AN: All right everyone, here is the closing chapter. Like I said before, this is goingvi to be the last Zootopia fic I do until more Zootopia material comes out. Hopefully, it will come soon. It could be a special, tv show, or even a second movie, but I would like something to follow it.

To answer a question I was asked, this fic doesn't reflect any sort of political or social events currently happening in the various countries around the world. I'm not blending this with the real world, just focusing on the subjects themselves. I'll say this ahead of time in case people ask, but yes I am allowing art work, readings, and even TV Tropes stuff for this fanfic. You're free to do it with my permission if you desire to do so.

Anyway, enjoy the last chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't Own Zootopia

It was hard to believe that the case had been over for a week. It only seemed like yesterday they were hunting down the Predator Hunters before they could kill again. Judy looked at the last of her report before submitting it to the chief. Stretching her back, she looked at Nick who was finishing his own report before giving her a smile. "See something you like?"

"I see something that's mine tonight," Judy hinted with a sultry eye.

"Oh god, get a room you two," Officer McHorn said, walking over. "At least save it when you go on your vacation."

"Trust me, I'll be glad when we do," Judy replied, closing her eyes and imagining the warm water a hot tub at Foxtrees Resort and Casino. Nick and Judy agreed to spend a few days at her parents' place before heading over to famous casino for a long two-week vacation. The Mayor had personally promised to pay for most of the expenses as thanks for ending the Predator Hunters. It would also give her some much-needed time away from the city for a while. Thanks to Trish Hart's national headlined recording of the arrest and aftermath, Judy and Nick were heroes in the public's eye again as well as proof that Zachary's mindset was in the wrong. Even Kyu got attention as he soon became a darling in the media and becoming an internet sensation.

Judy was just glad he was safe along with his class. Of course, Zachary still got another victim in the end…

It was only two days after the arrest that Ellis' life support was cut off by order of his father. He claimed he didn't want his son to suffer in a coma anymore and asked the hospital to end it peacefully. Of course, there were claims that Ellis' father had a huge life insurance policy on his son and allowed him to die so he could claim it. True or not, it was beyond anything Judy could do and she had no choice to but let the insurance lawyers handle it.

Regardless, Ellis' death was another charge that was added to Zachary's growing list. Nate Neko was charging him with multiple accounts of murder, a good number of them in the first degree, along with numerous other crimes. Despite his age, it was clear that Zachary was going to be charged as an adult due to the heinousness of his crimes. The city was going to accept no less for the psychopath who not only ruined so many lives but caused the city to live in a panic for weeks. Of course, Zachary's lawyer was trying to put out the statement that he needed to be charged as a minor due to his age at 17, but a court would have to decide that.

It had surprised everyone that Dominic Stripes didn't become his son's defense lawyer, but then again with the whole city hating him it made sense why he wasn't showing his face in public. The fallout of Zachary's actions was both swift and huge with the entire PPP organization being torn down with members leaving in protest and staff quitting in disgust. The centers, charities, and leagues it created or were associated with also dismissed or forced to separate themselves from the PPP. Dominic Stripes himself suffered greatly as well with his removal from his job under a stern protest from the other employees. He was a pariah everywhere with protest spending three days in front of his house threatening him or calling for him to be locked up with his son. The police were forced to surround the house with officers to protect Dominic and his wife, but just yesterday Mrs. Stripes had left her husband, escorted by police to her sister's with Dominic crying and begging her to stay. The word 'divorce' was heard according to the ones escorting her.

Judy was torn between believing he was getting what he deserved and pitying him. It was true his actions and behavior lead in someway to Zachary's actions. A husband and father, blinded by grief and prejudice, who helped mold his son into a serial murderer and wannabe terrorist. Yet the tears he shed were real, and it was clear he didn't want this to happen. Yet there was nothing to be done but to suffer the consequences of his actions.

"And done!" Nick shouted, almost with joy, as he shut his computer down. "No more paperwork for me! Time to just relax!"

"Well, try not to get to happy," Judy said, getting up and walking to her boyfriend. "We still got to pack for our trip tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah," Nick said, rolling his eyes before giving his girlfriend a smooch on the cheek. "Just let me be a bit happy, okay?"

Judy giggled before she noticed someone walking towards them with a soft yet sad smile on his face. Judy, Nick, and McHorn all stood straight as Jordon walked over, no longer in his uniform. "Hey, guys…good work on getting them. All of them."

"Thanks, Jordon," Judy replied, smiling back. "I'm glad we got justice for Pond."

"Yeah, me too," Jordon sighed as he put his paws in his jean pockets.

