Age of Steam

by OOBAGALOOBA

In a steampunk setting, Nicholas Wilde and Judy Hopps had very different childhoods, but that will not stop them from coming together and making Zootopia a better place. M for violence, blood, some alcohol use, and as always eventual smut(It's me, OOBA, did you think there was gonna be an innocent and pure story?)

1. Chapter 1

Age of Steam, City of Iron, and a Heart of Gold

Chapter 1

An overcast morning was pierced by the pained cries of a vixen.

"Push, Vivian, push once more."

The vixen screamed as her husband encouraged her.

"Alex, it hurts."

He took her paw, "I know, but you must do it, if not, the kit will die."

Screaming in agony, she pushed once more. A small fox kit's cries could be heard throughout the manor.

"Oh, Vivian, we have a son!"

She smiled with overwhelming joy as her husband handed the small, orange bundle.

"He looks just like you, Alex."

Alex leaned in, kissing Vivian, "He does, however, have your beautiful eyes."

She cradled her husband's face with her free paw, "What shall we name our new heir?"

Alex replied with a smile, "Piberius."

Vivian giggled, "Heavens, that would get my poor angel bullied mercilessly. I know you loved your father dearly, but couldn't we give him a different name?"

Alex thought, "We could name him after your father."

Vivian looked at her son, "Nicholas Piberius Wilde, welcome to your home."

Alex took in his son's name with pride, "Nicholas Piberius Wilde. A fitting name for my son."

On the other side of the city, a bunny was muffling her cries of labor, for she was forbidden by her master to have any children. Biting down on the cloth her husband had provided her, she managed to keep her screams down. The two bunnies had forgotten one thing though, the baby's cries.

They frantically conversed, "Stuart, I don't think I can stop her cries."

He looked solemnly at her, "I know, what should we name her?"

Bonnie blurted out the first name that came to mind, "Judith!"

Stuart fired off another, "Laverne."

Bonnies ears raised in cautious optimism, "Judith Laverne Hopps!"

A loud banging on the door caused the kit to cry even louder, "You dirty bastards, I told you no mating!"

Stuart looked at his wife and daughter, "I love you, so very much."

Before Bonnie could reply, he jumped out of the window, distracting the mammal at the door. Bonnie heard Stuart begging and pleading, then saying something in a hushed tone. She could see who he was talking to, it was Martin Grey.

"He scowled, you would be willing to trade this for your daughter's?"

Stuart nodded. Suddenly the fox drew a sword, running it into the rabbit's chest. Bonnie couldn't see it, but Stuart was smiling when he died, for even though his master was cruel, he was a fox of his word.

Loudly the fox announced, "Bonnie Hopps, your mate is dead, but I have given my word that I will spare your daughter. Tread lightly, for I have made no promise for your life."

At the Wilde manor the mood was festive.

"Sarah," Alex said to a sheep, "Please bring me Mrs. Otterton."

The sheep nodded, "Very well master."

Alex cringed, "I know that you are new here, but please call me either Alex, or Mr. Wilde. None of this master ballyhoo, please."

She smiled, "Yes, Alex, I will have her here soon."

The sheep walked briskly down the hall. The Wilde manor was known quite well for its happy atmosphere, but what most people didn't know was that the Wilde family kept it that way by treating their house staff with kindness and equality. If Alex ate well, so did his servants, and if his servants worked hard, so did he.

Alex was broken from his happy trance as the otter walked into the room with her newlywed husband.

"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Wilde, but Emmett wouldn't let me leave without him."

Alex let out a hardy laugh, "I expected as much, you two were made for each other. Now, I have an important matter to discuss with you."

Her face fell, "I understand if you forbid us to have children."

Alex looked horrified, "Heavens no, I would never do such a thing. I wanted you to be an important part of my will."

Emmett looked confused, "Why? You are in perfect health, sir." Alex sighed, "Good health doesn't mean safety from death, for I have enemies. Can I confide in you two to protect my most precious possession in the event that I am dispatched from this world?"

Mrs. Otterton spoke up, "Before we decide, may we know what this possession is?"

Alex smiled, "My son."

She ran to Alex, hugging him, "Of course we will protect him."

Alex relaxed, "Thank you. Now, I have a collection of dresses set up for you, go get ready for the ball. Emmett, I will have my personal tailor make you a suit while we converse."

