I am starting to really hate being shot and mauled at. First it was ghouls, then it was other mammals, and now it's a giant fucking robot. My legs are sore, it's starting to get difficult breathing, and on top of that, I am getting a migraine. Every time I dodge an attack from the robot's enormous lasers - which to be fair under any other circumstance I would think that would be a totally awesome weapon - my head starts beating faster as if my heart just took up permanent residence in my head.

I was not sure where Onion was during this. The last time I saw him he had just been used as a bowling ball with me standing in for the pins. I really hope he was okay, but I stopped even for a second to check, I would be rendered lifeless. I don't know what an energy weapon like that would do on a direct hit, but I would rather not find out. Between the shots and my throbbing head, I was trying to come up with a plan.

Thankfully, the gang of mammals were not attacking, but rather forming a living cage keeping me and the robot too close for my own comfort. Every time I try to break through them, they nearly slice me with a knife, or slam me with a hammer, and my legs were getting too tired to perform a good jump. Notthat they wouldn't shoot me if I tried. I needed to think of something, and fast.

My mind drifted to my last grenade, but I doubt that I could use it without getting caught in the blast, and my bullets were just bouncing off therobot'sthick armor plating. Despite its size, it was moving rather gracefully. It's large wheeled legs spinning and flexing as it circled me. The arms were rather stiff though, so it took an extra second to aim after orienting itself towards me, and that was the only thing saving me right now. By the time it had gotten positioned right, it was already time for it to move again to get a clear shot.

One of the bot's weapons glanced me, singeing a bit of fur on my cheek, but the scream that followed informed me that it did hit something. I chanced a glance and saw a smoking pile of glowing ash being blown by a gust of wind. The rest of the fuckers were too busy cheering and taking bets to even realize that one of their own just got killed. Either that, or they simply didn't care. Now I really needed to make sure I did not get hit by that thing.

"Pathetic. Here I was hoping for a fight, but all you have been doing is hopping around like the dumb bunny you are."

The voice boomed out of the speakers on the robot. From the movements, I doubt it had an artificial intelligence on it like Onion, so that means there is a mammal somewhere controlling it, or at the very least simply taking pleasure in my pain. There was one thing that was bothering me however. Someone from inside Hope had attacked me with a grenade launcher, probably thinking I was with them. If they are still watching then they have to know that I am on their side, and if that is the case, shouldn't they see I am in trouble and try to help? If I survive this and find out they were watching this like some kind of entertainment, I will have to introduce their face to my fist. I really am not in the mood right now.

A blast hit the ground near me, causing me to slide behind the robot. That's when something very familiar caught my attention. An access port, and not just any port, one that looked as if my Pip-Boar could interface with! If I could get closer to it, I might be able to disable it, provided those bastards don't try killing me first. Now I just needed to get close.

I tried to jump onto it's back but the servo controlling the waist was quicker as it spun around and threw me to the ground with one of the arms. It took aim but I was able to roll away before it could fire. There was no way I would be able to get it unless I could slow down time … wait a second, why the fuck hasn't my Pip-Boar try to initiate B.A.T.S.? I am sure this is an imminent enough of a threat for it to kick in. I glanced down on the screen as I dodged another shot. There was something new on it, a giant yellow exclamation mark. I had no idea what it was, but I pushed it.

"Warning. Serum X-241 Nearly Depleted. Replacement Advised. Doses Available: 1. Initiate B.A.T.S.?"

ONE! Why the fuck was it warning me now? Then again it's not like I would have been able to replace it. I don't even know what this Serum X-241 is, nor if I could even find anymore. I guess it was stupid of me to think it had an unlimited amount of resources. Well, since I was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, which would directly result in an agonizing death, might as well make the most of it.

"Yes!"

