A/N: Welcome to my newest work of literature. This has been stewing within my mind for many months and now I finally have a chance to see it brought into the light. I hope you all enjoy the town of Lunar Haven and the mystery that surrounds it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia. I truly wish I did though. So far 17 stars, a birthday wish, and 39 wishbones have resulted in nothing. Don't ask about the wishbones. That was an awkward Thanksgiving. For the other families I interrupted that is.


Chapter 1 - In search of dreams

Weathered by decades of storms and neglect, the large manor stood in defiance of the age of it's walls. Despite the appearance that the structure could crumble into dust at any moment, the truth beneath rotted siding and peeling walls, the foundation was as sturdy as rock. The house had survived the elements for over two hundred years, and, if properly cared for, could well last another two hundred. Finding someone to care for it though had been easier said then done. No one had resided on the property for nearly fifty years, for the manor held a secret that terrified any who learned of it. Everyone, save for a small gray doe who stared at the house with longing.

Judith Hopps was an oddity among her kind. At nineteen years old, when most of her littermates had already bonded with mates and produced their own litters while the others were still actively searching, Judith had focused on the day when she could leave her warren. To strike out on her own and see what the world could offer her. Though the world was nearing the of the nineteenth century, trains were still a novelty to the small town of Bunnyburrow, only having tracks laid alongside it's border a few years prior. Those brave enough to take the first trip had come back weeks later, reassuring all those who had been worried about them that it was not something to fear, but something to be embraced, having traveled and seen more in those few weeks then could be seen in a lifetime using their own two feet. And so, when Judith had finally reached the age where her mother and father could no longer keep her from leaving, she set out on that very train, bound for adventures unknown.

It had been an interesting experience that was for sure. She had disembarked at every stop, searching for what she felt was missing from her life. To find what could fill the hole left by her curiosity only to be met with disappointment as nothing called out to her. Nothing seemed to give her the spark she desperately craved. After her seventh stop and her seventh failure, Judith decided her only hope must lay in the prospering city of Zootropolis. A bustling city that the rumors of which had reached even Bunnyburrow. They told tales of a vast land where predators and prey, who once were enemies separated by each other's need to survive before many centuries of growth mended those fences, lived in harmony and peace. It seemed impossible, yet the diverse group of mammals occupying the train with her had been extremely convincing, as predator and prey passengers not only seemed at east together but conversed with such vigor and enthusiasm that it must be the truth.

Such a revelation had only spurred her desire to experience the promised utopia ahead of her. However, there was one final stop between her and the border. A small town only a few miles shy of the city. It would have been easy to ignore and continue on her way if not for the intriguing name that had seen her disembarking for the last time before she would resume her travels. Gray paws had stepped down from the train onto the cobblestone platform that lay in front of a station house that seemed in a state of disrepair. Her feelings about what the town of Lunar Haven had to offer her becoming less optimistic with each road she traveled along. There were several houses that seemed abandoned. Judith figured that many had most likely sought out a more opportunistic future in their neighboring city, much as she was considering as well. Until a set of tall iron gates, partly open, and a long cobblestone entry path seemed to beckon to her.

Pausing only a moment to glance around, more to see if anyone was in sight to see her slip inside than hesitation to find out where it led, Judith opened the gate enough to move through without catching her dress on the rusted points. The path was long and wide, wide enough for a carriage to travel along comfortably, something which made great sense at the length it stretched through the wooded area surrounding it.

With all of the trees towering above her, she was unsurprised to find herself walking through dark shadows. Sunlight was all but alien to this area, having long ago been blocked by large canopies of branches and leaves. The temperature, already cool, dropped even further making the doe glad she had brought along a sweater knitted for her by her mother's talented paws. Her treasured knapsack, hanging over her shoulder as it had always done for years, was set on the ground to allow her to search for the purple sweater. Less than a minute later she was covered in the knitted wool her friend Sharla had been kind enough to gift her as a going away present. Reassured by the comforting warmth, Judith continued down the path, able to ignore the cold that seemed strangely prevalent.

She was surprised by the wealth the path revealed, marble statues lining the cobblestone, one on each side every fifty paces, roughly twenty meters between them. Like the town behind her, they seemed in a state of disrepair, pieces broken off and covered in overgrowth. Most carriage paths went in a straight line to make it easier on the mammals and the carriage alike, yet this twisted around every bend as if it had been laid over a winding foot path. She wondered how many more turns she must travel when the next one suddenly opened into a much different setting.

