Prologues! Get Yer Prologues Here!

A/N: As we get into the last bits and pieces of "Small Mammals. Big Changes", I'm happy to report that I'm already in the first draft of the first chapter of "Judy and the Bandit", and I have never been so excited to write a story like this! There's a lot less of the cute fuzzies and more action! I was originally going to skip over the mystery surrounding Sugar's origins entirely due to it dragging down this story, but I found a way to incorporate it into the next story to make it twice as exciting! Now, we got villains and, in some cases, heroes with super-powers!

That said, it will be more violent than my other stories, so I may need to move it to an "M" rating. Mainly because some characters (mostly minor) die gruesome deaths. There's no sex or swearing, I'm just not sure how far I can get on a T-rating and still be okay.

I normally don't criticize my own work, but this last story… It just didn't feel cohesive enough, y'know? It feels like the act after the climax went on for too long. It's one of those stories where I wasn't sure where to stop it. I'm not going to have that problem with "Judy and the Bandit". That's all played out in my head and will probably be more precise and probably have fewer chapters.

The Star Boars Birthday Special

Sunday, January 29th. 11:50pm

Obi-Walrus never told you what happened to your father.

He told me enough! He told me you killed him.

No. I… am your father!

Nick let the boys stay up late last night to watch "Star Boars: A Mew Hope". The next morning, they got their breakfast and decided to finish up the original trilogy. They were playing "The Umpire Strikes Out" and the big reveal had just happened. Nick, Greg, and Finnick were all staring at Joe to see his response. The boy's mouth was agape. He looked over at Nick. "Ees that true, Papa?"

"Yes!" Said Nick with a big grin on his face. "Biggest shock-twist in motion picture history!"

"Oh no! Duke fell off!"

"He'll be fine, watch."

"His Papa is bad. He chopped off his hand! How vill Duke fight back?!"

"Just watch, Spare Change."

"... Yi don't want him to fight his papa to the death."

"Well…. Keep watching."

Over two hours went by and they were now deep into "Rerun of the Jedi". Dork Raider had just saved his son, Duke Futtbucker from the Emperor, but suffered a fatal wound in the process.

Duke. Help me take this mask off.

But you'll die!

Nothing can change that now. For once, let me look upon you with my own eyes.

Joseph was sitting on Nick's lap as tears started to well up in the boy's eyes. "I yam a man! I must not cry!"

Now… go! My son.

I can't leave you here! I have to save you!

You… already have.

"WAAAAAAHH!" Joseph hugged onto his father and was bawling his eyes out.

Greg noticed Finnick was whimpering too. "What's wrong with you, Grandpa?"

"SNIFF! Nothin' I just got some dust in my eyes! That's all!"

The movie ended and Nick hugged his sons. "Alright! Time to get some clothes and toys for the birthday boy! You wanna come too, Penny?"

"No," she said with a hint of dread in her voice.

"Is it because of that nasty coyote?"

She nodded her head up and down. "Well, okay. I won't make you go. You can stay with Grandma and Judy and help decorate the birthday cake. I'll get you that expensive Ball-Doll you wanted. Okay?"

"YAAY!"

"Alright! C'mon pops! We're having a guys day out!"

Joseph was curious "Vy does she not like the store?"

"A coyote tried to kidnap her. Judy stopped it, but Greg here fought him and stopped him from getting out the door?"

"Really?!"

"Yeah! Greg will tell you all about it on the way there."

They all left for the store. Joseph didn't just enjoy his first birthday party. For him, it was one of the best days of his life.

Wedding Crashers

Finnick and Vivian were finally at the chapel and about to get married. Both Finnick and Greg had their last names changed at City Hall and everything was going great.

Except for one thing. The pastor.

"Dearly…. Beloved, we..."

"Are..."

"Gathered… here… to witness."

Finnick was furious and whispered to his best man, Nick. "Where did you get this guy?!"

"Flash just got his license to wed and he works cheap," Nick replied.

"I got millions of dollars! I don't need 'cheap'!"

"You seem a bit on edge today. I mean, more so than usual. Everything okay?"

"SIGH! You'd think at least ONE member on my side of the family would have come."

"Hey..." Nick pointed out the audience attending. "Me, Viv, the kids, the grandkids, Judy. That's all the family you could ever want."

"Yeah. You're right. Would have been nice though."

Two hours later...

"and... that is... what... makes..."

"..."

".. love so... Grand."

Everyone in the audience was asleep, and poor Vivian and Finnick couldn't stand any longer. Nick got chairs out of the crowd and let them sit next to each other.

"Is it over?" Finnick asked.

"If... there..."

"Oh, God!"

"Is... anyone... who..."

"...objects to... this..."

"Marriage!" Finnick shouted.

"Union."

" #$%!"

"Speak... now..."

"Or forever hold your peace," Finnick added.

"...Or... forever..."

"Hold your peace!"

"Hold..."

"UGH!"

"...Your..."

"HOLD IT!" someone in the audience yelled.

Everyone looked behind them. Coming down the aisle was an old, fennec fox, walking with a cane. Finnick was shocked. "...Mom?"

