Returning home was interesting, or at least what was left of it. By now all the bodies were cleared out but the damage and stains of blood were still there. For this reason they dropped Judy off at her apartment before coming home. The entire front of the house was blown open as well as a large hole in the roof where the masked mammal flew out. There were bullet holes all over the place and windows were blown open all over the place. Nicks room was mostly unscathed aside from the door having scorch marks on it. The family already knew they couldn't sleep in the house till damages were repaired, luckily there was another level to the house that only they knew about. "The Cave" as Nicks parents called it was only accessed through the fireplace, there was a little mantle piece on the shelf above it that when one of the Wilde's finger prints was scanned on it the fire place would open to a stairway leading down to it. So that's where they were staying, in small bed rooms designed specifically for a situation like this, (super heroes were prepared for anything).
They got home, moved the valuables down stairs and then Nick went to sleep to prepare to return to school the next day.
Meanwhile plans were being formed…
"What do you mean they are all dead?" A deep voice boomed from an overly large seat. A tiny squirrel stood at the base of the steps leading up the the throne the figure was sat upon.
The squirrel was shaking and his nervousness was evident in his voice, "S… something happened th-that one of the men turned and killed everyone."
There was a moment of silence, the voice then responded with venom rising in it, "who was it?" The words were practically spat out.
"Tim, Tim Houndson." The squirrel whispered trying as hard as he could to avoid the masked figures wrath.
He didn't escape it through, because as soon as he finished stating the name he felt a weight around his throat that tightened so much that it was choking him, he was then lifted off the ground by the force choking him.
"I always knew that one of them would betray me, I planned for what to do in this case. But before I do that. Would you ever betray me Scrat" The figure got up and stalked toward the squirrel now floating at the same height as the masked mammals head.
"No" He choked out, "I would never betray the mammal that will soon lead us into the new world"
The mammal looked at the squirrel, or at least Scrat thought it was looking at him, it seemed to accept the answer as he was dropped to the ground and the force choking him gave out. He sucked in as much breath as could trying to make up for the lack of air he had just had.
"Now go identify where this 'Tim's' family lived and if he had a family or not. If he did we are going to pay them a visit."
The tiny squirrel got up, saluted quickly, and ran out of the room to avoid anymore of his masters qrath.
The alarm that Nick had set was one he was still not yet ready for even though he had woken up for school plenty of times. He just wasn't quite ready to face the day and all the mammals who mocked him at this new school. Plus the fact that he missed the second day meaning he would have to make up for the work he had not completed.
But the alarm rang anyways, not caring how Nick felt. "BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP" The alarm blasted. He was already awake, he barely slept last night just thinking about Sky High, The masked mammal now looking for him, and the rabbit that just couldn't escape his mind even though he only knew her for three days. There was something about her that made Nick's heart beat a little faster. He still didn't like the idea of getting to close to anyone because he still didn't know who to trust. But the fact that she had saved his and his families lives certainly helped.
Instead of dwelling on it anymore, Nick reached out and smacked the alarm clock, silencing it for the next 24 hours. He swung his legs out over the edge of his bed and stood up, wiping his eyes and opening his mouth in a big yawn. Using his new ability he could tell that his parents weren't in the room next to him anymore, he had heard them leave in his sleep, probably off doing more super hero things.
The cave was made up into several different chambers, three living chambers, a main area, and a few others that housed different tools and vehicles his parents used to save others. There was also the basic things people needed to live, like a kitchen where Nick went to make his breakfast. He didn't feel like making anything special so he grabbed a bowl, some cereal and some milk and sat at the counter to eat while turning on the tv located on just the other side of the kitchen.
What came up on the TV was not something he wanted to see to start his day.
The main title read "Family Killed in Late Night Fire". Nick turned up the volume to hear what the reporter was saying.
"A fire broke out in a residential home in Central Meadowlands, it is not yet known how the fire started but it has left three mammals dead. We now go to reporter Alexander Tuskany on site, Alex"
The screen then flipped to an elephant standing in front of the remnants of a home that was still smoking.
