AN: Thank you ADutchMarine, I hope everyone else is enjoying the story. And The Runaway Rabbit has just broken 300 visitors! I never thought my first Zootopia fic would get as much traffic as it did. Thank you all again for giving this story a read.


Chapter Five

Backfire

Taking far less time to scale the mountain than the cross it as he did before, Jack reached the peak of one of the few that overlooked the collection of buildings below. This peak was vastly lower than those of the rest of the mountain. It was not snowcapped like the larger one next him that rose nearly another quarter mile more. Jack looked to the other side of the rocky hill to the rainforest below. His view was blocked by the misty clouds that were still depositing rain on the land below. But he was able to make out his escape plan. He saw it well before he started this whole errand, the waterfall.

It sprang life not that far from his perch on the rocky throne. It would carry him down and into the waters of the Canal District below. He would be home free and then soon on his way to give Hoover the object still wrapped around his wrist. Jack began his trek across the peak towards where the natural faucet formed from the melting snow of the peaks above.

He wasn't sure what he wanted to do, he feared Hoover's employer and what they planned to do with the object in his possession. He knew it was a weapon, but he didn't think of it as a weapon of the caliber he saw in the cave. The ability to rip flesh cleanly from bone and plaster it like putty. Jack guessed that was only a glimpse at its power, he felt he had a weapon of mass destruction attached to him at the moment.

And why would Summit create something like this. It seems like the plot out of one of those spy movies. A new age weapon is created, one that could spell countless deaths. Jack had it in his hands, and Hoover wanted it. But why? Why want something of this monstrous of nature? Death. That could be the only reason why someone would want this. Jack was against that in the most, yes it was his past. A past he buried and forgot long ago, one that he did not want to divulge into again. He couldn't let Hoover get his claws on this watch. The Nexus would only cause great destruction in the wrong hands.

"Are my hands even the right ones?" Jack stopped himself. He sighed as he pondered the question to himself. He had to give it to Hoover, in fear of Vincent if the blackmailed information was made public. But he didn't want to give it to the armadillo, fearing what would happen in the hands of his employer.

"My hands are better than anyone else," He told himself as he continued closer to the small chilled stream that fell into the waterfall. He crossed a small rise and spied the running water that sourced the falls of the Caída de Agua.

"Connection not possible, please try reattachment." Jack jumped with a start at the sudden intruding voice. He fell off of his perch and began to slip down the mountain. He grabbed the rocks with his gloved paws; a sharp rock slit open his left glove and dug into his paw. He gasped in pain as he grabbed hold of something. He stopped his descent and pulled himself up. He ripped the ruined glove off and saw a sizable gash crossed his entire paw, blood already drawn and dyeing his white fur crimson.

He threw the glove aside in anger, it bounced and clanked as it fell down the mountain. Jack went to remove the other, but the grip of the watch prevented the glove from budging. Jack went to grab the watch when he noticed it had changed. It was no longer navy blue, but instead lighter almost a shade of royal. Electric blue colored waves like surface of a calm lake pulsed across it surface to a square display. The display was no longer black, but white. That is when the same voice that had scared him spoke again, "Connection not possible, please try reattachment."

Jack looked around for the source of the voice. It sounded male, but also robotic and monotone. He looked to the now active watch on his wrist as he realized. He spoke, "A-Are you alive?"

"Hello sir," the voice seemed happy to have a response. If a machine could be happy, "I am alive in a sense. I am an intelligence software integrated into the device you now possess. But I am not alive like you are. I don't breathe, I don't require food, nor was I born like you."

"W-What are you," Jack was not prepared for this. He expected a weapon, not a computer.

"My name is Ness. I am the guidance system of the Nexus device you have in your possession. I am here to help you understand what I am, but I can't do that until I can form a proper link with you."

"A link?"

"I need to see your DNA, so that I can link to you and only you, but I am being prevented by some form of cloth, if you wish I can lessen my grip to allow this. Shall I?"

