Well, here we are, a new chapter.
A last chapter.
Who's taking the mic ?
"I'll just say that I agree that it's a bad idea to piss Jack off, J Shute Norway. That bullet did hurt."
Not that you didn't deserve it, Dawn.
"Judging your characters now ? Some might think you were biased in your writing."
Let's just say the winners get to write the story. Next ?
"I want to say that I am not glad about how things ended for me either, Story Writer 2015. I just hope that Ben will find the strength to go on without me. I was glad that my last moments were spent fighting for what I believed in, and getting to lay down a few on MacHorn did feel nice, even cathartic... In my point of view the price we paid could have been way steeper, Cimar, and I trust the rest of the ZPD will make quick work of the rest of BellSec and Ramses Lab."
As for the AU where Nick get sniped in the face, are you referencing J Shute Norway's A Lead Role in a Cage ? Because I remember it having a fake out (spoilers, maybe).
I wasn't sure how killing off that character would be received, I have to admit it wasn't the thing I enjoyed writing the most, sorry Wildehopper and guest. BTW Wildehopper, I've set up an e-mail address. I don't have a 'public' social media account.
Epilogue : M4
Finnick is sitting on the steps leading to City Hall, his arms on his knees, a smoke between his fingers. The paramedics are rolling Lionheart away, while the mayor is sitting in the back of an ambulance with a cover on her shoulder. He sees her smiling as the lion is pushed inside it, and remain with him as the door close.
There's another ambulance that hasn't moved, bigger than a tank, made for megafauna. The elephant is getting her wounds treated stoically, but he knows that if they want to pull out the bullets from her skin, they'll need to take her away.
He scratches his eyes for a few seconds before getting up. Having done his part, which frankly wasn't much, he needs to get back to Honey's.
"Finnick !" Calls a female voice.
"Bunny-two-shoes." He answers with a small smile, seeing her and Reggie pushing Jack forward, with his paws cuffed behind his back. "You two taking him in ?"
"Yes. We are." Nods Reggie. "He might have helped us today, but he's guilty of a lot of crimes."
"Surprised ya didn't make a run for it, Floppsy."
Jack shakes his head. "I know some things that will help take down what remains of BellSec and Ramses Lab. It needs to be done."
"Well… If yer okay with it… Anyway, ya needed sumthin', Judy ?" He asks, turning toward the doe.
"Just checking on you."
As she says those words, two large body bags are rolled out on stretchers by ZPD officers. She turns away and grits her teeth as she sees the one containing the chier's body.
"Ya okay ?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry, Judy." Says Jack. "He was great guy."
"You didn't know him."
"BellSec's intel on him said 'problematic', that's enough to know he had a good sense of justice."
The doe emits a dejected chuckle.
"Want us to take him off of your paws ?" Asks Ralph, as he approaches her.
"We can take care of it." The doe says hesitantly.
"Go back to Koslov's, you two. If anyone ask, I'll say that you needed a break for all this. You did enough today."
"What about you ? You did as much as us." Counters Reggie.
Ralph shrugs and grabs the buck by the shoulder. "As soon as this guy is behind bars, I'll just go to my desk and take a nap. The others can take care of the fallout, I… I saw enough today. Get home, both of you, you need it."
- 1 -
The streets are far from deserted now, but the chaos has gone down several notches. There has been destruction of public property, among other things, but nor Reggie nor Judy can't bring themselves to care at the moment.
The car they're in is driven by a polar bear who's periodically sending glances and smiles the doe's way. It seems that there'll be a lot of gratitude coming her way in the future from predators. When they arrive at Koslov's, he opens the door for them, and the doe sees Nick, his family, and whole lot of other mammals (mostly preadtors) waiting on them.
The tod rushes at her, and she feels herself being lifted from the ground. "You saved the day, Carrots."
"I guess I did." She answers in a small voice. Before being let down and turning toward the small crowd.
From the corner of her eye, she sees Reggie giving greetings to his family, with kind of awkward hugs.
"Hey guys." She smiles at the crowd. "I hope you're not expecting a speech, because I already gave one today."
Vivienne detaches herself from the crowd and walks to her. "We just wanted to be sure you were back in one piece. There's going to be a party too, to celebrate, and thank you for… Well, everything."
"I… Honestly, all I want right now is sleep for a million years." She mutters, feeling a bit guilty to skip on the celebrations.
There are few disappointed mutters, but the vixen shuts them down by sending a glare behind her.
"I understand. You can use our place if you want."
"Thank you."
Nick grabs her paw with a discreet smile. "Let's go."
As they goe through the doors leading inside, Judy can hear Finnick's booming voice shouting. "Now it's time to PARTY !"
Chuckling, she follows the tod up to his temporary home, and sits on the large bed as soon as they're there. "You should go." She breaths in a tired tone. "I don't think they're going to wait for you."
"Oh, I don't think they need me." He answers, plopping next to her.
It's a bit hard to take off her bulletproof vest, and she realises that her paws are trembling only when she struggles to open the her belt buckle. Getting up from the bed, Nick stands in front of her and helps her out.
The doe unbuttons her shirts and lets him take it off while she starts working on his own. Looking up, she stands on the tip of her toes, and they kiss, her paws caressing the fur of his torso.
Her pants drop, and she finds herself only wearing her panties and ZPD shirt.
Resting her forehead against his chest, she takes in his scent. Musky, with a tinge blueberry. Her thought lingers on how he can smell like that as his arms go wrap her into a hug.
Her own paws roam to his back and she presses herself against him.
A couple of seconds later, Nick can feel his fur getting wetter from her tears.
"It's okay." He whispers. "You're safe."
"He's… He's d-d-dead." She sobs.
"It's not your fault."
"I sh-should have been there ! I didn't save the day… I couldn't even stop Jack from k-killling Dawn."
"Is it bad that I don't feel to sorry about that ?" Nick whispers, earning himself a weak punch in the ribs.
"She's dead Nick. Don't joke about it."
"Sorry." He apologises, kissing the top of her head right between the ears.
The tod let's go of her, and the doe can't help the feeling of abandonment that takes her. He goes to sit on the bed, pulling the cover up, and pats the spot next to him.
The doe climbs on the bed, lying next to him and Nick pulls the cover on them.
"Everything went so wrong..." She whispers.
"We knew there were going to be risks. You did good. You did the best you could."
"It wasn't enough."
"It was. You freed us all, Judy. I'm… I'm sorry your boss died, he was good guy, and not just for a cop."
"There has been victims on the street too. I heard reports. Things were bad out there… We should have-"
"No. Don't go that way. It's done, now. It's behind us. Focus on the positive." Propping her up, he settles her face in the croon of his neck.
"That feels pretty positive." She whispers.
"Well, that wouldn't feel that good if I still had a collar, would it ?"
The doe snorts. "Thanks. For being there… I needed… I'm glad you're here."
"I'm glad I'm here too."
