Tearing Down the Very Last Bastion
“Midnite, please...” Saikano winced slightly, waving a hoof as he nearly bumped into her while trotting across the office of his apartment. “Would you... would you at least slow down?”
“I've got everything gathered just where you need it,” the pony said, dwarfed by the elk's shadow in the soft lantern light as she darted from pack to pack, rummaging through the contents and sealing them tight. “An hour before you go to inspect the caravan, I'll have a pair of servants carry them down to the wagon hold.”
“That's very nice of you, Midnite, But if you would just—”
“I've got your notebooks packed, along with your winter uniform for the trek uphill to Ether Point. Oh!” She spun about, grinning brilliantly. “And I even packed your saber! You know, the one with the silver hilt that you used to charge the insurgents of Teancum Hill...”
“Midnite...”
“I-I even polished it! That way it'll reflect the sunlight and act as a beacon across the thickest blizzard.”
“Soldier.” Saikano briefly scowled. “At ease.”
Midnite bit her lip, immediately freezing where she stood. When she realized how rigid her limbs had become, she obediently—and nervously—let her limbs go slack, 'resting' where she lingered between her adoptive father and the entrance to the apartment.
Saikano took a deep breath. He adjusted his eyepatch, shuffled forward, and rested a warm hoof on the mare's shoulder. “Midnite Bastion...”
She gulped. “Y-yes, father?”
He peered at her with his good eye. “What are you still doing here?”
Midnite blinked. Her muzzle parted. “I... I-I only wished to help you prepare for your sojourn tomorrow. After all, you're in charge of escorting the prisoner to her new holding cell in the northern mountains and—”
“No, Midnite.” Saikano tilted his head to the side. “What I mean is: what are you still doing in this Palace? This Capital? This Kingdom?”
Midnite leaned back. “...Father?”
“You've done your duty for King and Country,” the elder elk said. “Not just recently, but your entire life.”
“I... I did everything for the safety of the Defense Ministry and—”
“No, Midnite.” He tilted her chin up. “That's not why you did what you did. That's not why you and I are standing here, talking to each other...”
She exhaled. Her lips quivered slightly as her eyes turned glossy. “I did it because I loved you. And... and I couldn't settle for anything less...” She sniffled. “Not even having a false you... no matter how... how much he...” She clenched her teeth, then avoided his gaze, shaking.
Saikano slowly nodded. “He could tell you in a few days what I never managed to say in decades.”
Midnite clenched her eyes shut tight.
“Midnite, when I first found you...” Saikano hesitated slightly, then continued. “I had every reason to escort you at the nearest foster home... to leave you in the capable hooves of the Val Roan Civil Services. But when I took the time to gaze upon you—a mere foal lost in the ruins of a town besieged by Green Bandits—I felt something. I.. I didn't quite understand it at the time. And it's not like I had any excuses. I still had both eyes then; my senses were intact. But the one thing I knew with absolute clarity was that I had to give you a safe and wholesome life. But... but for years I interpreted that as a regimental existence. And now... now I fear that what I shaped you into was something ideal... but not wholesome.”
“Father, I've been proud to serve under you all my life—”
“I know, Midnite—”
She took a bold step forward, shivering. “And I don't care if the position hasn't been filled by a pony before; I have what it takes to get promoted to a Val Roan general today! Even if it takes all my life, I'll make it there! I promise you!”
“I know that you have what it takes, soldier,” Saikano said with a weary sigh. “You have the intelligence, the tenacity, the intestinal fortitude.” He gazed upon her. “But do you have the desire, young one?”
Midnite merely blinked at him.
“I just spent the last several months... suspended in the filth of a metamorphic beast...” Saikano scowled briefly. “A creature whom the King has decided to spare for some infernal reason. I've wanted nothing more than to behead that Chrysalis. In many ways, I still desire it. But... but I realize now that I'm ignorant of something special... something beautiful that happened in my absence.” His good eye blinked. “A force of good came into this Kingdom, fully anticipating the evil that sought to undermine all that our fore-bearers had built here, and in the end these heroes chose mercy over annihilation. For that reason, Queen Chrysalis has been given a new lease on existence, and there's finally hope that the Southern Cartel will give up its viiolent ways.” He looked directly at her. “And you, my beloved daughter, was the spear of that heroic push.”
