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The Savior or the Cause

"...rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps reveals the source of the Savagery outbreak; previously assistant mayor and current Iron Heights resident Dawn Bellwether. The heinous and propaganda stirring acts were the result of Midnicampum Holicithias, a Class C Botanical flower typically used as insect repellent and more colloquially known as "Night Howlers". The victims of the forced violent effects delivered by Bellwether and company are reportedly making full recoveries thanks to known cures of the substance. Officer Hopps is slated to accept the key to the city once the newly appointed Mayor Cobblepot has had time to settle in. In other news, the Shenz Hotel is making its grand opening at the heart of the city with Chester King cutting the-"

Only the buzz of a few lingering sparks emitted from the television set once the fork was lodged in its screen. Bellwether was tired of hearing again and again the appraisal and idolizing of Judy, and of her own downfall to where she is now. How long would it last? A week? Months? Her dread told her it would be years.

She also knew there was no punishment she could receive to justify showing any sort of restraint. As she was grabbed and pulled all the way back to her cell, she did not regret silencing the news cast. If anything, it was more satisfying than any other way to occupy her time. The bested lamb was strapped into bed that night, and again several nights later after attempting to recreate what had happened to the TV with another inmate's head in its place.

Issue 1: Zootopia's Finest

"Niiick! Have you seen my badge?" Judy adjusts her belt, straightening out her uniform and checking her hair in the mirror. With how short it is, her hair has never been out of place, but that never stopped her from being paranoid.

Nick Wilde, fully dressed in his own police attire, comes into the room with a grin. He holds out his paw to give the badge back to her. "Just wanted to give it a little polish. It's important to always look your Sunday best, haven't you heard? ...Why is that an expression? They say it on days other than Sunday, which means it's not just the best on Sunday. It's just your best at that point. Honestly, whoever comes up with-"

"Nick..." Judy turns to give him a kiss, then a pat on the cheek. "Please. Shut up."

He chuckles and pecks her back, talking whilst helping pin the badge to Judy's chest. "Sorry. I'm just happy." He shrugs with a grin.

She smiles back, letting out a breath as he calms her nicely, the way he always did when she was starting to get nervous. "I know the feeling."

The day is a shimmering spectacle outside in the bustling city of Zootopia. Every building's windows reflect the sun; skyscrapers glimmering for every inhabitant to witness.

Finishing the short drive from their apartment to the ZPD reveals the department's decorations for the exciting day; streamers of red and blue, accompanied by star shaped balloons tied to the roof at each key point.

Various familiar faces greet them, the both of them reciprocating their wide smiles. Fellow officers and company offering pats on their backs, teasing and friendly banter, seemingly endless amounts of support. Nick cracks a few jokes along the way, Judy shaking paws and thanking her fellow officers until they make it to the mostly empty bullpen.

"Good, you're both here." Ed Nashton approaches the dynamic duo. Ed is a weasel dressed up in a gray suit and gloves whom works as ZPD's forensic scientist. He does good and fast work, although his personality and Nick's tend to clash. He greets them and looks over their attire from below.

"Bogo wants you both to go up by the podium once he calls your name. Until then the backdoor will lead you right behind the stage, where you'll be able to hear everything and wait for the previously established cue. Wilde, do try to not interrupt the ceremony with one of your "witty" one-liners. This is a big day for us all."

"Thanks for the ego boost Eddy! Now that I know you truly love my quips, I'll be sure to include you in one on stage~" He gives a wink and a point down to Ed before heading off to the back entrance of the department.

"Pompous Vulpes vulpes..." The weasel sneers.

Judy smirks from Nick's antics, but turns her attention back briefly to Nashton. "I promise, he's just excited. He'll be behaved, for Nick." With that she goes to join him backstage, Ed shaking his head and leaving towards the offices.

Just as Ed had detailed to them, the door directly places them behind the stage set for the event. Chatter from an unseen crowd lets them know that this was all really, truly happening. A city grateful; gathering in one location for the sole purpose of praising them for saving the city last year, and keeping the peace since. The thought made Judy feel overwhelmed inside. Did she deserve the praise? She never asked for the attention, or the gifts, but did that excuse her from any wrong accepting it, fully?

Taking their seats set for them, Nick holds her paw and flashes Judy a grin. In the same moment of the crowd outside filling their ears with the sound of applause, he brought her out of her own head.

