(A/N: Before this chapter gets started I want to give a big thanks to Illabolixs for their wonderful review. It truly warms my heart to see someone enjoy reading my writing as much as I enjoy to write the actually story. Also before I get into the chapter a few more ages of reoccurring characters
Marian Wilde: 56
Mr. Big: 62
Fru Fru: 30
Koslov: 35
Alrighty without further ado, please enjoy Chapter 12!)
Chapter 12: Finnick's Battlefield
Finnick remained stunned, just staring at the words plastered on his screen. For the first time, his anger took a back seat for a different emotion. His ears began to twitch erratically, a tell that the fox was on high alert. In the distance he could hear Nick telling the other two mammals to go on in ahead of him. The little fox turned to see his larger friend lazily strolling towards him. Nick wasted no time.
"Alright radar ears, what's the problem?" Finnick cursed his instincts, they made it so obvious what the fox was feeling. He look cautiously at Nick and with a heavy sigh took to remembering their number 1 rule. Without so much as a response, Finnick tossed his phone to the fox and watched as his calm expression turned into fear. Nick's ears began to mimic Finnick's. On any other day the little fox would start laughing. "Well shit" Nick stated in a defeated tone.
"Well shit is right, but they said they don't plan on doing anything yet so I'm going to meet them." Nick wrote something down on a post-it note and promptly tossed the phone back.
"You said it, let's get moving." Nick began to move towards the van when all of a sudden he felt a small yet unbelievably strong paw stop his path. Nick placed on his hustling face and turned towards the fox. "Whatcha think you're doing Finnick?" The fennec scoffed in response.
"You really think I'm letting you come with? No chance, if they have my number they are most likely playing for the wrong side of the law. Let's be honest fistfights aren't really your forte."
"You think this is some kind of revenge thing?"
"Do you not?"
"It would make sense, especially based on two details if you think about it. One being that the police obviously haven't been notified about it, trust me I would know. The second one though, they somehow know you are involved and choose to target you first."
"If I was in their shoes I'd want to make the person suffer as much as possible. That would include family and friends so it's not all that hard to believe." Nick flashed the fennec a look.
"Okay Satan calm down, what I'm saying is it seems this person knows a lot about us. So maybe they texted you, knowing that you would show it to me. This is all speculation though of course."
"Regardless, you're not coming I'm just as guilty as you and I have my own battles to fight." Nick rolled his eyes and adopted a lazy expression once more.
"You and your pride holy shit. For all you know, you're about to waltz in to a trap and get killed over something that's not your fault." Finnick's eyes flashed red hot with anger. Did Nick truly forget about the day that started this entire fiasco? If it was anyone's fault it was his, no question. Nick might've been the killer, but the one who woke that killer was Finnick. It was a day that haunted him every night. Now though, was not the time for being consumed by guilt.
"I'm not having this argument right now Wilde!" Nick chuckled mockingly
"What are you gonna do, send me to my room?!" A devious grin now took its home on Finnick's face. Nick noticed and immediately regretted his words.
"Yo Marian! You should show Rookie Nick's kit photos!" Nick's eyes went wide as the word's echoed due to the large lungs of the little fox. Marian could be heard from the inside of the house.
"Oh! Wonderful Idea Fin! Nicky never brings his girlfriends home so I've never gotten to be the embarrassing mother! Come Officer DeMarini!" Nick's eyes were wider than when Judy had pegged him for tax evasion. If Rookie saw those pictures, the entire precinct would know and Nick's reputation would be ruined forever. Guess it was time to add a third tally mark to the Nick vs. Finnick board.
"No! Ma! Urgh!" Nick began sprinting towards the house in hopes of intercepting the lethal transaction. Finnick made his way for the van, taking one last look at his best friend. He always said he would take a dart for him and now…
"I just might have to."
Canal District: Red Panda Café
Finnick walked into the café unsure of what was about to transpire. First off the location was strange. If you wanted to intimidate someone you would either go to the Nocturnal District or Happytown. Second, the Red Panda Café was just that, a café; witnesses in every direction. Why would someone attempt revenge here? Unless… could the whole café be in on it? The thought hadn't occurred to him. He wasn't getting any younger, so he decided to just use the best strategy he knew. Full Frontal Assault! He approached the more raccoonish looking mammal who currently was working the front door unaware of the small fox's presence.
"Hi" Finnick's deep voice rumble. The little panda took a large gasp of air and flatten out on his back. Finnick gave him a confused look. The panda, whose nametag said Cuvier, quickly got up and bowed at the fox.