"Y-Yes."

"Very good." Instantly the watch undid its grip from his wrist. Jack pulled it off him, but held it in his hands. Could he trust this thing, was this even real? What would happen to him if he did what it requested? Was Ness, just a lie to stop him? Or was it telling the truth, that it would work for him and him alone. This could be his way to stop Hoover. Jack smiled as he slipped the Nexus onto his left wrist. He winced in pain as the cut was agitated and seeped more blood. The Nexus tightened its grip and the screen flashed white, "Connection successful sir. DNA link created and stored. What do you wish to know sir?"

Jack stood up, "What are you?"

"I am Ness. I am here to teach you about the Nexus."

"Which is?" Jack asked as he began to climb back up to the stream. Ness answered, "The Nexus is an advanced technological breakthrough. I am an energy density device. Able to perform multiple tasks that involve electricity, magnetism, energy, and anything similar. Do you follow?"

"So you are a weapon?"

"Yes and no. I have more applications," Ness paused causing Jack to stop and look to his wrist, "You are injured sir, may I assist?"

"How?"

"I can heal; it is one of my base parameters."

Jack hummed in surprise, "Ok."

It started out small, but Jack felt warmth encapsulate his left paw. He looked as a golden glow encased it. The warmth grew, but still remained comfortable like a blanket on a winter night. He watched as the gash slowly enclosed, yet he felt nothing. His flesh regrew until the cut was healed as if it was never there to begin. His fur had not grown back and was still stained with blood. The warmth faded as did the glow. Once it dissipated Ness spoke up, "All done sir. Flesh can be restored, but fur and hair has to grow back on its own accord."

"Is there a limit to what you can heal?" Jack asked as he continued towards the stream.

"Cuts and abrasions are easy. Healing broken bones is tricky but possible. That requires more resources. Recreating limbs is completely out of my power."

"Good to know," Jack knelt at the stream and began to wash his bloodied paw in the chilled water, "What else can you do."

"My powers are near limitless. It more is limited by your imagination. With the link successful the Nexus now answers to your mind. You think it, it does it. You can levitate objects. Project energy projectiles. Create barriers. Manipulate space around you for invisibility and such. You can manipulate matter."

"Quite a laundry list of abilities." Jack removed his slightly cleaner paw and dried it on the leg of the suit. There were still traces of blood in the fur, but far less than there was before.

"That is what the Nexus was designed for. A one mammal army sort of application."

"And I am the only one that can control you."

"Unless the Nexus if forcibly removed from your person or you are killed, yes."

Jack stepped closer to the edge that the waterfall began at. He asked, "Can you see what I see?"

"I am connected to your nervous system, so yes. I could project a specter of myself if you wish. But I can see the drop in front of us, are you planning on jumping?"

"Do I stand a chance of surviving said drop?"

"You are going to jump no matter what the statistics are Jack." Ness stated matter-of-factly.

Jack sighed, "You really are in my mind."

"I do not have control. It is merely for me to get an understanding of you. Do not worry I won't invade if you do not wish."

"I would like that."

"Very well sir."

"Please stop calling me sir."

"Is Jack fine then?"

"Yes."

"Very good."

Jack didn't talk anymore as he stepped on the precipice, the water of the stream cascading into the Canal District below. Not wasting a second he leaped off. Jack stuck to the stream of water, knowing it would aid in his survival. It didn't take him long to splash down in a short pool of water, but was quickly swept along a current down another fall. He smacked into the structure above the restaurant he was at hours ago. Here the stream meandered, lacking the strength to pull him. He just rested there groaned as his body began to protest the maneuver. He felt sore all over from the impact, but he was alive. He stood up on shaky legs and began to walk towards the slide like edge.

He felt the same warmth as before healing the bruises before they started as he slid down and to the ground. He splashed down in the waters of the canals; and swam to shore and back onto dry land. He found a decently sized palm that sheltered him from the still falling rain. He removed the latex suit, belt, and glove. He removed his dry clothes before throwing the wet ones in. He dressed himself slowly. Once done he took only the phone from the duffle bag and threw the bag into the water. He no longer needed its contents. He pocketed the burner and took out his own phone and called a Zuber.

