Shoutout to a guest for spotting my error about Artie suddenly walking! That wasn't supposed to happen!
Kinda took a bit of a break after the last chapter. Sorry for the long update!
Alright so after the last chapter, A LOT of questions came up for Nick. Almost all of these are gonna get answered in due time so if your question is ignored, its not because I'm getting lazy. It's because its something that will get explained later. Same goes for any others who asked questions to different people. However, there was one that stood out that I will address.
Guest asks – Arrowsight: I don't quite understand Nick's thoughts in this chapter. Is he becoming a little more skeptical of Force of Nature or is he still insecure?
Arrowsight- The idea is there are two parts of Nick right now within him. One that we all know, and one that's the outcome of what's happened recently. Think of it as two opposing forces pulling in opposite directions. I'll explain it a bit more in this chapter.
Read and Review!
A few weeks had passed since Nick left. Judy woke from her slumber, stretching in the bed and rolling to her right. Expecting to feel the warm, coarse fur of Nick's chest. But instead she was met with cold bed sheets.
Depression and regret refilled her. She had grown used to waking up and cuddling up against Nick every morning. She always woke up before he did. It had become routine, and one she enjoyed. Feeling the warmth of his body against her was comforting.
Sighing sadly, Judy sat up from the bed and rubbed her eyes, making her way to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, and stripped done while she waited for the water to heat up. She spotted his toothbrush... Knowing the first thing Nick would do when he wakes up is brush his teeth. She brushed her teeth and stepped into the warm shower.
His shampoo bottle sat in the corner on a stand. A brand designed for fox fur. If he didn't use it, his fur would get firm and pointy. Like running your hand through sharp hay. After sleeping next to Nick on a night where he didn't use the shampoo, she always scolded him afterwards.
Judy showered off, and stepped out. Opening the bathroom closet to pull out a towel. Seeing the two separate stacks of towels. One large, and one smaller. One for Nick, and one for her. She dried off, deciding on what she's going to eat for breakfast.
She opened up the fridge, pausing as she saw the leftover takeout that Nick had the night before they left for Mamussia. Able to smell the pungent odor as it was starting to rot. Judy quickly tossed it out, and pushed aside several other things that Nick and bought that Judy didn't like in particular.
After a breakfast of celery and carrots, Judy sat on her spot on the couch. Glancing over at the vacant side of the couch that Nick always sat. On the right side against the arm rest. He wanted a lounge chair, but the hadn't been able to buy one yet. Besides, Judy preferred him on the couch. Easier to reach when she wanted to be close to him.
Everywhere she looked, she was reminded that he wasn't here anymore. Her eyes eventually fell on the wall of pictures that they had made together. She stood up and walked towards it. Looking from picture to picture.
A picture of them at the Hopps farm, buried under a pile of Judy's excited siblings. Nick having snapped the picture by sticking his arm out from the pile of adorable little rabbits. Barely managing to get them both in the shot.
A picture of them walking down the street, Judy having taken a string of selfies with her and Nick by jumping up to his level and taking the picture. But in one instance, Nick made a goofy face when Judy jumped up. That picture hung on the wall.
A picture of them having just moved into the new apartment. Both of them on the couch. Judy resting her head on Nick's shoulder. Both of them looking tired from all the heavy lifting and organizing.
A picture of them both on the job, Judy having taken a wide shot of them in one of the patrol cars. Nick having just noticed, a surprised look on his face.
Why did this happen? What lead up to it now? Judy kept running these thoughts through her head. She kept thinking of the same thing over and over again... but she still ended up on one question.
Why did he leave? Just how badly was he hurt to abandon everything he worked for?
He was angry, that was to be sure. But why should he be? Judy still couldn't recall anything that happened that night in Mamussia.
But maybe that wasn't the only thing... Was Nick hurting even before that? He was always somewhat insecure about her relationship with Jack. She tried to say there was nothing going on between them... But was that enough? Perhaps it was more than that... Judy thought back to when her relationship with Jack deepened.
It was around when Nick was sent to prison for his trial. While he was locked up worried about his future, Judy was getting to know Jack better. And once he found that out, his insecurity really began to show. While it wasn't a crime for Judy to have guy friends. But maybe Nick felt a bit betrayed from that. It seemed silly to a person with a more casual way of thinking. But at the same time it made sense.
