Zootopia Origins - Part III

The War Comes Home

Three days later, an even larger crowd gathered to protest against the wall. Holly, while feeling a bit sorry, decided to quit her job at the construction site. Honcho, while feeling sorry to lose her water girl, understood her decision.
- I hate this thing too. – he said, his long neck pointing upwards to the concrete structure – But I'm just a worker. They give me the job, I do it.
- You can leave it. – Holly said – Come with me, we need mammals like you.
- Kiddo, I've been a construction worker all my life. I'm not a revolutionary. I just hope that, for the first time, I don't have to finish a job.
He bowed down to shake Holly's paw.
- Godspeed, water girl. Hope I'll see you again one day.
Holly's mind was abuzz with conflict as she left the construction site. While she was amongst the lowest-ranking workers, the others liked her. She thought they even respected her in a way, admiring her for doing a much larger mammal's job without ever complaining. But she had no choice now, not after what was unfolding in Zootopia.
Holly, Paddy and some younger members of the Turtleneck Club became a permanent fixture of the protest scene. Contrary to Gillian and Preacher's fears, the demonstrations never became violent. Mammals were even bringing their children, as if it were a family event. For the two foxes, every rally, every late night march though the street was a date. They felt like the world was theirs for the taking, their young idealism and love fuelling them.
Zootopia was starting to change. The Government, while reluctant at first, started to openly ask for different opinions. Of course, they spoke of a silent majority approving of the construction of the wall, but nobody in their right mind believed that. For the average Zootopian prey, predators were now a part of everyday life. Yes, they might not have liked them, but the idea of hauling them off behind a concrete monstrosity was just ridiculous, or, on the contrary, raised fear. If those who hold power can do this to a specific part of the population, who knows who'll become the next target? There were whispers about the rodents being given the boot, their prodigious breeding unnerving some, and also about omnivores being sent behind the wall for being untrustworthy.
And as more and more found themselves in a vicious circle, something changed. It was early spring now, and on a Saturday evening, the umpteenth demonstration turned into something unexpected. At first, it was just a couple of ZPD officers arriving on the scene, asking the crowd to go back to their homes. They weren't even sounding threatening, they were simply asking the good citizens to leave. Nobody listened to them, of course.
Holly and Paddy were in the first echelon of the protesting crowd. Attending these events became a second nature to them, so of course they were there. They saw a policemammal, a bulky bull elephant, raising his walkie-talkie to his ear. He said something only the person on the other end could hear, and when the answer came, he responded with silence and a reluctant nod.
- Hey, look! – Holly cried as the elephant and his comrades began moving toward the crowd, now brandishing billy clubs.
- Hey, this ain't funny, guys! – Paddy shouted. At first, he thought the cops only wanted to scare the crowd away with a bit of decided action.
- On the orders of the Zootopia City Council, all citizens are to return to their dwellings. – the elephant, the ranking officer at the scene, said, his voice amplified by the megaphone he held in his paw. He looked out of his element, he was clearly in worry – Please, people, go home.
- No, no, no! – Holly whispered. He looked at Paddy who nodded in recognition.
- This will turn ugly. – he said. By now, the cops and the demonstrators were facing off, the two crowds separated by an undrawn line on the pavement. The protestors began to call out to the cops, some calling them pawns of the Government, while others asking them to switch sides and join their cause. The elephant at charge was seemingly torn between his duties and emotions. He seemed hesitant, until he heard the walkie-talkie click. He raised the device to his ear, his eyes widening from what he heard.
- People, you need to go home now. – he said, his voice amplified – I have orders from the city council that this demonstration has to be disbanded at once. Please don't make me use force.
- We want no trouble! – Holly shouted over to him – This is a peaceful demonstration.
Her words earned her cheers and cries of confirmation. The cops moved closer. Holly saw that there were predators amongst them. This scared her more than the billy clubs they were holding in their paws. Others begun to notice them too and were yelling abuse at them, calling them traitors.
- Holly! – Paddy grabbed her paw, shaking her out of her stupor – I think we should leave, like, now!
The vixen nodded and looked for a way out. They were locked between the demonstrators and the police. They could see many wanted to get out of harm's way, only to find themselves in a pincer grip.
- Whatever happens, hold my paw. – Paddy said. He was expecting what was to come, and a few seconds later, the policemammals charged. The two foxes ran, trying to wriggle through the crowd. Cries of pain and fury filled the air. Holly clung on to Paddy as the two desperately tried to move away from the cops. They saw an elephant couple, their ample sizes clearing the way. They dashed through the tree-trunk sized legs, but not before Paddy was hit on the back by a cop's baton. He collapsed, bringing Holly down with him, literally sliding through between the elephants' legs. Holly cried his name, but he was on his feet, coughing.
- Run! – he wheezed. The foxes weren't the only ones trying to escape, and the scene quickly disintegrated into a stampede. Animals were trampling on each other, and the smaller ones had it the worst.
- Look! – Holly cried out, pointing toward the large arched doorway of a run-down tenement house. He pulled Paddy with her and the two kicked the door open, jumping inside. Paddy closed the door and the two collapsed on the cobbled floor. They heard the pandemonium outside, but they were frozen with fear. In just under a minute, what felt almost like a game once became dead serious. This wasn't a world of peaceful cooperation between predator and prey for a better future, this was a struggle against a fist that has always loomed over them, but now it slammed down hard.
