Like that cliffhanger? well I think it was hanging on... like.. what? two fingers from a rotted tree root? haha.

Now then, here is the follow up to that. I hope you all like, love, and hyperventilate over this... because it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Fav, follow, and enjoy. (now excuse me while i take a well needed nap on a blanket made of fruit roll-up.)

Oh and check for all the Disney references.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Zootopia... just the story here. XD

The grey rabbit ran.

She should have had more to think on at the moment but she felt that weighing down her mind with the burden of everything she wished she could allow her mind to worry over might actually cause that burden to slow her down.

Faster than she ever even tried to run before, her feet were a blur on the road, desperate to catch up to the Lord's carriage. He couldn't have gotten far. But even so, what could he do in that moment. He had personally dropped them off with only himself and his entourage of tigers.

Everything felt more hopeless at that point with how dark it was. Damn her rabbit eyes. She couldn't see much further than a few dozen feet in front of her on the road.

Her breathing became ragged and strained as her legs were pushed further than she was used to. She never ran so hard or long before. She couldn't stop though. She couldn't give up, couldn't give in.

Judith tripped over a rock on the road and rolled to a painful stop. She was able to protect the book, getting up to catch her breath. Her foot twinged in pain as she put pressure on it, but she forced herself up. This wouldn't be the end for him. She wouldn't be the end for him. This was her mistake.

Standing as straight as she could, the rabbit scanned the outward. She searched for anything. A shape, a light, a single shred of hope that could help her save Nicholas from his fate, whatever it might be.

Tears made their way to her eyes as she felt the hopeless feeling sinking into her soul. She wiped a paw over her face and tried to blink away new tears.

In the distance, a flicker caught her attention… a glimmer that shook and swayed. She could only hope it was a lantern on a carriage.

Ignoring the pain as best she could, Judith took off with renewed vigor towards the source of her glimmering hope.

00000000

Lord Bogo sighed to himself, lamenting the dim night that settled over the land.

Phillippe looked him over with a concerned stare. Meeko was sitting next to him. Both mammals had followed his carriage for safety reasons when Bogo dropped off the two mammals. It wasn't too strange for them to hitch a ride back, now that the seats were free.

"Something wrong?" the equine asked with a wave of his hoof.

"I'm worried I rushed my decision to have them try creating a distraction for us," the buffalo replied. "Rouge… Nicholas… Silence?... was probably right. It would be extremely difficult for two mammals to distract a family as large as that."

"If what you said about that fox is true," started Meeko, slumping into a lazy position on the seat, "then I don't see a reason to worry over him and his skills."

Bogo shifted and grunted ambiguously, saying, "I guess."

The horse chuckled a bit and remarked, "You are usually never so shaken in your resolve, even from the story I hear about your declaration of love to your wife back when…"

"Enough of that," the buffalo curtly cut off. Phillippe's ears perked up, his face becoming still.

"What?" Bogo inquired, wondering if he shouted that louder than he meant to.

"Shh!" the horse hissed. The buffalo complied begrudgingly and listened as well. Meeko perked up as well and tried to figure out what was going on. "Stop the carriage! NOW!"

To get his point across, the equine thumped his hoof on the hood and the tigers all stopped.

Phillippe got out and look every which way.

"Meeko," he called, "you have the night vision here." The raccoon poked his head out of the inside of the carriage and looked around, following the now extended hoof of Phillippe, pointing back the way they came.

"It's Judy!" he exclaimed, rushing down the road in a rare moment of energy for him.

Now that she was getting closer, everyone else could hear her strained yells and pleas for them to stop. She didn't have good night vision and wasn't sure if the entourage stopped, so she kept trying to hail them.

Meeko darted from the darkness and rushed up Judith, who was so relieved to see a friendly soul that she collapsed. The raccoon was caught off guard but easily supported the rabbit as she fell. It looked to him like she had fallen already and got herself scuffed up.

"What's wrong?" he quickly asked, hoping she had enough breath left to say what needed to be said.

