The great wars of nature reserves. Chapter Seventeen: Duel and heroism.


It didn't take long for the four red foxes to reach the big ring. Friendly remembered what it was like when they were inside enemy territory, and it was during Scarface's time, right then. His son, Pace, thinks it's interesting to be in enemy territory, except Swift who doesn't like this thing that the famous Fox from Farthing Wood had in his mind. Old Fox looked around a bit and noticed that there weren't many escape routes from there.

Except for the rocky mountain wall to the right and a large pine tree to the left. But in front of the four red foxes, Silver appeared. He just learned that the red foxes have come to his and the silver fox clan's territory, and also learned that Swift is among the four, he was a little surprised and a little angry. But at the same time, he felt that it was time to finally meet the famous leader of the animals of farthing wood. And that's what Silver got, when he sees Scarface's archenemy.

Swift: "That's him, Fox. He's an old gray fox, but he's just as strong and lively for his age."

Fox: "I can see it, Swift. He looks a little angry."

Old Fox guessed right. Silver wasn't exactly impressed, and that's because Swift is on the side of the red foxes and has been sabotaging his plans too much. But since Silver believes that Blaze and his fox troop have already attacked the other animals in farthing land, he gave permission to let them visit him anyway. Because Silver has understood what old Fox and Swift had in mind.

Silver: "Well, I guess the old red fox is the one I really wanted to see and meet. An unusual carnivorous red fox, who is friends with all animals, who are vegetarians. What a joke, huh! Hehehe... "

Silver asked the fox troop to stay and wait, while he walked calmly forward. Old Fox asked Swift, Friendly and Pace to stay and waiting and not do anything without reason. He walked calmly towards Silver, until they stood in front of each other in the middle of the ring. The supreme leader studied old Fox carefully and smiled a little impressed, but at the same time, his forehead frowned into a slightly evil face. Old Fox also frowned a little angrily, but is very careful.

Silver: "Oh yes, it's you, the famous fox from Farthing Wood. Scarface's greatest rival. And also the one who has taking the realm of power from my godson."

Fox: "I didn't know anything about the silver foxes were here in White Deer Park. That's why I didn't take his hunting ground. Neither he, nor you, as I didn't know about your existence, Silver."

Silver: "Ho-ho-ho! Well, now you do, old red fox. Because you know everything about me and my children, don't you?"

Fox: "Yes! Our friend here, the reddish-brown with us, has told us everything about you and what you did in your pasting life. And we all think this has gone too far now!"

Meanwhile, Plucky, Ranger, Whisper, Russet, Bolt and Hurkel hurried to get to the silver fox clan and warn them in time. Mossy had to ride on Hurkel's back, while Spike chased after them, even though it felt hard for him to run, he didn't give up. And Perry is out looking for Hollow, because Hollow was given a mission to check around the silver foxes' territory in the mountains, orders from old Fox. But at old Fox and Silver's, their conversation continued.

Fox: "According to Stoat's claim, you have not only captured and kidnapped my grandson, Plucky. But you intended to use him as a kind of extortion target and make all of us animals living in farthing land capitulate and leave White Deer Park forever. And that is a lousy idea of yours, I think."

Silver: "Hehe... Well, it was actually a good idea from the start, until you let the warden and his guard dog finish off the wolf. And you forced me to execute one of mine, after our failed attempt to get you and your family to be taken seriously."


After the talk, Silver walks around old Fox and studies him even more, while he stood completely still and didn't move. The three red foxes were of course worried and wondered how it would go.

Pace: "Do you really think grandfather has a chance, dad?"

Friendly: "I don't really know, my son. Depends on whether Silver wanted to challenge him or not. Or what do you think about it yourself, Swift? Doesn't Silver have a weakness?"

Swift: "Well, maybe. If Fox can make him exhausted from fatigue and really big paw hit, maybe he can succeed. But we'll see, after they've made a deal with each other."

Both Friendly and Pace looked at each other and felt a little encouraged. Not far from the silver fox clan, little Bold and Silvia have started to approach and are almost there. But at the silver fox clan, Silver has finished circling and is standing next to old Fox and is a little thoughtful.