- Are... are you allright? – Holly finally asked. Paddy nodded with a cough.
- I've gotten worse at the orphanage. – he wheezed. He tried to play it off as if he were okay, but Holly saw he was terrified. Come to think of it, she herself was scared out of her wits.
- We need to go home. – she said. She helped Paddy stand up.
- We can't go outside. – he said – We'd be trampled to death. Come, this way.
He led her inside, to see that it was one of those old style courtyard houses, with a large open space in the middle. On the other side of the courtyard, another door led to the outside. The foxes ran over to it, peeking outside and finding only empty streets. They made a run for it, arriving back to the Turtleneck Club's house wheezing, out of breath.
- Sweet mercy, are you allright? – Gillian came, furious and relieved at the same time.
- We're okay. – Paddy said, collapsing on the sofa. He tumbled over, lying flat on his stomach.
- He's been hit. – Holly said silently – It was a cop.
- Oh my... – Gillian shook her head, trembling – The news was all over it. I knew it'd come to this, I bloody knew it!
Some other Turtles came over, including Preacher. The warthog patted Paddy's shoulder.
- Are you allright, my boy?
- I'll manage. – the fox said silently, forcing a smile on his lips. He turned over, lying on his back, bug yelped in pain – No panic, guys, I just need some rest.
- And you? – Preacher turned to Holly – Are you hurt?
- No, I'm okay. – she said – I mean, physically.
The warthog nodded, understanding well what she meant. He sat down on the sofa, next to Paddy.
- Red September all over again. – he said silently.
- I don't think it's time to reminisce about that, Preacher. – Gillian said, her voice a bit more sharp than she intended to.
- Yeah, maybe you're right.
- Red September? – Paddy said, opening his green eyes – That rings a bell.
- It's an old story, I don't really...
- It was a pred rally. – Holly said – I've heard stories about it. It got... out of control.
- Now that's a euphemism for it. – Preacher said with a sad little laugh.
- Wait a minute, I've heard about it too. – Paddy said, tilting his head so he could see Preacher – It was... it was like what happened today. The cops came in and beat up all the chompers.
- It was horrible. – the warthog said, his eyes staring into a thousand yard emptiness.
- Nicholas Hamhock, stop it! – Gillian cried out – I don't want to hear it again.
- You were there, weren't you? – Holly turned to the pine marten who nodded slowly.
- We both were. – Preacher said silently, his eyes still out of focus, as if he were seeing something only he could see.
- Wait a minute! – Paddy sat up with a wince – That was a pred-only demonstration. I remember now. I thought no preys were there.
- I... I was on the other side. – the warthog whispered.
- What? – Holly and Paddy cried out in unison.
- No, you can't... – Paddy moaned – You... you...!
- Calm down, Paddy. – Gillian said, reaching out to him, but the fox was trembling with anger now.
- What did you do, Nicholas? – he growled – How many chompers did you beat up? Did you hurt Gillian too?
The pine marten slapped him across the face, making his eyes widen to the size of saucers.
- You have no idea what happened there, so shut up! – Gillian cried – I was young. He was young. It was a different world.
- I have nothing to apologize for. – Preacher said, standing up, looking over the onlookers – I was a rookie cop. They gave me a baton and ordered me to go out there and hit 'em as hard as I could. Once we arrived and saw the bloodshed, I told 'em they can stick that baton where the sun doesn't shine and left the scene.
He looked around, looking everybody in the eye, one after the other.
- You have no idea what it was like back then. You weren't even born yet. Gillian and I, we were there, and what we both saw there was enough to give us nightmares for the rest of our lives. You kids think what we do here is for fun and excitement, that we do what we do to stick it up to The Man, right? Well you're wrong! I just want that what happened back then could never happen again, and still I see it happening!
He collapsed back to the sofa, tilting back his head, closing his eyes.
- I'm sorry for what I said. – Paddy said silently.
- It's okay, son. – Preacher said without turning to him – You couldn't have known.
- So that's how you became a preacher? – Holly asked, making a small smile appear on the warthog's face.
- There are times when you have only somebody beyond this realm you can turn to. Maybe I was just too scared or ignorant or apathetic. But yes, this is how I became what I am today.
- Preacher – Paddy said slowly - , what will happen now?
- The same thing what happened during the Red September. But we'll weather it out. – he opened his eyes to look at the fox – You can't go to rallies anymore. None of you. I couldn't stand the thought of losing any of you.
Paddy looked at Holly who simply nodded. She sat down next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Her world was, once again, a turmoil. What she thought to be winds of change turned out to be a tornado that swept away her dreams faster than anything before.

What transpired that Saturday evening changed the whole city. Now everybody knew that the previous negotiations were only parts of a larger ruse, before the Government could prepare for the crackdown. Those who were brave or stupid or just simply lost too much to even care anymore continued the protests. All of their efforts were literally beaten to the dust. The once peaceful demonstrations turned increasingly violent. The streets were engulfed in flames, each day becoming worse.
The Turtleneck Club, once so vibrant, became a pack of recluses. Even the younger, more fierce members realized no place was safe anymore, except for the run-down house they called home. They continued their underground trade with the bunnies, but the food they bought went to those who were now in need. Many mammals had to go into hiding, and those included preys as well. The Turtles managed to get them an apple or a carrot, asking nothing in return.
