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 55:

55 – HEADING EAST

And so it was agreed. The Flying City Council readily accepted Cuddles' and Sniffles' proposal for a technology trade, Barry was quite willing to go with Sniffles to the Animal City, and Virgil and Robot made tentative plans to begin showing Cuddles the inner workings of the flying systems. To cut down on the possible dangers of travel it was decided that Barry and Sniffles would teleport across the continent the very next day.

Early the next morning, after saying good-bye to Dane, Barry went with Sniffles to meet Cuddles and Fresko at the landing bay where Fresko kept his flyer. Barry was not surprised to see that Flippy and Toothy had also come to see them off.

"I Wish I was going with you" said Flippy, "I haven't seen my grandfather in a year. Give my regards to him, okay?"

"Sure" said Barry, shaking the bear's paw.

"Wish I could go too" said Toothy, "I wouldn't mind a bit of a vacation."

"Some vacation!" snorted Sniffles, "I'm going to be closeted with the Mole the whole time."

"It'll be worth it" said Cuddles, "trust me on this."

"How soon until the portal's ready?" asked Fresko.

"As soon as Flaky sends word" said Cuddles, "should be any minute."

There was a silence while they all waited.

"By the way" said Cuddles to Barry, "I heard that you lived in the Animal City for a while."

"That's right" said Barry, "Flippy's grandfather took care of me for three years."

"Is it true that he actually adopted you?" asked Cuddles.

"Yeah that's true" said Barry with a laugh, "but both he and Dane eventually decided I should come back here and be around other humans."

"Wow" said Cuddles, "that's mind blowing. Does that officially make you Flippy's uncle?"

It was probably just as well that the signal from Flaky came through at that moment because both Barry and Flippy had turned towards Cuddles with identical facial expressions which quite clearly said "Just do your job and shut up."

Sniffles stepped into the teleport beam. Barry followed him. The landing bay at Metramegopolis disappeared and was immediately replaced by a receiver station in the Mole's office. As Sniffles and Barry exited the station Flaky, who was operating it, switched it off.

The two travelers looked around. The Mole was present behind his desk. He was alone in the office except for Flaky who was now packing up the receiver station. The Mole got up and came round to greet the two travelers. Although the Mole was a small animal his office, like all Animal City Architecture that wasn't strictly privately residential, had been built so the larger animals could enter comfortably. Neither Barry nor Sniffles had any problems standing up.

"Welcome to the Animal City" said the Mole to Sniffles, "You are Sniffles, I presume?"

"Yes" said Sniffles, "it's a pleasure to meet you at last."

"Thank you" said the Mole, "I hope you had a good trip?"

"What trip?" asked Sniffles with a laugh.

"I thought so" said the Mole, "we have a lot of work to do and we should get to it as soon as we can. I have arranged for you to stay with me for more efficient working conditions."

Sniffles nodded. The Mole turned to Barry.

"Welcome back Barry" said the Mole, "you've grown a lot since I saw you last."

"Thanks" said Barry, "it's good to be back. It's been a long time."

"Loco is on his way over here to pick you up" said the Mole, "he'd be here now, but Handy needed to see him about something – ah, I think that's him."

At that moment the door to the Mole's office opened and Loco came in followed by Handy. Loco went straight to Barry and gave him what can only be described as a real bear hug (sorry).

"Am I glad to see you!" said Loco warmly to Barry before releasing him, "let me look at you. Oh yes, you have grown! You look good." Loco turned to Handy, "doesn't he look good Handy?"

"Indeed" said Handy, "especially when I remember how small he was six years ago when he left us. I bet the ladies are throwing themselves at you right and left!" Barry blushed.

"Please" said Loco, "he's still only 15 – my, my, aren't you turning red! It's true then, is it?"

"I have a girlfriend" said Barry quietly.

"What did I tell you?" said Handy, giving Loco a dig with his elbow, "what'll you be like when you're 18?"

"I think that's enough Handy" said Loco, "let's not embarrass the boy too much."

"Sorry" said Handy, but he was smiling.

"Come on, let's go home" said Loco to Barry, "these guys are all busy right now, and you and I have a lot of catching up to do."

Bidding good-bye to the others, Loco and Barry left the Mole's office.

(To Be Continued)