Foreword (number 3): This was the second fic I wrote and, looking back, it shows. It had too many different ideas, many of them badly implemented on their own and done better in others fics at a later date (Zootopia Force of Nature, Savage (by HavocHound), Three months a fox), and mashed them all together, making a tonal mess of a fic. It doesn't help that, inspired by the metaphors and symbolism of rape survival in Disney's Maleficent, I tried to do my own alternative version, having as much subtlety as a wrecking ball in doing so (with cringe-worthy results).

I won't take it down, despite being embarrassed by its poor quality, as I think it's both artistically dishonest and unfair on those who would actually like the fic. I won't be rewriting it though, as I think the issues in it are more structural rather than prose deep.

In short, don't take this as the standard of my usual work. If you still enjoy it regardless, good on you. If not, then please give my later fics the benefit of the doubt, I did get better.

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Chapter 1:

"Ok Men and women, I'm sure you don't want to spend your Saturday evening here, along with your Saturday morning and afternoon, so let us get this pathetic excuse for a training session over with! Arrange yourself into threes and you will take turns practicing the fitting. Nick and Judy are separate as those two lovebirds will either be too gentle on each other or enjoy this too much. GOT THAT!"

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Nick turned away from Bogo and met up with Fangmeyer and McHorn while, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Judy give him a thumbs up before disappearing behind Officer Francine. Standing on gym matts, the three held out their hands for a single round of rock paper scissors.

"Rock, Paper Scissors!"… Nick looked at his two partners holding out their fists towards his index and middle finger. "I'll set the scene, you step in and let's get this over with."

Fangmeyer gave Nick a nod and moved his body into an alert position before starting the performance.

"You're never taking me in alive! I'll bite off your arms before I step foot into that car!"

Nick kicked out with his heel, turning his body around in order to sprint past McHorn and to freedom. The Rhino was slow to act but as Nick went past he felt the base of his spine being painfully pulled back as his head, continuing on with all the momentum he had given it, took a nose dive to the floor. As his snout crashed into the soft foam, McHorn grabbed his two arms and pinned them behind Nicks back for handcuffing while Fangmeyer, who had grabbed Nicks tail in the first place, shuffled himself up so that his weight fixed Nicks legs to the ground.

"That's the easy part guys, now the hard bit" Nick tried to joke, but his voice came out as more of a whine.

"Really Slick Nick? You almost gave me the slip." McHorn butted in.

"He isn't talking about us, Ivory head" snarled back Fangmeyer as he grabbed Nicks lower jaw and pulled up. From his police belt he grabbed a standard issue fox muzzle which he slid onto his captives face. The cage bit in to just below Nicks eyelids as the White Wolf held back the straps and tied them up into a lock which was clamped shut. Handing McHorn the key, he grabbed Nick by the scruff of his neck and hands and pulled him upright.

"You have the right to remain silent, but anything you do or don't say could be taken into a court of the law and used against you."

Nick was glad of his rights at the moment. Looking down, he saw the cage around his jaw and by reflex tried to open his mouth. While his two rows of teeth and space between them were open to the air, the only sound coming out of them was a panicked wheeze. For 24 years, these devices had haunted the Fox's worst dreams and were guaranteed to send a shiver down his spine on sight. He couldn't hear them now, but not long away were the cries and taunts of the five scouts who had given him this fear in the first place.

"Fangmeyer! McHorn!, your charges may not be so suited to library arrests in the future. What do you do if your captive is hurling abuse!" cried out Bogo.

Oh God. Why Me? Why of all…. thought Nick.

"Sir, I tighten the inner st…" begin Fangmeyer, much to Nicks relief.

"SHOW ME!"

McHorn grabbed the lever midway down the puzzle and pulled. An iron aperture began closing and painfully shut Nicks jaw shut.

Dumb Fox…..

Oh God, here they are, thought Nick.

You thought we would trust you?

"Cheese and Cracker McHorn, he looks like a dear staring into headlights." commented Fangmeyer.

We would never trust a fox without a muzzle!

"He's shaking and hyperventilating, give me the key so I can let him out McHorn."

Dumb Fox, run away and cry!

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST THEM! THIS ISN'T FUNNY. LOOK AT HIM!"

What did I do wrong?

…. Nicks world blacked out, and he dreamt he was running out of a doorway onto an empty street. Bawling, he grabbed the device on his head and pried it off, before throwing it off.

.

His eyes opened, Fangmeyer, Bogo and Judy looked over him. He pulled in a massive breath of air and began rapidly breathing while his hands frantically searched his head to make sure the device was gone.

"Judy told me that you had a history with these devices, had I known I wouldn't of had yours tightened up. I'm not sure whether McHorn would of 'lost' said keys with such zeal had he known, but he can spend Monday on meter-maid duty, thinking about it."

"I'm… I'm… OK, I think. It's not your fault Bogo" replied a relieved Nick.

"Never said it was" sparred back Bogo, who quickly got up to address the group.

