Standard disclaimer: I do not own the Happy Tree Friends; they are the property of Mondo Media. I own only my own characters and this story. Now here's chapter 4:

4 – SCOUTING WITH FLIPPY AND SPLENDID

While Toothy and the others were making plans in the city Flippy and Splendid were investigating the area where Barry had encountered the Marauder scout. Flippy was an experienced soldier who had fought bravely during the last Marauder invasion. He was a bear of considerable size and often found his appearance helpful in scaring his opponents. However he had suffered certain injuries in the war. He never talked about them with anyone, but they had affected him a lot. He was sometimes prone to flashbacks, at which time he would believe that he was back in the middle of the war fighting for his life. When these flashbacks occurred he could become a very dangerous person to be around. For this reason Splendid had been assigned to be his constant companion to keep him from harming others during his flashbacks.

Splendid was a lot smaller than Flippy, and at first glance you might have thought that there was no way the little creature could control him. However Splendid was a super-powered flying squirrel. Not only could he fly, but his strength was tremendous. He also had the power to shoot intense rays of heat from his eyes, and several other as yet undetermined powers. He was able to control Flippy even when the bear was in an enraged state. Fortunately Flippy's flashbacks had become a lot less frequent in recent months as his mind recovered its strength so Splendid didn't have to control him very often anymore. Nevertheless he continued to keep an eye on Flippy just the same.

They actually made a very good fighting team. On the ground Flippy could fight just about any enemy he met. If he had trouble Splendid could support him from the air both with his heat rays and (if necessary) his strength. Also from the air he could spot danger early and warn Flippy.

It didn't take them long to reach the place where Barry had fought the scout. The area just outside the city was hilly and mostly bare. They found the scout in the bottom of a shallow valley. Its camouflaged appearance would have made it difficult to see under normal circumstances but Flippy, who was experienced in ground warfare, spotted the body easily. The scout had a human shape, but it was not human, nor was it robotic. It was an android combination of the two and it was bent backwards in a very unnatural position even for an android. It was quite clearly dead.

"Yes" said Flippy looking at it grimly, "it's an I-class scout all right."

"How can you tell?" asked Splendid, landing beside him.

"They're the only ones who use camouflage" answered Flippy, "Marauders don't usually use secrecy unless they're planning something big, which, in a way, is lucky for us. Hopefully we have time to prepare a defense."

"Do you think a full scale invasion is coming?"

"Maybe. Why don't you fly around a bit and see if you find anything? But try not to be seen."

Splendid took to the air. Since he was blue he blended in with the sky fairly well. After a short time Flippy lost him against the glare of the sun. He waited.

After about twenty minutes Splendid returned, flying much faster than he was when he had left. He landed abruptly.

"We need to get back to the city, and fast!" he cried.

"What did you see?"

"There's a huge army of Marauders not far from here. They're out of sight of the city, but they're there. I've never seen so many; every Marauder within a thousand kilometers must be there."

"Did they see you?" asked Flippy anxiously.

"I don't think so, but Flippy, XL-Jack-3 is there."

"You saw him?" Flippy gasped, startled.

"Yes, only from a distance, but there's no mistake. It was definitely XL-Jack-3."

"This is much more serious than we realized," said Flippy, "Was the Marauder army moving?"

"No. They just seemed to be doing routine stuff."

"There might still be time. Let's get back."

"It'll be faster if I carry you" said Splendid. Flippy nodded so Splendid grabbed the bear's front paws and hauled him into the air, flying rapidly back to the city. Upon arrival they went straight to Toothy's office where they found the beaver anxiously awaiting their report.

"We are in big trouble" said Toothy when he heard what they had to say, "the Council will have to take action quickly. I'll need you two at the meeting to tell the others what you've told me."

"When?" asked Flippy.

"Right now" said Toothy. He activated his communicator and sent an emergency summons to the other Council members.

(To Be Continued)