Long legs zigzagged through rows of animals and made it to a large wall of ice. The sounds of claws unsheathing and digging into the ice could be heard, and the legs and black furred arms quickly climbed the wall with ease.
Those same arms are used to shield blue eyes and a black muzzle from sand that was being blown at it via a giant fan. The animal pushed himself against the wind current that threatened to knock him down.
Not even the cold rain that pelted the strong body the arms and legs were attached to, could stop it. But at this point the figure was breathing heavily.
The legs from before ran as fast if they could, and finally crossed the finish line. A female polar bear stood on the sidelines, and was quick to press the time button on the stopwatch she held in her paw. She gasped, and rubbed her eyes out of disbelief. This wolfs time, it was incredible! She had only seen this same exact time twice before, and they both were from smaller and quicker animals. Smiling, she made her way towards the figure.
"Lupis! That was some great work out there! You're tied with the best times, ever!" The Drill Instructor exclaimed, while slamming her large paw on the hunched figures back.
"T-Thanks, D-Drill In-Instructor." The figure wheezed, before falling onto the ground, panting. The DI rolled her eyes, before grabbing the figure by his arm and pulling him up to stand.
"Geez, and I thought wolves had good stamina."
"O-Only wh-when w-we don't pu-push our-selves." Lupis panted, causing the polar bear to sigh.
"Hmm mmm. Just like your father." She muttered, not even paying attention as the other recruits just made it to the finish, until their heavy breathing combined became impossible to ignore. "Good job everyone. Take a breather for now and we'll move onto boxing in 30." All the animals let out sighs of relief, before falling down themselves. She only shook her head.
(1 week later.)
"And finally, the last cadet to graduate from the police academy, Gregory Lupis." Mayor Lionheart announced, while animals of different species clapped in the audience. The wolf from before took a breath, before walking onto the stage and beside the mayor.
"Not only did Gregory tie for the best time in the academy history, he is also the valedictorian of his class." Lionheart informed, before turning to his new assistant, a female tiny deer. "Assistant Doe, his badge."
Doe nodded, before grabbing the badge and pinning it to Lupis' chest. He smiled down at the badge, which faltered slightly when Lionheart slapped his back.
"Hope you're good Lupis. Because you're the only officer out of your class to be sent to the heart of Zootopia, precinct one, city central." The animals in the crowd started clapping once again. Smiling he looked in the sea of animals, but instead of seeing two wolves(or whatever his parents were) he saw the Drill Instructor from before staring at him, smiling at him proudly. In fact, Lupis thought he saw a tear building in the corner of her right eye.
(1 hour later. Train station.)
"I'm going to miss you sooooo much!" The female polar bear exclaimed, while hugging Gregory tight against her body. He could hardly breath as air was forced out of his lungs.
"C-Can't b-breath." Gregory squirmed in her grip until she let go, and when she did he gasped for air.
"Sorry, it's uh, it's going to be lonely without you around...do not go anywhere near drugs, and if I find out you knocked up some whore so help me-" She couldn't finish, due to Gregory clasping her maw with his paws.
"Ok, ok I get-" His voice cracked, causing her to smile. "-I get it. Now can you please stop making a scene?" He asked while looking around, noticing a few familes giving the two strange looks.
"Sorry, it's just, it's going to be weird without you here. You've been living with me for 19 years! I'm just sad to see ya go."
"DI, don't worry. I'll be fine, and I promise to call you everyday and I'll visit you whenever I have a day off. We can even MuzzleTime if you want, ya know, if you can actually work a piece of tech." That got him a gentle punch to the gut.
"Hey, just because I'm old doesn't mean I still can't kick your ass." She smiled.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." They each got into a mock stance, and started to exchange blows and jump around. Did the hits connect? Yes, but they were so soft they wouldn't cause any damage.
This was their routine. Whenever things were getting too mushy or awkward, they would banter and get into little, mock fights.
After a few punches, they started to laugh and hug one more time. This one was softer and longer then the previous one, it was more meaningful.
Then the sound of a train interrupted them, and the two separated and watched the train stop. The doors opened, and animals of different shapes, sizes, and species walked out and either went their separate ways or hugged those waiting for them. Sighing, Gregory grabbed the black backpack that sat next to his feet and placed it over his right shoulder.
"I...I guess I'll see you around."
"Yeah, you to. Don't be a stranger."
"I won't. And, try you're best not to kill any new recruits." She smiled and nodded, which he retuned. Lupis turned and entered the train, much like many other animals. He sat next to a window, and could see DI giving a small wave goodbye. He returned it, even as the train doors closed and the train itself started to move.
He continued to wave until see was no longer in sight, which allowed him to pull out his phone and ear buds from his pocket. Slipping one into each ear, he closed his eyes after playing a song. A soft melody started it out, and after 30 seconds a guitar started to be played. Before he fell asleep, Lupis heard someone yell "Nightmare" into his ears.
(Same time. Zootopia train station.)
"Are you sure you have everything?"
"Yes Nick, I'm sure."
"Sunglasses, mPhone, mPod, sunhat, sun lotion-"
"Nick, you're worrying too much. I'll only be gone a few days."
"But-But I'll miss you..." Nick gave Judy his puppy dog eyes. She sighed, but smiled and gave Nick a hug, which he gratefully returned.
You see, Judy's father had slipped and hurt his back. So Bonnie had called Judy and wanted her to come back, just for awhile so she could help until Stu got back onto his paws.
"Not that I don't love seeing my best friend and his girlfriend hug and be all sappy, can you two please hurry it up? Some of us how jobs." Finnick, Nick's best friend and ex partner in crime, begged as he impatiently tapped his paw on the ground.
Rolling their eyes, the couple pecked each other on the lips before separating. That's when the train blasted its horn, informing it was about to leave.
"Stay safe Carrots."
"Don't worry Nick, I'll be fine." She pecked his cheek and entered the train. The doors closed, and soon the train started to depart. Nick stood there, watching the train move until it was out of sight. He sighed.
"You give us foxes a bad name." Finnick informed, while standing next to his taller friend.
"How so?"
"You're too sensitive. You've gone soft." Finnick stated. Nick only smiled, while staring off in the direction the train went.
"Love will do that to ya. You'll find out one day, probably." Nick, proud of himself with that statement, started back towards the police cruiser.
"What are you talking about?! I get all the girls." Finnick replied, while running to catch up with Nick.
"There's a difference between love and tail chasing."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. So uh, we doing this or not?"
"Fluff's out of town, but that means Bogo himself and the others going to be watching me closer then ever. So...why not?"
"Awesome! We'll have 200 pawsicles by morning!" Finnick exclaimed, about to enter his van.
"Each being two a pop and the stick stacks being sold at 15 bucks each, that'll be a cool 460." Nick informed as he entered the cruiser. The van behind him started, and pulled up beside him.
"See you tomorrow brotha." With that, Finnick drove off, leaving Nick to himself.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Nick himself then drove off, unaware of what was to come. Or, who.