"Thank you all for being here today." Chief Bogo's disembodied voice echoes all around. "Today is a day in which we all remember the crisis that once almost jeopardized our home. The dark times that threatened to divide us. Above those dark and uncertain times however, we remember those with the bravery to reconnect us. The ones who reminded us why our city was made, and dispelled the doubts and paranoia to pave the path to our better tomorrow. Our better today. I now welcome to the stage Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde; Zootopia's finest."

Judy couldn't stop herself from grinning ear to ear if she tried. Quickly wiping humbled tears, she stands up from her chair to practically float up to the stage with Nick at her side. It all felt like a dream, and yet there they all were; the citizens cheering and happy to see her. Judy waves to the ocean of those she protected, full of honor and pride. Bogo's subtle smile and nod lead Judy to instinctively salute him with Nick following her lead.

Bogo gestures an arm out to them as he continues. "One year ago to this date, despite all odds, dangers and a lack of support, these two officers took down Bellwether and saved this city. Which is why, on this day, we all require another reminder. A reminder that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. You have all been lead to believe so willingly that no seen dangers means no dangers will make themselves seen."

Judy stares silently in confusion; she knew something was clearly wrong, and that he was not sounding anything like himself. Though with it coming from him, entirely out of left field and being seamlessly delivered just as he delivered the rest she couldn't help but stay silent and hear him speak.

"Saving the city does not mean the city will never again need to be saved. Longer instances of silence only serve to further urge something to break it. Forces to take advantage of the sleeping and unsuspecting populace. I would call you all mindless sheep, if it weren't for how ironically the sheep were the ones who knew the only way to shape the future they wanted was by making it using any means necessary."

"Alrighty, Chief!" Nick snaps out of the shock of it all, taking a step closer to him. "That's enough of that. I don't know what's gotten into you, but-"

"So answer this question, Zootopia:" Bogo doesn't acknowledge Nick in any way, pulling his gun from its holster. "Are you satisfied with your present?" Without any hesitation, he turns the gun on himself.

"BOGO!" Judy cries out, her immediate reaction to leap forward. The screams of the city almost drowned out the gunshot.

Nick sits up in bed, taking note of the time. Judy was gone again, despite her promises to get rest this time around. Once dressed, he makes his way to the ZPD, knowing exactly where she'd be. Soon he was stepping into her office, frowning at the sight of Judy desperately combing through the endless documents she'd gathered since that day.

"I know what you're going to say Nick, but I think I'm finally onto something and I can't stop now. I don't know for certain that it ties to Bogo yet, but there's been an incredibly abnormal amount of funding going towards some brand new businesses in the city, with the weirdest part being who's funding them!"

"Judy..." Nick attempts to intervene, to no success.

"Seemingly random donors every time, giving more than a majority of their entire earnings! I-it must be through some sort of criminal means, so what if the same way he was made to do what he did is making others give their money by force? All I'd need to do is find some evidence, and we could start tearing down this operation and find whoever's behind it all finally!" She frantically waves a paper in Nick's direction, staring at him with wide, determined eyes.

The fox clenches his fist and shakes his head, a pained expression spreading from watching her relentlessly throwing herself at the job nonstop. He walks around the desk and grabs her by the shoulders, looking down at her and pleading. "You need rest Judy! You're killing yourself, putting everything you have to give into this! Just look at yourself, and this room. I want to get justice for him just as much as you, and maybe you're onto something, but getting it done faster won't bring him back! You need-"

"No, stop it!" Judy shoves Nick off of her, pointing an accusing finger. "You think there isn't a time limit? It's been a whole month! An entire month for a murderer to roam free, doing who knows what without consequence! They made a point, and it was us, so now that I'm in charge I'm more responsible than ever to protect. This. City. That doesn't stop with them still at large!"

"They won't need to hurt you if you hurt yourself!" He points a finger right back, raising his voice. "No time to sleep, no time to eat! I get it; it would feel wrong to even try to have a good day with this still looming over us, I entirely get that Judy! But you're not some super rabbit who can do it all without any sleep, and you're not responsible for-"

"QUIET!" Judy slams her fist down on the desk, baring teeth in Nick's direction. "I don't have time to argue with you, either! You need to get out of my way and let me do my job, or get the hell out of my office!"

Nick was ready to retort, but the picture of Bogo still resting on the desk caught the corner of his eye. His body unclenches, though his frustrations don't dissipate, only turning to a deep state of solemnity.

"...He lost his life that day, and I lost him in mine. I don't want to lose yours, too. I couldn't stand a life like that." He starts to leave, knowing there's nothing more he could do. "What scares me the most is, I can start to imagine it, though..." Nick leaves her to do what she must, driving himself back home.

