Chapter 8: S#!^ Hits The Fan Part One
A/N: This is the part of the arc where it starts to go downhill for the good guys. Particularly Bogo as you'll find out in the next chapter. For now, this is mostly what happens to Nick's group when the big news drops.
11:55am At Nick's restaraunt...
"Obi Swan never told you what happened to your father."
"He told me enough!...He told me you killed him."
"No. I...am your father."
The predators and other mammals were all surrounding the bunnies and watching their reaction. Petey and Michael's jaw dropped.
"No way!" shouted Michael."
Petey looked over at his father. "Daddy. Is that true?!"
"Sure is!" Nick replied.
"Duke, I am a Futtbucker just like you! Join me and together will be the biggest Futtbuckers this galaxy has ever seen!"
"Noooo!"
"Your minds blown hunh?!" said a panther in attendance. "Biggest twist in movie history!"
Michael looked over at Nick. "Hey Dad! Do they have Star Boars toys?!"
"DO THEY HAVE STAR BOARS TOYS?!" Everyone said.
"The toy store has an entire isle to them!" Nick replied.
A nerdy coyote approached. "I have a huge collection in my basement! You wanna see it sometime?"
Nick gave the coyote a stern look. "Could...could you PLEASE not invite my children down to your basement?"
"Oh! Sorry...Guess that does sound super creepy. I guess that's why I got maced when I went to the playground and offered kids to see my lightsaber."
"I guess so! Anyway, you kids finish your movie. It's time I started my meeting so we can wrap this up for today."
It was then that off-duty officers Johnson and Delgato arrived. "Hey Nick!"
"Johnson! Delgato! Our finest lion officers. Take a pamphlet off the table and see if you can find a seat! Are you two on break?"
"No amigo!" Delgato replied. "We're on night duty, so we got a few hours to spare. I saw Duke on the news earlier. That dude keeps proving me wrong. He's a real hero!"
Johnson waved it off. "It was just a squirrel he saved. No big deal."
"A life is a life Johnson!" Delgato snapped back.
The two found a table and sat down with some others as Nick approached the karaoke stage to start his presentation.
"My fellow mammals. Prey and predator alike. I thank you all for coming here today. More and more every day, the city is becoming a dangerous place. All because of untruthful bigotry. Whether it's prey keeping pedators down or predators attacking prey, this madness has to be stopped! We can't have a civilized society if we're all attacking each other. We need to come together! Zootopia isn't just predators and prey, it's an entire community of people trying to get by and if we have a madman out there influencing others to attack each other, we can never have peace."
"That's where 'Preds for Peace' comes in. Together, we can change the way more fear-minded prey see us. By helping reach out to them, to protect them, we help protect each other and we can all benef-"
"Hold it Nick!" shout Wolford. "'On 'da news! 'Dere about to tell us who 'da Big Cheese is! 'Dey say 'da police got 'im!"
Nick was surprised. "What?! Turn it up!"
Moments earlier...
"Breathe," Police chief Bogo told himself. "It's just another press conference. You've handled these before. Only...the other ones didn't possibly have your job on the line like this. You can do this. Just explain exactly what happened, THEN show the recent photo of Lionheart. They'll see through his lies. They have to."
It was twelve noon. A report already made it to the press that the name of the Big Cheese was going to be revealed. There was a hyperbolic tension as Bogo entered the room, ready to address the public.
"To all those in attendance and those watching at home, thank you for coming. As you know for the past few weeks, this city has been in a grip of fear. Not since the night howler case has the prey in this city been so fearful of other predators. This time with more reason as predatory attacks have been greatly on the rise. This is all due to an evil mastermind known only in criminal circles as "The Big Cheese". After extensive investigations and the heroics of some of our best officers such as Hopps, Wolford and Wilde, we have finally found out the ringleader of these criminal acts. And thankfully, it is a mammal we already have in jail. I am very sad to say, it's none other than our former mayor, Leodore Lionheart."
Shock came over the crowd. There was murmuring and press members already thowing up questions, but Bogo silenced them. "Everyone please! Please hold your questions for later."
