*Authors Note* Started on this one right after I finished the other. Read and Review!
It was lights out at the Zootopia Prison. All of the cells in cell block B were closed, and the lights were out. In the furthest cell in the back, sat Dawn Bellwether. The former assistant mayor who nearly turned predator and prey against each other using the Night Howler serum.
Dawn sat on her bed. Her eyes hazy and lowered. She was in deep thought to herself. Running over her head what she could have done to change this outcome. Her cell was a small one. A bed, toilet, and sink. As well as a window with a few bars on it.
Bellwether's thought was interrupted when there was a small tap on the bars. She hopped up from the bed and looked out the window. She could see a shadowed figure leaning agaisnt the wall next to the window. However she couldn't see what this person looked like.
The person spoke. "Enjoying your stay Bellwether?"
Bellwether blinked a few times as she heard the voice. Recognizing it almost instantly. "Why are you here SBoss?"
SBoss spoke again. "Just checking on you. I also wanted to ask a few questions. Got some time?"
Bellwether sighed. "Well yeah I'm kind of in prison. How did you get past the guards?"
SBoss reached into his pocket and held up his phone. After a moment, Bellwether spoke. "AFox?"
SBoss put his phone away. "AFox. Now Bellwether, why did you betray me? I gave you the Night Howler formula and you vanished. A few months later, you are in prison. Why did you go against my instructions?"
Bellwether glared at SBoss's shadowy figure. "Prey shouldn't subservient to predators. I wanted to show Zootopia a different side of predators that they would come to fear."
SBoss paused for a moment. "And then you became mayor. Isn't that what you were wanting in the end?"
Bellwether nodded. "Yes it is."
SBoss sighed. "You would have had it with me. Zootopia's ZPD would have been discredited. Then the mayor's competence would have been called into question. Then you could have moved in and deposed him of his position."
Bellwether glared. "Yeah but you would still be over my shoulder wouldn't you?"
SBoss shrugged lightly. "For a time. The city would have been left to you when I finished my work. But now, you forced me to make some changes. We can still make this city pay for its injustice, but I don't need you anymore Bellwether, except for one thing. And that one thing can possibly get you out of prison. But you have to trust me."
Bellwether thought on it for a while then sighed. "Fine. What do you need?"
SBoss turned his head towards Bellwether. "Tell Doug to testify WITH the ZPD when he gets called in as an asset."
Bellwether turned her head curiously towards SBoss. "He doesn't know you. Why would he listen?" She asked. Wondering what could be going through SBoss's mind.
A soft chuckle came from SBoss's throat. "He doesn't have to know me. He just has to listen. I must leave now Bellwether. Enjoy your stay."
SBoss stood up from the wall and began to walk away. Bellwether couldn't see anything as he walked away but could hear his footsteps as he walked away into the dark. Bellwether sat back down on her bed. Why would SBoss want anything else to do with Doug at this point?
Bellwether thought on it for a long while. Eventually a small sigh came from her.
I have nothing to lose at this point right? All I gotta do is tell that to Doug and SBoss might be able to get me out of prison. She thought to herself. Her thumbs twirling with each other as she thought about it.
Meanwhile, at the ZPD
Judy had just finished up telling her report to Bogo, whom was taking notes on the whole thing. It was a long, and winded statement that took around an hour to finish, but eventually they got it all written down.
Bogo took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead in stress. "This better not get any worse than it is now. I have one officer with an injury now because of this."
Judy's ears drooped down as she thought about Nick. Blaming herself for his injuries. Thinking she should have called for backup as she was recording. Leah and AFox never would have gotten the chance to hurt Nick.
Bogo saw the upset look in Judy's face. "Don't get upset over what happened to Wilde, Hopps. I've called the Zootopia General Hospital already and he will be ready to leave in a few hours."
Judy lowered her head a bit. "But if I did it differently...Nick wouldn't have gotten hurt."
Bogo huffed a bit. Steam coming from his nose. His nostrils quivering from the force of the air. "You had no way of knowing that this AFox would show his face. Because of your efforts and Wilde's efforts, we have four key witnesses in custody, and a whole profile on Leah Loine. It's only a matter of time before we catch her."
Judy looked up at Bogo. Softly smiling at him. "Thanks Chief." Feeling a bit better from this situation. At this point, they were one step closer to bringing down the Growler drugs.
