An Azure Future

by Krass McWriter


Part 12

An Azure Future pt. 12

John was flying over open fields, multi-colored ants, ponies, were down beneath him. There were pegasi flying lower than John, if by just a few hundred meters. John banked right towards abstract mountains with peaks that soared out of sight. I REALLY need to teach Azure... was the sole thought that passed through his head, an odd one with his present situation considered.

John came upon the mountain, it was as contorted and as strange as it seemed from afar. He hovered at its side and craned his neck upward, straining to see the peak. The mountain rose out of sight. He stretched his wings and flew upwards. Time endless passed, the cloud floor seemed miles below. Then there was a nothingness, the world was black. All that remained was the never ending mountain and John. Untold ages passed as John finally reached the summit.

Upon the mountain was a castle with a stylized sun and moon on it. The royal palace, John recognized, or at least A royal palace. John folded his wings and walked inside. Upon two thrones sat the twin goddesses of sun and moon. He bowed and they nodded acknowledging the act.

 “John, I have long wondered when I would see you.” The room shook as the white one spoke. After a few moments, the vibrations failed to diminish but instead began to grow in intensity. Colossal boulders fell from the roof as the palace began to collapse from the earthquake. John went into full panic, spinning in place and bounding for the exit as a large piece of the ceiling denied him his leave.

John’s eyes dashed from side to side in a panic, searching for any way out. He looked back to where the divine entities sat but a few moments before, but was instead greeted by two empty thrones. He could swear he hear Azure’s voice in what seemed to be his final moments.

Then John woke up.

The first thing he noticed was he was being shaken quite violently. The second thing was that an all too familiar pegasus was severely violating his personal space. As he woke up more and regained audio processing, he felt the shouting.

“Dad, c’mon! C’mon! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! She’s coming over TODAY! And we haven’t prepared AT ALL!”

John begrudgingly regained his senses and checked his watch. “Azure, you have approximately five seconds to explain why in god’s name I am awake at five in the morning.”

“DADFORRESTMINTISCOMINGANDWEHAVENTEVENGOTTENEVERYTHINGREADYANDIFSHECOMESANDITSLIKETHISWHA-” The pegasus machine-gunned, only to be cut off by John holding his muzzle shut.

“Azure. She’s not due til six o’clock. In the afternoon. I am going back to bed. If you wake me up, I will give you immediate flight lessons by tossing you out the window.” John turned over and pulled the sheets over his head. A few short moments later, he was off to a dreamless sleep.

Azure sat there for a few moments considering various options. After a while, he chose what seemed to be the best one. He wiggled under the blanket and curled up to his snoozing dad, taking care not to wake him, then proceeded to drift off on his own.

_________________________________


The pair woke up at about three thirty in the afternoon, the early rising negating all previously gathered sleep. Mornings, if they could be called that, were usually silent affairs. John went to the bathroom and then proceeded to the kitchen, where he microwaved a precooked meal for himself. Azure came into the kitchen in time to see John snag a pre-made salad in a bag, and rip it in half over a bowl, pouring out the green contents. Azure sighed. It was going to be another one of THOSE days.

Their meal passed silent and uneventful. “So, what in god’s name did you want to prepare anyways?” John ask as he policed the remains of the late breakfast.

The pegasus ran an azure hoof through its dark steely mane as it puzzled over the question. “I... don’t really know. Maybe plan some stuff to do? I never had a sleep over before.”

“Huh. No shit. Hmmm...” John trailed off into thought. “How about... some movies, a video game or two, maybe even something like truth or dare... I don’t know.”

“Hm... That could work...” said Azure while tapping his muzzle. The pair were locked in thought until a furious rapping at the door interrupted them. The time was checked and grim news was delivered. It was four forty-two, Forest Mint had arrived.

"Quickly, to the door!" John shouted as he mounted and jumped over the counter separating the kitchen and the living room. He bolted across the floor to the door and threw in open inwards. A familiar gray pegasus with an eye patch partially covering a scar over his left eye accompanying a forest green unicorn filly awaited him.

"Is this young Azure's residence?" Thunder Storm leered at the human.

"Uh, I guess you can say that..."

Thunder snorted, “I will be leaving Lady Forest at this residence for her planned ‘sleep over’ with young Azure.” The battle scarred guardian intensified his glare. “If any harm comes to her, HUMAN, nothing good will come of it. I assure you.”

“Oh c’mon Thundie, give it a break.” The filly interjected.

