Line #155 Fanfic/BornToBeWilde


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/btbwcover.PNG]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[WaxingLyrical He's looking for adventure]] [[Music/{{Steppenwolf}} and whatever comes his way.]]]]
3
4	->''"You can't hang with cops'' and ''criminals. It just doesn't work like that. Sooner or later, you're gonna have to pick one."''
5	-->-- '''Finnick'''
6
7	''Born to Be Wilde'' is a ''{{WesternAnimation/Zootopia}}'' fanfic co-authored by [[https://www.fanfiction.net/~berserker88 Berserker88]] and [[https://www.fanfiction.net/u/6260989/Mind-Jack Mind Jack]]. Taking place only weeks after the events of the film, Nick Wilde is slowly adjusting to his new life as an officer of the ZPD, believing that he's left his old con artist side behind him for good. That is until a seemingly routine drug bust shakes that belief to the core, and suddenly his change of lifestyle doesn't seem so simple. Wrapped up in a conspiracy to eliminate Zootopia's biggest criminals, Nick will have to choose once and for all which path to follow.
8
9	Despite that rather serious premise, ''Born to Be Wilde'' is often anything but, relying extensively on RuleOfFunny and RuleOfCool while still telling exactly the story it sets out to in between the increasingly self-aware humor. Take one look at its actual summary or its tags on [=A03=] to get an idea.
10
11	It can be read on Fanfiction [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11910746/1/Born-to-Be-Wilde here]] or A03 [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/15609039/chapters/36241428 here]].
12
13	A oneshot compilation titled ''Born to Be Drabbles'' was later released, aiming to further explore some of the plot points that the main story couldn't quite cover. It too can be read on [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12239126/1/Born-to-Be-Drabbles Fanfiction]] or [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/16213475/chapters/37895423 A03]]. As these are intended to be intertwined with the main story, the recommended reading order can be found [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mmok1slDJGUHG7L4sUFTz4nlqDOq8Zd7CybwIAGRWMk/edit?usp=sharing here]].
14
15	The side-story ''[[Fanfic/BloodlinesZootopia Bloodlines]]'' has its own page.
16
17	'''WARNING: For the sake of readability, all spoilers prior to Chapter 14 are unmarked. And there are many. Read at your own risk.'''
18	----
19	!!Born to Be Troped:
20
21	* AcousticLicense: Lampshaded in regards to Dream Time, where the music is so loud that the patrons don't even notice a murder taking place, yet the characters can still hear each other perfectly.
22	* ActionizedSequel: The movie had a fair share of action, but there is significantly more of it here, with entire chapters being dedicated to one or more action scenes.
23	* AddedAlliterativeAppeal:
24	** Some character names, such as '''L'''ady '''L'''ang and '''S'''andcat '''S'''anchez.
25	* AirVentPassageway: Judy uses the vents in Chapter 26 to escape from [[spoiler: Simon]]. They're implied to be a fairly realistic size, as even Judy (a rabbit) has to squeeze into them, and her pursuer is too big to follow.
26	** Lucy uses another one in Drabble 6. [[spoiler: Unfortunately for her, Reynard is a bit more GenreSavvy and booby-trapped it.]]
27	* AllBikersAreHellsAngels: The Lang Family initially appear to be playing this straight, being a pack of [[DumbMuscle not-particularly-bright]] wolves who ride around on weaponized choppers. However, they're eventually revealed to have a borderline-ProudWarriorRace mentality and most of their number, ''especially'' their leader Lady Lang, [[AffablyEvil are actually quite nice]] if you get on their good side. Even Junior, the most antagonistic of the lot, [[IGaveMyWord keeps his word]] and [[spoiler: tells Frost where to find Lang after he's defeated.]]
28	* AllJustADream: [[spoiler: Drabble 13]] is revealed to just be a nightmare Jimmy Frost is having.
29	* AllTheWorldsAreAStage: Parodied in the final arc with [[spoiler: Wilde Times, which is split into six zones with the first five each representing one of the previous five crime lords and their story arcs.]]
30	* AmusingInjuries: Frequent, given the sheer amount of slapstick involved in most of the fight scenes. More serious injuries do occasionally occur, but are rarely treated as seriously as they should be.
31	* AmusementParkOfDoom: The fic's version of [[spoiler: Wilde Times]] is one of these, in delibrate contrast to its original concept.
32	* AnimalJingoism: The Cold-Blooded War was fought between mammals and reptiles.
33	* AnimalStereotypes: Like the original movie, this fanfic likes to play around with them.
34	** Hyenas are often portrayed as [[TheHyena laughing at everything]]. Carla Hyenandez has NoSenseOfHumor. [[spoiler: But her MaskedLuchador persona, "La Mala Perra" is known for her [[LaughingMad manic laughter]]]].
35	** In cartoons, even [[AnimalGenderBender male kangaroos have pouches]]. Boomer [[ShownTheirWork doesn't have one]], and implying that he does is his BerserkButton. On the other hand, his violent behavior fits the BoxingKangaroo stereotype, minus the gloves.
36	** Fangs, a dingo, once mentions that his species has the reputation of [[EatsBabies eating babies]].
37	** Koalas are usually thought of as cute and innocent. Damien Thornbrush is a crime lord who wants to avoid the stereotype by wearing fake fangs and claiming he's a [[YowiesAndBunyipsAndDropBearsOhMy drop bear]].
38	** Lucy Sang, the vampire bat thief is a very straight example of the BatOutOfHell stereotype, being creepy, sadistic, and literally bloodthirsty.
39	** The Lang Family, a pack of wolves, are both [[SavageWolves violent]] and [[NobleWolf honorable]] (if not too bright), and prefer to attack as a team.
40	* AprilFoolsDay: Subverted. Chapter 27 was released on April Fools' 2019 as an actual update in a ploy of ReversePsychology. [[spoiler: The actual joke was [=Berserker88=] spending the day roleplaying as Reynard on the ZNN Community Discord server under the name [="CrazyFoxGuy33"=].]]
