I have to admit, I didn't expect to finish this one quite as fast, but a bit more free time opened up and I had proper inspiration for this particular chapter.

So enough chit-chat! Time to read people!

And once again, Disney owns everything, except the fic itself.

Chapter 2: Improvisation

'In related news, the Baterson Group has been making great strides to fix the Mayoral image within Zootopia, in accord with the pre-election statements made by Mayor Rouge Baterson and her office. As such, the new Mayor will personally be opening tomorrow's football game between the Tundra Tigers and the Sahara Scorpions…'

It was at this point that Nick switched the radio channel in Flash's car. If he had to listen to any more praise directed toward the new mayor, he was liable to bite down on his own tale to keep himself from screaming. While he was happy that Lionheart lost the re-election campaign the cowardly lion had launched from his prison, this amount of praise was getting a bit too much. Yes, Baterson was a decent mayor and yes, she was making strides to clamp down on the corrupted elements within City Hall that reared their heads once Bellwether was thrown in prison and Zootopia left without a mayor, but quite frankly it wasn't like the bat had a tough act to follow. The last mayor was a psychopath and the one before was a self-centered coward and jackass. As long as she didn't bite any baby cubs while kissing them she had a guaranteed re-election.

Besides, now he had more important things to worry about, like the car he was driving. While he didn't lie to the Chief about having driven the car, that was three years ago and like every motor head Nick knew, Flash was always tweaking the car here and there, removing and adding parts. After all, Nick was sure the triple bottles of NOS were new and so was the better clutch. Beyond that, the freaking thing felt at least twice as fast. Cop or not he couldn't very well test it street light to street light. Truth be told it was a relief that he wouldn't actually have to race it. The amount of harm he could cause, even inadvertently was a bit too much for him.

Still, if the plan they had was successful, he wouldn't need to even find out. All he'd have to do is drive in, set himself on the start line and call in the cavalry.

"It's never this easy," Nick sighed to himself more than anything as he neared the spot where the ZPD was preparing the ambush.

Nick wasn't about to say it to anybody, least of all Judy, but he was very nervous. Between Flash's warning and how several old associates had reacted, he fully expected to have to fight his way, either into the race or out, if things went south too fast. At least Carrots would have his back, like she always did.

During his musings, Nick had arrived at the garage building Bogo had commandeered for this particular operation and made his way to the third floor, which was now a hive of activity. Nick saw several officers around a communications booth they had managed to set up, earphones on their heads and scribbling this and that on paper which quickly found its way in one direction or another. Nick saw several rhino officers in riot gear, the heavy black padding making them look about twice as large as normally, while wolves and several tigers were hanging around a dozen or so interceptors. Not far off from them, Bogo was hunched over a table, bellowing orders left and right, while simultaneously consulting a map.

Taking a quick glance around, Nick spotted an empty spot and parked Flash's car there.

"Hey, Chief!" Nick greeted as he made his way toward the large buffalo. "Fancy meeting you at a place like this?"

"Took you long enough Wilde," the chief nodded instead of a proper greeting. "Car running fine?"

"Everything is in tip top shape," Nick smiled and pulled down his sunglasses. "Say what you will about sloths, they make great mechanics."

"Remind me to order my kids a car made by a sloth," Bogo remarked completely deadpan and Nick decided to bite.

"Oh, I didn't know you had cubs Chief," the fox smirked.

"I don't, now quit your clowning and get ready, sundown is in about half an hour and I need to brief everyone."

"By the way where's Carrots?" Nick frowned a little trying to pick out his partner amidst the crowd of officers…'s feet. "I though she'd beaten me here."

"I did," Judy's voice came from behind Nick causing him to turn around.

"Well, look what the…." Nick began, but quickly trailed off as he saw his partner.

Judy Hopps, police officer of the ZPD was now standing in front of him, wearing ripped jeans and an old, faded, sleeveless Gazelle T-Shirt, which was maybe one size too small for her and was decked out with several outright gaudy gold armbands, while her ears were also flat against her head, and tied at their base like a ponytail. That wasn't what had caught Nick's attention though, far from it. If that was everything, he would have had several snide remarks by now. No, what really caught Nick's attention was that Judy's normally grey coat of fur was painted midnight black and she was apparently wearing a set of colored lenses, turning her amethyst eyes, bright blue.

