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 64:

64 – REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

A smiling Anna Ride appeared in front of the Council. She seemed to be sitting on something not visible. As soon as the communicator was activated she looked forward and waved.

"Hi there" she said lightly, "I'm sorry I couldn't make the party. Is everything all right?"

"Anna!" exclaimed Mayor King, "are you okay?"

"Why sure" Mrs. Ride said, "just fine. Couldn't be better."

"We thought you were a prisoner" said Dane.

"I was" said Anna Ride, "but I'm not now. Look."

Anna Ride stood up. The Council was now able to see that the object she was sitting on was actually the body of Dunster, who appeared to have been knocked out, as well as being bound and gagged. Barry began to laugh on seeing this.

"Everyone underestimates Anna Ride" he said, "just as I told Loco, it was the Marauders who were really the ones in danger. And voila!"

"What happened?" asked the mayor, addressing the holographic figure.

"You don't think I'm so weak as all that?" said Anna Ride.

"We don't" said the mayor, "but obviously the Marauders did, and apparently still do" she added as she looked over at Zarkwon Du who seemed frozen in place with his jaw having dropped several inches at what he was seeing.

"I know that" said Anna Ride lightly, "and I let them think so the whole time they had me prisoner, even though I could have escaped whenever I liked. But I wanted to see if I could find out what they were up to first. Dunster here was listening to your conference via holographic receiver, so I could hear everything too. When I heard his partner propose his so-called "game" I decided that the time had finally come to, ahem, make myself a little less vulnerable, so to speak. So I slipped out of my bonds just as easy as you could wish, and quickly put myself in charge of the situation. Mr. Dunster never saw it coming. But I wasn't cruel. One swift blow to the right spot and he dropped at once. He probably didn't even feel anything. Nothing could have been simpler. I mean, you didn't really think I couldn't handle one teensy, tiny, enormously huge Marauder, did you?"

"Not at all" said Mayor King, who was starting to laugh herself, "I must admit I was worried for a while, but we really do know you better than that. I'm sorry now if I had any doubts. Did you summon security?"

"Oh yes" said Anna Ride, "they should be here any minute." Suddenly she turned more serious. "What about my husband?" she asked.

"He's still in the hospital" said Dane, "but he'll be all right."

"Get here as soon as you can" said the mayor, "we want to hear all about your adventure. So Zarkwon Du" she continued, turning to the Marauder, "it looks like your little scheme has failed. Are you ready to surrender?" The mayor was grinning as she spoke, but the grin froze on her face. Zarkwon Du had backed away from the table, his blaster in his hand pointing in the Council's direction. The expression on his face was terrible.

"I can't believe my plan fell apart" he snarled, "but you all won't laugh about it. If I can't bring XL-Jack-3 a teleporter I can at least bring him the news that I killed all of the city councillors. Make no mistake, none of you are leaving this room alive."

Flippy was immediately on his feet, causing Zarkwon Du to swing his way. Before anyone could move Zarkwon Du fired his blaster, but Flippy, trained as he was, deftly avoided the shot.

"Don't think you can scare us that easily" growled Flippy, "we're not as defenseless as all that."

"Obviously that's true if you could avoid my shot" said Zarkwon Du, "but this blaster is fully powered up, and I doubt all of you can avoid all of my shots until it empties – ARGH!" Zarkwon Du gave a scream, dropped his blaster, and clutched his hand, which was now blistering with new burns. Splendid had taken the opportunity to shoot his hand with his heat ray while the Marauder was focused on Flippy.

"Thanks" said Flippy to Splendid.

"Any time" said Splendid to Flippy.

Flippy and Splendid began to move toward Zarkwon Du but the Marauder, seeing the situation so completely turned against him, decided not wait for them. He turned around to flee, only to find Fresko blocking the exit, his claws fully bared, and a battle snarl on his face.

"Going somewhere?" Fresko asked Zarkwon Du.

"You" said Zarkwon Du, "I know you! You're that cat who defeated Durago! Where did you come from?" (Remember that Fresko, not being a member of the Council, had not been present at the meeting until then.)

"I received an invite" said Fresko who, without taking his eyes off of Zarkwon Du, glanced at Barry who nodded back. Zarkwon Du saw this and looked at Barry with fury.

"So that's what you were doing under the table when you were fidgeting earlier" he spat at Barry, "you were calling him."

"It seemed like a good idea" said Barry.

"Why you treacherous little devil!" roared Zarkwon Du (well what he actually said was "why you ****-******* ******-******* little ****!" but since that sentence can't be repeated in polite conversation we will pretend that he really did say "why you treacherous little devil!") as he lost all control and launched himself across the room at the teenager.

He never got near Barry. Flippy intercepted him and with one blow of his mighty right front paw knocked Zarkwon Du right out. The Marauder dropped like a stone and lay still on the floor.

(To Be Continued)