Alright. Time for Chapter 16 of Bringing Order. So, the last chapter was a bit of a shocker, eh? Both figuratively and literally. Nick and Judy had faced their first supervillain. Also, Nick and Judy decided to reveal to their parents that they are Cloak and Dagger. I always was planning to do a chapter where Nick and Judy would tell their parents that they were superheroes. So, this chapter is pretty much what happened after the last one. Nick and Judy are now going to talk to their parents about everything. How will John, Francine, and Bonnie react to all of this? And will Nick and Judy still be able to continue being Cloak and Dagger? Let's get to this next chapter.
For people that are lost in the darkness, someone may need to shed some light on them. However, the light can still be overwhelming.
After the ordeal with Blackout, Nick told his parents that he was Cloak and Judy told her mom she was Dagger. The next day, Nick and Judy thought it was a good idea to get their parents together to talk about everything. So the Wildes invited Judy and Bonnie to their home. This is also the first time Nick's parents meet Judy's mom. Nick and Judy sat on the couch as they tell their parents everything. From how they got their powers, to how they became Cloak and Dagger, and about their revenge. They talked for what seemed like an hour.
"And... that's everything." Judy said. "Cloak and Dagger existed to not only protect the innocent but to get back at the people that ruined our lives."
"We're sorry that we didn't tell you before. But... you guys know the whole deal with superheroes. Had to keep it secret." Nick told them. "Besides, if we were to have told you right away, you probably wouldn't believe us."
"So... what do you all have to say?" Judy asked.
The three parents didn't say anything. They didn't know what to say after hearing Nick and Judy's story. Or rather... they were just overwhelmed by it. If they weren't all already standing up, they would be out of their seats. Francine was the first to say something.
"I just... still can't process it all. This whole time... you have been Cloak?" Francine asked.
"Yeah, ma. I've been Cloak the whole time." Nick said.
Francine then looks at Bonnie asks her "Bonnie, did you know anything about this or about your daughter being Dagger?".
"Of course I didn't." Bonnie replied. "Dagger is so different from how my daughter is that I always thought they were two different bunnies. Then again, Judy has changed quite a bit and it was around the time she met Nick. So to say her being Dagger isn't completely unrelatable."
"What about you, pop? How long have you known I was Cloak?" Nick asked John.
"It's hard to say." John said as he walks to a recliner and sits down. "Of I didn't know you were Cloak right off the back. Yet... maybe in the back of my head... I've always known."
"When did you started to put it all together?" Nick asked.
"The first I would say is when I looked at the obvious thing. Your cloak." John said looking at Nick. "It's David's, isn't it?"
Nick looked a bit fazed, yet not too fazed after he heard his dad said that. Guess it made sense that his dad knew about the cloak David made.
"Yeah. It is." Nick answered.
"So... you finished it for him." John said.
"When I picked it up, I didn't even know it was his until Uncle Lemar and Aunt Val told me. Out of all the cloaks, that was the one I wanted to finish. Could you believe that?" Nick asked.
"With everything I've seen, I do." John stated.
"So, did you know I was Cloak because of that?" Nick asked.
"No. Originally, I thought the way the cloak looked, it was just a coincidence. My second guess... was that was actually David. Like he was actually still alive or that it was his spirit. As crazy as that sounds." John said.
"Not that crazy." Judy said thinking she and Judy have seen crazier.
"Now, even with the way Nick comes and goes, I didn't suspect Nick was Cloak. That was... until I saw you, Judy." John said. "It was surprising that Nick made a new friend that just so happens to be a bunny. No doubt, Dagger and Judy have similar features, yet the difference fur and eye color threw me off."
"Then what made finally realize who we were?" Dagger asked.
"Last night, when we were facing off against Markel, you stated that really opened my mind to everything. The night of the oil rig explosion." John said sounding a bit serious.
Nick and Judy both flinched after hearing that. They guessed that mentioning the oil rig explosion was a bit of a red flag.
"You stated that the night of the oil rig explosion was how you two got your powers. That was also the night we lost David and when Judy lost her father. Once I put all the pieces together, it all fits." John stated.
"Guess there was no hiding that." Nick said.
"Does that mean you had your powers the whole time?" Francine asked.
"No. As we stated before, our powers didn't activate until the night we met at the party." Nick stated.
