A/N: In sleep he sang to me...In dreams he came...the voice which calls to me...And speaks my name…
Yay! After like a million years, I finally came back to this story! So sorry for the wait for those of you who've been waiting! But it's finally back! I've been in a bit of a phantom binge again and I've gotten really stuck on this story again, so I'll hopefully be updating it a lot more often. If for any reason I can't, 'cause you know, life, I'll let you know.
But for now, please have this long chapter to make up for lost time. Enjoy! :D
…
Chapter 3: Her Angel Of Music (Memories I)
Zootopia 1859 (22 Years Earlier)...
"Come on cherie...give us a kiss…." said a drunk hiccuping voice. A pair of animals, a prostitute marble vixen and a drunken male racoon walked past a storm drain. "Come on love...I paid for you...now kiiiissss me." He said as he fell limply into her arms and smooched the air in her direction.
"Ugh," scoffed the vixen and shoved him off of her in disgust. The raccoon fell on his tail and the half drunk bottle of wine that he was holding, rolled off his paw and stopped near the storm drain.
"Hey! Wh-Why'd you knock my wine cherie?! I didn-didn't pay you for thiiiisss cherie! I pay for kiiiissss! Now kiss cherie! Right here! Kiiissss!" He pointed at his cheek while still on the ground.
The vixen merely rolled her eyes, "You know what baby, you already paid me, I don't need this." She walked off. A paw at her hip and not at all concerned about her client.
"Cherie?" he asked, still sitting on the ground. "Come back cherie! Cher-!" He then stood up, clumsily. He waved an uncaring wave at the vixen in the distance. "Bah! You're nothing special, cherie! I can get a better girl!" He turned toward the storm drain to pick up his bottle of wine, but then realized that it was gone.
"Hey! Where...where is my wine?" he looked around, almost stumbling, but then turned back to the storm drain. He crouched down and stretched his arm down the drain and felt around, blindly searching for his bottle. "F-Fucking storm drain, stole my wine!" The drunk raccoon kicked the side of the sidewalk and stumbled away, cursing under his breath.
Back in the storm drain, two pointed red ears and two tiny black paws (one of which) held the wine bottle, popped up to watch the raccoon disappear into the distance. It was little Nick, hidden in the storm drain. Once the raccoon disappeared, Nick took the wine bottle back inside with him. He sat just below the street in a dark corner within the storm drain.
It had been only moments since his parents were murdered and he had escaped the fire from his family's theater. His face was still in terrible pain, but he had remembered that his father once poured wine on a cloth to treat a wound on his knee after he had scraped it at the playground. It stung horribly, but his father said that it was necessary to make a wound clean and for it to get better.
He was scared of the pain, but he knew that he had to do it. Little Nick poured some wine on a red handkerchief and hesitantly placed it over his face. The small kit whimpered in pain and his eyes filled with tears, but he didn't scream as he had expected. Namely because he couldn't.
He was not fully aware of it yet, but he had completely lost his once beautiful voice.
As such, he did only what he could, which was to whimper and cry quietly and alone…
.
.
.
Morning came as a thin sliver of light made its way inside the storm drain. Nick stirred, not having immediately remembered where he was. He had expected to have woken up in his nice soft bed and to be greeted by his loving parents.
But that was not the case...
He rose and sat in the cold sewer. His face immediately stung from the sudden movement and the reality of what had happened the previous night, came flooding back to him. Nick brought a trembling paw to the right side of his face, which was covered by the red handkerchief. He lowered his head in sadness.
His face was badly burnt. His parents were gone. Now what was he supposed to do?
He heard several footsteps walk past him from above. "Alright children, be sure to hold paws now."
His ears perked, and then there was suddenly a solution before him. It was a mother opossum with her five joeys. Nick observed the mother's nurturing behavior towards her children.
"Oh Jaques you silly boy," he heard the mother giggle kind heartedly. "I told you to clean up well after breakfast."
"Sorry mama," replied the young joey as his mother wiped his face clean with a cloth. She had a smile that was full of a mother's tender grace. It was just like Nick's mother's before she...before she saw her child as a monster.
The family passed by a candy shop where the store clerk was giving out free samples.
The little opossum's tugged at their mother's dress, "Mama, mama! Can we get some candy, please? Please? Please?"
"Well, okay," she agreed sweetly.
Nick smiled in the distance at the happy family.
Maybe this nice mother and her children could help him, he wondered.
Without a second thought, the young kit crawled out of the sewer - not realizing that the red handkerchief had fallen from his face. He timidly approached the mother opossum as her children occupied themselves with the free samples of candy. "Eh-" he choked.
He had in mind to say, 'Excuse me', but he couldn't get the words out. His voice was truly lost. "Eh-gh. Egh...Eh-" he tried again, but his hoarse and almost non-existent voice just couldn't come out.
Realizing he was getting nowhere fast, Nick tried to reach for the mother opossum's skirt to get her attention. But just as he reached toward her, the mother opossum's youngest daughter, who stood beside her, noticed Nick and screamed, "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
The mother opossum turned and saw the kit's deformed face - the very same deformed face that was still a mystery to Nick, as he had yet to view the extent to which his face was damaged.
"Oh my-!" shouted the mother oppossum, beyond horrified.
"Monster! Monster!" yelled the little girl in fear, pointing at Nick with each shout.
"Get away from my baby, you monster!" yelled the mother at him as she hid her child behind her. "Help! Help! Police!"
Nick backed away, terrified. This was not at all how he had imagined this would go. In an instant, this warm and kind mother turned cold and called him a monster, just as his mother had.
The frightened kit noticed that all around him, other animals started to notice the commotion. They too gasped and screeched in horror at his face, "Demon! Demon!"
Before the kit knew what was going on, one of the candy store clerks had run out with a broom in paw and had every intention of using it against the deformed fox kit. "Back! Back you demon!"
He took a wild swing at Nick, which Nick had managed to duck. Without a second thought, Nick ran away. All while the frightened animals shouted and pointed at him for the police to catch him. 'The little red, deformed demon', 'the monster'.
He ran straight back to the sewer hole where he had originally crawled out of. He went from the beautiful light of day, back to a world of cold, unforgiving darkness…
.
.
.
Two Weeks Later...
"Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Monster Kit on the loose!" called a young newspaper boy - a dingo - as he handed out newspapers to eager readers. A hyena came by and bought a copy from him.
"Extra! Extra! Read about the notorious Monster Kit, haunting Zootopia's sewers and alleys!"
Just as the boy pitched his sales call, a tall and elegantly dressed red fox named 'Honest' John Worthington Foulfellow, and his associate, a mute brown cat named Gideon, passed by the newsie. Honest John raised a curious brow at the headline. He paid the boy, took a copy, and immediately began skimming through the newspaper, searching for pictures or details regarding the kit.
Honest John, glanced over at Gideon and they nodded to one another with a confident smirk.
"Tell me boy," Honest John said, turning to the newsie, "Is this monster kit real? You see I am from out of town, my work keeps me moving from place to place, so I am not at all familiar with this legend."
"They say he's real alright," replied the boy, "But I don't really know much about it," the boy said with a cheeky tone.
Honest John flicked another coin at him, which caused the boy to open up. "I've never seen him, but they say he's a little fox demon. He's mostly been spotted by the 'HappyTown' district," The boy said with a cheeky wink, "It's called 'HappyTown' because of all the harlots over there. They say he steals food from the nearby vendors and that he even ate one of the vendor's paws clean off his wrist."
Honest John's smile grew with intrigue, "Why thank you my dear boy," said John, tossing yet another coin over to the boy.
"My pleasure," responded the pup with a lift of his cap.
"You know Giddy," said the tall fox to his associate as they went on their way, "I think you and I should pay a visit to this 'HappyTown' district." Gideon silently nodded in agreement.
Elsewhere….at the HappyTown District...
A bread selling stoat strolled by with his cart. The district was anything but a 'happy' looking town. The streets were dirty and cracked and riddled with poverty stricken mammals and homeless. "Bread! Bread!" called the vendor, hoping to make a sale. He wandered for quite a while, but hardly any customers arrived to buy anything.
The bread vendor appeared to give up and stopped to rest at a very lonely and dark corner. He began counting his product and taking notes on a pad. "Okay, so I sold two loaves of bread and five croissants, no it was six croissants and I have ten croissants left and five loaves of bread…"
As the old stoat counted, he heard movement come from behind him. He turned to look, but no one was there. "Who's there?" No answer. The stoat shrugged. He turned back to his bread and quickly realized that he was missing a loaf and at least two croissants. "What the?" He looked around his cart, but saw no one there. He counted quietly, "Did-Did I count wrong? Or am I missing another loaf?"
