The return trip to Downtown was silent. Judy drove while Nick leaned against the window in the front passenger seat, resting his chin on his palm. The bunny and the fox occasionally glanced at the Assassin in the back through the rearview mirror. He sat with his arms crossed, silently looking out the window and appearing to be in deep thought.
To distract themselves, Nick and Judy focused on getting out of Tundratown. The roads were blocked off as emergency crews worked tirelessly to save lives, forcing them to take multiple detours. Nick and Judy felt helpless as they watched criminals roam freely in the streets. They were currently ill-equipped, and the Assassin's presence would only bring more trouble. Scenes of mammals huddled together on the streets yanked at their hearts.
Eventually, they could no longer avoid traffic as they encountered mammals evacuating Tundratown while approaching the district's border. The Precinct had set up a security checkpoint to restore some form of order. Fortunately, they stopped only those entering Tundratown. The Assassin slowly hid below the seats just before the checkpoint. Nick and Judy were relieved that his robes masked him in the darkness. The vehicle passed through with no problems. Finally out of Tundratown, Judy and Nick looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
Judy took a deep breath. "We need to talk."
The Assassin turned his attention to the officers. "Is there something wrong?"
"Yes actually," Nick said, feeling agitated. "We have a problem with the thousands of mammals that suffered from this trip."
"Those are the dangers when fighting the Templars. They're persistent if not resourceful, and I warned you about their actions and the dangers of those objects. If I recall correctly, being a police officer is also dangerous."
"True," Judy admitted. "But this is not meant for police officers."
The Assassin then sighed. "Look, I understand your concerns, and you are free to walk away. But be warned. If that happens, you won't find me at my location. I'll disappear by the time you lead the ZPD there. Should you reveal the evidence, not only will you suffer a backlash, but the Templars will take extreme measures in silencing you."
"First off," Nick interjected. "There are two things you need to know about us. One, we do not give up so easily, and two, we are not letting the Templars succeed after seeing their actions."
"Then what is the problem?"
"We don't want you keeping vital secrets from us," Judy said. "You'll be putting us in more danger than if we do know."
The Assassin sighed deeply, knowing they were right. "I don't want to frighten you with my answers, but at the same time, I would be breaking my creed if my silence does bring you harm." The Assassin took a deep breath and got himself comfortable in the seat. "As promised, I will speak to your heart's content. All I ask is to keep it within reason and to please keep an open mind. What do you want to know first?"
Judy asked the first question, "We understand why you waited, but how did you know that polar bear was a Templar or even him?"
"I have this rare sense that allows me to determine the motives of mammals and among other things."
"Like a sixth sense?"
"You can say that, but this is something that you must experience yourself to understand."
"Okay, then explain this," Nick said, changing the subject. "Why did the Templar beaver called Judy and I Assassins?"
"Because your robes have the Order's insignia, the same symbol found in the alley and on my belt buckle. But being an Assassin is more than the name and attire."
"Do you plan on recruiting us?" Judy asked, wondering if his plans involved that.
"Only if you choose to. Those who do not volunteer should not be forced to fight. To be honest, I rather not involve any more outsiders. This cooperation only works because the Templars are unaware of it. I intend on keeping it that way."
"And killing the Templars?"
"Only Assassins are permitted to do so. I only ask that you stay hidden and do what's necessary to protect yourselves."
"Hopefully, that doesn't happen," Nick said. Even as a cop, the thought of intentionally taking a life bothered him greatly. The sight of death is enough to discourage him.
"So are Assassins sworn enemies to the Templars?" Judy asked.
"Yes, the Assassins fight for the free will of all in the name of peace. We believe it allows for new ideas and individual growth. But the Templars fear that this will lead to anarchy. While this is true, the individual learns nothing, and the Assassins consider knowledge important. Individuals can use it to work together and achieve peace. But even the Assassin Order has its flaws, and my publicized assassinations are an example. Stealth is preferred, but circumstances can change that."
"That's drastically different from your description of the Templars," Nick said. "Yet both orders want the same thing. I don't see why you can't work together."
"Believe me. There have been truces in the past, but the more radical members have taken issues with them. Unfortunately, they tend to be the proactive ones. Overall, our differences are too great, and that division eventually became unbreakable."
"Basically, the Assassins and Templars want to accomplish the same goal with different methods," Nick said.
"Yes, but I'm going to be very biased right now. I still side with the Assassins for this reason. If the Templars succeed, they will control every single aspect of your life. Yes, there is a chance of anarchy should the Assassins prevail, but mammal can work together to prevent it. It all comes down to this: do you want to choose how to live your life or have it chosen for you?"
There was a moment of silence as Nick and Judy processed the knowledge from the session.
"When explained that way, I can understand your reason," Judy said. "What the Templars want is not what Zootopia is. How can anyone be anything if they can't choose?"
Nick sighed and shook his head. "I've seen this too many times. Mammals using good intentions to justify their actions. The Templars are no different."
"Unfortunately, the Assassins have made that mistake. We must be careful that our cause does not blind us to the point where we hurt others instead of helping them. Is there anything else you wish to know?"
