Fred and Barney got sent to after-school detention as punishment for their pets following them to school.

"Great, my first day and I've already got detention." Barney remarked.

"That ain't the half of it, kid." said Fred.

"Move it, you bums!" said Nate Slate, the school hall monitor.

"Alright, Slate! We get it!" Fred said, annoyed. "You don't have to remind every second!"

"Quit backtalk, Flinstone!" Slate blew his whistle.

The boys finally made it to the detention room.

"Here they are, Mr. Granite." Slate said. "The two troublemakers who brought those dumb animals to school."

"Excellent work, Nate." said Mr. Granite. "Here's a gold star."

"Thank you, sir." Slate said smugly. "Have fun in dentition, boys."

As soon as Slate left, the teacher started reading a news stone tablet.

"So, I'm Fred. Fred Flintstone." Fred whispered to Barney.

"Barney. Barney Rubble." Barney whispered. "I think I saw you when we first moved into the neighborhood."

"Yeah, you're the kid who moved in next door." Fred nodded.

"Shhh." Mr. Granite whispered. "No talking."

As soon as detention was over, Fred and Barney walked home with their respective pets in tow.

"...and that's how you cook the perfect bronto steak." Barney finished talking.

"Wow, I never would have guessed that." Fred said in awe. "Say Barney, you wanna come over and play? I've got a new bowling set I've been dying to try out."

"Bowling? Did you say, bowling?" asked Barney.

"Yeah, I did, why?" Fred raised an eyebrow.

"I've always to try bowling, but my folks say it's too dangerous." Barney explained.

"Why? Are they afraid you'll stub your toe or something?" asked Fred.

"No, they don't want to end up paying for damages I might do." Barney chuckled.

Fred and Barney set up the bowling pins in Fred's front yard.

"Okay Barney, just watch and learn as I throw this perfect strike." Fred picked up the bowling ball.

Fred stood on his tip toes and rolled the ball, but only managed to knock down all but two pins.

"Aww, too bad, Fred." Barney shrugged. "Almost."

"I don't think so!" Fred picked up the ball again and it up in the air, causing the ball to split into two and knock down the remaining pins.

"Wow Fred, that was amazing." Barney chuckled. "I always knew you were good at splitting."

"Very funny." Fred deadpanned. "I'm gonna go get some glue to put this ball back together. You set up the pins again."

As soon as Fred went inside to put the ball back together, Barney set up the pins.

"I bet I could make one of those shots." He thought.

Barney set up the bowling pins again and picked up another ball.

"Here we go..." He thought.

Barney mimicked Fred's bowling technique and hit himself a perfect strike.

"And on the first try!" He said.

Just then, a pin rolled out of the yard and landed in the middle of the road, so Barney went to get it. As he was picking it up, he didn't see a car coming right near him. Dino saw the car and ran inside to warn Fred.

"Ruff! Ruff!" Dino barked at Fred, who accidentally squirted more glue than he needed in surprise.

"What do you want, Dino?" Fred demanded. "I'm kinda busy here."

"Ruff! Ruff!" Dino tugged on Fred's loin cloth and took him outside.

"Look Dino!" Fred turned up. "If you wanna go, just-BARNEY! LOOK OUT!"

Fred ran at breakneck speed and saved Barney from getting run over in the nick of time.

"Barney, you okay?" asked Fred.

"Fred...you...you saved my life!" Barney gasped.

"Of course I did." Fred said. "That car was gonna run you over. It was nothing."

"No Fred, it was something!" Barney insisted. "You saved my life, and on my honor as a caveman, it's my obligation to stay by your side until I truly return the favor."

"Now Barney, this really isn't necessary." Fred shook his head.

"Not a word, Freddy." Barney shushed his new neighbor. "I am in debt to you and from this day forth, I will be your trusty companion in all things. Wherever you go, I will go. Whatever you do, I will do. There isn't anything that can make me leave your side."

"Barney! Time for dinner!" Barney's mother called out.

"Except for that!" Barney proclaimed. "See you tomorrow, Fred!"

"See ya, Barn." Fred walked back into his house.

Author's Note:

I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Now that Fred has saved Barney's life, his life will never be the same again. Stay tuned.