"Yes I am out here in front of the very home, firefighters and police are on scene trying to search the area for a cause of the fire as well as any more bodies in the rubble. The mammals dead are confirmed as Jan Houndson the mother of Nate and Devin Houndson who were also in the rubble. The fire is estimated to have started at about 12 or 2 at night and was not discovered until an anonymous report came in telling the police of the fire. It…" He ended as information came to him from his ear piece.
"I am now getting word that both The Wild One and Scarlett Fang are currently arriving on scene." The camera then zoomed over to two figures coming down from the sky. To anyone watching they looked like just a masked mammal with no species to identify them as. Nick was to in shock to even pay attention to his parents being featured yay again on the news. 'Houndson' the wolf that Judy took over was named Time Houndson, there's no way that…' his mind drifted off to a very disturbing place thinking that someone would do this because of the actions of their father. He also just really hoped that Judy wasn't watching the news.
But she was, sitting on her couch with a carrot flavored pop tart in her hand, she stared at the screen unmoving thinking crazy things but hoping that it was all some strange coincidence. There was no time for sitting around she did not want to miss the bus, but the rest of her actions were done without her even thinking, her brain was to busy thinking of what had happened to an innocent family.
Soon enough she found herself sitting on the steps of the school, head in her hands. She wasn't crying but she sure felt like she was about to.
"Judy…" a voice came from behind her. She looked up to see Dawn Bellewether, "it is Judy right?"
Judy only nodded in response.
"I couldn't help but notice you seem pretty glum, I heard about what happened at Nick Wilde's house, is it because of that?" Dawn asked hesitantly.
Judy looked up with surprise, "how do you know what happened?" She questioned
"Oh sweety news spreads quickly around here"
That didn't make Judy feel any better, "How much do you know?"
"Well I know that there was an attack at his house and you were there, and you are alive because some soldier turned on the rest"
Judy internally sighed in relief, no one knew she actually did it. "Oh, yeah it was just a really crazy thing that happened, was certainly not expecting it" she tried to play it off, there was nothing wrong with the ewe, she just really didn't want to talk about it she wanted it to just go away.
"Hm I guess I can't really understand nothing like that has ever happened… to… me…" Dawn's voice trailed, leaving Judy confused as she looked up to see her eyes wide and she was starting to shake.
"Dawn whats the matter?" Judy asked with concern.
"You don't feel that?" She asked turning towards Judy
"Feel what?"
Judy felt a sense of safety, like the feeling she used to get when her parents were there watching her when she was younger.
She turned to look down the steps to see Nick coming up the steps, as he got closer the stronger the feeling got, it was strange but it was probably because she was so fond of the fox.
"Morning Carrots, and good morning to you Dawn" Nick said putting a smirk on his face the way only Nick Wilde could.
Judy returned the greeting with a smile and a nod, while Dawn was slowly backing away.
"Dawn what's the matter?" Nick asked making direct eye contact with her,
"Oh uh nothing just I uh need to head off to my class and study… uh bye" the ewe stated backing up further before darting up the stairs and into the school.
"Hmm I wonder what that was about?" Nick asked.
"Probably just has a big test today" responded Judy while shrugging.
Nick wasn't buying it and began to look around noticing that everyone was giving him specifically a look. It wasn't a look of hatred or pity he was used to, it was fear… they all looked like they wanted to run away from him, like he was some dangerous predator who might attack at any moment. He looked back down at Judy to see her staring up at him, wonder in her eyes. 'At least she seems normal right now' Nick thought.
Judy noticed Nick staring at her, and looked away a slight blush forming on her cheek and ears which did not go unnoticed by Nick, but he decided not to say anything.
"Alright shall we go inside?" Nick asked, looking up to see the stairs now empty of the rush of students.
Judy nodded in response as she turned to head up the stairs. When they arrived in the main hall it was full of hundreds of mammals as it was on the first day of school but the faces of excitement were now gone replaced with faces of drowsy and bored complexion, as the students now remember that although this is a special school, it is still school.