"I heard you gave your resignation papers to the chief," McHorn said, which made Judy and Nick gasp before turning to Jordon who shrugged his shoulders.

"I did, but he convinced me not to fully leave the force," Jordon answered. "I'm going to be teaching about partner safety at the academy. It won't bring Pond back, but maybe I can help prevent what happened to me to future cops."

One by one they all shook Jordon's paw and wished him well before he made his way towards the exit. Nick and Judy looked at each other as the former looked at their watch. "Well, we still got an hour, but I think the Chief won't mind if we leave early."

"I'm afraid you aren't going anywhere, Wilde," Chief Bogo answered as he walked behind them with a grim look on his face. "There's been an incident…"

Nick and Judy didn't know honestly what to feel about this. They just stared at the white sheet covering the body in the prison morgue before the horse doctor removed the sheet. Staring at them, with wide eyes and still face, was Zachary Stripes. His face was still like in frozen agony, as if he suffered greatly before he finally died. His entire body was covered with slashes from what had to be at least a dozen knives. His ears were completely sawed off and his nose crushed like paper. The doctor sighed before shaking his head. "He had been dead for an hour before someone finally found him in the stalls. I've never seen so much blood come out of someone. Had to be at least a dozen guys who really hated him. They cut off his gentiles and fed them into his mouth to silence his screams."

"God," Judy winced, turning away in disgust.

"The guards said they found him with a carving on his back?" Nick said, stoically as the doctor turned the body over. Carved into his back, with large letters, was the word "SAVAGE" with dried blood all over. "Was he alive when they did that?"

"Yeah, he didn't die until ten minutes later from blood loss," The doctor said, covering the body with the sheet. "They sure took their time. I'd guess around thirty or so minutes before they finally left him to die. I know this kid did a lot of horrible things, but it was a terrible way to go."

"Witnesses?" Judy asked.

"None. Camera's were down too. Nobody saw anything and nobody is saying anything," The doctor said, shaking his head. "I'm guessing this was a hit. I've seen things like this in the adult prisons. Just never thought I'd see it here."

"And since he had every animal in Zootopia hating his guts the suspect list is beyond high," Judy replied with a heavy sigh. "Thank you."

The doctor nodded as the two made their way out towards the door. Neither of them said anything until Judy paused and asked, "We're not going to find out who did this, are we?"

"No," Nic sighed, shaking his head. "Nobody will miss him. Nobody will want to see him get justice. It's pointless."

"Did he deserve it?" Judy asked.

Nick was silent for awhile before sighing. "Ask me in a few years." He then walked away in the opposite direction. "I'm using the restroom. Meet you at the car." He didn't even bother looking back. He just needed to find some place quiet and alone.

Turning around a few halls, he made sure there was nobody around or listening in before dialing. He waited a few minutes before a voice answered. "Hello, Nick."

"Did you order the hit, Winston?" Nick asked, already knowing the answer, but he had to hear it for himself.

"He killed my son, Nick. He nearly killed my grandson," Winston answered. "What is the number one rule of a fox? That which is above all else?"

"Always defend the skulk," Nick answered, closing his eyes. "… or avenge it."

"Yes… I may not be there to raise Kyu, and its better that I don't. But I will defend him in the shadows because he is my family," Winston said before taking a deep breath. "Are you going to try and arrest me?"

Nick closed his eyes and sighed. "No, I know chances are you got snipers already out there ready to take out Judy and me if I even give a hint of thinking of exposing you." He then opened his eyes as if to glare at the phone. "But we're done, Winston. I'm out of that life so I want no part of it. And you won't be in Kyu's life either. He will never know you nor will you ever interact with him. You want to defend him, fine, but you will let him be his own fox. Because if you ever get in five feet of him, I will kill you. He won't be part of that world like me or Finnick was. Got it?"

"… I understand," Winston said. "Consider it done. Kyu will grow up without knowing our world. Still, I owe you for finding my son's killer. Is there at least one way I can repay you before we part ways for good?"

"… Yeah, one thing…"

Nick didn't doubt Winston's information. After all it was his trade. He was just surprised that this was where Dominic Stripes was. It was a dive of a bar way downtown with barely anybody in it save for a one-eyed patched hippo who was cleaning drinks and watching the soccer game on TV. He didn't give a single look at his lone patron, who was already five beers deep. Nick debated even bothering to talk to Dominic, but before he could decide the zebra, without looking at him, said, "What do you want?"

Nick didn't answer. He just walked over and shook his head at the bartender before sitting down. "I thought I'd come to give you the news, but it looks like you already know."

"Hard to not know when every channel decides to announce that your last child is dead," Dominic muttered, turning his head over to Nick. The messy mane and bloodshot eyes didn't paint a pretty picture. Nor did the shiner in his eye from a lucky punch someone must have given him. "Go ahead and say it."

