An Azure Future Part 9
John had come home one evening to an official looking letter bearing the Equestrian seal of Foal Services. He broke the seal in both curiosity and interest. The letter’s parchment was a little rough and tinged slightly yellow, a notable difference from the usual milky white, smooth paper. The envelope held only two pages, John picked up the first page and began to read.
Dear Mr. John Norris,
It has come to our attention that on March 5, 2046, custody of Azure Wind defaulted from a Miss Dancing Leaf to you. This was due to her unfortunate passing from actions by members of the H.L.F.. We would like to take a moment and express our condolences for your loss.
However, there are several occurrences that have been brought to attention that demand immediate examination of your parenting ability. A Mr. Gray Crusader has informed us of various dangerous activities you have involved your son in. These include, but may not be limited to: The groups Ponification for Earth’s Rebirth and The Human Liberation Front attacking you and your son in in your apartment in order to elicit an extravagant amount of bits from you, on April 1, 2046. Being involved with the incident on March 16, 2046, which involved P.E.R. kidnapping you, a raid upon the P.E.R. by H.L.F., and The Honorable Princess Luna. Most disturbing of all, a raid on the H.L.F. headquarters in New York on your own volition, where you used your son as a hostage in order to obtain ease of access into the building which took place on March 29, 2046. Then there is the unknown probable psychological damages of a young colt having a human for a father. Documentation of these events are included in the second page of this letter.
It is due to such events that we have decided to investigate whether or not you are a fit enough parent for Azure Wind. We have attached a paper with the date and time we will be having an Caretaker stopping by.
For The Foals,
Caretaker Philharmonic
John put the letter behind the other paper and hurriedly looked at the appointment. It was on the fifth, today was the third. They’d be here in just two days. John looked around the apartment, the entire place looking like a storm blew through it. It was completely trashed from two days ago when PER burst in.
God damn you Gray. First, you try to take my humanity. That upset me. Then you send goons after my money. I was angered, I worked hard for that money. But now? Now you are after my son. And that’s just too far. John lit a cigarette and swore under his breath. He had work to do.
----------------------------------------------Two Days Later-----------------------------------------------
John Norris rubbed his bandaging absent-mindedly. He surveyed the nigh spotless living room, making sure it was perfectly clean. He doubled checked that the new iron door was secured on it hinges. Like Fort Knox. Filth and deficiencies would not do on this most important day. Today he was being examined by Child Services.
There were many reasons why John was nervous. The PER and the HLF both attacked his home three days ago, a week ago, he raided the HLF HQ and before that he was captured by the PER and almost forcibly ponified. And that was just what they would know about, not mentioning the time he broke a Wonderbolt’s wing in a show, accidentally of course, and it’d be hard for someone to prove it. The bungee jumping. And recently, the acid he gave Azure, as well as he himself taking a bullet in his upper left arm.
He had cleaned the large apartment to the point where it was completely immaculate. John checked his watch. One hour remained. He had no idea how to say what needed to be said, but it was time to talk to Azure.
John made his way up the stairs to Azure’s room. John paused at the door to take a deep breath. He stepped into the room. It was the same as always, with the exception that his new Spitfire poster was up in the wall. The pegasus colt was snoozing peacefully, the light from the window playing across his body. It made John’s heart sink at the prospect of losing him; the only thing that really mattered to him anymore.
John moved silently and delicately across the room to the bed. He knelt down to his son, who appeared to be having a lovely dream judging by the look of content on his face. Reaching out, he put his hand on Azure’s shoulder and gently woke him. “Azure… We need to talk.”
The young pony awoke slowly, yawning and rubbing his eyes with one of his hooves. “Whahuh? What’s happening then?” His voice slightly groggy. Azure stretched out his hooves, arching his back and rotating his neck.
“Do you want to stay here? With me?” John asked, there was a tinge of sorrow that leaked into his voice.
Azure was made awake by the serious tone. “Dad, what’s going on?”
John sighed. “Azure, the equivalent of child services is going to be here in about fifty five minutes. They are here to see whether or not I’m a fit enough parent to keep you. They think I‘m bad for you because of how many times you and I have been in danger.” He explained.
Azure was silent for a moment, “And what if they decide you’re not a good parent? What happens then?”
“They take you away from me. You won’t see me again. They’ll give you to some other family to live with.” He explained, tone of sorrow in his voice.
Azure appeared downcast for a moment, then angry. “You’re my dad. The only one I have. The only one I will ever have. I will refuse.” He stomped his hoof on the last statement for emphasis, against the mattress.
