Well as much as I would love to torture you guys with a really long wait for the answer to the cliffhanger at the end of last chapter. I couldn't bare the suspense myself and started working on this the same day I finished the last installment. I hope you appreciate it. ;)

Edited by InkleCherrySeed

Chapter 10

part 3: Future Fears

The mammal was without a doubt Ryan Snowlence. The pictures Nick and Judy had seen of him matched. The trio stood there quietly and completely still. Everyone was waiting for the other person to make the first move. At the same instant the large cat sprinted to the side and the fox and bunny duo chased after; all heading for one of the small domes.

"Stop!" Judy shouted in a commanding voice. The lynx didn't reply he just ran harder until he burst through the door to the outside.

Both Nick and Judy threw themselves against the door but it didn't budge. "We're not going to get this open in time!" Judy yelled. She yanked on her ears as she tried to think of what to do.

"We got to go around, let's go!" Nick grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around. Speed is what they needed and it was not easy for Nick to achieve with his brace and hurt knee. But Judy was already pulling ahead of him and he wasn't going to let her run into trouble without him at her side.

Even with Nick pushing himself to the limit Judy still out paced him and was through the front doors of the building at least thirty seconds before he was. By the time he had burst through the doors Judy was already rounding the corner coming back towards him.

She started waving her arms getting his attention. "Get to the car they're already in theirs!" Nick didn't need to be told twice as he made a beeline straight for the red convertible with Judy joining him a second later.

They both reached it at the same time. Nick threw his door open and Judy lunged in it all the way in to the back seat. Nick threw himself into the driver's seat and jammed the keys in the ignition. After a couple of times pumping the gas pedal the engine roared to life. Without even hesitating Nick popped the clutch and the tires screeched and burned as they flew out of the parking lot after a white van.

"Judy what are you doing back there?!" He asked as he looked in the rear view mirror.

"I left a vest in here the last time you took me for a ride. I'm getting that on."

Nick swerved to miss a group of mouse sized cars. "Why did you leave that in here?!"

"It was an accident. Now stop yelling and focus on driving!" She yelled from the back as she strapped the vest on. After a second she climbed into the front seat and buckled herself up.

"Call for backup. Try to get a road block set up." Judy nodded her head; cellphone already in her paw.

She pulled the phone away from her head and looked over at Nick with eyes full of worry. "I don't have signal Nick. They must have a jammer."

Nick was quiet for a second as he thought. Then he had it. He reached forward and turned the CB radio on. If this was any other time Judy would have commented on how nice the red back lighting in it looked. He pointed at the largest knob on the left side of the radio. "Switch it to channel nine. We should still have people that have ears on there." She did as he said and turned the knob until the displayed number read nine.

"Alright Nick."

Nick reached forward and grabbed the mike. "Breaker O nine breaker O nine. This is Officer Wilde. Does anyone read me? Repeat, this is Officer Wilde. Does anyone read me?"

They were quickly approaching the climate wall and subsequently the tunnel to Sahara Square. From what Nick could tell they were heading straight for the bridge that crossed the river and would lead into the trees. The van was trying to lose them.

Suddenly the static from the CB quieted; "This is Officer Graves of Precinct 2. I read you Wilde. What do you need?"

"I'm in the middle of a high speed chase with a high priory target. I need you to patch me through to Precinct 1 and call for backup. Can you do that?"

"I will try, give me a moment."

As they were talking the van they were chasing was doing everything in its power to evade them. But with Nick's racing engine he had little trouble keeping up. It was another story trying to maneuver so he wouldn't hit anyone or anything.

When they rounded a corner Nick could see the tunnel and they were approaching fast.

Nick held down the button on the mike. "Listen Graves. I'm about to lose signal. Call in an O-seven lion sized van; white! There's a red 72 LTD chasing behind it; that's me. I think they're heading for the bridge going out of the city; to Bunnyburrow. Try and block them off."

"Roger that Wilde I'll get stuff going. You just stay on them don't lose them."

"I don't plan on it." He said to himself.

