Okay. As promised, no gloomy chapter this time. For this chapter, the gang goes to the farmer's market. But not just a regular farmer's market. If you guys remember one of my chapters from my old story, you might already know about this particular market. There is this farmer's market that opens every Saturday not too far where I live. Farmer's markets hit their peak during the Summer because of some of the best fruits being in season. Since the point in Endless Summer is for the kids to do something new every day, it seemed only logical for them to do something like this. Alright, let's get to it right away.
In a spot between Downtown and Savanna Central of Zootopia was the Farmer's Market. Out there were many stands where different mammals sold different things. From fresh fruits and vegetables, specialty snacks, fish, spices, beverages, sauces in jars, and much other stuff. A pretty great place for anyone to go to. It was also where Nick, Judy, and their friends are today. Nick even brought the twins, Todd and Vicky as they are strapped to a baby harness he's wearing. Todd was in the front and Vicky was in the back. The kids all stood at the beginning of the market and looked at all the stands and people.
"Here we are, everyone. The Farmer's Market!" Nick said with a happy grin on his face.
"Wow. This reminds me a lot like the one back home." Judy stated.
"Ah yes. Farmer's markets. From getting fresh fruit to artisan products. A great place for anyone to have something great, eh?" Audran stated.
Ronnie was getting a good whiff of all the different foods around.
"Aw man. Do you guys smell all that deliciousness?" Ronnie asked his friends as he enjoys the aroma.
"I'm trying not to drool." Benji said as he wiped his muzzle.
"They do have quite a lot to try. I'm getting a hint of quite a few delectables sweets." Mimi stated.
"Which is why I thought it would be a good idea to bring you all here." Nick said.
"Why did you bring the minis, tho?" Finnick asked.
"Mom and Pop both have to work today. So they asked me to watch them." Nick stated. "Besides..." Nick then happily moved around Toddy's little paws. "... you guys love the twins."
"We do." Everyone else went with warm smiles.
Mimi then walked behind Nick to pet Vicky a bit.
"I had no idea that your brother and sister were soooooo cute." Mimi said happily. This was the first time she had met Nick's baby brother and sister. "I will never understand why people say so many negative things about foxes."
"Welcome to the world that Nick has opened up to us." Mervin said.
"But seriously, what up with the harness?" Darson asked. "We have their carriage." Darson stated as he was handling it.
"They like it when I carry them in this." Nick stated. "Plus with this cuteness, people might even cut us some deals in what we buy."
"Genius!" Finnick said with a finger out.
"There it is." Darson said getting what Nick said and meant.
"Hey. Some stuff at the Farmer's Market is pricey. I only have so much cash on me." Nick stated.
"This is true." Ronnie said shrugging.
"Anyway, there is a reason why I wanted us all to come here? Including the minis." Nick said.
"What's the reason?" Judy asked.
"Guys, this isn't just any Farmer's Market. It's THE Farmer's Market." Nick said to them.
The others didn't have a clue what Nick was talking about or what he meant. To them, it was still just a normal Farmer's Market. Judy then started thinking about and remember something way back.
"Wait? Nick, is this... THAT Farmer's Market?" Judy asked looking surprised.
"It is." Nick said nodding.
"Eeeeeeeee!" Judy squealed sounding overly excited.
"Okay, can you stop beating around the bush and tell the rest of us why this Farmer's Market is such a big deal?" Darson asked.
"Oh right. The rest of you don't know." Nick said. "This is the very same Farmer's Market that the mom and dad reunited many years ago."
"Oh!" Everyone else went except Judy.
"So that's why we're here." Finnick said.
"They have the best story too. See, a couple of years ago..." Judy said trying to tell the story.
"Carrots, it's my parents' story. I should tell it." Nick said sounding a bit whiny.
"Sorry. Go ahead." Judy said.
"As some of you probably know, my mom and pop were high school sweethearts. They dated all four years of high school. They broke up when they had to go to separate colleges." Nick stated. "Then one day, they met each other at this very market. They shouted out each other's name and they spend nearly the whole day here together."
"Aww. Such a sweet story." Falisha said happily.
"But that's not the whole story." Nick said telling the others there is more. "See, after they said goodbye, pop realized that he didn't get mom's number or even knew where she was staying. Pop didn't want to risk not seeing her again, so he ran as fast as could and caught up with her. He then lifted my mom up and told him he didn't want to let her go again. Of course, he would still have to put her down, but he had one condition."
"What was that?" Benji asked.
"That mom had to marry him." Nick said.
"WHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT?!" Everyone else shouted out.
"You mean your pops was crazy enough to ask your ma to marry her ON THE SPOT?!" Finnick shouted out shocked.
"He was." Nick said. "Lucky for him, she said yes."
"Oh my gosh! That has to be the most romantic story I have ever heard." Mimi said in awe.
"I know. So it's because they met at this Farmer's Market, they were able to get married, have me, and these little cuties." Nick stated as he waved Toddy's little paws.
