Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait it took to get this chapter out, though I do thank you for checking it out. You won't be disappointed with what it's got in store! And happy three year anniversary to Zootopia! I'll address that a bit more in the Author's Note below, among other things. In the meantime, feel free to celebrate by sitting back, grabbing a snack, and enjoying this latest chapter of When Instinct Falls! A lot happens in it, from police interrogations to vampire bat banter. You won't be disappointed!
"Sanguine spirit turns every firefly into a star." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
8:50 A.M
Judy remembered the last time she had set foot in an interrogation room quite well.
Back during her and Nick's brief reassignment to Precinct Seven, in the Deciduous-District, she had not-so fond memories of a failed interrogation with a platypus thug from Outback-Island - A member of Iluka's gang that had gotten captured in the aftermath of the chaos at the Beaverdam warehouse. Even though the platypus had eventually cracked, she had given up on the interrogation because of his persistent stubbornness and biting comments. It wasn't her proudest moment as a police officer. At the time, Judy had been stressed because of the reassignment, and after having nearly been drank dry by a vampire bat. She had cracked under pressure just as much as her detainee had.
This time, however, Judy had no intention on letting her emotions interfere with her work. Instead, she had hope for the best.
Entering the room with Nick by her side, she took note of the mole sitting quietly on the other side of the metal table positioned in the center of the room. His paws were cuffed together, and his stubby legs dangled from the front of his seat like a child too short to touch the floor. His glasses shimmered in the harsh white light emanating from the ceiling. When he raised his head and locked eyes with the officers as they entered the room, his expression remained blank, save for a slight twitch of the mouth, causing the tiny scar on his lip to quiver. Judy kept her own countenance without any visible emotion as well, their momentary stare-down free of bias. It was almost tense. She exhaled softly before approaching her side of the table and pulling out the seat. Nick flanked her side as she sat down, leaning over the table with one arm propping up his body.
"Good morning, officers." Eugene greeted. "I can't say I'm surprised to see you here."
Nick snorted. "I know right? It's always us. You would think the ZPD was running out of officers."
The mole shrugged, head tilting slightly to the side. "Perhaps you two have talent... Or perhaps you just have a knack for butting into things that aren't your concern."
"A little of column A, a little of column B," Nick admitted. "But we do also have a knack for saving a lot of lives in the process, so I can't say I regret it."
"Me neither," Judy agreed firmly, glaring at the mole. "If it weren't for us butting in, then who knows what state the academy would be in by now?"
"Probably a smoldering crisp. That was the plan, anyways." Eugene grumbled.
"Then let's start with that, shall we?" The bunny said. "We know why you wanted to target the academy, and who hired you, but not what they're planning next."
"So if you could elaborate on that, then we'd be happy to call it a day, and be out of your fur in no time." The fox added smoothly.
Eugene simply smiled, as though he were amused in knowing something that they didn't. "I'm not saying anything about that without a lawyer."
"Even though you already incriminated yourself?" Nick grumbled. A snide, nasally laugh slipped from between Eugene's teeth. He readjusted his glasses before replying.
"You misunderstand me. I'm more than happy to go down for this ship. And I may be a mole, but I'm not a rat. I'm not telling you anything I'll regret."
Nick pursed his lips. This interrogation would surely be different than the ones he had experienced before. Unlike when he and Judy had interrogated Shahaz, this spy wasn't willing to give information to save his own skin, and unlike that platypus they had interrogated in the Deciduous-District, he was clever, and knew his rights. It would be a lot harder to get anything useful out of him than their last two interviewees, that was for certain. At this point, Eugene was just toying with them. Nick realized that they needed to think outside the box, for this one. The fox decided that starting with a simple, currently unknown question, and then working his way up from that would be the best strategy.
"Fine, fine, you don't want to tell us? That's alright. We figured as much." Nick began, raising his paws into the air. "But do you think you could tell us about that driver?"
"That's right!" Judy interjected, having caught on to Nick's plan. "We don't know who drove that truck full of Night-Howlers to the academy. Who were you working with?"
"Beats me - Just some vampire bat the boss knew." Eugene grumbled. "Why he would trust her is beyond me. I'm much more loyal to Cosa Nostra than she is."
The mention of the vampire bat caught Judy's attention, but was quickly overshadowed by the pair of peculiar words that followed. "Cosa Nostra?" She repeated.
Nick coughed into his fist, effectively earning his partner's attention.
"It's what the members of the mob in the Rainforest-District - The Rainforest-Outfit - Call their own gang. I'm pretty sure it means our thing, or something like that."
"Oh, I see." Judy murmured. Now that Nick mentioned it, she recalled hearing that phrase before in the past, during her own run through the academy, years ago.
Eugene chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure you know plenty about organized crime, don't you, Wilde?" He taunted. "You used to be a made-mammal, just like me, didn't you?"
Nick narrowed his eyes with distrust. Well over a decade ago, he had had a brief stint in Mr. Big's Tundra-Town Mafia, when times were desperate, before parting ways after the skunk-butt rug incident. It was one of his biggest regrets, and even despite how lucrative it was, for a time, he was grateful to have left that part of him in the past. As far as he knew, Judy was the only one who was aware of that particular part of his life of crime, though it was clear to him now that others in the criminal underworld knew of it too. Not very surprising. Word can get around pretty quick when an ex-criminal joins the police force. Thankfully, Mr. Big seemed to respect him enough nowadays not to let details slip, thanks to Judy saving his daughter's life. Whatever the case, Nick was just glad to be able to work alongside her to make the world a better place, and himself a better mammal.
"Mammals change. I'm on a better path now." He said. Simple words, but beyond true.
A brief flash of what looked like irritation appeared on Eugene's face. "Is that what you think? That by working for the ZPD, you're really making things better?"
Clearly, he felt insulted by that prospect. "Yep, one hundred percent." Nick replied, hoping to egg him on.
"Please." The mole sneered. "If you really cared about making things better, you'd be on our side! We're the ones actually trying to make a difference!"
Nick was almost tempted to smile. This mole clearly had a fanatical side toward his cause. He had noticed it during his fight with Judy at the academy, back when he she had tricked him into giving a brief monologue, and if it could be taken advantage of once again here and now, then this interrogation might be easier than he had first thought.
"By turning the ZPA recruits into savages?" Judy exclaimed, earning a curious glance from fox and mole alike.
The rabbit officer noticed a flicker of guilt passed through Eugene's eye at the mention of what he had done to his fellow recruits, whom he had spent weeks befriending.
"I never wanted to hurt them, but turning them savage was part of the plan. It had to be done." He muttered.
