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Dear readers- I realize that the prologue is short but it doesn't need to be long to convey the message that you need to understand to advance in this story. Yes, this story is Flaky X Flippy, but it's not just that. Splendid plays a part and it's mainly from his perspective- if you can't take that, don't read it please.
Prologue
Rain cascading from the sky in waves, leaping down from the heavens obscured by dark black clouds. It rained down over the small town, birthing miniature rivers in the streets and creating tiny creaks along the pavement. The inhabitance of said town took shelter in any space available to them, listening in fear as the winds racked their houses, shaking the shillings of their roofs. The fierce wind clawed hungrily at the trees, tearing and pulling their leaves like hair to try and yank them out ground. It ran across the earth like a gigantic animal, mauling any and everything where it's fangs could find purchase. Pieces of debris danced across the land in an un-synchronized ballet, twirling and spinning, hitting against each other and ramming into any object that was rooted to the ground.
The raging beast that sprang from the sea was managing it's invasion with an iron fist. It brought down it's might on the houses; cars spiraling through the air tore off the corner of one, anothers' entire roof was ripped to shreds by the savage winds. The sound of hearts beating against rib cages were nearly audible from the streets, the stench of terror thick in the air. The civilians cowered in any crevice they thought might protect them from the storms. Shaking lovers held each other as they cowered in the bathtubs, loners quivered in their basements.
A singular figure ran through streets of downtown. His arms were pulled high over his head, creating a protective covering with the skin that stretched under his armpits. His fur was soaked and plastered to his body, fitting around his sleek, thick muscles. He kept his head low as he dashed through the streets, kicking up water around him with every step. His tail acted as an sponge as it dragged across the ground, for he was to preoccupied to manage lifting it as he ran. The squirrel was heading for the museum, stationed almost directly in the middle of the town. Nearly tripping as he clambered up the stairs, the squirrel did not stop as he reached the doors, nearly prying them off their hings as he tore through the locks and sped inside.
The blue male stopped to lean over and grip his knees, breathing heavily. Inside the room, there was a long rectangular table, fit to hold at least twelve people. It was odd and misplaced with the decorative artifacts around it, obviously just there to fulfill limited time purpose. The air of the room was thick but cold, heavy with quiet. Those who were inside the room gazed at him with reproachful sunken eyes, staying in silence. When the squirrel still continued to not speak, it was an anteater who spoke up.
"You're tardiness is repulsive in such a situation," sniffed the anteater in a tart tone. He pushed his spectacles farther up the bridge of his irregularly long nose, gazing at the squirrel with disapproving brown eyes.
The light blue squirrel looked up at him in irritation, speaking between heavy pants.
"You try getting here in... 100 mile per hour winds. I'd like to see you do it, long face."
The anteater, looking offended, sunk into silence, casting spiteful glances at the squirrel.
Unmindful, the masked male turned to a yellow bear, who had gotten to his feet. He was staring at the male in absolute disgust, and it could be heard in his voice, like venom dripping down from his words.
"How dare you come in here and be such a smartass. Don't forget that it's you who caused this entire situation. Your whole obsession with fanning the flames of your own ego may of just put everyone you care about, though I seriously question if you even do, in serious jeopardy."
The bear paused to pull down his cap, narrowing his eyes. "How do you live with yourself?"
The squirrel opened his mouth to rebuke but was cut off at the angry snarl of the aqua marine otter who sat opposite the bear at the central table. He looked as if he had been in a ship wreck- his thick pelt was matted and tangled, and he was missing clumps of fur in several places. His red eyes were bloodshot and pinkish, his whispers crooked. One of his tiny black ears appeared to have been shredded, and blood still trickled down his chin. A bandage striped the side of his face, presumably to cover a wound which needed more serious attention that could not be provided yet. His captain jacket and hat were both in ruins, and he seemed to have lost the use of one of his prosthetic legs.
"Ye should walk the plank for yer crimes. It's an understatement to say ye should have been kicked out of this town a long time ago. The fact ye even managed to show yer face in public after what ye did is shameful! Ye ruined several of my ships and nearly killed me permanently.I want full payment for all my ships and my ruined home, Splendid, ye blasphemous bastar-"
"I think you've made your point," the anteater intervened, much to the squirrel's relief.
Splendid had sunk to the floor, sitting upright with his legs crossed. His jumpsuit was uncomfortable with his fur clinging to his body, and his eyes were sunken against his red mask from exhaustion. The aggression in the room caused his skin to prickle with nervousness. Absentmindedly he drummed his fingers on the floor before him, gazing at the table of infuriated males with tired expression. Despite his super powers, even the super-squirrel could not go through a hurricane unscathed.
"Look," Splendid said, his voice rough. "I realize I made a mistake."
The turquoise otter snorted, silenced by a glare from the orange bear. Splendid waited a moment to make sure it did not happen again, before speaking.