“Father—”
“You challenged every adversity that lay in your path. You utilized every lesson I ever taught you... even going so far as to value them above the facsimile that had taken place of me. I... I don't know of another soldier more dedicated... more trustworthy...”
Midnite gulped. “What are you getting at, Father?”
“Chiefly this...” He caressed her chin. “No promotion could ever possibly give you what you deserve. For so many years, I guided you along the only path I ever knew, but you're not me.”
“I've never minded, Father,” Midnite said. “Not once.”
“Are you certain of that?” Saikano squinted. “Even when I encroached upon your freedoms? When I stripped you of choice... and threatened those whom you secretly loved?”
Midnite closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. “The Duke of Bountiful...” She bit her lip, then muttered louder, “Floyd was a phase.”
“No, he was a slice of life,” Saikano said. “One I should never have robbed you of.” Saikano fought a wavery tone in his voice. “I... was cognizant in Chrysalis' prison, Midnite. I had time to dwell on life... death... and my love for you. And I've come to realize... th-that I built too many walls around my beloved daughter's world. Like the mountains that surround this Kingdom. A true defender is bound to her keep, yes, but for that to become a prison...”
“I know the power of sacrifice, Father.”
“But do you know the benefit?” Saikano smiled. “This Kingdom has been saved, and it's all thanks to you and the way you assisted the heroes from the west. I couldn't possibly be prouder of you... and I would hate myself forever if I only punished you instead of giving you the freedom of choice that you deserve... for yourself.”
“Freedom...?” Midnite blinked.
Saikano nodded.
“I... I-I don't understand, father...” Midnite gulped. “What is it do you want from me?”
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the forehead before stroking her bangs. “To live, Midnite Bastion. I want you to live.” He smiled painfully. “When I tell you 'at ease,' soldier, I mean it.”
Midnite's legs were weak at this point, as were her eyelids. Tears squeezed out as she murmured, “I... I-I don't think I know how to outside of how you've taught me...”
“You can find out. And I know who can show you.” Saikano continued to smile. “I... ruined his life, Midnite.”
“Father—”
“I did.” He clenched his jaw shut. “I falsified records. I cheated the system. And, worst of all, I lied and used my own daughter against him. And... and I drove him to madness.” He shook his head. “Who knows how much the House of Sehlp suffered. But that isn't of any concern to me. I only regret... h-how much I made you suffer.”
Midnite closed her eyes, shivering all over.
Saikano leaned forward. “Do you still love him?”
She sniffled. “Y-yes...” She wiped her muzzle dry. “...but I don't know if he even has room for me in his life anymore.”
Saikano patted her shoulder. “Then go to him. Find out. Discover. Explore.”
“But... but father...” Midnite squeaked. “What of you?”
“I can live now as well...” He smiled. “My pride for you knows no boundaries, so why should my body or spirit?” He winked. “If that's the part of me that Chrysalis' double used to reach in and find his own goodness of being, then perhaps it's what I should be dwelling on from now on.” He shrugged. “Or else, what would we have fought for?”
Midnite stared up at him. She bore a fragile smile, then fell forward, nuzzling the fuzz of his chest.
Saikano flinched just slightly, as if hugging his own foster child was a strange, alien thing. Nevertheless, with relative ease, he reached a forelimb out and held her close.
“I love you, Father,” Midnite murmured. “Forever and always. I-I won't let you down.”
He stroked his hoof through her mane and nodded into the lantern light. “You never have...”
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Get it on with Floyd, gurl!
Awww... This was cute. And the prospect of Floydnite helps a lot too.
Go and be with Floydien, Midnite. He still needs his Nancy Jane.
neh
"Floydien, I am your father," the General said.
Floydien blinked owlishly at him.
"Well, in law, but, you know..."
"....." Floydien made a break for the hills.
That was a great chapter, tons of feels and a good amount of development for both Saikano and Midnite. I hope everything will work out for her and Floydien
eeeee?
eeeee!
Honestly, I couldn't give a hoot less if Midnite and Floydien don't make it together, as long as Floydien gets the happiness he deserves, whether that's in Val Roa, Bountiful, or aboard a skystone ship. I really hope Handsome gets something out of all of this.
Ive never understood this story is she flying somewhere? Flying to fly? Touring with wonderbolts?
I hope Floydien and Midnite can work things out, and proceed to have many, many hybrid children. What would a half-pony, half-elk creature be called, anyway? I'm kinda partial to 'peindeer'.
