"YOU!"
I spotted the trigger happy wolf from before lifting a gun and said "come now, that didn't work last time did it?"
I spotted the door open and tensed only to see an older looking fox enter the building, "now where is this weeks ship..ment...?" Trailing off he stared wide eyed at the mass of empty cages, "what the hell happened?"
The metal horned rhino pointed at me and I flinched when I felt his gaze land on me, frowning I studied him just as he tried to study me through my disguise. He looked annoyingly familiar and I just couldn't place him, another flicker of red in my periphery reminded me Nick was still there and then it hit me. The fox standing in front of me could be an aged version of Nick, but with piercing blue eyes, which ment...well shit! Stiffening I said "You wouldn't happen to be Rick Wilde would you?"
The fox looked startled and then scowled and said "who are you?!"
Smirking to hide my discomfort I said "you can call me the black vixen."
I saw his eye twitch and then he turned to his men and said in a surprisingly clam tone of voice "this is the reason we are missing our entire shipment for the auction tomorrow?" The tattooed and scarred bear from the alley, timidly nodded his head in confirmation of this fact and Rick sighed before he screamed "WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? A WRITTEN INVITATION?! GET HER!"
A huge spray of bullets came my way and I had to dive for cover, rolling off my stack of crates and landing on another one further down. I repeated this, bounding from stack to stack trying to evade all the bullets. Chancing a look over the top of the crate I was currently hiding behind I saw Rick still standing near the door and the guards hadn't moved either, rookie mistake. Descending silently to the ground, I could see the idiots still shooting near the top of the crates. Weaving through the maze of wooden storage, I finally spotted the door Rick had entered through. Ducking down I crawled closer until I could see Rick still standing where he had been, watching his men with a mixture of irritation and amusement. Sliding out of hiding I ghosted towards the old fox, grabbing one of his arms I pulled him into an arm lock and positioned my other hand claws at the ready on his throat. The short scuffle drew the guards attention and they stopped firing.
Pleased I said "get out!" when the mammals hesitated and didn't seem to know what do to, I closed my paw slightly around the foxes neck allowing him to feel just how sharp my claws were.
Wheezing slightly the fox shouted "go! Get out! Do as she says."
The guards all hightailed it out of there, not wanting to stick around much more any way. As soon as they were gone I shouted "Nick get Judy out of here."
I watched as Nick tore out of his hiding spot and dropped to his knees in front Judy's cage, picking the lock in record time and pulling a relieved and happy bunny into his arms. Distracted as I was at the sight of the pair, the elbow in my gut caught me by surprise, knocking the air out of me and loosing my grip on the fox in the process. Reeling back I tried to refill my lungs, heaving for breath as I heard the fox start talking "So thats how you knew me, because of my disgrace of a son?" He sounded almost incredulous as though he had never expected to be recognised because of his son.
Scowling I replied "he is not a disgrace you foul low life, you are." I would have spat at him but I was wearing my scarf, so it probably wasn't a good idea.
"Nieve cub, what would you know of life to be able to judge someone like me?"
Snorting I thought of the scars that littered my body and arms, "more than you think, Rick."
"Vic..Vixen we should get out of here."
Nodding I said "go I'll catch up."
"I don't think..."
"Just go!"
The pair approached quickly and the old fox seemed to be thinking something over, yanking a gun out of seemingly thin air he aimed it at Nick and Judy. The pair instantly froze unwilling to move when they were being targeted like this.
"I dont think so, know one is going anywhere just yet."
Growling behind my scarf I snapped "what the hell do you want?!"
"Answers dear, and we can start with your identity." Eyes narrowing I didn't move until the fox continued, "of course if you'd rather I shot your friends here we can always come back to you later."
Jerking I lifted my paws and was more than a little irritated to see them shaking, pulling my scarf down and pushing my hood back I heard Judy gasp "Vicky?"
The older fox gaped at me, gaze flickering between myself and Nick and then he said "you knew." It wasn't a question, but I wasn't sure what it was he was referring to exactly. "Of all the coincidences to occur to have both of you here, now? Unbelievable!" Okay now I knew what he was talking about, well there goes any small hope I had that he wouldn't recognise me, how could he not I was practically a carbon copy of my mother.
Slowly inching my way to the side I kept my gaze trained on the fox with the gun the whole time, content to ignore his rambling until I heard Nick almost shout "sister?!" Freezing I glanced up at Nick and he must have seen in my face I had already known, "how could you not tell me?"
Wincing I said "half siblings, we only share him." Jerking my head at Rick, taking a full step forwards I was encouraged when Rick didn't even react, just continued to laugh at our situation. "Please Nick, I didn't know before, I only found out a day or so before you saw me on the roof with Judy."
He lost some of the anger when he realised I hadn't known all that long, although he still looked upset. Taking another step I was only a meter or so away from them now, just bit closer and I would be able to reach out and touch them. Another step and I heard Rick's laughter stop, whipping my head round I saw him watching me with wide furious eyes. I saw the moment he decided to pull the trigger and when I heard that 'bang' one thing occurred to me, my bullet proof vest was laying on the floor of my apartment, forgotten along with my shin guards and bracers in my haste to leave and help Nick save Judy. Not caring in the slightest about my vulnerability to the projectile I lunged forwards, placing myself between the bullet and my brother.
