The alarm blared in Nicks ear, he felt like he had been tossing and turning all night thinking about the last night and what was to come by the end of the week. His bloodshot eyes glared over at the electronic box making the noise, reaching over and shutting it off. He rubbed his paws against his face, grumbling to himself about how he hated being a nocturnal mammal. Sleepy emerald eyes searched the room, looking for everything he would need for the day. His eyes landed on the large piece of poster board that he bought a week ago in order to ask Judy to the winter dance.
'Ugh, I really need to do that before its too late' he thought to himself, getting out of his bed. He quickly got changed and ready for the day before leaving his room to grab breakfast. Once again the rabbit was already up and eating breakfast, she turned when she heard his door close,
"Good morning Slick" she said through a mouth full of lucky chomps.
"Carrots, you should learn to not speak when your mouth is full of food" the fox said with a smirk. Nick went into the cupboard and grabbed a bowl, pouring himself a bowl of the sugar coated cereal. The two sat in silence enjoying their meal and sitting next to each other, Nicks parents had yet to wake up yet as they normally slept in till they were called in for a save.
The two eventually finished and left for school, taking the bus and getting up to Sky High. There was something refreshing to Nick about coming back after his crazy weekend, like all his worries were mostly forgotten. That is, until he stepped into the school. He could tell something was off, much more than normal. They weren't really paying attention to him but with his senses he could tell what they were talking about.
"Who do you think the Phantom Fox is?"
"Do you think he's really a fox?"
"I don't know but if it is a fox I don't trust him. All foxes are sly and liars, in fact I bet you that it was some hustle that was set up"
"Wait there's only one fox in this school can't we all figure out who they are?"
"And what about the Violet Vigilante, who are they?"
All through the halls this is what he heard, there were equal amounts of skepticism and respect from what the fox heard. And to be honest he didn't blame them because he was a fox and the image that some of his own species set was not a good one, but he could change that. Sure his parents could hide their species but his was out in the open and he was becoming more okay with it. He saw Wolford at his locker and decided to see if he had heard anything.
"Hey Wolfie, what's everybody going on about?"
"Oh everyone is all hyped out about some new super hero duo, The Phantom Fox and The Violet Vigilante. Personally I think its all just some media ploy because their getting bored of Scarlet Fang and the Wild One" The wolf said closing his locker. Nick put on his best acting face, nudging Judy to do the same,
"Wait did you say fox? This guy really let his species out that early? He must be crazy." Nick said
"Yeah and what kind of name is Violet Vigilante, if they saved lives how does that make them a vigilante" Judy, who's acting could have won her a Pawscar award, scratched her head in confusion.
"I don't know that's what the news said last night and this morning" Wolford said. The bell of course interrupted any further conversation and signaled for them to head to their first class. The trio split up, Nick and Wolford saying bye to Judy as they walked to their class.
"Nick did you really not know about Phantom Fox?" Wolford asked as they walked into the classroom.
"I mean I don't watch the news, its just a bunch of mumbo jumbo" Nick said taking his seat in the back of class.
"Hey fox!" Someone yelled from the other side of the classroom. Nick looked over at who called out to see a rhino looking at him, "How do you feel about a fox saving the day? I bet its something you wish you could do." He said,
"Oh yeah definitely, running around in a leotard, having to keep your identity a secret. Of course this guys smart, whoever he is. Letting the world know what species he is even if it wasn't on purpose, I'm sure it takes a lot of the pressure. I mean who knows Scarlet Fang or Wild One could be foxes for all we know" Nick said, the only mammals in the room who knew that they were in fact foxes were Nick and Wolford, the wolf cracking up at what Nick said knowing that he was playing the rest of the class like a fiddle.
"Ha there's no way they are foxes, they've been doing this city good for years. They're probably, uh I don't know wolves. Heck Willy over here could probably be related to them and not know." The rhino said pointing over to Wolford, who laughed at the rhino's insinuation.
"Have you ever seen those two in person, they are small, they could honestly be rabbits and be related to Judy Hopps for all we know." The wolf said in response. Soon everyone was throwing out their ideas of who the two super hero's were, meanwhile Nick just sat back and soaked in the confusion watching as any trail leading to him was washed away.
