Authors note: I disclaim Zootopia

Chapter 7: Bunnynapped

Matthew felt the world fall apart as he watched the vehicle begin to drive away and took to action before the vehicle could get any father. Sprinting as fast as he could he located the nearest staircase and slammed the door open before charging down the stairs. He didn't know how many flights he went down, but he did knew that every time he started upon another he became more frightened by the second of the van getting farther and farther away. It felt like hours when he reached the ground floor and ignored the ZMC personnel and citizens that gawked at him from a distance. Running through the automated doors, Matthew felt himself running short of breath, considering that he never ran like this before, but didn't let his body surrender to rest and pushed forward.

Upon reaching the parking lot where Judy once was, Nick searched for the vehicle that took off and nearly missed the end of the vehicle as it turned left down a block. Nick sprang into action as he ran down the sidewalk dodging pedestrians as he attempted to chase after Judy and her captors. He would have taken the nearby APV but he didn't have the keys to it, only Judy did. He saw no other optional transportation besides commandeering a pedestrian's vehicle but there was no time for him to jump out and seize one. Time is of the essence. Nick felt himself becoming short of oxygen and wished he would have ran track more during his training in becoming an officer but with Judy in danger he kept pushing him to find and rescue her.

He made it to the end of the block and turned his gaze to where he would suspect the vehicle would be but there was no sign of the vehicle anywhere and Nick frantically searched for it. He breathed heavily and tossed his eyes over the area searching for anything that can give him a clue. Everything felt like a blur to him – the sound the city made, the walking imagines of several animals along with his thoughts and anxiety that began to cloud Nicks mind. Judy was gone and he should of known better to be there for her when he should of known that there was a great danger. Ever since yesterday he gotten too sentimental over himself and instead of being there for Judy just as she been there for him, she was now it what Nick could propose was Shepard's paws.

Shepard was the only person that Nick could understand that would of abducted Judy, but for what reason? Did Shepard mistaken Nick as Matthew and thought that Judy was a friend of his? Nick clenched his fists as he theorized and blamed his father for what has happened. Not his mind been having hell with the flood of memories from Matthew and him holding a strain of the Night Howler, his partner has been kidnapped and he feared what would happen to her. He knew how situations like this would occur as. She's taken hostage and there is something that Shepard would want in exchange. Matthew was that target.

Nick, however, would be forced to choose between his father and his partner, while at the same time exposing his existence to Shepard and placing himself in harm's way, but he didn't care. Judy would do the same for him, to fight for him until the very end. However, in Nick's mind, he chose Judy over his father and would surrender him to Shepard. Ever since he met his father, everything was going to hell for him and now that Judy was captured, things crossed the line for Nick. He never asked for any of this to happen, he never wanted Judy to enter harm's way because of his father's action. He will get her back.

The other thing that crossed his mind was to call the ZPD and alert them of Judy's kidnapping. He would have to make a call back at the ZMC. Nick glanced around one last time for the vehicle and slammed his fist against a nearby wall, ignoring the pain that spiked through it suddenly. Please… just be safe. He said to himself. Turning around and running back to the ZMC, Nick ran through the front doors. He mind raged as the cause for her kidnapping was because of his father. Because of him, the only person that he really cared for was now in the paws of a monster. He bypassed the front desk and ran up through the staircase until he reached the designated floor of where his father was present. He saw him through the window of the room and growled as he drew close, his left paw forming a fist, ignoring the present officer. He opened the door roughly and shut the door behind him, alerting his father of his presence who was looking out the window that held the city's graceful beauty.

"Nick…" Matthew said the sorrow in his voice still present from their earlier talk. Nick squeezed the handle of the door tightly before turning around and punched his father on the side of the jaw. Matthew was caught by surprise and stumbled back slightly and clenched his jaw before rubbing it and was about to question Nicks sign of aggression but froze when he saw a tear fall from his face. Nick set his eyes to the ground unable to look into the eyes that mimicked his.