Everything started to slow as my legs felt stronger and my mind clearer. I don't know if it was the fact that this might be the last time I ever get to use B.A.T.S., or if the last dose was more concentrated, but it felt much more effective this time around. Time seemed to slow almost to a halt as I circled around the back of the robot. Since I must have been moving much tooquick for it to process, it did not try to swat at me this time. I jumped onto the metal frame and scampered up to the access port. Pulling the connector from my Pip-Boar I jammed it in and booted up my access program. I couldn't waste a single second. The moment those fuckers figure out what I am doing, is the moment they will start shooting.

I don't think that anyone thought that someone would try riding a giant killer robot while attempting to hack into it, because the security on it was pitiful. I was in in a matter of moments. I could feel the serum starting to wear off but I ignored everything, focusing on my work. I was able to access three basic options. Self-destruct, system shutdown, or command override. Since a self-destruct was out of the question, and shutting it down would not prevent the dozens of armed mammals from gunning me down, I accessed its command override. That menu presented me with a few more options. Target override, manual control, and recall. I did not have the time to change its targeting profile, and the last thing I wanted was to send it home, so I decided to take matters into my own paws, literally.

The serum wore off as I finished accessing manual override. The screen of my Pip-Boar changed to show what looked like an old video game controller. It only had a few buttons, two for mobility, one for each weapon, and one marked with a large red and yellow exclamation mark. Below it read: Self-Destruct. Guess the programmers really did not want it falling into the wrong paws. Too late for that. I knew that the crowd was onto me as the cheering changed into angry yelling. I heard a few bullets ping off of the armor as I took full control of the robot.

A few presses of the weapon buttons showed me just how powerful this thing was. I disintegrated four mammals in a matter of seconds. The lasers had to recharge between blasts, so I kept the robot moving to avoid being attacked. I was small enough that I was able to find gaps in the design to secure my feet and keep me stable as I controlled the robot with one paw and took potshots with my gun, although since my Pip-Boar paw was wielding the gun, it made it hard to multitask.

"Get this fucking rabbit off of my robot, now!"

Apparently the speakers were on another system, because whomever was on the other side sounded pissed. I think many of these mammals knew how deadly this robot could be since I saw some of them trying to hide, while a few simply bolted. Unfortunately, most of them were trying to kill me. A burning sensation tore through my left leg as a bullet made contact. I clenched my teeth to avoid screaming. The last thing I needed was to show them that they got me. I turned the robot towards the direction of the shot and let loose this thing's light show.

"Hey rabbit! Try this on for size!"

I turned towards the voice and my jaw dropped. The pain from my leg vanishing as my brain was trying to comprehend what was before me. The crowd had parted for one of the elephants and resting on his shoulder was a very large missile launcher. The elephant knelt down and took aim with the giant boom tube. This robot was fast, but not fast enough to dodge a missile. I turned the robot so that I was facing away and braced for an impact.

I heard and felt an explosion, but it did not come from anywhere near the robot. Did he miss this massive thing? I positioned the robot so I was facing where the elephant was and saw that he was lying down on the ground, where he was standing was now a smoking crater. Did he just blow himself up?

"Sorry for the wait bunny! I wasn't sure whose side you were on, but it's pretty obvious now!"

I looked up and saw a small opening near the roof, and sticking out from it was a gazelle that looked strikingly like the ones from the posters I have seen scattered around. In her hooves was a grenade launcher. I saw the familiar flash of light as she launched another round into the crowd, causing them to scatter. I started to wonder why she didn't just chuck those grenades at them earlier when a missed gunshot aimed at her snapped me back into the moment. Defend now, ask questions later.

The explosions from the grenade rounds cleared a path towards a solid steel structure forming the wall of the building. I maneuvered the robot so that I was between it and the wall and started to unleash hell upon my aggressors. Each time the weapon was readied, I fired it, and with the dense crowd I was almost guaranteed to hit one of them. I am never eager to kill anyone, especially en-masse like this, but the moment they brought force upon the countless innocent lives in the city, was the same moment that their own lives became forfeit.

