Moving Forward: Prelude to The Purge

by JoeyJoBobJunior

The officers in the ZPD are moving on with their lives, both figuratively and literally. Nick and Judy moved their family into a new apartment. The Wolford's are trying to move into a new home. Lionheart has moved from ex-mayor to the evil mastermind known as "The Big Cheese". Finally, Bogo is moving on with his life after a series of events turns it upside down.

3. Chapter 3: Objection!

Chapter 3: "Objection!"

A/N: When my computer crashed, I had to re-download Wordpad and I don't know what happened, but this version has no spellchecker or break for pages so I have to edit after uploading the document. Also, I have no idea how long the chapters are until I upload them. This chapter originally had a break where the judge went for recess, but when I originally uploaded it, I found out it was only 2,400 words (I like to keep it at just over 3,000), so I kept it's over 5,000! (What?! Five thousand?! LOL memes.) One of my biggest chapters. Oh well. More story for you I guess. So this chapter is basically a story within the story. Prepare for humor, drama, romance and heartache!...and a fairly long read.

Summary: Swinton has a discussion about Bogo with Mayor Trunk. Duke Weaselton and his workers arrive at the Clawhausers and Terry helps give them instructions. Auburn meets up with Bogo in divorce court while Tim and James Wolford take their seat and the case is underway.

9:15 am At the ZPD offices.

"Yes sir!" Swinton said with a smile. "It's former mayor Lionheart. He was the Big Cheese all along!"

She could hear mayor Trunk laughing his head off on the other end. "HA-HAAA! This is the best news ever! Now I'm a shoe-in! The only other one running is an independent sloth and his poll numbers are TERRIBLE! SAD!"

"You've got this in the bag sir. We'll be having a press conference and releasing the information at 12 noon."

"Why so late?"

"Chief Bogo has divorce court early today."

"I don't like 'dat. Having a chief of police going through a divorce makes the city look bad and that makes me look bad and I NEVER look bad! I am a perfect specimen! The people who I pay an incredible amount of money to tell me so, tell me so!"

"Speaking of Bogo sir, I think it's time we had a long talk about his future with the ZPD...and mine."

Meanwhile, at the Clawhauser's home...

Duke Weaselton was in Ben and Terry's bedroom taking notes as Terry watched.

"Rico! Get me 'da tall ladder! We may need 'ta buy an even bigger one. 'Dis is a giraffe apartment after all. Paco, get my measuring tape from out of 'da truck."

"Si Papi!" Paco said and ran off to the truck.

Duke looked back at Terry. "It's great having a son. He does everything I tell him to and I don't gotta pay him nothin'! Don't worry about staying too long tiger lady. We're gonna wrap up fer 'da day around five."

"Oh that's fine. Just make sure to lock up when you leave."

Duke was confused. "Whaddya mean? Yer gonna stay and watch us right?"

"No. I trust you. I'm taking my daughter to see her friends and I'm gonna help out Nick with his 'Preds for Peace' campaign."

"Wait...your trusting ME...a weasel...with your house?"

"Sure! Why wouldn't I?"

Duke's bottom lip started to tremble. "No...SNIFF!...No one's ever trusted me like 'dis before! I...I...BAAW-HAAW! THANK YOU!"

The weasel hugged Terry's leg tight and sobbed. Terry was a little worried. "Mr. Weaselton! Calm down! It's not that big a deal!

"Y-You don't understand! Everyone's looked at me like a lowlife scum my entire life! But you...you put yer faith in me where anyone else wouldn't! You're either a wonderful person or incredibly stupid! I ain't sure which, but I promise you...I PROMISE YOU! Not a thing of yours will be touched! Anyone of my guys touches yer stuff, they'll be fired or deported or both!"

"Relax Mr. Weaselton! I trust you because I know how important this job is to your company. You said yourself that you were gonna use this project to advertise the quality of your work right?"

"SNIFF! R-Right! But still...yer trust means a lot to me."

Rico came back. "Hey boss! If your done sobbing like a baby, we need to get these measurements."

"Shaddap Rico or I'll demote ya! Now let's get 'ta work boys! We gotta measure 'dis ceiling and check 'da floor plans so we get enough lumber. 'Den it's off to 'da Home Depot to pick up 'da lumber and maybe some extra workers. Let's go!"

