The Fox, the Bunny, and the Zootopia
File #10: Bunny In Search Part 3
After thanking Mr. Big and Fru Fru for their help, Nick went inside a rather expensive looking car with Manchas inside in driver's seat. Now that Fru Fru had her activities done, she had Nick to use the car to get around the city in order to find her child's godmother. Although Nick politely declined her offer, she insisted so he didn't have other choices. The previous hyena also brought along, silenced under threat of a set of claws by Nick. He wasn't going to let him go that easily. If he slap a cuff on him, he'll blow his cover.
"So," Manchas said, turning his sight to his right, where Nick was sitting thoughtfully. "What's our destination?"
Nick answered after a few more seconds of thinking. "Go to Birmingham Street," he said shortly.
"Roger that," Manchas answered before stepping on the gas, the car went on a speed. Nick looked back to find Mr. Big and Fru Fru watching from one of the Big Mansion's window.
It took a quarter hour from Big Mansion to Birmingham Street. On the way, Nick could see the "beach" of Tundratown on the distance. It was a bit difficult to see as the road they were taking was lined by tall trees by the sides.
Manchas was a good driver, by the way. He took turns smoothly while maintaining speed and calmness. He also drift the car around the corners when there weren't any vehicles incoming. How he was able to predict that there's no vehicle coming even though there were rocks and trees blocking the sight, Nick didn't know.
"Maybe I should ask some driving lessons from this guy," Nick thought.
Nick drove Finnick's van almost everyday when doing their pawpsicle business, but he only knew the basics of driving. He admit Judy's driving was superior than him, but of course he wouldn't let her know. He started to wonder which one was better, Judy or Finnick. He might not show it off, but Finnick had some degree of skill in driving too. And Nick just had known that Rey could ride motorcycles. Let's just say Nick's pride hurt a bit.
It was a bit awkward because of the silence. "So," Nick said, Manchas raised an ear. "You're completely OK after the doctors cured you?" He asked.
"Pretty much," the panther answered while not letting his sight off the road. "I suffered some traumatic disorder and some side effects but I've passed that period."
"Wanna tell me what happened?"
Manchas sighed. "At the first day of recovery, everything's normal until night comes and I see nonexistent things."
"Like what? Ghosts?"
"No. Myself. Alot of me, wandering along the room and the hallways on four limbs. Let's just say they're what you see when I chased you back then. Savage black panthers. Roaring, sneering, growling," his tone increased to panicking and his arms shuddered. His breathing intensified and eyes widened.
"Manchas!" Nick exclaimed as they nearly crashed with another car. Manchas calmed down and steer clear of it.
"What's disturbing was that I panicked wildly that one day I was put on restraints. The doctors said I'm having traumatic disorder," he said, calming down. "I might not remember much of my time being savage, but I know it wasn't good. I even had nightmares," he said as he drifted the car past another vehicle.
Nick ran out of words. "Well, it's a good thing that you've gotten past them."
"Indeed, Mr. Wilde. Indeed." The panther then returned his focus to the road as they approached Birmingham Street.
Out of a corner of his eye, Nick snapped. "Wait, stop." He immediately came out of the car and yelled, "Rey!"
The lynx was having a smoothie at nearby cafe when Nick came by, running. "Well, lookie here. Where were you? I waited here for almost half an hour," he said before slurping on his smoothie again.
"Get your ride, I got a lead on Judy, let's go!"
The lynx wasted no second and rushed off to his bike while Nick returned to Manchas. "Follow me!" he said as Rey gains distance. "We're going to the Town Square."
Manchas stepped on the gas and the car went running toward the downtown. He picked up decent speed as Rey came along behind them, tailgating. Nick put up a communicator and put it on his ear. "Romeo, ya hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Foxtrot," a voice called. "So what's the catch?"
"I caught this scoundrel here on an alley and I managed to get him taking," Nick said.
Pause. "What did you get?"
"Apparently he was hired to kidnap Judy."
"He what?!" the speaker cringed a bit. "Why would someone kidnap Judy over a bunch of money?"
Nick peered sharply at the hyena, who cowered away in fear. "Considering who paid him, it's a lot of cash."
"Well, who is it? Don' tell me it's Bellwether."