The bread vendor decided to take his cart away from that corner, not trusting the area anymore. Around the other end of the corner, Nick watched him go - a loaf of bread under his arm and a couple of croissants in his paws. He ran the other way from the vendor to a very lonely part of the alleyway. He hid behind some garbage bins and began biting into the croissants in his paws.
His face didn't hurt as much anymore, but he still had to keep it covered with a cloth. Not so much for healing purposes anymore but because he knew that others were terrified of his face. That and...he hated his own face now. His hideous, monstrous face.
As he ate, someone snuck up behind him. Nick noticed a shadow looming over him. He looked up behind him, but before he could do anything, a paw covered his mouth and picked him up off his feet. Nick grunted desperately but he was still taken away.
..
Zootopia 1881 (In the present time…)
Nick sat up in bed, gasping in a cold sweat at the horrific memory he was reliving in his dream. He glanced around and began to calm down once he realized that he was home in his secret underground lair with the bunny plushie resting on his lap.
He lifted the doll up and hugged it, seeking comfort from it. He lied back down, curling up with the plush in his arms as he released a shuddered breath, sobbing quietly at the traumatic memory.
.
Elsewhere…
Madame Winter went upstairs to the attic, well aware of the party that had gone on in there the night before. The elder vixen was already shaking her head in disapproval, as it was well after six o'clock and none of her dancers were downstairs yet in tutu and ready for rehearsals.
Once upstairs, she found all of her dancers, some of the stage crew, and the lead actors all still fast asleep and had gone to bed drunk no less if the empty bottles of alcohol were anything to go by.
Madame Winter sighed in disappointment, then slammed the bottom of her cane hard on the ground! Effectively scaring everyone awake.
"Gah!"
"Uh?"
"What?"
Everyone sat up awake with shocked eyes. "You are all late for rehearsal!" the vixen barked sternly. Madame Winter scanned the room for her daughter, "Skye! You broke your word in ensuring that no one would wake up late for rehearsals!"
"I'm sorry mother, but-"
"No buts!" Madame Winter interjected, rather harshly. "Now all of you, get downstairs and prepare to rehearse. We have our premiere tonight and I expect all of you to give your best performance! And I don't want to hear anyone complaining about hangovers or anything of the sort!"
They all nodded and started shuffling downstairs. Skye stood in place beside Judy, her head low as she and Judy watched everyone head downstairs. Madame Winter eyed them both and Skye attempted to explain herself once again, but her mother spoke again before the younger vixen could even open her maw.
"I don't want to hear it, Skye. You of all mammals should know better by now. What kind of example are you setting for dear Judith? Do you want her to think that lollygagging is tolerated here? Not to mention, what kind of example are you setting for your fellow dancers? If you ever expect to be our prima ballerina, then I expect greater discipline from you young vixen." Skye said nothing. She merely kept her head low in embarrassment and shame as her mother berated her. "Well? Have you anything to say for yourself?"
"We just wanted to throw a party for Judy," was all Skye could mumble before moving past her mother and heading downstairs.
An awkward silence loomed for a moment before Judy spoke. "Madame Winter, please don't be so hard on her. It was my fault."
Madame Winter raised a paw, effectively silencing the bunny. "You have absolutely nothing to apologize for Judith. You are new and my daughter knows the rules and it is therefore her duty to enforce them. I will say however, now that you've seen that I run a tight ship I expect that you will know to follow the rules and obey all of my instructions?"
"Yes ma'am, of course," the bunny replied with a firm nod.
"Good. Now head downstairs and ask my daughter to fit you with a tutu."
"A tutu?" Judy asked.
"You've come to be a dancer, haven't you? Just because you're new and are not a part of our current production, that doesn't mean that you are exempt from joining us during our warm-up exercises. So go on now."
"Yes ma'am," Judy replied with another nod as she started to head towards the stairs.
"Oh, and Judith," Madame Winter calledcbefore Judy could even set a foot on the first step.
"Yes?" the bunny replied, cautiously - secretly a little intimidated by the stern vixen.
"Did any of the girls, or anyone else for that matter, tell you any strange stories last night?"
Judy furrowed her brow in confusion, "Strange? Strange how?"
"Oh nothing, nothing to worry about. It's just these girls sometimes have a terrible habit of telling silly stories. But never mind that." Madame Winter clapped her paws together and ushered Judy out, "Hurry now and get dressed, we have a very busy day today."
Judy hurried downstairs with Madame Winter trailing close behind.
.
In the theater manager's office, Monsieurs Bogo and Clawhauser shared Monsieur LeRoe's old bed, much to the cape buffalo's discomfort. Bogo had hardly gotten an hour's worth of sleep, thanks to the chubby cheetah's constant tossing and turning.
For a moment the bed was still. It had seemed as though the restless cheetah had finally stopped moving…
Bogo smiled and sighed in relief. He had finally managed to have two seconds of peace and quiet, right when Clawhauser suddenly plopped a chubby arm and leg over Bogo. "Alright! That's enough!" Bogo huffed in frustration, knocking the cheetah off the bed.
"Whoa!" cried the cheetah as he hit the floor. "What is it?! What happened?! What happened?! Was it the Phantom?! Is he here?!" Clawhauser cried nervously and sought cover from the bed sheets.
Bogo rolled his eyes, "Clawhauser! Don't tell me you're honestly still thinking about that Phantom nonsense!"
"Wasn't he the one who pushed me off the bed?" Clawhauser asked innocently.
Bogo pinched the area between his eyes and exasperated a sigh. Just then, Madame Winter entered the room. "Good morning, gentlemammals. Did you sleep well?"
"Oh yes, thank you! Like a baby!" Clawhauser spoke up with a smile.
"As well as I could," muttered Bogo right after.
"Please forgive the limited accommodations. We'll be sure to get you both your own beds as soon as we can."
"That sounds wonderful, thank you," replied Bogo.
"Yeah!" concurred Clawhauser with a stretch and a yawn. "I'll bet Monsieur Ramses would love that since he slept on the couch." The cheetah turned his attention to the couch, but saw that it was empty. "Hey, where is Monsieur Ramses? I know he slept there last night."
"Monsieur Ramses left this morning," replied Madame Winter.
"Left? Where? When?" Bogo asked, surprised the ram had even managed to sneak away, considering that he had hardly slept at all.
"He said something about having to return back to his client. Apparently there was an important matter he had to discuss with them that just couldn't wait and he said he will return roughly when Comte Savage returns." Madame Winter answered.
"And he couldn't inform us about this?" Bogo scoffed, "He might as well have just gotten scared off by that ridiculous phantom given in how much of a hurry he left."
"You would be wise to watch that tongue in regards to how you speak of him," warned the vixen.
Bogo rolled his eyes, "Not this again. Madam I've told you, there is no phantom. What you have is some troublemaker that I and my colleague fully plan to capture for the sake of our client's investment."
"And I have told you monsieur, real phantom or not, he is dangerous. And he will harm you if you give him that opportunity. Do not give him reason to harm you or your client."
"Is that a threat?" Bogo seethed.
"No, it is a warning. But in any case, I did not come here to discuss him. I came here to invite you and Monsieur Clawhauser to watch our rehearsal before the big premiere tonight. You two are our guests and stand-in owners until Comte Savage and Monsieur Ramses' client return."
"Oh! Well we'd be delighted!" Clawhauser squeaked in excitement.
"Excellent, my girls are warming up right now, so we will begin shortly. In the meantime, please make yourselves presentable," Madame Winter said, as she eyed their nightshirts.
Bogo and Clawhauser immediately looked down at themselves. Embarrassed about the fact that they were caught in their pajamas in front of a lady. "Oh, sorry," said Bogo as he and Clawhauser took cover with their hooves and paws.
"Don't worry yourselves too much gentlemammals. There's not much to see through those nightshirts," Madame Winter smirked and stepped outside.
The second she stepped out, Bogo breathed furiously through his flaring nostrils. "I swear, that vixen infuriates me!"
"She's really no nonsense, huh?" Clawhauser replied.
"No nonsense?! That vixen is crazy," Bogo spat angrily, "Honestly, threatening us with that phantom yet again. How dense does she think we are to fool us with such a ridiculous tale."