He returned to the front of the Caída de Agua and waited a few minutes for a car driven by a female cheetah. As Jack stepped into the back she asked, "Where to?"

"Five Three Two Taiga Drive, Tundratown please," Jack said. She acknowledged the directions and waited for him to get situated and belted before shifting into drive. She put the direction in her phone's GPS and headed towards the address. The drive went silent as Jack watched the scenery roll by. The green lush overgrowth of the Rainforest District slowly gave way to the more urban environment of the downtown area of Zootopia. Apartment buildings and high rises dominated the skyline. Bright lights and the massive monoliths that accented the very heart of the mammal paradise.

This swiftly changed as the buildings shrank and the bright lights were muted as snow began to fill the field of vision. The sky above was clearer with less light pollution as the car moved along snow banks towards the destination. It wasn't long before the cheetah brought the car to a stop in front of a house. They were in a residential area in the shadow of the downtown area across the water. The houses here were rundown and obviously owned by mammals with very little income. Jack thanked the cheetah and stepped out of the car. As soon as he shut the door she took off, not wanting to spend another second in the slum of an area. Jack checked the numbers on the apartment like houses. He walked down towards the number Hoover had given him.

All of the buildings looked the same, the few differences like different colors and windows. A few had some window potters with tundra suited flowers. The numbers on them was the only indication of a different house. Jack stopped in front of the one marked with small address numbers 552. They were painted black, but most of the paint had chipped away and the metal below showing a long time of neglect and rust.

The house looked abandoned, not a single light was on. Nevertheless Jack strode up the iced steps and knocked on the door made for mammals larger than him. There came no response from the building. No lights turned on, nor did Jack hear any movement from inside. He checked the number on the side of the house to make sure he was at the right address. He stopped when he heard a latch being undone from the other side of the door. The door opened to reveal Hoover dressed in the same trench coat as before. He smiled, "Good to see you Jack. I was afraid you weren't going to make it with the commotion you made at Summit."

Hoover stepped aside to let Jack into the dark apartment. As he passed the threshold he asked, "How did you find out about that already?"

Hoover clapped his claws and instantly the house was bathed in light. He shut and locked the door as he headed for the steps. He ushered for Jack to follow as he answered, "Police scanner."

Jack didn't give a response as he followed Hoover up the stairs. The house seemed to be spare of any furniture. There was a good layer of dust on the floors. The wallpaper was peeling from old glue, and showing possible hints of mold. They continued up to the third. The wood floors lacked varnish and showed years of age. Scuff and claw marks marred the surface. The doors were in a similar state. Their hinges rusted and clearly oil less. They continued on to the fourth floor. Here Hoover stopped at a door that didn't match the rest of the desolate home. This door was well kept and in good condition. Hoover opened it and presented the room to Jack. Jack followed him in and he closed the door. The room was just like the rest of the place.

The walls peeling, these a sickly puke green color. An old spring bed with stains of various origins sat in a corner on half broken legs. The floor was a bit nicer showing a bit of care was taken into preserving it, but not much. A brand new metal trash can took center stage in the room. Hoover strode over to it and stood behind. He looked to Jack and asked, "So I would assume your mission was a success."

Jack raised his hand to show the Nexus around his wrist. Hoover smiled, "Wonderful."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a manila folder. The same one from the diner that held all of the information on him and Vincent Valentine. Hoover dropped it into the waste bin and then pulled a box of matches from his coat, "And as per our agreement these documents will now be burned."

He pulled a single match, lit it, and threw it into the bin. Smoke rose as it began to ignite the paper. He stowed the box away and said, "Now hand over the Nexus and your job will be done. You will no longer hear from us again."

"Now I know you are lying Hoover," Jack spoke back.

