Dead End

Bogo looked at the phone before him doubtfully. He let out a sigh as he grabbed it and went to the unlisted number. After a week of investigations, all Nick and Judy had come up with was feathers and leads to people that buy them. He had no more time. Zootopia was in grave danger. He clicked Call on the number and put his phone next to his ear.

The phone rang monotonously for about ten seconds before a voice answered. "My dear Chief Bogo, how may I assist you?"

"Hello, A-" Bogo begun but he was cut off.

"This telephone call may be monitored. I would greatly appreciate if you didn't use my real name. Let's go by Grey for now." The voice said through the phone. Bogo coughed.

"Right, er… Grey. I need you to come here sooner. The situation in Zootopia is getting out of damned control. Mammals are disappearing every other day. We've reached thirty, and no answers. Please. You have to come." Bogo said, doing one thing he hated. Pleading.

The voice sighed. "Look, I love Zootopia. You know that. My best friend is currently resigning there – and as you said, now that I know that not only predators are in danger I am extremely worried. But I have a job to do here. I told you, two weeks, at least."

Bogo slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it Al- Grey! Whatever you're doing there, this is your home, the entire world could fall apart if Zootopia is thwarted. We need you." Bogo used his last resort. He knew he was a horrible person for doing it – some things were too obvious in life. But Zootopia must come first. "I have… something in Zootopia that I think will motivate you to be done quicker."

Silence. Several seconds passed before the voice returned. "And are you certain it will draw my rather intensely easily-bored interest?"

Bogo coughed. "Yes, I have… proof that your interest will be peaked. Pictures, even. Just, please. You have to worry."

"A week ago you asked me and I told about two weeks. You called me again yesterday and I told you I needed another two weeks. However, if you can truly peak my interest I may be able to… find a worthy substitution in order to be in Zootopia one week earlier than what I had arranged." The voice said simply.

Bogo coughed again. "Yes, I will be sending you all the proof necessary in a matter of seconds after our call is over. Keep in mind, though, it will not be easy."

This time the voice – Grey – chuckled. "When have I ever liked easy things? See you soon Chief, I hope." And so the voice hang up.

Nick tried not to let it get to him too much how simply wonderful it felt to wake up under the warm afternoon sun that was peeking through his window with Judy sprawled on top of him. He smiled to himself. One day, we may wake up like this every day. Hopefully, less clothed. He scolded himself mentally for the inappropriate thoughts.

Judy yawned and stretched out, causing Nick's fur to spike up and discomfort to rise up further. She clicked her tongue a few times before opening her eyes. "Hey." She said softly. | Note: Nick's discomfort is obviously a boner. |

"Hey." Nick told her.

Judy looked at the wasted foil from what used to be a chocolate bunny. "Are we done eating my family?"

Nick smirked. "Nope, you've got 275 siblings, we'll make do." He muttered, taking another chocolate bunny and biting off the head.

Judy cringed and faked a sob. "Cruel bastard." She muttered.

"Mhm, you love me." Nick said, taking another bite. He knew he was kidding himself by repeating that phrase all too often, but oh well. Beggars can't be choosers.

"Of course I do." Judy muttered. She made herself comfortable over Nick.

"Alright, bunny – get off." Nick said, hating each and every one of those words as the left his mouth.

Judy pouted. "You would do that to your dear friend?"

"Yep," Said Nick, pushing her off the bed as Judy fell down with a yelp. He looked down and smirked at her. "I certainly would."

Judy glared at him before in a swift movement, he was hugging the floor. "Ouch." He muttered. He got up and composed his clothing.

Judy for the first time took a good look at Nick before she put her hand over her mouth to suppress the all-too-obvious sounds of laughing. "What?" Said Nick.

"You… you got pajamas with carrots on them. Can't you see the irony?" She started right out laughing. No, because I bought them after I met you, stupid.

Nick tsk-ed. "Whatever." He looked around. "Aren't we supposed to go ask… what was her name," He thought for a second. "Ah right, Suela, about who asked her where she buys the feathers?"

Judy bit her lower lip. Nick tried not to let his knees fall. "I do that… you… got your first day of training!" Judy said, giving him a pamphlet and covering her face so Nick wouldn't kill her.

Nick glared. "You should've brought that fox-away."

Judy sighed. "Come on, Nick. I have faith in you, you'll be do great." She flashed him a smile and just then Nick knew that whatever he might try to say against Judy's statement he would just oblige.

He walked into the training area, staring at the recruit-wannabees and a large polar bear, wearing a hat that said Coach on it. "Ah," She said, the moment she saw Nick. "Our newest recruit, who's also a cop without training." She walked to Nick and slapped a sticker on his shirt which read Trainee. "A public danger is what you are!"

She looked around. "Now, you all want to be cops? Well, too bad! Only few of you will make it into the ZPD!" She said. She bared out her teeth. "Even fewer will survive."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Overreacting much?"

