The Fox and The Hound: Upbringing
#3 of Fanfictions
Before you read this, I suggest you read the prequel at https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10255359/1/The-Fox-and-the-Hound-Sacrifice
This is not completely my own!!! The original writer is "jerod2447" from "FanFiction.net". I have been helping him complete the story as it has been standing for quite a while. Please no flames. If you don't want to read the original, then I will place a summery of it here. This series is based on The Fox and The Hound, but with one major difference, Tod didn't survive the waterfall. I really suggest that you read the prequel before this, but the choice is yours. The writer of the particular chapter will be indicated next to the chapter heading in brackets.
Enjoy ;D
Title: The Fox and The Hound: Upbringing Category: Movies » Fox and The Hound Author: EvilFrost-CHS Language: English, Rating: Rated: K Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Tragedy Published: 28-07-2014, Updated: 05-09-2016 Chapters: (undisclosed), Words: (undisclosed)
The Fox and The Hound: Upbringing
Prologue(jerod2447)
Tod sat on top of a hill. He had died and knew it. No one could see him or hear him, and it hurt. He looked down longingly at the farm where he was raised. Now his mate and kits occupied kits were running around playing and getting into mischief. Vixey was watching them and chatting with Copper. Tod's heart yearned to be down there with them; he wanted to feel Vixey him, wanted to talk with his best friend, and most of all, wanted to play with his kits. He felt a crystal tear leave his eye, all he could do was watch.
"I love you all," Tod said to himself. "I just want to be with you." His voice was solemn and silent to all but himself.
"Hey Tod," A fox spirit approached him. She asked, "You checking in on your family again?"
Tod nodded and looked up, "Yeah... mom? How do you adjust to being...?"
"Dead?"
"Yeah, I mean Heaven is amazing beyond description, but..."
Tod's mother sat next to him, "You want them don't you?"
Tod nodded and felt more tears fall.
"It's not easy, but you'll see them again. Sometimes, we're allowed to talk to our loved ones, even let them see us and feel us. It requires special situations but they can happen."
"How come I never saw you?"
"Wasn't given the opportunity, it's not up to us."
Tod sighed, "Yeah..." He looked back down at the farm.
Chapter 1(jerod2447)
Four, small streaks of red and white fur ran through a forest, they were headed to a local swimming hole.
They were four fox kits.
"No fair Bolt! You got a head start!" Sky yelled as they raced to the pond.
"Not my fault you're slow!" Bolt yelled as he leapt into the cool water. His fur became soaked and the white streak across his eye moved as he laughed.
Sky followed, the water covered his dark red fur. He splashed his brother for cheating and laughed. And so began a splash war between Sky and Bolt.
Violet came next, "Look out below!" She yelled as she jumped into the clear water.
Bringing up the rear was Tod, the runt of the litter of fox kits. "Hey guys, wait for me!" His mother said he looked the most like his father.
The four kits laughed, swam, and splashed in the pond.
Lily was with her mom; originally the whole family was going for a walk in the woods.
After a few minutes Bolt asked his mom if he could go to the pond. She said it was ok and he took course; Sky, Violet, and Tod followed.
Lily and Fyre stayed with their mom. Lily was always a bit shy and preferred to be with her mother. Fyre preferred his own company and asked his mom if he could go on his own.
Vixey sighed as the kits ran to off. Fyre went to explore on his own and the four others to the swimming hole. Lily stayed with her.
Lily looked up at her mom, "Mommy, what was daddy like?"
Vixey smiled and looked away from her daughter for a second. "He was a brave, nice, and funny fox."
"Mommy, what happened to him? Whenever we ask, you don't answer."
Vixey sighed, "He saved Uncle Copper from a bear. They were best friends and they in the woods one day when a big, nasty bear attacked. It was about to kill Copper when your father Lily's eyes went wide, "Oh mama, that sounds scary! Did daddy hurt the bear?"
Vixey chuckled lightly at her daughter's reaction. "Yes, he made the bear fall down a waterfall with him."
Lily looked down, "Is that why daddy's gone?"
Vixey nodded, "He was very brave."
Lily nodded, "I wish I met him."
Vixey looked ahead the kids love Copper so much; I can't tell them that he was the one that chased us. That he tried to kill Tod. They'll hate him, and they need a father figure badly.
Especially Fyre, that kit, I don't know about him sometimes. I think that being the firstborn, being without his father hits him the hardest.
Fyre was walking through the forest thinking. He felt full of an anger he couldn't fully explain. I hate you. Why did you have to die? Why did you leave us? These and many other hurt and thoughts passed through the young fox's mind constantly. He couldn't decide if he was upset at his father, the world, or himself for being angry. So, to vent, he would often go out into alone and catch bugs or just run around. It wasn't like he disliked his siblings, Fyre loved them, but they had the habit of getting on his nerves.
Fyre heard his mother calling for him and he ran back to her. "So what did you do by yourself Fyre?" Vixey asked. "Nothing really, just thinking," Vixey called for the rest of her kits, "About what?"
