Chapter Two: Five Minutes Before Seven

A/N: I'm noticing a theme here.

6:55pm At City Hall

Nick Wilde was about to pass out from shock as he spoke to the press. "Okay, I need to let you guys know that me and Judy just came from Bunnyburrow where we've been so busy with saving a mall from a savage bunny attack, that we didn't have time to catch the news. So please enlighten me. How the heck am I the new mayor?!"

"Mayor elect!" Trunk said. "You ain't mayor just yet buddy!"

One of the press members informed him. "It was due to a write-in campaign that originated in Little Rodentia and grew outwards."

"This is why we need an electoral college!" shouted Trunk.

"Cities don't have electoral colleges." a press member reminded the elephant.

It started to all make sense now. "Well. They love me in Little Rodentia. They even built a statue in my honor."

"And they have five times the population of any district in the city. So Mr. Wilde, would you like to make a speech?"

Nick was a bit dumbfounded, but he got his bearings. "Well, ummm...I certainly didn't have one planned. Now, I know what you're thinking. Nick, did this come as a shock to you? Yes. Yes it did. But it goes to show the trust that this city has placed in.."

"OKAY, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Trunk shouted. "We got a dome ceremony to get underway."

Nick intervened. "Mr. Trunk.."

"MAYOR Trunk!"

"Not for loooong!" This made the crowd laugh. "Look. This dome thing is currently a bad idea as Lionheart is planning on using it for an all out attack on the city! The dome is interpenetrate from the outside. If something bad happens and it will, the army can't get to us!"

The elephant was furious. "Look Wilde. You say one more word and I will have you forcibly removed! AHEM! Now then, the dome, which can be both raised AND lowered!...was a great project that Lionheart started, but let's be honest, he couldn't finish it, but I could."

"Lionheart barely started it before we arrested him." Nick whispered to Judy.

"Because me and my team are great ! Am I right? C'mon! Now, thanks entirely to me, Savannah Central will always have it's sun, albeit artificial and the Rainforest district will never have to deal with another nasty winter. Let the dome rise and bring about a new era where we have the weather we want, not what God wills, 24/7!"

Trunk pressed the large button on the podium (which actually did nothing) and the engineers in charge of the dome miles away, flipped the switches to raise it.

People could see it from all sides. Six curved, triangular walls of incredibly thick glass, rising up to meet each other. It was a slow process, but it was underway.

And so was the chaos. An explosion was heard and a rising trail of smoke was seen a mile away, but from the distance, it was obvious what building it was. "The ZPD!" Judy shouted.

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted "Long live the king!" and threw a Nighthowler gas grenade into the crowd. Within seconds, several of the predator reporters had gone savage and attacked the crowd in attendance.

Judy and Nick quickly sprung into action. They got their dart guns out and quickly shot the ones that went savage. They fell to the ground instantly. "That should do it!" Judy said. She then addressed the mayor. "Hurry! Get into your limo and get out of here! We'll follow until you're home safe!"

Trunk's bodyguards quickly got him into the limo and they sped off. Judy and Nick followed behind them.

6:55pm. ZPD Maximum Security Prison

"It's almost time." said Wolf. "Will you be ready sir?"

"Just one moment my dear escorts!" Dapper Dan said. "I'm doing a bit of...what do they call that now?...Oh yes, 'Cosplay'."

"We don't have a lot of time sir." Stein reminded the fox.

"Relax! Tonight's a special occasion and I want to look my best."

Wolf saw his partner looking a bit impatient. "Nervous Stein?"

"A bit yeah. Nothing like shooting at your former friends to start a night off."

"Relax. I got it all planned."

Dapper Dan finally stepped out. "How do I look?"

Wolf was confused. "Very ummm...Dapper?"

"Yes, but WHO am I dressed as?"

"Not important right now sir. We need to.."

The fox grabbed Wolf and got into his face. "IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME!"

Stein calmed things down. "I know! You're Honest John from Penguinoccio!"

"Corrrrect!" John said with a smile. "But his full title is 'Honest' John Worthington Foulfellow. I always loved the way he dressed."

All of the sudden, the alarm went off and they could hear Swinton. "Attention guards! Drop everything you're doing! We need to apprehend two guards, Wolf and Stein. Not the video game. They're needed for questioning immediately and are considered very dangerous!"

"Oh crap!" Stein shouted. "They're onto us! We gotta move!"

"We have time." Wolf said calmly. "We're just gonna have to start the party a tiny bit early, which sadly means, I have to blow up our work station." He pulled a device out of his pocket. He flipped open the lock and pressed the button on the device. They heard a loud explosion nearby as Wolf had just blown up the ZPD garage.

"This will distract the police force AND it's the signal for the big escape. Hope you're ready sir, as it's gonna be a huge fight to get out!"

Wolf took the lead. "Guns at the ready Stein! You may have to shoot some of your fellow officers to break everyone out!"

"More than ready." Stein replied.

