not dead?" said Garth theatrically. "You clearly didn't pay attention in science class, you dunderheaded dolt! Don't you know opossums are immune to rattlesnake poison?"

Preston's eyes were wide with surprise and rage as Garth waggled his eyebrows.

"Once again, the stalwart servants of good triumph over the wicked," said Garth with Amber hugging his shoulders, "the hammer of truth smites them with all the power of righteousness! A power so awesome it tears the skies asunder with the clamorous cry of 'Vae Victus!'"

Then Amber chimed in.

"And that's the bottom line…!"

"…'cause Garth O' Possum said so!" they both exclaimed.

Preston Keyes was beside himself with rage. But he could not utter a word. Sheriff Shepard lifted him up non-too-carefully by the scruff and pressed him against the side of the car. Everyone looked approvingly and waited.

"Ahh, I haven't done this in years," said Shepard with a smile. "I hope I haven't gotten rusty."

"Go on, Shep," said Old Ben with a jolly face as everybody watched with big smiles. "Let's all hear it."

Shepard was only too happy to oblige. He cuffed Preston Keyes securely and said the words.

"Preston Keyes, for your multiple crimes, not the least of which include attempted murder, kidnapping, severe damage to private property, verbal and physical assault, and a long list that the judge will no doubt recite for you, by the power vested upon me as Sheriff of Bunny Burrow, I hereby place you under arrest," said Donovan Shepard, and everyone cheered and applauded with approval at those words. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…"

Judy and Nick looked at each other triumphantly. They both felt it. The overpowering feeling of joy as they watched justice being served.

For his crimes, Preston Keyes was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The trial was televised. All of Zootopia and the towns beyond watched. Everyone in Bunny Burrow cheered with joy when the Judge pronounced the sentence. The People vs. Preston Keyes became one of the most famous trials in history.

Terra Firma Incorporated was seized. It turned out that the chemists, accountants and several employees had been working under threat by Keyes. Many had family members being watched by Keyes's thugs. All the accomplices of the President of Terra Firma Incorporated were found and tried for their crimes.

Terra Firma Incorporated was dissolved, their assets liquidated. All title deeds for lands they had acquired were pronounced null and void and returned to their previous owners. The farmers were overjoyed to have their lands back. All the farmers were given instructions on how to repair the damage caused by the pan-dimonium acetate. The Environmental Protection Corps helped the farmers restore the fertility to their precious lands. Everyone worked hard to return their lives to normal.

Justice was served. The corrupt were imprisoned. All was well once more.

Judy and Nick walked into the visiting room of the penitentiary with Mrs Jenkins and the two daughters. The booths at the far end of the room were mostly occupied. Mrs Jenkins and the girls sat at one of the booths, their faces a mixture of relief and grief. Then, they saw him.

George Jenkins sat down on the other side of the glass, looking happily at his family and at the police officers who had helped him.

"Martha," said Jenkins, looking at his wife. "Heather, Jeanette. We made it."

"Oh, George," said Mrs Jenkins. "I wish…if only..."

"It's alright, Martha," said Jenkins. "This is a valuable lesson for the girls. When one commits a crime, even under threat like I was, one should take responsibility."

George Jenkins was given a twenty-year sentence, with parole after the tenth year. It took a lot of work and persuasion from all the people who had known him, including Judy and Nick and Garth and Amber and even Sheriff Donovan Shepard and his deputies. Not all were happy with the decision, but the Judge pronounced the sentence and it was done.

"You will be able to visit me," said Jenkins. "I'll still be able to go to Heather and Jeanette's graduations, in ten years. All that matters is that you are safe, Keyes is locked away for good, and all is well again. Count your blessings, my dear family. Daddy is alive, and you'll be able to have him back in time."

As the Jenkinses left, Judy and Nick sat down at the booth and Jenkins smiled happily.

"Officers Hopps and Wilde," said Jenkins. "I cannot thank you enough for what you've done for me. You saved my family, you saved me, and you saved everyone that horrible Keyes had under threat. You have my eternal gratitude."

"It was our pleasure, Mr Jenkins," said Judy.