John gave a half hearted laugh then said, “Well, neither of us really have a choice. Its up to the agent from the Equestrian Foal Services. So here’s what I need. First and foremost, follow my lead. Whatever I say, play off it. Second, they know about the HLF HQ thing we did last Friday. I have no idea how to play that one off, so I’m going with a ‘my bad’ thing. Claiming temporary lack of judgment, as my best friend was in trouble. So remember, you were okay with it. Third, don’t bring anything up like the bungee jumping incident. For both our sakes. Finally, think before you say something. ‘How will this look to someone who knows nothing about the situation?’ Can you handle all that Azure?”
Azure nodded three times in acknowledgement. “Got you loud and clear. Follow your lead and don’t say nothing stupid!” Azure beamed, then added, “Don’t worry, you’re a great dad. Just a tad nontraditional. I’m proud to call you my father.” and nuzzled the large human’s leg.
John smiled weakly at the young pegasus. “Heh. Thanks kiddo. I’m proud to call you my son.”
Almost instantly, Azure’s eyes lit up. “You called me son.” he said, looking up at John in wonder.
John wore a confused look for moment, “Why is that a big deal?”
Azure was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe John never noticed. “That was the first time you said, acknowledged, or otherwise called me your son.”
John humphed at this. “Really now. How quaint. I should get on saying that more then, shouldn’t I?” John checked his watch. Twenty minutes remained. Twenty measly minutes until some stranger decided his fate. It’s not enough, John thought, but would any amount be sufficient? Better to get it over with than prolonging.
John informed Azure of the proximity of the visit and instructed the pegasus to meet him in the living room shortly. He headed down to unlock the door and put some fresh black tea out on the main coffee table, as he used to when he entertained guests on a more regular basis. He took out a small bag of sugar as well and placed it next to the large pitcher.
He looked over the whole set up of the living room. It was satisfactory, it looked and felt like the loving home it was. John just prayed that the Foal Services agent would think so as well.
His phone rang. Picking it up John answered, “Hello?’
The voice on the other end replied, “Hi, this is Sweetie Pop, the receptionist. Are you expecting a visit from Foal Services, Mr. Norris?”
“Why in fact I am. Send him up.” John could hear Sweetie Pop and the Foal Services agent make a short exchange, though he couldn’t make out the details. “He’ll be right with you Mr. Norris.” The phone clicked as she hung up, John reciprocated the act.
John slouched just slightly into the couch. Azure came down shortly. A minute or two later, a hollow, ringing knock came from the iron door. The pair shot a look at the sound. The Foal Services agent was here. John’s judgment had begun.
John got up and opened the door, revealing a purple unicorn with a jet black mane and tail, his cutie mark a band-aid. He had a clipboard and a pen magically suspended in front of him. The unicorn spoke without looking up from the clipboard. “Hello Mr. Norris, I am Caretaker Obsidian, but you may call me Obsidian if you wish. I am here on behalf of The Equestrian Foal Services, and I am to ask you and your son, Azure Wind, a few questions about some situations that have come to our attention, give you what could be equated to a personality quiz for your parenting, and then ask Azure some questions. Do you understand everything I just said?” Obsidian spoke dryly as though he was bored of saying the rehearsed lines.
“Yeah. Pretty simple really. Your interviewing me and my son to see what’s up.” John shrugged. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
“Yes.” The unicorn spoke with contempt, “I’m here to see ‘what’s up’ with you and your son.” Obsidian walked into John’s condo, taking notes as he looked around. He made his way to an armchair and sat down. “Now Mr. Norris, if you would, I like to get started. In your own words, explain your involvement with the incident on March 16, 2046.”
John sat down on the couch Azure occupied on the opposite corner. He took a silent deep breath, in… and out… Then John started. “I had been monitoring the levels of food, snacks and various other supplies as per usual, and had noticed that it was time to restock the pantries and the storage. I went up stairs to check on my son, who was asleep at the time, then I left a note with an explanation of my whereabouts including a full five point contingency plan and some emergency contacts.”
“I left the condo penthouse at eight pm. I had two thousand five hundred bits with me so that I may stock up on the needed supplies. I arrived at the grocery store, exited my truck, and proceeded inside. I was asked for assistance from a greeter who worked there to push my carts. I usually have about two to three carts full of groceries, being one man, I require help.”
“After finishing grocery shopping, I loaded up my truck. Upon entering said vehicle I noticed that the headlights had been illuminated during my time in the store, my battery having been drained. I locked up the vehicle and proceeded to walk home, as there are no more auto services really, so I could get my trickle charger.”
