A/N: From my disturbed fantasies to your mind. Nick still went savage even though they replaced the bullets.
Chapter 1: The Fox of Many Tails
Judy wakes up in a hospital room. She asks, "Where am I?" She sees a mole next to her dressed in white. He must be a doctor.
The doctor replies, "You are in a hospital after being mauled by a savage fox. We put him down. You're safe now. Bellwether saved you."
"Bellwether's behind all this."
"She said you might suffer memory issues because of the tranquilizers that were used. You're free to go when you are healed. Bellwether doesn't hold anything against you."
"But Bellwether's the one making everyone go savage."
"You're going to have to accept the truth someday. You have to get well first."
She kept trying to tell her tale of Bellwether's involvement. No one believes her. It took two weeks before she was discharged. Judy knows a plethora of secrets that no one would believe. Her very tale is absurd that Bellwether would turn all the predators savage.
Judy tells everyone, every media station that would care to give her time. No one believes her, it's inconceivable that Bellwether was behind it all. Judy's unemployed and has been recognized as a lunatic, someone that needs help. Predators shun her because of the press conference.
Bellwether knows that even though no one believes Judy now, they might later. Manipulatable friends are better than powerless enemies. Though the media reported Nick's death. Judy never saw the body. One day, Bellwether calls Judy to her office alone.
Judy decides to entertain her request and shows up. She knows she can't really be harmed in broad daylight. Judy brings her carrot pen and hopes to catch Bellwether saying something incriminating. Bellwether greets her, "Hello Judy, how good of you to come here."
Judy replies, "Get to the point, Bellwether. Why do you even bother with the charade?"
"I want a deal, you will stop trying to spread rumors about me and I will keep Nick alive and not dart anyone else."
"Nick is dead and why would I believe you?" Judy's ears are erect trying to detect anything treacherous.
"You don't have to believe me at all. You never saw Nick's body, I also have not darted anyone since then. I simply, want you to stop trying to spread rumors. Go on, be a cop like how you always wanted to be and make the city a better place."
"Let me see Nick and I will consider it." Judy tries to bargain with Bellwether. Bellwether must want this deal for something.
"I'm trying to do you a favor. Forget the fox, just be a cop and work for the city. Predators don't like you, you know. My term ends in two years anyway, maybe the new mayor will set him free. I'm offering you a job as a police officer again and asking you to forget all this ever happened."
Judy considers Bellwether's offer. Right now, no one believes her. Bellwether also has said plenty of incriminating things that she recorded. It's likely that she could finally reveal the truth about Bellwether. Judy replies, "I accept."
"Very good, now give me that pen."
"You knew?"
"Of course, you are truly powerless. Zootopia is a place where anyone can be anything. Enemies can even be friends."
Judy gives Bellwether her pen and starts being a cop again. To further ensure Judy's cooperation, Bellwether gives her twenty thousand.
Judy sets off to become a cop again, again assigned to precinct one. Bellwether must have really pulled some strings for her to get her old job back. She shows up to work again. Chief Bogo gives everyone assignments but her. He says, "I don't know what Bellwether sees in you. You are given your old job back because of her request. You've been trying to slander her ever since she saved you. Don't make her regret this decision. Parking duty for today." Bogo doesn't trust her. Bogo puts up with Judy just because of Bellwether's request. Judy sets off to hand out parking tickets.
Nick finds himself in a lab of sorts. He is in a glass cell. The glass cell contains multiple bowls of live insects and water. The ceiling is adorned with lights. There's only a staircase leading out of here. There's black one-way windows to observe his status. He notices a collar around his neck. He is currently naked. Nick asks, "Where am I? Where is Judy?"
A speaker says, "Nick, I see you're awake. It's remarkable that you retained your vocabulary after being hit by the nighthowler serum. I am Jack Savage. Overseer of this grand experiment." He hears the voice coming from behind the black glass panels.
"What experiment? Let me go!"
"You don't have a choice. You've shown that you can bond with nighthowlers. You've shown that you retain your sense of self. Zootopia is a city of advancement and enlightenment. You're the perfect candidate for this experiment. Foxes are expendable."
"What are you going to do?"
"You're the perfect candidate to become a Vulpix. I'm sure you've heard of the legends, haven't you?"