41	** This was repeated on April Fools' 2020. [[spoiler: The Discord part anyway. This time [=Berserker88=] played Jimmy Frost ([="DatFrostyBoi"=]) while Mind Jack later joined as Carla Hyenandez ([="LaMalaPerra"=]). The resulting fourth wall-breaking shenanigans took place across both the ZNN server and the ZAA (Zootopia Author's Association) server. Archived [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/11CuRYGUce084QoMoi7J8CmHK4JSkGAyvzfAgEOGfrTQ/edit?usp=sharing here]].]]
42	** Happened again on April Fools' 2021. [[spoiler: [=Berserker88=] played Vexey Wilde ([="4EverVexed"=]) and Jack played Lucy Sang ([="LucyYouLater"=]) within the ZAA Discord server. Archived in a cleaner fashion [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k4NqIfLGdh_6K9bUpoMJcojL-SQQcx3-IpvaJLUPxwE/edit?usp=sharing here]].]]
43	* AscendedExtra: Many ZPD officers, including Grizzoli, Delgato, Fangmeyer and Trunkaby, who had no spoken lines in the original film, are a bit more fleshed out and given some dialogue. Also, Koslov, Mr. Big's bodyguard, betrays his old master and becomes one of the Count's henchmammals.
44	* AudienceParticipation: After chapter 10, the author ran a contest to name Jimmy's plush Wallabeanie. Wallace ([[{{Pun}} Wallaby + Ice]]) end up winning.
45	* AwfulTruth: A few big ones.
46	** First, the Count's true identity as [[spoiler: [[LukeIAmYourFather John Wilde]], triggering a HeroicBSOD in Nick so severe that he goes on a downward spiral of lies and impulsiveness that ends up making things a lot worse for himself.]]
47	** Soon after, there's Jimmy learning that [[spoiler: Carla Hyenandez is TheMole, which causes him and everyone else she'd been associated with a good deal of distress.]]
48	* BackForTheFinale: Several secondary characters from across the story return to band together at the end, even some who had become all but irrelevant like Fru Fru.
49	* BetterThanABareBulb: Numerous tropes are lampshaded and often PlayedForLaughs, especially ones already applying to Zootopia.
50	* BigBad: The Count [[spoiler: aka Count Reynard aka John Wilde]] is the DiabolicalMastermind who wants to take over all criminal organizations in Zootopia.
51	* BigBadassBattleSequence: Chapter 35, consisting of about 30 named characters duking it out with each other in the parking lot of [[spoiler: Wilde Times.]]
52	* BigScrewedUpFamily: A recurring theme. The story involves at least four families with criminal ties and a lot of internal conflict: the Lang, Rodentriguez, [[spoiler: Wilde, and [=VanDal=]]] families. In the footnotes of Chapter 24, the authors ask the readers who they think is the most effed up family so far.
53	* BilingualBonus: The MaskedLuchador characters all have Spanish names.
54	** "El Orgullo" means "the pride". He's a lion[[note]]A group of lions is called a "pride" in English, although in Spanish it is called a "manada" rather than an "orgullo"[[/note]].
55	** "La Mala Perra" means "the bad she-dog" (or, as per WordOfGod, "the bad bitch").
56	** "La Niñita" means "The Little Girl".
57	** "La Sangrienta Baronesa" means "The Bloody Baroness".
58	* ABirthdayNotABreak: A key plot point. [[spoiler:Reynard's grand HB Project actually stands for 'Happy Birthday Project', and is intended as a twisted gift for his son's 33rd birthday. When the day arrives, Nick ends up leading a raid on Reynard's amusement park, reuniting with Finnick, and finally facing off against his own father within a day.]]
59	* BlackAndGrayMorality: Much of the story concerns a war being waged by the Count against Zootopia's established organised crime community. Most of them were already bastards, but they generally have [[EvenEvilHasStandards standards]]. The Count and his henchmen... not so much.
60	* BookEnds: On a meta level, both the first and last update of 2020 was a drabble about [[spoiler: Reynard and Vixey pulling scams together]], albeit with very different endings.
61	* BrickJoke:
62	** During the nightclub brawl in Chapter 8, one of the naturalists records Judy and Lucy wrestling in the punch bowl and says he's going to put it on [=ZooTube=]. Two chapters later, it's revealed that he not only did just that, [[InstantHumiliationJustAddYoutube but it's gone viral.]]
63	** After his first encounter with Officer Swinton [[spoiler: that involved locking her out of her own visitor's room]], Nick off-handly mentions sending her a gift basket to make up for it. Over ten chapters later, we see the result of that gift. [[spoiler: It was full of oat bars, which Swinton is allergic to, but ate anyway because "[she's] a pig". Needless to say, her opinion of Nick has not improved.]]
64	** In Chapter 26, the Count tells [[spoiler: Finnick to be sure to spellcheck something the wolves are working on. In Chapter 33, this something is revealed to be the sign for Wilde Times, or rather [[SpellMyNameWithAnS "Wild Times"]]. Reynard promptly calls Finnick out for failing to spellcheck.]]
65	** In Chapter 26, Jimmy asks if they can call in a tank to deal with [[spoiler: the hostage situation at the ZPD]]. Bogo tells him they don't have time for that and Nick points out that this implies he ''could'' get a tank. [[spoiler: Almost ten chapters later, Bogo proves that, yes, he could.]]
66	* CallBack: Too many to count to the original movie, plus several to earlier chapters as the story goes on.
67	* CarChase: The Torrential Turnpike chase in Chapter 14 is a ''massive'' one, involving about five different factions and multiple, separate fights within (or on top of) vehicles.
68	* CarnivalOfKillers: The Count eventually hires a team of assassins to accompany him in the Narwhalter arc. About the only other thing they have in common is how unfit any of them are to be silent killers.
69	* TheCavalryArrivesLate: Has happened ''three times'' thus far; in Chapter 8, the Outback Island cops only show up after the ruckus at Dream Time is already wrapping up; in Chapter 14, the Rainforest District cops arrive late to the high-speed chase down the Torrential Turnpike and fail to be of any use whatsoever; and in Chapter 26, [[spoiler: Bogo, Nick, and Jimmy manage to break in and rescue the other police officers only when the fight between Judy and Simon is already over]].
70	* CasualDangerDialogue: Crops up in just about every action scene. Nick in particular gets called out for his habit of constantly dropping one-liners even when in mortal danger.
