I hope you like the title. hehehe
I know I do. XD
Welcome to the end. well... ending arc. got some meat left on this sucker but Silence and Valiance is almost over. I believe I have a very entertaining, if not revealing ending in store. I'm hoping I wow a bunch of you or figuratively blow your minds, but I'll temper my expectations.
I've had a LOT of fun working on this and shall continue to until the actual end, but wanted to say that.
Until that time though... do enjoy, fav, follow, review, and grab that strange snack. I tried mixing some stuff in my cabinets as part of an experiment. Potato chips crushed and added into a bunch of mac and cheese, mixed with chili and tuna. strange but satisfying, to say the least.
No undertaking felt so grand. No endeavor felt so desperate. No cause felt as precarious as the defining one that the rebellion was rallying behind. Many mammals, near and far, sent aid and supplies. Such forces as the one Lord Big mustered were scarce to expect after his arrival. As much as other lands wished to offer such aid, they were too small or ill prepared to travel the distance or equip their soldiers for a battle of the scale that was expected to pass.
The Tundra Federation was entreating with other kingdoms, like the Saharans of the Eastern deserts or the Mountaineers of the Eastern Ranges, in a grand effort to build an army worthy of rival to the expansive empire of Savannah Shire. The coalition could rally to this cause, to this city… and finally break the backbone of the oppressive kingdom.
At least… that was the hope.
Six weeks had passed since the arrival of Lord Big's forces. They went extraordinarily far in speeding the completion of defenses and bolstering them in the same breath. Much of his militia knew well how to build and farm, assisting greatly in the reconstruction of as much of the city as they could for extended use.
Housing and barracks were repaired and refurbished, taverns and armories rebuilt and put back into working order, and a proper hall was hastily constructed for the convenience of the leaders of the growing community.
Kline spoke for the people, making sure their woes and worries were heard. Bogo headed the fortification and subsequent defensive measures of the city. Big, knowing well how to run a city by experience, became council to the rest in an advisory role. Nicholas and Judith, being the popularized figureheads they were, became included as a matter of respect and as voices outside the normal flow. They had proven their worth as imaginative and insightful minds.
Honey, however, refused to be part of the official council, remarking that she 'wanted no part in being held up on some pedestal because others felt she was more important'.
And now, all the necessary parties were making assessments, readying themselves for an assault at any moment from the shadows, and reevaluating their current strength of arms.
"Why not destroy the bridge entirely?" Kline spoke in concern. "Surely, it would go a long ways towards mitigating the offensive they would have against us."
"That would be problematic, to say the least," remarked the staunch buffalo. "Forgetting that it would make any future supplies or reinforcements hard to properly transport here, our goal is to force them into one venue of battle. Leaving the bridge untouched would make any army traverse it as a means of ease."
"In addition," Nicholas interjected, "with our preparations, the gates will look like a patchwork job, improperly fortified and weak to draw them in. We don't want them to think. If they did, other avenues of approach might be considered and we must control the first contact in the battle."
"Any assault by water would be met with formidable resistance," the bull further explained. "And the steep rises to the north of the main gates have been taken care of. While the wall is ample defense, we incurred a rock slide from the cliffs that demolished what little path there was. We are by no means an impregnable fortress… but our enemy will have little choice of where to attack, if they want a swift victory."
"What if they siege us?" Kline persisted.
"They can't," Lord Big intervened. "I've fought my share of battles and one thing they are doing that works in our favor is acting in desperation. They are amassing as large an army as fast as they can. They won't have the supplies to sit and wait, considering their supply line will be running from a ways south. A large army must always move, always conquer, always establish outposts. We put enough of a dent in them here...and they won't have anything to rally to for another attack so soon. This fight will be all or nothing."
"We will be setting the bridge on fire temporarily though…" the fox mumbled to the gazelle buck.
His brow raised inquisitively as he asked slowly, "Why?"
"We can't take on their army, no matter how confined their offensive becomes, for an overly extensive time," the red tod detailed. "We'll use trebuchets to lob flaming pots of pitch and oil to cut off the current wave from escape and support. Once we deal with them, We'll rearm and rotate our defenders to keep the most able ones at the forefront."
