Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any related characters, that would be Disney. Rated M for violence, language, drug references and sex

The Unfluffables

Chapter Six: Old Wounds

Savannah Central

It was Judy's turn to get the coffee that morning. She hated waiting in line, but she loved meeting the mammals of Zootopia. She was glad to see Nick happy again, so she didn't bother arguing and left him in the cruiser, hoping he wouldn't grow too impatient with her. As she was walking out of the shop, she was greeted by a tiger cub. "Are you the Judy Hopps," asked the cub. "That's me," said Judy enthusiastically. "You are like a legend at my school," said the cub, "it's so cool to meet you!" "Nice to meet you too…" said Judy as she hoped the cub would give her his name. "Danny," said the cub. "Danny," said Judy, "that's a nice name. I have a friend named Danny. He's a kangaroo." "I saw you and your fox partner on tv once," said little Danny, "dad was laughing when your partner said a bad word and mom was pissed." "Yeah," said Judy as she looked back on that moment, "I remember that." "I heard that you two almost got fired for it," said little Danny. "Okay, that's enough," said Judy, "it was nice to meet you, but my partner doesn't like waiting on me." "I bet," said little Danny, "some of the other kits say you two are dating." Judy giggled as she assured the cub that it was true, then she gave him a sticker (like Nick's first badge) and walked back to the car.

"Thank you carrots," said Nick as Judy got back into the cruiser and handed him his coffee. "Isn't it a beautiful new day," said Judy cheerfully, "the sun is shining, nobody got hurt yesterday and we're back on good terms." "I suppose it is," answered Nick, "and last night, oh boy. I've never seen you so open like that." "Just want to give my future hubby good expectations," said Judy as she patted Nick's head. "You know you love me," said Nick. "Do I know that," asked Judy playfully, "yes, yes I do." As they drove off on their patrol, Judy started to talk some more, as Nick seemed rather quiet. "You know something Slick," said Judy, "I'm starting to get used to being a household name. I ran into this nice tiger cub who was just dying to know more about me." "Of course they do," said Nick, "bunnies are the friendly type." "Nick, we've been over this," said Judy, "I'm sure you've got a charming personality. After all, you landed me." Nick laughed at that statement, knowing that she was both joking and serious.

Bzzzzz! Bzzzz! Bzzzz!

Nick's personal phone began to vibrate. Caller ID Blocked, Nick read to himself, This can't be good. "Who is this," he answered with caution. "Nice to finally hear your voice again, my little bandido," said the voice on the other end of the phone. Nick froze up in fear, having not heard that voice in a long time, but knowing exactly who was calling him. Judy saw her partner, frozen in fear, and stopped the car as she looked at him with concern. "Raul," muttered Nick, "I haven't heard from you in forever." "It's been a long time," said Salazar, "and I've heard from your buddy Dylan that you've gone soft." "Dylan Krueger is not my friend," answered Nick, "and I've left that life behind a long time ago. I'm not going to kill for you." "So how's your girlfriend," said Salazar, "I heard that rabbits are a lot of fun once you land them." "Are you threatening her," asked Nick, with Judy, who was listening in, couldn't help but feel scared. "Maybe," said Salazar, "maybe not. So what if you became a cop, you seem happy with your new life. But I can take it all away in a heartbeat and you'll never catch me." "What do you want," asked Nick angrily. "To see my old pal again," said Salazar, "you know the place." He then hung up.

"Nick," asked Judy, "who was that?" "It was the Devil," answered Nick, who was still shaking, "he wants to meet up with me, now!" "Salazar called you," asked Judy. "Yeah," answered Nick, "and we better go now. There's no telling what he's gonna do if we don't."

Happytown

Salazar owned a strip club and bar in Happytown that he used as his headquarters. It was during the day, so nobody was there except Nick, Judy and some scary big cats covered in tattoos and sporting firearms. "This is Salazar's place," asked Judy. "One of them," answered Nick, "his favorite to be exact. I used to do all kinds of odd jobs around here after closing time, as well as bringing back loot." "How much of a criminal were you," asked Judy. "I already told you," said Nick, "I could have been one of those guys."

They were escorted into a back office that was decorated surprisingly formal for such an establishment, with hardwood flooring, a bookshelf and some strange trinkets from somewhere far away. Turned away was a black jaguar in a white casual suit, puffing on a cigar. On the mahogany desk was a bottle of scotch and two shot glasses. "Long time no see, Slick Nick," said the jaguar. "Why don't you say your stupid shit to my muzzle," said Nick. The jaguar turned around, and looked down on them. "Nice to finally meet your partner, Officer Hopps," said Salazar, "or will it be Officer Wilde soon?" "That's none of your business, Raul," snapped Nick, "we agreed to never go near each other again. That was that! I didn't snitch on you for nearly clawing my muzzle off because of that!" "Well times have changed," said Salazar, "I've rose above selling cheap poison on the streets to running what will be the biggest criminal organization in Zootopia. You," he pointed at Nick with the cigar, "you managed to slip your way into the police force and are marrying a bunny. How's that for change?"

"Alright, Mr. Salazar," said Judy angrily, "nobody talks to us like that!" "Senorita Hopps," said Salazar, "the only reason I don't bite you in half right now is not because you're a cop, but because my boy can't seem to live without you." "Then why drag me here," asked Nick, "I didn't come here to just have drinks with you. You busted a professional murderer out of prison for crying out loud." "You can't prove any of that," said Salazar, "all you can prove is that I met with Krueger when he was still behind bars. You helped me get my empire off the ground, Nicholas. I'm not going to do a damn thing to you or the bunny if you get off this case." "The biggest mistake of my life," said Nick, "was hanging out with you. I'm gonna fix that mistake by burning it all down myself." Salazar laughed at Nick, and said, "Take the rest of today to think it through. Treat your girl while you're at it. Just remember it's her life and yours you have to consider. Adios, foxtrot."

ZPD Precinct One

"I never thought you'd stand up to your own boss like that," said Judy to her partner, who had his feet kicked up on the desk. "First off carrots," said Nick, disinterestedly, "your boss is my boss. Second, I haven't done shit for him since I was in High School. And we aren't dropping this case, I helped create this monster, so I need to put him down." "I really have been quite the influence on you, haven't I," said Judy. "Salazar's lifeblood is the drug trade," continued Nick, "if we can knock him out, like our old friend Colonel Spotzen nearly did, then we can really hurt him." "How do you suppose we do that," asked Judy. "I know a guy," said Nick.

Author's Note: It was finally time for the good guys to meet the bad guy. Now that Judy has firsthand experience with Nick's old enemy, she'll join him on the fight to bring him down.