(AN: Hello Fellow readers. Sir_RedFox here posting a new installment of "The Good, The Bad, and The Wilde."
First off, if you're reading this, YOU'RE AWESOME! And, thank you. I truly mean that. I know that my writing is, sigh, not good. I know I have grammatical problems, repetitiveness, and trying to stick to one tense. I'm trying my damn hardest to overcome all that. I also know that when compared to other FanFic writer's, I'm extremely slow posting new chapters. All I can say is, again, I'm doing the best I can. Some days are just hard and feel as though I can't go on anymore. But I do, because if I didn't, that would be unfair to you the Reader.
Secondly, I usually like to publish four installments in a row with this story. So, expect two more chapters to come before another long pause.
Thirdly, thank you for all the great comments and being so patient. I greatly appreciate it, it all keeps me going.
In the Previous Installments: Judy and Nick got into a firing match with each other. Doing so let them be caught by Kevin and Raymond, two enforcers for the crime boss, Mr. Big, who wanted them both dead. Judy with quick thinking was able to strike a bargain with Mr. Big. Now the rabbit and fox are out to retrieve Mr. Big's five hundred thousand in gold.
So enjoy this new chapter of "The Good, The Bad, and The Wilde." And please, fill free to leave a review or comment, they really keep me going. Thank you.
- Sir_RedFox)
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Mike's Trading Goods:
"You won't make me cry. You'll never make me cry."
- Cat Ballou, 1965
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It felt good to Judy to have the Henry rifle back in her hands and Luna by her side. She did give a shiver at the cold Tundra District.
Like Judy, Nick being happy to be back at his own horse's side. However, it displeased him that Mr. Big gave most of his supplies to Judy. Especially his guns. Once again, all crammed into Luna's saddle bag. They both grabbed the horses reins and lead them out of Mr. Big's estate.
"Well Carrots," Nick said. "I have to give it to ya, that some good quick thinking back there. Claiming you could actually fine the fortune and getting Mr. Big to let us go. Shame you couldn't save Finnick, but what can you do? Now that we are free, I will happily take my guns and gear back, and be going my own marry way."
"You're not getting your guns back," Judy said in a stern tone. "And I meant what I said, we're going to find the five hundred thousand and save your fox friend."
"I'm sorry, you being serious?" A little disbelief in Nick's voice.
"I attend to make good on my intentions. Though, can't say the same about you."
"I can assure you that my intentions are to survive to see the next day."
"What's wrong with you," Judy said with disgust in her voice. "Are you not aware that your friend's life is at stake here? Or do you just not care?"
"Oh, I'm quite aware, I just happen to care more about my life is all."
"Look, as long as I'm in possession of your stuff, you're stuck with me. And we're going to do what I say, and I say we are going to find the five hundred thousand and save your friend."
"You're going to save my friend, but you still plan on turning me over to the authorities when all is done," Nick laughs.
"I'll turn both of you in and make sure you both get a fair trial."
"You don't get it do ya? This is Zootopia, where only the wicked can prosper. There's not going to be a fair trial, only a certified hanging."
"No. I don't believe that."
"For Aslan's sake, wake up Carrots, and see this city for what it is. Otherwise your going to find yourself dead."
"Will you just get on your horse. We have to go. But first we need to make a stop in Savanna Central."
"Why? What's in Savanna central?"
Judy ignored his question. Before she mounted Luna, Nick raised his voice.
"Woah, what are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"You plan on riding into Savanna Central? In case you've forgotten, I'm a wanted criminal. Ridding in on horseback is only going to draw attention to us. Best we go on foot and take the back roads, there's less mammals to where ever it is we're going."
"What about the horses?"
Nick slapped the rear on Argo. The horse reared up and galloped off.
"My horse knows to keep at a distance. There's place outside the city that he likes, where he can lay low. With enough food and water till I come back to him. How well trained is your horse?"
"Better trained than yours." Judy stroked her hand across the fine fur on Luna's neck. "Keep low and stay out of trouble, and keep an eye on that mustang." Letting go of Luna's reins, she galloped off, following Argo's trail. She waved for Nick to follow her. "Come on."
"Do you even know where you are going?"
