Part 3 of the Vexey arc incoming! It's time to return to Foxden for perhaps an even more memorable visit than Lucy's.

Drabble 16: The Foxden and the Hounding

Foxden

The Mild Manor - Basement

11: 17 AM

"So, what do you think? Imprisoned against your will. Pretty scary, huh?"

Bonnie and Stu Hopps didn't know who this strange, goth-fox was, or why she seemed so interested in getting constructive feedback on their own kidnapping. But something about her just made them want to be supportive. "Well...the scenery is awfully frightening," Bonnie said hesitantly.

The basement beneath the manor looked more like a giant workshop, stray pieces of scrap and rundown machinery strewn every which way and the plans for unfinished inventions covering most of the wall space. Wandering around in here carelessly was a Tetanus shot waiting to happen. "And I think it's safe to say we're mighty uncomfortable hanging over a tub of acid," Stu added, looking down at the bubbling pool below them. He and his wife were suspended from the ceiling by a chain, only a few feet above said pool, swaying slowly back and forth.

"Oh, that's just a very powerful fur remover actually," Vexey explained, hanging over the back of a chair like an excited kit. "I'm not a monster. Just trying to create an appropriate air of menace for ya."

"Fair enough," Stu acknowledged. "But you probably would'a been better off not telling us that then."

"What, that doesn't scare you?! Losing your fur and having to show your faces around town as a couple of hideous, naked freaks?!"

"It does, it's a very scary thought," Bonnie assured her. "Just imagining what the neighbors would say, my goodness!"

"They'd never let us hear the end of it!"

"It's just not as scary as the alternative of painfully burning to death, is all."

"Shit!" Vexey swore to herself. "Would that have made it better? I was just trying to work with what I had. This was kinda short notice and I don't even know where I'd go about getting that much acid…"

"Where'd you get the rest of this stuff?" Bonnie asked.

"Some mad scientist type we had living down here for a while. Made a bunch of cool shit for us, but Dad took most of it with him when he left and I'm not about to ask for any handouts."

"And you shouldn't! I think you did just fine on your own."

"Really?"

"Yeah!" Stu agreed. "That acid thing is so overdone anyway. You found a creative alternative to serve a similar purpose and that deserves some recognition."

Vexey started to smile again, the greyish fox rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, I guess I did, didn't I?"

"You sure did! And hey, this is still deep enough that you could drown us in it if you wanted to. That's a pretty awful way to go itself."

"And with the fur remover…" Bonnie started, deliberately trailing off.

"Then you'd be hideous, naked, dead freaks!" Vexey finished, sitting up in excitement. "No one would even want to look at your bodies because of how hideous and naked you are! The perfect crime!"

"Now you get it!"

"I do! Suck it, Dad! I don't need you anyway!" Vexey stood up and kicked the chair over to make some vague statement against parental oppression.

"Heeeeey, I think I've seen you somewhere before actually," Stu said thoughtfully, pointing a chained-up finger at her. "Doesn't she seem kinda familiar, honey?"

Bonnie's ears perked up. "That's right, I remember now! That sweet little fox girl in the rabbit costume!"

"Aw geez, you were there for that?" Vexey flinched. "I-I mean, I have no idea who you're talking about! I'm not sweet! And I'm certainly not suffering from Lagomorphopathy!"

The rabbits' ears twisted to form a pair of question marks over their heads. "Lagowhatsitnow?" Stu asked.

"Lagomorphopathy. You know, that condition where other mammals think that they're rabbits. Which I've never had!"

"Well, of course you haven't, dear." Bonnie giggled. "There's no such thing as Lagomorphopathy."

Vexey's tail twisted to form a question mark behind her back. "Huh? But then…...crap, I lost my train of thought."

"You were talking about how you're not a sweet little girl," Stu reminded.

"Right. Because I'm not!" She pumped a fist assertively. "And I'm off to make a name for myself and prove it. Thanks for the input. Don't go anywhere now." Vexey gave them a two-finger salute over her shoulder as she headed back up.

Bonnie nudged Stu. "Do you think that was a joke?"

"I'm really not sure."

Up in the main hall of the manor, in between the two curved staircases, a giant portrait hung on the wall. It was once a portrait of Count Reynard slouching in a throne-like chair. Now it was Vexey leaning forward in that chair while winking and sticking her tongue out at passerby. The redecorations were continuing to come along smoothly.

