The Cankered Carrot Caper

A Zootopia Story

Judy Hopps inhaled the wonderful aroma of her mother's delicious chunky carrot stew. She held her spoon halfway between her plate and her mouth, savouring the scent with anticipation before finally taking a spoonful of rich homemade food.

Suppertime was always a happy occasion for the Hopps family. It was a brisk autumn evening in mid-October. There was a sharp nip in the air, the pumpkins were ripe and fat and apples weighed down the branches of their trees. Everyone was warm and cosy inside their lovely home, enjoying mother's hearty meal after a long day working on the farm.

"You've really outdone yourself, mom," said Judy, beaming at her mother from across the table as she took another spoonful of stew.

"You're too kind, sweetheart," said Bonnie Hopps with a motherly smile.

"So, how are things in the big ol' city, Jude?" asked Judy's father, Stuart Hopps.

"Same old same old, it's been quiet for the most part," said Judy. "We have a new friend in the Forensics Department. The coyote girl that we helped in August, remember?"

"Oh yes, during that incident with that crazy hypnotist and her cohort," said Bonnie.

"Yup," said Judy. "Her name is Amber. She's very sweet. And she's a total Nick Wilde fangirl," she added giggling. "I wouldn't be surprised if she owned his body pillow."

"What's a body pillow?" asked Stu.

"Oh, um... er..." Judy hesitated awkwardly.

"Mommy, can I have seconds?" piped up Judy's little sister, Bianca.

"Sure, honey," said Bonnie, taking her daughter's plate.

"That's my little girl," said Stu, giving Bianca a pat on the head. "A healthy appetite will give you lots of strength to help mommy and daddy on the farm."

"And if you have any doubts, just look at daddy," said Bonnie, giving her husband a playful smile.

Judy smiled, feeling a surge of love towards her dear family.

"So, what's a body pillow, Jude?" asked Stu, turning to her.

"Oh... ermmm..."

RIIIINNG! Their doorbell rang all of a sudden.

"I'll get it," said Stu, getting up from the table.

"Whew!" thought Judy. "Saved by the bell."

As Stu went to answer the door, Judy enjoyed the rest of her supper.

"So, I bet Nick is just tingling to come over for Christmas, isn't he, dear?" asked Bonnie, returning with Bianca's plate.

"Oh, he won't talk about anything else during break time," said Judy giggling. "He's getting a ten day leave, starting this Saturday and ending next Monday. Fortunately, it will coincide with the last week of mine. Then we're back on duty on the 31st, for the Halloween patrol."

"Your father is counting the hours, dear," said Bonnie. "He can't wait until Saturday to pick up Nick and tell him all about his cribbage night with the old boys."

"Oh, pops," said Judy with a fond smile. "If someone had told me a year ago that he'd be chumming with a fox like they'd been friends all their lives, I'd tell them to lay off the strong cheese."

Bonnie giggled as she sipped some of her homemade carrot juice.

"Bucks," she said. "They're just overgrown kittens, all of them."

Suddenly, Judy's phone rang. And the ringtone couldn't have been more telling of who was calling.

"Oh where o where can my baaaby beee...!"

"And speaking of overgrown kits," said Bonnie with a knowing smile.

"Uh, sorry. I gotta take this call," said Judy, blushing pink.

"I'm sure you do," said Bonnie with a teasing smile and wink.

"Excuse me for a sec," said Judy, getting up.

"Tee-hee," said Maggie, one of Judy's little sisters, "Judy's boyfwiend is calling her! Smoochie, smoochie! Mwah mwah mwaah!"

All her little sisters giggled. Judy smiled and giggled along as she got up from the table and answered.

"Hey there, handsome!" she said.

"How's my little carrot muffin?" said Nick's voice.

"Great! We're just finishing supper. How's things on your end?" asked Judy as she walked into the hallway and to the living room.

"Just fine. Tomorrow is normal routine, and then Saturday is the day."

"That it is," said Judy excitedly. "Oh, sweetheart, I can't wait! And neither can anybody else, for that matter. Mother's had the guest room prepared for a week, and goes in every day to touch up some little details. I hope you like petunias, by the way."

"Love 'em."

"And Dad's just itching to play cards with you. It'll be so great! A weekend of family fun and relaxation."

"That it will be, my love," said Nick.

Judy walked into the living room, but realised it was occupied. Stu was sitting on the sofa talking with Judy's uncle, Terry. His face was grave.

"Sorry," mouthed Judy as she walked out and went to her room instead.

"So Wolford and Fangmeyer have this new thing going on," said Nick's voice. "And apparently I'm a part of it too. It's kinda hard to explain over the phone, you'll have to see it in person. And Clawhauser thinks we should make it into the official victory chant of the department. I needn't tell you what Bogo thinks."

"I imagine it's something along the lines of 'Grow up, the lot of you' or something to that effect," laughed Judy.

She listened to Nick laughing on the other end. Her dear fox's laughter was music to her ears. It made her smile happily as she imagined him sitting in his living room in joggers and a t-shirt, relaxing and enjoying the conversation.

"Well, Carrots, I should get some grub in my gizzard and hit the keyboard. Gotta get a report finished for tomorrow before I hit the hay," said Nick's voice.

"Okay, sweetheart," said Judy. "You have a good day tomorrow, you hear?"

"Will do," said Nick. "And I'll have an even better day after tomorrow."

"I bet you will," cooed Judy. "Kiss kiss. Mwah!"

"Mwah!"

And they hung up.

Judy walked back to the living room to say hello to her uncle, but suddenly, she heard him talking and stopped in the corridor, listening.

"...I had everything tied in this year's crops," said her uncle in a low voice. "I don't know what I'm gonna tell Daisy..."

"You're not gonna tell her anything she doesn't need to know, Terry," said Stu. "Now go ahead, take it. Just pay your debt and we'll figure something out."

"Much obliged, Stu," said Uncle Terry. "I don't know what I'd do..."

"Now, don't you mention it, Terry. That's what family is for. Say hello to Daisy and the kids for us."

"I will," said Uncle Terry. "Thank you, thank you so much."

Judy walked into the room, pretending she didn't hear anything, smiling.

"Hi Uncle Terry!" said Judy happily.

"Hiya Judy!" said her uncle, his face unreadable. "Um, say hello to Bonnie for me."

"I will," said Judy, wondering why he didn't say hello to her himself.

"Uncle Terry was just leaving," said Stu. "Come on, I'll walk you to the door."

As the door closed and Stu returned to the living room, Judy looked puzzled.

"What's wrong with Uncle Terry?"

"Black rot. Ruined the whole crop," said Stu gravely. "He had everything tied in this year's harvest, and he couldn't pay the bank. So I lent him the money."

"Awww, daddy, that's so nice of you," said Judy, putting her arm around Stu's shoulder.

"Well, it's the right good thing to do, I reckon," said Stu. "But I've never heard of selective black rot before. Usually it wipes out the whole valley when it comes around, like it did in '67."

"Yeah," said Judy, thinking of it. "Yeah, that is weird."


