Judy slowly ascended the stairs back home, lugging along the way the suitcase she originally packed. Placing it down, she stepped into Liam and Hannah’s room, seeing Liam on the bottom bunk with a little table beside him. Bonnie had given him a plate of toast and a tall glass of ice water, along with a bucket in case he got sick. Judy kneeled down beside him and stroked his head, stirring him awake. 
“Mama?” 
“Hey baby.” She cooed, sniffling and wiping at her eyes. 
“Mama my head hurts.” 
“It’s ok baby, I know. You’ll be ok. Mama’s got you.” Judy assured him, leaning down to kiss his head. “Mmm, yeah. Your head’s awful warm.”
“I was sick in the bucket mama. My tummy hurts bad.” Liam moaned. 
“I can make you some soup if you like? Maybe a little ginger ale too?” Judy softly cooed, caressing his warm little head.  
“Uh huh.” 
“Judy?” Stu gently wrapped on the door. “You ok there?” 
“Yeah, just. A lot on my mind.” She answered, returning her attention to her son. “I have to be here now, I have to focus on this.” 
“Well, we sure as shoot have no problem pitching in to help little Liam.” Stu jovially offered. 
“No I mean.” She shook her head, rising to her feet. “I have to move on. My cubs, my family, my city. This is what I have to focus on. I can’t do that, if I’m always thinking about him.” She stated. Stu understood right away, and gave his nod of approval. Judy passed him and aimed for her bedroom. Swinging open the closet doors, she began plucking Nick’s shirts and ties from the hangers and throwing them on the bed. Even finding his spare uniform he forgot to turn in after leaving the ZPD. Once cleared out, she turned her attention to the drawers. His shorts, slacks and boxers all, tossed onto the bed in a fairly hefty pile, even tossing his phone on the top of it all. Bolting for the stairs, she headed for the basement and found two spare plastic bins and hauled them back up to her room. Stuffing his clothes inside both of them, she scoured the room for anything else. Spotting a few pictures of them together, she tossed them in as well. 
Opening up the drawer on the nightstand she noticed a small blue box. Stammering, she pulled it out and opened it up to reveal the engagement ring he had given her. The figures of a rabbit and fox circling a beautiful blue diamond hadn’t lost any of its luster. Setting it down inside, she closed the lid on both and stacked them on top of one another. It was a slow but steady heft to bring them downstairs and into the furnace room. Next to the freezer was an empty wooden shelf and beneath it, just enough room to stuff the boxes next to the old sleeping bags. She placed them down and shoved them underneath, before stepping out into the basement and closing the door behind her. Leaning on it, she broke into tears and slowly slid down until her tail found the carpet. It hadn’t been long since Nick left, she wasn’t willing to give up on him so easily. But hearing both Jack and Frankie Big say that it was likely he was dead, was enough to push her over the edge. Bawling in the basement, she felt defeated for the first time in her life. So truly and utterly defeated. Her love, her husband was lost. 
Bonnie stepped down, seeing her daughter on the floor crying uncontrollably. Kneeling down, she pulled her head to her shoulder and stroked her ears. 
“There there, baby girl. I got ya.” 
“He’s really gone, isn’t he?” Judy managed to say between breathes. 
“Is that what happened? Did they say he was gone?” 
“There were ZIA agents at the station. They said Nick was likely killed.” 
“Oh my goodness.” Bonnie moaned, giving her daughter a good hard squeeze. 
“I’ve never felt like this before.” 
“Honey, it’s called rock bottom.” Bonnie began to explain, bringing herself face to face with her daughter. “It’s hard, and it hurts. But you know, the only way you can go from here is up. We’re gonna help ya do just that.” 
“How though?” 
“Judy.” Bonnie tipped her head. “I think out of any-bunny in the world. You know how to accomplish the impossible. You are so strong. So much stronger than I could have ever imagined you to be. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you, baby girl. You need to take your time, but you know in your heart what you need to do.” 
“I have to move on.” Judy nodded. 
“Well. Baby steps first.” Bonnie playfully nudged. “How about helping me take care of Liam for a while, huh?” 
“Yeah, let’s whip him up a little soup.” 