"Nick," Judith gasped, taking a heaving breath. "Nicholas is going to be killed."

"What happened?" Bogo interjected, having heard what he needed to.

The rabbit gulped and tried to explain in as little words as she could. Time was short.

"I can't explain it all but Nicholas defended me and now he's likely going to be killed. Please please help him! We have to go back!"

Everyone was around her now, paws clenched and jaws set.

"You heard her!" Bogo bellowed. "Let's go. Phillippe, you run back to the manor and gather EVERYONE. Meeko, you four," he gestured to the tigers, "with me. We're going on a rescue mission. First, we'll grab Nicholas, then regroup with everyone else to free the other predators. MOVE IT!"

Phillippe took off in a dead sprint, running far faster than Judith had seen any mammals move, not to say she's seen a wide variety of mammals running.

Meeko stayed close to Bogo, acting as his eyes through the darkness. The rabbit wondered what she could do, ready to move with them, even if she was in pain.

"You stay here, Miss Hopps," the buffalo gently demanded her. Judith shook her head.

"No! I'm coming with," she said without relent. "Either I come along somehow, or I'll follow you as I am now." Bogo snorted in frustration, but scooped up the rabbit, ignoring her complaints about being picked up like a kit.

"Fine."

"Sir?" one of the tigers said in an inquisitive manner, "what will we do about the carriage?"

"Grab all the weapons in the compartments and burn it," the buffalo ordered. "I'm not making you tug that thing around any longer." There were a few whoops of approval as the tigers stripped the carriage of anything useful. Weapons in under seat compartments, rations, and small torches with matchboxes.

Using the lanterns hanging from the outside as well as the inside of the carriage, the tigers gave a shout of glee as they released whatever frustration they had with the object and started the fire. The resulting plume lit up the night around them.

Judith saw the tigers in a clearer light now. They were lightly armored to begin with, as she remembered, but now they used whatever was with them to add extra plating to their arms and chest. Each held a small buckler shield and a one-handed long sword. Meeko was dressed in chain mail and had daggers with a large bulb on the hilt of each blade. She surmised it was probably a way to make more blunt attacks.

The rabbit squeaked as Bogo took off, hooves pounding the Earth beneath him with a ferocity he hadn't yet shown in her presence. The tigers growled and followed suit, powerful leaps and strides vaulting them into the night and towards the Hopps manor. Meeko was gone from her sight but she imagined he was up ahead, blazing the trail.

The seconds passed by achingly, Judith's heart feeling like it would rip in two at the very thought that she was too late.

Lights flared into tepid existence in the distance, almost making the rabbit laugh at the ease it took them to run back here when she struggled to make it to them in the first place. She had to concede that they were larger mammals and probably used to such things as this.

Tears leaked from her eyes as she squinted at the wind lapping at her muzzle, silently begging for them to make it in time.

0000000

A clenched paw bore down from above and struck the fox in his chest. He gasped, all the air leaving his lungs as he tried to recover.

His paws were bound behind him and his body pinned to the ground as Lord Hopps himself decided to dole out the punishment, his questions repetitive and endless.

"Where. Is. My. Daughter?!" he yelled, each word punctuated by a strike to the fox. Nicholas turned his muzzle and spit out some blood, one of the strikes having been to his jaw.

"Wouldn't know… I just told her to run," the red fox wheezed.

"She would have to go somewhere," a much calmer Hopps assumed, looking down at him as if the fox were merely maggots in the dirt. "Where?"

Nicholas laughed with twinges of pain wracking his chest as he did so. It was all he could do to bare this treatment right now.

"Haven't a clue. Maybe if you weren't so… hopping mad… she might not have run."

Lord Hopps struck the fox again, and again.

"This is no use," relented the older rabbit. "Take him to the stone at the entrance and fetch the hammer. Bring out all the other filthy preds, too. We're about to make an example of this… fox." Hopps glared at him with a fire in his eyes that could only be hatred. Nothing could quell that flame now.