"You bastard…" he began his voice cracking. "Why… why do you…" Nick couldn't form the words to describe how he felt about his father.

"Nick?" Matthew repeated sounding even more worried and slowly laid his paw onto Nick's shoulder. Nick reacted to the touch and whipped his hand away and cried out with his teeth bared, "I HATE YOU!" Matthew recoiled from the sudden outburst, regretting to ever reveal to Nick what was… inside of him just like him, however, something felt different. The way that Matthew looked into his eyes and seen the amount of pain and hurt hiding behind them. He face fell white as a ghost then glanced around for a familiar bunny and asked quickly asked Nick, "Where is Judy?"

Before Nick could respond with more burning hatred, a fellow nurse opened the door and pointed at Matthew. "Mr. Wilde is it? There is someone requesting you on the phone," she said.

"Not now, nurse, I'll answer them later," he hissed, not really meaning to sound threatening to the nurse.

"Sir, it's urgent, a Robert Shepard wishes to consult with you and will not choose to wait." Matthew froze at the name of Shepard and Nick body tensed and quivered at the words. Matthew stared at Nick and knew exactly what happened. As much as it pained Nick, Matthew also shared it. His partner must have been someone clearly important than just a regular person he would team up with on occasion. The pain behind those eyes was much greater. That pain was something that Matthew experienced when he thought he lost Nick eighteen years ago. It had to obvious, Judy must have been an irreplaceable partner and because of his presence, he could only imagine what had happened.

Moving around Nick, Matthew ran up towards the nurse station, where he grabbed the phone that sat above the ledge. "Shepard…" Matthew growled. Nick followed Matthew, praying that Judy was unharmed, wishing that he would have been the one to be taken and not her. She didn't deserve this and if something bad were to happen to her, it should be him instead. Judy had a family to live for and not to mention the amount of brothers and sisters she had that he once heard from her about.

He still couldn't believe this was happening. Judy was kidnapped and here Nick was standing around. The officer that was sent to guard the room watched them from the distance and Nick had the nerve to alert him of the situation, but believed there would have been consequences if Nick alerted the ZPD. Shepard was someone he didn't know much about and won't know what would happen to Judy because of his actions. He decided to listen to the conversation and attempt to stay strong. He even asked the nearby nurses and personnel for privacy. His mind begged to here Judy's voice through the phone.

"Matthew!" Shepard exclaimed, "It's been quite a week hasn't it. First I capture you then you crash a plane, nearly kill one of the agents provided by Gideon along with almost killing yourself in the process and yet you still manage to survive. You never cease to amaze me when you cheat death more times than death kills."

"Cut to the chase, Shepard, where is she, what have you done with Judy?" Matthew demanded.

"Ah… is that her name? She is a very feisty one - for a rabbit anyway - but the little ones always hold determination don't they?" Nick tensed when he heard Judy voice in the background. It was very faint, but he could imagine that they muzzled her. He released a held breath, thankful that she wasn't harmed more than needed, but the thought of her still being held captive worried him. If this was a life or death situation he would he been amused by the word feisty that described Judy, but all humor left Nick. This was Judy that was being held hostage and he didn't give a damn what it would take to get her back.

"What do you want, Shepard?" Matthew asked, already knowing the answer, but he wanted to be sure of something.

"Well why of course you, Matthew, what else!" he pointed out. "Surrender yourself to me and she walks free, if u don't then she dies." Nick froze at those words. He could feel the seriousness in his voice. Shepard was something that came from hell. This wasn't a normal criminal that Judy and Nick would handle; this was someone entirely different, someone with the power to take on the entire ZPD. Worse of all, the ZPD was only equipped with tranquilizers while Shepard's soldiers had actual bullets – bullets that were banned in Zootopia. Possession of illegal firearms and live-fire ammunition offers life sentence in the prison system. Murder was a very rare source of crime in Zootopia and the thought of seeing a dead body made Nick sick to the stomach. This utopia is only fond of original crime such as robberies, but if there was a dead body present within the streets of Zootopia, he could imagine that the witnesses would be traumatized.