"She's not good enough for him."

"Mom, what are you talking abou-"

"LET ME FINISH!... No one is. That boy is a saint. He tried so hard to mend my family. To keep it whole, but... but we were so bull-headed, none of us would admit that the other was wrong. We were awful to each other. My husband hurt me. Badly. And instead of leaving him, I took my anger out on my kids, and for that, I'm truly sorry."

"... Mom."

Tears were welling up in the old fox's eyes. "Finnick, you had every right to run away. You tried to mend our broken family, and I treated you terribly for it. So no... No one is good enough for you. But... she seems really nice regardless and you already knocked her up so... I just hope you raise those pups better than I raised mine."

Finnick was in tears. "SNIFF! Th-Thanks, Mom."

"Speaking of, where the hell is your sister? Felicia! Get your butt in here!"

Finnick's sister, Felicia, poked her head through the door. "Okay, Mom! You don't have to yell."

Finnick was still in disbelief. "You're here too!... You're both here!" He started to run down the aisle.

Felicia felt ashamed. "Yeah, well... It's not like I was doing anything better today. Look, mom and I... we're sorry. Okay? I understand if y-"

Felicia was silenced as Finnick hugged both her and her mother. "Everything's forgiven! I'm just so happy you came! Come. Take a seat. Go see your grandpups."

Moments Later...

"I now... pronounce you..."

"Husband... and..."

"..."

"... Wife... You may... kiss."

"My ass!" Finnick replied. "Because you're taking forever!"

"... The bride."

Vivian picked Finnick up and gave him a great, big kiss of the muzzle. Everyone cheered. The wedding reception was on. Everyone was eating, dancing and having a good time. Vivian sat down next to Finnick's mother. "It's nice to finally meet you, Ms..."

"Francine. But you can call me 'Mom.'"

"Ha-Ha. Well, 'Mom'. How do I know this happy, little reunion didn't just happen because Finnick is wealthy now?"

"Oh-ho! Please! We both know he barely scrapes by. Frankly, I'm surprised you married him."

"He has 3.8 million in the bank right now."

"Boy, he must be a hell of a liar for you to believe that."

"But he... Y'know what? Nevermind."

"Maybe it's better this way." Vivian thought.

Valentine's Day

Tuesday, February 14th at Greg's kindergarten class.

It was near the end of the day and the teacher. Ms. Graizer was giving out the last assignment. "Okay, class." Since it's Valentine's Day, We'll be doing crafts. You can make your own Valentine's day cards and drop them off to your friends. Each of you will have a mailbox that others can drop off the cards to. A purple heart sticker is for best friends, and if you really like someone, we have red heart stickers as well. If you don't get any valentines well... better luck next year, I suppose. Life's not fair. I didn't get valentine's for several grades when I was a child, so don't come crying to me!"

All the kids started to make their valentines with the construction paper provided. In just under an hour, they had finished their valentines and put them in their friend's mailboxes. The kids went back to their desks to look at the valentines given to them.

"Please, no red hearts!" Greg thought to himself. "I already have a girlfriend!" He looked through the valentines and they were from his closest friends, and all were purple. "Whew!"

He looked over to see Tigsie with a red-hearted valentine. She was hugging it as he walked over. "Oooh! It looks like somebody likes you! Who's the valentine from?"

"Me!" the tiger club replied. "My daddy always says, 'learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all!' "

"That sounds familiar." Suddenly, they heard a scream from near the chalkboard. It was the teacher screaming at Clem and Billy., "What on earth are you two doing?!"

The pair looked confused. "We were just giving each other our valentines," Billy said.

"But they have red hearts on them! You heard what I said, to the class, correct?"

"Well, yeah. I'm Clem's boyfriend. We love each other."

"Boys?! In love?! At school?! I will tolerate bullying in the playground, but not two boys loving and caring for one another! I'm going to have to talk with your parents, but for now, you're suspended."

"WHAT?!"

Meanwhile, Joseph was waiting outside of the school for Greg to come out. "I weesh I could go to school too," he said. He then heard yelling coming from the classroom. "Uh-Oh Vat ees going on?!"

The kids were all upset with the teacher. "That's a bunch of poop!" yelled Greg.

"Clem is non-binary!" Tigsie yelled. "You can't talk to him like that!"

The teacher was furious. "How dare you talk to me like that! You all can sit at your desks with your heads tucked into your arms until the bell.."

RIIINNNNNGG! The bell rang, and school was over.

"Oh, forget it! I'm going to be talking to each one of your parents about this!"

The kids all walked out. "I don't wanna be in her class anymore!" Clem said.

Billy agreed. "Yeah. Maybe he can be home-schoo-OOF!"

The two of them were shoved down by a large, bear cub. "Haw!-Haw! You're a couple of queers!"

"Leave them alone!" shouted Cindy.

"What are ya gonna do?! Hunh?! I ain't afraid to hit a-"

BAM! The bear cub was knocked to the ground by Joseph. The jackal pounced on the boy and put his claws up against the cub's neck. "GRRR! You leave my friends alone! Their sinful business is none of ours! They are nice boys, and Yi won't let you bully them!"