Everyone nodded in agreement, even Kline, now that he understood the why of a few things.
The fox resumed briefly, "Their arguably greatest advantage is going to be numbers. The Shire is an expansive and well populated empire. They will do their best to make that work for them and tire us into relenting. We must counter that as best we can."
"Agreed," most in attendance voiced.
As the mumbling musings of others took attentions all around, Nicholas focused on his rabbit, with downcast eyes and a nervous shiver to her nose and tail.
Grabbing her by the shoulder, the tod guided her out of the room, taking a side door to exit the council hall and walk alongside the wall, stopping near some logs. They both sat down, giving each other glances. His were comforting smiles, while hers were small grins, laced with a bittersweet longing behind her eyes.
"Anytime you want to tell me what's wrong," Nicholas spoke gently, "I'll listen."
Judith say there, quiet and reflective, her mind working through everything she wanted to vocalize but couldn't form her apprehensive thoughts into words.
Looking towards her fox, his shining emerald eyes merely gazed upon her own amethyst eyes with patient care. His paws were clasped together in essence of that thought, barely moving. It was as if he knew what her concerns and worries were. The fears that has been eating away at her psyche, now brought forth by the ever approaching events, were no more than another page in a book for him to read from her.
Every potential fearful event to dread played through her head, ranging from things that were likely to outcomes that were just plain ridiculous. Her mouth worked to attempt some form of vocal communication to the effect of explaining her trepidations, but simply closed back up, a soft hum escaping her.
These next few weeks or months could go very wrong. Most, if not all of them, could die in defending their ideals. Despite all the preparations and hopeful assessments of their defenses, the disparity of their might against those of her land of origin were vast. The odds were not very well in their favor, and that scared her.
Scared.
"I'm scared," the grey doe finally stated, softly but with finality.
The tod was gazing softly still, not even reacting to her divulgence. Not knowing what else to do, Judith reach a paw across her chest and rubbed it on her upper arm, averting her gaze slightly as she continued.
"I'm scared, Nicholas," her voice repeated with a slight crack to it. "I'm frightened that somehow, sometime during all of this, we'll be torn apart with no ability to find one another. Whether by being maimed or… killed… or captured and taken, it feels like some icy paw has gripped my heart with those ideas and won't relent its vice on me."
The red fox grasped her paw, slowly getting up and pulling her with him. He didn't speak, but only led her away from the building, pulling her closer. His tail wrapped protectively around her hips, making sure to keep clear of her legs so she could walk properly.
The bunny blinked away the coming tears, though that wasn't an issue after a short while, with her curiosity towards her mate's intentions keeping her rather preoccupied from her previous thoughts. Through the crowd of mammals they weaved, with the doe keeping her eyes looking down. She felt very exposed, even if she realized no one was likely paying attention. The pervasive feeling of being recognized as emotionally compromised made her feel focused on.
Fortuitously for herself, Nicholas made an abrupt turn into a tent. It appeared to be their own, as it happened. He guided her to a small stool and sat her down, his paw gently petting her head for a few seconds before turning to rifle through their things for something.
"I know you're Silence and all," the rabbit offered softly, "but I would like a little clarification on what your intentions are." The fox's ears swiveled her direction and twitched, with his paws continuing his search. After about a minute of his ministrations, he appeared to finally find what he wanted, pulling long and thin piece of cloth from a pile. There was nothing significant or notable about it, aside from the deep hue of purple.
"Give me a moment and I promise this will make… some sense," the red tod implored his mate. She nodded in blind response, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
He grabbed her paw, guiding it to grasp his own in a manner that looked as he were going to start an arm wrestling match. With his other paw, he began to wrap the long band of fabric around her wrist, then his own, tying off a pair of knots that linked the fox and bunny's wrists together like shackle cuffs.
The tod pulled out a knife, laying it on his leg.
"I don't know what will happen," the doe's mate began, "nor do I promise that everything will turn out as we wish. This is a fight for our freedom and that always comes with a price. One that I'm willing to pay, if need be. But… I will fight for a life with you instead of dying for a cause. That, I can promise."
The tears renewed themselves in her eyes, stinging them as she tried to blink them away once more. It was a fruitless effort, as they fell upon her cheeks and soaked her fur regardless.