Nick quickly shook his head to regain his composure and once he did he saw Judy' self-satisfied smirk at rendering him speechless.

So he decided to get some payback.

"Hate to break it to you Carrots, but I think you must have fallen into a bucket of paint," the fox supplied smirking.

"Like it?" Judy twirled around, completely ignoring Nick's remark.

"It's fine, Carrots," Nick shook his head at his partner's antics. "Though that doesn't quite explain why you look like the literal black sheep of the family? No offense Woolbert" Nick quickly added glancing to a nearby sheep office who was handling some gear. The sheep had the grace to shrug, but refrained from replying verbally.

"That's because Wilde," Bogo started answering instead of Judy. "Officer Hopps is still prominently featured on most of our recruitment posters. And while you can easily explain your presence, I doubt you'll be able to come up with a story why one of the most prominent and law-abiding officers in ZPD is with you."

Nick silently nodded in agreement with Bogo. After all, claiming that Judy is some random bunny accompanying him would be far better than his wildly known partner. There was just something in Bogo's words that was puzzling him though; why had the buffalo used 'most' before 'law-abiding'. Weren't all his officers simply law-abiding?

Deciding to shelve that question for another time, Nick gave Judy another glance and then turned to Bogo for their briefing.

"So, besides dying my partner, anything else I should know?"

"The signal for us to go in is an app on Officer Hopps' cell," Bogo explained and handed the device to Judy. "There's also a sound recorder built in. Try to get as much information as you can before calling us in."

"What about weapons Chief? Or are we going in naked?" Judy asked as she pocketed the cell phone.

"Can't risk you getting searched on entry," Bogo frowned and both Nick and Judy quickly got the feeling he wasn't happy with the notion of sending in his officers in there unarmed. "So I hope you've been keeping up with your paw to paw training."

"If by keeping up, you mean Nick's been hitting the mat very hard every single day, then yes," Judy replied all to happy to remind Nick how badly their usual sparring matches went for him.

"You're just lucky I don't hit ladies," Nick replied a little sourly. "Or kids. And you just happen to be both."

As soon as he finished his sentence, Nick found himself jumping on one foot from a swift and discreet kick to the shin.

"Damn it Carrots, I need to drive in an hour!" Nick grunted over the few chuckles that escaped from the surrounding officers.

"Hopps, stop injuring your partner," Bogo reprimanded, without so much as looking up from his documents. "Besides, the stuff covering your fur isn't meant to stick."

Both Nick and Judy glanced down at the buddy's feet and saw that the spot she used to kick Nick with had indeed gone a little paler.

"Well, I'll be…" Judy muttered to herself

"Normally," Bogo spoke up again. "We'd use something stronger to apply the dye, but we're a bit short on time. So try not to rub into anything Hopps, or the operation might just blow up in our faces."

"Got it Chief" both the officers said simultaneously and Bogo dismissed them with a gesture of his hoof.

The duo was soon next to Flash's car and slightly to the side of all the commotion that was happening around them.

Judy broke the silence first.

"So, think this will work?" she asked her partner, who was busy examining his sunglasses as if they were the most important thing in the world right now, expression solemn and far away.

"Don't know," Nick drawled out slowly. "First time I try something like this."

"I thought you pulled a hustle every day since you were twelve?" Judy asked, smiling up at him.

"Those were people on the street Carrots," Nick replied shaking his head. "With people you know though…"

"Is harder, isn't it?" Judy asked in a small voice, not even looking at Nick who only made a noise of ascend to confirm her words, before they both slipped into silence.

"You don't have to do this if…"

"Thanks for the offer, Carrots," Nick cut off his partner, smiling gently. "But I made my choice when I filled out the form. Haven't regretted it until now, won't start now, either."

"I know Nick, I just worry, that's all." Judy assured him, causing him to smirk.

"I worry too Carrots," he said honestly. "After all everybody would worry about someone as devilishly handsome as me."

"Jerk!" Judy replied half-heartedly and socked him in the shoulder.

"Speaking of handsome though," Nick changed the subject as he rubbed his arm. "Where did you pull this get up together Whiskers? Didn't think you owned something like ripped jeans."

"Yeah," Judy smiled a little sheepishly. "I might have tactically shredded them for the purpose of camouflage using a pair of scissors. My mom will likely kill me."

"Oh, look at it on the bright side," Nick switched to his teasing voice. "You could use the scraps to put some new curtains in that shoebox you call an apartment."

"Excuse me?" Judy replied haughtily. "Like your dump is any better Wilde."

"Well Hopps," Nick continued. "Unlike you, I own a two room apartment with a kitchen and a balcony, while you literally have four walls made of paper."

"At least my apartment doesn't look like a twister goes through it every day!" the bunny snapped back. "I couldn't even find dish soap in your kitchen!"

"It's called controlled chaos Carrots. I know perfectly where everything is."

"Dish Soap?"

"Third cabinet, behind the toaster."

"Utensils?"

"Second drawler, under the towels."

"Then how about..."

OoOoOoOoO

The duo filled in the time until they were scheduled o arrive at the race with Judy quizzing her partner in where one could find the various items within Nick's home and much to her growing frustration the fox managed to rattle off every single one down to the exact floorboard he kept a stash of medicine. While infuriating it did have the desired effect of calming Judy's nerves about their upcoming assignment. While she was aware that it wasn't undercover per-say, it was still very interesting for her to see something like this. After all, there weren't any races in Bunnyburrow, legal or otherwise.

About an hour or so after sundown the first of the racers started to arrive and on Bogo's cue, Judy and Nick set off to join the 'fun'. As Nick drove them toward the gathering however, she saw the exact same worrying signs she was dreading in her partner. His shoulders were tense, claws were already half extended as if expecting a confrontation from the get-go. His eyes were also narrowed and even though he probably wasn't noticing, his fox ears were twitching at the slightest sound that wasn't the car engine. Even her examining the smartphone Bogo gave her. Apart from the app that she could call them in with, it was pretty much a stock standard phone, but even so the camera app caught her attention.

"Nick, think I'd be able to get some pictures discreetly?"

"Not really a need to be discreet," Nick smiled. "These guys' cars are like their calling cards. They like when mammals, especially females stare at them."

Judy shuddered a bit at that.

"I'll try to be discreet just in case," she promised more herself than Nick. "What is it with men and cars anyway?"

"Don't know," Nick shrugged. "Maybe it's just overcompensation."

"Aaaaaaaaaaand... Now I am very glad we are here." Judy rolled her eyes, but immediately stopped, taking in the view.

The streets surrounding the bridge on either side were mostly either industrial or warehouses, so after sundown, the activity on either side of the bridge tended to drop significantly, meaning that it was exactly what the mammals organizing such events were looking for. On either side of the street adjacent to the bridge, there were cars, lined up and waiting, groups of animals, mostly medium sized, such as wolves, pigs, rams and tigers, swarmed the various vehicles, looking either in awe, calculated mindfulness or mock sneers. Even with the windows closed, Judy could hear friendly, and sometimes non-friendly jeers and insults being thrown left and right. Judy noticed that most of the vixen, tigresses and she-wolves present amidst the crowd were dressed in a provocative manner that made Judy feel a little disgusted. There were only one or two female drivers amidst the crowd as they drove past.

"Think anyone here knows Flash isn't behind the wheel?" Judy asked snapping a few pictures of some of the less obscured cars they were passing.

The bunny's inquiry was answered almost immediately when an engine to their left roared to life and quickly they found the path forward blocked by a midnight black Malkcedes (A/N: Got the idea for the name while reading 'Cold Days' by Jim Butcher.), with tinted windows and no visible outward modifications. As the car raced out of its spot, everyone around the street froze and turned toward the scene, trying to find out what the new development was.

