Disclaimer: The Fox and the Hound is the property of Daniel P. Mannix and Walt Disney Studios, not mine.

Cathy: Actually, that is kinda what the rest of the story is about, what you wrote in your review, lol! But it doesn't ALL go like that, there are a few little things added into it.

The Next Political Dynasty: You hit the jackpot! Keep reading to see the beginning OF the beginning to the storm!

Anonymous but Impressed: I'm touched, I really am touched that you said that. Sometimes I wonder why I'm not in college to become a novelist instead of in pre-pharmacy, lol!

Tonyboy: Thanks! Yes, as you can see I continued with my part two plan. I don't have any ideas about another sequel, but I DO have a MIDQUEL planned out to write, and an alternate universe story in which I change things up by making Copper a GIRL dog named Chloe. Yeah, sounds weird, but should be interesting.

SunRise19: Hm, you're right I do need some romance! I'll ponder upon that, how to stick romance into this crazy story, lol. Keep reading!

A/N: Okay, here's part two of the legacy! Remember, the cubs and pups are now about one year old and they have not seen each other since they were rescued from the poachers. Be warned, this part of the story is going to be kinda dark. That is, if I write it right. This is when it starts getting Pg-13. And do read the chapter dedication at the end.

The Fox and the Hound 3: The Next Generation

Part Two: The Older Years

Chapter Sixteen: Heaven's Light, Earth's Darkness

Widow Tweed frowned as she looked over the dog lying on the table in Amos' kitchen. Amos had been noticing that his old dog's health was getting drastically worse as the days went by—it started out with occasional coughing fits, but now it had gotten worse and was usually accompanied with a spit up of blood. To add to this, he eventually got so weak that he was unable to walk and couldn't eat or drink . . . even with assistance.

"How on earth did he get in this condition?" Widow Tweed asked Amos as the old hunter rubbed Chief's head. The dog gave a painful whine in response.

"I don't know," Amos admitted with a frown. "What do you think is wrong with him?"

"I would say he has something dreadfully wrong with his kidneys. I had a cat die from kidney failure in the same manner as this poor thing."

"But he's always been so healthy, never had a problem with him being sick until now. Well, except that time he got hit by a freight train and broke a leg."

"Hit by a train?" the widow repeated him. "Well, no wonder he's got kidney problems. The accident must have done something to them to make them start acting up."

"But that was almost two years ago!"

"It doesn't matter. If he were a younger dog, the symptoms may not have shown up for another three or four years." She gave Chief a pat on the head when he started whining again. The pain . . . excruciating pain. Why didn't the humans do something about it, take it away? Couldn't they see he was dying?

He started coughing again and, as expected, a stream of blood came flowing out of his mouth. Amos grabbed a towel to clean it off the table, but it didn't seem to help because the blood kept on coming.

"Oh Amos, we're losing him!"

"No, not this fighter here. Come on, old boy!"

But Chief didn't hear a word. He just saw a bright light in the distance, and it got brighter and brighter . . . and then all was still.

The next morning was an eerily gloomy and rainy day. Dark clouds gathered over the sky as Amos and the remaining members of his hound family circled around the little dirt mound with a wooden cross stuck behind it. Copper did his best not to cry in front of the children, although they were now around one year old, and Belle moved closer to him for support.

Their three pups, Ace, Smoky, and Beulah had tears running down their muzzles throughout the whole procession. At one point Beulah wiped her eyes on Ace's shoulder, even if it was raining outside and they were soaking wet anyway.

Amos at long last put his hat back on his head and trudged on back to the house. He wasn't about to catch a case of pneumonia standing out there all day, but the dogs remained. None of them said anything, until finally Belle said,

"Kids, let's leave your father alone and let's go back to the house."

Beulah got up right away, unable to stand the feeling of depression looming in the air, and Ace got up a few seconds after she did. Smoky stayed put for a while, still not having got over the shock of finding out "Uncle" Chief was gone. He rose slowly on all four paws and, while looking back, he followed his mother and siblings back to the house—since it was raining, the Master had decided to let them all stay inside.

When they were all gone, Copper let out a deep sigh. "Well, old-timer. Looks like time finally caught up with you. Thought you were going to be around forever. Heh, I have to admit it, it was sometimes rough to get along with you, but somehow we turned out all right. You were always telling me what to do as a pup, but I guess you had your reasons. Always thought of you as a dad, since I never knew mine and I barely remember my mother. I sincerely appreciate you putting up with me.

"And of course I'm forever grateful that you helped raise my children. They were lucky having you as an uncle, and I know they loved you to death. Especially Smoky, I swear, he idolized you. He still does in fact, whether or not you realized it or not, even while you were still sick." Copper pondered on that and took a deep breath. "That's why I hope he doesn't take this too hard, but I already know he will. Heh, too bad you couldn't stick around through the adolescent years. But to put things briefly . . . we all loved you and you'll be greatly, greatly missed. One day, I hope to see you in that big Dog Kennel in the Sky."

Copper wiped his eyes with one of his front paws before turning away from the small burial site, going back towards his waiting family where they were waiting for him under the porch.

OMG, I totally almost came to the point of crying while writing that. See, that's how my first dog (the REAL Smoky) died—so all that stuff Widow Tweed said about kidneys and mess is true. Okay, time for a chapter dedication!

CHAPTER DEDICATION: I dedicate this chapter to two souls I had in mind while writing this. First off, to my dog Smoky, who was a childhood friend of mine whom I watched suffer a hit-and-run by a Suburban, yet survived for about four years before dying of kidney failure. Since I didn't get a chance to say good-bye . . . I'm telling you now, old pup, I loved you from the day you were born that cold December night in my backyard. I was only seven years old at the time, but I took it upon myself to become a substitute mother to you. Hope you are having fun in the big "Dog Kennel in the Sky".

And in the memory of actor Pat Buttram (1915-1994), one of my favorite actors of all time, who played the voice of Chief in the movie "The Fox and the Hound", whose cause of death was kidney failure as well. Sir, I hope I get a chance to shake your hand in heaven.

(Stayed tuned for chapter seventeen!)