Skye goes through a security check, leaving her bag behind. A hippo guard walks beside her, adapting his pace to hers while giving her suspicious glances. They reach a metal door that he opens, letting her go through first.
She enters a long hallway. The walls are beige and the paint chipped. The dome lights, protected by metal grating, are too intense for her taste, and hurt her eyes.
Passing through half a dozen door, her guide finally stops her. "Here, Mrs Winters. Knock on the door when you wish to leave."
The reinforced metal rectangle pivots on its hinges with a grating sound, and she enters a bare room, save for a table bolted to the ground, two chairs facing each other on each side of it, and a striped bunny sitting on one of them.
"Hello Skye." The buck smiles. "It's nice to see you."
"You look like shit."
"You're as pretty as ever."
Rounding the table, she goes to him and hugs him. Her eyes stray to the security camera in the corner and she sighs. If only they could have real privacy.
"So, how are things outside ?"
"You don't know ?"
The buck shrugs. "There's a TV, but it's just the usual talking heads. I want to know what you think."
The vixen goes to sit on her chair, and puts her paws on the table. The buck reaches for one of them, simply to hold it.
"I thing it's going good… Enough. Considering everything. Swinton and Lionheart are doing a good job, pretty sure they'll get elected. Of course, there are still assholes that are making things difficult… I think the hardest part is just interacting with regular people. They… Everyone is scared of everyone."
"Can't say I'm surprised. And how is the ZPD handling the situation ?"
"If you want to ask me news about Judy, you can do it directly, you know ? I'm not going to be mad because you keep tabs on your ex."
Jack chuckles. "Alright, how's Judy ?"
"She's fine. I haven't talked to her much, but it seems the media has decided to follow her every move."
"I'm aware. That must drive her nuts."
"It does, according to Nick." She grins. "But she's doing a good job bringing the prey and preds together. They send her on most specism related cases too."
"She got a partner yet ?"
"Not that I know of. I told you, I don't talk to her much."
The buck nods. Well, he'll have to ask her when she'll visit him. "And what about you, how are you doing ?"
"I'm good."
"Really ?"
"Well, I wish a certain someone was there to keep me warm at night, but I guess it's not going to happen for a while." The vixen sighs.
"Sorry."
"Seriously, you could have run. Pretty sure Honey would have found someplace to hide you. Or you could have left the city."
"Would you have left with me ?"
The vixen shakes her head. "Probably not."
Jack feels a bit wounded by this answer, but he doesn't blame her. He's barely able to stand himself, so the idea that someone wouldn't want to leave everything for him isn't surprising.
"How much time ? For how long are they going to put you away ?"
"Depending on what sticks, my legal counsel says between two and eight life sentences."
"Any parole ?"
"Unlikely. I mean, I helped in the end, but it doesn't erase everything I did."
Skye reste her face in her paw. "That makes no sense ! You helped us, you gave yourself up ! They should show some leniency !"
"I thought you couldn't forgive me ?"
"That's between you and I ! Without you, they might not have reached the mayor in time ! I hope you're going to fight this fangs and claws !" She states, looking up to meet his eyes.
"I'm pleading guilty. On everything. I already gave my confession. I'll even be trialed about Dawn's murder."
"Really ?"
"Well, it was hardly self-defence." The buck shrugs.
"Why did you shoot her ? Why did you have to do that ?"
"Revenge."
Skye can't say that she can't get behind that. "But she wasn't the one that recruited you, wasn't she ? Nor the one that gave you your orders. I know that much."
"Yes, true. It was her father, Anton Bellwether."
There's something disturbing in the buck's smile. Something monstrous, carnivorous. Half of the vixen fears it, the other, though, feels drawn to it.
"You really are a monster." She half jokes, feeling her tears rise. "But why say all this ? Why confess everything ?"
"Because the more I show my willingness to help and atone, the more they'll trust what I have to say. And I have a lot to says. There are many dots I can connect now. Plus I kept evidence on all my contracts as insurance. That'll be a massive heap of circumstancial evidence to help bury those assholes forever. It wouldn't mean much if I 'wasn't guilty', wouldn't it ?"
"And you don't care if it costs you the rest of your life ?"
"It's the price I have to pay for what I've-"
"Can you stop that ?" She shouts suddenly. "Being detached ? Acting all high and mighty ?"
"I'm not-"
"What about us ?"
"I-"
"If they lock you up forever, how are you going to come back to me, huh ?"
"Back to you ?"
"Do you realise how easier my life would be if I hadn't… If I could wipe your memory from my brain ? If I could just forget you… I had to fucking fall for you. Of all the pricks in my life, it had to be you."
Jack's throat feels so dry. "I'm sorry he croaks." While his brains tries to process what she just admitted.
"You better be." She sniffles.
Looking down, she stares at their interlocked paws. There's so much more she wishes to say, but she want to do it alone, not with a camera pointed at them.
"I think I should go." She mutters, letting go of his paw.
As she turns around to leave, Jack feels his chest being crushed. "Skye." He calls, making her stop. "Will… Will you visit me ? When I'm in prison, will you ?" He knows he sounds desperate, but he doesn't care. If she says no he'll lose his last reason-
"Fight." She says, her eyes still on the door. "You fight. Confess, tell everything you need to clear your conscience, but after that, you better fight. You throw everything in, use their pity, beg, play the dumb bunny part, I don't care. You get a right for parole."
The coffin is heavy, on Nadine's, Grizzoli's, Snarlov's and Delgato's shouders. All are clad in their ceremonial uniforms as they carry it along the cemetary's alley.
Judy, Nick, Ben, Ralph, Reggie and Blackfur are in the front of the long procession of officers and civilians. The feline has lost the battle against his tears minutes ago, his gaze locked on the piece of dark oaken wood. Judy wishes she could hold Nick's paw. It would make the grieve easier to bear. The tod is wearing one of his rare solemn expressions, and a dark coat. Ralph intermittently wipes his eyes as discreetly as he can. Blackfur, a serious expression on her face gives a glance back. They're closely followed by the mayor, as well as Lionheart, walking thanks to a pair of crutches, flanked by a polar bear she doesn't recognise, and Koslov. The polar bear is holding an arctic shrew in his paw, and a part of her feels like this is too weird for two mob bosses to attend the chief's funeral.
The procession reaches the dug plot, and the carriers set down the coffin over the casket lowering device. All the while, the mammals spread around in a large circle. Judy's surprised not to see any family members. Didn't he have one ? Parents, or relatives ? The one that is the closest to that in her opinion is Ben, who is still silently weeping next to her.
The atmosphere is thick with sadness and grief, a few audible sobs heard from the predator officers of Precinct One. Judy looks up at the sky, wishing it would start to rain. As if the water could wash it all away. But the sun shines bright and hot, made more unbearable by her state of sorrow.
"Can I… Can I say a few word ?" Asks the mayor.
A collective muted yes travels though the gathering, and she goes to place herself next to the tombstone.
