Winter Solstice.
Governor Randolph Darcy, an elder stag, rubbed his eyes. Last thing he needed was his constituents being harassed by another unknown force. It was a nasty surprise when the Lynxion War broke out; it was equally unpleasant when the Wilde-Hopps were put on trial for nothing more than loving the wrong mammal. He had thought about interfering and granting them a pardon, now he was thankful those old rabbits had the brains to realize these two were made for each other. And now this... strange mammals were popping from out of the ground.
He had personally requested the hero of the Lynxion War to head operations. General Earl Rommel was not under his command, but the pentagon didn't deny his request, nor did the president. He was pleased the general was working well with GSD, with all of Zootopia's governing authorities for that matter. Now he had to press the General Assembly to get funding for supplies and more mammal-power.
His right-paw mammal, a middle-aged beaver that was the Lieutenant-Governor, had informed him the senate was resisting his policies on these invaders; the house of representatives was none too happy about the large financial package he sent requesting various aid programs for the refugees from the Tri-burrows. The representatives thought this best handled by the many charities and fellow family members. The governor would have agreed, but Mayor Lionheart had sent him papers showing the financial strain the horde of rabbits was currently putting on the city. The stop-gap measure of confiscating produce from fields to feed the refugees was keeping them fed. Now the city government needed help to reimburse the famers, if only enough to meet lowest market price.
Refugees... there still was no final tally of the number of rabbits that never made it out when the invasion started. The farms that were not confiscated by these unknown mammals were only allowed enough mammals to remain bare minimum to operate. It was winter and the invasion had hit at peak of harvest; he was given a report from two scientists working at GSD. What it suggested left a pit in his stomach. Cannibalism was not heard of in a number of years, exception being obscured reports of shady businesses that sold or cooked meat on the outskirts of various cities. But now he needed to get the situation stabilized before a solution could be formulated.
*Pooof**Thud*
Judy raised her face from off the snow covered ground. *Oh no he didn't* she thought to herself, as she quickly rolled to one side. Another snowball landed right where she was only a moment ago. *He's gonna pay for that one* she thought to no one in particular.
She moved to cover and concealed position and looked around. Spotting one of her teammates, she gave her brother Ralph a series of paw signals. He gave the appropriate return signal and moved out. While he moved to relay the battle plan, she would keep the fox's attention. Right on cue a series of ice shards landed on the other side of the fence that had blocked blowing snow and by now had a decent sized snow drift accumulated before it. A yelp was heard followed a moment later by the fox running madly while holding his head. Judy watched as the fox ran right into the ambush; her teammates had been waiting for quite some time. It seemed like a snow-throwing weapon had been unleashed as numerous snowballs hit the fox in practically every body part imaginable.
*Serves him right* she thought to herself. Nick had selected Gideon Grey to be on his team as was several of his friends from Happy Town. It was foxes verses rabbits; and they believed that these lapins didn't stand a chance against the superior skills of his team of predators.
Most of the afternoon he was proven correct; the Hopps family and guests were playing simply to enjoy throwing snowballs. But for this particular game the rules agreed to was that if a snowball hit anywhere of the torso the victim was declared out for the remainder of the game. It should have been obvious to the newly-pinned ZPD detective that the opposition had fielded their members effectively and his team was paying a cost as they slowly whittled-down the opponents.
Here he was now... laying on the snow looking up to the nearest treetop. It was a nasty surprise when ice shards suddenly fell on his location. It was a nastier surprise when he noticed the sudden appearance of many tubes pointed in his direction; it was downright shocking when the snowballs hit harder than should have. He picked one out of a pocket in his coat and gazed at it.
"This one violates the agreed upon rules!"
"How's that, slick?" It wasn't Judy that said these words, it was Kimberly that now was squatting by his side and grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"You put ice inside. That wasn't allowed."
Kimberly took said snowball and hit it against something hard. "Hmmm... you're right. This snowball looks as if it was immersed in water and allowed to freeze. But the others broke apart upon contact. We have the recordings to prove it. You are the last of your team hit, therefore your team loses. I'll take my foot massage in the Jacuzzi; I believe it's located in the lowest level of the main burrow?"