Meanwhile, at the Zootopia court house...

Auburn was shaking Bogo's paw. "William! Great to see you again."

"Thank you Mrs. Wolford." Bogo replied. "I hope Tim isn't giving you too much trouble."

"Oh no. In fact, he and James came with me to cheer you on." She gestured towards the public seating where Tim and James were waving their paws.

"Hey Bogo!" Tim yelled. "Check it out! We got some kick-ass seats!"

Auburn was a little embarrassed. "I have to admit, I'm starting to regret it."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Bogo assured her.

"I just don't want anything to go wrong. Bogo, you deserve to see your son whenever you wish."

"Thank you Auburn." Bogo replied. They then saw the judge getting up to the bench.

Auburn gave a once-over to her clothes. "Well, time to get started." She nervously said.

A middle-aged lady leopard judge sat behind the bench as the bailiff shouted "All rise for the honorable judge Marilyn Meowian!"

Everybody stood up as the judge stood over her seat and looked at the papers. "Okay! Were looking at case #415 Bogo vs. Bogo. Correct?"

"Yes your honor." The bailiff replied. "Beatrice Bogo is looking for full custody of their son Barry along with half of Mr. Bogo's property. William Bogo is seeking shared custody of their son and his property."

The judge looked over at the two lawyers. "Lawyers, present your case. Mr. Velvet?"

James and Tim booed from the their seats which got a death glare from Auburn.

Beatrice's lawyer, a panther was up first. "Your honor, my client is a victim. A victim of a heartless buffalo who could not be bothered to be there for his family when they needed him the most. An uncaring, unloving, even violent man who couldn't wait for this divorce to be over before cheating on his wife with another woman! A woman who works directly under him. And I DO mean 'under'. Heh-heh! My client merely wishes for full custody of her son. I honestly don't understand why Mr. Bogo is working so hard to keep custody seeing as how he BARELY takes time to see him as it is."

"Mrs. Wolford?" The judge asked. "Your turn."

"Your honor the only reason my client hasn't had enough time to be with his family is that he is the chief of police for this entire city! A taxing job that takes up much of his time. To say he's unloving, uncaring or even violent is fraudulent! William Bogo has done everything he could to save his marriage including couple's counseling only a few months ago. Unlike Mrs. Bogo, my client does not seek to block his son from seeing his mother, only for the right to be able to visit him when he has the time. What's wrong with that? He is a loving father who is trying his best to find the time to support and be with his child while Mrs. Bogo just wants to block him out altogether for her own, selfish purposes."

"Do we have anyone to call to the stand?" The judge asked.

"Yes your honor." Auburn replied. "The court calls Francine Pennington to the stand."

Francine got up off her bench and approached the stand. She took the oath and sat down. Aurburn was the first to ask her questions.

"Miss Pennington. Is it true that you're in a relationship with Mr. Bogo?"

"Errrr...well, yes. We're dating."

" 'Dating?' ! I'd say it was a bit more than that! He IS living in your place, correct?"

"Y-Yes! On the couch until he finds a new place. I told him this morning he needs to get a new place soon."

"Has he ALWAYS slept on the couch?"

Francine was getting mad. "I...I don't see how that's importa-"

"Yes or no?!"

"SIGH! No! Twice he slept on my bed. We've had sex! There! Are you happy?!"

Wolford was confused and whispered to his son. "What 'da heck is she doin'?"

James replied "I think she's getting all the truth out that she knows is going to come out anyway to throw off the other lawyer."

"Ooooh! Smart cookie!"

Auburn kept harassing Francine. "So you had sex...TWICE with a married man. You DID know he was married correct?"

"Yes."

"When did you two start dating?"

"About four days ago."

"Four days ago?! Hmmmmm...but Bogo filed for divorce on...let me see my papers...September 14th. This proceeding was scheduled for today on...October the 11th."

"Objection." said Mr. Velvet. "I fail to see how this scheduling is relevant."

"If Mr. Velvet can wait, I can explain your honor."

"I agree." The judge replied. "Overruled."

Auburn continued. "Your honor, Mr. Bogo may have been a married man when he was dating Francine, but he was also WELL into his divorce by this time. They had counseling and it failed. The marriage was all but done outside of this proceeding. I would hardly call that cheating, would you?"

