Zootopia was a city of great proportions.

It was a place that was built to welcome and house all manners of mammals. As a result, it was a city that was big and bursting with life and movement. One of the qualities that made the city stand out were the climate walls, which were developed as a way of allowing mammals of different climates to live in the city without problems. It was what made Tundratown and Sahara Square possible, as it allowed for mammals of tundra and desert to be able to live in there, as they had access to their right climate.

It also had Rainforest District made out by giant live trees and an artificial irrigation system, which made possible to recreate with perfection the environment of a Rainforest, for the animals accustomed to live there.

Other districts composed the city, including the Canal District, which was made for mammals who had a semi-aquatic lifestyle, like otters and beavers; and also the Nocturnal District, which was famous for being a shadowy place, manner of all kinds of mammals, and also for being the district with the highest crime rate of the entire city.

Each one of these artificial ecosystems interacted with each other, and they allowed for the animals of Zootopia to be able to live in this big city, as they were all hold together by the central part of this city: Savanna Central.

Savanna Central was truly the heart of Zootopia, being the main industrial and residential area of the city. It was the place where resided most of the big buildings and businesses, and it was where all of the animals from the other districts converged during the day or night, before they were to go back to their natural habitats to rest and enjoy their natural place.

It was truly the central piece of the city, once it was at that very place where the ancestors of predator and prey first gathered to live together in harmony (as far as the stories told). It was also where were housed many key buildings of the city, including the City Hall, the Precinct 1 of the ZPD, and the Central Station.

The Central Station, in particular, was something that usually was bursting with life, for it was where all the mammals of the city went to move into the many trains in and out of the city. It was possible to see all types of mammals in there, from residents going into the trains to go into other parts of the city, to all manners of newcomers that came to the city, either to live in it or to make some tourism.

As they walked in, all of them could see the main square of Zootopia, and they were greeted with a bursting city into their view, which welcomed them all into the city. Quite literally, actually, once the main square just outside of the Central Station also counted with a huge digital billboard that showed the likeness of no one other than Gazelle, the Jewel of Zootopia, posing and welcoming anyone who was coming into the city.

Of course, it didn't only showed Gazelle all the time, as this giant billboard also showed other things, like commercials that industries and companies got to show in there by buying some time. It would also occasionally show something interesting that was passing on the channels, which the ones in charge thought was worth showing in such a big place and that was seen by so much mammals.

It was the case of a special interview that the ZNN was showing on that very evening, and that was being televised all over Zootopia, and that was now being showed into that big place for everyone who was walking across Savanna Central.

As it did, it was a matter of time for it to catch the attention of many mammals walking into the street, causing them to look up at the great digital screens to see the interview. In no time there was a huge crowd reunited in Savanna Central. A crowd formed by the many mammals who had left the work and were about to catch the train back home, who were arriving in the city and had their attention caught by the news, or by those who were only walking into Downtown to take care of some other business.

The crowd of mammals watched the interview developing, and each one had their own opinion of what they were seeing and of what was spoke in there. However, their reactions were pretty much consistent as the ferret in the screens spoke about what it meant to be a mage. Then when she explained the differences between magecraft and Magic, culminating into speaking about the ultimate goal of all mages to one day reach the "Swirl of the Root". Also, they continued all showed a great deal of interest when she explained about the Association, about their laws and policies.

The interview was turning out to be fascinating, as the entire crowd seemed to be almost hypnotized as they looked at the giant digital billboards.

"[i]After all.[/i]" The ferret on the digital screens said, a smile in her muzzle. "[i]We are still mages, and we need to have at least a few secrets.[/i]"

The mammals looked at the screen, some of them recording it in their cellphones, while others talked among themselves about all that was said up until now. Meanwhile, the interview continued:

"[i]So, I guess this was basically all that this interview could cover… But, before we end, there is one more thing I need to ask to you, if you think you can answer…[/i]" The vixen, Victoria Vulpen, said to the ferret, and her face was serious, and the face fo the ferret also had become serious, especially when the vixen said to her:

"[i]I want to ask you about the [bi]Darkest Hour[/bi]…[/i]" the vixen said, and silence took hold of everything.

All the mammals in the crowd were now on their toes as they looked into the screens, looking and listening carefully.

"[i]Well, it is a question that I feel I need to ask.[/i]" The vixen said, as both her and the ferret had a serious expression in their faces as they appeared together in the screen. "[i]After all, it seems that it all started on the day that disaster happened with Fangtropolis.[/i]"

The crowd continued to look, as the vixen on the screen continued.

"[i]Now, Zillah.[/i]" The vixen said, "[i]Can you tell us if that event was caused by mages?[/i]"

"[i]I'm not accusing you or your people of having done that on purpose, and neither I want to use it against you in any way.[/i]" The vixen clarified, as she continued to look at the ferret, "[i]But it is a question that I have to ask, because it is a source of great debate among everyone, from conspiracy theorists to more… serious individuals.[/i]"

The vixen had a serious expression, but at the same time it was friendly, as if she was trying to support the ferret, as she continued:

"[i]Everyone is saying that mages had something to do with that. That they had somehow caused that. Truth is, we are not sure of what was that event that was the start of it all, in the opinion of a few. So you, who are a mage, could clarify everything to us." [/i]She asked, and the ferret continued to look at her with a sad, somber look.

The crowd was now holding its breath, as they waited for the question to be truly asked, and possibly answered by someone who could actually say something for sure about the matter.

"[i]Zillah…[/i]" Vicky said, "[i]What happened in Fangtropolis? Did mages had anything to do with that?[/i]"

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That was a good question.

