Hello Readers!
Welcome old and new readers to my Zootopia story! Yay! I am doing this one as a side project while I write LGH, since sometimes I like to write about other characters besides Sonic and crew. I loved Zootopia, and saw an article about how originally predators were going to have collars around their necks to protect the prey. It got my writer wheels turning, so here is the inro to my new story! Hope you guys enjoy it! I will be writing the history of the story in my own way, just a warning XD
Happy Reading!
CHAPTER 1: In the Beginning
For as long as anyone could remember, there has always been an endless cycle of life. The little fish eats seaweed, the larger fish eats the little fish, the strongest fish devours the larger fish, and when the strongest fish dies, it's waste turns into food for the seaweed. So on, and so forth; the world was in a delicate balance. All animals knew their place, all animals accepted their fate. It would have been so forever, if not for the spark of intelligence that lighted in the mammals of the world. Suddenly prey could talk, predator could empathize. And the world was thrown into a terrifying new age.
Of course, at first, neither prey or predator, wanted to relent to the other. Hate and fear running rampant in uneducated minds. Things that were simple were made to be complicated and things that could've been love, turned to evil. After years of exhausting wars, and seemingly endless battles, the leaders of predator and prey, met together, and formed the city of Zootopia to be the capital of their new and advanced world; Zootopia.
All was well for many years, until the deadly massacre of 165. 165 years after the city's creation, a massive attack on prey from predators happened. The bodies piled up, and no one could figure out the cause of the sudden outbreak of violence, when before there'd been nothing to fear. After a few months, the attacks suddenly stopped, but not without leaving their scar. Thousands upon thousands of prey had fallen victim to the claws and teeth of predators. Prey no longer felt safe in the world, and the leaders of the city grew anxious.
Worry for another war, made them come to the agreement that all predators would be issued a collar, which would shock the wearer if signs of 'the hunt' were detected. The law stated that at first sign of fangs and claws, a predator must put on a collar which would force them into submission if need be. The collar would detect the hormones, and beat of a heart to determine if the wearer would attack. If the data received matched the right 'danger' levels, then electricity would shoot into the animal. If a small shock did not calm them, then the collar would use a higher wattage to completely knock the predator out.
Although this decree seemed harsh, it was the best way to ensure all prey would not live in fear. Peace once again returned to the world of Zootopia and once again Zootopia City became a beacon of hope and advancement.
Afterall, all animals were created equal but separate, right?
It was now year 213, and Judy Hopps was what you would call a teacher's pet, a goody two shoes, even at times, a stick in the mud. But to Judy, this was all because she loved justice. Judy was a firm believer in following rules; if you followed the rules then nothing would go wrong.
Along with her sense of justice, Judy also felt the need to protect those who could not protect themselves from rule breakers. She would come to the rescue and help any and all who were in need. Which was why being a police officer was the best job for her. Or at least that's what she reasoned with her parents.
"Come on, Mom! I just know it's what I'm meant to do!"
"Judy dear," Bonnie Hopps sighed, as she juggled two baby bunnies in her arms, and played with three more using her hind paws.
"You know your father and I support any dream you have. But a police officer… honey, you know there has never been a bunny officer in the history of Zootopia. Not a mention any animal who is smaller than-"
"Mom! I don't care!" Seventeen year old Judy huffed angrily.
She was about to graduate from Bunhill High, meaning she must pick her career and the school she wished to attend afterwards. Of course, that had been the easy part. She'd always known what she wanted to do, even as a small bunny. The hard part was getting her parents on the same page.
"Look, I know it's scary for you and Dad, but it's something I really want to do… it's something I must do."
Bonnie looked at her daughter. The young rabbit's lavender eyes were wide and pleading, her long perfect ears twitched nervously as she waited for her mother's response. Her beautiful daughter, her strong and righteous daughter… oh how Bonnie wished she could just keep Judy at home, helping the farm and helping to raise her siblings. But maybe it would be alright… Judy would have to go through grueling training to be an officer, and Bonnie hoped that she would realize just how ridiculous the whole notion of being police was, once she had a taste of the hardship. And besides, there was no reason to fear a predator attack… they had those collars after all.
