Chapter 1: "Departure."

Weather: Sunny

Place: Outback Island, 221 Bounce Avenue

Time: 8:29:55 AM

"Too late to turn back now…"

Bee! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ughh…

Saturdays. Boy do I miss waking up late.

I slightly groaned and slowly massaged my forehead before I started to wake up in the bright and early morning. Looking to my right, I dazedly turned off the alarm. As I shutted down the alarm, I saw that it was about eight thirty in the morning. The day has come, it was time for me to move into the city where big and small mammals are united together, separated from their differences, and to live happily ever after, at least, that's what I had heard about. The city is called Zootopia, where 'anyone can be anybody'. I hope that's true, otherwise I would have gone therefor nothing. Pulling off my marine fuzzy fleece blanket from my body, I slowly got out of bed and fold the blankets back to make my trundle bed look neat and tidy. Normally I don't do this; I just leave it out there because I'm lazier than a sloth. I don't think sloths are lazy, they're just really slow. Other than that today is special so why not do some good deeds for me before I leave from my junior 4 apartment? But before I walked out of my room, I saw myself in a dressing mirror and I stared at my reflection.

I saw an extremely handsome kangaroo (I'm totally serious. I am not as ugly as you think.), a Red Kangaroo to be specific with deep hickory brown eyes, who didn't look like he was wearing any clothes but anchor gray boxers. Don't get me started with describing his messy fur all around his body and especially on his head. I just chuckled and hopped towards my dresser next to a mirror, a cheap red oak wood dressing cabinet with cold jade black metal hinges. As I search through, I pulled out an apricot orange colored shirt, a brown tawny bubble vest, and dark juniper green cargo pants. I put them on; after, I brushed my teeth and combed my fur, basically trying to look at least decent to everyone than to be all disgusting and unsanitary.

As I finished brushing my own fur, I put on my clothes and walked to my small living room, the walls painted with a light lime color with green stripes. Most of my room is filled with boxes, obviously because I was moving. With that though, I opened my small white fridge to see what kind of breakfast waits for me to eat. My hand grips on the handle and I opened it, a cold mist of air comes out sending a cool breeze to my face, but I simply looked through, ignoring the cold. There really wasn't anything much except plastic water bottles, sandwiches with stale vegetables, cereal that is made with 100% percent whole wheat titled "Kanga-CRUNCH-aroos", and organic lettuce that's probably spoiled. I grabbed the hemisphere plastic container of salad, popped open the red lid and plopped it down on a cheap plastic table with just one chair for me to sit and eat.

My name is Joey Monroo, I'm a red kangaroo who lives in Outback Island and I've never lived out from my homeland until now, which makes me now 23. I used to work in a construction company for more than a decade since I worked there part-time but I quit so I can earn enough and move to Zootopia. When I was just a young joey, I never wanted to leave because I'm scared of leaving my parents, but I have built up my confidence and that I'm prepare to visit the unknown. Before leaving my apartment, I grabbed my hat with one of its flaps bent toward its base and put on my head; I grabbed my backpack that's filled with just my essentials. I opened the door; sunlight quickly filled up my room and momentarily turned away from the sun's intense ray of sunshine.

This is it, finally leaving home. I took a deep breath and began hopping out onto the streets and made my way towards the train station that is about to depart in 9:00 AM. I hopped my way to the train station, hopping just a couple blocks, a couple of twists and turns, and then I finally see the station. The station is an urban rail transit that's built two stories high made of steel so the train can cross over the water and into Zootopia. As I see the set of stairs I excitedly hop on the steps to get to the platform of the station where I see a lot of marsupials and other animals awaiting for the next upcoming train. In Outback Island, a lot of marsupials live here usually and that not a lot of other different species come to live here though it's similar to Rainforest district but we don't live in trees, obviously. Most of the time, marsupials that venture out of their homeland tend to do just business trips and always return back home.

But not for me, when I find what I'm looking for; I'll live in Zootopia for the rest of my life. It's a possibility, of course. Suddenly my ears flicked from a noise at the distance, a loud blaring horn from an orange train with a silver roof on top quickly came into view, right to our station and on time. It was a colorful train that has separate floors and windows for small or large mammals. I could hear the sound of its engine miles away before it could even reach us, but then I cover my ears when the train halted to a loud and agonizing violent screech. I unclasped my ears and notice that the train had already stopped, then seconds later all of the doors opened and I saw lots of mammals entering and exiting the train, I stood there for a while, watching the process until I notice that I wasn't on it, the doors were about to close without me so I dash right into it, the door almost nipped the end of my tail. I sighed for a moment until the train jerked off in a sudden motion; almost momentously collapse on my knees. The train started to gain the acceleration; I watch out from the window and see everything going away in a blur. My heart ached a little, slightly feeling homesick but I fought it off and smiled, ready for the adventure.