It was one that Zillah preferred to avoid, but it was a good one.

Of course Victoria Vulpen was going to ask that question. Of course she would ask something that everyone had been asking themselves for a while now.

The Darkest Hour truly [i]was[/i] the start of everything. It was the moment when the world first witnessed the clues that magecraft was real, and it was, according to the website, the reason why they wanted to expose magecraft, for it all began with the Darkest Hour.

There were all kinds of theories that were going on about what that event actually was, but it seemed that everyone had agreed that the event was somehow caused by mages. They just didn't knew how exactly mages related to what had happened, and this, of course, opened room for a lot of speculation, some of it actually quite reasonable, and some of it just sheer non-sense. But most of it seemed to be putting mages into a worse light, as they said that it was rather an experiment or even that they did it for fun.

Zillah didn't liked that question, in part because she had saw that event through television like everyone, and it was not something pleasant to see. She didn't liked it because it would bring about something that others might find a way to twist and to use it to make the situation even worse.

However, Zillah knew that if she did not answered such a direct and meaningful question, it would be worse. It would be clear that she was hiding something very specific about the event, and this would open room for more speculation and mistrust. However, she knew that if she told them everything, it would implicate very serious repercussions, for there were a lot of things that she knew that was better to keep secret.

At least for now.

She knew she could not dodge the question, but she also knew that explaining everything would raise many more questions.

So, Zillah had made a decision. She was going to tell what she could.

"That event…" The ferret girl said, "The one which everyone is referring to as 'Darkest Hour', was the result of magecraft getting out of control."

"So, it [i]was[/i] caused by mages?" Vicky asked, and Zillah looked at her for a few moments, before she sighed.

"It was caused by a group of mages." Zillah explained. "But, I really don't believe that any of them ever wanted that to happen. It was just a result of everything going out of control."

"Everything what?" Vicky asked, "Was it some kind of ritual? What were these mages doing to provoke such a thing to happen?"

Zillah looked at her, and then at the camera, and she was wondering what everyone who saw it would think. Well, she was going to explain it the best way she could, for all of them.

So, she took a deep breath, and started explaining:

"As I already explained, there is magecraft, which can be practiced in day to day life by any mage who has enough skill. However, there is a higher class of mystery, something that is considered an essential step into reaching True Magic. We refer to them as [bi]Greater Rituals[/bi], but we also call them simply [bi]High Thaumaturgy[/bi]."

Zillah made a pause, as if to let everyone who was hearing her, and who would hear her, to absorb the information.

"This level of mystery is considered to be only one or two steps away of being on the level of Sorcery, being the 'ultimate challenge' that is needed to attain the power that can come from True Magic. They are the culmination of centuries, or even millennia of studies and preparations, until they became something that could be actualize and used by the most powerful among us."

"These types of mystery diverge from common magecraft not only for their power and for what they can achieve, but also by the fact that they require preparation, as they need specific and long rituals, require a great deal of power… and for the fact that the greatest of them cannot be performed by a single mage alone."

Another silence followed these words, as Vicky looked at the ferret, expecting the next words that she was going to say, and Zillah continued:

"Four months ago" the ferret mage said, "A group of mages gathered in the city of Fangtropolis. Their goal was to perform a High Thaumaturgy ritual that possessed an amazing power, and if completed, would grant to someone a power beyond belief, maybe even allowing them to acquire True Magic."

"And, this ritual was what caused the Darkest Hour?" Vicky asked, although she already knew the answer.

"Yes, it did." Zillah admitted. "Although, it was never supposed to do anything like that… at least in theory."

"So, it means something went wrong…" Vicky concluded, and she looked at the ferret, "Could you tell us what it was?"

The ferret looked at her for a moment or two, before continuing:

"Not really… I only know this ritual from rumors and gossip, but I know that it involves a lot of factors that are unpredictable in and on themselves, and there is actually a great chance of it running out of control and producing unpredictable results." Zillah explained, and she continued:

"I cannot tell what went wrong, but I can tell that the event that happened in Fangtropolis, the one that resulted in the destruction of the city and all of those deaths, was because the ritual went out of control. That is really all that I can say."

Vicky was silent for a few moments, and she then continued:

"So it was all an accident?" The vixen asked the ferret. "All of that? All of these deaths? All of the disaster that was transmitted live on television for everyone was the result of a mistake made during the realization of a ritual?"

Another silence followed this, as Zillah reflected on what to say. However, she knew that she had to say something.

"Magecraft is a field of study." She said, "And as any field of study, it has space for experimentation and development. This also means that it has space for error and failure. This ritual that they performed was first created centuries ago, and in the times it was performed… well, let's just say that this ritual has always been one that was difficult to control, and sometimes there have even been debates that this ritual should be forbidden."

"But, I guess that the promise of power that the ritual gave was something that was far too good for it to be forbidden." Zillah continued, sighing, "Mages are ambitious, as you must have already realized by what I told you, and a ritual that would allow them to have the power to do anything they please truly is something that we all dream about. Some of us even desire to achieve this power for noble causes, but in the end, we all search for power."

"That is part of being a mage." Zillah concluded. "And that was the reason why those mages gathered and performed that ritual. That was the reason why they all took a risk in performing such a dangerous and unpredictable ritual. That was how it all went out of control, and resulted in a disaster that costed many lives."

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As the interview progressed, everyone was watching it.

We are not only talking about the general public, but also some mammals who also deal with this kind of thing.

Yes, other newspapers and other news channels were watching the interview. After all, these things were not so competitive that they would completely ignore what the competitors were doing, especially if they were as influent as the ZNN and if they were providing a story as interesting as that one.

