Alright. Now we are in Chapter 7. Nick and Judy have met each other again and now they are about to have a long talk. This... will actually end more different than the show. In the C & D show, at the end of Tyrone and Tandy's talk... there was an... heated argument. It ended with both of them telling the other to "Go to Hell." So this is gonna be different. Instead of that, it's gonna be a "Let's be superheroes." thing. It's also to move things up a bit. Well, that pretty much covers what's gonna happen in this chapter. Let's get to it.
Light can't find Darkness. But Darkness can find Light.
Still staring at each other, Nick and Judy just stood silently. Judy wasn't expecting to see Nick here in her church safehouse. Nick then broke the silence again.
"If you were still hoping not to see me again, hate to disappoint ya." Nick said before smiling awkwardly.
"How... did you find me?" Judy asked.
"The truth? I had this... dream or vision thing." Nick told her as he scratches the back of his head. "Whatever you want to call it."
"A vision?" Judy asked sounding interested.
"Yeah. From that vision, I saw this abandoned church. My friends and I walked by here earlier. I thought you were connected with this church in some way and... here you are." Nick stated.
"Here I am, indeed." Judy said trying to smile. "Now exactly, how did you get this vision?"
"I took a dip in this weird spiritual bath to center myself. One moment, I'm in my dark and empty house, next I'm on a rooftop with a little you in a ballerina's outfit." Nick said.
"Little me?" Judy thought. Then she had a shocked look on her face. "Wait? Don't tell me..."
"What's with that look?" Nick asked.
"When exactly did you had this vision?" Judy asked very curious.
"Last night." Nick answered.
"Oh... my god." Judy uttered.
"What?" Nick said wanting to know why Judy looked the way she did.
"The other night, I was on a bus. Still feeling a bit concussed other our last encounter. When I woke up, the bus was empty and I was in an old basketball court... with a little you a black hoodie that you were too small for." Judy stated.
Now Nick was the one with the shocked look on his face. It was because this meant that Nick and Judy both had similar dreams... at the same time.
"Holy crap." Nick said in disbelief. "What else happened? Did you also happen to run into current me in this... weird forest?"
"Yes!" Judy answered starting to freak out a bit. "Did you happen to find a door with a little me in front of it?"
"Yes!" Nick answered also starting to freak out. "Did little me tell you to open the door and..."
"... lead you to a stain-glassed window? YES!" Nick and Judy said at the same time. "THE FIGURE ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS YOU?!"
"Cheese and crackers..." Judy said thinking that this was all too bizarre. "What is going on?"
"Don't you see? Ever since we touch that night, somehow, we're connected." Nick said. "That's why all this weird stuff is happening to us. Well, to me anyway. I'm assuming it's the same for you, right?"
"I would be lying if I said things weren't different." Judy said with her arms crossed.
"That's why I here. We've both been in the dark long enough. So, maybe together... we can shed some light on what's been going on." Nick said.
Judy was tired of being in the dark too with everything that's been happening. She then walked up to a table that had a few melted candles on it. She picked up a matchbox and lit a match as she started to light up the candles.
"Well, there's one thing we know for sure. You were right. We have a lot to talk about." Judy said as she lights up the candles. "If any of us try to run off, odds are fate will just bring us back together. So it's best to put everything out in the open right now." Judy then lit the last candle on the table. "The sooner we do that, the sooner we can understand what the hell's been going on."
So it was at that point, Nick and Judy decided to put everything out in the open. They hoped after doing that, they could understand why they were dreaming about each other, why they had their powers, and what is with their connection. Nick sat down on the floor. As he did, Judy decided to look around her food supply to see if she had anything to treat her... guest.
"So... anything I could get you? I... don't really get guest much." Judy stated sounding awkward.
"You wouldn't happen to have blueberries on you?" Nick asked.
"Only dehydrated ones." Judy said as she gets some out. "Last longer than the fresh ones."
"I'll eat blueberries of any form." Nick stated willing to eat them.
Judy then hands over a bag of dehydrated blueberries and Nick didn't waste time opening them and eating a few.
"Mmm. There like raisins, but better." Nick said happily.
"Still not as good as the fresh stuff." Judy stated.
As Nick ate some of the dehydrated blueberries, Judy helped herself to a can of soda. The two of them then had another moment of awkward of silence.
"So... this is... awkward, isn't it?" Judy asked.
"That's the understatement of the year." Nick said before tossing some more blueberries into his mouth. "Where do we start?"
"How about this? We talk a bit about ourselves, the powers we have, how did we get them, and what to do with them." Judy said.
"That seems like a good way to start." Nick said. "Ladies first."
"Ha. Very well." Judy said willing to talk first. "My full name is Judith Laverne Hopps. Daughter of Stuart and Bonnibel Hopps. Favorite color, white." Judy then tugged on her white shirt. "But people see me more as a blue fan. I'm currently 16 years old and about to turn 17. Yes, I'm a high school dropout, yes, I live at this church, and believe it or not, I'm an only child."
"That's quite a bit." Nick said. He was also surprised to hear that Judy was an only child. Most bunnies parents have a BUNCH of kids. "Alright, my full name is Nicholas Piberius Wilde. Son of Johnathan and Francine Wilde. Favorite color, black." Nick then tugged at his black shirt. "But people see me more as a green lover. I'm 17 years old and a student at a prep school called St. Saberhagen. I get straight As, captain of the Track and Field team, star player of the basketball team, and, oh, I sing the lead in the choir sometimes."
