Savage [A Zootopia Story]

The catalyst

The day was bright and uplifting. Nick waited for his partner outside of a small coffee shop. A wave smelling of dark coffee and fresh pastries flooded him whenever an animal opened the door. The sound of chatting animals and and poppy radio songs filled the streets. It was a joyful morning, despite being a Monday. Not long after, Judy exited the shop with a coffee in each paw and a smile on her face.

"Did you hear what's happening?" She asked with excitement in her voice as she neared the car. Judy fell down into the passenger seat of Nick's convertible and put the coffees aside to talk to him.

"Well, I've heard of a lot of things." Nick said as he picked his coffee back up. "So if you want a straight answer, you're going to need to elaborate a bit on your question."

"There's another rabbit cop on the ZPD!" Judy squealed. "And he's my hero!"

Nick almost spat his coffee back into the cup. The words took him by surprise. Ever since Judy joined the ZPD and inspired the city, so many new prey were joining the force. The fact that another bunny was in the ZPD didn't surprise him, but it was the fact that Judy called him a hero.

"Another rabbit, huh?" Nick asked, trying to sound unamused. "Does this 'hero rabbit' have a name?"

"Of course. His name is Jack Savage." Judy answered dreamily, her words floating in the air. "Zootopia's first rabbit agent."

"Agent?" Nick asked confused.

"Yeah, he was a spy. And now he works at the ZPD! With me and you! Do you think he'll like me?" Judy asked, her mind racing with questions. "Do you think he'll stay? Why do you think he's joining the ZPD?"

"I can't tell you." Nick said as he started up the car and began their route to the police station. "I didn't even know the guy existed until thirty seconds ago."

Judy fell back in her chair and buckled her seat belt before letting out a sigh of joy. She took a few breaths to calm herself before continuing.

"A star like him, in the same building as us." She said dreamily. "Working together to fight crime! How exciting."

"And why have I never heard of 'Agent Savage' before?" Nick asked "You obviously have a thing for him."

"Because you never asked about him." Judy answered. "A while after I joined the ZPD, he got into Zootopia's spy bureau. While I was busy with parking tickets and lowlife thieves, he was busting drug lords and crime bosses."

Judy took a deep sigh and sunk into her seat. "He kept me believing that I could be taken more seriously, despite all the things others thought of me."

"Well, I'm glad you'll finally get to meet your idol." Nick said. "I hope he turns out to be a good guy. I've never been the spy type, but who knows? Maybe I'll learn to like him too."

"Yes!" Judy exclaimed overjoyed. "Fighting crime with my two favorite guys. It almost sounds like a fairy tale."

Nick was glad to see Judy so happy, but he was secretly worried. He would never do anything to stop Judy from liking Jack, but Nick noticed he was slowly growing jealous.

Judy was obsessed with Jack. She talked about him like he had saved her life in a romantic movie. What if Judy did fall for Jack? After all, Nick and Judy's relationship was already though. Discrimination, hatred and social isolation were things they experienced every day because Judy was a prey and Nick was a predator. Not to mention the fact that laws crushed their dreams of having a decent future together. So it shouldn't come as a surprise if Judy wanted to leave that and live a normal life with Jack.

Pff. What was Nick thinking? Judy didn't even know the guy, she had never even seen him in person before. This was probably just a phase. Soon enough, Judy will find the next trending model and forget Jack.

Or at least Nick hoped.

"You seem distracted." Judy noticed. "Are you ok?"

"What? Yeah I'm fine." He lied. "Just bummed out because it's Monday."

"True," Judy agreed. "But it's a Monday with Jack Savage."

'Oh. My. God.' Nick thought. 'Today is going to be a long day.'

---

"Hey Nick. Hey Judy." Clawhauser greeted flamboyantly as the two animals entered the police station. "Did you hear the big news?" He asked, obviously referring to Jack.

"Yeah! Is he here?" Judy asked impatiently. "Where is he?"

"Slow down, jesh." Clawhauser said with a laugh. "He's waiting for roll call over there." He said, pointing to a room to the left.

Judy thanked him and quickly hurried over to the room with her partner behind her, but Clawhauser called Nick back and gestured for him to come closer.

"I know that face." The cheetah whispered as Nick approached. "That's the face of a jealous fox."

"What? No, you're crazy." Nick quickly defended himself. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Nick, lying is useless. I am the king of gossip." Clawhauser boasted proudly. "I know everything about everyone that walks in and out of this building. And I have seen jealousy a lot."

"You're wrong Clawhauser." Nick denied.

"I know this is about Jack." The cheetah continued with a growing smile.

Nick didn't respond for while, obviously at a loss of words. "How did you know?" He finally asked.

"It's simple relationship chemistry. Take a couple, add an attractive individual, and watch one become jealous of the other." Clawhauser said as he gulped down another doughnut.

"I don't want Judy to fall in love with Jack." Nick confirmed. "So what do I do?"

"There is nothing you can do." Clawhauser answered as if he had said it a thousand times before. "Just let love take it's course."

"That's not a very comforting plan. Maybe I should just kill Jack." Nick thought as he rubbed his chin for comedic effect. "It's the safest option."

"Come on Nick, Judy isn't going to leave you" Clawhauser said as he reconsidered his options. "She's in love with you."

"But she's obsessed with Jack."

"And I'm obsessed with Gazelle and doughnuts, but I know Gazelle and doughnuts can't offer a stable relationship." Clawhauser sighed and leaned forward on his desk. "She doesn't want a spy, she wants a future. And that's where you come in."

"Niiick!" Judy whined from across the station. "Hurry uuuup!"

"This is the moment of truth." Nick said jokingly before heading off towards Judy. "The difference between life and death."

"Good luck." Clawhauser said as he waved goodbye before going back to his box of doughnuts.

Nick ran up to Judy, who was hanging out alone near the room's entrance. She watched Jack, who was sitting down on an over sized chair across the room, playing on his phone.

Jack was a grey rabbit like Judy, but with more height and muscle. Although it was hard to judge from a distance, Nick guessed that Jack was a bit taller than Judy, but not quite at Nick's height. His muscles were well built and it was apparent that he went to the gym regularly. His fur created large black claw-esk marks that flowed from the back of his head and narrowed at his cheeks, giving the appearance of tattoos. He was fit and looked good with tattoos? Nick didn't stand a chance.

"I don't know what to say." She whispered to Nick in panic. "What if I mess it up?"

"You'll be fine." He assured her. "Remember when you were interviewed for the missing mammals case a couple months ago." Nick asked. " And I told you to just ask questions?"

"Yeah. So what?"

"Guys love talking about themselves. Just ask him questions about himself, and wait for an answer. Then ask more questions"

"Ok, that sounds logical. Thanks." Judy said before giving Nick a big smile and running off to meet her idol.

"Please, let Jack be a cool guy that won't hit on Judy." He whispered to himself as he followed Judy into the room.