"I… I will not insult chief Bogo by making this a political speech. It's his day, as sad it may be. I… I wish to award him the Medal of Valor. I know it shouldn't be up to me to make that decision, but the ones in charge of that are currently… Unavailable." She finishes with a thin sad smile.
A grim chuckle shakes the gathering, as she takes out a velvet box.
"I believe the protocol says that a relative should accept it for him, but..."
Ralph puts a paw on Ben's shoulder and lightly pushes him forward. The cheetah looks around him to his colleagues, who give him a collective nod.
"I'll… I'll hold onto it for him." Breaths the feline, approaching the mayor, who closes the box and puts it in his paws.
"I… The chief and I butted heads over the years, and I realise now that he was right in his opinions, more often than not. He was the epitome of what being a ZPD officer means. His death… Is a tragedy."
Agreements from the crowd of officers are heard as the sow moves away from the casket. Lionheart moves up to take her place, and stops at her level, resting a paw on her shoulder, giving her a solemn nod.
"I won't pretend I knew Adrian well. We were on first name basis, as we went to the same school… Beyond that… I know of is his strong sense of justice. Of all the prey I know in a place of power, he's one of the few that I felt never held my species against me. He had his preconceived ideas, but rarely let them get in the way of his duty. The city will miss him, even more so in the troubled days to come."
With a nod to the attendance, the lion goes back to take his place.
Silence falls only cut by the discreet sobs, until Ralph leans toward Ben. "Do you want to-"
The feline nods, but still hesitates, until Judy presses his paw.
Walking slowly, he goes to place himself where two did before him.
"H-hi !" He greets wiping his eyes. "I… I was-" Closing his eyes, the cat exhales. "I… Think I knew Chief Bo- Adrian. He'd want me to call him Adrian. We were… Friends. I was his partner for a few years, and we talked a lot. Well, I talked a lot." He smiles, pulling discreet laughs from his colleagues.
"He was thoughtful. Caring. I know he always to tried to keep us safe, to allow and push us to do our job to the best of our abilities. He fought for us... At least, I know that he did for me. He fought when I turned savage. He fought his superiors to keep me in uniform, even though-" The cat sobs. "Even though I had hurt him, even though I didn't feel like I deserved it. I can't express how important the chief was to me or this city. I think we never knew how lucky we were to have him as our boss. Without him, I, and a lot of other mammals, wouldn't be here today."
He can hear the mammals mumbling agreements around him, and gives them a sad smile.
"The only thing we can do now, is honour his sacrifice. Become the best officers, and the best mammals we can be."
His paw raises in a salute, soon imitated by all the officers around.
- 1 -
The cemetery is slowly emptying of its occupants.
Judy and Nick remain behind, as well as Nadine, Ralph, Reggie and Ben. The wolf approaches the feline and put a paw on his shoulder.
"I think we should go to the reception."
"I don't want to." He sobs. "I'll think I'll stay here for a while."
"Ben-"
"I need to be alone with him."
Ralph sends a helpless glance behind him, and Nadine shakes her head. "Let's go sit on a bench. Give him some time." She signs.
The five mammals move away, Judy keeping her eyes on him as they do so. She sees him collapsing to his knees and takes his face into his paws. Unconsciously, her mind flies toward Nick. In what state would she be if she lost him ? Her paw grabs his and presses it, the tod returning the touch. They've won, and today it doesn't feel like victory.
- Four Years Later -
The buck wipes his face with a damp cloth, before taking a few steps toward the bed in the corner of the only room his place has. Well, only, aside from the small bathroom where he can basically sit on the toilet to take his shower.
Letting himself fall on the rickety junk bed, his paws mechanically roam to his ankle monitor, a thing he constantly keeps hidden from the mammals around him. They don't ask about the scar under his left eye (shank from a BellSec agent convict), his slight limp (tackle by buffalo guard), the three gashes in his left ear (claws of an angry panther), or his weirdly white fur (peroxide to hide the stripes).
Two weeks.
He's been out for two weeks.
Work is easy and mindless. Push stuff. Carry stuff. Pick up stuff. Put it somewhere else. It's boring and uninteresting.
It makes his brain numb.
It makes him want to cap his head.
It makes him want to get back into the slammer.
At least there, he could see her.
They didn't tell him that his parole would put him into a witness protection program. Well… They did. But he thought he'd be able to send a message. He didn't think all his contacts would be monitored, that he wouldn't have much more freedom than when he was living between four walls.
He didn't think she wouldn't be there. He didn't think they'd send him in Podunk, AKA the middle of nowhere.
Every night, as he slumps onto the bed, his eyes search for her on the ceiling's flaky white pain. He looks for her shape, her smile, her eyes.
They won't tell him when the protective custody will end, they don't know.
He fought so hard, played nice. He gave the board everything it asked for, and he got hell in return.
But if he went back, what would she say ? As a fugitive, he'd have nowhere to go. Would she hide him ? Would she help him ? He can't do that to her.
And in prison… Well, she told him to fight for parole. Going back would be a surefire to break his promise.
- 1 -
Jack parks the forklift into its spot. He does it perfectly, to the millimetre. He doesn't want to do it again, for the amusement of his micromanaging moron of a manager.
"Going home, Ron ?" Calls one of his colleague, a weasel he'll probably never remember the name of.
"Yup." The bunny answers, ready to walk home.
"You don't want to come take a beer the boys ?"
He went once. They talked about sport and cars, and all kinds of shit none of them would ever be able to afford. About movies he never saw, and TV programs he could never care about. Their life is so mundane it makes him want to peel off his skin.
"I have stuff to do, but thanks for offering." He smiles.
"Okay. And don't forget about the barbecue on sunday. Jacky promised to make her marinated eggplants !"
The buck is perfectly aware of being eighty percent of the problem. It's not that he can't fit, it's simply that he doesn't want to.
In Zootopia, he was on the wrong side, but retrospectively, his acts amounted to something. Something horrible and wrong, but something all the same.
Here, he might as well not exist.
There's no question about it. He'll snap, eventually.
With a bit of luck, it'll just be running away, go into hid-
A car is following him. It's shitty and old, but not enough to be easy to notice. Dark blue, desperately common.
It would be so easy to lose it, take a sharp turn, run into a narrow alleyway, jump a fence. But he won't do that. Because a plan is forming into his mind. This is a medium sized vehicle. He can't see the driver, or if they have a passenger, without betraying that he spotted them.
So he'll lead them home. With a bit of luck, they are ex-BellSec's. With a bit of luck, they'll try to end him.
If they manage it, well, that's that. If he beats them, then it'll give him grounds to ask for a change of scenery. Maybe push to return to Zootopia… That's exploiting a loophole and he knows it, but he didn't think he'd get desperate that soon without an anchor to his sanity.
But first, he needs to be sure they'll follow him home, and not ambush him before he does. His cover needs to be thoroughly blown.
Reaching his building's steps, he uses the glass as a mirror to look at his follower, but they decide to park a bit farther down the street.
