Hey everyone, thanks for showing interest in this story, so I decided to go along with this and actually follow through with the rest of the story, things will be picking up here in the next few chapters, enjoy!
Chapter 2: Be A Pal
I was just getting over what I was seeing, a city, larger than one I had ever seen, below me. It was no Columbus, Cleveland or Cincinnati, it actually appeared cleaner, how a large city like this didn't have any smog or any kind of pollution was remarkable, some motion caught my attention. I turned and noticed something interesting, a train, like one of those modern bullet trains was rushing in towards the city. I frowned, Hm, we never had one of those trains where I lived, another reason I didn't belong here. I sighed to myself as I braced myself for what I would have to do. With no other help avaible, at least none I could see, I would have to head into the city in order to find help. I groaned out loud, but that meant I would have to socialize, I hated doing that.
I had to fight down the bile building up in me as I descended the hill, heading towards the city. What was I going to say to the locals, I got struck by a lightning bolt and found myself in the city, you mind giving me a hand on getting back to my farm? Two things could happen, either one, they laugh me out of every establishment in the city, and the police arrest me for causing a disturbance. Or two, they think I'm some deranged maniac and report me to the authorities, which leads me to be arrested. Either way, best to not draw my attention myself, shouldn't be too hard. I finally actually found a sidewalk, and noticed some kind of stairway which lead up to a docking platform, hm, that must be where the train lets the passengers off. I slowly ascended the stairs until I reached the top. As soon as I looked to see where I exactly was, my mouth fell open in complete shock. If this hadn't gotten any crazier, there were….animals, no that wasn't the right word. My mind went blank as I struggled to even speak. There were animals, but they weren't like any animals I had seen.
For one, they actually spoke, like English, I couldn't actually make out a whole lot being said, simply because there were a whole lot of animals in the station with me. I did hear a few friendly greetings between two wolves, and an idle chatter between, a horse and her colt? I shook my head as I slowly made my way further into the station, catching a few of these furry freaks giving me a strange look. Another thing I noticed is that, these creatures, whether young or old, ox or lion, male or female, they all tended to wear clothes, just as a human would. I walked past what appeared to be a small pond like structure. I stopped and observed it, wondering what it could be for. My question was answered a few moments later, as a large, male hippo emerged from the water. He shook the water off him, spraying anyone nearby, He seemed to be wearing a business suit. I couldn't help but laugh somewhat at how silly he looked.
I was about to start walking again when I felt someone bump into me from behind. I stumbled forward, bumping into a few more animals. "Hey, watch it!" A male panther said as I collided with him. I scowl and regain my balance, looking over my shoulder to see what jackass ran into me. I couldn't see anyone who stood out, just a huge mass of animals doing their thing I guess. I shrugged to myself and tried to comprehend how I exactly got here. I made my way up another stairwell, getting a fair share of stares in the process. Ok, this was starting to piss me off, I hated being the center of attention. I hated it in high school, I hated it in college, and I hated it in life after school.
"You know, it's rude to stare." I muttered bitterly. Some of the animals around gasped in surprise, while others looked away, embarrassed. Good, the faster I can find some help. The faster I can leave this freak show and all its anthropomorphic citizens behind. I actually pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, I cringed in pain and released myself as I reached the top of the staircase leading out of the station. Nope, I wasn't dreaming. I had to shield my eyes as the brightness of the sun as I walked out of the train station. Ugh, to damn bright, when my eyes adjusted I looked out at the city that stood before me. My jaw nearly touched to floor as I realized I was standing in what appeared to be this city's version of Times Square. Buildings as tall as the ones back home stretched infinitely into the crystal blue sky, cars raced past with, you guessed it, animals behind the wheel. I shook my head in sure amazement and started walking down the road, following a large pack of small mammals, mostly rabbits, but some weasels and even a few badgers as well. They looked at me like I was some kind of alien, hm maybe I was. I hadn't seen any other humans since I got here.
