Puppies-and-Nightlock: Nooshy's role is Johnny's rival on the War Planet in my story.

"Nana! So good to see you. Sorry we haven't been able to meet. Things have been... kinda crazy." Buster laughed, awkwardly as he greeted the old sheep with a bow.

Nana turned her attention from Buster's photos to smile at her friend. "Yes, so I see. I saw on the television about your successful show. Congratulations."

"Couldn't have done it without you, Nana."

The old sheep smiled. "Now," she took a seat on the couch and waved her hand, like a grandmother to her grandchild, insisting he go one. "Tell me all about it."

Buster smiled as he told the entire story, from speaking in to the audition to how they pulled off one of the greatest shows in theater history. As he went on, he was careful to avoid talking about his near death experiences. As far Nana was concerned, Jimmy Crystal was arrested for attempting murder, but he made sure he left out the fact that he was the one he tried to kill.

After recounting everything he could, Buster sat back and allowed Nana to take it all in.

"Well," She said, finally. "You've certainly been a busy little koala, haven't you? So where to now? Have you decided where you're going to take your show to next? I hear the Majestic would love to have you back."

"And they're definitely on my list. Our next show is actually going to be in Zootopia. The Mayor himself person called yesterday and made arrangements."

"Zootopia? A bit rough for my taste, but not a bad little start. Is the group keen to this idea?"

Buster nodded. "Yep, arrangements are being made as we speak. Rosita has a babysitter and Johnny tells me his dad and uncles are set to be security again."

"Security? Do you think that's necessary?"

Buster's breath quickened.

"Clay Calloway is still making a comeback. I figured it'd be safer if we had security." Buster said. It wasn't a lie. After the event with Crystal, he didn't want to risk putting his family in danger again.

Nana nodded in agreement. "I suppose you can never be too careful."

"Actually, Nana, I was hoping to speak to you about hiring Johnny's family as full time security. They did us a great service in Red Shore City."

Nana raised an eyebrow. "Aren't they the ones who were place under arrest after SEVERAL robberies?"

Buster was quick to defend Johnny's father and uncles. "They turned a new leaf, Nana, they're currently a food delivery service to the local community."

Nana sat back. "If you trust them, Mr. Moon, I will consider hiring them as New Moon Security."

Buster smiled. "And will you be joining us?" He asked, waving a paw to the Out of this World poster that hung by the window.

"Don't I always?" Nana smiled and Buster returned that smile.

Ever since she bought the New Moon Theater, she attended all the shows and Buster always made sure she had her own box seat and a fresh pot of tea. The bond they had had grown into one of a grandmother/grandson relationship, not unlike hers and Eddie's. In the two years since they had known each other, Nana grew to know who Buster Moon was. A koala with a dream and the guts to make them come true. He now co-owned the theater she had performed in and loved dearly. Their love for the theater was something they had in common, something that bonded them close in the first place.

And yet... and yet something was different about Buster. He seemed more paranoid, more jumpy. She was used to seeing him with dark circles under his eyes as she knew him well enough to know his habits, especially when it came to late nights, working on props and new theater ideas.

But this was different. They seemed deeper then usual.

Buster wasn't telling her something. But she decided against asking. Like her, he wasn't one to share what he was feeling, another thing they had in common.

Instead, she stood. "Well, I look forward to seeing you in Zootopia this weekend. Send the address to my home and I shall meet you there."

Buster smiled as he gave her one of his signature bows and followed her out the door.

Once she had left, Buster headed back downstairs to see the progress.

~

Rosita was spun and thrown into the air before she was caught smoothly by Gunter, a move they've rehearsed and perfected time and time again.

"Jà, this is going to spicy!" The dancer smiled as he did his own little spin.

Rosita forced a smile before taking a seat on the bench ans reaching for her water bottle. Her mind still on Buster.

Gunter stopped twirling and frowned as he noticed his friend's thoughtful gaze.

"Rosita?"

When she didn't answer, he approached and sat beside her. "You okay?"

"Just... thinking about how I'm going to approach Buster with this. He keeps his emotions close to his chest. And yet he's so open about teaching us to be in touch with ours. He's helped us so much. He helped me realize I'm more confident then I really am. I mean, I jumped off a platform! He helped me realize I'm braver then I believed."

"He also went along with my crazy idea." Gunter smiled, thinking back. "I'd had this idea awhile, but never knew how to approach him about it. Buster helped make MY dream become a reality..."

Rosita smiled before patting his cloven hoof. "And in turn, you made HIS dream a reality." She then sighed and noticed the koala himself descending the stair case. His ears were somewhat drooped and his eyes cast downward, as if he were mentally off in another place. "I'm worried about him."

