Gregory the Great: The Greatest Squirrel

What If one day a squirrel grew out of his meager squirlish being and decided to be something better. This squirrel's name was Angelo. Angelo wanted to be a carpenter, but his dad always said that he would only be a nut gatherer just like every other squirrel in the village. This harsh and apparent reality did not put a damper on Angelo's dream though. In fact, it made him more and more determined than ever to achieve his carpentry potential. 

One day when his father went with the rest of the nut gatherers to go gather nuts, Angelo secretly went to work. In the very highest part of the tree he set up a small carpentry studio. Angelo had a dilemma though, he could not get the proper materials all the way to the top of the tree by himself, for all the best wood was in the lower branches. Sometimes these branches would break off, leaving good lumber on the ground. This is exactly what Angelo needed, but how on earth would he get it all to the top branches? He needed help. He decided to ask the local owl to give him some assistance. Nobody ever talked to the owl, because the rumor was that his favorite food was squirrel tails. Despite this scary story, Angelo was determined to get the help he needed so he could prove his father wrong and become a world famous carpenter. 

The lonely old owl's name was Phillip. When Angelo went to ask Phillip for help getting wood to the top of the tree, surprisingly Phillip was more than happy to help! For when Phillip was just a young owl he too had dreams, but never the courage to act on them... 

After Angelo and Phillip had gotten enough wood to the top of the tree, Angelo went to work! Suddenly though when Angelo had his back turned Phillip bit off his tail. In the surprise Angelo fell off the tree and plummeted to his death. When his father returned from nut gathering, he came to find the dead tail-less body of his son Angelo. This angered Angelo's father and made him remember the scenes from... the war. You see, Angelo's father was once a great warrior. He once went by the name Gregory the Great, the greatest squirrel that ever lived. That part of his life was supposed to be over though... what is a father of a murdered son supposed to do? Well Gregory the Great will have to return to avenge his  son!

Gregory stood there in the would be carpentry studio of his now deceased son Angelo. He knew that Phillip the owl had to be the culprit because of the owl beak marks left on the mangled corpse of his son. He decided to give Phillip the owl a call, this is what was said:

"I know who you are, Phillip the lonely old owl. I know what you have done to my son. I will have you know that over a long career in the squirrel military I have developed a very specific set of skills. Skills that make me a nightmare for owls like you. No matter where you go, no matter where you fly, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."

All Phillip had to say back were the two words, "Good luck..."

It had been a while since Gregory had been in the military, for he had long since retired. Despite this, he was as sharp as ever. He immediately went to work! He scurried down the tree, and went to ask Mildred the mole for help. Mildred had been a double agent for the squirrel military back in the great war. Since the last time Gregory had seen her, she had become blind, but could still dig and navigate underground. Since it was dark underground, sight made no difference. Gregory wanted Mildred to build him an underground home base from which he could completely produce a plan for capturing Phillip the owl.

Owls are one of the most dangerous birds a squirrel can choose to battle, for they are one of the natural predators of small rodents. This did not discourage Gregory though. The memories of his son Angelo motivated him to do all he could to exact revenge on Phillip the owl. Partly he blamed himself, for if he had only supported Angelo in his carpentry dreams, this whole situation would never have happened...

Mildred the mole created a very good home base from which Gregory could go about his planning to get his revenge. Gregory sat there in the underground bunker contemplating how to go about killing the terrible owl... Phillip...

Gregory sat is his underground lair lost deeply in thought. He had caused this whole situation... If only he had been a more supportive father! Then and there he broke down and began to weep. Memories of his dear son Angelo were running in and out of his torn mind. Sadly, that is all they were ... memories. Angelo was dead, and Gregory told himself he needed to get over his mistakes and move on. Moving on would be impossible though without the closure of having his son's murderer dead. What Phillip the owl had done was unforgivable... yes... unforgivable.

Gregory stood up from the ground, the dirt beneath him had turned to mud because of the tears he had dropped. Gregory decided it was time to give Phillip the owl a visit. It was time to get his revenge on the animal that murdered his son Angelo. He scurried out of his lair which his colleague Mildred the mole had constructed for him. The tree where Phillip lived was a little ways away, but any distance would not be too far to Gregory. The motivation of obtaining closure drove him to run any distance and climb any tree that was an obstacle....

