AN: There were some lyrics here, but fanfic decided to take my fic down without so much as a warning. I'll be re-uploading back to chap 12, then carrying on with 13 later tonight. Please re-follow and re-fav if you spot this.
For those starting out, this is a darker AU version of my story 'Zootopia: the original plot', splitting off at the end of chapter 15. It's strongly advisable that you read up to there first, and some things will make more sense if you read the whole story. If you want a lighter version of a collar story, my fic 'Coming to reward them' also exists, which is another AU of Zootopia: the original plot.
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Chapter 1:
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TO: gregoryhuvertung zmail. com
FROM: melonymelody bamboo. co. zt
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The Wilde Project.
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Dear Grima.
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It has been so long since we last talked. Longer still since we last met up. I'm sorry for not being in contact as much as I should have been.
And, before you ask, I forgive you for the same sin. For something as small as that, I could never hate you.
The truth is that both of us, in our unique positions, are aware far more than many others of the injustice in this world and thus, even at the expense of our own love, are willing to do what we can to end it. It goes without saying that I'm a bear that eats wood. You're technically a sloth, yet you eat termites. In most regions of the world we're considered prey mammals. We're allowed to live our lives freely and without the hate, scorn or prejudice that those of my order or your diet generally face. But we both know that that is not due to some scientific approach or reason, but rather due the fact that someone, somewhere, chose to draw a line and we were on the right side of it.
This is the same line that means bat-eared foxes and aardwolves get collared, while the more predatory armadillos get a free pass. It is a line of pain and suffering rooted not in reason or necessity but pure irrationality and the worst of our emotions. This is the line that we both vowed to try to erase.
Thus, I hope you understand that, with recent events, I cannot leave Zootopia. Not until I fully record the life and deeds of the most important mammal in the world. You (and your fantastic tongue (which I miss very much)) must wait in Canidaea while I make sure that the story of the Pred who dared isn't lost to the mists of history and the lies of those who oppose him.
I've heard they've locked him down in their deepest cell now, with only guards who have terminal illnesses being allowed to go close to him. Maybe that's true, maybe it isn't. Still though, a direct interview has been impossible. However, I've been able to trace multiple sources and get a good picture of what went on from his arrest until now. I plan to send these over in the following emails, over the next few days and such. If you can proof them and compile them, before maybe sharing them with some of your activists, then we'd be one more step closer to our goal. Maybe, had this all gone down up where you are, the world would have trod a different path. Maybe, they'd have finally decided to middle finger the United Mammalian Congress and fully ban the collars.
Maybe it still can go that way.
There is a great tension in the air, Grima. A great tension but I'm excited for it. For once, I'm glad that our forbidden love forced me out of my home and to the city where 'anyone can be anything'. I always scorned at those words, but now there is the slightest glint of truth in them. I'll keep on working, sending you useful information, before going back up to meet you when the time is right.
I'm sorry that, after all we went through, this long-distance relationship is staying as such.
I miss you every day.
Melony.
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TO: melonymelody bamboo. co. zt
FROM: gregoryhuvertung zmail. com
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RE: The Wilde Project.
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Dear Melony.
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Keep on working over there. Keep on doing good. I miss you, and I still love you.
I will always love you.
The papers are receiving bumper sales now, thanks to our mutual idol. We actually went into print AND MADE A PROFIT!
Still, the website always needs care and attention and such, so it's not as if we're living the high life. Instant coffee for us, not the luxury of a Snarlbucks. I'll make this email brief, as there's still more articles to write. Our little revolution aside, more articles means more advertisement revenue to help pay the (ever increasing) bills.
Consequently, I'm certain that these exclusive pieces of info will all but aid in our selfless and selfish endeavours. It would be an honour to read, review and, nay I say it, publish the records of what Wilde went through. We've already been flooded with viewers thanks to our documentation of what 'Wild times' was like, as well as a good life story on what Nick Wilde went through before all of that. Heck, the flood in views allowed us to finally book a good roof repair for the house/office, while giving all eight of us a little money to spend on the important things.