Judy had also admitted to Nick that she had thought about what life would be like with Jack, but reassuring him that life would be better with Nick instead. Jack being more of a 'next best thing.' Nick still superior in her life.
He seemed content with that statement... until he found her and Jack like that in Mamussia. At that point, everything she said and claimed went out of the window in his mind. Feeling that Judy did care for Jack enough to seriously consider being with Jack as a mate, instead of him.
The depth of her mistakes began to show. Her relationship with Jack went too far. She should have pushed him away more, or made it perfectly clear that she would never be with him. She had no desire at all to be with Jack when it came to her and Nick. It was more curiosity than desire. A 'what if'.' But that doesn't excuse her actions. While it was unclear if she had physically cheated in Nick, it was becoming more clear that she had emotionally. Maybe that was enough to justify Nick leaving like that.
Judy slid to her knees, tears starting to fall from her eyes as she realized just exactly what went wrong. Grabbing the fur on her hair. She betrayed his trust. Ignorantly feeding his insecurity by her deepening friendship with Jack. Things never should have gotten as far as they did. And if there was any chance of her getting Nick back, she had to accept her part of the blame. And she had to admit what she did wrong to him, and beg for his forgiveness.
She pressed her forehead to the floor, curled up in a fetal-like position. Sobbing and crying on the floor of the apartment she had gotten with the one she betrayed. The pictures of their happy life hanging over her head on the wall.
The most symbolic of all the pictures, was the two in the center. Their first kiss in the field behind the Muttcie Hospital. Both of them trying to sneak a picture in of their kiss. Not knowing both of them had taken a picture at the same time. Symbolism of how they thought alike.
And she betrayed those feelings. She fantasized about what it may have been like with another, against his wishes. While not uncommon in relationships, it was frowned upon. And since that night in Mamussia happened, Nick probably had little doubts as to what he believed she wanted from Jack. Although Judy was absolutely convinced that she didn't want Jack.
She owed him an explanation. She may not deserve forgiveness, but Nick deserved peace of mind on the whole thing. He must have as many questions as she did. That's why she had to see him again. She had to set this right. Not just with her, but with him as well. And if he chose not to come back, then it was her decision.
She felt as if there was a knife in her chest, knowing what she did to Nick mentally and emotionally. She couldn't imagine how he must be feeling. He probably felt broken... Like he wasn't himself anymore. She hoped he wouldn't make any decisions he would later regret.
Anger welled up in her. Not to Jack or the situation. Or even to Nick. She was angry with herself. Angry for her blindness, and ignorance.
She slowly sat up, wiping the tears from her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths to calm her emotional state. Her paw rested on her belly, pausing to think of the worst case scenario.
If she was pregnant with Jack's child.
The thought left a lurching sensation in her stomach. While she didn't resent Jack, she didn't want to bear his child. If it turned out she was pregnant, she would have to seriously talk with Jack about what to do. And Nick as well, if he came back. However, she doubted he would come back if she was pregnant.
Judy's phone rang suddenly, jerking her out of her trance. She walked over to see Laura's number. She answered it. "Hello...?" she asked wearily, her voice a bit cracked from crying.
There was a brief pause before she responded. "I know that tone... Come to Jack's place and head for the basement when you can okay? Artie's come up with something."
"Alright. See you soon." replied Judy.
Before Judy could hang up, Laura spoke again. "Hey, Judy? You doing okay?" Hoping to get a read on Judy's mental condition.
"I'll be fine... just... realizing what all I did wrong...See you soon." said Judy, rubbing her eyes.
With that, Judy hung up the phone. Going to get dressed in something more ZCTU suited. Her old police uniform. She rubbed her thumb over the spot where her badge would normally sit, now a faint outline sat there in the shape of the badge. Plus the holes that would put it in place.
Judy grabbed her winter coat, and made for the ZCTU at Jack's manor.
Meanwhile, at City Hall
Valpord sat in her office, going through stacks and stacks of paperwork. All meetings had been attended to, so now all that remained was approval and disapproval of new policies. It was a tedious job... Constant reading and weighing of options. Knowing that rejecting each proposal would anger the petitioner.
Her eyes fell on a stack of newspapers that sat next to her desk. Every morning someone would deliver Zootopia's leading newspaper and place it next to her desk. She had not looked through any of it, so quite a stack sat next to her desk.
