Family Feud Part 3.
Antonio's Italian Restaurant was a favorite for many in the great city of Zootopia, so much so that Antonio was able to open several not only in a couple of the ecosystems but also in nearby towns. While the standard theme of the décor was of Sicilian origin he allowed the dining rooms to be decorated according to the seasons. Currently it was late Summer and Autumn was not far away, the patio was popular these days and it was crowded. This suited the group of elder foxes just fine as it allowed them to sit inside at one of the better tables, with most customers outside it allowed the foxes a better amount of privacy. What was being talked about needed as much discretion as possible.
Theodore and Wilma Wilde sat barely making a sound. A few of their siblings sat around the extended table, the restaurant staff graciously pushed together so the family could sit together. In the center were three framed photos of young vixens, sisters whose bodies were lying inside the morgue over at Zootopia General Hospital. The GSD brought the bodies from some undisclosed location simply telling their parents they were killed by a mob. An autopsy confirmed the deaths were from multiple assailants, tests confirmed at least two were violated. Any further information was withheld pending further tests.
Wilma was the first to realize another couple was almost nearby, her suspicion confirmed when Audrey and Arnold pushed the curtain of beads aside so they could enter. These stopped momentarily to pay respects to the photos, not necessarily out of genuine respect but because tradition dictated it was important. Audrey knew once she disclosed certain information her agency told her she would be unwelcome, quite possibly forced to leave. Before that happened she wanted talk to the grieving parents about something other than how their daughters died, that meant talking with these elder foxes as well.
"Thank you for making the time to be here, Director" Theodore said in a respectful tone.
"This is a family event thus my presence is needed. I hoped to ask you about your daughters in another matter, but their deaths make this a moot point. Neither of those here can consult the dead nor force them to appear and answer questions, so I won't go there."
"Is it about their involvement with the Dark Paws? We counseled them about getting involved with that unsavory group, but they chose to move out of the den and live their own lives. As you know foxes aren't exactly regarded highly by society thus most barely scrap by. Their leaving lessened the financial pressures on the remaining family."
Audrey reached over and gently placed her paw upon his. "I know that and don't hold it against you, against any of you. You know my own family isn't blameless, Nickolas being the prime example."
"Isn't he the one that was hustled by that ZPD bunny, and then became an officer of the law?"
Audrey smiled as pride in her grandson swelled in her chest.
"He's the one. But it wasn't all roses and honey, he and Judy were held in trial about their unconventional relationship. Thankfully they were acquitted and soon married, then joined as junior members and also retained their jobs in the ZPD."
Marcus and his wife Cindy pushed through the beaded curtain and paused to pay their respect before finding a seat. Audrey could tell he wanted to ask the question but was reading the room to gage if they knew how these young vixens met their fate. She couldn't blame him, so far the ruse that the GSD fed the hospital was holding.
Theodor obvious sensed these two from the other branch of the family tree knew something the hospital had withheld. These two worked in government which was a rarity in itself thus were motivated to hide information. While Audrey made an effort to be transparent she was still secretive. He accepted her excuses only because at a later date she told him what she couldn't before because of operation security demanded it. Now was an opportunity to see if he could force her to disclose something the hospital would not.
"Audrey... judging by your body language you two know something that's being secreted from the remainder of us."
Marcus cleared his throat. "One moment, please."
He looked at the director and made a subtle motion which she made a different one and then countered with one of her own. This went on for a few moments; obviously these were communicating using means only they knew. When this ended she gave him permission to continue. He reached into his suit's breast inner pocket and removed a small device, from a different pocket he removed a tube and after opening it he put the transparent film on a nearby wall. Audrey recognized what he was attempting to do and removed a small battery pack from her purse and connected it to the device. When it signaled it was ready he removed a remote from another pocket and clicked it a few times.
"Thank you, director for permission to show this."
The film now acted as a view screen for what the small device now projected a video. On the wall was the scene of the underground saloon, specifically the main room where patrons sat as they enjoyed alcoholic drinks, played games of chance, and fondled the barmaids. This must have been early in the time when Gena, Doris and Helen first joined the saloon. Obviously they were shown very much alive and making attempts to minimize strange paws from roaming on their bodies where she didn't want them to be. Audrey caught from her peripheral vision Theodore and Wilma holding paws, obviously seeing their daughter's potential last days alive gave them something to treasure.
The scene changed to show them inside another room, obviously a small apartment. They were in various stages of undress or possibly getting dressed, which was difficult to tell. When the vixens turned on the stove and oven Wilma gave a gasp of surprise, obviously this must have been a new skill they learned. Wilma giggled gleefully as her daughters continued making dinner, what was put together must have been a family recipe because she whimpered happily; obviously pleased they indeed learned something they tried not to let their mother know. Moments later the scene showed the vixens saying grace before eating, something that touched their mother's heart-strings.
Marcus paused the video.
"The aftermath of what happened next... it is quite gruesome. What you have seen thus far was taken from their security cameras; it continues to show the events that led to their deaths. Perhaps this should wait for another time."
Theodore held up a paw. "The hospital said our daughters died from a mob's action. Could this place be where they died?"
Wilma's head jerked towards her husbands', her facial expression clearly told everyone she was clueless but knew he had experienced something similar. Theodore's thumb rubbed across his wife's paw as he whispered something into her ear, whatever he said she clearly found sad and leaned against his chest, obvious comforting him from whatever memory this scene drug up.
This time Audrey spoke up, possibly to relieve Marcus from any unexpected angry outburst.
"They died from an orgy, possibly these very patrons. What started it is unknown only the results. The evidence we have is numerous males were involved and many vied for their chance. Gruesome hardly describes the results, only that it also was a maelstrom."
"Helen's bad habit killed them, that vixen loved teasing the males. Try as I might she simply thought she held the upper paw, this time she found out otherwise."
Everyone looked at Wilma in astonishment; she returned their gaze with eyes full of sorrow but not sympathy.
"A mother knows her daughters... because they act just as she did when she was their age. I loved teasing and flirting with males, it was a rush watching their reaction as their loins were denied. Helen takes after me in this regards, only I met the perfect todd for me. Years before I and my best friend were in a room full of lustful males and we were the only female in the room. I don't need to see her body surrounded by dead males, my best friend died that way because she was my cohort-in-crime in this regard. I escaped but she did not, when the noise died down I returned only to walk through a roomful of dead bodies and blood ankle-deep only to find my friend knotted but her throat torn open. That's when I discovered the truth about the suicide knot, they really are bound together until his knot deflates and falls out her folds."