Speaking of important things, does a webcam sound good? You may not be able to experience my 'wonderful tongue' in person, but I'm certain that you'd settle for the next best thing?
Reply back soon Melony,
You're always in my dreams.
Love, Grima.
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RE: RE: The Wilde Project.
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GET IT!
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I may be going to a nearby shop owned by that tiger I told you about (Pandora) to get a few emergency supplies. In the meantime, I thought I'd link you a taste of some of the things I'd found. Don't ask me how I got it, just be happy that I have my ways.
Love you, '(ʘ)˾(Ѳ)'
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Attached document: .
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CLASSIFIED INFORMATION:
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POLICE INTERROGATION REPORT: APRIL 27th 2016.
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INTERVIEWING OFFICER: Jr Detective Judy L Hopps.
PRISONER: NICHOLAS P WILDE
TYPE: PREDATOR
SPECIES: FOX (RED)
CHARGES AS OF PRESENT: Gross misuse of medical license. Gross violation of harmony act, primarily sub-clauses related acceptable removal of TAME collar devices for medical reasons. Gross professional misconduct. Gross public endangerment.
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Interview begins at 10:07 AM.
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(NW): Hellooooo.
(I presume this to be chief of police, Adrian Bogo): You take him Hopps, I haven't got time for this mangy fox!
(NW): I have a name, you know.
(AB): I know, I just don't care.
(JH): Thank you Chief, I'll take it from here.
(NW): Chief is it? You should have your own brand of motivational greeting cards!
(Unknown sound. I presume to be someone coughing?)
(Sound of door closing)
(NW): So now that officer Buffalo Butt has skedaddled, have you run the plates? (note, later research showed that these two met on the night of NW's arrest, as well as several times before. NW's attacker would have arrived at the site in a vehicle. Its plates are the one's he's asking about).
(JH): We're not here to discuss that.
(NW): You're a detective, aren't you? You want the truth. You want to do good. You want fame? This Lupus Savage guy (the fake name the 'wolf' gave NW on the night of the attack) is the one making mammals go savage! Ask Jorge down in confinement. Ask the Tiger gamily who saw him getting shot!
(JH): Listen! (shouted, and accompanied by sound of a clipboard slamming on the table) While the first two were right, you almost got however many mammals killed or injured. You blew off my warnings like they were mindless guff! And now, seeing as your hair brained plan has inevitably gone down the toilet, you come up with a wild story about an evil wolf who darts predators! I mean, even if true, why on earth would he do that? This is a serious investigation, we're not here to discuss the nutty stuff…
(NW): Good, the squirrels are far better at that… How hard can it be to follow this one lead?
(JH): Really Slick? You made that joke yesterday. (JH discovered Wild times the day of the incident. I presume this is referring to a joke made then).
(NW): That long ago? Only seems like ten-fifteen minutes. You also forgot that only my best friends can call me by that name, so either you're a very dumb bunny or you're a friend who will help me. I think I know which one you wanna be. So, with this lead, just do some research and stuff and then report back to me. Is it really that hard?
(JH): Very easy in fact. Look up wolves called Lupus Savage in the census, find that there are none, done!
(NW): Maybe it was a fake name? I mean, just run the plates of those who left without the police getting them and find the wolf with the funny accent!
(JH): Listen, that's not my department. While I am personally interested in pursuing your case, I'm actually here to give you an offer. I hear you're in with Lenora? (note, I've included a brief bio of this colourful character in as an appendix)
(NW): Yup, lucky me. What's with her anyway?
(JH): The officers at the real prison hate her and keep sending her back, so we have to deal with her. (note, not strictly true. A common technique in some regions it to move problem prisoners into jails in order to intimidate those being held into accepting plea bargains. (I believe the 'Sally the screaming squirrel' was the most famous case)). That's just the way the carrot grows.
