Hello, this is my first fan fiction, so please don't be too rough on me... The story is rated M for now, as it will get graphic and will have adult themes later on. I've decided to name every chapter with a title of a song that, according to me, suits the chapter. I will develop the story also for our favorite police duo. I have tons of ideas, all I need to see is that you like it and if you do, I will be sure to continue this story till the end. Enjoy!

I don't own anything.

Everybody Hurts

-R.E.M

The room was barely lit by the single light on the ceiling. It flickered irregularly but was enough to make out the details of the snow leopard sitting at the metallic table on a simple metallic chair. Two same, empty chairs were in front of him. He sat straight up dressed in a fiercely red jumpsuit while his eyes wandered around the room, emotionless. There was something really queer about them. Each was of a different color yet both were deep and had an unnatural glint. His right eye was the color blue , the type of blue which icy lakes far North are. His left eye was dark green, almost black. His paws were on the table and were bounded by a pair of cuffs that were also attached to the desk, the other paws were cuffed to each other and each was also cuffed to the table's legs. He had a metal watch on his hand, which seemed unusual in this situation. His whole posture was motionless, yet the two wolves in riot gear and with long weaponry watched him cautiously. His eyes continued to wander around but stopped suddenly. They focused on the mirror right next to the door to the room. He stared at it for a couple of minutes until the entrance to the room opened and let in three mammals. Each seemed very different. First, came a huge grey wolf in military fatigues and an assault rifle and stood by the door. He was followed by a well-groomed red fox in a flawless black suit. The last visitor was a rat in a worn out grey suit and a briefcase which he promptly set on the table. The wolf proceeded to close and lock the door. Both sat down on the opposite side of the table on the metallic chairs. There was a short silence during which the panther stared at the guests and they stared back at him. The rodent opened his briefcase and took out a recorder and a laptop. The fox and the leopard still looked in each others eyes. The fox let his eyes down first, while still keeping his serious demeanor.

"Mr. Snow, I'm Mike Clawson and I'm a representative of the Zootopian Ministry of Internal Affairs and my partner here is Saul Rodent, we are here to interrogate you on the events that happened during the last years which led to the formation of Zootopia Liberation Corps and led to the eruption of Mammalian Civil War in Zootopia, all of your testimony will be recorded and put as evidence in the military court of law, do you have anything to say Mr. Snow?" He said.

The leopard looked again at the mirror and then at his guests. The rat was ready with his recorder and laptop and the fox looked at him with anticipation.

"Okay," the panther answered calmly in baritone, "What do you want to know?"

"Everything, from the beginning" the fox stated.

"Well, it all actually started 19 years ago…."

The leopard started the story while his guests and a certain bunny and a certain fox in police uniforms listened to it too.

Ian Snow stood at the Zootopia Transit Station in Downtown. After 3 years, it felt amazing to be home. After 3 years of freezing in the middle of nowhere it felt good to feel some warmth.

"It's weird how a snow leopard thinks that." He thought and laughed aloud.

He attracted a few curious stares. A 6 feet tall and 200 lbs. he was still a sight in the mammal crowd full of buffalo and elephants. However, although large even for his own specie, it wasn't shocking, years of evolution and civilization greatly improved not only mental, but also physical traits of many mammals. He was well muscled and wore a black t-shirt with jeans. He also carried a huge backpack. After 3 years in the military he was eager to go home to his wife and small cub. He didn't want to leave them, but his long and costly studies in the Zootopian university and his inner sense of duty forced him to leave his family for that 3 years that felt like ages. However, he didn't consider the time spent in the army as hard. He was always a fan of many sports including martial arts and extreme sports. Now he was a 28 year old male, and he had his life ahead of him. He had a small flat in Downtown close to Tundratown. It wasn't much, but thanks to Catherine it was marvelous. She even managed to scrape a corner for little Peter. Although he was almost 5 years old, he was trying to be fiercely independent, "just like his father" Cat mocked. He began to stroll towards his sweet home. He didn't tell them when he was coming back as he wanted to surprise them. He knew Cat from high school and all through his undergrad and masters they were a couple, so he decided that it was the time to ask her THE question. He has found a ring in a jewelry shop abroad, just before he was shipped to the middle of nowhere. It had a magnificent stone that changed color when exposed to light. It wasn't large, but it was fucking expensive. However, risking his life paid off really well. Now it was safely resting in the pocket of his jeans. He was also eager to see little Peter rejoice from his present. It was also from abroad and it was a wooden toy of a wolf, beautifully handcrafted which rested in his backpack.

