War of the Dark Underground

by StrayShot

Choices. Zootopia denizens make them every day. In the underbelly of society are those who thrive on craftiness and questionable morals. If you fall to their schemes, you obviously aren't smart. The Dark Council rules the criminal element ruthlessly, and now time is ripe to wrest control of all Zootopia. Sides are drawn, choices must be made. Even for Mr. Big.

32. 4x02 - A Bigs Show

A Big's Show.

Ziva and Fru Fru scrutinized the seating and pointed out soda residue leftover from previous showings. The theater manager dutifully nodded and added it to the list of things needed to be done to fulfill the client's wishes. If this were any other group that paid a hefty sum to rent this space he would make motions and have a cosmetic cover applied to minimize the offending thing. But this was a mafia family and they didn't hesitate to kill if they thought one was trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Thankfully they were paying top dollar and the least he could do was to bring in his best cleaners, naturally this meant an outside company that would remove the seats so scrubbing the sticky residue could be removed quickly. Replacement seats were ready once this was done and the special movie the rodent family wanted to show could proceed.

It annoyed the raccoon that he wasn't allowed to preview what they were going to show, but after the floors were properly scrubbed and the new seats installed Ziva invited him to see a preview what they would be showing. An action spy movie involving a housewife by day and a government agent in the evening was the main event, a camping trip involved bad guys and a fire fight was part of it. The main female actress went undercover in a fashion show which naturally exposed more bad guys leading to her tied up as bait for the main actor to rescue. This was all Ziva would show and left the raccoon seeing zoodollar signs.

Mr. Big looked closely at the movie poster. The main female actress looked suspiciously like Judy Hopps although the black tips on the ears and other fur patterns were altered just enough to reasonably suggest this was normal difference in rabbits. If one looked through paper eyeglass with different colored lenses one could see Judy wearing her Play Bunny outfit, different eyeglass showed her in her standard patrol uniform. He nodded his approval, whoever designed these was worth the money paid and he decided to use the agency in a future project. The third eyeglass he didn't want to look through, the designer claimed an X-rated view of the famous bunny and Vito had already seen her *wares*. Bunnies were the epitome of sexiness and he admitted there was something about their hips he found exciting, hence deciding to not to view her through the third glasses.

The trio of arctic shrews stood looking at the Regal Giraffe Theater. Their trap was ready and set, all that remained was to send out invitations. One of their snitches had intercepted a report Judy sent to the GSD and they had decided to entrap those on the list first, anyone else in the audience that exposed themselves as anti-multi species relationships would meet the same fate. The whole purpose of this was to expose low-level members of the Servants of Truth, capturing anyone that was sympathetic to their cause was icing on the proverbial cake. Naturally whoever was exposed their identity would be recorded; patterns would suggests who was most susceptible to the ideology and what kind of occupations were most likely to harbor sympathizers and members. Everyone entering the theater were recorded, this footage used to identify and track.

---

The trio of oracle priestess was annoyed at having to leave the meeting at the Library of the Oracles. The ancient classrooms were almost ready to hold classes once again and many priests in both factions, Priests of the Moon and Order of Mother Nature, were excited as they walked through the hallways. Hilda had received assurances from the ancient hologram that once his systems were repaired he would send copies of the last curriculum that once were taught. While the Sanctum of the Oracle Council had a library that any oracle priest could read to refresh their memory; the Library of the Oracles books were written more towards beginning priests. It was fortunate that when the attack began the instructors had enough presence of mind to burn all textbooks as well as their curriculum material. Now that Hilda had access to the ancient hologram all these would be replaced.

The GSD flew them to Bunny Burrow and after a short meeting with High Priestess Ishanah and High Priest Aaron they departed on the ZNS Kingfisher. Captain Kate, first female submarine captain, assured the oracle priestesses they were in very capable paws. She let the three priestesses remain on the bridge since this was the only place that had a view of the outside. Clare enjoyed being among fellow lynx as their small size made them excellent for cramp conditions aboard a submarine. Nearby another much larger submarine followed, ZNS Herd was carrying troops and supplies. Above them ZLS Hoof Prints and ZLS Paw Prints, newly-commissioned passenger ferries operating out of Bunny Burrow, were carrying more supplies and sailing much faster than they were. The view screen at the front of the bridge showed the seafloor as they sailed along, and when they sailed beyond the edge of the cliff all three priestesses gasped at the sudden blackness. A flicker of the screen meant the technician changed the resolution and had turned on the exterior lights. Now they watched as the sub glided down along the cliff and soon watched as it followed along the seafloor.

"Our destination is an hour away so to help pass the time I decided to sail by what archeologists have identified as an ancient village that crumbled into the sea ages ago. This event was confirmed by the library in Bunny Burrow and it has everyone at Zootopia University excited. We have to slow down so our wake doesn't disturb the site, not that I'm allowed to sail within a certain distance. Our cameras have zoom capability so I'll have the technician focus on certain areas that might appeal to you. I'm having our passage video recorded as requested by the university so at a later time you can review it at your leisure."

When the sub got to the sunken village the priestesses were surprised it was more like the ancient building over at the Library of the Oracles. Stone buildings resembled something like those found in ancient Athens or Rome; stone columns decorated the doorways with porticos extended outwards and just enough on either side to allow occupants to sit on stone benches out of the weather. Mammals of various species were kneeling at certain points, obviously studying something of interest. Off in a secluded corner they saw several divers that were huge, if they didn't move the priestesses swore these were statues.

"These are representatives from Pachydermia. When we found building that had markings what we normally see in her empire, the ambassador thought it prudent to inquire if they knew anything about it. Seems the empire once had an ambassador to an ancient kingdom that once thrived near the Tri Burrows. Their records confirmed that the entire landmass sunk under the waves, not that they had witnessed it but an envoy sent to inquire why the ambassador hadn't communicated in months confirmed a strange new shoreline was where the empire once existed. It seemed prudent to allow her team to investigate this building themselves, there might be things belonging to her empire and last thing we need is to sully the relationship we now enjoy. The empress wishes to visit soon once the envoy completes his investigation."

When the sub reached a safe distance away from the ruins it accelerated up to cruising speed, at least the previous speed before reaching the ruins. As they sailed over the seafloor they saw various things that obviously had fallen off ancient ships. Anchors marked shipwrecks or simple loss when some mariner didn't realize he wasn't anchoring where he thought he was. Various crustaceans skittered about trying to find hiding places from the huge metallic fish while schools of fish simply gave a wide berth. Every once in a while they passed by a sunken ship from the Lynxion War. When the priestesses asked if anything dangerous remained aboard Captain Kate assured them fuel, supplies and ammunition had already been removed as these were valuable. The dead were moved into a room and then welded shut; this served as a tomb and discouraged grave robbers from desecrating the wreck.

Finally they arrived at the underwater cave and positioned just outboard of the ZNS Pack, another submarine purpose-built for ferrying troops and their supplies. ZNS Herd was already here since it didn't follow them towards the ancient ruins but made a direct route to this cave. A small submarine docked and the three priestesses were transferred over, Captain Kate assured them her sub would be waiting to take them back to Bunny Burrow.

This small submarine obviously was designed for short trips, most of the upper half was a clear shell enabling anyone inside to see where they were going, a positive or negative experience depending on ones' personal viewpoint. Paulina remarked how similar this small sub was to those used in a large amusement park; the steward acknowledged it was a slightly upscale model of those used for attractions and had its own propulsion. While the military had similar-sized mini-subs these were not designed for comfort as this civilian-style was, so for this operation the upper-brass purchased and renovated several to haul troops and dignitaries into the caverns' entrance. This specific one was modified for flag officers and dignitaries hence why few mammals were sitting inside.

Hilda remained silent; she felt something... unusual... in the ethereal plane. It was neither threatening nor friendly so she decided to keep her guard up; they were in a new area so this could be something or nothing but her imagination gone haywire.

As the small sub travelled through the cave they saw bones of various mammals piled against the wall. The sub commander told them these originally were along the floor making it difficult for this sub to get through the cave so the decision was made to push them aside and deepen the channel. Most of the skeletons were carved up by robotic construction equipment and carried outside then deposited several yards away from the cavern entrance. This marked the cavern since a pile of bones was not a natural land feature. He pointed to small boxes that had colored lights, saying these were navigational markers similar to what harbors used. When the sub surfaced inside the cave its maneuvering thrusters turned it sideways and against a quay wall, the top hatch opened and the priestesses were helped out not only by the sub commander but several military mammals that were nearby. A gangplank connected the sub to a recently installed boardwalk and once the priestesses were ashore they saw more than military and GSD were here.

Standing beside the expeditionary commander were several mammals none of the oracles recognized except two, Judy and Kimberly. Both females had injuries and both had bandages applied, but Kimberly looked like she survived a meat grinder. Hilda summoned a rejuvenation orb and walked over to Kimberly, reached out and held her paws. Everyone watched as both mammals glowed briefly for a moment before the glow subsided and the orb disappeared. Kimberly still looked the same but she was visibly more energetic.

"The damage to your body is too great to heal in one sitting, but this session has jump-started advanced healing. Residual energy remains which will greatly empower your body to continue the healing process and you might feel like running a marathon. Please don't as it'll use this up and you'll be feeling back to your previous state."

Kimberly gently hugged the elder vixen. "Thank you. I didn't know you could do this."

Hilda smiled warmly. "Before becoming an oracle we didn't have this ability, we do now and will teach this to priests that are able to learn the spell. I will focus on soft tissue first as they are easiest to regenerate. I think your ear is best part to start as it is most useful and expressive tool for rabbits, your actual hearing organs are undamaged. Eat well before our next session; it'll help make the physical rejuvenation easier to see."

The expeditionary commander cleared his throat. "Priestess, your hosts are waiting."

Paulina and Clare joined Hilda and they walked over to the commander. Beside him stood a hare and a sheep both wearing what appeared to be priests' robes, bishop to be precise. An otter wearing a nurses' uniform stood next to these. Several mammals wearing hoods and goggles stood behind them except one, an elder jaguar whose face was covered only by a hood. He was standing next to the otter and holding onto a walking stick that was intricately carved and appeared to be from an expensive type of wood. The elder jaguar stepped forward and spoke.

"Welcome to the caverns, and thank you for coming. I am the leader of one cell of the Resistance and chosen to be our liaison to the Zootopians. The otter beside me is Nurse Teresa Riverbay. The hare is Bishop Charlotte Snowshoe and the sheep is Bishop Gandoff. The remainder of the mammals behind us is selected from the other cells of the Resistance. Pardon their covered faces as hiding our identity is paramount."

The priestesses took turns shaking paws, although they didn't say it each wondered why the introductions were made all at once.

"It is because time is of the essence down here. Loyalty is given unrestricted only to oneself then only to close family members" Charlotte said as she shook paws.

Clare was surprised. "How did you...."

Gandoff interrupted her. "Surviving thrice the neutronian radiation bolts from the Orb of the Oracles gave us unusual abilities, one of which was reading minds or at least the ability to decipher if a mammal was being deceitful. And to answer your next question... only Charlotte and I have this ability as we two are the only ones to have resisted the neutronian radiation."

Hilda raised a paw. "I am usually able to read if a dark priest is nearby, but on our way here I sense something I never felt before. Standing here I do sense many dark priests nearby... but with the two of you it is difficult getting a reading."

Charlotte nodded her head. "Must be due to the neutronian radiation. Although we are mortal flesh just as you, we know something about us must be different."

The elder jaguar held up his paws. "Gentlemammals... ladies, we must start negotiations before a random patrol discovers outsiders are among them. They already know GSD teams are here, once they discover you are where they never expected an intrusion they will throw nearly everything against you. We must get an agreement formalized sooner than later."

The expedition commander held his paw level pointing towards the tunnel exit. "If everyone will, follow me this way to our meeting tent we can start now."

Most of the cliff was nearly vertical but a small valley-like depression led upwards, along this was graffiti or messages from loved ones. The top of the cliff was more than a hundred feet above the water and a decent flat area along the top spread out, enough for several soccer fields. The pathway continued through a tunnel that was more oval than round. If the battle droids were careful and dunked every once in a while these could make it through, although the caterpillar-type droids would have no trouble going three abreast through this.

Hilda was mildly surprised at just how resistant these underground mammals were to making small talk. It was unusual for a group not wanting to have several moments of idle chatter wither about something in their personal lives or the latest gossip on Furtime or Muzzlebook. This was a universal truth found in almost every country or society, exception being those living in a totalitarian one. Paulina tried her luck but to no avail. Whatever the reason for bringing them here it wasn't to kill them, they were being genuinely friendly or at least indifferent.

Claire apparently wasn't going to try her luck. She felt something in the ethereal plane, something that felt quite familiar. The closer they got to the top of the cliff the stronger it became. She kept her guard up; one of the training scenarios she went through back in the Sanctum of the Oracle Council was how a dark priest would assault her via subtle means before delivering the coup de grace.

Upon reaching the top they went over to a large tent where several guards waited, opening the door flaps to allow them inside, closing these after the last one stepped inside. Once the meeting started the oracle priestesses learned why they were requested. The Resistance needed help coordinating their activity with the invading forces. On a screen they showed a map of the general layout of the caverns, something normally available to government workers. They were pointing via laser dot specific places that the dark priesthood enjoyed standing as they *tasted* the passersby, also current locations the tracker teams were positioned as they tried hunting down the stealth GSD teams. Other markers were either labeled in specific function or generalities, residential and retail being prominent.

Another thing they wanted to educate the oracles on was how many dark priests they would be facing, their numbers growing but most was inexperienced in fighting. This lack of experience would be an advantage thus insuring these would be easily killed, but it was those that had been dark priests many years that would be their primary opponent. They were given locations these dark priests most likely occupy, especially the original rock formation currently being used to convert mortals into dark priests.

Hilda thanked the Resistance leaders, the expedition commander, and the GSD. Before leaving she summoned another rejuvenation orb and held Kimberly's paw, both females glowed briefly before the orb disappeared. This time a small nub formed where her ear once was, fine fuzz instead of fur covered it. The younger doe hugged and thanked the elder vixen who said the next healing session would be in a few days unless circumstances prevented it.

---

Nurse Riverbay coughed softly which caught the three oracle priestesses' attention.

"There is one other matter that needs attention. While we could use our traditional access points recent events have made this much more difficult, especially since his condition is something we wish to keep secretive."

Clare was first to become alert, her ears turned forward as was her head. Paulina was curious but much more controlled as she held her paws clasped together in front her. Hilda mimicked Paulina but remained quiet. The strange sensation she felt in the ethereal plane was nearby, now that she was around these two bishops for a nearly an hour she concluded they were not the source. It had to be a priest and considering these bishops were calm this meant they knew who it was and were judging when to make known who this was. Now that the nurse was getting ready to reveal this mystery mammal Hilda prepared herself, the power emanating suggested it could battle all three oracles but since these bishops and the nurse seemed remarkably calm the elder vixen decided to wait and watch but be prepared to react.

Charlotte looked at Hilda and made a calming gesture, the three oracle priestesses was surprised a dark priestess knew the calming spell. When she completed it the oracles bowed and the hare returned the gesture in same motion giving the oracles another surprise.

"I am puzzled why a simple calming spell surprises you, and again as your bow is returned. Does your priesthood faction practice such common courtesy?" the other bishop asked plain.

Hilda spoke first. "We meant no disrespect, our priest factions which we were before the Moon called us to become oracles have different motions when they bow. Old habits are difficult to put aside and new ones take their place. This bowing motion was first taught to us by the hologram at the Sanctum of the Oracle Council."

Both bishops nodded their heads in understanding. "Ah... we see now. For us this has been practiced ever since the dark priesthood began, so the historical achieves tell us. We won't hold it against you if old habits return."

Paulina held up a paw. "Please continue what it is you wanted to tell us. I'm sure you have things to do as do we."

As the bishops made what could be considered *small talk* the nurse meanwhile had gone to a tent furthest from where the meeting tent was. As she was returning another mammal was walking beside her. Clare's ears perked up and her heart fluttered, something about this stranger was familiar. Hilda became alarmed; the strange sensation she felt earlier returned and grew stronger the closer this one came. Paulina noticed as well and the two stood in a manner they could hurl plasma bolts if necessary. This was not lost on the two bishops and they spoke before needless confrontation started.

Bishop Gandoff spoke first. "Stay your aggression! He that approaches means none of you any harm. We know what it is you feel in the ethereal plane, but for the sake of focusing your attention towards our common goal we had him sit inside a lined shipment box your military said was used to protect very sensitive equipment. It was him you felt before entering the cavern and before we could get him inside. When he first came to us he was a prisoner, over time the ancient process inside the rock layer slowly changed his body until he became one of them... a dark priest. We gave him a new name and title as benefit his superior ability. Oracle priestesses... I present to you Battle Priest Marquis."

Soon as he uncovered his head Clare squealed and made a beeline to him, leaping into his paws and snuggled firmly against him. It was obvious he was justifiably confused but nevertheless liked having a female of his species holding him tight. The nurse walking beside him watched them carefully, not interfering but neither staying away.

"Your name is Clare, correct?" she asked the oracle priestess.

