[I thought the weekends were supposed to be relaxing. How I was wrong~! So here I am with everyone in the bullpen; at 6 in the morning. On a Saturday. Just before hell broke loose.]
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"YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!"
Everyone cringed by my sudden outburst.
"She's taking the news, well," Nick implied.
"Lovell..."
"Sorry, sir-its just...I've never done something like this. And I haven't been briefed on its background."
"I admit that sending you there, is a risky task...but its best that you learn to adapt to the surroundings, if any crime occurs."
"And you...you're surprisingly calm." I referred to my partner as he sat near Randal.
"This is an honor...I don't know anyone who's ever gone down there."
"No one, huh?" I deadpan.
THUD
The chief threw a backpack to me.
"You'll have the essentials; food, water, first-aid, flashlight with batteries-and backup batteries...and other things I've personally recommended. When you arrive...you need to update its status and civilians. Understand?"
"Sigh~...crystal-clear." I slung the bag over my shoulder.
"Good. You can head to these coordinates and wait for your escort to come."
"On it." I saluted.
"Good luck, Sapphire."
"Have fun."
"Take pictures." I playfully rolled my eyes as I left.
Fast Forward
"Thanks for babysitting Tojirou, George." I heard Mr. Saber chuckle on the other line of my phone.
[My pleasure. And be careful, you might get lost...]
"Duel noted." I hung up.
[Although, my destination didn't expect to be below the rainforest, near a riverbed. I waited for the said escort longer than I thought.]
"Its been ten minutes...maybe I came too early."
"Hello~!"
Suddenly, I hear a voice echo around me. I looked around, but no one was near me.
"You must be Officer Lovell~" Again the voice came.
"Um~yes...I...-can I ask who I'm speaking to?"
[Maybe a ghost?]
WOOSH!
"That would be me."
"Woah!" I stumbled back when a mammal swooped in.
"Oh, forgive me. I forgot that most don't see mammals like us out in the open." I looked up to see a...
"You're a fruit bat?" And he was big at that. He flew in mid-air while speaking.
"Correct, miss. My name is Dragos Battoulini. I am leader of the district's council hall." He quickly bowed.
[His voice sounded a bit Romanian.]
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Sapphire Lovell. But call me Sapphire."
"Miss, Sapphire...I am your escort. You'll be staying with my family as we show the sites. Livia~!"
"Yes~?" Just then, another fruit bat arrived, a female and two younger ones.
"Miss Lovell, this is my lovely wife...Livia."
"Hello, dear. Let me get that for you." She grabbed my backpack.
"And these are the children...our second-eldest, Victoria-and our little pup, Eduard."
"Good morning, miss," Victoria bowed her head.
"Woah~you're a funny-looking mammal."
"Eduard, manners..."
"Calm down, sister." Eduard started flying around me all-excitedly, making me laugh. He was no bigger than my head.
"Do you really work at ZPD? What's it like? Do all cops eat donuts? You like fruit-cause we got tons of fruits..."
"Ahaha! Quite a ball of energy, this one."
"Now Eduard," Mrs. Battoulini giggled, "be still, and help me carry her belongings."
"Yes, mother." He smiled at me before he and his mom took my backpack, his sister following them.
"Our eldest is on his daily patrol-flight, but we'll have time to meet him. Now then...are you ready?"
"Yes, sir." I followed them through the thick terrain.
No One's POV
Meanwhile...
"Nick, put them over there."
"Calm down Carrots. I got this."
"Hey Clawhauser, how's the decorations coming along?"
"Almost done~!" He and three other officers were hanging paper lanterns and lights. Randal and Daniel were with the chief just by the table.
"Let's hope we'll be ready by tonight."
"Don't worry, chief," Randal grinned, "we have plenty of time."
"Well, its a special occasion," Daniel implied, "and this is all Martin's idea, too."
"Hey, I'm just glad the chief agreed." Martin walked in.
"So have you got the...?"
"Right over there." Randal pointed at the table with colorful boxes and bows.
"Great. I hope she likes the surprise."
"She will," Judy beamed, "its nice that you're doing this for your partner. Unlike someone I know..."
"Aww, come on...you still love me." Nick smirked as his girlfriend giggled.
"Alright," Bogo intervened, "let's hustle, everyone. We'll stop in the next half hour for a fifteen-minute break."
