As always the standard disclaimer applies: I do not own the Happy Tree Friends; they are the property of Mondo Media. In addition the character of Fresko the Feline belongs to Deviant Art user Yoshi Lord. I own only my own characters and this story.
Now here's chapter 47:
47 – WARRIOR PRACTICE
Toothy and Fresko took the nearest lift up to the highest level of the city. From there they went to a nearby roof access ramp and walked up to one of the doors that let out onto the city roof.
The first thing Fresko saw when he got onto the roof was a completely flat plain that stretched on and on for several kilometers. Although he had been up here before on previous visits to the city he had never quite gotten used to the roof as a roof, and not as some large level plain on the ground. It was only when he got to the city's edge and was able to see off the side that he accepted that he was not actually on the ground. This impression was fairly common to people visiting the city roof for the first few times.
The second thing Fresko saw was two figures in the near distance, apparently locked in combat. The first he recognized at once as Flippy; the second was a human teen who looked familiar but Fresko couldn't quite place him. Fresko looked at Toothy but the other motioned for him to be quiet. As the two animals watched Flippy pulled out a blaster and began firing at the human (it was Barry), who began dodging the shots with a precision that Fresko appreciated at once.
"I didn't know Flippy was teaching this technique to humans now" he murmured to Toothy.
"He's not" said Toothy, "Flippy's been Barry's teacher for years, but Barry actually worked a lot of this technique out on his own. When Flippy learned about it he decided to give Barry formal lessons in it."
"He's good" said Fresko, watching Barry dodge the shots, "he looks familiar. Have I met him?"
"You have" said Toothy, "he carried you off the battlefield at the end of the last war when you were wounded."
"Oh yes" said Fresko, "I remember. He came and saw me in the hospital while I was recovering. Nice kid."
Toothy nodded, and they both continued watching the practice. After a few minutes Barry reached Flippy and grabbed the blaster away from him. There was a short silence and then Flippy bowed to Barry who bowed back. Toothy began to clap his front feet, causing both combatants to look towards him and Fresko.
"Nice moves" said Toothy, "if everyone in the city could do that we would have the Marauders beat in no time. Boys, we have a visitor I think you'll be glad to see." Fresko came forward. Flippy immediately came to greet him.
"Fresko!" Flippy said, holding out a front paw, "I heard you were coming. Welcome back! Haven't seen you since the end of the last war."
"Thanks Flippy" said Fresko, touching paws with the bear, "it's good to see you too. Your grandfather says hello, hopes that you're well, and that you'll be able to come visit him some time."
"I'd love to" said Flippy, "but who knows when that might happen?"
"It'll happen eventually" said Barry coming up to the others, "sooner or later we'll reach the Animal City and then you can just go down to the ground and say hello."
"True, but that's still a ways off" said Toothy, "oh Barry, you remember Fresko?"
"Of course I do" said Barry, holding out a hand, "we were on the battlefield together at the end of the last war. When I saw you fighting you were moving so fast I thought there were three of you."
"Well I did have my claws full with Durago at the time" said Fresko, "if the battle hadn't ended when it did we might have killed each other then and there."
"As it was" said Barry, "I saw you take his eye out, and then – "
"Yes I remember" said Fresko, "he cut me, but the Marauders fled just then so the issue wasn't settled, and you carried me off the field."
"I understand that the issue with Durago has since been settled" said Barry.
"Yes" said Flippy giving Fresko a salute, "we heard all about it from my grandfather. Good work Captain."
"Thanks" said Fresko saluting back, then he looked at Barry "we saw some of your practice just now. I'm impressed with your skills. You dodge blaster shots well."
"Thanks" said Barry, "I try."
"Don't be modest" said Flippy to Barry before saying to Fresko, "I've been working with him since he was a lot younger, just like Loco worked with you. He's become quite a fighter, and not just as a dodger of blaster shots. He's good at physical fighting too."
"I've still got a long way to go" said Barry in a subdued voice.
"Maybe" said Flippy giving Fresko and Toothy a knowing look, "you know, you've been practicing with me for so long that maybe it's time you practiced with someone else for once. Just to see how you do."
"What, you mean him?" said Barry indicating Fresko; he had understood Flippy's look at once, "oh no, I'm no match for Captain Fresko. He's a top fighter."
"Yes," said Flippy, "but it wouldn't hurt to test your developing skills. You can learn as much from a loss as from a victory, often more."
"I know" said Barry hesitantly, "you've often said that and I believe it. But this is Fresko! He's as good as you!"
"I think" said Flippy, starting to back away, and motioning for Toothy to do the same, "that someday you might also be that good – if you're willing to learn from as many places as you can. Think of it as a test. Sooner or later you have to pass it. If not now, then take notes for next time."
"I'm up for it" said Fresko, "as long as it's a friendly match, right?"
"Oh yes" said Flippy, "bare-handed or pawed. No weapons. Whoever immobilizes his opponent first wins. Okay?"
"Well, okay" said Barry, taking a deep breath and stepping forward to face Fresko.
(To Be Continued)