Author's Note: I wrote this because I've seen this movie four times now and I can't get enough of it. Also because I have time now.

Chapter One - A New Case

"Flash, Flash, Hundred-Yard Dash!"

The sloth's expression shifted from shock to smirk. "Nick!" he droned. "You're…with...the Z...P...D... now?"

"First day on the force," Nick said, showing off his badge. "You know, I always said you were the fastest guy at the DMV, but this is a little bit more than what I had in mind! What's the rush, buddy?"

"Well…I can…explain. It's… a bit…of...a long...story."

Judy stuck out her paw. "And I'm sure Officer Wilde would just love to hear about it. In the meantime, license and registration please."

"Hey come on Fluff, don't leave me here," Nick whispered, as Judy reached through the window, snatching away Flash's papers.

"What was it you told me? 'Hang in there'?" Judy said with a smirk. She made her way back to the squad car before Nick could protest any further, and ran Flash's license through the computer. Turns out, Flash had a sizeable list of past traffic offenses. As Judy scrolled down, she spied everything from running red lights to parking in emergency lanes. She was trying to find the most recent violations when Nick appeared in the window.

"Oh, had enough already?" she asked playfully.

"I told him you were showing me how to use all this stuff," Nick replied. "Being a rookie has its perks if you know where to find them. What's the damage?"

Judy turned the screen towards him. Nick eyes and grin widened.

"You know, the irony is almost too much to stomach. Almost," he said.

"He could have seriously hurt someone," Judy said. "I don't like how calm he is about all this."

"I'm sure he would have started to apologize if we had given him another forty-five minutes uninterrupted."

"He's still getting a ticket," Judy said. "The fines need to be enough to remind him to be more careful."

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Then let's just hope he's not a slow learner. Deck's stacked against him, though."

He put back on his sunglasses and strode to the other side of the car, hopping in and propping his feet on the dash. It struck Judy as impressive than even dressed in uniform, Nick could look sloppy when he wanted to.

"Anyway, I'll let you finish up here," he said, picking at his teeth.

"I thought the rookie was supposed to do all the work?" Judy teased.

"I'll defer to your legendary expertise when it comes to writing tickets, Fluff. Besides, it just might be a little weird getting a citation from a friend."

Judy rolled her eyes, but didn't argue. Laziness aside, she could understand that Nick had a history with Flash, and if she could help him avoid making things weird, so be it. With the ticket printed, she hopped out of the squad car and returned to Flash's window.

She pointed to a line near the bottom with her carrot pen. "I'm going to have to issue you a citation today, sir. Signing here is not an admission of guilt, but that you understand the information that has been presented to you. You'll find all necessary information, including your court date."

Flash nodded slowly, reaching for the pen. "Of…course. I…understand. Thank you...and...have-"

"A nice day?" asked Judy.

"A...wonderful…day. And tell...Nick…good luck."

Judy's stood there lips pursed and ears twitching as Flash scraped the pen across the page; he might as well have been carving his name in stone. Finally, with a leisurely flourish, he handed the pen back, and Judy silently celebrated that he had no t's to cross or i's to dot.

"Please, sir," she said, "Take care to drive safely in the future. You avoided arrest because thankfully no one was injured, but you won't get a second chance. Is that clear?"

"Clear...as...crystal." said Flash.

"Good!" Judy turned to leave.

"Oh...before...I...forget," Flash started again, looking out the window. "I….heard...a great….joke...the….other….day."

Judy took a step back. "Oh, I wish I could, but we really need to get going."

"Want…"

"Sorry, but no."

"to…"

"No, no thank you."

"hear it?"

By now Judy was back at the squad car, cupping her paws around her mouth. "Some other time, maybe! No, not right now. No."

With a sigh of relief, she opened the driver side door. Nick was holding the radio when jumped back into the squad car. "I was just telling the Chief that our streetracer has been 'shut down', as per his exact instructions. Not bad for my first day, right?"

Chief Bogo's gruff tones almost sounded amused. "Hopps, is every assignment I give you two going to be solved in record time? You're going to put the rest of the force out of work."

Judy glanced sheepishly at Nick. "Sorry, sir, although I'd chalk this one up to luck."

"It's those feet of hers, Chief," Nick chimed in. "Like a pair of fluffy, four-leaf clovers."

"I don't care what part of her is lucky. Patrol Savanna Central for the rest of the morning. I'll have another assignment for you at lunch. Good work you two."

Nick put the radio back. "Is he always that personable when he says thank you?"

"Don't complain. He sounds like a teddy bear compared to when I first started," Judy said.

"I guess I just have that effect on people. I bring people together."