"Of course I do, it's-" looking around, she didn't know where she was. Knowing how to make it to Savanna Central from the main road, but that's not what they wanted to do. She spun around trying to find her bearings. Nick just smiled at her confusion. "Okay, I don't know where I am. So, get me to Savanna Central and I'll know where to go from there."
"Just follow my lead, Carrots." He walked past her with a smug look on his face. She hated that look of his. He put his hands in his pockets and whistled a tune while he walked. With a great big sigh, she followed behind the fox.
Nick led the way to Savanna Central. They did as Nick suggested and took to the backroads and alleyways. They hustled as quick as they could, wanting to make their destination before dark. Though Judy having some difficulty. Leaving most of their gear on the horses, Judy carried only what she thought necessary. With the Henry strapped to her back, she also carried most of Nick's stuff. Nick would offer to carry his guns, but Judy held them close to her and trotted on.
They make it to their destination. Mike's Trades & Goods. The one mammal that Judy knew that she can trust in Zootopia is Mr. Mike, the old skunk.
He can help her obtain some supplies. Perhaps a hot meal. A place to clean up. And a way to send a letter back to Bunny Burrow.
Though it being nearly dark, Mike still had his shop open. Looking through the window, he dealt with the last few customers of the day. Judy and Nick slipped in and pretended to browse the shelves like any regular old customer.
Mike was finishing up his conversation with a large bellied wolverine, who looked to have a permanent disgruntled look upon his face. Mike gave his polite good-byes, to which the wolverine gave a huff at, and went on his way. When he made it to the door, he bumped shoulder's with Nick who turned and gave his apologies. The wolverine only stood their looking up and down at Nick, as if examining him. Far too long for Judy's liking. With a loud smirk and grunt he exited out the door.
Mike made his way around the counter to Nick and Judy. "Can I help you fine Mammals find something. I was just about to close up shop."
Judy pushed her hat back and stepped forward. "Mr. Mike, sir, it's me, Judy Hopps."
"What's that?" Mike wiped his hands on his apron and adjusted the round spectacles on his face. "Why Judy, it is you." Mike's smile widened upon seeing Judy and embracing her in a friendly hug. "Why whatever are you doing her my girl? And where's your father?"
"He's gravely ill I'm afraid. He was attacked on the road home, after leaving your shop."
"Oh, Judy. I'm so sorry."
"We came here in hopes that you might be able to help us."
"Who's your friend?" Mike looked over Judy's shoulder to have a good look at Nick.
Friend? Judy thought. That being a stretch of a word to be calling Nick. If anything, they more like to only be acquaintances. "This, Mr. Mike, is Nick Wilde."
"Nick Wilde," Mike's eyes widened as he pulled his glasses down and looked over the rims. He grabbed Judy by the arm and took a step back from the fox.
"Judy," Mike said with deep concern in his voice. "Do you know that you are in the presence of a wanted mammal? He's all the talk around Zootopia. How he robbed that train and killed all those Zoo Rangers."
"Lies," said Nick. "All of it in self-defense. None of that is true. Well, except the whole robbing the train part. That I did do."
"Mr. Mike," Judy said in a soft voice for Mike to calm down a bit. "Yes, I'm well aware of his criminal actions. That's why I'm here. To bring him in and collect the bounty reward for his capture. But before I can do that, we need your help."
"Oh Judy. My sweet sweet girl." He rubs the temple of his forehead. "Me and your father have been good friends for a long time now. What is it that you need me from me?"
"Nothing much. Mostly some food and outdoor gear. But I was wondering, is it possible for you to send a message from me back to my family in Bunny Burrow?"
"I can send a short telegram and hope that they receive it."
"It will have to do. Better have a pencil and paper."
"Okay." He looks over at Nick. "Will your friend behave?"
"Trust me old timer," Nick said. "You got nothing that I want or care for."
Mike went and retrieved a pencil and scrap of parchment paper. Judy told him what to write down. If the message would go as a telegram, it needed to be as short, simple, and straight to the point. When done Mike read it back to her to make sure all read right. Reading: To Hopps Family. STOP. Judy Hopps reporting in. STOP. Made safe to Zootopia. STOP. Will return as soon as possible. STOP. Love Judy. STOP.