- It's over, we're officially broke. – Gillian said one day – We gave away all we could.
- What now? – Holly asked, eyeing a can of soy meat supplement.
- I don't know, dear. We'll need to think of something. But not tonight. Go, eat that soy, I don't like it anyway.
- Thanks. – Holly said with a small smile. She took the can and went straight to the room she now shared with Paddy. As the house became overcrowded, nobody cared about the two bunking together. Spare room was considered more a priority than morals or lack thereof.
Paddy was lying on the bed, his eyes closed, listening to the little portable radio Holly used to have back when she was recovering. Music was playing, pred rock the vixen did not know:
And when they shackle us
Muzzle us and shock with collars
You stay strong my love
As I try to stay strong for you.
- Ironic, isn't it? – Paddy asked, his ears twitching as he heard Holly enter the room – This could be about us.
- Who knows it isn't? – Holly threw herself down on the bed, next to him – Maybe someone saw us back at that first protest and wrote this song.
- You're such a romantic. – Paddy grinned – That's what I really like about you.
- Like? Well, I guess that's one way to say it...
Paddy opened his eyes only to close one in a wink. He was roaring with laughter as he pulled Holly into his embrace.
- Piberius Wilde, you're the worst kind of fox ever. – she said, rolling his eyes – If you just like me, here's something that'll make you worship me.
He slammed down the can of soy meat on the bed in a theatrical fashion.
- Are you serious? – Paddy moaned – I thought we gave the last one away yesterday.
- We found it in the pantry with Gillian. She wanted us to have it.
- She's an angel. – Paddy sighed – I never knew my mother, you know. She left me at the doorsteps of the orphanage. But Gillian is the best mother I could ever have.
Holly smiled at him warmly. This was the Paddy she really loved. Not the devil-may-cry street-wise fox, nor the angry revolutionary, but the young fox left alone in a big, scary world who appreciated all the small bits of kindness he could get.
- Come on, luv, let's feast on our daily soy. – she grinned at him and tore open the can. They ate up the meat supplement in a few hungry gulps, not even caring to sit up.
- We have to leave tomorrow. – Paddy said, licking his digits – We can't stay here. We need to go out there, blend in, get a job.
- Who would hire preds these days? – Holly said with a sigh.
- Who said anything about an official job?
- I'm not going back to the wall.
- Yeah, me neither. But there are so many opportunities out there. Have you ever been on a merchant ship?
- No, I don't really like ships.
- I worked on one for a few months, before I met Preacher and Gillian. I still had my collar on. I hauled cargo. It wasn't the best job I've had, but the Captain never asked any questions and I always had something to eat.
- It's so strange. – Holly said musingly.
- What, me working my tail off on a ship?
- No, not that. Remember when the first protest started? When we were in that pub?
- Yeah, you almost choked on the booze. – Paddy elbowed her playfully.
- Jerk. – she shot back – You really don't remember? You asked me something.
- Yeah, I remember. – he turned to her, smiling – I asked you if you'd come with me if I ran off to the wilderness.
- The answer is yes. – she said with a smile of her own.
Paddy looked at her, too moved to say anything. He reached out to pull her into his embrace. He listened to her breathing as she drifted off to sleep. He too was on the edge of dreams when he heard a rustle outside. His triangular ears twitched, he turned his head and he saw that someone hurried past their door, a shadow moving swiftly. Then he heard a loud bang which made Holly wake up, her senses on full alert.
- What the...? – she asked, blinking.
- I don't know. – Paddy said silently – But I've got a bad feeling about this.
The foxes left their room, moving cautiously through the corridor. In the main entryway, they found the door open, with three cops already inside and about a dozen more out on the street.
- Mandatory collar inspection! – One of the cops, an elk, boomed. He saw the foxes immediately and began to move towards them, but Preacher suddenly appeared and stepped between them, blocking his way.
- Good evening, Officer. – he said nonchalantly – How may I help you?
- We've received intel about an underground ring of collarless chompers residing here. – the elk said.
- What? Oh, you're mistaken. – the warthog said with a shrug – Collars are mandatory, isn't it, children?
Holly and Paddy nodded as if their lives depended on it. Now the others started to appear too, predators and preys, all looking frightened.
- Would you look at that. – another cop, a hippo whistled – I've seen some of them at the rallies. All wearing those pullovers.
- I'm sorry if our choice of clothing offends you, Sir. – Preacher said with a smile so fake it looked almost like a snarl – It's our way to be closer to the One who in Its great wisdom has created us.
- Are you freaks some kind of sect or what? – the elk laughed mockingly – Come on, that's the lowest form of life ever!
- I am so sorry for you, my good man. – Preacher sighed.
- I don't care what you feel, porky! Why don't you tell your little friends to be obedient little chompers and show us their collars?
- That, Sir, is something I will not do.
Holly and Paddy, and all the others, were looking at the scene with wide eyes. The warthog, while smaller than the elk, looked almost larger than life, a heroic statue come to life.
- Don't get smart, porky. – the elk hissed, dethatching the billy club from his belt – I don't wanna be rough on a fellow prey, but if I have to...