71	* ChaseFight: A couple, most notably [[spoiler: Nick chasing Reynard]] in Chapter 21 and [[spoiler: Simon chasing Judy]] in Chapter 26. [[spoiler: The FinalBoss also qualifies.]]
72	* ChristmasSpecial: Drabble 22, titled ''How the Count Hustled Kitsmas'', which is also written from start to finish in [[RhymingEpisode Seussian rhyme]].
73	* CensoredChildDeath: While most character deaths are shown in all the gruesome detail, the deaths of [[spoiler: the Junior Ranger Scouts]] are both heavily toned down (with only the setup and immediate aftermath shown) and treated much more seriously.
74	* ChekhovsGun: [[spoiler: Reynard]] decides to store a [[spoiler: Night Howler pellet]] inside of his cane in Chapter 16. It is mentioned again in Chapter 23, but still has yet to be used. [[spoiler: Finally fired in Chapter 37, with Finnick on the receiving end. It even gets a reference to the TropeNamer.]]
75	** Parodied with the [[spoiler: HB file]] that [[spoiler: Reynard]] carries around. It starts out subtle, making its first appearance amidst a bunch of other random items that you might not pick up on, but it gets to the point where it's practically thrust in your face how important it is while still not revealing what it actually contains. [[spoiler: Until Chapter 33, where it is finally revealed to be about the "Happy Birthday Project", or more specifically, Wilde Times. Reynard promptly burns the actual file immediately afterward.]]
76	* ChekhovsGunman: Early chapters make mention of a "mystery arsonist" on the loose. Said arsonist eventually turns out to be one of the Count's henchmammals. [[spoiler: Much later, the missing prosecutor mentioned also turns out to be important to Simon's backstory]].
77	* ClimaxBoss: Most of the major arcs end with one, but for the story as a whole, [[spoiler: Count Reynard in Chapter 21. The BigBad of the story and the source of Nick’s inner turmoil for most of it up until this point. Nick defeating him both physically and mentally marks a turning point in his CharacterDevelopment and how the rest of the story will play out.]]
78	** Chapter 26 features another major one in [[spoiler: Simon, who has been one of the most prominent antagonists in the story and the one who started it all by killing Mr. Big]].
79	* ContinuityCavalcade: The entire final arc, with most of the named characters assembling in one place for the big showdown and getting especially heavy on the [[ContinuityNod Continuity Nods]].
80	* ContinuityPorn: The fic is filled to the brim with not only [[ContinuityNod Continuity Nods]] and [[CallBack Call Backs]] to the original movie, but also utilizes several unused locations and characters that only appear in concept art. It's own increasingly-complex continuity also gets referenced frequently in later chapters.
81	* CrossCounter: [[spoiler: Judy vs. Simon]] ends with one, leading to the usual result of one combatant dropping while the other's willpower holds out. [[spoiler: Except that it's Judy who falls.]]
82	* CurbStompBattle: Judy and Carla vs. Simon in Chapter 6. For perspective, most fight scenes in [=BtBW=] take up the better part of a chapter; this one lasts about half a page.
83	** Much later, [[spoiler: Just Judy vs. Simon]] goes about as well as you'd expect, at least initially.
84	** Another big one is [[spoiler: Felix vs. the Discards]] in Chapter 29. Outnumbered five-to-one, [[spoiler: Felix tears right through them.]]
85	* CurbStompCushion: In all of the above cases, the stomp''ee'' still manages at least a blow or two on the stomp''er''.
86	* DarkerAndEdgier: The original movie was your usual Disney fare, apart from a few frightening scenes, mild sexual innuendos and heavy themes such as racism and political conspiracy. This fanfic has a lot more violence, blood, actual deaths, mild swearing, intoxication, drug use, and at least one penis joke.
87	* DeathByIrony: The Count's MO. Mr. Big gets iced[[note]]Read: dumped in freezing water.[[/note]], his preferred method of execution while still alive, Damien Thornbrush the "Drop Bear" has one of his own giant disco balls dropped on him; [[spoiler: Lady Lang is inadvertently sold out by one of her own children, then kicked through her office window during a full moon; Sandcat Sanchez gets killed (almost) by one of his longtime victims, with his own weapon, in a cage wrestling match he didn't authorize, and the Count's first victims, the Junior Ranger Scouts, are burned alive inside one of their own scout buses, whilst muzzled.]]
88	* DenserAndWackier: The story starts out fairly mundane, but by the second arc you've got the gang heading into a naturalist disco club, a koala kingpin who thinks he's a drop bear, Judy getting accidentally drunk, and a hilariously inept interrogation scene to cap it all off. It gets progressively zanier from there, and stuff like [[spoiler: a wallaby headbutting a tank shell]] during the finale doesn't bat an eye because that sort of thing is just expected now.
89	* DramaticIrony:
90	** In Chapter 11, Judy's team gets into a car accident with another vehicle and they are run off the road. None of them know what the other vehicle was, but the description heavily implies it to be the Count's limousine. [[spoiler: Later confirmed when said limo shows up again with a huge dent in its side.]]
91	** At the beginning of Chapter 32, [[spoiler: Nick gets an important piece of information from Narwhalter, to be passed on to the [=VanDals=]. But by the time they head back to the precinct, the [=VanDals=] are already gone. Meanwhile, ''they'' are shown to be looking for an important piece of information that Narwhalter had, while ignoring a call from the ZPD that they assume is pointless.]]
92	** ''Born to Be Drabbles'', by virtue of consisting mainly of scenes taking place before the main story, uses this extensively.
93	* DoNotAdjustYourSet: At the end of Chapter 34, [[spoiler: Reynard makes a broadcast across the entire city to announce Nick's birthday and his challenge to F.R.E.N.E.M.Y., with a bomb threat as the cherry on top.]]
94	* EnemyMine: In Chapter 33, Nick forms a team consisting of [[spoiler: both the entirety of Precinct 1 and several criminal characters from throughout the story, most of whom had been against them at one point or another. Their reasons range from having already pulled a HeelFaceTurn to just wanting to take down Reynard ''that'' badly.]]
95	* EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas: The Lang Family, a gang of criminal wolves, love their matriarch and adoptive mother Lady Lang.
96	* EveryCarIsAPinto: Bogo's plot to break into the sealed ZPD in chapter 26- lighting a trail of oil to his car, and blowing open the metal shudders from the resulting instant explosion.