"We're just glad Keyes can no longer harm anyone, and that all his corruption has been exposed and Terra Firma is now nothing but a memory," said Nick. "Still…I am sorry you had to end up in here."

"Aw, it's not that bad, Officer," said Jenkins. "I get plenty of exercise, which I must admit I've needed for a while. Martha will find me quite attractive in ten years."

Judy and Nick couldn't help smiling a little.

"And also, I made a new friend," said Jenkins, turning his head to the booth beside his. "Alright, Singcor?"

Judy and Nick looked at the booth beside theirs. A koala lady was sitting on their side. It was Sheila, the owner of Sheila's Café, the small and quaint café that overlooked the Old Outback Bridge. And on the other side was…

"Singcor Swim!"

The infamous platypus, leader of the Outbackers For Equality movement, was sitting on the other side. In his webbed paws he held a small pastry box with a cute cupcake, previously inspected by the prison staff to make sure it didn't hide anything compromising within it.

"Well, I'll be off now," said Jenkins, making a sign with his paw for the warden to return him to his cell.

As Jenkins left, Judy and Nick said hello to Sheila and Singcor.

"How are you being treated, Mr Swim?" asked Judy.

"Can't complain, Officer," said Singcor Swim. "I do miss the water, though, ain't gonna lie. I almost feel like I'll forget what swimming is by the time I leave this joint. But at least I don't have to smell that awful cheese anymore."

Judy and Nick chuckled a bit, remembering the events that had led them to the capture of Mr Swim.

"I see Sheila has brought you one of her scrumptious cupcakes," said Nick. "You're in for a treat. Sheila's cupcakes are deee-lightful!"

"Aww, thank you, Officer Wilde," said Sheila. "I visit as often as I can. He is one of us, after all."

"He is," said Nick, looking at Mr Swim. "Um…I know it probably doesn't mean much, but I truly am sorry I had to be the one to bring you in, Mr Swim."

"Aw, don't sweat it, mate," said Singcor. "Ain't so bad. I get three square meals a day and a new pulp novel every week. Who knows? I might decide to become a librarian when my sentence is over."

"That would be something, Singcor," said Sheila approvingly. "A respectable librarian in Outback Island is just what we need."

Judy and Nick were only too happy to agree.

"IT'S REALLY HOT!"

"WHAT'S HOT?"

"WHAT WE GOT!"

"REALLY HOT!

"YOU'D BETTER RUN AWAY BEFORE YOU'RE CAUGHT!"

"AWOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"GROW UP! THE LOT OF YOU!" roared Chief Bogo, slamming his file folders on the podium.

Every officer in the briefing room sat down, chuckling behind their paws, loving their new victory chant. Judy and Nick avoided each other's eyes, knowing they'd laugh if their gazes met.

"Alright, everyone," said Chief Bogo in an extremely annoyed tone. "Assignments. Wolford, Fangmeyer, Tundratown. Suspicious activity reported near Fishtown Market. Details sketchy. OH! And if I catch either of you peeking in through the keyhole of the Forensics Department again, I shall personally sign the transfer and have you two moved over to the Tundratown precinct permanently! Maybe that will cool you yahoos down."

Fangmeyer and Wolford smiled as they got up and took their assignment folder.

"Grizzoli, Rhinowitz, Delgato, safety week pep talk at Cornelius Tuskworth High School. Don't let me catch you hitting on the senior year girls! Show some dignity, for Pete's sake!"

The three took their assignments and exchanged looks.

"Hopps, Wilde! Traffic duty, Meadowlands Highway," said Bogo. "If you catch anyone a mile above the speed limit, you make them regret it."

"You got it, Chief," said Judy as she and Nick walked to the door.

As they got into their squad car and buckled up, Judy looked sideways at Nick. He donned his aviator sunglasses and was ready for duty.

"Looks like it's gonna be a quiet day, slick," said Judy with a smile.

"After all we've been through, Carrots, I can't tell you how happy I am to have one of those," said Nick.

"Amen to that, brother."

They bumped fists and Judy drove the squad car out of the garage.

It was a lovely Saturday afternoon. The air was cold and the first signs of frost could be seen in the leaves of the apple trees, now bare. But inside the

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