Gunter nodded, solemnly.

"Jà. Me too."

~

During the theater's growing fame, Buster had hired more stage hands and more actors, but none, he would admit, became as close to him as his original group did. The scripts he wrote were always geared towards a specific member of his family. And no one could do it better. Sure they had their back-up actors, but even then, when Buster created a part, the part went to that targeted member, whether it be Johnny, Rosita, Gunter or anyone in his little group.

Putting on an optimistic smile, he approached an antelope who was adjusting the ropes and greeted him with a wave.

"Morning, Joey. How's the War Planet coming along?"

"Had a bit of trouble with a few lights, but other then that, ship shape, Mr. Moon." Joey replied.

"Fantastic. Were you able to get that special order done?"

Joey turned to his control desk and flipped a switch. All at once, flowers started to fall all around them. Buster attempted to catch one before it blipped away.

"Holographic flowers, Tiger lillies, as you requested." Joey smiled.

Buster stared up in awe as they continued to fall gracefully. Clay is going to love this, he thought.

"Amazing, as always, Joey!" He praised, enthusiastically as he started off towards another part of the theater.

He was passing Ash's practice room when he heard her angelic voice syncing with Clay's as they sang. He stopped and peered in. As he watched them play together, he felt his chest swell with pride, like a father proud of his daughter. He saw a bit of himself in Ash. Stubbornness, pride, confidence. She'd come a long way in such a short time.

Found her own apartment, ironically closer to the theater, was now getting calls from clubs asking her to perform. Still a year away from the appropriate drinking age and after much worrying from Moon, Ash had promised not to indulge in ANY alcohol till she was legally old enough to drink. She was now on the brink of publishing her first CD and currently helping Clay with his comeback. Buster couldn't put into words how proud he was of her.

Suddenly he was lifted from his spot.

Panic replaced pride and his heart pace quickened. All at once he was taken back to the moment Crystal had swooped him up, in attempts to throw him off a height that no animal, let alone a small koala would survive from. Instinctively, he gripped his attacker and shut his eyes, expecting- no, waiting for the worst. All noise was replaced by the frantic beating of his heart.

"Moon? Hey, Moon, you alright?"

One voice cut through the darkness and Buster forced an eye open and gazed into a set of a familiar hazel eyes. Marcus quickly placed him on a box and kneeled down to his height, concern filling his eyes.

"Moon, you're shaking, mate."

Buster looked at his paws and sure enough, they were shaking like leaf. He quickly stuffed them in his pockets, but his demeanor still gave him away.

Marcus nervously wrung his hands. "I apologize, Mr. Moon, didn't mean to spook ya. Just, uh..." Marcus cleared his throat, awkwardly. "Wanted to give ya a hug... guess I should gone about it a different way, eh?"

Buster forced the recent event out of his mind. "Why the hug?" He asked, silently cursing to himself as he hinted a shiver in his voice when he asked.

Marcus did not notice or if he had, he had chosen to ignore it. "You've done a lot for my boy, for my family actually. Made me a better father for it, too. What I'm trying to say is... thanks. Weren't for you, we'd- I'D still be leading Johnny down a dangerous path."

Buster rubbed his arm. His paws had finally ceased their shaking. "No problem, Marcus." He said. Words were at a loss for him at this moment, still mentally in last week's memories.

Marcus frowned as he held out a hand and Buster excepted it, allowing his paw to disappear in Marcus' and have it shaken.

"Moon, we're not close. But I know PTSD when I see it. Me dad served in the wars, see?"

Buster avoided his gaze as he continued.

"Johnny thinks very highly of you. He wants to help. Heck we all do. But you're like me, you don't like others seeing your weakness. But if you don't talk to someone, this is going to eat you alive. Johnny loves ya, speaks of you often. You're a good mentor, far better then I ever was to him." Marcus frowned. "What I'm saying is, talk to someone. You don't know it, but this little family of yours? They love you, mate. You mean a lot to them. So don't keep quiet about this, eh? Your friends are more then willing to listen."

Marcus then stood and brushed off his uniform. "Welp, gotta go, food won't deliver itself. Make sure Johnny and Nooshy don't get home too late, eh?"

Buster saluted as the older gorilla walked off.

"Buster-"

"AAAAAGH!"

Buster and Rosita both jumped as Buster crued out. He fell back on the box, paw to his chest as Rosita composed herself and went into mama-bear mode. "Buster? Are you okay?" She asked.

"Y-yeah! You can't just sneak up on someone like that though, you know?" Buster took a deep breath, dramatically.

