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The Stone of Gideon A Zootopia fiction based on William Borba's "I will survive." comic

By Dan 1966

(c) ZOOTOPIA 2016 Walt Disney Animated Studeos (c) "I will survive" by William Borba 2017

All rights respected. For fandom enjoyment only. No monetary gains desired or expected.

Part 4

From the diary of Gideon Gray 5 years later....

(His words super-imposed over the descriptions to come)

"Often....between two Mammals or two groups of species, it is a terrible thing when relationships break down to such a point that senseless strife and animosities come with frightful swiftness over things which should have been better thought out before the consequences from them were allowed to manifest to shouting matches, throws of fists or cascades of terrible violence which resulted in the most horrible of outcomes. And too late....when composure is restored and time has brought about a moment for the combatants to reflect....the damage is simply to great to be repaired. And most of the time....all that remains is, misery, bad memories and shattered souls.

"We have been truly blessed by miraculous providence in our time where a Lion can hold the hand of a lamb and tell him or her that things will be alright. That neighbors will come from far and wide to rebuilt a house destroyed. That beavers will work along side tigers to set the beams strait again. That Grizzles and Gazelle will put fresh paint to battered walls. That Foxes and bunnies will squabble over where to put the new furniture. And when all is said and done....predator and pray alike will sing and dance and welcome the Lamb to their new home. What a wonderful thing we have made with out paws, our beloved lands we tender, our magnificent Zootopia...and though not exactly always perfect. It is our home and all of us be we a mouse or a mighty elephant should do our small part to build a greater good where love is in every heart and a smile is across every toothy snoot.

But above everything...we must....we must be willing to forgive when the moment seems too overwhelming and insurmountable. And if two mammals can not find the way in their hearts...then another must try to heal the wounds, restore good sense, find a way to restore a just and fair peace. It is easy to be angry, it is even easier to hate, to have anonymity, to wish to replace our words with the bitterness of our teeth and worse...our fists. What possible good can come from a brutal parting, when has it ever resulted in any thing but more pain. It was my earnest hope that if Judy and Nick could not go on as couple....at least they should not part in anger. The outcome of which....would have benefited no one.

Many will question what I did. Many will say I should have been thrown in jail. Others would decry that I meddled in affairs that were not my business. Others can say what they wish...I only know well that if some one asks for your help, would you not risk even the shirt off your back or yet perhaps your own life for them? Is it not better for our world to have peace not bloodshed and hate?

I have been indeed richly blessed in my years far more than I thought I deserved when I acted so much a dumb fool in my youth. I have attained good fortune and fame and for some in my station....it is far easier and less troublesome to throw money at the issues of society than to put their own life and reputation at stake. I chose the later for Judy and Nick not because of any expected reward...but because it was the right and honorable thing to do. If at the forfeiture of my own reputation or even my life, I could pay a debt of honor and save two mammals now dear to me as my friends from a life time of pain...then I feel it was not only of great worth....but of greater fortune than materials could possibly bless me. And I know and knew with absolute certainly that my wife and my children were steadfast in both their approval of my actions and in their prayers that they would be successful.

I look to my own children and I want them to be proud of their Father, to hear from their lips that their father is a decent, honorable, stern yet caring soul who puts money at the bottom of the list and honor and integrity at the top. That if needs be, he is both willing and able without reservation to lay down his life for his friends. That if he had to move heaven and earth, go broke, perhaps go to prison or perhaps die to see his friends enjoy once more the important reasons to live. Then their father lived a life who's wealth in gold was the gold of righteousness, goodness and love which is by far more precious than any horded metal.

I have paid my debts to Judy in full measure and in doing so have watched Nick and her strengthen their bond so sore tested. It gives me great joy to have them around, to watch them slowly walk together through our fields paw in paw saying wonderful things to each other. How is that not a better and more joyous vision to see between two mammals who love each other? Why do people sometimes so wish to see the outcome poisoned with anger? It is better to hope and wish two Mammals find success and happiness together than to cheer their mutual destruction. I wish nothing from them yet seeing them together gives me the greatest joy and a much greater appreciation for the vixen who is my darling wife. I wish for Judy and Nick all the gifts that providence can bestow on them to the end of their days.

Diary entry of Gideon Gray

Two days after Gideon and Travis left Zootopia...

Judy was in her kitchen when a knock came on her apartment door. It was officer Snarloff, the large Polar Bear from Precinct One and his face at first was one of serious import. Judy suddenly feared the worse. But Snarloff stepped aside to reveal Nick behind him and to Judy...he look a fright...

She started to speak....sorry for this....sorry for that....I hurt you....I hit you.....I was wrong.....but I can't.....I can't.....

Without another word of his own....Nick simply walked up, picked her up off the floor and gently nuzzled her. He then looked at Snarloff...."Everything will be fine Snarls." Nick said as he gently closed the door.

Two days later. Jinny sat with Judy as she went through the procedure and sobbed as Jinny softly held and assured her that she would be alright. Outside in the waiting room...Nick finally let himself unleash all of the emotional pain, crying into the fat belly of Gideon as he told Nick how good a fox he was and how lucky he was to have landed such a wonderful girl as Judy.

Gideon bought both the box and the small plot in the cemetery overlooking Zootopia and there under the shade of a Sycamore tree, Judy and Nick cried together for their never known child. Over the next year they would often make pilgrimages to the spot and over time they would fall asleep together under that big Sycamore and over time their words grew sweeter and softer, affectionate and full of love. Then one day....Nick got on his knees and begged Judy to marry him and with joy unleashed and unrestrained...they tumbled down the steep sloping hill where Nick broke his ankle...