"But Bogo, even Monsieur LeRoe told us that he was real."
As Bogo and Clawhauser spoke privately, Madame Winter quietly pressed her ear just outside the door, eavesdropping on their entire conversation.
"Monsieur LeRoe was a heavily stressed deer!" Bogo's heavy voice muffled through the door. "For all we know, that mad vixen surely put those silly thoughts in his head. Regardless however, we will get to the bottom of this and expose this so-called phantom once and for all."
"But, what about the rehearsal and tonight's opera?" Clawhauser asked.
"We will start our hunt first thing tomorrow. Whether or not this phantom is a living being or not, we cannot risk placing the cast, crew and attending audience in a panic. We still have our client's investment to protect."
"Oh, thank goodness!" Clawhauser sighed in relief. "I really wanted to enjoy the show tonight."
"And we shall. We will have our night at the opera tonight, but come tomorrow, we will begin questioning everyone. Starting with Madame Winter."
"Why her? Hasn't she already told us everything she knows?"
"I don't think so. Something tells me that vixen knows much more about the phantom than she lets on. But the real question is, what reason could she possibly have to protect him?"
Madame Winter slowly retrieved her ear from the door. That last question seemed to greatly affect her in some way. But as always, she swallowed her emotions. Her secrets were her own, they were nobody else's business. She knew what her motivations to protect him were and come hell or high water, there was no way she'd ever share them with Bogo or anyone.
.
Backstage…
The ballerina dancers stretched and chattered as they prepared for their warm-up exercises.
"Ugh, I shouldn't have drank too much," groaned Sharla, "I know Madame Winter didn't want us complaining about hangovers, but I definitely have one."
"Me too," said May.
A second later, Sharla noticed Skye and Judy heading their way. Her eyes widened when she saw the bunny. "Hold on, Judy is that you?" She asked when she realized Judy was wearing a white ballerina dress, just like theirs.
All the girls gathered around her, "Aww, Judy look at you! You look so pretty!"
As they were all distracted by the newest addition to their dance troupe, high above in the rafters, Nick watched them. He smiled warmly when his eyes landed on the gray bunny that was currently the center of attention.
He had to hand it to the dancers, they were right, Judy really did look beautiful in her tutu.
"Aww, thank you," Judy replied with a modest blush at their compliments.
"So are you going to be dancing with us in the opera Judy?" May asked.
"Oh no. Madame Winter just wanted me to join you all in the warm-up exercises. I probably won't be able to officially join until the next production."
"As a singer or a dancer?" questioned Sharla.
"Dancer. I don't sing anymore," Judy replied.
"Yeah right," Skye scoffed underneath her breath and Judy elbowed her.
Nick didn't like hearing that Judy didn't want to sing. Namely because he just didn't believe it. He could hear it in her voice that she was lying through her teeth. And he had to do something to change that.
He left his spot in the rafters just as Madame Winter arrived backstage. "Ladies!" she clapped her paws, garnering their attention. "Get in your rows. Skye, help Judy keep up with the choreography. Now, let us begin from the top!"
Rehearsals went on without a hitch that morning. Bogo and Clawhauser were in attendance throughout and found themselves emotionally moved by the beautiful dancing and singing. "Bravo! Bravo!" Bogo and Clawhauser cheered at the rehearsal's conclusion.
The performers and orchestra bowed for their miniscule audience.
All except for Judy who stood at the wings, applauding her fellow dancers... and unbeknownst to her...a certain someone watched her from the shadows.
As expected, Nick had stuck around for the rehearsal as he always had final say on what he expected of the performance, but he stayed for Judy.
He had observed her and had to admit that she was a fine dancer, but he knew that she could be more than that.
"Wonderful! Excellent indeed!" Bogo commented. "It does our hearts good to see that our client's investment was not wasted. I hope we will see a full house applauding and begging for more after seeing this performance."
Madame Winter bowed to him, "Why thank you Monsieur Bogo. I hope your words can inspire everyone here to give it their all for the actual presentation later tonight."
"Let's hope it does," Bogo bowed to her then turned to the performers. "Monsieur Clawhauser and I couldn't be more moved, we will see you all later tonight during the actual performance. Well done," he and Clawhauser nodded at them and began to take their leave.
"You will not stay, Monsieur Bogo?"
"I'm afraid not, we have a lot of finances we have to go through, isn't that right, Clawhauser?"
"Oh! Yeah," Clawhauser concurred, then placed a paw by his mouth to whisper quite loudly, "We're making a certain payment like you said."
Bogo slapped a hoof on his snout in embarrassment.
"Ah, yes of course," Madame Winter responded, fully understanding what he was talking about. "I'm happy to hear that you're finally taking this seriously Monsieurs."
"Don't mention it," gruffed Bogo, "We will see you all tonight at the premiere," Bogo waved back at everyone.
"See you all tonight!" Clawhauser waved happily as Madame Winter waved back.
The vixen then turned to her troupe, "Well, I know some of you certainly need to mind your footwork if we don't want any disasters to occur tonight. Sharla, May. I suggest you sober up and mind your balance or I will replace you with Judy."
"Judy? But she just joined today," May remarked defensively, "No offense, Judy," she then added politely.
Judy just shrugged and grinned awkwardly as Madame Winter continued. "She may have joined today, but she has proven more than capable of following the choreography. That and she was smart enough not to drink the night before a performance. So gather yourselves or she will serve as your understudy."
"Mother?" Skye spoke up.
"Yes, Skye?"
"Seeing how Julia ran off recently because of...well you know, who will serve as prima ballerina tonight and onward?"
"You will serve as prima ballerina for tonight, but that does not mean that you have the position. I will formally decide once I have determined who is best suited for it. So I suggest you all dance to impress if you would like to cement the position for yourselves. Now if there are no more questions, I suggest you all stretch and ready yourselves for tonight's performance."
"Yes Madame Winter," said Sharla and May.
"Yes mother," said Skye.
The girls headed toward the wings where Judy waited for them. As she watched them approach, Judy's ear twitched, catching wind of a faint masculine whisper, calling her name, "Judy…"
Judy turned around to see who was calling to her, but saw no one there. "Hey Judy," Skye called to her, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just...I could've sworn I heard someone call my name."
"Really?" asked Skye, with a twinge of panic.
"What did they sound like?" asked Sharla.
"I don't know, it sounded like a whisper, but...I guess I must've just imagined it," Judy shrugged, brushing off the voice.
"Yeah, I guess so," Skye smiled, relieved
The girls, along with the rest of the ballet troupe retired back to their dressing rooms. Up above them, Nick lurked in the darkest recess of the rafters, watching them until he decided to disappear into the shadows.
.
Some time passed and there were only a couple of hours left until curtain call.
On normal occasions, Madame Winter was always ready to lead her ballerinas through the steps as many times necessary before the show, but this time she fell short of fulfilling her duties as she normally would. She had been sitting in her office for some time now, sifting through an old box full of old photos, pamphlets, and dark memories.
The stern vixen appeared distant, distracted. Her mind was occupied with a particular thought - a memory - brought on by the question Bogo had posed earlier.
"Something tells me that vixen knows much more about the phantom than she lets on. But the real question is, what reason could she possibly have to protect him?"
The vixen found what she was looking for in the box. It was a small old poster, advertising Cirque de Foulfellow. It was the exact same poster Nick had down in his lair, the one that promoted the dancing vixens.
Despite it being so close to curtain call, Madame Winter couldn't help but let herself become lost in her memories…
..
Zootopia 1859 (22 Years Earlier)...
"Ladies and Gentlemammals! Come one, come all! To the Cirque de Foulfellow!" The red fox, Honest John called out to a crowd gathered just outside his circus. "Yes, yes, yes, don't be shy. Come on up and see the wonders that my circus has to offer! Would you like to see the greatest freaks in existence? Or perhaps you fancy some magic?" Honest John pulled out a poker card and made it disappear back into his gloved paw. "Ah, but why should I bore you telling you all this? When the lovely, Gorgeous Dancing Vixens can sing it to you instead!"
Honest John directed their attention to a small stage beside the podium.
A playful little melody played and the curtains were drawn, revealing a lone arctic vixen standing in the middle of the stage. She was covering her eyes with her paws and was clad in white stockings, pink toeless gauntlets, and a rather bizarre pink tutu with pointed ends. Her head meanwhile was decorated with a fox skull mounted on an equally bizarre pink hat.
