NOTE: This is a sequel to my "No Second Chances" and "Moonlight", which can be found on my profile. If you haven't read them before, I invite you to go and read them before this one in order to avoid any major spoilers. You will not regret it!

1.14 am. Saturday, August 31, 2020

Ryan opened his eyes slowly and looked around carefully. Other kids in the room were fast asleep. He crawled out of his bed and reached for the bag and clothes hidden under the bed. He changed the pajamas for warm clothes he had prepared, made a fake shape of himself from spare pillows he had stolen the other day and hanged the small bag on his back. He opened the door to corridor and looked around. The orphanage was as silent as ever. The camera hanging in the corner could see him, were it even to work; Ryan had been sneaking out of his room in night for million times now and they never saw him. He made his way two levels lower, found one of the girls' room and knocked on it very quietly. It opened almost immediately and grey bunny couple years younger than him slipped out of the room.

"Everyone sleeping?" He asked and she nodded.

"Mhm," she confirmed shyly, watching the wolf young with worries.

"Alright then, time for me to go…" Ryan paused awkwardly and then, hugged her strongly. "Take care, Mia, don't let those bullies get on your and Thane's heads, will you? And tell your brother that if he lets anything happen to you, I'll come back and kick his ass," he threatened half-jokingly and she giggled.

"I will," she promised. "Be careful, Ryan."

"Hey, it's just a short ride. I'll find him in no time and I'll send you a card once I do," he promised and she nodded weakly. And then, he noticed a small package in her paw. She handed it to him.

"I made you some sandwiches with peanut butter. For the travel," she explained and the young wolf smirked.

"You're the best," he couldn't help, but smirk, as he accepted her small gift. "Alright, let's go before someone spots us," he suggested and Mia agreed with a nod. She opened the door gently and they walked inside. They passed by five beds with sleeping girls and one that was empty and Mia opened the window carefully. Ryan hugged her one more time, whispered a goodbye and then, threw his bag out and then followed it immediately. He landed in the grass, just by the hedge and heard the window closing on the other side. So that was it, not turning back now. Yong wolf found his bag in the darkness, threw it over the shoulder and ran through the darkness to the fence. He climbed it hurriedly and, sitting on its top, took a moment to watch the orphanage he hated so much; a dull, grey, four-level building that was his prison since he ever remembered. But now, his life was changing. He was taking it in his paws. And he was going to get Mia and Thane out too, any time soon.

With no more time for reflections, he jumped down on the pavement and walked the empty street casually. Half a mile further, he stopped at a bus station and waited there for a couple minutes until a bus came. The driver watched ten-year old wolf suspiciously, but said no word, while he took his seat and waited for it to reach his destination.

He found himself at the Sahara Square Railway Station almost half an hour later, left the bus without a word and then, found and boarded his train. Ryan located his empty compartment, closed the door and covered the windows with curtains. In private, he checked the contents of his bag; his wallet with little money he had left, some food, including the one Mia made him, a phone his father gave him just for this opportunity, a jacket, two favorite toys of his and a plushie Mia gave him earlier that day, so that she'd remember them. Finally, he found the two tickets he had; one for two mammals, him and his mother who was supposed to be driving with him and the other one for the remaining seats of the compartment, just to be sure that no one would be seated with him for whole night; anyone would easily figure out that he was travelling alone then and call the police. The wolf smiled to himself. His dad was so brilliant. He had everything figured out so well that the plan was doomed to success. Still, when the train departed from the station finally, Ryan sighed with relief. For a moment, his sight stopped at the sandwiches. In the excitement, he had barely eaten any dinner and now, he was getting really hungry. He ate most of them at once and then, sated as rarely, made a pillow out of his jacket and lied down on the compartment's seats. He fell asleep in mere seconds.

During the journey, he was woken up only once, when the conductor checked his ticket and asked about his parents. He seemed to have bought Ryan's story, as no one bothered him until they reached the Lake City. He got out at the Central Station in the morning. It was just as crowded as he could have only hoped for; Ryan almost immediately vanished among hundreds of mammals hurrying somewhere, each in their own direction. The young wolf, having lost anyone that could have remembered him from the train, went to a fast-food restaurant; there was no better place than it to wait out with no one asking you weird questions. Ryan order some ice cream and fries, waited a few minutes and sat by a table for one in the corner. He ate slowly, watching his phone carefully. It was almost 11 am. It should be ringing any second now, but it did not even once. It lasted like that till 2 pm. In meanwhile, he had changed the restaurants thrice, and watching the phone more and more nervously. Could have something happened? Did his father lose the number or did something delay him?

