Hi, so, I decided to play around with an AU idea for Zootopia that is quite outside of my other stories. I think this will be a pretty interesting story. I hope you guys like it. It is still a work in progress, but I figured I should test the waters with this introduction to the story, see what you guys think.

Let me set the scene a bit. This is an AU. I take all the Zootopia characters and mix them with my own OC's in a fantasy world with kings, queens and most importantly... magic. So, this is my concept, my setup for this story. If you like it enough, I will see what I can do to update on a regular basis. For now, I am focused on my other stories and it may be a while before I will be able to continue this story, but that all depends on your reaction.

Hope you like it! ;)

The lightning lit up the sky.

A cloaked figure quickly strode down the wet road, the rain coming in torrents.

It was dark as the figure approached the forest that lay between him and the grand city of the Hopps royal family.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

The figure stopped in his tracks, turning his head to the patrol of rabbits that had their swords drawn and were approaching him from the cover of the tree line. His hood hid his face. The thunder rolled overhead

He didn't move as they continued their advance.

The lead rabbit, a tan colored one, motioned for some of the unit to go around him, surrounding the cloaked figure.

"Who are you?"

The figure spoke in a calm tone.

"I am John Renard."

The tan rabbit buck pointed his sword at the figure, narrowing his eyes.

"What business do you have in the kingdom?"

The figure took note of the rabbits that now encircled him.

"I am a refugee. Am I… Did I do something wrong? Am I under arrest?"

The tan rabbit took a step towards him.

"No… not yet… Where do you come from?"

The figure moved his hooded head to see that the other rabbits had come closer as well.

"Um… I come from the wild lands of the north, sir. War has ravaged the lands. I am a simple commoner, sir. I am seeking a new home with more… protection."

The rabbit leader didn't look convinced. He spotted a glint of a sword hidden beneath the figure's cloak. Simple commoner? No way. Liar.

"I don't believe you. Get on your knees. Paws behind your head. Come peacefully and we will put in a good word for you."

The figure just stood there. His voice sounded amazed.

"Are you arresting me? Really? For what? Looking suspicious? I don't understand."

The tan buck looked at the figure warily.

"You are lying. Why do you have a sword? Simple Commoner, or armed enemy? Right, now I think you are a liar, and liars can't be trusted. Of course, if you come quietly, that will make all the difference, and we might even let you go."

The figure let the sword show. He no longer hid it. An elegant weapon. Small and lightweight. It was jeweled at the hilt with ornate designs molded into the design. The sword's sheath had an elegant design etched down the center of it. Now where did he get something like that when he was a simple commoner?

"You mean this? A gift from a friend. Come on… You don't think that I pose this much of a threat, do you? Huh? I mean, look how old I am. Come on… let me through."

The rabbit buck gave a threatening growl.

"I have seen others as old as you kill before. You are no exception. Now get on the ground. You are outnumbered. You won't win."

The figure was silent for a moment, realizing he was getting nowhere with this rabbit. His tone became cold. He gave a threatening growl, paw wandering close to the sword hilt.

"I did not come to shed your blood, rabbit. Now, step aside before you get yourself hurt."

The tan buck felt a bit intimidated, but letting him go was not an option. His gut told him that this mysterious figure should not be welcomed in these lands.

"We have you outnumbered nine to one. This is your last warning. Come now, or we will use force."

The figure took a defensive stance and clutched his paws together with a growl.

"Use force then, foolish bunny."

The tan rabbit gave the signal to attack, but the instant he did, the rabbit leader felt the fur on his body raise and a chill go down his spine with what happened next. There was a blinding light as he felt an explosive force tear through his body, sending him and his soldiers flying in all directions with cries of pain and panic. They landed hard upon the ground, a spectral heat singeing each of their fur coats.

The figure had a fiery glow emanating from his paws as his cloak rippled in the wind, illuminating the scene with an intense light.

The air rippled with power as a booming sound surged through the air, leaving each buck with a ringing in their ears.

Sorcery.