“That’s my baby.” Bonnie smiled, kissing her daughter’s head.

Judy returned to work the very next day. Delgato seemed a bit unsure about bringing her back in, however it was obvious from the determination in her eyes as she sat at the desk, ears high and paws clamped together. 
“We have two items on the docket today, thankfully it’s slowing down out there lately. Thanks to a combination of Wilde, Rosa and Grizzoli’s intel, we believe Stamper and Rhyhorn have moved locations and are now in hiding. A racoon may very well be working with them by the name of Shelly Yorik. This was corroborated by information from Caden Fangmeyer. The missing cubs have returned home, we don’t believe any more will be drafted into their services either after word spread of how they are dealing with them. Still, we need patrols on the lookout throughout the city to ensure they don’t remain hidden for long. Second, some lighter news.” Delgato smiled. “We’ll be having a police and fire department barbeque on July 23rd. All off duty officers are welcome and we could use a hand in planning it.” 
“Oh!” Kate waved her paw. “If there’s one girl who knows how to plan a party, it’s me chief!”
“Well, excellent. I’ll have you head up the committee.”
“Awesome.” Kate giggled to herself, tussling her rump in her chair. 
“Grizzoli, Wilde, Rosa, Tundratown Patrols. Davis, Macuihtl, Johnson, you three take Rainforest District. Wolford, you’ll be taking our newest recruits, Evens and Hecklefang.” Delgato gestured to the female coyote and male hyena. “Patrol in Savannah Central near the coast.” 
“Got it.” He agreed. 
“Uh sir.” Judy approached Delgato, keeping her head a bit low. 
“What is it, Wilde?” He asked, glancing down to her with a look of concern. 
“It’s just. Well.” She pointed to her badge, showcasing her old one, the tag glittering with the name Hopps. 
“Oh, I see.” 
“I’m not giving up on him but, I can’t work and carry on constantly being reminded he’s gone.” 
“Say no more.” Delgato approved, already making the adjustment on his sheet. 
“Ms. Hopps. Be safe out there today.” 
“Come on honey bunny butt.” Kate playfully bumped her. “We got a patrol, and a party to plan.” 

After a quiet days patrol, mainly filled with talking with Kate about plans for the barbeque, Judy went home and spent some time with Liam who was feeling a bit better. Thankfully a hearty helping of home made cream of mushroom soup and lots of water was speeding up his recovery. After dinner, Judy ventured to Spring Forward and headed toward the counter. A painted blue and pink rabbit was working the desk with an earpiece on. 
“Hi, is Nathan here today? It’s me, Judy Hopps.” 
“Sure, just a sec.” She smiled. “Mr. Spring, you have a guest here. Names Judy? Ok.” Judy barely managed to get her rump in one of the seats in the waiting area before Nathan ventured out of the office door. 
“Hey Judy! What brings you in today?” He happily greeted, stuffing his paws in his pockets. 
“Hey, I was wondering if I could take you up on the offer to train here.” 
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Nathan wagged his finger with a smile before pointing toward the door. Heading inside and guiding Judy along the side of the park, they entered into a room on the far right. Flicking on the lights, it revealed a small gym. A solid cable rack, shoulder machine, military press, three weight benches with a full array of dumbbells and bench press. The walls were plastered with mirrors however one at the far left had been broken in half. “Before it was Trampoland, this place was a gym. The old owner couldn’t get rid of all the equipment so he stored a bit of it in here. I just had my staff lay it out nice, figured you could use a place to work out.” 
“Wow!” Judy exclaimed, clasping her paws together as she toured around inside. A few of the weights were dusty, but her mind was alight with the possibilities. “Nathan this is, it’s fantastic!” 
“Glad you like it. Here.” He pulled from his pocket a small pass with a blank spot for a photo. “Get Samantha to take your picture, but you can use that pass as often as you like. It’s a season membership card.” 
“Oh Nathan.” Judy cooed, flopping her ears back. She leapt into his arms and gave him a good tight hug. “Thank you, thank you so much!” 
“You’re more than welcome. I know I say it too much but, there’s no-bunny like you.” Nathan warmly replied. “Go ahead and try it out. I’ll check in on you from time to time.” 