A Vulpix is a fox with six tails and control over many elements. Such a powerful creature although the only thing it can say is its name. "You're not making sense. That's a mythical creature."
"Yes, it is but we're going to make it a reality or try. I do hope that you survive. Be happy, you're the one that might live throughout the creation of this creature."
"You will never control me." Nick gets shocked as he says that. He feels the pain coursing through his body but tries not to show.
"We have our methods. Now, you know what the collar does. I will show myself."
Nick sees Jack savage, a grey bunny with a striped face as well as blue eyes. He's currently wearing a black suit. Jack descends from up top and walks down the stairs towards the glass room that Nick is kept in. He walks towards Nick with a cruel glint in his eyes. Jack says, "A Vulpix has six tails, but we only have three foxes. We are three tails short. Now, let's see what we can do about that." Jack foolishly walks into Nick's glass room. Nick tries to maul Jack. Jack shocks Nick in turn, "Bad fox, don't do that again." He places his hand on Nick's tail. "Now, as I was saying, we only have three foxes, but the Vulpix has six tails. Let's fix that, shall we?"
Jack reaches for a knife in his pocket to cut the tail in two. Nick tries to run but his collar prevents him from doing so. Nick screams during the process as his tail is cut in half. Jack remarks, "Now, you have two tails. Isn't this wonderful?" Nick tries to bite Jack and gets shocked again. "We will be training you… you will become just like the creature of myth." Jack Savage walks away cackling all the while. No medical attention was applied to his tail.
The following two weeks were rather boring for Nick. Jack brought him food and Nick tried to attack jack every single day but failed to land a scratch. The live insects Nick had to eat were unsanitary and barely edible. Jack also bathed him. The first time Jack tried to bathe him, Nick tried to bite Jack as that was happening. Never again, that's what Nick learned. He got shocked while his entire body was wet, this was the worst feeling he ever felt, even worse than the time he got muzzled as a kit. He never tried to defying Jack during the bathing sessions again.
Nick wasn't given much opportunity to do much else. His tail now separated in two started to feel natural. He got used to the pain so it feels normal. At first, his tails would move out of his control but he practiced on controlling them because there wasn't much else to do. Jack didn't attempt to train him yet. He was grateful for that. He wasn't given any clothing or entertainment just nearly endless solitude in a glass cell that he can't break free of. He thought of Judy and what happened to her. He never knew and Jack never told him.
Something changes today, Jack Savage brings a white vixen that's naked to the glass room. She is also collared. Jack says, "Hello, Nick. Meet your new playmate Skye Frost. I wouldn't get too attached to her though. You know her fate." Jack Savage leaves.
Skye says, "I can't believe him. We worked together on so many cases only for him to betray me like this."
Nick asks, "Do you know what's going on?"
"Not at all. He decided to collar me today and set me here with you. I loved him." She cries, "I thought it was one of the many games… but no, this seems too real. How could our government do something like this?"
"Do you know of Judy Hopps and what happened to her?"
"It's said that a savage fox attacked Judy Hopps. The savage fox got put down. Judy gained some form of false memories due to the tranquilizers that were used to save her. She spread lies about Bellwether's involvement. Fairly recently, she regained sanity and Bellwether reinstated her as a cop."
"Judy is safe." That knowledge brings Nick great relief despite his current situation. "What's going to happen to us?"
"I have no idea that this is happening and I was his partner. I would gladly set you free if I could."
Jack decides to remove all the bowls of insects and water except for one so they both have to share. Both Nick and Skye try to attack Jack Savage when he comes to feed them, they get shocked in return and don't even land a scratch. It took a few weeks but they eventually learned that they couldn't touch Jack Savage.
Skye and Nick bond over the next six months. They tell each other of tales of past adventures. Nick learns that the world outside of Zootopia is not as peaceful as he once thought. Other countries were rather barbaric. The world is at peace but it's an uneasy peace. Jack and Skye's missions were to sometimes influence the elections of leaders to hopefully improve the lives of the ones living inside those countries.
Nick and Skye are still trapped in this glass cell with no way out and no one seemed to know they were there. Their only visitor is Jack Savage. Jack Savage brought food in the form of insects and bathed them occasionally. He didn't do much else.