The conversations were interrupted by Mrs. Rollae entering the class, no one wanted to over step their boundaries around her because her scream was deafening, as she demonstrated several times so far in the year.
"Good morning class, due to recent occurrences outside of school and the introduction of two new super hero's into the Zootopia area we are going to watch what the chief of police says in todays press conference. Be sure to pay attention, wherever you are deployed you will have to get to know your chief of police. Lucky for whoever these two mammals are, the chief of police here is a strong yet fair leader" she said rolling out a TV currently showing an awaiting crowd in front of a podium. From the side of the screen came the large Cape buffalo that everyone knew and loved (well one out of two ain't bad).
"Good morning to everyone, I am speaking today about the events that occurred last night. The attack on two ladies just a few blocks away here in Savannah Central. Luckily, the only mammals harmed in this attack were the attackers, who were mammals part of a street gang known as the Predatorias. These mammals were taken down by two unknown mammals of special ability, or supers. Although we don't know the real names of these two mammals we do know one of their species, their gender, and we have a rough estimate of their age from witness reports. We have decided to use the names that have been coined by the media, Phantom Fox and Violet Vigilante. Now aside from all this, I am not one for vigilante justice but considering there was an absence of ZPD presence I would like to thank them personally if they are watching this. Now I will take any questions." Paws quickly shot up, everyone there hoping they can get their answer.
"Chief Bogo, with more vigilante justice rising up what will the ZPD change?" Came a question from a camel in the front row,
"There won't be much change, we will still not have any vigilante justice but having an arrest for said crime is very difficult as we need evidence and witness reports, also it is up to me whether the justice was needed at all. Which why Wild One and Scarlet Fang are still out there saving lives. Next question."
"Considering in the past twenty years neither Wild One or Scarlet Fang have ever told anyone their species, how do you feel about Phantom Fox letting his out so soon?" A new reporter asked.
"Well I have no bias towards any mammals, bias in the ZPD could be dangerous which is why none of my officers are. And as far as this fox, I'm sure he didn't mean to reveal that information, perhaps it was during the fight that his disguise came off. As far as what happens next with him, I hope he can keep the rest of his identity hidden." Chief Bogo finished before stepping back, "I now pass on the podium to Zootopia's own hero's Wild One and Scarlet Fang as they have some words they would like to say regarding these two mammals." The chief stepped back from the podium and off to the side where two masked mammals then walked up. Nicks jaw dropped as soon as he saw the two enter the screen, Wolford noticed this and elbowed him.
"Relax they probably are just going to thank whoever those two are" the wolf said leaning over and whispering to the fox.
As the two stepped up to the podium the audience began to applaud and cheer.
"Thank you thank you, we have much to be thankful about as the hero's of Zootopia." The voice that spoke was highly altered but after so many years he could easily tell it was the voice of his father speaking.
"We have been the local hero's here for just about twenty years and we are extremely grateful for that opportunity. However it is with a heavy heart that we say that this will be our last year as the superhero's of Zootopia" the class let out an audible gasp at what they just heard, for everyone in that classroom those two mammals on the screen had been saving the day since they were just kits and cubs. And to hear that they were retiring was heart breaking, however it also meant that there was now an opening in the very city for new super hero's to step in.
"Yes we know that this may come as a shock to some of you, but working in a high risk job such as ours can become pretty tiring after twenty years, I'm sure chief Bogo can attest to this. And although we have our powers, take these suits off and give us normal clothes and we're just like the rest of you, heck we may even be some of your friends." This time the voice came from his mother.
"But after so many years, and after helping so many of you we are going to pass the torch down to two new hero's who are already leaving their mark on the city as we saw last night. And that is why we want to personally meet with this Phantom Fox and Violet Vigilante personally. We will not leave this city in the hands of just anybody, we want to be sure that what happened last night was no fluke and that these mammals are here to protect." Wilde One said before stepping back from the podium. The audience then began to talk to each other some with confusion and fear on their face, and then the TV was shut off. Nick sat in shock as well as a majority of other mammals in the room, including Mrs. Rollae. He had heard them talk about retirement but he always that they would tell him first, maybe they knew he was going to be watching. Mrs. Rollae got the classes attention by gently clearing her throat,
"Alright class, I think we learned plenty from that. I think we should return to where we left off yesterday" and with that the class moved on.