Judy smirked. "Yeah, thick as thieves, you mean."

"Oh, ha ha, Carrots. Just start the car."

The streets of Savanna Central glowed in the midmorning air, drenched in orange light. A pair of giraffes were repainting the side of an apartment complex, reaching from the bottom floor the third in huge, smooth strokes. A gazelle leaned out the window to shake a rug, and apologized profusely when she ended up raining dust and fur down on them. A beaver and raccoon were arguing over the placement of each other's trash cans, but as Judy and Nick slowed down, they went their separate ways, content to glare at one another from the windows. As they rounded the next corner, the scent of pastries wafted heavily through the open windows, and Nick's eyes glazed dreamily. He licked his lips, looking for the source, a cafe just another block down the street.

"You think the Chief would mind if we stopped for a snack? I've had donuts on my mind all morning, ever since Clawhauser was squirreling them away in all of his chins before we left."

"What about your pawpsicle?" Judy asked.

"If you've already forgotten, it tastes like my eye socket."

"Yeah, I'd want to throw it away too."

Nick turned his nose up. "Please Officer Hopps, donuts first, petty arguments later."

Judy stifled a laugh, and followed her nose. A little snack wouldn't hurt.

The cafe was very busy, as they struggled to cope with the breakfast rush. Animals in suits and pajamas alike rubbed sleepy eyes as they waited their turn. She parked the car and the two of them walked inside, passing a bear with a bearclaw in her claws. The shop was small but well-maintained, although Nick narrowly avoided stepping in strawberry filling, catching himself on a chair. A few of the patrons turned to see, and glances turned to stares.

"Oh, don't tell me you've never seen this before?" Nick asked a pig sitting nearby.

"You're a cop?" the pig asked. "You?"

"Yeah, why?" Nick raised an eyebrow.

Judy smelled trouble. She waved. "Yes, hello! This is my partner, Officer Wilde. He's just another one of Zootopia's finest! There isn't anything I can help you with, is there sir?"

The pig grunted, shook his head, and turned back to his coffee, but not before shooting Nick one last curious glance. Nick shrugged, and began scanning the menu.

By the time they reached the counter, the bunny manning the register looked ready to burst with excitement. "You're Officer Hopps!" she exclaimed.

Judy smiled. "Y-yes, that's me! Is everything alright?"

"Everything's wonderful. Officer Hopps, I just wanted to say that I'm a big fan. You're such an inspiration to us rabbits everywhere. You do our species proud!"

"Careful, she'll let it go to her head," Nick teased, putting his elbows on the counter.

Oh, are you her partner?" The rabbit asked. "You're so lucky, working with the a hero of the city."

Judy waved the compliment off. "Please, ma'am, I was just doing my duty. But I'm glad you made sure Officer Wilde didn't forget."

Nick ignored her. "So, speaking of duty, how's about a half-dozen glazed for our best bunny in blue?"

"Of course!" the rabbit exclaimed, and leapt into the kitchen. Minutes later she reappeared with piping hot donuts, wrapped in wax paper and boxed. She shook her head when Judy reached for her wallet.

"Please, it's my treat. You two deserve a little thank-you for all you've done for us."

Nick rubbed his paws together. "I think we found our new watering hole. Darling, you think I could get a couple of blueberry donuts as well, to go?"

He was already ravaging one of them before they reached the car. "If your popularity is gonna net us free food, you really ought to consider a career in daytime television."

Judy smiled. "Like you'd last five minutes without me."

When Judy and Nick arrived at the ZPD to meet with Chief Bogo, the lobby was buzzing with activity. Dozens of smaller animals stood in several short lines behind tables pushed against a wall. Weasels, badgers, an armadillo, a pair of mice, and even several rabbits filled out forms, handing them to the officers seated nearby. Clawhauser was sneaking a peek every few seconds from behind the front desk, his tail swishing with curiosity.

"What's going on?" Judy asked.

"It's adorable," squealed Clawhauser. "You two have made quite the splash. First a bunny, then a fox...who knows what's coming next!"

Judy's ears perked up in excitement. "They all want to join the ZPD?"

"Well, not all of them. There have been a couple applications I hear, but most are signing up for civilian detail. Neighborhood watches, community outreach programs, stuff like that."

"That's great news!" said Judy. "The more the merrier. Is the Chief in?"

Clawhauser pointed upstairs. "He just got back to his office. I'll let him know you're coming!"

A couple of the animals waiting in line spied Judy and Nick and began whispering amongst themselves. He hid it well, but Judy noticed Nick standing a little straighter, puffing out his chest.

