"It is very difficult to deal with loss. As living beings, we all have to deal with such things. Animals die, that's how it is. It is life's inevitability. But, the moments, the memories you shared with them, are just as important as the ending of their life. You cannot let your thoughts dwell on the loss of another. Instead, recognize the amazing moments you two have shared. They are just as important. Cherish the laughs, the playfulness, even their minor quirks that annoy you. Their memory is just as important as how they left your life, if not more so." (Of course, you could also fight like hell to make sure that they survive whatever they are going through. It may not change what happens to them, but it shows just how much you care.)

Judy sat motionless as her mother's lecture about death echoed in her mind. In her life, she had dealt with plenty of loss. It came with being a rabbit. Her family had a huge amount of members, and, of course, that meant that a huge number of them died monthly. She had lost so many family members that she had already lost count. That doesn't mean it is easy, though. All it means is that she had learned how to deal with it.

After so many deaths, she had found that her mother's words held a lot of truth to them. Cherish the moments you spent with them and always remember them for who they were. Live in fondness of those memories. Don't let their death get to you. You'll see them again. It became easier for her to deal with death.

None of that prepared her for the possible loss of her best friend. This was one of the few things that she could not deal with, considering all they've went through together.

The bunny had begun to rely on her partner. They spent just about every second together, doing everything with the other as if they were one single body. It was rare for them to be apart.

She remembered when they finally moved in together. With their combined income, they could share a much larger house that fit both of them better than their previous homes. To them, it was perfect. As best friends, it wasn't awkward, weird, or uncomfortable. Instead, it was relieving. Calming. Their lives had became one and it felt natural, like they were meant for each other. Neither of them dared to say that to the other, though. They were content enough, for a while, to just enjoy the time they spent in their new home together. Movies were watched, stories were shared, jokes and puns were made, games were played, and happiness never left them. It was a form of permanent ecstasy.

Perhaps this led to her to attempting to confess her real feelings for Nick. Deep inside her heart, they were there ever since they solved the case that almost tore Zootopia apart. She just never realized it. Instead, she thought it was just because they were best friends.

Then came jealousy, an early sign of one's special affections for another. Michele, a young wolf that just so happened to be the daughter of Nick's Instructor at the Academy, became an officer around the same time he did. They knew it other very well. One day, she asked him to go to a FurBucks with her after work. Judy… she followed them.

She saw the way Michele moved. The way her azure eyes watched the fox across from her as they talked together. The way she would look away every time Nick's eyes tried to meet hers. It was obvious.

Jealousy then turned to anger and poor decision-making. Judy, from her little hiding place, got up and joined them. Thankfully, Nick was happy to see her. He even moved over for Judy to sit next to him.

Michele was visibly startled, even angry, but quickly composed herself. The three then had a pleasant night. It was odd. Judy was there to stop her from stealing her fox's affections, but instead, she became friends with that charming wolf.

It wasn't until a week later that she realized her actions had the desired result. Michele confronted her after work and told her how obvious her love for Nick was, but how it was simply amazing. It seemed that Michele had seen how cute they were together. She even noted how perfect they seemed for each other and promised to back off as long as she could be there at their wedding. The rabbit happily obliged. Judy had finally realized how she felt.

Still, it took Judy months for her to work up the courage to ask Nick out. The day she finally did feel ready to say it… also happened to be day of the shooting. Now, there may not even be a wedding. It all hinged on Nick living or dying, and if he felt the same for Judy. It was torture, mentally.

The waiting room was visibly full. Many of Nick's friends and his mother had arrived shortly after Judy did. Even the buffalo himself, Chief Bogo, made an appearance. Turns out he actually did care under all of that muscle and anger.

Being Nick's closest mammals, it seemed fitting when they shared some of the best moments they had with that fox. It lifted the mood and kept their thoughts hopeful. Story after story was told. Soon, they almost forgot they were at a hospital. That Nick was fighting for his life and that they could do nothing to help.

