Fairfax 1907
The once sleepy mining and logging town of Fairfax had started to transform before the townsfolk's eyes.
Gone was the tent city that surrounded the sleepy burg, no more were the streets filled with loggers and miners alike trudging through the muddy streets.
This had been both a blessing and a curse to the town.
Originally established as a kind of resource hub Fairfax had depended on the steady flow of mammals coming through the town on their way deeper into the forest where they would meet up with logging companies.
Trains loaded down with minerals would normally chug along, stopping on one of Fairfac's many tracks to supply its engines with water and its passengers with supplies.
All that changed though a year ago when a certain someone decided to disturb the status quo.
Many of the residents of the town had made a living thanks to the logging and the mining and in one fell swoop everything was thrown into chaos because a certain someone had to sign the Antiquities Act of 1906.
This act had many fancy words in it written by those darn college types but in the end, it boiled down to one thing.
The mining and logging of the forest had to come to an immediate stop.
This meant no more equipment to be purchased, miners in need of lodging, and loggers in need of supplies.
Over night the town had turned from a bustling outpost of civilization to a borderline ghost town.
"All because he liked the trees," Came a grumble from a billy goat in a pair of worn suspendered pants and a dirty long-sleeved shirt.
"Preach brother," Another goat whispered as the two looked across the small gathering of townsfolks to a makeshift stage where a bull moose was currently sitting alongside several town officials.
The sentiments shared between the two prey species were shared by many of the mammals who had gathered in the town's makeshift square.
Not that many of them would agree with one another anyway.
Along with the changes in logging and mining, there had been sweeping legislation and laws that had started to encourage….cooperation….
While the mammals of Fairfax weren't exactly at war with one another many of them had been alive or had even served in the Unification War which had pitted many species against one another until a unified army had been formed and squashed any rebellious ideals like how one species should serve another.
Under the new laws, any mammal had the right to do whatever they pleased and live where they wanted.
At first, it had led to the very boom Fairfax needed, mammals from all over flooding the town in hopes of heading out to the wilderness to get rich.
But of course, one could trust the government to mess all that up…
If the town hadn't been fully unified before they were now, especially in their annoyance with a certain politician.
"Got to give him credit," A lovely fox vixen currently leaning against a series of crates in front of the main general store said as she scanned the crowd. "He sure looks calm for having a bounty on his head."
"Oh like any of them would do anything," A bunny responded from her perch atop the crates, looking down at the vixen with a pair of sky-blue eyes. "I mean look at him, even if someone took a shot I bet it would bounce right off that thick hide of his."
The bull moose everyone had been mumbling about finally stood up, and a polite albeit weak applause came across the crowd.
"That was probably a kinder welcoming than many of you would have liked to give me," The bull moose said as he straightened his brown wilderness jacket, taking a moment to reach up and remove his campaign hat which he held behind his back.
There was a series of chuckles that came from the crowd and a few nods in agreement.
For standing in front of a group that would have probably rathered thrown tomatoes at him the bull moose still gave off an essence of confidence.
"For those of you who have lived under a rock or are new to town allow me to introduce myself," The bull moose stood up a little straighter before continuing. "My name is Theodore Roosevelt and I am the current President of this great land."
"I didn't vote for ya," Came a call from the crowd.
The mayor, a stern-looking timber wolf stood up and growled but was silenced by the booming laughter of the bull moose.
"Probably a wise decision if you ask my wife."
There were more chuckles in the crowd.
"He always did have a silver tongue didn't he," The vixen leaning against the crates mumbled as she adjusted her blue uniform jacket.
"Talked us into joining his silly gang didn't he?" The bunny pointed out as she sat back and raised her navy blue forage hat so it rested higher on her head so she could see.
"Last I checked the army wasn't a gang."
"Matching outfits, slogans, and nicknames," The bunny pointed out. "We a gang."
"Nicknames?"
"Private, Corporal, Serg-"
"Those are ranks you loon," The vixen laughed. "Besides if anyone has a nickname around here it's you."
The bunny's ears went up and she turned her head so she could look down at the vixen.
"What now?"
"Nothing."
"Do I have a nickname?!"
"I know this past year has seen many changes," The bull moose continued with his speech. "Change however is inevitable and this great nation of ours is one that has shown full heartidly that we not only know of change but over time are willing to embrace it."
"Go embrace a tree!"