Bogo smiled back. "You can go home now. Wilde won't be able to come back for another week till his wound heals. I'll make sure the next few days are easy for you." Implying that Judy would receive simple patrol duty or receptionist duties.
Judy jumped down from the chair. "Good night Chief Bogo." As Judy walked to the door, Bogo called out. "Be careful Hopps. If what AFox said is true, someone still wants to get to you." Judy nodded and walked through the door, closing it behind her
The ZPD was bare and empty. Most of the officers having gone home except for the night shift patrol and investigators. She looked up to see Clawhauser cleaning up his desk. Swiping crumbs into a small trashcan. As well as swimming up some wrappers for candies and boxes for donuts. Clawhauser looked at Judy and smiled. "Hey buns. Off to see Nick yet?"
Judy smiled and stopped a few feet in front of the desk. Looking up at Clawhauser. "Yeah. He's at Zootopia General right now. He'll need a ride home when he gets out."
Clawhauser wiped off his desk with a paper towel to finish up cleaning. Stepping out from behind the circular desk via liftable doorway used to get behind it. Clawhauser walked over to Judy with a friendly grin. "Well come on I'll drive you there."
Judy smiled and accepted the offer. Thankful for his hospitality. At this time, it was getting close to midnight. Judy shivered a bit from the cold night air. Clawhauser showed Judy to his car. Parked rather close. He drove a four door sedan. Not a fancy or muscle car. But a good car non the less. Blue in color. Clawhauser got in the driver seat and Judy got in the passenger seat.
Clawhauser started the engine and started to back out. The radio kicked on to play one of Gazelle's songs. Judy looked up above Clawhauser to see a large number of CD's from Gazelle in a pouch hanging on the sun blocker.
Clawhauser started to drive towards Zootopia General. Which was on the other side of town. "Hey is your apartment close to the hospital?" Clawhauser asked.
Judy shook her head. "No. Bookerlight is closer to the ZPD."
Clawhauser smiled more. "Well I'll drive you two home then. No arguments!" Waving his finger at Judy.
Judy smiled gratefully. "Thank you Clawhauser. You're such a good friend." She said nicely. Grateful to have someone to help her at this time.
Clawhauser shrugged lightly and kept driving. "Hey I'm just doing what makes sense to me. I mean, I'm giving you a ride NOW right? So why NOT take you two home. Doubt Nick should be walking across Savannah Central right now anyway." Said Clawhauser. Bobbing his head lightly to the beat of the song Swaying to the left and right.
Judy smiled and joined him. Bobbing her head and swaying as well. Clawhauser noticed and smiled, starting to sing the lyrics to the song. Judy laughed lightly and joined in. Both of them singing and jamming out to song after song as they got closer to Zootopia Central.
Judy felt better to actually enjoy a moment to be goofy after today. Needing to relieve some of the stress. And Clawhauser was doing just that.
Once there, Clawhauser pulled into the garage and turned the car off and stepped out of the car. Judy stepped out as well and made her way to the archway that connected the garage to the hospital. The hospital was very large. Reaching over 10 stories in floors. Thousands of rooms for injured or sick animals.
Judy walked to the receptionists desk. Clawhauser right behind her. "Excuse me?" Judy asked to get the receptionists attention.
The receptionist, a female deer, leaned over the counter and smiled. "Yes can I help you?"
"Hi. I'm looking for Nicolas Wilde's room please?" Judy asked.
The receptionist looked through her computer a bit before leaning back over the counter. "Third floor, room 202." Giving a polite smile.
Judy nodded. "Thank you ma'am." Judy walked towards the nearest elevator. Clawhauser continued to follow. Remaining mostly silent. Judy brought the elevator to the third floor and continued on till she found room 202. She stopped at the door and looked at Clawhauser. Clawhauser smiled and sat on the nearest chair. Waving at her to go in.
Judy smiled and walked into the room quietly. Nick was laying on the hospital bed with the back up so he was sitting upright. Wearing a tanktop and his police uniform pants. The rest of his clothes folded up on a counter near the bathroom. Sending a text on his phone. He looked up at Judy as she walked in and smiled. "Hey Bunny." He said cheerfully. His left arm was in a sling, and the wound just above his elbow was wrapped in gauss and elastic bandage wrap.
