And I'm back! Time to finally continue and FINISH the last story I will ever post to FanFiction. I may, in the future, revamp my KFP fanfic so it is better quality, the same way I did with Vexx. Either way, I'm glad you readers have bared with me. It's time to end this drug cartel. Time to solve this case. To end this story.
Chapter 20
The scene was joyful. The gunfight between the forces of the ZPD & SWAT and Carson Reynolds' gang had been won by the good, with no casualties and only one injury. Inside the armored SWAT van, Officer Wilde still cradled the small Officer Hopps, who had taken a bullet to the chest. Though stopped by her bullet proof vest, the bullet impacted with enough force on her small frame to break ribs and send her flying. As she began to wake from the unconscious state it left her in, the pain of her injuries hit her with a vengeance. It was all Nick could do just to comfort her.
Outside, a primal battle had been waged and won. Officer Ark Fanger had been hit with a Night Howler pellet, forcing Chief Bogo to face him as an animal. That fierce fight between predator and prey was ended when the cure for the serum was brought to the scene, and with his dearest friend well again, Bogo led a celebration for all the officers, including the now rescued Angelica Coldmen. However, that celebration was cut short.
During the struggle of predator and prey, a wounded and dying Jaguarondi was adamant on fighting until death. With the last of his strength, he raised his firearm from his position on the ground and aimed at Bogo. The bullet flew, breaking the joyful cries with the sound of a gunshot, and within a fraction of a second, Chief Bogo hit the ground and the Jaguarondi breathed his last breath. If only Bogo was in a better position. Though he was wearing body armor, the armored plates in his vest only covered his front and back. His sides were protected only by Kevlar, which was easily breached by the fast moving bullet fired from the pistol of the now dead henchmen.
The bullet passed through the side of Bogo's armor and into his chest, taking him very quickly to the ground. Ark froze; he could barely process what had just happened in front of him. With his closest friend on the ground, the world around him slowed. Ark watched as Bogo lay motionless, save for convulsing only to cough up blood, and after nearly half a minute, he dropped down to cradle his downed comrade.
"Medic! We need a medic here!" Ark screamed to the ambulances still on sight.
Very quickly, two panthers rushed out with a stretcher. Ark moved aside and let them move Bogo, but followed them to the ambulance.
"Looks like a punctured lung," one of them said as they loaded into the ambulance.
"The bullet could've fragmented coming through the armor. We need to get him into surgery, fast," the other added as the doors to the ambulance closed, leaving Ark to stand and watch them pull away, stunned by the events that took minutes to happen.
Little did anyone know, Officer Nick Wilde was listening to it all as well. Every word the panthers spoke about the downed chief. First Judy, then Bogo. None could've comprehended the anger he felt toward the one responsible; towards Reynolds. He wanted nothing more than to make that cat suffer, but at the same time, he felt conflicted. Would Judy want that? Even after what he has done, would Judy want Reynolds to suffer and be put to death? No. She wouldn't. Without waiting any longer, Nick lifted his injured friend into his arms and carried her out to another waiting ambulance, he held her hand as she was loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. He was ready to get in with her, but was stopped upon hearing Officer McHorn return from chasing after Reynolds.
"Where's Chief Bogo?" he said, looking around for the Chief.
"Hopefully very close to Zootopia General by now," Ark replied, "Where the hell is Reynolds?"
"We lost him, Ark. He escaped into the subway," McHorn answered.
Nick froze. Reynolds escaped? The job wasn't over. Ark was less than pleased by this outcome.
"Mobilize all units! I want every subway station under surveillance. Every tunnel leading out of the city shut down! Find Reynolds, now!" Ark ordered with fury in his voice.
None hesitated to follow his orders. Nick left Judy to the care of the medics in the ambulance and rushed to Ark's side, wanting to be ready to help him.
"Ark, what's our play? Where would he go?" asked Nick.
"I don't know," Ark replied as Officer Coldmen was loaded onto a stretcher.
Ark watched as her abused and malnourished body was loaded into the last ambulance and sped off to the hospital. Seeing her taken off was the final thing to send him into overdrive.
"But we're gonna find out. Come on!" He ordered, leading Nick to a Police cruiser and driving them back to the ZPD.
The drive was fast, quiet, and heated. Ark was radiating anger. Nick could see a fire in his eyes which meant only bad intentions, but he was in no position to calm the tiger down. Ark was quick to storm into the building as soon as they arrived, not even pausing as he rushed back to the temporary holding cells, where the two sons of Carson Reynolds were still held, patiently waiting for news of their father's arrest. As soon as they saw the fuming White Tiger enter the holding area, both brothers stood to attention. The eldest was the first to speak.
"You got him?" Jeff said hopefully.
"The bastard escaped. He fled into the subway. All exits of the city have been shut down, so I need you to tell me now, where would he go?" Ark asked in reply, more to the like of demanding information.
"Is Angel ok?" Don asked, ignoring Ark's demands.
"Answer my question, where would he go?"
"Tell me first, is Angel alright?" Don repeated, undeterred by the Tiger.