Many channels had their eyes on the exclusive story that the ZNN was presenting, many of them were a mess as they were now looking at what they were going to do to reflect what was happening. Yes, because they could no longer beat the ZNN in the news, but they could look for presenting the story as well, for their own loyal public.

Of course, it was demanding a lot of focus and hard work from them.

On Channel 8, for instance:

"Where the hell is the science guy?" Someone screamed.

"Have they finished writing down the story now?" Someone else said loudly, "We need to start presenting right after the ZNN does! Two minutes later, at most!"

"Do we have some graphics ready?"

"Why graphics?"

"I don't know! They say that anything is better with graphics!"

The main office of Channel 8 was a mess, as mammals were running from side to side as they were looking for someone, taking something to someone, or looking to do something. Some of them were screaming at each other. They were all looking to have it in order so they could match the ZNN when it was their turn to explain that story.

Of course, all the while, there was a television in there that was showing the ZNN in real time, allowing them to see the interview as it was transmitted. Some mammals had reunited in there as they watched the news unfold.

Among them, there were three in particular that were looking with interest at the news that were being presented.

"I still can't believe it." Jasmine said, as the zebra looked at the screen.

"So, the whole thing was caused by some mages who screwed up with a ritual they were doing, huh?" Gilda said; she was looking with a lot of interest at the news, along with a few others in there.

"And so many have died in that… And all because someone wanted more power! This is absurd!" Jasmine said, and Gilda sighed.

"Not that surprising, actually." The bear said, "If there is one thing that I learned that is that there are a lot of mammals out there who only want to benefit themselves, no matter who has to take the fall. This is a sad reality of the world, and it seems that it also applies to mages."

Jasmine didn't answered, and Gilda continued.

"Well, it seems that it is finally officially confirmed that the Darkest Hour was an event of supernatural origins… Guess the boss will finally stop pulling your tail, Henry."

The dog didn't said anything in return, as he only continued to look at the screen. He was looking with a lot of interest, as well as the rest of the ones in there, and all the while, he was quiet. Unusually quiet for a mammal like himself. This caused Gilda to be a little suspicious…

Meanwhile, the interview continued, and the mammals who were gathered around the tv continued to watch it. Either so they would know better the story when it was their turn to present it, or to sate their own personal interest. All the while the rest of the guys in Channel 8 got ready to go along the ride of this very special and game-changing story…
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"I see… well, I guess that can be understood, almost…" Vicky said, taking in everything that Zillah had just told. "But, that does not changes the fact that this ritual that they done costed the lives of eight million innocent mammals. Male, female and kits alike." Vicky continued, and she looked at the ferret.

"There are laws about killing others in moonlit world, right? This means that if these mammals have caused all of these deaths, even if by accident, then they will need to answer for all of this, right?"

Zillah looked at the vixen as she made that question, and she knew that the vixen was right, she nodded.

"Yes, indeed. From what I've heard, the Council has already decided to emit sealing designations for all of them. If they are ever spotted and caught by the Enforcers, then they are sure to face the worst type of punishment for the event that they caused… that is, if they are alive."

"Oh, you mean they might have died in the event they caused themselves?" Vicky asked, and Zillah looked back at her.

"Would that be a surprise?" She asked. "After all, everyone saw just how terrible was that disaster. It would not really be a surprise that the mages who performed the ritual have lost their lives…" Zillah said, and Vicky thought for a moment that she could notice something strange in the way that the ferret said that, but she had not time to reflect on that, for Zillah soon was continuing her reasoning:

"The Association has been keeping an eye for any signs of these mages. They have been following their footsteps, and they even contacted and monitored their clans, as to see if they would try to reach for them, but they have not made any contact with them ever since… There was even an Enforcer in Fangtropolis that was sent to supervise the ritual and keep watch in those mages, but he also has not been heard about ever since… All of them are considered missing. Many are even considering them dead…"

Vicky nodded at this, and she decided to continue with the interview.

"I see… so, I guess that you cannot really tell us what went wrong in the ritual, once you weren't there."

Zillah looked at her, and she sighed.

"Yeah, it is really hard to say what goes on in events like that." The ferret continued. "I cannot tell you exactly what went wrong in the ritual, but I can tell for sure that it was because the mages started to fight each other."

"Fight each other?" Vicky asked, "You mean, in the middle of the ritual?"

"It is actually something expected." Zillah admitted, and she looked as if she was admitting a shameful thing. "Mages don't work well together, sometimes not even with their own relatives. Of course, this ritual involves mages getting together and working in a team to reach a great goal, but eventually it ends into mages turning on each other."

"I can tell you some pretty gory stories of mages who have turned on each other, fighting each other and trying to cheat and defeat each other only so they could get the benefits all for themselves, especially in rituals like that." Zillah said it to her. "Actually, I can tell you for sure that the mages who have reunited in there were already prepared to fight each other so only one of them could benefit from the ritual."

"Wow…" was all that Vicky was capable of saying in answer to this. She took a few more moments to be able to find out the words to continue the interview:

"Well, sorry, but this does not makes a lot of sense to me." The vixen admitted. "I mean, why work together in this ritual if they would end up fighting each other? Couldn't they all work together to the end and all of them get the benefits?"

Zillah looked at her for a moment, and she sighed.

"This is not how it works among mages." Zillah said, "We are ambitious and envious, and if we see a benefit, most of us will want to get it all for ourselves. Most mages are like that. That is sad, but it is truth."

Vicky was a bit silent at this.

"I guess I can understand but, fighting each other for it?"

