Twotopia - Chapter 7: Blackout.
Not sure if you'll love me or hate me for this chapter but, nevertheless, enjoy!! =D
After dropping off their belongings at home and picking up their uniforms, Judy and Nick made way for the police station via taxi. The rain was really coming down, while the thunder boomed out every minute or two. Rushing into the station, they laughed as they got clear of the rain and inside. Grizzoli was the first to spot them and waved with emphatic smile.
"Hey hey! Hopps, Wilde! How was your weekend!?" He asked as he rushed over.
"We had a ball!" Judy praised.
"Don't think I've eaten that good in my life." Nick chuckled.
"What, you eat the rabbits too?" Matt joked, nudging his side.
"Just the little ones- ow." Nick carried on as Judy elbowed his side.
"We just finished our morning patrol, came back for lunch. Should probably check in with the chief." Matt advised.
"Will do." Nick saluted.
"Bunny buddy!!" Clawhauser called out.
"Hey Ben!" Judy rushed over. "How was your weekend?"
"Oh, don't ask. I'm never trying that spicy seasoned shrimp at Frais Chateau Vert again."
"Ben, did you go out on a date?" Judy giggled.
"Uh, no it was me alone." He submitted.
"Aww Ben! You should let me find someone for ya, I'll put the word out that a cute cheetah cop is looking for a romantic dinner, with less spice." Judy winked.
"Did you just call me cute!?" Ben cooed.
"Hahahah."
"Hopps! Wilde! Head to the bull pen, afternoon assignments are coming up." Bogo bellowed on his way down the stairs.
"Alright chief." Nick agreed.
In the bull pen, Bogo approached the podium to his usual greeting from the cops in the room.
"Alright, everyone sit down!" He called out. "I have three new items on the docket. First, is the obvious. Since the incident involving Jordan Avana's murder, we've had increased conflicts from Frankie Big's goons. We need to shut this down as soon as possible and push these bears out. We'll be assigning extra patrols to Savannah Central today in response to this issue, also we'll be relieving Frufru Big of her status as protected. Second, Oshu and his crew have successfully hit three major banks now. We've been forced to move a large portion of it to the treasury along with some accessible funds for citizens to Savannah Centrals Furs National Bank. Delgato and myself will be guarding this area in particular today. Last, we need a few officers in casual dress on the streets; we've received several anonymous tips that he is recruiting drivers since losing Jordan."
"Wonder if I should check on Finnick then." Nick questioned.
"Assignments! Mchorn, Trunkaby. You're in Rainforest District. Johnson, Higgins, Snarlof. Sahara Square, casual dress. Monitor the streets for recruiters. Grizzoli, Fangmeyer, Wilde, Hopps. You four will take Savannah Central, patrol for bears and Nick, talk with any former friends of yours. See what you can find out."
"Got it." Nick agreed. Matt and Jason took to Nick and Judy's table with a smile.
"Looks like we're becoming a regular squad huh?" Jason pointed out with a smile.
"Won't find me complaining." Nick agreed.
"Come on then, I'm driving this time." Jason interjected, snatching up Matt's keys.
"Oh no you don't."
"Tough luck shaggy." Jason laughed, dodging his friend's swipes for his keys as they ran out the door.
"We work with them." Nick commented, sliding on his glasses.
"Shush." Judy glanced to him. Nick gave a quick laugh and lick of his chops, following the two out to the parking lot.
The rain came down in torrents, often forcing the four of them to pull over and wait it out. Loud crackles of thunder sent booming echoes through the city center. Even a few flashes striking the tops of sky scrapers.
"Wow, this is a nasty one huh?" Nick called out from the back seat.
"Yeah, I haven't seen it like this for a while. Usually only get storms like this in the summer." Grizzoli called back. It was somewhat challenging to hear him over the crashing rain on the hood of the car.
"I love a good storm." Jason smiled, gazing out of the windshield. "My parents had a cottage out in Deerbrooke. Could see them coming in from miles away, the lightning was awesome and my grandfather loved having the rain come in. Just the smell of it hitting the grass." He smiled, losing himself in a day dream.
"Oh I love that smell." Judy chimed in. "Started raining late last night though for us so I missed it."
"Jason, head up a ways a bit. If we're gonna park for a while, let's at least find a fast food place or something." Matt suggested.
"You just ate, how many calories does a lion have to keep down?" Jason quipped, pulling out into the road.
"Somewhere between 500 and your wifes-" Matt was cut off as a lightning strike shot the power lines nearby, sending a shower of sparks onto the road as the pole toppled. "Shit!"
"Dispatch, Dispatch, this is Fangmeyer, we have a power line down corner of Grass and Sousten."
"Fangmeyer, this is dispatch, don't worry bud sending city crews out asap. Keep citizens clear, over."
