Author's Note:
This is the gap-filling story in between Zootopia and The Rough Life of Nick Wilde.
I need to get a few things straightened up before we begin. First, I got my facts about police academy from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy website mostly. I'm sure most police (and other para-military) academies are all generally the same.
Second, I was going to make a story that would be the entire movie, but with extra dialogue and scenes, but I was told that was against website rules to use previously copyrighted material. (Then what's the point of writing fanfiction anyway if we can't use copyrighted material?)
And now, on to the story…
Prologue:
"You should be up there with me. We did this together," Officer Judy Hopps said to her new friend, Nick Wilde. Nick, a fox who is a con-mammal himself, got hustled by Judy to get him to help her solve a case. Now she's going to give a press briefing at the ZPD about the case.
"Well, am I a cop? No. No, I am not," Nick replied to Judy's request.
"Funny you should say that," Judy said, reaching behind her to grab something. "I've been thinking… it would be nice to have a partner." Judy held out a police academy application form and handed it to Nick.
Nick was shocked that someone would see more in him than just a sly, cunning, tricky fox.
"Here. In case you need something to write with," Judy said, handing Nick her carrot pen—the one she used to hustle Nick.
Mayor Bellwether walked up. "Officer Hopps, it's time."
Judy nodded and crossed her fingers as she stepped up to the podium. Nick smiled. He's touched beyond words she did this.
After the press conference…
"Phew!" Judy said as she stepped off stage to where Nick was standing. "That went so fast! I didn't have a chance to mention you or say anything about how we—"
"Oh, I think you said plenty," Nick said, clearly upset.
"What do you mean?"
"'Clearly there's a biological component'? 'These predators may be reverting to their primitive, savage ways'? Are you serious?" Nick asked, hurt on his voice.
"I just stated the fasts of the case," Judy said, shrugging. "I mean, it's not like a bunny could go savage…"
"Right. But a fox could, huh?"
"Nick, stop it. You're not like them."
"Oh, there's a 'them' now?"
"Ugh! You know what I mean. You're not that kind of predator."
"The kind that needs to be muzzled? The kind that makes you think you need to carry around Fox Repellant?
Judy sighed, knowing Nick was right.
"Yeah, don't think I didn't notice that little item we first met." Nick's anger started to rise. "Let me ask you a question. Are you afraid of me?" Judy's face had a look of heartbreak, like she was about to cry at any time. "Do you think I might go nuts? Do think I might go savage?" Nick waved his fingers as he stressed the last word. "Do you think I might try to… eat you!?" Nick lunged forward like he was about to bite Judy. Judy instinctively put her paw on the Fox Repellent. Nick stands back up and sighs. "I knew it. Just when I thought someone actually believed in me." Nick hands Judy the academy application. "Probably best if you don't have a predator for a partner."
Judy looked at the form. Nick had completely filled it out.
Nick stormed out of the ZPD lobby, ripping the "Junior ZPD Detective" sticker off his shirt and tossing it aside.
"No, Nick! Nick!" Judy yelled after him as she gave chase. The reporters then surrounded her, and she was blocked from getting to Nick.
"Officer Hopps! Were you just threatened by that predator?" asked a reporter who shoved a microphone and camera into her face.
"No, he's my friend!"
"We can't even trust our own friends?" asked a bunny reporter.
"That is not what I said! Please!"
Reporters started asking more questions, closing in around Judy even more.
"Are we safe?"
"Have any other foxes gone savage?"
A few months later, after the case was closed for good…
Another press conference. Nick was standing up on the podium with Judy.
"Officer Hopps! Over here!" shouted several reporters, hoping she would answer their questions.
"Yes?" Judy said, pointing to a sheep reporter.
"What can you tell us about 'Night Howlers'?"
"Night Howlers are Midnicampum Holicithias. They're a Class C Botanical. They are toxic, so farmers will often use them around their fields to keep bugs off the plants," Judy said.
"So, ex-mayor Bellwether used their toxic properties to make predators go savage?"
"Yes."
"And what part did Mister Wilde play in this case?"
"I'll let Mister Wilde answer that," Judy said, stepping back to let Nick stand behind the mic.
