The Elements of Zootopia

Chapters

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 1- Disharmony
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 7- Twisting
Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 2- Honesty
Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 3- Kindness
Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 4- Laughter
Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 5- Generosity
Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 6- Loyalty
Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 7- Warnings
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 1- Machinations
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 2- Confusion
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 3- Abduction
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 4- Pursuit
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 5- Disparagement
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 6- Beguiling
Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 8- Cascade
Arc 3- A Big Ol' Storm of Chaos: Part 1- Rumblings
Arc 3- A Big Ol' Storm of Chaos: Part 2- Anticipation
Arc 3- A Big Ol' Storm of Chaos: Part 3- Unwavering

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 1- Disharmony

The prison cell was a cold, barren cube of stone, metal, and regret. Dawn Bellwether sat on the edge of her hard cot, her small hooves folded primly in her lap, though her mind was anything but calm. Her sharp, calculating thoughts spun webs of blame and self-pity. It wasn’t her fault that she was small and had to go to extreme measures to get what she was owed. The world was just too blind to see her genius. And yet here she was, condemned for trying to put the preds in their place.

The silence of the prison was deafening at night. Only the faint drip of water somewhere in the building and the occasional shuffle of a guard’s paws or hooves broke the monotony. But tonight, something changed.

It started as a chuckle—a deep, reverberating sound that didn’t belong in the cold, lifeless corridors. Bellwether’s ears perked up, and her glasses slipped slightly down her nose. The chuckle grew louder, swelling into full-bodied laughter that filled her small cell and seemed to press against the walls.

“Who’s there?” she demanded, standing abruptly. Her heart pounded, but she steeled herself, her voice cold and clipped. “Show yourself!”

The laughter ceased, but the cell didn’t return to silence. Instead, a voice, smooth and mocking, echoed around her. “Oh, Dawn Bellwether. My dear, devious little sheep. Such fire, such cunning. It’s almost... inspiring.”

Bellwether whipped her head around, searching for the source of the voice. Her heart raced, but she forced her expression into one of irate composure. “Who are you? Where are you? I demand that you show your face!”

The shadows in her cell began to twist and writhe, pooling together unnaturally at her feet. Her own shadow stretched across the wall, elongating and warping. Slowly, the dark mass took shape, sprouting mismatched limbs, a snake-like tail, and a bizarre, equine face with mismatched horns. It was unlike anything Bellwether had ever seen: part predator, part prey, and all... chaos.

“I,” the figure declared with a theatrical bow, “am Discord. Spirit of Chaos. Lord of Disharmony. And you, my dear sheep, have caught my attention.”

Bellwether adjusted her glasses, keeping her breathing even. “Discord? Spirit of Chaos?” She raised an eyebrow, skepticism lacing her voice. "Well then, assuming this is even real and not the result of my mind breaking under the weight of my failure and humiliation. . ."

Bellwether's voice trailed off as the sting of failure returned. The smugness on Nick and Judy's faces kept haunting her. Being tricked by blueberries. Having her confession recorded on a carrot pen. It certainly was enough to drive a brilliant mind like hers insane.

"Tut-tut-tut, Miss Bellwether," Discord said as his body bent down so that his head was closer to her level, "I understand how it feels to be defeated by those who you know are inferior to you. I've been there. Twice, believe it or not. Don't let it get ya down!"

Bellwether bit her lip, and she stared at him and asked, "What are you doing here and what do you want with me?”

Discord’s shadowy form smirked, his single fang glinting even in his insubstantial state. “Ah, you see, I’m not entirely... here. My body, back in my world—Equestria—is currently imprisoned in stone. A rather unfortunate turn of events. Like I said, we both know what failure feels like. Anywho, I found a way to project my essence into this charming little world of yours. And what did I find?” He leaned closer, his eyes suddenly gleaming red and yellow, “You.”

Bellwether taped her hoof-hands together nervously, attempting to hide the chill crawling up her spine. “But why me?”

Discord chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Oh, come now, don’t play coy. Your little Nighthowler scheme? Brilliant." Discord's serpentine body swam across the walls, forcing Bellwether to spin around to keep him in her line of sight. "Turning predator against prey, sewing distrust and disharmony? That’s chaos in its purest form. I love it!”

Bellwether’s mind churned, her thoughts racing. This supernatural thing appeared to like her, and it would be in her best interests to keep it that way. She forced herself to smile and be gracious and cheery, tapping into her acting experience from when she was working under Lionheart. She tilted her head modestly and said, “Well, it took a lot of work to pull off, and a lot of coordination. But... thank you, oh Spirit of Chaos,” She paused, carefully observing him. “And what exactly do you want from me?”

Discord grinned wider, the shadows around him rippling like liquid. “Let’s just say I despise harmony as much as you do. This happy little world of yours, where predator and prey hold hooves and paws and sing kumbaya—it’s sickening. I want to help you finish what you started. Together, we can topple this fragile peace. I can even help you escape this dreary little cell, and keep any of those pesky guards from even noticing you're gone. Well, not indefinitely, but long enough so that when they do notice, it will be far too late.”

Bellwether nodded slowly, “Well, I would certainly like that." Bellwether bounced on her hooves and said eagerly, "Ooh! You'd probably want me to do something for you, is that right?”

Discord’s grin turned sharp. “Clever. . . Very clever. Aren't you sharp! But don't you worry. All I need is just a little assistance. I need a foothold in this world to fully manifest, to escape the limitations of this shadowy projection. But it turns out that breaking this little utopia, something you already wanted, is the key to doing just that. Ergo: you help me, and I’ll help you.”

Bellwether's distrust flared immediately. The creature was clearly dangerous, his every word dripping with manipulation. For all she knew, Discord would get rid of her the moment he is able to "manifest" in Zootopia. But Bellwether was nothing if not pragmatic. She was at rock bottom, locked away with no allies, no resources, and no hope of freedom. What did she have to lose? Surely, she could figure out a way to double-cross him eventually.

Feigning humility, Bellwether allowed a small smile to creep across her face. “You flatter me, Discord. And I’d be a fool to turn down your offer. I accept.”

Discord clapped his mismatched hands together, his expression gleeful. “Excellent! I knew you were a sheep of great vision. Now, let’s seal the deal.”

The shadow of Discord extended a clawed lion paw toward her. Bellwether hesitated, her stomach churning at the sight of the paw of a pred. But she steeled herself, adjusting her glasses one final time, and reached out. Her small hoof met the paw, and their handshake solidified the pact.

The room exploded with light, and when it faded, the cell was empty, its occupant vanished into the night.

All that remained was a faint echo of Discord's laughter, fading into the cold prison walls.

Author's Note

Am I the only one who misses pre-reformation Discord? Discord was much better as an actual full-on villain than whatever he was in "Matter of Principals" and "The Ending of the End".

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 7- Twisting

The two officers and the police chief stood inthe snow of Tundratown before the darkened storage facility, the fence broken and hanging open.

"I'll guard the door and watch the windows," Chief Bogo said, "It wouldn't surprise me of one of those rams showed up. Tread lightly, you two. That sheep might have sent us here, but there's still a chance we can circumvent whatever trick she has planned."

"She said time is ticking," Judy remarked, "Maybe all we have to do is hurry. Cautiously hurry."

"That I can do," Nick said, and he quickly led the way with Judy right behind.

The was eerily quiet as Nick and Judy stepped inside, the front door creaking shut behind them. The cold air of Tundratown seeped through the cracked windows, adding a biting chill to the already tense atmosphere. The faint hum of electricity buzzed from somewhere deeper in the building, guiding the pair forward to where they hopped to find the hostages.

Nick held his flashlight steady, more for Judy’s benefit than his own due to his natural night vision. “I hate this, Carrots,” he muttered under his breath, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit room. “It's like a trap that's also a time bomb.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Judy replied, her voice tight with urgency. “If Emmitt and Gideon are here, we need to find them now.”

The pair followed the buzzing down sone stairs and into the basement. The flashlight beam caught two cages in the center of the room, illuminated like grotesque stage props. Gideon Grey and Emmitt Otterton sat within, both of them slumped against the bars. Their fur had turned a lifeless gray, and their eyes were dull and distant.

“Gideon! Emmitt!” Judy called out as she and Nick sprinted toward the cages. Both captives barely stirred, their movements sluggish and disoriented.

Judy knelt beside Gideon’s cage, gripping the cold steel bars. “Gideon, it’s me, Judy! We’re going to get you out of here.”

Nick, meanwhile, examined a control panel that sat a few meters away from the cages. Two large buttons stood out beneath a screen displaying a countdown: 00:54. Above it, bold text read: Nighthowler Gas Release in Tundratown. Nick looked around and saw that the walls were lined with tall gas canisters, all of which connected via long tubes.

Nick’s ears flattened. “Judy, this isn’t good. If this timer hits zero, all of Tundratown gets gassed.”

Judy jumped up and joined him, staring at the panel in horror, “No, no, no… There has to be a way to stop it!” She scanned the control panel, but the design was cruelly simple. Beneath the countdown, each button was labeled: FLOOD CAGE A and FLOOD CAGE B.

Nick frowned. “So if we press one, it shuts down the main gas release, but diverts some of the gas into one of the cages.”

Judy’s eyes widened in alarm, her voice trembling. “We… we can’t choose to sacrifice a hostage! There has to be another way.”

“Carrots,” Nick said, his voice uncharacteristically grave, “We don’t have another way. There’s no time to unlock those cages, and Bellwether knew it when she sent us here. If we don’t press a button now, all of Tundratown is gonna get it. We gottato choose.”

The timer ticked down mercilessly: 00:37.

Gideon stirred in his cage, his voice raspy and strained. “Judy… flood my cage.”

Judy spun toward him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “No! Gideon, I can’t do that. You don’t deserve this!”

Gideon’s voice cracked as he forced himself to sit upright. “I do. Judy, I’ve spent my whole life hurting prey mammals. Scratching your face just the beginning. I went after anyone smaller than me. Dozens and dozens, I don't even remember how many. I only stopped because they made me. Therapy or jail. Those were my options.” His voice broke, and he clutched the bars weakly. “If you save me… and Emmitt suffers because of it… I won’t be able to live with myself.”

“Gideon, that's not who you are anymore. Don't let your past control you,” Judy said, hervoice was thick with emotion. She looked at Emmitt, who was still slumped over miserable and silent. The timer showed 00:22.

Nick placed a paw on Judy’s shoulder. “Judy, all of Tundratown is at stake here."

Judy’s eyes were pained and angered as she stared at the two buttons. “How dare Bellwether do this…”

“I know,” Nick said softly, his usual wit absent. He nodded towards Gideon and said, “But at least one us gets to make a choice.”

The timer hit 00:10.

Judy’s paw hovered over the button labeled FLOOD CAGE A. Gideon met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of acceptance and guilt.

“Do it,” he whispered. “Save him. Save everyone.”

Nick reached out and wrapped his paw around Judy’s trembling one.

"You're better than you realize, Gideon Grey," Judy said in earnest.

Together, Nick and Judy pressed the button.

A speaker in the control panel crackled to life, and Bellwether’s voice echoed mockingly. “Oh, didn’t I mention? It’s Opposite Day! Thanks for playing, Officers!”

A mechanical hiss filled the room, and instead of Gideon’s cage being flooded, the purple gas began pouring into Emmitt’s.

“WHAT?! BELLWETHER!” Judy shrieked as she banged her fists against the panel.

Emmitt’s cage filled with the purple haze. His dull eyes dilated and a guttural snarl escaped his throat. The otter let out a feral roar, slamming against the cage bars as Gideon fell to his knees, his body trembling. “This is my fault… this is all my fault…”

Nick stared straight ahead in complete shock. "That dirty little- She planned this from the get go..." he said, "She couldn't even let a predator show some dignity. Not a single moment of decency or selflessness. How sick and petty can she get?"

As Emmitt’s savage roars and Gideon’s quiet sobs echoed in the basement, Nick and Judy knew that even though Tundratown was safe for now, this fight was far from over.

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 2- Honesty

Within the first precinct of the ZPD, Chief Bogo worked through yet another stack of paperwork. His office was orderly, the only sign of clutter being the scattered case files across his desk. The cape buffalo leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples with a weary sigh. Another day, another thousand decisions that had to be made with serious thought. Just because the missing mammal situation and subsequent savage predator crisis were resolved didn't mean everything was perfect in this massive, diverse city.

A sharp knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He glanced up, eyebrows furrowing. “Come in.”