Once the commotion had completely quiet down, the driver's door of the Malkcedes opened slowly and from it rose a heavyset boar that Judy could easily peg for a bodybuilder. His mane was shaven almost to the point where it melded with the dark grey fur on the rest of the body, giving the mammal a very peculiar and easy to distinguish look to him. The boar's tusks were short and pointed upwards, but also well maintained as they almost shone pristine white amidst the headlights on either side of the street. The boar was wearing a red T-Shirt that contrasted well with his natural coloring and Judy saw a silver cross hanging from the boar's wide neck.

"Word on the street is," the boar began and his voice resonated all along the street, even though Judy got the expression he wasn't really raising it. "That Hundred Yard Dash got nicked by the cops a few days ago."

"And yet, here's his car," The board continued stepping around his own ride. "So either Flash got released,... Or, we've got a cop amidst us! So let's be clear... Which is it?"

The last part of the question was directed solely at Nick and Judy who quickly exchanged a brief look. The question hung unspoken between them; Try and play this off or signal the cavalry?

Judy ran through most scenarios of how this could play out in her head and given that they were literally in the middle of everyone's escape route. The best they could hope for was that the get beaten around in the car left and right and catch a few of the racers as oppose to the majority of them. The wiser course of action as insane as it sounded was to exit the car and let Nick do the talking while she took as many mugshots as she could before things went sideways even more.

A curt nod between them ended the discussion and they both pushed their respective door open, climbing out of the vehicle. As she did, Judy coached herself to remain as loose as possible, both for appearances sake and in case they got rushed. There was no point in tensing up before she actually had to use her muscles and if she did the chances of her wasting a moment or two to unwind herself to move could be crucial. A quick glance at Nick confirmed he was doing the same, but Judy also noted that his tail was curled up near his body, possibly to prevent it either being stepped on or grabbed and his hands were clutching his sunglasses, possibly to use as a distraction if the fighting broke out. After all, toss something at someone and they will stop to register what it is, if not outright roll to the side.

"Now Vic," Nick began putting on his best smile. "Is that any way to treat an old friend."

"Last I check I wasn't friends with no cops, Wilde." the boar spat to the side.

"Oh, you mean the day job?" Nick laughed, trying to ignore the glares he was getting, all the while Judy was pretending to be completely uninterested in the conversation and was 'playing' with the smartphone. "We've got to pay the bills Vic, you know how it is!"

"I'll admit I haven't opened a thesaurus in a while Nick, but since when is day job a synonym for screwing over your friends?" The boar replied, eyes narrowing and Judy propped herself on the car, allowing her to coil her legs for a jump at any moment.

"You know me better than that Vicky, my man!" Nick shook his head and walked over toward the hood of the car, seemingly unafraid of the imposing mammal. "I try to steer my partner away from any old friends."

"Still doesn't explain why you showed your nose here Nicky," the boar continued, seemingly unaffected by Nick's charade.

"You said it yourself, Vic," Nick casually leaned on the hood of Flash's car. "Old Flash got busted by my new colleagues. Met him at the precinct and we talked for a day, He asked me to drive his car in today's race."

Please don't let him know we caught Flash! both Judy and Nick thought simultaneously as Vic mulled over the fox's response.

"That's mighty thin Nick," the larger mammal hummed. "You expect me to believe you just happened to meet Flash and he just so happened to ask you to take his place tonight. Awfully shady soundin' here fox."

"What can I say? I'm predisposed to shady," Nick smirked, but Judy saw a line of sweat rolling down the back of his neck. Despite the front it was clear Nick didn't believe he was managing to convince his, apparently former, friend. Which meant it was her turn.

"Niiiiick," Judy wined in the best imitation of a bored, bratty ten she could pull off, catching the attention of both fox and boar. "You said we were going to go see cars, not watch you measure with a load of beef!"

Her statement had exactly the desired effect as it shifted the attention away from the fox and onto herself. Now all that was left to do was pray that the paint was convincing enough to fool the crowd.

"You brought a date Wilde?" Vic asked. "Thought you were more into vixens?"

"Well, what can I say?" Nick shrugged completely non-pulsed by the comment. "Variety is the spice of life I've heard. 'Sides, bunnies are easier."

Judy schooled her face to keep from showing exactly how angry Nick's last comment made her, but she was a professional and this was a mission. Some hardships and blows to one's pride needed to be endured for the sake of success. And that means that if Nick had to make a remark or two that didn't exactly sit well with her then... She would simply have to endure for a while... And kick his ass later when this was all over.

"As for Flash, Nick continued, trying to ignore Judy's concealed glare. "You can ask him, once his lawyer gets him out."

Vic for his part appeared to consider Nick's words. Once or twice his eyes flickered between Nick and Judy, as if trying to figure out if something was wrong. Every time he did it, Judy felt her pulse skyrocket at the thought of them being found out. With a last flick between the two the boar's stance changed and he eased back off from Nick.

"Fine, I'll believe you, for old times sake," the boar declared. "You race in Flash's stead, but the cash and the prize stays here until he can collect it himself. Any commissions he promised come from him. Got it?"

"I think we can work something out," Nick smirked. For added effect Judy cleared her throat pointedly, again drawing the boar's attention to herself. "We done? hate to keep the lady waiting."

"Sure you don't." the boar huffed and stalked to get into his own ride. Not missing a beat, Nick and Judy returned inside the relative safety of Flash's car and as soon as the doors closed, Nick spoke.

"Well, that went better than I expected," the fox clarified as he let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding.

"Just how badly were you expecting it to go?" Judy asked.

"Just be happy it was Vic that came out to great us," Nick explained as he drove the car forward to where he thought the start line should be. "The rest of the guys aren't as chatty. They'd gone straight for hitting me."

"In that case remind me to play the lottery this week," Judy joked, but as she did, something Vic said struck her. "Nick, what did the boar mean when he said cash and a prize?"

Her partner appeared to be stuck for a moment before shrugging.

"Could have been anything. Maybe someone decided to bet the car on the race? It isn't that uncommon."

"Guess we're about to find out," Judy nodded as she saw where four other cars were lined in the middle of the street, one spot still available. In front of the quartet stood a large fox, a real monster for his breed, easily dwarfing several wolves Judy knew from work. He was dressed in very loose clothes, baggy white shirt and jeans with a pale golden fur coat and blue eyes. His muzzle appeared to be as if gnarled at and he was missing an ear. Judy turned toward Nick as they took the position of the last free spot that was to the far right of the fox facing the cars, silently asking if he knew him. Upon Nick's negative reply, Judy quickly snapped a few pictures of the fox, pegging him as the new organizer Flash had warned them about.

"Okay people out of the cars, need to say a few word here," the fox barked out and the drivers and Judy quickly dismounted.

"Tonight's buy-in was five grand, which you all paid in advance." the fox explained patting a large stack of bills that was next to him. "It's Winner take all, with a few exceptions," the golden fox pointedly turned to Nick who simply waved smirking, While Judy's hand hovered slightly above the smartphone, as she pretended to be distracted by something shiny. "You'll also be bringing home a full case of these" he declared and reached into a suitcase that was next to the stack of bills.

As the lid of the case opened, both Judy and Nick's nostrils flared as an all too familiar scent reached them.

Night Howlers.

At that particular moment Judy typed in the first real message on the phone and sent it to the chief.

'Chief, we need to improvise, race is on.'

What? You guys thought this was going to be about street racing?

Nah, I don't go small. Though there is a nice little twist coming with the Night Howler angle, which I am hoping you will find interesting.

As I said, this chapter got done a bit faster then expected and while not all elements were as I hoped the overall idea is present. Next chapter will be the last of the prologue I needed to this series and then we can comfortably move to where the real meat of the series lies, so a bit more patience please people.

Also to those who feel I am not neglecting Judy's character, next chapter will be more action oriented, so she'll have her time to shine. As I mentioned last time Judy is a bit harder for me to write, so I do apologize for any inconsistencies with her. Also, dying her coat was paramount for the story and how they get found out in the next chapter so stay tuned, though anybody can probably figure it out if they tried.

Well, for the moment, peace out and I look forward to your responses about the chapter.