Ok, so I meant to use a "-" to show a flashback, but the editor is not cooperating so line breaks in the middle of the story are now the indicator for a flashback. Anyway, back to the story, this is a long chapter!
Many Years Ago…
A young Nick was playing with a toy train and listening to his mother talk. He was a little sneaky as a kit, always putting his nose in other's business, but at least he kept it to himself, it was even worse to run around and tell other animal's secrets.
He wasn't too sure what she was saying, but sounded upset. A deep voice was talking to her, but he knew it wasn't his father, who was gone. His father had a lighter tone, and even when he was angry at his mother, he wasn't rude-sounding. He heard the door close and got up, peering around the corner.
His mother rubbed her neck and turned around, seeing the younger Nick. She knew he had already gone through so much, the Ranger Scouts, the loss of his father, she didn't want to show Nick what he had to be given.
She had to, if she didn't, it was only going to hurt them both in the longer run.
She kneeled down with warm smile on her face, Nick shortly walking over to her, seeing her comforting smile. She took the box and opened it, revealing a small shock collar, it was very weak and somewhat stretchy. His mother took the collar and rubbed his head, assuring him everything was alright, wrapping the small collar over his neck, gently and with care, clicking it into place. He rubbed his neck as he looked at her in confusion, why was she so upset with the gift she gave him?
She closed her eyes and hugged him, Nick was a little surprised and confused, but he hugged her back, "Nicolas, do you remember what your father said to you when you were nine?"
Nick blinked and looked at her, "Um… You are always more than what they see?" Nick tried to remember, it was a long time for him, but his mother smiled, "Yes, that is correct, and I want you to remember that, and what I'm going to say." she says with Nick looking at her closely,
"Whatever dream you have, keep it, don't let it go. Don't let anybody get to you. Let the world see who you really are."
Nick nodded, listening very carefully, he liked that. It was in sync with his father's advice, he was always in sync with his mother.
He did have a little dream in mind, but just wasn't sure what or how to say it to his mother now.
A Couple of Years After..
"Hey mom! I'm back, I just wanted to say-" A much older Nick came through the door, wearing a white collared shirt and black tie with black pants. It was probably 6 years ever since he came back from college, and he wanted to celebrate with his mother, but he could not find her.
"Mom?"
…
Nick's search became more frantic, he just could not find her! He searched every nook, every cranny, every secret part of the old house, everywhere!
Nick sat in silence, now his mother was gone, just like his father, gone without a trace. But he just wasn't going to stop what his plans, his parents would've told him to keep going and not worry about them.
But he was going to make sure he had memories of his entire family, keep the name alive. He took pictures, his mother's jewelry, his grandparents wedding rings, a special hat. There was one thing he could fit, so he went into his parents closet, looking at the suits that belonged to his father.
Nick stood in front of the mirror as he buttoned up his suit, a blueish black suit and tied up a nice black tie. He stared into the mirror, looking at himself, his eyes begging to water up, but Nick did not want to cry, there was no point in crying. He wanted to cry though, he knew exactly why.
He looked just like his father.
…
Nick looked through the train's window with his paws gripping tightly onto his briefcase, he was very nervous, but excited! He saw the glorious city of Zootopia, filled with wonder and hope, and he was going to make his dream come true, stopping at nothing!
The train reached it's stop as the animals stumbled and waddled off in the crowded train exit, each going to their homes or business. Nick on the other hand jumped out, taking in each sight and remembering them. He was at the entry of Zootopia, filled with flashy signs and billboards.
"This is it." Nick muttered to himself, holding up a piece of laminated paper from his bag. The paper had a skillful design of what Nick had come for Zootopia.
Creating the amusement park of his dreams, for all predators and prey alike, Wild Times.
…
Nick looked at the list he printed out as he looked at the first name on his list, the building was matched the name, exactly what Nick was looking for.