The door creaked open to reveal Police Commissioner Durango, a hulking wooly bison with a graying coat and an expression perpetually stuck between skepticism and disapproval. Durango stepped in, his bulk making the office feel smaller, and closed the door behind him.

“Bogo,” Durango began without preamble, his deep voice like gravel. “We need to talk.”

Bogo straightened his posture, his no-nonsense demeanor kicking in immediately. “Commissioner Durango. What can I do for you?”

Durango pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and slapped it onto Bogo’s desk. “I received your nomination for Officer of the Year. Nick Wilde. A fox.”

Bogo’s jaw tightened, but his expression remained impassive. “Yes. That’s correct.”

The Commissioner’s face twitched, his eyes narrowing as if trying to gauge if this was some kind of joke. “You seriously nominated a fox for this honor? Are you out of your mind?”

Bogo’s glare could have wilted steel. “With all due respect, sir, Officer Wilde has more than earned the nomination.”

Durango snorted, crossing his arms. “Look, I get that we’re all about inclusion here, but a fox? You can’t ignore what that’ll look like to the public. You know their reputation. If this backfires, it’ll be on us.”

Bogo leaned forward, planting his massive hooves on his desk. “Sir, after the circumstances surrounding the missing mammal case, I have made a conscious effort to only make decisions based on facts, not optics”

The Commissioner held up a hoof-hand. “Let’s not kid ourselves, Bogo. Be honest with me. Do you really believe a fox—this fox—deserves the title of Officer of the Year?”

The air in the office grew heavy. Bogo’s nostrils flared as he took a steadying breath, and then he spoke, his voice low and deliberate.

“You want me to be honest?” Bogo said, rising to his full height, “Fine. I’ll be honest. Nick Wilde drives me up the wall. He has a smart mouth that makes me want to throw him out of the precinct half the time. He’s smug, he’s sarcastic, and he’s got an attitude that could make a saint lose their temper.”

Durango smirked, leaning back as if he’d proven his point. But Bogo wasn’t finished.

“But,” Bogo continued, his voice growing stronger, “he’s also one of the best officers we’ve got. He’s sharp as a tack, quick on his paws, and has a way of reading mammals that most of us could only dream of. He’s taken on cases that would stump veterans twice his age and solved them because he knows how to think outside the box.”

Durango opened his mouth, but Bogo cut him off, gesturing sharply as he continued.

“Let me remind you of a few cases, Commissioner. The Ringer case? Wilde went undercover as a bookie and dismantled an illegal gambling ring from the inside. The Catnip incident? He talked down an armed nip dealer with nothing but his voice and his wits. And don’t even get me started on his work with Judy Hopps. Together, they’ve cracked more cases than I can count, and it’s not because of luck. It’s because they make each other better.”

Bogo’s voice softened, but the weight of his words remained. “Nick Wilde is an officer who defied every expectation. He’s living proof that it doesn’t matter what species you are. What matters is what you do. And what he’s done is nothing short of remarkable.”

Durango stared, his expression unreadable. The room was silent for a long moment before he cleared his throat, his gaze dropping. “I... I see.” He adjusted his tie awkwardly. “I’ll, uh, take your recommendation under advisement. Good day, Chief.”

Without waiting for a response, the Commissioner turned and left, leaving Bogo standing alone in the quiet office.

Bogo shook his head, muttering under his breath, and sat back down. He reached for his pen to return to his paperwork when something caught his eye. A faint orange glow emanated from his desk drawer. He frowned, the hair on his neck rising slightly.

“What?” he muttered.

He opened the drawer cautiously, revealing an orange jewel in the shape of an apple nestled between the standard office supplies. It shimmered faintly, the light pulsing as if it were alive. Bogo furrowed his brow, picking it up carefully. The jewel was warm to the touch, almost comforting, but utterly out of place.

He turned it over in his massive hoof-hand, studying it with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. “What on earth...?” he muttered.

His rational mind kicked in, and he shook his head and sighed. “Another ridiculous Lucky Chomps cereal prize, no doubt. Must’ve been left here as a joke by Clawhauser.”

Slipping the gem into his pocket, he resolved to tell Clawhauser to knock it off later. Something he would end up forgetting to do. For now, there were more pressing matters. But as Bogo returned to his paperwork, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling that something had just shifted, though he didn’t yet understand what.

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 3- Kindness

The Ottertons’ flower shop was a cozy little haven tucked into the corner of a bustling Zootopia street. Bright blooms of every hue spilled out of the storefront, enticing passersby with their cheerful colors and sweet fragrances. Inside, Mrs. Otterton was carefully arranging a bouquet of daisies and tulips while her husband Emmit stocked the display cases with fresh roses.

It was a slow afternoon, and the shop was filled with the soft hum of a jazz tune playing on the radio. Emmit hummed along, occasionally casting adoring glances at his wife as she worked with her usual grace and precision.

The pleasant atmosphere was abruptly interrupted by the loud jingling of the shop’s doorbell as a massive, gray hippo stomped in. His brows were furrowed, his shoulders hunched, and his grumbling could be heard even before he reached the counter.

“Hey, I need flowers,” the hippo barked, his deep voice carrying a sharp edge. “For my wife. You better have a good selection here or this place is getting a 1 star review from me."

Emmit straightened up, narrowing his eyes slightly at the mammal’s tone. “Well, you’ve come to the right place for top quality flowers,” he said, though his polite words were tinged with annoyance.

Mrs. Otterton, however, set her bouquet aside and stepped forward with her warm, gentle demeanor. “Of course. Do you have a specific type of flower in mind, or would you like us to make a custom arrangement?”

“I don’t know!" The hippo snapped, "Something nice. Just make it quick, alright? Come on, give me some service already! Move!"

Emmit muttered something under his breath, but Mrs. Otterton placed a paw on his arm, signaling him to let it go. Her keen eyes softened as she studied the hippo’s tense posture. This wasn’t just a case of bad manners; something was clearly troubling him.

“Sir,” she said gently, her voice patient and sweet, “is everything alright?”

The hippo hesitated, his gruff exterior cracking just slightly. “I... I’m fine,” he said quickly, though the way he avoided her gaze said otherwise.

Mrs. Otterton tilted her head, her gaze unwavering but kind. “Are you sure? Sometimes it helps to talk about it. We’re good listeners here.”

The hippo sighed, his broad shoulders slumping. “Alright, fine,” he said, crossing his arms. “My wife and I had a fight. It was about something stupid—I don’t even remember how it started. But I said something dumb, and now she’s upset.”

Emmit raised an eyebrow but kept quiet, watching as his wife stepped closer.

“I can tell you love her very much,” Mrs. Otterton said softly. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here trying to make things right.”

The hippo glanced at her, some of his defensiveness melting away. “Of course I love her. She’s everything to me. I just... I don’t know how to fix this.”

Mrs. Otterton smiled, and her voice was filled with earnest reassurance as she said with understanding, “These things are never easy, aren't they? But here’s a little secret: it’s always better to be the first one to apologize rather than the last one. It shows you care more about her feelings than your pride.”

The hippo blinked, considering her words. His gruff exterior softened further, and he nodded slowly. “Yeah... yeah, I guess you’re right. I don’t want this to drag out.”

“You’re a good mammal,” Mrs. Otterton said, her eyes shining with sincerity. “And she’s lucky to have someone who cares so much. I’m sure she’ll forgive you.”

The hippo managed a small smile, the tension in his face easing. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. “Alright, let’s do this. Give me the best bouquet you’ve got.”

Mrs. Otterton beamed and set to work creating a beautiful arrangement of red roses, lilies, and baby’s breath. Emmit helped wrap it in delicate tissue paper and tied it with a satin ribbon.

The hippo accepted the bouquet and nodded gratefully. “Thanks again. You folks are alright.” With that, he turned and left, the bell jingling softly behind him.

As soon as the door closed, Emmit wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist and kissed her cheek. “You’re amazing, you know that?” he said, his voice full of pride.

Mrs. Otterton’s cheeks flushed under her fur, and she giggled. “Oh, stop it, Emmit. It was nothing.”

“It wasn’t nothing,” Emmit insisted, squeezing her gently. “You turned his whole day around.”

Bashful but pleased, Mrs. Otterton slipped out of her husband’s embrace and moved to the cash register. She opened it to put away the hippo’s payment, but paused, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Emmit,” she said slowly, reaching into the drawer. “Look at this.”

She pulled out a small, pink gemstone in the shape of a butterfly. It shimmered softly in the light, radiating a strange, comforting warmth.

“What in the world?” Emmit said, stepping closer to examine it. “Where did that come from?”

Mrs. Otterton shook her head. “I have no idea. It wasn’t there before.”

Emmit frowned, rubbing his chin. “Maybe someone dropped it in there by mistake? Wait, no, what am I saying. Who would be hanging around the cash register? And why would they drop their jewelry in there?"

Mrs. Otterton turned the gemstone over in her paws, marveling at its beauty. “Well, whatever this is, we found it. So, I’ll just have to hold onto it. If someone comes looking for it, I’ll give it back.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Emmit agreed, though his expression was still puzzled.

Mrs. Otterton tucked the gemstone into her pocket, resolving to keep it safe. As the couple returned to their work, neither of them could have guessed that the strange, glowing jewel was far more than it seemed—and that it had chosen Mrs. Otterton for a reason.

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 4- Laughter

It was a relatively quiet morning at the ZPD, with most officers out on patrol or handling cases. Clawhauser, the precinct's bubbly front desk officer, was in his usual spot, munching on his favorite sugary cereal and humming along to a Gazelle tune playing faintly in the background.

He had just finished pouring another generous bowl when the front doors whooshed open, and a tall wolf officer strode in. He was holding the hand of a young antelope, no more than six years old, whose tear-streaked face was a heartbreaking contrast to the confident posture of the officer.

“Clawhauser,” the wolf called, his deep voice tinged with urgency. “Can you watch this little guy for a minute? I need to check the files to figure out where his mom might be.”

“Of course, Wolford!” Clawhauser exclaimed, immediately setting his cereal aside. His sunny demeanor shone through as he looked at the nervous child. “Come on over here, buddy! You can sit right next to me.”

Officer Wolford nodded and gave the young antelope’s hand a reassuring squeeze before heading toward the back offices. The child hesitated for a moment, his big, watery eyes darting around the bustling precinct, before he slowly climbed onto the stool Clawhauser pulled up for him.

“So,” Clawhauser said, leaning down slightly to be at eye level with the child, “what’s your name?”

The antelope sniffled and wiped his eyes with his tiny hooves. “T-Tommy,” he stammered.

“Hi, Tommy. I’m Clawhauser, but you can call me Benji if you want. So, what’s going on, little guy?”

Tommy sniffed again, his small shoulders slumping. “I got lost... I don’t know where my mommy is.”

Clawhauser’s heart clenched. He reached for a tissue box and handed it to Tommy, who gratefully took one and dabbed his nose. “Aw, don’t you worry, Tommy. You’re in the best place possible for this. The ZPD is full of amazing mammals who are going to find your mom faster than you can say... uh... Gazelle’s Greatest Hits!”

The attempt at humor earned a faint, shy smile from Tommy, but the sadness still lingered in his big, glassy eyes. Clawhauser wasn’t about to let that stand.

“Okay,” Clawhauser said, clapping his paws together. “Time for Operation Cheer Up Tommy!”

Tommy blinked, looking confused but intrigued. “What’s that?”

“Oh, just my very special way of making sad faces disappear. And let me tell you, I’m really good at it.” Clawhauser grinned, reaching into his pocket. “First, how about some jokes? I’ve got a ton of ‘em!”

He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper with scribbled notes—a collection of his favorite Gazelle-inspired jokes. He cleared his throat dramatically. “Why did Gazelle refuse to play hide and seek?”

Tommy shrugged, his curiosity momentarily distracting him from his worries.

“Because good luck hiding with all those dancers following her everywhere!” Clawhauser said with exaggerated jazz hands.

Tommy giggled, the sound like music to Clawhauser’s ears. Emboldened, he rattled off a few more jokes, each one getting a bigger laugh from Tommy.

Then Clawhauser decided to bring out his secret weapon. “Okay, kid, you’re gonna love this. Check this out.”

He pulled out his phone and opened an app that he’d downloaded ages ago. An app that Chief Bogo also happened to have on his phone as well, although he would never admit it. “It puts your face—or anyone’s face—onto Gazelle’s tiger dancers. Watch this," he said eagerly.

