Chapter 55: A New Wilde Cult


Nick felt the unexpected tongues of his mates as they groomed his face. "I'm up," he said.

They weren't in any rush to resume his punishment for giving into Jewel's desires.

"This is unfair," Jewel said. "You all shouldn't be doing this." She herself kept the distance.

It wasn't ideal, but he didn't want to let such a secret linger until his punishment was up. "I have something to tell you all," he said as he looked at the faces of his adorable mates. "What Zack said was true, Jewel did kill my father."

"Explain," Judy said in a serious tone.

He elaborated what happened, while Jewel herself contributed a few morbid details. "Do you want me to leave?" Jewel said. "Forever."

"I don't know."

"I will do whatever you want."

"I don't know why, but I want you," Nick said, after a few moments, he added, "Still."

Jewel took the opportunity to cozy up to Nick despite the consequences from their earlier agreements. "I feel I'm indebted to you."

To the credit of the rest of his mates, they didn't stop Jewel from embracing Nick. Janna sighed. "I can't keep my own promise. Am I a failure?"

An uncomfortable silence followed. "I don't think so," Jill said.

"We need something more reasonable, and less drastic," Judy said.

"A system of rewards for me being good?" Jewel bashfully suggested.

"What if you're not?" Janna voiced.

"It's up for Nick to decide. We are his mates after all."

Nick embraced all four rabbits. "Promise me you won't willingly go back to your psychopathic behaviors. I feel it's wrong to love you, Jewel, but I don't care."

"I promise," Jewel said. She took advantage of the allowed physical contact with Nick. She wasted no time claiming him as his own with her scent.

Nick said aloud, "Am I really that weak?"

"Does it matter if you are?" Judy said.

They supported Nick as mates throughout the rest of the day instead of cold indifference for a punishment. Much to his surprise, they didn't resume the cold indifference the next day either.


It took a week before Zootopia allowed them to be free. Bunnyburrow's cumulative deaths were around twenty million, but it's been a few days without any Zootopian soldiers dying. They used their newfound freedom to visit Bonnie Hopps who resided in a maximum-security prison.

They walked past the halls surrounded by inmates behind bars for various reasons, towards the solitary confinement block. They saw Bonnie Hopps kept in a small room with books to read and paper to write with. It wasn't particularly bad which contrasted the rest of the facility.

"Mom," Judy said.

"Why are you here?" Bonnie asked. "I expected to live out my life in complete solitude without contact from anyone."

"What happened?" Nick asked.

"The entertainment industry persuaded Stu and most of the family to turn against you when you returned. You unexpectedly took flight. Zootopia threatened military action if we didn't comply with your ultimatum. I ordered the cleansing of the family in preparation of Bunnyburrow's surrender as did most family leaders. Self-preservation of our species was all I cared about."

"What happened to father?" Jill asked.

"I killed him," she replied with remorse. "We couldn't afford a war, we'd be wiped out. We as a collective killed our less than reasonable kin. If a war happened, we wouldn't survive. We also disposed of our unsavory clients and damaged tools. The predators, ones like you, Nick, presented too much of a risk to live in the new world. It's better off for everyone if they died."

"I don't suppose you have details?" Jewel asked while slightly salivating.

"That's going to remove a point," Nick said. They started an experiment giving Jewel points and once she accumulated enough, she could cash them out for rewards, most of them being intimate moments with Nick. They weren't going to treat her poorly for her infractions anymore. They planned to deny her certain guilty pleasures.

"Can I leave?" Jewel asked. Her ears pointed downwards after realizing her mistake.

Her siblings awaited Nick's response instead of passing judgment. "Stay," he replied. "She is your mother after all."

"And a reminder that I failed at parenting," Bonnie said. "What system does Bunnyburrow use now for courtship?"

"I don't know," Nick replied.

"It's your responsibility. Absolute freedom cannot be the answer."

They left the prison shortly after. Upon returning to Mr. Big's mansion, two kits tackled Nick. "Where have you been?" they asked.

