Welcome to Chapter 2 of Darkness and Light. So, if you read the last chapter, there was... death. Judy lost her dad and Nick lost his friend. This affected Nick and Judy's lives a lot. Let me put it in a way. You know how Nick and Judy originally are in the movie? Let's say that their lives are sort of... swapped. Nick's a hard-working prep student while Judy's a sneaky and petty thief. In the C&D series, Tandy had a boyfriend and partner. But for my story, Judy's flying solo. Now as Nick and Judy lived their lives the way they do, the question is, what happens when they meet each other by chance? I'll tell you this, they won't be the same. Now, shall we get started?
Dark doesn't truly mean bad. Nor does Light truly mean good.
Nearly 8 years had passed since those horrid events.
Somewhere in Savanna Central was a very crowded Club filled with hundreds of mammals in fancy dresses and suits. Playing in the background was some strobe music. In the club, 21 and over people with money to burn were either dancing, talking to other mammals, or getting drinks at the bar. Or at least, with an ID that said 21 and over. One grey bunny girl wearing a white dress was definitely under 21.
Judy was that girl. The young and innocent bunny wasn't as innocent as she uses to be. Mostly now, she just spends time going into semi-sleazy clubs. Sometimes for fun, sometimes for... other reasons.
As she goes to the bar and sits in one of the chairs, she gets approached by a male black furred bunny in a white dress shirt and black pants.
"Hey there, cutie." The male bunny said with a flirty smile on his face.
"Heh. You may be a bunny too, but I still prefer not to be called 'cute'." Judy stated to the bunny with a smirk.
The male bunny then tilted his head at the bear bartender.
"Hey, barkeep? Give the two of us some drinks. Two bourbons." The male bunny said to the bartender.
"One bourbon. Just carrot juice with some club soda for me." Judy said to the bartender. Judy then looked back at the male bunny. "Sorry. But you ain't getting this little bunny-wunny drunk tonight."
"Ah. Clever bunny, are you?" The male bunny said with a smirk. " Your dad must have warned you about 'pred' bunnies like me."
"He would have... if he wasn't didn't sunk to the bottom of the bay." Judy stated telling the bunny that her father is dead.
"Oh. I'm sorry." The male bunny said feeling apologetic.
"It's fine. How would you have known?" Judy asked.
At that moment, their drinks came in. A small glass of bourbon and a small glass of carrot juice mixed with club soda and a carrot in it.
"You gonna pay the man?" Judy asked.
"Oh. Right." The bunny said getting out his wallet and putting cash on the table.
The two then grabbed their glasses and started drinking.
"I'm Nolan, by the way." The male bunny said.
"Judy." Judy answered saying her name.
"Seriously, what's a pretty doe like you doing in a club like this?" Nolan asked.
"The usual. Meet some people, dance a bit, get a drink or two, and not try to make any drunken mistakes." Judy stated with a sly look.
"Hmm. Drunken mistakes are the best mistakes." Nolan said before drinking his whole glass.
"Still not getting anywhere with me. But nice try." Judy said before patting Nolan on the back, taking her drink, and leaving.
As Judy left, Nolan just shrugged. It seemed like he wasn't getting lucky tonight. Judy however, she smirks as he happened to have Nolan's wallet on her paws.
"I may not be easy, but you sure are." Judy thought maliciously.
This is what Judy has been reduced to doing. Thieving. From picking pockets to stealing from rich people. That's what Judy's been reduced to these days.
Meanwhile, also happening that night, was a basketball game. In a locker room, sat a team of boys in black jerseys. One of them was a fox with a black towel over his head and a jersey numbered 16. This boy was Nick. Nick had matured after the incident and is quite the player on the court. Nick's focus, as well as the other players, then went to his tiger coach.
"Alright boys, we're in the last quarter. The score is 43 to 36. So we're down 7 points. But we can still turn this game around." The coach said. He then looked at Nick. "Wilde, you ready?"
Nick took the towel and his head and replied "Born ready, coach." with a determined look on his face.
Nick and the other players then made their way back to the court. The mammals on the stands were cheering on the teams. Including Nick's parents, John Wilde and Francine Wilde. Nick's team were against a team in red jerseys.
The zebra referee blows the whistle and the game resumes. One of Nick's teammates passes him the ball and Nick dribbles to the rival team's side of the court. Avoid the other players and then going for a three-point shot. He makes the shot. The crowd cheers for the fox's great shot. The game only gets more intense after that.
Nick's team scores a few more shots in, but their opponents scored a few more points as well. The clock was going more and more down with each and every play. In the last 20 seconds, the school was 53 to 51. If Nick's team wanted to win, they had to score 3 points.
The other team had the ball, but Nick stole it from the sheep player. Nick had the ball. The clock ticked more and more. In order to win, Nick knew he had to stall the clock down to the very last few seconds. So when the clock hit the last 3 seconds, Nick made another 3 point shot. As the clock ran to zero, the ball rolled around the rim and then... sinks in. With 54 points, Nick's team wins.