He'll have to make it easier to them. Slowly closing the door behind him, he keeps it from latching. Climbing the stairs, listening in to footsteps, he hears the hinges squeak. So they're in. Light steps echo in the staircase. His feet lead him to his door, and he once again purposefully wait for the mammal tracking him to reach his level before closing it. As soon as he has done so, he rushes to kitchen corner and grabs a large knife. He might be out of practice, but he certainly isn't out of shape.
Someone knocks on the door and he braces himself, his back to the wall.
"Come in."
The door rotates, a paw on the knob. He grabs it, and sends a mammal only a head taller than he is above his shoulder. They fall in front of him, their back turned while he kicks the door shut. The knife he has in his paw flies to their throat and pushes against their windpipe as he locks one of their arms in their back.
"You made a mistake coming here."
"H-hey Jack." Comes a female voice that sends chills down his spine.
The knife clatters to the ground.
"Skye ?"
"Thought you could escape me ?"
He lets go off her, falling back his gaze roaming over her as she rubs her sore arms and gets up.
"H-how ?"
"I have friends that have friends that have friends." She smiles, taking the knife and deftly tossing it in the sink. "I see you haven't lost your edge."
Jack doesn't dare move, for fear that the fox is an apparition. She's as magnificent as always, wearing her overalls with the suspenders hanging down, and a white and fitting tank top. The vixen notices the light tremble in his paws and grabs them.
"Earth to Jack ?"
"You're really here." He says in a hitched voice.
"I am."
"Wha- what are you doing here ?"
"I told you, you can't take you from me."
"I didn't- I'm sorry. I didn't want to leave, but they put me here."
The vixen stares at him, unwavering.
"You told me to fight, and I'm trying… If I break my parole, they'll throw me back to jail ! I couldn't look for you. Not without risking to break my promise."
She lets go of his paws, and puts them to his face, her left thumb looking for the small scar she left him. "You remembered."
"Of course I did." He answers. "How did you find me ?"
"I know mammals that know mammals." She grins.
Then he feels her tail wrap around his ankles and her paws pushing him backwards. Her tank top hits the floor before he does.
- 2 -
Jack is lying on the floor, out of breath. The vixen's has put her head on his chest, and is smiling up at him.
"I think you just broke my witness protection program." He whispers.
"I was discreet."
"There are cameras and microphones. It might even have blown my parole…" He sighs.
Skye's gaze roams around the room. She crawls toward her overalls and pulls an electronic device from one its pocket. "I wouldn't be so sure about this"
"Where did you get that ? How do you even know it works on the hardware installed here ?"
"Mammals that know mammals." Comes her whimsical answer.
"So… What now ?"
"Now ? We're going to have a lot more sex. Then, I haven't chosen yet. It depends on you."
"You can't stay here."
"I know. Can you ?"
The buck shrugs. "I don't have much of a choice." He says, pointing as his ankle monitor.
"I have a car, a full tank of gas, two fake IDs and passports, and pliers that can easily get rid of this thing."
The buck stares at her in disbelief. He wants it. Get up and leave. Be anywhere but here. Anywhere with her. But he has to make things right, and being here, staying here is part of that. And she's here… Maybe she'll visit him again. Maybe this will be something he can hang on to.
Closing his eyes, the buck slowly exhales. "I… Believe me when I say that I've never wanted anything more in my life. But I can't. I need to stay, I need to get through my parole. After that, I'll get back to Zootopia, and help in any way I can. I don't know how, but that's what I'm going to do. What you're offering, it's a happily ever after. It's not something I deserve."
"What about what I deserve ? What about what I want ?"
"I… think you predators deserve a better world. I want to help you get that. I need to. I want to be with you and you deserve someone better than the person I currently am. But… don't know what you want." The buck admits. "You never truly told me."
The vixen give him a long undecipherable stare that makes him increasingly nervous. He told her the truth, and can only hopes she'll accept it.
"Everyone… They're all getting their happily ever after. I want mine too. But you won't take the easy way out, will you ?"
"No. Not if I can help it."
She keep staring at him and he sees her neutral expression break into a smile.
"You didn't have fake IDs and passports in your car." The buck chuckles, with an interrogative glance.
"You'll never know." She grins, giving him a kiss.
Clawhauser stretches his back slowly, his claws etched into a clawing board. With a content sigh, the feline makes his way toward his shower, then his dryer. His fur is poofing a bit, but a quick brushing takes care of it.
The cat looks at himself in the mirror. There's some padding here and there, but overall, he's in pretty great shape, thanks to the routing he borrowed from… He closes his eyes, his lips curling in a sad smile. He owed to Adrian to turn his life around. Sure, he's hunkier than a cheetah ought to be, but there's a lot of muscle mass in here.
"Hey Adrian." He whispers to the picture on the wall of his room, hanging above his medal, showing an old selfie he had taken with the buffalo's consent where he wasn't even scowling.
As he puts on his clothes, his gaze roams to the unconscious and snoring form in his bed, a tiger. His name is Tony or Anthony… He can't really rememember, nor care. Well, it was an interesting night either way. Leaving a small note instructing the sleeping mammal to take a breakfast before leaving, Clawhauser enters the street.
The city is bustling with activity, and very few seem to give him any attention. He salutes the few that he knows, neighbours for most, receiving smiles and waves as an answer.
Then he gets into the ZUG toward the Precinct… Only for it to stall at Aloe Avenue, four kilometers short of his goal.
He could wait it out… Or he could jog his way to work and not risk being late.
"Excuse me. Going through. Sorry for your toes." He says cheerily, before leaving the station. He's a bit frustrated about having to run, as he probably won't have the time to shower at the precinct, but it doesn't really matter. At least he'll change into his uniform, that should limit the dama-
"Thief ! Thief ! He stole my wallet !"
As a reflex, the feline freezes and shows his palms. Being a predator, and running in the street while this kind of accusation is being thrown around can be kind of risky when out of uniform. Scanning the street, he sees an old female sheep trying to chase a springbok that already has enough distance on her that she stands no chance of catching him.
The cheetah instantly switches into chase mode.
"You ! Stop !" He shouts, falling into a sprint.
The prey thief gives him a glance and his eyes widen. Sliding the wallet between his teeth, his falls on all four. Clawhauser groans in frustration. Running on all for is demeaning, and as a predator, he really doesn't like the looks he gets when he does it. And a predator chasing a prey that way never looks good.
Imitating the prey, the feline gives him pursuit. They barrel onto a street, the hoofed mammal hopping on car roofs, while the feline stays low. He can see himself gaining ground, as the springbok suddenly changes course and jumps into an adjacent narrow street.
There's a fence at the end that he clears by a hair, and the cat has to use the walls to make the jump. He misses his target by an inch and rolls to the ground, continuing his chase.
"Thief !" He shouts. "Stop them !"
