"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." - George Shaw
2:00 P.M ; Savanna-Central...
For the first time since his retirement from the force, Nick accompanied Judy on her way to work at Precinct One. The fox felt a bittersweet nostalgia as he walked through the front doors in his civilian clothes, purple tie hanging proudly around his green floral shirt. He gazed with awe around the massive lobby, clean and impressive as ever with its terraced walkways, grassy expanses, and glossy tile floor. It truly was a beautiful building. Nick only wished he would have appreciated it more when he actually worked here.
"Nick?" A buoyant voice exclaimed from across the lobby, distracting him from his inner thoughts. "Nick!"
The fox couldn't stop the smile that spread across his muzzle as he spotted Clawhauser at the reception desk, jumping and waving his arms enthusiastically.
"Hey, Spots," Nick greeted casually as he approached the gregarious cheetah. "Been a while."
"Nick! It's so good to see you!" Clawhauser squealed in excitement, paws on wobbling cheeks while he wiggled in place. "You look so good! You still had that cast on last time I saw you, and now you're walking! I'm so happy for you!"
Smiling, Nick and Judy shared a look, marveling at the big cat's almost unbelievable enthusiasm. Clawhauser lunged across the desk, laying across it and coming close to actually falling off the other side in his quest to get as close to Nick as possible. "How are ya doing? Do ya still have to go to the doctor? Does it hurt to walk? How long has the cast been off? Do ya have a new job? Do you-?"
"Well, I think Ben wants to catch up," Judy quipped as she turned towards the Bullpen. "I'll talk to you later, promise! I just gotta take care of one small thing." She called out over her shoulder.
Nick took a moment to appreciate the way his wife's little puff of a tail flicked back and forth as she walked before turning back to deal with the ever-enthusiastic Clawhauser.
A cascade of questions kept Nick busy until a tide of uniformed mammals led by Judy poured out of the Bullpen to surround him. After a round of greetings and well-wishes and more than a few friendly insults and backhanded compliments, the fox held up the book that contained the petition and explained its purpose to the crowd of officers.
"Mayor? Really?" Francine the elephant asked, her look of shock and confusion mirrored on nearly every face in the crowd.
"Of course," Nick replied like it was the most natural thing in the world. "You didn't think this bum knee would keep me from serving the public, did you?"
There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone digested the news. Then, Clawhauser leaned forward over his desk and snatched the book from Nick's paw. Flipping open the book to the first page, he signed his name in giggling glee. Once he was done, he held it up in triumph.
"HA! First to sign!"
There was an instant of surprise before Francine shoved her way through the crowd. Before anyone could object, she plucked the book from Clawhauser's outstretched paw with her trunk and carefully added her own signature below his.
"Second!" She trumpeted, holding the book aloft.
"Hey! Hey! Me next!" Another officer shouted.
"Then me!"
"Third!"
"Hand it over!"
The crowd surged forward, clamoring to add their signature, each officer holding the book up and declaring their place with pride after signing and then handing it off to the next. Nick and Judy stood off to the side, watching the spectacle. Judy beamed with pride, both in her husband and her peers. Nick just smiled, trying and only mostly succeeding in hiding how moved he was by the show of support. Judy looked over and, upon seeing her husband's fragile expression, bumped his hip with hers. Once she had his attention, she gave her best supporting smile, which he returned.
"What's going on here!?" Bogo's booming voice broke through the clamor, silencing the rowdy crowd and drawing the gaze of everyone involved. They stared as the beefy Chief of Police stomped up to them, looking quite annoyed at the scene they were causing in his lobby. When no one answered right away, Bogo crossed his arms and barked, "Well?!"
Wolford, who happened to be the one who had the petition, flinched and held it up so his boss could see. "Wilde wants to be mayor! He needs signatures to make it happen. We were signing his petition!"
"Mayor?" Bogo rumbled questioningly. Reaching out, he plucked the book from Wolford's paw. Pulling out his wire-rimmed reading glasses, the cape-buffalo delicately donned them while flipping the book open. After he read the text on the first page, he grunted in surprise. "Huh. How about that…"
Nick stepped forward until he stood right next to his former boss. Bogo looked down at him and hefted the document, indicating it. "You serious about this, Wilde?"
"I am, Chief," Nick spoke confidently, still smiling.
"Hm," Bogo hummed thoughtfully. Then he plucked a pen from his breast pocket and signed. Flipping the book closed, he handed it back to Nick. "Try not to burn the place down. Now, the rest of you, back to work!"
Nick looked down at the book with awe. He turned to Judy, smiling as she gave him an approving thumbs-up.
"You, too, Hopps!"
Judy jumped, then scurried off with the rest of the fleeing officers. Even Clawhauser meekly returned to his seat and began flipping through some papers on his desk, though he did still keep a curious eye on the commotion. All of a sudden Nick was acutely aware that he was alone with his old boss.
Chief Bogo crossed his arms and stared expectantly down at Nick. "So, mayor," he stated, plainly ordering Nick to explain.
The fox didn't hesitate to comply. "I want to help Zootopia, Chief. I want to make it better for everybody. Since…" Nick sighed mournfully. "Since I can't do that as a cop anymore, I think this is the best way."
Bogo grunted thoughtfully, then said, "You might be right about that. Might."
"Can't hurt to try, right?"
Bogo hummed and nodded in agreement. There was a brief, slightly awkward silence as neither mammal really knew what to say. Glancing down, Nick saw the petition in his paw and figured it was as good a conversation starter as any.
"Thanks for the signature," he said, tapping the cover. "I really appreciate it."
"Anytime. Just, try not to disrupt operations next time you come calling for favors," Bogo quipped, only half joking.
The silence returned. Nick cleared his throat, trying to think of what to say. Bogo seemed to have the same problem, awkwardly shifting his weight from one hoof to the other. Nick's gaze drifted past the reception desk and deeper into the building. He quietly observed the mammals working. Some hurrying about, others stopped to chat with a colleague, some laughing, some grousing, but all looking comfortable and at ease.
He waved, indicating it all. "How's it going? With them."
Bogo's gaze moved to follow Nick's indicated direction. "Oh. Well, it's been busy. Mopping up Catpone's operation, investigating his connections, identifying his collaborators. Lots to do, even after all this time. Criminal organizations are far from shallow."
Nick hummed his understanding. After a moment, without really meaning to, he blurted, "I miss it." At Bogo's questioning look, he elaborated. "Being a cop, I mean. It was important to me. Even if I become mayor, I still think being a cop will be the most important thing I've ever done or ever happened to me. I don't think I'll ever stop missing it."
Bogo nodded slowly. "I understand," he said honestly. "I can't imagine not being a cop, myself. I'm sorry you had to go. It's…" he trailed off, struggling to find the right words. "Quieter, without you. Not as bright. Even Hopps is… different."
Nick smiled, an expression more melancholy than any frown. "I know it sounds selfish, but that makes me feel a little better. It's good to know I made a difference, you know?"
"You did make a difference," Bogo assured. "For as much of a pain as you could be, you were one of our finest officers."
Clawhauser calling out distracted them from their conversation. "Chief, phone for you. District Two, says it's urgent!"
Bogo turned away with a sigh. "I have to take this. Good luck to you, Wilde. You can go and get signatures from the other employees, if you want."
Nick waved at the retreating cape-buffalo. "Thanks, Chief!" He called with a modicum of his usual cheer.
A little while later, Nick was making his rounds through the cubicle farm when Judy sidled up. "So…"
"Shouldn't you be doing paperwork or something? Oh, hey Nadine! Looking great, as always."
"Yeah, yeah, Wilde," the tigress cop smirked back at the fox. "No need to butter me up, I already heard about the mayor thing." She held out a paw expectantly. "Give."
Smiling, Nick did so. Next to him, Judy puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "I already finished my paperwork, thank you very much!" She puffed up even more when Nick and Nadine both shot her matching looks of disbelief. "I did too!" she denied their unspoken accusation before shifting a little uncomfortably. "...the important stuff, anyway."