The leading headline is what caught her attention. 'Rise Against Valpord.' She grabbed it and opened it up, reading the headline.
It's no secret that people disapprove of our newly elected mayor, Alissa M Valpord. Riots, protests, and displays of defiance are common in these days. But recently our reporters have uncovered something that may create a much bigger issue.
It's possible that a group of mammals are planning to rise up, and force Valpord out of office! How they plan to do that, isn't known. By force, or by diplomacy it remains a mystery. There's also the possibility that this group doesn't even exist. It's just conveyed rumors at this point.
Although Valpord might be unpopular, she has remained true to her word about stepping up against the crime wave in Zootopia. After getting the ZPD to double up on patrols, and officers to cover more of the city, it's safe to say that much of the city feel safer.
Not to mention, her assistant mayor Elias Wilde has been very well pleasing the crowds head on. Starting the Church of Natural Order here in Zootopia. It sounds strange at the first glance, but to many what the church teaches and preaches does make sense.
It aligns with what's known as 'Nature's Law.' But not the radical side of it that's been rising up in Zoocia of late. Just as well, the church assists those in need. Particularly those who were hurt by the recent riots, and even those struggling to recover from the Growler Incident.
Needless to say. Elias is quelling the fires of angry Zootopian citizens against Valpord. While Valpord's getting done what she set out to do.
But there's also conveyed rumors circulating that the election was rigged into Valpord's favor. Not entirely surprising what with her corruptible methods in Nicolas Wilde's trial. What supports this, is the overwhelming popular opinion against Valpord. Many have called for an investigation, but have been met with silence.
Valpord folded the paper and set it down, not wanting to read anymore. She knew that the population hated her... and rightly so. She didn't know how she won the election, but she had an idea on how. Recalling Elias's words during the trial...
"Mayor Valpord, there's an Abigail Wilde looking for Assistant Mayor Wilde. Do you know where he is?" said the sudden female voice over the intercom. Her name was Mindy, Valpord's secretary.
Snapped out of her current trance, she pressed her finger to the button. "He should be in his office. She can go see him." Hardly caring who this person is or why she wanted to see Elias. Not in the mood to ascertain why.
Being mayor was a stressful job... she missed her old seat as Director. But she had a job to do, and was determined to see it through. Going back to her paperwork with renewed vigor, she pushed through it. Eager to get through the day.
A few doors down, Elias sat in his office. Currently on a tablet connected to Jacques.
"How's Nick doing?" he asked. Knowing the line was secure, thanks his helper.
It took a moment for Jacques to respond. "He's with me tomorrow morning. It's hard to say if he's coming around. He still seems torn about joining us."
Elias nodded lightly. "It's to be expected. He's grown up under Zootopia's society his entire life. It'll be difficult to sway him."
There was a much longer pause before Jacques responded this time. "Forgive me for asking... But what do you see in him? Do you truly believe him to be one of Nature's Incarnates? Or perhaps it's because he's your son."
A slight pang of anger and irritation welled in Elias. But he understood why Jacques was asking. "Honestly, it's both. I sense something in him, much like I did with you and Hunter."
"Why did you hide yourself from me all these years?" asked Jacques.
"Because I had to be sure I wouldn't be exposed. I don't doubt your resolve, but I wanted you to be in a position that even if someone found out my identity through you, it wouldn't hurt me." replied Elias.
"So you believe you've already won?"
It took a moment for Elias to respond, running through each and every carefully planned step up till now. And what's to come after. "It's impossible to plan for every outcome. But it's possible to prepare for all the negative ones. The only things that could stop us now, are things that are impossible by Mother Nature."
"I'll do what I can for Nick. But if he doesn't join us, I'll be forced to put him under constant surveillance. Even if he joins us, I'll still have to be wary till I am absolutely certain he's loyal to Nature's Law. I don't care what your relationship is with him, Mind. I will not compromise Force of Nature because you have a soft spot for your family."
Elias expected this kind of behavior from Jacques. In every sense of the word, Jacques would ensure Force of Nature's survival more so than he would himself. Elias remembered what Jacques did in his youth once he decided what his role was. Remembering seeing the young hyena walk out of the burning house. Father's sword in one hand. Mother's fur and flesh in the other. "I understand."
The chat disconnected, showing that Jacques had turned off the tablet.
Little by little, things were falling into place.
