The rain was still pounding, leaving the ground of the sports field soft and muddy.

Judy stared at Sly, unmoving in the dirt. He was unnaturally still. In the darkness, she wasn't even sure he was breathing.

She turned to Tai Lung, the horror in her eyes solidifying into anger. Determination. "What did you do to him?!"

"Oh, relax," said Tai Lung. "He's fine. Conscious, even. Isn't that right, raccoon?" He poked Sly with his foot.

Sly did nothing.

"Suppose you'll have to take my word for it," said Tai Lung with a bright smile. "But he is still aware of everything. That'll make it much funnier when I throw him in a river, wouldn't you say? Perfectly cognisant of his inescapable, suffocating death..."

Judy shook with anger. "That's –! You're abhorrent!"

Tai Lung shrugged calmly. "I suppose my sense of humour often doesn't translate." He chuckled. "Besides, I can hardly expect you to find it that amusing... when you'll be next to him."

Judy tensed, readying herself. "I'm not afraid of you!" she said fiercely.

Tai Lung's smile didn't fade. "I don't care."

He lunged.

With the radio still malfunctioning and Carmelita focused entirely on the road, Nick was left to stew in his fears. Leaping over a ravine from a speeding car during heavy rainfall had seemed impossibly dangerous to him, but Judy had done it with ease. Of course she had. She was Judy.

It was what came next that Nick couldn't stop worrying about.

He was jolted out of his reverie when Carmelita made a sharp turn with no warning. "Look alive, Wilde. We have a lead."

Carmelita had swerved to a follow a van which was driving just as recklessly as she was. It had a stylised raccoon face emblazoned on the back doors.

"Is that -?"

"Yes," she said. "Tracking Sly by GPS, no doubt. They'll lead us right to them."

Nick swallowed. "Right..."

"Nick." Carmelita's eyes remained hard, focused on the road, but there was a warmth in her voice. "Judy's going to be fine. Trust me."

Nick paused, then managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Carmelita."

The van shrieked to a stop on a small hill overlooking the sports field. Murray and Bentley exited, grabbing their Binocucoms to get a better view.

Carmelita slammed on the brake, the cruiser stopping just next to the van. She hopped out, shock pistol in hand. Nick followed suit, although he couldn't help but feel his standard-issue weapon was useless compared to Carmelita's bazooka of dubious legality.

Carmelita strode up. "Freeze, you two!" They turned in surprise – and then, to Nick's bafflement, smiled with relief.

"Carmelita! Hey!"

"It's good to see you. We could really use your help."

Nick blinked. "Um... what?"

"Stand down for now, Nick," said Carmelita, although she didn't seem nearly as enthusiastic about the reunion. "This isn't the first time the Cooper Gang has coming running to me with their tails between their legs after getting into more trouble than they could handle."

"I would've... phrased it differently," said Bentley, "but yes."

"Guys, Sly looks hurt!" yelled Murray, who had turned back to the fight. "That bunny's giving Tai Lung a real workout, though!"

Nick squinted, his night vision compensating for the distance. Sure enough, a tiny grey blur was darting around, staying out of the reach of a far larger, angrier grey blur. She was fine. She was still moving. Nick let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Neither Judy nor Tai Lung had noticed them. Nick considered calling out, but quickly discarded the idea. He couldn't afford to distract her.

Judy must have said something, because Tai Lung abruptly stopped. Nick couldn't make out the words, but the leopard replied, gesturing to some odd object in the dirt behind him. Nick didn't realise it was Sly until he noticed the cane, golden metal still shining in the darkness.

Judy hesitated. Then she resumed moving. However, Tai Lung was following her less closely. Waiting.

Judy suddenly made a dash for Sly. Tai Lung, on cue, struck her as she passed.

She fell.

She didn't get up.

Nick started. "What happened?! What was that?!"

Bentley lowered his Binocucom. "I heard rumours about this while researching Tai Lung's background," he said gravely. "This seems to be his infamous paralysis technique."

"There wasn't any mention of that in his files," said Carmelita.

Bentley grimaced. "That's probably because by the time he's angry enough to use it... the victim doesn't make it to a hospital."