Nick wasn't even mad… He was furious, the one mammal who was most important to them and they didn't even tell him they were going to retire. The fox sat, silently fuming, on the bus after the school day had finished. Judy could tell he was upset and knew why, she watched the press conference as well and was excited but also deeply terrified with the prospect of having to protect the entire city of Zootopia. The pair sat silently on the bus while it came into a landing at the empty back lot where it always did, pulling up to the bus stop, like it always did. The foxes anger followed him off the bus as well as Judy as they started walking to the house, what they didn't notice was the police that was following them close behind. They continued to walk until just in front of the house when the sirens on the car went off, Nick reacted by grabbing Judy and swinging her behind him.
"Nick what are you doing?" She asked from behind Nick, it took him a moment to notice what he was doing and how unnecessary it was.
"Sorry" he said letting her go before returning his attention back to the police car which now had its window down revealing the driver to be chief Bogo.
"Get in you two, you have a lot of explaining ahead of you" he called out.
"Oh great here we go" Nick grumbled to himself as he walked over to the car.
"Tell me everything that happened last night" The Cape buffalo said taking a seat behind his desk, while the two much smaller mammals sat in their seat across from him.
"Well we went to the other side of the wall to collect information, which we got" Nick started, "and then on the way back we heard screaming for help so we went to go check being the good upstanding citizens that we are. We went in took care of business but in the process my hood came off and that vixen must have seen my ears and orange fur because when we went home and watched the news everyone already knew."
Bogo stared at Nick with his death glare while the fox stayed strong staring right back at him. Finally he let out a sigh looking down and rubbing his nose. Nick was not expecting the look of sympathy to then appear on his face when he looked back up,
"And you're okay with this?" The chief asked, his voice coming down from this concrete like hardness to a much softer and more caring tone. Nick was so stunned he could barely respond to his question.
"We… Well no, of course I'm not okay with it. But I also know that I will have to play the cards I've been dealt, right now they are bad but luckily I'm a good bluffer so I think I can still win" Nick said.
"Listen Nick, I don't know what your parents are thinking. I know for sure that they don't know it is you two that they are leaving the city for. They worked this city smoothly, and although I'm supposed to say I hate vigilante justice, which I partially do, I know that what they do is a huge sacrifice and one that they would not just let go of. Although it may seem like we don't get along, the ZPD can't be everywhere or do everything so they helped us and we would help them in turn. And now that job is being passed to you two, so were gonna have to get along whether we like it or not." Bogo said looking between the two mammals seated in front of him.
"And to make matters worse, your species is now out there. Stereotypes are still out there against foxes, I may have had some for awhile myself, and it is going to be hard to avoid them. People are going to put you down even if their lives depend on you. And to add a cherry to this metaphorical Sunday, you two are in a relationship that is frowned upon by many mammals. All this put together, you two are both in for one hell of a time. Do you think you're going to be able to handle it?" He asked genuinely.
The two looked at each other both surprised by Bogo's current behavior. Judy's face then morphed into one of absolute confidence,
"Chief, if there are any two mammals that can handle something like this, it is us" She said. The chief smiled a little at the bunny's confidence, quickly tampering it down as to not seem to soft, but it did not go unnoticed.
"Excellent, I look forward to working with the both of you"
The chief drove them back to Nicks house, leaving them out front before driving off. Nick was ready to face down his parents, of course he was still upset, they should have told him first. They really must not think he has his powers and are just leaving it in the hands of some random pair instead of their own son. When the two walked into the house the first thing he noticed was his parents sitting at the table as if they were waiting there the whole time. They looked at him and Judy upset like something tragic had happened,
"Nick, we need to talk" his dad said. Nicks anger grew, he couldn't help it,
"Yeah we most certainly do." Was all he said as he dropped his bag sitting across from the two.