"Well doesn't your college application writes itself?" Judy said with a smirk thinking it was amusing that Nick had some much for him.
"Oh, I'm also an only child." Nick said.
That part shocked Judy a bit.
"Only child? Then who was that older fox I saw some that memory?" Judy thought curious who David was from her dream with Nick.
"So, what's your story? What led to you living here in this broken down church?" Nick asked.
"It's... a long story. Do you really want to hear it? There's no happy ending." Judy said to Nick.
"You said it yourself. It's best to put everything out in the open right here and now." Nick stated. "You tell me your story. I'll tell you mine."
"*sigh. Okay." Judy said willing to tell Nick. "First off, I'm not originally from Zootopia. I was born in a small town called Bunnyburrow. Ever heard of it?"
"I have." Nick said. "It's a town about a few hundred miles from here, right? It's known for having a HUGE population of bunnies. Also, it's a town where most rabbits are farmers. But since you living in Zootopia, I guess things must have been different for your family. What did they do?"
"Farming." Judy answered.
"Oh." Nick said a bit surprised to actually hear that.
"At least that was the plan." Judy said.
"What happened? I do remember hearing that some... things went down there. But I never knew if any of it was true." Nick asked.
"Well, I might as well tell you what." Judy said. She then took a sip of her drink before talking about Bunnyburrow. "Let's start by going back to even before we were born. Bunnyburrow was this nice little town where the population was like... 99 percent rabbit. It was also known to be a town of settlers. They never did more than they needed to and most ended up being farmers. Now only that, every rabbit had a big family and most couples would have 2 to 300 kids. Crazy, right?"
"Very." Nick said agreeing with Judy. "How do bunny families manage to have so many kids?"
"That's the thing. They don't." Judy stated. "For a while, things were going well in the town. However, the town's money well started going dry. It was because the town had this law that made it so big families wouldn't have to worry about money. It was like a family of 200 can still get benefits like a family of 2. The mayor thought this was bad and tried to pass this new law. The residents didn't agree with the mayor, so it didn't pass. The first time anyway."
"What happens after that?" Nick asked.
"Take a wild guess. What do you think happens when a town of bunnies that all only want to be farmers and choose to have hundreds of kids, and their kids have hundreds of kids, and their kids have hundreds of kids, and so on and so on?" Judy asked.
Nick thought about it for a second and had a guess that seemed pretty obvious. "Overpopulation."
"Give the fox a gold star." Judy said. "Overpopulation. Us bunnies were so clueless that we didn't realize that having too many of us was a problem. Food stocks that usually last a small family a year, only lasted a few days. The town's income nearly went bankrupt. Which eventually led to panic, riots, eventually, increasing growing population started to decrease... rapidly."
"Damn. All of that really happened?" Nick asked a bit stunned.
"Yep. Us bunnies being bunnies TOTALLY screwed ourselves over." Judy stated. "It was because of that, the law that the mayor tried to pass went through this time. Meaning every family with a height number of children... were already more screwed than ever."
"Man, that's a bumper." Nick said feeling bad about that.
"My parents were just getting married at the time. My dad was trying to get ownership of the family farm. But with my other many uncles and aunts, it was hard to claim that. It also didn't help that half the farms in the whole town went under." Judy stated. "This again, was before I was born."
"So how did you parents ended up having only you?" Nick asked. "Bunnies don't really have a good track of... 'not' multiplying."
"Good one." Judy said smiling a bit. "Well, my mom actually wanted to have a lot of kids. But after the new law passed, that ship sunk. Still wanting at least 1 kid, they took this little pill that was developed by some mammals to help reduce the chances of having a large litter. One pill and boom! That's why I'm their ONLY child."
"Oh. Sorry to hear that." Nick said feeling bad for Judy.
"Why are you sorry? I'm grateful." Judy replied. "Think I wanted to be in a family with 275 brothers and sisters trying to share mommy and daddy? Or having to deal with the problems the other families in Bunnyburrow are having? No thank you. I'm fine with everything and being alone."
"Is that why you live here in this church?" Nick asked curiously why Judy chooses to live in an abandoned church.
"It's one of the many reasons. But let's get back to the story." Judy said. "I only lived in Bunnyburrow til I was 3. So I really don't remember much about it. Except... big green fields. My family moved to Zootopia because the Roxxon company wanted my dad to work with them."
"Roxxon, huh?" Nick said. "My ma actually works with them."
"Look at that. Common ground." Judy said. "My dad was actually very smart for a bunny from the country. He worked at Roxxon's head scientist and engineer. Because of his talents, the company paid our family a VERY healthy sum."
"What's the sum?" Nick asked very curiously.
"Enough to be close to the Bunnyburrow's population." Judy stated with a smirk.
"Holy crap!" Nick shouted out. "Your family's that loaded?! If that's true why do you..." As Nick said that, he looked at Judy's expression changed to a sad one. "There's... a sad part coming up, isn't there?"
"Like I told you, there's no happy ending to this story." Judy stated. "Sure, my family was rich and we got everything we wanted. But then... there came that night."
"That night? You're not referring to... the oil rig explosion?" Nick asked.
Judy nodded. "It was after my ballet class. My dad was late picking me up... again. When he finally came, we drove home in the rainy weather. He then got a call from someone. As he was talking to that person,... the oil rig exploded and... cars went chasing. Some into the water. Including the car that my dad drove."
Nick's heart sunk when he heard that.