"If you don't mind, how long have you been an Assassin?" Judy said.
"Twenty years now, I was recruited a year after graduating from college. The Order deemed me beneficial in their fight from their scout report. But the Assassin-Templar conflict has been going on much longer."
This piqued Judy's curiosity. "How long?"
"Thousands of years with most of the warfare occurring underground through different fronts. The exception was a few hundred years when both orders were public, but that was almost a millennium ago. The war is a very ugly game of tug-of-war where the livelihood of the world is the mark on the rope. Stalemates have occurred, but the fighting eventually resumes. Right now, the Assassins are on the losing side."
Hearing the current situation frightened Judy. "Do you think you'll be victorious?"
The Assassin sighed deeply. "My main focus is eliminating the Templars from Zootopia. That's all it matters."
Judy nodded. "I understand."
"Let me ask you something," Nick said. "You're an Assassin, but from our experience, you take very few lives. Despite having multiple opportunities, you choose to escape or only injure."
"I don't take lives or hurt mammals unless I have to." He raised an arm and activated the hidden blade. "It's why this blade only sees the blood of my targets. Going on a killing spree in this time will break every tenet of the creed. That's not to say it hasn't occurred in the past, but times were different."
"That's a very interesting blade. Is that the signature weapon for Assassins?" Nick had been wanting to know ever since he first saw it in action at the rally.
"Correct, it's called the hidden blade, and the name is self-explanatory. Novices start off with one and must earn the right to carry two." He revealed the second one before retracting both. "There are also different versions, and it can have other features. That miniature bow you saw on my wrist is one of them."
Judy and Nick were in awe at information and wanted to see more. Instead, they continued their questions on the Assassin Order in general.
"You keep mentioning a creed," Judy said. "Is that a code Assassins live by?"
"Yes, it's what separates us from common murderers. The creed and the code are actually two things."
"What's the code?" Nick curiously asked.
"Three tenets that guide the Assassins: Stay your blade from the blood of an innocent. Hide in plain sight. Never Compromise the Brotherhood, directly or indirectly." He had raised his paw and counted. "The first tenet is why I am answering your questions. While not a direct effect, keeping you in the dark can result in harm."
"Huh. You sound more like a vigilant than an Assassin."
"You could say that."
"And what is the creed?" Judy asked.
"Nothing is true. Everything is permitted."
Nick and Judy tried to understand the meaning, but it left them befuddled.
"How does that make any sense?" Nick asked, finding the creed absurd.
"It's meant to be an observation rather than an actual creed to live by. The best way I can describe it is with a quote from a prominent Assassin."
To say that nothing is true is to realize the foundations of society are fragile, and that we are the shepherds of our own civilization. To say that everything is permitted, is to understand that we are the architects of our actions, and that we must live with their consequences whether glorious or tragic.
"The true meaning of the creed though is something that can only be understood through realization, no matter the explanation. Even that, however, is only the first step."
All the information the Assassin has told Judy and Nick so far was eye-opening and left them wanting more. Nevertheless, they felt glad he opened up and willing to work with them. Weeks of secret investigations and risking their careers and reputations have finally paid off. Having found the motive behind the killings, Nick and Judy were now emboldened to take down the Templars in Zootopia reinforced by their earlier attempt to kill them.
"The true meaning of the creed, though, is something that can only be understood through realization, no matter the explanation. Even that, however, is only the first step."
The flood of information on the Assassins and Templars has only left Judy and Nick wanting more. Nevertheless, a great burden had been lifted off their shoulders. The risks and time spent on secretly trying to make contact with him have massively paid off. They had finally found the motive behind the killings and were now emboldened to bring down the Templars in Zootopia.
The conversation was suddenly interrupted by Judy's phone. Seeing Bogo on the caller ID, Judy answered the phone and put the Chief on speaker. "Hello?"
"Hopps. Is Wilde with you?"
"Right here, sir. How are you feeling?" Nick responded.
They heard Bogo's heavy sigh through the phone. "I'm still in a lot of pain, but I can return to limited duty. So please Wilde."
Nick barely had time to respond when Judy pulled him by his tie. "We are in no mood!" She whispered harshly. She took Nick's whimpering as a confirmation and released him.
"Understood Chief," Nick replied, recovering from the assault.
"I assume you two heard the news of the earthquake in Tundratown?"
"Yes, Chief," Judy said.
"Then I expect you here tomorrow morning," They heard him sigh deeply. "I'm sorry to cut your break short, but we need every able-bodied officer."
"We understand," Nick said.
"Good. See you tomorrow."
Bogo hung up, and the car became silent again.
A few seconds passed before Judy finally spoke. "Listen, Nick and I have been thinking. You should tell the ZPD about this."
If the hood was not over his head, the two would see the Assassin raised a brow. "Care to explain why I should risk being arrested? More importantly, why should they know about the Assassins and Templars?"
"Well, that can remain a secret," Nick assured. "But if you want to keep us on board, then we need reinforcements. Judy and I can only do so much without breaking the law."
"You also said that there could be more sites like the one in Tundratown," Judy added.