"PUT THE CHILD DOWN!" shouted the voice of Chief Bogo into the megaphone. "TAKING A HOSTAGE WILL ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE FOR YOU."

The patrol cars were all parked in front of the building, forming a corral. All the officers had stun guns in their paws, but the safety on them was switched on. Against the wall of the building, a large warehouse, a bespectacled goat was holding a small leopard child in his arm and pointing a taser at her head. The child was crying for her mother, who was behind the police barrier, beside herself with desperation.

"PLEASE! DON'T HURT MY BABY!" cried the mother leopard with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"MR CAPRI, YOU ARE SURROUNDED!" shouted Bogo. "LET THE CHILD GO AND TURN YOURSELF IN."

"I ain't letting go of anything, copper!" shouted the goat. "Not until Cosgrove let's go of some checks!"

"MR CAPRI, WE KNOW YOU ARE UPSET YOU WERE LAID OFF," said Bogo, trying to sound understanding. "BUT WE CAN SOLVE THIS IN A PEACEFUL WAY. VIOLENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER."

"You think I'm joking, copper?!" shouted the goat, turning the safety off on his stun gun. It made the familiar whirring sound of charging and everyone gasped.

"ALRIGHT, MR CAPRI," said Bogo and put down the megaphone. "You don't have to do this. We can talk this out."

"Drop the weapons, all of y'all!" shouted Mr Capri.

"You heard him," said Bogo to his officers. "Holster your arms, everyone."

Everyone turned their stun guns off and put them back in their holsters.

"Now get Clayton Cosgrove down here!" shouted Mr Capri. "Do it or I swear I'll fry the kid!"

"NO!" wailed the mother. "PLEASE, MY BABY!"

Nick was behind the open door of his squad car. He looked to the left of the scene. There was an alley beside the building with a side entrance that stood ajar.

"Hmm…." he thought.

Very quietly and stealthily, Nick walked away from the scene, keeping behind the police cars. He got to the end of the block and ran around the corner, his mind devising a plan.

"Cosgrove keeps bungee cable in there, I know it," said Nick to himself. "Finnick and I borrowed some once, without him knowing it. And if it's still there…"

Running around the block, Nick got to the back of the Cosgrove building. He quietly sidled along the wall until he got to the side door that stood ajar. He could see the police barrier and hear Mr Capri making demands.

"...and I want a written apology from Clayton Cosgrove! In his hoofwriting, none of that computer printed rubbish! Written and signed by Cosgrove himself!"

"Okay," said Nick to himself as he dashed into the building and raced up a stairwell. "Third floor, left, fourth door."

Nick walked into a storage area with a single window. There were large boxes of supplies on aluminium shelves, and ladders to reach the upper ones. And near the window…

"Bingo!" said Nick, taking several lengths of bungee cable with hooks on the ends out of a box.

He strapped himself securely in the cable and walked to the window. From the window, he looked directly down at Mr Capri. He had put the child on the sidewalk but was still aiming at her with his taser.

Nick looked up and saw a flagpole just above the window.

"Double bingo!"

Quietly, he opened the window and threw the other end of the cable at the flagpole. The hook latched onto it securely.

"Okay," said Nick to himself. "Geronimo!"

He jumped out the window! The sidewalk sped towards him and he could feel the wind in his face. Just as he was about to hit, though, the cable pulled him back. Nick came to a stop for a second, right beside the child, and right between the child and an astonished Mr Capri.

"Going up!" said Nick, snatching the child safely in his arms before the cable pulled him back up.

As Nick bounced back up, he hugged the child safely in one arm and held onto the flagpole. Then, with an agile leap, he jumped back into the window and landed safely inside.

"You're safe now, angel," said Nick to the child, cradled in his arms. "I'll take you back to mommy."

While Nick walked back down the stairs and out of the building, Mr Capri was apprehended by the ZPD officers. But not before he shot his taser at Anderson.

While the paramedics assisted Anderson, Bogo himself zapped Capri with his stun gun and the goat fell to the ground.

"Günter Capri, you are under arrest for assault, both verbal and physical, hostage-taking and assaulting of an officer of the law," said Bogo as he cuffed the perpetrator.

"Drop dead, copper!"

"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…"

Nick walked to the front of the building with the leopard child in his arms. The child was at ease now, clinging to Nick.

"MY BABY!" wailed the mother, running past the police barrier and towards Nick.

"Back to mommy now, angel," said Nick, giving the child back to her mother.

"Oh, Officer Wilde!" said the mother, hugging Nick in a smothering grip. "You're a saviour! Thank you so much!"

"Just doing my duty, ma'am," said Nick. "Let me get you some ice cream over there at Dairy Dee's, you both had a traumatic experience. Our police counsellor would be very happy to assist you. Her name is Opal…"


Nick walked into the briefing room. It was packed and noisy as usual. He took his usual seat.

"Hey Wilde!"

Nick turned around and saw Fangmeyer and Wolford. He knew what came next.

"It's really hot!" said Wolford.

"What's hot?" said Nick

"What we got!" said Fangmeyer.

"Really hot!" said Wolford.

"You'd better run away before you're caught!" said Nick.

"AWOOOOOO!" they howled, standing on their chairs.

"Alright, settle down, everyone!" said Chief Bogo, walking into the room.

Everyone sat down to listen.

"Mr Capri is in custody, there were 73 witnesses, I'm sure the case will be clean as they come. Congratulations for a job well done, all of you," said Bogo. "Stay on your toes. There are bound to be more disgruntled employees who were laid off in the past month. They might want to pick up where Capri left off and we might not be so lucky next time. That's the end of the debriefing! Off you go!"

Everyone got up and started to walk out of the room.

"Wilde!"

Nick turned around. Bogo was looking directly at him from the podium, which added several inches to his already enormous height.

"A word, if you please."

Nick walked closer to the podium, wondering what Buffalo-Butt had in store for him.

"My felicitations," said Bogo. "You handled the situation well. It is not often I am at a loss, but this morning was one of those occasions. If it hadn't been for your astute handling of the situation, I don't know what the outcome would have been. I'm glad to have you on the force."

He gave Nick one of his rare, barely visible smiles.

"Just doing my duty, sir," said Nick, saluting.

Bogo nodded in acknowledgement.

"You can clear off, now," said Bogo, his usual gruff expression returning.

"Thanks, Chief," said Nick and he headed towards the door.


The rush of pastry smell and freshly ground coffee beans was always a treat for Nick's nostrils when he opened the door to Mollie Moo's shop.

"Morning, Mollie!"

"Good morning, Officer!"

"Carrot cake doughnut and coffee for one, please."

"Oh, Officer, I'm very sorry, but we're out of carrot pastries. Can I get you a cinnamon roll or Danish?"

"Sure, cinnamon roll is fine," said Nick, sitting down at a table his size and setting his sunglasses next to the sugar bowl.

"There's been a carrot shortage for almost a week now, Officer," said Mollie as she brought him his order.

"Carrot shortage?" asked Nick. "First I hear of it. Who's your supplier?"

"Old Hearn's Farm Fresh Produce," said Mollie. "My sister told me they're being bought up by another company."