But regardless of the portrait's contents, its original purpose had not changed. With a hiss, the bottom jutted outward and lifted up until it was pointing at the front door, revealing a secret passage. Exactly the kind of thing one could expect when you had a mad scientist living in your basement.

Vexey stepped through the impromptu doorway and onto carpeted floors again, finding Up and Down waiting for her. "By that smile on your face, I take it you were successful, Lady Reynard?" Up asked.

"You bet I was."

"Excellent," said Down. "Then what else did you learn about Gideon?"

"I…" Vexey paused, mouth hanging open. So that's why I went down there.

She slowly closed it again, stepped back through the doorway, and shut it behind her.

Bunnyburrow

Sheriff's Office - "War Room"

12: 06 PM

Moral concerns of putting an entire family at risk for his own sake aside, Gideon had a number of problems with this supposed "rescue mission" already.

First of all, there was no war room. Or a bullpen, or anything else that police would normally use to plan such an operation. Instead, they were all just huddled up in the break room with several boxes of donuts Gideon had provided. Most of the Bunnyburrow cops, made up of sheep, horses, deer, and just about anything else but bunnies, were happily chewing away at the pastries and barely even paying attention. This included Travis, whose feet were not only on the table, but resting atop the very notepad he was supposed to be consulting.

Gideon shared a nervous glance with Sunny, who at least seemed mutually worried. Good. I didn't want to be the lone naysayer here.

The only one actually taking this seriously appeared to be the sheriff himself: a large, muscular rabbit covered in dark grey fur and wearing a heavily-polished uniform. Gideon was ashamed to admit that he'd never heard of the fellow before, but Sunny filled him in on the way over. It was no surprise that the chocolate bunny was familiar with him, as Sheriff Jeremiah Hoppington was almost as big of a Judy Hopps enthusiast as himself, perhaps more inspired than any other rabbit in Bunnyburrow to follow her ideals despite not even coming from the same family. Given the heart that Sunny had demonstrated thus far, knowing that alone made Gideon a little hopeful.

"Attention, everyone!" Hoppington announced, in vain, to his underlings. "Here's the situation: the beloved heads of the Hopps family have been captured by the enemy! In return for their safety, they demand that respected baker and friend to all children, Gideon Grey, pack up and move in to Foxden posthaste!"

Gideon raised a paw. "You know, it's really not that bad. It's just a move. She even gave me a whole week to pack, which I thought was pretty generous-"

"Silence!" He wielded a sharpened carrot as if it were a combat knife, using it to point aggressively at him, and then at a projector screen. "Travis, hit the lights and start the show!" Amazingly, he actually got up and did, albeit with some grumbled complaints. The screen flickered on to reveal a typical street view of the town of Foxden. Several identical houses were lined up, with cheerful, smiling fox folk in the middle of going about their daily business. "Behold: the enemy!"

"Wait...that's Foxden?" Gideon asked. "All the stories I've heard really made it sound a lot worse."

"Don't be fooled, boy. The town itself may be a saccharine sideshow, but what we really need to worry about is this!" He pointed again at the screen, which failed to change. "Travis!"

"I heard you, geeeez." The polecat, nearly slumped over the projector, reached up and pushed a button.

An image popped up of a large, expansive mansion looming over the camera. It was surrounded by gates, guard towers, and a garden with a topiary of a suited fox. "This is the Mild Manor, stronghold of the Foxden Mob. This is also an outdated picture as I hear it's a lot more purple now."

"Well, it shouldn't be too hard to pick out then," Sunny joked. Several officers mumbled agreements as if they had actually been concerned about that.

"Finding it isn't the problem!" Hoppingon asserted. "Many years ago, a lone fox swept into town and took control almost overnight. No one's quite sure how, but soon enough, he had dozens of others under his command and this estate constructed to lord over it all. That was the beginning of the Foxden Mob, who now rules over this town."

"But they're still criminals, right?" Gideon asked. "What about the actual mayor? Or law enforcement?"

"Oh, they have law enforcement alright. Every now and then, someone drops a can on the ground or dares to jaywalk and the police come out to give them a stern talking-to. As for the mayor, he lives in a cozy building that's allegedly a town hall and occasionally goes outside to give an inspirational speech to no one in particular." The disgust in his voice was evident. "Foxden isn't a town anymore. It's someone's sick joke of what they think an ideal community should look like. An endless play, performed with the town as its stage and the Foxden Mob as its director."