The polar bear glared at him. "Listen here, Ginger-Tail. You might have become a cop, but now that you're training, if I don't see you as fit to pass, I can have your badge restricted. And don't think I will show you mercy or favour because you were suggested by my star pupil. In fact, in her honour, I'll make it extra difficult for you."

Nick rolled his eyes. How hard could it be?

Apparently, a lot! He thought, as he was shivering, climbing out of the frozen water. "Nice one, Fox-Ears. Were this a real scenario in Tundratown, you'd be an icepop."

Nick glared at her. "I sell icepops, thank you very much!" He walked by the polar bear insulting her.

"Raising your voice? 100 push-ups, now!" The Polar Bear said.

"Are you crazy? I'm freezing!" Nick told her angrily.

"I don't care! Give me a hundred push-ups now, or you're not having dinner!" She said.

"You – you can't tell me what to eat! I'm not like the other trainees, I already have a home!" He said angrily.

"Oh." Said the Coach, contemplating it for a moment. Then she grinned evilly. "That is true, but I could always say you need to be under watch here. Then you'll be forced to stay here through the entire training, or you quit. And we wouldn't want that, would we?"

Nick glared at her with all the might of his soul. "You evil witch. You can't force me to stay here against my will."

"No, but I can make it a necessary requirement if you wish to remain a cop." She said, looking well-damn pleased with herself.

Nick gritted his teeth angrily, not feeling his toes anymore as he fell to the ground and started doing push-ups. After he thirty, his hands cave in and he fell to the ground. Which was sadly cold snow. "Damn it, I'm going to die here!"

The Polar Bear looked at him with a dead-cold gaze. "You only did 30, soldier."

Nick spoke through his teeth this time. "Well, I have to start from somewhere, don't I?"

The bear let out a sigh. "Hit fifty and you're dismissed for the day."

Nick thought that if he glared hard enough she might actually die. He got up again, and restarted his push-ups.

Nick practically kicked Judy's door open as he found her sitting on a chair, a map sprawled out over her desk, her having marked several occasions. He went behind her and hugged her, feeling every muscle in his body hurt. "I take it all back." He muttered. "You are a real cop."

Judy patted his arms. "It's okay, Nick. It'll get better."

"It won't. She's a witch… she's the devil! Get a priest or something, that woman is possessed. A demon, feeding off the misery of others!" He told, burying his face into Judy's shoulder, his snout poking because… well because foxes have rather long faces.

"She's really nice actually. I know she might seem harsh and unpleasant, believe me, I thought she was the devil too at first. But once you get to know her, she's really nice. It's her way of showing love." Judy said simply.

"Love? My enemies have treated me better than that bitch!" He sighed. "I'm crushing here, by the way. It's your fault every muscle in my body hurts, so you have to put up with me."

Judy smiled. "That's okay. Do you want to know about everyone who has access to rainbow-coloured feathers? I tracked them down, we're going to investigate them tomorrow after you come back from training."

"After I come back? Training lasts the entire day!" He said angrily.

"Then we'll go at night!" Judy told him, smiling.

Nick groaned. "Fine, but tell me tomorrow, I am going to bed."

"Not before you take a shower. You stink." She said. She turned to face him. "You are not touching my clean sheets like that."

Nick groaned but got into the shower nonetheless. He hated smelling bad, anyway. Once he was done he muttered a goodnight and got under Judy's sheets, enjoying the lovely scent of hers they were marked with and smiled at the thought that Judy would soon be joining him.

"So you say you've only bought the feathers for decorative purposes?" Judy asked. The camel they were facing was in a suit. And it was too damn hot! Nick hated heat. But as his muscles burned painfully, he didn't care too much about it.

"My good lady," The camel begun. "I am the biggest business in the Sahara District. Rainbow-feathers are a beautiful addition to my mansion. That's all they are. An aesthetic pleasure. What did you expect?"

Judy looked down. "I'm not sure… But we're holding onto any hope we can get." Judy muttered.

"I am sorry, but I am not related in any way with these attacks. I seek for Zootopia's balance as much as anyone else. I would be devastated to see it shattered." The camel said with a simple voice. He sure sounded sad about it. Nick sighed. What a waste of time. He could be in bed sleeping.

"I see. Thank you for time, Mr. Daorsee." Judy said, as she and Nick exited his office.

"Dead end." Nick muttered.

"Yeah…" Judy agreed, looking disappointed. "Not to lose hope though. We have four others who buy the feathers. Our investigation is ongoing!" She grinned at Nick, lifting her ears.

At the same time, another camel dressed in a maid's outfit approached them and slipped them a letter. She left as quickly as she came. Judy opened the letter and looked inside. Only a word with calligraphic handwriting was written. Arcapolo. Judy looked at Nick who raised an eyebrow.

"Any ideas what Arcapolo might be?" She asked.

"None. Let's look into it tomorrow. For now, let's go home." Nick said. Judy nodded.

=Author's Notes=

I got the idea of the "I take it all back" scene from Tumblr. As always, follow and favourite the story if you liked it and review this chapter to let me know what you think about it!