Disclaimer. I don't own Animaniacs. They belong to WB. Dee Peg and Psykko are mine. Just read the thing.
This is a rewrite of a previous fiction that didn't go so well. I ditched the comedy and went for a more serious tone. Humor is still somewhat intact though. This is my first real try at this so if you can't offer constructive criticism then don't review this story. I expect that I made a great many mistakes and I realize I need to improve but ripping me a new one is not a good way of ensuring there will be future chapters. Scratchandsniff's accent is intentionally intermittent in this. Explained somewhat in the story but it was also like this in the show that I remember.
New Arrivals Chapter 1
"Seven AM. This better be good.." Yakko cracked open an eye glaring at the clock beside his bed. He had been awakened rudely by frantic knocking at the tower door. Unusual in that no one ever came to visit and annoying because no one ever came to visit. Especially at seven AM.
"Yeah yeah one minuet!" Yakko growled tossing on his pants from the previous night he made his way to the door cursing as he stumbled over a discarded toy. He would have to talk to Wakko about that later.
Cracking the door open he squinted into the morning light his eyes slowly focusing on a harried looking Doctor Scratchandsniff.
"Doc? What the hell? What do you want? Its seven AM i was trying to-"
"You need to get your brother und sister up Yakko. Somezing big has happened und...vell i zink you should see for yourzelf."
Yakko groaned rubbing his eyes. He really wasn't in the mood for riddles. But the Doctor was looking more animated than he was accustomed to seeing. That at least piqued his curiosity.
"Look can't you just tell me so I can go back to bed? We were up late last night and-"
"Nein! No time!"
"Hey that rhymed." Yakko smirked. "And don't interrupt people it's rude." There was always time for a wise crack.
"If you have ze time for ze jokes then you have ze time for zis." The Doctor scowled crossing his arms his mood resolute.
Yakko sighed. He knew the Doctor could be nearly as stubborn as he was and honestly didn't feel like fighting with him for once. It wasn't often that Yakko was this malleable.
"Ok fine just lemme get some clean clothes on and wake the sibs. When Dot starts screaming im blaming you Doc."
The Doctor simply nodded and stepped inside without a word. His mood seemed odd to Yakko who was now awake enough to notice these things. His body language suggested anxiety and for once he wasn't trying to analyze him.
"Oh do come in. Me casa es su casa." Yakko scowled closing the door behind him. It wasn't like the Doctor to barge in uninvited ether. Bad enough that they couldn't have a real house now they have to deal with irritable invaders to boot.
"Fine fine you wake your brother und sister und I vill make zem somezink to eat. Zere is little time to vaste."
Yakko simply raised an eyebrow as the Doctor made his way quickly to the kitchen kicking toys and wads of paper aside as he went, the kitchen becoming a den of noise as he quickly threw something together for them to eat.
"Ether hes flipped his wig or something is very wrong." He mused aloud to himself.
After changing Yakko made his way to Dot's room first. Despite his warning she was actually easier to wake up than Wakko without getting bitten. Peeking his head in he called out her name softly at first shaking her foot when she didn't respond. This got a grumble and some movement but little else. He sighed and settled on shaking her more assertively while calling her name finally getting whole words out of her. None of which should come out of a cute little girl.
"Yakko I swear if the tower isn't on fire or someone is dead you soon will be." She growled sitting up from her nest of stuffed animals and glaring at him her hair a dischevled mess.
"I know sis but the Doc is here and he's being stubborn about it. Says something big has happened and he wants us to see it."
"I can't imagine why they would want us there. We didn't do anything for once." She huffed finally sliding out of bed while Yakko handed her a dress.
"Lets just make this quick so he will stop trying to destroy our kitchen- This isn't Iron Chef Doc! For gods sake slow down! Never thought I would say those words to another person, let alone him."
This at least got a smile out of Dot. Nodding to himself satisfied that she would stay up he made his way to Wakko's room to repeat the process.
Wakko proved a tougher nut to crack and predictably had to be drug out of bed by his tail while clinging to his pillow whimpering and kicking the whole way.
"Come on Wakko get some clothes on so we can get this over with! The Doc is making breakfast..." He tried to bribe him with food. Which usually did the trick.
"Scratchies food tastes like crap." He grumbled into his pillow. At least he was on his feet now glaring at his closet but still clinging to his pillow.
"He can't cook Yakko. Everything he makes is bland and gloopy. Ive pulled tastier things out of my nose then he-"
"OK! Let's stop that thought there and get with the clothes wearing. I think I'll skip breakfast now." Yakko scowled at the thought sticking his tongue out in disgust. At least he was fully awake now and from the sound of it so was Dot.