Judy walked in and her ears lowered. "Hey Fox. How ya feeling?" She asked concerned. A little upset at seeing Nick in the sling.
Nick looked at his arm and shrugged. "Just a light ache now. Other than that I'm fine. My nose didn't even break when Leah kicked it. Just popped some vessels."
Judy walked up and sat on the bed next to Nick. Noticing a large black and blue bruise on the top of his snout. "Nothing else was wrong with you other than the hole and nose?" She asked.
Nick shook his head again. "No broken bones. No ruptured arteries. Just a bullet and a bruise. We can head home tonight once my doctor gets back with a prescription for some pain meds. I may not even need them." Nick looked tired. As if ready to fall asleep.
"Yeah you look like you're ready to pass out." Judy said. Putting her hand on Nick's leg.
Nick gave a slow shrug and nodded. "Yeah I do. I really do actually. Hey...how are you holding up?" He asked concerned.
Judy kept her ears down and sighed. "I'm fine... I just feel so bad that you got hurt. I was right there and I couldn't do anything to help you." Judy's eyes welled up with tears again and she rested her head on Nick's leg. Lightly crying into it.
Nick sighed and reached down with his right arm and petted Judy's head. "You bunnies really are emotional. Judy I'm gonna be fine before you know it. What happened today was something we couldn't control no matter what. I'm not upset about it and I'm the one that got shot. So you shouldn't either." Nick said encouragingly. Petting in between Judy's ears.
Judy felt the pads of Nick's paws rub her head. Feeling it lightly and pleasantly scratch at her head. Eventually she sat up and wiped her eyes, her ears perking up a bit. "I know I'm sorry."
Nick chuckled and ruffled Judy's fur on her head. "Dumb Bunny."
Judy smiled as Nick used her usual nickname for her. Her ears perked up when a male deer, or stag, walked in carrying a clipboard. He smiled at Nick and Judy. "Well Mister Wilde here's your prescription. Good for about a month. You should be fully healed by then."
Nick nodded and stood up slowly. "Does that mean I'm good to go now?"
The doctor nodded and handed Nick a yellow piece of paper with the prescription information on it. "Yes you are. Try not to use that arm for at least a week so your wound can close."
Nick nodded and walked over to where his clothes were. "Yeah yeah I got it. Thanks doc." Nick took the clothes and tucked them under his arm. The doctor nodded and turned around, walking out of the room. Judy walked up and took the clothes from Nick. Carrying them herself. "I got this."
Nick looked down in surprise and sighed. "Come on I'm not THAT bad." He said with a slight smile.
"I don't care. I'm carrying them." Judy said with a smile as well. Clawhauser stood up and walked over to Nick. Patting him lightly on the back. "How ya doing Nick?"
Nick smiled as Clawhauser pat him lightly. "Eh could be better. Why are you here?" He asked inquisitively.
Clawhauser gave a friendly grin. "I'm gonna take you two home. I drove Judy here too."
The three of them walked down the hallway to the elevator. They reached the receptionist desk to get Nick checked out of the hospital. Nick handed the receptionist the yellow piece of paper. She took it and stood up, heading to the pharmacy to get his medicine. After a few minutes, she came back with the small orange pill bottle. Nick took it and signed the papers for release.
The three continued onto the garage. Passing through the archway to get to the garage. Judy, still holding the rest of Nick's police uniform, looked down at it. Noticing a dark red stain on the left sleeve. Along the wrist where Nick wiped his bloody nose, and further up the sleeve from where he got shot. Judy could faintly smell the blood coming from it. Repulsed by the odor.
Nick looked back at Judy. "Hey..." He said worried.
Judy looked up at Nick and tucked the sleeve under the rest of the clothes so it was out of view. Judy kept walking. Keeping quiet. Nick looked forward again and kept walking.
They finally reach Clawhauser's car and opened the door for Nick. Letting him sit in the front seat. Nick sat down slowly and relaxed. Judy got in the back seat, setting the clothes on the opposite side of her. Clawhauser got in and turned on the car. Turning the radio down a bit before it came on so it wasn't as loud. Clawhauser looked back at Judy.
"Bookerlight right?" He asked. Making sure that he would drop them off at the right apartment.
