//------------------------------// // Part 5 // Story: An Azure Future // by Krass McWriter //------------------------------// An Azure Future Part 5: The Park and The Jump (for real this time)         It was sunny outside. Horridly so. It was a cloudless day, with a gentle breeze. John Norris was taking his son, Azure Wind, to the park. It was a one on one thing. John picked one thing for them to do and Azure picked one. Today was Azure's turn to go first, and he chose a picnic in the park. John was adamant and swore vengeance. "Do we have to go?" The six foot three inch well built two hundred pound human complained. "Hey, you made the rules, any one thing I want and any one thing you want. Only disqualifier was that it had to be done together. It’s a beautiful day out, the weather team and Celestia herself would be cross if we didn't enjoy it." Azure stated. "Fiiine." John admitted defeat. (I'll just have to make azure do something horrid too...) "The parks just three blocks down, we don't even need to drive. You ready dad?" The small blue pegasus said ecstatically, Azure had been dragging John out of the cooped apartment as much as possible. "But the other ponies are mean!" "Dad, I've said this once, and I'll say it again. STOP BEING PARANOID. NOPONY IS TRYING TO STEAL YOUR SOUL. Or your thumbs." Azure sighed, every time he'd try to get his dad outside, he always pulled this same act. It was tiring to say the least. "Fine, but if one of those damn unicorns even THINKS about doing magic on me, I’m hateshanking them with their own horn." The human pouted. "Holy- Ugh, can we go now, PLEASE?" The pegasus begged. John sighed, "Lead the way." He said while picking up the basket and motioning to the door. The pair decided to forsake the elevator and take the stairs. For the first part at least. Azure and John were tired after the fifth flight of stairs and ended up in the elevator. One of the tenants from John’s building was there. “Oh, hey-John, long-time-no-see! Hey-whos-this-little-guy?” A hyperactive light green earth pony bombarded John, spitting words out at a million  words a minute. John knew the pony when he was human, hard to believe he was as much of a recluse as John was. At least before ponification. “Hey Joseph, how the equine life treating you?” John smirked. He knew he hated his human name, something about a relic from the shambles of his former life. How he reacted was always worth the interaction. The pony’s head snapped to the left and his right eye twitched. “My name... Is Breezy Fields. NOT. JOSEPH.” John neighbor seethed through gritting teeth. Success. “Calm down Breezy, just messin’ with ya man. Calm down.” Its a bit mean, but it always calms him down. “Sorry ‘bout that, so who is this plucky young pegasus?” Beamed Breezy Fields. “Oh, him? I just let him follow me around” John joked. ‘I’m his son.” Azure added. “YOU have a SON? Omigosh-this-is-so-exciting! Oooh, I-just-cant-WAIT-tell-Everfree! How-old-is-he? Who’s-his-mother? Is-it-Catherine-I-think-her-name was? I-just-can’-BELI-” the door of the elevator slid open and John and Azure made a break for the exit. “What... was that... about?” Azure gasped between breaths. “He’s been all uppity ever since he got ponified. They say it doesn’t affect personality but that man right there is proof otherwise. I guess its an improvement but I still don’t like the idea of my head being messed with.” Explained John in a very matter-of-fact tone. “Huh.” Azure dismissed. The pair started down towards the park, the odd pair garnering the attention of some of the many ponies enjoying the day. John looked skyward. It was alive with pastel pegasus, looking as if there was an ocean of color above them. How he world has changed. John was searching the sky when Azure asked “What’s that?’ pointing towards a building wih a neon sign and blacked out windows. Yet some things never change. The sign read ‘The hosieried hoof’ and underneath the sign, ‘Pretty fillies in frilly things!’