"But not all of them turned completely savage, isn't that right?" Judy pointed out. "One recruit became.. Something else. I want to ask you some questions about that."
"Yeah, what was that? We just heard from the chief that the first-responders found someone who wasn't fully savage. Said they inhaled a purple gas. Ring any bells?"
"So it worked..." Eugene whispered beneath his breath, but Judy heard him loud and clear.
"What worked?" She asked.
Any amount of pity Eugene may have had for his fellow recruits vanished at this new notion, instead replaced with a sinister smile.
"Just the next generation of Night-Howlers." He declared.
The weight of that statement settled across the room. So the chief was right... Judy thought to herself. They really are recreating Night-Howlers... As something different...
"It has a few extra bells and whistles." Eugene added. "You won't go savage if you inhale it, for instance. It's a bit more of a pick-me-up."
"Well, ya can't expect the old make to last forever, amirite?" Nick joked. "More favorable tax laws to keep your produce farm-fresh and up to date."
He then leaned forward on the table. "But I'm more curious about the sales tactic for this particular product. What were you using them for?"
Eugene's eyes stared up at the fox without apprehension. "Isn't it obvious? As a test." He spat.
"Tests imply something incomplete, being experimented with." The fox asserted. "And just what do you plan to use them for in the future?"
The mole just smiled back. "Now that, I'm looking forward to finding out."
Nick and Eugene stared eachother down for a few tense seconds before the speakers in the ceiling crackled to life. "That will be all for now." Chief Myreme's voice decreed.
Judy momentarily locked eyes with her husband. "Are you sure?" She asked, sparing a glance outside the tinted black window.
"Sí." The speakers confirmed. "I believe we have heard enough. Come and meet me back outside."
As the comm shut off, silence filled the interrogation room once again, that was, before Eugene leaned back in his seat with a sigh.
"I guess this is farewell for now." He said. "I would say it was a pleasure talking to you, but, it wasn't. Have fun on your investigation."
Nick let out a dry snort. "And you have fun in prison. I'm sure you'll fit right in. Be sure to tell that angry raccoon I said hello. You'll know him when you see him."
The fox winked before walking towards the exit and beckoning Judy to follow. "C'mon, Carrots. Let's get going."
Nodding in agreement, the bunny rose from her chair, but not before sparing one last disapproving glance toward Eugene.
"Thank you for your time. I'm sure you'll have plenty more of it to think about what you've done." She stated.
At that, Judy turned tail and vacated the interrogation room, following Nick outside into the hallway where Chief Myreme was already waiting for them.
"Good work in there. You accomplished the goal of the interrogation - We now know what that strange purple gas at the academy was, and what it does. If we encounter it again, and I have a feeling we will, once we dig deep enough into this case, we'll have a better understanding of what to expect from it, alongside regular Night-Howlers. We learned what we needed from Eugene, so I won't have you waste anymore time with him. My officers will resume the interrogation. I have a different task in mind for you now."
"And what would that be?" Judy questioned.
"Why, giving you all the information you'll need about Al Catpone and his mob, of course." The anteater claimed before turning around and starting off down the hall.
Nick and Judy both tailed after him. "So you're gonna show us everything?" The latter of the two asked curiously, causing Chief Myreme to nod his head.
"I'm willing to entrust everything that Precinct Four has learned to you. Unlike some of the other chiefs, I believe that your eccentric conduct is a good thing. The both of you have a flair of passion for your work that I see all too little in other officers, and I like that. But we can't begin hunting leads until you know what you're up against."
"Yes!" Judy exclaimed, hopping on her toes excitedly. "I can't wait to get out into the jungle and start!"
Beside her, Nick smiled, thinking her reaction to be cute, though knew better than to say that aloud. "Me too. It's been a while since we've done real cop work."
"As soon as you're provided with the details, I'll send you off." Chief Myreme promised. "And I'll be sure to inform Chief Bogo, as well. But for now, we must focus. Come."
The trio continued down the hall, with Nick and Judy following their superior deeper into the heart of Precinct Four. Their walk was silent, giving them time to think.
Judy pondered back to what Eugene had mentioned about the truck driver being a female vampire bat. She had a pretty good feeling as to who had driven that vehicle to the academy. If her suspicions were correct, then that meant this nefarious plan was even more interconnected than she had originally thought. The idea of potentially crossing paths with her again wasn't exactly exactly comforting, but if it meant tracking down the mastermind behind the incident at the academy, then she would do whatever it took.
No matter what, she would still have her hope - Her aspirations to see this investigation through to the end, and bring those responsible to justice.
Nick, on the other hand, was imagining what their adventure would bring them to next, once they set out into the Rainforest-District. This district was a large one, with lots of places to hide, and many mammals to question. This investigation would likely come with its fair share of challenges. Still, Nick had friends and old acquaintances living here in the jungle that he reasoned might be able to serve as good sources of intelligence. He made himself a mental note to stop by his old pal Finnick's place sometime soon. If there was anyone who knew anything about the shady happenings around here, it was him. Learning all they could was the best way to stop those behind this scheme.
I wonder what they're up to now... Nick's mind mused.
2:00 P.M ; The Nocturnal-District...
Of all the districts in the city of Zootopia, the Nocturnal-District was easily Al Catpone's least favorite.
Like all the different ecosystems, it had its fair share of glamor. The massive underground cavern that housed the aptly named district was filled with beauty both natural and artificial. Entire stone neighborhoods were built into the cavern floor, and massive stalagmites topped with beacons lit up the cavern ceiling, so vast it might have been a sky of its own. Gothic skyscrapers reached for the surface, and on the edges of the district, huddled against the cavern walls, factories and mining facilities were buzzing with activity. Up high above, the soothing blue light of the district's glowworms - millions upon millions of them - could be seen pulsing through the clouds of mist that congregated around the pointy stalactites clinging to the roof, almost as though they were stars beaming against a cloudy nighttime sky. Crystals embedded into the cavern ceiling glimmered in the glowworm's light, speckling the rocks around them like a colorful kaleidoscope. Despite popular belief, the Nocturnal-District was a surprisingly vivid place.
However, past the initial awe, it was also a place of great poverty and misfortune - The Nocturnal-District was one of the poorest, most crime-riddled districts in Zootopia, and as Al's limousine glided down its roads, swerving to avoid potholes, that fact was all too apparent to see. Trash littered the ground, and packs of seedy-looking nocturnal creatures, ranging from moles to raccoons, prowled the streets. There were many subterranean ghettos in the district. Al hated this place. He saw it as the representation of the failures of City-Hall, and those in public office - How they poured money and resources into financing the most populated districts, like Tundra-Town and Savanna-Central, yet stood back and let places like the Nocturnal-District and the Docks fester unseen. Staring over the filth and crumbling infrastructure, Al felt reaffirmed in his beliefs, and in his plan.