While Nadine handed the petition back to Nick, the two shared a commiserating smile. Nick turned away and Judy followed. "I remember this wacko rabbit cop from when I used to work here," he said while they moved. "Once told me that all the paperwork was important."
"Oh, now you care," Judy griped.
"I always cared. I just liked to tease you because you're cute when you're mad," Nick glibly explained before eyeing over Judy's shoulder. "Hey, Snarlof! At least my third favorite polar bear in this district!"
"Har, har, Wilde. I was wondering when you'd come bother me." A gruff voice taunted back.
"Wow, do you always think about me this much? I'm flattered, but I'm a married fox, you know."
"Oh, would you just let me sign your petition and leave me alone?"
Smiling, Nick handed the black notebook over. "Deal."
Now recovered from the minor bombshell her husband had just dropped about his teasing of her to the point of vexation, Judy butted back in, cheeks puffed in irritation. "See, I always knew that's what it was, but actually hearing you say it is just- is just-" She gesticulated furiously, like she was trying to snatch the right word from the air.
"Gratifying?" Nick supplied as he took the book back from Snarlof.
"Infuriating!" Judy corrected.
"Eh, close enough."
Snarlof's cubicle was the last, so Nick decided to stop by the break room and get a cup of the famously bad coffee. Judy followed. There were a few cops hanging around, chatting and partaking of said brew. All greeted Nick warmly and were enthusiastic to sign.
"You know, I wish I could take this home," Higgins the hippopotamus mentioned while he was signing the notebook. "Got lots of family that'd love to see a cop become mayor!"
"Sorry, only got the one, and it would be a real pain to replace!" Nick explained, but Judy's eyes were wide.
When Higgins returned the book, Judy snatched it from Nick's paws and was off like a shot. "Gotanideabackinaminute!" She called over her shoulder as she blurred away.
Nick was left blinking after her, then shrugged and went to make himself coffee. "Guess I'll wait here…"
The fox was sitting alone at one of the tables, halfway through his cup when Judy returned, black notebook in one arm, a thick sheaf of copy paper in the other. She slapped both on the table before Nick.
"I made copies!" She explained excitedly. "Now we can distribute the copies, mammals can take them home so friends and family can sign, and I even added our address, so they can send them back!"
Nick blinked down at his beaming wife. When he processed what she said and what it meant, he matched her smile with his own. "That's a great idea, Carrots!"
Judy reached for the stack of copies, still warm from the printer. "Here, I can-"
Nick's dark-furred paw came down on the stack, pulling her up short. "No, I can give these out. You need to go finish up your paperwork."
Judy tried to argue, but Nick quirked a brow at her, challenging her to say he was wrong. Grumbling, Judy turned away to see to her responsibilities.
When she was gone, Nick hung his head. "Geez, when did I become the responsible one?"
By the time Judy finished up, Nick had been through the whole building, getting more signatures and handing out copies of the petition for mammals to take home.
"Well, it's nearly noon. Lunch break," Judy pointed out upon finding him again. "You're about done here, right? Is there somewhere I can take you?"
"Actually, yeah," Nick said. "I was thinking of visiting Finnick. This time of day, he should be in Sahara-Square. Not too far."
Judy tilted her head curiously. "Finnick? Why him?"
"It was your idea that inspired me," Nick replied, hefting the now much thinner stack of copies. "Finnick is always on the street, doing completely legitimate business, and that means meeting lots of mammals. I figured he could get a bunch of signatures for me. Relying on ZPD colleagues won't be enough."
Judy didn't look entirely convinced, but acquiesced. "If you say so. C'mon, let's get going."
After a few minutes on the road, they found the little fox exactly where they expected: selling Pawpsicles out of an ice-laden cooler on a shady street corner. Upon seeing Nick step out of a police cruiser with a stack of papers in paw, Finnick stepped back and glared suspiciously. His caramel irises flicked with fear between his old partner, and Judy sitting in the vehicle behind him.
"Whatchu got there, Nick?" Finnick barked, his deep voice sounding much more menacing than his diminutive stature would suppose. "I thought you was done bein' a cop? What, you a bondsmammal now? Servin' papers?" He jabbed a threatening finger at the larger fox. "I know you ain't servin' me!"
Nick put up his paws in a sign of peace. "Easy, big guy. I'm not a bondsmammal, and I'm not serving anything. I just wanted to ask a favor. Here, read for yourself." So saying, he extended the papers out so Finnick could read them.
Clearly still suspicious, Finnick continued to glare up at Nick for a few seconds longer, then slowly bent his head to read.
"Petition… for Nick Wilde to campaign for mayor of Zootopia!?" Finnick read aloud, astonished. His gaze jerked up from the copied sheets to Nick, and he removed his sunglasses to lock eyes with him. "Mayor!? You fo' real, Wilde?"
"Real as can be, big guy," Nick assured. "See, to get started, I have to get three thousand signers on my petition. I'm working a few other angles, but I was hoping you could help out."
"That right?" Finnick questioned, slowly leaning away from the papers. He still looked suspicious, but also intrigued. "Yeah, I meet a lot of mammals out here, plenty of 'em would sign. What's in it for me?"
"What, our long history as friends and business partners not good enough?"
Finnick threw his head back and laughed. Loudly. "HAHAAHAAHAAAAH!"
Even through his friendly smile, Nick managed to grimace while his old partner laughed in his face.
"Hoo-boy!" Finnick chuckled as he regained his self-control. "You funny, Wilde! Now, seriously, whatchu got for me?"
Nick let out a brief sigh before answering. "I don't have anything to give beyond buying you lunch or something."
"Try again."
Nick rolled his eyes. "How about a favor?"
One of Finnick's eyebrows quirked, along with Judy's. "A favor?"
"That's right." Nick thought about it a moment. "A mayor's favor. If this works out, I'll do you a favor as mayor. Push through a hard-to-get license or something." He thought about it again and added another amendment. "Within reason."
The other brow quirked, leaving Finnick looking very intrigued. "A mayor's favor, huh?" he questioned, drawing the syllables out slowly. Then he nodded and grabbed the copied sheets. "Alright, Wilde. You're on!"
Afterward, Nick addressed Judy as he pulled himself back up into the cruiser's passenger seat and buckled in. "Hey, Carrots. I know you don't have a lot of time left, so you can drop me off at the nearest bus stop-" he paused, noticing Judy's glare. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"A mayor's favor?" She quoted. "Are you serious?"
"What?" Nick asked, confused and a little defensive.
"What happened to all that talk about transparency and integrity?" Judy demanded.
"This is different," Nick insisted. "Finnick is a close friend, not to mention a hardworking, small-time entrepreneur. It's not like I'm selling out! Besides, we need him to get the signatures, and if that means some negotiation, then I see no problem with that."
"It's still wrong." Judy pointed out. "You can't grant political favors like that! You can't hustle your way into office!"
"It's not-! I'm not-!" When Judy tilted her head, eyebrows raised in challenge, Nick sighed with exasperation. "Okay. You win. No more favors, no more hustling. Won't happen again. Scout's Honor." He gave the familiar salute.
Mollified, Judy's expression softened. "I'm glad to hear that. You need to understand that if you're going to be mayor, you're going to be under a hot, bright spotlight - all the time. Stuff like this can come back to bite you. Hard. And between us, your past alone is enough to throw you in prison for years, Nick. We both know that. And we're very lucky that Bogo doesn't. But I want you to succeed, because I also know that you've proven yourself to be an honest mammal, with a good heart, and I believe your past mistakes shouldn't prevent you from making up for them. Please don't prove me wrong, Nick."
The fox swallowed. It was hard to argue against logic like that. He rubbed ashamedly at the back of his neck. "You're right. Sorry. Old habits can be hard to break. And when I'm around Finnick, I just… feel like my old self again."
"It's okay. I just hope your past doesn't interfere with your campaign. We have to be careful. We have to do this the right way. So from now on, we play by the book, okay?"
Nick allowed himself a smile, hefting the signature book. "You got it, Carrots."
At that, Judy started the car and merged into traffic. They quickly passed the nearest bus stop.
