(AN: Hello everyone who is reading this. SirRedFox here with a brand new story that I will be writing between chapters of The Long Hustle. I know I've been mentioning the release of this story for awhile now, and finally, after long over due, here it is. A Wild West tale of Zootopia. Please read to the end to which their will be a poll involving the next installment. And as always, please feel free to leave a review if you can. All forms of criticism is welcomed. Oh, one more thing. I know that in the world of Zootopia all land mammals have evolved to form societies. However, to keep the western theme, horses are the only land mammals to not evolve. So, sorry Equestranauts, you drew the short straw this time. Also, the cover art for this story is from TheWyvernsWeaver. You can check out more art from his artist at DeviantArt.
Thank you all so much, and please enjoy the first chapter of The Good, The Bad, and The Wilde.
-SirRedFox)
Ch. 1, Thy Father's Responsibilities:
"You think I'm brave because I carry a gun?!
No!
Your Fathers are brave because they carry Responsibility!"
- The Magnificent Seven, 1960
High above in the sky's center, the blazing sun beats down on the land. Not a single cloud in the sky to provide some form of shade. Despite the heat, the area was not baren. Fields of yellow oats, that move like waves as the wind blows. The colors of yellow, pink, and white buds blooming in the trees. Lush green forest in the distance, frolicking all forms of life.
Stu Hopps sits on the wooden wagon, holding the reins to their draft horse, Bruce, pulling the cart down the trail to Zootopia. Bruce was one of two horses the Hopp's owned. Well, three actually, after finding out that their Arabian mare, Gracia, to be pregnant. The Hopps seeing this a good thing, able to have more horses to contribute more work.
Stu and Bonnie's oldest child, six-year-old Judy Hopps, jumps with excitement once hearing the news of Gracie going to be giving birth. She has high hopes that her Ma and Pa will let her care for the filly as her own. Judy makes all the promise that kits make when wanting something with so much responsibility. Promising her father to feed, clean, and train the horse her self. The only thing, giving her more excitement than getting a young filly, that her father finally agrees to take her with him to Zootopia.
Judy has heard great things about the rising utopia, called Zootopia. The weekly BunnyBurrow chronicle stating Zootopia as the place where you can be anything you want to be, in one of its printings. Judy repeats those words to herself every night before falling asleep, the place where you can be anything you want to be. The phrase opened Judy's mind to possibilities she would have never considered. Ever since, Judy would ask her Pa to take her with him every time he made a shipment of produce to the city. Every time she would ask, Stu would tell her "no."
Reasons why were for the past few years, the country engaged in a Civil War. Worst, BunnyBurrow seemed to be smack in the center of the two feuding sides. The BunnyBurrow chronical announces in the papers that the war was finally coming to an end. Armies were ceasing fire and forming a reasonable treaty with the surrendering army. Though the war over, the nation was an open wound. Tempers were high, with radicals from both sides continuing fighting and causing havoc for all.
After denying Judy a spot on the cart for his trips to Zootopia, Stu finally gave in believing the travel to be safer with the war being over. Though Stu still makes sure to bring his loaded 1860 Henry Rifle with him on every trip, especially now with Judy tagging along. Stu always makes sure that the rifle is loaded and propped against his leg for quick, easy access. Though he still brings the gun on his travels for precaution, he always hopes never to have to raise it at another mammal, much less, ever have to fire it.
The day he and Judy were to leave for Zootopia, Stu loads the Henry Rifle to its fullest with .44 caliber rounds. He cocks the lever, putting one bullet in the chamber, allowing him to pack one extra shot. Cocking the lever primed the firing hammer, ready to fire and unsafe. Stu presses a firm thumb on the hammer and pulls the trigger. With care and ease, Stu moves the hammer back in a safe position, making the weapon no longer primed.
Looking at the rifle, Stu couldn't help admire the rifle's beautiful design. From the blue tapered barrel making it strong and reliable from any damage. To the forge of a golden brass frame, with engravings to give it that extra flair. Last, the walnut polish on the grip and stock, giving the shooter a steady aim. A sad thought always comes to Stu's mind when admiring his Henry Rifle. That something so beautiful with a masterful designed serves one purpose, bring death.
Stu set the rifle to the side, making sure he had everything else he needs for his travel. Wearing his wool pants, white shirt with suspenders, and thick brown coat. The last item of clothing was his brown Open Crown hat with a flat rim. He was ready.
Outside, Bonnie, Judy, and the younger siblings were all helping load the chart with as much produce Stu, and Judy could bring on their travel. The produce they had were most being carrots that they harvest from their farm. There were also two baskets of turnips and radishes, and a small pail of blueberries. Stu covers the produce with a thick brown tarp.
Judy, wearing a lite blue dress, trying to climb up into the shotgun placement on the wagon. The seat was a little too high for her to climb up. Stu, coming up behind her, grabs under Judy's arms and lifts her up. She giggles with laughter as Stu places her on the wooden seat. Walking around the wagon, Stu stops to see Bonnie giving him a concerning look. He goes over to comfort her and remove all worries.
"We're going to be okay, I promise," Stu said. "We should be back in six days, eight at the most."
"I know," Bonnie said. "I'm a little more worried than usual since you bringing Judy with you."
"We'll be fine. I believe with the war over the trails will be safer."
Bonnie smiles up at her husband and stands on her tiptoes, planting a loving kiss on Stu's lips. Her kiss brought a smile to Stu and making his ears point straight up. From the wagon, Judy called out to her Pa with glee.
Stu, adjusting his open crown hat making his ears bend back behind his head. Taking his seat right beside Judy, placing the Henry Rifle propped next to his right leg for easy access to grab. Judy tied her white bonnet tight on her head to protect her from the sun. Stu grabs hold the reins hooked to Bruce, and with a flick of his wrist, the leather straps make a wave, slapping Bruce's back, meaning it's time start moving.