As I peered into the train, I noticed that the giraffes with their long neck have a nice view where a pill-shaped dome is placed on top of the train, and also small mammals can peer through by climbing a long spiral staircase. A lot of animals, different species and sizes, are all compacted in the same cart. Then I slightly began to feel a nervous tension running across my fur, and my heart thumped faster than usual. I might be a bit timid around a lot of people, although I should really get over with. Minutes passed by, mostly the noise I can hear is the wheels moving along the tracks, animals conversing with each other, and the sound of air rushing as the train moves. I was on my seat where I had a nice view of the large river that separates the island and the big city. Time passed, all I did was watch and admire the view. Then my ears flicked as I subtly heard some pencil being scribbled and a slight grumble of a speck of frustration passing through someone's mouth. I turn around to see who's having the problem. At first no one was behind me but I looked down, and notice that a marsupial was a bit frustrated about…a crossword puzzle? The marsupial was a platypus; he has lime green eyes, chocolate brown fur, and slick butter blonde hair shaped like half a moustache of a carnie. He is wearing an expensive suit, a dark denim blue fabric, it's stitching is designed just for him and a scarlet red tie with small tiny diamonds imbedded into a diagonal line forming a line staggered formation. A silver suitcase sits next to him and he leans his elbow on it, working on that crossword puzzle.

Without thinking, I said "You need some help, mate?"

The platypus quickly turns, looked up and stared at me face to face. His stare almost made me want to shudder but his intense stare quickly turns into a friendly smile and replied.

"Yes actually, I don't suppose you perhaps know this word?"

He raises the newspaper and pointed out the description of the word. It said that it was a nine letter verb that says,

"To crowd into; fill." I smiled, knowing the word "I believe the word is thronging."

The platypus raised his eyebrow and wrote that in his paper, his expression changes to a pleased look and nods towards me.

"Congratulations, you helped me solve this challenging word puzzle. I thank you for your help."

I chuckled in response and just raised my hand, flexing my hand downward once.

"It's alright mate. I just know some high vocabulary words up my sleeves. And did you say…complete?"

"Indeed. This puzzle just came out today, look."

He shows me the newspaper; the word puzzle was actually completed. I whistled, impressed.

"Wow, you're good." The platypus slightly shrugs in response.

"It's actually easy to be honest; you just need to learn some extra words and you're set."

He said. For a while it was silent between the both of us, at first I didn't know what to say but the platypus said.

"I presume you're visiting Zootopia for the first time?"

My eyes widen a little, is he some sort of psychic?

"How does he know that!?"

"Well you're definitely not a traveling; they usually want to keep themselves. Jumping in the train at the last moment, you're obviously new to this. And finally you were staring outside for a very long time; if you were on a business trip or visiting for a friend, you would most likely be on your phone or doing something to keep yourself busy. In conclusion, if you're not traveling. Visiting and coming back. Then you must be staying at Zootopia. I hope I made myself quite clear."

There was a moment of silent between us; I was still processing all this information. When I finished, I was quite amazed.

"Wow, you're like some kind of detective."

I complimented, amused by his intellect. But he shakes his head,

"It's just reaching a conclusion based on a couple levels of reasoning."I raised an eyebrow, decided to slightly challenge him.

"Well then, you must be really powerful and popular from what I know."

"Actually I am. I prefer to be kept away from the media and I'm surprised that my tactics work. If I wanted to achieve fame; you would have definitely notice who I am and what I can be capable of. But I'm not interested in fame at all so you don't have to be so worried about me."

He answers, flipping through the papers.

"Really, a rich platypus traveling on train; I mean couldn't you just go around in some sort of private jet?"

I said, knowing for sure that wealthy people tend to take a luxurious way to go from point A to point B.

"Well I prefer to travel simple and to be honest, it is quite relaxing."

Percy simply said eyes still on his papers.

"Well it was nice to meet you…"

I trailed off, realizing I have no idea what his name is.

"It's Percy. Percy Waddles."

"Joey Monroo."

I replied back, I raised my hand for him to shake.

Percy looks at it then at it me; he gives me a small smile and shakes it.

"It's a pleasure to be talking to you Joey."

"So where are you off to?" I ask, wanting to know more about him.

"Well I was on a business trip in Outback Island. Settling mostly on transacting our goods of touch-screen devices for luxurious fashion, I believe I got them to agree to my negotiations. I am now currently heading home." He replied, feeling content.

"Wow that sounds like a great accomplishment." I congratulated to him.

He shrugs, "Well, I've done better but thank you."

"Yeah, it was nice talking to you man, hope we meet again."

"Indeed, I look forward to conversing with you someday."

I got off from perching above Percy and walked through the compartments of the train. I looked at some of the mammals for a while. I looked out through the windows and see so many trees passing by in a blur. I rest in my seat and looked through the window for a long time. Time passed by, that soon enough we reached a station so soon that I had to check the time from people's watches and my phone to make sure that the time was correct. I looked out the window to see where we've stopped, as I press my nose against the window; I see what looks like flat landscape with farms in the background and especially a small version of a countryside train station.