"A lot of things..." Fyre answered broadly.
Soon the rest of the fox family joined them and they returned to the farm.
Greeting them was Copper. He smiled broadly as Bolt, Sky, and Violet tried to tackle him. "Hey kids, you have a nice walk?"
The kits efforts to tackle Copper were futile but amusing to the hound. "We went swimming!" Sky exclaimed, "But Bolt kept splashing me!"
"Aw come on Sky! We had fun!" Bolt reminded his brother.
"It was fun!" Violet chimed in. "I won though."
Bolt exclaimed, "Did not!"
"Did to!"
"Did not!"
"Did to!"
"Did not!"
Copper jumped in, "Hey, hey, kids calm down, dinner will be ready soon anyhow."
"That's good, I'm starving!" Sky chimed. "Me too!" Violet interjected.
Vixey chuckled, "Mrs. Tweed will set out dinner soon. Now go wash up kits!"
The group of young foxes all head to a small brook near the farm and washed their paws and faces.
Copper chuckled. "Your kids seem like a fun handful."
Vixey returned Copper's chuckle, "They are, but they're such a blessing to have. And they're all really fond of you, seems like they've made you their uncle."
Copper smiled, "Tod was the closest thing I had to a brother. I'm honored to be an uncle for his kids."
Vixey looked away for a second. She made sure that none of her kits were within hearing range. "Copper, they're older now; Fyre and Lily in particular have been asking about Tod and happened to him."
Copper frowned slightly. "What did you tell them?"
Vixey sighed, "Part of the truth, that he saved you and your master from a bear and died fighting him."
Copper looked at the poor widow, "That's all they need to know Vixey. Tod did save me and that's all there is to it."
Vixey smiled, "Yeah, you're right. Thanks Copper," She smiled widely as her kits came running.
Widow Tweed opened her door and saw the eager kit. "Come on in you little rascals!" She says happily. The lonely widow greatly enjoyed the kits running around her house and farm.
The kits squeal and yelp happily as they run around the house, waiting for Tweed to set out their dinner.
Dinner for the kits was a big bowl of milk. They of course managed to spill quite a bit of it. Luckily, the widow had learned of their antics and had set up a special mat to catch the wayward For Vixey, it was a spare pork chop. The meat was tender and the vixen loved the treat.
Soon the kits and Vixey were finished and they were all lying in front of the fireplace.
Vixey had her kits all curled up next to her and Widow Tweed was in her rocking chair.
Live was great as Vixey watched her children. Soon they were asleep and got into the funniest positions.
Violet had all four paws in the air.
Tod had his front paws perpendicular to his back ones.
Lily was curled up into almost a perfect ball.
Bolt's paws were constantly moving, as if he were running after something.
Fyre was in a relatively normal position but he snored loudly for such a young fox.
Sky was lying on his belly and all his paws were outstretched.
Vixey grinned to herself. Look at this, how do they sleep like that? I couldn't sleep like that if I tried! She admired her kits before falling asleep herself.
Copper had just arrived back at his master's cabin and promptly ate the deer meat the hunter had set out for him.
"Hiya there Copper how are the pups?" The older dog, Chief asked. Even he had become fond of the kits. That is, as long as they didn't disturb his naps.
Copper smiled, "Aw they're great, full of energy and just being, well, pups!"
Chief gave a gravelly laugh, "Did they try ta hog-tie ya again?"
Copper chuckled, "No, they keep trying to tackle me though. If they keep it up, they'll soon be big enough to do it."
Chief gave a knowing smiled. "Yeah you pups sure sprout up fast. I remember when we first got you; you were quite the rascal then."
Copper gave a wry smile, "What do you mean old timer? I still am a rascal!" Copper proceeds to pull on Chief's ear with his mouth.
Chief chuckled a bit before becoming quickly annoyed, "Dagnabbit get off me you overgrown pup!"
Copper just laughed as he returned to his barrel, "Told ya I was still a rascally pup!"
"You were right you pup, you do make a good daddy for those kid foxes."
Copper smiled. "Thanks chief, you were a good father for me to."
Chief grunted, he did like what Copper said but didn't want to look soft. "You did cause a good deal of mischief."
Copper smiled, he knew that was the best he was getting out of the grumpy old hound.
The next day, Fyre was walking through the woods like he normally did. He decided to explore a bit and came upon a sight he marveled at. It was a tall waterfall that stood proud.
Chapter 2(jerod2447)
"Come on guys, you have to see this! This beats our old swimming hole by a long shot!" Fyre exclaimed as his siblings followed him.
"You had better be right Fyre!" Bolt yelled as he ran, "You made me lose a grasshopper!"
"Hey guys! Wait for me!" Tod exclaimed, he was doing his best to keep up but was still falling behind.
"Don't worry Tod; I'll keep up with you." Violet assured and slowed to his speed.
Soon, the group of fox kits came upon the falls and the crystal clear lake it fell in. They marveled at the beautiful sight.
