Chapter 25
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AN: And so another day is yet to dawn, and with how this one spun out as I wrote it, it is going to be a monster with lots going on. Following on from some advice, I'll be doing a few things to help my readers. Firstly, where applicable, I aim to have better lead-ins for different scenes, reminding you of who, what and where. Secondly, I'm putting up an updated cast list here. Whether it's helpful or not, it might be a good idea to have a reminding read through. In any case, I hope you all enjoy all I have coming next.
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Cast list (at the end of Anonymous Vulpine (Chapter 5)):
Broken into:
Concepts (Not characters)
ZPD/ law mammals
Fantastic Mr Fox and school
Aggretsuko
Jack and Skye
Current suspects (and relations) and (potential) bad guys.
ZNN and Media.
The prison.
Other (in alphabetical order).
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Concepts:
Efrafa: Based off of the antagonistic warren from Watership down or, more specifically, Ubernoners integration of them into Zootopia world history (from the fic 'Sons of Efrafa). A breed of hares, originally bred as battle slaves in the bronze age, with a strong and heavily defined martial culture. Primarily live in southern Turkey, truly establishing themselves after the defeat of the Don Cossak Horselord Gabrielli the Thunderer (based off of the fic: U Methrah Thlayli). Mrs Fox and Skye's sister both knew an Efrafan in the rangers, who was taken off by an eagle, only an eye ever recovered. An Efrafan, Jacob Raibert (Ubernoner's OC) works under Skye's sister in Korea.
Kehaar: A hawk demon in the Efrafan mythology. Some hares took to worshipping him at a site called Niedelienes in the foothills of Mt Ararat. The Efrafans razed the site out of disgust, the ruins eventually looted by the russian Tsar's army, thinking it might be Noah's ark. Dr William Silverfox's first true expedition was as part of the first true survey of the site, in which his linguistic skills were invaluable.
The Iron Vulture: An experimental airship built by the soviet union for use in Afghanistan. Delays and the war ending led to it being mothballed, then stolen by a band of modern day pirates. The ship vanished in the Sea of Okhotsk just after the turn of the millennium. Reportedly, the black box was recently recovered, and a secretive arms dealer is delivering it to Zootopia.
The rangers: A band of (primarily) predators who fight off birds of prey to keep smaller mammals safe. Mr and Mrs Fox and Skye's sister are all ex members, having met through the service.
Outsiders with Outsiders (OWO): The primary interspecies relationship support group in the city (said relationships aren't as accepted as straight species ones, but have historically been far more so than same sex relationships).
Strigiphobia: A common fear of owls, primarily amongst smaller species that would be their prey, but amongst some larger mammals as well. The owl is often considered as to the devil as goats are to satanism in our world.
Antivulpanism: The general term for hatred of foxes. While red foxes were generally highly regarded and prosperous in the old world (their documented ability to 'see' the earth's magnetic field used for navigation and locating iron ore, while their culture promoted inward investment), certain mammals held anti-fox views (Martin Loomer being an example). Many anti-vulpites were poorer peasant mammals who migrated to the new world and settled together, increasing the concentration of prejudice, not helped when most foxes sided with the loyalist forces in the war of independence (though this led to a much more positive reputation in Canidea). Zootopia is particularly noted for this prejudice, the city founded by a set of mammals with the belief that all mammals had a role they best fit in for the prosperity of all. This did not include foxes. It's worth noting that this ideology led to the ZPD's previous species and then size restrictions. Species restrictions were ruled invalid in the 60s and 70s after stopping a large coyote joining, even though some enlisted wolves were smaller. Only with the mammal inclusion initiative and the 'where anyone can be anything' rebranding drive were blanket size restrictions lifted, letting any mammal try out.
Ovinophobia: The general term for hatred of sheep.
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ZPD /law mammals, friends and family.
Nick Wilde: the reformed ex-hustler turned cop, partner of Judy Hopps. Saved Ash Fox in 'Different', and was a family friend ever since. Lately named as the god father of Ash's new sibling.
Mama Wilde: Nick's mother. Works as a lunch lady at Ash's school.
Finnick: Nick's former hustling partner, taking Nick's joining of the ZPD badly. Formerly served a large period of time in Juvenile detention for some serious crimes and is estranged from his family ever since. Currently dating Fenneko.
Honey: Formerly sheep hating conspiracy theorist, is trying to find a new purpose in life after being rehabilitated in a mental hospital (which she briefly escaped from before being recaptured by Nick and Judy). Had a highly ovinophobic Ewetube channel under the alias 'Gruinard Gal'.
Judy Hopps: Zootopia's own bunny cop. Partner of Nick Wilde. Currently looking after a necklace for Kozlov.
