I had to have been dreaming. She said it was her, but… is it really?

"What? You just gonna stand there with your mouth hanging open like that? Sheesh, I expected a bigger welcome than that."

"But… but… you… I saw… how?" It felt like my brain just blew a circuit.

"It's a long story, but first, why are you ass-twats standing there? This piece of shit isn't dead yet. Figured I could at least keep her alive long enough to get a few words out of her."

I didn't know what to do or say, and from the look on his face, Nate was shocked… no, it was more of an unsure expression really to see Blanche standing on top of the bleeding mercenary. Logan, seeing Nate's current state stepped forward, probably wanting to take command, but after seeing this, Nate's expression changed.

"Get her to Doc, and keep armed guards at the medical facility at all times. Once she's awake, I want to personally talk to her."

"Yes Sir!"

Logan and one of the other Guardians grabbed the rabbit and proceeded to follow Nate's orders. Logan could have easily taken her alone, but they probably wanted to make sure that she didn't get worse due to mistreatment. The Guardians, these Guardians, aren't without consideration, even if it is the enemy.

"I'm… I have a few… things, to take care of."

"Nate? Where are you…"

Nate turned and left, but not before I could see that same mixed emotion cross his face again. Did Blanche's sudden appearance unsettle him? Was he reminded of the last time they spoke? I couldn't just let him continue to hold onto those emotions.

"Holly, can you take Blanche and go check up on Mark? I need to talk to Nate."

"Sure, okay Blanche lets… wait, what do you mean check up on Mark?"

"Eh, long story, I'll meet the two of you there."

I ducked out of the room and chased after Nate before Holly or Blanche could say anything else to me. The corridor down the hall was straight, but it was also very long, and Nate wasn't there. It didn't help that it was still pretty dark, even for my eyes. Then, as if the lights were reading my mind, they started to click on and I saw a bit of white and russet flash into my vision as it turned a corner. I recognized that fluffy tail anywhere.

"Nate! Wait up!"

I turned the corner and saw him just standing there, facing away from me. He was acting so very odd suddenly, as if all this building he has done had started to crumble away. When I caught up to him, I placed my paw on his arm and slowly turned him to face me. He wasn't crying, but his face showed a similar pain.

"What's the matter with you?"

"I… she's alive."

"It's hard for me to believe, trust me, but she is. Why did you take off like that?"

"I… can't…"

"You can't, what? Is it about what happened the day we thought she died?"

"Yes."

"Yes? I'm gonna need more than that sweetie." I glanced around and saw an empty room nearby. "Here, come with me."

I grabbed his paw and lead him into the room. Turns out that this 'room' was actually an access point for the water transport, more specifically, the hot water, so the room was a bit stifling, but I didn't care. I wanted to make sure that no one decided to ease drop or interrupt us.

"I know we both took her 'death' hard. To be honest, I'm still not sure who took it the hardest. We both blamed ourselves and tried to pry that blame out of each other's minds. Yes, I'm not over it, but I learned to live with it, and sure seeing her now is bringing it back, but she's alive. Shouldn't that help matters?"

"She's alive… but does she still blame either of us for pushing her away? Does she still blame… me for yelling at her? It was the last time I talked to her before…"

"You really didn't stick around long enough to find out. Trust me, I want to know this too. What has she been doing? Where did she go? How the hell is she not a pile of ash? I know you have questions of your own, especially how she even got in here, and why she did."

"That… as Chief that should be my top priority. I should make it paramount to find out how either of them got in here, but… how can I face her after what I said, after… what I did?"

"Sweetie, it wasn't your fault. You were standing up for me. I was… I wasn't right, mentally or emotionally. Do I regret what I did, abandoning the mission despite being so close, just to save someone? No, I don't. Do I regret how I did it? Yes. I… I still have nightmares about that, about many of the mistakes I've made. I'm sure you've noticed."

Nate nodded solemnly.

"I won't tell you to just forget it, to keep them buried and out of sight, I know personally how much harm that can do, I'm just asking you to give her a chance. Let her explain what happened, let her tell us, in her own words, how she feels about what happened. I know she apologized in that recording, but I can tell that it's not gonna effect you the same as hearing her say it in the flesh. So, please, will you at least do that for me?"

"For you, yes."

I gave Nate a quick kiss before we left the room. All the heat and steam had left my fur feeling damp and heavy. From the look of it, so did Nate's. We hadn't stepped more than a few feet before we saw Logan turn the corner. If looks could kill, he'd be the entire firing squad.

"It's not what it looks like, I swear!"

Logan could have said anything, but he simply stood there, staring at us. I think I would've rather he said something.

"Did you need something Stalker?" Nate adjusted his shirt and spoke as straightforward as he could.

"Yes… Sir. I came to remind you, that you have a uniform fitting in forty-five minutes."

"Yes. Forgot about it with this whole intruder situation. Do you have a report on that Stalker?"