Nicholas kept smiling at Judith, continuing to speak as his paw gripped hers a little tighter, "So… I promise here and now that no matter our fears, no matter our fates, I will always find my way to you, even if I have to come back in another life."
"You believe in reincarnation?" the doe asked, her free paw wiping her eyes.
"I honestly have no clue what I believe in that respect," he clarified. "However, if that happens to be a result… I'll find you."
The grey bunny's paw finally squeezed back, her lips curling in a sweet smile as she spoke, "Not if I find you first."
The tod's free paw patted her cheek lovingly, replying, "That's my girl."
Picking up the knife, the red fox lifted the edge to rake over the fabric between the two knots he tied off before.
"I don't have anything to offer you in terms of an engagement, but let this bond between us, tied by a single piece of cloth, be our bond," Nicholas lovingly whispered to her. He sliced the fabric, leaving their wrists encircled by respective cloth wristbands. "Even as I cut this physical bond, let it seal the one between us as mates. My heart and soul are yours for as long as I live and beyond that even."
"Geez…" she mumbled with a giggle, "stop taking all the good lines. Leave something for me to say."
Using both her paws now, Judith grabbed his muzzle and pulled her mate into a kiss, their muzzles tilting and fitting awkwardly, though with a practiced ease. She could never tire of way that he would wrap his paws around her waist when kissing her, and he could never tire of the pleasant twitch of her nose against him when she became this passionate. Vehement breaths escaped them both, neither willing to take enough space to properly satiate their lungs.
A noise outside their tent perked both of their ears, bringing their passionate entreat to an end. Judith rested her chin upon her mate's shoulder, both of their chests heaving against one another in long and strained breaths.
To the pair's relief, the noise was just a mammal passing by rather noisily.
"If it makes you feel any better," the fox sassed, "I think you just said plenty with that kiss."
"I'll take it," she laughed.
Relaxing within each others arms, both tod and doe relented to listening to each other's breathing, heartbeat, and the brush of their fur upon one another. To say time felt like it stopped would be inaccurate. To the mated coupling, it felt more like time was inconsequential to their worries for that moment.
Whether by minutes or hours passing, both mammals eventually left the tent, nearly being knocked over by a passing panther. Looking around, they noticed that the panther wasn't the only one rushing. It was pretty much every mammal around them.
Judith waved down a capybara, asking, "You! What's going on?"
He blinked and did a double take, trying to form words, stuttering as he divulged, "T-the… enemy is… is at the gates."
Fox and rabbit took off at breakneck speed, the capybara left in the dust with his own worries.
0000000
The gates were sealed, troops lining the walls and ready to defend the city to the last mammal.
Such was the image they wanted to portray.
There was no massive army at the gates, as was expected, but a contingent of soldiers and what could only be delegates and generals to negotiate the terms of combat or surrender.
From what the watch mammals could tell, their actual army had to be deeper in the forests to the west and bordering the bridge. Upon a call to combat, any such force could likely reach their gate within the next couple hours.
The smaller company rested just on the opening of the bridge, opposite of the city.
Bogo and Honey were both using spyglasses to try ascertaining who was in the delegation, seeing as the two had the greatest expanse of knowledge concerning who was who in the military of the Shire.
Lord Big might have been seen as another such individual with knowledge to that end, but he begrudgingly had to abstain, saying that he was more of a homeland wanderer.
"By the blazes," breathed the bull with increasing anger. His gaze turned contemplative and morose, giving the grey bunny a stiff glance. The fox's mother clenched her jaw tightly, dipping her own head and averting her eyes.
"I think there isn't a string of vulgarity that covers this atrocity," Honey spoke with ironic venom in her voice.
"What are you two so off about?" Judith asked of them both. Her fox pulled the spyglass his mother held and took his own look across the bridge.
He barely got a good look before looking like he wanted to put a blade through something, seething in anger as he said, "It's your father, Judith. I don't know if he leads this army but he is most definitely a part of it."
"Let me see," the doe demanded.
"I don't think that's a good id…"
"Let. Me. See." came her retort, a sense of finality in her voice that was not to be ignored. The red fox sighed in minor resignation and pawed off the instrument to his mate, watching her features furrow in confusion and anger as she peered into the distance with it.
