Hey guys Price here and welcome to Chapter 7 of Wonder Bunny: Lance's Story! I hope you guys enjoyed last Chapter, because I know I certainly did. Apologize it took me so long to get this Chapter written seeing as to how short it is, but I took a break since I was tired, then I watched OVAs I-IV of Hellsing Ultimate, and then I forgot until the time of writing this. Apologies for that. But enough excuses, I hope I am able to write this flashback well enough. And hopefully I can find a way to bring Laura back into the story, since I enjoy writing this version of her. Maybe write Lance's part, then write Laura's part? Would you guys be interested in that? I'll consider it. Anyway, that's enough of that, I think it's time to get...onto the story!
Lance shoved through the crowd, his eyes wide in panic and Nick right behind him. A mammal keeping the crowd back noticed them and managed to stop them when they came to the front, but it was pointless. They were both frozen in horror at the sight that greeted them anyway. Lance's eyes were wide and his mouth opened slightly, and Nick was the same way.
'No...no, it can't...' Lance's knees shook and eventually gave out, the Tod dropping to his knees as he stared at his and Nick's home, now burning. He vaguely heard Nick quietly ask if anybody had gotten out, silence greeting the young Tod's questions for a long moment.
"...No. I'm sorry." The mammal answered, Nick remaining silent as he nodded. Lance stared into space, unable to really comprehend all that he was seeing, feeling, and hearing.
Time was a blur to them both as they remained frozen in their spots for most of it, eventually being led across the street and away from the crowd by one of the officials. Lance was silent as he sat on the curb, his eyes only moving to blink and remaining black voids. Nick was slightly better, though not by much.
"I told her I hated her." Lance said quietly, Nick turning his head in surprise. "I told my sister I hated her, and now I'll never get to apologize." The slightly younger Tod pressed himself against Lance comfortingly, resting his head on his shoulder. Lance ignored it for the most part, though he did lean his head to rest it atop Nick's.
"I think she knew you didn't mean it." Nick said quietly, Lance closing his eyes and letting out a breath.
"Thank you, Nick." The Tod whispered, Nick smiling softly.
"It's what friends are for, Lance." Silence greeted his words, and Nick only smiled again. It felt odd to be smiling so soon after what had happened, but, if he was being honest, he was just glad they had been away when it'd happened. He didn't know what he'd do if they'd been there and he made it out but Lance didn't. Nick shuddered at the thought, quietly moving his arms and wrapping it around Lance's. The Tod seemed to notice that and raised his head, looking down at Nick in surprise. He smiled, then rested his head on the younger Tod with a small smile. At least he still had Nick.
It was several hours later that the two of them awoke, mammals still staring at the now blackened husk that had been the building they'd called home. Lance sighed, his eyes and expression devoid of emotion, and stood. Nick shook his head, then did the same. He stretched.
"Come on." Lance said quietly, turning to walk away. Nick blinked in surprise, then frowned.
"Where are we going?" The Tod asked, Lance turning his head to glance at him.
"I dunno. We'll see." He answered, Nick frowning further.
"Well, shouldn't we wait for an official to try and help us or something? See if they can find us somewhere to live?" Nick asked, Lance remaining silent. "Lance, I don't want to live on the streets. It's not safe." Lance paused and Nick walked around him, turning to look at him. Lance's head was lowered slightly, gaze resting on the sidewalk.
"I...I don't want to live somewhere else, Nick. What are the chances a family might adopt us, let alone adopt us together?" The slightly older Tod asked, Nick blinking in surprise.
"Lance, I've lost my family twice now. I can't lose you too. You're all I have left." He said, Lance raising his gaze.
"Exactly my point. What are the chances of us being adopted, let alone being adopted together? Tell me, Nick." Silence greeted him, a clear sign Nick knew he was right. "This is our best chance of staying together. Believe me, I'd rather do as you say, but it likely wouldn't be possible to be adopted together. It's also possible we'd be adopted but treated as less than mammals because we're Foxes. I can't have that." Lance finished, Nick nodding his head. He turned and they began walking.
A few minutes later the mammal who'd taken them to the opposite side of the street came to check on them, only to find them gone. He wanted to find them, but he knew his superiors wouldn't agree with him leaving his post just to go after a pair of Fox kits. The speciest bastard pissed him off to no end, but he had to do what he said. As much as it pained him, he turned and went back to helping the others. Maybe he'd see them again some day.
It was several weeks after that day that found Nick sitting in an alley, Lance standing a few feet away, leaning against the wall. Nick was starting to notice that the Tod had starting changing since that day. Gone was the bright and vocal Tod Nick had called his friend; in his place was a dull and quiet Fox that, to put it simply, unnerved Nick. It was such a striking contrast that he couldn't help but fear for the Tod, knowing that something like what they'd experienced could be difficult, but still finding the way it'd affected his friend frightening. Perhaps there was something wrong with him, seeing as he hadn't really changed noticeably.