Judy tries to go back to what she was doing, though minutes later she was sobbing in her chair. If it were possible, she'd love to turn back the clock and return to her happy life. The rainbows have all faded, and the filth covering the streets and walls of the city seemed to grow every second that passed. Deep down, she knew that catching the culprit wouldn't fix the hole left in her. What scared Judy the most was the thought of that hole never closing again. This was Judy Hopps, and then was no longer.

She snaps right out of it once loud static starts emitting from her laptop, startling her. Through teary eyes she peers at the now glowing screen, blinking at the small light by the camera turning on. The static clears from the screen, now displaying nothing but a single, green question mark.

"D'aawww, what's wrong Chief? Bad day?" A distorted voice talks through the speakers, Judy's brow creasing, her face leaning forward in cautiously curiosity.

"What is this? Who are you?"

"You can ask question after question, yet I don't intend to make it easy on you by rewarding such inquiries! No, if you believe yourself to be this city's savior, then surely you can solve anything thrown at you!"

"What are you talking about?" She felt helpless to do anything but sit there and talk with whoever was on the other end. The keys on her keyboard did nothing, and she didn't dare try turning it off. Even if she could end it, clearly this was of some importance, and she had to see it through.

"Tsk, tsk! What did I just say? This truly is a poor start to any legacy you were hoping for. You will solve this riddle, Chief Hopps! The first of many, if you care for the lives of others."

"Lives?" Text starts appearing on the screen as the voice speaks, Judy frantically grabbing at her pens to jot it down.

"The battle won, the villain done, you went to celebrate! A crowded place to bounce and shake as the host's hips would gyrate. I was there that day as well, though not as enthusiastically. If a bomb interrupted her return tonight, wouldn't that be a catastrophe?"

Judy's eyes grow wide, knowing instantly what was being implied here. Before she can make a move, they continue to talk. "Good luck on your first test, I know you wouldn't want to blow it! You may want to consider changing your name, however. "Chief Hopps" simply has no flow." Her computer shuts off, Judy now alone once more.

She snatches her radio into her paw and shouts into it as she burst out of her office, hitting the ground running. "I need all units to Jezebel Center, a bomb threat has been made for the concert! Evacuate immediately!"

Sprinting around corners and slamming through doors with her side, Judy leaps into her car and hits the sirens. There was no time to waste, and no time to think; she drives through and around heavy traffic with precision, eventually arriving to see the swarms of people escaping the stadium in a panic.

Bolting out of the car Judy barrels through the sea of terror, having to push and squeeze her way past. Faces were blurs through the onslaught of pandemonium, and Judy felt dizzy. Determined to press on anyways, she makes it to the other officers directing the concert attendees.

"Did they find anything?!" She yells over the chaos.

"Word just came in they found something tucked in a vent backstage, but are waiting on someone small enough to fit in order to determine what!" The equine officer Willow reports, sending Judy right back to running.

She was finally past the crowds, able to hastily arrive backstage. "Move aside, quickly!" Judy orders the officers by the opened grate, taking no time to pause before tucking herself right into it and crawling through the dusty tunnel.

Judy knew they must have spotted the container using a gadget, most likely a temperature reading, since it wasn't immediately in her line of sight. She starts breaking a sweat, making turn after turn until finally stumbling upon the box. She hurries it back in her paws, letting the bomb squad take it over.

Gingerly they open the lid, but inside wasn't a bomb at all. Instead they find a piece of paper; her breathing hastening at the thought of the bomb being elsewhere, still ready to burst. Judy snatches the note decorated in green question marks. Was it just her imagination, or were they swirling around the edges of the page...? She begins reading it to herself.

Well done, well done! You solved my first riddle! But that was just a free pass; an easy taste to get you into the right mindset. Next time, lives really will be gambled on you, so be sure to keep an eye out for my next exciting challenge!

Her officers were all asking her questions, but she wasn't sure exactly what they were. The room was spinning, and Judy turning to follow it, before passing out on the floor.

"Nnhmmm..." Judy stirs, groggily opening her eyes and looking around. She was in her bedroom, tucked into the covers. Nick was sitting by her side, softly petting the top of her head. "Nick...? Mmuh.. When did I...?"

"It's alright, Judy." He spoke slow and calm, trying to get her to relax by continuing to comfort her. "The doctor's gave you a look over at the stadium. You were sleep deprived and hadn't had enough to eat. You over exerted yourself, and it caused you to drop."