Clawhauser snapped a quick selfie, selected a tiger dancer, and hit play. Instantly, a video appeared with his face expertly mapped onto the tiger, who was now dancing during one of Gazelle’s most famous dance routines.

Tommy burst into laughter, clutching his belly and almost falling off his stool. “That’s so funny!” he squealed, tears of joy replacing his earlier ones.

Clawhauser chuckled. “Told ya! Here, want me to put your face on a tiger?”

Tommy nodded eagerly, and within moments, the app had transformed the young antelope into a grooving, tail-shaking tiger dancer. Tommy laughed so hard he snorted, which only made Clawhauser laugh too.

The joyful moment was interrupted by Wolford returning, a satisfied look on his face. “Alright,” he said, “I got in touch with his mom. She’s on her way and should be here any minute.”

As if on cue, the precinct doors burst open, and a frantic antelope woman ran inside. “Tommy!” she cried, her voice trembling with relief.

“Mommy!” Tommy shouted, hopping off the stool and running into her arms. The two embraced tightly, the mother’s tears falling freely as she held her son close.

“Oh, thank you!” she said, turning to Wolford. “Thank you for finding him!”

The wolf nodded, but before he could respond, Tommy piped up. “And thank you, Mr. Clawhauser! For making me feel better!”

The mother turned to Clawhauser, her expression softening with gratitude. “Thank you so much,” she said. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Clawhauser blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh, it was nothing, really. Just doing my part!”

After a few more heartfelt thanks, Tommy and his mom left, leaving the precinct a little brighter for their departure.

Clawhauser sat back down, a proud smile on his face. He returned to his cereal, pouring another heaping bowl. As the cereal tumbled out, something unusual clinked against the rim of the bowl. He blinked and peered inside.

There, nestled among the sugary puffs, was a small, blue gemstone shaped like a balloon. It sparkled with a strange, almost magical glow.

Clawhauser gasped. “Oh my gosh! It’s a special cereal prize!” He picked up the gem, holding it up to the light. “This is the best day ever!”

He pinned the gem to his collar, puffing out his chest with pride. As he went back to his cereal, he had no idea that the jewel was far more than a simple prize.

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 5- Generosity

The air was electric as Gazelle took her final bow. The crowd erupted into a thunderous applause that echoed throughout the stadium, the vibrations palpable even backstage. The concert had been a triumph—a huge success. Gazelle couldn't possible overstate her satisfaction. Every ticket sold, every commemorative t-shirt purchased, and every donation made tonight would go toward funding research and treatments for various diseases that so many mammals in Zootopia still suffered from.

As the stage lights dimmed, Gazelle grabbed the microphone one last time. "Thank you, Zootopia!" she said, her rich, melodic voice carrying effortlessly over the cheers. "Tonight, we didn’t just dance and sing—we made a difference! Because when we come together, we can achieve incredible things. This is all thanks to you. I love you all!"

The applause roared anew, and she waved enthusiastically before vanishing backstage.

Her manager, a dapper honey badger in a tailored suit, was waiting for her, clapping politely as she approached. "Bravo, Gazelle. Another flawless performance," he said, offering her a water bottle. "You’ve outdone yourself again."

"Thank you, darling," Gazelle replied with a radiant smile, dabbing her brow with a towel. "The energy out there was incredible! I could feel the love pouring in from every corner of the stadium."

The manager’s smile tightened as he followed her toward her dressing room. "Yes, yes, but Gazelle, we need to talk about your schedule. You’ve been doing so many of these charity concerts lately. They're all well and good and generate tons of sweet PR, but we should really consider diversifying your focus. Maybe work on building up your discography or locking in some more brand deals. The buzz from your last album is waning, and there’s real money on the table with some of these offers."

Gazelle paused, turning to face him, her expression warm but firm. "I hear you, I really do. But my music isn’t about chasing numbers or stacking up deals. I’ve already been blessed with fame, with fans who love me, and more than enough success. What’s the point of all of it if I’m not using it to give back?" She stepped closer, placing a hoof-hand on over her heart as she continued, "These charity concerts—they’re important. They’re not just gigs to me. They’re a way to help the mammals who need it the most, to inspire hope. That matters more to me than adding another platinum record to my wall."

The manager sighed, clearly outmaneuvered by her passion and conviction. "I just don’t want you to burn out, Gazelle. You give so much of yourself to everyone else."

"And that’s how I want it to be," she replied with a small laugh. "I’ll rest when I know we’ve made a difference, okay? Now, go on. Enjoy the afterparty for me, would you?"

The honey badger sighed, shaking his head. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"And you wouldn’t have me any other way." With that, she slipped into her dressing room, closing the door behind her.

The dressing room was as immaculate as always, decorated in soft whites and golds, with plush chairs and an expansive vanity mirror lined with glowing bulbs. Gazelle sighed contentedly, tossing her towel onto a chair and moving toward the vanity.

That’s when she saw it.

Sitting on the table next to her usual array of makeup and jewelry was a gem unlike anything she’d seen before. It was a deep, resplendent purple, shaped like a four-sided diamond. The way it caught the light was almost hypnotic, as though it shimmered with its own inner glow.

Dazzled by the gem's appearance, she reached out and picked it up. The gem was cool to the touch at first, but as she held it in her hoof-hand, she felt a strange warmth spread through her. It wasn’t just physical warmth—it was emotional, almost spiritual. It felt... right. Like this gem belonged with her, even though she had no memory of ever seeing it before.

"Where did you come from?" she murmured, turning the gem over a few times, "Did a fan sneak in and leave you here? No. . . they would have left a fan letter or a note at least. What am I saying, my security is too good to let that happen."

The gem didn’t match any of her usual jewelry, nor did it seem like something her manager or staff would have left for her. And yet, she felt compelled to hold onto it.

As she studied it, a soft smile crept across her face. "You’re a little mystery, aren’t you? But I like you. I think I’ll keep you."

She slipped the gem into a small compartment in her jewelry box, her mind lingering on the peculiar warmth it had given her. Something about it felt wondrous, almost magical, though she quickly dismissed the thought. She wasn’t one to believe in fairy tales, after all.

As she leaned back in her chair and glanced at her reflection, a strange sense of serenity washed over her. The concert had been a success, the audience had been incredible, and now she had this curious little gem to ponder. For a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the feeling of fulfillment.

Tomorrow, there would be more work to do, more lives to touch, and more causes to champion. But for tonight, she was content. Gazelle closed her eyes, letting the memory of the crowd’s cheers and the strange warmth of the gem lull her into a peaceful reverie.

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 6- Loyalty

The setting sun painted the streets of Zootopia in shades of gold as Nick and Judy strolled leisurely down the bustling avenue. It was one of their rare days off, and they were making the most of it. Judy had insisted on exploring some quaint little shops near the Rainforest District, while Nick had countered with the idea of finding a good coffee stand. They compromised by grabbing iced coffees to-go and taking the gondola there and back. Now, it was early evening when they stepped off of the gondola and headed back to their apartment building.

“I'll admit it, Carrots," Nick said, "You somehow made browsing for plant themed knickknacks for three hours somewhat enjoyable.”

Judy rolled her eyes but grinned. “Oh, really? So you aren't holding a shopping bag with two more of those tacky patterned shirts you love so much?"

Nick opened his mouth for a witty retort, but before he could get the words out, a blur of tan fur shot out of an alleyway and barreled straight into him.

“Whoa!” Nick staggered, nearly dropping his shopping bag. He blinked and looked down to see Finnick, his longtime friend and old hustling partner, looking frazzled and out of breath. “Finnick? What the—”

“Nick, buddy, I'm in a jam,” Finnick panted, glancing nervously over his shoulder.

Before Nick or Judy could respond, two hyenas emerged from the alley, their looming figures cutting an imposing silhouette against the afternoon light. They were burly, with matching sneers and predatory eyes that locked onto Finnick.

“There you are, short stuff,” one of the hyenas growled, his voice low and menacing. “Thought you could run, huh?”

Judy immediately stepped in front of Finnick, her ears upright in alertness. “What’s going on here?”

The second hyena sneered. “Your little buddy here owes us three hundred bucks. We’re here to collect.”

Nick raised an eyebrow and turned to Finnick. “Well?” he said with a raised eyebrow.

Finnick scratched the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. “Uh... yeah. Look, it’s complicated, alright? But I don’t have it right now.”

“Of course you don't,” Nick muttered, face palming.

Judy, ever the professional, held up a paw. “Look, whatever the situation, we're not letting you assault him. You want to settle a debt, you’ll have to find a legal way to do it.”

The first hyena snorted. “We’re not here to break legs, rabbit. We just want what’s ours. And we will get it eventually.”

Nick stepped forward, his relaxed demeanor masking a sharp edge in his tone. “Alright, alright. Let’s all take a breath. You’ve got a problem with Finnick? Fine. But you’ve got a problem with me too.”

The hyenas exchanged a glance before one of them chuckled. “And who are you supposed to be? His lawyer?”

“His friend,” Nick said simply, crossing his arms. “And what kind of friend would I be if I turned my back on him now.”

The second hyena leaned in. “Well, if you’re such a good friend, why don’t you pay his debt?”

Nick groaned internally. He shot Finnick a look, but the smaller fox just looked sheepish. With a resigned sigh, Nick pulled out his wallet and counted out the cash.

“Three hundred, right?” he said, holding the money up.

The hyenas grinned and snatched it from his paw. “Pleasure doing business,” one of them said with a mock salute before they turned and strolled away, laughing to themselves.

As they disappeared around the corner, Nick turned to Finnick, who looked like he was struggling to find the right words. “Gosh, Nick. You didn’t have to do that, man.”

“Yeah, well,” Nick said, sliding his now-empty wallet back into his pocket. “I don’t leave my friends hanging. Even if they owe me a first class meal in the somewhat near future.”

Finnick chuckled softly. “You’re alright, Nick.”

The three of them began walking down the street, the tension easing into a more comfortable silence. Nick was just starting to think about how he was going to budget the rest of the month when he suddenly yelped and stumbled backward.

“Nick!” Judy exclaimed, catching his arm. “What happened?”

Nick peered down at the sidewalk to see the point object he had stepped on, wondering how he hadn't noticed it ahead of time. When Nick spotted the culprit, he was very surprised. It wasa red gem, glinting in the sunlight. It was small but striking, shaped like a lightning bolt. He bent down to pick it up, amazed to see a ruby cut in such an unusual shape.

“Nice rock,” Finnick said with a low whistle. “Bet you could sell that to make up for your loss.”

Nick turned the gem over in his paw, admiring its vibrant hue and peculiar shape. For some reason, it felt... important. Like it was meant to be his. He shook his head and tucked it into his pocket.

“Nah, I think I’ll hang onto it,” he said.

Judy tilted her head. “Why? You’re not usually sentimental about stuff like that.”

Nick shrugged, his usual smirk creeping onto his face. “Call it a hunch. Besides, it’s the only shiny thing I’ve got left today.”

Finnick laughed, and Judy rolled her eyes, but none of them could shake the strange sense of significance surrounding the gem.

As they walked off together, the red lightning bolt glowed faintly in Nick’s pocket, unnoticed by the trio. He had no idea of the significance —but somehow, deep down, it felt like holding onto it was the right thing to do.

Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 7- Warnings

The bullpen was its usual blend of chaos and camaraderie as Chief Bogo entered the room to call out assignments with his characteristic gruffness. Officers quickly claimed up as Bogo dropped a stack of case files on his desk, and then picked up a clipboard.

“Hopps, Wilde,” he rumbled, glancing at the clipboard, “you’re on patrol in the Sahara Square. Fangmeyer and Delgato, you’re covering downtown—keep an eye on that new pop-up market; it’s a pickpocket’s paradise. McHorn, I need you to—”

The door of the bullpen creaked open, and the room fell into an immediate, stunned silence. Every officer froze mid-action, eyes locked on the small figure walking in like she owned the place: Dawn Bellwether.

She wore a long trench coat that swayed with her steps, her face smug and unapologetic. The effect was instantaneous. The room froze. Conversations ceased, and every officer stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, at the former assistant mayor turned criminal mastermind.

“Good morning, officers,” she chirped, her voice dripping with condescension.

Judy shot to her feet, standing on her chair as her ears stood up in disbelief. “Bellwether?!” she exclaimed. “How did you escape from prison?!”

