Sorry guys, had some computer troubles Friday so i couldn't post the new chapter till today so i hope y'all had a great weekend and i hope y'all enjoy the story!
A few months later
I stood on the stage in front of the entire ZPD dressed in full blues, anxiously waiting for Officer Hopps to call me to the podium and clip the badge to my shirt. 'I finally did it,' I thought to myself as I replayed the entire training process through my head. 'I accomplished my dream,' I finished thinking as I heard Officer Hopps call me to the podium. I walked over and faced her, then as she pressed the badge to my shirt securing it with the pin in the back she said "congratulations Officer Lionheart, welcome to the ZPD." As soon as she finished her sentence I thought that the entire ZPD police force wouldn't make a sound. But instead they all cheered as they threw their caps into the air. "Would you like to say a few words?" Judy asked backing away from the podium. I said "yes I would." I said as I took my place behind the podium and adjusted the microphone so my fellow officers could hear me. "I just want to say a few things," I said as I took a deep breath trying to fight back the tears. "I know a lot of people don't believe in me as of right now because of what my father did to the citizens of Zootopia almost a year ago… but let me say this. I am willing to run head first into any life threatening situation to help this city and its citizens because I want to help the mammals of this city and nothing is going to stop me." I said as I stepped away from the podium nearly bursting into tears because I knew the road ahead was going to be a rough one but I had to stay strong for both my father and mother. I started my new job at the ZPD in a week and I couldn't wait to start helping the people of this city.
The very next week on my way to work, I was listening to music as a few thoughts crossed my mind. One thought that kept coming up was I kept having nightmares of walking in to my old house and finding my mother dead on the floor, I tried to stop thinking about it. I knew that no matter what, someday I would find my mothers killer and make whoever killed her pay for what he did. Along with the man who tried to kill my father. As I pulled up to the precinct in my mustang, I checked for messages on my phone and I saw that Nick and Judy had both sent me messages on my way to the precinct both wishing me luck and hoping they would get a chance to work with me. I texted both of them back in a group text saying, "thanks guys, I really appreciate it! I hope I get to work with you both because I respect you both as officers and as friends." I sent the message as I stepped out of my car and walked up to the doors of the precinct. As I walked in, I spotted Judy and Nick talking to Clawhauser, I decided to walk over and say hey. "Hey guys, what's up?" I said as I neared the front desk. Judy and Nick turned around and saw me "hey Officer Lionheart!" Judy yelled as she ran over, jumped up and slugged me in the arm "ready to make the world a better place?" She asked me enthusiastically. "Of course I am!" I said while looking down at Judy. "Whelp we better get to the bull pen before Bogo has a mental breakdown." Nick said as we started walking to the bullpen. As we walked into the bullpen, all the other officers stopped what they were doing and all their eyes locked on to me, like a predator when it spots its meal. Not a word was said until a fellow lion walked up to me and said, "welcome to the force Officer Lionheart." The entire room cheered as I took my seat beside Nick and Judy. Chief Bogo walked into the bullpen and yelled over the cheering "alright everyone please take your seats, I'm going to hand out assignments. "Officers Higgins, Delgato, and Trunkaby! You will be patrolling the rainforest district, officers Hopps, Wilde, and Lionheart you will be patrolling savannah square, everyone else is on patrol, dismissed!" Bogo yelled as he walked out of the bullpen. I looked at Judy and Nick and said, "well looks like we're working together!" I said as I extended my fist out for a knuckle bump to Judy and Nick who gladly gave me a knuckle bump. "Well let's get going!" Judy said as she led us to the garage to get a cruiser. "Tanner, since its your first day you get to drive." Judy said as she hopped into the passenger seat as Nick got in the back. I walked over to the driver side and opened the door, I got in to the cruiser and buckled in as I shut the door. "let's do this." I said as I turned the key and the cruiser roared to life. I pulled out of the garage and headed towards Sahara Square.
