The seventh and final part of Sugar Sweet, enjoy! J

Warning: Contains Lifty X Nutty. If you don't like yaoi, then DON'T read it! Also, don't leave mean comments. Constructive criticism is alright though. When I wrote this I imagined them more human-like, but they still have animal characteristics.

Also, sorry if the characters are a little OOC (out of character).

Shifty finally caught up with Lifty just as he was about to go into the house. He could see even from a distance that Lifty was furious, and that he'd probably do something crazy. The raccoon boy ran up to Lifty.

Shifty: Lifty, what are you planning on doing? Your not going to go after Splendont are you?

Lifty: What do you think I'm going to do? It's not like I'm going to stand around while Splendont does who knows what to Nutty!

Shifty: That's suicide! Even worse then suicide! Splendont has all of Splendid's powers, and how many times have we been able to walk away from a meeting with Splendid?

Lifty: He has Nutty! If you were in my position what would you do?

Shifty: …

Lifty: Well, what would you do?! *angry*

Shifty: I don't know! I just don't know… All I do know is that it's crazy to go after Splendont like this. I understand how much Nutty means to you, I really do, but do you think he'd want you to die trying to save him?

Lifty stared at Shifty. Although he claimed to, Shifty could never understand how he felt, at least that what he thought. He turned to face the door.

Shifty: If you go after Splendont, don't expect me to follow you. *looks down*

Lifty: What? But Shifty, I thought that-

Shifty: I know what I said, but I'm not gonna die because you couldn't keep a stupid promise to some squirrel who's obsessed with everyone but you!

Lifty looked at Shifty confused. Everyone knew that he and Nutty cared about each other more then anything, so what was his brother getting at? He turned around and saw that Shifty's fedora was covering his eyes, and that he was trembling slightly. Lifty walked over to his brother. He lifted his hat up slightly and saw that he was crying.

Lifty: Shifty, are you… crying?

Shifty: It's nothing, really.

Lifty: What's got you so upset? If your that worried that I'll die then come with me.

Shifty: You really don't get it do you?! The reason I'm upset has nothing to do with you! I'm upset because you feel in love with some squirrel, just like I did!

Lifty: What?! But the only squirrels that live in happy Tree Town other then Nutty are Splendont and Splendid! W-wait, are you saying that you fell for one of them?

Shifty: Yeah, I did. I fell in love with Splendid. It was a month before I told him that, and surprisingly, he felt the same way. The only thing different about your relationship with Nutty and mine with Splendid is that, unlike you two, we didn't want anyone to know about it. We really cared about each other, but…

Lifty: But what?

Shifty: But one night, after dad had really beaten me up, Splendid offered to take me away from there. I refused, because I knew that you would never agree to come with me unless I told you the truth about the two of us. After that, things started to go downhill a little bit. We didn't really notice it at first, but slowly things were getting tense between us. It mainly happened after everyone who died started coming back to life. He became more and more determined to protect everyone, and started to care less and less about me. We fought with each other a lot, and eventually we just called the whole thing off.

Lifty: So that's why your so supportive of me and Nutty… Wow, I never would've guessed that you had feelings for Splendid. I-

Shifty: Have. I still have feelings for Splendid. I've tried not to care about him, but I can't help it. There's something about him that draws me to him like a freaking moth to a flame…like you to Nutty.

Lifty was more then a little surprised. He couldn't believe it, his brother was in love with Splendid, the one who had killed them so many times that he had to close his eyes whenever he thought about it. Shifty's face was red, his cheeks wet from crying. He wiped them on his sleeve, turned around, and started to walk away.

Lifty: Shifty, I'm sorry for what happened with you and Splendid, but I could really use your help for this. I've never done this sort of thing on my own before. I mean, there was that one time when me and Nutty started dating, but I had a shard of the kryptonut with me. Please, I'm not sure if I can do this on my own.