“Got it!” Judy approved with a thumbs up. 

For the rest of June and well into July, Judy found herself in a rather comfortable routine. Delgato had agreed to give her steady shifts, 8:00 – 4:30 so that she could properly take care of her cubs and have enough time after dinner to work out at the gym Nathan prepared for her. It didn’t hurt that with her season pass, she could take the cubs to the trampoline park regularly, something that Jason was really enjoying and helped to take his mind off his missing father. 
Nathan often helped with her training, showing her proper techniques for weight lifting and working out on the machines and bench press. After a good session in there, she would head out onto the floor and work on her stamina in the trampoline park. Running the obstacle course or simply trying to master flips and twists on trampolines. It was fun but hard work, many of the sessions often leaving her sore and aching the following days but it was paying off. With Bonnie at home making her meals, she was eating healthier to boot and within the few short weeks the subtle flab she once had was tightening into strong core muscles. 
Work was improving, as Delgato celebrating the return of Judy Hopps. Her work ethic had improved dramatically, and Judy was soon leading the department in arrests alongside Kate. The two were made official partners while Matt began working more and more alongside Wolford, helping to train the newer recruits who were finally getting their feet wet. But while the newbies were learning the ropes, Ryan and Kate were working on assignments of their own.  
He was set at home, wearing his usual house attire. A white muscle shirt and green shorts in his apartment in Sahara Square. His place had a nice view that overlooked the dunes and behind it the Oasis and shopping areas below. The apartment was modest but quite nice, a black leather couch and glass coffee table. A few small palm plants on either side of his couch and a fairly large T.V. The kitchen had all the usual appliances and in his bedroom a rather immaculate bed with drapes around it. Across from there was his desk with his personal computer and laptop wrapped up in a bag beside it on the floor. He was flipping through the channels before a knock came at his door. Smiling he leapt from the couch and opened the door. Kate was there with a bag from R.J’s Eats in her paws. 
“Why do you always bring that stuff?” He chuckled, leaning on the door frame. 
“Well, you know. I don’t want you running out of stamina.” Kate chuckled, handing him the bag. 
“Don’t wanna share?” 
“I’m hungry for, something else.” She giggled back, clasping her paws. “Gonna make a vixen wait out here?” 
“Come on in.” He ushered her in before scooping her up with one arm. “Mmm, there ya are.” 
“Haha, strong wolfy.” She playfully tickled his neck. Ryan stepped into the kitchen and tossed the food in the fridge alongside two other bags. “Hahaha you really don’t like that stuff huh?” 
“I prefer my meat rare.” He winked, bringing her over to the couch he laid down on his back and let Kate rest on top of him. Rising up and resting her rump on his lap, she began playing with the fur on his belly. 
“I worry about you sometimes, you know? I see you at work, skipping meals and whatnot.” 
“I eat when I’m hungry.” 
“You’re never hungry.” 
“Not for food, anyway.” He chuckled, taking her paws. “So, what’s the plan tonight, sexy? Couch? Bed?” 
“Why don’t ya tell me where you want me this time?” She cooed, lying down on his chest. “No fun when I pick the place we mess up all the time.” 
“Hahaha, so true. Took me an hour to wash the couch the other day.” 
“I only have so much room in there you know?” She cooed, kissing his chest. “When someone as big as you starts cumming in me, it’s bound to make a mess quick.” 
“Mmm, keep that going.” Ryan smiled, watching her lick and kiss at his chest. Eventually he threw off his shirt entirely, but Kate had already finished with his body. Going low, she unzipped his shorts and slid them down and began to lick at his ever growing shaft. “Oh baby.” 
“You like?” She smiled, rubbing his cock on her cheek. 
“Needs one thing.” He noted. Sitting upright, he started undoing the buttons on her shirt and tossed it away. Kate slipped from her skirt and panties and playfully shot those at Ryan’s face. Taking a good whiff, he shook them off his nose and chuckled. “God you smell so good when you’re hot for me.” 
“I know what I like.” She smiled, rubbing his dick between her legs. “I take it, couch?” Without warning, Ryan grabbed his cock and aimed it between her folds, pressing it in deep. “Ah!!” She cried out. “Oh you bad boy.” 