As the little melody came to an end, she slowly uncovered her eyes, revealing the vixen to be none other than a younger Madame Winter - though at the time she was referred to only by her first name, Ciel.
She looked almost the same, with the most obvious exceptions being that she was clearly younger and unlike her present existence, she was actually smiling.
Welcome,
Each and everyone,
To our festival of fun,
Behind the young Ciel Winter, two new arctic vixens popped up from the wings, each one decorated with a different color but wearing the same exact outfit as her.
They joined her in song.
Something notable and new! (all)
The other two vixens hid back behind the wings, leaving Ciel back alone, center stage.
We bring glamour from afar,
Just a touch of the bizarre
Four vixens popped out from the wings to sing the second time around.
And it's only for you (all)
They hid back behind the wings.
See the Wonders of our age
All assembled on our stage,
The other vixens popped out behind the wings, though this time they left the wings to take the stage with Ciel. In total, there were six arctic vixens dancing and singing alongside her.
Too fantastic to be true (all)
The girls remained onstage, tiptoeing backwards toward Ciel, showing off their tails, which caused a lot of the males in the audience to stick their tongues out and whistle lustfully.
Watch sensation seekers seek,
Every kind of living freak
And it's only for you (all)
The young Ciel danced around in the forefront, mesmerizing the audience. While her fellow vixens sang and danced in the background.
If it's marvel and illusion (all)
That your soul and body crave (all)
You'll be leaving here content (all)
Without a doubt! (all)
One vixen broke from the group and locked a paw with Ciel as they twirled so that Ciel could move onto the next vixen and do the same. Ciel then found herself in the center between the vixens
The two at each of her sides grabbed an arm and helped dip her backwards as she kicked a leg in the air.
The males in the audience wolf whistled and hollered at the peek under her frilly skirt.
Are you ready? (all)
Are you willing? (all)
Are you braver than the brave? (all)
There's an all so simple way of finding out! (all)
Ciel strode ahead of her fellow showgirls, swaying her hips and tutu.
Is your life a little hum-drum?
Is your wife a little glum?
Ciel pretended to yawn and then rubbed her eyes, fake crying to her last line as she turned her attention to a middle aged raccoon couple. The husband giggled as he felt the vixen was referring to his bitter wife. His wife didn't think it was so funny and smacked him behind the head.
We've a remedy for all who wear a frown! (all)
We will fight you (all)
We'll delight you, (all)
We invite you to succumb (all)
The girls shifted positions, tiptoeing the whole time until they crowded around their lead, Ciel.
To this singular attraction, (all)
Which is offered at a fraction, (all)
Of the price of any other show in town! (all)
The girls retrieved back in a chorus line, kicking while a handful of male performers made their way on stage. A male rabbit rode on a unicycle while juggling colorful balls, two male cheetahs did several backflips across the stage, and two hippos carried a large poster with a crudely drawn image and which read: 'THE HAPPYTOWN MONSTER KIT!"
We've got jugglers from the East (male singers)
We've got vermin (male singers)
We've got freaks (male singers)
It's a pretty heavy brew (showgirls)
Ciel broke away from the girls to go get a closer look at the fleeing attractions. She squealed in delight, letting the audience know that their attractions were exciting.
We've a fiddler from the West (male singers)
Who is said to be possessed (male singers)
A violin playing bear walked on stage, then pretended to be a zombie as he walked across and off stage.
And it's only for you (all)
A few new mammals made their way on stage. Or rather, two magically appeared from a small box that five clowns brought up on stage with them. A red fox by the name of Robin and a large brown bear named Little John - the circus' magicians - popped out from the tiny box and took a bow. Robin then made a gold coin pop out from his paw, pressed it into his fist, then opened his paw and in between his fingers were three new coins. Robin tossed them at the audience and the crowd eagerly tried to collect them. The clowns meanwhile, scratched their heads, unable to understand how their tricks worked, but then shrugged it off and flip flopped their way off stage. Robin and Little John meanwhile disappeared in a puff of smoke as the audience cheered.
We bring magic,
We bring mirth
Just as the dust cleared, a string of mammals dressed in the colors of different nationalities danced across the stage.
We've been halfway 'round the earth
From Talon to Timbucktu.
To present to you today
This delectable display
Which is only for you.
Ciel took center stage again as everyone but the dancing vixens behind her cleared the stage. Ciel and all the girls crossed their arms so their paws touched their shoulders and danced in place.
Such a show you've never seen
Such a show there's never been
And today's our grand debut,
Ciel spread her arms, welcoming the audience.
Prince and pauper come on in
Let the spectacle begin
Cause it's only for you,
Let the banners be unfurled
Ciel pointed everyone's attention to the newly unfurled banner over the stage which read, 'Honest John's Cirque de Foulfellow'.
Raise the curtain on our world
Without any more adieu.
Honest John has all you need
Satisfaction guaranteed
And it's only for you!
Honest John himself quickly jumped on stage right in front of Ciel.
Welcome each and everyone to our festival of fun! (Honest John)
Ciel angrily pushed her face in front of him, then smiled wide for the audience to sing the last part with everyone, including Honest John.
For you! (all)
The song came to an end and the audience cheered and applauded loudly, clearly having enjoyed the welcoming spectacle.
The curtains fell just as Honest John stepped forward and they landed right on a pouty Ciel's face.
Honest John spoke to the audience again, all the while applauding himself, "Thank you! Thank you! You're too kind! If you enjoyed this and would like to see what else we have to offer then please line up and buy a ticket!" At the ticket stand was his mute associate, Gideon. He waved at the audience and they did not hesitate to line up and give up their money to buy a ticket. "We have so many more oddities and spectacles! Don't be shy, purchase a ticket for the little ones!"
While Honest John busied himself ushering the crowd, Ciel rubbed her nose behind the curtain and wore her trademark frown. She headed backstage to the dressing room where her fellow vixens were already collected. As soon as she made it backstage, she removed her hat and tossed it in front of her vanity mirror. "Ugh, I hate that song and I hate smiling."
"Oh poor you, the lead star in our little spectacle complains about the song even though she's getting adored by all the males in the town," a jealous arctic vixen named Snow, commented.
"You refer to those perverts? You can have them if you want. I just want my pay, I don't care about this place," Ciel scoffed.
Snow chuckled as she fixed her make-up, "Big talk for someone getting the lead even though she's only been here two weeks. Guess sleeping with the boss has its perks."
Ciel flinched, but then smirked and scoffed in return, "Don't be ridiculous, I've done no such thing."
Snow smirked, not believing her, "Sure, whatever you say." Snow turned back around her seat and continued applying her makeup.
Ciel rolled her eyes and turned to her two other fellow showgirls. "Where are the triplets?"
"They went to see that new attraction we mentioned in our opening song," replied one of the other vixens named Ivory.
"Yeah, the uh...oh! The Monster Kit of Happytown," added the other arctic vixen named Crystal.
"Monster Kit?" Ciel repeated, almost in disbelief of the name. "So it is a child?"
"No one knows," responded Crystal, "I've heard some animals say it's really a demon in the disguise of a child."
"I've heard it's really a short fox pretending to be a child," added Ivory.
"So simply put," Snow began as she powdered her face, "It's ugly, that's all you need to know."
Ciel took into consideration all that they said. "Ugly I can believe, but a demon? Nonsense. I should perhaps go and gaze upon this creature myself. See what made the triplets so curious."
"Okay, but I heard it's really ugly," Crystal warned, "And hurry back. We have another show in an hour."
"I will be back soon," Ciel said then left the outdoor dressing room tent. She began her journey into the circus and in the direction of where they kept the sideshow freaks.
As she walked, Honest John caught a glimpse of her walking away. He smirked lustfully, "Take over the crowd control, Giddy. I have some business to tend to."
The silent feline nodded, fully understanding and continued with the ticket sales. Honest John meanwhile, adjusted his tie and hat and headed over to the lone vixen.
"Ah! Why isn't it the lovely Ciel!"
Ciel immediately knew who it was from his voice and cringed, "Ugh, no. Go away," she muttered quietly under her breath.
"Now where may I ask, is my lovely leading lady going?" he swung an arm around her shoulders, "Curtain time is in an hour, don't want to be late now, do we? But then again," he slid a perverted paw down her arms, causing her to tremble with disgust, "If you really want to spend your free time doing something fun...then maybe I could join you."
"Ugh," Ciel pulled herself free from his grasp, "No thank you, I just wanted to take a walk."
