Chapter 5 Decisions

Edited by StarFang's Secrets

Artwork by Knoton13

Artwork by TheBlueberryCarrots

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to a..."

Nick fell silent as he went to flip the rabbit that was beneath his foot onto his back. The falling rain splattered against the vigilante's face, but what was bothering him was that it seemed to be taking the face with it.

"Why is your face melting?"

It was all the stunned vulpine could ask as he watched the white and black on the rabbit's face become distorted and muddled, mixing together until a hazy grey formed. He didn't expect the bunny to speak, as he'd been silent so far, but Nick himself was struck silent and unmoving as the colors literally drained from the vigilante's face. The fox reached down, touching the rabbit's cheek, dabbing the colors onto his fingers as he rubbed them together and brought them before his eyes.

"Fur dye?" It was an observation as much as a question. His gaze caught the blue eyed bunny beneath him and the vigilante nodded.

"That isn't all."

Nick froze at the sound of the voice as the rain poured down around the two mammals. He knew that voice. It was a voice that had been both a pleasure and a pain to hear for the past week.

"H...Hopps?"

"Right in one, Slick," replied the doe. Reaching towards her eyes, she briefly played with them before removing her contact lenses, revealing the two bright amethyst orbs beneath. She looked at the lenses before letting them fall to the muddy ground. "Guess since this is the end for me I won't be needing those anymore," she added with a slight hiccup to her voice.

Nick was brought back to reality with his partner's statement, though he was still thoroughly confused by the situation. His training helped him in flipping her over onto her chest to cuff her.

She didn't resist in the slightest. All the fight he had seen in her at the warehouse was gone. As he lifted Judy to her feet, the drooped ears and slumped shoulders revealed a very different doe than the one who had taken down a polar bear, fox and a margay within a single minute. And he knew from personal experience that if she could easily take him down after their spar a few days prior. But all she did was gaze at him, those lavender eyes filled with remorse as she sent him a sad smile.

"The sky trams are the fastest way back to city central." She turned, her back facing him once more, yet Nick could have sworn he saw her body shudder. Nick nodded, and not knowing what else to do, led the soaking wet and dejected bunny towards the sky tram platform.

It was a painfully quiet walk to the platform. Neither officer said a word to the other, though Nick could easily tell the other's mood. Just because she didn't speak, didn't mean she was quiet. The subtle sniffles and coughs every now and then to hide her welling sadness did little to help Nick's mood. Here he was. He, Nick Wilde, had captured the Vigilante. The one mammal that had been giving the entire city's police force the slip for over a month and he had caught her with barely any effort.

He should have been elated. Enthused beyond belief. In just a few hours he'd be the most famous officer in Zootopia.

And all it would cost him was the bunny at his side.

They reached the trams without a word, Nick opening the door and Judy shuffling in, her paws still cuffed behind her back. She sat down wearily; more slumping into the seat than sitting. Nick sat beside her as the tram took off. The mist and rain clouded the path ahead of them, though it seemed much more clear than the thoughts within the fox's mind.

"How did you find me?"

Nick jolted at the words, surprised to hear Judy speak after the taxing silence.

"The jam cams," he replied. He watched the raised eyebrow she sent his way. He shook his head, trying to offer her a smile. "Not what you're thinking. You blocked yourself really well, Hopps. Couldn't find a single trace of you in any of them, but I noticed a pattern."

"Which was?" Judy asked quietly, casting her eyes towards the floor of the vehicle.

"You hid too well. All I had to do was follow the path of the cameras that went offline to find you. I began realizing that if I followed that path and the timing between cameras, I could find out where the vigilante would strike next."

Judy blinked. She'd never even thought of that before, only thinking that if she'd prevented anyone from seeing her, then she'd be in the clear. "That's..." she began, laughing once before meeting Nick's emerald eyes with her own. "You'll make a wonderful detective one day, Nick."

Another sledgehammer to his already cracking facade.