The screen changed one last time, showing a picture of a suited fox, the same one from the topiary, exiting a limousine. It almost looked like it had been taken without his knowledge, if not for the fact that he was simultaneously waving to his henchmammals with one paw and shooting a thumbs-up at the camera with the other. "This picture is also outdated."

"Because the head is Vexey now," Gideon said with a nod. "So we're really not going to be finding any help there, huh? It's just us against them."

"On the bright side, this 'Vexey' girl doesn't sound nearly as dangerous as the old boss," Sunny replied. "I overheard her call to you earlier and she seemed kinda...how to put this politely...competence-challenged."

"Sadly, you don't need a lot of smarts to order paid thugs around," Hoppington argued. "We're not sure exactly what her connection to the old boss is, but there must be some reason he left her in charge. We shouldn't underestimate her." At his signal, Travis turned off the projector and turned on the lights. "So...anyone have any ideas?"

"Are you serious?" Sunny asked. "After all that, you don't even have a plan?"

Hoppington cleared the gap between them in a second, landing on the edge of the table and pointing his weaponized carrot at Sunny's throat. "I am trying to open a friendly forum and gather input! Just because you're a fancy-pants assistant mayor in Zootopia, don't think we have to do things your way here!"

Sunny gulped. "O-Of course not. Take your time."

"I have an idea," Gideon said.

"You see? My method works. What is it, son?"

"Um...giving in to her demands because you just made the Foxden Mob sound even scarier than I thought?"

Hoppington looked like he wished he was wearing glasses, just so he could take them off dramatically. "Son, do you know what Miss Judy Hopps would think about that?"

"With all due respect, I'm pretty sure I know her more personally than you do."

"She would think that's the talk of a quitter! And if we're to follow in her footsteps, be the best enforcers of the law she could ask for, we must never know when to quit!" He actually sniffled a bit. "That girl was an inspiration. Bless her soul."

"Why are you talking about her like she's dead?" Sunny asked. His ears suddenly stood up straight, and a devious smile crossed his face. "Actually...I think Gideon may be on to something…"

Hoppington stomped furiously. "Now what did I just-!"

"Hold on, sir, let me explain," Sunny assured him. "I think you, and Judy, will like this idea."

His eye twitched and he kept the carrot trained on him, trembling in his grip, but he begrudgingly listened.

Foxden

2: 34 PM

"Howdy, neighbor!" a fox mowing his lawn called over the shrub. "Hope you're having a wonderful day!"

"That I am, neighbor!" a fox trimming that shrub replied. "It's a beautiful afternoon!"

"Yes, indeedy! Nothing like the sun to really get your muscles going!"

"Even if we're nocturnal!"

They both shared an overly long laugh.

"Hope you've had enough coffee, neighbor!"

"I don't believe that's feasibly possible, neighbor!"

They laughed again.

The first fox turned his head as something caught his eye. "Hey, look at that over there!"

"Hmm? Oh, I see it too! Looks like we're getting a new neighbor!"

"How wonderful! Let's give him a warm welcome!"

"HOWDY, NEIGHBOR!" they shouted as the moving truck passed by. Like a domino effect, every other fox down the line shouted similar greetings.

Hunched over the driver's seat, Gideon nervously waved back to them. He was trying to make his entrance as discreet as possible, but that seemed to be off the table now. "Are you sure this is going to work?" he whispered.

Sunny, whose sharp ears picked it up from his hiding place under the dashboard, answered back. "Not at all. Just follow the plan and hope for the best."

"No offense, but considering I'm about to walk into a den of criminals, that's not very reassuring."

"Do you want reassurance or honesty?" he asked, like a true politician.

"I want to stop putting you all in danger. This is way too risky."

"Too bad. You got outvoted," he said, also like a true politician. "Now focus! I can hear that we're almost there."

"What do you mean you can hear...oh dear."

A discreet entrance was completely out the window now. The news of his arrival had traveled quickly, and by the time they reached their destination, there was already a big "WELCOME, GIDEON!" banner hung over the front gate of the Mild Manor. A trying-very-hard-not-to-look-giddy Vexey Wilde stood out front, two foxes in shades flanking her.