Seeing the cat almost upon him, the springbok tosses the wallet in the middle of street. Ben knows the prey will out-stamina him in the long run, and he can already feel his lungs burning from the chase. If he keeps pursuing, someone might take the wallet and he might lose his suspect. If he takes the wallet, he can make sure his owner gets it back.
"Yeah, you better run !" He shouts, trying no to look too out of breath as he stops to grab the piece of fake leather, showing his badge to car drivers as they honk at him.
- 1 -
It takes a few minutes for the feline to find his way back to the owner of the wallet. She's talking with a pair of cops he didn't know, a tiger and a bison, as he arrives. They give him suspicious glance as he hands the wallet back.
"Where did you get that, boy ?" Asks the bison as the sheep is thanking him.
"The one that took it from me was an oryx, not a jaguar !" Rebukes the sheep. "This young lad is bringing me back my wallet !"
"Just doing my job." The bison mutters.
"It's alright." Clawhauser tempers, producing his badge. "I'm from Precinct One."
"Oh… Well, alright. Have you gotten a good look at the suspect ?"
"I got close, but they were running. They were a Springbok, though, not an oryx."
"Are you sure ?" Asks the sheep.
"The horns were curve inward, yeah, I'm sure. I'm a cheetah by the way. We're, uh… Supposed to be thinner than jaguars. Anyway, they were wearing jeans and black-T shirt. That's all I got, I couldn't see their face. I'm sorry to cut this short I'm really getting late for work."
The cops exchange a glance. "Alright. But please send us an e-mail with everything you can remember about this pickpocket." States the tiger, giving him a card with his work e-mail address on it. "Mrs, can you finish giving us your deposition ?"
"Of course." She answers, as Clawhauser starts walking away. "Wait, young lad !" She calls after him. He almost corrects her. At 42, her doesn't really feel like a young lad anymore.
"Yes, Mrs ?"
Shuffling through he wallet, she produces a couple of bills. "For your service."
"I couldn't accept."
"I insist."
"And I appreciate, but as a cop, I literally don't have the right to accept your money." He smiles. "If you really want to use it to thank me, donate to a pred-support charity of your choice."
"Well… Then that's what I'll do ! I'm glad to see you aren't all bad !" She smiles, making both him and the tiger officer wince.
"Thanks." He nods, leaving.
'We're not quite there yet, Adrian' He thinks to himself, before breaking into a sprint to make up for lost time.
Judy's paw flies to her phone about a minute before it rings. She knows that compared to Nick's, her schedule is way stricter. It's a habit now, as well as to wake up with one of his arms around her, and slide it off of her.
This day, though, the arm doesn't slide off. It sometimes happens that instead of moving the way she wants to, it wraps around her chest and pulls her into a tight hug.
"Hello there." She hears Nick whispering.
"Hey."
"Going somewhere ?"
"Morning jog." She giggles as he nuzzles her ears.
"Without giving the princess a kiss."
"You're not a princess."
"I can put on a dress."
"Sure. Why don't you go do that while I do my morning routine ?"
Instead of releasing her, Nick wraps a second arm as well as his tail around the bunny. "But it's so cold outside."
"It's spring."
His muzzle ends in his neck, where he leaves a trail of kiss. "Smells like spring alright."
"Niiii-iick !" She squirms. "I'm gonna be late !"
His arms stop pressing her against him, and instead start roaming on her body. "I'm not keeping you."
"Nick !"
"Mh ?"
"You know I'm not going to be able to leave if you keep doing tha-at..."
"That seems to be more your problem than mine."
- 1 -
"Great now I'm late." The doe groans, sharing the shower with the tod.
"I'm up early, it balances it out." Nick chuckles, rinsing her back and kissing the top of her head.
"No it doesn't." She smiles, nudging him with her elbow.
The doe jumps under the fur drier and into her pants, while the fox takes a bit more time to dry his tail. Slipping into her t-shirt, she walks into the living room, coupled to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she takes out a couple of paper bags and checks their content. Nick prepared the snacks and juiceboxes, but she still checks every day. He forgot once and they went one day without it. As a result, the tod beat himself up for three days.
Usually she would do her reps, then wake up the kids. Today, she skips the rep part and enters Robin and Lucy's room.
"Hey kids, rise and shine."
"S'too early." Lucy mumbles, putting her pillow over her head while Robin uselessly tries to hide under his blanket.
"Come on, it's time for breakfast."
Like a pair of little zombies, they follow her to the kitchen where she sets a cereal box, some milk and orange juice. At first, she thought it was eerie how silent breakfast was, but then she realised that contrary to bunnies that tend to be hyper from the get go, fox need time for their brains to kick into gear.
When she judges that the kits are sufficiently woken up and won't just collapse into their bowls (it happened before), she goes back to her room to see Nick still bare chested lying on the bed.
"Lazy fox."
"What, I still have time. Perks of being my own boss."
"There's still a pair of kit you'll have to make sure are dressed up and ready to go. And who will want their good bye kisses." She smiles, strapping her phone to her arm.
"Can I get one now ?" He grins, getting up.
Without answering, she puts herself on the tip of her toes to give him a quick peck on the lips. "Greedy fox."
"Clever bunny."
Judy exits the apartment for her run toward Precinct One. She's a bit frustrated about the fact that she won't have the time to do her full routine, or that she's going to have to take a second shower, but that 'late morning' with Nick still put her in a great mood. On her way, she stops at a bakery to buy a pair of doughnuts, one plain, one with strawberry filling.
Reaching the Precinct, she directs herself toward the locker room, not without greeting the deer behind the front desk.
"Hey Nadine !" She greets, smiling at the tiger. "How was your day off." She finishes, signing instead.
"Great. Me and Ralph went out. Found a great diner in tundratown after our date at Wilde Times." The tiger answers the same way. "How was work yesterday ?"
"We didn't do any arrest, so it was kind of boring."
"Boring is good in our line of job." Smile the feline.
The two female make their way into the bullpen, where a lot of their colleagues are already assembled. The feline high fives Grizzoli as a greeting and fist-bumps Higgins as she passes near him. She goes to sit near Ralph, and casually puts her paw on his thigh, that he goes to grab under the table.
The doe sits at her own table, on the first rank looking around to see that her partner hasn't arrived yet.
Heavy lumbering steps shake the floor and the hippo officer shouts "Atten-hut !". The other officers start rhythmically banging their fist on the tables, Judy joining in with little effect. Francine enters the room, wearing the long-sleeved chief uniform. There are much sequels to the wounds she sustained four years ago, but there are still a few holes in her ears, some of which have been since then adorned with earrings.
"Sit down, kids !" Shouts the pachyderm. " I have an announcement to make before assigning you your work. My interim as the chief of Precinct One is coming to an end today, which means that a new official and more permanent chief will appointed in the form of… Me !" She grins, as her officers hoot and shout in congratulations. "Now, for the cases. Delgato, Higgins, there has been some new element in the Savannah Central catnip case. Get to forensic for more details. Grizzoli, Snarlov, Precinct Three has requested your expertise on a jet fuel trafficking ring. Fangmeyer, Wolford, I you still have your last cases' paperwork to process. I want it on my desk before the end of the day." A low whine escapes Ralph's throat, which makes other officers chuckle. His frown turns into a smile when Nadine nudges him and covertly signs something to him.
