Chapter 6:

Dumb Bunny

"Shut up!" Judy exclaimed as she and Nick walked into the police station.

"You just can't admit that it's true," Nick said.

"You can't admit that you're wrong!"

"See, you get all defensive when you know I'm right. Which is why you're a dumb bunny."

"What are you arguing about?" Clawhauster asked.

The two started talking at the same time until Clawhauster shushed them. "I can't understand a word you're saying when you're yelling at me like this."

"Answer one question for us Clawhauster, aren't bunnies scientifically proven to be intellectually superior to foxes?" Judy said.

"That's so not true!" Nick exclaimed. "Foxes are way more superior."

"Says who?!" Judy said angrily.

"Says everyone! You're just a tiny little bunny who doesn't understand the way the world works," Nick said with a smirk.

Clawhauster began to type on the computer. "According to Google, bunnies and foxes are the same intellectually...but cheetah's are much more superior than both of you!"

Judy and Nick looked shocked.

"It doesn't say that," Nick said.

Clawhauster turned the computer so they could see and indeed it was true.

"Damn," Nick said still surprised.

"Who's the dumb one now?" Judy said sticking her tongue out at Nick.

"Still you."

They went into the meeting room with all of the cops where Bogo was handing out assignments for the day. Nick and Judy were the last to get theirs. Nick was leaning back in his chair sipping coffee, Judy was crossing her fingers hoping for something good.

"So what's the deal today chief?" Nick said.

"I have a special assignment for you two," Bogo said. "Mayor Lionhart has been kidnapped."

That definitely got Nick's attention. "What?!"

"We've got word that there are two grizzly bears in charge of a plot to take down Zootopia. Lionhart went missing late last night and we think there's a connection. Your goal for today is to find Lionhart. Wherever he is, that's where the criminals should be. I want them in custody as soon as possible."

"You can count on us Bogo!" Judy said.

She and Nick hopped down from their chairs and left the office to look over the case file which contained pictures of the two suspects and where they were last seen.

"In downtown Zootopia, at the corner of 5th and Main," Nick said. "Last seen by James Pantherton."

"So we find this Pantherton guy and see what he knows. We should also check the security cameras," Judy said. "You contact Pantherton and I'll look at the cameras."

"You got it."

They went to their office where Nick began to look up James Pantherton's address while Judy perused the security cameras in downtown Zootopia. As she was looking her phone rang.

"Judy Hopps," she said when she answered.

"Judy, it's Maribel," Maribel said sounding panicked.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know. City Hall is a mess. Word has gotten out that Mayor Lionhart is gone and I've been answering questions and running the place as best I can all morning. Please tell me you're looking for Mayor Lionhart!"

"We are Maribel, don't worry. We'll find him by the end of the day." As she spoke she found the security camera where the grizzly's were spotted. They got out of a car and seemed to be having a violent conversation with a panther who looked to be James Pantherton.

"Thank you Judy! Oh and when you get a chance, come down to City Hall. I know something about the case that could be really important to you."

"We'll be there as soon as we can Maribel. Thanks!" She hung up the phone and just as she did she saw something interesting on the camera. Pantherton gave a box to the grizzly bears and the bears drove off. Judy tried to follow them but they seemed to disappear. "Interesting."

"What?" Nick said looking over her shoulder.

Judy rewinded it. "What do you think of that?"

"Either Pantherton is in cahoots with the bears or he's just a real idiot. By the way I found his address. You ready to go?"

"Yeah, we also have to go to City Hall. Maribel knows something."

It didn't take long for them to get to City Hall and sure enough the place seemed to be falling apart. People who worked at City Hall were running around frantically trying to get things done and reporters were everywhere trying to get the scoop on Mayor Lionhart's disappearance.

They found Maribel being chased down by some reporters asking her countless questions. She noticed them and gestured for them to follow her to her office. When the reporters saw Nick and Judy they took that opportunity to ask them questions as well.

"Do you have any leads on Mayor Lionhart's disappearance?"

"Is he dead?"

"Is this all some conspiracy theory?"

"Assistant Mayor Maribel, what do you plan to do in Lionhart's absence?"

"What is your plan now that he's gone?"

They got to her office and Maribel locked the door. She leaned against the door and took a deep breath.

"It's been like this all day! I haven't gotten a break!"

"Looks like you need more than a break," Nick said.

"What did you have to tell us about Lionhart?" Judy asked.

