The seasons draw on, and in the first time in four months the sun sets. Autumn has arrived and the forest prepares for a polar winter. It was clear the 24 hour night will be here soon so the entire caravan of dogs was soon beginning to soon move away from Antarctica. Muttaburra felt reluctant to leave the home he had known for the summer and the cats in Frost-clan. He collapsed on the river edge not wanting to leave his summer home but he knew it had to happen. Suddenly the great gust of wind flew over him as it turned out it was a spirit. The great lizard of Muttaburra nudging the leader to his paws, then the spirit spoke out.
"You've traveled this route many times before; you can't just say here and freeze to death." The spirit said before it disappeared. This encouraged Muttaburra to get a move on to avoid the grim fate of freezing to death.
Up and down the river valleys; Muttaburra his caravan have sensed the change and they all begin their long trek north. However everyone had to travel through the thick forest to get from one place to the next in less time. And as a result, some of the mutts get lost in the thick forest so they began to use their trumpeting calls to keep in contact with one-another. A mother and her pup that have become lost in the middle of the forest and they try to contact the leader. What could be a minor problem, can mean life or death for Frost-clan. The noise that the huge dogs make prevents Brambleface from hearing other, more threating sounds.
It was clear that Australovenator wasn't going to leave without one last meal so he was sneaking up on Frost-clan, and with Brambleface distracted, he was able to get closer than before and when he was in a desired distance, he ambushes.
"Predator alert!" Dapplefur shouted as Frost-clan blitz off in a million different directions. Australovenator snapped his jaws missing Dapplefur, he snapped his jaws again narrowly missing Longstripe. And when he snapped his jaws shut for the third time, he caught hold of a white she-cat with dark blue eyes. The cat yowled as he shook the cat's life of it. Then he dropped the cat that was limp like a piece of fresh kill as he looked over it.
It was clear that Australovenator had killed Froststar. It was a bitter blow for the clan. Australovenator tore off Froststar's head off happily as he ate it having a meal before heading back to Australia. Frost-clan knew winter was coming and without a leader there would be tension in the clan. They all head off, mewing a sad song about their fallen leader.
In the gathering gloom, the Borealis Alligator senses the dropping temperature and reluctantly leaves his summer home. He once again lumbers into the forest in search for a suitable shelter for him to hibernate through the cold dark months that lie ahead. The shorter days also have a major change to the forest plants, they stopped growing and photosynthesis grinds to a screeching halt. Some would shed their leaves to create more leaf litter, while others would lie dormant for the next spring.
While Frost-clan gathered around they were beginning to discuss what their future plans were.
"What do we do?" Asked Longstripe.
"We search for mice and lizards under the forest floor." Brambleface mewed.
"What about moving to the thick heart of the forest?" Asked Dapplefur.
"We might have to do that as well." Brambleface mewed adding that to the list.
"Wait Brambleface you're the deputy, can't you be the next leader?" Asked Dappletail.
"I can't only she's can lead. Unless you want to be the leader?" said Brambleface. "It's customs that we all have different rules and codes, no two have to be the same."
"I'll try my best." Dapplefur mewed knowing her entire clan's fate rests on her paws and her mind.
Dapplefur began to plan out what will happen to Frost-clan as she thought about it. But as the rest of Frost-clan gathered around the mossy waterfall, it was clear that the summer predators have taken their toll. Only Cedarkit has survived and they still had no leader.