Familiar with how his wife operated, Nick didn't bother pointing out that she missed the stop. He just asked, "So, where are we going?"
"Rainforest-District. Chief Myreme is pretty fond of you. Shouldn't be hard to get into the precinct and pass the book around, and maybe make more copies for mammals to take home." Judy grinned at him. "I've still got time to help. How does that sound?"
Nick nodded agreeably. "Works for me."
It didn't take long for their cruiser to arrive in the Rainforest-District. He stared out the window with awe at the sight of one of his favorite districts. Wood and metal overhangs could be seen clinging to the jungle's understory, entire homes and businesses built into the branches of the forest. Apartments nestled in the treetop crowns, and even higher above, suspension bridges criss-crossed amidst the sun-soaked canopy layer, shimmering in the warm beams while everything below draped in shadow. Rotating sprinklers strategically positioned along the lengths of the trees spewed water down to the forest floor, where pedestrians walked along wooden boardwalks lined with rows of colorful umbrellas. Large pipes built into the trees belched out clouds of hot steam as they sucked up water from the pools spread throughout the forest floor to be taken up to the higher levels above, where they were released as more rain and mist in a never-ending mammal-made water cycle.
Soon, they entered the lobby of Precinct Four in search of its Chief. Like Precinct One, the entrance hall was large and spacious, and brimming with activity. Officers of all shapes and sizes ambled throughout the room, some with detainees cuffed against them, others lugging around crates of captured contraband and other assets seized from suspects. The carpet was an earthy pattern of brown and dark green, with patches of fruiting jungle trees sprouting up from sections of dirt flanking the walls. Vines hung from the ceiling like lures, and were coated so thick around the windows in the roof that only a small portion of sunlight managed to make it into the building. The windows in the side of the building were a different story, however, with each one giving a great view of the Rainforest-District's all-encompassing tree-line.
Judy was quick to spot Chief Myreme on the far side of the lobby, standing before a massive pile of wooden crates and oil drums. The giant anteater logged notes in a clipboard, cautiously eyeing over the mountain of contraband. He held his posture high, and with confidence. His blue uniform was secured with a tight black belt wrapping around his waist and chest like a sash, and his shaggy brown fur seemed to be the only part of him that didn't look impeccably well prepared. As Nick and Judy approached him, he caught sight of them and allowed a thin smile to grow upon his muzzle.
"Ah, Officer Hopps! And Señor Wilde," he greeted in a soothing, exotic accent. "Precinct Four welcomes you!"
Nick gave a nonchalant wave. "Good to see ya, Chief. It's been a while."
"Indeed it has. I hope that your recovery has progressed without much trouble." The anteater stated as he turned to face his guests.
Chuckling, Nick hopped from one foot to the other as a demonstration. "So far so good! Have to use a cane here and there, but I'm making progress."
"I am pleased to hear that." Chief Myreme exhaled through his lengthy snout, expression softening with pained reminiscence. He removed his red beret cap with one paw. "I am also… sorry, for the part I played in your condition. Were it not for my case against Al-"
"I'll stop ya there, Chief," Nick interjected with a raised finger. "It's no one's fault but Al's."
The anteater nodded slowly, as if coming to terms with that fact himself. He firmly fastened his hat back atop his scalp. "Sí… you are right. My conscience, eh, it ails me. The case against Al… came with many sacrifices."
Nick's smile dimmed, and although the action caught Judy's attention, he didn't allow it to interfere with his mood. "But it did lead to new opportunity. That's actually why I'm here. I'm trying to pursue a career in public policy, you see, and I need to fill this book with signatures to break in. Care to help?"
"Sí, sí, I would be happy to sign." Chief Myreme insisted, leaning forward and using his pen to sign in perfect cursive. "I wish you luck in your endeavors."
"Thanks, Chief," he said before looking to the giant pile of crates and drums. "I've gotta ask, though, what is all this?"
The anteater turned to face the mound. "Contraband seized from organized crime groups operating in the Rainforest-District. Al Catpone's outfit may be gone, but his legacy casts long shadows. His allies squabble over leftover territory, and the ZPD has yet to track down the truck that escaped from the raid that brought him down, even after all this time. As such I fear that his Nighthowlers may still be out there. But as of now, all we can do is work. The wicked never rest, and neither do those that stand up to them."
Judy nodded with approval. "I couldn't agree more!"
"Well, with mammals like the two of you on the job, I'm sure those crooks won't stand a chance," Nick complimented. "Carrots and I should probably get going. Mind if we pass these fliers around the precinct?"
"Not all all." Chief Myreme granted, smiling warmly. "Mi casa es tu casa."
While Nick and Judy passed around copies to as many paws that would take them, the latter asked the former, "Where to after this? Precinct Three?"
"Nah, I doubt the Cranky Coyote would even let us set foot there."
"Chief Latran isn't so bad anymore," Judy insisted. "He's been a lot nicer to me after we helped him catch Al, at least. But we can go somewhere else. Any suggestions?"
Nick allowed himself a smirk. "Been a while since I've graced my old stomping grounds. I think Happytown could use a visit."
3:00 P.M ; Somewhere in the Nocturnal-District…
It was moments like these that made Lucy Sang wish she had never become a criminal.
Moments of uncertainty weren't infrequent when working in the criminal underworld. Risks were a part of the job, after all. Nothing ever went exactly as planned. The moment that recording device had unearthed Mr. Big's treachery, she knew that her hope for a future filled with certainty was out of reach once again, as it had so many times throughout her life. It was such uncertainty for the future that never failed to make life as a civilian seem all the more appealing.
A little peace and quiet with her family was all she wanted, but if a crime war was truly to come, then such hopes would have to wait. Now, what mattered most was protecting that same family. And that was a goal she would pursue no matter the cost.
But Lucy knew better than anyone that the best way to win a fight was to prevent one from happening in the first place. For as much as she desired to suck the life from that treacherous shrew herself, the last thing she wanted was for irrational decision-making to steer their future. If there was any hope in extracting justice without conflict, then it needed to be considered, and if there was any hope in ending the conflict before it began, she knew it rested in the wings of Vladzotz. As the ruler of the Nocturnal-Mob, and the target of Mr. Big's betrayal, his decision on the organization's actions moving forward would decide the fate of any potential conflict against the Tundratown Mafia. She doubted it would be easy, but figured the least she could do was try. Chaos was an element she thrived in, for opportunity could always be achieved from it, but a full scale crime war was something else entirely, and not something she wanted to risk the safety of her family for.
When the conclave of lieutenants from the Grand Palm Hotel returned to the mansion in the Nocturnal-District that served as their safehouse and headquarters, Vladzotz entered without a word. He swept past the guards with his gaze cold and focused, footclaws clicking softly against the glossy black tile floor as he marched deep into the manor. Lucy was quick to follow him, knowing exactly where he was heading.
She found the door to the library left ajar, and entered quietly before closing it shut behind her. There she saw him - not reading from his perch, or watching over the pups sleeping in their crib, as he usually did, but instead standing before the mantle of the fireplace, staring deep into the flames flickering within. Vladzotz's shadow was cast long and deep across the room, rippling over the shelves of books lining the walls. His leathery wings were folded calmly behind his back, trailing behind him like a regal cloak. He had even cast off his sleeveless overcoat onto the nearby couch, fully displaying the blood red vest wrapped around his torso. Lucy gradually approached, carefully watching his expression. Years of studying how to read even the faintest of emotions told her that whatever peace of mind he'd built following the revelation of Mr. Big's treachery, when she had comforted him at the penthouse, was gone. His single red eye had regressed back to that scheming, smoldering gaze that narrowed his brow and hardened his features, as though he were trying to cause the fire before him to burn brighter with sheer willpower.
It was a look of hate, and far from a look that Lucy liked to see on him. His dominant side as a mob-boss and leader was one thing, but this… this was an obsessive anger she hadn't seen on him in nearly two years. Vladzotz had told Lucy so many times how he had her to thank for saving him from his dark obsession of vengeance against the fox that had burned down his former home - how she had expelled his grief and the wrath that had clouded his judgement - and yet those same vestiges were on his face once again. Lucy hated to see them. Mr. Big's deceit had torn open a wound they had all thought healed, and now they were suffering for it. Lucy refused to let it consume them.