A large clearing lay before her. Many, many meters in length and width. She suspected her family warren could fit in the grounds once and one half again with room to spare. The tree line was set well back allowing sunlight to stream in and bring much desired light and warmth back into her life. It was a rather picturesque setting, but what truly caught her attention, was the imposing manor that lay before her. Almost unknowingly, her feet began to slowly shuffle towards the structure, amazed by it's size and grandiose appearance.

Such was her fascination that she failed to see a curtain shift in the window above.


Laying in a small and rickety bed that lay in one of the rooms above the local tavern and inn, Judith was finding it very difficult to sleep. It wasn't the rowdiness below her. Having grown up with hundreds of siblings, she was no stranger to sleeping through noise and chaos. It was not the smell of alcohol or food wafting through the cracks in the floor. Nor was it the cold wind blowing through the slightly open window that had resisted all attempts to close it. What kept her awake was the thought of the manor hidden deep in the wooded land on the edge of the town.

Why the house fascinated her so was what she could not wrap her mind around. It was merely a house, large though it was, but she had felt inexplicably drawn to it. As if the manor itself was calling to her. As far as she could tell, it was unoccupied which for the life of her she could not imagine why. The outside may have been a bit neglected but a mammal with a bit of skill and some time on their paws could easily restore it. Almost all but two of the windows were shuttered but from what she could see into the interior showed a fully furnished living area with a magnificent fireplace and mantle. It was becoming more and more of a mystery as to why it stood alone, abandoned to the wilderness surrounding it. She should try to forget ever finding it, she told herself, but still it persisted, occupying her mind through the night until sleep finally took her.

Though she did not recognize the long hallway that stretched before her, she knew she was home. The rich carpeting beneath her paws felt soft and welcoming, the vibrant red and gold patterns weaved into the rugs beautiful and carefully crafted, covering over the polished mahogany floorboards. Though the halls were open and wide, they felt comforting. The walls were adorned with frames, showing off many painted landscapes. The ones with photos however were strangely blurred, as if the house did not wish to reveal them to her. She wanted to think it felt strange as she had seen them dozens if not hundreds of times, yet she could not remember any of them, but it didn't phase her.

The feeling vanished as she made her way to the top of the stairs above the foyer. Through the doorway to the right of the entrance hall she could hear loud voices over the orchestra invited to play for the guests. Running her paws down her front, she smoothed the elegant dress she was wearing. It had been a wonderful surprise to find it laid out for her. Or had it? Like the paintings, she found herself unable to recollect exactly how she had found herself in the dress but it wasn't a bother to her. She had guests to attend to.

Making her way daintily down the stairs, she arrived at the bottom and turned to head into the room, taking a moment to admire her reflection in the mirror beside the stairs. Once again, she found nothing but a blur in her place, however instead of being shocked by what she saw, she instead found herself pleased as if she could make sense of the swirling image before her. Ready to greet her guests, she stepped into the extravagant ballroom. The loud voices had stopped. The music had become silent. The shadows cast through the doorway had vanished as had every mammal she had heard in the grand room.

It was empty. No music. No dancers. No life of any kind. The only movement came from the flickering lights of the oil lamps spread throughout the room. Once again, the sight which should have raised some sort of alarm in her, merely made her curious as to where the guests had gone. Striding slowly through the room, she was pleased to hear the music return, though there was no one in sight. Left without a partner, she began to sway to the sounds on her own, when a 'clack' could be heard echoing through the room.

Multiple times did the sound reverberate off the walls. She recognized the sound. Claws tapping the floor with each step. It should have frightened her, made her bolt in fear for the safety behind a locked door somewhere in the manor, yet she remained where she was, spinning in a solo dance, her arms positioned where a counterpart would be. As the claws grew closer, the music became faster, and her dancing became more passionate. She spun one final time before she felt two paws grab hers, bringing her to a sudden stop. Her chest heaving from the exertion, she raised her eyes to see nothing in front of her. She could feel the paws but to her eyes they were nonexistent. A low growl sounded next to her ear causing them to spring erect in response. Still she could see no one. The growling grew louder, almost as if it were coming from something directly touching her ear. It suddenly changed, echoing across the room as a snarl ripped from the air in front of her before she felt pain and pressure around her throat.

