Zootopia: A Tale of Two Foxes

Chapter VIII: Secrets of Mr. Big

After roughly 45 minutes, Judy and Nick arrived at Mr. Big's place. Mr. Manchas opened the limo door for them politely, dipping his head respectfully as they walked out of the vehicle. Judy and Nick thanked him for his service and made their way into Mr. Big's place. The two polar bears guards at first eyed them with suspicion, but when Judy and Nick identified themselves as friends of Mr. Big (with Mr. Manchas to back up those claims), the two polar bear guards allowed them entry, escorting them personally to the meeting room.

Just as Nicholas had remembered the last time he was there with Judy, the floor was mostly stonework and the place in general looked quite antique. He saw the all-too-familiar picture of Mr. Big's grandmother on a plate located not too far from a wooden door, a door which eventually opened as several polar bears made their entry. Two normal-looking polar bears with black suits entered the room first, just as Nicholas had remembered, followed by an older, much taller polar bear. At least this time I don't have to tell Carrots to quit talking. Nick thought to himself, remembering how narrowly he and Judy had escaped the first time they had met Mr. Big together. The large polar sat himself in his seat before placing his paws forward, revealing a tiny black leather spinning-chair. Turning the chair to face the two officers, Mr. Big made his presence known to the two officers, still looking like his good old self.

Even though his eyes were hidden by his bushy black eyebrows, Nicholas could tell that Mr. Big was nevertheless happy to see them again. "Ah Nicky, it's good to see you again. And is that Judy with you?" "At your service, Mr. Big." Judy replied with warmth in her voice, though nevertheless polite. "It is good to see you again, Mr. Big. Mind if I?" Nick asked, referring to the ring on his finger. Mr. Big held out his hand, and Nicholas gave it a little kiss, a gesture of respect in the eyes of Mr. Big. "I still cannot thank you two enough..." Mr. Big started to say, before breaking in a short coughing fit. Judy and Nick looked at him with concern, but Mr. Big gestured to them that he was fine, and thus they allowed him to continue, "I cannot thank you two enough for all that you have done for me. To you Judy, for saving my beautiful daughter Fru Fru. To both of you, for bringing back Mr. Manchas and Mr. Otterton safely. If there is any service you request of me, I will willingly do so." Glad to see they were off on the right foot, Nicholas was ready to ask his questions and say what he had to say. Unfortunately for him, before he could start talking, a new sound from behind cut off his words. Both officers turned around to see what had caused the ruckus.

From the same door they had entered, a new polar bear had made his appearance. This polar bear had a "dead" left eye, and there was scar down that same side of the face, giving him a very tough look indeed. "Who might that be?" Nick asked Mr. Big. "His name is Loxo." Mr. Big replied, "He had joined our group a while ago, saying that he had taken down several hostile arctic foxes to reach my place and offer his services. His scars (both on his face and other portions of his body if they were showing) and his lost eye I took as a sign of his determination, of his desire to come work for me, and thus I allowed him to join my group." Nicholas could not help but feel uneasy whenever he looked at the seemingly "newcomer" polar bear, wondering just how much things had changed around here. Nevertheless, he and Judy knew they had to get to the point. "Look Mr. Big, we are here to ask some questions, but we are also here to give you a warning." "A warning, you say?" Mr. Big asked, curiosity filling his voice.

Allowing Judy to do her part, Judy gave Mr. Big the warning he needed due to the recent crimes, "Mr. Big, have you heard of the most recent crimes that have occurred?" "Are you referring to my polar bears caught with the moneybags and the massacre of 3 families just recently?" Mr. Big asked her back, trying to figure out what she meant. "That is correct." Judy replied before continuing, "Mr. Big, the ZPD has decided that the likely culprit for both of these scenes is you and your polar bears." Mr. Big's eyes (or eyebrows rather) widened with surprise at this revelation, and his words reflected the same as he replied, "Are you serious? None of my polar bears were responsible for those crimes! Raymond and Kevin were never ordered to carry out a robbery, and none of my polar bears even knew there was a massacre until we heard it on the news yesterday!" Judy and Nick could tell that he was being quite sincere, and they were glad for it. Besides, there was something else Mr. Big needed to know, "Mr. Big, neither Nick nor I believe that you or your polar bears were responsible. Nevertheless, the ZPD is hunting you, and we promise that we will do what we can to make sure they don't get to you." "Is that so?" Mr. Big said with a hint of surprise in his voice. "You have our word." Judy replied, a hint of sweetness in her voice as she added, "After all, how could I bring any harm to the grandfather of my goddaughter?" "I can see that my godmother of my granddaughter still cares deeply for my family. That is a pleasant thing to see." Mr. Big replied, a great smile forming across his face.