Between me and the gazelle, we managed to thin the crowd down. Most of them began to realize that their continued assault was futile, and made the smart choice of retreating. I was not low enough to kill someone with their back turned to me, but I did fire a few warning shots near them, just in case they had any intention of grouping up and attacking again.

The whole ordeal only took twenty minutes from the time I first encountered the Berserk-kings, but at times like this, it often feels like an eternity. As the last of the raiders had either left or reduced to piles of ash and bone, the adrenalin that was rushing through my body started to fade. The pain in my leg where I was shot returned, along with my migraine. I was hurting all over, but thankfully I did not feel as if I wanted to collapse yet, but there was still time for that.

As I was loosening my feet from the robot in order to climb down, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Instinctively I turned and leveled my gun at the potential assailant. It was Onion. I dropped the gun to my side as I pulled off a, 'I'm fine, never felt better' smile. We both knew I was lying.

"Miss! I am so glad you are ok!"

"What happened to you Onion?"

"It's rather embarrassing Miss. After that one ram tried using me as a projectile against you, and I am truly sorry I was used like that to cause you pain, the fall damaged my baton, rendering it unusable. Not sure what I could do against that unruly bunch, I am ashamed to say that I simply sat there and watched. I am very sorry Miss."

The false smile turned into a genuine one as I started to laugh. "Oh Onion, I am glad you are safe, and if I had known that your only weapon was damaged, I would have told you to do the same."

"Looks like the coast is clear bunny. Wait right there, I am going to come down and open the gate."

The gazelle retreated back through the hole as a panel closed completely blocking where she was. The whole building must have had those secrete doors scattered throughout them, and with how much the walls looked sporadic with their materials, it's no wonder I never noticed them before. I heard the sound of metal dropping as it was followed by the roar of a loud motor. The metal wall before me started to creak and groan as it slowly was drawn to the left revealing a large arched opening. Standing on the other side was the gazelle. She was tall and looked rather striking. She had to have been the most beautiful mammal I have ever seen outside of my books. She was dressed in what looked like an old pre-war military uniform, but the coat had been modified into a vest, while she wore a knee-high skirt made from the same materials. It was as if she was able move between a military engagement and a ballroom without ever needing to change. Slung over her shoulder was her grenade launcher.

"I want to formally apologize for earlier. With all these raider attacks recently, it's getting hard to tell who's who anymore." She held out her hoof towards me and I took it in my paw as we exchanged handshakes. "I want to thank you for your help formally introduce myself. I am Mayor Jessabell Swift, and I welcome you to the Town of Hope."

The town was huge. Not by any Burrow standards mind you, but compared to its exterior, it was so much larger on the inside. The central area was clear all the way to the roof where I saw hanging walkways connecting various sections together. That must be how Jessabell managed to move between shots. On either side was a second floor that encircled the interior. Makeshift buildings were lined around both the top and bottom of the upper floor, and it looked as if the upper floors had been extended beyond their original design. I saw a few mammals here and there, but it did not look very populated. I hope I wasn't too late.

I was walking with the mayor and she must have felt my uneasiness because she put her hoof on her shoulder, as if trying to comfort me and grabbed a small device from a pocket and started to speak into it.

"Citizens of Hope!" Jessabell's voice started to echo throughout the town. It was then that I noticed the speakers in the ceiling, along with a dozen turrets, all trained on us, or rather, me. "I know that most of you are scared, and I cannot blame you for that. We have been through a lot these past few months, and many of us, including myself I am ashamed to say, thought that this recent attack by those cowards who the Berserk-Kings was going to be our last. They came with a weapon, armed with a nuclear core and planned on using it to tear down these walls that we have so painstakingly kept erect over the centuries."

Nuclear core?! Did she mean that that giant robot, who I was clinging to with dear life, had the ability to go nuclear? Fuck me! I am so glad I didn't decide on using the self-destruct. I looked at Onion and could tell that something similar was going through his thought processors.