Kii Catano: A female cheetah officer, first introduced in 'Elementary Introductions'. Officially investigating Kris' case with Detective Oates, and takes a hardline against all speciesism.
Detective Oates: Horse detective of Precinct 1, first met when interrogating Kazar in 'Taking out the Trash'. Officially investigating Kris' case with Kii Catano.
Detectives Dave and Basil Dawson: Husband and husband, the two mice are the ZPD's newest detectives and incredibly talented. Had a long feud with the long missing Professor Rattigan, and are currently off on an 'investigative holiday' in Slavulpinch, Ewekraine, chasing up a lead.
Chief Bogo: Da chief.
ADA Jeanette Deux (borrowed from Ubernoner's 'Son's of Efrafa'): White tailed deer doe in a relationship with a mountain lion and assistant to the District Attorney. Seen at the meet up in 'So we're Inters now'. Does not get on with her boss.
Officer Jones: Tiger officer who arrested Kris. Currently transferred to Precinct one, awaiting investigation given his conduct.
Chief Ramic (Cimar's Zoosona): Kangaroo Chief of Outback island, big supporter of Inter rights. First seen in 'So we're inters now'. Secret co-founder of WildeHopps shipping club.
Eliot Fanghanel (borrowed from Koraru-San): White wolf officer and co-founder of WildeHopps shipping club.
Chloe Fanghanel (borrowed from Koraru-San): Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) wife of Eliot Fanghanel. Sole member of the forks appreciation club.
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Fox/Silverfox family and co.
Mr Fox (Frederick 'Foxy' Fox): Ex-ranger, current newspaper writer and pest controller, father to Ash Fox.
Mrs Fox (Felicity Fox): Wife of Mr Fox, mother of Ash Fox, currently pregnant with a new kit.
Ash Fox: the angsty teenage son of Mr and Mrs Fox. Trying to embrace life after a very dark moment, despite coming off as a bit 'different' at times. Slightly older (but much shorter) cousin to Kris.
Dr William Silverfox: Mrs Fox's brother in law, husband to her (deceased) sister, and father of Kristofferson Silverfox. Emigrated to Zootopia from Canidea after recovering from a serious case of double pneumonia, caused by an ice fishing accident.
Kristofferson Silverfox: Son of Dr Silverfox. Sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle due to his father's illness. A very well adjusted, mature and gifted mammal, though due to the accident he has a slight phobia of the cold. Slightly younger (but much taller) cousin to Ash.
Kylie: Opossum sidekick to Mr Fox.
Remmy and Remus Packson (wolves); Mitch Dewclaw (wildcat); Maisy Calrama (ewe); Jenny Bourke (wombat): School friends of Kris and Ash. Maisy was revealed to be Dawn Bellwether's niece, her family getting a new identity after her arrest, and is now under suspicion.
Agnes: Vixen classmate of Kris and Ash, previously Ash's girlfriend, now Kris'.
Beavis Chuckman: Woodchuck bully to Ash (and to a lesser extent others). Cameoed in Meditation Mediation.
Brittany Voxen (borrowed from Kittah/Variable Mammals): Vixen form prefect to Ash, Kris and those above. Noted for having long blonde hair.
Coach Skip: Albino otter coach at their school.
The principal (Angela Van Der Horn): Female springbok head of the school.
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Aggretsuko crew and related:
Retsuko: A red panda office worker who blows off steam by singing death metal.
Haida: A dentally challenged spotted hyena, works with and loves Retsuko. Currently not getting on with his family after finding out his sister had sold his likeness to a toy company.
Fenneko: Social media goddess fennec vixen friend of the above. Distinctive laugh. Currently started dating Finnick.
Anai: Japanese badger graduate at their firm and cooking enthusiast. Noted for 'standing up to his rights,' being a perennial formal complainer in writing if he feels he's being taken advantage of. (Do not piss off).
Ookami: A maned wolf worker, who also assisted Nick Wilde in an undercover operation (with Nick pretending to be a young maned wolf). Currently dating Daz.
Daz: Crewefox's zoosona. Worked in a hospital and looked after Skye, currently dating Ookami.
Kabae, Tsunoda: (hippo, Dik-Dik (dwarf gazelle)): Two gossip mouthed workers at Retsuko's firm. In season 1 of the show, Kabae was briefly arrested on espionage charges before being let go. Revealed to be a political move by Kurt Wassermaim.
Secretary Washimi and Marketing Director Gori: Secretary bird and gorilla friends of Retsuko. Also known as 'The Baddest Bitches in the room'. Cameoed in Meditation Mediation.
PROTEIN: Retsuko, Washimi and Gori's kangaroo yoga instruction. First glanced in universe in 'Meditation Mediation', only ever says 'Protein'. Real name revealed to be 'Malcolm Jumpili'. A former roadie for the rock band 'The Oscars', adopted his new persona after studying under 'The Guru of the Stone' (who's from a different IP to Aggretsuko).