Once more, the pegasus snorted. He then proceeded to do what was either a deep nod or a shallow bow and took his leave. The unicorn filly was noticeably absent of any kind of luggage. I guess they don’t need extra clothes... 

“Hey Azure, what are we doing first?” Forest mint asked seductively, walking by Azure and brushing her tail underneath his muzzle. The simple action sprung Azure’s wings all the way up as they quivered in place. What is WRONG with this filly?

“I-uh, I... have... uh...” Azure stammered, trying desperately to to regain control of his stiff wings and blushing furiously.

Forest giggled, not helping Azure’s situation at all. “How about we watch some cartoons, hm?”

“That uh, that sounds... nice.” Azure was finally regaining control of himself.

“So, I guess I’ll leave you kids alone then. If you need me, holler. I’ll probably check up on you from time to time throughout the night.” John informed, before turning and going upstairs. He went up the spiral staircase and into his personal room. He booted up his computer and the security system.

On one monitor he had the internet, on the other the security system output. Azure and Forest were watching cartoons. Seemed innocent enough. John zoomed in and enable audio. “...is that scary dude with you all the time for?” Azure asked over the cartoon.

“Hm? Oh Thunder Storm? He’s just my body guard.” Came the dismissive awnser.

This of course only confused Azure further. “Why in Luna’s name *chrzt* -odyguar- *chrzt*?”

“Shit!” Johns audio was cutting out. He played with the wires and when that failed, he checked the software. >Dammit. It’s the hardware. Bah, I'll get it in a moment.< John turned to the other monitor and started browsing the news.

>Let's see... Tabloid bullshit, tabloid bullshit, tabloid bullshit... 10 ways to get a firmer ass... fuck man, no wonder why ponies are getting so many sign ups. We do stupid fucking shit.< John typed in the url of site dedicated to the more serious side of news. >HERE we go. 'Two killed in HLF attack on Bureau' 'Despite threats renowned cellist announces third tour in US' 'Break-in at conversion Bureau, prototype zebra potion missing' 'HLF Reports mass Kidnapping' 'Mysterious jail break at HLF HQ. Hero Remains Unnamed' Heh, sweet. 'One man walks in, Six ponies walk out. The amazing story of Thomas Thail' What in gods name? Sounds stupid.< John refreshed the page to see if anything new had come in. Sure enough in big scarlet letters: 'BREAKING NEWS!: IHSA SAN DIEGO HUMAN STRONGHOLD ATTACKED BY PER WITH WEAPONIZED POTION!' John clicked immediately.

"DAAAD!" a voice wailed from downstairs. John swore under his breath; he'll have to read it later.

>Fuck, San Diego is a just a short ride south of here...< He thought as he went down the stairs, the broken security audio forgotten.

"What ya need Azure?" John asked, a little annoyed.

"Can we talk in the kitchen?" The pegasus asked, looking pleadingly up at the human.

John sighed. "Alright. Fine." The azure colt jumped off the couch elicitin a look of half curiousity from the filly accompanying him.

Once in the kitchen Azure started flipping out. "HOLY SHIT DAD, SHE SAID SHE LIKES ME! WHAT DO I DO?!"

John blinked a few times, dumbfounded. "What did you do?"

"I called you!" Azure exclaimed.

John's hand met his face. "What is WRONG with you? GET IN THERE AND MAKE OUT! Before its too late!" John picked Azure up and tossed him carefully into the living room.

 The colt made his way over to the couch, shaking the whole time. He jumped up on the couch. "Uh... Hey, Forest..."

The deep green unicorn filly took the nervous colt by surprise and cyan was made as blue met green. Azure pushed back after inital shock left. The kiss lasted a moment longer before they parted. "Took you long enough."

Good for Azure but damn if she doesn't work fast. they’ve only known each other for about two weeks. I’ve heard a lot about how ponies are ‘better’ but I never thought relationships was part of the deal. Or maybe its just her. I’m definitely going to have to look into this later... Maybe the PER attack is on the news, I should check.

John walked into the living room and sat on the opposite side of Azure. "You two lovebirds mind if I put the news on?" The two were lost in each other. John changed the channel. Just as he hoped, the article he saw upstairs was on TV.

"We are now on scene where the group PER has utilized an aerolized form of ponification serum to forcibly convert the west coast IHSA stronghold!" There behind the unicorn reporter was San Diego University covered in a thick purple crowd. The area was alive with commotion and spectators. The pony counterparts of firemen, police, and various other emergency were running about doing god knows what.

