FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

A frustrated sigh came from Finnick. Interrogation was always a tedious thing to go through, but the fennec had a deep hatred for being asked questions he wasn't going to answer. His ears flicked lazily from the dull ticking of the wall clock. He sat at a long white table in the interrogation room with Judy and Fangs on the other side.

"Alright, first of all, I just want to say thanks for coming quietly," Judy said, addressing the fennec. The small fox rolled his eyes in response. "I'm sure you already know by now that if you just tell us what we need to know, we can figure something out for you."

"Heh, alright. First of all, I just want to ask. Of all the cops, why you?" Finnick asked, asking with genuine curiosity.

"Familiarity," Judy quickly answered, trailing her eyes down to the notebook in front of her.

"Well, I guess..." Finnick smacked his lips, feeling a bit stung from the quick response. He looked up to see Fangs with a smug smirk on his face.

"Let's get this shit over with.." the fennec groaned, he already knew that even if he answered their questions it would just lead to more and more.

"Yes, let's." Fangs said curtly, rolling his eyes.

Finnick sat back in his chair and gave a heavy sigh. "Okay... Why am I actually here?"

"What do you mean?" Fangs scoffed, flopping down into the office chair behind him. He was already starting to lose patience with the small fox. Why could they just not book him and be done with it?

He blamed Judy's sense of justice and the fact that she actually knew him. Knowing the bunny, she wasn't likely to put her career over her 'friends'.

"I ain't got nothing to do with whatever those guys are doing now. So, why am I even here?" Finnick huffed, his ears twitching again in annoyance.

"Ah, so you do know something about them?" Fangs droned, leaning against the table.

"Maybe I do... But even then, that was years ago," the small fox hated the look on Fang's face, thinking he had some kind of advantage on him.

"So... Can I ask? What exactly were you doing there?" Judy asked, her voice calm and gentle. Finnick looked her over. She was giving him a pleading look with her soft, violet eyes. As hard as he fought against it, Finnick felt himself slowly but surely caving in.

"Sorry, but I'm not gonna answer that... Unless... Unless he leaves," Finnick growled, pointing a claw at Fangs. There was a stunned look on the wolf's face. This was his chance to finally get back at him. He would give Judy all the juicy details, leaving Fangs outside to wonder about it all.

"Sorry, foxy. But I'm not going anywhere. If you have any information you're withholding I'm gonna be here to get it out of you!" Fangs huffed, now standing up and pacing back and forth. Finnick couldn't help but smirk as he watched the wolf trying to figure out a new way.

"Either the wolf leaves or I'm not saying anything," Finnick barked, crossing his arms.

"Thomas, I know this case is very... important to you, but how about you sit this one out?" Judy politely asked the seething wolf.

"Sit this one..?! Ugh... Fine! But you have to give me all the details once this is all over," Fangs left the room growling to himself. Finnick couldn't help but snicker at the wolf's expense.

"Now, the whole reason you're actually here is the leader of the Hood Masks, Ringtale mentioned you by name. We talked to him again this morning and he thought it was you who tipped them off," Judy explained, taking a moment to write something in her notebook.

"Okay, first off: that was five years ago. And two: why would I hold a grudge for that long only to act now?" Finnick held up both his paws as he made both points.

Judy didn't respond to his words, rather she started to scribble down more notes onto her notebook, catching Finnick by surprise for a second.

"Hold on, what are you writing, fuzz?" Finnick asked, craning his neck, trying to get a look for himself.

"Well, uh. Finnick, what exactly do you mean by grudge? When he caught the Hood Masks Ringtale was sure that it was because someone tipped them off to us. He was sure that it had to be you and now you mention a grudge between the both of you," Judy elaborated, "I don't think it's extreme to suppose there's a connection there."

"Whoa, hey! Let's not come to any conclusions. If there's anything you have to know about Finnick, it's that he ain't no snitch!"

"Look, Finnick, I'm gonna level with you. When Ringtale mentioned you I thought the same thing as you; that was probably years ago and we need to focus on the recent evidence. But it was Thomas who wanted to bring you here for questioning. He said you were guaranteed to know something.," Judy groaned. "I mean beside the Hood Masks themselves, you are the only suspect."

"And Finnick. Can I ask you something else?" Judy asked, jumping to a new topic.

"Uh, sure?" Finnick's right ear twitched as he leaned back in his chair, relieved that they were finally talking about something else.

"How is... Nick?" Judy asked.