97	* EvilPowerVacuum: Stated repeatedly as a consequence of taking out a crime lord. [[spoiler: In particular, it utterly destroyed all sense of law and order in the Nocturnal District and its precinct chief, Giles Farrow, is adamant that the same thing will happen to Zootopia as a whole should Reynard be yanked out of power.]]
98	-->'''Nick''': And let me tell you, if you think organized crime is bad, ''dis''organized is a lot worse.
99	* FantasticSlur:
100	** "Trash panda" is apparently a slur for raccoons.
101	** During the Cold-Blooded War, reptiles were commonly referred to as "scalies", which is clearly offensive as [[spoiler: Karen gives Simon a DeathGlare when she hears Kyle saying it. Kyle then wonders if the reptiles refer to mammals as [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom "furries."]]]]
102	* {{Filler}} By the authors' own admission, the “ZNN Special Report” at the end of Chapter 15 serves no plot purpose whatsoever. The similar report in Chapter 24 seems to be much of the same [[spoiler: [[OhCrap until Simon shows up]]]].
103	* {{Foreshadowing}}: [[Foreshadowing/BornToBeWilde Gets its own page.]]
104	* ForWantOfANail: A concept thoroughly explored in Drabble 21, which is also named after it. [[spoiler: In this verse, Harvey Montapue burned down Castle Fangpyre [[Fanfic/WhenInstinctFalls instead of Nick Wilde]]. This seemingly results in Vladzotz kicking the bucket until the drabble reveals that he survived and went into hiding instead of attempting to take revenge. Why? Because Harvey's relative lack of skill at the time compared to Nick resulted in not only Vladzotz but his ''family'' escaping the blaze, and Vlad promptly took off with them rather than risk their lives further. Vlad thus retires peacefully and happily with his loved ones. But on the flipside, his departure creates an EvilPowerVacuum that tears apart the Nocturnal District while his ship with Lucy Sang from ''When Instinct Falls'' gets torpedoed due to him still being married, to her distress.]]
105	* FriendlyTickleTorture: The Rodentriguez family inflicts this on Carla en masse in an attempt to cheer her up. Priscilla does it to win an impromptu wrestling match against her in Drabble 3. [[spoiler: While in the Belfry, Carla gets the [[TickleTorture less friendly kind]] from Lucy, repeatedly.]]
106	* FunWithAcronyms: The HB Project, aka the [[spoiler: Happy Birthday Project]]. There's also the group of [[spoiler: combined cops and criminals that Nick forms for the endgame, known as the '''F'''rankly '''R'''idiculous '''E'''ntirely '''N'''onsensical '''E'''rrant '''M'''ammal '''Y'''uckfest.]]
107	* GameChanger: In Chapter 14, where it's revealed that the Count isn't just some BigBad criminal they need to stop, [[spoiler: but also Nick's BigBadDad]]. What was once a fairly simple crime story completely turns on its head from that point forward.
108	* GilliganCut: Chapter 19.
109	-->'''Nick''': After all that? You think I'm going to just sit down and have tea with you?
110	-->''(cut to Nick and Reynard having tea)''
111	* GratuitousSpanish: Animals coming from New Mexicow, such as Carla Hyenandez and Sandcat Sanchez, tend to pepper their dialogue with Spanish words.
112	* GreatOffscreenWar: The Cold-Blooded War, for the most part. [[spoiler: One of Simon's missions during it ''is'' shown, but there is little actual "war" there.]]
113	* GunsAreUseless: PlayedWith. Most evident with the ZPD's tranq guns, which almost always prove ineffective, although it's often because their user gets disarmed before they have the opportunity to actually use them. On the rare occasion they actually hit something, it's either the wrong target altogether (like the giraffe clubber in Chapter 8) or the target is simply big enough to [[NoSell shrug it off]] (like Koslov in Chapter 13). Actual firearms, on the other hand, are treated much more seriously; all it takes for [[NobleTopEnforcer Felix]] to get everyone to back off from Nick in Chapter 14 is to wave a gun in their faces. The uselessness of the tranq guns is {{lampshaded}}:
114	--> '''Carla:''' Our weapons are remarkably useless.
115	* HalloweenEpisode: Drabble 13, revolving around a Hallo-er-Howloween party at Precinct 1. [[spoiler: That quickly turns into a slasher movie parody.]]
116	* HappilyAdopted: [[spoiler: The ''entire'' Lang Family. Not one of them is actually related to Lady Lang, but they treat her as their mother regardless because she's the only family most of them ever had. They are fanatically loyal to her because of this. The sole exception is Fast Tony, who is hated by the rest of the pack for his [[TheStarscream blatant disloyalty.]]]]
117	*** Carla is also adopted, [[spoiler:by a pack of rats no less]] and while she's not exactly very happy she genuinely loves her family.
118	* HomeEarlySurprise: Simon gets one in Drabble 20. [[spoiler: After leaving to bring Karen her lunch, he realizes he forgot to pack something and returns to get it, only to find Reina trying to abduct Kyle.]]
119	* HotSkittyOnWailordAction: [[spoiler:Carla and Priscilla are a hyena and a rat, so they are ''very'' different in size, and yet they are in a romantic (and likely sexual) relationship. They are also a same-sex couple, so having children via hybridization is absolutely out of the question.]]
120	* HurricaneOfPuns: Nick and [[spoiler: Reynard]] end up in an impromptu pun duel while stuck on an elevator together. Complete with [[LamePunReaction groans from their captive audience]] after each one.
121	* IconicAttributeAdoptionMoment: During the flashbacks to Nick's childhood, the one set after coming home from his disastrous Junior Ranger Scout meeting from the film ends with [[spoiler:his father leaving the family. Just before he goes, he lends his tie to his son as a parting gift, becoming the tie he wears in canon.]]
122	* InformedObscenity: "Fox" is consistently used as a stand-in for the f-bomb, and mostly ''by'' foxes too. Taken to its logical conclusion with an instance of ClusterFBomb consisting entirely of variations on "fox."
123	* InstantHumiliationJustAddYoutube: At the start of Chapter 10, it's mentioned that Judy's [[ItMakesSenseInContext frantic disco fight with a vampire bat]] has gone viral on [=ZooTube=], under the name '[[ShoutOut Batbunny Begins]]'.
