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savannacentralperk · 6 years

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Steps

The group of young mammals found themselves on track just off of the precinct. The center had an obstacle course set up, designed to test the speed and agility of the various mammals who made up the ZPD. Each precinct had some variation of it.

“So! You youngsters want to be part of Zootopia’s bravest and finest! Is that right?” The tall lion paced in front of the row of fidgety young mammals, listening to the meek voices confirming his question. “I didn’t hear you!”

His sudden shout cause all of them to jump, Judy having to flatten her ears at his near roar.

“Sir, yes sir!”

“That’s more like it!” The lion grinned down at them all as he continued, “My name is Chief Simba Pride and I’m in charge of the best damn precinct in Zootopia. For the next four weeks, this camp will give you a taste of what the cadets at the ZPA go through to wear our uniform. Partner up!”

Brook and Judy grinned at each other as the rest raced around, trying to get paired with friends. The bunny had just snapped her attention back to the chief, who was talking to a female polar bear, when someone knocked her elbow. Startling a glance out of her, the doe almost got whiplash from the double take.

Nick stood with paws behind his back, his elbows obnoxiously thrown out. A smirk firmly in place on his muzzle, he didn’t even look at her when she huffed at him.

“What are you doing here?” Judy growled up at him. Brook’s attention was drawn from the polar bear who had taken over the camp to the duo next to her. David was grinning as he watched from his peripheral.

He broke record time getting here, thought the wolf. He definitely wants to make his dad proud.

“Hey, Carrots, do you mind? I’m trying to get my cop on over here,” Nick still smirked as he kept his eyes trained on the new instructor. He really wasn’t paying attention though. Something about the obstacle course……..

“Huh……” Judy pulled her gaze away and tried to focus on what was being said. The fox now turned his eyes towards her. Raising his eyebrows, she felt satisfaction as his smirk faded. He obviously was hoping for more of a reaction.

“What?”

Oh ho, she thought, two can play this game.

“Nothing,” she said with a shrug and smirk of her own, “it’s just when a CUTE, little bunny beats up a big, bad fox, you’d think the fox would be a bit more apprehensive about facing her again.”

“Ok, listen here, Officer Fluff! You didn-“

“Well, well, well! There’s one in every group, but most wait until it’s not pitch quiet to start challenging each other!” The polar bear loomed directly over him and Judy. The bunny’s ears dropped as she flushed red while the fox simply gulped and gazed up at the formidable instructor. Her brown eyes softened slightly when they went over his name tag, before hardening again.

“Wilde is it? Your dad holds some records at the ZPA. One of the finest officers I’ve ever trained. No pressure, but I know all of us here are curious to see what you can do. Now stop flirting with your girlfriend and eyes forward. Same goes for you, Cottontail! Just ‘cause this todd looks like a carrot don’t mean you can stare at him like he is!”

Both teens nearly passed out from embarrassment as the ripple of giggles hit their ears. Judy dared a slight glance and meet the green eyes of the todd next to her. The instructor moved on as David turned his head to look at the other three.

“You know, we’re going to learn how to spar here,” he murmured. “You can totally take her, Wilde.”

Nick’s ears shot up and his smirk returned.

“I totally could.” The cocky remark made Judy scoffed but all three were pulled towards the low chuckle coming from the tigress next to her.

“You are just too precious, Davey, if you think that scrawny little fox of yours can take on Judy Hopps.”

David raised his eyebrows at Brook.

“So if, say, you were a betting mammal, you would put your money on Ears over there?”

“David, I don’t need to be a gambler. I’m just smart,” her eyes turned to meet the wolf’s, “so, yes. I would bet my money on the bunny to beat Red there any day of the week.” One claw reached up to tap her chin thoughtfully. “Actually, I’m fairly certain we have one day of the week down already! Right, Wilde?”

Nick leaned over to Judy. “At least they remembered we’re still here,” before the words registered, “ and she DID NOT BEAT ME UP!”

The last bit came out louder than he thought, causing the other three to snort as all eyes fell on them again. The todd grumbled as the instructor zeroed in on him again.