"Yeah that's the one." Judy said. Relaxing in the backseat. Clawhauser began to drive out of the garage. Bookerlight was on the other side of the town. So with all the traffic lights, it would take roughly 20 minutes to get back to Bookerlight.
Nick watched silently out of the window. The streetlamps passing every few seconds to light up the car for a moment. Nick noticed a single lone man walking down the street. His hands in his pockets and his head low. He was under the light at the moment and walked into the shaded part as they passed him. Difficult to make out who it was. The only part of him that Nick caught, was his white fur tail with black spots.
They finally reached the apartment. Nick opened the door and stepped out. "Thanks Clawhauser. See you next week."
Clawhauser waved and smiled. Judy grabbed Nick's clothes and got out of the car. Clawhauser drove away, then Nick and Judy went inside.
Nick and Judy made their way to the apartment. Once in, Judy took Nick's clothes to the washer. Putting only the blood stained clothes in first and getting a load going. Nick sat down on the couch and sighed. Looking down at his arm in a sling.
Judy soon walked over and sat down next to him. Leaning against his good arm. Nick smiled and put his arm over her shoulder. "Cozy?"
Judy nodded and smiled at Nick. "Anything I can do Nick?"
Nick smiled lightly and shook his head. "You've done enough Carrots. Go get some sleep okay? You gotta work tomorrow."
Judy let out a small sigh and sat up straight. "Maybe I should take the day off...in case you need me here you know?" Wanting to help Nick in any way she could.
Nick rolled his eyes and put his hand on Judy's head. Giving a comforting smile. "I'll be fine Judy. I'm just down an arm for a couple of days."
Judy leaned up and kissed Nick on the cheek. Smiling at him. "Fine. Good night." Judy got up and walked to her room. Once there, she got in her usual tshirt and shorts to sleep in and fell on her bed. Quickly falling asleep.
Nick stayed out in the living room. He got his phone out and sent a quick text to someone before putting his phone away. He stood up and turned off the lights before going to his room to sleep.
Meanwhile
Artie sat at his table counting the number of bullets left in his pistol. He had 5 rounds left. Artie sighed and got on his laptop. He encrypted the chat network as he usually does and sent a message to SBoss. "We need to talk. Another location was compromised."
After around half an hour, a reply came. "Which location?" Said SBoss.
Artie responded. "Castleton Avenue. The four there were arrested. It was Wilde and Hopps again."
There was a long pause before a small buzzer sounded. A small green button in the shape of a phone appeared on the screen. Artie clicked it. The familiar shadow covered figure of SBoss showed on the screen. "How did they find that location? And who was there?"
Artie sighed and rubbed his head. "I have no idea. LCat was the only one there. And she's currently trying to figure that out. She was also the one there."
SBoss sighed and smashed his fist against his chair. Making the screen rattle. "Details. What happened?"
Artie held up his pistol. "LCat texted me and I ran down there. Took this with me. I had Hopps and Wilde cornered and tried to find out how they knew. They wouldn't talk so I shot Wilde in the arm. Nonlethal, only to show I wasn't kidding around. But she had officers on standby and we had to bail before we could get anything out of them."
SBoss growled loudly at Artie. Making him flinch a bit. "They know who LCat is now?"
Artie nodded. "Unfortunately yes. They knew her name. She needs to leave the city ASAP."
SBoss drummed his fingers against his chair. Eventually he pulled his phone out and typed a long message. Once he sent it, he set his phone down. "Both of you need to get out of the city. I can't risk either of you getting captured. Perhaps it's time you two got my story as well. Soon it will be impossible for you two to reach me for a while."
"Should I get a cab then?" Artie asked. Already running through his head what he would need to bring.
SBoss nodded lightly. "Yes. Lavvy Farms. Pay the driver handsomely to keep him quiet."
Artie nodded and closed the chat. He quickly darted around his apartment to gather up his clothes, and his equipment. Needing three suitcases total to carry it all. Artie looked around his apartment one last time before deciding he had everything he needed, and left nothing behind that would compromise everything. Including phones, notes, or electronics.
Artie walked out of the apartment and closed the door. Artie headed downstairs and outside. Sitting on the curb as he waited for a cab. One eventually came into view and he hailed it down. Artie set his bags in the back and sat in the back seat.
"Where ya goin to bub?" Asked the cab driver. The smell of cigarette smoke filling the car. The walls stained a light brown from dirt.
