Chapter One: The Beginning of The End before a New Beginning

A/N: Welcome to the final story in the Big Cheese Saga! Please don't ask for a recap. This is over two years of writing. If this is your first time reading, I can't help you. It's got WAAAY too much backstory. I'd recommend at the very least checking out "The Purge Part One", where I do a very huge recap.

Okay, this story has two very big surprises. Both were supposed to be near the end, but I decided to put one of the surprises in this first chapter. Why? Well, I remember how I handled Nick and Judy being shocked at the whole"Hawks invading Bunnyburrow" bit in "Sacrifices" and it took a lot of plot convenience for them not to know earlier and this particular surprise would be all over the news, so I realized there's no way for Nick and Judy to avoid it to the very end. So, the surprises (well, a surprise and a big plot twist, OH! And another fun surprise. I almost forgot) book end each other a little.

Just an FYI, while I do have plans for some future stories, I'll be taking time off from my Zootopia cannon to work on an original work I hope to turn into a humorous, young adult novel. The fact is, these last two years were a way for me to sharpen my teeth before I sink in to my own original work. I hope those of you who stuck by enjoy this hopefully-not final tale from me for awhile. I have some ideas for other stories, but I'll mention them after the epilogues. For now, enjoy the show!...Or story...Or...whatever.

P.S. I apologize for jumping too much from scene to scene. This chapter's got a lot to take in.

Late at night atop a tall building in Zootopia

Judy was resting on Nick's chest as he was lying on the floor. They were both bleeding badly. Nick's stitches were open and bleeding under his vest while Judy's right leg was all but gone.

"We...PANT! PANT!...We held out as best we could Carrots." Nick said.

Judy was fighting through the pain. "Don't...UNNNGH!...Don't say that Nick! We'll make it!"

"Heh!...You and that blasted optimism. Look at our situation. Our enemies are either dead or unconscious, the door over there is locked. We tried calling and the ambulances are all busy. They'll never make it to us in time. I'm bleeding out. It won't be long until I finally meet my grandparents."

It was then that they heard a loud banging on the door. "Hey boss! Are you okay?! What's going on?!"

"Oh great!" Judy said. "It must be more of Rusev's goons." She looked at her dart gun. "Only got one more. I can't fight Nick! I'm sorry!"

Nick put his arm around the bunny he loved. "I love you Judy...You've been the best thing to happen to...me."

Nick then passed out which panicked Judy. "No Nick! No! Stay with me!"

The door was finally kicked open. Judy aimed her gun and fired.

6:45pm at the ZPD

"Nick! Judy! You're here! Said an excited Francine. "I'll inform chief Swinton. Who's that?"

"Big Ears." Nick replied.

"One of the head bosses?! You guys are amazing! Did you hear about the elections?"

"Not now." Nick replied. "We got a busy night ahead of us."

"I'd hardly call myself a boss." Finnick replied. He then looked up at Nick as the guards came to take him away. "Well...guess this is it."

Nick gave him a pat on the back. "I promise I'll visit you. Good luck old man."

"I'm gonna need it." Finnick replied as the guards took him away.

Swinton came out in a very happy mood. "Judy! Nick! Excellent work in Bunnyburrow! How'd you get back so fast?"

"We took the train." Judy said. "No one was going into this city tonight, so there was no stops."

Nick then took over the conversation. "Chief, we have it on good authority that Rusev will be busting out tonight."

Swinton rolled her eyes. "EVERY prisoner's going to try and escape tonight. That's why we brought all officers back to the station and kept the cadets patrolling."

"You said they'd be accompanied by other officers!" Judy said in a panic.

"Times are desperate Judy! I'm almost out of guards. I need men here and patrolling. We're stretched thin. There's some good news. Lionheart has agreed not to leave his cell as long as the TV studio who called us gets to interview him and he can tell his side of the story."

"Do you believe him?"

"No. But it's our current best option to keep him here. The mayor is doing the dome ceremony near city hall in about ten minutes. Why don't you take nick with you on your motorcycle and help guard him?"

"Sounds good." Judy said.

Nick was still worried about Rusev. "Chief look at this drawing!"

Nick showed Swinton Cotton's drawing. "Well that's horrifying!" the pig said.

"My daughter drew it. She can see into the future. This is why it's crucial to keep Rusev in or else, he's going to kill me!"

"I assure you Nick, we are doing everything in our power to make sure he doesn't get out. Now, go with Hopps. At least you can keep a distance from him."

"C'mon Nick!" Judy said. "We'll get us some bulletproof vests and restock on ammo."

"Sounds like a good plan." Nick replied. "Then, let's get your bike and get going."

Nick headed with Judy as the news crew came by. A very tiny news crew. "Excuse me, Miss Swinton?"

Swinton looked down. "PLEASE don't tell me you're the news crew."