Mr. Velvet interrupted. "Your honor married is married."

Auburn interrupted. "But they were no longer in love for a long time. Let's not make this technical."

"Agreed" said the judge, "Are you finished Mrs. Wolford?"

"Yes your honor."

"You may proceed Mr. Velvet."

The panther nodded as he made his way over to Francine. " Miss Pennington, now that the truth is out about you and Mr. Bogo is out, I have some questions."

"Yes?" The elephant asked nervously.

"You DO know the fraternization at the workplace with your superior is a big no-no. Correct?"

"There are plenty of co-workers at the ZPD who are romantically involved."

"True. Like you and Mr. McHorn were just a DAY before you started dating Bogo?"

A gasp came over the courtroom. For a moment, there was silence. The only thing anyone could hear was Tim saying "Oooh snap!"

"TIM!" Aurburn yelled.

"Sorry babe."

Mr. Velvet addressed Pennington once more. "What a homewrecker! As soon as you two had a tiff, he moved in on you!"

"Objection!" Shouted Auburn. "It was well known in the ZPD that McHorn and Pennington were fighting off and on since their doomed relationship started. And their relationship was completely separate from Pennington and Bogo's."

Mr. Velvet interrupted. "You honor, Mr. Bogo's behavior is very relevant to this trial."

"Agreed." said the judge. "Objection overruled".

Mr. Velvet turned his attention once again to Pennington. "He knew you two had just broken up and yet, he went and courted you anyway."

Francine was getting mad. "Now hold up! I'M the one who advanced on Bogo! He didn't want to pursue a relationship with me so soon after me and McHorn broke up, but he was going from hotel to hotel and I offered him a place to stay for the night. And do you know what happened that first night? NOTHING! I was the one trying to seduce him. Not the other way around."

"Why?" Mr. Velvet asked.

"I don't know. I thought it was because...I was hurt and wanting comfort, but...I've always admired Bill for a long time. He's been such a strong leader. But lately, the stress of both his divorce and the spike in hate crimes along with this whole 'Big Cheese' thing was putting a ton of stress on him. I just...I wanted him to be happy. When I saw him smile, it...it just made my whole day."

What Penningtopn said warmed Bogo's heart. "...Francine."

"Also his bod. He puts the 'buff' in buffalo."

Mr. Velvet continued. "So you did it out of pity."

"I did it out of love for a man I have admired for a long time! We didn't even do anything the first night. He refused my advances!"

"For one night? Please, he knew full well what he was doing...and what did you get in return?...Demoted. Can't show favoritism for a subordinate your dating after all, so what better way than to demote you from patrol officer to receptionist. He gets a little hanky-panky and you get stuck with a desk job."

"Just a moment! I offered Bogo to take the job. It wasn't his idea."

"Regardless, it is against company policy. That is all the questions I have for you "

"Thank goodness!" Francine replied.

The judge looked over at Auburn. "Do you have any more questions to add Mrs. Wolford?"

"Just one." She replied. "Miss Pennington, do you feel that Mr. Bogo is a good, honest buffalo who would be safe around children and others?"

"Oh yes!" Francine replied. "I've known him for years. He's stern, but he treats his officers like family and cares deeply for each one of them. Despite all of the pressure put on him, he never snaps and has a strong moral backbone. That's why I admire him so much."

Mr. Velvet stood back up. " 'Never snaps' eh? Your honor, I'd like to present exhibit A. As you well know, in Zootopia all interrogation videos are made public as long as there is no sensitive information shown to keep the police honest. I'd like to show the video of Bogo's interrogation of Batrov, AKA 'Big Wings' taken on October 31st."

Bogo knew what was about to happen. "Oooh shit!" He quietly mumbled to himself.

Sure enough, Mr. Velvet played the tape. The entire courtroom saw Bogo locking the door with a chair, taking out the bullhorn and using it to scream in Batrov's sensitive ears. It was cold and brutal.

"Objection!" Auburn shouted. "This video is taken out of context and is irrelevant to this case!"

"Overruled!" The judge replied. "His temper is relevant to this case."

A wicked grin came off Mr. Velvet. He hit the jackpot. "Look at that! Cold, cruel, calculating. That wasn't even out of anger, it was premeditated! Mr. Batrov suffered tinnitus after that and it jarred his poor radar. Not only that, being forced to give out that information caused TWO assassination attempts on the poor bat. Is that not right Mr. Bogo?"