As we drove down the streets of Sahara Square, I kept a constant look out for anything suspicious just in case something was to happen. Judy noticed that I was keeping my head on a swivel, "are you nervous?" she asked. "No, just ready to help this city Officer Hopps," I said as I looked down to her. "Tanner," she giggled, "just call me Judy! We're all friends here, and besides the first day is always slow so we may not run into any trouble today." She said as we came to a stoplight. As I looked to my left, I noticed a wolf walking down the street in a dark trench coat looking suspicious as he walked into a convenience store. "Judy," I said as I unbuckled my seat belt, "take the wheel and pull over to that store, Ill radio you if I need your assistance." I said as I got out of the car and walked over to the convenience store. I looked in the window and knew that the situation might turn badly. I noticed the wolf had a revolver pointed to the cashiers' head as the scared otter quickly cleaned out the register. I drew my pistol from my holster and walked inside as the wolf turned to the sound of the bell chiming as I walked through the door. The wolf aimed the revolver at me, "don't take another step cop! Or ill blow your brains out!" he screamed as he pulled the hammer back. "Listen! I don't want to hurt you!" I said as I walked closer to the wolf. "I mean it! Your dead if you take another step!" the wolf cried as he started to squeeze the trigger. "Listen to me!" I screamed as I slowly lowered my gun. "If you put the gun down, I promise that nothing bad will come out of this." I said as I walked closer. An evil grin came across the wolf's face as he said, "anonymous sends his regards." He pulled the trigger to the revolver, I jumped out of the way raising my gun and fired a round at the wolf. The bullet hit the wolf in the stomach and he howled in pain as he collapsed to the floor. I quickly got up and cuffed the wolf as quickly as I could. I applied pressure to the wound as I reached up with my hand to the radio on my shoulder "Nick! Judy! I need an ambulance now!" I screamed as I applied pressure to the wolf's bullet wound trying to stop the bleeding. Nick and Judy ran into the convenience store, "Tanner, what happened?" Judy asked as she ran over to me. "He tried to shoot me so I had to take him down, but we need to keep him alive!" I yelled. "Why? What is the importance of this guy?" Nick said as he walked over. "Before he shot at me he said 'anonymous sends his regards'." I said as I looked at Nick. The ambulance finally arrived and the medical team took over, "what hospital is he going to." I ask as I stepped back. "He's going to Zootopia general hospital." the medical team leader said as they wheeled the fox out of the store. 'I need to interrogate him.' I thought to myself as I walked back to the squad car with Nick and Judy in tow.
When we arrived to the hospital, I immediately walked to the front desk and asked "where's the wolf that got shot in the convenience store robbing today?" "he's in surgery right now, I'll let you know when he is conscious." The nurse said. 'I don't want to wait!' I thought to myself as I went over to the bench and sat down with frustration. Nick and Judy sat beside me and I could tell they wanted to talk about what happened, but I was to focused on what that wolf said to me. 'What was with this anonymous guy? Why did he kill my mom? Why did the wolf say that to me? 'I thought to myself as I laid my head into my paws trying to fight back the tears. I then felt a small paw land on my arm, I looked up and saw Judy staring at me with a concerned look on her face. "Tanner, whatever happens everything is going to be ok." She said trying to comfort me. "I just don't understand, why is all of this happening? I just want to know." I said as the tears finally surfaced sending me into an uncontrollable sob. A couple of hours later the nurse finally approached us "the patient is awake." She said. I immediately stood up and followed her to the wolf's room, when we made it to the room the nurse turned to me. "He's very weak so please keep it brief." She said as she opened the door. I walked in to see the wolf laying on the bed with gauze around his stomach with a blood stain where I shot him. Me Judy and Nick walked in and I could feel the anger rising inside me as the wolf's gaze met with mine. "What's the matter? Does the big bad wolf scare you?" the wolf asked mockingly to me. I couldn't take it anymore "Judy, Nick, leave the room please." I said coldly. "Ok Tanner, we'll be right outside." Judy said as her and Nick walked out the door. When the door shut I grabbed a chair and propped it against the door so no one could come in. I turned to the wolf and said, "you listen here, you're going to tell me everything I want to know or this is going to be very unpleasant for you." I said as I walked to the wolfs' bed. "what're you going to d…" the wolf tried to say but I didn't let him finish his sentence as I extended my claws and grabbed his stomach where they had just pulled the bullet out of him. "AHHHHHH! what the hell are you doing!?" the wolf asked as I dug my claws in deeper. "Who is anonymous." I said as I tightened my grip more and more. "Jeez man I don't know! He contacted me via cell phone and paid me a million to take you out! He didn't say a name or anything, that's all I know I swear to god!" he screamed as I released my grip on his injury. "Thank you for your cooperation." I said as I removed the chair and walked out of the hospital room leaving the wolf whimpering in his bed.
