NaZooverse - Book 1: The Risen Curtain

Chapter 20: Reconciliation

Zootopia had indeed became calmer during the last week. It were seven days straight without another protest in the city or the neighboring areas.

It really seemed that everyone had calmed down after the interview.

However, some mammals who would still insist to make a fuss.

As Nick and Judy approached on foot, they were soon able to make out the forms of the mammals who composed the group trying to form another protest. It should be a little over a dozen or so of them, and they were holding some signs that read things like: "God Hates Magecraft", and "Mages Go Home".

"Well, these guys actually go by the book." Nick said as he and Judy walked to the group. "They lack imagination, but I guess that you can't go wrong with the classics."

As they continued to approach, they could also hear them seeming to be chanting a motto:

"Mages leave our city!" They chanted, over and over again.

"Look at that, they even have their own battle cry." Nick said as they approached, and Judy simply remained silent, until both of them were near enough for her to try talking to them.

"Excuse me. Excuse me, sir? Ma'am?" The bunny tried, but her voice was drown by the voices of the agitators. "Will you... I just want to... Hey. Hey!" The bunny continued trying, and Nick was about to say something to her, when she finally lost he cool and she screamed out on top of her lungs:

"SHUT UP!"

The scene immediately froze, as all eyes turned to the bunny. Most of them were looking shocked that such a small bunny would be able to scream with such force. Nick was among them. He was not really surprise, but it still got to him just how loud Judy could be when she wanted to.

Judy took a deep breath and looked at the protestors. "Ladies and gentleman, could you all please listen to me for a second?" She said, and there was no answer, so she continued, "I'm Officer Hopps, and this is my partner Officer Wilde." Nick gave everyone a salute as he was presented, "We would like to know what is the goal of this gathering you're making?"

"Ain't that obvious?" Said a voice, making Nick and Judy turn to it.

"We want to help others see that these mages are dangerous and should not be allowed to be among righteous mammals." Said the female armadillo, who had brownish-grey coloration on her body, stood on 3'4'' feet tall, and was dressed in a kind of "grandma style". Judy recognized her instantly.

"You!" The bunny said, and Nick was not far behind.

"Well, look at that, if it isn't the armadillo lady." Nick said, "So, I never got to ask you how was that tea you said you were going to drink."

The armadillo glared at him. "First of all, my name is Eunice Armadill. Mrs. Armadill to you, fox." She said, rather aggressively. "Second of all, what I do in my free time is none of your business!"

"You don't talk to my partner like that." Judy said to her. "Now, I'd really like to know what is your goal doing all of this? Are you trying to start another protest? Because this would count as disturbing order."

"We are merely expressing ourselves." Said Armadill. "We are letting our opinions on these witches and sorcerers clear. Ain't that correct?" She asked the crowd, and many agreed with her.

"Oh, so you're not a fan?" Nick asked her, and Mrs. Armadill glared at him again, and she seemed ready to say something to him, but one gaze at the bunny who was with him was enough to make her change her mind.

"Are you going to arrest us?" the armadillo asked the two cops, but she seemed to be deliberating avoiding to look at Nick or address him specifically. "Because we are in all rights to express our opinion."