4/13 Morning.
10 o'clock finally rolled around and Judy got a text from Skye asking to meet at a nearby coffee cafe.
Judy took a seat at a table sipping from a cup of coffee she ordered. She didn't care if it was improper to order before a guest arrived, she needed the caffeine.
The bell above the cafe door rang as it opened and inside walked Skye and Savage, dressed in regular clothes.
"Morning." Skye greeted as she approached Judy's table.
"How are you?" Judy asked.
"I've been better." Skye looked at the ground for a second. "All that stuff that happened yesterday. Sorry you had to see me like that."
"It's not your fault that happened." Judy said. "Besides, now you have your fursona, we have a leg up on those black suits!"
"Speaking of black suits. The one we took in yesterday, She's dead." Savage bluntly said.
"What? How?" Judy almost yelled.
"We don't know. She was moved to a black site for further interrogation and was found in her cell with a gunshot wound to the head." Savage spared no details.
"That means..." Judy trailed off.
"We lost our only lead." Savage finished Judy's sentence.
"How did he get in to begin with?" Skye thought out loud.
"Either the app had something to do with it, or someone in the ZIA is in with the black suits." Savage looked down at the table, dejectedly.
"Did you get anything from the prisoner at least?" Judy asked.
"Only a conformation of something we feared. That this operation is citywide and there's more of them throughout the other districts." Savage explained.
"So our only option is to wait for another mammal to go savage and intercept whoever caused it." Skye said.
"Seems that way." Savage checked the app on his phone, there were green dots in all districts except for the central district where they were now.
"Guess we took down the central districts operations. Not a green dot in sight." Savage scrolled through the map.
"What does that mean?" Judy questioned.
"It means if we want to tackle more cases, we'll have to move districts." Savage put his phone back on his pocket.
"We can't be in every district at once." Judy put her head down. "That means some mammals will just have to go savage and we can't stop them."
"Unfortunately." Savage regrettably agreed. "But we still barely understand the other side. Perhaps theres a way to undo a shadows savagery."
"Maybe Pem can tell us more, he seems to know that world pretty well." Judy theorized.
"Maybe. But until then, i want coffee." Skye said as she stood from her chair. "Savage?"
"I'm fine right now, thanks." Savage declined.
Skye went up to the counter to order, leaving Judy and Savage alone together.
"I never apologized for the other day." Savage said.
"Huh? apologize for what?" Judy questioned.
"Dragging you into the investigation, into that other world. You almost went savage because of me." Savage looked down in shame. "I could've jeporadized the entire case if you had got injured, or worse."
."You were just doing your job." Judy assured Jack. "Besides, i came here to make the world a better place and you gave me the means to do so."
"I respect your optimism. Reminds me of myself when I first joined the ZIA." Savage said with a slight smile. "Making the world a better place, helping others. Looks like we have similar goals, let's do our best to achieve them."
"Me and Savage have an understanding." Judy thought to herself. Igors voice then rang in her head.
i am thou, thou art i. Thou hast established a new bond.
It shall be the winds of fate that tame the heart of a feral city.
On this day the Emporer arcana is born and shall be a guiding force on thy journey!
"I look forward to continuing our investigation, Judy." Savage said.
"Thanks, Savage." Judy Folded her hands on the table in front of her.
"Jack." Savage corrected. "Jack Savage."
Skye returned with two coffee cups in her hands. "I'm back!"
"You're drinking two cups of coffee?" Jack asked.
"No, the other is for you." Skye set a coffee cup down in front of Jack. "There was a deal where you get the other half off if you buy a large coffee."
Jack took the cup, he never was a huge coffee fan, but he needed some sort of boost for the day ahead. "Thanks, Winters."
Skye already had her coffee cup to her mouth and just gave Jack a thumbs up. She set the cup down and swallowed the mouthful of coffee. "So enough with the doom and gloom, lets just talk like normal mammals having a normal day."