Nick entered inside the tall, grey building, looking around and seeing the cleanness and intense care as he walked up to the front desk, who eyed him, "What can I do for you?" The armadillo said dryly, "I'm Nicholas Wilde, I'm here to present today? For Mr.-" Nick started, but she pointed to the elevator, "Over there, go to the top floor and have a seat there." She glared, Nick walking away uncomfortably.
Nick entered the elevator, which went up slowly, no music playing either. It slowly bounced Nick up, indicating he reached the top floor and looked at the seats, they were all filled with prey, and they were staring at him.
Nick ignored them and took a seat, which the surrounding prey moved away a little, probably in disgust or fear, maybe both.
A zebra walked out the door, with a clipboard with her, looking down and calling the first name. Nick sat up, remembering his father's presentation techniques, look presentable and know when you are going to be called. Nick had the look down and he knew he'd be the 15th presenter called down.
Of course, this went from minutes to a couple hours, the animal in front of him, a pig, was just coming out. The zebra came out and looked at the next presenter, which she was immediately disgusted by. She called up the beaver that was after Nick, much to his surprise and looked in confusion. He wasn't going to give up though, he remained sitting, waiting to be called.
…
It was almost night time now, and Nick saw the zebra come out again, finishing with a moose. The zebra looked at Nick again and frowned, walking over to him.
Nick smiled and started to get up but the zebra bent over to him, "We don't need your kind here, did you not get the hint? Get out." She said coldly, surprising Nick. He got up, confused, adjusting his tie and walking fast, frequently looking behind him before getting on the elevator.
Nick ran out into the street, it was late and was hungry, so he found a fast food place and ate, then walked back to his apartment, and remained optimistic, he was going to find somebody to bring his dream to life, no matter how long it took. No matter, what anybody thought of him.
…
Nick walked out of the big building, dejected, and was confused. Why was he not given a chance? He shook his head and walked away from the building. He crossed off the next business name on his paper, which was slowly becoming a bunch of lines. It was growing to be a repeat of his first attempt, with some minor changes.
He walked to his self-made shelter in an alley. He was running low on cash, and he decided to leave his apartment, just so he could keep himself fed. Hey, whatever worked, he took the opportunity. The self made shelter was nothing but a couple of blankets, a pillow and that was pretty much it.
He looked across the street and saw something strange, a fat cheetah talking to a small fox, before looking around and disappearing. Nick thought nothing of it and returned to his list.
A couple of minutes later, he saw the cheetah with the fox, wearing a footie pajama and walking into the ice cream shop. Nick looked in confusion and made his way over, suspicious. The door was huge, and Nick couldn't reach it, so he decided to look through the window, seeing the cheetah grasping a large popsicle and grabbing the small fox's hand, leaving the building.
Nick shook his head, why was he getting involved with this? He knew better. He started to walk away until he ran into a big red ice cube. He stumbled back and looked in front of him, holding his muzzle, "O, M, Goodness! I'm so sorry, sir!" He heard, noticing it was the same cheetah, holding onto the popsicle and the smaller fox, who was wearing an entire elephant costume. Nick shook his head and smiled, "Nah, don't worry, I'm fine." He says, with the cheetah relaxing, "That is a huge popsicle." He commented, with the cheetah grinning, "Yeah, it's for my son." He says, with Nick's eyebrows raising, the cheetah noticing.
"I know what you are thinking, he's adopted, poor child lost his mother a few years ago, and I decided to take care of him." He smiled, with Nick understanding and nodding, "Ah, I should've known." He says, as the smaller fox tugged on the cheetah's pants, "Ah, we got to go! Sorry to bother you…?"
"Nick, Nicholas Wilde."
"Ah! I'm Benjamin Clawhauster!"
Nick shook the cheetah's free paw, "Well, I'll let you get onto your day, good bye." He grins, waving, "It was nice meeting you!" He heard Ben say, as they walked away.
…
Nick wandered through the streets, trying to learn them, directions wasn't his strength. He looked at the map again, confused. He walked past a bunch of animals as he crossed the street, sitting down at a shop's building as he tried to figure out the map. He was lost, again, and he was growing a bit frustrated with the map, finding out that it was 5 years old.