"Come to thirteen-eighty-five Dyeson Lane at twelve p.m. exactly, not a second later, Matthew. That's in one hour. If you aren't there by then, then I will personally execute this ZPD officer and leave her where her body lays. Any attempt to contact the local police department would be unwise Matthew. But feel free to abandon her, killing her now would save her from what is to come." Shepard hung up and Matthew slowly laid the phone back down onto the ledge of the desk.

Nick knew the address that Shepard talked about and been there plenty of times. It was also known as the Slums in Zootopia due to its abandoned factory districts. It was where the majority of Zootopia's gangs hung out. Shepard was hiding where the ZPD avoided at all times, unless forced to take action against. It was where most crime originated… it was where Nick became a con artist… where predators learn the reality of the dominant prey kingdom and the racial discrimination that occurred all around them. They take all of that and use it to their advantages by feeding on the weak. Just like Nick did with Judy, expect that he wouldn't do such things to her anymore. It was also one of the places where Nick heard about Mr. Big for the first time. He kept order around Zootopia in with the gangs making sure that there will be no violent conflicts, but there were some things that were not of his control.

Nick hated the Slums though. Ever since becoming an officer, he pushed the con business away and would never though he would have to venture through a dark past of his. But now that Judy was in danger, he would do anything to keep her out of harm's way, both as partners and friends. He glanced at his father who just stood there staring at the phone, thoughts obviously running through his head. Nick knew what his answer was and knew that Judy didn't matter to Matthew. She was probably just a minor loss in his eyes. To Nick, it was something much more than his own life.

Walking from the desk, he would think of how to get transport and didn't want to break the news to the officer that the keys to his vehicle were still with Judy that was kidnapped. He felt something grab at his arm at turned his head so he can meet the eyes of his fathers. A minute passed without any of them exchanging a word, just a speechless faceoff. Nick pulled his arm free from his father and said angrily, "I'm going to find her and I'm going to save her with or without your help, so don't even tried to stop me!"

"I'm not stopping you, but I will not let you fall in Shepard's paws," he said and ran up beside Nick who stopped abruptly and challenged his father's presence. "You're my son, but I will not stop you from saving your friend. And in for me to protect you," his face softened up. "I have to be with you wherever you go, to ensure your safety, just like any father would." Nick was dumbstruck and Matthew placed a serious face on. "We'll find her, then you and Judy will leave Zootopia and I will stop Shepard by any means necessary, to protect you and her." Nick – despite what his father caused – felt himself become comforted that his father was willing to aid him to save Judy, to make amends for what has happened most likely. "But we need a ride to get there, is the cruiser up and running?"

Nick rubbed his head, wincing as he brushed across his stiches and slowly shook his head. "No, before Judy got kidnapped before she could even go near it." Matthew frowned, placed a paw to his head and then sighed before asking, "Do we have any alternative source of transportation?" Nick quickly searched for an answer and felt one come across, but it would involve getting someone else involved in what they were doing and Nick seemed to have no other choice. "I need to make a quick call," Nick said and took the phone from the ledge. He began dialing the numbers in hope that his friend would answer.

He waited several seconds and started to become impatient as time passed. Matthew wondered what Nick was going to call, not doubting his contacts that were able to aid him and rather chose the time to find adequate clothing that would be suitable for him before they ventured out on their rescue mission. Matthew wasn't picky when it came to clothing and didn't hesitate when he was offered white pants and a shirt. It was more enjoyable than the current overall he was wearing. It began to make him feel uncomfortable wearing the long gown that didn't have a back layer to it and was itching to find a source of clothing.

Nick eyes brightened as the call was finally answered but winced back as the animal on the other line shouted through the phone. "Who is this?!"

"Finnick," Nick chirped pleased to hear from his long partner-in-crime. "It's, Nick, I need your help immedia-"

"Nick!" Finnick cried with a temper building. "Do you have any idea what time of day it is?!"

