Back in the present day, inside the small meeting room at the Revolutionary Army's base, the story finally caught up with itself.
The light from the single window cut across the table, illuminating Dragon's still silhouette and Ivankov's restless posture. Across from them, Sabo and Kaito continued, their voices steady—but heavy.
Sabo: as soon as we arrived at Lulusia, King Seki and Princess Comane were captured
Kaito: the citizens were lying in wait, they'd planned an ambush, they'd finally had enough
Kaito's jaw tightened as he remembered it.
Kaito: the king was screaming, demanding to be released, shouting about his authority... but then they found us, and everything changed
Sabo let out a dry laugh.
Sabo: they welcomed us like heroes... honestly, it was unbelievably lucky
Ivankov folded their arms, smiling faintly.
Ivankov: luck has nothing to do with it, darlings, after everything you've done, it's only natural people see hope when they look at you
Kaito shook his head slowly.
Kaito: it didn't end there
Sabo inhaled deeply, already knowing where this was going.
Sabo: when we saw the newspaper... we realized it was worse than we thought
Kaito's fingers dug into the table, the wood creaking under the pressure. Sabo glanced at him, seeing the anger boiling just beneath the surface.
Sabo: they were celebrating... because they believed we had assassinated King Cobra
The words hung in the air.
Sabo: what was I supposed to say to people cheering my name... calling me a hero for murdering an innocent man
His voice wavered, just slightly.
Sabo: I wanted to tell them the truth... but I didn't
Kaito: neither did I
Dragon's eyes lifted slightly.
Kaito: because we felt it... their hunger for revolution
That caught Dragon's full attention.
Sabo: you can thank Betty for that, when we arrived, people were already ready to rise up
Sabo gestured vaguely behind him.
Sabo: the ones who wanted to join... I brought them here on the ship
Ivankov chuckled knowingly, already imagining Betty's influence rippling through the crowd.
Kaito: at the time we couldn't secure an encrypted transponder snail, that's why we didn't contact any of you
Sabo: not until we were already at sea
Sabo: that's when I sent the relay message
Dragon's expression didn't change, but he clearly remembered it.
Dragon, it is true that King Cobra is dead, but we didn't kill him
Kaito: without encryption, the government probably intercepted it and assumed we were still on Lulusia
Kaito: but we were already gone, sailing with the enlistees
Ivankov's expression softened.
Ivankov: and Lulusia was destroyed while you were still speaking to us
Kaito nodded grimly.
Kaito: watching your homeland be erased... it breaks people
Kaito: many of them had left their families behind... then in an instant, everything vanished
The room fell silent.
Even Ivankov stopped fidgeting.
Dragon finally spoke.
Dragon: can either of you describe what you saw
Sabo swallowed.
Sabo: a massive shadow covered the sky... it appeared without warning
Kaito: something was flying above the clouds
Kaito: whatever it was... it shouldn't exist
Ivankov leaned forward slightly.
Ivankov: the name you heard... Imu... are you certain
Kaito: yeah
Ivankov slid into the chair beside Dragon, placing something on the table.
Ivankov: this may sound unbelievable, but that name has history
Ivankov: eight hundred years ago, among the first twenty monarchs, there was a ruler named Saint Imu of the Nerona dynasty
Both Sabo and Kaito stiffened.
Ivankov dragged a finger across the table.
Ivankov: there's a legend... of a power that grants immortality
Ivankov: and if that's true, then the one you saw never died
Sabo's eyes widened.
Sabo: you think... that thing... is still ruling the world
Kaito: it would explain everything
Kaito: the five elders... bowing... sweating... terrified
Ivankov: exactly, who else could command the so-called descendants of gods
But Ivankov wasn't finished.
Ivankov: one more thing... and this is the truly frightening part
Ivankov: that shadow in the sky... it may be a government weapon
Ivankov: a genius weapon
Ivankov: what if it was Vegapunk
Dragon shook his head.
Dragon: that doesn't align with what we know
Dragon: Vegapunk would never willingly design something meant for mass extermination
Kaito: not intentionally
Kaito: but if it wasn't Vegapunk... then there's only one answer left
Ivankov's expression darkened.
Ivankov: an ancient weapon
Ivankov: if Imu is an ancient ruler... then it follows
Dragon folded his arms again.
Dragon: we know the ancient weapons exist
Dragon: but if the government possessed one all along... why reveal it now
Before anyone could answer—
Elsewhere in the present.
Within Mariejois.
A celestial dragon was executed.
No trial.
No announcement.
No record.
The man who carried out the sentence was a veteran of God Valley,
The supreme commander of the Holy Knights.
Saint Figarland Garling.
The one who died was the same man who once defended the fish-men.
The one who saved Shirahoshi.
The one good celestial dragon.
Saint Donquixote Mjosgard.
And the world would never be told.
And that's a wrap
Sorry if this was crap, I'm super tired and wanted to get this done