When my work is done, this place will be better... Everything will be better. I just need a little more time. His mind told him as he gazed through the tinted window.
And now, the next step in his plan was afoot - Earning the support of the other crime-lords in his scheme to shake up the city government. If it succeeded, not only would it allow his mob, the Rainforest-Outfit, more wiggle room to go about their usual criminal operations, but it also had the potential to bring about change for the better to places like the Nocturnal-District, and Happy-Town, Savanna-Central's largest predator-dominant ghetto. To ensure his grand plan had the highest chance of success, he needed the aid of the other two remaining crime-lords: Mr. Big, of the Tundra-Town Mafia, and Vladzotz Fangpyre, of the Nocturnal-Mob. All of the crime-lords worked together, and even had a pact of non-aggression (that was only occasionally broken), but Al would need more than just the usual arrangements for this scheme of his. Mr. Big and Vladzotz were both powerful criminal masterminds, and if Al could convince them to lend him and his own organization even more money, mammals, and resources, then victory was assured.
Their last meeting had taken place in the luxurious Grand Palm Hotel, but after Iluka Rombahe, the crime-lord of Outback-Island, had gotten himself captured at the paws of officers Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, Al had decided to arrange the meeting in the Nocturnal-District to lessen the chance of being detected. The officers down here were low in number and morale, and organized crime was practically the foundation of the district's night life. Here, the jaguar's precious meeting would go unnoticed. Besides, Vladzotz himself rarely left the Nocturnal-District, being the most elusive of the crime-lords. It had taken a lot to convince the vampire bat to attend the previous meeting, so to have the current one take place on his territory made things easier.
The meeting itself was scheduled to occur in one of his safehouses - A small manor situated in a nicer, more affluent region of the Nocturnal-District. At least the entire district wasn't a total dump, after all. After Al's limousine entered through a gated fence, it pulled up to the front of the manor, which was a black-brick building complete with stained glass windows. Like most of the buildings in the Nocturnal-District, it was a mixture of modern and Gothic architecture. Al could understand why Vlad might like it. Thankfully, the safehouse was big enough to be able to accommodate mammals as large as a polar bear, which would make things easier for Kozlov, Mr. Big's towering attendant, even if it might have been a bit of a tight squeeze for him. Upon entering the safehouse alongside his own second-in-command, Donnie the tapir, Al began to walk through the halls, deeper into the heart of the building. The corridors were dark, as were most places in the Nocturnal-District, and Donnie, being a prey species, had to practically hold on to the edge of his boss' overcoat just to avoid getting lost. Passing mobsters dressed in black and red carried cratefuls of contraband, and kept watch around the premises. They directed Al and Donnie to the dining room, and on the far side of hallway, Al could see the wooden doors that led to it. Past them, a pair of voices rung out in conversation.
"Mmm! What an exotic delicacy! I haven't tried this brand in years!" A sultry, yet almost childlike feminine voice declared. Unfortunately, Al recognized it.
I should have guessed that that little thief was here too... He thought. A deeper, velvety voice replied back, with the jaguar recognizing it to belong to Vladzotz himself.
"Delectable, isn't it? Don't gorge yourself too much, my dear. Savor the taste."
"It's so good though..."
The sound of something sharp piercing through something soft immediately followed, like needles puncturing the skin of an orange. A muffled grunt spawned with it.
"Are they havin' a wine-tasting party, boss?" Donnie asked. "I heard those were popular here in the Nocturnal-District."
Catpone scoffed. "I wouldn't count on it."
Upon reaching the door, the jaguar promptly pushed it open, revealing the interior of the dining room. Candles were aligned across the room, and the chandelier above glimmered with a soft orange glow. In the middle of the room, a large dining table supported the weight of a wolf, bound with rope, and gagged with an oilcloth. His blue police uniform was tattered and stained with red. Perched beside him, two vampire bats were busy feeding from his neck. Al recognized them both. The bat drinking from the far side of the wolf's neck was none other than Vladzotz himself, dressed darkly dapper as usual, with his midnight-black vest and slacks. Directly beside him, sucking blood from the opposing side of their victim's neck, was Lucy Sang, Vlad's mate and closest lieutenant, not to mention a professional thief that Al had reluctantly hired the previous week.
Vladzotz raised his head from the wolf's body and stared down his guests with a gleefully malicious smile. He stood up to his full height, adjusting his bat-shaped bowtie.
"Ah, Alphonse. You're here early." The bat said. His fangs glistened with blood, and his leathery wings stretched out from his sleeveless white undershirt as he dipped in a bow.
Catpone furrowed his brow, glancing at the wolf tied up on the table. "Is that... The investigative reporter that went missin'?" He asked, causing Vlad to smile.
"Indeed. My men found this malfeasant reprobate snooping around one of the warehouses our organization uses for storage. We're putting him to good use."
The bat then walked forward, stomping on the wolf's stomach like a stepping stool and causing him to cough, before elegantly setting foot on the other side.
"That's, uh..." Donnie stifled, swallowing hard. "Nice." The bat wasn't even half his height, but he still freaked Donnie out plenty, especially with that missing right eye.
"Blood is a staple of a true vampire bat's diet." Vladzotz said. He fondly recalled shouting those exact words at his old enemy Nick Wilde once before. "Don't act so surprised."
Vladzotz had always been a mammal of conservative tastes, as were most vampire bats, due to being part of such a secluded culture. As such, he viewed the consumption of blood as a custom. What sort of vampire bat would he be if he didn't drink blood? Lucy may have taught Vlad how to eat solid food, but they both still preferred (and couldn't survive without) the taste of fresh blood. It was hardwired into his DNA, and he had no intention on stopping simply because it made other mammals uncomfortable.
Back at the table, Lucy pulled her bloodstained fangs out from the wolf's neck before letting out a breathy sigh of pleasure, and a small burp.
"Mhmm." She licked her lips and smiled. "Delish!"
The male bat glanced back towards his mate. "I hope you're satisfied, my dear, because it's time to get down to business. Supper can resume afterwards." He decreed.
"Hmph. Don't you know it's rude to interrupt a lady in the middle of her meal?" Lucy huffed. "But I guess I am getting a little full..."
She then flashed a fanged grin back down at her victim. "I'll be back for you later." She promised before stretching out her wings and flapping into the air.