Phillip's tree stood there in front of Gregory, towering above him in the night sky. He began his climb to the hole which Phillip lived. As he made his way higher and higher, he could hear a faint moaning cry coming from above. He expected it to be a mouse, which are normally an owls favorite food, so he did not think much of it. Climb and climb he did until he finally came to the entrance of Phillip's home. With caution and determination he entered the hollow. Phillip stood there looking at Gregory, but all Gregory could do is stand completely motionless... 

Phillip had a talon positioned on the neck of Gregory's friend Mildred. Phillip then began to speak, "Hello Gregory, I expect you have come to exact your revenge like you had said you were... For getting here I commend your effort, but killing me will not be so easy. You may take a step toward me, but that will most assuredly cause the demise of Mildred here. I want you to think first. Who really killed your son Angelo? Yes I delivered the death blow, but who sparked the events that lead to his death? You did Gregory! You are a monster! You are just as guilty as I! As a father you failed to support your son, and inevitably killed your son! What you have done is... UNFORGIVABLE!"

Gregory could not come up with anything to say... Phillip's word penetrated the very soul of Gregory. He then opened his mouth to speak to Phillip....

Although Gregory himself was speechless, the words that came from him seemed to create an aura around him that could be seen even from the farthest corners of the forest.

"Phillip, all that I am guilty of is being that best possible father that I knew how to be. I will have you know that I loved my son more than any other creature in this world. Love is the most important thing that a father can give his child. Perhaps it was your father, Phillip, that deprived you of love that is guilty of the biggest crime of all! But that does not suspend the fact that my son is gone because he trusted you, and now you are once again trying to take something from me by having Mildred as your prisoner. Phillip, we may all be animals, but the only monster here is you!"

After speaking the aura surrounding Gregory vanished and he dropped to the floor. All energy had been drained out of him. On the other corner of the hollow, Phillip stood there motionless with a blank look upon his face. It seemed that Gregory's words had struck a nerve in him. However this blank stare soon turned into one of fury and frustration. Phillip tightened his grip around Mildred's neck, and with a quick motion hurled her out of the hollow.

Too weak to move, all Gregory could do is watch as one of his dear friends flew through the air above him and out of the tree. Time seemed to slow down during these few moments and maybe it was because he was still in a daze, but Gregory swore he heard Mildred say the words "She Lives". Completely oblivious to this, Phillip the owl launched himself into the air and flew off into the horizon.

Finally having the strength, Gregory stood up. Who was "She"? Who could be so important that Mildred would give her last words to tell Gregory that she is alive? Gregory needed time to think, he began the climb out the tree and back to his underground lair.
Gregory began the long trek back to the squirrel community. As he began his downward climb on the side of Phillip's tree, he expected to see the body of his friend Mildred on the distant ground. In his immediate look, he could not see where she had landed after being thrown from the hollow. During the entire descent, Mildred's body seemed to have escaped from him. After the disappointing climb, he decided that to correctly honor Mildred, he would have to find her body. So he began to look.

After circling the entirety of the tree, he could still not locate Mildred. He stood motionless, as if lost deep in thought. He was then beckoned to look in the local bushes. After moving a few branches of a wild gooseberry plant, he thought he could see a faint outline a molish figure. He moved a few more leaves only to come upon what he thought was Mildred...

"Sssssorry sssssir... I meant not to disssturb you."

The pathetic stutter sounded before Gregory could completely tell what he was looking at.

"I found Mildred sssssir, ssssshe is unconsioussss, aa--a-and badly hurt."

"Who are you? Where's Mildred? What are you doing here?"

"My name is Ss-ss-sebass-s-tian ssir, and ss-shes-s right here. I have been following you sss-since you left Acornland."

Acornland was the name of the small commune where Gregory had lived with his son Angelo. As Gregory's eyes adjusted, he could see a small creature standing next to what looked like the body of Mildred. This ignited a feeling of urgency within him to return Mildred to Acornland. As Sebastian and Gregory helped each other move Mildred out of the bush into the clearing, Gregory saw that Sebastian too was a squirrel. Questions could wait, what was important now was not losing Mildred.