Emmett kissed his wife before following Alex to his personal quarters.

"Emmett, meet Nicholas."

Emmett smiled at the small fox kit, asleep in his cradle.

"A handsome heir to the household."

Vivian walked into the room, "Alex, what is good Mr. Otterton doing here?"

Alex stood proudly, "Vivian, I have made the Ottertons the official godparents of our son."

Vivian squealed with delight, hugging Emmett, "I am so happy, Nick will be spending a lot of time with you, so he will be bonded with you as well. I don't wish to think about it, but the enemies that Alex has made are very cold hearted, so much that they would kill innocence to get their way."

Alex sighed, "To make matters worse, my sister has married an evil man named Martin Grey, and he wants my inheritance. Father left it to me, and I will leave it to Nicholas. However, if I perish, Martin will take control of the estate, most likely forcing Nicholas out of his own home, so I want to appoint you two as the guardians. This will ensure that Martin will not have the house."

Emmitt was shocked, "I don't know what to say. Shouldn't your sister put family before her relations?"

Alex looked saddened, "She never loved our father. She even blamed him for our mother's death, even when the doctors said that nothing could have been done. She resented him, and she resents me, since I inherited everything. I offered to let her stay, I offered her some of mother's belongings, and I even offered to help her financially, but she refused. She has only hate for me."

Emmett stood with a fire burning in his eyes, "Alex, I will defend Nicholas, even if I have to lay down my life to do so."

He beamed as the blacksmith walked in. "I wasn't fitting you for the kind of suit you were thinking of."

Emmett let the wolf take his measurements. "Thank you for doing this on such short notice, Henrik."

The wolf nodded, speaking in a heavy Germanic accent, "No problem, Alex, it would have been an insult had you not come to me for this job. Those gaudy blacksmith posers, all they do is make their armor pretty. I make mine fierce and dependable, for who would rather be brained in a fancy suit, than victorious in a strong one."

Alex chuckled, "My thoughts exactly, old friend. I do miss having you around the manor, with your heavy accent carrying through the halls."

Henrik finished his measurements, "I have a family now, and my business is steady, but I will try to visit more. I know how dangerous it is for you around here. Now, if you will excuse me, I will make this mammal a suit of armor that will strike fear into the heart of all who cross him, auf wiedersehen."

Alex watched his friend leave, "Yes, until we meet again."

Martin growled, slamming his fist to the wall, "That damned kit will rob me of my chance to get that inheritance, we must rid of his parents before they can do anything!"

The badger that sat across from him had an evil smile plastered on his face.

"I have an idea."

Martin growled, "How much?"

He nonchalantly replied, "Ten thousand."

Martin was about to protest, but simply gave in, "Fine, but you have to produce results, or else you will see no gold."

The ball was ready several days later, all set for Alex's announcement of his heir, and his new godparents. Vivian fussed with the fur on Mrs. Otterton's head, placing purple flowers.

"I have known you and your husband for three years now, yet I haven't gotten your first name, Mrs. Otterton."

She didn't move, so to not disturb the work of the kind vixen, "It's Miriam, Mrs. Wilde."

The vixen turned her around, kissing her on the cheek, "Please, call me Vivian, you are Nick's godmother after all."

The two prepared each other's dresses and fur for the ball.

Alex and Emmett were in a large dressing room together.

"Henrik will be here shortly with your suit, but for now, I will need some help with mine."

A suit of armor was hauled in on a wooden cart. It was imposing, magnificent, and gold.

"What a magnificent piece of craftsmanship!"

Alex was amused at the exclamation of the otter, "It is Henrik's finest work yet, and he will make a similar one for Nicholas as he comes of age."

He looked over at the otter, "I will have him slate all the sons you have for armor like yours."

The otter looked around and found a sword. Emmett took the sword from its sheath and knelt in front of Alex, "I will be at your service forever and always, my good friend."

Alex smiled warmly, taking the sword, "You are family now, I would like for you to call me brother from now on."

Emmett smiled at him, "Yes, brother, shall we suit you?"

He stood, as the otter strapped various bits of armor on him, "Now, tell me what you think, brother."

Emmett stood back, "You look like the most honorable mammal in all the land."

The two jolted slightly when Henrik opened the door, "Ah, you look exactly how I envisioned when I made that armor for you."