Director Ton: the overbearing literal misogynistic pig boss of the accounting department.
Tadano: Onager tech guru, briefly dated Retsuko in S2. Unseen but mentioned.
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Jack and Skye:
Jack Savage: Tehuantepec jackrabbit writer and director, previously knew Judy in a university drama society. Bar his acting, a notoriously lazy mammal.
Skye Autumn: Swift fox vixen, a mechanic who previously knew (and didn't get along well) with Nick Wilde. Hired to help fix a broken set.
Buster Moon: The koala owner of the theatre. He means well.
Eddie (sheep): Buster Moon's friend and financier.
Siwili Autumn: Grey fox and Skye's adoptive mother. Of native American descent, but kicked out of her tribe when she married her swift fox army husband.
Sweetie/Skye's sister: A sharp dressed army lieutenant and adopted red fox sister of Skye. Goes by her previous last name 'Fox' in order to avoid any nepotism. Currently stationed in South Korea.
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Current suspects (and related) plus (potential) bad guys:
Note: some of these may be good guys, bad guys, and some different ones may be one and the same.
Duke Weaselton: The Duke of Bootleg himself. A mammal with a strong reason to plant the nighthowlers in Kris' locker (mistaking it for Ash's). Currently out of the city, presumed to be in Oregon.
Duke's Cousin: A weasel running a camper rental place in Oregon.
Gus Pipman: Duke's flatmate, seemingly knows nothing.
Maisy Calrama: Formerly Maisy Bellwether, living under a new identity after her aunt's arrest. Attending Ash's school, nobody knowing, she and her family are joint suspects.
Dominic Calarma (formerly Bellwether): Maisy's father and Dawn's younger brother. Is a dwarf sheep with a dapper look, made his money in banking, and helped her on her campaign. Denies involvement but still loves Dawn.
Alicia Calarma (formerly Bellwether): Normal sized sheep (scottish blackface) and Maisy's mother.
DA Kurt Wassermaim: Controversial Hippo District Attorney, previously discussed but only seen in 'Anonymous Vulpine'. Promoted by Bellwether during the middle of the Nighthowler crisis over the older favourite, ADA Jeanette Deux, and though never proven suspected to have been part of her plot. Seen to have had a bias against predators, and a grudge against bank CEO Murana Wolford.
Kazar (from 'The Wild'): A pred hating wildebeest, supposedly the 2nd in command of an evil speciesist plot. Taken down in 'Taking out the Trash'.
Kozlov: Former polar bear bodyguard to Mr Big, currently in Slavulpinch, Ewekraine, with Jorin. Motives and alliances unknown, but seem to be against 'Sizogo Orla'. Has entrusted an heirloom necklace to Judy.
Jorin: Syrian wild ass and friend of Kozlov, resides in Slavulpinch, Ewekraine. Opposed to 'Sizogo Orla'.
Kazar's benefactor: An unknown mammal who had once commanded Kazar, still out there and wanted.
Mysterious big cats: A lion and tiger who enquired about 'Sylvester', Moon's sarcophagus trinket, in Acting Out. Once darted Duke in the face later by accident.
Mysterious three mammals: Shown observing the news of Kris' arrest from afar, and one has supposedly encountered Nick, Judy and Bogo before, along with his enemy. May have had many other cameos going on.
'Petey': A goat mentioned by Duke as interested in him in 'Special Little Mammals', briefly looked for but not found early on in the case.
Professor Padriac Rattigan: Once nemesis of Basil and Dave, long since missing but presumed still out there. Had an entourage including Felicity Pawker, a cannibalistic cat and his lover, and Fidget, his bat lacky. Current status unknown.
'Slylock': A 'detective' claiming to be interested in helping Kris' father, and asking for some information on his work (on ancient Efrafa). Tricked him until Carmen arrived, casting doubt on his claims. Current allegiance unknown.
'Carmen Sandiego Fox': Initially claiming to be a relation of Carmelita Montoya Fox of interpol (from Sly Cooper), later admitted that it was a ruse. Claims to be after an unknown set of enemies, including Slylock, but didn't divulge any more information.
'Sizogo Orla': Unknown presumed enemy of Jorin and Kozlov.
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ZNN and other media mammals.
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Anton Pounceheart (borrowed from WildeNick's 3 months a fox): An intrepid off-screen reporter/ Ewetuber, who very quickly learnt that stuff was up with the Nighthowler plot and by the end was trying to organise an active resistance. Held in a high standard for 'calling it' after the plot, has carried on campaigning. Like in the original fic, will be an offscreen only character.
Murana Wolford (Darkflamewolf's Zoosona): CEO of Lemming Brothers bank, and recipient of a number of spurious charges from DA Kurt Wassermaim.