"Yes it is, why do you ask?" Hilda said as she and Paulina stepped beside them.

Teresa smiled. "Lately he has been having dreams and whispering that name. I suppose his unconscious mind hasn't informed his conscious mind."

When he removed the shroud his identity became instantly clear not only by their memory but by the female honey badgers' action. It also became clear his memory of them had yet to be restored. As the nurse explained recent events concerning the battle priest the oracle priestesses nodded their heads in understanding. Something miraculous happened and in their line of work this was not unheard of.

"You say Mother Nature spoke to you?" Hilda asked the male badger directly.

"Yes. She appeared as a cloud in my quarters. Said her powers acted wherever Life was concentrated thus why she could be deep underground. She explained it was her influence that allowed me to revert back into a mortal and what she expected me to do. It was she that exposed the conflict within the triad council, that each was trying to create more followers than the others. She said this would not stop within the caverns, it would continue in the topside world until all living was either converted into an undead or killed. At this point she would have no purpose and leave this world."

"You are mortal again? Not undead like them?" Paulina asked him.

"Correct. Nurse Riverbay wants me to go with you to Bunny Burrow Hospital. She wants a second opinion wither or not I'm completely mortal."

Bishop Snowshoe led them down the path back to the boardwalk. There the expeditionary commander informed the oracle priestesses that the request for the battle priest to accompany them back to Bunny Burrow had been granted and his superiors were making arrangements for the good doctors there to be ready. Dr. Frankinmyer, being the oldest and wisest, would be leading a team to verify the physical condition of the male honey badger whose name now was known as Chester Marquis. After pleasantries were exchanged Hilda said a blessing for the expedition beseeching good favor and little harm upon its members. It still wasn't settled which tunnel the oracle priestesses would enter when the assault began hence the blessing. Nurse Riverbay accompanied Chester into the mini submarine, which was still being held in a tight embrace by Clare. Moments later the sub departed as the bishops, the expeditionary commander, and the Resistance representatives waved good bye from the boardwalk.

Soon they were watching the scenery aboard the ZNS Kingfisher, talking about the meeting and what they thought about the proposal the two bishops made. Clare sat beside Chester seemingly had expended her emotions and quite satisfied the male badger regained his memories about their prior relationship, her paw held in his as his thumb gently moved across hers. Teresa watched the two badgers while trying not to appear doing so; the bishops would only grant his trip if she went along. It wasn't solely because he would be among strangers especially those considered to be his enemy, it was because there were tracker teams roaming the streets of Bunny Burrow and they most likely would see him. It was a subtle message to them that she was escorting him and his treatment was authorized.

ZNS Pack was following since all its troops and designated supplies were offloaded and it was returning to Bunny Burrow to load the next batch. Rumor had it several caterpillar battle droids was part of its next load. Considering the sheer number of dark priests that would come after them Hilda wasn't certain they would survive even with the advanced training they received, they still had to help with the assault in the headmaster's sanctum and that wasn't going to be easy. Paulina reminded her about the battle droids and the improved model designed for travelling through tunnels. Clare reminded everyone that GSD Teams Charlie, Echo and Lima were already assigned to escort the oracles and this didn't include the military teams also assigned. It appeared the government of the Zootopians didn't want the loss of the Oracle Council on their watch so soon after the formation of that priest faction.

Chester was thinking to himself. He had regained enough memories of his previous life to know he once were very good friends with these three priestesses, closer one with the female honey badger. He was trying to decide which title he should use, pastor or battle priest. Clare must have been psychic because she whispered her suggestion into his ear: pastor while among the oracle priestesses and battle priest when he was back in the caverns. She told him she knew he must return if nothing more than to maintain the ruse, pushing something into one of his pockets as she whispered this was a keepsake. He grinned, he had a strong suspicion what it was and she obviously wanted something personal to be with him when she couldn't.

When the submarine docked at the pier Captain Kate bid them a fond farewell as the oracles left a blessing on the sub and its crew. Clara was misty-eye as Nurse Riverbay and Chester departed in a taxi to Bunny Burrow Hospital. The three oracle priestesses entered a SUV which took them to meet with High Priestess Ishanah and High Priest Aaron. These other priest factions would be involved in the assault of the caverns and hopefully more of their members would be ready to learn basic oracle spells, perhaps few ready to join as new oracle priests. Hilda didn't like wearing the tiara but first impressions mattered and the tiara definitely made an impression, three oracles wearing tiaras seemed a formidable force. Thankfully they enjoyed meeting the two bishops and hostilities were avoided.

The oracles spent the remainder of the evening giving the two high priests a briefing on what the Resistance wanted from them and the Zootopians.

---

Jennie, a socialite from a wealthy family and a ZooTube influencer, sat in her seat munching on popcorn and waiting for the preview to start. She was here to make a review of a new movie, her ZooTube followers were anxious for her opinions about the movie. She tended to want minimal number of moviegoers nearby as she scribbled her thoughts on a notepad, hence sitting in the rear-most seats.

Daizy Cahoon, a self-help guru with shady credentials, sat somewhere in the middle of the room. Being in the thick of it was her preference and this made the experience of watching movies more exciting. It also gave her fodder for her to use in fleecing desperate mammals looking for help, some for love most for life-problems. A fool and his-her cash always soon parted and Daizy always was willing to help.

Juzy Childs, a popular cook with her own television show, sat in the rear and exchanged pleasantries with Jennie but otherwise let the younger mammal have the distance she wanted. Jennie moved so two seats were empty on either side and invited the elder mammal to sit near her which Juzy graciously accepted. The elder was pleased the younger was not talkative but did converse and had surprisingly wide topics she was knowledgeable about.

Markus Flea, exercise and fitness advocate advocating for proper nutrition and weight management, sat in the front row. Randy Chuckles, comedian popular with younger generations, sat near Markus and both were talking excitedly about what the movie about to be shown was about. Both remembered seeing the other at the auction, the one about the ZPD bunny's relatives. They talked in hushed tones which cooking method each thought was best, probably inspired when one of them recognized the famous Tv cook sitting in the back row.

The theater was nearly full; teenagers sat mostly in the front rows and older mammals in the remaining seats. The rearmost row only had four, one young couple sitting in a corner and the elder Tv cook now sitting next to the socialite.

The lights dimmed and the screen lit up, a warning appeared onscreen saying the following may trigger some mammals, parental discretion was advised. A series of short movie advertisements and commercials ensued but these nobody recognized.

The first was a gazelle in housewife garb washing dishes and a deer in a bathrobe. He held her hips as he nibbled her neck, she playfully locked her horns against his and they spent a minute sparing. Next scene showed them in a casino decked out in tuxedo and skin-tight sequin dress mixing it up with bad-mammals dressed in typical movie bad-guy garb. Last scene showed them walking out of a chapel, she in a wedding dress he in a black tuxedo and getting into a convertible he drove away. As it ended the couple was bouncing against a hallway walls towards a bedroom as clothing fell off their bodies, the door closing with a *do not disturb* sign hanging on the doorknob.

Second movie preview was a night scene as a group of mixed specie teenagers around a campfire. A lion held a panther against his chest, her face buried in his mane one paw on his shoulder and the other obscured between his legs. A rabbit doe was nestling against a raccoon that was busy moving his paws along her body as he nibbled her ears, her paws held his bushy tail against her chest. Other mixed species were sitting around the campfire males holding the females as either one of the couples did something to their date that adults understood as teasing and highly suggestive. The end scene showed a popular condom company's' logo.

Third was an advertisement from a dating agency. This one was new to the market and claimed while love was blind this company was uniquely positioned to help anyone find that elusive special someone. While the first few couples posted were same specie the next few were not, some were mixed prey others were mixed predator. The next scene showed these engaged in playful antics that normal dating partners did. Several testimonials from couples about meeting their special mammal on this website claimed they were surprised some of their better dates involved a different species than their own. This closed with a phone number and website prominently displayed.

The fourth was from a lingerie company Valentine's Suggestive, the hosting company stated this was coming soon to the Savanah Square Convention Center. Various females' species were shown briefly walking the catwalk wearing lingerie specific to their species. Most of these were corsets or one-piece, some allowing more fur or hide to be shown via the style of the garment or via transparency of the fabric. Several males same species as these females came out wearing a tuxedo or Chip-n-Dale outfit or simple briefs. A bunny wearing a Play Bunny outfit was last to come out, not stopping as she walked by the males patting their cheeks then continued walking along the catwalk. The males followed her and halfway down the walkway she allowed them to catch up and hold her, displaying her dexterity as she slipped gracefully out of their paws. It was obvious this was choreographed but the intended effect was immediate on the audience, as was the bunny leading the males off the stage leaving the females to walk the catwalk one final time.