"It's fatal?!" yelped Nick.

"No, no," said Bentley quickly. "Not by itself. But Sly and Hopps are completely defenceless. We need to act fast!"

"Good," said Carmelita. "That means you don't have time to question my orders. Murray, you're up."

He nodded. "I'm all ears!"

"Approach from the side and stay out of sight. Once I make an opening, extract Sly and Judy and bring them here. After that, run interference. I don't want Tai Lung getting too close to me, for obvious reasons. Keep the pressure on. Our best chance is to keep him off-balance."

"Alright!" yelled Murray enthusiastically. "We haven't had a chance to team up since we fought El Tigre Chino. Between the two of us, we'll save them for sure!"

Carmelita glared. "Let's get one thing clear; I'm only 'saving' Judy. I'm arresting Sly. The second Tai Lung goes down, so do you. Understand?"

Murray blinked in surprise. He and Bentley shared an look, but Bentley quickly said "Of course. Whatever you say." Murray was still frowning uncertainly as he jogged away.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Bentley.

Carmelita smiled thinly. "This."

Then there was a clamp on one of his wheels.

Bentley raised an eyebrow. "Did you just boot my wheelchair...?"

"I don't need your help stopping Tai Lung, and I certainly don't need you getting any ideas." She turned to Nick. "Keep an eye on him – and be careful. He's more devious than he looks."

"I'm supposed to just stay here?!" said Nick.

"Yes," said Carmelita bluntly. "Make sure Judy and Sly are okay. And Nick, listen to me – if something goes wrong, put them in the car and drive straight to headquarters. Do not slow down. Do not look back. Alright?"

Nick stuttered. "What –?! But – I'm a cop too!"

"Then take an order like one!" snapped Carmelita. "I am ordering you to stay here, where it's safe! Now do you trust me or not?"

Nick stared at her for a moment, then nodded. "... Yeah. I trust you."

"Good to know." She turned and stalked toward Tai Lung. "This'll only take a second."

Tai Lung was casually strolling, dragging Sly along by one foot. He held Judy by the ears. "So," he said, "you know this city. Any recommendations for a nice place to drown?"

Judy said nothing.

Tai Lung smiled. "In that case, I suppose the nearest muddy ditch will do."

"Freeze!"

Tai Lung stopped and slowly turned, more curious than surprised. Carmelita was standing a few feet away, shock pistol trained on him.

"Tai Lung," she said. "This is your only warning. Unhand both of them and put your hands up."

"Did I just hear you correctly?" said Tai Lung with an amused smile. "'Both'? I assume you're some kind of officer, so I can see why you'd want the rabbit... but the thief? Surely he's as good to you dead as he is in a cell. Better, even. Less of a drain on the taxpayer," he added sardonically.

"No-one is dying here tonight," said Carmelita. "Besides... that criminal is mine."

"'Yours'?" Tai Lung sagged dramatically. "Oh, good lord. At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if Cooper's seduced half the policewomen on the planet!"

"Neither would I," said Carmelita icily. "But I'm not about to leave him to die. I'm stopping you right here."

"You?" Tai Lung chuckled. He turned conspiratorially to Judy. "Her?" he asked mockingly, nodding toward Carmelita. "She's a fox. You're a fox! What are you going to do, love, sell me a bridge?"

"No," said Carmelita. "I'm going to arrest you."

Tai Lung barked out a laugh. "Oh! Of course! How could I have missed that? Obviously you'll arrest me. It's not like you're a fraction of my size. It's not like you're an insignificant insect before me. It's not like you're just an idiotic little vixen who clearly has no idea she is dealing with the greatest kung fu master of all ti-"

Carmelita shot him in the face.

The blast of electricity exploded against him, his eyes screwing up in pain. "Agh! Dear god, right in the nose!" He gave her a look of genuine surprise. "How could yo-"

Carmelita shot him in the face again.

Tai Lung dropped his hostages to clutch at his maw. Murray jumped in from the side. He grabbed Sly and Judy and sprinted for the cars, unburdened by their comparatively small weights. It felt odd to run away from a cool fight, but he knew his priorities.