Bogo felt ashamed as he dipped his head down. "I'll admit, it was not my best moment. We were desperate for information and I panicked."

"That will be all your honor."

"Alright. We are going to take a ten minute recess so our lawyer can get ready for questioning Mrs. Bogo. Also, I gotta take a mean crap. I mean seriously, I've been holding it in for about half an hour now and I'm ready to give birth to this long, brown baby. I'm surprised I've been able to hold it in for this long but my sphincter has an iron grip. At least that's what my husband says."

"Objection your honor!" Auburn yelled, "That is WAY too much information."

"Sustained." The judge replied. "Now I better hurry before I put the 'stained' in sustained."

Everyone got up and left the courtroom. Some of them chatted in the outside hall while Wolford went to get some water for Auburn.

Bogo hugged Francine who was crying. "Thank you so much for all you did up there."

"SOB! Why are congratulating me? I was raked through the coals! I did HORRIBLE in there!"

"Francine you did your absolute best. And what you said about me, moved me very, very much. Look ummm...I know you want me out due to us only dating so recently but...I'd like to stay for a while longer."

"SNIFF!...Bogo."

"I...I can buy a bed for that extra room we don't use. And I'll pay more than my share of the rent."

"Bogo...I can't."

"PLEASE! Francine you...I have such a hard time at work and for the past few days the one thing...THE...ONE...THING...I look forward to is coming home to you. I love you."

Francine's heart melted. "Oh Bogo!" She knelt down and kissed him on the lips. "I love you too. But it's too much, too soon I need time and I need some space. I went into this too impulsively because I was so hurt. I want you to be with me but...I need to make sure I'm doing the right thing first. I'm not Terry Fangmeyer."

Bogo couldn't help but chuckle. "No. Nobody's as impulsive as her. Alright, alright. I'll back off. But when you're ready, I'm willing and able."

She smiled back at him. "Thank you."

Bogo then chatted with Auburn. "This is a disaster. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my son!"

"It'll be fine Bogo." Aurburn assured her. "Mr. Velvet did a number on us, but when I get your wife on the stand, I'm sure to find some chinks in her armor."

Auburn then turned to James and started to weep. "This is a disaster! I don't know what I'm gonna do!"

James gave her a hug. "Relax mom! You're doing fine. You got this."

A huge smile came across Auburn's muzzle as she wept and she hugged her cougar tightly. "Oh James! You called me 'mom'!"

"I did? Hunh. I swear, that was by accident."

She then kissed him on the cheek. "That makes it even better."

Tim arrived with the water. "Here's yer water honey! Yer doin' great in 'dere! I nevah knew 'dat courtroom stuff could be so excitin'!"

"Thank you. Tim?"

"Yeah babe?"

"Don't... #$%ing...EVER speak out loud in court again! You can get the entire case thrown out!"

"Sorry! I'm sorry Burnie. I got a bit carried away. By 'da way, I saw Betty back 'dere."

"Mrs. Bogo?"

"Yeah. I met her like, twice before when her and 'da chief were still gettin' along. Man, she got real fat since last I saw her! She wuz chattin' it up with her son and some bull. She wants 'ta wrap this up so she can get over 'ta...what's it called?... Grazing Mills for some appointment er somethin'."

The wheels turned in Auburn's head. "She's gotten fat? Grazing Mills? That's a dairy! That must mean...THAT'S IT!"

She grabbed her husband and kissed him hard on the muzlle. "MMMMMMM! I love you! I LOVE YOU!"

"Wow! Heh-heh! I must-a got some good dirt!"

She ran over to Bill Bogo. "Mr. Bogo? I got her!"

Bogo seemed pleased. "You do?"

"Yes. When we get back in, I'm going to grill her like swiss cheese!"

Bogo smiled. "Well I'm glad to hear. I was beginning to worry."

Moments later, everyone got back in their seats and the case continued. They called Beatrice Bogo to the stand and Auburn started to grill.

"Mrs. Bogo..."

"Not for long." she replied.

"Ha-Ha. No. Not for long. After all, we wouldn't want to reschedule your trip to Grazing Mills Dairy would we?"

"HOW DID YOU...no. No it's okay."

