There is a saying that goes, "To everyone, their own story.". That's the case for this chapter. For this one, Nick, Judy, and the gang meet three different kids their ages and hear their stories. One thing I did as a kid was talking to others about certain as aspects of my life. So doing this felt natural. I think I said enough. Let's begin the chapter. Also, sorry if it seems like my chapters for this are taking too long. Sometimes when I work on a new story, I lose track of my other ones. Also, I was in a bit of a slump... again and my flash drive melted. It LITERALLY melted. It was only luck that I still had the story file on my computer. That... and Spider-Man for the PS4 came out. Best Superhero game ever BTW. Again, really sorry this took so long. Now on with the story.
It was another warm day in the city of Zootopia. Nick, Judy, and the gang were hanging out together again. As they walk down the street, Nick was writing on his list for Summer plans. Before, it was empty. Now it had a decent amount of stuff written on it. From laser tag, to bike rides, to eating out together.
"Alright gang, this list is going quite well." Nick said happily to his friends. He then folded up the list and put it in his pocket. "I'm sure we can fit in some more stuff as the Summer goes by."
"Right. The Summer's still just starting. So we got plenty of time." Benji said with a smile.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Judy asked.
"Ooh! The gas station's not too far from here. How bout we go out for slushies?" Mervin suggested.
"Slushies sounds awesome." Ronnie said liking the idea.
"And good way to beat the heat." Falisha stated.
"I can go for a slush." Darson said.
"Me... too." Flash said.
"Ditto." Finnick said.
"Guess we're all in agreement." Audran said.
"Okay then. Let's go out for slushies." Nick said sounding eager.
Everyone else started running ahead of Nick and Judy.
"Hey! Wait up!" Nick and Judy shouted out. A second later they all ran after him and everyone else followed.
The gas station was still a jog from where the kids were. Yet as they make their way there, they saw something going on. A group of teenage boys, and ox, and rhino, and a weasel, all seem to be picking on a skunk girl, who was down on the ground. The skunk girl wore a white shirt and a pink skirt.
"Look over there." Mervin said pointing at the group.
"It looks like that girl's in trouble." Judy stated.
"Grrrr..." Nick growled not liking the sight of someone getting bullied. "Come on."
None of the kids were a fan of bullying. This included former bully, Darson. So they head over there to stop this injustice. Nick and Judy were the first two to confront them.
"Hey!" Judy shouted out getting the bullies' attention. "Leave her alone."
"Back off, little bunny. This ain't your problem." The ox said in a threating matter.
"If you're being a bully to someone who doesn't deserve to be bullied, then it is a problem." Judy said firmly.
"He said back off." The ox said. "Besides, a skunk's nothing but a stinky excuse of a mammal."
"Oh. Sooooo typical." Nick said stepping in front of Judy. "Bullies bullying an innocent skunk just because of her reputation of being a skunk. But what does that mean about your 3? A rhino and ox who charge at things like total idiots and a weasel who needs to hide behind bigger mammals to make himself feel safe?"
None of the three were too fond of Nick's comment and growled in anger. The weasel then stepped in front of Nick.
"Listen pal, unless you and the bunny want trouble too, then you better..." The weasel said before stopping when he sees figures from behind Nick and Judy. It was Ronnie and Darson.
Ronnie and Darson had very angry glares in their faces. This made the 3 bullies start to be scared. Fear added up when the rest of the gang showed up.
"Leave." Ronnie said angrily.
"Now." Darson added just as angry.
"L... Let's get out of here!" Said the frighten weasel. He and the others quickly ran off.
"That's when being a scary bear is useful." Ronnie said sounding normal.
"Same from me. Switch the bear with coyote." Darson said.
Judy then walked over to the girl skunk on the ground.
"Are you okay?" Judy asked as she offers a paw to help the skunk out.
"Me? Oh. I'm fine." The skunk replied as she accepts Judy's paw and gets back up. She then bushes her clothes. "My pride's not bruised. Can't lose what you don't have."
"Uhhhh..." Judy went.
"EEEEKKKK! OH NO!" The skunk shouted out. She then got all flustered and looked left and right for something. "Where are they?! Where are they?!"
"Where are what?" Judy asked.
"My glasses! I need to find..." The skunk said as she looked left and right. She then spotted a pair of rectangular glasses with a black frame not too far from here and looked happy. "Oh goody. There they are." She picked them up from the ground. "My vision's not totally bad, but it's 100% with these on. Mom always said 'Why go for less when you can go for 100.'." She took a look at her glasses and noticed that they weren't cracked. "Oh double goody. They're not broken. That would have been baaaaaad." After wiping them clean, she then put them on and got a good look at her saviors. "Oh. There's a lot of you."
"We have a big group." Nick stated.
"So many different mammals. Preys and Preds all mashed up together. I love it." The skunk said in a cheery matter.
The group thought this skunk was... unusual. One second she seemed timid, the next she was all... ditzy.
"I should introduce myself. My name is Mildred. But my friends call me Mimi..." The skunk said introducing herself. She then whispered to herself "... if I had any.".
"Hey, Mimi. I'm Judy." Judy said waving at Mimi.
Inside her head, Mimi was getting giddy. "EEEEKKK! She called me Mimi. That means we're friends. YES!"
"I'm Nick." Nick said being next to introduce himself.
"Oh. I already know who you are." Mimi said to Nick.
"You do?" Nick asked surprised.
"Nick Wilde, most popular fox kid in school, straight A student, all around great guy." Mimi stated knowing this stuff about Nick.
"Huh. That's about right." Nick said pridefully.
"We... also went to kindergarten together." Mimi stated.
"R... Really?" Nick asked surprised to hear that.
"Yeah. You probably don't remember me. Or noticed me." Mimi said. "Most people don't."
"Oh. Sorry." Nick said as he scratched the back of his head. "That's not cool of me. I am trying to know everybody when I get older. Consider yourself memorized."
"Great. Besides my family, you may be the first." Mimi stated.
"Hi, Mimi. I'm Ben. Everyone likes to call me Benji." Benji said waving.
"I'm Mervin." Mervin said.
"Finnick." Finnick said.
"I'm Falisha." Falisha said.
"Audran." Audran said.
"Call me Ronnie." Ronnie said.
"I'm... Flash." Flash said.
"And I'm Darson." Darson said.
Mimi was getting giddy again.