"Judy will never allow her husband to touch another does' foot. Select another prize."
Judy by now had sat on the other side of the fox, trading fist-bumps with the other doe. "She asked for this favor Foxtrot and I have agreed. After last week's episode of evading the Servants of Truth's minions, I think she deserves the world's most skilled paws. Besides, I'll be right there to make sure those paws do not do as they are prone to do when my feet are being massaged."
"Carrots... these paws are reserved for only one female, and that's you."
"Well... then consider this training in learning where NOT to put them when your client is lying blissfully unaware after the massage is done."
"Judy! These paws never go where they aren't welcomed."
Kimberly leaned over and looked straight into his eyes. "Darn right they won't! You'll answer not only to my sister-from-another-mother, which would be your wife by the way. But you'll answer to my buck when he gets here later this evening."
The fox looked at both bunnies and sighed. "Ok, what time shall I be there?"
Judy gave his muzzle an affectionate peck. "Right now. Get up loser. And don't try pretending those paws are suddenly unable to work. We both know once my clothes are removed they'll suddenly work just fine."
"Before we get too far, I want to know something. Where did you get Mk-79 launchers and how did you get them to fire something other than munitions?"
Kimberly looked at the fox. "I didn't. Team Echo fired them, so you'll want to ask them that question."
Nick's ears sprang up. "Unauthorized players on the field! I demand a new start."
"Not gonna happen, slick." Kimberly muttered. "You agreed to a one-time substitution of no more than four players. YOU cheated earlier this afternoon by declaring *Me, Myself, and I* were each separate players and as such the first two snowballs that hit you hit them instead. We figure if you were hit by enough snowballs, you couldn't claim each of your currently living relatives as part of your body; seeing as how all share at least a good number of genes."
"I have many relatives still living. And I would never make such an outlandish suggestion."
Judy exchanged wry looks with Kimberly. "Oh yes you did, Nick" Judy muttered slyly. "Just earlier today you said since each of your relative that couldn't be here YOU could assume responsibility for making sure their portion of blue berries were properly delivered."
Nick sighed. "Ok, you two ladies head on down while I check-in with Clawhauser. I still have these darn reports to make."
Both does' winked and blew kisses towards the fox, and then they headed towards the door thich opened into the smallest kitchen. Nick watched both bunnies as they walked away, imagining the curves under both sets of winter clothes. He had a good imagination and in his mind's eye he saw two bunnies in perfect health as they walked away.
Kimberly looked in the reflection in a window as they passed by and noticed the fox standing there looking in their direction. "Why is he standing there?"
Judy grinned. "He's using his imagination. You should know males by now... there's nothing they love more than to watch females with perfect bodies walk away from them. He will be quite ready to service my needs when his mind finishes recording our little walk."
Kimberly had an uncomfortable expression on her muzzle. "I don't mind my buck looking at me that way, but another's husband?"
Judy placed her paw on the doe. "Neither you nor I can change a male's natural reaction. The poor wretches are slaves to their lust; let's dive him mad, shall we? Your curves don't look any different from the rear." She smiled and adjusted her stride. "Work it sweetie... that's it, no bunny is hotter than us."
"What's that report he mentioned? Something about our bodies?"
"Nope! *Detective* Wilde must submit reports on the mammal he's assigned to watch over. Next one is due shortly, and before you ask... I'm his assignment. Long story but here's the short version: it's the condition he made to get that badge. Officer Clawhauser will forward his report and Chief Bogo will be happy."
Kimberly now understood; both does' went to the guest room temporarily assigned for Kimberly's use and changed into their bathing suits. Stu and his sons were having difficulty getting an unused room ready for her permanent use; some of the walls showed water damage and now Stu was doing an extensive inspection of that entire part of the burrow.