“More commentary to add, Foxy? I was going to only have you guys run three lap around the track. Figured it would be enough to get the heart pumping! Thought I was gettin’ soft in my old age,” the polar bear almost casually strolled over to the tower once more in front of the fox. “I’m thinking, maybe I’m right. SIX LAPS CADETS! And don’t forget to thank Wilde and his little friends when you’re done them.”

Nick’s ears fell as everyone one again focused in on the quartet. David and Brook closed their eyes and groaned. Judy was the only one who clapped her paws enthusiastically and began to bounce in anticipation. Her morning run had been interrupted and now she could make up for the loss.

Oblivious to the angry stares of her fellow youths, the doe hopped off to start her laps. Brook grinned when she looked over at the todd who had perked up as he watched her bound away. Seeming to snap out of it , he scrambled after her, falling only a few paces behind her lead. With a collective groan, the others followed.

David and Brook lagged behind to grin at their friends. They started an easy jog as the wolf broke the silence.

“So, are you a betting mammal, Fangmeyer?” His ears went erect and his tail set to an eager wag.

“Not with my money, Wolfie.” She rolled her eyes as the wolf jogged a bit closer to her. A quick snap from her tail caused him to yelp in surprise and move back a fraction.

“Glad to hear it! I haven’t got any!” The tigress gave him a confused glance. That was a quick recovery. “I bet you Wilde makes no effort to pass the bunny while running his laps.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise as she sought out the fox in question. She splayed her ears in confusion. “You make it sound like he has a boner for her, Davey.”

“The biggest.” He let out a chuckle as the tigress’s ears and tail went ridged in surprise.

“So why on Earth would I bet that? Especially since you told me you’re broke and I know how your perverted mind works.” David nodded in acknowledgment of her logic.

“It can think up some very dirty things.”

Brook felt a slight rush of wind as the bunny passed her, her purple eyes set with determined focus. She had already ran a full lap before they even went half way around. Nick was right behind her, the jog he started with now a full run. His gaze glued to the tail twitching in front of him, causing feet to to trip over every imperfection on the track.

“Males……” she growled under her breath. “You just said he has a thing for her and expect him to win with her tail moving like that?”

“I know. We’re sick, aren’t we?” David winked at her.

“Your todd won’t make it far if he doesn’t pace himself.”

“Don’t underestimate him. I’ll let you have this round. But just wait until the obstacle course. When we kick your tails there, you and Judy have to buy us ice cream for a week.”

Brook ran a little faster with a grin.

“You are aware that bunny spends any free time she has working and training for this camp, right? I’ve seen her work out routine and the course she built with her brother. Wilde doesn’t stand a chance.”

“And you’re aware you’re talking about Officer Wilde’s kit, right? As in the first fox officer of the ZPD and valedictorian of his class. Nick’s practically a carbon copy of the todd!”

Her eyes moved to the center of the training grounds. Designed without megafauna in mind, the course itself was raised high enough to fit a full grown rhino comfortably under it. A series of roped nets, monkey bars, swinging tires of various sizes, and what was essentially a giant slip and slide, it was enough to keep the spirit of the ZPD young.

It seemed as though certain spots of the course had multicolored batons attached. One partner would navigate the course, while the other followed below catching the batons.

Kitten’s play, thought the tigress.

“And when Judy and I win, we’ll negotiate terms then!” Brook picked up speed as she pulled away from David.”I did say I would kick your tail there and I try to keep my word!”

…………..

Judy had finished her laps with Nick stumbling and gasping behind her. While the bunny still jogged in place and stretched her arms, the todd was doubled over panting as though the air couldn’t enter his lungs fast enough. Judy paused and looked over at him with concern.

Nick’s exhaustion allowed her to creep behind him unnoticed. His tail lay limp and still, save for a twitch here and there, and one small paw reached out towards it. Watching his reaction closely, she gave the fur a firm tug. And choked on her laughter as he straightened up and yipped in shock.

“What are you DOING?” His eyes were wide as he cradled his tail in his paws. Nick was still panting harshly, but at least now he wasn’t bent over.

“Trying to breathe when you’re bent like that only makes it harder to catch your breath,” she smirked at him and started to wander off towards Brook as she finished up her run, “so I thought I would correct you.”