Just as she was about to speak out, Vladzotz beat her to it. "Castle Fangpyre had a library just like this," he softly remarked, voice cold and articulate, like sharpened ice. "Do you remember it?"
Lucy nodded, remembering it well. She had visited Castle Fangpyre many times back when her and Vladzotz were first building their criminal partnership, before it had burned down for good. "Yeah. It was bigger. Older. Dustier," she listed off, allowing herself a reminiscent smile as she took a step closer to his shoulder. "But I like this one more. We built it ourselves."
"That we did. When we ordered the construction of this safehouse after the fall of Castle Fangpyre, I had wanted to recapture the atmosphere of the original. Replica or not, it brings back so many memories," Vladzotz mused, pupil dilating against the flickering tongues of flame. "When I was a boy, my father, Vladzotz II, told me many stories beside the library fireplace. I had always been so awed at our legacy. How the Fangpyre family stretched back generations, with Castle Fangpyre as our roost for just as long. It fascinated me how I could be part of such an ancient lineage. I was… proud. As was my father."
Lucy inched closer to Vlad's shoulder, listening quietly as he continued his tale.
"You can imagine my surprise when he told me of a different story one day: how reviled our species was on the surface-world," he snarled bitterly. "I wondered why anyone could hate a vampire bat… could hate us. I couldn't understand why something as simple as our diet, as our species, could lead to such biases. I asked again and again for my father to let me accompany him on his business trips to the surface-world, but he never relented. He would always say it was too dangerous for a young bat. It..." he paused, blinking irritably as though trying to dispel an unpleasant thought. "Made me envious. And then one day, he told me the story of the Blood-Crisis - how so many of our kind perished when the colonists from the surface first came to these caverns, centuries ago, fighting us and outlawing the consumption of blood."
Lucy's ears dipped. "I remember when I first learned about that in grade school." She thought back to the occasion, clawtips worrying the zipper on the chest of her bodysuit. She'd also learned that day how the city government collected a blood tax from hospital donations to feed to the remaining vampire bat families. It wasn't much of an apology for nearly wiping out the species. It also tasted like chemicals, which was one of the reasons why Lucy preferred her blood fresh. "Wasn't a fun day."
Vladzotz nodded, jawline tensing with growing frustration. "I hated that story. Hated the surface-dwellers for all their crimes and twisted chauvinism. It was just a few weeks later that news arrived of my father's death - away, on the surface," he snarled the word as if he could think of no greater evil. "Where he was struck by a heart attack and fell from the sky. As if it hadn't taken enough from us. For so long I yearned to burn it to the ground. And for so long I believed those thoughts to have left me, thanks to you." From behind, Lucy noticed the grip of Vlad's folded wings tighten. His breath faltered with rage. "Yet now I learn that someone I thought a friend for all my life is responsible for the death of more Fangpyres," he hissed, lips pulling back to reveal his fangs. "And I want nothing more than to reduce Tundratown into a barren waste."
One of the logs in the fireplace toppled at those final words, invigorating the flames to new heights and casting Vladzotz's menacing shadow across the room. Within their crib, Leo and Vasila whimpered fearfully in their sleep as the dark briefly passed over them, blotting out the light from the fire.
Lucy stepped forward and gripped her husband's shoulder. "Vladzotz," she began, using his full name rather than some affectionate nickname to get his attention. "I have your back, but we have to be smart about this. War is serious. I've seen what happens when criminal organizations fight each other. Trust me."
The crime-lord bared his teeth in a growl, pivoting away from Lucy and swiping one wing through the air. "That traitorous rodent spat upon the House of Fangs! Upon the non-aggression pact! He deserves every level of suffering coming his way!"
"That we can agree on," Lucy said before raising her voice and jabbing a talon toward the carpet. "But we are NOT going into this blind, do you hear me? We are NOT going to risk everything we've built just for a chance at revenge!"
Vladzotz felt his heart hammer with rage, and was moments from retorting, that was, before another cry emanated from the nearby crib. Both adults turned toward it. Vasila had awoken from her slumber, and was whining softly, squirming helplessly in her swaddling. The crime-lord's anger gradually left him, seeping from his body like blood from a bite mark. He sighed, posture slumping with weariness.
"Yes… you're right. Forgive me, my dear," Vlad spoke slowly. "I… I let rage cloud my vision."
"I don't blame you," Lucy assured as she walked to the crib and gently pat Vasila. "But you can't lose sight of the bigger picture, right? And this is coming from me."
Vladzotz approached her side. "Yes. You're right," he repeated. "I don't want to endanger the family we've built. You, the pups, anyone. We must do this the right way. But we cannot let this injustice go unanswered."
"Agreed. That slimeball can't get away with this. We need to start talking ways to bring him down."
The crime-lord furrowed his brow with thought. He reached into the crib, and let his daughter nibble one of his claws, calming her down swiftly. "I… may have a way to achieve that without any conflict."
Lucy looked to him with interest. "Do you really?"
"I do," Vladzotz claimed before gesturing to the door. "But it is late in the day, and I am so, very tired, my dear. Tomorrow, I shall call a meeting with the organization's leadership to discuss our plan for victory. But for now, I wish to rest. It has been a long night."
8:30 A.M ; The next day, Downtown Zootopia...
The thick notebook landed on Samantha Diallo's desk with a thud. The meerkat looked down at the document with both eyebrows raised.
"You got three thousand signatures in only a day?"
Nick stood back with a self satisfied smile. "Closer to five thousand, but who's counting?"
Samantha shot the fox an incredulous look while she dragged the notebook closer. "How'd you manage that?"
"Well," Nick preened as he sat back in the comfortable armchair before the desk. "We brought the book to a few police precincts and passed it around. Pretty much everyone was eager to sign. Somebunny got the bright idea to make photocopies and pass them around," he shot Judy an appreciative smile. The rabbit beamed under the attention. "So mammals could take them home and have family, friends, and neighbors sign, and quite a few did! Also got a few old friends to pass some around. When Carrots and I got home last night, there were hundreds of copies beneath our door."
"So I see! This is great news! It puts us way ahead of schedule! We'll be able to get your name out there well before the debating period next month!" Sammy noted, thumbing through the thick stack of loose copies stuck in the back, most of which had every line filled with a different signature. "I'm impressed you managed to get so many!"
"We also got a few from Happytown," Nick continued. The fox winced and his smile turned wry. "Given my, eh, entrepreneurial history there, a few mammals weren't quite as enthusiastic-"
"You can say that again," Judy muttered under her breath.
"Buuut," Nick continued with a sideways glance at Judy. "A lot of them were fans of my work as a cop, especially our recent scrap with Catpone. Saving the town and all. Even more were very, very keen on the idea of a homegrown Happytown predator in the mayor's office, so even if they didn't like me personally, plenty of them were willing to sign."
"I see, I see," Sammy muttered as she continued to thumb through the pages, noting page after page crammed with signatures. One in particular caused her to pause. "Thelonius Bogo," she read aloud in surprise before she glanced up at Nick for confirmation. "As in the Chief of Police? That Thelonius Bogo?"
Smiling like it was no big deal, Nick nodded. "Of course. Chief Bogo is a close friend of ours."
"Really?" Samantha leaned forward, looking very, very interested. "I've heard that mammal's as stony as they come, and hates politics, to boot. I can't remember a single candidate he's ever truly thrown his support behind. If you're in good with him… do you think you could get his official endorsement?"
Nick and Judy shared a look, then Nick turned back to Samantha. "I don't see why not."
"Go for it!" Samantha commanded sharply. "An endorsement from him would be huge!"
Nick was a little taken aback by her fervor, but Judy was nodding along, thoughtfully. "It's easy to forget because we work with him everyday, but Bogo is actually a pretty big deal, huh?"