"Looking for some groupies?" she asked, as they climbed the stairs towards Bogo's office.

Nick said nothing, but when they reached the top floor, he moved to the railing, leaning out and watching the lines. His usually aloof expression had given way to something a little softer, more genuine. Judy, in turn, watched him. He wouldn't openly admit it, but it obvious he was keeping his uniform immaculate. There were lots of tiny moments she'd catch him in the corner of her eye or through the mirror, brushing away creases and picking away as many hairs as he could find. There was hope behind those moments, hope the future would be as well-kept as the uniform.

She let him have his silence, but she spied Bogo opening the door from down the hallway, motioning for them to come in. She tapped Nick on the shoulder.

"Come on, the Chief's ready for us," she said brightly.

Nick offered one last glance behind him, before following Judy inside.

Bogo, stone-faced as always, directed them to sit before crossing the room to his desk, which was cluttered with high stacks of paperwork on either end. He pushed what little he could aside, leaning back in his chair. The shades were drawn, striping his skin with bars of bright light.

"There are some sandwiches downstairs if you two are hungry," he said.

Nick patted his stomach. "No thanks, sir. We had a big breakfast of cop cliches."

Bogo looked unamused. He sat quietly and waited.

"Donuts. T-they were...donuts. Sir."

The Chief turned to Judy. "I assume you kept yourself busy the rest of the morning?"

Judy nodded. "Yes sir. A few civil disputes mediated; Some kids playing hooky-"

"Kids? Children, or goats?"

"Technically both," said Nick.

"We also responded to a noise complaint," Judy finished. "A family of wolves were disturbing their neighbors. Too much howling."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Timber wolves," he muttered.

Bogo snorted with approval. He turned around and grabbed a file behind him, handing it to Judy. "Good. Then here's your next assignment."

Judy glanced at all the other paperwork scattered around the office. "Trying to lighten the load, sir? I don't think I've ever seen your office this messy."

"No, Hopps. This 'mess' is unrelated, and none of your concern right now. Focus on what's in front of you."

Judy opened the file in her lap, and Nick leaned over to read. Clipped to the first paper was a picture of a wolverine, with a swollen eye and several gashes running down his cheek. Several others showed damage to a home and small business, both part of a small building on the outskirts of Tundratown.

"His name is Boris Howlett. That wolverine and his family have been enduring systemic harassment for weeks," Bogo explained, putting on his glasses. "His home and business have been vandalized, his wife and children accosted in the streets. It was only until he was physically assaulted that he filed a report with us. It took him three days to work up the courage."

"That's terrible," Judy said. Despite wolverines' usually ferocious disposition, Boris looked more disheveled and nervous.

"Do you want us to find who did it?" Nick asked.

"It wouldn't surprise me if you did," said Bogo. "But that's not why I'm sending the pair of you."

The Chief turned in his chair, staring at the map pinned to the wall. "When you two caught Bellwether, you put a band-aid on what was and is a gaping wound. I'm not trying to make your efforts seem smaller than they were; rather it's that the problem is far larger than we realize. Mistrust between predator and prey, even amongst species, is growing. They're falling back on old grudges. That's not something you can make disappear with a fine or night in jail."

He took note of their nervous expressions. "Whether you like it or not, you two are in a unique position to exemplify the values under which the ZPD conducts themselves. Predator and prey, both the first of their species with noted public service to the city, working together. You'll be far more effective than any of the other teams under my command."

"Of course sir, we understand," said Judy.

She turned to Nick, who had taken the file from her and was thumbing through it. His tail swished nervously.

"Yeah Chief," he said finally. "We'll put a lid on this the best we can."

Bogo nodded. "Good. You two are going to be very busy these next few months. We all will. I want a report on my desk by the end of the day, whatever happens with Howlett."

"Yes sir," Judy and Nick replied, in unison. They slipped off their chairs, and hurried out the door.

Nick insisted he drive to Howlett's, having argued Judy hogged the wheel all morning. She warmed her paws with the exhaust vent near the door, watching heavy clouds roll in from above. They cast great shadows, mottling the deep blues and violets of the city below in shades of ash and silver. The lamplights flickered to life, dotting the streets with frosted globes of light. Judy let a dreamy sigh slip out.

"You think it'll start snowing?" she asked. "We never got a lot in Bunnyburrow, and I never get tired of it."

"That's easy to say when you can drive a half-hour and get out of the cold. I don't know if I'd want to live here," said Nick.

"Not a fan?"

"I wasn't exactly welcome in this part of town for a while until you came along, Carrots," he reminded. "Guess I'm still a little wary. I see polar bears in my sleep, you know."