"Then why didn't that seem to be the case for Markel?" John asked.
"We don't know. We guess it because Nick and I are different." Judy stated as she rubbed her arm. "I mean, we weren't even sure others even had powers like ours until that night."
"So, when you found out about your powers, you both decided to be superheroes?" Bonnie asked.
"To be honest, it was my idea." Nick said raising a paw up.
"I agreed because we both thought we could use it to get what we wanted. But even so, we still had to use these powers for something other than ourselves. So we decided to help everyone we could in this city." Judy said boldly. "The city of Zootopia hasn't been the best place to live these days and we wanted to make it better."
"The city has looked to Cloak and Dagger being the heroes of this city. Yes, we put ourselves in danger. But thanks to us, the city has never been safer." Nick said just as boldly as Judy sounded. "We knew that it was a huge responsibility and we knew the risks. But we accepted it and took the roles we chose to take."
"Because if we didn't do something about the way things were, who would?" Judy said.
John, Francine, and Bonnie were all stunned and amazed by Nick and Judy's determination to be heroes. They also couldn't be mad at them for what they have done. They really did make a name for themselves and did a lot of good with their powers.
"From what you told us, Lamar and Val know about all of this," John said.
"Yeah. They do." Nick answered.
"Does anyone else know about your identities?" Francine asked.
"My old ballet teacher knows." Judy admitted.
"Ms. Abella Lotey?" Bonnie asked remembering Judy's old ballet instructor's name.
"She helped me train myself again." Judy replied.
"I see." Bonnie said.
"Anyone from the ZPD?" John asked.
"Only Cynthia Fangmeyer. But we trust her." Judy said.
"Isn't she the same tiger officer from before?" Bonnie asked.
"She's been helping us with our cases." Judy said. "Thanks to her, we were able to get quite a bit of information about the oil rig, Roxxon, and O'Clawdon."
"She also often calls us if she needs help with anything crazy around town. Like gang members, drug deals, or other criminal acts." Nick stated.
"That explains a bit." Bonnie said as she rubbed her chin.
"Is there anyone else?" John asked.
Nick and Judy wanted to mention Malaloo. But they felt that with all that Malaloo knows a lot more than their parents need to know. It wasn't like they didn't trust Malaloo. But any more information could overwhelm them. Especially the part about saving the world.
"No." Nick answered. "Not alive anyway."
"Not even your friends Benjamin and Finnick?" John asked.
"No. They don't even realize I'm Cloak." Nick replied.
"So, you thought it was best not to tell them? That's okay I guess. It's understandable that you didn't want to tell your friends." John said.
"But you shouldn't have kept this a secret from us." Francine said looking a bit mad at Nick.
"You guys kept secrets from me too." Nick said looking mad. "Uncle Lamar and Aunt Val told me everything. Like the real reason that we moved out of the Trots."
"They told you?" John asked looking surprised.
"Yes. For years, I thought you didn't believe me and you made me feel like I couldn't be trusted or that I had to do everything perfectly to earn your trust again. Not only that, you never told me about a spy boy or that you were one, pop. Also that you are apparently strong enough to take on a lightning psychopath that Judy and I had trouble with." Nick said.
"You make fair points, son." John admitting feeling bad. "You must have felt guilty for so long. But your mother and I did this to keep you safe. But I guess, as you got older, it seems that you could start taking care of yourself. Especially since you're Cloak."
"By the way, is that why you took me to the boxing gym? Was it your way to train me?" Nick asked.
"If you weren't Cloak, then you learned to better defend yourself. But if you were Cloak, you would be even better at it." John stated.
"Guess that's true." Nick said. He then looked at his mom. "What about you, mom?"
"What? There isn't really much to tell you that you already don't know." Francine said.
"Really? You're not gonna tell me something like... you're some secret spy and when you started working for Roxxon, it was to better understand what really happened that night..." Nick said. While he said all that, he was starting to wonder if that was really the case. "... which I am saying out loud now sounds very believable."
"Mrs. Wilde, is that really the case?" Judy asked wondering if Nick's guess was right.
"*sigh* While I'm NOT a spy, I will admit part of the reason I got the job... was because of what happened last night." Francine told them. "However, I didn't get much and the job pretty much just became a job at that point. But... I didn't think that they could have caused the explosion on purpose."