"No Sir. Doctor Hedgeworth is still tending to her wounds. He says it'll be a few hours still."

"Inform me the moment she's ready for interrogation. I have business to attend to before my fitting. You are dismissed."

"Quite." He said it beneath his breath, but I still heard it.

"Pardon me Stalker?" Apparently Nate caught it as well.

"Nothing Sir."

Without any other remarks or actions, Logan turned and left down the hallway. Once I was sure he was gone, I turned to Nate.

"What was that all about? Does he not trust you?"

"I don't think that's it. I think, to him, he probably still sees me as the cub Mister Lazlo took in, just the same as he did for Logan, but from what I've heard, Lazlo, in his old age, showed more fatherly affection to me than he did for him. I think part of him resents that, but he's too proud to let it show."

"I thought he liked you?"

"He does. I wouldn't say we're best buddies, but the only time he ever expressed any opinions about me was when Mister Lazlo first brought the three of us here, and even then, I think it was more because I was a civilian than anything. I could be wrong, I mean the wolf shows no emotion or even the remotest of glimpses about his past. I only know that much because Mister Lazlo told me."

"Just another thing to add to your to do list as Chief, getting to know your second in command better. We should meet up with the others before Logan decides to kick me out for impeding on some unheard of Guardian rule."

"Yes… we should."

"It'll be okay sweetie, I promise you."

"It's about time the both of you showed up…"

Holly was sitting next to a conscious, but very confused looking Mark. Upon us entering, I could tell that she noticed how we looked, just as Logan did. I braced myself.

"… sweet cheese and crackers, did you two sneak off for a little 'fun'? Now is really not the time for that."

"No we didn't thank you very much. Nate and I just needed to have a little talk, and the only room free was a hot water transfer room. And not another word Holly, my gun is just down the hall."

"Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off 'livi. Sheesh. Now, before we go all storytelling, would you mind telling me why I had to clean up my boyfriend's vomit from the floor, and the bed, and him?"

"Kind of a funny story actually." From the look Holly was giving me, it better be a very funny story to her. "Apparently some of the Guardians felt Mark was a little… well, stiff, and tried to loosen him up with some alcohol."

"But my Marki doesn't drink."

"Didn't stop them from spiking his drinks. Don't worry Holly, I made sure to punish those responsible." With no sign of Blanche in here, Nate didn't seem nervous, although with her size, I'm sure she's close by.

"He really can't handle his booze, did he do anything… embarrassing?"

"Other than mistake Olivia for you and squeeze her butt?"

"Nate! Why did you have to go blabbering that to Miss Tease over there?"

"Marki! You are my fox, you should be touching my butt!"

"I didn't know! I swear! Everything is just so… fuzzy. Maybe if the room would just stop spinning…"

"You ass-twats still getting all mushy-gushy? Maybe I should've stayed hidden, then at least I can sneak the hell out of this."

Blanche's voice startled me, and a quick glance towards Nate showed that it did him as well, although much more hurtful then it should have.

"Blanche, I didn't realize you were there."

"I'm small, what'd you expect? And what is with Mister Serious over here? Last time I saw him, he was scared of his own shadow."

I gave Blanche a look. Sure, it was a bit relieving to know she was alive, but I wouldn't hesitate to boot her out if she was back to her old thoughts on Nate, especially after hearing that recording. She returned my gaze with one that faded into an almost sorrowful one.

"… sorry. I didn't mean that, it's just… old habits are hard to kill, you know? But seriously, you do seem a bit more… serious than before."

Nate didn't speak, and I could tell he was trying not to look at Blanche.

"He has changed, and for the better I might add." After that little faux pas towards Nate, I didn't think that it was the right time to continue this part of the talk. "How did you manage to survive that… explosion?"

"Dunno really. I was tied there, and I was… scared. I've fought for so long, witnessed so many deaths, most of them by my own sword, but when I was there, knowing I was about to die? I never felt anything like that. I should've been vaporized, and I don't know how I survived. Maybe it was a faulty bomb? Maybe there really is some God or gods above watching out for me, although I can't imagine anyone who isn't fucked up themselves wanting to keep me alive, but I blacked out, and a few days later I woke up, looking like this. If it wasn't for that big lug, I would've probably been shot or stepped on by some ghoulaphobic mammal."

Then it hit me. "What happened to Drake?"

Nate's ears perked up at the mention of the deathwing, and his face started to show an eagerness for listening to Blanche's story.

"He's alive, but he's… he's not himself."

"What do you mean?"

"Ghouls and deathwings aren't too dissimilar. Both of them can survive off of radioactive food and drinks, although at least a deathwing has the option to eat other things. You know the worst part about being a ghoul? Not only does booze taste like piss, or nothing at all, I can't get drunk anymore! Imagine, me, not being able to get even the smallest buzz? Almost enough to not go on living. Almost."

"But what about Drake?"