"Follow the plan," Sunny reminded him.

"Step 1: Fake giving in to Vexey's demands," the rabbit had explained. "The Foxden Mob is likely prepared for an attack of some kind and they have more than enough mammalpower to repel one. So we need to get them to let down their guard."

Gideon pulled the truck up front and stepped out, leaving Sunny behind. "H-Heya, Vexey. Brought mah shop, just like ya wanted."

"So I see," the grey-colored fox said with a smile. "Sorry if the banner's kinda sloppy. I didn't think you'd come here so soon."

"Oh...r-really?"

"Yeah. But that's okay! Just goes to show it was a good plan! Anyway, let me introduce you to my Royal Attendants."

"Your what?"

"My assistants. Meet Up and Down."

"Those aren't actually our names," Down pointed out.

"They might as well be," Vexey said.

"Pleasure to meet you." Gideon stepped forward and shook paws with the duo. Just because they were "the enemy", that was no excuse for poor manners. On their part, the corsac foxes actually seemed to appreciate the gesture.

"Alright, that's enough." Vexey physically shoved Up away mid-shake. "We already have the perfect location picked out for you in the business sector. Come on, we'll help you get set up."

"Actually…" Gideon stopped her. "I was kinda hoping...you could maybe...show me around your place first?" He grinned nervously, sweat visibly rolling down his brow.

"Step 2: Get inside the Mild Manor. There's no real reason she needs to let you inside, so you might have to manipulate her a bit. Be prepared to lie if you have to."

"I don't know…" Gideon said hesitantly. "I'm not really good at lying. Or any of that sly fox stuff."

"That's okay. I don't think she is either."

"Sure, come on in!" she agreed immediately.

Up raised a paw. "Lady Reynard, a security concern, if I may…"

"Bitch, you may not! I finally managed to get Gideon here and all he wants is to tour the manor a little. What's wrong with that?"

"Well, mainly that I don't think that's all he wants," Down argued. "We do still have our 'special guests' here, after all."

"Then that just works out better, doesn't it? We can give him the tour and then let the bunnies run home when we're done! You two got something against efficiency?!"

Up and Down mutually sighed. "No, Lady Reynard."

"Good." Vexey looked back at Gideon, then up slightly. "By the way, what's with the hat?"

"Oh, t-this?" Gideon looked up at the classic chef's hat resting atop his head. "Y-You know, I just thought it appropriate, being a baker and all…"

"Step 3: Give us a visual of everything you see inside with a bug we plant on your person. That way, we'll see what you see."

"What kind of budget do you think we're working with here, son?" Hoppington asked.

"The kind that doesn't know when to quit?"

"You got that right! I'll see what I can do."

Vexey nodded. "That makes sense."

"Lady Reynard, I-!"

"Shut up, Up! And stand down, Down! We are giving our new baker a tour and that's that!"

Vexey turned and beckoned Gideon through the gates, leaving the corsacs grumbling behind them. "I swear, Reynard only gave us those names for the pun potential," Down muttered.

As they passed through the garden, Gideon couldn't help but be a bit unnerved by the giant topiary of Vexey that seemed to be flipping off the entire town.

The Mild Manor

Main Hall

2: 52 PM

"Nice place, isn't it?" Unsurprisingly, his host wanted positive reinforcement as soon as possible.

"It's very well-made," he said, genuinely impressed. He had been advised to butter her up with flattery, which fell on deaf ears for him. Because he was so predisposed to it anyway that he didn't need the advice. It was clever of Sunny to think of it though. He's really good with reading a mammal's talents and his fur is so nicely groomed. "Did you make all these renovations yourself? They really suit you."

"Hell yeah, I did! Glad you noticed!"

The entire room was in shades of purple and black, gothic architecture hung from the walls, and he was looking square at the giant portrait of Vexey at the base of the stairs.

"I pride myself on being observant."

"Which I'm sure will come in handy as our baker. Now come on, I'll show ya around." Vexey led him up one of the staircases, followed very closely by Up and Down. The corsacs' cordial attitude when he first met them was mostly replaced by suspicion now. Gideon could practically feel the hilts of their katanas poking him in the backside.

They had every reason to be suspicious, of course.

"Step 4: Locate Bonnie and Stu Hopps and, hopefully, get them released. Even if you have to follow her around the whole dang manor first."