Nick scoffed. "Nope, but he got a good cover. Our target is Gerard Svenska, infamously AKA Gazelle's brother."
A sound of gasp, tire skidding, and people yelling were heard. "What on earth would Gazelle's brother want with Judy?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's stressed out or something, but we'd want to make sure Judy's okay, first."
"Gotcha. What's the plan?"
"It won't be easy to approach him as he's Gazelle's manager in case. I saw a notice of her concert in Animalia Stadium later this evening. Gerard won't be far from her."
A chuckle was heard. So, what? You're planning to break into the manager room and arrest him just like that? He might tell the bodyguards to keep everyone out."
Nick scoffed almost immediately. "Well, duh, you brought your badge, right?"
Pause again as the lynx sighed. "If the bodyguards are part his plot then our badges will only trigger them to eliminate us, darnit, Nick."
Nick paused as he realized that Rey got a point. "Okay then, we'll going to meet Gazelle and ask for her help to-"
"Arrest her brother?" Rey interrupted. "She's a pop star, Nick, what can she do to help us catch a suspect? Sing 'em to sleep?" he asked. "And the suspect's her own brother!" he added.
Rey had a mindset that renders him underestimate some people by his own logic. He believed that everyone can be everything, but sometimes it is just impossible for some degree. It's unavoidable that that he thinks that pop stars would focus on keeping their voices. Moreover a girl!
"You've got no idea of what she is capable off, my friend," he said after laughing a bit, leaving Rey in confusion.
The car stopped. "We're at the Town Square," Manchas said as he parked the car across the street.
Nick stepped out and took a stretch before signaling the hyena to come along. The hyena complied silently, fearing how the fox officer will smack him to make him comply. Rey stopped shortly after, expressing amazement at how Nick could be frightening when he see the hyena cowering in fear.
"What are we doing in Town Square again?" he asked, seeing the massive building in front of him. "I thought Gazelle's concert in Animalia Stadium," he said, remembering what Nick said a few minutes ago.
"Relax. I know what to do. And Mr. Manchas?" the panther glanced at him. "You might want to get out and do something. I'll call you when I need you." Manchas just nodded but remained in the car.
Nick took quick steps into the Town Square with the hyena and and Rey following right after. The building didn't look huge for nothing, inside, they could see the main hall that comes with a stage on one of its corners. There were also various shops and other things you could take a look for some goodies.
Unfortunately, they came not for sightseeing as Nick quickly took a look at his phone and typed something. A moment after, it rang and Nick started walking again to the second floor. It was Rey's first visit to the building as well so he took all the chances he got to take a look around, but kept an eye to the hyena.
Rey bumped into the hyena who stopped. Before he could say anything about it, he see in front of him something that was really something.
Nick was there, with a friendly smile plastered at his face. "Hey, Kate!" he called to someone in a clothes shop.
She was a gazelle with had big hips, thin everything else. She had gold-brown fur and pale gold underfur. She had two horns with a big lock of wavy blond hair from between them, covering her left eye. She wore light blue tops and matching jeans. On her wrists were a golden bracelets. Over her left shoulder was a white sling-bag.
"Well, isn't that Nick Wilde," she said, returning a smile. "Oh, yeah, I forgot to return your book," she said as she searched her bag and brought out a small book and handed it to Nick. "It's very cool."
"Glad you liked it," Nick answered shortly.
Then he noticed Rey's jaw hanging. "Gazelle?!"
He gazelle glanced to him. "Hi, there," she said, giving him a smile.
"You know Gazelle?!" he asked Nick who only nodded.
"Yeah, she used to be my favorite customer," Nick stated, earning a scoff from her.
"So that people will buy your pawpsicles," she added with a spice of annoyance. "By the way, Kate Svenska -Gazelle if you prefer so-, nice to meet you," she said, offering a hoof.
Rey shook himself awake and shook her hoof awkwardly. "Ehm. What are we doing, Nick?" He cued.
Nick immediately took the cue. "Kate, we have a problem."
Gazelle's smile fell. "What is it?"
