Chapter 3: Ring the Bell!
Written by Fox in the Hen House
Edited by Cimar
There were very few things Judy disliked about being a teacher. The rewarding feeling of teaching the kits in her class was certainly not one of them. She enjoyed seeing their little faces light up as they realized how to solve a problem or work out some of their science experiments. The glowing progress reports she was able to give their parents during conferences thrilled her to no end. She loved her students.
What she really didn't like were Fridays. Especially when Friday hit with perfect weather outside. Much like today. It was hard enough keeping the children in line when it was the end of the school week and the start of their two-day freedom, but with the sun shining bright and nary a cloud in the sky, their attention was so far gone Judy might as well have pulled the curtains and put on 'Wreck-it Rhino' for as much work as they were currently getting done.
"Jordan, eyes on your workbook. I know for a fact you're still three pages behind on your math assignment so I don't want to see your gaze out that window until they're all done." Looking embarrassed at having been caught and rightfully chastised in front of the class, the small ram ducked his head and began scribbling furiously on his paper. "You too, Michael." The young antelope ceased his sniggering at his friend.
"Sorry Mrs. Wilde." He too bent low over his assignment, though for him, it was spelling. At the end of each week, Judy gave the kids an hour to make up any classwork they may have missed or were behind on. She found that it tended to keep the kits less stressed about coming back to school each Monday. She also was willing to give them any help they needed whether it was spelling, science, reading, math, history or social studies.
"Mrs. Wilde?"
Speaking of... Judy made her way over to where a small group was huddled in the corner. These mammals, she knew, were a tight-knit bunch. Most of them were too shy to make a lot of friends but thankfully for all of them they weren't the only shy ones in class. She moved behind a young jaguar who was furrowing her brow at what Judy recognized as a history paper they were supposed to do on the founding of Zootopia.
"Yes Caitlyn? What are you having trouble with?" She couldn't help but notice an otter and a rabbit were leaning in as well, copies of the history paper laying in front of them. It seemed there was more than one student having trouble with the assignment though only the young feline had gathered enough courage to ask.
"Well...I'm not sure who started Zootopia first."
Judy gave her a soft smile. "What do you mean?"
"My daddy says that predators, once we became evolved, were the first to offer an 'olive branch', he called it towards peace. But Peter," she waved at the bunny next to her, "says that his parents said it was them that did it. Who's right?" The doe froze as not only did the mammals at what she affectionately called 'the shy table' pick their heads up, but most of the rest of the class as well.
"Well, I suppose that's a very good question. Unfortunately I don't think anyone truly knows who came up with the idea for Zootopia originally, nor what species actually were there when they declared peace, although most historians believe it was two of the most common enemies that were very family oriented. Wolves and sheep. The idea that if two species, natural enemies and a key food source for one, could bridge the gap then others would follow." She paused wondering if she should go any further considering they were all children, yet once again underestimated today's youth.
"What about the pact?" Heads turned towards a young kudu girl who blushed heavily and ducked her head before peeking through her hooves. "My grandmama used to tell us the story of, 'The Time of Peace', and it always ended romantically with a pact between the two groups when the oldest children were married." Most of the boys in the class scoffed while several of the girls giggled behind their paws and hooves.
"Well, your grandmama might be correct. The researchers into that time do believe that there was a marriage pact, although they didn't have marriages back then, only mating ceremonies. The eldest child of the wolf pack was said to be a male and the sheep herd's eldest was a female. Though I expect it was not done with a lot of enthusiasm, the two were said to have been mated with each other to secure the peace."
"A predator and a prey? Like you and Mr. Wilde?" piped up Caitlyn, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes, I suppose that would be true," the doe replied, a small smile on her lips. "Although we didn't do it for a peace treaty. So to answer your question, I would say both stories are right. Without predators and prey coming together, there would have been no peace back then, although I imagine there would have been one eventually. We eventually had to all move on from being savages." Giving the young cat a big smile she moved on, making her way back to her desk. Once seated, she gave the children a few seconds to finish what they were working on before clearing her throat and getting their attention. "Okay class, free study time is all done. Now we're moving onto math. Who can tell me..."
Standing back from the table, Nick couldn't help but admire his own pawwork. Each suit could barely fit in his palm, yet he could see the attention to detail, things no other tailor his size would have considered including such as the inside pockets and holes for cufflinks. Pursing his lips and kissing the tips of his digits in a gesture of perfection, he quickly sent out an email letting Fru know that her father's suits were ready. It had taken him a full week, nearly twice the amount of time it would normally take him for a medium sized mammal. It was also his most challenging job since his childhood friend Finnick had ordered a customized onesie for his little boy who had such a strange dream of growing up to be an elephant.
With a final flourish of boxing them up, he set the suits aside before turning to his other latest completed project. Letting his paws roam over the neoprene fabric, he let them linger for a few seconds, admiring the feel of the thread. It was not something he was able to work with very often as it was too expensive to tailor an outfit from scratch and most were not cut as clean as Jade's had been for repair to be practical. Repair costs to neoprene were low if one were to use quick adhesive but it would not stand up to the abuse the rabbit likely saw at the academy each day. For a quality repair, he had taken to re-stitching the area, merging new synthetic rubberized thread with old. It had taken several hours of painstakingly patient paws but in the end, one would never know it had ever been torn. The seam not being hard to see, but instead, not even there. Can't even feel a raised edge, he mused, running his paw pads over the area.
There was something to be said in admiring one's own pawwork, and Nick was no slouch in that department. He would like to be able to claim he was humble and modest, but that would be a complete and utter lie. He knew he was good at what he did and though he didn't shout it from the rooftops, he still loved hearing praise from his customers. Though he was not interested in any sort of compliment from the mammal coming through the door just then. The words he hoped to hear were of much greater value.