Silver: "Well, even though I don't have your grandson in my paws anymore and my evil plans have been foiled, I guess you're here for a good reason, right?"

Fox: "That's right, Silver. I'm here for one thing."

Silver: "Oh Yeah, and what would that be?"

Fox: "To challenge you to a big duel."

When Silver and a few of the blue and gray foxes heard what old Fox said, they just burst out laughing and thought it sounded funny. But when Silver looked at the old red fox's rock-hard gaze and stared at him, the supreme leader realized that he was serious. The other three red foxes were also waiting to hear Silver's answer. But finally Silver coughed a little and understood.

Silver: "A duel you say? What kind of duel were you thinking of?"

Fox: "We are both fighting over our demands against yours."

Silver: "Aaah...! That sounds like a really interesting idea!"

Fox: "If I win, I want you to listen to our demands from now on."

Silver: "But if I win and you lose, then?"

Fox: "Then we'll fulfill your demands and leave White Deer Park and never return again, ever."

Silver: "Well, okay, I'm in on it. And to be completely honest, you really do look like a real fighter. Because you seem to have already been beaten a bit before. Actually, I wanted to apologize for my godson's willfulness last time, but Blaze is a bit impatient, even though he's improved. In fact, he has that temperament after his father, Scarface. But the question is, doesn't it affect your face too much to fight someone who is invincible like me?"

Fox: "I'm not going to hit you with my face against yours."

Silver: "Hahahaha!!! That was all very funny, but I like you. And don't worry, the famous fox from farthing wood. If I win, we'll probably take care of you and make sure your family and friends don't get hurt later. If you're lucky, of course. Because I'll definitely teach you a lesson about not doing this to me and my families within the silver fox clan."

Silver stood in front of old Fox and prepared himself for the biggest duel ever. But before it started, Silver asked one last time.

Silver: "Where have you heard of Supreme Leader Silver before, Fox?"

Fox: "All over the nature reserve. And some of them say you're still the best."

Silver: "Did they mean it? Well, let's get started, then!"

With that said, all the foxes around started cheering for Silver, including the other three red foxes. Both old Fox and Silver circled each other, keeping their eyes fixed on each other, while they growled at each other. But old Fox has his share of the trick after all, until the two old foxes started fighting in earnest, using their forelegs and paws to claw and swing at each other several times.

And sometimes they embraced each other and clawed very wildly, until their bodies began to get a few scratches and a little blood on their furs. Meanwhile, not far from the silver fox clan, Plucky and his friends have arrived at the silver fox territory. There he saw a gray vixen walking and looking for someone, along with her little male fox cub. He warned everyone to stop and wait a while. But Russet immediately recognized who it was and called out.

Russet: "Pearl!? Hello, Pearl!"

Pearl and her son, Reaver, stopped abruptly, seeing that they had been taken by a stranger. But she was a little over relieved to see Russet and Ranger. They walked closer to her and talked for a little while.

Pearl: "Russet and Ranger? What are you doing here in our silver fox clan's land?"

Ranger: "That's a long story, Pearl."

Russet: "How are you today, Pearl? Are you out for a walk with your only cub?"

Pearl: "He's not mine only one child, Russet. Me and Reaver are out looking for Rogue."

Whisper: "Who is Rogue?"

Pearl: "My daughter, and Reaver's sister."

Reaver: "Yeah, and she's missing!"

Hurkel: "Missing?"

Mossy: "Missing?"

Spike: "Missing?"

Bolt: "Missing?"

Plucky: "Missing? Hmmm... that didn't sound good at all."

Everyone thinks exactly as Plucky says. And Pearl and her son don't understand what's really going on. Until Whisper asked Pearl and her son the question.

Whisper: "When did she disappear, Pearl?"

Pearl: "About an hour ago. She must have woken up early and before us, because of her hunger. We haven't eaten much since that terrible snowstorm."

Hurkel: "I can easily understand that. You poor gray foxes."

Bolt: "Is it normal for your daughter to be walking alone by herself?"

Pearl: "Not exactly, but she's a little sensitive about the death of her and Reaver's father. Silver and his council have had his bodyguard execute him so mercilessly! Sob..! And we miss him!"

