Ch. 15: Broken Hearts

Twenty five years ago

Everything hurt. And everything was awful.

Eight year old Lucy stumbled home, her fur clumped, the bruises on her body throbbing, despite that an hour had passed her tears were still streaming. She had hid in an old tree house from what she had once hoped would be her pride as they jeered and laughed from her pain, calling out that she would never be one of them. And she still didn't understand why.

But she could've lived with the physical pain; it was the pain in her heart that she couldn't handle.

Leon had told her he was her friend. Why would he lie like that? What did she do wrong?

His words were the only ones she could remember and they left the deepest cut:

Did you really think I'd be friends with someone like you?

You're just a runt whose dad didn't even want her!

Why don't you go be like your mom and be a prey!

Lucy took a shuddering breath, the words playing over and over as she finally reached her house, it was late.

Maybe Leon had been right, maybe she was better off clipping off her beloved claws and pretending to be a prey, her mother's mate wasn't that fond of her but maybe she could find a prey that would be.

She found her mother sitting on the floor sobbing, and not three months later her mother died of a broken heart and that terrible zebra hadn't even bothered to come to her funeral, her years from foster home to foster home was a blur of pain, fear, and anger. Both prey and predators rejected her, some picking fights with her that they wouldn't soon forget because when Lucy fought back she fought to kill. She remembered her last year before she turned eighteen, a wolf and a sheep had lived in the foster home with her and had been stupid enough to fall in love. She had felt sorry for them, they didn't particularly like her but they weren't mean to her either. They obviously had no idea what would happen to them if they were in an interspecies relationship. Animals would hate them, maybe even attack them, if they decided to start a family their children would be tortured for things that weren't their fault. Or most likely, the sheep would leave, leaving the wolf to die sad and alone. She had tried to warn them constantly, even once forcefully pulling them apart to help, but they turned on her just like the rest of the world.

She was so happy when her birthday came and she could finally flee Zootopia, Zootopia, where anyone could be anything…unless you were a small lion, with a neglectful father, a stupid mother, or, if she could help it, in a disgusting interspecies relationship.

It was all lies and Lucy understood that the longer she was gone, learning all she could about history and figuring out the plan that she supposed she had had in her head ever since her mother died.

It was all lies…

It was all lies…

.

"Ironclaw, Ironclaw, wake up."

The lioness's eyes popped open and she looked around, she was surrounded by woodened walls and was lying on an old moth-bitten blanket, by her side stood Arachnid, looking down at her.

"You had the dream again, didn't you," Arachnid asked.

"I have that dream every night," Ironclaw replied, letting one shudder rack her body. "I'll sleep peacefully when this city burns."

"Should I go and hypnotize some pyromaniacs," Arachnid asked, his tone not indicating if he was joking or serious. He was shining his medallion with a rag.

She had met him when she had finally returned to Zootopia. He had tried to swindle her out of money and she nearly killed him for it, her hate of this hypocritical city returning full-force. But then she remembered the medallion, years ago she had explored an old temple and found the medallion, reading about how it had belonged to very talented hypnotists who could bend mammals to their will.

She had explained this and her plan to Arachnid, even offered him a place by her side, which would be the only safe place when she was done. The spider monkey was, for lack of a better word, a street rat. He had held no love for the city but was incredibly fascinated by the medallion and the power it could give him.

An alliance had formed but it was more formed out of nesscity and a mutual but silent respect, other than trust or loyalty or affection. She needed Arachnid to bring this city to its knees, and Arachnid…he was scared of her but Ironclaw could imagine the power he could have over her, why didn't he? She would have to assume that he needed her just as much as she needed him.

"Are we really going to use this brand new 'ally' of ours," Arachnid asked, still shining the medallion.

Ironclaw grinned maliciously, "Oh I am positive, and if he turns out useless we can at least use him for entertainment. I enjoy watching him squirm."

He reminded her of that pathetic little lion cub named Lucy Lionheart, Ironclaw wanted to stomp her out of existence.

"So what's the latest plan," Arachnid asked.