Judy, filled with excitement, keeps turning around to wave goodbye to her siblings. Before leaving the Hopps farm and getting on the trail to Zootopia, the wagon passes the Hopp's large storage shed. The storage shed, stores the Hopp's supply of vegetables, fruits, and grains. The shed helps preserve their goods from spoiling quicker. As they pass by, Stu makes sure it's locked, making sure wanders or mammals passing through didn't try to take from their supply.
On the trail to Zootopia, Stu kept a steady speed for Bruce to pull the wagon. Judy's excitement settles down after a half-hour. She reads passages from the holy book, out loud. Judy's reading ability, for her age, was still in development. Reading out loud helps her sound out the words better. Stu would try his best to help her if she came across a word too hard to sound out. Though, there were many mammals older than her that never learn such an ability, such as being able to read.
The three-day trail Stu and Judy were on changes from vast yellow fields of wheat, to a thick forest surrounding, and then to a barren desert. Usually, traveling the trail, Stu makes the three-day journey, stopping for the night and setting up camp. Though, with Judy on his travel with him, Stu finds get to Zootopia as quick as possible safer, even if that meant traveling at night. Stu still stands by his word that the roads are safer, now that the war is over, but still rather be on the cautious side with his daughter. Stu only stops to allow Bruce rest and that the Draft horse gets enough food and water for him to go on.
Stu knew the trail well enough that he could, travel at night, guiding Bruce by lantern light with foggy glass. Though, traveling at night, had Stu slow Bruce's speed a little. Judy rests against her father's shoulder. She covers herself in one of the blankets that they brought. Stu wraps his arm around her and brings her in closer, providing little extra warmth for her.
The second night, Stu had to stop and make camp for him and Judy. The draft horse wasn't the only one that needs rest. Stu had been driving the wagon for more than twenty-four hours. He needs to rest and make sure he was at his best to make the rest of the journey.
Stu parks the wagon under a large oak tree, the only tree around them. Tying Bruce's reins to one of the hanging tree branches, he got started on building a fire for him and Judy. He gives Judy the job of being the lookout and letting her stand on top the wagon. Stu takes off his Open Crown hat and wipes the sweat from his brow.
The camp now set up, they ate and sat by the fire. Sitting Indian style, Stu had the Henry rifle across his lap with the barrel pointing out into the darkness that the fire's light could not reach. He sat on one of the wool blankets and had his back leaning up against the wagon's wheel and his hat tilted down to cover his eyes. Judy sat close to the fire, reading the holy book. She would, on occasion, glance over at the rifle across her Pa's lap. She had seen her father carry the gun around on the farm and always taking it with him on his travels, but she's never actually seen him fire it.
"Hey Pa," Judy said, calling out to her Father. She was not quite sure whether he was sleeping or not. Stu answers to her, not even looking up.
"Yes, Jud-the-dude?" said Stu. Jud-the-dude, a personal nickname Stu uses on Judy. Judy could even see a smile poke out from under his hat after calling her by the nickname.
"Your rifle. Have you ever fired it?" asked Judy.
"Yes," said Stu.
"Have you ever..." Judy was a little afraid to ask the question, believing he might get angry for asking. "Shot another mammal, with it?"
Stu's smile disappears under his hat. "Thankfully no," he says. "And I hope I never have to."
"But, would you?" Judy asked. "I mean if you had no other choice," still a little nervous and scared of his reaction and response to her question. He didn't answer her right away, but when he did, it was with a cold, bone-chilling tone.
"Yes."
What should have been the end of the conversation, Judy continues. "Would you ever, consider teaching me how to shoot?"
Stu lifts up his hat to look at his daughter. "Judy, come here," he says to her. Judy felt a tight feeling in her gut. Judy felt afraid, thinking she might have overstepped her boundaries. Still, obeying her father, she got up from the fire and sat next to him. "Now, why do you want to learn how to fire this rifle?" Stu askes her, patting the golden and engraved bass of the rifle.
"I don't know," she said. Judy being honest didn't know why. "I guess out of curiosity. Or maybe I'll have to use it one day?"
"Judy," Stu said with his sympathetic father voice and looking deep into Judy's eyes, hoping she understands everything he tells her. "This rifle right here is a weapon that serves one purpose. Do you know what that is?" Stu asked. Judy did not answer but stood there feeling a little upset. "That purpose is to kill. That's it, nothing else" he said. "But you already have two weapons far greater than this rifle."
"I do?" she asked in a confused manner on her face.
"Yes," Stu said. "This," he said, tapping the temple of her forehead. "And this," he said, this time tapping the center of her chest. "Brians and heart, Judy. Brians and heart. Always rely on those two weapons, before ever using such a deadly device like this." Stu says, patting the bass of the rifle again. "Do you understand?"
Judy nods her head, understanding what her father is teaching her. "Good," he said. "Now, if you're good the for rest of the trip, I might let you practice before we head home. Okay?" Judy smiles and nods her head. "Just, don't tell your mother I let you practice firing the rifle. For both our sakes."
"Now, go throw a few more logs onto the fire and get some rest, I want to leave before dawn," said Stu, tilting his hat back down to cover his eyes. Judy doing as told, tossing a few more logs on the fire, letting the flames grow. She lays down on the wool blanket next to her father, watching the red and orange flames dance in front of a pitch black backdrop. Judy watches and mutters the loving phrase describing Zootopia, till her eyes growing heavy and drifting off to sleep.
After the third night on the road, Stu could tell they were getting close to the outskirts of the city. The path was becoming more structured and finding other traffic on the trail other than him and Judy. It wasn't even dawn yet. Judy, again, asleep and resting her head on Stu's shoulder.