"Oh, well, I guess he swooped in and saved me or something, because when I woke up he was there by my side. He looked bigger, he had a very unhealthy glow to him, and worst of all, he couldn't talk. If I could take a guess, I think that blast of radiation turned him savage."

Nate's ears drooped along with his body.

"Savage? Then why didn't he eat you?"

"He… I don't think he could. Not physically, but around me, he just seemed like a very big, yet obedient puppy. He could understand me, but I couldn't understand him. I spent a good time trying to see if anything remained in him, but he kept disappearing each night, only to return to me smelling of death. You know, I think he was sane enough to remember you two." She gestured at Nate and I.

"How so?"

"Now, don't take this the wrong way, I sure as hell did the first few times, but he kept bringing back… body parts. The funny thing? It was always either a fox, or a rabbit."

I… I didn't even know how to respond to that. While part of me wondered if it was really his own, albeit very morbid, way of remembering us, the other part of me just felt sorry for those poor, unsuspecting mammals who were killed. Nate's expression grew into one of concern, but he still remained quiet. Horror filled Mark and Holly's faces.

"Now before you go and say or do anything you'll regret, I didn't care for it one bit, but I was afraid to scold him, not knowing how he'd react. I had no idea how much of him was Drake, and how much was just a deathwing."

"Where is he now?"

"Outside the base a bit, hidden, I hope. It's still daylight and he doesn't seem to like traveling during it much right now. It'll be nightfall in a few hours, so I'll need to return to him before that. Don't want one of these Guardian maniacs shooting him out of the sky."

"I…" Nate started to speak, but stopped for a moment. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and started to talk again. "I need to know. How did you and that Legionary get in here, and why?"

"First you're quiet, and now your acting all bossy? What, did he finally take the pants from you Olivia?"

I went to say something, but Nate started to talk, with a bit of anger behind it. "First, that is none of your business. Secondly, I'm acting 'bossy' because I am the boss!"

"What the hell you getting at?"

"Nate, take a deep breath." I placed my paw on his arm. I didn't want him snapping or anything, not until Blanche knew everything. "Well Blanche, I don't know if you knew, but Chief Lazlo died recently."

"Yeah, I know. Could hear half the wasteland moping, half of it cheering. I think everyone knows."

"What they don't know, is that the new Chief has already been chosen, chosen by Lazlo himself before dying. Nate, is the new Chief."

"What!? You? You've got to be shitting me!"

Nate couldn't hold it in anymore. "What? You saying a fox can't be a leader? You thinking that this, how did you put it, 'cowardly cur' isn't good enough to lead an entire army? Is that what you're saying? I… I was actually feeling bad about your loss, and part of me, I don't know what part, but it started to miss you. Not as much as Drake. Olivia, she took it the hardest. You know what happened? What happened while you hid your sorry excuse for a friend away? She broke. She broke over, and over again. I did too. I lost an arm trying to save her all while she was scared to death about losing another friend. So you better not give me shit about me not being good enough for this position, or help me I'll make sure you live long enough to regret it."

"You know why I never showed myself until now? I was scared, alright? I was fucking scared!"

Blanche's outburst caused Nate to flinch.

"That recording? It was the truth. I thought I was gonna die, I thought that if I said these things, things I never would have said, that it would be my last words, that I would never know if you even believed them, but I had hoped, I hoped that you did. When I woke and found myself like this? Finding you and saying 'surprise!' was on the top of my list, I wanted to, but what if none of you believed what I had said? What if the only legacy I left behind was that of a blood thirsty cunt of a whore who's friends didn't even care if she was dead? I couldn't face that, I didn't want to face that! I never had friends, and when I thought that maybe I finally made some? I didn't know how to handle that, I didn't know how to be someone other than myself. So I drank. I drank and I fought and I cussed at you all. What did it get me? Blown up. Nate, when you yelled at me like that, back before… this happened, I knew you were right. I knew it but my mind wouldn't let it sink in. Sure that whole thing was dangerous, and even suicidal, but what was the rest of the world doing? Sitting back and watching it crumble, meanwhile, some crazy rabbit and her messed up boyfriend were the only few actually trying to build it back up again, and if they got killed doing it? It still makes you two better mammals than any of them, better mammals than I have ever been. I always fought for money and myself, but fighting for something else? For someone else, and knowing that they were better because of it? That scared me, and I couldn't face the fact that it did."

"I'm… sorry." Nate's voice broke the silence. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, then and now. I'm sorry I didn't trust you, that I never tried to get to know you better. When I heard that recording, part of me wanted to accept it, but another, smaller part of me, thought that it was just you trying simply sweeten an already sour situation. I'm not gonna tell you we're best of friends, that still needs to come naturally, and it will take time, but I will say that I'm sorry, and I will find it in my heart to forgive you."

"Th… really? Thank you…"

"Now, before anyone else says something they'll regret, I need to know, for security matters, how did the two of you get in here?"