Honest John chuckled, "Always with that feisty attitude of yours. Don't forget that your little favors to me, will guarantee you your extra pay."
Ciel clenched her fangs, "It is only because I'm expecting a child that I put up with you."
"Yes, the little baby your late husband could never meet nor have lived long enough to know of its existence. Don't you worry your little head off. If this little one needs a father, then I'd gladly step in for him if it means having more fun with you," he whispered lustfully in her ear.
"Don't you talk about my late husband!" Ciel scolded and began to walk away.
"I'm merely pointing out the facts. After all, you will need the extra money when your belly gets bigger and are unable to continue performing. Not to mention that nasty slum you came from is no place for raising a child. So much violence and so many disease ridden animals. You wouldn't want to lose another one, would you?"
Ciel halted in her tracks. Her eyes grew shocked and terrified at the thought, then held a gentle paw against her still flat pregnant tummy. She closed her eyes, clenching her face in sadness at the memory and clenching it in disgust of the cruel red fox behind her.
Honest John smirked confidently. He knew he had her, "Well?"
"Tonight. After dinner. I will meet you in your tent. Not a minute earlier or later," Ciel uttered without turning to look at him.
Honest John chuckled quietly, "Sounds good to me." He approached her and whispered in her ear. "See you then." Ciel remained still in place, repulsed by the male fox. He began leaving in the same direction that she had originally been heading. "Now if you will please excuse me my dear, I have a money making oddity to announce to an awaiting audience."
"Oddity?" Ciel asked curiously.
"Yes, the Monster Kit. It's his big debut and I hear there's quite the crowd gathered to see him. If you were on your way there, then I suggest you hurry to get a good view." Honest John went ahead.
Before Ciel could actually head over herself, she noticed three familiar vixens behind a tent. It was the triplets. Ciel approached them and realized that one of them was throwing up in a garbage can, while the other two held her ears and head. "Merry, Holly? What is happening? Why is Noelle vomiting?"
"We just finished visiting the Monster Kit," Merry replied, continuing to hold her sister's ears.
"But I thought it hadn't officially debuted," replied Ciel, "I just ran into Honest John and he was on his way to premiere it."
"No, we asked the guard, Sam, if he could give us an early peek of it," Holly answered.
"And?" asked Ciel.
Noelle pulled her sick face from the garbage can to answer, "It was so ugly." The thought of the deformed kit forced her to immediately dip her head back in the can to continue retching.
"We told you not to eat before going to see it dear," said Holly to her sister as she gently caressed her head for comfort.
"It couldn't be that hideous and monstrous that it churned your stomach, could it?" Ciel uttered in disbelief. "It is a child, is it not?"
"Body wise, yes," said Merry, "But that face! That face was anything but."
"It was a demon's face," added Holly.
Ciel looked at them in disbelief. Now she really had to see this creature for herself.
She had finally decided to head on over to the freakshow section of the circus where the Monster Kit's cage resided. As expected, Honest John was already there, standing at a tall podium and ushering as many animals as he could over to the tarp covered cage underneath a large open tent. Ciel had managed to wedge herself in between the large crowd and wrestled her way to the front..
The moment she laid eyes on the young creature, she couldn't help but gasp in horror at the sight.
..
Back in the present day, a knocking at her office door took Ciel away from her memories of the past.
"Mother?" it was Skye's voice on the other side of the door.
Ciel took the miniature circus ad in her paw and hid it away back in the small box. She then took the small box and hid it back under a false board under her desk. "Come in."
Skye opened the door. "Mother, we were wondering if you were going to lead us in our warm up exercises? There's only an hour and a half left until the show starts."
"Yes, I'm on my way," she stood up and approached her daughter at the door. "Have you all gotten your makeup done?"
"Yeah, some of the girls are still putting on the final touches to their makeup, but we should all be ready soon."
"Very well, come dear, let us be sure we will put on a spectacle for the ages."
.
An hour and a half had gone by and droves of animals had rushed over to the theater to buy a ticket. Soon, it was clear that it was a full house.
The composer and orchestra were ready, and the actors and dancers were in full costume and ready to go backstage.
Up in box 4 of the opera house's balconies, sat Monsieur Bogo and Monsieur Clawhauser. They were both dressed to the nines and enthralled with the turnout of tonight's show.
"Looks like a packed house from up here, doesn't it, sir?" Clawhauser commented.
"Indeed it does," Bogo concurred, "It appears that Comte Savage was wise in choosing to purchase this opera house."
Clawhauser nodded and continued to look around. His attention turned to box 5, some feet away and placed higher than their box.
"Who's in that box?" Clawhauser asked.
"What box?" Bogo asked.
"That one there. Box 5," Clawhauser pointed up at it. Bogo turned and saw it, but noticed something odd about it, as did Clawhauser. The balcony was decorated with black netting and the curtains were mostly drawn, but not closed all the way. Almost as if with the intention to not allow visibility inside the box.
"Hmm? That is indeed suspicious," Bogo commented.
"Do you think it could be the phantom?" Clawhauser asked.
"Perhaps. We will investigate it afterwards. If there truly is someone hiding behind there, namely the phantom, then let's allow him a false sense of security. Then we will strike when he's too enthralled with the show."
Down behind the closed stage curtains, the sets were laid and as soon as everything was set, everyone cleared the area, save for Gazelle and Felix who stood behind two closed set doors. A stagehand gave the signal to the stage manager at the wings and he gave the signal to the orchestra. The orchestra conductor, a reindeer named Rudolph Reindiér, nodded just as the lights began to slowly dim and he took his place before the orchestra. The audience applauded upon seeing him. He bowed to the audience, then turned and tapped his baton on the music opera house was silent as Monsieur Reindiér led the orchestra in the overture.
As soon as the overture was over, the curtains opened and the music shifted to play 'Cinque, Dieci, Venti…'
As before during rehearsal, Felix and Gazelle entered the stage from behind the set doors when their cues came on. Everything was far more beautifully crafted than it had been during rehearsal, including the full detailed sets and costumes.
.
.
.
Some time passed and the opera was now at the beginning of its third act and everyone's performances were absolutely impeccable so far. The audience meanwhile listened intently to the music and the acting, clearly enjoying the show.
Even Nick, who sat in his private seat up in box 5 as he always did for every premiere, seemed to be enjoying the performances. But no more than the precious bunny down by the wings, who would curiously peek her head from time to time to get a closer look at the performance. She would not peek her head in far enough for the rest of the audience to notice, but Nick certainly did from his point of view. He sighed, enamored, resting his elbows on the balcony edge and resting his head on his open paws, all the while wagging his tail.
In box 4, Bogo and Clawhauser were lost in the performance, particularly Clawhauser. That is until Bogo lightly elbowed him. "What is it, sir?" Bogo said nothing, but only glanced up and nudged his head in box 5's direction, subtly reminding Clawhauser of their plan. "Oh right," Clawhauser said with a nod.
The two of them stood from their seats and left their box. Out in the corridor, the two set their eyes on the door leading to box 5. "Let's go," said Bogo.
"Where do you two think you're going?"
The two of them turned to realize that Madame Winter was standing behind them.
"Madame Winter?! What are you doing here?" Bogo asked, surprised to see her there.
"I was coming up to see if there was anything you two needed," said Madame Winter.
"No, no, we don't need anything. We were merely wondering if perhaps box 5 had a better view of the stage. It is empty for use is it not?" asked Bogo, trying to not sound obvious in his and Clawhauser's intentions.
"I'm afraid it is not," answered Madame Winter. "Box 5 is off limits to all patrons, but one."
"The phantom," Bogo guessed.
"You said it, not I," Madame Winter commented.
"That is a confirmation then I take it?" Bogo asked, stepping forward and garnering Madame Winter's attention.
"It is his personal box," Madame Winter said, stepping forward and looking Bogo straight in the eye. "But whether or not he is using it now, I do not know."
"You clearly know something," Bogo asserted.
As the cape buffalo and arctic vixen argued, Clawhauser glanced back at the door of box 5. In an uncharacteristic act of bravery, Clawhauser snuck over to box 5's door. He opened it and quietly walked in…
Once inside, Clawhauser passed the curtains leading to the box and stopped short after having taken only a few steps. There before him, sitting a little over six feet away underneath the shadows of the balcony, was a cloaked figure with red fur and triangular ears. The figure had his back to him, so the cheetah could not see any part of his face.