"Nick is... I don't know... To be honest. Lately, we haven't been on the best of terms. I... messed up real bad," Finnick admitted, standing up and beginning to pace back and forth. "I really don't know if he wants to see me again. We just started talking to each other and then I'm suddenly being dragged away..."

"H-hold on. Dragged away? Thomas was told to ask you to come with him," Judy interrupted, leaning forwards.

"Look, Judy. Tell you a bit about what happened on that day. God, it's a day I can't forget anyway," Finnick huffed, flopping back down in the chair.

Maybe he could finally tell a little bit of what happened and maybe... Just maybe he can actually get Judy to help him.

***

"Alright, I might say a little bit. But I gotta get something in return," Finnick hissed, clicking his claws against the table.

"Well, what is it?" Judy asked, tapping her pen against the table as well.

"Hmm, I'll get to that later," Finnick grinned, dismissing the offer with a sweeping motion of his paw. "Anyway, here's what really happened..."

"Alright, Travis. You ready to do this?" Nick asked. He and the ferret had already discussed the plan of seeing Mr. Big once again and get the answers they needed.

"Uh... Yeah... Let's get this over with," Travis mumbled, taking a deep breath. He was clearly shaking but he smiled regardless.

Nick gave a small smile of his own, "Don't worry, we'll be just fine." Gideon had already left to open up his bakery, leaving both the fox and ferret standing outside his home.

"Uh. Well, I guess it's time to go," Nick turned and made his way into the van. He forced himself to climb inside, the footsteps of Travis on the other side brought him some reassurance. It was a gamble to go out there, Judy wouldn't be there to bail him out if he messed up. Soon, both Nick and Travis were sitting inside and buckling their seat belts.

"I think we can do this," the fox said, looking over at Travis. The ferret had a hopeful look on his muzzle as well. "We're gonna get Finnick out of this."

Hearing those words coming to life made Nick smile as he started the van. It was a long drive but soon Nick and Travis were deep into Zootopia and on the path to Tundratown.

"We're almost there," Nick assured, saying his thoughts aloud. "I can't believe we're actually going to see Mr. Big."

"Y-yeah. I haven't seen him since..." Travis stopped in his tracks, looking over to Nick in slight concern.

"Since when?" Nick asked, his eyes still on the road ahead.

"There's this guy that I know that was hired by Mr. Big. I joined him and got in Mr. Big's graces, too. We started out doing small things and we were paid for it. But something happened to him. And was all alone. Mr. Big took pity on me and gave me one last thing to do and both of us would be forgiven," Travis explained.

"I went to the place he told me to go, some kind of old warehouse. I picked up a box of something that I still don't know. A bunch of raccoons surrounded me and one was pointing a gun, yelling at me for money that I didn't have. I don't remember what I said, but I talked them down and got out of there. It took a while, but I gave him the box and he paid me and let the both of us go."

Nick listened and was surprised by what the ferret was telling him. "Was that your first time on a run?"

Travis nodded. "First and last."

"Mhm. I used to work for him myself. Long story short I got a few lucky breaks," Nick admitted.

"I quit right after that. It was what he told me to do. It certainly wasn't the life for me," Travis sighed.

"He sounds like a pretty great guy. Have you seen him lately?" the fox pried, becoming all the more interested in the ferret's life.

"No, not in a long time. I should find him and thank him. Now I'm out and about, doing what I wanna do," Travis mused.

The two of them shuddered from the dramatic shift in temperature. Nick turned right towards an ominous gated property.

"I guess we're here," Nick gulped. On the other side of the gate were two polar bears. Nick tilted his head out and gave them a curt nod. Soon the gate was slowly opened, allowing the van through. After parking, Nick turned off the ignition, opened the door and shivered again, feeling his bare paws touching the powered snow littering the ground.

"H-how could anyone live here?" the ferret shuddered.

"They don't. They live indoors like a sane person," Nick huffed. "Come on, he already knows we're showing up."

Both shivering mammals walked through the frozen environment's bitter cold, soon finding two more polar bears waiting for them.

"Uh, h-hey. We're Nick and Travis. We arranged an appointment with Mr. Big?" Nick said to the two towering bears.

***

"Alright, so what's this favor?" Judy asked. Finnick had told Judy everything he knew about the dealing happening all those years ago, giving the bunny more than enough information to put the gang away for a long time. But since Finnick was so helpful it meant that Judy had to uphold her own end of the bargain. She only hoped it was something within her power.