Artie pulled out his wallet and handed the man three-hundred dollars cash. "Lavvy Farms. No questions."
The man pocketed the cash and started to drive. Artie ran over his head the situation.
The ZPD had seen both Artie and Leah. However they did not have Artie's name. Artie had no distinguishing qualities about himself other than that he's an Arctic Fox. Leah on the other hand, had her red hair, low cut shirts, and muscular body. Fairly easy to spot in a crowd and identify.
At any moment, Artie could pull up Mr. Big's IP and scan through any website he had been on. Artie knew what for, but had not been given the OK to do so.
Artie recalled when he was first contacted by SBoss. He had just gotten out of prison for internet hacking. Having stolen tens of thousands of dollars from big company accounts. Since he was young, he had always been working with computers and eventually learned to hack. Starting his criminal career in cybercrime.
All Artie received, was a letter from SBoss. Giving specific instructions on where to go, and what to do till a certain date. Giving a promise that if he followed them, Zootopia would pay for its injustice. Artie followed those instructions and ended up with a six digit bank account, and fair hotel. Plus a constant flow of cash coming in marked under a legitimate business so it would not get investigated.
Over time, SBoss introduced Artie to Leah, and told them of the Growler Drugs. So far, everything had gone according to plan for months till the last few. But Artie had a suspicion that SBoss wanted it that way, despite showing anger.
The cab took roughly two hours to reach. The farm was in the middle of nowhere. However the land was not covered in farmland. But rather a singular large greenhouse. Artie got his bags and walked to the door. Going inside. The house was a simple wooden farmhouse. Table in the living room. Couch and television, fully furnished house. In a hallway to the side, were seven doors. Five of them were bedrooms. A note hung on one of the doors that said 'Artie's Room.'
Artie opened the door and walked inside. The room had a large queen sized bed, and a desk with a computer. Artie set his bags on the bed and looked at the computer. Opening it up and looking inside. The computer was a masterpiece of its kind. Multiple hard drives, three top of the line graphics cards, all SLI. Six large hard drives. And a large liquid nitrogen cooler on the CPU to keep it from overheating. All in all, this kind of computer would cost over five thousand dollars.
Artie quickly turned it on and sat down. Getting his laptop out as well. Once it was loaded, there was a message from Notepad that said 'READ ME ARTIE!' Artie clicked it.
The message read: Artie. This will be your workstation. Get it set up and ready for whatever you need to do. And clean out Mr. Big in five days. No less.
Artie deleted the message and installed everything he needed to onto the computer. Also encrypting it for security. After he finished, Artie lay in his bed and fell asleep.
The Next Day, 5PM
Judy was just getting home from working at the reception desk with Clawhauser. Having a very easy day, although worrying about Nick all day made it take longer. Many of the fellow cops kept asking about how Nick was. All of them getting the response that he is okay.
Judy walked towards the apartment door. She stopped when she smelled something delicious coming from inside the apartment. She opened the door and walked in. Expecting to see Nick cooking. However Nick was on the couch watching tv.
Nick turned his head and smiled at Judy. "Hey welcome home Carrots. We got a visitor. Someone you haven't met yet."
Judy walked in and looked up to see an older female fox cooking in the kitchen. Her fur slightly lighter than Nick's. Showing a little gray in it. She was wearing a yellow shirt with an apron on. Typical blue jeans. Nick spoke again. "Judy, this is Abigail. My mom."
Judy's eyes widened a bit as she walked up to Abigail quickly. "Oh. Mrs. Wilde. It's so nice to finally meet you!"
Abigail smiled softly and waved her hand down slightly. "Please just Abigail. You don't need to be so formal with me." Her voice sweet and caring. Judy stepped back a bit. "Let me get out of my uniform and I'll be right out."
Judy darted into her room and changed into some more casual clothes vs her police uniform. Jeans and a button up pink flannel shirt. She walked out to see Nick setting up the table. His arm still in a sling. Judy walked over and helped him. Nick smiled at Judy. "How was work?" He asked.
Judy shrugged. "Was with Clawhauser at the reception desk all day. It was...interesting but fun."
Nick chuckled and set up the third plate. Getting a fork and knife on it. "I bet it was. He's always a fun guy to be around. Brightens everyone's day."
Abigail let out a giggle. "He sounds nice."
