Chapter 3: The Bee To End All Bees. Round One

A/N: There's a few characters in this story I've really enjoyed writing. Travis with his large vocabulary, Gareth as the idiot savant and in this chapter, Jaguar with his crazy passion for spelling bees.

My one problem with the characters is that our main character Judy has been almost completely reactionary and doesn't have much of a personality compared to other cast members. I'm finally able to give her one during her "heel turn" near the end of this chapter and it's been fun to see her act up.

It was the day of the spelling bee. A small crowd entered the school auditorium. The parents and family of the contestants were eager to see how well their kids did. Over half the audience was made up of Judy's family including her parents, Stu and Bonnie. The A/V club was getting everything ready. Bobby Catmull was on the keyboards while Ernie the eagle was working the camera and co-hosting with Jaguar on commentary for the community access television. "Good afternoon everyone! I am Jaguar Jaguar along with Ernie Talon and welcome to the drama, the passion and the horror that is the 2001 Greenfield Elementary spelling bee!"

"The horror?" asked Ernie.

"You weren't here last year when Leslie Lambchop accidentally spit out her retainer when spelling 'spaghetti' and it went down Mrs. Mole's blouse."

"Yikes!"

"The crowd is coming in and taking their seats while the contestants are heading to their podiums. We've got four new contestants this year, along with returning champion, Travis Hunchedover."

"Travis looks depressed Jaguar."

"That's weird. This spelling bee is his favorite school thing."

Gideon was hiding behind his podium and testing the bluefang. "Testin'! Testin'! Travis. You there?"

"I'm two podiums over and yeah, it's working. Just keep your voice at a minimum volume."

"Yeah. Ah should be a bit quieter too." Gideon was surprised as he stood up from the podium, he saw his mother in attendance. "Momma? Wut are you doin' here?!"

"A'hm here to support mah little alpha! Why didn't yew tell me y'all were in this spellin' bee? Honey, ah'm so proud of yew fer wantin' ta improve yerself like this! Win or lose, ah couldn't more happy!"

She hugged her son close. This was an unexpected surprise for the little fox. While he was scared to death of his abusive father, he loved his mother very much. He felt a great swelling of pride, but then he realized something. He had nothing to be prideful for. He was going to be getting the answers from Travis. He also understood why Travis loved this competition. He understood the pride and love Travis must feel from his parents watching. He felt a bit guilty for taking Travis' moment, but not guilty enough not to go through with cheating to beat Judy.

"Okay everyone take your places" said Mrs. Amadillo One of the two teachers in attendance for judging. "Now, let's see if everyone is ready. Travis?"

"I am prepared for battle!"

"Judy?"

"I'm ready!"

"Gideon?"

"Yer goin' down bunny!"

"One more outburst like that and you're disqualified. Sharla?"

"I-I'm ready!...I think."

"Gareth?"

"RELEASE THE BEES!"

"For the last time Gareth, there are no actual bees in a spelling bee."

"Everyone's introduced and the spelling bee is about to begin." Jaguar "Ernie, what do you think they're strategy should be going in?"

"Uhhh...I think they should do their best to try to spell the words correctly?"

"You have to do more than that! Distractions are important. Give a big cough in the middle of their spelling to throw them off their game. The last spelling bee I was in, I distracted my opponent by biting her leg."

"You bit her leg?!"

"Yeah, but it was a bad strategy. I was instantly kicked out and banned from all spelling bees. But they can't stop me from commentating Ernie! They can't stop me from commentating."

The teachers focused their attention on Travis. "Our first round will commence. Travis, your word is 'Bound'...Travis?"

Travis still didn't want stop competing. He looked over at Gideon who gave him a dirty look. He knew what he had to do even though every fiber in his being told him not to. He faked being sick. "Ooooh! my intestines! I must relieve myself at the nearest restroom!"

"Are you okay Travis?" Mrs. Amadillo asked.

"I have unnnnh...explosive diarrhea!"

The teachers cringed. "In that case, hurry! But if you're not back by the end of the first round, I'm afraid you'll be disqualified."

"Understood ma'am." Travis ran off the stage and past Bobby Catmull. Bobby watched as the ferret slowed his running when getting to the restroom. The ferret even paused for a moment before going in, shedding a tear.

"What's going on there?" Bobby thought.

Gideon had his head down and was talking quietly to Travis. "Heh-Heh! 'Diarrhea'. Good one! Nobody questions that!"

Judy saw the odd exchange. "What are you doing Gideon?"

"None of your business! I'm uhhh...praying."