Nick wasn't surprised by his friend's attitude, given that he's often raging over the smallest things, but nonetheless Nick was dumbfounded by what the problems irritated him. He checked the time on a nearby clock, wanting to rush in whatever Finnick was whining about. "It's only eleven-o-four," Nick pointed out. "I don't see wha-"

"That's the problem Nick! How many times do I have to tell you not to call unless it past noon! You should know by now that I prefer to have my beauty sleep and wish not to be disturbed!" he ranted.

Nick stared at the clock as time was being wasted each second. "Yes-ok, I won't do it again I promise you that-"

"You said that the last time, Nick! This better be important or I will make sure that you wouldn't be able to wake up from a coma!" He retorted.

"Finnick, I can promise you this is of the utmost urgency, I need you to bring the van to the ZMC immediately!" Nick said.

"What do you need the van for, don't you and that little hippity-hop friend of yours have a care provided by the ZPD?! Oh, wait, I forgot you crashed it, boo-ho, I send my regards, but what do you need my van for?! Finnick sneered.

Nick noted that ever since he joined Judy with the ZPD, Finnick – not matter how many times he would deny it – felt replaced and that Nick was done scamming other animals even though he sneaks a few whenever the chance presents itself. But now that Nick was done with that life, Finnick became more stubborn with Nick and wouldn't even let him near him van either out of pure hate or afraid that Nick would probably find something that would give Finnick a fine, but Nick knows one thing is that he actually more afraid of Judy discovering something since she was the more strict type of officer.

Nick figured that what was chaining Finnick around the Nick and doesn't know the situation Judy is in. "Just do it, Finnick! I'll meet you outside and then I will explain what is going on." He heard Finnick groan on the other end of the line, but he agreed to come. Nick felt thankful that he was able to rely on the only person that even came close to comparison with him – besides their ages – and hope Finnick will understand the crisis that Judy is in. "Thanks, Finnick." Nick said. Finnick murmured something not appropriate and Nick guessed that he is going to be swearing the entire drive before reaching them. Laying the phone back down, Nick turned to stare at his father who wore white clothes and eyed him sharply.

"I don't even want to know who that was," he said and his eyebrows indented into his forehead and moved forward to whisper into Nick's ear. "The last thing I ever want Nick is for someone to get into harm's way because of what we are going to do. Any other time there is soldiers who are ordered or volunteer to put their life on the line to make a difference." Matthew gripped Nick's shoulder tightly and looked him straight into his eyes. "I hope you understand."

Nick scoffed. "Bit too late for that, Dad… you already tore of piece of me and a special someone away from because of your presence here. Nick moved away bumping his father as he passed him. "Don't tell me something that you failed to keep."

"I'm telling you because, I don't want you making the same mistakes that I made throughout my life," Matthew responded, his voice croaking. Nick stopped and turned his head enough to see his father and thought about what he said.

"Just help me get her back… and promise me that she will be unharmed and nothing would happen to her when we find her." Matthew said nothing and almost as if he were he didn't and lowered his eyes towards the ground. Nick figured he must have triggered something inside of his father, but was too unsure of anything. However, his inability to respond made Nick think of his father in a different way, a way were a part of him despised his father, but another still lingered towards him. No matter what happens, Matthew will always be Nick's father. "…Lets go…" he mumbled and began walking away with Matthew following behind from a distance.

There was one thing that Nick haven't figured out yet is how Judy manage to convince the officer at the room to lend her the car and release Matthew from his services, but knowing her, he knew that she was full of surprises and only hoped that Judy was ok. Finnick would help them, but Nick doubted that he would lend the vehicle to him and he knows that Finnick will have to tag along for the ride. Nick only hopes that he will be able to understand the situation and help them free Judy from Shepard.

Authors note: Sorry for the short chapter, but I decided to end this one. I have this feeling that this chapter will be divided from the next. Anyhow I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I promise to bring more if you are patient enough. I thank the viewers that have supported me along the way and will ensure the completion of this story. Tune in next time :D