I felt the impact in my chest, but I didn't feel any pain. In fact everything seemed slow and dull, I could just about make out the sound of shouting and I could feel someone lifting my head onto their lap. When did I get on the floor? I don't remember falling, but I could see Nick. He was talking to me, I could see his mouth moving but my ears didn't seem to be able to make out what he was saying. Apparently my lack of reaction annoyed Judy, as the next thing I know I'm getting slapped in the face by the tiny bunny. My hearing came back, just in time for me to wish it hadn't as the rush of noise exploded in my head setting a pounding rhythm behind my eyes. My hearing was shortly followed by the pain, burning fire raced through my chest and I struggled to contain the scream that wanted to escape. Every breath caused the pain to nearly double my agony and my breathing instantly became more laboured as I struggled through the pain constricting my chest.
"Fuck...Shit...Need..to...stop...getting...shot!...Shit...hurts!"
Nick let out a relieved laugh and said "I want you to stop getting shot too. I can't believe you took a bullet for us, what happened to a fox looks out for themselves first and everyone else second?"
"Family...comes...before...m'self..." I could see the bunny tearing up, please don't cry on me bunny, I am not dealing with a crying bunny right now. Fortunately the paramedics arrived and while the bustled around me I wheezed "what...happened...to...Rick?"
Judy gave me a smile that was probably ment to be reassuring but actually just made me fear she was going to cry even more "he's in custody."
"H...How?"
"Nick called for back up while you guys were freeing the other mammals, it got here just as the guards were leaving. They managed to get all of the traffickers and now they have Rick too."
I was about to ask something else when felt a tiny prickle in my arm, looking down I saw a needle, and as I did I could feel the tell tale pull of unconsciousness. "Shit..."
xxx
For a long moment I didn't move and just continued to breath slowly as my mind caught up to my body and I ran through everything that had happened before I got shot and afterwards. Pleased my memory was fine and intact I opened my eyes, immediately regretting it as light peered my eyes. Groaning I lifted an arm to lay over my eyes, "oh my gosh I'm so sorry Vicky, I forget how sensitive fox's eyes are. Is this better?"
Blinking my eyes open I sighed at the much improved lighting, "much better." Turning my head I could now see Judy, "hey so what happened after the doctors knocked me out?"
The rabbit flushed and said "well a lot to be honest, some people tried to get you arrested for being a vigilante but with support from Nick and myself we got you off with a warning. After all you did save our lives, and we can't have Zootopia's newest hero in jail now can we?"
"Newest hero?" Frankly I was terrified of the answer but I wanted to know anyway.
"Oh yeah it got leaked to the press that the famed vigilante 'The Black Vixen' saved two police officers lives and cracked the trafficking ring case all on her own, so therefore you are now the official hero of pretty much all of zootopia right now."
Gaping at the smug looking bunny I said "that is not funny carrot sticks!"
"What is it with you and the nicknames?!"
Before I could answer a familiar dry voice broke in "don't worry bunny, its her way of showing affection. Took me forever to get my nickname down to just Reg."
"What do you mean?"
Grinning I cut in "I used to call him Regular, because when I first met him I called him short and he said he was a perfectly average size. So I said if he was a drink he would be a regular then, and so was born the great and mighty nickname Regular. I haven't really settled on one for you yet cotton bud, I'll let you know when I do."
"What about me? Don't I get a fabulous Nick-name. Haha sometimes I kill myself I really do. Hahaha."
Rolling my eyes at the ridiculous pun I said "how about carrot muncher?"
There was a long pause where everyone digested this idea and then it clearly dawned on Nick what I had been referring to, as he suddenly flushed crimson and stuttered "n...n...no...no.n...need really I'm good. I'm great as just Nick, yeah no need for a nickname really."
"Wha...Oh!...VICKY!"
Laughing at the mortified expression on the bunny's face, I groaned as my chest ached. Lifting a paw to rub the spot I grimaced, and everyone sobered slightly. "Okay so what was the diagnosis?"
"You miss Wilde are very lucky to be alive."
"...miss Wilde?" I turned to see it was a nurse who had spoken, as she had presumably just entered.
"That is your legal name, I checked. So yes miss Wilde, you very nearly died. Several times on our operating table, you gave our surgeons quite the scare. However you should make a full recovery, you just need to eat and rest properly for at least six weeks. So no running around on roof tops yes?"
"Wha...How do you know about...?"
"Yeah, that might have also got leaked to the news. On the plus side you've been accepted into police academy for when you recover, if thats still something you want to do?"
"I...I..."
"I think perhaps we should let miss Wilde rest for a while, we don't want to over whelm her."
As everyone filed out, the nurse a maternal looking antelope said over her shoulder "just press the call button if you need anything, miss Wilde."
Staring at the closed door I shook my head "this has been the weirdest month or so of my entire life! I wouldn't trade it for a thing though."
"Glad to hear it."
