Chapter 1: Hustle Time
The ventilation system dispersed the warming air throughout the bull pen on the chilled January evening. The scent of roast coffee filled the room, welcoming its officers inside. One with a keen nose could detect the brew as dark roast, with just a hint of hazelnut. Everyone was asked to come in for briefing on the Cleansing case. The bulletin boards were filled to the edges with pictures of animals in suits and strings pinned all across the map of Zootopia; a criminal spider web could be a way to define it's appearance. One week of recovery, come and gone, and Judy Hopps was finally taking her seat in the ZPD again. Her badge shined brighter than ever, and her uniform had not a trace of blood remaining. She sat next to her husband, clad in the same shade of blue as herself, and wearing the same honored badge on his chest. Partners, mates, friends. Together, and stronger than ever before. Billy Stride would not sway her anymore, and nor would James Todd sway Nick. It did not matter how long it would take, for justice would find them, and bring them judgement. The Cleansing was going down.
Bogo stepped in, and all officers stood. "Alright, we finally have some leads thanks to Hopps and Wilde. Our leading suspect is a lynx named Luxor. Reports from Wilde state that we may find him at clubs. This is priority number one: find the lynx, and bring him in." Nick lifted a finger, interrupting the buffalo before he could continue. "Hey, Chief. There are a few things I should mention before you lead everyone else on a false trail." Judy looked up at him, and Bogo lowered the files onto the podium, adjusting his glasses. "What do you mean, Wilde? You were the one who said we would find him in a night club." Nick stood and walked to the center of the room as he continued. All eyes were fixed on him. "Yes I did. But the question is which one? There are hundreds of night clubs in Zootopia, some in secret locations. It would be pointless to send all officers out to these clubs, because he won't be in any of the ones in Zootopia."
Perplexity filled everyone's face, they leaned in, waiting for the fox to continue. "In the interrogation video, Bengali said 'that sneaky, prowler, playboy of a lynx," he made sure to put emphasis on playboy. He tugged on his collar as he glimpsed over to Judy before finishing his sentence. Whatever he had to say next, he clearly was embarrassed about. "Well... I did some research, and playboy is a term used in a club called Playfur... It's in the Tri-Burrows... Playboys are animals that frequent there and Playboy bunnies...are bunny dancers." Judy sat back in her chair, her eyes widened at the thought: bunny girls in skimpy lingerie, lustful animals coming to enjoy the 'show'.
"So it may be best for a team of smaller officers go." He did not want to say him and Judy, mainly due to the awkwardness he did not want to put her through. Bogo cleared his throat. "Well alright then. There will be a slight change of assignments. Officers Hopps, Wilde, Snarloff, Delgatto, Hawthorn: undercover in Tri-Burrows." Judy stepped down to join Nick's side. His ears were pinned, and his grimace was clearly uncomfortable as she stood by him. She took his paw, trying to get the fox to relax. Judy knew that he was embarrassed about telling her about this lead, considering it involves three things: bunnies, lingerie, and horny prowlers. Judy was uncomfortable being around these kind of places, but Nick was even more uncomfortable about taking her.
"It's fine, Nick. If this is what we have to get Luxor, then this is what we have to do." Nick began to ease up, smiling at his compassionate wife. Bogo handed the newly arranged folder to them, Snarloff, Hawthorn and Delgatto joined their sides. Bogo spoke. "Go get changed into street clothes before heading over, bring your gear, but make sure to hide it." Judy's ears perked. She had an idea, just in case she would have to do something. Desperate times called for desperate measures. Even if she did not like the idea one bit. "Alright, you guys, but don't go too casual. This is a club after all. Nick, can you drive us home? I have an idea, but neither of us is going to like it..." He raised an eyebrow. "Uh, sure Carrots." As they walked out, she let out a small chuckle. "Hey Nick. Looks like it's back to the hustle, huh?" He looked down at her and smirked, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You know it, sweetheart."
Nick and Judy drove back to the apartment to dress down. Seven thirty, and the late night party animals would start spawning in the streets with their drinks in paw and low cut dresses, packing every club in the city. Nick and Judy were fortunate for working the nine-to-five shifts so they wouldn't have to deal with intoxicated drivers, bar fights, or anything like that. Nick adjusted his coat in the mirror, undoing the top button of his white dress shirt and leaving it un-tucked to be a bit more casual. As he puts on his sterling silver watch, the one he received from Judy for his birthday, he looks over to his wife. She was in a very tight black dress, and her emerald necklace she got from him for her birthday glistened brilliantly against the beautiful black, grey and white canvas that stood before him. The two walked to the door, but as soon as he reaches for the handle, Judy places a paw against his chest.
"Wait," she paused, and held up her finger to show the fox her wedding ring, "better leave these here."
"Good idea." He replied taking off his own band, placing it on the kitchen counter top next to hers.