"This is it! Real possible friends. DON'T screw this up, Mildred." Mimi thought.
"So Mimi, why were those guy bullying you?" Nick asked.
"Oh, you know. The usual." Mimi replied.
"The usual?" Falisha asked.
"You know the 'Get lost, skunk!' or 'Don't go stinking up the place.' Then, of course, there's the name calling." Mimi stated. "You would think since we're evolved, their behavior would be. But no. Their brains are still barely the size of peanuts. Maybe smaller." Mimi then started to sound more infuriated. "Just because I'm a skunk, doesn't mean I'm a living stink bomb that you need to cover your noses EVERYTIME I COME AROUND! I MEAN, COME ON!"
Everyone had 'freaked out' expressions on their faces and took a step back from Mimi. Mimi realizes this and cools down a bit.
"Oh. Sorry! Sorry! I'm so sorry!" Mimi said all frantic. "I didn't mean to scare you. It's... just the way I am sometimes." After taking a deep breath, she started to sound calmer. "You guys must not know what it's like to be judged by your species."
Everyone took a quick look at each other. Mimi couldn't be more wrong.
"Actually... I think I speak for all of us when I say we do." Nick stated.
"Huh?" Mimi said surprised to hear that.
"The guys in our group had to deal with this once or twice." Judy stated.
"Even so, we have an adventurous bunny, an honest fox, and a chubby cheetah just to name a few." Finnick said.
"Quite a group. Quite a group indeed." Mimi said thinking the gang was nifty.
"Thanks." Everyone else said with a smile.
Mervin realized time was being wasted as they talked to Mimi. They were actually busy with something.
"Guys, slushies?" Mervin reminded everyone.
"Oh. Right." Nick said remembering. "Mimi, it was nice talking to you, but we're kinda busy getting somewhere."
"Yeah. We're off for some slushies. So, see ya." Judy said as she passes Mimi by with the others following.
"Slushies, huh?" Mimi said as her interest started to peak. "The nice and icy treat with the artificial flavoring of one's choosing. Nice for a hot day like today... with a bunch of other people." Mimi looked a bit depressed as she said that.
The gang stops walking. It was clear to them that Mimi wanted to join them. But a few of them felt a little hesitant. Judy was the one to speak out.
"Do you... wanna come?" Judy asked Mimi.
"EEP!" Mimi went as she was trying to hold in her joy. "I would be very grateful if I could. Thank you for the offering." She then quickly ran ahead of everyone. "Race ya there."
As Mimi ran more and more ahead of everyone, some of them started to feel more... concern on whether it was a good idea to let her join them.
After minutes later, everyone got their slushies and drank them outside of the store. Each of the kids had a slushie with a flavor of their liking. Mimi... she had a slushie with 6 different layers of colors. Red, blue, green, orange, white, and purple. Mimi was drinking up her slushie and was already getting brain freeze.
"Ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh!" Mimi went holding her throbbing head. After the throbbing stopped, she just went back to sipping again. Once again, she got brain freeze. "Ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh!"
"You know it helps to drink it slowly." Judy told the skunk.
"Yeeeeah, but I kinda liked the feeling. You know, like when you have really spicy food? You like it cause it makes you feel alive." Mimi stated.
"Hmm. I get that." Judy said getting what she means.
"By the way, Judy, do I know you from somewhere? You look familiar." Mimi said as she ponders about Judy's appearance.
"Don't think so. I'm really from Bunnyburrow." Judy stated to Mimi before taking a sip of her slushie.
"Hmm... but it seems like I..." Mimi said. It then hit her. "AH-HA! Now I know. You were her. The bunny from the Spring Fling."
The Spring Fling was the name of Nick's school dance 3 years ago. Nick invited Judy to come as his date. It was also the night of Nick and Judy's first kiss.
"If memories right, you were the one dancing with Nick. I think you two were also kissing on the dance floor." Mimi said.
Nick and Judy spat out their slushies after hearing Mimi say that.
"WHAT?!" Nick and Judy shouted out both red-faced.
"Okay. I WAS at that dance. But Nick and I did NOT kiss and the dance floor." Judy said looking flustered.
"They kissed after the dance." Finnick stated.
"Ahh..." Nick and Judy went wanting to hide that fact. But there was no point.
"Well, yeah..." Nick admitted.
"Ohhhhhhhhh. So you two are this cute longtime couple, riiiiiight?" Mimi asked looking googly eyes.
"Noooo." Nick stated firmly. "We are not this longtime couple."
"They just started dating last week." Finnick stated.
"Yeeeeeah..." Nick and Judy said both blushing a bit.
"Oh. So fresh romance." Mimi said smiling a lot. "Quite unusual since you are a bunny and a fox. I like it."
Mimi seems to have a very opened mind. As well as spoke with one. She seemed like quite a nice person. Too nice to be bullied.
"So Mimi, why were those guys bothering you?" Judy asked.
"Sadly, it's one of the only times I get notice." Mimi stated looking sad. "Some who see the stripe, there like... 'Stay away!'. Other, there like 'Get outta town!'. Me, I... kinda try to getting away when I can."
"Mimi, you shouldn't let bullies push you around like that. Stand up for yourself." Ronnie said boldly.
"Yeah. Don't let anyone push you around." Darson added.
"We can't all be tough bears or coyotes like you two." Mimi stated. "I'm not tough. I don't speak out. I barely even stick out in a crowd. Except for when I do."
"Why is that? Don't you want people to get to know you?" Judy asked.
"Why would people WANT to know me?" Mimi asked sounding a bit sad. "*sigh* Look, I know you guys can tell that I'm a little... awkward."
"Ah..." Everyone else went.
"Don't bother lying about it. You all have known me only for a few minutes and it's true." Mimi stated. "I'm ditzy, I have no backbone, and everyone's afraid I'd stink up the place just by being in the same area. No one wants to be friends with that."
Mimi must have it really rough to be the way she is. Not really having any friends or people thinking she was different. But truth be told, she wasn't that different from Nick, Judy, and the gang.
"Well... we think you're pretty neat." Judy said.
"Huh?" Mimi said looking surprised.
"Being ditzy isn't a problem. It just means that you're unique." Nick stated. "It's good to be unique. It keeps everyone from being the same."
"Yeah. No one wants to be like everyone in their species. I mean, look at all of us." Benji said all jolly. "I'm a cheetah, but I'm faaaaaaaaaaar from being a runner."
