It was a morning like any other. The sun was shining, mammals were out and about, and, Judy mused as she stared at the prone form in front of her, Nick Wilde was dead to the world.
"Nick." She said, jostling his shoulder. The fox turned and buried his head deeper in the pillows. "Nick!" She raised her voice, shoving the sleeping vulpine harder. He pulled the blankets over his head. "NICK!" she shouted, rolling him off the bed. Nick landed with a dull thud and opened his eyes.
"Whas goin on?" he asked groggily. Noticing Judy, he scrambled to cover himself with the fallen sheets. "Carrots, what're you doing here?!" He exclaimed nervously, successfully covering himself. Judy chuckled at his embarrassment.
"You're fine Nick." She laughed. "You slept in your clothes." Nick looked down and saw to his chagrin that he was dressed in his usual Hawaiian shirt and khakis. "The jet lag really got ya huh?" Nick looked puzzled for a few moments before he remembered where they were and his confusion cleared.
"Oh yeah," he said as he yawned, "so what's the plan Carrots?"
"Well," She began decisively, "I thought we could go see the ruins of the Jade Palace and then go on to the Pool of Sacred Tears."
"Sounds good Fluff." Nick responded, stifling a yawn as he walked to the bathroom. "Also," he added before he went in, "why're we in China again?"
Two Days Earlier…
"Hopps! Wilde! My office now!" Chief Bogo roared. Judy turned to glare at Nick who was seated in the chair beside her.
"What?" Nick asked.
"What did you do this time?" Judy said exasperatedly as they walked out of their office. Nick shot her a hurt look.
"Officer Hopps, I am a police mammal of outstanding character. How could you ever suggest that I antagonize our dear chief?" he replied, maintaining his air of hurt dignity. "How am I to know that it wasn't you who was the cause of this incident? Hmmm?" Judy stopped Nick cold with a glare that could melt ice.
"Did. You. Antagonize. Chief Bogo." She asked slowly and menacingly. Nick gave her a lazy smile.
"Of course I didn't Carrots. I may like to have some fun, but I don't have a death wish."
"Nick!" she shouted, "Last week you replaced the filling in Clawhauser's doughnuts with mayo and then offered one to the chief!"
"That my dear," he replied as they knocked on the chief's door "was fun."
"Come in" the chief rumbled as they opened the door. The pair entered his office and Nick hopped into the chair opposite the desk, helping Judy up as well.
"Sir," Judy began, "is something—"
"Hopps." He cut her off, while viewing a piece of paper "Wilde. You two need to take a vacation."
"What?" They replied, the confusion evident on their faces. Bogo put down the paper he had been looking at and slid it across his desk to the two mammals.
"Do you know what this is?" He inquired.
"Well sir, it looks like—"
"Rhetorical question Wilde." Bogo interrupted, frowning slightly at the fox's smirk. "This," he said tapping the paper, "is the time sheet for both you, and Officer Hopps. As you may know, I am required by law to give both of you two weeks of paid vacation per year. And you have yet to take it."
"But sir," Judy pleaded, "We don't need to take a vacation."
"I wouldn't exactly say no—" Nick started to say before a glare from his partner silenced him.
"Hopps," Bogo said tiredly, "it's not a matter of want or need. It's a matter of labor law, which as the chief of police I am both morally and legally bound to uphold. You will go on vacation and that is final." He said sternly, chuckling to himself as the bunny's ears fell. Only Judy Hopps needed to be forced into two weeks of paid vacation.
"That's all. Dismissed." He said, pulling out his phone. The pair descended from the seat and headed out the door, one dejected, one barely holding in their excitement. "Oh and one more thing," Bogo called as they were about to leave, "enjoy your vacation." He finished with a smile. Nick paused and smirked as a thought occurred to him.
"Hey Chief," he said slyly, "do you want to come with us?" The chief froze with surprise.
"Why would I go on vacation with you two?" He sputtered in confusion.
"Well," Nick said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "As chief of police, I'm sure you don't get much free time to do the things you enjoy. Like dancing." Bogo froze and looked at the fox with horror. " And as I've heard, you are one hot dancer." Bogo's eyes bulged out of his head as he bellowed with rage.
"WILDE GET OUT OF MY OFFICE THIS INSTANT!" The fox left the room at a sprint, closing the door behind him. Bogo sat back down at his desk and started banging his head against it.