Bogo continued his speech. "After finding out his identity, we interrogated him late last night. We also found out he was working with another mammal called "The Adviser" whose identity apparently even Lionheart doesn't know. When he entered the interrogation room, we were shocked to find cuts and bruises all over him."
There was more murmering from the press room.
"HOWEVER it became very obvious very quickly that this was all a ruse. His wounds seemed self inflicted and he was instantly blaming everyone for his injuries, including the guards who brought him into the room despite the fact that they found him in that condition in the first place. We even had our medical examiner go over him this morning and he concluded that the wounds were self-inflicted. It appears he's doing this to garner sympathy and to get predators on his side. He has foolishly sacrificed his election because he believes he can be king! How ridiculous. He has told us that he has made plans for a 'purge' to happen after the dome is put up tomorrow night. He apparently believes that some of our guards and officers are sympathetic to his cause and that he and many inmates will break out and riot then. Let me reassure you. This. Will. Not. Happen! Already we are doubling down on the amount of guards we have, inspecting them all and tomorrow, our officers will be working double shift. It would greatly help if our current mayor, Donald Trunk were to delay the dome ceremony, but apparently, he wishes it to continue despite my protests. We will have footage of our interrogation to hand out. Sadly, a good portion of the audio has been cut off. I know you are all curious and have a million questions so to begin, here's his recent mug-shot showing his self-inflicted wounds. I'm now ready for questions."
They put up his mug shot from this morning. Bogo hadn't seen the new picture yet and was shocked when he realized Lionheart looked even worse than the night before. He had apparently done more damage to himself after going back to his cell to really help sell his wounds. The crowd of press gasped as they saw his gruesome visage. He had a new cut above his eye and some fangs missing as he was trying to smile in front of the mugshot. He even went so far as to rip off a small part of his own ear which he threw down the toilet to get rid of the evidence. Lion heart gave himself the appearance of a mammal beaten and tortured. He knew it would play to the crowd and he was right.
When Bogo saw the picture, the only thing he could muster was. "Ooooh shit!"
Meanwhile...
Everyone at the restaurant was in shock. "Did you see what the ZPD did to him?!"
"Now hold on!" Nick exclaimed. "Bogo said he did that to himself."
"Oh, and you believe him?! Look what he did to that bat to get information out of him! Those grazers don't care what they do to preds!"
"That's not rue!" Wolford exclaimed. "Bogo's a good man! He just snapped cuz he's goin' through a lot right now! 'Dat guy did it to himself 'ta garner sympathy!"
Nick, Wolford and others were shocked when they heard the next comment coming from one of the ZPD themselves. "No way! It's that grazer Bogo being controlled by mayor Trunk who's in the pockets of those big prey corporations! I bet they were just desperate and looking for a scapegoat!"
The comment was made by none other than officer Johnson. Delgato's long time partner and friend. Delgato couldn't believe his ears. "C'mon Johnson! You can't possibly mean that!"
"Why not?! When was the last time a predator had a big promotion on the force?! Look who's our main bosses. Chief Bogo, a buffalo. Lieutenant Swinton, a pig. Sergeant Higgins, a hippo. Us preds get no power! No power at all! Well I for one am sick of it!"
Wolford slowly walked over to his wife and whispered to her. "'Dis place is like a powder keg right now. Get 'da kids and get 'dem 'da hell outta here. Nick's place is upstairs."
Auburn was worried. "Tim, will you be okay? Your concussion!"
"It was days ago. I'll be fine. Now go!"
Auburn walked over to Spots who was in a protective hunch around the children. "We have to get the kids out of here before a fight breaks out."
"I wanna protect my dad!"
"The kids come first!"
"You're right. Follow me out the back. Wait! Where's James?"
"He had to use the restroom. Damn! There's no time!"
"I'll escort you and the klds up there, but I'm coming back!"
They ran out the back door and headed toward's the apartment building. Auburn held onto Sarah while Spots held onto Cotton. The young bunny brothers ran a little ahead.
"I'll call Jim!" Spots shouted. She quickly got onto her phone. It took a moment to get James on the phone.
"Spots! Sorry, but I'm in a compromising position right now."
"Jim! I need you to come up to my place right now!"
"..Spots, I know out relationship is kinda moving fast, but I'm not ready for.."