- I'm no fellow of yours, Sir. – Preacher said and with a movement so swift nobody could even expect it, grabbed the nightstick from the elk's hoof. In the following second, before the cops could even register what happened, he turned back and shouted: - Run!
The next second, war reigned within the house. The elk lounged on Preacher, who fought back with elemental fury. All the other cops shuffled inside, brandishing their batons. Paddy pushed Holly behind himself, ready to defend her, but up came Logan the wolverine, hissing as he attacked the ram cop who was the closest. In the ensuing chaos, Gillian found herself next to the two foxes. Her left eye was swollen shut.
- Run! – she cried, pushing them before herself – Get out!
- No! – Paddy howled. He jumped forward to grab the baton of a caribou cop, aimed at Holly. He pushed the caribou away and in the second he gained with it, sent his foe to the ground with a hook. He turned back to see a zebra's nightstick crashing down on Holly's back, as she was protecting Gillian with her own body.
- Leave them alone you mongrel! – Paddy roared. The zebra turned to him, readying himself to strike him down, but Holly, realizing the opportunity, punched him square on the jaw.
- Come on! – she moaned, grabbing Paddy's paw, pulling Gillian with her. They dodged and ducked, shuffling through the fighters. They saw Tulip and Sue in pawcuffs and Logan held down by the hippo. As they were reaching the door, a rhino officer moved up to them, blocking their way.
- Where do you think you're going?
- Away. – came the solemn voice of Preacher. Blood was gushing from his split lower lip, but he was holding a baton in each paw. The rhino turned toward him and saw his elk comrade and a bison knocked out cold on the ground.
- Okay, you old fart, you've asked for it! – the rhino growled.
- As a matter of fact, I have. – Preacher nodded – I was once good at handling these. Let's see how much I've forgotten.
The rhino jumped, his fist slamming down, but the warthog was fast. He slammed a baton hard on the knee of his opponent, jumping back after the strike.
- Go! – he yelled, looking at the foxes and the pine marten.
- Nicholas, you... – Gillian cried. The rhino was back in action again, and this time, Preacher wasn't quick enough. A massive fist collided with his face and he was slammed back to the wall. Paddy, Holly and Gillian tried to help him up, but he was already on his feet.
- Gill, take care of the kids. – he said, wheezing. He still had one tonfa in his paw and he readied himself.
- We won't leave you, Preacher! – Paddy cried. The warthog looked at him with a smile on his broken face.
- You're a good kid, Piberius. I'm sorry your childhood had to end like this.
Gillian was pushing the foxes outside. The last thing they saw was Preacher jumping up to the door, preventing the rhino from getting after them. He slammed the door shut behind the escapees who ran out into the night.

The three ran as fast as they could, paw in paw, not caring where they were going, just as far away from the siege as possible. Tears ran down their faces, but they didn't even notice it. They ran through the neon-lit streets of the city, until Gillian could not force herself to run anymore. She simply stopped, wheezing, letting go of Paddy's paw to lean against a brick wall.
- Come on! – Paddy said, gasping for air.
- Leave... leave me here. – Gillian wheezed, shaking her head.
- No way! – Holly cried out – Follow me!
She took Gillian's paw and led her, with Paddy following suit. He didn't know at first where the vixen was leading them, but he found out soon. They were getting nearer to the wall with each step.
- Honcho will help us. – Holly said, panting – He'll give us shelter.
Her idea was a clever one. All three of them knew the giraffe foreman, who was sure to give them a place to hide for the night. The idea of hiding at the wall felt almost ironic, the very thing they fought against was now sheltering them. All they wanted now was a hole to squeeze themselves in, to rest and prepare for what awaited them in the morning.
A noise was coming from where they were heading for. After all the shoutings and beatings, they didn't even hear it at first. But as they turned at a corner, just a block away from the construction site, they realized that they got out of the frying pan and found themselves in the fire: hundreds were marching down the street, all holding anti-government and pro-predator signs. Some noticed the three immediately and ran over to them.
- Are you allright? – a porcupine asked.
- Been better. – Paddy moaned.
- Who roughed you up? – a lion said, leaning down to meet his tired eyes.
- ZPD, who else? – the fox spat bitterly – They raided our house. Beat up our friends.
- Filthy mongrels! – the lion roared, convulsing as his collar shocked him.
- Here they come! – somebody yelled and all heads turned towards the arriving police cars. They were coming from all directions, blocking all escape routes.
- Oh no! Oh no! – Holly cried.
- Game over. – Paddy sighed resignedly. They shared a look and turned to Gillian, who was an inch away from collapsing. They all knew it was over, they could not run, they could not fight. They watched as the protesters clashed with the cops and get beaten down. Those who could tried to move sideways, where the three fugitives stood, frozen in place. News reporters started to arrive, cameras set up in haste to record the event for the world to see. Some of them were trampled down by the cops, who cited no official approval for recording.
- Is this how it will all end? – Holly asked silently, a voice lost in the cacophony. Paddy, standing next to her, smiled at her and took her paw into his.
- I'm sorry. – he said, a tear twinkling in his eye.
- Sorry for what? You did nothing!
- I wanted to give you a better life. One without collars. I got you into this all.
- It was fun while it lasted. – Holly said with a sad smile – I got to know the greatest mammals in my life. I got to know you.