The news caught the attention of the ponies on his couch. John thought he heard Forest murmur something. She seemed worried about something. “The western US installation of the International Human Survival Association has been reported to contain about ten thousand humans. All of whom have been victimized this evening.” The newspony had a genuine look of concern, worry and horror.

"This coming in, Princess Celestia is going to speak on this attack! We go live to Canterlot." The screen now displayed a familar royal visage upon the balcony of which she made a majority of her speeches.

"My little ponies and remnants of the Human race, I am here before you today due to the genocide committed by a terrorist organization comprised of our own people." The alicorn wore an ageless, undefinable expression.

"Ten years ago, our kind extended a helping hoof to the human race. They had war. They had most of their own kind starving and impoverished. Asking a human for what to us are simple generosities would more often end in violence than kindness. Pollution was beginning to choke their world.

“We offered them solace when they needed it most. We offered to take away their poverty, their war, their overly violent nature, and heal their planet. But sadly, mankind was found to be incompatible with the magicks inside Equestria.

“We were determined to save our neighbouring sentient species despite this. If they could not survive as humans, perhaps they could still survive... as one of our own. We worked hand in hoof with them to create ponification serum in hopes of a better future for mankind.

“Today, the purity that the serum held has been vandalized. Today the choice that was always upon the humans was taken away from ten thousand nine hundred sixty three of them in the greatest act of terrorism ever known to us. The serum was weaponized, aerolized and without any sedative, and some did not make it trough the conversion process, while others suffered from dreadful mutations and defects. A heartbreaking majority were rendered mentally unsound from the process.”

The ageless monarch’s face shifted from a sadden expression to one John nor the rest of the world had yet to see on the princess, an expression of pure fury. “It is for the victims of this attack that I, Princess Celestia of Equestria, herby swear that the all members, former or current, of PER shall know no mercy nor peace, and that they WILL be brought to justice!” The TV switched back to the newspony who continued to cover on-site. John changed the channel back to Azure’s cartoon, some action filled filth with no real plot called Yellowstone.

“Well, shit.” An expected response from the unexpected source of Azure.

“Azure! Watch your language!” John shouted as fatherly as he could.

“You cuss all the time!” Was the retort.

“Azure, we both know its far too late for me, save yourself.”

The only other being in the room was being oddly silent. A fact noticed by Azure, "Hey, are you alright Forest?" He asked putting a hoof on her shoulder.

Forest looked around, everywhere except John and Azure. "I.. I'm alright... I'll be fine..."

"Cool, I'll get some snacks and show y'all a real cartoon." John proclaimed a he turned to the kitchen. He rifled through the drawers and grabbed some vegetarian snacks and a bag of beef jerky for himself.

Azure met his father on the way back to the couch. "Dad, I think she's actually in some emotional turmoil."

"What? You heard her, she's fine. Don't worry about it. C'mon, it adventure time." John finished his journey to the living room. Upon returning he booted up the old Blu-Ray player and inserted a disc. "This was my dad's favorite when he was young and one of my favorites too."

The disc booted and the cartoon played. John slouched out of relaxation into the couch on its right most seat.

"What am I watching?" Azure asked, slightly disturbed.

"Adventure."

"That dosen't awnser the-"

"No buts, ADVENTURE."

"I didn't even say-"

"Ad. Venture."

Having long ago realizing the futility of ever debating anything with his father using real logic, Azure gave up. John was John. Instead he leaned against Forest. "Sorry, my dad gets a little weird sometimes." There was no reply. "Are you worried about your dad?" This time a slight nod. "He'll be fine, don't worry about it." A faint smile.

"Thanks Azure. I needed that." The deep green unicorn relaxed and went back to enjoyin the date, regardless of the unexpected intteruption.

There was a furious rapping at the door, one that would be associated with anger, panic, or eccentricity of the person at the door.

 John, Azure and Forest all turned at the queer sound with a single simple collective thought: >Who?<

The rapping came again, harder and faster than before. This time however, it was accompanied by a someone shouting, "Open up! Forest! Its your dad!"

>I know that voice...< John got up with a look as if he had just entered the twilight zone. He walked to the door. The persistent pounding of fate itself came once more, more savage than before. John opened the door of destiny.

There on the otherside of the doorway was an all too familiar gray unicorn. The world froze in place for the pair.

"Gray."

"Norris."