There, in the distance, along with the rising sun, Stu could see it. Zootopia. Stu brings the wagon to a halt and nudges Judy awake for her to see.
Judy rubs her eyes and squints. Her eyes grew wide looking down at the city as it basks in the morning sun's yellow glow. Zootopia was more prominent than anything she had ever seen in BunnyBurrow, or ever thought she would ever see. How large and spread out the city as a whole.
Stu explains and points out to Judy all the different districts that form the city of Zootopia, and the route they would be making selling their produce. There was Sahara Square, looking like most western settler towns that Judy has seen. The roads are from the dirt and sand of the land, and the sun beat down hard on the district. The second district was Tundratown, which houses the mammals in need of a colder environment. Tall mountains surrounding the sector helps keep the area in shadows and blocking the sun. There was the Rainforest District, the most laborious district to maintain to which most city workers spent their time upholding. The last area was in the very heart of Zootopia, Savanna Central. Savanna Central had all the modern bells and whistles running the district. It's the only district with cobbled paved roads. All main roads from each sector lead directly to Savanna Central. The pride of Savanna Central was the massive clock tower in the very center of Zootopia.
As Stu pointed out to Judy, they make their way to Sahara Square. The moment their wagon rode into Sahara Square, they made a sudden halt as a Fox ran in front of Bruce, spooking him. Judy caught a good look at the Fox that ran in front of them. The Fox's fur was fire red and wore a blue wool jacket and pants with a golden outline and golden buttons.
Before Stu could get Bruce moving again, a Mountain Lion, riding on the back of a brown and white spotted Appaloosa stallion, zooms past them. The Mountain Lion, while riding, swung a lasso over his head. He wore a black Duster and a black Derby hat with a flat top and one that curves upward at the sides. The Mountain Lion's horse gallops up on the running Fox, narrowing the gap between them. Now in range, the Mountain Lion tosses the lasso, roping the running Fox. With one hard pull jerk, the Fox flys back and lands in the dirt covered road.
Judy watches the whole scenario play out. The Mountain Lion hops off his stallion, marching toward the Fox while looping the lasso in his hand. He forces the Fox to his feet. Taking the lasso rope, the Mountain Lion ties the Fox's hands together and ropes the other end of the lasso to the saddle on the Appaloosa. Mounting back on his horse, the Mountain Lion leads the captured Fox, back in the direction they came. As they pass Stu and Judy's wagon, the Mountain Lion tips his hat to them. Pinned on the right side of the Mountain Lion's Duster jacket was a silver star, that read "SHERIFF." The whole event had Judy in awe.
"Not even a minute in the city and you're already getting front row view of the excitement Zootopia holds," Stu chuckles to Judy, as he looks down at her with a smile. Now that the scenario was over, everyone continued with their day, even Stu and Judy. Stu, with a slab of the reins, Bruce gets moving again.
Stu makes trips to each district, conducting business and selling the harvest produce. While Stu did what he came to the city to do, Judy promises to be on her best behavior and not wander off. She was too busy in awe, looking at the structures of each district. From district to district, she did as her father asked, behaving and not wandering off.
The day was growing late as they make their last stop in Savanna Central. Stu parks the wagon in front of a large trade goods store. Judy helps her father carry the last of the produce from the cart, inside the trade goods store. Once inside, Judy looks around the Trade Goods store, where all types of products are available for one to buy. The store offers fresh produce, soap, candy, and a small selection of hats.
Behind the counter was an elderly looking skunk, with round spectacles perched on his long nose. He wore black trousers, a white long-sleeve shirt, and an ivory work apron around his body The skunk gave a loud, friendly welcome seeing Stu walking in.
Judy follows her father and places the produce on the counter. While her father made small talk with the skunk behind the counter, she decides to browse the store's goods. Everything seemed practical to her, till reaching the hat selection in the store. There, placed on a mannequin head, was a Brick style hat in a beautiful ivory color and a dark brown leather brim around the top. The folds on the Brick style cap were not as straight as her father's Open Crown hat. Instead, the sides on the hat's rim having slight curve upward. The last noticeable piece of the cap was the dark brown leather straps that help keep the hat on top the wears head.
Looking around, Judy saw her father still in friendly conversation with the elderly skunk behind the counter. Judy untied and pulled off her bonnet, making her ears shoot straight up. She reached out, taking the Brick hat off the mannequin head.
"Judy," her father called out behind her before she had a chance to try the hat on. Judy spun around, looking at her father glaring down at her. "What are you doing?" her father asked.
"I..." Judy said, trying to find her words. "I saw this hat and wanted to try it on, and maybe buy it?"
Stu, stepping forward he towers over Judy and grabbing the hat in her hands. With a smile on his face, he put the hat on top of Judy's head. Judy smiles as the hat inches down at a slow pace, having her ears pushed to the side and sliding down Judy's head. The hat was a little too big for Judy, covering her line of sight and stopping at her nose.
"I see your daughter has good taste in hats," the elderly skunk says. "That hat is a customer favorite."
"You wouldn't happen to have a smaller size for her, do you?" Stu asked.
"No," Judy said.
"No?" Stu asked, confused and not understanding.
"I want the hat to be a little bigger. That way, I can grow into it, I can always have the hat from my first trip to Zootopia" Judy said. Lifting up the rim of the hat and smiling at her father.
Stu smiles back down at her. "Well Mike," Stu said. "How much for the hat?"
Mike, the elderly skunk, smiles at Stu. "For you Stu. No charge, this time. You just keep bring me great produce for me to sell" Mike says. Mike leans down to look at Judy. "Besides, a little bunny girls first trip to Zootopia should be memorable," he said while adjusting the hat for Judy to see better and tightening the leather strap around her neck.