"Judy, you can hear this too if you would like" Amelia said. The rabbit nodded taking a seat next to Nick, putting a paw on his leg just out of view from the his parents just as she had done before to remind him that she is here for him.
"So we're guessing you saw the press conference today. And before you let us have it" Edward said just as Nick opened his mouth immediately shutting it. "We were going to tell you about this, but considering this new duo who just popped up last night we made our announcement before we could tell you."
That deflated a lot of Nicks anger, "so what you're just giving up on me and giving the city to these two random mammals?" He asked,
"No Nick we are not giving up on you, its just that we don't know when your powers are going to come in. And we are getting far to old to be doing what we do now, you will get the city when your time comes. We have been waiting for a replacement for several years now so we're going to jump on this opportunity. Do you understand?" Amelia asked.
"No not really, but I'll get over it. Now you said you were going to meet with those two, do you know when?" Nick asked. That question seemed to throw everyone off, Judy gradually understood why he was asking, knowing that they were going to be the ones to meet them. But his parents just thought that he was curious.
"Uhm we don't know yet, they haven't reached out but we're trying to do it sooner rather than later." Amelia said looking over at Edward who nodded in agreement.
'Interesting' Nick thought, 'so they really don't know'.
"Alright well me and Judy have work to do, so we're gonna get to it" Nick said standing up and heading to his room followed by Judy leaving the two parents sitting there with a confused look on their face.
'That was way too easy' they were thinking. Once they were in the privacy of his room Nick grabbed Judy, hugging her close.
"So what are we gonna do?" She asked nuzzling into his neck, the fox breathed her scent in, relishing in the sweet lavender she smelled like.
"I have an idea but keeping our identity a secret to them is going to be very difficult" Nick said.
"I don't think that will be that hard, but whats your plan?" She pulled back and looked into his eyes with a questioning look.
"Do you think that Jack could contact them and pretend to be me or you?" he asked. Nick had become fond of the jack rabbit because of his ingenuity, plus it helped to have a friend who was as talented as him.
"Yeah I'm sure he can do that" she said pulling her phone out and starting to type, but before she could send it a red paw pushed her phone down.
"Listen Judy, I know you're not one for sappy speeches or crazy stuff like that, but I just really want to ask you before things get too crazy… Will you go to the winter dance with me?" He asked, his emerald eyes locking with her violet ones. She looked at him confused, 'oh boy now I've done it' he thought. But what he was not expecting was for her to start laughing,
"Nick here I am thinking you're gonna break up with me or something. I thought we were already going with each other." She said through her laughs. Now it was Nicks turn to be confused,
"Wait so I didn't have to ask you at all, you thought we were just going?" He said perplexed
"Yeah unless you were going to go with someone else and not tell me"
Now it was Nicks turn to laugh, he pulled her close and hugged her tight relishing in the funny coincidence he had landed himself in.
"No I'm going with you whether you like it or not, now text Jack we got a new plan to set up"
The plan was set and his parents had been contacted, they were set to meet them in the same alley where the first attack happened wearing their temporary disguises. They held all the cards so that if anything went wrong they could easily get out of there. The two had snuck out of the house after they had eaten an awkward dinner, all his parents would talk about was the fact that they were going to meet the two. And now they sat in the alley way alone, waiting for their arrival. Nick had become impatient and started kicking random trash that surrounded the dumpster that Judy had his behind the night before. They had told them to meet in the alley at 9 and it was now 9:15, from what Nick knew they were rarely late for anything. And they couldn't be because lives depended on their punctuality.
There was no one outside either, considering it wasn't that late. There weren't even that many cars driving, which made the alleyway rather quiet which unnerved Nick.
"Sorry we're late" came a voice from behind him. It was so unexpected that Nick unleashed his powers and stepped into a defensive stance, growling to try and intimidate whoever it was. When he saw Wild One coming out of the shadows of the back alley,
'How did he get there?' Nick thought to himself. He then realized that he looked and felt rather threatening, so he reigned in his powers and put on his deep gruff voice.
