"So if you don't mind me asking, why didn't we stop for coats or something?" Nick stuttered as he held his crossed arms closer to him, "No time for that, Nick, keep moving!" Judy snapped back, "Well if I don't get some warmth soon, I'm going to freeze here! This fur only does so much!" Nick shot back.
It was clearly obvious that the two animals were just not getting along at all. Nick was freezing and struggling to keep up, but Judy was persistent. Of course, Nick was still wearing the island styled shirt, whereas Judy changed back into her police uniform, which was long-sleeved.
"Where are we even heading?!" Nick asked, huddled himself even closer as Judy pointed to a nightclub, glowing red, "There! Hurry up, almost there!"
Nick stumbled as he followed Judy into the nightclub, which he finally had a sigh of relief from the warmth from it. Nick took a look as Judy hid behind a plant. The nightclub was filled with many predators, most of them looking very much less than friendly then he would've liked.
Judy took a look around at the bigger animals discussing to each other, "So.. You do the talking, you know what to say." Judy instructs, pushing Nick in front of her, "Hold up." Nick holds his paws up and turns back around to face her, "First, why are you behind that plant? Second, what makes you think I know how to act around these animals?" Nick asks, offended,
"Did you already forget I'm a cop? I'm asking you because you're in an illegal business, doesn't that say something?"
"I had like, one conversation with one of Kozlov's polar bears, and that was to just give him a free pass in my park."
"Hold up.." Judy spun around, ears jolting up,
"You're in business with Kozlov, the mafia boss? One of the most wanted criminals?!"
"No! That's the last thing I'd want to do, and even then I wouldn't want to do that!"
Nick was starting to get really annoyed now, and Judy could tell, "Ok, fine, sorry. Don't get your bushy tail in a knot. You are a predator though, so try talking to one and get some info on Kolzov or the 'Savage'." Judy says, her paws on her hips and tapping her foot.
Nick turned away and looked throughout the building, there were lots of giant predators. Nick wasn't sure about the whole idea of talking to some stranger about some crazy mafia boss being a good idea. In fact, it was the exact opposite to him.
This nightclub was not very well lit, easy to hide someplace if needed, Nick noticed and passed by some large animals, not really getting a look at them, but listening in,
"Nick Wilde, the 'Savage'? Don't buy it."
"He's always been a strange fox, and I mean that in a good way, I bet this 'Savage' is a prey in disguise, making predators look worse!"
"Which is more the reason for us preds to create a demonstration, demand these collars off, get respect. I'm not living my life in fear anymore."
Nick turned away and tried to focus on the cop's demand, he just wasn't sure where to start! Everyone looked too dangerous to even ask a simple question, they were considering a riot! Nick shook his head to focus some more, but someone tapped his shoulder and turned around. "Nick? What are you doing all the way here?" It was the polar bear he talked to back at his park.
Nick stood surprised, "Hey.. Kevin, right?" Nick began, flicking his paws so they were pointing at him, but the polar bear held a paw up, "Don't use that sly act of yours, Kozlov's has business with you." The bear explains, but Nick tilted his head,
"Business? I don't have any-"
"Your park is closed, he wants to discuss it."
"Closed?! When did that happen?"
"Yesterday."
"Well there is no deal on no matter what he gives me, it's my park."
"Then tell him yourself." The bear mocked.
…
Nick walked back to the plant, leaning against the wall, trying not to look suspicious, he then tapped the wall to get Judy's attention,
"So, what did you find out?"
"Nothing, but I got called up to see Kozlov."
Judy perked up again,
"What!? Why?"
"It's about my park, he wants it, and I'm not giving it up."
"After this is over, you aren't getting it back."
"You said I'd be pardoned if I helped you!"
"I did, but I didn't mean for you to go back to a life of crime!"
"It wouldn't even be a life of crime if- Oh forget it!"
Nick stood in silence, looking away as Judy tapped her foot,
"I'm still going to see Kozlov, myself, he hates prey, especially cops."
"No you aren't, I need his information so he is in jail as soon as I'm done with you!"
"Then give me a suggestion on how you are going to hide from him, and get the information you so desperately need."
Judy looked around and saw a little shop through the window, and looked at Nick,
"You still want a coat?"
…
Nick sat in a limousine, which was slowing to a stop as they reached a lavish mansion, nothing subtle about the whole thing.
What wasn't subtle, was Nick's outfit, which was a large coat and weird-ish hat.
Nick watched the polar bears go into the building as Judy popped out underneath his hat, "See, was that too hard?" She asks, with Nick shooting her a look, "He wants my park, that's the only reason why I'm here." Nick explains, "Whatever you do.. Do NOT expose yourself. You are a cop, it's all over when he sees you, no one messes with him and gets out, alive." Nick crosses his arms as he sees the polar bears come back to the car, Judy hiding and the polar bears guiding him.