"I was fine, but my dad... he..." Judy couldn't even utter the rest. It was too hard for her "That was the worst day of my entire life and it only got worse after that. Since the oil rig was my father's design, Roxxon blamed the incident on him. We lost all everything. Our house, our money, everything. Combine with that and my father's death, my mom... couldn't take it all. She had to be sent to a mental hospital for two whole years. Me, I was put into foster home after foster home. Even after my mother came back after her treatments, she... wasn't the same. All she did was drink, pop pills, and could barely keep a job. You can understand why couldn't live with her anymore. That's why I live here. Everything I have was either something I have stolen from someone else or something that was not taken by Roxxon. That's pretty much my whole story."
Nick's ears drooped down a bit after hearing that story. Judy really had it rough. Rougher than Nick expected her to have. He could also relate to her.
"So Carrots lost her dad the same night I lost David. She lost someone she cared about too." Nick thought.
"Nick? My story's done. Don't you have anything to say?" Judy asked.
"I'm sorry." Nick said looking sad. "I'm sorry that you lost your dad and that Roxxon blamed him for what happened. Now I get why you pickpocket others."
"Alright foxy, what's your story?" Judy asked. "Pretty sure it's not as bad as mine."
"Actually, you'd be surprised how wrong you are." Nick stated as he finished eating the dehydrated blueberries. "My story doesn't have much of a happy ending either."
"Before you tell it, can you shed some light in something?" Judy asked. "In my dream, I saw you with this older fox. I think his name was... David."
Nick froze after hearing that name. Judy could tell something was up with him.
"Who is he?" Judy asked.
"He... was my big brother." Nick answered.
"YOUR BIG BROTHER?!" Judy shouted out.
"Before you freak out more, he's not my REAL big brother. But close enough to be." Nick said.
"Oh." Judy said. She then thought about a word Nick said. "Was?"
"Okay, time to talk." Nick said ready to tell his story. "First off, I'm currently living in Savannah Central. But I wasn't always. I used to live in Downtown Zootopia and I'm not talking about the good part of Downtown. I'm talking about the projects or the ghetto. Hell, I even lived in a neighborhood of mostly foxes. But it wasn't as bad as it sounds."
"It wasn't?" Judy asked.
"No. Actually, all of the foxes got along quite well." Nick said smiling a bit. "My pop was a simple tailor and mom did the usual stay-at-home mom thing. Til she got a corporate job. I was 5 at the time and my folks needed someone to look after me. So, my pop's partner let me meet his son."
"Was that David?" Judy asked.
"You guessed it. David was 7 years older than me. So compared to him, I was just a little kid. But he didn't seem to mind it." Nick stated. "We were very close. So close that people thought that we were actually brothers. Him, the big brother and me as the little brother. No surprise, but like a big brother, he taught me everything I need to know. From being honest, doing what's right, and even giving me some basketball tips." Nick then started to smile and laugh a bit. "I'll tell you, I was only half his height and I could still ball better than him."
"Heehee! I actually believe you." Judy said smiling recalling young Nick saying that in his dream. "David sounds like a really nice guy."
"Yeah... he was." Nick said as his smile faded away.
"You keep saying was. Don't tell me... that he's..." Judy asked looking
Nick slowly nodded his head before answering "Yes." to Judy.
Judy's ears drooped and she started to look very sad for Nick.
"How did he die?" Judy asked.
"Believe it or not, the worst day of my entire life was on the same day as yours." Nick said.
"You're kidding?" Judy asked looking shocked as her ears go up.
"I wish." Nick said. "That night... I did something... very stupid. Some guys jacked David and his boys' car radio. David wanted to do things the legal way but I... had to be a reckless kid. I broke into the car and took back their radio. It was the one criminal act I've ever done."
"Wow. Didn't think a boy like you would have it in you." Judy said.
"I didn't." Nick said firmly. "David knew that too. That's why he tried to let me turn the stereo back. Of course, the cops showed up. The two of us ran to the docks with them on my tails. David told me to hide as he tried to lure out the cops and tell them to go easy on us. Then... the explosion happened and... a wolf... with a scar on his face pulled the trigger."
"Oh no..." Judy said sadly.
"Yeah. As I saw David fall into the water, I dove in hoping that he was still alive. No surprise, he wasn't." Nick stated. "He died because of me. To make matters worse, I lost his hoodie too."
"His... hoodie?" Judy asked a little shaken.
"It was a black hoodie he always likes to wear. He would often leave it at my house and I would put it on. I had it on the night he died. But I lost it in the water. It was the only thing I had of him... and I lost it." Nick said sadly.
Judy's heart cringed as he heard that. Nick didn't know the truth. That SHE was the one who took David's hoodie from when they were kids. But Judy didn't want him to know that. Also, Judy felt insecure and always needed that hoodie to feel better. It still made Judy feel bad for taking it in the first place.
"I'm... sorry to hear that." Judy said to the fox. "What happened afterward?"
"Well... me, David's parents, and my own parents went to report about the police officer that shot David. But the ZPD had no record of him. The bastard had this uncle to cover the whole thing up. What's worst, they had camera footage of me stealing the car stereo. At that moment, my parents stop trusting me and David's parents didn't really talk to our family since. After that, I got angry a lot and got into a few fights. It's kind of the reason my folks moved us to Savannah Central. That's why I'm at a fancy prep school now." Nick stated.
"But... from what you told me, things are good for you, right?" Judy asked. He did seem to have a lot of things going for him.