He heard loud music and looked up, a van with some weird design was on it (probably an album cover), and it looked pretty old. The van wasn't making him stare though, it was the driver.
He could've sworn he saw the driver somewhere, and he started driving away, making Nick stealthily follow behind the van on foot.
He followed this van to a bank, which was filled with many intelligent animals entering and leaving. Nick stood on the other side of the street in confusion, trying to figure out the driver from the van. He looked around, "Where'd they go…?" He muttered to himself.
Shortly a bell rung, and multiple animals came out of the building, a bunch of hamsters walking in a line.
"Pawsicles! Come and get your Pawsicles!"
Nick turned around in surprised, he recognized the voice, it was Ben Clawhauster! He watched as he gave the pop- er, Pawsicles- to each hamster, which quickly chewed up the frozen treat, before tossing the sticks into the trash.
Nick watched in surprise, the fact that they just got a giant popsicle wasn't any coincidence, it was obviously melted down and refreezed so they could resell it!
He watched Clawhauster gather up the sticks and get back to the van, Nick followed after it yet again.
…
Nick peered behind the alley, trying to make out who was in the van, and much to his surprise, the cheetah that he ran into was coming out of the passenger's side. "How did we do, Finnick?" Ben asked,
"We did better than we thought!" A deep voice came from the small fox- which seemed off- splitting up cash with Ben. Nick shook his head, he should've known, it was a fennec disguised as a little fox kit. How pathetic!
The two were splitting up cash, and there was a lot of it, and he knew where they got the money. Ben looked up, causing Nick to hide behind the corner again and making Finnick look behind him, noticing Nick, "Hey! I know some low-life is watching us! What are you gonna do, buddy?" He threatened, making Nick roll his eyes,
"I just think what you two did was just disgusting." Nick said, popping out of the corner, both recognizing him instantly, "How did you even do what you did with that popsicle?" Nick growls, trying not to show any fear, it was working on the cheetah, not the fennec though. "Disgusting or not, it worked, welcome to Zootopia." He growls, "Get lost."
"Why, you think I'll call the cops on you?"
"They'd arrest you with us."
"What..?"
The fennec groaned, "So I was right, you are new to Zootopia. They call this a utopian city where prey and predators get along in harmony- that's a beautiful lie." Finnick growled. The fox shook his head as the fennec kept ranting, so Nick knew Finnick wasn't giving anything, so he tried Ben to make a confession, "So.. Ben, how's the popsicle for little kit?" He said with a sly grin, "What.. Um-"
"Yeah, I heard they are really good, but could he really eat that entire frozen treat?"
"Urr-"
"Would be a real shame if that was for all of it to go to waste, poor k-"
"It's not like wemeltitdowninTundraTownbyusingFinnicksfeetastheprintandresellthemtootheranimals!"
Clawhauster slapped his paws over his mouth, Finnick growling, "Oh, great! You just told him everything! Why don't you tell him my full name while you're at it!"
Nick turned and looked at the angry fennec, his anger was reasonable, and he was getting the idea. He hated that he had to use this to his advantage, but he was going to have to anyway,
"Ok look…" Nick starts, "… I won't say a word about whatever you guys are doing… If you give me a place to sleep." Nick demands, the fennec growling, "Blackmail, eh? Well, if that's you're only condition, the van is right there, that's where we sleep." He says crossing his arms.
Nick sighed and took the offer, even if it meant sleeping on a dirty carpet with a hard pillow. Anything was better than the streets.
…
The day faded into night, much to Nick's disappointment, he was still getting nowhere he wanted to go, but at least he had some sort of roof over his head.
Finnick was conked out in the passenger's seat because he could fit there comfortably, while Clawhauster and Nick were in the back, not as much comfy, "So… Why are you in Zootopia?" Clawhauster asks Nick as he tried to settle in. Nick shrugged and shook his head, "Nah, nothing that I'd think you'd be interested in." He says, but Clawhauster wanted more information about Nick.