Everyone looked at Audrey, their expression clearly shown they wanted confirmation these daughters died just as Wilma said. Audrey merely nodded her head in the affirmative, leaving the elder foxes silent.
Wilma continued. "I named Helen after her because I wanted motivation to train my daughters to avoid my best friend's habit that killed her. *sigh*. Guess some things just cannot be learned from other's mistakes, now I have two Helen's that died similar deaths. I know it's not the name that defines one's destiny, but I don't want any of my granddaughters given that name. I can only take just so many of my offspring dying in that manner."
Marcus spoke up, obviously wanting to wrap this up.
"What could be shown next is exactly what was described. Perhaps we can give a copy to Theodore; he can decide when it's appropriate to view."
Theodore looked into his wife's eyes.
"I want Wilma to remember our daughters last moments alive as her last memory of them. We'll have time before the ceremony to have the casket opened and see them resting peacefully as if taking a nap, their fatal wounds bound closed and blouses buttoned all way to the chin, perhaps a lacy neck ribbon added to further conceal the wound. Females should look best as possible upon their deathbed as they would with their chosen male against their body."
Audrey motioned to Marcus to pack up his equipment and as he was doing so she retrieved her battery pack, when finished Audrey made a statement.
"There's something I would like to ask about what these daughters were involved in. When can we meet in private?"
One of the other elders spoke up. "Does this involve the Servants of Truth?"
Theodore exchanged glances with Wilma before answering.
"As far as I can tell these are the only offspring of mine that are... were... deeply involved with that group. Are you meaning to ask us to tell if we... including these others... knew if other of our cubs were involved as well? I'll only say we don't know because neither of us are mind readers. Body language only goes so far."
Audrey's years of training helped hide her own reaction as the conversation flowed around the table. As several of the family described what they knew about the servants and how many of their cubs were involved or suspected involvement, she knew Marcus was secretly recording this as was she. Once they got back at the office, which they would briefly do tonight, these devices would be turned over to the night shift. If Marcus was worth his salt he would make a duplicate of this recording before doing so, she would have her driver make a trip over to GSD headquarters and hand over a copy to their night watch. Knowing the director of GSD the mouse would be waiting in her office, allowing the director of Zootopia Health Commission to go to her office where they would review the recording together.
The evening soon was over and the elder foxes agreed to investigate their families... discretely upon Audrey's suggestion... to determine if any were involved in the Servants of Truth. When Audrey was alone with her husband in her chauffeured vehicle she let out an exasperated sigh.
"Almost all of them are sympathetic to the servant's cause."
Arnold nodded in agreement. "So you noticed, too?"
She nodded likewise. "My friend, Judi, gave me a head's up just before I left work. GSD has identified most of our family tree as sympathetic and many actively involved. It's no wonder why the youth such as Gena, Doris and Helen became involved... their elders already are!"
Arnold scratched his chin. "Is Theodore one of them?"
Audrey looked at him coldly. "Both of them are; her story is barely convincing... tear jerking for sure. Judi gave me info... her friend died in a brushfire."
Arnold sighed. "Wasn't the plan to keep it secretive as possible?"
Audrey sighed. "One of them must have suspected I would ask about their masters, hence why they broached the subject in an attempt to throw off suspicion."
The remainder of the trip was spent in silence as both looked at their zphones, she catching up on reports and he responding to zmail.
Nick crept down the tunnel trying to make as little noise as possible. He remembered years ago he once was held prisoner in this very room, back them he never knew this hidden tunnel existed. Back then he was chained to a wall and allowed to use the restroom only under escort, meals brought to him which his captor enjoyed feeding small amounts via spoon or fork. If his rescuers didn't arrive when they did she would have had the marriage ceremony done the next morning, thoughts of it sent a shiver down his back.
The dragon kept his word and woke the fox at the moment Catherin opened a secret door to a tunnel, one meant to allow escape should invaders breech the security perimeter. He had enough presence of mind to maintain his breathing thus enable his eyelids open just enough to see how she activated the lock mechanism and how the door opened. It seemed quite similar to the same hidden door back on the Council of Elders estate; since he was a member they showed him all known hidden passageways.
It took a few minutes to get through the tunnel and find the exit... locked. Frack! After studying the lock he determined he needed something to pick it, an old skill he had developed with Fennick soon as he left home to begin his life as a petty hustler. It was his personal best as he made it back to the room and after carefully listening to ensure nobody was in the room he exited the tunnel and went off to the bathroom, used a moistened washcloth to remove dust off his fur before lying back down upon his rug. He needed advice and sleep would bring the dragon.
"Enjoy your little safari?" the playful immortal said as he twirled his body along his X-axis.
"You know how much stress that cost me? I could've been discovered at any moment."
"Oh quit complaining, it made you feel alive. Besides, it's part of your regimen to kick your drug habit."
"Do I have to remind you that were against my free will?"
"Can't deny reality, even though my help is breaking you free of its grasp is time-consuming."
"Can we talk about what I discovered instead? How am I going to get past that lock?"
The golden dragon kept moving its body in odd patterns as its finger scratched its chin. Nick wondered just how it could do this and still maintain focus. He was getting impatient waiting for a response, but the immortal seemed to be interested in playing than getting something done. Suddenly it stopped and grasped one of its fingernails and snapped it off before handing it to the fox.
"Here. When you need it most this will get you through that lock. Be careful, it's only a one-time usage. You'll know the time when all options are exhausted."
Nick turned the nail around in his palm. It was surprisingly heavy for something that was only in his dream. He noticed the dragon's finger was whole, as if the nail had never been lost. It would be too easy pondering how this could be, but that would be a never-ending conversation about something not in the real world.
"It's weighty because it represents your concerns. Free your mind and this becomes featherweight."
Nick sighed. "Dragon, I'm gonna make a break when I awake."
Two golden eyes were inches from his. "I'd wait until she leaves. Besides, you need a plan where to go next and her guest will give you an idea. Pay attention! It took quite the effort to get into his dreams and plant an idea, one I'm certain the visitor is here to verify. Try not to let your enthusiasm get the better of you; if it does it will set back our plans to get you out of here. Now, don't get too excited when he violates your maleness."
"What!?"
Nick was forcibly awakened without their usual goodbye. Dragon wasn't kidding; Catherin was holding him against her belly with her own legs wrapped around his waist. This normally would have been a very pleasant way to be awakened if he didn't feel something shoved up his backside and now moving around in his body. His facial expression obviously noticed by her as she rubbed her matriarchal scent along his cheek.