"Thank you," he muttered softly, no longer able to meet her gaze. "You would have made an excellent detective too, Judy."

"Guess we'll never know now, huh," she replied, before the car once again fell into silence. If not for the moody atmosphere between the two partners, the ride might have been called romantic as they cleared the haze of the rainforest district, the stars twinkling down upon them and the moon showering them in its luminescent gaze.

Judy pondered her fate carefully. She knew the list of laws she'd broken. She'd been careful in being as wary as possible, always erring on the side of caution. If she was lucky she could plead citizen's arrest for most of the cases, and hope that the jury would be on her side. She was no dumb bunny. Each time she watched the nightly news, another story popped up about the vigilante, who had been nicknamed Jack Savage, gaining popularity with the populace and making the world a better place.

How ironic, she found it to be, that her dream and the dream of the city's law-abiding populace, was also her downfall. She'd dreamt of making the world a better place, and saw being a vigilante as a way to do it after running into obstacle after obstinate obstacle with the ZPD. Judy knew the risks if she was caught; knew she'd have a terrible feeling welling in her gut, knowing that her parents would be shocked learning what she'd done. Bunnyburrow would make her a pariah, that she knew for sure. Her family?

She didn't dare think about their reaction to seeing her mugshot plastered across every television station from Zootopia to the Tri-Burrows. She imagined the face of her niece Cotton, the small white bunny looking tearfully up at her in her orange jumpsuit and manacled paws, wondering why she couldn't give Aunt Judy a hug.

Why did I ever think this was a good idea...Judy thought, rolling her right shoulder as it became sore from the position her arms were in. She should have just taken the punches, rolled with everything that had been handed to her. Maybe, eventually, she would have been given a partner. Maybe, eventually, she could have been a real cop.

Maybe...eventually...she could have accomplished her dream in making the world a better place.

All that was gone now.

She let out a heavy sigh, head hung low, not daring to look at the encroaching skyline that would signal the end of her life of freedom; the beginning of her sojourn behind the walls of Zootopia's Pawcatraz prison.

At least I only have one criminal who would recognize me as a cop that busted them in there...she thought wryly. One of the inconsequential perks of never being allowed to do actual fieldwork.

The buzz of nighttime grew louder, and the popping in her ears told her they were descending from the high altitude border while entering into Savanna Central.

"What made you do it?"

"Hmm?" Judy looked up at the questioning fox, his gaze not moving from the approaching city while he leaned against the railing.

"Why did you become a vigilante?"

Judy had to stifle a snort. It was an easy question. "To make the world a better place," she responded quickly. "That had been my dream since I was a kit; to become a police officer and give hope to those mammals who needed it. To be there for those who needed a helping paw. To put those who would injure others behind bars so that families could sleep safely at night."

She looked up at the bright lights of the city, the view blurred by her tears that again threatened to be released. "I just wanted to help..." she whispered, feeling her emotions threatening to rob her of her ability to speak. "...and...I was going to be re-assigned to Sahara Square so...why not take a risk and maybe help at least one mammal, right?"

Nick was silent in the face of her words, and she resigned herself to her fate. Watching the first of the high rises passing by, she knew she only had a scant few minutes of freedom left to enjoy. The thought of leaping from the gondola as it passed closely over the roof's of several apartment buildings was tempting, but what would happen next? If she didn't break a leg from the fall, more than likely she'd be caught within the hour.

Instead, she slump even further forward, head bowed and hopes crushed as a 'ding' signaled their arrival in Sahara Square, and the end of her dreams.

"Here's our stop, Judy."

Judy nodded, waiting at the door for Nick to open it, resigned to letting him lead her to her fate.

A second 'ding' sounded, and the gondola began moving once more, throwing her slightly off balance as it arched around the turntable before gaining altitude once more. Nick's paws surrounded her, holding her steady and Judy took a second to look up, blinking in surprise at her partner as the pair began heading back towards the rainforest district.