"Oh, sure you do," said Judy.

She pressed her face against the glass. "I think it's beautiful. It looks so...so innocent, I guess? Does that make sense? It all feels clean."

Nick stole a peek out his own window. "I'll give you that."

"Yeah, because you of all animals don't like getting your paws dirty."

"Ha ha, Fluff. Are we almost there?"

Judy checked the address. "Just about. It's the next right."

They rounded the corner as several snowballs pelted their windshield. Nick swerved in surprise, nearly hitting a streetlamp. Judy reached over and flashed their spotlight, before rolling down her window.

"Stop right there!" she called, at several figures bundled tightly together. Heavy coats and scarves hid their faces, and they leapt onto scooters, racing down the closest alleyway. Nick sped up, but as Judy climbed onto him (and nearly out the window) to follow, they saw nothing but a dead end and an empty alley.

"Would you mind getting your arm off my throat?" Nick asked, pressed against his seat.

Judy's ears turned from side to side, listening for the smallest sound. "Where'd they go?"

"Does it matter? A couple of rowdy kids aren't what we're here for."

She watched the alley for a moment longer. "Yeah, okay. You're right. I'll grab our coats."

As Nick parked the car, Judy climbed into the backseat to grab their cold weather gear, two thick navy coats and pairs of black gloves. They bundled up and stepped outside. Even in the dim light, the damage to Howlett's home and business were easy to point out. His mailbox had been smashed, several windows were broken, and trash littered the snow nearby. The most brazen display, however, was the word 'savage' crudely painted in red across his front door.

Nick stuffed his paws into his pockets. "Guess some mammals don't watch the news."

Judy knocked on Howlett's door, her breath hovering in front of her. They heard muffled sounds on the other side of the door, and it burst open, with a wolverine brandishing a bat.

Boris scratched the back of his head. "Oh, sorry Officers. I thought that-"

"You don't have to apologize, Mr. Howlett," Judy assured. "You've been under a lot of stress lately. May we come in?"

"Of course. Mind the step."

The wolverine's home blanketed them in warmth, and a fire heralded their arrival with a loud pop, scattering embers onto an old rug on the living room floor. Wooden planks lay in several stacks underneath the windows, presumably to board them up, and all the lights were off save for a tiny lamp sitting on a reading desk.

"My wife and children are with friends," Boris said, gesturing for them to sit.

Nick chose a plum-colored easy chair. "Has it gotten that bad?" he asked.

"No, but it makes things a little easier if they think we're not home. It's also why I haven't painted over that slur you saw outside," said Boris. His voice was soft, raspy. It rumbled in his broad chest. He took his own seat, a little wooden stool, and stuffed the bat he had been carrying behind a bookshelf.

"How come you're still here?" Judy asked.

Boris pointed to the bat. "This is still my home. I'll not let anyone destroy it, or scare me away."

He stared at the both of them, furrowing his brow. "I know the two of you. You're Hopps, aren't you. The one all over the news."

Judy nodded.

Boris turned to Nick. "And you're the fox that helped her. But you wasn't a cop at the time."

"Just a concerned citizen," Nick said, with a small grin.

Boris snorted. "You two seem like the only concerned citizens I've come across these last few weeks. They still call me friend, sure, but they look at me different. Don't want to get themselves involved, they say. Cowards, I say. They shouldn't sit idly by and do nothing."

"Sir, you can't expect average citizens to take the law into their own hands."

"I'm not talking about vigilantism, rabbit. I mean a sense of a community, a show of strength. A message that says 'we don't cower in fear of one another'. I'm no savage." Boris pointed at Nick. "You know what I mean. We're on the same side of that coin. I know what people think of foxes. My first boss was an arctic fox. Shifty, they says you all are. He was fine enough."

He leaned against the wall, and stared at the ceiling. "I know why the ZPD sent you two here. For the record, I think it's a good idea. You two make for a pretty picture."

"Sir, is there anything we can help you with?" Judy asked. "I'm sure you didn't forget, but you called us out here for a reason. Is there anything you can tell us about who's been vandalizing your property? Who assaulted you?"

"If I had anything worth saying, I would have told you already." Boris ran his fingers along the gashes in his fur. "They covered themselves up good. I couldn't see any of their faces, and it's hard to recognize a voice when you're getting stomped on. They were all sizes, too. Half my height and as big a polar bear."

"Do you know why you have been singled out?" asked Judy.

"We wolverines had a reputation for being particularly bad-natured and violent towards prey. Me, I run a computer repair shop, but that doesn't seem to be changing any minds."