The tunnel they were about to go through was going through maintenance so there wasn't anything in their way on the left side of the road. The tunnel was a quarter mile long with a slight curve in it. It took the two cars less than a minute to fly through.

Nick had no idea how the van was going so fast. A look at the speedometer told him they were both going over eighty five miles an hour. If the ZPD didn't respond fast they would blow past the bridge before the ZPD could set up a road block.

As all this happened Judy was sitting and praying that no one would get hurt in this high speed chase. She hated being the passenger in these things. When she was in control of the vehicle it wasn't as scary to drive at breakneck speeds. Now she knew how Nick felt when she drove.

She looked up at an approaching road sign that read: Watering Hole Bridge two miles. "Nick I don't think the ZPD is going to make it." She worried out loud.

"Never mind that Carrots I'm not going to let these guys get away. We'll just call in our position so backup can find us." He spoke quickly and with authority. Gone was the fun loving fox; this was Nick when the world needed a hero and he decided he fit the bill. Judy was glad he could be serious when the time called. "Hang on Carrots!" He shouted.

Before Judy knew what was going on Nick swung a hard right after the van. Their momentum carried them into the curb which the tires jumped up on. For a second they were driving on the sidewalk. Nick was fast to act and pulled back onto the road so he didn't hit anyone.

"I hope the ZPD pays for the damages to this thing." Nick muttered as he shifted back into forth gear.

Again the van took a hard turn; this time to the left. But Nick was ready for it this time. He shifted back into third gear and the engine roared in protest, but is slowed them down so they could make the turn without fishtailing off the road again. As soon as they were straightened out Nick shifted back to forth.

After they rounded the last turn Nick and Judy could both see the bridge. There was no one there yet. No police cruisers, no blockade waiting to save the day. They were on their own. Judy cursed under her breath and Nick floored the gas pedal.

Since Nick was busy with driving; Judy picked up the mike to the CB. "This is Officer Judy Hopps to Officer Graves. Do you read me?"

"I read you Hopps."

"We're approaching the bridge and backup hasn't showed up. We're going to keep pursuing the van. We'll update our position as needed."

"Roger that Hopps. Backup is on its way, just hang in there."

"Will do, thanks." She released the button and replaced the mike next to the radio.

As it was late and almost dark nobody really would be driving on this road. So all they needed to do was keep track of the van and they would be alright. That could prove hard if the van turns off into the trees. Then they could lose them.

Even with everything that was going on there was one thing that was bugging Judy. Obviously Nick was going to tell her something important earlier when they were dancing together. She had no idea what it was. It was enough to have him acting weird. And that meant it was getting to him, and very few things got to him; so it was really important.

"Nick I know this isn't a good time to ask. But what were you going to say before my parents called?"

Nick went rigid. "I really don't think this is good time to have that conversation. I promise I'll tell you after we catch these guys."

"I'm going to hold you to that, I know it was important and- Nick they're turning look out!" She screamed.

Nick barely had time to hit the brakes before he hit the van they were chasing. And even with his slowed speed they were still too fast to make a turn like that. "Hold on again Carrots!" He spun the wheel hard to the left and did a full U-turn and then swung to the right directly onto the dirt road the van had turned down.

Nick started applying the speed again. "Slow down Nick! If you go too fast we might lose control." She pointed up ahead where they could see the tail lights of the van. "They're going too fast on this dirt road and they're high profile. I hate to say it but there's a huge chance they might roll themselves on a turn they don't see coming."

Nick nodded his head and slowed down enough so that he could still keep up and maneuver.

Once again Judy reached over and picked up the radio. "This is Officer Hopps. Me and Officer Wilde just turned down a dirt road about ten miles out of town on the left side of the road. We're still in pursuit of the white van."

This time around a new voice came over the radio. One that both the fox and rabbet were relieved and terrified to hear. The voice of Chief Abrams Bogo. "Hopps, Wilde! What are you two doing?! I put you both on leave and you decide to work on the case anyway?! I swear if this isn't some kind of crazy coincidence I'll have your badges by the end of the night!"