Steven Stinkman: Skunk reporter at ZNN. Berserkers 'sona, and adopted son of Murana.
Max Thrash: Adopted raccoon son of Murana Wolford.
Gruinard Gal: Former Ewetube alias of Honey.
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The prison:
The warden: An argali, sympathetic to Kris' situation.
Fulton and Terrance: Guards, deer and giant river otter, the latter acting as the coach. Also sympathetic.
Sarrahson: Serval guard, far less sympathetic to Kris.
Armando: Capybara, head of the nerds, in for 'yeeting a mouse.'
Luka: Grey kangaroo, crime unknown, friend of Armando.
Timofey: Polar bear, connected to Big's mafia, in for hunting down and attacking a vandal (well past the point of self defence). Head of 'The Pack', respects Kris.
Matt: A very young canine, crime unknown. Murder mentioned but he claims to be innocent. Kris attempting to befriend and help him.
'Sicko' Wolf: A wolf implied to be in for a sexual crime, noted for acting creepy around Kris and Matt. Hated (with the rest of his friends) by the rest of his block.
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Other:
Badge and Delilah O'possum: Potential lawyers for Kris (from the Born to be Wilde series)
Councillor Aurelia Canidae: Character created by lovelymayor. An obese black (wolf) who initially sponsored the nighthowler bill, not intending for it to be used in this way.
Dr Amy Lupuleli: Binturong psychiatrist to both Ash Fox, Nick Wilde and Honey Badger.
Carmelita Montoya Fox: Famed interpol inspector (from Sly Cooper franchise).
Frantic pig: The owner of Flora and Fauna (the store Duke stole from) in the movie. His nighthowlers being stolen kickstarted much of the plot.
Dr Kristen Soren: OC of tinbuzzard (from the fic Sandcastles), a paleontologist working at the same university (but different department) to Dr William Silverfox.
Madge Badger: Honey's sister and the Dr from the movie. While never formerly charged as part of the missing mammals' case, her experience scared her and, seeing her sister spiral out of control, requested her comital.
Other fox cops: A second ZPD fox cop is mentioned, along with a vixen currently going through the academy.
Sam Burmowitz: A potential lawyer for Kris. (From the fic BvB butting heads)
Unknown Vulpine and wolves: Contacted by Finnick on request of Fenneko. The vulpine is picked up by a large male wolf on a bike, to be taken to an older female white wolf he considers his mother.
Unnamed Horse: Patient of Dr Amy and Uber driver encountered in 'Skye's Fall'. Generally very helping to his detriment, past survivor of something intense.
Vern Rodenburg: A potential lawyer for Kris. (From the Fire Triangle series)
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AN: Well, that was a lot, and I hope it covers everything as we move into day 2. Thanks to the great guys at the ZAA discord for giving me some tips and advice on the upcoming bit. Hope you all enjoy.
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The next day.
Flat 6A. 15 Greenbug street. L.R
5:04 AM
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For all that could be said about modern technology, to some mammals there was one inalienable truth. Despite all the convenience, affordability, practicality and general superiority, it just wasn't working out for them. Which was why some most definitely preferred to avoid it, even with all the inconvenience, unaffordability, impracticality and general inferiority that that meant.
Such could be exemplified as two little grey paws grabbed either side of a cd case, hanging off the wall like a painting, and placed it down in front of him. Gripping one side, the grey furred paws pulled open the lid before pressing down on the centre mount, fitting both paws through the hole of the disk and lifting it up as he took it to the waiting player. It looked more like he was carrying a bicycle wheel than getting ready to listen to anything and even he himself considered it a bit schmaltzy, but it was the way he liked to do things and he felt that here, in his own house, he had the right to do it that way. Down it went, into the turntable-like player (most definitely not an ancient second-paw walkmammal as many others had once used), before he pulled down the lid and pressed play. He turned the music on low, knowing that his adult niece, lodging here while studying, was still asleep, before making his way over to the bathroom.
Snap…. Scraaaaaa…..
"Huh… Missy?"
He looked around the main room of the loft, finding nothing. Still, he heard something… His gaze raised itself up. At the front, the room was one storey, but the roof climbed up in a steep mansard before levelling off, reaching the back floor two storeys high. There was a mezzanine there, originally reached by an orange climbing tube but swiftly replaced with a staircase, which gave access to the guest area where she was bunking…
Another scratch came out, seemingly from higher up, his ears raised to listen to it but getting nothing before the music cut it all out. Come Dance with Me, as sung by Frank Chincillatra, the title track of the album. Big band brass music followed by the legend's deep swooning voice called out of the speakers, its sole listener shaking his head.
