Fanfiction number two! This one is going to be a long one folks. I hope to be able to express the grieving process as well as turn a few over to the Jack X Judy side simply because to me this ship doesn't get enough love. And I love to go against the grain. So here we are! I don't know if anyone was waiting on this fic. but here's to hoping I have some anticipating fans! as with my other fic please comment your love or hate as well as drop a review for me at the bottom. Thanks again. here we go!
"We can't stop the bomb" Jack calmly said. "If I had my tools we could, but for now let's just make our escape." The natural history museum would take some time to escape, after all, they were way down on the fourth floor of the basement. An odd bunch they were, composed of two prey and one predator. Nicholas P. Wilde, the first ever fox for the Zootopian Police Department, Judy L. Hopps, the first ever rabbit for the Zootopian Police Department, and Agent Jack Savage, a rabbit for the Zootopian Intelligence Agency, or so he said. Bellweather had escaped from prison and was once again tagging predators with Nighthowler indiscriminately. In order to instill chaos and distrust in predators like her former plan, however this time there weren't isolated incidents. Predators were tagged in high density prey locations, resulting in large tragedies. Predators were asked to stay in their homes as much as possible, with many predators receiving paid leave from their jobs, in order to protect the majority of the workers. Jack had been onto Bellweather for a week now but had no idea where her base of operations were. He had no idea that the beautiful bunny and sarcastic fox partners would ultimately help him complete his mission. Though during the time they spent together bonds and now friendly rivalries had been formed. Friendships that Jack being a lone agent had never even considered making. But that bunny and her ass of a partner had worn him down. Especially when the ass managed to save him from being shot in the face by one of Bellweather's Hench lambs.
But through it all the most promising thing to form was his infatuation for Judy, and subsequent rivalry with Nick. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that Nick's subtle looks, his casual touches, or overall attitude towards Judy exuded a deeper level of caring besides that of a partner. But Nick was quiet about his feelings, and if Nick couldn't buck up then Jack was going to take his opportunity and do it for him. So he began with smooth words, gentle touches, and the occasional dandelion, which he found to be Judy's favorite snack. All of which did not bode well with Nick.
Nick had realized his feelings for Judy early, and knew he was having a hard time with admitting to someone of a completely different species he was smitten for them. Judy had noticed Nick's change in behavior over the months together as partner and was merely waiting for him to tell her what was wrong when he felt comfortable to. So when Jack grouped with them for the remainder of his mission and started making advances on Judy. Nick decided he had to pull Jack aside and tell him about himself.
As Judy was walking and pouring over some notes one day, Nick grabbed Jack by the arm and pulled him around a corner right as Judy rounded it and brought himself face to face with Jack. Head to head not including the ears, Jack was tall for his species, even though he was a male. He was already a good deal taller than Judy and only a head shorter than Nick.
Jack in his cool and collected demeanor looked Nick in the eye.
"I take it this has something to do with me moving on Judy?" he stated calmly.
Nick was taken back and faltered for a moment. Jack smirked back at the fox.
"Got it in one Savage." Nick all but kindly answered.
"Yeah, I've noticed the looks you give her. As well as the subtle glares and growls you give me when I get close to her." Jack replied.
"So you know my feelings for her and continue to go after her?" Nick stated with jealous fury building.
"Yep. You want her so bad you better buck up and go after her. because if you think for a second that I'm going to just let that beautiful bunny walk away without at least trying you've got another thing coming fox." Jack said while jabbing a finger in Nick's chest.
"Hmph!" Nick grunted "We'll see about that Savage. I love Judy and I'm not going to lose her to you" Nick said while jabbing his finger back at Jack.
"Big words coming from a fox." Jack said pushing Nick back. With which Nick balled his fist and snarled at Jack.
"You sure you can back that up?!" Jack said loosening his tie and balling his fists prepared to fight... Right as Judy came around the corner looking for them.
"Hey guys I think I fou- WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" Judy's voice caused them both to jump back and glance back and forth at each other.
Nick was faster on the recovery, "Jack was just showing me a takedown maneuver for stopping predators affected by the Nighthowler serum. I was just trying to really portray savage when you showed up." Nick finished with an uneasy smile. "Isn't that right Savage?"