. What’s the point of a stripclub when... wait a minute... they’re clothed? A dressclub? Oh I GOTTA see this... “Uhm, I don’t know Azure, Wait here while I find out. Be back in five-ten minutes.” John lied and headed towards the dressclub. “Okay! Tell me what it is!” Azure beamed as his father left towards the blackened building. John paid the entrance fee and walked inside the dressclub. "My god..." The place was designed exactly like its human counterpart, lingerie and seductive clothing was everywhere. There was one fundamental difference, instead of stripping down to nudity, the fillies on stage started off naked and put on the scanty clothing. John ducked out after he noticed he caught one of the dancer's eyes. "So what was it?" Azure bounced. John couldn't meet the gaze of the young pegasus. "I'll... I'll tell you when you're older, okay?" John compromised. Starting down towards the park once more. "Awww... Okay..." Azure looked defeated. “Hey, don’t get down Azure. Look, we’re here!” John cheered. The park lay before them about one hundred meters, it was vibrant and alive. Various ponies inhabited the parks ground, air, and  fourth dimension. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to magic... “So Azure, how about a race to that hill?” John grinned, pointing to one of the hills in the park.. “You are ON.” The pegasus beamed. “ONETWOTHREE GO!” Azure took off, galloping as fast as he could. “Cheatin’ Bastard!” John shouted as he gave chase. He caught up to Azure in a matter of moments, Azure reacted by cutting him off, this resulted in John falling onto Azure and the pair slid up the hill into the tree with a loud thud. John started to laugh, “I guess we tied then, eh kiddo?” When was the last time I laughed like this? “You wish, I was totally ahead by like an inch!” Azure countered, sticking his tongue out at John. John just shook his head in reply, set up sheet, impaling the corners with loose sticks he found. Opening up the picnic basket he brought with him, he set up a few BLT’s he made for himself, two daisy sandwiches he made for Azure, and a few snacks for them to share. The pair sat under the tree and enjoyed each others company, eating a little of their food. I wonder what a flower sandwich tastes like... “Hey Azure, wanna try each others sandwiches?” John asked. The blue pegasus thought for a moment “...Sure. Why not?” Azure said while offering John his daisy sandwich. John switched out the daisy sandwich in Azure's hoof with his BLT. "On the count of three we take a bite." Azure nodded in reply. "One... Two... Three!" They took a large bite of each others sandwich. John started gagged immediately and Azure started coughing. "You LIKE this stuff? It tastes like grass covered in shit." John coughed. Azure hit his chest a few times with his hoof. "I still don't understand the appeal of meat, but to each his own. Or something like that." John laid down on the sheet, lit a cigarette and took a drag. It is a nice day. His view of the blue sky was obstructed by a young filly with yellow coat and unkempt brown mane. “Are you a human?!” It shouted with a look of joy, inches from John’s face. “Uhhh...” Where the hell did she come from? “That would appear to be the case, wouldn’t it?” “Thats SO COOL. I’ve only seen like a few other humans before and they protected us from some other humans who wanted to become ponies and kill Celestia. Hey mister, why didn’t you become a pony huh?” You know what... I’m in a good mood. “Well it started in lets say... high school. My friends and I were always a bit off, a group of loners, stoners, emos, goths, nerds, all the outcasts, the best group of crazies you’d ever find. We didn’t get along with society’s rules, so we made our own. We called ourselves the Get ’em gang. We had all had nicknames, mine was Coke. We all had our vices, drugs, self harm, as for me, I felt I had obligations, extreme loyalty kinda thing. Also extreme paranoia and social anxiety. Being around people that decided that we should celebrate our flaws, for they made us unique, certainly didn’t help. I got it in my head to... well I don’t know. I guess I became loyal to my humanity? It slowly became all I have left as more and more of my friends and family got ponified. I cling to it because its all I have really.” The earth pony filly’s eyes were wide. “Are you sad that you can’t get ponified anymore?” She asked. “Really now, what happened?” John asked, Did they close down all the conversion bureaus? “Yeah, Like three days ago, there was an incident between the PER and HLF, Princess Luna got involved and they closed down all conversion bureaus and recalled all the potion. Oh shoot, my mom’s calling me, gotta go. It was nice talking to you mister Coke!” As the young earth pony trotted off to her mother, John noticed her cutie mark was an open book. Quite appropriate... But, all the bureaus  are closed? Feels kinda... odd. Not having that option... “Hey dad, who was that?” Azure asked. “Oh, hey