-Petey: A modern knight-

-Zootopia, 1990, 1 year before Judy Hopps's birth-

It was a sunny day in the city. Birds were chirping, the clouds were lazily hovering over the metropolis, and a cool breeze was blowing in from the coastal districts.

All of this though didn't really matter to a certain young rhino currently sitting outside his principles' office. He was looking at the floor with a defeated expression on his face.

The rhino, though young, was still rather large compared to his fellow students. Which is exactly what had gotten him in trouble that day.

A cheetah in a pair of horn-rimmed glasses was typing away at a large computer sitting on her desk. She would occasionally glance over at the young mammal and let out a sigh before returning to her work.

While the waiting area was rather silent the atmosphere inside the principle's office was quite different.

The principal, an old wolf whose gray fur was flecked with white, sat behind his desk and stared at the other mammals filling the seats before him.

"It's completely unacceptable!" Shouted a cheetah in a teal blouse and faded jeans. She was having trouble staying in her seat as she flailed her arms about. "My sweet daughter could have been hurt!"

"She is a cheetah, I thought you lot liked trees?" Came a retort from a female rhino in a dark blue business jacket and skirt.

"Excuse me?" The cheetah responded, her jaw almost falling forward.

"Now ladies, that's enough," The wolf behind the desk barked.

"Mr. Rain," The cheetah said, trying to keep her anger in check. "Surely you agree it is unacceptable for a student to toss another student in a tree. No matter what that mammal's species is."

"Oh I do agree it is unacceptable, we cannot have out students tossing one another around. After all, she could have gotten hurt or fallen on one of the smaller students who were present."

"Exactly," the cheetah said smugly. She then looked over at the rhino. "Your son is a menace."

"My son is a gentle and sweet young mammal," The female rhino said, her voice becoming just as intimidating as her size. "If he did what he did then he probably had a good reason."

"Reason?" The cheetah laughed. "What reason could he possibly have?"

"Did you ask?" The rhino asked as she raised a brow and then looked at the principle.

"Excuse me?" The wolf asked.

"Did you ask him why he did what he did? Or maybe one of these smaller mammals you were so concerned about?"

The wolf looked down at his desk and then back at the two fuming mothers.

"We are more concerned with Petey's actions right now."

"Well, I am concerned with what led up to those actions," The rhino said firmly.

Losing her patience she stood up and took a step towards the door. She poked her head outside the room and glanced down at a row of seats next to the office door.

While she had expected to see her son sitting there she had not expected for him to have friends.

A small black and white spotted bunny and a young yak were standing on either side of Petey, the doe had a paw on the rhinos knee.

"They can't be mad though Petey, you were helping us."

"Yeah, Amber deserved to be thrown in a tree."

"Excuse me," The larger female rhino said, clearing her throat.

The three younger mammals all tensed up and looked over at Petey's mother.

"Would all three of you come in please?"

"Us too?" the bunny asked hesitantly.

The rhino smiled sweetly and nodded.

One by one the three younger mammals trudged in, Petey looking as if he was on his way to the gallows.

Once inside the larger female rhino took a knee, which didn't exactly do much, and smiled down at the bunny and yak.

"Now would you two mind telling us what happened?"

The yak and bunny both looked at one another and then their principal who simply stared at the two little ones.

"It's alright," the rhino cooed. "Just tell us what happened."

"Well we just finished eating lunch and I wanted to play catch," the young doe began. "I brought a baseball from home that my dad bought me."

"What about the baseballs we have here Natalie?" The principal asked, realizing he may have come off a little too curt as the small bunny winced. He softened his expression though and smiled at the bunny. "I am sorry my dear, please continue."

"Well, it's just the bigger kids don't really let me play with those baseballs," The bunny continued softly. "They said I was too small."

"But I don't mind," The yak added. "I like playing catch with Natalie."

"Yeah," the bunny said before continuing. "Anyways we were playing catch when Amber showed up."

The adult cheetah moved uneasily in her chair as she listened.

"She caught the ball before I could when I asked for it back she laughed and said no."

The bunny then glanced over at Petey who was still looking at the floor.

"She kept holding it out of my reach and wouldn't give it back. Petey saw and came up and when she wouldn't give it back he tried to reach for it."