Russet calmly walked up to her best friend, whom the two have known since they were adolescent vixens. She smiled tenderly at Pearl and said with positive and comforting words.

Russet: "I know exactly how you feel. But don't worry, Pearl. We'll find her. I promise."

Pearl: "Thank you. You're really too kind..."

Whisper and her adult son, Plucky, also thought it sounded good and positive, but at the same time they were still worried. But with Silver and old Fox, the supreme leader managed to grab the old red fox's back and tries to put his jaws on his neck, then twist it off. But old Fox refused to give up so easily. Finally, he used his hind legs to push up quickly and his muscular butt threw the strong silver fox off his back. Silver flew a few feet from old Fox and landed softly in the snow, then stood up.

Pace: "Come on, Grandfather! You can do it!"

Friendly: "Give it all you got, Dad!"

Swift: "And for the sake of the whole farthing land!"

Old Fox felt almost completely exhausted. But thanks to the good cheer he got from the three red foxes, he still felt strong and had a chance to crush Silver in a fair fight. Silver stood in front of old Fox and got ready to attack him one last time. There was silence for a while.

Fox: "He's really strongest than I am. I have just a last chance to beat him somehow. But I know what I'm doing. I mustn't make mistakes, for the lives of my families and friends. I am the great hero of farthing land! And I must never let them down! Never! Forgive me for everything, Vixen. But I have no choice either!"

With these thoughts in Old Fox's mind, both he and Silver really get ready for the big attack on each other. Silver frowned really evilly and believes for sure that he will win against the old red fox in a very cruel and unfair way. All the foxes stood still and waited and look so tense on their faces. Same for Swift, Friendly and Pace. But finally both Silver and old Fox got going and quickly run towards each other to attack.

Then the two old foxes jumped high into the air, with their jaws open and their sharp teeth visible. When everyone thought they were going to collide with each other, old Fox did something he had never done before and flew to the side and avoided the collision with Silver. Then both he and Silver were on all fours on the snowfield and were completely unharmed. But then suddenly something happened that no one had ever experienced before.

Silver, who had never lost in his entire life, quickly fell to the side and was knocked out. All the silver foxes were completely shocked. Swift, Friendly and Pace were also surprised, but at the same time they became very happy and cheered for old Fox as the winner. Silver stood up a little and turned around, revealing to everyone that he had a couple of scars on his right cheek and even over his eye.

Laird: "Almost like his godson, Scarface! And very good cunning and tricks you did, old Fox from farthing wood! Well done!"

The great white stag, Laird, has come to the silver fox clan and has seen their duel and admired old Fox's triumph. And with him he has both Jeff and Butch. When Silver realized that he was lost, he sat down and panted a little heavily from the challenge. Old Fox also panting a little heavily and recovered, but then he smiled at the great victory he had never done before. Especially not against the supreme leader for silver fox clan. But after Silver had recovered, he began to listen to old Fox's demands.

Fox: "Since I have won, you must listen to me very carefully, Silver. I and several of my friends would very much like to conclude peace with you and the silver fox clan. On the condition that you put an end to the fox troop's attack and that you get rid of the Beast as your bodyguard, once and for all."

Silver: "The Beast? What Beast? I don't have any bloody Beast as my bodyguard!"

Laird: "Don't lie to old Fox, or me, Silver! We know all about it! And I must say that my grandfather, The Great White Stag, was right about you all along. You are truly ruthless."

Silver: "Well, in that case it's probably too late! Unfortunately! Because both Blaze and my bodyguard have long since gone on the attack in farthing land!"

Plucky: "Wrong, Silver!"

Silver soon caught sight of Plucky who had just arrived, along with Ranger, Russet, Whisper, Bolt, Spike, Hurkel and Mossy, and with their company - Pearl and Reaver. Old Fox was astonished to see his grandson. Swift, Pace and Friendly were also happiess. And even Laird became very happy to see Plucky fully recovered. Both Plucky and his grandfather were happy to see each other again. But Silver was still not happy to see both Ranger and Russet.

Silver: "You two, traitors to the silver fox clan, you should be ashamed that you chose the side of those red foxes!"