As a Tracker Kimberly's body was perfectly toned; Judy's body was nothing to ignore as well. They put on thick robes over their swimsuits and walked down to the Jacuzzi wearing bunny slippers. They sat down next to Evelin who was getting a foot massage by her husband Sven. A few minutes later Nick appeared and as promised gave Kimberly a foot massage; Judy made sure he didn't skimp on his quality and when Kimberly was laying blissfully content she covered the doe with a thick blanket and had Nick continue on her feet. Ralph entered with Mindy holding her paw and helped his obvious pregnant wife sit upon a large towel laid beside her sister. Afterwards he started massaging her feet and talked about whatever males are prone to talk about, their females talked about whatever females are prone to talk about.
Judy looked towards the door and noticed the male nurse entering. She signaled him over and once he saw Kimberly lying blissfully upon a towel he walked over and laid close beside her. Automatically she embraced him and pressed her muzzle deep into his neck.
In the main family lounge Ralph and his new bride were helping the elder Hopps in decorating the tree. Mindy and her family was overly pleased as they placed garland and ornaments and strings of mini-lights Bonnie said would glow and some would blink at random intervals. The Canter Family... Mindy, Kimberly, and Bridget... never were allowed to have light sets in their personal spaces, the authorities had forbid it. Now the former-cavern dwellers were enjoying placing as many decorations and lights as possible. They enjoyed placing garlands made of popped popcorn with some having dried fruits spaced at set distance along the popcorn.
Opal was standing near Bridget, all the elder Hopps does' had grown close to the elder cavern-dweller these past weeks. "I assume decorations such as these were not normal down there?"
Bridget smiled. "Not lights in personal spaces, the sheer number of these would be an excessive drain on the power system. But most public places and the corridors were lit with colorful lights. Otherwise decorating not requiring electricity was allowed. Unfortunately the cost to purchase materials was prohibitive, at least for those who fell out of favor with the council."
Opal tisked and shook her head. "Maybe when all this conflict is over we can do something about that."
Bridget's ears perked up. "Over? I'm not certain it ever will be. Those who control our society are pretty ruthless."
Now it was Elizabeth that spoke up. "History is replete with examples of dictators and other rulers that thought their control was permanent. Yours, although a committee, will be no different. It matters not how long it will take. They bit off more than they could chew. We'll choke them on what they grabbed."
Soon the inside and outside of the burrow was properly decorated. The grandkits cheered and hopped joyfully; the teenagers and elders simply gazed around and were pleased. A little tweaking could be done, but that could wait; the decorating was far from over.
Opal looked over at the Canter family. "Shall we help you decorate your burrow, or do you wish to do it yourselves?"
Bridget looked at her daughters. "It is up to you two, I don't mind either way."
Mindy and Kimberly squealed with delight and hugged their mother and then all the Hopps elders. They motioned for everyone to follow them towards the old bunker just on the other side of the barn. Stu made sure his older sons carried the boxes of new decorations to the burrow; while Bonnie helped her grandkits complete the finishing touches on their paw-made ones. Nothing made a burrow feel like home quite like simple decorations made by young bunnies. Soon these would be replaced by ones made by Mindy's and Kimberly's young, but for these early years these would make do.
Soon it was late evening and the youngest bunnies were fed and put in bed. Kimberly's team arrived and paused; they only saw decorations like these when they were topside on a mission. After a while they reported to Kimberly they and she had an assignment and must depart immediately. After saying her goodbyes she left with her team, obviously taking time to change into her jet-black uniform and apply the de-scent spray that would mask and neutralize the odors of the Hopps burrow. Her team sprayed themselves just as a precaution; odors were tricky things and often could be detected at most inopportune times.
Judge Petunia Springs and Judge Amy Cloverfield were out walking together with their families in downtown Bunny Burrow. Their kits hopped around wildly pointing at each new decoration in each store they passed. Their husbands and their parents all were here; it was rare that all grandparents could be in same place at same time, thus it really made the judges feel content. The ZPD marshals had a security detail nearby, keeping out of the way but close enough to react if need be.
