1Disclaimer: "The Fox and the Hound" is the property of Daniel P. Mannix and Walt Disney.

The Next Political Dynasty: Thanks, sorry I made you fall out of your chair, lol! Keep reading!

Anonymous but Impressed: I thought you'd like that! Keep reading!

Frostbite-Obsessive Idiot: Glad you like Smoky again, he was just a messed up puppy! Keep reading!

Lone Wolfdog: You know, I thought that little line sounded familiar whenever I wrote it, but I guess I got it from Brother Bear! Oh well, it fit in anyway. Keep reading!

SunRise19: Glad you liked! Keep reading!

The Fox and the Hound 3: The Next Generation

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Demon Strikes

Just as the light disappeared from view, Smoky leapt towards it, not wanting to be left alone again. He skidded in the dirt with his nose, and he quickly jumped up and looked around him.

"Don't leave, Uncle Chief! Don't leave me here alone!" he pleaded, although he knew the angel was already gone. He sat down and looked mournfully at the ground. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. I just want to go home. But where is home?"

The wind blew and the leaves rustled to his right. He looked over to see the fallen foliage seemingly dancing in the wind, almost begging him to get closer to them. Smoky smiled a little bit.

"Whatever you say," he muttered to a certain spirit, and began his journey home.

Meanwhile, Swift and Loki had placed a lot of distance between them and Smoky. The fox didn't know what ever became of the hound, but he was thankful that he didn't get a chance to kill him.

"I hope that crazy mutt doesn't find out what way we went," Loki remarked. "What a lunatic! It's not even hunting season and he wants to kill you anyway!"

"He's just confused, is all," Swift told her. "I actually feel sorry for him, if you can believe that."

"What do you mean, you feel sorry for him?" Loki asked, her eyes widening at this statement. "Swift, the guy wants you dead. Why feel sorry for him?"

"It's just that I happen to know the guy, and I know why he's blaming me for it all. He's just all messed up, and doesn't know how to handle his emotional problems, so he's taking it out on me. Plus, I think he's trying to get redemption for a murder he thinks he committed."

"Wait, this guy's killed before?"

"No, he just thinks he has. He thinks he's the reason his uncle died or something, so he feels guilty about it. And since he thinks I killed his brother, he's going after me in revenge and to get forgiveness for his crime. He just doesn't know that neither of us are responsible for murder."

Loki thought about that for a minute or two, but something else caught her eye instead. She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at what was in front of them. "Uh, Swift," she whispered tensely. "If Smoky doesn't kill you, I have a good idea of who will."

Swift turned his head at her in a confused manner, then followed her eyes to what she was staring at. His knees almost buckled at what he saw. "Oh my gosh . . . a spotted demon."

A rather good-sized bobcat was standing in the path up ahead, and he had his evil eyes fixed on what he believed would make a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He opened his mouth to let out a terrible yowling sound, causing the two frightened foxes to do the only thing they could do . . . run.

Dun dun dun, the bobcat has arrived and it seems to be craving fox finger sandwiches! Will Swift and Loki be able to defeat the spotted demon alone? Will Smoky somehow find out, and come to the rescue? Will Smoky and Swift become mutual friends again? And what about Tod, how's he doing with his injuries? Find out when we return!

I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas! Or Happy Hannukah, or Kwanzaa, or . . . oh forget it, Happy Holidays!