little guy. I don’t believe I got her name... Interesting little filly though. Where were you?” “Oh, I was playing with my ball.” Azure explained, bouncing the ball into the air and catching it with his back hoof in a demonstration. “I’m kinda done here, lets do your thing now.” A devious smile spread across John’s face and he hollered, “TO THE TRUCK-MOBILE!” After a quick walk back to the complex, Azure and John got in the vintage truck. “So were are going?” Azure questioned. “Oh trust me, you will love it.” A wicked smile adorned John’s face. “But first you need to put this blindfold on. Its a SURPRISE.” Azure looked concerned. “Uhhh, o... kay...?” he slipped the blindfold on and John started the truck and drove. Forty minutes later, John was parking the car on a bridge. “We’re here Azure. You can take it off now.” Azure took off the blindfold and immediately wished he hadn’t. A sign over the bridge read ‘BUNGEE JUMPING, 50 BITS A PONY.’ “I hate you so much right now.” “Oh c’mon Azure, it’ll help with your fear of heights! Shock therapy!” John beamed. “Thats wrong and you’re stupid.” A unicorn with a taut bungee cord for a cutie approached them. “Hi, you must be John and this little guy must be Azure Wind! Welcome to The Bridge,  I’m Bounce and I’ll be your jump-master today. Come right this way and we’ll get started.” He smiled, just as he had for the last hundred customers and just like he will for the next hundred. Azure begrudgingly followed John to the harnesses. “Okay lets strap you up!” Bounce exclaimed, his horn lighting up with magic as he placed the harness on John and Azure. “Its perfectly safe, you won’t even come within one hundred meters of the ground!” “How far up are we?” Azure asked, the pegasus looked sick. Bounce thought for a moment, “About six hundred and fifty meters, why?” “OH HAY N-” Azure started, but then Bounce had already pushed him and John hurtling into the abyss. Azure screamed in terror. Then the line went taut and they bounced back up, this repeated about several times. Azure never stopped screaming. This was a mistake... GOD I’m so STUPID. Bounce brought them back off and thanked them. The pair got into the truck and drove in silence until John spoke up. “Hey, Azure, I’m... I’m sorry about putting you through that...” Azure didn’t respond at first. Oh man, I really messed it up this time... “I promise to never put you through anything like that again.” John apologized, Azure could hear the sincerity in his voice. “Its... okay. Im over it now... Dad, can I ask a favor of you?” Azure looked at John, sincerity, seriousness, and sadness were all blended together in those icy eyes. It was enough to stop a raging bull. “For you Azure, anything. What is it?” “Can you teach me to fly?” The blue pegasus asked. “Uhhh... I could hire a professional fli-” Azure cut John off, a move unusually brash for the young pegasus, “No dad, I want you to teach me.” John realized what Azure was hinting at. Once more, someone close to him wanted him to get ponified. John thought about it. I’ve... lost so many people to this, to the point where I was completely alone. Until Azure came along, I was in bad shape, mentally. All the scars I earned , tributes to battles I’ve both won and lost, journeys I’ve been on. I worked so hard and so long on making my body the ultimate testament to my will. The nerve damage in my feet from the thousands upon thousands of miles I’ve ran, the large scars on my shins from falling down that mountain. My immense stature. Becoming a pony would erase it. I don’t think I can take losing another person over this. I... I think its time to let go of my pride. Having a human father and being  a pony... I’m done losing the people I love over this. Its... Its time I got ponified. John solemnly stated, “Sure.” _)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_)_NOTES: And out of fucking nowhere, the main plot. The Dress club is by  - anon, we may see them again (dressclubs that is). Bungee jump by same anon as above. IM KRASS MCWRITER AND THIS MY FAVORITE PART IN THE WHOLE SERIES That filly in park definitely WAS NOT a yellowstone reference. Not in the SLIGHTEST. I really enjoyed writing this. A little TOO much... I thought it was a good stopping point... As always, thoughts, concerns, ideas, what you’d like to see. I’m going to try to put a cameo in each update from here on. So post ‘em in the current TCB thread or email me at KrassMcWriter@gmail.com or if you’re interested in a cameo.