Chapter 53: Capitulation
Nick stood in a room surrounded by everyone as he recounted his experiences in Bunnyburrow and everything he witnessed. Most of which were already known since he wore a camera that recorded his every move.
"How do you wish to change Bunnyburrow?" Mr. Big asked.
"Change?" Nick replied.
"The world at large won't stand for this once it's revealed. What should happen to them all?"
Nick smiled guiltily. "Can I don't know, be an acceptable response? I didn't have enough time to think about this."
"The leaders cannot remain in power," Judy said. "This goes for the leaders of families, like my parents. How Stu treated you is inexcusable."
"Shouldn't we leave it up to the experts like Lionheart and Chief Bogo?" Nick asked, wanting to leave the terms to someone else.
"I do not trust them to offer the best terms possible," Mr. Big said. "Your mates are rabbits and you should trust them. We will be writing a treaty before giving it to the government to present it. All of you are to write an initial draft of a treaty. You have one day to do this."
"I don't suppose we can change the Zootopia legal system too?" Blair asked.
Nick remembered Zack's words about his father. He never knew what happened to his father and if his father was in Bunnyburrow. He had to check with Bogo to be sure. It slipped his mind until now since he was under so much stress.
"I'm sure the chief will be receptive to our demands," Mr. Big said.
"We'll start working on this right away," Janna said.
"Mom, please take care of everyone else," Nick said as Janna dragged him away to their room with her siblings following close behind.
"This is how it's going to work: I'm going to type up the treaty while you make up for lost time with Judy. Jewel, you're going to help me as part of your punishment."
"It's been forever since we were together. We should all take a moment to relax even though there are more pressing concerns," Nick said. "All four of you are my mates."
"Including Jewel after the way she acted?"
"Even her," Nick said. He was ashamed of his attraction to Jewel. It was true that her actions were horrendous, but he still loved her.
Janna sighed. "Fine, we'll all relax then. You were on record about disciplining Jewel and since you're back in Zootopia you will follow through on it. I will permit her to cuddle with us this once."
"Who made you the leader of this relationship?" Nick asked.
"Do you really want Jewel to easily lapse into what she enjoys at every opportunity? You know she would. She knows she would. I would like her to change."
"You're right," he agreed.
He laid on the bed waiting for his mates to join him, but they insisted he take his clothing off. It was the first time he took his collar camera off since he received it from Mr. Big. It felt liberating.
Jill took off her collar camera for the first time since Josh gave it to her. She threw it on the ground. She stomped it until little more than fragments remained. Nick didn't realize she was capable of acting so aggressively.
They stripped themselves in short order before joining him. They wasted no time in marking his body with their scent. He relished at the sensations as it had been multiple days since they were together.
"Nick, it's good to have you back. I thought I lost you forever," Judy said. "I took my rage out on my species. Chief Bogo forced me to take a break."
"Why did you go back to work anyway? It seemed kind of sudden," Nick asked.
"Well, I investigated Wolfheart for you. He won't be harming Tabatha anymore. I knew what you wanted, without you saying it."
"Is Tabatha okay?"
"She'll live." Judy continued rubbing her chin across his back.
Nick closed his eyes for a moment. Jill pulled him into a surprise kiss. She smiled. "I'm not as shy as before. I will be the first to bear your kits don't forget."
"Nick, will you be giving me over to Janna?" Jewel asked.
He stared at the beautiful black rabbit with mesmerizing red eyes. "What do you want?"
"I'm happy you're not leaving me to rot at a facility, but I want you to personally make me change."
"How can I do that? Actually, what are you going to do, Janna?"
"She's going to help me write the terms," Janna said. She addressed Jewel directly, "There's going to be no use trying to act normal because I know who you are. You won't be allowed any more quality time with him until you've earned it."
"I can act normal, I can tell the truth. I can help," Jewel pleaded.
"Acting won't be good enough. You have to change."
"What if I can't?"
"We'll talk about it then."
"So, you reform her and I do nothing, is that it?" Nick asked.
"Not at all. My plans will involve you from time to time. I know she looks better than the rest of us and you're attracted to her because of that reason despite her despicable behaviors. We will punish you if you reward her when she hasn't earned it."
"Me?" Nick stared at Janna.
"Of course, unless if you don't truly care for her as a mammal, you're going to need to help her improve beyond just giving into her desires and yours. We are all your mates." Janna rubbed her chin against his face. "I spent nearly every moment watching your collar camera in case something went wrong. I was ready to give advice if you ever needed it, wishing you'd call during some occasions. I expect my mate to keep to his word."
"You're right," Nick said. "You know my new condition then?"
"Of course, you need blood. Judy will give you blood today to eat. We will be following Jewel's recommendation of weaning you off blood. If it isn't enough you can starve."
He looked to Judy for mercy. "That sounds reasonable," Judy replied. She dashed his hopes of a reprieve. "We care for you, Nick, and it's time we start taking responsibility for Jewel too."
They spent a good hour cuddling together. Nick paid more attention to Jewel than the rest because he wasn't going to have the opportunity to do the same again for quite some time. His mates accepted his temporary bias while making it clear they expect him to follow through on their plans.
Janna left with Jewel while Judy and Jill remained by his side.
"Nick, I'm worried," Judy said. "What will happen when we reveal everything about Bunnyburrow to the world?"
"Even I don't know," Nick replied.
Soon enough, it was dinner time. Judy made a few preparations before coming to get him. "That's it?" He glanced at the pitiful amount of blood in front of him.