(NW): Carrots… It's surprising how predictable and cute…
(JH): Don't call me cute! (ditto: never call a bunny cute. Especially her.) You are in line for a life sentence with no parole, so I advise you listen to all the help I can give you! You have three accomplices who are missing, give me their location and I can bring it down to forty max.
…
(JH): Come on Fox… I know your kind better than your naïve friends do…! (note, I heard the start of a growl here). It's their fault for being involved with you and they have no reason to expect you to stay silent. I mean, foxes can't be trusted, have no loyalty…
(At this stage JH was cut off by NW's collar triggering. Lasted a few seconds, certainly sounded painful).
(NW): Us foxes don't do that fluff, and even if we did, I never would!
(JH): Too bad Wilde. By the way, I gave Lenora a nice new leash which straps well around your collar. Think about that for a second.
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(JH): I said think about it, Wilde. Not spend your time fiddling with the grate on the floor.
(NW): Maybe I need to do a repetitive task while I think about things? I mean, have I ever given you bunnies stick for using half of your energy to continuously twitch your nose?
(JH): Nose twitching is an anxiety and curiosity response.
(NW): Or… maybe it's some kind of savage uncontrollable instinct?
(JH): Stop that!
(NW): Interesting. Seems like the name callers don't like it when I throw the same names back at them. I never would have guessed.
(JH): Ha-Ha… Anyway, it's a shame really. Someone noticed that it was loose yesterday and resealed it in place. If it weren't for him, you could have slipped through it and tried to escape. Not that I'd let you get very far that is.
(NW): Oh, I don't know. I'd have distracted you with a cheesy joke beforehand. Given myself some time. And I have night vision, something you don't. By the looks of it… down there is dark, wet and… pipe-y? I wouldn't be surprised if it led me back to me old apartment.
(JH): Yes. I've seen a picture of that place. You know, I don't know how you could ever consider that a suitable environment to bring a kit up in! (note: I have no idea what she's talking about here. She seems to think Nick Wilde had a young son, even though records thoroughly disprove it) I'd be surprised if he didn't have all sorts of coughs and stuff! If you treat him that badly there, it's no wonder that you didn't care about doing something so stupid and leaving him an orphan.
(NW): …Oh yes. My boy. My sweet, completely real and non-fictional boy (as you'll see later, he's playing along for laughs). He'll be safe and happy with Auntie Honeybun and co, and kept well out of your nasty paws.
(JH): Are you trying to infer something…?
(NW): No… Just that I'd hate to think of the abuse that he'd receive at the hands of a pred-hating bun-bun.
(JH): Unless you want me to slap a muzzle onto you, you'll refrain from calling me that…
(NW): Ow! Police brutality. Heart-breaking rejection! Loss of innocence and formation of cynical worldview! Claustrophobia! Trauma… trauma… and then emotional squalor and ruination…
(JH): Did, uh… Have you ever been to the burrows? Carrot days festival?
(NW): No. Why?
(JH): And if your little act is over…
(NW): Can I get on to the fact that you have a carrot festival. I mean, I've at least tried to fight the stereotypes you guys trail and nail on me.
(JW) No you don't, unlike me. For a start, I want you to know that I'd have no qualms about taking your son in and raising him as my own. Doing a better job than you would, no-doubt.
(NW): Firstly, I don't believe you.
(JH): Why not?
(NW): Your nose is twitching…
(JH): Okay… Quick question. Is he toilet trained?
(NW): Sure. Day and night, maybe except during the odd thunderstorm. I'm a great parent. Also, did you see any diapers down in my flat?
(JH): Thanks for answering that. I'm happy to say I would have no qualms about raising him as my own, and…
(NW): Fine. I believe you now. Your nose is not twitching.
(JH): See. I'm not this predator hating caricature that you believe I am…
(NW): Instead you're the kind of bunny who gets scared, not by the thought of having to raise someone who your culture says will eat you at the first opportunity, but by the thought of having to change messy diapers.
(JH): I don't see the relevance of this. Moving on…
(NW): Is there a story behind this or… (Note, I'm certain there is, but I was too terrified to try and uncover it. Hell hath no fury like a traumatised bun-bun).
