Chapter 9
A/N: Here's where things get dark. Fair warning the next few chapters will be violent and contain a whole heap of references to trauma, addiction, and violence. Mental health and the things associated with it is a sensitive subject so please do let me know if you feel I'm going down the wrong path regarding the issues at hand. Don't worry though things will get light and fluffy again that's a promise. That said I hope you enjoy and please review!
The sun was breaking through the clouds. Ugly black squalls pulling back to let the afternoon light in. A rare event during Zootopia's monsoon season. Mammals strolled in the city parks, lounged around on their lunchbreaks and some took impromptu trips down to Cape Cod for the day. Not the ZPD though they were on a mammal hunt. An APB had been put out on Jackson Crossing. Officers and detectives from every precinct were combing the city bit by bit looking for the dangerous zebra.
SWAT teams had been sent into Lynxville, Foxton and the Upper Wolverine Row. Some of the most impoverished areas of Zootopia where a great deal of anti-government sentiment still lingered. If Crossing and his Monochrome Gang were there they would find him. Judy and Nick sat in their cruiser six blocks from Sahara Square keeping an eye on a health foods store often frequented by zebras. Nothing was going unchecked today no matter how ridiculous.
"Carrots this is the third store today," complained Nick. "And we've got six more to go before our shift's over."
"You heard the Chief Nick," said Judy before launching into a gruff and incredibly convincing impression. "Hopps, Wilde we got a tip off that Stripes' Grains was one of Crossing's favourite stores while he was active. I want you two to keep an eye on these nine and report in if you see him. Remember you are to wait for backup should you see him. Shut it Wilde!"
"Tell me that doesn't sound weird coming from the Chief Carrots? I mean a health store?! The Chief is usually the first to send us onto the front lines because he knows we can handle it. But not this time instead Trumpet, Schwartz, Buckton and Wolford are in Lynxville kicking in doors. It doesn't make sense."
"Maybe Chief Bogo knows something we don't," mused Judy. "Or maybe he's worried."
"Worried? I hadn't thought of it that way…"
"Exactly. ZFD, City Hall workers as well as paramedics and City Maintenance staff have all been kidnapped. But no one from the ZPD I think we're the next target. The Monochrome Gang want us alive whereas there are plenty of separatists and anarchists happy to take pot shots at us in Foxton and Wolverine Row. This is the safest place for us Nick. I don't like it but I see why Bogo's doing it."
For the next few minutes they listened in on the action as a SWAT team lead by Detective Trent Buckton stormed a known separatist hangout in Lynxville. The sun beat down and the mammals of central Zootopia were ignorant of what was going in the north of the teeming metropolis. It was just as Nick and Judy were moving on that Clawhauser came on the radio.
"Calling all Officers in and around Sahara Square," radioed the large cheetah. "Six monochrome mammals bearing a close resemblance to the Monochrome Gang have been spotted in an alley north of Sahara Square. Confirm identity and then wait for backup. Clawhauser out."
"We're up Carrots," announced Nick. "You know where he's talking about?"
"Please Slick I know this city like the back of my hand," said the bunny before pulling out into traffic. "Detectives Hopps and Wilde en route Ben. Tell the Chief his Dream Team are about to clean up."
"Will do Judy," answered Clawhauser. "I'll update the betting pool."
"Gambling should be illegal," muttered Nick as they picked up speed.
They reached the alley in no time and left the cruiser far out of sight. Slowly, quietly they crept along the wall. Edging herself out Judy took a good long look at the cluster of black and white mammals gathered around a black van.
"This is Officer Hopps," she reported. "We have confirmation. The Monochrome Gang are on Shrew Avenue just north of Sahara Square. Requesting backup."
"Roger that Hopps. I'm patching the Chief in. Do not engage unless provoked. Repeat do not engage. Wait for backup."
"Hopps, Wilde. Chief Bogo here. What's the situation?"
"Nothing much to report Chief. They're all hanging around a big black van. All dressed in black. No visible weapons or hostages. Only one we can't positively ID is Crossing. He's got a cap pulled down low."
"Roger. All right remember it is paramount that you do not reveal your position. This could be ou-"
"Oh, sweet cheese and crackers they're getting ready to leave."
"You're right Chief," stated Nick grimly. "This could be our only chance. We'll catch you on the flip side."
Whatever Bogo roared in response was lost as Judy and Nick flicked out their earpieces. They drew their standard issue service pistols and began to advance hugging whatever cover they could find. The occupants of the van didn't notice them until they were right in front of them. The zebra and the panda raised their hooves and paws respectively.
"ZPD," shouted Judy. "Get out of the van with your paws up."
Surprisingly the zebra and panda agreed. The front doors popped open and both mammals stepped out into the alley. They stood there momentarily and in that moment Judy saw him. It was Crossing all right. But he was different to the old photo. His fur had traces of grey in it and his face was heavily scarred. Whereas before he'd had a forgettable face now it was burned into the memory of anyone who saw him. Raw, red skin was pulled tight across the left side of his face. It tugged up the corner of his mouth in a permanent sneer revealing ugly yellow teeth.
"Crossing," said Nick. "You are under arrest for abduction, forced imprisonment and illegal possession of fire arms."
