Gloomy morning.
(Third person POV)
This story picks up on a rather hot and gloomy morning in Zootopia, just as two ZPD officers arrive
at their precinct. And to spite the less than pleasant weather, they are mostly ready to start a new day
of making the world a better place. Or at least that's what one of them always tells her partner.
To which he just nods, not really feeling like they're making much of a difference. He thought they'd
be getting exciting cases like the missing mammal cases every other week. Instead it was just domestic
disputes, a few traffic incidents, the odd shoplifter, and mountains of paperwork they had to fill out practically every day.
He wouldn't dare bring up that case with his partner. She puts on a brave face, and talks about it with confidence.
But I know otherwise. The fox thought to himself. The sound of a car door slamming, rips him out of his daze, pulling his
attention to the passenger door. Where he can see two long gray ears just outside the window. that begin to move around
to, and finally come to a stop, just in front of the car.
"Come on Nick!" A cheerful but muffled voice calls out. Still slightly groggy however, he just let out a
long deep sleepy yhan as he checks the time displayed on the radio. Which reads [4:58], just over half
an hour before they need to be at the station. "Keeping up with this rabbit is gonna kill me." Nick mumbled under his breath.
Even after that long treacherous year in the academy, and being more fit now than he
ever was, he can only barely keep up with her. "Be right there." He finally replied
sleepily, closing his eyes to get a few more seconds of rest before a long day. He then starts
to think back through the four months that he's been on the force.
The few generic cases they solved, the one they hadn't, the handful of times they were hanging out
with there coworkers. A smile is pulled across his face as he thought of all the times where it was just
him, and Judy. "Time well spent." He said in a whisper.
"What was that?" The voice said again, this time closer and less muffled. To which he quickly opened his
eyes to find the ears of his partner just outside his door. He then turned the car off and stepped out.
"Sorry carrots," Nick started. "I'm just a bit groggy is all."
"But what did you... Oh nevermind. Hurry up were going to be late!" Judy said, to which
Nick's ears just swished back. "Late?" He started again this time more alert. "We're 35 minutes early."
Judy just ignored him, picking up her pace as she heads straight for the door of the precinct. To which Nick let
out an exasperated sigh as he threw his paws in his pockets, and began to follow.
He finally gets to the door to find Judy waiting. "Come on Nick, you're faster then that!" She said cheerfully.
Nick didn't reply, he just pulled his paws out of his pockets and continued walking through the revolving door.
The fox and bunny, now walking side by side, quickly make their way to the front desk, where Clawhauser is
eating his favorite cereal, like he does every morning. Since they started coming in early two weeks ago, their
co-workers still aren't use to seeing them in at this time. So on top of not seeing them coming, Clawhauser is surprised when they greet him.
"Good Morning Clawhauser." They say together without stopping. Clawhauser hastily sits his bowl on the
desk, as he forces down the spoon full of cereal he only just plopped in his mouth. After a second he finally
gets it down and calls out to them. "Chief Bogo said he needs to see you two in his office!" He blurts out with
bits of cereal and milk splattering on his desk.
Nick's ears perk up and swivels in Clawhauser's direction, as they freeze in place like statues. The two quickly
look at each other, and share a look of dread before turning to face Clawhauser. Judy's ears drop before she asks
gently. "Did he say what he needed?" Trying to disguise her feeling of dread.
"Nope." Clawhauser responds cheerfully as he returns to his cereal.
"Well Carrots," Nick says. "lets go see what he wants." He then turns and starts walking in the
same direction they were originally heading. But instead of going to the bullpen, he has his eyes set on the elevator, just across the hall from it.
Judy however, is so deep in her pit of worry, it takes her a second to notice that Nick started walking
away. When she does, she quickly darts to his side. On the way to the elevator they both start
wondering what chief Bogo wants to see them for. Where they in trouble, or getting a special assignment.
Judy hoping on the ladder, is now growing curious as to what her partner is thinking. Nick certain they are in
trouble, or at the very least he is, and Judy will be punished by proximity.
He starts trying to come up with something to say to take the blame off his partner, and make sure
she isn't punished for something he did. They finally get to the elevator, and Judy jumps up to press the call button.
The doors then immediately open, and the two quickly step on, followed by two of their fellow officers. One of which
presses the number three button, closing the doors.
End of introduction.~
The rest of perceptions will be in character POVs.~
(Judy POV)
I can feel the elevator start to move, and I try to look at the numbers as they tick
up. However the other Officers are blocking my view so instead, I turn to Nick. His expression is calm, but I've
known him for almost two years now, so I can tell by the position of his tail, which is resting on the floor rather than hovering
above it, that he's worried too.
The doors open and the other Officers get off first and turn to the left. We follow but turn
right. As we approach the Chief's office, the worried feeling In my stomach is getting bigger and bigger,
almost to the point of making me sick. I look down at Nick's paw to see him tapping his index finger on his thigh,
another clue of his true state.
"What do you think he wants to see us for?" I ask in a whisper as I look up to his face. He tilts his head slightly in my
direction before responding. "I don't know carrots, maybe it's about us falling asleep in the break room yesterday." He
says in a playful tone. Nick should know by now that he isn't fooling me, but I decide to let him believe that he is.