Still upset Jack glared at Nick for a moment before responding, "Yeah, just showing an easy take down should we run out of tranquilizers."
Judy glared at both for a minute before letting out a sigh. "Fine but no more 'sparring'," she air quoted, "without being in the ZPD sparring ring. Now come on I found some clues." finishing she turned and began to walk back noticing the glares the two gave each other out the corner of her eye. Boys... Judy thought... Always fighting about something. Judy knew Nick and Jack had some sort of rivalry due in part to their incessant squabbles but had no idea what they were always fighting about.
After four more days and several more attacks, during which Jack and Nick had developed a bit of a bond, albeit an unhealthy one like fighting brothers, but a bond nonetheless. Judy had finally managed to piece together the location of Bellweather. With the help of Jack and Nick, they were able to track down the former Mayor's hideout, ironically the natural history museum, to put an end to her plan and place her back behind bars. And Jack had just stopped her plan... Permanently.
Dawn Bellweather and three of her Hench lambs lay in a pool of their own blood after being put down by Jack. Judy was shocked and upset over how easily Jack could take a life. However, Jack countered with how it was retribution for the mammals whose lives had been snuffed out prematurely to her evil. Much as Nick hated to agree with Jack, his rival for Judy's heart, he could only agree with how right jack was. Especially after the last mauling, a cheetah had attacked and killed a mother rabbit and three of her eight kits. The monster formerly known as Bellweather deserved the chair, but he'd settle for a few shots to the body.
The bomb ticked slowly. Fifteen minutes remained. Just enough time for them to escape if they made a break for it now. "Alright fluff balls, much as I'd like to celebrate a job well done we need to be going." Nick stated. Judy, attaching her radio to her waist after notifying the ZPD turning around walking towards Nick, agreed ready to get away from what was in her mind a senseless killing. Bellweather should have been brought to justice the right way. Jack who was checking the bodies before leaving turned towards the former mayor's in time to see Bellweather leveling a gun at Judy while her back was turned. "Judy lookout!" Jack shouted as he drew his own gun again. Unfortunately, Jack was too slow and Bellweather had managed to unload the five shots before Jack placed one between her eyes. The shot caused Bellweather's to jerk up and the contents of her brain to jettison out the back of her head. Spraying gore and painting her sick evil thoughts across the floor.
Jack looked towards Judy when he heard her release a cry of anguish, only to see her dragging herself forward, a single hole in her left leg and tears pouring down her face. His eyes followed Judy's line of sight ahead, to see his friend Nick, laying on the floor covered with bullet holes, blood pooling beneath him. Nick had managed to push Judy out of the way before taking most of the shots himself. Quickly holstering his gun he ran to Judy and helped carry her to Nick quicker.
Judy in her sorrow began ripping pieces of her clothing and trying to plug the bullet wounds. Jack stood by trying to assess the situation. A quick glance at the bomb showed ten minutes left. He quickly grabbed Nick and hoisted him over his shoulder, grabbing Judy by her arm and slowly making his way to the stairs. Judy for all her bravado tried to walk on her own to allow Jack to only have to carry Nick. But after the third fall and two more precious minutes lost making it only about three feet. Jack realized they weren't going to make it.
He glanced at Judy as she struggled forward and to Nick only for his train of thought to falter. In Nick's eyes was a resolve he had seen a few times before and Jack would have none of it. He tried to turn away but it was too late, Nick had already locked eyes with him and he knew what was coming next.
"Hey, Jack… put me down…"
"No." Jack replied firmly and without room to argue, and continued to trudge forward.
"Jack you and I both kno-" Nick began only to be cut off by Jack.
"I'M NOT FUCKING LEAVING YOU FOX!" Jack yelled determination plastered across his face.
"Nick! Please! Listen to him! We can all make it!" Judy begged, only for it to fall on deaf ears.