Making his way into the kitchen he saw the little angel in question brandishing a large wooden spoon at Doctor Scratchandsniff who was defending himself with a pot lid trying to justify why he interrupted her "cutie sleep".
"-and another thing-!"
"Dot! Don't kill the messenger! At least until we get more information and if it's something stupid then you can have him."
Yakko rushed to her side to swipe the spoon and scoop her into a chair. She huffed and sat there with her arms crossed but at least she wasn't trying to kill anyone. None of them were morning people and waking up was a hassle even under normal circumstances.
The doctor sighed in relief putting the lid aside and resuming the process of scooping eggs and toast onto plates. Dot could be a little terror when she was upset. He could sympathize even. He had been awakened at 5 AM to a screaming Plotz. At least these three had time enough to eat a decent breakfast.
"This crud better taste good." Wakko had finally ambled out of his room dragging his pillow behind him as if to threaten sleep if breakfast wasn't up to his standards. He looked like an unmade bed but at least he wasn't naked this time.
Yakko started grabbing plates and handing them off to his sibs then took a piece of toast for himself. Sitting at the table and leaning back regarding the Doctor with his keen dark eyes.
"Ok we're up, and eating. Wanna tell us what this is about or do I let Dot have the spoon back?" Yakko threatened.
The anxiety returned to the Doctors face with the reminder his eyes becoming shifty as he seemed to try to think of the right words to say.
"Vell I don't have all zee details...Mister Plotz vas adamant zat you all be in his office as zoon as I could get you zere. He only zaid it vas an emergency. I didn't ask to many questions and he zounded angry." He smiled sheepishly.
Yakko groaned. He could see the situation now. Plotz got his britches in a knot over some simple thing, screamed at Scratchandsniff and he came running like a loyal bloodhound without a second thought about it. This was not worth waking up for but since they were awake already may as well see what this is about. Then he would let Dot have the spoon back.
To his surprise breakfast wasn't to bad! Fried eggs and toast. Simple but hard to screw up. After an initial taste test Wakko downed the plate in one gulp burping loudly. This earned him a glare from Dot and Scratchy but he ignored them and just smiled to himself. 'That was one to be proud of!'
"S'cuse me." He drawled still grinning.
"Wakko you pig, can't you do that somewhere I don't have to hear it?" Dot pushed her plate aside apparently finished, or to grossed out to keep eating.
"If I do that then no one will know how loud it was." Wakko smiled his tongue sticking out of his mouth.
"That's the point! You don't do that at the- ARGH! Boys..."
The trip to the office was uneventful in contrast to just getting everyone together and out the door. If Otto ever wondered why he never had kids he had only to look to these three. Even the simplest things had to become an ordeal that made him want to beat his head against a wall. He sighed to himself and wondered what Plotz had been like as a child. Was he this bratty and difficult? He supposed he was more spoiled than anything. A child that got everything he ever wanted and demanded perfection. He probably didn't see his parents much ether.
His reverie was broken by Yakko opening the office door and uncharacteristically stalking up to Plotz in a dark mood rather than the usual jumping and yelling and jokes. He must be truly upset about having been awakened so early.
Yakko stepped up on top of the CEO's desk and leaned over poking the him in the chest with a gloved finger glaring at him.
"Ok mac whats this about waking us up so early huh? We haven't had to get up this early since the show! Why I have half a mind to-"
"It's about your family." Plotz interrupted.
Yakko raised an eyebrow and looked to his siblings who simply shrugged and stared back.
"No not those two. Your other family."
For once Plotz wasn't screaming or throwing things. He didn't even look the least bit upset. Which for him was strange in its self.
"We are our only family." Yakko pointed out matter of factly.
'Everyone is acting so strange today. Totally out of character. Scratchy isn't asking stupid questions, Plotz isn't screaming about money, And where the hell was Ralph? For that matter where is the nurse? She's never far behind Scratchy.' Yakko mused.
"Ehhhhhhhhhh ok this has gone on long enough. What is this about? Why was it worth getting out of bed at the butt crack of dawn? And why are you two acting so weird? Scratchy looks like he's about to have a breakdown and you look sane for the first time since - well ever."
"Do you remember anything about your animator Yakko?"
This earned the CEO a sidelong stare. 'More stupid questions.' Yakko thought. 'Did these two switch brains or something?'
"What are you getting at?"
"The man was a genius. One of the best. And one of the most insane after he created you three." He glared at Yakko looking more himself for a second.
He continued without waiting for a response. "We found out this man had a family of his own. His great grandson has continued the family tradition of animation. He was obsessed with his great grandfather's works, including you three. He is also every bit the mad genius his great grandfather was."