Clawhauser was at a loss for words, his jaw slacked, but not a sound exited his mouth. The frightened cheetah did not waste any time and ran out as fast as he could, forgetting to even close the door all the way.
Nick meanwhile, only smirked quietly, he knew someone had entered. And he knew that it was one of those two nosy notaries. He didn't mind it though, as it gave him a chance to have some fun.
Outside in the corridor, Clawhauser hurried over to the arguing Bogo and Madame Winter - keeping his eyes on the door the whole time. "Monsieur Bogo! Monsieur Bogo!"
"What is it, Clawhauser?" Bogo asked, a little annoyed and shocked to see him out of breath.
"The oom, room, box, there, it, he, there-" the cheetah stuttered.
"Calm down boy, you're acting as if you've seen a ghost."
"I did!" he said finally, "The phantom! I saw him. He's there! In box 5!"
"What?!" Bogo turned his attention to the door leading to box 5. "Let's go!" He ordered the cheetah and the two headed for the door, followed by Madame Winter.
Bogo, Clawhauser and Madame Winter entered the room but…
...there was no one there...save for an empty seat on the balcony…
Bogo turned angrily at Clawhauser, "The phantom is here eh?"
"But, but he was! He was right there! I saw him!"
"You saw him. Then where is he?!" Bogo gruffed angrily.
"I don't know! I was watching the door the whole time! I didn't see anyone leave! I don't know where he left, but I swear I saw him!"
"Well, I suppose you have your answer Monsieurs. He's here one minute, then he's not," said Madame Winter.
Bogo huffed angrily and Clawhauser gasped in realization', "Then he is a ghost!"
Bogo groaned and rolled his eyes. "Clawhauser, please! Enough with that! There's no such thing as ghosts!"
They all stepped out of the room. "But if he's not a ghost then what do you think happened to him?"
"Isn't it obvious? He simply was never here," Bogo huffed. "You're too much of a nervous wreck. Knowing you, you probably just imagined it."
"But I swear it sir, I saw something," Clawhauser said as the door shut behind them and they made their way down the hall back to their seats.
Unbeknownst to them, as soon as Nick knew that they were gone, he opened a small trap door disguised among the patterned rug on the floor of the balcony.
Nick grinned and chuckled quietly. He always did have fun scaring other animals - not with his face of course - but with his clever tricks. "Too easy."
Once out of his trap door, he closed it up and sat back down on his seat. He glanced over at box 4 and noticed that Monsieur Bogo and Monsieur Clawhauser were back in their seats. Bogo seemed disappointed that the phantom was not in box 5 as they had hoped. Their problems would have certainly been over if they were able to catch him. Clawhauser meanwhile kept looking up at box 5. Still unable to let go of the fact that he had seen something.
Lucky for Nick though, it was impossible to see through the black netting from the outside looking in. But he could still see well enough from his point of view.
Once he was certain that those two pesky notaries wouldn't come up anymore, he decided to keep watching the show himself.
The story itself was still in the third act and at the point where Figaro was being obligated to marry Mousellina due to his debt.
Down at the stage, Felix as Figaro claimed in Italian, "I am a gentlemammal!"
Only to be laughed at by the Count, Judge Don Catzio, Mousellina and Bartolo.
This part of the opera always seemed to hit Nick hard, not only because of how everyone laughed at Figaro - virtually saying that he's a lesser being than the rest of them, simply because he was a servant.
"I am a gentlemammal!" Figaro repeated. Once again, he was met with the mocking laughter of the four other mammals around him. "I can't marry without my parent's consent."
"Where are they, who are they?" the Count, a lion, asked.
"I'm still looking," Firgaro replied.
"Were you a foundling?" Bartolo, an older tiger, asked.
"No!" Figaro replied angrily, "I was lost, or rather stolen."
Though the mocking laughter hit him hard, nothing brought on more depressing memories to Nick than hearing that Figaro was actually of noble birth, but was stolen away by greedy, heartless thieves.
Stolen...much like he was...
It brought on horrifying memories…very horrifying memories…
..
Zootopia 1859 (22 Years Earlier)...
"Ladies and gentlemammals!" called Honest John, ushering the crowd of spectators.
Ciel, as everyone else in the crowd, did as he had asked and moved closer and paid close attention to the hideous creature's 'backstory.'
"Have you ever felt tempted to commit an act of vice and sin?" asked Honest John of the crowd. "Have you found yourself paying a visit or two to a little place called Happytown?" Honest John winked to the adults, knowing full well that they knew exactly what he meant. "Then feast your eyes upon the actual epitome of sin! Straight from the fiery pits of hell, the most horrifying creature you dare lay your eyes upon. A literal demon, in the guise of a child! The very entity of temptation, responsible for the actions of adults to sire young monsters like himself! Ladies and gentlemammals, I give you The Happytown Monster Kit!"
Honest John removed the tarp covering the cage, revealing a very small red fox kit with a burlap sack over his head. His bright emerald green eyes were the only things that were visible from his face.
Ciel gasped when she noticed that the little kit was shirtless and wearing only a pair of dirty, worn out pants. But what shocked her the most was seeing that his right foot was chained to his cage.
The other animals around the cage however, only looked on curiously at the trembling and terrified mute kit.
"Don't be fooled by his current appearance," said Honest John as he opened the cell and walked in. The young kit had barely noticed that the older fox had walked into his cage. His green eyes were just so fixated on the crowd of staring animals. What was happening?! Where was he?! Why were they all looking at him?! "The devil's offspring will try to deceive you by taking an innocent and misleading form! But now, gaze upon the face of a true monster!"
Honest John pulled the sack off of Nick's head, revealing his deformed face to everyone around him.
"Aaaahhh!" some of the females and children screamed. One male goat's stomach churned and he turned to a nearby garbage bin to throw up. Babies and young children cried in horror. While many cringed in disgust.
"Good lord it's hideous!"
"He's a monster!"
"It's so ugly mama!" cried a small child.
"He's a freak!" yelled an older boy, a llama, and began laughing hysterically - infecting others with his contagious laughter as most of the older children and some adults present began pointing and laughing.
Honest John chuckled amused and stepped out of the cage, locking it behind him.
Nick meanwhile, looked on in horror at all the laughing animals surrounding him. They were all laughing at him. Simultaneously scared and amused by him. All because of his face!
Nick began feeling dizzy...he was so scared...it was worse than what happened outside the candy shop with that family of opossums...Nick couldn't breathe...he was hyperventilating...
His bag...
He had to put the bag back on his head. He needed them to stop! They were calling him ugly! And a monster! Just like his mother and that opossum mother and her children did!
The young kit quickly crawled over to the burlap sack and put it back on his head, covering his face once more.
Some of the animals felt relieved that they no longer had to gaze at his hideous face. But there were others who started to complain. "Aw he put the bag back on. I want to see the freak's face more!" whined the llama boy to Honest John.
"Very well, then how about this. Whoever can remove his mask through the bars, gets half off their next visit to the circus!"
The easily bought mammals were immediately motivated to compete against one another to unmask the young kit. They pushed and shoved each other to stick their arms through the bars of the cage, desperate to grab a hold of him.
Nick crawled back, only to be met with more sets of paws and hooves clawing at him from behind and at the sides of his cell. He did his best to dodge their paws/hooves by staying in the middle of his cage.
A male puma however, seemed to have noticed that the chain at Nick's ankle was attached to a hook that was right in front of him. He grabbed hold of it and pulled, dropping the terrified kit down on his stomach.
"Get over here, freak!" the puma growled angrily, "It's your fault that I cheated on my wife after visiting Happytown and got some whore pregnant! You sin inducing imp!"
The puma dragged Nick by the chain until he was right next to the bars. The cheating puma tried to reach the bag over Nick's head, but the kit kept evading.
Nick tried to get away, but the llama boy then grabbed his right arm and helped the puma press his face right against the bars. "Hey Perry!" the llama boy called to his friend standing beside him - an alpaca. "Get the bag off him!"
His friend immediately obeyed and grabbed at the burlap sack, struggling to remove it as Nick's face was pressed a little too much against the bars.
"I can't get it off!" said the young alpaca, "He's too stuck!"
The llama boy noticed and loosened his grip on Nick, allowing Perry to at last be able to remove the bag off of the deformed kit's head.
"There! I got it! I got it off him!" cheered Perry.
"Well, it looks like it took a team effort! But I'm a fair tod. All three of you get half off your next visit!"