“Here let’s try it over here.” He grinned wickedly, placing her on her back on the glass coffee table. Getting himself good and lined up an with Kate’s legs straddled on either side he began thrusting into her at a steady pace. Each time grunting and groaning as the vixen was a very tight but very warm mate. “God you’re so good in there.” 
“That’s my big boy.” She wailed, clasping onto the edge of the table as he pounded on her pussy. Her eyes shut tight but gasping with every thrust, Kate felt his thick cock press deep inside, the knot slamming on her backside. “Oh Ryan, you do know how to please a girl.” 
“Yeah, you love it don’t ya?” 
“God yes!” She cried out. Ryan flipped her over and placed his paw on her belly, propping her up and getting himself on a good angle he started thrusting down into her pussy. Kate’s eyes melted with joy, clasping the edge of the coffee table again, she all but raked it with her claws as Ryan began pushing for his knot to enter with each thrust. “Oh god, Ryan. Fuck me hard! Harder!” She cried as began pounding, harder and harder. “Ah yes! Yes!” Ryan was loving her moans and wails of pleasure, eventually she gave way and his knot sunk in. It set her off on a powerful orgasm that spastically squeezed his knot tight. Ryan gasped as it sent him off, cumming hard on the walls that were wringing him tight within. “Oh god baby! Oh yes.”
“Oh I’m not done with you yet, vixen.” He grinned. His throbbing cock still ejaculating within, he picked her up and fell back on the couch, leaning her back against his chest as he slightly sat up against the arm of the couch. Reaching down he began rubbing her clit on his knot, this caused her to cry out once more. 
“Yes, yes yes! Mmm Ryan!” 
“You like that?” 
“Yes!! Don’t stop, it’s so good!” Kate wailed, taking hold of his paw as it carried on circling and massage her clit on his knot. Eventually his torrent slowed, and with an audible squish his cock withdrew, bringing with it a gush of hot seed, spilling onto his waist and belly. He pulled Kate up along his chest and brought her pussy to his muzzle, lapping up the seed and slipping his tongue inside as her legs dangled across his face. “Ryan, that was so. So amazing.” She panted. Relieving himself of her pussy, he pulled her close and wrapped his muzzle over hers. She lapped away at his tongue and fangs, even taking in a good chunk of his tongue and rolling it in her mouth before sucking on it, letting it pop from her mouth as she gasped for air. “Baby?” 
“Yeah?” 
“Doesn’t your tub have jets?” She asked. Ryan’s eyes bloomed with delight at the idea and set her down before leaping off the couch. 
“Might take a bit to fill up.” 
“Don’t worry.” Kate replied, wiping a bit of slobber from her lip. “I’m gonna suck you off while it’s filling.” 
“Works for me.” 
“Come on sexy boy.” She encouraged, leading him down the hall to the bathroom. 

“Three more Judy.” Nathan said, standing over her as she struggled through her set on the bench press. “Come on, you got this.” Judy grunted and groaned, pressing the bar up high before easing it back down to her chest. “Two more. One more, and that’s it.” 
“Ugh!” She huffed, clasping her chest. “I hate that workout.” 
“Yeah well, means you need to work on it the most.” Nathan quipped. “Often times the workout you don’t like doing, is because the muscles are weakest.” 
“Saying I have a weak chest?” She grinned, sitting herself up. 
“Yeah, got a problem with that Sod Hopper?” 
“Oh my gosh, don’t even.” Judy leapt off the bench, playfully pushing Nathan. “I swear to god, you revive that nickname-“ 
“It just rolls off the tongue though.” 
“You ass. Ok what’s left again?” 
“For today?” Nathan checked Judy’s little notebook. She had been keeping track of the routine through it but over the last two weeks Nathan had been the one overseeing it. “Um, no bench press was last. Already did fly’s and single bar presses so, I think you’re good for today. It’s cardio now, so I’m guessing the park for you again?” 
“Yeah, for sure.” She approved, heading out the door. Just as she stepped outside with Nathan behind her, his girlfriend stood before them. Tapping her foot and looking rather displeased. 
“Tania, you ok?” Nathan asked, pushing Judy aside. 