"Oh Heavens! You gave me quite the scare there sir! May I have the name of your reservation?" Finnick immediately checked off this place as being a threat. He scared the poor mammal without even trying.
"Uhh I'm not sure I have one, but I think someone may be waiting for me" The fox said scratching his head. Cuvier pulled out a book that was riddled with names and times.
"Ah I see, well just give me a name and I'll see if I find anything."
"Finnick, that's with two ns and a k at the end." Immediately the mammal's eye went wide and he quickly grabbed hold of Finnick's paw and started to drag him into the café.
"Glorious you've finally arrived, your poor date has been waiting on you for 30 minutes!" Finnick was now more confused than ever. "We gave her a VIP booth at the back of the restaurant to make her feel better because we thought she had been stood up! It is very rude of you to be so late!" Was this easily frightened waiter really scolding Finnick for being late to a date he didn't even know about? This day was going from weird to weirder and thought it would continue that way until he saw her. A rabbit with dark brown fur, with a scar on her face and multiple piercings. Finnick's eyes began to glow, not out of affection, but out of respect and only one word circled his mind
Badass!
The waiter quickly shuffled him into a seat and bowed at both of the mammals.
"It would seem your date has finally arrived! I will fetch some complimentary smoothies! Please take your time!" The red panda scampered off, with a gleeful look spread across his face. Once they were alone, Finnick noticed that the rabbit was just staring at him.
"Listen I know I'm good looking and all, but keep your damn eyes to yourself!" The rabbit came out of her trance and began to blush. Never mind this was still going to be a weird day.
"Sorry" the rabbit stated still not looking him in the face. Finnick was now irritated even more. Was this really the person who threatened him and Nick? Finnick would play along though and gather more information.
"So you're the one who sent the text right? Was this all too just get a date?" The rabbit instantly began to laugh at his statement.
"To get a date! Good one! I just needed a sob story to give the waiters in order to get this private room! So to answer your question Finnick, I'm doing all this for answers. Nothing more nothing less." The rabbit was now staring him dead in the eyes and beyond a doubt the shy act prior had all been a trick to force him to drop his guard. The fox placed a smirk on his face.
"Jeez, you bunnies are real sneaky like aren't ya. Maybe being hunted by us foxes wizened you up a little bit." The bunny chuckled.
"Please, you and I both know that stereotypes are bullshit, I mean look at Officer Wilde con-fox turned hero quite the story." Finnick almost slammed his fist on the table. He was be guilt-tripped by this stranger. It was impossible for this person to know exactly what buttons to push. "Oh where are my manners! Jessica Jumper pleasure to meet you!" The rabbit held out a paw for the fox to grasp and shake. The fox just looked at the extended paw and didn't even make a hint at a motion to grab it. The act actually kind of infuriated him.
"Listen rabbit, I didn't come her to make friends. I came here to answer your stupid fucking questions so that you leave Nick and me alone. Besides I already got a rabbit friend Mrs. Know-It-All and let me tell you, she is a million times better than you." Little did Finnick know that he had just warmed the heart of the rabbit sitting across from him her. This though, gave her an idea in order to get the fox talking.
"Of course Finnick, I'm not here to make friends either, but speaking of friends; how do you think Officer Hopps would feel about Nick's little spree." Judy hated to trick her friend like this, but it was the only way to ensure the fox told the truth. She noticed the effect immediately when the fox slammed his fist into the table. His silverware flying off it. True rage burning in his eyes.
"I swear on my life rabbit, if any of this reaches Hopps I'll kill you as slowly and as painfully as possible!" Judy had only heard stories from Nick about this side of Finnick. When his anger would completely take over and he wouldn't care about any of the consequences of his actions. "It took more than a decade for Nick to meet someone who finally brings out the best in him and anyone who threatens to ruin that will have to deal with me!" It was official, being undercover was the worst job ever.
"So it would seem, fine you answer my questions and Hopps never finds out. And I want the truth, if I find out you lied… well guess we will see each other another day eh killer?" The fox was still fuming and for a second Judy thought he hadn't heard her.
"You wouldn't even see me coming rabbit!" Judy felt her instincts yelling at her to run away. Who knew that Finnick would be one of the most intimidating mammals in Zootopia. She instead chuckled in order to maintain her composure.
"Right…so do we have a deal?" The rabbit just stared into the eyes of the fox. God she hoped he would accept or else this could go south real quick. The fox visibly began to calm down. His eyes seemed to lose the rage that once fueled them. His fists began to unclench as a small stream of blood began to drip from his right paw. He clenched at little too hard in an effort to control himself.
"Fine, deal I'll give you your fucking answers." Judy clasped her hands together. She felt has though the weight she had been caring around today was finally going to be lifted.