"Wow Fyre! You weren't kidding!" Sky exclaimed.
"It's pretty! And big!" Lily observed.
Bolt didn't even say anything; he paused for a moment before running into the cool, clear water. Sky followed, as did Fyre.
After a minute, Violet and Tod appeared and they too, took in the beautiful scene.
Tod looked around, "Golly, this place is amazing!"
Violet saw the rest of her siblings in the water, (Well except for Lily, she was sitting at the water's edge and pawing at the water.) and she ran into the lake.
"Come on in Lilly and Tod!" Bolt shouted, "You're missing out on all the fun!"
Tod looked at his nervous sister, "C'mon Lily, it'll be fun." With that, the young fox stepped into the lake.
Copper had just woken up and decided to pay Vixey and the kits a visit. He made his way to Widow Tweeds, and found Vixey resting under the shade of a tree. "Hey Vixey, you have a nice sleep?" Vixey smiled, "Yes I did, how about you?"
"I slept like a pup, speaking of which, where are the rascals?"
"Fyre asked if they could go swimming."
"You let them go by themselves?"
Vixey nodded, "They're old enough to handle going to the swimming hole. It's not far and a smaller pool, so I'm not worried."
"Are they really that big already? Gosh, I feel old now." The hound remarked with a chuckle.
Vixey laughed, "You feel old?" She said with a knowing look.
Copper looked away and felt a little embarrassed, "Um, yeah... so, would you like me to check in on them?"
Vixey nodded, "That would be great. They'd love to have their uncle join them."
Copper smiled and bid Vixey goodbye.
He entered the woods and began to sniff the air. Alright you pups, where have you gone off to?
It took Copper a few minutes but he soon found one of the kits' scents. Ah, there you are... Bolt? Or is it Sky? Doesn't matter, you two are inseparable. The hound begins to follow the scent.
He soon heard the sounds of the kits playing and looked up. When he saw the falls and the pond, his heart sunk. Not this place! No! Luckily for Copper, he was hidden from their view. To hide his pain as the sad memories flooded his mind. Come on Copper, you old boy, that was months ago. They're your future now. Besides, look at how happy they are! It's just a lake, cool lake. He composed himself quickly, before he ran out of his cover and smiled widely. "Look out below!" He yelled as he jumped into the lake.
The resulting splash launched Sky about a foot into the air. Bolt, Tod, and Violet all got splashed from the hounds leap.
All of the kits laughed in surprise and happiness.
Bolt exclaimed, "Uncle Copper!"
Copper laughed, "Hello guys!"
"How'd you find us?" Tod asked.
"You dummy," Fyre responded, "He smelled us."
Tod tapped the water. "...oooh..."
Copper, "Now Fyre you should be nice to your brother." Saying those words made him think of Tod and when Copper was chasing him through the woods with murderous intent. You should be nice to your brother... he thought.
Copper's mind was brought back to reality as Violet splashed him. "Ah, a direct hit!" She exclaimed.
Copper smiled, "Come here you!" With that, a splash war between the kits and Copper broke out.
Time seemed to fly and soon it was beginning to get dark. Copper stepped out of the water and shook himself dry. "Come on kids, it's getting late!"
A collective groan came from all the kits.
Bolt cried, "Awww."
"Do we have to?" Tod asked, "We're having too much fun!"
Tod's words were just like his dad's. Copper smiled, "Afraid so, besides, I bet ya'll are hungry right?"
At those words, the kits picked up the pace.
Fyre saw, out of the corner of his eye, a porcupine watching them. The porcupine glanced at Copper, gave a frightened look, and then ran away.
Fyre's curious nature wanted to go after him, but he couldn't. His siblings were leaving with Copper and were calling for him to come with him. He reluctantly followed.
Chapter 3(jerod2447)
Fyre's curiosity had gotten the better of him so he took his siblings back to the falls.
He hoped to find that porcupine. He managed to slip away while his siblings splashed and played in and entered the forest.
The kit looked around and sniffed.
Sky noticed that Fyre was missing.
"Guys, where's Fyre?"
The kits stopped playing and looked around.
"You know how he is," Violet said, "He goes off on his own."
"Why? Does he not like us?" Tod asked innocently.
"I'm not sure..." Lily said. "I heard momma say that daddy being gone hurts him."
"It hurts all of us," Bolt retorted. "Fyre's a spoilsport."
Sky looked around.
It took Fyre a bit, but he came upon a tree and found a few loose quills at its base.
"Who are you?!" A timid voice asked and Fyre jumped and both he and the voice yelled.
The fox kit spun around and saw the brown porcupine. He was ducking behind a fallen branch.
"I-I-I'm Fyre... who are you? Why were you watching us yesterday?"
The porcupine left his cover and slowly approached Fyre. "B-Because... I saw that... you were with that dog..."
Fyre raised a brow, "You mean Uncle Copper?"
The porcupine nodded.
"You've seen him before?"
Again, the porcupine nodded.
"Why did you act scared?"