Flying over the wolf and touching down beside Vlad, Lucy crossed her wings against her chest and playfully leaned into his side. Vladzotz smiled, taking note of her features. Her eyelids glinted a shade of violet as dark as poison, complimenting her emerald irises well, and the fine lashes that surrounded them flit with a delicate length. Her black bodysuit perfectly molded against the healthy curves of her slender body, and her sharp fangs glistened as white and clean as freshly felled snow. He thought she looked beautiful.
Staring down the two vampire bats, Al Catpone, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a bit dismayed at their antics. Here they were having a dinner-date on the blood of a captured reporter. All of the crime-lords had ways of dealing with their enemies: Mr. Big iced them, Iluka had dumped them into the Zootopia Sound, and Shahaz used to bury them in the desert sand of his home district, yet Vladzotz drank them to death. For as often as Al felt tempted to accuse Vladzotz of going soft because of his girlfriend, he couldn't deny that he was anything but - The bat lord may have been less bitter now, but he was still as capable as ever. Al even noticed that they both had pinprick marks in their necks, likely from eachother's fangs. Only vampire bats would see biting their partner as a form of affection.
"We're glad you were able to make it," Vladzotz claimed as he looked over his two larger guests. "Despite how hastily you called for this meeting."
"Yeah, talk about inconsiderate." Lucy added, glaring pointedly at Al. "You just had to barge in on our dinner-date, huh, Spots? You wanna watch?"
Al grunted, ignoring her. "Sorry 'bout the short notice, but trust me, this'll be well worth your time. I've got some important offers to make."
"Oh?" Vlad began. "Well I hope you'll be able to prove yourself most auspicious once the meeting begins. I presume we won't be starting until Mr. Big arrives, no?"
The jaguar checked his watch. "Don't worry, he's on his way. You know how traffic can be out in Tundra-Town, with all that snow."
"He'd better be." Lucy grumbled. "I'm eager to get this over with. I've got other priorities in mind..." She trailed off, glancing hungrily back towards the wolf.
Vladzotz licked his teeth, as though he were eager to return to his feeding as well. "Let us go somewhere more private, while we await Mr. Big's arrival."
Catpone nodded his head in agreement. If anything, he was just grateful for an excuse to get away from the exsanguinated wolf. Al was no stranger to cruelty, as it often came with the job, but there was something about it that just unsettled him. Following Vladzotz down a hallway that branched off from the dining room, the jaguar crime-lord continually checked his watch and phone to ensure that Mr. Big wasn't running late. Donnie trailed shortly behind, with Lucy sidling up beside him, sniffing the air curiously.
"Ooh, you look exotic!" She said, taking note of his species. "I'd love to sample your blood."
The tapir just chuckled nervously, not entirely sure how to reply to such a statement. He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he reopened them, Lucy was gone.
"So what, are you Al's second-in-command, or something?" She continued, peering at him from the other side of his body.
"Uh, u-uhm, yes, I am." Donnie stammered, looking back and forth between the bat and where he had last seen her. He hadn't even seen her move.
Lucy snickered. "Can't imagine what he sees in you." She teased. "You must be smarter than you look."
Before Donnie could reply, the sound of a wooden door being thrown open echoed throughout the corridor. Up ahead, Vladzotz and Al stepped into the next room, where the meeting would take place. The room was fairly plain, with only a large violet carpet stretched across the floor, and a sizable round table set up in the middle of it, though on the far wall, a colorful display of purple and black stained-glass windows more than compensated for the dreariness. Several chairs were already positioned around the table, with Al seating himself in the largest one. Donnie quickly parked himself beside him, trying to put as much distance between himself and the two vampire bats as possible. A pair of wine bottles, along with a few glasses were scattered atop the surface of the table. Reaching out, Al plucked up one of the bottles before filling his glass and raising it.
"A toast to you, Mr. Fangpyre, for your hospitality." He declared as he brought the drink to his lips. Vladzotz's red eye widened.
"Hey, genius!" Lucy called out, flapping up onto the tabletop. "One of those bottles is filled with blood!"
Al seized up, holding a cough in his mouth and just barely managing to resist spewing back into his glass. He grabbed the bottle that he had poured from and stared at the label plastered on the side. Just regular Merlot. The jaguar swallowed his mouthful of wine before gasping with relief. It was then he noticed the other bottle was labeled 'Type A'.
"You could have told me that earlier." He growled before taking a sip from his glass.
Lucy jumped down from the table. "It's your fault for not looking." She grumbled, rolling her eyes. Her male counterpart calmly seated himself before explaining.
"Ah yes, I thought it a courteous provision of both beverages, though I apologize for the mix-up. The wine is all yours. The blood is for Lucy and I's enjoyment."
The jaguar grunted. "I appreciate the generosity, but you should really make the labels on these things bigger." He allowed himself a dry chuckle.
"Why were you bottling it like that?" Donnie asked, causing Vladzotz to smile, as though he were happy to explain.
"A good question. You see, the Nocturnal-mob is a major provider for the blood industry, both in and outside the law. We have shareholdings in all the biggest legal blood-bottling companies... And largest illegal blood-fueled black markets. That bottle is just one of many others we have for storage and distribution. There is lots of demand from vampire bat families both here in the Nocturnal-District, and on the surface-world who prefer not to accept the city government's second-rate handouts."
Al frowned, recalling how the city government gave donations of blood from hospitals to vampire bat families like a sort of food stamp system. Given that the city government itself was practically responsible for the subjugation of vampire bats in the first place thanks to their anti-blood drinking campaigns in the distant past, Al could understand why many of them might not like accepting such gifts - Not when a different source was so easily available through local (albeit morally loose) groups like the Nocturnal-Mob.
"That's right." Lucy added in response. "I grew up on the surface, unlike Vladdy here, and my family bought blood fresh from the Nocturnal-District all the time."
She turned to him, crossing her arms. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if my father did business with the Nocturnal-Mob, back when your own pops ran the organization."
Vladzotz nodded, agreeing with his mate's clever deduction. It wasn't often that she spoke of her family, and when she did, he always seemed to learn something new because of it. Vlad already knew that her upbringing had been an emotionally abusive one at the paws of an overbearing father in a wealthy, but broken household in the Meadowlands, yet he was never one to shy away from listening in on whatever new information he could gather. It was one of the things that helped keep their relationship healthy.
"History certainly has a knack for tying things together." The male bat said as he folded his claws atop the surface of the table.
"It does indeed." Another voice - small and gravely - announced to the room.