Bellwether’s smile widened, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she scanned the room, her eyes lingering on the shocked faces. “Well, well. Look at all of you. Zootopia’s finest, right? And yet, here I am, strolling into your headquarters without so much as a second thought. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”

Bogo’s nostrils flared as he stepped forward, his sheer size casting a shadow over the diminutive sheep. “I don't know how you got here, or who was incompetent enough to let you escape. But if you're so brainlessly stupid enough to walk right into the first precinct, then fine! Spit out whatever you have to say so we can drag you back to prison where you belong. Then I can give that idiotic warden a piece of my mind.”

Bellwether didn’t flinch. She sauntered over to Bogo’s desk, leaned against it and surveyed the room. “Drag me back? Oh, Bogo, you still don’t get it, do you? You think your world of unity and harmony between predators and prey is so perfect now, don’t you? A world where a 10 percent population has a say when then outnumbered 9 to 1? With their brutish brains and their history of endless consumption of other living creatures? I am amazed that you actually think that's okay." Bellwether straightened her glasses again, her grin widening. “Nevertheless, I just thought I’d drop by to give you all a little warning. That perfect world you’re so proud of? It’s fake. All of it. And soon, I will prove it.”

Nick scoffed and smirked at the sheep. “Wow, a classic evil speech of evil. Did you rehearse this in the mirror, or are we the lucky audience for your first draft?” The fox leaned lazily against his desk, his wide foxy grin still on his face. “What are you, the villain of a Saturday morning cartoon? Let me guess: you’ve got a doomsday device, a maniacal laugh, and a dramatic escape plan. Am I close?”

Bellwether’s eyes narrowed at Nick’s mockery, but she didn’t rise to the bait. “Laugh all you want, fox, but you know as well as I do that this city is a ticking time bomb. My Nighthowler serum proved one thing: fear always works. And soon, Zootopia will remember that.”

“Fear didn’t work out so well for you last time,” Judy snapped, her fists clenched. “You’re bluffing.”

Bellwether’s smirk returned, more sinister than ever. “Am I? What if I told you I’ve taken my Nighthowler formula to the next level? An airborne version. Just imagine the chaos Nighthowler gas could cause. Ironic, seeing as all Nighthowler does is reveal what predators really are."

"That's a lie!" Judy snapped, "Any mammal that's exposed to Nighthowler turns savage, predator or prey. My Uncle Terry went savage when he ate one when he was little."

Bellwether had a look of bright eyed interest, "Well, a savage bunny sounds interesting. Ooh!" Bellwether clapped her hooves together gleefuly, "Maybe I’ll test the gas out in Bunnyburrow fitst! Goody!"

Judy’s patience snapped. "UGH! That is it!" she shouted as she sprang towards Bellwether.

But before Judy could reach her, Bellwether opened her trench coat with a dramatic flourish, revealing a row of spherical grenades strapped to the inside lining. They were a vivid, unmistakable purple.

The room erupted into chaos. Officers scrambled backward, their fear palpable. Even the largest mammals—wolves, rhinos, and polar bears—looked visibly shaken. The thought of being exposed to the savage-inducing serum was enough to send shivers down their spines.

Nick nodded slowly and said, "Okay, that's actually pretty clever."

Judy clenched her paws as she was forced to back off.

Bogo’s voice cut through the panic like a whip. “Bellwether! You think you can come into my prisinct, make all sorts of threats, and then threaten my officers directly with deadly weapons?"

Bellwether shrugged, "Well, it's not like you can stop me."

"You’ve just painted a target on your back, sheep!" Bogo growled, "If you dare leave this building, I’ll personally ensure there’s a million-dollar reward for your capture—dead or alive! There won't be a place on this planet where you can hide without someone ready and willing to turn you in.”

Bellwether tilted her head, her expression mocking. “Oh, Bogo. Always so predictable. It’s almost impressive how wrong you are. No wonder you couldn't find those mammals without Judy.”

With that, she began walking backward toward the door, her smug smile never faltering. “You might want to invest in some hazmat suits,” she called out, just before slipping out into the hallway. But as she exited, she casually tossed one of the grenades over her shoulder.

"GET DOWN!" McHorn shouted, the weight of the rhino and the rest of the officers shaking the room as everyone hit the floor and ducked for cover.

The grenade clattered to the floor, and two seconds later it burst with a wet pop, spraying purple liquid across the room. Officers screamed and huddled against the walls, diving behind desks, and expecting the worst.

"It's on me! IT'S ON ME!" Wolford shouted in horror.

"Restrain him!" McHorn shouted, "Hold his jaws shut and hold his arms behind his back!"

“Wait!” Nick shouted, holding up a paw. “It’s fine! It’s not Nighthowler!”

The officers froze in the midst of grabbing Wolford, staring at him. Nick crouched down, dipped a finger into the liquid, and sniffed it. A grin spread across his face. “It’s... blueberry juice.”

The bullpen fell into stunned silence. Then, Nick started laughing, the sound echoing in the tense room. “Oh, the irony! Blueberries! She tried to scare us with blueberries! I mean, we used blueberries to take her down last time. You can’t make this stuff up.”

Bogo got out from behind his desk, a look of shock on his face as he began to process what just happened. Nick’s laughter was still echoing in the bullpen when the buffalo's face turned an alarming shade of crimson. He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked, and his teeth ground against each other.

“Enough!” he roared, and the room fell silent instantly. “I’m going to kill that sheep!”

Before anyone could react, Bogo stormed toward the door, his hooves pounding against the floor like an approaching thunderstorm. Just as he reached the doorway, it swung open, and he collided with none other than Clawhauser.

Bogo grabbed Clawhauser by the collar, lifting the startled cheetah slightly off the ground. “Clawhauser!” Bogo roared, his voice booming. “How in the name of everything decent did you let Bellwether, a convicted domestic terrorist, just waltz into my precinct and back out again?!”

Clawhauser’s wide eyes blinked rapidly, his spotted tail twitching nervously. “I—I don’t know! I always see whoever comes through the front door! I swear, Chief, I didn’t see her walk in or out! Honest!” His voice cracked slightly as he held up his phone with trembling paws. “But... uh, I did just see this. That's why I came here.”

Bogo snatched the phone and looked at the screen. His already livid expression twisted further as he watched a video of everything that had just happened a minute ago: Bellwether strutting into the bullpen, giving her warning, and casually throwing the blueberry grenade as she walked out. Even worse the video was streaming online.

The title read: "Ex-Mayor Bellwether Humiliates ZPD’s Finest—Blueberry Revenge?"

The view count ticked up in real time, and it was well on its way to going viral

"What!?" Bogo gasped, "How'd she-? Where was the camera? This angle-? It makes no sense!"

Bogo shut his eyes tightly as he breathed in and out through his nose. His grip on Clawhauser loosened as the weight of the situation hit him. He handed the phone back with a grimace, then turned to face the rest of the officers, his jaw tight. The room was deadly silent now, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

“All of Zootopia,” Bogo growled, his voice low but seething with anger, “just watched us get made fools of by her. I don't know how she filmed it, but she did. The reputation of this precinct is circling the drain as we speak because we couldn’t recapture a dangerous criminal or prevent her from making a mockery of us in our own turf.”

The officers shifted uncomfortably, their ears flattening under the intensity of his glare.

“Well, that ends now!” Bogo barked, slamming his clenched fist on the desk. “I don’t care how she got out of prison. I don’t care how she snuck in here. What I do care about is tracking that sheep down and dragging her back to her cell where she belongs. I want every single one of you combing through this city. Check every alley, every building, under every stone. We will not rest until we have her in custody. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir!” the officers responded in unison, though a few glanced nervously at one another.

Judy raised a paw, and said, “Sir, Bellwether mentioned something about Nighthowler gas. If she’s telling the truth, she could potentially cause widespread chaos. What’s our plan if she follows through?”

Bogo’s gaze softened slightly, acknowledging the legitimate concern. He nodded to her and spoke firmly. “We’ll inform the mayor and coordinate with the city council to prepare for the worst-case scenario. The Nighthowler antidote can be mass-produced quickly if necessary. But make no mistake: the best course of action is to apprehend Bellwether before she has the chance to do anything. The city is already on edge after her little stunt here. We can’t let fear spread.”

Nick chimed in, leaning casually against his desk but with a serious glint in his eyes. “You think she’s bluffing about the gas, Chief?Airborne Nighthowler serum sounds a little... ambitious. . ."

Bogo’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not taking any chances. Bluff or not, we proceed as though every word she said is a serious. Hopps, Wilde, you’re on the streets. Fangmeyer, coordinate with dispatch to get eyes on every major intersection and choke point. McHorn, Delgato, I want you running intel with the prison to figure out how she got out in the first place.”

As the officers began to mobilize, Bogo turned back to Clawhauser, who had been trying to shrink into the wall. “And you,” Bogo said, pointing a hoof at the cheetah. “Get that video taken down. The last thing we need is Bellwether gaining more publicity from this.”

Clawhauser saluted awkwardly. “Yes, sir! I’ll... uh... I’ll head to IT right now!”

Nick and Judy exchanged a look as they headed for the doors. “Well, Carrots,” Nick said, adjusting his tie, “looks like the sheep’s got us running in circles again.”

Judy’s jaw set with determination. “Not for long, Nick. We just need to remind her who she's dealing with."

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 1- Machinations

Dawn Bellwether sat smugly on a plush armchair in a dimly lit room, the faint hum of a ZNN news report filling the air. On the screen was the now-infamous footage of her standing in the ZPD bullpen, her calculated words and dramatic exit playing for the city’s consumption.

"This viral video of former Mayor and escaped terrorist Dawn Bellwether at the first precinct has the citizens of Zootopia questioning the capability of the ZPD," said Fabienne Growley, the snow leopard's voice a mix of concern and urgency.

Peter Moosebridge nodded gravely and said, "Bellwether has seemingly outwitted the officers and left them scrambling, all while reigniting concerns about predators going savage. In addition, the Zootopia Penitentiary has offered no comment on how she escaped. Several of Bellwether’s accomplices have also been reported to have escaped. The three rams are also currently at large."

In the same room as Bellwether, her three ram henchmen—Woolter, Jesse, and Doug—sat uncomfortably on a worn-out couch. The mysterious circumstances of their escape had left them all quite rattled and unsettled.

"Can you believe it? What a headline!" Bellwether cheered gleefuly, a self-satisfied smirk spreading across her face. "ZPD Humiliated By Dawn Bellwether. The city is already buzzing with fear, and it’s only the beginning." She leaned forward, steepling her hooves under her chin. "Soon, they’ll all remember: prey outnumber predators ten to one. It’s only natural for us to dominate the dangerous."

Suddenly, the shadows in the room thickened, and a deep, oily laugh resonated from the corner. Out of the darkness, Discord’s serpentine shadow slithered into view, his mismatched limbs stretching impossibly as he materialized beside Bellwether. With a snap of his eagle claw, a crystal goblet appeared in his paw, already filled with crimson wine.

"Where there is fear, there is chaos," Discord said, his tone smooth yet tinged with mischief. He handed Bellwether the glass, his yellow eyes glinting in the dim light. "And where there is chaos, there is me."

Bellwether accepted the goblet, though her grip tightened slightly as she looked up at the Spirit of Chaos. His presence, though useful, always unsettled her. "Quite poetic," she said coolly, taking a small sip.

Doug eyed the wine warily. "Uh... are we sure we should be celebrating? Sounds a bit too early. What even is that stuff?"

Discord, offended, placed a claw over his chest as though Doug had insulted his honor. "Wine, of course! Imported from a vineyard that only exists in a dimension where grapes grow upside-down. It pairs beautifully with schemes, don’t you think?"

Woolter leaned toward Jesse and whispered, "Does it feel like he’s watching us even when he isn’t?"

Jesse nodded, his eyes darting nervously toward the shadow of Discord, who suddenly twisted his neck around 180 degrees to grin at them.

"I heard that," Discord said sing-song, his grin widening unnaturally. "But don’t mind me—just a humble purveyor of chaos, here to lend a helping claw."

Doug cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "So... are we really sure this is the best idea? Working with... him?" He gestured vaguely at Discord, as though afraid to point directly.

Bellwether stiffened but quickly smoothed her expression. She couldn’t afford for Discord to catch wind of her true plans. Instead, she gave a sweet, saccharine smile and raised her glass. "Oh,come now. The Spirit of Chaos is the perfect ally. His... unconventional methods are just super! Thru ensure unpredictability. And unpredictability keeps the ZPD—and the city—on edge."

Discord beamed and conjured a second glass of wine, this one floating in midair before it danced playfully around the room. "Oh, Dawn, you flatter me!" he said, plucking the floating goblet out of the air and draining it in one gulp.