"Hey where is Scarlet Fang?" Judy asked in her disguised voice,
"Right behind you" came a new voice from behind again. This time Nick noticed the added presence now that his powers were a little more on, almost like he was leaning forward in his chair at school.
'They have us boxed in, very smart' Nick thought.
"Well I must say it is a real honor to meet you two, I've heard so many stories" Nick said reaching out his paw to Wild One. He couldn't help but feel intimidated by the reaction less mask that he wore, but he also knew that it was just his father under there. After a few moments of silence the masked figure reached out and shook his paw.
"So, you're the Phantom Fox that has everyone freaking out" Wild One said,
"And you are the Violet one who can control others, how interesting that a friend of my son has the same powers and the same bright violet eyes" Scarlet Fang said. Nick could tell what they were doing, trying to intimidate them to make them feel like they weren't safe, and it was kind of working.
"Well that is sure one strange coincidence, maybe I should meet them sometime" Judy said not letting Scarlets words get to her.
"How long have you two been in the city?" Wild One asked again. Now it was Nicks time to let his hustling skills take over, to create a story where one didn't exist.
"Well I have been here for five years while I met her just two years ago" he said convincingly.
"Hmm and yet we had no idea, how interesting. We've been working this city for quite some time and it is now that we discover another fox with powers"
Nick gave a fake reaction of shock at the news that they were fox's too, "Wait you two are foxes as well?"
"Yes we are, and also happily married for more than twenty years, are you two in a relationship? You don't have to answer that if you don't want to" Scarlet now asked,
"No its okay, and we are in a relationship, definitely not as long as you two though." Judy said now. The air surrounding the four was so tense you could cut it with a knife.
"Aww how cute. Now can you take those hoods and masks off so we can see your faces Nick and Judy" Wild One spoke.
Silence, all that followed was complete silence. Both of the two younger mammals stood with their mouths agape.
"Who?" Judy spoke up hoping they were just bluffing,
"Oh our son and his girlfriend. Now cut it out you two the jig is up" Scarlet said coming around to stand next to Wild One. The two silently and shamefully took off their masks and hoods while the two adults did the same. Soon they were all out looking eye to eye just like they had done a few minutes ago.
"How long have you known?" Nick finally said his voice cracking from the nerves he had.
"Not long actually, we had our suspicions when you got put as hero in school, but when we had heard of a young duo that was comprised of a fox and a mammal with purple eyes… well it doesn't take a genius to figure that much out. But the better question is when were you planning on telling us?" Amelia said.
"I really was going to tell you soon, but I just didn't know how to explain it. Honestly I don't even know what powers I have" Nick said honestly,
"When did you get them?" Edward now asked,
"That night we were attacked in our house",
"WHAT!" They screamed in unison,
"Nick that happened months ago and you didn't tell us?" Edward screamed. Their screaming must have been pretty loud because all of a sudden red and blue lights went off as well as a siren. The group reacted fast as Edward leapt up the side of the building, meanwhile Amelia grabbed the two teens and flew them to the roof. To the police officer down below it seemed like just an empty alley way, but if he looked up he could see the eyes of four mammals watching them.
Edward stepped away from the edge rubbing his face with his paws and letting out a sigh of frustration.
"We are going home and you are going to explain everything" he said turning away and leaping off towards home. Amelia looked at the two who looked back expecting for her to carry them again.
"Have fun walking home" she said taking off after Edward.
After 30 minutes, 10 of which they had to use to figure out how to get down from the building, they were finally home. Both Edward and Amelia were there, out of their suits and sitting at the table just like they were earlier except now they were the angry ones. Edward looked at Judy first,
"Judy we would like to talk to our son alone this time" he said. Judy nodded and walked over to her room closing the door behind her. Edward then looked over at Nick,
"Sit"
Nick did as he was told and sat in the seat across from them trying hard not to make eye contact. An awkward silence hung in the air, he could feel their eyes burning into him, meanwhile he was focused on keeping a straight face and not show how guilty he felt.
"Do you understand why we're mad?" Amelia asked,
"Because I didn't tell you I got my powers" he said, for some reason he found the table much more interesting than their faces.