Lance stiffened suddenly, Nick's gaze locking onto him in curiosity. The Tod lowered himself quietly, leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. Nick stared at him, tilting his head, when he noticed Lance's paw was making gestures. He blinked when he saw the universal gesture for walking, then realized what Lance was trying to say almost immediately.
Mammals approaching, appear unworthy.
Nick closed his eyes and went slack, his breathing even, as pawsteps approached.
"Anyway, so as I was saying, I walk up to the Vixen and say-hey, those kits?" The was silence for a moment.
"Ah, hell, I think so. They dead or just asleep?" A second voice asked, a single pair of pawsteps approaching cautiously. Nick felt something nudge him experimentally, but remained silent.
"Ah, Jesus Christ, what do we do? I mean, I know we should call the police or something, but at the same time I dunno if they'll do anything about it aside from just dump 'em somewhere to rot." The first voice said, clearly indecisive about what was legally and morally right. "I mean, they're kits, sure, but they're also Foxes. Me and you both know the police don't bother too much with them."
"I know, David. Christ, as much as it sucks, I think we should just stay quiet. An alley is better than some creek or ditch or whatever." The first voice, the one identified as David, grumbled something. "Look, Dae, it bothers me just as much as it does you, but for god's sake, I can't let them just be disposed of like garbage. It sucks, but it's better than the alternative."
"I know, Percy, but still. It feels wrong." David said, a sigh escaping the second mammal, the one identified as Percy.
"I know, Dae. Let's just...let's just go."
"Agreed." The sound of retreating pawsteps signalled the mammals were leaving, but Nick kept himself still just in case. He started at the feeling of something smacking into his chest, opening his eyes and turning. Lance smiled softly at him.
"They're gone. I take it you were breathing shallow?" Nick nodded. "Smart."
"Thank you." There was silence for a moment before Nick realized something. "Hey, they seemed nice. Why didn't we ask them for help or something?"
"They took pity on us because we're kits, Nick. It's something not many can control." Lance stood, stretching with a quiet groan, Nick deciding to do the same. When they were done Lance approached him, Nick blinking when Lance got right up in frotn of him, their muzzles almost touching. Lance tilted his head. "You haven't really changed, you know that?" Nick hadn't been expecting that.
"I uh...I guess I'm just handling it better?" The younger Tod tried hesitantly, not knowing if that was the best thing to say. Lance just chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess you are." He agreed, backing away and turning towards further into the alley. "C'mon, let's see if we can find someone who'd be willing to spend a bit. We need to eat again."
"We really should have just tried those two mammals." Nick muttered, Lance huffing in amusement.
"Perhaps, but it's better to be safe than sorry. We're lucky they were considerate at all." The older Tod said, Nick humming in agreement. Lance paused suddenly, his expression one of consideration. He shook his head.
"Something wrong?" Nick asked, tilting his head.
"Nah, just thinking. Not important." Lance answered, sending a reassuring smile over his shoulder. He turned his head, a glint in his eyes and a small smirk pulling at his muzzle.
He had an idea.
And that does it for Chapter 7 of Wonder Bunny: Lance's Story! I hope you guys enjoyed, because I certainly enjoyed writing it. Next Chapter will be about the first hustle that Nick and Lance successfully pull off, and it's still a flashback, just set a few months after this Chapter was. I'll have more flashbacks later that cover small things in Nick and Lance's past, as well as setting up a little reveal which hopefully won't be spoiled before then. Anybody who knows Lance will likely be able to guess, but it isn't incredibly obvious, or so I hope. Apologies this took a few days. Kinda just put off writing it, which I apologize for. After I finsih up this stretch of flashbacks, I'm gonna try and finish up Zootopian Assassins. Still need to start on Chapter 48, but I still have a while so I should be good. I'm trying to be careful with a few things because it's incredibly important I wrap up as much as I can. That means Chapter 48 will either be longer than average or there will be more than a few jumps, just to make sure I have more than enough room for AC stuff in Chapter 49 and 50. Chapter 50 will be my most violent thing yet, which says a lot. Also, next Chapter might include a short action scene, but I make no promises. Lance's personality will slowly become more similar to the one he has in the present. It may not be obvious, but it is slightly different. He's more vocal before the fire, as well as much less reserved about many things. Afterwards, and especially in the present, he's extremely quiet unless necesarry, and is also incredibly aggressive at times. Hopefully I get to display that soon. Anyway, this is getting long enough, I will see you guys...next update. Word Count: 1,984