The kits paused as they usually did; they always were mesmerized when the Council Guards marched by in perfect step as they went about their assigned patrol route. The commander paused his group, ordered a facing movement, and he saluted the judges as he gave a greeting to their families. He brought his group to their previous position, and they proceeded on their assignment. Both judges were a bit embarrassed; they only wanted to enjoy a simple evening as ordinary folk. Their elders reminded them this was the price to pay as an important member of society. They always were recognized and most mammals didn't bother to show it.
Soon they came upon the city park. A group of carolers was standing spread out across a small mound, singing traditional songs of the season. The kits were mesmerized and soon sang along to the simpler songs. At one point the conductor invited all kits and cubs to gather around him; it was time to tell the story of how this season got started. A polar bear came forward and sat down in front of the youngsters. He wore a red suit with white wool cuffs along every edge and had a big fluffy beard. His story was about Grandfather Kringle who on that one special night of the year went around leaving gifts for good little kits and cubs. For those who were bad he would nibble their paws leaving nails dull enough just enough so they understood no gifts would be waiting this year.
Next after the carolers sang a song or two, a group of dancers came out on a nearby stage. These were gazelles, deer, and other similar sized prey. They were graceful as they moved in-step with each other and to the tune of the songs. At the end of their performance they got into a singular long line and high-kicked as a specific song was played. It was obvious this was for the adults present, especially the males. The dancers exited the stage in a manner it seemed they would collide with each other, and then twirled and danced their way offstage.
Next for an hour several youth groups gave their performances, each different and each equally pleasing to the crowd. After these were over the remainder of the evening saw an orchestra playing and various singers get onstage to sing. The carolers had by now departed the park and were making their way around town. Other caroling groups had been moving through Bunny Burrow all evening; some ended their tasking while others kept going.
Both judges were greatly pleased. They agreed that assigning community service to most of the lesser-crimes had paid off handsomely this year; especially when it was suggested effort put towards assembling decorations for the town or performing several nights in the city park. It also made a good impression on visitors this year; especially since the Tri-Burrows were still a military contested zone. The judges felt this year's seasonal holidays needed something focus the residence's minds towards happier things, and thus far it seemed things succeeded.
Judy loved the colorful decorations on each storefront. The festive colors were a far cry from the somber ones of the previous holiday. It was the frequent thefts that ruined the atmosphere; one she was all too pleased to eliminate.
She was equally of two minds on the snow. On one paw she loved the mounds as it blew and drifted. On the other paw it greatly hindered her ability to get enough traction as she ran. It was not uncommon for Nick to have to retrieve his partner from a snow bank... or a storm drain she had skidded into. Even though her uniform was mostly body-hugging neoprene, the foul-smelling liquids still found its way under it. Her fellow officers took over their detainee and highly encouraged the bunny to go straight to the female shower and get cleaned up. This was something she was loathe to do, until Chief Bogo made it a recurring theme in the daily briefings.
On the days when Emma and Lillian were assigned as her partners, it was the lynx that often proved better at chasing the crooks, and often placed herself so as to stop the bunny when she started to skid around a corner. Lillian loved her weapons; as such she would use snowballs with a small rock or ice cube inside. Her aim always was impeccable; thus medics were starting to become concerned about potential lawsuits regarding excessive use by police. This was why the lioness switched to using solely ice cubes inside her snowballs.
The trio caught a lucky break when a couple of their recent detainees were proven to be members of the Dark Underground. These were suspected to know where the Hopps sisters were, but the plea deal was taking far too long than usual. Chief Bogo informed Commissioner Ursus that even though GSD was informed immediately, the two does' were not at the farmhouse when it was searched. However the trail was being tracked and soon more info would be forthcoming.
Mayor Lionheart loved this time of year, but the mood was soured by the absence of his wife. His mind understood why her assignment was important; his heart wished it was someone else assigned. He felt a twinge of pride knowing she was first considered. His family had always placed government service a priority, the cycles of who controlled the government always rotated between a few families. His was one of a few that held the reins of power more often than not, and his had slightly more serving in the various levels. She was now part of his family and thus added to its heritage, as he now was part of hers.