"Oh! Well that's nice"

The teachers then put their focus on Judy. "Okay Judy, you get Travis' word. 'Bound'."

"That's easy. Bound. B-O-U-N-D Bound."

"Correct. Gideon, your word is, 'slouch'."

"Slouch hunh?"

Travis heard him and gave him the correcting spelling. "It's S-L-O-U-C-H captain."

Gideon repeated it back. "Slouch. S-L-O-U-C-H captain. I mean, slouch."

"Correct. Sharla?"

"B-A-A-A-A-H! Sorry! I got startled."

Some people in the audience chuckled. The teachers were not amused. "Your word is 'shear'."

"Can you give me the definition? There are two different spellings of that."

"Shear: To shave off wool or fur."

"Okay. Shear. S-H-E...A-R! Shear."

"That is correct."

"WHEW!"

"Okay Gareth. Gareth? Please face the other way."

"Say wut now?"

"It's your turn."

"Okay! Gimmie the dice!"

"IT'S NOT THAT KIND OF GAME!" Ahem! Your word is 'quart'."

"Okay!...What do I do with my word?"

"You spell it!"

"Oooh..Let's see...quart." The lamb sneezed. "KEEYOO!" He then saw a rabbit he's been fighting with. "YOU!" He gave the rabbit a dirty look and the rabbit just stuck his tongue at him. As the rabbit passed, he saw one of his friends. "Aaaay! Artie!" He waved at the boy.

The teacher responded "Q-U-A-R-T is correct."

"Sorry fer that distract-shun! Ah'm ready ta spell mah word."

"...You just did. You were correct."

"I was?! Dang! Ah'm so smart, I forgot when ah answered the question!"

Sharla couldn't believe Gareth's dumb luck. She pounded her head on the podium. Gareth was watching her. "Watch'a doin' sis? Does that get all the smarts to the top of yer brain? Lemme try!" Gareth started pounding his own head on his podium.

The teacher then called for Bobby. "Bobby Catmull?"

"Yes ma'am?" The cougar answered.

"Please go check on Travis, if he's not back in three minutes, he's disqualified."

Jaguar commentated on the matter. "This is a dramatic moment ladies and gentlemen! Travis Hunchedover could lose his opportunity for a fourth championship if he doesn't come back. His parents look concerned. Could the ferret's own bowels cost him his championship run?!"

Bobby peeked into the bathroom. "Travis! Are you there?"

"SNIFF! GO AWAY!" the ferret yelled.

"Travis! You have to come back right now or you're disqualified!"

"I...I'm not coming back."

"Why not?!"

"I already explained you feline fool! I have massive diarrhea!"

"Then why don't I smell anything? I have a super-sensitive nose."

"Uhhh...courtesy flush?"

"What's going on?!" Bobby crawled under into Travis' stall.

"HEY! Respect my privacy!"

"You have all your clothes on. What are you doing with that flip phone?"

"None of your business!"

"...You're helping Gideon cheat aren't you?! Why do that?! This is costing you your championship!"

"Because he's my friend! I'd do anything for him!"

"Even lose the one thing you love about school? He's using you! A true friend doesn't treat you like that!"

"You don't understand! I was always picked on. I'm a scrawny coward. Gideon helps protect me and I help him. He's the only friend I've ever had. He's my captain. My big brother. He wants to make Judy look dumb so I'm helping him even if it costs me my trophy. I don't care! I'd do anything for him. Please don't say anything! I swear I'm not cheating on the phone or anything. I'm still competing technically, just...through Gideon."

Meanwhile on stage. Judy noticed that Gideon was looking sad. He was overhearing everything that Travis was saying to Bobby and starting to sniffle. "Are you okay?" the little bunny asked.

"Sh-Shut up! Of course ah am! Mind yer own dang business!"

Bobby came back out. "I'm sorry. He's too uuhhh...sick to participate." He then gave a dirty look to Gideon.

Travis' mother ran over to Bobby. "This is awful! Is he going to be okay?"

"He should be fine." Bobby replied.

Gideon patted her on the back. "Don't chew worry none Mrs. Hunchedover! Ah'm givin' him 'da trophy after ah win!"

She petted the fox on the head. "Thank you Gideon. You're such a good friend. Travis is blessed to have someone like you to watch out for him."

This was like an emotional punch in the gut for Gideon. He knew the truth. He made this all about him and his vendetta against Judy. But there was no turning back now. Travis was out of the competition.

Two more rounds came. Near the end of the third round, it was Gareth's turn.

