Starshine

By Xan Steel

(Zootopia is owned by Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jarod Bush, Disney, and Disney Animation Studios. This is a Fan Fiction in that world).

Musical inspiration; Starshine (feat) Jay Jacob. By Jay Jacob, Refracture, Yenn

It's ten o'clock at night as we see a female red furred bunny, who couldn't be more than nine years of age. She leans against an oddly shaped rock that is hard to make out in the darkness.

She is staring up into the night sky, as the stars twinkled back at her. The only cloud in the sky can be seen covering the full moon. She had been sitting here for a little over an hour just looking up. Waiting for some special event to happen that she always knew would happen. However, the last few nights it hadn't happen, and it made her sad as she let out a soft sigh.

She speaks in a slightly high-pitched tone, “I'm waiting here to watch the stars like we always did before. But they haven't been shining as brightly as before."

She continues to watch as best as she can, even though tears had started to form in her eyes. She sniffles loudly and wipes her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt. “I miss you." She lays her head on her arms as they rest on her knees, and begins to cry.

Another hour passes as we hear the sound of footsteps coming up behind her, and see the silhouette another female bunny. With what little light is available, we see this new bunny is Judy Wilde-Hopps. Judy kneels behind the little bunny, and speaks softly to her. “Sienna, my sweet baby girl. What are doing out here so late?" Judy picked her up to try and comfort her, as Sienna turned around and wrapped her arms around Judy's neck and buried her face there as well.

“Daddy didn't come again," Sienna blurted out tearfully.

Judy remembered that she would sit out here at night with her father and watch the stars until he brought her in, sleeping in his arms. The next day Sienna always told her how bright and shiny they were. Judy turned and began to head back to the house with her, but just as she started to head down the little hill, she looked up and suddenly understood.

“Hey, pumpkin?" A tiny muffled acknowledgment came from her neck. “Would you take one last look at the sky for me?" Judy asked.

Sienna wiped her eyes clear and looked back up into the sky. Judy felt her little paws tighten on her shoulders, as she spoke a single word in a tiny, meek voice, “Daddy."

The stars were shining brighter than she had ever seen before. The beautiful colors and twinkles that flowed across the sky captivated her as Judy continued to walk, but just a bit slower.

“Remember when I said, 'your daddy wouldn't forget you.'" Judy said as she felt her nod. “It wouldn't surprise me if he is also trying to be a hero up there, and just had a tough case to crack." Judy's words were lost on her ears as Sienna just kept looking at the stars.

Once they had made it back into the house, the Moon had finally managed to break through the cloud and bathed the area in its pale light. That stone Sienna was leaning on was now clearly visible and revealed to be a family tombstone. The words on it gilded in gold.

Here lies a hero

 a friend, a husband

and a father

Nicholas P. Wilde-Hopps

Who fell in the line of duty,

Protecting that which mattered.

May he rest in peace.