"Well... It isn't really a favor. It's more of me... asking for help," Finnick admitted.

"I'm listening," Judy said, sitting back in her chair.

The fennec leaned forward, his ears gradually lowering. He hated doing things like this: asking for help. It made him feel powerless. Small. But this wasn't about him. It was about Nick.

"It's about Fangs," Finnick started.

"Thomas? Yeah, I know he's always been a bit... Over the top. I know we're supposed to take what we do seriously, but he does come off a little more on the aggressive side sometimes," Judy weighed in.

"Aggressive?" More like bat-shit crazy!" Finnick scoffed, crossing his arms. "Look, Judy. You might not believe what I'm about to tell you but it's the truth and I need you to believe me." His tone shifted from aggression to genuine pleading.

Finnick began to explain things to the bunny. The actions carried out by the wolf, towards him and Nick. Judy was once again listening intently to the fennec, especially when Finnick was describing the actual arrest.

"Come on, Hopps. I know I'm not exactly the best person, but you gotta help me out," Finnick pleaded.

"Finnick, of course I'll help," Judy agreed. But she knew that this was a tricky situation. Fangs was very respected and even loved within the ZPD. She couldn't just go out and report him with solid evidence. As much as she hated to admit it, the words of a fox, especially Finnick, would only get so far.

"We're going to make this right, but we need to get him to confess or find some solid evidence," Judy informed the fennec, noticing his tail thumping against the seat.

"We gotta take him down. But for my sake. For Nick," Finnick growled.

"I thought Thomas was after you?" the confused bunny asked the small fox.

"He's after both of us. But Nick... He wants him in a different way. He's after Nick. That's why he wants to lock me up so bad, so he can... do things to him with anyone to stop him," Finnick explained, digging his claws into the table.

"Then we have to do something," Judy said, sternly standing up from the table. Even Finnick was thrown off guard. But the bunny wouldn't allow something like that to happen to her best friend.

They were both startled by a fierce knocking at the door. They knew it was Fangs. He opened the door and looked around. "You two finished?"

"Aw, shit. Speak of the devil!" the fennec growled.

"Don't worry. I'll handle this," Judy told Finnick, walking over to the open door.

The wolf noticed her approaching and his tone softened. "So, how did it go?" Fangs smirked, sure that Finnick confessed something.

"Well, he did open up a little bit and I have confirmed he has interacted with Ringtale before," Judy retold. "But it seems that it's actually not related to the recent bust in any way."

"A-are you sure? Maybe there's something he's not telling you," Fangs pressed, stepping into the room.

"W-well, there is something else," Judy said in a hushed tone, leaning closer to the wolf. "But I can only tell you outside." Before she and Fangs stepped into the hall, Judy turned around and winked at the fennec.

***

Nick and Travis were ushered inside the dark building and they were met with Raymond and Kevin. The polar bears said nothing and neither did the fox and ferret. The two smaller mammals were keeping close together, attempting to conserve the heat between them. They followed behind down a long hallway, closer and closer to a pair of heavy doors at the end. Soon the two polar bears stopped and in unison they slowly walked forwards, opening the giant doors leading to Mr. Big.

They gestured for two smaller mammals to step inside. A flood of warm, toasty air brought Nick and Travis from the brink of pneumonia. Behind them Raymond and Kevin closed the door and followed behind them once again.

"Nicky, my boy. And is that Travis too? So glad that you two could make it," Mr. Big greeted with a surprising warmness. The shrew was sitting in his small chair with his most trusted henchman, Koslov. Both Nick and Travis slowly and respectfully approached the mob boss. The vulpine especially felt an air of unease from the gaze of the towering polar bears.

"T-thank you f-for having us, sir" Travis said politely. The shrew slowly extended his paw out. Both of the shivering mammals reacted immediately, leaning forwards and gently kissing his ring one after another.

"Now, that we're gathered... What is it that you need?" Mr. Big asked, sitting back in his chair.

"It's Finnick. He's been framed for something he never did. I just need the evidence to keep him out of prison," Nick explained.

"Easy now, Nick. Even though we've had our differences I remember when I could turn to you and Finnick when things got out of hand," Mr. Big reminisced. "So, I'll help you with this."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you," Nick thanked, feeling as if Finnick was a whole step closer to being free.

He took a moment to compose himself before explaining further. "We need to know what happened between Ringtale and Finnick."