"We sure are! Said the mouse. WRDT News! We're the only ones brave enough to cover this."

"Well, you've got to be REAL brave."

"If Mr. Lionheart wants the city to love him again, he wouldn't think of hurting me."

"You better pray he doesn't." Swinton replied.

In the meantime, Judy and Nick made it to the armory. "Here you go!" said officer Curly. A pig. "One kevlar vest for Nick, your standard dart guns with extra ammo AND tranq grenades."

Judy looked happy. "Oh! These are new!"

"We have you two to thank for them! Hans created them as a counter to the Nighthowler gas. It doesn't blow up, but instead puts out enough gas to knockout two elephants, but in the case of everyone being savage from Nighthowlers, it'll just knock them out momentarily. We also have a 9mm for you both."

"A live ammo gun? No. After the incident with the shotgun last week, I don't trust myself with bullet-bearing guns."

"I'll take one." said Nick.

Judy was surprised. "Really?"

"I'm trying to protect myself as much as possible given our situation."

Judy just shrugged her shoulders. "Okay."

The pig wasn't done. "Oh! One more thing for you Judy. This came in the mail for you."

Curly handed Judy a small rod. "What is it?"

"It's an extendable bo staff. Whoever sent it said you were good with that weapon. Sorry for opening it, but right now, we're checking all packages that come in for anything deadly. Here's the note that came with it."

Judy read the note. "Family have to watch out for one another, like you watched out for me last Friday. Here's a little something to protect yourself. Love, M.B."

"M.B.?" Nick asked.

Judy whispered to him. "Mr. Big!"

"Oh."

Judy took a good look at the rod. "I can't wait to try this out! What does this button do?"

She pressed the middle button and the rod quickly extended into a long pole. It barely missed Nick, but it hit curly in the chest, knocking him into the shelves behind him. "OOF!"

Judy was embarrassed. "Sorry! Sorry! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Well. At least I know the vest works good...ow."

Meanwhile, back at the Hopps family farm...

Cotton was still crying and panicking. "BAAA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-AAAHHH!"

Spots was holding her tight. "Stop bleating! It'll be okay!"

"No it won't! My drawings always come true!"

"Yeah. For the last couple of days it started up, Mom and Dad know the truth now! They can prevent it!"

"NO THEY CAN'T! BAAA-A-A-A-A-A-A-...errrf...urrgg.."

"What are you doing?"

Cotton cried so hard, she barfed on Spots. "BBUAAARRGH!"

The vomit was all over Spots chest. "Oh gross! Let's get you to the bathroom!"

As Spots was carrying Cotton to the bathroom, Michael started to follow. "I heard you guys! Mommy's not gonna die is she?!"

"She only drew a drawing of her leg bleeding. Last week, if she drew a picture of me getting my foot bit off by the hawk, you'd assume I was gonna die, right?!"

"...Yeah?"

"But I was okay! Sure,.I lost my foot, but I still kicked ass in the end and your mom and Gideon killed that hawk."

"Mr. Gray got stabbed real bad and has to use a walker."

"...Guys! I'm trying okay?!"

Spots held Cotton's head up while she barfed in the toilet and Michael kept asking questions. "Are you saying we shouldn't worry?!"

"No! It's just...I don't want you to worry until you barf like Cotton here. Look, step out, let me wash my shirt and clean up Cotton. Then, I'll call mom and dad again. And don't tell Petey and Cindy okay?! I want them to have a nice night tonight."

Michael thought of it for a moment. "Well...okay. But hurry!"

Spots took off her shirt and washed off the vomit under the shower. "Are you okay now?"

"No." Cotton replied. "I don't want daddy and mommy to die!"

"Neither do I! I'm worried about them too, but I can't do anything! I feel so useless! He shouldn't try to attack Rusev just because of me! Don't you worry, I'll call them. Now, let me clean you up. Phew! You got barf breath!"

Cotton giggled as Cotton cleaned her with a wash cloth and tried to soothe her. "I wuv my widdle barfy baby girl! ...There you go! Now, go see Michael and go get yourself a mint!"

Cotton left the bathroom and Spots took a hair dryer to her shirt. While doing so, she called Nick and Judy once again. "Mom! Dad! Are you there?!"

"Right here honey!" Nick replied. "Me an Judy are gonna help guard the mayor at the dome ceremony. Ummm...why are you topless? You better not be flirting with James again!"

"No! Cotton got so worried and cried so hard that she barfed all over me thanks to that damn drawing!"

"...Oh."

"Dad...promise me you won't go after Rusev if he gets out."

"But he might go after..."

"PROMISE ME! I can't lose another set of parents to him!"

"Okay! Okay! Right now, I'm trying to keep my distance from him anyway. I don't want that future to happen as much as you don't. Besides...OH MY GOD!"