"Mages always fight each other." Zillah said to her. "Ever since the old times, mages tended to solve their problems through violence. Even in modern day, duels are pretty common among mages, and seen as a way of solving disputes and personal issues."

Vicky was a bit taken back by this revelation. She looked at the ferret, and soon she was asking:

"Duels? You mean… mages actually fight themselves as a normal thing?"

"It is considered part of our lives." Zillah said, "One of the factors that helps rank a mage is how well they can use their magecraft in combat. This is something that comes from the old times when mages could be killed at any moment by their enemies, so all mages have at least a bit of combat training…" Zillah stopped for a moment, and she chuckled. "I remember something that my grandfather told me once: '[i]Zillah, a mage cannot be considered a fully matured mage until they have had at least one duel in their lives[/i]'."

Vicky looked at her for a few moments, as this kind of information was meaningful.

"So… these duels are something common?" She looked at the ferret "In these duels, it is normal for a mage to fight with all they have? Is it normal for someone to end up seriously hurt?"

"Sometimes…" Zillah said, "Of course, the times have changed since the Codex. Duels still take place among mages, but there are now regulations for the duels to minimize the chance of things going bad. But, even with all of these preparations, sometimes things get out of paw. There is a lot of stories of accidents and 'unfortunate developments' during duels, in which a mage might suffering serious wounds, or even dying."

That last part deeply unsettled Vicky.

"Dying? You mean mages die in duels? But, the Codex…"

"The Codex forbids murder." Zillah explained. "But, a fight between mages is still considered a battle that involves risks from the beginning. It is a loophole in the Codex that was never truly closed. The thing is that a duel is a battle in which both mages go already knowing they will be putting their lives on the line, and that it is either one or the other. So, if someone ends up dying in a duel, it is considered just a fatality, but not really a murder, according to our laws."

"Now, mages in general respect all of the rules set off to make the duels the safest possible for both parts. But still, you can still hear stories in which one or both of them have gotten carried away…"

Vicky looked at her in silence, as her mind was processing what she had just heard. Zillah sighed, as this kind of reaction was to be expected.

"Yeah, mages get involved in much more combats and troubles than the regular mammal." The ferret continued. "It is just one of the things that makes our lives so difficult."

"Oh…" Vicky said, "So, it seems that being a mage is to live with some problems."

"You can say it is the price we pay for our powers." The ferret said to her. "To live as a mage is to live a certain kind of life. One that is filled with it's own kinds of griefs and problems. Problems that can easily take a tool on someone who is not really made for them. Sometimes, even if you are truly made for this life, you can easily have a shadow cast in your soul by what you will go through."

"Is it really so bad?" Vicky asked, and Zillah looked back at her.

"My grandfather passed away when I was seven." Zillah spoke to her. "He spend his last days bedridden, and speaking a lot of his regrets and griefs… Just the day before his death, he called me to talk to him, and asked me if I wanted to buy his soul… Who asks that to a seven year old?"

Vicky could not really answer that. Still, she could get a good picture of what Zillah was trying to paint. Or so she thought…

"Not to mention the thing with the Magic Crests." Zillah continued, and Vicky looked at her.

"Oh, you mean the greatest treasure of the mage families?"

Zillah nodded at the vixen. "I already explained how they have magic knowledge imprinted in them, and that it passes down to us, right?"

The vixen nodded, and the ferret continued:

"Well, the thing is, this knowledge is not all that gets imprinted in it." Zillah explained. "When I was ten, I started to have nightmares with mammals trying to get away from a building on fire. I had very vivid nightmares with mammals on flames and dying. I used to wake up in tears and drenched in sweat nearly all night for two months. Only later I understood that the dream was not really a dream, but a memory."

"A memory?" Vicky asked. "You mean you have been in a fire before?"

"No." Vicky said, "But my grandfather was. It was before he found out he was a mage, and the building where he lived with his family suffered a criminal fire, and he barely escaped."

Vicky looked at her, and her sharp mind made the connection of this with what the ferret had already said.

"So… you received your grandfather's memories through the Magic Crest?"

"They carry memories along with the magical knowledge, sometimes." Zillah explained. "But, more than that, they also carry emotions."

"If you don't achieve your goals in this life, or if you have a lot of regrets, if you carry guilt over something you've done, or if you are just frustrated with the world and all that happens, this kind of thing impregnates the Magic Crest." The ferret said, "The Magic Crest carries not only the knowledge, but also the frustrations, regrets and griefs of those who came before me. They passed it all down to me and, as a mage, I have the duty of having at least one kit, one descendant to whom pass my Magic Crest." She passed for a while.

"You know, it is actually no farfetched to call a Magic Crest a cruse that is passed down inside a lineage of mages." The ferret said, and she looked at this.

"So, they are a treasure as much as they are a burden." Vicky said, seemingly to herself as much as to Zillah, and the ferret nodded.

"Yeah, not to mention when some start to fight for it."

"Oh?"

"There can only be one heir to a Magic Crest." Zillah explained. "Of course, there are occasions in which a Magic Crest can be split between one or more heirs, but doing so divides the power it contains, and it will cause the power of the clan to diminish as it is split between multiple branches. That is why the tradition is that the Magic Crest will belong to a single heir, which will be the oldest or the most talented. This one will become the head of the clan, the holder of all of their secrets and of their legacy."

"And, the other candidates might not like it?" Vicky asked, and Zillah nodded.

"Among mages, the greatest of all tragedies is when siblings start to fight each other for the Magic Crest. This is the kind of thing that can easily become bloody, and they can destroy relationships and break families forever."

"Wow… that's heavy." Vicky said, and the ferret looked back at her, as the vixen continued.