"Darn it..." Nick said with a snap of his fingers. "I think we missed our stop."

Judy blinked again. What was he doing? Nick could lose his job over this?!

"Nick, why didn't we get off?" Judy asked in a worried voice. "You could lose your job over this. You could have had promotions, advancements, a partner you actually enjoyed." Her voice rose in pitch as quickly as they gained altitude. "You could have seen success, realized your dreams! You can't just throw all that away for a dumb bunny like myself! Think about what you want in life! What -"

"I am, Judy."

Her tirade halted mid-sentence, her voice catching. "What did you say?" she asked, nervously.

It was then the fox turned, finally meeting her gaze, his arms still wrapped around her. "In all my life, I've only met one other cop like yourself. He was my hero. Officer Donovan Scamperton, an elk."

Judy noticed a warmth filling his eyes as a smile crept upon his face. She dared not interrupt him, seeing him becoming so much warmer than usual, though his gaze drew distant.

"He was the reason I wanted to become an officer in the first place. It was when I was around eight, that I tried joining the junior ranger scouts. It...it went poorly. They pushed me down, forced a muzzle on me and told me that nobody could trust a shifty fox like myself. Officer Scamperton found me outside and pieced together what happened. He...he helped me, Hopps. He brought me hope and found a troop that I could join that didn't care I was a fox." Nick chuckled. "Turned out he was the assistant troop leader there in his spare time so I got to see him often. All until...he wasn't there anymore."

Nick felt a shudder course through his body, a tremor that he hoped the doe in his arms couldn't feel. "I saw him a few months later. He was in a wheelchair, his...his entire left leg just...gone. He'd been hit during a traffic stop by a drunk driver. They had to take his leg and...he just wasn't the same. He still had that smile, but it never seemed as broad as before. Though he told me something I should have always remembered."

Nick took a moment to look out over the city, marveling in the outward beauty, as well as the hidden darkness and shadows. Two sides to the same coin.

"He told me; Nick, no matter what life throws at you, always remember that when you are helping others to succeed and be their best selves, it is always worth the sacrifice, no matter the cost."

Nick found a weight leaning against him. His gaze travelled downward to see Judy leaning into him, doing her best to attempt to hug him and share the moment with him. Nick swallowed, knowing full well of his next actions' consequences.

The pawcuffs fell off Judy's wrists, falling to the floor of the gondola.

Nick found himself enveloped by Judy's arms instantly, the hug so massive he felt his chest would burst and his own tears he hadn't known he was crying falling between Judy's ears. He gently patted her head, before letting his paw brush down her grey ears.

"I'd forgotten that until now," Nick continued. "Until a little grey bundle of fluff decided to make me realize that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stand up for the citizens of Zootopia, even if it was a little, different."

Judy let out a half sob, half chuckle. Feeling Nick's paw beneath her chin, she moved back, letting him raise her eyes to meet his own.

"So," he began, clearing his throat. "How would one begin to be a vigilante? Is there a place to sign up? Any tests I should know about? I mean, that is if a certain some-bunny believes that her and her partner could possibly make the world a better place?"

Judy giggled, her eyes shining with the mirth she was feeling as she wiped at her eyes. "Well, I guess I'm taking applications. Though I think only a certain fox could potentially apply."

"Oh, I'm glad I check that box," Nick said with a grin, making a check mark with his paw in the air. "Anything else I should know about?"

"Well..." Judy began as they reached the height of the sky tram, allowing them a view of all of Zootopia. "You should probably have to get some fur dye as well."

"Waterproof this time?" he said with a light chuckle. Judy nodded. "Would I get my own secret lair?"

Judy smiled. "Just you wait and see..."

"Alright, shut it!"

The bullpen calmed down as Bogo stomped to the podium. "We have three items on the docket for today," he began calmly. "First, Trunkaby, Rhinowitz. There's been a series of burglaries in the Marshlands with the cretin behind it dressing in green and leaving riddles at the scene of his crimes. I want you to find him and shut him down."