"Okay," said Mike. "It's going to take me some time to send this off. I'll be back as fast as I can. Hopefully they haven't closed up shop yet."
The old skunk did not even bother changing out of his apron. He made quick to shut the door behind him, leaving Nick and Judy alone.
The rabbit and the fox wondered around the shop, ignoring each other's presence. Judy went to the counter and laid the Henry across the top. Next being Luna's heavy saddle bag she been carrying since they left Mr. Big's estate. Letting the bag drop on to the counter, it opened up showing all three of Nick's revolvers. Judy couldn't help but look at them.
"They're all different," Judy said.
"What's that?"
"Your guns, your revolvers, they're all different. Most gunslingers prefer to have the same model weapon for each hand. You don't. Why is that?"
"Well," Nick tries to explain. "When real young and left home, all I had were the clothes on my back and my father's gun belt, minus the gun. Didn't even have a horse at the time. So, I became a scavenger and took what I need to survive."
"Meaning you stole them"
"I guess that's one way of looking at," Nick said. "One could say that I simply relieved the guns from two mammals traveling on an army wagon. Held them at gun point, grabbed whatever and disappeared as quickly as I could. They had more than enough, they weren't going to miss whatever I took."
"Wait," Judy said. "You held them at gunpoint? How? You had no gun." Sensing Nick making up his stories as he went along.
"Let's just say, it took me more than two days to carve a convincing looking gun from timber wood."
Nick remembers spending all that time to sculpting the fake weapon. The first few times, he got too frustrated and carved the knife too deep into the wood, making it splitter. Around the fourteenth or fifth-teeth sculpting did he find his patience and careful carve a convincing looking weapon.
"I escaped with the three revolvers that I have now. Even swiped the gun-belts for the Peacemaker and SASS revolvers."
"Isn't it bad luck to be carrying around some other mammals six iron?"
"Based on my current predicament, I suppose you are right."
"Also, you could've stolen a precious family heirloom." Judy thinking about the Henry rifle. How it meant something to her and her family. At least to her and her father. The thought of some mammal stealing or taking it off her dead body being too grim of an image she did not want to bare.
"It was part of a military wagon. Besides, I didn't steal everything now, just the guns really. I spent my time outside the city, where I scavenged for my own food. That's where I meet Argo. Yeah, he was a wild mustang when I first found him. You have no idea how hard it is to have a Wild mustang to trust you. Lots and lots of patience.
Nick remembered meeting the wild mustang in the middle of a flush field and alone. The first few tactics trying to catch Argo were foolish, hoping he could run up on the stallion, jump on his back, and ride the animal. After several failed attempts of that, he hidden in an apple tree. Waited for hours, if not days, till Argo walked right under him, then hopped on the horses back. Rode him till Argo tired out, which was not easy. Still surprised that he was able to tame the damn horse.
Judy continued to look through the bag and saw the nickel-plated SASS revolver that Nick used to get the drop on her. She grabbed the handle and pulls out the weapon, holding it out for a good look. Flipping the six iron from side to side, it shines in the light. Judy can't help but smile operating the small deadly weapon. She tried to twirled it in her hand without letting it slip from her finger. She lets the cylinder roll across her arm then listens to the chambers spin.
"I see you have found something you like," Nick said with a cheeky smile.
"It has a certain... appeal," Judy said.
"Right," Nick said. He jumps up and hops over the counter, and starts rummaging through the shelves. "Wonder if your skunk friend is holding out on us?"
Judy tucked the revolver back in the pouch. She nudged Nick's leather binder, sealed with leather straps. Judy looked up at Nick, who still being busy pillaging under the counter. She didn't want to seem too nosey, poking around at all his belongings, but…
Pulling out the large binder, untying the knots to the leather straps and slipped open the binder where drawings of landscapes and crafting diagrams spilled out. She must admit that the sketches are very good. Judy took one sketch and held it to the light. A charcoal drawing of a mountain lion on horseback. Looking at it closer, the drawing be that of the same mountain lion that Nick buried.