"I believe your brother is in trouble," he said as he pulled the hyena harshly. "This guy kidnapped Judy Hopps and after some interrogation, dark brown puffer vest and matching sweat pants, I know that Gerard paid him to do so," the fox explained, shooting a sharp peer at the hyena again. "Do you have any idea what he wants with Judy?"
Gazelle put a finger to her muzzle. "I'm not sure, but I think it's about his arrest by Judy some days ago."
Both Nick and Rey raised a brow. "What did he do?"
"He almost blow an Danny's head off with an unauthorized gun," she said, pointing to one of her tiger companion. "Honestly I don't know what he was thinking. I bailed him out, yes, and I gave him severe punishment for exchange."
"That could be a motive," Rey cut in. "We need to talk to him."
"But of course. Come on he should be in the stadium by now," she said, walking off with her companions to the parking lot. "I'll meet you there."
Nick gave her a thumb up before rushing himself and the others back to Manchas'. They arrived there , with Manchas still in the car reading something on his phone.
Nick came in, pulling the hyena as he does so. "Animalia Stadium, quick!"
As soon as he said that, the car launched in the road followed by Rey with his bike driving past other vehicles and made their way to the stadium.
Nick took fast strokes and taps on his phone to dial Gazelle's number. As soon as she picked it up, Nick continued to ask. "Anymore bad Gerard have done?" he asked, keeping it short.
Gazelle paused for a while. "There's actually a weird thing that happened some weeks ago."
Nick's ears perked up. "And what's that?" said Rey from the communicator.
"Around a month ago, after the Savage Mammal incident -or Night Howler case, by your files-, I've just realized that I lost ten thousand Bucks, mysteriously disappeared from my bank accou-, NOT," she sighed. "From my reserved stash. I've reported this to the police but it was suspended as the officers were busy taking care of the remainder of Former Mayor Bellwether's associates," she sighed again.
Nick waited awkwardly as the pop singer calmed herself down. "Don't worry, I'll get to it as soon as we rescue Judy," he said, assuring that he'll get on her case when possible.
"I'd be very much grateful," Gazelle answered.
The road was getting busier as the rush hour comes. Luckily, both Nick and Manchas knew what road to take and thus, enabling them to get past the crowded streets with no time. Not to say the same for Rey, though, as he had to make some sharp turns because he really was trying to follow Manchas' car while he didn't know what route to take, and to think that Manchas took so many turns than straights, Rey could only sigh at his own little knowledge of Zootopia's streets.
They managed to escape downtown under twenty minutes and Rey nearly passed out trying to keep up with Manchas' driving. It's a good thing he managed to hang on, though Nick could see with one eye that the lynx couldn't take anymore. Fortunately, it's only a few minutes again as they could see the majestic building that shaped like a large field of light with enormous plates that resemble flower buds decorate the roof edges and beveled ground level. Which is weird considering it was named Animalia Stadium.
Nick jumped right out before the car even stopped at the parking space and ran for the lobby with Rey coming shortly after regaining a portion of his strength.
They was about to enter when a soft voice called them. They turned to the source, which were Gazelle and her companion, Danny. She explained to them short and silently that every route to Gerard's room were guarded by the bodyguards he hired for her, but she was very certain that if he was truly the bad guy here, then so were the bodyguards. Nick suggested that Gazelle and Danny as well as Rey to go into the room under guise of visiting. Trying to look as normal as possible as their passage is pinned at the look on their faces. While the guards' attention were shifted to them, Nick would sneak past them to search for Judy in other rooms.
The plan immediately went into motion as Nick reminded Rey to keep his badge and gun off sight. Rey's clothes shouldn't be a problem 'cause it looked pretty normal. From the outside the hallway, they could see some bodyguards, hippos and zebras. All which were prey animals, for a weird note.
Gazelle -perfectly- walked toward the manager's room casually along with Danny on her right and Rey on her left. A hippo guard blocked the door. Just by the look alone both Gazelle and Rey were pretty sure he didn't like it. "I'm seeing Gerard about plans for next week."
The hippo peered to Rey. "Who's that cat?" the guard asked shortly.
Gazelle followed his gaze. "He's a business opportunity so don't let him down," said Gazelle, making her voice to sound impatient.