The porcupine sighed. "I saw him and his master corner two foxes here a while ago..."
Uncle Copper was chasing two foxes? I mean, I knew he was a hunting dog. But he and his master stopped hunting, "So what? He doesn't hunt anymore."
"T-they chased them to the falls and this bear came out..."
Fyre paused. "W-wait, you said there was a bear? That they chased two foxes here?"
The porcupine nodded.
"Was it a girl fox and a boy fox?"
Again, he nodded.
"D-did, the boy fox... die?"
This time, the porcupine nodded in a much slower fashion.
Fyre froze as he tried to figure it out. S-so, Uncle Copper... he chased my momma and daddy... hunted them? He was... trying to kill them? ...So he tried to kill my parents? Them... and daddy... died... trying to save... them? Tears flooded Fyre's eyes.Copper... it's your fault... I have no daddy!
The kit couldn't help it, he broke down.
Sky was looking around the forest for his brother. He shouted, "Fyre?! Fyre?! Fyre?!"
Fyre emerged from behind a tree. He did his best to hide the fact that he had been crying. Though, his eyes were still a bit red.
"Fyre! Where were you?"
"Nowhere... I just... saw something and decided to go after it..."
Sky looked at his brother. "What was it?"
"A... porcupine..."
"Really? Neat! Why didn't you tell us? It would have been fun!"
"I didn't want you guys getting hurt... it jabbed me in the tail area..." Fyre rubbed his rear, making it look like he had been pricked there by a quill.
Sky laughed. "You mean, a porcupine stuck you in the rear?!" He laughed harder.
Fyre rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, now the others are all gonna laugh at me."
Sky calmed a bit. "You bet!"
This is humiliating... why couldn't I have some up with a better fib? Fyre thought as Sky kept laughing at his fake misfortune. "Well, are you done laughing? Cause I'd like to rest my tail in water."
Sky chuckled and nodded. "Sure! I can't wait to tell the others!"
Fyre groaned. "Aw fox..."
"Hey, I won't tell momma, but I can't promise the others won't."
Fyre groaned again, "Yeah, you tell Lily anything and you might as well be telling momma herself."
Sky shrugged. "Hey, all momma will do is ask if you're ok and to not do that again."
"Yeah, I would do it again. Cause, I love being stabbed by quills," Fyre retorted with heavy sarcasm.
At that, they rejoined their siblings and splashed and playing in the cool water.
Chapter 4 (Evil-Copper)
As the sun disappeared behind the waterfall, a cool breeze picked up, causing the kits to climb out. Fyre was the first out, loathing the idea of having to stay close to his father's killer. Copper wasn't on this planet. His mind had become flooded with painful memories. It was only when Bolt shifted between his legs that he hound dog snapped out of his trance. He glanced down at the shivering ball of red fluff, unaware of the suns disappearing act. "Uncle C-Copper, do you think w-we could start heading home?" Bolt asked between the attack of shivers. Copper nodded and led the small group of kits home.
At the Tweed farm, Vixey waited patiently for her kits and Copper to return. Although the sun had disappeared behind the mountains and night was fast approaching, she was sure the hound dog would have them on their way home. Rustling from a nearby bush soon grasped her attention to an unexpected visitor. "Oh Cop... Chief? What a surprise! Did the master let you off the leash?" Vixey asked with slight disappointment turning into sarcasm.
"Well, I guess yea can say that. Where're those kids o' yours?" the wolfhound asked, shrugging of the sound of disappointment.
Vixey was about to reply when she was crowded by her kits who were eager to tell her about the days fun. Copper arrived a good few seconds later, clearly disturbed and focusing hard on something. Vixey quickly tells her kits that food is ready and to go inside. Once the circle of red fluff had shuffled inside, Copper wasted no time reliving his long awaited tears. As the tears rolled freely down his face, he felt his sides being sandwiched between two warm bodies, the bodies of his "family".
Once his sobbing had subsides, Vixey decided to test the waters," Copper, what happened?" He looks at her, tears still trickling slowly down his exhausted face, he said, "They... They went there." Chief had no clue about what his adopted son was saying. "Where?" he curiously asked. Copper's sobering became louder, loud enough to alert Fyre.
Sitting closer to the door then his siblings, he was just out of earshot. He decided to get closer to listen in on the conversation. He swiftly ran behind the patio rails, where he could see and hear everything without being seen or at least where he hoped he wouldn't.
Copper tried to lower his volume, but was not as successful as he would've hoped. "The w-waterfall! Where else?" he blurted out. It took a while until his sobbing subsided, but when he did, he began to explain, "After you told me the kits were at the w-waterhole," he said, turning to face the vixen beside him, "I set out to find them, but I picked up their trail going somewhere else. I followed it and... And I found them paying in the pool at the bottom. I-I-I tried to act normal and join in, it was working, and then Fyre walked off. I didn't think much about it, un-till he returned. He seemed upset, tired and just overall weak," he began to cry until he was basically screaming blue murder, "It reminded me about his father's last moments... I co-couldn't help..." His crying had now been heard by everyone, including the kits.