"Yes, I get good grades. Yes, I'm a star athlete. Heck, I'm even a popular student. But to be honest, I hate it." Nick stated. "I hate having to do all that just to get a good image. Because at the end of the day, I'm still a fox... and everybody judges foxes. I have to work 3 times as hard just so people can see me different. The smart, pro player, confident fox everyone sees is just a front. Deep down, I'm just a scared fox who's mad at himself for making that single mistake."
Judy couldn't help but feel bad for Nick.
"You had it just as bad as I did. I guess in a way, we can relate to each other." Judy said to Nick.
"Seems so." Nick said agreeing with Judy.
The two may have had completely different backgrounds, but they both shared lost and loneliness. Nick and Judy had that in common. A few minutes later, Nick and Judy decided to talk about the dreams they had next. Judy sat on a table while Nick just stood up.
"So now we know we both had weird dreams at the same time, what was your dream about?" Nick asked Judy.
"Well... like I said, I was in an old basketball court with a young you taking shots at the hoops. You were with that older fox, David, making a bet. 5 dollars if you could make a shot. Which you did." Judy said. "Then these two other older foxes came talking about trying to get back a stereo."
"That was from the day before the explosive..." Nick stated.
"So it was a memory." Judy said wanting that to be confirmed. "David said he would stay with you and he gave you the 5 bucks he promised. Then in a flash, I was in this bright forest. There was you, a table, and a bunch of other stuff. Weapons. You first picked up this gun and killed this wolf officer with a scar."
"Most have been the bastard that killed David then." Nick stated.
"After the shot, you held these two $5 bills with blood on it. Also, these two other foxes, I think they were your parents, they died right after you killed the cop." Judy said.
"Wha... what?" Nick said looking stunned.
"Guess it symbolized that if you were to actually kill someone, the thought of it would kill your parents. Maybe not physically, but mentally." Judy stated. "I mean, I don't think your folks want you to kill anyone, right?"
"..." Nick didn't really want to answer. So he just answered another question. "What else happened in the dream?"
"The SWAT team started chasing you. Then the whole thing reset." Judy stated. "You then picked up something else... but... I don't want to talk about what you did." Judy was still horrified by the image of Nick commit suicide from the dream. "The third choice... was the right choice."
"What was that?" Nick asked.
"You picked up cuffs and put them on the cop. You brought him to justice." Judy said.
"That's it?" Nick asked expecting more. "No death for him?"
"It was the right thing to do." Judy said.
Nick wasn't too sure about that. He still believes the wolf cop deserve to die even if he wasn't the one to pull the trigger. Yet, if his parents ever found out, it might really destroy them. His parents' trust in Nick was already low enough. The last thing they would want to here is that their son is a killer.
"Alright, how about telling me about your dream?" Judy asked.
"My dream? Oh, right." Nick said. "You said your pop used to work for Roxxon, right?"
"I did." Judy said nodding.
"Like I said before, I was on the roof of one of their buildings with little you in a ballerina outfit. You were dancing with boldness and quite a bit of determination. You even fell and still kept going." Nick said. "Then when you were about to get shocked, I shielded little you. Then, I'm in this dark forest with you and these guys in suits. One of them was tied into a chair. I think it was your pops."
"My pops? What did he look like?" Judy asked.
"Golden brown fur. Slightly tubby." Nick said.
"That sounds like him, alright." Judy said knowing that the description was enough to fit her dad. "What else?"
"The Roxxon guys... they were... torturing him. Killing him. It was hard to watch." Nick said still feeling haunted by the images.
"Where was I during this?" Judy asked.
"You kept running away." Nick stated.
"That sounds like me, alright." Judy said admitting she's the type to run away.
"Then you didn't." Nick said. "You fought back. You saved him."
"That's... impossible." Judy stated. "My dad died on the night of the explosion."
"Maybe it's what your heart wanted." Nick stated. "I don't know. I still don't understand what any of this means?"
"That makes two of us." Judy said agreeing with Nick.
A few minutes later, Nick and Judy then sat on one of the old benches inside the church. They now wanted to discuss their powers.
"One of the things I can do is see other people's fears. Their nightmares. Their darkest memories." Nick stated.
"Interesting. So you can see the scary things in people's head." Judy said.
"Yeah. But I don't really like it. It first happened with my mom and pop. I saw some disturbing things involving my mom worrying that I would get killed or my pop worrying that I would get locked up." Nick said.
"Frightful." Judy said feeling bad that Nick had to see that. "Anyone else?"
"The cop that killed David. That's how I found out he covered up his crime." Nick stated. "A side-effect to my power is that it causes the other person to get... woozy. Drained."
"Interesting. Ever used it on intentionally?" Judy asked.
"No. Well, except this one guy at my school." Nick admitted. "Turns out, not only can I see nightmares, I can also induce them."
Nick decided to tell Judy what happened one day at his school. As he was getting stuff from his locker, he saw an otter boy getting bullied by a brute male hippo. Nick, wasn't one who wasn't a fan of bullying. So, he decided to intervene.
"Yo!" Nick shouted out at the hippo. "How about backing off?"
"Well if it isn't 'No-Hit' Nick?" The hippo said with a grin.
Nick was given the nickname, No-Hit Nick, after nothing hitting the sheep from the last basketball game. It's basically saying that he's too afraid to fight.
"Bullying and name-calling. What are you? An elementary schooler?" Nick asked making a smart remark.
"How about you just back away before you get hurt, little fox." The hippo said stating that he was much bigger than Nick.
"As if I'm scared of you." Nick said holding his ground.