124	** Come Chapter 38, [[spoiler: Chief Catano happily confirms that Chief Bogo getting hit with a jar of piss by Drummond Rane has gained similar infamy.]]
125	* InterestingSituationDuel: Most of the major fight scenes fall under this, including:
126	** A fight in a naturalist disco club, featuring a drunk Judy, two feral mammals, and a tattooed hippo.
127	** A biker duel between two riders in tricked-out, weaponized bikes.
128	** A CarChase along a rainy highway involving about five different factions.
129	** A chase through the Grand Palms Hotel across several different floors.
130	** A two-on-two tag-team luchador match.
131	** A showdown in the middle of Precinct 1, in the midst of a lockdown, and ending in the boiler room.
132	** A battle atop a vintage pirate ship, involving four separate duels and at least half of the participants dressed for the occasion.
133	** An underwater chase, interspersed with a group battle on an underwater, constantly shifting train, and a fight in a wrestling ring tricked out with death traps.
134	** A mock lightsaber duel whilst riding a roller coaster through a mockup of outer space.
135	* InterspeciesRomance: Carla Hyenandez and her partner, [[spoiler: a rat named Priscilla Rodentriguez]].
136	* JuxtaposedHalvesShot: The cover image, contrasting Nick's cop side and criminal side.
137	* LandDownUnder: {{Invoked}} in-universe by the waterfront at Outback Island, an extremely tacky tourist trap that exploits every Australian stereotype in the book to rip off unsuspecting visitors, much to the annoyance of everyone [[NaiveNewcomer except Frost]].
138	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Becomes more and more prevalent as the story goes on, but avoids outright breaking it.
139	* ALizardNamedLiz: A theme continued from the original film: an arctic fox named Frost, a hyena named Hyenandez, a vampire bat named Sang (meaning "blood"), a sand cat named Sanchez, a rat named Rodentriguez...
140	* MaskedLuchador: Officer Delgato is a big fan of lucha libre, particularly a female hyena wrestler named "La Mala Perra". [[spoiler: It is revealed that both Hyenandez and her partner Priscilla Rodentriguez used to be luchadors, strongly implied - and then, in Chapter 22, finally confirmed - that "La Mala Perra" was Hyenandez herself.]] El Orgullo, Sandcat's bodyguard, is also a luchador, and the Sandcat arc climaxes a wrestling match [[spoiler: between Hyenandez and El Orgullo, with Priscilla and Lucy Sang joining in]].
141	* MisterBig: Besides Mr. Big from the original movie, this story also has Damien Thornbrush, a koala flanked by Fangs the dingo and Boomer the kangaroo, and Sandcat Sanchez, a sand cat accompanied by his massive bodyguards El Orgullo the lion and Gomez the bull.
142	* MoodWhiplash: Frequently. One scene can be dramatic and serious while the next is lighthearted goofiness, sometimes switching back and forth multiple times per chapter. Chapter 21 is probably the biggest offender, and lampshaded as such.
143	* MookCarryover: Happens quite a lot as a result of the BigBad outright ''killing'' their old bosses and taking over. So many characters first seen taking orders from another crime lord eventually end up in a fancy new suit.
144	* MotiveMisidentification: In Chapter 10, Nick comes to the conclusion that [[BigBad the Count]] has a serious vendetta against him, which is why [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou he refuses to let anyone else kill him]]. [[spoiler: He's entirely correct about the villain's fixation on him, but not the context.]]
145	** In Chapter 25, Nick makes another deduction that [[spoiler: Karen [=VanDal=] deliberately acted as suspiciously as possible while "interrogating" him, causing them to look into her history and discover her connection to Simon, luring them out of the precinct while Simon himself moves in to take the place hostage with less resistance. Again, he's half-right, except that Karen was just trying to get Simon arrested and the whole hostage situation was just as unexpected to her.]]
146	* MythologyGag: Some elements from the earlier, "tame collar" version of Zootopia are worked into this story.
147	** An actual tame collar is worn by Harvey Montapue.
148	** Nick's father had a clothes shop named "Suitopia". [[spoiler: The fact that the Count's henchmen all wear sharp suits is an indication of his true identity.]]
149	** Jack Savage, a bunny spy who was initially planned to be a protagonist but was dropped early in development, is mentioned as an in-universe spy movie protagonist. [[spoiler: Later revealed to be an ''actual'' spy whose cover is a spy movie protagonist.]]
150	** The Count's HB Project is ultimately revealed to be [[spoiler: Wilde Times, once a pred-friendly theme park that Nick used to let predators take off their collars and run free in the original concept. The park itself is very different, but Reynard gets on Finnick's case about the sign spelling it "Wild Times", which is actually how it was originally going to be spelled.]]
151	** In Chapter 25, Simon's incorrect notes about the police officers' names is a reference to the FlipFlopOfGod regarding which name belongs to which animal - whether Fangmeyer's a wolf or a tiger, Delgato's a tiger or a lion, and whether Francine's last name is Trunkaby or Pennington.
152	* NationalAnimalStereotypes:
153	** The citizens of Outback Island, based on UsefulNotes/AustralianWildlife, are all stereotypical Aussies.
154	** Averted with Carla Hyenandez, Sandcat Sanchez and El Orgullo, who are Hispanic characters based on African mammals.[[note]]Historically, there were parts of Africa that were colonized by Spain, including the Spanish Sahara, Spanish Guinea and the Spanish protectorate of Morocco, but the characters are closer to Mexican stereotypes, down to living in a town named New Mexicow.[[/note]] Played straight with Sandcat's henchman Gomez, a Spanish fighting bull wearing a matador outfit.
155	** Mrs. Pong is a panda running a Chinese restaurant (that is based on Mr. Ping's restaurant from ''Franchise/KungFuPanda'').
156	** Koslov, the polar bear mafioso with a Russian name and accent, also runs a borscht restaurant.
157	* NewhartPhonecall: Any phonecall from the Count prior to his identity being revealed. Special mention goes to the call at the very beginning of Chapter 1, as Drabble 1 shows the other half of the conversation in the same manner.
