Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within Zoo Mayor, only the story. The characters of Zootopia belongs to Disney and the themes and songs of The Lion King belongs to Disney. Though the movie is almost like The Lion King, it still has the main principles of Zootopia. So all the animals will be acting like how they did in Zootopia. The only thing that I do own are the OC's and OP's of the story. There will be a few good changes to this chapter but I will still include the song. I apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.
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Chapter Nine: A Rocky Reunion and a Romantic Evening
A few days later in the forests of Bunnyburrow, both Gideon and Benjamin were walking about through a section of the woods. The two of them were having a great time just doing a whole bunch of nothing. Judy wasn't with them at the moment since she was still feeling down about the other night. So they let her be while they continued to have fun. As they walked down a path late into the afternoon, they were singing as they walked with Benjamin providing the beat while Gideon sang…
Benjamin: A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh
A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh
Gideon: In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The bunny sleeps tonight
They climbed up a small rise as they kept singing…
Gideon: In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The bunny sleeps tonight
They would have kept going, but as they were about to turn to the left, they heard the sound of a vehicle approaching in the distance. Looking to each other, they hurried to their home. When they saw the bushes in front of their house, they slowed down and slowly poked their heads through brush. The two friends saw a police car pull up. They watched as the driver door opened and stepping out was a fox that was slightly shorter and more slender than Gideon. The fox was clad in a police uniform and a pair of sunglasses sat in front of his eyes. He removed them to get a good look at the place. Then he muttered aloud, "This place is a real dump."
Gideon and Benjamin glared at the comment before noticing that the fox cop was starting to look their way. Placing a paw on his friends head, Gideon pushed Clauhouser down into the bush before doing the same. They heard the fox call out, "Hello! Is anyone there?"
Gideon noticed that Benjamin then wildly looked around before the cheetah whispered, "What are we gonna do?"
"Why are you looking so worried?" Gideon questioned his friend. Benjamin stopped panicking and asked, "You mean that we don't have something to hide that could get us in trouble?"
Gideon looked at the cheetah with a deadpanned stare and simply said, "No."
"Oh, what a relief." Benjamin said with a sigh. Gideon gave a sigh of his own before he said, "Let's just go and see what the cop wants. We do all that we can and answer any questions as truthfully as possible." Then he said, "Okay."
"Okay." Benjamin said as he controlled his breathing, "Okay."
They both slowly stood up and walked out of the bushes. The cop had his back turned while they approached. As they walked towards the cop, Benjamin shouted, "Hi there, officer!"
The shout startled the cop as he looked behind him while clutching his heart. When he saw them, the smaller fox breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Man, you guys nearly gave me a heart attack. I nearly soiled myself."
"Oh, uh, so sorry about that." Gideon apologized as they stopped a few feet from him. Then the fox of Hakuna Matata asked, "What brings you here 'round these parts?"
"Well, I'm looking for someone or some animals to help me, though I don't know who exactly." The officer replied. Benjamin was friendly enough to offer his paw for a handshake and said, "Benjamin Clauhouser."
"Uh, Nick Wilde." The fox said as he took the paw and shook it. This caused Benjamin to think for a moment. Gideon then offered his own paw and said, "Name's Gideon Gray."
Nick didn't say anything as he took his fellow foxes' paw and shook it. Benjamin then jumped with a smile before saying, "You need to meet our friend. You will love her."
He looked around for any signs of Judy and noticed her walking off into the woods. Pointing in that direction he said, "Oh, there she goes."
Gideon and Nick all look in the same direction to see someone walking off. The three of them hurried after her with Nick letting to two locals lead the way. Benjamin dropped down on all fours and used as much cheetah speed as he could to race ahead of the others. He broke through much of the foliage as he tried to catch up to her. When he did reach her, he found her sitting in a clearing by herself with her head hanging. Benjamin gasped as he tried to catch his breath. It made Judy look back to see her friend and asked, "Oh, hey Clauhouser." Then she depressingly said, "How's it going?"
"It's… going… fine." Ben said as he was finally able to speak clearly. Then his smile returned as he said, "But we have someone who you might want to meet."