Judy, Skye and Jack sat around the table exchanging small talk when Judy and Savage's ears picked up a conversation behind them.
"Look at those rabbits with that fox." A male voice said. "Haven't they seen the news? That fox could be the next savage and rip them apart."
"Shut up." Another voice scolded. "They'll hear you, dumbass."
Jack and Judy looked at one another but decided to shrug it off. "If only they knew." Judy joked, getting a small laugh from Savage.
After everyone finished their drinks they all got up and left the cafe.
"Keep an eye on the app, second you see a green dot turn orange text me, or Skye." Jack told Judy before the three went their seperate ways for now.
Judy looked up and down the street wondering what she was gonna do next, when a familiar face got her attention. The Fox, Nick stood behind a table with a white cloth over it, on top was a display of red popsicles in the shape of a paw. He held one of the popsicles in his paw and waved it back and forth, enticing potential customers.
Judy crossed the street to where Nick was standing. As she approached Nick he looked over at her with eyes wide open. "You again?" He said as he placed the popsicle he was holding on the table next to him.
"Are you alright?" Judy asked.
"Oh no, im fine, really." Nick said sarcastically. "Going to some strange dimension and watching another fox go savage and summon a demon really spices up one's life!"
"I'm sorry that happened." Judy apologized. "You weren't supposed to see that world."
"Well, sorry won't pay my therapy bills." Nick crossed his arms.
"Why do you think those mammals were after you?" Judy asked.
"Who knows. Prey in this town are so jumpy they'd put a bullet in you if you reached out to hug them." Nick leaned back against the wall behind him.
Judy ignored Nick's comment and grabbed one of the popsicles off the table. "How much?" She waved the popsicle similar to how Nick did.
Nick sighed. "It's two dollars, and no i don't take cards."
Judy put the money on the table and walked away with her frozen treat in hand.
"Bunnies." Nick shook his head as he watched Judy walk away down the street.
4/13 Noon
Judy walked into her apartment, popsicle stick hanging out of her mouth. She threw the red stained stick in the garbage and sat down on the edge of her bed and checked the app.
Just as Jack said the central district had no green dots, no targets, at least for the moment. Tundratown, Sahara and The Rainforest district, however, were littered with green dots and even a few orange dots.
"Sweet cheese and crackers." Judy whispered under her breath.
She watched as one of the dots in the Rainforest district turn from green, to orange. A new mammal had just went savage. Judy gripped the phone in anger and frustration. She came here to make the world a better place and seeing an innocent mammal turn sparked a rage in her. She opened up the messenger app.
"Mammal in the rainforest district just turned." Judy texted Jack.
"We know, meet us at the train station after you grab Pem." Jack said.
Judy immediately opened up the app and clicked on the orange dot. She ended up on the other side within the blink of an eye. As soon as she appeared she made a beeline for Pem's cave.
"Pem!" Judy ran into the cave, startling the poor Fennic.
Pem leapt in the air and landed on his feet. "Aug-" He stopped as he saw it was Judy. "Oh, Judy, Hi!" He said in an upbeat, happy voice.
"Another mammal just went savage!" Judy quickly said.
"He did, where?" Pem asked.
Judy checked the map on her phone. "The rainforest district!"
"That's so far away!" Pem was taken aback. "How are we going to get there?"
"Train." Judy answered simply.
"That would mean I'd have to..." Pem trailed off.
"Have to what?" Judy asked.
"Nothing, just been awhile since I've been on a train is all." Pem admitted. "Ill be fine though, this is important!" Pem said, fired up.
Judy opened her phone and traveled back to the real world with Pem in tow. They arrived in a familiar street corner, luckily the crowd of mammals on the street didnt notice them appearing out of thin air.
Pem breathed heavily as he saw the massive crowd of mammals. "Home sweet home." He said, trying to hide his anxiety.
"Are you ok?" Judy bent down to Pem.
"Just nervous is all." Pem's heavy breathing became more evident.