"Yeah, then she clawed him so he started spinning around until she let go," The yak chimed in with a slight smile. "It was funny."

"You were clawed?!" The female rhino asked, her eyes widening.

Petey finally looked up, a pair of soft hazel eyes looking up at his mother. He simply nodded and raised his arm, showing what appeared to be a small claw mark.

"It didn't hurt much but I got scared so I started spinning," Petey began, tears welling up in his eyes. "I didn't mean for her to get stuck in the tree, honest."

The rhino cooed as she reached over and wrapped an arm around her son. She then glared at the other two adults.

"So let me get this straight," The protective mother began. "I am called at work and told my son is in trouble because her daughter," The rhino nodded at the cheetah who could no longer make eye contact. "Was bullying two sweet kits and he stepped up for them and then was attacked? Is that correct?"

"Well, we just didn't have all the facts," The wolf behind the desk said simply.

"You realize what I do for a living right?" The female rhino said firmly as she stood up, holding onto her son's hoof with her own. "Even the dumbest mammal at my law firm would have known to gather all the facts before handing out punishments."

Both the wolf and cheetah seemed to shrivel slightly as the large rhino towered over them, a look of fire in her eyes.

"I will expect an apology to my son tomorrow," The female said as she started to usher her son and the other two children out the door.

"Tomorrow?" The principal asked.

"Yes, because I am taking my son home for the rest of the day."

"Well I mean school isnt-" The wolf fell silent as the rhino in the business suit looked at him, as if she were challenging him to finish that sentence.

"Very well, we will see Petey tomorrow," The wolf said before looking over at the cheetah. "Now about Amber and her bullying."

With that Petey's mother closed the door and led her son down the hallway.

"Bye Petey," The yak said as he waved at his friend, glad to see the rhino wasn't in trouble.

"Thanks for helping me Petey," the small doe said as she swayed back and forth, her small yellow skirt spinning slightly.

There was a low thumping coming from down the hall and all of them looked up to see a young female rhino in a pink dress hurrying down the hall. Her eyes full of panic as she barreled towards them.

She came skidding to a somewhat ungraceful stop just a few feet from Petey. She looked up at Petey's mother, looking worried.

"Mrs. Yulee, please Petey didn't do anything wrong!" The young rhino said as she waved her hoofs about.

Petey's eyes widened as he looked at his classmate.

"Amber was bullying our friends and-"

"Ariel," Petey's mother tried to say but was cut off.

"And then she grabbed onto Petey-"

"Ariel-"

"And then he started to spin," The rhino said as she too did a quick little spin before facing the others once more.

"Ariel!" Petey's mother said loudly, getting everyone's attention.

Ariel froze and looked up at the older rhino.

"Its alright sweetie, we have already figured it out."

The bunny in the yellow dress giggled as she smiled at Ariel who started to blush.

Petey had a bemused look on his face.

"You can come and see Petey after school," Mrs. Yulee said sweetly before adding. "Like you do every day."

"Oooooo," The yak and bunny said in unison.

"Shut up," Ariel said as she looked at the floor and kicked one of her hooves.

Petey remained silent and just smiled at his friends before being led out of the school by his mother.

When they reached the parking lot Petey's mother stopped and turned to her son. She took a knee and put a hoof on either of her son's shoulders.

She could tell he was still distraught.

"Petey," she began. Her son had trouble looking at her in the eyes. "Hey there sweetie, look at me."

The kind words seemed to work and the younger rhino looked up at his mother.

"What you did today," His mother began. Petey prepared for a lecture but was surprised as he listened to his mother. "I want you to do every time you see someone in trouble ok? I want you to know that if you see someone in trouble and want to help them that I will always be here to help you when it's done."

Petey smiled as he blinked up at his mother.

"You were always this way with your cousins and sisters. Always the knight who stepped up to make sure everyone played nice. Keep doing that my love and I will always bail you out."

"Even if someone ends up in a tree?" Petey asked hesitantly.

While most parents would be concerned Petey's mother wasn't. Her son had always had a gentle nature about him. He seemed to enjoy helping others almost to a fault.

"Especially if someone ends up in a tree."

She then reached down and inspected her son's arm.