"I seem like a tough guy, but I'm actually closer to a teddy bear." Ronnie stated.
"I laugh at almost EVERY joke I hear..." Mervin said.
"Almost?" Everyone else said as they all raised an eyebrow knowing that he really laughs at EVERY joke he hears.
"... BUT that doesn't mean I can't be serious at some time." Mervin said finishing his sentence.
"It... may... seem... slow..." Flash said talking slowly. He then spoke at a normal speed. "... but I'm full of surprises."
"DID HE JUST..." Mimi shouted out stunned by Flash speaking fast for a sloth.
"Don't overthink it." Nick, Judy, and the others said.
"The point is... let people know you and open up to them. That's how you make yourself noticeable." Judy said.
"Will it also get me friends?" Mimi asked.
"You ask us?" Judy asked with a big smile. "After all, we're all your friends now. Right, guys?"
"Right." Nick and the others said nodding.
Mimi could barely hold her excitement after hearing Judy say that. For the first time in her life, Mimi actually had friends.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Mimi squealed high pinched enough to hurt the other kids' ears. "Oh! Sorry. Just a bit... overexcited."
"Even with that and our ears bleeding..." Finnick said as he tries to un-pop his ears. "... we're still gonna be friends with ya. Just ease up on that."
"Okie dokie!" Mimi said all cheerfully. She then gulped from her slushie fastly again. Once again, she got brain freeze. "Ah ah ah ah ah!" She then realized that she probably shouldn't act like that in front of the other. "Oh. Sorry."
The kids all looked at each other before all fastly drinking their slushies like Mimi then. Of course, this led to all of them get brain freeze.
"AHHHHHHH!" Everyone shouted out as they had their paws on the side of the head.
"It's like a blizzard's in my brain!" Audran stated feeling the effects of the brain freeze.
"Cold! Pain! Cold Pain!" Benji wept.
"Wishing I was a polar bear now." Ronnie said thinking it would help him deal with the cold better.
"Yet, it's actually a nice feeling." Nick admitted.
"Yeah. Like Mimi said, makes you feel alive." Judy said smiling.
"Right?" Mimi said agreeing.
The kids all then shared some laughter. The laughter shared by new friends. After they finish their slushies, the gang said their goodbyes to Mimi as she headed home. The gang didn't want to head home, so they decided to walk to the park.
"So what do you guys think about Mimi?" Judy asked her friends.
"She seemed nice." Nick replied.
"Good girl. Little out there, tho." Finnick said.
"Not like the rest of us aren't." Benji stated.
"Yep. We're all still a group of weirdos, crazies, and crazy weirdos." Nick said with a grin.
"Speak for yourself, man." Finnick said thinking he's not any of those. "Let me say this."
"Hold that thought." Nick said halting the group.
"What's wrong?" Judy asked.
"Look." Nick said pointing at something in the distance.
In the distance were a few young mammals around their age. Three of the mammals were tough looking rams. One of them was a fox. A bit oranger than Nick and had a whiter muzzle. The gang wasn't sure what was going on. But it looked like the fox was in trouble.
"I think those rams are messing with that fox." Darson stated.
"If there's one thing I don't like, it's bullies messing with a fellow fox." Nick said looking mad. He had to help the fox out. "Come on."
Nick and the others dash over to help the fox. The fox seemed... calm... even with the position he was in. He had on a black shirt over a blue shirt, black jeans, a blue bandana on his head, and a short wooden sword on his back.
"Alright fox, I got my boys here with me this time and you are gonna regret making a fool out of me the other day." A black ram said.
"I didn't make you look like a fool. You are simply one yourself." The fox said in a Japawnese accent.
"That's it! You're dead." The black ram said angrily.
The ram then throws a punch at the fox. The fox simply dodged it with ease. The ram then tried throwing three more punches and the fox dodge each one of them. The fox then tripped the ram using his leg and causes the ram to fall on his face. The other two rams then charged at the fox. The fox backflipped away to dodge them. The two rams then charged at opposites end at the fox and the just simply took one step back. The rams bumped into each other and the impact made both of them dizzy. The fox then pulled out his wooden sword and hit them two times each before knocking both of them down to the floor. As the other ram gets back up, the fox points his sword in front of the ram's face. The ram now looked scared.
"Ima sugu hashitte, kottonbōru. (Now run off, Cotton Ball.)" The fox said sounding serious.
Knowing when they were beaten, the three rams quickly ran away from the fox. Mostly likely never to mess with him again. As the fox put away his wooden sword, Nick, Judy, and the others saw everything and all of their jaws dropped.
"O... M... Goodness..." Benji said still stunned by what he just saw.
"That... has got to be... the most amazing thing I've ever seen... in my life." Finnick said still amazed that a fox could take on three rams by himself.
"Guess that fox doesn't need our help. But still..." Falisha said.
"Let's talk with him." Nick said to the others.
The gang walks over to this other fox and makes their presence noticed.
"Anatahadaredesu ka? Anata wa hokanohito-tachi to issho ni iru wakede wa nai ndesu ka? (Who might you be? You're not with those others, are you?)" The fox said. He was speaking Japawnese again.
The gang all looked at each other confused on what the fox just said. Japanwnese wasn't in any of their vocabularies.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhh..." Judy went know knowing what the fox just said.
"Oh great. Another foreign kid we can barely understand." Finnick said not happy about that. "Someone get the English to Japawnese dictionary out."
"Oh. Apologies." The fox said before bowing. "Sometimes I speak my foreign tongue. But I speak English very well. I asked who might you be. I hope you're not with those three."
"Absolutely not." Nick said firmly. "I hate bullies. Especially when they mess with a fellow fox."
"I prefer 'kitsune'." The fox stated.
"Kitsune? What's that?" Nick asked.
"Japawnese word for fox. So, same thing." The fox stated.
"Oh. I see." Nick said getting it.
"So... might I ask, who are you?" The fox asked wanting to know who the gang was.
"Oh, right. My name is Nick Wilde." Nick said introducing himself.
"I'm Judy Hopps." Judy said cheerily.
"Ben Clawhauser, at your service." Benji said.
"Finnick Fawk. Nice to meet you." Finnick said lightly waving.
"I'm Mervin Howlino." Mervin said.
"Falisha Striza." Falisha said.
"Ronald Behr III. But call me Ronnie." Ronnie said.
"Audran Alkes. A pleasure." Audran said.