As soon as the light and energy appeared, it was gone.

The tan rabbit fell upon a rock. The sharp surface cut across his eye. He hissed in pain, but quickly got up from the ground to see the figure already at the forest's edge. He blinked away the blood, his eyes as wide as the wound would allow with shock of what just happened.

"Errg! After him!"

The other rabbits scrambled to their feet with groans of pain, grabbing their fallen swords and chasing after the figure that disappeared into the trees.

The thunder clapped overhead. The lightning momentarily lighting the trees. The wind shook the forest.

It was no use. The sorcerer had escaped.

17 years later

A figure dressed all in black expertly scaled the wall and ducked behind one of the barrels that was on top of the roof of the building as a wolf sentry marched past on the nearby city perimeter wall. When he had passed, the shadowy figure peeked their head over the barrel and dashed to the edge of the roof. With a mighty leap, the figure jumped to a neighboring building and began to hop from roof to roof in an expert fashion, like the figure did this often. They headed in the direction of the palace that rose above the city and into the night sky.

Nearing the palace's perimeter wall, the shadow made for the top of a taller building and used it as a launching point. They jumped for the top of the palace's perimeter wall, catching it deftly. They hung there as a guard passed by without noticing the shadow dangling along the side of the wall.

The figure hoisted themselves up and silently padded down the length of the wall before dropping down into the royal garden.

The figure went from shadow to shadow before finally reaching the wall of the palace and began climbing the rope that dangled from the balcony just above them.

Reaching the top of the rope, the figure swung themselves over the railing and expertly popped open the door latch from the outside using a thin piece of wood.

The figure carefully pushed it open, revealing a hallway. Doors lined the sides of it. One of them had a light glowing behind it. The figure didn't want to alert whoever was in that room. They cautiously placed a foot inside and then the other…

Suddenly the door opened and the stealthy figure was stunned by the warm light from the room, caught in the act.

"Judith Laverne Hopps!"

The rabbit doe winced at the use of her whole name by the voice of who can only be… her mother.

Judy gave her an uneasy smile as she came fully into the palace and closed the balcony door behind her, careful not to let her cape or dress get caught in it. She gave a nervous chuckle

"Um haha, err… hey, mother."

The middle-aged rabbit just glared at her, paws on her hips. The nightgown she wore was loose in some places, unbefitting of a queen, but she was too frustrated with her daughter to care. Her foot was thumping its disapproval.

Bonnie didn't release her glare from the young doe in front of her.

"Where. Have. You. Been?"

Judy let out a sigh, swaying from side to side and rolling her eyes. She didn't want to have another argument with her mother.

"Um… out?"

"Ha! Is that it? What were you doing?!"

The rabbit doe groaned as she looked at the ceiling.

"Where do you think, mother?"

The Queen shook her head at her tomboyish daughter.

"Judith! How many times do I have to tell you? You're a lady. It is inappropriate and dangerous to go wandering the night. Not to mention you are a princess! It is time you started to act like it. I don't want you practicing with your brothers anymore. It is boyish and unladylike. Leave the swords and arrows to the men!"

Judy shook her head in disbelief, quickly getting angry at her disapproving mother.

"Mom! I don't want to sit around and discuss tea all day. I want to do something less… boring. Why can't you let me make my own decisions? I am of age!"

Bonnie pointed a stern finger at her rebellious daughter.

"No, Judith! It isn't proper and befitting of a princess who will be a queen someday. And, who ever said that you have to talk about tea all day? You can read. Write poetry. Take strolls in the garden. Try your paw at cooking for all I care. You can still go explore the town, just with an armed escort. You have everything you could possibly need right here."

Judy growled with frustration, startling her mother. She flashed her mother a frustrated look as she paced in front of her. Her eyes ablaze.

"Well, what if I am ever in a position that I need to defend myself? I am not going to be some helpless princess waiting be rescued! Yes, mom, I have everything I need, but not everything I want. I don't want to live this… dull helpless life of a princess, and I sure as Hell don't want to be a queen!"