Tai Lung recovered, snarling at Carmelita. He dove for her – and Carmelita leapt backwards, far faster and higher than he had anticipated. She landed neatly on the railing of the seating area. Then she shot him in the face.

He roared and jumped at her again – and she jumped too, passing over him with a tight front-flip. She landed, turned on her heel, and shot him in the back of the head.

Nick stared. "Holy crap."

"Yep," said Bentley.

Murray arrived. He carefully lay Sly and Judy against the police cruiser – on the opposite side from the battle, just to be safe – and then turned around and charged back into the fray.

Nick looked Judy up and down. Her absolute stillness was terrifying. "Please please please please..." He checked her pulse, first at the neck, then the wrists to be thorough. Oddly slow, but definitely there. He leaned in close, listening intently. He felt a slight movement of air. Breath.

Nick heaved a sigh of relief. He felt heavy. He leaned against the cruiser, one hand over his face, trying to get a hold of himself.

"Uh..."

Nick started at the sound. He looked up to see Bentley watching him, somewhat bemused.

"Do you mind checking on Sly, too?" he asked.

Nick nodded. "Sure. Fine." He ran through the same procedures for Sly. He was okay, too – for a certain definition of 'okay.'

Carmelita never stopped moving, keeping just ahead of Tai Lung. He was relentless. She was forced to stop firing and focus entirely on defence. She needed an opening.

That opening arrived when – just as Tai Lung made a successful feint and almost grabbed her – Murray exploded in, wrapping his arms around Tai Lung's neck and pulling him to the ground.

Carmelita shot Tai Lung in the face.

Tai Lung growled. He jumped up, easily breaking Murray's hold. "Two on one, hmm? Easily remedied!" As Murray stood, he jabbed two fingers into the hippo's stomach.

They bounced off.

Tai Lung blinked. Again, he jabbed his fingers into Murray's stomach – again, to no avail.

"No!" he yelled. "Not this nonsense!"

"Sorry, chum," yelled Murray, "but it seems The Murray's bodacious bod is immune to your puny paralysis!"

Tai Lung's eye twitched.

Then he punched Murray, sending him flying into the opposite set of stands.

As Carmelita resumed shooting Tai Lung in the head, Murray refocused himself. "Man, this guy's not in a chipper mood."

Bentley heard him over the comms. "Well, good. The angrier he is, the better."

"Excuse me?!" said Nick. "How, exactly, do you suppose making the assassin angry is a good idea?"

"It's our gang's go-to tactic for psychological warfare," said Bentley evenly. "We've dealt with a lot of people like this over the years. There's always something that'll set them off – and when they're irritated, they start to make mistakes. It's one of our unspoken rules; 'when in doubt, annoy the other guy as much as possible.'"

Nick scoffed. "I thought you guys were supposed to be professionals. Irritating someone is like kicking down the door when you could've picked the lock. It's the blunt stick of con artistry."

"Well, you would know, wouldn't you?"

Nick hid his sudden pang of anxiety under indignation. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Bentley didn't answer immediately. Carmelita's behaviour – her willingness to team up despite an obvious lack of the fondness she'd once shown for them – indicated to him that police back-up was delayed. However, it would arrive eventually. The Cooper Gang needed to leave as soon as possible – and seeing the way Nick hunkered protectively over Judy made the way forward obvious.

"Listen, Nick -"

"'Officer Wilde'," snapped Nick.

"Of course. Officer Wilde, listen to me. We don't know anything about the long-term effects of this paralysis. We can't afford to waste time. Judy needs help now."

Nick smiled bitterly. "Your concern for Officer Hopps is noted. It's a good thing Inspector Fox is handling the situation," he said, just as Carmelita whacked Tai Lung in the nose with the side of her pistol. She followed this by shooting him in the face.

"Carmelita's a force of nature," agreed Bentley. "I don't doubt that she could beat Tai Lung. But we both know he's no push-over. She'll stop him, but it could take an hour. Two. It could be dawn before one of them gives up." His glasses glinted through the darkness. "... Are you prepared to risk that?"

Nick hesitated. He knew the smart thing to do was ignore Bentley and focus on his orders – but it was late and it had been such a trying day and Judy was laying there like a corpse...