Spots got scared. "What?! What is it?!"

"Your mom's motorcycle! It's so cool! We gotta go. I love you Spots. Take good care of the kid okay?"

"Of course Dad."

"I mean it! Tonight, they're gonna be worried sick and they need you to comfort them."

"That's what I'm doing now!"

"Okay! Okay! Goodbye. We love you kids."

"We love you to. Take care okay? I mean, REALLY take care!"

"I will. I promise."

At the ZPD garage, Nick hung up the phone and went back to Judy who was on the motorcycle. "We need to get this bike to the farthest end of the parking lot while I warn Swinton."

"Warn her about what?!" Judy asked.

"I smell dynamite. Lots of it."

"Shit!" Judy cursed under her teeth as she drove the bike out of there as fast as she could with Nick holding on to her back.

Nick quickly got on the phone with Swinton. "Chief! There's dynamite in the garage! Tons of it! Keep everyone away!"

"Good work!" Swinton said. "Now hurry to the ceremony!"

Swinton turned to Krumpanski. "Who put all those explosives in the garage? They'd have to do it late at night and nobody has access then except...Wolf and Stein!"

"DDDUUURR! The video game?" Krumpanski asked.

"The mechanics! They've also been doubling as guards! They must be on Lionheart's side! We have to find them!"

Meanwhile, on a boat in the Rainforest district river...

Billy the lynx was making his way through the winding river down the middle of the Rainforest district. He was using his long paddle to push the boat through the narrow canal while inside, he was hiding precious cargo.

In between some crates marked "Gumbo Seasoning" was Zeke the hawk. He was hidden inside a large blanket as well and talking to his new friend, Croaker the frog.

" 'Tank ya for keeping me warm while going through Tundra Town man." said Croaker. "I gotta admit, I was very scared of you when you came on board. Even if Nick Wilde gave his blessing, you're one scary individual, no? But you've shown yourself to be a good man. But you have a heavy burden 'dere bro. I can feel it. Even if Billy can't"

Billy finally stopped the boat. "This is our stop. Get out." He said rudely.

Zeke took no offense. After the horrors he and his brother had done, it was natural for him not to be trusted. But the boat captain was an old friend of Nick Wilde and he owed the fox a huge gambling debt.

Zeke saw the giant tree the boat had led him to. He flew up to it and looked back. "You'll keep our agreement, yes?"

"Yes." Billy replied. "We'll wait here an unload our ACTUAL cargo. If you don't sneak back in by midnight or the dome goes down, we leave."

"Correct." Zeke said. "I must repent for my sins. Tonight, I will not end lives, but SAVE them. If it does not work out, I will turn myself in."

"I hope it doesn't turn out that way." Croaker replied.

"Me too." Zeke said back. "Farewell." He climbed further into the tree until he got to the very top. Under the shade of night, he flew off.

Meanwhile, at the Hopps family farm...

Spots came out of the bathroom and was looking for Cotton and Michael. "Hey! Were are you guys?!" she shouted.

Wiggly ran by, carrying Bean in a backpack. "Follow me miss...Hyena. They're in Michael's old room. His blood sisters got a surprise for us."

"Can you put me down?" Bean asked Wiggly. "I feel like Yoga from Star Boars."

Spots finally found Michael and cotton sitting on the edge of a bed. "There you two are!" She knelt down to hug them and whisper in their ear. "Remember what I said. Don't tell Petey and Cindy. They don't need to worry."

Some of Michael's sisters came into the room. "Okay you guys! Get ready to meet...the Wilde twins!"

Petey and Cindy stepped out in identical, black and pink dresses. They even wore the same poorly caked-on make up. They were both giggling.

They're significant others weren't sure what to think. "I dunno." said Wiggly. "They look pretty, but I like my Petey as a boy."

"I think their make up makes them look like clowns." Bean said.

"I bet you can't tell which is which!" said one of the sisters.

"Oh yeah?" said Michael. He looked over at Cotton with a smug grin. "Three..."

"Two..." Cotton replied. Knowing what Michael was thinking.

"...One." Spots finished.

Just like that, they let the secret out. "...SHIT!" Petey yelled. "Hi! I'm Cindy!" Cindy replied.

The sisters groaned. "Awww! You two ruined it! We were gonna do a sister act and a song and dance!"

This gave Spots an idea. "A sister act...I need something to distract them from worrying about mom and dad... THAT'S IT!"

"I like it!" Spots said. "I got an idea. Let's go down to the home theater and tonight, we have a talent show!"

Meanwhile, at ZPD Maximum Security Prison...

The guards were taking Finnick to his cell when some of the prisoners in their cells were taunting and insulting him. One bobcat leaned down to taunt him further. "Come over here short stuff! I'm gonna make the hole in your ass so big, it'll suck in planets!"