"More than you know!" Samantha crowed excitedly. "Police are popular in the political world. Running as a former semi-famous cop will work wonders for your campaign! And if you had Bogo backing you, the public would see it as the entire ZPD backing you. Not just the public, either. All sorts of movers and shakers want to be perceived as being aligned with the police, so you'll have big name donors and endorsers you could never get otherwise lining up because you're the ZPD's pick for mayor. You couldn't ask for a better endorsement!"
Nick hummed thoughtfully. "I see your point. I'll get in touch with him as soon as possible."
"You do that," Samantha confirmed with a decisive nod. "Now!" she continued, "I'm going to take this," she held up the thick notebook and its many signatures. "To City-Hall and get the ball rolling on making your candidacy official. Nick, I want you to make that call to Bogo literally the second I'm gone. The sooner we can make a public statement announcing your run, the better, and an endorsement from the Chief himself can only help with that! I'll be back by ten. I expect you to be here by then! We'll have much to discuss!"
So saying, the meerkat gathered up a few other documents and hurried out the door. Nick, taking her advice to heart, pulled out his phone and dialed Bogo's number while Judy made herself comfortable in her chair. Clawhauser picked up after a few moments, buoyant voice filling the silence of the office.
"Chief Bogo's Office, Officer Clawhauser speaking. How may I help you?"
"Hey, Spots!" Nick greeted casually.
"Nick!" Clawhauser squealed into the line, causing the fox to pull the phone from his ear with a grimace. Watching from her chair, Judy giggled slightly. "Oh, Nick! How are you doing? How's your mayor thing going?"
Smiling patiently, Nick answered, "It's going. That's actually why I called. Is Bogo available?"
"For you? Sure!" The excitable cheetah exclaimed. "Patching you through now!"
There was a click and long tone, and then Bogo's gruff voice announced, "Bogo speaking."
"Hey, Chief!" Nick called with enthusiasm. "How are ya?"
"Wilde?" Bogo questioned. "Calling so soon? What, asking for campaign donations already?"
"Oh, not just yet, but you're definitely at the top of the list. I plan to have my team call you at least three times an hour. Police chiefs get paid a lot, right?"
A disdainful snort came over the line. "You'd better keep your bloodsuckers off of me, Wilde, or you'll regret it!"
"Not to worry, my team is vampire bat free. But I am calling about the campaign."
"What a shocker."
"So, it turns out campaigns need these things called endorsements-"
"Absolutely not."
The rejection took Nick like a blow to the chest. The fox rocked back in his seat, then shared a wide eyed glance with Judy, who looked just as surprised as he did. Nick took a second to collect himself, then licked his suddenly dry lips. "Oof. You're breaking my heart, Chief. I thought we had something special."
"It's nothing personal, Wilde. All political dealings go through the Officer's Union. You should know that, it was part of the contract you signed when you joined the force."
Nick shared another look with Judy, this one puzzled. "It was? Huh. Well, you can't expect me to remember all the fine print. Who ever reads the terms and conditions?"
He twitched when Judy snapped her fingers and exclaimed, "I remember reading something like that!"
"Of course you do."
"Yes, Wilde," Bogo continued on, his tone simultaneously patient and annoyed. "It's in all our contracts. However, I can refer you to the Head of the Union, along with giving my personal recommendation." The buffalo's voice took on a more sympathetic tone. "With that, you'll have everything you'll need to get a proper endorsement."
The tight feeling in Nick's chest loosened, and he smiled. "I sure would appreciate that, Chief."
"You're welcome. Now," Bogo rumbled. "If you'll excuse me, I have some important paperwork to sign. Some of it for Officer Hopps, as a matter of fact."
"Really? Whatcha got? More thank-you letters from grade school kits in Happytown?"
"Let's just say she's moving up in the world. Bogo out."
The phone turned silent as the call ended. Nick glanced to his wife. "You hear that?"
"I may or may not have been eavesdropping," Judy claimed as she titled her head, long ears flopping to the side. "It's kind of hard to turn these off."
"Sounds like you're on the Chief's good side. Looking forward to finding out what he meant. In the meantime, you up for some brunch? I'm starved."
Judy smiled warmly. It had been some time since her and Nick's last outing together. To say that she was pleased was an understatement. "It's a date."
Meanwhile, in the Nocturnal-District...
The safehouse's meeting room had never been so quiet.
Normally abustle with mobsters busy discussing finances, scheming heists and other operations, and calculating risk for loans to desperate civilians, it was the very heart of the Nocturnal-Mob and its criminal empire. Yet today, it was anything but lively. The room was filled with a respectful silence, half a dozen Nocturnal-Mob lieutenants standing before a circular wooden table as their boss entered the room without a word. Vladzotz seated himself at the head of the table in a comparatively large chair, and Lucy did the same in a chair to his right. With their leader at ease, the rest of the minions seated themselves as well. A large stained-glass window allowed the soothing blue light from the Nocturnal-District's glowworms to enter the room, filling it with an eerie azure glow. All eyes were on Vladzotz as he breathed in deeply through his leaf-shaped nose.
"Many of you are aware of yesterday's events at the Grand Palm Hotel, and have likely heard the subsequent rumors of war to follow," he started, velvety voice filling the room. "I would like to take this moment to address these allegations head-on. We are not suddenly at war with the Tundratown Mafia," his expression hardened with anger. "We have been at war with them, for nearly seven years. We just did not know it. But we are no longer blind. Now, our enemies must pay for their crimes against the Fangpyre Family."
A heavily tattooed naked mole-rat leaned forward on his portion of the table. Like his boss, he was a bit undersized amongst the crowd of badgers, wolves, and raccoons, but his fierce countenance, face scrawled with scars and sharp buck-teeth gave him all the show of authority he needed. "What would you have us do, sir?" He asked in a gruff voice.
"Ah, Lester," Vladzotz mused. "You have served the Nocturnal-Mob since before even I was its head. Your devotion to me and my father before, as our Head of Security, has always gone without disappointment. You, and everyone sitting at this table are the loyalest, strongest, and fiercest of mammals I have ever met. You are all as much a Fangpyre as my wife and our children. I would not throw my family into the jaws of a war they do not deserve to suffer for. And so I have been searching for a peaceful solution to prevent this conflict."
Lester nodded, causing the fleshy pink wrinkles along his throat to fold into the neck of his black commando sweater. "That's very thoughtful of you, sir."
"Yes. When I was hunting that wretched fox that Mr. Big had coerced into doing his dirty work, I had let the fires of rage consume me to the point of obsession. And through it I had nearly cost the Nocturnal-Mob everything… including my own life." Vladzotz paused to briefly stroke at his missing right eye before growling irritably. "I will not make the same mistakes with Mr. Big himself. For the true architect of our disrespect, I have come to realize that revenge… is a dish best served cold. And with a great deal of forethought."
Pushing his wings atop the table, Vladzotz rose to stand in his seat, giving him a wider view of the room and the mammals within. He folded his wings behind him as he spoke. "Let it not be said that Vladzotz Fangpyre III didn't seek every possibility to avoid wanton violence. I will write a letter to the Big Family demanding that its patriarch be handed over to us as atonement for his crimes. If they comply, no further conflict will be necessary," Vladzotz explained calmly. "Only one old shrew will die. A reasonable demand."
A badger mobster leaned forward in his chair. "And if they refuse? Somethin' tells me they won't be so keen on throwin' their leader under the bus."
"I was there at the hotel when the news dropped," Lucy interjected. "Big's mooks didn't look pleased at the idea of risking their lives for a war he started. If we can tap into that resentment, they'll do our jobs for us."
"Precisely," Vladzotz confirmed. "This letter will serve that purpose. But it is no guarantee. I have known Cristoforo for years, and his organization's members have always been fiercely loyal to him. It takes indomitable leadership for a shrew to command legions of polar bears. I only hope that they will see reason. A war is as dangerous as it is unnecessary." His single red eye gazed around the table, eyeing over all of his minions. "Yet that may very well become our only option. If that is the case, can I trust that you all will do your duty to the Fangpyre Family?"
"Without question," Lester promised. "You've given our lives purpose in a meaningless world. We will gladly risk them if we must."