"Thank you, Officer Hopps," Nick said. "I am Nicolas Wilde. I was critical to the case because for one, I knew Mister Emmitt Otterton, one of the savage mammals, and second, I was a key witness to several cases of mammals going savage."
"How did you discover Bellwether as being the true mastermind?"
"When me and Officer Hopps were headed to the ZPD with a piece of solid evidence, Bellwether intercepted us and attempted to take the case of evidence, blowing her cover as the mastermind."
"Mister Wilde, what do you plan to do now that the case has been solved?"
Nick looked back at Judy and smiled. "I am going to turn in my application to the ZPD Academy," Nick said, holding up the form—the same one he filled out several months ago.
Cameras started flashing as Nick smiled.
"Mister Wilde, are you aware that a fox has never successfully entered the ZPD Academy?"
"Yes, I am well aware. But as a good friend told me…" Nick looked at Judy and smirked. "…try everything."
"Is there anything else you would like to say?"
"I would like to say 'Hi Mom!' like you're supposed to do on TV, but my mom doesn't watch the news."
That got some laughs from the reporters.
"That'll be all," Chief Bogo said, stepping behind the podium.
The reporters began packing up and leaving. Nick and Judy were talking.
"I'm glad you came back for me, Carrots," Nick said, reaching his paw out for Judy to shake. But Judy pushed it away and hugged him.
"I'm so glad we'll be partners, Nick!" Judy said.
"I am too, Carrots," Nick said, hugging back.
Suddenly, there was a squeal from behind them. They broke away and looked to the source—Benjamin Clawhauser.
"You two look so cute together!" Ben said, giddily smiling.
"Ben my boy, you have just made a terrible mistake," Nick said.
"What do you mean, Nick?" Ben asked.
"You never call a bunny cute."
Judy looked visibly mad. She roared and charged at Ben as he shrieked and ran off.
"Ah! I didn't mean it! Honest!" Ben yelled as he ran faster than he ever had before.
Nick was laughing his head off as he watched the hunted become the hunter.
"I'll get you, Ben!" Judy yelled in a demonic voice.
"I swear! I didn't know you didn't like that!"
"Yes you did, Ben! I told you my first day!"
Ben stopped. "Oh, yeah. You did."
Judy used the momentary distraction to jump onto Ben's back and start clawing at his ears.
"Ah! Get her off me!" Ben yelled, now running in circles, waving his arms around like a madman.
Nick laughed even harder. "I guess a bunny can go savage!" Nick laughed.
"HOPPS!" came the voice of Bogo from the balcony.
Everyone stopped and looked at him. He pointed to his office and Judy solemnly walked up the stairs.
"Heh. You're in trouble," Nick said in a singsong voice.
"You too, Wilde!"
Nick's face filled with shock as he froze and looked back at Bogo. "M—Me?"
"YES!"
Nick walked up the stairs as he followed Judy to Bogo's office.
Nick and Judy sat together on the large chair in Bogo's office. Bogo sighed as he sat down.
"What. Was. That?" Bogo asked simply.
"What was what?" Nick asked, trying to play it off.
"What were you doing just now, Hopps?" Bogo asked, ignoring Nick.
"I was, um, uh…" Judy couldn't find the words.
"She was defending her sanity be sacrificing her sanity," Nick said, snickering a bit at the end.
"Nick!" Judy hissed as she kicked his shin.
"Ow!" Nick said quietly.
Bogo glared at Nick. "Don't make me regret approving your application, Wilde!" Bogo said, getting mad.
"You approved it?" Nick asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, but I haven't mailed it yet, so I can still cancel it, so don't test me."
"Sir, yes sir!" Nick said, looking serious as he saluted.
Bogo sighed and saluted back. "Dismissed."
Nick and Judy walked back to the lobby.
"So, could you give me a ride to my apartment?" Nick asked.
"Sure, but we'll have to ride in the Joke-Mobile, you know," Judy said.
"On second thought, I could get there faster by walking," Nick said.
Judy chuckled. "Ok then, see you tomorrow for lunch?"
"Ok. See you then." Nick waved and started walking towards his apartment.
This'll be a long journey, Nick thought as he walked along the evening streets of Savannah Central. But it'll be worth it.
Author's Note:
And there is the prologue. See you in chapter one! Remember to favorite, follow, and review!