Where am I?

As I open my eyes, that thought rings through my head, clear as day. My body is heavy, like a stone was set on my chest. I stare up at the ceiling. My vision is blurry, but gradually, everything comes back into focus. The fight comes rushing back to me, and I release a weak moan as I try to sit up.

Almost immediately, I regret it. My body is so weak, so sore, that sitting up quite nearly made me retch. My throat is dry, and the world seems to be spinning. I close my eyes and lay back down, against the soft pillow of the hospital bed. I vaguely question why I'm here- I remember using my Shard to fight that shadow-creature, but then… nothing.

I open my eyes again, looking towards the TV screen. It's not on. I turn my head towards the curtains. They're closed, but beyond them, I can see that the sky is dark, and city lights from the distance are supplying a slightly warm glow from behind. I stare towards the hall which leads to the door to my room. My room is dimly lit, but the light from outside creates a thin ray which passes into my room.

There's not really much I can do right now, and my throat is so dry, I don't want to bother talking, so I just lay back down, close my eyes, and try, unsuccessfully, to go to sleep. It's not long until a nurse comes to check me, and when she leaves she turns off the light.

I may be in better shape than I was a few days ago when I was here, but I feel worse. Back then, I was just beat up. Now I feel sick. And dizzy. And, call me weird, but I'd rather be physically hurt than this sick.

After what I'm sure is about two hours, I feel my body grow heavy, and I fall back asleep.

Chief Bogo's Office

"Chief Bogo, I understand why you are hesitant to assign more officers to the school grounds. I am not asking you to spread your force anymore than it has been with the recent events. I am simply wondering if it might be well advised to, perhaps, have myself and some of my fellow Wanderers station themselves within the school to make sure such an attack does not happen again," explained Dumbledore.

The police chief sighed. The old Wanderer spoke the truth-investigating the strange incidents around the city spread his police force too far. Yet Chief Bogo felt hesitant to agree to Dumbledore's suggestion. If he did, then that might be seen by the citizens as a exclamation that the ZPD was not strong enough to protect the city. Such a belief would spread unrest within Zootopia. Crime rates were already in danger of increasing- with this, they could skyrocket.

But, this was no longer a question of the citizens' confidence. This was a question of public safety. Without Shards, without powers, even the best of his officers would be defenseless against whatever type of creature attacked the school. That was simple fact: Wanderers could defend themselves.

The police chief was a rational mammal. He wasn't foolish enough to believe normal mammals could do the same.

"...Fine. Who are you suggesting?"

The old wizard flicked his wand, conjuring up six folders, each one with a different name on it. "I believe that these individuals would be best suited for this task. Their Shards can be used indoors with little fear of damage, but are strong enough to fight against whatever creatures that may appear, if the one from today is of any indication."

The police chief looked over the files, furrowing his brow and placing his glasses on his face. A sense of relief flooded through him. Three of them came from Dumbledore's world- and therefore used the same Shard. The other three possessed physical based Shards, none of which were destructive enough to cause danger to students or faculty. As long as they were sensible, Bogo believed that this could actually work.

"I will talk to city hall," the police chief said, "about officially recognizing yourself and these individuals as part of the ZPD. In the meantime, you and the mentioned Wanderers will be receiving police academy training. The city needs to have confidence in the knowledge that the mammals in charge of their protection are truly in control of the police force they command."

"We have an understanding, then. Thank you, Chief Bogo." The old wizard bowed his head, turning to leave the chief's office.

Zootopia Penitentiary

Dawn Bellwether sat in her cell, her face hidden by the darkness. The last months had only served to embitter her further, her hatred intensifying. It hadn't taken long after her incarceration that she discovered her powers- and met with the Tall Figure.

She waited for him now. After all, his plan was a good one: Use her powers to take revenge upon the city. And she didn't even have to leave her cell to do it.

As she thought of her plans, a tall creature stepped out from the shadows, as silent as death. His feet made no noise, he didn't even seem to breathe. Instead of speaking, his voice spoke in the mind of his collaborator.

Good evening, Dawn Bellwether. I trust this prison suits you well?

The former assistant mayor of Zootopia looked towards her cell door. The creature shrugged. The noise from outside went silent, as if the world had simply stopped.

"I am ready to begin this plan of yours. What is it I have to do?"

You have already done it before. That bear- you sent her into a coma, did you not? Do the same as you did then. However, this time, assimilate with your Shadow on the other side. This is a powerful ritual, one that must be done with every aspect of your being. Now, close your eyes, and activate your Shard.

The former assistant mayor nodded, closing her eyes and activating her power.

"Somnum Exterreri."

The world seemed to disappear, everything around her body except for the Tall Figure fading into dust. Then, it remade itself, and her body suddenly became lighter. She felt strong- stronger than ever before. Opening her eyes, she found herself in the same prison. However, the moonlight outside shone bright red. The tall figure seemed to be surrounded with faint red flames.

Well done, Bellwether. Now, take my hand, and we shall begin our work.

Distastefully, the former assistant mayor took the hand of the creature, and once again the world disappeared. When it reformed, the sheep recognized her former coworker's office. "Why did you-"

She gasped as she saw the mayor sitting in his desk, stressfully pouring over pages of paperwork. With a start, she realized that she saw Leodore Lionheart's Shadow. His eyes glowed yellow, and his body seemed cloaked in bluish flame.

The mayor feels trapped by his recent failures, as well as the state of the city. You helped bring this about, and so now you must send it into its next stage. Approach the lion, and use his feelings to bind his soul in chains. Make his palace a prison. When the real Lionheart attempts to leave, what happened to that bear will happen to him as well, the Tall Figure explained.

Dawn Bellwether did as he said, approaching the lion. Leodore's Shadow vaguely looked towards her, but his mind was somewhere else. Smiling wickedly, the former assistant mayor touched Lionheart's side, and felt his feelings coursing through his body. With a single laugh, she pushed against them, and the shape of City Hall changed.

The city hall became a castle, and Lionheart was chained to its throne.