So many great things came to pass for so many over a period of just twelve months, and there was no better way to bring the much-deserved acknowledgment to them than on New Year's Eve. For Nick and Judy, of course, the efforts throughout the year of making the world a better place when saw the happy citizens of the city on any given day. But it was when crowds of mammals big and small from every district gathered around in the very heart of the city, saying goodbye to the year, that truly brought them smiles and reminded them why every day they vowed to make a difference.

Whenever this time of year came up on the calendars, the two always welcomed in a brand new year by observing the fireworks from the balcony of their apartment once the clocks struck midnight. With how undoubtedly busy things were on this once-a-year occasion in the city, it was always much more relaxing to just sit out there together rather than try to head down and see them with everyone else. Them continuing on with that same routine, however, suddenly changed with some unexpected news from Bogo.

Every year just before the countdown began, citizens were greeted with a special parade that made its way down the city streets, and it was this year that the two of them would be on the float that the ZPD had made for the occasion.

From the moment the chief had told her and Nick this, she could hardly wait until it was time for the parade to begin. She always thought how cool it would be to simply see the parade in its scale prior to living in Zootopia, and now she would actually be in it. Words couldn't describe the smile on her face the moment she received the news, and Nick, although he might not have shown it right then and there, felt as excited as he did the day he became her partner on the force.

Directly in front of them, the marching band carried on with the tune they had practiced for quite some time. With the beating of the drums, the playing of the trumpets and the trombones, and the twirling of batons, those who had waited outside since before the sun went down roared with their applause, waving paws and hooves at them as they continued to march forward.

The ZPD's parade float, shimmering with blue and golden colors across it, pulled steadily behind it as they entered the true heart of the city. Ebullient smiles abundant between the two of them, Nick and Judy started to wave back at those friendly faces on either side of the street. And it wasn't only them that seemed to fully capture the happy feeling that New Year's Eve brought. On the opposite side of the float from behind, it seemed that Chief Bogo was full of smiles as he waved to everyone. Very rarely did they or the other officers see a grin of that sort on the buffalo's face, so they could be certain that this was definitely a great time for him.

"Who would've thought I'd go from watching the New Year's Parade to actually being a part of it?" Nick said after a pause between the two.

"It's amazing," replied Judy simply, amethyst eyes shimmering back at him as brightly as the city lights.

"That it is, Carrots." As the float started to slow down briefly, Nick stopped waving for a moment, holding the rabbit by his side closer as their paws twined together. "And I owe me being able to be here all to you."

"So glad to bring in another New Year with you..." responded Judy as she took in all of the scenery.

It was when the float and the band in front of it started to make a turn to the right that their surroundings started to change. The number of citizens that had gathered together seemed to be much larger once they left that portion of the district and made their way to where the main hotspots of Zootopia sat. Skyscrapers glimmered beautifully against the night all around, and the digital screens of the many billboards flowed in a kaleidoscope of colors. Restaurants around the blocks had lines of folks waiting to step inside from the cold weather and eat something delectable.

Judy's eyes were a glow as she looked around at the exquisite cityscape, that sense of awe still present within her just as it was the day she arrived here on that train years ago.

This wasn't just any city, she observed in that moment, looking back over at Nick.

This was their city.

The city that they would keep on protecting from now until the very end.

Author's Note: Hey there, everyone! Happy New Year! :D

Wanted to start off the New Year with something in the spirit of it. I know that this was just a small story with not much to it, but I still hope that it was enjoyable even though it was plotless compared to previous stories I've written about the holiday. I've got some great stories planned for the rest of the year and I can't wait to share them soon. :)

'Til next time!