I then start to say. "You don't think he-" But I trail off realizing we've reached the door to Bogo's office. I look up at
the handle on the door, and clearly see our reflection in it. Nick lets his mask slip not realizing I can see his face. And
by the sheer look of dread on it, I come to the conclusion that Nick thinks were in trouble. Whatever's in store for us, we'll make it through this.
I take a deep breath and raise my paw to knock on the door. I knock twice and immediately hear a stern
voice say. "Come in." From Inside the office. I open the door to see Bogo, sitting at his desk, glasses on, and preparing
case files for roll call. He looks up at us as we step in. "Good you two are early again," He states with a satisfied tone.
"take a seat." He then gestures to the chairs in front of his desk.
Nick jumps up onto the chair on the left, and I climb into the one on the right. The Chief quickly tidies up some
papers, clicking them on his desk, just before I ask in a half nervous tone. "So what did you need to see us for sir?"
Bogo puts the papers down and reaches behind his desk as he says. "I have a special assignment for you two."
I hear Nick quietly sigh with relief before the Chief leans back up with a large case binder, he then holds it up in a
presenting manner, before he starts to explain.
"You two are not to discuss this case with anyone, besides your selves and-" The intercom beeps suddenly, cutting him off.
Clawhauser's voice then rings from the device. "Chief, a Volin Waterwood is hear to see you."
Bogo looking annoyed at being interrupted, plops the binder on his desk before he exclaims. "I guess you two aren't the
only ones early." He then swiftly moves his arm toward the intercom and presses one of the hundreds of buttons on it.
"Tell him Hopps and Wilde will be down in a moment, I'm briefing them right now." He says in a less annoyed tone.
He then rests his arm on the desk and says.
"As I was saying." He pauses for a second to move his hand to the binder before he continues.
"Do NOT, discuss this case with anyone besides your selves, and the agent on the case."
"Agent Waterwood?" Nick asks with a smug tone.
Bogo grunts from his nose before responding. "He requested you two specifically, something about having
the right skill set." Nick and I Share a glance as Bogo starts. "All he told me; is that there's a new crime syndicate
dealing in illegal weapons trafficking, and he wants your help." The chief then opens the binder before he continues.
"I would tell you more but this copy of the binder is covered in black ink."
He starts flipping through the pages to show us Most of them have rows of horizontal black lines. The chief
then releases the half of the binder in his hand, letting it plop closed. "Agent Waterwood will have to fill you in further."
He says with a calm voice. "Dismissed!" We hop off the chairs and head to the door of the office. I put my paw on the
handle to open it. "Wait!" Bogo says suddenly stopping us before I can open the door.
I turn back to look at him with my paw still on the handle. Just as he looks up from a folder
sitting open on his desk to say. "There's a few things you should know about agent Waterwood.
"Like?" Nick asks impatiently.
Bogo narrows his eyes at Nick before he looks back down at the folder. "He's an expert Interrogator,
and weapons specialist." He starts. My ears drop at hearing the word Interrogator. "His IQ is a little over 110,"
Bogo continues. "and he has doctorates in psychology, Cultural anthropology and-" He pauses looking puzzled before saying. "Social anthropology?"
Like a question, not really expecting an answer. "There's a difference?" He asks adjusting his glasses.
Bogo then closes the folder as he looks up from it. "My point is." He continues calmly.
"He only takes high profile cases, so BE careful."
Nick and I look at each other and gulp. "Dismissed!" Bogo says as he goes back to preparing case folders.
I open the door and we exit the office. On our way back to the elevator, I noticed that Nick is much more relaxed.
"See Carrots." Nick says suddenly. "You were worried about nothing." I look up at Nick to see him with his
usual smirk. "Nick," I start to say calmly. "I know that you thought we were in trouble, and that you are probably the reason why."
His smirk vanishes from his face, as I'm sure he's realizing he can't fool me anymore. "Anyway,"
I say with a more annoyed tone. "let's go meet this agent Waterwood guy." "Waterwood, hmm, sounds like he might be a beaver or a-"
"What ever he is he sounds like he's going to read us like books!" I blurt out cutting him off.
Nick's ears quickly swoop back as he puts his full attention on me, Surprised at my outburst.
I can feel my stomach start to sink, as I go over everything Bogo told us about the crime syndicate.
"And a crime syndicate dealing in weapons trafficking!" I pause to put my paws on top of
my head, and begin to slide them down as I continue. "Oh Nick, this is going to be dangerous."
"Carrots." Nick says in a calm tone. "Everything is going to be fine."
We get to the elevator and I take a deep breath. Nick presses the call button this time and
the doors immediately open again to my surprise. As we step in, I begin to say in almost a whisper.
"I hope so Nick, I mean, one of us could be killed."
"Carrots!" Nick says sternly.
"Okay, okay." I respond quickly in a soft voice. I then press the zero button and as the doors
close, I step back next to Nick, in the center of the elevator. I can see Nick tilting his head to me
out of the corner of my eye. "So about last night." He asks casually. "What about last night?" I ask with
my eyes still fixed on the doors.
