Daddy
Summary: We all know that after the Baron was 'dethroned' and Metal Kor was defeated there was a big celebration... but was Ashelin truly as happy as she appeared to be after her fathers' death? Here's my take on how I think she might have felt.
Before he was Baron, he was daddy. I remember how he used to be. He would laugh and smile... not a lot, just every now and then. His smiles would be full of tenderness and love for mother... and full of mischevious joy for me. I was his 'princess'. His 'Ashe'.
He would come home after work, sometimes complaining over the Metal Heads, sometimes complaining over the KG under his command... but he would come home and smile and tell mom and me that everything would be alright and to not worry, he'd take care of us.
Daddy taught me to shoot, to fight. He taught me to take care of myself and showed me how to navigate the city safely. He taught me about the Hora-Quan and played games with me. He chased the monsters away when I was scared. He held me when I cried, and he picked me up when I fell.
After mother died, though, he changed. He was quieter, laughed and smiled less. When I cried, he told me to grow up. When I was scared, he told me to be strong. After mother died, 'daddy' faded into the background and 'Commander Praxis' came to head. He became distant, focused on things I wasn't privy to.
I was six when he overthrew King Damas and appointed himself Baron. I didn't understand what he'd done that was so bad. He was my daddy. As I grew up, though, my eyes were opened. I saw the citizens suffering under his tyrannical rule. Saw their fear and hatred of the Krimzon Guard. Daddy ruled with an iron fist.
I was fourteen when I finally stopped knowing him as 'daddy' and began to truly see the power-hungry Baron everyone else saw. I joined the Guard when I turned sixteen. My goal was to help the citizens, but they were fearful and angry, untrusting of anyone in the Guard. At first, I thought their fear was misplaced. We were the protectors of the peace, weren't we? As the years passed, my understanding grew and I became demoralized with the Baron and the Guard. I joined the Underground Movement. I saw that my father needed to be dethroned and agreed with their ideals. I never thought that my father would be killed, though.
And now, sitting here, I'm surrounded by friends, but there's something missing. Everyone's happy that he's dead. Granted, they're celebrating Metal Kor's destruction as well, but they're pleased that the Baron's gone too. His rule is over, and the citizens of Haven are free... but I can't find it inside of me to laugh and smile with the rest.
Afterall, before he was Baron, he was daddy. Just 'daddy'.