Ranger: "Ashamed!? I am never ashamed of the love I have for Fox's daughter, Charmer. And even my mother knows that, who has accepted my choice in life."

Russet: "I agree with my cousin, grandpa. I chose to be with those red foxes, because I have a red fox that I think is so cute. Isn't that right, Friendly?"

Russet was still happy to see her dear mate and her son still alive. Friendly closed his eyes and smiled a little in embarrassment at his lovely mate's statement, while Pace giggled a little in laughter. Silver now felt that there was no point in appealing any further. But then they returned to serious talk.

Plucky: "Your fox troop has been perforated by the Beast's claws, and then it became a massacre."

Silver: "Massacre? What the bloody are you talking about?!"

Russet: "It's truth, Grandfather! Plucky tell you the truth! The Beast also killed my cousin, Blaze. Ranger's brother!"

Ranger: "Yeah, that's right, Silver! He betrayed my brother's life!"

Whisper: "And now the Beast is going to kill us all!"

Bolt: "One in a row, of course!"

Hurkel: "Yes, exactly! The monster cat has even injured poor Weasel and kill the female stoat!"

When both old Fox and the others heard what they said, they could hardly believe their ears. Even Swift thinks it sounds completely absurd. But old Fox began to understand their claim now and had suspected it himself for a long time and said.

Fox: "That's what I was afraid of and that it would happen sooner or later."

Swift: "But why did he kill the silver fox troop so suddenly, anyway? Has the Beast going to really mad?"

The Beast: "Almost! Whuahahaha!!"

Now everyone heard that it was the Beast's voice and looked around. Until Silver turned his head to the left towards the mountain peak and looked up. There he saw the Beast standing there near the edge and was completely bloody all over his golden brown fur with all the black spots. Everyone also looked up and see at the Beast and became a little afraid for the great cat. And for the first time in Laird's life he had never seen anything like it before. But both Mossy and Spike were shaking a little with fear.

Spike: "That what I can called a nightmare monster cat..!"

Hurkel: "Oh my! What a great and horrible cat it is!"

Mossy: "And scary he is when we first saw him before."

But up at the beast's, both little Bold and Silvia appeared. They two adolescent foxes had hidden behind the trees and peeked out a little and listened to the beast's conversation with Silver down there. And he seemed to be both angry and disappointed at the same time.

Silver: "What's this supposed to mean?!"

The Beast: "You know very well what this means, Silver, my godfather! They spoke the truth and they were right, Silver. Besides, you betrayed my trust, godfather! Or should I say, mythomaniac silver fox!"

Silver: "Why are you say so to me?! I'm no..."

The Beast: "DONT BOTHER!!! And stop bulls to me! I know the real truth about you! Especially during the snowstorm! I heard all of your conversations with Blaze, which I'll tell both you and all here how it happened and why I went against the silver fox clan all of a sudden...!"

The beast told all the animals that when he was lying and resting so well in Silver's big cave during the snowstorm, he happened to hear some of Silver's mumbled conversation with some fox outside the cave's opening. He decided to find out about the conversation and sneaked a little closer to the opening. Then he hid behind the mountain cave and listened to their conversation. And what he heard was not exactly what he should have found out.

Silver: "As you probably understand, Blaze, my bodyguard is a perfect tool against the red foxes in farthing land. And after they are all wiped out, we can finally take power back. And you, my dear godson, will probably become the new supreme leader, after we have managed to eliminate the Laird as well."

Blaze: "That sounds really great! But what happens if they manage to outwit the Beast, the same way they outwit the wolf, who was Tyran's bodyguard?"

Silver: "Well, considering I promised him way too much about going after all the stags, he'll probably have himself to blame if he makes his own mistake. Besides, I've taken care of him and protected him from the humans who've been chasing him for a long time. And I've also taught him to follow my orders and will do so during our attacks on all the animals in farthing land. He's nothing but a dumb cat to all of us in the silver fox clan."

When the Beast heard the real truth, he finally realized that he's just been fooled by his gullible godfather all along, which makes one of his eyes run down a tear of sadness and disappointment. And after the Beast has told and explained to everyone, even Silver started to realize the Rangers and Russets' truth. But still, he tries to do some persuasion with his former bodyguard.