158	* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown:
159	** Fangs and Boomer come very close to killing Nick when they take the Feral Dream pellets in chapter eight. Nick is barely able to put up any fight, resorting to unsuccessfully begging them to stop.
160	** The fight between Judy and Simon in Chapter 26 also is extremely brutal. [[spoiler: However, after the fight, Karen claims that Simon ''was'' holding back, because he didn't want to kill Judy.]]
161	* NotWhatItLooksLike: The conclusion of the Outback Island arc features Judy, Frost and Carla getting interrogated by the local cops about the ruckus they caused at the Dream Time Club. Unfortunately, they word their testimonies in such a way as to provoke some [[YouHaveToBelieveMe hilariously]] [[TooKinkyToTorture inaccurate]] [[HurricaneOfEuphemisms conclusions.]]
162	* OneDialogueTwoConversations: When Officers Baggins and Barnum interrogate Carla Hyenandez, she explains in detail how a naked hippo "[[DoubleEntendre pounded her with his enormous rod]]". She's talking about a metal rod the hippo used as a weapon.
163	* PaintingTheMedium: Each scene is marked with a stamp displaying the location (usually a district of Zootopia), sub-location (the specific place they're in, sometimes with its own sub-location), and the time of day. These are based on the perceptions of the character(s) involved, not what they actually are, and occasionally get altered to reflect that. Best displayed in the [[spoiler: Belfry sub-arc. Nothing about the place or time is known to Carla or displayed for the reader at the beginning. Once she learns the place is called the Belfry, that gets added. Once she learns it's in the Nocturnal District, that gets added. Once she learns what the current challenge involves, that gets added too. And as she has no means of ever telling the time, every time stamp during that arc is just various phrases based around the word "time".]]
164	* ParallelConflictSequence: Most of the major arcs end with one. Special mention goes to Chapter 35, where [[spoiler: ten vehicles try to reach the gates of Wilde Times and every one of them has its own confrontation along the way.]]
165	* PartsUnknown: La Sangrienta Baronesa claims she comes from here when she applies for the ''lucha libre'' match. Sandcat Sanchez frowns at this boring wrestling cliché.
166	* {{Pirate}}: A recurring theme in Chapter 28, with both Jimmy and the Count getting in on the fun, and the latter even bringing a (replica) pirate ship into the fray.
167	* PlotArmor: Lampshaded, especially in regards to the ZPD's tranq guns and why they [[GunsAreUseless never hit anyone important]]. Eventually, the BigBad outright ''challenges'' Bogo to shoot him, knowing it'll never work. [[spoiler: Reynard deflects the dart with his SwordCane, causing it to ricochet back into Bogo's gun, destroying them both. He even admits that he has no idea how he did that.]]
168	* ProtectionInMouth: When it becomes clear that the protagonists can't use the normal route to Narwhalter's underwater base, they take Plan B-- Riding inside the mouth of Bella Blue, a friendly whale, in order to make it down safely.
169	* PsychoForHire: As [[spoiler: Finnick]] points out, nearly everyone the Count hires is some kind of nutjob.
170	* PsychoSerum: Night Howlers are back, now turned into a recreational drug called Feral Dream. Fangs and Boomer use it with terrifying results.
171	* PunBasedTitle: Obvious song reference aside, most of the chapter titles are also puns of some kind.
172	* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: Nick's [[spoiler: F.R.E.N.E.M.Y.]] team is a larger than usual example that includes [[spoiler: a family of hyperactive rats, two nude drug dealers, a former mafia princess, a bull dressed as a matador, a skunk arsonist and his legal guardian, a seal with a captain complex, and an entire gang of hick biker wolves, among others]].
173	* ReferenceOverdosed: Referential humor is common, using animal puns when a specific work is mentioned. The [[ShoutOut/BornToBeWilde Shout Out page]] covers nowhere near all of it.
174	* {{Revenge}}:
175	** Carla [[spoiler: wants revenge on Sandcat for crippling Priscilla.]]
176	** Also one of [[spoiler: Reynard's]] motivations against the other crime lords.
177	** And one of [[spoiler: Simon's]] motivations against the ZPD, [[spoiler: which also turns out to be a case of RevengeBeforeReason]].
178	** In the drabbles, this is revealed to be [[spoiler: Up and Down's motive against Reynard for the death of Sideways.]]
179	* RewatchBonus: Knowing later reveals about certain characters makes large chunks of the fic read differently. Particularly, [[spoiler: knowing that Carla is TheMole and that Reynard is actively plotting out his own downfall from Chapter 26 onwards.]]
180	* RuleOfCool: The fic features numerous flashy and over-the-top action scenes that really only happen because they look cool. This is also the reason why the ZPD's tranq guns never do the job, to the point of LampshadeHanging.
181	* RuleOfFunny: It never really lets up on the humor either, no matter the situation. Even in the most serious of scenes, it's definitely lighter, but still present.
182	* RunningGag: Too many to list, but some of the most prominent are:
183	** Judy's "sweet cheese and crackers" becoming a MadLibsCatchPhrase.
184	** Nick never being able to live down his OutsideRide in Chapter 2.
185	** Jimmy's back and forth banter [[CompanionCube with his own plushie]].
186	** Carla having NoSenseOfHumor, and especially her EntendreFailure.
187	** The many appearances of [[ArcWords crazy like a fox]].
188	** Junior's [[TalksLikeASimile similes.]]
189	** Sandcat Sanchez abruptly bursting into song.
190	** Danielle attempting to swear around Marian.
191	* SequelHook: Chapter 39 teases at least three, two of which hit harder for those who have kept up with the drabbles.
192	** [[spoiler: Fangs and Boomer know of the existence of another drug, more dangerous than Feral Dream or even Night Howlers, that Thornbrush was working on before his death. And at least one test batch has already been sold.]]
193	** [[spoiler: Reynard predicts that Nick will soon meet someone he should have met a long time ago, clearly hinting at his adoptive sister, Vixey.]]
194	** [[spoiler: And of course, the events of the finale have kicked the doors wide open for a certain [[GreaterScopeVillain secret organization]] to start moving in.]]
195	* ShiftingSituationDuel: A couple, such as the fight between [[spoiler: Judy and Simon]] that ends up spanning several rooms of the Precinct 1 building, and the fight on the Sea Train, with said train moving like a roller coaster and occasionally shifting the gravity on those inside. The former gets a lampshading.