All the mammals present turned to the door, where a massive polar-bear ducked through the frame and into the room. Kozlov's head nearly scraped against the roof, and he had to hold himself low just to avoid bonking his cranium. His large black suit was freshly pressed to fit his bulky frame, but as he leaned his cupped paws forward, the true mammal that had spoken out was revealed. Boxed between Kozlov's thick fingers, the arctic shrew Mr. Big sat atop a tiny gilded chair. He was dressed in his usual minuscule tux, complete with gems glimmering on the ring around his finger. It was impressive that his huge polar-bear attendant had managed to reach the room without being noticed. Kozlov approached the table, where he set down Big's chair atop it before stepping back and folding his paws across his torso, choosing to stand in silence.
Mr. Big looked around the room, tiredly scanning over the black wooden walls, and colorful stained-glass windows. He sighed almost wistfully.
"I haven't been to the Nocturnal-District in years... Not since the first fire, at your old home." The shrew stated, glancing at Vladzotz.
The bat narrowed his single eye, his expression hardening. He didn't like thinking about the accident that had claimed the lives of his old family nearly a decade ago.
"You've done a fine job recovering, in all these years." Mr. Big continued. "I'm... Glad that you have."
Vladzotz could detect the sympathy laden behind the shrew's words. "Yes, the Nocturnal-Mob is more powerful than ever, in no small part to Lucy and I's hard work."
Lucy smirked. "We make a good team." She said as she seated herself in a chair next to her mate.
Mr. Big uttered one of those breathy hmm sounds that he was so found of making. "I'm sure you do." He agreed. "But now, we should make haste with the meeting."
A part of him was eager to change the topic, given his association to what had happened to Vladzotz's old home. He was thankful that after all this time, Vladzotz had never managed to figure out that it was he who had ordered Castle Fangpyre burned to the ground in a bout of anger. As Mr. Big recalled, when Vladzotz had found out that he had begun focusing his attention toward his family, admittedly neglecting the criminal partnership between the Tundra-Town Mafia and the Nocturnal-Mob, the bat had retaliated by almost completely severing the illegal trading between the two groups. It was all done in an attempt to remind him of his duties as a crime-lord by hurting his wallet. Infuriated, Mr. Big had discreetly ordered the head of Vladzotz's criminal empire, the old mansion Castle Fangpyre, to be destroyed via arson.
It was one of the few times that the pact of non-aggression between the crime-lords had been broken, and was easily the most severe, yet Vlad had never known that Mr. Big was the one behind it, and the arctic shrew preferred to keep it that way. The revelation of such knowledge would no doubt start a crime war, and one that Big likely would have trouble winning. When Mr. Big came to realize that Vlad's old family had unintentionally perished in the accident, he came to regret it immensely. Being a family mammal himself, it was one of the few stains that he carried on his conscience. But now, nearly a decade later, Vladzotz seemed to be over his grief, and all was better because of it.
Mr. Big expectantly glanced to Al. The jaguar grinned, pulling out a cigar. "Don't worry, this won't take long." He promised. "I've just gotta few things to run by."
He stuck the rod of tobacco between his teeth before setting its tip ablaze with a lighter that he had fished out from one of the pockets on his overcoat.
Mr. Big grunted, unimpressed by the jaguar's smoking habit. "Then by all means, let the meeting begin." He declared, leaning back in his chair.
A moment of silent anticipation passed over the room in the wake of the shrew's words. In that moment, Lucy took the time to scan over all the mammals attending. The three crime-lords all sat upon a different third of the table, and each one had their most trusted lieutenant by their side - Al with Donnie, Big with Kozlov, and Vladzotz with... Her. Something about that made her feel giddy. Lucy was impressed by the sheer power that Vlad, alongside all these other crime-lords, carried with them. They seemed to give off an aura of oppression and dominance. She had always considered herself fairly well connected in the criminal underworld, thanks to her freelance work as a thief and espionage expert, but being able to witness the sheer authority and influence of the crime-lords themselves made her realize just how powerful they truly were.
Their last meeting had been held within a vibrant penthouse in the Sahara-Square's Grand Palm Hotel, and had not only been graced by the presence of four different crime-lords and their closest allies, but also by dozens of their various underlings and associates. There had been decadent displays of fine food and drink, and a fantastic view over the night-time cityscape. Now, the latest assignation between the three remaining crime-lords was a far more simple one, with the only attendees being the crime-lords themselves (alongside their trusted second-in-commands), and the only provender being a few bottles of wine situated around the table.
"So it shall." Al Catpone began. "I'm sure by now you all've at least heard the news of what happened at the Zootopia Police Academy this morning."
"I have." Mr. Big confirmed. "I pity those poor souls tormented with savagery, as my florist and driver were, during the Night-Howler Epidemic four years ago."
One of Vlad's large ears twitched. "It has reached my attention as well, though I don't share Big's sympathy for those surface-dwelling miscreants."
Al took a deep breath from his cigar before blowing out a ring of smog. "That was me. I was the one who ordered the mission."
Mr. Big's bushy eyebrows raised with disbelief. "Why? Why would you do such a thing?"
"I'm curious too." Vladzotz said. "Lucy told me how you paid her to drive that truck to the academy, and fly back afterwards. What's your endgame, here?"
Al defensively raised his paws into the air, nearly knocking over his wine glass.
"Relax, I know what kind of beehive I'm kickin'. That's why we're here today: To talk this over. Lemme explain - I ordered that Night-Howler attack at the academy to send a message, and remind those nitwits at the ZPD who's in charge. I hated using the same drug that Mayor Bellwether used with her conspiracy, but it was a necessary evil. But I didn't just have my spy turn everyone savage - He also tested our new drug, Apex-Affluent, and it worked. I won't be needin' to use Night-Howlers anymore. From now on, it'll be my formula makin' the rounds. The Rainforest-Outfit has already started producin' more of the stuff, and soon we'll have enough for another mission. I plan to have my boys start sellin' our drug to predators in places like Happy-Town, the Docks, and even down here. And that's not countin' big pharmacies and other companies I plan to sell to."
"Make good money." Kozlov deduced. He then leaned over his comparatively tiny boss. "But why sell to common predators?"
The jaguar chewed on his cigar. "To give 'em somethin' that might inspire them to overthrow City-Hall. Simple as that."
"What makes you think they'd be so willing?" Mr. Big asked. A moment of irritation flickered across Catpone's face.
"C'mon now, Big B... You know the answer to that. Because predators out there want change for the better - Change that the city government hasn't given them. Sure, makin' this stuff for the money is a big motivator, but I do have a byproduct of my plan that I hope to make a reality. Call it a personal goal. If I sprinkle my drug into the predator population, it'll give 'em all the benefits of being a savage without havin' to lose their minds in the process. They'll have enough strength to toss those deadbeats in City-Hall out of office, with a bit of guidance, and then, with a little luck, form a better one from what's left. It'll also give us crime-lords some extra wiggle room for our... Businesses."
