Sorry everyone about the wait, I wanted to get this chapter out sooner, although I found it quite hard to write and I'm not sure I'm happy with it… plus I don't think I really thought things through when I started uploading this story; I'll explain that after the chapter though… but either way; Here's chapter 6! :)

Chapter 6

'End of the Beginning'

The words spoken the night before when blood was first spilt had resonated through the opposing sides, and Tyran's ultimatum and Plucky's refusal to take it meant only one thing; The War of Three Colours had begun.

But, even over in the grey fox and blue fox territory, not everyone was so enthusiastic about the bloodshed…

"He's a nightmare! An absolute arse of a nightmare!" Covin exclaimed to his sister, as he paced around the inside of the rock walled earth of the very fox he was complaining about.

"You know you should be careful what you say about him-" Pearl said calmly.

"I still can't believe you agreed to be his mate," Covin interrupted.

"When the clan leader asks you to be his mate, it's hardly something you can say no to," Pearl answered, explaining how she had come to be Tyran's mate.

"And when did this world become a place you couldn't say no to anything?"

"Covin… I don't need you judging me about my life choices," Pearl said sternly, "I do love him…"

"Really Pearl… I want to know," Covin said sincerely, "What exactly is it that you see in him?"

"Well… I… It was different before-" Pearl began, but as if he didn't even care what she said, Covin interrupted her again;

"He's a monster… and that's even more so now ever since he became our leader,"

"Look will you just stop worrying about me!" Pearl raised her voice, making Covin back off. He became sincere when he spoke next.

"You're all I've got you know… and if I'm honest," Covin sighed, "It was horrible to see you, paired off with someone I hate… and he's only going to bring misery to all of us with this conquest of his…"

Pearl didn't even respond to him this time. Part of her agreed with her brother, but these concerns for the whole grey fox troop were beyond hers. Covin's concerns however, were much more serious. He was very much against the whole idea of this conquest of Tyran's, and especially on having him as leader… but Covin kept quiet about this. Tyran was a ruthless dictator, and if Covin was to speak out against him… he would most likely share the fate of the other foxes that did when he had taken over after Caesar's rather mysterious death. Tyran was quick to dispose of any threat, and took almost all words against him as an act of treason, a crime punishable by death by the teeth and claws of his wolf bodyguard. Due to this, rather convincing reason, all Covin could do was endure the situation.

The eventual silence from the sibling conversation became increasingly awkward, until they were suddenly interrupted.

"Stop it! OW! … Leave me alone!" a young female voice suddenly blurted out from outside the earth.

The scuffle caught Covin and Pearl's attention, and slightly startled them when two of the grey fox cubs came running inside the earth. They were Pearl's and Tyran's cubs; Rogue and Reaver… and again Reaver was chasing Rogue, much to her dislike, as was quite clear by her whining.

The two cubs ran around the earth, and in an effort to stop it, as Reaver ran past Pearl, she slammed her paw down to the floor, catching Reaver's tail and bringing him to a sudden stop. Rogue continued running to hide behind her mother's tail.

"Hey… what have a told you about biting your sister!" Pearl reprimanded the fox cub.

"It was barely a scratch," Reaver moaned.

"You call this barely a scratch!?" Rogue shouted, popping out from behind her mother and showing the several scratches her brother had put on her, "He made me bleed mom,"

"You're such a wimp,"

"Shut-up!"

"That's enough!" Pearl shouted to them both, "Reaver, go outside and play with your other friends and leave Rogue alone,"

"Urgfh… fine!" Reaver groaned again, before leaving the earth.

"Honestly… I don't know what I'll do about that cub…" Pearl muttered after the young fox cub had left.

"He's horrible to me," Rogue practically whimpered as Pearl began attending to her scratches.

"Too much like his dear old dad…" Covin muttered sardonically.

"That's not fair Covin… he's only young,"

"Doesn't make it ok," Covin stood up to leave, "I don't remember ever laying a claw on you,"

With that, Covin left the earth with a slow stroll, leaving Pearl and Rogue alone.

"Mom, what's wrong with uncle?" Rogue asked, while Pearl still licked clean her few scratches.

"He's just upset Rogue, he's-"

"I could cheer him up," Rogue interrupted suddenly.

She looked up at her mother eagerly, her ears perked right up and tail thrashing side to side. Pearl was pleased to see Rogue so enthusiastic about something; she never usually was. It brought a smile to the vixen's muzzle, and as such she was convinced enough.