"Thank you, Mike," Stu said. Stu turned his attention to a basket of empty bottles behind Mike. "What about those empty bottles over there? I'd be willing to take them off your hands if you'd like?" Stu said. Mike, still smiling, walked over to the basket of empty bottles only to turn around and hand the whole basket to Stu, who thanked Mike. Stu put his hand on Judy's back, leading her outside.
Outside, Stu put the earned money from this trip into his billfold. Putting Judy in the passenger seat and taking the spot next to her. Reins in hand, Stu pulls up on them. With a loud "SNAP!" one of the leather reins hooked to Bruce breaks. Stu let a few words of profanity slip out of his mouth.
Stu took a look at the torn reins. Judy could tell that fixing the straps would take a little while. She hops off the wagon to have one more exploration of the great city of Zootopia. She looks at the buildings in awe, coming from BunnyBurrow where everything was flat and dull, it was a significant upgrade in sight seeing. Traveling down the street looking into all the shop windows. She didn't want to go too far from the Jalopy. Figuring, as long as she was within eyesight of her father and the wagon, she's allowed to keep admiring what Zootopia's Savanna Central had to offer.
A crowd of voices came from around the street corner. Judy notices mammals gathering together and following the sounds from around the corner. Looking back at her father, she could see he was still working hard on fixing the leather straps. As long as she was back before the wagon repairs and stray not too far, Judy could see what was going on around the corner.
Around the corner, a mixture of mammals gathering in front of some large wooden platform. Moving closer, Judy could see that the wood platform was, in fact, a hanging gallows. Standing in the center of the gallows were four different male mammals. The four mammals standing on the platform were a Timber Wolf, a Beaver, a Zebra, and last the Fox she saw get captured earlier today. Each mammal's hands tied behind their back and had a hangman's rope around their necks.
The Sheriff Mountain Lion steps forward, putting himself between the crowd and the four mammals on the gallow. With the bunch of mammals quitting down, the click of the Sheriff's boots and spurs as he walks across the gallows.
Judy could see the Sheriff about to make a loud announcement to the crowd. Judy knew that her father would soon start to wonder where she was. Still, Judy moves in closer to better hear. She stands behind a lamppost on the sidewalk, using the lamppost as something to hide behind.
The Sheriff pulls a roll of paper from his inner left pocket. Unrolling the parchment, he reads it out loud for all to hear. Adjusted his hat, as if it would help him read whats on the paper.
The Sheriff speaks aloud, addressing the crowd. From what Judy could hear from the Sheriff, the gathering was for a public execution on the four mammals standing on the Gallow. The Sheriff reads out each mammals crimes. Harvey Morrison, the Timber Wolf, sentenced to death by hanging for the stabbing of some bar patron in the Rainforest District. Morrison holds his Timber Wolf head up as if the approach of death does not bother him. Next, the Sheriff addresses the Beaver and Zebra together. The two mammals tried guilty of horse wrangling and murder. The Beaver smiles at the crowd as he stands there with a hangman's noose around his neck. He shows no remorse for what he's done and laughs. The Zebra, looking the complete opposite from his partner. The Zebra shakes in fear and cries with tears running down his face. The last mammal, the Fox, is the only one that remains to have his sentence carry out. Judy pokes one of her long bunny ears up to hear better what the Sheriff had to say.
"Robin P. Wilde," the Sheriff says, addressing the Fox. "You are convicted of treason. Abandoning your post during a time of war and allowing enemy troops to bypass your sector. This action of yours, resulting in the deaths of several of your brothers in arms. Thus, sentenced to death by hanging. Do any of you four have any last words before we proceed?"
Each one of the four mammals on the gallow gave their last words to the crowd. First being the Timber Wolf, asking for forgiveness from his the ones he loves, and that he did not start the bar fight, but was the one to end it. The gloating Beaver laughs at the crowd, demanding they hurry up with his execution because he has to take a piss soon. This comment made members in the crowd gasp and appalled with disgust at the Beaver. The Beaver's partner, the Zebra, instead begs for forgiveness and cries out for his mama for comfort, wanting to go home. Last, of course, was the Fox, who shoots his head up to look at the crowd of mammals with teary eyes.
"I'm sorry. If I could go back, knowing, I would have never left" Robin, the Fox, spoke up. "I knew the war was close to an end, of which we were winning." Tears ran down his face, and the Fox took in deep breaths to say what he needs to say. "At that time, I only thought about my wife and child, and how they were waiting for me. How they need me. They still need me. Please, I beg of you, do not do this. By killing me, you might as well be killing my wife and child. My son, my eight-year-old son, needs me. A son needs his father, and a wife her husband. Please, I beg of you, don't do this. Please." Done speaking, Robin looks out at the crowd. The crowd only stares in silent at the Fox. Some members of the mass group to witness the hanging, look down not wanting to avert their gaze at the Fox.
The Sheriff signals to a Water Bison standing behind the four mammals. The Water Bison wore a large brown Gus hat and a long sleeve white shirt under a leather vest. A silver star, smaller than the Sheriff's, pinned to his chest. Judy looks at the Water Bison, believing him to be the Deputy to the Sheriff.
The Deputy steps forward, performing his duty of placing black sacks over each of the mammal's heads. The Zebra fought against this act, screaming "no" and still calling out for his mama through his tears. He jerks his head around, not wanting the black sack to cover his head. The Zebra must think as long as the bag wasn't over his head, that will spare him from the gallows. It was a fruitless effort, as the Deputy pulls the sack over the Zebra's head. Judy felt a stomach-turning sickness in her tummy. She could only imagine what was going through the poor Zebra's mind. Darkness being the last thing one sees, feeling alone and scared, knowing death awaits him any second. Robin was last. Tears filling the Fox's eyes as he speaks a soft whimper, "please." Stepping forward, the Deputy places the black sack over Robin Wilde's head.