“Well walking home I was approached by a Mr. Gray Crusader. We had a brief conversation about PER and ponfication, then one of his thugs bucked me in the back of the head without provocation. I think it is worth noting that Gray Crusader is also the one who filed this case. Just a thought. “
“I woke up approximately thirty hours later. I was strapped to stretcher where he tried to forcibly ponify me. I was able to distract him enough with both wit and humor to escape my bonds and throw the potion back at him. The HLF found me and before I could even think what they’d do to me, the night exploded. I believe you call her Princess Luna, but she looked more like a nightmare shrouded in the infinite darkness and light of space.
“Then I ran. I ran all the way back here. That’s pretty much what happened.” John finished.
Obsidian scribbled just a few more notes, and then read off the next question. “Okay then, can you explain what occurred on April 1, 2046?” He magically flipped to a new page in the note book.
The event was fresh in his head. “Four days ago late in the morning, there was an loud explosion outside of my apartment. It turned out the noise was from of one of those teleporting jets exiting its jump here. Some people and ponies broke through my door, which I’m still a bit angry about, being that my granddad carved it out. Anyways, they burst in and say that they’re some sort of government elite guard.
“About thirty or forty minutes later, I get a room call for a package. I wasn’t expecting a package so the really buff cowboy one, Hawk I think his name was, took my place. Then I don’t know, apparently some mess happened with a giant spider downstairs. My neighbor, Breezy Fields, came knocking at my door in a panic.
“Unbeknownst to me, he was panicking due to being held hostage by seven PER members. The result of four unicorns blowing down my door wasn’t very fun at all. I was knocked down and out by a few of them. I was told Azure tried to help me. One of the unicorns picked him up and put him in a sack with magic. Not a second too soon, the female that was with the first group came in and blew them all to oblivion. Nothing of note really happened after that. I had some ponies clean up the bodies, set in a new carpet, and install a new door. Fortunately, the Princesses and the President gave me a blank check for my troubles to get the place fixed up. I had a talk with Azure about it, and he seemed to take it very well. Even the death of his mother, as tragic as it was, had logic applied to it to ease the pain.” John really needed a cigarette at this moment, but suppressed the need best he could, it just wouldn’t do to light up with his son right there and the agent watching.
Obsidian jotted down some notes and read the main atrocity of parenting that John had committed. “Now, the most disturbing of all these. Can you even explain what occurred on March 29th?”
John dreaded the coming of this question. He swallowed nervously. He needed this combination of omissions, lies, and sorrys to work. “A long time ago I got mixed up in a bad incident. I was a stupid kid. One of my friends got me out of it, and I owed him for life. He was captured by the Human Liberation Front. So, he called in the favor.
“Was it the best idea I had to bring my son along? No. But I was unable to find a babysitter and like hell I was leaving him here alone. So I brought him along. I threw the truck into autopilot, we talked about various things and then took a nap.
“Upon arrival I decided that it would be easier to gain access to the dungeon area with a ‘prisoner’. I asked Azure if he was okay with it and he said yes. I did not expect the alarm. We were both lucky that my poor decisions and rasher actions did not claim our lives.” John finished, perhaps too soon.
The Unicorn gave him an intense look, as if he was trying to gauge the sincerity in John. “Well then,” he spoke, breaking his gaze, “I have a few situations to present to you, then I will speak to Azure, and then I will make my final assessment.”
“Shoot.” John replied.
Obsidian read off the first question, “Your foal comes home and has been bullied at school. What do you do?”
“I’d teach him to fight like my dad taught me, and he his, and so on and so forth. So he can stick up for himself.” John said with sincerity.
“Interesting.” The unicorn jotted down the answer. “You are going through your foal’s room and find something unsavory. Let’s say drug paraphernalia. What do you do?”
“Well, I’d probably confront him about it and go from there. I'll do what I can to help him through it if he’s doing drugs. In all honesty, I really believe he has enough sense to avoid that altogether though.” John shrugged.
“Alright, fair enough. Last one for you. Your foal comes home with a, ahem, very close friend. They are of the same gender. What do you do?” Obsidian asked, ready to scribe John’s reaction.
“Well. If he really does swing that way, I’d just be happy as long as it’s a serious love-based relationship. It’s hard enough to find it as is.” John shrugged.
