A/N: Is it unrealistic imagining Zootopia as a reclusive nation with no knowledge of the world outside?
Chapter 9: Zootopia Awakened: Exploring Beyond
Judy and Nick arrive at the precinct.
Judy has a DVD in hand ready to show Bogo. Judy enters Bogo's Office to brief him of her findings. Judy says, "I have this rather special DVD that shows what someone thinks is Avery. I also, think it might be fake because I don't know any location similar to what's shown here."
Bogo says, "Well, Hopps, the only way to find out is to actually see it. I'll call everyone that's not busy to watch it as well."
Nick says, "Be warned, it's rather different and shocking."
Bogo gathers everyone and prepares to watch the recording. It is four hours long. Everyone watches the recording. The verdict was that: it doesn't seem fake, but also doesn't seem to match any known location of Zootopia.
They decide to search every single stadium in Zootopia. The ones that have features like this, haven't held any events like the one depicted here. That's a dead end. Next lead is, the source of the recording. Bloodbath Network turns out to be a very obscure channel. They're able to trace the location to a physical address.
It was late, they decide to pursue the location tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning:
The entire police team surrounds what seems to be a normal residence. Judy and Nick knock and find a deer. The deer wearing a white shirt and white pants greets them warmly and asks, "How can I help you?"
Judy says, "What do you know about Bloodbath Network?"
The deer replies, "Oh, that's just a signal that I got while trying to intercept wireless communications. I was able to obtain the things on that channel from intercepting the signal. Seeing as, it wasn't being shown on any of the TV stations, I sold the signal as a channel. Is there anything else?"
Nick thinks this is preposterous, this deer has no idea what goes on that channel? Nick says, "Are you sure, you don't know what's going on?"
The deer is adamant and says. "You can search everything here, I'm telling the truth."
The deer's residence reveals a lot of technical equipment. Various computers performing various tasks. The computer responsible for transmitting the signal is still on. They can see everything that's usually displayed on Bloodbath Network.
The deer was right, he really wasn't hiding anything. The deer can't even trace the signal further. Our next course of action is to inform the public. Maybe, they will be of some use to us. We don't have any more leads ourselves.
We return to the precinct. Bogo says, "The best course of action is to set up a press conference and inform Zootopia. We will do this tomorrow. Judy, you will be speaking. Be prepared! Dismissed!"
Judy and Nick drive to Judy's apartment. Judy says, "So, what do you think of all this?"
Nick says, "Truthfully? I think it's probably a work of fiction, but it feels so real at the same time. Like something out of a movie."
Judy says, "Even if it's a movie, they'd have to film it somewhere. Nothing in Zootopia seems to fit that scene. Neither do the animals."
Nick says, "Come, let's rest. I'm sure everything will be solved after the press conference."
Judy and Nick sleep together in one bed and waited for morning.
In the morning:
Judy and Nick arrive at the precinct. Judy is ready for her press conference.
Judy says, "Good Morning, Zootopia. We have been able to make some progress in finding Avery. Right now, what we have is a recording of a place Avery might have been. It's rather strange. We don't know where this location is, we implore of the public to help us find it. The recording we managed to obtain is rather unsettling. This is bigger the nighthowler crisis. So, please Zootopia. Help us, help us find Avery and bring her home. The recording will be looping 24/7 on ZPN (Zootopia Police News)."
The press asks, "How is it, that the police can't find it?"
Judy says," The recording doesn't match any of the locations we know. Maybe, there's something we overlooked. We would like any information that can be useful in locating any of the animals shown in the recording. Not just Avery."
Judy and Nick have rest of the day off. They go and watch movies. Nick notes, "If our recording was actually a movie, would we be able to tell the difference?"
Judy says, "Of course, we would. We know how movies are made after all."
Nick says, "Maybe, the other shows on the channel would give us a clue."
Judy and Nick decide to visit the deer again. The deer goes to their apartment. He brings a few technical items. He's able to set up the channel for them. Now, they can watch Bloodbath Network at home.
Judy and Nick spend the entire day watching Bloodbath Network. Judy notes, "This doesn't seem like something from Zootopia at all. Have you ever seen anything like this?"
Nick says, "Never."
Judy says, "What if it's not from Zootopia? But from outside of it?"
Nick says, "The outside world? Hmm, I don't think there has been any inquires of what lies beyond."