I continued to walk along with the group, tuning them out as I tried my best to focus on the task at hand. I needed to find someone to help me get back to the farm, but who? I thought to myself as I noticed a huge ass LED screen on the face of one the city's skyscrapers. On said screen seemed to be a prerecorded welcome to anyone who was entering the city for the first time, I stopped and looked up at the screen, the video appeared to have a female gazelle staring at the camera. I know it sounds weird, but she was actually kinda….pretty, hey, don't judge me, I don't roll that way. "My name is Gazelle, and welcome to Zootopia." She said. I couldn't help but snicker a little bit, Zootopia? It sounded like I got sucked into some weird Disney movie.
I shook my head a bit, chuckled and walked away down the road. I decided it would be best if I could find the police. I could explain myself and what I needed without inciting any panic. I walked around east side of this district, which I learned was named Sahara Square. Sahara Square was also the downtown district, so there was an insane amount of animals around there. I noticed a shop a lot of animals were lining up at, the line was indeed long, so long in fact, it was coming out the front door of the shop and down the road.
My curiosity got the best of me as I stepped into line behind a male zebra. He glanced at before going back to mind his own business. Good, just ignore me, act like I'm not even here, I made my way into the store, noticing it was some kind of ice cream shop. There were a couple elephants behind the counter, scooping up ice-cream with their trunks. I groan in disgust, yeah that's really nice, instead of using scoopers like a normal person, they are using their nose, disgusting. Who knows what gets in that ice cream? I was so busy lamenting about that, I didn't realize I had made it to the front of the line. The elephant behind the counter looked at me like I had grown a second head
"Can I help you….sir?" He asked bluntly. I paused as I thought about what to say, I guess could just play it cool and buy something, try not to stand out.
"Um….I'll have….a single scoop please, in a waffle cone." I said, fishing out my wallet. The elephant paused a moment, before reaching into the minifreezer built into the counter and scooped out some vanilla bean, my favorite of course. He placed the scoop on a waffle cone and waited for me to fish out the correct amount of cash. I pulled out three dollars and fifty cents, $3.50 for a single scoop waffle cone, talk about robbery. I handed the cash to the elephant, who looked down at it before looking back at me.
"Is this some kind of joke?" He growled. I frowned, unsure what he meant. I had given him the correct amount. Was he going to try and fleece me for more?
"What do you mean, I gave you the correct amount." I muttered. The elephant's stare turned into a scowl.
"Listen bud, I don't know what this is, but I ain't taking this, so either pay up, or hit the road." He said coldly. I scowl back, I could feel my face getting hot, and most likely turning red. That always seemed to happen when I got really upset, which wasn't often. I stood there, staring down the elephant harshly. The elephant glared back, unfazed by my glare. The idle chatter from behind stopped as the animals watched me and the elephant engage in a staredown for the ages. After what felt like ten years, a third voice spoke up.
"Um…excuse me, but ah don't have a problem paying for him." Someone said in a thick southern drawl. My attention is drawn away from the elephant and onto a male rabbit who has stepped forward from the crowd. He had long ears and hazel colored eyes, his most distinctive feature was his orange red fur, as well as his southern drawl. He was dressed in a plain white button up, black slacks, dress shoes and a black paperboy hat. He wore a black vest over the shirt, as well as a tie, giving him a very dapper look. The elephant turned to him, his gaze softening a bit.
"Uh…sure, it three dollars and fifty cents." The shopkeeper said. The rabbit nodded and fishes the money out and gives it to the elephant, who counts it to make sure it is correct. I turn to the rabbit, a little grateful someone was nice enough to help me out, I didn't get a lot of that at home.
"Um…thanks for that, I wasn't expecting anyone to help me out there." I said, holding the door open for him as he strolled out of the shop with some chocolate ice cream. I closed the door and followed after him as he strolled down the road, maybe he would help me.
"No problem kid, I'm always willing to help those new to Zootopia." He paused a moment, looking over at me. "What's your name kid?" He asked.
I looked down at him and gave him a half smile. "Wade…Wade Grubbs."
Alright, another chapter down, next chapter will have Judy and Nick in it, don't worry, as always, if you enjoy the story, make sure to like and follow. Until next time everyone.