"Really?" asked Nick. "That's kinda sad. They've been around since I can remember. Have things really become that bad for them?"

"It would appear so," said Mollie. "Things are tough lately, for some reason. Old Cosgrove was bought out too and the new company laid off the entire staff overnight."

"Yeah, I heard," said Nick, remembering the incident that morning.

"Business is a dog-eat-dog affair, Officer," said Mollie. "I sure am glad I'm a quaint little coffee shop owner with no worries besides baking tasty things for you kind police folk."

"That makes two of us, Mollie," said Nick with a kind smile.

"Well, better get back to the kitchen. The next batch is due in a sec," said Mollie. "Enjoy, Officer."

"Thank you."

As Mollie walked away, Nick took a bite of tasty cinnamon roll and thought about what he had heard.

"Carrot shortage," he said to himself. "Hmm."

He thought of the fields filled with ripening carrots of Bunny Burrow as he enjoyed his freshly-brewed coffee.


The workday ended and Nick punched out. As he walked home, he stopped by a bodega to get some groceries. Grover, the owner of the bodega, was watching a small television screen on the counter. His antlers could be seen behind it, making it look like they were the television aerials.

Suddenly, Nick thought of something.

"Any fresh carrots, Grove?" asked Nick.

"Sorry, Officer. We've been fresh out for a week," said Grover without looking away from the telly. "We should get a new shipment next week, Tuesday-ish, give or take."

"Hmm…" said Nick. "I wonder what's with the carrots playing hooky."

"You and me both, Officer," said Grover.

Nick paid for his purchases and walked the rest of the way home.

He got into his apartment and walked to the kitchen, setting the groceries on the counter and going to his room to change into something more comfortable.

As he was unbuttoning his uniform, his phone rang. The ringtone gave away the caller.

"And IIiiiiii….will always looove yoouuu, oooh…"

Nick chuckled and answered the phone.

"Who could be calling at this hour?" said Nick.

"And who else could it be, my dear, but the one and only, little ol' me, your bunny lord," said Judy's voice.

"And to what do I owe this honour, oh Lord of the Fluff-tails?" said Nick.

"I didn't know you were a circus star, Mr Wilde," said Judy's voice. "That was some stunt!"

"Hehe," said Nick. "Who told you?"

"I saw it myself," said Judy's voice. "Clawhauser sent me the video almost immediately. It's gone somewhat viral, I must say. I won't be surprised it if becomes meme of the year."

"Haha," said Nick. "Information does travel fast."

"And so do you, my dear, with bungee cables attached to your legs," said Judy's voice. "I can't begin to tell you how wonderfully heroic you were today. I do believe a reward is in order."

"Well, that's one of the perks of the job, your rewards," said Nick seductively.

"Movie night, then," said Judy's voice. "There's a movie I want to watch, it just came out. I'll treat you to an evening of cinema and maybe we can go for a stroll in the park afterwards…and see where it goes from there."

"That we shall, my love," said Nick.

"Can't wait to have you here, Nick," said Judy's voice. "The carrot fields are just so beautiful on a brisk October evening."

Two hundred and eleven miles away, Judy stood by the window in the living room as she spoke. The carrot fields shone in the moonlight with a very enchanting effect.

And then, Nick remembered something.

"Hey Carrots, did you hear anything about a carrot shortage?" said Nick's voice from Judy's phone.

"Carrot shortage? No. Not at all, when did you hear this?"

"This morning. Mollie Moo and Grover the grocer said that there has been a carrot shortage for a week now," said Nick's voice.

"Hmm, I heard nothing of it," said Judy.

She looked out the window at the fat, juicy carrots ripening in the fields. They were days away from being picked.

"Certainly not here."

"Hmm...oh well, must be a regional sort of thing," said Nick's voice. "Well, I'm gonna get something to eat and pack my suitcase. Because tomorrow…"

"…is the day!" finished Judy, blushing delightedly.

"I'll see you all tomorrow, my best beloved," said Nick's voice.

"That you will, honey bun," said Judy. "Good night."

"Nini."

They kissed over the phone and hung up.

And just as she hung up, Judy remembered Uncle Terry and his failed crops.

"Oh drat...maybe I should have told him...ah, well, tomorrow."


The train stopped at twelve o'clock sharp at the Bunny Burrow Railway Station. As Nick walked off the train, Judy came running to him. Smiling broadly, Nick put his suitcase down and opened his arms. She leaped onto him and he embraced her tight, lifted her and spun around with her in his arms like in the train station love scenes of those old black-and-white films.

"Ahh, I've been wanting to do that for a week!" said Nick as he finally stopped twirling around and hugged his sweet bunny tight to his chest.

"Always the hopeless romantic, Mr Wilde," giggled Judy as she hugged him back.

"I'll give you the hopeless bit, but the romantic…ahh, I dunno," said Nick as he set her back on the ground and grabbed his suitcase.

Judy giggled as she held his arm snugly and they walked away from the platform and towards the truck, parked not far away.

"Mother is making lunch," said Judy. "She synchronised her day so that everything will happen at the exact hour. Dad's got the card deck on the living room table just waiting for you."

"Well, let's not keep the waiting waiting, then," said Nick.

They got into the truck and Judy drove them home. As they drove, Nick admired the fields filled with ripening carrots and the pumpkin patches and orchards.

"Sure feels nice to be back," said Nick. "Can you believe it was summer when I was here last? Feels like it was yesterday."

"Time sure flies when you're rescuing people and being the hero of a viral video," said Judy.

"Hehe," said Nick. "I take it your folks have seen it already?"

"Only about a dozen times," said Judy. "Isabelle even said 'I didn't know Uncle Nick could fly!'"

They laughed heartily.

"You're the hero of the moment, Nick," said Judy, reaching for his paw and holding it snugly.

"Well…all in a day's work, my dear," said Nick.

Just as they arrived at the gate of Hopps family farm, Judy stopped the truck. She turned to Nick, her eyes filled with adoration.

"And the hero always gets the girl," she cooed softly, edging closer to him.

"That's part of the job, too," whispered Nick, and they embraced warmly and kissed for a long while.


Nick took a deep breath of clean air as he carried the basket of apples across the field in one paw, walking beside Judy and behind Mr and Mrs Hopps.

"I bet it's nice to escape from the city from time to time and soak in some of the peace and quiet of the countryside, eh, Nick?" said Stu, checking each of his carrots as he walked by them.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," said Nick. "You are all very fortunate to have such a wonderful farm, Mr Hopps."

"It's a lot of work, but we enjoy and cherish it," said Bonnie.

"Growing good carrots is like raising a family," said Stu. "It takes a lot of love and care, and we have more than enough to give."

"We're totally on the same page there, Mr Hopps," said Nick. "Ah, how I love carrots."

The parents didn't catch it, but Judy totally did. She squeezed his arm affectionately. He gave her a wink as they walked along the lines of lovely carrots.

"The Euripides Mouse Memorial Hospital special-orders our applesauce," said Bonnie. "We take great pride in being their providers."