"That's not going to be a problem, is it?" Judy asked.
"There's no way I'm going to be full," Nick whined.
"Too bad," Judy said. "You'll survive."
"Do you think this is fair?" He turned to Jill.
"I approve," Jill said.
"Mom, what do you think?"
"I approve, for now," Vivian said. "This won't be like before. Jewel put you through much worse during that week. You may suffer as they attempt this, but you'll be safe. At least, it's for a good cause."
"Where is Clover?" he asked.
"Janna wanted Clover to work on the treaty."
"Are they going to be safe?"
"They'll be fine, trust in them."
Nick had a less than satisfactory meal given the minimal amount of blood Judy gave. He groomed part of her chest before the taste of food became unpalatable due to lack of blood. "More please?" He begged, only for everyone to deny him.
He wanted to check on Jewel and Janna because Clover was with them. Vivian outright denied his request with the aid of polar bear guards that would enforce it. "Why?" he asked.
"You don't have to do everything by yourself. Trust in others again. You're not in Bunnyburrow anymore," she replied. She nuzzled her son. "It's going to be okay."
"Can I do anything to help?" Nick asked.
"Relax, you'll have more to do soon."
Nick watched television with Judy and Jill by his side to pass the time. Janna and Jewel who had Clover on a leash and wearing a collar came to find him. Janna held a piece of paper. "These will be the terms."
"Are you joking?" Nick asked. It didn't take long to read because there were only a few lines:
Bunnyburrow is henceforth exempt from having mating customs supersede common law.
1. All heads of households will face criminal charges for actions they aided and abetted.
2. All employees of the industry will face criminal charges under Zootopia law.
3. All barbaric traditions must cease, and anyone suffering under these must be set free.
4. We will conduct inspections to ensure terms are followed.
"Is there a problem?" Janna asked. "Oh, and Jewel won't have any physical contact with you for five days. She shocked Clover five times."
"Isn't this a bit brief?" he asked.
"Would you prefer a hundred-page document? These are the very basic demands that Bunnyburrow must accept."
He imagined a huge legal document with tons of clauses and loopholes instead it was brief and extremely simple. "What happens if they don't accept?"
"Military action. Zootopia needs to be fine with these terms too, as any more will likely lead to conflict. Can you think of something essential that needs to be added?"
"What happens if Zootopia doesn't like these terms?"
"Well, they're free to write their own, but I think that steers the path towards conflict. It's the best shot we have at maintaining peace. Do you think you can improve them?"
Nick felt so far out of his field he had no suggestions.
The next morning, they learned that the mayor intended to inflame the public by releasing a video created from the provocative footage Nick obtained.
Nick saw the clip that made his stomach turn of how much brutality it contained. It was quite informative despite how bloody it was. It went in-depth about why Bunnyburrow acted this way while urging citizens to give bunnies within Zootopia another chance. With a heavy heart, Nick approved the video's release setting everything into motion.
The mayor issued an ultimatum with a one-day deadline for compliance with consequences of military action if they didn't comply.
Nick watched the news as he had played his part. The populace itself attacked any bunny they could get their paws on. After several instances, the city deployed the ZPD giving them personal escorts wherever they went. It was absolute chaos while Bunnyburrow itself remained silent.
"Are we just going to watch the news all day?" Judy asked.
"What can we do?" Nick said. Vivian forbade them from leaving the mansion for their own security. They were effectively under house arrest.
Jewel sat away from the four of them as her siblings demanded. "You're all really going to keep this up for five days?" she said.
"If you didn't want this to happen, you shouldn't have shocked Clover," Janna said.
"But she was annoying!" Jewel whined.
"And my instructions were clear. You weren't in any danger, yet you used the remote after I instructed you not to. Now, your punishment is no physical contact with Nick for five days." The white rabbit stared at her black sibling. "Nick, if you defy us, your life will be unpleasant."
A few hours later, Finnick barged into Mr. Big's mansion breaking the tedium. "Where is he?" he shouted.
Nick confronted his furious friend. "Hello, son," he said.
Finnick marched up to him. "Do you know how tight my security was? They even tasted my food so I didn't get poisoned. I had to live under protection with barely any freedom. You had the nerve to return to Zootopia without telling me, and they kept it hidden from me."
"Be reasonable?" he said.
"You will suffer for this."
He hugged Finnick instead. "I'm so glad you're alive."
"Get off me!" Finnick grumbled before joining them on the couch.
The world was changing around them while they were under house arrest. Every meal Nick ate today left him unfulfilled with pangs of hunger. His mates were sympathetic but unbending to his need to eat more food. He didn't want to hurt them despite how hungry he felt. They cared for him and he understood.
They watched television again the next day as they had little else to do. Nick couldn't believe what he saw. Bunnyburrow agreed to the terms of surrender as many bunnies lined up waiting to greet the army unarmed. He saw Bonnie there while he didn't recognize anyone else. He assumed they were the heads of households or members of the industry. There were tons of dead rabbits behind the unarmed rabbits as if a battle took place. Several buildings were in ruin if not in contained fires.
"We accept these terms of surrender," Bonnie said. "A new system must take place of the old. We would like to play a part in its creation."
"What happened here?" the soldier asked.
"We disposed of our less reasonable kin. I accept responsibility for my family's part. I expect Zootopia to honor the terms offered."
A/N: I didn't want to turn this into an all-out war.
