Chapter 3

I own nothing of Happy Tree Friends. All credit goes to Mondo Media.

Later that day, the Tree Friends were called in for a conference concerning what their plan of action was. Sitting in a dome-shaped room, the group waited for their leaders nervously, and glanced around for a sign of them. A few of them noticed the distraught parents, and couldn't help but feel sympathy: Giggles kept her distance as Handy held a crying Petunia, who was on the verge of screaming for the second time that day, Sniffles was making sure that the twitching Nutty didn't bite his hands again because he didn't have candy, Flaky was holding onto a stuffed red porcupine that belonged to Ruby while Flippy had an arm wrapped around him. Fliqpy leaned back with his feet on the table and crossed arms. From one side of the room, Russell was facedown on the table with arms stretched out in front of him while Lumpy had his elbows on the table with folded hands. He looked over at the former pirate and cautiously stroked his hair. Russell gazed at him with a grayish-red color in his eye and then turned away.

Double doors opened and the group looked up to see a man with dirty blonde hair and dressed in black enter the room, followed by two other men with dark hair while the third also had dirty blonde hair. They sat down at a table that was set in front of the group and glanced around. "I take it you heard what had happened." The dark blonde stated with folded arms.

"Some of us were there, Evershed," Lumpy replied in a monotone voice. "And unlike you, some of us actually want to know what's become of our kids." Evershed took one gaze at the former pirate before speaking again. "Anyway, I have called you all here to discuss the matter of the terrorists."

"Can I ask something?" Splendont spoke up with a hand in the air and a blank look. "Where the hell did these terrorists even come from?"

"And why are they here?" Toothy asked with a risen eyebrow. "That's all I care about."

"Screw their motives," Handy spoke up from his seat. "I just wanna know why they took the kids."

"Is it wrong to want to know both?" Lammy asked. "Maybe their motives are the reason why they took the kids."

"If everyone would settle down, then I'll be able to tell you," Evershed interrupted the group, having everyone turn in his direction and quiet down. He let out a breath and leaned back. "Now, this organization originated in a nearby town. As you may know, the curse has been spreading uncontrollably, and unfortunately, that town is now a victim."

"So the Curse is the cause of this?" Cuddles asked from beside Toothy, holding onto the violette's hand for possible comfort. Evershed shook his head in response. "This organization has apparently heard word of the Curse, and had somehow found out that this is where it originated."

"So they're thinking that if they can find out what caused the Curse, then they can get rid of it?" Truffles asked, sitting up from the slumped position in his seat.

"And they think it has something to do with the kids?" Giggles continued.

"Okay, that's honestly the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Splendid joined in the conversation with crossed arms, looking over the group with a lifted eyebrow. "Why would the kids have anything to do with this? The curse has been around before they were born. We've all been around long enough to know."

"Maybe we're all thinking this the wrong way," Everyone turned to see that Mole had spoken up, despite never talking at conferences. He had a hand under his chin as he glanced down to think. "What if, instead of coming here to stop the Curse, they found a way to counter it. And because this is the place where it came from, they want to test it out on us first. Who else better than the ones who can't defend themselves?"

"Thinking about it like that makes a bit of sense," Cuddles responded. "And targeting the kids might be their way of punishing us for having the Curse. The only real question is where they are."

"Who are they anyway?" Disco Bear asked, not looking up from the mirror he was holding. Evershed spoke up to answer. "From what I have heard, this organization is known as the Dick Squad." Fliqpy snorted in response before he started to laugh. "What the fuck kind of name is that?" He snickered. "Did it come from their personalities or what?"

"Let's not worry about the name for now," Splendont responded to him. "We need to focus on the kids."

"Then why the hell are we all here?" Everyone turned to the former pirate, who glanced up at the group with a dead look in his eye. He rose from his position of laying on the table and placed his head in the palm of his hand. "If what everyone is saying true, then they could be dead while we're sitting here."

"Try to think positive," Lifty responded from the other side of the room. "We don't know if they're gone, so there might be a chance."

"I don't want to hear shit from you," Russell snapped in response and shot a glare towards the thief in anger. "You got your kids back while the rest of us are wondering where the hell the others are." No one could blame the bluenette for what he was saying; they knew his hysteria caused him to say negative comments and nonsense, even if he didn't mean it. Lumpy pulled him back before he jumped over a table to attack someone because of his current state of mind. "Russell."

"I was just saying," Russell retorted while turning away from his husband. "But don't come crying to me if they end up dead." The gray hue had completely covered the crimson in his eye, and Lumpy feared that he might say something that would get himself killed. Russell turned to Evershed with a glare and stood up. "Why the hell are we even doing here anyway? You're not going to do anything to help, so why call us all here!? Not like you want to help us anyway."