As each preview was shown various comments could be heard whispered, especially from the teenagers. These ranged from polite suggestions to outright desire to do something with a female, especially one not of their species. These were not lost upon Markus and Randy as they were sitting among the teenagers; Daizy was also getting an earful. Perhaps the most surprising reaction came from Juzy, her *shushing* nearly every comment was as grating as the youngsters. Jennie had her paws full trying to get the elder female to quiet down that obviously was hell-bent on stopping the comments.

The lingerie show advertisement was the final straw as the three females stood up and tried to exit the theater only to find the exit door uncooperative. Markus and Randy stood up and tried to get the doors opened, relieved when the lights came on dimly and a polar bear entered from a door near the movie-screen at front of the theater. These five mammals demanded their money back and an apology, the remainder of the audience thought they were overblowing the situation. The bear agreed and asked these five to follow him out the door he had entered the room, the lights went out and the program continued upon their departure. He led them down a hallway and into an empty theater where a Finnick wearing a black tuxedo listened to their complaints. After a moment he pulled out a wad of cash and reimbursed each for their expenses including drinks and snacks, having a waiter bring in replacement refreshments and alcohol was offered and given to each as they wished.

Finnick and the staff left the room as the lights dimmed and the screen lit up. What was being shown on the screen was not as promised. It seemed to be a continuation from what was previously shown except this time the various mixed couples actually performed sex. These were done in the order as they actually appeared onscreen in the previous theater. Now the words and curses were being hurled as each proclaimed what was shown was blasphemous and unnatural, demanding not only an apology but their monies returned again as they had been tricked. They didn't have long to wait for a reply.

Gas flowed out from the ventilation ducts and within moments all five started to cough and gasp for air. Moments later they drew their final breathes, the screen still playing the erotica scenes, shutting off only after the Play Bunny finished her servicing the males that had walked after her. It was a few minutes before anything occurred in which the air was being drawn out of the room. Someone had reversed the ventilation and after another few minutes the doors were opened.

Mr. Big, Ziva and Fru Fru were carried in by Koslov and escorted by Raymond and Kevin. They passed by the bodies one by one, saying a short prayer over each as if they were dear friends. The family coroner waited patiently at the door, knowing this small tradition would be over shortly. The Big Family did this as a reminder that although they took many lives they did so only as a last resort and they didn't flinch as the offender was dropped into the ice-cold water, flailing around until thermal shock immobilized their bodies and they drowned.

"It is done. One group down and a few more to go" Vito said looking at a list on paper, drawing a line through the names of these bodies.

"We should thank Colonel Kohle for giving us these names. Giving final payback for what they did to the godmother should give her some comfort" Ziva said.

"Thank goodness she still lives; it's very thoughtful of her to list specific names regardless of their stature in Zootopia society. But how did you get these to come here today?" Fru Fru asked.

Vito looked towards the entrance door and waved. Finnick walked towards them and the mafia boss nodded his head. Finnick reached into a pocket and handed the shew five items, causing the young shrew to shriek with laughter.

"You gave them discounted tickets!"

"Works nearly every time. Rare is it the famous fail to accept these, those that do rarely are bigoted. Some are crafty enough to pay for the tickets like average citizen but fall for the trap. But those on our list that fail to come we must figure a different manner to enact revenge."

Ziva cleared her throat. "Let's not tarry among the dead. They received their just reward now we must prepare for the next ones."

Vito was still looking at his list, his wife and daughter peered around his shoulder.

"I am trying to decide how to bring the judges here. They are government employees as such they above all deserve to be officially disgraced, their lives ruined just as they ruined our godmother. Then there is the broadcaster, the upper ZPD commander, and those members of the Council of Elders."

Fru Fru nodded her head. "I am hard pressed to recall someone as gentle as Judy, and as dedicated to making this city a better place. Perhaps we should leave justice for the judges to GSD and Chief Bogo?"

"My daughter, such is not our ways, but if they do arrest these it is our duty to ensure they do not escape justice. We should make every effort to extract justice upon these... upon everyone on this list. They acted directly against the godmother."

Ziva Big cleared her throat; an act when she did everyone knew to pay close attention, including Vito. "Perhaps these judges, the commander, and the council members won't be tricked into coming to our theater. So be it. But perhaps they can be lured someplace where they can expect praise... Someplace like the Savanah Square Convention Center."

Vito kissed his wife. "Another excellent suggestion from your wonderful mind. We'll do exactly that and I think I have an idea how."

The three arctic shrews talked about how to arrange something at the convention center. Currently it was booked solid for the next three months; Fru Fru thought having a booth or a mobile stand might have merit. Ziva agreed and Vito went about talking with his lieutenants about arranging a trailer that could be made into a makeshift movie theater. A booth inside the convention center would be used to hustle the selected mammals into reviewing a *proposal* that a foreign company wanted for the city. Each would be tailored to the mammals' job or responsibilities but ultimately the end result would be just like what happened inside the movie theater; their anti-mixed specie prejudices would be exposed and they killed.

---

Gwyn Rex-Kerrigan snuggled against her husband enjoying his paw rubbing her back. A few months ago she was hiding in the deepest part of the caverns, her life turned topsy-turvy because her primary fur color was very desirable by bucks. A priestess ended her self-isolation by tracking her down and offering her protection and a safe place to work; this was helping an elder buck decipher ancient books. This buck now is her husband, shared by tradition with another doe who by tradition is his primary wife. Although Gwyn may be secondary she is the only one able to give him kits, now rubbing her paws along her belly as if this would encourage the unruly bunch to settle down.

She fondly remembered her marriage ceremony. Her father was surprisingly accepting of his daughter marrying a buck his own age, perhaps the talk with High Priestess Ganieda convinced him all would be well. Perhaps it was the subtle message implying since Gwyn was almost age 25 the high priestess could decide which buck would become husband, it so happened Gwyn and Ganieda chose Geoffrey. High Priest Billie performed the ceremony and Ganieda was off to one side making sure nobody intruded. Bishop Gandoff and Bishop Charlotte Snowshoe were spread on either side of the wedding guests doing same as Ganieda. Gwyn admired the photo of the three of them in one photo and Ganieda with them in another. Her wedding photo album was filled with many pictures as one would expect and the guest logbook filled with signatures and messages wishing them a happy life and large family. She grinned, her groom started on this soon as she pulled him behind a curtain. There was no such thing as a honeymoon down in the caverns, unless one considered the bride and groom locked inside their home isolated for a week. She was certain her pregnancy started on day of her marriage, High Priest Billie allowed her only one romp behind the curtain which itself was positioned behind the altar, placed here to allow the priest officiating to bless them starting their family.

"Penny for your thoughts."

"Mmmm... your paws always feel wonderful."

"They are unusually active today. Are you sure you're only having six?"

She reached up and gently pulled his ear. "Ultra sound proves it. Doc says older bucks sometimes throw kits that are extraordinarily active. I'm surprised your first litter simply didn't grow to full-term within days."

Now it was he that pinched her rump, enjoying her yelp and her immediately biting his neck. There was a Sci-Fi horror movie that was based upon a mad scientists' experiment gone wrong. The attempted gene-splice to remove an undesirable family trait wound up triggering a gene that regulated growth. The gene-spliced embryo consumed its littermates that didn't receive the gene therapy and continued growing at an unexpected rate. An ultrasound done in her First Trimester confirmed she was carrying ten kits, the next ultrasound showed she was carrying only one and this was nearly half grown. By the time the revised due date arrived the kit was barely able to fit through her hip bones. The doctor and nurse that were going to perform a caesarian section watched in horror as the kit pulled itself through her birth canal and scampered away before they regained their presence of mind. Later as the mother lay weak and recovering the abomination returned, the size of a yearling and devoured its mother leaving behind scraps of her mutilated body. The movie ended when the abomination, now the size of a bear after going on a killing spree and eating its victims, was captured after falling through a trap door into a vat full of strong acid. As the credits rolled a young scientist was reading the previous scientists' notes, itself eaten by the abomination sometime during the movie. The young one exclaimed happily that it discovered the error and would not make the same mistake. The next few movies following proved he was wrong as in each follow-up movie the same gruesome abomination birthed earlier than it should, some ate its mother from within and others it simply clawed its way out through her side.

"If they did you wouldn't survive them pulling themselves out your birth canal, not to mention them eating your body to continue their growth."

"You wouldn't survive either as they would seek their daddy only to eat him."

"Hmmm... wonder if they would try eating their auntie? Who would win?"

She pulled his muzzle so she could place her kiss squarely on his lips. "My bet is on Gandoff. Our kits would swarm aunty and as she struggled he would come to save the day. But what does it take to restore her flesh that was eaten?"