The bull moose raised a brow as he looked over at a pig who had shouted the last comment.
"...sir…" The pig added, hoping to lessen any reprisals for their outburst.
Teddy however just closed his eyes and chuckled, "Well at least the tree wouldn't run me out of town like I am sure many of you want to about now. Might also smell fresher than some of you."
More chuckling and even light applause came from the crowd, some of the townfolks not only respecting the response but even the playful jab.
After all, it took guts to poke fun at a large crowd who hadn't exactly given you the warmest of welcomes and it showed the bull moose could not only take punishment but dish out some of his own.
"With change though comes opportunity and I am happy to have arrived with just that for this fine town," Roosevelt continued which caused a hush to go over the crowd.
This had been the first time any of them had been given even the slightest hint of some type of positive change coming to their town.
After months of low visitors, lost funds, and many neighbors moving out it was obvious the mammals of Fairfax were in need of some good news.
"You will have to forgive us politicians, we like to make rash promises that we are always slow to deliver upon," Teddy continued. "But I come to you today to tell you we will finally deliver on one of the promises. With the protection of our great forests comes the opportunity for Fairfax to be a gateway to what will be known as our country's largest and grandest national park."
Several mammals exchanged confused looks and there was a mumbling through the crowd which told Teddy that his point hadn't exactly come across clearly.
"Funds, I come with funds to set up what I hope to be an agency that will protect our fine parks."
"Oh sounds like we are getting a raise," The bunny on the crates whispered to her vixen friend who chuckled.
"With these funds, we can begin to build infrastructure within the parks that will allow the many visitors, researchers, and explorers the opportunity to experience this magnificent treasure we call the forest."
While some of the townsfolk still looked skeptical at the announcement there was a change in the atmosphere within the crowd.
A few mammals exchanged interested looks while others muttered amongst themselves.
"And with so many new tourists I have a feeling Fairfax itself will once again be the booming town it once was, only less trees and coal going out and money coming in."
While some of the mammals present had a hard time believing the statement a few more seemed to brighten when it came to their moods.
A paw suddenly shot up in the crowd and several folks moved aside so a beaver could step forward.
The bull moose adjusted his glasses for a moment as he looked at the approaching mammal with excited curiosity.
"Ever since the logging camps shut down me and my kin have not had a steady job building in a while, if what you say is true then why don't you tell us what we might be building if you don't want us hurting the forest?"
"My friend it's one thing to cut down trees to send out of the forest, it's another to cut them down to build protection for the forest," Teddy chuckled as he put a hoove in his vest pocket. "Tell me, have you ever heard of a Firewatch Tower?"
Fairfax present day
Nick stood at the edge of the Lodge's employee parking lot leaning against his old rusted pickup truck as he admired his mate.
For a mammal who would be considered by most to be small and nonthreatening, Judy seemed to carry a natural air of authority, especially when it came to making sure everyone understood her decisions were final.
It had been a busy few days in Fairfax, Trisha's arrival back to civilization had at first been a welcomed event.
Soon though concerns began to rise from the town as news traveled about the bunny's condition.
The doctors at the Fairfax Medical Center did their best but it was obvious that they were out of their depth when it came to the ranger's condition.
Every time they tried to bring her back round she was still in her rabid state to the point that it had been decided to put her into a medically induced coma to ensure her safety and those around her.
All the data about her condition had been sent back to the city in hopes an expert may step forward but even the professionals back in Zootopia were stumped.
Suggestions about moving Trisha had been brought up but in the end, it was decided for her safety Trisha would stay in Fairfax so if a cure was found it could be administered quickly.
Judy was always quick to correct anyone who said "if" and would make sure they understood that it would be "when", the gray bunny having no intention of leaving her closest friend in this state.
The news of Trisha's mysterious state had come as a shock to many, especially the Rose family.
Nick could only imagine the emotional rollercoaster they were experiencing.
Here they were, after having suffered through so much toil, to finally have their loved one return, only for her to be taken away again as the doctors kept her sedated.
Nick didn't really know what he had expected when they had found her.
He had thought that she would have been in a poor state but still her bubbly flirty self, probably throwing a joke at Nick for taking too long to find her.
Instead, he had been met with some kind of rabid beast that was a shell of Nick's former best friend.
In the end, it had been Judy who had risen to the occasion.