A thirty minute drive to the Tri-Burrows, and the undercover officers arrived at Playfur Night Club. The wolves hopped out of one car, dressed in button up shirts and slacks. Their sports jackets hid their badges and shoulder holsters. Nick hopped out of the driver seat, and walked around to open the passenger seat. Judy hopped out. She wore her tranquilizer high on her leg underneath the cloth, and her ZASP was tucked in her handbag along with her badge. The five walk up to the line, skipping past, ignoring the complaining by the other patrons waiting in line. Of course with a quick flash of their badges, the crowd quickly shuts up. Judy looks ahead to see some of the bunnies by the grizzly bear bouncer, laced in skimpy outfits, and crowned with fake bunny ears, their real ears folded down. The bunny tensed, feeling awkward and uncomfortable as they approach the doors.
"Let's hope that this goes smoothly. I hope this lynx isn't as perverted as Bengali says he is." They already knew what the suspect looked like. Kyle Luxor. Bengali gave Bogo absolutely everything they wanted. Nick glanced down at her to whisper in her ear.
"Yeah well if he so much as touches you, I'm pelting my signature across his shirt with my tranquilizer." He says in a slightly ominous voice.
Judy already expected such behavior. She knew full well that he felt utterly terrible that he wasn't there to protect her when she was attacked. How he wished she could take all the pain she had endured. Hawthorn, Delgatto, and Snarloff were immediately let in, but as soon as the two partners stepped forward, the bear put his paw in front of them, blocking their way.
"What are you doing skulking around here, fox?"
Normally, Nick would try to play the ingenue role in these scenarios, but instead, he stood up to the bear, not feeling any bit smaller. Nick reached into his pocket, pulling out his badge book while still hiding his holster. "Listen, sir. I am Officer Wilde, ZPD. This is simple police work, and we are investigating a possible gang affiliation."
The bear stepped in front of Nick, he was impressively tall for a grizzly. "I don't care, fox. I don't want any trouble here. Why don't you let some real cops handle this then?"
Nick glared at the bear, who simply glared right back. Nick knew that not even money would coerce this bouncer, and Judy knew it too. Judy remembered she was at a club. More than that, she was at a bunny club. She had a distinct advantage over her officers; she could play dirty. Literally. Judy took action, swaying her hips and cocking her shoulders as she strutted sexually towards the bear.
"Oh, please Mr. Bouncer. Won't you please let us in?" She said in her best shy girl voice. The bear's eyes widened a little. "I'm sure we can..." Judy paused for a moment to slide her dress down a little, bending over to more clearly expose her petite cleavage. Judy then placed a twenty dollar bill between her bosom, "work something out?"
Nick took a deep breath as he tried to relax. He did not want her to have to do something like this just to get into the club. The bouncer raised a brow, before grinning with a humorous huff. He reached down, pulling the bill out from between Judy's breasts, then stepped to the side, allowing them inside. Once in, Judy pulled her dress back up to a comfortable position. She could already hear the music from outside, now it was ear-piercing and accompanied with the cheer and whistles of mainly male animals.
"I really hope I don't have to do anything like that again." said Judy.
Nick surveyed the bunnies as they walked passed, giving him a false grin, swinging their hips more fatuously. None of them would compare to seeing his wife in her underwear. "I hope not too."
Nick and Judy caught up with the wolves. From the corner of her eye she could already see a few animals in Cleansing uniform, red band on left sleeve. Some were throwing bills at the girls on stage, some at the bars, some at the booths with the girls, and others walked into the VIP rooms with a few bunnies. Blend in, the bunny thought. Don't draw attention to yourself. With that, she started dancing, and encouraged the others to do the same. They were undercover, it was better to take them out quietly rather than start a huge club fight and possibly hurt several civilians. All seemed to be going well, until a few members noticed the unusual group of animals, and made their way through the crowds. Think fast, she thought; so she did. Judy knew that if she partnered up with Nick, it would only draw more attention to them as everyone knew about the famous fox-bunny couple. Nick would have to be a lone wolf for now. Speaking of wolves... Without much thought, Judy grabs Officer Hawthorn by the shirt. She pulled him in close to tell him a secret.
"Play along." she said.
Before the wolf could protest, she turned him around so she could hide behind his figure, and then she quickly placed her lips against his. Hawthorn's eyes shot wide open, and he glanced over to Nick, who shared the same emotion: surprise. Play along they both thought, not matter how much Nick did not want to right now. Nick motioned deeper into the crowd, hiding amongst the larger animals. Hawthorn closed his eyes and went along with the session. Once the members passed them by, Nick shuffled over to them, and Judy threw the wolf off.
"I really do not like undercover stuff." said Judy, wiping her lips of the saliva.
"Neither do I." he replied.
"I think I do." said Hawthorn. Nick glared at the wolf and he shuttered from the fox's gaze.
"Well, too bad. Because it is never happening again. Oh, and uh-" Judy took a moment to chuckle, "-you should probably brush your teeth a bit more often."