"Go on then… better catch up to him,"

Rogue left with an excitable burst of speed, now leaving Pearl on her own. She let out a yawn, and so, with nothing else to think of doing, she curled up to go to sleep.

Now wandering outside through the woods, Covin was in a bad mood; accompanied by the rather misleading, cheerful bliss and brightness of a spring-turning-into-summer day – and considering it was the middle of the day, he was intending to go back to his own earth and sleep. Although his plans did change, when suddenly:

"Uncle! … Uncle!" Rogue called.

Covin turned around to see his energetic little niece galloping after him, "Rogue," he spoke with some surprise, "You should be with your mother-"

"I know… but she said I could go with you,"

"Really? … Wouldn't you want to go and play with the other cubs?"

"Well everyone else is too busy doing that stupid play fighting… Dad I hardly see around, and Mom won't let me go out by myself… All I want to do is go exploring…" She finished, looking to her uncle with the same energetic expression she gave her mother; it worked too.

"Tell you what… you can come and go exploring with me," Covin said encouragingly, finishing with a smile to his niece.

Rogue didn't even speak a reply, only vigorously jumped on the spot and went to stand next to her uncle, and lean up to nuzzle him. Covin returned the affectionate nuzzle and then let Rogue start off their little explore together.

"Don't go too far ahead!" Covin called to his niece.

"Ok!"

So… cubsitting? Covin thought to himself silently; he was somewhat glad that his sister trusted him enough even though there was no doubt to her that he would be a good uncle... to Rogue particularly. She had taken a shine to him since before she was even allowed outside, and as far as Pearl was concerned (though she didn't openly mention it to anyone), Covin was much more of a father to Rogue than Tyran.

Covin and Rogue continued on through the woods, the elder fox watching keenly as the young vixen cub took many moments to stop and sniff around the surroundings at the assorted plants and little insects she could get close to; climbing over huge oak roots and fallen logs… even attempting to catch a single lone mouse she caught sight of.

She absolutely loved it, getting to explore what to her was such a beautiful world full of life, as hazes of glimmering light shone through the tree canopy. She was excitable, and it clearly showed with every step she took… And it certainly put a much needed smile on Covin's face.

Blaze had not slept since the foray of the night to attack the Farthing Fox, but instead had taken shelter inside his earth. By happenstance, it was the same earth he grew up in; the old, cold grey stoned earth of his family.

He had called a meeting; those in attendance were Trip, Blaze's cousin, and his two old friends from cubhood, Brute and Hunter. They weren't Blaze's advisors as such, but as his friends… and in the case of Trip: family… Blaze regarded them as such and held their word higher than anyone else's (not that he ever openly said it).

"So… we are at war with them now then?" Hunter asked curiously.

"Unless the events of last light proved otherwise… Yes," Blaze responded, rather bitterly.

"Good… so when do we attack that Farthing Wood menace!?" Brute asked, quite forcefully.

"I don't think it's best to be doing anything too soon… after last night they'll be expecting an attack," Hunter interjected.

"Well according to our ally, attacking is not our priority right now," Blaze responded.

Brute growled at this… he longed for the chance of combat, and was prepared to make a protest, but was cut off before he could by Hunter bringing up another topic;

"What of the fox who that one vixen practically tore to pieces?"

"He's recovering… somewhat… it did only happen last night… although there still is the high likelihood he'll die… that vixen did quite a number on him… never seen such ferocity," Blaze explained.

"He should have known better than to attack her cub then…" Brute commented.

"It's not like he would have known-" Hunter cut in.

"It's his own fault!" Brute practically snarled, and turned to Blaze, "and this wouldn't have happened if you allowed us to accompany you last night rather than those novices!"

"Brute, stow your tongue for once…" Blaze loudly interrupted him, "Right now… we do nothing, and bide our time," He toned his voice to a more soft explanatory manor; "In case you didn't realise, last night was also an action to prove that Tyran and his grey foxes do not have dominion over us… but I can assure you… we will take back what is ours… one way, or another,"

Brute and Hunter nodded while the fourth blue fox present still stayed silent. Trip had his head down, almost in a sort of sulk and hadn't said a word. Blaze had noticed, and decided to comment on it… he could tell there was something on his cousins mind;

"Trip... you haven't said a word since you came in…"

Trip then did look at Blaze, after a long pause and a glance to the other two foxes, he spoke;

"If I may speak freely… without persecution?"