"For me, it was easy. I'm small, smaller than most rodents, and small enough to slip through some pipes. As for the Legionary bitch? No clue, but I'm sure it happened during all that ruckus from the other day. Remember how I said I wanted to just find you all and say hi? Well, I got close, a few times."

"What do you mean?"

"Once Drake was a bit… better, I was able to get him to traverse the wasteland looking for you all. The first time I saw you was outside of Hope, when those Red-Neck bastards attacked. I tell you what, I wasn't expecting that Re… giraffe friend of yours to charge in like that. Honestly, I wanted to help, but I was afraid that Drake would attack indiscriminately and hurt one of you along with the enemies. Thankfully when that giraffe fled that massive armored deathtrap of yours, it left me a way to at least try to help."

"What are you… no… you didn't… it was you, wasn't it?"

"Why you acting so surprised? That bastard had it coming, and everyone knows that you can't reason with a walking fire-bomb. They're beyond saving at that point."

"But, how?"

"That was a bit trickier. I had to get Drake to not only climb into the tuna can and aim the gun, but I had to get him to get me in such a position that I could pull that trigger. Tell you what, that was a very difficult thing to do, glad my aim was good. Both times. I was afraid it be off and I'd kill the wrong mammal."

"Y-y-you… that shot was flawless!" Holly had a hard time getting the words out.

"It was? Why thank you."

"What about… wait, the spiders?"

"Yup. That time it was from a weapon that a damn raider dropped. He thought it'd be funny to try to shoot a deathwing in the back. He wasn't laughing after that. I lost you guys for a while after that, but I knew eventually you would be coming back here, for some reason you always do, so I stayed close. That's when I saw that rabbit slinking around, popping in and out of invisibility. I knew it was a Legionary, and when I saw her slip through the defenses? I had to follow her, knowing that there was only one reason a Legionary would be here. Your Guardians really shouldn't turn off your defenses, you know that?"

"We were having a bit of an… internal squabble."

"Yeah, I can tell. Anyways, you wanna go and see Drake?"

"Yes." Nate and I answered together.

Thankfully it was fairly easy for Nate to get us outside without any issues. Logan was nowhere to be seen, which Nate said was good. Sure, Logan knew about Drake, and knew he wasn't an immediate danger, but that was the old Drake. If the deathwing were to try anything? He was afraid Logan would shoot first and ask questions later.

Blanche had left Drake about a quarter mile away, hidden away from the world in a rundown shed. Well, a shed for something like an elephant, because inside, curled on the ground, was the deathwing that I had not seen in what felt like a very long time. I could tell that Nate just wanted to run up to him and say hi, but we all knew this had to be taken slowly. From what Blanche says, he might not react the way he used to.

"Drake?" I spoke slow, trying to not spook him.

Drake slowly moved his head until both eyes locked onto me. His jaw opened and closed, as if trying to talk, but only low growls came out of it. I took a chance and took a step forward. Drake slowly moved, uncurling and setting his body upright, but he didn't look like he wanted to attack.

I had wondered why Drake choose the ground to sleep on, rather than hanging from the ceiling, but from how rickety this building was, that would've probably caused it to collapse. I took another step.

"Drake? It's me, Olivia. Do you remember me?"

He bit at the air, but nothing more.

"I don't know if you can understand me, but I'm coming closer, okay?" I took another step, this one a bit larger.

Drake shook his head and bit at the air a few more times, but didn't seem like he was going to attack. I took another step. I kept this up, him mimicking the same basic expression over, and over again, until I got close enough to smell his breath. It was nauseating, but I simply swallowed air, held my breath, and moved close enough. He cocked his head and then bit forward, nearly taking my arm off.

"Olivia!"

"I'm fine. I'm fine."

I tried it again, but rather then moving slowly, I pushed my paw a bit more forcefully. He didn't try to bite, but rather tried to stand up. I paused a moment, letting him sense that I was not a threat before I continued forward. When I was finally close enough, I did what I had always done with Drake. I started to scratch the bottom of his jaw. I felt him relax, and heard the familiar noise of soft purring. He still didn't talk, but he also didn't seem to want to take another bite at me.

"Every time I tried that, he wanted to eat me…"

"Guess you don't have the magic touch like me. Hey Drake, you miss me?"

He still didn't speak, but he continued to purr as his body relaxed.

"Drake? You… you remember me?"

Nate spoke up and Drake's head jerked from out of my paw. He stared unblinking towards Nate. Suddenly, and without warning, he jumped up and charged towards Nate who was standing just outside the shack. He moved so quick that none of us could react. Nate stood there, frozen until Drake reached him. What happened next was very unexpected.

Drake stopped just inches from Nate, and opened his mouth, but instead of what I thought was going to happen occurring, Drake's long and sticky tongue lashed out and swept across Nate's face. Drake was… licking him?

"C-Cub."

"Drake? You can… talk?"

"C-cub."

It was much more forced and raspy than his normal voice, but he repeated it enough to realize it was indeed him talking.

"Well, guess I know who's his favorite."