Emmett was curious as to what his would look like, would his be gold like Alex's armor? The cart Henrik pulled had a lid, so the armor would not be exposed to the elements in travel.

"You, Emmett, will look fiercer than any mammal has looked in his life."

Henrik opened the lid to reveal pitch black armor.

"It is a strong blend of metal, which takes this color when it cools."

He marveled at the armor, but found something peculiar, "What is this on the tail segments?"

Henrik smiled, "Blades, so you will always be armed."

Emmett knew he would have to use this one day, so he was grateful for the thought of a weapon that he could always rely on to be there.

In the master bedroom, Vivian had finished proof reading their wills, letting the several lawyers go.

"We had several copies made to ensure that this manor stays with you."

Miriam was wearing a flowing purple dress, frills and flowers sewed into various parts.

"I do hope that we don't have to deal with them anytime soon, I do love your company so, Vivian."

She embraced the vixen, "Miriam, you have been so good to our family, and I have nothing but trust and love for you, well that and some inheritance, but we shouldn't dwell on that. I can't wait to see how well you and my darling Nick bond."

Miriam was quite giddy, "Can you keep a secret?"

Vivian smiled, looking around the room, "Yes, quite well. What is this little secret?"

Miriam smiled, "I'm pregnant!"

Vivian picked the otter up, hugging her and spinning.

"I am so happy for you, have you told Emmet?"

Miriam shook her head, "I was very worried when I got pregnant, seeing as any household you go to will prohibit it, so when Alex called us for a private discussion on the day of dear Nicholas's birth, I thought he was going to force me to rid myself of the child."

Vivian held her close, "My husband is too kind to do such a thing. He cares for every mammal, and he is kept awake, sometimes, by the mere thought of the ones living in hardship that he could not save. If his wallet were as big as his heart, he would be able to care for the whole world several times over with money to spare."

The two were startled by a knock at the door, "Yes? Who is it?"

Alex's smooth voice carried through the heavy door, "Someone who loves you very much."

Vivian giggled, "Come in, dear."

Alex walked in, gold armor shimmering, cape on his shoulders, and his fur neatly combed.

"How do I look?"

Both females stared in awe until Vivian spoke, "Like a mammal with a heart of gold."

Alex held his paw towards the door, "I present to you, my brother in arms, Emmett Otterton, the Guardian."

As he finished his line, a dark figure walked into the room. The figure was smaller than Alex, but it rivaled his presence.

Emmett took his helmet off, looking Miriam in the eyes, "Did I frighten you? If so, then I won't wear the armor."

She shook her head, walked up to him, and placed her paw on the alloy that covered his chest. The metal was warm beneath her paw, as she could feel the warmth of his heart.

"I was not frightened, for I know the man inside, and I know how kind, and how caring you are."

Emmett started to well up at his wife's loving words, "You mean the world to me, dear."

Miriam smiled, "I think you mean WE mean the world to you."

Emmett was clearly confused, so Miriam took his gauntlet covered paw and placed it on her stomach. Emmett's eyes widened at the happy revelation.

"You mean? We are? When?" Emmett could barely form words, as he was too overjoyed.

Alex took his wife's paw, "I do hope that Nick will become very close friends with your child."

Miriam and Emmett nodded, "We will see that they are raised alongside each other, supporting and teaching each other."

Miriam beamed, "I would love that, very much."

Alex looked at the large clock in the corner, "Oh dear, we must get to the ballroom, the guests must be wondering where we are."

Miriam cradled Nick in her arms, walking alongside Vivian.

"He looks like his father."

Vivian smiled remembering his birth, "But he has my eyes."

Miriam nodded approvingly, "He will be one handsome tod."

Alex and Emmett walked ahead of the two females, as he was going to dramatically reveal the kit to the crowd. Two wolves blew trumpets, gaining the attention of the ballroom.

"The honorable Sir Alex is about to make an announcement!"

There was a low buzz through the room, but it soon came to a halt when Alex stepped into view.

"Good evening my friends and neighbors, I have two special announcements to make tonight. I have been graced with a kit, a male, which we have lovingly named Nicholas Piberius Wilde. The mammals that will introduce him to you are my second announcement, Emmett Otterton and Miriam Otterton are two very dear friends, which I have made the godparents of my son."