The kits put a hold to their eating once they heard the sound of their uncle whaling. The worried kits dashed towards the door and, once they found the hound dog without physical injury, they walked over to him and pressed their little bodies against him, all but one. Fyre stayed behind. Although he had just seen and heard that Copper tried to help his best friend, his main thought was still fixed on his earlier conversation with the porcupine. Chief knew this wasn't doing Vixey or her kits much good.
Slowly rising to his feet, he nudged his adopted son and softly said, "Come on Sonny, let's get on home." Copper shakily stood up and, with tears still streaming down his now soaked face, walked off home without making any eye contact or saying goodbye. Chief was almost speechless. He never understood how much Tod meant to him until his death, and was not expecting this sudden change of character.
Before leaving, the wolfhound turned to face the foxes, "I'm truly sorry 'bout that Vixey. We'll see yea tomorrow again."
"No! Copper, I'm coming!" Tod shouted and screamed, trying to call out to his friend, but his efforts were fruitless as the spirit world wouldn't allow him. He could hear and see everything around him, but could not be seen or heard himself. "Copper, I'm here! I'm here," he said as he ran towards his best friend.
His own tears forming from the sight before his eyes. He hated the fact that his friend was still affected by his death; let alone being unable to do anything about it. Although he knew Copper couldn't hear him, he always tried to get across. His mother was right behind him as he closed in on his friend, who was curled up in his bail, crying himself to sleep. "I'm... I'm sorry it ended like it did," said Tod's mother, "He may never forget you, but over time, it will become easier for him to cope." Tod never took his eyes off his friend, who by now, had become quiet and was about to call it a day. Without looking away, he said, "I will find a way to talk to you, Mark my word, I will."
Chapter 5(Evil-Copper)
The night air grew cold and darkness had descended onto the farm. Vixey remained outside, staring at the path her friends had taken home. Copper's outburst affected her on multiple levels. She had somehow been able to lock up her thoughts of her beloved mate, but now, those doors had been forced open from the flood of tears her friend released. The vixen lowered her head silently and remained motionless as the dams which had built up in her eyes had now burst.
Minutes past, which felt like eternity to the kits surrounding her. Sky began to worry. She had never seen her mother s emotionally destroyed before, and it was obviously starting to take its toll on her siblings. She raised her head and made an attempt to break through the wall which separated her mother from the rest of the world, "Mom, are you alright?" the older vixen started noticing more, but was not entirely out of her trance. The young vixen then moved into her mother's line of sight and had one final attempt to reach her, "Mom?" Vixey shook her head, she was not entirely free, but she was free enough, "I-I'll be alright. Come on, let's go eat."
After supper was accounted for, Vixey had made an extremely difficult decision. She led her kits to Tod's old basket, which had become a sacred place and was not touched since his death. Although she was quite reluctant to spend this time where her mate had laid his head at night, the need for his love outweighed the the price of his lasting memory. As she set her first paw in the basket, her eyes started watering at the long missed, unique scent of her mate. As the kits climbed in one by one and lay their little bodies against hers, Vixey felt a lump catch in her thought from the memory of many love filled night Tod had spent with her. Once everybody was in and settled, with Fyre sitting on one side, they fell asleep one after the other.
Throughout the night, Fyre was restless. His mind was concocting up all the scenarios his imagination could allow, all of which took place at the waterfall. Then, all of a sudden, his body shook violently and he found himself wide awake, panting heavily and in emotional pain. He was used to waking up like this, but something seemed different. He quickly climbed out of the basket and ran to an open window. Once he managed to squeeze himself through the gap, he headed off to the place he knew he would not be found, the waterfall.
Once the waterfall was in sight, Fyre slowed his pace down. He came to a dead stop just shy of the water's edge. His emotions started taking over and soon, tears had escaped from his eyes. As the tears rolled down his face, he set his gaze at the fallen tree that lay across the waterfall. Even though the porcupine's answers were not very detailed, it still allowed him to dream up a scenario similar to his father's death, but one huge difference, in the bear's place, was his uncle Copper. With tears of pain still streaming down his face, he found a cave at the waterfalls edge, where he fell asleep and dreamed revenge.
"Fyre! Fyre!" Bolt, Lily and Violet shouted in an attempt to find there missing brother. The sun had now come up again, but Fyre was not home. Not one soul had seen or heard him leave. They all knew he liked his alone time, but he had never left so early before. Vixey was at the edge of her patience and was now becoming worried. "Have you found him yet?" she asked as her kits scurried around. Before they had half a chance to answer, Copper rounded the corner with little Tod right behind.
"Vixey, what's going on? Is everything ok?" Copper asked the worried vixen once he found her. "Does it look like everything is ok?" Vixey snapped back at her friend. She was obviously not in the best of moods, yet she regretted her sharp response. The kits were too pre occupied to hear her unhappy tone, but the bloodhound was all too understanding to care.