"Eyup," came Nick. "Your friend is holding out on us. I got some gut burning whiskey here." Nick lefts up his head to Judy flipping through his sketches. "Hey, what are you doing?" Came Nick's voice sounding upset. Slamming the bottle down hard on the counter. "That's my stuff. No one gave you any right to go through my stuff." Running over he snatched the binder from Judy's hands.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend or upset."
Nick shuffled the papers back into the leather binder.
"They're quite good to be honest."
"Still doesn't give you the right to riffle through them." Nick shuffled and pushed the sketches back into the binder.
"Do you craft in leather work? I only ask because I saw a sketch or two for leather design."
Looked up at Judy, not sure what to say. What she was asking was a touchy subject for him. With a loud sigh of grief, he gave in.
"It's something that my father was good at. He would come up with all sorts of ideas for leather and iron work. He even designed the holster I'm wearing."
Judy looked at the gun holster. She never bothered to notice its craftsmanship. Looking at it now, the great detail in it. From the stitching design, the leather imprinting, and the thick colored leather used.
"He even made a gun to perfectly fit the holster."
"Where is the gun?"
"Long gone." Nick shook his head as if to rid himself of his saddening thoughts. "Enough tails of woe. Let's drink."
Nick grabbed the neck of the bottle of whiskey. He took two tin cups by the coffee presser. Placing one in front of himself and the other in front of Judy.
"Oh, no," Judy said. "I don't drink."
"Ah, come on, Carrots. You're not going to force me to drink by myself, are you? We're hundreds of miles from your parents. You don't have to play the prefect daughter character. Just one drink."
Nick poured the amber looking liquor into the tin cup in front of Judy. She arched her head to looked at the liquid in the cup, as if it was some strange creature. Alcohol being something that was not allowed back on the farm. Her father having a firm stand of sobriety, for that is what the good book tells us so. But, Judy always wondered what the whole fuss of it was. Perhaps just this once, to understand why its prohibited. She grabbed the tin cup with both hands.
"Well look who's coming around," Nick said.
Nick has Judy hold out her cup so he have it clash with his own. The two cups make a loud click as they connect. Nick shoots his head back and gulps down his drink.
Judy on the other hand having a different approach with her drink. She started by slowly sipping at the strong liquor, then throwing her head back to gulp the drink down. The liquor burned through her body. Her facial expression twisted and started coughing up a storm. Taking a few steps back and bent forward with her hands on her knees. Afraid her stomach would reject the drink.
Nick laughed at her display.
"You okay over there, Carrots?" She shook her head that she was alright. "Well, congratulations on your first drink. Don't worry you'll be use to it."
"I don't know if I want to," Judy said giving a loud cough. "I'm going to find us some food to pack with us."
She took a walk around the store to regain her composure from the toxin. Nick smiled. Once her back turned, he grabs a fist full of slim cigars from the jar on the counter and pocketed them.
Pouring himself another drink, he looks over at the Henry Rifle laying on top the counter. A pretty magnificent weapon if he say so. Then his eyes went to the ugly leather strap tied to it. Looking over to Judy who still wondered around, picking supplies off the shelves, then back at the rifle. With a deep sigh, he pushes the drink away and removes a blank piece of parchment from his sketch book. With charcoal pen in hand he starts to sketch something, all while looking over at the Henry rifle.
"Ah hell," he mutters under his lips.
Time passes on. From outside came the loud gong of the Savanna Central clock tower striking six times. The sound of thunder as well, growing louder outside. Finishing with his sketch, he places the parchment into the booklet.
The front door to the store flew open. Judy and Nick both turn to find an out of breath skunk pulling down the blinds as quick as he can. He heaved heavily. Lowering the flame on the oil lamps to near extinguish.
"Mr. Mike, what's wrong?" Judy asked, heavy concern in her voice. Leaving her handful of supplies on the counter and approaching the skunk.
"I don't know, Judy. Probably nothing, but I'm not sure?"
The old skunk having a wariness look upon his face. His jaw jutted out. Turning back to Judy, he grabbed her hand. His hands being cold, sweaty, and shaking badly.
"I was able to send the telegram to Bunny Burrow. I'm confident that it will make its way to your family."
"Mr. Mike, what's wrong? Something you're not telling me."
"Judy, my dear. When you came here, were you or your new compadre recognized by anyone?"