"Oh… alright hon, if that's what you really want-"
Judy jumped into the air with an excited squeal. She hopped over to her mother, careful to not step on one of her many siblings, and pulled Bonnie into a choking hug.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Ma!"
Bonnie smiled nervously as her precious daughter hopped about in her arms, her endless energy heightened at the acceptance of her dream job. But all the while Bonnie's face remained darkened and concerned, her light purple eyes shining in a slight fear. Her button nose twitched as she spoke quietly in her daughter's ear, the hushed sound dampening the young rabbit's enthusiasm.
"Just… just promise me you'll be safe."
Judy leaned back so she could get a good look at her mother. Her ears lowered slightly, and her eyes softened at the sight of her worried mother.
"I promise Ma." Judy said, with what she thought was a reassuring smile. Bonnie weakly returned the expression, and watched as Judy left with a large hop in her step. As she stared at the back of her beloved little bunny, a tear fell from her eye.
"Please be safe."
Later…
Her hind paws dug into mud, as the rain above poured relentlessly. It was night and the sounds that normally occupied the jungle air were silent. No doubt it's inhabitants were all sleeping. They definitely weren't running for their lives, their minds clouded in fear of death.
Her breathing came in short, pained gasps, her tiny lungs desperately searching for any kind of air. A rabbit was fast by nature, but she could only run for so long. A rock, covered in wet earth, poked unseen from the ground, and she fell forward, her ankle twisting in the fall. Her face smashed into the mud, the slimy substance soaking into her delicate grey fur, and seeping into her uniform.
How had it come to this? Just where had she gone wrong?
The sound of crunching twigs and the sucking POP! of a foot lifting from mud, became closer and closer. A violent growl, that almost sounded elated reached her dirt filled ears. Panic striked through her heart, and she attempted to get up and run. She had to run. She had to warn them. He was coming, it was all his fault. No one knew. But her ankle buckled under the sudden weight and she gasped at the sharp pain that flew up her petite frame from the damaged joint.
With no other option she scrambled, dragging herself underneath a bush, hoping the rain and mud would mask her scent from her hunter. She tried to steady her heart and breathing as she heard him get closer and closer. She shut her eyes, and her whole soul wished this was just a dream… just a dream.
No amount of training had prepared her for this. No one had told her of the lung crushing fear that came along with facing death. All her life she'd been sheltered, protected from these monsters.
She whimpered, cursing her prey-like instinct to run in fear. Her mind grasped for anything to distract her from the impending doom. But all that came was thoughts of her family. Her siblings and parents. Their faces parading in her memory like some sick show. She heard her mother's voice - heard her saying those words she'd taken too lightly. The promise she could no longer keep.
'Just promise me you'll be safe.'
The sound was now very close, and suddenly it stopped altogether. Her ears twitched and shook, as she searched desperately for any sound. Anything to help her escape her fate. But all she heard was the steady beat of rain on the leaves above her.
She stayed like that for minutes, but it seemed like hours. She almost thought it was safe, almost thanked God that she would live another day, but then she heard it. The laughter that sent chills down her spine. A voice that used to be a familiar and warm, rang out through the dark night. A voice dripping with excitement from the hunt.
"Where did you go? Don't hide from me."
Soft footfalls were heard to her left, and she shrank back as far away as she could go. She saw his paws as they stepped into her line of vision. The claws were longer and sharper than any monster she'd seen before, even in her worst nightmares. They stepped side to side, his bushy tail whipping back and forth between them. She knew he was searching for any sign, any scent of her.
Against her will, her body shook in primal fear, and in promise of a bloody end. Suddenly they stopped, and slowly turned to face her hiding spot. She could almost feel his muzzle curling into a demented grin - his fangs glinting hungrily, in the moonlight - as his chilling voice rang out, almost mockingly.
"Found you, Carrots."