Once Vixey had calmed down, she continued, "Fyre is missing. We were supposed to go into town today with Widow Tweed, but I don't want him to arrive home to an empty house." "Go, I'll wait for him. He trusts me enough to believe me when I tell him where you are," Copper sighed softly, raised his head to meet the vixen's eyes, with his mind still under the illusion that Fyre doesn't know. Vixey looked the bloodhound straight in the eye, "Well, I wouldn't count on that. I saw him standing by the porch last night, and I'm not sure how much he heard. So be careful."
"Come Vixey, come kits, it's time to go," Widow Tweed called out to the scrambling family of foxes. "I have to go now, thanks again, Copper," The exhausted kits soon found their mother, and walked with her to the car. Vixey, being the oldest, got to climb on the front seat, while her kits had to settle on the load deck. They were soon on their way, leaving Copper to wait for Fyre.
Chapter 6 (Evil-Copper)
Once the widow's car vanished from Copper's sight, he decided to wait a few minutes in case Fyre decided to come back. As the hound lay down, he began to take a deeper approach into the advice his friend had given him. How long was he watching us? How much had he heard? Would he be forgive me if he had to find out?
Fyre slowly peeled his eyes opened as a new day burst into the small opening of the cave. His sleep may have been little, but his plans were big. Today he would see his uncle get he deserved. He slowly stood up and exited the small cave, his fur all scruffy from the long restless night. He couldn't remember all of it, but just enough to know what Copper had done. Throughout the sleepless night, Fyre managed to conger up a clever plan
Fyre knew how close the train tracks were, and if what his mother told him was true, he knew just how dangerous they could be. He would somehow have to convince his uncle that one of his friends is trapped and then keep him there long enough for the train to come thundering down the tracks.
But before he could finish revising his plan, a deep growl from behind him snatched his attention.
Expecting it to be his mother, fuming with anger for leaving without consulting her, Fyre slowly turned around. His heart was ready to burst and an apology on the tip of his tongue, but his soft face was met with the gaze from a pair of wild eyes stuck to the body of a mountain lion.
Fyre screamed on the top of his lungs.
The thoughts plaguing Copper's mind were suddenly brought to a hold when the sound of a high pitched screech covered the valley's stillness. "Fyre," he whispered to himself as soon as his ears stopped ringing. He instantly got up onto his feet and ran off to the tracks.
Fyre stood motionless, unable to move as the beast inched closer and closer. The young fox shrunk down into a ball, trying to council himself from the lion, but he knew it wouldn't last. The sudden realization of his plan being evaporated into thin air ripped him back to reality. The lion grinned at the ball of fur in front of him, almost as if to mock his futile attempts. The lion then pounced. (Please don't kill me if this fight is not up to standard, it's my first EVER fight scene)
Fyre shut his eyes and waited for the inevitable, but it never arrived.
The sound of a heavy thud and ensuing scuffle was enough to erg Fyre to chance a peak. Once the dust had settled, he was able to take in the confusing site before his eyes. The mountain lion now stood a reasonable distance away, crouching and ready to attack. Between it and the fox kit, taking defense, was Copper.
Fyre was unsure of why his murderous uncle, who killed his father, was protecting him. All he knew was that the train tracks could be pinned against him, but this on the other hand couldn't. It was his first encounter with a mountain lion, and he was unsure of its strength, but his size and build pinned him as a worthy advisory. The fox kit also saw this as a brilliant time to find cover. He slowly backed into the vegetation, his eyes not braking contact with the lion.
The lion noticed this and took a chance at chasing him. He darted in the fox's direction, only to get blocked off by a snarling hound. Copper tried to take a bite of the lion's paw, only to have his shoulder squeezed between its jaws. A sharp jolt of pain ran down the hound's leg, causing a howl to leave his muzzle. The lion let go and tried to take a more deadly attack, when the hound turned his head around and closed his jaws on the lion's windpipe.
Using all the strength its weak body could muster, the lion stood up and flung Copper a fair distance away, causing the hound to land on something sharp and round. Then, the unmistakable sound of a trigger mechanism filled the air, followed by a shriek of pain from the hound. He had landed and triggered an old bear trap, causing it to clamp down on his upper back leg.
Copper screamed blue murder as the trap continued to force itself closed, drawing blood as the rusty, razor sharp teeth sunk into this leg. He clenched his teeth, trying to distract him from the pain, but it was useless. The hound looked at the area where he had seen Fyre disappear. he stopped his crying just long enough to shout out, "FYRE, RUN!"
The mountain lion had found his feet again and had caught it's breath again. Once Copper saw the lion had regained its strength, he knew he was done for. The wild beasts stare sent a cold shiver down the hound's spine. The lion pounced.
Chapter 7(Evil-Copper)
Copper lay on the ground, hopelessly watching the mountain lion glide through the air at him. The hound knew his time was up. His injured state would not allow him to defend himself for long, but he didn't care. He made Vixey a promise, "Vixey, I know that sooner or later one of the kits are going to find out and they may lose faith and respect for me, but I will never let them get hurt. Even if it kills me," and that was all he needed to do, he would fight till his death.
