#Zootopia Nick Judy HoppsandWilde NickandJudy

[captainredfoxthings]

Ch. 1, How Did We Get Here?

More than a few miles outside the city limits of Zootopia, a blue correctional bus drove to its destination. The bus was filled with new prisoners to be incarcerated at the most highly secured correctional facility; nicknamed The Jungle. The Jungle held the reputation of being the biggest correctional facility there was and incarcerating the most high profile criminal mammals of all different species. A perfect place for the new batch of arriving prisoners on the bus to call home.

The bus, being driven by a billy-goat in a prison guard uniform, was filled with a wide variety of criminals, both predator, and prey. There, cuffed and packed together, were murderers, predator and prey extremist, drug smugglers, and much more.

Sitting in the middle of the bus by the window, was Nicholas Piberius Wilde. He sat and stared out the window; not that there was anything to see. It must have been miles since he last saw any type of tree or vegetation. This is the biggest mistake I've ever made, he thought.

"So what are you going in for?"

Nick turned to the hyena with a mohawk sitting next to him. He was cuffed just like Nick, from his wrist to his ankles. The only difference was the muzzle forced on the hyena, which Nick was extremely thankful they did not enforce on him. Still haunted by that night he tried to join the junior ranger scouts and was bullied into one.

"Oh, for being a dumb fox," Nick said. That's what Judy would say to him and why he was going to The Jungle.

"You want to know what I'm going in for?" The hyena asked.

"Hmmm, nope," Nick said plainly in an 'I don't care' tone.

"You know, you better start figuring out who you want to be friends with once inside."

"No doubt I will make sure to do just that. And right now, you are at the top of that friend list." Nick joked to the hyena, giving him a wink.

The hyena just blankly stared at Nick, not knowing what to make of him. "I don't know if I like you or want to bash your head in?" He said.

"Trust me, that's the typical reaction most have when first meeting me."

Nick remembered how similar Judy's reaction was to the hyena's when they first met. She was so upbeat and friendly when she met him, then wanted to rip him apart after she found out he hustled her. Best if he did not think about Judy, it only brought heartache.

Nick looked out the window and could just barely make out the large prison they were driving towards. The Jungle prison fences were two times the height of the average giraffe and serrated with razor wire. Though it could not be seen, there were a good twenty feet of solid concrete surrounding the underground of the prison; so, no rodent or mammal could dig their way out. Top of the line security cameras on every building corner, and in every hallway. The Jungle had the largest employment of security guards; a necessity as it seemed riots would break out every other week.

The bus slowed down and turned into the gated entrance of the prison. On each side were two guard towers, filled with at least one prison guard carrying a high powered rifle. The bus had come to a complete stop and the gate closed behind them.

The bus doors opened and a prison guard pig stepped in. With a set of keys, the guard unlocked the barrier between the prisoners and the billy-goat bus driver. The guard just gave them a gleaming stare.

"Alright, everyone out and line up in front of the large steel doors, facing forward." The pig harshly instructed.

Nick, along with the other prisoners on the bus, stepped out and did as they were told. Other inmates in the prison screamed, shouted, and gloated at Nick and the other prisoners. One lion, in particular, shook the chain-link fence and shouted, "Fresh meat, boys. Fresh meat.'' He could only try and ignore the intimidated shouts from the inmates while waiting for the two large steel doors to slowly open. The prisoners were led inside to a large hallway that forked into two paths.

"When I call your name, I will address you to move to the right or to the left and face forward." A large rhino prison guard said in a stern tone. The guard stood at the front of the line and held out a clipboard in his hand.

The first name to be called was the hyena with the mohawk that sat next to Nick. The hyena was told to stand to the right and face forward. The second name called out belonged to a mouse, who was instructed to stand at the left and face forward. They must be separating us into predators and prey, Nick thought. The prison did this in the belief that it would cause less heated situations to ignite between predator and prey.

Nick heard his name and did as he was instructed, moving to the right and facing forward. There had been times when Nick was booked at some of the Zootopia precincts in his old lifestyle being a hustler. This, however, was a high maximum security prison, completely new to Nick. He had always considered himself lucky never to be sent to a big house like this.