“Okay. Well then, I will have to ask you to leave the room so I may speak to young Azure privately. I will call you down when we are done.” The unicorn motioned towards the staircase with his hoof as he shuffled through papers with magic. John solemnly nodded and walked up the stairs. He went into his room and flopped onto the large bed.
Well, nothing to do but wait... A minute passed. Then another. Five minutes. Ten minutes. What’s going on down there? Why is it taking so long? Oh god, did Azure talk? Did he slip up? No. Must. Remain. Calm. Fifteen. Twenty. Twenty five. “Holy fuuuckk...” He sighed out loud. Just before it hit the half hour mark, he heard Obsidian holler for him. Popping up, he went down to the living room.
Obsidian spoke up, for the first time his attention wasn’t divided in slightest. “Why don’t you have a seat over there?” He motioned towards the couch opposite him and Azure, who had a troubled look on his face. John complied. “Mr. Norris, you are a danger to yourself and your son. I am sorry to say this but... I have no choice. Azure Wind must come with me. If you would Azure, please go pack your things.”
Everything stopped. The universe froze in place. Time refused to budge. Reality shattered. No. The simplistic thought reverberated against the nothingness where John’s heart used to be. He had just found a reason to continue living, only to have it torn away. Azure looked down as he moved slowly to the staircase and up it. John spoke up, “What do I have to do?”
“Excuse me?” Obsidian replied.
“You want bits? You can have all of them. You want goods, name it and it’s yours. You want my condo? Have it. My father’s M4. Take it. You want my humanity? Give me the damn potion and I’ll do it right now. Power? I can get that. Fame? It’d be at your doorstep. Anything. Everything. Just name it. Just... Just don’t take my son, he’s the only thing I have left.” John, the wealthy, tall, prideful human was fighting back tears. He never felt so small before.
“Are you really willing to give up absolutely everything for your son? Even though you have put him in danger inadvertently and on purpose?” Obsidian queried.
“He is my everything. I just wallowed here alone until he came along. I never even left my room except to stock on food. My son is my life. I’ve made mistakes, but who hasn’t? Please don’t take him from me.” John’s voice was starting to crack as much as his heart had.
Then something happened out of left field. Obsidian smiled and proclaimed happily, “You passed.”
“What?” John asked in utter confusion.
“Though it is true that Azure is in danger here by being your son, you being a high profile target and all. I discerned from what he told me and your reaction right now that you’d never harm him truly on purpose, and that you really do love him as your son.”
“What?” John was still in shock from the immense change of demeanor.
“It was a test Mr. Norris.”
“What.” This time anger seeped into his voice.
“Please Mr. Norris,” Obsidian said in a calm tone, “I do not like taking foals away from their sires. We at Foal Services do everything to try and make sure that they may keep their children, as long as they truly mean well. From what you and young Azure said, it’s quite obvious that you two have a healthy, mayhaps odd, relationship. Of course there are few things that have come to my attention that need addressing.”
John was making a slow recovery back into normalcy. “O...kay...”
Obsidian appeared oblivious. “First, it seem young Azure is not currently enrolled in school. That needs to be addressed. Second, enrollment in a public school should take care of it, but he should spend time with foals his age. Third, Mr. Norris, Foal Services is a little reluctant to the fact that you are human while he is an impressionable young pegasus colt. We are weary of the psychological effects of such. Though I cannot force such a decision upon you, I urge you on the behalf of Foal services to get ponified. For your son’s sake. That’s all I have. I will be checking to make sure he gets enrolled within the week.” Obsidian got up to walk out the door, thanking John for his time before he left.
John sat in silence for a good while. Azure came back down the stairs and sat on the seat he occupied before leaving. The air was thick with a myriad of emotions. After what felt like a small eternity, Azure spoke up. “Sorry dad. He told me to play along.”
John got up and moved over to sit by Azure and answered slowly, “It’s alright Azure. You did good.” Then a smile crept onto John’s face. “So I guess your ass is mine then.”
Azure laughed weakly and nuzzled against his father, “Forever and a day, you sack of hay.”
_________________________________________________________________NOTES:
Wow. I love this part yet despise myself for putting them through such emotional turmoil. It was emotionally racking to me to write this.
Fun stuff to write this thing here. But it can be troubling. The story is starting to end. I COULD finish the main AAF in 2/3 parts and an epilouge. I have 6/7 planned not including epilouge.
What’s that? When did that wonderbolt thing happen? That’s lost chapters material.
As always, thoughts, concerns, ideas, what you’d like to see. Just want a cameo? Post ‘em in the current TCB thread or email me at KrassMcWriter@gmail.com.