The very next day, Nick was called into the Headmaster's office which caused worry among his friends thinking that Leo and Bogo finally found a way to expel him and the thought occur to Nick as well but he braced himself so he could try to talk his way out of it.

When he entered the office he could see the lion was busy with paperwork and didn't acknowledge the fox until Nick did a slight cough to get his attention.

"Ah, good, Mr. Wilde, please have a seat." he gestured at the chair in front of his desk.

Nick did as he was told and stared at the dean in uncertainty.

"At the request of Headmistress Bellwether, I've been instructed to give you an application to the independent study program from the University of Zootopia."

Nick tried not to smile as he thought excitedly, Alright, Carrots!

"However I must point out a few things regarding the application."

Nick's brow furrowed, "Such as?"

"While it's true you are a top student, but you're in the bottom percent. The program accepts students who are in the top ten percent of their class and you need a reference from me in order for them to look at the application."

"So I guess I won't be able to get in…" Sorry, Judy, we tried…

"Not necessarily." the lion stated.

The fox looked at him in confusion.

"I am willing to send in the application and reference but only if you make it into the Academy Games as one of its top ten students. Seems fairly reasonable, wouldn't you think?"

Nick gave no emotion, true he wasn't sure if he wanted to compete in the Games in the first place but now it seemed he had no choice. A part of him wanted to forget the whole thing but a bigger part of him didn't want to disappoint his girlfriend who was counting on him to apply. With a sigh, he told the headmaster.

"If you think that's what's best, sir, then who am I to argue?"

Lionheart gave a small smile, "Good mammal. Tell me, have you done much investigating on the vandalism?"

"We had a solid lead so far, but then it turned into a dead end. I'm afraid we're back to where we started."

"That's too bad. But perhaps it's for the best, you need to keep up with your studies if you wish to get into the Games."

Nick gave a small nod.

"You may go back to class now, and I will be keeping tabs on your progress."

Nick shrugged, "You're the principal." and left.

Gideon motioned, "Just so we get this straight, you're not in trouble?"

Nick shook his head, "No."

Ben asked, "Then why were you sent to the Headmaster's office?"

Nick sat down on his bed as he explained, "Carrots has been offered to apply for this independent study program and managed to pull some strings so I can apply too. But there's a catch."

Finnick rolled his eyes, "Isn't there always?"

Nick slightly smirked at that, "Lionheart wants me to make it into the top ten to compete in the Academy Games. Only then will he send in my application."

Finnick scowled, "Sounds a bit like blackmailing to me."

Nick replied, "It's not, only the top ten percent of a student's class can get into the program. Carrots' is already up there so she doesn't need to worry about getting in."

Ben gushed, "All this for your girl… That's so sweet!"

Fin stated, "Its official, we've lost him."

Gideon suggested, "You know, Valentine's Day is coming up, I can make you and Judy a heart shape cake."

"Make sure it's carrot cake." Nick smirked.

"You going to get her flowers and chocolates, too?" Ben asked.

"We'll see how much money I have. But if I don't have enough I may have to borrow from the rest of you."

Ben shook his head, "I wish you could, but I have to keep as much as I can to buy extra doughnuts in the morning. Not sure how long it's going to last though…" he frowned, "My dad's threatening to cut me off if I don't get my gym grade up."

Gideon asked in concern, "What happen?"

"Well, when report cards came during break, I found I had all B's and C's but I got a D in gym."

Nick and Fin exchanged looks knowing it was no mystery that the cheetah nearly failed given how out of shape he was.

Nick stepped up and put an arm around the stout cheetah, "Then we better make sure you don't get cut off." playfully punching him.

Ben's eyes widen in hope, "Can you really?"

Gideon and Fin nodded their heads.

"Okay, so… what do I have to do?"

"First off, you have to cut back on the doughnuts and any other extra goodies you pick out in the dining hall."

Ben's face dropped before proclaiming, "But I like eating doughnuts, it's part of who I am!"

Nick poked at the cheetah's belly, "But it's the doughnuts that are causing you to be out of shape right now and failing gym class. So until you start exercising and eating healthy you wouldn't be able to buy them for the rest of the year or the year after."

Ben looked down knowing the truth behind that.

Gideon patted his friend's back, "Hey, I'm not in the best of shape either but I keep trying to eat the right foods so I won't be so tired after just a simple run. We'll help you out."

Benjieiam eyed all his pals before he did a squeal and got them in a tight hug much to Finnick's displeasure, "You guys are the best!"

It was bright and early the next morning, Gideon had set his alarm to six am since that was the time he got up every morning to do a jog around the campus before breakfast, and he suggested that Ben joined him since last night they agreed they would help him get his gym grade up.

Gideon got dressed by putting on his academy hoodie and matching sweatpants then went to Clawhauser and shook him awake. The cheetah had a hard time getting out of bed but he finally emerged by dressing up in the same attire as the fox.

Ben inquired when looking at their sleeping roommates, "Should we ask them if they want to come?" he started going to Fin's bed and started reaching out to the fennec when a growl escaped from him.

"Touch me… and you die…"

Ben immediately backed away and went to the door where Gideon was.

The fox stated, "That's why you let sleeping dogs lie."

"But they're foxes."

Nick with his eyes still closed, muttered, "Same family."