"We break some hearts," she replied, grinning despite the shattered pieces that had lain in her chest since she was eight years old.

.

The four animals were welcomed with open arms into the home of Mr. Big.

"My dearest Judy," Mr. Big greeted her in his office, kissing Judy on the cheek. "It has been a long time since you've visited."
"It's good to see you again, sir," Judy beckoned the somber Sven and Winter who stood behind her with Nick. The two stepped forward.

"These two are really good friends of mine, and they need a safe place to stay," Judy explained. "Would it be too much to ask that they stay here?"

Mr. Big gave the two a once over, his whiskered face thoughtful.

"I've heard of you, you are Sven Jingle. You have written very famous music, some of my favorites. For that reason and because Judy asked I will offer you protection."

Sven nodded, "Thank you," he mumbled quietly and Winter repeated his words.

Judy thanked Mr. Big and led the two to a guest room. Sven laid on the polar bear sized-bed and seemed to turn to stone. Judy shared a worried look with Nick, Winter still looked aggrieved but determined to keep it together.

"Winter, let's go get something to eat," Nick spoke up, "Trust me, Mr. Big's food is to die for."

The two foxes walked out of the room and Judy turned back to Sven who remained quiet, she was desperately thinking of something to say when the door opened and a polar bear walked in.

"May I help you," Judy asked the serious looking bodyguard but then let out a squeal of delight when she saw who the polar bear was carrying in his massive paw.

"Judy!"

"Fru Fru!"

The rabbit picked up the pretty arctic shrew and they shared a kiss on the cheek. In Fru Fru's arms was her one year old daughter, Judy.

"How'd my beautiful goddaughter get to be so big," she cooed to the baby before kissing her head, making the baby squeal.

"Are you going to make it to her birthday party tomorrow," Fru Fru asked.

That was right, Judy was turning two tomorrow. "I'll do my best."

Fru Fru seemed satisfied with that.

Remembering Sven was in the room she turned to him while the polar bear moved to a corner of the room and stood, stoic, "Fru Fru, this is Sven Jingle, he'll be staying here for a while."

"Nice to meet you," Fru Fru said politely and Sven nodded mutely. Fru Fru frowned and Judy placed her on the large armchair of the room before hopping up to join her, holding baby Judy in her paws.

"Some really bad stuff has happened, Fru Fru."

The shrew made herself comfortable and Judy told her about everything that had happened. Sven had drifted off into a miserable sleep, the baby having started to snooze much earlier.

Fru Fru placed a small paw on Judy's arm, "I'm so sorry; that all sounds awful."

Judy nodded, it was awful, but she already knew that. She needed Fru Fru to explain something she didn't know.

"Something's wrong with me, Fru," Judy finally admitted what she knew for days out loud.

Fru Fru frowned in concern, "What is it, is it about your case?"

Judy shook her head, "It's…it's something else. I've been having this weird feeling in my chest." She placed a paw over her heart, "It's all tight, and then there's the butterflies in my stomach that just won't go away…"

Fru Fru relaxed, "Let me guess, this only happens when a certain someone is around."

Judy nodded, her throat tight, "Every time he touches me it's like lightning…"

Fru Fru shook her head fondly, "Silly, you're in love."

Judy's throat officially closed up as she finally heard what she had known for…how long? When did it begin?

When had she fallen in love with Nick Wilde?

"Judy," Fru Fru spoke, "Why are you crying?"

Judy started to see tears were blurring her eyes, she rubbed at them furiously. "This isn't good, Fru Fru," she sniffled.

"What are you talking about? When is love not good?"

When you were in love with an animal you treated horribly. She remembered all the arguments, how it was her stupid idea that had them first meet Ironclaw and caused a bridge to collapse, she had to have Nick save her, she forced him to go to the museum and he was tortured because of it, she had snapped at him for yelling at Percy, and just that morning what did she do because he had wanted some alone time? She had hit him. And now he was alone with a beautiful fox.

"He-he's not going to listen," Judy breathed, "He won't feel the same."

"You won't know how Nicky feels until you ask him."