"With a score of 54 to 53, St. Saberhagen Wins!" The zebra ref shouted out.
The St. Saberhagen side cheered as the home team one the game. Including Nick's proud parent, whose son just made the winning shot. Nick also, seemed pretty good about himself.
"Yes!" Nick said while pumping his fist.
His mode goes away when the sheep he stole the ball from knocks Nick down to the ground.
"That's what you get for stealing the ball from me, fox." The sheep said smugly.
"Grrrrrrr!" Nick growled angrily.
He wanted to get angry and sock the guy for that. But he gained a habit of bottling up his anger and not releasing it. So he held himself back. But that didn't stop his teammates from shoving the guy off.
"Back off, sore loser." An otter said.
"Runoff and cry to mommy about your lost." A wolf said.
The sheep was pissed but backed off. Nick then got back up. He may have won the game, but he was still beyond pissed off.
Later that night, back with Judy, she walked down the street and into an old and abandoned church. To get in, she had to move some boards from the door in the back. Going inside, it was pretty dusty. Filled with candles, old benches, and a wooden drawer. On the front was a mattress, and a few stuff Judy had. She puts down the wallets she jacked from people at the club with other people's wallets. She really made a habit of pickpocketing. This was where Judy lived. Alone in an abandoned place.
Meanwhile, Nick and his parents take him back home. A nice two-story house that was also quite well furnished, was the home of the Wildes. Nick was still looking quite mad at what happened after the game.
"You played a great game, son." John said to Nick.
"I wanted to punch that guy." Nick said firmly to his dad.
"I did a good thing not starting a fight with him." Francine said to Nick.
"It would have been a good thing to punch the guy." Nick said still sounding pissed.
John and Francine didn't want their son to have these kinds of angry thoughts. Nick then walked upstairs.
"I'm going to my room. Night." Nick said.
Nick works hard at almost everything he does. He gets good grades, popular, captain of the track team, star player of the basketball team. Yet, when it comes down to it, he's still a fox. As he goes into his room, he takes his jersey off, puts on his sleep pants, and then puts his headphones on to listen to some rock music. It was his way to escape the world.
Back at the church, Judy had changed out of her dress and into sleep clothes. She then opened up the drawer and took out a black hoodie. The hoodie was big for her, but she still put it on. It was like she had some attachment to it. She then put on earbuds and listens to some soft pop.
Another day has passed for the two teenagers. They both feel like this is their life everyday. They weren't too happy about it, but they still just go through it, day by day. As they lay on their beds, they both get into their covers and slowly drift into sleep.
The next day, Nick was going through another day at his prep school, St. Saberhagen. Saberhagen is a private school for semi-high class people. One of the best schools in Zootopia. Students wearing dress shirts, ties, sweater vests, and black slacks as part of the uniform. Some of the students that played a sport's team usually can wear their Varsity Jackets. Nick didn't have his jacket on.
As Nick gets his stuff out, two of his friends, Finnick, a fennec fox, and Benjamin, a chubby cheetah, show up.
"Yo, Nicky?" Finnick greeting the fox.
"What's up?" Nick asked.
"There's a party at the park near the cemetery. You in?" Finnick asked.
"I'll think I'll pass. So no." Nick said as he closes his locker.
"Come on, man. You never come to party with us." Benjamin stated.
"Will there be alcohol at this party?" Nick asked.
"Hopefully." Finnick said seeming hopeful.
"In that case, hell no." Nick said firmly. "If I'm even a mile away from the booze and beer, my folks will smell it on me. You know I don't want that."
"Man, you're so preppy." Finnick said feeling bad for Nick.
"We're in a prep school." Nick stated.
"That doesn't mean we need to be like we're in one, 24-7." Finnick stated.
"Yeah. Nick, you're like the most popular fox student in school." Benjamin stated.
"Fox student. It doesn't apply to students of other species." Nick stated.
"I still wish I was you." Finnick stated.
"Me too." Benjamin stated.
"Bro, you get good grades and the ladies love you. At least rubbed that on some of us by coming to this party." Finnick pleaded.
Nick wasn't much someone with a social life. A party with the possibility of alcohol didn't really sit well with him. Then again, after seeing some vixens pass him by, the idea of going to a party didn't seem so bad.
"What time's the party?" Nick asked Finnick smiling a little.
"YES!" Finnick said feeling happy that Nick's coming.
Hours later, it was nighttime and Nick was making his way to the party in the park. He scrolled around his smartphone for a bit as he hears some hip-hop music playing. Nick had on his regulars clothes on. Jeans, a black shirt, and his black varsity jacket on. Also a black cap on his head. As Nick makes it to the party, he sees many mammals his age listening to music, chatting, eating snacks, drinking, and dancing. There was a lot of light posts up, so the party wasn't in the total dark. The party seems good enough, but Nick felt short of... out of place.