"Upholding the law, not just in Zootopia, but in our country," the Sheriff says. "All four of you are to hang till death. May God have mercy on your souls." The Sheriff walks over to a lever. Placing his Mountain Lion hand on the wooden handle and pulls it back towards him. The trap door on the gallows opens up under the four mammals, making all four fall through. Before any of the mammals could hit the ground, the hangman's rope around their necks, tighten, and catch them.
Judy makes a loud gasp and jumps back in fright at the horrifying display. She could see that the Timber Wolf and Zebra were dead in an instant, hanging there, not moving except their lifeless bodies swinging back and forth. The Beaver and Robin were not so lucky with their fall. The hangman's rope did not snap their necks and provide the luxury of a quick death. Hanging there, the Beaver and the Fox flay and kick into the air, hoping to get loose. The Beaver was the first to meet his gruesome end. If Judy had been in front of the crowd, she would have seen a disgusting trail of urine trickling down the Beaver's leg and puddling under his lifeless body. Robin continues to fight and struggle to get loose, kicking and flaying. To no luck, Robin's kicks were becoming less frequent till his body stops moving. The Fox became like the three other bodies, dead and swinging back and forth.
Judy kept stepping back, wanting to get away from a horrible sight. As she continues taking backward steps, she couldn't take her eyes off the display of slow swinging dead bodies. Is was not till Judy walks right back into something blocking her path that made her give a loud gasp.
Judy did not know what large object she had bumped into and what was blocking her path. Turning around, her father towers over her. He grabs her arm and with a rough tug, pulls her in close to him.
"Judy!" Stu shouts at her with a mixture of anger and worry. "I told you not to wander off."
"I'm sorry Pa," Judy said with tears in her eyes. "I didn't mean to wander off. I was only curious. I-I I didn't mean to see-"
Before she could even finish, Stu brought her in close. Wanting to shield her from the horrifying image of the dead swinging bodies from the gallows. "Let's go, Judy. You shouldn't have to see this."
Stu had the wagon all fixed and ready. Pushing Judy forward, Stu wanted to make sure his daughter didn't look back at the gallows. Stu and Judy their way back to Bruce and the wagon. Stu lefts up Judy into the wooden seat. He follows behind, climbing in and taking his place beside her. Grabbing the leather reins, Stu got Bruce moving and didn't stop till they were well far away from Zootopia.
During the trip back to BunnyBurrow, Judy didn't make a fuss or even a pep. Judy fears her Father's anger after catching her wandering off. Though, the main reason for her act of silence was the continuous images playing in her head from seeing the execution of those four mammals. Judy didn't speak through their first day on the trail back to BunnyBurrow. Stu followed the same routine as last time. Traveling through the night and resting on the second.
On their second day on the trail, Stu stops near the side of a rocky mountainside. He tells Judy that they would be making camp here for the night. Stu could see that Judy found this odd for him to do, so early in the day. Judy looks at the sun, still high in the sky, late afternoon if she had to guess. Last time, her Father did stop till there was an hour of light left in the day. Judy, wanting to ask her father what they were doing, but she still had a nerve-shaking feeling that he was still angry with her.
Stu unhitches Bruce from the wagon and ties his reins to a large tree casting lots of shade. He could tell Judy was watching him, curious to see what he would do next. Stu steps over to the parked wagon and pulls out the basket of empty bottles that Mike had given him earlier. The basket under his shoulder, Stu walks up the side of the rocky mountain ridge. Being careful of his footing, Stu places the empty glass bottles in various spots along the rocky ridge. He was glad that the bottles were either brown or green, making them easier to see. Done, Stu, with care, watching his footing, makes his way back down to Judy and the wagon.
"What are we doing Pa?" Judy finally asked.
Stu smiles and looks up at her. "Well, I said if you were good I'd let you practice firing the Henry," said Stu. "Although you did wander off that one time," he said with a scold. "You've earned a chance to practice with the rifle." Stu saw a smile creep back on Judy's face. He could tell she was filling with excitement.
Stu took a few of the sheets they brought and arranges them on the ground. He set up a place for Judy to lay down on, and a few rolled up blankets to help prop up the rifle for her. Stu figures it was the best way for her start. Judy being way too young to try standing and holding the Henry. Stu can only imagine if she tries to stand and shoot, Judy would be rolling backward after her first shot. He retrieves the 1860 Henry Rifle from the wagon. Walking back to the spot he set up, he calls to Judy, who was pouring cold water for Bruce to drink into a large pale.
Judy strokes her hand against Bruce's side, making him feel calm with her presence. Judy rushes over to her father, leaving Bruce to rest in the shad. Her father was laying on the blankets he had laid out. He pats at the empty spot, for her to lay down on, to his right. Judy lays down beside her father. Stu tells her to pay close attention to everything he does and says. Judy adjusts her Brick hat back and tightens the leather straps. She didn't want her hat distracting her from what Pa was trying to teach her.
"Okay," Stu said, beginning his lesson. "Do you see the glass bottles spread out on that rock ridge?" he asked Judy, who shook her head yes. "Good. Now, do you remember the two powerful weapons you have, that I told you about?"
It took Judy a moment or two to understand what her Father was talking about. Then remembering what he told her on their first campout night. "Brains and heart!" Judy shouts with excitement.
Stu took a sec to get her to calm down. "That's right," he says. "Always rely on those two weapons first, before ever picking up a weapon like this," Stu says, patting the butt of the rifle. "Unfortunately," he says in an upsetting tone. "There might be, and God forbid, were using old Henry here is the last and only option."
Stu took a minute to compose himself, shaking off the sad thought of having to use the rifle on another mammal. "Now, Judy, I need you to pay close attention," said Stu. Judy with a smile, nodding her head in excitement.