Ben looked at Gideon for confirmation who nodded.

Once they were outside and started jogging, Ben started panting heavily.

"Can't… move… on…" he stopped and lied on the grass.

Gideon checked his cell phone clock, "We've been jogging for only ten minutes, Ben."

Ben gasped out, "Ten minutes too long!"

"Hey guys!" they heard a shout and looked up to see Judy wearing her own academy hoodie and sweats looking over the wall.

Gideon put on a smile and greeted her, "Hello, Judy, out for a jog as well?"

"Just finishing up, I've been up since five."

Clawhauser exclaimed, "That early? Why?"

"Force of habit. Growing up on a farm you get used to the idea of getting up early to start on the chores."

Gideon nodded, "I'm sure."

Judy inquired, "Are you alright, Ben? You seem a little out of it."

Ben motioned, "I'll be fine. I just need to catch my breath."

Gideon pointed, "We're trying to help him get in better shape so he can raise his gym grade up."

"That's very sweet, Gid." Judy beamed.

"It's going to take some time though, as long as we can get him to exercise a little each day and help him eat the right foods, we'll make it."

"Might I make some suggestions?"

"Sure."

She said directly to Ben, "Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Drink juice and water. And keep jogging with Gideon."

"Is that how you stay so great in shape?" the cheetah asked.

"Pretty much."

Gideon said, "Thanks Judy, we'll keep your suggestions and hopefully it will help."

"No problem. Oh, when you see Nick tell him I wish him luck in his studies, I hope he makes it to the top ten."

Ben questioned, "How did you know about that?"

"My headmistress told me after what Lionheart told her. And as a top student I was already automatically qualified for the Games so my headmistress is already keeping track of the students that will likely make it into the Games including the students from All-Boys'."

Gideon commented, "Wow, sounds like your headmistress takes these games seriously."

"I don't know all the details but I think it has to do with the rivalry with Menagerie Prep."

"Yeah, it's weird, but our headmaster seems to enjoy it whenever we beat Menagerie Prep at something." Ben said.

Gideon gestured, "Well, they are their biggest competition in major school events."

Ben added, "They do anything to beat us."

"But they never have as gone as far as cheating." said Judy, "You got to give them that."

Gideon checked his clock again, "We better get back to jogging, but it was great seeing you Judy."

Clawhauser smirked, "Yeah, sorry Nick wasn't up to see you but he and Finnick love staying in their beds."

Judy giggled, "I figured as much, I know foxes have more of a nocturnal state of mind but I am a bit surprised to see you up this early, Gid."

"Well… actually like you I briefly lived on a farm when I was younger before my family and I moved here to the city. But some things never change." he shrugged sheepishly.

She giggled again before saying her goodbyes and left.

She started to go into her dorm when suddenly she bumped into Dawn who was going on her way out.

"Dawn! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you like that."

The sheep glanced at her in silence before giving a sigh. "It's okay… I forgot you sometimes get up early to do a run. And… I want to apologize to you…"

The bunny's widen and hoped that maybe this was it of them rekindling their friendship!

"It's not your fault that my mom has to put her students before me… She told me why that was and… I'm inclined to agree. I rather be celebrated as a student then as the headmistress's daughter. She told me how you insisted that I be offered to apply for the program."

Judy started smiling but it sagged the moment Dawn said.

"But I turned it down."

Judy's brow furrowed, "Why?"

"Because I want mammals to really believe I deserved something without making it seem my mother helped me."

Judy smiled, "I respect that. You're right, you should be proud of something you earned without mammals thinking otherwise." then her eyes lit up, "And I think I know how you can do that! The Academy Games! You compete in them as one of the team and if we win because of you…"

Dawn's eyes widen in revelation, "Judy, yes, it's brilliant! My mother would in no way be able to have sway in the Academy Games since the school administration are the ones that provide the judges! If I win an event for my teammates it purely would have been by myself and with no one else's help!" she started crying tears of joy. "Finally… this is my chance to prove myself…"

"It sure is…" Judy found herself crying in joy, too.

The two friends hugged having felt the fight had never happen in the first place.

Dawn then frowned, "But it won't be easy, this year we're going against Menagerie Prep. We're going to have to work harder than ever to work sure they don't win."

"Too bad we don't know what the events are ahead of time."

"But… we could check out the competition and see how much we need to brace ourselves."

Judy gave an unsure look, "But isn't that spying?"

"Maybe a little." Dawn admitted before putting on a smile, "But hardly anyone's going to notice us, we are after all some of the smallest mammals in the entire school. We just sneak in and out. It's that simple."

"Well…" Judy rubbed her chin in thought, "so long as we don't get caught…"

"And we won't. So how about we go over there this weekend?"

"Alright." they shook on it.

Judy smiled again, "You don't know how great it feels to be friends again."

Dawn smiled back, "I do actually. It was pretty lonely without you. I was able to talk to Fru and Giselle but it really wasn't the same without you."

The bunny's smile further widened, before turning to their dorm room, "I need a shower, I'll meet you downstairs." She turned the doorknob only for Giselle and Fru-who was on Giselle's shoulder-fell forward from the door. That told Judy and Dawn they had been listening in on their conversation. All four of the girls stared at one another before they broke down in laughter.

AN: It just occurred to me that I don't have a good band name for the boys, so if you have any ideas let me know!