"Busy?" He smiled guiltily.

"Alex, Leila, how are you?" Jill said.

She saved him by giving him their names. He felt like it was something he should know by now but never bothered to ask. "Vivian wants to see you," Leila said.

Alex clung to his tail like he had back when they were in the mansion. He felt Judy also cling to his tail. "Don't you start too," Nick said.

Their movements slowed down significantly because of the rabbits hugging his tail. Slowly but surely, they made their way to Vivian who was currently talking to the fifteen does.

"How did it go?" Vivian asked.

"She asked what we would replace the old system with," Nick replied. "Only for me not to have an answer. We also learned that they killed predators just like me, too far addicted to rabbit or deeply trained into their system. The state of the rest of the prison is a bit appalling."

"Come with me, also you two behave," Vivian said. The two kits went towards the fifteen does. Vivian led them to a computer. She printed five copies before passing three pages to each. "Look these over."

"Wait, what, a life for a life," Nick asked. The title caught his eye. He couldn't believe it read: Send one bunny to die, so you earn the right to give birth to another. All Zootopia laws are still applicable during this process.

"Well, I don't expect their traditions to simply vanish in an instant. It certainly means jail time for whoever tried to get rid of someone," Vivian explained. "I've been in contact with some of the leaders of the families within Bunnyburrow. Some portions were their ideas. Look them over and see if you can think of anything else. You and Judy also need to report to Chief Bogo."

Nick made the unwise decision to call Bogo ahead of time. "Chief, you wanted to see us?"

"Are you kidding, Wilde?" Bogo yelled. "On your first day of freedom, you didn't think of trying to fix the mess both of you caused?"

"We're on our way." He turned towards Judy. "The chief wants to see us." For better or for worse they decided to don their ZPD uniforms once more before heading to the precinct.

"Both of you are back!" Clawhauser exclaimed, enveloping them in a bone-crushing hug.

"Haven't you heard of personal space?" Nick wheezed.

"It's good to see you too, Clawhauser," Judy replied while struggling to get free.

They entered Chief Bogo's office shortly after. There were countless news reports detailing the fallout of the reveal on the walls. "Look at everything both of you were responsible for," Chief Bogo said.

"Sir, do you want my badge?" Judy asked.

"You don't get to walk away from the mess you caused," Chief Bogo replied.

"I don't suppose we simply continue working as part of the ZPD?" Nick offered. It was only recently that the ZPD had to escort rabbits in Zootopia itself to prevent bloodshed, even then they weren't always successful.

Bogo sighed. "If only it were that easy. The rabbits refuse to do anything beyond the bare minimum cooperation that's required of them. Vivian also gave me an earful about Zootopia's own prison system. These things are both unacceptable. I thought it was isolated at first thus I turned a blind eye."

"Where do we come in?" Nick asked.

"It just so happens that they will only talk to you in regards of further changes to their laws and customs. That's why the military was unable to halt the bloodshed that occurred whenever Bunnyburrow killed one of the Zootopian solders. Bunnyburrow killed their own without any mercy if they attacked Zootopian forces. We couldn't stop the bloodshed they inflicted on their own kind. Arresting everyone involved is a bit unrealistic afterward."

"What if they tried?"

"That could lead to a civil war. The rabbits are set in their ways enough that the threat of violence won't deter them. The army stood by and watched because it was retribution on their own kind, and technically, not against the terms we offered. Rabbits will only follow you or anyone with the last name Wilde for some inexplicable reason."

"You want me to go back there?" Nick asked. He only just recently escaped. "That sounds like suicide."

"And if we refuse?" Judy asked.

"Let's see on the number of charges we have against all five of you. It is only fair if we enforced the laws to the full extent," Chief Bogo said. "Regardless, there's another matter that's not as risky which both of you can do. As you well know that the Zootopia legal system is far from perfect, I'd like to offer a deal for our new rabbit inmates. Every time they report misconduct from within the prison, we'll make sure their vices are appeased."