A raccoon slapped the table with gusto. "Yeah! We'll show those liars what-for, boss! Just you watch!"
"Justice for the Fangpyre Family!" Another lieutenant shouted.
The table politely cheered and nodded their agreements. In that moment, Vladzotz felt his heartbeat quicken with pride. Nothing could have bolstered his hopes more than the support of his minions. Smiling slightly, he closed his eye and said, "Thank you all. Your confidence begets my sincerest gratitude. One way or another, justice will be ours."
Another round of cheers went up around the room. From her seat, Lucy allowed herself a smile. Whatever happened, she was certain that the Nocturnal-Mob would charge forward without fail. It was a reassuring thought, knowing that a small army of mammals was willing to protect them. This kind of unity was rare in criminal organizations. Lucy had been a freelance thief - a lone mercenary - for so much of her life, and to see devotion of this scale between a bunch of criminals was impressive. She supposed it wasn't called organized crime for nothing. It all reminded the bat of her brief stint in another criminal organization, long ago when her career as a thief had just been getting started.
Before the thoughts fully immersed her, Lucy's attention returned to Vladzotz as his voice filled the room once more.
"I will notify you all of any developments with the letter. Hopefully, our enemies will come to realize that their leader isn't worth the troubles of war. If the Tundratown Mafia refuses to concede, however, then we will discuss our plans going forward. But for now, please resume your normal routines," he then turned to Lester. "Except for you. As Head of Security, I'll leave it to you to ensure that there are no weak links in our defenses. If war is to come, we must be ready. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, sir." Lester confirmed dutifully before dispersing with the other lieutenants, leaving Vladzotz alone with Lucy.
The latter approached her husband. "Great job back there. You made the right choice."
Vladzotz looked down to her smaller height, admiring the way the blue light sculpted around her features. "Yes. If I lacked your counsel," he spoke slowly. "I fear I would not have hesitated to declare war in these circumstances… would not have stopped to think if such a decision was best for this organization, or even myself. Thank you."
The female bat gave a fanged smile as she nudged his sternum with one elbow. "No need to thank me for looking out for you. And hey, you help set my head straight too, so I'm happy to return the favor." Lucy then cracked her neck side to side. "Now, I think it's time I drag the mammals responsible for all this into their rightful place groveling for mercy at our feet."
Vladzotz raised an eyebrow. "You don't speak of a preemptive strike, do you?"
"Oh, I'm not talking about Mr. Big or any of his bite-sized relatives," Lucy clarified. "I'm talking about the boar that delivered that recording at the meeting."
"I never saw them, but I suppose they are guilty of inciting this conflict. Who are they?" Vladzotz asked, leaning forward with intrigue.
"The representative of the client from my last mission. He was the one who hired me to track down that turncoat on Outback-Island in the first place."
10:30 A.M ; Downtown Zootopia...
Upon returning to Samantha's office after a relaxing brunch at Pandara Bread, Nick and Judy were barely through the door before the meerkat excitably pounced to her feet.
"Welcome back!" She greeted as they went to their seats. "You called Chief Bogo, right? How did it go!?"
"I did," Nick confirmed with a nod as he lowered himself into his chair. "He referred me to the Officer's Union President. I called him at brunch. Had a quick chat. He told me he had to check some things out, and that he would call me back later."
"Well, at least it's not an outright rejection!" Samantha pointed out cheerfully. "That means there's a chance. In the meantime, there's lots to do!"
"Like what?" Judy asked interestedly.
"Paperwork!" Samantha answered while holding up a thick packet of documents, smiling sunnily as both her guests winced.
"And here I thought the nightmare was over." Nick grumbled.
"Hey, you're the one that wanted to become a bureaucrat. Congratulations, here's your prize," Samantha teased as she pulled the thick sheaf out of its envelope. Leaning forward, she laid the stack on the edge of her desk closest to Nick. With a suffering sigh, he reached forward and picked it up. While he leafed through it, Judy stood from her chair.
"Well, as fun as that looks, I have to go to work," she said. She stopped by Nick's side on her way to the door, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. "Later, Slick."
"What, you don't want to help?" He hefted the reem and quirked a brow at her. "Plenty to go around."
Judy's answering smile was sardonic. "I have enough paperwork of my own, thank you very much. Not to mention a patrol in Happytown to handle."
"Okay, okay," Nick laid the pages on his lap so he could stroke Judy's cheek. "Call me later?"
Judy leaned into the touch and hummed an affirmative. Finally, she pulled away, nodded goodbye to Samantha and turned to leave.
Once she'd left, Samantha put her elbows on the desk, propped her chin on her palms and hummed with delight. "Hmm! You two are really cute together."
Nick smiled as he returned his attention to the pages in his lap. "Don't let her hear you say that. She hates being called cute." He said, humor in his voice.
"But why?!" Samantha cried, astonished. "She's adorable."
Nick shook his head. "It's a rabbit thing. Just trust me."
"Well, alright," she conceded the point as she pushed away from her desk and stood. Grabbing a pen, she came around to Nick and presented it to him. "Let's get crackin'!"
They began to chew through the documents, which wouldn't have taken so long, but they often had to stop to see to some related task, like gathering Nick's birth certificate, proof of citizenship and other related documents, or to open a bank account - Campaign Depository, as the documents put it - or make committee appointments. But it didn't take long before a real roadblock emerged: filling out the campaign team.
"Well, now here we come to a problem," Samantha stated seriously as she tucked her clasped paws under her chin. "Experienced operators are invaluable to a campaign, but they don't come cheap. As new and unknown as you are, there's no guarantee you'll make enough in donations to justify the expense. Good news is that you already have me. I'll take over as Campaign Manager and Treasurer. That leaves Chairmammal and Communications Director."
Nick quirked a brow. "I understand why a Communications Director would be good for a campaign - advertising and all - but what would a Chairmammal even do?"
"Chairmammals can be super important. They make sure everyone is on the same page and working together."
"Okay, but what do they do?" Nick insisted.
"Oh. Hmmm." Samantha looked momentarily stumped. She tapped her bottom lip thoughtfully as her gaze drifted upward while she considered. "It really depends on the mammal and the campaign. Technically, officially, they just oversee meetings, but a good Chairmammal does a lot more. They give advice, shoot down bad ideas, smooth ruffled fur, get big egos to work together, and more. If everyone already makes a good team, a Chairmammal might hardly do anything at all, or they might be the only thing holding a campaign together. No two campaigns or Chairmammals are exactly alike." She looked back to Nick and shrugged.
The fox absorbed the explanation, rubbing his chin as he considered. "Okay, so they might not matter at all, or they could single-handedly save the campaign. Makes sense."
Samantha laughed good-naturedly, but she meant business when she said, "I know it can be hard to grasp, but it matters. We definitely want someone we can trust in that position. Someone smart, someone that can work with mammals and keep a cool head. Campaigns are stressful. Mammals can break down, and tempers will rise. A good Chairmammal will keep it from falling apart."
"Alright, I get it. It matters." Nick accepted her point. "That mean we need to hire someone?"
"That's the thing. It'll be hard to find a real professional willing to chair an unknown newcomer's campaign. Not for a reasonable price, anyway," Samantha explained, tapping her finger claws on her desk. "We're in a bit of an underdog position here."
Nick nodded thoughtfully. "Right, right. What if…" he paused, squinting down at his lap as though he were studying something. "Can we change Chairmammals during the campaign?"
Samantha tilted her head and blinked curiously. "Sure. Why?"
"Well, what if I can get someone to fill in? Just until we can get a professional."
The meerkat took a moment to consider, chewing the idea over before responding, "That'd work, as long as our temp isn't a total waste-case. Who do you have in mind?"
"I don't want to say until I talk it over with them, if that's okay. Wanna make sure they're up for it in the first place."
Samantha didn't look thrilled, but she nodded her consent. "Alright. That leaves the Communication's Director."
Nick shrugged. "Hate to say it, but I don't know anybody that could do that personally."