A gunshot rang in the air as Russell fell to the side in Lumpy's arms, gripping his right shoulder tightly as blood ran down his arm. Evershed glanced to his right and saw one of the raven-haired men lower a gun, and he sighed in response. "That wasn't necessary, but thank you Kenn," He turned back to the Tree Friends, ignoring the former pirate's glare. "We shall continue this tomorrow." With that, he and the other three men left the room, and the crowd began to make their way home.

Russell set an empty mug on the coffee table and leaned back to stare at the ceiling, feeling the aftermath of the bullet to the shoulder. Luckily, the wound only lasted for an hour, but the pain left behind took longer to fade. He closed his eye with a quiet sigh, hearing the water in the bathroom shut off. A few minutes later, Lumpy arrived in the room wearing a shirt and sweatpants and a towel around his neck. He gave the former pirate a comforting look before walking over to sit next to him. "Have you calmed down a bit?" Russell opened his eye to glance at the bluenette, leaning forward and folding his hands. "My daughter has been kidnapped by a terrorist group, I have no idea where she is, our leaders won't do jack shit, and you're asking if I'm calm?"

Lumpy scratched the back of his head and Russell got to his feet with a glare. "You act like you don't care! You think everything is fine and dandy, but tell me that when she's dead! I wish you would open your eyes and realize how serious this is!" Lumpy stood up as well, but keeps himself from hugging the other male. "Russell, I already know how bad this is, and I know how worse it's gonna get. But thinking negatively is just gonna make things worse. I try to think positive because I'm about to lose my mind. I don't want you doing the same."

With silence from the former pirate, Lumpy proceeded to make his way upstairs until he felt a tug on his shirt. "Hold me." The bluenette turned around to see tears once again and Russell tighten his grip. "Lumpy please." Lumpy slowly wrapped arms around him and pulled him close, and instantly, Russell latched onto him and cried. The bluenette kissed the top of his head to soothe him and rubbed his back. "We'll get her back. I promise." A tighter hug was his only response, and Lumpy pulled away to peck him on the lips.

In a matter of seconds, the two had thrown each other on the bed, and in no time, they moved against each other in sync. It was natural for the two of them to relieve each other in hopes of blowing off the steam they had. Lumpy leaned forward to cup both of the former pirate's cheeks, bringing their lips together for a kiss as his thumb snuck under the eyepatch. Russell wiggled in protest, but the taller male ignored him and threw the patch towards the floor. Lumpy broke the kiss to gaze into his eyes, specifically at the blind eye that the bluenette always kept hidden. He watched it snap shut as his hips rocked at a harder and faster pace, and open again with a glossy look. He watched hands grip the sheets with tight pleasure, legs wrapping around his waist with desperation, and lips begging to be kissed with need. Russell turned away so the taller bluenette couldn't see his eye, but Lumpy tilted his face so their eyes could meet. "Don't hide from me," He muttered. "Only I get to see this."

Lumpy's only response was a moan as Russell's prostate was struck again and again, which prevented him from speaking. The taller bluenette could feel his release begin to creep up on him, and he could tell that Russell was close based on the tightness surrounding him. He grabbed Russell by the chin and pulled him forward for a final kiss as they reached climax.

It didn't take long for the two to clean up and settle into bed, Lumpy holding the other close and kissing his cheek. He felt Russell tremble somewhat, and he tightened his grip to calm him. "It's gonna be okay," He muttered in his ear. "Don't worry."

Flippy rose from his seat next to the red-head when he heard a knock on his front door. He gave Flaky a peck on the cheek before going to answer it, opening the door to see his doppelgänger with a slight glare. "Don't give me that look." Flippy said as Fliqpy stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. Fliqpy turned to the greenette and crossed his arms. "So, tell me why I'm here."

"I'm gonna head out to get some info about the kids, so I need you to stay with Flakes until I get back." Fliqpy gave him a look of disbelief and lifted an eyebrow. Flippy sighed in response, knowing what kind of reactions he would get from his doppelgänger, so he wasn't surprised to his facial expressions. "I ain't a fucking babysitter. Can't you take him with you?"

"You really think he'll want to go with me to somewhere potentially dangerous?" Flippy asked with a hand on his hip and lowered eyes. "This is Flaky we're talking about; He'll be too scared to go along," He heard his other half scoff under his breath and turn away, and he smiled in return. "Come on, I know you don't like seeing him like this either."