Sapphire's POV
I expected a cave...but the entrance was actually a tunnel, filled with vines and carved into a thick tree. I awed at the site as I walked ahead.
"This is the east entrance. The kinkajous live in these parts."
[And he was right. Right above me were small houses in the trees, and kinkajous big and small. A male one was hanging by his tail as he grabbed some fruit from the marketer.]
"Good morning, Mr. Hart."
"Oh~morning Mr. Battoulini. Here, catch." He threw some fruit to Dragos. He took a bite.
"Mm~fresh as always."
"Well now, I see you have company." The kinkajou looked at me.
"Good morning, sir," I hollered.
"I'm taking miss Sapphire to our home. Drop by when you have the chance."
"Of course. Good day~..." He climbed up the tree as we walked ahead. In three minutes, we arrived. The cave was bigger up close.
"You and I will take the boat to the docks. Now...watch your step."
[He wasn't kidding. I almost hit my head thirty-seconds after coming in. I had to duck as I climbed down on a downhill slope. Tight spaces like these are a cake-walk for a bat. Moments later, we arrived at the boat that, sitting still in the water.]
Dragos grabbed a long stick to push the boat. Slowly we ventured inside the cave, as the light was retreating.
"We don't use much electricity...but we have a backup generator that runs everyday. And they're untouched from other mammals."
"They're?" I questioned. He pointed up as the cave became darker. Then, a glowing substance appeared. Everywhere I looked, there were dome-shaped glass with small holes, and inside were glowing insects.
"Glowworms..."
"They're our main source of light, and less harmful to sensitive bats."
"A clever and most beautiful idea...So, how far is it to your home?"
"Oh, another fifteen-feet, and after riding the falls, we'll be at the docks in no time."
"Oh, okay-wait...Falls...?"
"Hold on, miss Sapphire."
[And I did. I gripped the ends of the boat as we approached a big slope. Looking ahead, there were small, but numerous waterfalls.]
"Oh, crab-cakes," I mumbled.
WOOSH~~
"Don't worry, I have everything under control!"
"Good to know," I weakly smiled. I felt myself go up and down as we hit each fall, a splash or two as the water rushed even louder and faster. Luckily we hit the last one, and the water calmed itself, a smooth ride after that.
"Everything okay, miss?" Dragos looked back at me as I nodded my head.
"Sapphire...Welcome...to Nocturnal District."
"Oh, wow~..." I found myself standing up in the boat. Nocturnal District. The buildings were modern, yet some were Victorian-style. Tons of those glowworms inside the breathable domes made the place glow. I saw bats of all different species fly around and above us. Dragos was now parking the boat by a dock. We got off and walked into town. At that moment, a big-eared bat dressed as a mail-mammal came by.
"Hello, Mr. Battoulini."
"Good day, Henry."
"Say, who is this?" He looked at me.
"This is Officer Sapphire Lovell of ZPD."
"Good day sir. How are you?" I bowed in my own way.
[If a mammal is as polite as they sound, I do the same.]
"Fine, thank you. Welcome to Nocturnal District. Hope you have a wonderful stay. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye," I waved as he flew away.
"My home is far from town, so I'll show you around as we go." I followed Dragos, writing down the town's progress as we went; the markets, the library, a park where bats were playing 'Frisbee in the dark' game, and there were even places for wary bats to sleep under. Walking up a hill, there was a big mansion that could fit an elephant and giraffe.
"That can't be your home, can it?"
"Oh~ it is. Most bats here get visits from you normal-sized mammals. So we take it upon ourselves to have plenty of room as possible. Besides, it gives us more room to fly."
After passing the gates, Dragos opened the door with his foot. The interior was just as lovely as the exterior. Just then, I heard flapping to my right. It was Eduard.
"You made it," he smiled, "did father show you around?"
"He sure did. Your home is wonderful, Eduard."
"Father, mother made us tea and cake."
"Great. Join us, Sapphire."
"Come on." Eduard pulled on my sleeve as I followed them.
Fast Forward
3 p.m.
"Good job everyone!" Everyone clapped as Chief Bogo nodded.
"Let's get back to work and wait until then." As they dispersed, Judy and Nick walked up to Bogo.