Judy nods. "The nicest cop you'll ever meet. He's the guy you always see at the front desk." She said cheerfully. Glad to compliment her friend.
Abigail walked over with the hot skillet. Scooping the food onto the plates evenly for all three of them. "I haven't been to the ZPD. Never needed to."
Judy looked at the plate. It was a plate of skillet fried vegetables consisting of carrots, cucumber, broccoli, and potatoes. Seasoned with a similar herb and spice that Nick used only different. Smelling much more appealing. Even though Nick's way still smelled amazing.
Nick sat at the table and Abigail took the skillet to the sink. Soaking it in water before sitting at the table as well. Abigail smiled at Judy and stabbed a potato from her plate. "So Judy. How did you and Nick meet?" She said as she took a bite.
Judy looked over at Nick worried. Worried that she didn't know about Nick's hustling business. Nick nodded. "It's alright. She knows." He said reassuringly.
Judy looked back over at Abigail. "Well I was a meter maid when I first started, and I saw Nick trying to buy a Jumbo Pop from an elephant's ice cream store. Which I paid for after he tricked me and the shop owner in buying it. Afterwards he turned that jumbo pop into a bunch of smaller popsicles, which he sold after some hamsters got out of work. I had to ask his help for a case to find a missing otter, and after we did, and also figuring out about how Bellwether was destroying the city. After that, Nick became a cop, and my partner."
Nick blinked in surprise at the long and detailed explanation. Abigail smiled and laughed lightly. "How interesting. And are you two...together?"
Nick and Judy both blushed bright red. Nick coughed a bit as he was eating something and it caught in his throat. Managing not to choke on it. Judy shook her head lightly. "No. Partners at work."
Abigail smiled jokingly as she knew she embarrassed both of them. "Well you must be close to be living in the same apartment."
Nick nodded and sipped from a glass of water. "We are. We trust each other with our lives." Judy smiled as Nick said this. Recalling when Nick changed out the Night Howler serum with blueberries to trick Bellwether. Nick did bite down on her neck but only lightly. Not enough to puncture her flesh.
Judy kept eating. "Abigail this is really good. Nick made something like this but this is better. Uhh no offense Nick you're a great cook too."
Nick smiled lightly. "None taken Fluff."
Abigail smiled and ate more. "Where did you come from before Zootopia, Judy?" She asked.
Judy was halfway through a mouthful of food when Abigail asked. She swallowed and sipped some water. "I came from a carrot farm actually. In Bunnyburrow. I always dreamed of being the first bunny cop, and I got my wish."
Abigail listened. Smiling lightly. "Any brothers and sisters?" She asked.
Judy nodded and chuckled shortly. "Oh yeah. 275 of them. Typical bunny family actually."
Abigail's eyes widened. "Oh wow. That's a lot of mouths to feed. How do your parents do it?"
Their conversation went on for the remainder of dinner. Judy going on about how her family was raised, how they fed everyone, and what they did in their day to day lives. Once dinner was done, Abigail helped Judy with the dishes. Nick went and sat on the couch. Watching the tv.
Abigail smiled at Judy as they cleaned up. "I'm glad Nick has someone to be with now. As a friend."
Judy smiled and kept cleaning as well. "It's nice having him around. I enjoy his witty charm."
Abigail leaned close to Judy and whispered in her ear. "And if you want to be more than friends, I'm fine with that too."
Judy blushed brightly and smiled. Not saying a word. After a few more hours, Abigail decided it was time to leave. Nick walked her to the door as Judy was watching tv. Abigail smiled and stood at the door. "I like her Nick. Do you like her? And you know what I mean by that." She said in a whisper.
Nick blushed brightly and thought on it. Looking over at Judy then back to Abigail. "I don't know yet mom. Its...complicated."
Abigail smiled gently and kissed her son on the forehead. "Well if you to do decide to go steady, let me know."
Abigail turned and left. "Bye Nick. And it was wonderful meeting you Judy."
Judy waved from the couch. "You too Abby."
Abigail smiled and left. Nick walked back to the couch and sat down. Getting rather relaxed from his medication.
Judy smiled at Nick. "I like her. She's fun."
Nick smiled and shrugged. "Well that's my mom for ya."
*Authors Note* Finished it before I went to bed. Took me all day lol. Read and Review!