As soon as his paws hit the ground, the lion went straight for the neck, trying to finish off the hound. Copper attempted to lift his paws and get a hold of his attacker's neck, but his efforts were futile. The beasts positioned himself and bite down on his previous marks, this time, drawing a substantial amount of blood as the teeth sink deeper into his skin and shutting off the airway.
Copper wheezed as the life was being drawn out of his exhausted body. His muscles became lame and his eyes began disappearing behind their covers.
Mere seconds away from Copper's death, an explosion of bright light blinded the expecting lion in the open. The lion released it's tight grip from the hounds neck and growled in defense as he stumbles around, dazed from the light. Copper lay on the ground, his eyes shut, not allowing to do much more then add discomfort to his vision behind the lids. Fyre's eyes were shielded buy a fairly large leaf.
The lion's eyes allowed nothing to be seen but bight white, he was blinded. Then, he was hit on the side of his body by a small but powerful animal, sending him crashing to the ground with a heavy thump. A loud painful roar escaped the lion's muzzle; he had no idea of his surroundings or the animal he was facing. Once he managed to get up onto his trembling paws, instead of attacking, he turned tail and fled, tripping a few times as he left the area.
The light faded slowly as the lion fled the area. Fyre watched as the light died down and once he was satisfied that it had become less blinding, he peered his head through a gap in the vegetation, and noticed the light had settled around a smallish animal, a familiar looking animal, a familiar looking fox. He had seen the fox in one of the pictures Widow Tweed had stuck to her mirror. In the picture, the fox had a collar on and was looking at the photographer and smiling with a cake below him which said, "Happy Birthday, Tod". He had asked his mother various times who the fox was, but she never replied.
Suddenly, one and one added up, the fox must be his father.
But what he witnessed next confused him to no end. There the fox stood, a warm orange glow surrounding him, looking at Copper on the ground. Once the mountain lion's growls were too faint to hear, the fox nuzzled Copper's face.
"Copper. Hey, wake up," The fox's unique voice managed to stir Copper slightly. The hound slowly opened his eyes and stared at a face he thought he said his final goodbye to. "Tod?" Copper weakly asked with a small cough as he stared at his best friend. His eyes started watering at the sight of the glow around Tod.
"Yeah Cop, its me" Tod said as a smile appeared on his face. For so long, he had been trying to get through to the family he never had, the friends he never had and the most loyal hunter you could ever wish to be friends with. And now, he was finally able to retch trough to his friend in the time he needed help the most.
"Am... Am I dead?" Copper asked as he stared Tod straight into his deep eyes, "or is this just another dream?" The reply he got caused, the now formed tears, to roll down his cheeks, "No, this is very real."
Tod then took a more detailed look at his friend, finding the source of his pain. The bear trap was clenching hard on his leg, allowing blood to seep out the infected wound. The fox then decided to test out the theory of having no pain in the afterlife, and attempted to open the old trap. Placing his paw under the hound's leg, he somehow managed to squeeze between his friends leg and the trap. This only caused more pain as the top half began to dig deeper. Clenching his muzzle on the top piece, Tod found the strength to open the trap just enough to allow the hound's leg to slip out, allowing the trap slam together with nothing in it's path.
Copper's open wound began to bleed more rapidly as the cool morning air brushed over the cuts left from the bear trap.
Instead of asking if his friend was alright, Tod lay down next Copper, licking and trying to clean the wound, allowing Copper to catch his breath and process what was happening.
The forest had become quiet, almost too quiet. Aside from Copper's heavy breathing and the sound of the waterfall, everything was deafeningly silent.
Copper was unsure of what was happening. He had watched his friend at death's doorstep. He started thinking,"How? How is this possible? I... I saw him d... I can't even think about the word. Is this even possible? I just wish this was real."
Tod had a few thoughts of his own,"I can not believe this is happening. It seems like forever since I saw him Break down, even though it was last night. I wonder... I wonder if he would forgive me. If Vixey had to see me, how would she react? If I ever have the chance to meet at least one of my kits, I would not let go. I've seen how Fyre reacts to my absence, and I've also seen glimpses of his evil thoughts. I just hope I get the chance to set things straight, before Copper actually ends up dead."
Copper's more relaxed breathing and lowered heart rate had notified Tod of his best friends more relaxed state. Once the bleeding from Copper's leg had subsided, the fox shifted his body higher to met the, face to face with his long lost friend. Tod sat up and sat right next to the hound's face and stared down at the bruised face. Looking him deep in the hound's dark and watering eyes, she softly said, "Copper, your my very best friend." The river building up in Copper's eyes had burst, allowing streams to roll down the hounds face and he replied, "And... And your mine to, Tod." The fox began tearing up at his best friend's response, remembering how they made this exactly the same as the moment they made the promise, "And we'll always be friends forever, won't we?" Copper looked up into the foxes deep eyes, allowing more tears to roll down both faces. He knew this would be an important moment in their lives, and so, the injured hound slowly began to sit up, being cautious about the wounds on his leg. He shifted into a comfortable position and placed his head next to his friends, and recited the word's he would remember until the day he dies, "Yeah, forever."