"Buster, this can't go on. We need to talk." Rosita said in a no-nonsense tone, placing her hands are her hips.

Buster frowned. "What about?" He asked, although he had fair guess what her answer was going to be.

"About what happened in Red Shore."

Yep.

Buster's frown deepened. "There's nothing to discuss."

"Buster-"

"Mr. Moon?"

The two turned to see Nooshy approach them.

"Yes, Nooshy? What can I help you with?" Buster asked, grateful for the distraction.

Rosita frowned as he turned his attention to the young cat, eager to drop suject. Fine, she thought, the longer he avoids it, the longer our talk will be.

Buster hopped from the box, avoiding the stare down he was no doubt receiving from Rosita, and followed Nooshy to where she and Johnny were practicing. As they walked,

Buster became lost in thought. Guilt twisted in his gut. He hadn't meant to brush Rosita off so harshly. For goodness sake, she save his life! And in doing do faced her fear of heights! After she rescued him and placed in onto a nearby platform, Buster didn't have time to register what had happened. All he saw was Rosita. Beautiful, brave, mama-bear Rosita flying through the theater, with Gunter at her side. All their practice paying off as their angelic voices synced together into beautiful harmony.

Buster's fear had been replaced with pride and awe as he had watched them perform.

He was snatched from reverie when he glanced up and saw Johnny approaching. Buster smiled as he and the young gorilla high fived before Johnny leaned down and hugged his boss.

Buster was caught a little off guard, but welcomed the gesture.

Good 'ol Johnny. A criminal turned star, how about THAT for a headline? Buster didn't care about his past, the only thing that concerned him was that Johnny knew there were better things in life and a better way to achieve, rather then steal them.

He was proud of the boy, of the man he was becoming. A kind hearted boy with love and concern for their little family. Despite him already having a father and uncles, Buster saw himself as perhaps an uncle, same as he saw Johnny as his own blood.

Johnny leaned back and stood up, eager to show his mentor the new skills he and Nooshy just learned.

~

Porsha made her way down the streets of Calatonia, lost to the music that blasted from her ear buds, hoping to drown the world and her problems out with her favorite artists. But despite the volume, her thoughts still drifted in her mind. Her father was currently in jail and possibly looking at a very long stay. The attempted murder on Buster Moon was just the tip of the ice burg.

After the event in Crystal Towers, animals from all over have come to complain about their last experience with Jimmy, forcing the local authorities to open up a stream of investigations.

Porsha huffed. A mixture of emotions gripped her. Anger for her father, fear for Buster. Her father had a temperament, no one would deny that and he wasn't the most patient animal in the world. But this case he went too far and nearly killed an animal

Porsha had begun to look up to (or in this case down), an animal who saw something in her that she herself didn't see, an animal who did something no one else had ever done before. Given her a second chance.

Porsha was so lost in thought, she hadn't realized she had begun walking right across the street. Before she noticed, a car honked and soon two great arms were around her. Porsha wanted to scream as she was lifted from the pavement and immediately placed back down on the sidewalk.

"You trying to get killed!?"

Porsha panted before she recognized

Johnny's father, looking both angry and worried.

The anger, she was used to, having seen it on her fathers face many a time, but the worry was not something she was familiar with.

"You're Marcus right?" She asked, awkwardly.

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, and you were nearly road kill. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Red Shore?" He asked, wiping his brow.

"Yeah, but I needed to get out of there, see? Needed a change of pace. Besides, Moon said I could come by and do some practice before we headed to Zootopia."

"Yeah, all right, just pay attention better, eh?"

"I will and thanks, Marcus!" Porsha smiled before continuing on her way, as if nothing happened.

The New Moon Theater was certainly sight to behold. Not at all as glamorous as her father's but it definitely had it's charm.

Walking through the front doors and into the lobby. Porsha was greeted by a beautiful sight of red floors and stairways with golden banisters leading to the top tiers. Photos of the cast and poster of past plays and shows were hung throughout the lobby. Porsha took a moment to look at each and in doing so, caught a glimpse at just how close Buster and his friends were. It made her heart ache, honestly. Their bond was close as a family's. She should have know. It was made clear back in Red Shore City that they cared deeply for one another.

She couldn't say it was the same for her and her father.

Voices brought her out of her thoughts and she followed them through the double doors and to the stage where performers were perfecting their parts and the stagehands were doing their jobs.

Gunter was first to notice the newcomer.

"Porsha! Hi!" He cried, leaping from the stage and running to greet her.

"Oh, hey, Gunter!" Porsha said, smiling.

"Vhat are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet you in Zootopia?"