The phone suddenly rang a low tone, catching Elias's attention. Mindy spoke through the receiver. "Mister Wilde, there's an Abigail Wilde here to see you... ex wife?"
Elias paused for a long time in complete disbelief. Abigail still lived in Zootopia? "Yeah... Like old tiles huh? Send her in."
Curiosity fueled Elias, eager to know what she was here for.
Abigail walked from the desk to his office, opening the door and walking in silently. She gazed upon her old husband... and the father of her only child. Feeling a mixture of emotions swirling within her.
Elias smiled as he gazed at his ex wife. "You've barely aged."
"You've aged a lot." she said with a smirk, sitting at one of the chairs across from his desk.
Elias smirked back. He always enjoyed her humorous remarks. It was part of the reason he fell in love with her in his youth. "How's... life treating you? Met anyone yet?"
She smiled and nodded, showing a sapphire ring on her finger. "Recently engaged. But that's not why I'm here, Elias..."
Elias leaned forward, folding his fingers together. Waiting patiently for her. "Judy told me about what happened in Mamussia... and she told me that Nick left to Zoocia for a while. She didn't tell me why..."
Abigail paused for a moment between speaking. "I just want to know one thing Elias... does this have anything to do with Ishaq's religious group?"
He fell silent, his eyes slightly narrowing to her. He wasn't sure how to answer at the moment, but soon Abigail sighed and shook her head. "Please... Just keep Nick out of that crazy hyena's ideals. That's not him." Abigail stood up and walked towards the office door.
"Nick is a grown man, Abby." started Elias, drumming his fingers lightly against the desk. "He's had his heart broken by that rabbit he loved. If he does anything, it'll be because its what he wants to do. And neither you or I can change that."
Abigail glared over her shoulder at Elias. "Nick already made his choices and was happy with his life before you came back into it." She then walked out, slamming the door closed behind her.
Elias sat in his office in silence. He had never told Abigail the extent about Force of Nature. Barely so much as mentioning the name. But he knew that she understood a lot of its meaning. Nick was born in Zootopia. Elias and Abigail having a permanent home in one of the cities in the Western Region. When Nick was five, Elias put him to bed one night. He had to leave for a trip back to Zoocia to inspect one of his fundraising events. When he came back, she and Nick were both gone. He knew why, and never bothered to pursue.
This wasn't a way of coping for that loss. He never once blamed Abigail for leaving him. His duty was to Force of Nature. And he would do everything in his power to see it brought to its fullest potential as the dominant power of the world.
Later, at Jack's Manor
Judy walked down into the basement that the ZCTU was using as a current base of operations. Her mind still a bit trained and distraught from her earlier thoughts. She placed her palm on the flat palm reader. After a brief scan, the door unlocked. Letting her inside.
The rapid clicking and tapping of keys was the first thing Judy heard, knowing Artie was at the computer. What surprised Judy, was the empty gallons of orange juice littering the floor around him. He seemed focused, his back hunched.
Jack, Laura, and Malika sat at the table. Laura smiling warmly as Judy walked in. "Morning sunshine."
Judy nodded and smiled warmly before sitting down. "So uhh, what's up?"
Wasting little to no time, Jack pushed a few stacks of papers forward. "Artie's been hard at work... five days worth without sleep to dig up what he's got. To sum it up, and not to disturb Artie..."
Artie raised his paw up. "Please... do not!" he said before quickly getting back to work.
Jack smirked and kept talking. "We've found a few suspicious things. But there's one big one. According to these papers, there was a system wide blackout of Zootopia's network at the time of the election just as the votes were being tallied. It wasn't so much a hiccup, as it was more of a stall. The network was overflowed with traffic, which caused it to stall out. In theory, the network can handle three times Zootopia's population on its network. But the way Artie described it..."
"Is if the network can be fooled... tricked... hoodwinked into thinking there's an overflow of traffic. Think of it as like... like... vehicle traffic at an exit to a freeway! Lots of cars... lots of people trying to get on the same network...same highway and the road gets all clogged up! Everything stalls everything stops..." said Arite, his words slurring and running together from his exhaustion.
Laura nodded. "Yeah, like that. These papers prove there was a network stall during the time the votes were tallied. And its source comes from the ZIA's IP address. The ZIA's and Zootopia's entire mainframe is managed by James Marco who also now controls the ZIA and ZSF. Basically, he'd be the only person in that building capable of pulling off a stunt like that."
