章 10: For Better or Worse
After the recent events at Blake's residence, all hope seems to be lost. The main hero has been taken to the perilous place known as The Golden Fang Clan for further interrogation. On the other hand, one of Blake's best and most loyal friends, Jacob Silverthorne, has been tasked with delivering Blake's family photo album to the ZPD, and let's not forget that nice sum of money he has hidden back in the trunk of the car. That is strictly being kept as a secret. Jacob successfully reached the ZPD without being pursued by his main enemies. After parking the car, he gets out of it while being in a state of panic, locks the car and tries rushing to the ZPD's entrance as fast as he can. Upon entering the building, he attracts everyone's attention by his wounded body...
Jacob: Can anyone please help me?! Officer Wilde! Where's Officer Wilde?!
Several officers approach him carefully with their hands ready to pull out their guns in case Jacob turns out to be the bad guy....
Jacob: Please! I am not a criminal! I seek help from one of your officers, he is...uh...my relative! PLEASE!
Officer Fangmeyer: Who are you?
Officer McHorn: What's that in your hand? It better not be a weapon pal!
Jacob: No, it's not! It's a photo album, I swear! May I please talk to Officer Wilde?!
Chief Bogo then suddenly appears on the upper floor and looks across the hall....
Chief Bogo: If it is Officer Wilde you're despairingly looking for then I will have to disappoint you with some bad news. He is currently on his way to some kind of obscure company called Onyx Technologies.
Jacob: Let me guess, you run this place. Listen, whoever you are, I can lead you to the Golden Fang Clan!
Chief Bogo: Of course I do. The name's Bogo, I am the chief of this police department and wait, what?! You know where the Golden Fang Clan is? That's some brilliant news!
Jacob: Chief Bogo.....I am Jacob Silverthorne. I can....I can tell you everything but all of these officers looking at me are just making this whole thing more unnerving...
Chief Bogo: Just come up here and I'll lead you to my office where you can talk to me, away from the prying eyes if that will make you less stressed out....
Officer Delgato: Sir, shouldn't we frisk him before we let him upstairs?
Jacob: What? No! That's not necessary! All I got is this photo album that I wanted to give to Nick Wilde.
Chief Bogo: Officer Delgato, that's a good point!
Two officers search Jacob's clothes but find no weapons whatsoever.
Officer Fangmeyer: The wolf is unarmed.
Officer Delgato snatches the photo album from his paws.....
Officer Delgato: How about this? He is definitely a criminal or something. Just look at him.
Jacob: NO! Give that back! You've no idea who the album belongs to....
Officer Delgato turns the pages and inspects the photos. He immediately recognizes one person in the family photos....
Officer Delgato: CHIEF BOGO! This album appears to be Blake Thunder's possession....
Chief Bogo: What?! Impossible! Bring that wolf up here. He is probably a key to tracking down that infernal criminal!
Jacob: I can explain! Please just give that back to me!
Officer Delgato: Say it again, punk....
Jacob: You are police officers....you shouldn't be treating someone who needs help from you like this.....
Chief Bogo: I'll show you that we are here to help you. We just need to ask you....a few questions before you can gain our trust.
Jacob: Well, may I go upstairs now?
Chief Bogo: Officer Delgato, bring him up here...
Officer Delgato grabs Jacob by his arm but Jacob refuses to be accompanied upstairs in such a way...
Jacob: STOP TOUCHING ME! I can walk up there on my own....
Officer Delgato: You really want to get handcuffed, don't you?
Chief Bogo: Just let him be, Officer Delgato. I'll take care of the rest.
Officer Delgato steps away from Jacob....
Officer Delgato: Whatever. Look wolf, we'll keep an eye on you all the time! Don't do anything....illegal, understood?
Officer McHorn: Or I will enjoy crushing your skull!
Jacob: Alright, alright! Just....control your temper please.....I didn't come here to get arrested for nothing.
Chief Bogo: C'mon, shake a leg, wolf! We ain't got all day. Looks like you brought a new case to our attention.