Then... someone bumped into him. Annnnnnd spilled their drink on him. The person was a grey bunny girl wearing a blue jean jacket over a white shirt with pink flowers. As well as tan jeans and a beanie over her head and ears.
"Jeez!" The bunny said after she bumped into the fox. "I'm SO sorry! I had a few and I maaaay have started this party too soon."
Nick then bushed some of the liquid off his jacket.
"A few, huh? You don't say?" Nick said as he still tries to brush off the alcohol from his jacket.
"Ohhhhh. Did I ruin your jacket?" The bunny asked looking worried.
"Nah. Don't sweat it." Nick said to the bunny. "I don't really wear it that much, to be honest."
"Still..." The bunny said as she takes off her beanie and uses it to dry off Nick's jacket. "... I at least got to try and dry it off. Cause it does suit you."
Nick was a bit surprised. A bunny trying to dry off his jacket? That was new to him.
"You know, bunnies usually don't get this close to me." Nick said with a smirk.
"Do they usually shout out 'Eek! Don't eat me!' and run off?" The bunny asked while imitating it.
"Naw. Just the second thing." Nick stated.
"Well, I'm not like most bunnies." The bunny said with a smile.
Nick didn't know what it was, but it was something about this bunny. Something he liked.
"You got a name?" Nick asked.
"Judith. But call me Judy." The bunny replied.
The bunny girl was none other than Judy.
"My dad named me after his old truck." Judy stated.
"Seriously?" Nick said trying not to laugh.
"Nope. I'm very serious." Judy stated. "What about you, fox boy?"
"Named after my great uncle on my pop's side." Nick stated.
"And that would beeeeee..." Judy asked waiting to hear his actual name.
"Oh, right. Nicholas. Call me Nick." Nick stated to the bunny.
"Nick, huh? Nice to meet you, Nick." Judy said to the fox with a smile. She then put her beanie back on. "Okay, clearly, this isn't doing a thing. So I'm gonna go grab some paper towels."
"Okay then." Nick said appreciating that.
Judy then left Nick. As she then, Finnick and Ben walked over to Nick. They happen to see what happened.
"Well well..." Finnick said with a smirk. "Look at you go, Wilde. Getting your mac on. I didn't know you were into bunnies."
"I'm not. She just bumped into me and we chatted." Nick said to set the record straight.
"Huh. That's a shame. She seemed cute." Ben stated.
"I don't think you are supposed to call a bunny 'cute'." Nick said to Ben.
"Either way, glad you made it to the party." Ben said with a smile.
"Come on, let's get some drinks." Finnick said leaning his head to the drink table.
"Two minutes in and alcohol is already mentioned." Nick said not sounding surprised.
"They got root beer." Ben stated.
"Oh. That's the beer I actually will drink." Nick said sounding interested.
The three boys walk to the drink table, where a bear around their ages was offering drinks for cash.
"How much?" Nick asked.
"5 bucks a cup?" The bear said.
"Even for soda?!" Nick asked surprised. "Ugh! Fine..."
Nick then dug into his pockets to get his wallet. But as he checks his pockets, both jeans and jacket, he realized that it wasn't on him.
"What's up?" Finnick asked looking concern.
"My wallet's gone." Nick said as he still checks his pockets.
Did he drop it? Or... did someone take it? Nick then had a guess on who. He looked at the guests in the party and then... he spotted her. Judy. It looked like she was doing the same trick on a male rabbit.
"Yo, Carrots?!" Nick shouted at the bunny.
As Judy turned around and noticed Nick spotted her, she then quickly ran off. Clearly, this was a sign that she DID take his wallet and was making a run for it. Seeing this, Nick left his friends and had to chase her.
Judy was very quick. But Nick is captain of the track team and had a strong nose. So catching up to her wouldn't be too hard for him. They both pass some tall trees away from the party. Judy then thinks she could lose Nick by going through the cemetery. Nick still trails her. This whole chasing thing was starting to feel ironic in many ways. A rabbit stealing from a fox? A fox chasing a rabbit?
Judy hopped over some tombstones to get away from Nick more. At this point, Nick knew he couldn't just keep chasing her. So, instead of following her, he went to where she might be going to next. Thinking that she lost Nick, she hid for a bit by a tomb. As she looked out for a second, she soon finds out Nick was behind her. She quickly tried to run away again, but Nick was able to grab her paw.
But... as he finally caught her... something happened. The second their paws touched, they emitted a sort of spark. And that spark made a small boom. A boom that knocked both the fox and the bunny off their feet and fall to the ground. Feeling like the wind was knocked out of both of them, the two slowly wake up. But as they did, something was up with their paws.
As Judy looked at her right paw, her paw was emitting a bright white light in her palm. Which was quite a shock for Judy.
As for Nick, he looked at his right paw and a sort of black mist of shadows surrounded it. This was also a shock to Nick.
Nick and Judy then stare at each other as their paws still emit their power. They didn't know it then, but this was the moment where both of their lives would change... forever.
End of Chapter 2