Samantha sighed. "I figured that much. Still…" she stared down at her desk, tapping the wood thoughtfully. "Someone we can afford, but will do a good job…" she muttered and hummed to herself. Nick remained quiet, letting her think without interruption. Finally, she looked up, eyes bright with revelation. "That's it!" Then she tore one of her desk drawers open and pulled out a bundle of at least ten address books held together by a few rubber bands.
Nick watched with interest as she tore the bands off and began furiously flipping through the books. She looked through one, didn't find what she was looking for, tossed that book aside and began flipping through another. In the third or fourth book she must have found what she was looking for, because she poked a page and shouted, "Aha!"
Greatly amused by the show of enthusiasm, Nick was grinning as he asked, "Call it my foxy intuition, but I suppose you have someone in mind?"
Samantha was already on her smartphone, furiously typing up a message, "Uh-huh," she responded absentmindedly.
"Well? Who is it?"
"I don't want to say until I talk it over with them, if that's okay," Samantha said flatly as she pressed send. She was grinning as she put her phone away. "Wanna make sure they're up for it in the first place."
Nick smiled back, taking the tease in stride. "Heh heh. Fair enough."
"Don't worry, you'll get to meet him later today at noon… if he responds to my message in time. He can be kind of… busy."
Just then, Nick's phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, his smile grew both excited and nervous when he saw the caller ID. "It's the Police Union!"
Samantha jumped up, looking ready to come right over her desk. "Really!? Pick it up, pick it up!"
After clearing his throat, Nick obliged, putting the phone on speaker for Samantha's benefit. "Hello? Nick Wilde, here."
A deep baritone voice answered, speaking in a relaxed, dulcet accent. "Mm-hm! Mr. Wilde, good to hear from you. Joseph Redhorn, here, with the Police Union. We talked this afternoon."
"Yes, sir!" Nick replied enthusiastically. "How can I help you?"
"I spoke with the district chiefs. I have to say, Wilde, you tend to leave quite an impression."
Samantha shot Nick a look that said she knew exactly what that meant. Nick's answering chuckle was only slightly nervous. "A good impression, I hope?"
"Mostly," Joseph chuckled back, a touch sardonically. "But nothing too bad. Actually, once they stopped complaining about how much of a pain in the tail you were, I got the picture of an exemplary officer. Brave, dependable, smart. Chief Urzo had a lot of good things to say from your time with him in the Deciduous-District, and Chief Myreme couldn't have been prouder of your help with him in the case that caught Al Catpone last year. Chief Bogo even said you weren't awful, which is high praise coming from him!"
Nick laughed, feeling genuinely touched. "I don't deserve half of it."
"If even half of what I've heard is true, you undoubtedly went above and beyond the call of duty," Redhorn said with authority. "You have my respect, Mr. Wilde."
"…thank you, sir," Nick said sincerely. "That means a lot." Across from him, Samantha beamed, shooting an approving thumbs-up.
"Alright, enough of the touchy-feely stuff!" Redhorn announced gruffly. Nick's smile quirked fondly as he was reminded of Bogo. "I understand you're about to start a campaign for mayor. We've been over how you've never run for political office before. Before we move forward with any kind of endorsement, I'd like to speak to your advisor. Samantha Diallo, correct? Is she available?"
Nick and Samantha's gazes jumped from the phone in Nick's paw to each other. Samantha jolted into action, coming out of her chair and nearly sprinting around her desk. While she moved, Nick said, "She's right here."
"Samantha Diallo at your service!" she announced as she stopped at Nick's side. "I'm thrilled to hear from the Police Union President, sir! What can I do for you?"
"Oh, Ms. Diallo. It's good to hear from you. I went over some of your previous work. You've been part of a few campaigns, including Lionheart's. I trust your judgement. Now, I ask for your honest assessment: is Nick Wilde's campaign for mayor of Zootopia achievable?"
"Yes, sir," Samantha said without hesitation. She lifted her gaze to look Nick straight in the eye, even as she spoke into the phone. "I truly believe it is."
"Excellent!" Redhorn announced over the line. "Let's talk brass tacks. I assume you've heard of the Police Ball? I think I saw you at one a few years ago. You'll know it's an important celebration for the ZPD, with officers and chiefs attending from every precinct. It's also when many of the ZPD's most important announcements are made, including our endorsement for mayor. The ball is in two days, this Saturday. Think you could make it?"
Nick didn't even resist the urge to smirk. "Guess I'd better dust off my suit… and maybe buy Carrots a new dress."
11:00 A.M ; Savanna-Central...
Landing atop the corner of the rooftop, Lucy surveyed the environment before her. The streets of Savanna-Central were abustle with the midday crowd, mammals of all shapes and sizes going about their lives without a care in the world. The bat sneered at the thought, wishing she could do the same, were it so easy. Instead, she was out to solve a conspiracy that had turned her life to anything but careless. With the pressure of a potential crime war on the horizon, threatening everything she held dear, Lucy knew that time was of the essence. Someone had sent that recording to the meeting between the crime-lords, and if she could get some proof as to why, then there was a chance at preventing conflict from breaking out.
Thankfully, she knew exactly who was to blame. She set her gaze across the street. There it was: the office building where she'd first met the representatives of the client for her latest mission to Outback-Island. It was a well-kept office building on the outskirts of the district, bordering Downtown Zootopia. And in it, she knew she'd find answers.
Touching down atop the building's roof, she immediately set her sights on the nearest air vent. She tugged down the zipper on the front of her oil-black bodysuit before reaching inside and retracting a pair of multi-purpose lockpicks from her chest. It took less than a minute to unscrew the vent, zip herself back up and then slip inside. For a mammal of her size and ability, it was as easy of a break-in as it got. Crawling through the vents, Lucy echolocated every few seconds to mentally map the metal labyrinth of ducts and tunnels around her. Eventually, the bat found the vent she was looking for. Slamming it open, she dropped gracefully onto the wooden floor of the office below, landing in an offensive position as though ready to pounce.
Several large windows gave view to the street and the surrounding buildings. Two mammals stood on the opposing side of the dimly-lit office, both immediately noticing their intruder. Sitting at the office's desk behind a shiny laptop, a burly middle-aged boar in a gray trench coat and matching fedora rose to his feet. Milky yellow eyes clashed horridly with messy brown fur. He grit his jaw with distrust, causing his yellow-ish tusks to tremble.
"You're late," he growled disapprovingly, voice sounding as gruff and unbecoming as he looked. "You were supposed to meet us here nearly twenty-four hours ago! Your story better be good."
Lucy snarled, rage revealing her razor sharp fangs. "I can say the same to you! I wanna know why the HELL I was recorded on Outback-Island!"
The other mammal stepped into the light of the laptop's screen. A rabbit, and on the younger side, from the looks of her, with a thin, lanky body coated in black fur. Her oversized white blazer covered the majority of her body, from her forearms right down to her knees. The rabbit's left ear was missing over half its length, looking as though it had been torn off. Her hazel eyes glared down at Lucy with a bored indifference.
"We don't have to answer that. You were hired to do one job, bat," she replied in a flat, blasé tone. "It's not your business if we order other jobs alongside yours. It's called compartmentalization. Look it up."
Lucy scoffed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I think it's pretty damn well within my rights to know if I'm being spied on by my own clients during a mission! I wanna know why you hired me for one that was rigged from the start!"
"We're not the client. We just represent them," the rabbit corrected, though Lucy had a feeling she only did so out of spite. "It was their idea. Don't blame us for doing our jobs."
"Do you have ANY idea what you've done? Why would you set Vladzotz and Big against each other?"
The boar snorted, though Lucy wasn't sure if it was the scoffing kind or just the regular pig kind. "That's not your concern. It's the code of a mercenary-for-hire that these events are now forgotten. So drop it."
"Not when your events screw me over! I've got a family to protect, and if a war breaks out, you just made that job a million times harder! I came here looking for answers, but if you're not willing to spill," she licked her lips threateningly, already imagining different ways to sink her fangs into their necks. "Then I'll just settle for comfort food."
