Zootopia - Sly Human, Dumb Zootopia Chapter 10 Arc 2 start
Hey guys, Gaz here, hope you enjoy this little starter to this beginning of the next story Arc, I honestly need to write down a definite plot line as I'm just running of spit-balled ideas with my two main helpers, but for now enjoy this little introductory chapter as the next chapter is where the party begins to start.
And bloody hell nearly 8000 views, I love you guys so much its unreal. thanks to all of you and special thanks goes to my two other partners in crime helping me with this story.
Review, comment and all that jazz, have a good read.
Gaz.
~ Dwayne P.O.V ~
The last day had been pretty lax in terms of doing anything. Myself, Bella and the rest of our cadet group, now graduate officers, simply relaxed for the day as we helped each other pack our belongings. After that we either sat in the mess hall and talked about things and each other, or we all mucked around in the pool. Hell we all even agreed to do a few victory running laps around the track since we definitely weren't coming back here ever again haha.
Right now, I was standing in front of the full body mirror in my room which now looked the way it had when we'd first arrived here. Everything was now packed neatly in my Bergen. I picked up the blue button up shirt of my uniform and slid it on, the material still practically hugging my body. After spending four months doing hard physical training my body was now in the state I finally wanted it to be, even my six pack had formed more properly, forget Ryan Reynolds and move over Bradley Cooper, I'm officially the hottest human in Zootopia and I have no competitors!
Buttoning up the shirt and sorting out my tie and collar, I gave the figure that looked back at me the once over. I rarely say this much about myself but I definitely work the uniform, even though it has a more American New York look to it than the UK's police with the white and black. Finally finishing getting ready, I picked up the navy blue police cap on my desk and placed it upon my head then exited my room.
As I stepped out and closed the door behind me, my vision was graced upon seeing my partner in prevention of future crime.
"Looking good stripes, you'd definitely make a few lads drop dead there" she turned to look at me with her own signature grin.
"Oh please, if anything it looks better on you, gives you that exotic look".
"Well I don't mean to brag, but I do in fact make this look good" I retorted, flexing an arm to add to the joke.
"I can hear the screaming girls already wonder boy" she mocked as she closed her door, and turned to leave whilst flicking her tail across my face.
"You are gonna be the death of me stripes".
"Maybe, but not yet, c'mon we need to start heading outside before we miss the graduation".
"Right behind you Bella" Following my stripy horse along the corridor, we bumped into the wolf brothers Aaron and Darron Clawson. I remembered these two from the first few days we had been here at the academy, always turning everything into a challenge until I knocked some bloody sense into them. It seemed to work and make the gruesome twosome work together rather than against each other.
We said our greetings and chatted idle banter as we walked out to the field area where the stage and rows of chairs had been set-up. Jeez it made me feel like I was in one of those American uni graduation scenes just looking at it all, and I only went as far as a few years in college for my education before I buggered off around the world.
Walking across the green grass was a little slippery in my army boots since It had rained a little this morning but thankfully it wasn't muddy enough that I was sinking, the Clawson's walked on ahead apparently spotting members of their family that had come to see them, leaving me and Bella to stand by ourselves.
"You see your crew anywhere then stripes?" I said looking around myself trying to spot any other black and white striped animals amongst the calamity that was taking place.
Apparently it wasn't just our cadet group that was graduating today.
"They said they would be here, knowing them they'll probably be here in a few minutes. My sisters always tend to make a fuss when getting ready, lucky for me I'm the simpler one".
"You got that one right".
"Oh hush you" she mocked whilst elbowing my side.
"You know, I'd never thought I'd see myself as a rozzer, that was my younger brothers kind of dream, but the stupid git went up the financial path. Oh the years of torment and mental suffering he went through, if only I could rib him again, stupid bugger".
"You haven't mentioned your family much wonder boy, what were they like?"
"Big, a fucking big family is what we were. We had relatives in Australia, America, some in south Africa and a few dotted around the Asian countries. We always used to have family reunions every two years back at our families namesake manor home back in England where I lived with my parents and younger brother and sister. Every time we did we'd share stories and things we had picked up over the years. We sang karaoke and mucked around and got drunk together and every year was better than the last" I said wistfully as I looked around the rows of seats imagining them full to the brim. I wasn't seeing any sign of a certain bunny and fox duo either.