Nick took the mike from Judy and put it near his mouth. "It's nice to hear you too Chief. Now could you please, with sugar on top; let the backup know where we are?"

"Shut that smart little mouth of yours Wilde!" There was a pause. "And yes I'll let them know." He said it much more quietly and almost like he was, ashamed?

Neither Nick or Judy had much time to think about it as they saw the van's tail lights disappear. Ether they had suddenly shut them off or they had gone around a sharp corner. When their car reached the spot they discovered it was indeed a corner. Along the outside edge of it there was a hill that sloped down pretty steeply. As Nick rounded the corner he couldn't see any sign of the van. So he started picking up speed again.

It was pretty dark. The only light was the last remnants from the sun set and the car's lights. So it was pure luck as they were turning around the corner that Judy was looking out the side window, when she saw more light.

Right as Nick started picking up speed again Judy saw the van's headlights down the hill. It was on its side. They must not have seen the turn and ran right off the side of the road. "Stop Nick! I see the van!"

He slammed on the breaks and the car skidded to a stop. "Where?!" He looked to her and saw her pointing down the hill. "Great I hope we don't have to chase them on foot."

"Yeah me too. Let's just hope it knocked them out."

They unbuckled and mentally prepared themselves for anything. "You ready Carrots?" She nodded her head. "Alright, let's do this."

They both jumped out of the convertible. As they walked down the hill towards the over turned van they were giving each other paw signals. It was agreed that Nick would approach the van and see what the situation was and how bad it was. If thinks started getting bad and any one was awake Judy would come in from the side for a sneak attack. They nodded and smiled at each other one last time before they split up.

As Nick approached the wreck he saw the lynx already getting back to his feet using a nearby tree to help him out. They met eyes and both froze on the spot.

The lynx cracked a smile and spoke in a raspy voice. It sounded a lot like Manchas only he had a different accent. "Let me tell you this much, you've got a fast ride. I've always been able to outrun the people chasing me."

Nick skipped the pleasantries and cut right to the point. "Why would you and Grant steal from that observatory? What did they ever do to you?"

Another smile crossed the feline's face. "So it is true that when you and that rabbit get put on a case you get results. I'm surprised you two figured it out. By the way where is the cute little thing?"

"She stayed behind to bring backup. And you are Ryan Snowlence. And you and your brother have been stealing from the Yacks Observatory."

"Yeah pretty much." He shrugged with his answer.

"How did you guys get out of maximum security prison?" Nick asked in bewilderment.

"Let me tell you the truth. We didn't. Every time we have a job our boss comes and picks us up. When that job is done he puts us right back. We'll be back in there before morning and no one will be the wiser."

"You're wrong there buddy; you just told me how you do it." Nick smirked.

"No, I believe you are the one that is wrong. If I'm guessing correctly since you guys figured out who we are; you know what we do to people that catch us."

Nick's eyes widened as the cat reached into his jacket and pulled out a revolver. Not just a tranquilizer that looked like a revolver; a real gunpowder powered; lead firing gun. As fast as he possibly could Nick ran straight at Ryan.

CRACK

Nick's ears were wringing and his vision was very blurry, somehow he was on the ground. When he tried to sit up pain exploded in his right shoulder. So much pain all he could do was grunt as stars appeared in his vision. He had been shot. His plan did work however; by running straight towards Ryan it made it hard it line up a shot. So he only got hit in the shoulder and not the head.

"NICK!" Judy's voice screamed out from behind the cat, it was filled with fear and anguish. This had Nick trying to roll over so he could see what was happening. He didn't want Judy to get hurt.

When the gun went off Judy was still getting a running start to do a double kick to the back of the thief's head. When she saw Nick lying on the ground motionless. Her heart broke and the worst outcome came to mind. She couldn't help the scream for him that that she uttered while in midair.