"The locals were really nice to me if I think about it… Such a small village and yet we were so welcome, I even managed to get this wonderful toy from kid who offered it as a present." He thought, "I don't understand why would the Northern Nationalists bother these poor people…"

He was pondering all the way to home. He didn't even realized when he stood before the 5 floor apartment building in which his flat was. The flat had 4 rooms. A small room for Peter, a larger room for Cat and Ian, a bathroom with a shower and the largest room was the living room connected with the kitchen. They had a stereo and a TV in the living room, as well as internet- so they were considered civilized by their neighbors.

"Good Morning Mr. Snow!" Exclaimed an old landlady- an antelope. Who emerged from the staircase.

"Mrs. Antler!, how nice to see you!" He shouted back.

"Of course you are, if you weren't you knew that you would have problems with your rent, young man," she said with a devilish grin.

He held his paws defensively and retreated.

"But Mrs. Antler, I wouldn't dare, I may have been to war, but I'm smart enough not to bother you." he answered and grinned.

The antelope erupted in laughter together with the leopard. He really liked the old landlady. She loved to joke and was one of the wisest people Ian knew. "When you will be as old as me, you will learn to see the broader picture and learn not to worry. Well, for me it's too late to worry, I will simply die before I have a chance" she used to say that.

"How was the North dear?" she asked curious.

"Horrific, even for a snow leopard" he answered and they both laughed, "But now I'm home, and I'm ready to start my PhD."

"Good God, you won't give up won't you"? she shook her head in disbelief, "Anyways, go already to your family, I was supposed to go to the shop and it isn't good for my bones to stand such a long time."

They both laughed again and said farewell, and the antelope moved slowly towards the supermarket. He was just too eager to see his family. He opened the door to the stairs and ran up to the 3rd floor where his girlfriend and kid were waiting. Putting his ear near the door and listening to the sound of his child playing with mom. Ian decided to joke around a little and pressed the doorbell. The ruckus went quiet immediately.

"Who's there?" Cat asked.

"The postman, I have a package, the nice landlady let me in." he said calmly while changing the tone and deepness of his voice.

He could hear the muffled steps as Cat approached the door. She unlocked it and stood face to face with a head taller Ian.

"I'm the package dear" he grinned.

Cat was shocked, she couldn't mutter a word, after 3 years, he was back, safe and sound, just like she remembered, well, maybe slightly more muscled, not that she complained.

"Who's that mommy?" asked little Peter as he stood in the doorway, "DAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDYYYYYY!"

The cub jumped on his dad and hugged him with all his strength.

"Woah there big man, you will make me fall" Ian said while picking up the cub and seating him on his shoulders.

Peter looked almost exactly like his dad, he was big as for his age and growing fast. He still wasn't till the waist height of his dad though. He was dressed in kid's clothes, some T-Shirt with a superhero and jeans. The only thing different about him were his eyes. He had his mother's eyes, two shiny black charcoals. Cat was still shocked. She was also a snow leopard but smaller and slimmer. Also her facial features were more smooth and softer than Ian's and she had really feminine curves that would put to shame many models. Her passion to running and swimming were probably responsible for the last part. The tight, black leggins and a blue blouse were making this fact visible. For Ian, she looked the same as the day he departed. She had tears now as well. She ran up to him and kissed his nose and hugged him. Ian grinned and hugged her back while Peter was busy playing with his dads ears.

"Okay, enough of the corridor, let's get inside" Ian said and lifted Cat up from the ground and went inside, "Watch out there big man, you will hit your head".

Peter swiftly ducked and soon the whole family was home.

Ian didn't even flinch while telling the story, only a small tear was swelling in his left eye while the rat was typing and the fox was watching him. He noticed that the tear was the only reaction Ian had throughout the whole story.

"Mr. Snow, I cannot possibly know how your personal life stories may be a valuable evidence in the court" the fox said.

The leopard looked at him the way that made the fox flinch and caused the guards to grab their weapons tighter and move closer.

"If you would come prepared Mr. Clawson, you would have known what happened later and you could connect the dots…" Ian spit out these words with sudden hatred.

The fox didn't flinch this time but the guards became even more agitated. The red-haired mammal signaled them to stand down- which they did.

"I'm aware what happened to your family, but I'm still not able to "connect the dots" as you said." The fox stated.

"Well, then let me continue this tale without senseless interruptions" the leopard said, calm again.