Gideon was prepared to do just that, which wasn't so terrible. For the root of all evil here in Foxden, the manor was a pretty cozy place. Vexey didn't really seem prepared to give a tour though, despite her willingness.

"And over here is the kitchen. We make things to eat there. I mean, I don't, but the servants do."

"And there's the library. Lots of shit in here that I don't have time to read, but I'm sure it's really insightful and stuff."

"That's the ballroom. Not like we ever actually get that fancy, but hey, it seemed like kind of a requirement for a place like this."

"And then there's this room. I don't actually remember what it's called, but it's where I first realized that Dad didn't love me."

Gideon wasn't sure this experience could get much more uncomfortable than that. But as they headed down another carpeted hallway, Vexey abruptly yelled, "Holy shit!"

"W-What is it?" Gideon took a step back in shock. Up and Down jumped and drew their swords on him instantly, as if they thought he was the cause. Wait. Don't tell me she's figured it out!

But Vexey wasn't even looking at him. "If Lagomorphopathy isn't real...then that orphanage fundraiser was a scam all along!"

This profound revelation stunned Vexey into silence, just standing there in shock for several moments. "So much makes sense now…"

Up and Down lowered their swords, not sure how exactly to react to that.

But Gideon did.

Outside and Inside

3: 14 PM

"What is that boy doing? Is he...hugging the enemy?!"

Outside the Mild Manor and inside the moving truck, Sheriff Hoppington and his squad were huddled around an old laptop. It was the only thing besides them actually inside the truck. As much as the other officers wanted to actually bring some of Gideon's supplies along, specifically the baked kind, there simply wasn't enough room for both them and the goods. And they were going to need all the help they could get.

"Step 5: Once Bonnie and Stu are out, the Foxden Mob will probably send a few guys with Gideon to make sure he actually sets up shop. When they open the truck, we'll take them by surprise, subdue them, then grab Gideon and the Hopps' and get the heck out of there! Sound good?"

"Impressive plan you got there," Hoppington said, finally smiling at him. "Just like something Judy herself would've come up with. Her legacy will live on forever."

"Seriously, she's not dead."

"But we can't get to Step 5 until we're done with Step 4 and we can't get done with Step 4 if he keeps lollygagging on Step 3!" Hoppington complained.

"I'm kinda amazed we got past Step 2, so let's not push our luck."

There was a soft thud on the side of the truck.

"What was that?" the sheriff asked.

Several more soon followed.

"Are we under attack?!"

"Calm down! It doesn't sound like anything serious," Sunny assured. "I'm the only one here not in a cop uniform, so I'll go check it out."

Sunny crawled through a small window back into the front of the truck, then stepped out through the passenger's side as if he had been there the whole time. "Hey, what's going on out here? As Gideon Grey's official moving support aide, I must inquire!"

But all he saw were the many colorful foxes of Foxden going about their day. A red fox watering his lawn waved to him. "Howdy, official moving support aide of neighbor! What seems to be the problem?"

Sunny looked to the side of the truck, frowning at the sight of many splattered eggs on its surface. "This would be the problem!"

"Well, I'll be!" A fennec fox mother pushing a baby carriage covered her mouth in shock. "How could that have happened?!"

"Perhaps ol' Bernie down the block tripped and lost hold of his eggs again," the plant-waterer suggested. "You know how clumsy he is."

"Right…" Sunny said, unconvinced. "Well, tell Bernie to be more careful in the future, please."

"I'll try, but between you and me, I think it's a waste of breath with that guy!" he laughed.

"Oh, that's an awful thing to say!" the fox mom scolded, but laughing herself.

They were still laughing when Sunny headed back inside the truck. "Alright, false alarm. I think some local delinquent egged us and the neighbors are covering it up, but it's no biggie."

"They're lucky we have bigger issues to worry about than some fox's brat causing trouble," Hoppington agreed, scowling at the laptop screen. "Speaking of which…"

"Is he still hugging her?"

"No, but now they're going to her room and I think they're about to get all touchy-feely. Not literally, I hope, or I'm turning this off."

A horse officer in the back slowly raised a hoof. "...I ship 'em."

"Nobody asked you, Carl!"

The truck shuddered with a loud hissing noise, their footing becoming just a bit uneven. "What now?!" Hoppington roared.

"Hold on, I'll check!" Sunny said, again climbing out of the truck through the passenger's side door to see.