Suddenly a glass shattered on the floor.

"You fucking coward, are you afraid that you're gonna lose your inheritance to me when you die?"

Alex's eyes locked on to Martin, "I don't recall inviting you, Grey."

He let out a malicious laugh, "You wound me, Alex, alienating the only family you have left."

Alex's face was calm, "I seem to recall you being the ones who alienated me from your lives. I reached out to my sister, trying to help, but instead she turned away, spitting the same malicious words she did to father. This brings me to you, Martin Grey, you are only married into my family, so you will not see one dime of my inheritance given to you. You and Sarah have loathed me when all I have done is show you kindness. I say to you, leave my manor and never return, you are not welcome here, nor is your hate."

The fox scoffed, "What are you going to do? Smile me out?"

Alex stepped forward calmly drawing his sword a few inches out of its sheath, "No, I will spill your blood. I am a kind man, but if you harass my family, then God help you."

Martin growled as he knew he wouldn't even come close to winning in a fight against him, "Fine, enjoy your happiness while it lasts, you and all the scum you treat so disgustingly well."

Martin climbed back into the carriage he arrived in.

"Did you do it?"

The badger grinned, "You'll hear of it quite soon."

The ballroom was still hushed from the confrontation, "I am truly sorry that you had to bear the presence of my hateful brother-in-law. Now, back to what we were doing before this madness. Sir Emmett Otterton and Lady Miriam Otterton, please step forth with my son."

The crowd's murmurs fell as Emmett, clad in his dark armor, walked forward to Alex, followed by his wife.

"These are my entrusted guardians in the event that I should be taken from this world. I know the thought is saddening, but it is a very likely possibility, so I wanted to have the house in the possession of someone who would ensure that the house would continue to run in the manner that I saw fit. Nothing will change if I die, it will simply be a change-of-command. The Ottertons would look after Nicholas until the age of twenty-one, and Nicholas would take control of the house."

Alex sighed, "I do hope you will love him, not as I do, as only a father can love his son the way he does, but as a family, a big family. If I am taken from him, he will need a family to look after him, and there is no better fit than the one I see before me. I cannot force you to love him, and I will not, but I will ask you, will you love my little Nicholas?" An old wolf slowly walked up to Alex, "How could we not love him? He has your blood. He will be as great, if not greater than you, Alex. I do hope your time on this world is long enough to see him become the great mammal he is destined to be."

Alex let a tear roll down his cheek, "You are truly kind, every one of you. I do not deserve such kindness."

The old wolf chuckled, "It is us who should be saying that, but you took us all in, gave us good food, clothed us, and treated us with kindness and respect, not one mammal in this manor could even fathom hating you."

He then slowly turned to the crowd, "Let us hear a mighty welcome to the new heir!"

The crowd cheered and shouted, "Welcome to your home, Nicholas."

The cheering died down and turned into a low rumble of chatter, but that was soon interrupted by a scream.

"ALEX, COME QUICK."

The fox raced to Miriam's voice. Vivian was on the ground, pale and weak.

"I NEED A DOCTOR!"

Alex's pain could be heard clearly in his voice.

"I'm here Vivian, I'm here, the doctor will be here soon, just stay awake until then."

He leaned in to kiss her, but was stopped by her weak paw, "No, Alex. There could still be poison on my lips. Nick needs his father, as his mother won't be able to give him her love. I don't want to see you in heaven for some time, you hear? I want to hear about all your crazy adventures with him, all your silly blunders, and all of the stories of his kind deeds. I love you, so very much. I hate for you to have to see me go like this."

Alex kissed her between her ears, "I will do my best, Vivian. I will stay alive for as long as I can. I will take him on many adventures, we will do many stupid things together, and I will teach him to be kinder than even I was. I love you, Vivian, and I know you will be watching over me, but it pains me to see you go so soon. I will tell Nicholas everything about you, your beauty, your love for everything, your little mannerisms, and your unconditional love for him."

She curled herself around him, her breathing gradually weakening until it stopped altogether. The room was so silent you could hear the Alex's tears hitting his armor. Suddenly Alex let out a pained scream that resounded through the house, repeating this noise several times before his voice grew hoarse, unable to take the brutal emotion he felt. The whole household was holding back tears, simply to be strong for the one who needed it most. Alex was carried to his room and stripped of his armor. He was a heap of sobbing fur in the middle of his bed.