Bonnie gasped and reprimanded her daughter for her language.

"Judith! Mind your tongue! It isn't—"

The rabbit doe was furious and snapped at her mother defiantly.

"Oh, fight me, mother! I am sorry for the language, but you are just so frustrating! I am sorry that your daughter doesn't want to be what you want her to be, but, mom, I just can't be cooped up in the castle all day, restrained from seeing the world! I want to make something of myself, not have it handed to me or planned out! Why can't you understand that?!"

She gripped her paws into fists so hard that her claws were beginning to draw blood.

The queen stood, her chest heaving, with angry frustration towards her daughter. She pointed a finger down the hall of the castle.

"GO TO STRAIGHT TO YOUR BEDCHAMBERS RIGHT NOW! This is just... OUTRAGEOUS! You will learn, Judith, that many times you don't have a choice! Do you think your father always enjoys being king? No, he doesn't! But it is his responsibility! Just like yours is to OBEY and LISTEN to your parents! You WILL be married someday, and you will see just how foolish your dreams are! And you BETTER NOT act like this when Prince Savage comes to call on you tomorrow!"

Judith gasped with indignation at the mention of her arranged date with the prince of the neighboring kingdom. She shook with anger and disbelief at her mother, meeting her fire with an equal amount of her own.

"OH! That forced romance! You know what, mom? I think I will go to bed. Gladly! It seems to be the only place where I can escape your tyrannical reign over me! GOOD NIGHT, your majesty!"

She gave a mocking curtsy before marching down the hall, leaving a very hot and angry queen behind her.

Bonnie shook her fist at her daughter, wanting to continue to berate her on tone and actions but thought against it, but she couldn't help but make some noises in frustration.

"Ooo. Oooo! Ooo! That girl!"

She went back into the study, slamming the door behind her and pulling on her ears in a futile attempt to calm herself. She paced the room in front of her hard at work husband.

King Stewart looked up from is work at his desk to follow the movements of his pacing wife with his eyes.

"She did have a point. She is of age. Has been for years. She isn't a girl anymore. I take it she hasn't changed her views on Prince Savage?"

He knew the answer. The argument probably woke up half the castle with how loud it was. He heard everything loud and clear. He could feel the tension from the two female rabbits from where he sat.

Judy got her temper from her mother, so it was only natural for the two to get into very heated arguments, each unwilling to let the other win. Stewart, or Stu as his wife called him, was a bit more laid back. He typically let Bonnie handle her daughter. He by all means shared his wife's views and disapproved of his daughters habit of sneaking out during the night. It was dangerous. But he decided it was best to at least try to be an understanding father rather than try to win an argument with the strong-willed doe… who, the king had to admit, could handle herself well in a fight if it came to it. She was tough for a rabbit doe.

Where exactly Judith went off too in the middle of the night was still unknown, but she did it often. Stu, like his wife, was worried about her safety, especially considering what happened years ago. She had still been a kit then and probably didn't remember much, but the whole city was put on lockdown for months while the search for the culprit was conducted. He was never found. There were still rumors of him living in the woods waiting for the time to strike. For that reason, no one entered that forest unless absolutely necessary for fear of running into the sorcerer who meant harm towards the kingdom. Whatever he was doing, he was patient, if he was still in the kingdom. It was obvious he wasn't. The search had been extremely thorough. He must have came to do what he came to do and left. The report was that he told the patrol that he didn't come to shed their blood but seemed to imply someone else's. Whose? No one knows. The tension eventually died down without incident. Peace was throughout the land.

Bonnie gave a predator-like growl.

"Errg! No she hasn't. She is so stubborn! Chasing childish dreams! Why can't she grow up? Why can't she be like the rest of her sisters? They were stubborn also, but at least they had sense enough to not have becoming some sort of roaming warrior as one of their goals. What is she thinking?! She is royalty! She will always have a target on her back. She doesn't understand that it is a dangerous world out there. Or maybe she does but still is stubborn enough to meet it head on!"