As they continued Nick managed to grasp ahold of the side of a pillar. With one swift motion Nick summoned the last of his strength and pushed himself off of Jack to fall back and slump to the floor against the pillar. Jack was on him in an instant trying to pick him back up with Judy's help, but Nick had other plans. Grabbing Jack by his collar and bringing him face to face, he stared him in his eyes only confirming to Jack the decision he had made. Judy jerking on Nick to make him stand tears steadily streaming down her face as she continuously begged for Nick not to do what she thought he was planning.
Nick firmly stared Jack down a moment more before telling him.
"Get Judy out of here…"
It was uttered so calmly, but it might as well have been a thunderous roar. For it echoed through the ears of Jack and Judy, serving as the confirmation to both of their fears. Judy fell to her knees and began to cry hysterically, knowing that Nick was trying to sacrifice himself for her and Jack to escape. She grabbed him by his bloodied shirt and buried her face in it, refusing to leave him to die. Nick placed his paw on the back of her head to soothe her. Only for her to cry even harder to the point of mewling his name and begging for him to reconsider.
"You won't be able to get us all out of here on your own Jack, but you can easily carry Carrots out of here."
"Nick, please" Jack begged "Don't make me do this. Don't make me abandon you. We can all make it out of here if you jus-"
It was Nick's turn to cut Jack off. But this time with a punch as hard as a dying mammal was able to throw. Merely caressing Jack's cheek with his knuckles before replacing his calm demeanor with his trade mark smug grin.
"I guess you win Jack, you better take good care of Judy for me." Nick began all the while Judy began to babble incomprehensibly.
"I didn't want to win this way Nick." Jack said in as steady a voice as possible.
Nick shrugged.
"Sometimes we don't get what we want Jack." He said while grabbing Judy and drawing her into a hug. Glancing towards the bomb to see they only had four minutes left. Jack would have barely enough time to be able to escape with Judy. Nick looked back at Jack one last time.
"I better not see her on the other side for a long time Jack. Not without a long life of happiness. Promise me Jack." He said managing to pry Judy from him and removing his badge, looking down, and handing it to her. During which he glanced up at Jack searching his eyes for an answer. He pulled Judy away as Jack nodded, silently promising him his final wish with as much disdain towards himself for agreeing to it.
The simple act of giving Judy his badge had stunned her with its symbolism, a final parting gift. She looked up to grab hold of him, to refuse his gift and die with him. Just in time for Nick to place one small peck of a kiss upon her lips and smile down to her.
"Goodbye Judy." His trademark smirk she had grown attached to during their time together as partners firmly chiseled into his face. She gazed into his eyes for that moment and it happened. With the look he gave her it dawned on her fully what he had decided, and it made her hesitate. That moment of hesitation was all they needed as Nick pushed her into Jack's arms, as he hoisted her over his shoulder, before sprinting towards the stairs.
Judy looked up in shock at Nick as Jack placed his paw on the handle of the door to the stairs. Still with his smile on his muzzle, he waved goodbye to her as he was pulled from her vision by the hare. Rounding the corner of the door, and sprinting with all his might up the stairs.
"Nick! No! Jack please! Don't do this! We have to go back! We can't leave him! Nick! NIIIIIICK!" Judy screamed, flailing her arms about in a vain attempt to stop him. Jack was fighting his own inner battle. Right as he and Nick had become friends he was forced to abandon him on his request, as well as being forced to promise the care of the rabbit he loved currently slung over his shoulder. He felt dirty. Having to ignore Judy's pleading cries for him to not to leave Nick. He took the steps two at a time, covering a large distance as he ran with his heart being dragged through the muck of obeying Nick's decision.
Nick sat there, contemplating what he had done in his life. And his smirk grew into a big smile. He remembered all the cases he and Judy had together. The many movie nights where they laughed and watched the cheesy actors perform. The moment Jack came into their life and all the subsequent trouble he caused for Nick's love life. The bond of friendship he formed with someone he never could of saw himself being friends with. But most importantly of all. He remembered the meter maid that he just happened to come across, as one of his cons began to sour. The same meter maid that convinced him he could be more than just a sly untrustworthy fox. That believed in him when no one else did. A few tears began to slide down his muzzle as he was forced to realize he'd never get to see Judy walk down the aisle for him. In a beautiful white dress, with all her hillbilly family in the seats, outside on her family farm where all of her kin were wed, and Jack Savage, whom he had planned on making the best mammal. Standing by his side as one last poke in the ribs to show that he won.
