panicked.
“I have no idea, and we can't exactly step in when he's like that,” Red Hair's first mate grumbled.
Then why didn't you step in earlier, Shamrock thought bitterly. How useless. And dangerous. Someone needs to step in. But Red Hairs might take it as a sign to attack Wonderland and her crew. “We need to make some distance,” Stelly said, “Violet, Rose, Lily you're in charge of steering. Any idea how we can get there?” Stelly took charge.
Sudden Cerberus left their sword form, tail wagging. Could they still teleport? That skill wasn't tied to Shamrock's mark. “Hold onto Cerberus, Kuina, I need to borrow a sword,” Shamrock jumped into action.
“Take Dojigiri,” Kuina nodded, passing him one of her katana. One hand on Shirayuki as she stared at Red Hair pirates unsure what to do. Killingham next to her with a prototype of a bow Daniela was working on for him.
“It should survive a couple shots at least,” the engineer shrugged before running down to the engine room in case they needed speed.
With Stella securely holding onto Cerberus, Shamrock gripped their collar and signaled to teleport. Black pentagram formed in front of them, flashing as the hound jumped.
Appearing on the Island between Sabo who could barely stand and Shanks.
“What the fuck Red. The kid signaled surrender!” Shamrock yelled, Cerberus in combat stance as Stelly checked Sabo. “You two go, we can come back easily,” he let them know. “We need a Captain in charge.”
Stelly nodded and teleported herself and Sabo away.
“Does he really matter that much to you?” Shanks asked with a scowl.
“I'd think you'd understand how it feels to follow someone impressive,” Shamrock huffed. Dojigiri didn't like him. Having to keep a sword subdued with haki…. No wonder Kuina only used it in serious situations and was that excited with Shirayuki.
“That was a low blow, Knight,” Shanks hissed, gripping Gryphon's handle tighter. Did father ever regret giving him that blade?
“Do you ever let them out?” Shamrock asked as they flared. In the corner of his vision he could see Wonderland pulling away from the Red Force. Luckily no aggression followed the manoeuvre.
“What I do is none of your business,” Shanks growled and charged.
Fine, they'll talk with their swords. And Shamrock wasn't below having Cerberus assist him. He'd call it a success if he got Shanks to let Gryphon out.
On the Wonderland, when Stelly appeared with barely awake Sabo everyone panicked even harder. “Shams and Cerbie are handling Shanks, take Sabo to infirmary, I'll stay here in case they get aggressive,” she decided, passing Sabo to Luis and one of junior medics.
“Someone keep an eye on the Island and give me regular updates on how Shamrock is doing. Killi, have the most unpleasant nightmare ready to throw at them,” Stelly continued, glancing at Red Hair’s first mate taking command. It looked like they decided to make some distance between them as Shanks and Shamrock's haki clashed, damaging the island more than she expected it to. “Everyone who doesn't have to be here get inside.”
The crew easily followed orders. And in a more orderly manner than Red Hairs. They weren't used to retreating. And while Wonderlands didn't need to run away often they did practice it.
In the infirmary Luis did his best to manage Sabo's internal wounds, which were worse than his external injuries. Not to mention just sheer exhaustion. And overheating from using his flames so much.
In short Sabo was a mess. A stable mess now, but still a mess.
By the time Shamrock and Shanks were done there wasn't much of the already barely there island left. Just enough for them and Cerberus to barely stand on, breathing heavily, bleeding. And still glaring.
“Next time we see you Sabo will be strong enough to beat you,” Shamrock promised before whistling the command to teleport back.
“Get moving and fast, I don't think he's done yet!” He called out and collapsed on his back. Red wasn't slacking. “I need a proper second sword,” he sighed, returning Dojigiri to Kuina.
“What you need is to go to the infirmary,” she said as she sheathed the blade.
“I know, I know, I'm going, someone has to check on Sabo anyway,” he agreed with a sigh. He wasn't worried about Sabo's physical state. His mental state worried him more. The kid tended to overthink his duties as Captain.
“I'm a failure as Captain,” speaking off, he could hear it as he came up to the infirmary. Stopping just outside to not interrupt.
“No you're not, you did everything correctly, it was Shanks who didn't stop even if you signaled you're giving up,” Luis comforted him. “You did everything correctly, Shamrock only stepped in because Shanks broke the rules, not because you did anything wrong.”