The two took a moment to allow the waves of sweet memories to flow in, not realizing that they were not alone.
Chapter 8: (Evil-Copper)
*Direct copy from Fanfiction.net *
(Authors note: Hi all. I'm back and it's a new chapter of Upbringing this time. A huge apology on my side for the extreamly long wait. Now, I thought the last chapter would have been the final, and then, I get a PM asking if I was done. I took a look back and realised that there was still one thing I could do. Thank you to all my favourites, followers and reviewers. Disclaimer: I, in no way, own the characters or the story line, but I have permeation to use it and continue from where it left off. A huge thanks to all the faves/follows and an even bigger thanks to X25Z56 for the PM.)
As the pair of long lost friends stayed in each other's embrace, the past began to flood in. A past which proved that the two of them didn't care what the rest of the world said. The tears flowing down their cheeks brought back the multiple times the pair swam with one another. The absolute joy of being together one again reminded them of the countless days in which they would play until either one of them were being called home. The love which had always been between them had not faded in the least, was now stronger then ever.
Nothing could've ever separated Tod and Copper, except for what was soon to come.
Fyre watched the pair in amazement. His father and his his father's 'supposed' killer now sat before the young fox kit, shedding long suppressed tears from the months of pain. Fyre wasted no time in deciding to confront the pair in front of him for answers.
But, before he managed to take a step, a shadow came running past, heading straight for Tod.
A heavy thud filled the air as the figure collided with Tod, sending the pair rolling while a shocked Copper could only watch. The rolling pair soon came to an abrupt stop against a tree log, sending another crashing sound into the air. The dark figure was on top of Tod, still unaware of who he was, until a booming voice escaped it's mouth, "How dare you hurt the closest friend I have!" It took Tod mere seconds to recognize the voice. It was one he would never forget.
"Vixey?" He asked just for confirmation. The vixen slowly backed off and into the sunlight where her body was revealed.
"Tod?" She asked in complete disbelief. Her mate, until recently, no longer existed in the living world. And yet, he stood in front of him. She knew it was not real, but she couldn't shake the fact that she had hit him, felt him and heard him. Her mind was too busy trying to wrap around the fact that her beloved mate was there to say a single word. All she could do, was bring her body right up against his to feel his warm embrace.
"Vixey, it's alright. I'm here now," Tod said trying to comfort the crying vixen he once called his love. The one fox that would forever remain in his heart. The sweet long forgotten scent she had seemed to shed even more tears from the male fox. There embrace could be felt throughout the nearby area as the pair softly sobbed in unison at the unexpected reunion.
As sweet as the moment was, it was without it's faults. Now that Tod's spirit was alive, they seemed to completely forget about the injured Bloodhound, who sat less then a few meters away from the couple intertwined in embrace. Although he knew that this was an extremely special time for the two foxes, he was in pain. He somehow managed to suppress his pained whines until the pair split up.
Soon realizing that Copper was in a poor state, they immediately turned to face him. As the pair came closer to the hound, Vixey could take a better look at the wounds. Little time had past since he was rescued, yet his wounds seemed to be healing well. The teeth marks were now barely visible. The one on his leg however, remained in all it's pain.
"Copper, what happened?" Vixey asked, taking a particular note of the bear trap marks on his hind leg.
Copper looked at Vixey, unsure of whether he should say anything about Fyre. He knew what he had to do though, if she didn't hear it from him, she may hear it from her kit. "You left for the market with the widow, and I waited for Fyre. He did not show up. Then I heard a yelp as if someone was in trouble, and I guessed it was Fyre. So, I set out after him."
"I soon found him, close to the waterfall. There was just one problem..."
"Which was?" Vixey asked curiously.
"He was cornered by a mountain lion. I saw him, looking into those hungry eyes. It leapt for him, but I knocked the lion away from him. While we fought, Fyre slipped away. Then the wild animal flung me onto one of the master's old bear traps, and I don't think I have to tell you what happened with that. Then a white light exploded, chasing the lion off."
"And from that light, I saw Tod," Copper said as he turned to face his long lost partner. "He helped me out the trap. And now, here we are."
This made Vixey worry for her kits fatherly figure. he had never encountered such a horrific story survivor, so in all fairness, she didn't know how t react. Was she meant to remain worried over her friend or was she supposed to be glad and praising the heavens above? She had no idea.
"Where is Fyre?" Vixey asked curiously. She may have been taken aback by her mates sudden reappearance, but that would never stop her motherly instinct to worry over her young ones.
"Here I am," the small fox kit said as he left his hiding place.
(Author's note: Hi all, I know I said that this story was finished, but it is not yet. Please fave/follow and review. I would really apprisiate it. Until next time)