Judith sat up straight in her bed, her breaths coming harsh and ragged. Her paws immediately went to her neck, running them along the fur almost expecting to pull them away coated in blood. Pressing a paw to her chest, she felt her rapid heartbeat slow with every minute that passed. As her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, she let her mind calm, no longer seeing such strange visions swim in front of her eyes. Strangely, unlike most dreams or even nightmares for that matter, the images refused to leave her mind. She could recall them with an almost vivid clarity. Letting out a deep yawn, she lay her head back down on the pillow, desiring sleep more than the fear of further dreams. She had one disturbing thought however as her eyes closed and her breathing became steady. That it did not in fact feel like a dream, but a memory.


Still feeling as if she had been unfairly deprived of sleep, Judith could barely focus on the bowl of soggy oats she had been served for breakfast. The inn had not been a particularly pleasant stay. When she had been trying to sleep, her mind had been consumed by the image of the manor that seemed to haunt her thoughts and once she had finally dozed, she was plagued by unsettling dreams. Nevertheless it had been her only option in the small town.

Deciding that her meal was not going to get any better by wishful thinking, Judith stood and made her way out, depositing a few coins on the counter for the owner who seemed in an even worse state, the bear blinking rapidly to fight off his drowsiness while also grabbing his head, the spirits he had consumed wreaking havoc within. Stepping out the door, she was immediately assaulted by the noise of bustling activity, something that had been missing the day before. Shopkeepers were opening their doors, getting their wares ready for purchase and trade, small children were laughing and playing in the street on their way to the school up the road.

As a member of an early rising species, Judith got to see many moments of the day others may miss. Indeed many of the mammals opening shop were rabbits, all of them bright eyed and ready for the day. Clutching her knapsack, she let her feet guide her along. She did not go unnoticed as many of the lapins took quite an interest to her. More than one approached the gray bunny in an attempt to introduce themselves and perhaps engage her in conversation but they all were left disappointed as she seemed to show no interest in any of them. It wasn't that they were undesirable, in fact many of them she found quite handsome. No, it was that she felt something was missing and it was not a buck that she was searching for.

She had not been focusing on where her body had been leading her until she stopped in front of a pair of gates, slightly open. Judith frowned at the barrier in her path. She had not been heading towards the manor, but instead the train station which was clear on the other side of town. Without realizing it, her subconscious mind had redirected her form to this spot, perhaps in an unrealized desire to see it once more. Shaking her head at her foolishness, her thoughts turned to Zootopolis and what she might find there. Lunar Haven offered very little in the way of what she imagined for her future.

So it was to her great surprise to find herself slipping between the gates much as she had done the day before. Strangely, this time the trees did not seem so oppressing. She could almost swear that the canopies had retreated somewhat, allowing beams of sunlight to pass through and light her way. Though still cool in the air, she did not feel the same chill she had the last time she had traveled this path which was a welcome change as she had repacked her sweater at the bottom of her bag.

Turning the final corner she gazed in awe at the majesty that was the manor hidden in the forest. Though she knew exactly what she would see, the sight still sent shivers down her spine. There was something so familiar about the house but she could not put a paw on it. Noticing the two windows that still had no curtains or shutters drawn, she was tempted to go view through them once more, but after spending most of her afternoon staring into those rooms, she felt she had exhausted all the sights she could possibly see. Instead she focused more on what she could view from the outside.

Standard for the assumed wealth and time period of the manor, carved moldings were affixed to the edge of the roof line as well as framing each door and window. They were nearly perfectly preserved given their age and the exquisite designs of ancient mammals and forestry within drew her gaze to each one.

It wasn't until she reached the trappings surrounding the front door that she noticed a small hand carved sign hanging from the knockers. "Inquire with the residence department in the town hall for purchase requirements." Though she knew that there was little hope that the manor could be purchased for the moderate sum she had to her name, the allure of knowing just how much the extravagant structure was worth proved to be too strong for her curiosity to struggle against.

Deciding that her final destination before making her way on to the city would be the town hall, she started to turn before something caught her eye. She had ignored the knockers on the front of the door in favor of the sign, but now they had her interest. Made of polished brass with very little tarnishing, surprising for something of it's age. The rings were looped through the open maws of fanged mammals. Two canines. Two foxes.


For much larger towns and cities, the main hall was often a building that was bustling with activity. Many rooms would be located within all dealing with certain aspects of what the town needed to function properly. Legal matters would be handled by an elected judge or a council would distribute farming permits needed to sow certain crops. For the town of Lunar Haven, the hall was barely larger than the inn she had stayed in the night prior without an additional floor.

