Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 20
Run, Judy. Run!
The rainstorm had quickly become a thunderstorm. The sound of the thunder echoed in Judy's ears while the lightning blinded her sight. But her feet never wavered, her breath never slowed, her determination didn't disappoint. A person's life was on the line and as a cop, Judy swore to do everything in her power to protect those in need.
Somewhere in her run, Judy began to remember when her grandfather toured an old war museum with her. She was just a kit, barely six, and it was the last thing she got to do with her grandfather before his unexpected passing.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" The young Judy called gleefully. "Look. They're all rabbits."
There on the display showed a team of soldiers dressed in dark uniforms with white stripes around the legs. It was the first legion in history of its kind. A rag-tag team of rabbits who would run from one battlefield to another carrying special packages. Whether it was mail from loved ones, supplies, or classified information. This team of what was once regular everyday carrot farmers. Took it upon themselves to make use of their legs and destroy the prejudice that all rabbits were ever good for, was being a coward.
"Ah…the Ace Brigade was also known as Wind Walkers." Judy's grandfather mused patting Judy's head. "It was their contribution in the war that began the movement of equal rights for all animals."
"Wow!" Judy stared at the wax figures wide-eyed.
"Wow indeed." Judy's grandfather mused before kneeling on the floor to look his granddaughter in the eye. "Always remember this, Judy. You can chase your dreams. You can grow up to be whatever you wanna be."
Judy turned her gaze away from her grandfather to look at the display one more time.
"Can I be a soldier?"
"If you wanna be." He answered with a smirk. "Personally, I think you'd be more useful as a cop."
"A cop?"
"A police officer, to be more accurate. The Wind Walkers did not just serve their country but also the public."
Judy's grandfather did his best to explain why he thought Judy would be a better cop than a soldier. All the while, completely unaware of just how much his words would influence the young rabbit. When a week later he died from an unexpected heart attack in his sleep. It was at his funeral Judy would remember the words he spoke to her that day. And as she laid a white rose on his coffin, she vowed to become what her grandfather thought she could be, a police officer.
Remembering her grandfather's words Judy ran faster and harder till she came to a stop at the top of what appeared to be a hill. What many didn't know was a few feet further and you would find yourself falling off a cliff. She heard the rapidly moving river down below…and the Hunters that were closing in. Judy turned to face them with her ears down hoping it would buy her some time.
No matter what happens, I won't back down. Judy steeled herself.
One by one, led by a group of three wolves, mammals armed to the teeth surrounded Judy. She forced her ears to stay down and straightened her posture. When a weasel appeared at the front of the group.
"Ha, feeling cocky now, are we?" He laughed. "No wonder Boss insisted on calling you Lucky. You always acted as if you were the luckiest-"
Lightning struck off in the distance behind Judy. But the damage was done as her ears rose instinctively to the possible danger.
Don't waiver Judy. You can still buy Tia time…and hopefully, Nick will get here soon. Judy tried to calm herself as she also just realized she left her tranquilizer in the house. Though she doubted it would have done much against a group this big.
"You bitch! How did you- doesn't matter. Where is Lucky?" The weasel yelled at her in fury.
Judy ignored his question and instead choose to straighten her spin even further as she addressed the group.
"I am Officer Judy Hopps from the Zootopia Police department!" My academy training traveled through my veins, somehow filling me with more courage as I recited those words. "Lay down your weapons, place your hands behind your head, and get on your knees. If you comply, I will inform the judge at your hearing about your cooperation."
They all laughed, unsurprisingly. All except the wolves who were too busy bickering amongst themselves. And the weasel who looked at me with an unamused look on his face.
"Oh, yeah? You and what army? Because if you haven't noticed little bunny, you're outnumbered and outgunned."
That's true. Judy admitted to herself sadly. But continued to stand there confidently in front of what was obviously Ermine's crew.
"Fine then." He muttered sounding annoyed. "Give me your gun." The weasel grabbed an offered weapon from a nearby mammal before giving an order. "Stand down!"
He approached with a cocky smirk before stopping within arm's reach of Judy. Then with a pointed stare, he aimed the gun directly at Judy's head.