"Great, first question then! Where is Duke Weaselton?!" Judy noticed the immediate change in Finnick's demeanor that wasn't good. She could've sworn she noticed a tear forming in the eye of the fox, but that was ridiculous because Finnick didn't even cry after he broke his leg during the riots. She eagerly awaited the answer, but she was not ready for hit because it hit her like a truck.
"Isn't it obvious…Nick killed him"
Rainforest District: Marian Wilde's Home
"Holy crap Mrs. Wilde! This is the best pie ever!" Rookie shouted at his first bite of blueberry pie. He felt a swift whack of a wooden spoon hit his hand. He yelped in pain.
"Rookie DeMarini! You call me Mrs. Wilde one more time and I'll never serve you another slice of pie again!" Rookie took a large gulp of air as he heard the chuckling of another fox next to him.
"She'll do it you know, Fin accidently called her that one to many times so she started acting like an old lady and had him clean the entire house!" A look of terror took its place on Rookie's face. He is reckless when he is scared.
"You got it Mrs. –" Nick slammed the raccoon's face into his slice of pie as you would when pranking someone on their birthday. Marian gasped at the action.
"Nicholas Piberus Wilde! Must you always place your friends' faces in my masterfully crafted pastries?!" Nick began to laugh at his mother's reaction, while Rookie began to try and lick the remains of his pie off of his face.
"He does this to everyone Marian?" Rookie inquired.
"Well mostly to poor Fin. I don't think I've seen that boy peacefully enjoy one of my pies." Nick scoffed in response.
"Ma he is the one that starts it, I just end it" Marian rolled her eyes.
"Right because ending it is the same thing as me cleaning up after you two rascals running around the house chasing one another." Nick began to blush while Rookie placed a calm smile on his face.
"Well with that, I'm going to go rummage through dad's old office. See if I can dig up anything useful." Nick stated. Rookie noticed a slight change in Marian's posture. It seemed like she was worried all of a sudden.
"Oh… Of course, well I'll be in the garden then, those flowers won't take care of themselves!" Marian began making her way out the door, but stole one last look at her Nicky. He returned the look with a smiling face in order to signal that everything was going to be alright. With the door closing behind her the only two that remained were Rookie and Nick.
"Hey Rook, do you think you could help my Ma, she is getting pretty fragile and I'm sure she'd let you plant your own flower." He took noticed that the raccoon now wore a sad expression. "Woah turn that frown upside down big guy. What's eating ya?" Tears began to stream down Rookie's face. A strong hug to follow.
"Thank you so much Nick. You have no idea how much this means to me. He was right to send me after you." Nick chuckled at the sight. He wasn't one for emotional scenes and would try to break away. Until he processed all of what the raccoon had said.
"Wait…he? Who's he bud?" The raccoon broke the hug and started to wipe away his tears. He then placed a smile on his face.
"The guy who rescued me of course! He told me you would be able to help the pain I was feeling and point me in the right direction to finding my mother!" Nick felt a weird sense of duty fill his heart. Was he really that famous that someone would send a poor soul like Rookie after him in order to help him? He watched as the raccoon scrolled through his phone and quickly flashed him a picture. "It was this guy! He somehow got me out!" It warmed Nick's heart to know that such good animals existed outside of the ZPD. The picture showed a much younger Rookie couldn't be more that 12 or 13 years old. Next to him though, was a lion, with a big, powerful looking mane and a fine suit. Nick felt his control snap as he picked up the raccoon by the collar and slammed him into the cabinet behind them. Rookie's eyes widened in fear. Nick just snarled.
"Where is he?! Tell me Rook I need to know!" Rookie was starting to squirm, but Nick wasn't going let go anytime soon.
"Nick stop this hurts!" Rookie then got a look at Nick's eyes. They were dilated to an extreme amount. Almost has if he turned… savage.
"Rook, please I need to find that man in your picture. He needs to pay for what he's done!"
"Nick you're not making sense! This man saved me and… and… I won't let you hurt him!" Nick threw Rookie to the ground earn a pained yelp out of the younger officer. Tears streaming down both their faces now. Nick looked as though he was at the crossroads of becoming a savage. He began to produce a low growl.
"He helped found the Paws, Rookie! He is the reason that your family was captured in the first place!" Rookie found his own anger.
"So what if he founded it! So did your dad!" Nick was stunned by Rookie's words. "I'm not stupid Nick! I did a lot of digging on my enemy and I know for sure that these Paws we are after and the Paws you're dad founded were to very different organizations! Nick tried to interject, but Rookie kept going. "I don't blame your dad for this whole mess, in fact, I consider him a hero for what he did for Zootopia! For Fuck's sake even my father was a paw during the abolishment of the shock collars!" Nick just shook his head. A dreary look on his face.
