Thunder was wide awake in his metal barred box, in the middle of the night, when he heard a creaking noise. His mind flashed to when the red fox called Maple had appeared in the human nest. Could that be her? He asked himself. I don't know. He got his answer a second later when a soft voice echoed through the nest.

"Thunder? Are you there?"

Maple called out. Like she promised Thunder, Maple had come back to free him. This time Poppy was with her. Maple called again. "Thunder?" She was met with a response.

"Over here."

Maple and Poppy crept toward the sound. Soon enough they reached Thunder's box.

"This is my other pup Poppy." Maple introduced. "We're here to free you."

Maple and Poppy opened the hatch that locked Thunder in. He hopped out and stretched his wings.

"That feels good. I wish you luck, Maple. I'll help the best I can, and I hope you can find Fire soon. Thank you." Thunder spread his wings and took off, flying through the window. The two red foxes exchanged a glance and left the human den.

* * *

Maple sat outside her den, watching the sun slowly rise above the horizon. Fire. The only thought in her mind was her pup. If the humans didn't take him, who did? The sun's light spread across the forest floor, making patterns of light. That one looks like a red tailed hawk. Maple noticed. But wait, it's getting bigger! It's... it's... Thunder! She stood up and welcomed the red tailed hawk.

"Maple!" Thunder called to her as he flew nearer. "I have news. Please don't interrupt me." Maple nodded. At this time Poppy also came out. She sat with her mother as they listened to Thunder.

"My hawk friends told me very interesting things. They say there's a male red fox who has a blood-red fox pup. The weirdest thing is, the dog fox is black." Here Thunder paused to take a breath. The two females foxes stared at each other. "Apparently the dog fox's name is Ash. One of the hawks said she caught Ash muttering something like, Fire, Maple, territory. I think that Ash-"

"Captured Fire!" Maple finished for him, excited.

"Yes." Thunder smiled at his red fox friends. "Ash's territory is just east of yours."

"Thank you."

"I'm glad I helped. I hope you get Fire back."

Maple dipped her head towards him, then began a slow run towards the sun, Poppy following.