Hearing her words, Gillian started to cry. She pulled the foxes into a motherly embrace. The protestors, beaten back, were just steps away, and a fresh platoon of cops arrived, drawing closer, baton in paw.
- I love you, Holly Volpone. – Paddy said, knowing this might be the last time he could ever tell anything to her.
- I love you too. – Holly said, wiping tears off her face. They saw an elephant cop strike down the lion protester with a single hit, turning to them with a cruel grin. Paddy opened his arms to shield Holly and Gillian, but Holly jumped in front of him and cried out:
- The whole world is watching!
She turned to the cameras, many still standing and recording the events.
- The whole world is watching! – she repeated, louder this time. Others began to pick up the phrase, crying it out as a last, desperate attempt to stop the violence.
The whole world is watching! The whole world is watching! THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!
And suddenly, the madness stopped, the policemammals ceased their assault. The tension was almost palpable in the air. It finally broke with the sirens of arriving police vans, the protestors standing in a circle of cops, defeated and too tired and scared to fight back anymore. The cops began to pull them out of the crows, yanking them by force into the vans.
- Whatever happens, stay close! – Paddy said slowly, holding Holly's paw in his with a force it hurt. A bison cop stepped up to them and pointed at Gillian.
- You! Come with me!
She nodded, too spent to do anything. The foxes went after her, but the bison turned back and pushed them to the ground.
- Too eager to go to jail, huh? Just you wait!
He whistled and two of his comrades arrived. A moose grabbed Paddy and a donkey grabbed Holly, taking them into separate vans.
- Holly! – Paddy howled. He punched and clawed, until the moose knocked him out cold with his nightstick. Holly saw this, she cried out his name, but the donkey grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, threw her on his broad shoulder and carried her to the van, throwing her in like a sack of potatoes.
- Paddy! – she screamed, banging her fists on the cold metal doors. All the others looked at her in utter bewilderment, predator and prey, all captives, and none of them seeing something like that before: a predator who could do such thing without getting shocked.
By the time the van reached the nearest police station, Holly was exhausted, even the final traces of adrenaline having been used up. Her paws felt numb, the world was a blur. She was pulled out of the van and pushed to a crowd of predators. She looked around and saw neither Paddy, nor Gillian. A couple of cops, each of them large and powerful, moved closer, each holding a little electronic device in their paw. After waving it in front of their captives, they pushed them aside. A gemsbok officer stopped in front of Holly, pointing his device at her. The little box in his paw gave a loud beeping sound.
- By the Lamb of God! – he cried out – This one has no collar!
The next instant, a dozen cops surrounded Holly, tranquilizer guns all trained on her. She just stood there, eyes wide, her paws slowly raising to signal her surrender.
- Don't shoot! – she wanted to shout but all that came was a tired cough. One of the cops grabbed her shoulders, pinning her down, while another muzzled her. She was led away from the crowd, into the police station. She saw that the whole place was filled with captives, most of them from the demonstration. Still no sign of Paddy or Gillian.
She was pushed into a small room, down behind a metal desk that was bolted down on the floor. The door slammed shut behind her. In the few minutes that followed, she looked around, looking for any escape route, but there wasn't any. She was tired beyond anything she has ever experienced, drained both physically and mentally. She knew that even if the door were left wide open for her, she wouldn't last a minute out there.
The door opened and a ram officer entered, not really tall but imposing with his massive curly horns. He slammed the door shut, making Holly jump. He made a condescending tsk sound at that.
- Well, well, well, all the whispers were true. – he said gleefully, sitting down on the opposite end of the desk – Some of you chompers really did found a way to get off the collars.
Holly didn't respond. He was stating the obvious, why waste her remaining bits of energy to say anything.
- I knew it'd be a fox. – he ram continued – Shifty little mongrels, that's what you are. Always up to no good, always ready to break the law.
- At least I didn't beat up mammals on the street. – Holly said silently.
- Oh, so you do have a voice. – the ram gave a bleating laugh – What's your name?
- Shifty little mongrel, you said it yourself. – Holly answered back, anger boiling inside her, giving her a fresh jolt of energy.
- You think you're funny? – the ram said in a dangerously calm voice – You think you can laugh into the face of this city, without a collar to tame you?
- You think those things are meant to tame us? – Holly said, her voice still silent – You're wrong and you don't even know how wrong you are.
- It's not me who's wrong here, fox! – the ram slammed his paw on the table – Every day, I wake up and see your kind prancing around, wearing those damned collars around your necks as if you were proud of them! Like if they mean you belong to some kind of elite club us preys could never join!
- Lion of Judah, you're insane! – Holly laughed, her voice sharp – You have no idea what like with the collars is!
- Oh, I do, you filthy chomper, I know. – he leaned closer to her – You think they make you better. All I know is, it keeps you from tearing out my throat. You'd like that, won't you? Give in to your instincts and hunt me down.
- You're mad as a March hare. – Holly sighed.
- You'd like me to take that muzzle off? Who knows, you might get to me. Oh, I'd like to see you try. My daughter'd be so proud of me, her daddy beating up a savage predator for good!
The door opened and Holly saw the biggest buffalo she has ever seen. He grabbed the ram by his uniform sleeve and yanked him to the ground.
- Bellwether, you scumbag! – the buffalo roared.