"It doesn't hurt," Petey said honestly.

His thick hide had protected him from any real damage, the scratches would most likely vanish in a day or two.

"Still think we better do something about it," Mrs. Yulee said softly.

"Oh no... not the doctors," Petey said as he tensed up. He didn't like the doctors that much mainly because rhinos were hard to give shots to and had to have them under their arms which hurt.

"I was thinking more of ice cream," Petey's mother said, chuckling at how her son's expression brightened so quickly.

"Ice cream?" Petey asked excitedly.

"Yes, then you can come to help me at my office until your father picks you up, would hate for you to miss your playdate with Ariel."

"It's not a date mom!" Petey shouted.

"Sure Petey, sure."

-Many years later-

It was another perfect day on the outskirts of the city. While the original forecast had said there would be rain the weather seemed to take a different direction, almost as if it didn't want to ruin the ceremony currently taking place beneath the clouds.

A gentle breeze washed over the large crowd that had gathered for the most recent graduation ceremony of the Zootopian Guard.

Several flags that had been set up around the bandstand fluttered gently in the breeze.

A formation of different sized mammals all stood at attention as they looked straight ahead at a raised stage where an old but fit-looking painted dog was currently standing.

His uniform was neatly pressed and he had a sense of pride on his muzzle as he looked out at the newest class of soldiers.

Just behind the new graduates sat their families. The stands were packed with mammals of all different species. Though they may be different sizes, colors, and classes they all had one thing in common today:

Their joy in watching their loved ones complete the rigorous training that made them into the soldiers they were now.

"-And as I look out on one of the finest classes our training has ever produced I wanted to take a moment to thank not only our drill instructors and teachers, but also all of you," The painted dog said, continuing his speech. He raised a painted paw in the direction of the many gathered families. "Today is not just a celebration of our newest graduates but also of all of you who have helped mold these brave mammals that stand before us."

There was polite applause from several of the soldiers and drill instructors.

"Now as much fun as it is making your loved ones continue to stand at attention," The painted dog said which was met with laughter. "Graduates!"

As one the mammals in front of the stage seemed to stand taller.

"Salute!" Came a shout from one of the drill instructors.

The mammals in uniform all gave their commanding officer a proud salute which he happily returned.

"Dismissed!" The painted dog shouted.

With that, there was a roar of applause from the stands as the families were allowed to rush onto the field and see their loved ones.

There were hugs, slaps on the back, and the occasional heated kiss that would get a catcall or two.

Petey turned just in time to see a lovely female rhino in a green sundress that matched his uniform approach. She ran up and unabashedly placed her hoofs on Petey's cheek, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

Petey's eyes widened at first but closed as he wrapped his girlfriend up in his strong arms.

"Woot way to go Petey!" Came a shout from a uniformed she-wolf who was suddenly tackled by several pups. "Ack! Mom get them off me!"

The kiss lasted for a few more seconds before someone made a coughing noise behind the female rhino.

Blushing furiously the female let Petey go as she turned to face two other rhinos. A female in a lovely blouse and dress slacks and a male in a casual suit.

"Mind if I steal him for just a minute, Ariel?" Petey's mother teased.

"Sorry Mrs. Yulee," Ariel mumbled as she took a moment to fix her lipstick.

The older female smirked at Ariel, giving her a wink, before beaming at her son.

"Oh my gosh look at you," She said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh gosh here come the waterworks," The male rhino in the suit chuckled as he retrieved a large kleenex from his pocket.

"Mom," Petey mumbled but stepped forward and hugged his emotional mother who held onto him tightly.

"It feels like yesterday I was having to bail you out from throwing Amber into a tree at school, and now look at you."

"Speaking of tree crawling felines," Ariel said with a chuckle.

Right on cue a lovely female cheetah in the same uniform as Petey made her way through the crowd, she wasn't alone though. Her paw was currently held by another one of their old schoolmates.

"Petey!" Amber exclaimed as she let go of the bunny's paw she had just been holding. She opened her arms and Petey smiled as he embraced his fellow graduate. "Congrats brother."

"You too sis," Petey said proudly as he gave a gentle pat on the back to his former childhood rival.