"I swear, your family has some of the best luck ever, eh?" Audran said.
"Yeah. You are basically saying if this place didn't exist, you never would have been born." Ronnie said.
"Pretty sure half of us are lucky to even be born." Mervin said. "We know who we are we."
"Yeah..." Nick, Judy, Darson, and Finnick feeling that them Mervin were the ones who lucked out.
"Alright. We talked enough. Time to check out the market and what it has to offer." Nick said.
"Yeah. Come on, everyone. Let's get going." Judy said excitedly as he held Nick's paw.
So the gang all started walking around as they looked at all the stands. The first couple of stands were the ones that sold simple vegetables like lettuces, tomatoes, and... broccoli. Nick and a few of the other predator boys were not a fan of the green vegetable. Judy noticed Nick looking at the broccoli in disgust.
"Still hate broccoli? I thought you would have grown out of that." Judy said to Nick.
"I will NEVER grow out of that." Nick said in a serious tone. "Broccoli to me will always be the spores of evil."
"Us predators don't really like that stuff, bunny girl." Finnick stated not being a fan either.
"I don't like 'em either." Ronnie said.
"Me too." Mervin added. "My mom always forces me and my brothers to eat it by tempting me with dessert."
"I swear, that's every mom's trump card." Nick stated.
"Maybe you just need to have it another way." Mimi suggested.
"Psst! Don't you think my mom had tried that? She even tried to hide broccoli in other foods and get the twins to eat it. They spat it right out." Nick said. He then started to lightly smush around Todd's face. "You don't like those yucky mini trees too, don't ya, Toddy?"
"Ahhbahh!" Toddy said.
"Right? Broccoli is ahhbahh!" Nick said mimicking his baby brother.
"Alright." Judy said as she rolled her eyes. "Let's see if this market has something good."
"Oooh! Look at that!" Falisha said pointing at a stand.
The stand Falisha was pointing at was a colorful stand that sold homemade popsicles. The popsicles came in a regular popsicle style and multiple colors and hung on top of some ice. The popsicles were being sold by a female koala. The ground walked over to it.
"Huh. Popsicles. Just like the ones Nick and I sell." Finnick said.
"Except these aren't paw-shaped. Also, they come in more than one variety." Falisha stated.
"Also, they probably don't taste like feet." Mervin added with a smirk.
"HEY! They do NOT taste like feet!" Finnick stated firmly.
"Agree to disagree." Mervin said.
"I will say this. They do look pretty... BWAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Nick went asked he looked shocked at what he saw.
"What? What is it?" Finnick asked his friend what was up with his scream.
Nick pointed at a sign with the prices of popsicles. The sign said they were all worth $5.
"5 DOLLARS EACH?!" Finnick shouted out sounding even more shocked than Nick. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
"That's like, 3 more dollars than the ones we sell." Nick replied.
"For some popsicles, that's a bit pricey." Judy said.
Finnick then walked up to the stand and spoke to the stand owner.
"'Excuse me, ma'am?" Finnick said getting the attention of the koala.
"Oh. Hello there." The koala said greeting the little fox.
"Yeah, hi." Finnick said quite quickly. "What up with the high price for these? An ice cream truck has cheaper prices."
"As you can probably see, my popsicles are special." The koala claimed. "For starters, they are all homemade with a special blend of fruits and juices. They also come in 3 different flavors. Tropical Passion, Rosey Red, and Festive Berry."
"Well, that's 3 flavors to our 1. Red." Nick said to Finnick.
"Bah! With prices like that, I doubt she sells much." Finnick said.
Flash then slowly raised his paw and said "I'll... try... one.".
"Which would you like?" The koala asked with a smile.
"Festive... Berry... sounds... good." Flash said.
"Coming up." The koala said.
The koala then picked out a purple-ish popsicle from the bunch and handed it over to Flash. As Flash held the popsicle, the others got a better look at it. In farther inspection, the popsicle was way different than the one's Nick and Finnick sold in more than just appearance and flavors. The berries used in the popsicle were even visible.
"Wooooah! It's glimmering like a gemstone." Darson said.
"Dude, you can even see the fruit in them." Nick stated. "That's how you can tell this isn't your average pop."
"Well Flash, give it a taste." Ronnie said.
As expected, Flash slowly move the popsicle up to his face... at a sloth's pace. The group all watched the sloth try the popsicle. After what seemed like a minute, Flash finally got a taste of popsicle and gave his opinion on it.
"Oh yeah. These are better. Like, 300% better than yours." Flash said to Nick and Finnick in normal speed.
"Oh. That was a fast response." Nick said not seeming too surprised.
"Psst. Is it really 300% better?" Finnick asked thinking Flash was rating is too high.
"Trust me. When I said this is 300% better, I meant it." Flash said. "This is beyond better."
"You know you don't have to say that so mu..." Finnick said before pausing at the end.
As he did, everyone else's eyes widen and their attention went to Flash. Flash not only talked at a normal speed, but responded without even a few seconds of a delay. That NEVER happens.