"Lionhart has been whispering about some plot to take down Zootopia for a while now. He's been trying to keep it under wraps. He won't even talk to me about it. All I know is that these guys came in from the forest region trying to stir things up a little bit, that's where their headquarters is. I don't know what they plan to do with Lionhart or with Zootopia but it can't be good."

"Do you know a James Pantherton by any chance? We have him down as the last person who saw him," Nick said.

"Oh I know him! Very kind man, he helped me jump my car a few weeks ago."

"We have him on surveillance footage talking to the grizzly bears and giving them a package," Judy said.

Maribel's eyes got wide. "That can't be good. I would find him fast. He might be in on it with them and know where Lionhart is. You two had better get going!"

"Thanks Maribel!" Judy said.

The next place they went to is the address Nick found for James Pantherton. But when they got there the house was empty.

Judy banged on the door. "Mr. Pantherton, open up! This is Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from the ZPD! We just want to ask a few questions!"

Still no response.

"He must not be home," Judy said.

"Or he ran off," Nick said gesturing to the open side door. "If I were trying to run away from the cops who were right around the corner, I'd find the nearest inconspicuous escape route," he said walking around to where the open door was. "But if i were trying to escape I'd have a much easier time of it because I'm not as big as a panther." He pointed to the leveled bushes and plants that could only have been caused by an panther.

"Good call," Judy said impressed. She was glad to have Nick by her side. She never would have thought of that.

They followed the trail until they came to a dead end and James Pantherton had clearly discovered that as well.

"Mr. Pantherton, we know you're here," Nick said. "You're not in trouble, we just want to know what happened."

The black panther stepped out from behind the trees looking very nervous. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

"We know, we just want to know what happened that night so we can save Zootopia. You'll be a hero if you tell us," Judy said calmly.

"Alright well...it all started a few months ago really. I met Xavier and Ronaldo Grizzly at a racing event. We were placing bets on who the winners would be. Then they started talking about how they wanted to be friends and they needed help with their cause. I got interested and we met up to talk about it later. Turns out their cause was to take over Zootopia, it was going to be the first city of a world run by predators. After the whole incident with the prey a few months ago, they thought it seemed appealing. I didn't want to go through with it but they said they'd get rid of me if I told anyone. And if I went through with it I would have a seat of power in their new world order."

As he spoke Nick didn't trust him. Something didn't seem right about this guy. He was sure he was hiding something.

"Go on," Judy said.

"They orchestrated the plan to kidnap Mayor Lionhart."

"Were you a part of that in any way?"

"No, of course not!"

Yes you were, Nick thought. He could see it in the man's eyes.

"What happened a few nights ago in downtown Zootopia?" Judy asked.

"I was passing on a message from another grizzly. That's all. I swear. I don't know what was in the box. They drove off afterwards. I haven't seen them since. I'm not a bad guy, honest. I was just wrapped up in a really messy situation. Don't tell them I told you anything, I don't want to know what they'll do to me!"

"Don't worry James," Judy said. "We'll have them behind bars in no time. Thank you for your information. You said they're staying in the rainforest region?"

"Yes, that's right," James said.

"I guess it's time to go find them." Judy turned to go.

"Oh I can't let you do that," James said suddenly menacing. He lunged for Judy but Nick thought fast. He knew this guy wasn't to be trusted and he was waiting for the right moment to strike. He pulled out his gun and jumped in front of Judy just before James could get her.

"Don't take another step!" Nick said. James froze. Judy looked over her shoulder in shock.

"I'm an innocent man, Wilde," James said with a smirk putting his hands up.

"I'll believe that when I believe the earth is flat," Nick said. "What really happened the day you met Xavier and Ronaldo?"

"Like I said, we watched a game, placed some bets, and had a conversation."

"And the thought of a predator ruled world appealed to you," it wasn't a question. "You went in voluntarily."

"They did threaten to kill me if I backed out."

"But you wouldn't. What was in the box? I know you know. Talk!"

"The keys to Lionhart's office...the bomb to be planted to blow up downtown Zootopia," James said with another smirk.

"Where can we find the grizzly's?"

"I'm not telling you."

"You've got three seconds to tell me!" Nick said threateningly. "Three….two….!"

"Alright, alright!" James exclaimed putting his hands up again. "They've got this really fancy house in the forest region, really nice, right on the eastern side of Zootopia. They hide out in the guest house. It's hidden in the trees but once you get there you can't miss it!"

Judy began to cuff him. "You're under arrest."

They got him in the car and took him down to go through arrest procedures then explained to Bogo who was alarmed to find out what was going on.