She groans, closing her eyes and sighing. "...I'm sorry, Nick.. You were right. I shouldn't have-"

"Shhh." He shakes his head, rolling his thumb over her forehead. "That's not necessary, Carrots. I'm not trying to say I told you so. I just need you to be more careful, and let me help you from now on. I know I can be a pawful, but sometimes I mean well, okay?"

After everything, that got a small laugh from her. Now that she was forced to rest, she knew he only wanted her to be okay. He cared about her, and now she was having a hard time remembering why she ever felt otherwise. Judy now felt guilty, but was aware Nick wasn't looking for an apology. She simply accepts his affection and care, and thinks about trying harder to return the favor in the future.

Nick picks up a copy of the letter left at the stadium with his free paw, looking it over again. "From what I can tell, some low life has been stringing you along through their game. Can't exactly ignore them if we can't be sure the threats aren't real, but we also can't keep evacuating buildings whenever they say to. Guess we'll just have to stop them."

Judy starts to pull herself upright, but Nick stops her by the shoulder. "Starting tomorrow. Until then, you're getting rest and eating up. Doctor's orders, and mine."

She still wants to end all of this as soon as possible, but wasn't going to argue with him on this after all that's happened. As she thinks on it more, she wouldn't even have a lead to follow if she did leave. "...Okay."

"Good. Glad to have you back, Judy." He pokes her nose playfully as he gets up from the bed. "I'm going to go make that food I mentioned. Don't try to sneak out or I'll be incredibly insecure about my kitchen skills forever."

Watching the fox leave their bedroom, the feeling he always used to give her returns. A month of confusion, distress and pain lead her to forget how much she needed him, especially now. He brought her back to the light whenever she was lost in the dark; she only needed to let him guide her.

Judy knows eyes are on her as she walks through the ZPD, all the way to her office. Her officers were worried for their leader, but now was not the time to try and convince them everything was alright. Everything wasn't going to be alright until situations changed, and no pep talk would fool them.

She expects the mystery person to contact her again soon, and mere moments after taking a seat at her desk her laptop blinks to life once more.

"How was the concert, Judy? Did you not have time to get Gazelle's autograph before your little tumble? Fear not; your fall has only just begun!"

This time, she looks straight into the camera. Her expression steel, her voice firm. "The ZPD are not going to allow you to get away with this, or anything else. Turn yourself in, or we will bring you in."

"Really? You truly, wholeheartedly believe the boys in blue are capable of stopping me, when they aren't even able to abide by their own rules? You only defeated Bellwether by severely bending them, if not entirely shattering the barrier! Not to mention your pompous little boyfriend; a criminal fully pardoned and given a badge after helping you break the law you hold dear!"

Her ear flicks, and a realization washes over her. Trying hard to not make it apparent on the camera, she plays it off as though she were hurt by the comments as she looks down to text Nick instructions.

"So emotional for the big head honcho! Now let's see if you can handle your first real riddle."

Same as before, the text appears as they narrate. "Today is the day I make my grand debut! Guess what? You're invited, and the city too! In exactly one hour I'll enter the heart, and my total dominance will start! Do try to make it, or I will be very upset. So much bustle, all of which you could protect." The computer then snaps off.

Judy once again bounds through the door, this time with clarity. Not only could she last longer, but now she knew without a doubt how to bring the culprit in.

Nick spreads information to the other officers in person, having them armed and ready just outside the forensic lab. Judy readies herself, silently nodding to Nick. He nods back, and in one sudden movement he throws open the door. They flood in, and are rewarded.

Edward was just finishing getting into costume; he was dressed in a green, pressed suit and bowler hat labeled with a question mark. His eyes dart around at everyone; caught off guard in the middle of slipping on gloves. To the right of him was an open hatch in the floor, previously hidden by boxes of supplies.

"No... No!" Ed barks, pointing angrily at the lot of them. "This is impossible! None of you single brain celled synapsids could have figured me out! I left no clues, I'm far too intelligent! You insufferable-"

"Shut it, Nash!" Nick doesn't let him continue rambling, rushing over to cuff the weasel, shoving him along. "You were always a prick, you know that? Almost glad you decided to be crazy; gives me a good excuse to put you in the big house!"

"No, you quit your boasting, buffoon! This isn't a victory, it's a farce! You-"

"You have the right to be silent, Ed." Judy takes his other arm, the two of them dragging their criminal to the interrogation room.