“Well, I was gonna ask if you wanted to catch a movie but I see you already have plans.” She fumed. 
“Baby relax. I’m always free for you, you know that.” Nathan tried to comfort her, pulling her in for a hug. She clasped his paws and pushed them down and moaned. 
“I’m gonna go hit the floor. You two can sort things out.” Judy dismissed herself. Nate once again took her paws and pulled her in close. 
“Baby, don’t be jealous.” 
“I’m not jealous, you’re just spending all your time with her instead of me.” 
“An hour a day, not even that most of the time.” Nate corrected with a cool little smile. “She’s not the one I’ve been keeping warm in bed at night, right?” 
“Mmm.” Tania hummed. 
“You know, if you ever wanna train, I’d be happy to give you more thorough instruction if you know what I mean.” Nathan chuckled, managing to reel her back in. 
“Promise?” 
“Come on, what movie did you wanna see?” He asked quietly. 
“I don’t know, whatever’s on.” 
“Not like we actually watch it, right?” 
“Exactly.” She giggled, pressing her nose against his. “Come on, I’ll get the tickets in the car.” 
“Perfect. Judy, I’m heading out with my girl. Sam!? Watch the desk for me.” 
“Got it boss!” she answered. 
“Have fun you two.” Judy called back. 

Shelly had her lab up and running. Settled in the massive warehouse in Tundratown, she had her primary workstation set up with a large desktop computer and monitor. The walls were lined with glass jail cells being fed with air through hoses on the roofs of them. Two had mammals inside, a beaver and zebra in particular. Neither seemed in good shape, dressed in ragged clothes and fur matted and ratty, most likely homeless. Rhyhorn and Stamper were waiting beside Shelly who was working away at one of her lab tables. She placed a vial of red fluid into a massive machine that whirred and whizzed for a good few minutes before producing a small sphere of red. Carefully she extracted it and carried it over to a tube that fed into the air tubes for the prison cells and closed it. 
“Ok. Should be ready.” 
“How long are we gonna play mad scientist here?” George asked. 
“As long as I damn well please. Where’s the runner?” 
“Right here.” Roger revealed himself near the doorway and strolled right in. “Whatcha need ringtail?” 
“I need at least two more subjects for testing. One large and one small.” 
“Want some fries with that?” 
“Spare me your mouth, rabbit. I’ve no patience for it today.” 
“At least I’m living up to expectations.” He quipped, snapping up to Stamper. “Chase any wolf cubs today big guy?” 
“Shut your mouth, rat!” Alex bellowed, attempting to stomp on the rabbit. Roger laughed however, managing to sneak away at the last second. 
“Too slow, tusker. I could dance around you all day.” 
“Enough, the both of you.” Shelly snarled, returning her attention to the jail cell. She watched as the sphere fell inside and burst, releasing a cloud of red smoke within. Seconds later, the beaver inside began to grunt and growl, clasping its head and writhing on the ground. As the cloud settled, he rose up and charged for the glass, slamming it hard. Shelly just smiled and observed him as he fought to escape his cell. 
“Toby Bucker!” Shelly bellowed as loud as she could. The beaver seemed surprised to hear his name and settled down. His eyes were wide and dilated, his breathing heavy and laboured. There didn’t seem to be much sense to him, but he clearly heard and recognized his name. “Use your tail.” She suggested. The beaver swung around and clapped his tail against the glass. It held up to the blow, but the beaver did it over and over again. The leather like hide eventually splitting and bleeding as it clapped against the glass over and over. “He feels nothing. But there’s still some semblance of himself within. Look at him. How he rages against his captors. Unfeeling and barely aware.” 
“He’s making a heck of a racket.” George noted. 
“Yes, indeed he is.” Shelly agreed. They watched for a few minutes more, the tail of the poor beast being worn to the bone before he started stammering and falling on all fours. Gasping he clasped at his chest and fell to his side. “But the body has its limits.” She continued watching until he gasped his last breath and perished. “I’ll have to check to confirm his cause of death, but it’s most likely cardiac arrest. The heart can’t take the combination of mindicampum holosynthias and dopamine inhibitors for that long.” 