The hippo then smacked Nick down to the ground. This got the attention of every student in the hall. As the hippo grin and laugh, Nick got really agreeing. He did his best to control himself and not hit back. But then... he remembers something. He didn't have to hit physically. He just needed to hit him mentally. That's when he decided to actually use his powers on purpose. He grabbed the hippo's arm and everything when black.
Nick was now in the same black forest from before. Also in the forest was the hippo. This was a bit different from the usual times. Instead of a dark memory or fear, it was... different.
"This feels... new." Nick said to himself.
Nick looked at the hippo as he stood in fear of something inside the forest. He feels strong footsteps coming from the ground. Then, out from the forest came out what looked like a giant feral fox. It was almost as tall as a tree, had yellow eyes, and was black like shadows. The fox slowly walked out and then let out a mighty roar. It shook the hippo to his core.
"Aaahh... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The hippo shouted out before running for it.
The hippo quickly ran away from the giant shadow fox that was now chasing him. Nick was just a spectator, so he just watched him run. The hippo then ran to a big white door. Hoping to use it to escape. Nick was familiar with the door. It was like the door from last time.
"I see. So, one can exit the nightmare if they escape through this door." Nick thought.
As the hippo makes it to the door and tries to open it. Nick puts his paw on the door and keeps it closed with a shadow mist that covered the door.
"Nope." Nick said not letting him escape just yet.
"Come on! Come on!" The hippo said frantically as he tried to open the door as the giant fox was closing in.
"Not yet..." Nick said still holding the door.
The hippo then tried more and more to open the door. But Nick's shadows had a strong hold.
"Not yet..." Nick said still wanting the hippo to have more fear.
The shadow fox then came slowly closer and closer to attacking the hippo. The hippo now looked scared for his life. It didn't really seem to faze Nick in any way. Then, as the shadow fox pounces, Nick decided that he kept things on long enough.
"Now." Nick said letting go of the door.
As he did, the whole scene faded into black and they were back in reality. While the hippo had no memory of what happened, the fear was still there. It caused him not only to feel the side-effects of Nick's power but to have a horrid look on his face. He then was down on his knees as Nick gave him a serious glare.
"Apology and never do this ever again." Nick said firmly as he stood up.
"*huff* *huff* Okay." The hippo said still scared out of his mind. He then turned to the otter. "S... sorry."
The hippo quickly ran as soon as he could stand back up. Everyone was shocked to see a hippo ran away from a fox who was several times smaller. Everyone then started talking.
"Holy crap! Did you see that?"
"One second, the guy is all tough. The next he's running like a coward."
"That was awesome!"
"'No-Hit' Nick? More like 'No-Need-To-Hit' Nick."
The other students were impressed that Nick was able to scare off that hippo and the otter that was bullied by him thank Nick. People asked how he was able to scare him off and Nick just said something about intimidation. He didn't want ANYONE to know about his powers.
Back at the church, Judy was impressed with Nick.
"Damn! That's pretty badass. I REALLY didn't think you had it in you." Judy said.
"Neither did I. But it was the only way that guy would back off." Nick stated. "I'm still figuring it out. But I do know all I need to do..."
"... is touch someone?" Judy asked.
"How did you..." Nick asked.
"I can do it too." Judy answered. "I found out about it from when my mom touched me."
"You can see people's fears too?" Nick asked.
"No. Not their fears. The opposite really. I can see their hopes. Their dreams." Judy stated.
"I see." Nick said. "Did you ever used it on anyone else?"
"No. Only my mom. I was... at the ballet with a young me. My mom was so hopeful, happy, and my... dad was there too. It was... emotional for me to see him again." Judy said to Nick.
"I can understand why." Nick stated.
"*sigh* If he was still alive now, I wonder what he would think of me now?" Judy said sadly.
There was a time that Judy was good and pure. She not really like that anymore. Nick could tell Judy never really wanted to be a thief or live in an abandoned church. Life just led her to it. Kinda like him. Nick never wanted to be in a prep school. It's just what life gave him. Next thing Nick and Judy talked about was their main powers. Nick's teleportation and Judy's daggers. Nick was pacing from left to right as Judy sat on the bench.
"I don't really know how it works and it doesn't really seem like I have control over it. One day, I'm in my room, the next, I'm on top of the Roxxon building... or a trunk filled with cocaine... or..." Nick said.
"... in front of my car in the middle of the road." Judy said finishing Nick's sentence. "It sounds like it always leads you where you need to be. Like that cop."
"Or to you." Nick said as he looked at Judy. He then sat back on the bench with Judy. "It takes me to you."
Judy didn't know whether to be creeped out or flattered by Nick's words.
"So it basically guides you." Judy stated.
"More importantly, it protects me. Sort of like it's looking out for me. Like a..." Nick wanted to say more, but it feels like he couldn't say the right words. So instead, he talked about something else. "So, when I encountered that cop, I took up his gun and was about to shoot him. But then... my power just took me away and led me to you."
"That explains you having the gun." Judy stated. "When you met me, I was trying to leave town. But after crashing and getting concussed, I had to stay. Did it, like... KNEW I was planning to leave town and took you my way to prevent that and to prevent you from killing someone?"
"Beats me." Nick said shrugging. "So what about you and your ummm..." Nick then held out his paw as if he was holding a dagger like Judy has. He already knew that was her ability from the dream.
"Ha. I don't know." Judy replied. "When ish hits the fan or I feel scared, panic, or hitting a tree, I get all hot and weaponized. Next thing I know, a dagger of pure light appears in my paws. It was beautiful and all... but not when I first used it."
