Immemorial (Shepherds)

Hey all. And so the story continues. Disclaimer: Zootopia and its characters are copyright, Disney. (I own none of the characters in the story aside from the O/C's.).

A huge thank you goes out to JKnight97 for reading and editing the final copy of the chapter and his overall inspiration to the story, and White-Rabbit-Art for the art that was commissioned and inspired me.

Picture here: 
. : R E M E M B E R : .  (Winter's DA)

Remembering at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (JKnight's DA)

Special thank you goes to: Sergeant Sargent II(FanFiction), senestran, JadeHopps, StarWisherMidnight, FROSTStudios45, and DrummerMax64 for allowing me to either use their characters or sharing a story in honour of Memorial Day.

Shepherds

For a long while, Judy and Nick briskly paced side by side. The sun had started its slow decline and their only semblance of conversation was the jeers of the polar bear telling them to keep up followed by one of her signature nicknames. And though to some it would seem demeaning, to them it was a welcome reprieve of familiarity.

She would shout at them without even turning back, and admittedly her insults were better from their academy days. There were new things like 'Twinkle Toes', 'Berry Bandit', and 'Sandy Cheeks' for Nick mixed in with the old stuff like 'Foxy Loxy', 'City Boy', and her personal favourite, 'Chew Toy'.

The fox was fascinated that it took all of two words to insult either of them, but it was a bit unfair as he got more names than the bunny. Whether it was due to his antics at the academy or at the police station, he couldn't tell.

Still, Nick didn't know how to feel about everything that was going on around them. He had experienced deaths before: family, friends, complete strangers while hustling. However, this was different for reasons he couldn't put a paw on. Maybe because his actions had a direct effect on the outcome? He wasn't sure.

He had never been to the memorial park before in his long stay in the city. He just didn't see the real need to come here as he wasn't exactly what one would call patriotic in any way.

He had only come for Judy, to give her moral support, but it slowly dawned on him that he was also here for something more. Guilt? Closure? Penance?

He knew Judy still felt as though she was responsible for the loss of Phil. Her ears hadn't budged or stood since they left the graves, and her usual bubbly self was starting to become mired in apathy; unable to process Phil's death.

Nick understood her emotions all too well. She was starting to become like the old Nick; the worst side of his former self laid bare for all to see. It was the part of him he could no longer stomach ever since he became her partner.

So Nick - in his own Nick Wilde way - devised a way to cheer his bunny up. He knew how Judy worked, and she knew his antics. Well, most of them anyways. And that was a good thing as it allowed him wiggle room to try something new.

Carefully, he raised a paw at her unaware form.

His thought was to distract her from her inner turmoil by tapping her on the cheek and asking her if she thought Bogo really was secretly 'more than yelling friends' with Friedkin.

In raising his paw to do so, Judy turned to face him with thoughts of her own getting to her. However, when she felt his digit press against her nose, she reeled backward.

Nick didn't often catch Judy off-guard, but this one was hilarious to him. The bunny's nose twitched and she gave him an incredulous stare that went beyond anything he had ever seen on her before.

I'll just have to keep that in mind for later, he thought, mentally bookmarking the idea of pestering her playfully.

Taking a paw to rub her nose (though it only tickled) Judy started her retort. She took a deep, agitated breath when a loud voice stopped her.

"Alright, fluffbutts. We're here." said Friedkin, stopping on a dime and looking at a building up a small flight of stairs.

The two smaller mammals looked up at both it and her. Friedkin seemed to linger altogether, eyes intently focused on whatever this place was.

This close, it looked like a mausoleum or museum of sorts. Amber-white walls and arching designs gave it the feel of both presence and absence. It was like looking at both a grave and a commons all at once.

Curious, Judy asked, "What is this place?" But the answer she waited for from her superior was far different from what she expected.

Friedkin snapped to attention, saluting towards the building as a figure approached them.

"Tigerson!" shouted the bear, never wavering from her stance as a tiger stood at the top of the steps, saluting her back.

"Friedkin!" said the tiger, ending his salute and casually striding towards them.