"Ahhhh!" jumping slightly at the unexpected voice, I was incredibly embarrassed at the girly scream that escaped me at the unexpected voice. Seeing it was just Nick who had somehow evaded the nurse ushering everyone out, or maybe this had been intentional. Briefly shooting the door a dirty look I turned back to Nick and said "so...?"
"So? Really? Thats what you come out with after you saved my life and risked your neck for Judy's too? You're unbelievable!"
"Was there a reason for your presence or did you just come to rant at me for my un-imaginativeness?"
"Wha...Yeah...No...Wait what? Oh yes! I came to tell you that you are really stupid, and I'm banning you from ever taking a bullet for me or Carrots ever again. You gonna give me grey fur if you keep this up, and this fabulousness shouldn't be hampered by premature grey fur!"
"I resent that comment! I'm covered in grey fur, thank you very much."
Neither of us heard the door open, "uh Carrots, of course, uh well grey fur looks amazing on you, I just ment that I wouldn't look so good in grey, I...I uh, Vicky help me out. I'm right, right?"
"Nope can't help, I'm injured and there fore should not get involved in strenuous activity, and I think pulling you out of the hole you just dug yourself would be very strenuous indeed. Right Judy?"
"Indeed Vicky, this is one Nick needs to sort out himself. Now Nick..."
Grinning to myself I watched the two bicker back and forth slowly dissolving into what was clearly familiar banter and name calling, and finally they were just sitting there staring at each other. I was fairly sure they didn't even remember I was here.
"Just kiss!"
The startled couple jumped violently resulting in a brief kiss as they both flushed crimson and started stuttering apologies, I turned and gave my best friend an unimpressed look. "You just ruined my entertainment for the evening Reg, don't you have a heart? What else is a poor injured fox to do if not revel in her friends romantic frustration and awkwardness?"
"Hey! We are not romantically frustrated o awkward thank you very much!"
"Oh yeah, then how come you guys don't just become a couple already?"
"I...er...I...um..."
"Yeah I though so. Now all of you get out, I do actually need to sleep and weirdly enough I am tired. So shoo." Waving my hands in a weak shooing motion, I was finally alone. Sighing I relaxed into the bed and closed my eyes, allowing myself to fall asleep. Even as I drifted off I was still pondering about how this was all going to turn out in the end.
xxx
The six weeks of my recovery seemed to drag by forever but it had finally ended last week and as soon as it had, I had jumped into police academy training and now I stood in the boxing ring, about to take on the huge rhino in front of me in order to graduate and become a part of the police force.
"Whenever you're ready, GO!"
Ducking the heavy handed swing made by the rhino, I lunged forwards and kicked the large mammal in the side of his right knee. Shouting the rhino went down hard, but he wasn't out yet. Bounding away I spring boarded of the ropes and launched myself at the now horrified looking rhino, both fists slammed hard into the mammals face sending him flying backwards. Slamming hard against the post in the corner of the ring, denting the metal just a little.
The rhino's head lolled slightly and showed he was definitely out for the count. Grinning I whooped out loud at my success, and that was when I noticed how silent it was. Turning I frowned at the audience and saw everyone gaping at me, "what?"
"You...you...you...that is a new record for the fastest anyone has defeated their opponent in their final examination!"
"Oh cool!"
"More like amazing, you have made me proud Vicky. Really truly proud, and I hope you understand that."
Smiling I was reeling inside, this was the first time Ursula had called me by my name and not some insulting nickname. "Thank you sir, it means a lot to me." Saluting I turned and left the ring, settling on a bench to watch the rest of the matches. I was completely relaxed now, I would graduate soon and then I would join the police and be able to do what I had always done. Help people, however now I would be doing it legally.
Smiling to myself I had to laugh when a porcupine got punched into the ground by the rhino's replacement a large bear, the smile turned into a grin when I heard Ursula shout "YOU'RE DEAD SPIKE BUTT!"
xxx
Grinning proudly I fought the urge to fidget as my shiny new badge was pinned onto my blue shirt, and as I retreated back to my place in line I felt my chest practically bursting with pride. My grin got impossibly wider when I was told I was assigned to precinct 1 city centre, so I would be with Judy and Nick.
I couldn't wait to get back to helping people, I could see it now. Fighting crime, battling corruption and helping citizens, it would be fantastic.
xxx
"...Officer Vicky Wilde...Parking duty. Dismissed." Staring with huge eyes I was horrified, parking duty? That couldn't be right, not me surely? "Just kidding, you will be helping Officers hopps and Wilde on the serial robbery case."
Grinning I pumped my fist "yes!" Wincing at the unimpressed look Bogo sent me a grinned sheepishly and said "uh I mean 'yes chief Bogo?'"
"Better, now get out of here."
Grinning again I saluted and said "sir yes sir." Turning I bounded out of the room, looking forwards to my future with the ZPD.
Author Note: this is it, the end of my story. I was going to make it longer but as I wrote this sort just happened and I felt it was such a perfect ending, so I'm leaving it here. Please review on your way out to tell me if this was any good, thanks ;)
-SL xxxx
