*POV Nick
Judy is currently taking her usual extensive morning shower so I'm in charge of fixing breakfast for us three. Jack is still in his room checking his backpack for the umpteenth time. God time sure flies by quickly, he's already 6 and starting to go to school from today onwards.
The last years were the best I ever had, meeting Judy that fated day in that ice cream parlour will always stay my personal miracle. Well second to her actually giving birth to our son. The Doctors told us that our chances for a kid are really low due to being two so different mammals, so when Judy got pregnant not even half a year later we both couldn't believe it. But due to the low chance it turned out to be only one kid in comparison to the bunny usual 10 or so. And actually I'm glad cause I definitely couldn't handle two or more like Jack.
He was always a very quite baby, at least until he started speaking. His favourite words next to "Mama" and "Papa" quickly became "Book" and "Why?". We had to read him about every book in the house and explain seemingly random things in those. And we couldn't trick him with reading some book twice or rather read one of the picture story's he already knew. He's just like his mother in that regard … stubborn beyond reasoning.
Him starting to walk didn't help either. As soon as he got rid of wobble in his walking using his tail for balance he was almost not tameable. His speed and agility were increasing so fast that by the time he was 2 years old I had no chance of actually catching him and even Judy had to put in serious effort. At least he always stopped and listened to us when he noticed that the situation started to get serious so we never really had to yell at him. Except when he knows were off to visit Judy's parents at their Farm, I think he remembers Judy flipping out when he disappeared as a baby and I don't blame him I almost thought someone darted her with Nighthaulers at the time.
Jack also started to make friends at the daycare. We were really worried cause he always seemed to play alone but those lynx twins dragged him into their group about a year after he joined the daycare. But somehow they quickly decided that Jack should be leader and followed him around everywhere like a duck family. It was always a strange picture to behold no matter where they went.
But they never started any trouble so me and Judy were just happy that he finally made some friends.
Every Parent probably thinks of their Child as something special but believe me Jack IS special.
I would often find him sitting in our home office with some book happily turning page after page.
At first me and Judy didn't think much of it, just a little kit skipping through pages looking for pictures and imitating his parents. But the more we watched him, especially when he thought no one was around, the more we noticed he is not just randomly looking around the pages. Shortly before his 3rd birthday we decided to actually ask him if he can understand what he sees on the pages. His face at the time turned into a frown making his face look like he was asked an stupid question and replied "Yes why?"
Of course we tested him and he quickly proofed he could. We asked our Friends and Judy's parents if they have ever heard something like that but the reactions were always the same. They all though he's just looking at the pictures and imitating us. As we didn't tell them too much we just left it on that note. After we had a lengthy discussion about it we decided to keep a low profile about it to not give prejudiced mammals more reason to call him a monster. But we also agreed that we would support his talent for reading so on his birthday we took him to the Library that Mr. Manchas Father owned on the other end of the market district that is across the park to get him a Membership Card. Judging by his face when he got his card it was the best present we could get gift him.
From that day he kept dragging one of us to the Library to rent new books and return the old on regular basis. At first the Store owners around gave us weird glances when we passed by and every time they did Jack ran up to them and started talking to them happily about whatever came to his mind. Slowly the whole market district knew Jack and every store we pass would friendly greet us when we passed. By the time he was 4 and allowed to make the trip to the Library alone he was practically the Mascot of the district! Each and very Store owner and worker would always cheerfully greet him, give him some sweets or vegetables for free.
At some point on one of these trips an specist lion started to harass him for being a hybrid but before he could even finish his second sentence he was chased out of the district by an angry mob consisting out of the Store owners nearby. After that I decided to follow Jack a bit just to be sure nothing happens to him in case that lion wants revenge. But nothing happened, I followed him through the marked and back and nothing strange happened except that he was very quick considering how long his trips usually take. I found out that he always makes a stop in a deserted part of the Park near the Stature of a Moose. There I saw him doing some running and later he started doing some weird movement training. It looked like he was practising some dance or martial art but I've never seen anything like it before. He probably picket it up in one of his books so I just leave him be.
In general the prejudice against us has drastically decreased. Some say that the times are simply changing but I want to believe that we and especially Jack are changing how the world looks on interspecies relationships. Judy is the one that profited the most though. The constant critique and prejudice aimed at us always hit her hard, she was especially feeling guilty for exposing Jack to a life like that. Now that a lot of those feelings are lifted off her shoulders she started being the always positive Bunny I fell in love with again.
Jack finally comes downstairs with his backpack. Judy already joined me in the kitchen minutes ago.