Forced to his feet, a multitude of rabbits shoved and kicked Nicholas forward, making the short trip back to the grand entrance. He had noticed the stone at the front but assumed it was a way to prevent mammals from ramming the gate from far away. Anything that wanted to make a running start would be stopped short by the moderately sized stone, only a couple dozen feet directly in front of the double doors.

Taken to the forefront of the stone, a jutting edge was low enough for him to be knelt over it like in an execution. He was held down by ropes and two rabbits that made sure he wouldn't fight it.

From his limited field of vision, Nicholas was able to see every predator herded out front and in plain view of his prostrated position. There had to be around fifty or so predators in the grouping so far and more were being pushed into the crowd.

It was then that the fox saw Rose being forced to attend as well, closely watched by Heather from a distance, her eyes glazed and contemplative. She saw a similar look on Rose's face back when they had gone shopping, smiling a little inside at the hopeful revelation that Heather cared for the vixen as she did the rabbit.

Even all the rabbits of the property, excepting those on guard duty or away on daily duties, had gathered to see the coming display. Looks of disgust, shock, fear, and even somber sympathy came in equal measure from everyone present.

Lord Hopps had returned, sans the bloodied attire from earlier from beating the fox. He was not clad in heavy armor, probably as a means of making a show of power to the other predators.

One of the elder looking siblings brought out a large war hammer, hefting it into his father's waiting paws. The old rabbit lifted it with practiced precision, testing the weight. It wasn't overly large, but the thing didn't need to be to turn his head into a flattened version of itself.

Approaching the stone, Nicholas closed his eyes, not wanting his last thought to be of staring at a hammer or an angry old rabbit.

His mind flicked through images of the precious smile he chose to cherish from her muzzle. Those brilliant eyes as beautiful as violets in bloom and fur as grey as the sky during a coming storm. Such a wondrous soul pulled him from the darkness and shone on his life with a light not even the sun could compare to. If such a light dared to burn him to ashes, he would be happy with that.

No… he wanted more.

He wanted a life beyond this, a life filled with her laughter and more of that light. Her friendship meant everything to him now. His love….

His love.

The fox shed a tear as he made the final realization. All the stumbling in his own head, all the pain in his chest, all the moments he felt compelled to ask for more.

He had fallen in love with a rabbit. He had fallen in love with Judith. With his valiant spirit.

"You red devil," spat the old rabbit. Nicholas pulled his ears back, focusing on anything else. Everything else. He wouldn't let his final moments be poisoned by his sight or his voice.

"You devious savage," he continued. "You shall be cleansed as an example to all here…" he could hear the armor shifting as the rabbit lifted the hammer, grunting at the weight.

"Die you heathen!"

THUMP!

0000000

The entourage of mammals thundered down the road, seeing the lights of various flames burn brighter as they drew closer.

As they reached the edge of the property, the grand entrance only a few hundred feet away, Bogo was halted by Meeko, who was listening and watching. The group had no torches lit and were hidden by the thicket of brush near the road, not that the lookout rabbits could see much from the distance they were watching.

"They're bringing out all the predators it looks like," Meeko whispered to the rest of them.

Judith turned her ears towards the fracas and tried to listen in. Not much was being said yet and she could see the flames from a distance from the entrances torches. She couldn't make out all that was going on though.

"Why would they do that?" Bogo belted out in disbelief. He then grunted and said, "No matter, this makes it easier to save everyone at once. Let's just hope help comes soon enough to make a difference."

"It looks like Nicholas is bound and being held down to that stone at the front," Meeko relayed. "I think they are planning to make a public execution."

"No!" Judith squeaked, clapping a paw to her muzzle as she teared up again. The large buffalo set her down gently on the ground and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"We will do what we can to help, but I need you to stay here," he told her softly. "Alright, Judith?" She reluctantly nodded and sat down to give her aching feet rest.

"Just please…" she pleaded, "if you can… try not to kill my family…"

Bogo gave her a curt nod to confirm he heard her and motioned for the others to follow.

Judith could only watch as they skulked forward, getting as close as they could without alerting the congregation.