He spent a day grieving before he left his room.

"Have you made funeral preparations, Miriam?" She nodded. "Good, we will have the viewing tomorrow, then the funeral the day after. Has Nicholas been feeding? If so, what has he been nursing on?"

Miriam blushed a bit, "I have been nursing little Nicholas, as I am lactating. He needs to be breast fed, to hear a heartbeat as he feeds."

Alex hugged the otter, "Thank you, so very much, Miriam, but for now, I must prepare for something that goes against everything I believe."

Emmett put his hand on Alex's shoulder, "And what would that be, brother?"

Alex's eyes ignited with a burning rage, "Vengeance."

Emmett put his free hand on the hilt of his sword, "I will follow you into the depths of hell, for whoever did this heinous thing to Vivian shall meet a slow, painful end."

Vivian was surrounded by lilies in her coffin, as they were her favorite flower, her expression was peaceful, so much so that it brought even more pain to Alex. It wasn't easy for him to close the coffin, nor was it easy for him to put the first handful of dirt in the grave.

"Auf wiedersehen, my love, I await my day to join you once more."

Alex had Emmett help him with his armor.

"If I return at all, I will be dying. I want you to bring Nicholas to me if I return. I would like to tell him how much he means to me."

Emmett embraced Alex, "The household will miss your laughter carrying through the halls."

Alex let out a shuddering sigh, "And I will miss laughing at your terrible jokes."

They separated, "I will see you soon, brother"

Alex nodded before leaving the manor.

Martin startled when a wolf burst through the door of his study, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The wolf huffed, "ALEX…HERE…KILLED…GUARDS!"

Martin grabbed a crossbow, running to the main hall of his mansion.

"Have him distracted, if I can get close, then this bolt should punch through his chainmail."

Alex fought, mercilessly slaying every mammal that crossed swords with him.

"MARTIN, I MAY BE GOING TO HELL FOR THIS, BUT I WILL DRAG YOU DOWN WITH ME!"

The sheer anger behind his words made Martin shudder. Martin ran outside, seeing two wolves striking at him, but failing to wound him. Martin saw his chance, rocketing forward. As martin touched the crossbow to Alex's chainmail covered gut, he fired. The bolt shattered the tiny metal rings, piercing his innards, and lodging itself in the metal on the back of Alex's armor.

Martin smiled maliciously, but cringed as he felt a pain in his chest. Alex had driven his sword into his chest as he had fired the crossbow.

"You…sneaky…bastard." Martin collapsed, he was dead.

Alex spit at him, "Hypocrite."

The two wolf body guards growled, but stopped as Alex held his paw up, "I'm dying, so killing me would be redundant, I just want to go home and spend the last few moments I have letting my son know how much I love him." Alex turned around, limping home.

When Alex arrived back at the manor, he was greeted by a flurry of worried queries, but he simply asked for Nicholas to be brought to his study. Alex waited in his study, his cape was torn, his armor scratched and bloody, and his breath was weak, but he was going to hold on for Nicholas. Emmett and Miriam walked in, Miriam handing Nick to Alex.

"Hello, Nicholas, father had to go do something, but he is back now. I want you to know, I love you more than words can express, farther than man can travel, and longer than time can last. I will always be watching over you, along with mother. We will be watching over you as you grow to be the great mammal you are destined to be. I only wish that we could have watched you become that great mammal, but it was not meant to be. I must be going now, I love you, so very much, Nicholas."

Alex's breathing slowed gradually until he took in a large breath, letting out a sigh. Alex had died peacefully in his study.

The household wore black armbands, as they were all in mourning. Alex Wilde was buried next to his wife, and his armor was put on a display stand in the living room. In the months that followed, Alex's sister did not attempt to take the house or his inheritance, as she had fallen gravely ill, eventually passing away, leaving her house to her teenage son, Gideon Grey. Emmett had not had to use the armor gifted to him by his fallen brother, but he kept it well cleaned and oiled, always ready for when he would need it. Nicholas bonded quite well with Miriam, and when she had her child, he bonded with him too. Miriam and Emmett agreed on naming him Alex Willis Otterton. The wounds of loss were still fresh, but they would heal with time.