The bear started crying. "Get off me! I'll go! I'll go!"

Joseph got off of him, and the bear cub ran away. The kids cheered and hugged Joseph.

"He's a pretty good guy after all!" Billy said to Clem.

"Yeah, but he still thinks what we do is a sin," Clem argued.

"So what?! He's cool with it, and he protected you. That shows more tolerance than even a lot of grown-ups."

Clem smiled. "Yeah. I guess so. Wanna hang with us, Joe?"

"Sure!" Joseph replied. "Just don't try to kiss me. I know I yam very handsome jackal, but I love Cindy."

"Oh, brother!"

Sadly, the suspension stuck. Even with overwhelming support and protests from most of the parents, Clem and Billy were not allowed back at the school. The parents decided to let them be home-schooled. All of them. Tigsie's mother, Rachel, had previous experience in teaching, so Tigsie's home became a classroom for Clem, Billy, Tigsie, Cindy, Clarrisa, Greg, and even Joseph. It worked out well as the young jackal was finally able to get the education he so sorely needed and he learned how to socialize better.

I Have Hustled

February 21st in the kitchen of the Wilde's home

"Why do I have to do the dishes?!" Greg yelled.

"Because Joe's done his share, and you have to earn your allowance," Nick said sternly.

"But he likes to do chores!"

Joseph agreed. "Yes, Pappa! I yam more than happy to vash deeshes."

Judy then interrupted. "Gregory Bonekiller Wilde, you get up on that stool and do the dishes!"

"But, mooom!"

Nick looked down at Greg with a serious tone. "Everyone has to do their share. This is the way."

Greg and Joe both nodded and said in unison. "This is the way." Without another word, Greg hopped up and started washing dishes.

Judy couldn't believe it. "Seriously? That's all it takes to get the boys to listen? Some line from 'The Mammalorian'?

Nick smirked at Judy. "Carrots, never underestimate the power of Star Boars."

"Are you sure there ees nothing else I can work on?" Joseph asked his mother.

"No. Go watch TV. Play in your new room. Relax!"

"But, Mama!"

"I have spoken."

"Okay."

"Wow! It really is that easy."

Joseph peeked his head back in. "Can you watch TV weeth me, Momma? We never spend much time together. You are always at work."

"Aww! Okay, sweetie."

Judy sat with Joseph, and they watched cartoons together. Then, she got a call from her father. "Hey, Dad. What's up?"

"You're not gonna believe the latest campaign smear against you. Go on the Ewetube app and look up 'Killer Judy'. "

" 'Killer Judy'?"

"Vat ees that?" Joseph asked.

"Apparently, some new campaign against me. I'm going to turn off the cartoons for just a moment. Okay, Sweetie?"

"Okay, Mamma."

Judy yelled for Nick. "Nick, you might want to come see this!"

Nick came out of the kitchen. "What is it?"

"Some campaign smear. Apparently, I'm some kind of killer."

"Only in the sack, Fluff."

She searched on Ewetube, and the video came on.

Judy Wilde killed Dawn Bellwether.

"No, I didn't!" Judy shouted. "I was with Nick on Christmas eve a hundred miles away!"

Or at least, she might as well have. Whether or not Bellwether was guilty of drugging predators to amass power, many lawyers believe Judy's actions in the arrest of Bellwether were, in fact, illegal. From working with the mafia to intimidating a witness, to breaking and entering and finally, coaxing an illegal confession from the former mayor herself. If Judy hadn't quit the force during that time, none of her evidence would have worked in a court of law. Do you want a sheriff who breaks the law just to enforce it HER way?! Mr. Big's granddaughter is named 'Judy' after Mrs. Wilde. If she is friends with the mafia just to get an arrest, imagine what she'll do to our citizens. Vote Jackass for sheriff.

"Not again! I'm Carl JACAUS, and I approve this message."

Judy was furious. "Can you believe this crap?! I wasn't an officer during her arrest! We merely assisted the police! I hope this doesn't help his campaign. I was up in the polls! What do you think, Nick?... Nick?"

Nick was in deep thought. "So, wait a minute... When you recorded my tax evasion confession, you were a cop at the time. Was that legal?"

Judy shrugged nervously. "Technically since it was a private conversation without your knowledge... no. Getting your tax records would have been a pain as well if you wanted to keep them private. I was bluffing."

"So, it was extortion!"

"Extortion?! It was a hustle, sweetheart."

Nick couldn't help but chuckle. "You were bluffing, and I was being a braggart. I didn't make nearly as much as I said, but I still would have been in big trouble. Frankly, I'm surprised you didn't go after the health code violations from the way I made those pawsicles."

"No proof, and you didn't have a place of business. It was my first day anyway."

"Heh! You were a lousy cop."

"And you were a lousy con-artist."

Joseph was confused. "Vat are you two talking about?"

"The day we met," Nick replied.

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Sure! It'll take about an hour and forty minutes. Not including credits."