After the long trip back to Acornland, Gregory and Sebastian moved Mildred into the lair which she had built. Gregory prepared a small bed into which they put Mildred. Gregory then turned to Sebastian who had begun to awkwardly tinker with the various items in Gregory's lair.

Gregory yelled, "Sebastian!"

The small squirrel inadvertantly dropped whatever had been in his hand.

He continued, "Just who are...." -Mildred's arm moved!

Gregory and Sebastian quickly made their way to Mildred's side. Gregory then could not help himself from asking, "Mildred... Who is she?"

In a slow painful fashion, Mildred spoke, "Gregory... you need to... find... Jean Claude."

What seemed to be the last bit of life, vanished from Mildred. She was dead. Gregory was heart broken, it seemed like everything that meant something to him was disappearing.

Sebastian then spoke, "Jean Claude... you mean my father sss-s-sir?"

Sebestian's words echoed in the damp darkness of the underground lair. Gregory still had his gazed honed on the corpse of his dear Mildred. The look upon his face seemed to be a mixture of despair and contemplation. The two squirrels stood motionless in the dead silence that had emerged between them. Gregory then turned away from the corpse of Mildred and walked to a small shelf in the corner of the lair. He picked up what seemed to be an acorn carving of two figures holding hands. After studying the item closely, he set it back down, but this time behind several other generic items of no meaning.

Gregory turned toward Sebastian, who had been standing awkwardly in the middle of the lair.

"Sebastian, take me to your father Jean Claude... If Mildred said I need to find him, then I must find him."

"Www-ww-well ookkay sss-ssir..."

"Listen, I don't have time for excuses, lets go! Your father has something to do with... with.. with her."

Gregory quickly sauntered to the exit of the lair and with a flick of the paw motioned Sebastian in front of him to lead the way to his home. In silent obedience the small squirrel wondered past Gregory and beckoned him to follow.

..........................................................................................................................................................

After the short venture to Sebastian's Oak home, Gregory beckoned Sebastian to lead the way to his father. In agreement, the child began to slowly climb the tree toward a nest in the highest branches. Gregory wore a face of seriousness that prevented Sebastian from saying anything in fear of angering him. Instead he simply pointed Gregory to a small entrance in the nest.

With a proud but subtle stride, Gregory made his way in. His eyes had yet to adjust to the grayness of the dwelling. From what he could tell, there were multiple figures staring at him. Just how many he could not tell. Slowing as color started returning to his vision, a taller more dominant looking figure stepped forward. The figure had a decrepit noble look to it. Obviously a squirrel, its tail seemed to have long lost the perkiness of a younglings, it dragged along the floor seeming almost a burden. Despite having an appearance of a deathbound old creature, the squirrel maintained a perfectly straight stance in front of Gregory, whose vision now was near perfect in the low light.

"Greetings Gregory, I am Jean Claude. I presume you are here under Mildred's instruction. I offer you help. But first I want you know that Mariella is still alive."

Mariella... It had been several years since he had heard that name.  In fact, the last memory he had of this Mariella was back during his days in the Squirrel Military.  Not wanting to ask of any further clues from Jean Claude, Gregory began to comb his memories for Mariella...

Several years earlier...

Cuh cuh CRASH! The branch that Gregory had been sniping from shattered into several pieces, the barage of Hazelnut explosives, coming from beyond the ridge, hurled through the air toward Gregory and his comrades.  As he fell, a hand reached out and tugged him on to the trunk.

"Watch out lads!" Gregory yelled as he saw two fellow squirrel soldiers slain by the incoming fire.  His heart sank as the battle was slowly drawing to a close with the numbers growing closer and closer to favor his enemies.  His view from the treetop was only carnage as far as he could see.  The smell of burning flesh, fur, and wood filled his lungs to his discontent.  He turned right to see the hero that had grabbed him as he fell, but was shown a much more gruesome picture.  Whoever the savior had been was now dead, shot through the neck with a hardened pine needle, pinning them to the tree.  Blood ran down the hand of this fallen savior and into the palm of Gregory who had not yet thought to let go. 