"Gareth, your word is...'silhouette'...Gareth?"

Gareth was asleep. His head resting on the podium. "ZzzzzzzZZZzzzzz"

Sharla tried to wake up the lamb by nudging his shoulder. "Gareth! Little brother, wake up or you're out of the competition!"

"ZZZZzzzzz Just five more minutes mommy! Ah won't miss the bus. Ah promise!"

"Looks like Gareth is now out of the competition." Jaguar commented. "What an insane spelling bee! We've gone from five to three contestants and no one has actually misspelled yet! It's getting close folks! Who will walk away with this year's trophy?"

The fifth round was on. Judy and Gideon (thanks to Travis) had gotten their words right. Sharla was up next. The teacher looked at her paper. "Okay Sharla, your next word is...'nonsensical'."

"Then give me a better word! Heh-Heh!...Heh!..." Nobody laughed. "SIGH! Okay, here goes. Nonsensical...N-O-N-S-E-N-S...E-C-A-L. Nonsensical.

"That is...incorrect. I'm sorry."

"A-A-Are you sure?"

"Yes. There's no second 'E'. I'm afraid you're out."

A depressed Sharla went over to Gareth to get both of them off the stage. "C'mon Gareth. Let's go see our folks."

"zzzZZZzzzzz"

"GARETH!"

"zzzWUH?! OH! Silhouette. S-I-L-H-O-U-E-T-T-E. Silhouette."

"That is correct!" The teacher replied. "But I'm afraid you're too late."

Sharla's jaw just dropped. "YOU got that right?! YOU?! Life is so unfair."

"How'd we do Sharla?"

"We're both out."

"That's alright. Ah just wanted ta do this with you. Ah reckon' if'n ah follow yer lead, I'll be as smart as you someday."

Sharla kissed her brother's forehead. "You're already smart Gareth. Just in your own, special way. Now let's watch Judy beat Gideon."

Jaguar went back on commentary. "We're down to the last two contestants folks! It's Judy Hopps against her arch Nemesis, Gideon Grey! Who will take the glory and who will bring shame to their family?!"

"Isn't 'shame to their family' a bit much Jaguar?" Ernie asked.

"Don't you know anything about TV Ernie?! You've got to build up the drama!"

The teacher gave Judy the next word. "Judy, your next word is...'impracticality'."

"Wowzers! That's a big one! Hmmm...Impracticality. I-M-P-R-A-C-T-I-C-A-L-I-T-T-Y. Impracticality."

"...That is...incorrect."

A big gasp came from the crowd. Gideon cheered. "Haw!-Haw! Ah won!"

"Not yet!" Said the teacher. "When it comes down to two opponents, the remaining player still has to get their word right on their round. You don't win just because of where you were placed."

"This is huge!" Shouted Jaguar. "Judy got her word wrong. If Gideon gets this right, he'll be the spelling bee champion! Who could have seen this coming?!"

Gideon dipped his head down to talk to Travis. "We got this buddy!" He whispered, but he heard no reply. "...Travis?"

He heard some sniffling and sobbing. "Y-Y-Yes captain. You'll...SNIFF! Y-You'll win for certainnnn!"

"Buck up buddy! Ah'll still give you th' trophy! Ah promise!"

Gideon looked up to see his mother smiling and in tears. She was so proud of him. Yet, he had nothing to be proud of. A horrible feeling was going into gut. "C-Can Ah have a time out?"

"Sure." Said the teacher. "I think we can all use a quick break."

"Oh thank goodness!" Judy said. "I've been holding it in for an hour!" She quickly ran off to the bathroom.

Gideon had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he walked past Bobby. "Feeling sick cheater?!" Bobby said.

"Sh-Shut up! And yeah. A little. Ever since ah heard Travis cryin' and seeing my momma all proud like, it's been like ah got punched in the gut. What's wrong with me?!"

"It's called 'guilt' stupid!" Bobby replied. "You hate yourself for taking Travis' glory and you hate that your mom's proud of you without knowing you're a fraud!"

"Shut yer mouth! You don't know me! You don't know nuthin'! All ah gotta do is win this contest and that feelin' will pass!"

"No it won't!" Bobby said. "You'll hate yourself even more. If you truly care for your friend, you'll stop this lie now!"

"Ah baloney!" Gideon said as he got a drink of water and headed back to the stage.

Moments later, Judy was back on stage with Gideon. The spotlight was on the fat fox and it felt searing. The feeling in his gut had not gone, but now felt worse.