Bogo was able to find a place to watch from whereas he could see and hear most of what was going on.

The predators were all apparently out now as the rabbit guards seemed to secure their circle around them, still allowing audience to see the fox on the stone being killed in some savage display.

It was then that the buffalo saw Lord Hopps sauntering up in full regal armor, carrying his hammer and shouting brutal accusations at Nicholas, who was closing his eyes and seemingly in another world. He felt a twinge of guilt for having put him in this position and turned to the raccoon.

"Meeko?" he asked, to which the shorter mammal perked up. "Ready to ruin the mood?"

The raccoon smirked deviously as Bogo held out a hoof, to which Meeko stepped into it, bracing himself and holding his daggers close.

The buffalo reared his hoof back, letting out a might snort and giving it his full effort as he launched the small mammal in a low arc.

Twisting and spinning in the air, the raccoon struck the elder Hopps from the side and pushed off. The force shocked everyone looking as Meeko landed deftly on his haunches a few feet away. Lord Hopps went flying to the side, in a crumpled heap.

The hammer he had lifted high fell to the soft ground with a resounding….

THUMP!

Nick opened his eyes as he heard the noise but felt no release from his mortal shell.

"M… Meeko!" he whimpered in relief.

"In the fur!" the raccoon exclaimed. He was about to rush to Nicholas's aid when the other rabbit guards finally overcame the shock of their patriarch being floored. Meeko became a spinning furious mammal of glinting steel, parrying and deflecting the spears and swords of multiple rabbits. Most of them seemed to have little actual experience handling an opponent that actually fights back and were off put by the display.

The four tigers barreled on through the ranks and tried to break the formation. The rabbits recovered well enough and huddled together to block their path. The rabbits holding down the fox never relented, unsure what to do other that what they had been doing.

Bogo made his entrance, ramming on through a few surprised rabbits.

Everything fell into chaos quickly but some refused to move from their posts. Namely, those guarding the fox and all the other predators. They had to keep order else a source of reinforcements might be found in their own prisoners.

Nicholas saw the Hopps patriarch stumble back to his feet, groaning and throwing a glare in all directions.

"Lord Bogo!" he cursed. "You dare risk everything for this fox?! This… scum?!"

The buffalo heard the shout but didn't even bother to reply to it. There was nothing to say at this point. Neither mammal would be caring what the other had to say about their views.

Hopps lifted up the hammer once again.

"If you want him so badly… you can have his corpse!"

0000000

Judith saw her father rise after taking such a forceful hit, and could see he wasn't going to relent. None of the others were going to be able to get to Nicholas if her siblings kept up their defense.

She steadied herself on aching feet and looked up. A single eagle circled overhead, letting out a beautiful screeching cry.

The rabbit remembered a line from a book she read, one that felt like a form of blessing at this point. It couldn't hurt. Try everything, right?

"Eagle help my feet to fly."

She took off as steadily as her feet allowed, the pain burning through her as she felt herself pushing through some lack of force in her stride.

Pushing through with each step, she finally found a rhythm and ignored some semblance of the pain and fatigue, bolting forward with renewed speed and determination.

She leapt through the brush and slipped in between a gap left by two of her siblings. They barely had a chance to react to her presence before being distracted by the others once more.

Seeing her father lift the hammer once more, she didn't have time for doubt or words.

Doing the only thing she felt was right, she rammed her body at full speed into the two rabbits holding Nicholas down, toppling them awkwardly. She hurriedly recovered and threw herself on top of the fox.

"NO!" Judith screamed at the top of her lungs, to her father, to all the Hopps, to all the world.

Her father went slack at the mouth at her unconventional return and dropped the raised hammer to the side.

The grey doe's grip was almost deathly on the fox, who gave no complaint, nor could comprehend her actions. She wouldn't be removed from him. She wouldn't be denied this.

"If you kill him," she stated with all the compassionate force she could muster to her father, "you'll have to kill me too."

Her eyes burned into her father's, his resolve and anger faltering, but not fading.