A happy Dapper Dan followed behind them singing. "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee! Thanks for escorting me! Now I'm free from this prison cell. Soon everyone will be free as well. Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee! Soon I shall be free!"

6:55pm In Jake's Prison Cell

Jake had both paws around Finnick's neck. "Start talkin' punk!"

"Can't...talk...if...choking!" Finnick responded.

Jake dropped him down. Finnick was surrounded at all sides. Some of the Los Lobos boys who defected and even Manchas was there.

"Alright." Jake replied. "Talk quick!"

"Nick and me...COUGH! GASP!...We're friends again. We made up and now we need your help."

Jake wasn't believing it. "Bullshit. He hates your guts. And what about that huge bank explosion last week?!"

"He did hate my guts and rightfully so. The death of one of our closest friends brought us back together and...I apologized for being such a shithead. Being with Lionheart's men brought me nothing but misery. But listen! Me and Honey...we had NOTHING to do with that bank! The Big Cheese had the blame put on us!"

Jake grabbed him and sniffed all over the fennec fox. "SNIFF! SNIFF! Hmmm...I can smell Nick alright. He's all over you and... his tears. I can smell them too. You ain't lyin' are ya?"

"No!...No...Look, I fucked up badly and now I'm paying for it. I want to redeem myself."

Jake smiled and patted Finnick on the back. "Same here brother! I'm also an ex-con who fought claw to claw with Nick Wilde, but now we're friends. I guess we can trust ya. So did Nick and you discuss any plan?"

"When the prison breakout happens, Lionheart's first target is likely to be Dawn Bellwether. We have to save her."

Some of the Wilde boys protested. "WHAAAT?! No way! She's a menace to all predators!"

"She's the reason I went savage and attacked Nick and Judy." Manchas replied.

"I know! I know! I'm not a big fan of hers either. But if we wanna make a big message that predators are not the savages prey think we are, saving her life would be pretty huge."

Jake shook Finnick's paw. "I'm with ya then brother!"

"Not me!" Manchas replied. "I cannot forgive her for her actions. "However, I'll help stop some of the prisoners from escaping."

"That reminds me. " Finnick said. "Nick's foster daughter is Dawn's niece. That's partially why he wants me to save her. Also, the little lamb can see into the future randomly and draw it on paper. She drew a picture of officer Hopps with a shot leg and Nick being thrown off a building by Rusev the polar bear. He's gonna try to break out tonight and we need to stop him by any means necessary or it could be doom for Nick!"

"Now THAT I can help with." Manchas replied.

Before Finnick could say more, the alarm sounded, followed by Swinton's message about Wolf and Stein. "Looks like the party's about to start." Finnick said just before they heard the explosion in the distance. "Bingo."

6:55pm. In Little Rodentia

Rather than hiding in their tiny buildings, the citizens of Little Rodentia were out on their streets, celebrating their electoral victory. Much of this was to the chagrin of Duke Weaselton who was trying to finish building the wooden dome that the mice hired him to construct. Duke and Rico were on top of the dome putting the last pieces in place and time was running out.

"Would you bozos keep it down, ovah 'dere?!" The weasel shouted. "I'm tryin' ta finish 'dis thing ta save yer miserable hides!"

Rico put the last piece of curved lumber in place. "You sure this is gonna hold boss?"

"Sure I'm sure! 'Da top of 'dis dome is an archway. See? And ain't no more secure part of a buildin' 'dan an archway because all the pieces lean into each other and support each other. Watch! I can push hard on 'dis part an-AAAAHHHH!"

The boards broke and Duke fell through the top of the dome and into the park. Rico was worried. "Boss! Are you alright?!"

"Yeah. Yeah.. It's Little Rodentia. I fell like, 4 feet. I just hope I didn't land on anyone. Hurry up and finish the job and meet me inside 'da park."

Just then, Duke saw Paco running over to him. "Hey watch fer 'da little guys Paco! What're ya doin' here? Where's yer mudder?"

"I left her with the Clawhausers Papi! I came to help you!"

"It ain't safe around here! 'Da riots are gonna start any..."

They both heard the explosion in the distance. They both knew what it meant. Duke pulled his stepson close to him. "Stay with me son. I'll keep ya safe."

"Si Papi. I'm sorry. I should have stayed with mama."

"It's okay bud. I'll protect you."

Meanwhile at an apartment inside of Little Rodentia, Melody was begging for her wife Brie to stay behind. "Please honey! You could be killed!"

"I'm a ZPD officer darling. Little Rodentia is under my watch, I HAVE to protect it."

"But we're so small! You could be killed!"

"I know. But I can't stand by and do nothing. This is MY town and I won't have anyone else come by and destroy it!"

She gave the mouse a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you." She then gave her pet cricket a kiss too. "I love you too Stew Meat! Take good care of mommy!"

Melody waved back. "I love you honey! Be careful!"

"I will. " Brie said as she ran out the door.

Brei went over near the park and saw that Duke, Paco and Rico were still around. "Hey! Down here!" She shouted.