He, much like the others wore formal attire and had his vest decorated with numerous medals. One even bore a striking resemblance to his stripes with the added feature of several small stars.

Both now at ease, the bear nodded towards Nick and Judy. "This, Officers, is Lieutenant Colonel Tigerson."

Immediately, the two cops saluted before hearing a deep chuckle from the two towering predators.

"At ease," said the tiger, waving at them.

They held a silence for a moment before Friedkin heaved a heavy sigh. "You mind showin' 'em the ropes here?" she asked, pointing to the building before looking down the pathway. "I got a pig and a wolf to wrangle."

Tigerson's eyes gleamed. "Absolutely," He clapped his paws together and waved the two forward towards the building.

As Friedkin bellowed a 'goodbye' of sorts, Nick couldn't help but wonder if the Mayor and Assistant Mayor were 'just friends' as well.

Shrugging and forcing the thought to the back of his mind, the fox pressed on with Judy.

Along the short path that lead to the building, they both looked up to the lettering above the doorway. And while they knew this to be 'Meadowlands Memorial Park', the posting above reading, 'Meadowlands Memorial Hall'.

The large door was as ornate as it was simple: carved with simple outlines of species that even a child could identify.

Pushing it inward, the tiger ushered them through, and it was not what they expected.

Judy - for her train of thought - believed that there would be rows upon rows of caskets lining the walls from top to bottom while they were to learn the name of nearly each and every mammal that was there.

Nick - much to his surprise - expected to see many mammals there for them to speak to like the Swinton's, and for them each to give them advice about the guilt they felt and how their work changes lives to any degree.

Both minds couldn't fathom what they saw in front of them, around them, below them, and most assuredly above them.

For the hallway glistened with soft, ambient blue lighting from floor to ceiling. Little dots calmly swayed to and fro, blinking ever so often as they went in.

Each wall was lined with little nicknacks and phrases behind glass paneling. To their left, there was a vintage silver lighter and some scrawl that they could barely read as 'Last Light'. To the right of them was a small row of bullet cases; all different shapes and lined nearly with the words 'Names of my Brothers' in clear writing under it.

And beyond them, towards the center of the massive building was a large, golden-yellow cone like object. It nearly stretched from the ground the domed ceiling, and small lights around it shimmered almost happily.

"What is this place?" they both asked, unaware that something like this existed in Zootopia.

They didn't really expect an answer, but their curiosity and fascination lead their steps in awe and wonder. Yet, when they were answered, it wasn't by the tiger's voice.

"I can answer that." A smaller, soothing voice replied from just behind them.

Startled, they both jumped, twisting themselves around to see a sheep standing there idly.

Questioning how the mammal got there, both cops gasped as they traced over its features: smaller than the average sheep (Dawn's size), barely any wool save for their tail and head (like Dawn), glasses (like Dawn), hooves folded behind them (like Dawn), and smiling (the same way Dawn did when she had them cornered).

Everything about this sheep screamed Dawn Bellwether, and they took a step back, paws hovering over where their ZPD issued tranq guns would have been had they been on duty.

The few things that separated this sheep's features from Dawns were that their wool was darker (the lighting made it a little brighter), and they were a little too... robust to be a ewe (small horns barely jutted out from their wool).

So no, this was no Dawn Bellwether. They both sighed in relief.

The odd sheep approached them, a slight limp in his step. "Back already, Tigerson?"

Amicable as his question was, the tiger chuckled back. "Yeah, a little bear asked me for help with these two."

The sheep looked at the officers nonplussed as he sighed, "Scott, It's been less than two minutes since I saw you walk out."

Tigerson gave a shrug, he knew this would happen. "You know I can't stay away from this place too long 'Lil Horn. I love all their stories."

With a wave of his hoof and seeing the tiger off, the sheep stepped up to Nick and Judy. He stopped in front of them and gave them a quizzical look as if he were studying them entirely.

For a moment of silence, his greenish-blue eyes traced over them and soon his expression brightened. "Ah, Officers Hopps and Wilde, correct?"

While it was common for mammals to know the two cops that saved the city, seeing as they were the only pair of fox and rabbit partners in the ZPD, it was unusual to have someone not gawk at them for a long while.