Nick pulled out the laminated poster he had in his bag, and handed it to Clawhauster, "It's the amusement park I wanted to make, it's called Wild Times." Nick grins, as Clawhauster scanned the image, "Wow… That is probably one of the most coolest things I've seen, and it's very well drawn! It looks real!" Clawhauster exclaims, with Nick shrugging, "Thanks, the whole idea I had behind it is that prey and predators would coexist with ea-"
He was suddenly interrupted by a big laugh, coming from the passenger's seat, "Ah ah.. You gotta be joking!" Finnick laughed, as Nick snatched the poster away from Clawhauster, annoyed, "Better than being a hustler for your entire life!" Nick snaps at him, making Finnick pop out in the middle, "Lookie here, Nick, I'll be honest, I think it's a pleasant dream, but I feel like you don't understand Zootopia, prey and predators are split even if you make them coexist. To put it short, I'll save the story, prey don't like predators, and us predators get nothing."
"Maybe if-"
"Maybe if we try to show we ain't bad- don't you think we've tried that? There is nothing we haven't tried!"
Nick stopped talking and turned around, frustrated, and set up a place to lie down and sleep. He heard Clawhauster jolt up (by the van creaking by his weight) and constantly call out Finnick's name, talking to him excitingly, then Clawhauster nudged Nick. Nick was not too pleased and sat up, "What?" He says, rubbing his eyes, "So, if you are really dedicated to that dream, I know an abandoned place that's pretty big, pretty sure we-" Finnick started, "Legal?" Nick says, stopping the fennec mid sentence, "Well, no-" "Then no, I'm going to do this legally, I'm not going to become a criminal and soil my family name, all of them were good, and I'm not g-"
"Hey! Get off of me!"
All three predators jolted up from the noise, Finnick arming himself with a metal baseball bat as Nick slowly opened the van's doors, jumping out.
The three ran out and when searching, hearing more commotion coming outside of the alley they were in. Nick ran out in front of the other two and saw a scene, a robbery in progress.
A honey badger was struggling to get her purse back by some oryx, taking advantage of her collar and snatching it away, "Hey!" Nick shouted out, running up the the oryx and grabbing the purse.
There was a short struggle and Nick tried pulling it away, trying to help this poor animal from some prey taking advantage of the-
Zap!
Collar.
Nick jolted from the shock, bending over from the pain, and the oryx gave a direct kick into the fox's rib cage, knocking him away onto the ground, hurting him some more. To add insult to injury, he got away with the purse.
"Coward!" The badger shouted, then turning around to the curled up fox on the ground, "Sir.. are you alright… sir?" She asks, Nick slowly getting back up on all fours, Clawhauster was on one knee at Nick's side as Finnick stood in front of him, both watching him. Nick had an expression he hadn't had in a long time, an angry one, beyond angry.
"Finnick." He said, the fennec looking at the fox with surprise, "Take me to the place."
…
Nick looked at the large building, somewhat surprised by the massive size, "Well, this used to be a greenhouse, but they abandoned it in favor of a better location, this place is kind of hidden, despite the size." Finnick explained as he busted the lock open. Nick opened the doors and walked in, interested, his mind solely focused on one thing, how he was going to make this place his amusement park.
The next set of doors were opened, and the outside area had a great field… and that was it. There was a lot of room to work with, beyond what Nick really needed, and he walked in front of Finnick and Clawhauster, nodding with determination, setting down his bag and briefcase.
"If you want to get something done.. better do it yourself."
Nick looked around, examining everything and looking at his sketch of Wild Times, he knew what he could and couldn't do. That was fine, he just needed some way of getting money.
"What are you guys doing?" A voice came out, but it sound familiar, Nick turned around to see the same honey badger that he tried to save, "Ask him," Finnick pointed to Nick, "He's the one with the crazy idea." He says, with the badger going to Nick.