Perhaps their child wanted a good laugh?

The day of the wedding was bright and sunny midst the crowd of family and well wishers who had come. Fennick Fox was the best Fox and Judy could not have looked more a fitting princess in the gown her late grandmother had once worn. Of course who else would marry them but "the Judge" who beckoned them to light a candle from two with the words...."Two flames tried in adversity now become a single light to enrich the world. May omnipotent providence bless this light. May it aid it to stand against the winds and storms of life and may this light never go out. With this I now pronounce you both....Inseparable Mammals for life."

Ten years after the wedding...

A teenage fox tore into the house yelling and jumping like crazy in joyous celebration...."MAW! MAW! WE TOOK EM MAW! WE'RE IN THE SERIES!" WOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Roary Gray! You get those fool cleats off this instant! Have you lost your mind?!" Jinny yelped as she stomped into the living room.

"WOOOOOOOOOO!" Gideon shouted as he came in behind his son holding the divisional soccer trophy in his hands. "YOUR SON IS A CHAMPION JINNY! WOOPED THOSE JICKETS INTO THE DIRT HE DID!"

"And I swear I will whoop two dumb vulpines into the dirt if they don't stop making a disaster of my house!" Jinny snapped.

Gideon's daughter Belinda came in huffing. "Just like males maw...dumb as rocks. Maybe if I fire some rockets up their tushes they might act more decent!"

"Awwwww....you're just jealous sister!" The 15 year old fox huffed with a paw throw.

"I can still whoop your tail Roary Kyle!" Belinda snapped as she chased after her younger brother. Meanwhile....Gideon walked into the kitchen to see what his wife was doing...

"What are you cooking Jinny?" Gideon asked.

"One of my new recipe ideas for my lady's book. I think you'll enjoy it." She said as she gave her husband a kiss. "Yes...I am very proud of our son. And you were the one who said soccer was a girl's game? Shame on you Gideon Gray."

"Did I say that?" Gideon said as he pointed to himself. "Tarn Jinny...I was joshin."

"Yeah right you were." Jinny replied as the doorbell rang.

"I got it!" Belinda yelled out as she ran to the door and opened it..."Daddy! Nick and Judy are here!"

Gideon came into the living room to see Judy holding a little fox kit in her arms and Nick holding the hand of a little bunny dressed in a light pink dress with a bow between her long ears...

Judy bounced the fox kit in her arms..."Michael? This is your Uncle Gideon."

Gideon walked up and took Michael from Judy's arms and held him..."Well hello there sport? Ain't you a big one?"

Nick snickered. "He's got Brontosaurus genes like you Gid."

"You're going to be a big fox all right." Gideon said as he hugged Michael and set him on the floor, holding his paws up over his head as he played with him a little.

Gideon regarded the little bunny girl who returned his look with a kurtsee of her skirt...

"Well I'll be..." Gideon said smiling. "What a proper gesture. Thank you good lady." Gideon said with a bow.

Nick smiled..."And that's Cinnamon. Better watch her Gid? She'll con you out of cookies."

"Chip off the old Nick huh?" Gideon said as he bent down to kiss "Cin Cin" on her head. "Well? She can have all the cookies here she desires. Jinny's in the kitchen Judy and I'm sure the children can find things to do together?"

Belly scooped up "Cin Cin" and smiled. "You and I had better get away from these boys before they poison you and turn you into a "Tommy". Would you like to play dress up or dolls?"

Cin Cin giggled..."Where's the safe?"

Belly snorted at Nick...."Nick Wilde? I swear!"

"Hey? We're a family of Hustlers, give me a break? I'm still new to parenting ok? Just don't spoil her crazy or she'll never leave."

Gideon walked up to wrap an arm around Nick's shoulders. "You all set yourselves up while Nick and I go for a walk. And when we get back? I'll show young Michael here how to ride a horse. Would you like that son?"

Michael nodded and smiled as Gideon petted him then he walked out with Nick into the big grassy field in front of the Gray house...

"The youngster doesn't speak much." Gideon asked.

"He can't." Nick replied. "He's deaf. But Judy loved him from the first moment we saw him at the orphanage so we couldn't leave him. He's good at readings lips and sign language though. How could anyone be so cruel as to dump him like that."

"You and Judy were just what the kit needs." Gideon said as he stopped and turned to Nick..."And how are you doing Nick? How are you both doing?"

Nick pursed his lips...sighed and tried not to get emotional..."We can't ever pay you back enough..."

"Shut your snoot." Gideon replied. "I'd reject any attempt...you know me."

Nick looked up at the sky. "It's just that...sometimes we think we'll never be able to...to make a fair amends..."

Gideon rested his paws on Nick's shoulders..."You two together...are a fair amends. Those two precious children of yours?....fair amends. Every day you wake up together and every day you both fall asleep together?...fair amends. And every time the two of you strap on those gun belts, those badges and walk the beat to keep the peace and put your lives on the line? Fair amends. Never put your worth down and never forget what brought you two close together and why you love each other so. Do that and honor that child's memory with goodness and good things...And it's fair amends."

"You're both doing fine. But remember....my big bushy butt's heavy enough to splinter spines so don't make me come to the city again to correct your way ward butts?"

Nick chuckled as he gave Gideon's big stomach a good punch..."Deal. Now one question I just have to ask their "Pie King" how in the hell do you get your tail looking so sweet?"

Gideon laughed as he looked behind himself. "We foxes and our vanity. Come on Nick...I'll introduce you to "Tail 101" and I have to warn you ahead of time? It involves a big stew pot."

"Now.....you're scaring the hell out of me." Nick replied as he and Gideon walked back to the house as the sun began to set behind it.

The End