shimmerflay13- I don't have a definite schedule. Expect updates every 3-5 days or so unless I'm on vacation or something :)

Guest- Sorry about that typo, lol, but thanks! And are they dead? Guess we're about to find out...

CipherFiveZero- Thank you! And yes, Finnick will leave a lasting imprint on society, don't worry about that.

FoxyGuy87- I love Eminem (one of my favorite artists).

just-a-guy-having-fun- Don't worry, I won't make you wait that long! (winky face)

- I'd rather just stretch the story into multiple storylines than make a sequel. Maybe after the initial story passes, fast forward a year or so? Yeah, that'd be cool.

Ianbr3- I would never commit such a sin!

Vivanai- Cross your fingers!

stephenrobilliard- Thank you! And will it be canon? There's no telling. Guess we'll just have to witness what happens next...

Ethan the Yoshi- Nothing really inspired me to create him. I do love creating villains, though! That's one of my favorite aspects of storywriting!

A guys who reads- Don't worry about drama and deaths. Why? There's plenty of that to come (soon, if I might add). It's about to go down, my friend.

Hello everyone! First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the continued support as I write the story! It really means a lot to me, and it inspires me to keep writing! This story wouldn't be anything without you guys, so thanks a ton!

Second off, things are about to start getting dark. Relationships will be strained, character will be tested, true colors will be displayed and needless to say, not everyone is going to make it out unscathed.

Without further ado, I give you Chapter 22! (that rhymed!)

Judy POV

I jerk awake, knowing with all immediate certainty that something is not right.

"Judy? Nick?" I hear Nick's mom's voice fill the air.

I was the one just a few hours ago questioning Nick because of his inability to stay calm, but now I am the one feeling quite panicked.

"Oh!" I gasp, noticing my current predicament.

Oh, jeez! I must have fallen asleep on the sofa!

"Gosh" I hear Nick mutter, "We fell asleep somehow".

Nick's mom places her laptop down on the coffee table with a yawn.

"Well, it's almost two in the morning" she states simply, crossing her arms.

"What are you still doing up?" Nick asks her in a nearly accusing tone.

She sighs deeply.

"I was just having a long conversation with Judy's parents" she informs us, and I look on indifferently.

Nick's mom and my parents seem to be getting quite close now to say the least, and at least in my eyes, it's beautiful to see. It's true that my parents have come a long way; whether it's out of sympathy for me after the passing of Bryce, or they've just genuinely moved past the period of their lives that was ruled by bigotry.

"Well, I better be getting to bed" I say, glancing over at Kygo who lies on the other sofa, snoring loudly.

Gee, for a body guard she really sleeps deep.

"Goodnight" Nick's mom says as I stand up slowly, feeling genuinely tired.

"Goodnight Ms. Wilde" I reply.

"Goodnight Judy" Nick's voice says sweetly, "I'll text you if I have a nightmare or something".

It really is quite incredible to be "that" friend of Nick's. The friend that he automatically resorts to for help, no matter the situation. The friend that he runs to when he needs emotional support. The friend that he thinks about even in the darkest of times.

The friend that he fell in love with.

Oh, it truly is a pleasure.

"You do that" I say to him with a smile, "goodnight!".

I catch one last glimpse of his lovable eyes before I resume my march to my room, secretly hoping that I'll see him tonight in my dreams.

That's so cheesy, Judy.

However, that's the beautiful thing about it: just being with Nick is better than any dream I could ever wish for upon a star.

Of course, there exists my dream to become a police officer; but I'd even give up that for Nick's sake. There's truly nothing I wouldn't do for him.

If it comes down to me dying just to stay by Nick's side, I would consider it an honor.

So what are we anyways? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Secret lovers? Are we just two friends with an extra-strong connection? I'm definitely in love with they guy...

Talk to him about it tomorrow. You need rest.

I plop down on my bed, blinking as I stare up at the letter from the police officer taped to my ceiling.

Through all of these outrageous events, I still haven't forgotten who I am, and I guess that's what really matters.

The question is: how will this all end?

