Part 1 – Warm Greeting
Judy felt light, lighter than even a feather. She felt like she was floating through a dream, with no rhyme or reason to her destination. A tap on her shoulder brought her to her senses and she turned around to see who it was. A crimson-furred bat stood in front of her, dressed in a somewhat dapper suit.
"Sorry to interrupt you, Ms. Hopps," the bat apologized. "But my boss would like to have a word with you."
Judy felt wary about the sudden meeting, but her curiosity got the better of her. She nodded in agreement.
"If you would follow me, then."
The bat led her to a door she hadn't noticed beforehand. He opened it for her and beckoned the bunny inside.
"Please, take a seat, our host should be here shortly."
The bat waited by the door as Judy walked into the modestly decorated office. Bookshelves lined every wall and a large roaring fireplace sat behind the finely crafted desk; a lone chair just her size waited for her in the middle. While she waited in her seat, Judy couldn't help but have her gaze wander amongst the many shelves. She recognized a few names that dotted the books, but many more were in languages she didn't recognize. After a few moments of aimless gazing, her eyes rested upon the flames that called the fireplace home. As they flickered and danced among the logs, she thought she saw a set of eyes staring back at her among the embers.
No sooner had she dismissed it did the fire stir more violently, the flames roared and grew in strength before leaping from the fireplace. They swirled in place behind the desk for a moment and then died down, leaving in its place a sleek red vixen dressed in a ruby dress. The new arrival looked at Judy with piercing blue eyes and gave her a sinister grin.
"Might I say, what a fine entrance, my Lady," the bat commented from his post.
The vixen smiled as she rounded her desk.
"Thank you, Sam," she replied in a smooth voice. "You can leave us now; I'll call you back when you're needed."
"As you wish," Sam confirmed with a bow. "And if I would be so bold as to say that you look rather devilish in that dress."
The vixen gave him a nod as he exited the office.
"That guy is such a kiss-ass," the vixen said as she leaned against her desk. "Thinks that he'll be able to run this place someday, but let me tell you: not in a million years."
She giggled at her own comment. Judy, to her own credit, felt a little lost in what was going on.
"I'm sorry to ask Miss, but-"
"Oh! Right! I should introduce myself," the crimson host declared before clearing her throat. "I am the manifestation of your greatest fear. I go by many names, some you may know, some you may not. But given the current situation, you may call me… Lucy."
"That's nice, Lucy, but actually-"
"You're wondering where you are," Lucy completed for her with a coy grin. "Don't worry, we'll get to that."
The vixen sauntered over to where Judy sat and rested her paws on the arms of the chair, trapping the bunny in place.
"Now Judy, do you know why I'm your greatest fear?" The vixen asked.
Judy wasn't sure what to answer. She eyed the vixen from head to tail, trying to find what was so terrifying about her, but only concluded that she looked beautiful. Her coat shone in the light, her tail was nice and full, and the dress she wore accentuated her slender appeal. If anything, she would be the perfect mate for Nick.
The realization struck her like a knife to the heart; before her stood the one thing she feared the most, a vixen that could steal her partner. She shivered at the thought of her meeting him, taking him with her. Lucy only smiled at the bunny's reaction.
"Lucky for you, I have no interest in your fox," she declared as she backed away and made for her desk.
"So did you bring me here for something, or did you just want to torment me?" Judy scowled.
"As fun as that might be, I did ask for you," the vixen replied from behind her desk. "Because you just might be able to help me, and I, you."
"What could you possibly help me with?" The bunny asked in confusion.
"You really don't know?"
Judy didn't know how to respond.
"You wanted to know where you were earlier, correct?" Lucy asked as she propped her head over her paws. "Well let me shed a little light on the subject. I hope this doesn't as too much of a shock, but… Welcome to Hell."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"To put things simply: Judy Hopps, you're dead."
AN: Alright... *Pulls up a checklist and crosses out 'Killed Judy'*