It wasn't eggs this time. The truck's tires had been slashed. All four of them.

"What is the meaning of this?!" he yelled at the curious onlookers.

"Oh my! Having some car trouble there, dearie?" asked an old, silver fox crossing the street on walkers. "Must've run over a nail or somethin'."

"All four tires? While parked?"

"I wouldn't trust those nails, dearie. They have a way of slipping right under your nose and pokin' ya!"

Sunny's anger started to give way to a very instinctual sort of fear. Much like his ancestors must have felt when lost in unfamiliar territory and surrounded entirely by foxes. "Heh. Yeah...I suppose they do…"

He rushed back inside. "I think we have a problem. Possibly several."

"I know!" he yelled at the screen. "Get on with it already!"

"Not that. Um...you remember that 'play' metaphor you were using to describe this place?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I had a theory about that. If Foxden is the stage and the Foxden Mob is the director, then what if all of these innocent civilians are the…?"

The truck shook, hard enough to knock several of them over. "Uh oh."

Sunny went outside, and immediately noticed the giant dent in the side of the truck.

The culprit was a smaller pickup truck driven by a grinning fox. It wasn't a pleasant grin this time. "Why, howdy neighbor. It looks like I've had some car trouble too. I can't seem to help but run into the police."

Sunny stiffened. "W-What do you mean? Just a bunch of pies and stuff in there. For moving. Here."

"Ha! You think you can fool us?" asked the lawn-washing fox from earlier. He had turned off his hose and detached it, wringing it around in his paws like a makeshift rope and leaving little doubt as to what he wanted to wrap it around. "We've been doing this shtick for years."

"That's right. And we know a setup when we see one," said the old lady fox. She had pulled her walker apart, evidently not needing it at all, and turned its two halves into clubs that she raised threateningly above her head.

"All of the genuinely good foxes skipped town ages ago," said the mother fox. She reached into the carriage and pulled out a shotgun. But there was still an actual child inside, who brandished a slingshot instead. "Foxden is the Foxden Mob. Now this entire town is nothing but one giant hustle. And you're not welcome here."

Sunny pounded on the back of the truck. "Okay, forget the plan, just get out here!"

The metal shutter opened and out came Sheriff Hoppington with the rest of the meager Bunnyburrow police force. But nonetheless, it was still plenty to deal with the attackers.

At least until the rest of Foxden started joining in. Crawling from doors, windows, and any other hiding space they could think of, hordes of "friendly" neighbors emerged with their own improvised weapons, closing in on them. Even with their tranqs locked and loaded, they were soon surrounded on all sides by what was a mob in every sense of the word.

Sunny panicked. "What do we do, sir?!"

Hoppington's gun shook as he pointed it frantically back and forth at the approaching foxes. "The only thing we can do, son. Not know when to quit."

The Mild Manor

Vexey's Room

3: 17 PM

"This is your room?"

"Yeah. Not what you expected, I'm guessing?"

It wasn't. Compared to the gothic melancholy of the rest of the manor, Vexey's own room was the most bright and colorful place here. Mainly because it looked just like your average little girl's bedroom, including a dollhouse, stuffed animals, and sky blue wallpaper with fluffy clouds and a sun wearing sunglasses. "This is where I've stayed since I got here. Haven't gotten around to renovating it yet. And of course, Dad never gave a shit either, so…"

She stopped. "Well, anyway, let's continue the tour."

Vexey moved to leave, but Gideon stayed in her path. "Before that...could I talk to you for a minute?" Privately was implied, but he didn't want to say it.

She actually picked up on it though. "What? You think that hugging me unprovoked means you've earned some one-on-one time?"

"Er…"

"Because it does. Get in."

She pulled Gideon inside the room and slammed the door in the corsacs' faces before they could protest.

Gideon plopped himself down on the bed with Vexey right next to him, suddenly unsure what he was getting himself into. And also forgetting that all of this was being watched. "So..."

"What did you want to talk about?" Vexey interrupted him, crossing her arms and looking away in a manner that was probably intended to be standoffish. "How much my father sucks or how much I suck trying to be like him?"

"Neither," he answered carefully. "I kinda wanted to ask what this whole scheme of yours is about actually. Because I'm pretty sure it's about more than you wanting free pies."