This isn't some movie with every little detail mapped out, each tragedy eventually justified through lessons about life and other various clichés. What if nothing is achieved through all of this, and the only result of this entire cause ends up being the deaths of many, and increased levels of prejudice? What if my friends end up dead? What if Nick ends up dead?

Judy, just stop thinking so negatively. We're making a change! We're helping so many foxes! Think optimistically!

I glance over at the letter once more.

That's what's carried you this far.

I pull my blankets over me in a flurry of emotions regarding the future, but remembering that Nick will be there with me through every part of it.

And if that's the case, then why should I let fear dictate me?

Violet POV- Four Hours Later

Aching; that's all I can feel.

An dull, throbbing pain all over my body, threatening to transform into an even sharper, intense feeling of agony.

I gasp as I force open my eyes, immediately noting that my hand is chained to a wall. I glance around the mostly empty room with my breathing increasing in pace, noticing that there is another animal in the room.

"Melvin!" I say lightly, feeling a slight pain in my throat as I speak his name, "Melvin!".

He looks awful to be frank; chained to the wall just like me, bruised all over his body, bleeding in various places. One of his eyes is swollen with a bluish tint, further displaying just how brutal our attackers are.

"Huh?" I hear him whisper, slowly coming to.

His functioning eyes opens gingerly, immediately gazing over at me.

"Oh my gosh" he whispers, "we aren't dead".

I scoff a bit in a mix of relief and amusement, although this situation certainly doesn't call for any joking around.

"No crap, Furlock!" I whisper harshly, pulling at my chain hopelessly, "we're trapped here!".

He observes the room breathlessly, fighting to find a solution to our problem.

See, Melvin has always been the "thinker" out of the two of us, devising plans for even the most needless of situations because, well...it's what he does best.

He's undeniably smart, although he makes me wonder sometimes...

"What do those idiots want with us?" he asks aloud, knowing that there isn't an immediate solution to our problem.

"Ya' got me" I answer, "I didn't even know I was wanted by a mob of angry animals off the street".

"Well, at least they didn't separate us" he speaks, immediately growing quite shocked at his own words.

"Yeah?" I mutter, the word sounding more like a question than a statement.

"I-I didn't mean that in a weird way" he stutters, "just like a friendly-acquaintance way".

I roll my eyes, which causes my head to ache a bit.

"Aren't there more important things to worry about?" I ask him, not minding his original words anyways.

"Oh, uh...yeah...we're kind of chained here" he states obviously.

I sigh audibly, wiping a bit of blood off my muzzle using my forearm.

"So, what now? Just wait until those psychopaths come back?" I ask him, beginning to feel even more panicked.

Melvin leans back against the wall, looking quite downcast.

"According to all feasible possibilities, things look quite bleak" he mumbles, looking over at me.

I take a deep breath, trying my best to stay calm, although the single question resonates within me:

Why us?

Melvin and I, we're as squeaky clean as you can be when it comes to gangs and stuff like that. There's no reason for us to be here! None of this adds up...

It only takes a few more minutes of panicked chatter before the door to the room opens with a creaking noise, a ruffled fox stepping inside the room.

I note his focused, green piercing eyes, his messy fur and stern demeanor, his appearance causing me to feel slightly woozy and very much in danger.

"Hello children" he says in something close to a cynical tone, although the sarcasm is slightly masked by his faux-sincere tone.

"Who are you?" I dare to ask loudly, eyeing him threateningly, "and why did you kidnap us?".

He shrugs.

"Oh, I dunno, guess it was just for the hell of it" he says bluntly.

I groan.

"I'm not stupid" I inform him, "I know you took us for a reason!".

He sniffs a bit to himself, stopping in front of us in an intimidating manner.

"Maybe so" he states, "but don't worry, you won't be here too long".

I tilt my head a bit with narrowed eyes.

"You're setting us free?" I ask.

"That's one way to put it" he chuckles, and I feel my mind beginning to race.

"What do you mean by that?!" I ask in a panicked way, and Melvin finally intervenes.

"You can't hurt us!" Melvin squeaks, obviously terrified.

