50 - Stop, Drop & Roll//Foley

-HEIST_OVER-

"A simple lot of thieves," Mr. Foley said, scowling at the three younger -former- Phantoms as they spoke to the Nora's parents. "Yet I couldn't match them."

"Sir," Navy said, pulling him up. "You needn't blame yourself."

"I should have done more research before sending you off to Ms. Lacombe," Navy insisted. "You could have died."

"Speak for yourself," Deanney disagreed. "If he hadn't tried to bash my skull in, none of this would have happened."

"Deanney is right, Navy," Mr. Foley said, taking his assistant's hand. His gestures had an air of finality to them that made it hard for him to pretend anymore. Even his body knew what was to come.

"Sir, what are you saying?" Navy asked as Mr. Foley clutched his assistant's right hand between both of his. Mr. Foley took a deep breath, taking in the magic of the moment. In the end, the Noiz had really given him a new future.

But instead of his coronation, it was his abdication.

"I'll be turning myself into the police after this," Mr. Foley said.

"Sir!" Navy shouted, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

"But I'm not leaving Paradox City's future to chance," Mr. Foley continued, swallowing hard. "Whilst I'm... away, you have to become mayor. Be the leader you were truly meant to be."

"I can't possibly take over," Navy insisted. Behind him, Mr. Foley could see the same SWAT officers they'd sent to the Allis home watching him. "I'm nowhere near good enough."

"I hate to admit this, kid," Deanney said. "But you're plenty good enough."

"Politics isn't a game of absolutes, Navinder," Mr. Foley said. "Even when you try to make it one, there will always be a force pushing against you."

He gestured towards Lea, unable to turn his head to the teenager who had bested him.

"Remember that, Navinder," he insisted, looking deeply into the eyes of a man that he'd almost killed, along with half of Paradox City. A man who had supported him for years, who had sacrificed his conscience at the foot of Mr. Foley's ideals.

It was the first time he saw the grave errors in his plan, but his heart still wouldn't accept defeat. In the end, it was best for him to go away, just like the Witch Maiden had.

"You needn't play fair, but you can't impose your ideals on others, either."

"Before I forget," Mr. Foley said. "Take care of that Phipps kid. It's seems he needs a good home."

"It's..." Navy began to say before hiccuping back a few tears. He'd accepted it all, the responsibility Mr. Foley had put on his shoulders. For that, Mick was glad.

"It's the least we can do," Navy said finally. "After what's transpired."

"Exactly," Mick said. "Now, I'm off."

"Goodbye, Mr. Foley," Navy said.

"Please, no need to be so formal," Mick said as he let go of Navy's hands and walking towards the police force. "Please come visit."

"I will, Mr. Foley" Navy said.

"Call me Mick," he said. Then he stopped in his tracks.

"Oh, and Ms. Lacombe?"

"Yes?" Deanney said loudly, clearly believing she'd been sidelined.

"I'll tell your father father you've gone on an extended vacation," he said sharply, using all the political charm he'd cultivated over the years. "Just until the statute of limitations on causing a supernatural calamity runs out."

"Thank you," she said.

"Now those are some good last words," Mr. Foley said with a smile.

It was all he could do not to make a break for it himself.