"Shhh... it's gonna be over shortly. Doc wanted to verify something and there's only one way to do that. When he's ready we gotta copulate so he can diagnose something else. Obviously you'll enjoy that more than I will but it's the only way to determine if we will have normal cubs."
Nick wanted to get out of her paws and run through the tunnel fast as possible but it was proving difficult getting away as a willing female positioned for enjoying him although not in their usual position. Her paw grasped him and placed him properly as she cooed into his ear; whatever the doc was doing it certainly took away the enjoyment of this moment. Something moved in his backside, he felt body parts move he didn't know were there and thankfully whatever the doc was doing was completed. After the strange item removed from his body she kept him against her as several minutes went by, the doctor putting away his equipment in the meantime.
"Godfather... a moment of your time. Alone, please."
Catherin glared at the panther. "Doctor, it involves him as well therefor speak plain."
The panther shrugged. "As you wish. Mechanically he can perform, but his reservoir is empty. This is a side effect of the medication you had him on earlier, now that he's off it refilling will take quite some time. How long is debatable but it won't be in the timeframe you need. But if you're willing to undergo the *other* procedure then we need to get started soon as possible. It will be uncomfortably close to the deadline you mentioned but it will save your position in hierarchy."
Catherin hissed, her tone obviously made clear her displeasure. "THAT was too much info he didn't need to hear, doctor!"
Nick was paying close attention to the banter; obviously it was her disregarding his attempt to keep this among the two of them that was the crux of the situation. Reading between the lines he knew exactly what the doc was trying to disguise what he wanted to say cryptically. In Vitro Fertilization: whatever was so important to her position required this laboratory procedure. This meant getting a sample which his body was just starting to make a tiny amount, he was certain the tool the doc used somehow got a sample. Now the procedure required her to submit to collecting her *donation* so both could be combined under laboratory conditions, this meant she would be away for more than several hours.
Nick grinned; she was smiling as she looked into his eyes obviously signaled she thought he was enjoying resting in each other's paws. He kept the ruse up; her staying away would give him enough time to pick the lock. Rare was it possible to learn the pin location for each position necessary to turn the tumbler, he was certain it would take the better part of the day to crack the key code. But it was possible the lock could be equipped with an anti-pick feature, wither a trip-device that operated an alarm or kept the lock-picking tool from aligning properly. But locks this ancient rarely had this feature, even reverse-engineered which was expensive and normally bypassed by installing a modern door a short distance away.
He was surprised how disappointed it felt when she removed her body from his; it reminded him when Judy did this when she suddenly remembered forgotten something on the stove. He was not surprised when she pushed a self-injector unit against his neck, the medication knocking him unconscious quickly.
Once again two golden eyes looked at him; once again he started their conversation in the usual manner.
"When will you start using breathe mints?"
A hearty chuckle greeted him.
"She will be gone for quite some time therefore we have plenty of time for you to work your skills on the lock. Now tell me... given what you learned where should you go first?"
Nick looked at the immortal. "You once told me others were looking for me, therefore it stands to reason those looking for me would be monitoring his office. If I go there most likely rescue would be imminent, but her bodyguards also would be there thus discovery and recapture also would be imminent. Therefore I should go somewhere else."
The dragon drew close. "If she goes through with this and achieves her goals, you could become an accidental parent again. Are you certain you can live with that possible knowledge, considering how hard-wired Vulpes are to their cubs?"
Nick sighed. "I was forced to copulate with the former godfather, and then I merely assumed pregnancy was impossible since I didn't detect her being in heat thus it was simply enjoying a tail call. Now... it's almost the same situation again, only I gotta admit the possibility of pregnancy is much greater. I must choose between two conflicting choices, either one will sunder my soul."
Dragon looked patiently at the fox, his tail swishing excitedly. "So... which choice?"
Nick looked into two golden eyes.
"I will not wish for innocent lives to be snuffed out, neither will I voluntarily surrender after making good my escape. Females have always abandoned the male that sired her young, therefore I will trust in Mother Nature's will... should she become pregnant with my cubs then I'll deal with her claims at later date. But something tells me she doesn't want me after she accomplishes this, perhaps other than kill me to cover up what was done. But if Catherin is smart she will part our ways, Judy has a track record of collecting heads of anyone threatening her husband."
Dragon chuckled. "Truly you have evolved beyond your species norms. I knew I chose wisely, now we can begin our plans for action."
Dragon departed in his usual manner, Nick found himself in dreamland. Here he swore he saw Judy next to Kimberly, body heavily bandaged as if surviving a disaster or a fight. Last he knew both bunnies were safe back on the Hopps Farm, now that he knew their enemies had captured him it was a no-brainer they most likely would try capturing her. But in this dreamland the two females seemed to be suffering together, he couldn't shake the impression this was being shown to him as a suggestion where to go next. It seemed someone wanted him to start heading home, a tasking that would be difficult.
He grinned. GSD Team Bravo once brought him along on a mission to the Outback Isles; they were tracking Judy when she was abducted during their trial at the Council of Elder's estate. Now he remembered the mammal he knew up here, someone working in the bar from his past. Surely this mammal had connections, perhaps be willing to forward a message or act to get him home. It was a long shot but it was all he had at the moment.
He woke up, now he had a start of a plan. He had a choice to gain freedom and a route to follow. He also needed to puke... this could be started after emptying his stomach. Damn that dragon, least he could do was to speed-up his recovery from this drug. When he was certain upchucks were finished he removed the plastic liner, tied the ends, and then dropped it out of the window as he did previously. He needed to find something to help begin his escape, if only the dragon made things simpler.
Over on the table was the dragon's fingernail and a small black leather case, one he knew contained the drug in several small vials. With this he could ensure the withdrawals could be minimized, but it also ensured he wouldn't begin the detox procedure necessary to kick this habit. He didn't voluntarily begin the habit; neither did he voluntarily change from the old drug to the new. Before him was a choice: one would make life pleasant but announce his escape; the other would be the start of a long and unknown trek. He wanted to scream, he didn't choose what happened to him... it was unfair forcing him to make this choice.
His paw reached out, making clear the one he made.
Judy was riding in the wagon sitting next to Deputy Baskins as Deputy Oats pulled the wagon. The lynx and horse duo were once again happy to be helping the famous ZPD bunny officer. She was supposed to be on Medical Leave recuperating on her parents' farm, but when these two sheriff deputies made their usual patrol through the Hopps property it gave her an idea, hence the wagon ride to nowhere in particular. She needed a fresh perspective and these two certainly had it. The patrol car was parked at the burrow's front door and the horse didn't mind being hitched to the wagon, now more than the ZPD officer was riding in the wagon, Ralph and his litter were also inside.