The last 48 hours were still feeling like a flash to him. Not wanting to believe that he was here now. Worst of all, there was no turning back.

"Now, all prey will follow Mr. Turk here,were" the rhino said, finished with his list and pointing to a warthog. "All Predators follow me. You will all be going through final procedures and given the proper attire and bed sheets. Now, let's move!" the rhino ordered.

Nick watched as the prey line trudged off to the left, and his own line trudged to the right. Well, won't this just be fun, he thought.

Nick's line stopped in front of a row of cell doors was instructed to go in one at a time. When it came to Nick's turn, he entered the first cell door where his cuffs were removed. He was told to place all his belongings and items of clothing into a cardboard box in front of him. Nick did not have much on him, knowing where he was going to be sent to. Though he did have to strip out of his pawaiian shirt, tie, and khaki pants and drop them in the box which a female pig guard held out for him. The guard just watched as he stripped.

"Aren't you suppose to be showering me with singles, for a strip show?" Nick joked as he tried to keep his humor spirit up.

"Yes," the female guard said, "but only if the show is good."

"Ouch, that hurts." Nick said, putting a paw cross his heart and acting offended by the guard's remark.

"Alright, that's enough chit chat from you. Approach the bars, hands and legs spread." the rhino guard instructed.

Stripped down to his birthday fur, Nick did as he was instructed. When asked to open his mouth, he did so a light could be shined in and make sure there was nothing he was hiding. When they asked him to bend over, hands on his knees, he did; no matter how humiliating the act made him feel.

"Usually, I don't let someone treat me this way, until we've at least had a third date" Nick joked.

"Ha. Ha." a fake chuckle came from the female guard, who was patting him down. "And if you weren't the hundred smart mouth to say that, it would probably be funny."

"Oh, I'm not just a smart mouth. I'm also very charming and handsome." He said and gave the guard the good old sly Nick smile.

"Hey, fox. If you don't shut up, I am going to have to hit you with this spray" the Rhino chimed in, holding up a can of fox repellent.

Looking at the can of repellent made his ears fold down and back. Nick thought it best to keep his mouth shut from here on out as he was led through the next cell door.

The next procedure was him being sprayed down with a high powered hose. It felt as if the high water pressure was trying to rip his fur off. The water felt as cold as the water in Tundratown. When the hose powered down, it left a cold, wet, shivering Nick standing there, waiting to be told what to do next.

Through the next cell door, he was given a small towel to dry off with and the standard prison orange jumpsuit. He put the prison jump suit on and could not help but notice how closely the jumpsuit matched his fur. Lastly, he was given his bed sheets and a pillow, and was led to his cell.

"Welcome to your new home, fox," The rhino guard said, pushing Nick into his cell with the end of his baton.

He entered the cell and took a good look at what was to be his new home for at least the next eighteen months. The cell was small with the standard sink, toilet, hard uncomfortable bed, and one shelf for personal items. The cell was so small, Nick only had enough room to stretch his arms out. If only Judy was there with him, she would probably think her old apartment was a mansion compared to his cell.

"Lets see. Uncomfortable floor, uncomfortable bed." Nick said. He could hear the prisoner in the next cell loudly mumble to himself through the concrete wall. "And crazy neighbors. Just like being at Judy's old place. Minus the loving it part." Nick said with a sigh.

Nick heard the 'clanking' of the cell bars close behind him. He dropped the sheets and pillow on to the small rickety bed and sat down beside them. He Rubbed his paws over his temple and he let out a loud 'sigh.' What have I gotten myself into, he thought.

"Never let them see, that they get to you." he remembered his old saying. Repeated it over and over again in his head. He tried to apply that saying to his current predicament.

He wondered what Judy would do in his situation. Wondered what she was even thinking of at this moment. It hurt being so far away from her. Not able to be there for her, or her for him. She'd probably be thinking what a dumb fox he was and give his arm a hard playful punch.

He massaged his ring paw, as if the ring had still been there. He was already missing everything that he once had. Now, he just sat in the dark cell. Thoughts flooded his mind on what got him here and why he ever decided to go through with this. Most importantly though, were the thoughts he had for the job head of him.