"10-4. Matt?" Matt nodded and leapt out of the car, the four of them covering their heads.
"Everyone get back! Get clear of the area!" Jason cried out.
"Get back, come on, move away." Matt joined in. Though only a few people were outside, they did the best they could to help clear them away, Judy and Nick even picking up a few tiny cars and turning them around, getting them clear of the cables. Coming back to the scene, Nick noticed that the cables were in contact with the rising waters and gasped. "Carrots! Matt, Jason, get on the sidewalk now!" Nick cried out. Jason and Matt did as Nick suggested and within seconds, sparks flung out from the cables once again.
"Damn! Thanks Nick!" Matt called back. Judy smiled warmly at him, for a moment before noticing something in the alley behind Nick. She pointed for him to see and when Nick turned, he spotted Finnick's van parked nearby.
"Got it, thanks Carrots."
"I'll come with, just let me get away from the water." She called back. Nick strolled over to the van and gave a soft knock on the door. No one replied, his ears falling back he knocked more firmly.
"Get lost." He could hear Finnick answer from inside.
"Buddy it's me." Nick replied, but once again was deprived of an answer. Judy finally joined him as Nick gave one more good hard knock.
"Fuck off!! Stay away from me!" Finnick shouted near the top of his lungs inside.
"Is he afraid of storms?" Judy questioned. Nick threw up his brow.
"Aside from water a foot deep, he's not afraid of much." Nick dismissed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a worn key chain and stuck it in the keyhole at the back. "Always keep a spare." Nick slowly pulled on the door and peeked inside. "Finnick, buddy it's me."
"No." Finnick shuddered, aiming a gun at Nick.
"Whoa! Ok Fin, take it easy. I'm not here to arrest you or anything-" Nick cut himself off to see that one of his eyes was swollen and bleeding, he was barely holding onto the gun his little hands were shaking so bad. "Fin! You're hurt!"
"They came." He stammered. "They came looking for you. They kept calling you Andrew. When I wouldn't talk, they." Finnick slowly lowered the gun down. Nick leapt inside and removed the gun from his friend's hand and set it down, scooping him up he cradled him in his arms.
"Easy buddy, easy." Nick soothed, taking his hand. "You wouldn't talk huh?"
"No, not to them." He replied still trembling.
"Alright pal, come on. We need to get some ice on that eye and get you patched up. Gonna hit the hospital."
"No!" Finnick refuted, sounding more like his usual self. Nick wore an unimpressed look and argued.
"Stubborn as ever. Ok how about my place huh? If you didn't talk, they don't know where I live, you can crash there for the night."
"Yeah. Yeah that I could do." He finally submitted. Nick carried his friend out of the van and into the downpour.
"Jason! I need a ride to my place!" Nick called out.
"What!? Why? What for?"
"I gotta drop him off, he's in bad shape." Nick explained, raising Finnick up a bit. Jason shrugged and turned to his partner.
"You good out here, or you wanna come with?"
"Go ahead, I'm good out here. Just get your asses back here soon." Matt insisted. "And for pity sake be careful."
"Got it." Jason agreed. Nick loaded Finnick into the car with Judy. With a U turn, Jason was aimed back toward Nick and Judy's apartment. Judy took hold of Finnicks hand and asked.
"What happened to you?"
"I'll tell you back at Nick's." Finnick replied, keeping his head down from Jason up front. "Never thought I'd willingly get into a cop car."
"First time for everything bud." Nick smiled.
Nick and Judy had sent Jason back to pick up Matt while they helped Finnick settle in. Nick gave him the extra blanket and pillow, and brought him a can of cub soda, setting it down on the table. Judy sat on the ground, offering up an ice pack for his eye while Nick stayed on the couch near his feet.
"You ok now?" Nick asked.
"Never been so humiliated in my life."
"And you've worn a onesie." Nick quipped.
"Shut up." Finnick barked.
"Finnick, it's ok. You can tell us what happened. You're safe here."
"It went down like this. That cheetah, Oshu showed up on Sunday. Said he was recruiting for a big job, needed good drivers."
"And your van looked appealing?" Nick asked in disbelief.
"He needed people who weren't clean. I told him I wasn't interested in putting a target on my back. I just wanted away from it." Finnick replied, holding the ice pack to his eye. "He seemed alright about it, till he said "know any foxes that like to hang out with sloths?" I thought of you and Flash right away, but didn't offer up a name. But he read me. Picked me up and started asking me again and again. He asked if your name was Andrew, told him I don't talk no matter what. Tried to shoot his ass, till he threw me into the van. Punched me in the face and tossed me out into the street. Nearly got killed by a car, thought for sure he was gonna finish me off till the whole thing drew a crowd."
"He's hunting you now." Judy said silently.