"Flash... Slothmore. Nice... to... meet... you." Flash said slowly.
"Last but not least, I'm Darson. Darson Coynac." Darson said.
"My name is Kenta. Kenta Kokugawa." The fox said before bowing again. "You can call me Ken, if you please."
"Hello, Ken. You don't sound like you're from here." Nick said noticing his accent.
"Cause I'm from Zookyo in Japaw." Ken stated. "My family is visiting here in Zootopia because they were considering me to become an exchange student for a school here when the semester starts.
"Cool." Finnick said intrigued.
"Japaw." Benji said in delight. "I always wanted to go there. The culture, anime, and the mind-blowing desserts."
"We are known for our sweets. I recommend Matcha Panna Cotta, Japawnese Cheesecake, Custard Pudding, Raindrop Cake, and Mochi Ice Cream." Ken said happily.
"Ohhhhh. Those all sound soooooooo good." Benji said already imaging the sweets in his head.
"What's... Mochi Ice Cream?" Mervin asked curiously. "It doesn't sound like the kind in a cone or cup."
"It's not. It's ice cream and jam wrapped up in mochi making it possible to eat with your paws." Ken stated. "It's quite popular where I'm from. It usually comes in strawberry, mango, and blueberry."
"Hmm. Sounds interesting and delicious." Falisha stated like the idea.
"I heard blueberry?" Nick and Darson said sounding interested.
"Those two are big fans of all things blueberry." Judy said smiling.
"Haha! I enjoy a fresh blueberry once and a while myself." Ken admitted. He wasn't that different from Nick and Darson.
"Great. Another blueberry boy." Darson said okay with that.
"So Ken, what you did with those 3 bullies were AWESOME!" Judy said excitedly. "Those moves with the sword and that backflip. So cool."
"Arigatō, chīsana banī. (Thank you, little bunny.)" Ken said with a smile. "I trained for a few years to learn those." He then took the wooden sword out to show the others. "This sword I carried, I had it when I was still young. I trained everything not only to become stronger but to protect myself from Sabetsu o suru hito."
"Wat?" Everyone else went not knowing what the last words of Ken's meant.
"Those who discriminate." Ken explained.
"Oh." The others said getting it.
"That still happens in Zookyo?" Falisha asked.
"Hai. (Yes.)" Ken said nodding. "People tend to focus on the negative and overlook the positive."
"Well, that ain't new." Finnick stated with his arms crossed.
"It's like others are clueless to the good things of foxes. In my cultures, foxes are considered to be lucky mammals as well as one of the only real mammals that can connect with any mammal. Big or small." Ken stated.
"Huh. Guess that explains why each of us is such good friends with our fellow fox here." Ronnie said smiling while patting Nick on the back.
"I can see that you have all been friends with Nick a long time." Ken stated. The others responded by nodding. "That's nice to know." Ken's attention then went to Judy. "Especially since one of you is a bunny."
"I've been friends with Nick longer than any of these guys here." Judy stated proudly.
"They have a 'close' relationship." Audran stated with a grin.
Nick and Judy blushed a bit but didn't really seem to be bothered by Audran's comment.
"Hmm. I feel that they a have a very strong connection." Ken thought. He could tell that Nick and Judy were very close for a fox and a rabbit.
"Say Kenta, think you can teach us how you did those awesome moves?" Nick asked eagerly.
"You... want to know how I fight? How come?" Ken asked.
"Those moves could come in handy when it comes to taking on big mammals." Nick stated.
"Hmm. Is that right?" Ken said raising an eyebrow. "Sorry. No can do. I can't just simply teach you something just so you could take on bigger mammals. You have to have a better reason." Ken then started to take his leave. "Now, if you would excuse me..."
Truth be told, Nick and Judy did had a good reason. As Ken walked, Judy said it out loud.
"Nick and I want to grow up to become police officers." Judy said honestly.
Hearing that, made Ken stop at his tracks. He then turns back around to the gang.
"Mōichidoittekudasai. Say that again." Ken said wanting to make sure he heard that right.
"Nick and I both want to become polices officer when we grow up. Even if there isn't any rabbits or foxes in the ZPD, we don't want that to stop us." Judy stated.
"However, there will be points where we may have to take on bigger and stronger mammals. We want to prepare ourselves." Nick said pumping his fist.
"Hmm. So that's your reason. An honorable reason, indeed." Ken said. With a good reason like that, Ken didn't see any reason why he couldn't teach them something. "Perhaps I could teach you all one thing. All of you, come with me."
A few minutes later, everyone went to a more open field in the park and sat down on the green grass. Ken wanted everyone to sit in a full lotus pose. They all did, but guys like Finnick, Benji, and Ronnie found it hard to keep their legs like that. Ken stood in front of everyone.
"Is everyone calm and focus?" Ken asked everyone with his eyes closed.
"Yes." Nick, Judy, and the others except for Finnick.
"Tch! I feel like my legs are about to snap." Finnick thought angrily.
"I'm... sensing some anger from one of you." Ken stated.
Everyone slowly turned their heads to look at Finnick. If there was anyone who had the most anger in this group, it was obviously him.
"Why are you all looking at me?!" Finnick asked looking angrily.
"Cause." Everyone else responded grins.
"Grrrrrrr..." Finnick growled.
"I'm not hearing calm and focus." Ken said still having his eyes closed.
"Sorry." Everyone else went.
"Now. Everyone, close your eyes." Ken instructed. The group all closed their eyes. "Did you notice how I manage to take care of the bullies?"
"You fought against them. But... it also felt like you didn't." Benji stated.
"Correct." Ken replied. "When they fought me, they fought out of anger. I stay calm and read their moves. Anger makes people reckless. Causing them to make mistakes."
"I'm familiar with that." Darson admitted he used to be that way.
"Anger is not a bad thing, but you got to give it form and release when you need to." Ken stated. "You probably noticed when I struck at them."
"Give the anger form." Nick said.
Ken then opened up his eyes. "Judy, Nick..." Ken said as he stood up. "... on your feet."
Nick and Judy opened up their eyes and stood up on their feet. Everyone else opened their eyes too but still sat down.
Kenta then walked up a bit closer to Nick and Judy.
"Now, pretend that you are about to fight me." Ken instructed to them wanting to see their fighting stances.
"Okay." Nick and Judy said.
