A/N: Previous chapter's author's note caused some confusion. It was alternative plot ideas that the chapter might have been.

Chapter 32: A Clash of Ideals, Protecting The Myth


I watched Judy storm out of the room. She needs some time alone I suppose. I say, "Well then, now you know the truth about Judy."

Bonnie comments, "She's changed so much does death fill you with vengeance? She even wanted to kill us at one point."

"That was her emotions taking over. Normally, their mates would keep them sane. It's why everyone except for myself has a partner."

"Were you really going to kill us if she told you to?"

"She has to live with that decision and yes. The very reason I offered her those choices is because she wouldn't choose either."

Stu asks, "So, what happens to her now?"

"It depends on what she chooses to do next. Now, I'm going to see how the hybrids are integrating in Bunnyburrow."

I left the house and walk around Bunnyburrow. I see Cataclysm getting shocked by his mate – a ewe with the ability to control water. Cataclysm also has tons of bruises on his body. She's clearly not happy with him. Not my problem.

I see a wolf and sheep hybrid cub chasing a rabbit kit. The rabbit kit is terrified. The rabbit kit hid behind me. I ask, "What do you think you're doing?"

The cub responds, "I am chasing her, having fun."

"Which limb do you want to lose?"

The rabbit kit defends the hybrid, "You don't have to do any of that. I am okay really."

"And what would have happened if he caught you?"

They don't answer. Bogo stumbles upon us, "What are you doing?" They hide behind Bogo now.

"Rending my judgement. Which limb should I tear off of the hybrid?"

"Just what has he done to earn this punishment?"

"He was chasing her around and she was terrified. He was having fun, that's what he said. I should remove a limb, then the parents will do the rest."

"This is Zootopia. You are not in the mountain anymore, you will obey our laws. What you were going to do is way out of line." He turns his attention to them and asks, "Tell me what happened."

The hybrid speaks, "I am copying Frostfang and Tom. She chases him around a lot. So, I decided to chase her around." I guess that explains some things.

I comment, "They are members of the order, they have special privileges."

Bogo issues a command, "You have done enough. Leave. Speaking of special privileges, does that include breaking into a hospital and preventing Nick from getting treatment?" I suppose, I should let him take over. Judy does somewhat listen to his commands.

"Judy is well within her rights to do that. She has done nothing wrong. It's a far more productive use of her time."

"Go to the hospital solve whatever issue Judy has. She's threatening doctors and preventing them from treating Nick. She's threatening to set the entire hospital on fire. You haven't been responding to any text messages that I've sent." Right, the replacements for the crystals.

I set off for the hospital.


Nick's on the hospital bed hooked up to various equipment. A bunny doctor walks in. "Miss Hopps, you are not supposed to be here."

I respond, "I don't care for what you think. I am staying here. Now, what do you plan to do?"

"We analyzed his blood. His body contains traces of nighthowler serum. We are going to give him the antidote."

What would the antidote do him? I don't want to find out. "Not on my watch. You won't be doing any of that."

"He needs to be cured."

"I don't think he does, thus you won't cure him. He's in the hospital for burns not for nighthowler related incidents."

"Look, I am a doctor. You are not supposed to be here. Leave and let me do my job."

I need to bluff. I wonder if this would work. "Try that at all and I'm setting the entire hospital on fire. Surely, you've seen the news. Now, give me the antidote." He gives it to me. I use my paws to smash the window. I throw the antidote away. "Such a pity, it seems we just lost the cure."

The doctor is aghast, "Don't you know how rare that was? You were the one who stopped Bellwether."

"I don't need your misguided attempts to treat Nick."

"All he needs is time to recover from his injuries then."

"Then, I will wait until he does recover. Your presence is no longer needed then. I suggest you leave."

"That, might take a long time."

"Well, I have plenty of time. I suggest you leave."

The doctor finally takes the hint and leaves but not before saying something ominous, "I'll be back." I'm glad I was here, what could have happened to Nick if he was 'cured' of nighthowlers? Would something happen to him?

After a while, the Prime arrives. "Bogo tells me, you're threatening to burn down the entire hospital."

I reply, "They were planning to cure Nick of the influence of desire's embrace. I'm not sure what kind of an effect that would have on him. I don't want to find out."