"Good. Cause we are gonna put an end to him. Finnick, did he say where he was taking recruits?"
"Nah, we hadn't got that far before he started using me as a chew toy." Nick growled and swatted the couch with his claws.
"Nick!" Fuming he went into the kitchen and set his hands down on the counter. Judy rushed over and took hold of his hand.
"First he rams us off the road, starts hunting you down and now he's gone after my best friend."
"I know, it's all wrong. We have to stop him, but we can't do that if we don't keep our heads, Nick." Judy reaffirmed.
"I'm keeping my head alright. Let's just say I'm through playing games with these two. I know our job is to bring em in Judy. But they even raise one claw, I'm gonna shoot it off."
"Nick, relax." Judy insisted, guiding him back to the couch. Setting him down the idea suddenly hit her. "Hey, better call Flash, let him know." Nick suddenly perked up and nodded.
"Good idea."
"I'll check in with Bogo, I think Finnick will need protection." Judy stated, heading into Nick's room she took out her phone and called in.
"Bogo."
"Chief, it's me. We have a problem, Psych and Oshu are recruiting and it's not in a pretty way."
"What happened?"
"We found Finnick, he's been beaten up pretty bad. He refused to join them. They think Nick's name is Andrew as well, I don't know why."
"Uh, Carrots?" Nick called from the other room. "Andrew was what I went by at the party, they must have talked with Wolford."
"Did you hear that?"
"No."
"Andrew was what Nick went by at the street race, he says. What should we do with Finnick?"
"Does he require hospitalization?"
"Maybe, his eye is looking pretty bad but, he's refusing to go."
"If Finnick is that stubborn it's a safe gamble he won't be cooperative enough to guarantee protection. Perhaps advise him to stay at a hotel for the next few days."
"Chief, when are we going to move in and stop them?" Judy reinforced.
"We don't know where they are, Hopps. The bunker in the Rainforest District was destroyed, they've moved on. If they show up in the streets, you'll have to use any method to detain them you can. Lethal if you truly must." Judy gasped a bit at the idea. "Can you do that?"
"If I have to."
"Our priority is to bring them in so we can lay charges against the whole team. The more we get out of them, the better off we'll be so it's safe to say that lethal force is an absolute last resort."
"I know." Judy agreed.
"Our databanks have been compromised as well, but if they're calling Nick by Andrew, than it's likely you'll be safe there. Wolford unfortunately may not be so lucky, I've been trying to get Delgato to tell him to pull out, but he hasn't found him. It's likely his cover is compromised. Come in tomorrow, we have a few leads that You, Nick, Jason and Matt can pursue. I'm also going to go down into storage with the old records, see if I can't do some old fashioned war footing. We'll finish this off soon."
"Sounds good chief. Take care."
"Good work." Bogo answered, ending the call. Judy breathed a sigh and stepped out into the living room.
"We can't offer him protection, Bogo says he should stay at a hotel in the mean time."
"We have the couch, best part is it's free." Nick offered to his friend.
"I'll think about it." Finnick replied turning over. Nick placed a hand on his friend.
"Offer's always open, you know that bud."
"Thanks, Nick. Judy." He said quietly. The lights rather abruptly flickered and shut off. Setting their hearts racing for a moment.
"Shit, do they know where I live?" Nick leapt up. Judy rushed over to the window and peered outside. All the lights in the buildings across the way were out, including in shops down below.
"No, it's a power failure. Probably cause of the storm."
"Well, just to be safe we'll keep a weapon or two close by tonight." Nick advised.
"Yeah, not a bad idea."
Psych burst into the computer room with his phone acting as a flash light.
"Aiden! Was that you!?" He exclaimed. All he could see were Aiden's eyes, glaring in the light from his phone.
"No, the cities had multiple blackouts, including the lines running out here."
"You were streaming Zooporn again, weren't you?" Psych quipped. Aiden just gave a flat stare, unimpressed with the childishness of his question.
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm more mature than you."
"I don't wonder, the debate is long over." Psych waved off. Aiden cleared his throat and started folding a piece of paper.
"You are going to be mad at me though." He stated.
"What?" He wondered. Aiden handed it to him and watched as he unfolded it.
"I managed to get some connection out here, patching through cellular networks. It was really slow, but I searched that up for you." He stated. Psych adjusted his glasses and folded the paper back up.
"Why did you do this?" He whispered.
"I got keys if you want to go." Aiden suggested. Psych wiped his eyes and opened it back up.
Inside of an old dark house, slowly stepping down the halls was an old vixen, carrying a flashlight and a glass of water. Taking hold of the handle of the door to her room, she slowly pushed it open and looked inside. The visage of someone sitting her window startled her, nearly dropping her glass.
"Who's there!?" She demanded.