"Go on,"

"Blaze… if I'm honest… I don't know what you hope to accomplish with all this," Trip spoke genuinely, "I know of course it's to take back our old territory… but at what cost? Plus…." He almost toned his voice to a whisper, "Everything was fine before we met these grey foxes… I don't trust them,"

"I don't trust them either Trip, but my decision still stands,"

"And I respect that… but," Trip paused, "I want you to respect the fact that I don't want anything to do with this war,"

"Fine… I'm not going to force you into doing anything," Blaze acknowledged, after quite a long pause; "Leave now, all of you. I'm going to sleep,"

Trip, Brute and Hunter promptly left, leaving Blaze to rest. As he did lie down to go to sleep, Blaze thought deeply about the conversation he had just had. It was clear, even between his friends, how conflicted his followers were over this new war.

Blaze had taken Trip's words to heart; he wouldn't have said it to him, but Blaze did regard Trip as the wiser of the two of them. Trip was right… at what cost would it be? He had no idea, and thus was so unsure whether pursuing the war further was a good idea. Whether Blaze liked it or not, he wasn't as cold hearted as everyone thought… he definitely wasn't as cold hearted as his father was. But on the other paw… there was the side of him that did want revenge and bloodshed, as much as his friend Brute did… the side that was fuelled by anger and longed for retribution.

As conflicted as he was, Blaze did finally allow his mind to cease thinking so he could sleep. He knew though, even though it had only began last night, Blaze would have to make his decision eventually… whether to continue down the bloody path of revenge, or change paths to one of forgiveness.

They might have all been friends with Blaze… that didn't mean they were friends with each other; While Hunter was on good terms with all of them, Trip and Brute were not friends… they were the farthest thing from it.

Although Blaze found no problem with Trip holding to his pacifism, Brute found it insulting that Trip would refuse to play any part in the war, seeing Trip's pacifism as weakness and cowardice. It wasn't long after leaving Blaze's earth that an ensuing argument began…

"Puh… no balls," Brute mocked, directly to Trip who had been walking in front of him.

"Excuse me?" Trip turned around.

"Urgh… let's not do this," Hunter moaned, not that Brute or Trip took notice of what he said.

"You heard me," Brute mouthed to Trip, "Refusing to fight for our cause,"

"I'll fight when I have a good reason too," Trip defended.

"And why is taking back what's ours not a good enough reason? … You were here too when they drove us out!" Brute raised his voice.

"We were never driven out! We left on our own accord… even Blaze knows that!" Trip argued, "So personally I don't see the point of all this bloodshed,"

"Ha! It's only because you're weak… you're too afraid to fight!"

"Oh I'll show you how afraid I am!"

The scuffle had caught some attention from other foxes around, one particular was one of the blue vixen's, who came rushing over to the scene of the imminent fight. It was Skye; Trip's mate, and also Hunter's sister. She came in a hurry, coming to a stop next to Hunter, who was refusing to make any move to stop the spat.

"Hunter what's going on?" Skye asked him.

"What do you think? Brute's trying to provoke Trip again…" Hunter said, quite derogatively.

The argument meanwhile had continued, and Skye knew it was time to step in when hearing Brute's last insult:

"Call yourself a fox… pfft!" Brute mocked, "You can't even get your mate pregnant,"

With that insult, Skye knew Trip was about to snap. He snarled fiercely, but before he could launch himself at Brute, Skye suddenly rushed to stand in his way, making a very harsh glance at Brute.

"Come on Trip, let's just go…" She said to him calmly.

Trip obliged, beginning to turn away, although he was still fuming.

"Heh… yea that's what I thought!" Brute continued to mock, "So weak you have to get your mate to stand up for you!"

"Brute just shut up," Skye said to him nastily.

"Aww, what's the matter, did I make him cry?" Brute responded sarcastically, "HA! … and I suppose you don't believe in the cause either, do you Skye?"

"To care about it is beyond me," Skye said, turning away.

"Oh I bet it is…"

As Skye turned away, Brute came up behind her and playfully bit her tail, making her gasp.

"Back off Brute!" Trip growled, coming to Skye's defence.

"Trip its ok… I can handle him," Skye said to him.

"Oh… I'm sure you can," Brute said, almost lustfully, "What you need… is a real fox,"

Trip growled again, but Skye cut him off.