A couple of Judy's siblings also were riding along, mostly to control the young bunnies that were experiencing their first wagon ride. Stu didn't want Deputy Oats to overexert himself and insisted the ride be kept to the most level path possible. The horse chuckled and assured the elder rabbit he certainly wasn't going to do anything more than what he already knew he could do. He didn't tell Stu this load was far lighter than what he usually trained with, he also didn't tell Judy that he enjoyed her wearing the short-shorts and shirttail tied high on her belly. Bunnies were the epitome of sexiness and he enjoyed the last time she wore the shirt-short combo back in Vulpinstan. She wasn't wearing these at the moment; her bandages were covering most of her fur thus activated his sympathy making him willing to do this so he and his partner could glean more information to help solve her missing husband.
"So what you're telling us is you believe the former godfather that controls the Outback Isles Mafia is the one responsible for abducting Officer Wilde?" Deputy Baskins asked.
"Yes, it's the only thing that makes sense. My superiors are tight-lipped and the GSD are busy assisting the military in the invasion. I'm prohibited from being down there until my injuries are stabilized. *Hrumph*. How much more do they expect? I'm riding around with nothing to do!"
Deputy Oats whinnied. "You are strategizing with two good friends, talking helps clear the mind. Besides, we want to help thus this gives us something new to do, it also will be the talk of the station. Other deputies just might have something you and we are not seeing, so... consider this as something that puts many minds together to help solve your dilemma."
Judy felt her eyes mist up, after hugging the lynx she hopped down onto the horse's back and kissed him between the ears before leaping back up onto the wagon. He was right, although she wasn't appreciative of becoming the newest topic of the stations' scuttlebutt, having those with access to other agencies just might get her the help she needed.
"We'll let you know what ideas came up, in the meantime let's enjoy the view. Would someone please keep that kit controlled? We need to get back to the station before our shift officially ends, and stopping to recover an errant kit will only make us that more late."
Judy went and picked up her nephew and then sat down beside Deputy Baskins, the young bunny squirming against being controlled but with no luck. Even with her injuries she still was stronger than him so after a while he relented and rested against his aunts' body. Her scent was familiar, probably because the matriarchal scent from Bonnie and Bridget blended together to equalize and become what was known as the *scent of the burrow*; instinctually this told the young they were safe under the older rabbits' care. Judy enjoyed having him against her body, her own responding in a manner letting her know she should relent and start a family of her own.
The wagon ride ended and after everyone was out and Deputy Oats unharnessed he was allowed to take a shower over at the rarely used bathhouse built for larger mammals. This wasn't the first time he used this and he was certain the young bunnies would be clamoring for many more wagon rides. He appreciated the elder Hopps keeping the bathhouse well-stocked with body shampoo, especially his favorite. The fur drier was the type designed to accommodate different mammals, he enjoyed positioning the vents so he could stand on all fours and turn around at odd times, ensuring his body dried evenly. When the timer signaled he got off and put his uniform back on, and then got into the sedan and waved good bye as Deputy Baskins drove them back to the station.
Ralph walked Judy to his burrow as his kits frolicked along the way, he didn't show it but he was concerned about her. She tried to mask it but he knew her, she was keeping up a brave face but her ordeal had damaged her somehow. It was not a good sign when a bunny refused to go into the burrow she grew up in, so he talked with Bridget and with Stu and Albert's help convinced the ZPD sergeant to stay in his burrow. Dr. Bearinton was notified and he said timing of his first visit was critical if she were to not resist his visit; survivors of abuse especially that which was inflicted by family members sometimes acted squirrely and he theorized being among family would be better treatment than sitting in his office.
Arthur Hopps, aka Uncle Molts, held open the door and let them know Kimberly and Bridget was down in the nurse's office, after everyone was inside he closed the door and walked with them. Judy muttered something about the burrow was strangely quiet to which the elder buck said everyone was helping the Zootopians in their invasion of the caverns. She shuddered a bit at the news and was surprised he didn't attempt to coddle her, he responded she was a grown doe thus should be treated as such. When a tear rolled down her cheek he surprised her as he held her against his chest, and then told her he once did this for his brother when the buck returned from the Great War. Of course he was surprised and grateful when a grown doe visited the farm inquiring about a veteran she spent many days with back at the USO, when he took her to his brother's room he shouldn't have been surprised at Albert's quickly opening up to this female. Now many years later this doe still held a special place in his heart, without her Arthur feared his brother would have succumbed to depression and committed suicide just like many other veterans did. Her name was Opal Covey and soon married his brother, today she is the matron of the burrow.
Judy followed Arthur as Ralph ushered his kits into the play room and closed the door. The old buck led her into the nurses' office and then turned back to get something. Judy went immediately to the patient's bed, giving Kimberly an affectionate hug and peck on the cheek. Their last event down in the caverns obviously bonded the two does; if one didn't know better they could be forgiven not knowing these two came from different worlds.
"What are you doing here? Your parts seem to be growing back perfectly normal to me" Judy said when the two finally separated.
"Mom was concerned when I told her about sliding off a cliff."
Bridget piped up. "You're fortunate those regrowth's were not ripped off your body. But just to be on the safe side I asked High Priestess Ishanah if she could arrange for one of the oracle priestess to meet us somewhere for another recharge. She couldn't promise since the invasion has started and the oracles were to enter over at the headmaster's sanctum. While we wait I'm using my methods to keep them intact."
A few moments later the three does left the office and went to the nearest kitchen; this burrow was nearly similar to the other in that it had more than one kitchen and several dining rooms. Judy was surprised this burrow had more decorative woodwork than the one she grew up in. Bridget noticed and offered an explanation.
"Opal told me the original elders of this burrow were wealthy thus had the money to spend on such extravagance. Compared to the ancient burrow we dug our access shaft through this one certainly is much nicer. Opal also said it had drawbacks; kits raised here tended to be snobbish since when they visited their friend's burrows they noticed the differences. Opal said when she married Albert he was considering adding an emergency shelter but they couldn't afford the cost to excavate, but when he applied for and received a veteran grant for his service in the Great War she wanted a new burrow that was plain woodwork. They wound up with a smaller burrow but he got his emergency bunker. When Stu and Bonnie married the farm's coffers were large enough to add a few more rooms. The rest as they say is history."