196	-->'''[[spoiler: Karen]]''': Don't mammals have the decency to at least keep a fight in one room anymore?
197	* ShoutOut: A lot, to other Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon movies and others. [[ShoutOut/BornToBeWilde Enough to get their own page.]]
198	* SkullCups: Felix and Junior both have a wolf skull mounted on the fronts of their bikes. [[spoiler: Implied to be the skulls of their abusive biological parents, reduced to hood ornaments.]]
199	* SlidingScaleOfSillinessVsSeriousness: The plot itself is relatively serious, but the general tone veers heavily towards silliness. Even scenes that are mostly serious will still throw in a joke or two to lighten the tension.
200	* SpeciesSubversives: Carla Hyenandez inverts both HeinousHyena ''and'' TheHyena, seeing as she's not that morally unsavoury [[spoiler:despite being TheMole]], and she doesn't have a sense of humour.
201	* StormingTheCastle: The premise of the final arc. [[spoiler: But instead of a castle, it's an AmusementParkOfDoom]].
202	* StoryArc: The fic is split into six main arcs, each centering around a different one of Zootopia’s crime lords and their territories, with intermissions in between. These are:
203	** Tundratown/Mr. Big arc - Chapters 1-4
204	** Outback Island/Thornbrush arc - Chapters 6-9
205	** Rainforest District/Lang Family arc - Chapters 11-15
206	** Sahara Square/Sanchez arc - Chapters 18-23
207	** The Docks/Narwhalter arc - Chapters 27-32
208	** [[spoiler: [[GrandFinale Wilde Times/Reynard arc]]]] - Chapters 34-39
209	*** The Narwhalter arc has a sub-arc involving [[spoiler: the Belfry]] happening simultaneously as the B-plot.
210	*** While it is officially considered an intermission, Chapters 24-26 could be considered an arc in its own right, as all three chapters revolve around [[spoiler: Simon holding the ZPD hostage to extract information from them, while his wife manipulates the ZPD into capturing him]].
211	*** ''Born to Be Drabbles'' has the [[spoiler: Vexey]] arc spanning throughout, consisting of Drabbles 5, 11, 16, and 24.
212	* SuddenlySober: [[ZigZaggedTrope Zig-zagged]]. Judy goes through an entire chase and fight with Lucy Sang completely doped after drinking a glass of "non-alcoholic" carrot juice, lasting at least ten minutes. By the time it's finished and Lucy escapes, she's still sloshed... that is, until she sees Nick's body lying in a pool of blood. Then the Precinct 5 officers bust in, and due to a bad impression resulting from the fight, she's shot with a tranq dart. When she comes to, the blend of tranquilizer and the remaining alcohol has sent her right back to being heavily doped.
213	* SystematicVillainTakedown: The final arc is made of this. [[spoiler: Chapter 35 has F.R.E.N.E.M.Y. taking on the majority of Reynard's forces outside of Wilde Times, including all the basic mooks and several of his lieutenants, plus his CoolCar. In Chapter 36, they go inside the park itself and split up to deal with the rest of the lieutenants, the more important ones, along with Felix Dire Senior and RJ. By the end of the chapter, all that's left of Reynard's criminal empire is Reynard himself.]]
214	* TalkingIsAFreeAction: Usually played straight, but averted twice in quick succession during [[spoiler: the Belfry sub-arc. The first time, Carla is caught up in a moral dilemma of if she should save Harvey from imminent peril or escape herself. By the time she decides to save him, Lucy points out that he's still been in danger that whole time and could've well died in the interim. In the following (timed) challenge, Carla, Harvey, and Kyle have a small chat with each other at the outset...until Lucy reveals that the challenge has already started and they've just wasted three minutes talking.]]
215	-->'''Lucy''': You guys ''really'' need to learn that [[LampshadeHanging talking ain't a free action here]].
216	* ThemeNaming: The Count uses card names as aliases for himself and all of his minions.
217	** The Count -- [[spoiler: Wilde Card]] (unpredictable and above the others [[spoiler: as well as a pun on his surname]]).
218	** Simon [=VanDal=] -- Ace of Spades (an elite mercenary, i.e. TheAce of the team. As a bonus, the Ace of Spades is also known as the "death card").
219	** Harvey Montapue -- Jack of Hearts (a bit of a soft-hearted jackass).
220	** [[spoiler: Koslov]] -- King of Clubs (the physically most intimidating member, who gives his enemies a clubbing, i.e. beating).
221	** Lucy Sang -- Queen of Diamonds (the most feminine member of the team and a known jewel thief).
222	** [[spoiler: Carla Hyenandez]] -- Joker (a bit of an outsider, not part of the core team [[spoiler: and also a hyena, known for its laughs]]).
223	** [[spoiler: Finnick]] -- Two of Clubs (a jab at his short stature and violent temper).
224	** The team of assassins the Count hires become known as [[spoiler: the Discards, in reference to them all being rejected from the other crime gangs for various reasons.]]
225	* TickleTorture: In the Belfry, Carla is outfitted with shoes designed to do this to her soles if she refuses any of Lucy's demands.
226	* {{Timeskip}}: Happens between Chapters 9 and 10, skipping a week to let Nick recover from his feral injuries in the hosptial. Happens again between Chapters 32 and 33, this time skipping a whole month to let pretty much ''everyone'' recover, among other reasons. Both instances have the highlights that were missed literally bullet-pointed out at the beginning of the chapter.
227	* {{Troperiffic}}: Just look at the size of this page, and even moreso the character page(s). Tends to happen when both authors are active tropers.
228	* UnderwaterCity: The Narwhal Nexus, built beneath the relatively-mundane Docks and under the control of Piers Narwhalter. Given [[TheParanoiac how he is]], very few terrestrial mammals ever get to visit it.
229	* VillainOpeningScene: The first scene is of TheDragon getting a phone call from the unseen BigBad. It ends with them mentioning Nick Wilde, who then first appears in the next scene.
230	* WhamEpisode: Big twists are dropped pretty regularly, but these ones stand out:
231	** Chapter 2: Right off the bat, Nick is forced to arrest Finnick and Mr. Big is murdered.