"Trip… Trust me…" she muttered, giving him a sly wink.

She turned to look at Brute and began walking around him, flirtily, using her tail to wisp across him… so as to distract and entice him.

"Perhaps you're right Brute… maybe I need a change…" she said longingly.

As she continued to circle him, she examined the floor around them; she had noticed a large stick seesawed by another on the ground. She came to Brute's front, and proceeded to seduce him into walking backwards.

"… A strong, brave fox… with some muscle…" Skye continued to flirt, and push Brute backwards, until he was positioned perfectly over the teetering stick, "… One who can, protect me, love me, lust for me…"

"Really now?" Brute said eagerly, "You'd be disloyal to your mate, right in front of him…"

"Oh don't worry… I can show you…" She leaned in to whisper right into Brute's ear, "… just how loyal I can be,"

Now satisfied… Skye slammed her paw down on the stick, the other end of it lifting to whack straight into Brute's groin.

"OOOFFH!" Brute practically howled, before falling right to the ground.

Trip, Skye and Hunter too, as well as some other foxes that had been observing the fracas, all burst into laughter as Brute rolled on the ground… seething in pain.

"Bitch!" he shouted to Skye.

"Vixen actually… I'm not a dog," she responded, as if teaching him a lesson.

She and Trip then proceeded to leave, both sauntering away, still laughing out loud. Hunter had to compose himself before he could even speak. He walked over to Brute, still shaking on the floor groaning.

"Come on… get up you idiot," Hunter said jokily.

"You can stop laughing too!" Brute winced as he got shakily up to his feet.

"Hey… she got you pretty good," Hunter summarised, "Plus she is my sister… and Trip is my brother-in-law, and I told you before I'm not taking any side in this bit between you and him,"

"Yea, yea… whatever… I remember,"

"Do you need some ice or something?"

"Yea… that would be good,"

"Well too bad its summer then isn't it!?" Hunter laughed, only to get another begrudging look from Brute, "You'll have to make do with water…"

"Right…" Brute exasperated, "Where the hell is that lake at?"

Trip and Skye were still walking through the undergrowth of the woods, not particularly going anywhere. Skye was feeling predominantly jolly after her successful takedown on Brute, so she was, more or less, skipping through the forest rather than walking. Trip though was still a bit shaken and despite the laughter, he was still angry from the argument.

"Told you I could handle him myself," Skye said cheerily.

"Well… you certainly did," Trip agreed, continuing after a long pause, "He just makes me so angry sometimes…"

"Don't let him get to you, he's not worth it," Skye reassured him.

"I know dear… but, he is right," Trip sighed, holding his head down shamefully, "You deserve better than me,"

"Don't be stupid Trip," Skye came over to face him, "I chose you to be my mate because I love you,"

"Even if I can't give you a family?"

"Who's to say you're the problem? … It might be me you know,"

"You can't be the problem Skye… You're perfect," Trip smiled.

"Trip…" Skye said admirably as she blushed, and then nuzzled him.

It was an affectionate nuzzle, as theirs always was: a firm expression of love and companionship. Trip and Skye had been mates since their first ever spring… but even then and every following spring they had never had cubs… despite trying time and time again. Trip saw much ridicule over it, as did Skye, but far less than he did, so it had become quite a sour subject in his mind. But he always had her, and she had him… and that was all that mattered.

It had now been a whole day since the attack during the night, and despite the apparent danger, it still wasn't enough to stop Roamer from venturing throughout the park. Raven accompanied him too. Ever since their first meeting they had basically become inseparable; and the best of friends.

Raven by now was just as much a Farthing fox as any of the others. It hadn't taken her long to pluck up the courage to meet Roamer's family and friends, and they had welcomed her kindly. Because of this, Raven felt as if she was indebted to Roamer… having, without barely knowing her, taken her in, befriended her, shown her a new home and a wonderful community and lifestyle to live with. Roamer of course, thought nothing of it; to be caring and kind hearted was in his nature, it was how he had grown up, and so it was how he intended to live his life.

Rushing across the downlands were both the Blue and Black fox. The downlands were part of the assigned Neutral Zone of the park as was the woods that had been acquired on the far side. That was Roamer's destination in mind, as it was his favourite place to go exploring. The terrain was much more varied and there were several levels of land sectioned off with cliff faces which followed the river rapids that then cut through to the north of the park boundary. There was even several small cave system, one of which was home to a family of quite friendly red foxes; the same family of which Rusty had found his, now deceased, mate; and as such, Rusty knew this part of the park well.