There was no end to greetings, hugs and kisses. Everyone was thrilled to finally see each other.

"Now there, kiddo, I have something for you" Ian said with a mysterious tone. Cat giggled and Peter couldn't stand still from anticipation.

"What is it dad?!" he said exclaimed excited.

"Here, I brought it to you straight from the far North" Ian said and gave the wooden wolf which he took out from the backpack in the meantime.

Peter grabbed it and his jaw dropped.

"Thank you Daddy, it's amazing, my best friend is a wolf!" Peter exclaimed and jumped to hug his dad, "I'll need to show it to him as soon as possible!"

Ian grinned and patted the cub.

"Now son, maybe you want to play with it? It's a toy after all…" Ian suggested.

Peter just realized how many precious seconds he lost. He ran towards his room murmuring something about Howl Eye and how he will meet Captain Buck and the Iron Fox.

"How did you know?" Cat asked in her soft voice.

"About what?" Ian asked astonished.

"That he will like the wolf" Cat added.

"Well, sometimes we had signal and when we had a minute of break I would read your texts. I'm glad Peter has found so many friends, especially this young wolf- Charlie was it? He seems like a nice kid." Ian explained.

"Yes, Charlie Growl, contrary to his surname he is really nice and gets along with pred and prey alike. Peter likes him so much, he's his best friend next to this small and shy doe- Anna." Cat said and kissed him in the muzzle.

"Ahhh, kids they don't know the differences that exist between each of us, if you play nicely, you are my friend- maybe we should learn something from them?" Ian suggested deep in thought.

"Maybe you are right" Cat pondered too.

"That's why you are IT!" Ian shouted and ran away when he poked her.

Cate looked astonished but soon became furious and started chasing her boyfriend around the tiny flat.

"Hey, it's not time for tag!" She shouted

"So why are you chasing me?" Ian riposted.

"Because you started you childish piece of fur!" Cat shouted again.

Ian was laughing all the time, suddenly he stopped and caught Cat who started to furiously poke him.

"Ow, stop, Cat, enough! Ow, You win! I surrender, please treat me honorably, Ow I'm your prisoner!" He exclaimed while putting his hands up.

Cat stopped and noticed that both of them fell on the ground, just inches from the scattered Pawgos.

"Woah, I could get shot or step on a mine but I wouldn't want to fall on one of these" Ian said.

Cat scowled but nodded.

"I understand what you mean, but don't you talk about you getting hurt!" She said scowling.

She stood up and was waiting for her boyfriend, but he wasn't up yet. He was kneeling on one knee and was holding an engagement ring that was inside a velvet box. Cat gasped.

"Catherine Von Clawmanov, will you marry me?" Ian asked as smooth as he could.

Cat was shocked yet again in the lapse of what, 15 minutes?

"Stop with the surprises or I will have a heart attack one day" she said and scowled again.

Now Ian was dumbstruck, he was still kneeling like stupid and was staring wide-eyed at his girlfriend. She suddenly exploded into a short laughter and started crying at the same time.

"And you are making me cry again you dimwit! she said through tears, "Of course I agree!"

And she pulled him closer to kiss him.

"After that, things came back to normal. I had started to do my PhD. After my undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Finance and a masters in Economics, I was ready to advance my study on the economics of Zootopia an it's importance on the society. I already had previous interest in politics, economics, philosophy and history but I simply didn't have time to study everything thoroughly. But now, I was able to advance my studies and expand it into new territories that were out of my reach before. I titled it "Mathematical and Historical Analysis of Economic and Social situation in Zootopia" I also started to write a couple of books together with my PhD. My study included applying mathematical theories to economic policies. I composed it together with philosophical trends and historical data to analyze the Zootopian society. I was aware of the shocking differences between preds and prey, as well as differences between each individual species. The differences were on every level possible. The hidden, mutual racism has shown itself in income and wealth gaps between these two groups and between itself. For example: The preds were the majority of the top 1% and owned more than 1/3 of the wealth and their income was larger by tenfold or more then the one of a statistical prey. However, the preds were also the majority of the poorest citizens. The prey were more equal in income and wealth between each other. Also, the housing in Zootopia is divided by pred/prey districts, however the business areas were mainly mixed with a few exceptions such as- small retail shops in pred/prey enclaves. Preds dominated the city center and the outskirts of each district while the prey were mostly iving in the suburbs. May I remind you that the outskirts are the poorest regions in our city. I would also like to remark that although the education in Zootopia is theoretically mixed, but most of the young ones learn in their respective enclaves. This is related to the fact that pred/prey had differing philosophic views and different literature, including historical literature meaning that….