"That's still not confirmed. However, it's possible that they definitely knew the Lightforce and Darkforce energy under the city." Judy stated.
"Does that mean your father knew too?" Bonnie asked.
"I... don't know. But I know that the explosion wasn't his fault. It's more like they cut corners and neglected the blueprints he made." Judy stated.
"I knew it. Then they really did put all the blame on Stu." Bonnie said looking mad with herself.
"That's why I've been doing all I could to prove dad's innocents with Nick's help. We're getting pretty close too." Judy stated. "I refuse to let us keep suffering and be stuck in that trailer forever."
In the past, Bonnie tried what she could to defend Stu. But after ultimately failing, she gave up then eventually went into rehab for 2 years. Yet, her daughter never gave up and still continued.
"Judy, if only I had your strong will..." Bonnie thought as she looked at her daughter.
"Well, after hearing all of this, you two really have been great heroes." Francine said. "No doubt, you saved a few lives and we can say that we are proud that you use your powers to help others."
Nick and Judy started to smile from Francine's words.
"However... that all ends here and now." Francine said in a serious tone.
"What?" Nick said with widening eyes.
"Nicholas Piberius Wilde, I want you to stop being Cloak." Francine told him.
"WHAT?!" Nick and Judy shouted out as they get off the couch.
"Frankie, now wait a mo..." John said thinking Francine was going a bit too far.
"MOM! You can't be serious!" Nick said not sounding happy.
"Ma'am, with all due respect, your son's a great hero and partner." Judy stated.
"That doesn't matter, dearly. What matters is that my son has been going out day after day being close to knocking at death's door. I don't want that for him." Francine stated.
"I know it's dangerous. But I've been handling myself well enough. In fact, I have." Nick stated.
"But you almost died last night. Do you have ANY idea how that makes me feel?" Francine asked sad and worried. "How many times have you got hurt or beaten up or shot at?!"
"I can be intangible. Bullets don't work on me." Nick stated.
"How would you know that unless you been shot at?" Francine asked.
"I... uhhhh." Nick uttered. True be told, he had been shot at more than once.
"So you could have been dead?" Francine asked looking mad.
"Other people would have been dead." Nick said.
"Other people aren't my baby boy." Francine said in a serious tone.
Hearing that nearly set Nick off. She was basically saying that other people's lives matter. Nick felt the opposite of that.
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT LIKE OTHER MAMMAL'S LIVES DON'T MATTER?!" Nick shouted.
"DON'T YOU YELL AT YOUR MOTHER!" Francine shouted.
"ENOUGH!" John shouted out getting in the middle of both of them. "Everyone calm down and don't say anything else we might regret."
John clearly didn't want to hear his family say anything else and drive a big wedge into his family. Nick and Francine knew John was right, so they calmed down. Francine stepped back and Nick sat back down on the couch. Judy sat down too. The room was silent for a few seconds. Then Bonnie broke the silence.
"Francine, being a mother going through the same thing, might I speak with your son?" Bonnie asked.
"Sure. Maybe you can make him understand." Francine said expecting Bonnie to see her side.
Bonnie then walked up to Nick and faced the young fox.
"Nick, Judy told me something that I knew nothing about until last night." Bonnie said. "You were the one who saved my daughter from drowning that night, were you?"
John and Francine's eyes widen when they heard that.
"I am." Nick answered.
"I see." Bonnie said. "So I wasn't supposed to lose just my husband that night. But my husband AND my daughter."
"..." Judy was silent and couldn't look at Bonnie.
"When my Stuart died, my entire world fell apart and I could barely hold on to myself. But..." Bonnie said before starting to cry. "... if I had also lost my one and only baby girl... then I... I..." Bonnie then hugged Nick. "... thank you. Thank you so much."
Nick felt a sort of warmth from Bonnie's hug. He could barely remember the details on how he save Judy, but Bonnie was still grateful to him. He then hugged Bonnie back. Seeing this may have opened Francine's mind a bit. While she was worried about her own son, she didn't realize Nick was saving other people's children as well.
"Frankie, I think we need a moment." John said to his wife as he pulls her away from the living room.
John and Francine then walked to the hallway to talk in private.
