Saint Valentine of Zaibach, an escaflowne fanfic

Dilandau and Miguel find they are going to be parents soon, but they face many threats from Zaibach's totalitarian regime that crushes individual's desires and natural instincts in pursuit of "progress". Folken steps in to help them achieve their dreams and protect their future child. Inspired by the real story of Saint Valentine and written for Valentines Day 2023! This story is told in summary format and if there is sufficient interest I will write it as a proper fanfic. Feedback is much appreciated!

Work Text:

An Escaflowne Story for Valentines Day...

Author's Note: On Valentines Day 2023, I learned the true story of the original Saint Valentine and this inspired me to compose a sketch for the first Dilandau Mpreg fanfic! (They/them pronouns for Dilandau). I do not own Vision of Escaflowne or the characters from Vision of Escaflowne. This is a not for profit fan fiction for the entertainment and inspiration of fellow fans.

Our story takes place during the series timeline, and begins with Dilandau noticing shocking changes taking place in their body. Although they identity as male, their body has always had a female reproductive system suppressed by the fate alteration and suddenly they are having a monthly cycle. Dilandau is in denial about their body reverting to a weak feminine state and keeps it a secret from everyone including their partner Miguel.

We then observe an amorous encounter between Dilandau and Miguel, where they reminisce about how their relationship started. Two years ago, Dilandau was permitted to select their Dragonslayer team from a diverse pool of recruits, and to everyone's annoyance this included Miguel who was deemed from a lower social class in Zaibach than the other lads. Dilandau felt it was lust, if not love, at first sight and they had to have him by their side. From there, their relationship developed and now they're very committed to each other. Miguel even says his love for Dilandau is stronger than any loyalty he ever felt towards Zaibach itself...

Although Dilandau sees him as an overbearing authority figure, Folken is actually Dilandau's protector in the shadows. Over the years, he has looked out for their safety and scared away predators who sought to abuse the youngster. Now, Folken sees two young people who want to be together and he vows to help them. Indeed, their bond may be enough to smash Zaibach's control of fate from the inside out!

In the next month, Dilandau starts feeling unwell and their monthly cycle stops. They try to ignore it and focus on their military leadership role, but eventually they confess what's going on to Miguel in an emotional moment. Miguel is enthusiastic about this development and wants to support Dilandau during this time, and raise their child together. Dilandau ponders whether they want to go through with this, and mainly has doubts because Zaibach is a pretty grim place to grow up. They're also sure the Sorciers would forcibly terminate the pregnancy if they found out, regardless of how Dilandau felt about keeping the baby or not.

The couple send an anxious few months guarding their secret and preventing Dilandau from falling into the Sorcier's clutches. During this time, we also find out about Miguel's desire to reconnect with a more natural way of life that his pre-colonial ancestors lived in Zaibach before it was industrialised. Dilandau is eventually won over and starts to see a life like that would be better for their future child. Meanwhile, Gatti tries to undermine their bond because he thinks Miguel is a blue-collar lowlife who should not be in a relationship with a higher class person like Dilandau.

In desperation as they enter the second trimester, Dilandau turns to Folken for help. He has suspected what was going on, and now he helps the couple flee to a faraway land. The bond between Dilandau and Miguel, along with their strong desire to protect their future child, is powerful enough to summon a pillar of light. Folken knows that a bond like this, that can overcome the social pressure to conform and obey the rules of Zaibach's dystopian culture, could have the power to alter fate and bring down the Empire's collapse. The pair find themselves on a beautiful and peaceful volcanic island inhabited by friendly folk who help them set up a new home. When they land, Dilandau realises they have physically transitioned to being fully female. In a world where wishes control fate, their wish was to evolve into a new version of herself away from war and conflict. This island is Gaea's equivalent of the Canary Islands, which are culturally Spanish but located near the coast of North Africa on the Mystic Moon.

Several more months pass, and Dilandau's child is born. Their daughter Jeanne is healthy and full of life, and Dilandau safely recovers from the experience. When the little family is at the beach one day, they see a vision of Folken's spirit over the ocean. Folken passed away fighting against Emperor Dornkirk but he wanted to visit them one more time. Folken informs them that Zaibach easily fell to the allied forces led by Van, Hitomi, and Allen because the people of Zaibach lost faith in their country's vision. It is because the story of Dilandau and Miguel fleeing inspired other people to rebel against their restrictive culture and choose their own path of freedom.

Dilandau and Miguel can now look forward to a brighter future with their daughter thanks to Folken's sacrifice to help them achieve their goal of living a free and natural family life.