Nick had rolled over, the adrenaline coursing through his veins dulling the pain and giving him strength. He looked up at Ryan to see the most frightening thing in his entire life. Most people would think that would be staring down the barrel of the gun, but that was not it. Nick looked up to see the lynx in mid turn with a paw reached out with Judy heading right for it. Nick watched helplessly as his friend, partner, and the bunny he loved was caught right out of the air by her foot.

Judy curled upwards and started striking the huge paw that held her upside down. She relaxed after a second and started using her other leg to try to kick the cat's wrist, all to no avail.

"Ah ah ah." The feline raised his other paw and wiggled his finger. "We won't be having any of that."

"You don't scare me thief!" She yelled.

"Oh, well let me tell you something. You're just a tiny cute little thing to me. I could end you so fast you wouldn't even feel it!" He spat.

Judy's lips curled back in a vicious snarl. "You don't have the guts!" She growled between clinched teeth.

The cat stood up straight "I don't? Well how about this!" The lynx turned so fast swinging Judy by her leg. At the last possible second he let go of her. She flew through the air and slammed, back first, into one of the massive trees with a sickening smack. The impact made her back bend backwards in an unnatural way around the tree. There was no delay on her fall; no staying stuck to the tree for a second. She literally bounced off of it and landed on her front.

Nick watched all this in silent horror. He was unable to utter a single word. When Judy made contact with the ground, her and Nick met eyes. She held her paw out to try to reach him. Her eyes were filled with pain, fear, and regret. Her paw swayed and dropped to the ground as her eyes fell shut.

"JUDY!"

Ryan walked over to the bunny. "Oh shut up fox! I'll get to you in a minute." He said as he pointed the gun at her limp body.

NO NO NO! Nick didn't know how but he was up and he was running.

"So much for the first bunny cop." Ryan laughed. Then he pulled the trigger.

BANG

When he surveyed his work he expected to see just the bunny. But that wasn't the case. In the last possible second Nick had dived over Judy's body and shielded her from the bullet.

"Two with one bullet." He laughed. There was no way they both survived a full metal jacketed round. It would have gone through both of them and into the ground a ways.

Ryan pulled out a simple walkie-talkie. "Grant I've taken care of the cops. Come pick me up; we have a delivery to make." After that he turned away from the fox and rabbit and walked back up the hill where another white van was already waiting for him.

Pain; unimaginable pain. This is all Nick Wilde could focus on; was the pain. Suddenly he felt another massive burst of adrenaline. "Judy." He mumbled voice sounding drunk.

He tried to roll off his friend but the pain seared through his shoulder and now in his abdomen even worse than before. He waited a second and tried again, this time with success. Then he crawled up to Judy's chest and laid his head on it. Nothing; no heartbeat.

This caused Nick to start panicking. He moved his ear to her mouth; he couldn't hear her breathing either. Nick started breathing hard and his heart rate picked up. He put his paws under himself and pushed up. He didn't care about the pain anymore.

He leaned over the bunny and undid the Velcro that held the vest closed. As soon as her chest was exposed he started doing compressions. Each and every one shot pain down his back and arm; but it didn't matter. Almost immediately his blood from his shoulder was starting to get on her.

"Come on Hopps, wake up." After the first set of compressions he leaned down and blew air into her mouth. He couldn't help but notice how soft her lips were. It was a sick thought to have at this moment and Nick hated himself for it.

Again he started another set of compressions. He was starting to become frantic. Could she be gone? No! I won't believe that! Never! As he continued he started hearing pops and cracks. They were the sounds of her ribs breaking and it brought the fox to tears. He would never hurt her, and yet here he was breaking her ribs trying to save her life. "Come on Judy. Don't do this to me."

Nick leaned down and gave her air and started compressions again. "Please Judy. Don't do this." Tears were now freely streaming down his face. But he didn't stop: Give breath, compressions, give breath, compressions.

After so many sets of compressions he had lost count Nick slowly began to realize the bunny was gone and he couldn't bring her back.

Judy Hopps was dead.

Nick was shaking because of his crying. "No no nononono." He leaned down and put an arm around her little body and another behind her head. Slowly with all his remaining strength he sat up with her cradled in his arms.