It was refreshing to them as they each nodded.

"Splendid! It's a pleasure to have you here. I'm Chorin Wolfson, Rin for short," He extended his hoof for them to shake which they did hastily. Afterward, he paced past them a few steps, glancing at the tiger who only smiled back. Shrugging, he waved the officers forward. "This is the Memorial Hall, north side. I can assume why you're here."

The duo looked at one another, hesitant to answer, but yet dumbfounded as to how to reply. As they mulled over something fitting, Rin hoofed his way towards the glowing golden pillar and waved.

"I'm sure you're both shaken up about what happened to the officer on your patrol, yes?" Stopping before entering the larger hall, Rin looked back at them and smiled. Their collective 'yes' with their heads bowed made it all more apparent of what he needed to say.

Nodding, he cleared his throat. "Tell me, Officers, have you ever heard of the story of the 'Kipos War Shepherd'?"

Wordlessly eyeing each other, they shook their heads in unison; they knew that the sheep had an epic to tell. Nodding his head, he began.

"It was about a hundred years ago; before we had any way of keeping secure and accurate records, this much we know about the event that turned the tide in the war. The conflict was very short; three years in fact. It started as most wars do: disagreement, hatred, and injustice. The sad truth is it sparked off spats that turned into a declaration that sent many to their graves. Warring sides included several nations and a few countries over a spot of land across seas.

"While the details aren't exactly clear, there was quite a large number of mammals that went to war from the developing city of Zootopia. Both predators and prey alike, they went overseas to aid others though still having issues of their own."

He paused for a moment, mulling over a few thoughts before strolling towards the column.

"Do you know what went wrong?" Though he asked this, he didn't let them answer. "Everyone hated everyone else. Though they were on the same side, allies and all, they couldn't stand one another. Mammal against mammal, predator against prey, species against species; it would turn into a civil war if they could not stop hating each other and work together.

"There's little record of the time it took, but the accounts we do have say after many were slaughtered in the beginning of the last year of the war, change started to happen because of a small group working together. A small regiment containing many factions of armed forces: Army, Navy, Marines, Air-force. If they were trained, then they would fight.

"They were composed of predators and prey of all manner of species, the number of which was no greater than the low twenties. And with such few remaining, they made the difference that turned the tides of war. For they had found a shepherd among them.

"Being cut off and holed up in an encampment, they decided that it was better to go out fighting their enemy instead of turning on one another because of their differences. They were surrounded, wounded, and low on supplies. Knowing that the end was near, they banded together and fought back to breach the enemy lines in ambushes, infiltrations, and other small missions while cut off from their supply routes and communications.

"The last known record of their squad says that there were twelve left by the end, half predator, and half prey. And when they returned, they came here to this ground and told everyone what they saw: the horrors of war and the need for all to work together for peace. They were praised for their bravery and constantly pestered as to who their shepherd was. The public said constantly that it was the sheep, Jacob Herdsmen.

"Many attributed their success to him, but he dutifully declined. He said that he was in fact not their shepherd. When asked on his deathbed as to who the shepherd was, he finally told them. He said that the shepherd was none of them, not a single one. But it was their beliefs, their goals and bonds that pushed them forward on the field that day.

"Had it not been for the common ground they all shared - a hope for a brighter future - then Zootopia would have fallen. Their world would have crumbled to dust. It took more than their biologies - be they predator or prey - to change the world. It took the courage to stand, the heart to love, and their bonds to unite in order to see that goal to the end."

He stopped, hooves clasped behind him while he stared up at the column. The soft glow catching the eyes of the cops, they gasped in awe that it wasn't just a pillar of sorts, it was a large tree. Judy recognized it as a Fraser Fir just by the looks of it while Nick's mind wondered about Christmas at the end of this year.

Rin reached up and gently seized one of the golden-green branches with his hoof. Bringing it down, he smiled at them and glided his hoof off of some metal piece hanging from it. And though its branches rustled oddly due to it being a replica tree, the duo stared in wonder none the less.