"Interesting dilemma. I think she would win but come out of it annoyed at having to start over her new teaching curriculum."

"Interesting indeed. Older bucks do indeed sire faster-growing kits, we'll have to monitor these frequently" a voice said from the doorway.

Gwyn and Geoffrey turned their heads towards the door as Ganieda walked towards them. Her paw gently rested upon Gwyn's belly momentarily before reaching over to various parts of it.

"They are just fine, simply exercising their legs. You're in no danger of them becoming abominations and trying to eat their mother. If I do sense them becoming such I would end them. Then after the appropriate time you two would try again and I will make certain the next litter grows to become birthed."

As was their routine Geoffrey left Gwyn piled under the blankets and followed Ganieda to the high priestess's bedroom. Most of the time he stayed after servicing her desires and slept with her, it was not unusual for him to wake up finding that the undead carried him back to Gwyn's bedroom and placed him under the blankets. But tonight Ganieda wanted to talk after her desires were satisfied.

"Pennie for your thoughts?"

Ganieda smiled. "The grand tracker has lost track of the intruders. He first detected them when they came out of stealth thinking they were cleverly hidden, but a week ago they stopped this practice. This is an unsettling new development and the Triad Council is concerned. We therefore have priests following his teams, each wearing leather armor similar to what I wore back when I battled the oracles and the GSD at the Headmaster's Sanctum. This should make them impervious to those daggers long enough to dispatch them or subdue one of their members for interrogation."

"What about the battle priest? Surely he could track them down?"

"He has been acting erratically lately, Nurse Teresa Riverbay has been tending to him. She says it's nothing more than him trying to eat honey, obviously his body can't digest it but he hasn't come to terms with this. She thinks he'll eventually stop trying."

"I suppose old ways of life are difficult to give up. He probably had a sweet tooth."

Ganieda hugged him. "You're probably right. Now get dressed and return to Gwyn. She will need you more as your litter grows until birthing time. I'm needed back in the council's room to help search for the Zootopians. We're going to try using the ethereal plane, hopefully this tactic will locate non-priest just as easily as it locates priests."

He hugged her, blushing as she nuzzled against his groin. She had grown to doing this the more her duties at the Triad Council kept her away. He helped her get back into her robes and she put his bathrobe on him, since his clothes were back in Gwyns' bedroom. They walked back to the other bedroom then she gave him a kiss and watched as Gwyn welcomed him back into her bed, both waving bye as the priestess departed the hidden burrow. He grinned when a paw fondled his abdomen muscles so he returned the favor, gently moving his fingers through her belly fur. He repositioned his body and pulled her against him, she pushed her muzzle against his neck.

"Does she know?"

"I suspect not. The Triad Council lost track of the Zootopians and they are going to try scrying the ethereal plane. We should alert the Resistance."

She nodded. "I'll tell daddy. He's in a better position to ensure it gets there. Where... errr... what is Gandoff doing?"

"He's with Charlotte helping her keep the battle priests' secret hidden. The nurse can only keep the sheep's' wool pulled over the councils' eyes just so long."

"How did their meeting with the other priests go?"

"I'm told very well. The Zootopian priests were much more civil than we hoped for. They agree to work with the Resistance to keep injuries to our citizens to a minimum. They requested another meeting soon as possible."

"Scuttlebutt says there was an escape not too long ago, a prisoner of our allies the Servants of Truth were holding."

"That was the ZPD officer that married a predator. Charlotte and Gandoff arranged her escape. On her way out she rescued a family member but neither was physically strong enough to make their way up through the topside access chute, so the Resistance is giving them shelter until they are strong enough to make the trip."

"Married? How can they have... bedroom activities? Oh... she must enjoy his tongue in more ways than one!"

He ruffled her head fur. "My kinky little doe. Charlotte says one of them must abnormal *down there* otherwise physical relations would be near impossible."

Now it was her turn to ruffle his head fur. "Not necessarily. Some females enjoy trying to get a bigger penis than her species comes with."

"Oh? Have you ever tried it?"

She boxed his ears. "I'll not disclose my previous sexual partners. With many males desiring me it made my career as an escort model very difficult, one predator almost got his wish. I bought out my contract and hid as far away as I could go. A priestess found me and arranged for me to work with you and as they say the rest is history. So... let's put the footpad shoe on your feet. Would you have sex with a smaller specie female?"

He was obviously uncomfortable but he brought the topic up first and now she turned the tables on him.

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander. It's what led to me being single."

Her ears flew up. "Oh my... you don't have to answer that. You're mine and your history isn't important."

He held her a bit tighter then relaxed. "It's only fair. You let a small bit of your history out so turnabout is only fair. Pikas are a relative of rabbits and one was a classmate. She was the flirty type and claimed she could handle any male. So one evening she was drinking with my group and teasing the males. Sure enough a game of strip poker ensued and we lost. Next morning when I woke she was on my belly. It took a trip to Plainsville Hospital to separate us and we had to return over several months for specialists to poke and prod. Needless to say she never was a braggart after that, and females of my species wouldn't touch me with a thousand foot pole. Supposedly I had a small penis; it was the only explanation they said."

"I'm so sorry."

"For years I was sorry for the unintended after-effects, but now it brought you into my life. A high priestess also I might add. But my experience is nothing compared to what you went through. I bet the one that almost succeeded actually got your panty off but you escaped. I would run and hide if it happened to me."

She hugged him tighter and pushed her muzzle against his neck. "Something like that. I think we should end this, it's upsetting our kits."

He had been holding her close and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. It was a clever way to end it and he obliged. He got up and brought her a glass of juice and a small platter of vegetables and fruit. He ate a few and after her craving was satisfied he took it back to the kitchen then joined her back in bed, cuddling with her until pregnancy demanded her energy go to her kits and she fell asleep. He stayed awake thinking about recent events, if the Zootopians couldn't keep the conflict away from this ancient burrow... should he move his pregnant wife someplace far away or trust its isolated location to protect her? What should he do for his primary wife? As a dark priestess and the one that killed the headmaster she was marked for death by the Zootopian priests. Which should he protect more? One could kill him and his new family without touching him and without remorse, the other could give him many kits and grow old with him.

He shook his head. He needed advice and next time he met with the two living bishops he would ask them. Most likely one would favor the living wife and the other high priestess. He needed time to think, there must be a way to have both.

---

Captain Valiant was at the top of the stairway leading down towards the teleportation spot for the Headmasters Study, Staff Sergeant Stoutpaw was somewhere along the stairway making last minute checks on the troops. His troops were scattered along the stairway in fire team formations, when the hologram signaled his systems were sufficiently powered-up he would signal the captain who would give every team a countdown before being teleported to several places within the computer complex. Their goal was to hit the dark priests first with flechettes then fire at any technician not from the oracle valley, Soon as the room was cleared and the forces of the dark underground was routed the GSD technicians would be teleported in and then would immediately begin final repairs to the computer systems.

Earlier this week the technicians from the valley of the oracles had come here with a cloaked power generation unit. The hologram acknowledged their plan and teleported them directly into power control room which was surprisingly spacious. After connecting the necessary wires, cooling ducts and communication cables they turned it on and adjusted its output. The hologram acknowledged power reserves were recharging at an acceptable rate and within a couple days would be able to teleport the attack force to several places at same time. The technicians asked when the hologram wanted the second power unit brought over, it recommended immediately as any increase in power generation would greatly speed-up his abilities. After all it had defensive systems now that the Zootopians spent time under cloak to repair them, the second unit would provide sufficient power to operate these while the first unit would focus solely on supplementing his own generating capacity.

General Puller watched the operation via a combat video camera mounted on the captains' helmet, the information streaming to the very large Tv screen was from the captains' laptop. Every marine's vitals were sent to the captain and this to the general's command center. His command staff was busy talking not only to the captain but to each of his fire team leaders. This system was recommended by Grand Technician Beverton as these could see the overall field of battle and direct each team. The general accepted the suggestion but instructed his staff to talk directly if either the captain or staff sergeant was busy elsewhere, dead, or imminent threat was nearby. The room although large would be crowded and combat would be hectic enough, having cooler heads able to see the whole room would be an asset.

General Rommel had come over and was standing next to General Puller. Both were tasked with invading the caverns and the Desert Fox wanted to watch this attack first-paw, it also was a convenient excuse to bypass the pentagon's denial to have one of the battle droids sent to him. Now he would see what was so special about these droids. Grand Technician Beverton earlier had shown both generals a demonstration of what the battle droids could do both the caterpillar type and the upgraded original type. General Rommel was sad that his forces were only getting the upgraded original type, the pentagon decided to have the caterpillar type travel down the tunnel from the Headmaster's Sanctum to the caverns. The caterpillar type would also be transported to the underwater cave and travel with the beachhead group when they made their attack, these being much lighter and thus easier to be transported by ship or submarine. The upgraded droids would travel in the tunnel nearby the Baron of Vulpinstan's estate and the other tunnels in the Tri-Burrows. These were very wide, much wider than the machine that chewed into the computer electronics room.