“What’s all that mean?” Roger asked. 
“An unusual reaction happens when the two are mixed. Nighthowlers and pain suppressors combined in that dose gifts you with significant muscle strength without any pain. The catch however, is that the heart cannot sustain such an effort for very long. I thought of creating a serum like Dawn Bellweather, but absorption through the skin isn’t quite as effective as introducing into the bloodstream through respiration. Breathing it with the right chemical balance creates the perfect monster.” 
“Why create monsters. Isn’t nighthowlers just as good then?” George asked. 
“No, beasts can be tamed through pain. Shoot a tazer or tranquilizer and they go down without much fault. This however, makes both of those quite useless. Sure, enough tranquilizer will put a mammal down from project bloodlust, but!” She pointed out, turning back to her table. “It’ll die from the overdose of substances in its system. This, is a one way street. The perfect tool for creating carnage and chaos. Barone will be most pleased.” 
“What you getting out of this?” Roger questioned, folding his arms. 
“Aside from working with that annoying stag.” She fumed before planting her backside in her chair. “The money and continued work. Barone is willing to pay top buck for the mammal that cracks this. He has Reginald and I in something of a friendly competition. The mammal who cracks it will be the lead, but both of us would have jobs.” 
“And us?” Stamper stepped forward. 
“Barone could always use a new branch out here. The two of you should suffice quite nicely after overthrowing Frankie Big.” 
“Hehe.” Stamper pounded his hooves together. “Now we’re talking.” 
“We have the right recipe, only a few more tests remain. Roger, go. Find me my subjects. I must ship this before the first of august.” 
“Yes ma’am.” Roger approved, rushing for the door.
 
Mid July had finally come, Judy and Kate were parked at the table waiting on Delgato to arrive. 
“Oooo, damn it. I gotta make sure they can get this order right.” Kate huffed, tapping her pen on the table. 
“What’s wrong?” 
“Well ok, so. I got this all planned out right? Ten dozen hamburger buns, ten dozen hotdog buns, a mix of soda’s, fruit drinks and some water coolers. I got confirmation for four grills firing, two from us, two from the ZFD. Got the location booked, we got the park by the shore in Savannah Central.” 
“Oh! That’s the one close to my house.” 
“Good, that means you’re drinking.” Kate winked. “Thing is the place I was ordering the meat for the burgers from is saying it’s delayed.” 
“Where we getting it from?” 
“Well it’s synthesised in Tundratown. Manny’s Meats? Heard of it?” 
“No, sorry.” Judy shrugged. 
“Well I’m gonna pay em a visit after work. Tell them to get their asses in gear.”
“Attention!” Ryan announced as Delgato entered the room. As per tradition, the officers in the room began chanting and woofing as he took to the podium. 
“Alright, enough.” Delgato tried to usher down but the room carried on. Throwing up his brow, Delgato let loose a deafening roar that could be felt through the tables in the room. Judy even found her fur slicked back as a result. Instantly the room turned quiet. Delgato with a hearty laugh leaned on the podium. 
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He winked. “We have news out of the Rainforest district. Someone is trying to recruit for a research project in Tundratown. The recruiter, is none other than Roger Leppes. Over the last month or so we’ve been waiting for him to pop up again as he was already under investigation for attempted murder. The research project part worries me though, as you might recall we arrived at the burning remains of one such project before.” Delgato pointed to the papers before him. He passed a sheet to Wolford who began handing them out to the tables. “The fennerite testing facility in Sahara Square, once managed by Shelly Yorik, she has since disappeared. Until she was found stringing up mammals of all ages in a cage and exposing them to a red substance. We don’t know much else about this, as the fire destroyed much of the lab. All we know is it’s very likely she has resurfaced in Tundratown, but we don’t know where. I’ll be assigning extra patrols to those areas; you’ll have them on the sheets there in front of you.” 
“Not gonna call it out chief as usual?” Kate smiled. 
“Not today, I trust you guys can read. You have your assignments fella’s best set to it.” Delgato stated. 

Kate dressed herself up in a pink and blue police coat while Judy kept to a subtle blue and black over coat with a fluffed up collar. Heading down one of the main drags in Tundratown, Blizzard street.