"Sorry Mrs. C. Didn't mean to startle you." The figure replied. The old fox set her glass down on the nightstand and slowly moved toward the window. The figure tried to hide his face, but the old girl smiled and lowered her flash light.
"It's been so long since I've heard that voice. I had to be sure, boy." She rasped, feeling the lump in her throat form.
"Hey mama Chase. How are you?" Psych revealed himself to her, throwing off his hood.
"Parker! You're alive!" She nearly cried. Psych stepped down and took her into his arms, giving her a warm but careful hug.
"I don't go by that now." He said, releasing himself from her. Mrs Chase gave him a quick swat with the flashlight and giggled.
"Don't get smart with me, Parker. I was beginning to wonder, if you'd ever come back. It's been so very long."
"Lost track of time." Psych shrugged.
"Yes, you do that. You did that a lot." She agreed, heading over to the night stand for a sip of water she sat herself on the bed. "What took ya so damn long, boy?"
"Work kept me busy."
"Ohhh, mmmm... I see."
"I take it he's not here?" Psych questioned.
"No. No not for a long, long time now. Since Marcus passed, I've been all alone. Left to my devices." She stated, setting the glass down. "Seems it's tradition at this point."
"Yeah, I guess so. What's the last you heard?"
"Hehehe, he was taking after his father." Mrs Chase replied, shaking her finger at him. "I wanted him to stop, but he was earning money. Him and his little friends. First time I had seen him happy in a long, long time. Even if it was just pretend."
"Pretend?"
"About as happy as you are." She quipped. "I'm very old, but my mind is still sharp, Parker. Tell me you're happy with your life, come on."
"I'm not. I'm just making due." He confessed.
"Yes I understand. We all have to do that from time to time."
"That's the problem; time isn't on my side anymore." Psych replied.
"Oh please. My count of days is coming long before yours." Mrs Chase dismissed.
"Well the tumor on my kidney and stomach beg to differ." Psych retorted. The old vixen took his words much more seriously now. "I'm dying mama." He stammered, stepping toward her.
"Oh no. Parker, no." She whimpered.
"I've got maybe a month, two at best and that's generous. It spread through my lymph nodes and they found it too late. You know why I'm back here." Psych reaffirmed. "Please, just tell me where to start looking."
"Oh my poor baby. I'm so sorry, I truly do not know." She cried. Psych hung his head and turned to the window. "No, hold on." She insisted, shuffling over to her dresser, she pulled it open and started pushing things aside. Psych walked over, wondering what the old girl was up to when she pulled out a purple velvet box. "Here." Psych was awestruck, looking at the little box. Gently taking it from her hand he opened it up. Nestled within was a diamond ring, circled with four rubies.
"I, I can't believe you still have this." Psych tried to choke back the tears.
"Please, it's yours. Rachel would want it with you. Take it with you, for good luck." Psych closed the box and opened her hand.
"No. I can't." He stammered. "I'm sorry."
"Parker!" She did her best to shout. "At least hold on till you give it-" She cut herself off, swallowing for a moment. "You should give it-"
"Mama?" Psych swung around as she started falling to her knees. "Mama, what's wrong!?" He started carrying her toward the bed and picked up the phone on the night stand. He dialed 911 and said in a low voice. "She's collapsed, we need an ambulance." Setting the phone aside to talk to itself. "Shh, shh, helps coming." He assured her. Mrs Chase nodded, clasping his hand. Psych kissed her cheek and broke away, leaping from the window; he slid down the drain pipe and started out toward the street. Getting into the car, he turned to Aiden. "Drive, but don't speed. Don't draw attention."
"What happened?"
"Go!" Psych barked. Aiden complied and started driving away. Within a few moments an ambulance passed by, heading toward Mrs Chase's house.
"Psych, what happened?" He couldn't reply. Just holding his chest while taking long deep breaths to calm himself down.
The emergency lights were the only things keeping the record room lit for Chief Bogo. It was late at night, his eyes aching from going through so many different case files, everything from incidents at the founding of the city, to traffic infractions committed less than a week ago. He was at his wits end, coming to the last few file cabinets of cases. One particular name caught his eye, and cracked open the file. He sorted through dozens of complaints, everything from domestic disturbances to accounts of assault and harassment. But it was the names in the file that caught him off guard. Closing it up, he rushed upstairs, the station still veiled in darkness. No one was working the front counter as he ascended the steps and entered into his office. Delgato was there inside, caught snoozing on the job he woke up in a hurry as the door flung open.
"Chief! Uh, uh. I wasn't."
"Calm down, it's been a slow night I take it?" Bogo asked.
"Yeah, really slow."
"Go home Diego, I've got this." Bogo insisted.