The elephant and rhino left the room, grabbing the red folder on the way out.

Bogo readjusted his glasses. "Fangmeyer, Wolford!" A wolf and tigress stood up. "There have been reports of someone meddling with the climate wall, a polar bear by the name of Victor Fureeze. See if you can find him and bring him in."

The two mammals grabbed the file and left, the tigress hip-checking the wolf before leaving. Bogo rolled his eyes and snorted in annoyance at the couple's antics.

"And finally..." he said with a disapproving huff, "Thanks to them catching the Muchachos Boys Gang, though their original target was the vigilantes Jack Savage and Skye Winter, Officer Hopps and Wilde, you're to at least try and capture the vigilantes without getting sidetracked by solving other cases this time, got it?"

Officers Wilde and Hopps gave Bogo a quick salute, sliding off their shared chair before grabbing the case file and heading out the door. Nick flicked it open, two pictures greeting him. One a police sketch of a white bunny with black stripes on their face, and another a sketch of an arctic fox smirking up at him.

"Well," Nick said with a huff. "They still can't get my muzzle right..."

Judy took the file from him, chuckling at the fox's vanity. "Maybe next sketch, Slick."

It had been two months since the fateful day in the sky tram. Judy had shed her suit, wearing her lycra uniform before getting off the sky tram with Nick, several stops away from where they'd hopped on. She'd then led Nick up to the Mane mansion, helping the fox learn all about how she'd become the vigilante known as Jack Savage. He'd only had one question the entire time...

"Will I get a cool vigilante name as well?"

Thus, a beautiful friendship began. Judy trained Nick in the use of the high tech tools the Mane family offered them, and Nick helped Judy learn about the secrets and back alleys of Zootopia so they wouldn't have to rely on the jammers so much. It was a match made in heaven. Together, the two plotted each night out, combining their knowledge until they had become a force to be reckoned with.

Judy smiled at the recollection of their latest, daring feat from the night before as she put the sketch of Nick back into the file before clamping it shut.

"So," Judy began, her voice smooth as she hip-bumped her partner. "Have any plans after work?"

"Which one?" he replied, smirking as Judy playfully rolled her eyes. He stared ahead as they made their way into their office, each plopping down into chairs that were actually the correct size.

Proper policemammals needed proper equipment after all...at least that is what the police commissioner had said to them after reassigning Nick permanently to Precinct One a month prior. That, and given them a rather generous raise for their dutiful work to helping make Zootopia a safer place. Though they hadn't managed to catch he vigilantes, they had still caught dozens of other criminals.

"Well," Nick began, shutting the door to their office, the click echoing in the near empty room. His smirk was fully in place as he strutted towards the rabbit doe sitting in the chair several feet away. Judy leaned forward, crossing one leg over the other, leaning her elbow on her leg while resting her chin in the palm of her paw. "I was thinking that we hadn't fully celebrated last night yet..."

"Oh?" she asked with a bemused smile. "What would the completion of our celebration be then? I thought it was quite divine how you asked me to be your girlfriend on the sky tram." Nick was directly in front of her, muzzles nearly touching as she traced a line along Nick's chin with a finger. She ended just under his lips, drawing him closer as she curled her finger towards her.

"Maybe we can start like this..." he whispered. Their lips met in a kiss, one that neither mammal wanted to end anytime soon. It was filled with longing, passion...and with each passing second the fox and bunny pressed further into each other's embrace until...

Bzzt Bzzt Bzzt!

Both mammals groaned, though it only seemed to heighten the passion of the kiss.

Bzzt Bzzt Bzzt!

Nick groaned again, separating their connection as Judy giggled.

"You'll get more of that when we go on our second official date tonight, Slick," Judy cooed as she checked her phone. A frown suddenly appeared as she shoved the device back into her pocket.

