You're right, it doesn't. Time passes through the winter, and we are shown Copper's adventures on the hunt. He is able to recover from a rocky start, to eventually surpass Chief, must to his dismay. Spring arrives, and we first see Todd. He has grown up, and is eager to see if Copper still wants to be friends. Copper soon returns, and Todd comes to visit that night. Copper is glad to see him, but he also informs Todd that things have changed. In fact, he even says that they are no longer friends. Todd is crushed, of course, but things get worse when Chief wakes up, and begining a chase for the second time. Todd is able to lose Chief, hiding under a pile of wood, but Copper discovers his location. He lets Todd go, though he says that this may not be the case in the future. So Todd takes off, running along a railroad track, when Chief jumps out from behind a rock. The chase continues along the track, until a train arrives. Todd is able to duck underneath, but Chief is not so lucky. He is hit by the train, and knocked into a pool of water far below. Copper sees all this, and though Chief is alive, he warns Todd that he will get revenge for this.

I'd say so. Not only does Copper not want to see Todd again, but he wants to kill him! Anyway, after Tweed finds Todd in the forest following the train incident, she decides that something must be done. She makes the heart wrenching decision to drop Todd off in the game preserve. This is just as devestating to Todd, if not more so. He's left alone, he knows no one, it's dark out, it's raining, and he can't find a place to sleep. He's able to stay the night with a friendly porkypine, but in the morning, he sets out for an unknown destination. Fortunatly for Todd, Big Momma has flown out to the preserve to look for him. Also lucky for Todd, Big Momma has recruited a female fox to, well, cheer him up. They find him soon, and Big Momma's plan works to perfection. Just a day later, Todd tells the female fox, Vixey, that he's never been happier.

Not so fast. You've forgotten about Copper, haven't you? Well Amos has been making plans. Although Chief is out of commission for the time being, Amos and Copper are bitter, and want to take Todd down. They travel to the preserve, set traps, and wait. Soon Todd and Vixey walk toward the area where the traps are. After a few close calls, Todd steps on a trap, but is able to pull his leg back before it is trapped. The foxes take off, followed by Copper and Amos. Todd sends Vixey back to their burrow, and after briefly trying to fight Copper, retreats to the burrow himself. Copper cannot fit, but claws franticly to create room. Todd tries to fend him off, but to no effect. They head for the back exit, only to find Amos waiting, with his shotgun. Back into the burrow they go, so Amos moves on to plan B, which is starting a fire at the rear entrance of the burrow. Things are getting desperate for Todd and Vixey; smoke is filling the air, and Copper is almost inside. In desperation, they charge through the fire, to Amos' amazement. The chase continues, and the foxes are able to lose Copper. Once Amos catches up, the x-factor steps in: a bear attacks. Amos misses with his gun, and then steps into one of his own traps, rendering him helpless. Copper, being a faithful dog, protects his master, but is mostly smacked around by the bear. Meanwhile, Todd and Vixey are running as fast as they can, but Todd hears a distant whine. He recognizes it as Copper's, and after briefly considering his options, heads back towards Copper and Amos. Just as the fight is getting out of hand for Copper, Todd arrives, and joins the fight. Though even more outmatched than Copper, Todd is able to lure the bear away, and towards a waterfall. Todd retreats out onto a log that bridges a long fall to the water below, and the bear follows. The tree can't support the bear's weight, and it snaps, sending them both down with the waterfall. Todd survives, but the bear does not. Todd is able to limp to the shore, where he collapses in the shallow water. Just then, click, Todd looks up and sees Amos pointing his gun right at him. Ah, but Copper has made his way down too, and steps between Todd and Amos. Even when ordered to move, he stands firm. Amos give in, and he and Copper head back home, but not before Copper looks back. He and Todd look at each other, and smiles both slowly cover their faces.

We return back home, and see Tweed wrapping Amos' leg in a cast, joking all the while. Chief is back outside in his barrell, leg healed. Copper relaxes in his barrell, and all is well. The camera pulls back a bit, to reveal Todd and Vixey overlooking the whole scene, from a far away cliff. Finally, the words Todd and Copper shared as kids echo through the air:"Copper, you're my very best friend". "And you're mine too, Todd". "And we'll always be friends, forever". "Yeah, forever".