Around high school Amber and Petey had made up, the feline apologizing for her actions and bullying like tendencies. They became fast friends and in the end had actually joined the Zootopian Guard together.

While they had a rocky start in their younger years they were now dear friends and had helped one another survive the grueling training at the academy together.

"Hey Natalie," Petey said when he was released from Amber's hug. He smiled down at the beautiful bunny who beamed. She looked lovely in her own blue sundress.

"Congratulations Petey," The bunny said happily. She then tensed up.

Petey knew what was coming and opened his arms as the bunny hopped up and gave the larger mammal a hug.

"Oh, my goodness is that little Natalie from down the street?" Petey's father asked with a smile.

"Hi Mr. Yulee," The bunny said as she was set down by the rhino in uniform. "It is good to see you."

"My how you have grown, I remember you coming over all the time with Ariel here to play in the woods behind the house."

"Well, I am still playing in the woods," Natalie chuckled as Amber approached and immediately scooped the doe's paw up into her own. "While Amber has been training I have been studying. I just finished up getting a degree in Environmental Studies."

"Oh wow! Way to go kiddo," Mr. Yulee said with a grin. He then glanced at Amber as his wife and Ariel continued to gush over Petey in uniform. "I bet your parents are very proud of you Amber, where are they?"

At this Amber and Natalie's ears, both went down. A look of sadness came across the felines face.

"They...didn't come."

"Oh my. Is everything alright?" Mrs. Yulee asked, having overheard.

"While they are proud of me joining the guard," Amber began before glancing down at Natalie, giving the doe's paw a squeeze. "They aren't proud of some other stuff."

The rhinos all took the hint, their eyes going to the small bunny paw gently wrapped up by the cheetah's own larger one.

Mr. Yulee looked around and suddenly noticed the occasional glare or odd look that was thrown towards the pred prey couple.

He then put his paws together and smiled, "Well then you two will just have to come round to our place for the graduation party we are throwing Petey."

"What?!" Natalie asked, her eyes going wide.

"Oh Mr. Yulee we don't want to impose," Amber began.

"You kidding? He always makes too much food," Petey began. "You would be helping us if anything."

"Oh my gosh did you make that cheese dip too?" Ariel asked as she glanced over at Mr. Yulee who grinned and nodded.

"And he was up all night making cobbler. I told him one tray was enough," Petey's mother said as she put a hoof on her hip and gave her husband a look. "And what do I find in the kitchen when I wake up this morning?"

"I didn't know what flavor Petey and the others would want so I just went with the safe bet," The male rhino said innocently.

"So which flavor did you make dad?" Petey asked, already knowing the answer.

"All of them."

There was a burst of collective laughter from the others before they slowly made their way off the field and towards the exit of the base.

They made their way past several instructors who were shaking the paws of their recruits. Petey and Amber made not to thank each of them for all the training and help through the last few months.

One, in particular, seemed surprised yet pleased to be receiving so much attention.

A snow leopard with a pair of bright yellow eyes smirked smugly as Petey and Amber approached. They both stopped and gave the feline a professional salute which she happily returned.

"Well well, you two actually clean up rather nicely don't you?" The feline said with a toothy grin.

"Yes ma'am," The two graduates said as they lowered their paws before extending to give their instructor a firm paw shake.

"Won't lie, you nearly had us a few times," amber said playfully.

The leopard's piercing gaze went over to her fellow feline, her tail swishing slightly.

"All the more reason for you two to be proud of what you accomplished today," The snow leopard began as the rest of the group arrived. "I made your training harder than anything I hope you have to deal with so if a challenge does arise you can face it head-on and accomplish your goals."

"Wait…" Natalie said as she strolled alongside Amber. "Are you the one that kept them over on the weekend?"

The predator looked down at the bunny and gave her a firm nod, "Think of it as extra training for you as well, you need to be prepared for the eventuality that your loved ones may be called at a moments notice."

"So it wasn't just you wanting to run them ragged?" The doe shot back as she folded her arms.

Amber's pupils dilated as she tried to signal for Natalie to shut up.

The snow leopard let out a laugh, "I won't lie, that part was kind of fun as well." She then glanced back at Amber, giving her a sly grin.

They gave their former instructor another salute and excused themselves.