"Yeah, but-" Judy stopped and stared at the shrew in surprise, "You knew…?"

"More like I guessed," Fru Fru shrugged, "It wasn't that hard."

Judy felt mortification swamp her, did everyone know? Did Nick know?

"Now give me baby Judy so you can go talk to him," Fru Fru took her child and made a shooing motion to the rabbit.

"But…but…" Judy tried to swallow and looked to the door. She didn't want to go, she shouldn't, but…what if he…what if he…

Judy jumped off the chair and headed to the door before she could talk herself out of it.

.

Nick stepped out of the kitchen with a tray piled with tiny cups, tiny teapots, and tiny cakes. Beside him Winter was doing her best to stay calm, Nick could only repeat that everything would be fine, they'd rescue Charlie.

She nodded, "I know…thank you." She cast him a look, "You've changed so much. It's almost uncanny."

Nick smiled, "I think I've changed a lot too."

"It's because of Judy, isn't it?"

Nick stumbled and nearly dropped his tray. "Wh-what makes you say that?! I'm a cop, of course I've become a better mammal!"

"And I wonder who got you to become a cop," she wondered.

Nick felt his body heat up, "What are you trying to say Winter?" they were walking down the hall, getting closer to the guest room.

"I think you aren't being completely honest with her or yourself."

Those words instantly put Nick on edge. He wasn't lying to himself. Judy was only a friend. Besides, he saw how she acted around Perry or whatever that rabbit's name was, if anything she-

Do you seriously think that rabbit will look at you the same way you look at her?

A surge of sudden anger made Nick growl, he stopped and turned to look at Winter who was trailing behind him.

"I don't know where you're getting at but nothing's going to happen between me and Judy. I know interspecies relationships work for some mammals but that isn't for me. A fox and a rabbit…it wouldn't work out, besides I don't want it to."

Winter's eyes went past his shoulder and widened in concern, a second later a door slammed behind Nick.

.

Nick and Judy left Sven and Winter in the capable and caring hands of Mr. Big and Fru Fru, returning to the precinct in stony silence.

"Carrots," Nick tried when they walked inside. "It's not what you think!"

"Obviously not," Judy muttered, not looking at him. "I thought I wasn't that bad but apparently I am."

She was so embarrassed, worse so, after pouring her heart out to Fru Fru, she had been about to do the same to Nick. It made her sick thinking about how he'd react. But mostly it made her heart hurt.

"I didn't say that," Nick argued, "I was just talking with Winter."

"Talking about me," she snapped loudly, whirling around to glare at him, Clawhauser and a few other officers looked up in surprise at the two.

Nick frowned then scowled, "And I bet your assistant mayor and you talk about nothing but desk work." Judy's brow furrowed, "What?"

"Please, I'm sure he only had nice things to say about me after the whole museum episode. I was gone for a week; did you two have that cup of coffee?"

"And if we did," she demanded, "What do you care, not like it's an interspecies relationship."

Nick flinched, "I didn't mean anything bad about that and you know it."

"Oh, I do," Judy's voice dripped with sarcasm. "How could anyone possibly take that any other way?"

"Carrots," Nick threw his head up with an exasperated sigh. "Don't start this. We have bigger problems remember?"

"Of course I do," Judy replied.

"Do you?" Nick demanded angrily, "Do you really get how dangerous Ironclaw is? Because so far this case involves you ignoring what I say and thinking you'll defeat a crazy criminal by sheer optimism while I'm the one who has to suffer for it!"

"I do understand!" she snapped, "Why are you acting like this!?"

"Maybe I'd rather have a different partner!"

The words sent a shocked silence through the precinct, bystanders staring at the two in shock, Clawhauser covering his mouth with his paws, eyes wide and upset, he looked like he was about to cry.

Judy gaped at Nick whose face was unreadable. Judy made to speak but stopped, she had promised to listen to him, and if this is what he wanted, if he didn't want to be her friend, if he didn't want to see her again…then okay. She'd do that, even if it broke her heart.

Even though I'm in love with him…

She took a breath to collect herself, and then another because one wasn't enough, then spoke: "Okay."