The moment she entered through the rather narrow doorway she was surrounded by stacks of papers. Though her form was rather on the small side for most mammals, Judith still needed to move cautiously to avoid disrupting the chaotic mess scattered throughout the room.

Though she could not see anyone, her sensitive ears picked up very distinct muttering coming from behind two very large stacks of paper directly in front of her, piled on what appeared to be a desk which she could just make out a pair of small hooves tucked underneath.

"Pardon me, could you please tell me where I might find the Residence department?" While not a soft spoken mammal, Judith's voice seemed muffled from the clutter surrounding her. She wondered if she should need to call out once more but found it unnecessary, several loose sheets of paper slipped from the top of the stacks precariously placed in front of her as the mammal behind them stood.

"Oh! I'm dreadfully sorry, my dear. I did not hear you come in." Circling around, Judith was greeted by a middle-aged doe in a simple gray dress which suited her rather nicely. Her spectacles, slightly askew on her nose and secured around her neck by a thin chain, hid red-rimmed eyes showing a lack of sleep. Not surprising to the rabbit who imagined the disorganized mess in the hall would take up much of a mammal's time to catalog. "The Residence department? Are you seeking to purchase a home in our quaint little town?" Cheerful of voice and sweet of manner, Judith instantly took a liking to the deer.

"Well, I must confess I am unsure. I did find a residence that certainly intrigued me, though I fear I may not have enough coin or notes to purchase it." Before she had left, Judith had successfully convinced her father that her dowry would serve no purpose staying in Bunnyburrow as she was unlikely to return simply for the money. She would of course visit as she was only a few days distance by train but she had finally talked him into letting her take the dowry in hopes of securing a husband in her journey. It was by no means a modest sum as her family owned one of the most successful farms in nearly forty miles, and the arrival of the train had only increased their wealth, however she had a suspicion that the manor would fetch far more than she carried with her. One and a half thousand more in bank notes was a rather large amount in common dwellings, but the manor must be far more.

"Indeed? And which abode did you have your fair eye on, dear?" In a town with so few mammals, the clerk, who was in charge of nearly every position in the hall, would have expected to have heard a rumor about a new rabbit roaming through the town, inspecting some of the abandoned properties, yet none had reached her. She suspected the doe must be very recent in arrival or had not been searching for very long.

"Well, I don't know what the exact address is, but I'm sure you know of it. The manor set in the woods with the cobblestone path?" At the word 'manor', she noticed the deer had suddenly stiffened, her once friendly smile having vanished, replaced by a look of pure shock. The change startled the bunny, unsure what about the manor could cause the clerk to become so upset.

"Th-the manor? You've been to the manor?" The doe's voice had risen an octave, a squeak coming through in nervousness. "Why would you possibly want that house?"

"Well," Judith wrung her paws together, her head dipped low. "You might think I am mad, but I felt almost...drawn to it. And then last night. There were these dreams. But they did not feel like dreams! I-...I don't know how to explain it. It just feels like I'm supposed to be there."

If the deer could have become anymore unsettled by these admissions, she was incapable of showing it. Her face was still twisted in a mixture of confusion and sheer panic. One thought flitted through the back of her mind, one she cursed herself for thinking since it served herself and the town while sacrificing the young mammal innocently asking about their darkest fear. "I see. Well, it is still open for sale if you truly wish to make an offer." Damn my soul, she angrily thought to herself.

"I ask out of curiosity. I'm sure something of that size and grandeur must be well beyond my reach." Thinking of the bank notes laying at the bottom of her bag, she couldn't help but let out a silent wish that the property be well within her purse's value.

"Well, the property at this moment is only worth one thousand to the town." Judith could barely keep her composure at the figure she was just given. Her eyes had widened considerably and she feared her jaw might fall open were she to relax her muscles in the slightest.

Merely one thousand? she wondered. How could something so vast and magnificent be worth so little? "Um, begging your pardon, Miss-...?"

"Oh where are my manners? Catherine White." Extending her hoof in greeting, the gray rabbit quickly took it.

"Judith Hopps. Miss White, how on this blessed earth could that splendid manor be worth such a modest sum?" The look of guilt on the doe's face did not go unnoticed by the bunny and did little to help her solve the mystery surrounding the house, in fact it made it more complex.

"Well, it hasn't been occupied in nearly one half century. I'm afraid to say it's fallen into some disrepair over the years. We do hire a groundskeeper to take care of the grass and the garden beyond the wooded area behind the house, and he has shown some proficiency in repairing some of the problems that have arisen, but the town simply does not have the necessary funds to continue his services beyond the landscaping."