"But it's not enough!" called out Artie, leaning to the right in his seat. "He can say 'oh it wasn't me!' And it would be legit. We have to prove that it came from his computer... which is haaaaaaaardcore locked down with security I've never seen before! Jack may have gotten me directly connected to it, but there's still so much security INSIDE of his computer its ridiculous!"
Growing concerned about Artie's slurring and his leaning, Judy spoke up. "Artie I think you need to take a nap..."
"NOPE! More orange juice! I got another all nighter in me!" called out Artie, quickly reversing in his wheelchair and going upstairs, heading for the kitchen. The stairs having a unique device that allowed Artie to travel up the stairs quickly by means of a slider system.
Malika smirked and rolled her eyes. "He's gonna sleep like the dead when he can't take anymore. To sum everything up, we have reason to suspect that Marco was responsible or at least involved in hacking the election but we have nothing concrete."
Judy nodded, but a different question lingered on her mind. "What about Nick? Do we have any new information on him?"
After a moment's silence, Jack spoke up. "Currently, hes listed as AWOL. So he's not considered a threat to Zootopia's safety. But we've not uncovered anything. Artie's been busy working on Marco's system."
Judy sighed in irritation. She felt that Nick's current condition would hold a higher importance than that, but she bit her tongue on it. "I understand. Do we have any idea on how to get into Preypred City if need be?"
Jack nodded. "I've been working on that. However I'm working with limited resources. Not to mention if we go black ops, and without Zootopia's consent, we have to be spot on and not mess it up. Or we're all dead and Zootopia could be put in the crosshairs."
Artie came back down at this point, a quarter of the way through a jug of orange juice before settling his wheekchair back in front of the computer, going back to his rapid typing. The screen fluttering from page to page. "Give me a little while longer, and I'll have what I need so long as Marco doesn't catch onto us! Which... he uhh he shouldn't."
"Once we have enough to show that the election wasn't legit," started Laura. "We'll work on getting Nick back more extensively."
Artie raised his paw again. "Or before that! If I hit a wall I can change directions for a bit. Thanks to Jack, slipping that marble drone into Hasef's pocket, I got into Zoocia's network too!"
He spoke rather exasperatedly, and with enthusiasm. Obviously from his exhaustion, he was finding ways to re-energize himself on the spot.
"On a different subject... Judy." said Laura, her tone suggesting she was talking about something she didn't want to bring up unless she had to. "Do you know if you're pregnant?"
Judy paused for a moment and shook her head. "No I haven't gotten a test yet... I don't think I am though. Rabbit gestation periods for us is about three months. It's how we have so many kit's so quickly. I'm not showing any signs and its been a few weeks."
Laura nodded. "Still, you should get a test soon."
"Yeah... Do you guys need anything else?" asked Judy. Not in a mood to be with people at the moment. She just wanted to be alone."
Jack paused for a moment, something on his mind. "Yeah that's all... Judy, I don't think you should be alone right now."
Judy rolled her eyes and glared at Jack. "It's partially your fault that we're in this situation... Mine too..."
Laura stood up, gently waving the two down. "Easy... Judy I know you want to be alone. But Jack's right. Why don't you stay with me for a while once you're ready?"
Judy sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I'll think about it... But right now I just wanna be alone. I have a lot to think about."
With that, Judy promptly turned around and left. Ready to get back to Bookerlight. She needed time to think. Time to cope with the great mistake she made.
Preypred City
It was early morning in Preypred City, Nick just stepping out of the shower. Freshening up for what he knew would be a long day ahead of him.
Today was the day he would spend with Jacques. Nick couldn't explain it entirely, but something was off-putting to him about that hyena. He seemed malicious, but kind at the same time. A powderkeg waiting to be lit.
Nick dried himself off, sighing lightly as he stared at himself in the mirror. Taking time to reflect on his recent weeks here in Preypred City.
He was still conflicted about Elias's offer. He wasn't convinced that Force of Nature was the right path for him. There was a part of him that it appealed to... but another that opposed it. Nick's train of thought has been very split down the middle.
Nick felt as if he had two separate parts of his personality pulling at each other. As he stared at himself in the mirror, he could almost see these two separate pieces of himself standing behind him. One as the old Nick that he's always been, and one as the new Nick that came of recent events.