"And when did you first realize these weren't isolated incidents?"

Boris thought for a moment. "Maybe last week. I was manning the register when a rock came flying through my window. Scared my wife to pieces, but when I ran outside there wasn't anyone there. They must have gone down that alley next to my shop; it's out of sight of any of the traffic cameras."

Judy's ears perked up. "Traffic cameras? You think any of them might have been caught on camera?

Nick, who had been jotting down notes, pointed his pen at Judy. "I'll bet you if they worked once before…"

Judy nodded. "Right. Sir, we'll examine all cameras in the immediate area, and recover any relevant footage from that we can. With luck, we can pull some addresses depending on if they show up close to your shop on any of the dates they were vandalized. But are there any other leads we can follow? Any mammals who might hold a grudge against you?"

Boris simply chuckled and rubbed his eyes. "I can think of a little shrew who might have reason to send a few goons my way."

Judy and Nick shared a look. If Mr. Big was involved, Bogo's choice to give them the case might not have been a good idea.

"Sir, are you referring to the crime boss known as Mr. Big?"

"That's him."

Nick slumped in his chair. "That's just fantastic. I should have stuck to pawpsicles."

Judy leaned forward in her seat. "Sir, what does Mr. Big have to do with you? Were you ever business associates? Have you been involved in any of his enterprises?"

The wolverine frowned. "No, and that's the problem. He's offered me several partnerships over the years, all of them legitimate. But I've refused every time. I don't work with criminals."

Nick waggled his eyebrows at Judy. "That's a wise policy to have."

Judy rolled her eyes. She wasn't about to tell Mr. Howlett about their previous history with the shrew, regardless of the help he had been. She stood from her chair, and offered her paw to Boris, shaking it firmly.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Howlett. We'll start looking into these leads as soon as we can, and I'll make sure additional patrols are scheduled past your home over the next few weeks. I'm also going to give you my personal number. If you ever need me or Officer Wilde, we'll be there. In the meantime, keep yourself safe."

Boris looked calmly defiant on his stool, his expression weary, but resolute. "I'm not scared, Officer Hopps. For the sake of all my kind, I can't be."

The very moment they stepped back outside, Nick threw his paws into the air, anxious little puffs of breath hopping in front of his face. "Of course, of course Mr. Big was going to be involved somehow! I've just gotten back in his good graces, Carrots. He doesn't give many second chances, not when it's easier to chuck them in an ice flow and call it a day."

Judy patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Calm down, Nick. We don't even know if Mr. Big is actually part of all this. It could just be a dead end." She held up her foot. "These are lucky, remember? You and I are going to be fine. We'll get in touch with him and schedule a meeting, just to talk. This doesn't feel like something he'd involve himself in."

That seemed to help Nick relax. He straightened his uniform, shoving his paws into his pockets. "Yeah. You're right, yeah. I'm probably just worried over nothing."

He shivered as a flake of snow settled on his nose. He blew it upwards, and watched the hundreds of overs beginning to fall.

"Looks like you got your snowfall. Hey, can you make a double-sided snow angel? You know, because of the ears?"

Judy giggled. "That's the Officer Wilde I know."

"Did you say Officer Wilde?"

A caribou was a little further down the street, carrying shopping bags and an infant slung over her back. she was staring at Nick, with an expression that reminded Judy of earlier in the morning, in the donut shop.

"You're a cop?" The caribou asked. "You? A fox?"

Nick's smile had vanished. "You're the second animal to ask me that today. If there's something you want to say, reindeer, go ahead, but don't blame me if you get arrested for it."

The caribou snorted loudly. "Wouldn't surprise me a bit! Why'd they let a shifty rodent like you on the force? The ZPD have a quota on dirty cops they need to fill?"

Judy jumped in front of Nick, her ears back. "Watch your mouth, ma'am. Nick is a good officer."

She didn't seem convinced, shaking her hoof at the both of them. "You're all corrupt! That sheep had cops breaking the law for her, why should that change now? You should all be fired!"

The caribou walked away, grumbling to himself. Judy felt her paws shaking, clenched into fists. she hadn't broken the law, but Judy almost wished she had. Anything would have been better than just standing there and let Nick take it. She stomped her foot angrily in the snow.

"Who does that jerk think she is!?" she angrily. "Nick, don't listen to her."

Nick offered a weak smile. "It's okay, Carrots. I know you believe in me."

He stayed outside for a moment longer, watching the snow as Judy started the car. What had just been a gentle dusting looked ready to turn into a blizzard. He shivered in the cold.

"It's just everyone else I'm worried about."

Author's Note: Can't wait to see where this goes!