It was a twig or a leaf or something, almost certainly. Blown off the trees surrounding the rodent district, coming to a halt on his roof. It wasn't even uncommon, though with a slight caveat. It usually happened in Autumn, shed leaves or sycamore seeds floating in on a gust of wind. It wasn't like he was up close to the border fence or anything, so you needed lots of the stuff being shed and a decent breeze. This was not the time of year that you got those, nor was the wind sounding particularly high out there.
Still, there was a chance, and it made sense. It was either that or it was a stray songbird or something, swooping in and roosting on the ridge line. He rolled his eyes. If it was, then that bird had some real chutzpah! (the good kind).
Ignoring it and slipping into the bathroom, he pulled off his japanese bathrobe and plain nightwear before slipping into the shower, quickly (but trying not too quickly) to wash himself. He told himself a few times to relax, to let it go slowly, which he did his best to do, all the while listening to the faint noise of the song coming through the walls. It struggled to beat the noise of the shower though, and given the antisocial hours he wasn't going to turn it up or anything. One of these days, he was going to buy a pair of cheap ear-pods for larger mammals and set them up like speakers in here…
One of these days…
It just so happened though that his schedule, as always, was always full, not that he'd have it any other way. And, being a small mammal, getting music systems installed and such was always a bother. After all, home music was never a thing for the smallest mammals until cassettes came out, and they themselves were very impractical and expensive. It was only when CD's with data compression had been developed that all rodents could enjoy recorded music; it was why every mouse, rat, shrew, etc. family had at least one copy of Direwolf Straits Brothers in Arms somewhere or other, one of the main reasons for it still being one of the world's best selling albums. He remembered it well, his mother, peace be upon her, couldn't help but talk about it during his visitation time.
Shaking his head, getting out and wrapping the robe back around himself, he left the bathroom, drying himself as he walked. It turned out that he'd managed to stay in for over ten minutes, which was progress! Maybe the quick shower habit was finally on its way out.
With that in mind he slipped into his den and pressed his work answerphone. One message: "Hi Vern. This is Fru-Fru… Sorry I'm calling you at this hour, little Judy just woke me up and… Well…" There was a sigh. "I'd just like to say thanks for everything, even if it didn't work out this time. This isn't on you, it's on him. Best wishes. Night…"
Despite the sad case that was around, he felt relieved. Despite his reputation as a legal miracle worker, there were limits to what could be done. His old patron and financier had dug himself too much of a hole this time and, despite fighting his strongest fight, that was that. It was the way of the world though, at least this time there was the solace in knowing that the mammal going away strictly did deserve it.
Still…
No more high cost legal defenses from there meant that Rodenberg Law had lost one of its big sources of income. He had other lawyers, paralegals and clerks that he had to pay, plus his own PI. Given the focus on pro-bono work, their efforts were never big in the way of moneymakers. Still, they had savings, they wouldn't need to make cut backs or anything in the short to mid-term future, so it wasn't all bad. Worst coming to the worst, they could switch more to a 'pay what you can' model.
Speaking of which…
He went out into the main room and pressed pause on the music, instead pulling out a tv remote and settling down. There was that scrambling again, he was now pretty sure it was a bird, as he turned on the news. It didn't take long for it to cycle through to the item of interest.
"The DA's office treats every case the same," Kurt Wassermaim spoke in a recorded interview, seemingly captured as he left his office the night before. "Be they pred, prey, male, female, canine, feline, ovine or bovine." He smiled and shrugged. "Various mammals have called me bigoted or extreme, something that I entirely reject. I am a classical blank slate enforcer of justice, believing that each mammal is accountable to their behaviours and should be held accountable. This includes this anonymous vulpine. All I ask is that the media classes, just like myself and the silent majority, treat this case with care, caution and maturity."
The screen flicked off, the rat scowling. That hippo, the chutzpah (NOT the good kind) of what he said!
"Well, it's a good thing I'm in the mood for a new long term project," he said, standing up. He was feeling cooler, a brisk chill catching his still damp fur, and he stretched his ageing bones and muscles a bit before walking off. Given some of the mammals captured in the videos, it wouldn't take long to get in contact with that family, and he was sure that something could be…
He paused, his gaze fixed on the doorway out to his balcony.
His open doorway out to his balcony.
"Missy?" he asked.
He paused, looking around and frowning.
"Melissa?"
He shook his head, no she was not up, as was expected. So then why was that door open? He was certain, certain, it hadn't been like that before. He paused, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. He'd lived through worse. This was nothing. In fact, it was probably just down to another classic design fault of Little Rodentia Property.