"Don't you see, Frankie? Our boy saved someone else's child even when he was just a little tod." John said. "If our son has been preventing what Lemar and Valerie had to deal with, how can we be against that?"
"I know. I know. But..." Francine said.
"Doesn't Nick being Cloak make you love him any less?" John asked.
"What? No. Of course not." Francine replied.
"Then what's the real problem?" John asked.
"The real problem is our baby is risking his life for all of this." Francine said.
"He's not a baby anymore. He's becoming a man." John stated. "A man that we raised to be strong and independent. Our boy chose to become Cloak and save the people of this city. How can we not support that?"
"It's not that I don't support him. It's just..." Francine said.
"Do you honestly believe that the boy will stop being Cloak because you told him to? Even then, how would you stop him?" John asked.
"We can move out of the city or send him to a new private school." Francine said.
"We're not moving again." John said as he shook his head. "Besides, if you have forgotten, Nick can teleport. He can just come right back."
"But... we..." Francine said.
"Honey, stop." John said as he puts his paws on Francine's shoulder. "We're not gonna do anything about this."
"How can you be so calm about this?" Francine asked as she started to cry. "Don't you care about what happens to our son? Aren't you scared?"
"Of course I'm scared." John admitted. "Yet, I'm proud of him too. That proudness is what token away my fear."
"What?" Frankie said.
"As Cloak, Nick is not only saving hundreds of lives but also doing it to honor David. The boy we saw as a second son. He's driven to keep going, no matter what." John said. "Yes, I fear for his life and I fear that he might share David's fate. But how can I not support what he's done? Aren't you proud of him too?"
"..." Francine didn't say anything. She just had her head down and looked at the ground.
"Nick has chosen to do this. The best we can do is support him." John said. "He may have to deal with danger, but we know he won't be doing it alone. After all, the bunny who's the life he saved seemed to be willing to help him every step of the way."
Francine thought about it and knew that John was right in nearly every way. She then started to see the image of Cloak and her son in her head. In her own way, she supported both of them. Nick for working hard his whole life and Cloak for doing what's right and being a hero. While Francine still worried deeply about Nick, she knew she couldn't stop Nick from being Cloak even if she tried. After taking a deep breath, Francine and John walked back into the living room. Nick and Judy still sat on the couch and Bonnie were standing near the left side of the couch by Judy.
"Nicholas, do you still intend to be Cloak even when I ask you not to be?" Francine asked.
"I do." Nick answered firmly.
"Does that also mean you won't stop trying to convict this O'Clawdon?" Francine asked.
"I won't." Nick answered still sounding firm.
"And Judy..." Francine said as she looks at the doe. "... do you intend to help my son, no matter what? Even if it means putting yourself into danger?"
"I do." Judy answered.
It was clear that Nick and Judy had their minds set.
"*sigh* Nick, you really are our son. You have your father's code of honor and my stubbornness." Francine said. "Nick, you do understand why I would rather you not do all of this, right?"
"I do, mom. I really do. But... being Cloak is a part of who I am. I can't just call it quits now." Nick said.
"Bonnie, how do you feel about this?" Frankie asked. "Are you honestly okay with your daughter doing all of this?"
"Truth be told, my daughter always ran when trouble came her way. Now I find out she runs right into trouble, it scares me." Bonnie admitted. "But... my Judy has never been a better person than she has now."
"I am, mom. Like Nick with being Cloak, being Dagger is a part of who I am now. It's dangerous, but I wouldn't trade it away for anything." Judy said as she had her paws on her chest.
"Well, I know how I feel about this now." Bonnie said with a smile.
"The question is... what does Francine think about this?" John asked.
"I suppose it's okay. IF... you promise to always be careful and not to overdue. That... and you also have to always look out for each other. Judy's important to Bonnie as you are important to us." Frankie said.
"We will! Promise!" Nick and Judy said as they stood up from the couch.
"Okay then." Francine said with a smile. "Nick, you now have your father and I's full support."
"YES!" Nick and Judy shouted out happily. The two were about to high paw, but quickly stopped once they remember their little rule. "Ohhhhhhh..."
"Right. You mentioned something about a 'no-touch' rule." Bonnie said.
"At least we know the there won't be any 'funny' business from you two." John said while grinning.