"Excuse me?" Hoover was confused.

"You and I both know that those documents you just burned were a duplicate. You still have the information on me. You aren't done with me. You will come again one day."

"I swear I won't." Hoover crossed his heart to show his truth in the statement.

"Fine. You won't but someone else that works for your boss will."

"Is this you declining giving me the Nexus?" Hoover pondered as he reached into his coat.

Jack acted faster raising his left arm. The Nexus activated and Hoover was flung into the wall behind him. Cracks formed as Jack pushed the body of the armadillo into the old drywall. Hoover gasped in surprise and pain. Jack spread Hoover's limbs out to their limits, causing Hoover to give another scream of pain. The phone he was going to grab fell from his grasp. Jack kept his hand raised as he walked forward and grabbed the phone. He tossed it into the bin with flames lapping at the air above trying to find more food.

"Now you listen to me," Jack spoke looking dead at the captive armadillo. He twisted his hand and the wall reached out and clamped down on Hoover's limbs. Holding him tight to the wall. Another tendril of dry wall also clasped onto his neck. Hoover returned the look, his full of shock.

Jack continued, "You messed with the wrong rabbit. You crossed a line at the diner. You put too many mammals in danger. Mammals I would die to protect. From you, your boss, even Vincent. No one would touch them, so long as my heart beats."

Jack clenched his hand into a fist. Hoover screamed in agony as the tendril holding his left wrist tightened and snapped his bones. Jack continued, "And now you gave me the weapon to ensure that."

The one on Hoover's right leg tightened and broke the bone as well. He cried out in pain. He begged for Jack to release him, "You will be sorry if you harm me any further. You can't protect them all."

"You know that isn't true," Jack made the one on his left leg clamp down. Hoover cried out again. Jack continued, "You know very well what the Nexus is capable of. You know I am now the most powerful mammal in Zootopia. No one can stop me, no one I love will be hurt every again."

The vice on Hoover's right arm clamped down and broke the bone like a twig. Hoover went slack giving up trying to fight the pain. He spat on the floor at Jack, "You will be sorry for this Savage. Francis will hunt you down. He will kill Nick, Judy. He doesn't care about killing the ZPD. He will fill the streets of Zootopia with all of them. Just to make you suffer. He will make you watch. Then he will kill you, slowly. If you think Vincent is bad, then Francis is your worst nightmare."

Jack just laughed. He looked Hoover dead in the eyes, "I already lived my worst nightmare. Francis won't get anyone. But you won't be around to see it."

Hoover didn't get a chance to speak as Jack charged up a large amount of electricity in his left arm. He fired right at Hoover's chest. It pushed the armadillo through the wall and into the street below. A large gaping hole let the cold air of the night in. Jack stepped to the edge and peered down. Hoover was still alive. His clothes were singed. His limbs broken. He was stuck in the middle of an empty street. The fire blazed behind Jack, casting a dark light upon him.

Hoover looked up to Jack, as did the bunny down to him. Jack yelled into the empty night, "How does it feel to be number twelve?"

Hoover cursed at Jack and spat into the snow covered street staining the white crimson. Blood creeped from the corner of his mouth. Jack simply smiled as he charged up another shot. This one stronger than the last. He aimed at his target and fired. A bolt of lightning arced from his arm and impacted Hoover square in the chest. Hoover gave one last gasp of pain before his body went limp. Jack peered down to see a hole burned straight through his chest. His lifeless eyes cast up to the star filled night.

Jack turned, but fell to the ground as electricity sparked from the Nexus. He screamed clutching it as arcs of lightning danced around the room. The bin was smacked by one and sent flying across the room. The floor and wall instantly ignited. Jack screamed as he was electrocuted. A ball of electricity had formed around him. And then detonated. The top of the building erupted into a fireball. The houses nearby lit up with the disturbance. Mammals rushed into the street and the building was consumed by flames. They all saw the dead body of an armadillo in the street. In the distance fire and police sirens rushed towards the area.