The denizens of Zootopia were out and about trying to get the holiday shopping done. This was particularly strenuous this year as numerous rabbits that were refugees from the Tri-Burrows added to the already crowded streets. Tempers flared earlier and the ZPD was having a harder time controlling the crowds due not only to their depleted numbers but to the increased numbers of mammals. Additional strain was the occasional explosion that maimed bystanders and police. ZNN news reporters Victoria Harridon and Audrey Drew chronicled each event with heavy hearts but neutral expressions on-camera.
Other than these negative events, the Winter Solstice celebrations were pleasant as usual. Most civic organizations held special events to accommodate the refugees and some allowed them to participate. It seemed that an extra effort was made to make these as cheerful as possible, and thus far it seemed to be working. The ice rink in Tundratown had expanded hours and was having heavy usage. Vendors there were having a profitable season; new rabbit-specific menus made for sure-fire profits.
But it was obvious the refugees wanted nothing more than to return home. Each week Tv reports would hold a segment showing some activity or success in pushing the invaders. Sometimes a certain family would be allowed to send a few family member home to start clean-up and repairs. Hopes would be raised when a government bureaucrat would enter a refugee center; each time some family would cheer and sob, more would congratulate them for their great news but obviously trying to show genuine happiness. As the weeks went on it became harder to be happy for another's good fortune. This was tempered when previous families returned; showing photos of the destruction their properties had suffered.
Jonathan and Emma Longears were enjoying their special visit to the Svalbear Empire. These two very different species had been allies for centuries, and this year was going to be very special indeed. This year Magnus Southpaw, attaché to the Great Mother, was entrusted to lead the celebrations. He had been publicly proclaimed as the next Great Father and as such the current reigning monarch, Marcie Strongpaw, wanted him to get used to being in charge. Her doctor, Director Ben Blackclaw Head of Medical Operations in the Svalbear Empire, had quietly run tests on something that had bothered her. Marcie had been taken to the medical facility shared with the Longears and further tests justified bringing the Zootopians to see what their knowledge could do. Currently the solutions have had positive results hence her being here.
Magnus was dancing with his young bride. She was the daughter of a prominent business bear and she was his employee that would go to the government for whatever paperwork or procedure was required. Magnus, because of his duties as attaché, had to bring her before the Great Mother for her approval... both felt a connection and it was noticed by Marcie herself. Since then she made excuses to have the young sow brought to her office space frequently. When it was obvious Magnus was trying his best to avoid showing interest in her, it was Marcie who said these two should start dating because her attaché was severely distracted when the young bear was around. Magnus's protests that it was the Great Mother who kept bringing the cute bear here fell on deft ears. But in the end their romance bloomed and soon their engagement was announced to the empire.
The Longears couple spent the next few days being escorted around the empire by Magnus and his wife. The Great Mother wanted him used to conducting foreign relations, and since he already had experience with these two rabbits via the Wilde-Hopps trial, it was ideal for easing him into the deep end by starting with friendly allies. Both rabbits were impressed just how far along this young bear had come and how he was morphing into the ruler the empire would need in the years to come. The young wife was talking to Emma on something, and the two females soon decided what they were talking about needed to be kept secret for now.
High Priestess Greta Daperclaw rubbed her eyes. Something was preventing her from reaching out and discovering what was the force that prevented her finding the Wilde-Hopps. Her minions were following orders not to interfere with daily operations inside the Priests of the Moon. One of her minions had climbed high in their ranks and if the vote went her way, this wolf would be next in line to assume the high title of their order. The only wrinkle in all this was two mammals: the male hare who was the ranking member of the other order of the priesthood, and the lioness who was currently second in line.
Greta was not putting her chips in one mammal, hence why she was trying to acquire said lioness. It was a stroke of luck that this lioness was traveling with two honey badgers. Getting one of the badgers converted would be a feat of impressive skill, getting both would enable her order to go on the offensive and destroy the Priests of the Moon once and for all. But something was interfering with her scrying, with her attempts to reach out with her mind. Her minions had accounted for every member of the Priests of the Moon. Yet her efforts were being blocked.