Is Force of Nature right for me? It's about the only place I can call family anymore...
What about Judy? She still loves you. Your mother still loves you.
For what good it's done for you. Mom can live fine without me...
She'd still be hurt. Judy would be hurt too.
Why should I care about her? You know what she did.
She still loves you. She'd never do anything to hurt you.
Then what would you call that whole thing in Mamussia?
Do you really think she'd cheat on you like that? Even she's not that dumb of a bunny.
Nick lightly punched his forehead to silence the two arguing voices. Sighing lightly and putting on a green coat as he headed outside. Particularly cold today.
After a brief walk in the chilled morning air, Nick arrived at City Hall. Taking the elevator up to the conference room.
The doors opened, and much to Nick's surprise, Jacques was on the table balancing on his sword. The bottom of the sheathe was placed on the ground, with Jacques holding onto the hilt with his body upright, propped in a straight line from the sword to his body. Nick could hear the faint sound of music playing from the orange headphones on his head.
Nick watched as Jacques continued to stretch his body upright, his arm straightening as well as his legs little by little. Nick could see his body tense and strain with the stress. Nick looked to the ceiling, seeing Jacques's feet point up towards it, his toes finally touching the ceiling. He held his pose there for a few moments before slowly lowering himself down, standing up on the table and wiping his brow.
"Knew I could touch the ceiling." he panted, strapping the sword back on his sheathe and turning the headphones off.
Nick smiled and shook his head, chuckling lightly. "Was that really necessary?"
Jacques hopped off the table, seeming revitalized and energetic. "Daily workout. Intense balance and stretching with the sword. Helps with handling it, strengthening the body, and knowing my limits."
"Makes sense I guess. Anyway, let's go." said Nick, wanting this to be over as soon as possible.
Jacques smiled and headed into the elevator, Nick following. On the way down, Jacques spoke up. "You've seen the good and the bad of our society. Now I'll show you how we make it work."
"I'm still on the fence about joining you guys." said Nick lowly.
The elevator doors opened, Jacques and Nick stepping out. "As I'd expect you to be. In honesty, Nick Wilde, I'm not sure I can trust you in our ranks. I believe The Mind is biased to you."
Nick nodded. Noticing how Jacques didn't use Elias's name in the open. They both walked outside, Jacques stopping in front of the statue of his father, Ishaq. "Hunter told you about my father, right?"
"Up until the point where he died. He didn't tell me anything after that." said Nick.
Jacques nodded, folding his paws over each other. "I inherited my father's sword. As for my mother..." Jacques tilted his head, letting the fur of his collar brush against his cheek. "I carry a part of her with me... Follow me."
Walking swiftly, Jacques lead Nick towards the large steel wall dividing the Predator and Prey districts. Jacques walked up a staircase, a maintenance route in case the wall needed worked on. "The wall dividing predator and prey is more than just separation. It's a demonstration of how Nature should be."
Atop the wall, was a flat walkway stretching down its length. Jacques walked down it, Nick following behind him. Jacques held his hands side to side, gesturing to both districts. The leafy green canopies of the Prey District, and the bustling activity and city scape of the Predator District. "Prey and Predator. They lived within the same society but never lived together in Nature. It's the same here. Before we evolved and stood upright, predator hunted prey for sustenance. Prey would of course resist, the instinct to 'live' kicking in. But the result was the same. Predator would reduce the number of other predators by marking territory. The rabbit would be safer with one fox living close than a dozen. Never once did the prey live in the predator's den. And never did the predator covet the prey. And we uphold those same rules to the best of our evolved ability. Divided, but equal. Prey, the sustenance. Predator, the protector."
Jacques raised his arm further to the Prey District. "The prey are the predator's food. They're sustenance. And in return for this, the prey are protected by the predator. In times of crisis, the prey are secured first. And the predators fight. "
Nick understood a little more. It wasn't so much a concept of fear that made the citizens work well together, it was an understanding. A realization that to them, animals will be animals. Prey will be prey, and prey will eat meat. And if any animal were to compromise the safety of the prey, or the predator to an extent, they would be punished by Hunter. Simple wrongdoings would be handled by Leah. But something was on his mind.
"I can't help but see a bit of hypocrisy here, Jacques." started Nick, glancing towards the Predator District. "Children are innocent, right? So when Leah was working with Leon Snowly to distribute the Growler Gas through the city, lots of kids would have gotten caught up in that. It would've been attacking them too."