“Hmmm.” Kate pondered, scrolling through her phone. 
“What is it?” Judy perked up. 
“Got a text from Manny’s Meats. Saying they can do enough for about 100 guests. Think that’ll do it?” Kate nervously gleaned over to Judy. 
“Kate relax, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Sides, a good chunk of the staff are either veggies like me, or omnivores. I’m not so worried about the meat.” 
“Yeah, I getcha bunny butt.” She giggled in her seat. “I suppose I should relax a little. At least until we’re at the day and all.” 
“You’re really working hard on this. It’s almost like you have a real job.” Judy winked. 
“Har, har, hare. I’m getting my groove on in the streets, among other things.” 
“What’s that mean?” 
“A lady never tells.” She threw up her muzzle in a rather prude fashion. 
“Oh really? I suppose I could just let it slip that you’re sleeping with Wolford.” Judy casually mentioned, returning her attention to the road. 
“What!?” Kate exclaimed, her ears firing up. “Where’d you hear that!? Who told you!?” 
“You did, just now.” Judy smirked with a raise of her brow. 
“Oooo!!” Kate pulled on her ears. 
“I was married to a fox, Kate. I picked up on a few of his little tricks.” Judy giggled. 
“You can’t tell anyone.” 
“I won’t. I think it’s fine. I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I complained about you seeing someone on the force when I was married to my partner for 6 years.”
“Was? Well now. That’s a telling statement.”
“Well.” 
“And two was’s if I recall oh so correctly.” Kate smirked right back. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve moved on.” 
“Kate.” Judy moaned, folding her ears back. 
“Hey look, I think it’s a good thing fluff butt. Nick was a sweet guy up till he vanished without a trace. Someone who does a cute bunny like that isn’t getting any sympathy from me.” Kate stated. 
“Hey come on, with the cute-“
“Don’t even.” Kate laughed. “Think I haven’t been called cute?” 
“Ha, you’re adorable.” Judy quipped. 
“Adorable, ooo getting saucy!” Kate erupted into laughter. “But you know, I’m sure I could find you a stud or two to keep you warm between those thighs again. Bunny, Fox, heck maybe you’re into something more exotic?” 
“Kate don’t.” Judy shook her head. 
“Oh come on.” 
“I still love him.” Judy quietly confessed. “I just. I know I need to move on but, I’m not ready to go that far yet.” 
“I get ya, say no more. But the moment you are, oh honey bunny, you and me are gonna have some fun I can promise you that right now.” Just as Kate finished speaking a massive explosion blew out one of the nearby shops, spewing out a cloud of red smoke. Several mammals in the area began running but those enveloped in the haze fell to the ground coughing and wheezing. 
“This is officer Hopps! We have an explosion on Blizzard just south of Hailstone. Need paramedics on the scene right away.” Judy radioed in before reaching for the handle
“Judy no!” Kate screeched as she reamed on Judy’s arm to keep her in the car. “That red cloud, we don’t know if it’s poisonous.” 
“Darn, you’re right.” Judy scolded herself, waiting for the haze to subside. As it did, the mammals that were enveloped in it began to rise to their feet. A mix of two polar bears, an otter, three moose, a single black wolf and an assortment of shrews. Judy finally satisfied leapt from the car with Kate as they both drew out their tranq guns. “Everyone stand clear! ZPD!” One of the bears charged for their cruiser and in a rather impressive show of strength toppled it over and into a lamppost, landing it on it’s side. 
“Hey! Down big guy!” Kate bellowed, firing three tranqs into the polar bear. They had absolutely no effect, the big bear swatting the darts out and charging right for Kate. “Ok not good!” She cried out running. Judy rushed in and produced her taser, firing the prongs into the bears back. Again, almost no effect, aside from briefly dragging Judy before the heads flew out. 
“Oh no.” Judy moaned. “Kate run!” Another bear came charging in to join the fray and tackled the other polar bear to the ground. The two began mauling and slashing each other. The shrews seemed to be in a similar frenzy while the two of the moose began fighting each other, the third charging into cars and chasing down smaller mammals, all the while trampling the poor otter in his way. “This is insane! What is going on here!? Nighthowlers?” 