The rams exchanged skeptical glances but kept their thoughts to themselves.

"So, what’s next, boss?" Jesse asked, breaking the silence.

Bellwether set her glass down and folded her hooves neatly in her lap, her expression unreadable. "We pay a visit to Bunnyburrow," she said cryptically.

"Bunnyburrow?" Doug repeated, his brow furrowing. "What’s in Bunnyburrow?"

Bellwether didn’t answer directly, instead glancing toward the TV, where the news anchor was now discussing heightened security measures across Zootopia. Her smile widened. "Well, Discord informed me of a loose end that Officer Hopps had neglected to tie. We can use it."

Discord clapped his mismatched hands together, startling the rams. "Well, don’t let me keep you waiting! I’ve got a batch of Nighthowler gas to cook up, and it’ll be my finest work yet. Imagine the mayhem! The screams! The carnage!" He sighed dreamily.

Before the rams could voice their unease, Discord snapped his eagle claw, and in an instant, the room was bathed in a blinding flash of light. When the glow faded, Bellwether and her henchmen were gone, leaving Discord alone with his chaotic thoughts.

He chuckled to himself as he conjured a bubbling cauldron, the noxious purple fumes wafting into the air. "Let’s see how Zootopia handles a little disharmony," he mused, stirring the mixture with a giant silver spoon. "The Nighthowler flowers and pellets I can just conjure, but I'm not exactly all here enough to utilize the chaos magic necessary for more elaborate conjurations," Discord mused, "Oh well, they brought me the flowers. Add a little time and Tender Loving Chaos, and these mammals will see how Discord delivers. . ."

The city’s chaos was just beginning.

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 2- Confusion

The patrol cruiser hummed smoothly as it coasted through the quiet streets of Savannah Central, the orange hues of sunset casting long shadows over the city. Nick Wilde lounged in the driver’s seat, one paw on the wheel and the other lazily draped over the armrest, his usual smirk firmly in place. Beside him, Judy Hopps fidgeted restlessly, her brow furrowed in deep thought as she stared out the window.

“She couldn’t have just walked out,” Judy muttered, breaking the silence for what felt like the hundredth time. “It doesn’t add up.”

Nick sighed, a bit of exasperation tugging at his features. “Carrots, you’ve been obsessing over this since yesterday. Bellwether escaped—yeah, it’s a headache—but overthinking it isn’t gonna help.”

Judy turned to him, her expression incredulous. “Not overthinking it? Nick, she nearly tore the entire city apart. She should’ve been in one of the most secure cells in Zootopia. There’s no way she could’ve gotten out without help. We all saw the report. The security cameras went down for only a few minutes!”

Nick raised an eyebrow, glancing at her. “And? That’s all the time a master criminal needs.”

Judy crossed her arms, her nose twitching in frustration. “No, it’s not! The cameras might’ve been down, but her cell was still locked. There were no signs of tunneling, no broken bars, and no windows. The guards didn’t even notice she was gone until days later. How do you explain that?”

Nick opened his mouth to respond, his paw gesturing vaguely as he tried to piece together a coherent explanation. “Well, maybe she—uh… maybe someone… y’know…” He trailed off, his ears flicking in defeat. “Okay, yeah, I got nothing. It’s weird. Even I couldn’t slip out of a setup like that, and I’m the king of getting out of tight spots.”

Judy groaned, slumping back in her seat. “Exactly! So how did she do it? There’s no way the guards were all that blind or stupid.” She straightened up, her ears perking as a new thought struck her. “Unless... unless the entire prison staff was in on it.”

Nick snorted. “Sure, Carrots. And next you’ll say they’re all secretly sheep in disguise. Baaa-d conspiracy theory.” He chuckled at his own joke, but Judy didn’t look amused.

“I’m serious, Nick. Nothing about this makes sense. Bellwether had to have had help, but from who? And why hasn’t anyone found any leads yet?”

Before Nick could respond, the crackle of the police radio interrupted their conversation. “Attention all units, we have a report of multiple savage predators at Mystic Spring Oasis. Repeat, savage predators at Mystic Spring Oasis. Officers are advised to proceed with caution.”

Judy’s ears drooped, and she let out a groan. “The Naturalist Club? Of course, it had to be there.”

Nick’s smirk widened as he flipped on the cruiser’s siren and accelerated. “Well, Carrots. It begins.”

Judy shot him a look, but despite the seriousness of the situation, she felt confident that they could handle this. Probably because you this point, she knew that Nick had her back.

The cruiser sped through the streets, the towering buildings of downtown Zootopia giving way to the lush greenery of Mystic Spring Oasis. As they approached the gate, the unmistakable sound of chaos reached their ears—growls, snarls, and panicked cries filled the air.

Nick parked the cruiser and stepped out, surveying the scene with a low whistle. “Well, this is... wild.”

It certainly was, as not only were these predators savage, they were also unclothed due to it being a "naturalist" club.

Judy shut her eyes, took a deep breath, and open them. Now focused, she rested paw resting on her tranquilizer gun and nodded to her partner. “Stay sharp, Nick. We need get things back under control now.”

The duo ran in through the gates and were immediately greeted by the sight of two savage pumas chasing a panicked giraffe through the meditation garden.

“Officer Hopps! Officer Wilde!” Yax the yak called out, waving them over. “Thank the universe you’re here! Things are, like, totally not chill right now.”

Judy darted over to him, Nick close behind. “What happened, Yax? Did you see what set them off? Did you see a shooter?”

Yax shook his head, his dreadlocks swinging. “Nah, man. Everything was cool until it wasn’t, y’know? One minute we’re meditating, the next, boom! Savage city.”

Judy’s paw tightened on her tranquilizer gun. “One of Bellwether's rams must be lurking around somewhere," she said gravely.

Nick's eyes shifted back and forth. “Keep an ear out, Carrots. I'd hate to see you get hit and go hopping mad.”

Before Judy could reply, one of the pumas turned around, taking in the sent of rabbit, and let out a deafening roar beford charging at her. Judy reacted instantly, firing a tranquilizer dart that hit the puma square in the shoulder. He staggered, then collapsed with a heavy thud.

“Nice shot, Fluff. I guess carrots are good for your eyes,” Nick said, his own dart gun ready as the second puma turned its attention toward them.

“Focus, Nick!” Judy called out, dodging as the big cat lunged. She jumped high, bounding off of the cat's head. The puma snarled and shook off the blow to his head. He turned, now fiercely focused on Judy. This allowed Nick to put a tranquilizer dart in his rear. After an unsteady step forward, he fell as well.

"Two down, more to go!" Nick said he loaded another dart into his gun.

"Come on!" Judy shouted urgently, and the two officers quickly ran towards the sound of savage predatory growls, which formed a terrifying symphony of chaos.

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 3- Abduction

The scent of freshly baked pies and warm pastries filled the cozy bakery in Bunnyburrow, where Gideon Grey wiped his flour-dusted paws on his apron. The morning rush had passed, leaving him with a rare moment of peace. He hummed softly to himself as he boxed up a peculiar pie for one of his regular bunny customers, the sun streaming through the windows and casting a cozy glow across the shop.

The little bell above the door jingled, signaling a new arrival. Gideon glanced up with his usual friendly smile, ready to greet a customer. “Howdy—” Gideon started, but his smile faltered the moment his eyes landed on a small figure in a black dress and glasses that walked in.

Gideon's voice caught in his throat as the sheep stepped further into the bakery. “Wait a second... Ain’t you... ain’t you her?!” His paw instinctively shot up, pointing at her as recognition hit like a lightning bolt. “You’re that evil Nighthowler sheep from Zootopia!”

Bellwether stopped mid-stride and flashed a cold, practiced smile, her head tilting slightly as though amused by his outburst. “Evil is such a strong word,” she said sweetly, her tone dripping with faux friendliness. “I prefer... revolutionary.”

Gideon’s heart raced. “Oh no, oh no, I gotta call the police!” He fumbled for his phone in his apron pocket, his claws trembling as he unlocked the screen.

Before he could make a call, a sharp CRACK shattered the calm. Gideon yelped as his phone was shot clean out of his paw, clattering to the floor. He clutched his hand, wide eyes darting around the room. “What the—?!”

Behind him, the bakery door creaked open, and two large figures stepped inside. Woolter and Jesse loomed over him, their expressions stern and unyielding. The two ramsflanked the fox, boxing him in.

“Sorry, pred,” Woolter said, not sounding sorry at all, “but the fox ain't saying anything now.”

“Wh-what do you want with me?!” Gideon stammered, backing up against the counter.

Jesse snorted. “We don’t answer questions. We just follow orders.”

Before Gideon could make another move, the rams lunged. Woolter grabbed a length of cloth from his coat pocket and gagged the fox, while Jesse swiftly blindfolded him. Gideon struggled, letting out muffled protests, but their grip was ironclad.

Bellwether clicked retrieved the fallen phone and inspected it. “Doug hasn’t lost his touch with a rifle,” she mused aloud. She turned to look out the window, and saw the ram in question kneeling down behind some bushes, BB rifle in hand.

Doug shook his head in amazement and said, "So I was at the naked freakshow minutes ago, then that Discord thing zaps me here like it was nothing. I can’t even. . . Fine, I don't care anymore, my life as a responsible law abiding citizen ended a long time ago. This is my life now."

Back inside the bakery, Woolter hauled Gideon up by his arms. “Well, now what? What are we gonna do with him?”

Bellwether’s smile grew, slow and calculated. She adjusted her glasses and said, “Oh, you’ll see,” her voice light but carrying a dangerous undertone.

Jesse glanced at the nervous, squirming fox in their grip. “Shouldn’t we just, y’know, get rid of him now? We’ve already made enough noise.”

Bellwether shook her head, her gaze sharp as she turned to Jesse. “We didn't come all this way just to kill him, genius. We need this fox for the next part of the plan to create more fear and chaos. Not to mention, throw Officers Hopps and Wilde off balance big time."

The air around them began to shimmer. A faint, eerie glow surrounded the group as Discord’s unmistakable magic swirled through the bakery. The trays of pies and cakes wobbled precariously, and the scent of freshly baked goods was replaced with the indescribable aroma of chaos.

Discord’s mocking laugh echoed faintly in the background. “I certainly approve of your master plan, my dear Bellwether," his voice said, "But, wait. What is this?"

Suddenly, the shadow of Discord snaked across the wall, and his eagle claw reached out and opened the box Gideon had filled. Inside was a pie with a bright orange filling.

"Oh for goodness sake!" Discord ranted, "Is that a carrot pie? A carrot pie?! Has this fox never heard of carrot cake? That's an actual dessert, made of carrots. But does he make it? No! He makes carrot pie! A thing no one eats! I know I'm the Lord of Chaos, but even I have standards! BLECH!"

“That isn't important,” Bellwether replied curtly, her tone tinged with impatience. She turned back to Gideon, who was still struggling in vain, unable to see or speak. “Discord, it's time to put this fox where he belongs," Bellwether said with delight spread all over her face.

"Indeed", Discord said, his shadowy face glaring at the baker.

With a flash of light, Gideon, Bellwether, and her henchmen were gone, leaving only the lingering smell of flour and the faint sound of distant, unsettling snickering from Discord.

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 4- Pursuit

The last of the tranquilized predators lay safely restrained. Blissfully unconscious and handcuffed, secured in nets and with elastic bands around their jaws, the darted predators awaited pick-up by energency services.

Nick and Judy were breathing sighs of relief as the chaos finally died down.

"Well, Carrots, looks like the club just got cleaned," Nick said as he observed the afflicted mammals.

At that moment, a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the quieting streets of Mystic Spring Oasis. The sound was mocking, taunting—measured with the kind of smug confidence only one mammal could exude.

Nick turned, his ears flicking at the noise. Judy spun around as well, her paws already reaching for her tranquilizer gun.

Standing on a small outcrop of stone at the edge of the garden, silhouetted against the dimming sunset, was her—Dawn Bellwether. Arms folded, and a smirk painted across her woolly face.

“Bravo, officers” Bellwether said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “You did a super job taking down those savage predators. Perfect, even.” She paused, then quivered with eager anticipation, “Of course, these were just the old pellets—nothing fancy yet. Just wait until clouds of Nighthowler gas start filling the streets!”

“Bellwether!” Judy growled, already taking a step forward, her entire body coiled like a spring. “You’re going right back to prison where you belong!”