"You want them to spy within the prison?" Nick inquired.

"I think it's something they would do, and a way to reshape our prison system for the better. A rabbit with a few recording devices is hardly a threat, and the mission itself is something they'd willingly do to see someone else's life destroyed. Let's start with Bonnie as a test."

Judy gasped. "She's not like that!"

"No, but she should be willing to help us."


Nick and Judy headed towards the prison once more where Bonnie resided. "We have a deal for you," Nick said.

They both elaborated the chief's recommendation to Bonnie. "That, and I get some form of freedom?" Bonnie asked.

"Will you take it?" Nick asked.

"Why not? I need to atone for my sins anyway."

Bonnie agreed to spy on the prison from within. For one prison, at least, there were some forms of accountability beyond just the official's words themselves.


Two weeks later, Vivian summoned all the current heads of households to Zootopia. Their entire group stood behind a podium as Vivian spoke to the masses below. There were enough military soldiers nearby providing security in case the rabbits attempted something.

"It had been only recently that your traditions shocked the world. Those that stand before me now are ones willing to embrace change. I have discussed at length with your chosen representatives which system should take the old one's place. They have culminated into three systems which I view as most fair," Vivian said.

Vivian had given Nick and his mates the proposals before. Jewel herself offered several clauses which were clearly traps. She planned to allocate the fertility rights in the form of excellence, randomness, and responsibility.

The gathering served little purpose other than to show Bunnyburrow had changed.

"Will Nick Wilde be joining us?" one loud void said.

Clover grinned despite two bears physically restraining her. "You have me to thank, you know."

Nick sighed. "What am I going to do with you?" He hadn't really tended to Clover despite making sure she was alive in her cell.

"My plans aren't over yet. You should embrace your worshippers."

After a discussion with the parties involved, they decided Nick would return to Bunnyburrow within a month provided the rabbits displayed good behavior.

"After a month proving that you all have changed." Nick directly addressed the audience.


A month was enough time for a lot of changes. Nick and his mates gradually developed a more reciprocal relationship for one. The rabbit spy program from within had some success in erasing corruption from the prison system. The prison guards caught had to live on minimum wage which brought immense satisfaction to the rabbits that turned them in. It was enough schadenfreude to sate them. Lastly, Bunnyburrow had enough calm per the occupying forces that resided there.

Rabbits that lived within Zootopia slowly lost their jobs as their employers found more adequate replacements. Most of them went to Bunnyburrow. Much to Nick's embarrassment responsible rabbits turned in provocative magazines depicting Nick naked along with several other compromising positions. It further reinforced the idea that Bunnyburrow worshipped him.

Nick was unwilling to let him or his mates face criminal charges for their actions. He had little choice but to agree with Chief Bogo's of installing him as a leader in Bunnyburrow. They received a promotion to Bunnyburrow's ambassador's officially, but unofficially, the city fired them from the ZPD.

They were in Chief Bogo's office preparing for their journey to Bunnyburrow.

"Are you sure this much security is needed?" Nick said.

"We aren't taking any chances, ambassador," Bogo said. A reminder that they weren't part of the ZPD anymore. "Just so you know if Bunnyburrow betrays us, war will happen."

"Well, at least, you care about my well-being."

"Isn't this a bit risky, dangerous?" Judy asked.

"Prison is always an option, for both of you," Bogo replied. "Shall I read the charges? It's the best chance we have, Hopps. You did want to make the world a better place, did you not?"

Nick and his mates as well a hostage Clover set off towards Bunnyburrow. They rode in an armored limousine while surrounded by military equipped with the finest gear. Zootopia expected something to go wrong, but it was equally plausible that the rabbits suddenly developed a fervor in worshipping Nick Wilde.

"You should have stayed away, Finnick," Nick said. He sat beside Finnick as he hadn't forgotten the threat Bunnyburrow made earlier before all this began.