"Wow, sounds like it's really fun yet hectic".
"Oh it was, when all my nieces and nephews and the rest of the youngsters had gone to sleep, us adults went out back and got so drunk we couldn't remember all the funny shit we did. My God remembering all this makes me feel old".
"Being thirty five isn't old".
"It is in my family, speaking of which, I'm seeing a small posse approaching at our nine o'clock" I said as I thumbed in the direction, Bella's eyes looking to where my thumb was pointing "MOM, DAD!" she shouted before galloping up to her parents as her three sisters slowly brought up the rear of the group. I smirked as she ran up to her father and jumped into his hooves as I made my way towards them.
"I was starting to think you guys wouldn't make it!" exclaimed Bella as she went around hugging her sisters and parents.
"Nonsense, your mother and I wouldn't miss something like this for the world".
"Your fathers right, this is your day today, and we couldn't be any prouder knowing that our family is going to be the bearer to the first ever Zebra police officer in Zootopia" her mother voiced excitedly as she hugged her daughter tightly.
"Mom your embarrassing me in front of my partner" Bella squirmed.
"Partner?" her family all turned heads to look towards me as I gave them a small wave.
"Oh please Bella, you wouldn't know embarrassment if it hit you in the flank" I chuckled as I held out my hand for her father to shake.
"Former Corporal Dwayne Copperson at your service, I assume you are Isabella's parents?" I introduced myself politely, her father taking a hold of my hand and giving a firm but gentle shake.
"Correct you are, name's Christopher Hoofensands and this is my wife Erica, so you're the famous human that landed in the park then?".
"Aye, that would be me, and a pleasure to meet you too Mrs Hoofensands, your daughter here has been a real help on telling me how the system works around here so to speak" I answered casually.
"Well It's good to know she has a new friend to hang around with, as much as we love her the poor dear doesn't get out as much as she would like too".
"Mom" Bella groaned.
"Stripes, listen to your mother, cause we both know she's right" I poked at her getting a laugh out of her parents and some snickers from her sisters behind them, Bella broke away from her mothers hug to talk away with her sisters leaving me alone with her parents.
"So how did you come to know our daughter? She's only told us so much over the last few months" asked Erica.
"Well we kind of met at the ZPD headquarters, but we really didn't talk till we had arrived at the academy. I'll tell you she was quite nervous when we first talked, and well since I've got my army experience under my belt on dealing with the kind of things that would be thrown at us I thought I'd help her out anyway I could. We've been friends and training partners ever since".
"Well it's good know that our daughter wasn't alone through it all".
"Think nothing of it mister Hoofensands, I felt it was the right thing to do".
"Please, call me Christopher or Chris if you prefer".
"As long as you don't use my last name, I may be thirty five but it makes me feel old".
"You're thirty five?" asked Erica.
"Why, do I not look it?".
"Well... I wouldn't know but you definitely sound younger than you say you are. Although you do carry an air of an experienced individual".
"Well, ten years in the military can put you into a lot of situations that will have you coming away with plenty of experience"
"Ten years? You make it sound like it wasn't easy there son"
"I'll be honest with you, it wasn't, your views can change when you see what people can do to each other. Fortunately I was in one of the best trained armies in the world back home, and we may be a small force compared to some others who have more numbers or better technology, but our training is intense. That and most of us have more solid heads about us, the stories I've told Stripes would make your fur stand on end".
"I guess we'll have to take your word for it, and who's stripes?" questioned Christopher.
"Oh just a little nickname thing me and Isabella have got going on".
"You know you like it wonder boy" the zebra in question exclaimed over her shoulder.
"And there it is...".
"You make it sound like it's condescending towards yourself".
"Oh no Christopher, its just playful banter, besides I've had worse, much much worse. The names me and my old mates back home had for each other were numerous and vastly more inappropriate".