Shifty: …Sorry Lifty, but I've had enough of Splendid and anything related to him. If your gone for more then two hours I'll come looking for you, but other then that your on your own. Good luck, little bro.

Shifty continued to walk away, keeping his face hidden under his hat. Lifty stood there for a moment then went inside. He ran to his room and found the gun that Shifty had used to kill him the night he went nuts after he had killed their dad. He thought that it was weird that he still hadn't come back, but he didn't care about that at the moment. All he wanted was to find Nutty and save him. Lifty hid the gun in his back pocket and headed for the door.

Lifty: First, one quick stop.

Lifty went to the biggest hill he could find in the park. He held up a flashlight with a paper cut-out of Splendid's logo on it. Lifty pointed it towards the sky for a minute then turned it off and put it away. Not long after he heard Splendid's theme song and the super hero appeared shortly after.

Splendid: Never fear, Splendid the flying squirrel is here! *looks around* Um, where's the danger?

Lifty: I need you to help me save Nutty. I figured that with you there, at least the odds would be a little more even. Besides, you're the only one who knows where Splendont's base is hidden. Please, you're the only person I can turn to!

Splendid: As much as I want to save Nutty, even I have to know my limits. Although me and Splendont are pretty much the same person, he's a better fighter then I am. If we were to go fist to fist, he'd probably win. Besides, who knows what's happened to Nutty by now? For all we know, he could be dead.

Lifty: N-no, I won't believe that! If your not going to help me save Nutty, then at tell me where Splendont's base is!

Splendont: Lifty, I know that you love him, how do you know that he truly loves you back? How do you know that your not some experiment? I'm only saying this to save you from possibly making a huge mistake.

Lifty: …I know that he loves me because even when we're surrounded by other people, it's just the two of us. Sure he's obsessed with candy, but that's just something we'll have to live with. I mean, for a long time I was obsessed with steal, just like Shifty, but… just being around Nutty has made me a better person.

Splendid: Lifty…

Splendid landed next to Lifty and picked him up. Lifty was a little confused but didn't try to fight back. Splendid started flying towards the east side of town.

Lifty: Where are we going?

Splendid: We're going to Splendont's base. It's not like I could let you face Splendont on your own right?

Lifty: Huh? Your going to help me? But, why? I thought that you said that it was too dangerous.

Splendid: Don't get me wrong, I still think this is dangerous, but what you said just know… it made me realize a few things. Mainly that there's someone I need to apologize to once this is done.

A few minutes later the two landed near Splendont's base. It looked exactly like Splendid's except that the main colour was red instead of blue. Splendid explained that Nutty would probably be in a room beneath the base, and that it would be hard to get in.

Lifty: Well… maybe not as hard as you think. You see, me and Shifty once broke into your base and stole a few things while you weren't there. We found an air duct that leads into the lower levels of the building, so as long as the layout of Splendont's base is the same as yours I should be able to find him easily.

Splendid: What did you guys take?

Lifty: Let's see, a photo album, a wallet, and something else that I can't remember. Oh, by the way, here's your wallet back.

Lifty tossed an empty wallet to Splendid who put it in his back pocket. He then punched Lifty in the shoulder. Lifty rubbed his shoulder and looked at Splendid angrily.

Splendid: That's for stealing my stuff.

Lifty: Fair enough. Now let's go and save Nutty. *runs towards the base*

Splendid followed Lifty to the back of the building and saw that he was right, there was an air duct there. He had completely forgotten about it. Splendid used his laser eyes to get rid of it and then the two started crawling though the duct.

Lifty: Looks like it's the same so far. If we keep going this way we should get to the lower levels in no time.

Splendid nodded and continued to follow him. After a couple of minutes they reached a part of the duct that went downwards. Lifty and Splendid shifted their bodies around so that their legs faced forward and then slid (or jumped) down. When he got to the bottom the slightly younger raccoon boy pressed his feet against the sides of the cover and kicked hard several times, causing it to come loose.

He slid out of the duct, followed by Splendid. The two of them were in an area below the base. It looked like some kind of high-tech prison.