One of the days that Jack was coming to visit: Skye asks Nick if he wants to mate with her, Nick agrees. Skye wants to provoke Jack into doing something searching for a hint of the rabbit she knew. They openly did it in front of him. Jack says, "Perfect, project is coming along nicely."
Skye expected jealousy or something this wasn't the reaction she expected at all. Skye asks, "Don't you care at all? I'm your former mate."
"It is regrettable. This project is worth everything, not even my love for you can stop it." Jack flings the word love around carelessly as if it doesn't even matter.
Jack leaves again leaving Nick and Skye alone once more. "Nick, I'm sure you know that foxes mate for life. I won't be leaving you if we get out of this."
Nick says, "It's okay. I was the one who agreed to it. My heart has been claimed by Judy as I've told you before but I don't think that's going to happen at all… I don't think I will even see her again."
"It's okay, I can share."
A sacred tradition they broke but they decided it was worth it to have a chance at salvation.
Over the next month, all Nick and Skye have is each other. Nothing seems to be threatening them but they aren't free to do anything. The day finally comes when Jack Savage does something unexpected. He walks up to them. "I see you've bonded quite well... the amount of affection Nick feels for you, will make this even more potent."
He takes a knife and cuts off Skye's tail. Then uses some weird ray gun to attach it to Nick. It is now a part of him. Jack says, "Now, that Skye has played her part. She contributed her tail. There's no more use for her…. I suppose she can serve as food. Nick, you won't get anything else until she is dead." He takes away their bowl of live insects, what once repulsed them they now wish they had. He does give them multiple bowls of water. For once, they don't have to drink from the same bowl but they no longer care to be separated.
All Nick feels is hatred for Jack Savage, the one who turned his entire life upside down and now is trying to make him eat his friend. Jack savage leaves again. Nick says, "I can't believe this is happening."
Skye says, "Zootopia is no paradise at all…" Skye never got medical treatment for the amputated tail. Nick uses his body to clot the blood.
Over the next few days, Jack Savage checks in on them periodically. Jack says, "Nick, you're really not going to get any more food until she is gone." He leaves then comes back a day later. "Do you have the will to starve? You've been so good." He walks away seemingly uncaring.
Nick is really fighting the pangs of hunger now. Skye says, "It's okay Nick. Do what you have to do."
Nick asks, "Do you want me to kill you first?"
"No, I want to be alive until the end." Skye partially hopes that her pain would lull Jack to his senses.
Over the next few days, Jack comes by less and less. Nick hopes to delay eating Skye until Jack is present, so maybe he would react and come to his sense. Jack didn't come and Nick gives in to his hunger. First, he ate a paw, that caused Skye tremendous pain. His body acts a clot to stem the loss of blood.
Jack Savage checks on them again, "Very good, Nick. I knew you would give in. Soon, you'll have four tails." They couldn't fight, Nick has to be next to Skye to stop the bleeding. Jack doesn't even display emotion towards Skye's cries of pain.
Many days pass and they continue the grisly routine. Nick bites and feeds and uses his body to clot the blood. Skye grows weaker and weaker. The smell gets worse and worse. Jack hasn't bothered to bathe either one of them since this routine began. Skye dies before her entire body was consumed by him. Skye's last words to Nick were: "Try to make the world a better place." This again reminds Nick of Judy. That was her motto. Jack wasn't even there to see Skye pass away.
Nick is now left in a blood-stained room with a dead fox. A dead fox that he has to eat. At least, all of the limbs are gone. He eats some of Skye every day. It's all he has to eat. It repulses him but what choice does he have? It's either this or starvation.
Each day, Nick eats more and more of Skye. Each day the taste gets worse and worse. The corpse starts to rot and decay. Jack Savage hasn't been here for a few days. Nick isn't certain of when Jack will come again. The taste becomes so horrid that it minds Nick of his childhood. The days of the past before he learned how to hustle, it involved barely surviving on garbage alone. This changed the day he met Finnick. They became rich together. As more days pass, Nick eats the barely edible corpse in order not to starve. Sickness or starvation was his choice. Sickness is better than starving and certainty of death.
Jack comes by one day; Skye's corpse still remains. He says, "You still haven't finished Skye. Pitiful." Nick begs for an alternative, begs for anything else to eat. Jack does display a cruel sense of mercy. "I will give you medication but you're still expected to finish the food."