"I'll set to work having everyone find the bomb. You two go to the forest region and find those damn grizzly bears. Don't let them get away. We'll be there shortly."

They got back in the car and headed off to find the bears.

"How did you know Pantherton was lying?" Judy asked still upset with herself that she hadn't caught it.

"It was in his body language," Nick replied. "He looked a little too comfortable. You wanna tell me again that bunnies have the superior intellect?"

Judy glared at him. "Would you stop?"

"Who figured out where he was and got him to tell the truth? Nick two, Judy zero. Told you you were a dumb bunny."

"I am not a dumb bunny!" Judy exclaimed. She crossed her arms and looked out the window.

Nick realized he had hurt her feelings and felt bad. He reached over the put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Judy, I was just playing around."

"Well it's not funny."

"I know. I'm sorry. You're the smartest bunny I've ever known. I'm lucky to have you by my side."

She looked up and him and found that he looked sincere. "You really mean that?"

"Of course I do. You've saved my ass plenty of times. If I didn't have you I'd be lying in a gutter somewhere."

She giggled. "I'm lucky to have you too."

When they arrived it was dark outside. They got out the car and it didn't take long for them to find the house. They made their way inside, making sure to stay quiet as to not draw attention to themselves. It seemed like a normal guest house with a living room and kitchen, upstairs and downstairs, plants and decorations. But something about it was eerie. These were the guys planning to take down Zootopia and have a world full of predators. Whatever happened, they could not let them win.

"If I were a grizzly bear, where would I hide Mayor Lionhart?" Nick wondered.

"The basement," Judy suggested. For some reason she had a feeling that if they went to the basement things wouldn't seem as normal. And she was right. As they creeped down to the basement things got weirder. There were lists of plans, pictures of people and places, and in the corner was a lion tied to a chair.

"Mayor Lionhart!" Judy said.

The two ran over and Nick took the tape off his mouth.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked.

"Okay? No I'm not okay! These fools are about to take over my city!" Lionhart exclaimed.

"We're going to make sure that doesn't happen sir," Judy said as she began to untie him.

Nick got on his phone and began to call for backup. "Bogo, we've found Mayor Lionhart. The grizzly's are hiding out at the eastern district of the forest region. We haven't seen them yet…"

Suddenly the door slammed open and two black grizzly bears entered not looking pleased in the slightest.

"Nevermind, they're here now," Nick said.

"Well, well, well, another predator to join our cause. And you brought us a little snack," said the bigger of the two bears who they could only assume was Xavier.

"Your plans are finished!" Judy said defiantly. "We're not letting you take over Zootopia."

"Why? Because of our inherent 'savage' nature?" Xavier said sarcastically. "Oh yes, we haven't forgotten, Officer Hopps."

"You see, when that little plan to get rid of the predators came to light, we realized where we stand in the world," Ronaldo said. "We realized, if that's how you feel then we don't need you either!"

"That was one crazy sheep!" Nick said.

"Yeah, no one else wants to get rid of the predators!" Judy said.

"The predators of the world are going to rise up and take back what's ours! The prey are only holding us back."

"Don't you want power?" Xavier said to Nick and Lionhart. "True power? Not having to appeal to small folks like her?" he pointed to Judy. "We're meant to rule over them! If we exerted our true power, what would they be able to do?"

"I'll have you know that Judy Hopps is the strongest and bravest person I've ever known in my life!" Nick said. "It's not about who's a predator and who's prey. It's about getting along and making the world better and you two have clearly missed the memo."

"Enough talk Xavier, get them!"

Judy, Nick, and Lionhart ran for the door. Ronaldo threw a chair at them. They ducked and it missed them by inches and flew into the glass door shattering it. The three of them jumped through the broken door as the bears crashed through it after them. They weren't alone, outside several more bears converged on the scene all seeming to be on the same side as the grizzly's.

"Chief Bogo, we need backup, now!" Judy exclaimed as she paged the rest of the officers who were on their way.

Eight bears had converged around them. Nick and Judy were back to back with their weapons in hand.

"Ready carrots?" Nick said to her.

"Ready sly fox."

The bears charged them and Nick and Judy did everything they could to take them down and so far it seemed to be working. Lionhart however was uselessly cowering in fear.

"Mayor Lionhart, a little help here?!" Nick exclaimed.

A bear ran at Lionhart and in an act of panic he punched him in the face. "I got him?" the mayor said in shock. "Oh my god! I got him! I really got him!"

Suddenly Xavier pulled out a gun. "I'm ending this right now."

"Get down!" Nick shouted as soon as he saw it.