"Daughter!" he yelled as if to chastise her. "Stand back."

"I won't!" Judith shouted in all due valiance. Her gaze flicked down to the fox, who eyed her from beneath her, his eyes wide and afraid for her. His breathing was rapid and fearful. She wished she had a far better time to say this, but the words flowed from her before she could help it, tears flowing freely and paws clenching in resolve.

"I love him, father."

The words, while not spoken so loud, were heard by many of the rabbits around them.

Lord Hopps sputtered for a brief second or two before musing in silence, glaring down at the fox who corrupted his daughter against him. Many other rabbits had stilled their paws and taken interest in the exchange.

It didn't take long for the ensuing violence to die down, leaving the tigers, Meeko, and Bogo rather confused. They hadn't the focus at the time to hear Judith's confession, but could make the assumption that something occurred to give the family pause.

Meeko was huffing and puffing nearby, relieved to have a chance to catch his breath. The tigers remained guarded but initiated no further attack. Bogo, now wielding two spears he stole from the rabbits in the fight, snorted and looked around.

Meeko could see in the distance, and a bunch of silhouettes now approached them from the main road. No torches were lit and no alarm was sounded.

The massive force approached cautiously, with Phillippe at the front of the charge and keeping up a guard. Bogo waved them down, wondering what the exchange between father and daughter would hold.

"You… love him?" he said softly, not actually expecting an answer. He heard her perfectly well the first time. He was simply repeating the idea in his own head.

"I do," Judith confirmed. A murmur broke out amongst the rabbits and predators alike. Nicholas blinked through some tears as he let out some ragged breaths of relief, as if he hadn't the ability to breathe since being put against the stone.

Lord Hopps wanted to argue this point, wanted to list all his hate filled reasons why she couldn't very well fall in love with a creature that was supposed to be her natural enemy. Her eyes shined so pure in her steadfast gaze at him that he knew in that moment… there was no corruption in her from this decision. She wouldn't be swayed, she wouldn't be convinced, and she would remain undaunted in her decision.

The elder rabbit finally noticed the forces surrounding his own. He couldn't count them all in an instant, but he estimated there were at lease fifty or so mammals, mixed between predator and prey. All of them were armed and ready to fight together. His family would be destroyed… slaughtered, if he chose to continue his adamant desire to slay the fox.

He didn't need to be told what they wanted. Despite everything, he valued his family above all else. He wanted their continued survival and well-being.

"Take him," he breathed at last. Judith's own breath hitched at the words. She couldn't believe they came from her father. She didn't think he would relent, even with the prospect of death.

"And the other predators?" Lord Bogo asked, taking the chance to step forward, the rabbits backing away and closing a circle around their father.

Lord Hopps looked back to his wife, who nodded in understanding.

"They are free," he said, staring at the earth at his feet. "Stand down, my children… let them pass."

Meeko walked over and handed Judith a dagger, seemingly reading that she should be the one to free the fox. She thanked him nearly silently, a smirk crossing the raccoon's features slowly, and cut Nicholas's bonds. The fox barely became free when he turned and pulled Judith into a forceful but still mindfully gentle embrace. He said nothing.

The other predators shuffled slowly and patiently to the mammals of their salvation, passing Nicholas and Judith on their way.

Nicholas spotted all the mammals he grew to know in passing. There was Gideon, giving him a teary grin, Akela, who gave Judith a low bow, Nathan, who could barely contain his joy with skipped steps and near stumbles, Sabor, who looked at the pairing fondly and nodded. The last familiar face he saw was Rose, who looked so torn that Nicholas could almost feel her heart breaking.

He spared a glance back to Heather, the rabbit tapping her feet and nibbling her own claws. Tears streaked her face as she tried to keep the rear of the grouping and hide her emotional state.

Separating from Judith, he walked slowly and with purpose over to Heather, who saw him and stiffened with fear.

The rabbits surrounding her saw his goal and stepped tentatively in his way, protecting her.