Stu explains everything to her in great detail. He tells her always to know what her target is before ever pulling the trigger. Stu demonstrates by picking one of the brown bottles he set up to blast into shards. Stu, adjusting his body to better position and prop the rifle barrel on top of the bundle of blankets. Next Stu shows Judy how to load the chamber by cocking the lever on the rifle. He does it slowly so she can see and understand. Judy watches her father with wide eyes, as he points to the firing hammer. Telling her that the firing hammer primed and ready to fire. Stu aims at the brown bottle, taking in a deep breath and letting half of it out. Stu fires the rifle.
PaPOW!
The rifle roars as it spits fire out of the barrel. The empty brown bottle explodes sending shards of glass in every direction. The gun's loud sound roar causes Judy to clasp her ears shut. The barrel jumps up an inch, showing the level of control Stu had on his rifle. Stu looks up at his daughter with a smile on his face. He gives a small chuckle at her covering her ears. Guess he should have warned her that the gun can be loud when fired. Stu cocks the lever, ejecting the empty cartridge and loading a fresh one in the barrel. He holds out the rifle for his daughter to take.
"A few things you need to remember is..." Stu says, trying to figure out the best way to describe the kick the rifle gives once fired. "You remember that time you walked up behind Bruce, and he gave you a quick heavy kick?" he asked his daughter.
"Yeah," she said. "I had a bruise that I felt for a week."
"Well, when you fire the rifle, it's going to give you a firm kick into your shoulder. It might scare you at first, but there's no reason to. Especially if you do as I did. What you want to do is, push the butt of the rifle hard into your shoulder. This way, your shoulder, and arm will absorb the kick and won't hurt."
Stu helps Judy get in a comfortable position with the rifle. He pushes the butt of the gun hard into her shoulder. Stu helps her line up her shot, informing her that the two pieces of metal, one close to her eye and the other at the barrel's end, need to line up with her target. Judy's mark, a green bottle not too far off. Judy lines up her sights on the bottle. Stu tells her to take a deep breath in and to let half of that breath out. He says her doing this will increase her accuracy and keep her hands from shaking. Judy does as told, taking in a deep breath and letting half of it out. She feels her nerves calming down and her hand not shaking.
"Now," Stu says, "when you feel good and ready to fire, squeeze the trigger."
Judy lines up her shot. She digs the butt of the rifle into her shoulder, takes a deep breath and lets half of it out. She fights at trying not to make the rifle shake as she aims and squeezes the trigger.
PaPOW!
The rifle jumps in Judy's arms. Her hat falls forward covering her eyes. A cloud of dust shoots up right beside the green bottle.
"How did it feel?" Stu asks her, chuckling at her first attempt. Judy adjusts her oversized hat back on the right way. She smiles up at him, rubbing her arm from the kick. Stu cocks the lever for her. "You did well for your first time. Now you know what to expect, you should do better at hitting your target. Try again."
Jude took the rifle back and did as she had before. She digs the butt of the gun into her shoulder, taking in a deep breath and letting half out. Judy lines up the rifle with the target. Aiming, she squeezes the trigger.
PaPOW!
Judy sees the barrel ignite with fire after pulling the trigger. This time the green bottle shatters. Judy looks at her father with full excitement on her face. Stu smiles with pride at her. He lets her aim for the rest of the bottles.
She wasn't too bad, Stu thought, seeing her hit almost half of the bottles. It wasn't until the sun lowered to the horizon, casting the sky in colors of orange and red, Stu decided that Judy has had enough rifle practice for the day. Taking back the rifle, he told her to gather firewood for the night. Judy did as instructed, leaving her Pa to himself. Stu stood up and looks at the remaining bottles still standing. In a quick instant, he raises the Henry Rifle and fires at the remaining bottles. Within thirty seconds, Stu shoots and shatters the remaining bottles without a single miss. Still got it, he thought.
The next morning, before the sun was even up, Stu got Judy and him back on the trail to BunnyBurrow. For the rest of the trip, Judy had become filled with excitement about the whole trip. She couldn't wait to get back home and brag to her younger siblings about everything and show off her new hat.
By the time they had finally made it back to the Hopps Family Ranch, the sun had gone down, and the land was hard to see. The lack of daylight did not concern Stu. He knew he was on the right path, and the ranch was only a mile or two away. He could guide Bruce and the wagon to ranch without the help of the foggy glass lantern.
Though, enjoying the journey he had with his daughter, Stu was glad that they were almost home. At the ranch, Judy's protection and safety wouldn't be his primary concerned. A sense of normalcy, he supposed, is what he was looking forward to at home. That, and Bonnie's loving embrace waiting for him.
Up ahead, Stu sees it. The Hopps Family Ranch. He could see a few lit lanterns shining through the windows of the house. Beside him, Judy was asleep, resting her head on Stu's shoulder. Not wanting to wake her, he keeps trailing on towards the house.
Only a few hundred feet to the house, when Stu sees the double doors to their storage shed wide open. Stu pulls on Bruce's reins bring him and the wagon to a stop. Two things were running through Stu's mind at that moment. Either someone in the family, without care, left the shack door wide open when it should always be closed and locked. Or, worst case scenario, someone has broken into their supply shed.
Grabbing the lantern off the hook on the wagon and his Henry Rifle, Stu investigates to be on the safe side. He held the lamp up high to illuminate his path. He kept the Henry Rifle close to him, pulling back and priming the firing hammer, keeping his finger near the trigger.
Moving closer to the shed, Stu hears loud rustling noises coming from inside. The sound makes Stu stop in his steps and proceed with caution. Nearing the shed doors open wide, Stu sees the brass iron lock busted and tossed on the ground. Stepping around to the entrance, Stu shines the lantern into the shed.
Inside the shed, Stu sees a Deer in a gray wool jacket and pants rummaging through his family's supplies. The Deer had his back turned towards the open doors, having no idea of Stu's presence. Stu raises his rifle at the Deer.