Ark was taken back by the question. Not because of the balls it took for that feline to step up like that, but because of the genuine concern in his eyes. He truly cared for the wellbeing of Officer Coldmen.
"She's alive. Banged, bruised, and could be much better, but she's at the hospital now," he said, trying to sound calm.
Don Reynolds looked relieved.
"If he escaped, there's only one place I know of that he would go. An old theme park; construction on the place was never finished. Wild Times. Inside the funhouse, he made himself a little hold. That's where he brought us when he was caught all those years ago," Jeff explained.
"Wild Times. I've heard of it, in the Jungle District. A place for only predators. Funhouse. You boys have done me a great service," he replied, once again trying to sound calm as he started to walk away.
"Wait!" Don shouted, grabbing Arks attention, "Be careful in that place. The funhouse is like a maze. House of mirrors, sliding floors. He's at home there, but you'll by tripping over your own tail."
Without another word, Ark nodded and made his way back out to the main atrium. Nick was there waiting for him.
"Anything?" he asked.
"Jungle District. Wild Times Funhouse. If he's anywhere, he's there."
"Great. I'll notify Francine's group. She can help us out-"
"No! I go in alone. Reynolds is mine," Ark said, before quickly moving out to the car.
Nick didn't even have time to follow before the Police Cruiser pulled out and sped down the road towards the Jungle District. For a few minutes, Nick stood staring at the road, contemplating the intentions of the White Tiger.
"Why would he go in alone?" Nick thought, "That has no advantage. Bringing Reynolds in would be much easier with a larger force. Unless…"
Officer Wilde ran with wide eyes to the nearest cruiser. If he was going to stop Ark from making such a mistake, he would need a voice of reason. Someone who could talk to the anger-driven predator. He would need the sweetest, most convincing and trusted officer on the force. He would need Officer Judy Hopps. The fox rushed to Zootopia General, hoping to god that she was in any condition to help him save the sanity of their friend. Still clad in uniform, Nick entered the hospital and went straight to the front desk, which luckily had no line. The counter was significantly taller than he was, with a Doe behind on the computer.
"Hopps, Judy. How is she doing?" He asked urgently.
The Doe didn't hesitate to quickly tap a few buttons on the computer.
"She's in recovery now. Two fractures ribs, due to be released home in the morning," she explained.
"Bump up her release by order of the Zootopia Police Department," Nick ordered, playing a power card he'd never used before.
"Sir, I can't do that-"
"Do it anyways!" Nick quietly exclaimed, before glancing around and making sure there were no listening ears, "Lives are at stake here. Cops, citizens, and the capture of a Crime Boss who has been at large for almost twenty years. Officer Hopps is the key to bringing it all to a safe close and making this city a safer place, but I need her now."
The doe hesitated for a few seconds before the urgency of his words his her. She spent five minutes typing something up, which she printed out and handed to him.
"Room 13B. Give this to the doctor inside, and he'll give you her uniform."
Nick quickly took the paper and jogged to Building B. Following the signs posted on the walls, he made his way to room 13, which was closed. Inside, Nick could hear the voice of Judy speaking to another male voice, which was asking her questions about her condition. He knocked on the door.
"Come in," he heard the Doctor say.
Upon entry, Judy perked up. She was in a hospital gown, and through the arm holes, Nick could see her entire upper torso was wrapped in a tight bandage.
"Nick," Judy said softly.
"Hey, Carrots. How're you feeling?" Nick asked, walking over by her bed.
"I'm doing much better-"
"Sir, visiting hours end at seven thirty. That was fifteen minutes ago," the doctor, a moose, stated.
Nick looked up at him and handed him the paper, "This is a release order for Officer Hopps issued by order of the Zootopia Police Department."
Hearing this, Judy realized that something had to be wrong. The moose took the paper and lifted up his glasses, looking over the document closely.
"Release order? That can't be right, she was supposed to be released tomorrow afternoon," he said, sounding confused.
"I assure you, it is."
"Nick, what's going on?" Judy asked, concern in her voice and worry in her eyes.
"I'll explain in a bit. Doctor, please fetch her uniform. Time is not on our side," Nick requested.
Though he was reluctant, the doctor did as he was asked, leaving to retrieve Judy's outfit. He returned within a few minutes, before leaving again so Judy could get dressed. Nick remained in the room, with his back turned respectfully. He could hear an assortment of zippers and Velcro for a little while before she gave him the clear to turn.
"Alright, so what's going on?" Judy asked, as they exited the room.
"The raid on the compound. We rescued Officer Coldmen," Nick replied.
"That's good. What about Reynolds?"
"He escaped."
"He what?" Judy exclaimed, darting in front of Nick, stopping them in front of another door and preventing them from moving any further.
"There's more. Chief Bogo, he was shot. It went through his vest. He's not doing too well, and Ark has lost it," Nick explained.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean his friend was just shot. He's gone out of his mind, angrier than Bogo has ever been. We have a lead on where Reynolds could be hiding out, but he went alone. I think Ark is going to kill him," he said.
Judy's ears dropped, "oh my god."
Diddly-doo-dah-day! Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2017 is proving really fun for all of you so far. How many more chapters could there be to this story, I wonder…leave a review!