"Dumb brute wouldn't even try to talk to me."

"I missed you buddy." Nate looked like he wanted to hug Drake, but it was a bit awkward, so instead he did what I did and scratched the bottom of his jaw.

"Chief Valiant, what is your location?" It was Logan calling on Nate's communicator.

"He has to call me now? Yes Stalker, I know I'm probably late for my fitting. I will be there momentarily."

"No Sir. It's the Legionary. She's awake."

Drake had been excited to see us, so much that he tried to follow us into the base. Since we still had no idea his true state of mind, I asked Blanche if she would keep him out of sight until we were done.

Once we got back, we went straight to the medical facility where the Legionary was. She was tied down to a bed, with four armed Stalkers surrounding her. Logan was there, and when Nate came in, his face still sticky from Drake's saliva, he gave him the same evil eye that he gave us after leaving the room earlier. Nate ignored him and went straight to the prisoner.

"I'm gonna make this quick and easy. Why are you here?"

"Stupid fox. Let me go and I'll tell you."

"I ask again, why are you here?"

"For her, you idiot. She's the only active contract, and she's worth triple of what she was before."

"How did you get in here?"

"Turning off the security was a bad move fox."

"Are you alone?"

"Why, your bitch lose interest in you? Sorry, not into preds."

"Are you ALONE?"

She spat in his face. I really wanted to just punch her, but I had to let Nate show Logan he can handle this. Plus, with all these guns in the room, she wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything.

"More will be coming."

"Who? When? Tell me!"

The rabbit bit down on the inside of her mouth. I saw blood slowly leaking out of it. What was she… suddenly, she started to convulse, and then foam started to pour out of her mouth. Doc shoved his way past the Stalkers and injected her with something, but it was too late. Within seconds she was dead.

"What the hell just happened?"

Doc put on some gloves and rooted around in her mouth. Then he pulled out a small, white object. "Poison. She had a false tooth filled with it."

"A suicide pill? Damn! Did she have anything else on her?" Nate was not happy.

"Yes Sir. She had some documents. With her wrists damaged, she wasn't able to destroy them. We found a small thermal explosive in her bag, if she had gotten the change, it would've been all gone."

"But she didn't. Does it lead to anywhere else Stalker?"

"There were multiple mentions of the old Town Hall building."

"That's… that's near Precinct One! Stalker Logan, get a strike team together. We're heading out in less than two hours."

"Yes Sir!"

Logan left, and Doc started to unbuckle the rabbit's body.

"I need to go take care of a few things, could you take my brother and Holly and get ready? I'll meet up with you once I'm done."

"Sure thing Nate. Come on guys, let's go. Hey Doc, got anything for Mark? He's a bit… hung over."

I was in the middle of getting ready when Onion's voice came from my Pip-Boar.

"Miss?"

"Oh, Onion, you startled me. Is everything okay?"

"No Miss. At least, I'm not sure. Mister Valiant has ordered a mandatory meeting in the Hall."

"What for?"

"I don't know Miss. He found a way to deactivate my audio sensors. I feel a bit embarrassed about it."

"Well you are in his arm after all."

"Yes. You better hurry Miss. This sounds rather urgent."

I dropped what I was doing and went next door to grab Mark and Holly. They seemed just as oblivious as I was to this sudden meeting. The only thing I can think of is that since Nate is leaving for the first time after being made Guardian, he wanted to make sure the place didn't fall apart, but wasn't that what Logan was for?

We were some of the last mammals to enter the Hall. I saw Guardians of all shapes and sizes, probably the whole force save for those out on patrol. Some were barely dressed, telling me that they were dragged out of their beds for this. Whatever it was, it seemed much more important than a simple order change.

Nate was standing calmly by the podium, dressed in his new uniform. It was a dark grey that was on the verge of clashing with his almost russet fur. He looked so different standing up there, stern, commanding. Almost like I pictured Lazlo whenever he'd have called a meeting like this.

"Guardians!" Nate started out loud, with a bit of… I don't know if it was anger, but something was bothering him. "It's come to my attention rather blatantly that a number of you don't think I'm up to snuff! That I'm not strong enough to lead you. Some because I'm a fox, some think because I'm so small I must be weak. SO I've had no choice but to do something drastic to address this. I'm from a burrow. Enough of you know this fact and even a few of you have joked about how weak and supple it must have made me… 'Living in the lap of Burrow-Tec luxury' I think were the immediate words used just ONE table away from me. Allow me to unequivocally lay that theory to rest."

Something must have happened. Did he over hear a misplaced conversation? I know there were still a few Guardians who didn't approve of Nate's position, so it's not surprising that someone would've eventually overheard a negative conversation. What did happen next, that was a surprise. I watched as Nate started to unbutton his uniform jacket, dropping it almost unceremoniously upon the podium to his left before he stripped the undershirt off. His bare fur was now revealed to all. Why did he start to talk about his Burrow, what was he… then it hit me. He wasn't, was he? I remember, that one night that feels so long ago when I first found out about what they did to him, and how I was able to still feel the scars through his fur. Part of me didn't want to imagine him going through what I knew in my heart he was about to do. The other half was stunned into silence by how brazen he was being. I'd never seen Nate like this and I couldn't help but want to drag him off that stage. I think Holly saw that and stopped me almost immediately by laying a paw on my shoulder.