That got a chuckle out of her. "You're right. Well, if you must know, I'm taking over Dad's business. All of it. Trying to show him up for all the shit he put me through. Your bakery, the Hopps', they're all just pieces on my big checkers board of revenge." She patted him on the shoulder reassuringly. "But don't worry, once we've settled our deal, I'll gladly give the bunnies back. They're good mammals."

"You don't seem so bad either."

It slipped out before Gideon could stop himself. And when it did, Vexey gave him a curious, and mildly frightened, look. "What do you mean by that? I am bad! Just look at me!" She gestured wildly to her fur and outfit.

Tread lightly, Gideon. Like handling a soufflé. "Let's just say I know a thing or two about self-doubt and unchecked rage and aggression. I used to be a major jerk myself, you know."

Now she just looked dumbfounded. "You?"

"Ask Bonnie and Stu if you don't believe me. But look at me now and what do you see?"

"A...fat guy?"

He laughed. "Can't argue that. What else?"

She rubbed at her arm. "You seem really nice. And polite. Almost disturbingly so. And...happy. Kinda reminds me of how I used to be."

"Guess we grew up in opposite ways then," Gideon said. "But there's no reason you can't be like that again."

"Of course there is!" she snapped, letting out a growl. "That's not me anymore!"

"Are you sure about that?" He looked around the room again. "You haven't touched up this place yet, and I don't think that's just because you haven't gotten around to it. How long have you lived here again?"

"...Eleven years. W-Well, maybe I'm just lazy! Ever think of that?!"

He chose to avoid that question. In fact, he didn't say anything at all until she spoke again. "It's not like I have a choice anyway. If you can't figure it out yet, I'm adopted. I don't have any other options. Either I succeed as a better criminal than my father, or I deal with being a failure and a nothing for the rest of my life. When in Roam, right?"

"I see your point," he admitted. "But those aren't your only options."

She scoffed. "What are you suggesting then? I leave the Foxden Mob and become your personal baking assistant or something?"

"Works for me."

Whatever edgy shell Vexey was building up around her crumpled to dust in an instant. "Shit, you're serious?"

"As a heart attack I'm likely susceptible to."

"Come on, I don't know a damn thing about baking!"

"I'll teach you."

"I'll break something! I mean it! I'm clumsy!"

"I'll fix it."

"I...I'll burn the whole place to the ground! Then where will you get business?!"

"Wherever I can."

"You….you…...fat guy!" Vexey threw her arms up. "You're ridiculous! Your ideas are ridiculous! Let's just finish the damn tour!" She stood up again.

"Sure. Just one more thing."

She was halfway to the door when she stopped, not looking back. "What?"

"You never actually said no." He smiled. "Should make it official, as a businessmammal yourself and all."

Vexey looked back at him now, glaring. She opened her mouth to respond, closed it, opened it again, grit her teeth, took a deep breath, opened it again-

There was a knock on the door.

She jumped. "Yes? I-I mean no! I mean...what is it?"

"Sorry to bother you, Lady Reynard, but we have a situation outside," Up's voice informed.

"The moving truck was full of cops, and our brave citizens are fending them off now," Down added.

"Huh? Why would it be…?" Now that she was facing him, Gideon could very clearly see the flash of hurt that crossed her face. "You lied to me."

Oh dang. Maybe I should've just followed the plan.

"Vexey, wait! I can explain-"

"You don't need to say anything. I get it." She approached the door, only to lock it. "I'm an easy mark. I always have been. I mean, shit, it only took me eleven years to realize I was adopted over a lie. Why would I ever think this was any different?"

"Vexey, that's not how it-"

"Shut up." She pressed her claws against the door frame, slowly dragging them down to leave deep gashes in the wood. "Up. Down. Take care of it."

"Yes, Lady Reynard."

Now officially scared for his life, Gideon stood up. "Vexey, please-!"

"I said SHUT UP!" There was a very unsettling smile on her face now, which only intensified as she looked at the chef's hat on his head. "Let me guess: is there a camera in there? Were you recording all of this? So you could take it back to your cop buddies and laugh at me behind my back? Like everyone else does?!"

Gideon didn't say anything to that. He couldn't very well deny that there was indeed a camera. And he was starting to have the sinking feeling that it didn't matter what he said now anyway.

"You want to stop me, don't you? Save the rabbits? Then now's your chance." Vexey snarled and raised her fists. "Put 'em up."