Rin continued, "It's... unclear of who started this tradition; of who thought of honouring all with a tree that 'Sprang forth to reach the heavens'. Some say it was the sheep among them, others (myself included) say the giraffe, the tiger, squirrel... elephant. But it didn't matter as they came together at this very spot, banded the lost tags of their fallen comrades, climbed to the top of a tree," climbed to the top of a tree," as he mumbled something about an elephant sized crater that was filled in eventually, "and placed it there as a star that watched over all of them. They themselves hung their badges of honour on the branches. "

Judy and Nick walked forward, each wanting to see this up close. Both their paws reached out for a single branch that was close to them and they got a closer look; the sheep was right.

For the branch was covered with small badges, ribbons, and medals. A few they recognized as from their own precinct, and others from the ZFD not too far away. Shocked that this existed, they looked at Rin, practically begging for answers.

He obliged. "This tree is for all those who have served and retired. Well... and some who their family still considers serving though they are deceased. Many come to hang their old badges on it, proudly displaying their honour for all to see should they visit."

Nick, eyes glued to the badges and feeling lost, could only think of his lost friend. To him, Phil was still there serving with them, he hadn't said anything about retirement, it was too early. Still, holding these badges and medals of honour in his paw, he could only wonder. "Carrots, did you know about that?"

Though informal, they were off-duty, and she didn't mind the name in public at all. Shaking her head, Judy replied, "I went home last Christmas, Nick. I didn't get to see the tree. Bogo gave me two weeks off because of the Nor'easter. He didn't know how I'd fare in the storm."

Judy's paw brushed against one of the many badges there. One in particular, a ZFD badge, she held close to her. She remembered the stories that her brother told her while he was on duty; the fires he endured, the lives saved, how the burrows were constantly watched.

She wondered if they had something like that over there as well. I'll call him later today.

As if reading their minds, Rin released the branch and took a step back. "Every precinct, fire station, and emergency service in Zootopia follows this shining example every year. On Memorial Day they lower their flags at half mast until the afternoon where they wave the banner high."

He started to wave them over towards a nearby wall, and when they followed him, they could see a row of badges placed out on a shelf near a kiosk as if they were ready to be placed on the tree.

"Then, around Christmas, they set out a tree for those retired and have roots in their community, the pillar of courage for those that served and protected. Every badge that they hang is a story of love and loss, a decoration of honour and a coat of arms."

Rei had taken to inspecting each one, mumbling a name or two until his hoof froze. And bearing a grin, he turned back to them.

"And above every tree, they hang the badges of those that fell. Shimmering stars of sacrifice and bravery, an example of what it means to lay down your life for another. They will forever shine down on us as their lives guided us to make a difference while we still are able."

The two cops froze. Trailing their ways to the ceiling, the soft blue twinkling of lights reignited their curiosity. Both their jaws hanging on hinges, they strained their eyes to take a closer look.

"Those... those are badges?!" Judy asked, her eyes twinkling with the light of a thousand, thousand stars.

Picking up one such badge and a notepad, the sheep gave them an odd stare. He scratched his wool nervously with a spare pen. "Well... they're replicas; ornaments if you will," he admitted. "There was a whole thing with real badges, weak wiring, a kid... and since we can't afford that kind of suit again-"

He shuddered at the thought, ambling his way toward them with a hoof waved. "Never forget that every badge shares a story, and every star has a name."

Rin looked down at the replica in his hoof with a somber smile. When he held it out to them and Nick took it in his paws, a deep gasp filled the chamber.

Not knowing what it was, Judy took hopped over to him to have a look and gasped as well.

The polished hard plastic replica of a brass badge fitted with the ZPD logo and star held the name: Kyle S. Phillips. A small blue light blinked in its center; it's rhythm like the beat of a heart.

Reverently, the two held the memorabilia as if it were a fragile kit in their paws. A memento of the friend and fellow service-mammal that they barely knew.

"Can you tell me the story of his badge?" the sheep asked, adjusting his glasses. "We're still collecting data for each one."

"Data?" Judy muttered.

Rin tutted, "It's a surprise."