He sighed angrily. "What do you suggest?"

"Clearly, we need to get Tai Lung to retreat," said Bentley. "But I'm afraid I've yet to solidify a specific plan."

Nick bit his lip. He tore his eyes away from Carmelita, dodging Tai Lung's sweeping claws. His gaze landed on the public payphones at the corner of the pitch.

"You're good with technology, right?"

"I like to think so," said Bentley drily.

"Prove it," said Nick. "I have an idea."

Tai Lung punched Murray in the chin, hard enough to disorient him. He turned to Carmelita just in time to get shot in the face.

He snarled and leapt at her, and she jumped backwards into the stands. Tai Lung slammed into the seating, crushing several decaying plastic chairs, but he lost sight of Carmelita. "Where are you?!"

Behind him, the shock pistol poked out from under a seat. It shot him in the side of the head.

He roared, his rage primal. With one kick he dislodged the entire row of seating, exposing Carmelita. She was surprised, but recovered quickly – just not quickly enough. As she jumped away Tai Lung's fist caught her, knocking her back into the pitch.

She landed roughly and growled her defiance – until she realized her pistol was some distance away. She and Tai Lung both ran for it, and he was almost there when Murray jumped in, pulling him back by the shoulders.

"Enough!" Tai Lung cracked his head back, hitting Murray in the nose. He broke free, shouted with fury, and kicked him across the pitch. Murray slammed into one of the payphones. The machine juddered slightly but didn't break.

A shot of electricity to the head seized Tai Lung's attention. He turned to Carmelita, gritted his teeth, and ran. He took one, two, three more shots directly to the face and suddenly leapt, closing the distance. He grabbed her by the neck with one hand and twisted her firing-arm away with the other.

"I will make your death agonizing!" he bellowed.

"Try it, Snowflake!" Carmelita yelled, kicking him in the stomach.

Then the phone rang.

They both looked up despite themselves. One of the payphones at the end of the pitch was ringing, its shrill tone a clear sign of age.

Murray picked himself up. "Don't worry, guys! I'll get it." He took the receiver. "The Murray speaking. How can I help ya?"

"Quick question," rumbled the phone. "Does my voice sound all deep and scary?"

"Um... yeah?"

"Great! Be a pal and put me on to Tai Lung."

"Oh...! Okay." Murray turned from the phone. "It's for you."

Tai Lung blinked. "What?"

"It's for you, man! Someone with a crazy deep voice. Sounds like a giant robot or something."

"Hmm," said Tai Lung. He casually flung Carmelita aside. She braced herself and rolled on impact, growling to herself.

Tai Lung stalked up to the phone and knocked Murray away. He took the receiver. "What?"

Behind the Cooper Gang's van, Nick steeled himself. A deep breath would probably be picked up by his cell phone, tightly held against his face. Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment, then spoke.

"Tai Lung," the voice purred, "that's enough."

"...Excuse me?" said Tai Lung. "'Enough'?"

"Indeed. That will be sufficient. You may leave."

Tai Lung gave the payphone an incredulous look, as though expecting the machine to apologise. "But... I haven't killed anyone yet!"

"Well, yes. I'm aware."

"Oh, you are, are you?" said Tai Lung, suspicion creeping into his voice. He looked to Murray, standing awkwardly nearby, and Carmelita, training her pistol on him from the stands. Then he squinted into the darkness, vaguely making out two vehicles. "... And just how do you know that?"

Nick was prepared.

"The traffic cameras, of course. Peridot gained access to them. I followed your little performance all throughout the district. Most impressive, but as I say. Sufficient."

Nick heard Tai Lung huff out a sigh. Apparently, his impression of Scar was suitably convincing. As it happened, it wasn't very difficult for Nick put on a snide and condescending air.

Tai Lung leaned an elbow onto the payphone. "Just give me a few more minutes, and I'll have killed them all."

"Those aren't my orders."

"Yes, well," said Tai Lung, shooting a glare at Carmelita, "I would very much like to kill them all anyway. Consider it pro bono."

"I won't repeat myself. That isn't necessary. All you need do is ensure the Cooper Gang are arrested."

Bentley gave Nick a withering look. "Bite me!" Nick mouthed silently.

