The Fire Triangle, A Zootopia Fanfiction -- Part One: Fuel - 12

Disclaimer: Zootopia stories, characters, settings, and properties belong to the Walt Disney Co. This story is written under Fair Use Copyright laws.

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The Fire Triangle—A Zootopia Fanfiction

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Part One:

Fuel

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Chapter 3 – Day of Carrots and Blueberries

(Continued...Pt. 4)

Finding the place was easy; except for a faded paint-job and a slightly bowed-in roof, the old barn looked just the same as Judy Hopps remembered it.

Getting inside though was another matter; the double front doors were held shut by a grapefruit sized padlock and a chain as thick as a python.

Never-say-die Judy however was never that easily discouraged; she remembered a side door close to the back. It would hard to find, almost a secret entrance, but she was willing to bet her left ear that it had been left unlocked and for just that reason.

It all worked exactly as she'd hoped; well, not quite exactly. At the door's threshold, Nick Wilde balked.

"Are you sure this is all right, Carrots?"

It was Bobby Catmull who answered him, (though not directly.)

"I didn't see any 'Keep Out' signs, did you Judy?"

"Nope," She said, and moved quickly through the entrance with the Hopps children following close behind. Bobby and Belinda Catmull went next, and Nick Wilde brought up the rear.

Inside the barn, it was dark, dusty, and musty, the air suffused with the pungent aromas of old alfalfa, diesel, and creosote. The only things visible were the overhead rafters, and the hulking outlines of what were probably farm vehicles.

"Think you can find the light switch, Bobby?" Judy asked

"Yeah, but give me a moment," the cougar's words seemed blunted by the dead air, as if he were speaking in a soundproof chamber, "My eyes take longer to adjust than yours." (Like everything else in nature, superior night vision comes with a trade-off.)

"Hmmm, not having any luck over here," the big cat finally said after a minute, "anybody got a match?"

"No, don't!' Nick Wilde cried out in horror. "There's fireworks in here!" He had smelled the powder the instant the door opened.

"Just kidding!" Bobby called back, flashing a Cheshire-Cougar grin through the dimness. Judy and the kids all sniggered—while Nick let out a growling lament.

"Is everyone from the Burrows this warped?" he moaned, speaking to no one in particular.

Judy answered him anyway, "Pretty much," she said, and just then Bobby Catmull found the light switch.

The lights were low at first, giving off only a dull amber glow, but it was enough. Yep, the old barn had reverted to its original function as a storage unit over the past few years; Judy could make out three tractors, a forklift, several rolls of bunting, a few folded tents, and over on the far side a pair of fireproof blankets marked with hazmat diamonds, labeled 'Explosives1.1', the fireworks Nick had sniffed out a moment ago.

One area of the barn remained uncluttered however, a raised platform at the far end of the enclosure.

"Just like I remember it," Judy breathed; her tone was hushed almost reverential, "C'mon guys."

She waited until everyone had joined her on the old wooden stage before making the announcement.

"This is it, guys." She said, spreading her arms and turning in a slow circle, "THIS is where it all began."

Nick Wilde's head titled sideways, as if he were doing a crossword puzzle and had come to a clue that stumped him.

Before he could say anything, Bobby Catmull beat him to it.

"Hey, would you look at that?" The cougar was pointing towards the wings, "The old piano, it's still there. Hrrrm, I wonder if..." He looked for around and found two pieces of wood, then walked over, studied the exposed strings for a second and pounded out a trio of minor funereal notes—the same three notes he'd played in this very spot 17 years ago when Judy had told the audience, "Back then, the world was divided in two, vicious predators...or meek prey." And now she repeated the line for posterity

That was what finally stirred Nick Wilde to realization.

"Wait a minute," he said, pointing downwards at the floor, "This is the place; this is where you performed that skit you told me about?" By the tone of his voice, he seemed to have been expecting a somewhat grander setting.

"Yep, this is it," Judy answered, turning another circle.

"You mean that thing where you told mom and dad you were going to be a police officer someday?" It was Jessie.

"That's right," her sister answered, looking out towards the spot where Bonnie and Stu Hopps been sitting on that long-ago afternoon. Then, for no apparent reason she suddenly groaned and slapped a paw over her eyes, making a noise that was half a giggle, half a groan.

"Wha....What is it, Carrots?" Nick Wilde asked, thoroughly baffled.

Judy was barely able to meet his eyes. Even now, after all these years, she could hardly believe that she'd...