They silently stood as Nick clutched the badge tighter. Out of the two of them, he had known Phil a little more. It was his responsibility to tell them.

"He was... a really nice guy. I dragged him into a few office pranks, but one went wrong because he didn't like the sound of thunder." Eyes tired, he smoothed his paw over the lettering. Short as their time may have been, he did garner a few things from the possum. He smirked, remembering one key detail. "Heh... he wasn't photogenic at all."

"NICK!" Judy shouted, elbowing him. How could he say that? she questioned. He's gone, and that's how you remember him?

Before she could get further, Rin intervened. "No, Ms. Hopps," he huffed, stepping forward and tapping on the badge. "I'd like to hear this one."

For a moment, Judy didn't understand how Nick could joke about their friend, and why the sheep wanted to hear more. Yet... though gone, Phil was still their friend. So with a sigh, Judy patiently waited for her partner to speak.

Now given the chance to tell the tale, Nick took a deep breath and let the memory return.

"I, uh... snuck up on him with a selfie once," As if a sparked by the words, Nick reached into his pocket to fish for his cell phone. The moment he had it, he opened the camera app and found the pictures he was looking for. In showing it to them, they saw a blue eyed possum staring back (completely zoned out) with a fox smiling next to him. "His blank stare had me in stitches the whole time."

Seemingly enthralled with the details, the sheep scribbled something hastily on the pad. "Then I'll have to add that. May I have the badge back?" Clicking his pen, he held up his hoof and Nick returned the ornament.

Setting both pad and badge on the shelf, the sheep cleared his throat. "Well, if there anything more that I can assist you with here, I'll be around."

There had indeed been something on Judy's mind since they saw the sheep. His apparel wasn't like any of the others, she had to know. "Wait. Where did you serve?"

Humming at the question, Rin shrugged. "I never got a chance to serve, Ms. Hopps," he said tiredly. "I was in the ROTC program when I was in college, but I never got a chance to finish due to an accident with a drunk driver."

When he said this, Judy couldn't help but gasp at both the horror and idea of losing one's dream.

He waved them off. "It's fine, my cousin went on tour and he turned out just fine."

Relieved that Rin had at least some semblance of a life well lived, Judy sighed. What would I do? she asked herself. If I had to retire earlier than expected?

She couldn't fathom it no matter how hard she tried to think; quitting just wasn't in her.

Both cops casting their heads towards the ceiling, the gentle sway of blue lights calmed their inner thought. The idea that they may end up there was both peaceful and heartbreaking. Neither wanted that so soon, if ever.

It wasn't until they heard "Wilde. Hopps." that they snapped to attention.

Just down the hallway, a bright smiling wolf approached them.

"Mayor?" mumbled Judy, watching the canid nearly stumble forward and drop his book.

Composing himself and staring awkwardly at the sheep, Luproc smiled. "Hey, 'Lil Horn," he teased. "How's my favourite curator."

Tapping his hoof in mild annoyance, Rin grinned back. "Just fine, Lupric," He knew he was going to be scolded, but went on to say, "Or is it, 'Deadshot'? I'll have to ask Swinton about that one."

The flustered look on the wolf's face said it all, but still, Rin chuckled. "Still up for the reunion later?"

Grumbling a 'yes' the wolf padded his way to the door. "Come along, officers. There's one last stop in the park that your chief wanted you to see."

Neither cop hesitated in following his orders as they followed their mayor out of the building. Yet, before they left, both of them took one last glimpse at the tree, the pillar of honour for their community that sprang forth to the heavens; and the stars above, the sacrifice that so many gave to protect what they believed in.

As they stood in the doorway, both Judy and Nick stood at attention and saluted the tree as their way of paying their respects to those who had gone before them.

Hey all, I hope you're enjoying the story so far. One more chapter to go.

Huge thanks to DrummerMax64 for allowing me to use a Zootopified version of his uncle: Tigerson.

Also, many thanks to the vet and serving friends and family that I spoke to and told me about the traditions that they had. One told me about the ornaments and pictures they hang on their Christmas tree, and others told me about hanging name/dog tags as ornaments to remember their friends and family.

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Happy Memorial Day
-DLW