Gregory looked closely at his now blood soaked hand, thinking to himself about the sacrifice made by this unknown soldier.  This feeling of pity did not last long, Gregory quickly wiped the blood off on the corpse and made a quick decent off of the apparent death trap of the tree top. 

As Gregory made his first few steps on the solid ground, the remnants of a vicious fight could be seen in the corpses strewn across the area. 

"Gregory this way!" A hand motioned the squirrel to follow the voice into a tunnel located under an obtrusive root.  Mildred led the way through several tunnels lit by the firefly allies of the Squirrels. 

As they walked along the underground path, Mildred began to fill Gregory in on what had been happening, "General Arbitros ordered me to infiltrate the enemy stronghold.  I have a tunnel built directly underneath their headquarters Gregory, and Arbitros tells me that you are to go in alone.  I will take you as far as the entrance point, but from then on it's all you!"

Gregory nodded in agreement, mentally preparing himself for the mission ahead.

After wishing Gregory luck, Mildred scurried away down the tunnel, undoubetly on the next order of General Arbitros.  After a nervous swallow, Gregory broke through the ceiling of the tunnel and emerged in the middle of the headquarters of the enemy force.  Two enemy guards immediately attempted to tackle him, but he thrust his sword into both of their hearts.  After the bodies fell to the ground, he turned to the enemy leader, who was the only remaining figure in the room after a mass exodus due to the emergence of Gregory. 

"I imagine Arbitros sent you here to kill me... well that old fool must think highly of you if chosen for this mission my friend.  I would bet he never even told you the name of the man you were sent to kill... well I can't be rude.  You may call me Master Armin Horridoan."

Gregory emerged from his memories, but maintained his ponderence into the significance of why Mariella was still alive. In the mean time, Jean Claude had his gaze focused upon Sebastian who began the walk to join the other figures behind Jean Claude. 

"Good job young one." Jean Claude stood motionless besides the moving of his mouth to say these words. 

Gregory began the search through his mind once again...

The target was indeed correct, Mildred had not specifically mentioned who or what Gregory was suppose to deal with.  This did not matter to him though, for one of the Five Supreme Orders was to "Dispose of and eradicate any and all signs of enemy insurgency."  This meant that no matter what, Gregory must do his greatest to destroy Master Horridoan.

Gregory drew his sword in readiness for a battle, staring into the emotionless face of Horridoan.  As Gregory took a step toward his enemy in determination to accomplish his mission, Horridoan raised in hand in opposition. 

"Yes we could do this now, but that would cause several the deaths of several prisoners I have."  Horridoan pointed above the two men. From what Gregory could see, a squirrel holding an infant hung from a hook in the ceiling.  The elder of the squirrels held tightly to the baby as they stared down at the opposing forces in the room.  Gregory's eyes followed the woven stem that served as the binding to what seemed to be what Horridoan was talking about.  A small flame burnt beneath an area of the stem wearing it thin, no doubt shortening the time of safety for the hanging victims. 

"You choose soldier! Ha ha ha hah!" Horridoan turned his back and walked through the doorway where the other figures had left when Gregory had entered.  "Time is running out Gregory!"  Through the hole, Gregory thought he heard the rustling of feathers and the scratching of talons. 

With a deep reluctance, Gregory climbed as fast as he could to save the helpless victims.  Just as the flame burnt through the stem, he grabbed it and lowered the two safely to the floor.  He untied them both, and without paying the slightest attention to the gratitude expressed by the older squirrel led them back down the tunnel and toward Acornland. 

Gregory immediately pointed the saved squirrel to the war hospital so the infant could be check out.  After getting the two squirrels situated, he sought out General Arbitros to debrief.

........................................................................................................................................

"General I failed, I did not do anything that I should have.  Horridoan is still alive all because of me."  Arbitros was sitting down in chair facing away from Gregory, but then rotated slowly and rose out of the chair, looking to a plaque on the wall listing the Five Supreme Orders.  Without turning his glance to Gregory, Arbitros spoke, "You know son, those rules are racoon shit.  I have never been more proud of a soldier than I am of you right now. Not only did you go face to face with Horridoan and make it back alive, but you managed to save two fellow squirrels while you did it.  Actions like that are what make squirrels worth while!  You are getting an a Public Advancement, and will now and forever be known as Gregory the Great. Congratulations, I hope you take this as the honor that it is, but now other business, why don't you go and talk to those you saved today? It would be a good P.R. move for the Squirrel Military.

