Integrity, Trust, and Bravery
Villainous Intent
Chapter 1
The Good Life
"Coffee's on, Carrots. Better get it while it's hot!"
The smell of coffee and the sound of Nick's voice roused Judy from her slumber. Today was their last day of vacation after a long case involving some jewelry thieves who had plagued the heart of Zootopia for weeks. They had managed to catch them in the act. Judy and Nick had expertly predicted their next target and set up waiting for them.
She sat up in bed rubbing her eyes and feeling the warm sun on her fur through the window of their cabin on the edge of Bunnyburrow. Nick walked in wearing a set of green silk night clothes she had bought him a while back. He had her breakfast and a hot cup of coffee on a platter and set it on the bedside next to her.
Nick leaned in and gave her a kiss,smiling at her. "Today is the last day, so we need to go see the family before we leave. Mom and Dad would never forgive us if we didn't stop in and say bye."
Judy smiled back as she grabbed the coffee. "We need to let our tenets know we are leaving tomorrow as well."
He gave her his smirk as he started to leave the room. "Already on my way to do that, Fluff."
She watched him go. Two years after he nearly died in the warehouse had seen him nearly fully recovered. His legs wobbled slightly as he walked showing some of the damaged nerves but he hid it well enough to be fully restored to active duty. Judy knew that in the cold, his bones ached, and his limbs still plagued him with occasional numbness but otherwise he was fully healed. She still liked to massage his legs and feet in the shower, hoping the wobble would eventually disappear.
A year after that terrible night, on the anniversary of the day, they had both sat upon a rolling hill in the heat of the day. It was here that he proposed to her. Judy smiled as she remembered the day. On that hill, overlooking the fields, sun setting, kids playing, he slowly got down on one knee saying, "Oh I just need a moment to rest my legs." She had been busy watching her siblings play and had become confused when she realized they were all watching her. When she returned her gaze to Nick, he was holding up a small ring, his casual smirk wide on his face, left ear slightly twitching, revealing his nerves. Those green eyes locked with hers, fur glowing in the sun and ruffled by the breeze. "What do you say Carrots? Care to make me the happiest fox in the world?"
Her brain said 'no, it'll never work' but her heart and mouth agreed on the answer and what came out was several 'yeses' which she actually squealed with joy, tackling the fox in her excitement, forgetting even his remaining injuries. They almost lost the ring too... The kids all cheered and Vira took off to find her adoptive parents to tell them the good news. There they stayed upon the hill in silence until the stars came out to greet them, never needing to say a word, so happy were they just to be together. Eventually they had decided upon returning to the house, Judy with the ring upon her paw. The family had prepared a massive meal in celebration for the newly engaged couple and later lectured her on the relationship she chose to peruse.
The doe ended their doubts by saying, "We've always had each other's backs, no matter what happened. Now we'll do that forever."
Focusing on the present again, Judy swung her legs out of bed, rubbing the sleep from her limbs, paw lingering on the scar on the left side of her hip. Two years ago, the bullet fired from Delgato had ridden her thigh bone into her hip and caused massive blood loss that was hard to detect. She had almost died that night, and it would have been Nick who lived alone. She shuddered uncomfortably from the dark thoughts and turned to her breakfast.
Nick had brought her quite the meal. A freshly picked potato had been mashed with roasted garlic, thyme and rosemary and formed into a pancake along with a side of sliced honey glazed carrots from the farm. Despite everything, Nick had become quite the cook and she found herself often wondering what kind of meal he could dream up next. She sipped her coffee puzzling over what she ever did to deserve such a kind partner...friend...husband. She ate slowly, savoring every bite.
Nick leisurely strolled outside and inhaled the morning air. No matter how many summers he spent here, he always enjoyed it as much as he had done the first time. He had the cabin built using cedar, it naturally keeping termites away. The single story cabin was small yet spacious with a fireplace centered to warm the entire place when they came for winter holidays and cold nights. It was a home that he had managed to keep secret from Judy all while it was being built. She had seen it on a few occasions as they drove by admiring it as it was being constructed, never knowing it was theirs.