Nick explained to the badger his idea and vision, which got her attention, "Problem is though, without funds being given, I can't start it." Nick says, which makes the badger perk up, "I can give you some money, I owe you for trying to help." She says, which Nick denied, "No, I don't even know your name.." She stood in front of him, and cuffed her paws around his ear as she looked around, "My name is Honey Badger, oh, and I'm whispering so the Sheep Uprising doesn't hear.." She said, smiling. Nick ignoring the last comment after hearing her name.
Finnick groaned, "Oh come on! You can't be serious, you two are going to make a full functional theme park!?" He said, Nick glaring, "Besides, woman, didn't you just lose your purse?"
Honey glared and intimidated his size, "Actually, I don't carry any cash in there, and it had just a cancelled credit card, nothing important lost." She grinned, "So anyway, you should help him, isn't he your friend?"
Clawhauster said yes, Finnick said no.
Nick glared, "Look Finnick, if you help me, I'll give you a price cut, anybody who helps me gets a cut of the price, alright?" Nick says, Finnick looking at Nick, but the fox knew the fennec was interested now. Nick turned back to the open grassy area of land, it was going to become a great thing.
…
Needless to say, after a couple of weeks, which were long and demanding, Wild Times slowly grew to a small amusement park, two wooden rides that were fully functional and some non-ride attractions, like a pool and small playground. Nick painted the whole park by himself, everything slowly becoming his vision, and his designs surprised even Finnick. Lastly, there was one last building left, it was the main office, meant for Nick, he would be able to supervise and make sure his park was ok.
He still felt off, but he tried shaking off the feeling, this was the best he was going to get, and he was going to put up with it. He then turned to his newly built office, realizing something, he could not fulfill the dream he promised himself when 14.
Judy listen with extreme interest on Nick's story, and stood surprised by the whole story. Judy watched Nick held a paw to his face, clearly thinking hard, "Nick.. I never knew.." Judy started, but watched Nick looking at the far distance, "…Nick?"
"Hey Nick, we finished up, you heading home?" Finnick asked as he watched Nick painting a sign, "Whatcha got there, man?"
Nick didn't respond back, he took the sign and walked out of the whole theme park. The other predators followed behind him, confused. He looked around the entrance of the disguised building, walking up to the front of the grass, hammering the sign to the ground, not speaking a single word, and walked away, clearly upset. The rest walked to the front of the sign, getting a look, and they could see why Nick wasn't responding, his dream changed from what he told them.
'NO PREY ALLOWED'
Judy looked at Nick again, who was trying not to cry again, he was very tense, very discouraged. She didn't know what to say, if she could say anything at all. All this time, Nick was always a victim, never a criminal.
Nick shook his head and broke the silence, "That's how bad it's been. I started with a goal of creating a little world where all animals, predators and prey alike, could have fun and relax. The reality is, that only prey get it, they get everything. Predators get nothing, and we can't do a thing about it. Now I've heard my park is closed, my friends and everyone else who I met and trust me, are probably terrified, that was the last place they could turn to."
"Now I understand you.. I wish I knew that so long ago.." Judy assures Nick, putting a paw on his, "We need to prove it to the rest of the world! If we can convince the mayor, then we can clear our name." Judy says, with a soft smile, but Nick wasn't having it, he nudged her paw away.
Judy took a deep breath, thinking hard and debating, then she turned her head to Nick again, "Nick, can I tell you why I acted like I did, from when I first met you?" Judy asks, Nick not moving his head, but he was interested, it would give him closure.
"Well, I told you how I wanted to become a police officer when I was 9? Well, nobody took me seriously at the time, and I hated that they did. So when I was playing with my friends at the fair, this bully… um… a fox…"
Nick looked at Judy, he knew where this was going,
"I demanded that he give my friends back their tickets, and he shoved me down, trying not to seem intimidated. So, when I was on the ground, I kicked him, and that pushed him into scratching my cheek.."
Judy rubbed her fur away, showing the scar, Nick remembered that he felt it,
"Well, he ran off with his friend, and I got angry at what he did, so I tracked him down shortly after.. and well, when I found him, I attacked him.."