Judy looked at the crowd of mammals and put two and two together. "Are you scared of the crowd?"
Pem nodded silently.
"Oh, come here." Judy got down on one knee and urged pem to climb on her back.
Pem climbed up on Judy's back. Judy groaned as Pem was heavier than she anticipated.
"Sorry, i'm heavy." Pem said.
"I'll be ok." Judy assured him. "It's not too far."
Judy pulled out her phone and checked her GPS app. The train station wasn't too far away, ETA 15 minutes by foot.
Judy walked down the streets with Pem on her back. Pem's breathing calmed a bit as he dug his face into Judy's shoulder. "Thank you." Pem said softly.
"It's no trouble." Judy said as she patted Pem's head with her paw.
"I feel a bit closer to Pem." Judy thought to herself.
4/13 Noon, Train station.
Jack and Skye sat at on bench in the crowded train station. They barely said a word to one another and just scanned the crowd for Judy and Pem.
"If that mammal is savage whoever did it is probably long gone." Skye finally spoke up.
"Probably, But the sheer number of targets in the rainforest district means more leads to follow." Savage responded, not taking his eyes off the crowd of mammals. His phone dinged as a text message came through.
"I'm here, where are you?" Judy texted.
"Benches, near the center of the station." Jack responded.
After a few minutes of searching, Judy finally found the duo at the benches. Jack and Skye stood up to greet Judy.
"Judy." Savage greeted. "I see you have luggage already." He gestured towards the Fennic riding on Judy's back.
"Awww." Skye cooed. "He looks kinda cute, like a little baby." She patted Pem's head, getting a small reaction from the Fennec.
"Hey, good to see you guys too." His voice was still a bit shaky from nerves.
"Is he ok?" Skye asked.
"He just doesn't like crowds." Judy answered for him.
Skye Awwed once more. A smile forming on her face.
"I'm sorry, I'll be better when we're on the other side again." Pem didn't take his face from Judy's shoulder.
Judy shifted uncomfortably as Pem's weight was starting to take a toll. "Sorry, Pem, but I don't think i can carry you anymore."
"Ill take him." Skye offered as she picked Pem up from Judy's shoulder, under his arms. Pem squirmed a bit at her grasp.
"Please, i hate being carried like this." Pem said.
"Sorry." Skye said as she cradled him like a kit. "Better?"
It was sort of humiliating, but it was better than having to face the crowd of mammals head on. "Yeah, this is ok." Pem said, then shut his eyes.
"Don't you go to sleep on me now." Skye playfully warned.
"Anyway, we have the tickets to the rainforest district right here." Jack produced four tickets from his pocket. "Here's yours."
Judy took the ticket as the group headed towards their train. They boarded and found a secluded seat near the rear.
As they sat down, Skye set Pem down in her lap. She stroked Pem's head a few times.
"What are you doing?" Pem asked in annoyance.
Skye pulled away and rested her paw down to her side. "Sorry." Skye said. "You're just kinda adorable."
Pem jumped off Skye's lap and sat down between Judy and Savage. "I know I'm little, but im not a kit."
Skye put her head down in guilt. "Im sorry." She said.
4/13 Afternoon, Rainforest District.
The humidity was the first thing Judy felt as she walked off the train and into the station. It felt as if one deep breath and her lungs would fill with enough fluid to drown her.
"Whew." She sighed. "I knew it would be humid, but not this humid."
"I've always hated this district." Skye said as she tugged on her shirt. "Humidity makes my fur feel like a thousand pounds."
Jack pulled out his phone and checked the app, the orange dot was no longer where it was earlier, it had moved deeper into the district, to a hospital where he was most likely locked up for others safety. "Lets find someplace secluded, then we can safely travel to the other side." Jack instructed.
The group found an area near the staircase where there was less concentration of mammals who could see them vanish from the world. Jack tapped on the orange dot on the map and in the blink of an eye, they were in the other side.
"Finally!" Pem leapt off of Skye's shoulder. "No more crowds!"