"Not that you idiot! A big fight's about to break out in the restaurant and we're taking the kids outta there! You mom's with me."
"Where's my dad?"
"Still inside."
"He's too injured! I'm gonna help fight!"
"NO!" shouted Auburn.
"Was that Burnie? Sorry new mom, but dad was there for me and I'm gonna be there for him."
"James! Listen to me."
"Gotta wipe my butt and then wipe the floor with these jerks. Bye!"
He hung up on Spots as they made it to the lobby elevator. Auburn was upset. "Stubborn little jerk!" She then looked over at Spots. "Why are you smiling?"
"Sorry it's just...he's so cool sometimes."
They all got into the elevator. Spots pushed the button and immediately got out.
"What are you doing?!" Auburn shouted.
She threw the apartment keys to Aurburn. "Sorry, but I know how to fight well. You protect my siblings and I'll protect your son."
"Vivian Wilde you get back in this elevator!"
"STAY!" Shouted Spots as the elevator doors closed.
Sarah looked up at Auburn. "I'm so scared! I want my mommy!"
Auburn tried to reassure her. "Don't you worry. Everything will be fine."
Meanwhile in the restaurant, things were getting tense. The room was almost split down the middle with those siding with Nick and those siding with Lionheart. "Calm down you guys!" Nick shouted. "This is not the message I'm trying to get across here! We have to help everyone. This is exactly what Lionheart wants! Don't you see that?!"
"Lionheart's the victim here!" shouted Johnson.
"YEAH! HERE! HERE!" shouted a panther, a coyote and a few other predators in attendance. They had made Johnson the leader of the opposition.
Delgato was trying to talk some sense into his old friend. "Dude, we don't have all the facts! You're gonna lose your badge if you keep this up!"
"F #$ MY JOB!" Johnson fished his badge out of his wallet and prepared to throw it. "F #$ THE ZPD! AND F #$ PREDS FOR PEACE!"
Johnson threw his badge at Nick. The fox dodged it only for it to hit one of the gerbils hard enough to knock him off the table.
Nick quickly grabbed the other two gerbils and set them on the floor. "Are you okay?!" Nick asked.
"Ooooh! Got me right in the ger-balls!" said Louie.
"You three! Get out the back door!"
"It's too big for us to open!" said Guido.
"Then hide in the cupboards until this is over!"
They agreed and the two gerbils dragged their friend into the back.
Nick turned around with a very stern look. "Alright! Anyone here who doesn't get my message and thinks prey lives are worthless need to get the hell out of here right now!"
A crowd of predators backed behind Johnson. "Why don't you make us?" said the lion.
Delgato warned him. "Johnson, think of all you've done for this city. What we've acomplished together! Don't throw this all away partner!"
Johnson gave a suckerpunch to Delgato's jaw that knocked him to the floor. "I'm not your partner anymore, you prey-loving filth! Lionheart wants to be king, then call me a Kingsman!"
The predators behind him started shouting. "Kingsmen! Kingsmen! Kingsmen!"
James came out of the bathroom and saw how thick the tension was. "Wow! Spots was right. This is bad."
Wolford wasn't expecting to see that his son was still here. "Jim! Get outta here!"
"No way! You're still injured! I'm gonna protect you!"
"Who's gonna protect you?!"
"Me!" shouted Spots who came in from the back.
"I told ya 'ta stay with the kids! Doesn't anyone listen to me?!"
"We're teenagers." James replied. "We're stubborn and don't listen to anyone."
Nick was trying to calm the situation. "I don't want any trouble." Nick said to the predators who were on edge. "I mean, for God's sake! Minutes ago we were all huddling over the bunnies tablet and watching Star Boars together! This meeting is obviously over. Let's all just leave quietl-"
Before he could finish, Delgato got up and punched his former partner in the face. "You bastard! How could you do this?!"
That was it. A huge fight broke out. Delgato and Johnson rolled around, biting and clawing at each other. A panther lunged at Nick but lost some teeth when Spots kicked him in the jaw with her metal foot. A coyote attacked James, but Tim got involved and they double-teamed on him, punching and biting. A jaguar then attacked Nick, but he was able to roll and kick the jaguar over. "You think you can take me?! I bested a polar bear just days ago!"