"I. Am. Going. To. KILL. Clawhauser." He said, each word punctuated with a thud.
Judy looked up as Nick sashayed into their office, looking as smug as she'd ever seen him.
"Oh no." she muttered. "Nick, what did you do this time?"
"Moi?" he replied, pointing at himself with both paws, "Why I just invited Bogo to come with us on vacation. And he very rudely refused my offer I might add." He finished with mock indignation.
Judy shook her head and buried her face in both paws.
"Why do you antagonize him?" she asked to nobody in particular. "And why do we have to take a vacation?"
Nick jumped up on the chair with Judy and she looked up at him.
"Carrots, this isn't a bad thing." Nick began, "In fact, this is an opportunity!" Judy looked at him blankly. "Ok think of it like this: is there any place that you have always wanted to go to?" Judy cocked her head thinking. "Is there any place that you never thought you'd have the chance to go to?" Nick asked.
"Actually, there may be one…" She replied thoughtfully. "When I was little, there was this one storybook that was my favorite. It was all about the deeds of the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five. Kung-Fu masters and heroes of Ancient China."
"And?" Nick pressed eagerly.
"It was fictional of course." Judy replied. "Just a children's story. But the setting of the story, The Jade Palace, really did exist! And I've wanted to visit the ruins since I was a kit!" Judy finished her introspection and realized what Nick was saying.
"Nick," she said eagerly, "do you want to go to China and visit the ruins of the Jade Palace?!" Nick laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Now you're in the vacation spirit!" Nick replied. "Of course I'll go with you! Who else would I take a vacation with?!" Judy grinned and logged into her computer, pulling up airline fares to China and hotel rates.
"Yes!" She shouted triumphantly after ten minutes of furious typing. Nick, who had returned to his desk, looked over at the beaming bunny with an amused smile.
"Find something interesting Fluff?" he inquired.
"We're booked for our flight to China tomorrow night!" she said excitedly. Nick was visibly impressed.
"You work fast." He replied. Judy continued as Nick wandered over to her desk.
"I also got us a hotel room at a resort and," she added proudly, "we get a discount because we're ZPD."
"One hotel room?" Nick asked skeptically.
"With two beds in two different rooms." Judy retorted, bemused at Nick's skittishness. "Don't worry Slick," she teased leaning back in her chair, "I won't assault you when you're sleeping."
Present Day
"You know," Nick said as he exited the bathroom, "you broke your promise."
"What promise?" Judy asked innocently. Her keen ears detected some grumbling from Nick as he retreated to his room about sly, abusive bunnies.
"Hurry up and get ready! Otherwise I might have to, what was it? 'Abuse you' again!" She shouted with a smile
"I guess those ears aren't just cute after all!" Nick called back. Judy was about to respond when the door reopened, revealing Nick in a white linen shirt and green shorts. Her retort died in her mouth as she looked at him.
"What?" he asked defensively. "I can't wear my usual stuff, it's gonna be a long walk." Judy just shook her head.
"How is it," she pronounced slowly, "that in your home town of Zootopia, you wear the touristy Hawaiian shirt, yet when you are actually a tourist, you don't look like one?"
"My shirts are not touristy Carrots," he said airily as he walked past her, "they're vintage." Judy stared at him incredulously.
"Are you ready to go yet?" He asked smugly, poking his head back into the room. Judy shook her head and followed him out.
"Let's go!" She said slyly, "I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
Nick looked up at the seemingly endless staircase then turned to Judy.
"Carrots, this was supposed to be a vacation!" He complained. Judy shot him a smug smirk of her own and replied
"So there are two choices; this staircase, which leads to the ruins of the Jade Palace" she said, gesturing towards the unforgiving ascent, "or that mountain, home to the Pool of Sacred Tears." She finished with an elaborate flourish towards the nearby peak. Nick looked at the merciless and seemingly endless staircase, and then at the mountain, which while equally high, appeared to have a more forgiving path. He returned his gaze to Judy's face, noticing the vengeful gleam in her eyes and regretting his earlier snark.
"I choose death by mountain." Nick responded dejectedly, trudging towards the imperious mountain.
"Excellent choice." Judy said with an evil smile as she followed him.
Nick gasped for air as he hauled himself over the last ridge of the mountain.