"How so?" Nick asked.
"Remember when I told you I tried to ditch town? The reason for that was because... I thought I killed someone." Judy stated.
"Woah. For real?" Nick asked looking a bit stunned.
"Let me explain. This guy, Nolan, who I stole a wallet from, found me and tried to... 'have his way' with me. Scared out my mind, the dagger appeared and stabbed him on his left side. I panicked cause I thought I killed someone and if I didn't, he would report me and I would be locked up." Judy stated. "Lucky for me, the jerk's actually still alive AND the officer on the case still let me go."
"That is lucky. Most cops are all about results and don't care who they arrest." Nick stated.
"Officer Fangmeyer was different. She was... actually one of the first people I had ever trusted." Judy stated.
"Hmm. One thing I got to ask. How exactly did we get our powers?" Nick asked Judy.
"I'm not sure. It couldn't be just because we touched each other, right?" Judy asked.
"I don't think so." Nick stated. "It was sort of more like our powers was... activated. But I'm pretty sure we were not born with these powers."
Nick and Judy then thought about what could have caused them to gain new abilities. Then they remembered. There was one connect that the two of them had before the night of the party.
"Wait? The night of the explosion." Nick said. "When I was in the water, I was knocked out by this... wave of energy. Did something like that happened to you?"
"Now that you mention, when I was in the sinking car, I remember being knocked out by a wave too." Judy stated. "Are you saying..."
"The oil rig from Roxxon did this to us. It must have released some weird energy that went into us. That's why we have these power." Nick said feeling that his answer was right.
"That makes a lot of sense." Judy said agreeing with Nick.
"Well, there is one more thing I have to ask. Other than the dagger and teleportation thing, it also seems like our powers have a certain attribute. Your power is light-based while mine is dark-based. But why? You're not exactly Miss 'Goody-Two Feet' and not really a 'conniving' fox."
"Maybe it's not because of who we are not, but who we were back then." Judy said. "When I was a kid, I was all pretty good. Didn't get into trouble, always told the truth, and did well in school."
"Hey! I was a pretty good kid too. In fact, the only bad thing I ever really did was... steal the car stereo." Nick said as he realizes. "Which was also on the same night."
"Guess you only needed the one bad action." Judy said.
"Well, now I feel that we totally got the wrong powers." Nick stated. "If I had a dagger of light, the cop would be dead and buried."
"If I could travel anywhere, I'd travel anywhere but here." Judy stated.
"Maybe that's why we got what we got." Nick said.
"Or why we didn't get what we didn't get." Judy said.
The two were right. If Nick didn't have Judy's powers, the cop that killed David would be dead. If Judy had Nick's powers, she would leave the city and go anywhere else she wanted. A sad realization, but a good one. Judy then started thinking about the night of the party and had a stunned look on her face as she gets up from the bench.
"What?" Nick asked if something was up with Judy.
"This all started on the night we touched in the graveyard, right?" Judy asked.
"Yeah." Nick answered.
"So... what happens if we touch again?" Judy asked.
The last time Nick and Judy touched, a small explosion happened. That nearly knocked them out. As well as giving them their powers in the first place.
"How about we test our limits?" Judy asked. Nick then stood up from the bench and walked up to Judy. "From what I know, getting close to certain people is dangerous. But with you, I right in a completely different way. When we touch, things go boom." Judy then started to circle around Nick. "So the question is... how close can we get without triggering our crazy?"
"How are we gonna do that?" Nick asked the little bunny.
"I have something in mind." Judy said. "One second."
Judy dashed to someone to pick up a wooden crate. She then walked back to Nick and place the crate in front of Nick. She used the crate as elevation to better leveled with Nick's eyes.
"I needed to get this. You're pretty tall." Judy said.
"I'm average for a fox. You're just short cause you're a bunny." Nick stated. "Now, how are we gonna put our powers to the test?"
"First, close your eyes." Judy said.
Nick felt weird and had to ask something.
"Are you gonna try to make out with me?" Nick asked with a smirk. "I mean, I'm not gonna say no. But I want a heads up first."
"You're cute for fox standards, but get off your high chair." Judy said with a smirk on as well.
"Technically, you're the one who needed a boost." Nick stated still smirking.
"Just... close your eyes, please?" Judy said.
"Only cause you said please." Nick said before closing his eyes. "Now what?"
"Don't move. Just slowly move your paw up... and no cheating." Judy said as closes her eyes.
As Judy slowly moves her left paw up to Nick's face, it started to emit its bright light. As Nick slowly moved his left paw to Judy's right paw, his black mist of shadows started to surround it. Their paws get closer and closer. As their paws touched for a split second, what happened before, happened again. A big explosion of their powers again. Pushing before Nick and Judy to opposite ends of the Church. They were both still able to keep their footing as they touched the wall, but they were still caught off guard by that explosion... and out of breath.
"*huff* *huff* That was..." Nick said.
"WHAT?" Judy shouted out from the other end of the church, not hearing Nick.
"THAT WAS..." Nick shouted out before talking at a normal tone again. "... nice. At first."
Clearly, it was dangerous for Nick and Judy to get too close to each other. Cause whenever they did, an explosion of power happened. Can't really keep letting that happen. So Judy and Nick made sure to keep their distance. Sitting on the floor, Nick and Judy just tried to have a nice conversation.
"You know, you seem like a nice guy. You're clearly honest, smart, and strong. But I do feel like you're too honest." Judy stated to Nick with a smile.