"Flash, did... you just..." Judy said as she stuttered.
"Why are you guys freaking out so much?" Flash asked once again in normal speed.
"WAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Everyone else shouted out as they jumped back a bit.
"You guys are being weird." Flash said acting like he didn't realize what was happening as he enjoyed his popsicle some more. "Anyway, back to this popsicle. It's really refreshing. You can taste the berries and every..."
As Flash went on, the rest of the gang couldn't process what was going on.
"He's still talking. He's still talking. How is he still talking?" Nick thought.
"He's not even taking a break." Judy thought.
"HOW... is this happening?" Benji thought.
"Is he still going?" Finnick thought.
"No way this is because of the popsicle. No way." Darson thought.
"Is that popsicle giving him super sloth speed?" Mervin thought.
"... totally worth the price." Flash said finishing talking.
Everyone else still couldn't even begin to process everything. Just that Flash was talking at a normal speed. The only explanation was... the popsicle. Everyone, except Flash, turned to the koala vender and shouted out "WHAT'S IN THOSE POPSICLES?!"
"Oh, your friend. Yeah, they tend to have that effect on my sloth customers." The koala stated. "As for what's in them, the usual mix of fruits and juices."
"What the heck kind of juice did you put in there?" Ronnie asked.
Mimi then took out her wallet and got a 5 dollar bill out.
"May I have one? The same one as Flash?" Mimi asked the koala vendor.
"Sure." The koala said as she takes the money and gives Mimi a popsicle. As requested, it was the same flavor as Flash.
Mimi took a look at the popsicle before giving it a taste. As delicious and refreshing as it tasted, she was trying to better analyze the flavors of it. After a few seconds, she believes she knew what was in it.
"Besides the strawberries and blueberries, I can make something else out of it. Goji. Goji berries." Mimi said.
"Correct. You must have some tastebuds." The koala said sounding impressed.
"What are goji berries?" Benji asked.
"Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are tiny red fruits that are known to have many health benefits, like supporting your immune system, promoting healthy skin and fur, and provide energy."
"Correct again." The koala said impressed again. "Goji berries are known to be a sort of superfood. I used concentrated goji juice in my popsicles to give them a full boost of energy."
"Still, even concentrated, these would need something more to make flash more... flashy." Mimi stated. She then tasted her popsicle again. "Maybe... guayusa. Guayusa leaves."
"You are really something else, young skunk." The koala said sounding more and more impressed by Mimi's knowledge and tastebuds.
"If I recall, guayusa leaves are known to hold caffeination, like coffee and some tea. When brewed, they have many effects on the body." Falisha stated.
"Right. I steeped some guayusa leaves and combined it with the goji juice to give it all an extra kick." The koala stated. "However, too much guayusa would have send mammals going up walls. So, I used a special kind of guayusa. Consumed by normal mammals, they just get a refreshing boost of energy. But for sloths, well... you can see the effect."
"In other words, these aren't regular popsicles. They're..." Audran stated.
"... super popsicles! Supersicles!" Mervin said looking intrigued.
"That's a good name for them. Liann's Supersicles. They're refreshing and give you a super-boost." The koala said with enthusiasm and also saying her name. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Clever." Finnick said. "Still, with a price like that, I still doubt you will sell as much."
"I saw blueberries, so I got to have one." Nick said raising up a 5 dollar bill.
"I'll have too." Judy said doing the same. "But make mine a Rosey Red."
"Ditto." Falisha said wanting one as well.
"Tropical Passion. Sounds like mangos are in it. I love mangos." Mervin said waving a 5 dollar bill around.
Pretty much all of the teens wanted to buy a popsicle. Making Finnick's last statement untrue. Liann had a smirk on her face.
"I think I'll be fine." Liann said to the fennec fox.
Finnick couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. It seems like she might be even better at selling popsicles than he and Nick were. Eventually, all the teens, including Finnick, got their own popsicles. They all really enjoyed them. Including Flash, who was actually walking at
normal speed like the others. He was still quite energized from his popsicle.
"Here, Toddy. Wanna lick?" Nick asked willing to give his brother a taste of the popsicle.
"Ahh!" Toddy went looking excited as he sucks on the popsicle a bit.
Judy then got behind Nick where Vicky was hanging from his back.
"You can have a bit of mine too, Vicky." Judy said offering Vicky a taste.
Vicky then happily had a taste of Judy's popsicles.
"Finnick, I'm surprised that you decided to buy one." Falisha stated.
"It's to analyze it." Finnick stated as he has his Rosey Red pop.
"And the verdict?" Audran asked.
"Flash is right. These are 300% better than ours." Finnick admitted.
"Told ya." Flash said as he finishes his popsicle.
"Our popsicles are basically frozen juice on a stick. These are beyond that. With high-class ingredients like these put into it, it's no wonder why she sells them for so high. But even so, the price is worth it." Nick stated.
"Not only that, the boost one gets from these is really something else." Ronnie stated.