There was a slight absurdity to the fact that his house, however nice it was, probably cost more than a respectable fox or even wolf sized place in a cheap part of town. Central location (doubly so for rodents), no ability to subdivide larger homes, no new land to develop, the collapse of its crime problems a decade ago and the fact that the district had crazy planning laws and Nimby problems that made the likes of the Bay Area look like a developers paradise all contributed… Of course, the real cherry on top was that 'in order to preserve the rodent skill base' all homes here had to be built 'properly'. Most rodent homes and stuff were mass produced on a conveyor belt or, more recently, 3D printed. Here though you had to have rodent sized construction crews, cranes, even excavators and piling rigs (especially since a certain weasel and bunny cop highlighted the poor quality of foundations). That and the small sizes and tolerances meant that the expensive to build properties here often had settlement, fitting and all sorts of other issues. There'd even been a recent spate of complaints around one developer using recycled popsicle sticks in his properties! Nothing wrong with the principle, other than the fact the idiot hadn't bothered to wash them, which led to all sorts of pest issues a few years later.
While he himself had never had anything like that, there had been a few cracks here and there. Maybe the floor had been settling a certain way and the tiny bolt or lock had come loose. If that were the case, maybe it was time to bite the bullet, learn how to fly a drone and sell this place before the crash hit, buying a rodent sized mansion on someone's roof somewhere.
He came up to the door only to freeze. The lock had come undone, and was lying, separate to the door, at his feet. He gulped, looking up. Maybe a magpie had decided to have a peck at it? He…
The light cut out, leaving him in near blackness. There was another round of scrabbling.
From inside…
Back against the wall, he began sidestepping around. The oven clock and other little lights were off, something had cut the power at the source. This…
His jaw was tight like a vice. Worst case scenario, well, there were two. The first was there was an owl on top of the house, somehow working its way in, but to be fair anything involving owls tended to file itself into worst case scenarios for anything smaller than a fox (and many things larger too.) -Damn nascent Strigiphobia.
More realistically, something was in here and after him. For all the complaints he had about Little Rodentia, one thing was sure, it was safe and secure from larger mammals with something against him (and there were plenty of those). When establishing his legal career, there were certainly rodent sized problems (and lots of them) that had scared him and many others away, but after two fine gentlemice had fixed that problem the district had become the safest (and most expensive) place to be. Not that he'd relocated here right away.
Oh no…
That had come after the defence of a bunch of the Lang family in a large case, the biker wolves easily cleared of the dubious charges levelled against them. Unfortunately, someone in the rather less noble Razor gang had taken offence to that and tried to kill him, via tarantula.
Which, though highly impractical and besset with technical issues, still counted as the single most terrifying moment he'd ever encountered, which was saying something.
Almost made him wish for an owl instead…
Almost…
Still, after surviving that he could survive this. There had been no shakes or anything from larger mammals coming past, meaning it had to be something singular and small. That meant that he had a chance, especially if they were underestimating him, something that was very easy to do.
He began sidestepping along the wall, feeling his way around. Foot slowly over leads, back bending out to go around the bookcase, head down so he wasn't silhouetted against the light from the window.
There was a strange burst of white noise, in the upper range of his hearing. He wouldn't have thought anything of it were it not for the fact that it stopped. Then started again. Then stopped. Then started again.
More sidestepping, heart still hammering as more scrabbling rang out.
It was up, over by the mezzanine and likely on it, backdropped against the darkness and close to Missy's room. Close to his niece!
OY vey! Not her. Not the one member of family he was still close to!
More scrabbling, and he began picking up the pace. It was moving, but where, and there was more of that odd white noise. He was close now, just move around the stand-up clock and get to the kitchen, find a knife… Just get around, and…
"Got-tu-by-tha-clock!"
He froze as its garbled voice rang out from above him. He looked up and saw something black, two eyes opening as it burst into a midnight shadow and leapt down at him. "MISSY!" he cried, running over to the kitchen and grabbing a knife. Heart beating hard in a way it hadn't done for years, he gripped the handle tight just in time to meet the oncoming monster. There was a rush of air and a clatter as the utensils went flying off, some of the bespoke rodent made plates even smashing on the floor.
"Uncle!" came a cry from up above.
"There's something inside!" he cried as it leapt up. He thrust his knife out but the attacker somehow parried it with force. Not that it was met unopposed, grey paws pushing the blade back towards its void like mass but not hard enough, the knife glancing to the side and burying itself into nothing. A claw emerged from the blackness and gripped the rat tight. "Ahhhhh!"
Another gust of wind and he was pulled forward, over the counter, soon being dragged towards the window, the knife dropped. "Youcomewithme. Youcomewithme," it said, as it jostled on. Its captive saw that it was leaning down, a hooked peg leg in front banging along the floor while it leant down on the front claws of it's two wings and…
"BAT! IT'S A BAT!" he yelled, suddenly realising that he was still larger than it. Grabbing its rear leg and twisting it, fighting back, its claw was painfully ripped from the rat's chest only for the hooked peg leg to push back over his arm and pull. He yelled as he felt something sharp dig into his armpit and he fell forward, unable to get his bearings until they were out on the balcony. His niece was screaming, he was scared and mad. This was not how it was going to end for him! No way!