They walked through colder and colder corridors and hallways until they were in front of a lavish office, Nick instantly adjusted his tie and made himself look presentable, though the hat he was wearing was not helping, not at all.
Slowly a giant polar bear trudged against the floor, his footsteps practically shaking this ground as Nick flinched each time until he sat in his chair and faced them, with no motion with him,
"Nick Wilde. How has it been?"the bear spoke, it was no doubting it, it was Kozlov.
"I'm doing alright, freezing a bit, but that's not why I'm here. I don't have any business to do with you." Nick said, coolly,
"But there is, your park."
"I'm telling you that when I get back open, it will still belong to me."
"I can use that location to spread my own business, name your price."
"What good is it to you? That wasn't convincing."
Nick bit his lip, trying to keep calm, "That park is my dream! I've worked far too long and hard on just making that park work. No matter how much you give me, it will always be worth less than my commitment to that park."
Judy listened as Nick and Kozlov spoke calmly back and forth, she was expecting it to be violent, because she knew Kozlov gets what he wanted and Nick was not going to get rid of that park, one way or another, something about that park seemed a whole part of him.
"$500,000. Final offer."
"My answer is still no."
"What will convince you?"
"Nothing, do you not get that?"
"It's not like you're helping anybody with the park, just slowing down problems."
Nick stood there, unsure how to respond back, Kozlov was right, but he was not going to hand over the park with a snap of the fingers, and trusting this guy was dangerous.
Kozlov stood up and motioned Nick to come over with him, "Now, I will offer this again, $500,000."
"No."
Kozlov sighed as he opened the door and Nick followed him into it, the room seemingly warmer. Nick soon realized this was a problem, and all he really could do was unbutton his coat, "Warmer, Mr. Wilde?" Kozlov asked, with Nick nodding.
"I understand dedication for something you love, I have a son. He is precious to me." Kozlov said, still cold and emotionless… Yet when he talked about his son, it sounded sacred. Judy picked up upon it and jotted it down, the writing irritating the fox's head.
"However, a living being is more important than an inanimate place. I've seen your park, offered help and money. Yet you refused." Kozlov said, Nick shaking his head, "The money is the last thing I'm focused on, trust me. We see the world differently, and no matter how you see it, my vision is a lot different." Nick said, scratching his head, making Judy stumble a little, Kozlov noticing.
"Something wrong with your hat? It is getting warm in here."
"Nothing! I'm trying to get used to this hat, it can get a little itchy."
Nick gave an awkward smile as Kozlov inspected further, Nick's eyes racing around for a distraction. Then he saw something amazing.
"I-is that the rare art piece 'Card Players'?" Nick asked, and he could've sworn Judy rolled her eyes as Kozlov turned around. He turned back to Nick and nodded, "Yes, I forgot, you are an amateur artist, though amateur is an understatement." Kozlov said, Nick grinning, "Ur.. Thanks." Nick said, as he nodded, as Kozlov knocked his hat off, exposing Judy.
"Well… That didn't work the slightest bit." Nick thought to himself.
Kozlov intimidated Judy's small size, "Ah Nick, don't think I saw through that?" He growls, Nick getting nervous, "Just a friendly reminder, they figured out how to disable their collars." Nick whispered to Judy, who wasn't nervous at all as Kozlov got a closer look at her.
"You're a cop."
Nick's head started screaming to run, and was close to doing so. Judy on the other hand subconsciously reached for her tranquilizer gun, which was no longer on her, realizing it was taken..
"Get them."
Nick started to run with Judy jumping off and following, slowly getting in front of him, Nick heard tranquilizer guns firing and tried dodging as many as possible, but Judy falls over and tumbles on the ground as Nick gets a quick look. She was hit in her leg, the tranquilizer dart started it's effect on her instantly. Nick picked her up, bridal style, and ran outside, there wasn't much there for him to use except for running. Nick started on his way but saw a snowmobile inside the nearby garage to tread through the snow.
Nick ran through multiple rooms to lose the goons Kozlov sent after them and sat down in a dark room. His night vision (he was a fox, after all!) helping him look at the unconscious Judy and patting her on the cheek to wake her up. "C'mon Judy.. You gotta wake up here!" He said under his breath, starting to pat her other cheek, then suddenly stopping.
There was something uneven under her fur, felt painful. So Nick yanked his hand away and looked around in the room, trying to get his mind off of it.
Thankfully, the snowmobile he saw was in the room! Nick put Judy on the front of the seat and hopped on after. He tried starting the vehicle up, but the engine sputtered, the battery was dead. Nick frantically searched around for another way out and heard the doors for the garage to open, must his shock. He was panicking hard now, he did not want to get caught, he did not want to get hurt, he did not want Judy to face Kozlov's wrath, he-
Zap!
