NaZooverse - Book 1: The Risen Curtain

Things We Can Do

Now, Judy could say that she had seen quite a few things ever since she moved to Zootopia, including maniac sheep and diminutive crime lords. However, she had not quite seen something like what she was seeing in front of her eyes in there.

The horse had a great, flaming heart floating above his hoof, and it was hot, for Judy could feel the heat form where she was standing, and so could Nick and the armadillo lady, by the way. The horse was practically fuming, with a maniacal smile on his face as the flaming heart continued to bur and hoover over his palm.

The crowd seemed like it was holding its breath, and so were the two canines in the background. As if they were just expecting the unfolding of what was happening.

The horse continued panting.

And panting.

Eventually, his breathing started getting more even, and the smile that he had was calming down, and becoming more like the calm smile from before. Meanwhile, the red flames of the heart started changing color again, and going back to that soft violet coloration.

The horse took one last deep breath, and he looked at the three smaller mammals in front of him, the armadillo woman in particular.

"But, you are not my mother..." The horse said, giving a sympathetic smile. "So, I guess I can give you a little slack." He said, winking.

As one, the crowd and the canines let out their breath.

"So, that being said..." The horse spoke, as he looked at the crowd, and said, "It is time for me and my friends to vanish from the party! It was great performing to such an amazing crowd! You are the best! We love you, Zootopia! Have a nice day!" With this, the horse winked and snapped his hooved fingers, and the heart immediately collapsed upon itself, causing the violet flames that formed it to convert into smoke, which spread out.

"Wha-"

"Hey!"

"I can't see!"

The smokescreen blinded the three mammals, as it was thick, but it didn't caused troubles breathing at all, having a strong, but not overpowering, smell, which somehow was like a chemical product.

The cloud lasted for some moments, but soon it was dissipating, and as it did, the horse, wolf and dog were no longer there.

The crowd reacted soon, as the mammals in there all cheered and applauded, as the show had come to an amazing finale.

"Okay... that actually happened." Nick said, as he and Judy both waved their paws in front of their faces to try to clear out what was left of the strange smoke.

"Did you saw that?" Judy said, looking around, trying to catch sight of the three strange mammals, especially of the horse. "Did you saw what that horse did?"

"Yeah, I did." Nick said. "It is the kind of thing you don't see every day."

"How did he do that?" Judy said, and Nick shrugged, right before he turned his head to the armadillo lady, who was still in the ground, and she had a thousand-yard stare, and Nick could also notice that she was shaking.

"Lady?" The fox cop asked, but there was no answer.

"Lady, you still with us?"

The armadillo blinked, and she looked at the fox, who was looking back at her.

"... huh?"

"Are you alright?" Nick asked, now starting to get genuinely worried.

"I-I... I guess so..." The armadillo said. "I-I just need to... Drink some tea... In my house..." She got up slowly, and started to walk away. Nick had a raised eyebrow at her, and he couldn't help but think: