This is the first story I've written since 2014. I've gone through quite a bit since then & had major writers block. This is obviously my first stab at a zootopia fic & my fourth fic overall. I think it's by far my best work yet. I hope you enjoy.
Nick's body ached as he rose from his bed of grass and cloth in his home under a bridge. His back making him pay for being subjected to a hard flat surface every night the last several years of his miserable 32 year life. He attempted to stretch his back but more pain was all he earned. He had to see a chiropractor or doctor but couldn't afford to. So today would be another day of being in pain and likely getting shocked a good 12 times. He got dressed in some black dress pants and black polo shirt as well as his purple and black striped tie. He checked himself over in his mirror which was nothing more than a large shard of a broken mirror. He was met by an underweight disheveled fox in deep physical, mental and emotional pain from all these years living the way he did and being discriminated against. He straightened out his tie and tucked in his Polo and put on his sun glasses He was finally ready to begin his last day in this wretched city. His last day of living under a bridge. His last day of foraging for food like a wild primitive. His last day of being zapped at least eight times a day because he couldn't help being angered by rodents running over his tail among many other infuriating things. He'd even get shocked if he got too happy. But he hadn't been truly happy in years now. But At 8:30 in the evening he'd put this so called utopia in his rear view mirror. A few days ago he got in touch with his older brother Kidd inviting Nick to return to foxboro where he was born. It had a population of less than 2000. Mostly foxes of course but their were rabbits, coons and skunks around the area. His mother was afraid to talk to him knowing it was basically her fault Nick ended up in zootopia. She also thought he'd be angry at her which he was for a time but Nick didn't hold a grudge especially when it came to family.
He pushed through his homemade plastic curtain he used for privacy to begin his day when he realized he didn't need to "work" today being self employed and he didn't want to risk getting zapped much more So the tired near crippled fox went back to his "house" stripped nude and laid back on a pile of his clothes. Making sure to set his alarm. The tired predator with a bad back had no problem sleeping until 7PM.
At seven pm Nick's alarm went off. He quickly shut it off and got dressed in the outfit he had planned earlier. He hired a zuber driver to take him to city hall to get his collar removed. He walked through the doors of the hall and was immediately scanned with his luggage. Afterwards a couple rhino guards escorted the predator to the room wear his collar would finally be removed. A cage hung over his head ready to trap him if he went postal after the collar was off. The guards also pointed tranquilizers at him. After a few minutes of waiting a lemur nurse walked in holding a clipboard.
"Nicholas P Wilde". "You're the lucky predator getting your collar removed." "Now listen close." "Once we remove your collar, you will be restrained until you board the train." If you make any attempts to resist, lash out or bite you will be tranquilized and jailed understood?" "Yes ma'am the fox answered politely. On the inside he told wanted to tell her to get fucked. But he knew he had to control himself and look like a goodie goodie Sunday school boy. "You want him cuffed before or after?" One of the rhinos asked. Most times it was before taking the collar off. "Restrain him afterwards. " "He seems pretty civilized." said the lemur in a somewhat condescending tone. "Lot more civilized than you bitch!" Nick spat mentally with a polite smile plastered on his face. Okay here we go." the nurse said taking out the card reader used to remove the collor. Nick held perfectly still fearing if he even blinked he'd get tossed in the slammer. The collar bleeped and detached and was taken by the lemur.
Something in Nick's brain told him this wasn't real. He slowly put his paw up to feel his now bare neck. Now it hit him. He was free! For the first time since he was 4 he was free of the parasitic device. A wave of euphoria washed over him. The few remaining memories of his childhood before the collar came flooding back. When he was free to be his true self. Free to bark growl and just be a hyper young pup. Frolicking in the grass with his older brother and friends, cuddling with his mother on a stormy night etc. He was quickly brought back to reality by the rhino cuffing his paws. "Alright Mr Wilde no more collar". "Best of luck in-. " "Thank you very much Nick said sincerely. Still not coming off his high even though his trip down memory lane was so rudely interrupted. You're very welcome the prey animal responded. He was then led out to a police cruiser and put in the back with his luggage and phone. The ride to the train station went by in no time. The rhinos handed Nick off to a buffalo officer. Nickolas Wilde leaving town are you? "Yes sir" said Nick still deep in euphoria. " Just behave until we get you on the train. Then you're - problem. The buffalo lead the red fox on board. It was packed with predators who had the same idea as Nick. The officer brought him up to the train entrance, removed his cuffs and shoved him in.
Nick immediately went to the last row which still had two unoccupied seats. He stowed his luggage except for his crudely made pillow and his smartphone. Soon the train departed. When it finally left the city limits into the countryside, the predators erupted in howls, roars, barks and various other noises. Nick happily joined in barking several times. He felt almost exactly the same way he did as a four year old. Happy, hyper, full of joy and free. After settling down a bit, he turned to the horizon. The sun began to set, turning the clouds orange and red. His eyes glued to it. He had seen countless beautiful sunsets in his life obviously but it felt like the first time in his whole life that he'd witnessed it. The last time he felt this fascinated by a sunset was when he was four years old sitting on his mother's lap in a meadow. Perhaps he felt this way because for the first time since that day, Nick the fox was free.
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed it. I'd like to have this updated in the next day or two. There won't be any serious conflicts, conspiracies, blood, gore etc. Just romance & typical every day stuff. Lemons coming up soon. Critics welcome.