"Johnny!" Francine said before elbowing her husband.
"We're hoping to find a way past it one day." Judy stated as she twiddles her fingers.
"Anyway, I think it's good that you all finally know. Now we can have no more secrets." Nick said looking happy that he doesn't have to hide his secret identity anymore.
"Hold it!" Francine said with a paw out. "Just because you can still be a superhero, doesn't mean you are not in trouble."
"In trouble?" Nick asked not looking too happy to hear that. "Why?"
"Going out to save people is one thing. But sneaking out of the house, constantly going out past curfew AND going out on school nights are a different thing entirely." Francine stated.
That realization struck Nick and Judy almost as hard as Blackout's lightning. Nick has constantly sneaked out of the house to do night patrol with Judy. Not exactly a good thing to do.
"Even with that, it's... conflicting to give you a proper punishment." John said.
"If we were to ground you and someone was in trouble, you would still go out no matter how long we ground you. It would also make us seem like we're bad parents for not letting you go out to help others." Francine stated.
"Such a predicament." John went as he scratched his chin. "What do we do?"
"Let me off the hook?" Nick suggested as he smiles awkwardly.
"Nice try, Slick. You're not getting off that easy." John said.
"Oh. I know." Francine said as she snapped her fingers. "Nick can go out, so long as his grades don't drop and he gets our permission. But as punishment, no dessert for a month."
"That's all?" Judy asked.
"That's all." Francine said with a smile.
"Hear that, Nick? You can still go out if something happens and we need help. Isn't that great?" Judy asked.
Nick didn't anything. He looked like he was in deep thought. He didn't really like the idea of no dessert for a month. But after thinking about it for a few seconds...
"I'll take the grounding." Nick replied.
"NICK!" Judy shouted out looking angry with him.
"I don't want to not have dessert for a month. My mom makes an excellent blueberry cobbler to die for." Nick stated.
"It's only a month and you'll live." Judy stated being firm with him.
"That goes for you too, young lady." Bonnie said giving Judy the same punishment.
"WOAH WOAH WOAH! Me too?" Judy said not realizing she would get the same punishment.
"Of course. After all, you are in the same boat as Nick. It's only fair that you have the same punishment." Bonnie said with a smirk.
"But... the leftover carrot cupcakes..." Judy uttered not wanting to not have them.
"Not so fun now, huh Carrots?" Nick asked Judy with a sly grin.
"Shut up! Your mom's cobbler is like my mom's cupcakes." Judy stated. "Isn't there any other way we could make a deal?"
"It's either no dessert or grounding." Bonnie stated. "But as Francine stated, that would include you not helping out those who are in trouble when they need it."
"But what kind of superheroes would you be if you do that?" Francine asked with a smirk.
"Pop?" Nick said while looking at his dad. He was hoping his dad would soften the blow.
"Can't help you, son. You know how your mom is." John said while shrugging. "Besides, I have to agree with her."
"Ugggggggggggggghhhhhh..." Both Nick and Judy uttered. They had no choice but to give in. "Fine..."
"We knew you would agree." Francine said smiling.
Even though they weren't happy about losing their dessert privileges, they were happy that their parents accepted them being Cloak and Dagger.
"Remember, promise to be safe." Francine said.
"We will, mom." Nick said nodding.
"Okay. I think we're good now." John said.
"Good." Nick and Judy both said.
"Alright. Then I'm gonna check something really quick." Nick said as he digs into his pants pocket.
Nick then pulled out his phone and see that Cynthia had given him some messages. His eyes widen from the number of messages he got.
"Aw man!" Nick shouted out as he got out the couch. "I got like, a million texts from Cynthia!"
Judy then took out her phone and sees that she could say the same thing.
"Me too!" Judy said looking frantic as she got out the couch too. "There's trouble. We gotta go."
"Right!" Nick said to Judy.
As the two were about to go, they paused to look at their parents. Even with their parents okay with it, it felt that they still needed their permission.
"Well? Get going." John said.
Nick and Judy then nodded and then shouted out "Embrace the dark!" and "Embrace the light!". Nick summoned his cloak and Judy summoned her dagger and the two changed into their superhero personas. Cloak then wrapped part of his cloak around Dagger's waist as he was ready to teleport.
"See ya soon." Cloak said to his parents.