The crowd cheered for the three.
While they were momentarily distracted, Nick pulled his arm free from the llama boy and immediately covered his face with his paw.
"Oh no you don't!" shouted the young llama. "You're letting everybody see your ugly face, monster!" The llama boy managed to grab Nick's arm again and pressed his face hard against the bars. Just so everyone could laugh and berate him once more.
The puma came around to Nick's face and spat on him, " That's for making me sire another little bastard like you, you demon brat!"
The surrounding animals laughed harder still at watching the demon kit's face spat at.
Humiliated and angry, Nick managed to pull away his face through the bars to try and bite the puma and llama boy. They, as everyone else in the crowd, were taken aback by the sudden aggressive behavior. The furious kit gave a fierce little snarl just as Honest John found his way back inside the cage.
"Ah,ah,ah. You mustn't bear your fangs at the guests!" Honest John scolded, pulling out a heavy black whip from his side. "That's just rude!"
Without any hesitation, Honest John uncoiled the whip, only to unleash its heavy sting onto the unsuspecting kit's right arm.
THWACK!
"AIYEE!" Nick jumped in place when the whip made contact with his skin, forcing him to let out a feral puppy-like yelp in pain. It burned right through his fur, causing his small arm to bleed.
The young kit looked up at the older fox with the whip, cowering in fear. He felt so small and helpless against the mammal that picked him off the streets and brought him to this horrible place. He was so scared and couldn't do anything to protect himself! This cruel fox would surely whip him again if he tried anything!
The young kit's vision grew blurry and an uncontrollable stream of tears ran down his face.
Feeling cornered and beyond terrified, Nick could only ball up into himself, his right paw covering his face, while his left paw held his bleeding arm. He began trembling and sobbing quietly to himself.
Soon the laughter began dying out and the animals grew bored, leaving the spectacle.
"Well that was fun," said the alpaca boy.
"Yeah, but he's so ugly!" commented the llama boy.
"Yeah, disgusting! Blech!" spat the alpaca boy as he dropped the burlap sack down on the ground.
Honest John stepped back out of the cage and locked it back up. "Hear that my little money maker? They love you!" he chuckled while patting the bars. He walked out of the open tent with a few of the patrons, "Don't forget that there's another show with the Monster Kit in an hour! Be sure to tell your friends!"
Everyone left the tent, save for a shell shocked Ciel who remained in place. She watched the little trembling kit, continuously sobbing into the hay covering the floor of his cell.
After another second, she found herself at last able to move and slowly approached the small kit's cage. Ciel gripped a couple of the bars. The kit had yet to notice her, he just kept crying and crying.
Ciel's maternal instinct begged her to pull him out of the cage and bring him into a comforting and motherly embrace. But she knew that she could truly do nothing to help him. Not if Honest John had anything to say about it.
Ciel lowered her gaze down to the ground, noticing the burlap sack carelessly tossed there. She walked over to it and picked it up. The young kit kept crying, but stopped when he heard a small rustling over one side of his cage. He looked up while his right paw kept covering the right side of his face. He fearfully backed away from the vixen until his back pressed against the bars at the opposite end of the cage.
"Don't be afraid," said Ciel, handing the mask to him through the bars. Nick just stared at her, unsure if he should trust her. "Here, take it. I promise I will not hurt you. I am not like them." Her tone was soft and motherly. Nick looked into her eyes and noticed no malicious intent within them. Regardless, he still had his doubts.
Though hesitant, Nick cautiously approached her and quickly swiped the burlap sack from her paw. He turned around and put it on. He was still sniffling. A simple sound which broke Ciel's heart. It was then too that she noticed the bloody hay around him, stained by the fresh wound on his arm.
"Here, let me have a look at that," she said, extending her arm to him. Nick cautiously obeyed, moving closer and showing her his bleeding arm. She took his tiny arm in her paws, first observing the wound, then pulling out a small clean handkerchief. She wrapped it tightly around his arm. "There, better."
Nick looked at her, then slowly backed away, holding his newly bandaged arm the whole time. There was a moment of silence before Ciel spoke again, "My name is Ciel Winter by the way. And you? Do you have a name, little one?"
Nick appeared to pause, almost as if he were unsure of the answer.
"Can you not speak?" Ciel asked.
As expected, Nick said nothing, giving her the same confused and distressed look he had before.
Then without warning, Nick once again began to cry. Each question - as small and simple as they were - spurred on heavy and horrific memories of who he once was and of how he lost his voice.
Ciel meanwhile grew shocked, sorry that she had made him cry. She didn't know what she had said wrong, nor did she know how to comfort him. Instead, she just sat there on the ground, keeping him company until he would calm down.
..
Back in the present time…
Nick looked down at his right sleeve and pulled it up. Underneath was a clearly marked scar from the whip injury he had suffered so many years ago.
He swallowed hard, lowering his sleeve back down. It was still such a painful memory. More so considering, it was not the only whip mark he had heavily marked on his body.
After a silent moment, he heard a sad melody emanate from the stage below.
He had been so lost in his own memories that he hadn't realized that the opera was already at its finale.
On stage, the lion actor portraying the Count, kneeled on one knee before his wife, the Countess - portrayed by a lioness.
Contessa, perdono…
Perdono…
Perdono…
He sang, his voice melancholic and full of regret. His heartbroken wife looked away. She said nothing for a moment and it appeared as though she would be unwilling to forgive him for his emotional infidelity.
But then...she sang…
Più docile io sono,
E dico di sì
E dico di SÌ!
The lioness smiled softly at her husband and offered him her paw, so that he would stand. She gave him her answer, and offered her forgiveness and love.
Up in box 5, Nick smiled softly. To him, this was the most beautiful part of the opera. Not just because of the beautiful music, but because of how the Count and Countess were willing to forgive one another, despite their insecurities and mistakes.
The Count's misguided desire and attempted affair with Susanna (Gazelle), only to realize that it was his own wife in disguise who he almost had an affair with, the Countess' backfired plans of testing her husband's love for her by making him believe that she was having an affair. None of it mattered anymore. All that mattered now, was that they were at last able to realize just how much they truly loved one another.
The Count stood, taking his wife's paws into his own and staring lovingly into her eyes, as she did his. Their love was so contagious that even Figaro (Felix) and Susanna (Gazelle), stood face to face, holding each other's paws/hooves. Both couples, as well as everyone else, sang together in celebratory content for the Count and Countess' reconciliation.
Ah, tutti contenti
Saremo così
Saremo così
With all the romance in the air, Nick couldn't help but glance down by the wings to check on his gorgeous bunny crush. Unsurprisingly, he spotted her there again.
She had tears in her eyes. They were not sad tears however. She just appeared to be so touched by the tender moment on stage. She wiped at her eye and sniffled.
Seeing her look so happy made him happy - which was a rare feeling for him to feel in the first place. Even the memories of his past which would constantly haunt him, seemed small against her gentle smile.
Ah, tu-!
Ah, tu-
-tti contenti
Saremo così
Ah, tu-!
Ah, tu-
-tti contenti
Saremo,
Saremo così
Nick chose not to stay to the very end of the opera. He decided to leave early to mentally and emotionally prepare himself for a certain special meeting. Nick opened up the trap door underneath his seat and went back down it again. Unlike the first time, where he only hid in place, he opened up another trap door within the hidden space leading to a tunnel. He went through, sealing the false wall behind him.
.
Not long after, the opera ended and all the performers took their bows. The audience gave a resounding applause. The premiere was a success!
After a while, the audience began to leave and the performers retired backstage. Skye spotted Judy waiting for them by the wings. "Hey Judy," the young vixen approached her. May and Sharla followed after her. "Did you see the show? What'd you think?"
"You were all great! I loved the ballet during the wedding scene! Oh! And Gazelle and Felix were amazing! Same with the lion and lioness that played the Count and Countess!" Judy smiled happily.
"Glad you enjoyed it Judy," said Sharla, "Hopefully you can join us for our next production, so you can also bask in the applause."
"Yeah, I'll be sure to do that," Judy replied politely.
"Well, we gotta get out of costume," said Skye, "I know we can't have a slumber party tonight like we did last night, but will you be alright by yourself? Or do you want to bunk with one of us tonight? I don't mind and I bet May and Sharla don't either, right?"
"No, I don't mind letting Judy bunk with me if she needs the company," said May, while Sharla nodded in agreement.
"Thanks for the offer guys. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I think I'll be fine on my own tonight."
