Guided by a Broken Star

Chapter 1

Conversation halted due to loud laughter filtering out of the alleyway, Judy and I paused.

"Teens?" She asked.

I shrugged and started to walk again, only to freeze as I registered two words,

"Stupid fox."

I looked over my shoulder at Judy, whose furrowed brows mirrored my own. Earned from a year of working together, Judy and I shared a knowing look before quietly making our way down the alley.

Taking refuge behind some stray boxes, we analyzed the scene taking place before us. Three teenaged mammals covered an unknown victim.

A young white tiger kicked at the space in front of them, causing a muffled yelp to emit through the air.

"Awe, what's the matter? Muzzle got your snout?"

His remark earned a snicker from the zebra to his right as well as the polar bear to his left.

Judy placed a paw on my forearm, "Nick,"

I forced my attention away from the bullies to look down at her, urging her to continue.

"I think they're surrounding a fox."

My jaw clenched as she confirmed what I had already figured. The animals scent was fox like, but something was off. Slowly I stood and, ignoring Judy's quiet protest, stepped out from the shelter of the boxes, clapping.

"Wow, quite a show you've got here. It really is a good act, don't you think, Carrots?"

I glanced back at her smirking as she shook her head and face-palmed.

"So good that I was wondering why you're hiding your talent in a dark alley at eleven o'clock at night. That is unless you three are causing trouble."

The polar bear laughed, "This is none of your business, fox. Why don't you go back to working with a weasel or something."

"Oh contraire," I grinned, "Mind helping me out here, Fluff?"

Judy laughed softly and stepped beside me, holding up her badge, "ZPD officers Judy Hopps and Nickolas Wilde."

I crossed my arms, a smug grin on my face as I watch their eyes eyes grow bigger and bigger, "So, how's about you run along before you get arrested for assault?"

They looked between Judy and I before scurrying out of the alley, leaving in their wake a mammal huddled around herself and using her dark tail as a shield.

Slowly, she lifted her head and my body froze.

Those damn kids had muzzled her.

I growled and started after the group but was stopped as Judy stepped in front of me.

"Nick, don't." She nudged me towards the teen, "Let's just help her."

I clenched my paws and glanced back in the direction the three punks had ran before sighing and kneeling in front of the girl, "Here, let's get this off you."

I eased the muzzle off her, watching her distrusting eyes shift between me and Judy.

Judy smiled and held out her paw, offering her help up. The teen took her paw and stood before brushing herself off.

"Thank you." She said offering Judy and I a shy smile, causing Carrots to gasp softly.

"You're a hybrid."

The girl sighed and looked down as I flashed Judy a flabbergasted look.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it to be derogative, I just never-" Judy's ears tinged pink and she rubbed the back of her neck.