Porsha forced a chuckle, not wanting the actor to know she had actually missed the crew. "Thought I'd come and get some practice, you know? And maybe drive up there with ya'll. Practice makes perfect ya know..." She finished, lamely, but Gunter didn't seem to notice.

"Totally awesome! You can practice with me, jà?"

Porsha shrugged. "Jà!"

Buster was back stage when he heard the familiar and somewhat cringey acting coming from the stage. Leaving Nooshy to practice on her own, he went to investigate.

Nooshy watched as the older animal walked away before turning to greet Johnny who was coming to join her.

"So, what's the story behind you and Moon, huh?"

"Buster? He's like a second father." Johnny admitted. "I haven't told you yet, but my family and I used to be-" Johhny sighed as he hesitated to finish. She was going to find out sooner or later. "Me, my dad and 2 uncles used to be robbers."

Nooshy stopped twirling her staff. "Get out. You?! Mr. Soulful?"

Johnny chuckled. "Yeah. Were a right terror to Calatonia. Wasn't until I started joining up Mr. Moon's group that I finally got the courage to do what I really loved. Mr. Moon helped me alot. Gave me a chance. Even after I told him everything, he kept me in his group, even took me under his wing for a few months. Many a time I stayed the night at the theater because my place was too empty. He let me bunk on his couch."

But Nooshy still wrap her head around the fact this gentle, piano playing kid had a criminal past. "But you were actually part of a robbery gang? That's far out!"

Johnny rolled his eyes in amusemen. Of course she'd be interested.

"Well, go on. Tell me what happened!"

"We're not going to get any practice done until I tell you, are we?"

Nooshy hopped on the bench and crossed her legs. "Nope."

Again, Johnny rolled his eyes but started his tale. "We were in the middle of rehearsal..."

~

You can imagine Buster's surprise when he found Gunter attempting to give Porsha Crystal lessons on acting as the two performed on stage.

"Porsha! This is a surprise! What're you doing here?"

"Hey, Mr. Moon. Gunter is just giving me some acting lessons. I'm big enough to admit that I have not talent whatsoever when it comes to that."

Buster was quick to stop her from going any further. "No, no! Porsha, you're very talented! One of the best voices I've heard. Sure you can use a little coaching in that area, but I think you found the right teacher. Gunter here is a jack of all trades. He'll have you performing Shakespeare by the end of the week!"

Gunter smiled at the praise. "Thanks, Buster! Now, from the top, jà?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah! Mr. Moon, you don't mind me hanging out here, right?" Porsha asked, worriedly.

"Not at all! Let me know of you need anything!" Buster said, grinning.

Porsha squealed a bit before swooping koala off the ground into a hug.

Buster tensed up as he felt familiar fur connect with his. He was taken back to mock affection Mr. Crystal would give before turning his affectionate paw to a sinister clutch. His breath hitched in his throat as Porsha set him back down, unaware of the panic attack she had sent her new mentor in.

Buster felt his whole body shaking as he stood for a good minute, trying to regain his posture and grip on reality. He was in his theater. He was with his family. He was no longer falling. He was no longer in danger.

More importantly, his family was no longer in danger.

A thought suddenly occured to him. It was like a sudden strike that forced him to the ground. His heart quickened pace, his hands were shaking. He wiped his brow and came to the realization he was sweating. He stood, this time, unable to compose himself.

Ducking from stage, he disappeared up the stairs and into his office where he shut the door with more force then he had meant to.

The walls around him were peeling away and he was back in Crystal Towers. In a desperate attempt to escape his memories,

Buster ran to his desk and leapt into his bottom drawer. But the memories were still there and he was suddenly on the platform, Jimmy was holding onto his shirt. With a cruel, sinister chuckle, Jimmy dropped him. Buster felt his stomach in his throat, his heart was shatttered. He was falling. And this time, no one was here to save him.

His thoughts raced. His friends were in danger. All because he couldn't stand the fact that someone said he wasn't good enough. All because he was told his shows were mediocre. All because... because someone said he didn't have what it takes. Buster was pulled from his memories and hit with a sickening thought.

It was his fault.

His fault his family had been in danger. He told them to go. He... forced them. He stuck Johnny with an abusive dance instructor, he made Meena uncomfortable when he chose Darius as her partner. He gave Rosita a stunt she was not ready for. He made them put on that show, he put them all in danger by going behind Crystal's back. He let Ash down. He let them all down. Tears streamed down his face as he curled into a tight ball.

Perhaps he did have some trauma after this whole ordeal, but one thing was for certain.

He didn't deserve help for it. This was his punishment for hurting his friends.

And he was content on suffering through that punishment. Alone.

But for how much longer?