"So chief, when is Sapphire coming back?"
"In the next 5 hours."
"I wonder if she's okay."
"Don't worry, Judy," Nick smiled, "she can handle things, just fine."
"Martin," Randal jogged up to the tiger.
"What's up?"
"So what did you get for Sapphire?"
"Can't tell you," Martin smirked, "you'll ruin the surprise."
"Come on~...we're pals. I bet its great, aye?"
"You might say..." They were passing Clawhauser's desk. At first, the cheetah acted casual. When they were gone, he quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
Fast Forward
[I was still at the Battoulini residence, eating cake and tea with the hosts in the living room. Although, Eduard and Victoria often distracted me.]
"Yes, there are some lovely designs," I smiled, "perhaps I can take you one night for some shopping?"
"That would be wonderful, ma'am," Victoria beamed.
"And for you, Eduard...my son would be glad to have another playmate."
"Can I, father? Can I-please?"
"Of course," Dragos chuckled, "we'd love to visit."
RING RING~!
I heard my phone ring.
"Excuse me...Yes, who is it? Oh, hey Benjamin."
[Hey Sapphire! How's it going?]
"Just fine, Ben. I'm enjoying myself."
[Well-since you're in such a good mood, I'd thought I give you the secret report.]
"Oh, right..."
[I remembered to ask Clawhauser to be my inside-mammal, right after I became suspicious of everyone's intentions of my sudden visit to the district.]
"So, what's going on back at work? And you know you can't keep secrets very long."
[Hehehe...okay, I'll come clean. Today is a special day for you. You know why~?]
"Not really," I shrugged.
[Because~...its...your...]
"My what? Don't keep in suspense."
[Silly~...its your surprise party!]
"Surprise party? But why would they...oh~~I get it. I completely forgot." I lightly-patted my head.
[Happy Birthday Sapphire! Your first birthday celebration in Zootopia~!]
"You guys...how sweet."
[Oh-but please, act surprised when you get back.]
"Knowing my friends, they would go overboard on this. So you better get to work before anyone suspects us."
[Roger that. Over and out.]
I laughed as he hung up.
"That sounded like an interesting call, miss," Mrs. Battoulini smiled.
"Oh, my friend is just saying 'happy birthday' to me."
"Its your birthday? How wonderful."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Mother, can we have a party for miss Sapphire?" Victoria asked.
"Oh, miss Lovell, we must celebrate before you leave."
"I don't want you to impose..."
"Please~?"
[Oh, boy. Another cutie doing the pouty-face.]
"Sigh~...Why not?"
"Hooray~!" Eduard flew around in excitement.
"Excellent," Dragos smiled, "my wife can make a fruit cake for all of us."
"Mr. Battoulini! Mr. Battoulini~~!" Suddenly bats flew in. It was a mouse-eared bat and a vampire bat.
"Johnny, Alfred-what is wrong?"
"The west entrance is blocked by boulders!"
"So is the north entrance! It woke my whole family!" Johnny hollered (vampire bat).
"Your son is asking for you!" Alfred (mouse-eared bat) shouted.
"You'll need some muscle."
"Hurry!"
I pressed my badge as the wheels from my shoes popped out. I skated and followed the bats. Johnny took us to the north entrance, and it was completely blocked by mountains of rocks. Fruit bats in police-uniforms were trying to pull them out by rope.
"Jeremy!" Mr. Battoulini flew up.
"Father?" The young male looked back.
"What happened, son?"
"I don't know. We got reports of a loud boom, and then-this happens."
"An earthquake?"
"Not likely." Jeremy then saw me.
"Is that..."
"Officer Sapphire Lovell-At your service!" I saluted with a smile. He and three others flew towards me.
"And I'm glad," he smiled.
"I'd like to know who or what is responsible for this." I looked at the other three.
"Send some mammals to the other entrances. Ask if any of your neighbors from outside the caves heard or seen anything."
"Yes, ma'am!" They dispersed.
"You show great leadership," Jeremy complimented.
"Thanks. Is there a chance I can call my friends?"
"With our phones, yes." Jeremy led me to a payphone near the cave.
Fast Forward
Ring~Ring~
"Hm?" Chief Bogo looked at his telephone before picking it up.
"Chief Bogo, here..."
[Chief-its me.]