"... I realize I made a mistake, but it was hardly my fault. It was those idiotic thieves. If it weren't for the raccoons trying to steal your ship, Russell, I wouldn't of been out to sea. If anything it's the brothers you should be blaming."
"They might have stolen my ship," Russell replied in a low growl, "but ye started a moth'ar fuckin' hurricane! Those thieves may be a pain in the tail but at least they don't go around causing natural disasters and killin' people on a daily basis."
"But they do kill people," Splendid said angrily, "they violate the law and molest people's rights every day! It's my job to stop them. It'd be a serious offense if I didn't use what I've been given for the good of the town."
The bluish otter stared at him in disbelief. His fur bristled and he bared his fangs, obviously about to unleash his fury on the squirrel.
"The good of the- Bullshit! Take them lies of yers and shove them up yer-"
"Enough!" Came the snap of the orange bear as he slammed his fist down on the table. He glared at the group with angry olive eyes, demanding silence. Russell bit his lip in anger, stopping himself from continuing, and Splendid looked at him expectantly.
"It's far past high time you pay for your mistakes, Splendid. What you did should be punishable by death, but obviously that isn't going to work in this instance. I think exile is just as much a reasonable punishment."
There was a murmur of approval from the others at the table. The tension in the air could have been cut with a butter knife. Splendid's eyes widened in despair. Exile? But- but this was his home. They couldn't-
"Now hold on a moment."
The voice came from a green bear who sat farthest from the group at the other end of the table. There were a few chairs separating him from the others, and he had his boots propped up on the table, leaning back slightly in his chair. His army jacket hung open and loose around a white wife beater, and the dog tags around his neck gleamed as he leaned forward, taking down his feet. This was the first time he spoke and judging from the sudden interest in his eyes this seemed to be the first time he had really payed attention to the conversation.
"Isn't that a bit harsh? What hero-boy did was bad, yes, but I've done way worse and you haven't kicked me out or confronted me about it. Isn't it unfair to judge him as any different? I mean his actions were ignorant and stupid, yeah, but he had good intentions."
Splendid looked with withdrawn appreciation at the bear. This man was not one he planned to be buddy-buddy with, but nor was he one he wanted to be on bad ends with. Despite the friendly gleam in the bear's silver eyes and the look of concern he adopted when hearing of the hero's exile, when the squirrel thought of this bear the first that came to mind was either maim, blood, or death. He had a savage side that even the hero disliked to see rear it's ugly head. It surprised him now that the veteran was sticking up for him, but suspicion clouded his judgment. What were his ulterior motives for helping him?
"The road to hell is pathed with good intentions," the anteater said in an undertone, not looking Flippy in the face as he spoke. He seemed to get a nervous twitch as he addressed the bear, but the green army veteran seemed ignorant to this.
"Sniffles is right," the orange bear commented ,not looking at Flippy. He was older and somewhat larger in stature then his distant kin, but this did not seem to matter when it came to who was in charge.
"Splendid may kill less people than you but it's not you who's doing it. Evil you isn't prone to causing the town millions in dollars for town repairs, nor do you run away from the blame. This seems like the only suitable punishment for him." The bear winced slightly as he finished speaking, looking away quickly. As he watched the actions of the older bear, it finally dawned upon Splendid just why they treated Flippy so different then him.
They fear him, Splendid thought with a burst of anger. Both he and Flippy were dangerous, but the difference was that he was bound by a moral code and couldn't be vengeful if he was wronged. Whereas if you mess with Flippy he goes yellow-eyed and carves out your face with a machete. The thought infuriated Splendid and he had to keep a still face to stop from showing it.
There came a moment of silence as a howling wind wracked the entire museum again, causing all inside to tense nervously. Despite the towns inability to die forever, death was still not a comforting thought, and instinctively they still wanted to do anything to prevent it.
"Well... right. Alright. But if you're going to punish him, start with a strike or something. Instead of kicking him out, why not make him fix all the damages and pay for them too?"
Splendid cast Flippy a horror struck look. It was better then banishment, yes, but being a hero wasn't exactly an amazing source of income. Being a reporter on the side wasn't profitable either.
"That...sounds fair," Sniffles said. "Wouldn't you agree, Pop?"
Pop nodded reluctantly. Flippy smiled at their acceptance, turning to look at Russell as if waiting for an answer. The otter looked at Flippy with withheld disgust, but closed his eye and nodded. Splendid was surprised the stubborn otter would give a damn what the veteran thought or did to him if he disliked his answer. But then he remembered rather vaguely that Russell was dating the green bear's younger sister and assumed that had some merit in the sailor's decision not to disagree.
"Good, then it's decided," Pop said. He turned to Splendid now, and pointed at the door, his voice firm as he commanded: "Get the hell out."