"You don't know that." Fliqpy retorted, but the faint blush on his cheeks told the veteran otherwise. He sighed and led Fliqpy into the living room, being welcomed by Flaky resting his head on a pillow. He seemed unfazed at Fliqpy's presence once he spotted the two, and went back to cuddling the plush porcupine in his arms. Flippy stepped over to him and knelt in front of him so they gazed at eye level. "Listen Flakes, I'm gonna be gone for a while to get some insight on where the kids are," In an instant, Flaky's eyes widened and wrapped arms around the greenette, quietly whimpering in the crook of his neck and tightening his hug. Flippy sighed and pulled him away by the waist. "I'll be back soon, so don't worry." He gave the red-head a gentle kiss before pulling away and moving towards the door, stopping where his doppelgänger stood. "I swear to the Cursed Idol if I see anything on him, whether it be a cut or a hickey if you tried, I will kill you."

"Yeah yeah." Fliqpy waved his hand slightly, and Flippy gave him a slight glare before leaving the house. Fliqpy looked over at the distraught red-head, and sat next to him with a sigh. "Look, I'm not the kind of person that would use comforting words, but your kid will be fine. I think your boyfriend can handle a few terrorists." He heard no response, and saw that Flaky had curled up into a slight ball and apparently didn't hear him. Fliqpy lowered his eyes and proceeded to lift the red-head off of the couch and into his lap, surprised that Flaky didn't flinch or look to see who was holding him. Flaky nuzzled into the greenette and closed his eyes. "You're warm." He muttered with another nuzzle, causing Fliqpy to blush and pull his beret over his eyes. "Just get some sleep." He responded as he turned away.

Sniffles ran a hand through messy hair as he stared at his laptop screen and groaned in frustration. He had been searching for information about the terrorist organization, but unfortunately, he had no luck on useful facts. He leaned back and pushed up his glasses and crossed his arms, hearing the door open on his left. He turned to see Nutty enter the room with a concerned look. "You've been in here for hours, and I wanted to see if you were alright." He crawled onto the bed to hug the blue-haired man from behind, nuzzling into the place between his shoulder blades with a small sigh. Sniffles held both of his hands in response and leaning into the touch. "I'm worried about you to be honest. You haven't had candy all day, and you've been more twitchy than usual."

"I've calmed down a bit," Nutty replied. "That flavor-lasting gum helped me feel better." He pulled away and Sniffles leaned back so his head rested in Nutty's lap. Nutty blushed in response and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the lips. Sniffles cupped his cheeks and lifted himself to deepen the kiss, causing Nutty to grip his shoulders tightly. They pulled away for a breath of air and gazed at each other lovingly. Sniffles wiped the tears from one of the green-haired male's eyes with his thumb, which had Nutty leaning into the hand on his cheek. "I'm scared, Sniffles."

"I am too." Sniffles sat up and returned to the laptop screen to do more research on the children's whereabouts. Nutty swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, making his way towards the door. "There's food on the stove if you're hungry."

"I'll eat later."

"But I want you to eat with me." Sniffles looked up to see Nutty with lowered eyes and a slight frown. He sighed and closed the laptop before pushing himself off of the bed with the laptop tucked under his arm. "Alright. I don't want to leave you all by yourself." He pecked the greenette on the lips a second time before heading down to the dining room. He glanced back into the room a second time before pulling a small chocolate wrapped in plastic out of his pocket. Nutty popped the chocolate in his mouth, savoring the taste for a few seconds before closing the bedroom door behind him.

Handy wrapped an arm around the bluenette next to him as they watched one of their favorite movies. Petunia leaned her head on his shoulder with lowered eyes and reached out for the cup of tea on the coffee table. Her fingers barely touched the handle when she saw a tiny hand covered with blood grab onto her wrist. With a shriek, she dropped the cup, and hid in the red-head's arms. Handy pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, his eyes glancing over to the fallen teacup. "It's alright," He muttered while stroking her hair. "There's nothing there."

"B-But-" Petunia was cut off with a few kisses and a tighter hug. She turned around to see nothing on the coffee table, and she returned to hiding her face into the other. Handy sighed and only held her close. Since Lilac's disappearance, her hallucinations had gotten worse as the hours passed, and the blue-haired woman was at a breaking point. He began to worry when he thought of her hallucinations resulting in causing harm to herself. Handy turned off the TV and lifted Petunia off of the couch bridal style, and began to head upstairs towards the bedroom. "How about you get some rest? You've been through a lot today." Petunia only wrapped arms around his neck and pulled herself close.

Handy opened the door and stepped inside, gently placing the bluenette on the bed and cupped her cheek. He crawled onto the bed beside her as she turned towards him, holding both of his hands and pulling them towards her chest. "I'm sorry." She muttered.