- I was just interrogating this collarless chomper, Boss! – the ram moaned, sounding not so tough now.
- I know how you like to interrogate people you sick mongrel! Get out of my sight or I'll beat you up so bad your wheelchair'll need a wheelchair!
- But Captain...
- Are you deaf or something? – the buffalo roared – I gave you an order! Are you defying a direct order, officer?
- N.. no Sir! – the ram scampered out of the interrogation room. The buffalo shook his massive head and leaned close to Holly, taking off the muzzle.
- I'm sorry for this. – he said, sitting down – If it weren't for his good connections, he'd be out of the Service by now.
- Lemme guess, you're the good cop. – Holly sighed.
- No, I'm the worst cop you'll ever get to know. You happened to be a predator without a collar in my precinct, and that's something I won't tolerate. Not because I hate predators, but because you have broken the law I swore to uphold.
- Wait a minute, I know you! – Holly's eyes widened with realization – You're the police captain who hired preds!
- Idris Bogo. – the buffalo nodded. Holly now saw that he was young, almost too young to have such a high rank. Not looking like the guy who got his rank by knowing somebody who knew somebody, he has probably earned it by being the best in the Service. And that made him a formidable foe if there ever was one.
- Something tells me you won't just let me walk out of here.
- You foxes are clever but not that clever. – the buffalo said with a grin – What's your name?
- Holly.
- Holly what?
She looked into his eyes and without hesitating, she said:
- Holly Wilde. And I want to see my husband.
- So that other fox is your husband, eh? Aren't you a little young for holy matrimony?
- Is that a criminal offence too, Captain?
- No, at least I'm not aware of it. How old are you, anyway?
- Eighteen.
- Eighteen and so much behind you: married, collarless, attending illegal demonstrations. Are you a runaway?
- Yes. – Holly nodded, realizing Bogo will check her background, it was no use lying about this.
- Your parents must be very proud of you. – the buffalo said sarcastically – What will they say then they find out their little girl'll end up in prison for a good couple of years?
- Please don't tell 'em! – Holly cried out – Please tell 'em I'm dead!
- What? – Bogo's eyebrows shot up at her words.
- I don't want them to know what I've become. Please, tell 'em I got trampled to death at a rally, or anything.
- Why not? I don't care. Less paperwork for me. Still a boatload of it, all because you thought it's a good idea to get your collar off.
- You have no...
- I do! – Bogo said in his booming voice, making holly fall silent again – I know what they make you preds go through every day. I know it's unfair, I know it's the reason this city is rotting away. But it's one of the highest offences a mammal could commit and my duty is to uphold the law.
Holly closed her eyes, another wave of fatigue overcoming her. She wanted to be left alone, to sleep for just a few minutes. It was all over and she knew it. She'll end up in prison, marked as a dangerous predator. Maybe they'll give her life sentence. She'll die behind bars, she knew that. She opened her eyes and rubbed at them to wipe her tears away.
- Please let me see my husband. I need to see him before... before...
- Calm down, girl. – Bogo said – If I let you see him, will you cooperate?
- Yes! – she cried out. Bogo nodded silently and left the interrogation room. Holly remained alone for a good fifteen minutes, when the door opened again, with Bogo leading a beaten-up Paddy inside.
- Five minutes. – the buffalo said and closed the door. Holly jumped up and hugged Paddy, tears rolling down her face.
- What have they done to you? – she cried.
- What a honeymoon. – Paddy grinned, wincing as even that made his body shoot up in pain – So this is what marriage is about.
- I had to tell him we're married. – Holly said apologetically – I thought we'd be judged together or...
- Hush, sweetheart. – Paddy put a digit over her lips – You made me the happiest fox in Zootopia.
- I love you!
- I know. – he smiled warmly at her. He looked around, with Holly thinking he was looking for a way out, until his eyes settled on something. He moved closer and picked up a paperclip from the floor. He picked it up, twisting it in his paws. Holly couldn't grasp at what he was doing until he bent down on one knee and said:
- I know it's a bit late now, but, Holly Volpone, will you marry me?
In his paw, there was the paperclip, bent into a makeshift ring, and he held it out for her.
She mouthed a silent Yes, saying it aloud a moment later as she found her voice. Paddy slid the ring on her trembling digit, she leaned closer and kissed him. Their time was running short, but they didn't care. They knew they'll be held separately in prison, and might not see each other again for years.
- I'll confess everything. – Paddy finally said – They'll find out I took off the collars anyway. It might be better for you guys this way.
- Don't be a martyr, dammit! – Holly moaned – They'll make an example out of you, after all what's been happening!
- I'll also tell 'em I held you against your will. I took the collar off of you against your will.
- Nobody'll believe that.
- I gotta try. – he shrugged.
The door opened and Captain Bogo stepped inside. The foxes let each other go and looked at him the way the vanquished enemy looks at their conqueror.
- You'll remain in custody till your official trial. – he said – You'll be held here, in my station. If you cause any trouble, I'll make you regret the day you were born. Understood?
- Any more beatings you've got? – Paddy hissed.
- I'll make sure whoever beat you up gets the worst day in his miserable life. – Bogo growled – I don't like you. I don't like foxes and I don't like criminals. But that's no excuse for a cop to beat a prisoner.