He started to walk towards the other building that graced the land and continued to reminisce of the day he told her the cabin was theirs. They had pulled into the driveway all while Judy expressed concerns about being on someone's property and that they were trespassing. Nick had told her that they were just going to take a tour of the area. He snickered to himself as he continued down the winding path through the pines as he remembered the look on her face when he told her he was going to pick the lock. He had started to fish around in his pocket and stopped and told her that perhaps she should pick it as he pulled out the key to the door. She had stood there staring at it with a dumbfounded look on her face for a few moments before it began to dawn on her. She kept saying 'no way', over and over again as they key slid into place and turned smoothly allowing the door to open.
Nick reached the other cabin and knocked on the pine door, still smiling at his memories. A few moments passed before a Sailfin answered. "Good morning Kess! Just wanted to remind you that today is our last day here. Keep an eye on the place for us while we're gone, okay?"
She smiled at him widely. "Sure thing." As he smiled and turned to leave she pressed on. "Hey Nick?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do you let us stay here for free? Seriously?"
Nick looked over his shoulder with a smirk. "Well first I think your husband is a fairly cool guy and he works too hard for what he gets. Second it's not free, you watch ours while we are gone. That's not a free ride...last I checked it's called a hustle, sweetheart."
She only laughed at him. "Thanks again Nick. Rest assured, we will keep the place running for you."
He nodded and started his walk back to the cabin, crisp air cooling his pads as they hissed softly across the cobbled stone path. The pines whispered in the breeze sending their scent across his snout which mingled with the smell of his morning cooking. The cabin hadn't been all that expensive to build. The real cost was the land and he was down to a meager 1.1 million out of the 1.4 million he had gained throughout his life. It was close to the Hopps Family Farm, but he made sure to buy as much land as he could. Nearly four square miles of land that he and Judy could walk with pleasure. The land had a stream and even a small waterfall that they frequented during the summer months. Kess made a logical choice for the spare cabin that had been built for the build crew, since the water brought her and her husband such joy.
He stood at the door to his cabin, their cabin, for a moment before inhaling and stepping inside the cozy home he had made for himself and wife and busied himself for their departure.
On the first day they had been married, Nick had been concerned about how he should enter his new parent's house, if he should knock or walk right in. Turns out in the year he had never once had to open the door himself. The kids would always get there first and have it open and waiting. This time was no different, and Vira stood at the door waiting. She now was taller than Nick at 10 years old, and had adapted well to farm life. No one seemed to mind a reptile living with bunnies and she loved her new family. She had since grown out of tackling him every time he showed up, Nick was grateful for that. She still hugged him tightly every time and she always, since day one, greeted him as "Brother Fox" and that had rubbed off on all the other kids as well, even ones not related to the Hoppses. He enjoyed the name greatly and it always made him smile.
After the hug, he stepped into the cozy house, Judy getting her own hug at the door and shouting, "Mom, Dad! We're home!"
Stu came around the corner, smiling as he always did. "Hey there kids! Nice to see ya! Getting ready to head back to the big city?"
Nick let himself down on the sofa as Judy joined him and snuggled close. "Yup, we came to say goodbye and maybe snag dinner on the way out!" he finished with a wink.
Stu's ears fell back as he spoke. "Well Bon is feeling a bit under the weather right now so you may have to deal with leftovers."
Judy's ears shot up along with the rest of her body nearly knocking Nick's chin. "Whats wrong? Is she okay?"
Her father nodded. "Oh yes, just a little worn out from the work, and she probably caught a bug out in the fields. She'll be 'round in no time. We bunnies bounce back fast."
Nick rubbed Judy's back, feeling her relax a bit under his caress. "Yeah you certainly do. I hope she feels well soon. We will call when we get back to the city. Won't trouble you for any food, she sounds like she needs a nice hearty meal."
Easy conversation ate up the time and they decided it would be best to let Bonnie get her sleep and quietly departed with Stu hugging them both tightly as they were leaving.
"Okay now, call me when you get back home. Don't forget!"
Nick climbed into his car with Judy in the passenger seat. "We'll remember, Dad."