"This has nothing to do with the Paws, past or present. Leodore Lionheart killed my father." Rookie put a paw to his mouth in shock. Nick placed a weak smile on his face. "Rookie do you know where that bastard is?" Rookie was hesitant to respond, but felt honor bound to tell the truth.
"Yes I do Nick." Nick's expression was that of content. He was closer now than he had ever been to finally killing that lion.
"Oh Nicky…" Nick and Rookie's ears both shot up had the much older fox who was now standing in the doorway. Nick hadn't even heard her come in. She was holding a flash drive in her paws.
"Ma… What's that?" Marian sighed like an old war veteran who had seen too much.
"It's a message sweetheart"
"A message?" This was the first that Nick was never informed about some kind of message. Marian embraced the fox in a hug that only a mother could give. Nick felt his troubles receding.
"Your father's dying words were for me to show you what is on this flash drive. I was told to give it to you once you weren't in danger anymore."
"In danger of what?" Marian made the hug more intense. Nick had a bad feeling about this whole situation. He caught a quick glimpse of Rookie. He looked so defeated with tears in his eyes. That outburst was gonna need some fixing later.
"In danger of losing yourself." Nick stared his mom in the eyes. She somehow knew about the things that happen to him. What he has done. Somehow… Mothers always know. "I want to show you this so badly, but...but right now this will break you." Now it was Nick's turn to tighten his hold on his mother. "You have to face the demons you have right now and then, if you win, this flash drive is all yours." What was Nick's life coming to? All he wanted to be was a simple fox with simple dreams.
Canal District: Red Panda Café
"The body was incinerated by a pal of mine. I've been doing this for a long time rabbit." Finnick had just finished recounting the events that had transpired the prior night. The rabbit across from him stayed motionless. Her eyes never left his, from all the prisoners she has had the displeasure of investigating Finnick's eyes were one of the darkest. Judy couldn't break character though, she still had one more question.
"I didn't know the infamous Nick Wilde had a taste for murder." The words came out of her mouth like saltwater. Finnick looked as though he was about to pounce, but rather slid back into his chair.
"He doesn't…Whoever is the one that kills the animals. It's not Nick…He…He has a problem." The rabbit was intrigued.
"A problem?" Finnick immediately made an obvious gesture as though he was cursing his own words.
"Sorry, but that's the one thing I won't talk about. I've said too much already." The rabbit really wanted to push on, but she noticed that Finnick truly wasn't going to budge.
"Fine… we all have our secrets I suppose. Now tell me Finnick… What happened the day you went to get Mr. Big's help?" The fox looked at her with unbridled fury.
"How do you know all this?! I never want to talk about that day again!" Judy didn't think it would trigger the fox so much. She let him continue. "That day was the biggest mistake of my life! I ruined my best friend!" For someone who didn't want to talk about he was surprisingly getting into it. Then it clicked with Judy. He was lying… He desperately wanted to talk about it; keeping it inside all these years. Judy reached up and removed the fake scar from her face along with the piercings. She watched as the fennec realized who she really was.
"Finnick I'm sorry I needed answers." Finnick just continued to stare.
"Judy?!" Judy just nodded and placed a tender paw on Finnick's. The tears that he perpetually fought back were out of the bag now.
"Finnick tell me the story." Finnick furiously pulled his paw away from hers, tears still the ruler of his eyes.
"You tricked me into to giving you evidence. Now Nick is going to be giving the death sentence. How could you?" Judy shook her head.
"I haven't recorded anything we said. I have no proof and I plan to keep it that way." Finnick was shocked. Judy was the model and idol for cops everywhere. She was at her happiest when enforcing the law.
"I don't understand. You love being a cop. Enforcing the law is your drive in life isn't it." Judy giggled and look away as though she was reminiscing.
"I thought so too, but for some reason I wanna protect Nick more than anything. Whenever I think about him I get butterflies and sometimes he is all I think about. I'm in love with Nicholas Wilde" She exclaimed more to herself than to Finnick. Finnick just stared at the rabbit. "So Finnick I need to know everything. What happened on that day?!" Finnick, broken from his trance, let out a sigh and began to just look up.
"May 27th, 2006. I was 17 and Nicky was 16. It was the day that I drove him to kill."
(A/N: The Zootopia Blu-Ray came out yesterday so this chapter is a celebration of that. I don't have much to say other than thanks for reading yet another chapter and I hope you'll read the next one as well. Take care!)