The bunny had taken it upon herself to see to it that Trisha received the treatment she needed, which meant they would have to figure out exactly what was wrong with the ranger.
There had been theories and a few wild guesses but in the end, it was decided they needed to figure out where in the world Trisha had been all this time, only then would they have a better picture of what she was going through and how they could reverse it.
While they didn't have much to go on they at least had a start, a strange symbol on a tattered uniform Trisha had been wearing that belonged to some of the original trusted rangers when the parks department was first founded.
These eagle rangers though had all passed away many years before which meant the trail had almost all but dried up.
It wasn't until Judy discovered a series of old map parallels that they had a heading on where to look for clues next.
While Nick thought this would have meant they would be speeding off towards Lamplight Tower at all haste he was surprisingly mistaken.
Judy had grown too important to the Parks Department to just let her run off into the forest while there was so much other planning going on.
With winter fast approaching the tourist season was right around the corner.
Judy's original project of garnering interest in the national parks had worked almost too well.
Reservations were pouring in, events were being booked, and the sleepy town of Fairfax was starting to get overwhelmed.
Since this was the result of Judy's project it was understandable that the Parks Department expected Judy to stay and organize things, but the bunny was firm when it came to the mission to find out what had happened to one of her favorite rangers.
"She really knows how to boss folks around doesn't she?" Came a smug voice next to Nick.
The fox smirked, glancing over at a snow-white vixen who was now leaning against Nick's truck.
"She does have a knack for giving out orders," Nick chuckled but froze, as did Skye when the two noticed one of Judy's rabbit ears go up and turn in their direction.
A pair of purple eyes flashed as the bunny gazed at the two foxes who suddenly busied themselves with checking the backpacks in the truck bed.
Once they were sure they were safe from Judy's wrath Skye turned to smile at Nick.
"Jack wishes he could be here to see you off but he has a few fires to put out elsewhere," Skye said kindly.
"Is that the best way of putting it?" Nick asked with a smirk.
"We are entering the snow season Wilde, fire danger is down, so I intend to use as many fire-related puns as I can."
Nick couldn't help but chuckle at Skye's comment.
The two foxes had bonded over their senses of humor which unfortunately for everyone else seemed to be very similar in nature.
Two sets of footsteps told Nick Judy had finished up chatting with her fellow park employees.
When the fox turned around he was surprised to see Judy was not alone.
Lily approached alongside Judy, the raccoon looking rather lovely in her business suit and matching skirt.
While she may have looked out of place surrounded by the different park employees dressed in uniforms or work gear Lily always had an air of confidence about her and Nick knew full well the raccoon was just as comfortable in a board room as she was in the great outdoors.
"A little something from Lynn's," Lily said as she held a small package covered in brown wrapping paper. "I did my best but I do believe Taco may have taken a bite of yours," Lily continued as she glanced at Judy who simply chuckled.
"Thanks, Lil," Nick said as he took the package and loaded it into the truck cab before returning to the others.
"So the plan is-," Judy began as she let out a sigh.
"The same as it was the last time you mentioned it?" Nick asked which earned him a playful scowl from Judy.
"Head to Lamplight Tower," Lily began.
"Look for coordinates that may lead to the next spot on the map," Nick added.
"Call Puzzle, that is if she isn't in a sugar coma," Skye added which earned a chuckle from the others.
"That reminds me," Judy said as she snapped her fingers before reaching into her pocket. She retrieved a tiny key ring and held it out to Lily who took it gently in her own paw. "Please pass this on to Puzzle and tell her whatever she needs she has access to."
There was a pause as the others stared at Judy in disbelief.
The bunny let out a sigh as she rolled her eyes, "I mean…we can always reorganize when we get back and I made her promise not to order too many whipped cream drinks."
Puzzle, who had been very helpful in finding old Parks department documents, was going to be staying back in Fairfax to assist with the search.
Judy had given the painted goofball all the maps from her office along with boxes of documents to pour through which Puzzle had eagerly taken back to the Fairfax Historical Society Museum,
From there, Puzzle would set up a kind of research center and be able to offer any advice when it came to the Park's history.
To stay in contact with Nick and Judy though it had been decided to give her Judy's walkie-talkie.
At first, Nick was surprised, the bunny had saved up a small fortune to buy them the pair of devices that allowed them to talk anywhere in the region and even beyond.