He pulled up, ready to bite it if that was what it took, all while it tried to take flight. It dodged, its prey pulled back, it flapped, the rat hooked a foot on the railing, it kicked his head with its foot and then let go with its hook. One last kick and the victim felt his balance shift, arms left spinning, hearing Missy scream as he fell over backwards, tumbling down and hitting the empty road below lightly.
Thank goodness he was a rat.
His blood still pumped though, it'd be coming back. Paws scurrying, small grey feet raced over to the nearest wall, his back hard against it as he looked up, scanning the air for the assailant. Nothing. Nothing at all. It must be there though, waiting, searching. He ran to the front door of his building, slamming into it and knocking hard. His arm, his writing arm no less, hurt like heck and he was only in a bathrobe and he was scared. No key, stuck outside, trapped. Turning, ramming the intercom button to his flat as hard as possible, back hard against the door, heart hammering, getting ready to fight it when it came.
Getting ready.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Where was it?
Was it toying with him?
There was a soft buzz and he nearly fell backwards, scurrying inside and slamming the door shut. He was safe.
Was he?
He was!
He was!
"Uncle!" came a shout and he turned, sighing with relief as he saw Missy running down to get him.
His knees felt weak as he stumbled up, collapsing into her.
"Uncle… Are you okay."
"I've seen worse in my time," he managed to say, the endorphin rush managing to morph a smile onto his mouth.
"That's not good news!"
"Oh mazel tov, give me this one," he managed to say, even as his arm pulsed with pain. "Now let's call the docs, quickly."
They did just that.
.
.
It wasn't much longer before Kris woke up.
Getting out of his bed, there were some guards waiting outside, quickly taking him out of his cell and turning left and right, soon sitting him down on a hard plastic seat. Visitation time, something he felt glad for.
Paws rapping on the little desk, eyes looking around, he looked down to see his long legs and tail, the fur messy and unkempt. Somehow, he thought, he felt much bigger, which only made the space seem more cramped. His eyes dropped down to the glass pane, as a set of figures began approaching.
"Uncle? Aunt?"
They nodded, though he couldn't help but notice that they were hunched over, their fur darker. They were older. Much older.
"Well, it seems our previous failures can be put aside for now. This is the last time we'll be here, before you're getting out. Took the long way around, but hey, it's still a way around!"
"What…" he began to say, only to pause as he looked down at his Aunt, her baby bump gone. "What happened to your baby?"
"Do you mean me?" someone asked. It sounded like Ash, but no, it was different. There was a kit about his age standing next to them, looking like his cousin albeit in far better shape. "I grew up while you were in here. Don't you remember?"
"Of course he does," his uncle said. "It's been fifteen years."
"Tha… that's right Cous," came a voice. Ash's, but weaker, hoarser, and he saw a strange figure approach. His cousin had grown a little while he was inside, but everything else had been a step back. His ears were torn, his fur patchy, his movements twitchy and unsure.
"Ash?"
"I tried my best by myself," he said. "I really did! And I managed with… with… without your help, didn't I?"
"You got here," came a voice, Nick. "It was a struggle, a big one, given that there wasn't a certain someone to look after you. But hey, if you couldn't have managed without him, it was his fault for getting himself into this mess."
"I didn't!" Kris protested, looking around. But he had, he remembered now, he was in here for fifteen years, the statement pounding and twisting his heart hard.
"Well, you say that, but the law didn't care," Judy added, smiling. She had a bunch of teenage fox and bunny kits behind her, going around, some playing with Nick's tail. "But hey, our lives just kept on going."
"Yeah, no biggy," his Uncle added, standing up. "Come on, the convict still has a bit of his conviction to spend out!" Up they all stood, turning and walking off into the mist.
"Wait!" Kris shouted. "W-where's Dad?"
They kept on going.
"Where's my dad?"
They soon disappeared, all except Ash, the shivering reduction of his cousin giving him one final look, hardened into a glare. "You broke his heart years ago. Where do you think?"
And then he vanished too, and Kris was alone. He looked around, he tried to walk away, he began crying out for his father but his father would never hear it, it was too late. It was all too late, he was gone, and Kris was alone. Completely, utterly, impossibly alone. He wanted to run away but he couldn't. All he could do was curl up into himself and cry into himself.
Cry into his pillow.
Curl up tighter, his sheets shifting on top of him, and…
And…
He brought his head up and looked around. He was back in his cell, back sitting on his bed, back in Juvie on his second day and that… That had just been a dream.
Just a dream.