"Objection your honor!" Mr. Velvet shouted. "Mrs. Bogo's appointments have no bearing on this case!"

The judge looked over at Auburn. "Mrs. Wolford, you better make this VERY relevant VERY quick before I sustain his objection."

Mrs. Bogo glanced over. "May I have some water?"

"Of course." the judge replied. "Bailiff?"

The bailiff got some water and handed it to thew cow. She had it halfway down her throat when Auburn landed the boom.

"Your'e about 7 to 8 months pregnant, aren't you Mrs. Bogo?"

The cow spit her water out so hard that Auburn, Mr. Velvet and the people up front got doused. The courtroom was in an uproar until the judge banged on her gavel. "ORDER IN THE COURT! ORDER!"

Everyone settled down and Auburn continued. "You see, there's only two reasons to have an appointment at Grazing Mills dairy. Either you have a job or are applying for a job, OR...you are selling your milk. Here in Zootopia, we have the luxury of being able to chose from all kinds of mammal milk. Cow is the most popular, but some like goat, rabbit even wolf milk is pretty delicious as my son can attest to."

"I accidentally drank one jar!" James yelled which got some laughs.

"ORDER!" shouted the judge.

"Many mammals sell their milk. Hell, I'm only about two weeks pregnant and the stuff is POURING out of me! Look! Look at these bra pads!" She pulled out her bra pads. "They're doused! I'm making a fortune!"

Once again, she got some chuckles. "Of course, there's only two ways of producing breast milk. either you're taking hormone medications or you're pregnant and no offense Mrs. Bogo, but going by that gut of yours, I'd say it's the latter."

Mrs. Bogo was furious. "Why you...how DARE you?!"

"Answer the question Mrs. Bogo. Yes or no. Are you pregnant?"

Bogo was on the tip of his seat. "She...she couldn't be! That would mean..."

"N-No! No I'm not!" She replied.

A sour face came upon Aubrun. "Oh...I see." She then turned her attention to the Judge. "Your honor I wish to charge Mrs. Bogo with perjury."

"WHAT?!" Mrs. Bogo shouted.

"I could order a urine or blood sample from you right now and I would bet my job that you are over six months pregnant! Do you know the penalty for perjury Mrs. Bogo?"

"N-No."

"A HUGE fine and possible jail time. So let me ask you again and refresh your memory. Are you pregnant?"

Mrs. Bogo looked over at her lawyer. "Mr. Velvet help me! This isn't how we rehearsed it at all!"

Mr. Velvet slapped his forehead. "You...idiot!"

The judge was furious. "You rehearsed your client?! Mr. Velvet, I find you in contempt! I'll talk to you later!"

Auburn kept her attention on Beatrice. "Well Mrs. Bogo?"

The cow finally broke down. "YES! YES! I'm 8 months pregnant and that bull in the stands is the father! Are you happy?!"

Bogo was in tears and screaming. "YOU WHORE!"

Francine tried to pull him back. "Bill! Calm down!"

"We were in therapy and counseling for MONTHS! And that was just four months ago! I tried so hard to save this marriage and you were already pregnant with another man's child! You knew! You knew and you didn't care!"

Beatrice was unsympathetic. "Oh PLEASE Bill! I never wanted to go to counseling. That was your decision."

Bogo was still furious. "I spent so much time and money! Completely wasted because you already had another man! Why didn't you tell me?! You put me through emotional hell for nothing!"

"Not for nothing. I got a good laugh out of it behind your back."

The shock left from such a horrid reply left everyone's jaw dropped. Silence fell over the crowd. No one knew how to respond.

The judge was having none of this. "You want a good laugh Mrs. Bogo? I'm not only fining you for perjury and you're DAMN lucky you have a son staying with you or else you'd get jail time, but I'm rewarding Bogo joint custody of his son and you can forget half. He's getting ALL of his possessions back. You're heartlessness. Makes me sick. Verdict in favor of Mr. William Bogo! Now sign the papers and get the hell out of my courtroom!"

James and Tim cheered while Auburn hugged Francine (or at least, attempted as best she could considering the elephants size). She then turned her attention to Bogo. "We won Bill! I grilled her. Just as I said I would...Mr. Bogo?"

Bogo sat on his bench. Tears running down his cheeks. "I swear...I tried so...SO hard! And it was all a joke to her. I was so stupid."