Baron of Vulpinstan and his son Rhon Rorschach were standing off to one side watching a screen set up for their private use. Even though they were an arm's length away from both generals it was decided to allow them a separate computer screen so they could change views as they wish, it also allowed them to send a video call either to the king of Vulpinstan or to the baroness back on the estate.

"They're off" someone said which immediately caught everyone's' attention.

Flashes of light enveloped each team nearly instantaneous and immediately data flowed into the command center. His staff watched their individual screens, already sending information to the fire team leaders and getting replies in return. A video from the combat camera mounted on the captain's helmet was shown on the large Tv screen, its erratic movement obvious as the captain was directing his fire teams to move to a certain position. A secondary video came from a camera mounted on the staff sergeants' helmet. Thankfully these were an upgraded model so when it moved quickly the view wasn't a blur although it was a bit out of focus. Sound indicated several firefights had erupted and the camera pointed to where purple bolts now started flying around the room.

Onscreen a large flash of light indicated arrival of the first caterpillar type battle droid. Its shield of energy lit up as a dark priest fired at it, and then it fired towards the priest. Onscreen the priest suddenly stiffened and then fell over; a cheer erupted in the command center and then quickly died down. The droid aimed at another priest, fired and the same reaction happened. The camera followed wherever the droid aimed, showing it literally mowing down each priest as several metallic daggers flew towards them impaling each body. Within moments nearly every dark priest was either immobilized or hiding behind something to keep out of sight of the droid. Fortunately the marine teams were armed with flechettes and one member was tasked with firing towards any priest it could see.

It didn't take but a few minutes until the room was cleared and the marines were following the dark underground members down their tunnel, the droid following suit. Staff Sergeant Stoutpaws' camera sent video of the battle as she followed beside the droid as this tunnel was noticeably bigger than the staircase. Captain Valiant and one fire team stayed behind as to ensure no enemy had hidden themselves and tried to reassert their control of the ancient computer system.

Back at the command center General Puller was pleased at just how quickly the tasking was accomplished. He received a zphone call from the oracle priestess; they had just arrived at the headmaster's sanctum and were heading towards the staircase. Grand Technician Beverton was allowed to talk to Hilda who was pleased to hear from the elder beaver. The second droid had yet to be transported into the room and Captain Valiant was asking questions to someone in the command center. Rhon Rorschach was getting impatient why it was taking so long, the ancient hologram must have heard him because it answered his question directly simply saying it determined there was no need for a second droid and the oracle priestesses would be the next to transport inside. Rhon's mumbling a curse was replied to by the hologram, something everyone didn't expect and what was said greatly angered the young fox. The baron ordered the vulpine guards to remove his son and take him back to his estate.

"Apologies for my son. It is rare that he loses his composure but when he does I must act quickly or the offended might seek redress."

The baron was surprised when the hologram asked him to search his son and return the droid control unit that he had acquired, whatever his intentions it was outside the scope of this operation and most likely the son intended to use the droid to steal something. Although the baron was offended he promised he would do as asked, he had noticed that his son was acting strange but dismissed it as the younger fox was excited to be here. A GSD agent walked up to the baron and handed him a data chip, telling him something was on that chip *for his eyes only*. The baron was visibly saddened, that agency never steered him wrong. For them to act cryptically like this it didn't bode well for the mammal they specified.

Moments later a vulpine guard returned with a small device in his paws which he handed to the baron. The hologram acknowledged the device was that he earlier referred to and onscreen another caterpillar droid as well as the three oracle priestesses materialized in the chamber. The hologram now appeared beside Hilda and led her to a spot in a wall that suddenly revealed a door where once only a smooth wall was. Inside it led the oracles to a drawer that opened by itself revealing the ancient tiara and necklace that the headmaster once wore. It removed the tiara and necklace Hilda was wearing and placed these ancient ones on her proclaiming her as the rightful heir to the headmaster.

Hilda insisted on keeping her original tiara and necklace, saying the headmaster's tiara and necklace should be worn only in the Headmaster's Sanctum and over at the Valley of the Oracles. Just as the ancient oracles were killed ambush style she could as well, there were enemies just as crafty as the Dark Priesthood that wouldn't hesitate to try assassination just to get these items. She theorized that just as the headmaster saw the wisdom in having a slightly less-powerful necklace when battling powerful foes, the replacement necklace and tiara was still more powerful than what the opponent had. The hologram acknowledged the wisdom of this and provided a briefcase suitable to store and protect either set of these items; it also updated the control crystal on her old necklace as well as the headmasters' necklace so she could wear either set as she pleased. She was now the headmaster after all and the headmaster's tiara had to be attuned to her life essence for it to properly function. The hologram updated her old tiara so it was more powerful than it used to be but less than the headmasters tiara, just as she wanted.

The oracle priestesses went with the captain and his team down the tunnel followed by the droid which was followed by another that just teleported into the room. The marines were engaged in a firefight against a heavy counter-attack and certainly could use reinforcements. The oracles wanted to see just how powerful the headmasters' tiara and necklace were and this would be an excellent opportunity to use these in combat. The marines escorting them had recovered all but one flechette per dark priest body and would reload these into the droid; the oracles decapitated these dark priests and handed the remaining flechettes to the marines.

The afternoon saw several droids follow the marines and provide firepower as needed, the one in front falling behind the others as its gun's needed recharging. Two droids remained behind guarding their rear just in case an ambush hid themselves. Clare stayed with these and several marines stayed near her. Many technicians and several GSD technicians and a few more caterpillar droids were teleported into the room after the priestesses went with the marines, one droid staying nearby as the others went into the tunnel to join the battle.

---

"Revenge is best served cold" Vito mumbled as he read the list his minions had acquired.

Several names were crossed off already leaving only the most difficult ones remaining. He smiled to no one in particular: they most definitely would be served justice, but only in the manner they most assuredly deserved. Up to now their operation at the Regal Giraffe Theater was exposing sympathizers and low-ranking members of the Servants of Truth, now it was time to bait those on this list. He would be there when each were served cold and mercilessly that what they so richly deserved.

Koslov held the three arctic shrews and was followed by Kevin and Raymond as he walked toward the suv that would take them to the theater. When they arrived his minions gave him a list of the mammals currently waiting for the movie to start. Fru Fru shrieked as she pointed to several names, her parents nodded their heads but said nothing. These would be the first served cold.

Butcher Stehli, the butcher Nick's family went to for special cuts of meat, was tickled pink to have gotten free tickets to an action movie that had romance in the classic style. He brought his wife along and they sat near the back row but not too close, that was where young mammals hung out and tended to use the time for a make-out session instead of watching the movie they paid good money for. His wife was looking forward to be cuddling in his paws as they waited for the movie to start, eating popcorn and their favorite drink was a close second.

Night Howlz, a musician whose band had the same name, was here with some of his bandmates. As with typical of musicians they brought with them marijuana joints and lit one up, as was typical of smoking this drug they had plenty of snacks and drinks with them to take the edge of the munchies. Thankfully the camera operator noticed and increased the ventilation so the smoke drifted upwards and carried outside of the building. Last thing the theater operator needed was a lawsuit about a customer getting a positive on a company surprise drug test.

Rufus Wilds, wildlife advocate appearing on many television programs advocating for humane treatment of the non-sentient animals, sat next to Butcher Stehli. The butcher's wife was pleased to be sitting near a famous mammal. As they waited for the movie to start he talked about his latest adventure in the jungle trying to document the lifecycle of an elusive animal. Like most animals that never gained sentience this one was very aggressive and harmed several of his crew, Rufus himself sporting a bandaged arm and several scars.

After the lights dimmed the previews started, and just like previous groups the audience had different reactions. While most mammals didn't mind mixed species holding paws and expressing affection, those sympathetic to the Servants of Truth's cause were visibly upset and expressed their displeasure. Like previous groups a polar bear entered, listened to their complaints, and led them through a back door to another auditorium where Finnick reimbursed their expenses and gave them a free movie and new refreshments. Like before these were treated to a double dose of salt in their wounds as the previews were same as before but those onscreen did sexual acts. Like the other groups these howled in anger and like the other groups these were killed by poison gas pouring out the ventilation ducts.

But the remaining names on Mr. Big's list didn't respond to free tickets, thus Ziva's idea was put into action.