"What officer Wilde just showed was that some mammals have a phobia of a muzzle. In these days, when domestic muzzling is a hot topic, avoiding unavoidable brutality is a must. The muzzle tightening lever should only be used in EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSATANCES. Even before that, if you see your charge panicking with a muzzle on him, you should do as Fangmeyer did. Spot the panic attack, get the key and loosen or unlock. This wasn't such a joke of a training session, was it now? Back to drills."

The remaining officers, including Judy, wandered back to their drills while Bogo once again turned back to Nick. "Can you at least manage to continue the practice on your two fellow officers?"

"Yes Sir, the thing gives me the absolute heebie-jeebies, but as long as I'm not in one I can sort of function."

"Good, back to practice."

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"I'll go next" commented McHorn who adopted a Sumo pose and roared out before charging at Fangmeyer. Nick dodged to the side and leaped onto the Rhinos back. McHorn tried to reach Nick, but like a pervasive Itch Nick was out of reach as he fumbled with a loop muzzle and threw it over McHorns titular head feature. With the lead loosly hanging around his jaw, the Rhino leapt backwards and almost crushed Nick before rolling over to try it again. Seeing his chance, Fangmeyer grabbed the Rhino's hands and slapped a pair of handcuffs around him. Finishing the job, Nick pulled hard on the lead and pulled McHorns jaws together.

"Tha's Betur thaan I ex-pec-ted…gud jub tim" commented McHorn as Nick grabbed his key and unlocked the muzzle.

"I can sort of manage putting those ones on. But I don't know if I can handle them better nor do I want to ever try" Nick replied, in a voice that sounded like he was talking about some vile deed done for the greater good.

"My turn now" shrugged Fangmeyer, "You cuff me Nick, McHorn can do the muzzle."

Fangmeyer tried to copy Nick and dart past, but he was larger and slower than his vulpine cousin and was caught by McHorn. Nick handcuffed him while McHorn fitted the muzzle. The devices were quickly taken off and the three were dismissed.

.

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- Nick-

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"Hey Judy!" called Nick, "I'm going out this evening with Ash! We'll pick up our stuff from the lockers and head straight out."

"You enjoy yourself", replied the bunny, "just remember that my parents are coming over for tomorrow evening to meet you".

"I remember Officer Carrots, introducing your best friend to your parents. Third scariest thing I could go through."

Judy went her own way while Officers Nick Wilde and Ash Fangmeyer went back to the office to gather their stuff. While Nick had grown to like a number of his fellow officers, Ash was his favourite. Like many canine species, they had similar mannerisms and could read each other, as shown by the muzzle exercise. Nick had never mentioned what happened that one night to anyone but Judy, yet Ash had known early on that Nick feared the device. He had even introduced Ash to Finnick who, while a more troublesome friend to say the least, was an effective brother to Nick. They had talked for five minutes before leaving in silence, which meant that Fangmeyer had the Finnick seal of approval.

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"So Nick, what's the second and first scariest thing you could go through?" asked Fangmeyer as they left the locker room.

"Well second is Judy introducing me to her parents as her boyfriend." Replied Nick.

"Wait, I know you've got the hots for that little bundle of chaos. Hasn't she answered back."

"She's, well the body language is all there. It's like we've got everything sorted out but haven't signed the papers."

"So why don't you? Or isn't she your true love seeing as you haven't screamed her name yet."

"Old wives tail… Just because it happened to my parents doesn't mean it's true for every fox".

"So again, why don't you?"

"Well, we just sort of… it's hard. Do I love Judy?, yes I do. Might her parents get worried at their daughter being a boyfriend with a Fox? Are Elephants heavy?"

Fangmeyer raised one eyebrow and laughed before letting out a howl. "Well, don't worry. I'll be there for you. Now and when I'm your best man!"

"Don't Joke Ash!"

"I'm not. I'd pay you. The father in law speech could be a classic for the ages! I can't miss that. It's like Clawhauser getting invited to be a Gazelle backup dancer!"

"Or Bogo…"

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The two burst into laughter as they entered the lobby. Benjamin Clawhauser himself heard the commotion and turned to them. "What's so funny guys?"

"Oh, cruel lad jokes at each other's and your expense" beckoned back Fangmeyer.

"Ah, come on. Can I hear them?"

"Sorry Ben, I'm afraid your just not ready for PG rated jokes." Nick replied back in his happy, sly voice.

"I am a proud obese Cheetah, a member of the ZPD and unabashed Gazelle fan. Your mockery is my shield and you won't know that you're getting to me…. Not that you will!"

"Learnt from the best, have you posted a Zelp review yet?" said Nick as he waved goodbye to his friend.

"So Nick," Fangmeyer asked quietly, "The scariest thing you could do right now is the muzzle, isn't it?"

Nick, wincing from the word, shot back a quick and sudden "YES!."

"I understand and respect that." Fangmeyer retorted, with no hint of irony or sarcasm. This was why Nick liked Fangmeyer, canine connection and all that.

.

The two were about to leave when two officers burst through the door with what looked like a giant fox. He was taller than Fangmeyer and, apart from longer limbs, had a similar build to Nick albeit with fur that was longer, containing a variety of different hues ranging from cream to orange to dark red, and growing into a scraggy mane around his neck. He was twitching and shaking and had a fully tightened muzzle locked on to his face. His eyes were filled with terror and anger while foam and saliva leaked from his mouth whenever he tried to speak.