While the Park's Department had its own equipment none of it compared to Judy and Nick's devices and on top of that it kept them connected to just one mammal at a time, with no need to worry about radio traffic which had been picking up with so many new visitors.
Judy had been hesitant at first, not just because of the cost of the walkie-talkie but also what it meant to Nick.
The walkies had kept the fox and bunny connected while Judy had been out surveying the damage from the June fire what felt like a lifetime ago.
The fox and bunny had a kind of emotional connection to the small devices and to paw one over felt…wrong.
Nick however not only understood but encouraged Judy to do it, knowing full well how important it was that they stay in contact with Puzzle if they were to figure out how to fix Trisha.
"Alright, Lamplight here we come," Nick said as he put his paws together, signaling it was time for her and Judy to leave.
The mammals exchanged farewells, Lily giving Judy and Nick an encouraging hug.
Skye couldn't help but salute Nick who grumbled before returning one of his own.
Judy chuckled at the winter vixen's antics and received a hug before hopping into the cab of Nick's truck.
The old engine revved to life and after a casual wave, Nick put the vehicle into drive before pulling out of the parking lot.
"Can't believe this thing still runs," Judy chuckled from beside Nick as she scooted across the bench seat to sit next to her ranger.
"Hey now, this old truck has seen me through a lot," Nick said in a playfully defensive manner.
"Yeah like your driving," Judy said playfully as she wiggled against the fox.
"Har har," Nick grumbled as he reached over Judy's shoulder and held the bunny close.
Things had been strange between the fox and bunny over the past few weeks, not necessarily in a bad way mind you.
Right before what many referred to as the Wewa incident the pair had bonded, and not in a knowing one another's favorite breakfast food kind of way.
Judy had bonded herself to Nick as was custom with many fox couples, showing that he meant everything to her and wanted him to have a constant reminder that they were paired for life.
While the rumor about fox's bonding for life was somewhat exaggerated there was still some truth to it and the act carried a great deal of weight with Nick.
While the fox had been over the moon about finally taking the leap with Judy all that had been put on hold when Trisha well…
The search for the lost ranger had not just been draining physically but emotionally as well.
While no one blamed Nick there was still this tension in the air as everyone desperately tried to find their missing ranger.
Even after they had found Trisha things hadn't exactly gotten back to normal, sure Trisha was alive but was still missing in a sense.
Nick understood that while he and Judy were bonded together the two bunnies shared a friendship that was hard to describe, both of them being important parts of one another's lives.
Up until recently, no one knew what to do to bring Trisha back to her normally chaotic self which Nick could tell was hurting the small gray bunny at his side.
Now though they had a heading, a plan, and a slight glimmer of hope which had given Judy enough drive to return to some semblance of her normal cheery self.
As the truck lumbered along the road Nick chanced a glance down at his mate, the small bunny looking anxious but determined as she glanced down at a field notebook with a series of lines scribbled in them.
Nick could tell some were coordinates while others were thoughts Judy must have scribbled down while preparing for their drive and eventual trek to the famed lamplight tower.
While he was still driving Nick still had the ability to take in some of Judy's notes and one particular phrase that was underlined stuck out to him.
"Trisha knew about Lamplight?"
As Nick looked back at the road he tilted his head slightly as he became somewhat lost in thought.
Of course, Trisha knew about Lamplight Tower, she was a ranger after all, and that's where she and Judy had reconnected when Trisha first came out to the forest.
That is when it hit him.
Maybe it wasn't Trisha who knew about Lamplight as a tower, but maybe she knew about Lamplight as a clue to all this, to the location of the fabled cabin they were now looking for.
This whole time that little ball of chaos might have been keeping a huge secret from the parks department!
The thought crossed Nick's mind but before he could react to it the ranger radio normally clipped to his side came to life on the seat next to Judy.
A series of chimes began to play over the frequency and Judy quickly scooped up the device and lowered the deafening volume as she winced.
Seconds later a male's voice came over the frequency.
"Attention all Rangers, Attention all Rangers stand by for a frequency wide all call."
Judy's ears raised as she glanced at Nick who looked concerned.
"Rangers," Came Jack over the frequency. "I was just advised by Skye that Ranger Wilde and Supervisor Hopps have left the lodge and are on their way to Lamplight in hopes of figuring out what the heck is wrong with our dear Ranger Rose."
There was a pause which was just long enough for someone to pipe in.