(JH): Moving swiftly on…
(NW): Judy…
(JH): I said moving swiftly on…
(NW): Officer Carrots…
(JH): I SAID MOVING SWIFTLY ON!
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(NW): Fine... Secondly, you do know what this means you'd have to do, doesn't it?
(JH): What?
(NW): You'd have to get close to him. Learn to love him. See him as a little boy, no different to the bunnies of the same age. You'd have to try and stop all those who are mean to him, because they've been taught from the day they were born to think that he was mean, though not being a fox means they may actually bother to listen to you. And, age five, you'd have to end his short childhood like that (note: clicks his finger).
(JH): End his childhood?
(NW): You'd have to collar him. You'd have to look him in the eye, and lock a device around him that's designed to punish him whenever he gets too emotional.
(JH): You mean too angry and aggressive.
(NW): I… Know… What… I… Mean…
(JH): No, it seems like you're one of these collar complainers who makes up stories about how these things hurt you for feeling all emotions, as if we're monsters who'd do that! All because you don't care about protecting others from yourselves, and instead focus on the horror of not being able to snarl and growl whenever someone accidentally does a boo-boo against you.
(NW): Given that I just got punished for being disgusted at your slight on my species' honour…
(JH): You mean, given that my words hit too close to home and you were about to get physical…
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(NW): You want to talk about getting physical? I'm guessing you enjoyed plenty of sports back in your childhood. Did you?
(JH): I played a lot of netball and rounders.
(NW): And given that you were competing then, and exercising, I'm certain that that would class as 'getting physical'.
(JH): Well, yes… But a different kind…
(NW): Ever wonder why Zootopia's best sprinters are never cheetahs, despite those being natures best sprinters?
(JH): Well, pronghorns and Thomson gazelle evolved to be just as fast to run away from them, didn't they? And there's a lot more of them than there are cheetahs. It's just coincidence and chance…
(NW): You really believe that?
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(JH): Well, of course I do. That's the truth, isn't it?
(NW): You know… If he does get captured, I do want you to look after him. It's gotta be better than Kit services, given some of the stories I've heard. Even better, I want you to look into his eyes and explain all these things to him. I want you to look into his eyes after he's been bullied in order to send his collar off and explain that it's 'all for his own good'. I want you to look into his eyes as he's suddenly unable to do all the things he used to love. I want you to look into his eyes as he learns that he's a second-class citizen, and that it's because of mammals like you and your stinking prejudices that he has to suffer. All in the name of 'just to be safe'. The four words that have been used to cause more pain and misery in this world than any other.
…
(JH): Is there some ulterior motive to this?
(NW): …Maybe I just want to meet a prey mammal who realises that what they do to us preds is not okay. That realise that we're not the monsters, but they are. Maybe, I want to meet a prey mammal who treats me like a mammal, and not a pred. Maybe, I want you to understand what I've gone through, so that you'll feel sorry for me and help me.
(JH): I don't feel sorry for you. You broke the law.
(NW): I was framed.
(JH): They all say that.
(NW): Some of them are right. I'm also giving you a lot more to go on than most mammals, aren't I?
(JH): You're mostly trying to guilt me with this 'oh, the collars are horrible' stuff that I've heard a hundred and one times and know to be false.
(NW): Oh! So, you wore a collar then?
(JH): …no. Why would I…
(NW): Because the only way you would truly have the right to say what you just said is to have worn one.
(JH): But I don't need one. I have no reason to wear one.
(NW): Then don't go around saying things like 'all your complaints are false, I know.'
(JH): You understand that this is like the 'environmentalists flying a lot' argument?
(NW): You know that that's a false equivalency… or a straw mammal… Or a dead fish tactic…
…
(NW): I didn't go to logical fallacy school, okay? I don't know the exact name for each and every bad argument, but I know one when I see one. So, you can stop looking at me like that. Can't you?
(JH): I could. But I don't really want to. It feels good to be able to look smug at you, I guess the teaser doesn't like being teased back, does he?