"Clawhauser, get a solitary cell ready. Found this nut terrorising a bunch of school kids this afternoon. Just screamed and shouted," said one of the ZPD officers.

"For God's sake you Morons! He has Nighthowler in his system!" screamed Nick, his voice echoing around the lobby.

"Our Job, Wilde" replied the moose officer bringing in the creature.

"AND YOUR MAKING A COMPLETE PIGS EAR OF IT! HE'S TERRIFIED!"

"He's trying to bite us."

"HE'S GOT DILUTE NIGHTHOWLER IN HIM. I CAN SMELL IT IN HIS SWEAT."

After the nighthowler case, Nick had realised that both the flowers and the victims had a faint odour in them. For many creatures, this was undetectable but, as a fox, Nick could smell it out. Had he known the vile chemical, Fangmeyer would have been able to recognise it as well.

"So what are you saying?"

"Get him into a padded cell, get that torture device off him and get the hospital to deliver some antidote. The concentration smells like it will take a day or so to wear out."

"I'll get the hospital Nick" Clawhauser reported,

"And I'll visit him tomorrow morning" replied Nick. "That muzzle better be off…"

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-Judy-

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Grabbing her things, Judy hopped to the nearest tram stop and grabbed a seat. She relaxed as they left the main square and began trundling towards the next stop. The temperature had increased somewhat and many animals were enjoying a siesta so her tram car was fairly empty with the one behind even more so. Drinking her chilled carrot juice, she planned to pop back home, change out of her uniform, and spend some time relaxing and muzzle timing with her parents. They would be coming over the tomorrow evening and staying for a farmers' union conference on the Monday (stuff about pesticide regulation and all sorts of guff she had never been interested in) and she had been worrying about what to tell them about Nick. Sure, they knew that he was a work partner and friend but they had been planning to pool in their rents and by a nice apartment rather than her bedsit and Nicks…. mushroom farm? Part of her, however, gnawed like a scarlet tick and that was the part of her worrying how her parents would react to her moving in with a Fox. Working with one was one thing but moving in would cause their minds to jump to romantic feelings (perfectly correct, after all) and she had no way of knowing how he loving but protective parents would quite react.

.

"Help…"

Was she hearing things?

"For god's sake you vile little geldings!"

No she wasn't. She heard the unmistakable sounds of Kids teasing someone, cruelly aware of just what they were doing. Looking around, she peeked into the carriage behind and saw the four occupants gathered together. There were three young teenagers, all prey, gathering around someone in a wheelchair who they had over powered and were spinning around. Suddenly furious, she shouted to the conductor, "STOP THIS TRAM, ZPD, a passenger behind us is being assaulted!"

The driver glanced at Judy and slowed down the tram to walking speed. Judy leapt out of the rear platform and entered the forward one on the trailing cab. As they picked up speed again she opened the door.

"Freeze ZPD!"

The wheel chair was overturned, its occupant lying on the floor and hidden from view.

"You're here to arrest him?" asked one of the Kids.

"What are you talking about. You're the ones in trouble!" snarled back Judy.

"He's faking it, has to be. We're just showing it."

"They have my wallet ma'am; my card is in there." Came a tired but dignified voice from the wheelchair.

"Give it, and you might not be spending tonight in jail" Judy said in an authoritative tone as the smallest animal handed her a small, leather wallet. She opened it up and glanced at the blue card present. Pausing, she looked up. "It's all legal. Every detail and watermark present. Hand me your phones" Judy said, quietly, like a disappointed school teacher. The Kids handed over their phones and Judy proceeded to call each Kids home address, check that she was talking to the right parents and tell them that their kids had been assaulting a disabled person and were lucky to be avoiding charges. Each kid got their phone back and looked around in sullen silence.

"Well don't just stand there, get Mr Wilde up and then get off this tram."

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The Kids grabbed the wheelchair and pulled it up. In it stood the spitting image of Nick Wilde. A little bit chubbier and flabbier around the muzzle while his skin, fur (the bright red slightly darkened and containing flecks of grey and white) and eyes looked older and more tired but, it was like Nick was looking back at her. The only difference was the eye colour, a dark Amber rather than Nicks jungle leaf green, that scanned carefully at the contents of his wallet checking that everything was there.

"I think that's everything," he said quietly while readjusting his smart yet flamboyant suit and tie, something she couldn't imagine Nick ever wearing, and grabbing a pair of glasses which he rested on his snout. "Now Kids, If you kick someone in the legs and they do nothing, that means that said legs don't work. Maybe your parents should get you to write that out 1,000 times. I think this is your stop, would you kindly get off here?"

The three hopped off the tram and, as they began moving again, the Old fox turned and wheeled himself up to Judy. "I've been waiting to meet you for a long time but Nick keeps on pushing it off, seems like fate got impatient. My stop isn't for twenty minutes, yours?"

"Ten."

"Let's talk then", he said as the tram exited the street and began picking up speed along an old rail line, "I'm John M Wilde."