Chapter 6

   "Wake up!" Scarlett opened her eyes, started from her slumber. She saw a fluffy cat staring at her.

   "Uh..." Scarlett said, confused.

   The vixen wagged her tail, "oh yeah, you don't know who I am. I'm CloudPuff, the healer trainee! And your are—"

   Scarlett returned a friendly grin, "Scarlett."

   The hyper trainee wagged her tail faster, "oh yeah! Scarlett. Well, you've been sleeping all day, and the sun is starting to fall." CloudPuff said hinting at what they were doing.

   Scarlett got up quickly, "of course!" The hyper-ness of the other trainee started to grow on Scarlett.

   CloudPuff waved her tail, "Come on, let's go!" Then she ran towards another adult fox.

   Scarlett got up and raced after her.

   They sat down together in front of an older reynard. The reynard nodded his head in greeting, "hello Scarlett, I am the healer of WinterSkulk, IceBreeze. It is a pleasure to meet you."

   "Wow, it is an honor to meet you!" Scarlett said excitedly. "SapWood told me all about you!"

   IceBreeze gave a warm smile, hiding feelings he could not explain. "Now let's go."

   The three of them walked towards a tunnel, where a small stream flowed at the bottom. It was covered with beautiful flowers and green grass. It came out of the bottom side of the hollow. Scarlett smelt, and the sweet scent covered her nose,

   IceBreeze gestured for CloudPuff to speak. Now CloudPuff seemed shy, "You need to go to the end of the tunnel. You will find an ancient waterfall. The angels will lead you from there.

   "Angels?" Scarlett asked confused.

   CloudPuff gave a slight nod, "Yes, angels. They are the ancestors that come down to visit us. They are able to fly around like they just grew wings."

   Scarlett looked at her, amazed, "that's so cool!"

   CloudPuff nodded, "Now you must go. Follow the gold and diamonds in the tunnel."

   Scarlett once again, turned her head, confused.

   CloudPuff chuckled, "Shiny blue and yellow minerals, now go, you slug!"

   Scarlett giggled and left towards the cave. She waved her tail goodbye and started down. As she walked, she couldn't believe the water was so blue, shiny like silver. Then in the walls, as CloudPuff said, the shiny minerals poked out, glamorous as ever. She felt comfort in the cave, losing the feeling of loneliness.

   Scarlett had started feeling lonely ever since she arrived. Even though she was now surrounded by many foxes, they weren't her protective mother or the wise Sap. Then the light started fading in the tunnel. All she could see was the small reflections from the crystals.

*—   —*

    She kept walking, her paws now wet. She started to see a faint light from the opposite side of the tunnel. She picked up her pace, prepared for whatever to come. She heard the sounds of much water, falling.

   As she approached, she couldn't believe what she saw. The waterfall fell into a deep pond, beautiful than ever. Thousands of flowers surrounded it, with the softest and green grass Scarlett has ever seen. Vines fell from the top sides of the cave. At the top, it was back on the surface where you could see the sky. The moon shone directly above the waterfall, with more plants hanging from the top.

   But now, she felt if the angels should tell her where to go. She felt nothing. All she could do it look at the beautiful falling waves of water. Instead of waiting, she whispered a prayer, "Please tell me you're real, and you will guide me!" She then jumped into the deep pond.

   Overtaken by water, she tried to paddle desperately. Her weak movements only held her head above the water's surface, before she could paddle no more. She then sunk deeper and deeper in the water. She tried to breathe, instead, water filled her lungs. Her lungs seemed to burst, and then everything went black.

   As she closed her eyes, she heard another fox jump into the water. The fox swam down, held on her tuft, and carried her to the surface. She opened her eyes to see that they were now on the opposite side of the waterfall. She recognized the fox as SapWood.

   "SapWood, you escaped! I thought you had died!" Scarlett said in disbelief when she saw SapWood and her new shimmering pelt, looking as young as ever.

   SapWood licked Scarlett's ear. "I wish so too, but now I am an ancestor of StarSkulk."

   Scarlet looked down saddened. Then another fox came towards her. She looked up to see the beautiful fox known as StarLight. "Don't worry young one. We both will watch over you now.

   Scarlett looked at them both, "does that mean you accept me?"

   "Of course!" They both said happily. "I lead you here for a reason Scarlett," StarLight added.

   StarLight flicked her tail towards SapWood, "let's start the ceremony now, shall we?"

   Scarlett looked in amazement as others started approaching. All looking young and confident. She saw as even pups played around, then seniors that looked fresh and young. All there pelts shined as brilliant as the light of stars.

   StarLight stood in front of her, "Scarlett, you will make a great addition to WinterSkulk. To do that, you will need a name of your own. Scarlett, I haven't seen someone with a mark as special as yours. Like me, I have a star symbol on my forehead, while you have a crescent moon symbol. I hope you will light up, even the blackest sky, just like a moon. You are also very young now. We don't know if you will become a strong fox, a kind fox, or anything. You will have to show us. That is why you will be known as MoonFox, from now on. I hope for you to bring light in every step you take."

   StarLight paused for a moment. "To do this you will need a mentor. FrostFur will help guide you to your future."

   MoonFox saw as her pelt started to shine. SapWood then walked up to her. "MoonFox, I grant you with belief."

   Power started surging through MoonFox as SapWood spoke. MoonFox clenched her eyes in pain. "I give you belief in every choice you make! I give you belief in yourself! MoonFox, I give you belief."

   The pain then stopped, leaving MoonFox feeling refreshed. She felt as if she could do anything. She opened her eyes to see that now, everyone had vanished. She walked out of the cave, and the waterfall soaked her pelt. She looked up to see the moon was in the same place as time had not furthered. In the moon, she could see her reflection reflecting off.

   "Thank you," MoonFox whispered. She couldn't believe it. She was now officially part of WinterSkulk!