"Judy- Where's your partner ?" Francine asks.
"Sorry, he hasn't arrived yet."
"Well, I have reports on a group speciest prey that is acting out near Happytown. Walls have been tagged and a few predators verbally and physically assaulted. Go investigate."
"Yes Ma'am." The doe salutes before taking the file her boss hands her and leaving the room. On her way to the cruiser, she shoots a text to her partner to let him now where she'll be waiting for him.
- 2 -
The moment she opens the door of the cruiser, a blur of black spotted blond fur stops next to her.
"Hey, Judy !" Clawhauser pants.
"Lieutenant Clawhauser, you're a bit late." She says, entering the cruiser giving him a fake cold shoulder.
"I know. I apologise Sergeant Hopps." He smiles and salutes, before using the door on the opposite side.
"What happened ? Is everything alright ?"
"Oh, yeah, that was nothing. The ZUG got stuck at Aloe Avenue, and there were too many mammals waiting for the bus. I had to run."
"That's… About four kilometres. How did you get that late ?" She asks, knowing he could make it almost as quick as the transport carrying him, taking into account the red lights and mammals in the street.
"I had to chase down a springbok pickpocket. Couldn't even catch them, they threw the wallet onto the street and it was more important to bring it back to its owner than to catch them. That was a whole thing…"
"That sucks."
"Well, the sheep got his wallet back, he even tried to give me a tip until I told her I was a cop, so it wasn't that horrible." He smiles. "Anyway, do we have something interesting to work on today ?"
"Yup. Look for yourself."
The cat takes the file and sifts through it. "Mhm… Interesting. How do you recommend we proceed."
"I say, we get there, and start asking around. Maybe do a stake out if it goes nowhere."
"That seems like a good start."
As the feline puts on his seatbelt, the doe places the box of doughnut onto his laps. "Did you take your breakfast ?"
"Maybe." He answers with a slightly guilty expression, before taking the strawberry filled pastry and starting to nibble on it. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She smiles, starting the cruiser. "Ready to make the world a better place, Lieutenant ?"
"Hit it, Sarge."
The fennec fox is crawling through the tall grass. He's sniffing the ground, and suddenly stops, lifting a paw signal his followers to imitate him.
"Y'all smell 'dis ?" He asks.
"Yes !" Answers a small female otter, before putting her paws to her mouth. "I mean, yes !" She whispers again.
"Okay, who can give me an approximate distance ?"
"Four meters away. Behind the big bush." Answers a kid fox in a low tone.
"Right. Marc, yer doin' the pouncin'."
A weasel kit detaches himself from the ground with a shy expression and places himself next to Finnick.
"Y'all cut the escapes, we're goin' in."
As they crawl forward, they climb the rock to see a small rat below. His back is turned, and he seems to be nibbling on something.
"Whenever yer ready." Whispers Finnick.
The weasel leaps forward and grabs the rat, missing his neck and biting on a limb instead.
"I 'ot 'im !" He shouts, his fangs piercing the plush's fake skin.
"Good job kid." The fennec smiles. "You did good. Okay, next we're doing a bunny chase. Get back to the safezone, I'll be with ya in a minute."
Leaving the kids to their own device, he can hears the one that pounced boasting to his friends. "See how far I lept ? That rat didn't stand a chance."
"He was just a plush, you know ?" Jokes another.
"You're the plush !"
"No fighting !" Finnick shouts above his shoulder, before entering the small locker room. "Kids..."
Opening the locker, he takes out the disguise and starts undressing himself.
"Ooooh, nice butt." Comes a voice in his earpiece.
"Heya, Honey. Need sum'thin."
"Just letting you know that you have a nice butt." She grins.
"Wha- Is there a camera in this locker room ?" He reacts, looking right and left. "Honey, that's illegal !"
"Made you look."
The vulpine barks a laugh. "How did you know I was undressing."
"I was listening in."
Shaking his head, he finishes slipping into the bunny costume. "Ya know yer borderin' on creepy, right ?"
"Ah… I thought it turned you on."
"Never said it didn't, but that costume is pretty tight, and I'm workin' wid kids..." He trails of, leaving the locker room.
"Alright. Just so you know, you need to bring this bunny suit home tonight."
"You're really fucked in the head, ya know 'dat right ?"
"It pairs up nice with being fucked in the butt."
With a snort, the fennec fox goes back to the small crowd of kids waiting for him. "Alright guys, this is bunny scent." He declares taking out a spray bottle. "Everyone takes a whiff, so you know what you'll be sniffing for !"
- 1 -
From a few paces away from the Hunting Grounds, Nick observes Finnick going through his routine, with a smile on his face. Getting Finnick to wear that suit was an uphill battle, but the fennec fox seems to be having fun now.
Taking his phone out, the tod checks the time. He still has a few minutes to spare, and he needs to clear his head.
His paws in his pockets, he continues his tour of his amusement park. He arrives to the mauling area where a lion just goes at it on a contraption made of a wooden pole covered in multiple layers of thick clothes, hanging by a large rope. The feline pounce with a snarl, all claws out and rips into the thing, torn pieces of fabric falling down as he rolls to the ground and pounces for a second assault.
A few more leaps and the large cat straightens up, to get his water bottle.
"Having fun ?" The fox asks.
"It's brilliant. Lashing out like that... That's… Cathartic. Thanks Mr Wilde."
"Glad to see it working."
The feline continues to gulp down his water while the tod continues his tour. He arrives near what looks like a sas, and grabs a thick vest hanging near an entrance with a sign 'Arctic Caverns' over it. His breath creates little clouds in that next area. He was able to put his paws on the Tundratown wall blueprint, to recreate the microclimate. Of course, a simple refrigerating system could have done the trick, but they needed a way to reduce cost and now the heat evacuated from this part of the park is used warm up the rest of the place.
- 2 -
Half of the arctic part of the park is a large pool, with fake icebergs and salty water. He couldn't get the right to put live penguins, but to be quite honest, he wasn't truly sure it was a good idea to involve wildlife… At least not wildlife intended to be kept alive.
There are fishes in the water and he sees polar bears regularly diving down to get them. All of them are wearing bathing suits, as he didn't want to make it a naturist only place, not that he has anything against it, simply, he wants it to be open to most people.
"Hey Kevin." Nick greets, looking down on an ursid floating on his back. "Is the water good ?"
"A bit too warm." The bear answers.
"You here on your own ?"
As soon as the question finishes leaving his lips, another bear emerges with a fish in his mouth.
"A' 'ot o'e !" In two snap of his jaw, the fish disappears. "Hey, uncle Nick !"
"Hey, Morris. I didn't know you weren't working today."