"I'm not really in the mood right now." Judy said as she hung her head again and closed her eyes. Benjamin was about to say something when Nick and Gideon came up behind them. Nick's gaze fell on the rabbit in front of the cheetah. He felt as if she was familiar somehow but shook his head and walked over. He said, "Hello, there. How's it going?"
"I'm fine." Judy said as she didn't look back. Nick was a little surprised that she didn't look back. He then said, "You sure don't look fine. Your ears are droopy."
"What do you want?" Judy harshly said as she looked back at him. Nick was taken aback a little at her tone and said, "Well, I'm here to find some help. There's a bit of trouble from where I'm from."
"Well, you're probably going to have to go somewhere else for it." Judy said as she stood up to leave. Nick, now fed up with her attitude, quickly caught up with her and grabbed her arm. She looked back as he sternly said, "Hey, all I'm doing is asking for help. There's no need for the bull-headedness."
"Yeah, well, I've got enough problems on my mind." Judy said as she yanked her arm out of his grasp. Then she said, "So I don't need some fox cop getting up in my face."
"Uh, you might want to at least here him out." Benjamin said from the side. Judy glared at him before saying, "Actually I don't think I do."
Then she turned and walked away. Frustration building in Nick he said, "Wow. A bunny running away. You can always count on a bunny to run away, can't you?"
Both Benjamin and Gideon gasped when he said that. It caused Judy to stop in her tracks with her ears standing up. Without looking back she said, "What did you say, fox?"
"You heard me, rabbit." Nick said with narrowed eyes. Judy clenched her paws into fists before quickly turning and glared at the fox. Nick removed his utility belt, his radio, and his overshirt off of his person and sunglasses off of his head. Then with a flick of his wrist he threw them off to the side. Judy hops up and down as she readied herself for the fight. Gideon and Benjamin looked between the two with worried glances. Benjamin was about to say something when he noticed that Gideon suddenly had a smile as he said, "I've always wanted to say this…
"ROUND ONE, FIGHT." Gideon excitedly with clenched fists. Benjamin looked at his friend with a questioning look before looking back to Judy and Nick. Judy charged at the fox with a shout. When she threw a punch, Nick was able to catch it and before using a palm strike on her. Judy was sent falling on her back and slid a few feet away. But she didn't let it stop her as she stood back up. She charged at Nick again and readied to punch him again. Nick readied himself to catch it, but it never came as Judy slide at him before using a sweep kick to knock him off his feet. Nick grunted as he crashed into the ground and had to roll away when she tried to stomp on him. When he had rolled enough away from her, the fox quickly stood up and readied himself for her. Before Judy did anything else, she demanded, "Take it back!"
"Make me!" He shot back. With a growl she charged at him again with her fists above her head. When she was close she tried to bring them down on him, but Nick caught them and held her there. Judy tried to push him back, but Nick used his superior strength instead. Judy's feet dug grooves as she began to lose ground to the fox. She groaned as she tried to stop, but when it didn't work she tried a different tactic. Maneuvering her legs, Judy kicked the fox in the chest. The blow caused Nick to let go and stagger backwards before turning. Judy took the offensive and hopped up on Nick's shoulders before grabbing his ears. She gave them a hard tug, causing him to whimper in pain. Nick growled as he shook his head trying to shake her off. One the sidelines, Gideon shouted, "Get him! You got it girl!"
Nick threw his head forward and sent Judy flying. She tumbled across the ground before stopped lying on her side. When she looked over her shoulder she saw the fox running at her on all fours with his teeth bared. Judy took the flight method and quickly scampered away on all fours as well. She led Nick towards a tree before she jumped at the trunk. Then quickly turning, she barreled into the fox. Nick couldn't counter as she slammed into him and knocked him onto his back. Judy then fought to hold Nick's arms down as he tried to fight back. Maneuvering to where he could grab her wrists, he then proceeded with a headbutt. When Judy let go and held her aching head, Nick pushed her away. The bunny fell on her backside before looking up at the fox with a glare. Nick then questioned, "Ready to call it quits?"
"Not a chance." Judy retorted as she stood back up. Nick prepared himself as Judy charged again. Benjamin looked to his friend, "Gideon, we need to stop this."
