PROLOGUE
The sun slowly broke over the mountains, flooding Zootopia in the rich glow of dawn. The city was waking up, ready to embrace a new day. New days brought new opportunities, a chance to right wrongs and make the world a little better. Today was not one of those days. The sun gave no warmth an illusion that fell on the cold air beneath. She stirred from bed when the alarm went off. Smacking it with her paw, she went straight into the shower to drown her thoughts. Today was a day she wanted to end before it began, yet, she knew she would want it to last as long as possible. After drying off, she stared at herself in the mirror, wondering if she would be able to face this day. She had dressed in her class A uniform that morning, placing a black band across the ZPD shield that she had so often pinned proudly on her chest. But today there was no pride in putting on the uniform. Today it was only a reminder of what she had gained over these years, overshadowed by what it had cost her. She stepped out of her bedroom door and paused, looking across the living room and down the darkened hall on the other side. It seemed so cold, so lifeless now, like a part of the house had died; but then, it had in her mind. Yet, she couldn't help but stare, like someone stares at a car wreck horrified at what they are looking at, but unable to look away. The trance was broken by the rumble of an engine as a car pulled up outside. She walked out the front door into the waiting ZPD cruiser at the front curb. She didn't remember walking, just that her body was acting on its own.
The ride was silent; no word was spoken, even the radio stayed mute, as if even it was paying respect to the moment. Startled from her daze as the cruiser came to a stop, she stepped out into the drive of the home. It was simple, yet beautiful to look at, with clean red brick and windows and edges trimmed in pure white. Leaded glass in the windows and doors gave the look of sparkling crystal, while allowing privacy for those inside. Through the transom window above the front door, a simple, yet elegant chandelier shone light into the foyer. A few steps towards the door and Judy Hopps had arrived at the last place she ever thought she would be, the last place she ever wanted to be. Suddenly, the haze of the morning burned away as the stark realization of where she was, and what she was here for, consumed her mind as a wildfire consumes all it touches. She placed a single paw on the handle of the door and tried to pull it open. It was as if the door weighed as much as the ox that drove her here. She couldn't open it. Her grip loosened as she collapsed to her knees, a wave of emotion overcoming all of her senses. She didn't even hear him walk up behind her until a gentle hoof helped her to stand.
"You don't have to go in Hopps."
It was Chief Bogo. He had personally picked her up and brought her here. He should have been with the others, but he chose to help her, because of what this meant to her.
"No, I need to do this. I need to go to him. I need to say.."
Her words were cut short by another wave of intense grief, sadness, anger, and anything else her mind would throw at her. Chief Bogo remained, holding her up as long as was necessary. Judy reached for the door, determined to do this, what she knew she needed to do, or it would haunt her for the rest of her life. The door gave way to her touch this time, revealing a simple, yet inviting foyer. The chandelier glistening above her, bathed the area around her in an almost heavenly glow.
Heavenly? She thought. No, not heaven. She was in hell.
A fire place surrounded by two tufted armchairs sat invitingly right in front of her. Everything about this room seemed to call for a calming and relaxing atmosphere, almost trying to make her forget where she was and why she was here until she saw the door to the side of the room. The light coming from here was a little dimmed. A few chairs sat around the perimeter of the room, making it seem larger than it was. This was her destination. Two officers flanked the door, standing at attention.
"Gentleman, a moment please" came Chief Bogo's voice, deep and full of sympathy, something that most would find awkward, except for today. "We will wait here, Hopps, until you are done."
Judy understood; it was time. Under the watch of the honor guard, she entered the doorway into the large room beyond. Closing her eyes, she steeled herself for the image she would soon see. She had been trying to prepare herself for this very moment, thinking that it would somehow lessen the shock. It didn't. Before her eyes opened a scene that, even in her mind, she could have never prepared for. Her eyes were drawn to its beauty, dark cherry wood, with a polish that reflected all light like a twinkling diamond. The rich dark grain coupled with the inlayed brass made it stand out above all things around it, just like him. The Zootopian flag, neatly pressed and starched, lay on the foot, a pall of honor. But all this was dimmed when looking up to the head. The lid was open, lined with a subtle beige velvet, fluted to look almost pillow like. But it was none of these things that truly caught the eye of Judy as she entered. Her eyes were fixed on the beauty of the red fox that seemed to make everything else seem worthless and cheap. His uniform, pressed and sharp, was perfect, with his medals and ribbons polished and pinned in ruler straight lines, his shield gleaming like a beacon, drawing the eye to show all of its majestic glory. Then there was his face: so peaceful, so content and relaxed. It was almost ethereal. It looked out of place with the polished uniform he was in. She stared for a moment, waiting for that little grin to form, waiting to see those emerald eyes, as he would get up, chuckle, and proclaim he got her with another great hustle, but nothing came. She walked forward with a lump growing ever larger in her throat. Legs unwilling, heart breaking, soul shattering, trying to keep her from acknowledging the truth of everything around her, all her senses screaming for her to turn, not to acknowledge the scene before her, but she pressed on. Coming to the edge of his casket, Judy finally gave in to all emotion, the world closing around her as she could see her Nick, laying in front of her, unmoving, unhearing, uncaring, she fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. A loud "NO!" reverberated off the walls as reality came crashing down upon her.