When I walked out of the room, Judy and Nick immediately walked over and asked, "what the hell happened in there?!" Judy asked as she came closer obviously upset because of the screams she heard coming from the room. "I was interrogating the suspect, and he said that he was hired by anonymous to kill me for a million dollars." I said as I looked at Judy. "Tanner what the hell were you thinking?! You can't let your anger get to you in situations like this!" Judy said. I immediately felt horrible about what I did, I walked over to the bench and sat down. I covered my face because I could feel the tears coming up because she was right, I caused harm to the suspect in order to get the info I needed. Judy saw that I was in bad shape and sighed as she walked over and sat in the chair beside me. "Tanner, listen you're a good cop, but good cops make mistakes too. I mean take me for example." She said as she put her paw on my shoulder. "Yeah your right Judy, I just have to learn from my mistakes." I said as I removed my paws from my face. I stood up and realized it was three o'clock and realized that my birthday was in 7 hours. "Guys, I almost forgot it was my birthday today." I said with a chuckle. "It's your birthday? Well why don't we go out tonight to celebrate? How old are you turning again?" Nick asked. "Yeah it my birthday! I'll be twenty-one at ten o'clock tonight! And I'm down to go out tonight and toss back a few, Judy you trying to come with?" I asked as I looked over to her. "Yeah! I'd love to! How about you meet us at our apartment at nine o'clock and we'll head to this bar I heard about called the watering hole, they've got karaoke and everything!" Judy said with excitement. "Sounds amazing!" I said as I stood up. "let's head back to the station, we've got paperwork to fill out." I said sadly, even though we had given Bogo our statements we still had paperwork to fill out. As we walked out of the hospital I stopped walking as one thought crossed my mind, none of my family was going to be there for my birthday. As a tear rolled down my cheek, I heard the cruiser pull up in front of me and the window roll down. "Tanner, come on bud! You can ride shotgun on the way back to the precinct!" Nick said with a smile. That's when I realized that Nick and Judy weren't just my friends or co-workers, they were my family too.
After we had finished our paper work, I drove home to my apartment in Sahara Square. After my mom died, Nick and Judy helped me move out of my old house and into Pharos apartments. The apartment wasn't five stars but it was home, with one bedroom, a king sized bed, a kitchen, bathroom and den for a thousand a month wasn't bad. When I got to the apartment building, I parked on the side of the street and ran up to my apartment because it was seven and I didn't want to be late. When I got to the apartment I walked to my bedroom and threw open the closet. This is a night I want to remember for the rest of my life, I said as I grabbed my go to black polo. I also grabbed a pair of blue jeans and my grey spikey tennis shoes to go with it. Before I walked out of the closet, I noticed my dad's old 90's Olympic windbreaker jacket he got when he went with his dad at the very back of the closet. I grabbed it and decided what the hell I'm going to wear it, I said as I laid my outfit onto the bed. My phone started to ring and I took it out of my pocket. I didn't recognize the number so I decided to answer. "Hello?" I said quizzically. "Hey son." My father said. "Dad! Are you okay I haven't heard from you in forever!" I said worried as tears started streaming down my face. "Yes son, I'm alright. I just wanted to call and wish you a happy birthday and to tell you that I'm so proud of you!" my father said with enthusiasm. "Thanks dad, I'm going to come visit you tomorrow ok? We have a lot to talk about." I said as I wiped the tears from my eyes. "Sounds like a plan sport! I'll see you tomorrow! I love you son." My father said choking on his words trying to fight back the tears. "I love you too dad!" I said as I started to cry more. I hung up the phone and wiped the tears from my face. 'tonight's going to be a good night' I thought to myself as I continued to get ready.