"Ohhh, Nick...my poor parents, they were SO embarrassed." She shook her head, still wearing that look of rueful mirth, "If you thought I was milking it that time in the Natural History museum with Bellwether, you should have seen me here. I had this great, big bottle of ketchup with me and I squirted it all over myself during the death scene."

To emphasize the memory, Judy held out her paws as if she were wringing someone's neck, making squeezing motions and retching sounds. "Bluccch....Gyyyyuccch....Gahhhh!"

Nick started to laugh and the kids were giggling too. So were Bobby and Belinda.

"Don't forget the ribbon, bunny-girl." The cougar reminded her, almost hooting.

"Oh yes," Judy's voice was nearly a squeal, "I had this big, long red ribbon, too." She pantomimed pulling a rope from her chest screaming like a little girl, "Ayiiiieeeeee! Blood! Blood! Blood!'

"You did THAT in front of your folks?" Belinda Catmull was still laughing, but now her laughs were one part horrified. In the skit, Judy had 'died' after being 'attacked' by another big cat.

"Yep, 'fraid I did," she admitted, gazing at the floor, but still sniggering.

Belinda shook her head and looked at Nick.

"Whoa, Ah think y'all nailed it, fox. They're ALL warped in this town." She glanced at her husband, who grinned with feline mischief.

"Hey, I wasn't you'd never have married me." He said, taking her by the paw.

"Well, somebody has to keep you under control, boy." Belinda answered, and then the two of them nuzzled, purring.

Judy smiled, but then her expression turned thoughtful and she looked out at where her folks had been sitting once again.

"You know...Mom and Dad were never all that happy with my plan to become a police officer. I don't think they're entirely comfortable with it, even now."

She turned to the others again.

"But even with all that, they never stopped supporting me. When I was going to the Police Academy, Mom used to send me a care package every week." She let her gaze fall on Nick, adding. "And when I gave it up and came home after that horrible press conference, they never once said to me, 'We told you so.'" She reached out to tousle Cotton's ears; she didn't know why, it just felt right. "Strange, isn't it? They never liked the idea of me becoming a cop, and yet I never would have made it without them."

Her statement was greeted by a chorus of slow solemn nods. Bobby Catmull started to say something, but just then his cell-phone buzzed—with the same tune the cougar had played right before Judy had informed the world, "I'm going to be ...a POLICE Officer!" (She could not have been more delighted.)

"Hi dad," the big cat said, putting the cell to his ear. "Yep, we're here." His eyes flickered over at Judy and then at Nick, "Just hanging out with Judy Hopps and her partner, Nick Wilde. You remember Judy. Wilde...yeah, the fox that's right." He pulled the phone away for a second, "Dad says to tell you and Nick hello, Judy." He put it back again, "We're in the old barn, Dad. You know; the one where we performed the skit. Yeah, you got that right; it DOES bring back a lot of memories. Listen, where are you and mom? Okay...Okay, I know where that is. We'll be there in just a minute." He glanced over at his wife's bulging tummy, adding, "Got a little surprise for you and mom. No, I'm NOT telling you over the phone."

"It's twins," Belinda explained under her breath to Judy and the others. Meanwhile her husband had just disconnected.

"Gotta run, Judy...Nick. I'll never hear the end of it if I keep mom waiting now. See you around later maybe?" He finished on a hopeful opening, and Judy was only happy to take advantage of it.

"Oh you bet Bobby. If you can make it later on, my kid sister Erin is playing in the talent show tonight. "

"Erin's in the talent show?" Bobby was genuinely interested, "Whoa, I think the las time I saw her, she wasn't much older than Cotton there. What does she do?"

"She sings and plays bass guitar." The bunny explained, "Getting warmed up for her ZAPA audition. She'll be on about 7:30"

Bobby's ears went up and his whiskers stiffened.

"Whoa, she's up for acceptance into to the Performing Arts Academy? Okay now I really want to see her." He turned to his wife, "You'll like Erin, hon. She's about the sweetest little bunny-girl I ever met."

The cougar said this while looking at Belinda—which was fortunate for Judy Hopps, otherwise he might have seen her rolling her eyes and biting her lip. Ellen and Ethan were doing the same, while Jessie was pressing a finger to her lips—a gesture for the benefit of Mikey and Cotton—and Nick was...

Nick Wilde was standing at the edge of the stage, gazing into the middle distance; his ears were lolling backwards and his tail was lying on the boards like a wet dishrag. What the heck?

Bobby and Belinda didn't see him. Offering a quick, final farewell, they began to thread their way in the direction of the exit.