Jacques lowered his eyes a bit. "I've already spoken to her about this. You of all animals should know, Love can make you do crazy things. Believe crazy things. Leah now knows she wasn't in the right. And Mother Nature saw fit to have Leon fail in his endeavors. No children were harmed."
Another question posed in Nick's mind. "And Hunter with the Savage family?"
Jacques's eyes drooped, and his ears as well. "That was a grave mistake that Hunter must live with every day. He knows he broke Nature's Law and seeks to redeem himself by carrying out her will as Nature's Wrath."
He turned to look over his shoulder at Nick. A sharp, piercing look in his eyes. "Like what we're trying to get you to do."
Nick looked to the Prey District, then to the Predator District. Understanding a bit more little by little. Every distant society has its customs. Zootopia would look upon this with disgust, while Preypred City would look upon Zootopia with disgust. And if you couldn't live with how that society works, then it's not for you to live there.
As time went on, Jacques continued to go over Preypred City's societal functions. Each district would benefit the other in some way or fashion. Prey would supply the Predator with clothing, meat, fur, and other more conventional resources. While the predator would work more constructional, and harder labor jobs. Of course, the strength of that mammal would vary in on what job they would get. And in some cases of the stronger prey animals such as elephants could have these jobs as well. Nick saw that the only real difference in Preypred City and Zootopia, was its dignified separation of Predator and Prey. However it was not prejudice or racism. It was an equally powered split. If one was removed, the other would crumble away.
Nick noticed the orange headphones on Jacques's neck. Recalling how he wore then during the coup in Zoocia. Having them on his ears when he was striking down the Royal Guard. "So you got a thing for music?"
Jacques smiled and nodded, running his paw along his headphones. "Music moves me. The lyrics, their meaning, and the intensity of the music flows through me. When I fight, I use it to guide me. I listen to its flow, and move my body in the same kind of way. You saw it in Zoocia."
Nick recalled how the music Jacques had used started out soft at the beginning, gradually intensifying. As it did, his blows and methods became more fierce. Matching what he was hearing.
"I bet you got a thing for dubstep then." smirked Nick in his traditional slanted smirk.
Jacques laughed and nodded. "The best kind to fight with in my opinion."
A new question posed in Nick's mind. One he had been itching to ask about. "Jacques, I hear about Nature's Law but I don't know what all that entails." explained Nick.
Jacques's face brightened and he guided Nick back to City Hall. "Then I'll teach you."
Nick was taken back into City Hall and into the elevator. Only this time, it didn't go up. It went down, by only a few floors. The doors opened to show a lobby with several predator and prey animals in it. Jacques walked out, opening his arms welcomingly. "Welcome to the Force of Nature headquarters. This is where we train, socialize, plan, and talk."
Jacques walked towards the back, Nick following close behind. Nick got a few wary glances from the multiple mammals in the room, but they didn't voice anything out. They seemed tolerant of his presence only because Jacques was with him.
On the back wall of the lobby, was a symbol. A tree inside of a circle. The leaves were three colors, and each in their own area. Green on the lower left, blue on most of the top half, and red on the right. There were two brown leaves, one in the blue area and one in the green.
"This is Force of Nature's symbol. Allow me to explain what it all means." said Jacques, running his fingers along the black circle edge of the symbol.
"The circle is our world. And the leaves is the three Regions. Northern Region of Mamussia, Eastern Region of Zoocia, Western Region of Zootopia. Blue for Mamussia's icy terrain. Green for Zootopia's foliage and farmlands. Red for Zoocia's savannas and natural resources. The brown leaves represent the capital of those regions." began Jacques.
His paw traveled over to the red side, flipping over one of the leaves. Showing that on the other side, it was brown. "Brown leaves means a dying tree. The tree's trunks and branches are Force of Nature. Holding the world together. By giving Zoocia a leader that sympathizes with us, and believes in our cause, we eliminated the dying leaf." Jacques flipped the leaf back over to its red side. He glanced over to the green. "Zootopia's next."
Nick walked up, looking over the symbol closely. "So that's how you're gonna do it. You don't need to so much turn the citizens to it. You just have to take over the regions primary governing body."