Judy's ears drooped, looking ashamed of what she did,
"What I did was horrible, yes, he was a bully, but I shouldn't have done what I did.. I got him angry, all riled up, and then I made his collar activate, then kicked him to the ground mid-shock. He was crying, I took the tickets and hit him again, calling him 'good-for-nothing'…"
Judy looked away as Nick listened, more and more, Judy not willing to share anymore,
"Nick, I don't deserve to be a cop, have this badge. I hurt innocent predators, I refused to understand, I failed to do what I wanted to do. Make the world a better place.."
Judy looked at the broken Nick, she never knew what she really was like, and now she knew. Nick stared at her, silence coming back again, so Nick decided to break it again, "Thank you for telling me, Hopps. It's nice to hear a reason for a change. I guess if I was you, I'd probably do the same, childhood memories can be both wonderful and scary." He said, Judy looking at his collar, her gaze focusing on it.
"Still, I want to fix things, Nick.. I need your help to get us back to the mayor, I'll convince him to get rid of your collar, and I'll make sure you get that park back." Nick looked at her, coming with a realization, "I appreciate what you want to do to help me, but I doubt we can just convince him, he's a puppet, he's the one who gave us these collars, despite being a predator himself." Nick says, slowly mending back from his broken state, "You're right, geez, it's like you'd need some crazy conspiracy to convince him." Judy plops down, trying to think.
Nick suddenly jolted up, "Conspiracy… conspiracy theory.. Hopps!" Nick swings his head to her, "My friends that I mentioned can help us!" Nick says excited, Judy looks at him, "Wait.. what do you mean?"
"Well, my friend is heavy into the nonsense of conspiracy theories! If we get back to her house, maybe she'll help us find this guy!" Nick says excited, Judy perking her ears back up, "Do you really think so?" Judy asked, but she was secretly already on board with the idea.
"I just have one condition if I take you to my friends.." Nick says, looking serious, Judy listening very carefully, "If this whole idea works, if we expose the 'Savage', you have get these collars banned, never have them come back, no exceptions." Nick says, as if rehearsed.
Judy stood and stared at Nick, it was a big demand, and from what she heard, she would want to do that, but how could she convince the rest of the city to do so, "Nick, while I'd like to do that, I think the best I think I can do is just yours, you were framed an-"
"Then I can't take you to my friends. Heck, I'd rather keep mine and see the rest of the predators free."
Nick's words were smooth and prepared, compared to Judy's roughness and unready. Judy shook her head, "No.. that's not who I am, I don't give up, Nick. I will get those collars banned, I will get you cleared, I will let you get a chance again. I'll personally see those collars get destroyed when I get them all off." Judy says, tearing the radio off of her uniform and tossing it far away into the wilderness,
"Then let's do it, Judy." He smiled, Judy, nodding and starting to head into the forest, "Wait, we still have no car, and who knows how long it'll take for us to get there on foot." Nick remembers, Judy stopping instantly, "Right, no car…. No.. wait, hang on!" Judy says, growing excited, running back to the handrails, looking at the tracks going to the city, "There's a train!" Judy says, excited, leaving Nick confused.
"I thought we were trying to hide?" He asks, with Judy hopping down, "I forgot! I bought you to my house through the same train… we can back to Zootopia undetected, it just moves cargo and farming equipment! There are practically no other animals there!" Judy says, her paw out to Nick's, "We have to hurry though, if we don't make it, we'll miss it!"
Nick realized that Judy was waiting for his permission to be touched, trying to be respectful to him. He grinned and took her paw which she started running at full speed, Nick struggling to keep up.
Nick was excited though, it was time, a prey animal was intent on making sure these collars would be removed, allowing the predators to be free. Best thing about it? This prey would never give up.
I have to say, the concept art of Wild Times itself looked great! Anyway, the usual R&R is great, thanks for all the feedback and support.
I also made a tumblr page, wildetime, nothing there yet, but I'll end up getting around to adding some art stuff with it, though I can't draw, heh.