"Well I don't know about that" said a new voice from behind me, but before I could turn around myself, a fuzzy black hand wrapped around arm and pulled me around to face who it belonged too. I was graced with seeing a face I hadn't seen since I left for the academy.
"Well well well, if it isn't miss Zoe Pawpers" I greeted her with my ridiculously laid on thick posh accent and mock bowing to her as she released my hand.
"And if it isn't my hero of the nights".
"Are you ever going to drop that kitty whiskers?" I said as I wrapped her up in a gentle hug.
"Nope, since you are essentially becoming a hero for real now, and you sir definitely fit the uniform".
"That was cute, good try my flattering feline friend".
"Oh please, if anything you're the flatterer here or as my mother put it 'the charming young man'".
"Oh is she here? She's not gonna make me carry her bags again is she?" I grinned at her as she let out a laugh of her own.
"Yeah of course she's here, she's sitting over there with father" she said, pointing her paw towards the chairs, I spotted them instantly, they looked very similar to Zoe except well... older.
"I didn't get to meet your old man, what's he like? Having an early warning wouldn't hurt".
"That would be too easy, you'll just have to find out later".
"Aye, well I'm sorry but I think were gonna have to cut introductions short here. I think we need to go sit down as shows about to start" I turned back towards stripes who was still with her sisters.
"Oi stripes, shows on so move yer flank on over".
"On it Dwayne, be there in a sec."
"Rodger dodger striped wonder" I replied as she stepped up beside me.
"Okay you know I hate that one".
"Its why I use it, now go sit down, we're on".
We all then moved to sit down in our assigned seats. Bella's family sitting in the same row as Zoe and her parents, they were a few rows back from where our cadet group was sitting at
the front row, the other cadet group sat on the left side set of chairs, seems out of the ten cadets they had started out with they only had six graduates compared to our full house.
And I could already tell this was going to get boring.
"Hey psst stripes, wake us when it gets to our bit in the movie".
"Oh shut up you bellend" she mocked giving me a slug to the shoulder.
"I didn't know you had it in you there Stripes, oh ey up ere' comes ol' Lionheart" mockingly laying the Northern accent on thick. I sat up straight as the mayor himself walked onto the stage and began his little speech, yeah this was gonna be a long hour.
Honestly these metal chairs are not friendly on the arse and spine. Guess it's hard to design a chair that's actually comfortable for every mammal. I swear my back's probably deformed after sitting in the same position for this long, luckily Lionheart and his new cheetah assistant had sped through the other cadets group of handing out their certificates of graduation and badges.
Currently the Clawson brothers were on the stage and having there photo's taken as me and Bella waited for our turn since we were last. I was sitting quietly, giving the occasional round of applause when the crowd did after each pair went up, Bella on the other hand looked nervous as hell as she was shifting about in her seat alot, it only took a hand to her side to get her to calm down a bit, to me this was a cake walk compared to the news coverage I'd received in my first days here, obviously this was a little more nerve racking for her.
Finally the Clawson brothers finished their bit on stage and it was time for Lionheart to announce me and Bella for our turns in the spotlight.
"And last but certainly not least, I'm proud to present the final two graduates of today to the Zootopian Police Department and also as part of the mammal inclusion initiative. I give you our very first zebra officer graduate miss Isabella Hoofensands and also our very own special human resident, mister Dwayne Copperson" he spoke to the camera and news crews whilst motioning towards us.
We both nodded to each other and stood up before walking towards the stages steps, I took off my cap and Bella her police bowler hat. We stood side by side on the stage as the small crowd gave their applause whilst Lionheart continued talking.
"As I have been told by your instructors you two were the best and highest performing cadets of your class, therefore it gives me great pleasure to award you with your badges today. Also since I've also been told about how well you two have worked together as a pair, I've seen to it that you both are assigned together in precinct one, the city centre. Due to this a week from now you will both report to Chief Bogo under his jurisdiction, Jennifer, would you give them their badges please".
The Cheetah assistant moved forward with the small pillow that held the pair of golden badges, Lionheart thanked the cheetah assistant before moving over to take the shiny new badges and clip them onto our uniforms. We both stood there together looking dead proud.