Ryan left another restaurant and made his way through the station yet again, when he caught a familiar picture on a newsagent's just by him. He bought the newspaper with a photo he recognized and began to read the news from Zootopia. And then, his paw began to shiver, his eyes grew watery, the newspaper slipped out of his paws as he clenched his fists painfully and cried desperately. A police officer approached him carefully.

"Are you alright? Where are your parents?" She asked, but he only pushed her away and began to run desperately. The officer soon caught him and he struggled and whined and tried to bite, but she held him firmly. Finally, the young wolf gave up and, still whimpering, told her everything.

7.26 pm. Friday, September 4, 2020

Lady Jennifer Tompkins, also known as "The Duchess", checked herself in the mirror with dissatisfaction. She was supposed to look wonderful in her dress and she had thought she did when she bought it few days earlier, but now, it was falling flat. She spun slowly to see herself from every angle and sighed with disappointment.

"Everything alright?" Her sixteen-year-old daughter, Olivia, peeked in curiously. Lady Tompkins only sighed with frustration.

"How do I look?" She asked and her daughter watched her suspiciously.

"Um… good?" Olivia assured a bit doubtingly. For someone as confident as her mother questioning her looks was quite a rare view. "Real good, I'd say?"

"The bandage is stained," she waved with frustration her left paw, which was covered in thick, white cloth. "I've changed it like three times and it's still stained. And just look at this!" The wolf watched her chest furiously. "You can see all the bandages under it! It looks awful!" She huffed angrily. "Can you help me…" She was trying to reach the zip lock on her back.

"You'll bleed everything, if you take them off and it will hurt a lot," Olivia reminded her. The Lady took a deep, frustrated breath.

"And just look at that," Duchess snarled angrily at the fresh scar covering her lip. "It's just… how can I go anywhere like this?!"

"Mom…"

"What's going on?" Suddenly Alex, Olivia's twin brother, appeared out of nowhere.

"Alex, to your room," his mother ordered him angrily. The last person she needed was her sassy son.

"Hey, I've said nothing wrong yet!" He protested.

"Yet. I'm sparing you monthly grounding. It's called prevention, boy," she snarled, watching her reflection with frustration. Alex did not move, but eyed his sister carefully, longing for any sort of an explanation.

"Mom thinks her bandages and scar look bad enough that she shouldn't be going for a date with Mr. Osbourne," Olivia explained to him.

"Nonsense," Alex frowned. "Do you remember how you got them, mom?" He asked and his mother turned at him, but said nothing. "By being a freaking badass. There was a rutting bear in our house trying to kill all of us and get these documents from you and you just jumped to his throat to protect us. That guy would smear any other wolf on the floor. But not you. You knocked that freak out and that was rutting awesome. Honestly, you should be walking with these bandages with pride, because they're telling whole the world how freaking awesome you are and Mr. Osbourne totally knows it," he told her firmly and Duchess chuckled, turning back at the mirror.

"I guess," she smiled.

"You never worried about the eye. Why should such a tiny scratch bother you?" Olivia added.

"I'm just…" Lady Tompkins laughed nervously. "It's my first date since ever."

"And you're gonna kill it!" Alex elbowed her and at this same moment, the doorbell rang.

"Speaking of which… Should I let him in?" Olivia suggested, but her mother shook her head and left the wardrobe, snatching her purse in meanwhile.

"I'm already coming," she assured and headed to the door. She unlocked the door and pressed the knob, opening it, when Alex stopped her again.

"OK, so here are the rules. You're back before 11 pm. A minute later and you're grounded. Come back sober. Take this, you never know what happens," he dropped a small taser into her purse. "And remember, it's just a first date, so no…" he paused under the pressure of her sight and laughed aloud. "Sorry, mom, I had to. Have fun!"

"I will. Good night, kids," the Duchess replied and walked toward the gate with the gentle, confident smile she carried around usually. Her children watched Officer Osbourne greeting her by kissing her paw, opening the car door for her politely and then, sitting by driver's seat and driving away with their mother. Olivia seemed rather concerned.

"It's sad," she said finally.

"What?"