The queen collapsed into one of the chairs the room had to offer with a weary sigh, shaking her head.

The king put down his quill and took off his glasses to gaze comfortingly at his wife.

"I know, Bon. I know. I am scared for her too, but we owe it to her to… not be so forceful all the time. She is frustrated that she doesn't feel in control of her life with us constantly looking over her shoulder."

He chuckled.

"She seems to have her uncle's interest in the world. Garret always was one for exploring. When he was younger, he promised that he would travel the world, and would you know it, he kept that promise. Jude, just feels restrained. Maybe it is time we give her some freedom, you know? Perhaps we should have Captain Bogo and a few of her brothers accompany her for a couple of days out of the city, hm? Give her a taste of the world after she has lived for so long cooped up within the city. I mean, how long has it been since she has been past the river just outside of the city walls? Years. As her father, I can understand her frustration."

Bonnie took a deep breath, her voice betraying worry.

"But, I am just afraid that once she gets a taste of the world that's out there, she may never come back. It is dangerous out there. She won't survive on her own."

King Stewart got up from his desk and wandered over to his queen.

"That's the very reason why we need to help her find someone who will give her what she desires. A wise and worthy young buck, like Prince Savage. You met him. He is like her in more ways than one. He likes to travel. He is an avid swordfighter. I think Judy will like him."

Bonnie smiled.

"I hope you're right, Stu. I don't know what we'll do with her if she doesn't."

Stu chuckled.

"We'll see, but right now, I have work to finish up. Perhaps you should get to bed, think about this in the morning. I will be with you soon enough."

The queen stood up, leaving a kiss on her husband's cheek.

"You're right, Stu. I am pretty tired."

She gave him a glare.

"And you better not stay up too late, mister. A king needs his rest too. Remember what happened last time you decided to work into the night? Mhm, yeah. Night, hun."

Stu gave a chuckle. This is one of the many reasons why he chose to marry her. She always kept him in line.

"Don't worry. I won't. I just have a little further to go on this. Won't be long. See you soon."

Judy was furious, her paws balled into fists all the way to her chambers.

She felt like crying from the emotion built up inside her.

The princess opened the door and slammed it behind her, the loud noise echoing throughout the whole castle.

She threw up her paws, shedding her cape and hanging it on the hook on the wall and talking to herself.

"Unbelievable!"

She took up her dress and hoisted it up and off of her and hung it in her wardrobe, which housed a small amount of garments. Judith wasn't one for expensive dresses and closets full of clothes. She liked things more simple. The less she felt like royalty, the more content she became, or at least that's what she thought.

She stood naked and pacing the bedchamber as she gripped the nightgown she had yet to put on in her paws, lost to her thoughts and anger.

"…Why can't she see it my way? I don't want to stay here forever. I don't want to get married only to be moved into another castle and be spoiled with luxury. I DON'T WANT LUXURY! I just want to be free to make my own decisions and fit in. I don't want to be treated like some prized and delicate doe who is told to sit there and look nice while the boys fight or the maids do everything that I can damn well take care of myself! Helpless! That's what I am when I'm in this dungeon!"

She fell back onto her bed, still nude, but she didn't care. She was alone anyhow.

She closed her eyes with a sigh and took a breath.

"I got to get out of here."

She sat up and pulled the nightgown on over her, extracting her ears from being trapped underneath the collar.

Judy lay back and pressed her paws into her face with a moan.

She may have a temper sometimes, but she also had a habit of trying to stay positive.

She clasped her paws together, eyes still closed.

"Tomorrow's a new day… and I hope that it won't end in disaster."

With that she laid back her head into her pillow, not bothering pulling the covers over her as she fell asleep from exhaustion.

They can't keep me here forever. I have the right to choose.

When she woke up, the daylight was already shining the first rays of day through the window on the far side of the chamber.

Judith stretched her limbs with a yawn and blinked in the warm light.

She hummed from the warmth that fell on her body.

She let a grin grace her face.