Arthur entered along with Ralph and started helping get things for a light snack spread out on the table and then both placed a kiss on the elder doe, Ralph on her cheek and Arthur firmly Bridget's lips. Judy was genuinely surprised considering last she knew Arthur had no doe he was seriously interested in, that and he never stayed on the farm for more than a few days whenever he came for visits. She realized at this moment he had been here over a week, at least since she was brought out of the caverns. Her surprise shone clearly on her face obviously needed an explanation.
"She shot me" Arthur said receiving Bridget's paw hitting his shoulder.
"It was a vaccine you needed and by the way, your paws rubbing my hips made your false complaints null and void."
"I was tricked and besides... it hurt."
"You weren't hurt enough to resist my sitting on your lap. I don't recall you resisting my giving your head fur a proper grooming."
"It was proper manners not to interrupt. Besides, you insisted checking what you did."
"It's what we nurses do. Now that I know its common practice up here in the Topsider world I'll consider doing it often."
"By jumping into the shower?"
"If you only allowed me to put a new band aid on it then you would have had it all to yourself."
Judy was now thoroughly enjoying the banter going on between these two elder rabbits. The innuendos each was giving made her giggle and she inwardly agreed that these two would be perfect for each other. It was making her feel green-gills at the thought of two elder rabbits rubbing fur shampoo along each other's body; perhaps it wasn't that bad considering she saw naked female bodies back in the female locker room at the ZPD. Certain species she thought should never be naked anywhere except in their own homes, and even then she was certain a shower robe should be mandatory.
A nudge by Ralph brought her back into the waking world.
"They met when you were still down in the caverns. It's been like this most of the time, almost like watching two teenagers."
"I'll not jinx my mother finding a proper buck. Besides, I don't have to be in the same room when they go to sleep." Kimberly received a glare from Bridget.
"All right... let's change the subject. If I know you as well as I think I do then you can't sit here on the farm while your husband is captured just as you were. Got any idea who has him and where he might be?"
Judy inwardly smiled but outwardly rested her head in her paws, if Bridget wanted to switch the conversation from her love life to the missing fox then so be it. Now her imagination briefly considered what she and Nick would look like when they were old and gray, she smiled as she forced her mind to conjure up an image both of them holding paws and taking a stroll somewhere in a park.
"She thinks he's being held up in the Outback Isles by a vixen that's a husband kit-napper. This isn't the first time a powerful female took him captive" Ralph said obviously breaking the silence before others noticed.
Both Arthur and Bridget's ears flew up.
"Oh? I may be new up here but I'm hard pressed to see anything special about Nickolas. Last I saw him it was shortly before your awards ceremony."
"*Meh* Seen one fox you've seen them all."
Bridget hit his shoulder a bit harder than before. "You can't say that, not with her right here!"
Arthur reached over and gently patted Judy's paw. "I'm the one that made Nickolas's suit he wore to their wedding. Since those old rabbits declared he genuinely loved her it was a no-brainer they would grab them for whatever work they had in mind. So I made it suitable for wearing to high society gatherings and match Opal's old wedding dress since this was to be Judy's wedding dress."
This must have stirred a memory in Judy since a small smile crept on her face. It was strange that Kimberly also had similar smile, these were noticed by Bridget.
"*sigh* I wish my wedding dress was still in my possession but it was sold to feed my kits. I agree... that dress looked perfect on Mindy. Now I can't wait for it to be on Kimberly. Speaking of waiting... what went wrong with that male nurse you were dating?"
Kimberly sighed. "He was two-timing me. Apparently I was his back-up when his other does in his *little black book* were unavailable. I found it hidden under the mattress after our first tail call, I didn't maim him... just ensured he needed a trip to the emergency room. I doubt he will learn a lesson from this because those types of males consider it as the price being able to have the best females."
Bridget placed a sympathetic paw upon her daughters. "There are many others out there; perhaps Judy here will take you shopping for one."
Now Judy's face turned crimson as the unexpected responsibility was placed on her proverbial plate. At least she could count on her friend Chloe and her two ZPD partners, Officer Lioness and Officer Quickpaw. Sure, there are several dating websites dedicated for finding males, she once tried many of them only to discover nearly all suitors wanted a doe like their mother... stay in the burrow raising kits. So far her friends that gotten married somehow met their perfect mate when around her, she felt even more uncomfortable as the implications pointed towards her unique position in life. Why couldn't remaining true to her dream help bring the perfect buck into her life? But fate brought her together with a fox and the rest is history, if the prophesy came true she wondered how she could have young with Nick. Inwardly she shook her head and relented to being responsible for another matchmaking duty.
Judy felt that uneasy feeling return, the one that started shortly after the deaths of Rose, Rhonda and René. She got up and excused herself before quickly leaving, heading to the bedroom Ralph graciously suggested she could use while her mandatory sick leave forced her to remain on her parent's farm. At Chief Bogo's request Sheriff Darcy had his deputies make regular trips to the Hopps farm which was most likely the reason Deputy Oats and Deputy Baskins were here earlier.
The specters returned soon as the bedroom door closed. It had been days since she was rescued and removed from the caverns, at first she welcomed the reprieve. But she should have known those sisters would never leave her alone, even in the afterlife they seemed determined to make her life hell. At first they seemed content to haunt her dreams; leaving her drained, sleepless and dreading going to bed more than fighting bad guys. Then came seeing them at the periphery of her vision, disappearing when she looked directly at where they once were. Now they stood there as she entered the room, immoveable and silent. It was the accusation emanating from their eyes pointing towards her as they stood at the far end of the room, their arms resting down along their bodies. Each bore the fatal wounds that ended their lives; René had the bloodied hole in her chest where the spear pierced her, Rhonda had several holes in her body, and Rose had a hole in her belly.
Judy rubbed her eyes and after opening these remained staring at her. As she moved to the dresser and removed a fresh set of pajamas they kept their unending gaze following her, thankfully they didn't move towards. She rushed into the private bath and closed the door, thankful they didn't follow her inside. Unfortunately their voices appeared inside her head, not constant but still made accusations against her, the same as they did as she slept. These weren't loud neither were they church-mouse quiet, still it was unnerving how constant it was. She felt despair and sat on the commode, leaning against tank staring up towards the ceiling. If she didn't get proper sleep soon her search for Nick would have to be postponed.
She relieved her bowel and flushed the commode, after washing her paws and dried them on the towel she exited the bathroom and sat on her bed. The three specters still remained gazing towards her; she decided not to return their gaze as she tried to focus her mind on the problem of finding her husband. Knowing him if he were here and able to see them he'll no doubt find something about them to make comments about.