"Hmm. Maybe Nick and I should do something with our pops. Something to make them taste better and for the customers to love." Finnick said.
"Wow. That's considerate of you, Finnick." Mimi said.
"Give him a minute." Mervin said to Mimi.
"With new ingredients added, we can put the prices of them up. Like 5, even 6 dollars." Finnick said with a hint of greed in his eyes.
"There it is." Nick and Mervin said expecting Finnick to say something like that.
"I... think you should hold on to that idea." Mimi suggested. "Goji berries and guayusa leaves are pretty... pricey. Not to mention how much you would need on a regular basis."
"URK!" Finnick went as he almost choked on his popsicle.
"Takes money to make money, buddy." Nick stated.
"Ugggggh... maybe if we just say the ingredients are in there..." Finnick said.
"No dishonestly!" Nick stated after bopping Finnick on his head.
"Oww! Alright! Alright!" Finnick said looking mad as he rubbed his head. "Jeez, every time..."
After finishing his popsicle, Flash started jogging around the others in a circle. It seems like he was very happy.
"We get it, Flash. You're fast now." Ronnie said feeling Flash was showboating a bit.
"I can't help it. Do you know how long I wanted to keep up with you guys? Years!" Flash said.
"Just ease up a bit. You don't know when the buzz is going to end, eh?" Audran stated.
"Please. I doubt it will wear off that fast." Flash said confidently. "Besides, I really want to enjoy..." At that moment, Flash started speaking slower. "... it... while... it... lasts."
"And it's gone." Everyone else said not surprised.
Seems like the energy boost from the popsicles is gone and Flash was back to speaking and moving at his normal speed.
"AH... DANG... IT!" Flash shouted out slowly and a bit angry.
"There there, bud." Ronnie said as he patted Flash's head.
"Can... we... go... back... and... get me... another?" Flash asked.
"Not now." Nick said. "Just deal with being at your normal speed. Your normal sloth speed."
Ronnie then lifted up Flash and put him on his back.
"I got you, bud." Ronnie said to Flash.
"Thanks... Sorry." Flash said feeling bad that Ronnie's reduce to carrying him again. He always hated being carried around because he was slow and couldn't keep up with the others.
"Don't be. We're friends. We look out for each other, right?" Ronnie asked.
"Then... can... I... get... some... of... your... popsicle?" Flash asked.
Hearing that, Ronnie didn't really want to give Flash his popsicle or have him be speedy again. So he quickly finished it up.
"Really..." Flash said looking a bit peeved with Ronnie. Flash then slowly looked at the others who still had their popsicles. "Would... any... of you..."
Not even needing to hear the rest, the group immediately finished their popsicles just like Ronnie did. None of them wanted to give Flash even a lick.
"Sorry, pal. But after earlier, it's for your own go..." Nick said before freezing.
Nick and the others forgot to factor one thing. When you eat a frozen treat too fast...
"BRAAAAAIN FREEEEEZE!" The other shouted out in pain.
"J... Just like the first time we met!" Mimi stated as she rubbed the sides of her head. "Good times. Am I right?"
After a minute, the gang felt better and continued walking. Nick took off the harness and decided to put Todd and Vicky on the carriage they brought. Judy and the others noticed that Nick seemed surprisingly happy.
"Nick, are you really okay?" Judy asked looking really concerned for her boyfriend.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Nick asked.
"It's just that... it's only been a few days since..." Benji said.
"Am I still upset about Richard's death? Yes. But I'm not gonna mope about it." Nick replied honestly. "If I did, he'd probably come back from the dead and say 'You young tod, don't be crying over this old bag. Go on and live your life like you are supposed to.'."
The others laughed a bit because it really did sound like something he would say.
"I think you're right." Judy said smiling.
"I'm always right. It's a blessing and a curse. But mostly a blessing." Nick said with a confident grin.
"To brag like that, you must be okay." Darson said as he rolled his eyes.
"Now come on. We got other stands to check out." Nick said.
Agreeing to keep going, the group continued to walk and look at some of the stands. They stopped when Darson wanted to see a particular stand that had a tent in the back. The stand didn't sell food. It sold a bunch of random spiritual stuff such as crystals, colorful stones, and candles.
"What's all this?" Mervin asked as he looked closely at some of the odd stones.
"Spiritual stones, charka healing crystals, dreamcatchers. This is all spiritual items." Darson said. "Feels like stuff I would find from my mom."
"Yeah. Total hippie stuff." Finnick looking up at some windchimes.
Falisha looked at a sign that said "Sunflower's Spiritual Materials".
"Sunflower's Spiritual Materials?" Falisha said as she reads the sign.
"Wait?! Did you say Sunflower?" Darson asked as his attention went up. At that moment, Darson started to realize something. "I think I know who owns this stand."
"Oh? Do I hear some customers?" A female voice went from a tent.
Out from the tent was a coyote in a yellow shirt, fringe vest, bell bottoms, and a sunflower near her left ear. It was Darlene. The same Darlene who knew Darson's mom when she was alive.