"Stalker Logan! Front and Center! Now, as I learned over the past three years. Every one of you respects Stalker Logan for his honesty and forthright loyalty to the Guardians and Lazlo. So far he's been teaching me the ropes and helping me ease into my new Position. Discipline is normally his domain, but I wanted to handle this my own way. Stalker Logan, you will follow my word to the letter. I want you to use the pads of your paw and dig below the fur of my back until you come into contact with skin, then I want you to relate what you feel there to every mammal in this auditorium. Do it Logan. That's a direct order."

I sat there, not able to do anything but watch as Logan reached out, almost hesitating before he finally shoved his paw along Nate's back, digging under the fur almost tentatively until he came into contact with skin. Then I saw it, the shock as he suddenly moved behind Nate, both of his paws now running through his fur and all over his back as disbelief and dawning realization started to encroach upon his features. It all too soon turned to horror and pain before he finally stepped away and shook his head, it was almost as if he couldn't believe what his paws and eyes were telling him as he looked at my fox in a new light.

"Stalker Logan, report!"

"S-Sir I… Sir… I."

"OUT WITH IT STALKER!"

"SIR! Scars sir! Dozens of them lapping over each other and… Bone, broken and healed and re-broken bone all along your ribs and I refuse to think where else, SIR!" He was shaking, the strongest angriest wolf I've seen in the Guardian's ranks was actually shaking as he stepped back again.

"My life in the burrow was a living nightmare for 15 years until my family and I escaped. Until I was ten years old I was faced with verbal abuse and… What the staff liked to refer to as disciplinary action. Our overseer ensured that as a predator I was the public example to every other predator that the prey were in control. Security took particular enjoyment in being able to publicly shame and 'punish' me just because of what I was. One of them even had the gall to molest me for six years before he was finally caught molesting another prey child. Of course… That he molested me didn't matter so much. That wasn't the worst of it though. Broken bones, internal bleeding, all of that. None of it was as bad as what my Overseer, Elijah Kerrigan, did to me. Every Friday at five a.m. sharp I was forced down into his office for a weekly… 'Corrective education' session. Where he'd then...'Educate' me on why I should be so gracious to be alive, why I was worthless, why it was by his 'kind' and 'heartfelt' treatment that I was alive. He'd play grueling mind-games with me, try to mess me up on purpose and instantly call me out on being wrong. Then? Then beat me until he broke flesh and it would start all over again. Every time leaving a little reminder of our weekly...Sessions. He'd strike me as hard as he could, enough times to brake skin and leave a new and lasting scar. That's why I always appear so scruffy to you all. My body is so covered in scars that my fur will never grow in naturally again, not even my tail is exempt from that little detail."

He had paused there and I couldn't help but cry. As hard as I tried, I couldn't keep quiet as my tears stung all the way down my cheeks. Nathan, my Fox, my brave fox was pulling away the veil of his past to every mammal here. Showing them everything he had gone through and I know it was hurting him inside to do this so publicly.

"It almost worked too you know. Had me really believing I was worthless for a long time, eighteen years in fact. Up until nearly a month ago I was still believing those lies. It took a brave little bunny to show me the path I was meant to be on and just how deep the wells of strength run within me. I'm still finding those depths, sounding them out. This is all new to me, and yes, I'm scared because I KNOW I can't do this on my own. I need you all to help me on that. Every one of us is a part of this team and if a few of you feel that you can't handle the fact that I'm a fox and I'm in charge now? Well then that's not just on you to come to terms with. We all must come to terms with what's happened. Lazlo, Maximilian Lazlo. The mammal both Stalker Logan and I still see as a father to us believed in me. I don't need to repeat his final words as to why he chose me. You've all heard the recordings by now and know how much it hurt us to lose him, so I can only ask you all to work with me, help me make this situation work for all of us. Because whether you like it or not. We all were a family to Lazlo, we all are still a family to him. I can't and won't even try to change that fact. Family of course fights amongst itself. It's only natural to do that in a family, but it's also natural to care about that family and when something new is thrown into the mix. We all won't respond the same way. The way I had to learn what a number of you think of me wasn't the best. Whispered words and brazen comments right behind my back. That's not the way I try to live my life and since I see us as a family. I felt I had no reason to hide my past from any of you."