"I'm getting pretty tired of you changing your plans like this, you know," growled Tai Lung. "What's stopping me from killing them anyway?"

Nick took the stab of fear in his chest and turned it to anger, pouring as much malice into his words as possible.

"Leave immediately... or you can consider our little contract terminated."

"Is that so?" drawled Tai Lung. "Just so we're clear... what exactly would that contract be, again?"

If Tai Lung was suspicious enough to question a direct order, Nick couldn't afford to think about his answer – hesitation would be more than enough proof he wasn't the mastermind. It was time to make an educated guess.

"Really, now. I didn't expect you to forget something so basic. You get me the diamond; I clear your record and get you a real job. Must I write that down for you?"

Tai Lung sighed through his teeth. "... No. I understand. I'll withdraw."

"Good."

Nick cut the call off abruptly. He felt that was in-character.

Tai Lung carefully, delicately, hung up the receiver.

Then he roared and ripped the entire apparatus straight out of the ground, flinging it into the stands.

He looked up sourly. Murray was still only a few feet away.

The hippo smiled awkwardly. "Um... bad news...?"

Tai Lung leapt towards him, snarling. He jabbed at Murray's stomach almost instinctively, forgetting his earlier failures – and Murray yelled out "Hurk!" and fell stiffly to the ground.

Tai Lung glanced confusedly between his fingers and the hippo. Then he scoffed quietly. "Oh, of course. Now it works."

He turned to meet Carmelita's unwavering gaze. "Luck is with you tonight, vixen," he snarled, "but heed my words; when our paths meet next, I swear I shall wreak a great and terrible ve-" and Carmelita shot at him again.

Tai Lung had finally learned – he dodged to the side. He roared at her, both as a threat and out of frustration. Then he turned and ran.

Carmelita growled. "Get back here, you scum!" She sprinted past Murray – who cracked an eye open as she passed. He quickly scrambled to his feet and ran for the van.

Nick exhaled, wiping his forehead. He slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Impressively done, Officer Wilde," said Bentley. "I see your reputation is well-deserved."

"Don't patronize me. You and your friends aren't going anywhere."

"Oh, believe me. You'll know when I'm patronizing you," said Bentley. "Unrelatedly: what's this thing?"

Nick glanced up, eyes tired, and whatever the thing was, it exploded into blinding white light.

Nick yelled in pain – and anger. His eyes screwed shut, he moved forward, clawing at Bentley.

Then he felt a large fist close around the back of his shirt collar. His paws left the ground. Nick struggled and swung, grabbing hold of the thick arm that held him up, but there was nothing he could do to break free.

He was placed – with surprising gentleness – on what felt very much like the backseat of the cruiser: leather, damp with rainwater. He began to crawl out of the car, but the door slammed, the sound too loud for his sensitive ears. He fumbled for the handle, but the door didn't yield. By the time he'd coaxed it open, his sight and Carmelita had almost returned.

She jogged up to him. "Nick! Are you alright?"

Nick groaned. "God... right in the night vision..."

He squinted around. Judy was still propped up where they'd left her – thank god – but the Cooper Gang were long gone.

He winced. "Carmelita, I'm so sorry! I let them -"

Carmelita held up a hand. The anger was gone from her – she seemed smaller now. "Don't apologise, Nick. It's my fault. I should've come back here to help you, instead of... losing my temper. The Cooper Gang have escaped from a lot more than a single rookie fox. You did well." She managed a smile. "Excellently, in fact. Am I right in thinking that was you on the phone? It seems you have a talent for impressions."

Nick shrugged at the ground. "Well, impressions are easy when you have a voice modulator. Which I guess I need to thank Bentley for." He blinked a few more times, mouth twisted in discomfort. "Not that I feel especially grateful right now..."

"I know the feeling," muttered Carmelita. "But forget about them. Judy still needs help. Any ideas?"

Nick thought for a moment. "... I know a guy."

Carmelita smirked. "Why does that not surprise me?"

"We'd better get going." Nick sighed heavily. "God... today has been so long."

"Well, Nick," said Carmelita, "tomorrow's another day."

"Yeah... but it could be worse."