Francine lifted his head and kissed him on the lips. "You are many things Billy, but stupid is not one of them. Now...sign those papers and go see your son."

Auburn went over and hugged her husband. "Oh Tim honey! This wouldn't have been possible if you hadn't eavesdropped."

"Thanks babe! I gotta admit, I'm glad I came! I always thought yer job was borin' but 'dis was a real claw-biter!"

Meanwhile, Bogo went outside to see his son, Robert. "Bobby! Can I talk to you for a moment son?"

Robert Bogo, a 15 year-old steer stopped to talk to his father. Thanks to his mother's influence, he was a punk with a nasty attitude. "What do you want?!"

"What I want is to be part of your life. I know I haven't been there as much as I'd like, but I was hoping to make up for it."

"You ruined my life! Now I have to stay in this stupid city!"

Bogo was confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Mom's boyfriend was gonna get me a college tuition in his home state and we were gonna move there. He's an awesome guy and is actually THERE for me! Not that you'd understand."

"Son. I have college money saved up for you. If you go out of state, I'll never see you again!"

"So? This court case proved what an abusive jerk you are."

"I snapped ONE time! I've never hit you in my life! Son, your mother is poisoning your impression of me to make me look bad."

"No she's not! You're never here for me! Mom is! Ferdinand is! You're forcing me to stay here just so you can selfishly come and visit once in a blue moon!"

"Ferdinand?"

"Did somebody call my name?" said the bull behind Bogo.

Bogo wanted to punch the bull, but decided to be polite. "Thank you for watching over my boy. I wish I had known about you these past few months rather than my EX wife torturing me."

"Well who else is gonna watch over him? You? Face it bro, You're time is up, my time is now! You can't see me!"

"I can see you plain as day waving your hoof in front of your face! Say aren't you from Fox? What are you doing in a Disney fanfic?"

"Didn't your hear? Disney bought Fox. I'm a Disney character now buffaloser!"

"...Whatever. Robert. What can he provide that I can't?"

"An actual male role model in my life! A college education! A chance to move to a good state where I'm not picked on or avoided because I'm the chief of police's son!"

Bogo didn't realize his career was hurting Robert so much. He did everything he could to provide for the boy, but couldn't be there often enough for emotional support. "SIGH! Robert...I'm sorry I couldn't always be there for you. I tried as hard as I could, but this damn job takes up all my ...If you feel you'll be happier with Betty and...Ferdinand here, I won't stop you from moving. All I ask is that I get to visit you from time to time. Like on your birthday and Christmas."

"Cool! I'll go tell mom the good news. Later dad!"

"Goodbye son! I love you!"

"Whatever."

The "Whatever" hurt Bogo deeply. He couldn't even get an "I love you" back from his own son. Bogo's head hung low in sadness. Ferdinand then patted him on the back. "Don't worry bro. I'll take good care of him. I never give up, never surrender!"

Bogo sneered at Ferdinand. "You damn well better take care of him. If anything happens to my son, I'll take the law into my own hands."

"Don't be so melodramatic dude!"

Bogo left Ferdinand and came back over to Francine.

She looked concerned for him. "Bill? Are you okay?"

He looked up at her. He could not hide the tears. "My son doesn't love me!"

Bogo broke down and sobbed into the elephant's chest. She cried with him and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh Billy! I'm so sorry! You know what? Screw what everyone else thinks! You can stay at my place as long as you'd like."

"I...SNIFF!...I don't want to be a burden."

"You're no burden! If being with me at the end of the day is what makes you happy, then I want you to be happy. William, this trial may have been tough for both of us, but one thing it made me realize is how much I love you. I thought I was just coming on to you because I felt hurt by McHorn, but now he's the furthest thing from my mind. Those things I said about you. I meant every word. Stay with me Bill. I love you."

Bogo wiped some tears away. "SNIFF! I love you too. But I'm still buying a separate bed. You rolled over and almost crushed me the other night."

They both laughed and cried in each other's arms. Auburn watched as Tim approached. "What's the matter babe? We should go out and celebrate. You won!"

Tears filled Auburn's eyes. "I won. But Mr. Bogo still lost."

Sadly, it wouldn't be the last time Bogo lost today in what would be the worst day of his life.