"Say what?" Nick asked.

"That I got what I deserve? That you were right, and I was wrong? That I'm just a bigoted idiot whose hate has finally come back to haunt him? Hell, you can even laugh at me for my misery. God knows I deserve it," He took his glass and started chugging it before putting it down with a deep breath. "I can't even walk into a normal establishment without being harassed or pushed out. I had to come to this shithole. Hell, a fox punched me and told me to go to hell. Well, sorry buddy, I'm already in it!"

Spitting on the floor, he growled, "I just lost my job. My friends. My children. And now my own wife is going to leave me. Everyone in the city hates me. I've lost all the respect and credit to my name with death threats on my phone or email every ten minutes. Can I just at least get one night where I can drink in damn peace…"

Dominic then glared at Nick before shaking his head. "So just say your bullshit and let me drink my swill."

"… you know, I really did hate you," Nick said, looking at the zebra who closed his eyes. "You and those other boys made a mess of me. I'm not saying everything in my life that went wrong was because of you. God knows I've made my own mistakes, but I've held you with nothing but content for the longest time. Now? Honestly, I feel sorry for you."

"I don't want your pity! I want… I want," Dominic began to tear up before he started sobbing into his arms. "I just want my family back! I don't care about the rest, but I want my children! I want my wife! I want… I want…" He shook his head and began to bawl. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I just wanted to protect my family! To protect other's families! I just wanted to do the right thing! That's all! I didn't mean for this! I never wanted this! WAAAAAAAHHH!" Nick's eyes widened as Dominic grabbed him and began to sob on his shoulders, his tears turning Nick's shirt and fur wet.

"Hey, shut up! I'm watching the game!" The bartender shouted, growling, but quickly turned away when Nick showed him his badge. He then looked at the broken and sobbing zebra before sighing as he rubbed his back.

He should be glad he suffered. That he got what he deserved, but there was nothing anymore. No desire for revenge. No anger or fear. Just… a sense of sympathy. Sympathy for the zebra who helped hurt him… and yet now that he saw him… all Nick could do was feel sorry for him.

Eventually, after some time gasping and hiccuping, the zebra slowly got off and stared at Nick with his tear-filled eyes. "Nick… I'm sorry for what happened all those years ago. I…I realize…"

Nick held his paw up and stared at him. "It's fine… honestly, I think its time I let it go." He got up and dusted himself up. "What are you going to do?"

"… honestly, I was thinking of killing myself," Dominic said, sighing. Lowering his head, he muttered, "I got nothing left. I lost everything because of my hatred and now… what else is there for me?"

"… to make it right," Nick said, with a heavy sigh. Dominic stare at him and Nick looked at him straight in the eye. "Don't get me wrong. I honestly don't care if you decide to off yourself or not. That's your choice but trust me when I say this. It's not too late to change." Nick looked at his own paw. A paw that had committed a lot of crimes before he wore the badge on his side. "I was a criminal. I've done a lot of bad things. Never killed anyone, but I hurt them in other ways. You never think about how much damage you've done with a theft or a con until it hits you. I guess in a way you were the same. Your hatred and bigotry hurt so many others. The difference is I got out before it cost me, and I'm making up for it as I go on. You? Well, I guess karma hit you hard and all." He stared at the quiet zebra and glared. "If you want to make up for what you've done, then use those lawyer abilities of yours to serve everyone. Not just prey but predators too. Fight for real justice, not just one side of it. Maybe if you do that you'll one day forgive yourself."

"But… where will I go?" Dominic asked, rubbing his nose.

"… that's up to you," Nick said as he left the establishment.

It would be years since heard of Dominic Stripes again, but Nick would only hear of him twice in his life again. The first was on the tenth anniversary of Predator Hunter's case. Dominic had left Zootopia to join a smaller firm out in the country, representing all animals. He gave an interview explaining how he blamed himself for everything and apologized for his son's actions as well as his own. The second would be fifteen years later, when Nick would receive a letter from Dominic thanking him for helping him and apologizing again. He had died apparently of cancer in the intervening years and left Nick with a single item.

A Junior Ranger merit badge.

Nick didn't bother turning on the lights as he entered his apartment. He just began to take his clothes off one by one until he was only in his fur. Entering his bedroom, he smiled upon seeing Judy already waiting in his bed fast asleep. Slowly, he crawled into the sheets, wrapping his arms around the love of his life as she snuggled closer.

Playing with her ears a bit, Nick kissed her on the cheek before resting his head against his pillow. His eyes slowly closing until he entered a dreamless sleep.