The boar and rabbit both reached toward their pockets, presumably for weapons. Lucy spread her wings, prepared to take flight and go for their throats at a moment's notice.
"That is enough," A new voice spoke, calm but firm. It filled the room, creating a gravitating sense of authority that drew the attention of every mammal present. All eyes gazed to the laptop. "Mr. Boarton, please drop this childish argument and make yourself useful. I cannot see."
Lucy's ears flicked toward the device. Even with her powerful sense of sound, the most she could determine was that the voice emanating from it was likely male. But only likely. It was heavily altered behind layers of distortion, with a constantly fluctuating pitch that made it sound almost like some twisted, creepy artificial intelligence from a science-fiction movie. Whoever they were, they deeply cared for their secrecy.
Mr. Boarton cleared his throat. "R-Right. Sorry boss."
He reached over to the laptop, turning it so that the camera on the front faced the crowd. An icon depicting a ram's skull topped with a crown filled the screen of a video conference call. Lucy narrowed her eyes. The symbol looked familiar. She made herself a mental note to research it later.
"Ah, there you are," the voice murmured before raising its volume to a stronger, yet still soft-spoken tone. "A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Sang."
"So you're the real client, huh?" Lucy guessed. "How 'bout you save us both some time and cut the formalities? I didn't come all this way to-"
"You want to know why I had you recorded," the voice interjected. "And why I sent said recording to the council between the crime-lords. Very well. I warn you, the truth is somewhat anticlimactic."
"I don't care! Explain!"
The voice hummed beneath its breath, which sounded more like a warped growl through all the distortion layers. "I freely admit, we recorded you for leveraging purposes. The plan was originally to use the recording to extort the Tundratown Mafia into submission for intentions that are not of your concern. Imagine my chagrin, my confusion, when you - the mammal we hired to extract the information in the first place - immediately began to fly toward Mr. Big upon extraction, rather than this previously agreed upon point of rendezvous. For all we knew, you aimed to sell us out."
"I was trying to get to my husband, to warn him! I just find out Mr. Big had murdered his family, and I'm supposed to keep that to myself? I don't think so!" Lucy spat, taking a step closer. None of the other mammals in the room reacted, all listening respectfully to their leader.
"We were not aware of that, at the time. A repercussion of your own omission," the voice chided, hollow black eyes of the skull icon seemingly boring into Lucy's form. "You had abandoned your assignment without notice. And so, a decision was made. I realized that a war between the crime-lords would ultimately prove… favorable for our ambitions. More favorable than using the recording for leverage. This alteration was unexpected, but no less of an opportunity for us. From there we tracked you back to the Grand Palm Hotel, and revealed the recording to incite a conflict. These, Mrs. Sang, are consequences that you brought upon yourself."
"No!" Lucy snarled, jabbing an accusatory wingtip at the monitor. "You jeopardized the mission with your underhanded espionage! And now you're trying to kill us all?!"
"You are mistaken," the voice claimed. "The death of the crime-lords is not our intention. The war is merely a means to a greater end. Though for what it's worth, you have my deepest sympathies."
"So you've got bigger plans, huh? Telling me all that was a big mistake," Lucy growled. "I'm gonna hunt you down until you're begging for mercy to my face!"
The voice was silent for a few tense seconds. "I apologize. I… have a bit of a guilty conscience. Talking helps." It claimed before inhaling slowly, as if forcing itself to prepare for an unpleasant task. "Besides, this will be our last meeting anyways. Your services are no longer required. An old friend of yours is quite eager to see you again, and I'd hate to keep him waiting. Goodbye, Mrs. Sang."
The laptop flickered off, leaving Lucy staring at a dark, blank reflection of herself. The only light remaining was that of a small red dot within the screen. It traced down the length of the monitor before settling over the forehead of Lucy's reflection.
The bat narrowed her eyes. Wait… that light isn't inside the screen. Is that…?
Gasping, Lucy ducked down into a split just as the sniper shot tore through the glass of a window behind the desk, ripping a hole in the wall behind her. A crackling gunshot echoed from somewhere outside, aching Lucy's sensitive ears. She looked up to see every mammal in the room draw a weapon at her. Years of combat training paired with a healthy dose of adrenaline kicked her instincts into high-gear. Lucy launched herself into the air, taking evasive maneuvers to avoid the hail of bullets that tore the spot she'd been in just milliseconds earlier into a cloud of dust and splinters. Being such a small, fast mammal had its perks. But Lucy knew there was no hope of victory. Against the two, there was a chance, but with the sniper at play, it was impossible. Something told her that their boss had only given that speech to buy time for this sniper to get into position.
Escape was her only option. Flapping frantically, she burst through what was left of the window the sniper had shot out, taking to the skies and putting as much distance between herself and the building as she could. Another loud crack emanated from somewhere close by, ringing painfully in Lucy's ears. The bullet whizzed by just a few feet from her current trajectory, causing her to flap back with fear. Too close. Lucy turned around in mid-air to stare back at where the shot had originated. A sniper barrel could be seen poking through a window on the building adjacent to the one she'd just escaped from. Three floors down from the top, the sniper had a perfect view of the surrounding area. Unfortunately for Lucy, that still included her.
Another shot rang out, this time whizzing closer to its target. Gritting her fangs, the bat shot a glare down at the sniper. But of all the faces she had been expecting to see, theirs was the last. Lucy had to suppress a gasp at the sight of a mammal she had thought dead for years.
The sniper caught her staring as beady pink eyes met her own. Lucy quickly made out the rest of his figure, dressed in a black jumpsuit much like hers, but with thick straps around the arms and legs and a few pockets lining his waist. Much like herself, his jumpsuit was cut at the sides to accommodate his white wing flaps that now folded around the rifle. He looked like a fellow agent of the shadows, diminished only by his albino fur and streaks of orange on his paws, feet, and ears. The flying squirrel smirked at her, showing a pronounced overbite that was still somehow menacing.
"Peter Ishini..." she muttered in disbelief.
"Now you see me," the flying squirrel whispered in a whimsical voice, aiming the rifle squarely across his prey. "Now you don't."
That entire exchange lasted a scant few seconds, but in her shock, Lucy had made herself an easier target. She swerved away in an instant, but it was too late. The bat let out a shriek of pain as a bullet ripped straight through her left wingflap, and she fell from the sky.
It hurt like hell, but survival instinct kicked in and Lucy managed to keep her wings level enough to fall into a glide. She swooped down and then veered to the side to round the corner of an office building, flapping out of the sniper's visual. No other shots came. She was in the clear.
Lucy flapped down to a nearby rooftop where she collapsed with exhaustion. Panting heavily, she raised her injured wing, stretching the skin between her elongated fingers to examine the damage. A sizable hole had been ripped clean through. She grimaced intensely, doing her best to ignore the stinging. Lucy looked to the mountains beyond the horizon of the Rainforest-District, where the entrance to the Nocturnal-District awaited. It wouldn't be an easy flight, but she had no other options.
Rising to her feet, the bat lept from the building and took to the air, now certain that this web of danger and deceit spread deeper than she could have ever imagined.
Things seem to be picking up even more, huh? We've gotten a lot of content from Nick/Judy and Vladzotz/Lucy so far, but in the next chapter, you can expect some new scenes from Mr. Big, Judy (among other ZPD officers) and even the mysterious clients that had hired Lucy. You'll be learning more about them all, and I'm very excited to unveil how everything comes together, and what it means for Nick and Judy, in particular! You'll also be finding out just who Peter Ishini is! Though some of you may be familiar with him already if you've read Bloodlines, the spinoff detailing Lucy's backstory that I've been helping write with my friends Berserker88 and MindJack. Feel free to check that out if you'd like!
In the meantime, I'd like to ask what you thought of the latest chapter. I for one particularly enjoyed writing the scenes with Nick and Sammy. They've got a fun dynamic, and their relationship as friends from highschool will be elaborated upon in future chapters. What did you think? I thought the ending scene was a fun one, too! I'd adore some feedback! Regardless, I thank you for reading, and hope you stay tuned for the third chapter, "A Step Forward", coming your way soon!