"Now," she kept on broadcasting her speech, every word invoking passion and a sense of leadership that would make anyone, myself included, follow her to the ends of the world. "We have their weapon, and we have sent them running! They will send their leader the message that we will not back down! We will not go quiet into the night, and that we will always stand our ground, no matter how dire the situation is, we will prevail!"

I started to see mammals coming out of every nook and cranny, species young and old, big and small. They were starting to form a crowd in front of us. I could hear murmurs among them. Some wanted to know if we really were safe, others were curious as to who the rabbit standing beside the mayor was.

Jessabell leaned over and whispered, "What is your name sweetie?"

"Oh, um, it's Olivia. Olivia Springs." I don't know why, but her whispering into my ear, and being so close caused my cheeks to start burning. I hope I wasn't blushing. Why am I blushing? I tried looking away nonchalantly. I think I heard her giggle.

"Our town was founded on one principle, that every one, no matter their past, species, age, gender, or beliefs were welcomed with open arms. Today is no different! While we refused to give in to these cowards, it was not anyone here, nor was it myself that freed us, it was this rabbit! She is not one of us, she does not call our town home, but today she will because alone she took down the robot and drove away the entire raiding party, sending a message to their leader that we will no longer be trifled with! I present to you, Hope's savior and our new hero, Miss Olivia Springs!"

"WHAT!?" The word slipped before I could even think. I covered my mouth with my paws and leaned over towards Jessabell, "What do you mean alone? Why did you tell them that you weren't helping? If it wasn't for your grenade, that guy would have shoved his missile where the sun don't shine!"

"Most of us have been afraid. The few fighters we have were all injured during last week's attacks. Like I said, we have been getting hit hard lately for some reason, and we have some mammals that wanted to leave weeks ago, but were too afraid to do so. Traders have stopped visiting us because they keep getting attacked by the same bastards. After what we been through, we need someone to believe in, and sweetie, I think you have proven yourself to be that someone."

I didn't know what to say. This whole time I kept telling myself that I needed to step up and be a hero to this world, but now that someone is telling me I have the job, I suddenly am not feeling all that qualified, or comfortable, taking up the mantle. I wanted to question the mayor further, ask her if this is what she really believes, but I was startled by a noise. I turned towards the front gate and saw a rhino and a giraffe hauling the now defunct robot into the town before the massive metal door closed behind them.

"What were your plans for that mayor?"

"Not sure yet. We can't let just leave it alone in case the Berserk-kings come back for it, or it ends up falling into worse hands. We also can't just let it sit here. Like I said, it is powered by a nuclear core that would turn this entire town into a crater, so it's almost like having an undetonated nuclear bomb just sitting here, something I am sure that many would be uncomfortable with."

"Well, and this is just my mind rattling away, but what if I were to switch out the power for something a bit more … manageable? I could reprogram it to follow your commands, and you would have a massive addition to your security. That might be well enough to cause troublemakers to turn tail at the sight of it."

"That, is a very good idea Miss Springs. I would hate to trouble you with such a task so soon after that fight. You should rest some."

"That is what I have been trying to tell you Miss." There was something, enthralling about the way the mayor talked that I did not even notice Onion pop between us.

"And who is this little cutie?"

I think that if Onion had some kind of color changing outer shell, that he would have turned a bright red the way he seemed to hesitate before zipping behind me. "This is my friend Onion. I built him when I was …" despite how trusting I was feeling around her, some part of me kept tugging at me when I go to mention the Burrow, "… let's just say I built him from scraps after my mother passed, and I had no one else to turn to."

"I am sorry to hear that," she sounded genuine saying that. "I am impressed though. I don't know too many who could make such a well-designed robot from just scrap. Would it be to forward of me to ask you for some help, in the morning that is. I can tell that you really do need to rest, and I'll have the doctor patch you up, on me, of course."