Judy waited until they had gone and then turned to her brothers and sister.

"Okay guys, Nick and I need a couple of minutes alone here, okay?" (The fox didn't seem to hear her.) "Jessie, can you mind your brothers and sisters for me?"

"Sure sis." The younger bunny lisped, knowing an order disguised as a request when she heard one. When they had left, Nick was still at the edge of stage, still staring at...what?

Judy went over and took him by the arm. The fox started to pull away from her, but then stopped himself

"Nick...what's wrong?" she asked.

She saw him glance at her over a shoulder, and then his chest rose and fell, very slowly.

"Ohhhh, I'm okay Carrots, it's just that..." his gaze shifted upwards for a second. "I wish MY father could have been here to see how I ended up; Officer Nick Wilde, ZPD... maybe even Detective Nick Wilde, cross your fingers."

Judy let go of the fox and took a step backwards. Nick was lifting the curtain on his past again—and once again, the best thing for her to do was give him some space.

He turned to her.

"Fatherhood is a huge thing with us foxes, Carrots, did you know that? Yeah, it's true. Even way back before we evolved, the Daddy fox would always play a big part in helping to raise his cubs." He sniffed. "My father was like that too. Before he passed, he was always there for me."

He looked at the floor again. Judy just waited; let him speak when he's ready.

"This may be hard for you to believe Carrots," he said when he looked up again, "But my dad never ran a hustle in his life, he was a completely honest fox. His dream was to start his own tailor shop. I still remember the name he had picked out, Suitopia." He said this while tracing the name in the air with a thumb and forefinger. "It was going to be the first tailor shop in the city aimed at serving both predator and prey species—I know that kind of business is a pretty common thing these days, but back then it was really rare."

"What...happened, Nick?" Judy asked. Rule of silence or no, his revelation was all but blowing her out the window.

Nick's shoulders slumped and he looked away again.

"He couldn't swing a bank loan, Judy." He said, and then quickly raised a paw. "I know...I know; it's against the law for a bank to discriminate on the basis of species. Yes, it is now, but it wasn't back then; when I was a kit, if you were a fox, no lender would even come near you. You could have good credit from here to Vulpitania and they still wouldn't lend you a nickel." He shook his head, sighing, "And like I said my father's business idea was fairly radical for the time anyway. He never had a chance—but he never gave up; right up until the day I lost him, my dad was out there trying to get that loan. The banks laughed him out, they threw him out; at least one time he even got arrested." He stopped for a second, rubbing his eyes. Judy thought that he was done, but then his gaze found hers again.

"But no matter how many banks turned him down Judy, my father wouldn't even think of borrowing that money from the mob. It was out of the question, period. The one time that my mother even hinted at it, my dad quit speaking to her for a week. He was always an honest fox, Carrots, and I know he wanted the same for me." He sniffed, and then his shoulders hunched and began to shake, a hundred hairline cracks threading through his voice.

"I wish Dad could have lived to see me become a police officer, Judy. It would have meant so much to him."

"Ohhh, Nick!' Judy leaped up and gave him a hug, but then he felt him stiffen and straighten up again; the moment had passed.

Or...had it? Nick set her back down, laying his paws on her shoulders.

"Well Dad's not here Carrots, but Mom is," he said, taking her by the arms and setting her down again. "And when we get back to Zootopia, I'm going to do it Judy; I'm going to keep my promise and go visit her."

"Yay!" Judy whooped and threw an arm in the air—but at the same time, she was wary.

Why was it that Nick had never been to visit his mother? In light of what he'd just told her, it made some sense; perhaps she hadn't approved of his hustling lifestyle any more than his father would have. All very nice and neat, except Nick had left that life behind more than two years ago; so why hadn't he been to see his mom in all that time?

Oh he'd seen her around, (he said; Judy had never met her) and he'd talked to her on the phone. (THAT much was true.) But he'd never actually gone to see her. Why was that? Judy didn't have a clue; the most she'd been able to get out of her partner on the subject was, "It gets awkward," and. "We have an issue." Even so, she had eventually managed to extract a promise from the fox to go and visit his mother, (after he lost a bet to her.) So far, he had repaid that debt with excuses rather than action, but this time—Judy was certain of it—this time he was going to follow through on his pledge.

And at the end of the day, wasn't that all she really needed to know?

"Good for you Nick." She said taking his paw, and raising a finger, "Only fair warning fox, I'm going to hold you to your promise this time."