Stu walked over to the driver side as Nick rolled down the window and closed the door. He put his elbow out and looked at Stu, who seemed nervous. "I don't know, Nick, I just got this feeling, like my fur itches or something. You be careful okay? Lots in the news about you two lately...all the enemies you made two years ago..."
Nick gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry pops, we made a lot of friends too."
With that he put the car in drive and started on their way home.
The car ride was mostly silent with Judy staring aimlessly out the window as they approached Sahara Square. Nick noticed how distracted she seemed. "Hey, Carrots, whats wrong?"
She sighed and took her attention from the window. "It's what dad was saying. What did we miss in the month we were away, Nick? What's on the news?"
Nick shrugged. "Dunno, but it always gets like this around the anniversary of that night. Remember last year? I'm sure the Chief will have something to say on it."
Nick glanced over at her. She was quite downcast and it really seemed to be bothering her. "Hey, maybe your favorite jams will help ya out. Why don't you put them on? We can sing along!"
She giggled. "Oh please! You howl more like."
Nick laughed and leaned on the door with his elbow out the window again as Judy bent down to grab her music player. In that moment, the car windshield shattered and a pair of sharp whistles could be heard. Something had hit their windshield. Judy snapped up feeling something wet on her fur and saw two very small holes in the windshield. One where her head had been just a moment ago and one in front of Nick. As she shifted her gaze to her husband, he had the wheel gripped in both paws tightly and the engine revved as he floored the accelerator.
His eyes were wide and locked on the road. "Judy! Are you hurt?"
She quickly checked herself and found blood on the left side of her face, but no injury and no pain. When she looked back at Nick, he had been the one injured. Her eyes widened in horror as blood seeped from a gash in his neck, marring his russet fur.
She tried not to lose it as she spoke. "I'm fine, but you're not!"
He kept checking the mirrors as he sped along the highway. "I'm sure it's not that bad. Stings though."
Judy leaned over to inspect his wound and found that he was right. It didn't look all that deep but had left a furrow across the right side of his neck. "It doesn't look too bad Nick. What the heck happened?"
Nick was starting to sound frustrated. "I think someone took a shot at us. There's a black car following us. Damn it! We're not even in the Sahara District yet. I hate being on the edge of town!"
Judy pulled out her phone. "I'll call Bogo, he'll send help."
Nick nodded as he sped along. "Yeah, bring the lights. In the glove compartment there is a handgun. I keep it just in case. They're gaining on us and if they get along side, try to take out a tire."
Judy dialed and with one paw with the phone, the other found the handgun and gripped it tightly as Nick adjusted her side mirror so she could see behind them. The phone rang twice before his gravelly voice came on the line. "Officer Hopps, you can't have another week off."
She didn't give him a chance to continue, nearly shouting at him. "We have a problem! On highway 5 heading towards the Sahara District. We have been shot at by unknown suspects, Nick was hit and we are exceeding 100 miles per hour. We need assistance!"
She heard Bogo yell on the other end. "Clawhauser! Get four units and one swat on highway five heading east NOW. Officers in danger!" His voice redirected back to her. "Help is on the way Hopps, how's Wilde?"
"Superficial wound, but the suspects are gaining on us. We will likely have to return fire. Send Emergency Medical Animals as well. Someone is going to need it."
There was a pause before the Chief continued. "Understood, Hopps. Leave the phone line open and somewhere safe and keep talking. I need to hear everything to better direct your support. Focus your attention on the suspects."
"Roger, Chief setting the phone down now."
She placed the phone down and looked to Nick. His blood was already drying, leaving his fur matted. Her heart filled with worry, but that look in his eye as they kept shifting from the road to the mirrors told her that he was physically fine, but his mind was razor focused. She checked the side mirror and saw the black car coming alongside of them. The driver of the car had rolled down the window and a head popped out. It was a ram with the look of murder on his face. Judy quickly checked the pistol for a round in the chamber and prepared herself. The last time she had taken a life it had been a fellow officer, and she didn't relish the idea of taking another. However, she had a stronger desire to live.
"Here he comes Nick, get low."