"It makes me feel all the more honoured to have a paw in the making of your applesauce, Mrs Hopps," said Nick.

Nick enjoyed spending time at the Hopps Family Farm. The chores were pleasant, the air fresh, and he loved being surrounded by people who loved him like one of the family. Often, Nick would think about where he would be forty years in the future. Leaving the city and settling in a peaceful farming town like Bunny Burrow was a very pleasant prospect, from what he had hitherto experienced.

"Well, just one more day," said Stu. "We'll be harvesting these carrots at their absolute best. Now let's get all cleaned up and ready for supper."


"Vrooom! Vrrrrommm! Ready for takeoff, Izzy?" said Nick as he sat Isabelle on his shoulders and held her securely.

"Ready, Uncle Nick!"

Nick pretended to fly her around the living room, through the hall and around the kitchen, and then back to the living room.

"Coming in for a landing!" said Nick and he placed her on the sofa.

"That was fun!"

"Okay, who's next?" asked Nick.

"Me!" said a dozen voices.

"Heehe, okay. Let's start with the younger ones first. Maggie, you're next!"

"Yay!"

Nick Wilde The Flying Fox was the new hero in the Hopps household, and all the little bunnies were eager to go on a trip through the house soaring on his shoulders.

Judy giggled and watched happily as her siblings enjoyed their time with Nick. It filled her heart with joy to see their little smiles and her beloved fox bringing such joy to the house.

"Okay, my fine little pilots," said Bonnie Hopps, walking into the room after a while. "Next stop: bed. Chop, chop."

The little bunnies laughed and chattered happily as they left the room. But one remained.

"Can you fly me to bed, Uncle Nick?" asked Bianca, tugging at his sleeve.

"Hop on board, little ace, and off we go!" said Nick, picking her up.

Judy and Bonnie watched as Nick carried Bianca to her room with her siblings. He took her all the way and placed her gently in the upper bunk of her bunk-bed, tucking her in snugly.

"Sweet dreams, little lady," said Nick.

"Uncle Nick?" said Bianca.

"Yes?"

She edged closer to him and hugged him around the neck.

"I love you."

The fox felt his heart swell with tenderness as the fuzzy little bunny kissed his cheek. Something in his throat welled up.

"Awww, I love you too, little ace," said Nick. "Nighty-night."

As Nick walked out of the room, a small tear of bliss rolled down his cheek. He felt loved. A feeling that was unlike any other. One that he had almost forgotten in his twenty years of living shunned by society and forced to resort to his wit and cunning to swindle and con people for a living.

It sure felt good to be loved.

"Aww, you foxes…so emotional."

Nick's eyes went wide and he turned to see Judy standing in the corridor.

"Heh," said Nick, rubbing his eyes. "Must have gotten something in my eye, while I was flying…should use goggles next time..."

"Oh, you're not fooling anyone, Mr Soft-heart," said Judy, taking his arm and snuggling close to him as they walked down the corridor to the kitchen. "Especially not me."

Nick just chuckled, wiping his eyes with his handkerchief.

"It's so nice to have you here, Nick," said Judy, leaning her head on his chest.

"It's so nice to be here," he said, kissing the top of her head softly.

They walked into the kitchen, where Stu and Bonnie were sitting at the table. Bonnie was pouring tea in four mugs.

"Here you go, Nick," said Bonnie, giving him a mug of hot fresh tea.

"Thank you, Mrs Hopps," said Nick with a warm smile. He knew that Bonnie's tea was her special blend, and she treasured it and would only brew it for someone she really loved. It made him feel all the more welcome in the Hopps family household.

"Well, Nick," said Stu, shuffling the cards. "Ready to take us on?"

"Ready when you are, Mr Hopps," said Nick, sitting at the table and ready for a lively game of bridge with Mr and Mrs Hopps and Judy.


Nick ran in the meadow, his arms open, feeling the wind and smelling the flowers in full bloom. The sky was blue, the clouds fluffy. He was as happy as he had ever been. In the distance, someone was running towards him.

"Nick!"

It was her. Judy. Nick ran harder, eager to get to her. She was wearing a yellow ribbon around her ear, which flew about behind her in the wind.

They were getting closer, he could almost see every detail of her beautiful face. When suddenly…

Nick lost his footing. A loud rumbling made his body shake, and the ground beneath him opened.

He couldn't scream. He couldn't utter a sound. He fell…and fell…

"OOF!"

Nick landed on the floor. He was in his pyjamas, beside the bed, in the guest room of the Hopps household, in Bunny Burrow.

But the rumbling was still there.

"Huh?"

Nick put his ear to the ground. It was faint. Very faint. It was almost as if he was imagining it, but it was there.

It moved. Nick followed it…out into the corridor, past the kitchen…into the living room…to the front entrance…and then it was gone.

He kneeled there with his ear to the ground. Did he imagine it?

"If you're looking for the kitchen, slick, it's the other way," said a familiar voice behind him.

Nick stood up and turned around to find Judy standing in the corridor in her purple nightgown. She had a glass of water in her paw and a curious look on her face.

"Do I need to ask?" said Judy.

Nick chuckled a little and walked towards her.

"Thought I heard something," he said.

"Something like?" asked Judy, putting her arm around Nick's waist and leading him to the living room.

"I don't know," said Nick. "Rumbling?"

"Your tummy must really be your driving force if it's taken you this far," giggled Judy as she sat with him on the sofa.

"Har har," said Nick. "Didn't you hear anything?"

"All I hear is a little voice in my head. Two, actually," said Judy, edging closer to him. "One is saying: 'Kiss him'. The other is saying: 'Midnight snogging on the sofa is for teenagers, you're better than that, Judy'. And quite frankly, I don't know which voice to listen to."

"Well, let the single-minded little voice in my head pick for you, then," said Nick, embracing her on the sofa and kissing her passionately, placing the thoughts of strange midnight rumbling sounds in the back of his mind and concentrating on the more pleasant midnight snogging while trying not to make too much noise and alert the parents.


The skins of apples were tricky to remove in one piece, in long strips curling like springs, but Nick got the hang of it after his twentieth try. Bonnie instructed him expertly as they peeled basketfuls of apples for sauce. She really appreciated having an apprentice around. It made the day go by quicker when she had someone to talk to and teach new things. It was like having a big overgrown son who had everything yet to learn.

"There you go, just relax your paw and let the apple turn as you slide your finger around," said Bonnie, watching approvingly as Nick skinned an apple completely in one go. "Very good, Nick."

The kitchen counter was lined with all the necessary elements to make the Hopps Family Farm Homemade Applesauce. Skinned and cored apples were piling up and there was just about enough for the first batch to start cooking.

Stu and Judy walked into the kitchen for a sip of carrot juice. They were both wearing hats and gardening gloves. They removed their gloves and placed them on the counter near the backdoor to the yard as they walked in.

"So, how are the geraniums this morning?" asked Bonnie as she poured her husband and daughter glasses of carrot juice.

"Looking good. The greenhouse was a brilliant idea, if I do say so myself," said Stu with his thumbs in his overall straps, smiling proudly.