The fox simply stares at his own claws, a cynical smile creeping onto his face as he stares at us and then back to his claws.

"First of all" he starts, "I'm pretty sure I can".

I glance at his truly evil face, finally understanding that I may not live to see the night of another day.

"And second of all, Violet" he begins.

"How do you know my name! You...you scumbag!" I yell, growing weary of his games.

"So it's true" he states with a crooked grin.

"What's true!?" I ask, trying my best to get my hand free from the chain restraining me.

"Aggressiveness can be hereditary" he mutters, standing right in front of me now.

And that's when I realize.

"You serious?" I ask, spitting out a bit of blood, "you aren't related to me".

He leans against the wall smugly, staring me down condescendingly as I attempt to hold my composure desperately.

"Let me put it into perspective, hun. Your mother and I, we had a baby, and that was fine. Then, guess what happened? A mistake. That mistake is you. You weren't ever meant to be born! So, we left you on the steps at a random home because we didn't want you. That's why you're living with a pack of wolves, Violet" he speaks cruelly, tilting his head sadistically.

"Who do you think you are?" I ask in a shaking tone, slumping down against the wall.

"Vince Wilde" he answers calmly.

Wilde? Wilde? He can't be serious. That's a familiar last name. Who is it!?...

"Your other child" I begin, noticing Melvin's concerned gaze, "what's his or her name?".

He bends down to meet my eye level, his very presence reeking of something quite the opposite of hospitable.

"Nick Wilde".

Kygo POV- 5:50 AM

I lie awake in the early hours of the morning, staring up at the blank ceiling above me.

The Hopps' den is a pretty comfy place to settle down, especially considering my former home and how constantly rowdy it was.

Insecurity has never been something that dominates my mind until now. I know what is bound to happen, and it truly frightens me.

The police will eventually discover that I was part of the plot at the school to begin with. They'll discover that I used to be part of an anti-government secret society. And what happens to me?

The electric chair? Firing squad? Fork to the neck? What punishment could be fitting for a monstrosity like me?

I sigh aloud, glancing over at Nick and his mom with absolute jealousy.

Nick, he's making a difference in society even though he may not see it. He found love in the form of Judy, and he's a symbol for what's right.

I know I can't hide my past from them forever, but the thought of confessing about it causes me to panic all the more horribly.

Suddenly the Hopps' home phone rings loudly, jarring Nick and his mom awake, and startling me, causing me to pull out my handgun.

Once I realize the stupidity of pointing my gun at a telephone, I put my handgun back in my belt, rolling my eyes at just how edgy I am.

Nick's mother sleepily picks up the phone, answering the call.

"Hello?" she asks.

"Is this the Hopps' house?" a voice says loudly into the phone, loud enough for me to hear.

"Yes" Nick's mom answers, "something wrong?".

I hear panicked breathing into the phone, indicating that something is indeed very wrong.

"Is Melvin at your place?!" they ask.

Nick's mom looks over at Nick, and he shakes his head no.

"No sir" she replies, "I think they left a little while ago".

"Oh god" the voice replies, "he still hasn't come home. Him or that Violet girl he's been hanging around! She probably got him into trouble! That's what all those foxes do...".

My mother rolls her eyes, leaning back on the sofa.

"Have you called the police yet?" she asks the panicked father.

"Yes, hours ago! They're searching for them, but still haven't found them!" he nearly screams, close to the breaking point.

I glance over at Nick, wondering if perhaps he knew where they disappeared to, and he simply shrugs, though he still looks pretty concerned.

"I...I don't know" his mother replies.

"I have to go" he replies.

"Good luck" Nick's mother swiftly replies just before he hangs up, leaving us in silent daze, half awake in the early morning light.

Well, not me. I've been awake for a while now...

"You think they're okay?" Nick asks his mother, and I answer without thinking.

"They're probably dead and stuffed in a dumpster somewhere" I say cynically, yawning.

Nick's mom looks at me in a bewildered manner, placing the phone back down.

"Let's hope not" she says in the stereotypical concerned mother voice, placing her head back down on her pillow.