Instead he passed the torch. And placed Judy in his care. He wondered if he'd be able to watch over her from the grave. To be able to visit her in her dreams and talk to her, let her know everything was alright to and get her rest for work tomorrow. All while also visiting Jack in his dreams and haunting him at every chance he could. Maybe getting that sparring match he'd been looking forward too with an unfair dream advantage on his side. So long as Jack wasn't a lucid dreamer he'd be able to 'whoop 'em somethin fierce!' he imagined in Judy's native hillbilly tongue she sometimes let slip.
An increased beeping sound caught his ear. Glancing at the bomb he watched as the clock entered its final count down from thirty seconds. Nick wasn't a religious type of mammal. He didn't believe in any possible deity existing. Judy respected his beliefs and never tried to pressure him into believing, but he figured if he could stack the odds in Judy's favor for happiness. Why not this one time?
"Hey. Uhh. You." Nick said feeling silly. "I know I haven't been the best mammal, but if I could make Judy happy one more time, just by talking to you. I wonder. Would it be too much to ask for her happiness? That you help her through the time that I won't be there to do so? If you're up there and can hear me. Make sure that idiot Jack doesn't mess things up. Thanks. That's all."
Nick closed his eyes as a feeling of contentment washed over him. Like letting a weight he didn't know he was carrying. He still wasn't sure if anything had heard him. But he felt that he was ready to die. The beeping got even louder as Nick glanced up one last time thinking of Judy.
"Thanks sweetheart. It's been a good hustle. Maybe we can do it again sometime. But not too soon." He said as the bomb went off. Surrounding him in light and the world painlessly blinked from existence.
Jack was tired. Through sprinting up the cruel and never ending stairs nonstop. All while carrying a broken bunny who was pleading with everything in her for them to go back for Nick. Nearly dropping Judy twice the goal was in sight. The neon red exit sign was all he needed to see for him to catch his second wind and double his efforts. Right as the bomb went off.
A systematic reaction of explosions began occurring as Jack pulled Judy closer and pumped his legs for everything they had. Dodging falling museum artifacts and pieces of rubble as the building began to cave in on itself. Multiple explosions continuing as the roof caves in over the exit. Crestfallen, jack almost came to a stop until another explosion ripped an elephant sized hole in the war directly to his left. Spinning on his heel he continued sprinting for his new destination. He looked up to see four more explosions go off and the entire roof coming to crash down upon them.
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!" he cursed as he pushed onward and exited right as the building collapsed. Not bothering to stop Jack kept running not feeling home free quite yet and with good reason. A moment after the ceiling fell in the remaining bombs all went off at once in one catastrophic explosion. Propelling Jack forward and off his feet as he floated through the air. Curling over Judy to protect her from the impact, Jack bounced and rolled a few feet before coming to rest in the middle of the city street. Shaking off the multiple times he skipped like a rock across water. Jack checked on Judy to see she was still crying over the loss of Nick.
The Zootopian Fire Department sirens could be heard heading their way. Jack sat Judy up sitting on the back of her legs, staring down at the street, as her silent tears continued to fall. Chief Bogo, obviously realizing from the reports where the fire was began to call. "Hopps! Wilde! Come in! Answer the damn radio! Wilde stop fighting Hopps for the radio and one of you answer!"
That comment was all it took to set Judy off again. Jack leaned down to her waist and collected her radio from her as she began to loudly wail for the loss of her partner. The roaring embers from the explosion were doing nothing to drown out the pained cries of Judy as she begins to curl in on herself on the ground. Jack answers the radio, "Were here Bogo… Judy and I… Jack that is… Judy and Jack are here…" there's silence over the radio before Chief Bogo asks, "And what of Wilde? Where is he?" A long pause radiates with Judy's cries picking up in terms of torment. With a heavy heart and a balled up fist, Jack answers the question. "Nicholas P. Wilde… is dead…"