"Hey Brains are you ready for your first school day?"
"Dad please stop calling me that!" he replies with that slightly helpless face that is rare to get out of him.
"Sure Kiddo but you didn't answer my question"
"Yes Dad, I got my Books, my Pens, my Phone and only have to grab my lunch pack that you're currently trying to hide behind your back to get the blueberry's in it" he grins slyly at me.
"Nick!" the love of my life shocked turns to me.
"Tch, snitch" I say through my teeth looking at my son.
He runs up to me and snatches his Food, sticks out his tongue in a moment where Judy cant see it and then sits down to eat his breakfast.
'He really learns too fast and knows how to play me against his mother'
*POV Jack
We are driving up to the Zootopia Elementary School. When I look out of the window I can see a variety of young mammals with their school bags walking into the impressively big school building. I let out a heavy sigh thinking that I have to now spend half the day listen to some old mammal teaching things I already know and that for the next 10 years!
"I know that you know most of what they will teach you already Jackie but see it as chance to make new friends and maybe you find that there are some things you haven't read about that they teach. My Mom says having picked up the sigh I let out.
"Yeah Mom I'll give it my best!" I reply to her putting on an enthusiastic smile.
"Now go and have fun and remember your Dad an I are home early today and want to go out eating so don't run late. Love you" she gives me a kiss on the forehead.
I get out of the car and fix my bag "Love you two too! Cya later." and run towards the School.
The school has the layout of a typical school you would always see in high school flicks. It's not like I mind that but on my way to the classroom a lot of "these" glances are directed at me.
'Oh boy I wont have a boring school life it seems but they will see I'm not someone they can bully. Muhahaha!'
"You have that creepy grin like you want to hang someone upside down on a tree again Jack" I hear a disappointed voice next to me say.
I turn to the white Fox next to me "Come on Lili that's not the way to say hi to your childhood friend. And it was never proven that I tied that wolf to the tree, I mean how could the weak 4 year old I manage something like that?"
"Whatever you say, lets hurry up a bit, you're in Class 1-14c as well right?" she says happily while dragging me along.
When we arrive at the Classroom the Lynx twins and Alice are already there. And like I asked they secured me the seat in the back on the window. I wanted to have a seat where I can just blend out what is said and read or think while looking out of the Window. I just hope we don't get assigned a seat later today.
Slowly the room fills with children. Tina arrives 5 minutes before the class starts totally exhausted, she must overslept again. Lucky for her we already secured her a seat next to Alice. Not like the other kids were very eager to sit next to her with her being a Cacoon. At least we all got into the same Class so I can watch out that nothing happens to them. Steven the Otter moved with his Family into the Tri-Burrows 3 years ago so the others don't even remember him I think.
"You murdered.." "your. Alarm clock again.." ""right Tin-Tin?"" the two twins say. They developed the nasty habit to finish each others sentences. Actually it goes beyond that, they're like two body's and one mind, its really creepy. The only time they break that habit is when Richard either needs to protect his sister or one of us.
"Hiiii! Don't talk like that its sooo creepy! And it wasn't my fault it fell down on its own during the night." The young Ligress said.
After a bit more back and forth between all of them the Teacher finally showed up. A female grey wolf in her late 40s entered. She has an respectable aura around her that causes the other children to stop talking as soon as they noticed her.
I start to grin slightly 'Seems like I got myself an interesting Homeroom teacher'
"Hello Kids my name is Mrs. Okami and I will be your Homeroom Teach for the next 4 Years, I will also teach History, Math and English in your Class, I hope we will get along. Any Questions?"
The next minutes are filled with all kinds of childish questions like "What's your favourite colour"
I blend out the noise and look out of the window. After a while I notice that the kids in the second row start to introduce themselves, I guess our teacher started that. Judging by the order we go for I will be the last to introduce myself.
A bit later its Tina's turn in my row "Hi my Name is Tina, I'm a Ligress and I like playing outside with my friends, watching Adventure Star and sleeping" I giggle a bit at the last part as she has shown over the last years that she can sleep under all circumstances.
My gaze scans the room and locks on a bear in the second row that looks at Tina with a mixture of hatred and disgust. 'Found the first candidate for the tree' I smirk to myself. His face doesn't get any better when Alice or Lili introduced themselves so its my turn now.
"My name is Jack Wilde I'm a Funny and I like quite places and reading books." I shift my gaze looking directly at the bear "Also just to get it out of the way. I will not tolerate ANYONE who wants to bully my Friends for being different. Those who try will find out that I'm not that "Funny"" I finish my introduction and sit down continuing to look out of the window.