One thing that caught my eye was a family of bunnies and rabbits, all different age, color, and especially fur, saying goodbye to one bunny. She's currently in the moment embracing her parent's arms as she's departing, I assume, and saying goodbye to everyone before the train leaves. As soon as the train begins to depart again, I see the sign that we're passing by the town called Bunny Burrows. I walked away from my seat to see who the bunny is that got on. I slowly approach her as she walks up a staircase that reaches the top dome of the train for giraffes with long necks or small mammals who want to have a good view.

"Hey there, is it your first time being here?" I ask the bunny whose back is turned to me.

She jumps a little bit and gasps then quickly turns to me, I quickly apologize to her.

"Oh sorry! I didn't mean to startle you at all."

"Oh no no! I should be sorry for scaring you; you were just being nice that's all." She quickly said.

"Ah okay, I guess we got off on the wrong footing; I just want to say that what I saw you with your family and how you were looking nervous. Well I think you got this and that some people could actually relate to these scenarios like me."

"Oh thank you so much, it's my first time going to Zootopia. And when I get there, I want to make it a better place."

I chuckled in response, her optimism getting into me. "Yeah, I totally agree. Same here; anyways, good luck out there just wanted to wish you a good day."

She waves a goodbye to me with a smile and replied, "You too! And thank you so much it means so much to me. But can I know your name? I don't want forget you if we ever meet again."

"It's Joey."

"Judy." She says, giving her name to me. Then I watched her go to that glass roof of the train, putting ear pods in her ears.

I waved a goodbye to her and turn back so I can sit back in my seat.

I slumped back into the overused, hard cushions of the seats, I saw the phase of the wide valley of never ending green grass with pine trees here and there to a change of water and that the estuary of the land. The rivers streams back into a wide ocean and the train moving over the ocean and I saw Zootopia in the distance. The train tracks over the water stocks and I saw a sign that said "Zootopia welcomes you!" before entering, seeing huge sand dunes looming around the train. I began to see houses made out of mud appear and then many more came up. Suddenly, a huge giant palm tree hotel shadows above us as we pass by it, I read in a brochure that it was called The Palm Hotel, a luxurious hotel for guests who can experience a wonderful time for a certain cost of course. I was amazed by the architectural designs until I realize we were going to be entering a new district. The train goes through the tunnel of the climate wall and then I saw the glass of the train's fog up due to the quick change of temperature from the hot desert to the cold tundra, also known as Tundra Town. I stare in awe as the beautiful pearly white snow and deep midnight blue lake color fits so well to what a regular person's mind of winter is. I caught few details of animals in ice-skates, vehicles with wheels attached to ski tracks, and everyone is having an amazing time. Anyways, the thought of sightseeing in Tundra Town is definitely an option but I have to move in first. Excited, I look through the glass to see what other district it'll be; the tunnel in the climate walls cause a distant howl as we sped through and then I saw Rainforest District. Raindrops began splashing and dripping across the train as the sprinklers from above do their magic. My heart deflated, reminding me of home a lot.

"I used to have that same feeling too, you'll get over it Joey." Percy explained, looking out the window to see the homes and rain drizzling downward.

I was surprised to see him reading my thoughts but I ignore it, expecting him to do this more often.

"Yeah, it's hard to forget about home." I replied after a deep sigh escaping from my mouth.

Percy glances at me closely with a blank expression then nods at me in a small notion, he waddles back to his seat, pulling out his IPaw and began texting to someone. I decided to ignore him and began to look out and admired the view, but when I turned back I saw that Rainforest district is no more and the jungle quickly dissipates to huge skyscrapers, ginormous road infrastructures, and many animals walking across the streets or driving in their vehicles. This is it; I'm going to be taking my first step in Zootopia. As the train began to come to a halt, many of the dozen passengers have risen from the seat, waiting in front of the doors to leave. I clenched onto the straps of my backpack, ready to take my first deep breathe. I watch as Percy slides off his seat and grab his suitcase along the way, he looks up to me and smiles.

"I assume you're ready to depart?" He asks.

"Oh yes, definitely." I replied, eagerly.

"Good, have a good day Joey." Percy replied, giving me a friendly smile as he exits the train.

I watch him get off and I soon get off as well after him. I look around and step off onto the platform. I look from one area of Central Station to another; many animals from hippos, wolves, tigers, hamsters, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and many other creatures I had not mention yet. I quickly made my way up the escalator by hopping on it once and letting me ascended up to the higher floor. I first had made my way to the information center for any new animals and took a brochure of the city. After that I walked under and through the depressed arches of the train station's extended roofs and into the sunlight. The huge giant skyscrapers stand out as giants as I felt like a feeble ant. I easily discarded that thought and went on until I hear an incoming yell.

"Hey, watch out!"

I wasn't that quick to react and the next thing I know, I was already on the ground, pain starting to flood through my body, spreading.