He had taken out a loan from the Stoat Farm Bank and purchased an extra two hectares of land near the bottom of his farmland. He decided to build a greenhouse for growing flowers all year round. It turned out great, and now the Hopps family could grow flowers in addition to all their other comestible products.

"This year's going to be a bountiful one," said Stu happily as he looked at his fields full of delicious vegetables and fruits and his shiny new greenhouse. The sight of a farm so full and fertile and rich with healthy produce was a symphony to a farmer bunny's heart. They all felt it.

Even Nick began to feel inside him the joy of seeing the farm so lush and full. He felt he could really become fond of life here in Bunny Burrow. It was a mixture of tranquillity, simplicity, hard work, cooperation…and family. Above all else, it was about family.


That evening, after supper, the family was gathered in the living room. There was a quaint fire crackling merrily in the hearth and everyone sat on a big circle. Stu took a wind-up duckling with a bowtie and placed it in front of him, making it face outwards into the space in the middle of the family all gathered around.

"Okay, everyone," said Stu. "It's time for Sunday What We've Learned Today."

"What we've learned on this day to the duckling we'll say! He shall quack, walk and pick, and where he stops, that bunny is it!" recited the whole family.

Stu wound up the duckling and let it go. The little toy duck quacked and walked…and it stopped at Peter's lap.

"What I've learned today," said Peter, Judy's brother who was her age. "I learned to repair the chain on the tractor with big brother Tom. That way when it becomes loose again, I can fix it in a jiffy."

"Very good, Petey!"

Everyone applauded. Peter wound up the duckling and it waddled quacking for a while, then stopped at Joey's lap.

"What I've learned today," said Joey, Judy's younger brother. "I learned to catch apples while big brother Mark climbs the tree and tosses them down. And now we can gather them twice as fast."

"Alright, Joey!"

Joey wound up the little duckling and let it go. It waddled in a straight line and stopped right in front of Nick.

Nick picked up the duckling and smiled, looking at the whole family.

"What I've learned today," said Nick. "I learned how to peel an apple in one go. And to make the skin dangle like a spring and go boing-boing!"

All the little bunnies giggled and laughed.

"Very good, Nick," said Mrs Hopps approvingly.

Nick wound up the little duckling and it walked in a beeline and stopped in front of Isabelle.

"What I learned today," said Isabelle. "I learned how much fun it is to do my chores when Uncle Nick helps me. He helped me pick the apples that were way up too high for me, and he flew me up and I could reach all the apples!"

"Aww…"

"Very good, honey."

The whole family applauded. Nick smiled warmly. Isabelle wound up the little duckling and it waddled in a wobbly line and stopped in front of Bianca.

"What I learned today," said Bianca. "I learned how much fun it is to have an uncle who is so nice and helps everyone in the house, even mommy and daddy with their chores. I didn't know mommy and daddy needed help with their chores, but Uncle Nick helped them. He's the bestest uncle in the whole wide world."

Nick felt his eyes become damp. He tried hard to keep it in, but in vain.

The duckling waddled towards Maggie, and she stood up and walked across the space in the middle, directly at Nick.

"I learned that everything is more fun when Uncle Nick is with us, and everybody is extra happy when he is here, mommy and daddy and big sister Judy, and I hope he will always be our uncle forever and ever."

And with that she hugged Nick as best as she could, being so small.

Judy saw it first. Big tears rolling down his cheeks. His lip trembled. His eyes closed, letting the tears stream, abandoning any effort to keep them from leaving his eyes.

"Awwww…" she said, hugging him around the waist and snuggling close to him.

Stu patted him on the back gently. Bonnie held his paw. The little bunnies all walked up to him and hugged him as best as they could. Soon the fox was surrounded by fuzzy bunnies, all of them showing their affection in a way he never imagined he'd ever deserve in his life.

"Thank you…everyone," were the only words he could utter, his voice shaky and filled with emotion.

"You spend more time with us, Nick, and you'll end up just as emotional as a bunny," said Judy, kissing his cheek sweetly.

For once in his life, Nick could not think of any witty retort. He just smiled and gave thanks to the forces that had driven him and Judy together, and for being where he was, the way he was.


At last, harvest day arrived! Everyone was up bright and early. Gloves and hats and overalls and all the necessary essentials were ready. Judy looked at Nick and couldn't help giggling.

"Anyone who saw you now would say you'd been born and raised a farmer, Mr Wilde."

He was wearing heavy-duty overalls and a hat, a chequered shirt, gloves and a big smile.

"Then I got it right," said Nick smiling. "Picked it out myself, you know."

"Well done, slick. But there's something missing," said Judy.

"And that would be?"

"Hmmm…" Judy narrowed her eyes and walked closer to him, looking him all over.

Judy took a long, thin stalk of straw and put it in between Nick's teeth. Nick grinned and held the straw in his teeth at an angle, giving him the perfect farmer look.

"There," she said approvingly. "Oh, and one more thing..."

She stood on tiptoe, placing her paws on his chest, and kissed his cheek.

"Now you're all set," she whispered lovingly.

Nick beamed happily as Stu and Bonnie and the older bunnies walked into the barn where he and Judy were.

"Well, let's get started everyone!" said Stu excitedly. "John, you'll prepare the storage with Oakley. Manny, I want you and Cindy to start from the south end. Jay and Tam will start from the north end. Your ma and I will begin…"

But he was cut off by a loud voice. A voice that came from the fields, from someone running towards the barn.

"Pa!" yelled Peter.

They all turned to see him running towards the barn. There was desperation in his eyes.

"Pa! You'd better come see this!"

Everyone followed Peter. And what they saw would be forever ingrained in their memories.

"I…I don't understand," said Stu, looking at his carrots.

They were withered. They were brown. They were dead.

"They were fat and healthy yesterday," said Stu.

"Black rot, pa," said Manny. "Like in '67, when grandpa almost lost the farm."

"Should I get Doctor Philbert, Pa?" asked Peter. "Maybe he can help."

Doctor Philbert was the plant doctor. He lived not far from their farm, just a few miles before town.

"No, Petey, Doc Philbert can't help us," said Stu, his expression devastated, his ears limp…every fibre of his being in absolute shock. "They're dead."


The Hopps family checked every single carrot on their farm. They were all dead. Withered, brown, sickly-looking. Not a single one survived.

Stuart Hopps could not believe what was happening. He sat on the sofa in the living room, looking into empty space. His mind told him from time to time to wake up from this horrible dream. But then he looked out the window at his fields…and he realised this was not a nightmare, and there was no waking up from it.

"I just…don't understand," said Stu. "Everything was fine. They were ready to be picked…what could have happened…"

"Stu, honey bun," said his wife, holding his paw, trying her best to comfort him even though she too was disconsolate. "One year's harvest won't break us."

"The loan…" mumbled Stu. "I had everything tied in this year's crops. How am I going to pay the loan…"

"We'll manage, honey," said Bonnie. "Our savings…"

"I gave my savings to Terry…so he could pay his debt…what am I going to do now?"

Everyone was gathered around. The sorrow was heavy in the air. Their entire livelihood rested on a good crop. This was a catastrophe.