"I'm guessing some mammals just ruined your dinner-date idea?" Nick asked, while checking his own phone.

"Mini-golf," Judy grumbled. "And I was going to totally kick your tail at it."

"Maybe this won't take too long," the fox replied, pressing a quick kiss against the bunny's lips, smiling as she followed him as he pulled away. Judy frowned even more as she hopped off the chair towards the door. "I mean, there's no overtime left so we have to go home at seven tonight.

"But it closes at 8pm..." Judy muttered darkly.

"Good, focus your anger," Nick chortled good naturedly as he held the door open for Judy. "Strike those criminals down and your turn to the cop side will be complete."

Judy glared at Nick as he shut their office. "Did you really just quote Emperor Pawpatine to me?"

A sly grin crossed his muzzle. "Maybe...though when you're angry you do look rather..."

"Don't say it!"

The darkness of the alleyway was quickly broken by the arrival of police cruisers, their flashing red and blues lighting the area in their glow. Chief Bogo stepped out of his personal cruiser, scowling at the site in front of him. Two gazelles were tied to a streetlamp, unconscious. Next to the two prey mammals lay several bags, money and bills sticking out of them at odd angles with the monogram of "Zootopia Credit Union" emblazoned across them.

"When did we get the call?" he asked a nearby wolf officer.

"Three minutes ago," she replied before stalking towards the two crooks. The canine halted just shy of the pair.

"What is it?" Bogo grumbled as he watched his officer kneel down.

"Looks like we've been left a note."

Bogo snorted. Taking two gloves from his pocket, he quickly donned them and opened the card. In massive, blocky print was left only nine words.

"Thank us later, Uncle Bogo."

Love, Jack and Skye"

Bogo crumbled the letter, tossing it to the ground as laughter echoed down from the rooftops above them. He barely caught the silhouettes of the second most annoying fox and bunny duo he'd had the displeasure of crossing paths with.

"You can't outrun us forever Jack Savage and Skye Winter!" the cape buffalo roared to the heavens while shaking his fist at the two disappearing figures. "I will get you!"

Nick awoke from the dreamlike state the PIXAR machine left him in. His first reaction was to yawn as the flickering images of him and Judy jumping across rooftops in at night began slowing disappearing from his memory. Is that Judy though? Why is she all white and have those black stripes?

Nick put away that thought, intent on buying a copy of the experience before it was deleted when they'd leave the booth. Judy seeme invigorated as she awoke, smiling broadly at the fox as they left the PIXAR machine. The pair left Fitwik's Arcade, ambling down the sidewalk. The thumb drive to their latest experience in Nick's pocket.

"Judy, for the last time, no." Nick was frowning as apparently Judy remembered much more of the experience than he had, and was positively giddy with the idea of moonlighting as vigilantes.

"Come on," Judy whined, her eyes alight with mischief. "It would be fun."

"No."

"I'd make you a nice costume?" the bunny promised.

"Tempting," Nick stated, before glaring at her. "...but still no."

The mischievous glint grew in its intensity as she used the sweetest voice she could muster.

"I'll give you two bushels of blueberries from my family's farm if we dress up like our Vigilante selves for Halloween."

"..."

"So..."

"Judy..."

"Please?"

"...four bushels and it's a deal."

"YES!"

AN: And thus ends Vigilante's...for now. I hope you enjoyed this story and the craziness that came with it. This, along with First Bonds, was one of the original story ideas I had well over a year ago. I kept putting off writing it, and eventually Masked Fox became my secondary story instead of either of these.

But it is finally written and hopefully you were able to enjoy a much briefer version than I had planned it to be. Though, I mean, I could always write more later...

...

...

...which after I finish off 'The Masked Fox', I will. ;) Tomorrow will not have an update, but the following day will be the final story, if you will, in this arc of ideas. So look forward to "Hitmammals", coming to a inbox near you soon!