"Why Judy? Why do you have to go? I never got to tell you how I felt. I never got to hold you when you cried. I never got to kiss you every day. I never got to say how much I love you. There I said it! And you'll never hear it. I love you Judy Hopps and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He leaned forward and placed a tinder kiss on the top of her head.

He cried like he never had before. He cried harder than when he was bullied by the ranger scouts. He cried harder than when his dad died. He sat rocking back and forth with the only person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with cradled in his arms as he slowly stroked her velvety ears.

But then he heard something. And he was silent for a second thinking it might be the backup they were promised. Then he heard it again. It wasn't the sound of police cars.

It was a little gasp. He must be going crazy. His heart broken mind must be making this up to deal with the trauma. But again he heard a gasp, this time louder.

Thinking he was crazy to even think such a thing Nick leaned his ear down to Judy's mouth and listened. What he heard brought fresh tears to his eyes.

He heard the bunny in his arms breathing. Judy Hopps was alive! Nick held her close and thanked whatever god was out there for a second chance. Again he cried, he cried because of the relief he felt.

Suddenly Nick was aware of how cold he was and how dizzy he was starting to feel. A quick mental survey told him he felt particularly cold on his shoulder and on his lower back. This told him both the bullets went all the way through him. This was good and bad. Good because there weren't any bullets in his body that a doctor would need to find. And bad because he was losing blood faster because of it.

He needed to get to his car to call in Evac. Otherwise he would bleed to death before they got here. As carefully as he possibly could he stood up with Judy still in his arms. One step at a time he climbed the hill. He didn't want to hurt Judy further so he took it even slower.

After what felt like a thousand mile walk Nick reached his car. Both doors were still open from their rush to get down there which he was thankful for.

He slowly climbed into the passenger side with Judy still in his arms. He switched to supporting her with his one good arm and reached for the mike with the other. When he got it close enough to his mouth he hit the button.

"This, is. Officer, Wilde. Both Officers, Hopps, and I, are. Severely injured." He was having a really hard time talking and he was starting to shiver uncontrollably from the coldness he felt. "Our position is, ten and a half, miles, out of, town. Three, miles down, a, dirt road, on the, left." The pauses between his words were getting longer.

"I'm..not…sure….how..much…longer..we…can.. Last." After that he dropped the radio. "Don't….worry…Carrots…we'll….be….alright." The last word was a whisper.

He knew he was going to pass out and he didn't want to drop Judy. So using all the remaining energy he had left the fox reached down and pulled a lever and the seat reclined back.

"There….now….we….can….relax." The last thing Nick saw was his partner. She was so beautiful, especially with the way a red and blue glow seamed to dance over her gray fur.

Alright here I am at two twenty seven in the morning. I started working on this at ten and couldn't stop. Believe it or not I've had the idea for this chapter in my head since before I even started working on this story. Wow my life has really changed since then.

Now my first question for the chapter is did I make you cry? I actually made myself cry while I was writing the part where Judy died. How did I do with the chase scene and the rest of the action-y parts?

I know I said this was going to be the last chapter in the arc but I'm not sure yet. I think I can do better. Next chapter maybe?

Also what do you guys think about what Ryan told Nick. Who is pulling the strings?

Next off I would like to send out a massive thanks to all the people that have liked, faved, and followed this story. And I would also like to welcome everyone than is new. These last few chapters were some really big ones. And seeing your feedback has made the lack of sleep more than worth it. Thank you guys so much!

Okay last but not even close to least. I got permission to use some art by the amazing artist Asestrada157 over on deviantart for a scene in this chapter. The picture is amazingly well done. You guys NEED to go check it out. Not only does it show sort of what happened in this chapter, Asestrada deserves every bit of praise for the work they put into it.

Look up cry by Asestrada157 to see the picture.

Thank you so so much for letting me barrow this Asestrada! When you said I could I just had to cry a little I was so happy.

I'm sorry to say but updates are going to slow down a tiny bit for now. I will try my absolute hardest to get one out every two weeks.

That's all for now guys. Bye! :)