Nicholas smiled kindly and gestured to Heather, allowing her to make the choice herself. She let curiosity get the best of her and stumbled forward.

Upon exiting the fray and calming her siblings with whispers and vacant stares, she stepped up to Nicholas, who leaned in and whispered something in her ear. It was so low that none of the other rabbits around could hear it, but Heather's eyes widened and the tears flowed far more freely as she put a paw to her mouth and started to sob.

The patriarch Hopps wanted to know what was going on, but kept himself silent.

Nicholas gestured to Rose to come back for a brief moment.

The two mammals were looked at with many looks of curiosity and intrigue.

"I'm so sorry!" Heather bawled, hugging Rose around her midsection and not even caring to contain herself at this point. A few mammals seemed to be getting the idea of what was happening and looked away awkwardly. "I'm so very sorry. I treated you so terribly and abused my power over you in the worst manner."

Rose silenced her with a kiss and let the tears fall from her own eyes. Judith looked over at Nicholas with a most appreciative gaze, to which he grinned slightly.

"I love you, Rose… and I didn't tell you because I…" Heather stammered. Rose pulled her into a hug and let her weep once more.

When the exchange settled down, Heather turned to her father, his look full of fear. He knew what was coming.

"I'm going with them," she said simply. Judith approached her father as well… sharing a look with her sister, to which they both smiled sadly….

Lord Hopps… Stuart Hopps… was stunned by the hug both his daughters gave him, silent in their action but all the meaning in the world making its way to his heart. Despite everything, they loved him. He still didn't agree with their choices… but what parent fully ever does.

He had to let them go… he had to give them this decision. He wouldn't fight it… for the sake of the love they still showed him that he wished never to lose.

Embracing them tightly, starting to let out tears of his own, he whispered words of farewell only the two daughters could hear, backing away after what seemed like an eternity.

"I can't force my daughters to stay, under these circumstances," Lord Hopps said sternly to both Nicholas and Rose, "but I can demand one thing as a father…" he sucked in a breath.

Both mammals tensed for a second, worried about a last second change in heart to try killing them or restraining his daughters from leaving.

Tears dripped from his eyes, the words he spoke apparently so pained him that he wished never to speak them in this manner again, "Take care of my daughters…"

The red fox tod walked up to Lord Hopps and offered a paw, to which the elder rabbit eyed him.

"I am Nicholas, son of Honey," he said respectfully. The old bunny tentatively grabbed his paw and shook with a firm grip, nodding slightly.

The vixen went a little wide-eyed in fear as Nicholas ushered her over.

"I… I'm … uh…" she stammered, unable to look her subjugator for years. She cleared her throat and took a breath.

"Rose… Rose Enchantee," she finally spoke softly. Lord Hopps took her paw and pressed it between both of his for a few seconds before turning to hug his daughters one last time.

"Lord Hopps," sounded Bogo. The rabbit turned to face the buffalo.

"I know this isn't… ideal… but thank you for sparing the bloodshed. Your daughter here," he gestured to Judith, "may have called upon us to aid in saving Nicholas here… but she begged us not to harm you. She loves you very much. All of you. We promise you no harm provided none of you attack us and prompt us to defend ourselves."

Hopps nodded and turned to walk away, his kits confused and lost as to what to do. Both respective leaders of their clans beckoned their forces to separate and Lord Bogo led everyone away from the Hopps manor.

His troops, predator and prey alike, helped the displaced predators keep pace as a group as they all made their way back to his estate.

Bogo and Nicholas shared a look as they knew they couldn't stay there long, but everyone could rest up and get fed properly, readying for a long journey together.

"Know anyone who can help me cook for a large group such as this?" the buffalo inquired to the fox. "Sad to say I don't have much in the way of good help on that front. My wife would be ideal but I don't want to over burden her."

The red fox smiled, as did Judith, as he opened his muzzle to say, "I know just the mammal."

0000000

Arriving back at the estate late in the night, everyone able was working double time to make accommodations for the multitude of newly freed predators. By the count that was made, seventy-two mammals were released, including Heather and Judith.