"That he's going to spend half of his monthly salary for the car he rented and the dinner he's taking her for and still, he has not a chance," Olivia explained.

"Not a chance?"

"With mom? Half the Happytown has been hitting up on her with no result."

"Half the Happytown was hitting up on her money and influence. And he seems like the first guy to be genuinely hitting up on her," Alex corrected her. "And besides, have you seen her this stressed before?" He asked and his sister dwelled on the question for quite a moment.

"I… I think not?" She admitted reluctantly. "Do you think she…" Olivia paused, but he just reached for his phone and started checking something.

"Do you think Marco Taylor's is opened tomorrow?" He wondered.

"And what would you need from Marco?"

"A new suit, obviously. If my mother's getting married, we've got to look perfect," he explained and Olivia laughed aloud just at the thought. But gradually, the idea was appearing less and less funny. Could it be?

11.03 am, Monday, April 5, 2022

Anastasia Reynolds knocked on the door of the mayoral office. She heard an invitation and came inside to see the same old, good raccoon that had been sitting in there for last five years; mayor Charles Ketchikan.

"Oh, Anastasia! Please, take a seat!" He offered, greeting her with excitement. The wolf smiled weakly and sat in front of his desk.

"I'd like to congratulate you on the reelection, sir," she shook his paw and the mayor chuckled.

"Oh, it gave me quite a stress! Those made up accusations just before voting nearly cost me the election! Shame on those newspapers, publishing anything they find! They're lucky I'm not suing them," the raccoon shook his head with disbelief. He didn't know that it was Anastasia Reynolds who delivered the sources for these scandals with little to no time for mayor to defend himself.

"That's how history is written, sir. One well-timed scandal can turn whole the election over," Anastasia pointed out.

"But not today! Two percent! That's how close I dodged the bullet this time!" He chuckled. "It's good that city trusted me. I know Heveryn and I can't even imagine what ruin he could bring. Have you ever met him?" The raccoon asked curiously.

"I don't know him much," lied Anastasia. Mayor couldn't know that while she practically funded his campaign, she also looked over his rival's fundings.

"Oh, he is a personification of everything that's wrong with this city. Greedy, xenophobic, arrogant and awfully corruptible. But he's also devilishly charming and charismatic, hence such popularity," he explained. "Nothing good would come out of his election."

"That's why I supported you, sir," Miss Reynolds pointed out and the mayor chuckled.

"For which I am eternally grateful! And speaking of gratefulness, I've studied your project of modernization of the climate engines of Tundratown and Sahara Square. I must say, I liked the idea and the numbers standing behind it, but after consulting the project with experts, I'm not sure if it's as beneficial to the city as you'd hope it to be," Ketchikan said with regrets.

"Why is that so?" Anastasia brought her voice to sound neutral, as she counted millions of dollars slipping past her.

"The refrigeration technology has been developing real fast in last decade and it certainly will, for another decade or two. The current systems are working amazingly given their age and should carry on for at least next two decades, even if we assume the worst climate changes possible. We can postpone this investment for at least a decade and receive a much better result for comparable price. I believe you understand," Ketchikan explained.

"I can wait. It is just a decade," Anastasia assured.

"And in meanwhile, the city will be modernizing the gas mains in entire Savannah Central next year. There've been numerous incidents of malfunctions and leakages. If you're hoping for a contract, we'll be announcing an open tender on June," he suggested politely.

"I will take part in it. Thank you very much," the young wolf treated him to the most charming of smiles and Ketchikan returned it. He then sighed pushed his chair away from the desk, jumped off it and stood by the window. Anastasia followed him.

"Wonderful view, isn't it? Tell me, girl, what do you see?" He pleased and she hesitated for a moment.

"The city. Old good Zootopia, same as ever," she replied politely, but he chuckled and shook his head.

"The buildings might be the same, dear Anastasia, but this is the city of change. Everything's changing. The balance is shifting. It has been since ever I have been elected and, sadly to admit, I rarely had much to do with it. Do you know who did instead?" Asked the mayor and his guess shook her head.

"I'm afraid not, sir," Anastasia replied.

"Detectives Judy Hopps and Nicholas Wilde. Whenever there's been an earth-shaking event in last five years, these two played a major role in it. It's amusing, isn't it? How two officers have more to say in some cases than the mayor himself."

"I'm afraid that's the way of life, sir," Miss Reynolds pointed out politely and the mayor nodded.