After I finished getting ready, I drove over to Judy and Nicks apartment to pick them up. I pulled up to their apartment building and parked out front. I was browsing through my music to find a song to get me pumped for the night but wasn't having much luck. I looked down to my watch and noticed I was thirty minutes early, so I decided to text nick. "Hey Nick, I showed up a lil bit early. Would you mind if I came up and hung out for the time being?" I sent the message and a few minutes later he texts back "sure thing bud! Room 234." So I got out of the car and headed up to their room on the second floor. When I reached their door I knocked to let Nick know I was there. Nick opens the door, he's wearing his traditional green Hawaiian shirt with his tie and grey pants and says "what's up man! Glad you came up, make yourself comfortable." "Thanks for letting me come up, I love the apartment Nick." I said as I took a seat on the couch. "Thanks man I appreciate it! Want to watch some tv?" Nick said sitting beside me. "Sure! Do you watch MMA?" I asked Nick as he was flipping through the channels. "Oh hell yeah dude! I love MMA!" he said as he changed it to MMA, a black bear and a polar bear were fighting in the ring when it came on and the fight had just begun. "I bet 5 bucks the polar bear wins this one!" I said as I pull a 5 out of my wallet. "Bet!" Nick said when he pulls a 5 out as well. We both set the money on the table and wait for the blood shed to begin. The bell dings and the polar bear runs towards his opponent jumping into the air. As the polar bear is coming down, he rears his right arm back and hits the black bear with a right hook right to the jaw. This causes the black bear to spin a 180 and then fall face first to the mat completely knocked out. The ref counts to ten and when the black bear doesn't get up he goes over to the polar bear and raises his arm in the air to declare he's the winner. "how did you know he was going to win?" Nick asked as I picked the money up off the table. "I watch MMA all the time and he's my all-time favorite fighter, he's known for one hit knock outs." I said with a smirk on my face. Judy comes out of here room in jeans, a white shirt and black leather jacket. "You boys ready to go? Judy asks me and Nick. "You bet! I'll call the zuber to take us there and then back after." I said.
When we got to the watering hole, we walked up to the bouncer checking id's as people went in and it was 10 o'clock, finally it's my birthday. "Are you excited?" Nick asked me. "Yeah I'm excited! I finally get to have a beer with two of my great friends and it's my birthday!" I said with enthusiasm as I handed the bouncer my id. "you're good." Said the bouncer handing me my I.D. back. As I walk in the smell of cigarettes, beer, and a hint of puke hit my nose but I didn't get sick, I was excited. I walk to the bar and sit down waiting for the bartender to get me a drink. "what can I getcha?" the bartender asked. I looked at the elephant and said. "I'll have a Budlight in the biggest glass you got." I said with confidence. "coming right up." The elephant said as he grabbed a mug the size of a pitcher and started to fill it with beer. Judy and Nick finally made it to the bar and sat beside me. "What would y'all like?" Asked the elephant. "I'll have an orange carrot ale." Said Judy. "And I'll have a Budlight." Said Nick. When they got their drinks, we went and found a table near the stage where the karaoke machine was set up. "So tanner how does it feel to drink legally." Nick said as he took a sip of his beer. I took a few gulps of my beer before putting it down and said, "pretty awesome!" I said as I wiped off my mouth. I looked towards the stage and saw the hyena that was currently singing karaoke was absolutely trashed. He was slurring on his words and couldn't stop laughing half the time so people weren't paying attention. Nick saw me looking at the stage and said, "Tanner, 20 bucks says you don't go up there and sing something for the entire bar." Before I answered, I looked around the bar and noticed that a lot of our fellow officers from the precinct especially chief Bogo were in the bar with us. I turned to Nick and said "Nick you're crazy." I said as I started chugging the beer. As I was chugging Nick ordered another round, and when I finished my beer I grabbed the second and chugged about half before I finally stopped. "Were you thirsty or are you scared?" Nick said with a sly grin. "No I'm not scared." I said with a grin trying to hide the nervousness. "it's alright if you are, I'm just saying it'd be awesome if you did." Nick said with a sly grin. "Don't let him pressure you Tanner." Judy said glaring at Nick. I quickly drank the rest of my beer and ordered another beer and six shots for me, Nick and Judy cause it's my birthday and I wanted to get a little wasted. Well a little wasted turned into me getting onto the stage and going to the karaoke machine grabbing the mic and saying, "hellllooooo everyone, hope yall are having a good time because I am!" I said as I took another sip of the beer that I couldn't remember what number it was. I saw Judy and Nick out of the corner of my eye, Nick couldn't stop laughing while Judy just had her paw to her face. I then heard Nick scream, "happy birthday Tanner!" as he took another sip of his beer. I heard all the officers cheer to nicks announcement as I put my beer over my heart. "thanks Nick!" I said looking towards him raising my glass in the air. "Soooooo I'm going to be singing the song Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen so I hope y'all enjoy." And after that sentence I blacked out.