She needed not look longer than a few seconds, spotting the elder buck in the same regal armor that he wore when attempting to carry out Nicholas's execution.
She expected some sense of rising anger and guilt to consume her, to put her in a state of turmoil. Instead, the bunny found a sense of clarity from a decision she may not have realized she made, but made nonetheless in her journey to get away from her father.
Lord Hopps was not her father anymore.
He was blinded by his hatred of predators, by the fact his own blood rivaled the views he so fervently tried to instill in his young. She was no more a daughter to him than he was a saint to his family.
Looking around, she saw everything she had because of her decision to leave. A buffalo that acted like the steely guardian with a heart as soft as cotton. A fox whose heart was jaded and mind as sharp as a new blade, with an indomitable spirit that matched her own. A badger whose mind was as sharp as her tongue, who basically treats her as one of her own. A raccoon who knows how to laugh, with an appetite that defies all know worldly sense. While not near, there was her sister Heather and her mate Rose, who were bountiful sources of emotional support to many around.
There was Nathan and Flora. Gideon. Gazelle. Wolfard. Philippe. Phoebus. All of them, regardless of how long or well she interacted with them, showed her a kindness and respect that was devoid of any mention to her species, favored no aspect that meant something about image, or treated her like an object to be weighed like gold.
She had a family to defend now and a place to call home.
Judith might have been fighting and rebuilding this place alongside others this whole time, but this was the final piece that fell into place for her. It finally settled in that this could be a home.
...and she would see it defended.
"Do we know anything about their forces or numbers?" Bogo asked of a nearby scout, an arctic fox under Big's banner.
"I only know it is large, but I couldn't deign to give you a guess at its scope or true strength of arms," he responded clearly, for all nearby to hear as well.
"Send me with the delegation," the small grey doe spoke up. Everyone that heard her stared in disbelief.
"Out of the question," Honey fired at her. "We don't even know if he is leading the army. Your presence will only inflame the situation."
"We're going to be attacked," Judith bluntly retorted. "This delegation is just combat etiquette. Besides, anyone we send will be seen as a predator sympathizer. A traitor to their cause. Send me. Maybe I can buy us some time."
"I'm going with," Nicholas told everyone. Mammals all around, including his mate, began to open their maws, before he cut them off by shouting, "Non-negotiable!"
There was a moment of refined respect from the other mammals in attendance, as they stared at the comparatively smaller mammal with stunned expressions.
His eyes and voice calmed as he resumed, "Whether by providence or our own fault, Silence and Valiance have become some sort of force to rally behind. What good is that image if we don't show others that we will be as they believe us to be? Send us out. Give us whatever cover you wish, but you know you can't stop her and you damn well can't stop me from sticking to her."
"Allow me to accompany you," Kline spoke from the stairs, walking up to greet the congregation where they stood on the wall.
"Oh sure, let's just start sending everyone," the badger sassed with an eye roll.
"Well," the gazelle buck began in explanation, "Bogo is needed here to head our defenses, you, Honey, have no intent on being involved in politics, and most others aren't patient enough to sit through this."
"Welcome to the squad then," Judith commented, crossing her arms.
It took the three very little time to properly dress themselves for the part and gather a small protectorate. There was one of Big's well armored polar bear guards to protect each member.
They made their way across the bridge, having signaled for parley. It was hard to believe that it was still mid morning, the sun casting their shadows forward. A group of the Shire's own made their way towards them, looking to have double the members they did. It was of fortunate providence that the bridge was long enough from one side of the water to the other to keep either side from using anything long range to attack the delegations. Such treachery would be easily spotted and quite inane.
Leading the other group was Lord Hopps, a small squad of well armored prey mammals to accompany.
It appeared no other mammal was dressed as flashy as he was, implying he was the governing factor to the assault that would be.
Coming close enough to get a good look at one another, the doe could see Hopps's eyes bulging in recognition of Judith.
"My daughter," the old buck blurted. "What are you doing?"
The two groups stalled, mere feet from each other.
"I am standing up for my people," she stated simply. Lord Hopps growled in a manner most unbefitting of a bunny, but getting his anger across nonetheless. Judith didn't even flinch.
"Your people!" he spat. "Those blood thirsty pieces of scum are not your people! They are a plague that would sooner draw your blood for sustenance than mend your wounds!"
"Your hatred blinds you, father," the doe replied calmly, saying the last word as if it were a poisonous insult. The tone was not lost on him.
"Your naivete blinds you," came his response. "That and this rusty cur you call a mate. He has turned you against your own blood."
"He has shown me more respect, more consideration, and more love these past few months than you have show me or any of my siblings in this life," Judith voiced with increasing resolve. "If your intention is to raze this city once more… I can tell you now that no army will be enough. It is heavily fortified and able to repel any invasion."
The elder rabbit was growing furious, foot trying not to thump but still making an errant movement now and then as the Lord burst out, "Your friends behind those walls will fall like this city did once before! I command an army of over fifty thousand mammals of the Shire! They will break your walls and remove all traces of this place from history!"
The younger doe only blinked slowly, offering the Lord nothing to pull from her.
"It doesn't matter what your numbers are," she spoke, "they will be met with no ground to take."
"Let yourself believe that," Hopps said with a sneer. "I have over a hundred elephants to break through your gates and another hundred rhinos to trample what is left. Once they break through… my army will pour through and show all that predators are part of a bygone age in history. We need them no longer."
Judith turned away, with Nicholas seeing the wavering glaze of her eyes.
"You are no longer the father I knew," came her overly calm words, devoid of all tone. "You are a monster consumed by your views and your hatred. Goodbye."
At that, she began to walk away, followed by her mate and Kline, who solemnly turned away with her. The polar bears guarding them covered them, backing away slowly, their shields up to prevent any trickery of backstabbing tactics.
"You will come here now!" the elder Hopps screeched. "You will not win this battle!"
He continued to yell all kinds of things, denoting her objectivity to him and how she was a traitor. The words no longer stung anymore. She had effectively cut him away…
...and learned something they sorely needed.
"You set him up to boast, didn't you?" her mate inquired with a somber smirk.
"We needed to know their strength… and now we do."
"You hustled him," Nicholas stated, resting a paw on her shoulder. "I must say, that was quite satisfying to see… even though it appeared you were struggling."
"Do you think he saw it?" the doe had to ask.
"He did not," the gazelle interjected. "He was too focused on shouting at you to really pay attention. That and giving your mate dirty looks of disgust."
"Regardless, you did spectacular, my love," the fox cooed at her. "You've said your piece and settled your matters. Now… it's time for me to say my piece."
0000000
As the morning waned and the sun rose high above the land, the Shire's armies amassed at the other end of the bridge. Though sizable by numbers, their strength was less of an impact when seen from afar. While the elephants and rhinos did cause some concern, the greater majority of their numbers were consistent of smaller prey. Rabbits of various types. Goats, sheep, deer, antelopes, and other such small to medium mammals. Some buffalo and wildebeests could be seen, but making up a small variety of the worrisome quantity.
They geared for war, ready to march on the gates.
On the inside of the gates, everyone that was willing to fight was gathered, nervous and fearful. Their own numbers felt far underwhelming, compared to the Shire's might, with just barely eight thousand mammals to defend the city.
All of them stood ready to defend, staring up at the top of the second tier wall gate, to which the leading mammals firmly and proudly set themselves.
Making himself stand out from the rest, Nicholas… Silence… positioned himself in front of all, giving the congregation his most confident stare. Here they were, at the pivotal point of history that could mean the beginning of rebellion against an overwhelming regime against predator's rights… or the solidification of the empire for several hundred years.
He was internally unsure and at a loss for words, despite his bravado and intentions earlier. He couldn't do what he normally did and formulate every scenario or summon the will to speak so calmly.
The fox felt lost. His mouth went dry and ears began to dip back…
Until his mate… his bunny… his Valiance, grasped his paw and gave him the most loving stare into his own eyes, calming the turmoil that threatened to overwhelm him.
Getting a firm grasp on what remained of his nerves, the tod took a deep breath and just tried to let the words flow, speaking as loudly and clearly as he could.
"Here we are. Predators and prey standing together to be known as capable of being friends with one another. That ideal alone threatens their entire empire and its foundations."
