Zootopia: A Raccoon Returns

When I first wrote Zootopia: A Raccoon's Redemption, it was going to be a very short story. As the story progressed and it expanded to 54 chapters, I soon felt that there was more than enough material to create several additional stories based around the character named Jake Runnel. My goal was to make an original character who was Nick Wilde's best male friend, with Judy being the fox's wife and the love of his life. As the series began to develop, Nick became a critical part of the Jake's life and the catalyst for the raccoon's ultimate redemption. Their story became a love story of sorts, a deep homosocial relationship between to friends or what is now called a bromance.

Thanks to Wet Girl, Nurinaki-kun, Seanwolf520, Sawfly, and Jbid2 for your reviews of my original story, it is encouraging to have feedback about your creations.

I do not own the rights to Zootopia or any of its characters. This story was written solely for the reader's enjoyment and without any profitable purposes. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this story are fictitious. (Does this legal disclaimer make you happy Mr. Moleinger?)

Chapter 1: RAIN!

"Rain! Rain and here comes more rain!" The raccoon fussed out loud as he stood staring out of the apartment's window at the pouring rain. He was rather handsome for his species and stood just a tad over three feet tall with a slim athletic build, today he was dressed in a dark grey polo shirt and a pair of well starched khaki pants. His fur was trimmed short and he had sparkling brown eyes which peered from inside the telltale almost jet black fur mask of his species. "I'm bored Nick!" he complained to the red fox who was picking at his phone, messaging someone as usual. "What does Bogo have Judy doing today?"

Nick Wilde looked over at this best friend Jake Runnel before he answered. The fox was lazily lounged across the old worn sofa and he used his paw to wipe some crumbs off his blue tee shirt, which sported a white stenciled police logo on it, before returning to his phone. A pair of old blue jeans that were well worn at the knees, completed the fox's grungy ensemble. "Believe it or not, Old Buffalo Butt has assigned Carrots and Fangmeyer to patrol the eastside of the Rainforest District," he finally replied with a chuckle. "As if it isn't storming enough everywhere else in the city today."

The raccoon's eyes swept over the modest apartment, which the fox shared with his wife Judy. The off white walls were decorated with floral prints and the inexpensive cherry wood veneered furniture had come flat packaged from the popular bulk retailer named ITREEA. The room smelled like freshly brewed coffee, something that the fox seemed almost addicted to and a still steaming cup of the brew sat on the table next to the couch. "I'd offer to treat you to a few rounds at the Game Bar, if you weren't on call," the raccoon said. He flinched when thunder rumbled outside and then with a grin added, "Have you texted Finn today? That little guy will wash away if this keeps up!"

"He's only half your size," the fox replied with a yawn. "He'll float."

The raccoon looked around the room with a bored expression and then he smiled as he saw the trash can next to the printer by the desk table. Reaching down, he wadded up a sheet of the scrap paper and with precise aim, tossed it at the fox. Nick yelped in surprise and then scowled up at Jake before picking up the paper ball and returning the throw.

Hours later, Judy squished her way down the hallway, she was wet to the bone despite the heavy rubber police issued rain suit she was wearing. She sighed in relief as she unlocked the door to the apartment, her ears shot erect when she heard familiar laughing inside and suddenly a slight crash. Pushing the door open, she stood there in shock as she looked first at the fox and then the raccoon, who were wading through piles of crumpled paper balls past overturned furniture. "Nick Wilde!" she started to protest before she was whacked by a trash ball thrown by the raccoon.

Jake Runnel always claimed that raccoons were not made for running, but he may have set a raccoon world speed record as he frantically ran down the hallway away from the still sopping wet and now angry bunny.