From across the room, Lucy threw her head back and let out a mischievous cackle. "I love it! You're practically plotting to overthrow the city government!"
Al nodded his head, smoke wafting around his vine-wrapped fedora. "Well, when you put it like that, I guess I am."
The female bat leaned forward on the table. "Talk about ambitious. I can only imagine what sort of chaos that would cause!" She giddily exclaimed.
Her mate narrowed his eye, glaring at Al. "Yes, it's almost too ambitious." Vlad muttered. "You have high hopes, but have taken great risks to reach for them. For as much as I'd love to watch the surface-world burn for all the negligence it has shown my species, and the Nocturnal-District, the way that you're going about this seems... Reckless."
"Indeed." Mr. Big added. "I can't help but wonder if attacking the academy like that was a good idea."
"I told you that I ordered that attack to send a message." Al repeated. "The general public will see the ZPD as weak because of it. It's all part of the plan."
"Yeah, it's all part of the plan!" Donnie piped out, coming to his boss' defense.
"Plan seems rash, like poorly made bowl of borsch." Kozlov retorted. "Too many liabilities, no guarantees. Might fall apart at finish line."
Lucy leapt from her seat, flapping into the air and landing on the polar bear's broad shoulder, where she perched as though she were sitting on a bench.
"Don't be such a spoilsport." She said, clawed feet swinging off the edge of his collarbone like a child on a swing-set. "Don't you know that big plans take some risk?"
"Kozlov prefers plans to be slow and steady." The bear grumbled, causing Lucy to giggle.
"Oh, I'm sure you do. But don't get me wrong, I like strategy too! When I put together a heist, I try to account for every possible detail, to make sure the whole thing goes flawlessly. Spots' plan seems like it's got a lot of contingencies in it, but I honestly like where he wants to go with it. It's a high-risk, high-reward kinda job, ya know?"
"See?" Catpone blurted, pointing to Lucy. "She understands." Despite that fact, he still had a feeling she was more interested in the money he was paying her.
"Of course I do! It's exactly the kind of plan I'd be happy to sink my teeth into." The female bat stated, tauntingly flitting her eyelashes.
Growing impatient, Kozlov raised one of his arms. "Off." He grunted, wiping at his shoulder with an open paw and shooing Lucy away.
The bat flapped around the room before touching back down in her chair beside Vlad. "All I'm saying is that this might have a big payoff." She finalized.
"It will." Al assured, and then looked back and forth between Mr. Big and Vladzotz. "But I need your help to make it happen, first."
"What would you have us do?" Vlad asked skeptically.
"That's easy. I just need more money, resources, and mammals to work with. If you could lend me some-"
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Alphonse." Mr. Big interrupted. His voice was soft, but when he spoke, it seemed to fill the room.
Catpone's left eye twitched. "What do you mean? Why not?"
The arctic shrew hummed. "I would be happy to help if this scheme of yours wasn't so... Prominent. You are attempting to make massive socio-political change. That isn't exactly something that crime-lords are adept at. We work in silence. And if the ZPD traces this back to you, there will be nothing to stop them from hunting you down."
"In other words, you've put a target on your back by attacking the academy." Vladzotz added. "A very large one. I agree with Big's assessment."
Mr. Big looked to Al. "If you have an enemy, then that enemy becomes my enemy. But there are limitations to our power. Challenging the whole of the ZPD..."
He trailed off, but the message was clear. Al growled, growing more frustrated at his comrade's unwillingness to help.
"We've survived this long because we work together!" He proclaimed, thumping a finger against the table. "We trade resources, share intelligence, and-"
"And we will continue to do so," Mr. Big interjected, his soft-spoken words filling the ensuing silence. "But what you are asking of us is too much... Too much."
Vladzotz nodded in agreement before adding his own statement;
"That's right. We've survived this long by working together, yes, but also by maintaining an air of secrecy. Look what happened to Iluka, once he tried extending his power into the Deciduous-District. Or to Shahaz, when he didn't close down that ridiculous shell-company when we asked him to! Or... Or to me, when I tried to enact my vengeance."
At that topic, all of the crime-lords lowered their heads in contemplation. Talking about their failures and those of their associates didn't come lightly. Alongside that, they all knew just how much Vladzotz, in particular, had suffered due to making himself a target in the eyes of the ZPD. Lucy put one of her winghands on Vladzotz's shoulder, gripping it in reassurance. Mr. Big shifted his weight around in his tiny chair uncomfortably, and cleared his throat aloud, wishing to clear the cold tension.
"I maintain my position. I won't be providing any additional support to this plan of yours because if the ZPD has any reason to connect it to my organization, then I will be brought down with you. I have a granddaughter to think about. She's turning three next month. I have no intention on spending the rest of my days behind bars."
"Nor do I." Vladzotz proclaimed. "The Nocturnal-District has enough corruption to allow me to stretch my wings comfortably, but your plan is too risky for my tastes."
The moment Al Catpone heard those words leave the vampire bat's mouth, he felt his heart tremble with anger. The jaguar practically spat his coming words.
"Oh, so you're all about stickin' to the shadows, huh? You say my plan's risky, but you're perfectly fine tryin' to expand your power to the surface world? Stickin' your nose into the Sahara like you own the place? Yeah, don't think I haven't heard about what you've been doin' - Absorbin' Shahaz's former empire like it's yours to take."
Vladzotz could detect the animosity bubbling behind Catpone's words. He could tell that he was getting agitated, but the bat had no intention on bellying-up.
"My organization may prefer more clandestine operations, but we still seize opportunity when we see fit. The imprisonment of Shahaz and the dissolution of his syndicate was unfortunate, but we would be fools not to salvage what remains. What's left of his resources belong to the Nocturnal-Mob, and his men work for me now."
"Yeah." Lucy added. "Those desert-dwelling dunderheads are helping us establish a foothold in the surface world. If you got a problem with that, speak up. Otherwise, bite me."
Al grit his teeth, choosing to ignore Lucy, as he often did. "Clandestine? You wanna call yourself clandestine when you're kidnappin' and feedin' from reporters?"
"Only when they get too curious. I might have mentioned that we found that wolf snooping around our territory." Vladzotz said. "Don't act like dealing with those who snoop into our businesses isn't a simple fact of life for us. Besides, we might let him go after all.
The jaguar began to breath heavily, his frustration growing. He knew Vladzotz and his mob had been seizing the leftover money and resources from Shahaz's dissolved syndicate over in Sahara-Square for months, which Al didn't like, since he was a very territorial mammal, and had always hoped that Vladzotz would keep his influence restricted to the Nocturnal-District to prevent competition. Yet at the same time, Vladzotz didn't want to aid Al in his own plan. The jaguar saw that as hypocritical.