Silver: "Now let's take it easy and calm down for a while! Even if you happened to hear my conversation with Blaze and you had to kill both him and the fox troops, you must have misunderstood everything!"

The Beast: "I'm not mistaken, godfather! You're only interested in families within the silver fox clan and nothing else. Not even me, who you took care of for so long. Although you and all the silver foxes are cunning and cleverer than I am, nothing will try to trick me with impunity! And neither the warden nor the military will get me in the end, because then I will kill everyone who stands in my way!"

Silver: "But you still can't just ignore my orders anymore?"

The Beast: "Oh yes, I can! As all animals used to say: in the wilderness it's the law of the jungle, and I'm the one who stands for the law, here and now! Because the two of us have nothing more to say to each other! And I will never obey your orders now, ever, just so you know!"

Silver: "Beast, listen to me now! Even if you think you can handle yourself on your own and don't want to be my bodyguard anymore, we can... I don't know. Maybe we can make a good deal!!"

The Beast: "Beast? There is no such thing as the beast anymore! Because the Beast is dead, my dear godfather! But you and everyone here can from now on called me Lynx - The great cat! And the Lynx's purpose is to survive on the nutrients from the animals that I killed before, or were already dead. Because I am both a carnivore and a scavenger. But I can also eat a whole lot of small animals, like fox cubs for example."

There was soon silence, but when Lynx bent down to his front paws, he picked it up something he had taking with him and showed everyone what it was. A little gray vixen, Rogue. Both Pearl and Reaver panting of shock when they saw her. And Rogue had just woken up and she became suprices and very scared. Especially when she saw the big cat has caught Rogue. But when see her mother and brother there down with their friends from farthing land, she yelled both of fair and panic.

Rogue: "Mommy! Help me!"

Pearl: "Oh no! He has taken my daughter, Rogue!"

Everyone was terrified by what Pearl said, even little Bold and Silvia also thought it was too horrible. Silver was completely confused and shouted at Lynx.

Silver: "What on earth are you going to do with little cub, you maniac!?"

Lynx: "Even an evil and mythomaniacal fox, like you, loves little fox cubs, like this little one! And it's against your principles to beat them so badly, of course!"

Little Bold and Silvia see how he holds Rogue in his mouth and understand what he is going to do. Little Bold looks at his tail and gets an idea, until the Beast screams in his disappointed voice to Silver.

Lynx: ”And since I have killed Tyran and found out this little one missed her father so much, I will fulfill her wish to see him again, after I have done a little demonstration for you all! And also make you understand how it feels to be taken advantage of by you, godfather..!"

Silver: "YOU DON'T DOING, PLEASE!"

But Lynx was getting ready for the demonstration and was about to throw her into the air and then catch her with his open jaw. Little Bold felt that he had to do something and started running away from Silvia and hiding place and made a surprise attack and managed to bite the Lynx's tail. Lynx threw his head up and screamed in pain, at the same time he releasing Rogue into the air and spinning down the mountains.

Silvia also ran from hiding and jumped off the cliff and managed to catch Rogue. Silvia quickly turned her body around in the air and landed softly on the snow pile with her back first, and with Rogue on top of her. Everyone wondered how they were doing, until both young gray vixens scrambled out of all the snow. Everyone was a little relieved they were safe, although not for long. Because right now Lynx is trying to get little Bold off his tail and turned around violently.

Little Bold let go of his tail, until the lynx's backside hit violently on a large rock hidden behind snow. The large rock slid out onto the edge of the mountain and fell right down, on its way to crush both Silvia and Rogue, without them knowing. Silver was the only one who saw what was happening and had at least some strength left in his body and threw himself over to the two little vixens. And he screamed very loudly in pure desperate panic.

Silver: "Silvia! NO!!!"

Silver managed to push both Silvia and Rogue away. But he became a victim himself and got a whole rock on his back and was soon lying on the snow and was mortally wounded. Everyone saw what Silver did and was even more shocked. Even old Fox, Swift, Plucky and Laird were completely surprised. When Silvia and Rogue got up after the push, she was also very shocked to see her grandfather lying under the large rock.