"Thanks, least the storm has let up mostly." Delgato noted, wiping his eyes. As he closed the door, Bogo dropped the case file on the desk.
"No, I'm afraid it's only just begun."
Nick rolled over in bed, seeing his alarm clock flashing 3:44. He blinked a few times, but noticed it was quite sunny outside, enough so it was running across the bed. He grabbed his phone and looked at the time to see 9:49AM. His eyes bloomed wide open as panic struck.
"We're late!" He exclaimed. Judy huffed and rolled over.
"What?"
"It's 9:50! Carrots, we gotta be at work in 10 minutes!"
"Oh sweet cheese and crackers! Come on, we gotta get ready!" She cried out. The two scrambled to get their clothes on while Judy rushed for the bathroom.
"Hey!" Nick called out.
"Dibs!" She fired right back. Nick slit his eyes and threw his shirt on, opening the bedroom door. Glancing to the couch he noted the sheets thrown off and Finnick absent from his spot. Shrugging his shirt, he started buttoning it up.
"Figures, he left." Planting himself on the bed, he waited for Judy to finish up. He knew she was going to be a while, frequently glancing at his phone. 9:57 was up, so Nick decided to suffer the cringe worthy conversation and call in.
"Bogo here."
"Hey Chief, look we're really sorry but we're going to be a bit late today. The power outage knocked out our alarms."
"Just because everyone else is using that excuse today, doesn't mean you get to." Bogo retorted. Nick smiled as he replied.
"Common problem today, huh?"
"Higgins, Johnson and Snarlof are also late, we're pushing things forward about 30 minutes. Just get here, as soon as possible." Bogo stated.
"Got it, we're on our way." Nick complied, as Judy exited the bathroom.
"How much time do we have?" She asked, snapping on her vest.
"We're fired. One strike rule on tardiness." Nick answered with a dopey smile. Judy threw up her hands. "I'm just kidding Carrots, looks like we weren't the only ones set back by the black out. Come on, we got thirty minutes to get there."
"Oh phew." Judy heaved a sigh of relief.
Everyone was gathered in the bullpen as per usual, Judy and Nick had just made it in time.
"Attention!" Higgins called out. The cops began chanting along with Judy while Nick just smiled.
"Alright, alright settle down. Enough! Not much has changed from yesterday, aside from the fact we'll be assigning a few officers to help oversee cleanup efforts after yesterdays severe storms. We have damaged power lines in both Savannah Central, along with flooding issues in Tundratown. We need just a few cops out there to watch over city crews. I want everyone on patrol back for a check in at 2."
"Anything on Psych and Oshu sir?" Judy spoke up.
"Wait your turn, Hopps. Anderson, Snarlof, you'll patrol Tundratown. Higgins, you'll oversee city crews there. Swinton, Rhinowitz, Mchorn, I want you in Rainforest District. Grizzoli, Fangmeyer. You two are on Savannah central patrols, Francine you'll cover the city crews there. Finally, Wilde, Hopps... Parking duty. Dismissed." Nick and Judy glanced at each other, surprised at the request, seemingly waiting for him to change his mind.
"Uh, chief, that was a good one back there." Wilde spoke up.
"Not a joke, vests are in the garage." Bogo refuted, slamming the door behind him.
"Parking duty? Are you serious?" Nick stood in awe.
"Ugh, this is not going to be fun."
After suiting up, Judy drove the trike out into Savannah Central with Nick dressed up in his little hat and vest. The ground was still quite damp, the clouds overcastting the city but thankfully no more downpours or lightning.
"Wow, pretty cool out today." Judy noted, heading down the street.
"I think this car might sink if we come across any puddles more than a paw deep." He joked.
"Har har." Judy fake laughed, pushing on his shoulder. She eyed him over for a moment and started giggling. "You know, you actually make a pretty cute meter maid."
"Ugh, how dare you." Nick smiled. Judy carried on laughing as the two went on about their job. Judy was running around as per usual, ticketing cars right at the time they expired. Nick raised a brow, watching the little bunny go for a while before bounding out and putting a hand over top. "How bout we give this guy a minute."
"Huh? But he's expired." Judy argued.
"I know, just hold on." Nick insisted. Within seconds, a family of caribou were walking out of the cafe nearby and got into the car. Judy clamored over and was about to print off a ticket until Nick cut in. "Hey there, you were over your time miss." He spoke up.
"Ugh, I know, I'm sorry. It's been a hassle trying to get these calves to listen to me."
"I understand." Nick tipped his hat. "I'm happy to let it slide today, but toss a couple extra in next time, save yourself some grief."
"Sure, I'll do that." She replied, starting her car. "Bye!"
"Take care." Nick waved as she drove off.
"You let her off with a warning." Judy noted.