The guard finally complied as he opened the door and entered it after Gazelle and co.. Beyond it was a gazelle in dark brown puffer vest and matching sweat pants. Looks like he wasn't planning to hide at all. Under the impression of Gazelle not knowing anything he had done, he acted like nothing happened at all.
"Hello, dear sister," he greeted. "What do you want? Another set of clothes?" he asked casually while playing with his phone at hoof. He was really in a big trouble but he wasn't even aware.
Rey expected Gazelle to stall some time so that Nick could search more room as they talk, but that didn't seem to be the case. "I'd rather ask for the bunny," she said suddenly, catching Rey off guard making him gasp unintentionally.
There went their cover. Gazelle was unfazed, though, as if she knew he would react that way. Gerard's friendly smile fell and he peered at the hippo, making him move closer to catch Gazelle and Rey. Rey was about to act when Gazelle sent a heel kicking the hippo's jaw, hard. Hard enough to render him unconscious.
"Where is she!?" Gazelle asked, now with a clear furious tone used.
Gerard tilted his head. "Not telling."
The star's eyes immediately narrowed. "I swear I'll kick you butt again if you don't tell me where Judy Hopps is!" she said, raising her voice a bit.
Gerard was shaken a bit, but then distanced to a corner of the room still on his chair when the remainder his bodyguards came in, barging the door, stomping their way as they heard a strange sound. They immediately took Rey as a target as they started to chase him. Rey quickly took his tranquilizer gun under his white shirt, shot two of the guards, but the third managed to seize him and sent him flying to a wall. Danny was restrained by two other guards while three surrounded Rey, thinking he's the one that knocked out one of their friend. But all of that thought dissipated when one of the zebra guards that surrounded Rey was kicked onto the wall while the other were sent spinning and his head hit the floor, both knocked unconscious by a blur of gold.
"I'm waiting for your explanation, Gerard," Gazelle said, peering at him sharply.
Gerard stood with a bit of anger plastered to his face. "It-it only needs another week to complete!" he shouted all of the sudden. "Why do you guys have to interfere!?" he shouted while turning his sight to Rey. "All it remains is to put a dose of Night Howler in more predators so that the mayor could establish a law to restraint the predators!" he blurted. Gazelle and Rey stood there, listening. The bodyguards didn't say a word, probably because they're in from the start. "I've gave her ten grand to complete the serum so I could finally free from them! But she failed anyway, messed up BIG time!" Gazelle immediately scoffed at her brother's selfishness.
As if her stunts didn't amaze Rey enough, Gazelle took two evasion steps to the side to avoid the hippo's paws. Upon an opening of the latter's slower movement, she kicked his chest twice in quick succession, making him step backward before Rey tripped him and shot him with the tranquilizer gun right away.
Meanwhile, Danny regained his position and managed to release himself from the two large hippos before delivering each a punch of his on the face. Both were knocked back, clutching their muzzles before Rey delivered a kick to one's back of the head while Gazelle sent a flying kick that knocked the other onto the door's frame.
Gazelle returned her sharp gaze to his brother, who was cowering in fear as he see his bodyguards fall one by one. "I'm very disappointed in you. I even don't know my own brother hates people over their status as they did in the past!" she said, menacingly, obviously furious for her brother's foolish doing. "Can't you see how we're the same inside? Can't you see through everyone's outer appearance? Why?" she asked a barrage of question, each with her own signature spice of disappointment, cornering his brother further.
"Because, like Bellwether, his memories are corrupted by bitter memories," a voice sounded from the hallway, revealing to be Nick with Judy in his paws, barely conscious. Nick himself got beaten up there and there, but he was mostly fine, except for that frown on his face. Clearly he's worried about his friend in his paws. "People might be given second chance to redeem themselves, letting them to see past their clouded vision. But memories . . ." his voice falters. "Memories don't disappear as easy as they appear as we live our life. Once corrupted memories resurface, people tend to succumb to their own darkness within the deepest part of their heart." Nick approached a small shelf and pulled out a plastic sack of Night Howler bullets.
Gazelle's anger disappears completely as she hear Nick's explanation, a rather sad one, that was. But she know he's right. She had her own bad memories and she sometimes get sad over it. She knew what it feels to remember horrible things, like her own brother's bullying that made him traumatized of predators although he kept this to himself as hard as he could when confronting business chances.