"That is really nice of you, mayor. I would be glad to help out in whatever way I could as payment."

"Come with me sweetie."

Whenever that bastard North called me 'sweetheart', it made me cringe and want to slap him, yet whenever she called me 'sweetie', I felt a little faint and flustered. Then again it could be the blood loss as taking a step reminded me that I was just recently shot through the leg. The sudden return of pain caused me to collapse under my own weight. Both Onion and Mayor Swift rushed to help me up, although without proper arms, Onion simply pushed on me as her very delicate hooves … gah! Bad Olivia, stop thinking these thoughts!

"Actually, I think the doctors first. His office is right over here. Put your arm around my neck and, Onion was it? Help make sure she doesn't fall again. Shall we?"

I felt rather silly being partially carried by the mayor and a robot as the town's 'hero' was brought to the doctor's office. I was not expecting much, seeing that she mentioned supplies had been diminishing due to the lack of traders, but Doctor Tavia Boll, a tiny little vole, was still rather well-stocked on supplies. She was a quick one too. Unlike the doctors in the Burrow who were very slow and methodical about every little thing, she kept zipping back and forth. She would take a syringe full of something, and inject me with it before I could even feel it. She cleaned out my bullet wound and sewed it up so quick that I doubt even B.A.T.S. would be able to slow down enough to see her move. That reminds me.

"Doctor, have you heard of something called Serum-241?"

"Nope. Doesn't ring a bell. Now lay down. I'm almost done. I said stop moving."

Even her words were quick. Every time I fidgeted a bit she would slap me with her tail without even blinking an eye. I've seen some of the rodents in the Burrow use their tail as a third paw before, but not with the dexterity she had. It was almost as if she actually had three paws. It only took about ten minutes, but I felt better after that short time then I have an entire night's sleep. Which reminded me. When was the last time I actually had a good night's sleep? Other than that week long coma, I don't think I have had time to stop and rest, yet alone sleep.

"Thank you doctor. I haven't felt this good in a while."

"You're welcome. Now rest. Don't get into a fight. You'll undo all my hard work."

Since I was able to walk again without needing support, the mayorled us out of the doctor's office and back into the main part of town. With the threat of utter annihilation over, the town is feeling just as a town should. Mammals were coming and going, the entire tension of the town seemed to be melting away. I was feeling rather overwhelmed though. I think word had already spread of my deeds, because every time we passed someone, they either stopped to say 'thank you', applaud me, and some even ran up to try to shake my paw or give me a big hug, but thankfully the mayor kindly turned them away, saying that the 'hero' needed some rest. Despite what I said in the past, I don't think I could actually get used to being called that. But it did come with some perks.

The first place the mayor brought me was a small area in the shopping district, which lined one side of the town, that served food throughout the day. Since I left the Burrow, the only thing I had to eat was processed crap that I was sure was well past its expiration, or recycled food. Then again it was rare for me to have eaten a fresh meal in the Burrow. Despite the fact we had a working garden, most of itsharvest went towards making rations, and only on special occasions was it actually cooked and consumed as nature indented.

This place made all of that seem like I was eating dirt. Like the other structures within the town, it had a very patchwork appearance, having looked as if they were built, torn down, and rebuilt, probably due to expansion. Despite the look, the food smelt, and tasted, remarkable. I know this is said of most exhausted and under nourished mammals that were in my position, but this meal tasted so good it just made me want to … what the hell is wrong with me? I never had thoughts like this before. Then again I also never, escaped the inescapable, killed another living being, been chased by undead looking fuckers, or been shot, stabbed, and nearly blown up before, so I guess there's always time for new experiences. Ohh, this carrot and bean soup is sooo good.

Once my hunger was satisfied, and once again the mayor said it was on her, she took me on a little tour of the place. Despite how big it looked, there was not much to see. There were about a hundred and thirty mammals currently living here, but a third of that were traders or visitors who had gotten trapped here during the attacks. She told me that the population usually teetered on around a hundred, but they had been wanting to expand to allow a much larger population.