"Congratulations to the both of you, you've both earned these today. As a side note, Miss Hoofensands, arrangements will be made for you to move into a new residence in the Savannah central area to help you ease into your new role. That should be everything so let's see those teeth" he put his large arms around the both of us and turned us to look at the flashing camera's, mine and Bella's eyes only connected briefly, but we both had the same thoughts in mind.
'This is it, we did it, Zootopia bring it on'.
~ Ten Minutes Later - 3rd P.O.V ~
Things had quietened down after the graduation ceremony had come to a close, most of the other graduates and members of Dwayne's class had already gone to grab their belongings and take a lift home with their respective families. Bella and Dwayne on the other hand had stayed back a little so they could all chat amongst themselves which gave Dwayne the chance to introduce Zoe and Bella to each other whilst also getting to meet Zoe's father.
Dwayne hadn't been able to spot the bunny fox duo the entire time he was outside, he guessed the two were probably on an important case or something of the variety that garnered the two's attention, he knew them enough that they wouldn't and didn't simply forget something like this but he had seen first hand how Bogo could run then ragged with things.
Right now though Dwayne wished he could swat Bella across the face, the zebra in question had left his side to talk with her parents and also get to know Zoe better, leaving him at the mercy of her three sisters, and they wouldn't shut up.
The three older sisters thought it would be a good idea to play a game of twenty questions with the human who had been with their little sister for the last four months, and oh did they persist. Dwayne stood there like the man he was, tactically choosing short answers to their numerous questions and calling on all of his brief experience dealing with nosy reporters. He thought he was doing well and keeping his cool, until they asked one particular question.
"So, what plans do you have with our little sister?" asked the eldest, Maria if he remembered correctly was her name.
"Scuse me?".
"You've said that you two are friends? nothing more?".
"Okay, ladies I'm going to have to stop you right there. I've only been in this world for about five months now, and I've only spent one of those months actually in Zootopia itself. I come from a world where human beings like me, are the only ones who wear clothes, walk on two legs, speak and be in relationships with each other. Where I come from animals like yourselves are essentially the way you used to be back in your version of the stone ages, so if what you're suggesting is what I actually think you are then you are going to be sorely disappointed. I'm the only one of my kind here and I'm still in many ways way out of my comfort zone with a lot of things and that is currently one of them. As for Bella, she's been a friend to me and very understanding with a lot things since I met her here, and I don't plan on losing that friendship by doing something foolhardy that I am not mentally ready for, now if you'll excuse me, I need to go collect my things" Dwayne had said his bit as calmly as possible despite how white his knuckles had become.
"Therefore ladies, I bid you Adieu" He then turned about to walk up to Bella so they could go get changed out of their uniforms and grab their belongings, leaving the three sisters standing there dumbfounded.
"Well... I approve" Maria spoke out.
"He's definitely got the hot exotic factor about him" said Lexi, the youngest of the three.
"You're telling me sister, did you see those arms of his?" Jesse the middle of the three voiced as her cheeks turned a little red.
"Just remember what he said girls, we need to take that into consideration, but it's obvious our little sister has a thing for him". Maria reminded them as she watched him walk away.
Out of earshot Dwayne took in several deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down after his little outburst, his knuckles turning back to their normal colour as he shook them about as he moved.
'What the fuck was that back there mate? You don't normally go ape shit at things like this, just calm yah tits and go get your things' He thought to himself as he walked up to Bella.
who was engaged in conversation with Zoe.
"Hey stripes, we gonna go get changed and grab our shit?" He voiced as he walked up to her.
"Sure in a second, It was nice meeting you Zoe" she said as she turned back to her from answering Dwayne's call out.
"It was nice meeting you too Isabella, we should meet up sometime?".
"Of course, I need to get out more anyways so that shouldn't be a problem"
"Alright then I guess I'll see you another time, and you mister hero" she gestured to Dwayne whilst walking up to him and giving him a hug "you better come see me later this week?"
"Of course kitten whiskers, in fact, do you want to come to our groups drink night the day after tomorrow to celebrate our graduation? I don't think the other lads will mind" he said with a smile as they separated.