Nick however doesn't resume to his sleeping position, simply sitting there with worried eyes, moving his tail back and forth nervously.

From the moment I met him, I've really felt the vibe that he's very caring regarding his friends, and that certainly doesn't fail to show.

Come to think of it, he really deserves Judy. She really completes him in my eyes.

As for me however, I don't have time for something as risky as love. Imagine the inevitable feeling of heartbreak! That wouldn't be worth it, at least not in my eyes.

I lie back into the cushions of the sofa, beginning to think through the possibilities as to why Violet and Melvin have gone missing. Could it be a rabid gang of bears? A car accident that resulted in their instant deaths? Struck by lightning? Heart attacks? Maybe they just got lost...

What about Vince? What if he...

No! Kygo, don't think about Vince. Don't ever think of him again. He's out of your life.

But what if he-

There's no way. He doesn't know where we are.

He can gain access to the security cameras, remember? Or can he?

He'd find a way.

Now that the question has crept it's way into my mind, sleep is no longer an option.

What if that monster actually found a way to get a hold of Violet and Melvin? No, that's not rational at all. Think rationally, Kygo!

After a few minutes of lying on the sofa with wide eyes, I decide that simply thinking is not enough to suffice anymore. I've always been on to take action, and that's not about to change now.

I stand up from the sofa looking determined, and I guess Nick takes notice.

"Kygo, what're you doing?" he asks me, and I sniff.

"Just going to check on some things" I reply, not wanting to get into too much detail.

After all, telling the truth would lose me every friend I currently have. Imagine me admitting everything about my past! That would be absolutely tragic.

"Okay" he mumbles back, still obviously shaken by the and Melvin have been great friends to someone as troubled as Nick, and to see them go at the hands of a monster would be quite unfortunate.

Then again, I'm not completely sure that they're even in any trouble. They could be at some dance club or something, too drunk to make it back to their doorsteps.

Kygo, they're like thirteen. What are you talking about?

I laugh to myself as I exit the house, amused by my own humor. Guess I'm the only one who laughs at their own jokes these days...

A Good Bit Later

I finally arrive at my former home, prepared to take a glance inside.

Obviously coming across Vince will result in either his death or mine, so being careful is of great importance. Whether my mother sees me or not I could care less. She'd probably have me killed anyways for the crimes I've committed.

I crack open the dense metal door just after unlocking it and peer into the lobby of the secret bunker, my heart beating a bit faster as I clutch my handgun in my right hand, my eyes focused.

I don't hear any immediate voices so I lean my head in, noticing that the lights are out.

Like an idiot I step inside and flick on the light switch to my right, scanning the area for any sort of threat.

"What?" I ask out loud, realizing that I'm alone here, "where'd everyone go?".

I notice a spray painted arrow on the ground, pointing to the closet in front of me. My immediate thought is not one of eagerness, but my curiosity overwhelms me.

By the smell, the arrow is fairly new, so I know the animal who painted it onto the ground is not long gone.
I walk up to the closet quickly, determined to see just what this arrow is pointing towards. Could it be money? Weapons? Or a trap?

I stop myself just as my hand is about to touch the metal knob, reminding myself that this place is owned by Vince Wilde, and that he may be nearby.

He could be watching me.

Regardless, considering just how quiet the place seems, I open the door quickly, taking a step back.

My eyes widen as I register the sight before me, a figure standing in the darkness of the closet. I nearly scream as I regain my composure, aiming my weapon at the silhouette.

"Who are y-" I stop myself as I finally notice.

The figure collapses on the ground with a "thud", her body stained with blood, her flesh ripped open in various places with a note taped on her cold back.

My jaw drops as I stare at the woman who raised me, knowing there is no hope as to her being alive.

I can envision what happened: my mother told Vince that he could trust me with the mission, and what happened? I screwed it up. And who payed the price?

My mother.

For most animals, the sight of their parent beaten to death would probably inflict quite a bit of trauma, but as for me, I've never really known her on an intimate level. I was her tool, and she supplied me with what I needed to survive. There wasn't anything worth missing, honestly.