The heavy silence was suddenly interrupted by a loud horn honking outside.

"Oh…that's Gideon," said Bonnie. "Um…children, can you please carry the applesauce outside to Gideon's truck?"

The children did so in silence. Nick watched as they exited the room, their ears limp, their faces sad. He looked at Judy beside him. She had that same expression he had seen a year ago…one he thought he'd never see again…that night, in front of Chief Bogo…in the Rainforest District…

"I'll, uh…I'll go help with the applesauce," said Nick, walking out of the room. Nobody stopped him. Nobody answered.

Nick walked into the kitchen and grabbed two boxes of Hopps Family Farm Homemade Applesauce and walked outside with them. A pink-and-beige coloured van was parked in the driveway not far from the house. Gideon Gray, the baker fox of Bunny Burrow and Judy's childhood nemesis, was talking with Peter as he helped load the boxes into the back of his van.

"I…I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear that," said Gideon. "My grandma told me about the big black rot wave of '67. Took out the entire valley, almost starved the town."

Nick walked closer with his boxes and Gideon saw him. His eyes were wide with surprise. Clearly, foxes were a rarity in Bunny Burrow, and seeing one who wasn't from the town was an event.

"Officer Wilde!" said Gideon.

"Morning, Gideon," said Nick, giving him the boxes of applesauce.

"So glad to meet you at last," said Gideon, placing the boxes neatly in the back of his van. "I've heard so much about you."

"I've heard all about you too," said Nick.

Gideon's face twitched. He looked embarrassed.

"Uh, good things, naturally," said Nick quickly. "Judy tells me you're one heck of a baker."

"Ah, well…kind of runs in the family," said Gideon.

"Baker's boy, taking on the family business," said Nick. "Seems to be the way things are done in the countryside. I like that philosophy. It makes things a great deal simpler, let me tell you."

"Well, you've got so many choices in the big city, so I heard."

"Ah, it ain't all it's cracked up to be," said Nick. "But each place has its perks. Well, I'll be back, with more of the good stuff."

Nick walked back into the kitchen and grabbed the last two boxes of applesauce. He was about to walk outside, when suddenly he stopped.

He heard sobbing. Devastated, sorrow-filled sobbing. It was coming from the living room. He could tell it was Stu. He could tell he was disconsolate. And the sound of the father of the Hopps family breaking down like that…

"No," said Nick to himself. "Ain't gonna happen. Not while I'm around."

He made his choice. Quickly and quietly, he ran to the guest room and reached for his suitcase under the bed. He emptied the contents onto the bed and closed the suitcase. Then he carried it with him outside, along with the two last boxes of applesauce. Gideon was looking at the carrot fields, his expression puzzled and empathetic.

"Hey cousin!" said Nick, putting the last two boxes inside the van.

Gideon turned around.

"You heading to town?" asked Nick.

"Yup, gotta get these boxes labelled and shipped on the next train," said Gideon.

"Mind if I hitch a ride into town? I have some business I need to take care of."

"Sure, Officer Wilde! Hop in."

Nick watched in the rear-view mirror as the Hopps family farm disappeared down the road. He held his empty suitcase in his paws, with a single thought in his mind.

"So, how do you like it here in Bunny Burrow, Officer?" asked Gideon, trying to make conversation as he drove.

"It's like a second home to me," said Nick. "Or a first, depending on how you wanna look at it. I wouldn't mind retiring here after forty years or so. Maybe get a small farm, beside a creek, living out the rest of my days in peace and quiet. But I am getting ahead of myself, aren't I?"

"No, it's always good to have dreams," said Gideon. "I think most people here don't dream enough. Not that they need to, we're pretty content with our lives here."

"Yeah," said Nick, looking out the window at the farmland that extended as far as he could see.

"Shame about the black rot," said Gideon. "That's one thing that will put a dent in our peaceful living."

"Yup," said Nick. "I heard from several folks in the city that crops have failed in some of the farms that supply the grocery stores."

"It's the fourth farm I hear of here in Bunny Burrow," said Gideon. "The McCottons had their crops fail just a few days ago. The Joneses, Mirthworths, Hareingtons, and now the Hopps farm. Sure hope it doesn't spread any farther."

"You and me both, cousin," said Nick, taking a deep breath and letting it go slowly.


Gideon dropped Nick off in front of Barkley's Bank. With a determined look on his face, he walked into the bank and got in line. A few people stared. He stood out among the rest, as an outsider always does when in a small town.

"Can I help you?" asked the poodle teller when it was Nick's turn.

"Yes, I'd like to make a withdrawal," said Nick, taking out his wallet.

"Don't we all," said the poodle quietly.

Nick looked directly into his eyes and opened his wallet, holding it up. Then the poodle's face turned from mock and suspicion to utter shock.

"Officer!" said the poodle in a voice so audible everyone in the bank looked around at him.

"That's right," said Nick loudly, not bothering with niceties. "Officer Nicholas Piberius Wilde, Zootopia Police Department, account number 793074-92-8, I am withdrawing all but the minimum amount to maintain my account open, and step on it, buster…"

Nick paused. His fists clenched…his paws shaking…

"…my family needs my help."


Nick walked down the front steps of the bank and onto the sidewalk. It was a quiet day, everyone going about their various concerns.

Suddenly, Nick spotted a police car pulling up and stopping beside him. Small town police, stopping in front of a stranger, who was carrying a suitcase…just his luck…but…

"Officer Wilde!" said a jolly voice.

Nick looked and smiled. It was Sheriff Donovan Shepard, the Border collie sheriff of Bunny Burrow.

"Sheriff Shepard!" said Nick, walking to the side of the car and extending his paw. Shepard shook his paw through the window with a jovial smile on his face.

"I didn't know you were in town," said Shepard. "So nice to see you. We barely had a chance to meet the last time you were here, on the day of the hearing."

"Yes, I remember," said Nick, remembering the hearing at the courthouse in which Nana Bernardine, Judy's oldest neighbour and the most elderly resident of Bunny Burrow, was cleared of all charges during the infamous crooked carnival incident.

"I'm on my way to the Hopps farm right now," said Nick. "Got something I need to take to them."

"Well, jump in, I'll give you a lift," said Shepard, opening the passenger door.

Shepard's squad car was clean and smelled of pine. It was a fine old model from the early 70's and it ran smooth and silky like it had just been purchased the day before. Nick admired a well-preserved car.

"I haven't had a chance to thank you personally, Officer Wilde," said Shepard. "You've done so much for my old sitter, Nana Bernardine. It was thanks to you and Judy that the real crooks were caught and all the people they framed could be cleared."

"Well, just answering the call of duty, Sheriff," said Nick.

"It sure is nice to know we have good folks from home keeping law and order in the big city," said Shepard. "Everybody was surprised and awed when Judy became the top of her class at the academy and was assigned to the heart of the city."

He looked at Nick.

"And it's nice to know we have city folk who are just as caring towards our small town as the people who were born and raised here."

Nick didn't know what to say. He smiled and looked at the farmland as Shepard drove down the road towards the Hopps farm.