"Is there such a thing?" Nick asked
"It is. But... it works for you." Judy said.
"Hmm." Nick said starting to smile. Nick then started looking around the church. It may be worn down, but it actually seemed to have a certain charm. "I don't think you live here by accident or coincidence."
"What do you mean?" Judy asked.
"You live in a church because you believe in hope. And you should cause you're smart and you know how to live in this world." Nick stated. "It's not nothing and it's not irony. Somewhere, even you still have hope."
Judy felt that she had lost any hope she had. But Nick is the first to ever say that she should still be hopeful. She couldn't help but laugh a bit as she covered her face with her paws.
"What are we gonna do, Nicholas Wilde?" Judy asked.
"Ha. I don't know, Judith Hopps. The universe keeps putting the two of us together." Nick stated.
"The universe keeps pulling the two of us apart." Judy stated still smiling. "But... it nice to finally have someone to talk to."
Nick and Judy haven't really had many friends to relate to. So when the two of them gave each other company and connected, it was nice. It was like the both had something who understands what they been through. As time passes on more, Nick was feeling thirsty and had one of Judy's bottles of carrot juice. He immediately spat it out not liking the taste.
"BLEEEEHHH! How can you bunnies even drink this stuff?" Nick asked hating the taste.
"Haha! Sometimes, I wonder that myself." Judy admitted. She then takes the bottle from Nick and drinks it herself.
"And yet you are still drinking it." Nick stated as Judy drinks the juice.
Judy just laughed before saying "I'm a bunny. What are you gonna do?".
The two then laughed a bit more still enjoying each others company. But even so, they still had to talk about the bad stuff.
"It's called survivor's guilt. What we have." Nick stated about them living while their loved ones died.
"Do you have guilt? You know after David died?" Judy asked.
"Only everyday." Nick said looking guilty. "He would have never died if it wasn't for me."
"So... you feel that you are still atoning? Is that why you do so much at school? The good grades, the sports, choir?"
Nick took a deep breath before answering.
"I feel like... I need to be perfect. To do everything perfectly. Just to make up for David." Nick said looking sad. "Cause if I don't, then his death was for nothing."
"For me, it's the other way." Judy said looking sad as well.
"The other way?" Nick asked confused by what Judy means.
"Did you know what they say about bunnies and their true love? If one dies, the other dies along with them. That's how my mom felt. The only reason she didn't die was that I was still alive." Judy stated with droopy ears. "The only reason I'm alive is that you were there that night. I'm thankful that you saved me, Nick. But sometimes... I wish I was the one that died that night."
"What?" Nick said stunned to hear that.
"Look at me, Nick. My dad was worth more than me. I'm... I'm just this thief of a bunny." Judy admitted feeling guilty.
Nick was very sad for Judy. He would be lying if he didn't feel the same way. He then got a little closer to Judy and then wrapped his tail around Judy in attempt to comfort her. It seemed like his tail could touch Judy. He just needed to keep his distance.
The two talked more and more as the wax in the candles started to melt. The night had passed quite a bit. Nick and Judy both laid on the floor by each other (in a style similar to The Fault in our Stars). Not too close to each other cause they didn't want the whole 'boom' thing to happen again.
"So Carrots, another quick question. Do you have a boyfriend?" Nick asked curiously.
"My dear fox, I do declare you might be asking me out." Judy said in a southern belle accent and a grin.
"Haha. No, I not." Nick said smiling a bit. "I'm just curious."
"I've dated, yes. But most of the time, it doesn't work out. Most guy rabbits are too dull." Judy stated. "Also, when they find out you're not exactly a 'good' girl, they tend to dump you." Judy then stood up a bit to look at Nick better. "How about you? Mr. Good-At-Everything must have a few vixens, right?"
"Haha. You would think." Nick said finding it funny. "It's true. I get straight As, pro-basketball player, captain of Track and Field, and a pretty damn good singing voice. Girls should be no problem for me. Except when you put yourself up so high, girls don't think they could meet up to your standards."
"Sounds like we both suck at relationships." Judy said thinking this was funny.
"Chalk up another thing we can relate to." Nick said grinning.
"But seriously, Nick Wilde, what are we gonna do? With our powers? This connection between us?" Judy asked.
"Well Judy Hopps, one thing comes to mind. What do most teenagers granted with superpowers do with them?" Nick asked.
"Wait?" Judy went as she stood up more. "You're not gonna say what I think you're gonna say, are you?"
"Whether these powers are a blessing or a curse, I think we can use them for good." Nick said boldly.
"Are you really suggesting that we dress up in costumes and become superheroes?" Judy asked.
"Why not?" Nick asked feeling that they should do it. He then got up on his feet. "Let's set this city right. Let's fight for the justice for this city. Let's fight for anyone who had it just as crappy as we did."
"You're seriously all for this?" Judy asked. "Sorry. But I only fight for myself. Go fight for 'justice' yourself."
"Come on, Judy. You can't tell me you feel that well." Nick said knowing Judy doesn't mean it.
Judy took a few steps away from Nick. Judy then held her arm.
"Look, Nick. You're a good person. But for me, I'm not. I lie and I steal. I'm not worthy of these powers or deserve to be some comic book hero." Judy told Nick looking sad. "Go play hero yourself."
Nick didn't know Judy for that long but knew this. They were connected and bounded by fate. They may not be a coincidence that they have these powers. So Nick asked Judy one more thing.
"How did you help me?" Nick asked.
"What?" Judy asked as she turned back to Nick.