His collar shocked him, making him yelp out in pain and leaning forward, realizing the current surged to the battery! Nick started the vehicle up again, holding onto Judy and drove quickly away, just moments after Kozlov's goons got into the same room with him.
He instantly picked up on how to drive it and was already speeding away with ease. Two other snowmobiles were behind him and he sped up even more to get away. The bears shot more tranquilizer darts at Nick, who decided to yank the one in Judy to toss back. It hit a polar bear who zoned out and crashing into the ground, smothering the other bear in snow.
Nick cheered at his luck as he saw the town line and went for it, not realizing what would happen. The snowmobile hit the barrier between Tundratown's and Sahara Square's and knocked the snowmobile over, flipping both Nick and Judy.
They started rolling down a small but very sandy inclined hill, unable to stop until they landed at the bottom. Nick slowly got up, spitting in hope he didn't get any sand in his mouth.
…
It was quiet for a little bit, Nick noticed that the bunny hadn't woken up yet, and he growing concerned. He looked over at Judy, who was finally waking up, allowing him to give a sigh of relief..
"Ow.. what happened Nick?" Judy said, lifting herself up to sit down, but Nick was grinning like an idiot, remembering the events, "Heh.. We ran away from Kozlov.. you got knocked out and I escaped with a snowmobile.. and knocked out the two polar bears after us with the tranquilizer dart in you… I can't believe I did all that!" Nick started laughing in joy and excitement, "Oh my goodness.. does that happen to you on a daily basis?" He asks with Judy grinning from Nick's excitement, "Not as often as you think, but yeah." The rabbit responding, "Thanks for saving my life.. again." Judy grins with Nick getting up, "Yeah.. No problem. I doubt you got anything you wanted though.."
Judy got up with him, "Nah.. I finally got his location.. that's good enough for the ZPD later." She looked around at the desert, "We better get going." She says, making her way to the center of Sahara Square. Nick followed her, smacking his lips, "Aren't we going to get real thirsty here? It's really hot." He asked, "We'll be fine, we are in Sahara Square, and they make sure other animals can stay hydrated, there's a police station near here."
"Aren't we wanted by the police?" Nick asked, stopping Judy, "Right.. geez, I forgot." She opened up her phone again, getting a picture of the map she made, "I wish there was something that made sense here.. just some actual evidence!" She says as she continues her path. Nick followed along, taking a look at the map.
It didn't come to him at first, but he noticed something…
"Hey Judy, can I see the map for a second?" the Fox asked her, who did so. Nick examined it, looking at each location for the map, and he found it disturbing,
"This is going to sound crazy.. but the attacks are in locations I'm usually at.." Nick finally spoke, ".. but they are done at night. I'm at home by that time." He explains, Judy looking at him, "Wait… is that true?" Judy asks Nick as she looks over,
"Every Monday, I check out the record store, there was an attack there on a Monday with this brown bear..
Then there's every Saturday where I buy tea at the same place, there was an attack on the same Saturday which was not too long ago, maybe a week? He attacked a jaguar."
Nick explained this with fear, he was astonished by this. It was clearly obvious, the 'Savage' was trying to frame him, "What about the dam?" Judy asks, hoping for an answer, "Maybe he tried to get me killed so could finish it, but you got in the mix and he sparked a rumor that you were in on it.. that's my guess." Nick guesses the reason, which Judy stood dumbfounded.
Everything made sense! She wasn't able to figure it out because Nick had the last bit of information she needed!
"What day hasn't he attacked, if any?" Judy asks Nick, which he searched through, "Wednesday, I get my.. hobby supplies there." Nick says, struggling the find the right word, not wanting to reveal his paintings. Kozlov already told her indirectly that he was a painter, but he figured that they would be offensive to her.
"Hobby?" Judy asked, Nick's ears drooping, trying to think of a fake hobby, but Judy beat him to the punch,
"Kozlov said you are an amateur painter? Is that right?"
"Y-yes, but I didn't say anything because I only paint things that preds would've liked, prey would find them insulting, that's all."
Nick looked embarrassed, much to Judy's surprise, "I'm sorry, I'll drop it." She says, with Nick nodding his head. She was curious about the whole painting thing, now that she was slowly believing Nick wasn't a bad guy as she once thought.
She certainly was regretting all those things she said about him when they first met. It really made her wonder, but now she just had to focus at the issue at hand.
Judy tapped her foot, "Anyway, we need to hurry! It's currently Monday, if we hurry and grab a police car, then we can escape back into Zootopia on Wednesday!" the rabbit says proudly, but Nick seemed concerned, "Again, we're wanted by the police, how do we convince them to you know.. borrow their government funded cars to what they consider criminals?"
"Don't be offended by this question I'm going to ask you, ok?"
"I won't, I think we can understand each other now."
"Do you know how to break into a car?"
"… I'd like to retract my previous answer."
I'm really surprised with the positive feedback I've gotten from this story so far! Thanks guys!