How advanced was Zootopia's science? Nick experienced it first hand, a pill made him feel like himself again except he was forced to consume Skye. Jack would not relent and Nick was forced to comply with his demands. Each day Nick is cured then forced to eat carrion and cured again. Each day Nick barely clings to life.
One day, Nick finishes Skye. There's no more blood in the glass cell. He licked the entire cell clean, all that remains was him alone. He finished the task right in front of Jack Savage. Jack says, "Well done. You completely devoured Skye. Now, it's time for you to gain your fourth tail." Jack bathes Nick. It's been about a month since Nick's last bath. Nick is very grateful to finally be bathed. He feels thankful towards Jack, his one and only source of contact.
As soon as the bath ended. Jack cuts his white tail from Skye in half. A legend is all Nick has for hope to one day escape this place. Nick feels even more pain compared to when he just had two tails. Jack resumes giving Nick his former daily diet of live insects. Live insects no longer repulse him. It was far better than eating carrion and a friend.
Over the next week, Nick becomes accustomed to his fourth tail. The pain he feels no longer immobilizes him. The days of being a one-tailed fox were a distant memory. Nick still doesn't have any magical powers.
The next day, Jack Savage brings Nick another playmate. This time, it's a black fox named Logan. Jack leaves them alone.
Logan says, "What are you freak?"
Nick says, "You dare call me a freak?" Rejection, hatred from his own species. They didn't even care about him.
"You are not natural. Get away from me, monster."
"I would love to except we're kind of trapped here." Logan gets violent and he starts attacking Nick. Nick defends himself from Logan and kills him. Nick suffers several scratches in the process. This should at least stall Jack's plans for him.
The next day, Jack Savage checks on Nick again. Jack says, "So, you can defend yourself. You're not entirely worthless. You have food in the cage, it's a shame if it goes to waste." Jack withdraws the live insects from the cell. Jack leaves again.
Nick is again confronted with the choice of eating a fox or starvation. Nick decides to try to gorge himself, he remembers well what eating carrion was like. Nick eats the black fox over the two weeks. Jack just like before comes in only once in a while. Nick feels extremely full each and every day. He thinks this sensation is better than eating carrion. Just like before, Jack doesn't bathe Nick at all until the glass cell is completely clean and devoid of another fox.
The next day, Jack Savage brings a new black fox and throws him in the glass room with Nick. This one is beaten and submissive. Jack says, "You have a new playmate. His name is Seth. Do try to bond with this one."
Jack leaves them alone. Nick says, "Seth, do you know what's going on?"
Seth replies, "I was framed for stealing. Judy Hopps caught me and I ended up being sent here."
"How….is she working with Jack Savage?"
"They are partners but I don't think Judy is aware of this."
Nick feels increasing hatred towards Jack Savage and all he has done. The reminder that Jack is working with Judy doesn't help at all. "Do you know what's going to happen to you?"
"Not at all."
Nick tells him of his hypothesis of what's going to happen. Seth resolves to simply live as long as he can. It's as if a déjà vu is happening, Jack gives them food, bathes them and leaves them again. This time they have two bowls and they weren't forced to share food or water. Seth easily adapts to the new environment of eating just live insects.
Seth expected to go to prison for stealing but it was much worse, the sheep broke his will and made him obedient to their commands. Now, he's in a cell with Nick.
Four months pass with little change in routine for both of them. Jack leaves food and leaves every single day. Nick learns of Seth's life and how he used to hustle as he did. It's simply what Seth had to do to get by. Zootopia was no place for foxes. Nick knows what's going to come and he's powerless to stop it, his only remaining hope is that he can become the fox in the legends.
The next day, Jack Savage comes again. He says, "I think you've bonded enough. It's time." Seth is resigned to his fate. Nick knows he cannot stop Jack Savage after trying and failing so many times. Jack cuts Seth's tail off and attaches it to Nick. Now, Nick has five tails. "Just like before, do your job and eat Seth."