Gideon was tired, but more than willing to help prepare food for everyone come the following morning. Nothing extravagant was made, but no one complained when a hearty soup was served to all the inhabitants welcomed into the Bogo home.

After explaining their cause and goals to all, as well as pushing the point that it was crucial they leave as soon as they could, Bogo and his resulting council offered safe passage away from the Prey ruled lands and into new lands run by systems that allowed predators rights beyond all of their dreams. The made sure to let all know it was now their choice to come and if they wished to make their own way, it would be respected. Their goal was simple. To allow a mammal to choose their life.

They did say their cause was growing and needed more to support it, to which a resounding amount of support was given. Most if not all of the predators rescued wished to help more like themselves. Maybe they wouldn't fight, but Bogo said they wouldn't be forced to. Supportive roles were needed and many positions were vacant.

By midday, Bogo was done making rounds explaining everything personally and left it to his colleagues.

Bread, cheese, and fruit were passed around to all to sate their hunger until dinner could be prepared later, to no one's complaint.

Nicholas walked up next to Bogo, giving him a knowing smirk.

"You've gotten soft, Captain," he quipped. The buffalo eyed him back and snorted.

"War tempers the hide but never the heart," he replies. "That… and my wife has a good hoof in all that makes me what I am now."

"So, what now?" the fox asked. "I know we're heading north, through the forest… but we must be making a few stops to supply ourselves for a journey that far north and with this many mammals."

"Honey is waiting for us…" the buffalo stated. "The plan was always to find her and she would have a relay point set for us, as well as joining us to guide us past all the possible obstacles that would hinder us."

"Where would this 'relay point' be?"

"It'll be near a city at the edge of the forest," he explained.

"and then?" Nicholas inquired.

"We're going to be headed back to Animalia," Bogo revealed. "You're going home."

I'm so happy to have this out. I love cliffhangers, but i really dont like them left for long. A week is just barely enough before craziness sets in. too late in my case but i can still save all of you.

well not all of you... there's that guy... that guy... that girl... that guy dressed like a girl, nice skirt by the way, and that dog that can read.

REVIEWS: in order from earliest to latest

Judithwildehopps: Mwahahaha yes the books! but dont worry... I still plan to use a few nods to Beauty and the Beast if you catch my drift in that sense.

GusTheBear: I love them and love to hate them, but hope you didn't feel like this was a long wait. lol.

Anonymous: thank you and thank you. I try.

Fannyfan: Well i wouldn't say torture... but an angry father makes for a poor inflictor of pain. just rage filled attacks. I hope you loved it. because i loved writing this. had to listen to lots of suspenseful and strange music to write out this mood.

Fox in the hen house: it is so very good to see you got into this story as well and i'm glad this AU can entertain you just as much as my primary project, though both of these stories now seem to be getting equal love now with how unexpectedly popular this became.

TheUnaccomplishedWriter: I bow humbly and thank you for such sincere praise. I highly appreciate the comments as such and it drives me try doing better for all those that think so.

peacebringer89: Hehehe. Thanks. I try. I was honestly very skeptical as to how well my take on this story would be received but its gained a following far beyond anything I figured it would get.

I do like to hustle. hehe. and thanks for noticing the nods to the movie. i hope you noticed the latest one. XD

As for your opinion compared to Dusted... I'm glad you love both stories. very much so.

Hellion117: you want more? YOU WANT MOREEEEEE!?... here you go. XD enjoy.

Ohhhh i have tingles all over. I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of this release. it may sound egotestical... but i feel pretty good about this chapter.

I want to say also... that i love you all right now. I have nearly 100 favorites on this story, over 150 followers, and nearly 50 reviews (mostly positive). the support is very much appreciated and I get pretty giddy with each tick upwards that each of those things gets.

You all drive me to do better with my stories, even if I sometimes make faux paws, and I will continue to show this drive as well as i can until i lose all heart. Not gonna happen for a long time there.

Until next time, It's been a hustle, Sweethearts.