Nick and Judy did everything they could to keep themselves from getting wet, but it wasn't called the Rainy Woods for nothing.
"How much further?" she asked.
"It shouldn't be long now." he replied, but even he was wondering if they were any closer to reaching their location.
Then, out of nowhere, they fell into a hidden pit. They yelled before they landed in the bottom.
"Oh, great!" shouted an angry voice. "Now I got to do the whole thing over again!"
Nick looked up, "Finnick? Is that you?!"
A fennec fox appeared at the edge of the pit, "Nick? Don't you know better than to watch your step?!"
The red fox shouted, "Just get us out of here!"
"Us? Who's that in there with you?"
"My name is Judy Hopps, and if you and Nick know each other, then I can assume you're a friend."
The smaller fox replied, "Somewhat. But I guess I better get you out in case more guards come and join you." He went to get a rope and lowered it down to them.
Once they were up, Judy could see the fennec was no bigger than her ankles.
Nick said, "If you're here, that means the base can't be far. Mind pointing us in the right direction?"
"I'll take you there myself, but first I want to know where the heck you've been since meeting with Big and why are you with a rabbit?"
Nick sighed as he told the whole story. When he was done, Finnick was laughing hard.
"He shrunk you?! He actually shrunk you?! And passed you off as a toy?!"
Even Judy couldn't suppress her giggles and said, "Yes, he did."
Nick only glowered as his friend's laughter died down and Finnick went back to being serious.
"So Big thinks this prophecy has something to do with you and this bunny?"
Nick replied, "Pretty much."
Judy added, "But it all depends on how we'll work together."
Finnick crossed his arms, "Buffalo Butt's not going to like this."
Judy questioned, "Buffalo Butt?"
Nick smirked, "Just a fun little nickname we call the captain, but I suggest you don't tell him that when you meet him."
"Gee, you think?" she sarcastically said.
The red fox smirked further, "Can it be that I'm rubbing off of you, Fluff?"
"I thought we agreed you wouldn't call me anything but Carrots."
"My bad. Sorry, Carrots."
Finnick watched the exchange with confusion and interest, but decided not to think too much of it and said, "Listen, we got to go before a patrol shows up. Make sure you walk three steps behind me." He went on.
Judy whispered to Nick, "Why three steps?"
"Fin likes his space, especially since most mammals are bigger than him. He's afraid of getting stepped on. But don't tell him I know that." he winked.
She just gave him an amused smile as they followed after the fennec.
Finnick stopped at a large tree and knocked on its wood like he was sending morse code. Just then, a rope ladder appeared before them. The foxes and bunny climbed up and once they reached the top, mammals in tattered clothes held weapons toward them. A large cape buffalo in a faded uniform stepped forth with a plump cheetah wearing a similar faded uniform.
"Well, this should be good," the buffalo spoke sardonically.
Nick mocked a salute, "Good to see you too, Captain. Never mind the fact you didn't stop Big for sending me away in a box."
"What exactly did our king say…" He then noticed Judy and glared, "…and why have you brought a bunny with you?"
"If we can step into your office, I'll explain everything." He flashed a grin.
The large captain grunted and motioned for them to follow. He stepped into a hollow part of the tree that was large enough for a meeting place. The cheetah locked the door behind them as Nick, Judy, and Finnick gathered in the room.
Bogo crossed his arms, "Well?"
Nick said, "Big told me there was a prophecy that might be able to defeat the Mouse King once and for all."
"A prophecy?! That's it?! We're relying on some crystal ball that might be useless?!"
"There's more. See this rabbit? She's Big's goddaughter, and apparently, the prophecy has to do with me and her. Carrots, want to deliver the rest?"
She cleared her throat, "Predator and prey alone are they when ancient grudges set them apart, but not for those who have the same heart… A fox and rabbit may seem wrong, but united, they'll stand strong."
Bogo gaped before scowling, "You mean… we have to rely on a fox that was a traitor and a useless bunny?! To save us from the Mouse King?!"
Judy gasped before angrily replying, "Useless?! I am not useless!"
Bogo lowered his face to her with a doubtful expression, asking, "Do you have any experience in combat or have been trained to fight?"
"Uh…" Then she hung her head and muttered, "No."
Bogo straightened up, "Looks like we'll have to take back the kingdom the hard way, without a so-called prophecy…"
Nick could see that Judy was still hanging her head in shame. He glowered toward the captain and spoke up, "Uh, excuse me, but I believe you have to follow the king's orders no matter what, right?"
"So?"
"So, the king believes in the prophecy. He commanded me and Judy to find you and to tell you about it. But if you don't want to help, fine. Judy and I can handle this without you. You know why? Prophecies are rarely wrong…" He smirked at that last part.
Bogo just frowned.
Nick continued, "But it would seem we have your cooperation now, so that means we don't need to tell Big about how his captain of the guard almost ruined his chances of reuniting with his daughter. And hey, if you feel the bunny is useless, then why not train her so she can fight in combat?"
Judy gaped at the fox. He was willing to help her out so they could make this prophecy come true!
Bogo stood silent for a bit before addressing her with a gruff tone, "What's your name?"
"Judy Hopps."
"Fine. Miss Hopps, your training starts first thing tomorrow morning." He pointed to the cheetah, "Clawhauser will oversee your progress."
She looked back to the soldier, who gave a friendly wave to her and made her smile.
Nick then said, "And we have to sadly report that Lord Emmitt has been taken by the guards this morning and is most likely in the dungeon now."
Bogo sighed, "That's bad. We are losing more mammals by the day. Arrests have increased in the last few days. I've been receiving reports from my sources that the mouse is doing this to force Princess Fru-Fru's paw in marriage."
Judy scowled, "So he's arresting innocent mammals just to marry the princess?!"
Bogo stated in annoyance, "That would be correct."
Nick gestured, "Listen, Captain, it's been a long day for me and Judy, so if you would kindly show us the mess hall to get some eats, that'd be most appreciated. After all, we can't fulfill an ancient prophecy if we're going to starve." He smirked.
The buffalo let out an annoyed grunt and gestured for them to follow him out. But unbeknownst to all of them, a weasel by the name of Duke had been hiding in the room listening in. Once the group was gone, he snuck out of the tree base, ran out of the Rainy Woods, and went to the castle of the Mouse King.
The king was alone when the weasel entered in the throne room.
"Ah, my spy. What have you got to report from the rebel base this time?"
"It's really good, boss. Wilde has returned and with a rabbit."
"Oh, that's not new. I've already encountered the traitor and that bunny when I went to the Burrows."
"But did they say anything about a prophecy that foretold you would be defeated?"
"What?!"
"Yup. Not only that, but it's about Wilde and the bunny. I quote: Predator and prey alone are they when ancient grudges set them apart, but not for those who have the same heart… A fox and rabbit may seem wrong, but united, they'll stand strong."
The mouse was utterly speechless until he began to scowl and tapped his scepter down hard. "I knew I should have gotten rid of that traitor when I had the chance! Duke, I want you to keep a close eye on them and find out what you can about the rabbit, her name or anything else about her!"
"I already got her name. Judy Hopps."
"Judy Hopps? Alright, then. Just make sure you keep watch of her and Nicholas."
Duke saluted, "You got it, boss." He then went out.
AN: Obviously this won't be done by Christmas but I hope to finish it before winter break ends.