Suddenly she had an epiphany... only a priest that had the skillset of a very high-ranking member of either priesthood could block her attempts, just as she could block a similarly skilled priest. She was hard-pressed to recall the last time there was a battle between two priests of such skill. A legend told of such a battle, it was the one that reduced their order to these dark depths. That was nearly two millennia ago; and it also led to the beginning of the metropolis above their heads. Ever since then it was rare that any high priest of the Dark Priesthood that gained any amount of strength soon found itself confronted in the ethereal plane. Such priest would be found the next day dead on their bed. She kissed the ancient trinket. It was by sheer luck that when the same happened to her, she refused to join battle and forcibly removed herself.
Greta had since discovered it was this strange necklace that enabled her to resist and extract herself. It was this necklace that enabled her to reach out with her own mind to find every member of those two opposing priesthoods and subtly influence their minds. This was how she grew her current number of priests from a few pawfulls to well in the triple digits. It allowed her to ruthlessly defeat everyone that attempted to defy her orders. But now that she considered who must be thwarting her plans, she needed to figure why this necklace was limited. Upon closer examination with a magnifying glass, she noticed very small message written in a language she was not familiar with. She went to the great library and after consulting the head librarian soon was sitting with an elder scholar who now was looking at the message. A few moments later he found the language in a very dust book and soon afterwards had it translated and held it for her to view. She thanked him and went back to her study.
The old scholar had done more than simply translate; he had drawn two pictures noting her necklace was a twin, both attuned to different aspects of nature and the ethereal plane. Now she knew why her efforts were thwarted; another priest must have the other necklace. Only a similar skilled priest would know how to use the twin to this one. One such priest would be able to hide itself from her scrying. Greta now had something to focus on. She summoned her ranking priests; together they focused their efforts on a singular goal.
Priestess Hilda der Fuchs suddenly awoke from her nap and sat straight up. The vixen was unknown to every mammal except the Prophesy Fulfillers, these were her charges she was empowered to protect from those who wanted to kill them before they procreate.
Hilda grasped her necklace and concentrated. A new voice entered her mind.
"Ahhh... there you are, keeper of the twin to this necklace. How clever of you to use it to hide from my minions. But now that I know you exist, it is only a matter of time before we find your lair and end your life. I will enjoy observing your body as we..."
That was all which Hilda heard before her paws rubbed the orb which floated beside her as she napped. She grinned. She was a powerful oracle before she found this necklace many years ago. Once she learned how to use this necklace to expand her abilities, she discovered it would keep an orb she summoned floating nearly indefinite. Such an orb kept mammals with powerful minds from capturing her own mind when she rested or asleep. Now she was glad it was her standard practice to summon an orb and attune it to this necklace before she would rest or sleep. Now she knew it was more than a must-do thing: now failure to have such an orb by her side would result in her death.
Hilda grinned for another reason; this brief contact allowed her to instantly know who the high priestess of the Dark Priesthood was. It also fully explained who she was to the other. The Wilde-Hopps couple was quite insistent she should call them immediately if any dark priest got close to her. She had dismissed their concern at the time, but now that her greatest enemy had finally discovered how to use the twin of her necklace, she decided it would be better if an equally skilled priest were here. She had the contact number of an old friend. He would be greatly surprised to hear from a mammal that had been declared dead decades ago.
High Priest Aaron answered the phone, obviously annoyed that the only mammal that had his direct number was calling him so soon after she left this temple. "Ishanah, relax. Our trio is doing well and the GSD has a team guarding their back. Should the Dark Priesthood try again, I'm confident these would be repelled just as the previous group had."
"Hello Aaron."
The hare froze, unable to speak for a moment. "Hilda? Hilda der Fuchs?"
"One and the same. It's good to hear your voice. But we must end pleasantries. My cover has been compromised. She knows. I require assistance. Please, for old times' sake?"
"Hilda... we declared you dead, funeral and all."