"Now you're catching on. However, that's all The Mind's planning. We take care of things here in the Eastern Region, and he plans everything out carefully. Once he's ready for us, we go into action. We don't know what The Mind's plans are, but we will follow them. He's yet to give us a reason not to."
Nick glanced down below the symbol. Seeing several lines of writing. "These are Nature's Laws."
Prey and Predator shall not mate. For that is denial of life. Thou shalt only mate with compatible partners.
Life is precious. Taking of another life shalt only be done in self-defense, or in sustenance. Never for joy.
Mother Nature is true. Always believe in her existence and love her as the all mother of life, creation, and death.
Children are the most innocent of all. Young lives do not understand the True Law. Teach our children these laws.
Nick read over the laws several times. "Seems rather short..."
Jacques chuckled. "These are what we call the 'Main Laws.' The laws of which are absolute. There are a few other things but it can be explained like this. If it doesn't feel right, or natural to you, then don't do it."
If it doesn't feel natural... Nick recounted his days in Zootopia. It didn't feel wrong of him to live in Zootopia, or by its society. He knew there was tension between predator and prey, but that was natural. He also thought about Judy. When he thought about his time spent with her. His relationship with her. How intimate they got. The nights they spent enjoying each other, or making love.
None of it felt wrong to him.
"I can sense you're still conflicted, Nick. Anything else you want to know?" asked Jacques.
After a moment's thought, Nick looked up at the hyena. Putting his paw in his pocket slowly. "What does it mean to be Nature's Voice? How did you come to be who you are?"
Jacques paused for a long time before responding. "I'll start with my father. I looked up to him as a pup. Followed his teachings to the letter. Fully believed in Nature's Law. And when he died, it broke me apart."
Nick could see malice and anger grow in his eyes. "But my mother didn't... I don't want to talk about that. I don't know you well enough. As for Nature's Voice..."
Jacques looked up, opening his arms again in welcome. "I am Nature's Voice given mortal form. Her influence, her guiding light, and her charisma to enforce our believers, and sway the non-believers. My role is to ensure the incarnates of Nature, being Wrath, Love, and Mind all stay true to Nature's Law. And if they stray from our path, and endanger our ways, they are struck down. I am Mother Nature's most loyal, and uncorruptable underling. I am the face, and the voice of Mother Nature. When they think of Mother Nature, they see and hear me. Force of Nature is my own to me, my kin. No harm shall befall them so long as I lead them. I will not allow it. Those who don't believe in our ways, shall be swayed by my voice. And if they are not swayed, they are swept aside by Nature's mighty wind. I shall lead Force of Nature to the top, and Mother Nature's Law shall be the true law of the world."
Nick had a hard time fully understanding his words. But surmised that Jacques was the face of Mother Nature. However, Jacques was not finished. He looked to the other animals in the room.
"Speak up now, my Forces of Nature. What are you?"
In unison, the many mammals in the room stood and shouted. "We are the body and spirit of Mother Nature! Destined to carry out her Divine Purpose!"
Jacques grinned from ear to ear. Nick could feel something coming from him. A powerful sensation of emotion. Pride, and joy. As well as omnipotence. "Now I ask, my Force of Nature. What purpose has Mother Nature given us?!"
"To uphold Nature's Law! And sustain the Natural Order of life!"
Jacques raised his arms beckoningly. "And we shall carry out her Divine Will! We will bare our fangs, our claws, our hooves. We will trample the non-believers! We will bite on the throats of those who speak out against us! Maul those who stand against Mother Nature! And all will know to be fearful to disobey Nature's Law!"
After a moment's pause, the room cheered and began to clap. Jacques grinned more and continued to speak. "We are the Divine forces of Mother Nature! And we will stop at nothing till our goals and her vision is realized! And if this be not the will of Mother Nature, then come all you heretics and challenge us! If nature deems you worthy, you will overpower us. Challenge us, or accept Mother Nature's divine will!"
The crowd continued to cheer in praise of their leader. "Voice! Voice! Vocie!" they chanted repeatedly. Nick watched Jacques talk, his paws carefully wrapped around something in his pocket. Nick pulled his paw out, leaving what was in his pocket in there. "You certainly have a way with words."
Jacques smiled and lowered his arms. "I'm Nature's Voice. I have to be good with words. And I mean every one of them, Wilde. We will succeed in our divine purpose. Or we'll die trying."
Gonna end this one here. Read and Review!