They walked through the halls, continuously turning heads as they went. Nick wasn't sure whether it was because people were surprised to see the fox and bunny that hated each other walking so close together, the fact that they had survived a near death experience and were now at school on the next day, or if they were just looking with fear at Nick again for some reason. Many of which were the last one as the fear in some of their eyes was hard to miss.
Judy noticed these stares too, but thought they were just looking at her because they were surprised to see a bunny in the school. She tried to focus on just walking but the stares were starting to get to her. Once they got to her locker she turned to face inside so she could avoid everyone looking at her.
Nick was a professional at reading others and noticed how Judy was trying to seclude herself from the world around her by shoving her head into the locker.
"What's the problem Carrots?" Nick asked with concern.
She looked up at him surprised, 'can he read my mind too?'.
Nick put on his sly grin knowing exactly what she was thinking, "No I cannot read your mind, I've been reading people for years, noticing what they do and figuring out why they are feeling that way."
"Oh, well its just there are a lot of people staring at me again and its bothering me" Judy responded rubbing her ears behind her head.
So she was noticing, "Listen Carrots I don't think they are looking at you, there is something off happening here today and I don't know what. But hey I will give your first piece of advice to get mammals to stop insulting you." Nick responded leaning up against the lockers trying to portray a cool guy attitude.
"Ok I'm listening"
"Good, its really simple. Are you paying attention? Good. What were we talking about?" Nick asked
"Niiiickk" Judy responded in mock annoyance which caused Nick to smile a bit, he could easily get to this rabbit, that would have to change.
"Ok , ok. Never let them see that they get to you" Nick stated
"Never let them see that they get to you" Judy echoed.
"Right, if you never let them know that they get to you, they will ignore you because they want someone who will react to their insults. So all these people staring, just ignore them and don't react to it or they will keep doing it. But if you ignore it they will leave you alone. Got it?"
"Got it" Judy responded thinking the whole thing over in her mind. Nick wanted to test how well she could follow his advice and had a plan in his mind on how to test her.
He quickly went from leaning against the locker to leaning on one of his knee's grabbing Judy by the arms and pulling her close while showing off his teeth and letting out his best growl. Nick was ready for any reaction and wanted to see which one she would do. She flinched and let out a slight gasp as Nick got really close to her face. Her heart started racing and her nose started twitching erratically. She tried to back up but her back was now against the lockers and his grip was too strong. "Nick what are you doing?" She asked in a fearful tone. Nick was ready for her to be afraid but the fact that she was afraid of him hurt something inside of him, luckily his mask kept his feelings inside.
"First test Fluff, I know this isn't really a real world test but if I was some bully I would want to see that reaction you just gave, you can't let them see that they get to you" Nick suddenly became aware of someone moving up behind him, he sensed it, he could tell what kind of mammal it was and where they were coming from, it was a male bear much taller than him was coming up really quick.
"Hey buddy you better leave that rabbit alone right now, she ain't done nothing wrong" the bear had a deep rough voice.
Nick released Judy and turned looking up to make direct eye contact with the bear. As soon as their eyes connected the bears face turned from one of confidence to fear, the bear still didn't back off though. The bear couldn't describe it but he felt like he was facing down a mad mammal with a chainsaw running at him.
Nick put his hands up in mock surrender, "I'm sorry amigo, I didn't mean anything wrong, this rabbit here is my friend I was just giving her quite the aggressive hug" he said putting on his perfected mask.
The bear stood in silence for a few seconds simply blinking in response till he finally came to his senses.
"Oh I apologize I didn't mean to interrupt, I'll just move on then" he said walking away quickly.
As soon as the bear was out of sight Nick turned to face Judy once again putting on his smirk looking down at a still shocked rabbit, "See Carrots, never let them see" he then ruffled her ears and walked on towards his locker, leaving a blushing surprised bunny behind him, what Nick didn't know was that the fear he had gotten earlier was definitely something else that he hadn't seen before and that Judy was embarrassed to have let out. She shut her locker and began to walk in the direction that Nick left in.