Though, there were some heart-wrenching stories. This became apparent when his mother, Amber, recalled her favorite thing about her son. "He was always a daddy's boy," began Amber. "Heh, when my husband was still alive, little Nicky would spend every second with him. He looked up to him as a hero." She stopped and looked down at her paws, suddenly regretting starting this story. All eyes were on her. "Nicky.." she started again, "loved his father very much. He wanted to be just like him; a writer. Today, I still see my husband in Nick's eyes. He has that same smile, that same laugh, and that same endearing, yet sarcastic, personality." She then looked towards Judy. "My husband was a good mammal. Everyday, he strived to make the world a better place. In his novels, he would tell stories of charity, kindness, and love. It was all to cheer others up and to show them that the world can be a good place. Nicky, he is just like his father… just, instead of helping people with writing… he helps by being in the police force. He always wanted to help… and, with your help, he now can. You brought out the best of him… something he lost once society threw him under."

"May I read one of your husbands books, Mrs. Wilde?" Judy asked while walking up to Amber. She put an arm around her, knowing the pain she was feeling.

"Only if you call me Amber… you're his best friend, Judy. You and I can do better than calling each other by that." She smiled sweetly, her eyes showing an enormous amount of care for this little rabbit.

"Sure, Amber. Thank you,"

"No, thank you for helping my son. He really is a great fox on the inside… it just took a little bunny to bring it out of him when everyone else always thought the worst of him." The old fox embraced the bunny.

Judy knew of how horrible it was for Nick. He did what he did only because he had no other choice. He hated it, but it was all society would allow him to do. Eventually, it did change him, somewhat. This experience had buried his old self under tons of grief and hardship. Judy happened to be the only one capable of reaching under the sadness and pull the real Nick out from under the hole he was buried under. His façade dissipated and he transformed into the fox he was all those years ago, and that very fox was the one she just so happened to be madly in love with.

She just hoped she could see that same fox again.

Finally, after three hours, the doctor came into the room that was flooded with people who knew Nick. "Good evening everyone. I have some good news." The pig's muzzle lit up with a smile when he saw everyone in the room suddenly get very excited and anxious. "Nick went through a lot today, but, it would seem that he is a lot tougher than he looks. He suffered no brain injury, not even a concussion, but he lost a great amount of blood due to internal bleeding and the obvious cuts from the outside. It was very difficult to re-stabilize him. We thought we lost him a few times… but he is stable now. He will make a full recovery. His body just needs time to replenish the blood he lost and to heal."

Upon hearing this, the entire room erupted with cheers and applause. Nick was going to be okay… everything will be alright. Tears were shed and hugs were shared. Life wasn't as cruel as it seemed. Even the doctor was feeling amazing. All in a good day's work.

"Now… he will be under for at least a couple days, I believe. That crash still did a huge number on him. Good day, everyone."

Judy was ecstatic, running around and hugging everyone in the room. The waiting game was finally over. Well, more or less. It would still be a while until he woke up. Though, waiting for this would be a lot easier. Things were happy again.

That doesn't mean that everything is good. The electronics store shooting had a lot more going on behind the scenes than anyone ever realized. Behind every city, there always is a hate brewing, threatening to erupt and tear apart everything that city had ever known. This was that hate showing its ugly face amidst the crowds of Zootopia. It would continue to show up in the months that followed.

The store was just the first step in their plan. A failed first step, but it taught them a few more things that will aid them in achieving a future without predators. All they had to do was set the right pieces in motion, take out the right things, and watch as the predator population crumbles as hatred is reignited within the hearts of the defenseless prey that live within the supposed city of predator and prey harmony. Bellwether would see it through until the bitter end. Her story is not over, and her plan is still active. Nick and Judy may have solved the Nighthowler Case, but it reality, they only temporarily hindered Bellwether's progress towards her goal.