"Can I help you?" asked Stu.
Hearing Stu's voice, sent the deer into a scrambled freight. The Deer, as quick as he can, turn to face Stu, tripping over his own feet and stumbling backward. The Deer held a lantern in his left hand and holding what seems like a rusty looking Dragoon Revolver, which was now raised and aimed at Stu.
Stu kept his cool and did not fire on the Deer, even with a revolver now pointing at him. Stu notices some of his family's produce poking out of the Deer's pockets. He could also tell that the deer was shaking in fear. The Deer couldn't even point the revolver straight.
"Back off!" the Deer shouts at Stu. Now having a better look at the Deer, Stu could see that the gray wool jacket and pants torn and caked in mud. "Back off!" the Deer said again. "I don't want to shoot you, but I will if given no choice." The Deer's words didn't even seem to phase Stu.
Stu took a few steps back, making the doorway more open to the Deer. "Why don't you step outside and we can talk," said Stu in a calm and reassuring voice. The Deer didn't know what to make of this if it was some trick.
"Put down your rifle first," the Deer said demanding, shaking the revolver at him.
"I can't do that son. So why don't you step outside, and we can talk? You can even keep your gun raised, but I have to warn you, by the way, you keep shaking that revolver in your hand, means you have poor aim and a slow trigger finger. So, come on out and let's talk."
The reluctant Deer finally agrees to Stu's terms. At a slow pace, the Deer steps out of the shed, revolver still pointing at Stu. Stu steps aside to allow more room for the Deer to come out of the shed.
Once the Deer is outside, Stu places his lantern on a hook on the door beside him. He asks the Deer to do the same with his lamp to the other door closest to the Deer. "Now. If you would so kindly lower your revolver, I will be glad to lower my rifle's barrel." The Deer still wasn't sure what to do.
"Pa?" came the voice of Judy behind Stu. The commotion must have woken her up, and left the cart to investigate.
"Judy!" Stu yells, never taking his eyes off of the Deer. "Get behind me and stay there!" Judy did as told. Stu felt her grab tight to the back of Stu's jacket.
The Deer could see the young bunny hiding behind, what he could only assume is her father. His hand holding the revolver stops shaking. The Deer lowers the pistol to his side. Stu lowers his rifle's barrel, as he had promised.
"I'm sorry," the Deer said. "My friend and I are running from both Northern and Southern armies. Despite the war being over, we are labeled either as traitors to one side, or war criminals to the other. We're tired and hungry. We saw the shed and hoped to find food. That's all, a little bit of food."
Stu takes a long look at the Deer. Seeing the sad, scared, and guilt filled face in the Deer. "Judy," Stu said "go into the shed, grab a white sack and fill it with potatoes, carrots, radishes, some blueberries, and two small jugs of milk. Go now," Stu says, never taking his eyes off the Deer.
Judy did as told, fetching everything her father asked her. She came back out of the shed with a white sack full of goods. Judy could see that her father wants her to bring the supplies to the Deer. She was a little more than halfway to him when Stu told her to stop and place the sack on the ground. After doing so, she ran back and took her place behind her father.
"That should be enough to last you and your companion for a while," Stu said.
The Deer walks over to the sack on the ground. With a slow reach, the deer grabs the white bag. The Deer looks at Stu in bewilderment. "Thank you," the Deer said a little confusion in his voice. "But, why are you helping me? I'm a thief, and you have every right to blow my head off on the spot?"
"Forgive me if I answer your question, with a question of my own" Stu said. "Why ask such a stupid question? Instead, ask yourself why are we so quick to kill each other?"
The Deer gave his thanks to Stu one last time, and apologies for any damage he may have caused. With the full white sack in hand, the Deer turns and takes off into the dark. Stu lets out a long sigh of relief and finally lowers the rifle all the way down.
"Why didn't you shoot him?" asked Judy.
Walking up to Judy, Stu kneels at her eye level. "Have you already forgotten what I told you?" Stu tells her. "The brain and heart are the most powerful weapons we have and should be the first weapons we use." Stu took a breath before continuing, "yes, he was a thief; but I also saw a young mammal forced to fight in a bloody and pointless war, and only wanting some food to fight off his hunger."
Even in the dark of the night, Stu could see the smile on Judy's face. Stu stood up, stretching his muscles. He told Judy to grab the lantern and head back to the wagon. Stu stares out into the darkness of his ranch.
From behind, came the loud high pitch scream of Judy. Stu with quick haste turns around, rifle raised and aimed. Standing there next to the lantern hanging from the door and holding his six-year-old daughter as a captive shield, was a Fox. The Fox's clothes were very like the clothes that the Deer wore. The Fox's right arm wrapped around Judy with the blade of a knife pressed against her left cheek. In the Fox's left hand was the rusty looking Dragoon revolver, now pointing at Stu.
"Let her go. Now." Stu said in a stern voice.
From around the corner came the Deer running. "Lester," the Deer said, trying to catch his breath. "Don't do this. I told you, they gave us the supplies. They don't want to do us any harm" the Deer said, in frantic pleads to his Fox friend.
"Don't be so stupid Marcus" Lester, the Fox, said. "They play nice now, but the moment we turn our backs, that's when they round up a posse and come hunting for us. Then next thing you know, we'll be facing a firing squad. Is that what you want Marcus?" Lester said, yelling at his Deer friend Marcus.
"I'm going to give you to the count of three, to let my daughter go and leave my ranch while you still can," Stu said. "Supplies and all. It's your only chance. One..."
"Damnit Lester," said Marus. "Listen to me. Let the girl go, and let's get out of here. They haven't done anything to us, except help us."
"Two..."