Jacob: Okay! I am coming! Can't you see I am injured?
Chief Bogo: What the hell even happened to you? You should've gone to the hospital in the first place.
Jacob: Hell no, I hate hospitals. I think a small first aid kit will be enough and I bet you guys have many of those...
Jacob reaches the upper floor and walks up to Bogo....
Chief Bogo: You see, our first aid kits are strictly reserved for the employees of the ZPD and not for some random folk. This isn't a medical center.
Jacob: What if I was dying....bleeding fast on the floor, would you provide me with medical treatment?
Chief Bogo: Me? I wouldn't personally because I don't give two hoots about mammals who are friends with one of the most infamous criminals in the city. Where did you get that photo album?
Jacob: Hey! Just because Blake's photo album is in my possession doesn't mean I am his friend!
Chief Bogo: Then tell me how did you retrieve it? You must've stolen it! How dare you! See?! You committed a crime! You thief!
Jacob: No! I swear I didn't! He entrusted me with it before he made probably one of the worst decisions in his life. He stayed at his home to slay the Golden Fang Clan members. He is my best friend....I couldn't refuse to do this for him....
Chief Bogo: There you go. He is your friend after all.
Jacob: Oh darn it! Okay....I am sorry for lying...
Chief Bogo: Listen wolf. All I want you to do is to be frank with me. Don't lie straight to my face. It really aggravates me. If you wanna end up in jail, just keep lying. It doesn't make this whole thing any better. The world is already broken and evil, don't make it even worse.
Jacob: I understand chief. I'll try to make this world a better place then. It's worth fighting for.
Chief Bogo: So, it appears our most wanted criminal is disloyal to his clan and now he is being hunted. Is that correct?
Jacob: Yes. And he may be already dead as we talk. Like I said, he decided to wait for those bastards with two bunnies at his side. They may be all dead by now and if that turns out to be true, I don't know what I am going to do with my life anymore.
Chief Bogo: Relax. We'll help you. It's our priority to help those in need.
Jacob: Yes sir! And....thank you!
Chief Bogo: I think I should be the one thanking you. It is you who is helping the ZPD the most at this very moment. Did I catch your words right? You know where the Golden Fang Clan is?
Jacob: Yep!
Chief Bogo: I'll order one of the officers to escort you to the interrogation room.
Jacob: What? I thought we were going to talk about this in your office.
Chief Bogo: Listen, if we are going to gather pivotal information about the Golden Fang Clan, we need to make sure the interrogation is conducted by a specialist. Officer Judy Hopps will carry out the interrogation. I got a pile of other work to do in my office. You're lucky I was around when you entered the station. Those officers would probably rip you apart if you tried reasoning with them.
Jacob: Oh my god....I just hope everything will be fine in the end....
Chief Bogo: Good will always triumph over evil. Just relax. It's gonna be okay! All you have to do is tell the truth and you'll be fine. Now, handcuff him.
Jacob: Wait....WHAT?!
The officers pin Jacob to the ground as they handcuff him while Bogo picks up Blake's photo album from the ground...
Jacob: I thought you were going to help me and threat me without any kind of brutality! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!
Chief Bogo: You really thought I was gonna let you roam freely around the station knowing that you are Blake's relative? I am way too far from being impetuous and stupid! I can discern a criminal among hundreds of innocent mammals and I can clearly recognize their devious habits! You're not fooling the head of this station, boy!
Jacob: Please Chief! Don't do this to me! I wasn't planning to assault anyone here by outsmarting you. I do NOT work for the Golden Fang Clan, not anymore. I came here to help YOU! To help you eliminate Zootopia's most dangerous criminals and their clan for Christ's sake!
Chief Bogo: I don't care! Detaining you will have a satisfactory result, one less criminal to worry about. I have no idea what happened to you and what you are really up to, but I think you escaped the bear and fell to the lion. Good for us.
Jacob: Can't you understand I am not the bad guy?
Chief Bogo: Can't really trust a wolf from a criminal organization.