"No, I'm not," growled the zebra. "But you are cops!"
The zebra and panda quickly parted as their four compadres rushed Nick and Judy. The distance was short but fox and rabbit got off four shots between them. Nick hit the panda in the upper arm and shoulder whereas Judy nailed a snow leopard and the zebra between the eyes. Then they were on them.
Judy spun and delivered a vicious roundhouse kick to the skunk's sternum. It knocked him back as the snow leopard rushed in her tail whipping around only for Judy to dodge under it. Nick took a running jump from atop a dumpster landing a flying headbutt into the already injured panda. This was how Nick and Judy fought; using speed, momentum, and agility against larger opponents.
"This is Officer Hopps," shouted Judy, diving beneath another tailspin. "Where's that backup?!"
"ETA two minutes!" came Clawhauser's muted response.
Crossing himself joined the fray sending a hoof directly into Nick's stomach. The fox doubled over as the air whooshed out of him. The panda ran up and grabbed the fox in a headlock. Nick's pistol was gone but his tranq gun wasn't. Swiftly he drew it and unloaded six darts into the panda's chest. The huge bear roared and tripped back. Judy broke the skunk's snout with a hard-left hook but was sent skittering sideways by a chop to the ribs from the snow leopard.
In the distance sirens screamed coming from every direction. Choppers sounded from above and SWAT vans cleared the roads as they rushed from the north of the city. The city of Zootopia drew to a standstill as cops from seven different precincts converged on Sahara Square. The sun was sinking lower as the clouds began to push back in threatening a storm of thunderous proportions.
Time slowed as Nick watched the fist close in on his temple from the corner of his eye. No way I can stop that, he thought. Not while this panda is coming at me with the mother of all haymakers. Judy watched Jackson Crossing's hoof connect with Nick's head as she landed a flurry of blows on the skunk. Nick's eyes rolled upwards and he went limp like a ragdoll. The panda grabbed him and ran for the van woozily. Jackson yelled something unintelligible at the snow leopard and skunk before heading for the van himself. One last tail swipe took Judy by surprise and she crumpled against the wall.
"Officer Hopps here," she mumbled. "They have Nick. They have Nic-"
"Fangmeyer and Delgado en route! Hold on Hopps!"
"This is Wolford. Me and Grizzoli have the van in sight. We are in pursuit!"
"Roger. Backup's on its way!"
"Hopps this is the Chief. Come in Hopps. Damn it Hopps answer me!"
"They've got backup! C'mon Ben where's ours?"
"Five units and a chopper converging on the north-eastern highway now!"
"Detectives Fangmeyer and Delgado are on scene. No sign of Wilde. Hopps is unconscious but alive."
"Roger. Bus is on its way. Lieutenant Bungo ETA?"
"Two minutes to the north-eastern highway. I've got Buckton and Schwartz in the back of the bird on over watch. Those tyres won't know what hit them!"
"This is Wolford. We have backup and the van's pulling over. Feline Flowers? Weird choice for a kidnapper… Oh no. They must have switched vans. No sign of Wilde only two real confused jaguars. Fuck I'm sorry…"
ZOOTOPIA GENERAL HOSPITAL. EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.
The lights were dimmed and rain pounded fiercely on the windows of the private room. The enormous water buffalo sat beside the bunny on the bed. She slept on as he twisted his hat in his hands. He was in full ZPD dress uniform. The kind he wore to funerals, press interviews and weddings. The kind of uniform he hated to wear.
"What happens now?" he whispered. "I've had officers wounded and killed in the line of duty. Seen good friends and bitter rivals die. I've seen too many good cops break Hopps. Tell me you won't be one of them."
"Breaking isn't in my nature Chief," she replied groggily.
The bunny's violet eyes caught his own brown ones. There was sorrow there. Determination too. But most importantly there was hope as well. He sighed and smiled despite himself. It had been a long day and it would be a longer few weeks.
"Good to see you Judy," said Bogo.
"Same to you Chief," said Judy before the realisation hit her like a tackle from Officer Trumpet.
"Oh God Nick," she cried and sat up before hissing in pain. Bogo was up in a flash gently pushing her back down.
"Easy Hopps," he said, soothingly. "You have bruised ribs along with a whole lot of other bruises. You need to rest. Wilde wouldn't want you to go after him half-cocked."
"It's all my fault," she whispered, voice quivering. "We shouldn't have gone in there…"
"Shhh Hopps. It's too late for should haves. It's not about blame. It's about the now. Getting Nick back and finding those responsible."
"But he was my partner! And I failed him…"
"No one failed anyone Hopps. For years I was sure I was to blame for Roarson's death when we took down the Grizzly Gutter. I was in a spiral and all the forgiveness and medals in the world meant nothing to me. I had to accept the guilt and turn it into something worthwhile."
"Like what?" she asked, her eyes shining wetly.
"Hope," he answered. "I had hope that I could make this city a better place. That I could change it so that no others like Roarson had to die. And what's more I still have hope. I like to think we all do in the ZPD otherwise we wouldn't be here…"
"Thanks Chief," she said. "Soon as I'm out I want to be front and centre on the rescue mission."
"You will be Hopps I promise you that."
Outside the city of Zootopia slept unaware of the coming storm in its future.