Lifty: What is this room for anyway?

Splendid: Well, in my base this room was designed to contain criminals that are too dangerous for regular law enforcers. The design of the room is a little different but I think this room was designed for the same purpose. Granted, with Splendont's strange personality change that might not be the case.

Lifty: I can't stand to think of Nutty in a place like this…Let's find him quickly.

Splendid nodded and the two started to look around. The room was larger then Lifty remembered it but the layout was the same. Just when it looked like they weren't going to find Nutty Lifty heard quiet sobbing come from one of the cells. He raced towards it. His eyes widen when he saw that it was Nutty, beaten up and his clothes ripped. He knees were pulled to his chest and his was crying.

Lifty: Nutty, it's me, Lifty. I'm here to save you!

Nutty: L-Lifty? *looks up*

As soon as Nutty saw that it was Lifty he stumbled towards him and hugged him though the bars, crying loudly. Lifty hugged him tightly, unable to hold back his tears. Lifty was disappointed with himself for not having gotten to Nutty sooner and mad at Splendont for hurting him.

Nutty: H-he…*sobs* I-I couldn't fight him, I-I…*crying*

Lifty: It's alright Nutty, you don't have to tell me what happened. I'm just glad that your alive, I thought that he'd kill you!

Nutty: *whispers* I-I wish he had.

Lifty felt Nutty tremble as he said that. Lifty hugged Nutty as close to him as he could though the bars. When Nutty saw Splendid standing behind Lifty his eyes widened and he screamed at the top of his lungs, pressing his back against the wall of cell.

Nutty: D-don't let him get me!

Lifty: Nutty calm down, it's just Splendid! Splendont isn't here right now, it's alright!

Nutty held his head and closed his eyes tightly as he remembered what Splendont did to him. The tears didn't stop as he recalled every single thing that happened.

Lifty and Splendid could do nothing but watch as Nutty cried in the corner of the cell. Lifty looked at his boyfriend, hating to see him so upset. He looked down at the ground.

Splendid: What has happened to Splendont? I mean, I don't like the guy any more then you do, but he'd never do this…

Lifty: Splendid, find the keys to this cell and bring them here, then get the hell away from me and Nutty.

Splendid: What? But I thought you said that you were going to kill Splendont if he hurt Nutty.

Lifty: I know what I said, but right now I've got something more important then revenge. I've got to get Nutty out of here. I remember the layout well enough that I should be able to avoid running into him.

Splendid: Alright, but even though your not going after him I will. I'm not going to stand here and let Splendont get away with this!

Lifty: Make sure you save a little action for me. Just because I'm not gonna kill Splendont right now doesn't mean that I'm not going to later.

Splendid nodded and raced off, a blue streak following him. He came back a second later with a key ring. Lifty took it and started trying the keys to see which unlocked the door.

Splendid: I guess I'll be off then. *starts to leave*

Lifty: …I know your hero code or whatever says that you have to protect people, but try not to make the same mistake twice, alright?

Splendid: *stops* Huh? What do you mean?

Lifty: Shifty told me the details. Now get going.

Nutty: H-he's in trouble too. I-I saw him here.

Splendid: Who?

Nutty: I-I saw Shifty. S-Splendont h-has him, too.

Splendid's eyes widened as he heard that Shifty was also in danger. Without thinking he raced off in a blue blur. Lifty finally unlocked the cage and ran towards Nutty, hugging the crying boy closely to him. He was doing his best to comfort Nutty, but he was also worried about his brother.

Lifty: It's okay Nutty, we're going to get out of here. I'm so sorry I couldn't get here sooner, but I promise that I won't let Splendont or anyone else ever hurt you again. It's going to be okay, you'll always be safe with me.

Nutty: L-Lifty, I-I lost the ring you gave me. I-It came off when Splendont kidnapped me. I-I'm sorry.

Lifty: That doesn't matter right now, what does is getting out of here alive. Come on, let's go.