"It really seems that mages have difficult lives thanks to their magecraft."

"Yeah, we sure do." Zillah confirmed. "Most of us are used to this, as we know this as the only life we have, and we don't really wish for any other. But, some don't handle it. Some are just not cut up to this kind of life, and this makes them give up."

"Give up…" Vicky said, looking at her with a sense of dread. "You mean… suicide?"

Zillah looked at her surprised. "Oh! No, that's not what I mean." The ferret soon was clarifying, "I mean, some actually do that, but most will try and become [bi]ex-mages[/bi] before going that far."

"Ex-mages?" Vicky said, "You mean, giving up being a mage? You can do that?"

"Choosing to explore magecraft is a choice." Zillah explained. "It is not like the species you were born. I mean, you will always have Magic Circuits if you were born with them, but you can choose to stop using them."

"Some do make this kind of decision." Zillah said. "There are some individuals like that around. They have decided that the life of a mage was not for them, and they decided to give up on magecraft."

"Sometimes is because of a personal decision. Other times it is because they have decided that they were done with mystery and the supernatural, and others it was for reasons that go beyond themselves." Zillah explained to her, "But, sometimes a mage can decide that they no longer want anything to do with magecraft and all that comes from it. So, they renounce magecraft."

"I see…" Vicky said to her, "And, this means that they will forever give up using magecraft?"

"Unless the situation is so dire that they need to use it, or that they someday change their minds." Zillah explained. "Other than that, yes. They stop studying, abandon their clans and vow never to get involved with magecraft or anything of supernatural ever again."

"Of course, individuals like that are not seen with good eyes by most of the mage community, as they are considered individuals who have turned their backs on their legacies and on their pride as mages. They are considered cowards and renegades that chose to give up all that it meant to be a mage to live as non-mages. They are vulgarly known as [bi]quitters[/bi], but it is quite a rude thing to be called."

"Personally… I kind of understand them." Zillah said, "The life of a mage is not a nice one. You must dedicate yourself fully to your craft day and night. You have a duty with your family above all else. You will be expected to work and study to improve yourself and your magecraft to a perfect form, in detriment of your personal relationships and desires. You will also have to deal with all of the political dances that come with being part of the world of magecraft. It is the kind of thing that some are just not able to handle. It is not because they are weak, or because they are cowards, is just that they were not made for this world, and as a result, they just decided to leave it."

"There is nothing wrong with it." Zillah said, and Vicky nodded as she agreed with her.

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The interview was being transmitted, and it was not only to Zootopia.

The ZNN was something that focused mostly in the city of Zootopia, was which was practically a government on its own, but it was also transmitted to many other places, including the neighborhood areas, including the Meadowlands and Outback Island. Not only that, but it was also transmitted to other neighbor areas, like the area of the TriBurrows, which included the Deerbrook County. It also reached the hometown of a certain bunny cop: BunnyBurrow.

In there, there was a family of bunnies that was watching the interview as it unfolded, as they first had their attention called to it when someone accidentally changed channels into the ZNN, and they soon got caught up into what was being show.

Soon, the older ones were getting interested in it as they watched, and they were calling the younger ones, who were calling their brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles and aunties. Now there was a real gaggle of bunnies gathered in front of the television.

It was pretty much like it was in the night of the Darkest Hour, when they witnessed the disaster, but luckily, it seemed that this time none of the Hopps family was going to be left traumatized by what they were seeing in there.

They watched with a lot of interest to the development of the interview, as they followed it as if it was the latest episode of their favorite series. The reactions were pretty much the same as well.

They all reacted with wonder as the ferret had explained on the nature of magecraft. They showed some emotion when she explained of their laws. They seemed to be really surprised when she explained the power dynamics of the Association.

"That's so…. WOW!" Someone among the bunnies of the Hopps family said.

"I've always believed that magic was real!" Someone else said, "I mean, deep down I always had this suspicion. The world is just too chaotic and varied for magic not to be a thing."

"Yeah, but the ferret lady said that magecraft is different from magic." One of the younger kits said. Some were forced to agree with this.

There were all kinds of comments like that going on among the many Hopps siblings, cousins and other relatives. Including when the ferret and vixen started to talk about the Darkest Hour. In this moment, the room grew more silent and the bunnies in general looked properly more somber.

They all heard what was said about the matter, and soon, there were more mammals in there talking about the subject.

"So, mages actually did that…"

"I hope these guys were the first to be swallowed by the mud."

"Why did they ever wanted to do this ritual if they knew it was dangerous? They were great idiots."

The interview continued, with Zillah talking about how mages fought each other, and how they shouldered the griefs and problems of their ancestors, and how siblings sometimes fought each other for the right to be an heir.

"Hope we never get to fight each other over inheritance like that." A bunny said.

"Yeah, sounds like a hard life." Someone said, and others agreed.

"It sounds like mages do like to battle. I really hope they never come to challenge [i]me[/i] for a duel."

"You wouldn't last ten seconds against a mage."

"This makes you think if having magical powers is actually worth it…"

"To be able to do stuff like what that ferret did with the fire? It sure does!"

"I don't think I would make it."

The bunnies in the room talked to each other over the subject, while the interview continued. Among them, a pair of bunnies was sitting in the couch, along with other bunnies, and they were too looking at the television.

"Sweet cheese and crackers…" Stu said as he looked at the television, having heard all that the ferret had said. "Mages surely don't have it easy. Don't you think, Bonnie?" He asked to his wife, who was sitting by his side, also looking at the television, along with her husband and all of their big family.