"Well… I, uh… Am checking the pumping system." He answers sheepishly.
The tod lifts a brow. "That's security's job now ?"
"Erh..." His snout disappears in the water, bubble breaking the surface.
"I'm gonna go that way, and pretend I didn't see you. Don't let your boss catch you slacking off."
As he turns around, he can hear the sound of splashing as his godson rushes out to get back to his post. He's not mad at the kid and he's glad to see him do that kind of stuff. He was too serious of a child after putting on the collar. At least he still knows when he screws up.
With a last look to his phone, Nick leaves the Arctic Caverns.
"So, is everything ready, Honey ?" He quickly texts.
"Perfectly. They're all waiting for you like eager kitties."
"Let's go then."
- 3 -
"I'm currently standing in front of Wilde Times, the amusement park that was created, closed, and then reopened by Nicholas Piberius Wilde, one of the mammals without whom the Nighthowler Conpiracy might never have come to light." Declares Fabienne, looking toward the camera. "As most know, Mr Wilde has now become one of the most prominent and respected public figures of this city. Going from unknown fox, to suspect in one of the most notorious crime the city had known at the time, and then to prison, his name later got cleared and his record erased for his good deeds toward the city. Mr Wilde has recently informed the city's news outlets of important declarations concerning his and Wilde Times' future, and we're all- Oh, sorry to cut this short, but Mr Wilde has arrived !"
Pushing the doors, Nick finds himself in front of a small group of journalists. He recognises one of them as the new anchor for ZNN, a snow leopard with a blue suit. "Hello everyone. Mrs Growley. Hello everyone else that I don't know."
"Hello Mr Wilde." She answers from the front of crowd
"I hope I haven't made you all wait for too long."
"Do you mean, for the last few months, or just now ?" Asks a tiger reporter.
"I'll take that as a no, then." Nick snorts, straightening his tie. "In any case, I thank you all of coming. I suppose you all want to know the reason of the recent construction work Wilde Times went through."
Several heads nod.
"Well, it is now time that I told you one of the two reasons I gathered you all today. From this day on, Wilde Times will have attractions catering to prey."
His sentence is followed by surprised exclamations, a few reporters already raising their paws and hooves to ask him questions.
"Might as well start now… You, the armadillo."
"Do you mean that the park will now be open to prey too ?"
The tod raises a brow. "It was always opened to prey."
"It was ?"
"Uh, yeah. There just wasn't anything for them before. Now there is, from attractions to food and drinks. Another question from the buffalo, here."
"Don't you think some of those attractions might be seen as… Unsavory ? Or stereotyping ?"
"No more than the predator ones are." Nick shrugs. "I've been working with the best amongst prey behaviourist to offer different experiences that will speak to their instincts. Of course, I couldn't have any attractions if I didn't count on generalised traits among members of the prey and predator population. For instance, there are chasing attractions for felines, or lawns for burrowers to dig into. I personally like to pounce on stuff. I don't particularly enjoy to be made fun of for it, but it's not what this place is used for."
"You already have detractors saying that you're using predators primal instincts against them to make money. What would you say if some started saying the same for prey."
Nick marks a pause, looking for the proper answer. "I'll admit that the first version of my park was partly that. I cared more about making good bucks than truly respecting my clients. Of course, there was the whole anti-establishment subtext, but, well… I was a different mammal. Yes, Mrs Growley ?"
"What you're saying, is that there's more to it than just being an amusement park."
Nick's smile disappears a bit, turning into a reflective expression. "I'm glad you asked this question. Picture… Picture, if you will, the society we had four years ago. The collars had just been put down, and the city was in a rather chaotic state. Suddenly, thousands of predators got back what had been taken from them since their childhood. The right to feel the whole range of emotion to its full power. It was different for a lot of people. I remember being happy, being sad, and being angry. Really angry. All the things that I lived daily as a member of a minority was now more painful, more raw, simply because I didn't need to stop it from getting to me, and there was nothing to punish me for not doing so. And thousands of mammals lived the same thing. Some found outlets, some didn't. Generally speaking, we had no support other than ourselves to get through this new life. Neither the city nore our fellow mammals were prepared."
The tod takes a pause to take his breath, glad to see the reporters are eagerly waiting for more.
"I rebuilt Wilde Times, because I wished I had something like it to help me cope. And if I wanted that, I guessed others did too. I worked with psychologists to offer the best and safest experience I could. We offered support sessions for those who wanted to share, and counsel for those who needed it. What I created wasn't an amusement park anymore, it was a whole ecosystem aimed at helping predators transition into the new society we were building. It still is. But now, prey may properly benefit from it as well."
"That's… Quite noble."
"I'm still making big bucks out of it." The fox grins. "Just because I've gone legit doesn't mean I stopped being a fox."
The crowd emits a few nervous chuckles, not knowing how to react to the self deprecating and stereotyping work. The tod almost wants to groan, they still have long way to go if just that makes them nervous.
"What about those that would say you're pandering to a new audience ?"
The tod shrugs. "They can believe what they want. I'm trying my best to make the world a better place my own way, and it's all that truly matters to me. Any other questions ?"
A woodchuck raises his paws, and Nick points at him.
"I have one. It concerns officer Hopps."
"Maybe it's her you should ask then."
Ignoring the comment, the prey keeps pushing. "Is it true that you two are…"
"We're very good friends." Nick cuts.
Dismay appear on a few faces, but there's also relief here and there.
"Whoever is dating her is a very lucky male." He adds with a shrug. "He better make her happy."
"So she's dating someone."
"It's her business, and only hers." The tod says in a tone that conveys that the topic is closed. "Any other question about the park ? No ? Then, I guess it's time to move on to the next topic. Politics. As you all know, Swinton and Lionheart's term will soon be coming to a close."
A few nods are coming from the audience.
"Which means that new elections will come. And new candidates as well. I will be one of those candidates. I hereby declare my intention to run for Mayor in the next elections."
His declaration is followed by a stunned silence.
"Now, do any of you have question ?"
The End
First, I want to thank you all for reading, and give special thanks to the ones that left reviews or comments. I've started working on this the July of last year (2018), so this thing is about one year in the making and it's about 234 000 word long.
As a bonus, and because I want to, here's a detail of the songs I used as titles and why I chose them.
1. Big Bright World – Garbage
Kind of a 'come together' song for the band. I thought the title was fitting to that chapter as I was introducing the world to the reader.
2. Wheels in Motion – Grendel
This time, it's both the name of the song and the lyrics (though simplistic) that affected my choice. It showed both the life of the characters, and set the ball rolling for what would happen next.
3. Somewhere I Belong – Linkin Park
The title is quit literal. It's the first Judy feels like she belongs with her colleagues.
4. Attack – System Of A Down
The song is about war, technocracy, the use of human lives to wage war in the name of a failing system's propaganda.
Note : I changed the name as I had been wrong in how the previous one was written, and didn't fit this chapter anymore.