"Indeed it is, young lady, and you should remember it. We may be all high and mighty, looking down on the city like Lionheart or Bellwether used to be and then, someone small and seemingly meaningless like Hopps or Wilde will come around and bring out all the bad things we have done. That's simply the way of life."

"Then what to do about it?" Anastasia asked.

"Do you know why Lady Tompkins has outlived Mr. Thunders, metaphorically at least?"

"No, sir," Anastasia shook her head.

"Because most of her actions served the greater good with the least harm to the inviduals, quite oppositely to him. She has few enemies among the people…" The mayor eyed Anastasia carefully. "And someone who serves their people should not be destroyed by the great ones of the world unless she fails," he said and Miss Reynolds shivered. Was it a warning? Ketchikan surely knew how she hated the Duchess, how she had been trying to make her life harder in last two years.

"I understand, sir," Anastasia replied, barely containing the fury. "I should be going."

"It's been pleasure to host you, Anastasia. Visit me more often, could you?" Mayor pleased.

"I will," Anastasia lied with a polite smile. She shook mayor's paw, congratulated him on the reelection yet again and left his office. To say that she was angry, would be an understatement. Mayor Ketchikan could have been an interesting mammal and an excellent partner for future businesses. But Anastasia Reynolds didn't need a partner or any help with her businesses. What she needed was a pawn at mayoral office, a chance for whom she lost for another five years.

"Oh, well. Father had what I have and he got along just fine. I can handle it on my own," she muttered to herself with the plan already crafting in her head.

4.44 pm, Saturday, April 12, 2022

A grey wolf in his mid-twenties knocked on the door of orphanage's director. Upon invitation, he pressed the doorknob and stepped inside to see an old, quite chubby honey badger. She smiled upon a familiar face, even if her smile was a rather bitter one.

"Ah, James. Please, sit down," she encouraged him and the young wolf took his seat.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Ubik."

"You're here to see the boy, aren't you? They're on a trip today…"

"I know, I know. A lot has changed around here," James looked around and she nodded.

"Reynolds Reparation Fund at its finest. They're decent mammals in the end, these Reynolds," admitted the director. "About the boy, I've consulted your case again and…" She paused and he already knew what she was about to say.

"Rejected," he stated bitterly.

"It's not that simple, James. You have some criminal past. You live in a small flat, earn just enough to live on your own… No one is going to give you the boy, even if it would be the right thing to do," she explained helplessly and saw him clenching his fists in fury.

"He's my family! I have my own house! Why can't I just…" He raised up and yelled at her and then, dropped back on the chair helplessly.

"If you want to take him, you need more money, James."

"Then what am I supposed to do? Boss will give me no raise. No one will hire a guy with my past and give him more money than he does. Loan doesn't solve a damn thing. Where am I supposed to take money from, Reynolds Fund?!"

"Technically…"

"I have no basis, Mrs. Ubik. And besides, guys smarter than me tried to hustle them, none have succeeded," he reminded her and she hesitated, considering some idea deeply.

"Have you ever considered Duchess, boy? No offence, but she's looking for your kind of…"

"It's because of Duchess and her Spencer Young, that my brother is dead," James replied scornfully, mad with just the idea. "I will not ever work for her."

"It's just a rumor and she could solve your…"

"I don't believe that this fox pulled that thing off on his own. There's no freaking way he gathered these guys, waltzed into Reynolds residence and murdered him just like that! I don't believe that!"

"I understand. I'm sorry, James, but I can't help you and you need to find someone that can. If not Duchess, then…"

"I'll figure something out. Thank you, Mrs. Ubik," he stood from his chair and shook her paw.

"Just don't do anything stupid, boy."

"I'll try not to," he promised, leaving her office. As he was back on the street and on his way home, he searched the contact list for a number he received recently from an old friend. He dialed it.

"State your name and business," ordered a female voice.

"My name is James Greymane and I have this number from our common friend, Terence Okami. From what he mentioned, I might be just the guy you are looking for."

"We'll see about it. Come to my office tomorrow at 3 pm. Not a minute later," she ordered.

"Of course, ma'am," he promised and then, she hung up. James smirked. His fate was on its turn, hopefully for much, much better.