Upon arriving Roamer and Raven didn't waste any time exploring, although it wasn't long before they actually ran into Rusty. He had his back to them, and was just calmly sat up beside a tree staring into a clearing in the wood. Rusty had been worryingly elusive the last few weeks, so it was a nice surprise to see him, and he seemed well too.

"Hey Rusty!" Roamer greeted him, "Didn't expect to see you here… How have you been?"

"Better… until I came here," Rusty said quite bitterly.

"Oh…" Roamer felt a little insulted, "… Well we can leave you alon-"

"No… take a look…" Rusty interrupted, and then gestured to what he was looking at.

Roamer and Raven obliged, and casually walked to join Rusty. They almost had to suppress throwing up when they saw what was in the clearing. There were two dead red foxes… although, butchered, was a more appropriate way to describe it. There had clearly been a struggle as there were several sets of paw prints on the ground as well as patches of blood stained grass and dirt; but it was clear the two foxes had been overpowered and killed. One was older and the other younger, the same age as the three of them, but both of them had many cuts and abrasions, and their throats had been practically torn out.

"Oh my-" Raven uttered out of shock.

"Is it?" Roamer began to ask.

"Yea… Shay's father… and her brother," Rusty answered, (Shay being his departed mate).

Rusty then stood up and proceeded to examine the area.

"Did you know them?" Raven whispered to Roamer.

"Rusty, knew them better… I'd only met them briefly, exchanged a few words… nothing more," Roamer explained, still in surprise, "I just can't believe… they never did anything to anyone,"

"But… Who could have done this?"

"The grey foxes and other blue foxes I'd suspect… from what I've heard about them I'd bet anything," Rusty answered, having overheard their conversation, "Plus, I've already looked around… there's bits of grey fur all over the place too…" he then looked down to the ground at the several sets of paw prints, "… And these tracks go back to their own territory,"

"Just, mindless killing of our own kind… it's horrible," Raven muttered.

As Roamer walked around, he noticed the fox their age, his eyes where still partially open… and just, lifeless. With respect, he placed his right paw over to close them.

"What about her Mother and Sister?" He asked Rusty.

"I don't know… and I hate to think…" Rusty answered, "They didn't deserve any of this…"

Rusty dug his claws into the ground to try and suppress his anger, looking in the direction the paw tracks were going.

"What should we do?" Roamer asked Rusty.

"We have to go tell Plucky… he needs to know this…"

In the confines of Farthing Land, almost everyone had now heard of the attack two nights ago, and those who didn't soon found out when Plucky had called a meeting for everyone living on Farthing Land. It was outside Fox and Vixen's earth rather than his own though, as Fox was unable to go journeying far after sustaining his injuries. Plucky had explained already the new boundaries in the previous meeting over a week ago… now, it was to tell everyone of Tyran's ultimatum, and how everything was about to change.

The gathering was already in progress, and Plucky had already explained the seriousness of the situation; now everyone present had begun discussing, arguing or exchanging worried comments between each other while others had conversations of their own, quite loudly too. It was the smaller animals that panicked and protested the most, the rabbits particularly more than others.

"Can everyone please just settle down!" Plucky shouted attempting to silence everyone.

"Settle down! How are we supposed to settle down!?" Exclaimed one of the rabbits, clearly worried.

"What are we going to do? … What are we going to do!?"

"Don't panic!"

"There is no reason to panic-" Plucky again tried to control the situation.

"It's easy for you to say! You're not your own natural prey are yo-"

The rabbit had been cut off from speaking when Dash came up behind him and abruptly clasped her paw on his mouth to shut him up. Dash gave an encouraging look to Plucky as he silently mouthed a thank you to her. It silenced the one rabbit, but everyone was still muttering and few were still shouting… until:

"QUIET!" Fox suddenly bellowed, clearly in sort of frustration. Immediately, everyone fell silent. The old fox turned to Plucky, allowing him to speak.

"Look, there is no reason to panic," Plucky began calmly, "But this situation is as serious as it sounds and everyone should be cautious… panicking… is the last thing we should do…"

This was met with a flurry of mutters and disgruntled comments from the entire audience.