The new freshmen still hadn't finished the hero / sidekick selection so the entire first class returned to the gymnasium. Luckily today was the last day and there were only a few students left, one of which being Nick who hadn't technically gone up although he was called up on that first day he didn't "demonstrate" anything. Nick didn't mind, he was ready this time to face the jeers and boo's even the things they would throw. He would show Judy that he was a professional at his own advice.
First up for the day was a large stallion who stepped up onto the podium with confidence.
"Alright then, Nathaniel HoovenHisner, please demonstrate your powers." Ursula yelled with her usual drill Sargent tone.
Nick couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous the horses last name was. The horse hopped down from the stage only to take off down the front of the bleachers, leaving a trail of light in his path. He zoomed around the room so fast that the mammals in the bleachers struggled to keep up as a trail of burning hoof prints was being engraved into the wood floor. He made his way back up to the podium and stopped gracefully in a pose that could only be described as "Show off" which were the exact words that came out of Nicks mouth at the end of the demonstration.
"Well ok then, I knew horses were fast but I didn't know they were that fast." Ursula said laughing a bit at her attempt at a joke. No one else laughed at it though, most just rolled their eyes.
"Hmm lets see. Oh boy time for my favorite, Nick Wilde please step down here lets get this over with" her voice changed to one of disappointment at the sight of Nicks name.
"Gee you don't sound excited to see me, ma'am" Nick said as he stood up from his seat, leaving Judy with a nervous look on her face. She didn't know what Nick was gonna do but was worried for the back lash he could receive for it considering what happened last time.
"Well I must say I'm surprised you are still enrolled and here considering what happened two days ago. However I will say my sympathy goes out to you and your family I heard what happened"
"Aw you really do care" Nick responded with a smirk knowing very well that the teacher didn't actually show any sympathy, as he stepped up to the stage. What Nick didn't notice was the shiver that ran down Ursulas spine as he walked past. Once he reached the top of the stage he turned and faced his audience, as he scanned the entire gymnasium he dug deep into his new power and let loose. By doing this he could see each of the emotions his peers were letting off. As soon as he switched it on the air seemed to shift in the gym for all the students and Ursula leaving the whole gym silent. The only mammal who didn't feel it was Judy who simply felt her worry melt away as she watched Nick own the stage he now stood on. As he scanned his audience the singular mammals he was looked at flinched as a feeling of dread took over them and all they wanted to do was hide in their own skin. 'Hmm very interesting' Nick thought. He realized right then that it was his powers that was causing all these mammals to fear him.
He was interrupted from his scanning by the sound of Ursula clearing her throat. Nick switched his gaze to lock eyes with the polar bear hoping to see some sort of reaction from the big bad drill Sargent. He was not disappointed either as he saw her flinch and shiver slightly under his gaze.
"So do you… still not have powers" She asked, fear thick in her voice.
Nick couldn't help but chuckle at how easily he could manipulate her.
"Right still no powers, just the same old me just as I was two days ago." Nick responded.
Nick really wanted to stretch the extent of his power so he let loose fully so he could see every living creature inside the whole school, he could see all the class rooms and all the students in them, he could see the internal organs and feel the heart bears of everyone in the room, he could see all the students in the whole school flinch at his power radiated out of him like a geyser.
Every mammal could feel this, their mind was telling them to run away no matter what, and one gazelle did just that, they started to hyperventilate and ran out of the gym.
"Oh… oh… ok you can step down now then I guess." Ursula had turned into a blubbering mess.
"Ok" Nick said stepping down from the stage reigning in on his powers till they were once again all contained inside him again.
Nick returned to his seat seeing Judy with a small smile on her face.
"So how do you think it went?" She asked.
Nick looked back around seeing most of the students still staring at him, and others murmuring to the mammal next to them still side eyeing him.
"Oh I think it went great" Nick responded with a sly grin on his face looking down at the bunny.
"Alright, Next!" Screamed Ursula snapping everyone out of their days and putting them right back in the moment.
'Yes it went perfectly' Nick thought to himself.