2.54 pm, Friday, May 8, 2022

"So…" Chief Bogo coughed, watching carefully the guest he was having in his office; a young, tall and slim female grey wolf, who could pass for a fashion model, rather than an actual police officer, even if she was dressed in her uniform. There was this sort of disturbing self-confidence, not to say vanity, glowing in her green eyes. "Officer Isabelle Alvarez. You come to us from Tundratown ZPD… You've served under Blizzard for a couple of years, haven't you?" He noticed.

"I did. Is it a problem, sir?" she replied with the most charming voice Bogo might have ever heard, as she adjusted herself in a seat. Bogo thought at first, as funny as it would be, that she was trying to seduce him or something, but he now figured that looking so dazzlingly dashing simply was natural to her.

"No, of course, not. I've seen that you had some very good results under him, but I couldn't fail to notice that your performance reports from the last two years have been much, much worse," he pointed out carefully.

"This is why Chief suggested moving me here. Alvarez wolves in ZPD were always… associated with Blizzard and Thunders. With the storm which Spencer Young raised, my two cousins and uncle were fired as the part of the corrupted Blizzard's old guard and I was getting all sorts of the wrong attention."

"You were not involved in any of these schemes," Bogo noticed politely.

"You remember those times well, Chief. A witch hunt, that's what it was. ZPD cut itself away from everyone connected with Blizzard. Many officers lost their jobs only because they knew him too well. Plenty others were moved around the town, just to be gone from their home district. If what we've done to Wilde was wrong, then so was what you've done to us," Officer Alvarez blamed him.

"We were very careful in our accusations, Officer. No one without guilt was punished," Bogo stated firmly and she wanted to protest, but stopped under pressure of his sight. "After the backlash Wilde faced, we made sure for the thing to not repeat. I understand the frustration of yours, given how many friends of yours were fired, but you should realize this was the right thing to do. Their deeds may have been of old, but they should always be punishable," he told her. Officer Alvarez hesitated, but then, took a deep breath and surrendered.

"I understand, sir. I suppose you're right," she admitted.

"I know it's hard to admit it, given that you knew them well and not from the side Spencer Young revealed," Bogo said and she seemed to lighten up a bit. "I will gladly welcome you in my Precinct, Officer. It certainly would be a shame for such a talent to wither and it certainly would, back in Tundratown."

"Like a flower in the snow, sir," she pointed out and Bogo smirked. Like a flower… the analogy surely fit her perfectly.

"One of my detectives will be retiring in a few days. I'll assign you to his partner. He's younger than you and higher in rank, but he is a decent wolf. You should get along," Bogo explained.

"Of course, sir. When do I start?" She asked rather excitedly.

"We'll take care of the paperwork over the weekend and I am expecting you on Monday. The roll call's at 8.30, you'll be introduced to your new partner. That would be all for today."

"Of course, sir," Officer Isabelle Alvarez raised herself from her chair. She saluted the Chief and left his office. Barely had the door closed behind her, his terminal rang.

"Yes, Clawhauser?"

"Sir, I was supposed to remind you about the analyst you are supposed to hire," the cheetah said.

"Oh, of course. Thank you, Clawhauser," Bogo hung up and found the couple of CVs he had lying somewhere on the desk. He leafed through them, chose several of them and threw the rest into a trash bin, wondering why he hadn't done it before; the sort of mammals that were sometimes applying to this sort of jobs was ridiculous. From the few that made it through the basic selection, Bogo chose one and called the number attached.

"Mr. August Fares? Chief Bogo here."

"Oh, so you did call back! How can I help, sir?"

"You've made really good expression on me during our previous meeting. Are you still interested in the position of the ZPD analyst, sir?" Chief asked.

"But of course! When could I start?" August Fares seemed really excited about whole the thing.

"Please come on Monday at 8.30 to the roll call. One of the officers will walk you around the station and we'll complete the formalities then.

"Yes sir! I'm looking forward to employing my skills for the good of the city, sir!" He exclaimed enthusiastically.

"So am I, Mr. Fares. Until Monday," Chief Bogo said, a bit disturbed with this sort of fervor. The last time he had someone like this, she stirred the city like no one and had two mayors arrested in three months. Did he really need this again?

"Yes sir! Until Monday!" August Fares assured, probably even saluting to the phone. His enthusiasm really was disturbing. Chief Bogo sighed deeply as he hung up. Just another day, two new faces in his Precinct. Life goes on.

NOTE: Sort of a prologue, sort of previous book's epilogue... The first chapter is out! The next is coming on 02.12.2017!