“You could’ve just said something!”

That made Judy turn to walk backwards, smirk still in place.

“And miss out on you screaming like a little bunny? Never!” And with that she turned to join Brook and the rest of the group at the obstacle course.

David jogged up to him still grinning. Nick narrowed his eyes at her as she and the tigress giggled together and looked pointedly the pair.

“There’s a standing date every day for week on the line here, Wilde. Ready?” The wolf and fox didn’t even look at each other as they marched over to the others. Nick let his muzzle curl into a smug grin of his own. “Oh yeah.”

……………………..

“What’s the matter, Carrot Farmer? I figured you bunnies would be good at this!”

Judy looked up from her place in the safety net at the fox grinning down at her. He dangled upside from the monkey bars, before swinging his torso up to finish his crossing. With infuriating ease, Nick maneuvered his way towards the baton attached to the end of them.

She followed its progress into the waiting paws of David. Both males saluted the bunny before they took off for the tire swings. With a frustrated huff, Judy pushed herself up towards the climbing rope to return to where she had fallen from. The bars were ever so slightly too wide for her arm span, as she learned the hard way. So she climbed on top of them and hopped from rung to rung, focusing on the todd just ahead of her.

Both teens had their eyes on the rope of the forth swing. It was another climb but getting the baton would be worth it. Just to see that smirk fall from Nick’s face. Reaching the edge, one giant leap put her right on top of the first swing, just behind Nick.

He turned in surprise, before grinning again.

“You know there’s no shame in calling it quits!” He called to her cheerfully. Judy gritted her teeth and scowled at him.

“Yes there is!” That only caused the fox to raise his brow.

“That’s the spirit.”

And with that, Judy launched herself towards him. Nick yelped and tried to swing away from the flying bunny. Her paws connected just barely to the inside of the swing. But the grip she had was weak at best and slipping.

“Rabbit! Whatever you do, do not let go!” Brook shouted up to her. Several other youths, who had been trailing farther behind the pair but were catching up, now watched slack jawed. Nick had put to much force into the swing, though the fox was trying to angle himself to help her up.

But something caught Judy’s eye. Another climbing rope attached to the third swing!

“Brook! I’m letting go!”

“WHAT!” David, Brook, and the others all collectively held their breaths.

Judy waited for the upswing and released her grip on the tire. Nick, seeing her focus had shifted, followed through with her. The rope almost slipped through her fingers before she fixed her grip on it. Though the tire jolted as Nick stuck his landing above her, the bunny put paw over paw to get to her target.

Pulling herself onto the tire, she was ready to give the fox her best glower. Except he wasn’t there.

“Ah-hm!” Weary purple eyes looked to the forth swing and the fox swinging on it, bright baton in paw. “You,” she watched with exasperation as he pointed it at her, “are a clever bunny.” And with that, the baton was dropped to the wolf waiting below.

“Don’t be mad, Carrots, I’ve been doing this since I was born,” Nick was already crossing the remaining tires towards the drop off for the slip and slide. One more wink followed by a salute and he was gone.

David looked at the tigress’s dumbstruck expression.

“Mmmmmmmm! I can practically taste how delicious that ice cream is going to be!”

Brook clenched her fists as the wolf took off after the fox.

………………

Judy and Brook were leaning against each other gulping down big breaths of air. They didn’t even have the stamina to watch the victory dance being performed by the two males who had conquered the obstacle course. With his tail wagging, David strolled over where the females were trying to compose themselves.

“Now don’t feel too bad ladies!” The wolf wagged his eyebrows as the tigress’s accusing glare. “Nick and I have only been through this course once or twice-“

“A week,” said the fox strolling up with half lidded eyes and a smug look of triumph, “since we were, what?”

“Five? Maybe six?” Both males looked at Judy and Brook, who straightened up to glower at them. Nick’s smile grew as he met Judy’s eyes.

“It’s called a hustle, sweetheart,” the bunny’s ears stood straight up and her eyes narrowed, “and consider us even for this morning.”

Their camp instructor stopped Judy’s retort as her mouth opened, only to dismiss the group of youths with the remaining days for the camp and their outline of activities. As he turned to leave, the todd found himself face to face with the irate bunny.