"O-Okay thank you all for those great introductions. But to follow up on what Jack said I will not tolerate any prejudice in my Classroom or on the school ground in general for that matter. Should I hear about something like that happen here then the ones involved will have a month of daily extra homework in all my Subjects and cleaning duty for that time." The Wolf said with a stern voice.
With a happy face I continue to look out of the window blocking the voices out again. And just like that the schoolday goes on. During the rest of the day we get introduced to the school rules, some general information to the Class Subjects and the rest of the Teachers that will teach us.
There is Mr. Kern an old Goat that teaches Art and Music. And a young female Doe in her 20s named Ms. Deerten, she will teach science and social study's. And so the day came to an end without me noticing.
"Hey Jack! Wake up, its time to go home" the chirpy voice that I knew belongs to Alice told me.
"Oh! Yeah coming!" I reply quickly stuffing my things in my bag.
"Wanna come with us? School ended early today because its the first day so we're going to Rachel and Rich to play today." Tina asks me.
"I can't I promised my Parents to be home early today. We want to go out for dinner. Sorry"
The faces of all of them drop as they really enjoy dragging me around. "Oh okay see you tomorrow then." The cute white fox reply's.
"I promise I play next time. Also if you guys start smiling again I might teach you one of my "Special Moves" again.
The moment I say that their faces light up. "REALLY? Promise?"
I started teaching them some minor self defence in case some bully approaches them while I'm not around. Of course the first thing I teached them is common sense, run and search for help before the situation gets to where you need to defend yourself.
"Yeah I promise but I have to go now so cya guys tomorrow. Take care." I tell them while starting to run home. The Zootopia central School district is continently placed near the market district I spent most of the last years in. So I start running through the Streets full with markets and stores towards the park.
"Hey Jack how was your first day at school? Want to take some carrots with you for your Mom?" one of the Store owners shouts.
"No thanks Ms. Hampten we're eating out today! And school was okay, have a good day!" I shout back while speeding past his Store.
"Jackie telly your mother I'll get the fish your dad likes so much tomorrow and ill put some away for her" The old wife of the grumpy Pig Fishmonger shouts when she sees me.
"Will do Mrs. Bachton thank you like always!" I reply while running past her Stand.
Along the way though the market similar conversations keep happening. Over the years I turned into something like a mascot for the people here. Most of them treat me like their own son and I see them as part of my Family. Its big enough already due to my mothers side so a couple hundred people more don't make a difference.
After arriving at the park I take a look at my watch and see that I have at least 1 hour to spare due to school ending early so make my way to my usual training ground near the Stature of Henry Carthan. Its a bit sad that his Stature is sitting in such a remote location.
I started training here as soon as I was allowed to leave the house alone. Since then I trained my body in every martial art I can remember. But it turned out that the body of a Bunny Fox hybrid is very different from a human so I had to change a lot of things and ended up melding all the usable parts in one new martial art.
My new body allows me to perform moves that would be absolutely impossible for any human. After warm up I decided to train my armed combat. I pick up a short metal rod I found years ago and start going through different stances and movements.
"Look Look who we have here. The Funny Monster is dancing alone in the park. Lets see if you are still so confident with no Teacher protecting you" a raspy voice speaks, ripping me out of my concentration.
I look towards the voice and see the bear from my class accompanied by another bear and a weasel. I start smirking 'Well hanging out it is'
"What is there to laugh about?!" The bear shouts.
My grin grows while I take a step towards them. "I didn't expect any guest here and have an appointment soon so how about you hang out with old Carthan here instead?"
…
…
…
I walk out of the Park whistling my favourite song from my old world "Highway to Hell" while walking home. After a couple of minutes I arrive in front of my house. Suddenly the Door slams open and my Dad storms out looking very angry "I thought I can trust you! I told you that I don't want to have anything to do with my old life!" he shouts while walking past me not even noticing me. He gets in his car and drives off.
Shocked by what just happened I start walking in the house. I find my Mother sitting in the Kitchen still in police uniform looking down at the table ready to start crying. I approach her and put a hand on her back and ask "Mom what happened?"
She looks at me with a frown and says "Sorry Jackie the dinner is cancelled because your Father is an stupid egoistic, stubborn stupid Fox!"
'Oh great she called him stupid twice, what did he do this time. '
Chapter 4 turned out to be longer than i thought so i had to cut it there. Well next chapter will be something i've hinted at a couple of times already. Stay tunes. And as always i would appreciate feedback.