"I see. Is there anything else that should be known were I to pursue such a purchase?" Catherine could see she was not going to be able to dissuade the rabbit through the idea of needing upkeep, but she needed to try something without resorting to revealing their terrible secret.

"The manor was built in the late 17th century. It lacks the necessary amenities you are most likely accustomed to. Not to mention it is quite large for only a single mammal to find it comfortable." She felt that might be enough to force the rabbit away from the idea of living there, knowing that bunnies were much happier in larger groups.

"I find that after living with nearly three hundred siblings for nineteen years, peace, quiet, and lots of space would do my soul and mind some good. Besides, were I to have family over, I would have plenty of room for them to stay." The deer was finding herself running out of excuses and Judith was becoming quite suspicious of all of them. "I must ask, Miss White. Why, if it has stood unoccupied for so long, and has sunk to such a low cost, are you attempting to dissuade me from trying to purchase it?"

She could find no words to answer her with. The only ones left were ones she was never to utter, especially not in front of a traveler. Sighing, she simply reached beneath the counter and grabbed the one key ring that sat gathering dust for many years. "I am sorry for that, Miss Hopps. Shall I take you to see the residence?" Her guilt returned in full at the sight of the rabbit's eyes gleaming in excitement.

After a short walk and the unlocking of the gate Judith had been slipping through, the two does found themselves gazing at the manor, one with a profound sense of trepidation and fear, the other a joyful rapture at the though of going inside. Catherine, with a pair of shaking hooves and a disdainful glance at the fox-shaped door knockers, slotted the key and opened the heavy wooden door.

Entering with Judith quick on her heels, the deer had to suppress a grimace. She had been inside only once before. Nearly ten years ago a wealthy boar had been traveling through their small town and had also come across the manor. He had immediately shown an interest in purchasing the house and had nearly done so until he heard two drunken patrons in the inn discussing his 'foolishness' in buying the house for a reason he was not expecting. Dawn had come to show the boar hurrying away quite rapidly.

Judith had been racing from room to room, impressed by the overly large areas. Ideas had already begun springing into her head about where she would move the furniture and what she would need to add. The rabbit felt home. Almost as if this was what she had been missing for so long. She knew it was foolish, a home could not provide her with companionship, but the feeling was overwhelming. This was where she felt drawn to. Where she felt needed. "I'll take it."

Catherine, who did not want to see the young doe hurt, decided she needed to come clean about the true reason the house remained empty for so long. "Judith, I need to tell you something."

Distracted by the cloth sheets she was now peeking under to see what sort of fabric the chairs were covered in, she was only paying half-attention. "Yes, Catherine?"

"You need to know this." Judith stopped her investigating and moved towards the deer who suddenly looked apprehensive. The bunny stood in front of her and gazed up expectantly. "The reason the manor is unoccupied is...well...it's because it's haunted."

While empty and silent, the two ladies felt the room grow cold and even more still. Catherine felt very uncomfortable watching Judith's wide eyes, knowing that she just violated a town order. She felt proud inside however. She wasn't going to let some poor girl inherit their problem simply because she was unaware.

She watched with a small sense of apprehension as Judith swallowed, opened her mouth...and laughed.


It had taken a fair amount of convincing, but Judith finally was able to sign over one thousand in bank notes to receive the deed and skeleton key to the manor. She had spent much of the remaining afternoon clearing out some of the dust and the covered sheets from the living area before heading into town to get food and necessities. She got quite a few looks being a new mammal in town, but thankfully they all stayed away. She had much on her thoughts about how to properly adorn her new home.

Home, she thought as the key turned and the door swung open. I have my own home. And it's a manor! Giggling gleefully, she raced to the kitchen and set her bags down on the counter before once more taking off. From room to room she ran, skipped, and hopped her way around the house, marveling at the magnificence. All of it. Now hers.

Before too long, however, she found herself waning. It had been quite an exhausting day, particularly with her emotions. Early on she had found the master bedroom and was thrilled to see the mattress and bedding had been left behind by the previous owners. Five decades it may be, but it still felt as if she lay on a cloud. She thought ack to what the old deer had told her earlier in the day. "Haunted," she scoffed. "Superstitious nonsense." Before too long she was asleep, softly snoring in the large bed. Her first night in her own home.

The curtain next to her bed fluttered and swayed, moved by a wind that never was.