(NW): Compared to the level of teasing I got past during my school days, this stuff just goes over my head… I'd gesture with my paws, swooshing over and just clipping my ears but… You know. Handcuffs. Chain. You want to know what does tick me off though?
(JH): What?
(NW): That you are such a bare faced coward.
(JH): Really? Compared to you, who can't fess up to his crimes? I've put myself in harm's way many times, all to save people. I've battled criminal rhino's and bears. So, you have no right to call me a coward.
(NW): As long as you avoid wearing a collar, you are a coward. As long as you dismiss our concerns, without even considering trying to evaluate them, you are a coward. Every time you tell a pred that this is for their own good, without ever exposing yourself to the bad, you are a coward. You say that this is something which causes us no harm, pain, or misery; so, it stands to perfect reason that you could wear a collar for a week, month, year or lifetime and be just fine. But you don't. It may take bravery to go up against something dangerous. But I think it takes a real coward to not being able to stand up to something that should cause you no pain or harm at all.
…
(JH): Now that you've got that over with, and decided that it isn't worth getting angry about (I presume his collar went down to green here. I can't tell when it went up to orange), we can move on.
(NW): So, moving away from my hard-hitting monologue then? It's a shame I didn't have it recorded, so I can replay it. Because I think it's relevant for this too.
(JH): I'm not going to respond to that.
(NW): Ditto my previous point.
(JH): Or that.
(NW): Hat trick.
(JH): I could say the same thing about you, and how you keep on distracting me from the purpose of this entire interrogation. I'm supposed to learn about your story and side of events and the whereabouts of your fellow conspirators, though you've already refused that last bit.
(NW): I have. But for formalities sake, I'll do the first bit for you. I got into Wild Times a bit later than usual that night, we needed to pick up some replacement generators. There was a long queue, so I was busy dealing with the backlog after arriving while the others were sorting out the power issue. The first I saw of this wolf, Lupus Savage, was when he came to get uncollared. He seemed nervous, but also able to joke. Also, his fur and smell… they weren't totally foreign to what I'd expect from a wolf, but they were distinct. He spoke in this unusual, aloof, highland Scottish accent. I let him in, then returned to my office to do some financial stuff.
(JH): I thought you mentioned some tiger witnesses?
(NW): I did. They arrived to ask about their son hosting a birthday party there. Their son wanted to invite a Hippo, and I may have been a bit too hard on him. About this time Jorge…
(JH): Jorge? You mean Jorge?
(NW): No. It's pronounced 'Hoar-Hay'. Seriously carrots, I bet your one of those who pronounces Tujunga with a J. Anyway, he busted in saying that this wolf guy was acting very strange. To prove his point, said wolf was outside my office, on the supports of the Roar-A-Coaster. He stepped in, spat a load of crazy anti-pred stuff…
(JH): But he's a wolf…
(NW): You understand that I'm as confused by this as you are?
(JH): Carry on.
(NW): He then brought out a gun, darted Jorge, who fell out the office and… turned… and then gave me a face full of fox repellent. Could you inform your guys to look for traces of that in my office? Or are you to busy just focussing on convicting me.
(JH): As I'm the better mammal, I'll tell them. I'll also take an eye swab and fur samples, and test that. Because I'm nice.
(NW): Really? (Note, this isn't sarcastic. He sounds… touched?) Thankyou.
(JH): It's what we do in the ZPD. Now, I do have a spare kit, so hold tight. (It sounds like Hopps is taking said samples at this moment).
(NW): I will…
(JH): Anything else you can tell me about this wolf? Any motives? Were you loaning from other preds, behind on your payments, and he was an enforcer? Were there any… illegal distributions on site.
(NW): I have no clues about why he was doing this. I was forced to loan from other, less than savoury preds, but that's because I went to every bank in the city and was turned down for a loan. Officially, I had no credit, something no one was willing to help me acquire. Unofficially, I'm a predator.