"Ah, the day of the incident. I remember it well. But before I tell it, I must ask if our agreement still stands," the shrew asked.

"It does," Nick nodded firmly. He was already aware that he could get himself into exponentially more than he bargained for but he considered it worth it for Finnick.

"And if you are going to relay this to the ZPD then it is required that you... alter a few details," Mr. Big eluded, clenching his paw.

Nick and Travis nodded firmly and listened to Mr. Big explain.

"You see boys, one of the great advantages of business is finding success before it even begins."

_"Did they find him?" Mr. Big asked. Koslov nodded, giving a deep grunt of confirmation. The shrew grinned to himself and snapped his digits. "Bring him in."

Koslov snapped his digits as well and the large doors at the end of the room flew open. Raymond and Kevin came in with a shivering raccoon in a leather jacket and denim jeans in their clutches._

"Hey, put me down! This is a mistake I--" before he could finish, he was dropped harshly on the carpeted flooring.

"Ah, if it isn't just the raccoon I wanted to see," Mr. Big greeted.

"D-don't give me any of that. You! If you think I'm staying here for a minute longer..." The raccoon turned to leave, but he was blocked by the two polar bears.

"Now, now. Come on. Let's be a bit reasonable. I'm trying to pay you a bit of hospitality and offer you a way to repay it," Mr. Big responded.

The raccoon picked up on the boss' tone and wording. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to try and fight them off. Whatever they wanted from him he would just get it over with and get the hell out.

"Well, I meant to ask... What is this all about?" the raccoon asked in a changed tone.

"Hmm, all me to be frank with you Mr. Ringtale," Mr. Big started, taking a small cocktail Koslov somehow handed to him. "I've heard rumors from my... 'informants' that you have a project you're working on. It sounds very promising."

Ringtale blinked in surprise and looked at the shrew. "Wait, how do you know about that?"

"Easy, my boy. I'm here to strike you a deal. I can tell that when this stuff hits the streets it's gonna be going places. I'm extending a little aid your way," the mob boss explained.

"How so?" Ringtale asked, now giving the boss his full attention.

"How does this sound? An idea that will get us both what we want," Mr. Big proposed. "Let's say about forty percent for my boys and I'll keep your boys safe."

Ringtale crossed his arms and considered what he was offered. He and his boys were just getting started and were in need for a test run on the market. But how did this shrew find out about it? He never expected that he would be offered a deal of all things.

"I'll take it! You got yourself a deal!" Ringtale beamed.

"Then it's decided. When the stuff's ready I want the first batch here. I want to see what we're working with," Mr. Big informed. "Now, Kevin. Raymond. Take him back so he can return to his 'affairs." The two polar bears nodded and escorted the raccoon out.

"That's how it started off. All was going well. I tell you boys, when this stuff hit the streets, it was something incredible. But...it didn't last long."

"Sooner or later those raccoon's thought they could pull one over on me. My associates informed me that the batches I requested were coming in fake. I was hurt and furious that my trust in Ringtale was betrayed. We could have had a beautiful thing going on. In truth, I was swindling him out of more than I promised, but having the gall to send over false products was nothing short of betrayal."

Nick and Travis were listening intently as the shrew continued with the story.

"When I first found this out I was furious. I even thought about icing him but at the same time I had to respect his bold attempt. So I arranged for one last and rather large shipment to be picked up for me. What he didn't know is I cut him off," Mr. Big chuckled. "He betrayed me so I betrayed him in return. If anything in the crate was fake then there would be nothing lost. All I needed was someone to make the pick up."

"And that led you to choose Finnick?" Nick asked.

"Finnick was the one to make the first pick up. The fake one. He was the one who first found out it was fake. Without a single order from me he went back and fought for my money. I was truly touched by his efforts. I've always respected how he carried out his work ethic and dedication," the shrew sighed.

"I know he'll appreciate hearing that," Nick said respectfully.

"But it was Travis who picked up that last case. I heard that you had a little trouble and managed to talk your way out of it," Mr. Big smirked. "Never heard of that before, you got some talent."

"T-thank you," Travis stammered, trying not to think about that day again.

So that's why Travis is here. Finnick was the first involved and Travis was the last. They're both connected to it all, Nick mused to himself.

"Thank you for telling us this, Mr. Big," the fox bowed. "Whatever you need us to do, we'll do it."

"Hmm, I'm sure," Mr. Big said, waving his paw in a shooing manner. Both Raymond and Kevin stepped closer, walking the two smaller mammals out.