"Aunt Darlene!" Darson shouted out happily.
"Moon Lotus!" Darlene shouted out just as happy as Darson was.
The two coyotes then hugged each other.
"Did he call her 'aunt' Darlene?" Nick asked.
"Did she just call him 'Moon Lotus'?" Judy asked.
"Guess they know each other." Benji stated.
Nick, Judy, and the others didn't know anything about Darlene when they were at helping out in the shelter. So this is the first time they are meeting her.
"Ohhhh! I knew fate would bring us back together. But I didn't think it would be so soon." Darlene said as she still hugged Darson tightly.
"Your hugging... too tight!" Darson said starting to get a pain in his ribs.
"Oh. Sorry." Darlene said as she ends her hug.
"It's fine. It's really good to see you again." Darson said as he straightens his body a bit.
Darlene's attention then went to the others. "Oh. Are all of these kids your friends? Such a pleasant-looking group." Darlene said smiling at the kids.
"Right. I should introduce everyone." Darson said. "Guys, this is Darlene. Darlene, these are all my friends. Nick, Judy, Ben, Finnick, Mervin, Falisha, Flash, Ronnie, and Audran. Oh, and the little munchkins are Nick's baby brother and sister, Todd and Vicky."
"A pleasure to know that Moon Lotus has so many friends." Darlene said as she placed her paws together.
"You know you don't have to call me by my flower name." Darson said feeling a bit embarrassed being called Moon Lotus.
"How do you know each other?" Finnick asked.
"You called her 'aunt' Darlene." Judy stated. "Is she really your..."
"Oh. That's right. I didn't tell you guys much about her yet." Darson said realizing it. "I met Darlene at the shelter when we were helping out. She lived there before finally getting a new apartment. She also knew my mom when they were little."
"Oh!" The others said understanding everything now.
"That makes sense." Mimi stated.
"Is that why your names are similar too?" Ronnie asked.
"Cause my parents named me after her. They took the Dar part from her name and since I was born a boy, I was their son. Dar-son." Darson said explaining how he got his name.
"Huh. That's actually pretty clever." Audran stated.
"So Darson, what brings you and your friends here? Is fate part of the reason again?" Darlene asked.
"Maybe." Darson said. "This was Nick's idea."
"My parents reunited with each other at this very farm market. My dad also proposed to her too. All in the same day." Nick said.
"Oh my! Two soulmates reuniting and joining together in marriage? Fate must really be in your favor, young fox." Darlene said with a smile.
"Don't I know it. It's pretty much that and luck that run my whole life." Nick stated feeling that was always the case with him.
"So, Darlene, you run this stand?" Judy asked.
"Yes. I'm one of the stands that don't sell fruits or veggies." Darlene stated.
"With that look and the junk here, I'm guessing you're a hippie-like Darson's mom was." Finnick said. He then got bopped in the head by Judy. "Oww! Why is everyone hitting me in the head today?!"
"Sorry for his rudeness, ma'am." Judy said apologizing for Finnick.
"Haha. It's okay. I don't mind it. I am a hippie after all." Darlene said embracing it. "Tie-dye shirts, bellbottoms, I even still say groovy once in a while."
"Old people lingo." Mervin whispered to Ronnie and Audran. The two simply nodded.
"Well, you seem pretty nice." Nick said. "So, you knew Darson's mom before she passed?"
"I did. Water Lily and I were like sisters." Darlene stated happily.
"Water Lily?" Judy said feeling confused by the name.
"My mom's flower name." Darson said.
"What is with everyone being called a flower?" Finnick thought.
"Darson's mom and I were very close when we young. We did a lot together along with Darson's father. We did a bunch of stuff that your kids would call crazy. From protesting with a long group to even streaking." Darlene said.
The last word that Darlene said got everyone's attention quite a bit.
"Wait? Now... when you said 'streaking' you don't mean..." Nick said shaking a bit.
"Running out in public all-natural. As nature made us." Darlene said with no hesitation.
The teens were all shocked and red-faced when they heard that. Darlene was saying that her, along with Darson's mom, ran in public naked. Part of Darson's image of his mom was shocked after hearing that.
"YOU TWO ACTUALLY DID THAT?!" Darson shouted out.
"Your father too. And it was to prove a point." Darlene stated.
"Why... why... why... why would mention this in front of my friends?" Darson asked freaking out.
"It's no big deal." Darson said calmly. "It was still quite the thing at the time."
"Wow. My last name may be Wilde. But your parents were wiiiiiiiiild." Nick uttered with a grin.
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Darson shouted at Nick.
"So... Darson's mom..." Ronnie said.
"... As well as his dad..." Falisha said.
"... Ran out in public..." Audran said.
"... totally nude." Mervin said. Mervin then did some small chuckling.
"HEY! GET THOSE IMAGES OUT OF YOUR HEADS!" Darson shouted out.
"That's kinda impossible, dude." Mervin stated.