Nick and Judy both pose in a stance that looked like they were ready to fight. Both of their stances were different. Ken noticed and walked over to each of them. First, with Judy.
"Judy, I noticed that while your fists are up, your left leg is also slightly up. That tells me that you rely on kicks as your main way of fighting." Ken stated. Ken's attention then went to Nick. "Nick, your knees are slightly bet, yet your fists are more forward. It tells me you rely on punches and maybe slashes with your claws. Yet, it also tells me you also rely on your feet as well." Ken then stepped back from the two. "Why did each of you chose to have a fighting stance like those?"
"Ummmm..." Nick went not sure how to answer.
"We don't know. It was just on our instinct." Judy answered.
"Tadashī! (Correct!) Instinct!" Ken said. "Rely on those. Don't fight another mammal like another mammal. Fight like the mammals you are. A fox and a rabbit."
"Fight like the mammals we are." Nick and Judy said together.
"Right." Ken said nodding. "Judy, let me see your sidekick. Be sure to keep your other foot down to the ground.
"Okay." Judy said before getting ready.
Judy then performed a side kick with her left leg. It didn't seem to be forward enough.
"Straighten your kick more and add more effort." Ken said.
"Okay." Judy said nodded.
Judy put more effort to herself and performed another side kick. This time, the kick looked perfect in Ken's eyes.
"Sugureta! (Excellent!)." Ken said impressed. "Nice for a second attempt. Keep that up and add some force to it and you might even be able to knock out a rhino with that kick."
"I... wouldn't go THAT far. I'm not that tough." Judy said as she smiles awkwardly. "Not yet at least."
"Now Nick, as a fellow kitsune, we use our claws as our main way of fighting. But, that's not always a good thing. The right strike at the right place, you can rip out another mammals organs." Ken stated.
"Woah woah! I'm not trying to kill anyone. Or rip out someone's organs. If I wanted to do that, I'd be a doctor like my grandma wanted me to do." Nick stated.
"That's why I wanted to teach you something to prevent that, but still hurt your opponent quite well." Ken said. Ken then got into a pose with his left arm forward and his right arm back. "Pose like me."
"Kay." Nick said as he gets into the same pose as Ken.
"I'm gonna show you a palm strike." Ken said. "Be sure to keep your claws in. A strike with them can be fatal."
"Claws in. Got it." Nick said nodding.
"Keeping your footing and when you're ready to strike..." Ken said before doing thrust with his right arm out. "... be sure to add great force."
"Right." Nick said ready to try. "Keep my footing and..." Nick then thrust with his right arm out. It was almost perfect for a first try.
"Nīsu! (Nice!) Not bad for a first attempt. Add more force to your thrust and you could stun anyone with that." Ken said impressed.
"Awesome." Nick said proudly.
"Okay. Keep those moves in mind as you try to master your own styles to pick up on." Ken said. "With that, that's all I'll teach you."
"That's it?" Judy said surprised.
"Hold on. What about the rest of us?" Finnick asked.
"I only promised to show Nick and Judy one move. Sorry to say, but the rest of you must find your own way." Ken said.
"Weak sauce." Mervin said not too happy about that.
"Wanting to become a police officer is an honorable career choice. I hope my lesson helped you a little." Ken said.
"It did. Thanks, Ken." Nick said smiling.
"Yeah, thanks." Judy said happily.
"It was no problem." Ken said while bowing. "Now, I must take my leave. My family might get concerned about me being gone for so long. That and we have a long journey back home."
"It was nice meeting you, Kenta." Benji said.
"If you do think about becoming an exchange student here, you're more than welcome to stay at my place." Nick said.
"Or mine." Finnick said. "I REALLY want to know how to do those moves."
"Something for next time. Til then, sayōnara (goodbye)." Ken said before bowing.
"Sayōnara." The gang all went as they bow down as well.
As Ken walked away, he said one more thing to Nick and Judy.
"By the way, Nick, Judy, you two compliment each other quite well." Ken said with a smile. "I can see why you two are together."
Nick and Judy's faces went red as they hear Ken say that. Everyone else pretty much snickered.
"How did you..." Nick and Judy asked.
"It's obvious." Ken said waving goodbye.
"It is pretty obvious." Benji stated.
"Very obvious." Falisha stated.
"Could have guessed that when we first met you guys." Audran stated.
"Just because we're dating now, doesn't mean we still don't like you guys talking to us like that." Nick said firmly while his face was still red.
"What he said." Judy said agreeing with Nick also red-faced.
The day was still young for the gang. After meeting and talking to Kenta, they decided to walk around the park so more to see if there was anything else to do.
"Kenta was a pretty cool guy." Mervin said.
"Yeah. Coolest fox we've ever met." Darson stated.
"What about me?" Nick asked feeling offended.
"You had a good run, Nicky. That's nothing to be ashamed of." Darson said as he patted Nick on the back.
"I don't need your pity. I got Judy for that." Nick said. He then lowered himself for Judy. "Carrots, comfort your boyfriend."
"Okay." Judy said as she put her paws over Nick's head and lightly cuddles him.
"If we were still 9 and 10, you two would not be like this in front of us." Ronnie stated recalling that Nick and Judy weren't this cozy with company.
"At one point, we just stop caring." Judy stated.
The gang was enjoying their time together, when all of the sudden, they notice a crowd of young mammals. It looked like some kind of commotion was going on. The gang expected to be another fight.
"What's all that? Is there another fight going on?" Judy asked.
"Man, what is with fights today?" Finnick said just about having enough of it.
"Today... is... eventful." Flash stated.
"*sigh* Come on. Let's get over there." Nick said not even trying to avoid it.
Not wasting any time, the gang goes over to see what the commotion was all about. They thought it was a fight, but it actually wasn't. It could be called a battle. But it wasn't like a 'fight' battle. In the center of the crowd were a tiger in a black hoodie with the hood up and baggy jeans and a lion with a red hoodie, a grey cap, and black jeans. There was also a boombox.
"What's... going on exactly?" Mervin asked.
"It's a battle. But it's not the 'fight' kind. I think it's a rap battle." Finnick stated.
A young teenage colt came to the space between the tiger and the lion. He was sort of the ref for these two.
"Aight, y'all. Here we are at another rap battle." The colt announced to everyone in the area. "On my left in the black hoodie, we got our challenger. He's calling himself 'Young Tiz'." Young Tiz was the tiger. "And on my right in the red hoodie, our raining champion and my homie, T-Blaze." T-Blaze was the lion. "Y'all know the rules. You get one verse and one verse only. So make it count. Also, keep it clean. You two ready?"