3 Months Ago…

It was the usual hustle and bustle of Zootopia in Savannah Square. The stores were open and customers were going in and out. Streets were crowded with fast paced cars going in every direction, with drivers that honked and shouted.

The sidewalks were crowded with busy pedestrians. Too busy to notice a sneaky lynx in a large green jacket and beanie, who had helped himself to the wallets and purses of unexpected mammals. All except for one bunny cop.

"Excuse me, Sir." Came a high pitched voice.

The lynx turned to see the ZPD's first ever bunny cop, Judy Hopps. She stood there wearing her usual uniform and ballistic vest, with her badge pinned to the left side. Her arms crossed, foot tapping the paved sidewalk, and giving the lynx a stern look.

"Yes, officer?" the lynx asked as he tried to play innocent.

"I hope you can explain why you are filling your pockets with other mammals' wallets?"

"Well you see officer…" the lynx started to explain before he grabbed and pushed a nearby hog at her.

Judy deflected the hog; which she caught and let fall safely to the ground. When she turned to face the lynx, he was already running and pushing his way through the crowd. She chased after him, dodging mammals and sliding between the legs of some of the larger ones.

"Hey you!" Judy shouted. "Stop in the name of the Law!"

She was quick to catch up to him. The lynx glanced back at her before turning down an alleyway. She sped up her pursuit to catch him.

The alleyway she turned down was cluttered with typical alleyway trash cans and graffiti. A utility working deer, at the top of a large ladder, worked on repairing an AC unit. Down the center of the alleyway was her target, who ran straight towards a chain-link fence that blocked his path. She had him, he was trapped and there was no where to go.

The lynx looked around and saw the ladder the deer was on. It presented the perfect opportunity for him to escape. He grabbed the ladder and pushed it to the side.

"Hey! What are you doing!" The deer cried out in panic as he started to topple to the side. The deer reached out for anything to stop his fall. In this case, the closest thing for him to grab was the guard rail of a fire escape.

Judy stopped in her tracks and her ears pointed up at sound of the troubled citizen. She could see the helpless deer hang off the railing side. He kicked his feet frantically, and struggled to find any type of footing to pull himself up. She turned back to the lynx who was already using the ladder to climb the fence that blocked his escape.

"It's your choice cottontail. Him, or me?" The Lynx barked and laughed at her. With a smile he tumbled over the side and dragged the ladder with him.

"Darn it," Judy mumbled in frustration.

"Help! Someone, please help!" the hanging deer called out in a panic freight.

"Don't worry Sir. I'm here to help"

"Please hurry."

Judy did a quick look at her surroundings. She saw a trash can and a hanging lamp post attached to the alley wall. It presented the best and quickest way up to help the troubled citizen. She took a few steps back for a running start. Judy ran, jumped on the trash cans and leapt up to the hanging lamp post. She stuck the landing and made the lamp post project her upward with a backflip and land safely on the fire escape.

"Please help me!" The scared deer begged.

"It's okay sir, I'm here to help." Judy said.

She grabbed the deer and with all her strength and pulled the large mammal over the guardrail. The deer nearly toppled on top of her as he climbed over. The deer looked to be in shock and backed away from the guardrail.

"Are you okay, Sir?" Judy asked. The deer did not speak, but just nodded his head. "Will you be okay if I leave you here?" again the deer did not answer her but just nodded his head. "Okay, Good."

Judy stood up and looked down the long alleyway. The lynx she was chasing was nearly at the end entrance. The lynx had a good head start, but she knew could still catch up to him. She had once chased down a cheetah, though that been in better conditions. A gutter pipe on the other side of the fence seemed to just be in reach for Judy to jump for and continue her pursuit.

"Sir, I will return to assist you in need," she told the shaken deer.

Oh, sweet cheese and crackers, please don't let me miss, she thought as she took a step back for another running start. She ran, hopped on top the guard rail and leapt forward. Her paw outstretched, she grabbed ahold of the gutter pipe. The wet moldy pipe nearly made her lose her grip, but she quickly wrapped her feet around the pipe and slid down, like a firefighter. Feet safely on the ground, she continued her pursuit.