"If it was, we totally would." Judy said sounding serious. "Cause the idea of thinking about a friend's parent going all-natural... is pretty horrifying."
Everyone else started to understand what Judy meant and the image started haunting them too as they all started to slowly say "Yeaaaaaaah...".
A few minutes later, Darlene show the teens some of the things she sold and told them what they were meant for. The crystals were meant to heal a person's chakra, spirit candles are meant for aromatherapy, and a special liquid soap that was meant to heal the outer body. Quite a few stuff was available. A few of them even bought some stuff from her.
As Nick and Judy looked at the charka healing crystal necklaces, Darlene couldn't help but sense something about Nick and Judy. If she could describe it, it was like their auras were intertwine with one another. She had to know why.
"Nick and Judy, right?" Darlene said wanting to make sure she got their names right.
"Ma'am?" Nick said as he and Judy turned to face Darlene.
"I couldn't help but notice that you two have quite the auras." Darlene said.
"Umm... thank you?" Judy said not really sure how to respond to that.
"It's odd. Even with you two being different species, it feels like... you two were meant for each other." Darlene said.
Nick and Judy's faces immediately went red.
"Again?! Someone figured it out again?!" Nick shouted out.
"How is it that everyone figures it out even if they don't really know us?!" Judy asked as she held her ears down in embarrassment.
"Heh heh! As you can see, Nick and Judy just got together at the beginning of the Summer. But the two have liked each other since they were 9." Falisha stated.
"As kids they always try to hide their feelings from everyone. It didn't work." Benji stated.
"We told you. At 9, it's hard to understand how feelings work." Nick stated as he started looking red-faced.
"It's not like you guys had to deal with the same thing." Judy said blushing she runs her paws down her right ear.
"Ohhhh! I see. Was it also fate that brought you two together?" Darlene asked curiously.
"Uhhhhh..." Nick and Judy went as the two thought about it.
"Is it fate that brought us together? I wouldn't really say that." Judy stated as she still blushed.
"I mean, all we really did was meet when we were kids. The day I went to Bunnyburrow, I saw her play. I saw her later getting bullied and I saved her. We only knew each other for a moment, yet we felt a connection. A month later, my family went back to Bunnyburrow and I hoped I could find her again. Course, with the crazy-high population, my chances of running into her again were practically zero." Nick stated.
"Yet somehow, we met again out of pure chance. We became such good friends that it led to our families visiting each other every week. It even made my parents, as well as my brothers and sisters, stop fearing foxes." Judy stated.
"Then after almost giving up on everything, Judy was the only one who stood by my side and saw me for who I truly am. Eventually, I got back at some bullies, make my own pack, made friends with the people who are here with me right now, and ultimately allowing me to have the best life ever." Nick stated.
"I could definitely say the same about my life." Judy said.
"But even with all of that, can you really say fate is what brought Carrots and I together?" Nick asked.
Everyone else, including Darlene, just gave Nick and Judy blank expressions. With an exclamation like that, how can you NOT call what Judy and Nick have fate?
"Clearly... fate has obviously brought you two together." Darlene said. "In fact, I don't think I've heard two people meant for each other more than you two."
"I tell them that all the time." Benji said happily.
"He really does." Darson stated.
"Ugggghhh... it was so hard to fight the feelings we had when we were younger." Judy said blushing a bit.
"It also didn't help with everyone NAGGING US TO GET TOGETHER!" Nick shouted out at everyone else.
"We were looking out for you two, bro." Mervin said as he patted Nick on the shoulder.
"And yet, you teased us for years." Nick said looking a bit mad.
"I don't think you two should be too mad with them. They probably are thankful for you two." Darlene said. "It's because of your connection with each other that they were able to connect with you. You two are a big part of their lives and they all love you for that."
"Woah woah woah!" Finnick said looking flustered. "I wouldn't go throwing the 'l' word around."
"Yeah. The 'l' word is a little strong to use." Ronnie said agreeing with Finnick and looking a bit flustered.
"How so?" Darlene asked.
"Uhhhhhh..." Finnick, Ronnie, Audran, Darson, and Mervin went. They really didn't know how to put it in words.
"It's just that..." Finnick said as he scratched the back of his neck.
"If you didn't love them, then you wouldn't be with them so much. They are an important part of your life and they mean a lot to you all, right?" Darlene asked.
"Well, I'm still pretty new to the group. But I already see them as really good friends." Mimi stated.
"I definitely love Nick and Judy." Benji said perfectly comfortable with saying the word. "They have both been the best friends ever."
"Judy's definitely on my best friends list." Falisha stated.
"Nick... and... Judy... are... the best." Flash said.
"See? Your other friends can admit it. So why can't you?" Darlene said.
"I guess I do own Nick and Judy for helping me change my old ways." Darson admitted.
"Nick is like a bro to me... and Jude is like a sis." Mervin admitted.
"I would do anything to help them out." Ronnie said.
"Me too." Audran added.