"Valid points, but the city is already in fear from the assassinations. Knowledge of these sites will only lead to more hysteria. The Templars might even use this as an excuse to investigate other sites because they want to protect the city."
"True, but you can't expect them to stop searching." Nick reasoned.
"No, not really." The Assassin faced the window again. "But who is going to listen to me?"
"Now wait," Judy said. "Nick and I are respected officers at the ZPD. We'll make sure the other officers do not harm you,"
The Assassin sighed with reluctance. "I trusted you with the information on the Assassins and Templars, so I'm going to trust that there will be no issues in arranging my visit. I do have a few conditions. First, I want the meeting to happen at night. I don't want civilians around. Second, I will only speak to Precinct One. I have my suspicions that the Templars have infiltrated the police department, but yours was the only one I confirmed."
The second reason alarmed Nick and Judy. That thought never crossed their minds in their efforts to meet the Assassin. Now they were glad to have kept this investigation a secret.
"You're right," Judy said. "We can't take that risk."
"We'll do our best to convince Bogo of your conditions," Nick said. "The possibility of turncoats is our best shot."
"Do what you can, and pick me up when everything is ready."
They dropped the Assassin off near their first meeting location and returned the outfits to him. Nick took over the driver's seat so that Judy can rest from driving in Tundratown.
It was relatively quiet in the car on the drive to Judy's apartment, and when Nick glanced at Judy, her behavior bothered him.
"Something on your mind Carrots?"
Judy had remained silent with her ears drooping and was staring out the window.
"Is it what the Assassin said?"
But she neither responded nor moved.
"Talk to me, Judy." Her behavior concerned him, and he did not like seeing her this way.
Hearing her first name finally snapped her from her trance. "Yes."
Nick decided to cheer her up while comforting also. "What is it? I promise I won't judge."
Judy just sighed, not even bother to respond to his humor. "I feel conflicted over this whole thing. If the Assassin was trying to do that, then he did a good job for me."
Judy's abnormal response piqued Nick's curiosity. "Explain."
"Well, I first believed the Assassin was a criminal when he first appeared. That changed when we encountered the Templars. But after our conversation, I don't know anymore to be honest. They both want what's best for Zootopia, yet how they want it is different. "
Nick could relate to her struggle. Having more time to ponder the words, the fox offered his explanation. "He was explaining his reason for siding with the Assassins. He knows we want to help him, but he wants to know if our commitment is sincere."
The remark finally brought Judy's focus away from the scenery and to Nick. "What do you mean?"
"While we did offer our support, I think the Assassin wants us to find that conviction; the same one that drives us to be police officers."
Judy slowly nodded in understanding. "It does make sense." She decided to ask him the same question. "What about you? How is the Assassin picking your mind?"
Nick could only smirk. "Ha, that's easy. The Creed. Even if it is meant to be only an observation, how does a mantra with conflicting ideas last for so many years? I say this is the number one candidate out of the outrageous creeds I've heard."
"Well, think about it like this," Judy proposed. "If nothing is true, what should we believe? And if everything is permitted, what should we do? I believe this is what the Assassin is trying to explain."
"I guess." But Judy knew Nick remained unconvinced.
"Let me use us as an example. You lived with a certain notion about everyone's species, and I lived with a certain notion about Zootopia. Yet we both know they can be false. Hence the former. We each chose a path in response to those notions out of the many options available. Hence the latter. That's not to say our current path is a bad one. Going back to the conversation, it's all about choice. Does it make sense?"
Nick started to understand Judy's explanation, impressed with Judy's intuition. "It does. Look at you Fluff. Already making that first step."
"When compared to a certain dumb fox, I'd say I understand the Creed better than him."
"Ouch," He said, feigning offense. "That hurts Carrots."
She giggled in response.
They finally arrived at Judy's apartment, and Nick parked in front of the entrance.
Before leaving for her room, Judy turned to Nick and smiled. "Thank you for taking me home and talking about this. My head feels much clearer than before."
Nick smiled in return at seeing his happy bunny again. "You're welcome Fluff. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Sometime later, the two lay on their beds, Judy in her pajamas and Nick in his boxers, as the memories of that evening ran through their minds. As a result, sleep evaded them for the longest time. Hours later, their eyes widened in realization and immediately grabbed their phones.
Judy: You still awake Nick?
Nick: I was wondering the same thing, Carrots. I'll let you go first.
The rabbit began to furiously type her response.
Judy: You know it. Have you been thinking the same thing I have for the past few hours?
Nick: Nothing gets past you huh? Is your decision the same as mine?
She took a deep breath before typing her response. The slight delay caused Nick to wonder if she still had any hesitation.
Judy: Definitely! We can't let him do this alone.
Nick: So does that mean you want to be an Assassin? ;)
Judy: NICK! ARE YOU CRAZY?!
Nick: Lol! I'm just pulling your ears Fluff. Now let's get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning.
Satisfied with their responses and after Judy calmed down, they placed their phones back on the nightstands and laid in bed. Finally, exhaustion from today's events overcame them, and they were fast asleep.