In only a matter of minutes, Judy was sitting opposite to Ed at the table. Nick was listening in from behind the one way glass. They needed answers and explanations; they had him now, so waiting was never in the cards.

"Just be straight with me, Ed." Judy starts. "Why did you do this? What was the point?"

"You want answers, 'Chief'?" Nashton leans in slightly, frustration and anger painted all over his face. "I want answers too! Tell me how you found me out, and then I'll humor your dribble!"

"You made it too easy." She has no qualms talking down his ego, obliging his demand. "You told me you were there at the concert with us. Not as a fan, because you didn't want to be there. Which meant you were from the department."

She leans back some, going on. "You knew when I got to my desk. You easily accessed the ZPD computers, on a whim. What narrowed it down more was the box at the concert; only someone small could have placed it that far in. Even since we've brought on more smaller officers, not a whole lot of them here so far.

"What did you in, really, was your need to hear yourself talk. Insulting me, insulting the force. Then you insulted Nick." Judy sits up again, starring back at him. "You called him 'pompous'. I easily remembered when you described him with that exact same word, in a way only you would, because you last said it on the worst day of my life."

Nashton frowns, shaking his head. "Of course. The one thing I couldn't account for; logicless sentiment and emotion."

"Yeah, yeah. We're all very, very inferior to you, obviously. Now answer my questions, Ed."

"Very well. I've always hated the mindless state of the world today. I initially joined the ZPD to turn it around with my guidance, yet soon it became clear everyone was too content in their ignorance to listen.

"I started making plans. I was going to prove my genius to them, by stopping the crime in Zootopia as a testament to my brainpower! Then you showed up out of nowhere, stopped one single incident, and the whole city went to sleep."

He looks down at his cuffs, slamming them against the table in a burst of rage. "It wasn't logical! Suddenly the populace was so blissfully stupid as to all let their guard down! Criminals didn't want to chance it in a bright, shiny and perfect city! But that was never sustainable; it was always going to turn around, and each passing day the equal and opposite reaction would come equally as stronger! So I made a statement with Bogo, to lay the seeds of-"

Judy's whole body tenses. Her eyes grow laser focused on the weasel across from her, and an intense hatred starts boiling up her entirety. She makes one glance back towards the glass, then reaches over to slam Edward's face down into the desk.

"AAGHNN-!" He cries out in alarm, the pain helping get him to squeak too. "Y-YOU CAN'T JUST HURT ME, IT'S AN ABUSE OF POWER!"

"HOW DID YOU DO IT?!" Judy's nostrils flare, shouting down at him and holding his head against the cold metal. "How did you make him say those things? How did you make him take his own life?! TELL ME!"

"Grraahhh, I didn't!" Ed squirms, gritting his teeth. "I had help! Haven't you been listening? You created a vacuum, and now people are stepping in to fill it! I'm only the first to strike; the others will make themselves known, and soon!"

"Who helped you, and how?" His words were worrying her. They didn't sound like a threat; he was telling her what he knew, and had seen.

"You've seen what they did to Bogo! I couldn't say if I wanted to! I gave the instructions on what I wanted, and they made it happen!"

She releases him, and takes a step back. "Who are the others, then?"

Edward scoffs, lifting his head and trying to look down at his bloody nose. "'Who' is the operative word. I can't physically say, same reason. You can't stop them when they have this one in their pocket. They're too powerful even without them! Trying to fight this is a lost cause."

Judy believed him. At least, she believed the information he'd given her. He couldn't give her anything more, so she left him alone to go discuss with Nick.

"I really don't blame you for getting rough, for the record." Nick was waiting for her, standing with crossed arms looking out at Ed. "I'm just jealous."

"He'll make enough enemies in Iron Heights if he doesn't learn to stop talking." She lets out a long sigh, tapping her foot. "He's finished, but now we know there's apparently a lot more to come. Do you think he's right, and it will be too much to tackle?"

"He said the same about himself, and now look at him." He turns to her. "I didn't join the ZPD because I thought it'd be easy. I joined because you made me want to make a change. So when these other faces show up, I have no doubts we'll stop them too."

Nick smiles, and nudges her. "Come on, Chief. You're the one that made an optimist out of me. So let's take this win, alright?"

Judy returns his grin with her own, nodding her acceptance. "Alright, I'll try. For your sake."

She may not know how everything happened yet, but Edward was the one who ordered the incident last month. She hoped Bogo would be proud of her bringing him to justice.