“Oh, Judy,” Bellwether laughed softly, as if she found Judy’s threat adorable. “You might want to save your energy. Because soon? Soon, the Nighthowler gas will be ready. And when that happens, nothing in this city will ever be the same.”

Before Judy could reply, Bellwether jumped off of the outcrop and landed on the ground where, inexplicably, a motorcycle sat idling as if it had been waiting for her. The irony of the bizarre convenience caught the officers off-guard as Bellwether climbed onto the bike and took off.

“Nick! She's headed east! Get back to the cruiser and try to cut her off!” Judy shouted as she took off running after Bellwether

Nick was already moving toward the cruiser. “On it! Keep those eyes on her, Fluff!”

Judy’s heart pounded as her legs carried her after Bellwether, channeling her species' natural speed to keep the motorcycle in ner sight. She knew she couldn't catch up to it on foot, but she could at least see where it was headed.

As Judy rounded a corner, she spotted a raccoon parking a sleek black motorcycle near the curb. Without hesitation, Judy skidded to a stop in front of him.

“ZPD!” she flashed her badge, panting. “I need this bike to capture a criminal—official police business!”

The raccoon blinked at her, wide-eyed. “Uh, sure! Yeah! Take it! Go!” He practically tossed the keys at her, the badge enough to quell any objections.

Judy jumped onto the motorcycle, revved the engine, and shot forward like a rocket.

The chase blasted through the streets of Zootopia like a storm. Bellwether’s small figure hunched over the handlebars of her motorcycle as she weaved recklessly through traffic, horns blaring in her wake. Judy gritted her teeth, her ears flattened by the rushing wind as she pursued Bellwether, her focus razor-sharp. The motor roared beneath her, the vibrations rattling her paws as she pushed the bike to its limit. Her heightened rabbit reflexes and focus, both hypertrained by her time at the police academy, allowed her to move swiftly while avoiding the cars and pedestrians.

They tore through downtown—between taxi cabs, under construction scaffolding, and narrowly avoiding busses. At one point, Bellwether shot right in front of a speeding express bus as it crossed the intersection. Judy bit her lip, held back as the bus passed, and then zoomed behind it.

Bellwether pulled an impossibly sharp turn down a narrow alley, skimming so close to the walls that sparks flew from her tires. Judy followed without hesitation, the bike wobbling but holding steady as she mirrored Bellwether’s path.

Ahead, Bellwether shot out the other end of the alley and through an intersection as the light turned red, cars screeching to a halt to avoid her. Judy saw her chance and twisted the throttle hard, taking advantage of the stopped cars.

“This is crazy. Where did she learn to drive like this? How? When?” Judy muttered to herself, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

The chase carried them into the outskirts of a panda neighborhood—bamboo trees and cozy lantern-lit shops whizzing past in a blur. Bellwether suddenly braked hard and turned sharply. Judy yanked her handlebars, braking just in time to avoid overshooting.

Bellwether's motorcycle slid sideways, and she dismounted and yetit crash into a produce stand. The sheep leaped onto a nearby rickshaw cart operated by a now terrified panda. She whipped out a small Nighthowler pellet gun, pointing it at him.

“Drive!” Bellwether shouted, her voice cracking with command. The panda, wide-eyed and shaking, grabbed the handlebars of the rickshaw and started pedaling as fast as his legs could carry him.

“Seriously? A rickshaw?” Judy huffed, revving her motorcycle again and speeding after them. With one paw on the throttle, she grabbed her radio with the other.

“Nick!” she called. “She’s heading west through Panda Park! Be at the intersection on Blossom Street in two minutes—cut her off!”

“You got it, Carrots,” Nick’s voice crackled back. “I’ll be there.”

Judy smirked grimly, her confidence returning.

Eyes fixed on Bellwether’s rickshaw as it bounced down the street, Judy zoomed off after it. It was downhhill, the panda was very big with longer strides, and fear was spurring him to move fast. At this rate, Judy couldn't close the gap without being reckless. Worse still, if Judy did manage to gain on them, Bellwether could simply shoot the panda and escape during the ensuing chaos.

Luckily, Judy spotted the long bamboo poles growing along the street up ahead. She grinned. Perfect.

Grabbing the pole in one quick motion as she sped past, Judy locked her focus on Bellwether’s cart. At the last possible second, she gunned the throttle, then skidded the bike to a screeching stop. With all her strength, she jammed the bamboo pole into the ground right when the bike stopped, and vaulted high into the air.

Time seemed to slow.

Judy sailed over the street, the wind whistling in her ears. Below her, Bellwether’s eyes widened in shock as she realized what was happening.

Judy landed hard on the front part of the rickshaw, the impact shaking the entire cart. The panda yelped, the sudden jolt sending Bellwether rocketing upward—her momentum flinging her into the air with a panicked bleat.

Across the intersection, Nick was parked with the cruiser's rear door open, a casual grin on his face as he watched Bellwether hurtle toward him. “Well, this worked out nicely.”

Bellwether flailed through the air, wool puffing wildly, before landing with a thud right into the back seats. Nick grabbed her in one smooth motion, slapping a pair of cuffs around her hooves and snatching the Nighthowler gun from her.

“Gotcha,” he quipped, grinning. “Mind keeping your hooves inside the vehicle at all times?”

Judy jogged up, panting slightly but grinning ear to ear. “Perfect timing, Slick.”

“Like clockwork, Carrots,” Nick replied smugly as Bellwether glared daggers at them both.

Judy glared back at Bellwether and said, "I hope this time you'll have the sense to stay in prison and take your punishment like an adult.”

Judy slammed the door, and the two officers climbed into the cruiser. As they drove off, Judy leaned back in her seat, and said, "I did not expect to go on a highspeed motorcycle chase today."

“Another win for the good guys,” Nick said cheerfully, steering the cruiser through the quieting streets, "Not to mention something to inspire the writers of the next Fast and Furryous sequel."

But in the backseat, Bellwether leaned back in her seat as well, a satisfied smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth in spite of the cuffs she was wearing. She didn’t say a word, but her silence carried weight—a promise that the chaos wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 5- Disparagement

The first thing Gideon noticed was the cold. It seeped through the metal bars of the cage he was in and bit at his fur. His head throbbed, and he groaned as he shifted, his back pressed awkwardly against the unforgiving steel. Blinking groggily, he tried to focus his vision, but the dim light made it nearly impossible to see much.

“Where… where am I?” he muttered, his voice cracking with disorientation.

A movement from the cage across from him caught his attention. Another figure, smaller and more compact, stirred. Gideon squinted, his pulse quickening as the figure came into focus.

“Wait. . . Ain’t you. . .Emmitt Otterton?” Gideon asked, his voice a mix of surprise and relief to see someone he knew about, even if it was under bizarre circumstances.

The otter rubbed his eyes, groaning as he pushed himself upright. His fur was ruffled, and his expression mirrored Gideon's confusion. “Um? Who are you? Where are we?”

“I'm a friend of Officer Hopps, but I couldn't tell ya where we are,” Gideon replied, gripping the bars of his cage and giving them an experimental shake. Solid. No give. “Last thing I remember, I was at the bakery, and then—”

The memory hit him like a brick. Bellwether. Her rams. The gag and the blindfold. He clenched his fists. “Those no-good—”

“Well, isn’t this an amusing little meet and greet?” A voice interrupted, rich and dripping with mockery, seeming to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.

Gideon and Emmitt froze, their ears twitching as they tried to pinpoint the source.

“Who’s there?” Emmitt demanded, his voice trembling slightly.

“Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself,” the voice continued, almost lazily. “But then again, I do enjoy a little mystery. Let’s just say that at the moment I’m... an observer of calamity. A connoisseur of mischief. A curator of... dysfunction.”

Gideon growled, his hackles rising. “Listen here, pal, if you think you can scare us—”

“Oh, Gideon,” the voice cut him off, a sinister chuckle echoing through the space. “You’ve already done all the scaring yourself, haven’t you? Shall we revisit your greatest hits? Like, say… the time you slashed a certain bunny across the face?”

The fox stiffened, his ears flattening against his head. “I—I had a whole lot of unchecked anger—”

“Unchecked anger?” the voice interrupted again, dripping with mock pity. “Oh, I’m sure Judy Hopps found that very comforting when she was nursing those scars. But let’s talk about the others, shall we?”

Gideon’s heart sank. “How do you know about-?”

The voice chuckled darkly. “Oh, yes, Gideon. How many prey mammals did you terrorize before they finally forced you into therapy? Ten? Twenty? Don't answer that, it was a rhetorical question. I already know the exact amount printed on your record. But that big ol' number are only the ones who were reported. Shall I list them for you in reverse alphabetical order by the second letter of their first names?”

“I’ve changed!” Gideon shouted, his voice cracking. “I’m not that fox anymore!”

“Changed?” The word rolled off the voice’s tongue, dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, how quaint. Tell me, Gideon, do you think those prey mammals lie awake at night, terrified of the changed fox? Do you think their nightmares vanish because you bake pies now?”

Gideon’s breathing grew ragged, his claws digging into the floor of the cage. His chest heaved as the weight of his past came crashing down on him. “Stop it,” he whispered. “Please.”

“And you, Emmitt,” the voice turned its attention, making the otter flinch. “Our dear, upstanding florist. How’s your family doing? Still cozy with Mr. Big and his Tundratown crew?”

Emmitt’s eyes widened. “How do you know about that?”

“Oh, it’s my business to know things,” the voice replied breezily. “Like how you thought it was safe to cozy up to the mob. Did you think you could stay clean while swimming with sharks? Getting hit with that Nighthowler serum was the best case scenario”

“That’s not fair!” Emmitt yelled, his voice desperate. “All I did was sell him some flowers! I never ever committed a crime!”

“Ah, yes. Everyone’s a victim of circumstance, aren’t they?" the voice sneered, "Poor Emmitt, caught in the web of the mafia. Poor Gideon, a victim of his own anger. The world’s so unfair, isn’t it?”

A low, chilling laugh filled the air, growing louder and more distorted, until it seemed to vibrate the very cages they were trapped in. The laughter swirled around them like a storm, wrapping them in its oppressive weight.

And then, the light in the room began to dim. A strange, creeping grayness seemed to seep into the edges of their vision, spreading through the room like ink in water. Gideon's once vibrant fur was fading, the rich red turning dull gray and lifeless. Emmitt's brown fur began losing its color and waterproof luster as well.

"Finally you’re feeling the weight of your truths. The feeling of you're sins crawling down your backs. Only there's no convenient reset to save you. But look at the bright side! Disharmony suits you both so well.” the voice said in amore menacing tone.

The last thing they heard before their own despair swallowed them entirely was the voice’s laughter, echoing endlessly in their minds.

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 6- Beguiling

The precinct bustled with the typical background hum of phones ringing, keyboards clicking, and the occasional murmur of officers exchanging updates. In the center of the organized chaos, Chief Bogo stood tall, his arms crossed as he addressed Nick and Judy with an uncharacteristic gleam of approval in his eyes.

"Well done, you two," Bogo said gruffly, nodding at them. "Catching Bellwether so quickly after her escape is no small feat. After that humiliation in the bullpen, I was afraid this would go on for months. But now that we have her we’ll get to the bottom of how she got out in the first place.”

Nick leaned back slightly, his sly grin ever-present. "What can I say? She can’t outfox the fox—or the bunny."

Judy elbowed him gently, but even she couldn’t keep the satisfied smile off her face. "We’re just glad we could bring her in before she divided the entire city again.”

"Chief! Chief!”

Clawhauser’s voice cut through the air as he hurried into the room, his usual sunny demeanor replaced with worry. Behind him, Mrs. Otterton stumbled in, clutching a damp handkerchief, her eyes red and swollen.

“Mrs. Otterton?” Judy asked, her ears perking up with concern.

The distraught otter broke into a fresh wave of sobs, clutching her handkerchief like it was a lifeline. “H-he’s gone! My Emmitt’s gone again!”

Nick and Judy exchanged startled glances, and Bogo frowned deeply. “Mrs. Otterton,” he said firmly, his tone meant to ground her, “start from the beginning. What happened?”

Through her sobs, Mrs. Otterton struggled to explain. “It was a ram… a large one. He came into the flower shop today. He didn’t buy anything—just stood there, staring at me.” Her voice broke, and Clawhauser handed her a tissue. She dabbed at her eyes before continuing. “And then he said… he said, ‘Don’t expect to see Emmitt again for a long time.’ And then he left!”

Mrs. Otterton broke down into fresh tears, clutching the tissue tightly. “They’ve taken him again! My Emmitt—my husband—how can this happen again?”