Councilor Twitcher, Councilor Woods, and Councilor Vale were sitting at a table outside a coffee shop when three polar bears grabbed them and stuffed the elder rabbits into separate gunny sacks. These three rabbits were members of the Council of Elders and had voted against Judy back when the ZPD officer was undergoing a trial for breaking Lapin law against having sexual relations with a non-rabbit. These three also left the courtroom when the entire council was required to apologize for holding the young doe on trial. These three refused to be anywhere near Judy when they were conducting a trial on the Council of Elders' estate, going as far as talking to Judy only when Miriam Cloverson... ranking doe of the council, forced them upon threat of punishment. They also were present when Judy was being tried by three judges after she was abducted by the Servants of Truth, and these three paid minions to search for the ZPD officer after the escape. They deserved what was coming.

These three were mercilessly dumped out of their gunny sacks and held by the scruff of their necks before the three arctic shrews. Vito allowed his daughter to present the evidence against these and after it was completed ask each to defend their actions. None of the three councilors said a word in defense except to say the Wilde-Hopps were abominations and deserved death for misleading many young mammals. The three arctic shrews were greatly disappointed and proclaimed the elder rabbits as guilty, and then watched as they were mercilessly dropped into the icy water in the pit below the floor. All three elder rabbits went to their icy watery graves loudly proclaiming allegiance to the Servants of Truth and hurling curses towards not only the abominations but these shrews as well.

Now those most deserving the Arctic shrew's ire remained.

Commander Ruck, a stag that worked in One Police Plaza, was talking to Irwin Mewz, a popular television newscaster on ZNN News. Judge Travis Marsh, a male groundhog serving in the First Circuit Court of Zootopia, Judge Gerald Felidae, a male African lion serving in the Second Circuit Court of Zootopia and Judge Mau Chu, a male panda serving in the Fourth Circuit Court of Zootopia were making small talk as they waited for the main speaker to step up to the podium. These three judges were miffed Judy escaped, they already had her government records prepared to reflect her treason against mammalkind thus reason for her execution. As long as she was in the wind their trial was on hold, it was too risky to declare her guilty and executed. Her incredible run of luck would most likely have her pop-up shortly after they modified her government records. They needed her body dead and in their paws before going ahead.

The ZPD commander, newscaster, and three judges received a personal invitation from the mayor, itself considered an honor as well as a mandatory *must be there* event. As they waited for the mayor to arrive they snacked on various treats that were on the tables spread around the room, and sipped on alcoholic beverages that each agreed was the best money could buy. They were surprised when waiters and waitresses brought out dishes and placed these near the nameplates of specific mammals. Soon every seat had a meal sitting on the table before it and the master of ceremony encouraged everyone to eat. The spokes-mammal for the mayor stepped up to the podium and apologized saying the mayor would be late and wanted everyone to go ahead and have dinner.

All in the room shrugged and sat at their assigned places and proceeded to eat, making small talk when they could. A screen lit up and projected on it was short videos on various topics; a common theme was mixed species talked about various things on various topics. As the minutes went by so too did a common theme, the mixed species began to show more physical touching. By the time dessert was being served the onscreen mammals had started holding paws and touching body parts that normally were taboo to touch in public. So too was the topic of conversation, innuendoes were made about many differences and practices. Whoever made this video obviously ignored social sensibilities and seemed to go out of its way to be offensive. Not everyone could ignore the screen and go about their dinner and make small talk.

It was obvious that those who strongly disapproved of mixed specie dating by now felt heartburn in more than one way. What was portrayed onscreen went against basic mammal instinct. Friendship was one thing and its benefits between species encouraged, but flirting was something else. Satisfaction in the bedroom was impossible unless close enough genetically, even then young produced were abominations incapable to reproduce. These excused themselves and made their way to the restrooms where they noticed those among them were members of the Servants of Truth. Their realization was short-lived as a gas poured out of the ventilation ducts, incapacitating them within moments.

Doctors at Zootopia General Hospital declared all as deceased upon arrival and notified the ZPD and GSD. Test determined these had been poisoned by what they ate had reacted with the gas from the ventilation ducts. Each was eulogized and given a proper funeral, most citizens filing past their coffins. Only the Big Family and their workers did not go to these funerals, these had raised a paw or hoof against the godmother who did them no harm.

This use of the theater had been effective in uncovering members of the Servants of Truth as well as those sympathetic to their cause. The Zootopia Gazette and other news agencies documented many instances of mammals disappearing after making a complaint about the previews, management showing these missing mammals being escorted by polar bears and a fennec fox. Almost everyone knew to whom these worked for thus a mafia boss was responsible for the disappearances.

Mr. Big still wasn't pleased.

Rose, Rhonda and René Hopps... Gena, Doris and Helen Wilde. These lifted a paw against their family without just cause and thus deserved a special form of revenge. It would have to be from the godmother's own paw, but knowing the bunny's dedication to law and order she would not knowingly do anything to harm these. He had to create a circumstance that would deliver cold revenge as it should be, and willingly done by Judy's own paw.

---

Marilyn and Caroline held paws with Clifford and Margret Rorschach as they walked down the hallway leading to the room set-up for their usual Furtime on the computer. Their grandparents were out walking around the nearest village, Crimson Lodge doing window shopping. Clifford and Margret assured them the young vixens would be in good paws as Jeeves and Margret's personal assistant would be keeping an eye on them, that and the baron and baroness had something special planned for them.

When they entered the room Jeeves turned on the computer and started the Furtime program. As usual a list of options was onscreen and the head butler selected one. Marilyn and Caroline were puzzled; this wasn't the Bunny Burrow option they normally used. A quizzed look to the elder fox was returned with a short assurance all would be crystal clear momentarily. When the connection was completed onscreen was two rabbit does, both quite familiar to the youngsters.

Both young vixens squealed with delight as they tried to hug the screen at same time. The doe in the ZPD suit mimicked their action and then backed away from the screen. The young vixens now noticed something was wrong with the other doe.

"Auntie Kimberly looks like she went through a meat grinder" Marilyn said.

"Aye but she might have fought off bad mammals and escaped with this" Caroline replied.

Kimberly's heart melted. She never considered herself as being a step-relative of these two vixens, now having them saying so was endearing.

"Thank you, it means so much. Perhaps you'll hear the story how this happened but today is not the day. Apologies, but I'm not entirely accepting the hows and whys of it myself. At least the one that did this is in GSD custody."

"Something's happening to mommas' family. Bunnies are disappearing and nobody knows where they went" Caroline said with a sad tone her voice.

It took every bit of strength to appear strong and not break down. Judy knew what happened but this was something not suitable for young mammals. They had so much to look forward in life before the realities came crashing down. A brief flash of her older brother looking at her just before he was gutted brought a tear to her eyes, and briefly for a moment she turned away from the camera so she could force the faucet in her eyes to shut off. This was supposed to be a happy time to let her daughters know she was still alive and her return was being delayed. A moment later she was recovered enough to rejoin the conversation Kimberly had taken over and talked with the vixens about their escape from bad guys.

"Momma is sad, doesn't want us to know why" Marilyn said.

"Sweeties, we both have gone through something we aren't ready to talk about just yet. As you can see mine was physical... your mother's was a game played against her mind." Kimberly's tone of voice was motherly but firm.

The camera turned away from the two does and now Bishop Charlotte Snowshoe and Bishop Gandoff were onscreen.

"Young ones, we are tending to your mother's wounds as it our responsibility to do so. Rest assured they are in capable paws."

The camera turned back to Judy and Kimberly who motioned to someone off-screen. In a moment the two bishops joined the two does.

Judy began the introductions. "My daughters... this hare is Bishop Charlotte Snowshoe, the ram is Bishop Gandoff. Both of these are responsible for ensuring my escape and that of your auntie. We owe them our lives which is why we are staying here for a few weeks more. There are mammals that need help and these two priests asked us to assist. We hope you'll understand."

Judy had seen the grandparents enter the room moments ago and wanted to let them know her plans about staying down in the caverns with the Resistance.

John replied as Jackie and the other two grandmothers gathered around the young vixens. The other two grandfathers stood nearby.

"Understood. We'll keep these in our care until you are able to return to us safe and sound. This week we'll stay here in Vulpinstan and then continue the rotation between our homes. In this manner our young ones will not be alone, they'll be among family."

"Are they visiting my family?" Judy asked.

John blushed. "Ummm... sorry. We were concerned about protecting them. My apologies, we'll take them to your parents next week. At least they get Furtime visits with their long-ear cousins as often as they wish. Perhaps we'll have to formulate an explanation about Kimberly's ear."

Kimberly piped up excitedly. "You'll not believe it... the oracle priestesses conjured up a glowing thing and used it to start regrow my ear!"

