Night had fallen over the town. Not a single person was on the street, only those who were in the comfort of their homes, fast asleep as they drifted into their dreams. On top of a hill, there stood a house; a three story structure with a Victorian gate around the premises. In the back, there was a ray of light illuminating a room. Inside, an old man was in there, organizing books in his giant study room, as he placed each book carefully on the shelves. Nothing was disturbing his train of thought, or at least, that's what he thought. Unaware to him, a presence was entering its way into the room as the man continued to stack books. Slowly it crept, silently as it closed in on him. Then, with just one more step, it spoke.
"Mr. Studebaker."
"Aah!" the man dropped the books in his hands while being startled. He looked up to see a young woman smiling at him. She had dark brown hair, light tan skin, and beautiful blue eyes, hence named after the jewel, sapphire.
"Oh, for the love of— Sapphire! You need to be careful. I'm an old man now with a shaken up heart."
"Sorry," she giggled, "I just wanted to see if you're okay."
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," he swatted his hand, "I was just finishing up for the night."
"I can see that..." she looked at every books that was shelf, "anyway, I was able to find a replacement for the nightshift."
"That's good," Studebaker smiled, "ever since you've been working at the police station, you always had more time for work, and less time in everything else...unlike your high school years."
"It was easy...but having a job is brutal." The old man gave a hearty laugh.
"Well, you were the youngest cadet to ever make it in the police department...and the top recruit there is too."
"Thanks for the praise, but anyway...look what I made during break," she took out a sketchbook and gave it to him. He looked at a page, which had a drawing of an old sheep in a white coat.
"Wow, this is really good," he flipped through another page. This one had a drawing of a tiger cub, with a younger version of Sapphire herself.
"So you had those dreams again?"
"Yes," she took back her sketchbook, "I don't know why, but I always see these animals in clothes and act like us, like anthropomorphic beings. Strangely enough, I'm somehow in the mix of it, and I always hear the names in my head for each one. Why do you think I see that?" She turned towards him. However, she saw a very faint expression, mixed with sadness and interest.
"Mr. Studebaker...?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry Sapphire. I was just thinking—" he stopped when he looked at her. This time, he examined her carefully and saw it. He grabbed her arm and pulled up her sleeve. On her forearm there was a bruise that was recently made.
"Where did you get this?" He asked in a serious tone.
"Oh, um...it's nothing. Just a little accident at work."
"Accident my foot! Its those guys again," Studebaker let go of her as he went back to stocking his books. He was slamming each one furiously onto the shelf.
"I can't believe after all this time, your commanding officers can't seem to control their cadets! I don't see why you're still working there instead of transferring somewhere else!"
"Its the best district in the state," Sapphire calmly implied, "and my commanding officers can't monitor them 24/7. Besides the payment is good, so I can get an easy fair amount to pay off the debts in this house."
"Sapphire I told you, you can't be doing this for me," he sighed, "this is your dream job...but if you keep working there, you're going to be black and blue all over. When your parents passed away, I made a promise to myself that I would be there to protect you. Honestly, those cadets at your work don't have any appreciation for the young, especially women...and they call themselves the best—hah!" He threw a book down the isle. Sapphire sighed and put her hand on his arm.
"I know they don't treat me fairly, but at least you do...and that's something I always look forward to when coming home."
"I still think you should transfer..." he mumbled.
Its true that things were tough at times. She never knew her parents, and Studebaker wouldn't tell her for personal reasons, so she gave up trying to ask the same question. Also, being the youngest cop in her district made more challenges for herself. Not many people knew about the kind of cruelty other officers did to newcomers, even years after being on the force. Even so, Sapphire held on and kept away from doing any harm to them, even though she could knock a whole group down with just her fists. In the meantime, she was happy to live her dream and be with her guardian. Sapphire went down the isle shelf to get the book he threw. However, just when she was looking around, she noticed something. She felt a draft, but why was it coming from inside when the windows are closed? Curious, she began to follow the trail, away from the old man as he was occupied. Sapphire walked passed each shelf and books stacked on the floor. Just then, the draft became stronger. Sapphire turned to her left, only to see a shelf out of place. She went closer and closer, taking consideration as she reached out. Without thinking, she pulled one side with both hands, until it made a small opening. She peeked into the crack, and what she saw made her gasp quietly. Inside there was a tunnel, stretching far as the darkness covered the distance. The question was...where does it lead? She never saw anything like this before. Sapphire pondered as her curiosity grew to know the meaning of this.
"Sapphire!?" Mr. Studebaker was calling out, catching her off guard. She turned her head down the isles.
"Sapphire! We should head back and have dinner!"
"O-oh, okay!" She said as she started to walk back. Sapphire took one glance at the shelf again before leaving.
Fast Forward
It was 8 in the evening. The house stood still for quite a while. However someone couldn't be still. Sapphire was in her room staring at the ceiling for who knows how long. She couldn't get the thought of that one shelf out of her head. Where did that tunnel lead to...and why was it there in the first place? Is Mr. Studebaker hiding something? Only questions were filling her head. She needed answers. Sapphire put on a t-shirt and shorts, and slowly crept down stairs so as to not wake up the old man. She managed to enter into the study room. With a flashlight in her hands, she scoured the isles as the ray of light shined on each shelf. Soon enough she felt the breeze again, and Sapphire ran towards it. The shelf was still the same when she left it, the opening to where the tunnel was. She shined her flashlight down the tunnel, but there seemed to be no end of it. She took a deep breath.