Spots was busy holding back a dingo when the jaguar managed to pounce on Nick and started choking him. She saw it and had no way to get to him. Just then, James speared the jaguar and started punching him. Allowing Nick to get up and help Spots fight off the dingo. "YOU'RE AWESOME JIMMY! I LOVE YOU!" she shouted.
Despite his size, Delgato had to deal with both Johnson and a jackal biting him from behind. "ARRGH!" he screamed.
Luckily for him Wolford was able to tackle the jackal. "Get off him ya jackass jackal!"
Meanwhile in the corner, an old puma sit sat at a table, looking at the chaos unfold. "This is a nice stunt show, but when the hell are they gonna take my order? I've been waiting for an hour!"
The fight raged on for minutes. Everyone biting, clawing, punching and kicking. Delgato and Nick's group finally got the upper hand and they started throwing the other predators out the door. "GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" Nick screamed.
"This isn't over you filthy prey-lovers!" Johnson shouted as he and the other predators ran off.
Nick slammed the door behind him and locked it. "Well THIS was a productive meeting!" He said sarcastically. "Is everyone okay?"
"I'm fine dad." Spots replied. "Just a scratch on the shoulder."
Nick pulled her shirt back. "It's deep. You're bleeding." He started to lick the wound.
"It's not that bad. Besides, I totally saved your ass! I gave that dude a taste of my shiny, metal foot!"
James was licking the deep bite marks on his father's neck. "Why do I always get friggin' wounded?!" Wolford asked. "Every stinkin' time! Hey son, I appreciate you helpin' me with my wounds, but yer tongue feels like I'm bein' licked with a toothbrush."
"There's a medkit in the kitchen." Nick said.
"I got it!" said James as he walked in the back. "Ha! I didn't get a scratch!" he bragged.
"Tell the gerbils it's all over!" Nick shouted back to James.
"I think it's just begun." Spots replied.
Nick gave a deep sigh. "You may be right. This is a nightmare."
There was silence for a moment. The predators who sided with Nick were tending to their own bites and scratches. Through the silence, they could hear a sniffling in the corner. It was Delgato quietly sobbing to himself.
Wolford approached him. "Hey pal. You okay?"
"SNIFF! H-He was my best friend for years! I...I thought I knew him! Now he's my worst enemy."
Wolford put a paw on his shoulder. "Look...I...I don't know what ta say 'ta make this better. Ummmm...I'm due back at woik, I mean, work next week and Fangs will still be out fer awhile due 'ta that stabbin' wound. It'd be temporary, but...I could use a partner."
Delgato gave a slight smile. "Well...you proved you have my back already. Sure. Thanks."
James came back with the first aid kit and applied some gauze on his father's neck while Nick did the same with Spots. They then offered first aid to the predators in attendance who thankfully, weren't hurt too bad. Nick offered to call 911, but they said they were okay.
Nick got back up on the stage. "I...I wan't to thank you all for fighting alongside me. I know some ran out the front door when the fighting started and that's okay! I was never asking anyone to be a hero and risk their lives. That said, I'm not giving up and neither should you. The room is closed for the rest of the day, but I'll be opening up again tomorrow and the next day and the next until we finally have the change we need! As you can tell, it looks like this is going to be an uphill battle, but together, we can..."
"HEY!" shouted the old puma.
Nick was confused. "Excuse me? Is there something I can help you with?"
"I've been waiting for a gosh dern hour for you 'ta take my order!"
Some of the predators in the back started laughing. Nick helped out the old puma. "I'm sorry sir, but this was a meeting for a cause I'm doing. The restaurant is closed for business. We'll eventually be re-opening as a bakery. I do have some pies in the fridge if you'd like one for free?"
"Well...alright then. At least ya put on a good stunt show. Ya got apple?"
"Sure. I'll heat one up for you with some coffee. Sound good?"
"Sounds great! Thank ya miss!"
Nick started to head towards the kitchen. "Either his eyes are real bad or I've GOT to start wearing some less vibrant shirts. Spots?"
"Yeah dad?"
"Call your mother and tell her what's happened. Make sure you let her know the kids are okay. SIGH! One photo and everyone goes insane."