"She has a point ya know," Petey began as they made their way towards the parking lot. "The training was important."

"Yeah, but freaking crazy too," Amber added. "But you are right, after all, she put us through I have a feeling whatever is next will be a cakewalk."

-Several months later-

"This is a warning from the Weather Tracking service. A flash flood warning is now in effect for this region. High winds exceeding 125 miles per hour are expected. If you are in the following counties please evacuate to your-"

The TV that had been displaying the message went dead as the power in the now flooding home went out.

"Shit..." A rabbit in an old worn raincoat cursed under his breath.

"Daddy!" Came a worried shout from the couch as the waters began to steadily rise in the living room.

"Its ok sweetie, dads here," The older buck said as he waded over and scooped up his daughter who clung to him. Several more young rabbits looked worriedly up at their father. He then turned and looked over to a doorway that led into the kitchen, "Mary we need to go now!"

A terrified looking female doe came wading out through the doorway, her arms full with two younger rabbits.

"They said the levees would hold," She let out, a look of fear on her face.

"It was probably the dam," the buck said as he looked out the window and noticed several dark shadows floating just outside. The street lamps had gone out but a few emergency lights were shining from the neighbor's homes.

The buck felt his heart sink when one of the large shadows made its way into the lights.

It was a car.

"Oh no, no no no," the buck said as he hurried towards the front door and kicked it open.

He glanced at the driveway and had to resist the urge to curse. The family truck and minivan were both missing, most likely already swept away.

"Oh no," Came a shudder beside the buck as his wife arrived. "We can't take the kits out in this… can't we call the sheriff? Maybe they can send a helicopter?"

"Not in these winds," The buck mumbled.

He tried to think about what to do next.

Everything that could have gone wrong already had.

The storm that was currently pelting the town was supposed to be just a light rainstorm but as it approached from the sea it had somehow gained strength. Turning from a storm to a full-blown hurricane by the time it made landfall.

While everyone had prepared for lots of rain and possible flooding, no one had prepared for this.

The rabbit looked out at the flooded street. A large truck was slowly sliding past them, its weight seemed to be putting up a fight as it refused to be simply swept away.

A sudden revelation came over the head of the household.

"Harry, I have to get to Harry's!"

"What? But..wh-"

"He is a horse Mary, his vehicle can take these waters no problem and we can get out before the rest of the water arrives."

"Harry lives 4 blocks away though!"

"I know," The buck said as he made his way back inside, his daughter still clinging to his arms. "Alright, everyone upstairs now! Dad has to go get help."

The bunnies all hurried over towards a staircase. One of the older doe's taking the younger one from the buck's arms.

"Jim…" Came a quivering voice.

The buck turned to see his wife, tears in her eyes.

"Please its too dangerous…"

"I know but we have to try," Jim said as he waded over to his wife, giving her a gentle peck on the forehead. "Get upstairs. If it gets much worse don't go into the attic because you might get trapped, climb out the window and try to get on top of the roof. Ok?"

Mary took in a deep breath and nodded before looking over at her children who had all gathered on the stairs.

"Alright! Let's get upstairs, dad will be home soon!"

Jim waved goodbye to his family. Taking a moment to look at each of his children's worried faces. He swore to himself that this would not be the last time he would see them, even if it meant he had to steal his neighbors truck to rescue them.

The rabbit waded over to the front door once more as his family scurried up the stairs. With a nervous tug, he made sure his rain jacket was secure before be made his way back outside.

Instantly his ears filled with the road of the wind and he had to squint as rain pelted the dark brown fur on his face.

He watched as another vehicle floated by. As soon as he stepped off the porch he knew he would most likely get caught in the current but he had to try.

There was at least one saving grace to all this. The water was flowing in the direction he needed to go. If he managed to keep his wits about him he may be able to latch onto street lamps or something else as he made his way down the-

The buck immediately learned the importance of staying put when surrounded by rushing waters like this.

As soon as he stepped off the porch he was immediately dragged under the water by the current. He was not doomed to a watery death though, not yet at least.

After being submerged for a few seconds he managed to surface, his mouth open wide as he gasped for air.

Panic began to set in as he splashed around in the torrent that dragged him down the street.