5. Eat me, Drink Me – Marilyn Manson
This was an unsubtle 'down the rabbit hole' joke.
6. Supervixen – Garbage
This song was the right one for this chapter on so many levels.
And I love Garbage.
7. At a Glance – Message to Bears
Judy's first glance upon the case. Yeah, I was uninspired.
8. Come a Little Closer – Cage the Elephant
Come a little closer, then you'll see
Come on, come on, come on
Things aren't always what they seem to be...
9. Do I Wanna Know – Arctic Monkeys
The title pretty much reflects chief Bogo's mindset at that chapter. The song, not so much.
10. Breaking the Habit – Linkin Park
I like Linkin Park. That song really illustrates Jack's inner turmoil.
11. Can't Change the Beat – Combichrist
Judy and Ralph are on the beat. Ralph doesn't trust Nick, despite Judy's claim he's more than he appears. As I said, I'm not always inspired.
12. Video Stalker – Mega Drive
I wanted some synthwave to support that chapter. Plus there are videos involved. Thus, Video Stalker.
13. Asylum For The Feeling – Silent Poets
There was an asylum. This song is really good. I didn't have more inspiration than that.
14. Shot In The Back Of The Head – Moby
The song stuck to my mind, and it was perfect to illustrate that chapter, especially the part where Nick realises that him and Koslov aren't as close as they used to be.
15. Nightcall – Kavinsky
This song is embued with mystery and darkness, where the characters are threading with their discoveries. Plus, it's night, and there was a phonecall.
I call it a homerun.
16. Right Before My Eyes – Cage the Elephant
Right before my eyes, I saw the whole world lose control…
Bogo's vision of the world collapses. This one is pretty self explanatory.
Big fan of that band.
17. Circles – Apulanta
Pretty depressing song, that I like a lot. Depicts a life devoid of meaning, where one would just keep on living in a numb state.
Clawhauser deserves more hugs, okay ?
18. Will You Tell Me Then – Faunts
Will you tell me then, what's wrong in our life...
A lot is left unsaid in this chapter. Nick to Judy, Bogo to Ben.
19. Girl Talk – Garbage feat. Brodie Dalle
Pretty powerful song.
It has a double meaning. The title goes well with Judy and Dawn's discussion, but the lyrics are more about Jack, in a sense. You should check it out.
20. Cigarette Daydreams – Cage the Elephant
I was listening to that band. Again. I didn't have inspiration. Again.
This was more of a transition chapter, and the song feels like one too. The lyrics kind of apply to Nadine and Ralph but it wasn't the goal.
21. Art Of Doubt – Metric
Another of my favourite groups with Garbage and Cage the Elephant.
The singer talks to someone they don't understand, and that someone don't understand themselves either. At least that's my interpretation.
22. Break Syndical – Les Cowboys Fringants
I think it's the only french speaking band I used (they're from Quebec). That song is a break in the middle of the album. It's only instrumental, whereas all their other songs have lyrics with important meaning (either political or sentimental). It's chill, with a prominent use of violin. A nice respite in the middle of the story.
23. Obstacles – Syd Matters
This song is about obstacles and reminiscing.
24. Drive You Home – Garbage
Did I tell you that Garbage is one of my favourite bands ? I listen to them a lot when I write.
That song is literally used in this chapter. It perfectly crystallised Nick's psyche at that point, it would have been a crime not to use it.
25. Daylight Goodbye – Message to Bears
This is the easy mode of Post-Rock. Nick goes to meet with his family, not knowing how much of a good bye it is.
Pretty sad in retrospect.
26. Chemicals and Circuitry – Grendel
There's so much in that song that applies to those two chapters… The psychological violence, the confrontation between Judy, Nick and Dawn. The clash of ideas.
The city, it loves you, coursing, rising
With that light from within that races straight to your brain, yeah
The city, it loves you, coursing, rising
As we're here, in the now, and pushing forwards to mayhem
27. Rampage – Kavinsky
From the album outrun. I'm not sure any song could have fit any better with the car chase.
28. Broken Boy – Cage the Elephant
The title, the lyrics…
Damn, I wasn't kind to Clawhauser in that fic.
29. Losing My Religion – R.E.M
I waited for so long to use that title. But man, didn't it apply to anyone more than to Jack.
30. Monster Hospital – Metric
There was a hospital, and Bellwether inside it at some point. Yup, still not inspired.
31. And Away We Go – Michael McCann
Song from the Deus Ex Human Revolution OST.
This is when the plan to take down BellSec and Ramses Lab started.
32. Uprising – Muse
They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious...
33. Breaching the Veil – Ed Harrison
Song from the Deus Ex Mankind Divided OST.
There are a few things that got torn down in this chapter. Yeah, it's a pretty literal title.
34. Ready To Let Go – Cage The Elephant
Yeah, I used a break up song to title a chapter about coming together.
The song also references Pompeii as the symbol of the 'end of an era' which a found fitting in the context of the story.
35. Battle for the Future – Sascha Dikiciyan
Song from the Deus Ex Mankind Divided OST.
I think the title is self explanatory.
Epilogue. M4 – Faunts
This is the song used as the ending in Mass Effect, and I think the lyrics fit this epilogue. So here you go.
List of the Guest Characters
- Reginald C. Weaselton : Second small mammal ZPD officer.
- Mary A. Weaselton : Barely gets mentioned. Sorry to her.
- Richard 'Mad Rick' Weaselton : Father of Reginald and Mary. Dead.
- Duchess Weaselton : Aunt to Reginal and Mary, sister to Duke and Richard. I didn't mention her much in the story either. Sorry to her too.
All were borrowed from Confused Goatee with his blessing. I hope I did them justice enough.
They appear in his Hard Knock City series. Go check it out.
"Important" OCs that appear in other of my works (because I get to stroke my own ego, okay ?) :
- Wight Blackfur : Female panda, chief of Precinct 5. The only thing up to par with her sense of duty is her tragic past. She's caring, and has a knack for reading mammals. Her main wish is that no one goes through what she did, and if they do, to bring them the support they need.
She appears in the Weight of the Years (only mentionned in a veiled way), Ytodd's One Off's (as Gideon's psychologist), and a Better Place as Sergeant Wight Blackfur.
- Herbert 'Grunt' Growlsky : Appears in The Weight of the Year. Not really an OC as he's inspired by Nick's room mate from the original script. Kind of grumpy, protective of his allies, secretive. Tenuous links to the mob
- Lucy : Nick's kit. She's a red fox, quite clever, loves to be up to mischief with her brother (and sister in a Better Place), but has a sense of right and wrong.
Lastly, I want to thank you all for reading my stuff, and thanks twice over those that took the time lo leave a review/comment (depending on the platform).
Special thanks to Confused Goatee for lending his OCs and writing the short story Savage Watch.
And of course, if you leave a last comment on this chapter, I'll be sure to give you a proper answer through PM.
With that said
The End (for realsies this time)