"Absolutely. I'm bout to take the king's crown." Young Tiz said with a smirk.
"You can try, but I can assure you I will keep the crown." T-Blaze said confidently.
"So that T-Blaze guy's the champ?" Ronnie asked.
"Seems that way." Audran said to Ronnie.
"Young Tiz, you're first up." The colt said. "Drop the beat."
One of the kids turned on the boombox and a hip-hop beat played. Young Tiz nodded his head as he was ready to start rapping.
T-Blaze, man, what a shame,
You're only second rate, while I'm on time of my game.
Think you have a chance of winning? Ha, you're insane,
Mr. King-of-the-Jungle, while you barely have a mane.
Young Tiz, with the freshness and the style and flow,
You didn't know already, ha, y'all must be slow.
I've already one this battle, let me sit on the throne,
Face it, T-Blaze, you'll never be in my zone.
The crowd did some 'Ohhhhh!' from Young Tiz's verse. Even Nick, Judy, and the others seemed impressed by it. T-Blaze didn't seem fazed by it.
"Alright, that was fresh. But let the champ show you how he brings it down." T-Blaze said looking confident.
The lion nodded his head to the beat of the instrumental and said a "Yo!" and an "Uhh!" before saying his verse.
Oh Tizzy, you poor little kitty,
You really called that verse, that barely counted as a ditty.
I'm T-Blaze, Fire on the track,
Ready to Attack,
Never ever slack,
So you better watch your back, ay.
As T-Blaze went on, Nick, Judy, and the gang nodded their heads, liking T-Blaze's verse.
You can never unthrone the king, I bring it down,
Compare to me, you really just a clown.
The fire hot lion, I'm ahead of my class,
I got lyrics for days, you only run or gas.
See Tiz, this is how it's really done.
Me: One, You: None, you already lost, son.
The crowd let out an even louder "Ohhhhh!" for T-Blaze than Young Tiz. With that, it was clear who the winner was.
"I believe we have a winner. Our raining champion, T-Blaze." The colt said happily as he lifted T-Blaze's arm.
Everyone, including the gang, clapped for the reigning champ. Even the challenger didn't see to be upset with losing as he clapped slowly for T-Blaze.
"I'll admit defeat, this time. But I want a rematch soon." Tiz said with a grin.
"I'm counting on it. I'm up for a rematch anytime. It's all good." T-Blaze said smiling and bumping fist with Tiz.
"That ends this week's rap battles! Same time, next week!" The colt shouted out to everyone.
With that said, the whole crowd dispersed. The only ones that stayed there were Nick, Judy, the gang, and T-Blaze. The lion noticed the group and that they were still here.
"I don't think I've ever seen you guys around." T-Blaze said not recalling any of the gangs' faces. "Did some of you came to challenge me too?"
"No no. None of us really have any game." Nick stated with his paws up. "We were just watching."
"Oh. Aight then." T-Blaze said using slang.
"You were awesome back there." Judy said happily. "T-Blaze, right?"
"In the rap circle, I'm the reigning champion for 10 weeks running, T-Blaze." T-Blaze said in a defiant tone. He then went back to having a normal tone. "But most of the time, I'm just Terrence."
"I'm Nick." Nick said introducing himself.
"I'm Judy." Judy said happily.
"Ben." Benji stated.
"Yo. I'm Finnick." Finnick said. Then he thought "How many more times are we gonna do this today?" feeling tired of introducing himself.
"Mervin." Mervin said.
"Call me Ronnie." Ronnie said.
"Audran's the name." Audran said.
"Flash." Flash said.
"I go by Darson." Darson said with a light wave.
The only one who didn't introduce herself was Falisha, who seemed sort of... paused. She did happen to stare at Terrance for a bit and he noticed.
"Yo, stripes? You good?" Terrence asked since Falisha still hasn't introduced herself.
"Oh! So... sorry." Falisha said coming back to reality. "My name's Falisha."
"Falisha, huh? Pretty name for a pretty girl." Terrance said with a smile.
Falisha responded by blushing and giggling. Once she did that, everyone else pretty much picked something up right away.
"She likes him." Everyone else thought each trying not to look surprised.
"So, what brought all of y'all here?" Terrence asked.
"Oh. Well, we originally thought that there was a fight going on and we wanted to break it up." Judy stated.
"We 'kinda' already got involved with two situations so far." Nick stated.
"So you're the kind of kids that prefer to break up fights rather than start them?" Terrence asked. The group responded by nodding. "That's cool. I'm not much of a guy who likes fighting either. The only battles I like are rap battles... and the ones in video games."
"Cool. A few of us are gamers ourselves." Darson said happily.
"So, how did you get the handle, T-Blaze?" Finnick asked wanting to know.
"Well, the 'T' is obviously from the first letter of my name. The 'Blaze' part comes from either how I 'blaze' on tracks or..." Terrence said before taking off his cap revealing a short mane of red and yellow. The colors made it look like flames. "... because of the fire-like dye in my mane."
"Oh ho. A fellow dye head." Mervin said as he pointed at the blue streak in his hair. "Nice."
"So... you've been doing battles for a while?" Falisha asked curiously.
"Yeah. About two years." Terrence answered. "Freestyling's dope cause you have to come up with lyrics right off the bat. But I like writing up lyrics more. Rap is like poetry. You can be more poetic with your lyrics when you have time to think them out."
"I love poetry. Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I read poems to make me feel better." Falisha said with a smile.
"Me too. The best poems are about struggles, conflicts, and life-changing events." Terrence said smiling as well.
"Wow. Seems like we actually have a bit in common." Falisha said starting to blush a bit.
"Really subtle, Fal." Mervin whispered to the tiger with a grin.
"Shut up." Falisha whispered while gritting her teeth.
"You know if you are not too busy, we can chat up some more." Terrence said willing to talk with the gang more. "It's not every day I see a posse like this."
"Sounds good." Falisha said happily. "I... I mean, we would love to hang out with you some more."
"Dial it back, girlfriend." Judy whispered to Falisha.
"Quiet, Judy." Falisha whispered back.
