A/N: Rewrote most of the chapter. Many plot elements are different from the version posted earlier.

Chapter 23: Unchecked Desires


The Prime asks, "This is your world, is it not? What is your judgement concerning him? He has eaten two rabbits since we left that mountain."

I respond, "If it were up to me. He would be tortured until he begs for death." How very convenient that he happened to be the one that caused trouble. He made me trade forty-one lives just for one before. Now I want revenge.

"I will not allow that."

"That is simply my deepest desire right now."

The tigress asks, "What has gotten into you? Do you even know what's going on right now?"

I ask Howard Wolfard, "Who is she?"

Howard replies, "Her name is Kate, Mike Fangmeyer's sister newly graduated from the academy, it's her first real case. Well, it was supposed to be just delivering a message to the Hopps but nothing involving you two is ever simple. Oh, Chief Bogo wants to talk to you."

Howard hands me the phone, "Hello Chief, this is a wonderful day, isn't it?"

Bogo replies, "WILDE! How can you and Hopps mess up a camping trip? I could get that you didn't want to contact us during a month but what about the two weeks after that? Can you two manage not to mess anything up or blow it out of proportion for just once?"

"That wasn't exactly my choice." That's understating it by a lot.

"I don't care. A group is continuing Bellwether's work. Nighthowler shootings have spread beyond just Zootopia. You and Hopp's disappearance didn't help. It was assumed you ate Hopps. Everything was just right politically to pass the shock collar bill. There's enough public support and compliance is voluntary but highly recommended. I would like to talk to Hopps right now."

"She isn't with me. I am afraid your request is impossible. What did I miss?" My hope is that she will be reborn. The Prime never explained that to me in full.

"There have been many casualties due to the nighthowler shootings. In the end Lionheart got an anonymous tip concerning how to deal with it. A shock collar for every predator. Given our failings in stopping them the shock collar seemed to be the way to go. Now, if someone gets hit, it's only one animal at risk. The collars are also tracked so it's easier for us to solve crimes. The rumors that you ate Hopps certainly didn't help. Now, where is Hopps? Wolfard tells me you have twenty thousand animals following you, is there a reason she isn't one of them?"

"One that is rather too complicated to explain over the phone. It would probably take the entire day. I would you to come as soon as possible so I can tell you all about where Judy has been."

"Well, aren't you lucky? I have an entire day. Now, talk."

"Well, on our camping trip we got taken inside this mountain."

"I don't care about your entire camping trip. I just want to know why you were separated and where is she right now?"

"Well, she got left behind when we decided to escape the mountain. We ran from an army."

"So, is she a hostage?"

"No, she isn't."

"Is she alive?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"So, let me get this straight, you escaped from an army in a mountain. She was with you during the escape. She got left behind but isn't dead or a hostage. Something doesn't add up. What aren't you telling me?"

"Something that I'm not allowed to reveal unfortunately. Long story short, we'll need an army to see her again. There's also the off chance the group I escaped from will decide to leave the mountain and go elsewhere. If that happens, she can come to us herself. We didn't exactly part on friendly terms. There might be fifty thousand predators roaming around. We now have twenty thousand animals at the Hopps household."

"I will see what I can do. It will probably take a week to mobilize the army. Are the predators collared?"

There's no way that I'm going to move from one hell to another. No one is going to get collared under my watch. "I don't think anyone in my group would be interested in being collared but I can tell them I suppose. They have heard tales of Zootopia from me. I did not mention any form of collars. They are also primarily interested in food. Also, I would like to ask your advice. What should we do with a tiger that has eaten two rabbits alive?"

"I dispatched Delgato and Fangmeyer with a ton of food originally for Wolfard's imaginary twenty thousand animals and winged tiger suspect. They should be arriving in a few hours now. As for the tiger, stick him in a cell eating prey alive is just wrong. He deserves life imprisonment. Do try not to make an even bigger mess before I arrive. If all goes according to plan, I should be arriving in a week with an army."

"See you in a week, sir."

Bogo hangs up. I hand the phone back to Howard. I talk to Howard, "The chief is going to be here in a week." I turn my attention to Saberclaw. "As I was saying earlier, if it were up to me. He would be tortured until he begs for death but since it's not completely up to me. The chief recommends putting Saberclaw in a cell for the rest of his life for eating prey." I turned to the crowd, "Attention everyone, food should be arriving in a few hours. We have journeyed far to reach this place but now we have arrived."