I wince as I rip the note off of her crippled back, reading the written words aloud:

I knew you'd show up. You decided to leave us, huh? Ruin the mission? That's funny. I knew you'd figure out that I have the two brats because well, let's face it: you're clever. Too clever for your own good. Congratulations, Kygo! You're finally home... -Vince

I toss the piece of paper into the air, rushing for the open door.

"He knows I'm here" I whisper to myself, "he knows".

I gasp as the metal doors slam shut in front of me, an alarm sounding loudly around me. The sounds echo off of the walls that surround me, eliciting a true feeling of fear as my worst fears are confirmed:

It was a trap! How could I be so stupid? So...so naive? I've been through situations like this before! This can't be happening!

I slam my fists against the metal doors instinctively, knowing that I've let Nick and Judy down. I've let Violet and Melvin down, and I let my mother down. I let Vince down and I let myself down.

This isn't real.

"Damnit!" I scream at the top of my lungs, tears forming in my eyes with a burning pain that sears straight to the center of my being, "let me go, Vince!".

Vince has the whole place wired, so I know he can hear me. I just know.

"You're psychotic! This isn't how you solve your problems!" I gasp, knowing that I'm the biggest fool of all time for falling into his petty trap.

And now I'm going to pay.

Melvin POV

I watch as Violet sits in a daze, which I do not blame her for. After finding out that not only is Nick her brother, but also that she'll never see him again, well...it's brutal.

Vince hasn't entered the room in a while, so my pulse has finally began to settle down, at least a bit.

So what's next? Where is there to turn? What options are there?

I've always been the guy with a plan, and I've always been taught that even when situations look hopeless, there's always a way.

Always.

I take my millionth glance around the room and then back at the chain restricting me, wondering if the words echoing in my mind actually ring true in this particular predicament.

I look over at Violet in attempt to insinuate that I'm at least trying, but she simply holds her stone-cold glare with the ground, shaken in more ways than I can imagine.

"Violet?" I ask her, speaking for the first time in perhaps half an hour.

She slowly tilts her head my way, revealing that she has been in tears for quite a while.

"What is it Melvin?" she asks in a scratchy voice, her throat raw from all the stress.

"You doing okay?" I question, not knowing what exactly to say.

She scoffs in a way that attempts to sound condescending, but instead sounds like she genuinely is perplexed by the question.

"Hanging in there" she says, gesturing the her arm, hanging by the chain.

I nod, eyeing the small window in the top corner of the room that just happens to be the only source of light we have.

"I want to believe that this is just a dream" I say honestly, leaning my head backwards against the wall, "all of this".

She takes a breath as she adjusts her eyes back to the door, looking fearful about Vince's inevitable return.

"Me too, cotton-brain" she replies half-teasingly, "I never wanted to imagine that my father was a monster, and I wish I knew that Nick was my brother. I wish they hadn't abandoned me" she chokes, beginning to fall apart piece by piece.

"Violet" I say, attempting to distract her from the horrible reality that we seem to be ensnared in, "Violet!".

She looks me in the eyes, looking quite insecure at this point in time.

Obviously she isn't used to anyone seeing her in a state such as this, and I can understand her concern. Although she wants to break the stereotypes of "being a fox", she still doesn't like being seen in such a weakened state. That's just Violet.

"My mom always told me that there's a reason behind everything" I tell her, "and that nothing happens for no reason".

She shrugs cynically.

"How is that supposed to help anything?" she asks me hopelessly, tugging against the chain once again.

I notice that Violet's arm is actually bleeding from all the tugging against the chains, causing her arm to look quite rough. She doesn't want to accept that this is the end, and neither do I. However, I can't match her insurmountable will to be free.

"If we sit here believing that this is the end, it may be the end" I inform her, squinting my eyes due to my lack of glasses.

"What if this is meant to be the end?" she asks me exasperatedly, "what if this is where we die? Tortured to death by my lunatic of a father? Does that ending sound appealing to you?!" she asks, frustration beginning to take its toll.

"How do we know that's going to-" I begin.