Judy says, "Let's go explore ourselves tomorrow. What lies beyond anyway?"
Judy and Nick have decided on their plans for tomorrow. It's time to sleep again.
Judy likes Nick's embrace more and more, she thinks, "Maybe, this should be a permanent thing."
In the morning:
Judy and Nick decide to just drive out of Zootopia. They drove north. They dive on a road. The road goes on until it abruptly ends. Along the outer reaches of the road, they can make out ruins of old houses. It's clear that no one visited the outer reaches of the road in a long time. Further and further from Zootopia, the road is badly maintained until it just stops.
Judy says, "Maybe, we should head back?"
Nick says, "Let's keep driving, it doesn't look dangerous so far."
They arrive at what seems to be a badly maintained wall, one that you can't drive through that seemingly stretches on forever.
Judy says, "I don't think we can drive past this. Let's head back?"
Nick says, "Alright. Let's look at history books, maybe they can give us a clue."
They drive back to Zootopia. They note, there's been no help from the public. They decide to research the history of Zootopia. Nick notes, "Zootopia is the only thing on the map, and it's getting smaller and smaller."
Judy says, "You mean, NO ONE has ventured beyond Zootopia?" This is a shocking revelation. One does not often think about.
Judy decides to go to the precinct to question Bogo. Judy says, "We've been thinking, what if the recording wasn't from Zootopia, but from outside of it?"
Bogo looks shocked, it seems no one has ventured beyond. Bogo says, "So, if we assume the recording is from outside Zootopia. What do you want to do?"
Judy says, "A complete map would help. Maybe, we should explore?"
Bogo says, "This is beyond the ZPD's jurisdiction. We'll have to involve the ZIA. Come back tomorrow."
Judy and Nick go back to Judy's apartment. They watch more TV from Bloodbath Network. They are unable to find anything useful. The shows are generally brutal cartoons though. They spend the entire night together again.
Tomorrow morning, they show up to the precinct to meet Bogo. Bogo says, "This is Jack Savage, a renowned rabbit of the ZIA." Jack Savage is wearing a rather typical black agent uniform. He's rather short, a lot shorter than Judy. He's about the same size as Finnick. Jack says, "No one, has bothered to venture beyond Zootopia since ever. You believe, there's other animals out there?"
Judy says, "We have this recording, we believe the only logical conclusion is that it came from outside of Zootopia and not from within. I would like to seek help in searching where this place might be. Exploration is not my primary concern, finding Avery, or even just this location is."
Jack says, "Alright, we'll help with this issue. I've been told the contents of the DVD are rather disturbing. I'd like to see it for myself."
They all go to Judy's apartment. Jack watches the DVD. Jack says, "This doesn't seem like Zootopia or fake, where can it be? Zootopia hasn't explored beyond its borders for a few centuries, what would we find? I think the best way to handle this is to ask for public volunteers. You are popular, Judy. Zootopia should be happy to help you."
Judy says, "There's also these cartoons, on this channel. Would you be able to identify where they came from or who's making them?"
They watch the cartoons on the channel again. Jack notes, "This is definitely, not from Zootopia. We'll call a press conference with this amazing discovery, you're speaking yet again Judy."
Jack leaves.
Judy asks Nick, "Would you like to stay together with me, every night?"
Nick says, "Yes, I will, you dumb bunny, I have been waiting forever for you to ask that question."
Tomorrow morning:
They show up to the precinct again. Bogo sets up another press conference. Judy is prepared to speak again. Judy says, "Greetings Zootopia. We have come to the conclusion, we are not alone. There are other animals that live beyond our borders. We seek volunteers to venture beyond Zootopia's borders and report what can be found there. This is a call to action; another country has taken one of our own. Will we let this stand? Will you help us locate the place as seen on the recording? You can sign up by stopping at any local ZPD station. We'll give you more instructions from there."
ZPD has gotten flooded with requests of animals wanting to go out and explore. Jack Savage is the one in charge of organizing everyone. Jack picks sixteen animals. Jack sends four animals in each direction, north, east, west, south. They are to report back within a month or sooner. They've packed enough rations to last a month. They are also given tranquilizer guns to defend themselves if needed and some dynamite in case that wall did go on forever. No one knew what lay beyond. They all have cars and set off together towards the unknown exploring