"So. What's the word from your very large, very white furred friend? Is she in?" Practically bouncing on his paws, Nick's face was all of excitement. Amused by the predator, Jade found herself smiling wide, giggling almost uncontrollably.
"Well Mr. Wilde, you certainly are an unusual mammal. But yes. I managed to talk the Major into letting her have a day pass." Pumping his fist into the air, Nick leapt up on top of his counter and started swaying from side to side, rolling his paws around in what would normally be a very embarrassing dance move, if the fox had the capability to be embarrassed that is.
"Yes! Oh this is going to be amazing. She can climb the ropes and do that crawly thing through the mud, oh you gotta get me pictures of that. Please. Wait," he was suddenly looking fearful and hopped down from the counter. "She doesn't have to fight bigger mammals, does she? I know that's one of the requirements trainees have to go through but she hasn't done sparring much since she was in her teens."
"Don't worry, Mr. Wilde-" Nick cringed slightly and interrupted her.
"Please, Jade. Call me Nick. I'm not very fond of being addressed so...formally." She looked thoughtful for a moment, not used to addressing mammals by their first name unless overly familiar with them such as her friends and co-workers. Though this fox certainly is growing on me. And knowing my luck his wife will too. Internally she sighed.
"Okay, Nick. Well, Mrs-Judy, won't be doing any of the advanced training the other cadets have to go through. You don't need to worry about her facing any rhinos or grizzlies. I did arrange for her and myself to have some light sparring, just to see what she can do. And I'm sure she'll love the chance to say she fought with one of her favorite MMMA fighters." Catching his eye, she cocked her brow. "I am one of her favorites, right?"
"Oh you bet. You are her absolute favorite. She never misses one of your bouts when it's streamed. I swear she cost us more than a hundred and fifty bucks during the summer pay-per-view events. One time," he remembered fondly, "she was in the hospital overnight for a rather nasty case of strep and she made me bring her laptop from home so she wouldn't miss your championship bout against Corday last year. Never been told off by hospital workers due to a bunny shrieking 'hit her with a jab!' before so that was an experience."
The sound of high-pitched giggling brought him out of his trip down memory lane. Hearing the childish noise coming from one of the toughest mammals had him beaming. It was when she began laughing, eventually with it turning into a snort, that Nick couldn't help himself and joined in. Her laugh is so much like Carrots'. Hard to believe under that impressive physique and tough exterior she's just as much of a bunny as every other.
"Well. That certainly gives me some ammunition to use against her in our bout." For a moment Nick was worried what might happen when Judy found out he had told her idol one of her not so proudest moments, but he shrugged it off thinking it will be worth it.
"What else will she be doing? I want to know if I should have some ice packs ready and waiting along with a nice tall glass of carrot juice." Jade smiled at the sentiment. Judy had found herself a very caring mammal and she envied her. Being a celebrity, even one focused in a niche part of the sports world, meant she attracted a lot of undesirables. I wonder if Nick has a brother, she pondered.
"She'll be going along with the obstacle course and I have to tell you that won't be easy. There are a few pieces to the course that aren't designed with small mammals in mind. Even with as much training as I put myself through, I doubt I could handle the ice wall or the Rainforest simulator." Jade couldn't help but shudder as she remembered the last mammal she had seen flop down into the icy water. The wolf had been absolutely soaked, his teeth chattering so fast she thought they would break.
"You didn't have to take the exams or do the courses?"
"Nope. I'm a fighter, not a cop. I teach the advanced moves most officers need to learn, especially the SWAT teams. But I never actually entered the ZPA. They came to me in my second year in the MMA. I guess one of the higher ups decided my skills would be of some use to them. So for the last four years I've been helping to train the ZPD's best and brightest. To make the world a better place," she said beaming.
"My Carrots says that all the time. About making the world a better place. Is that a bunny thing or just you two?" he teased. Jade couldn't help but let out another giggle.
"Must be a J-name bunny thing." Picking up her suit, she stuffed it under her arm. "I'll be back Saturday morning. Make sure Judy is ready to go by five a.m. at the latest."
"Well I can tell her, but I ain't getting up that early so it's all on her. Although knowing my bun bun she won't be able to sleep Friday night at all." Stopping with her paw on the door handle, she turned back to the vulpine.
"I can personally guarantee that she'll sleep in until noon after a day training with me," she offered with a grin. "Have a good week, Nick."
"Is Jade coming by to get her suit?" Spooning out a bowl of vegetable medley, Judy set it down at her place on the kitchen table before turning back to the skillet. Blackening a few strips of chicken, she added it to the second bowl before placing it in front of her husband.
"Thanks, Carrots." The tod put away the newspaper he had been trying to read, though he was too distracted for it to sink in. After reading the first line for the twentieth time he decided just to call it quits. "Actually she came by while you were at school."
"Oh. That's nice." Though she managed to keep a smile on her lips while she took a bite of her dinner, Nick could tell she was disappointed. Missing a chance to meet their idol was never a fun thing to experience for anyone. And though he had promised himself he would keep the whole thing a surprise until later that week, he couldn't resist trying to cheer her up.
"Don't worry, Fluff. You're gonna see her again real soon. In fact, do I have a surprise for you..."
AN: So, this chapter marks the 50th chapter in the "What if...? Collaboration Project"! I can't believe it has already grown to this point and it has been such a hectic yet amazing experience to bring you these stories that all these writers and artists have worked on for your entertainment. This chapter marks roughly the 1/3 mark for the series, so there is still almost 100 more chapters of various, "What if...?" scenarios to go, including some adorable little balls of fluff coming up soon, so I hope you will stick around for all of them! :)