"Look around Melvin!" Violet nearly yells, "we're as good as dead! You know I've never been one to admit defeat, but look around! There's just no way out" she finishes downheartedly, looking in the opposite direction of me.

"That's how we feel a lot of the time" I tell her, "remember how you felt before you met us? Me, Judy, Nick? Even Kygo! You felt hopeless, didn't you? You felt like a total reject to society, and that you weren't worth anything. And here you are! Trapped, yes...but you've made it this far. We've made it this far. We just can't afford to start thinking negatively now".

There's a good thirty seconds of silence before Violet shows even a sign that she registered my words.

She suddenly turns her head to me, her eyes focused.

"I have two ideas" she suddenly says, and I give her my full attention, "one: I can chew my arm off".

I reel at the idea, forming a look of disgust.

"But I only have to do that if idea two fails, so let me give this a shot...".

I watch her as she claws at her own arm, and I wave my hand at her.

"Violet, don't!" I whisper loudly, "I thought you weren't-".

"Just shut up and watch!" she says confidently, smearing her paw into the blood seeping from the wound.

I cringe at the simple sight of blood, but I wonder just what she's getting at here.

She rubs the blood along her chained arm, squishing it underneath the metal making contact with her fur.

"Are you doing what I think you're doing?" I ask her, amazed at her creativity that I didn't know existed, to be blunt.

"Yes" she replies, "and this is going to work!".

She finishes saturating her lower arm with her own blood and pulls hard, wincing as she does so.

"It has to!".

She finally pulls as hard as she can, and I hear a crack or two as she falls backwards, free from the handcuff-chain.

"Violet!" I say, knowing she injured her paw attempting to escape.

"It's fine!" she replies, "it's just broken...maybe...but I'll be fine! I still have one good paw!"

I glance at my own chain, fearful of what comes next.

"And what do I do?" I ask her, and she sits back down, pretending her arm is still engulfed in the restraint.

"Don't worry" she says with yet another wince, "I have a plan".

Nick POV

Society's response to Finnick's death has been overwhelming. Of course they don't know that it's Finnick that died quite yet, but they know it was a fox. More people are on my side than ever, and scrolling through the positive comments on social media forces a smile upon my face that is nearly completely healed.

The question is: when do I tell Judy the truth?

I sit still on the sofa, not wanting to doze off again. It's been a quiet past hour or so since Kygo left, so I'm beginning to feel slightly tiresome as I stare into the darkness.

That's when the phone rings again.

This time I grab it before it wakes my mother up, lifting the phone to my ear.

I know it's rude to answer someone else's phone, especially if they're letting you live under there roof, but I just can't help myself.

"Hello?" I whisper into the microphone, wondering if this is perhaps Melvin and Violet's father once again.

"Is this the Hopps' residence?" a voice I instantly recognize asks, and feel my stomach drop.

"No..." I say out of impulse, and the voice recognizes who he's speaking to.

"Son! How great it is to talk to you again! Anyways, I have...let's see here...two of your friends that need some help! Not that much help, don't fret! I haven't hurt them. They just might need someone to see".

"Where are you?" I ask furiously, knowing that my dad doesn't have any friendly intentions.

"27th Street. Walk to the corner with the coffee shop and then take the stairs behind the bushes. I look forward to seeing you!" he speaks in a mock friendly tone, and I feel my blood boil.

I drop the phone to the floor and shake my mom in a panicked manner, my heart now threatening to burst.

"Mom! Mom!" I say frantically.

"What's wrong?" she asks sleepily, and I try my best to choke out the correct words.

"He's got them".

Well, this isn't shaping up to be the most conventional climax, eh? Like I said, it's impossible for everyone to make it out intact.

First of all, gee! Vince is a little twat, isn't he?

Violet and Melvin's growing relationship is quite intriguing, isn't it? It's quite fun to watch.

Also, the impact of Finnick's death will be displayed more vividly in future updates, so I hope you all will see that his death wasn't for...well, nothing.

Anyways, thank you for reading! Please leave your thoughts or questions in the reviews, even if you think they're pointless! I'll still read them! :)

Until next time!