Howard asks, "So, did you meet all these animals?"

"Well, let's see a camping trip started out wrong, we're captured in our sleep and taken inside a mountain. We ended up shattering the mountain and leaving it. You can see the path of destruction that stretches all the way from the mountain to Bunnyburrow." That's the extremely short version.

Bonnie says, "You, were responsible for burning three of my kits to death? Gideon said they were burned to death in a flash. The fire came with no warning."

"Well, if it helps. It wasn't intentional and I wasn't part of the group that did it."

"Where is Judy, you were with her, weren't you?"

"She got left behind during our escape. Let's put it that way."

Bonnie's tone turns cold, "And how did you get separated?"

"She wasn't able to keep up."

"Are you saying that you left her behind because she was TOO SLOW? Maybe, Stu was right about you. It is all your fault that Judy is missing."

The Prime notices this exchange. He says, "What is your relationship with Judy?"

Bonnie replies, "I am her mother. He went camping with Judy then goes missing for a month and two weeks. Now, he shows up on my doorstep with twenty thousand animals. I just learned he was involved with the death of three of my kits and Judy is still missing."

"Ah, a pleasure to meet her mother at last. I am the Prime. I am the leader of this group. It was I who gave the order to shatter the mountain, they followed my orders. We were inspired by their tales of Zootopia, we decided it would be worth trying to find it. Judy got left behind during our escape. My condolences about your kits, it was not intentional. We simply desired a place where predators didn't need to eat prey just to survive. You seem to be most affected by our actions, it's not my intention. What is your judgement concerning Saberclaw? At this point, I believe your words hold more weight than Nick's. Saberclaw has eaten one of your kits after all. Every predator here has eaten prey just to survive at one point or another. I will kill him if that is your wish."

Bonnie takes a while to respond. She must be thinking things through. "I … don't think I can take a life." She breaks down crying. "It feels so wrong but I don't think I can… be the reason that he dies. Can't you just lock him away somewhere?"

"No, the justification Nick gave for locking him away is insufficient. He will either die or be free to live regardless of what he has done in the past. You can torture him to death if you wish, I will allow it."

I ask, "Why would you allow her to do it but not me?"

"Because she is the one that's most affected by our actions and torturing others is against what the order stands for."

Kate notes, "We're the police here. We enforce the laws."

"Nick has not adequately explained the situation to his chief. The justification Nick gave for locking Saberclaw away isn't sufficient. I also don't believe in locking animals away. Thus, Bonnie will decide his fate. Will Saberclaw be free or will he die?"

Bonnie decides, "He will be free. He won't eat anyone else, right? It sounds like that's something everyone of your group did. Did Nick eat prey alive too?"

"Nick must have. Predators here eat out of necessity not malice. Saberclaw has violated the rules of eating prey after we've made our exodus. Eating prey itself is not an offense."

"I've decided. Saberclaw will live. Oh, Stu did I make the right decision?"

Stu replies, "I don't know…."

The Prime addresses the crowd, "Very well. Saberclaw will live because of her decision. Saberclaw, you should be thankful for her mercy. If it were up to me, you would be dead. From this moment, no one shall eat another. Anyone who does so will be killed without question."

Bonnie asks, "Where is Judy? When can I see her again?"

I reply, "She's trapped behind enemy lines. Let's put it that way. Chief Bogo should be arriving with the army in a week."

Howard calls the chief, "The two tigers we met earlier – The Prime and Saberclaw. The Prime completely disregarded your verdict concerning Saberclaw and made Bonnie choose between Saberclaw's life and death. Apparently, everyone here has eaten prey alive including Nick." He tells Nick, "The chief wants to talk to you."

"Hello sir?"

"Wilde, just what happened on your vacation?"

"I thought you weren't interested? What changed?"

"Don't give me that. You know what. Can't you and Hopps manage not to blow anything out of proportion?"

"It wasn't exactly our choice."

"Explain. Why would you eat prey alive?"

