Hello!
This fanfic is a crossover between Zootopia and the Hunger Games... Well... Kind of. It's 90% Zootopia with 10% Hunger Games... Still, this won't be a lighthearted story so be warned!
Without further ado: A crossover that nobody asked for!
"They can't be serious!" I exclaim furiously after getting the draw results of the next hunting season's mentor distribution. The white letters clearly stated 'The burrows' next to my name and my picture.
It's gotta be the joke of the century for the game masters. A fox has to mentor a rabbit through a stupid gameshow, how hilarious is that? Because there is no way I'd get Bunnyburrow 4 times in a row. There is no way in hell I'd get that unlucky.
Thankfully all mentors got the district distribution prior to the opening ceremony, so they can prepare their reaction. If I got surprised by the Burrows live on TV, I probably would have shouted some inappropriate things at the game masters. Now at least it won't be that big of a surprise.
"Okay… Okay… Not that horrible." I give three deep breaths and try my best to stay positive. Even though rabbits never won, I can still get bonuses for getting my contestant to the endgame… Plus if somehow I manage to make that rabbit crowd favorite… But come on a rabbit? Who would even support the weakest district's representative other than mammals who are rooting for the unfavored?
I give a sigh, lean back in my seat and I start twisting around left and right, thinking about my strategy. I really need that money… If only I got Sahara square… Or heck even Tundratown, I would have a much easier job… but no, It just had to be Bunnyburrow for the fourth time in a row. The preys who have a target on their backs from the start just because they are an easy kill… I'll need to get a huge head start for that Rabbit if I want any chance for any money.
"Mr. Wilde? Are you ready?" I hear two small knocks on my door. "We are live in 15 minutes."
"Just give me 5 more minutes, will ya? This bit on my fur is just not facing the right way. I will take my spot on time, I promise!"
After a few seconds of hesitation, the voice on the other side of the door could be heard again. "Alright, just be there on time." After this, a few footsteps could be heard, and then just the usual muffled chatter.
To be perfectly honest, I just didn't want to see all the malevolent grins from my fellow mentor companions. I know the results, they sure do know the results too. They are swarming to the studio right now and I don't want to face them for more time than I necessarily have to. I can arrive at the last possible minute.
"Alright…" I give one more deep breath and give my best full muzzle smile to the mirror. "Hello, everyone! It is so NICE… Wait no…" I clear my throat and take on my 'on stage' smile again. "GREETINGS… no, too formal… Hello mammals of Zootopia, it's great to be back!" I spread my arms, and glare back at my goofy-looking reflection. "Nah… Let's leave the showmanship to the host," I mutter to myself and lower my arms. I ease my shoulders, take on a smaller smile that almost looks sincere and I lay back like I'm home. "Good evening, Zootopia…" My smile slowly fades. It's still not quite there, but it's better. I try putting on a serious face, a mysterious one, a goofy one, I try moving around a bit, hoping that changing my posture will help, but something is just still missing. In the end I give up, and looking at the clock, it was high time I left for the studio.
When I arrive, a skunk hurries to guide me to my spot even though at this point I'm 100% sure where I have to go. I take my seat quickly and try to avoid the grins, directed toward me.
"Bunnyburrow, huh? Tough luck." A winter fox claims next to me, my only mentor companion, who doesn't make fun of my misery. It's only her first year in the hunting season, in contrast to my 4, but she has some potential. She used to be in the army, so she probably has some tricks up her sleeve. As for why she left the army... No one knows. She said she needed some change in her life, but I'm sure there is something else behind that.
"Yeah… But I kinda doubt it has anything to do with luck… What did you get? I was busy cursing the world, so I didn't look at anyone else's district."
"Meadowlands." She claimed in a neutral tone. "Not the best, not the worst. I can see someone winning from there. It depends on the contestant. But don't be bumped out. I'm sure even a rabbit could win, you just need the right angle to approach things."
I couldn't answer as the guy behind the camera shouts some instructions. "Alright everyone, take your place and we're live in 5… 4… 3…"
I hear the music coming up, and see the all-time host, a tiger coming up to the stage, in his usual dark purple suit. His fangs are bigger than before, so he is looking more like a sabertooth tiger, than a regular one, but who am I to question the stylist's choice? He always comes up to the stage with more and more ridiculous add-ons. This fake fang could be considered a milder one.
"Ladies and gentlemammals, your host… Richard Silverclaw!"
"Hahaaa" he's giving an ear-to-ear grin, as he moves around on the stage. "Good evening Zootopia, Are… You… READYYYY?" Every member in the audience is shouting, clapping, and sometimes even some whistling comes through too. "I've been waiting for this for a while now. Who thinks the same?" He shouts through the cacophony and raises one paw to his ears, as the audience cheers up again. "Hahahaaa! I knew I wasn't alone with this! Well, in that case, let the 22nd hunting season BEGIN!"
The lights start circling the studio, giving a bit of time for the host to walk up to us, mentors. I glance at the huge screen that's airing the show and see as the camera shows the whole audience. It's interesting how many predators showed up to the opening ceremony. You couldn't see even one empty seat that's for sure, and who knows how many are standing outside.
"With all that being said, let's meet the mentors!" The host gestured toward us and the camera was already focused on the first one.
"The goddess of strategy and guide of 2 victors, Katie Katz!"
The mentioned cheetah laughed and waved to the camera.
"The mammal of close calls… Trevor Lups." The wolf gave a nod to the camera with a straight face and crossed arms.