Thinking about him caused her to miss him more; she lay down upon the bed finding the specters were seemingly nowhere in the room. She let her memories flow as one episode after another about him move through her mind, causing a smile form upon her muzzle.
Somewhere in an old building on an estate isolated somewhere along the seashore a meeting was being held. Inside a roaring fire was in the fireplace, its flickering cast rays against those sitting along the old oaken table causing shadows across the room. These were an ad hoc group gathered here to discuss a problem, namely social ills they thought should be solved quicker than the government seemed willing. They were disgusted the priesthood wasn't warning against the immorality of inter-specie dating and marriage, although some priests had been converted and were preaching the message. But today this gathering had a solemn problem: one of the abominations had been freed thus a strategy was needed to find and recapture it.
Theodore Wilde poured a glass of blood wine, its hue and aroma indicated this had been carefully aged in wooden barrels but its taste told him otherwise. He smiled as the sip he took indicated it was from a lapin, the label kept hidden from where the mammal was culled however the winery was somewhere up in the Outback Isles. Obviously this normally meant it came from one of the Longear Family but since many tourists came from the Tri-Burrows and the great city of Zootopia it wasn't clear which rabbit this came from. Recently the authorities started making patrols wherever tourist gathered in large numbers thus the winemakers were forced to change tactics. Colleges were always an excellent source of inexperienced rabbits thus false-fronts mislabeled as *frat party* became one of many tactics to acquire a lapin to cull. Holidays weren't safe either as games of chance could mislead rabbits into a room and out of public view.
Rhett tapped his cousins' paw. "Gonna share that or shall we roll for it?"
"If you must... here. Don't forget to order another bottle, please" Theodore said as he pushed the bottle towards the elder buck.
Rhett poured the remainder into a fluted glass, paused to read the label.
"2023 vintage? You couldn't get a better year?"
Theodore smirked. "Didn't you hear about the winemakers' dilemma? Somehow the Zootopian authorities discovered about the culling of rabbits in the Tri-Burrows. While our winemakers drained the blood the butchers took the bodies to make the delicacy meat predators favored during the holidays. Therefor prices have gone through the roof; inside that bottle is a mixed vintage of an average year and the first batch from this year. It's an abomination to mix vintages but unfortunately it's the only way to imbibe without emptying one's pocketbook."
Rhett nodded his head in understanding then signaled the nearest waiter over and gave him a large denomination zoodollar bill to order another bottle, making it clear he wanted another just like this one and the remainder would be his tip. It was obvious this would motivate the waiter to get this exact vintage as the difference between prices of vintages would greatly cut-in his tip. He returned with the requested bottle and after handing it over went about his duties.
A gentle chime rang throughout the room caused by someone tapping on a half-filled crystal wine glass, its tone meant to grab everyone's attention.
"Everyone... everyone get to your seats. This meeting will begin momentary."
Theodore went into the meeting room and sat in his seat after giving his wife a peck on her cheek; she was already sitting and talking with Rhett's wife about things males would be bored with. It was rare that senior members of the Servants of Truth met, these weren't members of the ruling council but their opinions mattered and these were responsible for enacting the wishes of the council. He was annoyed there was a rabbit member but the council said only those from each specie could effectively spread their beliefs and ideology throughout their species.
Senior members ranked just below the ruling council and its membership came from worldwide. Pachydermia, Dromedary, Gothic Highlands, Aswan Plateau, Caffer Savanah, Lupusdon Empire, Kodiak Range, Olmec Plains, Boreal Woodlands, and Black Forest. Theodore could do without the chimpanzee making monkey business over in the corner.
Anders Goldeneye tapped his wineglass again, waiting a bit longer to ensure the roomful of mammals had sufficiently quieted down. He flashed his teeth towards the representative from Bananarom, a country located in the equatorial jungle, pleased the hint of threat finally settled the prime ape down into his seat. It was sometimes difficult to tell if the strange mammal was this way do to a high fruit diet or its mind was highly active thus needed to constantly express himself. One thing was for certain: if it continued to grate on his nerves he would have to have it put-down, a task that was as challenging as hunting in the Caffer Savanah as his ancestors did.
"Ladies and gentle-mammals, thank you for coming here on such short notice. Our recent successes have been praiseworthy; unfortunately it is marred by escape of the abomination... the female known as Judith Lavern Hopps. Our efforts to break her had been going well, namely auctioning her family tree and then having them killed, cooked, and eaten as she watched. Our psychologists told us it had been working thus soon her spirit and would have been broken. But again this was thwarted: someone had been giving her sustenance. Our allies have been investigating but thus far unable to discover the culprit, we have begun our own investigation and recently found clues. While absolute proof eludes us our investigator thinks the rabbit nurse is the culprit, even with their history of animosity towards each other."
Hisses echoed throughout the room, quieting down at Anders' paw motion.
"Recent events gave us more grave news. As the female abomination made good her escape six of our youngest members lost their lives, three by her own paws."
More hisses flowed through the room.
"This chair-mammal extends his condolence to Senior member Wilde. While your daughters lives were not directly caused by the abomination the council places blame at her feet. The workers involved in their deaths had been doing overtime supporting the search for the abomination, thus they were ready to enjoy female company. This explains their enthusiasm that quickly turned highly competitive and then turned deadly. Therefor the council grants you death benefits."
Theodore stood up as did his wife Wilma, both bowed respectfully and then sat down.
"Chair-mammal" a voice came from somewhere in the room.
Theodore noticed this came from the rabbit he noticed earlier, the one he initially despised. The chair-mammal nodded to the rabbit which promptly stood up.
"Chair-mammal, there is good news regarding the abomination. Seems she has succumbed to the lapin anomaly, the one about rabbits should never kill another mammal, especially rabbits and more importantly family. While the Elders of the Burrow are concerned about her wounds and refusal to enter the main burrow, they remain clueless about proper treatment. Given enough time we believe she can become mentally unstable and suicidal, a just and proper punishment for living outside of Mother Nature's laws."
Theodore watched the chair-mammal carefully, sensing how he would react.
"Senior member Hopps," the lion said looking at the elder rabbit, "the council wonders why you, a rabbit... a species so attuned to family, would betray family."
"Because she betrayed family first. Because she refused to act as other females did and fake obedience to gain their acceptance. Because of her many of our young try dating predators, some lose their lives and others leave scarred for life. This has extended to other females of other species, resulting in great disorder throughout society. Because of her disrupting societal norms she brought this upon herself."
"So be it. I'll brief the council so they can determine what should be done next."