The lynx was at the end of the alleyway. He smiled and felt astatic with his get away. He had just escaped from the ZPD's greatest officer. There was nothing that stood in his way.

A speeding police cruiser came to a tire screeching stop in front of the lynx and his premature escape celebration. The lynx threw his arms out and stumbled to a stop, just as the driver door of the cruiser flew open and slammed into the lynx, knocking him flat on his back. He tossed and turned while he groaned in pain. Nick poked his head over the driver door, wearing his favorite aviator shades, and looked down at the now subdued lynx.

"Woah, woah, pussycat. Woah, woah" Nick said mockingly.

Judy ran out the alleyway. As she saw the lynx subdued, she slowed her pace down. She panted and had her paws on her knees to catch her breath.

"There you are carrots. Was wondering when you were going to catch up and join the party?" He said to her in a playfully teasing tone.

"Har… *gasp* Har…" She said, trying to catch her breath between each word.

Nick stepped out of the cruiser and held up a pair of paw cuffs. "Would you like me or you to do the honors?" Nick asked. Judy did not answer but simply pointed at him while she continued to catch her breath. "Very well."

Nick turned the moaning lynx on his front, face down on the pavement. "Well, as I'm sure you can guess by now sir, you're under arrest for theft." Nick said as he applied the paw cuffs on their apprehended pickpocket thief. Nick looked at the police cruiser door and saw that it now had a lynx cat sized dent in it. "And obstruction to police property."

"Hey, man. That was your doing." the lynx said defensively.

Judy piped in, "Well you're also under arrest for possible assault. When you grabbed that ladder from under that deer. You could have caused serious injury to him Which reminds me, I have to go check on him and make sure he's still okay. Nick if you got this…"

"Not a problem carrots," Nick said, waving her off

While Judy turned back down the alley to check on the frightened deer, Nick attended to cuffed lynx. He had helped the cat up and leaned him against the cruiser. He patted him down and retrieved the stolen wallets from the lynx's pockets.

"Hey, didn't take you for a wallet collector."

"Yeah, it's a profitable hobby of mine."

"Can't say I haven't been in your place. But trying to hurt an innocent deer in the process? Now that's just not cool."

Nick continued to pat down the lynx. He could feel some kind of cylinder object in the inner pocket of the green jacket. He pulled the object out and took a good look at what it was. He examined what looked to be a clear cylinder veil containing a powdery blue substance.

"Now what is it that we have here?"

"Head cold medicine," the lynx said with a sarcastic snark.

"Oh that's right. How could I forget. Unnamed, unmarked, clear vial of powder is the best thing to take during hay-fever season." Nick snarked back at the lynx. "Alright, come on."

Nick led the apprehended lynx to the back of the cruiser, just as Judy was exiting the alley way. She leaned against the alley wall, still looking out of breath. Nick saw her in such a distress state and approached her.

"Okay there, fluffy butt?" He asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"And the deer?"

"He's all good." she said. "So, where were you while I was chasing this guy down."

"Oh, that's right. Almost forgot." Nick said. He ran back to the cruiser and pulled out a carrot flavored smoothie from the cup holder.

"I was getting us smoothies, remember? And when I came back, you were gone, chasing some pickpocket thief. This one's yours by the way. Carrot flavored, just how you like it." He said, smiling as he held up the smoothie and shook it in front of Judy.

Judy just gave a loud groan to her partner. "Is the day almost over yet?" she asked.

"It's only 10:30 carrots. We've been on patrol no more than two hours. Besides, It's not like you to call it in early. That's my job." He said, placing a paw over his chest.

"Usually yes. But chasing a thief through a large crowd in Savannah Central, on one of the hottest days in Zootopia, having to rescue a helpless deer, and still catch up to our suspect; feels like a whole day to me already." She said.

Nick could not help but just smile as he held his paw out for Judy to take. She looked up at him, smiled, and took his paw in her own. He pulled her in close and lowered his aviator glasses so she could look into his eyes.

"Come on Carrots," Nick said, "We're just getting started."