"No. No one I can think off."
Mike poked an eye out behind the blinds and onto the cobbled streets of Savanna Central. Judy did the same. The street being dark, Judy could barely make out the other buildings surrounding them. Where the street turned a corner came an illuminating yellow light growing brighter and hearing the faint sound of chatter growing louder.
Rounding out the corner street was a pose full of mammals. A lot of them carrying lit torches along with rifles and shotguns. They were marching toward the store. A small group split off and raced down the alley to the back of the store.
"What's going on?" Nick asked.
"It's the city Rangers," Mike said. "I think they figured out you were here?"
"The Zoo Rangers," Nick said with worry in his voice. Rushing to the window to peek outside. He only took one good glance at the mob to duck down and cover. Cursing under his breath.
"Listen Carrots, your dead set on turning me over to the law, but I'm begging you. Don't hand me over to these mammals. They see the law in a different light then you do. Their idea of a fair trial is a quick lynching and that's what it looks like they are planning to do."
Judy looked out the window again. The mob comes to a stop in front of the store. A weasel in black stepped forward. He gives a wicked grin on his face.
"Nick Wilde," the weasel shouted out so all heard him. "We, the Zoo Rangers of Zootopia, know you are in there. We have the whole building surrounded. Make this easy and come out now, same goes for your fellow accomplices."
Judy looked down at Nick and back up at Mike.
"What do we do?" She asked.
"I'm going to go out and talk to them," Mike said, wanting to reassure Judy that everything would be okay. "I'll see if I can have them come to some type of agreement."
"I appreciate that old timer, but little good it will do. Trust me, I know that weasel out there. The only intentions he has are to torture me then hang me from the tallest tree."
"Still I have to try. Judy, in case things go bad, behind the counter the floor boards are lose enough to pull up. You can escape through there if you need to."
"You don't have to tell me twice, old timer," Nick said. "You keep them distracted while I make a way out of here. It's me they want. They don't care about the two of you.
He got up from his spot on the floor and raced behind the counter. Walking back and forth on the squeaky boards and lightly jumping up and down to find which floor boards were loose.
She looks back at Mike, worry in her eyes. Her two greatest weapons seem to be fighting with each other. Understanding Mike wanting to find some kind of agreement. But, her head and gut telling her to take Nick's advice and leave.
"Don't go out there," Judy pleaded. "We can get out of here, together."
"I have to at least try and bring them to reason," Mike said to Judy in most reassuring voice he mustered at the moment. "Lock the door behind me once I exit."
Judy did as told. The moment Mike stepped out and closed the door behind him, Judy dead bolted the door shut. She peered out from behind the blinds. Mike approached the mob with both hands up and stretched out in front of him.
"Hold up," Mike said. "I'm the proprietor of this shop. What is it I can do to help you gentle mammals tonight?"
The weasel step forward.
"Well, Mr. Proprietor. You are found guilty of harboring criminals on your estate."
"No, not harboring," Mike said. "This is only a misunderstanding. You see-"
The weasel held up his hand to make the old skunk stop talking and turned back to the mob of mammals.
"Mr. Dudley," The weasel said. From the mob stepped out a wolverine wearing the Zoo Ranger blue scarf as a sash. If it had not been for the bright lit torches the mob were carrying, Judy would not have made out that It was the same wolverine from the store earlier. The one that bumped into Nick. "Did you, or did you not see the wanted criminal Nick Wilde at this exact establishment."
"I did," Mr. Dudley, the wolverine, said.
Judy witnessed all from the window, peeping out behind the blinds.
"I swear," Mike said, raising his left hand as if giving an oath. "I am not harboring any such mammal."
Dudley made a quick reach for his six iron and blasted a hole through Mike's left hand. Judy could not stop herself from shouting 'no' at the top of her lungs.
One mammal in the mob must have heard her, because he pointed his rifle at the window and fired. Judy ducked down as the window shattered, raining broken glass on her back. Shaking off the glass she ran to the counter and grabbed the Henry rifle. Nick finishes pulling up most of the floor boards behind the counter, and looked up at her.
"What are you doing?"
"They're going to kill him!" She shouted.