I commented on the turrets that had stopped following me a while back and I was surprised to hear that only two of them were actually functional. Apparently, a few years ago, some raiders almost succeeded in taking over the town from the inside out, but the turrets had thinned them down enough for security to safely step in. Unfortunately, one of the raiders had managed to hack into the defense network and took out all the turrets, and they have only been able to get one fixed. The others are more for intimidation, although most of the residents still think they all work.

Another issue they had was the water purification system. Food was easy enough. They had a large harden on the roof that I had apparently neglected to notice, and they used to pump water from a massive underground lake system that was discovered a few decades ago, but the irradiated water in the reflective pools outside have leaked into it over the years, making itunsuitable for drinking. They can currently only purify about twenty gallons a day, compared to their two hundred gallons a day in the past.

As she was showing me to the living area, the lights flickered a few times before steadying again. Apparently they also have been having issues with the generators. Due to a lack of fuel, they are solar powered, but the solar panels have been damaged from the radiation storms that pass through every so often. I asked if they had a mechanic, but she informed me that he died almost a five years ago salvaging for parts in a nearby scrap yard, and they have not been able to find anyone suited for the job.

We finally arrived at the rear of the building where her office and living quarters were. She told me that she did not spend much time in there, that she would rather be working with her people, rather than them working for her. That was also the reason why she looked like a military officer in her outfit. She has governed her people and lead them at the forefront of every attack. She did not want to just sit at her desk like some of her predecessors, she wanted to show them that: 'Jessabell Swift is not just a leader by title, but a leader by action.' I was really starting to like her, and this town.

"Miss Springs, I know that I have seemed overly generous to you, but we truly are thankful to you. Unlike some of the other groups out there that are all bark and no bite, the Berserk-kings have a reputation to follow through on their words. That is why we felt so hopeless. Our security force is down to three healthy mammals, but the moment they were to leave to engage them, they would have been gunned down."

"What about the walkways above us? You did not seem to hesitate trying to shoot me with a grenade launcher earlier."

This time she was the one blushing, "I am really sorry about that. Like I said, I was not sure who you were, and it was better safe than sorry. I wouldn't have dared to attack them from that without risking them following through on detonating that robot, but there has been rising turf wars among the raider groups. So, I was hoping that they would have gotten distracted by it. I am glad I missed, although I usually don't miss."

I blushed at that. I didn't really know if she had missed, or if I had been that agile, but either way I am glad it worked out the way it did. This place was amazing. Sure it was run down and literally falling apart from the inside out, but that is what made it so amazing. It was always my dream to be a renowned mechanic, even if it was only within the Burrow walls, and this place is like a dream come true.

"This, is yours."

"Wha …"

Next to her office were two shacks that were much larger than the other ones in the residential area. She opened the of the one closest to her place and ushered me inside. It was very roomy, at least for me. While it was not built for someone as tall as a giraffe, or as large as an elephant, it looked as if it could fit at least four my size and still be comfortable. There was a dresser almost as tall as myself, a king size bed, and most importantly, the thing that made my jaw drop, a large work bench with shelving full of random scrap and tools. I nearly fainted at the sight.

"This used to be the residence of our mechanic, and since we have not been able to find a replacement, we simply kept it clean and available. Just in case."

"This … this is amazing! I never actually had a workbench of my own, only whatever table was free! There are tools I have never seen before, and … are those blueprints? Yes, they are! And is that, oh it can't be. It is! I have NEVER seen biometric scanner in person! The doctors in the Burrow would never let me near one!"

"Burrow?You're from a Burrow?"

Fuck. I was so excited I did not even realize what I was saying. "Yeah, I … I kinda was trying to keep it a secret. Sometime after leaving I was nearly taken by slavers who mentioned that someone like me, 'untainted' by the wasteland would be worth more. I was afraid that if I told anyone that it would come back and bite me on the ass. Please don't mention it."