"That is a long list, Jack," Came Emily which made Nick chuckle.
Everyone knew that even in Trisha's current state the bunny would most likely want them to keep some kind of hope through humor, even if it was at her expense.
"Agreed," Jack said in an amused manner. "Wilde, Hopps, I can't thank you enough for taking on this task, and know that you are not taking this challenge on alone. You know we are just a call away, rain or shine, we will respond."
"We are here for you two," Skye chimed in over the frequency.
"I am out by Pikes Ridge, call and I can be there ASAP," Came a female voice.
"Send out the call and we will come running," Came another.
"I thought he said Wildehopps for a second? Could have sworn we agreed we were calling them HoppsWilde?" Came a confused voice.
Nick and Judy chuckled at the last comment but both felt a swelling of pride as the others chimed in with words of encouragement.
"All stand by for Peggy," Came Delta's voice which immediately silenced the frequency.
Both Nick and Judy were surprised to hear Delta's voice but it made sense he would still be on the radio.
The painted dog, while wanting to help in the search, had been convinced by both Peggy and Judy that the best he could do to help was to be by Trisha's side.
He had protested at first but in the end, it had been Peggy who convinced him that she needed him there to help look after her daughter.
There was little the painted dog could do and knew full well how much of a pointless endeavor it would be to fight Peggy so he relented and decided to stay at the medical center with the Rose family.
Nick could only imagine the conflict the painted dog was going through.
Sure Trisha had been found but a cure was still needed to bring her back to 100% and now he was sitting around while someone else went out and risked their tails to help his mate.
The thing is this just gave Nick even more drive to find the clues to solve this little mystery because he knew that if it was Judy in that bed Delta and Trisha would be moving the mountains themselves to find a way to help Nick.
Nick had every intent to do the same and had no plan of letting his friends down.
"Nick…Judy…" Came a tired yet hopeful voice over the radio. "I can't tell you what it means to me and the boys that you are willing to go out there and find the cure for our little petal.."
Nick's ears flicked and a smug grin crossed his muzzle at the sound of the pet name he had every intention of using on Trisha the next time he spoke with her.
Judy must have noticed the grin because she gave the fox a playful slap on the arm.
"Please be careful, I would never forgive myself if something happened to you," Peggy continued. "Judy I know you and I know how determined you can be but don't think for a second I want you risking your life for this. Trisha wouldn't want you to."
Judy let out a sigh as she closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheeks.
"And Nick," Peggy began, her tone becoming a little firmer. "No one, and I mean absolutely no one blames you for what has happened so don't you dare go off trying to redeem yourself when you have nothing to feel guilty about alright? You are the one that found her Nick, you brought her home, so if I get word you did something stupid I will have Delta carry me up whatever mountain you are stranded on and kick your hide myself!"
There was a pause over the frequency before someone finally found the courage to speak, "I see where Trisha gets it.."
Laughter filled the inside of Nick's cab as both he and Judy shared a laugh.
A moment or two later Peggy came over the radio one last time, "Nick, Judy….Pinecone."
"Pinecone," Nick and Judy said together as Judy pressed the button on the side of the walkie-talkie.
Soon the radio was filled with the others saying the famous forest mantra.
When the last ranger spoke there was silence before someone came over the radio.
"All call clear, good luck you two."
With that Nick and Judy were left in silence as Nick's truck rumbled along, on their way to Lamplight Tower and hopefully the answer to the mystery of what was wrong with their friend.
Hey, there Firewatchers,
I hope you enjoyed a little history of how Fairfax got its start, I wonder what that old bull moose is up to?
We will have more flashes of our rustic towns past coming soon along with lots more Wildehopps.
I recently talked to one of my favorite writers and he helped me get my spark back so I hope to have lots more content soon. Get ready, Fireflies is about to get a lot more fun!
I am not sure if you all noticed but I have kind of been posting less and less on fanfic, I have begun moving all content to the site with an A and an O and a 3. Fanfic was where this all started but it has grown harder and harder to post here with the ads, restrictions, and certain groups hounding me and being extra united in their critic-like nature. I will still post Fireflies and Explosive here but I think all other content such as Bar, bunny, bond, Trisha+, and any new series will be posted on the other site. I am sorry if this is a shock or an inconvenience and I do hope you all enjoy my writing here or wherever you read it.
Till next time,
Pinecone!
-Blue