Judy’s expression hardened, her ears standing straight up in anger. “This has gone too far,” she said, turning to Bogo. “Chief, let us talk to Bellwether. If she’s behind this—and we both know she is—she has to have some information on where Emmitt is.”

Bogo hesitated, his jaw tightening as he considered. “Interrogating Bellwether is a delicate matter. She’s smart enough to play us if we’re not careful.”

Nick stepped forward, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “We’ll handle it, Chief. Judy and I caught her, and hustled a confession out of her. We're the ones who can get her to slip up.”

After a tense moment, Bogo nodded curtly. “Fine. We'll squeeze the truth out of her. I doubt she'll last long.”

The three turned toward the interrogation room, leaving Clawhauser and Mrs. Otterton behind.

Once they were gone, Clawhauser gently guided Mrs. Otterton to a nearby bench and handed her another tissue. “Don’t you worry, Mrs. Otterton. Nick, Judy, and the Chief are the best. If anyone can find Emmitt and bring him back, it’s them. They did it once, they can do it again.”

Mrs. Otterton sniffled, managing a small, shaky smile. “Thank you, Officer Clawhauser.”

Clawhauser beamed, his natural cheerfulness shining through. “It’s what I’m here for! Now, why don’t we think about how happy Emmitt will be to see you again once this is all over? He’s going to need you to be strong for him.”

The otter nodded, her tears slowing as she clung to the hope in his words. “You’re right. I need to believe they’ll find him. Thank you… I mean it. The precinct is lucky to have you."

Clawhauser chuckled and said, "Oh, I don't know. . ."

"No, really. I mean it," Mrs. Otterton said, "You have a way of brightening the day of everyone you meet. You always have a sunny disposition. I imagine that the mammals who walk into the station in need of help are relieved to see such a friendly face."

Clawhauser was blushing through his fur, and he grinned and said, "Well, you're so sweet to say that, Mrs. Otterton. You must have the kindest heart in Zootopia."

Just then, something unexpected happened. The blue, balloon-shaped gem embedded in Clawhauser’s collar began to glow faintly, casting a soft light. Mrs. Otterton gasped and reached into her pocket, pulling out the small, butterfly-shaped gem that radiated a pinkish hue.

“What… what is this?” she whispered, staring at the glowing gem in her paw.

Clawhauser blinked down at his collar, then at the gem in Mrs. Otterton's paw, "Ooh! You've got one too?”

The two then exchanged bewildered looks, the glow of the gems intensifying slightly as if responding to their confusion.

“What does it mean?” Mrs. Otterton asked, her voice tinged with nervous curiosity.

“I have no idea,” Clawhauser admitted, though his usual bubbly tone was now laced with unease. “But… maybe it’s a sign. Something good, maybe?”

The atmosphere in the interrogation room was tense and suffocating. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, casting sharp shadows against the cold, sterile walls. Dawn Bellwether sat casually in her chair, her wool neatly groomed and her tiny hooves cuffed to the table. Despite her position, she radiated smugness, a sweet smile gracing her face as she leaned back in her chair. It looked as if she didn't have a care in the world.

Chief Bogo strode in first, his towering presence filling the room. Nick and Judy followed closely behind, both radiating determination. Judy’s ears were upright and stiff, while Nick somehow still had his usual sly grin combined with a devil-may-care attitude in spite of the situation.

Bogo didn’t waste a second. He slammed his hoof hands on the table, his voice a low growl. “One of your rams just threatened Mrs. Otterton about her husband. Where is he? What have you done with him?”

Bellwether tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, Mrs. Otterton? Such a sweet little pred. She must be worried sick about her dear husband. Maybe you should let Officer Hopps and Officer Wilde do their thing. They’re good at finding him, aren’t they?”

Judy’s fists clenched, and her fur bristled. “Stop playing games, Bellwether! This isn’t some twisted scavenger hunt!”

Nick, ever the smooth operator, stepped forward and gave a slow, sarcastic clap. “You know, Dawn, I’ve got to admit: this scheme of yours? It’s got flair. Kidnappings, mocking attitude, emotional manipulation? Evil genius-level stuff. You must be proud.”

Bellwether chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Oh, please, Wilde. You’re too kind. But spare me the ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine. Or does the police academy use old cop shows to educate its students?”

Judy took a deep breath, reigning in her frustration. She crossed her arms and stared Bellwether down. “Fine. Let’s talk facts. If Emmitt Otterton—or anyone else—is harmed because of your orders or actions, that’s on you. We’re talking decades added to your sentence. You think your little power obsession or vengeance obsession or whatever is worth it? Let him go, Dawn. It's for your own good."

Bellwether actually let out an almost cute sounding giggle, “Oh, how nice of you, Judy! It's just super the way you're trying to frame this interrogation as a favor to me. But don’t worry, the two predators are unharmed—at the moment.”

The room fell silent, her words cutting through the air like a blade.

Bogo narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, ‘two predators’?”

Bellwether simply smiled, her silence speaking volumes. She ignored the question, turning her gaze to Judy. “By the way, Hopps, those scars ‘he’ gave you healed pretty well, didn’t they?”

The words hit Judy like a slap. Her ears folded back as a memory from her childhood flooded her mind. She blinked her eyes as her ears stood up in shock. “What were you doing in Bunnyburrow? What have you done with Gideon? How did you even find out about something that happened over ten years ago?”

Bellwether leaned back, clearly savoring the moment. “Interesting that you care about him. You weren’t so forgiving when you gave your little speech about predators being biologically dangerous and genetically flawed, weren’t you? You said they were 'reverting back to their primitive, savage ways.'”

The dig was too much for Nick. His usual cool demeanor evaporated as he leaned over the table, grabbing a pawful of the wool on Bellwether’s head and pulling her closer. “You need to stop pushing. Now," Nick saud roughly, a growl in the back of his throat, "You don't get to rub her mistakes in her face because you're the one started all this in the first place."

Bellwether didn’t flinch. She merely smiled, her composure eerily unshaken, and said, "Awww!You simply cannot keep your paws off my wool, can't you?"

"The next words out of your big mouth better be where those two are!” Nick snapped as he tightened his grip on her wool. Bogo didn't try to stop him, and he had a feeling the buffalo was so frustrated with this sheep that he'd be okay with anything as long as it didn't physically injure her.

“Oh, you’re feisty today, aren’t you, Wilde? Nice job proving my point, by the way. Force and violence is all you know. You want the address? Fine,” She leaned in, her voice cocky and confident, "1208 Glacier Street. It’s an out of business storage facility in Tundratown. But I’d hurry if I were you. Time is ticking.”

Nick released her with a frustrated growl, stepping back as Bellwether casually adjusted her wool. Judy shot a glance at Bogo, who gave a curt nod. Without another word, the three of them stormed out of the room, leaving Bellwether alone and locked in the room.

She watched them leave, her grin widening. "Good luck," she said to them, although her mind was elsewhere, namely the next phase of her and Discord’s plan.

Arc 2- The Approaching Storm: Part 8- Cascade

The precinct buzzed with tense energy as Nick, Judy, and Bogo reconvened in the bullpen. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered slightly, casting a faintly ominous glow as the chief stood by his desk, arms crossed, his face etched with frustration.

“It doesn’t add up,” Bogo muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “Bellwether and her rams timed everything down to the second. The hostages, the gas, the timer with one minute left—it was all orchestrated flawlessly.”

Judy frowned, feeling every bit like a failure. “Well, at least Tundratown is safe. We still got Bellwether in custody, Gideon and Emmitt are receiving medical care, and we managed to recover the gas canisters,” she sighed, trying to sound optimistic, but her voice lacked conviction.

Nick, leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed, gave a dry chuckle. “Yeah, let’s call that a silver lining. We saved the city and snagged some dangerous toys. They'll give Otterton another shot of antidote, so not a bad day, all things considered.”

Before anyone could respond, Bogo’s phone rang, its shrill tone slicing through the tense atmosphere. He answered it, his deep voice rumbling, “Chief Bogo.” A pause. His brow furrowed, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “What do you mean the antidote isn’t working?”

Judy’s ears perked up, and Nick straightened up. Bogo listened for another moment before hanging up and rubbing his face.

“Cheese and crackers,” Judy whispered, dread creeping into her voice.

“Well, that was the hospital,” Bogo said, his tone grim. “The Nighthowler antidote isn’t working on Emmitt or any of the predators from the Naturalist Club.”

Nick’s face darkened. “Great. Just what we needed— Nighthowler 2.0.”

“We needto get the new formula out of her,” Judy said, her fists clenched, “She's crossed one too many lines now."

BANG!

Officer Wolford burst into the room, panting as if he’d run the entire length of the precinct. “Chief!” he shouted, “Bellwether escaped!”

The air in the room seemed to freeze. Bogo turned to Wolford slowly, his jaw tightening. “What. Did. You. Just. Say?”

Wolford swallowed hard. “We don’t know how she did it, sir! One second she was in the interrogation room, and the next… gone! Vanished! The security cameras went down, and by the time we got them back online, she wasn’t there anymore! And there were officers guarding the room too!”

Bogo’s fists clenched, and for a moment, it seemed like he might punch the desk. Instead, he turned to glare at Nick and Judy, as if daring them to explain this.

“This is impossible,” Judy said, her voice trembling with disbelief. “No one can just vanish into thin air. There had to be someone helping her!”

"The officers never left their post!" Wolford argued, "Everyone was here. Veteran officers! I don’t know how, but they didn't see her!"

Nick threw his paws in the air. “Well maybe Bellwether’s got herself some magic powers. Because that’s the only way this keeps making less sense. First the prison, then the bullpen, and now a guarded interrogation room! Is she a ghost or something?”

"This can't get any worse," Judy muttered.

Nick turned slowly to Judy, looking honestly sad. "Why did you say that?" he asked in a disappointed tone, "Why? Why did you say that?"

As if on cue, the police radios crackled to life, the dispatcher’s voice urgent. “Attention all units, Tundratown has been flooded with Nighthowler gas. I repeat, Tundratown has been flooded with Nighthowler gas. Immediate response required.”

Bogo’s face fell, his jaw hanging open. “WHAT!? We just secured Tundratown! We dismantled that whole operation!”

Heavy footsteps shook the floor as McHorn came charging in from the evidence room, his usual composure replaced with panic. “Chief! The Nighthowler canisters—they’re all gone!”

Judy's heart pounded, her mind racing as she tried to process the information, “But… we just brought them in! How could they—”

“How could any mammal have brought those canisters get all the way back to Tundratown, hook them up, and unleash all of that gas in less than hour!” Bogo exploded, his voice blazing with rage, “This entire precinct is crawling with officers. The only way this makes sense is if every cop in this building was in on it, and I know that's not true.”

Nick rubbed his temples, looking as though he was on the verge of snapping himself. “This is getting ridiculous. I mean, I was joking before, but maybe she really is a witch or something."

"There’s no such thing as magic," Bogo snapped, and grabbed his radio off of his belt and shouted into it, “All units, mobilize to Tundratown immediately. ZPD is en route. We’re containing this now.”

The three of them hurried out, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on their shoulders. As an entire fleet of police cruisers sped toward Tundratown, a big old storm of chaos had finally descended upon Zootopia.

Arc 3- A Big Ol' Storm of Chaos: Part 1- Rumblings

“Good evening, Zootopia. I’m Fabienne Growley.”

“And I’m Peter Moosebridge. Tonight, we begin with breaking news from Tundratown, where chaos has erupted following a mysterious release of Nighthowler gas.”

“That’s right, Peter. Just hours ago, multiple key predator areas were flooded with the dangerous toxin, sending shockwaves through the city. The ZPD is currently struggling to contain the situation, with numerous reports of savage behavior coming in from across Tundratown.”

“The timing of this attack couldn’t be more suspicious. As you may recall, just earlier today, former Assistant Mayor Dawn Bellwether was recaptured by the ZPD after her mysterious escape from prison. However, sources confirm that she has once again evaded custody, leaving authorities baffled.”

“Exactly, Peter. Bellwether’s escape has raised serious questions about the security measures in place. How could a high-profile prisoner simply vanish without a trace? And perhaps more concerning, how did the Nighthowler gas find its way into the heart of Tundratown?”

“The ZPD has yet to provide an explanation. In a statement earlier, Chief Bogo expressed his frustration and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. However, with Bellwether at large and no clear answers, the citizens of Zootopia are left feeling uneasy.”