Paddy nodded with a sight. He too realized that Bogo wasn't evil: he was simply a part of the system and whether he hated it or not, he was sworn to act by its rules. And while it didn't make him a friend or ally, it made him a respectable mammal nonetheless.
- Follow me. – Bogo said – I'll take you to your cells. I don't want any trouble.
- Sir, can I ask you something? – Holly said – There was a friend with us. A pine marten, her name is Gillian.
- Gillian Marder. – Paddy added.
- Where was she taken?
- She's also being detained. – Bogo said – I don't know where. Not at this station.
Holly nodded in resignation. Paddy took her paw and followed Bogo to the cells. They were separated, with Holly going to the females' cell and Paddy to the males'. The cells were overcrowded by the demonstrators, predator and prey sharing the same fate. The thought of being hauled off to prison felt like a salvation even after a few hours of being here. Holly and Paddy sent more than a day in the cells, before they were escorted to the Captain's office.
Captain Bogo sat at his desk, a mug of coffee in one hoof, his other rubbing his bloodshot eyes. He nodded curtly at the elephant officer escorting the two foxes. The elephant saluted and left the office. Bogo motioned for the foxes to come closer.
- I was instructed by my superiors to interrogate you personally. – he said in a tired voice – I think it's a punishment they see fit for me taking predators into the Service. The more they task me, the more easy I'll quit. At least that's what they think.
- And what do you think, Captain? – Holly asked.
- I think they can go and hang themselves by their tails the best way they see fit. – the buffalo yawned.
- I think I'd like you if you weren't a cop. – Paddy said with a tired grin.
- Life isn't fair. – Bogo shrugged his massive shoulders – But this is the world we live in.
- Why don't you fight against it? – Holly said. Her words made Bogo laugh out loud.
- Do you think I'm the best mammal out there to change the world? Or any of you two? Or your little friends wearing these stupid turtleneck pullovers? You're wrong, fox! Change will come, eventually, but not from any of us. When that day comes, I'll apologize for you for serving a cruel, unjust system. But till that day comes, I am obliged to serve it the best way I can.
- You always say that. – Holly said, annoyed – You say you don't like this system, but you'll make us go to its jail!
- But not because of what you think my motivations are. I don't care that you're predators. I couldn't care less. But the law states that removing your collars is a criminal offence, and you'll be judged for violating that law. Your lawyer will arrive soon.
Indeed she did. It was a slender female zebra named Amelia Nobule, who was quite sympathetic to the de-segregation cause. She helped Holly and Paddy through the interrogation, which lasted hours. Bogo was fair with them, he wasn't asking any tricky questions or leading them into saying something that could make their matter worse.
Paddy confessed everything. He painted himself as the failed revolutionary, the fox who single-handedly masterminded the Turtleneck Club. He didn't mention Gillian or Preacher having the most say in their operations, nor did he speak about the food smuggling. He wanted Bogo to understand why he did what he did: he just couldn't stand his fellow predators being shackled anymore.
Holly didn't have much to add. She told the captain about how she helped Paddy and the Club, that she once stole a wallet, and that she just wants to be left alone. She was tired, she just wanted this ordeal to be over.
They were tried together, four days later. They were allowed to clean themselves and were given fresh clothes. No turtleneck pullovers this time, just plain clothes so that everybody could see they wore no collars and that made them a danger to society. The trial was closed, so that no rebellious words could reach the already agitated public.
- The court is now in session. – declared the judge, a rather frail-looking old goat.
- The prosecution calls forth Piberius and Holly Wilde. – the prosecutor, a gazelle said, his voice raised. The foxes were brought forth and were made to sit inside a cage reserved for the most dangerous criminals. The prosecutor presented the charges Holly and Paddy knew already: illegal removal of collars and assistance in doing so in case of other predators on an organized level. Amelia Nobule has already informed them about this, and told them that if found guilty, they could face up to fifteen years in prison. She also told them that they will be found guilty, regardless of how well she performed during the trial.
The whole process felt artificial and orchestrated, a show trial the result of which was meant to subdue the rebellious mammals of Zootopia. The foxes expected nothing better. They presented their defense, aided by Nobule, but even that felt empty, a mere formality before verdict was reached. And, lo and behold, verdict was reached on the next day.
- Piberius Wilde, Holly Wilde, you have been found guilty of all charges. – the goat judge said, striking down with his wooden hammer – Your punishment will be fitting for your crimes. Instead of being issued a prison sentence, you are each sentenced to a minimum of five years of forced labor, which you will spend on the construction of the wall designated to separate the future predator territory.
Holly looked at Paddy. Her eyes were wide with shock. It was more than punishment, it was victor's justice, insult to injury. Paddy was trembling, his paws curled into fists.
- Furthermore, in accordance with the law, you will wear taming collars again, until the rest of your lives. – the goat continued – This is how our city can continue on. This is how our society can survive. And this is how you can survive.
- I don't want to survive! – Holly cried out, not being able to hold herself back anymore – I want to live!
Her words echoed in the sudden silence of the courtroom. The preys who were present were shocked, but the few predators, they were left in a state even beyond shock. Some of them stood up to applaud, until the judge began slamming his hammer on his desk, ordering them to be quiet lest he clears the courtroom.