I am Officer Judy Hopps of the ZPD. Judy recited to herself. If I am to die today. I will do so proudly knowing I was saving a life.
The weasel took a moment to study Judy's attire. He took notice that the top she was wearing was too small along with too long. And the pair of shorts she was wearing did not fit the shape of a rabbit's legs.
"The clothes you are wearing don't really suit you…you switched with Lucky, didn't you?" The weasel announced while Judy remained quiet never taking her eyes off his.
I am Officer Judy Hopps of the ZPD.
For a moment he adjusted his glasses before addressing Judy one more time.
"Tell you what. In exchange for your life, you let my men detain you and you give me Lucky's location. Sound good?" He offered.
Judy did her best to repress the chill that crawled up her spine while continuing to stand there defiantly.
If I am to die today.
"Defiant little bitch, aren't you?" He laughed before cocking the gun. "No matter."
I will do so proudly knowing I was saving a life.
BANG!
Judy flinched feeling something graze by her skin leaving a small gash in the side of her stomach.
He…missed? Judy questioned while her brain tried to block out the pain. Adrenaline can work wonders...sometimes.
Judy looked away from the wound on her stomach to look at the weasel. Her eyes grew wide in surprise to see an impressive bullet hole pierced through his arm that was holding the gun. The weasel stood there in shock, not processing what had happened while the gun fell from his hand. Then, at least thirty predators appeared blocking, disarming, and immobilizing Ermine's crew.
"Sorry, I'm late Carrots." Nick appeared stepping out from behind the line of predators. "Traffic was terrible." Nick tried to joke.
Judy couldn't help but let out a small laugh while rolling her eyes hopelessly at the fox.
"Hey, Nick-"
The weasel screamed in pain, finally coming back into reality, as he clutched at his bleeding arm.
"Damn it. Damn it. Damn it all!" He cursed to himself while his eyes darted back and forth between Judy and Nick.
The wild look in his eye made Judy very concerned. She became very aware of just how far away Nick and his crew were compared to how close she was to the unstable weasel. Judy steadily tried to walk around the unstable weasel while clutching her side in pain. Which didn't go unnoticed by Nick whose face became mixed with fury and concern.
"No!" The weasel shouted.
Before anyone could process what was happening. The weasel grabbed Judy by the arm pulling her in front of him while holding her at gunpoint. Judy was being used as a living shield.
"Lay down your weapons!" The weasel shouted helplessly.
No one moved. They all waited for Nick's order.
"Your bluffing." Nick stated, taking calculated steps towards Judy and the weasel. An otter and minx flanked him aiming their weapons at the weasel. "You're too scared to risk destroying your only ticket getting out of this alive."
Judy flinched hearing the cold words easily come from Nick's mouth. This was the Shadow talking right now, not her Nick.
The weasel took a few steps back pulling Judy along with him.
"I-I'll do it!" The weasel yelled. "Stop right there!"
"No, you won't," Nick answered while his pace never waivered forcing the weasel back even more. "Cowards like you, when the moment calls for it, can never pull the trigger."
While they continued to walk backward, Judy remembered the cliff. Her plan was originally to do what the weasel was doing to her. She was going to force Ermine's crew to give up while holding the leader hostage. And if they tried anything funny, she was going to threaten to throw him off the cliff. But now it seems like her plan was going to backfire.
"Nick, wait-ugh!" The weasel pulled Judy by the ears making her grimace in pain.
"Shut up! Get back!"
"Release the rabbit…and maybe, just maybe, I'll let you live." Nick bluffed. There was no way he was going to let this weasel live after yanking on Judy's ears, using her as a shield, and holding her at gunpoint.
It was at this moment the weasel realized that the hill was actually a cliff. He looked to the few steps that led to what could either be certain death or a second chance at survival.
"I think…" The weasel trailed off before giving Nick a malicious smirk. "I'll do something else!"
The weasel, without hesitation, pulled Judy harder by the ears. The force pulled Judy along with the weasel as he jumped off the cliff into the rapids. Both the Rabbit and weasel plummeted down into the depths of the rapidly moving, cold, and unpredictable river.
"JUDY!"
AN: Things were soo tense the last chapter I just had to get another chapter done and out. Hope you all enjoyed reading so far. See you next time.