"Why, exactly?" Gideon questioned as he didn't understand. Benjamin then explained, "Because Nick's an old friend of Judy's and they could get hurt."
"You do make an excellent point." Gideon admitted as they looked back to the fight. Judy was closing in to ram into Nick with her shoulder when Nick sidestepped her with his foot hanging out. She tripped and rolled over on the ground with her lying face up. She looked up at Nick as he looked upside down to her while he glared. Then he asked, "Is that the work of a genius?"
Those words got to Judy as she remembered that a fox kit once said after tripping her like that when she was a kid. She looked the fox in the eyes and said, "Nick?"
Nick's features softened in shock and he backed up a few feet. Judy rolled over onto her belly before standing up. She took a step closer and asked with a smile, "Is it really you?"
"Who are you?" Nick asked as he felt that he knew this bunny. Judy's smile grew wider as she said, "It's me. Judy. Judy Hops."
"Judy? Carrots?" Nick said as he looked closer at her. Though annoyed that he called her that again, her smile remained as she nodded. Nick's face brightened up before he shouts in excitement. The two long lost friends run up to each other as Nick pulls her into his arms and spin-hugs her in excitement. Gideon and Benjamin look to each other with surprise on their faces as they watched the scene unfold. Nick let Judy go so he could get a good look at how much she's changed. All the while as they both asked each other, "Where did you come from?"
Judy was really excited as she said, 'This is gr… It's really great to see you!"
"Well, that didn't take too long." Gideon said to Benjamin while they watched from the sides. Judy then asked, "What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean, 'What am I doing here?'" Nick questioned before turning the question back to her, "What are you doing here?"
"Well, isn't this a nice picture." Gideon said as he and Benjamin walked over to them. Benjamin chuckled before saying, "I knew I had heard the name of Nick Wilde before."
"You did?" All three of them asked. Benjamin shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh, yeah." Gesturing to Judy he said, "Judy here practically talks about you all the time."
"I do?" Judy asked as she didn't know what he meant. Gideon then looked to his friend and questioned with his paws on his hips, "And when did she ever talk about Nick Wilde before?"
"In her sleep." Benjamin said as if it were obvious. Nick and Gideon looked to Judy with surprised looks who was equally surprised. Then Benjamin waved it off before saying, "Ah, don't feel bad, Judy. I only found out after a few months when you first joined us as I was trying to get a snack when I heard you mumbling about a Nick Wilde in your sleep."
"Huh." Judy said as she realized it. Then she looked between her three friends and said, "Well, I guess I should make full introductions."
"No need, Carrots." Nick said before gesturing to the others, "Your friends and I have already met. Before all of…" Then he gestured to what happened, "this."
"Oh, right." Judy said before her expression changed and she said, "And what did we discuss about you calling me Carrots?"
"Heh, sorry. Couldn't resist." Nick said. Then with a genuine smile he said, "It's great to see you again."
"You too." Judy said with her own smile. Then Nick thought of something that excited him, "But just wait till everyone finds out you've been here all this time." But then his face became serious as he said, "And your step-mother Ada, what will she think?"
Those words made Judy think as she thought about what Dawn had said to her on that awful day. Judy then tried putting it off by saying, "She doesn't have to know. No one back home has to know."
"Well, actually they do." Nick says with a smile as he told her, "Every thinks you're dead?"
"They do?" Judy asks as she wanted to know how much they knew. Nick's face fell as he remember, "Mm-hmm. Dawn had told us about the flood."
"She did?" Judy asks, wondering how much her adopted aunt has revealed. Then she asked, "What else did she tell you?"
"What else matters?" Nick asks as if it really didn't before saying with a smile, "You're alive." But then his face brightened up as he realized, "And that means, you're the mayor of Zootopia."
This surprised Judy as Gideon incredulously looked at his fellow fox before questioning, "Mayor?" Then blowing a raspberry he leaned against Nick before saying, "My friend, I think you got your mammals crossed."
Nick just gave the country fox a questioning look.
"Mayor?" Benjamin asks in wonder as he looks down at her. Judy then watches in surprise as Benjamin drops to his knees beside her and speaks as if she were a queen, "Your Majesty, I gravel at your feet." Then grabbing one of her paws he noisily kissed it three times.