"Such a cure exists? Perhaps, it can be useful for saving animals that fail the rite."

"Is there something else you want?"

"Not at all. You did rush here in a hurry. This is a far better use of your time. Bogo just asked me to solve whatever issue there was with you. It turns out there was none. I'll be leaving now." The Prime leaves and I'm alone with Nick once more.

The doctor from earlier returns, "Your leader just came here. I trust you will let me treat him now?"

I reply, "We actually agree with each other. You won't be treating Nick. Try it and the entire hospital goes up in flames besides, the antidote Is rare. I'm certain you don't have another one."

"He's going to be savage when he wakes up. He'll try to eat you."

"Thanks for the warning. That would be preferable to his current state. Now, I believe you should leave."

"This isn't over." He parts with that warning again.

I spend my time waiting in the room next to an unresponsive Nick. It's night now and no one has cared to bother me. My cellphone rings, it's Bonnie and Stu. I tell them I'm staying overnight here and that I won't be leaving until Nick is better.

I sleep on the floor.

In the morning that doctor dares to return here. I ask him, "Why are you here this time?"

The doctor responds, "I am telling you that you have guests soon."

"So, since you're not here to cause trouble. I think you can leave now."

"Oh no, I'm hoping they would help you see reason. Nick has to be cured of the nighthowler's influence."

"My stance will not change regardless of who enters." Finnick and a vixen enter the room. Finnick's wearing a black shirt and grey shorts. The vixen is wearing a blue shirt and brown pants. "Hello, who are you?"

The vixen replies, "I am Nick's mother. Vivian Wilde. What's this I hear about you denying Nick a cure for nighthowlers?"

"A classified secret let's put it that way."

"And there's no way that you can tell us this secret?"

"That is correct. I am standing watch over him to make sure nothing bad happens."

Finnick says, "Yo, bunny rabbit just what did Nick do to end up like this?"

"He got caught in the crossfire of our vengeance."

Vivian asks, "How much of what I saw on television is true?"

"That depends on what you have seen, doesn't it?"

"We saw fire itself rise up against the military and then they all vanished. Leaving the ten of you and Nick being badly burned and now here you stand refusing my son medical treatment. Why are you not in prison?"

"I guess news doesn't travel all the way to Zootopia or rather what you read there isn't the complete story. I'm not interested in explaining myself."

Vivian looks at the doctor and says, "We can restrain her while you give Nick the antidote."

I am enraged as soon as I heard that, "You went through Bogo, then Bogo contacted the Prime. When all that failed, you didn't give up and you contact Nick's friends and family? All just so he can be cured?"

The doctor responds, "You are not supposed to be here in the first place! This is a hospital. I'm not sure why the police department isn't taking care of it. Nick is a danger to everyone when he wakes up."

"You are meddling in affairs you do not understand. Leave before I burn this place to ash." My wings flare up even though I'm not in the air.

Vivian says, "I'd like to see you try. There's nothing you can use to start a fire here."

I'm being called on my bluff. This is bad. Finnick says, "Have you gone insane Judy? You are in a hospital, not wearing a shirt and from what the doctor says, you haven't even left Nick's side or had anything to eat for a day."

I reply, "How is my own wellbeing any of your concern?"

"When you deny my friend medical treatment. Threatening to burn down the entire hospital."

Vivian comments, "Nick is going to get cured today. Nighthowler antidotes aren't cheap. We are going to restrain you if you resist."

I need a plan. I can't take both of them on physically. I can't risk Nick being 'cured'. I don't want to risk finding out what happens. Trying to explain to them the reality of it would probably make me seem even more insane. I try to strike a deal, hoping it would work. "Maybe, you're right. Maybe, I have gone insane. Can you give me five minutes alone with Nick? I promise to leave peacefully after that."

The doctor is delighted that I will leave in five minutes, he persuades Finnick and Vivian to accept the deal. I can't believe what I'm about to do but it's the right thing.


A/N: I'm surprised that I've been able to update this story every day / two days. Never imagined that I'd end up writing at this pace for so long. Not so subtle foreshadowing in this chapter. Goal for every chapter - have something memorable in each. As always, suggestions welcome.