Seth resigns himself to being eaten. He too hopes that the legend is true. It's the only way that they could ever find happiness. A legend where three souls become one. Seth wants to die instead of being eaten alive. Despite himself, Nick grants Seth the mercy of death. Nick knows how bad carrion tastes and how it felt when he gorged himself. That made the taste slightly more tolerable but the rest of the days were filled with agony of eating too much. Nick spends three weeks eating Seth. After the second week, Nick has to be medicated each and every day in order to survive eating the carrion that Seth became. Nick isn't sure which one is worse, forcing yourself to eat too much or eating carrion and being medicated each and every day. It all feels like the same.
Today, he finishes all of Seth. Jack Savage comes again, "Well done, now it's time for your sixth tail. Soon, we can see if the legends are true." Jack bathe Nick just like before. Nick enjoys the bath from Jack. Each and every time Nick has to eat a fox, he doesn't get bathed until it's completely devoured. Nick knows what's coming but feels resigned. Jack slices Nick's new tail in half. Jack doesn't even have the remote this time but Nick is too tamed to even try to attack. Nick learned that he can't do anything against Jack. Jack is his only potential source of comfort as well as his tormentor.
Over the next week, Nick becomes accustomed to his new tail. This existence is even worse than before a feeling of constant agony. Nick is however happy that he doesn't have to eat any more foxes. The Vulpix only has six tails, now he has all six. He is grateful that Jack brings live insects as well as bathing him.
Jack says, "Now, you have all six tails. Wonderful…now, I wonder what word I should let you choose." He cackles clearly enjoying the moment. "Judy loves me and she's extremely happy."
Upon hearing Judy's name. Nick regains the hatred he had for Jack. Nick says, "You took everything away from me. You better hope that this legend is false else I will kill you. Judy is mine."
"Perfect, the only word you can say now, will be Judy or variations thereof."
"You…" Nick's collar activates and shocks him.
"Be happy, soon you will become the fox in the legends!" He's mad and clearly deluded in this misguided experiment. It's also the only hope Nick has.
Jack takes his leave. Over the next month, Jack brings Nick food but won't leave until he says the word Judy. Every time Nick tries to say something else, he gets shocked. Nick gives in and says the word so Jack would leave him alone. Nick is a fox with six tails but no magical powers. Trapped in an existence of constant pain.
Over the next three months, Jack tries to use whips and shocks on Nick to force him to reveal his powers. He followed the instructions perfectly. The fox from legend should have been born. It's frustrating that this seems to fail. During these sessions, the only word Nick is allowed to say is Judy or variations thereof. Nick cries, "Judeee." In an attempt for jack savage to stop torturing him.
The next day, Jack says, "Useless fox, why won't you show progress? Do you know how much money you're costing Zootopia?"
Nick replies, "Jud-Judy."
"You know, you can speak, normally right?"
"Judy?"
"Your collar won't shock you anymore."
"Judy?"
"Sigh, you're nothing but a damaged animal. Zootopia has no use for you."
Nick is tranquilized, moved and set free in the wilds He begins to hear voices of Skye Frost and Seth in his mind. They are concerned for him.
Judy spends her time working as a cop and regaining the trust she once had. She tries to forget about Nick and focuses on the future. She tries to tell herself that Nick will be free within two years. After a few months, she is assigned to work with Jack Savage. He has connections within the government and can possibly help her find Nick. She decides to try to seduce him. She ends up falling in love with Jack Savage. She never found out about Nick or what happened to him.
The city seems to have recovered since the nighthowler incident. Bellwether is still in charge but no causalities or shootings have happened due to nighthowlers. Judy works with Jack Savage from time to time on her cases but because he has higher authority in the government, government secrets are his alone. He also has a government job that he won't tell her about. She hasn't been able to pry anything out of him which was against her original plan.
Jack Savage spent three months away from her working on a secret government project. He then returns one day to their home.
Judy says, "Savage, what did you do the past three months?"
Jack replies, "The government had a job for me. Sorry, it's confidential. I know you don't like it."
Jack Savage seems to be the type that really respects the rules and isn't willing to break them at all. Judy doesn't show it but part of her respects him because of that. They are together again for now and it seems his daily government job has been finished so he gets to spend more time with Judy.
Bellwether's term is almost up and soon Judy might be able to see Nick again. Today, they get assigned a case in the rainforest district. A simple case of observation on gangs.
Judy says, "The rainforest district. I remember when Nick helped me figure out part of what was going on."