Yakko was growing more impatient by the second. His foot began tapping on the desk top. ' Why can't people just come out and say what they want?'
"Well good for him! A man needs a hobby. Now if there is a point? Make it."
Sensing things were about to get out of control Plotz tried to wrap things up.
"The long and short of it is he created something. He poured his madness and obsession into it. He spent months creating these toon's and well...you will have to meet them. You are probably the only three that could keep up with them anyway."
Yakko was not amused.
"Uh huh. So you brought us all the way here to tell us sonny boy went and made something you can't keep up with and you want us to keep them under wraps like you have been trying to do to us for the past 78 years. Is that about the size of it?"
Plotz seemed to think for a second before responding curtly. "Yes. And since you are in a way related you are responsible for these three."
"Oh so there is three of them? Look sibs some useful information for once! I do declare." Yakko quipped earning another glare from Plotz and giggles from Wakko and Dot. Still the new of new family members was flooring. Worth getting up in the morning for even. He wouldn't let Plotz know that though.
"They are in Doctor Scratchansniff's office by now. You three are to go meet them and get them into the tower. Living arrangements will be made to cope with the extra crowd and the same agreement made between them and the studio that we have with you."
Plotz leered at the oldest Warner. "And any trouble they cause is YOUR responsibility Yakko. It's bad enough that you three run rough shod over the lot. With six of you...the thought makes my head hurt."
Yakko smiled. ' Ah he needs something from us and its killing him to ask. Finally room to haggle.' He thought to himself grinning.
"Fine Plotzy leave it to us! But in return we would like some ehhhhhhhhhhh concessions made. A compromise if you will."
This enraged the little man and his calm facade crumbled.
"Yakko Warner are you blackmailing me!?"
"What? Nooooooo just think of this as an allowance for the extra burden this will put on us, struggling to get by as we are." He smiled back at the red faced pygmy.
Plotz thought and grumbled to himself for a moment. "Fine! We will discuss this later! Now go! Get out of my office! And get those crazy toon's under control!"
The three Warner's all jumped on Plotz kissing his head, becoming more themselves as they ran out the office door with him screaming at their backs.
"Thanks Plotzy! You won't live to regret it!" Yakko called over his shoulder.
Doctor Scratchandsniff sighed and followed the three out gesturing down the hall for them to follow him. It was going to be a long day. He was curious himself to meet these new toon's the CEO had spoken of and wondered what they would be like.
It didn't seem to take as long as it normally does to reach the office. Being carried by three hyper toon's running at full speed didn't hurt things ether. Otto could do nothing but cross his arms and let them have their way. At least it was faster than walking and he wouldn't be out of breath. He had a feeling he would be doing a lot of talking to soothe frayed nerves. If not the Warner's than his own and the rest of the staff. He couldn't predict how this meeting would go and frankly it had him a little more than worried since Plotz had mentioned it. Six Warner's in one room was more insanity than he thought one structure could handle.
It isn't every day that a new toon walks onto the lot. Let alone to live here. He didn't blame the Warner's for resenting it. He wouldn't want to live in a water tower ether.
He was once again brought out of his thoughts. This time by being dropped in front of the door to his office.
"Oh thank you, I appreciate being discarded like a zack of potato's."
"Your welcome!" The trio responded in unison grinning widely.
He scowled as he stood and opened the door walking in ahead of the trio. Mostly to get a feel for the room and what the situation was. He could hear conversation screaming and laughing coming from beyond the door which grew louder as it opened. He stopped in his tracks horrified at what he saw. ' No. Not this. It can't be.'
"Whoa when Plotz said junior was obsessed with his great grand dads work he wasn't kidding." Yakko commented taking in the scene before him.
The three looked almost exactly like them save a few minor differences. The apparently oldest was reclining in the Doctors chair his hands behind his head laughing as the second oldest a girl in this case was clawing at Ralph who was struggling with and losing to the toon. He wore what from the door looked like denim overalls and was chewing on a piece of grass or perhaps a toothpick. His hair was a bit longer and his bangs stuck out a bit at different angles.
The girl in question was taller and more developed than Dot and looked like she could be maybe 12 or 13 and wore a pretty yellow sun dress. Yakko could imagine that when her face wasn't twisted in sadistic rage she would actually be quite attractive.
The third had the nurse backed into a corner and was leering at her. At least they knew where she was now. All Yakko could tell about him was that he was a little shorter than himself and wore a grey hoodie and no pants. His hair was also wildly spiked and his voice was higher than the other two.
As the trio and Doctor made their way in the oldest glanced over to them and stopped laughing. However his grin grew wider and something passed behind his eyes. Recognition perhaps? Scratchandsniff cleared his throat and everything all at once stopped.