"I know. The Moon was gracious to show me the whole ceremony. I could not return to the temple, show myself to any mortal. My new duty was to safeguard the Prophesy Fulfillers."
The hare was starting to regain his senses. "Now that you have revealed yourself, come here. You will be safe."
"I'm sorry Aaron, but I can't. The Dark Priesthood has infiltrated one of your orders; it would be cubsplay for said mammal to arrange an assassination. But you can send word to the Prophesy Fulfillers; they will know how to get ahold of me."
The hare was surprised when the call ended abruptly. He also was surprised when the lioness he thought had called was now standing in his doorway.
"So our missing vixen has revealed herself. Must be something quite important for her to end her exile."
"She wasn't *exiled*, she went missing without a trace. She says the Moon tasked her with protecting the Wilde-Hopps and she was prohibited from contacting mortals."
"Do you believe her?"
"Perhaps we should bring the Wilde-Hopps here. They should have given us a head's up."
"I suspect she had her reasons for swearing them to secrecy."
"Which brings up her warning: we have a mole in our mist. Specifically a dark priest."
"Alright, we'll go to them. Now."
After informing his minions that he was heading out to assess the goings on in the Tri-Burrows, both priests got into the vehicle and departed to Zootopia. When the vehicle was off into the distance, a shadowy figure opened a satphone and placed a call. After giving the security code, it told the mammal where the priests were headed. After ending the call the shadowy figure returned to its hiding place.
Cotton and Molly were huddled close together. They were concerned about their friend; Candice hadn't been seen by either of them for weeks now and it was obvious whenever they inquired their handlers would get angry and abusive. These in turn would be severely reprimanded by the priestess when she discovered new bruises on the sisters. Whatever method of punishment she used couldn't be seen, but the effects were felt physically. The same punishment was dished out when the priestess discovered that any guard had sampled the merchandise, which was something more than kissing and less than spraining a joint. The guard who last attempted to physically relieve himself was now lying dead, blood seeping from his ears and his wide open eyes bloodshot.
"Anyone else who disagrees?" The elder doe said as all her minions looked at the dead body before them. They shook their heads in the negative. "I said these two shall not be touched. This will be your result should this occur again. I don't care if those present were the culprits; I will end all I see. In this I am sure you will actively prevent harm from becoming these two."
She leaned close and let a paw gently stroke the cheek of the nearest Hopps. "Don't worry your pretty young hearts much longer, our plans are almost complete. Soon our partner will have that which he wanted and we will have powerful new additions to our order. Then you will release into the paws of your husbands. They have been undergoing training how to properly treat you as the mothers you will be."
Suddenly with a twist of her wrist she pulled a few strands of fur from the cheek. As the young doe winced and quickly leaned away, the old hare laughed. "Soon you will provide us with the next generation of young."
She leaned again closer to the cage. "Your family is powerful. I sense it in you. Pureblood such as yours must become part of ours. I'll make sure your new husbands treat you properly. Just don't expect those manacles to be removed any time soon."
The elder hare grinned and quickly left the room, looking once over her shoulder and noticing both sisters looking at the chains binding their paws. Time passed and the guards made their rounds, each being mindful of their partner's watchful eyes; obviously the high priestess warning was fresh on their minds. Near the time of the evening meal a young doe dressed all in black entered the room pushing the cart. Both sisters were curious at the change of mammals, they had grown accustomed to the elder sheep that always treated them kindly and encouraged them.
This one was obviously a rabbit and female; about their older sister Judy's age and going off this one's mannerisms was very much same. Now it was carefully looking around the room as the gruel was ladled into bowls and the other two mammals also dressed in black carefully removed the pan that collected body wastes and replaced it. None of these spoke a word to the two sisters; they only performed this duty quickly and left the room just as quickly. One of the guards was obviously alerted at the change in mammals, but apparently was satisfied all was as meant to be. Now the two sisters ate their meal in silence wishing the sheep had returned; they didn't want to lose the only mammal down here that took their concerns genuinely and comforted them best as she could.