"Your dream? What did you do to help me do the right thing?" Nick asked. "In my dream, to make you stop running from your problems, I kept you from running with my shadows. You then stepped up and freed your dad using your dagger. If my dream was like yours, what did you do?"
Judy was silent and didn't know what to say.
"What did you do to help me do the right thing?" Nick asked again.
"I... place my dagger on the table. It turned into cuffs... and you put them on the cop." Judy admitted.
"Don't you see, Judy? We couldn't solve our problems by ourselves. But together, together we could." Nick stated as he walked closer to Nick. "Come on. Can you tell me you don't want to get justice for your dad? Justice for yourself? If you want to use me for it, then fine. But don't lie and say that you want that."
"Nick..." Judy said looking at the fox.
"Let's work together and get the justice we need. The justice that everyone needs. We can help make this city better." Nick said boldly. "At least that's what I feel we should do. If not, then you can just tell me no. So, what's your answer?"
Nick seems pretty gun-ho about being heroes. Judy wasn't sure why. But she said to herself she was no hero. But then... she started thinking back to the day when the members of Roxxon took everything from her and her mom when she was little. It always bugged her.
"Roxxon took everything from my mom and I. Our home, our money, my dad's research, his good name..." Judy stated.
"Then maybe it's time you steal some of it back." Nick said boldly. "So, I'll ask again. What's your answer?"
What was Judy's answer? It was very clear to her. Maybe this was what she needs to do to change herself and go back to being the person she was. Maybe she could finally get the justice she wanted.
"What the hell?" Judy said with a smile and shrugging. "Let's be superheroes."
"Heh. I knew you would say it." Nick said with a smirk. "Alright, then it's settled."
"Hold it. We'll be partners, but only to get back at the assholes who screwed us over. With maybe one or two things on the sides. After that, that's it." Judy said not wanting this to be a forever thing.
"Heh. Fine by me. But I wouldn't be surprised if you changed your mind." Nick said with a sly grin. "First things first. Like you said before, we need to test our limits. To train ourselves." Nick looked at his paws as shadows started to form around it. "Who knows what other powers we are capable of?"
Judy then looked at her paws as her light emitted in both of them.
"You're right. We need to find out what else we can do. As well as get control of them." Judy said. "We should find out own ways to train ourselves."
"Right. It might take a while. But better than just going out wildly with no idea how to use our abilities." Nick said. He then got out his smartphone. "Til then, let's keep in touch."
"Alright." Judy said getting out her smartphone as well.
The two then shared each other's contact. Now they could call each other whenever they needed to.
"Done." Nick and Judy said before giving each other their phones back.
"Alright. It's REALLY late and I kinda snuck out of my room to get here. So, I'll see you when I see you, Judy." Nick said.
"You know where I am. If not, then I'm sure that power of yours will find me for you." Judy said with a smirk.
"Ha. You're probably right." Nick said grinning. "Well, see ya, partner."
Nick said his goodbye and then made his way out of the church. Judy still felt unsure about this. Yet, Nick is the first person to believe in her after so long. The least she could do is help him out. That's and to get justice for her father.
After that day, Nick and Judy spend the next couple of days training themselves. Nick would usually train by doing a bunch of push-ups and running the track a few times. Judy's way of training is doing her ballet dances like she was a kid to help her get limber. However, she hadn't danced in years. Her skills were sloppy. Nick was no better. He would push himself too far and get really drained working out too hard. But to master his abilities, he believed it was worth it. Judy knew if she wanted to be limber again, she would need some help.
One day late in the afternoon, Judy went to the one place that could help her. The old ballet school that she used to go to. She felt very nervous but still went inside.
Judy's former teacher, a female antelope by the name of Abella Lotey. She was in the dance hall on a chair doing some paperwork.
"Hello?" Judy shouted out before entering.
"Classes are done for the day. Anything you need, you can tell me tomorrow." Abella shouted out.
Even with that, Judy still came into the room. As she did, her old teacher looked at her with surprise.
"Hey, Ms. Lotey." Judy said nervously.
"Judith." Abella uttered. "I haven't seen you since..."
"Yeah..." Judy said implying that she hasn't been here since the night of the storm. "I know it's been a long time and... I don't really have much money these days. But... I'm really out of practice. So would you... consider some refresher courses?"
Abella then put her paperwork on the floor and stood out of her chair.
"Croise then Ecarte." Abella said.
"What?" Judy said.
"Croise then ecarte. Add a plie to that as well." Abella said telling Judy to do the ballet positions.
Judy did what her former ballet teacher suggested. First, she stood up straight. She then did a croise by crossing her legs, putting her left arm up, and her right arm out in an angle. Now she did ecarte by which was similar to the other pose but different. Lastly, she plie. Judy felt that she did every move right.
"You angle was off in all of them. You really are out of practice. Rusty, even." Abella said sounding firm.
"Sorry." Judy said feeling bad since she used to be so good at one point.
"Looks like we have a lot of work to do." Abella said smiling.
Judy's ears then went up. She was a bit surprised that Abella was willing to teach her again.
"As for money, you should know, your father had already paid for a month's worth of lesson." Abella said.
"He did?" Judy asked a bit surprised.
"Yes. But you never showed up for our lessons. Better late than never. Wouldn't you agree, Judith?" Abella said.
"Yes, I do." Judy said smiling and nodding.
"Now, try it again. With more vigor." Abella said to Judy.
"Yes, ma'am." Judy said looking determined.
End of Chapter 7.