"Here goes..." Sapphire made her way in. She walked down the tunnel while keeping her flashlight in front. She kept on walking and walking, and started to wonder if it would ever end. Suddenly, her foot slipped and down she went while sliding and screaming in alarm. Then, she felt herself up in the air, and finally, down on the ground. She groaned as she tried to pick herself up. She quickly got her flashlight and pointed to her side. There she found something interesting. A switch was implanted on the wall. She slowly approached it, cautiously examining it before pressing on. Using both hand, she forcibly pushed down the lever. Within seconds a flicker of light shined the whole area. She couldn't believe it, but Sapphire was in an underground cave. There was the rectangular lights on the ceiling, lab equipment, a desk, and other gadgets. Sapphire explored the place, though one object was peculiar from the rest. It was a techno invention; a ring-shaped object the size of a truck. On the far right, there was a control deck. It had all sorts of buttons and switches, but the lever stood out with a note stuck to it. Sapphire picked it up and read it.
Reminder:
July 15th: Turn on the portal 8:30 pm
Press Z1, O3, O9 in that order, and pull lever
Sapphire tilted her head. She pulled out her phone; almost a minute before the exact time. What made her curious was that today was the 15th. Why would Studebaker make something like this? Why did she never see this hidden place before? Her curiosity took over as she looked at the controls. She was very suspiciously of this, and although she would advise not to, Sapphire needed to know what this machine did. She read the instructions while going along. She pressed the buttons in order, all she had to do was pull the lever. Sapphire put her hand on it. She took a deep breath and sighed slowly. She struggled before successfully pulling it down. The sound of electrical glitches and the air whooshing inside the invention were made. The sound was not as loud, but the vibration in the house woke the old man on the third floor.
"What the... The portal!" Mr. Studebaker got up and went to change clothes.
Sapphire watched as the portal opened. It had an array of blue, white and purple mixed together as it slowly spiraled. It sounded like electro waves booming out in a rhythm. She slowly walked in front of it, gazing at the large machine. However, just when she came any closer, something popped out. Sapphire made a short yelp as she jumped back. A figure appeared, a very large one as it made its way out of the portal. Sapphire was speechless. Her mouth was slightly open as she looked up at the person, or in this case a mammal.
"Sorry if I startled you," his voice bellowed, "I wasn't expecting to see you first."
She tried to speak. Sapphire wanted to say something, or anything to make sure she wasn't dreaming. For in front of her very eyes, there stood a large African elephant, standing on two feet like a person. He had a brown coat and collared shirt with a necktie. He adjusted his glasses as he looked down at her.
"Well now," he smiled, "look how much you've grown. How are you miss Lovell?"
"... Um... I, uh..."
"Come on now, speak up. It's rude to keep someone waiting."
"O-oh...yes sir," she shakily nodded as she put her hand out, "I'm Sapphire Lovell, and yes, I'm doing just fine."
"My name is Goliath Trunks. Professor Trunks if you'd like to say..." He shook her hand with his trunk, which Sapphire laughed in amazement.
"Wow... I...am I still dreaming?"
"I know it must be hard to believe, but I am real, as well as my friends. Speaking of which, they should have been here a minute ago." Just then, two other animals jumped out of the portal.
"Carrots, a little warning when you pull someone into a strange portal."
"You wouldn't be here if I didn't grab your sorry tail. There was nothing to be afraid of..."
Sapphire was looking at a rabbit and a fox. Both had uniforms, police uniforms for different gender.
"Ah, finally...come here you two."
The mammals walked up to them.
"A bunny cop...and a fox cop," Sapphire mumbled.
"So this is what a human looks like," the fox said, "kinda funny-looking for a mammal..."
"Nick! Don't be rude!" the bunny whispered harshly and slapped his arm.
"Ahem," Mr. Trunks cleared his throat, "if you two are done, please introduce yourselves." He gestured his trunk towards her.
"Hi! I'm Officer Judy Hopps," the bunny smiled and showed her badge.
"I'm Officer Nick Wilde," the fox nodded, "I'm her partner."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Officer Sapphire Lovell."
"You're a cop too?" Judy said with excitement.
"Yes," Sapphire smiled.
"What's happening!? Is everything al...right...?" Studebaker paused as he saw everyone together. He looked at Sapphire with as confused look.
"Ehehe...I can explain..." Sapphire sheepishly smiled.
The old man then looked at the elephant.
"Today is the day my friend," Mr. Trunks implied, "its time you tell her."
"... Tell me what? In fact, what's going on? I mean, I am a little bit confused, not freaking out though, cause that would be rude to you," she looked at the mammals.
"That's true," Nick implied.
"...but somebody tell me before I really lose my mind," Sapphire went back and forth at the two. Studebaker sighed and crossed his arms.
"Sapphire..." he began, "there's something you should know. You see, your parents and I were the ones who found...them." He pointed with his eyes at the mammals.
"What are you talking about? Does this have something to do with this, portal?"
"Yes. I was the one who invented this...years ago before you were even born. Your parents were the ones who traveled into a new world...a dimension different from ours. In this case, a population of walking, talking animals with clothes." Sapphire looked at them, and then back at Studebaker.
"Look, why don't we all head to my study room and talk about this," he insisted.
"...Okay...but if this is true...what kind of place do they live in?"
"Well...I can say a lot of things, but...the place where your parents were...was called Zootopia."
"...Zootopia...?"