"I only wish I can be of help," said Nick after a long silence. "I can only imagine what the farmers are going through."

"It is looking pretty bad," said Shepard gravely. "I remember the big black rot wave of 1967. I was a pup running about with my siblings, coming back from school. All the bunny farmers were grief stricken. Old Papa Hopps and his boys did everything they could to help everyone. Everyone pitched in and we managed to make it through the winter. Even the Grays pitched in, and the times couldn't have been less kind to them."

"Yes, I imagine," said Nick, remembering the teller from the bank.

"That's one thing about small towns," said Shepard. "They take much longer to adapt and change their ways than folks in the city do. We tend to hang onto our roots and beliefs much tighter, for better or for worse."

Shepard turned the car and drove down the earthen path of the Hopps family farm. He drove all the way down and stopped near the house. Bonnie and Judy walked out the front door just as Nick and Shepard got out of the car.

"Nick!" said Judy. "Where were you?"

"Sorry to run off like that," said Nick. "I just needed to take care of some business in town."

"Good morning, Mrs Hopps. Judy," said Sheriff Shepard, tipping his hat.

"Good morning, Sheriff Shepard," said the ladies.

"If I'd known Nick was with you, I wouldn't have worried, Sheriff," said Bonnie.

"Don't you fret now, Mrs Hopps, about a thing," said Shepard. "Everything will be alright. We'll all manage to pull through this."

The Sheriff bid them good day and drove off. Nick, Bonnie and Judy all waved goodbye and walked into the house.

"Where did you go?" asked Judy. "And what's with the suitcase?"

"I'll explain shortly," said Nick. "Can I talk to your dad for a moment?"

"He…um…he's in bed."

"Huh?"

"Stu had a little breakdown…a moment ago…" said Bonnie. "I put him to bed, he has a bit of a fever. Penny is giving him some camomile tea. I hope it will help."

"Mrs Hopps," said Nick. "I really need to talk to Mr Hopps. Just for a moment. Please."

"Of course, Nick," said Bonnie, not knowing what else to say.

Judy looked at Nick. That look in his face…she had never seen that look before.

"Nick…" she started, but he was halfway down the hallway already, clutching the suitcase tightly in his paw.

Bonnie and Judy looked sideways at each other and nodded. They followed quietly.

Nick knocked gently on the open door to the Hopps couple's room.

"Come in," said a weak voice.

The fox carefully walked in to find Stu Hopps lying down in bed under a warm quilt. He had a wet towel on his forehead and his daughter Penny, a few years younger than Judy, was giving him spoonfuls of camomile tea.

"Nick," said Stu, weakly but clearly abashed. "I'm truly sorry you had to be around to witness this. I wish it didn't have to be this way."

"Don't say that, Mr Hopps, I'm here for you all in the good times and hard times alike," said Nick.

Penny pulled a chair for her Uncle Nick and he sat down beside Stu's bed.

"I guess the shock just knocked the starch outta me," said Stu, smiling weakly. "Nobody would have believed…"

He fell silent, closing his eyes and shuddering a bit.

"Ahh…sorry."

"Don't apologise, Mr Hopps," said Nick, taking the bunny's paw.

Judy and Bonnie stood outside the doorway listening and watching the scene. They didn't know what to make of it. It all felt so surreal.

"Mr Hopps, I want you to rest easy knowing that you don't have to worry about any obligations with the bank," said Nick awkwardly.

"It's alright, Nick," said Stu. "We'll manage somehow. Maybe we can sell a few acres and…"

"No!" said Nick suddenly.

Everyone went silent, rather shocked at his outburst.

"Mr Hopps, I was never one for emotional displays, but lately I don't know what has been happening to me, but it doesn't matter…the point is, here," said Nick, opening the suitcase.

Bonnie and Judy gasped. Stu's eyes went wide, Penny covered her mouth with her paws.

It was filled to the brim…to the very brim…with money.

"Take it and pay your debts and don't you dare say 'I can't take it' because I won't accept 'No' for an answer and I'll leave this money here and run and take the nearest bus to Duckburg or somewhere faraway and not come back until you've used it to pay off your debts and that is all there is to it because you all mean so much to me and I could never even begin to tell you all how much you have changed my life and I love every one of you and there I said it and this is the only way I know of to show you all how much I care in this moment of great need! So there!" said Nick.

There was a stunned silence.

And then came the tears.

"Oh Nick…" Judy was the first to break down.

"That is…so generous of you…" Bonnie followed.

Stu's cheeks cascaded with tears as he hugged Nick, wet towel on his head and all, blubbering like a child with raw emotion.

Nick hugged him back. Then Judy and Bonnie joined in. Penny found a patch of fox to hug as well.

"You bunnies…so emotional," said Nick as the whole room blurred before him with tears that ran freely from his big green eyes and which he made no effort to hold back.


Stu Hopps was feeling much better the following day. He was up and about and even managed to drive with Judy and Nick to town, to do exactly what Nick had told him to do.

There was a little more cheer in the house now that their father was feeling better and the worries of debt were gone. The little bunnies sat down with Nick in the living room to show him their school work that evening. Nick sat on the floor in front of the coffee table. Judy sat on the sofa behind Nick with her paws on his shoulders, looking over his shoulder at the drawings that her youngest siblings had made at school.

"See? That's you, Uncle Nick, flying and saving the kids from the bad guys," said Kevin, Judy's youngest brother.

"It looks great, Kevin!" said Nick.

"And this is you, Uncle Nick, flying to the top of the tree and picking apples!" said Bianca, showing Nick her crayon drawing.

"Wow," said Nick. "Is that a cape?"

"Yeah! 'Cause you're a superhero, Uncle Nick!" said Bianca, hugging his arm lovingly.

"Aww," said Nick, hugging the sweet little bunny with one arm.

Judy rested her chin on Nick's shoulder, taking a deep breath of his welcoming scent. What he had done for her family, for her father and mother, for her family farm…nothing in this world could ever be enough to repay him for his selfless kindness.

In this time of hardship, he had managed to put a smile on the faces of her dear family once again. He had given them hope when all seemed lost.

Judy's face moved on its own, from sheer emotion. She kissed his cheek sweetly, wishing she could express with her kiss everything she had in her heart. All her gratitude, all her affection…all her love.

Nick inclined his head and nuzzled her cheek with his. They didn't need to speak. Why use words, when what you want to say is so clear?

Suddenly, they heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it," said Penny and she crossed the living room and went to the entrance hall.

Soon, they heard the voice of Uncle Terry walking into the house.

"Hi, Uncle Terry!" said everyone.

"Evenin', y'all," said Uncle Terry. "Um…is Stu in?"

"Yep, he's in," said Stu, walking into the room.

"Well, golly gee, I'm glad to see you're feelin' better," said Uncle Terry.

Then, an awkward pause. Judy noticed her uncle was holding something. An envelope. And it looked official, sealed with wax and all.

Stu noticed too.

"Well, whatcha got there, Terry?"

"Um…well, if you don't mind, Stu, I'd like to talk to you and Bonnie…just a minute, I promise," said Uncle Terry.