(JH): Does it have anything to do with the fact that you were a factory worker who, with no prior experience or qualifications, wanted to open a theme park?
(NW): I'm pretty certain that one of the biggest insectariums nearby was started by a store owner who happened to start collecting creatures that had been left at customs?
(JH): Oh yeah. I remember going there as a kit. And watching the ZBC miniseries.
(NW): So, miracles do happen. If you're prey. As my father found out though, someone finding out that you're a pred can immediately change a loan approved to a loan denied.
(JH): Trying to build sympathy won't work we me.
(NW): Worth a shot though. As for illegal distributions, we sold some killer cricket fritters but that was about it. In terms of the loan, I was a week away from paying it off.
(JH): So, no motive then. Are you still certain you want to carry on with this 'not guilty plea?'
(NW): Yes, I am. Because I know what I saw, and I don't care if you don't believe me. I will not give you the satisfaction of proving your sweet little lies correct.
(JH): Are you certain? Remember who you're sharing your cell with?
(NW): You know what, I'm pretty certain that's a scare tactic. You talk a lot and carry a bit stick but you won't use it. After all, you used to go around with a fake collar remote, didn't you?
(JH): How did you!?
(NW): I have my ways.
(JH): If you are insistent on this, then go ahead. Though, you might want to tell me your son's name while you still can. I may well adopt him, just to prove your speciesist attitudes wrong, but I'd need to know who I'm looking for.
(NW): Oh, sure… Now, his name is a bit complex. He has two middle names, which he's just got into the habit of calling himself by, so you'll have to always ask for his full, complete name.
(JH): Which is?
(NW): Mike, not Michael, just Mike. Seth. Dravis…
(JH): Dravis?
(NW): 'Drive… is'. It's an old family name his mother, bless her soul, insisted on.
(JH): And Wilde?
(NW): Correct.
(JH): So, Mike Seth 'Drive-is' Wilde.
(NW): Yes. A sweet little boy who just wants to be hugged and kissed and loved.
(JH): Well, despite what you're done, you can at least be certain that Mike Seth 'Drive-is' Wilde will be safe. See, you're grinning already.
(NW): Am I grinning fluff? Yes, yes I am.
(JH): Though I'm certain that out there your grin will quickly disappear.
(NW): … Well, yes. I mean one of your inmates does plan to give me the two-brick treatment.
(JH): Stop being melodramatic. Lenora may be bad, but it's not as if she's going to injure you. You'll spend the rest of your life in jail, but rest assured you will meet no injury from any other inmate here.
(NW): Are you sure?
(JH): Certain. Just like how we'll keep Mike Seth 'Drive-is' Wilde safe.
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(NW): Can you say his name a few more times… It just…
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(JH): Urghhh… Given my fellow guard is taking some time to get ready… yes, that's looking at you.
(unknown): Sorry.
(JH): I'll say it again. Mike Seth Drive-is Wilde… Mike Seth Drive-is Wilde… Mike Seth Drive-is Wilde….
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INTEROGATION ENDS. 10:29 AM.
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Appendix: Lenny 'Lenora' Rinklehyde.
Long answer: Essentially the greatest argument against transgender bathroom rights that has ever graced the earth.
Short answer: Bat-S *# crazy!
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TO: melonymelody bamboo. co. zt
FROM: gregoryhuvertung zmail. com
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RE: The Wilde Project.
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Dear Melony.
Thanks a great deal for both my favourite emoticon, a great laugh and this interesting first batch of information. May I ask, how long was it before he received his injuries?
Also, is J Hopps still looking for you know who?
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TO: gregoryhuvertung zmail. com
FROM: melonymelody bamboo. co. zt
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RE: The Wilde Project.
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Reports suggest it was five minutes. Into yard, guard turns his head, fox under hippo, first attempt at 'fixing' complete.
Also, she thinks he's still with the others, right now as we speak. She even gets annoyed at people disrespecting him by laughing whenever she brings it up.
I kept a straight face.
Just…
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Love, '(ʘ)˾(Ѳ)',
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Melony.