The other side now resembled a rainforest, dissimilar to the vast forest that was the central district. The humidity didn't change at all from the real world. The area also felt heavier than the central district, a lingering sensation of fear and primal rage.
"Stupid humidity." Skye shuffled uncomfortably as her fur felt like she had been submerged in a pool of water.
A beam of orange light eminated from above the tree line, small and faint from distance, but a guiding light nonetheless.
"Pem, answer me this. Can a savage shadow be tamed?" Jack asked.
"Well..." Pem scratched his head. "I'm not too sure. I've always just avoided them." He admitted.
"So it could be possible?" Skye said.
"Only one way to find out." Pem said. "Let's go!"
The walk towards the savage shadow slowly became a trudge, then a death march as the humidity and heat bore down on the group.
"Why couldn't the shadows invented cars here?" Pem wiped sweat from his brow.
"Skye. Your fursona uses ice, right?" Judy asked.
"I know what you're getting at." Skye said lifted her arms in the air. "Tomyris!" she summoned her Fursona. The Vixen dressed in mammal pelts appeared behind Skye. "Cool us off a bit!" She ordered.
Tomyris gently waved her claws at the group and a chill gust of wind hit them. They all sighed in relief.
"Much better." Judy said as she basked in the cold wind.
Skye desummoned her Fursona and the group carried on, more energized than before.
After an hour of walking an orange shadow appeared where the orange beam of light eminated. It stood growling in primal rage, on all fours like a savage. The group was ducked down behind a large tree.
"There it is." Pem whispered.
"Let's get him!" Judy began to walk from behind the tree.
"No." Savage stopped her. "We have the drop on it, summon your Fursona and get it!"
Judy raised her arms in the air. "Boudica!" She summoned. Boudica appeared behind Judy. "Blow them away!"
Boudica waved her sword and a gust of wind rushed out towards the savage shadow. The wind swirled around the shadow and was flung back at Judy. She braced herself but the wind was strong enough to knock her back, and into a nearby tree.
"No!" Pem yelled. "Its resistant to wind!" He raised his arms and summoned Augustus. "But nothing can resist fire! Scorch them, Augustus!"
Augustus pointed his spear at the savage shadow that was now springing full speed towards Pem. A gout of fire erupted from the spear, the fire hit the shadow, making it howl in pain.
"Got him!" Pem jumped in the air in celebration. "Skye, follow up!"
Skye summoned Tomyris. "Chill them to the bone!" Skye yelled. Tomyris slashed the air with her claws, sending out a tidal wave of numbing cold. The shadow wasn't anymore effected by Skye's frost than Pem's fire. The shadow recoiled but quickly recovered and pounced on Skye, slashing her chest.
Skye shrieked in pain as the shadows claws dug into her flesh. Savage sprang up and drop kicked the shadow in the face, knocking it over and off Skye.
The shadow stood up, it's growling grew intense as it's eyes locked on Savage. It's claws dug into the ground, gripping the earth as it prepared to pounce.
Savage's heart pounded in his chest, the feeling that had lingered in the rainforest district sinfe they arrived grew more intense, putting pressure on his mind. He backed away in fear, a fear he hasn't felt at any other point in his law enforcement career.
The fear then turned to rage as he looked over and saw Judy and Skye on the ground with Pem attending to them while the shadow was focused on him. The feeling of rage grew, and grew, until a voice entered his mind.
"Where's your fangs, boy?" A deep, ethereal male voice said. "The enemy stands at the gates, but he also stands within arms length."
Jack gripped his head, his nails pressing up against his flesh. "Fear is not the opposite of anger, but it's source. Tap into it and become savage!"
Jack's nails pressed harder into his flesh, then pierced it causing thin trails of blood to run down his face.
"I am thou, thou art i. From your savage soul i emerge! Call upon me and let thy fangs taste blood for the first time!" The voice grew louder and more booming.