"MR. SNOW," the fox roared, "WE SHALL NOT HEAR ANY MORE OF THIS CRIMINAL PROPAGANDA! YOU SPOKE AND DID TOO MUCH OF IT ALREADY"

The leopard was fully professional, he still didn't move at all and looked at the fox again. The fox was shaking from anger.

"If my beliefs are really that agitating, please inform me" Ian smoothly said.

He seemed amused from the fact that the fox was furious and that he was trying to kill him with his eyes.

"Would you continue Mr. Snow?" asked the fox who calmed down a bit, although he was still shaking from anger.

"Naturally" Ian replied and a small smile appeared on his lips for a second.

Ian was celebrating his 30th birthday. He had good thoughts. Peter was 7 and Cat was his wife for two years, the deadline for the defense of his thesis was coming fast, yet he wasn't worried. He knew that he was prepared. He researched his topic from every possible side including parts that went above and beyond. Simply, Ian was living the dream. After singing the classic Happy Birthday, they all sat down at the table.

"Honey, when is your thesis defense?" Cat asked intrigued suddenly.

She wore her special white dress especially for today. It was elegant but pretty casual. It contrasted with Ian in his typical black t-shirt and plain jeans.

Ian didn't answer for a second as Peter was trying to put a birthday hat on his head.

"Ummm, well, it's in 2 weeks, why are you asking?" Ian said, while trying to help Peter.

"I'm just curious, I mean, it's a big day for you" She stated.

"Yes, yes it is, but don't worry, I have everything ready. The chancellor said that if I defend it really well, I have a position as a professor in the Economics department" Ian informed, "So you won't have to work overtime anymore!"

"It's no problem for me to work, I actually like working in the bank, I actually studied for it." Cat said while slightly smiling when she remembered the good old times.

"I know, I was dating you then and you sat next to me in some classes, silly" Ian joked, "Hey kiddo! You did it, the hat it on!"

Cat was about to scowl at her husband, but a 6 foot tall snow leopard in a yellow birthday hat, that was crooked on one side, looked ridiculous. She laughed instead.

"Stop talking about work, you adults are so boring!" Peter exclaimed.

Now both of the parents laughed.

"You are right sweetie, adults are boring." Cat said while laughing.

"Moooom, stop laughing, it's time for plan C!" Peter exclaimed again.

"Plan C?" Ian was surprised.

His wife winked and left to the kitchen. He could see her digging in the fridge. When she turned, she had his favorite cake in her hands. Vanilla and chocolate.

"Plan C was Plan Cake?" Ian asked.

Peter and Cat nodded simultaneously. Ian couldn't help but grin.

"Well then, lets dig in!"

The cake was quickly divided proportionally to size and hunger of the family members. Ian couldn't resist but throw a piece of cake at Cat. She wanted to scold him but her son threw a piece of cake at his dad making her scold them both and comment that:

"I have two children here!"

As expected, both of the male leopards were amused. Luckily for Cat, the rest of the dessert was peaceful and no one was firing ballistic missiles made out of vanilla and chocolate. After the consumption, time came for the present. The family wasn't rich and it was pretty small. Ian's parents died when he was doing his masters and only Cat's dad remained, although he had dementia and was in a foster home. Ian's parents died of old age and Cat's mom had cancer and died when Cat was starting college. Her dad's situation got worse shortly after. Ian remembered that she even needed to leave college for some time. She did finally come back though when her dad, still pretty clear thinking, demanded that she goes back and go live her own. All she had to do was to visit him from time to time, which she did, although it was becoming harder day by day. His friends weren't here in the current moment. He spent lots of great moments with them. Both in college and the military. He would met them afterwards in some pub as Cat was merciful and let him go. So, only At has bought him a present for now. It was nicely wrapped in white paper with a red ribbon. Ian was intrigued. Peter was trying to sneak a peek under his dads arm. Ian literally clawed off the paper because he was too lazy to unpack it nicely. Cat groaned. Inside was a photo album made out of really fine paper. Everything, from the pages to the cover, was high quality and it was a pleasure to look and to touch-just like Cat was. There was also a nice looking watch. Ian was intrigued, not as much as Peter, who was jumping around.

"What is it!? What is it!?" he was asking, really loudly.

"I got a watch!" Ian stated happily.

"So you will always come back home on time" Cat explained.