"Yeah…" Bonnie Hopps said, looking at the television. "They absolutely haven't…"

To anyone who heard it would seem like a common commentary about what she was seeing and hearing in the interview, but someone who knew her and paid attention to her face would see that she had a… curious expression while she looked at the screen.

[center]**********************[/center]

"Well… it all is really interesting…" Vicky said, mentally recapitulating all that it had been said. They covered about mages, about magecraft, about the Association and about the Darkest Hour, which was pretty much everything.

"Do you think there is any other thing that you think that the public should know?" Vicky asked her, "Something that you feel like sharing with everyone?"

Zillah took a moment to think of it, while Vicky and the camera both were focused on her, with anticipation. Finally, the ferret said:

"Well, I guess I already said all that I could and needed to say." The ferret admitted. "All that was most important, I mean…"

"I see…" Vicky said, "Well, then I guess this would be the end of this interview… do you have some final comments? Or some last thing that you would like to say for the camera before we end this?"

Zillah looked at her for a few moments, and she once more was thinking.

Something she wanted to say…

"Yes…" Zillah said, "Actually, there is."

With this, the ferret was now looking at the camera. More than this, she was looking at all of the mammals who would be looking back at her through the screens of their televisions once that interview aired.

"I want to speak to… well, everyone…" Zillah said as she looked at the camera. "Things are crazy now. Everyone is on their toes and edgy because of all that is going on… The destruction of the city, the videos, the attacks and protests… It is all enough to make anyone be on their nerves with everything, and maybe with everyone…"

Zillah made a small pause, and she looked up.

"But… we cannot let fear and hatred take hold of us and make us act like that!" She spoke. "To all mages, I know that things are difficult, and that all that is happening now is something that none of us ever wanted to happen, and something that many of us never thought that we were going to have to face."

"We are facing a change in our world, now that keeping secret is no longer possible… but we cannot let this defines how we are going to act. [i]We[/i] must define how we are going to act, and as mammals who dedicate their lives to finding the truth and to understanding the world, we need to use our reason, and not to surrender to our feelings."

"The world has changed, and we need to understand that and to accept that things have changed. We have to adapt to this new reality, and to take it as it comes. All the while, we must keep our minds calm and our hearts in the right place."

As she spoke, the camera focused on her, giving a close up of her face.

"The same goes for the non-mages." She continued. "I know that you are all scared with what is going on, but you cannot let fear take hold of you and turn into hatred, because it will only make it worse for everyone. The world is changing, and it is hard to accept, but please, don't go thinking that all mages are dangerous monsters and that we all should be locked away or persecuted like in the middle ages. It is the 21st century, for crying out loud!"

"I know that it is hard not to be insecure with someone who has skills that you can only dream about." Zillah said, "I know that it is hard to accept a great change in reality. I know that it is hard to trust into someone who has remained hidden for a very long time, and about whom you know nearly nothing about. Still, I'm asking you all to give us a chance."

"Yes, there are some who use the mystic arts for wrong means. There are some who have absolutely no regards for the lives of others or that actually take pleasure with the suffering of others. But you all have to agree that this is not something that is exclusive to mages. There are all kinds of mammals in this world, both mages and non-mages, who have evil in their hearts, and who will hurt others for one reason or another."

"Yes, we do things that mammals should be not able to do. Yes, we have our own versions of justice and morals that might actually differ from your own. Yes, we are very curious and very powerful mammals. But still, we are only mammals." Zillah said, "We have doubts, we have dreams, we have aspirations. We feel anger, we feel fear, we feel sadness. We have needs of our own. Apart from our magecraft, you will find out that we are actually not very different from you."

"That is why I ask you to give us a chance." Zillah continued, and she looked at the camera, imagining that she was looking at the faces of all mammals who would be watching this. "We have been living hidden for centuries now. We have been in this world just as long as you have. We have had a lot of bumps in the way, but we do have our own laws in order to correct or behavior. We are more mature than the mages of old, who did what they wanted and had absolutely no regard for the lives of non-mages."

"That is why we ask you to give us a chance to live in this world by your side. To share the world with you. To be able to live our lives in peace, free from persecutions or the worries that come from being hunted and hated."

"I know that some among you don't feel that we deserve a chance. You probably have the right to, in relation to what I revealed today about the criminals among mages and about the Darkest Hour. Still, I assure you that not all mages are like that. We just want to continue our studies in peace, and we won't represent a danger to the world the way we are now."

"So, if you are listening to this, I ask you… I really ask you." Zillah said, looking at the camera "Please, just give us a chance."

[center]**********************[/center]

Mammals of all kinds were watching the interview, from the most humble ones in the poorest areas, to the ones in the noblest areas of the city. Among them, some people of the great Palm Hotel in Sahara Square. It was a place where many important mammals were as tenants and, among them, one in particular was of particular fame and prestige.

Gazelle was wearing comfortable clothes of pink coloration while she was sitting in her couch and watching the tv. She was among the many mammals who had become very interested in the interview, and was following this in real time.

She saw it from beginning to ending, and she was with someone in there. It was Tyson, one of the four brothers who were her dancers/bodyguards. He was kind enough to make her company while the others went off to run some errands. The four brothers were dear friends of Gazelle, and they have been with her from the very beginning of her career. Tyson, in particular, was very close to her, as he was a very good and dear friend to her.

He was by her side during all of the interview, and he had remained silent while they both watched.

"Wow…" Tyson finally said, as the ferret finished her plea on the television. "This ferret really has a way with words, don't her?"

"Yeah… she sure has." Gazelle said, and they both remained in silence for a few moments as the interview was being closed.

"So… what she just said about mages…" Tyson asked, "What do you think?"