He took a step back. "I-I'm not going to fight you, Vexey."

"Why? Because you won't hit a girl or because you feel sorry for me? I DON'T NEED YOUR DAMN PITY!"

Vexey charged headlong into him. The next thing Gideon knew, he felt a tremendous thud and then she was bouncing back, onto the floor. His belly jiggled. "Sorry! Let me help yo-ow!"

He pulled his arm back, now bleeding from the scratch she had given him. Vexey stood back up, eyes tearing up with what he hoped was sadness, but was more likely rage. "Fat bastard."

I think I just got downgraded. "Vexey-"

"That's not even my real name!" She stormed over to her closest and yanked it open, digging through its contents. Gideon was tempted to make a break for the door, expecting her to pull a gun or a knife, but instead she came out with...a black metal sphere of some sort. "Now you're going to pay."

Gideon watched with a mix of curiosity and dread as Vexey slipped her claw under a barely visible panel and flipped it open. Inside was a metal hook. Vexey reached down towards her belt, making him avert his eyes uncomfortably until he saw that she was only removing the chain wrapped around it. She attached one end of the chain to the hook inside the ball and snapped it tight. Lastly, she pulled apart the spiked collar around her neck and reattached it around the ball.

He took a step back, almost tripping onto the bed, for he was now being menaced with a makeshift ball and chain. She swung it idly around her arm. "Pretty sweet, huh? Last test run with this thing didn't go so hot, but I'm feeling damn stoked about it now!"

"It certainly looks…dangerous."

"For you maybe." Vexey swung it faster and quickly proved she was no amateur, skillfully winding the weapon around each of her arms, then one of her legs, swinging it across the floor and jumping over it on the rebound, before finally slowing it down and catching it. "I may not be good at a lot of things, but do you know what I am good at? Turning traitors into pulp!"

She flung the ball at his face, and Gideon's world went dark.

Basement

3: 48 PM

When Gideon awoke, he had a splitting headache and no further concerns about where to find Bonnie and Stu, for he was now chained to them and hanging over a tub of what was apparently not acid. "Oh...um, hi there. Sorry this didn't work out too well."

"That's alright, you did your best," Bonnie reassured him.

"I'm sure we'll make it out of this somehow," Stu said, not sounding so sure. "I mean, probably."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up too much," Sunny said bitterly, also chained to them.

"Hey, Sunny! You're here too?" Gideon asked. "What happened to Sheriff Hoppington and the others?"

"Cut and run."

"They...they what?"

"You heard him right," Stu said, twitching his ears. "We can confirm."

"Yep. As soon as things got too dangerous, they all turned tail and fled. On foot too, since we lost the truck. I think the foxes let them go just to laugh at them, then decided to just take me."

"But I thought he didn't know when to quit!"

"He doesn't. Because he quit immediately."

"Not like our Judy," Bonnie said proudly.

"That's right!" Stu agreed. "Our Jude the Dude would sooner take them all on herself than give up! Which is...mostly...a good thing."

Gideon sighed, slumping in the chains. "Well, unless she shows up out of the blue here, I think we're stuck. In more ways than one."

"What do we do now?" Sunny asked, dejected.

"How about a game?" Stu suggested. "Like 'I Spy' maybe."

Gideon shrugged. "Not much other way to pass the time. Who wants to go first?"

"I will!" Sunny offered, perking up again. "Let's see...I spy...something that is grey, black, and really mad at you."

Vexey hung over the back of a chair, a forced smile on her face.

"So, what do you think? Betrayed by someone who you thought cared about you. Pretty scary, huh?"

But not as scary as ending on a cliffhanger, am I right?

Aside from continuing the Vexey arc, the main purpose of this drabble was to tie up some of the loose ends from our first view of Foxden in Drabble 6. Now the strangely cheerful townsfolk and Vexey's weapon of choice have been cleared up, with a new plot point about a mad scientist who used to live in the basement. Hmmm…

Jeremiah Hoppington belongs to me. His character as a whole is basically the opposite of Sunny, or even Jimmy Frost, not only being much gruffer, but much less willing to actually live up to his idol when faced with real danger. Also, it was an excuse to have a character who's basically a bunny drill sergeant.

See you back here in a few more chapters and drabbles. Just because it ends on a cliffhanger, that doesn't mean we're breaking tradition!