Catpone jabbed a pointed clawtip at Vlad. "I have the right to demand-"
"Nothing." Vladzotz interrupted with a snarl. "You demand nothing of me, Alphonse. This kingdom is mine and mine alone."
Al's own demeanor faltered. Vladzotz may have been a quarter of his size, but there was something terrifying about the set of his jaw, the intensity of his stare, even with only one eye, and the menace of his snarl - Black lips pulling back like curtains to reveal rows of fangs as sharp as knives. Al narrowed his eyes with hostility, having no intentions on appearing submissive. The power Vladzotz held in the Nocturnal-District was formidable, but the jaguar wasn't one to back down from his beliefs so easily.
"Why are you being so difficult?" He growled, causing the bat lord to sneer with distaste.
"You come down here to the Nocturnal-District - making demands - expecting me to risk my entire livelihood to aid you in your little scheme. My organization will not take part in your fool's errand, Alphonse. My word is final. I refuse to have the Nocturnal-Mob dragged into the light. I will not repeat the mistakes - my mistakes - of the past."
Watching this back and forth was intriguing to Lucy. She loved it when Vladzotz displayed his dominant side, and seeing him refuse to give in to Al's demands was satisfying. She never much liked Al, after all, ever since he found out that she had stolen several grand's worth of drug money from him a few years ago. Still, that rough history clearly wasn't enough to stop him from hiring her again to gather the ingredients for his new formula. He must've been desperate for her sneaky skill-set.
Her amusement was maintained, that was, until she heard Al growl beneath his breath. "Losing your eye must have blinded you more than I thought."
Lucy's head instantly shot up, her sensitive ears having easily detected his insult. "What did you just say?"
Al narrowed his eyes. "Don't concern yourself, Doll." He scoffed.
The female bat grit her fangs with anger. No one insulted her, or her Vladdy like that, especially in their own lair.
"I'll make a mess on the floor with the inside of your head!" She shouted, clambering up onto the tabletop. The male bat grabbed her leg before she could pounce.
"Lucy!" Vladzotz exclaimed. "What did I tell you about being professional at meetings like this? Threatening others with face-to-floor deconstruction is far from civil."
Upon registering her mate's words, Lucy quickly calmed down, and spared a glance in his direction, a sheepish smile twisting her expression.
"Sorry, Vladdy. I can't help it! I just get these urges sometimes..." The female professed before turning back to Al with a wicked grin. "And this guy's askin' for it!"
Letting out a steady exhale, Lucy seated herself back down, though continued to glare daggers at Al. Back when she had been in prison, she had quickly learned that appearing tough was a survival tactic. Along with fighting and stealing, it was the only way one could survive in a world that harsh. Lucy had been young and scared, back then, after having been framed by a family friend over the death of her brother, but she had quickly learned that survival was key. As such, she wasn't one to take insults lying down.
At the other side of the table, Catpone simply closed his eyes before sighing. "I'm sorry. This meetin' has just been more... Frustratin' than I imagined." He confessed.
Mr. Big scratched at his chin. "It would be better if we all were to set aside our grievances. Calm yourselves."
"Agreed." Vladzotz said, readjusting his bat-shaped bowtie. "I'm willing to overlook that insult. Just don't forget that it was you who called for this meeting, Al."
The vampire bat leaned back in his chair, allowing himself to take a deep breath and calm down before continuing.
"I am not without beneficence. My organization may not be lending you any extended assistance, but I will allow Lucy here to continue her freelance work with you."
Lucy sneered. "Pleasure's all mine. Be a good client, Spots." She taunted, crossing one leg over the other, her bodysuit slightly squeaking as the material rubbed together.
Al looked back and forth between the two bats, partly grateful for the female's continued assistance, and partly enraged over the male's lack of it. Vladzotz was a stern, powerful mammal with lots of resources and connections in the criminal underworld, and Lucy was fiercely loyal to him (if the previous incident hadn't proved it), not to mention an excellent thief. Having them both on his side would have been the most preferable scenario, but it seemed that Al would just have to make do with what he had.
"Fine. But you're going to regret backin' out of this." He then glared toward Mr. Big. "The both of you! What I'm plannin' is bigger than all of us."
"We don't doubt your ambition, Alphonse, rather than the way you seek to enact it." The shrew said. "It may be bigger than all of us, but we have our loved ones to consider."
"Indeed. For as well-intentioned as your plan may be, I do not want to stake my future," He glanced to Lucy. "Our future, on its success."
"Don't you two lecture me about family." Catpone growled, thinking of his son Albert. "Family's the biggest reason I'm doin' this."
"Then you understand our reluctance to engage in your scheme. We all have our priorities to maintain." Vladzotz stated. His gaze then locked with Lucy's. "The Nocturnal-Mob will live on... It might even have an heir one day, if we ever have some pups of our own. We can always try."
Lucy simply stared at him, jaw hanging open slightly, for once unable to formulate a response to Vladzotz's statement. She had seen his scars and heard him snore, yet there was little that seemed to take her breath away more than the thought of an idea like that. But she kept her thoughts to herself, for the moment, keeping silent in the wake of his words. Watching the scene unfold, Al's ears sunk, his anger fading by the second. Perhaps Mr. Big and Vladzotz really did have good intentions to keep their distance.
Catpone removed the cigar from his mouth, fingering it in his claws. "Raisin' a family in this world, with the kind of work we do... It's dangerous." He warned.
"Believe me, Alphonse," Vladzotz murmured, his single, blood-red eye closing shut with despondency. "I know."
Mr. Big dropped his gaze, staring dejectedly at the surface of the table. Everyone's moods seemed to be soured over how poorly the meeting had turned out.
Vladzotz exhaled. "I do wish we could chat for longer, but my dinner is still tied up in the other room. I think it's time this meeting was adjourned."
"Yes, I grow tired of all this squabbling." Mr. Big said, causing Al to grunt beneath his breath.
"Call it a night if you want." He grumbled before picking up his wine glass and downing the entire thing.
When he was done, he planted the now empty glass back on the table with a sigh. "I'm goin' back to the Rainforest-District. C'mon, Donnie. We're done here."
Both Al and his minion raised themselves from their seats. Recognizing the meeting to be at its end, Kozlov plucked Mr. Big back into his paws.
"And we'll be returning to Tundra-Town." The shrew said. "I have other business to attend to." He glanced toward Al. "Take care of yourself, Al. Don't do anything rash."