Gazelle was in silence for a while, and she finally said:

"I really believe in her."

Tyson looked at her.

"She looked really sincere in her words." Gazelle said, "And I totally agree with her that we should not let fear control us. I mean, if they have lived among us for so long, then I guess that they deserve to be given a chance."

Yes. Of course Gazelle would be like that. She was a mammalitarian above all else. She fought for the rights of all mammals, no matter species or origin. All of her speeches about acceptance and tolerance, about embracing differences and living together in harmony, she truly believed in every single one of them. Tyson, who was so close to her, knew that very well.

"So, you really are willing to give mages a chance?" He asked.

"I sure are." Gazelle comfirmed. "Well, I am quite surprised with it all, I guess. But if mages truly are just trying to live their lives, then I guess that they do deserve a chance. After all, they [i]are[/i] only mammals."

Tyson nodded at this, and remained in silence for a while. Suddenly, he grabbed the remote and muted the television.

"Wha- Tyson?" Gazelle said, turning to him. The tiger turned back to her, and he had an expression on his face that made Gazelle know that it was serious.

"Maria…" Tyson said, calling her by her actual name, and this confirmed to the popstar that it was indeed serious. "There is something I need to talk to you about…"

[center]**********************[/center]

That appeal was truly sincere in Vicky's ears, and it was heartfelt. That much the vixen could actually say. It was honest and it came from the ferret's heart. It seemed like the perfect way to end this interview.

She placed a paw in her shoulder. The ferret looked at her, and an exchange of looks was all that it took for the two females come into a mutual understanding.

"Thank you for sharing everything with us, Zillah." Vicky said, and she turned to the camera, which once more had a wide angle and could catch both of them, before it once more focused into the vixen:

"Well, I guess this is it." Vicky said to the camera. "I am Victoria Vulpen, of the ZNN, and you have all just watched an interview with a mage. Thank you for watching."

And, with this simple farewell, the interview came to an end.

[center]**********************[/center]

"Best. Interview. Ever." Cameron said, as the beagle was holding a cup of coffee and a pack of peanut butter crackers. "Do you think that they will give us all a raise? I mean, we all helped in the interview."

"Well, I hope to at least receive some credit for directing you guys into what to do." Natalie said, as the skunk sipped from her own cup of coffee. By her side, Jeremy was eating some fish sticks.

"Yeah, and I helped with the sound! You all saw how it came out really fine, didn't you?"

"It was a team effort." Vicky said, as everyone in the table turned to her, looking away from the television. "After all, if it wasn't for you guys, I would not have been able to make this interview. Thanks a lot guys."

"Yeah, just don't forget about us when they are giving you a prize." Said Larry, as the beaver soon after was munching on a thing he had ordered, which somehow looked like a miniature log, but it was made of chocolate and that he munched on with his big front teeth, taking chunks of it inside his mouth and chewing.

"Don't worry, I do give others their due credit. Unlike [i]other[/i] mammals." Vicky said, as her tone became just a bit heavier in there. However, Vicky was able to quickly suppress the feeling of resentment that had built in her mind when she taught about [i]that guy[/i]. Now was just not the time, now was a moment of celebration.

"So, to one of the best interviews that this century has seem until now!" Vicky said, raising her coffee cup. "Cheers!"

"Cheers!" All of the four mammals in the table joined her in her toast, as they knew that it was deserved.
[center]**********************[/center]

"So, there is a prize for reporters?" Cameron asked as he finished setting down the camera and getting ready to put it back into the car.

"Yeah, there is a Lemmy for News." Natalia said.

"Think we all will get one as well?"

"Normally they give it just to the reporter."

"But we are getting something, right?" Cameron insisted. "I mean, we all helped into the interview."

"Yeah, we sure did." Jeremy said as he finished dealing with the sound equipment, as he and all the other three helped prepare for them to go. Meanwhile, Vicky was still talking with Zillah.

"Yeah, that surely was a story. Thank you so much." Vicky said, and Zillah smiled back at her.

"Don't mention it. I do hope this can boost your career, Ms. Vulpen."

"Call me Vicky." The vixen said, "So, I guess that the interview is going to be aired pretty soon, as soon as we finishing make some editing."

"Editing?"

Vicky soon turned to her. "Oh, we are not altering it or anything!" She was quick to say in her own defense. "We are just going to work on the image and sound to make it better for television, as well as cutting some parts from when we were begging and from after we ended, to make it more professional. It is standard procedure."

"Its okay." Zillah said to her. "You promised me that my words wouldn't be distorted, and I trust in you."

Vicky nodded at her.

"I'm glad you do… still, why did you decided to give this interview… and why give it to me?"

Zillah looked at her up and down, as if she was evaluating her, and she smiled warmly.

"Well, recently I have come across someone who made me think that it was time to not just be a witness in all that was happening." The ferret said, and she had a smile on her face. "This mammal has convinced me that I should go and try to make a difference… to make the world a better place. And a way to do that was to explain to everyone what was going on."

She looked at the vixen, and she said:

"As for why I chose you… well, let's say I have a [i]good eye[/i] for knowing the best person for certain jobs, and you turned out to be the best person. Dedicated to your work. Completely compromised with the truth. And someone who understands what it is like to be looked down by the ones around you because of your species. You seemed to be the best individual to whom give this interview and, to be totally honest…"

Zillah looked at her for a moment before continuing:

"I really like your face. You seemed to be nice and I kind of liked you as soon as I saw you. I had the feeling that you were someone who deserved to have this interview, so I decided to give it to you."

