Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 42
"Sir Finnick has met with Miss Hopps, Sir."
"Is everyone alright?" Nick talked into his phone from the backseat of his limousine.
"It seems so, Sir. They've evacuated the sight quickly. They also had an additional passenger with them."
"Who?"
"I'm unsure, Sir. It was a juvenile fox that seemed to have just been at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"…Keep me posted." Nick ordered sounding displeased.
"Yes, Sir-"
Nick didn't wait for him to finish as he hung up on the phone.
Great. Now I'm distracted…even more than earlier today.
Nick didn't tell Judy what he was planning. This was going to get ugly, and he was tired of her seeing the ugly of his world. But the Shadow was needed for this moment. Anyone who is backing the idiot Ermine needs to be reminded who is in charge.
"Sir." Nick's driver rolled down the separating window. "We have arrived."
Death Hall.
"Terrific." Nick grunted in displeasure.
The first time Nick walked into the grey brick building located in the historic district of Zootopia he was just a boy. A boy that was forced to become a man drenched in the smell of death and bathed in the color red. Nick will always remember dragging the heads of his enemies into the building. The fear in the eyes of the attendants as he ordered them to place their heads at their respective seats. And the beautiful realization that he had taken back the command of being the Shadow.
Step 1: Force them to wait and think the worst.
There were cars already parked in front of the building. The thirteen families were waiting for Nick like the obedient dogs they pretended to be.
"Go get yourself a coffee." Nick handed the driver a small wad of cash. "This might take a while."
"Would you like anything, Sir?"
"A dozen donuts." Nick decided. "Surprise me on flavor."
"Yes, Sir." The driver laughed in glee.
Judy will probably laugh when I bring home donuts for a cop.
Nick exited the car and was immediately flanked by his security.
"Let's get this party started." Nick fixed his cuff links with a wry smile.
Nick walked confidently up the steps where a young otter with a calm smile opened the doors for the Shadow. This was a reoccurring scene with every doorway that Nick approached. The final doorway was a beautiful mahogany door with brass detailing to match the doorknobs.
"Sorry I kept you guys waiting." Nick announced as he confidently walked into the room. "Ran into some traffic."
Step 2: Drive in the jealousy from the attention of the loyalist.
Immediately all members of the thirteen families stood up in respect. This included Mr. Big who was placed by Nick's side. In Tundra Town Mr. Big was the head honcho. But everywhere else he, no matter what the relationship Nick had with him, had to show respect to Zootopia's Shadow. Nick, however, was quick to excuse Mr. Big from formalities.
"Mr. Big." Nick cheered. "It's been too long."
The gesture of immediately helping Mr. Big back into his seat set the premise of who was the Shadow's favorite.
"You should visit more often. Family sticks together." Mr. Big smiled driving the jealousy deeper into the families that surrounded the table.
"I'll try to clear my schedule for a dinner sometime soon." Nick promised before taking his seat on the gold-rusted throne.
"And Mr. Teal." Nicholas looked over to his left with a smile. "How have you been?"
He was an old grey wolf with black-tipped ears. His old age didn't allow him to sit straight anymore. But his long lineage, vast wealth, and fierce loyalty earned him the right to not worry about his posture in the presence of the Shadow. Nick had enormous respect for him. He was the man who supplied Nick with the guards that protected his mother and sister during the purge.
"Good. Good." Mr. Teal hummed happily. "I've been blessed recently with two granddaughters."
"Oh?"
"Twins."
"How lovely." Nick mused. "If they grow up anything like their mother. I worry for whoever they attempt to date."
Mr. Teal laughed in agreement.
Nick pretended to realize that he forgot his manners as he readdressed the group.
"I'm so sorry my friends. I've kept you waiting and here I am ignoring…family."
Step 3: Put them on edge again with silence.
Nick allowed a few minutes to pass, not moments, minutes. He needed them to sweat. Nick needed them to be uncomfortable and question their very being. Only when the mind is weak can one be truly broken.
Step 4: Imply the consequences for the disobedient.
"A family will always have arguments." Nick began sitting straight in his chair. "But the loyalty we have will never be broken. Because those that break their loyalty…were never truly family." Nick examined the thirteen families. "It has hurt my heart and the heart of my ancestors when individuals we thought we could trust betrayed the family. When one betrays the trust of the family for the greed of one's self they forget what we stand for. The Shadow was created because Zootopia needed money. Income for this vast, beautiful, and chaotic city was on the verge of bankruptcy. The government looked to the criminals for help. And the criminals did help if the law promised to back off. Soon however many realized the flaw of this plan. Many heinous things happened in the name of the betterment of Zootopia. Thus, the Shadow was created with her thirteen most trusted allies to create order in the agreement with the government. My…who knows how many greats, grandmother built this family on the trust of one another." Nick paused allowing his words to sink in. "And throughout this family's history many have been…shall we say, removed, many have been removed from our ranks."
Most had a questioning gaze while some were confused. A few though seemed to shuffle under the implications of betrayal. Only Mr. Teal and Mr. Big remained calm as they sat on each side of the Shadow.
Step 5: Find the weak link in the chain.
"Clifford Ermine. This name may ring a bell to a handful of you." Nick smiled sadly while tapping his fingers repeatedly on the table. "This family has many names on its ledger. Some have been forgotten…others have been permanently ingrained into our memory. Clifford Ermine is attempting to place himself in the latter category." Nick took this moment to observe the thirteen families again.
A few looked to be lost in thought trying to figure out what Clifford Ermine had done. Some had fury on their face at the fact someone could be a threat to the family. Others had no emotion to the information as if they were bored. Nick took particular interest in the bored individuals. But two stood out from the three groups. Mr. Jones, a mink, and Mr. Trill, a cheetah, avoided eye contact and had their head down. They were trying to appear invisible in plain sight.
"This pathetic excuse of a being…is threatening my seat, openly." Nick stared down at Mr. Jones and Mr. Trill. "It saddens me that he has escaped our radar for so long. Now I'm not blaming anyone in particular…" Nick's consistent stare alerted the other families to Mr. Jones and Mr. Trill's behavior. "However, we have either failed our duty epically. Or, and it really pains me to say this, someone has aided Clifford Ermine in an effort to forward one's self in the family."
Step 6: Release the anger of the co-conspirators on the weak.
"Mr. Jones? Mr. Trill?" Nick addressed the two casually. "Anything you have to offer to our current…dilemma of betrayal?"
Sick 'em, you power-hungry animals!