Though he had lived on this very street for almost 20 years he lost his barrings in the dark night as the wind churned up the rough waters.

He passed one house, then another, when he expected to see a particular building a different one was in its stead.

Had he gone 2 blocks? 3? Had he already passed Harry's?!

He tried his best to grab onto something but failed, only to be dragged down into the water once more.

Please no! Not like this! Just let me save my family! Please!

The thought of dying was one thing, but the thought that he had failed his family was too much for the buck to bear.

Please just someone save them!

Jim hit something rather hard in the water that nearly knocked him out cold. It was something sturdy and thick.

Maybe a street light?

No, it couldn't be, mainly because streetlights didn't talk.

"What the- got another one!"

Jim felt a large hoof reach down and scoop him from the water. He immediately gasped and threw up some water before heaving in as much air as his lungs would let him.

"Easy sir we got you-' the deep voice began but Jim didn't listen.

"My family! Please! Save my family! We live on Pinewood drive!"

"Where is that?" The voice asked as Jim blinked the water from his eyes.

He was in the arms of an enormous black rhino in what appeared to be a set of soaked military BDUs.

"I...I don't know. Are you with the army?"

The rhino grinned, "Zootopian Guard, how about we find your family first?"

The buck began to get an idea as to what he had stumbled into as he was set gingerly into what appeared to be a large yellow inflatable raft of some kind. Several smaller mammals we're currently huddled in the raft, all of them soaked and shivering and looking as if they too had been recently rescued from the water.

A coyote made his way across the raft and plopped down on his knees in front of Jim.

"Deputy Brillow?" Jim asked the coyote he grinned and gave a quick nod.

"Welcome aboard the town's rescue raft," the coyote said jokingly. "Sheriff is organizing rescue efforts but most of the stuff is grounded or cut off by the floodwaters."

"Thank the gods the guard showed up," Jim said as he glanced over at the rhino who was wading through the waters, a tow line wrapped around his large waist as he helped pull the raft through the waters.

While the floodwaters would have drowned most smaller mammals it seemed almost amusing to watch the rhino wade through the water with relative ease.

"Well not exactly," the coyote said hesitantly. "Turns out this guy and a few of the others went awol in order to help. Something about how they were supposed to wait till after the storm to render aid. This guy shows up anyways and asks for the largest inflatable raft we got. Told him he wouldn't fit in it and he just laughed."

"Hey Pinewood," the rhino shouted over the gale force winds as he looked down at the raft. Jim immediately tried to stand up but had trouble as the raft bounced slightly. "I see a sign for Atwater, which way we going?"

Atwater?!

Jim was shocked to hear the street name, he had been swept easily 6 blocks away from his home without knowing it. The realization of how stupid he had been hit him rather hard but he couldn't focus on that now.

The rabbit managed to give the large uniformed rhino directions. Before he had even finished them though the large mammal began trudging through the water and down the flooded streets.

While it didn't take long for Jim to be swept down the street it was a little harder for the rhino who had rescued him to make headway.

The Zootopian guardsmammal though managed to push through and they eventually made it to Jim's now flooded house.

Please be ok!

"Mary!" The buck shouted before cupping his paws and raising to his mouth. "Mary!"

There was an almost unbearable pause before a pair of ears poked out from the second story of the house. A relieved looking doe spotting the raft.

"Thank heavens! The water is almost to the second story!"

One by one Jim and Mary's kits managed to make their way onto the roof that sat above their front porch.

The rhino that had saved Jim reached up and with some coaxing managed to get each of the kits to jump into his waiting arms before he passed them to Jim or Deputy Brillow.

After ensuring all of her kits were safely on the raft Mary finally hopped from the roof and into the rhinos arms.

She didn't even hesitate to plant a gentle kiss on her hero's cheek as he lowered her into the raft.

"Thank you for coming," she said in tears as she looked up at the rhino who gave her a kind nod.

Once the doe was in the raft she reached out and dragged her soaked husband into a hug, crying into his shoulders.

As the night went on the raft filled with a few more survivors here and there.

Eventually, though the rhino and Deputy Brillow decided they needed to head to one of the disaster aid locations to drop everyone off.

The winds had really started to pick up and the water levels began to rise till they were almost up to the rhino's chest which slowed their progress to the evac site.