The vixen listened intently to all that was being said by the ferret, and she couldn't help but feel a little proud of herself due to what the ferret had said about her. It was a good stroke in the ego for anyone, and Vicky would be lying if she said she didn't liked being appreciated.

"Yeah, thanks for that." Vicky said, being completely sincere in this "Honestly, I wouldn't even need to distort anything. This interview is surely going to make a thing for my career… if they let me present it."

Zillah looked at her, and she said:

"Tell will, if you take it to your boss directly."

"Yeah, I plan to. I wanna see the look on his face when he found out that I managed to-"

"Vicky, I am serious. You need to take it directly to your boss first thing tomorrow." Zillah insisted, making the vixen look at her face and she that she was truly being serious. "You need to arrive early in your work, and go straight into his office and wait for him to arrive so you can give him the story. If you don't, this story will go to someone else and you won't get the credit you deserve."

Vicky looked at her, as the ferret continued:

"I know that you have pursued some good stories, and that all of them were taken from you, and you need to make sure that this won't happen to this one. So, you must personally go deliver this story to your boss first thing in the morning, after it is ready."

Vicky looked at her curiously, and the ferret lowered her glasses, letting the vixen have a good look of her blue eyes. Suddenly, the eyes were changing color, from a light blue coloration to a neon-green, startling Vicky slightly.

"Believe me… I know."

That was all that the ferret said before turning around and walking back to her bird, leaving Vicky to watch as the ferret climbed in the back of her bird, and soon them both were taking off to the sky.

Vicky remained in place for a while, before someone called her:

"Vicky!" It was Larry. "All packed! We need to go now if we want to get a good computer to work on the video… wait, where is the mage?"

[center]**********************[/center]

As soon as the interview ended, the focus on the screen changed from the scene back to the two anchors who were presenting the news.

"So, after nearly four months of doubt and uncertainty, we finally have received solid information." Growley said, looking at the camera as it focused on her. "Now, what shall we do of this information? Shall we take it as it is? Shall we hold some doubt?"

"An information that was given by no other than a mage, about all that is happening in Zootopia and in the world." Moosebridge said, as another camera was focusing on him. "Now we know the mechanics of the 'mystic arts', and of how mages act and think, as well as how they govern themselves."

"The disaster of Fangtropolis, before a target of nothing more than speculation, now has been granted some solid facts, and this, of course, will have repercussions." Growley said once more.

"Criminals exist among mages, and they are dealt with on ways that mages developed themselves." Moosebridge said, "Now, is this a source of worry, for knowing that there are criminal mages, or relief, for knowing that mages have their own laws and their own police to deal with such criminals?"

"Many answers were giving today." Growley continued, "But still, there are many doubts and uncertainties still left. Now we know that mages exist, and that they are out there. What this means for the world, and how this will affect everyone who lives in Zootopia and everywhere else? Well, only time will tell. I'm Fabienne Growley…"

"And I am Peter Moosebridge."

"And you have just watched the special ZNN news report, showing the [bi]Interview with a Mage[/bi]. Have a good night."

And with this, the closing theme played, and soon, the special report was coming to an end.
[center]**********************[/center]

Mammals from all around watched as the interview was now coming to a close. Among them, was no other than the mammal who gave the interview herself.

Zillah was watching in an old television with an image that was not very good, but it was good enough to see the interview from beginning to ending, and to see that it had been successfully transmit to everyone.

Zillah sighed as she relaxed on the couch. She knew that there would be severe repercussion for all of this, for there were a lot of mages who would be outraged with her for having went and told so many of their secrets like that. Still, Zillah thought that she would be able to face them if it was the case.

Also, Zillah knew that the interview that she gave would help, but that it would not make miracles. She knew that it was unlikely for everyone to start holding hands and singing songs about peace and love, it was not how the world worked. Zillah was optimist, but she was also realist. She knew that many would take her words of a grain of salt, a big one by that matter.

Still, for some reason Zillah felt a lot calmer now.

Maybe it was because she had done something that she believed would improve things, and that she felt like she should do, but was being held back by worries and personal issues.

Yes, she did what she thought she needed to, and there would be repercussions of this, good and bad. Zillah knew that in the moment she had decided to make the interview and she was ready to face them if they ever came.

Zillah had done her part, and this much she could say for herself.

Now all she had to do was wait and see how everything would pan out, and be ready to whatever was to come.
[center]**********************[/center]

"Okay, cut!" A voice said, "That's a wrap, everyone! You were all amazing! The next segment will enter shortly! Moosebridge, Growley, you two take a breather! You guys deserve it!"

The two mammals sighed as they walked out of the stage that had been prepared for them. It felt strange for them to be complimented for their good work, once they barely even did anything. It was just the interview playing on the screen for the entire time. They only gave the opening cue and gave their last words in the ending.

Now that the interview was done, there was more extra programming coming next, like some other reporters who were going to dissect and discuss the video and everything that was said it in. That was a matter that the snow leopardess and the moose didn't really had to worry about, for they had done their part.

"Quite an interview it was, right?" Peter asked, and Fabienne nodded.

"It sure was…"

"So, what do you think of it?"

"It was really nice." The feline said, "That ferret have way with the words, and Vulpen surely is an excellent reporter. Honestly, I'm kind of calmer now. I guess that is what happens after you have received some good solid facts."

"I'll say." Peter agreed. "Think everyone else is going to get calmer now?"

"That is harder to say." Fabienne admitted. Yes, she could not truly say if everyone would actually feel any calmer after watching the interview. Actually, there was even the possibility that some could make even more noise about this. Still, for some reason, the snow leopardess felt a bit more optimistic. She smiled to her colleague as she said:

"Well, let's wait and see."