The wolf blushed from embarrassment, and Delgatto and Snarloff laughed at him. Judy's gaze shifted to an animal of interest from across the room; a lynx clad in a darke red and black suit, finished with a black tie. They found their animal. She watched as Luxor and a few other Cleansing members followed him into the VIP room. Judy motioned her fellow officers to follow her as she made her way in the same direction. The officers stepped through the curtains to be met with the lynx sitting in the center chair, surrounded by a lion, a leopard, a wolf, and an arctic fox. Nick, Snarloff, Hawthorn, and Delgatto follow. Five-to-five.
"Mr. Kyle Luxor." said Nick. "You have some information we need."
The lynx chuckled under his breath. "Officer Wilde, why would you think I know anything?"
"You know my name, don't you? Don't play dumb with me, Bengali ratted you out. Start talking!" Nick and Luxor gave each other death glares. Foxes and bunnies were common enemies, but foxes and lynxes had even worse relations.
"I'm not saying shit, fox, and there isn't anything you can do to get it out of me."
Judy thought to herself. She might have to do something she hoped she wouldn't have to. Nevertheless, she was prepared for the worst case scenario. She walked up to the lynx in the same fashion she did to the bouncer outside. "I think I can change that, you horny lynx. If you just tell us where James Todd is, we'll let you guys go." The lynx leaned over to stare into Judy's bright lavender eyes, Nick folded back his coat to have a clearer access to his gun if need be. "Sorry bunny, but it's going to take a lot more than that to get me to talk." Judy thumped her foot and sighed. She closed her eyes.
"And I'll..." She paused, swallowing before continuing, "I'll give you a lap dance."
Nick's eyes widened in shock. No, you don't have to do this. You shouldn't have to do this to get the answers we need. Nick soon accepted it. He knew already that nothing but sexual themed subjects would drive Luxor to do anything. Judy tossed her handbag to Nick, who caught it with a single paw.
Judy swayed to and fro to the beat of the playing music, slowly sliding the dress of her figure, along with her gun. The lion swooped down and grabbed the cloth, and he and the leopard fought over it, grabbing both ends of the cloth in a tug of war. Riiip, the dress was completely torn in half. Nick simply watched Luxor, he kept to his word about pelting him if he even touched her. The wolf officers stood awkardly, trying to keep their eyes on the other Cleansing members, who cheered and whistles, quite enjoying the show. Judy kicked her dress to the side, revealing her rather lustful lingerie hiding underneath. To get a lynx to talk you need to think like a lynx, and this one in particular was easily entertained by the hips of a bunny. Three minutes go by, and she danced atop the lynx u til the song came to an end. Judy hopped onto Luxor's lap. Nick's fingers twitched, almost grabbing hold of his gun.
"So, what do you know, sweetie?" Judy cooed.
Luxor was overcome by his arousal to lie, he spilled everything. "In two days, on Saturday night, James Todd is hosting a secret ball for the crime empires of Zootopia and Cleansing supporters at a manor in the rainforest district to talk about the upcoming..." He paused.
"Upcoming?" She placed her paws on his shoulders, and pushed him to finish his sentence.
"Revolution."
Judy's mind raced. What did he mean by revolution? It didn't matter, she had what she came for. Now it was time to take the second thing she came for.
"Thanks. That's all we needed to know, baby... Nick!"
With not even a second to spare, Nick pulls out his tranquilizer and fires straight ahead. Judy tilts her head to the side to just barely avoid the tranquilizer ball, which pelted Luxor right in the neck, making him go numb. The wolves followed in his action, pelting the other animals; they all went down. Judy caught the handcuffs Nick threw to her and swiftly put the lynx in custody.
A short time later, the ZPD flooded into the bunny club. Red and blue illuminated the sky from the outside. Chief Bogo guided the loopy lynx to the cruiser and behind them followed the five officers given the task of finding the lynx. They not only did that, but they figured out the biggest lead to this case; a confirmed location of where the Cleansing's leader will be. Judy was wrapped in Nick's dress shirt to cover her underwear as they walked out, thanks to that lion and leopard, Judy was left without clothes, so Nick provided her one of his, leaving the fox shirtless other than his coat.
"Wow, Judy. That was genius to do that to get the info." said Delgatto praising the bunny. Judy blushed as she thanked the wolf. Nick gave a small chuckle.
"Yep. That's my bunny. Hey, Carrots? Do you think I could get a dance next?"
Before she could respond, Judy squealed at the sensation of her husband's paw firmly against her rump, stealing a little squeeze. She smacked him hard in the arm. The fox then put his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her closer to him as they walked to the car. Luxor was caught, and now Nick and Judy had just about everything. They knew where to find Todd. Nick was going to bring his brother down from his criminal pillar for all that he had done to his wife, and Billy would come down with him. It was not a game of cops and robbers in their backyard, this was two foxes ready to go to war with each other. Almost as if it was Zeus quelling with Poseidon and Hades. Gods versus Gods. Brother versus brother. Only one question remained, to which it would be answered in a few days... who will win?