"Sure, come on into the kitchen, I'll get you something warm to drink," said Stu as he lead Uncle Terry into the kitchen.

Nick kept on looking at the drawings that the young Hoppses showed him. Judy rested her chin on his shoulder once again and, feeling a warm drowsiness, closed her eyes and dozed comfortably close to her beloved fox.

Then, in one of those strange silences that suddenly happen in every home from time to time, Uncle Terry's voice could be heard.

"I've never been offered this much," said Uncle Terry. "It's more money than we've ever earned in our lives. If I sign, they buy the entire farm. In one go. Cash in the bank."

Nick's ears perked up. Suddenly, like a distant memory, he heard voices in his head.

"There's been a carrot shortage for almost a week now, Officer."

"Old Hearn's Farm Fresh Produce."

"Business is a dog-eat-dog affair."

"We've been fresh out for a week."

Like a carpet of fire in his mind, it suddenly came to him.

"Maggie!" said Nick, blurting the first name that came to his mind.

"Yes, Uncle Nick?" said Maggie.

"Do you know where the McCotton farm is?"

"Sure do."

"Um…could you show me?"

Nick fished in his pocket and took out his phone. Judy opened her eyes and suddenly perceived a change in her dear fox's demeanour.

"Are you okay, honey bun?" she asked.

"I am," said Nick distractedly as he searched on Zoogle Maps for a map of Bunny Burrow. "Um…where is the McCotton's farm?"

"Right here, Uncle Nick," said Maggie, pointing at a farm some miles down the road from them. "I know a secret," she said, leaning closer and whispering into Nick's ear. "Charlie McCotton is Penny's boyfriend."

"Maggie," said Penny from across the room, blushing like mad. "He's just my friend."

"He's a boy, and he's your friend, so he's your boyfriend," said Maggie.

The little sisters giggled.

"Sissy stuff," said Kevin, making a face.

"Heh heh," Nick chuckled, but his mind was a whirlwind. "And can you show me the Jones farm?"

"Right here, Uncle Nick," said Maggie, pointing at the farm right beside.

"I see…how about the Mirthworth and Hareington farms?"

Maggie pointed at the two farms right beside, moving up the road towards…

"And this is us!" said Maggie, pointing at the Hopps farm.

"So it is," said Nick.

Just then, Bonnie came into the room to announce bedtime.

"Off to bed now, children," she said with a maternal smile.

"Good night, Uncle Nick!" said all the kids and kissed their uncle (except Kevin, who was content with being patted on his head) before going to bed.

Nick and Judy were left alone in the living room now. Nick was searching something on Zoogle like mad on his phone.

"Old Hearn's…Old Hearn's…"

"Penny for your thoughts, Mr Mysterious?" asked Judy.

"The farms that were bought out…" said Nick. "There's more than one…yes! See?"

He searched on Zoogle for farms that were bought by anyone in the past week. The list was substantial.

"Now…"

He opened Zoogle Maps again and pinpointed the locations of the farms. Then he zoomed out, and…

"Well, I'll be a hippo's leotard," said Nick.

The map showed the locations of the farms that had been bought out. They all formed a line. A line that formed three sides of a square, at the centre of which was Zootopia.

"Bingo!" said Nick.

"What is it?" asked Judy.

"Carrots…come with me."

He stood up, holding Judy's paw in his, and marched towards the kitchen. Stu and Uncle Terry were talking. Bonnie was serving them coffee. There was a paper on the table. An official-looking paper with a signature line at the bottom. It was blank.

"Uncle Terry!" said Nick, walking into the kitchen. "Don't sign anything."

Everyone stopped and looked at Nick. They didn't know what to say. The sudden outburst was totally unexpected.

"They're trying to swindle you," said Nick. "Your farm is worth ten times what they're offering. Someone is cheating people out of their land and forcing them out."

"But Nick…" said Stu. "Um…er…"

"I may not know much about agriculture, but I certainly recognise foul play when I see it," said Nick, grabbing the paper off the table unceremoniously. "And this...Terra Firma Incorporated," said Nick, reading the name off the paper, "is as crooked as they come!"

Judy watched as Nick crumpled the paper in front of everyone and launched it into the wastebasket from across the room, all while still holding her paw. It was pretty impressive, and a little intimidating. Everyone was dead silent.

"Uncle Terry, Mr Hopps, there is no black rot," said Nick. And his next words weighed upon everyone like a bag of lead. "Somebody killed your crops on purpose."


Wednesday morning was a whirlwind. Nick packed his things neatly in his suitcase. His face was determined. The conversation he had had the night before with Judy and her family lingered in the air.

"But how can someone kill crops without sprinkling any poison or something on them?" Uncle Terry had asked.

"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Nick had responded. "Until then, nobody sell as much as a pawful of dirt to any company, no matter how much they're offering. Someone is trying to take over the farming land all around Zootopia in a three hundred mile radius, and I'm going to find out whom and shut them down if it's the last thing I do."

Judy walked into the guest room just as Nick had finished packing. She said nothing. All she did was walk up to him and hug him tight. Nick hugged her back.

That morning had been a swirl of events.

"Mrs Hopps, do you happen to have any re-sealable bags, like sandwich bags?" Nick had asked Bonnie.

"Why, yes," had been the answer.

Nick had gone outside and picked one of the sickly carrots carefully with the bag and sealed it, pushing out all the air he could. Now the carrot was sitting safely in his suitcase, between his cotton briefs and his blue joggers.

"Nick…I can't even begin to tell you…" Judy started, but Nick put a finger to her lips and silenced her.

"Shh…" he said, bent down closer to her and kissed her.

They kissed for three full minutes before Nick backed away, grabbed his suitcase and took her paw.

"C'mon, Carrots," he said kindly. "Your dad is waiting to drive me to the train station."

The whole family said goodbye to Nick in front of the house.

"We'll miss you, Uncle Nick!"

"Have a safe trip!"

"I'll be back as soon as possible!" said Nick, waving to everyone. "I'll fly back!"

All the little bunnies cheered for him.

"Thank you for everything, Mrs Hopps," said Nick.

"Oh, Nick, I'm the one who should be thanking you," said Bonnie.

"You can thank me when I've sorted this out, dear lady," said Nick. "I'm going to find out what's going on and put a stop to it, or my name isn't Nicholas P. Wilde."

He waved goodbye as he and Judy got into the truck and Stu drove them to the station.

The train was on time. Stu hugged Nick and wished him good trip. Judy kissed him and wished him good luck.

"I'll call you as soon as I arrive, Carrots," said Nick as he said goodbye to Judy.

"I'll be counting the hours," said Judy.

Just as Nick got onto the train and found his seat, Judy noticed someone she had never seen before. A small someone with thick spectacles. A mole, in impeccable business suit.

"Hey pops," whispered Judy to her father. "Do you know him?"

"No," said Stu. "Never seen him in my life."

The mole boarded the train just as it was closing its doors and ready to depart for Zootopia. Judy and Stu waved goodbye to Nick until the train sped out of the station and gathered speed.

And it was gone.