"We were trapped in a mountain. It was the only way to survive. There was no other alternative." I end up crying over the phone. "I was so unwilling to eat at first. I was deluded and thought I could live on vegetables alone. Judy brought a sheep to me. I wasn't even able to kill it alone. She had to guide my claws through the neck of an unconscious sheep and that was my first…"

"Did anything else happen during that trip that I should know about?"

"A lot more sir. A lot more. It would be easier to talk face to face. The things I've both witnessed and done are things you wouldn't believe."

"Have you ever talked about these experiences with anyone?"

"I haven't had the chance to nor do I want to."

"I recommend it highly. It sounds like something you need. I can hear how difficult it is for you right now. I'll see you in a week."

I hand the phone back to Howard.

Gideon arrives with tons of blueberry pies. He says, "Miss Hopps, these pies are my way of apologizing for your kits. I didn't think anythin' would happen to them while playing in my yard." Gideon's shock collar activates. He winces in pain. "Who are all these animals?"

"Gideon, are you okay? These animals are the ones I escaped with after my 'camping' trip."

"It was decided that since someone was shooting people with nighthowlers that collaring everyone was the best way to go." He gets shocked a few times while saying this. "These collars are highly restrictive on the emotions we can feel. It's the best way to keep everyone safe."

"Are you fine with being collared? What's your personal view?"

"It's what the public wants. It keeps prey safe from us as it should be." His voice was filled with resentment and anger that also gets him shocked a few times. "It's just the way life is now. You weren't there to see the nighthowler massacres."

"Do you want the collar removed?"

"I would rather animals be safe than myself be free from the collar. I scratched Judy in the past while being completely conscious and aware. I know what I can do. It's better this way."

Gideon sounds so defeated and accepting of the situation. "I can guarantee you won't kill anyone because of nighthowlers. Do you want it removed?"

I guess my voice was enough to sway Gideon. He hesitantly replies, "Yes."

"How does someone remove a collar?"

"Anyone on the police force can do it."

I turn towards Kate and Howard. "Remove Gideon's collar."

Howard responds, "It's too risky."

"But it's what he wants, that's what matters."

"Aren't you collared just the same? Why do you care so much for his but not yours?"

"My collar is special. It has a very special purpose. Unfortunately, right now it doesn't function anymore. I wear it because I want to. Now, remove his collar."

"Each collar is tracked. This helps us in solving crimes in more ways than one. I had my doubts at first but it's for the greater good you see. You shouldn't be persuading animals to take off their collars."

"Gideon sounds so defeated and hopeless because of the situation. I can't let him feel this way."

Kate comments, "Howard, if you're so hesitant to remove Gideon's collar I will. I've always looked up to those two."

"But, you haven't even been on a real case yet. Should you really be doing this?"

"I've looked up to those two they're the most effective unorthodox team on the force. I will do what Gideon wants, it's the right thing to do. Compliance with the collar law is voluntary anyway."

Kate removes Gideon's collar. Gideon says, "I'm finally free to express all my emotions again. Nick, I hope you can keep me safe from the nighthowler shootings. I just don't want to end up hurting someone because of it." He embraces Kate in a hug.

It was then two trucks full of food and shock collars arrives. They were driven by two elephants. A police cruiser is seen leading them. The elephants unload the cargo onto the ground and leave. Mike Fangmeyer and Brian Delgato step out of the cruiser. Mike asks, "Why is Gideon not collared anymore?"

I reply, "I learned the collar law compliance is voluntary. I persuaded Gideon to remove his, is that a problem?"

"Bogo gave us food to feed twenty thousand animals. I'm surprised that they actually do exist does anyone here want to be collared?"

"We'll take the food. I don't think anyone here wants to be collared though."

"What about the nighthowler shootings? You've been away from Zootopia for too long. You don't know what happened."

"I am not worried about nighthowlers at all." I turn towards the crowd, "Food has finally arrived. I hope it's to your tastes." The crowd eats the food and finds it just fine. Only two thousand predators whereas chief thought it was twenty thousand. I guess the food will last us for quite some time.

Brian must be calling the chief. He's talking on the phone, "None of Wilde's group wants to be collared. He also persuaded Gideon to take off his collar. We delivered the food as you ordered. What would you like us to do?" He replies, "Yes, sir. Wilde, the chief wants to talk to you." He hands me the phone.

"Hello yet again, chief. How can I help you? I don't think anything has happened since the last time we talked."