"Finally!" Judy called from next to the pool, "I was beginning to get worried you got lost!" Nick looked at the bunny, who in her jeans and pink flannel shirt, had yet to sweat one drop. Nick rolled onto his back.
"I…. hate…. you…. so much." He wheezed. Judy stood up and sauntered over to the exhausted vulpine, helping him up.
"Come on Nick," she coaxed, "sit down by the pool and have some water." Nick glared at her as Judy led him to the water's edge, too tired to protest. He flopped to the ground and guzzled the proffered water.
"I…. will…. have…. my…. revenge…. Carrots." He continued. Judy couldn't help but feel a little bad for Nick in this pitiful state.
"Maybe the climb was a bit harsh for the first day of the trip." She ventured, "But look at the view!" Nick sat up with difficulty and couldn't help but be impressed. He could see the entire valley from up here, including the distant ruins of the Jade Palace. He smiled tiredly at Judy.
"It is pretty amazing," he conceded, "but I am not climbing that again." Judy started bouncing in excitement.
"Ooooooh! And look at that big rock! That's where Master Oogway invented Kung Fu!" Judy squealed.
"Where who now did what?" Nick replied, puzzled by her sudden outburst.
"Oh, Master Oogway taught Master Shifu, the master of the Furious Five in the old story book." Judy explained, her enthusiasm slightly dampened, "And he was the one who chose the Dragon Warrior, and this was where Master Shifu trained the Dragon Warrior!" She continued, excitement returning. "It's just so amazing to be here! To see it in real life!" Nick staggered to his paws, only to be knocked back down by Judy's tackle hug.
"Thank you so much Nick! I never would have come here if it wasn't for you." She blurted out happily. Nick hugged her back, but soon piped up.
"Uh, Judy…"
"Yes Nick?" she replied, still hugging him.
"You're crushing my ribs." Nick coughed.
"Oh! Sorry!" She scrambled to her paws and helped Nick back up with a sheepish smile.
"It's fine Judy" He replied, "Besides—" Nick was interrupted by a sharp CRACK and a wave of force blasted both him and Judy into the Pool of Sacred Tears. Nick surfaced gasping for air, and looked around wildly for Judy, who was already standing in the shallows, her jaw agape. Nick rushed over to her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked frantically, checking for signs of trauma, "Judy, are you ok?!" He shouted, grabbing her shoulders. Judy looked at Nick and pointed her finger across the pool. Nick's gaze turned to the opposite side and his jaw dropped too. Where, five seconds earlier, there had been no one, there now stood two figures, a tiger and a panda. The panda was wearing patchwork canvas shorts and the tiger was wearing an embroidered red silk vest and black pants. Their voices carried across the water.
"Hah! I told you I could use the spirit world to teleport us back here Tigress!" the panda shouted triumphantly. The tiger shook her head good-naturedly.
"You were right Po." She said. Judy gasped at hearing their names and everyone turned towards her.
"Umm, who are you?" the panda named Po called across the water, "And what are you doing at the Pool of Sacred Tears? It's, y'know, sacred and stuff."
"That's them." Judy whispered as the tiger stalked around the pool.
"That's who?!" Nick hissed frantically.
"Tigress of the Furious Five and Po, the Dragon Warrior."
"I thought those were just stories!" Nick whispered.
"So did I." Judy responded, shell shocked by this sudden revelation. Tigress arrived on the other side of the pool and looked down at them.
"Why are you at the Pool of Sacred Tears?" She demanded. Judy looked up at the tiger with awe in her eyes, but before she could speak, Tigress brushed past her and walked to the edge of the peak.
"Po…" she called uncertainly, "Come see this." Po jogged around the pool to the edge of the mountain where Tigress stood.
"I'm beginning to think something went wrong…" he said, his face falling as he gazed upon the ruins of the Jade Palace below.
"Oh you think!" Tigress yelled sarcastically. Nick and Judy exchanged a look as Tigress threw her paws in the air and stormed towards them with Po following.
"I think we might have a lot to talk about." Judy said as Tigress and Po drew near.
"You think?" Nick uttered sarcastically. Judy elbowed him as Tigress came up and offered her paw with a strained smile.
"Hi, I'm Master Tigress and this is Po. I think we might need your help."
A/N: Hi guys! This is my first real attempt at writing a story, so we'll see how it goes. Any and all feedback is appreciated. If it's negative, all I ask is that it is also constructive. Thanks!