Duke ducked down. "Hello officer! We just finished up."

"It's officer Brie. You should have left a while ago. Things are getting bad out there. It's safer for you to stay inside our tiny city."

"Yeah, well...since we're stuck, we'll help fortify 'da dome from 'da inside."

"Sounds like a good plan."

"Oh hey! I heard an explosion a moment ago. I think the bad stuff is startin' now."

Suddenly, they heard a banging on the roof. "You're so right little man!" said a tiger on the other side.

Duke quickly sprung into action. "Rico! Help me put a support beam where he was just banging."

"Don't bother!" said the tiger. "We got some friends that are sure to want to visit you. All hail the king!"

Brie ran near the entrance and Duke followed. "What are they up to?"

The tiger and his dingo associate lowered a small, leather bag. They opened it and out spilled two slithery reptiles that might spell doom for Little Rodentia.

"COBRAS!" the mice screamed.

6:55 At the ZPD Maximum Security Prison (again)

The news crew had just finished setting up the cameras and back drop for the interview with Lionheart. Two guards were posted outside of his cell making the mice feel more at ease.

"Mic one check." said the reporter mouse. "Everything coming in good at the station?"

"Everything's great Mr. Cheddarton." They reported back. "Lionheart's coming in too."

"Good to hear. Are you ready Mr. Lionheart?"

"Is that question part of the interview?" Lionheart joked.

The mouse chuckled. "Ha-Ha! No. No. We'll be getting underway right now in three...two...one."

The mouse went into full news mode. "Good evening Zootopia. This is Phil Cheddarton. I'm here with what many would consider the most controversial mammal of the hour. Mr. Leodore Lionheart. Once known as the mayor of Zootopia, he know wishes to be...king. Mr. Lioheart, thank you for this interview."

"You're welcome Mr. Cheddarton. I imagine as a mouse, you liked my former title."

"Your...former title?"

"The Big Cheese of course!" Lionheart chuckled. "I know how much you mice love cheese."

"Ha-Ha. Yes. Mr. Lionheart..."

"Call me Leo!"

"Mr...Leo. Is there any truth to the rumor that you will be helping the huge jailbreak that's due to occur any minute?"

"Of course not Phil! Why would I be doing this interview right now if that were the case? No. I promised Chief Swinton that I would remain in my cell tonight and that's just what I plan on doing. I want to use this interview as an opportunity to tell the citizens of Zootopia just what I have planned for this city."

"What do you me-" Just then, the huge explosion from the garage occurred.

Lionheart didn't budge an inch. "See? I'm not going anywhere. Oh! And guards. You better help my fellow predators to escape now."

"Yes your majesty." said one of the guards.

Phil was horrified to see them leave. He then realized they were on Lionheart's side. "W-Wait! Wait!"

"Relax Phil! Everything's fine. You were trying to say a moment ago, 'what did I mean'? Well, I mean as of right now, bats are swarming into your little mouse studio and taking it over. We won't kill the crew as long as they don't resist. This is the Lionheart show now! I'll be directing my loyal subjects where to go and what mayhem to cause. But don't be afraid! I have a job for all of the prey in the city. Some will be janitors, dishwashers, slaves. I even have a position for you Mr. Cheddarton!"

"Wh-What is that?!" The mouse said in a frightened tone.

Lionheart snatched the mouse, causing the rest of the news crew to scatter and run. He held the mouse above his head and pinched his two claws by the mouse's tail, causing the tiny newsman to dangle over the lion's gaping maw. "Your position is... a snack!"

"NOOOO!"

Lionheart dropped the mouse into his mouth and swallowed him whole. He gulped and Phil Cheddarton went down towards the lion's stomach.

He then turned toward the camera. "Now then, predators of Zootopia, this is your..."

Everyone could still hear Phil Cheddarton. "AHHHH! I've been swallowed whole! I'm sliding down into the lion's stomach! I can't breathe! Tell my wife I love her! AAARRRGGH!"

Lionheart was surprised. "Well!...Those mics really work well. Heh-Heh! Anyway. Predators of Zootopia! Today is your day of.."

"AAAAAHHH I'm still sliding! Damn that lion! SPLASH! I've fallen into his stomach now! It burns! IT BURNS! Is this what those people on the internet are calling 'vore'?! This is not sexy! This is not sexy at all! Who the hell sees this as a fetish?! AAARRRGH! GUURRGLE! GURGLE!"

"...Is...Is he done?" Lionheart looked at his stomach. "Are you done in there?! Sheesh! Anyway, predators of Zootopia Today is you day of reckoning! For far too long, you have been made outcasts in society by a-"

"I'm melting! MELTING! What a world! What a world! ARRRRGHGURGLEGLUB-GLUB!"

Lionheart couldn't take it anymore. "That's enough, you damn mouse!" He punched himself real hard in the stomach. "OOF!" The lion was bowled over and could barely breathe. "That...was a bad move on my part. GASP!...We'll be right back after this brief break. …...Ow."