Lifty picked Nutty up and started racing though the building. He wouldn't be able to get out though the air duct because it would be too hard for Nutty in his current condition. He did his best to remember the layout of the building. After a few minutes the two reached the ground floor and were making their way to the front door. Once they got though that Splendont wouldn't be able to get them without someone seeing them.

Splendid raced though the building, looking everywhere for Splendont. He knew that Shifty would be with him, where ever he was. He barged into one of the room and saw Splendont standing on a balcony, looking at the town below. He turned around and looked at Splendid, smiling.

Splendont: So, you finally showed up. I was beginning to worry.

Splendid: Where's Shifty? What have you done to him? *angry*

Splendont: Don't worry, he's safe. Well, for the moment anyway. I'm guessing you and Lifty found Nutty by now, right?

Splendid: Yes, and what you did to him is unforgivable! To hurt a criminal is one thing but to do that to an innocent child is inexcusable!

Splendont: In case your forgetting, he's a criminal by association. He's always around Lifty, a thief who has killed many people, including his own father. All I did was make sure that justice was served.

Splendid: People are killed by their friends everyday in Happy Tree Town, you know that as well as I do! Lifty might be a thief but it's not like he meant to kill those people!

Splendont: Just like Shifty? Face it Splendidiot, the only reason your defending those two is because you know that you're a criminal by association too. I know all about you and Shifty. I know how he broke up with you after that big fight the two of you had.

Splendid: I-I… what happened between Shifty and I has nothing to do with this! This is between you and me, right here, right now.

Splendont: So, this is where it all ends, is it?

Splendid: Looks like it. *clenches fists*

Splendont turned towards the balcony again. He sighed as he looked at the town.

Splendont: I guess I couldn't ask for a better place for this to happen.

Splendid: Let's finish this. *glares*

Splendont turned around quickly and punched Splendid in the gut. He quickly returned the favour by punching him in the face. The two threw punches and kicks at each other until Splendid managed to kick Splendont off of the balcony and onto the ground below. Splendont shot laser beams at Splendid, who easily avoided them and flew towards the red squirrel. He grabbed his neck and pinned him against a tree. The two looked at each other, panting. The fight had been anything but easy for either of them, and they were both covered in bruises, cuts, and burn wounds.

Splendid: Your off your game, usually you're a better fighter then this.

Splendont: I know, but I felt like going easy on you this time. I guess I underestimated you, no wonder that raccoon kept saying you'd save him.

Splendid: Shifty said that I'd save him?

Splendont: Well, up until I killed him that is. *grins smugly*

Splendid felt a tear roll down his cheek and tightened his grip on the red squirrel boy's neck. Splendont tried clawing at the other's hands but he was too weak from the fight.

Splendid: There's one thing I got to know before I kill you. Why did you do all of this? Frightening dozens of people, kidnapping and hurting Nutty, going against the hero's code, why?

Splendont: Your going to have to figure that one on your own Splendid.

He tilted his head slightly and coughed onto the ground. Splendont looked and saw that he had coughed up blood. He looked at Splendid for a moment and then gazed over at the setting sun, smiling slightly.

Splendont: I don't think I could've asked for a more beautiful sunset to appear at the end of all of this. It's kinda funny, now that I think about it, that I was destined to die at the hands of the one who freed me from that mirror. Ironic, isn't it? Do me one favour, will you?

Splendid: Why would I do a favour for someone who has done such horrible things to innocent people?

Splendont: At least listen to what I have to say. Tell everyone that…that I'm sorry for how I acted these past few months, and that *coughs* and that I won't be seeing them again…think you can remember that much Splendid?

Splendont slowly closed his eyes, still looking at the setting sun. Splendid felt his body go limp and let go of him. The red squirrel boy's body fell to the ground, his chest not moving. Splendid looked down at him for a moment then turned and walked away.