I couldn't take much more of this, to see him wearing down after all of this being revealed to every mammal in the base. I just wanted to drag him off of that stage and hold onto him. I didn't care how long, I just wanted to hold him and tell him it was alright. That he's the strongest, bravest mammal I know and I wouldn't have any other mammal in my life. Holly and Mark were sandwiching me between them now, holding me close to them and trying to provide what comfort they could, even as tears of their own were being shed. I wanted to look up. I wanted to look angrily at all the mammals who were speaking ill of Nate… But I couldn't muster up the strength to do that. All I could do was cling to my little family and try to comfort them as they were me.

"Guardians! I am stronger because of my experiences. I have never felt the way I do today. The old me wouldn't be standing here. He'd be hiding in some small room trying to fix a computer or putting together some piece of technology he'd found in a closet. Because he felt worthless. That's still a part of me, there will be days where I feel just that weak, just that worthless. That's still a part of who I am and I know I won't be able to entirely escape it, but I have a family I've relied upon my entire life. It grew a little, shrunk a bit, then grew again. So now I'm standing in front of another family and I have to ask that family. After what I've shared with you, after what you've witnessed today and heard what I've had to say… Will you accept us as a part of your family? Or will you continue to shun our existence here? Well? Give me an answer Guardians!"

He barked that order out, stronger than I'd ever heard him before and I actually felt a smile at that. My Nate, my fox, was stronger than he ever was before. He was making himself so vulnerable to retaliation right now and he didn't even care if there was about to be backlash, and thankfully? There wasn't any I could hear as nearly every voice started to roar my fox's name. When I was finally able to look up all I saw was Nate, grinning right back at me as a few tears ran down his cheeks.

"GUARDIANS! We are a family, when one of us stumbles, we all rush to help them back on their feet. When one of us falls, we all feel the loss. We are a family so stand strong Guardians! You're all dismissed! Those of you detailed to the Legionary Hunt are to report to the lift pad in forty minutes! Now get your ugly mugs out of here and let's get back to making this world a little better every day!"

"You heard the Chief! Dismissed! All those who have duty to attend to better be back on it in the next ten minutes or I'm coming after you myself!"

I couldn't help but smile as I watched Logan stand by Nate, resting a paw on his shoulder with a bit of a grin himself. I guess he just couldn't help but make his… No our family a bit bigger again. We seem to have started doing that a lot lately and I couldn't be more proud.

The three of us waited there, waited for the rest of the Guardians to clear out of the assembly hall and go about their business. Jasmine, Zack, Logan, and a few others that were close enough to us were all that remained. I wiped my tears and walked down to Nate, my walk turning into a sprint. I couldn't give two fucks what Logan thought, I just wanted to give my fox a hug, and he returned it eagerly.

"That was… What happened to cause this?"

"I was returning from my fitting when I overheard a few Guardians in the rec-room. One of them had been 'loyal' to King, but the others were newer recruits, brought here only weeks before we lost Mister Lazlo. He was trying to spread rumors and hate about me to the fresh blood, probably hoping that it would spread like wildfire. It wasn't until I overheard a few more in the mess hall that I knew I had to nip this in the bud."

"What happened to the one who tried to start the rumors?"

"Latrine duty, for the next three months. I expect he'll be leaving the Guardians long before he serves his time."

"I'm sorry you had to go through with that. I know it must have been hard."

"It… was, but it had to be done. The Guardians have already been divided, I need to make sure it doesn't happen again. I doubt I will have converted everyone, but there are plenty of shitters in this place."

"If you ever do that to me, I will personally shave your tail. Got it?"

"Yes Ma'am!" Nate saluted me, jokingly.

"Please don't ever call me ma'am again. It feels… weird. And that whole saluting thing? No. Just… no. Nice suit though."

"Yeah, I wanted something similar to Mister Lazlo's, but at the same time something that stood out."

"I like it. So, you okay leaving after all that?"

"Stalker Logan has it under control. We're gonna also escort an engineer team. Since they need to process the mini-nukes, Tuskgen thinks it would be good to have an armed team to escort them back, so since we're gonna be in the area, I volunteered us."

"Sounds smart. Let's get this show on the road. It feels like a very long time since I've killed anyone."

"You're starting to sound like Blanche."

"We should check up on them on the way out. You also might wanna inform Logan of what happened, just in case."

"Don't worry, I plan on it."

Nate went off to talk with Logan as Mark, Holly and I headed towards Jasmine and Zack. We had started to chat about what happened, letting Jasmine know about Blanche and Drake's return, and shared our feelings on what just transpired a few minutes ago. If Zack didn't have any respect for Nate before, now he was almost visually exuding it. Once we were all caught up, we started to head out, but not before Holly suddenly stopped, her face looking like mine felt when I finally put two and two together.

"Wait, mini-nukes?" An evil grin spread across her face.

He had to mention nukes, didn't he?

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Stripes]

"Good morning Zootopian Wasteland! This is Stripes with Stripes in the Morning! Today we finally got a hold of Olivia Springs. It was a bit difficult in getting her to both agree with an interview, and to not get shot, but we caught up with her outside the Guardian headquarters as she was checking on another companion that you saw the return of as well. Speaking of which, how is the deathwing doing?"