The fox slouched in the seat as far as he could and still see out the shattered windshield as the black car was almost in line with them. The ram took out a pistol and seemed to be scanning for the driver. Judy saw her chance and popped up to fire, but his gun shifted to her in an instant and shot four times,shattering her window as bullets buzzed by her ears, slicing through the already damaged windshield. Judy thought he was too quick and she needed a new position.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and started to crawl to the back seat. Nick didn't question her as she moved. He sat a bit taller in his seat presenting a tempting target. It worked and the ram adjusted again for the driver. Judy made sure he would pay for the mistake and shot through the rear passenger window five rounds. Three hit the rear door on the driver's side, one missed completely, another struck a tire, flattening it/ Yhe final round went into the driver's side door. It must have gone through because the ram flinched and brought his head back inside the vehicle.
The car started to swerve and tapped the side of their own causing Nick to skid a bit before taking control of the car. The black suspect vehicle spun off the road and rolled four times as Judy watched from her shattered window. She saw an animal get ejected and land hard on the ground next to the road until the car finally came to rest right next to the wounded animal. Nick slowed to a stop before looking back and throwing the car in reverse to head for the overturned vehicle.
A short distance away he parked the car and turned to Judy. "My old rifle is under the back seat. Can you get it out?"
She shook her head as she found the case, "Jeez Nick, how many guns do you have in this car?"
"Just these two, and it's a story for another time, Fluff."
She handed Nick the rifle and he nodded to her. With unspoken language, they stepped out and swept the area leading up to the car, moving in a low crouched position. The animal that had been ejected looked small like Judy's size and wore combat clothing of all black. He was moving and it looked like he was putting something in his mouth. Judy checked the ram hanging upside down in the car as blood ran up its face from some unseen wound in his back. She checked him for a pulse and found none. She looked back at Nick who had rolled the living suspect over.
Red fur, white highlights, short muzzle - it was a weasel and he looked very dazed. Nick gripped the weasel's shirt as he spoke. "Who are you? Why did you try to kill us?"
The weasel let out a choking laugh that sent shivers down his spine but otherwise didn't reply. Nick's eyes widened as he saw the small animal was starting to foam at the mouth. He dropped the weasel and stood up leveling his rifle at him as he took a few steps back. The weasel continued to laugh as he began to have a seizure. Nick and Judy both watched in horror as he went through his death throes choking and laughing until at last he lay still. Nick continued to stare as Judy remembered the phone in the car.
She bolted back to the car and put the phone to her ear as she quickly returned to Nick's side. The fox still had the rifle pointed at the dead weasel.
"Chief," Judy said, voice shaky, "we have two suspects here and one overturned car just outside Sahara. Both suspects are dead."
Chief Bogo sounded relieved when he spoke. "Understood Hopps. Don't touch anything. Our team will take care of searching. Any further injuries?"
Judy looked over at Nick who still hadn't taken his eyes off the weasel. When he spoke, it was dreadfully calm and quiet. "Tell Bogo, one suspect killed himself."
She went back to the phone. "No further injuries chief but...one suspect apparently killed himself as we approached."
There was no hesitation in the Chief's voice as he spoke. "Get clear of the immediate area and take up hiding spots and wait for our cars. DO NOT engage any other suspects or give yourself away. Am I understood?"
That filled Judy with dread. The way he said it, what he said, and the nuances that normally aren't heard through the phone...such as a hoof hitting a wall. She looked at Nick who finally glanced at her, sensing her unease. She spoke quietly into the phone. "Understood Chief."
AN: Long awaited and finally out! Sorry it took so long! My dear friend Falcon had to step away to deal with other things so the first five chapters have been edited by him. After that, I have a new editor lined up to keep the story clear of errors and other issues for your reading pleasure!
Thanks for being patient with me, and sticking by as I got it all lined up. Next up is more. The story is not complete yet, but I have a good 13 chapters already lined up! In this story, the pair will make new friends and even a few...baddies...who are these new guys? Why are they trying to kill Nick and Judy? Only time will tell! Wish them luck!
Travel Well
-Keftense