"Lucky you're not the boss of me. These rabbits genuinely worship you. Why just look at this!" Finnick held one of the erotic magazines featuring Nick in his paws. "Isn't that just precious?"

"Give me that!" He shredded the magazine until little more than scraps remained. "There." He sighed.

Finnick laughed. "I want some of that fame too, besides if something happens to me, you'll know that something's wrong."

"I can probably set you up," Clover said. No one trusted her yet thus she remained chained even now.

"I don't even want this fame," Nick complained.

"Be alert, we're entering Bunnyburrow soon," Judy said. They passed the infamous sign once more. The sign was down to around sixty million to reflect the deaths that occurred.

"At least, the number isn't moving."

They entered Bunnyburrow proper where multiple bunnies waited side by side along the road for their arrival, unarmed and in civilian clothing.

"Nick Wilde has arrived," cried one rabbit as the message quickly traveled among the gathered mammals.

The convoy drove to what seemed to be the destination was multiple rabbits prevented them from advancing further. Nick stepped out of the limousine to greet his adoring public.

"I am the minister of transitional affairs," a doe proclaimed. She wore a black suit with a tie. "We built something just for you, right this way please."

An elevator car appeared out of the ground without any indication. Nick and his entourage followed suit, although some soldiers remained above. Nick was on edge expecting an assassination attempt at any moment.

"There's no need to be tense. You can all treat me as a hostage if you want," the doe said.

"As if that's supposed to be comforting," Nick said. Gems paved the walls and ceilings as they stepped out of the elevator.

"Do you like it?"

"Just why?" Judy asked.

"Now that his majesty's safety is assured. I must ask the unworthy to leave before we proceed any further."

"Majesty?" Nick echoed.

"You mean us?" the elephant said while pointing a weapon at the rabbit.

"Of course, you aren't close to his greatness. You don't deserve to see experience the splendor," the doe replied.

"Nick, it's your call," the soldier said.

Nick considered the consequences. "You realize, war will follow if something happens to me."

"We are well aware. You must know that with your meager forces, if we wanted to ambush you, you would've been dead long ago. Call off your guards," the doe reasoned. "I am still outnumbered, you can break my arms if you feel comfortable so that I personally am less of a threat." The doe offered her arms fearlessly.

The fanaticism disturbed Nick greatly, but it was enough for him to call off his guards which were mostly rhinos and elephants. "I'll be fine," he assured them. His mates and Finnick were close by to offer protection.

Nick played it civil while his mates and Finnick pointed weapons at Clover and the doe.

"I would like to speak to Nick privately. The emperor should hear my next words alone," the doe requested.

"I trust everyone here, except Clover," Nick said. He had four rabbits as his mates after all, and the other was Finnick, his close friend.

"You know how treacherous she is. She has more weapons trained on her than me. You shouldn't permit her to hear this."

On Nick's signal, only two mates remained along with him. The doe pleaded again to speak with Nick alone. She was willing to let Nick break her limbs for security, but he didn't want to go that far. He reasoned that he himself could overtake her if something should happen. He allowed the doe to talk to him alone.

"It was Clover's gift to you. She hoped to maintain some measure of power by pulling this stunt. We've also compiled a list of rabbits for your eyes alone trained in the arts of assassination and subterfuge. They've sworn fealty to you as per Bunnyburrow standards. We realize you may be skeptical, so it's your right to do with them what you will. We didn't purge everyone with an openly shady past in our society," she said.

"An army of trained assassins?" Nick asked.

"Of course, Bunnyburrow had its own black ops division. They should all be loyal to you, now."

Nick thought this power shouldn't be his. "What if I don't want an army?"

"Kill them all, they're too much of a threat if left alive. This is one of the possibilities we thought might happen."

"Are you serious?" Nick said. She casually suggested that he should kill everyone in his army.

"Anyway, I certainly hope we purged all dissidents from the fold. There may be a few remnants. We have a list of rabbits willing to protect you regardless of how you treat them. I realize trust may be hard to come by. They will remain loyal even if you choose to mutilate them," the doe said.

