This was inspired by the fantastic fanfiction series by Sarsis, Guardian Blue. Thanks so much for allowing me to jump on board and enjoy the ride! This section of story takes place at the same time as Guardian Blue, Season One.

Zootopia is the property of Walt Disney.

Hardware

Chapter 1: Opening Day

The alarm clock buzzed, and for the first time in a long time, Michael Russettail actually looked forward to getting out of bed. Today was his first day as the manager of the local Shrew-Value hardware store in lovely, quiet Bunnyboro. He yawned, stretching his joints and feeling his spine pop in at least three places. He was feeling a little bit stiff after having moved all his worldly possessions the day before.

He pawed around the top of the box currently serving as his nightstand and found his glasses, opened them and placed them atop his narrow vulpine muzzle. His world came into focus as he looked at the stacked boxes, crates and as yet to be arranged furniture in his small home. All of this would have to wait until Sunday, as he was already looking at six twelve-hour days, Monday through Saturday, as he would need to be present for every operating hour of the store until he was able to hire an assistant manager.

Michael Russettail was a bit of an oddity in Bunnyboro, being a fox. There weren't too many that lived there, aside from the Grey family. Not like his hometown of New Reynard, where the reverse seemed to be true, so few bunnies or sheep there. Though, even with the population disparity, one of Mike's best friends growing up had been a hare named Ricky Scrubbs. He was always tall and lanky and oh-so-laid back. Even though he was captain of the track team in school, and popular all around, he was also the type that just had to be friends with everyone, even a chubby young fox that couldn't finish the 100-yard dash without nearly falling over from an asthma attack. (as a younger kit, he always such horrible allergies). While the other kits made fun of him, or teased, Ricky was there at the finish line, cheering him on, and always gave him a slap on the back, "Knew ya' could do it buddy!"

Ricky was a year older than Mike, and was the type to always look out for others, and never tolerated bullies, so once it was known that Mike and Ricky were friends, things became easier for the chubby young fox. Ricky was there for him anytime he needed a friend, and both their families were quite close. Ricky's father owning a successful carpentry shop and hardware store, and Mike's father being an auto mechanic. Mike from an early age had been fascinated with machinery, carpentry and art, and just knew he wanted to be an artist. Both families encouraged him.

It was many years later now, and Michael had initially gone to art school in Zootopia, but later found the harsh reality being that nobody wanted to buy art from a fox, fearing it either to be counterfeit or stolen. It had crushed his dream, but he didn't let it stop him. He had also learned he had a knack for fixing and building things, especially wooden furniture. He had started working in a small shop owned by Ricky's family, and gained a good reputation of being a miracle worker when it came to repairing old, damaged, and otherwise discarded things. Most of the antique furniture in his small home was because he had salvaged it, and lovingly repaired and refinished it. He had gotten quite adept at home repairs as well, always fixing broken pipes, damaged drywall and roof shingles. A true handymammal.

Then came the news from Ricky's father that he was about to open a new franchise hardware store in Bunnyboro, without hesitation he offered it to Michael, knowing he knew everything inside and out when it came to the hardware and what his customers might need on a day to day basis, as well as repair advice. Michael only had to think about it for a moment before he graciously accepted, and began packing up his apartment.

Mike yawned again, stretching until he heard a gratifying pop from his upper spine. Having slept on the couch the night before had been a little brutal on his back, but he'd have the bed put together that evening. He stepped into his small restroom and began brushing out his fur. Appearances, he reminded himself. He was a fox running a new store in a town populated by prey mammals, and he had to look his best. Once satisfied with his fur, he got dressed. Tan cargo pants and a blue gingham shirt. He smiled at his reflection, and the gold Shrew-Value logo embroidered on the pocket, and his name underneath, "Michael Russettail, Manager".

Moving from the bathroom to the small galley-style kitchen, he fished a clean coffee travel cup from an open box, and popped a pod into his prized single kitchen gadget, the Clawreg coffee maker his parents had bought him as a housewarming gift for his small cottage home. It hissed and sputtered to life, rapidly brewing the elixir that gave life to the early mornings for vulpines. After doctoring it just so, he closed the lid, grabbing his keys to the store and home, locking up as he left.

The sun was just beginning to crack on the horizon on the chilled fall day, the smell of the fallen leaves heavy in the air as Mike walked the short four blocks to the newly constructed store. He smiled, seeing the town he would now call home. Even though this was hardly the first time he had entered his store, far from it, he had been here every day since inventory was being delivered, and employees hired. He knew all his team, and was happy to see them all gathered by the front doors, ready for opening day.

"Morning Team!" Michael called out to his crew, receiving back a hearty "Morning, Boss!" from all. Mike smiled and placed the keys in the front door, unlocking it to let his employees in. "Okay guys, Grand opening is in one hour, let's get ready." Each team member gave him a high-five as they entered the store, as had become their morning routine during their training. First was a tall and hefty dark-brown furred buck named Roger Longpaw. After that, another teenage bunny doe named Cecilia Leaps. She was fresh out of high school and this was her first real job, and she greeted each day as if it were her greatest adventure. Mike wasn't sure where all that boundless energy came from.

Ben Woolington was next, a pure black furred sheep. He had been teased because of his fur, and didn't really have many friends, but Mike saw something in him. A real need to prove himself, to be accepted. He was always "Yes sir, no sir" like he had been in the military. As it happened, he had been raised by his grandfather that had indeed served, and proper respect and discipline had been drilled into him from childhood. Ben had been his first hire, and he was pleased with what he saw. He might have to groom him to be assistant manager.

Last but not least, the only other predator on the crew aside from himself , Tammy Sergal, a rather large for her age Bengal Tigress. She had a cheery smile and a very laid back attitude he liked, not to mention the muscle needed for moving heavy objects, to which she enjoyed doing. More than once he had caught Roger eyeing her when she did so. She was amused by the whole thing, and often would flirt.

Oh, yeah, this was a great crew!

The crew went about their setup duties, lights being turned on, cash register opened, a pot of fresh coffee set up on the counter. Michael picked up the sandwitch board sign, and placed it outside the front door on the sidewalk, declaring the stores grand opening, and he smiled at the gathered customers already outside on the walk. He swung the front doors wide and propped them open, and with a cheerful smile declared "Welcome to Shrew Value Hardware!"