The rabbit doe sat up in the bed just as there was a knock on her chamber door.

Right on schedule.

"Come in, Dawn."

The door opened to reveal a grinning sheep carrying a tray with waffles and other condiments on it. She had a crackly sing song voice.

"Hi, Judy! I have your breakfast. Your favorite. So, sleep well, your highness?"

Judith smiled at her trusty maid.

"Yes, thank you, Dawn. I'm starving after last night."

The sheep's smile faltered slightly.

"You snuck out again, didn't you?"

Judy grinned.

"Yeah, I went to see Ben again. He always has these wonderful stories from… Dawn? What's the matter?"

The sheep had accidently let her hoof slip at the mention of the cheetah as she was pouring the syrup on the waffles

Dawn gave the doe an apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry! I'm a bit unsteady this morning. Must be nervous about the arrival of Prince Savage today! Haha!"

Judith made a face when she heard the name. She got up from her bed and walked over to her window, staring out at the city and beyond.

"Ugh! I can't think of him right now. I am sure he is just like my parents, going to force me to be subordinate and helpless."

The ewe took a cup of tea to the princess at the window.

"Oh, I am sure he isn't that bad. Give him a chance. I heard he is quite the buck. Who knows? You may like him. I mean, you never had someone call on you before, have you? How do you know you won't like him? Oh gosh. I'm sorry, princess, it-it isn't my place. I apologize."

Judy sighed and shook her head, giving a reassuring grin at her maid.

"No, you're right, Dawn. Maybe I will like him, it's just…"

She looked back out the window.

"I don't feel like any of this is real. I feel encaged. My life is being decided for me. You and I both know that my parents and his will probably make the decision for me and him. We will be married and that is that. I go from one prison to another."

Judy gave a frustrated sigh, and turned her violet eyes on the patiently waiting ewe holding her morning tea.

"Sorry. Thanks, Dawn. You can go now."

The sheep gave a polite grin and curtsy.

"Your welcome, your majesty. I will leave you to your breakfast. Have a nice day! Bye. Bye."

She gave a tinkle of the bell around her neck before leaving the room.

Judy's ears fell behind her head as she rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"Bye. Bye. Ugh… I am not looking forward for today. I need to get out of here."

She took a sip of the tea and looked at the breakfast. Best eat it before it gets cold.

She let out one last sigh and shook away her thoughts. She needed to stay positive. Maybe… maybe she will like Prince Jack Savage. Who knows? She may even love him.

She felt it in her gut that today was going to be a very different day, whether that was good or bad was a mystery. She didn't want to meet the prince. She really didn't, but maybe she had to in order to move on. Maybe?

How bad could Prince Savage be? He is said to be a handsome gentleman, dashing. Judy wondered how he would react to her dreams of traveling the world and fighting bad mammals, making the world a better place. That's all she wanted after all, to feel like she could make a difference and not be some fragile helpless doe sitting in a castle in constant need of protection, spoiled with all the luxuries gold could buy. No, she really hoped that he didn't share her mother's philosophy of staying out of harms way locked in a castle. That life just wasn't for her. She needed to live a little. Maybe Jack will see that? Maybe he will understand. Maybe he is everything that Judith could wish… No. No No No…

Judy groaned as she banged her head against the wall, still by the window.

"Nope! Can't do it! I can't stay positive. Today's going to be a disaster! I just know it."

So, was it interesting? How do you like that first mysterious bit of a confrontation between a sorcerer and a group of rabbits? How do you like Judith's struggle with her parents? Like I said in the first A/N, it is a work in progress. I might come back and change a few things here and there in this introduction before I continue. But, anyways, tell me what you think.

Like it? Want more? Tell me. If you do want more, simply follow it. It will be a while until next posting for this story, if it is going to become a story. That's up to you!

So, hope you liked it. I am kind of liking the idea of it, and I haven't even got Nick in the picture yet. ;)

Until Next Time, if there is a next time (Again, that depends on your reactions.)

StoryCrusader