"Ben, stop it." Judy said as she pulled her paw from his grasp. Gideon came up to the cheetah, pulled him onto his feet and smacked him upside the head before saying, "It's not gravel, it's grovel." Then wrapping an arm around his friend's shoulders he said as if it were a joke, "And don't! She's not the mayor of the biggest city of animals." But wanting to know, he looked back down to her and asked, "Are ya?"
"No." Judy quickly answered. This surprised Nick as he questioned, "Judy!"
"No, I'm not the mayor." Judy said as she maneuvered around the three before saying, "Maybe there was a chance I was gonna be, but that was a long time ago."
Nick watched her walk with confusion as Gideon then questions with his paws on his hips, "Let me and Benjamin get this straight. You're supposed to the mayor of Zootopia? And you never told us?"
"Look," Judy said as she turned back to them, "I'm still the same bunny."
"But with power." Gideon said with a fist. Nick moved between Gideon and Benjamin and asked them with a half-smile, "Could the two of you please excuse us for just a few minutes?"
Gideon looks at the fox cop before leaning against Benjamin and said, "Hey, whatever you have to say," This caused Nick's smile to drop as he looked to Judy as the portly fox said, "you can say in front of us," Then looking to the bunny himself he said, "right, Judy?"
"Mm…" Judy thought before suggesting, "Maybe you and Ben should go."
Gideon looks incredulous at the bunny before raising his paws in the air and states, "It starts." Then turning he loudly comments, "You think you know a bunny."
Benjamin groaned as he followed his friend into the forest. Judy sighs as she watches them go. When she was sure that they had left, she said, "Gideon and Benjamin," She looked in Nick's direction as she said, "you learn to love 'em."
But then she noticed that Nick was looking away with a sad face. Concerned for her friend she asked, "What?" She walked over to the right side of her friend and looked up, "What is it?"
Nick had his eyes closed as he thought. Then he lifted his head a little as he said, "It feels like you've just come back from the dead. And I have so many questions." Then he looked down at her and shook his head as he said, "You don't know how much this will mean to everyone." Then he sadly looked down as he said, "What it really means to me."
"Hey, it's okay." Judy reassured him. Nick then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug as he said, "I've really missed you."
Judy was a little startled by this action, but she didn't say much about it. She returned the hug in full as she said, "I've missed you, too."
The two stood their hugging each other, though they were being watched from a distance. Benjamin and Gideon hadn't really left the two alone. They stood behind a tree, watching the touching seen unfold. While Benjamin watched the two turtledoves with a happy smile on his face, Gideon on the other hand wasn't too happy about as he leaned against the tree with his head resting against his paw. He snorted in irritation before saying, "I'm telling you, Benny. This really stinks."
"Oh, my bad." Benjamin said as he thought it was from him. Gideon was quick to explain, "Not you! Them!" He gestured to the rabbit and the fox as they started to walk off. Then gesturing with his hands he said, "Him, her, alone."
"And what is so bad about that?" Benjamin asked as he didn't fully understand. Gideon then decided to explain it through song…
Gideon: I can see what's happening
"What?" Benjamin asked as he couldn't see anything going on…
Gideon: And they don't a clue
"Who?" The cheetah asked as he looked to the fox as he didn't know whom he was singing about…
Gideon: They'll both fall in love and here's the bottom line
Our trio's down to two
"Oh." Benjamin said as he know understood.
Gideon (w/ French accent): The sweet caress of twilight
Then moving to the other side of his friend, Gideon wrapped an arm around his shoulders and made a dramatic sweep with his free paw…
Gideon: There's magic everywhere
And with all this romantic atmosphere
Then moving in front of Benjamin he dramatically raised his arms in the air…
Gideon: Disaster's in the air
Benjamin looked up in thought about what could become of their best friend
Somewhere else in the forest Judy led Nick up a small rise as the sound of a waterfall came to their ears. As they came over the rise to the waterfall, Nick took the lead as they moved down the slope.