"Sometimes you gotta remember who you're dealing with, Carrots. Animals aren't always perfect and there's far worse things than being one minute over on a parking meter." Nick explained.
"So we shouldn't do our job? Why do I get a hunch this is a sly fox's idea for slacking off?" She playfully suggested, waving her pen. Nick snatched it up and flipped it in his hand before recording.
"I'm saying, a little bunny girl taught me to be more open minded. Why I love her so much." He finished handing the pen back to her. "You don't gotta worry about erasing that one, Carrots." He smiled back, heading toward the car. Judy couldn't help but smile, folding her ears back holding the pen. Swinging around, she giggled and ran for the car.
It was 2:00PM at the station. Jason and Matt were watching over the balcony inside, enjoying their lunch break. Matt gazed down, seeing a deer come in with a dolly full of donuts, much to Clawhauser's delight.
"And there's his lunch, ready to go." Matt quipped.
"He's not gonna eat em all again I hope." Jason said, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Fuck I hope not." Matt agreed. Looking down he could see a box left on his desk while another five were heading into the bull pen. "Oh thank goodness, that should hold him for a while."
"We should get him to join our gym." Jason suggested. "Maybe get him off the donuts."
"There's a lot of things I'm willing to try, but separating that softy cheetah from his donuts is not one." Matt laughed.
"Maybe he can play umpire for the game on Saturday." Jason suggested.
"Yeah, that'd work." Matt agreed, taking another bite. "Wonder how good Judy and Nick are at playing."
"Guess we'll find out." Jason laughed. "Doubt anyone could out pitch me though."
"Do you really want me to comment on that?" Matt laughed under his breath. Jason punched his arm and joined in the giggle fit.
Outside Psych and Oshu were perched atop an apartment that overlooked the station. An RPG beneath the walls they stood behind, waiting for their signal.
"So what's this signal, Oshu?" Psych whispered, watching Tyler leave the building.
"You'll love it, trust me." The cheetah smiled, chuckling as he pat the RPG. Psych gave him something of a puzzled look, before putting two and two together.
"Fennerite!? You filled those fucking boxes with Fennerite!?" Psych exclaimed in a hushed voice.
"Nah, even better." Oshu grinned. Tyler was driving away and grabbed hold of his phone. "Aiden, you in position?"
"We're ready here, waiting on Tyler."
"Five minutes, he just left. Be ready." Oshu replied. Psych snared his collar and pulled Oshu down.
"What did you put in those damn boxes!?" Oshu swatted his hand away.
"C-4. We found out the same place that was supplying Mr. Big with Fennerite was also shipping in C-4. We stole all of Frankie Big's order."
"You idiot!" Psych slapped Oshu's chest. "Can you not tell the difference between distraction and destruction!? What happens when they declare a state of emergency because you blew up the damn station!?"
"Calm down!" Oshu insisted. "I got this covered, just be ready."
"Grrr, next time consult me before you decide to declare war, cheetah!" Psych growled. The two waited just a bit longer, before hearing a reply.
"Tyler's here. We're ready." Aiden stated.
"Go." Oshu ordered. Inside, McHorn, Snarlof and Higgins were enjoying their lunch in the bull pen. Heading over to the boxes, Higgins opened it up and gasped.
"Oh no." He breathed, as the light on the brown block turned from green to red with a beep. The explosion blew out the bullpen, crumbling the structure over head and sending most of it down. Clawhauser was blown out of his chair, thankfully his box was actual donuts. Matt and Jason fell through the floor, crashing with the concrete below. The fire alarms went off, sprinklers began drenching the building as the chief stashed his case file in his shirt and rushed out of his office toward the gaping hole where the rest of the floor used to be.
"Is anyone down there!? Can you hear me!?" He cried out. Matt was buried under a bit of rubble but was pushing himself up with a few grunts and growls.
"Ugh, my head. What the hell happened?" He cried.
"Grizzoli! Matt, can you hear me!?" Bogo called out.
"I think I'm ok." He called back. "Jason?" He began frantically looking around. "Jason where are you!?" He spotted a patch of white fur and threw off the rocks covering it to reveal it was only part of a bear. "Oh no, Snarlof." Matt cried, covering his mouth. The room was starting to burn, if he was going to find him; he had to do it fast. "Jason, where are you!?" Finally he caught wind of his paw, sticking out through the rubble. Matt frantically removed the rocks, but in his haste he pulled an iron support cable out of Jason's body. "No. No no no no!" Clearing the rest of the rubble away, he picked up Fangmeyer and rushed for the door.
"Matt!" Clawhauser called out, picking himself up. Bogo had leapt the balcony and was leading the charge.