Jacob: Could you at least give that photo album back?
Chief Bogo: Why should I? It is going to be examined. Take him to the investigation room.
Jacob: So much for being accommodating....thank you!
The wolf officers take Jacob to the interrogation room. One of them opens the door for him which leads to a room with a table and two chairs. Jacob begins to tremble nervously as he enters the room. The door gets closed and locked behind him. He sits on the chair and puts his paws on the table and tries to stay calm. His heart is racing like never before. After a couple of minutes, three officers come into the room with a small, heroic bunny with a prestigious rank. It's Judy Hopps herself. She is dressed in a white dress shirt, carrying Blake's photo album. She is ready to interrogate Jacob. She enters the room and gets terrified of Jacob's bloody fur....
Judy: Oh sweet cheese and crackers! What happened to you?
Jacob is unable to respond properly as he is in an overwrought condition. This building.....this room.....everything has a bad impact on his mental health....
Jacob: This...this is what happens to a mammal who is no longer welcome in a particular society...
She sits down and puts Blake's photo album on the table...
Judy: You need to be hospitalized or something because those are some serious injuries that need medical attention.
Jacob: I'll live. I already went through the worst. I am willing to tell you the truth about anything you want. I got no reason to keep any secrets from you anymore. My life is worthless.
He is trying hard not to break down in tears. Judy truly empathizes with him as she grabs his paws gently and rubs them to relieve his gloomy emotions....
Judy: Look, Jacob.....I heard you are friends with Blake Thunder. I know him personally. I must say he isn't the nicest fox out there as he tried to hurt me in the past and he almost succeeded in killing me. If it wasn't for my partner Officer Wilde, I wouldn't be here interrogating you and most importantly, trying to keep you calm, free from tension. You see, you'd probably get someone who would use violence and threats to get all the info out of you.
Jacob: You....you are not going to use violence to make me talk?
Judy: Nope. I mean, what can a simple tenderhearted bunny do to a dangerous and.....kinda cute wolf...right?
Jacob's depressed feelings start to fade all thanks to Judy's sweet words and her approach towards him....
Jacob: I....can't believe what you just said. I was not expecting you to be this friendly to me, not after my encounter with your superior, Chief Bogo. I hate him so much after what he did to me. I thought he was gonna shred that photo album. The least thing I want to do in my life is to let my best friend down...
Judy: He has a short temper sometimes. Back when I was a recruit at the ZPD, he didn't believe in me. He said I was inadequate for my position, unfit for doing real police duty. But I proved him wrong and look where I am nowadays. You can do the same, Jacob. Now, let's proceed to the questions. I need to get some info out of you because you know, Chief Bogo will be highly unhappy with my performance if I return to him with no retrieved info about the Golden Fang Clan.
Jacob: Alright....let's do this. What do you want to know?
Judy: So, you claim you're a former member of the GFC? Since when?
Jacob: Since today. I was basically sentenced to death by my own clan after abandoning our mission back in Bunnyburrow. Me and my friend....were supposed to help our partners in a shootout but we decided to fall back instead. That's when my life was changed forever. My friend was killed in front of my by the clan's leader, Raphael Roarlington and I was taken to the torture chamber by the clan's most dangerous and violent member, Kyle Swiftmark. He is the reason why I am so wounded. I managed to escape death and here I am....
Judy: Hmmm, the shootout in Bunnyburrow. I am sorry for your loss, Jacob. But the road doesn't end here for you. Life is just so beautiful and has a LOT more to offer. Giving up would be pointless and you'd miss all the good things the future has prepared for you. Next, what was your main job at the clan? Like your position?
Jacob: I wasn't a highly respected member so the only job that was always assigned to me was guarding the hideout. So, I was basically a guard. I wasn't engaging in any shootouts or anything and most importantly, I NEVER killed anyone in my life before.
Judy: Why would you join that hideous gang of criminals?
