Hello, everyone. This is my first fan fiction, but I have some other writing experience. Please, if I've made any mistakes, errors, or if you have any constructive criticism, please don't hesitate to comment, or to PM me. I have already begun work on the next chapter, and will release it when it is done. I plan on making the story about 15-20 chapters, I hope you like it. The story is somewhat AU, in that Nick Wilde is Mayor of Zootopia, not a small time hustler. This leads to a few changes in the plot of the movie, and as such, some content is taken from the film. This is not meant to be plagiarism, but rather a transformation of the original content.

Also, I don't own Zootopia, or any of the characters in this story. (Except the few original characters, I guess? Not that it matters, they aren't even that important...)

Anyway, on to the story.

CHAPTER ONE

"As mayor of Zootopia, I am proud to announce that my Mammal Inclusion Initiative, which is a cause very dear to my heart, has produced its first police academy graduate. Valedictorian of her class, and the ZPD's very first rabbit officer, Judy Hopps. Everyone said that no rabbit could be a police officer. But I knew otherwise. When I ran for mayor, many said that a Fox could never be a leader, could never be trustworthy, could never be elected. But I , like Judy, refused to back down, refused to give up, refused to prove them right. Instead, I, like Judy here, proved everyone wrong. Because of that, I am glad that the first Police Academy graduate, like me, is a mammal that withstood adversity at every turn, and fought speciesism, bigotry, and discrimination at every turn. Because of that, I am proud to give Officer Judy Hopps her badge. Finally, because of that, I am proud to announce that Officer Hopps will be assigned to ZPD Precinct One, City Center," said the red fox on the stage, occasionally scanning the crowd, but mostly looking at Judy.

Judy watched him speak, thoughts swirling. A fox is mayor? This was surprising to her on several levels. She thought that the mayor was a lion named Leodore Lionheart. Why didn't I know that already? In fact, she didn't even know this mammal's name. Why haven't I heard of him? She looked closer at him to see if she recognised anything. He was a red fox, with emerald green eyes. He was wearing a dark green three piece suit, made of thick wool that looked very soft to Judy. Underneath, he had a white shirt and a dark red paisley tie. How does he look so good in that suit? WHAT? Why did I just think that? He's a fox. I'm a rabbit. I shouldn't think of him as attractive. Oh god. What is wrong with me? Why? Why? Why? Why?Wh-

"Officer Hopps?" said the fox, looking at her confused, his head tilted slightly to the right. "Are you going to come up here for your badge?"

"OH! Sorry! I got lost in thought, my bad," she said as she walked up the stairs to the stage. She heard a few of her classmates chuckle, and saw the Mayor's expression change to a smirk. She blushed a bit, hoping he wouldn't notice. She kept walking, and walked up to the mayor.

"Congratulations, Officer Hopps. I'm glad you're the first academy graduate since the Mammal Inclusion Initiative. I look forward to seeing your progression through the ZPD. I will be watching with… great interest," he said as he pinned on her badge. As he finished and she was about to walk away, she made eye contact, and he winked.

What was that? she thought as she walked past him. Is he interested in me too? Wait. "Too"? I'm not interested in him! Am I? No. No way. Well, maybe a little… NO. Shut Up! her mind was racing, she couldn't believe she was having these thoughts, and about a fox no less. She was open-minded, especially for a rabbit from Bunny Burrow, but not that open-minded.

Several hours later, the mayor sat in his oversized office, his feet up on his imposing mahogany desk, looking out on his city, thinking.

Hopps. Judy Hopps. Judith Laverne Hopps. A bunny. And a cop. Why, why was I so drawn to her during that speech? IS it just our similar paths? No, it can't be. I'm not drawn to others like that. He tried to remember the speech, but all he could think about was those two violet orbs, looking back at him. Her Eyes? Am I drawn to her eyes? Why? It doesn't make any sense…

"Mayor Wilde, Madam Nikula is here," said Assistant Mayor Bellwether. "she asked if you were ready for the charity dinner?"

Ugh. Nikula. Thought the mayor. Why do I have to do this?

Because, Thought another part of his brain. The people need to think you're in a relationship, or they won't trust you as much. And if they ever found out about your… proclivities, your career would be over.

Nikula Viviankoff walked into the office. The mayor looked at her, taking in her appearance. She was an arctic fox, a bit smaller than him, with steely, bluish-grey fur and icy blue eyes. She wore a long, conservative black dress, with white gloves up to her elbows, and heels. She was obviously an attractive vixen, but the Mayor was completely disinterested. Of course, he couldn't let anyone else know that. He fixed a smirk on his face, stood up, and walked over to her.

"Hello, my beloved. How was your day?" He asked her, seemingly excited to see her and truly interested in her day.

"Oh, Nicky, day was wonderful! I swear, so many nice people at store, I am not knowing why. Maybe it is they recognize me, I am on news few days ago with my Nicky." She said, with broken English and a very thick eastern European accent.

God her speech is annoying. But alas, I must resign myself to this if I want reelection…

"Let us go Nicky, please, I want be at dinner on the time."

"Alright. Just let me tie this bow tie," said Nick as he walked over to the mirror. He tied his bow tie and began walking out, locking arms with Nikula. They walked to the elevator, and then out of City Hall to the SUV waiting out front for them.