So the gang walks with Terrence for the next couple of minutes as they chatted about themselves. They talked about how they all met each other, became friends, formed a little group, some of the conflicts they had to deal with. They even told him that Nick and Judy were a couple. He found it hard to believe at first, but after hearing the story of their relationship, he understood it and actually liked the idea. It's like they had a certain 'closeness'.
"Yo, you two basically have a storybook relationship. Seriously." Terrence said to Nick and Judy.
"So we have been told." Nick and Judy both said.
"What's your story, dude?" Mervin asked.
"Uhhh... nothing special. I live in Savanna Central, but I go to other parts of the city all the time. I started rapping at 6 after I saw my first rap battle. Too bad 6-year old me sucked." Terrence said honestly. "Got better year after year. I started writing my own songs, even making my own dope beats."
"Dope." Finnick said nodding.
"Any family?" Ronnie asked.
"A mom, a dad, an older brother by 2 years, and a little sister by 5 years." Terrence stated.
"Nice." Nick said with a smile. "I have a brother and sister too. But they're still just babies."
"I just have one little sister and way too many brothers." Mervin stated.
"I have too many brothers and sisters in general." Judy stated having everyone beat on the sibling count.
"I wasn't gonna say anything about the usual 'bunny' stuff, but..." Terrence said.
"I know." Judy admitted looking a bit pouty. It's not my fault my parents were old fashion. Actually, they still are."
"But lesser, thanks to my family." Nick said boasting a bit.
"Haha. You sound like the kind of fox that makes EVERYONE'S life better." Terrence said with a smile.
"I do. Ask these guys." Nick said with a proud grin.
"It's true." Benji said nodding.
"You're not wrong about that." Mervin said.
"He totally does." Falisha stated.
"My life would have been daaaaaark without Nick's help." Darson admitted.
"Wow. It's really nice that y'all are so tight with each other." Terrence said liking the idea.
Terrence, like the other kids Nick, Judy, and the others met today, seem to find it rare and unique that so many different mammals were really close friends.
"So, what do you parents do? Any big jobs?" Falisha asked.
"Ummm... they... don't really have to work." Terrence said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"What do you mean they don't really have to work?" Judy asked curiously.
"Oh no. Don't tell us your family's unemployed. Or worse, broke." Falisha said.
"No no. We are... definitely not broke. In fact, quite the opposite, yo." Terrence stated.
"The... opposite?" Flash said.
Terrence looked conflicted. Like he wanted to tell the gang something but didn't know if he should. Yet, after looking left and right to make sure no one else was around, he decided to tell the group something important about himself.
"Can I count on you guys keeping a secret?" Terrence asked.
"It really depends on the secret..." Nick said. "... but we'll try. What's the secret you wanted to tell us?"
"Okay." Terrence said before taking a deep breathe. "This is a secret that no else knows. Not even the guys in the rap circle. So keep this secret on lock."
"Sounds pretty serious." Finnick said.
"A few years ago, my parents... got into some money." Terrence told the group. "By 'some', I mean a lot."
The gang looked at each other before saying. "A lot?"
"T, are you... are you saying that you are a rich kid?" Finnick asked with widening eyes.
"I'm not gonna say am... but I'm not gonna say I ain't." Terrence said with an awkward smile.
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!" YOU'RE RICH!?" The gang shouted out in total shock.
"Like I said, my 'rents got into some money." Terrence stated
"What? Did you family won the lottery or something?" Mervin asked sounding serious.
Terrence didn't say anything, but his silence spoke for him.
"Wait? Your family ACTUALLY won the lottery?" Ronnie asked shocked.
"Yeeeeeeah..." Terrence answered. "Pops had a lucky ticket."
"How much? How much did you win?" Finnick asked very curiously.
"Finn!" Nick said thinking that was a bit inconsiderate.
"Like you're not curious." Finnick said knowing they all wanted to know too. He wasn't wrong.
"How much exactly?" Nick asked this time.
"Jude, you said you're from Bunnyburrow, right? What's the population there?" Terrence asked.
"Before I left, around 40 million?" Judy said not sounding too sure.
"Yeah, it's like that... but higher." Terrence said implying that the money his family has is higher than the population of Bunnyburrow.
After hearing that, nearly everyone either twitched, hyperventilated, or cringed. None of them have ever met someone so rich. So it didn't really sit with any of them.
"OM Goo... OM Goo..." Benji uttered not even being able to finish the rest of his saying.
"He's rich. He's REALLY rich. He's really REALLY rich." Falisha thought looking totally shocked.
"He could literally buy anything he would ever wanted." Finnick said as his eye twitches.
"Clearly, you're all stunned by this." Terrence said.
"YA THINK?!" Everyone else shouted out.
"See, this is why I don't tell people. They find out I'm rich and then they act completely different around me." Terrence stated.
"Sorry. It was just a bit of a..." Falisha said, but still lack her composure. "It was just a bit of a surprise. You don't... 'seem' like the rich type."
"Cause I'm not. I mean, I wasn't born rich. It just happened." Terrence stated. "One day, I'm in a tiny apartment, sharing a room with my bro and sis, the next, we're in a big two-story mansion with each of us having our own wings, indoor and outdoor pools, a home theater, a personal arcade, and a fully-stocked kitchen with a pizza oven."
"Indoor and outdoor pools?! Ronnie shouted out.
"Home theater?!" Audran shouted out.
"Personal arcade?!" Darson shouted out.
"Pizza oven?!" Benji shouted out.
"Dude, how do your folks feel about friends coming over?" Finnick asked as he leans to the lion.
"Finn!" Nick shouted out firmly.
"As I said, this is why I don't tell people." Terrence stated. "But... while I still act like a regular kid, my family... my family doesn't."
"What do you mean?" Judy asked.
"*sigh* It's true with what they say in the songs. Money changes people." Terrence stated looking sad. "Once we became millionaires, the fam decided we should start 'acting' like millionaires."
"Which kind? The ones that do a bunch of stuff cause they have the money or the snobby, persnickety kind?" Nick asked.
"Snobby and persnickety." Terrence admitted.
"Seriously?" Nick asked a bit surprised.
"Don't get me wrong. My family is still good and I do love them, but... these days, mom and pops at like they were always rich. With the fancy parties and world-class food. My brother's still okay, but my little sis is sort of spoiled." Terrence stated. "Me, I never really WANTED to be rich. I was fine watching VHS videos in the corner with everyone sharing a couch and a bag of microwave popcorn. Is that weird?"