In the end, nothing mattered in a kangaroo court that didn't even have actual kangaroos. Holly and Paddy were led away, back to Bogo's police station. They were collared, both of them crying as the cold anodized metal clasped shut around their necks. Although they could not see each other in their separate cells, they could hear the cries and the screams, before both of them were shocked into unconsciousness.

- When I said I hope I'd see you again, this wasn't what I meant. – Honcho said after Holly and Paddy were sent back to the construction site, armed guards in tow.
- At least you're a good boss. – Holly said sadly.
- You bet I am. – the giraffe tried an encouraging smile but failed.
- These two scumbags are yours now. – a hippo guard barked. Honcho leaned down, his face twisted in a scowl.
- Yes, they're mine now. And I won't let you insult my workers. So get the rut out of here!
The guards laughed at him and left. Honcho sighed deeply, shaking his head.
- Sometimes I still think I can wake up from this nightmare. It's not what the preys want. It's not when anybody wants!
- Except for the government. – Paddy growled.
- Governments can fall, kid. – the giraffe said – Come on, I'll show you your accommodations. It ain't much, but better than a cell. Or a tool shed.
Holly and Paddy were shocked to find cargo containers converted to living accommodations, four stacked on each other, followed by another batch, and so on. Some of them were already inhabited, with mammals who wore the same orange prison jumpsuits the foxes did.
- Guess we aren't the only ones. – Paddy said.
- First collars, then slavery. – Holly shook her head, not believing in what she saw – How low will this world sink?
- Come on, at least we're together. – Paddy pulled her into his embrace.
The guards posted all around the living blocks were quick to explain the rules. The living quarters were separated by gender and diet, and all the prisoners were prohibited to fraternize during work hours. They had one hour free time on the morning, a half-hour lunch break and another free hour after their shift was over. After that, they were to remain confined in their accommodations.
- Two and a half hours. – Paddy moaned – I thought holy matrimony was better than this.
- It's better than nothing. – Holly said, leaning her head on his shoulder – Besides, I know you can become really thirsty, and I know a water girl who'll bring you your drink.
Working on the pred wall was much harder now, harder than Holly remembered it to be. While Honcho did everything in his power to keep the guards away from his workers, they did everything to make the prisoners' lives miserable. The first week was a full-blown nightmare, meant to break even the toughest. Collared and reduced to nothing but slaves, Holly and Paddy could only cherish those few moments they could spend together.
Holly continued to haul water to the largely expanded workforce. Paddy, utilizing his skills, was transferred to the electricians' brigade. At first, he thought about using the equipment at the construction site to take his collar off, free Holly too and flee, but he soon had to realize this was a futile idea.
Luckily for them, they quickly found themselves on the top of the prisoners' hierarchy. Although foxes were amongst the lowest in Zootopia, foxes who openly defied the system and had the courage to take their collars off was something that demanded respect. Even tough, prison-hardened inmates showed deference toward the two. The fact that they were a couple sharing the same fate elevated their status to a stuff of legend. So while they both toiled hard, at least those who shared their fate kept them in the highest of regards.
The long days became even longer weeks. Summer was closing in, the days were getting longer, the air getting warmer. It was noon, and the two foxes found themselves sitting on the top of the wall, sharing a less-than-tasty lunch.
- Any word of the others yet? – Holly asked, biting into her soy meat supplement.
- Logan's doing time in Zootopia Penitentiary. – Paddy said, staring into the vast urban jungle under them – At least that's what I've heard from a guard I bribed.
- You bribed a guard? – Holly couldn't hold back a laugh.
- Yupp. I managed to get my paws on some extra juicy lettuces. Did you know that llamas go crazy for that stuff?
- You're impossible, Piberius Wilde.
- And that's why you love me, Mrs. Wilde. – Paddy said with a wink.
- It's so weird... A year ago, I was just a normal teenage vixen. Now here I am, a political prisoner in what's basically a labor camp, in a fake marriage with the craziest fox in the city.
- I don't care it's not an official marriage. – Paddy sighed, lying down on his back – Do you?
- Of course not. – Holly lied down next to him – It was my idea, remember?
- The nurses at the orphanage, they'd skin me alive. – Paddy laughed – Unlawful carnal knowledge, that's what they'd call it. A sin against the Lion of Judah.
- I think Preacher'd approve. – Holly said with a smile – He'd find a verse in one of the Books that says "All you need is love" or something.
- That's not the Book, that's The Beagles.
They laughed until both of them got shocked by their collars. Holly sat up, eyeing the horizon.
- Paddy, how can we live like this? – she sighed – I can't imagine living a normal life with these damned things on.
- We'll learn to live again. – Paddy said silently, putting his arm around her shoulder – We're foxes, nature made us to adapt.
- Can you really imagine living a full life like this? Having kids, and them growing up to be collared just as we are?
Paddy looked at her, trying to say something bot no words came out of his mouth. He just shook his head silently. As if to break them free of their grief, the signaling horn sounded three times, meaning lunch break was over. It was time to get back to work.

Written by: thefirstfleet (David Metlesits)

Notes:
The third part of my Zootopia prequel.
Gone is the idealism, this chapter is as brutal as it gets. Part of it was inspired by my father's experiences, when he found himself on the sad end of police brutality back during the Communist era.
And yeah, we all know who the daughter of that crazy sheep cop is...