"Can we not tell Laird?" Friendly proposed to Plucky, "I'm sure he would sort something out to stop this…"

"Laird won't help us… he's the one who let those other foxes in the park in the first place," Plucky explained, quite forcefully.

"Perhaps Tyran may listen to reason?" Hurkle cut in, "I'm sure he's a kind fello-"

Shadow cut him off with quite a sharp nudge, as she could see Plucky was practically scowling at Hurkle for proposing his (very) ridiculous notion.

Hurkle turned to Shadow, "Rude… that was rude,"

"If the situation is that serious… What are our options?" Shadow asked out to anyone.

"Owl, you usually have some words of wisdom to offer; do you have any?" Charmer leaned up to ask the bird, who was perching on a low hanging branch.

"It's difficult to say…" Owl began, "Having not seen nor met these new adversaries of ours… and if what Rusty, Roamer and Raven have told us is true-"

"It is true Owl," Rusty forcefully interrupted, "We saw it all with our own eyes,"

"My apologies…" Owl continued, "But, if they are killing other foxes in the park… clearly our enemy has no qualms of including others who have anything to do with us… whatever his motives are,"

"And I think it should be fairly obvious… if it comes to a conflict… it's you foxes, that will be doing most the fighting," Hollow added on, perched next to Owl.

"But if this is to continue… they'll soon outnumber us," Russet said restlessly.

"We're outnumbered anyway," Plucky explained, "We just need to be sure we aren't outmatched,"

"Think we proved that two nights ago well enough," Scarlet murmured to herself.

"Plucky, you make it sound like there's going to be a battle-" Vixen said worriedly.

"Maybe, but I'm not saying there won't be one either," Plucky replied.

"This is stupid… why shouldn't we leave if that's where we'll be safest?" Weasel suddenly piped up, "It's not that bad out there!"

"Yes, we should leave… we should!" one of the rabbits burst out.

"That's not an option!" Plucky explained assertively, "…the outside world is dangerous enough as it is; my scars showcase that well enough,"

"It's true," Fox now spoke out, "A lot of you here don't know of the dangers outside the Reserve unlike us elders… and I'm sure several others here know what it's like out there too,"

"White Deer Park has been our home for years… and we won't just leave it when things get too rough!" Plucky continued assertively again.

"But!" several of the animals present began to protest simultaneously.

"Did we leave when the rats invaded?" Plucky enlightened them, "Even before I was born, did you all leave during the last feud against Scarface? …" Plucky paused, allowing his point to sink in. There was a number of both convinced and sceptical faces looking back at him or deep in thought; "… We all fought them off before didn't we? We will fight them off again,"

"This is different Plucky…" Ranger, being one of the sceptical ones, spoke out, "… An army of rats is meagre compared to an army of foxes. Most of us here wouldn't last a second…"

Plucky knew of course, Ranger was right, but it wasn't particularly helpful in keeping everyone motivated or calm… so Plucky challenged him:

"Then what do you propose we do about it?"

"I don't know," Ranger responded, "I'm not saying we should leave… I'm not saying we should stay and fight either… I'm certainly not saying we should surrender," he paused and sighed, "… But… As if my brother being here vowing for revenge wasn't bad enough… This, Tyran… whoever he is… from what you've told us Plucky… he'll kill us all when he gets the chance-"

"No…" one of the other voices present suddenly interrupted, "That's not what he wants,"

Everyone's attention quickly turned to who had spoken up. Their eyes landed upon Scarlet's brother; Rebel. He had stepped forward, but his head was held down, as if he was unsure about his speaking up.

"Rebel… if you have any worthwhile information about our enemy, then please, share it," Plucky expressed.

Rebel raised his head, "Tyran might want us all dead, yes… But not yet…" he explained looking around carefully, noticing that everyone's eyes were on him; he continued: "Like he did to me when he gouged out my eye… he wants us to suffer first, and continue suffering… physically, mentally… either way. Only then will he kill us,"

"Suffer how?" Plucky asked.

"I don't know,"

"Just spit it out already!" the rabbit that Dash had previously retrained shouted out.