"I hope so, rabbit" he told her with a lopsided smile, "Because if someone doesn't twist my arm a little, I'm not sure I can go through with it."

He did not elaborate, only gave her paws a small squeeze. "Thanks Carrots, thanks for putting up with me getting all silly and sentimental.'

She immediately squeezed him back.

"Nick, you're not silly." This time her eyes were locked into his.

For a long moment, they just gazed at each other.

...and then Nick abruptly pulled away from her; he seemed to be coming out of a trance

"Come on Carrots, we better go find the kids before they trash the festival."

Judy's paws went straight to her hips.

"Nicholas Wilde, my brothers and sisters are good kids and would never...!

Her words were cut off by the sound of a scream.

Judy braced herself for a sly-fox retort, but Nick was already halfway to the exit. She immediately went after him, hopping over the top of a tractor to catch up.

They burst through the door to find Ellen and the other kids waiting for them, Little Cotton was shivering slightly as if the outside temperature had dropped good twenty degrees. They'd heard the cry too.

The scream came again, louder this time.

"Did anyone hear where that came from?" Nick asked, looking from face to face. His voice was both crisp and commanding

Jessie and Ethan pointed quickly to a space between two vendor's stalls. "Through there." the boy-bunny said.

"Thanks," The red fox nodded, and then, "Okay, you kids stay here."

He took off without another word.

"Jessie, mind your brothers and sisters," Judy pointed a warning finger and then hurried after him at full tilt. Her ears—which should have been standing straight up—were whipped back against her neck. Her nose could still twitch though, and now it was practically doing a St. Vitus dance. NOW what the heck? She had hardly seen Nick this agitated since their escape from the Cliffside Laboratory.

Not only that, now she realized where they were going; that gap been the tents led straight back into the courtyard where she'd confronted Gideon Grey all those years ago.

"Come on Carrots, hurry." Nick called back to her over a shoulder, "That was a fox scream, and not a scared one; someone's mad, REALLY mad!"

As if to confirm this, the scream came again; it was high pitched and earsplitting, a lawn rake dragged on a blackboard—and incredibly, Nick Wilde slowed down for half a second.

"Wha...that sounded like...oh, no!" He sniffed the air, and then Judy saw his ears lay back and his hackles rise, "Hang on buddy, I'm coming!"

He pulled out his badge and put it between his teeth, and then dropped to all fours and lit out as if his tail were on fire.

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Author's note:   a few words on Nick Wilde's family history:

In putting together Nick's backstory, I tried to remain as faithful as possible to the Disney Studio's vision of Zootopia; it was a task not unlike assembling a LEGO construction from the remnants of several different sets, all with a few missing pieces.

My first source of information was the Zootopia movie. In the midst of the ranger-scout flashback scene, Nick tells Judy, "And so my mother scraped together the money to buy me a brand new uniform."

Two things caught my attention here; number one, Nick says 'My mother' rather than 'My parents'; number two is that his mom had to 'scrape together the money' to buy him a uniform.

Since a scout uniform isn't exactly a big ticket item, I saw that as a pretty fair indication that there wasn't much money in the house when Nick was growing up. That combined with 'my mother scraped together enough money...' told me Nick Wilde's father was no longer present in the household at the time.

This led me to source number two, the discarded scenes from the 'Shock Collar' version of Zootopia. In one of these sequences, it's revealed that Nick's father did indeed pass away when he was a cub, although the exact details are somewhat sketchy; it's only mentioned in the narration, and the exact nature of how it happened is never revealed. One thing that was shown, and in several storyboards, was that Nick's father had been trying open a tailor shop in the city to be called Suitopia but hadn't been able to swing a loan. Though it was never stated outright in any of the scenes I saw, I got a very strong vibe that Nick's father, John Wilde was the upstanding fox I described here.

Nick's relationship with his father was based partially on what I saw in the discarded scenes I just described, and partially on a webpage I happened upon while browsing through Facebook—The 10 Best Animal Dads, (or something like that, I forget the exact title.) Much to my surprise, the number one slot was occupied by the red fox; a daddy fox often takes the lead in teaching his cubs to hunt and will stay behind to watch the kids while mom is out foraging for food.

And that brings me around to Nick's relationship with his mother. I based this on some things I read on the Twitter pages of Rich Moore and Byron Howard (Zootopia's two directors.) Yes, Nick was an only child, and yes, he has an 'issue' with his mother. (How it was that he came to be an only child was pure speculation on my part.)

I plan to get into more of Nick's back-story in future chapters. There's a lot more material on his background out there than just what I've referenced so far.