Jacob: For higher paycheck. I couldn't find a lucrative job that would meet my requirements. Before I joined the clan, I was living in an apartment. One day, the rent increased a lot and I couldn't afford it because I had a really bad job. I was a janitor with an undesirable income.
Judy: I see...and how did you earn your membership at the Golden Fang Clan?
Jacob: You see, there was this awesome person, Gerald....was his name. He was my best friend. He was a long time member of the clan so he advised me to give it a try and join. I didn't know the clan was like the biggest criminal den in Zootopia back then. I've seen mammals getting killed....tortured.....robbed.....innocents die for nothing all these years but I think it's time to end their reign once and for all.
Judy: You're walking on the right path Jacob, do not look back. Go forth and redeem yourself. See? It's never too late to change. Change always starts with you. The future highly depends on your choices in life. Now, where can we locate the clan?
Judy's words full of motivation and hope make Jacob feel comfortable as he is willing to speak freely about everything Judy asks him....
Jacob: The clan has multiple concealed entrances throughout Zootopia. Their hideout can be reached from every region of Zootopia. They have one entrance in every district, even in Little Rodentia.
Judy: The more entrances they have, the more ways they can use to escape upon we pay them a visit. Where's the closest entrance located?
Jacob: It's under a derelict bridge not far from Sahara Square. This is the entrance I highly suggest you pick if you want to get to their leader, quickly. I tell you what, you don't need to necessarily use all of your units to strike the clan from every single direction. One entrance will be more than enough. The main target here is Raphael himself. Without his lead, the clan won't be able to operate properly and it will ultimately fall apart.
Judy: But we can't let those criminals escape, you understand? Our duty is to keep Zootopia clear from these freaks, not make them scatter all around our kingdom.
Jacob: Just listen to me and I guarantee you this city will no longer be crawling with criminals the next day...
Judy: I'll talk about this with Chief Bogo to formulate a proper plan for eliminating this threat once and for all. And that bridge....I think I know which one you mean...
Jacob: You knew about the bridge but you didn't really think about the possibility of the clan having a secret entrance there, did you?
Judy: Yeah.....I did not.
Jacob: Before you guys actually go in sending those poor bastards to a graveyard. Beware! They will be prepared for the assault. You are going to face some heavy resistance.
At that moment, Chief Bogo enters the interrogation room to share his thoughts about Judy and Jacob's conversation. Both Judy and Jacob get surprised....
Judy: Chief, what a pleasant surprise!
Jacob: Yeah, really. Wonderful...
Chief Bogo: Heavy resistance you say? Then we will show them our expertise in dealing with culprits!
Jacob: You were listening the whole time!
Chief Bogo: Yes, I was, wolf. You are very keen to tell us the truth. I like that. Officer Hopps, you did well with the interrogation. Now, patch him up so he can lead us to the clan's hideout. We're going to polish them off.
Judy: Chief, are we really going to kill them?
Chief Bogo: Yes. What else can we do? Detain them? No, that's not going to work.
Jacob: I have to agree with Bogo. They will not surrender.
Chief Bogo: It's Chief Bogo to you.
Jacob: Sorry. So, what are you going to do with me after the raid is over?
Chief Bogo: The court will decide your sentence.
Jacob: But....
Chief Bogo: Look, I don't care about your dreams or wishes wolf. You're convicted of illegal activities.
Jacob: Like?
Chief Bogo: Unlawful gain of money and for throwing your weight behind this notorious clan that is responsible for so many casualties in our city.
Jacob: Officer Hopps.....I'll lead you to the clan under one condition. I want you to kill me afterwards because I'm done with my life...
Judy: Chief, with all due respect, could you please give us some space for a little moment?
Chief Bogo: Fine. And please, don't treat him in such a gentle way, Officer Hopps. He is a criminal!
Jacob just sits there in complete silence, feeling guilty like never before as Bogo exits the room leaving Judy and him alone....