Jack ran his nails down his face, clawing at his flesh. "LEONIDAS! Jack screamed. The blood streaming down his face turned to an orange mist that cycloned around him, then bursted outward. The shadow lowered its head to protect it's eyes from the dirt that had been kicked up.
Behind Jack was a rabbit in bronze armor, a sword and shield in hand. Jack seethed and frothed at the mouth as primal rage overtook his rational mind.
"Remember, a savage comes back with his shield, or on it!" Leonidas said.
"Lay waste, Leonidas!" Jack yelled.
Leonidas raised his sword to the sky, summoning a bolt of lightning that struck the shadow. The scream the shadow let out was ear piercing, echoing throughout the forest with such intensity it could've been heard in the real world.
"Woah!" Pem stood in awe.
"He wasn't even shot!" Judy said in a shaky voice.
"Jack..." Skye said weakly as she pulled herself from the ground.
"Its down, everyone, go all out!" Pem ordered as he charged the downed shadow.
Jack, Skye, and Judy rushed the shadow alongside pem and spent the next few moments kicking, clawing, punching, anything they could do to do damage they did. Jack was especially ferocious, his attacks wild and untamed.
The team stepped back, winded. The shadows orange color drained and dimmed. Eventually turning black before disentigrating, revealing an otter with orange eyes sitting where the shadow once sat.
"What in the world?" Judy asked.
"Thank you." The shadow otter said.
"It can talk?" Skye turned to Pem, who was just as lost as she was.
"Who are you?" Judy asked.
"I am the shadow, the true self." The otter simply said. "From the savage sea of souls i reside, and to the civilized reality i act, suppressed, but ever present."
Jack was still at the mercy of his rage, his blood boiled, his heart still bounced against his sternum. His savage anger wasn't satisfied, he wanted more. He clenched his fist and prepared to attack The shadow Otter, he reached his paw back, only for a paw to grab his arm. Skye walked in front of Jack, shielding the shadow from him.
"It's over." Skye said gently.
"Move!" He demanded as he thrashed his arm, trying to free it from her grasp.
"No." Skye responded. "This isn't you." She stepped forward and embraced her partner.
Jack squirmed and pushed on Skye, trying to push her off. Skye tightened her hug on Savage, eventually his thrashing calmed, his breathing returned to normal, and his right mind came back to him. He fell to his knees in exaustion. He returned Skye's hug.
"Thank you, Skye." He weakly said.
"We're partners, what else are partners for." She released Jack.
"So, they can be tamed." Pem said.
"What about Jack, how did he turn savage without being shot?" Judy asked, still shaken from battle.
"I guess it's not a requirement." Pem guessed. "Ever since we got here I've felt the same feeling of rage i get when I summon my Fursona."
"What does that mean?" Jack asked.
"It means the other side responds to feelings of fear and hatred from the real world." Pem answered. "The rainforest district had more savage mammals, more savage mammals means the more fear and anger in the world, and the more it appears here in the other side, making it easier to tap into your savage side."
"Interesting." Jack said as he stood to his feet.
"We should probably go home. I think we've had enough action for one day." Skye suggested.
4/13 Evening.
A news broadcast played on a tiny TV sitting on top of a table in an unlit room. In front, the silhouette of a small mammal in front of the table, illuminated by the screen.
"New information regarding the savage mammal case has arisen." A female cougar newsanchor said. "Emmett Otterton, who earlier today went savage has made a full recovery, scientists investigating the strange case are baffled by what they are calling a "Miracle recovery."
A tiger in a white lab coat and face mask appeared on screen.
"We haven't seen anything like this in the 19 other cases we covered." The tiger scientist explained. "One moment savage, the next, tame as the day he was born."
The cougar appeared back on screen. "This finding gives mammals in all districts hope of a cure for the savage infliction plaguing Zootopia."
The small mammal stood up from its seat and swiped the small TV off the desk in anger. The screen shattered as it hit the floor, leaving the room completely dark.