[Olivia]

"He's slowly getting back to normal, well normal for him at least. And remember our deal. You keep the questions straight and to the point and I won't have Blanche finish giving you a buzz cut."

[Stripes]

"Yes… my head is a bit drafty as it is… Do you know how long it takes a mane that big to grow back? Ahem. Anyways, let's get this show on the road, so to speak. First things first, how do you feel now that your boyfriend is the leader of the Guardians?"

[Olivia]

"It still feels weird to me. Not in a bad way, it's just that… I remember the sweet innocent fox that hated to hurt a fly, and now he is the leader of one of the most armed groups in the wasteland? It really takes time to settle in. I think he's feeling the pressure already."

[Stripes]

"How so?"

[Olivia]

"There are many who are still loyal to Chief Lazlo who don't see in him what Lazlo himself saw in Nate. From what I hear, they are begrudgingly following Nate's orders until he messes up."

[Stripes]

"Do you expect him to mess up?"

[Olivia]

"Yes. I mean… he's scared, and I can tell. I think he's afraid he will mess things up, or won't live up to Lazlo's wishes. I will do what ever I can to make sure he doesn't fail, but I am not a Guardian so there isn't much I can do sometimes."

[Stripes]

"You turned down Chief Lazlo's request for you to join the Guardians. If asked again, would recent events change your mind?"

[Olivia]

"No. I mean, I like what they do, and I want to help others just like they are supposed to, and I want to be by Nate's side through all of this, but it isn't my life. Not only do I have the knack of finding trouble, trouble usually finds me as well. I would be too much of a liability to them."

[Stripes]

"Hmm… maybe a liaison to the Guardians? Just throwing out things. So, what are your plans now?"

[Olivia]

"Make sure Nate gets acclimated to his new role and then go find those bastard Legionaries once and for all."

[Stripes]

"I wish you luck on that. Though, I gotta ask, what are your plans for the future?"

[Olivia]

"Living. I want to live out my life with Nate by my side, maybe have children of my own."

[Stripes]

"Starting a family is always a good goal, even if the wasteland is very against it. Though, how will things work out between you and Nate? Lazlo never had time for a family of his own, and because of that, the Bogo bloodline is over."

[Olivia]

"I… That's strike one."

[Stripes]

"You too? What is with the… fine. Let's talk about Onion shall we? Are there any plans to extract him from your boyfriends arm?"

[Olivia]

"I really don't want him to be constrained to another's actions. He should be free to do what he wants, where he wants like any living mammal. Unfortunately, things have been too hectic to really find another solution. I want to build him a new body, but if Tuskgen didn't have what she needed to build Nate's arm, I doubt I could make a fully functional robot without scavenging or buying the right parts."

[Stripes]

"What about your friend Mr Wilde?"

[Olivia]

"How do you know that name?"

[Stripes]

"Whoa there! You can put away that deathly stare. I have a fairly recent interview with him, after the incidents that revealed who he really was, not that it was much of a surprise to most of you folks, but from what I got, he isn't going to stop his trade within Hope anytime soon."

[Olivia]

"Was he… did he mention me?"

[Stripes]

"He was a little on edge, but give him time, I promise you he will return to his friendly self soon enough."

[Olivia]

"I… I should have never let him run out of there like that. I should have ran after him."

[Stripes]

"Then you might not have reached Lazlo before he died, King might still be running the headquarters, and who knows how many more Guardians would have gotten killed trying to rescue their Chief. No, I think you did the right thing."

[Olivia]

"How do you even know all of that?"

[Stripes]

"I am really good at climbing, and shattering, walls."

[Olivia]

"Uh… what?"

[Stripes]

"Never mind. So, the moment you can actually rest and take it easy, what is the first thing you want to do?"

[Olivia]

"Sleep. Or maybe eat. Eat then sleep. Real food is hard to come by, even with Bo's garden and trade routes within Hope. I still have to rely mostly on that processed crap. I also need more sleep. Between long days and restless nights, I feel like I am growing weaker by the day. I think a nice food coma is in order soon."

[Stripes]

"Sounds like a typical day to me. Just, replace food with hard cider."

[Olivia]

"No wonder you're so odd. You probably killed most of your braincells drowning yourself in booze."

[Stripes]

"Hey! Quit making assumptions. Plus, I'm not even an alcoholic. I can quit when ever I want to."

[Olivia]

"Prove it."

[Stripes]

"I don't want to right now."

[Olivia]

"Are we done here? I have things to do."

[Stripes]

"Uh, yes. Well folks, I hope you enjoyed another After Show. I have a few ideas left for the remaining shows, but I want to hear what YOU want. There are only eight more shows left, and way too much content to fill it. If there are any interviews you want to see, or lore you want detailed, ask. While some I won't be able to tell you due to spoilers, you never know what little tidbits I have hidden away just waiting for some reader to ask. So, until next time, take care everyone!"