"Try to be home before dinner this time." Francine said to her son.
"That goes for you too." Bonnie said to her daughter.
"Yes, ma'am" Cloak and Dagger said to their respected mother before vanishing.
As they left, Francine took a deep breath. It still felt hard for her to believe that her son was a superhero.
"You okay, hun?" John asked Francine knowing that she was still worried.
"Honestly, I'm a nervous wreck. But... I'm proud of our baby bo... I mean, proud of our young man." Francine said with a smile.
"Me too." John said smiling as well.
"Guess we're all part of the Proud Parents Club." Bonnie said smiling too. "Alright. It was nice to meet you two, but I should head home now. After finding out my Judy is really Dagger and after hearing everything, I really need to lay my head down."
"I might do the same." Francine told Bonnie feeling the same way. "You take care."
"Same to you." Bonnie said to Francine.
Bonnie then said her goodbyes and left the Wildes' house. Taking Bonnie's words seriously, Francine decided to go upstairs and rest a bit. All the talking took a bit out of her. John, however, had other plans.
Later, Cloak and Dagger had to deal with what was close to a gang war. It ended pretty quickly thanks to them. Once the explained to Cynthia why they took so long, she understood and thought it was good that their parents now knew their secret. After leaving the rest to the police, Cloak and Dagger decided to go on patrol. As they ran and hopped over rooftops, they chatted.
"So, your parents and my mom know who we are now." Dagger said to her partner.
"According to comic books, they are pretty much the last people who are supposed to know." Cloak stated.
"We made the right choice telling them." Dagger stated.
"I know. You're right. Now we don't have to keep all this a secret from them." Cloak said. "However, now they are gonna worry about us more."
The two then leaped over to the next building and stopped.
"Then let's prove that they don't have to." Dagger said boldly. "We'll just keep doing what we have been doing, but better."
"It's a good thing we didn't mention what Auntie Malaloo told us." Cloak stated.
"Yeah. I don't think any of them are ready to hear the whole 'Save The World' part." Dagger stated.
"Ugh. It still feels like we have so much to do." Cloak stated.
"That's why there's two of us. We're supposed to face our problems together. So that's what we will do." Dagger said determinedly. "Fight crime, get Cooperman, put O'Clawdow behind bars, and save the city from an upcoming unnatural disaster."
"You make it sound easy." Cloak said feeling that it wouldn't be.
"It will be easy..." Dagger said before looking at Cloak's eyes. "... because we have each other."
Cloak then smiled at his partner.
"We got to stop doing that." Nick said as looking away and tried not to look embarrassed. "Come back. Back to patrolling."
"Sir, yes sir." Dagger said in a flirtatious matter.
As the two continued patrolling, elsewhere, John was out and about in the Trots. He stopped at Lemar and Val's house. He knocked on the door three times and opening it was Lemar. He was shocked to see John.
"Johnny?" Lemar said.
"Long time no see, old friend." John replied.
"Glad to hear you are okay. I heard that you got kidnapped the other day and..." Lemar said.
"Nick told me everything." John said.
"He did?" Lemar asked looking surprised.
"It wasn't really that hard to figure it out to begin with." John told him.
Lemar then opened the door more allowing John to come inside. The two and Valerie talked about everything about Nick being Cloak and him wanting to avenge David. Lemar then gave John some papers.
"So... these are the sketches." John said as he looked at the paper.
"Yeah." Lemar answered.
"I see." John said. He then looks down at an old rectangular chest. "And the fabric is in there?"
"John, you know how rare that kind of fabric is. Most people can't even use it properly." Lemar stated.
"Most people aren't me." John said firmly. "Listen, Nick might need this one day. Whether it's if or when I want it to be ready for him. Nick and Judy are going to face some time. I can just feel it in my tail. So, I have to do what I can for my boy. For our boys."
Lemar and Valerie just simply nodded and let John have what was in the chest. Eventually, John went back home and into his little workshop in the basement of the house. From his desk drawer, he pulled out a small and dusty box. After blowing the dust off, he opened up the box. It was full of sewing needles and thread.
"Didn't think I would use this again." John said to himself as he takes one of the needles. He takes one look at the sketch he had before pulling out some black fabric and putting it on the table. "Now, let's get started."
End of Chapter 16
