Zootopia Fanthologies: A Zootopian Christmas Carol

Time Setting: Friday, December 23rd, nine months after the first film

Everything was calm and tranquil within the Zootopia Police Department bullpen, save for the anxious squirms of the officers within, each equally eager to escape the sterile police station to go home for the holidays, the officers' one guaranteed break.

In their usual seat (the chairs were far too large for either of them alone), Judy Hopps and her best friend Nick Wilde, clad in their traditional ZPD uniforms, quietly discussed the season's happenings among themselves.

"So, how big of a Christmas tree did Mr. Big give you this year?" Judy asked, violet eyes wide.

Nick's foxy mouth twisted into a grin as he indicated with his paws how big the tree was, almost hitting Officer Rhinowitz in the arm as he made a span about four feet wide.

"About that size," Nick affirmed, "just right for all the ornaments I have tucked away in my closet."

Nick breathed deeply, imagining the smell of the fresh cookies that he bought from the bakeshop just down the street from his apartment in Savanna Central.

"Ah, the smells of Christmas," Nick reminisced, "everything all gingerbread-y and cozy-smelling, frosted with the scent of snow."

Suddenly, the large door to the bullpen opened, and the burly Cape buffalo, better known as Chief Bogo, stepped through. Every officer snapped to attention, every officer, that is, except for Nick. He was still fantasizing in his head about Christmas cookies. A nudge from Judy quickly got his mind off of cookies and onto the Chief. Bogo's commanding voice called them all to attention.

"All right, everyone, settle down."

The officers did as he commanded, despite the fact that they'd already settled down. Sometimes, the ZPD officers were able to tell what Bogo was going to order them to do before he actually ordered it.

"As you know, today is the 23rd, and Christmas is only two days away. I know you're all eager to go home for the holidays, but there are a couple more things you'll have to do before you go and splurge on Christmas cookies and fireside naps."

Nick spoke up, interrupting Bogo, as he turned to face Officer Trunkaby seated behind him.

"You hear that, Jeff? No cookies before Christmas Day."

Everyone chuckled, save for Bogo, who glared at Nick in annoyance. Nick then sat back in his chair.

"Thank you, Wilde," he said, although it sounded more like a corrective statement.

His squad clown now out of commission, temporarily at least, Bogo returned to his subject.

"Now, as you know, every year we kick our 'Gifts for the Children' program into gear. One of Mayor Lionheart's better ideas, I must say. Therefore, I need every available officer from this platoon working on the distribution programs. Any remaining officers will be temporarily drafted to Internet Monitoring."

Bogo held up four yellow assignment booklets. He then began to call out the officers' names as he passed the booklets out.

"Grizzoli, Fangmeyer, Delgato," Bogo ordered, "you take your shipment north, from Tundratown through the Canal District. Higgins, Trunkaby, your shipment goes south, from Savanna Central and on to OutbackIsland and the Marshlands. Rhinowitz, Blife, Mincey, you will take your shipment through the center of town and Little Rodentia."