''... Now go find Floydien and make me some grandchildren.''
Midnite blinked, gazing up at him.
''Father, didn't you just tell me to liv-''
''Remember your promise, soldier. Don't let me down.''
''But-''
''Get laid. That's an order.''
5643411
Yes. Yes she is.
You may have accidentally given one of the best descriptions for RD's motivations in Austraeoh.
Now go read it.
I kinda figure floydien will head back to bountiful with arcinista and midnite, he sorta seemed to be slowly figuring his old self out not to long ago.
Makes me wonder if Chrysalis had left things be, would she have the energy needed to achieve her goals of reuniting with her sister? If she had even a little more cooperation and love from her drones to help her, I doubt even East Horse would have been able to stop her. This will make Tchern all the more terrifying.
5643414
It's going to work because they're both on the rebound. Though, if it doesn't work, someone could write a spin-off... Not the current author, Lemur is busy and I don't want him distracted.
So, and correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how the story goes:
Floydien falls in love with Nancy Jane, but is taken away from Nancy Jane, so he builds Nancy Jane, then reunites with Nancy Jane, but then Nancy Jane explodes, and now Nancy Jane wants Floydien back, but Floydien doesn't know if Floydien wants Nancy Jane, but because Nancy Jane is gone, he can't get away from Nancy Jane, so...
I need a break.
Midnite's gotten her reward.
Who next? Arcanista? I'd be curious as to a scene with her and the King, somewhat in the style of this.
So this ship may have some substance after all. (Or maybe Floydien is just freed up because R.I.P. airship Nancy Jane
)
The Eyepatch of Redemption... (Saikano)
static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/14/142946/3914616-9896719354-OldSn.jpg
as opposed to the Eyepatch of Madness. (Shell)
independent.co.uk/incoming/article9513992.ece/alternates/w620/mgs.jpg
See I got demons in my past
So I got daughters on the way
If the prophecy's correct
Then the child should have to pay
For the sins of a father
So I barter my tomorrows
Against my yesterdays
In hopes that she'll be OK
And when I'm no longer here
To shade her face from the glare
I'll give her my share of Carol's Daughter
and a new beach chair
Rest easy, Imre
D'awwwwww
I'm surprised Swan Song wasn't here to jump on the shipping approval.
-Treachery and deceit, kingdom of conceit Yaerfaerda.
Midnite now has to fight the hardest battle a soldier can ever face.
Peace.
Aaaand now I'm reading Saikano with a Bronx accent. Yes.
5643414 With parents like that, an outright paindeer. No point in sugarcoating it.
I suppose Floydien will stay with Duchess Arsonista while he thinks what to do with all that skystone. Midnite will go after him, now that Saikano gently kicked her out of his basement. Then both will build a new ship and sail the skies of the world. I wonder if "Jurisprudence" is still taken.
5643376
Nah, we don't need a Star Wars parody here.
5642977 Rather I should clarify my theory, she might reach the dark side before the next one after she leaves the choke, since there is no guaranty Luna will be able to contact her there. if the full moon passes now it is a possibility that it might be the last such conversation we have the pleasure of witnessing, not a sure thing by any stretch, but certainly might happen.
5643904 Amen!
Reminds me of:
Daww... *Sniffles.*
oh dam
It was Saikano the whole time.
But it doesn't matter now. What matters is that they love each other yet. 
-Spirit
This just rot out my teeth instantly
When you love something, let it go.
Uncertain futures lie ahead.
I just realized that the way Saikano reminds us of Shell is not an accident. This (including the copy of Saikano who broke free of Chrysalis) is who Shell could have been. And Shell is who Saikano could have turned into, but for the choices they both made. And it wasn't one single decision between good and evil (although what he did to his wife certainly counts as a Start of Darkness): Shell got to choose over and over again, falling a bit further every day.
Shell's mirror, so easily he could have been the next monster for the Jury to slay. Instead, he showed that he had infinitely more strength than Shell, as he was able to admit he was wrong, and to make amends for that wrongdoing. I have to respect someone like that.
07/22/2017
16:23 UTC
Man. When you can day "fuck Sehlp" and "I love you" in the same sentence and get away with it...you know he's being sincere.
R.I.P. mirror Saiktano.
So it was you that basically started Floyd on the unfortunate path to torture.
He really could have ended up being Shell 2.0, but in a way that only in the story makes sense, being impersonated by a bug queen helped him learn to be better.