“This isn’t over, Wilde,” she stabbed her finger into his chest. “You’re going to be stuck with me all summer and I’ll have plenty of opportunity to get back at you.”

Laughing, Nick kneeled forward and put his paws on his knees.

“You are going to be the cutest little meter maid Zootopia has ever seen, Fluff!” Standing again, he walked past her towards the precinct entrance. “You may even make supervisor one day!” He turned to give her a salute before vanishing inside.

David rolled his eyes and shook his head before leaning up to whisper into Brook’s ear.

“I prefer the Major Peanut Butter Explosion from Jumbeaux’s Cafe,” the tigress sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, “it’s big enough to share.” He winked at Judy as her ears shot up and she sent a disgusted look his way. “Ladies.”

With a smile, the wolf strolled off after his friend.

…………………

In the holding cells of precinct one, a weasel sat in the corner of his cell, nursing the start of a very impressive hangover. He sat with his knees up and his head buried in his hands. The jangle of keys got his attention, but he ignored the officer opening the cell for him.

He walked the familiar steps towards the reception desk, ready to veer right, away from the exit. Familiar steps. Towards the familiar hallway. Where he could meet a familiar pair of eyes and apologize. Again. And again.

Taking his usual course, head still down, he ran into the legs of Bogo. The buffalo reached down to steady the weasel. Having banged his head hard on the larger mammal’s knee, the pain of the hangover intensified. Weary and bloodshot eyes looked up at the hulking officer.

“Weaselton.”

“Bogo.” He side stepped him and continued his route, now massaging the throb in his forehead.

“If I were you, I’d skip it this time.” The advice caused a flare of anger in him as he paused in his steps. Head still in paws, teeth clenched to keep the growl rising up at bay.

“And you can fuck right off, Bogo,” Weaselton shook his head, back still turned, and let his paws drop into his pockets. The slight rattled coins and the crumpled wad of bills he found there promised just enough for a drink when he completed his task.

“It won’t make you feel better, Duke. I promise you, you want to sit this one out.”

The weasel pressed on. Soon he found himself in the familiar hallway. Only then did he raise his head, only to stop in his tracks when he realized he wasn’t alone there.

Nick stood in front of his father’s photo, polishing the name plate with an old red bandanna. The young todd drew in a deep breath and froze. His head snapped over in Weaselton’s direction and the familiar green eyes narrowed with anger.

Weaselton felt the blood drain from his face as he held Nick’s gaze. For one painful heart beat, he thought his partner had returned from the dead. Only the eyes were different. They were green, like Matthew’s, and they had the same shape. Though Matthew Wilde’s were always full of laughter and mischief.

But Nick’s burned with anger. And resentment. Both the weasel felt he deserved. It was the biggest reason he had done everything to avoid the Wilde family. The coward in him had him turn tail whenever they crossed paths. So he listened to that small coward inside him and ran.

Nick had been feeling good about the day. He had only this morning thought that spending the day at the precinct would be torture. His father had taken him to the exercise grounds and through the obstacle course so often, he could navigate it with his eyes closed. There were too many memories in this building.

He had thought being here would be emotionally draining. The way his stomach flip flopped when he entered the training yard was supposed to be proof of that. But he had ended up having fun. David had joked with him, Brook hassled him, and the camp director had busted his tail and treated him like just another camper.

And Judy. She had pushed and challenged him. She didn’t look at him with pity, didn’t patronize him, and didn’t show any fear when he got close to her. The fact that she was willing to fight him to show her lack of fear was refreshing. And she now owed him ice cream for a week!

But in the span of ten seconds, every good thought he had was gone. Nick felt the irrational stab of anger when he met the familiar brown eyes of Duke Weaselton. Anger at the instructor bringing up his dad. At David for goading him into joining. Judy for not showing the Wilde name proper respect. And consuming rage at Weaselton and his dad.

Nick looked up at Matthew’s photo and hated him. Hated him for sacrificing himself for this thankless job. And he hated Duke Weaselton for letting him.

#zootopia #judy hopps #nick wilde #duke weaselton #wolford #fangmeyer #zootopia zpd #ice cream

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