A few more tears dripped from his eyes but he wiped them away, going over to the small sink to wash his face before sitting down. Each cell had a fur brush fixed to the wall by an elastic cord and, stripping down, he began working out all the knots and tufts on his body.
It didn't take long for a new sound to come in through the wall. Muffled, quiet, but there nonetheless, a shrill scream followed by a sob. Matt…
Might it be worth it finding a way to talk to him? Morse code or something through the walls. After all, while the rules said that you couldn't have personal electronics or anything to communicate with the outside, there was nothing strictly against communicating between cells.
Okay… It was technically pushing the boundaries and not doing what you were supposed to do, but there was a terrified little boy next door who might be put at ease by it.
Boy…
Boy, pup, cub, Kris' ears drooped. It was an apt description for the little wolf, one that made him think. One guard had called him a murderer, yet he'd said he was innocent. What had he done to get in here?
The alarm bell rung, they'd be getting out soon, and he looked out of the window of his door and spotted a guard brush past. There was the sound of Matt's cell unlocking, and then some talking. He watched as the guard walked back past, a blue plastic sanitary waste bag filled with something carried in his hoof. Thinking back to Matt's incident the day before, he had to concede that that was probably the most dignified way of handling that medical issue.
It was strange, his earliest memory, the precious one with his mother, had her praising him for getting through the night dry, nothing back then including a diaper or anything. Yet here that pup was… He had to have been ten, maybe not long after his birthday or something?
Maybe, if he was innocent, he might be younger than ten. Yes, it was supposed to be the minimum age, but that was presuming that everyone was good and working with good faith. However much he didn't want to think about it, that wasn't a confirmed certainty.
What was the one he'd heard about in… It was definitely on the US east coast... That was a scandal involving corrupt judges taking bribes and a bunch of juvenile facilities, one brutal one especially… It was annoying, he couldn't remember the name, just that the whole thing was called 'Kits for Cash'. However, while an article about a judge being sentenced had included a mention of the ages not going below ten, there had been one commentator on the internet comments section who had, in very colourful and angry language, sworn up and down that it was lies, that there were younger ones, that he had been younger.
Though with the laws and stuff in Zootopia, that couldn't be the case, right?
Well, he thought, he'd have to find out. In position, the door was opened, he stepped out and Matt was there, looking a bit sheepish but otherwise okay.
They were given time off in the cell block before they were called for breakfast, and they walked over next to a television. "You okay?" Kris asked, looking down at Matt.
The young pup shook his head.
"Bad dream?"
"Uh… yeah! Bad dream," he gushed out, his ears folding back as he looked around. "I… I don't want to be here."
"I don't either," Kris said, as he sat down on a stool across from him.
"And… and I didn't do anything wrong! Neither did you, but I didn't. It's… it's scary here too."
Kris looked around. Nothing violent was going on, it didn't look spooky but, well…
"Yeah, it is," he agreed, looking down and holding the small canine's paw. "I had a bad dream last night too. About not getting my name cleared and growing old in here."
Matt looked up at him warily before batting away his paw, flinching back and wrapping his tail around himself. There were a few whines.
Kris looked at him, before looking down at his rejected paw. "Why did you do that?"
"I… I dunno," he mumbled, beginning to sniff. Kris reached over to put his paw around his shoulders, only for him to jolt back, claws swiping out. The silver fox dodged them as Matt seemed to realise what he'd done. "I… I'm sorry!" he yelled.
"Apology accepted," he replied, only to pause as he saw Matt flinch down, covering his head as if he expected to be hit.
There was a long awkward silence.
"It's okay," Kris said. "I'm not going to hit you. I'm just going to look out for you."
Matt looked back with an unsure look on his face, one broken off as he glanced at the kids tv programme currently being shown. A bunch of neon coloured superhero bunnies, along with a purple caped racoon and a silver coloured fox (not a standard 'black with grey' silver or a platinum like Kris, he was silver all over) were speeding along in crazy carts, off to save the day.
"It's the S-T-R-I-P-E-S!" Matt cheered, his face lighting up.
Kris relaxed. Getting close to him would be like going out on ice. Slow, steady, stepping carefully. There was more to his story, and it wasn't like he was pressed for time in working it all out. So, he sat with him and settled down to enjoy the adrenaline fueled cartoon go-kart/ bike/ superhero action (just like many of the other prisoners). There were even protests as someone walked up to the screen, though he said that he was only there to change the volume.
"I can't find the remote," he said.
"Couldn't yesterday too," someone else said.
"And they've locked the manual controls."
"Who cares!"
"I do, I want it louder!"
Kris remembered the media blackout the guards were doing, on his behalf…
More than that, last night, his father had said that there was a big protest gearing up on his behalf. They'd called in contacts, got a bunch of media mammals on their side, and things were going well…
He crossed his fingers, hoping that it would all work out and wondering what everyone else was up to.