"Are you sure Judy?" Skye asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Judy yawned, "I think I'll be turning in now anyway. But thanks again for the offer."
"Alright," Skye said hesitantly, "If you need anything, our rooms are just down the hall."
"I'll keep that in mind. Good night girls. See you in the morning."
"Night Judy," said the three girls simultaneously as they headed off to the dancers' dressing room.
.
Judy entered her room. She had yet to unpack all her things. The only thing she had managed to unload from her luggage was her nightgown.
She put it on, getting ready for bed, but was not ready to sleep. Though she had told her friends that she felt tired, it was really a lie.
Judy had enjoyed the night's opera and meant all she said about it, but... couldn't help but feel sad.
Being here, at L'Opera Populaire was a dream come true. But it wasn't complete without her father.
Judy took the frame with her father's photograph in it from the table. She sat on her bed and gazed sadly at it. She hated knowing that he had suffered so much in his final moments and that they couldn't make it to the opera house together like they had planned.
Yes, he said that he would always be with her in spirit and that he'd send the Angel of Music to watch over her. He even asked to be buried in Zootopia as a means to be closer to her and so he could be buried in the city where he had earned his big break as a musician.
But it just wasn't the same!
She missed him. It wasn't fair that he had to die before their dream could come true!
And the Angel of Music? Where was he?! How could she be so dumb and naive?! She should've known that there was no such thing! He was nothing but a big fat lie!
The only truth was the fact that her father was dead and he was never coming back! She was alone and now had no one who truly understood her musical soul.
Judy sniffled as tears streamed down her eyes. She hugged her father's portrait and lied down in a fetal position on her bed, crying the whole time. "It's not fair. Why'd you have to go away, father? Why?" she sobbed quietly.
.
Nick approached the secret corridor leading to Judy's room behind the mirror. He took a few steps halfway into the corridor then stopped. "Wait, what should I say? I've never really talked to a girl before," he muttered nervously to himself. "Nor have I ever pretended to be an Angel of Music. I don't even know what that is. What is that? Something only surface mammals know about?"
He groaned miserably, "Why couldn't I have been able to spend more than just six normal years on the surface?" He sighed, then paced around in place. "Okay, okay, that doesn't matter now. What does matter is how do I talk to her without scaring her?"
Nick paused to think for a moment. "Judy, my love, I am your Angel of Music!" he announced quietly and somewhat dramatically. "No, no, that's too much. How about, 'Miss Hopps, please don't scream at the random voice speaking to you, for it is I, your Angel of Music!' No, that's just weird. Uh…'Judy Hopps, I'm really the famous phantom of the opera that everyone talks about, even though I don't want to be. The world didn't really give me much of an option on that one because of my ugly face. I just...I wanted to meet you because I think you're really pretty and you have a beautiful voice, and I...I think I might also be in love with you," he said more sincerely, but then sighed frustratedly. "No, I can't tell her that! This is going to be harder than I thou-"
He stopped his train of thought when he heard the unmistakable sound of someone crying. His ear twitched and he realized that it was coming from Judy's room. Concerned, he approached the one way mirror at the end of the corridor and peeked in.
His ears lowered, emphasizing his sudden downcast mood at the sight of her clutching her father's portrait in her arms and crying into her pillow.
She was alone and without any consolation.
Nick looked away. It hurt him to see her like that. She looked so small and fragile. She reminded him of himself when he was stuck at the circus and would cry himself to sleep whenever he'd remember how he had lost his parents.
It was clear to Nick then, that what he was about to do wasn't for himself anymore. His happiness and personal goals regarding her would have to wait.
This was about her. Judy needed comforting. And he knew exactly what to do.
Dear sobbing child,
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for my guidance,
Nick sang softly to her from the mirror, relying on his abilities as a ventriloquist to ensure that his voice echoed throughout the room.
As expected, a surprised Judy ceased her crying and lifted her head from her pillow. She looked around the room, spotting no one there.
Judy sniffled and wiped her tear stained eyes. "Who's there? Who said that?" she asked, sitting up and still clutching her father's portrait. "Is someone there?"
Yes, I have come now
To protect you,
Does memory serve, Or
Have you forgotten your Angel?
Judy's ears stood tall to attention and she rose to her feet from the bed in disbelief. "My angel?" she asked. "But it can't be…"
It can't be you,
My heavenly friend,
My angel of music…
Judy sang in response, waiting to see if he would confirm her suspicions.
To her surprise and immense joy...he did.
Oh but it is my dear Judy…
I have come to heed your plea
Fear your loneliness no longer
I am here at last!
Judy smiled wide. She couldn't believe it! She shed one more tear, but this time it was not one of sadness, but one of joy!
It truly was him! He wasn't just a fairy tale! He was really here! Her...
Angel of Music!
Guide and Guardian
Grant to me your glory
Nick joined her in song to truly confirm his 'identity' to her.
I am your Angel of Music! (Nick)
You are my Angel of Music! (Judy)
Your protector (Nick)
My protector (Judy)
Come to me, strange Angel! (Judy)
Judy took deep breaths, still in awe at the revelation that her Angel was truly real. She kept looking up and around to see if she saw a semblance of someone. Though now not just anyone, but her Angel of Music. "Are you really here? Are you really my Angel of Music?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes," Nick replied, his voice reverberating softly throughout.
Judy wagged her happy little puff of a tail, causing Nick to chuckle gently. He thought it was so cute.
"Are...are you my father?" Judy asked curiously.
"No, he's the one who sent me to watch over you, just like he promised," Nick said and Judy smiled, wiping a tear from her eyes.
"Is he...happy where he is?" asked the sniffling bunny.
"Very. He makes beautiful music for the angels now. They love it by the way."
Judy giggled happily. Glad to know that her father was happy. She wiped another tear.
"You bunnies, so emotional," Nick said tenderly, "There'll be no more of those sad bunny tears. Your father and I don't want to see you cry anymore."
Judy nodded and wiped her eyes, cleaning off the last few tears.
"You don't need to be alone anymore. I'll be here, keeping you company if you need it." Judy smiled and nodded in response to his kind words. "And...I will also be personally training you to be the best opera singer this world has ever had."
Judy's eyes widened in surprise, "Train me? But, I'm a ballerina and I...I don't know if I can sing. Not without my father."
"He wants you to sing," Nick said, "You have a gift Judy. You can't just let it rot away. That's why I'm here, to make sure it doesn't. I am the Angel of Music after all. Do you really want to leave me without a job?" Nick joked, sounding like he was playfully pouting.
Judy chuckled, "I guess not." Judy thought about his offer for a moment, then gave him a response, "If...if you say my father's okay with it and if you'll be with me every step of the way, then I guess I can try."
"You guess?" Nick asked.
Judy thought her words through, then with a new resolve gave a face of pure determination, "I will try!"
"That's the spirit!"
Judy smiled happily, then yawned. She looked at the tall grandfather clock at the corner and saw how late it was.
"Sleepy?" Nick asked.
"A little. It's ten o'clock. I should be in bed, Madame Winter wants me to practice with the other dancers tomorrow."
"Then get your rest Carr-Judy. I know Madame Winter can be very strict," Nick said, understanding.
Judy nodded and tucked herself back in bed, placing her father's portrait on the nightstand. She stared at it for a moment, then kicked her legs eagerly, "Oh, I'm just so happy to know that you're real! I don't know if I'll be able to fall asleep anymore! There's so much to process now!"
Nick laughed softly, "Silly bunny. You just try to get some sleep."
"Will you stay with me a little longer, my angel? At least until I fall asleep?" Judy asked him.
Behind the mirror, Nick smiled and his heart beat happily in his chest, "I'll be right here."
Judy snuggled into her pillow with the biggest smile on her face. Her Angel of Music had come at last and she was no longer alone.
...
A/N:
Ah yes, pretending to be someone you're not to win your crush's affections, can't possibly go wrong, right? Right?
Lol. At least he's trying.
Also, poor little Nick and damn that Honest John! The world can be so cruel sometimes TnT
Also, for those of you wondering which song Nick and Judy are singing, it's to the melody of Wandering Child, but of course not with the actual lyrics yet. There's also a bit of Angel of Music in there. Namely because they both have the same melody.
The song Ciel (Madame Winter) sings is called "For You" and it's from the Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies.
Also don't forget to review, comments help keep me motivated! :)
Follow me on Tumblr and Twitter under the same name.