“I don’t know.” Kate panted, making it to Judy’s side. “I don’t get this, what’s going on. Those tranqs are strong enough to drop an elephant- AH!!” Kate cried out as she was tackled by the black wolf. 
“Kate!” Judy cried out, drawing her tranq gun she fired four darts into the wolfs back, but again, to no effect. The wolf slammed his paws down on Kate’s shoulders and kept her pinned good and hard to the ground. 
“No no no no.” Kate panicked, her eyes wide in terror as the wolf clamped his jaws on her torso. “AHHHHH!!!!” 
“That’s it!!” Judy cried out, withdrawing her gun she opened fire on the wolf, unloading five rounds into his back and shoulders. He let Kate fall from his maw as he staggered to find his footing, his maw dripping with slobber and just a hint of blood. “What in the world!?” Judy fired again, hitting the wolfs leg, but still he stepped forward. Another shot striking his chest, another into his stomach but still he persisted. Judy was left with no other choice, aiming high she fired the last two rounds in her clip at the wolfs head. This finally brought him to an end, as his eyes rolled back and body slumped to the ground. “Kate!?” Judy cried out, rushing over to her. 
“Judy, help.” She whimpered, bleeding through her jacket. 
“Easy, I got ya. It’s not too bad, I think he bit more jacket than body. You’ll be ok.” Judy tried to assure her. “Ok. AH!” Judy cried out, as the dead body of a Polar bear was hurled into a nearby car. “Oh no.” She looked back, seeing the victorious bear bloodied but still standing, his eyes fixated on the two of them. She reached for Kate’s firearm and raised it, aiming it for the bears head. “Don’t do it, get back I’m warning you!” The bear just growled, breathing heavily and spitting up blood. “Stay back, I won’t warn you again!” Judy clenched up, taking aim high on the bear. Just as she was about to shoot, a second cruiser came in at full speed. Ramming the back of the bear. Getting out of the car was Evens, Hecklefang and Wolford. The car looked like it had hit a few other mammals along the way, likely from dealing with the savage moose that broke down the road. Wolford waited for the bear to get up, pulling the shotgun from his cruiser. 
“Stay down, final warning!” He ordered. The bear bellowed and charged for Ryan, but with no hesitation he fired three rounds, killing the polar bear. Tossing the gun back into the car he rushed over along with the two recruits. “Judy, Kate!?” 
“Ryan!” Kate moaned. 
“Oh god! Kate what happened!?” He sorrowfully asked, scooping her up and cradling her in his arms. 
“He tried to eat me. Judy stopped him.” 
“Wha?” He glanced back to see the dead black wolf on the ground. “Ok, we’re getting you to a hospital, now.” 
“Sir, the other two moose.” Hecklefang spoke up. 
“Go deal with them.” Ryan scolded. 
“No, I mean look!” He pointed. The two moose were down on all fours, panting and badly beaten. The officers watched for a few moments until they both fell over on the snowy road, immobile. Evens produced her gun and nodded. 
“I’ll go check on them.” 
“Do it.” Ryan agreed. Evens rushed over and checked both for a pulse. None could be found. Across the street she could see the shrews in the same condition, laying on the ground motionless and likely dead. 
“I don’t understand it. What happened to them?” Judy shook her head. 
“I thought they went savage.” Ryan explained, re-assuring his hold on Kate. “We caught the one down the street charging cars and lampposts. He wasn’t on all fours and wouldn’t go down from tranqs.” 
“Same with the wolf and bear.” Judy surmised. 
“Even when they were hit with the Nighthowler serum, they went down from tranqs and tasers.” 
“It was like, they didn’t feel pain. I unloaded my entire clip at that wolf, but even body shots didn’t slow him down. I had to-“ Judy withdrew, clasping her chest. 
“I understand. But you did the right thing, Judy.” Ryan assured her. 
“Judy.” Kate moaned. “I’d love to thank you over a cup of coffee and not while I’m bleeding in the middle of Tundratown.” 
“Such a tough attitude for a cop in pink.” Wolford playfully threw up his brow. “The paramedics are coming, I can hear the sirens.” Sure enough he was right, a pair of ambulances were approaching from the south.