Lester, the Fox, was still not convinced by his friend's pleads. "No. Not without some form of insurance. Like this little bunny girl here. If anybody follows us, she's dead."
Judy's eyes were filling with tears of freight. She could feel the knife's blade start to cut into her left cheek and become wet with blood. Most likely to leave a scar on her cheek.
Everything was happening so fast around her, Judy didn't know how to process it all. Her Pa was right there in front of her, only a few feet. That's where she wanted to be, right beside him holding on to him for safety. Her breathing was rapid. Everything seems to be going in slow motion.
"Three."
In a quick instant, Stu turns the rifle's barrel to the left and fires. Behind Judy and the Fox named Lester, the lantern explodes into a bright ball of fire. Lester throws up his right arm, moving the blade away from Judy's cheek, to shield himself from the hot flames of light. Judy watches, almost as if all was in the slow motion, everything unraveling. She could see her father cocking the rifle's lever and redirecting the barrel back at Lester.
The bright light from the lantern's explosion starts receding, leaving everything in pitch black darkness. The only light comes from the barrel of the Henry Rifle as Stu fires a second round. Something wet splashes on top of Judy's head and running down her face. Lester's grip on her went limp. Judy falls forward into the dirt. Her senses were coming back to her. I'm free, she thought. I'm free. I need to run. Where? Forward. Forward to Pa.
Judy, scared and confused in the darkness, trying to stand up and run forward. Every few feet ahead she ends up tripping over her dress. She, in a frantic run, keeps falling and moving forward with haste. Afraid Lester would grab her again. A firm hand grabs her shoulder making her scream in freight.
"Judy" she heard her Pa's voice. Hearing his voice replaced the sick scarred feeling in her stomach with relief. "It's okay Judy. Get behind me," her father said. Judy got behind him, grabbing his jacket with a tight grip for safety, never wanting to let go.
Stepping forward, her father still had his rifle raised. Stu reaches out and grabs the lantern hanging on the door, the one Marcus, the Deer, hung on the door. Stu holds the lamp up, illuminating as much as he could.
Laying on the ground, not moving and looking up with lifeless eyes, was Lester. A bloodstained bullet hole in his chest, turning his wool jacket to a dark red. Kneeling off to the side, Marcus sheds tears for his now dead mate.
"I'm sorry," Marus said. "I'm sorry. I tried to tell him you were good mammals, but he wouldn't listen."
"Get off my ranch. Now!" Stu said, not even giving a glance towards Marcus. Stu fixates on the dead Fox he had shot. Marcus gathers himself off the ground. Grabbing the white sack, and giving one last look at his dead friend before disappearing into the night.
Stu lowered the rifle and knelt over the body of Lester. Stu takes his hat off and buries his face in the hat. Judy could hear the soft sounds of sniffling.
"Pa, are you alright?" asked Judy.
"Yes sweetheart, I'm alright," Stu said wiping a few small tears from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, you-you had to-"
"Judy. Do you think you can make your way to the house from here?"
"I believe I can," Judy says.
"I need you to run to the house and tell your mother what has happened and that everything is alright. I have to stay here and take care of this." Stu says, standing back up. He looks back over at Judy, who was still standing there. "You heard me. Go on now."
Judy nods with frantic shock, and she runs as fast as she can to the house. She lifts up her blue dress to run faster. Making it to the front door of the house, Judy stops to catch her breath for a second before entering. She pushes open the door and steps in looking for her mother. Judy found her in the kitchen area, wiping clean some dishes with a rag.
"Mom!" Judy calls out to her.
"Judy?" Bonnie calls out. "Is that you? Is your father-" Bonnie stops when she sees the appearance of Judy. "Oh my God," she shouts in worry. The plate she drops shatters hitting the floor. Bonnie rushes to her daughter.
"Judy. My God, are you alright? Are you hurt?" Her mother says firing off question after question before waiting for an answer.
"I'm fine," Judy says. "And Pa's fine. But he's out in the field and needs your help."
Bonnie nods her head understanding, but still wide-eyed with fear. "Judy. You need to wash up and clean yourself. Do that and make sure your brothers and sisters stay in the house till your father or I return. Understand?"
"Yes, mama," Judy says.
Bonnie runs out the front door to help her husband in need. Leaving Judy there alone. Everyone else in the house was asleep. Judy, as quiet as she can be not wanting to wake any of her siblings, makes her way to the washroom. In the room, she found a large washing bowl and a kettle that still had little warm water left in it. Pouring the kettle water into the pot, Judy looks up at herself in the mirror. She sees now why her mother was so frantic at the sight of her.
Judy looks in the mirror and sees the splatter of blood on top of her head, which ran down the front of her face. She notices the cut that the Fox's knife made on her left cheek. Judy splashes the warm water on her face, cleaning the blood off, along with a few tears. The clear water in the bowl starts turning a pinkish red color every time she tries cleaning the blood off. She didn't stop till all blood removed from her face, and the cut on her left cheek stops bleeding.
Clean, Judy reaches behind her back to grab her hat. Judy found that it to be a small relief that nothing happened to her hat. The Brick style hat still looks in perfect condition, till she turns it to the side. On the left side of the hat had a splatter of blood. With a rag in hand, Judy scrubs at the stain in hopes of removing it. The cloth wipes most of the blood off, but some of the blood had soaked into the hat's fabric, leaving a permit stain. A stain that she can never remove, reminding her always, not just of this night, but of this entire journey to Zootopia and back.
(AN: That brings us to the end of this first installment for The Good, The Bad, and The Wilde. I'm not a hundred percent sure if I'll have another installment out for next month. But I will keep you up to date on what's going on. A little tease for the next involvement is where meet the Good, the Bad, and the Wilde.
Do take part in the poll I have set up, and if you can leave a review telling me what you think.
Till next time, SirRedFox.)