"Ahh. Well ya don't say..." The oldest drawled. His voice had a slight hint of a southern accent but it wasn't that noticeable. It was also a bit deeper than Yakko's own but similar in tone. He leaned forward in the chair propping his chin on his hands his own brother and sister looking up from their distractions and turning to the Warner's who regarded them just as closely Wakko and Dot staying close to Yakko's side.
Yakko was finally able to get a look at the youngest of the three and cringed a little. He looked insane with his mouth curled into an almost to wide grin full of sharp pointed teeth, his eyes full of unhinged madness. His hair was indeed spiked and a grey hoodie was all he wore. He looked like a criminally insane taller version of Wakko. He seemed to be staring almost through him his head tilted slightly askew.
Yakko and all other eyes turned to the Doctor as he spoke.
"Ahem. You are zee new arrivals Ja? I vould like you to meet your cousins. Zis is Yakko, Wakko, und Dot. Zhey vill be your room mates und guardians vhile you stay vhis us."
Yakko noticed that when Scratchy was nervous or upset his accent seemed to thicken and he tended to ramble.
With this the oldest one stood and stepped over the desk rather than around it landing deftly in front of Yakko his hand extended. "The name is Dee. That's my sister Peg and my little brother Psykko. Don't worry hes harmless really, until hes not."
Yakko grinned as he took the new Warner's hand. He was a little taller than Yakko. But his demeanor seemed no less at ease, in contrast to the situation at least. The easy mood he was trying to create however was broken as the one he called Psykko spoke.
"Guardians? So you are our wardens eh? Come to lock us away? Stuff us in that tower?" Psykko barely hid the growl in his high pitched voice his fur standing on end and drool dripping from his chin as his grin grew wider. He seemed to be made of naked hostility. Everything about him was simply unnerving. Yakko couldn't imagine this guy ever being on a kids show.
"Psy be nice now we're all family here." Dee drawled. "I'm sure the studio had a reason for asking us so nicely to come stay on the lot."
"Here the meaning of ask being capture and incarcerate us." Peg finally spoke. Jumping to her brother side leaving Ralph alone for the moment. Her voice was pleasant enough even slightly on the husky side. The menace was gone from her face as well but she still seemed unhappy about the situation. "But Dee is right Psykko if we have a warden it's that Plotz guy."
At this Psykko seemed to calm a bit. Yakko could feel himself and everyone else in the room relax some in response. He was certain the little guy was about to attack. At least he wasn't drooling any more and some of the hostility left his eyes as he cut his gaze to the floor. Though he still didn't look happy. None of them did Yakko noticed. Even Dee seemed at least mildly irritated though he did a decent job of hiding it behind his grin but his eyes said otherwise. At least he was trying to be nice.
"I apologize for my brother he can be a little emotional before lunch. Tends to bite to. Your guard dog here found that out."
Dee thumbed toward Ralph who was cradling his right hand looking none to pleased. The poor guy looked for the world like he had been in a prize fight with Mike Tyson bite marks and all.
'None of this bodes well.' Yakko thought. 'At least we weren't violent like these guys seem to be. Maybe this Dee guy can keep the other two in line. Or at least keep them from hurting anyone else. Least of all us.'
Explanations were made and some mumbled apologies offered as the hours wore on. The Warner cousins weren't a bad lot after all really, even Psykko was somewhat reasonable after getting some food in him. And the situation wasn't quite as dire as Scratchandsniff or Plotz had made it out to be to Yakko's ears. Just that their creator was more insane than had first been eluded to. He was currently enduring a stay in a hospital mental ward due to psychosis and dementia. Which explained why they were here. Since the animator could no longer take care of his creations they were now the property of his employer (or in this case great grandfather's employer) and would have to stay on premises.
The cousins all agreed to the same arrangement the Warner's were under and after some extended and heated talks with Plotz concessions were made to expand the living space in the tower and give the Warner's and cousins more freedom to roam as long as they didn't destroy to much or interrupt any filming. Which was fine so long as they were allowed to leave the lot to do more interesting things and studio funded field trips arranged. They were even able to negotiate a computer and internet connection. Which was something they had been wanting for a while now.
It was a unique situation to be sure but as long as they held to their end of the bargain the Warner's all felt things would be livable at least if not an improvement over their current situation by virtue of said expanded discretionary powers. However Dee had warned Plotz if they tried to back out even a little the studio would pay dearly. They were accustomed to being free to do as they liked without someone looking over their shoulder. It took a lot for them to allow even this much constraint.
The studio for it's part was not entering into this without profit and it was decided that when they knew more about them the company would put the cousins to work in whatever field they had the most talent for. But all this was again to be discussed later.