Ada Gazelle: Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings
When Judy and Nick made it down the path, they walked on two separate stepping stones that went on both sides of the waterfall. Judy took the path behind the falls while Nick took the other. They looked to each other as they walked down the path. Judy stuck her paw through the falling water where Nick met her halfway and held it as they continued down their paths.
Ada Gazelle: The world for once
In perfect harmony
With all its living things
When they made it to the end of the stepping stones, they continued to hold paws before moving to two different parts of the shore. Then kneeling down, they cupped their paws in the flowing waters before taking a sip. While Judy didn't really respond to the coolness of the water, Nick felt a small yet pleasant shiver rush down his spine as he found it very refreshing. Then taking another cupped handful of water, he splashed it over his head. Judy watched this with an amused glance before she did the same. All the while thinking to herself…
Judy: So many things to tell him
But how to make him see
Then she thought about telling him why she had left the city. She snuck a glance which he noticed before cupping his hands again. But then she thought that it be a mistake…
Judy: The truth about my past?
Impossible, he'd turn away from me
Nick looked down at the reflection of Judy from what he had in hands and saw that she was pondering something. Then he thought to himself…
Nick: She's holding back, she's hiding
But what, I can't decide
Why won't she be the leader I know she is?
Both he and Judy rose to their feet as he looked to her. Judy then smirked before hopping over to him before running past him…
A true leader I see inside?
Ada Gazelle & Chorus: Can you feel the love tonight?
A confused Nick watched her run off as she grabbed a loose vine. When she came running back, Nick moved out of the way as she came back. She allowed herself to swing out over the river before letting go. She landed in the river with a big splash before quickly coming up to the surface. Then swimming back over to Nick she smirked before sending a splash his way. Nick had to shield himself from the water before he was suddenly grabbed by his wrists. Judy playfully pulled the fox into the river as he went under with a splash. He resurfaced with a gasp as he kept himself afloat. Judy started to splash him again, bringing a smile to his face as he started to retaliate with splashes of his own. When he had had enough, Nick swam back to the shore and climbed out. He took the opportunity to wring some of the water out of his shirt as Judy climbed out after him.
The peace the evening brings
Nick looked to Judy with a smirk as she smiled at him. Then with one push he sent her splashing back into the water before taking off. Judy was quick to climb back out and chase after her friend.
The world for once
Nick dropped down on all fours as he ran through the forest. Judy followed suit as they broke through the trees. They ran through a field was they let the rest of the water dry off. As they ran, it caused a flock of small birds to take off in fright. They soon reentered the forest as they ran down a hill.
In perfect harmony
With all its living things
Nick rose back on his back legs and turned to face Judy. Judy did the same as they before she tackled into him. It sent them tumbling down another hill.
Ada Gazelle and Chorus: Can you feel the love tonight?
At the bottom of the hill they landed in a pile with Judy lying on top of Nick. They both started laughing at the fun they were having. As Judy continued laughing, Nick gently held the side's of her face and slowly pulled her close. When she was close enough, Nick planted a kiss on her lips. Judy was completely surprised and looked to Nick as he pulled back.
You needn't look too far
Nick gave her a smile that she couldn't help but smile back. She helped Nick back up to his knees and they sat there staring into each other's eyes.
Stealing through
The night's uncertainties
Judy took Nick's paws into her own as she leaned her head to him. He did the same and pressed his forehead into hers. Even with their eyes closed, both Nick and Judy could feel the love as they smiled in content.
Love is where they are
Back over with Gideon and Benjamin, they became how sad it would be if they were to lose their friend. Tears well in his eyes as Gideon sang…
Gideon: And if he falls in love tonight
Benjamin sadly sniffed at this. The two friends looked to each other in sadness
It can be assumed
The fox fell onto his knees sobbing. Benjamin placed a comforting paw on his friend's back and patted it as he took a verse…
Benjamin: His carefree days
With us are history
Both the fox and the cheetah raised a dramatically raised an arm about their friend's predicament…
Gideon and Benjamin: In short, our pal
Is DO-O-O-MED
Benjamin broke into tears with Gideon following right behind them. As they cried for their friend their tears flew in arches.
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Author's Note: This chapter took a long time to write and took so much for me to think about how it would go. I also hope that you like that little reference I put in as well as the romantic scene with Judy and Nick.