Judy lay on her rickety bed at the Grand Pangolin arms, looking up at the ceiling. She was brimming with excitement. Tomorrow was her first day at the ZPD. She couldn't wait to show everyone how great a cop she could be. She definitely would not be falling asleep anytime soon if she kept thinking about this.

So think of something else. Like what? Hmm… Carrot farming? Boring. Boring is good, you are trying to fall asleep, after all. The five major types of carrots are Ball, Chantenay, Danvers, Nantes, and Imperator. Start planting three weeks before first frost and then again every two weeks after that for seventy to ninety days…

Judy was out like a light.

"Hello, Mr. Chanta. How are you?" said Nick, shaking the Bengal Tiger's paw.

"I am very well, Mr. Mayor. I am glad that I donated to your campaign. I may soon choose to cash in a few favors," he replied. Why must they always expect favors?

"Of course, Mr. Chanta." Nick stated as he walked away, toward a group of wolves. He greeted them in much the same way, getting similar responses. This continued for the next hour or so, until everyone was seated for the dinner.

"Good evening. I am Anash Chanta, founder and CEO of the Chanta Foundation. I hope you're all enjoying your evening. That said, the food shall be out shortly. Of course, both Predator and Prey options are available. And again, I thank you all for the generous donations," said the tiger, who was now on a small stage. He finished speaking and sat down at a nearby table.

Donations, Nick scoffed internally It's hardly a "Donation" to pay $10,000 for a seat, he thought, as he looked around the room at all the tables and seated mammals. As he passed Chanta's table, one mammal caught his eye.

Hmm. She's interesting. His eyes had fallen on a younger looking female rabbit, with dark brown fur and matching eyes. I wonder…

Judy hopped up onto the oversized metal chair in the bullpen. She looked around at her new coworkers, barely containing her excitement. Suddenly, a hippo at the front shouted.

"Attn-hut!" All the other mammals began thumping their paws on the tables, whooping, and chanting. This confused Judy, and she saw a large water buffalo enter the room.

"Alright, that's enough. Now, I've got three items on the docket. First, we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Francine… Happy birthday. Number two. There are some new recruits with us I should introduce, but I'm not going to, because I don't care. Finally, we have fourteen missing mammal cases, all predators, from a giant polar bear to a teensy little otter, and City Hall is RIGHT up my tail to find 'em. This is priority number one. Assignments! Officers Grizzoli, Fangmeyer, Delgato, your teams take missing mammals from the Rain-forest District. Officers McHorn, Rhinowitz, Wolford, your teams take Sahara Square. Officers Higgins, Snarlov, Trunkaby, Tundra Town. And finally, our first bunny, Officer Hopps." said the Chief with a hint of disdain in his tone. "Normally, I'd give you parking duty." Judy's ears drooped. "But I can't, because the mayor has requested you personally for his security detail. Something about overcoming stereotypes, or some such nonsense. Dismissed."

Judy was taken aback. The mayor requested me? Personally? Why? Is he interested in me? No, stop. Keep it professional, Judy. She slowly got out of her chair, mulling over the reasoning. Bogo had already left the room. Wait, where do I go to? City Hall, I guess?

She walked to City Hall, and upon entering, saw dozens of animals milling about, yelling, talking, shouting, obviously engaged in something very important, and pressing. Judy walked up to the reception desk, and saw an elk on the phone.

"No, Mr. Chanta, I can't put you through to Mayor Wilde. He is very busy preparing a speech to respond to this scandal," said the elk. He looked over the desk, saw Judy, and wrote a note on a piece of paper, then handed it to her.

'Go upstairs. Mayor is waiting for you. Fifth floor,' said the note. Judy read it and walked to the elevator.

Nick sat at his desk, phone in hand, with his other paw on his face, covering his eyes.

"No, Nikula… The rumors are false… NO. Do not come to the office, I am busy… Yes, I am writing a speech about them… No, I don't need your help," he said into the phone. He heard the door open and looked up from his paw. A grey bunny with lavender eyes, dressed in a police uniform walked in. "Nikula, I'll talk to you later. I have to go."

"Hello, Officer Hopps. How are you?" Nick asked, his tone switching from agitated to a more endearing, charming smoothness.

"I'm fine… Why did you ask for me personally?" Judy replied.

"Aha, right to the point, I see. I'm interested in you," he said, pausing for a moment before continuing.

He's interested in me? She thought, a flurry of emotions rising in her.

"You see, we have very similar stories, and I am always interested in mammals that break the mold, as I have."

Oh. That's what he meant. Professionally interested…Too bad.

"What did you need me to do, though, Mr. Mayor?" she asked, trying to hide her disappointment.

"I'm giving a speech about this scandal, I'm sure you've read about it. Anyway, I expect a good number of protesters, and they may get violent. Many mammals are already angry that a fox is mayor, and the scandal will certainly galvanize even more hatred." he stated.

"Um. Sorry, I don't know about any scandal, and I don't think I'll be enough security for a whole crowd." Judy replied, a bit confused. Nick laughed.

"No, no, you'll be my personal security. The crowd is being handled by the ZPD in Sahara Square. Anyway, I must continue writing this speech, so go talk to my Assistant Mayor for the details of the location and such."