"*groan*" It was hard for Finnick to admit his feelings. That's how he's always been. But saying that he didn't care for Nick and Judy would be far from false. "I suppose... I do... 'l' Nick and Bunny Girl ... a bit."
"Awwww!" Nick and Judy went as they felt happy to hear that.
"Hear that, Carrots. Finnick 'ls' us." Nick said to Judy.
"I got to hug him now." Judy said with open arms.
"DO NOT HUG ME!" Finnick shouted out in a fuss.
"Too late. I'm already in motion." Judy said as she started walking towards Finnick.
"GE... GET AWAY!" Finnick shouted out as he made a run for it.
"Don't run! I just wanna hug you." Judy said as she chases Finnick.
"HUG YOUR BOYFRIEND!" Finnick shouted back.
"I always hug him. Let me hug you." Judy said as she still continues chasing the fennec.
The rest just watched and laugh as the little fox tried to get away from the bunny. Darlene looked and laugh a bit herself. She also seemed pretty happy for Darson to have such nice friends.
"Moon Lotus, it looks like you really found a place where you belong. I hope your mother is always watching over and is smiling from heaven." Darlene thought happily.
After saying their goodbyes to Darlene, the teens continued walking around the farmers market and sampled on some more stuff. From having some freshly made mini-donuts, some strawberry jam, to homemade sodas. The farmer's market here had many delights. After seeing everyone after one go-around, the group had quite a bit of stuff they bought in bags.
"I think with all the stuff we bought, we've spend over $200 at this market." Finnick said looking grim.
"That's actually pretty small. Seeing that we all bought at least one thing." Falisha stated.
"Man, I feel stuffed from all those goodies." Benji stated as he rubbed his stomach.
"I bet it mainly cause of the 3 servings of mini-donuts you had earlier." Mervin said with a smirk.
"Hey. Like Finnick, Toddy, and Vicky, they're mini." Benji stated.
After Ben said that, Judy's attention went to the twins. She noticed they seemed to be a bit fussy. The kind of fussy when a baby wants something.
"Speaking of Toddy and Vicky, I think the twins are hungry." Judy said.
"Well, it is about time I feed them." Nick said. He then started digging into the baby bag and search inside it. "Now, where is that baby food?"
As Nick was busy, Toddy and Vicky looked at a small stand that happened to sell a certain berry that all Wildes just happen to love. Blueberries. They were being sold by a female deer.
"Bobos! Bobos!" Vicky shouted out as she pointed out at the stand that sold blueberries.
"Huh? Bobos?" Mimi said confused by Vicky's words.
"Oh. That stand is selling blueberries." Nick said seeing the stand. "Bobos is what they like to call blueberries."
"Would you two like so blueberries?" Judy asked the baby fox cubs with a smile.
"Bobos! Bobos!" The twins chanted.
"I think they want some bobos, eh?" Audran stated.
"Better buy them some bobos, Nick." Ronnie said.
"Yeah... Nick." Flash added.
"Alright." Nick said getting out his wallet and seeing while we was getting low on cash, he had enough to buy some blueberries. "Minis, you are lucky your bubba loves you."
Nick walked over to the stand and faced to the stand owner.
"Excuse me, ma'am. I would like a basket of bobos... I mean blueberries, please?" Nick said after almost saying the wrong name.
"Sure thing." The deer said with a smile.
Nick paid the deer and she gave Nick a small basket of blueberries. As Nick gets the basket, he feels a little conflicted to give it to Todd and Vicky.
"What's wrong? You're not going to hog them for yourself, are you?" Judy asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"No. It's just... remember your first trip to Zootopia and what I told you? Your family's blueberries ruined all other blueberries for me. Todd and Vix had both had your family's blueberries. So the taste of these might be disappointing them." Nick stated. "But... I already bought them, so..."
Nick lower down and let Todd and Vicky get a few of the blueberries. The twins gobbled up a few of the blueberries. Surprisingly, their response was the same as the time as the first time they had the Hopps' blueberries. They thought it was the best thing they ever had and clapped their paws.
"They seem to like them just fine." Darson said.
"Ehh. They're still babies. Their taste hasn't developed yet." NIck said before picking a few blueberries from the basket. "Cause I'm telling you, those blueberries aren't..." Before finishing his sentence, Nick popped a few blueberries into his mouth. But the moment the juices hit his tongue, he froze.
Nick just completely froze for like 10 seconds. Everyone else was starting to be very concerned.
"Nick?" Flash said to his friend. No response.
"Nick, honey?" Judy said as she nudged her boyfriend. No response. "Nick, don't tell me those blueberries are better than my family's."
"No. They aren't better than your family's blueberries." Nick replied sounding serious. "They blueberries ARE your family's."
"WHAT?!" Everyone else shouted out.
"Did I stuttered? These are your family's blueberries!" Nick said sounding positive.
"No way." Finnick said.
"I've been eating their blueberries for years. I know what I'm talking about?"