Siren blared outside and some officers came in. Nick glanced at Rey and found him talking by his communicator. Oh well, it's not like he'll get the part of calling backup as he was busy tending to Judy who fell asleep. She looked a bit thinner. Maybe she hadn't eaten. So he'll make sure to buy some food for her to eat.
"Okay, one question," Rey suddenly said, earning both Nick and Gazelle's attention. He shifted to Gazelle. "How on earth did you do that?" he asked with utmost curiosity and disbelief.
Nick made a small smile. "Well, sometime in the past, she almost entered ZPD when a buried dream of her musical career resurfaced. She already graduated, but she went out to become a pop singer," Nick explained, earning a scoff from Gazelle.
"Well, since it's my brother who gave you all this trouble," she started. "How about free tickets . . ." she said, closing in both nick and Rey. ". . . To this concert, huh? Free of charge."
Rey was visibly excited, but kept it down as he realized something. "How about that ten grands of yours?"
"Nah, it's nothing. I can start again, gotta 'Try Everything', right?" she said, snickering. "See you guys, later," she said, walking off to other part of the stadium.
Rey waved her goodbye, seeing to last of his favorite singer for now, but quickly shifted his sight toward Judy. "Wha-? Nick? R-Rey?" she stuttered. "You've come," she said, voice cracking weakly.
"Shhh. Now go to sleep, we'll make sure you'll be fit to watch Gazelle's show just two more hours from now," Rey said, excitedly. "Now go and get some sleep. We can always talk later."
Nick smiled in agreement. "He's right, come on, go to sleep." Judy didn't take another second and quickly drifted off to sleep, trying to regain her strength.
"What happened to her?" Rey asked, seriousness clouded his tone and eyes.
Nick shook his head. "Found her in one of the storage room. Had to get some zebras outta the way. Maybe they torture . . . her?" his voice slowly disappears. Rey smacked his shoulder and Nick regained his composure. "Right, let's get her some rest. We won't want her to sleep during the concert!" he said, passionately as he ran to Manchas', who already waiting for the fox and hopefully, the bunny's return.
"Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Try everything!"
Everyone cheered excitedly. The city's most famous pop star sang in the center of the stadium, singing her newest single, "Try Everything," once more, sending the audience's fandom meter rocketing to the sky. The crowd was very loud. The flowing voice of the gazelle's as the music hits the good parts.
On the edge of the pool that borders the audience and the stage, we could see Judy Hopps back on her feet, taking it easy so she wouldn't collapse. She still shuddering and fall off balance sometimes, but Nick and Rey always on her back, covering her fall. Though Rey mostly stick with Clawhauser and surprisingly, Chief Bogo -Rey didn't realize, though-, recording the event with their iPaw while singing along the melody and lyrics of the catchy song.
"Feeling better already?" he asked, seeing the bunny starting to move her body in rhyme with the music. "You might break again."
Judy couldn't help but to narrow her eyes at the fox, who grinned mischievously in return. "Can it, Nicky. Let's just enjoy this thing!" he screamed as the reff starts again.
"I keep on making those new mistakes. I'll keep on making them everyday, those new mistakes."
They audience grew wilder.
"Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Try everything!"
And wilder, as the ones that dances started to sing along.
"Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Try everything!"
Both Nick and Judy glanced back to find Rey still recording the star while Clawhauser and the chief by his side also taking pictures.
"Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Try everything!"
Nick and Judy returned their sight at the singer.
"Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh."
Then, the tiger dancers closed the formation around Gazelle.
"Try everythi~ing"
As she sang the last syllable, she raised a hoof, pointing to the cop duo, with a spotlight following her act, bringing the fox and the bunny once more on the view. Judy just smiled contently while leaning at Nick for support while the fox himself could only watch as the show ends.
I admit I forgot to add a chapter about Gazelle's concert at the credits of the movie, so take this one as a replacement, nyeh heh heh. Sorry if Judy's not as prominent as she's seen in the movie, I kinda more like portraying Nick because of his personality and I like foxes.
By the way, national exam's next week so the story will go hiatus for a couple of weeks. See ya in the next update! Maybe the big deal will be ready as soon as the exam ends, so, await it!