"Ohhhhhh, sooooo cooooool, when I will get a watch?" Peter asked

"When you will be older okay?"

Peter nodded in silence as he looked on the gleaming watch. It was made out of stainless steel and it was mechanized not electronic. It was visible that it was pretty expensive, but damn, it was classy. Ian put it on instantly. He could see Cat smile and he knew he will every day, no matter what. Peter noticed the second part of the present though.

"What is that?" He asked curiously.

"It's a photo album sweetie" Cat said.

"In a phone?" The naïve cub asked

"No you silly, on paper" his dad said grinning, "It looks like your mom took almost every picture from our electronic album and told some poor fellow to print that brick."

Cat giggled and they opened the album. There were a lot of pictures there. All the way down from high school till now. Ian could see the picture at the beginning of 10th grade when Cat was a shy, new kid in school. He saw the picture from their first date where Ian took it while Cat was trying to hide her blush. He saw the picture from their university year and a picture from their graduation. There was one picture halfway through the book that covered the whole page. It was the photo from their wedding. On the next page it read: I'm waiting for more moments to capture…. Signed: Cat

Ian paused his story. He has become apathetic again and scanned the room again. After a short pause he spoke again.

"But you know what happened later, it didn't go as planned, it never seems to go…" He said and this time there was melancholy in his voice.

"You did pass your defense though, you passed it splendidly" spoke the rat who was quiet till now, "you shed light on the problems bothering our city and offered some solutions, it was a breakthrough".

"SAUL RODENT, WE AREN'T HERE TO COMPLIMENT THIS EVIL IDEOLOGY!" The fox shouted. He was furious again.

Ian looked coldly at Mike and the fox became calmer under this intense stare.

"However, we aren't here to discuss your policies, as Mr. Clawson said" the rodent said undisturbed, "we are here to know what exactly happened, so Mr. Snow, please tell us what happened"

Ian looked back at the rat and simply said:

"Peter died. That's it, that's all. Some drunk maniac hit him with a car when he was walking with his friends from school. A mammal killed my 7 year old son and then ran away because he was scared. How scared was Peter when the was laying in the pool of his own blood calling for mom and dad because he couldn't feel his little legs? Peter wasn't scared, he was horrified, he was just a small cub, he had a whole life ahead of him and he died before it even started. He died calling for me, his dad, he died extending his small paw down the road hoping that I will appear in the last moment and save him. I didn't. Trust me, there is no greater pain than losing your child. Especially if you feel guilty and responsible for it.

After that monologue there was a long silence. Everybody put their heads down, even the fox and the wolf guards, except that Ian didn't. Tears swelled in his eyes again but only for a second. He kept his head straight and stared blankly into the distance. After a couple of minutes of silence, Ian spoke again:

"I still had my wife with me though, that kept me going on. But she was just as devastated as I was. Even more. She carried this child and it was taken away from her. She couldn't cope with it. On her 31st birthday, the first without Peter, after I sang her "Happy Birthday" she cried and went to the bathroom. I found her 10 minutes later. She hung herself on the lamp using the shower curtain."

The silence seemed to deepen. More tears swelled in Ian's eyes as he finished the story.

"Ekhm, Mr. Snow, I'm aware that it's a really difficult moment for you, but we must move on with the testimony" The rat shyly said.

"It's okay Mr. Rodent, it was years ago, I've learned to cope, but I would like to request a break" Ian answered calmly.

"But sir, we must finish the testimony as soon as possible!" The rat exclaimed.

"I'm know that you have your duties, however, it's enough memories for one day. Contrary to the popular opinion, I have feelings too."

While he said it, a singular tear strolled down his cheek and fell on the concrete floor. No one seemed to notice though, even the characters behind the mirror. The rodent was too busy packing and the fox and the wolves were still silent staring blankly at something far away. Finally the wolf in military fatigues opened the door and went out first, he was followed by the rodent who hurried outside. The fox lingered behind and looked back at the snow leopard in the chair. Their eyes connected for a second and then the fox left. The door creaked and you could hear the lock being closed. Ian Snow was left alone in the small concrete room with the two silent wolves in riot gear. Ian looked at the mirror again. He stared at it and Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde stared back.

Well, that's it for now. If you liked the story please review. I'll be sure to continue. If you have any criticism or suggestions, write them right away. I'll improve, I promise. I'll try to make the chapters longer, but I can't promise regular updates, although I ill try to post a chapter at least once a week. You can also PM me if anything.