"Let me try some." Darson said as he walks up to Nick and takes a few blueberries. "I may not have had them as much as you have, but I had Mr. and Mrs. H's blueberries quite a bit too. So I should know if..." As Darson tried a few of the blueberries, he froze just like Nick did. Four seconds later, Darson replied. "They're totally the Hopps' blueberries."
Now Judy had to try a few. Growing up with them, if anyone knew how their blueberries tasted, it was Judy.
"You're right! These are blueberries." Judy said agreeing with Nick and Darson. Judy then walked over to the deer. "Ma'am, where did you get these blueberries?"
"The blueberries I have aren't really from here. I get a shipment of them from a business partner all the way at Bunnyburrow." The deer replied.
"Bunnyburrow?" Everyone went.
"Judy's hometown?" Mimi said.
"Then your blueberries much be from Hopps' family farms." Judy stated.
"Hey! That IS the farm I'm partnered with. The guy I made a deal with a few years ago was... Stuart Hopps, I believe." The deer said as she rubbed her chin.
"That's right. A few years ago, my dad made a few business deals so we could sell some of our products in the city. I guess you were of those people." Judy said.
"Guess so." The deer said with a smile. "The blueberries were always the best seller.
Nick then turned Judy around.
"Carrots, do you know what this means?" Nick asked.
"My dad knows how to make business deals?" Judy asked.
"Noooo." Nick said. He then had a very happy smile on his face. "It means that I don't have to go all the way to Bunnyburrow to get your family's blueberries."
"Oh." The others went. They weren't really surprised to hear that.
"Nick must really love blueberries." Mimi said not knowing about Nick's love for blueberries.
"Almost more than anything." Falisha stated.
"The only downside is you have to pay for them now." Judy said to Nick with a smirk.
That reality hit Nick. He was always used to the Hopps family just given them their blueberries.
"My family's paid for your blueberries a few times." Nick replied.
"When?" Judy asked.
"The time we first went to your parent's stand on our second trip to Bunnyburrow." Nick said.
"No, you didn't. Your parents wanted to buy some, but then you reunited with me and I showed you around the farm. I let you have some blueberries fresh from the bushes and after you left, gave you a basket to take home." Judy stated remembering every detail.
"You know we would have bought them." Nick stated with a straight face.
"Keep telling yourself that." Judy said.
"I guess what really matters is that I can get blueberries either way now." Nick said. "Including the ones I just bought."
"Uhhhh... Nicky?" Darson said to Nick as he pointed at the twins.
Nick and Judy left the basket of blueberries to Todd and Vicky and well... they ate them all. Traces of blueberries were all over their muzzles.
"TODD! VICKY!" Nick shouted out in his dismay.
"Oooooh. Maybe we shouldn't have given them the whole basket." Judy said.
The rest of the gang snickered at this.
"They are your brother and sister after all." Finnick stated grinning ear to ear.
"Yeah. Haha!" Mervin said laughing.
Nick then looked in his wallet, hoping he had enough money to buy more blueberries. He didn't.
"*groan* Hun-Bun, could you..." Nick said hoping Judy would buy some for him.
"Sorry. I'm tapped out." Judy said not having any money left.
"Ditto. Otherwise, I would buy a basket for myself." Darson said as he shakes his empty wallet.
Nick then looked at his other friends.
"Don't look at us." Everyone else went as they looked away from Nick.
Nick then had his head down in total disappointment. There was going to be no blueberries for him. Judy comforted Nick by patting him on the back and Darson also had his head down feeling Nick's pain.
After going through the whole farmer's market, the gang decided it was time to head home. As they began heading back, something caught Nick's attention. It was a frame that had a photo of a fox couple.
"No way! Guys, hold on." Nick said wanting everyone to wait.
"What is it?" Judy asked.
"Look at the photo." Nick said to his friends.
The group all looked at the picture hanging on the frame. While the foxes looked a bit younger, everyone knew exactly who it was.
"Oh my gosh! It's your parents!" Benji said.
"Wow. That's them alright." Finnick said.
"Look. There's some writing." Judy said before reading the writing. "Two foxes that prove that love can always be found in the most unlikely places."
"Aww! They made a little tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Wilde reuniting here." Falisha said thinking it was adorable.
"This must have been the spot. Guess they wanted everyone to know about it." Finnick said.
Nick then walked over to the picture and sees that his parents were very happy as they held each other. Nick felt that he was lucky for the market. It was how his parents met and how he was able to be born.
"Guys, we need to come here again sometime." Nick said.
"Yeah." Judy said smiling and agreeing with Nick.
Having another great day, the teens all headed out.
That's all for this chapter. Ugh! I really wanted to finish this one sooner. Well, better late than... later. I may need to work on making my chapters shorter so I can put effort into making more of them. Anywho, I'm already planning the next 3 chapters. A trip to the mall, a side story for Mimi, and something for Mervin. I also want to trying to give all the other main characters in their own spotlight chapter. Anyway, until the next chapter, I'll be seeing you.