She, Russet and Ranger quickly rushed to him, even some of the silver foxes came to their supreme leader. Silvia understood how it happened and why she and Rogue were pushed aside, which made her almost cry with grief again. Because she remembered what happened to her mother, when she got a whole big rock on her, and now it was her grandfather's turn. Silver was still alive, but said a few words in his weak voice.

Silver: "Silvia, Russet and Ranger...! Forgive me...! Forgive me for being so dumb to you....! Aaaooh..."

That was his last, his eyes were closed, then he was gone, forever. Both Silvia and Russet cried a little in despair. Even Ranger mourned for his godfather and closed his eyes again. Even old Fox, Swift, Plucky and Laird began to feel sorry for the silver foxes' great sorrow over their supreme leader's death. But up at Lynx and little Bold's, he started to lick his tail a little, while little Bold waited, until Lynx was finished.

Little Bold: "Trying to eat a whole and alive fox cub was really an insane idea from you, you psychotic scabcat!"

Lynx: "Grrf!! You'll at least be the very first relative of the famous fox from farthing wood that I kill!"

Little Bold: "If you want me? You have to take me! Nananana!!!"

Little Bold teased Lynx a little, while he set off. The great cat was really mocked and humiliated and therefore started chasing him. Up in the trees, Robber sat on the tree branch and watched how the adolescent red fox runs away and is perfectly chased by the beast. The black carrion crow smiled a little impressed, but felt a little unsure. But then he flew down to the other friends, who are still mourning Silver's death.

Robber: "I can say that this was not exactly what you expected."

He landed right in front of the red foxes and three white stags and greeted them so politely. Old Fox, Plucky and Whisper immediately recognized Robber and greeted him back, until they asked Robber with serious questions.

Plucky: "Do you know where my son might be, Robber?"

Whisper: "And what made the Beast scream so terribly?"

Robber: "Little Bold gave the beast a big bite on his tail, then lured him away from here!"

Whisper: ”Oh no! Poor little Bold!

Swift: "Do you know where they're going?"

When Robber explained to everyone what Little Bold was going to do, old Fox and a few animals were completely stunned and couldn't believe it was possible. But Robber knows the way to the military's explosives warehouse and promised to bring with the three foxes there. Plucky, Swift, and Ranger ran ahead to help Little Bold, while the others stayed with the silver fox clan for a while and mourned further. Both Silvia and Russet embraced each other with a hug.

Russet let her little sister cry for a while, because the shock of their grandfather's death was too great. Even though Silvia thinks her grandfather was a little mean sometimes, he was still kind, deep down. Both Silvia and Russet felt unfair towards Silver, after all. And both Pearl and Reaver were also both happy and relieved that Rogue was okay, and her mother gave her daugther a few licks on her cheeks. And Laird sighed a little gloomily.

Laird: "Silver wasn't such a bad fox, anyway."

Hurkel: "No, my dear friend. Not after what he did, which was heroic of him."

Fox: "And I agree with both of you. I agree too. Even if I could have killed him, things wouldn't have been better for it either."

Whisper: "May they make it home to farthing land by afterwards, I hope."

Old Fox also asked the hare, Bolt, to return home to farthing land and tell them what has happened in the silver fox clan. And Bolt did as the old red fox said and set off, leaving the Silver fox territory. But then suddenly, after Bolt was gone, they heard a roar from a deer. Laird looked at his companions, but neither Jeff nor Butch roared anything. But of course they were shocked too.

Butch: "That horrible roar sounds quite familiar to me, if you ask me?"

Jeff: "I agree with you, Butch. It sounds like we know that roar."

Laird: "And for once I agree with both of you. But me and old Fox probably know who it could be. Don't you?"

Fox: "Oh yes, absolutely, Laird."

Mossy: "But who could it be then?"

Spike: "Yes, who could it be?"

Old Fox looked around a bit, until he saw someone moving up in the mountains and then disappearing from there. Old Fox guessed who it was and said in a low voice.

Fox: "Trey..."

And the mysterious deer has now set off after little Bold, Lynx and the three rescued foxes and disappears into the forest. But what happens next, you all must not miss in an even more exciting chapter next time.

TO BE CONTINUED