Judy: I'm sorry about everything that's happening to you. I do believe in you. You said your job was to guard the clan's hideout and that you never killed anybody. You may or may not be pronounced guilty for having been supporting the clan for years. When this is over, I'll see what I can do. You are going to be kept in detention for a while until you'll be taken to the court where your sentence will be decided. Keep your expectations high, bad things are not always bound to happen. Listen, everything is going to be okay, bud.
Jacob: You know, I came here just to help my friend Blake get rid of the clan without thinking about the outcome of this interrogation and the future of my life. All I wanted to do is to make sure my friend's life wasn't in danger. I hope my actions here will save his life and also help you eliminate the clan. For better or worse, I did what I thought was justifiable and ethical.
Chief Bogo comes back to the room after listening to their conversation from behind the door...
Chief Bogo: The actions you've made today are irreproachable, wolf. You are one of the mammals who are capable of taking a bullet for someone else, especially someone whom they really care about. If you really came here to help the ZPD track down and eliminate one of the most dangerous clans in the history of Zootopia, then I shall try to convince the judges to make your sentence less serious, but only if your goal is to not lure us into a trap of some kind.
Jacob: Why would I even try to do that? To make my life harder than it already is? NO! You can count on me! I wanna prove I'm a good person.
Chief Bogo: Excellent. You will be rewarded in the end. However, your friend Blake Thunder, may not be forgiven for his barbarous deeds.
Jacob: As long as he stays alive after the upcoming events, I'm fine with that.
Judy: I am afraid your friend Blake will spend the rest of his life in a jail if we arrest him.
Chief Bogo: We are obligated to act in accordance with the law and there's nothing we can do about it. He is subject to lifelong incarceration. The court will decide his ultimate fate.
Jacob: Look, as long as I can talk to him and continue being his friend, I am fine with that, like I said.
Chief Bogo: If you really wanna be with that malefactor, you can be his cellmate.
Jacob: No thanks. I don't wanna spend the rest of my life in a small room.
Judy: Alright folks, I'm going to call in some medics to patch Jacob up so he can guide us. We can't waste more time. Chief, did you receive any information from Officer Wilde?
Chief Bogo: Not yet. He left approximately an hour ago. I think it would be wise to wait for his arrival so he can join the police raid but I have a bad feeling about that place where he was dispatched. Something's off with that whole complex....
Judy: I am still really upset that he decided to undertake this case without me.
Jacob: Maybe he didn't want you to get hurt or something. That place is nothing good.
Judy: You know something about that place we don't?
Jacob: What's that place called again?
Chief Bogo: If I can recall correctly, it's Onyx Technologies. Do you know something about that company?
Jacob: I know absolutely nothing. I wish I knew though so I could warn you and expose them. Only Blake himself knows because that place is allegedly run by his best friend called Zack Wolfward. You know that guy? A peculiar wolf with extraordinary power and appearance.
Judy: Nope...
Chief Bogo: I am telling you something is definitely wrong with that place. Officer Wilde better be extremely cautious....
Judy: Chief I swear if he doesn't return in an hour I am going after him....
Chief Bogo: Officer Hopps.....that clan is our primary target. I am not going to alter our plan. The government has been kicking my big buffalo ass for years for not being able to wipe out that clan and now that we have someone who can lead us to it, the ZPD's main objective is to conduct a raid on their hideout. It's crucial to Zootopia's safety.
Judy: But chief, what if there's a much bigger foe hidden from plain sight?
Chief Bogo: Our units are trained to deal with the unexpected, don't worry. We got this.
Jacob: So, what's next?
Chief Bogo: Just patch him up already.....
Jacob: I almost forgot! Could you please take care of this?
Jacob pushes Blake's photo album towards Judy on the table...
Jacob: I was supposed to give it to Nick, but he is not here...
Judy: It's in good paws, don't worry. I'll take care of it.
The ZPD began to prepare for a big raid, probably the biggest one they ever had. Judy took Jacob to one of the offices along with other officers where they provided him basic medical treatment. The ZPD is all set and ready to erase the Golden Fang Clan from history to make the animal kingdom a better and safer place for everyone. Unfortunately, there's a bigger threat thriving in the darkness....
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