Chapter 2: Who are you?
It was already been a week since Nick was discharged from the hospital and began to snoop around to see if anything else was out of place. Surprisingly enough, he found everything was virtually identical to what he remembers... with the only exceptions being that he was still a respectable member of the ZPD, that Shannon had no ties with Judy other than the fact they're colleagues at work, and finally, what he found the most surprising of all, that he was happily married to Judy for nearly a year and a half. Nick should be happy that he'd gotten the life he always wanted but, a small part of him still clung on the idea that all of this was too good to be true.
Nick quietly sat on the living room couch of their apartment contemplating on every information he had gathered so far when Judy entered the room with their sleeping daughter, Viola, safely cradled in her arms. "Nick... are you alright?" she asked in concern. "You've been gradually acting cold to me ever since the day you got released from the hospital and it's creeping me out..."
"I'm sorry, Carrots..." Nick replied using the nickname he never thought he'd be using again. "It's just... I had a lot to think about."
Judy sat down beside him. "Nick... if there's something bothering you... I'm willing to listen..." she gave him a warm smile. "That's why I'm here."
Nick couldn't help but smile back and leaned over to kiss Judy's forehead. "You're right... I'm being such a dumb fox... thinking about all these trivial details... losing sight of what's really important..." he pulled the bunny into a hug. "That I'm married to the most beautiful bunny in the world and have the cutest little daughter to boot."
Judy chuckled. "Nick, you can't call our daughter cute..." she jokingly said. "Vi's half bunny remember?"
As if on cue, Viola started waking up and cooed getting the attention of her parents. "Oh, look who decided to join us..." Judy cuddling with her baby's face.
Moments later, a knock came from the door.
"Don't worry... I got it..." Nick broke their embrace and proceeded in opening the door.
The door creaked open and Nick was faced with three visitors. the first was another fox whose coat was a dark shade of crimson, the second was a bunny who looks eerily like Judy except that she had a bright yellowish fur, the third was an infant cradled in the fox's arms who seem to be the same species and age as Viola.
"Long time no see Nick." the yellow bunny greeted cheerfully. "Hope, Aldwyn and I aren't intruding?"
Nick shook his head. "No, you're not intruding at all." he assured despite having no clue who these two are, although they seem to know him.
"Nick… who's at the door?" Judy asked appearing behind him. "Julia?"
"Judy!" the yellow bunny suddenly lunged towards Judy giving her an awkward hug. "Oh, have I missed you..."
"Careful... Julia...you might squash Viola..." Judy cautioned for she was still holding her daughter.
The other bunny withdrew and apologized. "Sorry about that... I got a little excited."
Nick stared. "Judy seems to know them... if things were the same... shouldn't I know them too?" he wondered before noticing the other fox was looking at him.
"You've been silent, Nick." he said adjusting the little one in his arms. "Normally, you would have cracked a joke by now."
"Well... I just been through a lot of stress lately... so, I'm a bit tired... to say something..." Nick lied.
The other fox laughed. "You... tired to make a single wisecrack... this must be really serious..." he remarked before turning to the two bunnies. "Hey, Jubilee."
The yellow bunny faced him. "OK, you only call me by that name if you're going to ask me for something..." she said in a serious tone. "What is it, Aldwyn?"
The crimson fox grinned devilishly before depositing the infant in his arms into the yellow bunny's. "Hey... Hey!" she shouted.
"Sorry sweetie... but Nick and I have something to do... love ya..." the crimson fox winked before grabbing Nick by the arm and running off with him. "Don't worry Judy... I'll bring him back before nightfall."
The two bunnies just stare at each other. "Oh, Aldwyn..." the yellow bunny sighed before smiling. "You'll never change..."
Nick and the other fox, Aldwyn stopped and panted once they were clear of the apartment building.
"What the hell?!" Nick exclaimed. "Was that really necessary?!"
Aldwyn smirked. "Oh, lighten up Nick... I'm sure you're used to this by now..." he said walking pass Nick. "Now, come on... we're burning daylight..."
Nick could just walk back to his and Judy's apartment but, he wanted to know what his relationship with this Aldwyn guy is. So, he hesitantly followed.
Nick didn't know where Aldwyn was taking him. They've been walking through the streets of Zootopia for nearly an hour and a half. He had asked earlier but, the only answer he got from him was "You'll see."
A few minutes later, they've finally arrived at their destination, an observation platform near Savanna/Sahara's climate wall.
"Why'd you bring me here?" Nick wondered. "Don't tell me you just wanted me to see the view of the city?"
"Actually... that is why I brought you here..." Aldwyn admitted while seemingly looking around as if looking for something or someone.
"Why? I lived here all my life?" Nick pointed out. "It's not like this would be my first time seeing the entirety of Zootopia."
"True..." Aldwyn grinned. "But, this is not the Zootopia you're familiar with, is it?"
Nick froze. "What... what did you just say...?"
"You can drop the act now..." Aldwyn said. "It'll be much easier for both of us..."
Nick took a few steps back before scowling. "Who are you?"
Aldwyn took a deep breath before a pair of black feathered wings manifested from his back. "Someone who deeply cares about you."
Note: Aldwyn and Julia are from the first story I uploaded called "Guardians".