Notes: I wrote this short piece in honor of what would've been Casey Kasem's 91st birthday today; my writing schedule is more than a bit behind, but I do intend to finish my in-progress fic at some point. The Green Dragon and the Sword of Fate are nods to Samurai Sword, but my timeline's version of how Shaggy obtained the sword is a bit different.
The fam always found it comforting to know that, usually, Vincent could be found in his study on most occasions during the night—it made it easy in the event that something was bothering them and they needed to talk to him.
Tonight was one such night as Shaggy entered the study; Vincent looked up in concerned curiosity to see Shaggy holding the Masamune-made Sword of Fate that he had been given to him upon their first visit to Terror Tech.
"Hey, uh…" Shaggy said. "You, like, got a minute?"
"Of course," Vincent promised, indicating for Shaggy to sit down. "What's on your mind that's keeping you awake?"
"Well… this," Shaggy admitted, placing the katana on the table. "You know I've been training with this sword and all that, right?"
"Of course I know—I'm the one teaching you," Vincent reminded him.
"…Yeah, that was a silly question," Shaggy mused.
"And, if I may add, you've been showing a lot of promise in your training—Daphne's got a lot more fire and drive, and I expect that's on account of your different personalities, but you have no difficulty in keeping up with her, if that's what's concerning you."
"No, that's not it," Shaggy said.
"Oh?" Vincent asked, arching an eyebrow. "Very well, then—enlighten me as to what the problem is."
Shaggy ran a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words.
"So, I was doing some research on the sword…"
"A smart idea," Vincent noted. "Knowing as much as you can about it will help you attune to it."
"Yeah, that was kinda why I was doing that," Shaggy agreed. "But a lot of the websites I saw all said the same legend."
"Which was…?" Vincent gently prompted.
"Well, the Green Dragon who's connected to the sword…" Shaggy said. "Every site I looked at says that the Green Dragon is said to personify courage."
"Ah," Vincent sighed, nodding in understanding. "I was wondering when this knowledge would finally reach you…"
"You knew?" Shaggy asked, surprised.
"Of course—Dean Cesare told me himself after he gave the sword to you," the warlock replied. "Are you questioning the Dean's decision to give that sword to you—and my okaying it? Aside from the fact that Dean Cesare is among the highest authority among mages and his judgment is, therefore, well-respected, I think I should remind you that the Dean made the decision after the Green Dragon chose to connect with you."
"Yeah, I remember that, too," Shaggy said. "It's not the Dean's decision I'm questioning here."
Vincent arched an eyebrow again.
"You're questioning the dragon?" he realized.
"Like, wouldn't you, if you were me?" Shaggy replied.
"Really, Shaggy; I think a being as grand and long-lived as the Green Dragon knows what he's doing. Why would you think otherwise?"
"Because I don't feel like I should be associated with a being that represents courage!" Shaggy exclaimed. "I know you say that being scared and doing what I have to anyway means that I am courageous, but I feel like if I was truly courageous, I'd be like Freddie—ready to run right in with a plan and take charge."
"We've had this conversation before, too," Vincent reminded him. "You wouldn't truly be you if you changed that facet of yourself."
"I know, I remember the comparison you made with the emerald," Shaggy sighed. "I guess I'm surprised the Green Dragon chose me over Freddie. I mean, I've used the sword around Freddie a few times since I got it—you'd think the dragon would've sensed how brave Freddie is and decide to forge a connection with him."
"But he did not."
"No, and, like, that's what's confusing me," Shaggy said. "I can't figure it out."
"You and Fred are both brave in different ways," Vincent agreed. "But, ultimately, the dragon chose you."
"I guess so," Shaggy sighed. "…Hey, Vincent? How did you get over it?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Feeling like you may not have been the best choice," Shaggy said. "For me, it's the Green Dragon. But for a while, you were questioning why Athena had chosen you as her acolyte when you had those ties to Asmodeus."
Vincent stared, caught off-guard.
"…Well, I certainly hadn't expected you to turn this around on me," the warlock mused, after a moment. "But yes, it's true—I am not immune to similar kinds of insecurities, as I reluctantly let you, Daphne, and Scooby find out."
He pondered for a moment as Shaggy nodded.
"But you got over it," Shaggy pointed out.
"Yes, but do you know for how long I carried those doubts before they finally faded?"
"…Like, if I had to guess, probably since that whole mountaintop duel incident when you were in your 20s."
"And you'd be right," Vincent admitted. "It was at that moment I realized just how dangerous my powers could be if I lost control of them—and also when I realized just how big a threat Asmodeus must have been. And all of those frightened whispers about how I was even stronger than Asmodeus suddenly made sense. Naturally, after all that, you could hardly blame me for being surprised that Lady Pallas agreed to continue taking me under her wing as her acolyte."
"But you don't feel that way anymore, right?" Shaggy asked.
"Right, and the feelings only fully went away after I was able to prove to myself that I was not the same as my ancestor and, therefore, not bound to his fate—while he became a demon to augment his power, I became a paladin instead."
"…So once I pull off something that spectacular with this sword, I'll finally feel like I'm worthy of it?" Shaggy asked.
"The doubts may fully banish themselves at that point, yes," Vincent agreed. "But my own doubts began to fade after much reassurance from all of you. And I think I can safely speak for the others when I say that we will certainly reassure you again and again, for just as you all believed in me, so do we believe in you."
Shaggy went slightly red, but mumbled a quick "thanks."
Vincent nodded in acknowledgement, and for a moment, they sat there, reflecting on how they had first crossed paths years ago purely by chance, on account of Bogel and Weerd's interference. Their association had been tense and tenuous at first, but they were family now, and nothing could ever change that.
"I guess I better try to get some rest," Shaggy realized. "There'll probably be more training tomorrow, huh?"
"That's the intention, yes," Vincent agreed. "To properly hone your skills, you and Daphne need to remain diligent with your training schedules."
"Right," Shaggy sighed. He picked up the katana from the table and glanced at it for a bit before carrying the sheath over his shoulder. "Well, guess I'll see you tomorrow, then, huh?"
"Yes, goodnight," Vincent said.
"G'night," Shaggy returned, heading out the door of the study. He paused at the threshold. "…Thanks," he said, again.
"You're very welcome," Vincent assured him. The warlock then paused for a moment. "Thank you, as well."
Shaggy smiled and nodded, heading down the corridor, towards his room.
And Vincent sighed and sat back in his armchair.
He owed them all a great amount of thanks, for, as he'd said, they'd all believed in him, even before his transformation had been revealed to be a paladin. He could have been ready to transform into anything at that point, but their faith had never wavered, not even for the briefest moment.
It was only a fraction of the thanks he wanted to give, but he would be sure to bring it up to all of them in the morning. They were his family now, all of them—Shaggy, Daphne, Scooby, Scrappy, Flim-Flam, and even Fred and Velma were getting closer to him with each visit. And he owed them all his thanks.
And so, he would give it to them—and continue to hold them close in the face of whatever else lay ahead.