Judy cocked the lever on the Henry rifle. Nick jumped up from the hole in the floor and hopped over the counter. Judy was on a war path and Nick saw that. He wrapped one arm around her waist and his other hand on the rifle and pulled her back.
"They're going to kill him!" She shouted again.
"And they're going to kill you the moment you step out there."
Judy elbowed Nick in the gut. She got him to let go of her, but not the Henry rifle. Rushing to the window to find out what was happening. Outside Mike fell to his knees, cradling his bloody hand, yelling in pain.
"Your oath means diddly squat, old timer" Dudley said.
The weasel stepped forward. Judy only able to watch.
"I hereby find you guilty of harboring criminals. Your sentencing shall be carried out swiftly," the weasel said, looking down at the old skunk. From behind the weasel Dudley raised his gun again and fired, shooting Mike in the chest. Mike collapsed over, dead. Tears weld up in Judy's eyes and ran down her cheeks.
"No. No, no, no, no," she muttered to herself.
"Well, Nick!" The weasel said out loud to the trading good store. "If you're still in there, you're going to come out one way or another!"
He Turned to the large mob.
"Lighter up, boys!"
There comes a loud cheer from the mob. One mammal raced forward with a torch in hand. He spears chucked the torch through the broken window. The drapes and blinders quickly lit on fire, the flames scorching upward. The rest of the mob joined in and helped set Mike's Trading Goods on fire.
Judy becomes stagnant as the flames grew. She felt something grab and squeeze her hand. Looking down at her hand, then up at Nick holding her hand. He had the Henry rifle in his other hand and all their gear and supplies swung across his shoulders.
"We got to go, now!" He shouted, tugging her arm behind him. He held tight to her hand and didn't look back at her.
Taking a quick look around at the fire that spread across the floor. Large flames had already consumed the back of the store. Couldn't help but breath in the thick smoke that surrounded them. It burned her lungs and caused her to go into a coughing fit. Nick didn't stop till he reached the hole in the floor boards. He pulled Judy into the hole with him and force her down onto the ground and start crawling. Judy followed Nick under the floor boards, the heat radiates from the boards above her.
"Keep crawling. Don't stop and don't look back."
They crawled and crawled. Following close behind Nick and daring to not look back. Moving forward being the only thing able to process right now.
Crawling well under the building next to the trading good store. Darkness and cobwebs encased under the floor boards. Nick didn't stop, so neither did Judy. They crawled well underneath one building to the next.
Not until Judy ran into Nick's tail did she stop. She peeked around his body to know what held them up. Wooden screen blocked their passage onto the cobbled streets of Savanna Central. Using his foot, he kicked the wooden screen out onto the street. Crawling out, with all gear strapped and slung around his body, including the Henry rifle. Once exited, and able to stand on two feet again, he reached back a hand into the crawl space for Judy to grab.
Grabbing his hand and being pulled out from under the crawl space, Judy looked around, finding a sense of their bearings. She was not sure where they where, only that they where still in Savanna Central.
Down the street came the bright light of the fire. The Trading Goods store lit ablaze in full. Flames scorching the outside of the building. She saw the so-called Zoo Rangers stand in front of the store and watched the building burn and admired their handy work.
Judy still held tight to Nick's hand. He gives her a tug or two to make her follow him. Not knowing where he was taking her, but what choice did she have.
Light droplets of rain started to fall from the sky. She took one last look at Mike's Trading Goods. Even with the rain, fire like that would continue to burn throughout the night.
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(AN: Thank you for reading, and Thank you for reading this. Again, YOU'RE AWESOME! And I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this fanfic. There are a million and one things you could be doing and you decide to take the time to read this. So, I hope you enjoyed this new installment.
I liked being able to show Nick and Judy bonding together. I liked Mike a lot, which made it hard to see his end. This was the mammal who gifted Judy her hat she still wears. So, I hope you left something as well, whether that be anger, hate, or sadness. Hopefully we will see justice for him in chapters to come.
In the next installment: Judy and Nick are on the run in Zootopia, and Judy might have to face her biggest challenge ever.
As I said before, please leave a comment telling me what you think, they help more than you realize. Thank you!
- Sir_RedFox)