"Lovell?"
[Nocturnal District is in trouble. The west and north entrance are blocked, and I can't do this on my own.]
"Are there any casualties? Any civilians harmed?"
[Just some spooked bats. Please send backup, or we'll have a cave-in.]
"Stay put, Lovell. I'll send a team." He hung up and ran out of his office. Luckily he saw some of his mammals.
"Cadets! Big trouble in Nocturnal District."
"What's wrong chief?"
"I'll explain on the way. We need to move. Now!"
"Yes sir!" Everyone ran out to their cruisers.
"You think it involves Sapphire?" Daniel asked Martin.
"I hope not."
Fast Forward
"Slowly," I shouted, "we don't want them rolling into town!" I guided the bats as they pulled each boulder away.
"Our townsfolk were moved safely away from all entrances."
"Thanks Mr. Battoulini."
"Officer Lovell! There's someone trapped up there!" I looked up to see two officers trying to free a young vampire pup, his wing crushed from under.
"I can't move!" He cried.
"Stay there! I'm coming up!" I tied a rope to my waist. I gave the orders, and ten bats pulled on the other end as I was lifted upward. Carefully climbing, I arrived to the pup.
"Okay, I'm gonna move the rock..."
"I'm scared~!"
"Its okay. I'll be right here with you." Slowly I pushed, trying not to harm the pup. The two officers pushed from the top. Once he was free, I grabbed the bat into my arms as the boulder dropped down.
"Okay~!"
"Slowly, now!" Jeremy ordered as they brought us back down. I gave the pup to Johnny.
"See that he gets medical attention."
"Right away."
"Sapphire. My officers reported a strange rumbling sound by the south entrance."
"Then we have to find out."
"Yes, ma'am!" Jeremy followed me.
FWOOM~~!
I skated passed the buildings until we reached our destination. I pulled out a flashlight and pointed the light to the darkness.
"Sapphire~!"
"Martin?"
"Sapphire, are you there~?!"
"Randy?...Guys! Guys we're here~!" I ran inside. However, I didn't see Jeremy looked around the cave. His ears went up in alarm.
"Lovell, wait!" I stopped in my tracks.
RUMBLE-RUMBLE~~
I looked up and heard the loud noises. I tried to run back, but chucks of rocks fell before me.
"Officer Lovell!"
"Jeremy, stay back!"
THUD/AHH!
I fell down.
"Lovell~!"
CRASH/BAM!
When the dust cleared, I saw myself surrounded by rocks from front to back. I was trapped.
"You gotta be kidding me..." I got up while rubbing my head.
"Lovell!?"
"Jeremy?!" I pushed myself to the boulder and listened.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Listen, there's no way out..."
"I'll get help."
"No! The cave might have collapsed at the east entrance. You need to get there."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine."
"Sapphire?!"
"Martin!" I ran to the other side.
"Sapphire! You there?!"
"I'm fine, but you can't stay here."
"We're not leaving you!"
"Its okay, Randal. Find the source of this problem up top. There must be another explanation for this."
"Randal, go with the chief. I'll stay here and try to get her out."
"On it!"
On the other side, Jeremy saw his father fly by.
"Father, Lovell is trapped!"
"Son, go help your friends. I will help her. Go!" Jeremy flew away.
WHISTLE~~~
Dragos whistled, and thousands of bats flew in mid-air before him.
"Dozen of you, clear out the east and west entrance! The rest of you, help me!"
"Right!" Everyone went to work.
No One's POV
Above, Randal met up with the kinkajous.
"Hey~! Any of you heard some noise around here?"
"I did," it was Mr. Hart.
"Where?"
"Just a half-mile away from that direction."
"Thank you, sir!"
Randal quickly ran upward, dodging the rocks and trees.
"Come on, Randy-move!" He shouted at himself.
"Careful!" Mr. Battoulini and a few bats pushed aside a boulder. However, it seemed forever to move all those rough-big objects.
RUMBLE-RUMBLE
"if we don't hurry, Lovell will be crushed!"
"Then perhaps we can help!" Suddenly, Dragos's wife and family, along with a hundred more bats arrived.
"Livia...kids..."
"Just tell us what to do father," Victoria smiled.
"We'll help," Eduard shouted bravely. Dragos laughed as he hugged them.