Catpone nodded, only promising to himself to do what needed to be done. He was about to respond aloud when Donnie let out a yelp of pain, causing him to spare a disinterested glance downward. The tapir was clutching his hoof, bleeding slightly from the wrist. Lucy appeared beside him, fangs dripping with blood.
"Sorry, just had to get a taste in." She said, licking the blood spatter from her lips. "I've had better. I'd give you a four outta ten."
Al growled, shoving one of his paws in her direction and causing her to flap away. Not keen on staying any longer, he marched out of the room, dragging Donnie with him.
Kozlov followed shortly behind, carrying Mr. Big, but not before allowing his boss a moment to bid his farewells. "Vladzotz... You take care of yourself as well."
The bat lord nodded. "And you too, my friend." He said.
Vladzotz noticed a brief flash of what looked like guilt pass over Mr. Big's face before one of Kozlov's meaty fingers covered it. The polar bear ducked beneath the doorway and was gone. With the room finally emptied, Lucy took a moment to stare down Vladzotz, watching as he approached her with his wings folded calmly behind his back.
"Say, Vladdy... Did you really mean what you said back there?" She asked softly, a curious tone laced behind her words. "About... Having pups of our own?"
Vladzotz stared her down, his expression a mixture of both hardened determination and gentle endearment. Lucy thought that he looked as handsome as ever.
"Yes." He said with a slight smile. "I did."
A warm blush blossomed beneath the fur on Lucy's face, concentrated in the thinner parts around her nose. Back in her youth, she would have scoffed at the idea of having a family, yet the thought of really trying for one with Vladzotz was... Appealing. The male bat took note of his mate's flustered demeanor, thinking it somewhat cute.
"Maybe one day." He repeated, smiling warmly before beckoning at her with one of his talons. "But for now, what do you say we get back to our meal, then, hm?"
Admittedly a bit zoned out, Lucy blinked hard, clearing her thoughts, some of which were rather risqué, before allowing a devious smile to part her lips.
"Oh, I'd be happy to!" She exclaimed. "That tapir made a nice appetizer, but I'm ready to dig back into the main course."
Grinning with equal malice, Vladzotz accompanied his mate as they set off back toward the dining room. Out in the hallway nearby, Al Catpone scoffed as he walked away from the meeting room, paws shoved firmly in the pockets of his overcoat. Donnie walked beside him, rubbing tenderly at his wrist, which was still bleeding slightly.
"A crime-lord and a thief havin' children... Now I've seen everything." Catpone shook his head. "Whatever. They can sit back and watch while I make history."
"At least we still have the bat-burglar's help, right?" Donnie reminded his boss. "She's been useful before, gatherin' our ingredients and drivin' that truck for us."
Al nodded. "I plan to make the most of her assistance, even if she is a loose-cannon. But I just wish I had more."
His eyes narrowed in contemplation. Perhaps I do have more, after all... He thought to himself as he pulled his phone out from his pocket and scrolled to the news app.
"If the other crime-lords won't help me, then maybe it's time I turn my attention to someone who will..." Catpone started.
The jaguar stared down at his device, where an online news article detailed the heroism of officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in subduing the chaos at the ZPA.
He smiled slightly. "And make 'em an offer they can't refuse."
Hey everyone!
Happy 3-year anniversary, Zootopia! Hard to believe it's been so long since the movie that impacted so many of us was released, eh? Time flies. I for one plan to celebrate it by rewatching the movie. It always has served as a great source of inspiration, after all. Thank you all for taking the time to stop by and read this chapter so close to such a date! The 3-year anniversary of this story is coming up soon, too! I know this time last year, it took me like, three months to release a chapter past the date, and it's been one of my biggest regrets, leaving you all hanging for so long like that. Well not this year! This latest chapter of ours will be a testament to that, as will the coming ones! I've got big plans for the last few chapters of this story (I estimate 6-9 more, give or take), and I hope you all will stick with me for what remains. Regardless, I am supremely thankful for you all for sticking with me, especially those who have been here since the start, all those years ago. We couldn't have gotten this far without any one of you, and I am humbled by your continued interest and support. Thank you.
That will be all for now. Thanks for reading, and do please stay tuned for what's to come! That second scene with the crime-lords was a long one, but the next chapter will have nothing but Nick and Judy, I promise! This chapter was mostly dedicated to that scene with the villains. Gotta give them a bit of time to shine, right? But more work with the good guys is coming. I didn't title this chapter 'Sanguine Aspirations' just because of all the vampire bat references, after all, but also because of the hope Nick and Judy have to finally get back into the fray. The next chapter will cover a bit more info before Nick and Judy finally get back on the beat and do some exciting police work! Not to spoil anything, but there might even be a new action scene. It'll also cover some strong characterization for Nick, and Al Catpone, along with explaining some of his motivations and more.
Last up for announcements, I'd like to mention that Lucy Sang's original creator, Mind Jack, released a story that details Lucy's backstory, and all that came with it. It's known as Bloodlines, and I actually helped write portions of it, including parts of the recently released first chapter. WIF will be shedding some more light on her past in the coming chapters, as she's been a fairly mysterious character, backstory-wise, so far, but if you'd like to see it detailed in a full story, then you're welcome to go and check out Bloodlines! I also wanted to make mention that there's some cool new fan-art of Nick's dad, Lucy, and Vladzotz over on my tumblr and DeviantArt accounts, so you're welcome to check those out as well, and give support to all the awesome artists who made them.
Thanks for reading, everyone. Do please Favorite/Follow if you haven't already, and to leave a review detailing whatcha think! I'd appreciate it very much, and would love to know what you thought of this chapter, be it over the dialogue, descriptions of the Nocturnal-District, or characters and their interactions. I'd especially love knowing your thoughts on Vladzotz and Lucy's inclusion in this chapter, and what I had to say about them. If there's any chapter I'd love to see a review from you on, it's this one! So, if you have something you noticed or enjoyed that you'd like to point out, do please feel free to. Regardless, I appreciate all the interest and support, and hope you all enjoyed yourself. Next chapter will be coming soon(er than this one did)! Stay tuned!
'Till next time...
Peace!
PS: I also apologize if anyone thought the blood-feeding was a bit too gross, or graphic. Vladzotz and Lucy are vampire bats, after all, alongside being villains, and villains do villainous things, after all, so this shouldn't be that surprising. If you felt a bit uncomfortable while reading that scene, then I accomplished the goal of activating that feeling when I wrote it. Regardless, I just wanted to bring that up, and for anyone who felt a bit too uncomfortable, I can promise you that it won't be a regular thing. Hope you continue to read!