"The unpredictable… Leonard Trueheart." Just as the lion's name was said, he gave a loud roar, and a laugh, while waving around.
As more of my mentor companion's name was said and it was soon to be my turn, I decided to just keep my reaction simple. As soon as I heard Rich say "Our favorite jokester… Nicholas Wilde!" I just gave a grin and a two-finger salute. It would be nice to have a different title than just 'Our personal clown in this show' but what can I do? At least upon hearing my name, I also heard a little bit bigger cheering in the crowd so at least the audience likes me.
"And…" The host wrapped up the introduction. "...last but not least we have three new faces amongst the mentor team. Viktor Volkov… Skye Winters… And Sophia Whiskers." The host said, with the camera stopping on them for a few seconds. "Best of luck to you too. But of course… What are mentors without a contestant? Let's see this year's district distribution."
I tense up a bit, then remind myself to take it easy. Make some jokes, then show how 'optimistic' I am, even though this whole thing is rigged against prey, don't even mention rabbits…
In the next hour or so Rich revealed the mentor-district pairings starting from Sahara square. And we got to see the chosen contestants too.
It all happened live, and of course, most of the prey who were unlucky enough to get chosen were on the verge of tears, a chipmunk from the Woodlands even tried to run away, but his attempt was cut short immediately. However, for one, a deer from Tundratown was even proud to get chosen. He walked up to their podium with a grin and threw his fist in the air as a sign of triumph. That will look great for the sponsors…
"And finally… district 12…" Richard walked next to me. With his showman smile. "Nikkie… Do you have any idea who might have got that?"
Of course… Anyone who paid attention knows that only one mentor is left without a contestant and that would be me… "I have no clue, Rich… Please enlighten me." I give an innocent look, and receive a bit of a chuckle from the audience.
"Well, let me walk you through it… So district 12… The Burrows…" Rich said and crouched next to me, with one paw on my shoulder. We waited for the display to reveal the name, and then… "NICHOLAS WILDE!"
At this point, the audience was audibly laughing at the absurdity of one mentor getting the same district for the fourth year in a row. I throw up my paws in a 'you got me' manner, and patiently wait for the laughter to die down. "Well remind me to never fill a lottery ticket. With this luck, I would sooner get struck by lightning." I exclaim and give a chuckle. "But you know what? I wouldn't want any other district. I would swap for the Burrows!"
"Really?"
"Yes. I feel like this year will be different. I've been wrapping my head around new strategies so… Let's just say, we're in for a treat for this year's Hunting season." I give a mysterious smile. The one showing 'I know something you don't.' But of course, it's all just an act. I have no clue what my strategy should be.
"We're excited to see you in the endgame. ALRIGHT! Let's see The Burrow's tribute!"
I look at the screen again, that's showing my face next to the live feed from the burrows. It's a generally sad sight. Before the war between the prey and predators, it was a calm farmland, with a steadily growing population. However, because it was also the main herbivore food supplier, during the war it was heavily attacked, causing huge damages. That district is the most underdeveloped for this same reason. The population growth is heavily supervised too. Any couple having more than 4 kits need to pay a fine, and can't under any circumstances have more than 6. What happens if there are more than 6 kits? Well… the excess is… being dealt with.
Despite this, the rabbit population is still so big that there have been suggestions that The burrows should send more tributes, or we should do a separate Hunt for only them. Fortunately so far those ideas have been ignored for now.
Right now, the screen showed probably hundreds of thousands of Rabbits standing in a field, with one wooden podium in the middle. For a bit nothing happened, they were most likely waiting for the go signal from the producers. After they got it, a lion, their mayor gave a shorter speech, then pushed a button on the podium.
The holoprojector started scrolling through all available names in the district. At first, it was just an unreadable blur, but then it started slowing down and settled on one name.
"Judy Hopps!" Can be heard through the loudspeaker, followed by complete silence. After exchanging an unsure glance, the members on the podium started whispering around.
Trying to make out what was going on, I furrowed my eyebrows and tilted my head a bit. I didn't really care that I was on the screen too. Everyone most likely focused on what was happening in the Burrow.
A bit chubbier cheetah hurried up to the stage in a police uniform. Judging by his badge he was the chief in that district. He exchanged a few words with the mayor, the mayor shook his head and said something that seemingly hit the chief like a truck. As he tried to convince the mayor on something, a tigress came up to the podium and furiously ordered the cheetah, which finally made its effect. The defeated feline turned around, with a bit of worry in his eyes.
The camera followed him as he stopped in front of a smaller officer, said a few words, and shook his head.
"There is no way… a bunny cop?" I whisper as I spot a rabbit with ducked ears stepping away from the police line. She slowly takes off her badge and places it in the cheetah's paw, who seemingly had a hard time keeping back his tears. After that, she straightened her back and gave a salute, to which their chief simply answered with a hug. The rabbit hesitated a bit, then awkwardly returned that hug, while saying something.
After breaking the hug, the rabbit turned around, and giving a barely visible sigh, hopped up to the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemammals… The tribute from the Burrows… Judy Hopps!"
So hello! To be honest, I have no idea why I wrote this story, but my mind kept on bugging me to have THIS specific fanfic started, and since there was a lot of Shocking collar AU stories where predators have it hard, I decided to write the complete opposite... Is this what being a fanfic writer is? Getting random story ideas?
And I wrote it in Nick's perspective because... Erm... Why not? I feel more confident in this writing style.