“I….” Sabo started and devolved into loud sobbing. Okay that was bad. Sabo wasn't a crier. He barely cried on his own birthday.
“He was right. I'm a failure….” Sabo mumbled between loud sobs.
“You did everything perfectly, kid, relax and focus on recovering. I'll make sure next time we see him, you can beat him,” Shamrock decided it's his moment to come in. Plus he'd probably get scolded if he waited much longer with getting his wounds treated.
Sabo shook his head and while still sobbing, removed his shirt. “I'm a fraud,” he mumbled.
Shamrock was stunned. How did he have no idea about it this whole time? “Who?” He asked, still not believing the scars on Sabo's back were real.
“My father, he'd always say how useless my dream is. That I'd get my whole crew killed…. That's why I can't be a Captain alone. I need to know everything isn't on me or I panic,” he explained quietly.
He needed to say something. But what? All he could think was what kind of scars his own father would have left on him if not for his immortality at the time.
“I guess we have having a terrible father in common,” Shamrock chuckled to defuse the situation.
“What?” Luis asked while treating all of Shamrock's wounds. Armament could only do so much against conquerors infused attacks.
“If I wasn't immortal my father's training methods would probably end up killing me,” Shamrock sighed. “Honestly, Shanks behaved like the bastard would back there.”
That had Sabo chuckling slightly. “So more Shamrock training?” he asked with a small grin.
“Yes, since you have conquerors haki now, you need to learn how to use it. Plus I think everyone is ready for advanced haki,” Shamrock nodded, already planning how to handle it.
“We find and island and lay low there, train up, using my windows to get supplies,” Stelly said, coming in with Kuina and Killi and Daniela and Nina. “Officers' meeting.”
“I don't have my shirt on,” Sabo panicked but it got cut short by Killi hugging him from behind. “Who am I giving endless nightmares to? Death is too merciful,” he asked with a huff. “Or we can do murder too, I don't mind either.”
Sabo giggled at that. “No one is killing my father. Knowing he has to live with his kids being pirates is enough,” he shook his head.
“Let us know when you change your mind,” Kuina hummed from where she was leaning against the wall. “So training?”
“Yes, you and Sabo need to work on your conquerors, we didn't focus on it much beyond controlling it before, since it was too much of an overkill, but now we're doing full Knight's training.”
“I feel left out with no conquerors,” Stelly faked a pout.
“There are ways to see if you have the potential,” Shamrock shrugged with a slight grin.
“Next time we're kicking Red Hairs asses,” Sabo grinned as he put his shirt back on.
“We meet Miss Mikan, and then focus on training,” Nina nodded with a smile. “You're our Captain no matter what, both you and Stelly,” she added, extending an arm, her hand curled into a fist.
“I can't imagine entrusting Wonderland to any other Captain duo,” Daniela nodded and her hand joined Nina's.
“I wouldn't leave Mariejois for any other crew,” Killi agreed, still hugging Sabo but also joining others.
“You're a moron if you think we'd ever want a different Captain, we need the both of you,” Luis huffed his fist also joining.
“It was you who convinced me to see what's out there outside my home village, why would I follow anyone else,” Kuina smiled, closing the distance to join.
“If it weren't for you I'd still be a hermit in a forest, and if much rather be here than anywhere else,” Shamrock nodded and also joined.
“We're stuck together, brother,” Stelly grinned and it was just Sabo left.
“To sail free with no regrets right?” He grinned as his fist joined the ring with others.
“Free and with no regrets,” they all agreed.
“Okay, I'm off to find us a deserted Island where we won't annoy any Emperors, you two focus on recovering,” Stelly declared, trying to discreetly wipe her tears.
“We love you both, stop doubting yourselves,” Daniela rolled her eyes and left.
“We'll need a big lunch after all that stress.”
“I'll keep watch in case Shanks changes his mind.”
Everyone slowly dispersed leaving Shamrock, Killi, Sabo and Luis in the infirmary.
“I guess I'll try to sleep,” Sabo sighed, laying down.
“I can just make you sleep,” Killi offered with a small smile.
“Please make him sleep,” Luis requested, already expecting Sabo to get bored and try working.
“I'll behave without that,” Shamrock sighed, his mind wandering back in time. Before Shanks became…. So angry. He missed the Firestorm days even if he wasn't around much back then. Everything was easier when Roger was out on the seas.