She leaned forward letting them see the small mound covered with fuzz. As her paws rested near the mound those watching noticed she was missing fingers on both paws. But the tips where fingers once were was covered in the same fuzz, and underneath these was a similar discolored skin as was where her ear once were.

Caroline gasped and her paws flew to her muzzle. "They hurt your paws! But they're growing back!"

This must have been news to the doe because she immediately turned her paws so she could see them, giggling when she realized they were indeed growing back. She must have lost presence of mind because she picked up one foot at a time to look at them, giggling as she noticed the same regrowth occurring. She would have started undressing but the bishops both stopped her, assuring the doe that any body part that was damaged was now growing back.

Jackie smiled. "When you get back home dear, we'll be there to help you in your rehabilitation. I'm certain I speak for John."

The other grandparents spoke up, saying they will check in on the young doe to make sure she was following doctor's orders. After a few more questions from both sides Jeeves signaled time was up and signed off the service. The grandparents ushered the young vixens into the small dining room where Clifford and Margret waited for them. As the meal was served Marilyn and Caroline told what was said on the Furtime visit, bickering when the other butted-in which was quickly corrected by the grandmothers. Margret and Clifford watched and smiled as this brought back memories of their young doing exactly same thing, stepping-in only to encourage the vixens to continue what they learned.

When bedtime came the vixens curled up against each other underneath the bedcovers, Margret told them this room was now theirs as she was certain Judy or Nick would be staying down here regularly. What was left out was their steward, Rhon Rorschach, was now behind bars in solitary confinement for crimes against Zootopia. He would have been tried and executed but the baron wanted him to answer to the Wilde-Hopps before this happened.

Back when the investigation about where the family wealth disappeared, Mr. Big helped to recover more than the money. He gave them proof it was one of their young that had coordinated the losses and was working with outsiders to eliminate his sibling and his parents, all for the promise of becoming a duke himself. It was the GSD that proved Rhon was the mastermind, the one responsible for framing his littermates for misuse of the family wealth.

Chill went down his back when he realized just how close his son came to realizing completion of his plans. Margret was still mourning his betrayal; perhaps this explained her eagerness to have Marilyn and Caroline visit often as possible. He genuinely liked the young vixens, but they weren't his. As with many things he did to keep his wife happy he would allow them and their grandparents to visit and stay as long as they liked. Admittedly once again it was through her bloodline his baronship had been saved by greed from within, thus upon reflecting upon this he knew this was the right thing to do. When time came to hold trial for the traitor that was his son he knew it would be hard on him, but harder on her.

But for now there was a certain brightness as the halls once again rang with the giggles of young ones. Perhaps this was what these ancient walls needed after all.

---

Dr. Bevyton and Dr. Dexter watched the undead attempt to pound her way out of the room first against the walls then flinging itself against the force field that enclosed the doorway. Several mammals from Zootopia University were here conducting observations and tests of their own. Dr. Bearinton was here briefly before turning over the duties to another psychologist, Dr. Singleton who was another bear, he thought was better able to diagnose the strange mammal. Earlier this afternoon Senior Technician Pangolin double checked her equipment then assured everyone that the strange mammal inside the room was wasting its effort.

Director Dench was here with her personal assistant and secretary Ginger Valiant. Colonel Kohle stood near these two and all three was observing the antics of the thing behind the force field. If they weren't told by the agents that had brought it here this was one of the undead mammals they would be hard pressed to believe it. Rachel Canter glared at them from the other side of the force field, anger burned in her eyes and harsh words flowed from her mouth. Her fur was a spitting image of her sibling, Kimberly Canter. Her skin was normal in color not the paleness that photos and videos shown of the dark priests, and the eyes did not glow unless a flashlight or other light source shown into them. All in all it was difficult to believe this... thing... was not as it appeared, a dead body reanimated.

"Penny for your thoughts" a voice behind them spoke in a low tone.

Three mammals stood in the doorway: two belonged here as this was their normal place of work. The third normally spent his time at his home in the Valley of the Oracles. Grand Technician Beverton walked into the room with two GSD agents that were assigned as his escort until they stood beside the Segway.

"Doctor... any idea why she is living?" the white mouse asked keeping her eyes focused on the thing.

Dr. Gary Bevyton scratched his chin. "Nothing conclusive yet. Senior Technician Pangolin is still consulting the bunkers' archives. So far the computer deemed it important to monitor this mammal for an unknown period of time; something about scanning Rachel being what the original technician stored into its database at some day in the future."

Colonel Kohle shook his head. "Time travel and its paradox. If what's happening is the original scanning and analyzing of this mammal, then I suppose our actions from this moment forwards very well could damage the future. Damned if we do, damned if we don't."

"Then hypothesize" the white mouse said.

Dr. Gene Dexter stood beside Gary, holding his paw as she looked at the strange mammal behind the invisible wall. "We are the original ones scanning this specimen. I was there when Pangolin asked the computer several different ways what the answer to this mammal was. The computer came back with the same answer: to analyze it ourselves. Since I specialize in materials perhaps the answer lies in the rock layer Officer's Hopps note stated. I'll need a sample."

The mouse turned her Segway until she looked directly at the elder doe. "Judy's note suggested the rock deteriorates. I'm no rock specialist but that suggests something deadly. How do you propose we get it?"

Dr. Bevyton answered without taking his eyes off the entrapped mammal. "Use the droids the oracle technicians let you use when you helped repair the orb of the oracles. I'm certain the Grand Technician here knows how to do it."

Grand Technician Beverton smiled. "Normally our machines melt the rock to remove it or change it into a different matrix, if we used these it would ruin it and it will be useless for what Gene needs it for. I'll have to consult our records, in ancient times we had a model we once used to carve marble rock into large chunks. That is how we made the colonnades and other decorative features for the Library of the Oracles. We'll have to carve out the rock you want to examine and place it into an anti-radioactive container; we just need to know how big a piece you want."

Gene placed a kiss on the elder beaver's cheek. "I probably will want several different sizes; my examination of each will tell me. Hope you won't mind."

The elder beaver gently patted her paw. "Never you mind the inconvenience. Science never gets the answer in the first attempt. Before I forget... I'm enjoying your inviting me here and the tour of this wonderful place. I'll return the favor someday."

Gary nodded his head. "I know how you feel. We didn't build this facility and we still haven't discovered all its secrets. I look forward to your next visit so we can examine something to put our minds together and solve the mystery."

The elder beaver nodded his head towards the buck. "Thank you for the opportunity. I sent a short video to my office. It'll be fascinating spending hours on a genuine mystery; it'll also give my best pupils something to really challenge their minds."

Director Dench softly coughed, obviously wanting to steer the conversation back to the reason they were here. "Gentle-mammals and lady... my question remains. Can I get a swag? A guess?"

Gene looked at the mouse. "Radiation. But normal properties of rocks we know as radioactive don't transform flesh; it breaks it down until it becomes unrecognizable mass of uncontrollable flesh. I need to examine it in a controlled condition then slowly perform experiments to see how it reacts, how its properties change as it breaks down and deteriorates. Only then I'll have an idea, but I suspect it'll take many years before science will have any true knowledge what actually goes on."

She looked towards the buck beside her. "I'll work with the rock, Gary will work with the test subject. This mammal in particular. Rachel is her name?"

"That's what Judy's note said, older sister to Mindy and Kimberly Canter. At least we have two we can use as controlled group to compare results against" Director Dench muttered.

The other mammals in the room turned and looked at the Segway.

"I didn't stutter. I was just told the computer won't answer directly about this... creature... we're holding behind this energy barrier. Therefore we have to solve this mystery ourselves. I don't like it but I have very few options. Her siblings we need to use as control group, unless the computer can tell us an alternative they are our only option."

The psychologist, Dr. Singleton, held up a paw. "I'll check with Zootopia Medical University. Perhaps they will have a better alternative."

"Make it so, doctor."

"I'll have our technicians check our records. Accidents working with our droids must have occurred. Burns from our methods surely must mimic that from radiation."

"Thank you, Grand Technician. Any help is greatly appreciated. I hope you are right."

As the various mammals departed on their assignments Rachel growled from behind the barrier. The small white mouse moved the Segway closer, studying the creature in silence. Several minutes later the Segway turned around and departed the bunker. Ginger followed in silence, writing something in her tablet computer. She knew the director hated harming innocents, but sometimes it was for the greater good. As they rode back to the office each absorbed in their own tasks, making small talk at odd intervals. A mystery was placed before them and the singular equipment that never failed to answer questions now remained tight-lipped. It was clear their actions now had to solve it on their own, but at least they had those from the Valley of the Oracles to assist them. Perhaps this was the key to the riddle.

m.