Jack says, "How many time have we been over this? Bellwether isn't guilty."
"I didn't even say that she was."
"No, but you implied it."
Judy feels something is off but just shrugs it off. They are observing a gang of jaguars. They get spotted and captured. Judy is separated from Jack and bound to a wall.
Judy says, "What do you want?"
The black jaguar wearing a black uniform replies, "Nothing from you. It's the other that we're interested in. Do you know any of his activities?"
"What activities?"
"The rumors of disappearing foxes like his former partner and a few others. There's this rumor that he's been behind them all. It just so happens both of you got careless and we were able to capture you."
"Are you going to kill us?"
"No, information he possesses is far too valuable. He is a detriment to that stability of Zootopia."
"You are criminal gangs and nothing more."
"Nonsense, you require a lesson in history my dear. Don't believe everything that you see. You already know what Bellwether is capable of. Do you even know how deep this goes?"
"You steal… you kill others that get in your way."
"Everything is a means to an end. I strongly recommend you do an in-depth study of history. You'll realize why everything happens for a reason."
With that he left Judy alone. She thinks, they are criminals, aren't they? I've seen them kill and steal, isn't that enough? Jack works for the government but what does he actually do? Judy's musings are interrupted when a creature from fantasy itself appears and sets her free. The fox has six tails, two are red, black and white. The creature is entirely naked. The creature says, "Judy?"
Judy says, "What are you?" The fox starts licking her. "Can you free me?"
"Judy." It sets her free.
She tries to communicate with it. "Do you know where Jack Savage is?"
"Jude." This time her name is said but with anger in its voice. She follows the fox out of the room. She picks up a pistol from one of the jaguars. The fox is sniffing as if searching for something. The fox sees jaguars up ahead and it doesn't care. Anything that tries to hit it dissolves into ash.
The two red tails shoot fire at the jaguars that burn them alive. Judy has never seen such a majestic creature before. The fox doesn't seem interested in leaving. It goes deeper into the complex. Judy wants to search for her partner so she follows him. The fox doesn't seem to mind her presence and is friendly towards her.
It rushes on ahead to dispatch them. One of the jaguars manages to shoot Judy in the leg. The fox senses this and cries a bit. It doesn't kill the jaguar that shot her but disarms it instead. His green eyes display anger. It's two black tails raise up into the air and begin to glow. The jaguar screams as if It's in horrible pain. The very life force of the jaguar fades before her very eyes and her wound is healed.
The fox rejoices and wraps her in all six of his tails. Judy says, "We still have to find Jack Savage."
He replies, "Judy." As if trying to scold her. The fox never said anything else. He sets her down. They advance deeper into the complex. He finds the room Jack Savage is kept in. He easily dispatches them. He exclaims in happiness. "Judee!"
"Set him free."
"Judy?" The fox seems confused. He decides to ignore this. The two white tails he has begins to glow. Judy knows what's coming next.
Judy uses the pistol and shoots the fox hoping that she can save Jack Savage.
The bullet strikes the fox in the head. Nick realizes he is about to die and for once decides to try to say something other than Judy's name. "Carrots, you made your choice."
Judy asks, "Why, were you trying to kill Jack?" She tearfully cries into the fox's chest.
"Because I was jealous." While it's not the truth, it's part of what Nick feels. A feminine voice emanates from Nick's throat. "Because he is perfect." Foxes regard perfection as ones who can truly reject their nature or ones who embrace it fully. Jack Savage embraces the nature of a fox perfectly, able to use and discard anyone at will.
"Why not kill him now?" Judy's voice is filled with confusion.
Nick replies, "I want happiness for you." A male voice takes over that Judy tries to recall but can't. It seems familiar to her all the same. "That you do not deserve."
"Nick, it's not too late. You'll live."
"You know that isn't true. It's why I finally regained the courage to speak. This is goodbye." With that, the fox finally drew his last breath.
Jack just watches this scene and doesn't comment at all. He is grateful that he isn't killed. He realizes what a miraculous event this was for him and resolves to change. He hopes he can.
Judy and Jack escape from this place. They call the ZPD to pick up Nick's body but it was gone.
A/N: Turned Nick into a Pokemon, shipped Judy and Jack Savage.