After what felt like hours they finally arrived. The water levels slowly receding with every large step until the rhino was just sloshing through what looked like puddles to him.

When they reached dry land the large mammal gave one last firm tug and managed to bring the raft up to safety as several mammals in various responder uniforms hurried over and helped those needing aid while directing others on where to go.

Each of the mammals though refused to go until they could thank their rescuers.

Deputy Brillow seemed rather bashful and insisted he was just doing what he had sworn to do.

The rhino was chuckling and giving encouraging words to those who approached.

When it was time for Jim and Mary's family to depart the rhino took a knee and held up his good, giving each of the small kits a "high four".

"Thanks, mister army rhino!"

"You saved us!"

"Can you come back in the summer and pull us around on inner tubes?"

Each of the young bunny kits had something to say to their new hero.

Mary reached up and put both her paws on the rhinos large hoof. Tears falling freely down her cheeks.

"Thank you again, sir, I don't know how we will ever repay you."

"Don't worry about that, you don't owe me anything," the rhino said with a warm smile.

"Your wrong sir, I owe you everything," Mary said before she rubbed her cheek against the hoof and then strolled away.

Jim approached and let out a sigh, "there is no doubt in my mind I would be dead if it wasn't for you Mister…"

"Petey," the rhino said with a chuckle. "I ain't one for formalities."

"Petey," the buck said as he raised a paw and gave the rhino a fist bump.

Before Jim could say anything else there was some commotion by the makeshift shoreline.

An elephant was tugging another raft onto the shore as some responders hurried over.

Petey gave Jim a casual salute and excused himself as he hurried over to help out his fellow guardsmammal.

A painted dog in a military uniform similar to Petey and the elephants stormed past Jim who watched in stunned silence.

"You two know we are under direct orders to stand by till the storm has passed." The canine began to shout as she waved her arms about.

Jim felt his blood boil at the thought his rescuer was about to be shouted at. The buck began to take a step forward until he felt the firm paw of Deputy Brillow stop him.

"Just wait, you will like this one," the canine whispered.

Petey and the elephant stood at attention and looked only slightly worried.

The painted dog walked to the shoreline and then into the water itself as she stared out into the sky.

"Well my apologies, seems the storm has passed," the canine muttered as the hurricane continued to blow through the flooded town. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Only seems to be a drizzle now ma'am," Petey lied, his uniform still soaked from the downpour he had just made it out of. "What do you think Harold?"

"Barely up to one's hooves," the elephant added, his uniform showing the waterline actually reached his upper chest at one point.

The painted dog returned to the shore and inspected her two brave soldiers.

"No one will fault you if that was your last run," the canine said softly as she put her paws on her hips.

Petey and Harold glanced at one another and then as one clipped the tow ropes attached to the rafts around their waists once more and waded out into the water.

"Duty calls," Deputy Brillow said as he hurried after Petey. Running past the proud looking Gaurdsmammal officer and into the raft being towed by the large rhino.

Another deputy was waving her paws as she hurried after Harold who had to stop so the dhole could scramble aboard.

The painted dog turned and strolled away from the water. She noticed Jim was still standing and watching the rescue party wade out into deeper waters.

"If anyone asks you were rescued by some very helpful bikers or something," the painted dog said as she strolled past Jim who blinked a few times. "Afterall we aren't supposed to be here yet."

"But...mammals should know what you all did here, how you all saved my family," Jim protested.

The painted dog chuckled, "They didn't do that to get their names in the paper."

"Then why do it?" Jim asked, his lips curling into a smile for what felt like the first time that night.

The painted officer turned and grinned, "Because this is just what heroes do."


Happy 10-7 day everyone.

Can't believe it's taken this long to get this story moving along. Think this year has been a rough one for us all but as long as we keep moving forward things will get better.

I had fun writing out Petey's story. Bet ya'll didn't see that coming right? He was always an unsung hero type. Focusing on celebrating others even though he himself deserved a drink or two.

We have some more fun with Petey on the way, we have to get him to the 10-7 after all. Then it will be time for a certain blue-eyed terror to make her appearance.

Thank you all again for the support and patience on this and all my stories.

Till next time,

-Blue