"Sure, I'll come along if I can, just text me the time and place".
"Will do, now you take care Zoe alright?" his voice slipping more into his Yorkshire accent.
"I will, see you then hero" she grinned as she walked back to catch up with her parents as they went to the car park, Dwayne and Bella gave a final wave as they drove off back to the city.
"Well, c'mon then stripes, lets get out of these bloody things, starting to strangle me in places I'd rather they not" he said as he loosened his tie.
"Right behind you wonder boy" she answered casually as the two walked back to the dorms to get changed and pack up anything they hadn't already, finally emerging ten minutes
later with bags in hand and hoof.
"Right, I'll see you in a day or two then Stripes"
"Wait, how're you getting back?" she asked with her head cocked to the side.
"I'm getting the bus back aren't I?
"Seriously? They're making you wait for the bus?"
"Eeyup, looks that way".
"You could get a lift with us back to Zootopia? we have room still in the family car"
"You got a seven seater?".
"For our family we kind of have to haha"
"Alright, your parents gonna be alright with it?"
"Well if I ask nicely"
"Of bloody course".
~ Two Hours Later (Dwayne P.O.V) ~
"Thanks for the lift Christopher".
"Think nothing of it son".
"Still thank you anyways, I'll see you in a few Bella".
"You too Dwayne, see you later".
"Later Stripes" I said as I shut the side door to the large car and gave a wave as they drove off back to Sahara Square. As they drove around the next corner out of sight I picked up my Bergen and made the walk inside to my apartment building before heading towards the elevator. Pressing the button I held my Bergen with my other arm, hearing the clanking of the elevator mechanisms before the thing itself descended to the ground floor. I stood to the side in case anyone else was on it which thankfully they weren't.
The minute ride was silent apart from the tap tapping of my boot on the floor as I checked my zPhone, the internet connection already being made as my apartment was literally only two doors down from the elevator itself. Stepping out onto my floor, I walked along the empty corridor whilst I fished out my keys. Slotting them in I opened the door and shut it behind myself as I dumped my Bergen on the ground.
Making a quick stop in my room before doing anything else, I went under my bed and pulled out a long fairly large metal case. Flicking open the lid I inspected its contents in-case anything had been touched, my Sa80, Glock, bayonet, grenades and accompanying magazines were all still there just as I'd left them. Looking again under the bed my plate carrier and helmet were all still there too. Pulling out the Glock and its mags, I shoved them on top of the bed and shut the case and pushed it back under, leaving the side-arm on the bed as I would come grab it later before I went out for some food.
Walking back into the main hallway, I moved to the small table that sat by the front door picking up the small stack of mail on it. Clearly it had been placed there by either Nick or Judy as I had given them the spare key so they could keep an eye on my place whilst I was gone. Picking up the stack of mail I flipped through it as I went to the living area and sat down.
Rent notice, rent notice, rent notice, rent notice, spam mail, rent notice again, government bank letter, hmm seemed just like the usual mail I got back home. Thankfully the government were the ones paying my rent thanks to my special status as an extremely endangered species but I still got notices of the payment, the spam letter being some leaflet thing about some random product I couldn't give a shit about. The special letter from the city hall was just a notice to remind me that my stipend was going to be steadily halved since I had a job now.
"Right, cuppa first then see what shit's on telly" I spoke to myself as I dumped the pile of papers on the coffee table while i went to the kitchen area to make myself a brew. Now I still had some of my own supply tea brand from back home but like my bottle of Dalmore and dad's cigars they were in short stock, so I'd started saving them for when the situation really called for them. Luckily I had managed to find a suitable replacement in the brand known as 'Zootopia special blend' tea.
It wasn't PG but it'll do.
Satisfied with the mug of tea in hand I sat my tired arse down again and flicked the telly on, switching through the channels whilst I grabbed one of the history books I had been reading off the coffee table I settled on one of the news channels. If it hadn't been for the animal news anchors things could have almost been back to normal.
Finally, some peace and bloody quiet.
Hope you enjoyed this little bit of filler, now onto the next chapter.
Remember Ideas, comments and reviews are always welcome and stay tuned.
Gaz.