"Everyone evacuate, now!" Once outside, they were greeted by the sight of two rockets flying at cruisers parked in the lot. The cars were sent spiraling through the air, nearly hitting a few of the evacuees. Matt tried to get a clear view of where the shots came from and spotted two figures on the roofs up ahead. Both wearing masks and sunglasses.
"It's fucking Psych and Oshu!" Matt growled.
"Diego! With me, Matt, help the wounded!" Bogo ordered. Matt got Jason out to the grassy patch, near the tree at the front of the building and set him down. Jason gasped and grunted, holding his chest.
"Easy buddy, easy come on, we got this." Matt comforted him, taking the wolf's paw.
"Matt. Please." He choked.
"Shh, easy Jason. Don't talk, paramedics are coming ok, just gotta keep pressure on that." Jason reached into his shirt and pulled a necklace over his head, placing it in Matt's hand. "No, no what are you doing Jason!?"
"Matt. Y-your my be-sst friend. P-please, look after them." He whimpered.
"Don't do this, Jason you're my best friend too. I can't." He tried to say. Jason's eyes were closing; Matt pulled him in tight and sniffled. Jason's hand slipped from his chest to the ground as Matt gave one good cry. "No, please don't do this." After a few sobs, he lowered Jason's body to the ground and turned his gaze to the necklace. It was a silver crescent moon, with the name Laura etched on the back. Matt squeezed it tight in his hand, looking to the squad cars. With a gutful roar, he charged for his and leapt inside. Tires screeching he blew through lot and out onto the road to give chase to the monsters that had murdered his best friend.
"What the hell was that!?" Nick shouted, his ears folded back.
"I don't know. This isn't good though, another explosion." Judy said, taking a turn onto a road with a better view. Far down the way it became painfully obvious. The smoke was rising from the police station. "No. Nick."
"They hit the station. I can't believe it." He breathed. People were gathering in the street, starting to panic. Nick threw on his glasses as he and Judy leapt out of the car and tried to calm them down.
"Everyone, please just head back home. The ZPD will handle this!" Judy announced.
"Everyone back to your homes, stay inside and listen for updates on the situation." Nick chimed in. "Finnick." Nick turned to Judy.
"Where is he?"
"His van can't be far from here, let's go check." Nick insisted, rushing back down the street they had come from. As they approached the alley they had last seen him parked, they could see he had moved on. "Maybe he headed toward Sahara, he likes it there sometimes when it gets cold."
"Nick we have to keep the peace. Everyone's scared; we have to do our jobs here." Judy advised.
"Won't help." Oshu stated, leaping down from the awning in front of them. Nick and Judy backed up almost into the alley.
"Not for where you're going." Psych threw in, showing himself on the other side.
"Psych and Oshu." Judy sneered. "You did this, didn't you!?"
"The great, Judy Hopps!" Oshu announced. "It's a pleasure to meet this city's bright little star up front."
"After all, we get the privilege of being the last ones to see you alive." Psych laughed.
"Yeah, about that." Nick cut in. Snatching Judy's taser and drawing out his own, he spread out his arms and fired at both of them. Psych just dodged it, but Oshu got caught in the shoulder. "I'm gonna be the voice of reason here and say; you're under arrest, dirt bags." Psych charged in to kick Nick away, but was pounced and double kicked by Judy to the ground.
"Run!" Judy exclaimed. Nick tossed the tasers and ran for the fire escape and started to scale the building. As they got near the top, bullets deflected off the stairs and startled them.
"Ok, they're angry." Nick fearfully leapt, making haste to the top. Psych was about half way up, when Nick got an idea. Snatching up the bottle of fox repellent from Judy's belt with a smile.
"Hey!"
"Sorry Carrots, but I'm really gonna enjoy this." Nick smiled, drawing out his gun. As Psych revealed himself near the top, Nick tossed the bottle up in the air and fired. The canister exploded in an orange and brown cloud that fell all over Psych. Crying out and nearly falling off the fire escape, he tried to hide as the stench absolutely coated him. "Wow, pretty sneaky slick!" Oshu let out an ear piercing growl, causing them both to shudder.
"Let's not celebrate just yet, come on!" Running over the roof and jumping to the next. Psych wiped off his eyes while Oshu had scaled the stairs and burst by, rushing off ahead. Opening his phone, he dialed up Aiden.
"Gonna need help, tell Manches where the safe house is and get to Savannah Central."
Judy and Nick leapt down to a lower building with Oshu hot on their tail. Judy pointed to a propped open emergency door and shouted.
"There!" Judy went in first as Nick kicked the block over that was holding it open and shut it. An otter who was outside suddenly shouted.
