Chapter 3: Nobody Wants A Broken Boy/The Graduation Ceremony
WARNING: Child negligence and abuse.
After he was found by Gosha and Yahya, Alex had been sent to Sunny Days Orphanage where he was told he would soon be adopted by a loving and caring family. Unfortunately, this hope would remain unanswered for a very long time. At the orphanage, Alex was treated as an outcast, a problem child. Everyone only saw who his parents were: the monstrous Wolfgangs.
Animals at the orphanage avoided Alex at all costs unless it was absolutely necessary. They interacted with him only when they gave him food and water, or commanded him to go to bed. When families asked the workers if they could know more about Alex, the workers simply whispered "Wolfgang" in their ears, crushing all hope Alex had of getting a family.
Alex would not manage to make any friends among the other children at the orphanage, until one fateful day...
Present day, ZPD Graduation Ceremony…
"As mayor of Zootopia, I am proud to announce that my mammal inclusion initiative has produced its first police academy graduate. Valedictorian of her class, ZPD's very first rabbit officer, Judy Hopps!" Mayor Lionheart announced. Judy stepped out onto the stage, and the crowd began to cheer for her. There weren't too many animals present; most of the present company was a collection of Judy's family members. There were, however, two noticeable predator animals present. Alex Moon, the predator pride of the Zootopia police force, and Kimba Lionheart, a white lion who happened to be the mayor's son.
Right now, both of them were wishing for different things; Alex was wishing that he could be the one on stage with Judy to pin the badge on her, while Kimba was wishing that his father wasn't such a glory-hog. For you see, it wasn't Leodore Lionheart who had even drafted up the bill for the Mammal Inclusion Initiative; it was his son, Kimba Lionheart, and the assistant mayor Dawn Bellwether. The mayor hadn't even bothered to give them any of the credit, which greatly irritated Kimba. He wasn't even wanting fame or political power; he just wanted Dawn and himself to receive the recognition that they deserved.
Kimba was one of Alex's closest friends off of the police force, the wolf having lived with the white lion for a little bit. The way they had met was a unique story, but it is not the time for that. Suffice to say, they were almost like brothers. Alex was Kimba's confidant; when Kimba had something he couldn't say to his father or anyone else, he told Alex.
The story behind Kimba's origins were rather extraordinary. While his father was a Masaii lion, his mother Snowene Goldmane was a white Transvaal lion. Both of Kimba's parents were descended from long lines of royalty. Leodore Lionheart, the current mayor, was descended from the mighty Simba himself, the western King Lion who had planted the seeds of peace and equality by instilling the values of the Circle of Life into his subjects, and returned the Lion Guard to its former power.
Indeed, Kimba had inherited the blood of one of the most famous lions in history on his father's side, but his mother's line of ancestry was equally as important. She originated from the east, and descended from several lesser-known white lions who had shaped history. Her predecessors were famed warlords and scholars, such as Ajani and Jareth, and legends even said that they were able to channel a mystical power known as the Roar of the World, which was similar to the Roar of the Elders that the legendary Kion and other leaders of the Lion Guard wielded.
Sadly, not much about her culture was known to her son. When the Lionheart family went on a cruise together when Kimba was about four years old, the boat they were on capsized… and in the chaos, Snowene sank under the water and inhaled too much of the sea. Her final words to Kimba were "Make the world a better place for all animals!", before she sank below the surface one final time.
The best way for him to do that, he decided, was to go into law, and provide support for other animals on the battlefield that was the legal courts. Somehow, although Kimba actively advertised that his law firm "kept great and small on the endless round", his primary clients were of the predator variety. Not that that was a bad thing, per say, but it was a little disappointing. He wanted to help all animals, not just predators. However, he was happy that he was helping keep wrongfully accused predators out of prison when he went into court to defend his clients' cases.
Although Kimba was a lion, the epitome of predator strength, he was an active advocate for equal prey and predator rights. Though he had little desire to become involved in politics, he followed the news and kept a watchful eye on his father's campaign. The white feline had a sneaking suspicion his father was up to something, and was determined to find out; however, he kept those suspicions to himself.
Kimba had known Dawn Bellwether for many years, and held the utmost respect for her. She was the one who had approached his father to become his assistant mayor, and she was prepared to put up with Leodore Lionheart. Even though Kimba had warned her that his father didn't treat his employees, housemaids, or assistants very well, she was willing to take the risk. That day, Kimba saw something in Dawn that reminded him of himself; the strong desire to change the world for the better.
Back in the present, when Lionheart practically shoved Dawn away so she wouldn't be able to get a good spot for the picture, Kimba became livid, and stormed off. Alex knew he had to take care of his friend, and shot Judy an apologetic look, and pointed in the direction that Kimba had left. Judy's eyes widened with realization, and she nodded her head in approval. "Go!" She mouthed, and Alex took off after his friend.
Kimba was already at his car, and saw Alex approaching him. "Get in. I need a drink." Kimba sighed. Alex nodded, and took the shotgun seat. As they drove to the Lionheart mansion, Alex decided to strike up a conversation with him. "What's the matter, Kimba?" Alex asked. The white wolf was pretty sure that he already knew the answer, but he wanted to have Kimba vocalize his thoughts. Talking about your problems out loud tended to help relieve anger and stress, in Alex's experience.
"I'm sick of my father taking all of the credit. All he cares about is his damn campaign, and getting reelected. He's a disgrace to our bloodline! He doesn't give a shit about anyone in this city! I…!" Kimba snarled, but kept a composed grip on the wheel of the car. Letting his emotions run rampant would only get him and Alex into trouble, especially while driving. "I know… You and Dawn deserve a lot better. Hell, I bet you would do a much better job running the city than your dad." Alex wistfully said.
Kimba cracked a weak smile as they pulled into the mansion's driveway and walked up to the front door. A black sheep without any wool opened the door, and bowed gracefully. "Master Kimba. I see you've brought Master Alex back with you from the coronation of that new rabbit officer. Judging by the look on your face, your father took all the glory again. I'll get you glasses of wine and ice water. Come on in and take a seat at the dining table while I prepare the drinks." The sheep said.
Alex and Kimba sat down at the dining table, and Leah used a stepping stool to get up to the table before placing the drinks on the wooden surface. "Do you need anything else, Masters Kimba and Alex?" Leah politely asked. Kimba smiled wearily at Leah. "That will be all for now, my lady. Since Father is probably going to be busy for the rest of the day, you can take the evening off." Kimba told her.
Leah bowed gratefully before walking off. "If you need anything, you know I'm just one text away." Leah promised as she left the two of them.