"… Pick us off… slowly… one by one," Rebel said quite morbidly, "Tyran may appear to be a fighter, but he's not… he's worse. He's a strategist, manipulates others to do his work for him… and probably what's worse; … he's patient. He won't care how long this conquest will take until it's done," Rebel paused a moment, everyone was still hanging on his every word. He continued;

"And these other killings… he's likely trying to build up his support across the park by force… and those other foxes are most likely being forcefully conscripted and not joining him willingly… and those that resist… well… I don't really need to say much else,"

He had said all he needed to say. Silence fell amongst the meeting… so quiet that the only thing that could be heard was the rustling of leaves from the calm early summer breeze. Someone did eventually break the silence;

"Oo-err… this is a right kerfuffle isn't it matey's?" Toad spoke up unsurely.

"That's putting it moderately blithe, Toad," Owl commented sardonically.

"Oh, it's just awful!" Mossy said what everyone was thinking.

During the silence, Plucky looked around at all the morbid faces of everyone present… he couldn't let them down. He soon decided to speak up himself.

"I think… some new rules might need to be implemented for now…"

Everyone looked to him, as the leader he took immediate charge, and everyone listened to his word.

"From now on, no one leaves Farthing Land without telling someone else first, and no one travels into the Neutral Zone alone; that includes when all we foxes and other predators go out hunting. Go in a group… never alone, and catch more share than your own… most likely we'll have to pool our findings… We'll also set up watches and patrols for the day and night to guard the border… any grey fox you see or any blue fox that isn't one of you here, you treat as a threat,"

As he looked round, Plucky could see his new rules were being received by a number of discontented faces, but nobody spoke up.

"I don't want to sound like I'm enforcing curfews here, but this is for the good of everyone," Plucky continued, "This a matter between us foxes and not the rest of you animals… but that doesn't mean you won't be targeted, it doesn't mean you're safe…"

Some of the animals began muttering between themselves at this statement, the tone of which, was clearly negative.

"I know what some of you are thinking… whether or not I'll be able to protect you all-"

"You won't have to do it alone Plucky," Pace called out encouragingly.

"We are all bound by the Oath here… and that means we all stick together, every one of us," Charmer educated.

"Couldn't have put it better myself," Fox smiled, cheerful that even through the seriousness of the situation, his family hadn't lost their sense of comradery.

"That is very true," Plucky thoroughly agreed, but then continued fearlessly, "Nevertheless, if it comes to it… I would sooner sacrifice myself then let anyone here get hurt or worse…"

What Plucky didn't see as he said that was the look of worry Scarlet gave him, it was also shared by Dash and Whisper particularly, as well as others… but Plucky continued regardless;

"… However, the situation as it stands… I hate to say it," Plucky paused as he composed himself to say it;

"We, are at war…"

It wasn't long before the meeting ended, and all the animals went their separate ways as the sun began to turn the sky the classic shade of orange as it began to set. Before leaving, a schedule of who was on watch and patrol had been set up for the day and night. It was mostly the foxes who were taking the role, but several others had volunteered to help too.

As everyone began to depart, Rebel hung back as he needed to enlighten something to Plucky. He waited until Plucky was about to leave with Scarlet and his cubs to go home when he came up to speak to him.

"Plucky, can I talk to you alone for a sec?" Rebel asked.

"Yea, sure," Plucky replied after a short pause.

He gestured for Scarlet to carry on home with the cubs as he stayed behind. Plucky and Rebel then went to find a private place to talk, soon finding it amongst a thick assortment of shrubbery.

"What is it Rebel? Is this important?" Plucky asked.

"Somewhat… I didn't want to say this during the meeting because…" Rebel sighed, "… Plucky… I don't want to put you at ill ease here… but you must be careful," Rebel spoke genuinely, "For some reason, Tyran has singled you out as his nemesis, so-"

"I know, don't worry," Plucky said confidently, "I can handle myself if it comes to it-"

"That not what I'm trying to say at all…" Rebel interrupted, the tone of his voice sincere, Plucky listened carefully, "… I said Tyran wants to make us suffer… specifically, he'll want to make you suffer…"

"Rebel… What are you saying?" Plucky asked worriedly.

Rebel soon answered him; "He's not going to come after you… he'll go after everyone you love…"

End of Act 1

Unfortunately… that's all I've got for now. Don't worry that doesn't mean I'm giving up on this story, it just means any of you readers will be waiting a while for the next chapter or act, depending how I decide to upload it all. This is a story I WILL finish, because I WANT to finish it :)

If there any questions about anything in the story, do please ask them, just in a review or a pm is fine and I'll do my best to answer them. Also, a VERY BIG THANKYOU to everyone who has read and reviewed… even if I don't reply to a review, I can assure you they are greatly appreciated :)