The meeting went on with other topics brought up, these mostly the usual topics of business. When the last one was completed the meeting was gaveled closed and everyone encouraged to remain since dinner would be served in the main dining hall shortly. Theodore and Rhett tried to corner the Hopps elder obviously an attempt to ask questions but the rabbit slipped through the crowd, either he knew what they wanted or he had a prior engagement. Thus the two elder foxes were forced to retire to the lounge and sit with their wives as finishing touches to dinner was made.
Mathias Hopps hurried through the hallway towards the main door, barely pausing to receive his coat and hat from the butler. Mathias got into his Zoo Mach-5 and spun gravel as the V-8 threw the muscle car down the private drive towards the estate's main exit. Staying for dinner was out of the question mostly because every time he did there would be never-ending questions that caused his meal to grow cold, even if he tried ending the conversation by speaking with his mouth full. Being a distant cousin to the abomination seemed to be more of a curse that seemed to limit everyone's acceptance of him.
His father was first-cousin to Albert Hopps, the grandfather to the abomination. It was his father's action in saving Albert's life when they were young that could have been avoided thus preventing the scenario before it started. He wished many times that the predator had not gotten distracted by his father and continued chasing after the other Hopps. When the Great War started both went into boot camp together and thereafter to the front lines where they spent miserable months in the trenches. Once again his father saved Albert's life when the enemy made a charge, an action the ended his life and was awarded medal for bravery. Mathias wished it had been the other way around, and then he would have grown up with his father.
Mathias let his mind wonder as he drove towards his home burrow. It was he that succeeded in converting a trio of Albert's granddaughters to act against their sister, months of talking over Muzzle Book finally brought them under his control. Discovering one of his fellow senior members was also a relation of the male abomination was a stroke of luck, getting the two groups of sisters together and cemented them into an effective team. Months of planning finally got the sisters ready to act, it was he that was the silent leader of the group and it was he that worked behind the scenes to arrange which members of their Family Tree was to be captured and sold to the Servants of Truth.
A knock on the door startled her, but the familiar rhythm announced exactly who it was. Each of her littermates had their own special knock, and so too did her siblings that came over often. The owner of this knock was near and dearer to her heart than all the others because she was close like a twin; they developed a special bond stronger than blood. If it were possible they just might share a buck and both make many litters with him.
Judy shook her head. That was a tradition down in the caverns, not up here in the topside world. Now that her brain brought it up she pondered the possibility for a moment. If Sven never became Evelin's chosen buck, would her sister join her in producing a litter with a fox? Would Eve share Sven with her and have a litter with him if Nick never became her husband? The strange thought started making her uncomfortable so she shook it out of her mind and opened the door, giving Evelin a big bunny hug before closing the door after she entered.
"Thank you for visiting me here, it means allot."
Evelin sat on the bed, her paws together on her lap. Judy sat down next to her, noticing something was amiss about her sister. Their special bond always allowed them to talk about difficult thing without resorting to blows.
"Ju Ju... I won't beat around the bush. I'm concerned about why you won't enter mom and dad's burrow. I have a theory... but wanted to see if you're willing to tell it plain."
Judy sighed. "I don't think you can understand why."
Eve kept her face neutral; she had spoken with Dr. Bearinton and he gave her pointers about talking with Judy, especially broaching the trauma she went through.
"Perhaps not, but I understand they tried to kill you."
Eve trusted their bond not to break by being this blunt; this was part of several things she suspected was haunting her sister.
Judy glared at her. "I killed them... with my own bare paws."
Good. Admitting the hurt was a good start in the healing process.
"True... and as an officer of the law they forced you to do the unthinkable."
"They are family! Rabbit should never kill sentient mammals!"
"You did it when Nick's life was on the line. Those raccoons would have killed you, too."
Judy kept her angry eyes on her sister. "That's not the same thing, they wasn't rabbits... wasn't family."
"Would it be ok if they raised the axe and then let the blade slice through your neck? Should you have not resisted and allowed them to end what the Servants of Truth wanted? This would certainly end your struggles; end the never-ending struggle to prove them wrong."
Judy remained quiet; this was bringing tears to her eyes. Her trial at the Council of Elders certainly could have gone that way; it would have prevented the many troubles that came her family's way since. She heard about rude customers that visited the Hopps produce stand, the never ending comments about relationships that never should be. Then there were those that made snide comments when her siblings walked in downtown Bunny Burrow.
"Ju Ju... you know the answer better than I do, you were an innocent that was thrown into a situation nobody should ever face. They opposed your chosen life: you refused to lower your standards just to get a date or tail call, then going into the ZPD and become an officer, then falling in love with a predator, and then winning the trial proving you genuinely loved him. They acted on their bigotry and paid the ultimate price... but they almost succeeded. Had they thrown you against the spear or impaled you upon the metal pile or it was you that fell upon the bar... you'd be worm food, not they. Would the world be better off with you dead and them up here living and spreading their views on mixed specie dating? Would it?"
The specters were back and this time pointing their paws towards Judy, their mouths moving but no sound coming out. Judy had enough; she leaped up and rushed over and stood before them. Defiantly she stood toe to toe muzzle to muzzle, her face glaring and daring them to make a move.
"Enough! Say it to my face why don't you! Louder... we're alone so there's no one to interrupt what you're saying."
Evelin was bowled over when Judy made her move. She suspected the stresses her sister was under might push her to the edge of insanity, now she saw Judy standing and glaring towards the wall, towards something that only the ZPD officer could see and no one else. Worse yet... she was carrying on a conversation with no one that could be seen. It pained her to do what was necessary to begin the healing process. Her finger pressed the button on the device hidden in her pocket and moved sideways away from the door.
The door flew open and tranqu-darts flew inside impaling the doe. Evelin never heard such a sound come out of a mammal, it seemed primal and non-sentient. Judy spun towards the door, her eyes squinting and anger showing forth. The once loving and kind mammal that once was her sister was hardly recognizable; the banshee presented a fearsome demeanor and wails that hurt the ears. The banshee leaped towards the doorway, catching another group of tranqu-darts in her body as she flew towards the unseen assailants. It would have made it if not for the large paw that caught her soon as she reached the doorway. Evelin was not surprised to who this belonged, after all this was all part of her plan. She was surprised Mr. Big was not in his paw.
Koslov held the raging banshee at arm's length as it struggled to free itself. He entered the room if only to give room for Keven and Raymond to enter, each holding one of the arctic shrews. Evelin was obviously confused by who was holding the Tundratown boss.