“This marks a significant blow to the ZPD’s credibility. Public trust in their ability to protect the city is at an all-time low. Many are questioning whether the authorities can truly keep us safe from threats like this.”

“As the situation develops, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Tundratown. For now, residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid the affected areas. We’ll bring you more updates as they come in.”

Back in the dimly lit hideout; Bellwether, Doug, Woolter, and Jesse sat comfortably in front of the television, their smug expressions illuminated by the chaotic scenes unfolding on the news.

Bellwether leaned back in her armchair, a self-satisfied grin spreading across her face. "Look at them," she sneered. "The mighty ZPD have completely lost control, and the city knows it. Fear always works. I told them. I was right all along."

Doug chuckled, nodding in agreement. "You got that right, boss. They’re scared, and easy to control."

Woolter and Jesse exchanged amused glances. "Heh. Cop are so stupid," Jesse remarked as Woolter nodded in agreement.

The room was filled with the sound of now familiar laughter, and from the shadows, the darkened form of Discord began to emerge, his mismatched features casting a surreal and unsettling presence.

"Ah, today's fear," Discord mused, his voice dripping with arrogant pride, "Brought to you by yours truly, the Lord of Chaos. And what a show it has been."

Bellwether and the rams all turned their attention to him, their initial wariness giving way to a begrudging admiration. Jesse, leaning on the back of the couch, smirked. "Gotta admit, Discord, you’re alright in our book. You’ve made all this possible."

Discord’s eyes gleamed with a malevolent sparkle as he floated above them. "And soon, I’ll be able to fully manifest in this world," he purred. "When that happens, Bellwether, you’ll get everything you’ve ever dreamed of."

Bellwether's calculating mind working overtime. She wasn’t one to trust easily, especially when it came to someone who held more power than her. But as of now, Discord was her bread and butter. "So, what exactly do we need to do to bring you fully onboard?" she asked, her voice cool and measured.

Discord grinned, his grin widening unnaturally. "Oh, it’s simple, my dear. Everything will come to fruition during Gazelle’s upcoming. . ." Discord paused, then sighed, ". . .‘Harmony Concert’" He spat the name with obvious disdain, as though the mere idea of harmony was offensive to him.

Jesse raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued, "The Harmony Concert? Kinda surprised she's still going through with it. Anyways, security will be crazy tight. They'll be tons of cops on top of her own private security."

Discord waved a claw dismissively, his chaotic energy crackling in the air. "Security? Pfft. No security can stop the Lord of Chaos. Magic of any kind is a foreign absurd concept in this world. They've already lost to disharmony. They just don't know it yet. Gazelle is playing right into my claws. Her little concert will be my- be our inauguration!"

Bellwether remained thoughtful, her mind dissecting Discord’s words. She knew better than to take anything at face value, especially from someone like him. Yet, the promise of power and the complete collapse of the ZPD and predator kind was too enticing to ignore.

"You won't catch me with my wool off, Discord. I already have a contingency plan."

As Discord’s laughter rang through the room, bouncing off the walls like a rubber ball, Bellwether spoke, her voice resolute, "We’ll be ready. Soon everything will be as it should be."

The Harmony Concert would be their final act, the crescendo of their carefully orchestrated chaos. And with Discord’s chaos magic on their side, they felt invincible.

Arc 3- A Big Ol' Storm of Chaos: Part 2- Anticipation

The streets of Savannah Square were unusually quiet, even for a late evening patrol. The usual hum of nightlife—the chatter from outdoor cafés, the rhythmic footfalls of pedestrians, the distant music spilling from an open car window—was muted, overshadowed by an unspoken tension that gripped the city. The aftermath of the Tundratown attack still lingered in the air like a bad smell.

Inside their patrol cruiser, Nick drummed his claws against the steering wheel, the repetitive tap-tap-tap the only sound breaking the silence between him and Judy. She sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, ears slightly drooped. Nick knew that look very well. Judy was thinking, running through worst-case scenarios in that little bunny brain of hers, and possibly overanalyzing everything in order to come to an answer. Unfortunately, given the impossible things going on, there were no answers. Nick knew this, but Judy wasn't one to accept that.

So, Nick decided to break the ice.

“Hey, Fluff? Has a certain carrot loving godmother heard from Little Judy's mother recently?” he asked, his voice deliberately casual.

Judy sighed, and nodded, “Yes, actually. Fru Fru, called me this morning.”

“And?”

“She and her family are okay, but…” Judy hesitated, ears twitching before she continued, “Those polar bears weren’t. They tore the mansion apart, Nick. The shrews had to hide in a panic room while their own bodyguards went savage right outside the door. She said it was—it was terrifying.”

Nick let out a low whistle, “I bet Mr. Big wasn’t too happy about that.”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Judy muttered. “Fru Fru said he’s put out a bounty: 500 grand for Bellwether dead. One million if they bring her to him alive so he can ice her himself.”

“Well, that’s certainly one way to get justice.”

Judy shot him a glare. “Nick.”

Nick leaned on the steering wheel and shrugged, “Hey, I’m just saying, if Mr. Big happens to get to her before us, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.”

Judy crossed her arms. “That’s not how we do things.”

Nick smirked. “Oh? Funny, I recall us visiting Mr. Big when we needed to get Weaselton to talk.”

“Nick, we were short on time, and we needed to find out where those Nighthowlers went immediately. I still say Mr. Big is in the wrong. But desperate times called for desperate measures,” Judy huffed.

Nick chuckled and shook his head, “And yet, when the big bad shrew wants to hand out some good old-fashioned retribution, that’s where we draw the line?”

Judy frowned, looking out the window, “We have to be better than that. If we let guys like Mr. Big take justice into their own hands, we’re not fixing anything. We need to take Bellwether in—ourselves.”

Nick sighed, tapping the wheel again. “Well, I’ll tell you one thing, Fluff. It’s been way too quiet since Tundratown. I don’t like it.”

Judy turned back to him, her frown deepening. “What do you mean?”

Nick gestured out the window at the mostly empty streets. “Think about it. Bellwether’s been hitting hard and fast. First, she escapes the interrogation room like a ghost. Then, she unleashes Nighthowler gas in Tundratown after we confiscated the canisters. And now? Not a peep. You really think she’s just laying low?”

Judy’s ears drooped slightly. “Maybe. . . she’s lost her momentum.”

Nick snorted. “Come on, Carrots. You and I both know she’s aiming straight for the Harmony Concert.”

Judy shook her head. “I don’t know. That venue is going to be locked down tighter than anything after the Tundratown attack. There’s no way she’d get in.”

Nick arched a brow. “Oh? You mean like how there was no way she could escape a maximum-security prison? Or the ZPD interrogation room? Or how there was no way she could steal back her own Nighthowler stash?”

Judy tensed at that, her foot tapping against the floor of the cruiser as her frustration grew. She hated when Nick was right, especially when she didn’t want him to be.

Nick rubbed his chin with his paw thoughtfully, “Face it, Carrots. Bellwether’s playing by different rules. I’m starting to wonder if she’s some kind of witch or something.”

Judy shot him a look. “Nick, this is serious.”

“I mean, think about it! She’s vanished without a trace twice! She knows things she shouldn’t. She’s always ten steps ahead of us. Maybe she sold her soul to get some kind of dark magic for revenge.”

Judy sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Nick.”

Nick shrugged. “I mean, it would explain a lot.”

Judy groaned, rubbing her temples. “She’s not a witch, Nick.”

"That's exactly what a secret magician's tophat rabbit would say."

Judy gave him a flat stare. “I will throw you out of this car.”

Nick chuckled but dropped the teasing, his smirk fading into something more serious. “Look, all I’m saying is, if I were a tiny, vengeance-obsessed sheep with a grudge against predators and a talent for escaping the inescapable, I’d make my final move at the biggest event in Zootopia. And the Harmony Concert just so happens to be a predator-prey unity event. If she wanted to send a message—one that would send Zootopia into an even bigger panic—what better time to strike?”

Judy clenched her fists, he face set in a hardened expression with ears folded back, “Well then, we can’t just wait around. We need to be there. The entire precinct needs to be there.”

Judy turned and stared out the window, her gut twisting with unease.

Nick was right.

It had been too quiet.

And that only meant one thing.

The storm was coming.

Arc 3- A Big Ol' Storm of Chaos: Part 3- Unwavering

Backstage at the largest amphitheater in Zootopia, Gazelle adjusted the shimmering fabric of her stage outfit in front of a mirror. The Harmony Concert was hours away, and the entire venue buzzed with last-minute preparations. The rhythmic pounding of speakers being tested, the chatter of crew members running through their final checklists, and the distant sound of her tiger backup dancers warming up all created an electric atmosphere.

Yet, despite the excitement, a shadow loomed over the event. She could feel it.

And so could her manager.

The dressing room door swung open with a sharp thunk, and the short but ever-intense figure of Grayson Clawford stormed in with his usual grimace. His salt-and-pepper fur bristled, his sharp claws clicked against his phone as he read through another grim update.

“Gazelle, we need to talk. Now," the honey badger said.

Gazelle sighed before turning to face him. “Grayson, I know that tone. You’re about to tell me to cancel the concert, aren’t you?”

“I’m saying you should do literally anything else that doesn’t involve standing in front of thousands of animals when we know Bellwether’s still out there with her Nighthowler gas," Grayson said incredulously.

“I have faith in the ZPD. And I have my own security detail. Chief Bogo himself approved their plans," Gazelle replied smoothly.

Grayson let out a humorless chuckle, rubbing his temples. “Oh, that makes me feel better. You mean the same ZPD that’s been scrambling to explain how Bellwether escaped custody twice? The same ZPD that swore they confiscated all the Nighthowler gas before it mysteriously reappeared in Tundratown? That ZPD?”

Gazelle’s expression didn’t waver. “I may not be able to explain any of that, but it is hardly reason enough to just lay down and let division and fear win.”

Grayson huffed. “Gazelle, listen. My best instincts are screaming at me to get you to a secure location and keep you there until Bellwether is caught. You don't have to make any public appearances. You can record your message. Stream a performance from your penthouse. Heck, release a single about unity and call it a day. The city loves you, and you don’t need to put yourself in the crosshairs to prove anything.”

Gazelle took a slow breath, then looked Grayson straight in the eye. “No.”

Grayson blinked. “No?”

“No,” she repeated firmly. “I do have to do this. This isn’t just about singing a song or recording a message, Grayson. This city is hurting. It’s afraid. And if I lock myself away, if I hide just because I might be in danger, what kind of message does that send? I'm not going to just hide behind my wealth and success and not do anything. If this city needs me to give myself to heal it, then that is exactly what I will do."

Grayson’s claws flexed anxiously, “Gazelle…”

“I’m not being reckless,” she added, tilting her head slightly. “I know the risks. And if things go wrong, I’m not entirely helpless.”

Grayson arched a skeptical brow. “You sing and do yoga.”

Gazelle smirked. “I also train in Capoeira.”

Grayson stared at her, unblinking. “…Wait, you what?”

Gazelle chuckled, lifting one leg and striking a poised stance before lowering it again. “I said, I’m not entirely helpless. I may be known for my voice, but I can handle myself surprisingly well against a savage predator.”

Grayson pinched the bridge of his snout and groaned. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but… fine. Just promise me you won’t do anything extra reckless, and you'll stay back and get to safety if things go wrong.”

Gazelle’s gaze softened. “I promise to be careful.”

Grayson exhaled, muttering something about needing an entire bottle of aspirin before the night was over. “Alright, alright. Just… I hope we don’t regret this.”

With one final shake of his head, he turned and left the dressing room, leaving Gazelle alone with her thoughts.

For a moment, she simply stood there, breathing in the quiet. Then, something strange happened.

A soft, ethereal glow caught her eye.

She looked down and found the source—the necklace resting just above her chest. A delicate, silver chain held a small, polished purple gem, the one she had found a few days ago. She had thought it was just a beautiful stone, a lucky charm she had decided to wear for the concert.

But now, it was glowing with a deep, pulsing purple light radiated from within, casting faint, swirling patterns against her fur. She reached up and gently touched the stone. It was warm—not uncomfortably so, but with a presence, like it was aware.

She had no idea how or why it was glowing.

But somehow… she took it as a good sign.

Author's Note

Sorry it's been so long without an update, but I've been busy with an original children's chapter book I've been proofreading. Also, the climax of this fanfic is going a spectacle unlike anything you could possible imagine, not to mention the last thing you will ever expect.