232	** Chapter 14: [[spoiler: [[BigBad The Count's]] true identity is revealed to be [[LukeIAmYourFather John Wilde.]]]]
233	** Chapter 17: [[spoiler: Finnick is released from ZPD custody after the evidence against him is stolen, Nick is framed for the theft, and [[TurnInYourBadge suspended from the force.]] He soon after goes CowboyCop and decides to take down Reynard himself while Judy decides to track down Nick's mother for help.]]
234	** Chapter 20: [[spoiler: Nick's extended backstory is revealed through both of his parents. And right when it seems like this chapter is going to be nothing but exposition, Marian is shot by a vengeful Felix.]]
235	** Chapter 21: [[spoiler: Nick ''finally'' gets his act together and takes down his father, both physically and emotionally. Reynard gets away, but is left [[VillainousBSOD broken]] while Nick turns himself in.]]
236	** Chapter 23: [[spoiler: In case you thought Sanchez was safe after Reynard's retreat, nope! Carla is revealed to have been TheMole from day 1 and almost kills him herself, only to have a change of heart at the last second and [[YouShallNotPass hold the line]] for Jimmy and Priscilla to escape, getting captured in the process.]]
237	** Chapter 24: [[spoiler: Judy finally meets Reynard face-to-face, the fox changes his focus from killing ''just'' the crime lords to also targeting the ZPD, and Marian wakes up from her coma. Meanwhile, Simon goes on a personal crusade to find his kidnapped son by ''directly assaulting'' the ZPD.]]
238	** Drabble 5: [[spoiler: Nick has an adoptive sister, whom Reynard left in charge of his operations in Foxden.]]
239	** Chapter 27: [[spoiler: Carla is revealed to be trapped in an ImmoralRealityShow for Lucy's entertainment, one taking place in the thus-far unrepresented Nocturnal District. On top of that, there used to be ''six'' crime lords, including Vladzotz Fangpyre from ''Fanfic/WhenInstinctFalls''.]]
240	** Drabble 10: [[spoiler: For the first time, all of the Zootopian crime lords (and their predecessors) are seen meeting and interacting with each other, including [[TheCameo Vladzotz]]. Halfway through, it suddenly turns into John Wilde's StartOfDarkness and we see the event that made him detest the crime lords firsthand. It also one-ups Chapter 27 by [[EmptyChairMemorial implying]] that there may have actually been ''seven'' crime lords at some point.]]
241	** Chapter 29: [[spoiler: Kyle [=VanDal's=] fate is finally revealed when he shows up in the Belfry. Reynard explains more of his backstory, namely his first ever victims: [[WouldHurtAChild The Junior Ranger Scouts.]]]]
242	** Chapter 33: [[spoiler: One month has passed, Nick's birthday is tomorrow, the six other ZPD precinct chiefs are all introduced at once, Nick forms a massive combined force of cops and criminals to take down Reynard once and for all, the HB Project is finally revealed, and then ''another'' secret project is hinted at directly afterwards. All of which is just the ''intermission'' for the GrandFinale.]]
243	** Drabble 20: [[spoiler: One of the biggest whams yet. It's finally revealed how Simon lost his leg, which involved his house being blown up by a sleeper agent from the Sauriet Union. And there is an unknown number of other such agents planted all throughout Zootopia, who can easily be just about any of the numerous characters introduced thus far, with no indication of where or when they'll strike. Narwhalter's paranoia starts to make [[ProperlyParanoid a lot of sense.]]]]
244	** Chapter 38: [[spoiler: After a lengthy battle, Count Reynard is finally defeated for good. Soon after, Nick starts getting a suspicious amount of attention from the general public and it's revealed that the events inside Wilde Times were secretly being broadcast all across the city. Then a flashback shows that not only did Reynard plan this exact outcome to turn Nick into Zootopia's "Hero Fox", he'd been planning it since ''before the Narwhalter arc''. So much for not taking a hint.]]
245	* WhamLine: Likewise:
246	** The Count's response when Felix demands to know who he is. [[spoiler: "Take a Wilde guess."]]
247	** Bogo telling Nick about [[spoiler: Finnick's release]] and the investigation that is going to go into him. [[spoiler: "And until that investigation is concluded, you are hereby suspended from duty. TurnInYourBadge."]]
248	** Lucy revealing TheMole in the ZPD's midst. [[spoiler: "Well, well, it looks like your time has come Carla. Or should I call you ''Joker?"'']]
249	** The Count's change in priorities. [[spoiler: "It's not just the crime lords I should be targeting..''it's all of you!"'' Referring to the ZPD.]]
250	** Almost immediately after, [[spoiler: Marian]] waking up. [[spoiler: "Nich...olas? Is...that...you?"]]
251	** The first sign that ''Drabbles'' isn't exempt from big game changers. [[spoiler: "How can you expect to get anywhere living in your father's shadow, Lady Reynard?"]]
252	** The Count revealing his first victims. [[spoiler: "So I abducted those children, chained them to the inside of their own bus, muzzled them all, and then lit up the specist little pricks like a Spring Break bonfire."]]
253	** The very casual reveal of what the HB Project really is. [[spoiler: "My son deserves the very best presentation I can provide tomorrow. The Happy Birthday Project wouldn't be anything without him, right?"]] Even Finnick needs a second to notice.
254	* WorldOfPun: It’s a Zootopia fic, so animal puns are naturally everywhere. So are many other kinds of puns. Even the chapter titles are puns!
255	* WretchedHive: [[spoiler: The Nocturnal District]] is so hopelessly crime-ridden that it's become oddly institutionalized. There are traffic lights to regulate gang warfare and dark alleys that advertise themselves on how well they'll get you mugged. Its local police force, Precinct 7, is so utterly overwhelmed that they might as well not even exist. [[spoiler: All of this was caused by a combination of its seclusion from the rest of Zootopia and the loss of its crime lord creating an EvilPowerVacuum that was never filled.]]
256	** A more subtle example is [[spoiler: Foxden, which initially appears to be a bright, cheerful suburbia with overly friendly neighbors. [[StepfordSuburbia Then it's revealed]] that all of those neighbors are just criminals playing a role and that the town is not only controlled entirely by the mob, it effectively ''is'' the mob.]]
257

Context Fanfic / BornToBeWilde