"Mr. Big, sir... how... why aren't you in Mr. Koslov's paw? Aren't you worried about his suit... it's about to be shredded!"
The arctic shrew gave her a kiss before answering. Meanwhile Officer Quickpaw and Officer Lioness entered but were remaining alert just in case they needed to send more tranqu-darts into the banshee. Judy had received enough syrum to borderline on toxicity.
"As leader of those that willingly serve my family he has responsibility to assign duties and exert punishment as he sees fit. As my right-paw mammal only he is allowed to act directly against my family, thus only he may act against the godmother. He knows she is suffering thus not in her right state of mind, so he exerts only the force necessary to control her, not only to protect me but protect her from herself. As for your concern... the suit he is wearing is purpose-made to resist claws and toenails, courtesy of your Uncle Arthur Hopps."
They watched as a medic team from Zootopia Plainsburrow Hospital entered and with Keven and Raymond's help, who by now had set the shrews down on the nightstand next to Evelin, put the banshee into a restraint suit and the strapped onto a gurney. When this was done the medics took the gurney out of the room and down the hallway, obviously to the ambulance waiting outside the burrow. Moments after they departed Arthur and Bridget entered, Arthur went to Koslov to examine how the suit performed while Bridget went over to Mr. Big. Since he was still a member of the Dark Council as Alpha Twelve, she rendered the proper respect before receiving his kiss. Afterwards she went and sat beside Evelin.
"How are you doing, my dear? I heard the screams from the burrow's entrance, hence rushing here quick as I could. I'm thankful Mr. Koslov didn't hurt her, not that he wouldn't have cause if she hurt him" she asked the young doe.
Fru Fru giggled which earned her a raised eyebrow from the bruin.
"As daddy said only he may act against the godmother and he knows exactly how much he is allowed."
Koslov stood in his usual posture before he spoke.
"Godmother has always acted with kindness towards me and my charges; it would be in poor judgement to hurt her even if she managed to hurt me."
Kimberly entered the bedroom and informed everyone that dinner was ready. Gideon sent over the usual meal suitable for predators which Mr. Big ordered earlier and had already sent payment. The conversation around the table was light and solemn, considering an important family member was infirm and hospitalized. Dr. Bearinton called a few moments ago ensuring the family one of his closest colleagues was overseeing her treatment, he was on his way to consult and advise. It was obvious Stu and Bonnie was already at the hospital, they noticed something was off-kilter with their daughter thus assisted in preparing this trap.
"C'mon... c'mon... Gotcha!"
A grin of satisfaction spread across Nick's face as the lock popped open and the gate squealed in protest as it slowly opened. At first he was surprised as the dragon's fingernail disappeared soon as the lock opened, then the dragon's words came back to him. It was a one-time use that would happen when he needed it most. Dragon was correct... Catherin had indeed gone with the doctor and been gone nearly all day. His evening meal was delivered by one of her maids escorted by several guards, giving only assurances the godfather would return later this evening. This meant the dragon was correct once again.
He was not surprised this tunnel was built nearly the same as those back at the Council of Elders. A light layer of dust signaled this had rarely been used, certainly not in quite some time. Darn it... this meant if someone came in here his paw prints on the floor would be a giveaway where he went. A loud clang startled him and immediately his eyes shot towards the gate, it was closed and the lock refastened. He grumbled to himself for not paying attention, he was busied observing the floor that he failed to notice the door's hinges was such that gravity naturally closed the gate.
Now he was locked inside the tunnel with the doorway to her bedroom on the other side of the gate. He wasn't certain how he walked through the opening but what's done is done and he had little choice but to continue through the tunnel. He lit a match that he swiped out of a drawer and then lit a torch from a nearby sconce. He may be predator specie thus his eyes adapted to the low-level light, but tunnels like this tended sooner or later to become pitch black thus a need for the torch. He walked down the tunnel, noticing the sconces at regular distances still holding unlit torches. There was no way he was going to light these, it would give away his position and he only needed one. So kept walking, being mindful that the moist squishy stuff he was walking through could be more than mud.
A few hundred feet down the tunnel one side has a short section made from blocks of rock with a gate similar to the one he went through and a tunnel leading off somewhere. As he continued these appeared at regular intervals, telling him this must be an escape tunnel and somewhere off in the distance he would find the exit. Knowing how paranoid ancient kingdoms were he wouldn't be surprised to discover the exit would be hidden behind a locked gate, the unlocking mechanism visible more than an arm's length from the gate. Soon the tunnel slopped downward and made a gentle turn the further down it went. What seemed like an eternity it opened into a cave, one eerily similar to the one up in the Land of Prophesy.
As he walked along the path which obviously hadn't had paw prints in quite some time he kept his eyes peeled and his senses alert. Last time he was down in a cave he had let his guard down thus was captured, this time he wasn't taking chances. There was nothing along either side of the path that was not natural, only the path itself was changed, shaped-stones made for a semi-smooth walkway and if he knew anything about medieval construction methods this would continue until the cavern exit. For a cave he thought it was quite interesting, if Judy was here she'd most likely say the pattern of shadows made by the flickering of the torch was beautiful.
A strange rumble came from off to one side, as he turned his head is seemed to grow stronger. Over along the wall a small black spot seemed to swirl around, as he watched it grew wider. This seemed familiar and as he watched it continued to grow; now flashes of light formed and angry snarls came from within. He felt something in the pit of his stomach, fear. Two eyes now peered from within and it became obvious where he saw this last and what its name was: Nightmare.
"Well well... lookie what has walked down into my realm. A fox who thinks he raised above his station."
Nick steeled himself and faced the eyes peering out from the swirling mass of blackness.
"I am where I am supposed to be, or at least I will be soon as I get through this cave. Since I am fully awake you can't really be here."
Nightmare smiled and let out a hearty chuckle.
"We Immortals each have places in your realm where our powers reign supreme. Take Glaedr for example; his power reign supreme up above where sunlight is plentiful. But down here where there is only cold pitch black... like in the grave. Here... my power is supreme. You belong to me now."
A black tendril lashed out and knocked the torch out of Nick's paw, immediately he grasped his ears and howled in pain then collapsed down onto the path. As he writhed in agony the cloud of swirling black cloud seemed to gain intensity, flashes of light emanating from within and two eyes peered at the red furred mortal. Nightmare focused upon the fox, this mortal was supposed to be his years ago but lost to one that dared challenge his ownership. Now they were alone and he relished doing what fate deemed should have happened all those years ago. Now he would torment the fox until he understood his proper place in life and submit wholly to his will.
M.