Nick then turns his head to look at me directly before asking. "Did you have fun?" My memories of last
night begin to return slowly. The loud music, and the cheering crowd floods my mind. "Well." I start to say.
"I think Clawhauser had more fun then the both of us combined." Nick taken a breath through his teeth before
he response. "Yea, he's the biggest Gazelle fan I've ever met." In one big exhale.
I smile thinking back to the Concert, and Clawhauser practically flipping out. "It was nice of him to
invite us." I say gently. The doors of the elevator open, and we step out. We then walk around the
corner into the grand main lobby. Now having a clear view of the front desk. We can see Clawhauser
talking to a snowy white arctic wolf.
The wolf is wearing a black suit jacket and trousers, with a white shirt with no tie, and he has his
arms crossed on the desk. "Great." Nick exclaims. "He's a wolf." Feeling annoyed at Nick's attitude
towards wolves, I hit him in his side, only hard enough to show my disapproval.
I hear Clawhauser and the wolf talking, but there's aren't the only voices in the massive room,
So I can't make out what they're saying. I'm trying to read the wolf's lips, when Clawhauser's laughter suddenly
echoes through the lobby. The wolf smiles at him with delight, seemingly
satisfied with himself for getting Clawhauser to laugh.
The wolf's smile dissipates as we approach the desk. His ear then swivels in our direction,
followed by a slight glance. "Well." The wolf says suddenly. "I've got work to do. Perhaps we'll talk later."
"Oh, all right. I need to go put these up." Clawhauser responds gesturing to the empty bowl and
cereal box sitting on his desk. I wasn't expecting to hear that accent coming from a Wolf. Soft, pleasant,
and the way he pronounced his vowels, It's very clear that he's not from Zootopia. Clawhauser then grabs
the bowl and cereal box, and begins walking to the break room, as the wolf pulls his arms off of the desk.
He then quickly turns to face us, and the first thing I notice about his features are his eyes. The left one is
a bright green, and so very different from his icy blue right one. The wolf then smiles gingerly. Besides his
eyes there's nothing really striking about him, other than the fact that he's slightly smaller in stature than
other wolves, which is common for a Arctic.
"You look nervous." The wolf says focusing on me. "You two aren't in trouble or anything."
The wolf then pauses for a moment, raising his brow. "Unless, there's something you think you should be in trouble for?"
"Nope." Nick says Calmly, pulling the wolf's attention to him.
"Hmmm, right." The wolf replies, studying us with his eyes. He then straightens up.
"Allow me to introduce myself." The wolf says pleasantly. "My name is special Agent Volin Waterwood, FBI."
He then extends his right Paw. To which Nick quickly takes, as he says. "Officer Nick Wilde-"
He breaks eye contact with the wolf, then glances at me, and gestures with his other paw before
continuing. "-and this is my partner, officer Judy Hopps." Why did Nick introduce me? I think to myself,
feeling a bit annoyed. He knows I like to introduce myself. Then I remember something Nick said a month ago, about shaking paws.
"A grate way to make a good first impression is a strong paw shake. You can tell a lot about
someone from a paw shake." I remember Nick saying.
Nick is business savvy so he knows a fair bit about this stuff.
"Pleasure." The wolf says with a almost sinister looking smile, as he releases Nicks paw.
"I'd like the two of you to meet me at my office in lets say about-" The wolf pauses looking up at the
clock above Clawhouser's desk before continuing. "-ten minutes to 11."
He then opens his jacket, not intending to reveal a gun under his left arm. He then reaches into
his jacket pocket and pulls out a card, which he then gives to Nick.
"Can do." Nick says with a smile as he takes the card from the wolf.
"I'll give you a proper briefing there. I have a few errands to run, so I'll see you at my office later."
Waterwood states, before turning and walking towards the front entrance. As the wolf exits the ZPD
I turn to Nick. "What did you learn from his paw shake?" I ask.
"Nothing." Nick responds with a hint of worry in his voice. "But I'm glad you remembered what I said
about paw-shaking." He then pulls his lips into a slight smile. I think he's glad to know that I was paying attention.
"I know you like to introduce yourself." Nick says gently. "But I thought it would be better if you didn't shake his paw."
Nick then looks down at the card in his paw as he asks. "So are you mad?"
"No." I respond in a similar gentle tone, as I step closer to him, trying to get a better look at the card.
Nick sees what I'm trying to do, so he hands it to me. "Anyway." Nick says. "His office is at 426 WhiteBush Rd."
"That's in Tundra town, right?" I ask looking up to his eyes.
"Yea so we have some time to kill." Nick replies looking away from me, to the clock . He then looks
back down to me. "Ice cream?" Nick asks with another, bigger smile.
"No Nick." I respond quickly, with a tone can poised of a mixture of annoyed and stern. "We're on duty."
I then point my thumb behind me. "I'm going to go get the keys to a Squad car."
I then turn and head to the Key cabinet under Clawhauser's desk.
"I'll meet you in the parking lot!" I hear Nick shout.
End part #1