The team of black clad rabbits stopped a few corridors away, tucked into a shaft that led up to the topside world. The doe opened her pouch and activated a small radio.
"Darkside One to White Snow."
"White Snow here. Any luck?"
"Inform Big Dog the stew has been found. Proceeding on normal duties."
"Acknowledge. Don't eat the 'shrooms, never know what they contain."
The black clad doe suppressed a chuckle. "Ditto back at you. Keep the buffalo in the loop; we don't want you-know-who getting impulsive."
There was a pause, obviously the other mammals was giggling at the message. "Roger. Out."
Kimberly signaled her team to begin their assignment. She followed them in her assigned position; today they were to hit a small shack on edge of town. Another team was there to remove as much supplies as possible before law enforcement arrived. Something about this mission wasn't sitting right in her stomach; she couldn't put a finger on it but it felt all the trappings of a suicide mission. The chancellor himself ordered her team to perform it; therefore she couldn't refuse without tipping her paw. Recently she had noticed things growing colder between her and her fellow Trapper teams. She was glad she had accepted the offer of help from Agent Minksin earlier that morning; the cloaked GSD team would be nearby when her team raided the shack.
She only hoped the pit of her stomach was nothing more than nerves.
Agent Minksin had a bad feeling; things seemed to be going smoothly, but years' operating with Team Alpha taught her nothing was ever as it seemed. Her boss granted extra mammal-power for todays' operation; Agent Walkerson was leading the other team, normally her right-paw mammal and this was the remaining thing the vixen needed to earn her a team of her own. She only wished this was nothing more than a bad case of nerves. Rarely did things go smoothly when her stomach acted this way. Everyone was ready to enjoy the holiday festivities this evening; nobody wanted to sour the mood with the death of a teammate.
Colonel Kohle put down the phone and looked at the Segway near him. "They've been found. It was requested to keep the Wilde-Hopps out of this until both are safely in our paws."
"Best news I've heard in quite some time, next to my nephew's engagement announcement. Inform Commissioner Ursus and Chief Bogo. I'll handle breaking the news to Director Wilde myself; she'll find some excuse to keep Judy and Nickolas busy so they can't interfere" the mouse squeaked.
Nick was annoyed; he was relegated to carrying the many packages Judy was filling with gifts. He knew he should have arrested the crook attempting to steal one of the bags, but he was subtly smiling when a simple flashing his new golden badge sent the thief scurrying away. He was glad Judy was preoccupied with shopping with Mindy; their mothers including his was here helping the pregnant doe find some new clothes that fit her expanding belly. Bonnie had a few hand-me-downs that at first glance were faded a little but still suitable for wearing in public. Mindy seemed teary eyed for some unknown reason, Judy told him bucks would never comprehend why old clothes had that effect.
A beeping from his phone got his attention; it was from Chief Bogo telling him the two sisters were found and he was to keep Hopps occupied for the next few hours. Nick grinned; looking at the group of rabbits and a lone elder vixen squabbling over some piece of clothing told him this was not going to be a problem. He replied holiday shopping had already taken care of it and their parents were involved. He felt the approach of a familiar mammal, and was not surprised who it was.
"She occupied?" Detective Markle, a male grey wolf asked.
"Nothing will break this concentration; her elders has her full attention" Nick replied and was pleased the wolf nodded affirmative.
"Good. Officers Quickpaw and Lioness are over there on opposite side; they're in civilian garb so as not to draw Judy's attention. Speaking of attention... don't use that badge in public again. Your standard badge is enough. Besides... soon the criminal element will know who you are and we don't want them knowing you have risen in the ranks. If you thought it was tough getting them to cooperate when you were a lowly beat cop, it'll get harder when you're a detective."
Nick grumbled something of an apology and both of them kept an eye on the family as squabbles about color or fit or some minor detail arose. The two detectives accepted cups of coffee from Markle's partner and all three sat down knowing it was going to be a long wait. Soon they were joined by Nick's father, John, and afterwards some time later Stu and Albert arrived and sat down beside them. It was not a surprise the males soon were critiquing what the females were doing.