"Actually... no." Finnick said understanding. "Your family was given money out of luck instead of hardwork. Being a bit poor myself, I've always wanted my family to have more money in the back. But I also know the value of money and what it can do to certain people. Just enough money to get by and you're fine. Too much money and you can feel on top of the world."
"You do get it." Terrence said glad that he gets it. "It's always why I keep this part of my life a secret from my parents as well."
"They don't know about your rap battling?" Judy asked.
"Why should they?" Terrence asked with a shrug. He then tugged at his hoodie "You want to know something else? I wasn't wearing these clothes when I left the house. Every time I go out, I switch from a sweater vest to a hoodie or any other pair of clothes that's better."
"So it's one of those 'change in/change out/change back in' kind of thing." Darson replied.
"Exactly." Terrence answered.
"Hmm. Quick question, have you ever talked to your parents about how you feel about all of this?" Darson asked.
"What?" Terrence said.
"Answer, man." Darson said with his arms crossed.
"No." Terrence replied as he scratches the back of his head.
"Dude, if you don't tell your parents how you feel, how are they gonna understand?" Darson asked. "Take it from me. I know what it's like to not tell a parent how you feel and regret not doing it sooner."
"If your parents are still as good as you say, then they should hear you out." Falisha stated. "You just need to give it a chance."
"I... don't know, yo." Terrence said still sounding unsure.
"What do you got to lose?" Falisha asked.
"Nothing really. Again, we have a lot of money and my folks spoil us." Terrence stated.
"Dude, you're making it REAL hard not to be jealous." Ronnie stated as he grit his teeth.
"I suppose y'all are right. Real talk, it would be easier than having to change out everyday I go out. For all I know, mom and pops might understand and decide to change their ways too. If lucks on my side." Terrence said.
"If you need luck, just rub Nick and Judy's heads." Ronnie said as he rubs Nick and Judy's heads himself. "They are pretty much the two luckiest people on the planet."
"That's not really true." Judy said modesty
"But it's not untrue." Nick said admitting that the two of them are quite lucky compared to other mammals.
"Bottomline, you will have to talk to your parents about all of this sooner or later. Why not sooner?" Falisha asked. "Just pull the bandage and get it over with. I did the same when it came to talking with my sister."
"Man, did all of y'all have the same problems?" Terrence asked.
"That is why we are all such good friends." Falisha said smiling. "Right, guys?"
"Right!" Everyone said happily.
"Much respect." Terrence said smiling. "Y'know, you all got a point and to be honest, I'm straight up tired of having to bottle up everything. Good for my lyric book, bad for my self-esteem."
"Worst case scenario, you'll come up with an epic rap about bottling anger. Like those epic rock-rap songs from Linkin Bark." Nick said.
"Aw man. I love those guys songs." Terrence said knowing the band. "I got to get their new album when it comes out."
"Didn't know you were a fan." Nick said.
"Who isn't?" Terrence said boldly.
With that, Terrence took the groups words to heart and mind. Maybe it really was time for him to talk to his family. It may not fix everything in a day. But it could help him. A few minutes later, Nick and the others were about to say their goodbyes to Terrence.
"Aight, it's been fun meeting you guys, but I got to roll." Terrence said since it was started to get late.
"It's been a pleasure meeting you." Falisha said happily.
"Oh and Fal?" Terrence said before walking toward Falisha. Falisha slightly started to blush a bit. Terrence then gave Falisha a folded piece of paper. "Don't open it tell I leave."
"Okay?" Falisha said looking confused on what the paper was.
"Anyway, wish me luck." Terrence said. "Matter of fact..." Terrence then walked over to Nick and Judy and rubbed both their head. "In case the good luck things is actually for real."
"First's one free. Next time, it's gonna cost you a pizza party or two hours of arcade time." Nick said with a grin.
"Nick!" Judy said trying hard not to laugh.
"If things work out, then pizza and video games are on me." Terrence said with a smile.
"You might be my new best guy friend." Nick said happily.
"Hey!" Finnick, Benji, Mervin, and Darson all said looking a bit mad and offended. Each of them felt that they were Nick's best guy friend in some way.
"Hey...!" Flash said slowly after everyone else.
"Haha! You guys are a riot, yo." Terrence said laughing. "But seriously, I got to roll. Peace out."
"You too, man." Nick said.
Terrence then high paw everyone and was now on his way back home. The kids waved goodbye as he did. Now that he was gone, one thing came to everyone's mind.
"Falisha, what was that paper that Terrence gave you?" Judy asked.
"Let's find out." Falisha said as she opens the paper up.
Falisha looks at the paper for a few seconds and afterward... her face went red.
"What is it?" Ronnie asked.
"His... phone number." Falisha uttered as she shook a bit with her red face.
"Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhh!" Everyone except Falisha went.
"A boy likes Falisha." Mervin said in a teasing sing matter.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Falisha shouted out all flustered.
"You gonna call him?" Judy asked with a smirk.
"No!" Falisha said firmly. Everyone else raised their eyebrows. "Maybe..." The others still had their eyebrows up. "Why should Nick and Judy be the only ones with someone?!"
After saying that, everyone shrugged cause she had a point. In fact, a few of the boys felt sad for themselves, seeing is that most of them, expect Nick, don't even have girlfriends themselves.
The sun was beginning to set. It was really getting late and everyone to head home.
"Well, today's been interesting. We even met 3 new guys." Nick said to everyone with a smile.
"Got to say, each of them was unique as we are. If not more." Judy stated.
"A ditzy skunk, a fighting kitsune, and a rich rapping lion. Don't get any more unique than that." Benji said.
"Well, I guess it's true with what they said. To everyone, their own story." Falisha said. "No matter what we are, we all have different stories."
"Well said." Judy said with a smile.
"One thing for sure, our stories are far from over." Nick stated. "So let's make sure to make our story one of the best."
"Yeah!" Everyone else said with their paws up and eagerly.
"We all better get home, eh?" Audran said.
"Yeah. It's getting late and some of us need to catch some buses." Finnick stated being someone who had to take the best home.
"See ya tomorrow, guys." Mervin said with a smile.
"See ya." Everyone else said.
Everyone headed home for the day. To get ready for another day... and for their own stories to continue on.
Annnnnd done. With that, I finally finished a new chapter. With the steam I got, I'm REALLY gonna try to do more chapters of this. I really hate keeping you all waiting.