Finnick did not take kind to the bobcat's words. Finnick quickly took in the situation. He was close to the bobcat who was sticking his head out of the cell. He was also close to the guards nightstick. With his cuffed paws in front of him, the fennec fox knew that right now was a good time to make himself look like the top dog in the yard. So he quickly grabbed the guard's nightstick and took the long end and smashed it into the bobcat's mouth, gagging him and breaking some fangs in the process.

The bobcat was now scared out of his mind. "You think I'M your bitch motherfucker?!" Finnick yelled. "You're mine! Nobody fucks with Big Ears! Ya hear me?!"

The guards quickly pulled Finnick away and yanked the nightstick out of the bobcats mouth. The cat grabbed his muzzle and cried as he spat out blood. During this time, the other prisoners hooted and hollered. "YEEEAH! BIG EARS! BIG EARS! BIG EARS!"

They took Finnick by the holding cells for the Wilde boys. Then, he saw his target. Jake the fox who was surrounded by a few former Los Lobos gang members, now Wilde boys. "Wait! Stop!" Finnick said. "I'll take that cell. I need to talk to Jake."

One of the guards shoved Finnick down. "You don't get to decide where we take you!"

But then, the alarm and sound system went off. "Attention guards! Drop everything you're doing! We need to apprehend two guards. Wolf and Stein. Not the video game. They're needed for questioning immediately and are considered very dangerous!"

The guards heard that and uncuffed Finnick, then threw him in Jake's cell. "Looks like you got yer wish punk! We got better things to do." The guards then quickly ran off.

Finnick didn't get time to breathe before Jake snatched him up by the collar of his orange jumpsuit. "You want me punk?! Well, you found me! Better tell me what you want with me before me and the boys rip you to shreds!"

Meanwhile, in front of City Hall...

Judy parked the Baddy Buster in front of City Hall as they approached the mayor. Nick still loved the bike. "Y'know Fluff? I LOVE this ride! Maybe I won't retire from the force after all."

"I'd love for you to still be my partner!" Judy replied. "But I also want you to be your very best."

Nick and Judy approached the mayor as he was at the podium. He had two body guards on each side. "Officers Wilde and Hopps reporting for extra guard duty."

Mayor Trunk was furious at seeing Nick there. "YOU! You have a damn lot of nerve showing up here to 'protect' me!"

Nick was totally confused. "Me?! What'd I ever do to you?!"

"You know damn well! I should fire the new chief just for sending you here!"

Nick didn't understand what was going on. He talked to Judy. "Hey Carrots. You got any idea what this guy's problem is?"

"Not a clue!" she responded.

Nick thought about it for a moment. "Wait...did you lose the election?"

This only enraged Trunk more. "Wha-...you!...OF COURSE I LOST THE ELECTION! You must know that!"

"Ha! This is great! Bogo gets to keep his job! I'm so happy for him!"

"For him?! You mean you don't?...Oh my God." Suddenly, a group of cameramammals approached. "Fake new-...I mean, the press! Thank God! A chance to get some good press before I make my bid for governor next year. Then you'll be sorry Wilde!"

"What did I do to this guy?" Nick asked Judy again.

Cameras started snapping everywhere. "Mayor Trunk! How do you feel about your defeat tonight?!"

"It's fake news. FAKE NEWS! I demand a recount! Only an idiot wouldn't vote for me!"

"I didn't vote for you!" said someone in the crowd.

"Neither did I!" said another.

"A minority!" Trunk yelled, "Everyone who voted for me, please raise their paws or hooves or whatever!" Nobody raised their arms. "...Son of a bitch!"

The press was embarrassed for him. "Ummmm...okay. We're glad to see the new mayor elect is here. Why don't we get a few pictures of him standing next to the mayor."

"Here's here?!" Nick asked. "Great! I can't wait to meet him!"

The crowd started laughing their heads off. Nick was still confused as the press started napping photos.

"Carrots. Why are they taking photos if the mayor elect isn't here?"

Judy finally figured it out. "Sweet cheese and crackers! Nick? Could you ummm...stand a little closer to the mayor?"

"...Why?"

"Just do it."

Nick stood close to the mayor and in front of the mayor's warthog bodyguards. He noticed there was no other people around, but the cameras kept snapping.

"There they are!" said the photographer. "Mayor Trunk and our new mayor elect...Nick Wilde! Mr. Wilde, what do you have to say about what people are calling the most successful write-in campaign ever AND being the first fox mayor?!"

The press kept snapping pictures while Nick's jaw was agape. Open in pure shock.

"Mr. Wilde?...Any words?"

"...I...I didn't even run! WHAT THE FU-"

Judy quickly grabbed Nick's mouth to keep him from speaking. "Fudgecakes! He was gonna say fudgecakes!"