"This is it ladies and gentlemammals!" Jaguar commentated. "If Gideon gets this right, he'll be the 2001 Greenfield champion! He looks a bit sickly. It must be the stress of the moment."

The teacher spoke up. "Okay Gideon, you get this right and you win the trophy. Your word is...'conscientious'."

"...Right." Gideon said. "Conscientious..."

Travis was sniffling and crying the answer back to Gideon. "SNIFF! C...O.."

"Uhhh...C-O..."

"Eh-eh-N...S...C..."

"N-S...C...SIGH!.."

"Ah-aaah..I...EEE...N...tah-tah..TEEE! Baw-Haw!.."

The guilt was too powerful for Gideon to handle and he burst. "I...Sniff!...E...N...RRAAAHH! AH CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE! AH QUIT! AH CHEATED! AH CHEATED!"

The audience gasped as Gideon smashed his podium. "Gideon just confessed to cheating!" Jaguar commented. "This is unprecedented in the history of spelling bees! In all of my ten years on this earth, I've never seen anything like this! Who could have seen this coming?!"

Gideon pointed at Judy. "But you're STILL a stupid bunny! Travis was giving me all the right spellin's from inside the bathroom. He could have beaten you easily! Get out here Travis!"

An embarrassed Travis came out and Gideon put his arm over him. "This guy is smarter than all y'all! He played the contest through me! He should be the winner, but ah had to hog all the glory. Ah'm a bad friend! Ah'm a bad son! Ah'm sorry Travis! Ah'm so sorree-hee-heeeAAAAHH!"

As Gideon cried and confessed some more, the knot of guilt in his stomach loosened. "Teachers please! Give Travis a chance to answer the word in mah place! He deserves a chance!"

"Are you kidding?!" Mrs. Amadillo replied. "You're BOTH disqualified! In fact, you're also both banned from future spelling bees at this school!"

Travis started bawling. Gideon hugged onto Mrs. Amadillo's legs. "NO! NO! Please! The spellin' bee's everything ta him! He only agreed ta cheat because ah made him! It's not his fault!"

"You two think you can cheat and get away with it?! Judy Hopps is this year's spelling bee champion and that's that!"

Judy watched as he saw Travis crying his eyes out to his mom as Travis's father yelled at Gideon. She had an idea. A wicked, but wonderful idea. She cheered from the podium. "I WON! I WON!" She cheered. She then mocked Gideon and Travis. "Ha!-Ha! I won and you two losers are banned for life!"

The crowd was shocked. A huge gasp came from all those in attendance. "What's this?! Judy Hopps has become a sore winner! It's a heel turn no one was expecting! She's so O.O.C. Right now! This spelling bee has been the most topsy-turvey one I've ever attended! They said I was mad when I said that spelling bees were the world's greatest spectator sport! Well who's mad now?! Muahaha! MUAHAHAHAAAA!"

Ernie thought he was nuts. "Dude. Chill."

"You chill!"

Judy then grabbed the trophy before they could engrave it. "Gimme that!" She then ran up to the stage. "Nyah! Nyah! In your stupid face Gideon and Travis!"

Gideon was getting really upset. "I outta deck you! Yer terrible! Kickin' a feller when he's down!"

"Like you can talk you big, fat bully!" Judy replied. "You two are pathetic. Travis couldn't beat me on his best day anyway!"

Travis was really upset. "I could take you on easily! You would not stand a chance against my grammatical superiority!"

"Then put your money where your mouth is! I'll go one on one with you and even put my championship on the line! We start at round five!"

Jaguar's mouth was open with a look of complete shock and joy, but nothing was coming out. Ernie was concerned. "Jaguar? Jaguar buddy?"

"DO IT!" The jaguar screamed. He then started ripping off his shirt in a complete state of hype. "DO IIIIT!"

The teacher was getting upset. "Jaguar knock it off! You're completely out of order!"

"You're out of order! You're out of order! This whole bee's out of order!"

Travis stared down Judy and accepted her challenge. "You're on!"

"YEEEESSS!" Jaguar screamed.

Judy looked at the teachers. "Is that okay with you two?"

"I think it's exciting!" said Mr. Owlson. "Plus I'm mad at you for yanking the trophy before I can engrave it. I paid good money for this engraver and barely get to use it! Mrs. Amadillo?"

"Ehh. What the heck? Might as well keep this spelling bee on the crazy train. But Judy? You've been a very poor sport, so if Travis wins, he not only gets your trophy, but he's no longer banned from spelling bees and YOU will be! Got it?!"

"Got it Mrs. Amadillo." Judy replied. "Let's do this!"