"Come on, children...help your father!" Livia and the rest pitched in. On the other side, Martin, and the rest of the gang were doing the same.
"We're almost there," Nick hollered.
"Help me with this, Hopps." Chief Bogo and Judy pushed two rocks.
Fast Forward
When Randal got there, he saw the whole market area blocked, and under construction. Heavy weight mammals were using drills, bulldozers, and so on. The wolf waved his arms to get the closest mammal's attention.
"Woah-woah-woah~! Stop the construction~!"
"Hey buddy, ya gonna have to go around. We're busy here." A rhino with a safety helmet instructed.
"I'll say you are," Randal showed his badge, "you're working right above where Nocturnal District is!"
Meanwhile...
"Sapphire, you okay in there?!"
"Martin! I think I found an opening. Come to the left!" I heard his footsteps.
"My~left!"
"Sorry! Okay, I'm here!"
"Now start pulling off the bottom rocks!"
"Won't it collapse on your side, too?"
"Then I'll run back! Now, go!"
RUMBLE-RUMBLE
I started to move the rocks, even though the ones above me kept coming down.
Back to Randal...
"That's impossible. We checked the area..."
"Well, it didn't work! And speaking of work, it literally caved in the civilians and one of our officers!"
"What?"
"Tell your boys to stop, or I'll go wild on you! NOW!"
"Y-yes sir! Guys, hold it! Hold it~!" They ceased their drilling.
Down below, the rumbling stopped.
"Father, the noise is gone," Victoria announced.
"Then its safe to continue. Hurry, everyone!"
As for the others, Chief Bogo and Martin were able to push the last boulder to cause the fall.
"Everyone get back!" Sapphire did the same, as the wall collapsed.
"Cough-cough...guys?" The dust cleared, revealing her companions.
"Sapphire!"
"Good to see you, partner."
"You too..."
RUMBLE...
"Another cave in?"
"No~...its..." They all turned to see the other rock wall.
"Get back! Again!" And they did as the final wall came crashing down.
Sapphire's POV
I heard cheering on the other side. I looked up to see thousands of bats, along with the Battoulini family. Eduard and Victoria flew to me.
"Miss Lovell! You're okay!"
"Thanks to you two and everyone else. Way to go!"
"Thanks goodness you're all okay," Livia sighed in relief.
[Chief Bogo...]
"Officer Wolfram...go."
[Construction was the source of the cave-in. Situation is under control now.]
"Good. Over and out."
"Construction? Oh, give me a break." Nick face palmed himself.
"Father," Jeremy came back, "all the entrances are clear now."
"Wonderful! The district is saved!"
"Well...I gotta say that this has been the most thrilling-yet craziest...birthday I've ever had."
"B-birthday? O-oh, so its your...birthday?" Judy flustered.
"Give it up, Hopps. Secrets out..."
"So much for the surprise."
"But its not a total loss. Mr. Battoulini...I think its time we start celebrating."
"I couldn't agree more," he smiled.
Fast Forward
"Happy Birthday, Sapphire~!"
"Thanks everyone." I smiled as everyone of my friends, old and new, were together in the Battoulini's mansion. I opened most of my presents, a lot of stuff for the house and jewelry and so forth. We were now enjoying Mrs. Battoulini's fruit cake. Just then, I felt someone tap my shoulder.
"Hey Sapphire..."
"Oh, hey Martin. Did you need something?"
"Well, duh...to give you your gift." He smiled as he gave me a big, flat square-like present. It felt like a frame. When I ripped away the wrappings, I was right. It was a picture frame. On it were pictures I've never seen.
"I couldn't figure out what to give you, so...I found these in my attic."
They were photos of me as a kid. Most of them were Martin and I; playing together, having fun and making new adventures in our childhood. I brushed my fingers across them, and I can sense the good memories within them.
"Oh, Martin...this is..."
"Cheesy?"
"No," I giggled, "its the beautiful...and the sweetest gesture I ever been given. Its perfect."
"Okay, now you're embarrassing me," he sheepishly grinned.
"Isn't that what friends, do?"
"You guys, get over here and dance with us!" Randal shouted.
We didn't argue there, as we joined everyone in the living room. Even without the presents and cake, I say this birthday topped all others...because I had these guys to share it with me.