"And for how long have you had your powers now?" Edward now asked,
"Um maybe four months now"
"Right, so here are your parents. The ones who birthed you, the ones who are rooting for you more than anyone else, thinking you don't have any powers for all this time. We were worrying if you would ever get them honestly, its not a guarantee for you to get them. But then we find out that you have had them for four months and have yet you refused to TELL US!" Edward started calm but started screaming towards the end causing Nick to flinch.
"I really was going to tell you, but there is just so much going on that I just couldn't find a good opportunity to do it" Nick said, he felt like he was a child again getting scolded for hustling or pickpocketing.
"So how are we supposed to trust you to take care of the city? What if we were to die going out and all of a sudden you're just left here by yourself and you never get the chance to tell us?" Edward stood up and now was standing closer to Nick. The thought of his parents dying made him flinch again, he lived with the thought of it, but didn't think of them never finding out. This time Amelia noticed Nicks reaction and felt a small bit of sympathy well up in her. He needed to be scolded but it was starting to go to far.
"When we went out on Sunday we were taking down enemies that are worse than the little things that your textbooks tell you, they don't teach what its actually like in that school. They safe guard you from the actual horrors that super hero's see, or the decisions we have to make. We've been pretty darn lucky but what if the luck slipped up on Sunday and me or your mother took a bullet somewhere that could have killed us? What would you do then?" His rage continued to grow as he screamed down on Nick.
"Edward" Amelias voice cut in, causing Edward to look up at her. 'Calm down' she mouthed pointing at Nick who had his eyes closed and tears starting to fall from his eyes. Edward breathed, he hated to make him cry but he was still mad.
"Listen, Nick" his voice was much calmer now, "Look at me". Nick opened his eyes, wiping them quickly before looking up at his dad.
"Were just mad that you would lie to us when you are supposed to be showing us why you are going to eventually save this city someday. Do you understand?"
Nick nodded in response but not saying anything.
"Now do you have anything else to tell us?" Edward asking, sitting back down across the table, "perhaps a certain mammal that blew up our house?"
Nick was once again surprised, "You know about Magnus?" He asked his voice shaky from his emotions.
"Yes, we have been tracking them since they destroyed the house, we know about their compound but have yet to go in. We saw you outside the city last night with that jack rabbit and Judy. Can you tell us what you know?" Amelia once again spoke up,
"I don't know much, they have a compound outside the city, they have lots of guards and mammals and scientists…" He debated telling them about the gas or the ray or the fact that he was captured choosing it wouldn't hurt to tell them, "And th-" he was cut off by the sirens and lights starting to flash.
"Ugh, we're not done here. You'll tell us the rest when you get back, got it?" Edward said heading towards the moving wall.
"Yeah I promise I'll tell you everything" he said watching his parents standing next to the pole's,
"Good now stay safe" Amelia said. And with that they were gone. Nick sat there in silence thinking about all that had just transpired when something flickering outside the window caught his eye. He looked out and saw something on fire,
"Oh gosh, JUDY!" He screamed, he went to the cabinets and grabbed a pot filling it quickly with water hoping it would be enough to put the fire out. Judy walked out of the room and noticed his panicked look,
"What's going on?" She asked,
"There's something on fire outside come on" once the pot was full he ran out the front door. But the time he was out the fire had mostly died down leaving scorch marks on the road. But the marks left an undeniable symbol… two M's. Nicks mind then flashed to his parents who were off to somewhere to save someone. Or was it a trap.
"Oh no…"
Cliff hanger oooh, lets see how this one plays out. Sorry this chapter was rather lack luster compared to recent ones but clearly we're about to kick it up as we creep towards the dance. Also sorry about the fact that this chapter took a little longer to come out, I just got really busy with school work and felt a lack of ideas for a moment but I'm good now. So how have you all been? I'm doing good hunkering down and doing all online school work, washing my hands and not seeing the light of day. I hope you are all doing the same, we've just passed the peak supposedly and things should slowly start to calm down. I really just want to see all my friends again but I understand that our nation is going through some tough times. Anyways stay safe out there, wash your hands, and protect everyone!