In agreement, Gregory left the office of Arbitros and made his way to the hospital and thus to the room of the two squirrels he saved.  A female squirrel holding a baby was sitting up in bed as Gregory made his through the door. With a gentle wave, Gregory made his presence noted.  The woman spoke, "Hey! Sorry about the terms of us meeting, my name is Mariella! And this is my son Angelo!"

Gregory snapped back to reality.  Mariella had been Angelo's biological mother, although since the fateful night Gregory had raised the young squirrel.  The events that had led to Gregory raising Angelo had long since been blocked out his mind, and he had no intention of reliving those events now.  But now he learned that Mariella was alive!? How could that be... that changed everything...

Gregory's attention turned toward Jean Claude.  What did he have to do with any of this?  He had not even known Gregory back in those days.  How could he know about Mariella at all?  Gregory had many questions that needed to be answered.

As if he had read Gregory's mind, Jean Claude spoke, "I understand you must be very confused my son, and in time you will understand, but for now have a seat."  Jean Claude used his free hand to motion Gregory towards a small bench in the corner of the hollow.  Gregory turned reluctantly and walked to the seat.  After he had sat down, Jean Claude gimped over and joined Gregory.  In a friendly manner, Jean Claude spoke, "I would like to introduce you to my students"

The figures had been around the edge of the hollow the entire time.  One by one they stepped forward announcing their presence.  There were six of them total, every one one more different than the last.  Sebastian was the first.  "H-hhh-hello sir..." 

Next another squirrel took Gregory's attention.  This one was smaller than sebastian, but lacked the child like qualities.  In fact, it seemed to be a fully mature dwarfed squirrel.  It was evident that this particular character spent a lot of time in fights and rough outings.  Scars and bruises patterned the hide of the individual.  He spoke, showcasing a deep hard accent, "Da names Rex, whats it to ya? Ya gotta pwoblem?" Jean Claude responded in a scolding manner, "Behave Rex!"

After Rex had inadvertently caused a scene, two new squirrels beckoned to introduce themselves.  They were taller than the previous two characters, inf act about twice as tall as Sebastian.  It was apparent that they were twins, due to the striking similarities in their appearances.  There was a slight difference though, one had slightly longer hair, defining what seemed to be a feminine appearance.  Simultaneously they spoke, "Hey! We are...", "Eli!",  "and Lisa!", "And we're the Longtail twins!" 

The tallest of the bunch then stepped into the spotlight to introduce themselves.  The individual was wearing a pair of eye glasses that created a sophisticated look.  The squirrel walked their way to Gregory and held his hand out as if to shake his paw.  In response, Gregory politely grabbed the paw and shook.  The squirrel then spoke, "Hello Mister Gregory, it is an honor to make your acquaintance.  My name is Christopher Highnest." Gregory nodded in response to the greeting.

The last figure then stepped forward toward Gregory.  There was something different about this squirrel.  It was a red squirrel.  Gregory had not seen a red squirrel since the war, for it had been long common knowledge that red squirrels were untrustworthy and malicious.  "Do not be alarmed Gregory..." Jean Claude assured Gregory.  The red one spoke, "My name is Justin, and before you make any judgements about me, just know that I do not want to hear it.  I'm here because I want to be, not to be stared at and mocked."

This speech brought Gregory aback.  He had never known a red squirrel personally, and in fact, never had desired to.  But if Jean Claude trusted Justin, then so did Gregory... for now anyway. 

Gregory and Jean Claude rose from the bench.  Jean Claude motioned Gregory toward the door and they both began to walk out of the hollow.  He waved goodbye to the six squirrels he had met and looked to the door.  Something then caught his eye.  Above the door to the hollow was a picture of a young strong looking squirrel.  The flag of Acornland hung in the background, and the character in the picture wore the uniform of the squirrel military.  On the nameplate of the picture it read: "General Jean Claude Arbitros".

THIS PIECE IS NOT FINISHED YET, ANY COMMENTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, THANKS