Operation: Moonfall | Jimmy Crystal Revenge & Redemption

The Card

Under the partly cloudy late morning sky, an arctic wolf in a fresh designer suit descended the staircase of the Redshore City courthouse, accompanied by his lawyer and flanked on both sides by his security team. They approached a podium set in front of a swarm of media to commence a quick, post-release press conference. Behind the press were groups of protesters and supporters, with the supporters swelling to more than twice the size of the protesters.

Lawyer Rick Delaney, a hedgehog dressed in a tan suit with a fierce reputation surrounding him, waited patiently as an aide brought a step stool for him. He climbed up to the podium crowded with microphones and cleared his throat as a sign to silence the chatter.

"My client and I would like to thank the court for overturning this gross miscarriage of justice based on the numerous and heinous actions of a confidence man, a scornful ex-talent scout, several inept police officers and an overzealous prosecutor. Mr. Crystal is a pillar of the community that reshaped entertainment in the entertainment capital of the world, and after his harrowing and inspiring experience, he'd like to get back to his life and his life's work at Crystal Entertainment. He's going to share a few words and answer some questions but, please, respect his time and what he's been through."

Delaney stepped down and let Jimmy take over the podium. The wolf waved to his supporters and flashed a toothy grin, much to their elated screams.

"First, I'd like to thank all the believers out there. You kept hope alive, and hope won out," he said. Booing protesters were quickly drowned out by cheers. "Thank you, thank you. Justice may be blind, but she sure knows when somethin' don't smell right." There was a light rumble of laughter. "Truthfully, everything starting from the day I got taken in by a fraud, leading up to my false arrest and the last few months I spent locked away has been one long, traumatic nightmare. Getting my freedom back, I knew I had to set a goal, and that's getting back to good—that's my new motto from here on. And to prove it, I'm giving back to this fine city and the beautiful people in it with a benefit concert at the Crystal Tower Theater later this week."

"Mr. Crystal, can you share who will be performing at this concert?" one of the reporters asked.

"Roxy Sin will absolutely be a part of the concert. We reward loyalty at Crystal Entertainment and through this scandal, many lost faith and jumped ship, but Roxy stayed on our label through the hardship. You'll hear the rest of the lineup when there's more to share."

"Mr. Crystal, who exactly is this concert benefiting?"

"Whoever needs benefiting. What kind of dumb question is that?"

"Mr. Crystal, are you going to file a criminal complaint against Buster Moon and his theater company? "

A scowl took Jimmy's face, but only for a second. "This is all I'm gonna say about that conman: Buster Moon is a footnote in the story of my life, and I don't want to think about him ever again." He motioned for Delaney to take over. As the hedgehog went by, Jimmy leaned over and whispered, "Handle these losers so I can think about what I'm gonna do to Moon next."

"What Mr. Crystal meant with the concert was that he'd like to benefit the entire world if he could," Delaney explained, taking on more of the media's questions as Jimmy made his way to the sidewalk. The mogul's security team formed a protective wall while he met with supporters, shaking hands, signing everything from Crystal paraphernalia to random body parts including a giraffe's whole neck, and at some point, he was passed a baby cheetah for a photo op.

"You're beautiful people," Jimmy said. "Never stop being beautiful."

A member of his security deposited a copious amount of sanitizer into Jimmy's palms before opening the door to his limo. Jimmy barely settled in his seat before he was tackled by a suited ball of fur.