Bogo replies, "WILDE! What did I say earlier? Don't make a mess? You just set persuaded Gideon to be free from his collar and none of your group wants to be collared either. "

"I've seen the collar shock Gideon. He felt hopeless and so accepting of the situation. I can't let him continue living like that. I have to give him hope. I will try persuading other predators to give up their collars as well. It's the right thing to do. It's not good to live in fear. The collars prevent predators from doing so many things."

"If a massacre happens because of what you're doing. It will be your fault."

"I accept this responsibility. What should I do with animals that attempt to make others go savage? Is lethal force authorized or enhanced interrogation?"

"How can you so easily say that?"

"I still need an answer."

"Both lethal force and enhanced interrogation are acceptable."

"Perfect. Yay, I finally get to torture someone, all I need to do is find a target. Yes…"

The Prime heard my celebration. He didn't like it one bit. He grabs me by the neck and lifts me up into the air. He then squeezes my neck. "Keep control of your desires or I will end you. I forbid you from torturing anyone." I drop the phone in the process. He drops me to the ground. I gasp for air. No one makes a move to stop the Prime.

I pick up the phone again and continue with my conversation. "Wilde what happened? what's gotten into you?"

"The leader of the group that I'm a part of didn't really enjoy my celebration of enhanced interrogation techniques. He also forbids me from doing any of that. Let's put it that way."

"He sounds like he has sense. You sounded mentally unhinged when I approved it. I approve whatever he did. Apparently, there's someone there to keep you in check."

"You're taking HIS side?"

"Do you need therapy? Are you even listening to yourself? The moment I approved enhanced interrogation you sounded mentally unhinged. In light of this, I now forbid you from doing anything involved with enhanced interrogation."

"But…"

"Fight me on this and I'm revoking your badge and when we find Hopps you two won't be able to work together anymore."

"Yes sir."

"At least, you haven't gone completely insane. I wish you luck. Fangmeyer and Delgato will be staying with you until I arrive. Please don't make an even bigger mess before the week is up." I give the phone back to Brian.

I tell the Prime, "There's a group of animals misusing desire's embrace. That's why predators were collared here. I'll need your help to stop them." The Prime agrees and the order spreads itself out among the town to prevent things from happening only ten of us remain in front of the Hopps household.

The crowd is satisfied with just eating food. Saberclaw himself was fine with it as well. They don't even care for shelter and decide to sleep under the open sky. We were going to sleep under the open sky too and Gideon was going to go home but Bonnie invites me, Gideon and the Prime inside. The Prime has Comet keep watch over the group and heads inside. Stu voices some objections but Bonnie doesn't care.

Bonnie leads us to a room with several floors. Its purpose is family gatherings. Bonnie says, "Now, I would like to know where exactly you've gone Nick. You've changed you know. How can you enjoy torture?"

I respond, "Yes, I have. The camping trip didn't exactly go as planned."

"Now, I want to know everything that has happened on your trip. I want to understand why you changed."

"Can't we talk about this later?"

The Prime remarks, "Bonnie, I have ways of making him talk if that's what you want." Gee, what horrible method would it be this time? Do I even want to find out?

Bonnie replies, "I have my own. You intrigue me though. What is the relationship between you two?"

"I am the leader of the order. Both Judy and Nick are members."

"Nick, will you tell us more about what your vacation now?"

I reply, "Maybe, when Judy gets here?" That evasive answer was far from satisfactory.

She replies, "I'm calling a family meeting." She uses a screen to inform everyone. After a while, all the bunnies in the house seem to show up. "Kits, Nick has come to visit. Nick has tons of stories to tell you about his vacation. Would anyone like to hear some?"

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"We are bunnies. There's no such things as sensitive topics. Now, kits take him away. He has tons of stories to tell to keep you all entertained. He also knows where Judy is too."

Tons of kits move me to a room and there's no way out. Being held prisoner by tons of kits. I'm not sure if I preferred the Prime's methods of getting animals to talk.


A/N: For those that read both versions, is there any preference to which version you like? The previous one's justifications didn't feel adequate. This version characters feel much more in character.

Is Bonnie out of character for sparing Saberclaw?

Philosophical question: Would you be able to sentence someone that has wronged you to death?