Splendid: Until we meet again, Splendont…

Nutty had fallen asleep in Lifty's arms. He had gotten out of the building just in time to see Splendid walking away from Splendont's lifeless body. He walked over to once Splendid was out of sight and pulled the gun he had hidden in his back pocket and pointed it towards Splendont's chest. He could tell that he was already dead, but he pulled the trigger anyway and sent a bullet strait though his chest. A few drops of blood splattered onto him, but he didn't notice. To him, it was more symbolic then anything now. He waited a few minutes and then put the gun back in his pocket and started walking back to town.

He reached the hospital about half an hour later. He was exhausted from carrying Nutty all the way there, and he was covered in bruises and cuts from getting though Splendont's security system. The most noticeable one was the large cut across his cheek which was bleeding. He walked inside the hospital, still holding on tightly to an emotionally and physically scarred Nutty. He saw Nutty's parents and some of the doctors in the waiting room.

Nutty's dad: I can't believe this has happened…

Lifty: That makes two of us.

Nutty's dad as well as the doctors that were talking to him and Nutty's mom looked over at Lifty. Nutty's mom started crying and raced over to him.

Nutty's mom: Nutty! L-Lifty, what happened to him?!

Lifty: He fell asleep on the way here, but more importantly he's badly hurt, and I'm not too sure about how stable he is emotionally at the moment. Can you get one of the doctors to take a look at him, to make sure he's alright?

Nutty's mom: Of course, but what about you? Your bleeding and there's blood on your shirt.

Lifty: Don't worry about me, just make sure Nutty's alright.

Lifty handed Nutty over to one of the doctors, slipping the ring he had given Nutty back onto his finger before they took him. Lifty started telling the doctors, as well as Nutty's parents, what had happened, skipping the details about his brother having fallen in love Splendid. As soon as he finished, he collapsed, too tired to even stand anymore. One of the doctors caught him and took Lifty to make sure he was alright.

Nutty's dad stood there watching everything happen. He couldn't believe that the boy he had been so rude to risked his life to save his son. Nutty's mom walked over to him, her arms crossed.

Nutty's mom: Well, is Lifty good enough for our son now? Now that he's risked his life to save to save Nutty? To think, all of this might've been avoided if you had only let them go on that date.

Nutty's dad sat down and thought about what Lifty had told him had happened.

Two hours later, Lifty finally woke up. He was lying in a bed next to the one that Nutty was in. He put a hand to his cheek and felt that the cut had been stitched up. He looked over at Nutty, still sleeping, and smiled. He had done it, he had saved him from Splendont.

He walked over to Nutty and sat on the edge of his bed. He held Nutty's hand and waited for him to wake up. An hour later, Nutty finally started to open his eyes. He rolled his head over to look at Lifty.

Nutty: Lifty, where are we? Are we dead?

Lifty: No, we're alive. We made it out of there alive. We're at the hospital right now, we've been out for a while now. *holds Nutty's hand with both of his*

Nutty: *looks at hand* The ring, it's back. But, how? I thought that it was lost forever.

Lifty: That's a little bit of a long story, but in a nutshell Splendid found it and gave it to me after I told him what it means to me.

Nutty: And what does it mean to you?

Lifty: It means that, no matter where we are, we'll always find each other. It means that even if one of us is dead, we'll always be together. Most importantly, it means that as long as I can see you, I'll always have a reason to live. I love you more then anything Nutty, you make me a better person, and you actually treat me like one. Others treat me and my brother like trash half of the time, but you don't.

Nutty: I love you too Lifty. I'm never scared when your around, your always willing to do more then you have to for me. Your always there for me when I'm upset or angry or, well, your always there for me, no matter what. You've saved my life, even though you could've died trying. I don't think anyone else would've done that for me, not even my parents.

The two smiled slightly as Nutty sat up and looked directly into Lifty's eyes. There was no doubt in either of their minds that the other loved him as much as he loved them. The two closed their eyes and leaned in close to each other until their lips brushed against the others and they kissed, leaving the two without a care in the world.

The End.