"Don't worry sweetie, your secret is safe with me, although a Pip-Boar like that is not something common around these parts, so it might cause some questions. Then again there is someone else in town with one, and it's been rather quiet about it around here. Of course being contently under siege is a good distraction for most anything."

"Thank you." I was remembering about that time, when I rescued Bo and his … "Oh! There isn't by chance a buffalo named Bo here? He was traveling with his wife and daughter."

"Bo? Unfortunately, that is not a name I am familiar with, and I make it my personal duty to get to know everyone who comes and goes."

They didn't make it. I hope they are ok. With all these attacks, they must have had to turn away to prevent getting swept into another dangerous happenstance. They had plenty of stuff to sell, so I am sure they could make it anywhere. Still, I need to find a way to make sure they are alright.

"If you see or hear anything about them, please let me know."

"Okay sweetie. Now, back to the matter at hand. As mayor of Hope, I would like to formally offer you not only this room, but permanent residence in my town. We have been needing someone with the mechanical prowess you have, and heck, you might even be able to teach our security a thing or two from the way you handled those raiders."

"I … wow. Really?"

"Yup. It's yours. Now we typically are not able to pay the mechanic …"

"Yes! I will!"

"Even though I said no pay?"

"As long as I can trade for food and supplies, I could care less about money. This has been my dream since I was a kid."

"Well, it's not often that someone doesn't care that they are not getting paid. You really are something sweetie. Now if you excuse me, I need to take care of some things. You rest and we will continue our talk first thing in the morning over some nice breakfast."

Mayor Swift left the room and closed the door behind her. I was so excited that I did not even think I would sleep. I ran over to the workbench and started to take inventory of everything. Most of this stuff had seen better days, but I knew I would be able to make use of everything in here. I started to yawn and decided that it could wait till morning, I really should try to get at least a little sleep.

"Onion, we have been through a lot since leaving the Burrow, but you know what? For the first time since my mother died, I feel as if I am home."

—

Well then ladies and gentle-mammals, it's time for something a little … different. My pre-reader/writing assistant has mentioned a few times that I really should have some sort of typical author notes each chapter, but you know what, this author is not typical, in the least, so I decided that I will NOT be having an after chapter note section. Instead I will be having an 'After Show'! So without further ado, may I present the first in a series of after chapter shorts:

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Stripes]

"Good afternoon listeners! This is Stripes in the Morning, featuring everyone's favorite zebra, me! Today we have a very special guest, the talk of the wastes, the hero of Hope, and the rabbit with the loveliest auburn fur you've ever seen, Olivia Springs!"

[Olivia]

"Who… who are you? How did you get… Onion! Who let this guy into my workshop!"

[Stripes]

"I'm the one and only C. Stripes of the Zootopian Wasteland's premiere, and only, radio station coming to you live!"

[Olivia]

"Never heard of you, now if you wouldn't mind leaving…"

[Stripes]

"I just have a few questions, Olivia, can I call you Olivia?"

[Olivia]

"No, and get out."

[Stripes]

"Well then Olivia, our readers would like to know…"

[Olivia]

"Readers? I thought you said this was a radio show, you can't *read* a radio."

[Stripes]

"Well my show *is* a bit, unique, but I strive for only the best! Now, some of the audience would love to know if there's *anything* going on between you and Jessabell Swift."

[Olivia]

"What? I have no idea what you're talking about. Leave me alone!"

[Stripes]

"But the audience saw your thoughts on her, but they want to *hear* them as well!"

[Olivia]

"Buh … *saw* my thoughts? What the … you know what, no. There's nothing going on."

(slam)

[Stripes]

"Well that was rather rude. But fear not, for I will never stop asking the cold hard questions! Until the next After Show, this is Stripes signing off!"