"You don't need to be sorry for anything," Petunia glanced at him with tears in her eyes and she lowered her head. Handy leaned in and kissed her softly before cupping one of her cheeks. "It's not your fault." He gave the bluenette a comforting smile and kissed her again, having Petunia respond by wrapping her arms around him.

Ruby curled up next to the other captured children as the leader of their kidnappers paced the room with a hand on his chin. He turned towards the toddlers and lifted an eyebrow before continuing his pace. The tiny red-head scooted closer to Umi and held onto her tightly as tears began to fill her eyes. "I wanna go home."

"Me too." Umi replied in a soft tone as she hugged the younger in return, pulling out a small amulet from her pocket. Ruby looked over with a curious glance as she spotted it. "What's that?"

"Mama got it from pirates," Umi replied. "I wanted to show it to everyone because I wanted them to see how pretty it was. I was keeping it hidden in case the bad guys saw it." Ruby couldn't take her eyes off of the gem, which was crimson-colored and encased in gold. She silently mentioned that the gem matched the color of Umi and Russell's eyes. She wanted to reach out and touch it, but held herself back in case the tiny bluenette didn't want to give it to her yet. She looked at the other children and saw Danny trying to calm his sisters, and Lilac curled in a ball a few feet away. She glanced at the door to see two men standing at the entrance, and another high on a ledge on her left gazing out of the window with a rifle.

Umi shoved the gem back into her pocket and out of sight the moment the leader shouted "Wait a minute!" The other three men in the room shot their heads towards him, and he glanced around to meet Ruby's eyes. Ruby shrouded away in fear, but it wasn't long before she was pulled forward to meet the leader's eyes. He hummed to himself before his eyes widened at the familiar emerald orbs that she had. He smirked and shoved the girl away and laughed. "Well what do we have here? The child of the spineless soldier!" The other three men glanced over with wide eyes, and the leader turned back towards them. "We've all heard the stories right? About how he got his entire squad killed and hid in a corpse?"

"I heard he threw a pizza slice at the enemy instead of a knife!"

"Didn't he get his hands cut off when he fought the general?"

"Who in their right mind would want to have a kid with him?"

"What a pussy!" The leader cackled loudly and lifted his head. "I never thought I would get revenge on the guy who killed our boss, but now that I have his kid, who knows what I can do?" He turned back to the tiny red-head, who hid behind Umi once again and hid her face. Once the leader saw the bluenette, he lifted an eyebrow at the crimson color in her eyes and the familiar resemblance on her face. He turned back to the others with a wider smirk. "Who here remembers the Sea Pirates?" At once, their eyes widened and jerked their heads towards the toddler, who kept her ground and put on a brave face. "Are you serious?"

"Never imagined that he would have a kid."

"Why is everyone fucking the crazy people!?"

"W-What are you talking about?" Umi spoke up with slight fear in her voice. The leader knelt down to her eye level with a sneer. "Where did you get that beauty, my dear?" He asked in a low tone, and Umi's eyes widened when she realized that he was talking about the gem her mother had given her. She lowered her head and averted her gaze. "M-My Mama gave it to me."

"So he really did bottom," The leader muttered under his breath. "Couldn't see him shoving a dick in someone."

"B-But why do you want to know about Mama?" He turned his gaze back to her with a malicious glint in his eyes. "Your Mama is one of the evil pirates from the stories. He stole from others and hurt many people." He could see the fear began to spread on the girl's face, and he backed away. "That gem was probably stolen by an innocent man, and your mother killed him with no mercy," The toddler curled into a ball, forcing Ruby to come out of hiding and glance at the leader. "Who would have guessed that we have the children of the two most dangerous men on the planet."

"They're not bad anymore," He jerked his head to see that the eldest of the triplets spoke up with a surprisingly calm tone. "Mr. Russell doesn't do that anymore, and Mr. Flippy is good."

"Ah I see who you are," The leader replied. "You're the kid of that stupid scientist, and judging by your sisters, he got with the candy-loving maniac. And that other brat over there," He pointed to Lilac, who was quiet throughout the conversation. "Is completely new to me." He turned towards the door and looked over at his followers. "Make sure this door is locked when you leave. I don't want anyone finding them."

"Sure." The leader glanced back at the children one last time before leaving the room. Ruby kept her gaze on her friend, who seemed distraught from the information she had heard. "Mama's not a pirate. Pirates are bad. Mama is good. It's not true." The red-head wrapped arms around Umi in hopes of comforting her, and turned her gaze towards the high window with fear. She hoped that someone, or anyone, would be able to bring them home.