"That – that won't be necessary," Nick said. He couldn't in good conscience do that, to rabbits that wanted to serve him no less. "Is there more?" He didn't know if he could take any more revelations.

"I think that's all. Let's reconvene with the others, shall we?"

They called everyone back together again. "What happened?" Janna asked.

"Stuff," Nick replied. He didn't know how much he wanted to divulge.

"Not going to tell us?" Judy pressed.

"Not yet," he replied. Clover was nearby which made it unwise. He still didn't trust Clover after all this time.

The doe led them to a circular room with a door that led further in. The entire place contained countless riches. "We would like Nick and his mates as well as ones closest to him to reside in here."

"Look, I'm flattered really, but I'm not sure if I want all this." Nick beheld the grandeur of the place as the door opened. His new home must be worth millions.

"You're of course free to continue living where you stayed in Bunnyburrow during your first and second visits or anywhere you choose." She bowed. "Am I allowed to go in?"

"Forget about hustling, Nick! We don't need money anymore!" Finnick eagerly went in.

The place had everything, it contained multiple rooms each with a different purpose and theme. It was lavish but not grotesque contrasting it with his experiences in Clover's home. He noticed the doe stayed outside. "You may go in," he said.

The doe only went in with his permission. "Do you accept your position as Emperor of Bunnyburrow?"

"Emperor," Nick echoed.

"Your adoring public expects an answer. Please sit on the throne when you are ready. You will be expected to give an address shortly after."

"I don't have anything planned," Nick admitted. "This is entirely unexpected."

"Try your best, and prove that we've made a good judge of character."

He felt nervous more than ever before. A group of fanatics expected him to lead them in the future.

An anguished cry from Clover caught his attention. "I seek to prove my worth," a voice said. He turned around and saw nothing. "I poisoned Clover who once instructed me to poison Finnick. She wanted to laugh while the world burned. I was her top assassin, I now pledge my services to you." Nick still had no idea where the voice came from.

"I don't suppose you have a cure?" he said. He didn't want Clover to die, despite everything she had done.

"Your fear is exquisite. I can hear your heartbeat as you think the world will crumble around you and all this will lead to nothing. Clover sought to trap you. I defied her. She would never harm you directly of course." The voice laughed.

Nick struggled to control his fear while everyone took defensive positions around him as far as to shield him with their own bodies.

"But don't worry, I am yours." The rabbit tossed the weapon to Nick's feet. "A token of trust, my new ruler." A rabbit wearing a black suit jumped down from the air. "Cure, oh no, that would be too easy. Clover wanted to see you set the world on fire after we took Finnick from you. It was quite an elaborate scheme."

"Charlotte, curse you." Clover coughed.

"It hurts doesn't it?" she taunted her former boss. "And all you can do is suffer, too weak to even move. If my Emperor so desires, I will allow myself to be chained."

"Forgive my carelessness," the minister said. "It is my fault this happened. Please execute me for my incompetence after your initiation."

Nick sighed. "A lot of things will change around here." He didn't feel like an emperor as much as a warden keeping the fanatics in check. He felt this incident should remain secret from the Zootopian army. He didn't feel safe, but he couldn't back out without Bunnyburrow falling apart.

"Please put this on," the minister gave him a golden crown. "Your public is waiting."

He sat on his throne while his entourage stood behind him. The minister caused the throne to elevate. "Does it matter that I'm wearing a ZPD uniform?"

"Not at all," the minister said.

They found themselves in an above ground palace with subjects eagerly waiting for his address.

"I Nicholas Piberius Wilde, accept my position as Emperor of Bunnyburrow. I will do my best to lead you all to a glorious future."


A/N: This story has been quite a ride. I've learned much from it. An epilogue remains. I think the greatest flaw is how I chose to portray Jewel during the return to Bunnyburrow. It would be preferable if I portrayed her as someone that struggled to perform the acts required due to Bunnyburrow's outdated data.

Feedback appreciated on how this chapter felt.