He took another slow breath, his confidence rising as the words flowed freely.
"No matter what species you are or where you are from, they have oppressed us for generations, forced us to wage their wars, and eliminated any ideals that we could ever stand as equals… or even friends. If we stand here, stand now, and give them NO further ground… we can show others that their age has come as far as it can. Others will see, hear, and know that we can fight. We can protect. We can prevail…."
The red fox grasped onto his sword hilt and drew it forth, pointing it to the sky, keeping his eyes locked onto every mammal in the crowd."
His voice rose in volume and intensity as he kept going, "Upon the sounds of their spears breaking on our shields… on our walls… the world will know we stand for them! FIght as one… and fight for all!"
As his voice yelled out that last line, soldiers stomped the ground, beat their shields, jabbed the end of their spear shafts into the ground. Their grunts, hollers, and howls could be heard across the expanse.
One last intake of breath and the red fox tod was ready to let one call be heard. A sound from Silence, as it were.
He thought back to something he was told by Kline some weeks ago.
"You know…," the gazelle had began, the two being in the depths of the monastery, looking at murals of the city before its destruction, "this city was an amalgamation of efforts by a few trading guilds that grew beyond what they thought possible. They were barely able to give it a name in all its years, just calling it 'The Port'."
"You're saying they never gave it a real name?" Nicholas questioned in mild disbelief.
Kline gave him an ambiguous nod, staring at one of the murals that had a name on it, faded by the years.
"The city was never expected to flourish. It happens more often than you think… but… this city was ready to show the world what it had accomplished, brought such a diverse amount of mammals together and created a city by accident that predator and prey could live side by side in relative peace."
"Until it was found out and razed," the fox interjected.
"Maybe if they had a name to rally behind, like those that rally to you and your mate, then the city might have had a chance."
"Good luck coming up with one now," the tod snarked, giving the buck a slap across the back, to which he just chuckled and turned to face Nicholas.
"Oh… the city already has a name, but it was never told," Kline detailed, much to the red fox's surprise. "The city fell before they could unveil it properly."
"And that name was,..." goaded the smaller mammal.
With a wistful stare back to the mural, the gazelle read the faded print…
"It was…"
"We fight…. for Zootopia!"
Bet you guys were NOT expecting that.
Oh uh... the quick succession of another chapter release, not the fact that the city they were going to the entire time and now are defending was Zootopia.
I mean... you might not have expected that either but I won't pretend I was a genius at hiding it. haha.
REVIEWS!: (Yes i'm trying to cover that this time. Sorry the lack of responses the past few chapters of anything)
Maliaki: I'm shaking with excitement. and thank you for your enthusiasm. I'll try not to disappoint
Gunslinger99: Much obliged and also... I HAD RESPECT?! well that is somewhat of a surprise to me. XD didnt know that was a thing for me. I'm always tellin tearible word puns. they call me the PUNisher, the PUNtificator, PUNocchio. the list goes on fur ours. hehe get it.
Anyways, I hope you continue to have chills because I'm getting them writing this.
USA Patriot: Thank you thank you. and no worries. You had valid and logical assumptions to come up with. My mind is a place filled with unexpected things though... or so i would like to believe. hehe.
While the Helm's Deep thing is a wonderful comparison, I wont deny that was not my initial intent. I love the overall concept of the underdog goodguys being cornered with only their broken blade and cause left to fight with. and as they rally behind that... they somehow find the strength of will to overcome and give hope to the masses that want to believe there is more than the death that they think awaits them.
RickiZ1: Hehe. glad you liked that. I've been waiting to unveil that since like... chapter 3. lol.
Aaaaaaaahhhhh: I think i've seen your name around in reviews before but anyways, I'm glad you think so. I mean seriously... you have no idea how cool it is to hear that. Even if i was actually a very infamous and hated author... knowing one person said that would be enough reason to continue writing. So thank you.
DONE!
I now have to go rescue a bowling ball from the gutter on my roof. I was trying to knock over some pinheads in the street and I got a gutter ball. Don't ask me how it got up there... I've tried getting an answer out of the bowling ball but it just keeps telling me it's on strike.
Until next time, It's been a hustle, Sweethearts.