"Hey!" As Oshu slammed into the locked door. Judy and Nick began rushing down the stairwell, while Oshu searched for a fire escape that would lead him down. Finding nothing but two fairly close together buildings, he cracked his neck and rushed for it. Kicking off from building to building he made his way down into an alley and up over a chain link fence. Judy and Nick burst out the door to see Matt's cruiser pull up as Oshu spotted the two. Charging over, he was about to pounce them when Matt charged the cheetah with a deep roar. Throwing him up against the wall, the stunned cheetah stared down the angry lion.
"You're not killing anyone else today you mother fucker!" They exchanged growls before breaking into an all out fist and claw fight.
"Should we help!?" Judy asked as Matt hurled Oshu into a car nearby making a massive dent.
"I think he's got it." Nick calmly noted. "Come on!"
"Alright you prissy little cub, bring it on!" Oshu taunted. Matt swung twice for Oshu's head but he dodged both, ducking low and hammering Matt in the stomach. He tried for a swing at Matt's head, but he caught Oshu's arm and fired off two hard hits to his ribs, moving in close he threw Oshu up against the wall and got a right hook across his face. Oshu kicked him back, sending Matt into a car. Oshu screeched as he swung for Matt's face again, but he caught the blow and threw him to his back on the hood of the car. Matt pummeled his stomach and chest before picking him up with both hands and slamming him on the ground. Oshu kicked him off, throwing Matt to the ground and flipped from his back to his feet. Before Matt could find his footing he took a hard kick to the face from Oshu. Leaping onto him, Oshu started swinging for his face again, but Matt kept his guard up and slashed Oshu back with his claws. Spitting up, he covered his face as Matt escaped. Oshu growled at the sight of blood on his hand. Matt wasn't ready to let the fight go, grabbing Oshu by the neck he shoved him head first into the window of a nearby car, pulling him back out he threw a haymaker punch across his face and sent Oshu to the ground. Pulling in behind him however was Aiden, who leapt from the car and drew out a taser, hitting Matt in the back. The lion roared out in agony, falling to his knees as Oshu staggered to his feet. Matt wasn't going down, even with the overwhelming pain. Oshu lined him up and struck Matt's face with his knee, knocking him out. Aiden dumped the taser head and spoke up. "Where's Psych?"
Judy and Nick made a dash up the street, gaining ground closer to the station, turning left into an alley and aimed straight ahead. In the one across the street, he could see Finnick's van and smiled. "Found our missing fox." He laughed, leading the way out. He stopped dead on the sidewalk however, when he noticed Psych was standing near a stone staircase nearby, his gun aimed at the two.
"End of the line, rabbit." He pointed the gun at Judy and fired but Nick shoved her back into the alley and onto the ground. Psych growled and reloaded the gun, striding toward the alley to finish the job. A shot rang out that knocked the gun out of his hand, another shot grazing across his chest. "Shit!" He cried out. It was Finnick, swollen eye and all unloading his entire clip at the offending fox who dove under the stairwell.
"Get, the fuck, out of our town!" Finnick shouted. Aiden's car spun the corner and cut Finnick off from his target.
"Get in!" He shouted, and with no hesitation Psych leapt through the window and into the passenger seat. Peeling out, he sped away from the scene while Finnick dumped the clip from his gun.
"Wow, that was close." Judy stammered, holding her chest. My heart's just racing." Nick didn't answer; he was still on all fours, seemingly trying to catch his breath. "You ok Nick?" She asked. Nick was trying to pick himself up, but it felt like someone had punched him hard in his chest and back. It was a struggle to breathe, as though every breath was laboured and wet. Finally he got to his feet and pressed his hand against his chest. There was blood on his paws, a lot of it, it was seeping into his uniform, he could feel it dripping through his fur. "Nick!!" Judy cried out. It was dawning on him at last; he had been shot in the chest.
"C-Carrots." He gasped. Nick felt the shock overwhelm him, falling to his knees as Judy rushed to catch him, easing him to the ground.
"Nick, no! No!! Please hang on!" She cried out. Snatching up her radio with one hand and putting pressure on his chest with the other she called it in. "All units, all units we need paramedics at the alley near Herd street and Pride Avenue, Officer down, I repeat." She paused for a moment. "Officer down."
"Nick." Finnick said softly. Judy carefully rolled him over, seeing that the bullet had gone right through. Laying him down, she ripped off her safety vest and folded it over, placing it underneath while keeping her paw pressed tightly on his chest.
"Nick you need to stay with me, ok?" She tried to compose herself. Nick looked at her with his eyes wide open, still struggling to breath. "Come on, deep breaths, stay focused on your breathing, I'll keep the pressure going." Nick started coughing, spitting up a bit of blood in the process. "Nick come on, stay with me!"
"C-aa-rrots." He coughed, clasping her hand. "Don't l-leave me."
"We gotcha Nick." Finnick finally spoke up, staying near his head. "We gotcha, just hang on bud." He comforted, as the sound of the ambulance grew ever louder.